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Michael Schumacher attends first 'public' event since accident

Michael Schumacher has reportedly attended his <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/michael-schumacher-s-daughter-ties-the-knot-at-luxury-spanish-villa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">daughter's wedding</a>, making this his first public appearance in 11 years. Gina Schumacher tied the knot with Iain Bethke at the family’s luxury villa in Mallorca over the weekend, and while Michael's attendance was previously unknown, several outlets have reported that he attended the special event. The Formula 1 icon's wife, Corinna, has kept his condition private since his tragic skiing accident in 2013, with only an extremely small inner circle of people allowed to see him, therefore this marks the first time that Michael has been 'seen' by extended friends and family. The Daily Mail reported that privacy was extremely tight at the event, with wedding guests required to leave their phones at the front door upon arrival. The family also reportedly looked at hiring a large security team to keep photographers away. The success of the event has reportedly raised hopes that the family will consider future opportunities for the Ferrari icon to be seen in public, with more people reportedly being let into the 'inner circle'. Michael's son Mick, who has been dating 23-year-old Danish model Laila Hasanovic for two years, is reportedly engaged to her, and in January it was reported that she had been given approval to visit the F1 legend. Updates on the former racer's health have been few and far between. Late last year, Schumacher's former boss at Ferrari and close friend Jean Todt revealed: "He is simply not the Michael he used to be. He is different, and is wonderfully guided by his wife and children who protect him. His life is different now, and I have the privilege of sharing moments with him. That's all there is to say." Corinna also spoke publicly about the accident and her decision to keep Michael's condition private in a 2021 Netflix documentary. "'Private is private’, as he always said. It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible,” she said. “Michael always protected us and now we are protecting Michael. What he really didn’t like was the press, the people, all the hype around him. That’s not what he wanted. He wanted to do the sport," she continued. In the documentary she also said: “I miss Michael every day. “But it is not just me who misses him. It’s the children, the family, his father, everyone around him. I mean, everybody misses Michael, but Michael is here. “Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength. We’re together. We live together at home.” Michael reportedly moved from his Swiss home to the exclusive Spanish villa where Gina's wedding was held in September 2020 according to the Spanish press. According to The Sun, Michael spent much of his recent life at the $50 million villa, which is believed to have been adapted allowing a team of doctors and nurses to provide round-the-clock care. Image: Instagram

Caring

Swimmer drowns unnoticed during event

An athlete has drowned in the middle of a livestreamed sporting competition in the US, with spectators and competitors alike not realising until it was too late. Lazar Đukić, an athlete from Belgrade, Serbia, was one of many competing at the CrossFit competition in Texas, when he reportedly vanished near the end of a live-streamed 800-metre swim in Fort Worth’s Marine Creek Lake, near Dallas, on Thursday. Spectators, staff and swimmers initially didn't notice the man had drowned, as the Fort Worth Fire Department told AP it was called to assist police because there “was a participant in the water that was down and hadn’t been seen in some point in time”. Two hours after he was last seen, a body was pulled from the lake. One distressed spectator said “people were still swimming over him where he went down”. The organisers of the CrossFit Games issued a statement on Thursday, saying they are "deeply saddened" by the turn of events. “CrossFit is deeply saddened by the death of a CrossFit Games competitor during the swimming portion of Individual Event 1 at the 2024 CrossFit Games,” the statement read. “We are fully co-operating with authorities and doing everything we can to support the family at this time.” Mr Đukić, 28, has been remembered as a “beloved friend and elite athlete”. A <a title="www.gofundme.com" href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/lazar-dukic-support-fund">GoFundMe fundraising page</a> has been set up by one of Mr Đukić sponsors drinks brand Fitaid, to “support his loved ones during this time”, and has already raised $215,000 of $228,000 goal. “Known for his kindness, humour, and supportive nature, Lazar brought a breath of fresh air wherever he went,” state the page. “Beyond his athletic achievements, Lazar was caring, humorous and relentlessly supported those around him. His warm, supportive nature and quick wit left a lasting impression on everyone he met.” Image credits: GoFundMe

Caring

Former pilot accused of murder shares his version of events

Former Jetstar pilot Greg Lynn has shared his version of events from the day Russell Hill and Carol Clay were allegedly murdered. Mr Lynn, who is on trial for the murders of the elderly campers, claimed Mr Hill, 74, knifed himself in a struggle after he accidentally shot his childhood sweetheart Ms Clay, 73, in the head. Police allege Mr Hill and Ms Clay were murdered while camping in the remote Wonnangatta Valley in Victoria's Alpine region more than four years ago, with Crown prosecutor Daniel Porceddu telling the jury at the opening of the trial exactly how and why Lynn allegedly killed the couple. "The precise circumstances of the killing are unknown, nor is the motivation," he said. The jury heard it was most likely a dispute over the use Mr Hill's drone, as Mr Porceddu said, "There might have been an argument or confrontation between the men. It is not known how Mr Hill was killed." But in providing a brief defence, Lynn's barrister Dermot Dann KC, claimed Mr Hill and Ms Clay's death was the result of a tragic accident, telling the jury, "We say not a case of murder, this is a case of two accidental, tragic deaths." "Tragic accidental deaths in circumstances that were not of Mr Lynn's making and not of his choosing." Mr Dann told the jury that Mr Hill allegedly stole Lynn's shotgun after he became enraged about Lynn playing loud music on the night he was killed. The barrister then detailed how a fight over the gun ensued, which resulted in Mr Hill accidentally shooting Ms Clay in the head, as Mr Lynn tried to disarm him. Mr Dann said Lynn picked up the gun and fired its remaining ammunition into the air before being set upon by an enraged Mr Hill. "The next thing is Mr Hill's advancing towards him with a knife screaming at him 'she's dead'," Mr Dann said. "A struggle developed over the knife. Mr Lynn trying to defend himself - they're locked in this struggle - and as part of that struggle the two men fall to the ground and the knife goes through the chest of Mr Hill." Upon his arrest, Mr Dann claimed Lynn co-operated with detectives, telling them where to find the bodies of the campers, and once again telling the jury that Mr Lynn is not guilty of murder or manslaughter. Image credits: Supplied / Facebook

Legal

"A step too far": Grandparents barred from school event for bizarre reason

A Melbourne school has come under fire for refusing to let a group of grandparents into the classroom for a special event because they did not have a Working With Children Check (WWCC). Furious grandparents have slammed St Joseph’s Primary School in Yarra Junction for taking it "a step too far" when they asked them to provide the WWCC after being invited to attend the “Inquiry Afternoon”. The event was held for year one and two students to speak about “technology and the world has changed over time”, according to The Herald Sun. Grandparents were asked to provide a WWCC on the back of the invitation, which some of them missed. “The Working With Children Check isn’t set up for the one-off visit — it is a step too far,” founder of the National Grandparent Movement Ian Barnett told Sunrise. “I understand we’re living in a time when we want more checks and balances, but it is unrealistic to think that grandparents attending such a day would actually need to go and provide a Working With Children Check." The grandparents without a WWCC were forced to sit in the principal's office and do their show-and-tell via a video call. “I’m sure they had very good intentions — no one set out for this to happen,” Herald Sun education editor Susie O’Brien said. “But imagine turning up, arranging your entire week, your day to come to your grandchild’s event … and the child’s school refuses entry.” She added that although schools did have some discretion over such requirements, when a group of people are invited for a specific event, it is usually not required. Barnett also said that "for such visits you don’t need a Working With Children Check,” in most states. “I haven’t heard of this in NSW. I have to admit, I’m from NSW. So it is really going a bit extreme. Schools do have the right to decide who comes onsite. But it just seems it’s not required. “To actually drag the child out from the classroom to sit with nana or grandad, it’s a step too far and embarrassing, I think, for the school as well.” A spokesperson for the primary school acknowledged that although there was some confusion, the school had to comply with the child safe standards. “There was advance notice to all St Joseph’s families on this requirement, with 29 grandparents signing in on Friday with a working with children clearance," they told the Herald Sun. “We acknowledge the disappointing experience of the four grandparents who couldn’t attend the grandparents’ day and are attempting to call these families this morning.” Images: Sunrise/ The Herald Sun

Legal

Does hosting the Olympics, the World Cup or other major sports events really pay off?

