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"Finally a celebrity fighting back": Cardi B hurls mic at concert goer

<p>The latest celebrity to be hit with something on stage has fought back, as Cardi B took revenge on the concert goer who threw a drink over her during a performance. </p> <p>The rapper, 30, was performing in Las Vegas on Saturday, as she sang her 2018 song, <em>Bodak Yellow</em>, that propelled her to global fame. </p> <p>During the song, a member of the audience threw their drink on stage, splashing the singer in the liquid. </p> <p>Cardi B immediately retaliated by lobbing her microphone into the crowd, targeting the audience member. </p> <p>The fan was led out of the crowd by security, while the performer took the time to casually fix up her hair before continuing her performance. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cardi B throws microphone at audience member who threw a drink at her. <a href="https://t.co/alLgHMFshb">pic.twitter.com/alLgHMFshb</a></p> <p>— Pop Base (@PopBase) <a href="https://twitter.com/PopBase/status/1685461526646525952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p>The confrontation, which was filmed by many fellow concert goers, has since gone viral, with many commending the artist for fighting back. </p> <p>"Finally a celebrity fighting back," said one.</p> <p>"Exactly, it's about time a performer retaliated to this 'trend'," another agreed.</p> <p>"She did what needed to be done! People need to stop throwing stuff at performers," added another fan.</p> <p>The incident in Vegas was the second time in just 24 hours that the singer was captured on video hurling a microphone at inconsiderate fans. </p> <p>The singer was performing at another club in Las Vegas the night before, when the DJ in control of her music kept cutting out the track as she was trying to sing. </p> <p>After the song stopping and starting abruptly several times, Cardi B yelled out her own name before spinning around and aiming the microphone at the DJ before storming off the stage.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Twitter</em></p>

Music

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

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

Family & Pets

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Get out your glitter and head down the Atlanta Highway – the B-52s are setting out on their final dance party!

