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Cancer-causing chemicals found in Aussie tap water sparks safety concerns

A landmark ruling in the US has sparked safety concerns over Australian tap water, with many wondering if it is safe to drink. After the US tightened their regulations around drinking tap water, cutting the maximum level of cancer-causing so-called “forever chemicals” allowed, experts have urged Australia to do the same. Earlier this year, the US Environmental Protection Agency found there was “no safe level of exposure” of the chemicals perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water and they were likely to cause cancer. The toxic substances have also been linked to kidney and liver disease, thyroid dysregulation, reproductive problems, and developmental problems. According to a federally funded University of Queensland study published in 2011, Australia permits per-and-poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances at levels up to 140 times higher than those allowed in the US. Health Minister Mark Butler has asked key political players, including Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, for an urgent briefing following the US developments. The National Health and Medical Research Council, which shapes the nation’s water rules, is reviewing its guidelines relating to the chemicals, and that could be expedited ahead of its 2025 end date. “Australian drinking water is regularly monitored for the presence of chemicals, including PFAS, to ensure those are within the limits assessed as safe by Australian regulators,” a spokesperson for the Health Minister said. “This independent review will consider recent guidance and reviews from international and national jurisdictions and determine whether they are suitable to adopt or adapt for Australia.” Nicholas Chartres, a senior research fellow at the University of Sydney, called for a precautionary approach and immediate widespread testing of the nation’s water supplies. “The government needs to take action. They need to be testing the water (and) it will come at a cost,” he said. Image credits: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