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ivan-savin-678930">Ivan Savin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/escp-business-school-813">ESCP Business School</a> After a long battle, <a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240213-paris-booksellers-stay-olympics-macron-bouquiniste-france">Paris’s beloved bouquinistes will be staying put</a> this summer. The decision, announced on 13 February by the French government, came after considerable public backlash to the police prefecture’s original plan to move part of the iconic Seine booksellers elsewhere for the inauguration of the Olympics Games on 26 July. Meanwhile, less than six months away from the event, Parisians continue to grumble over a <a href="https://www.ouest-france.fr/jeux-olympiques/cest-aberrant-ce-maire-vient-dapprendre-que-sa-ville-accueillera-les-jeux-de-paris-ab1fa968-cfd1-11ee-89c0-6cefac77e04a">lack of consultations</a> with locals, warnings of <a href="https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20231130-paris-vehicle-traffic-to-be-heavily-restricted-during-2024-olympic-games">gridlocked traffic</a>, closed metro stations, extensive video surveillance and other grievances. So for host countries, what was the point of the Olympics, again? In academia, the debate about the potential positive and negative effects of large-scale sporting events is ongoing. Although these events are often associated with substantial economic losses, the long-term benefits are the main argument in favour of hosting them. These include the development of material and soft infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants or parks. Big games can also help put the host region on the map as an attractive place for sports and cultural events, and inspire a better entrepreneurial climate. <h2>The pros and the cons of big sporting events?</h2> The cost of these benefits, as the Parisians have realised, is steep. Host countries appear to suffer from increased tax burdens, low returns on public investments, high construction costs, and onerous running cost of facilities after the event. Communities can also be blighted by noise, pollution, and damage to the environment, while increased criminal activity and potential conflicts between locals and visitors can take a toll on their quality of life. As a result, in the recent past several major cities, including Rome and Hamburg, <a href="https://www.dw.com/en/6-cities-that-rejected-the-olympics/a-46289852">withdrew their bids to host the games</a>. A common feature of the economics of large-scale sporting events is that our expectations of them are more optimistic than what we make of them once they have taken place. Typically, expenditure tends to tip over the original budget, while the revenue-side indicators (such as the number of visitors) are rarely achieved. When analysing the effect of hosting large-scale sporting events on tourist visits, it is important to take into consideration both the positive and negative components of the overall effect. While positive effects may be associated with visitors, negative effects may arise when “regular” tourists refuse to visit the location due to the event. This might be because of overloaded infrastructure, sharp increases in accommodation costs, and inconveniences associated with overcrowding or raucous or/and violent visitors. On top of that, reports of poverty or crime in the global media can actually undermine the location’s attractiveness. <h2>When big sporting events crowd out regular tourists</h2> In an <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1527002523120639">article published in the Journal of Sports Economics</a> with Igor Drapkin and Ilya Zverev, I assess the effects of hosting large-scale sporting events, such as Winter and Summer Olympics plus FIFA World Cups, on international tourist visits. We utilise a comprehensive dataset on flow of tourists covering the world’s largest destination and origin countries between 1995 and 2019. As a first step, we built an econometric model that effectively predicts the flow of tourists between any pair of countries in our data. Subsequently we compared the predicted tourist inflow in a hypothetical scenario where no large-scale sporting event would have taken place with the actual figures. If the actual figures exceed the predicted ones, we consider the event to have a net positive impact. Otherwise, we consider that it had a “crowding out” effect on “regular” tourists. While conducting this analysis, we distinguished between short-term (i.e., focusing just on the year of the event) and mid-term (year of the event plus three subsequent years). Our results show that the effects of large-scale sporting events vary a lot across host countries: The World Cup in Japan and South Korea 2002 and South Africa 2010 were associated with a distinct increase in tourist arrivals, whereas all other World Cups were either neutral or negative. Among the Summer Olympics, China in 2008 is the only case with a significant positive effect on tourist inflows. The effects of the other four events (Australia 2000, Greece 2004, Great Britain 2012, and Brazil 2016) were found to be negative in the short- and medium-term. As for the Winter Olympics, the only positive case is Russia in 2014. The remaining five events had a negative impact except the one-year neutral effect for Japan 1998. Following large-scale sporting events, host countries are therefore typically less visited by tourists. Out of the 18 hosting countries studied, 11 saw tourist numbers decline over four years, and three did not experience a significant change. <h2>The case for cautious optimism</h2> Our research indicates that the positive effect of hosting large-scale sporting events on tourist inflows is, at best, moderate. While many tourists are attracted by FIFA World Cups and Olympic games, the crowding-out effect of “regular” tourists is strong and often underestimated. This implies that tourists visiting for an event like the Olympics typically dissuade those who would have come for other reasons. Thus, efforts to attract new visitors should be accompanied by efforts to retain the already existing ones. Large-scale sporting events should be considered as part of a long-term policy for promoting a territory to tourists rather than a standalone solution. Revealingly, our results indicate that it is easier to get a net increase in tourist inflows in countries that are less frequent destinations for tourists – for example, those in Asia or Africa. By contrast, the United States and Europe, both of which are traditionally popular with tourists, have no single case of a net positive effect. Put differently, the large-scale sporting events in Asia and Africa helped promote their host countries as tourist destinations, making the case for the initial investment. In the US and Europe, however, those in the last few decades brought little return, at least in terms of tourist inflow.<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/222118/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ivan-savin-678930">Ivan Savin</a>, Associate professor of quantitative analytics, research fellow at ICTA-UAB, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/escp-business-school-813">ESCP Business School</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/does-hosting-the-olympics-the-world-cup-or-other-major-sports-events-really-pay-off-222118">original article</a>. </div>

Travel Tips

Sydneysiders witnessed horrific scenes on Saturday. How do you process and recover from such an event?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kim-felmingham-9075">Kim Felmingham</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Like many, I watched the reports of the violent attack at Bondi Junction yesterday with shock, horror and disbelief. My heart goes out to the people involved, the courageous first responders and to those who have lost loved ones in this tragic event. I also feel for those who witnessed the horror and will be working out how to get through the initial shock and, over time, put it behind them. Distress and strong emotional reactions are <a href="https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/the-psychological-and-psychiatric-effects-of-terrorism-lessons-fr">common</a> after these types of mass violent events. But different people will have <a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/mass_violence_help.asp">different emotional reactions</a> – and some may experience a range of shifting emotions. <h2>The first few days and weeks</h2> In the days and weeks after traumatic events like these, people <a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/isitptsd/common_reactions.asp#:%7E:text=All%20kinds%20of%20trauma%20create,stop%20thinking%20about%20what%20happened.">often experience</a> a <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306457320308670">range of emotions</a>: from fear and anxiety, anger, sadness and grief, disbelief and numbness, guilt and worry about safety. They may be jittery, more irritable or on edge, or it may affect their sleep. For many, their sense of risk may be heightened, particularly as such random violence occurred during such an ordinary event – shopping on a Saturday afternoon. This <a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/mass_violence_help.asp">can lead to</a> a heightened awareness of danger and concern for safety. <h2>What’s likely to happen over time?</h2> For most people, as they begin to process and make sense of what happened, these feelings will gradually reduce in intensity and people will begin to recover. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25311288/">Research shows</a> the majority of people recover from mass violent events within the initial few months. However, for people with more direct exposure to the trauma, these events and reactions may be more difficult to process. Some people <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26084284/">may go on</a> to develop mental health difficulties, most commonly anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Understandably, those <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26084284/">more at risk</a> are people who were present during the trauma and experienced a direct threat, as well as those who witnessed the violence or aftermath, first responders (paramedics and police) and those who had loved ones injured or lost during the event. People who had more intense emotional responses during the trauma, or previous psychological difficulties or traumatic experiences, may also be <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26084284/">at greater risk</a>. <h2>What helps – and hinders – your recovery?</h2> To help process these traumatic events and promote recovery, social support is <a href="https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/types/mass_violence_help.asp">particularly important</a>. Spending time with trusted family and friends can help people process the events and their emotional reactions. Talking about your feelings with supportive people can help you understand and accept them. But even if you don’t want to talk about your feelings, spending time with loved ones is helpful. It is also fine to need some time to be alone, but try not to isolate yourself or withdraw. If you can’t talk about your feelings, try not to bottle them up or deal with them by using alcohol or drugs. Find <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7957853/">another way to express them</a> – whether through writing, art or music, or exercise. Give yourself permission and time to feel these emotions. Remind yourself you have just been through something extremely traumatic, take things day by day, and don’t expect too much of yourself. Try not to judge yourself for your actions or how you are coping. Keep some structure in your day, setting small goals, and increase your self-care: eat well, rest (even if you can’t sleep well), try yoga or relaxation. When you’re ready, try to get back to your normal routine. Seek out information from <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7957853/">trusted sources</a>, but try to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0886260517742915">avoid</a> being saturated by images or stories about the trauma, particularly graphic footage or speculation common on social media. <h2>What if children have witnessed it, too?</h2> If your children have been impacted, reassure them that they are safe and loved. When they are ready, talk to them gently about the trauma, acknowledge it and answer their questions. Encourage them to express their feelings and spend more time together doing family activities. Importantly, try to limit their exposure to graphic footage and images of the events in the media, and on social media. <h2>When to seek mental health care</h2> Reach out for professional mental health support if you experience ongoing difficulty with your emotional reactions, or if you’re having distressing memories of the trauma, difficulty sleeping or nightmares, or you want to avoid things that remind you of the traumatic event. Not everyone requires professional mental health support, but if you are experiencing these types of post-traumatic stress reactions a few weeks after the trauma, it’s important to speak to your GP to seek out professional support from psychologists or counselling services. If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.<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/227867/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/kim-felmingham-9075">Kim Felmingham</a>, Chair of Clinical Psychology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</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/sydneysiders-witnessed-horrific-scenes-on-saturday-how-do-you-process-and-recover-from-such-an-event-227867">original article</a>.