<p>After 45 years together the B-52’s have announced they are unplugging and de-wigging for their final US tour. “No one likes to throw a party more than we do, but after almost a half-century on the road, it’s time for one last blowout with our friends and family… our fans,” <a href="https://ultimateclassicrock.com/b-52s-farewell-tour-2022/?utm_source=tsmclip&amp;utm_medium=referra">said Fred Schneider</a>.</p> <p>Who was to know that an impromptu jam session in 1976 in the American college town of Athens, Georgia, would be the foundation of a 45-year career?</p> <p>The innovative band that formed in 1976 originally consisted of Cindy Wilson (vocals and guitar), Kate Pierson (vocals and keyboards), Fred Schneider (vocals), Ricky Wilson (guitar) and Keith Strickland (drums). </p> <p>The world’s introduction to the B-52’s was the almost seven-minute song <em>Rock Lobster</em>. An unexpected hit, this uplifting musical concoction is comprised of a baritone-tuned Mosrite electric guitar riff, interspersed with stabbing Farfisa organ accents, and an array of vocal interplay with jazz-esque backing vocal parts.</p> <p>These are interspersed with Pierson’s dolphin like vocal sounds while Schneider’s unique lead vocal spoken delivery offers lyrics about a crustacean. The accompanying video presented a mixture of pop culture’s past with 1950’s cartoonist hair styles, surf culture, combined with uniquely erratic choreography, but musically there are elements that serve as a disruption to pop music.</p> <p><em>Rock Lobster</em> reached number one in Canada, three in Australia, 37 on the UK singles charts and 56 on the US Billboard Hot 100.</p> <h2>Influences and scene</h2> <p>The band’s influences draw from diverse sources across pop culture, such as B-grade movies, Captain Beefheart, 60’s dance moves, Dusty Springfield, comic books, animated cartoons, the composer Nino Rota (Fellini films), pulp science-fiction and Yoko Ono. </p> <p>This is perhaps best illustrated in the song <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VujxeH8uK_Q"><em>Planet Clair</em>e</a> (1978) which opens instrumentally with intermittent radio frequencies that fade to a central guitar riff derived from Mancini’s Peter Gunn theme, then bongos and keyboards stabs, and Pierson’s mesmerising unison singing (chromatic long notes) with the DX7 keyboard part. This is followed by witty, farcical lyrics with an abundance of sci-fi references: satellites, speed of light, Mars.</p> <p>The B-52’s emerged from the 1970’s New Wave (rock) scene with their own combination of non-threatening post-punk and alternative surf rock musical aesthetics. Subversion was in the form of less musical dissonance and less density, more freedom, more harmonies, more play. Less aggressive, more diva, with an infectious enthusiasm.</p> <p>They created their own niche that was unquestionably southern, and importantly broke new ground as LGBTIQ+ icons, by infusing an uncompromisingly camp and queer sensibility into pop culture. </p> <p>From 1979 to 1986, the band recorded four studio albums that were best known for dance grooves, featuring the distinctive vocals of Schneider using sprechgesang(a spoken singing style credited to Humperdinck in 1897 and Schoenberg in 1912), the highly experimental vocal approaches of Pierson, growls and harmonies by Wilson, and Strickland’s surf guitar riffs. </p> <p>They made novel instrumentation choices: toy pianos, walkie talkies, glockenspiels, and bongos, coupled with the innovative use of up-cycled fashion and costumes evoking individuality and liberation. </p> <p>The exception was the EP <em>Mesopotamia</em> (1982) produced by David Byrne, a significant departure from their previous song production. Most noticeable is the slower tempo of <em>Mesopotamia</em>, 119 beats per minute (BPM) compared with <em>Rock Lobster’s</em> (1978) 179 BPM and <em>Private Idaho’s</em> (1980) driving 166 BPM tempo. <em>Mesopotamia</em> features additional synthesizer parts, poly-rhythmic beats (the combination of two or more different rhythms following the same pulse) and world beat influences.</p> <p>On the surface the B-52s lyrics could be misconstrued as merely comedic, or nonsensical, however there are deeper underlining lyrical meanings that speak for the marginalised, referencing the band’s political ideology: environmental causes, feminism, LGBTIQ+ rights, and AIDS activism.</p> <h2>Late 1980s and early 1990s</h2> <p><em>Bouncing Off The Satellites</em> took three years to complete and was released in 1986. Sadly, Ricky Wilson died from HIV/AIDS related illness in 1985 just after the recording sessions were complete. The B-52s reshaped the band with Strickland switching from drums to lead guitar. Later, the band also added touring members for studio albums and live performances. </p> <p>The B-52s album with the greatest commercial success was <em>Cosmic Thing</em> (1989) co-produced by Don Was and Nile Rodgers. The single <em>Love Shack</em>, went double platinum, reached number 1 for eight weeks, and sold 5 million copies. </p> <p>The song opens with engaging drum sounds at an infectious dance tempo of 133 BPM (beats per minute). Schneider’s distinctive vocal enters, then the bass and guitar parts. The arrangement places the hooks at the front in the song, with chorus vocal parts in 4ths. </p> <p>Adding to the infectious groove is the live band sound featuring real brass section, and bass guitar and a bluesy guitar riff with crowd noises in the background. The alluring backing vocal parts on the lyrics “bang, bang, bang, on the door baby” are clearly reminiscent of the <em>Batman</em> television theme music.</p> <h2>Into the 21st century</h2> <p>In 2008 the band re-emerged from a 16-year recording absence with the 11-track album <em>Funplex</em>. There are notable modifications to the B-52s signature sound. <em>Funplex</em> is not the frenetic and spontaneous party music of previous albums. There are a few adaptations vocally too, with a change of roles with spoken word from Wilson and Pierson.</p> <p>The band has toured every summer, with a variety of other bands on the circuit, the Tubes, Go-Go’s, Psychedelic Furs and KC &amp; The Sunshine Band building new audiences.</p> <p>Their appeal is still broad. In 2020, <em>Rock Lobster</em> was used in Australia for an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-VHByOdHmg">Optus ad</a>. The farewell tour billed as “their final tour ever of planet Earth” commences in August this year in Seattle.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/get-out-your-glitter-and-head-down-the-atlanta-highway-the-b-52s-are-setting-out-on-their-final-dance-party-182934" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Music

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Jacqui Lambie shares her plan B amid toilet paper ‘emergency’

