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Best cities to discover on foot revealed

<p dir="ltr">When it comes to travelling and exploring new places, there is no better way to experience everything a new city has to offer than just by walking around. </p> <p dir="ltr">By keeping on your feet rather than using public transport, you get the chance to explore more hidden corners of your destination and truly soak up the new culture, all while getting your steps in. </p> <p dir="ltr">That being said, there are definitely some cities that are easier to traverse on foot than others. </p> <p dir="ltr">But now, one company has put in the hard work to determine the 100 best cities around the world for travellers who want to walk their way to new experiences. </p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.guruwalk.com/">GuruWalk</a>, a company that offers free walking tours worldwide, has compiled the list based on booking and search data for 800 cities across 120 countries. </p> <p dir="ltr">In terms of countries as a whole, Spain topped the list with 28 cities appearing in the top 100, while Rome, Italy took out the top spot for most walkable city. </p> <p dir="ltr">Rome’s walkability is largely due to the location of the tourist hotspots, with the world-class attractions all located close to each other. </p> <p dir="ltr">GuruWalk comments, “The sheer number of monuments it hosts sometimes causes tourists to not even know where to start.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“So it’s not surprising that Rome hosts more guided tours than any other place.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the entire top ten list below. </p> <p dir="ltr">10. Porto, Portugal </p> <p dir="ltr">9. London, England </p> <p dir="ltr">8. Amsterdam, The Netherlands</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Prague, Czech Republic</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Lisbon, Portugal </p> <p dir="ltr">5. Florence, Italy </p> <p dir="ltr">4. Madrid, Spain</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Barcelona, Spain</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Budapest, Hungary</p> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation">1. Rome, Italy</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Subway falls a foot short for one customer

<p>A woman has run into some trouble with her Subway sandwich after taking to it with a measuring tape. </p> <p>The irate customer had been suspicious about the supposed dimensions of her “6-inch sub”, and decided the only thing to do was to find out for herself if she was on to something or not. </p> <p>However, the woman didn’t succeed in putting her fears at rest, instead proving them to be right. </p> <p>The sandwich, advertised as being six inches long, measured up to be just over five. </p> <p>In her annoyance, she told the company that they should be doing better - in her words, “to up your game” - if they expected to be charging extra for what customers weren’t actually receiving. </p> <p>“Usually I wouldn't really care,” she noted, and then explained in some of the world’s most relatable terms, “but I was super hungry today.”</p> <p>To add insult to injury, she also revealed how she’d gotten "one less piece of salami and pepperoni” than usual, and noted that this was simply not up to standard, and that she had inside intel to prove it - her sister had been a Subway manager for years. </p> <p>This wasn’t the first time Subway had run into trouble over the size of their sandwiches - a customer in Australia once took their anger straight to court, going so far as to sue the company in 2013. His photo, posted to Facebook, showed that his footlong sandwich was not the promised 12 inches, but instead 11. </p> <p>That case was settled for a staggering $525,000 (approximately $798,042.00 AUD), and in 2015, Subway introduced new in-store regulations towards ensuring their products measured up, as well as additional disclosures for their consumers.</p> <p>At the time, Subway acknowledged that the media buzz surrounding the case had motivated its decision to settle the case, while the judge was firm in his belief that the smaller sandwiches actually contained no less food in terms of weight.</p> <p>“The settlement acknowledges as much when it says that uniformity in bread length is impossible,” he said, “due to the natural variability of the bread-baking process.”</p> <p>To many, however, this was not - and seemingly never will be - good enough. And to others, it’s a tale as old as time that they’d tired of hearing. </p> <p>“It's clearly a ‘SUBWAY 6 INCH’ and meant as a description rather than a measurement of length,” wrote one fed up individual on yet another related story, this time posted to Reddit. </p> <p>“In that case,” mused another, “there should be a new policy wherein every Subway employee should be required to do air quotes when using the term ‘Footlong’.”</p> <p><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Banksy: who should foot the bill to protect his work in public spaces?