Caring

Major festival event cancelled after deadly find

Mardi Gras Fair Day has been cancelled four days out from the event after asbestos was discovered in Victoria Park, Sydney CBD. The organisers of the event, were informed of the site's contamination on Monday, with EPA officers finding positive results for bonded asbestos after undertaking tests earlier this week. Mardi Gras chef executive Gil Beckwith said that they are heartbroken after the decision was made, but the community's wellbeing is more important. “Fair Day is one of our most loved events, and is attended by over 70,000 people each year,” Beckwith said. “It breaks our heart to see this Sunday not go ahead, but given the safety concerns, we must put our communities’ wellbeing first. “The rest of our festival continues unchanged, offering many chances over the 17 days for our communities to come together in celebration and solidarity.” Other highlights including the Mardi Gras Parade and Bondi Beach Party will still go ahead as planned. This comes after the EPA confirmed that there is a widespread asbestos contamination with 22 sites across Sydney being affected, prompting the closure of parks, building sites, schools and train stations. Asbestos is a fibrous substance that can be trapped in the lungs if it's breathed in, and can lead to an increased risk in developing lung, ovary and throat cancer, according to the cancer council. Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore said that it was an “incredibly disappointing” decision. “The NSW government and the EPA must make sure this never happens again,” she said. Asbestos has been found in two other city parks including Belmore Park in Haymarket and Harmony Park in Surry Hills. The Sydenham to Bankstown Rail Corridor sites including Campsie, Hurlstone Park, Dulwich Hill, Belmore, Wiley Park, Punchbowl and Marrickville have also been affected, with licensed removalists working hard to clear the sites. Over the coming week 32 more parks will be closed off, as they conduct more tests for contamination. “We urge everyone to avoid the mulched garden beds and mulched areas under trees at these parks while the inspections are being carried out,” a City of Sydney spokesperson said. Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

"Eventful walk home": Barnaby Joyce explains why he was found collapsed on footpath

Barnaby Joyce, the Nationals frontbencher, has recently found himself at the centre of public attention after a video surfaced showing him lying on a footpath in Canberra, seemingly in an inebriated state. In a statement to Seven's Sunrise on Monday morning, Joyce attributed the incident to mixing alcohol with prescription medication. “It was a very eventful walk home, wasn’t it,” he said to host Nat Barr. "I’m on a prescription drug, and they say certain things may happen to you if you drink, and they were absolutely 100 per cent right. They did.” Barr then replied: “So you mixed alcohol with prescription medication, did you, and this is what happened?” “That’s exactly what I said, yep,” Joyce responded. In the video footage captured on Lonsdale Street in Braddon, initially obtained by The Daily Mail, Joyce can be seen lying on his back, mumbling into his phone, prompting concerns from passersby. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Joyce to provide a credible explanation. “People will certainly make their own judgements on that," Albanese told the ABC. "People will see that footage, they will look for an explanation that has some credibility and they’ll look for leadership from the leader of the Liberal Party and the leader of the National Party about this.” Treasurer Jim Chalmers expressed concern for Joyce's wellbeing, calling for an explanation while refraining from personal attacks. The incident has prompted discussions within political circles, with Nationals leader David Littleproud stating that Joyce would receive the necessary support. However, Joyce's decision to skip a party meeting where the incident was to be discussed indicates ongoing uncertainty surrounding the situation. Images: Sunrise / Seven

News

Manu Feildel forced to pull out of major event after health emergency

Manu Feildel has explained a recent health scare, after he was forced to pull out of appearing at a major event. The celebrity chef and My Kitchen Rules judge was set to make a guest appearance at Sydney’s Tour de Cure Spring Lunch at Doltone House on Friday, but was hospitalised before he was expected to arrive. Feildel took to Instagram to explain his mysterious absence from the event, which was a charity luncheon to raise money for cancer research. “I wish I could be there celebrating with you, but unfortunately I have to go for surgery tomorrow,” he said in a video message. Whilst the cook did not say what his condition was, he later posted a video showing his leg in a heavy brace. Manu’s knee looked especially red and swollen, with dressing across the kneecap. “I’ve had some surgery done and I can’t cook for myself as I usually do,” he said in the clip. Fans flocked to the comments section to wish Manu well. “Look after your leg mon ami!” wrote fellow chef Luca Ciano. “Hope you’re ok.” “Manu, oh no. What happened?” wondered another follower, while one person quipped, “Too much sauce, and u slipped on it?” Another concerned fan asked: “What have you done to yourself now? Wishing you a speedy recovery,” while others posted a simple, “Get well soon.” Image credits: Instagram

Caring

Extreme weather events are exactly the time to talk about climate change – here’s why