<p>Jacqui Lambie has shared some toilet paper alternatives as supermarkets began applying restrictions on the sales of the coveted item.</p> <p>Coles has joined Woolworths and Costco in establishing limits to toilet paper purchases as stocks are dwindling amid fears of coronavirus quarantine.</p> <p>Speaking on the <em>Today </em>show on Thursday, the Tasmanian senator was asked if she had stocked up.</p> <p>“I noticed you guys have got a box of Kleenex, I’ll be taking that with me,” Lambie said.</p> <p>She said she had another alternative if she ran out of tissues.</p> <p>“I did come up with a Plan B. I thought because when we first got up here back in Parliament we had no toilet paper, and the thing I had sitting on my desk there was <em>The Australian</em> newspaper,” she said.</p> <p>“I get that daily and I thought the worst thing I can do is cut strips off that as a Plan B and use that if necessary.”</p> <p>On Thursday, the <em>NT News </em>printed an eight-page pullout for readers to use as “toilet paper in case [they] can’t find any at the shops”.</p> <div class="fb-video" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/TheNTNews/videos/1683394665135207/"> <blockquote class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheNTNews/videos/1683394665135207/"></a> <p>Yes. We really did print it #toiletpapercrisis</p> Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheNTNews/">The NT News</a> on Wednesday, March 4, 2020</blockquote> </div> <p>Authorities and experts have advised Australians that stockpiling goods is not necessary.</p> <p>“I’m involved in the middle of all of this,” said NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. “I’m certainly not out buying up. I think we should be quite calm about the issue.”</p> <p>Infectious disease expert and former adviser to the World Health Organization Professor Peter Collignon said people are “really overreacting”.</p> <p>“Of course, it’s hard to predict how the supply chain around the world will cope,” Collignon told <em><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/03/people-are-overreacting-experts-warn-australians-against-coronavirus-panic-buying">The Guardian</a></em>.</p> <p>“But people are really overreacting to this. We need to restore some balance here. In Australia we produce more food than we can eat because we are a net exporter of food. You’re not going to run out of food, you might not have same choice of foods but you won’t be left without.”</p>

News

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The one thing you didn’t know about Dr Chris Brown

<p>When Dr Chris Brown first graced our TV screens in <em>Bondi Vet</em>, Australia was immediately smitten.</p> <p>Over the years, he’s continued to be a presence on our screens, with <em>I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! </em>taking off, as well as his regular co-hosting gig on<span> </span><em>The Living Room</em>.</p> <p>However, what you might not know about the former <em>Bondi Vet</em><span> </span>is that he’s got a keen eye for photography. He’s even an ambassador for Canon!</p> <p>His love of photography has been as much of a part of his life as his love of animals. He told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.canon.com.au/explore/dr-chris-brown-ambassador" target="_blank">Canon</a>:</p> <p>“Photography has always been a bit of a secret pleasure for me. I’ll often grab a camera before or after work to escape for some ‘me’ time, and you’ll find me with one of my eyes wedged up against the viewfinder, trying to capture that elusive shot.</p> <p>“Right from when I was a little kid, I found the camera to be this magical tool and I couldn’t wait to unleash my photographic potential.”</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/-7gQthsxtf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-7gQthsxtf/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Dr. Chris Brown Pets (@dcbpets)</a> on Dec 5, 2015 at 4:10pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Dr Chris also manages to incorporate his love for animals in the shots he takes.</p> <p>“Clearly I love to shoot animals, and I’ve been lucky enough to travel and meet and photograph so many of them. I also love water, and landscapes, so if I can get all three elements in one image, then I’m a pretty happy guy.”</p> <p>Dr Chris has also launched new website <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.drool.pet/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=native-article-20190226&amp;utm_campaign=drool-launch" target="_blank">Drool</a>, which is a “daily drip of pet news, tips, tricks and need-to-know information”.</p> <p>"Your pet's health and happiness is at the heart of everything we do," Dr Chris explains on the new site.</p> <p>“I created Drool to ensure that you and your passion for pets has a home."</p> <p>Click here to sign up to <a href="https://www.drool.pet/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=native-article-20190226&amp;utm_campaign=drool-launch/">Drool</a> and s<span>croll through the gallery above </span><span>to see some of Dr Chris's incredible photography. </span></p> <p><em>Photo credits: Dr Chris Brown, <a href="https://www.drool.pet/?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=native-article-20190226&amp;utm_campaign=drool-launch/">www.drool.pet</a></em></p>