<p>When a mural by artist Banksy <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46617742">appeared on a garage wall</a> in Port Talbot, the building’s owner, Ian Lewis, had no idea just <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46771722">how many people</a> would want to get a good look at it. The mural has attracted <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46759349">thousands of visitors</a> and Lewis has been keen to <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46617742">protect it</a>, by employing guards, and building a see-through covering over the work.</p> <p>But should there even be security on a piece of graffiti? After all, <a href="https://hyperallergic.com/38778/occupying-the-walls-graffiti-as-political-protest/">the essence of graffiti</a> is that it is temporary and subject to the possibility of being covered over with the next slogan or image. It has long been one of the means by which people can <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2017/may/17/writing-wall-political-graffiti-banksy-brexit-trump-in-pictures">make their views known</a> in a very public way without official sanction. It is a form of protest that visually takes up public space and asks for no endorsement and often no individual credit.</p> <p>The list of graffiti artists who have gained recognition in the contemporary art world is not a long one. Shepherd Fairey, who <a href="https://www.artic.edu/artworks/229396/barack-obama-hope-poster">designed the Obama “Hope” poster</a>, and <a href="https://www.theartstory.org/artist-basquiat-jean-michel.htm">Jean Michel Basquiat</a> are two of the most well known. Banksy himself has been quoted as saying that he never craved commercial success and that it’s actually <a href="https://www.villagevoice.com/2013/10/09/village-voice-exclusive-an-interview-with-banksy-street-art-cult-hero-international-man-of-mystery/">a mark of failure for a graffiti artist</a>. </p> <p>A lofty sentiment, but whether he wants it or not, the popularity of Banksy’s work is phenomenal. The pared down stencil style coupled with often highly astute political commentary and visual puns is easy to read. It is enough to satisfy even those for whom art should consist of a “proper picture of something”.</p> <p>It also lends itself very well to reproduction and copying. I actually have a mug emblazoned with Banksy style rats sitting on my desk as I write. This is what happens when an iconoclast becomes an icon. What started out as a practice that deliberately subverted the concept of art as an exclusive, costly investment, has now become just as commodified as the latest piece by <a href="https://www.theartstory.org/artist-hirst-damien.htm">Damien Hirst</a>.</p> <h2>Banksy’s bankability</h2> <p>I’m personally on the fence about some of Banksy’s more recent work. I’m completely on board with the political nature of the imagery and most definitely share a lot of his ideological sentiments, but there is a degree to which he is becoming a parody of himself. For example, while it’s easy to appreciate the point he was making with the recently auctioned self-destructing drawing “<a href="https://theconversation.com/banksy-i-was-in-the-room-when-his-painting-shredded-and-enhanced-his-brand-104660">Love is in the Bin</a>”, no one could convince me that he was unaware of the effect that the action would have on his bankability.</p> <p>Given he knows the impact his work can have, was it selfish of Banksy to impose this latest piece on the unsuspecting garage owner? Or was it an act of extreme philanthropy, bestowing on Port Talbot a gift that can be used either to benefit the individual or the community? He must have known that Lewis would be plagued with attention, and the inevitability of this imposed cultural responsibility must surely have at least crossed Banksy’s mind. </p> <p>Public art comes in many diverse forms, from the monumental statues commemorating historical figures, to the temporary and often illegal murals created by contemporary graffiti artists. My own practice is informed by an ethos of inclusion that places the nearby community at the centre of decisions about how it is created, themed and managed.</p> <p>Because of that philosophical background, I do find Banksy’s imposition of his work without regard for its effect on the local community to be irritatingly entitled. However, the <a href="https://www.theartstory.org/artist-banksy-artworks.htm">issues he highlights</a> such as the <a href="https://theartstack.com/artist/banksy/i-remember-when-all-this-was-trees">capitalist obsession with growth</a> over sustainability, and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/banksy-port-talbot-graffiti-wales-michael-sheen-steel-pollution-environment-a8692821.html">industrial air pollution</a> are relevant and important to a much wider community, so I appreciate that by using his fame to draw attention to them he is carrying out a form of community service.</p> <p>The Welsh government <a href="https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/banksy-collector-willing-pay-six-15656998">has since confirmed</a> it will be taking over security for the Port Talbot artwork, and is discussing the future of the piece. Whether by design or because he just isn’t interested in how the work is used, it’s part of Banksy’s artistic practice to leave the work to the mercy of others when it’s complete. However, it could be argued that he could have used <a href="https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/close_look/how-does-banksy-make-money-or-a-lesson-in-art-market-economics-55352">some of his own money</a> to help protect the work, and mitigate against any grief <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46810787">he’s caused the garage owner</a>.</p> <p>I’d personally like to see the work sold, and the proceeds used to address some of the social and political issues that Banksy highlights with his work. It worked for Dennis Stinchcombe who, when a mural entitled Mobile Lovers appeared on the doorway of his Bristol youth club in 2014, sold the work and used the funds <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46810787">to save the struggling organisation</a>. </p> <p>Whatever happens now, one thing is certain: Banksy certainly knows how to get his work in the news.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/banksy-who-should-foot-the-bill-to-protect-his-work-in-public-spaces-109831" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Art

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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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"He's basically a pig": Erin Molan and Piers Morgan slam Kyrgios

<p>Erin Molan and Piers Morgan have called out the court-side antics of Nick Kyrgios, after he was slammed for his behaviour at Wimbledon. </p> <p>After Kyrgios' first round win, he spoke of his frustration with a line judge and admitted to spitting in the direction of a disgruntled spectator, as well as eating sushi throughout an explosive post-match press conference. </p> <p>Appalled by his actions, Piers Morgan condemned his behaviour in an interview with Erin Molan on Sky News’ <em>Piers Morgan Uncensored</em>.</p> <p>Morgan vented, “He’s basically a pig he’s eating his food as he talks to the media, he abuses a female lineswoman, he abuses an elderly linesman, he abuses the crowd, he spits at one of them."</p> <p>“The man is out of control. Can you put up any defence for this antipodean monster?”</p> <p>Molan agreed with his comments, saying, “Piers, there's plenty of Australians who think he's in an absolute tool as well.</p> <p>“I’ve been one of his most vocal critics for a very long time.”</p> <p>“But I'll tell you what, the spitting even towards someone in their direction is appalling,” she continued.</p> <p>“The abuse of anyone in their workplace is appalling, the hypocrisy that he displays is completely appalling."</p> <p>“He replied to someone on social media overnight that had taken him to task over this and said, ‘Oh, but I would never go into your workplace and abuse you.’"</p> <p>“Does he think the linesmen are volunteers? That's their workplace he's abusing them.”</p> <p>Following the incident at Wimbledon, Nick Kyrgios defended his actions as he believed he did nothing wrong. </p> <p>He went on to say it was unfair that the audience was allowed to shout things at the tennis star and he couldn't respond. </p> <p>“That’s fine. But if I give it back to you, then that’s just how it is," he said. </p> <p>“There’s a fence there and I physically can’t do anything or say anything because I’ll get in trouble. They’re able to say anything they want.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: TalkTV</em></p>

