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"I thought I was Bear Grylls": Woman speaks out after being trapped upside-down for 7 hours

<p>A young woman who spent hours stuck upside-down between two boulders has spoken out about her horrific <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/woman-rescued-after-getting-stuck-in-between-two-boulders" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ordeal</a> as she was reunited with her rescuers. </p> <p>Matilda Campbell, a 23-year-old from Newcastle, was on a trip away with friends in Laguna, about a 30-minute drive from Cessnock, when she dropped her phone between two huge rocks.</p> <p>The young woman climbed down to retrieve her phone, and when she got stuck upside-down, her friends called 000 for help. </p> <p>Paramedics had to move the boulders using a specialist winch to reach Matilda, before facing the tricky task of “navigating” her out from her precarious position.</p> <p>After suffering minor injuries from the ordeal, Matilda has spoken out about how she ended up in the sticky situation. </p> <p>“We wanted to see nature ... and we saw these beautiful rocks so we sat there ... and then my friend had my phone and it slipped off the rock,” she told <em>7News</em>.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBsj-x1CYI2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBsj-x1CYI2/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by 7NEWS Sydney (@7newssyd)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“And I thought oh no I’m still paying off that phone I need it ... so I ventured down and thought I was Bear Grylls ... and I slipped head first into the crevice where I was stuck for seven hours."</p> <p>“I didn’t freak out at the start ... it took me about half an hour to realise I was fully stuck and then I started to have a big cry."</p> <p>“I’m very thankful I was with my friends, otherwise it would have been a very different story.”</p> <p>Campbell has since been reunited with her rescuers, to whom she says she owes her life, as she said, “I’m just thankful to see them again ... I wouldn’t be here today without them. So, I’m really thankful.”</p> <p>Specialist rescue paramedic Peter Watts said the rescue was “challenging but incredibly rewarding”, saying after the rescue, “In my 10 years as a rescue paramedic, I had never encountered a job quite like this.”</p> <p>In total, the woman spent seven hours hanging upside-down before she was freed, with only minor scratches and bruises but still without her phone, which could not be retrieved.</p> <p><em>Image credits: 7News</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Beloved teddy bear left in airport lounge rescued by airline

<p dir="ltr">Staff at British Airways have rescued a child’s stuffed teddy bear that was left behind in an airport lounge, documenting the toy’s safe journey home. </p> <p dir="ltr">The treasured teddy was found in the British Airways lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport by nine-year-old Alex, who accidentally left the toy behind before boarding a flight home to Dubai. </p> <p dir="ltr">After staff found the stranded toy, a new flight and boarding pass was created for Postman Bear, while members of the BA team gave the teddy the”'VIP treatment”  with a journey on an airport buggy to “catch up” with the Cabin Crew Operations team in the Crew Report Centre.</p> <p dir="ltr">Postman Bear was then taken to meet the cabin crew on his new flight to Dubai and was pictured “patiently” waiting for his flight at the gate, drinking a cup of coffee and enjoying “some great views of the aircraft” while waiting to board. </p> <p dir="ltr">The teddy’s journey home was lovingly captured by British Airways customer manager, Ed Tumath, who sent the snaps back to young Alex to assure him his beloved bear was being looked after. </p> <p dir="ltr">After touching down in Dubai, the cabin crew took Postman Bear to reunite with Alex and the rest of his family for a “bear-y happy reunion”. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stuart, Alex's parent, recalled the moment they knew the teddy was missing, while praising British Airways for their tireless journey to reunite Alex with his bear. </p> <p dir="ltr">Stuart said, “My son had left his teddy bear - huge sentimental value as he has had the teddy since birth - in the British Airways lounge ahead of the flight. We noticed as the aircraft doors were closing so nothing could be done at that point.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“This was very distressing to my son who uses the teddy as a calming item, especially when flying. This was incredibly stressful and we feared that his beloved teddy may be lost forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Whilst onboard the flight, I took to a series of Facebook groups to seek help in finding the teddy. A member of the group contacted Ed who came to the rescue. I managed to communicate with Ed on the flight and received a picture showing that the teddy had been found, which calmed my son.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Not only did Ed go out of his way to find the teddy but he communicated so well throughout. He genuinely cared about the situation and worked so hard to get the teddy back to us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“He arranged for the teddy to board a flight to Dubai a couple of days later and a crew member handed the teddy back to us. Not only did Ed excel in his caring manner and communication, he even provided a few pictures of the teddy's journey, which my son will treasure forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“My son was so relieved - words could not express how grateful we are to Ed for his kind act and dedication to getting the teddy back to us. I have been flying with BA for many years - this is the best experience I have had by far and I am overwhelmed by Ed's efforts.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Sometimes amazing people do incredible things and show such kindness along the way... these things matter. This meant a huge amount to my family and I, and we will be forever grateful.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: British Airways</em></p>

International Travel

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Family and friends farewell Sam Landsberger

<p>Sam Landsberger's family and friends have said their final goodbyes to the beloved sports journalist. </p> <p>The Herald Sun AFL and cricket reporter was talking on the phone with his mum while on the way to meet a friend when he was <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/he-was-at-peace-sam-landsberger-s-parents-break-silence-after-sudden-death" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hit by a truck</a> at the intersection of Bridge Rd and Church St in Richmond, Melbourne on August 20.</p> <p>The 35-year-old later died at The Alfred hospital from his injuries. </p> <p>Hundreds gathered to farewell him at a funeral service at the Temple Beth Israel synagogue in St Kilda.</p> <p>His parents, Jake and Anne, have remembered their youngest child and only son as a "caring and wonderful" person. </p> <p>“Approximately 22 years ago our family stood in this same spot in this wonderful big hall celebrating Sam’s bar mitzvah, now we find ourselves in this exact hall in utter and complete devastation,” Jake said. </p> <p>“I heard so many stories that parents should never ever have to bury their children, yet this is what we are doing.</p> <p>“He was a dedicated, hardworking journalist who loved his job.</p> <p>“He brought so much joy to our lives. He lit up every room he entered, yet he lit up our entire lives.”</p> <p>His father also said that Sam's second grade teacher called him a "diamond" and it was the perfect word to describe him. </p> <p>Jake also recalled his favourite story about his son when he was 10 years old. </p> <p>“Sam had vomited all over his front, his chest was bright yellow,” he said.</p> <p>“I picked him up over the fence and we walked into the rooms to check him over … (only to learn) the reason he was sick was he’d just consumed a jumbo box of Cheezels.</p> <p>“From that time on, every member of the club would call him Cheezels.</p> <p>“At this moment it’s indescribable devastation we feel but also underlining gratitude for what he gave, a beautiful, gorgeous, caring young man who will never be forgotten and always be in our hearts.”</p> <p>Sam’s mother, thanked Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight for the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-9BuSHTic-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==" target="_blank" rel="noopener">"wonderful tribute"</a> that captured his spirit and likeness to his maternal grandfather. </p> <p>“I delivered Sam, I nurtured Sam and I am so grateful that I was with him at the end,” she said.</p> <p>“There will always be a massive hole in my heart. I love you and will forever.</p> <p>“Rest in peace my darling boy, I love you.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-9BuSHTic-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-9BuSHTic-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mark Knight (@knightcartoons)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>His older sister also talked about their heartbreak at losing their little brother, with a message from his niece being read out. </p> <p>“Dear Sam, I’m really going to miss you. I loved how you would push me on the swings...Thank you for teaching me about the Bulldogs. I’m sad I won’t get to see you again. Love Zara.”</p> <p>Another friend, Will Kim, revealed Sam was due to be best man at his wedding later this year.</p> <p>“I thought he’d be the one making a speech and saying nice things about me, not the other way around,” he said.</p> <p>“How cruel and unpredictable life can be.”</p> <p>Since news broke of Sam's death the footy community have shared their fond memories of him. </p> <p>“The entire AFL footy community is shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Sam in a tragic road accident,” his online funeral notice stated.</p> <p>“His enthusiasm for the game and passion for his work was always evident and his positive approach and friendly nature will be fondly recalled by all who knew and worked with him.</p> <p>“Sincere sympathies to Jake, Anne, Jess, Sarah and all of his extended family, friends and colleagues.”</p> <p>The truck driver that struck Landsberger is due to appear before Melbourne Magistrates Court on September 19.</p> <p>While he underwent the standard roadside alcohol and drug tests, which were both negative, he was charged for refusing to provide a blood sample to police. </p> <p>He has also been given a notice banning him from driving until his first court appearance. </p> <p><em>Images: Herald Sun</em></p>