Art

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10,000 Aussie dental patients urged to get blood tests for HIV and hepatitis

<p>Health experts have urged up to 10,000 dental patients in Sydney to get tested for serious blood-borne diseases, including HIV, after a dentist was found to be breaching hygiene standards.</p> <p>NSW Health has warned patients of dentist Dr James Pok-Yan Ng, who worked in Ramsay St, Haberfield, to visit a GP for blood tests.</p> <p>Any patients who have ever visited the Haberfield dentist in the past 35 years, even if they saw a different dentist, have also been encouraged to get screened.</p> <p>The Dental Council suspects up to 10,000 patients may be affected by the hygiene breach.</p> <p>In July, an investigation found evidence of filthy dental equipment and a poor practice environment.</p> <p>Acting director of Sydney Local Health District’s Public Health Unit, Dr Zaina Najjar, said so far, no patients had acquired a blood-borne virus because of the dental clinic.</p> <p>“Precautionary testing for hepatitis B, C, and HIV is recommended for anyone who attended the clinic over the past 35 years, especially those who had invasive procedures,” Dr Najjar said.</p> <p>“This would have involved a needle or other instrument piercing the skin, gums or tooth root, or where bleeding may have occurred, but we recommend any patient of this practice sees their GP.”</p> <p>“The council carries out inspections of dental practices when a complaint is made which raises a possible concern about compliance with our infection control guidelines,” said Dental Council of NSW president Dr Shane Fryer.</p> <p>“Overwhelmingly, the majority of dental practitioners comply with infection control guidelines, procedures and obligations but if anyone has concerns, we urge you to contact the HCCC or the Dental Council.”</p> <p>Dr Pok-Yan Ng has since had his registration suspended and has been barred from practicing as a dentist in Australia. </p>

Caring

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Jenny Craig fined $37,800 for misleading ads

<p>Jenny Craig has been fined AU$37,800 in Australia for misleading consumers in television advertisements featuring Mel B.</p> <p>The former Spice Girl singer featured in a series of ads for Jenny Craig as an ambassador to the program.</p> <p>The adverts, which ran from December 2017 to February 2018, promoted the line that people could lose up to 10kg of weight for a $10 program fee.  </p> <p>But the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission issued three infringement notices, noting that the weight loss firm failed to disclose customers also had to purchase food at an additional cost.</p> <p>ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said they were “concerned” the ads may have misled consumers into thinking they could lose 10kg for just $10. </p> <p>“In reality customers would have had to spend far more than that,” she said.</p> <p>The ad also featured someone employed by the business, not an independent reviewer.</p> <p>“Businesses need to be transparent about any relationships with people providing a testimonial,” Ms Court said. </p> <p>“Consumers must be informed when a testimonial is given by someone who is employed by the business, and is not an independent reviewer.”</p> <p>Mel B is promoted as a success story on Jenny Craig, after she lost 16kg in five months. </p> <p>“After various attempts at different fad diets Mel B joined Jenny Craig,” the ad promotes.</p> <p>“In the five months that she was on the Jenny Craig Program she successfully lost 16kgs and reached her goal weight.”  </p>

Legal

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Good news for shoppers: Millers, Katies and Rivers given last minute lifeline

