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Mum shamed and denied food for bottle feeding her baby

<p>A Brisbane mother has been left feeling "devastated, guilty and enraged" after being targeted by a controversial rule after she took her baby to the emergency room. </p> <p>It was the middle of the night when Sarah Stoddart's 12-week-old daughter became extremely unwell. </p> <p>The baby, who Sarah had decided to bottle feed, was vomiting and running a temperature, prompting her worried mother to take her to the emergency department of Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane's north. </p> <p>Things started to go wrong for Sarah when she was handed a "welcome sheet" after arriving at the hospital.</p> <p>"They had circled and brought to my attention that only breastfeeding mothers were entitled to meals," she <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/queensland-mum-denied-food-at-hospital-for-not-breastfeeding-child/f8ea2db9-b448-4ce8-8dfb-6e65657cc5ab" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" data-i13n="cpos:5;pos:1" data-ylk="slk:told Nine News;cpos:5;pos:1;elm:context_link;itc:0" data-rapid_p="12" data-v9y="1">told <em>Nine News</em></a>.</p> <p>"First of all [it] made me feel devastated and guilty but then quite enraged, that is a decision that is being made in this country and this state in 2023."</p> <p>Furious, Ms Stoddart claims staff eventually told her that they could "make an exception" and would "sneak through an approval" so that she could get fed.</p> <p>According to Sarah, her partner was at home looking after the couple's other kids, and the whole ordeal left her feeling guilty over a decision that was made for the health of their child.</p> <p>She added that mothers are "already struggling with enough" in the first trimester and "don't need the judgement from the government as to how they chose to feed their child".</p> <p>After speaking out about her treatment at the hospital and raising the issue with Metro North Health, the hospital has changed their policy.</p> <p>"The Prince Charles Hospital now provides meals to parents of children six months and under who are admitted into our care," Prince Charles Hospital said in a statement.</p> <p>"Parents of all patients admitted to the Paediatric Ward at The Prince Charles Hospital have access to food, water, tea and coffee. Further paid options, including fresh food vending machines, cafes and a stocked fridge, are accessible 24hrs a day."</p> <p>Queensland's Health Minister Shannon Fentiman she would work with other hospitals across the state to ensure a similar scenario does not occur again.</p> <p>"It shouldn't really matter whether you are breastfeeding or not, it should be about trying to make our parents who are doing the best they can to look after their sick kids as comfortable as possible," she said.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine News</em></p>

Caring

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"Honey, we are about to fight": Woman kicked off flight for hurling water bottle

<p dir="ltr">A woman who was told to get off a flight for not following the rules turned aggressive toward another passenger after she realised she was being filmed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Footage shared to Reddit shows a calm flight attendant asking the woman to take her dog off her lap on a flight to New York from Atlanta.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman became aggressive when she was told to get off the flight after refusing to take her dog off her lap. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Oh no, no, honey we are about to fight then.I didn’t f***ing do anything to you guys,” she can be heard saying.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My dog was sitting on my lap, I put him in the bag.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The traveller is then offered a refund on her ticket and once again asked to leave the flight before she swears at the flight attendant and everyone.</p> <p dir="ltr">“F**k you. F**k all of you,” she yells as she packs up her belongings. </p> <p dir="ltr">As she packs her bags, someone could be heard shouting at her to “get off the plane”. </p> <p dir="ltr">““I am! Shut the f**k up,” she yells back before noticing another passenger filming her and throws her water bottle at them. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Turn your f***ing phone off!” she yells.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Why is she recording me?” she asks another flight attendant.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Anyone can record anything. You just struck a passenger with a bottle,” the flight attendant responds.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Nobody acting this way flies on a flight with us.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Social media users called the woman out for her disgusting behaviour saying she deserved to be kicked off the flight. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I love how she's wearing pigtails and acting like a first grader,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That dude was such a boss. Calm, cool, and collected the whole time and got her off the plane,” someone wrote. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Now we wait for that person's footage, and also the footage of her getting arrested,” another wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">Watch the footage <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/flights/woman-unleashes-on-plane-throws-bottle-at-passenger/news-story/7887c8bb3bb4ece68aebaae13c7349e9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Reddit</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Tips on keeping wine fresh