News

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Peppa Pig accused of "brainwashing" children by anti-vax community

<p>Peppa Pig has been slammed by the anti-vax community, as a 2021 children's book in which Peppa gets a vaccine, has been turned into an episode of the popular TV show. </p> <p>Furious parents have accused the animated children's show for "brainwashing" young audiences into getting vaccines, before denouncing the Covid jab as a "toxic injection" that is the equivalent of "child abuse".</p> <p>The fury was sparked following the novelisation of an episode of the cartoon, Peppa Gets a Health Check, that debuted on television screens last year and comes weeks after the NHS started Covid vaccinations for younger children.</p> <p>In the animated episode, Mummy Pig takes her daughter, Peppa, to see a doctor - who measures her height and weight, looks in her ears, listens to her heartbeat, and asks questions about whether she likes broccoli - as well as taking note of the loudness of her 'oink'.</p> <p>But in the book version, Peppa Gets a Vaccination - which appears to be virtually the same plot -  Peppa is also told by the polar bear character medic, "Now it's time for your vaccination, do you know why we have vaccinations Peppa?"</p> <p>The book continues, 'Peppa put her hand up. "Yes! <span style="font-family: graphik, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: -0.1600000113248825px; background-color: #ffffff;">They stop</span> us from getting ill, and that helps people around us, too."'</p> <p>In an online review of the book, one furious parent wrote, "This is so wrong. Our kids don't need toxic injections, or face masks, it's child abuse. Just stop, leave our kids alone."</p> <p>Another review called the book "Absolutely disgraceful", as the parent said they would "not be letting my kids watch or read any of this s***".</p> <p><em>Image credits: Ladybird Books / Getty Images</em></p>

Books

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The best low maintenance pets

<p dir="ltr">If you’ve always wanted a pet but never really bothered because of how high maintenance it is, fret not.</p> <p dir="ltr">Below is a list of five of the lowest maintenance pets to have. </p> <ol> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Hamster</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">These cute little furry animals are super easy to take care of once they’re set up.</p> <p dir="ltr">All you need is to make sure they have a water bottle, food bowl and their wheel. </p> <ol start="2"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Guinea Pig</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">The adorable guinea pigs are low maintenance and look after themselves. A dream, right?! </p> <p dir="ltr">They require a bath here and there and the usual cage, bedding, food and water. </p> <ol start="3"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Turtle</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">The Painted Turtle is possibly one of the best pets to have because it doesn’t even need to be fed everyday. </p> <p dir="ltr">Feed it a couple of times a week, make sure it's comfortable in the new aquatic home where the temperature and cleanliness are looked after. </p> <ol start="4"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Snake</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">You’re probably thinking what the hell? But obviously get a reptile that isn’t venomous. </p> <p dir="ltr">They are super easy to care for as long as you keep them in a properly sized tank, maintain the tank at a comfortable temperature and feed them their preferred meals.</p> <ol start="5"> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><strong>Sea Monkey (aka Brine Shrimp)</strong></p> </li> </ol> <p dir="ltr">These tiny creatures were only created in the last century and are sold in hatching kits.</p> <p dir="ltr">All you need to do is set up their water tank, feed them every five days and keep their tank well-oxygenated. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

Family & Pets

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World's first recipient to receive a pig heart tragically dies

<p>The first person to receive a heart transplant from a pig has died, two months after the groundbreaking experiment.</p> <p>David Bennett, aged 57, died Tuesday at the University of Maryland Medical Centre. Doctors didn't give an exact cause of death, saying only that his condition had begun deteriorating several days earlier.</p> <p>Bennett's son praised the hospital for offering the last-ditch experiment, saying the family hoped it would help further efforts to end the organ shortage.</p> <p>"We are grateful for every innovative moment, every crazy dream, every sleepless night that went into this historic effort," David Bennett Jr. said in a statement released by the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "We hope this story can be the beginning of hope and not the end."</p> <p>Doctors for decades have sought to one day use animal organs for life-saving transplants. Bennett, a handyman from Hagerstown, Maryland, was a candidate for this newest attempt only because he otherwise faced certain death, ineligible for a human heart transplant, bedridden and on life support, and out of other options.</p> <p>After the operation on the 7th of January, Bennett's son told the Associated Press his father knew there was no guarantee it would work.</p> <p>Prior attempts at such transplants - or xenotransplantation - have failed largely because patients' bodies rapidly rejected the animal organ. This time, the Maryland surgeons used a heart from a gene-edited pig. Scientists had modified the animal to remove pig genes that trigger the hyper-fast rejection and add human genes to help the body accept the organ.</p> <p>"We are devastated by the loss of Mr Bennett. He proved to be a brave and noble patient who fought all the way to the end," Dr Bartley Griffith, who performed the surgery at the Baltimore hospital, said in a statement.</p> <p>Other transplant experts praised the Maryland team's landmark research and said Bennett's death shouldn't slow the push to figure out how to use animal organs to save human lives.</p> <p>"It was an incredible feat that he was kept alive for two months and was able to enjoy his family," Montgomery added.</p> <p>The Food and Drug Administration had allowed the dramatic experiment under "compassionate use" rules for emergency situations. Bennett's doctors said he had heart failure and an irregular heartbeat, plus a history of not complying with medical instructions. He was deemed ineligible for a human heart transplant that requires strict use of immune-suppressing medicines, or the remaining alternative, an implanted heart pump.</p> <p>From Bennett's experience, "we have gained invaluable insights learning that the genetically modified pig heart can function well within the human body while the immune system is adequately suppressed", said Dr Muhammad Mohiuddin, scientific director of the Maryland university's animal-to-human transplant program.</p> <p>Patients may see Bennett's death as suggesting a short life-expectancy from xenotransplantation, but the experience of one ill person cannot predict how well this procedure ultimately will work, said ethics expert Karen Maschke of The Hastings Center.</p> <p>Transplant centres need to start educating their patients now about what to expect as this science unfolds, said Maschke, who with funding from the National Institutes of Health is developing ethics and policy recommendations on who should be allowed in the first studies of pig kidneys and what they need to know before volunteering.</p> <p><em>Image: University of Merryland </em></p>