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/josh-ettinger-1302389">Josh Ettinger</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-oxford-1260">University of Oxford</a> Record-breaking heatwaves are <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/simultaneous-heatwaves-hit-northern-hemisphere-summer-of-extremes">sweeping across the northern hemisphere</a>, affecting large parts of southern Europe, the US and China. On July 24, Sicily recorded blistering temperatures <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66302472">of more than 47.5℃</a> and wildfires are currently <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/25/how-bad-are-wildfires-in-greece-what-caused-them-visual-guide-heatwave">tearing through Greece</a>. The heatwaves come as <a href="https://www.reuters.com/graphics/CANADA-WILDFIRE/HISTORIC/znvnzebmavl/">record numbers of fires continue to burn</a> across Canada. A <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66289489">study by the World Weather Attribution group</a> found that these heatwaves would have been “virtually impossible” without climate change. In fact, the heatwave that is affecting parts of China was made 50 times more likely by global warming. This is exactly what climate scientists have been warning us about for decades – climate change makes many types of extreme weather event <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/explainer-what-the-new-ipcc-report-says-about-extreme-weather-and-climate-change/">more likely, more intense and longer lasting</a>. As a PhD researcher examining extreme weather events and climate change communication, I have spent the past four years exploring how extreme weather events may affect the way the public feels, thinks and acts on climate change. One area of interest to researchers is how extreme weather events might reduce the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494422000676">“psychological distance”</a> associated with climate change. While climate change can feel abstract and vague, extreme weather is something people can experience firsthand. But <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab466a/meta">research offers contrasting results</a>. Some studies have found that extreme weather events lead to an <a href="https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10.1017/S0022381612000448?casa_token=dTns6Kvds1AAAAAA%3AkQcleVJ95vJUyh5Pg2vxvFEDbzfR1RsuOI131QCMO0wvdtIiLSVEq4EW6fZYwC7Yhraxj-NB9g">increased belief</a> that human-driven climate change is occurring and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-016-1837-4">greater support for climate action</a>. Others <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-021-03176-z">find no effects</a> or suggest that these effects are <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0959378017309135?via%3Dihub">only temporary</a>. However, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-32412-y">we often underestimate</a> how much the public already cares about climate change. In Britain, <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1164127/desnz-pat-spring-2023-net-zero-and-climate-change.pdf">just 4% of the public</a> say they are not at all concerned about climate change, while only <a href="https://climatecommunication.yale.edu/about/projects/global-warmings-six-americas/">11% of Americans</a> dismiss the issue. Given that <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/04/18/a-look-at-how-people-around-the-world-view-climate-change/">most people</a> are already concerned about climate change, an important question now is how to shift these existing concerns into action. <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-talk-to-your-family-and-friends-about-the-new-ipcc-report-five-tips-from-climate-change-communication-research-202306">Talking about climate change</a> is a powerful way of mobilising climate action, and extreme weather events provide helpful climate conversation starters. We can use these moments as opportunities to <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20563051231177930">engage our families, friends and communities</a> in discussions about how climate change may relate to these events and <a href="https://drawdown.org/solutions">what we can do about it</a>. So, if you decide to engage people you know in discussions about extreme weather and climate change, here are a few thoughts and guidelines to keep in mind. <h2>1. Listen and share perspectives</h2> <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0887618520300773">Extreme weather events can be traumatic</a> and climate change can evoke a wide range of emotional responses. If the person you are talking to is comfortable discussing the topic, ask them about their experiences and observations. Encourage them to tell stories and affirm the validity of their emotional response – whether they are afraid, angry, hopeful or worried. There is no one right way to feel about climate change, so listen to what they have to say and then share your own perspective too. <h2>2. Talk about planning and preparation</h2> When discussing extreme weather events, some people may link their experiences to climate change, while others focus on various local factors that contribute to extreme weather risks. The risks associated with extreme weather arise from a <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg2/chapter/summary-for-policymakers/">combination</a> of factors. These include the weather itself, which can be influenced by climate change, the level of exposure of people and places to extreme weather and the vulnerability of those to harm. Climate change, for instance, can affect the frequency, intensity and duration of wildfires. But emergency responses, evacuation procedures, firefighting and healthcare systems are crucially important to reduce risks. There are also significant equity and justice implications of extreme weather as different populations are <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41885-020-00060-5">affected disproportionally</a>. It’s also important to bear in mind that while climate change affects many extreme weather events, it <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/climate-change-not-the-main-driver-of-madagascar-food-crisis-scientists-find/">does not necessarily affect every instance</a>. Weather systems are complex and there are <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-why-climate-change-isnt-always-to-blame-for-extreme-rainfall-206958">meteorological processes</a> that scientists are still trying to understand. We also need to make sure the roles of local planning and preparation in minimising the impact of these events are not overlooked. <h2>3. Challenge arguments about politicising the weather</h2> In May 2023, Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, dismissed concerns about global warming by claiming that he rejects the <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/desantis-climate-change-fox-news-b2346211.html">“politicisation of the weather”</a>. Ontario premier, Doug Ford, recently <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-climate-change-forest-fires-politics-ford-stiles-1.6869071">made a similar argument</a> about Canada’s wildfires. In conversations, it’s possible that someone might accuse you too of “politicising” the weather. You can (respectfully) push back against this claim. This argument is a <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-sustainability/article/discourses-of-climate-delay/7B11B722E3E3454BB6212378E32985A7">discourse of climate delay</a>. Rather than denying the existence of human-driven climate change, climate delay discourses try to shut down climate discussions and cast doubt on the need to act very quickly. These arguments disingenuously assert that acting on climate is too expensive, too late or that someone else should take care of it – and they are <a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-change-multi-country-media-analysis-shows-scepticism-of-the-basic-science-is-dying-out-198303">becoming increasingly common</a>. If we shouldn’t discuss climate change when extreme weather occurs, then when is the right time? If we want to protect lives, we need to talk about – and act upon – the risks associated with extreme weather events and the disasters they can cause. If talking about climate change politicises the weather, so be it. The politics of climate denial and delay affected this summer’s weather, and our current decisions will shape our planet for thousands of years. The science is clear. Act now or face increasingly dire consequences.<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/210412/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/josh-ettinger-1302389">Josh Ettinger</a>, Doctoral researcher, School of Geography and the Environment, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-oxford-1260">University of Oxford</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/extreme-weather-events-are-exactly-the-time-to-talk-about-climate-change-heres-why-210412">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

First Nations elder removed from Obama event

A First Nations Elder bas been left “shocked and distressed” after being removed from performing the Welcome to Country ceremony at a Melbourne event hosted by former president Barack Obama. Obama touched down in Melbourne with former First Lady and wife Michelle ahead of the event at John Cain Arena on March 29. In what could have been a special ceremony for her, senior Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy has been left deeply saddened after she said she was told she was being “too difficult” for making two requests for the event. Aunty Joy asked if the event organisers Growth Faculty were able to provide appropriate accommodations for a support person to accompany her, and made a request to provide a gift to Obama, which is something she said is cultural practice. The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation said Aunty Joy was removed from the event following the requests. "I am 78 years of age. I have never been treated or spoken to in this way in the past," Aunty Joy said in a statement. "I do not want this to be a reflection on President Obama. I am a leader of the Wurundjeri Nation. I asked to be treated as an equal. "I have been shocked and distressed by the way I have been treated by event organisers. "They have always shown me respect and accepted my Welcome as a gift from our people.” Aunty Joy was also removed from performing traditional cultural protocols at a planned lunch with Obama the next day. "The Welcome to Country is a very important ceremony for our people. It is an honour to Welcome people like President Obama and I am upset that I am unable to do this today," she said. Growth Faculty have since issued an apology for the circumstances that led to the last-minute cancellation. In a statement, a spokesperson said changes to the ceremony due to “security requirements” meant a welcome to country was instead delivered by Wurundjeri-Willam woman Mandy Nicholson. “Growth Faculty had been working with Aunty Joy and the Wurundjeri community for many weeks ahead of last night’s event,” the statement read. “Due to security requirements, the organisation was unable to accommodate last minute changes to the agreed upon ceremony. “Growth Faculty has apologised to Aunty Joy that last night’s ceremony could not be changed.” The spokesperson also said that Aunty Joy had accepted an invitation to perform the welcome to country at a business lunch taking place in Melbourne on Thursday instead. Image credit: Getty

News

For some LGBTQ+ older people, events like World Pride can be isolating – we need to better understand how to support them

<a href="https://sydneyworldpride.com/">World Pride</a> has come to Sydney, with the annual <a href="https://sydneyworldpride.com/events/mardi-gras-parade/">Mardi Gras Parade</a> on Saturday having returned to its Oxford Street home for the first time in three years. The 17-day festival is expected to host 500,000 participants over more than 300 events. It is an opportunity to celebrate all things queer, and a good time to take stock of the changes LGBTQ+ older people have experienced, and the challenges they continue to face. LGBTQ+ people aged in their 70s, 80s and 90s have witnessed extraordinary social change regarding gender and sexual diversity. For example, in Australia, same-sex marriage is now legal, <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/where-transgender-is-no-longer-a-diagnosis/">Gender Identity Disorder</a> has been removed as a clinical diagnosis, and all states have an equal age of consent for homosexual and heterosexual sex. These have been hard-fought gains after many years of adversity and advocacy on the part of LGBTQ+ older people, among others. Each year, the <a href="https://www.78ers.org.au/">78ers</a> – who were involved in the Sydney marches and protests between June and August 1978 – take pride of place towards the front of the parade. <h2>Loneliness and social isolation</h2> Despite these achievements, the consequences of living most of one’s life in a homophobic and transphobic society have been considerable, particularly in terms of mental illness and social isolation. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2021.2005999?journalCode=wjhm20">Australian</a> and <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34326557/">US</a> research indicates loneliness is more common among lesbian, gay and bisexual older people than the general population. This is particularly so for those who live alone and are not in a relationship. Similar findings are reported in relation to <a href="https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/pdfs/LGBT%20Aging%20and%20Health%20Report_final.pdf">transgender older people</a>, although more research is needed. <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2021.2005999?journalCode=wjhm20">Loneliness</a> is also more common among lesbian and gay older people who are disconnected from LGBTQ+ communities and who hold negative attitudes towards their own same-sex attraction. For LGBTQ+ older people experiencing social isolation and loneliness, what might be their experience of watching World Pride from a distance? What might it be like navigating rainbow paraphernalia while shopping at <a href="https://www.coles.com.au/about/sustainability/better-together/our-team/pride">Coles</a> (a World Pride partner)? How might they perceive the glitz and glamour of the Mardi Gras Parade? World Pride may be challenging for those who don’t feel an attachment to LGBTQ+ communities or who feel negative about their own sexuality. And this may reinforce a sense of disconnection. But some may gain comfort from witnessing the sense of community on display. It may even strengthen their perceived connection to other LGBTQ+ people. And, for those who are not open about their sexuality or authentic gender, it may support their journey to “come out” later in life. <h2>The impact of discrimination</h2> For many LGBTQ+ older people, the experience of discrimination remains very real in their lives. <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33770516/">Past and recent discrimination</a> leads to delays seeking treatment and support, simply because people expect to be discriminated against when accessing services. In Australia, previous discrimination has been found to predict <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00918369.2021.2005999?journalCode=wjhm20">loneliness</a> and <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ageing-and-society/article/abs/recent-versus-lifetime-experiences-of-discrimination-and-the-mental-and-physical-health-of-older-lesbian-women-and-gay-men/90988215582414EA0AB7936B6384FC97">lower mental health</a> among older lesbian and gay people. In the US, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6779303/">microaggressions</a> – small everyday interactions that reinforce the experience of being “other” – have predicted greater impairment, higher rates of depression and lower quality of life among LGBTQ+ people aged 80 and over. There remain major gaps in evidence on the issues faced by LGBTQ+ older people, particularly for bisexual, queer, transgender and nonbinary older people. This is mainly due to the failure to systematically collect inclusive data on gender and sexual diversity, through variables such as those recommended by the <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/standards/standard-sex-gender-variations-sex-characteristics-and-sexual-orientation-variables/latest-release">Australian Bureau of Statistics</a>. <h2>Strengths and resilience</h2> This year, older people seemed to occupy a more prominent place in the Mardi Gras Parade. Perhaps this is because of the natural ageing of our community activists. Older people were also represented in the wider World Pride festival, such as in the theatre production <a href="https://sydneyworldpride.com/events/all-the-sex-ive-ever-had/">All the Sex I’ve Ever Had</a>, in which older Sydney residents reflect on the evolution of their sexuality over the course of their lives. A festival like World Pride showcases the strengths and resilience of LGBTQ+ people and communities. The organisation of such an event should not be underestimated. This reflects LGBTQ+ people’s high level of civic engagement and commitment to giving back to society, as demonstrated by their greater likelihood of being <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0312407X.2021.1899256">volunteers</a> and <a href="https://www.caregiving.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2015_CaregivingintheUS_Final-Report-June-4_WEB.pdf">caregivers</a>. And the contribution of volunteers and caregivers during the HIV/AIDS crisis of the 1980s and ‘90s is not forgotten. LGBTQ+ older people generally are <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5241752/">resilient and maintain good health</a>. Many report increased <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13178-021-00653-z">confidence and self-esteem</a>, compared with when they were younger. And many have created their own families – their families of choice – to support each other in later life. But we don’t know enough about their needs and how to provide them with inclusive services as they get older. World Pride is an opportunity to reflect on the hard-won gains but not ignore the challenges ahead. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/for-some-lgbtq-older-people-events-like-world-pride-can-be-isolating-we-need-to-better-understand-how-to-support-them-200533" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