<p>We’ve all been in the situation (once or twice) before where we’re the only one home one evening, decide to have one glass with dinner and don’t finish off the bottle. So how can you keep the rest of the bottle as fresh as possible? Here we take a look whether simply resealing the bottle is enough or, is it worthwhile investing in one of the various gadgets on the market.</p> <p>Most wine connoisseurs will tell you that wine is almost always best enjoyed on the day it is opened. You’ll find that some restaurants don’t bother with fancy resealing devices and use the cap or cork it came with, as they say that some wines last well into the next day. So why should you bother with one of these whizz bang gadgets? On the other hand, research shows that some restaurants use an argon gas preservation system and that it works really well.</p> <p>As you may have discovered yourself at home, wine doesn’t go off that quickly, per se, but it can lose its quality before becoming unpleasant. The villain to blame in this process is oxygen. If you’re a red wine drinker, you’ve likely heard that giving it time to breathe is a good thing. Well although a little air is often good for wine, the longer it is exposed to oxygen the more it changes. Some wines, typically robust reds, benefit from a day or two of “development” in an open bottle. But in most, fruit smells and flavours dissipate. The wine starts to oxidise and taste sharp and “vinegary”. That’s why wine-saving devices are typically designed to limit contact with air.</p> <p><strong>Winesave</strong><br />A user-friendly delivery system that uses gas that's used by many restaurants to form a protective “blanket” between the wine and the air in the bottle. The at-home version comes in a canister: you attach a tube to the nozzle to squirt the gas into the bottle before reapplying the original seal. Can keep wine well for at least five days.</p> <p><strong>Wine Shield</strong><br />A piece of flexible, circular plastic inserted into a partly drunk bottle to become a floating lid, claiming to keep wine fresh for up to five days after opening. Fiddly to insert – it’s done via the sachet in which each “shield” is packaged – but not hard once you have the knack. You then reapply the original seal. Will keep the wine in good condition for at least three days.</p> <p><strong>Vacu Vin</strong><br />This gadget is designed to suck air out of the bottle. Popular with wine critics, it vacuums out the air. While it is said to not be as great on day two as some of the other devices, it is better on day five than the others.</p> <p><strong>Screw cap</strong><br />In some cases the original metal seal that came with the bottle will keep the wine pleasant on day two but it won’t last until day five like some of the others. At least it is free, though, right?</p> <p><strong>Wine stopper</strong><br />Often made from stainless steel with a plastic interior, these don’t seem to do much. It’s a stretch to do anything that a cork (or screw cap) wouldn’t. So I guess this is a good option if you lose the cork or screw or you have trouble replacing it after you’ve finished.</p>

Food & Wine

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Message in a bottle found after 37 years

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A nine-year-old girl in Hawaii has </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/japanese-students-message-in-a-bottle-turned-up-in-hawaii/46ce3dd6-e6f4-45b9-8cd9-396f95d101a9" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">found a bottle</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> containing a message from 1984 … fully 37 years after Japanese high school students dropped it in the ocean.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The message inside the bottle, titled “Ocean current investigation”, was written by students and placed in the Kuroshio Current near Miyajima Island in western Japan.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The letter, dated July 1984, asked the finder to return the bottle to Choshi High School, in eastern Japan.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844278/https___prodstatic9net-24.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b86eb4b6483a434689df971911c6be14" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Choshi High School</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hawaiian local media named the finder as nine-year-old Abbie Graham, who made the discovery while on a family trip to the beach near the Hawaiian city of Hilo.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The bottle had travelled some 7000 kilometres.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a press statement, the school said it had released 450 bottles in 1984 and an additional 300 in 1985 as part of its survey of ocean currents.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">51 of the bottles have been found so far, with the school adding that the most recent find was the first since 2002.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Other bottles have washed up in Washington state in the US, Canada, the Philippines, and the central Pacific Marshall Islands.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mayumi Kanda, a former student at Choshi High School and a member of the science club in 1984, said she was surprised to hear of the bottle’s reappearance after so long.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Kanda said the news had “revived the nostalgic memory of my high school days”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The school said its pupils planned to send Abbie a thank-you note for returning the bottle, along with a miniature Tairyo-bata - a type of fisherman's flag used to indicate a good haul - as a gift.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty</span></em></p>