Body

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Sean Penn flees Ukraine on foot

<p>Famous Hollywood actor and director Sean Penn has fled war-torn Ukraine on foot.</p> <p>The Oscar-winning actor, 61, was <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/entertainment/movies/sean-penn-travels-to-ukraine-to-film-war-documentary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in Ukraine filming a documentary </a>and was forced to escape to Poland when Russia invaded the country on February 24.</p> <p>“Myself & two colleagues walked miles to the Polish border after abandoning our car on the side of the road,” the actor tweeted on Tuesday.</p> <p>“Almost all the cars in this photo carry women & children only, most without any sign of luggage, and a car their only possession of value.”</p> <p>Days prior, Penn called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for the “horrible mistake” of attacking the European country.</p> <p>“Already a brutal mistake of lives taken and hearts broken, and if he doesn’t relent, I believe Mr. Putin will have made a most horrible mistake for all of humankind,” Penn wrote.</p> <p>“President Zelensky and the Ukrainian people have risen as history symbols of courage and principle.</p> <p>"Ukraine is the tip of the spear for the democratic embrace of dreams. If we allow it to fight alone, our soul as America is lost.”</p> <p>Penn had been in Ukraine for several months filming his documentary about the escalating situation between the two countries.</p> <p>He managed to escape to Kyiv before Russian forces made their way into the country.</p> <p><em>Image: Twitter</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Hairdresser has her fringe chewed off by her guinea pig

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After a tipsy night out, hairdresser Gara Sullivan decided to lay down and have a cuddle with her guinea pig named Dixie. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After falling asleep with the small critter, the 29-year-old from Kentucky woke up and made a horrifying discovery when she looked in the mirror. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dixie, the three-year-old pet, had nibbled off a chunk of her fringe! </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Initially, Gara was concerned about the wellbeing of her cheeky pet, wondering if Dixie would become sick after swallowing clumps of hair. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Luckily, she then found her detached hairs sitting next to a very guilty looking guinea pig, realising she had chewed them off and just left them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gara shared the hilarious situation with her social media followers, with many joking that Dixie was merely planning to make her own “guinea-wig”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other commenters, including Gara, agreed that the naked guinea pig was simply jealous of Gara’s long locks. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gara said, 'She doesn't have any hair - it's like she's jealous of mine. She has a little hair on her nose but that's it, other than that she's completely naked.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“She'd had quite the meal, it was crazy. I take naps with her all the time but if I'm drunk, my boyfriend will create a little bed on the floor for me because he knows I like to snuggle with her.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I fell asleep and when I woke up in the morning, I went to the bathroom, looked at myself in the mirror and my bangs were gone.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gara has had to rearrange her hair to make the tuft of hair not show, as she worries the hair will take at least six months to grow back. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For now, the hairdresser has vowed to end her little sleepovers with Dixie, unless she has a few too many drinks and feels like a cuddle. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: TikTok / Instagram @garasullivan</span></em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Cafe with Peppa Pig on the menu causes outrage

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A cafe in the centre of the Scottish capital of Edinburgh has come under fire for a divisive sign to lure in customers. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Gordon Street Coffee decorated their chalkboard with a drawing of Peppa Pig next to a bacon sandwich to sell the popular breakfast item. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As well as the “distasteful” sketch of the popular children’s character, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">the cafe had also included their own rendition of The Magic Roundabout cartoon cow, Ermintrude, to sell beef sandwiches. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the cafe’s light-hearted attempt at advertising tactics, outraged members of the public slammed their ideas and methods.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Angry parents expressed their disappointment online over the sign, as they thought the drawings would traumatise children once they realised their beloved characters were intended as food. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Animal rights organisation PETA led the online outrage, taking to Twitter to say, “Luring kids to meaty meals with cartoons of happy animals isn’t new, but it is dishonest.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Kids naturally love animals, and would be horrified to see gentle pigs' throats slit for a sandwich.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many other parents and vegan activists also slammed the cafe, saying the cafe was “sick, upsetting and dishonest”. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One woman wrote on Twitter. “That's going to make a lot of children question food.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I support that but damn this is pretty sick.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another mother agreed, saying, “Even if you are not vegan or vegetarian that could be really upsetting.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“My kids would be absolutely traumatised if they saw that sign, it's really not funny.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The outrage comes after a new survey showed that one in five children have no idea that steak, sausages and ham are meat that comes from animals. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Twitter</span></em></p>

Food & Wine

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Sam Newman goes on the front foot against Channel 9