<p>Fans of Australian clothing outlets Millers, Katies and Rivers have woken up to some good news this morning, with confirmation fashion retailer Noni B will be purchasing the long-suffering chains from Speciality Fashion Group.</p> <p><a href="https://finance.nine.com.au/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>9news.com.au reports</strong></em></span></a> the $31 million cash deal will add 823 stores to Noni B’s already busy portfolio of brands including Rockmans, W.Lane and BeMe.</p> <p>Speciality Fashion Group will also lose control of Crossroads and Autograph as part of the deal, but will retail ownership over its last remaining brand, City Chic.</p> <p>Noni B CEO Scott Evans was bullish about the acquisition, saying the five brands had the potential to treble the group’s total annual sales to around $1 billion.</p> <p>"This is another exciting step forward for Noni B Group and represents the acquisition of five well-known and established, iconic Australian brands that are both complementary and highly synergistic to our existing portfolio," said Mr Evans.</p> <p>"With the acquisition of the Specialty Assets, Noni B Group will become one of the pre-eminent woman's apparel retailers in Australia, whilst retaining our solid, focussed market position."</p> <p>The brands purchased by Noni B posted a loss of $6.2 million for the 2017 calendar year, but Mr Evans believes the Noni B Group has the means to turn the brands around.</p> <p>"The businesses we're acquiring are underperforming for a number of reasons. However, we believe our disciplined approach to costs of doing business, combined with our customer focus, will ensure a successful turnaround," said Evans.</p> <p>"One of the key benefits of this merger is that we will be able to quickly achieve a number of savings and efficiencies that we anticipate will result in the acquired portfolio of assets breaking even on an EBITDA basis in FY2019, whilst we work to improve their overall operating performance."</p> <p>Specialty Fashion Group chair Anne McDonald said this deal will give the Group more time to concentrate on developing the City Chic brand.</p> <p>"In a challenging and rapidly changing retail environment, SFH has been successful in building City Chic into a market leader in the attractive plus-size segment of the women's apparel market," said McDonald.</p> <p>"The business has strong cash flow generation and significant future earnings growth potential.</p> <p>"The transaction will provide the funding flexibility, corporate structure and management focus required to realise City Chic's longer term full potential."</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

Beauty & Style

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Woman rushed to hospital after “exposure” to recalled fruit from Coles

<p>A South Australian woman has been rushed to hospital with hepatitis A after possible “exposure” to a recalled fruit produce from Coles.</p> <p><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Daily Mail reports</strong></em></span></a> South Australian health authorities believe the infection could potentially be linked to the woman’s consumption of the Creative Gourmet Frozen Pomegranate, which has been linked to 11 similar cases nationwide.</p> <p>Entyce Food Ingredients, which manufactures the fruit product, made the precautionary recall of the 180g packets last month, and SA health authorities followed up by putting a alert on the food item Tuesday afternoon.</p> <p>“The gap between eating one of these products and becoming sick can be anywhere between 15 days and 50 days,” Dr Fay Jenkins <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>told Seven News</strong></em></span></a>.</p> <p>“It's quite possible these two cases in South Australia ate this product before the recall happened.”</p> <p>Products with a best before date up to and including March 21, 2020 should be returned.</p> <p><img width="306" height="306" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7818180/creative-gourmet.jpg" alt="Creative Gourmet"/></p> <p><em>The product in question. Image credit: Daily Mail</em></p> <p>Symptoms of hepatitis A can include nausea, fever, vomiting and a yellowing of the skin, and anyone who has eaten the frozen pomegranate product from Coles has been advised to consult a medical professional if these symptoms appear.</p> <p>What are your thoughts?</p>

News

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Hepatitis E warning issued for passengers on two Melbourne cruises

<p>Passengers on board two recent cruises leaving Melbourne are being warned they may have been exposed to hepatitis E, which, while usually only causing a mild disease, can prove to be fatal in extreme cases.</p> <p>The warning was issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday to passengers travelling on the Golden Princess between February 8 and 15, during which time a crew member had been suffering the viral liver infection.</p> <p>According to the Chief Health Officer of Victoria, Professor Charles Guest, passengers were only at a “low risk” of infection and unlikely to become ill.</p> <p>Symptoms of hepatitis E include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, jaundice, dark urine, clay-coloured stools and joint pain.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2017/02/look-out-for-white-stripes-in-raw-chicken-breast/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Why you should look out for white stripes in raw chicken breast</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2017/02/vitamin-stops-cold-and-flu/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>This vitamin could be the secret to stopping cold and flu</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/health/body/2017/02/sugar-free-soft-drinks-and-weight-loss/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The truth about sugar-free soft drinks</strong></span></em></a></p>

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Italian B&Bs are letting travellers stay for free