International Travel

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Put the baking soda back in the bottle: Banned sodium bicarbonate ‘milkshakes’ don’t make racehorses faster

<p><em> </em></p> <p>The controversial and banned practice of giving horses baking soda “milkshakes” before a race doesn’t work, according to our analysis of the available research.</p> <p>Racing folklore says sodium bicarbonate milkshakes can boost racehorses’ endurance because the alkalinity of the baking soda helps counter the buildup of lactic acid in the blood when running.</p> <p>But our systematic research review, <a href="https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1bv2Z2dbxqYqLj">recently published in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science</a> reveals milkshakes don’t boost horses’ athletic performance.</p> <p>This means any trainer still tempted to flout the ban on this tactic would be endangering their horses’ welfare and risking heavy sanctions over a practice that is basically snake oil.</p> <p>Despite the fun-sounding name, milkshakes are anything but. The process involves inserting a tube up the horse’s nose, down its throat and into the stomach, and then pumping in a concentrated solution of sodium bicarbonate dissolved in water.</p> <p>This can be stressful to the horse, and potential <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2004.08.014">side-effects</a> include lacerations to the nasal cavity, throat and oesophagus, gastrointestinal upset, and diarrhoea. It can even be fatal if the tube is mistakenly inserted into the trachea and the solution is pumped into the lungs.</p> <p>It’s little wonder Racing Australia has <a href="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/uploadimg/Australian_rules_of_Racing/Australian_Rules_of_Racing_01_March_2019.pdf">banned</a> the use of “alkalising agents” such as milkshakes on race day, with potentially career-ending ramifications for trainers caught doing it.</p> <p><strong>No boost after all</strong></p> <p>The effect of baking soda on athletic performance has been studied in human athletes for decades with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31191097">inconclusive results</a>, but has only been analysed in horses since the late 1980s.</p> <p>Our analysis included data from eight experimental trials featuring 74 horses. Overall, sodium bicarbonate administration in the hours before treadmill tests or simulated race trials did not improve horses’ running performance in either type of test.</p> <p>In fact, in treadmill exercise tests in which horses were not ridden by jockeys, sodium bicarbonate actually had a very small negative effect on running performance, albeit not a statistically significant one.</p> <p>Whereas human athletes might gain a placebo effect from sodium bicarbonate, this is unlikely to apply to horses who don’t understand the intended point of the milkshake. And while some racehorse trainers may be educated in exercise physiology and the importance of blood pH, others may believe they work simply because received wisdom and racing folklore say so.</p> <p>Racing aficionados steeped in tradition might respond with scepticism, or argue that research can’t replicate the unique conditions of race day. But given that our comprehensive analysis of a range of research trials shows no evidence that milkshakes work, we argue any recalcitrant trainers have a moral responsibility to listen to the science.</p> <p>Milkshakes are already banned. But our research shows they deliver no benefit anyway. Trainers who are happy to continue this illicit practice and run the gauntlet of potential sanctions should consider whether it is worth it at all, and whether instead they should reconsider on moral, medical and scientific grounds.</p> <p><em>Written by <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/joshua-denham-1165121">Joshua Denham</a>, RMIT University and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/adam-hulme-401293">Adam Hulme</a>, University of the Sunshine Coast. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/put-the-baking-soda-back-in-the-bottle-banned-sodium-bicarbonate-milkshakes-dont-make-racehorses-faster-148907">The Conversation.</a> </em></p> <p> </p>

Caring

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Recycling plastic bottles is good but reusing them is better