<p>Controversial commentator Sam Newman is allegedly threatening to sue his former employer Channel 9, just months after leaving the network.</p> <p>The former Footy Show host is planning to sue the network, saying he was defamed in a news report that published comments from photographer Wayne Ludbey, according to the Herald Sun.</p> <p>The decision comes after Newman was forced to apologise for the comments he made about former AFL star Nicky Winman during an episode of the You Cannot Be Serious podcast.</p> <p>Winimar famously took a stand against racism, by lifting his jersey and pointing to his skin after copping abuse from the crowd during a St Kilda and Collingwood match in 1993.</p> <p>In the podcast, Newman and his fellow co-hosts Don Scott and Mike Sheahan said Winmar may have just been pointing at his “guts” rather than taking a stand against racism.</p> <p>The comments were not taken well, with Winmar and Ludbey beginning legal proceedings against the men. </p> <p>After issuing a public apology, the matter was settled outside of court and the episode was removed.</p> <p>But now, Newman is claiming the comments made by Ludbey following the controversy were defamatory, with the host taking legal action.</p> <p>Newman told the Herald Sun the legal action had “nothing to do with Nickey Winimar” and was instead focused on Ludbey’s comments.</p> <p>“It is the comments he (Ludbey) made about our motivation that we have absolutely taken offence to and are erroneous and wrong,” Newman said.</p> <p>“The notices were sent out to Ludbey and the people who broadcast or printed the reprehensible and extremely offensive comments.”</p> <p>In an episode of his podcast, Newman said Ludbey’s criticism was a “malicious act” and “extremely offensive”.</p> <p>“It’s without foundation and it’s defamatory and reckless in the extreme and we will be issuing legal proceedings against him,” Newman said.</p> <p>“So I’m just putting him on notice that he should check his mailbox because we will be issuing him with legal proceedings.”</p> <p>He then later revealed he was also taking action against Channel 9 for publishing Ludbey’s comments.</p> <p>He told the Herald Sun that the decision to sue Channel 9 was not personal, he simply followed legal advice to include all publications that had republished Ludbey’s comments.</p> <p>A spokesperson for Channel 9 told news.com.au the network wasn’t commenting on Newman’s legal action.</p>

News

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"Absolute idiot": Grand slam birthday stitch-up puts Nick Kyrgios on the back foot

<p>It may not have been the 25th birthday Nick Kyrgios had in mind, but it went from bad to worse on Monday night when a fellow tennis star posted a particular photo.</p> <p>As countless people wished the talented Aussie a happy birthday, Greek tennis champ Stefanos Tsitsipas decided to go down a different path with his Instagram upload.</p> <p>Tsitsipas’ post was an image of himself holding up a cardboard sign which he captioned: “Lift others up”.</p> <blockquote 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);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_eouG8DHie/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B_eouG8DHie/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">‎Lift others up 🙌🏼 . . . . . . . . 💭: @dudewithsign | #dudewithsign</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/stefanostsitsipas98/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Stefanos Tsitsipas</a> (@stefanostsitsipas98) on Apr 27, 2020 at 2:07am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The only problem was, the sign contained a mobile number, which fans quickly realised belonged to the one and only Nick Kyrgios. Kyrgios commented on the post: “You are an absolute idiot, everyone stop calling me!!!!!”</p> <p>The number was quickly disconnected after what most likely was a never ending hoard of phone calls and text messages.</p> <p>Of course, not all of the birthday wishes directed towards him caused a headache, as many took to social media to say happy birthday in a much more conventional way.</p>

Technology

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The result of Australia's extinct species is saddening and devastating