<p>This week marks La Settimana del Baratto, or Barter Week, an exciting initiative that lets tourists in Italy stay free at one of the country’s beautiful bed and breakfasts.</p> <p>There’s just one catch. You have to work for it!</p> <p>Running from 14 – 20 November, <a href="http://www.settimanadelbaratto.it/en/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Barter Week</strong></span></a> lets travellers exchange goods and services for an all-expenses paid stay at an Italian B&amp;B. To take part, guests simply list what they have to offer (anything from marmalade to piano lessons), browse a wish list of potential B&amp;Bs, then get into contact and negotiate the terms of the stay.</p> <p>Barter Week was officially launched in 2009 and has since become hugely popular. Last year’s Barter Week saw accommodation providers inundated with over 10,000 requests. </p> <p>While these arrangements are most popular in Barter Week, it’s interesting to note that many B&amp;Bs in Italy are willing to enter barter agreements all year round.</p> <p>For a comprehensive list, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.barattobb.it/" target="_blank">click here</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>What’s your take on Barter Week? Could you see yourself staying at an Italian B&amp;B in exchange for goods or services, and if so what would you offer?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook / Conde Nast Traveller </em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-tips/2016/05/italian-ghost-town-home-to-just-one-man/">Italian ghost town home to just one man</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2016/10/10-things-italian-seniors-do-better-than-everyone/">10 things Italian seniors do better than everyone</a></em></span></strong></p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/international-travel/2016/10/discovering-the-real-italy-on-a-tour-through-puglia/">Discovering the real Italy on a tour through Puglia</a></em></span></strong></p>

International Travel

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A step-by-step guide to booking a home on Airbnb

<p>With over 800,000 unique listings around the world, Airbnb is fast becoming travellers’ preferred choice of accommodation.</p> <p>But if you haven’t tried Airbnb before, the process can be understandably confusing. Rest assured it is safe, and in fact, the senior set are the fastest growing demographic on Airbnb. In the above video, the community talks through the booking process on Airbnb. It’s quick, easy and convenient, but best of all, you can tailor your search to find the perfect place for yourself.</p> <p>To book accommodation on Airbnb, please <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_guest" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>click here</strong></span></a>.</p> <p>To make a wishlist on Airbnb, please <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/wishlists/airbnb_picks/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_wishlist" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>click here</strong></span></a>.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/6-unbelievable-airbnbs-in-victoria/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">6 unbelievable Airbnbs in Victoria</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/stay-in-julia-childs-home-airbnb/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You can now stay in Julia Child’s home</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/airbnb-houseboat-in-copenhagen/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sleep in an apartment on the sea</span></strong></em></a></p>

Accommodation

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I retired to a tiny Italian village and run 25 B&Bs for locals