<p>Last week <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/woolworths-to-be-first-in-australia-with-zerowaste-food-delivery-system/news-story/8fb2f4018a2b0d25a63c58ba8b12a19b#.mo33b">Woolworths announced</a> a new food delivery system, in collaboration with US company TerraCycle, that delivers grocery essentials in reusable packaging.</p> <p>The system, called Loop, lets shoppers buy products from common supermarket brands in reusable packaging.</p> <p>As Australia works out how to meet the national packaging target for 100% of Australian packaging to be <a href="http://www.joshfrydenberg.com.au/guest/mediaReleasesDetails.aspx?id=562">recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2025</a>, programs like this offer an opportunity to overhaul how plastic packaging is produced, used and recycled.</p> <p><strong>Recycling alone is not the silver bullet</strong></p> <p>Plastic packaging, most of which is for <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/3f275bb3-218f-4a3d-ae1d-424ff4cc52cd/files/australian-plastics-recycling-survey-report-2017-18.pdf">food and beverages</a>, is the fastest growing category of plastic use.</p> <p>In Australia <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/3f275bb3-218f-4a3d-ae1d-424ff4cc52cd/files/australian-plastics-recycling-survey-report-2017-18.pdf">less than 10%</a> of this plastic packaging is recycled, compared with 70% for paper and cardboard packaging.</p> <p>Of the <a href="http://www.sita.com.au/media/publications/02342_Plastics_Identification_Code.pdf">seven categories of plastic</a>, recycling of water bottles (PET) and milk bottles (HDPA) is most effective, yet recycling rates remain relatively low, around 30%.</p> <p>Other hard plastics (PVC, PS) and soft or flexible plastics, such as clingfilm and plastic bags, present significant challenges for recyclers. In the case of soft plastics, although recycling options are available, the use of additives known as plasticisers – used to make the hard plastic soft and malleable – often make products <a href="https://www.packagingcovenant.org.au/documents/item/2179">recycled out of soft plastics</a> weak, non-durable, and unable to be recycled further.</p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/we-cant-recycle-our-way-to-zero-waste-78598">Some researchers</a> argue recycling actually represents a <a href="http://www.greenlifestylemag.com.au/features/2936/disposable-drink-bottles-plastic-vs-glass-vs-aluminium">downgrading process</a>, as plastic packaging is not always recycled into new packaging, owing to contamination or diminished quality.</p> <p>Even where single-use plastic packaging can be effectively recycled, it often isn’t. The more single-use plastics that are produced, the higher the chance they will enter the ocean and other environments where their <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2017-02-27/plastic-and-plastic-waste-explained/8301316">plasticiser chemicals leach out</a>, harming wildlife populations and the humans who depend on them.</p> <p>Zero Waste Europe recently updated its <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/warr-strategy/the-waste-hierarchy">Waste Hierarchy</a> to emphasise avoiding packaging in the first instance, and to encourage reuse over recycling.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299986/original/file-20191103-88399-1hlgzdg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299986/original/file-20191103-88399-1hlgzdg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">The zero waste hierarchy for a circular economy.</span> <span class="attribution"><a href="https://zerowasteeurope.eu/2019/05/a-zero-waste-hierarchy-for-europe/" class="source">Zero Waste Europe</a></span></p> <p><strong>Getting reuse right</strong></p> <p>For a reusable product to be more environmentally sustainable than a single-use product, it must promote the use of less energy and resources in our daily routines.</p> <p>Although the uptake of products such as reusable cups and shopping bags have increased, these types of reusable items have attracted criticism. If used correctly, these products represent a positive change. However, <a href="https://theconversation.com/heres-how-many-times-you-actually-need-to-reuse-your-shopping-bags-101097">some research suggests</a> these products can be less sustainable than the single-use items they are replacing if people treat them like disposable items and do not reuse them enough.</p> <p>For example, if you regularly buy new reusable bags at the supermarket, that potentially has a greater environmental impact than using “single-use” plastic bags.</p> <p>To really reduce plastic packaging, we need to find ways to alter the routines that involve plastic packaging, rather than directly substituting individual products (such as reusable bags for single-use ones).</p> <p><strong>Developing new reusable packaging systems</strong></p> <p>Redesigning ubiquitous plastic packaging means understanding why it is so useful. For food packaging, its functions might include:</p> <ol> <li> <p>allowing food to travel from producer to consumer while maintaining its freshness and form</p> </li> <li> <p>enabling the food to be kept on a shelf for an extended period of time without becoming inedible</p> </li> <li> <p>allowing the brand to display various nutritional information, branding and other product claims.</p> </li> </ol> <p>So how might these functions be met without disposable plastic packaging?</p> <p><a href="https://loopstore.com/how-it-works">TerraCycle Loop</a>, the business model that Woolworths has announced it will partner with, is currently also trialling services in the United States and France. They have partnered with postal services and large food and personal care brands including Unilever, Procter &amp; Gamble, Clorox, Nestlé, Mars, Coca-Cola, and PepsiCo.</p> <p>Customers order products online, from ice-cream to juice and shampoo, with a small container deposit. These items are delivered to their house, and collected again with the next delivery. The containers are washed and taken back to the manufacturers for refill. The major participating brands have all redesigned their packaging to participate in the program.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299987/original/file-20191103-88403-1n63f5v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/299987/original/file-20191103-88403-1n63f5v.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">TerraCycle Loop reusable packaging.</span> <span class="attribution"><a href="https://loopstore.com/how-it-works" class="source">TerraCycle Loop</a></span></p> <p>This model works because it is not replacing products one-for-one, but creating a new product <em>system</em> to allow people to easily integrate reuse into their daily routines.</p> <p>We can examine the function of single use plastic packaging in takeaway food in a similar way. The purpose of takeaway food packaging is to let us enjoy a meal at home or on the move without having to cook it ourselves or sit in a restaurant. So how might these functions be achieved without disposable packaging?</p> <p>Australian company <a href="https://returnr.org/">RETURNR</a> has addressed this with a system in which cafes partner with food delivery services. Customers buy food in a RETURNR container, pay a deposit with the cost of their meal, and then return the container to any cafe in the network.</p> <p>The Kickstarter campaign <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zeroco/zero-co-win-the-war-on-waste-at-your-place">Zero Co</a>, is offering a similar model for a resuse service that covers kitchen, laundry and bathroom products.</p> <p>Making reuse <a href="https://www.uts.edu.au/research-and-teaching/our-research/institute-sustainable-futures/news/developing-alternatives">easy and convenient</a> is crucial to the success of these systems.</p> <p>If Australia is to meet our national packaging targets, we need to prioritise the elimination of unnecessary packaging. Although recycling is likely to remain crucial to keeping plastic waste out of landfill in the near future, it should only be pursued when options higher up the waste hierarchy – such as reuse – have been ruled out.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/126339/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: http://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rachael-wakefield-rann-321286">Rachael Wakefield-Rann</a>, Research Consultant, Institute for Sustainable Futures, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jenni-downes-12549">Jenni Downes</a>, Research Fellow, BehaviourWorks Australia (Monash Sustainable Development Institute), <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/monash-university-1065">Monash University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nick-florin-160370">Nick Florin</a>, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, <a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-technology-sydney-936">University of Technology Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/recycling-plastic-bottles-is-good-but-reusing-them-is-better-126339">original article</a>.</em></p>