Caring

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Summer’s over, so how much sun can (and should) I get?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-lee-228942">Katie Lee</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-neale-891731">Rachel Neale</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/qimr-berghofer-medical-research-institute-1811">QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute</a></em></p> <p>As we slide of out summer, you might be wondering how careful you need to be about sun exposure. Excessive exposure causes <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/about-us/policy-and-advocacy/prevention-policy/national-cancer-prevention-policy/skin-cancer-statistics-and-issues/uv-radiation">skin cancer</a>, but sun exposure also has <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9976694/">benefits</a>. How do you balance the two?</p> <p>A new <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub">position statement</a> from cancer, bone health and other experts <a href="https://www.assc.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Sun-Exposure-Summit-PositionStatement_V1.9.pdf">aims to help</a> Australians balance the good and bad effects of sun exposure by taking into account their skin colour, risk of skin cancer, and where they live.</p> <h2>What are the benefits of sunlight?</h2> <p>Ultraviolet (UV) radiation (the wavelengths in sunlight that cause skin cancer) also leads to vitamin D production. <a href="https://dermnetnz.org/topics/vitamin-d">Vitamin D</a> is very important for maintaining strong bones, and is likely to have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9976694/">multiple other health benefits</a>.</p> <p>But vitamin D probably isn’t the whole story. Sunshine, including UV radiation, is thought to affect health in <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9976694/">other ways</a> such as improving our mood and reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases and infections. So for many people, avoiding the sun and taking a vitamin D supplement may not be the best approach.</p> <h2>How much time does it take to make vitamin D?</h2> <p>It’s complicated, but for most people and most of the year across most of Australia, it’s a lot less than you think.</p> <p>The <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/php.13854">amount of time needed</a> depends on the amount of skin covered by clothing and the intensity of UV radiation (indicated by the UV index). More skin exposed and higher UV index equate to less time needed.</p> <p>Both the UV index and the amount of the year that UV radiation is high increase as you get closer to the equator. In summer, all of Australia is bathed in sunshine. But in winter, opposite ends of the country have <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/php.13854">very different exposures</a>.</p> <p>In summer, everybody except those with deeply pigmented skin can make enough vitamin D in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub">just five minutes</a> between 9am and 3pm, anywhere in Australia, provided they are wearing shorts and a T-shirt.</p> <p>In winter it’s a different story. In <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub">Darwin and Brisbane</a>, 5–10 minutes between 10am and 3pm will do the trick, but in <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub">Hobart</a>, factoring in winter clothing, it will take nearly an hour in the middle of the day.</p> <p>Hover your mouse over the lines below to see the length of exposure needed at specific times of day.</p> <p><iframe id="X5szQ" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/X5szQ/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>Staying out for longer than needed doesn’t necessarily make more vitamin D, but it <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub#bib25">does cause skin damage</a>.</p> <h2>Hang on, what about those with darker skin?</h2> <p>People with deeply pigmented, brown to black skin accumulate both vitamin D and DNA damage at a much slower rate than people with lighter skin tones.</p> <p>When UV radiation hits a DNA strand, it causes the DNA to become distorted. If the distortion isn’t fixed, it will cause a mistake when the DNA is copied for a new cell, causing a permanent mutation that sometimes leads to cancer.</p> <p>Melanin, the brown pigment in the skin, absorbs UV photons before that can happen, and the high melanin content in the darkest skin tones provides <a href="https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1096/fj.201701472R">60 times</a> as much UV protection as the small amount in very fair skin.</p> <p>The flip side is the risk of vitamin D deficiency is much higher than the risk of skin cancer.</p> <p>The new statement accounts for this by putting people into <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub">three groups</a> based on their risk of skin cancer, with specialised advice for each group.</p> <h2>Highest skin cancer risk</h2> <p>This includes people with very pale skin that burns easily and tans minimally, but also people with darker white or olive skin who can tan easily but have extra skin cancer risk factors because they:</p> <ul> <li>have had <strong>skin cancer</strong> before</li> <li>have a <strong>family history</strong> of melanomas</li> <li>have many <strong>moles</strong></li> <li>are taking <strong>immunosuppressant</strong> medications.</li> </ul> <p>For these people, the harms of sun exposure almost certainly <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub">outweigh the benefits</a>.</p> <p>These people should wear sunscreen every day the <a href="https://www.arpansa.gov.au/our-services/monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-monitoring/ultraviolet-radiation-index">UV index</a> is forecast to get to <a href="https://www.assc.org.au/peak-health-bodies-recommend-new-approach-to-sunscreen-use/">three or more</a>, and use the <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/be-sunsmart">five sunsmart steps</a> whenever the UV index is above three:</p> <ul> <li><strong>slip</strong> on clothing covering as much of the body as possible</li> <li><strong>slop</strong> on SPF30+ sunscreen on areas that can’t be covered up</li> <li><strong>slap</strong> on a hat</li> <li><strong>seek</strong> shade</li> <li><strong>slide</strong> on sunglasses.</li> </ul> <p>They shouldn’t spend time outdoors deliberately to make vitamin D, but should discuss vitamin D supplements with their doctor.</p> <h2>Intermediate skin cancer risk</h2> <p>This means people with dark white/olive skin that sometimes burns but tans easily, and who don’t have other skin cancer risk factors.</p> <p>These people should still apply sunscreen as part of their usual routine on all days when the UV index is forecast to get to <a href="https://www.assc.org.au/peak-health-bodies-recommend-new-approach-to-sunscreen-use/">three or more</a>, but they can spend enough time outdoors to get a “dose” of vitamin D on most days of the week.</p> <p>Once the time needed for their vitamin D dose is up, they should also use the <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/be-sunsmart">slip-slop-slap-seek-slide</a> steps to avoid accumulating DNA damage.</p> <p>If they’re unable to do this because of health or lifestyle factors, like being housebound, working night shifts, or always covering up with clothing, they should see their doctor about whether they need vitamin D supplements.</p> <h2>Lowest skin cancer risk</h2> <p>This covers people with deeply pigmented brown to black skin that rarely or never burns.</p> <p>These people can <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949?via%3Dihub#bib14">safely spend enough time outdoors</a> to make vitamin D and get the other benefits of sunshine. But because more time is needed, it can be difficult, particularly when the weather is cold. Vitamin D supplements might be needed.</p> <p>They don’t need to routinely protect their skin, but might need to <a href="https://www.cancer.org.au/cancer-information/causes-and-prevention/sun-safety/be-sunsmart">slip-slop-slap-seek-slide</a> if they are outdoors for more than two hours.</p> <h2>How do I get the feel-good effects of sunshine?</h2> <p>Spending time outdoors in the early morning is the best way to get the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9976694/">feel-good effects</a> of sunshine. An early morning walk is a great idea for all of us, but it won’t make vitamin D.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. 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More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/katie-lee-228942">Katie Lee</a>, PhD Candidate, Dermatology Research Centre, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-queensland-805">The University of Queensland</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachel-neale-891731">Rachel Neale</a>, Principal research fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/qimr-berghofer-medical-research-institute-1811">QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/summers-over-so-how-much-sun-can-and-should-i-get-224144">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Zoo's upright bear accused of being just a guy in a suit