<p>It’s well established that unsustainable human activity is <a href="https://wwf.panda.org/knowledge_hub/all_publications/living_planet_report_2018/">damaging the health of the planet</a>. The way we use Earth threatens our future and that of many animals and plants. <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-mass-extinction-and-are-we-in-one-now-122535">Species extinction</a> is an inevitable end point.</p> <p>It’s important that the loss of Australian nature be quantified accurately. To date, putting an exact figure on the number of extinct species has been challenging. But in the most comprehensive assessment of its kind, our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000632071930895X">research</a> has confirmed that 100 endemic Australian species living in 1788 are now validly listed as <a href="http://www.nespthreatenedspecies.edu.au/news/a-review-of-listed-extinctions-in-australia">extinct</a>.</p> <p>Alarmingly, this tally confirms that the number of extinct Australian species is much higher than previously thought.</p> <p><strong>The most precise tally yet</strong></p> <p>Counts of extinct Australian species vary. The federal government’s list of extinct <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=flora">plants</a> and <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicthreatenedlist.pl?wanted=fauna">animals</a> totals 92. However 20 of these are subspecies, five are now known to still exist in Australia and seven survive overseas – reducing the figure to 60.</p> <p>An RMIT/ABC fact check <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-19/fact-check-does-australia-have-one-of-the-highest-extinction/6691026">puts the figure</a> at 46.</p> <p>The states and territories also hold their own extinction lists, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature keeps a global database, the <a href="https://www.iucnredlist.org">Red List</a>.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S000632071930895X">research</a> collated these separate listings. We excluded species that still exist overseas, such as the <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=24168">water tassel-fern</a>. We also excluded some species that, happily, have been rediscovered since being listed as <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-13/seed-bank-holds-the-forgotten-conservation/10610418">extinct</a>, or which are no longer recognised as valid species (such as the obscure snail <em><a href="https://bie.ala.org.au/search?sortField=&amp;dir=desc&amp;q=Fluvidona+dulvertonensis">Fluvidona dulvertonensis</a></em>).</p> <p>We concluded that exactly 100 plant and animal species are validly listed as having become extinct in the 230 years since Europeans colonised Australia:</p> <ul> <li>38 plants, such as the <a href="https://bie.ala.org.au/species/http://id.biodiversity.org.au/name/apni/91897">magnificent spider-orchid</a></li> <li>1 seaweed species</li> <li>34 mammals including the <a href="https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/australia-over-time/extinct-animals/the-thylacine/">thylacine</a> and pig-footed bandicoot</li> <li>10 invertebrates including a funnel-web spider, beetles and snails</li> <li>9 birds, such as the <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=723">paradise parrot</a></li> <li>4 frogs, including two species of the bizarre <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/phenomena/2013/03/15/resurrecting-the-extinct-frog-with-a-stomach-for-a-womb/">gastric-brooding frog</a> which used its stomach as a womb</li> <li>3 reptiles including the Christmas Island forest skink</li> <li>1 fish, the Pedder galaxias.</li> </ul> <p>Our tally includes three species listed as extinct in the wild, with two of these still existing in captivity.</p> <p>The mammal toll represents 10% of the species present in 1788. This loss rate is far higher than for any other continent over this period.</p> <p>The 100 extinctions are drawn from formal lists. But many extinctions have not been officially registered. Other species disappeared before their existence was recorded. More have not been seen for decades, and are suspected lost by scientists or Indigenous groups who <a href="https://theconversation.com/eulogy-for-a-seastar-australias-first-recorded-marine-extinction-103225">knew them best</a>. We speculate that the actual tally of extinct Australian species since 1788 is likely to be about ten times greater than we derived from official lists.</p> <p>And biodiversity loss is more than extinctions alone. Many more Australian species have disappeared from all but a vestige of their former ranges, or persist in populations far smaller than in the past.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/303097/original/file-20191122-74593-1qdj0uz.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /> <span class="caption">The geographical spread of extinctions across Australia. Darker shading represents a higher extinction tally.</span></p> <p><strong>Dating the losses</strong></p> <p>Dating of extinctions is not straightforward. For a few Australian species, such as the Christmas Island forest skink, we know the <a href="https://theconversation.com/vale-gump-the-last-known-christmas-island-forest-skink-30252">day the last known individual died</a>. But many species disappeared without us realising at the time.</p> <p>Our estimation of extinction dates reveals a largely continuous rate of loss – averaging about four species per decade.</p> <p>Continuing this trend, in the past decade, <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/cobi.12852">three Australian species have become extinct</a> – the Christmas Island forest skink, Christmas Island pipistrelle and Bramble Cay melomys – and two others became extinct in the wild.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/303096/original/file-20191122-74584-f59vt8.gif?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /> <span class="caption">Cumulative tally of Australian extinctions since 1788.</span></p> <p>The extinctions occurred over most of the continent. However 21 occurred only on islands smaller than Tasmania, which comprise less than 0.5% of Australia’s land mass.</p> <p>This trend, repeated around the world, is largely due to small population sizes and vulnerability to newly introduced predators.</p> <p><strong>We must learn from the past</strong></p> <p>The 100 recognised extinctions followed the loss of Indigenous land management, its replacement with entirely new land uses and new settlers introducing species with little regard to detrimental impacts.</p> <p>Introduced cats and foxes are implicated in most mammal extinctions; vegetation clearing and habitat degradation caused most plant extinctions. Disease caused the loss of frogs and the accidental introduction of an Asian snake caused the recent loss of three reptile species on Christmas Island.</p> <p>The causes have changed over time. Hunting contributed to several early extinctions, but not recent ones. In the last decade, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/534437a">climate change</a> contributed to the extinction of the Bramble Cay melomys, which lived only on one Queensland island.</p> <p>The prospects for some species are helped by legal protection, Australia’s fine national reserve system and threat management. But these gains are subverted by the legacy of previous habitat loss and fragmentation, and the ongoing damage caused by introduced species.</p> <p>Our own population increase is causing further habitat loss, and new threats such as climate change bring more frequent and intense droughts and bushfires.</p> <p>Environment laws have demonstrably <a href="https://theconversation.com/environment-laws-have-failed-to-tackle-the-extinction-emergency-heres-the-proof-122936">failed to stem the extinction crisis</a>. The national laws are now under review, and the <a href="https://theconversation.com/our-nature-laws-are-being-overhauled-here-are-7-things-we-must-fix-126021">federal government has indicated</a> protections may be wound back.</p> <p>But now is not the time to <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/epbc/about/review">weaken</a> environment laws further. The creation of modern Australia has come at a great cost to nature – we are not living well in this land.</p> <hr /> <p><em>The study on which this article is based was also co-authored by Andrew Burbidge, David Coates, Rod Fensham and Norm McKenzie.</em><!-- 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; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/127611/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: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/john-woinarski-16660">John Woinarski</a>, Professor (conservation biology), <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-darwin-university-1066">Charles Darwin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/brett-murphy-11434">Brett Murphy</a>, Associate Professor / ARC Future Fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-darwin-university-1066">Charles Darwin University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/dale-nimmo-15432">Dale Nimmo</a>, Associate professor/ARC DECRA fellow, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-sturt-university-849">Charles Sturt University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-f-braby-511682">Michael F. Braby</a>, Associate Professor, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sarah-legge-413029">Sarah Legge</a>, Professor, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877">Australian National University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-garnett-4565">Stephen Garnett</a>, Professor of Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/charles-darwin-university-1066">Charles Darwin University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/scientists-re-counted-australias-extinct-species-and-the-result-is-devastating-127611">original article</a>.</em></p>

Family & Pets

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“You are shooting yourself in the foot”: Tourists baffled over Uluru climb ban