Technology

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San Francisco International Airport to ban plastic water bottles

<p><span>Travellers flying out of San Francisco International airport will no longer be able to buy plastic-bottled water before their flight.</span></p> <p><span>Starting August 20, the airport (SFO) will only allow water to be sold in glass, recycled aluminium or certified compostable materials. The new rule will apply to the airport’s convenience stores, restaurants and vending machines.</span></p> <p><span>While travellers are still prohibited from bringing filled water bottles from outside, they can bring empty disposable plastic water bottles to refill at one of over 100 water hydration stations installed at the airport. </span></p> <p><span>The move, which follows the ban on single-use food utensils in March, is part of SFO’s goal of becoming the world’s first <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/08/02/business/plastic-water-bottle-ban-sfo-trnd/index.html">zero-waste airport</a> by 2021. </span></p> <p><span>“We waited until now because a few years back there was really no market in place to provide an alternative to water in a plastic bottle,” said Doug Yakel, SFO’s public information officer.</span></p> <p><span>“This is a big move for the airport … it just further supports our green initiative.”</span></p> <p><span>Yakel said he hopes the rule can encourage more manufacturers to use <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/02/san-francisco-international-airport-plastic-water-bottle-ban">plastic-free packaging</a>. </span></p> <p><span>“We’re hoping that as the demand from retailers increases, there’s an increasing supply of water that’s bottled in something recyclable,” Yakel said. “We’re hoping to drive that industry as well.”</span></p>

International Travel

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The 4 things you will ALWAYS find in a cruise expert's suitcase