<p>A Chinese zoo has had to be completely trans-bear-ant about its popular sun bear, following allegations that it was actually a human in disguise.</p> <p>The Hangzhou Zoo in China gained international recognition after video footage of their sun bear standing on its hind legs and waving at visitors caused many to paws and look twice.</p> <p>Many were bear-side themselves with excitement as theories that it was a human in disguise continued to spread.</p> <p>The local Hangzhou Daily first reported on the attention that the four-year-old sun bear named Angela was receiving.</p> <p>“Because of the way they stand, some people online question whether they are ‘humans in disguise’,” they wrote.</p> <p>As Angela gained popularity, experts were summoned and had to confirm that the bear was in fact fur-real.</p> <p>Ashleigh Marshall, an expert from Chester Zoo, told <em>BBC News</em> that the animal “is definitely a real bear,” and affirmed to doubtful visitors that sun bears do often “look a lot like people in costumes”.</p> <p>The animal expert also pointed out that the folds on the sun bear’s back weren’t because the costume was loose, but its actual function is to protect the bear from predators and allow them to “turn around” and fight back if attacked.</p> <p>Various representatives of the zoo have had to come out and release statements addressing the controversy.</p> <p>A spokesperson has reportedly said that the state-run facility would never intentionally deceive people, in an audio clip circulating on popular Chinese social media platform WeChat.</p> <p>“Some people think I stand like a person,” read another social media post, written from the point of view of the bear.</p> <p>“It seems you don't understand me very well.”</p> <p>Another spokesperson for the zoo has also denied the allegations and said that a human in a fur bear suit “would not last more than a few minutes before collapsing” in the 40°C summer temperatures.</p> <p><em>Images: Twitter / WeChat</em></p>

International Travel

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"More than we can bear": Hunter Valley bus crash victims identified

<p>The names of the 10 people who lost their lives in the Hunter Valley wedding bus tragedy have been made public, just two days after the devastating incident occurred. </p> <p>And while their heartbroken families have been informed by police officials that formal identifications could take anywhere from days up to weeks,<em> The Daily Telegraph</em> have reported that 10 people could not be accounted for in the wake of the crash. </p> <p>36 people were on board the coach bound for Singleton, 35 wedding guests - and the bus driver - who had just spent the day celebrating the love and nuptials of local sporting enthusiasts Mitchell Gaffney and Madeleine Edsell at Wandin Valley Estate.</p> <p>The group were onboard in foggy conditions at around 11:30 pm, before the bus rolled roughly 17 minutes into their evening journey, at a roundabout at Wine Country Drive. </p> <p>Emergency services raced to the scene, and while 25 people were pulled from the wreckage and rushed for treatment with injuries varying from the likes of critical head and neck trauma to broken bones, 10 people could not be saved.</p> <p>As reported by <em>The Daily Telegraph</em>, those 10 victims included locals and interstate visitors, all near and dear to the young bride and groom and the rest of their guests.</p> <p>From Singleton were husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, as well as Tori Cowburn and Rebecca Mullen. Mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride were also from the area. Zachary Bray had travelled from Byron Bay for the big day, while Darcy Bulman had come from Sydney, and Angus Craig had made the trip from Queensland.</p> <p>And like the others, the 10th fatality - Kyah’s partner Kane Symons - remains unaccounted for.</p> <p>And as NSW Premier Chris Minns warned while speaking to the media the day after the crash, things may get harder in the weeks to come. </p> <p>“The state woke up this morning to hear devastating news in an area that we normally associate with so much happiness and joy. Whatever the final toll is in this accident, it will be more than we can bear,” he said. </p> <p>“The next few days and weeks may be worse than the initial shock, as it fully comes to realisation of what this community has gone through.”</p> <p>However, as NSW Police Acting Assistant Commissioner David Waddell said, “I see there’s some speculation about the identity of those 10 persons - we cannot confirm the identity of those 10 victims.</p> <p>“We’ll work through the disaster victim identification process over the next few days. Our investigators, our family liaison officers, are speaking to the families and victims. We are in contact. That process will continue throughout the investigation and the court process.”</p> <p>Waddell did note that the bus passengers were in their “20s to 60s”, and that they were “males and females, local and interstate, as you’d expect.”</p> <p>“It’s a traumatic event for all the family,” he added, “all the friends, from what was a wedding where people come from wide and far.” </p> <p><em>Images: 7News / Seven</em></p>

News

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British lawmakers demand Jeremy Clarkson apologise to Meghan Markle

<p dir="ltr">British lawmakers have come out swinging against Jeremy Clarkson following his “violent misogynist” opinion piece about Meghan Markle.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Top Gear host wrote a scathing piece in The Sun saying how much he "hates" the Duchess of Sussex, in the wake of the release of the Prince Harry and Meghan's Netflix documentary series.</p> <p dir="ltr">The piece, which received 17,500 complaints, was retracted with 65 British lawmakers from various political parties condemning the article and demanding an apology to Ms Markle.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We welcome The Sun's retraction of the article, we now demand action is taken against Mr Clarkson and an unreserved apology is issued to Ms Markle immediately," the letter read, which was led by Caroline Nokes, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Conservative party, and chair of Parliament's Women and Equalities Committee.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We further demand definitive action is taken to ensure no article like this is ever published again.</p> <p dir="ltr">"This sort of language has no place in our country, and it is unacceptable that it was allowed to be published in a mainstream newspaper.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Ms Markle has faced multiple credible threats to her life, requiring the intervention of the Metropolitan Police.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Hateful articles like the one written by Mr Clarkson do not exist in a vacuum and directly contribute to this unacceptable climate of hatred and violence."</p> <p dir="ltr">It follows 17,500 complaints sent to the UK's press regulator the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) for the article published in Rupert Murdoch’s rag.</p> <p dir="ltr">Clarkson was met with significant backlash and tweeted his “regret” over the column, which also saw his <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/jeremy-clarkson-s-daughter-takes-a-stand-against-her-famous-dad" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daughter Emily call him out</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Oh dear. I've rather put my foot in it. In a column I wrote about Meghan, I made a clumsy reference to a scene in Game of Thrones and this has gone down badly with a great many people," he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I'm horrified to have caused so much hurt and I shall be more careful in future."</p> <p dir="ltr">The Sun also just mentioned they have removed the article but refused to make any further comment.</p> <p dir="ltr">"In light of Jeremy Clarkson's tweet he has asked us to take last week's column down,” their statement read.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Legal

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“Please look after these bears”: Camilla helps Paddington bears find their new homes