Being declared dead when you’re still alive – why these very rare events occur

An 82-year-old woman who was recently pronounced dead at a New York nursing home was later <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/07/us/new-york-woman-found-alive-funeral-home/index.html">discovered to be alive</a> by funeral home staff. This follows a similar incident in Iowa where a 66-year-old woman with early-onset dementia was declared dead by a nurse, only to be found <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/us/iowa-presumed-dead-body-bag-alzheimers.html">gasping for air</a> when funeral home staff unzipped the body bag. Fortunately, these events are very rare. But fear of them is visceral, which might explain an <a href="https://www.usni.org/press/books/naval-ceremonies-customs-and-traditions-6th-edition">old naval custom</a>. When sewing the canvas shroud for a dead sailor, the sailmaker would take the last stitch through the nose of the deceased. Having a sailcloth needle through the nose was presumed to be a potent enough stimulus to wake any sailor who was actually still alive. Confirmation of death these days is thankfully a lot less brutal. An absence of heart and breath sounds over a period of time, the presence of fixed, dilated pupils, and a failure to respond to any stimulus should mean that the person is deceased. All doctors are taught how to do this and all are aware of their duties. Unfortunately, there have been instances where death has been confirmed by this process, yet the patient has shown signs of life afterwards. Over the years, I have seen this happen. One day in a hospital, a colleague pronounced an elderly woman dead, but a short while later, she started breathing again and her pulse was briefly restored. In another unforgettable incident, the medical emergency team was summoned with the words: “Cardiac arrest. Mortuary. This is not a joke!” A woman had taken an overdose of barbiturates prescribed for her epilepsy. She had been seen by a general practitioner who certified that she was dead. But on arrival at the mortuary, one of her legs was seen to be twitching. Excruciating embarrassment all round. And if I recall correctly, she recovered. Failure to perform the confirmation-of-death procedure properly explains some instances of people being incorrectly declared dead. A cursory examination while distracted could easily lead to a failure to hear heart sounds and spot shallow, infrequent breaths. It pays to be thorough. However, some drugs we give patients can make the task harder. <h2>Drugs, toxins and cold water</h2> Sedating drugs are thought in some way to protect the brain from damage and this is made use of in anaesthesia for major surgical procedures, particularly if it is necessary to stop the circulation for a time. Less usefully, and with the potential to cause alarm, an overdose of sedatives reduces responsiveness and depresses the breathing and circulation, leading to the impression of death while protecting the brain from hypoxia (oxygen starvation). Later on, as the drug is cleared from the body, the person may wake up. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/man-wakes-up-funeral-open-casket-mourners-family-members-watson-franklin-mandujano-doroteo-peru-tingo-maria-a8021851.html">Diazepam</a> (brand name Valium), <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/woman-mistakenly-pronounced-dead-breathing-body-bag-funeral/story?id=96871056">alprazolam</a> (brand name Xanax) have both caused people to mistakenly be declared dead. Certain toxins may have a similar effect. Voodoo practitioners called Bokors apparently <a href="https://sites.duke.edu/ginalisgh323/zombification-process/">administered powders to victims</a> to make them seem dead. These powders reportedly contained small doses of tetrodotoxin from puffer fish to paralyse the victim, who was then presumably abducted before burial and enslaved. Could neurological damage from the “zombification” process account for the popular image of the zombie? Immersion in cold water can also lead to the illusion of death because of its effect on slowing the heart rate. Survival after <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073646791930424X?casa_token=fWpL51aDu6wAAAAA:Mr0x81LUUog0hT-HSRneimKcRlYW6DHK4nUBODKqOao_L82J8bLIMHszMNwR9qVd69GkuCh8zqsb">considerable periods of time</a> in the water is well documented. In emergency medicine, it has long been taught that a drowned patient is not proven dead until they have been warmed up. Good neurological recovery has been reported after periods of cold water immersion of <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/aor.13818?casa_token=ukJcJCgH-n4AAAAA%3Annr3Tgd4LuJ8Ky-l_1UGB_IxLHuU-odWkM1DKgJEhXw3IYXP8_DrpfNxr2eIL8KJJ3PSRX_JUltjpfsLTg">up to 70 minutes</a> Fainting might also deceive the certifying doctor. Activation of the vagus nerve (the longest cranial nerve in the body) occurs during fainting, slowing the heart and reducing blood pressure. This might account for <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/dead-teen-wakes-screaming-inside-6315389">a very sad case</a> reported from Honduras. A pregnant teenager was thought to have died from shock after hearing gunfire in her neighbourhood. She was heard screaming within her tomb a day after her funeral. It is quite possible that she had woken up after a prolonged faint. Many cases seem to originate outside of Europe. Geographical variation in medical confirmation of death procedure may explain this. Perhaps errors arise when people are less likely to be able to afford the costs of a doctor. Whatever the cause, these cases appear in the media because they are sensational and attract lurid attention, but ultimately they are very rare. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/being-declared-dead-when-youre-still-alive-why-these-very-rare-events-occur-199524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Caring

When hosting mega-events like FIFA, cities market themselves at the expense of the most vulnerable