<p><strong><em><img width="121" height="117" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/22223/wendy_121x117.jpg" alt="Wendy (1)" style="float: left;"/>Wendy Gallina retired to Italy five years ago with her partner Harald to pursue the sweet life of running a bed and breakfast. She soon found herself helping locals set up their homes on Airbnb, and now Sala Comacina, a tiny village of 600 people, has opened up to travellers.</em></strong></p> <p>It was always our intention to move to Italy for <em>la dolce vita</em> (the sweet life!) after a corporate life, and to try <em>dolce far niente</em> (literally the sweetness of doing nothing!). Ten years ago with this goal in mind we purchased a 300-year old cottage in Sala Comacina on Lake Como. For some five years, we had an agency managing our cottage as we weren’t living in Italy, but then in June 2011 we decided to move here to Sala permanently so we could manage our own property hands-on, and to personally welcome our guests.</p> <p>Back then in 2011, our house was still the only one in the village available for holidaymakers. Along with <a href="http://www.holidaylakecomo.com/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>our website</strong></span></a> we also started to list on <a href="https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/246616/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_Wendy" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Airbnb</strong></span></a>. That was back in October 2011, and the rest is history. Almost overnight the bookings started coming in, and slowly the locals would come around to ask if I could list them on my website. I thought: “If only Airbnb were mine!” With internet, computer or iPad virtually unknown in the village, I was able to help three of the locals list their properties, assist with English, take reservations and coordinate their arrivals. Then next year more people came to me.</p> <p>Now five years later, I assist about 25 of the locals with getting their houses, apartments, and rooms on Airbnb. I help them set up their property on the website and write the description for them because English really is the language of Airbnb. I’ll also handle any questions and enquiries. People here are working, they have families and they find it difficult to drop something and to respond to questions. But for me, I’m addicted to the beep beep sound on my phone!</p> <p>It’s not just me, a core group of us who speak English – Robby my Italian neighbour, and two English ladies Geraldine and Janet, who have both lived here for 40 years – all work together to make sure the guests are being looked after and everything runs smoothly. We do the greetings, the check-ins, and we take them around the village and introduce them to the locals who run the bars, restaurants, the coffee shops, the butcher and the baker, so all of our guests feel comfortable chatting to the locals.</p> <p>It’s very important to us that we create a good environment where guests feel part of the community when they stay in Sala. Within the community there is a real interest in our holiday guests and even the Italians who don’t speak English are fascinated by the Australian and American tourists who have travelled so far to come see their village. They’ll still speak to you anyway as they like to have a laugh with you whether or not you understand each other’s language (but there’s usually someone there to translate!). It is rewarding for locals and tourists alike to enjoy an aperativo together; to share and laugh over stories of holiday adventures and life experiences, and to assist with further travel plans.</p> <p>Airbnb has, in Sala at least, given many tourists the opportunity to experience local life firsthand. Our guests tell us that they love our wonderful little village. It’s close enough to the attractions, as you can get a ferry to all the other villages, but they love coming back to this side of the lake and have enjoy tranquillity of the village. The tourism has also revitalised Sala for the locals. They love showing guests their home and I think it’s given them a new perspective of Sala. When you’re born in a place you don’t see the beauty in it. But now I think the locals look at their home and Lake Como with another eye. I’m not being biased because I live here, it is a magical lake!</p> <p>We now get around 20 to 25 groups per week in Sala during peak season which runs from around April to August. As we’re only a small village of around 600 people, we share everything. We all work together to ensure that everyone shares in with the success. There’s no feeling that anyone is really competing, we are all working together to make sure everyone shares in the earnings for the village. We all want to make the village more popular to tourists, to welcome them here and give them a great experience.</p> <p>I never dreamed I would be doing this – never, ever. But it’s been truly rewarding. For me, I think the most rewarding part is the sharing in the community. It’s important that everyone can make some money, but aside from the monetary value, it’s so rewarding that we’re getting visitors to see this beautiful little spot in the world – and they’re satisfied with their experience. There is no joy in it unless someone can take away a great experience and luckily on both sides, we’re all getting a wonderful experience.</p> <p>If you’re interested in learning more about hosting on Airbnb, please <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/host/?af=61160407&amp;c=apac_au_over60_host" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">click here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><em><strong>If you have a story to share please get in touch at <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="mailto:melody@oversixty.com.au" target="_blank">melody@oversixty.com.au</a>.</span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/over60-airbnb-hosts-share-their-top-tips-for-hosting/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Over60 Airbnb hosts share their top tips for hosting</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/why-hosting-on-airbnb-is-great-for-ladies-over-60-to-earn-extra-money/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Why hosting on Airbnb is great for ladies over-60 to earn extra money</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/travel/accommodation/2016/05/airbnb-saved-this-new-york-artist-from-bankruptcy/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Airbnb saved this New York artist from bankruptcy</span></em></strong></a></p>

Accommodation

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Over 650 patients exposed to hepatitis B in Melbourne hospital

<p>More than 650 patients may have been exposed to the potentially deadly hepatitis B virus at a Melbourne hospital.</p> <p><em>The Herald Sun</em> reports that a healthcare worker who was employed at the hospital over the last three years has just been diagnosed, meaning patients they treated have been put at risk.</p> <p>An investigation has been launched into the incident by the Department of Health who are refusing to name the healthcare worker or hospital involved. Currently, 654 patients are being contacted as a “precautionary” measure so they can get checked for the virus.</p> <p>Dr Taylor said there was less than a one percent chance of infection for those involved.</p> <p>“The actual public health risk is likely to be low to very low.”</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/02/yoga-to-relieve-still-muscles-and-joints/"><em>Gentle yoga moves you can do in bed</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/lifestyle/retirement-life/2016/02/inspired-moment-leads-to-new-creative-path-after-retirement/"><em>How an inspired moment led to a creative new path after retirement</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="/health/body/2016/02/reasons-to-give-yoga-a-chance/"><em>10 reasons to give yoga chance</em></a></strong></span></p> <p> </p>

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Humphrey B. Bear is up for sale