<p>While some tourists from all over the world are rushing to climb Uluru before it is banned on Saturday, some are questioning why local traditional Indigenous Australians called for a ban in the first place. </p> <p>Ayers Rock Resort has been jam packed for most of 2019 meaning nearly 5,000 people are trying to get a chance to climb Uluru before it is too late. </p> <p>Some Australian tourists have gone to extreme measures and camped illegally on private land around Uluru during school holidays, because the resort's campground has been full.</p> <p>The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park board made the decision to impose an official ban from October 26 to pay respect and recognition to the rock’s cultural significance to the Anangu people. </p> <p>Melbourne tourist Stefan Gangur, 51 told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.yahoo.com/author/australian-associated-press-562" target="_blank"><em>AAP</em><span> </span></a>he opposes the ban because it is a vital source of income for the community. </p> <p>"What are people doing out here? It is part of the economy and how it runs out here" he said.</p> <p>"You are shooting yourself in the foot, as long as everyone respects it, it is okay.</p> <p>"It is no secret a percentage of the money from the national park passes goes back to the Aboriginal people."</p> <p>The controversial ban of one of Australia’s most prolific and well known landmarks has prompted warnings that Uluru faces an uncertain future. </p> <p>A chain was built on the steep of the western face of Ayers Rock in 1964 and will be dismantled from October 28. </p> <p>The National Park’s general manager Mike Misso told AAP Uluru will become a better destination for tourists as more Anangu people will be working and benefitting from it. </p> <p>"The dominant reason for the UNESCO World Heritage listing was the living cultural landscape of nature and culture intertwined through traditions over thousands of years," he told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.yahoo.com/author/australian-associated-press-562" target="_blank">AAP.</a></em></p> <p>"The closure of the climb enhances the park's world heritage values. It's in conflict if you have got inappropriate visitor activity,”Grant Hunt, chief executive at the resort’s operators Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia said. </p> <p>"For every tourist destination, you have to reinvent yourself, if you just offer the same people go elsewhere.”</p> <p>Mr Hunt says there is far more to Uluru than the climb, with more than 100 tours and experiences for tourists to experience - from riding mountain bikes, to Aboriginal cultural tours, helicopters and skydiving. </p> <p>“The travelling public have become much more culturally mature than they were 20 years ago,” Mr Hunt said.</p> <p> “I think most people expect this and in fact want it to happen.</p> <p>“There’s a minority who still don’t of course and you always get that with any decision but certainly our research and feedback says about 80 per cent of people are supportive of the climb closing.”</p>

Travel Trouble

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6 surprising causes of foot pain

<p>When we get foot pain, it’s easy to blame it on the usual suspects – a blister, too much walking, too-high heels etc. – but there are plenty of other potential causes. Here are six surprising things that could be responsible for your foot pain.</p> <p><strong>1. You’ve been wearing the same size shoes for decades</strong></p> <p>Your feet can change shape and size for a number of reasons, from pregnancy to arthritis and even weight gain. So if you’re experiencing foot pain and can’t put your finger on the cause, you could be due for a fitting.</p> <p><strong>2. You’re shopping for shoes at the wrong time</strong></p> <p>That pair of flats fit perfectly when you tried it on at the store, so why are they tight now? Chances are you tried them on in the morning. Over the course of the day, your feet swell and grow, making your shoes tighter. When shopping for shoes, aim to do it in the afternoon, otherwise make sure you have a little over a centimetre between your toes and the front of the shoes (while standing).</p> <p><strong>3. You choose style over comfort</strong></p> <p>Yes, they make your legs look great and go perfectly with that outfit but is fashion really worth the pain? Ditch pointed-tip shoes, which can constrict blood flow, cause calluses and swelling, and stop choosing shoes without arch support. Do your feet a favour!</p> <p><strong>4. You wear the same shoes for every work out</strong></p> <p>We’re all guilty of this. The shoes you wear for your daily walk might provide the right support for that activity, but they’re unlikely to be as comfortable or good for your feet when you’re doing cardio training or lifting weights.</p> <p><strong>5. You’ve got back, knee or hip pain</strong></p> <p>Maybe your feet aren’t to blame, after all. If you’ve got another injury that’s causing you to limp or put pressure on another part of the body, your feet will step in and take the load (and the pain).</p> <p><strong>6. You need orthotics</strong></p> <p>As we age, our feet can flatten, meaning the arch supports that used to work for you 20 years ago might not work today. It’s worth booking an appointment with your local podiatrist and getting fitted for new orthotics to protect your feet and joints.</p> <p>Tell us in the comments, do you suffer from foot pain? How do you manage it?</p>

Body

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Aussie taxpayers to foot $100,000 bill for Cassie Sainsbury's legal defence

<p>Aussie taxpayers will foot the $100,000 bill for Cassie Sainsbury’s legal defence, after the 22-year-old was found guilty of trying to smuggle cocaine out of Colombia.</p> <p>The Adelaide resident was sentenced to six years’ jail yesterday and ordered to pay a $130,000 fine after she pleaded guilty to drug trafficking. While the Australian government won’t touch the fine, taxpayers will cover her legal assistance.</p> <p>“These people (like Cassie) are just victim of bigger criminals,” said Sainsbury’s Columbian lawyer, Orlando Herran, adding that he believed she deserved the money.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Convicted drug mule Cassie Sainsbury could walk free from a Colombian prison within three years. <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkWBurrows?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkWBurrows</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/jWLD2EvpRg">pic.twitter.com/jWLD2EvpRg</a></p> — Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsAUS/status/925984664199741440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 2, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Sainsbury is not the first convicted drug smuggler to have part of her legal bills covered by Aussie Taxpayers, with Schapelle Corby, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran receiving similar treatment from the Australian government.</p> <p>“Cocaine Cassie” was staring down the barrel of 30 years behind bars for trying to smuggle 6kg of cocaine out of Columbia on April 12, but thanks to a plea deal accepted by the Columbian judge she could be out in two-and-a-half years for good behaviour.  </p> <p>“She’s lucky because the amount of the drugs was very big,” Mr Herran told the Aussie journalists who had travelled to Colombia after the closed-door hearing.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Do you think it’s unfair for Australian taxpayers to foot the bill for legal proceedings in cases like this? Or do we have a responsibility to protect our citizens overseas, even when they’ve put a foot wrong?</p> <p><em>Hero image credit: Twitter / The West </em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Save money with Over60 Travel Insurance. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance" target="_blank">To arrange a quote, click here.</a></span> Or for more information, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p>