Few events capture the attention of the globe like the Men’s FIFA World Cup — in 2018, the event boasted a viewership of <a href="https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/2018russia/media-releases/more-than-half-the-world-watched-record-breaking-2018-world-cup">3.5 billion people</a>. Yet, despite the enormous popularity of the World Cup, <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2022/11/17/do-host-countries-make-money-from-the-world-cup">host cities and countries invariably lose money</a> on the event itself, with FIFA capturing most of the profits despite its non-profit status. The calculus of host cities is based on the hope that successfully hosting a World Cup (or Olympics) will significantly enhance a city’s urban brand and ultimately lead to long-term increases in tourism and foreign direct investment. In other words, the argument is that a successful stint as a host city will identify that city as “<a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/40643231">world-class</a>” and change its economic fortunes. This justification, at least from an economic point of view, relies on <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/02614360500504628">some pretty fuzzy math and long-term forecasting that rarely gets audited</a>. I attended the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to study how various communities attempted to have their voices heard and needs met through the planning process for that event. I continue to research how hosting large-scale events intersect with other trends in global and local urbanization. Urban branding This mission of improving one’s urban brand to attract tourist and foreign investment leads cities to focus their attention to the perceived needs. Or, more precisely, the perceived desires of potential tourists and investors, as opposed to the needs and desires of the people who already live, work and play in these cities. This shift in focus is part of larger trends of cities becoming <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/04353684.1989.11879583">increasingly entrepreneurial in our globalized world</a>. And to this end, host cities pursue a fairly predictable path to demonstrate their world-classness. As Streetnet International, a South Africa-based international organization of street vendors, put it in their World Class Cities For All campaign: <blockquote> “It has become a boringly predictable reality that, when a country prepares to host a high-profile international event, <a href="https://streetnet.org.za/document/world-class-cities-for-all/">the country and its local government authorities prepare to create ‘World Class Cities’ of a particular type</a>, i.e. ‘World Class Cities’ which will attract foreign investment; have modern up-to-date infrastructure; have no visible signs of urban decay; have smooth traffic flows; have no visible poor people or social problems.” </blockquote> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497721/original/file-20221128-4871-ip7vgt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="overhead view of a building site in the desert" /></a><figcaption>In Doha, several stadiums were built to host the FIFA World Cup. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)</figcaption></figure> Increased policing, decreased social investment There are common themes to how cities approach their hosting duties and branding pursuits. However, the particular interventions that each city makes to create this type of world- class city are unique to their particular context. Unfailingly, cities significantly increase policing, both in the sheer numbers of police, military and surveillance measures as well as the powers afforded to the police and military. These powers are used to police undesirable activities and individuals — those activities and people deemed incommensurate with the desired world-class brand. Youth, the unhoused or precariously housed, street vendors and racialized individuals <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17430437.2010.520938">experience the brunt of these increases</a>. In South Africa in 2010, FIFA courts were established to exact “<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/21/sports/soccer/21iht-wcsoccer.html">swift and severe justice</a>” for crimes committed against tourists and journalists during the 2010 World Cup. In Qatar, there has been <a href="https://www.thestar.com/politics/2022/11/24/lgbtq-and-other-rights-issues-at-world-cup-a-huge-blemish-on-fifa-hall-of-famer.html">targeted policing of LGBTQ+ people and allies</a>. Additionally, the quest for this type of world-class-city brand also leads to uneven investment and under-investment as cities are forced to make choices about how to invest their municipal budgets. Tourist areas <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/25765282">see significant infrastructure investments while those off the tourist map are often ignored</a>. This is intensified by <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0196859905275971">television coverage of these places and events</a>. In Durban, South Africa, this meant significant investment along the waterfront and the construction of a shiny new soccer stadium (across the street from an existing rugby stadium) while other parts of the city, off the beaten path of journalists and tourists, continued to lack even basic infrastructure. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C1920%2C1080&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C1920%2C1080&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/497776/original/file-20221128-14-4gf988.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="armed police on horseback watch over a crowd." /></a><figcaption>In this image from video, Qatari police stand by on horseback as other security officials try to control a crowd at a FIFA Fan Zone on Nov. 19, 2022. Authorities turned away thousands of fans from a concert celebrating the World Cup beginning the next day. (AP Photo/Srdjan Nedeljkovic)</figcaption></figure> Exposes the cracks The current approach to hosting a World Cup puts unique and focused pressures on urban systems and infrastructure. In the process, it exposes the already existing cracks in the system and exacerbates existing inequalities. The World Cup did not create the labour system and working conditions of temporary migrant workers in Doha. However, both the magnitude and speed of construction to meet hosting needs undoubtedly ramped up the exploitation of the system, leading to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migrant-worker-deaths-qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022">thousands of worker deaths</a>. We need to reframe how a world-class city is defined to one that is more liveable, sustainable and just. This will inspire future host cities to pursue this status in a manner that does not increase policing and exacerbate inequalities.<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/195069/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Writen by David Roberts. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/when-hosting-mega-events-like-fifa-cities-market-themselves-at-the-expense-of-the-most-vulnerable-195069" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Getty Images

Real Estate

Here’s what’s happening across Australia in September

Spring has well and truly sprung, which means there’s plenty to do wherever you are in the country. From festivals celebrating spring blooms to displays of Aussie art and theatre, here’s what’s happening this September. Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition in Adelaide Enjoy a taste of Sicily's finest art without needing your passport at Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition. The exhibit, running until October 9, includes all 34 of the frescoes Michelangelo painted across the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, reproduced in life-size form using special printing techniques. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/sistine-chapel1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Supplied The art is accompanied by an audio guide that will give visitors an insight into the artist's life. Hosted at Adelaide's Rundle Place, seeing the exhibit will set you back $30.20 for adults, $23.50 for seniors or $21 for kids, with tickets available <a href="https://feverup.com/m/116574" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Sydney Fringe Festival After a two-year hiatus, Sydney’s celebration of the arts is back for another year, with the 2022 program boasting its longest ever runtime. From August 16 til September 30, nine festival hubs around Sydney will host more than 500 events, with over 80 percent of the program being world premieres. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/sydney-fringe.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Local talent and entertainers across all art forms will be featured in this year’s program. Images: Sydney Fringe Festival (Facebook) Films, theatre, musical acts, spoken word, comedy shows, and visuat art la will form the bulk of the program, with highlights including Sydney Fringe Sideshow, top-notch local talent at Made in Sydney, and Global Fringe - an online program taken straight from Edinburgh Fringe Festival. To find out what’s happening near you and lock in tickets, head <a href="https://sydneyfringe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Darwin International Film Festival Australia’s Top End will be welcoming a flood of cinema from all over the world for the Darwin International Film Festival. The annual film festival will be showcasing 50 films from over 20 countries, with a focus on South-East Asian cinema, as well as Northern Australian and Indigenous stories and some of the NT’s top talent. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/darwin-film-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Darwin International Film Festival (Facebook) Kicking off from Thursday, September 15, the 11-night festival will be taking place across multiple venues, including a deckchair cinema, sundown screen on the Darwin waterfront and the Darwin Ski Club. To get tickets and scope out the full program, head <a href="https://www.diff.net.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Brisbane Festival For the entire month, Brisbane will be hosting a bounty of installations, theatre, circus acts, and more, with hubs in South Bank, Northshore Brisbane, West Village, and another seven mini-festivals in the surrounding suburbs. This year’s Brisbane Festival offers more than 580 performances across the city, including 230 free events, as well as the premiere and return of top-notch theatrical events at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/bris-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> This year’s program is packed with jawdropping installations and top-notch shows. Images: Brisbane Festival (Facebook) Highlights include: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/precincts/boq-festival-garden" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BBQ Festival Garden</a>, the all-ages playground offering plenty of food, wine and entertainment </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/precincts/west-village" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Village</a> - the home to larger-than-life installations of the planets, including the Museum of the Moon, Mars, and Gaia. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/2022/brisbanes-art-boat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brisbane’s Art Boat</a>, a celestial floating art experience that boasts a unique water bar and performance program of sunset and sunrise cruises inspired by this year’s artwork, called The Spheres. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/whats-on/brisbane-serenades" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brisbane Serenades</a> - a summery series of festivals heading to the suburbs - including block and warehouse parties, the MOSAIC Multicultural Festival, and music and food enjoyed in nature or by the water. </li> </ul> To find out more about this year’s program and secure tickets, head <a href="https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. S&R Blossom Festival What better way to celebrate spring than with some bright and cheerful blooms, and the <a href="https://www.srorchard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">S&R Blossom Festival</a> in Walliston, Perth, has you covered. The three-week celebration of all things flowery - running from September 5-26 - is also packed with plenty of activities, including free tractor rides, bouncy castles and an animal farm, as welt as on-site food trucks, flower crown making on the weekends, and rides for the kids to enjoy. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/blossom-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Images: S&R Orchard Perth (Facebook) Pets and picnic blankets are welcome, with tickets setting you back $12 for adults and $5 for kids over three. Wisdom and Light The rooftop of Melbourne’s Golden Square parking lot will be taken over by a multi-sensory audio and visual experience called <a href="https://www.wisdomandlight.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wisdom and Light</a>. Relying on cutting edge tech and fusing light, art and sound, the exhibit promises to take visitors through the story of Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of Buddhist organisation Fo Guang Shan, and his artwork. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/wisdom-light.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Wisdom and Light (Facebook) Once you’ve had your fill of vegetarian delicacies and enjoyed the illuminated Lotus Flower Sanctuary, the celebration continues in the adjacent gallery exhibiting his rare one-stroke calligraphy artwork - and the chance to try your hand at creating your own art. Running from September 1 until October 2, the exhibit will be open from 10am until 10pm daily, with tickets starting at $22 for concession, $27 for adults and free entry for kids under seven. Images: Supplied / S&R Orchard Perth (Facebook)