<p>Humphrey B. Bear is up for sale, with his current owners looking to find a buyer to secure the future of the legendary Australian television character. </p> <p>Humphrey fell on hard times in 2009 when Channel Nine axed his show after his former owners fell into debt, and he was acquired by entertainment company Imagination.</p> <p>Humphrey is now up for sale, and could go to an overseas buyer.</p> <p>“I’m sad to part with him,” says the Logie winner’s current boss, Adelaide entrepreneur and Imagination CEO Shane Yeend. “But Humphrey needs to be back on screen and working again. If we don’t find a new owner who can make that happen, Humphrey will end up in the storeroom – and that’s a pretty sad fate for a national icon.”</p> <p>Mr Yeend, a lifelong fan of the show, acquired Humphrey in 2012.</p> <p>“I’ve taken it as far as I can, but I don’t really have that expertise in children’s TV and film,” Mr Yeend told <em>New Idea</em>. “It would be wonderful to keep him in Australian ownership, but probably only the ABC has the wherewithal and experience to relaunch him as a national brand.”</p> <p>Here’s hoping Humphrey B. Bear finds a home sooner, rather than later. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/02/sheep-loves-getting-its-back-scratched/">This sheep loves getting its back scratched</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/02/rumoured-romance-prince-harry-margot-robbie/">Prince Harry rumoured to be dating an Aussie</a></strong></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="/news/news/2016/02/kate-reveals-what-prince-george-wants-to-be-when-he-grows-up/">Kate reveals what Prince George wants to be when he grows up</a></strong></em></span></p>

News

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Are B&Bs better than hotels?

<p>What does a bed and breakfast mean to you? Like many travellers, you may think of a cosy rural cottage with homemade biscuits, quilted doonas, and friendly live-in managers. But B&amp;Bs have now evolved far beyond these traditional bounds. In fact, many travellers seeking out true luxury are increasingly turning to B&amp;Bs for the modern accoutrements and personalised service that define a quality experience from check-in to check-out.</p> <p>B&amp;Bs are known for providing a unique and localised experience but it’s worthwhile doing your homework to ensure you make the best decision about your accommodation. This is where travel review resources such as Trip Advisor are useful tools. Fellow traveller reviews of B&amp;Bs can be highly valuable in assisting with the decision making process.</p> <p>You may be interested in a B&amp;B if you:</p> <ul> <li>Prefer smaller, more intimate accommodation than a large hotel.</li> <li>Appreciate rooms that are individually decorated, especially with antiques or period furniture.</li> <li>Enjoy getting to know other travellers often over a communal breakfast.</li> <li>Prefer charm to amenities, and don't mind if your room doesn't have Internet access or other modern conveniences although more B&amp;Bs are now adding such amenities.</li> <li>Like staying in residential neighborhoods or quiet rural settings.</li> <li>Are looking for adults-only accommodation (many B&amp;Bs do not accept children).</li> <li>Enjoy the experience of a home away from home – including quirky touches like the innkeepers' cat curled up in the corner of the living room.</li> <li>Like having the personal attention and expertise of an innkeeper at your disposal.</li> </ul> <p>However you may want to avoid B&amp;Bs if you:</p> <ul> <li>Prefer amenities like gyms, pools, room service and business centres.</li> <li>Like the privacy and anonymity of a big hotel.</li> <li>Would rather eat breakfast alone or with your travel companion than have to make small talk with a bunch of strangers.</li> <li>Are on a very tight budget (B&amp;Bs tend to be a little bit more expensive than ultra-budget hotels and motels).</li> <li>Will be checking in and out at odd times (very early or very late); unlike a large hotel, B&amp;Bs tend not to have 24-hour front desk service.</li> </ul> <p>With a broad range of discretional facilities available the following details are worthwhile clarifying before you book:</p> <ul> <li>Type of breakfast offered</li> <li>Policies on children and pets</li> <li>Dining and dietary options</li> <li>Payment terms, credit card options</li> <li>Check in-check out times</li> <li>Shared or private bathrooms</li> <li>Guest services – internet, bottled water, TV in rooms, laundry services, concierge</li> <li>Special promotions, offers</li> </ul> <p>Depending on the holiday experience you’re after B&amp;Bs are a worthwhile consideration when planning your accommodation needs.</p>

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