<p dir="ltr">The thousands of Paddington bears left in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II are finally finding their new homes, with Queen Consort Camilla describing it as a “pleasure” to be involved in the process.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-4e8f7f0e-7fff-675c-82b7-8856234ab3ef"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">With the bears slated to be given to the children’s charity Barnados, Camilla delivered the fuzzy stuffed toys to the charity with a convoy of electric taxis through the London Taxi Driver’s Charity for Children.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, The Queen Consort delivered hundreds of Paddington bears and cuddly toys to children who are supported by <a href="https://twitter.com/barnardos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@barnardos</a>.</p> <p>Take a look at their journey to their loving new homes ⬇️<a href="https://t.co/hJE3uf39B0">https://t.co/hJE3uf39B0</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1595840343664115716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">During her visit to Bow day nursery in east London, where they held a special teddy bear’s picnic, complete with marmalade sandwiches, Camilla gave bears to children at the nursery, who are among more than a thousand recipients of the bears and toys left outside the Queen’s residences.</p> <p dir="ltr">The royal also revealed that she “loves mess” and told the kids to look after their new friends.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It has been a pleasure to find a home for these bears - please look after them carefully,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Camilla was also joined by members of the cast of the <em>Paddington </em>film, Hugh Bonneville and Madeleine Harris, as well as Karen Jenkel, whose father Michael Bond wrote the Paddington series of books for her.</p> <p dir="ltr">At the end of her visit to the Bow nursery, Camilla was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a thank-you note by carer Leighann Ives and three-year-old Serena Wicks.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2b78acdb-7fff-7ec8-ea7d-da6c9a60d759"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In the lead-up to the delivery of the bears, the royal family shared sweet updates on the toys, including their antics at the royal residences.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We’ve had a lovely stay at Clarence House and Buckingham Palace (doing our best to keep out of mischief…)</p> <p>Looking forward to arriving at our new homes next week!</p> <p>🔗 <a href="https://t.co/ziDWQhFZtK">https://t.co/ziDWQhFZtK</a> <a href="https://t.co/PmZy5c8moh">pic.twitter.com/PmZy5c8moh</a></p> <p>— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) <a href="https://twitter.com/RoyalFamily/status/1593575755715420164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 18, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“We’ve had a lovely stay at Clarence House and Buckingham Palace (doing our best to keep out of mischief…),” the royal family wrote on social media, sharing a series of photos of a Paddington bear in different spots around the palace.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Looking forward to arriving at our new homes next week!”</p> <p dir="ltr">The decision to donate the bears to Barnados, which Camilla is a patron of, <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/what-will-happen-to-the-thousands-of-paddington-bears-left-for-the-queen">was announced last month</a> with the release of a sweet photo of the Queen Consort surrounded by Paddington bears.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bears were collected from outside the gates of the royal residences by 200 volunteers, who loaded the toys into wagons drawn by grey Shire horses.</p> <p dir="ltr">So many of the bears, along with other toys, flowers, and marmalade sandwiches, were left by mourners that the Royal Park urged members of the public to stop.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3b56f32f-7fff-927b-4fcb-cfc993608794"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

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Jonnie Irwin shares an emotional health update

<p>Jonnie Irwin, star of ‘A place in the Sun’ has given fans an emotional update on his health via social media.</p> <p>In a statement released on Monday Irwin, 48, said he wanted to do “as much as we can as a family” before the time comes, with him revealing that doctors have only given him six months to live upon diagnosis with terminal cancer.</p> <p>Despite sharing the news for the first time on Monday 14 November, Irwin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and learned that his cancer had spread to his brain.</p> <p>“I don’t know how long I have left,” he told Hello magazine.</p> <p>“I try to stay positive and my attitude is that I’m living with cancer, not dying from it.”</p> <p>Irwin developed a huge fanbase as the host of TV show A Place In The Sun, where he helped couples move from homes in Britain to somewhere close to “sun, sea and sand abroad”.</p> <p>He has received an outpouring of supportive messages since revealing his diagnosis prompted him to provide an update on Instagram, where he has an audience of over 78,000 followers.</p> <p>Jonnie and wife Jessica have three sons - three-year-old Rex and two-year-old twins Rada and Cormac.</p> <p>The beloved presenter has told Hello Magazine that he had shifted his mentality from assuming he would not be well enough for certain milestones to instead setting “little markers” of moments he wanted to be around for.</p> <p>Jonnie was in Italy filming A Place in the Sun when he experienced blurry vision while driving, he noticed something was off.</p> <p>“Within a week of flying back from filming, I was being given six months to live,” he said.</p> <p>Despite the initial prognosis, treatment including chemotherapy has helped prolong Irwin’s life. After two years of living with cancer, he said he wanted to share his story beyond the “very small group of friends and family” who knew.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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Astronomers have detected another ‘planet killer’ asteroid. Could we miss one coming our way?