Is the Barbie movie a bold step to reinvent and fix past wrongs or a clever ploy to tap a new market?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> After a months-long marketing blitz, the much-hyped Barbie movie is released this week. From a <a href="https://news.airbnb.com/barbies-malibu-dreamhouse-is-back-on-airbnb-but-this-time-kens-hosting/">Malibu Barbie dreamhouse</a> listed on AirBnB, an AI tool that <a href="https://www.barbieselfie.ai/au/">transforms selfies into Barbie movie posters</a> and multiple Barbie-themed brand collaborations ranging from nail polish to roller skates, Barbie is everywhere. She has even gone viral as a fashion trend known as <a href="https://www.elle.com.au/fashion/barbiecore-27286">Barbiecore</a>, exploding across social media with people embracing vibrant pink hues and hyper feminine aesthetics. A Barbie world is upon us. Although some have criticised this <a href="https://twitter.com/MosheIsaacian/status/1673415496929267712">saturation</a> strategy, it is a very deliberate marketing ploy to revitalise and redefine a brand with a contested position and history. As well as attracting adults who grew up with Barbie and are curious to see what’s changed, the reinvention is drawing in those younger fans swept up by the tsunami of marketing and merchandise. Despite being one of the <a href="https://www.newsweek.com/brandspark-most-trusted-brands-america-2022">most trusted brands</a> with a value of approximately <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/1009126/barbie-brand-value-worldwide/">$US700 million</a>, Barbie has long attracted feminist criticism for fuelling outdated and problematic “plastic fantastic” sexist stereotypes and expectations. <h2>The Barbie backlash</h2> Only a few years back, Barbie was a brand in crisis. <a href="https://time.com/3667580/mattel-barbie-earnings-plus-size-body-image/">Sales plummeted</a> across 2011 to 2015 against the cultural backdrop of a rise in body positivity and backlash against a doll that represented narrow ideals and an impossible beauty standard. After all, at life-size Barbie represents a body shape held by <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01544300#page-1">less than 1 in 100,000</a> real people. In fact, she is so <a href="https://rehabs.com/explore/dying-to-be-barbie/#.UWs-5aKyB8F">anatomically impossible</a> that, if she were real, she would be unable to lift her head, store a full liver or intestines, or <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/305/6868/1575">menstruate</a>. The backlash has also been in response to growing concerns about how she influences child development, particularly how and what children learn about gender. Barbie has been identified as a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1740144521000243#!">risk factor</a> for thin-ideal internalisation and body dissatisfaction for young girls, encouraging <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S174014451630208X">motivation for a thinner shape</a> that damages body image and self esteem. And despite the multiple careers Barbie has held over the decades, research highlights that girls who play with Barbie believe they have <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11199-014-0347-y">fewer career options than boys</a>. This speaks to the power of toys to reinforce gender stereotypes, roles and expectations, and how Barbie has imported narrow ideals of femininity, girlhood and womanhood into young girls’ lives. <h2>Reinventing a long-established icon</h2> In response to this backlash, Mattel launched a new range of Barbies in 2016 that were promoted as <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/collections/fashion-dolls#filter.ss_filter_tags_subtype=Fashionistas">diverse</a>, representing different body shapes, sizes, hair types and skin tones. This was not without criticism, with “curvy” Barbie still considered thin and dolls named in ways that drew attention foremost to their bodies. From a white, well-dressed, middle-class, girl-next-door with friends of a similar ilk, Barbie has since been marketed as a symbol of diversity and inclusion. To signify the extent of the transformation, Mattel’s executives gave this project the code name “Project Dawn”. Mattel - like many other brands joining the <a href="https://theconversation.com/victorias-secret-joins-the-inclusive-revolution-finally-realizing-diversity-sells-163955">“inclusivity revolution”</a> - knew that diversity sells, and they needed to make their brand relevant for contemporary consumers. Diversity initiatives included a line of <a href="https://shop.mattel.com/pages/barbie-role-models">female role model dolls</a>, promoted as “introducing girls to remarkable women’s stories to show them you can be anything”. Barbie was also given a voice in the form of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5BsRl9zFaeSKIL4XD-pdGHGbJRvkfe8S">Barbie Vlogs</a>, where she expressed her views on issues including depression and the <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/barbies-vlog-about-the-sorry-reflex-is-the-feminist-pep-talk-all-90s-babies-need-to-hear-9852366">sorry reflex</a>. A gender neutral collection called “creatable world” was added in 2019 to open up gender expression possibilities when playing with Barbies. Such efforts were crucial to undoing missteps of the past, such as a “Teen Talk Barbie” that was programmed to say “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSL2-rbE9AM">Math class is tough!</a>”, or the compulsory heterosexuality that Barbie has long advanced. <h2>The latest step in Barbie’s transformation</h2> Barbie the film is simply the next step in an evolution to make brand Barbie inclusive. And with a rumoured film budget of $100 million, the supporting marketing machine provides a critical opportunity to reset the Barbie narrative. With Greta Gerwig, acclaimed director of female-led stories such as Little Women and Lady Bird at the helm, and a diverse cast of Barbies of different races, body types, gender identities and sexual preferences, the film and its creators have sought to assure audiences of the film’s feminist leanings. Addressing the complicated history of Barbie is crucial for audiences who grew up and played with the doll and are grappling with introducing her to the next generation of doll consumers. Yet, Robbie Brenner, executive producer of Mattel Films, has explicitly stated that Gerwig’s Barbie is “not a feminist movie”. Indeed, the main character still represents a narrow beauty standard - tall, thin, blonde, white - with diverse characters in place to support her narrative. Which begs the question: are these inclusion initiatives simply emblematic of diversity washing, where the language and symbolism of social justice are hijacked for corporate profit? Or do they represent a genuine effort to redress the chequered history of a brand that promotes poor body image, unrealistic ideals and rampant materialism? What is clear is that in today’s climate where brands are increasingly rewarded for taking a stand on sociopolitical issues, brand Barbie’s attempts to reposition as inclusive have paid off: sales are now booming. Seemingly, Barbie’s famous tagline that “anything is possible” has shown itself to be true.<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/209394/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-gurrieri-5402">Lauren Gurrieri</a>, Associate Professor in Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/is-the-barbie-movie-a-bold-step-to-reinvent-and-fix-past-wrongs-or-a-clever-ploy-to-tap-a-new-market-209394">original article</a>.