Domestic Travel

Here’s what’s happening across Australia in August

With the winter chill waning and spring just around the corner, there is plenty to do around the country. Whether you’re a foodie, art connoisseur, or looking for your next film fix, here’s what’s happening around Australia in August. Fleur de Villes Flower Show, Sydney After a five-year tour around the world, a whimsical flower show, Fleur de Villes, will be landing in Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens from August 19-28. This year’s theme, FEMMES, will see local Sydney florists create life-size tributes to 15 remarkable women, including Kylie Minogue, Frida Kahlo and Indigenous activist Evelyn Scott. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/fleur-de-villes.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: @rbgsydney (Instagram) Floral workshops, bespoke dining experiences, a pop-up flower market, and talks from scientists, florists and horticulturalists round out this year’s program, with general admission tickets costing $22, and seniors and kids aged 5-17 getting in for half-price. To find out more about the show, head <a href="https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/what-s-on/fleurs-de-villes-femmes-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. SALA Festival, Adelaide The South Australian Living Artists Festival is returning for a statewide celebration of local artists and celebrating its 25th festival with a Silver exhibition of local artists curated by six special guests, including the Lord Mayor of Adelaide. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/sala-festival.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: @salafestival (Instagram) Along with thousands of artists exhibiting across metropolitan and regional South Australia, this year’s program also features an online exhibition, masterclasses and workshops across various art forms, and a five-day drawing marathon. To find out more about this year’s SALA Festival, head <a href="https://www.salafestival.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. The Curated (side)Plate, Queensland The culinary festival is returning to the Sunshine Coast once again, following its debut in 2019, for ten days of culinary experiences. This year’s program is filled with long lunches, picnics, foodie nights and brunches, featuring local produce and culinary talent. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/sideplate-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: @thecuratedplate (Instagram) To find out more about the Curated (side)Plate festival, running from July 29 until August 7, and purchase tickets, head here. Central Coast Chorale Anniversary Concert, NSW After nearly 250 concerts, the Central Coast Chorale is celebrating 30 years of music at their upcoming concert, ‘Celebration in Song’. The choir of 55 singers will be performing a range of majestic music, from Bruckner and Haydn to the highlights of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. A newly-commissioned piece by emerging composer Courtney Cousins - who is currently playing Mahler’s second symphony with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra - will also be debuting. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/coast-chorale.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Central Coast Chorale Tickets for the concert on August 28 will be available to purchase at the door at St Patrick’s Catholic Church East Gosford, with more information available <a href="https://www.centralcoastchorale.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. 70th Melbourne International Film Festival Melbourne’s month-long celebration of cinema is returning once again to cinemas across Victoria, bringing with it a program of acclaimed international films, world premieres, and new Australian cinema. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/miff1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Visit Melbourne Other highlights include the launch of the festival’s film competition, as well as a series of special events, talks, performances, and commissioned works. To see the full program and purchase tickets, head <a href="https://miff.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Darwin Festival Darwin’s annual winter arts festival has returned, featuring a program of outdoor festivities and activities that take advantage of the Top End’s dry, tropical winter. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/darwin-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Tony Lewis (Darwin Festival) Highlights include balarr inyiny (meaning Light Dreaming), a light festival that will see 160 drones take flight for a breathtaking sky show that illustrates Larrakia songlines from across Darwin’s coastline, along with the Prehistoric Picnic and plenty of comedians, local and international artists, and theatre. To see the full program and find out more about Darwin Festival 2022, head <a href="https://www.darwinfestival.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Gascoyne Food Festival, WA The country’s largest regional food experience is heading to Gascoyne, in WA’s north-west, from July 30 until September 4. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/gascoyne-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: @t.r.i.s.m (Instagram) The region’s best ingredients and culinary talent will be on display across various events, including Australia’s Biggest BBQ (September 3), pop-up food market Eating the Gascoyne (August 4), the Twilight Gala Dinner (August 5), Canapes on the Gascoyne (August 26), and Flavours of Shark Bay (September 4). To find out more and book your spot, head <a href="https://www.gascoynefoodfestival.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

Domestic Travel

Here’s what happening across New Zealand in July

Though the start of July brings with it the peak of winter’s chill and darkness, there’s still plenty to do across New Zealand this month. From Christmas festivities and a slew of top-notch films to nights of looking to the stars, here are some events you won’t want to miss. Festival of Christmas (Greytown) This month-long festival features a program of spectacular lights, night markets, workshops, parties and activities celebrating Christmas in Greytown. With all the hallmarks of a northern hemisphere Christmas, you can expect European markets, warming drinks and festive treats, the Festival of Christmas also has a distinct Kiwi flavour, with celebrations of Matariki also featured. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/xmas-festival.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: @greytownvillage (Instagram) This year’s theme is Gingerbread, with highlights including: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> The Great Gingerbread Hunt, where visitors can enter a competition to search for a brightly-lit eight-foot gingerbread man and go in the draw to win some amazing prizes. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Cocktails and Comedy - a rotating program of top comedians will entertain you as you enjoy a two-course dinner and Greytown Gin Cocktail. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Family Fun at Cobbletones, where you can flex your baking muscles at the Great Gingerbread Bake Off on July 9 and step back in time with A Very Victorian Christmas on July 16. </li> </ul> For more information about this year’s program, head <a href="https://www.wellingtonnz.com/experience/events/festival-of-christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. New Zealand International Film Festival Technically starting at the end of July, the New Zealand International Film Festival will be screening seventy feature films and four collections of short films in Auckland from July 28 until August 7 before touring the rest of the country through August. The festival will be opened by the premiere of Muru, the much-anticipated action-drama from local filmmaker Tearepa Kahi. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/nzff.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The New Zealand International Film Festival will kick off in Auckland from July 28. Image: Fire of Love (NZFF) Other titles will include films direct from Cannes, award-winners from this year’s Berlin Film Festival, and a collection of New Zealand docos and feature films. Tickets for Auckland’s sessions are available for sale from July 14, while tickets for Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin’s sessions will be available from July 15, 18, and 25. The full program of films and information about the festival can be found <a href="https://www.nziff.co.nz/nziff-2022/auckland/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. The Snugs Though it might be chilly outside right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a night out - and the return of <a href="https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2022/the-snugs/auckland#when" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Snugs</a> makes it even easier. Each transparent dome is kitted out with blankets and heaters, and can seat up to six people. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/snugs.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Auckland Live Plus, when you book your Snug you’ll be able to choose from a wide selection of food platters, beverage packages, and other add-ons, with a special Matariki menu available until July 13 and an exclusive Elemental AKL menu available from July 14-31. Each booking requires a minimum spend of $80 for sessions before 4pm and $130 after 4pm required. Our Night Sky: See the Sky Above Auckland and Beyond See Auckland in a new light this winter with the 360-degree display of New Zealand’s skies at Our Night Sky, the latest experience at Stardome Observatory and Planetarium. Suitable for ages 5+, the experience will take kids (and kids at heart) on an exploration of the stars, planets and the universe and even shows the placement of stars on the day you visit. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/stars-july.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Stardome Observatory and Planetarium Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and bookings are essential for each show, which run Wednesday through Sunday throughout July. To find out more and book your tickets, head <a href="https://www.stardome.org.nz/movie/our-night-sky" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Images: NZFF / Stardome Observatory and Planetarium