<p>If you surfed the web this morning, you may have seen news of the latest existential threat to humanity: a “planet killer” asteroid named 2022 AP7.</p> <p>Luckily for us 2022 AP7 “has no chance to hit the Earth currently”, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/nov/01/huge-planet-killer-asteroid-discovered-and-its-heading-our-way">according</a> to Scott Sheppard at the Carnegie Institution for Science. He and his international team of colleagues <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/ac8cff/pdf">observed 2022 AP7</a> in a trio of “rather large” asteroids obscured by the Sun’s glare (the other two don’t pose a risk).</p> <p>2022 AP7 orbits the Sun every five years, and currently crosses Earth’s orbit when Earth is on the other side of the Sun to it. Eventually its movement will sync with Earth’s and it will cross much closer by, but this will be centuries into the future.</p> <p>We simply don’t know enough about 2022 AP7 to precisely predict the danger it may pose centuries from now. At the same time, we suspect there could be other “planet killers” out there yet to be discovered. But how many? And what’s being done to find them?</p> <p><strong>What makes a planet killer?</strong></p> <p>Asteroid 2022 AP7 is the largest potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) found in eight years, with a diameter between 1.1km and 2.3km. For context, an asteroid with a diameter more than 1km is enough to trigger a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous%E2%80%93Paleogene_extinction_event">mass extinction event</a> on Earth.</p> <p>As well as having a diameter greater than 1km, an asteroid also needs to have an orbit that crosses Earth’s to be considered potentially dangerous. In the case of 2022 AP7, any threat is centuries down the track. The important point is it has been detected and can now be tracked. This is the best possible outcome.</p> <p>It is estimated we’ve already <a href="https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-first-nasas-dart-mission-is-about-to-smash-into-an-asteroid-what-will-we-learn-189391">discovered</a> about 95% of potentially hazardous asteroids, and that there are fewer than 1,000 of these. The work of Sheppard and colleagues highlights that hunting down the remaining 5% – some 50 asteroids – will be a massive effort.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=304&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=304&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=304&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=382&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=382&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492923/original/file-20221102-25180-74aqvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=382&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Statistically, there’s less of a chance of a larger asteroid colliding with Earth compared to a smaller one.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">NASA</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>What constitutes a near miss?</strong></p> <p>NASA <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroid-watch">closely tracks</a> all known objects in the Solar System. But every now and again an object will catch us off guard.</p> <p>In 2021, we had a close call with an asteroid called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_UA1">2021 UA1</a>. It came only a few thousand kilometres from Earth, over the Antarctic. In cosmic terms, this is uncomfortably close. However, 2021 UA1 was only two metres across, and therefore posed no substantial risk.</p> <p>There are likely hundreds of millions of objects of this size in our Solar System, and it’s not uncommon for them to impact Earth. In these cases, most of the object burns up in the atmosphere and creates a spectacular light show, with little risk to life.</p> <p>In 2019 another <a href="https://theconversation.com/an-asteroid-just-buzzed-past-earth-and-we-barely-noticed-in-time-120972">asteroid</a> with a 100m diameter passed Earth some 70,000km away. It was publicly announced mere hours before it flew past. While it wasn’t as close, it was of a much more concerning size.</p> <p>These near misses reiterate how important it is for us to speed up the search for near-Earth objects.</p> <p><strong>Blind spots</strong></p> <p>The reason we haven’t already found every object that could one day pass nearby Earth is largely because of observational blind spots, and the fact we can’t observe all parts of the sky all the time.</p> <p>To find 2022 AP7, Sheppard and colleagues used a telescope at twilight soon after the Sun had set. They had to do this because they were looking for asteroids in the vicinity of Venus and Earth. Venus is currently on the <a href="https://theskylive.com/where-is-venus">other side of the Sun</a> to Earth.</p> <p>Making observations close to the Sun is difficult. The Sun’s glare overwhelms the weak light reflected off small asteroids – presenting a blind spot. But just before and after sunset, there’s a small window in which the Sun’s glare no longer blocks the view.</p> <p>Right now there are only about 25 asteroids known to have well-determined orbits that lie entirely within Earth’s orbit. More are likely to be discovered, and these may contribute significantly to the missing 5% of potentially hazardous asteroids.</p> <p><strong>The Near-Earth Object Surveyor</strong></p> <p>A recent NASA mission spectacularly demonstrated that humans can purposefully change the trajectory of an asteroid. NASA’s DART (<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/dart/dart-news">Double Asteroid Redirection Test</a>) mission collided a vending-machine-sized spacecraft into a 160m diameter minor-planet moon called Dimorphos.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=338&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492925/original/file-20221102-28436-f16d5x.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=424&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The DART spacecraft successfully collided with Dimorphos, which itself was orbiting a larger asteroid named Didymos.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Steve Gribben</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>The collision altered Dimorphos’s 12-hour orbital period by more than 30 minutes, and was declared a resounding success. So it’s plausible for humans to redirect a hazardous asteroid if we find one.</p> <p>That said, we’d have to find it well in advance. Potentially hazardous asteroids are much larger than Dimorphos, so a bigger collision would be required with plenty of lead time.</p> <p>To do this, NASA has plans to survey for potentially hazardous objects using a telescope in space. Its <a href="https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/near-earth-object-surveyor">Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor</a>, scheduled to launch in 2026, will be able to survey the Solar System very efficiently – including within blind spots caused by the Sun.</p> <p>That’s because the glare we see while observing from Earth is caused by Earth’s atmosphere. But in space there’s no atmosphere to look through.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=363&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=363&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=363&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=457&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=457&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492932/original/file-20221102-26-zoxo13.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=457&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The NEO Surveyor spacecraft won’t have the issue of observational blind spots when hunting for asteroids.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">NASA/JPL/University of Arizona</span></span></figcaption></figure> <p>It’s very likely the Near-Earth Object Surveyor will reveal new objects, and help us characterise a large number of objects to greatly improve our understanding of threats.</p> <p>The key is to find as many objects as possible, categorise them, track the risks, and plan a redirection mission as much in advance as possible. The fact that all of these elements of planetary defence are now a reality is an amazing feat of science and engineering. It is the first time in human history we have these capabilities.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><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/193709/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em>Writen by Steven Tingay. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/astronomers-have-detected-another-planet-killer-asteroid-could-we-miss-one-coming-our-way-193709" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: </em><em>DOE/FNAL/DECam/CTIO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/Spaceengine</em></p>

Technology

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Karl Stefanovic called the “biggest wimp” by camel tour operator

<p dir="ltr">Karl Stefanovic has been called a “wimp” on television during a live cross on Sunrise with weatherman Sam Mac. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sam was interviewing John, a Red Sun Camels tours operator in Broome, Western Australia for the company’s 22nd birthday. </p> <p dir="ltr">The weatherman then asked John to name the “biggest wimp” to ever ride one of the camels and he certainly did not hold back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“You’ve obviously had a lot of TV people, movie people; who’s been the biggest wimp on a camel in 22 years?” Sam asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh, you’re going to love this... Karl Stefanovic,” John responded.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We did the Today show many years ago. Lisa Wilkinson? Brave as all hell, could do anything. Karl? Nup, big girl with flowers.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I swear I didn't set that up,”' Sam said. “That's not me trying to have some sort of petty rivalry. His words not mine. And the camels are a great judge of character, I heard.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nah good on ya Karl.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Sunrise/Today</em></p>

TV

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What will happen to the thousands of Paddington Bears left for the Queen

<p dir="ltr">More than 1,000 Paddinton Bears left for Queen Elizabeth II since her passing will be donated to charity. </p> <p dir="ltr">The plush toys were left at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle following the late monarch’s passing on September 8.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Palace announced that the toys will be cleaned and donated to children's charity Barnardos. </p> <p dir="ltr">They released a photo of the Queen Consort Camilla surrounded by the teddies to mark the special occasion. </p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Elizabeth and Paddington Bear had a loveable friendship when he made a surprise appearance at the Platinum Jubilee.</p> <p dir="ltr">The adorable skit showed the Queen sitting down for tea with Paddington Bear who told the monarch that he hoped she was “having a lovely Jubilee”. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Queen then offered Paddington some tea as the pair discussed their shared love for marmalade sandwiches. </p> <p dir="ltr">Paddington Bear then offered Her Majesty an emergency marmalade sandwich, something he always keeps hidden away in his hat. </p> <p dir="ltr">In a funny turn of events, the Queen did not need the emergency marmalade sandwich as she had also come prepared with her own sandwich in her handbag. </p> <p dir="ltr">The skit, which took the Queen half a day to film, was described better than her Olympic opening show cameo with James Bond.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Fat Bear Winner: ‘747’ lays b-ruin to rivals despite fishy voting