Movies

The gross reason you should steer clear of hotel tap water

You might want to think twice about filling up your glass in your hotel room. The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) – a product testing, inspection and certification organisation with headquarters in Michigan, US, has begun to urge tourists not to drink the tap water in hotel rooms. Two years of little-to-no use could have well and truly led to bugs and germs collecting in the stagnant systems. Jérôme Logie, from the Water Division at NSF, claims that water supplies now pose a real risk to travellers that may not have existed previously. While Logie was quick to remind people of the importance of staying hydrated, he has warned anyone going abroad to assure their water comes from a safe and reliable source. “After such an extended period with low to no travel, hotels and their water supplies now pose a significant risk to travellers, something many aren’t aware of,” he explained. “Water and good hydration are essential, but there is a real risk from potentially lethal bacteria that can thrive in stagnant water, such as in unused hotel pipes. “Add to that a build-up of germs and varying international standards of filtration, and you can see why travellers must be water-smart to ensure they can enjoy prettier sights than their hotel bathroom.” To help people avoid illnesses, the NSF has put together a list of top tips for staying safe when drinking water abroad when travelling. Don’t trust the tap water in your hotel bathroom No matter how desperate you are for a cool drink of water in the middle of the night, do not resort to drinking from the bathroom tap. Stock up on bottled water from a local supermarket or convenience store. Hotel plumbing is a potential breeding ground for harmful microorganisms such as E.Coli, as water in unoccupied hotel rooms can remain stagnant in pipes for days, weeks or even months. Hot = good Many hotels heat their water to 55 degrees+ to kill any microorganisms that might be present which is why you will often encounter ‘Warning: hot water!’ signs. In larger resorts and hotel chains, companies have their own corporate standards for water management, and some even have water treatment facilities on-site to ensure quality, travellers are still encouraged to exercise caution. Say no to tap water at restaurants It’s not just in your hotel room you need to be wary, but also the hotel restaurant. To avoid encountering any water woes, play it safe and make simple switches such as asking for bottled drinks rather than a jug of water to accompany a meal. If it’s cloudy, it’s contaminated Detecting bacteria in clear water is impossible but never, ever drink cloudy water. If you are travelling to a remote location where bottled water is not available, certified devices and equipment can be used. E.g: light strobes can kill bacteria; portable filters can be used to remove heavy metals, as well as bacteria; chlorine pills, although not perfect, can be a convenient way to make drinking water safe. Image: Getty

Travel Tips

Phonetap reveals shock claims in Chris Dawson murder trial

Chris Dawson’s twin brother has doubled down on claims that his brother’s school-aged lover “had more motive” to murder his wife Lynette, after <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/bombshell-move-as-new-witnesses-emerge-in-chris-dawson-murder-trial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a phone tap</a> from 23 years ago was played in court. During his second day of testimony, Paul Dawson described his twin as the least violent man he’s ever met, with the Supreme Court hearing a secret phone tap of the pair talking after Paul was grilled by detectives over the 1982 disappearance of his sister-in-law, per <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bombshell-claims-heard-on-phone-tap-played-at-chris-dawson-murder-trial/91605b36-4fac-4c07-81aa-1cd46be0475d" target="_blank" rel="noopener">9News</a>. “He implied that something has happened to Lyn and you had motive,” Paul said in the recording from March 1999. “They think something has happened to Lyn and I had the motive and they are going to search the property and do all sorts of things. Oh well, good luck to them,” Chris replied. “If anyone had the motive, (JC) had more motive,” Paul said. “JC”, as she has been identified during the trial, was the Dawson’s babysitter and a highschool student of Chris’ before he began having an affair with her and later marrying her. The Crown alleges Chris murdered Lynette so he could have an “unfettered relationship” with JC. In court, Paul doubled down on his accusations against JC while being questioned by Crown Prosecutor Craig Everson SC. “If Lyn had been murdered, JC had the motive, JC had more to gain and JC did gain more than Chris ever gained from their relationship,” Paul said. He also recalled a conversation with Elva McBay, a now-deceased family friend, who told him JC had made a threat against Lynette at a birthday party. “JC just said if she got in her way… she’d get rid of her,” he claimed McBa said. The phone tap also included a conversation between Chris and Paul about where Lynette could be. “Either Lyn’s somewhere with a whole new life,” Paul said. “Yeah,” Chris replied. “Or something happened, I mean,” Paul continued. “I know,” Chris said. “She could be anywhere,” Paul said. Paul, who has said he is keeping an eye on media reports about the trial, has described the allegations that Chris was violent as “most outrageous”. He said that over the course of Chris and Lynette’s 17-year relationship he never even heard a derogatory comment. The trial continues under Justice Ian Harrison. Image: 9News