<p><strong>1. Highlighter</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Believe it or not, a highlighter on a cruise is not that common to come across – so pack one! Cruises always hand out programs, itineraries and other handy pamphlets and it will be easier to highlight things of interest to you. All the papers you receive really add up, so while this tip may seem silly – it WILL help!</span></p> <p><strong>2. Ziplock bags / plastic bags</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Snacking is a common occurrence. If you’re travelling with children, they may get peckish while on the islands, in the rooms or by the pool so pack a few little snacks in a ziplock bag at the buffet so they never need to leave your sight. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Plastic bags are also a big help for any wet clothes or towels you don’t have the chance to wash or dry out while on your cruise. </span></p> <p><strong>3. Refillable water bottle</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This tip is a must as water bottles cost a lot on the ship! While water itself is free as well as some juices, having a water bottle will be the lifesaver you didn’t know you needed while lying underneath the sun or while on the islands. </span></p> <p><strong>4. Lanyard</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lanyards are very handy when you’re onboard as the whole ship is cashless – you will have to pay for everything with a cruise-given card. So instead of paying $8-10 at the cruise shops, bring your own (it is a lot cheaper if you’re a big group).</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What are some of the little things you pack in your suitcase for a cruise? Let us know in  the comments below.</span></p>

Cruising

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Research shows weekly bottle of wine increases risk of cancer

<p>Bad news for wine drinkers. Research conducted by experts at the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Bangor University and University of Southampton have discovered that women drinking one bottle of wine per week is equivalent to smoking 10 cigarettes a week.</p> <p>The habit contributes to the risk of cancer. Men who drink one bottle of wine a week have an equal cancer risk of 5 cigarettes a week.</p> <p>The results were published in the <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-6576-9"><em>BMC Public Health medical journal</em></a>, which revealed that out of 1000 non-smoking women who indulged in wine, 14 developed cancer. The same applied to men.</p> <p>Dr Theresa Hyde, an author of the study wrote: “We must first be absolutely clear that this study is not saying that drinking alcohol in moderation is in any way equivalent to smoking.”</p> <p>She also clarifies that the study relates to those who drink one bottle of wine a week throughout their lifetime.</p> <p>Sophia Lowes, from Cancer Research UK told <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/weekly-bottle-of-wine-has-cancer-risk-of-up-to-10-cigarettes-11676929"><em>SkyNews</em></a> that, "Research is clear - the less a person drinks, the lower the risk of cancer. Small changes like having more alcohol-free days can make a big difference to how much you drink.”</p> <p>So, to put it simply, reduce the habit of smoking and drinking, and live a healthier life.</p>

Body

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Australian Open’s official water bottles spark outrage

<p>The Australian Open’s official choice of bottled water has baffled the public for the second year in a row.</p> <p>As fans came out to watch the first day of the Melbourne tennis tournament on Monday, they found something strange about the bottled water made available by the Open organisers.</p> <p>“Turns out the ‘official water of the Australian Open’ is Chinese,” reporter Rachel Baxendale posted on Twitter. “In what universe do we need to import bottled water?”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Just bought a bottle of water at the tennis. Turns out the "official water of the <a href="https://twitter.com/AustralianOpen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AustralianOpen</a>" is Chinese. In what universe do we need to import bottled water? <a href="https://t.co/HGYDqoawRr">pic.twitter.com/HGYDqoawRr</a></p> — Rachel Baxendale (@rachelbaxendale) <a href="https://twitter.com/rachelbaxendale/status/1084746524259577856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2019</a></blockquote> <p>The water came from the Shenzhen-based brand Ganten, which has also sponsored the International Volleyball Federation and soccer team Juventus.</p> <p>Senator Derryn Hinch chimed in on the Twitter post, suggesting the lucrative nature of the sponsorship.</p> <p>“In a universe where the deal was worth millions of dollars a year to Tennis Australia,” Hinch said.</p> <p>Many Aussies were disappointed that the organisers did not tap an Australian brand, while others questioned the need to provide bottled water at all, given the availability of clean water fountains.</p> <p>This is the Open’s second year with Ganten, after partnering with US brand Titan Fitness Water in 2016 and Aussie-made Frantelle in 2017.</p> <p>In response to the same controversy last year, Tennis Australia said the Open had “a long history of partnering with international brands” given its “global” nature.</p> <p>“Australian Open … attracted fans from 72 countries and was broadcast on 65 channels to more than 220 territories and 900 million households,” said the governing body.</p> <p>“It is a truly global event … The Australian Open continues to expand its global reach and partnerships, which helps to grow the sport at all levels in Australia.”</p> <p>Tennis Australia has not commented on the continued partnership this year.</p>