<p>After eating lots of tasty fish in preparation for the northern hemisphere’s winter, Brown bear 747 has been crowned the winner of the annual Fat Bear Week.</p> <p>The initiative, run by the US National Parks Service and multimedia organisation <em>explore</em>, gives the public a chance to vote for the biggest brown bear in Alaska’s Katmai National Park.</p> <p>Over one week, people cast their votes for eight nominated bears that have been gorging on river salmon in the lead up to their hibernation.</p> <p>After a summer of catching and eating fish – usually salmon – in the Brooks River, the bears reach peak size in early to mid-October.</p> <p>Shortly, they’ll go into a five-to-eight-month slumber, emerging after the coldest part of the Alaskan winter.</p> <p>The initiative shines a light on the behaviours and survival methods of the species which resides across northern hemisphere continents towards the Arctic Circle.</p> <p>Although brown bears are now extinct in much of central and southern Europe, some still persist in Romania and the Balkan states, and they remain across Russia, Alaska, Canada, the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau.</p> <p>It is also an important indicator species for other wildlife due to their wide habitat range, and play important ecological roles as seed dispersers, and lower-level species managers through predation.</p> <p><strong>Get stuffed! Cheating claims in lead up to Fat Bear final</strong></p> <p>Prior to the grand final between 747 and brown bear 901, a shocking case of voting fraud left organisers decidedly grizzly.</p> <p>A spam attack of votes during the semi-finals threatened to derail 747’s quest for a second Fat Bear crown.</p> <p>Fortunately, organisers were hot onto the bogus bruin ballots.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p218507-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form mailchimp-ext-0.5.62 spai-bg-prepared init" action="/nature/fat-bear-voting-winner/#wpcf7-f6-p218507-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> <p style="display: none !important;"><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap referer-page"><input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/" data-value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/" aria-invalid="false" /></span></p> <p><!-- Chimpmail extension by Renzo Johnson --></form> </div> </div> <p>“Like bears stuff their face with fish, your ballot box, too, has been stuffed,” Katmai organisers said on Monday.</p> <p>“It appears someone has decided to spam the Fat Bear Week poll, but fortunately it is easy for us to tell which votes are fraudulent. We have discarded the fake votes.”</p> <p>Publicly voted animal awareness competitions are notoriously prone to phony voting.</p> <p>The Guardian Australia Bird of the Year competition infamously saw a case of dodgy democracy in 2019 when a case of automated voting was detected by the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2019/nov/11/voter-detected-in-guardians-australian-bird-of-the-year-poll" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avian electoral commission.</a></p> <p><em>Cosmos’</em> own Australian Mammal of the Year competition <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/amoty/too-much-love-for-the-mammals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">was this year hit</a> by a bout of egregious electioneering when hundreds of spam votes were cast for some animals vying for the crown.</p> <p>Fortunately, as with Fat Bear Week, spotting and omitting a bad ballot is a straightforward task of, usually, spotting unusual voting patterns.</p> <p><em><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/10/fat-bear-2022-1.jpg" alt="" width="1200" height="675" /></em></p> <p><em>2022 Fat Bear Week winner ‘747’ hunts for a tasty fish. Image: Courtesy L. Law via Katmai National Park.</em></p> <p><strong>747 does it again</strong></p> <p>Brown bear 747 – aptly named after a jumbo jet – claimed victory with 68,105 votes to rival 901’s 56,875.</p> <p>It was 747’s second premiership, having previously claimed the title in 2020. ‘480 Otis’ holds the record of four titles – exactly half the number of Fat Bear Weeks held.</p> <p>“Though he may be blissfully unaware of his two titles, the gains are real,” say the Fat Bear Week organisers.</p> <p>“In the bear world, fat is fit and these chunky contenders have been working tirelessly to pack on the pounds necessary for survival.”</p> <p>A record 1.027 million votes were cast in the 2022 edition of the event.</p> <p><!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --></p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=218507&amp;title=Fat+Bear+Winner%3A+%26%238216%3B747%26%238217%3B+lays+b-ruin+to+rivals+despite+fishy+voting" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><!-- End of tracking content syndication --></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/fat-bear-voting-winner/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by Cosmos. </em></p> <p><em>Image: Courtesy L. Law via Katmai National Park.</em></p> </div>

Family & Pets

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Peppa Pig has introduced a pair of lesbian polar bears, but Aussie kids’ TV has been leading the way in queer representation

<p>Peppa Pig’s first same-sex couple, a pair of lesbian polar bears, were recently introduced after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/08/peppa-pig-introduces-its-first-same-sex-couple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a petition to include a same-sex family</a> received nearly 24,000 signatures.</p> <p>Children’s television has often been a place to push the boundaries of diverse representations onscreen. In particular, Australian children’s TV has been a global leader in screen diversity, including gender and queer representation.</p> <p>Emmy-winning Australian series <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10614090/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Day</a> (2020-22) tells the story of a transgender girl starting high school.</p> <p>Another Emmy-winner, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8747140/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hardball</a> (2019-21) includes gay dads for one of the lead characters.</p> <p>Even recent updates to The Wiggles’ line-up has placed a greater emphasis on gender diversity, including <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/music/the-wiggles-announces-four-new-band-members-with-focus-on-diversity-gender-equality/news-story/dbc914965a83332c857e7665b3639ba0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">adding a non-binary unicorn</a>.</p> <h2>Diverse representation</h2> <p>Children’s TV is often less risk averse than programming aimed at adults.</p> <p>The ABC is <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1329878X16687400" target="_blank" rel="noopener">empowered</a> to take risks with representations of gender and sexuality in children’s programming because of its publicly funded role.</p> <p>But such progressive portrayals can sometimes chafe with outdated expectations of children’s television. In 2004, Play School <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07380560802314128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">faced controversy</a> for showing lesbian mothers.</p> <p>As social acceptance has progressed, Australian children’s TV has been able to achieve more queer representations.</p> <p>Talking to the Queering Australian Screens <a href="https://djomeara.com/phd-research/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research project</a>, television professionals often praised the genre for its openness to new ideas, representations and bringing in new talent.</p> <p>Tony Ayres, Creator of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nowhere_Boys" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nowhere Boys</a> (2013-18), observed those who commission children’s TV are “generally very open to diverse representation”.</p> <p>This representation happens behind the scenes, too, with Ayres describing how these shows often give new talent their first credit.</p> <p>David Hannam, who has written for several kids’ TV shows including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_Academy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dance Academy</a> (2010-13), said children’s television “has led the way”.</p> <p>Speaking of his time at the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Hannam noted the foundation had an “almost charter responsibility” to show diversity on screen, “with great caution and responsibility”.</p> <p>Julie Kalceff created First Day, which starred a young trans actor, Evie McDonald, as a trans girl starting high school.</p> <p>When she was developing the show, Kalceff shared that she was initially concerned about what would be allowed on children’s TV:</p> <p>There were no trans people on television. There were no TV shows with trans actors in the lead role. I thought there’s no way the ABC is going to do this. And there’s no way they’re going to do it with kids’ TV. But to their credit, the ABC was so supportive, and was so behind the project from the beginning.</p> <h2>What audiences want</h2> <p>It is not only TV producers who are eager to widen representation in children’s television. Audiences are also seeking out more inclusive content.</p> <p>Just like Peppa Pig in the UK, there have been calls in Australia for more diversity in animated hit Bluey, with the show adding its <a href="https://10play.com.au/theproject/articles/bluey-introduces-first-auslan-signing-character-in-a-new-special-episode/tpa220616bswgm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">first Auslan signing character</a> in June.</p> <p>One of our research projects, Australian Children’s Television Cultures’ <a href="https://www.swinburne.edu.au/news/2022/05/new-research-shows-the-way-families-watch-TV-is-changing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 survey</a> found 90% of Australian parents believe diverse representation is an important element of children’s TV.</p> <p>As one father explained:</p> <blockquote> <p>Diversity on screen helps children learn about people with different upbringings from their own, expanding their empathy for and curiosity about other people.</p> </blockquote> <p>In contrast to the controversy Play School received nearly 20 years ago for its inclusion of same-sex parents, a mother praised the show for “doing a fantastic job” of depicting diversity in relationships.</p> <p>Not everyone believes Australian television is doing enough. One survey respondent praised the way shows like Bluey reflect Australian culture, but said he would “love to see more LGBT representation […] It would be nice as a kid to know you’re valid.”</p> <h2>Uncertain futures</h2> <p>The streaming era has changed how families and children watch TV. This raises concerns about the future of Australian children’s content.</p> <p>The recent <a href="https://theconversation.com/cheese-n-crackers-concerns-deepen-for-the-future-of-australian-childrens-television-147183" target="_blank" rel="noopener">removal of quotas</a> for Australian networks to air a minimum number of hours of children’s television, alongside the absence of quotas on streaming services, has led to <a href="https://tvtonight.com.au/2022/09/producers-slam-hypocritical-networks-as-australian-childrens-tv-plummets.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a reduction</a> in the production of local kids’ TV.</p> <p>From Play School to Bluey, children’s TV has reflected the richness of Australian cultural life. There is a risk that if Australian child audiences need to rely on international content, future generations will not see themselves on screen.</p> <p>With the loss of local voices, Australian kids’ TV may also lose its ability to push boundaries of diversity and inclusion.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/peppa-pig-has-introduced-a-pair-of-lesbian-polar-bears-but-aussie-kids-tv-has-been-leading-the-way-in-queer-representation-190648" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Peppa Pig</em></p>