Legal

New money-saving tech seniors are tapping into

With the effects of COVID hitting the wallet, rising electricity, healthcare and housing costs nearly 9 out of 10 Australians say they are feeling cost of living pressures, or ‘bill burden’. ABC data shows living costs for age pensioner households recorded the largest rise of all household types due to the highest expenditure for automotive fuel and pharmaceutical products. Thrifty Nala Perkins, 75, is one pensioner who found she is able to keep rising expenses under control by tapping into easy money-saving tech platforms that are predominantly used by young Australians. “I save around $4000 a year on groceries and shopping bills by using shopping apps such as Trolley Saver, which compares specials across the major supermarket chains as well as Half Price, which tracks everything reduced by 50% in Coles and Woolies,” says Ms Perkins. “There are so many comparison sites to make sure I can get the best price for my electricity bills and I save on petrol, with Motormouth,” she adds. “Once you get the hang of it, these programs are really easy to use.” “I also make use of special discounts offered on email and always look for the 30% off deals.” “The supermarket receipts can also get my fuel bill down.” “I also make $700 a month by renting out my car to neighbours when I'm not using it, on Car Next Door.” “I have to watch the dollars so you could say I’m thrifty.” “I’m good at getting discounts with my groceries and fuel, and I’m a stickler for paying my credit cards off every month.” Tech savvy pensioner Nala Perkins shares her top 6 Money Saving platforms: <ul> <li>Track specials across all the supermarkets with <a href="http://www.scan2list.com.au/">Scan2List</a>, <a href="https://www.ourgroceries.com/overview">OurGroceries</a> and <a href="https://m.trolleytracker.com.au">Trolley Tracker.</a></li> <li>Find discounted prescription medications and health products through <a href="https://www.pharmacyonline.com.au">Pharmacy Online</a>.</li> <li>Most cars sit idle 96% of the time, <a href="https://www.carnextdoor.com.au/how-to-list-your-car">Car Next Door</a> safely connects neighbours to share cars.</li> <li>Websites such as<a href="https://motormouth.com.au/mobile-app.html"> MotorMouth</a> reveal the cheapest petrol around the country.</li> <li><a href="https://www.getreminded.com/">GetReminded</a> keeps track of when to shop around for household services due to expire. </li> <li>Easy to do all Centrelink business on the mobile app <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=au.gov.dhs.centrelinkexpressplus&hl=en_AU&gl=US">Express Plus</a>.</li> </ul>

Money & Banking

Jamie Durie's big news will set toes tapping across the country

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> Jamie Durie is set to perform on Seven's new Dancing With the Stars: All Stars, much to the delight of fans. The veteran host, 50, will return to the stage after initially being on the show back in 2007. He came in seventh on the show but won't let that stop him from dancing again. <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/CMa8bHPhC6y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <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="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;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMa8bHPhC6y/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DancingAU (@dancingau)</a> </div> </blockquote> "I'm thrilled to be returning to DWTS for this year's All Stars season," he tells <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/reality-tv/dancing-with-the-stars/dancing-with-the-stars-jamie-durie-67042" target="_blank">Woman's Day.</a> "It's been almost 14 years since I was last on the show, so I'm looking forward to dusting off my dancing shoes. "From the cast I've seen coming back again so far, I'm sure it's going to be a tough competition," he adds. Durie will be dancing alongside Fifi Box, Bec Hewitt, Tom Williams and wild card Schapelle Corby. </div> </div> </div>

Music

Fergie taps into personal lineage for her inspired first novel

Sarah ‘Fergie’ Ferguson has a new fictional novel coming to the shelf, which is inspired by her family history. The Duchess of York has taken on the challenge of portraying her great-great-aunt Lady Margaret Montagu Douglas and is set to be released in August. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839480/sarah-ferguson-novel-a-heart-for-the-compass.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b07cae45e9f24b41b7caf25fc7536780" /> The former wife of Prince Andrew has released children's books in the past, but became inspired for her new novel when she was “researching” her ancestry. “Digging into the history of the Montagu-Douglas Scotts, I first came across Lady Margaret, who intrigued me because she shared one of my given names,” she said. “But although her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch, were close friends with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, I was unable to discover much about my namesake’s early life, and so was born the idea which became Her Heart for a Compass. “With real historical events and facts to hand, my imagination took over.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839478/sarah-ferguson-novel-a-heart-for-the-compass-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e8539deadd15429689a5a634e773b11f" /> The 61-year-old went on to say: “I invented a history for her that incorporated real people and events, including some of my other ancestors. “I created a friendship between my heroine and Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s sixth child, and I drew on many parallels from my life for Lady Margaret’s journey. “I have long held a passion for historical research and telling the stories of strong women in history through film and television. “I am proud to bring my personal brand of historical fiction to the publishing world.” Despite Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson divorcing in 1996, the pair still remain great friends and live together at the Royal Lodge in London.