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3 easy ways to improve foot and ankle mobility

<p>They carry your entire body, so it’s essential to keep your feet and ankles strong and mobile. After all, the stiffer your ankles are, the more likely you are to suffer a fall.</p> <p>In his third video in a series of five aimed at improving your balance, mobility and strength, Taylor Harrison, author, seniors health expert and Director of <a href="http://www.activeseniors.net.au/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Active Seniors Health Centre</span></strong></a>, shares three simple exercises that will improve mobility in your feet and ankles, thus improving your balance and stability.</p> <p>To see Taylor’s first video on how to improve hip mobility, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/2017/10/exercises-to-improve-hip-mobility/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>. To see his second video on strengthening your core, <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/health/body/2017/10/exercises-to-strengthen-whole-body/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>. (add links to previous article)</p>

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3-year-old suffers severe burns wearing Cancer Council sunscreen

<p>A three-year-old boy has suffered severe burns while wearing a Cancer Council sunscreen branded after the popular children’s television character Peppa Pig.</p> <p>Rivers Jasper from Cunderdin, Western Australia, was holidaying in Bali when the incident occurred, leaving him with welts and blister on his back, face, shoulders and ears.</p> <p>Shannae and Paul Jasper, the three-year-old’s parents, say they applied the sun protection in their hotel room, and within minutes Rivers was screaming in pain.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2F7NewsPerth%2Fposts%2F10155146036874072&amp;width=500" width="500" height="562" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true"></iframe></p> <p>“His skin was really, really tender and red. He was vomiting all the next day,” Ms Jasper told <em>Seven News Perth</em>.</p> <p>“He's absolutely petrified now of when we try and put any type of spray, lotion, even in the bath he won't pour the water over his back. He won't let us touch him.”</p> <p>The sunscreen had reportedly been sitting unused by the family for about a year, but according to the packaging it was still well within its expiry date.</p> <p>Mrs Jasper uploaded pictures of her son’s injuries on social media, with more than 100 commentators sharing similar reactions with the own children.</p> <p>“We don't want to stop supporting The Cancer Council or their product,” the family said, adding: “We just don't want others kids to go through what we've been through.”</p> <p>Cancer Council Australia responded to the original post with the following statement, “Yesterday we were saddened to learn via Facebook that a young child had a negative experience with our SPF50+ Kids Sunscreen.</p> <p>“We take any concern raised about our products very seriously and have been in direct contact with the boy’s mother, Jessie, to investigate this further.</p> <p>“This product has been on the market for a number of years. Since it was introduced more than 250,000 bottles have been sold. We have only received a very small number of complaints regarding this product, some of which related to issues with the function of the pump spray, not the sunscreen itself.</p> <p>“Sunscreens in Australia are strictly regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). All Cancer Council sunscreens and their ingredients are fully compliant with these regulations and all of our sunscreens are independently tested to ensure they exceed the SPF level advised on the bottle.</p> <p>“Additionally, all products formulated for sensitive skin, including our SPF50+ Kids Sunscreen, are dermatologically tested to ensure that they pass the Repeat Insult Patch Test (RIPT), a recognised formal skin sensitivity test for topically applied products. If you have sensitive skin, doing a personal patch test is even more important.”</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook / <span class="fwn fcg"><span class="fcg"><span class="fwb">Shannae Lee <span class="highlightNode">Jasper</span></span></span></span></em></p>

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France's pig festival is a pork-lovers dream

<p>All hail the mighty pig!</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>La Pourcailhade (meaning the Festival of the Pig) is an annual festival held in the town of Trie-sur-Baise in the Pyrenees region of southwestern France. It’s a celebration of all things porcine that began in 1975 and is organised by La Confrerie du Cochon (or The Brotherhood of the Pig). It was partly developed to give a boost to the ailing pig farming industry in the region and now attracts meat-loving visitors from all over the world. Many of the townspeople deck themselves out in pig ears and snout, and all local business will get in on the act with decorations and displays.</p> <p><strong>What can I do?</strong></p> <p>Eat. And then eat some more. The smell of roast pork fills the air around town and you can eat more kinds of meat than you ever new existed – cured ham, salami, black pudding, crackling and much more. There are large sit down banquets organised or you can just stroll through the market and sample anything that takes your fancy.</p> <p>There are also a series of outrageous competitions that you can watch or (if you’re feeling very festive) participate in, like best pig outfit, best window display or sausage eating competitions. The climax of the event is the prestigious Championnat de France du Cri de Cochon, or French Pig-Squealing Competition. Participants make the sounds of a pig in its various life stages, from piglet to adult. Each night, there is a huge party with music, dancing, drinks and, of course, plenty more pork.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AmEBhQVqzDE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>How can I go?</strong></p> <p>The dates change, however the festival is generally held around the second Sunday of August. Trie-sur-Baise is accessible by train from Biarritz, Toulouse or San Sebastian.</p>

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