TV

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‘Thank you Ma’am, for everything’: Paddington Bear joins worldwide tributes

<p>The adorable Paddington Bear himself has paid a touching tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, only a few months after they warmed hearts around the world with a hilarious collaboration during the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/our-favourite-highlights-of-the-close-of-the-platinum-jubilee-celebrations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Platinum Jubilee celebrations</a>.</p> <p>Much to the delight of millions of viewers, the Queen herself appeared in the sketch with the famed British bear that no one could have foreseen to kick-start the Party in The Palace concert.</p> <p>The much loved duo tapped out the beat of Queen’s We Will Rock You anthem together on china teacups using silver spoons as a unique way of getting the celebrations under way.</p> <p>The sketch, which the Queen spent half a day filming, was dubbed better than her Olympic opening show cameo with James Bond.</p> <p>Sitting opposite each other at a table, laid for afternoon tea, Paddington began by telling the Queen that he hoped she was “having a lovely Jubilee” before Her Majesty offered some tea.</p> <p>During a special moment shared by the two, the Queen revealed she shares Paddington's love of marmalade sandwiches and keeps an emergency stash in her trademark handbag.</p> <p>Britain's favourite bear took time to congratulate his new friend on her outstanding 70 years of service. Commenting on her record-breaking reign Paddington said: “Happy Jubilee Ma'am. And thank you. For everything” to which she replied, “That's very kind”.</p> <p>Upon The Queen’s passing, Paddington has paid his respects one last time, tweeting: “Thank you Ma’am, for everything”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you Ma’am, for everything.</p> <p>— Paddington (@paddingtonbear) <a href="https://twitter.com/paddingtonbear/status/1567931094858702850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Image: Youtube</em></p>

Caring

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Prince Charles’ emotional tribute to “Your Majesty, mummy”

<p>Prince Charles paid an emotional tribute to “Your Majesty, mummy” during the star-studded Party at The Palace concert.</p> <p>The Prince of Wales poured his heart out as he praised the Queen for being with Brits “in our difficult times”.</p> <p>Millions of viewers watching from home were deeply moved as he said: “You have met us and talked with us.</p> <p>“You laugh and cry with us and, most importantly, you have been there for us.”</p> <p>Directly addressing The Queen as “Your Majesty, mummy”, he said: “The scale of this evening’s celebration – and the outpouring of warmth and affection over this whole Jubilee weekend – is our way of saying thank you – from your family, the country, the Commonwealth, in fact the whole world.</p> <p>“On behalf of us all, I wanted to pay my own tribute to your lifetime of selfless service.</p> <p>“Your family now spans four generations. You are our Head of State. And you are also our mother.”</p> <p>And he said the Queen’s “strength and stay” – her late husband Philip, who died last year – is “much missed”.</p> <p>“I am sure he’s here in spirit,” Charles said.</p> <p>“My papa would have enjoyed the show and joined us wholeheartedly in celebrating all you continue to do for your country and your people.”</p> <p>He addressed the crowd only moments after his son, the Duke of Cambridge, took to the stage to speak about the Queen’s service, using this time to talk about the environment, praising his father Charles and grandfather Philip for their work.</p> <p>“While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century,” he said.</p> <p>“In that time, mankind has benefited from unimaginable technological developments and scientific breakthroughs.”</p> <p>“And although those breakthroughs have increased our awareness of the impact humans have on our world, our planet has become more fragile.</p> <p>“Today, in 2022 – as the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee – the pressing need to protect and restore our planet has never been more urgent.”</p> <p>However, he said he is an “optimist” and said the Jubilee has provided great “joy” to Brits.</p> <p>William was accompanied to the concert by wife Kate and their eldest children Charlotte and George.</p> <p>The family were seen laughing and joking together as they took their seats for the party at Buckingham Place and hundreds of thousands of people lined The Mall to celebrate. There were huge cheers as the Cambridges arrived, hours after a royal visit to Wales with their two eldest children.</p> <p>The Queen did not attend the festivities, although she recorded a hilarious clip with Paddington Bear, which was screened before the performances began.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8H3WJ2qRwiQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Relationships

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Model’s tiny mole turns out to be cancer

<p dir="ltr">A model who completely disregarded what she thought was a mole on her ankle has been diagnosed with cancer. </p> <p dir="ltr">Oceana Strachan would regularly get her skin checked to ensure she was safe from melanoma and was constantly given the green light. </p> <p dir="ltr">But she knew something was wrong when the tiny mark on her ankle was itchy and had risen a bit - raising the alarm as to whether or not it was something else. </p> <p dir="ltr">Doctors dismissed it as a mole but Oceana pushed for a biopsy to be done and it was found to be stage two melanoma. </p> <p dir="ltr">“My melanoma spot looked like a regular mole but I noticed changes like itching that raised a red flag for me,” she told <a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/aussie-model-shares-warning-signs-after-tiny-find-led-to-sinister-diagnosis-c-6840204" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Going through melanoma, I didn’t know if I was going to survive. I didn’t know the outcome.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdnQNQ9JBWg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdnQNQ9JBWg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by OCEANA HEGYI 🤍 (@oceanastrachan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Oceana underwent surgery in May 2021 where the affected skin was removed and saw the then 25-year-old back on her feet not too long after.</p> <p dir="ltr">A year later, Oceana spoke out about how early detection saved her life and cringed at not being sun safe. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I was 25 with olive skin... unfortunately melanoma doesn’t care how old you are or what type of skin you have,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Obviously it sucks that I’ve had to go through this but I am just one out of too many.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Image: Instagram</p>

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Why Norway should be No.1 on your cruising bucket list