Books

"USE A TAP, MATE": Gordon Ramsay abused for careless fridge contents

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> Fan favourite British chef Gordon Ramsay surprised viewers by returning to MasterChef: Back to Win via video link. He called in from the UK to set the Mystery Box challenge on Monday night and opened up his fridge to show contestants what they would be cooking with. Ramsay was thrilled with the top four chefs, who were Emelia, Callum, Reynold and Laura. "First of all, congratulations to all of you. Seriously, congratulations. I've been watching each and every one of you from the beginning. This journey has been incredible," he said candidly. <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/tv/CCk9faxBHGF/?utm_source=ig_embed&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> <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/tv/CCk9faxBHGF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Guess who's back? 👀🇬🇧 @gordongram #MasterChefAU</a> <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/masterchefau/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> MasterChef Australia</a> (@masterchefau) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:38am PDT </div> </blockquote> However, fans were more concerned with the amount of mini plastic Evian bottles Ramsay had in his fridge. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7836907/water.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fc6ba35aa43344a391ff50761fb0507f" /> Fans were unimpressed with the amount of plastic in the chef's fridge and went on social media to blast Ramsay. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> why does gordon ramsay have so much bottled water? USE A TAP, MATE <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterchefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterchefAU</a> — Andrea (@bethwoodvilles) <a href="https://twitter.com/bethwoodvilles/status/1282609859192446976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> HOW MANY BOTTLES OF WATER DOES GORDON RAMSAY HAVE?! talk about panic buying… <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> — ⋆bridget⋆ (@xxteamlmxx) <a href="https://twitter.com/xxteamlmxx/status/1282610050318524416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> If you’re Gordon Ramsay-level rich, you can afford a tap that only spits out filtered bubbly water. Come on, guv. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MasterChefAU?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MasterChefAU</a> — Michael Hartt 👐🏻 (@whatamindblast) <a href="https://twitter.com/whatamindblast/status/1282611939462406154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote> Emelia's pastry ended up taking the lead and fast-tracked her to semi-finals. Despite Callum's dessert being full of conflicting flavours, Reynold's chawanmushi and Laura's fish and vegetables, these impressive dishes were no match for the intricate pastry put forward by Emelia. <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/tv/CClE7uxFwbd/?utm_source=ig_embed&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> <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/tv/CClE7uxFwbd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">@emelia_jackson's inventive dish was a choux-in for the Semi-Finals! 🥧</a> <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/masterchefau/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> MasterChef Australia</a> (@masterchefau) on Jul 13, 2020 at 3:43am PDT </div> </blockquote> After her win was announced, she told the camera: “I have been so intimidated throughout this entire competition. And to think that I am in the semi-final, I never pictured this as a reality, ever.” Speaking to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%252Fentertainment%252Fwhat-made-masterchef-star-emelia-jackson-regret-everything-during-challenge%252Fnews-story%252Fbd0bb819e0ab5e2314168cc308cd1273&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=76b636a8b3a6194017260471c0a00d88-1594635953" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">Herald Sun</a> on Saturday, 31-year-old Emelia revealed how “overwhelming” her second shot at MasterChef had been. “The physical feeling (of being on the show) is like when you are on a rollercoaster and you get to the top and you have that split half-second before you have that big drop where you freak out and regret everything,” Emelia said. She added: “That is the feeling of it, this overwhelming, massive adrenaline rush. It really is like a cauldron, the pressure is on, everything is bubbling away.” </div> </div> </div>

Food & Wine

Warning: Why you need to pay attention when you “tap and go”

Consumers are being warned to keep an eye on additional surcharges that have been tacked on to their contactless payments, which include payments made via payWave or PayPass. Businesses currently have permission to charge a bit extra for “tap and go” payments due to the fees that are incurred by offering the service, but the law prohibits businesses from making a profit by charging the fee. According to RateCity’s spokeswoman Sally Tindall, this isn’t always the case. She told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/revealed-using-paywave-costing-042734001.html?guccounter=1">Yahoo</a>: “(Consumers) could be getting hit with unfair surcharges if retailers are doing the wrong thing.” Tindall has urged consumers not to use contactless payments if they are aware that a surcharge will be incurred. “A lot of surcharges can be avoided with a bit of planning – always have a little bit of cash with you up your sleeve,” Ms Tindall advised. The ACCC’s deputy chair Mick Keogh explained that businesses are allowed to charge a flat fee for contactless payments, but it must not exceed what it cost the business to process the transaction. “Businesses should be careful about imposing a flat fee surcharge where the amount of a transaction is relatively small … In those circumstances the surcharge is likely to be excessive,” Mr Keogh said.