News

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The Queen's simple $6 hack for getting a good night's sleep

<div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>There are few things more frustrating than not being able to get to sleep – and stay asleep. But there could be a very majestic, and simple, way to help you nod off.</p> <p>Queen Elizabeth II’s method of choice is very reasonably priced, not to mention very comforting, even by its very mention. She uses a hot water bottle for a good night’s sleep, placed between the sheets to make her bed nice and cosy, according to <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://homes.nine.com.au/2018/10/19/11/59/queen-elizabeth-sleeping-hack?app=applenews" target="_blank">9Honey</a></em>.</p> <p>She may not need to carry a passport, but this sleep hack is a must-have in her luggage while travelling, wrote historian Robert K. Massie in a <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/news/1992/10/queen-elizabeth-199210" target="_blank">Vanity Fair</a></em> profile on Queen Elizabeth, as are other comforts like her feather pillow, favourite china tea set, and even her own white kid toilet seat.</p> <p>And at just $6 at Kmart, it’s an affordable way to see if a hot water bottle could help you if you have trouble sleeping.</p> <p><img style="width: 480px; height: 480px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7821498/water-bottle.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0cb88f355ec54afbb928e3e10f8ce7e7" /></p> <p>But take care when using one, says the <a href="https://productsafety.tradingstandards.govt.nz/for-consumers/safety-with-specific-products/hot-water-bottles/" title="Product Safety">Product Safety</a> site, to avoid burns. Don't pour boiling water directly from a kettle as it can damage and weaken the rubber the bottle is made of. Also, be sure to cover the bottle with a towel or fitted covering, use it to heat the bed and remove it when you get in, and buy a new water bottle each year. </p> <p>The royal water bottle is such a necessity for a comfy sleep for the Queen that she’s even been known to fill it herself when a housemaid neglected to do so, according to the <em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2624790/The-Queens-missing-hot-water-bottle-knives-minder-Scouse-dockers-daughters-growing-power-sparked-mutiny-stairs.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a></em>. </p> <p>So if this sleep hack helps you have a restful night, you can thank Her Majesty for that.</p> <p>What remedies help you sleep? Let us know in the comment section below.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Caring

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Bottle of McDonald's secret ingredient sells for over $19,000

<div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Online bidders have gone into a frenzy after a bottle of rare McDonald's Szechuan sauce went for auction, with the sauce eventually selling for for over $19,000 on eBay. </p> <p>The sauce grew in popularity after it was mentioned in the third series of adult sci-fi cartoon <em>Rick and Morty</em>. It was added to the fast food chain's menu in 1988 for a limited time to promote Disney's film <em>Mulan</em>. </p> <p>McDonald's handed out a limited number of bottles of the iconic sauce and writer Robert Workman received a bottle and put it on eBay. The sale attracted a lot of attention and eventually sold for US$15,350 (AU$19,443). </p> <p>"It's being sold here to settle some bills and help out a couple of charities in the process," he said. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="499" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/41059/sauce_499x375.jpg" alt="Sauce"/></p> <p>"The auction includes a NEW, SEALED 64 oz. bottle of the special sauce (which isn't being made right now, so it's VERY rare), along with a special Rick and Morty inspired Pelican camera case, which houses the sauce."</p> <p>Part of the proceeds were to go to children's charity Extra Life and gaming charity AbleGamers. </p> <p>However, Robert has explained that he's had "no response from the buyer yet" since the auction concluded.</p> <p>“He did not want the sauce, he did not contact me in any way ... we have not heard back and there’s a possibility we may not hear back."</p> <p>“He’s sitting on a bunch of eBay fees and it’s kind of disappointing. We’re left hanging.”</p> <p>Robert explained that he thought the bottle would sell for over US$20,000 but "the sauce is still here".</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Retirement Income

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Flight attendant reveals the one thing everyone should take on a flight