<p><strong><em><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">The borders are open. The Fjords are calling. From stunning Northern Lights to breathtaking landscapes, here are our Fab Four must-do experiences in the land of the Midnight Sun...</span></span></em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">International cruising is now back on the agenda and it’s time once again to start ticking off all those incredible destinations you’ve always dreamed of seeing one day.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">We’ve got some good news for you, cruise fans: Norway, the home of spectacular cruising experiences, is now open, safe and ready to welcome you back to experience all of its delights, from the fjords to the stunningly breathtaking Northern Lights and the Midnight Sun in summer.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">To sweeten the deal, Norway has now completely removed its entry restrictions, so it’s the perfect time to experience all of the majestic landscapes and beautiful opportunities this country has on offer.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Hurtigruten's <em>Norwegian Coastal Express</em> has been cruising the coast since 1893 and will give you access to small fishing villages, locally sourced cuisine and off-the-beaten-track excursions, allowing you to really explore the country like a local. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">So, what are you waiting for? Book before April 30 on selected departures in 2022 and you may receive <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/au/share-the-most-beautiful-voyage/?_ccid=20927&_ccst=1000&_hrgb=2utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to 50% OFF</a> the second guest.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Here we’ve outlined just a few of the things you can expect on one of these must-do cruises.</span></p> <p><strong><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">1. Explore the majestic fjords</span></span></span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; line-height: 16.8667px; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/FJORD_Geiranger-Norway-HGR-49268.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Yes, <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/inspiration/experiences/where-to-find-norways-best-fjords/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Fjords are calling</a> – and if you’re still unsure of what that is after reading this, then here's a little explainer. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">A fjord is a long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches far inland, and is made when a glacier retreats, resulting in an incredible U-shaped valley with soaring cliffs on either side. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Cruising in Norway will take you to the heart of these jaw-dropping natural creations which you can finally tick off your bucket list. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Some of the best and most unmissable fjords in Norway are the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Geirangerfjord with its spectacular waterfalls, the epic 180km long Hardangerfjord, the pretty Trondheimsfjorden that’s home to the gorgeous port city of Trondheim, and the unspoilt surrounds of tiny Trollfjord – which, while only 3km in length and just 100 metres wide at its mouth, contains enough jaw-dropping scenery to leave you in awe.</span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">2. Gaze up at the Northern Lights</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/LIGHTS_Northern-lights-Norway-HGR-104675_1920-Photo_Photo_Competition.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Yes, you are actually <em>guaranteed</em> to experience the <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/inspiration/experiences/northern-lights/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Northern Lights</a> during their spectacular winter viewing season in either September or next year in March. If the lights don’t present on your cruise, you’ll be given a free 6 or 7 day voyage the following season with Hurtiguten's amazing ‘Northern Lights Guarantee’.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Known as nature's own mesmerising light show, the <em>Aurora Borealis</em> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">lasts up to 15-30 minutes, and what we see from the ground is caused by electrically charged particles from space entering the Earth’s upper atmosphere at a very high speed.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Interestingly, the famed Northern Lights also look substantially different to all who view them, with some people seeing different colours making their way across the sky, or rays of light going up into space. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Another item to check off your bucket list? We think so!</span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">3. Experience the land of the Midnight Sun</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/SUN_Passenger-on-deck-Norway-HGR-12274_1920.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">What do you think of when you read the words “Midnight Sun”? We are betting it is <em>exactly</em> what you think it is. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">If the words of <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/destinations/norway/the-original-norwegian-coastal-express/sailing-under-the-midnight-sun/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">past guest of Hurtigruten Bronwen Pyle</a> are anything to go by, experiencing this phenomenon from the deck of the <em>Norwegian Coastal Express</em> is something you will never forget. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">“The day kept on going and going, never getting dark, even all through the night. The non-stop day actually gave us even more time to admire the scenery on the route,” she says. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Bronwen says that the crew and passengers were all lovely, saying it was definitely the almost never-ending sunlight that helped everyone’s mood.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">She suggests staying on the ship’s deck to secure a seat and enjoy the Midnight Sun as much as possible. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">A word of caution from Bronwen, though: Don’t get stuck behind the camera; enjoy what is actually there in front of you in the present moment, and create some memories that will last a lifetime.  </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">And one last tip: If you feel like you’re struggling to sleep because of the extra hours of sunlight, then the awesome onboard gym is the place for you before knocking off! </span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">4. Dine on delicious locally sourced meals</span></span></strong></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/04/FOOD_MS-Polarlys-King-Crab-HGR-116417_1920-Photo_Carsten_Pedersen.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Hopping on board the <em>Norwegian Coastal Express</em> will help you not only see the dramatic coast in all its splendour, but taste it too – thanks to the <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/norways-coastal-kitchen/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delicious onboard meals</a>.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">All food is locally sourced, with its provenance resting in very ports that the ship pauses at along the way, making it an even more special experience to appreciate the freshness and flavours.</span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Other than the food, you can choose to get involved in endless excursions (there are more than 70 on offer!), learn about regional specialities, discover how food is at the heart of local life, and listen to the life stories of brewers, chefs, farmers and more. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">So, are you ready for the cruising experience of a lifetime and to fall in love with the beauty and people of Norway? If you are, don’t forget to share the adventure with a friend and get up to <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/au/share-the-most-beautiful-voyage/?_ccid=20927&_ccst=1000&_hrgb=2utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">50 per cent off</a> for a second guest on summer voyages if you book before the end of April. </span></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">Check out the gallery below for more stunning images of what to expect on a Hurtigren <em style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 16.8667px;">Norwegian Coastal Express</span></em> cruise. </span></span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px;">This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.hurtigruten.com.au/destinations/norway/?utm_source=Over60&utm_medium=Referral&utm_campaign=APAC_COA_Awareness_Brand_B2C_W01_YR_2022_NO_22-23&utm_content=" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hurtigruten</a>.</span></span></strong></em></p>

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Avril Lavigne shows off massive engagement ring in Paris

<p dir="ltr"><em>He was a sk8er boi she said YES</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Canadian rocker Avril Lavigne has shown off her huge and absolutely stunning engagement ring. </p> <p dir="ltr">After just one year of dating, Derek Ryan Smith who goes by the name Mod Sun, got down on one knee in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower and proposed. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Oui! Je t’aime pour toujours. Dimanche. 27. Mars. 2022,” Avril wrote in a series of heartwarming photos of the proposal. </p> <p dir="ltr">A simple translation from French, Avril’s message reads “Yes! I love you forever” along with the date.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mod Sun went a step further and wrote a loving message to his now fiancée also sharing sweet snaps of the treasured moment. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The day we met I knew you were the one. Together forever til our days are done,” his message began.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I had a dream where I proposed in paris. I pulled out a ring + asked you to wear it. I was on one knee as I looked in your eyes. </p> <p dir="ltr">“You’re too beautiful for my words to describe. I grabbed your hand + took one last breath…I said “will you marry me?” + she said “yes”. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I love you Avril.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The endearing photos show the loved-up couple kissing, smiling at one another, as well as Avril showing off the heart-shaped engagement ring which glows on her left finger. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

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President, actor, dancer - what else can Voldoymyr Zelenskyy do?

<p dir="ltr">He’s a man of many talents and it's no secret Volodymyr Zelenskyy was an actor before becoming Ukraine’s President.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, did you know that he voiced the much loved Paddington Bear in the Ukrainian version of the hit 2014 and 2017 animated film?</p> <p dir="ltr">Yep, neither did we. But also, how cool is that?!</p> <p dir="ltr">The movie’s production studio, StudioCanal, confirmed the news to <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-paddington-voice-1235100949/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Hollywood Reporter</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Actor Hugh Bonneville, who plays Paddington’s foster parent was surprised at the news and thanked the President.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Until today I had no idea who provided the voice of @paddingtonbear in Ukraine,” he tweeted on February 28.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Speaking for myself, thank you, President Zelenskiy. #PaddingtonBear.”</p> <p dir="ltr">A dig into Zelenskyy’s career before becoming president revealed that he was in fact quite a popular and successful comedian in Ukraine. He also starred in several films and TV shows.</p> <p dir="ltr">In an incredible moment of life imitating art, Zelenskyy played a school teacher in the political satire series Servant of the People.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spoiler alert: he becomes Ukraine’s president in the series. </p> <p dir="ltr">And if that wasn’t enough, the talented President also won Ukraine’s version of Dancing With the Stars in 2006.</p> <p dir="ltr">Makes you wonder what other leaders have achieved compared to him…</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: YouTube</em></p>

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