Technology

Tap water health warning: Households advised to do this one thing before drinking

Australian households have been instructed to do one thing following fears of lead poisoning from plumbing products. In July, enHealth – a committee representing federal, state and territory health departments and the National Health and Medical Research Council – issued a <a href="http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/A12B57E41EC9F326CA257BF0001F9E7D/$File/Lead-plumbing-products-Guidance-Statement-July2018.pdf">warning</a> about lead being found in drinking water, however, it was not widely publicised. Although lead is rarely used in water pipes in the country, it is still widely used in various plumbing products, such as brass fittings. The alert explained that the lead can dissolve into drinking water “particularly where water has been sitting in contact with these brass plumbing products for long periods”. Lead exposure can cause muscle pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, headaches, nausea and vomiting to seizures and comas. Infants and children are most vulnerable to the metal as it can impair brain development. To “proactively reduce their potential exposure to lead in drinking water”, the enHealth alert encourages Aussies to run their taps for at least 30 seconds in the morning. This small measure will allow fresh water to be drawn from the outlet. The alert also suggests running the tap “for about two to three minutes after long periods of non-use, such as when returning from holidays”. As well as using water from cold taps only for drinking and cooking, it also encouraged Aussies who are building or renovating to choose plumbing products that have been certified to WaterMark and AS/NZS 4020:2005. “There is no need for households to have their water tested for lead,” it explained. “The recommendation is to follow the good practice measures above. By following these measures you can also reduce your potential exposure to other metals in plumbing, such as copper and nickel.” While World Health Organisation guidelines say that no level of lead exposure is safe, Australian standards allow up to 4.5 per cent lead content in brass fittings. In the US and Canada, only a maximum of 0.25 per cent lead content is permitted. The Australian figure is expected to be reduced following a review of plumbing fittings that is currently underway through the Australian Building Codes Board, reported <a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/">The Daily Telegraph</a>. Will you be running your water for 30 seconds before drinking? Let us know in the comments below.

News

This cheap household product can stop tap-and-go payment thieves

An everyday household item can be used to prevent tap-and-go payment thieves. Security experts have long warned about the dangers of wireless wallet skimming. Although you can purchase expensive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-blocking wallets and purses to prevent scammers, there’s a very simple solution using a cheap household item. A layer of aluminium foil works just as well as custom-made security accessories, Mark Roberti, editor of RFID Journal, revealed. <img id="i-ceffbfe64ec89049" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" class="blkBorder img-share b-loaded" src="https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2018/07/26/07/4E93654D00000578-5993865-Everyday_household_item_aluminium_foil_can_be_used_to_prevent_op-a-18_1532585788210.jpg" alt="Everyday household item, aluminium foil, can be used to prevent opportunist tap-and-go payment thieves " width="634" height="476" /> A disturbing video posted on social media recently shows just how easy it is to be scammed without the victim even realising. Filmed at a store where an unsuspecting male customer is looking at magazines on a shelf, a staff member with an EFTPOS tap-and-go payment machine goes unnoticed as he scans the customer's wallet in the back pocket of his pants. The transaction is immediately approved with the customer none the wiser. <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFongWK%2Fvideos%2F10209713365669648%2F&show_text=0&width=264" width="264" height="476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe> “Watch me, the victim doesn't know what I'm going to do,” the store employee explains in the video. “I've just tapped his a**, who's got a PayPass in his pocket and the transaction is approved. So be careful.” To avoid being scammed, <a href="https://www.finder.com.au/how-to-protect-yourself-from-card-skimming">Finder</a> advises people keep their bank cards in sight at all times, check their bank card statements regularly and report any suspicious activity to their card provider and the police.