<p>Whether you run naturally colder than others or not, most of us can agree that the temperature onboard any flight (particularly long-haul) can make you feel like you’re slowly turning into an ice block. And while dressing in warm clothes and making full use of the blanket provided can help take the edge off, it can be impossible to get truly comfortable.</p> <p>That’s where one flight attendant’s clever suggestion comes in.</p> <p>Speaking to <a href="https://au.be.yahoo.com/travel/a/36501146/air-hostess-shares-the-best-travel-hack-ever/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yahoo7 Be</span></strong></a>, Anastasia, an international cabin crew member with Qantas, says she never travels without one surprising item.</p> <p>“On board, one of my favourite hacks between service times is to have a small hot water bottle handy to keep warm,” she reveals. “When emptied, it doesn't take much space at all. If you get cold on a plane, then maybe think about buying one for those long flights and your flight attendant will always be happy to fill it up with some hot water.”</p> <p>It’s an especially good idea for over-60s, as the heat can work wonders for pain and stiffness, which often gets worse when you’re forced to sit in uncomfortable plane seats for hours on end!</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, have you ever taken a hot water bottle on a flight with you? Would you recommend others do the same?</p>

Travel Tips

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Shock footage shows flight attendant pouring champagne back into bottle

<p>In what could perhaps be a throwback to the adage, “waste not, want not” a flight attendant has been filmed pouring a flute of champagne back into the bottle.</p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vJ35JYyIm90" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>The footage, originally filmed by Russian passenger Yevgeny Kayumov as a way of taking in the luxury business class surrounding of an Emirates aircraft, appears to catch the flight attendant red-handed, but all is not as it seems.</p> <p>A couple of people posting on Reddit, where the post was re-shared, cleared it up.</p> <p>One said: "I'm a flight attendant. I think what is going on here is that the attendant is probably pouring the unused champagne back in the bottle before take off to then dispose of once the plane takes off. We're not allowed to pour things out while we're on the ground. I bet they're pouring it all back in the bottle so they can then pour it out at cruising instead of dumping it all in the trash can making it all soggy before takeoff."</p> <p>Another agreed: "I can corroborate this with my own anecdote. I asked a flight attendant on my last flight what they do if nobody takes the Champagne from them before takeoff, and he said they usually pour it into an empty container (I'm assuming bottle or something) and seal it for the flight."</p> <p>What’s your take on the footage?</p> <p><em>Video credit: YouTube / Hands Full</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Why beer bottles are always green or brown

<p>If beer is your go-to Friday night drink, you might’ve realised something rather peculiar. Unlike some wines, coke and other soft drinks, beer is one thing you’ll never see in a clear glass bottle – it’s always green or brown. But why is this?</p> <p>Beer has existed for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, but it wasn’t until the 1800s that it was first bottled and sold commercially. Brewers found that glass bottles were the best way to keep their drinks fresh, and initially, they opted for clear bottes. However, something strange began to happen to the beer.</p> <p>When left in the sun, the transparent beer bottles would leave the liquid smelling “skunky,” according to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/why-beer-bottles-brown-green-clear-glass-uv-rays-skunky-beer-brewing-2017-3?IR=T" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Business Insider</span></strong></a> – not the ideal scent for someone wanting a refreshing bevvy. The unpleasant smell was found to be caused by UV rays penetrating the beer and changing the flavour.</p> <p>The solution? Darker bottles. Green and brown glass are able to block out the sun’s damaging rays, protecting the beer and sparing it from that nasty skunk smell. And, even though brewers these days could simply apply a UV-repellent coating to clear bottles, they’ve opted to keep the classic brown and green.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/03/why-not-to-peel-vegetables/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Why you shouldn’t peel your vegetables</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/03/conclusive-evidence-that-spanking-is-bad-for-children/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Conclusive evidence that spanking is bad for children</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/03/grandma-ingenious-alarm-system/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Grandma has the most ingenious alarm system ever</strong></span></em></a></p>

News

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Wonderful images of baby pandas drinking milk from bottles

<p>We’ve spent our morning making cooing noises over the adorable photos of these baby pandas drinking milk from bottles. We just want to give them a big cuddle. Check out the baby photos and more of the playful bears from the Chengdu Panda Base in China.</p> <p>Chengdu has been breeding and researching pandas since 1987, with over 124 births in that time.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/09/infographic-explains-cat-behaviour/"><em>Infographic explains cat behaviour</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/09/15-pet-faces-too-cute-to-stay-mad-at/"><em>15 pet faces too cute to stay mad at</em></a></strong></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/lifestyle/family-pets/2016/08/why-you-shouldnt-kiss-your-dog/"><em>Why you shouldn't kiss your dog</em></a></strong></span></p>

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