Domestic Travel

Here’s what’s happening across Australia in July

With July just starting, there is plenty to do no matter where you are in the country this month. From festivals of light and snow to public art installations and activities to take part in, here’s what’s happening across Australia this July. Illuminate Adelaide As one of the country’s newest festivals, Illuminate Adelaide is a city-wide celebration packed with art, lights, sounds, and creativity. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/adelaide-illuminate.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Lights, sounds, and immersive experiences are all on the cards at this year’s Illuminate Adelaide festival. You can even get up close to towering glowing creatures! Images: @illuminateadelaide (Instagram) Highlights of this year’s program include: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/base-camp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Base Camp</a>, a pop-attraction in Victoria Square, which boasts an ice-skating rink open day and night and Electric Playground, consisting of three immersive installations: Neon Village, SEEP, and ORBIT. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/light-creatures/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Light Creatures</a>, where giant glowing animals take over Adelaide Zoo along with some of the zoo’s furry and feathery residents. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/light-cycles/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Light Cycles</a>, which sees the Adelaide Botanic Gardens transformed into an after-dark transcendent experience where technology and nature meet. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/digital-garden-mount-gambier/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Digital Garden</a> takes over Mount Gambier’s cultural centre once again with a captivating program of installations, projections and interactive lighting created by local and international artists. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/program/season-2022/lacunae/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lacunae</a>, a free art installation where a live-feed shares silhouettes and music simultaneously from different locations, meaning people across South Australia can communicate and dance with each other. </li> </ul> For a full program and information about tickets, head <a href="https://www.illuminateadelaide.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Darwin Fringe Festival The annual festival celebrating Darwin’s arts scene is returning once again this year, with ten days of theatre, cabaret and burlesque, music, art, circus and dance planned. Highlights include a free networking night for artists, roller disco in Civic Park (though it is BYO skates), a zine fair, and a slew of top-notch comedians - including a showcase of Darwin’s teen comics. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/Darwin-fringe.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Darwin Fringe Festival lineup includes comedian Di Barkas’ show, ‘Oops’, and the roving performances at Fringes of Mindil. Images: Di Barkas (Facebook) / Darwin Fringe Festival The festival will also include a variety of night-time events, including raving performances and fire shows at Fringes of Mindil, as well as art exhibits and even installations where visitors' stories and dreams are turned into artworks. Darwin Fringe Festival runs from July 8-17, with more information available <a href="https://darwinfringe.org.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Mackay Festival of Arts If you’re looking to immerse yourself in art of all kinds, Mackay’s annual Festival of Arts could be perfect. Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the festival program includes fan favourites such as the <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/wisely_wine_and_food_day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wisely Wine & Food Day</a>, the <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/friends_of_the_mecc_jazz_brunch" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Friends of the MECC Jazz Brunch</a>, and the vibrant displays and installations at <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/daly_bay_illuminate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daly Bay Illuminate</a>. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/mackay-festival.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> The Daly Bay Illuminate (left) and Barbaroi (right) are just two of the highlights of this year’s program. Images: @mackay_festivals (Instagram) New additions to the lineup cover everything from art to trivia, with highlights including: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/wonder_rooms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wonder Rooms</a> - an installation of shipping containers converted into selfie museums and filled with works created by Queensland-based artists, with five rooms to discover across the Mackay region. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/barbaroi" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barbaroi</a> is a performance where contemporary circus meets physical theatre, featuring acrobatics, aerials and circus acts. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts/read_the_room" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read the Room</a>, a quiz show at the Ambassador Hotel that sees guests answer curly trivia questions through their phones, with panel guests then needing to guess which way the Room will swing. </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <a href="https://www.hauntmackay.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Haunt Cabaret</a> - Mackay’s permanent Dinner Theatre hosts dinners with a show every Friday and Saturday night, with its current show, ‘FANTASY’, coinciding with the festival. </li> </ul> To see the full program for the Mackay Festival of Arts, head <a href="https://www.themecc.com.au/mackay-festivals/events/mackay_festivals_of_arts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Anything But Square: Under Surveillance (Melbourne) With a theme of surveillance from our devices, homes and streets, this intriguing festival will be taking over Melbourne’s Federation Square until early August, complete with a towering, eight-metre-high creepy sculpture of a head covered in giant eyes. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/surveillance.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Free film screenings and a creepy, everwatching sculpture are two features of the Anything But Square 2022 program. Images: @fed.square (Instagram) Other highlights include Dance Dystopia, a series of Friday night DJ sessions with free loaded hot chocolates and eye-themed sweets; Surveillance Film Festival with free outdoor screenings of movies catering to the whole family; Secret Workshops, with a eye-theed program including jewellery making, paint and sip classes, and embroidery. For more information about the Anything But Square: Under Surveillance program, head <a href="https://fedsquare.com/events/anything-but-square-under-surveillance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. The Snow Festival Sydney 150 tonnes of real snow is making its way to North Sydney’s Greenwood Hotel for Snow Festival 2022. The festival also welcomes the largest ice rink the area has ever seen, with free ice skating all day and night (and coaches to show you the ropes), as well as figure skating performances and live music rink-side. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/snow-fest.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Snow, music, drinks and skates abound at North Sydney’s Snow Festival. Image: @greenwoodhotel (Instagram) On top of the wintery goodness, the festival will also include special sponsor parties, gondolas, skate-up Fireball whiskey bars, plenty of activities for the kids, free-flowing Champagne, and inflatable polar bears. To find out more or book a table, head <a href="https://greenwoodhotel.com/snow-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Bicheno Beams Tasmania The family-friendly light festival is returning once again to Bicheno this winter, with not one, but two different light shows on display on alternating nights. Due to the festival’s proximity to Bicheno’s adorable penguins, the festival has adopted a silent disco approach, encouraging visitors to bring along a device to stream the soundtrack to and a pair of headphones, as well as woollies, a torch and a thermos of hot chocolate to stay warm as the night turns chilly. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/07/bicheno-beams.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Two light shows feature at this year’s Bicheno Beams festival. Images: @bichenobeams (Instagram) If you can’t make it down, you can still enjoy the lights from the comfort of home. Bicheno Beams will be streaming live every night from 6pm. You can find out more about Bicheno Beams <a href="https://bichenobeams.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. Images: Instagram

Domestic Travel

Crown Princess Mary stuns at fashion event

Crown Princess Mary stunned crowds as she gave the opening speech at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen, Denmark. The 50-year-old attended the event on June 7 which is the leading international forum for sustainability in fashion. Photos of the event were shared by the Danish Royal Family on their Instagram as they shared the Princess’s experience at the popular event. “These days, more than 1000 representatives of the fashion industry are gathered in Copenhagen for the Global Fashion Summit, which is a leading international summit focusing on sustainability in the fashion and textile industry,” the caption read. “Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess today gave the opening speech at the Opera in her capacity as patron of the Global Fashion Summit and Global Fashion Agenda. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceg3E0tA0Ov/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceg3E0tA0Ov/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a> </div> </blockquote> “The Crown Princess first participated in the Global Fashion Summit in 2009, and since then, the green transition in the fashion industry has come at the top of the summit's agenda. “According to a recent UN report, the fashion and textile industry accounts for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Global Fashion Agenda, which is the organization behind the Global Fashion Summit, works, among other things, for the industry to be climate neutral in 2050.” Following the Crown Princess’s speech, she attended a number of panels with several decision makers in the fashion industry. Princess Mary was then able to experience first-hand how fashion designers ethically and environmentally create their clothes. “The Crown Princess could experience the restoration of recycled clothing, digitization of the textile industry's value chain, environmentally friendly dyeing of clothing and many other innovative solutions to the green transformation in the fashion industry.” Images: Instagram

Beauty & Style

“Our children did not deserve this”: Texas school teacher recounts harrowing events

A school teacher from Robb Elementary School has spoken about how the “longest 35 minutes of my life” unfolded during the school shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. The teacher spoke to a reporter from <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teacher-uvalde-texas-describes-longest-35-minutes-life-rcna30571" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a> on the condition that she not be named, partly because district administrators asked staff not to speak with reporters, but also because she was terrified. On Wednesday night, 28 hours and 45 minutes after the gunman charged into the school and opened fire, the teacher answered her door with puffy eyes from hours of crying and almost no sleep. “What do you want me to say?” she asked the reporter. “That I can’t eat? That all I hear are their voices screaming? And I can’t help them?” She recalled how her students had been watching a Disney movie that morning as part of their end-of-year celebration. When she heard gunfire from down the hall, she knew exactly what it was, telling her kids to get under their desks and sprinting to lock the door. “They’ve been practising for this day for years,” the teacher said, referring to active shooter drills that have been incorporated into American public education over the years. “They knew this wasn’t a drill. We knew we had to be quiet or else we were going to give ourselves away.” While her students huddled under their desks, staying quiet while hearing their wounded classmates down the hall, the teacher sat in the middle of the room. She said she tried to stay calm and be strong for them. She said what followed was “the longest 35 minutes of my life”. As some of her students began to cry, she motioned for them to come sit with her and held them, whispering for them to pray silently. Without saying a word, she tried to convey to the class: ‘You’re OK. We’re going to be OK.’ When the police finally broke the classroom windows, the teacher called for her students to line up as they would every day for recess and lunch before they were helped out of the window. “After the last kid, I turned around to ensure everyone was out,” the teacher said. “I knew I had to go quickly, but I wasn’t leaving until I knew for sure.” She later reunited with her students at another school facility across town and tried to comfort those who were worried about their best friends or cousins down the hall. Then, as the toll of the shooting became clearer, some parents texted her, writing: “Thank you for keeping my baby safe.” “But it’s not just their baby,” the teacher said, sobbing on her front porch. “That’s my baby, too. They are not my students. They are my children.” Before closing her door, she had an important message to share with the reporter. “I want you to say this in your article,” the teacher said. “Our children did not deserve this. They were loved. Not only by their families, but their family at school.” Image: Getty Images

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