Legal

New test results: Bottled water is LESS healthy than tap water

You could be doing more harm than good by choosing “pure and natural” bottled water over tap water, as new figures reveal some bottled water contain dangerous levels of acid. Water straight from the tap ranked among the best quality for drinking in Australia when compared to market leading water brands like Pump and Mount Franklin. In the season two premiere of ABC’s <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/war-on-waste/">War on Waste</a> popular water brands were put to the test, comparing them to Gold Coast water in a Griffith University’s testing labs. Australian tap water is well-regulated to ensure it’s safe to drink but bottled water is classified as a food product and not subject to the same controls, which means quality can vary depending on the brand. Tests show that when it came to mineral content, calcium and magnesium, tap water had the highest concentration out of all brands, except Fiji. <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/3ed09c3e766146edd3aa1646ddf78e12" alt="The first test revealed Gold Coast tap water had higher levels of minerals than several of the brands. Picture: ABC" width="650" height="366" /> Water scientist Dr Fred Leusch also looked at the pH levels or acidity, with a seven being neutral and any number below considered too acidic and potentially harmful for teeth enamel. Tests found three popular bottled waters – Mount Franklin, Mount Franklin lightly sparkling and Pump – contained below safe levels of PH, respectively 4.8, 3.7 and 4.6. <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/ebef3dbd9cdb9f61c181ec8787db17dd" alt="The red coloured figures show the brands that had higher acidity because they were below the neutral level. Picture: ABC" width="650" height="366" /> “Below four is something that does damage your enamel,” Dr Leusch said. “We’re in the range of Coke and coffee — we know these are not great for our teeth. “Tap water should really be marketed as mineral water.” Last night’s episode of War on Waste also highlighted how Sydney-based Nature’s Best is essentially charging customers for packaging, as the water, although treated, comes straight from the tap. Labelled as “pure, safe, Australian water”, Dr Leusch said: “I find the name ironic — Nature’s Best, pure, safe Australian — it’s an acknowledgment that tap water’s safe,” he said. “In the end, I reckon when you’re buying this, most of the cost is the plastic container. What’s inside is just worth 0.1 of a cent.” For people who avoid fluoride in their water, it’s in the bottled stuff too, with the tests finding all bottled water containing some fluoride. <img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/349aa96d1222c41cae7f4c435b70146f" alt="Even bottled water had fluoride in it, with the Nature’s Best brand having slightly more than the tap water. Picture: ABC" width="650" height="366" /> “It’s a chemical found in rocks and so if that groundwater has been in contact with fluoride containing rocks, it will have naturally higher concentrations of fluoride.” Dr Leusch said it was easy for people to get confused and fall for market “gimmicks” used to persuade them into buying things they don't truly need. “All our water is eventually from the same place, it’s a closed cycle,” he said. “The water that fills our rivers is actually sometimes fed from the ground, sometimes fed from rainwater — it’s all the same water in the end. “Because they’re regulated as food the words can have a very specific meaning — spring water must really mean it’s sourced from groundwater. Pure water is more generic than that and it can actually be tap water that has been filtered and bottled into this.”

Body

Could tap-and-go payments be costing you a fortune?

It’s fast become the main way Aussie are paying for purchases, but the consumer watchdog has issued a warning about the hidden payments associated with tap-and-go. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is reminding consumers that using a debit card at the checkout – whether you tap-and-go or even use a pin – can attract a fee similar to using credit cards. Dr Michael Schaper, deputy chair of ACCC, said businesses are within their rights to charge the underlying fees for using contactless cards but they must not charge higher than the cost of providing the service. "For most businesses there is a fee they're charged through their bank or their card operator," he told the <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-26/tap-and-go-fees-on-rise-as-convenience-drives-up-costs/9691550">ABC</a>. "If you do tap and get hit with an extra charge, it is legal." Businesses are already allowed to pass on a 1 to 2 per cent surcharge on credit card transactions, but the fee charged by banks to process debit and eftpos purchases is much lower. "It really does require customers to make sure when they buy something they ask that question," Dr Schaper said. "I think too many of us probably don't because we assume we're not going to be charged for it." The Australian Retailers Association estimates tap and go costs merchants an extra $500 million a year.

Money & Banking

Health concerns over Aldi tap

A cheap Aldi tap from China has been found to contaminate water with up to 15 times the allowable lead limit. The estimated 12,000 households that have purchased an Easy Home spiral spring mixer are being warned against using the water for drinking or cooking. “There is a cause for concern,” said Brett Bassett, head of Queensland Building and Construction Commission, which commissioned the testing. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also advised customers against using the $79.99 taps and said it had begun an investigation. <img width="499" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/39206/aldi-tpa_499x375.jpg" alt="Aldi Tpa"/> “If there is a risk that consumer goods may cause injury the ACCC expects suppliers and manufacturers to put voluntary recalls in place to protect consumers,” a spokesman said. It is estimated that 3000 of the Aldi taps were sold in Queensland and another 9000 in the rest of Australia. “That’s 12,000 homes that have been installed. How many people live in those homes? How many people could be at risk of lead contamination? This is huge,” said Master Plumbers Australia national secretary Penny Cornah. The results of the Queensland Building and Construction Commission are even more shocking as when the tap was certified against the Australian standard, it came in well below permitted levels. Melbourne’s IAPMO R&T Oceana cleared the tap as they found the water levels to be 9.5 times under the lead limit. “Everything we have on file indicates the product fully complies. It looks 100 per cent kosher,” IAPMO technical adviser Glenn Tate said. The tests for QBCC were carried out by Queensland Health’s Forensic and Scientific Services using a single tap. Further testing will be done, including breaking a tap to find out how much lead is in the brass parts. Last year, New Scientist magazine reported brass fittings in Australian household taps usually contain 2 to 4 per cent lead compared to a 0.25 per cent limit in the United States. The Aldi taps were made by Chinese company Zhejiang Keen Faucet Co, based around 300km south of Shanghai. Lead impacts the production of the protein in blood that transports oxygen. Very high levels of lead can be fatal.

Food & Wine

85-year-old Navy veteran learns to tap-dance

Arne Malaya, a US Navy veteran, is proving that it’s never too late to learn a new skill – in this case, tap dancing! According to Robin Lind, owner of a Minnesota dance studio, Arne was brought in by his wife of 54 years, Carol, who explained that learning to tap dance was on his bucket list. “He’s always enjoyed the movies with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers,” Carol Mayala told <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/04/04/85-year-old-navy-vet-takes-up-tap-dancing/82640438/" target="_blank">USA Today</a>. Arne finally decided to give it a shot himself after he spotted the dance studio below the accounting firm where he had a tax appointment. Lind says she shared photos of Arne on Facebook and received overwhelming feedback. Though Arne’s first lesson was hindered by a fall he had suffered earlier in the day, Lind explains that it didn’t stop him from enjoying himself. “It just really touched my heart in seeing him go from having a bad day and what dance can do,” she said. After seeing Arne’s joy when he dances, Lind decided to start a dance class at the local aged care facility where her mother lives. “We all just want to feel special and important in some way.” As for Arne’s wife, she waits anxiously after each lesson in the lobby of the studio. “I’m very nervous for him. I can’t stand to watch it.” After watching the video, I think you’ll agree with me – Arne’s got some moves! Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/04/oldest-skier-in-britain-retires-from-sport/">102-year-old skier retires from the slopes</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/grandmother-lifts-100kg/">78-year-old grandmother lifts weights like a pro athlete</a> <a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/03/man-celebrates-92nd-birthday-by-jumping-out-of-plane/">Grandpa celebrates 92nd birthday by jumping out of a plane</a>

Retirement Life

Talented 10-year-old-tap dancer

Tap dancing is one of the most difficult dance styles to master. Not only does it have to look great, it has too sound great too. It’s a skill that can take a lifetime to master, ten whole years in Luke Spring’s case. Watch this dedicated performer demonstrate his hard work alongside his mentor Justin M. Lewis. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/15-things-kids-of-today-are-missing-out-on/">15 things kids of today are missing out on</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/grandparents-make-grandchildren-happy-study/">Why the grandparent grandchild relationship is important for happiness</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/01/easy-recipes-for-children/">30 cheap – or free – holiday activities to do with grandkids</a>

News

Forget tap-and-go cards – soon you’ll be able to tap and go with a bracelet

Cash or card? Well… neither, apparently. It seems that cash and credit cards may soon be a thing of the past with the introduction of a new pay-pass-esque bracelet. The “financial fitbit,” when worn on your person, is set to replace the need for other forms of payment as it allows you to pay with a single swipe of your wrist. UK card issuer Barclaycard has been testing the product since 2012. The bracelet was revealed last week and is now applicable in over 300,000 UK stores. As of now, the devices have a limit of (the equivalent to) $40 but this will soon be increased to $60 come September. Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Payments and Clearing Association, Chris Hamilton, assures us that the device will soon be available here in Australia: “Australia has one of the world’s highest penetrations of contactless technology — that is, the tap and go card which is so common today.’’ “Now that this technology is widely available here, it offers opportunities for new convenient payment options like contactless wristbands and other wearables…In fact, Australia’s payments infrastructure is well adapted to encourage this kind of innovation.” While we’re not throwing out our traditional methods of payment just yet, we’re always excited to try out a new gadget. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2015/07/mother-husky-saves-kitten/">One of the pack: kitten saved by husky leads the life of a dog</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/instagram-calorie-counter/">A calorie counting app is set to ruin Instagram’s drool-worthy food pictures</a> <a href="/news/news/2015/07/paul-mccartney-on-john-lennon-death/">McCartney reveals past resentment following Lennon’s assassination</a>

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Warning: Why you need to pay attention when you “tap and go”

Tap water health warning: Households advised to do this one thing before drinking

This cheap household product can stop tap-and-go payment thieves

New test results: Bottled water is LESS healthy than tap water

Could tap-and-go payments be costing you a fortune?

Health concerns over Aldi tap

85-year-old Navy veteran learns to tap-dance

Talented 10-year-old-tap dancer

Forget tap-and-go cards – soon you’ll be able to tap and go with a bracelet

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