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Man arrested for climbing Eiffel Tower before closing ceremony

<p>A British man has been arrested after climbing the Eiffel Tower just hours before the closing ceremony of the Paris Olympics was due to commence. </p> <p>Shocked onlookers were horrified when they spotted the shirtless man scaling the 330m structure with no harness, as he stood on top of the blue Olympic ring before continuing his dangerous ascent.</p> <p>Incredible footage of the dangerous stunt, which was posted to X, shows him reaching halfway up the giant landmark with just a bag of chalk to help him, as he was not supported by any ropes or harnesses. </p> <p>Other videos shows the free climber being taken away in handcuffs by French police as tourists looked on from the viewing platform.</p> <p>The Paris Prosecutor’s office confirmed to <em>The Sun</em> the man was British and has been charged with endangering others and intrusion into a historic or cultural site.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">someone was trying to climb up Eiffel Tower after the Olympics, he was detained by police shortly after 💀<a href="https://t.co/m1oRWsKYeX">pic.twitter.com/m1oRWsKYeX</a></p> <p>— ryan 🤿 (@scubaryan_) <a href="https://twitter.com/scubaryan_/status/1822685874691444924?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>A Paris police spokesman said: “At 2.45pm, an individual was seen climbing the Eiffel Tower. The police immediately intervened and arrested the individual.”</p> <p>According to spectators, the man could be heard saying “bloody warm, innit” as he was led away by police. </p> <p>Security officials quickly cordoned off the Eiffel Tower as they evacuated the site at around 3pm, as those inside were briefly locked up on the second floor, before they were allowed to leave around 30 minutes later once the man had been escorted from the area.</p> <p>Specialist climbing police were sent up the tower after it was cleared to check for any suspicious or unusual activity.</p> <p>Tourists queuing up for the landmark were left unaware of the ongoing situation and were left frustrated after they were told to leave.</p> <p>One social media user posted on X: “Just waited in line for so long to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but someone is trying to climb it so they just shut the whole thing down. Super.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: X (Twitter)</em></p>

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Tom Cruise steals the show at epic Paris 2024 Closing Ceremony

<p>As the Olympic flame was extinguished to signal the Paris 2024 Games officially closed, a surprising famous face stole the show at the epic closing ceremony. </p> <p>In true Olympics style, as the French capital wrapped up their Games, they passed the torch to the 2028 host city Los Angeles, who were having their own celebratory concert. </p> <p>To help in the handover, acting legend Tom Cruise, who is famous for doing many of his own stunts, came in with a skydiving stunt reminiscent of his <em>Mission Impossible</em> films that saw him swing from atop Stade de France before touching down on the stadium’s field.</p> <p>The 62-year-old actor greeted athletes as he walked toward the stage to the final guitar shreds of the American national anthem, as the crowd erupted in cheers. </p> <p>He received the Olympic flag from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and gymnast Simone Biles, then strapped it safely to the back of a motorcycle and rode off into the sunset, which switched into a pre-recorded video that tracked his journey to Hollywood.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thank you, Paris! Now off to LA. <a href="https://t.co/MxlAb0hZbT">pic.twitter.com/MxlAb0hZbT</a></p> <p>— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomCruise/status/1822749650463732136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 11, 2024</a></p></blockquote> <p>In the video, Cruise sped down the streets of Paris on the motorcycle, passing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, and cruised onto a waiting airplane.</p> <p>"I'm on my way," he said, as he put on skydiving gear, as he then leapt from the plane and headed to the iconic Hollywood sign, where he turned the "O"s into Olympic rings before passing the flag off to Olympic cyclist Kate Courtney.</p> <p>The Olympics wrapped up with USA winning over overall medal tally with an impressive 126 medals, followed closely by China in second place and Japan in third place. </p> <p>Australia wasn't far behind in fourth place, as Nine commentary applauded the Aussie athletes for their most successful games ever.</p> <p>"The theme of the Closing Ceremony tonight: record," Eddie Maguire said in commentary for Nine.</p> <p>"It was a record performance by our Australian athletes. Paris provided record crowds, record ratings around the world on all platforms of media."</p> <p>"Paris, merci beaucoup, au revoir. See you in four years when the City of Angels welcomes the world to the city of dreams for LA 2028."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Nine Network </em></p>

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Marvel star ties the knot in super secret ceremony

<p>Marvel movie star Chris Evans has tied the knot with his girlfriend Alba Baptista in an intimate ceremony at their home in the state of Massachusetts. </p> <p>According to <a href="https://pagesix.com/2023/09/10/chris-evans-marries-alba-baptista/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Page Six</em></a>, the Hollywood A-lister and Baptista, a Portuguese actress, got married on Saturday, with only a handful of their closest friends and family attending the nuptials. </p> <p>An insider told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/hook-ups-break-ups/chris-evans-marries-alba-baptista-in-intimate-athome-wedding/news-story/872c843aa221bc8173f0a82feb7c6477" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>news.com.au</em></a> that the nuptials were “locked down tight,” as guests signed NDAs and phones were forfeited for the "beautiful" ceremony. </p> <p>The guest list also included some of the actor’s Marvel co-stars, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner.</p> <p>The <em>Captain America</em> actor and Baptista first sparked rumours of a romance in November 2022, when a source told <em><a href="https://people.com/movies/chris-evans-dating-alba-baptista-source-exclusive/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">People</a></em> that the duo had been dating for “over a year.”</p> <p>“They are in love, and Chris has never been happier,” the insider said, already calling their relationship “serious” at the time. </p> <p>“His family and friends all adore her.”<iframe id="google_ads_iframe_/5129/ndm.nent/entertainment/celebritylife/hookupsbreakups_5" tabindex="0" title="3rd party ad content" role="region" name="google_ads_iframe_/5129/ndm.nent/entertainment/celebritylife/hookupsbreakups_5" width="4" height="4" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" aria-label="Advertisement" data-load-complete="true" data-google-container-id="6" data-integralas-id-69c76c0a-f5d2-9885-70ea-25cce3e0243a=""></iframe><iframe width="1" height="1" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p>Just hours after the news broke, the couple was spotted holding hands during a stroll in Central Park.</p> <p>While little is known about the low-key couple’s relationship, Evans has proudly been flaunting his affection for Baptista online.</p> <p>The <em>Knives Out</em> star was spotted leaving a flirty comment on Baptista’s Instagram post around the same time that news broke of their relationship.</p> <p>Then, in February, the couple went Instagram-official as Evans began posting a series of PDA-filled pics to his Instagram Story in honour of Valentine’s Day.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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"We love each other": Mayor marries reptile in stunning ceremony

<p dir="ltr">Love comes when you least expect it and for one mayor in the small town of San Pedro Huamelula, Mexico, his match caiman he never looked back.</p> <p dir="ltr">Victor Hugo Sosa, the mayor of the town has said “I do” to his “princess girl”, a caiman named Alicia Adriana, and his wedding speech is one for the books.</p> <p dir="ltr">'I accept responsibility because we love each other. That is what is important. You can't have a marriage without love... I yield to marriage with the princess girl,' he vowed.</p> <p dir="ltr">Onlookers clapped and danced in celebration as the mayor kissed and embraced his new bride who was dressed in a white gown and veil.</p> <p dir="ltr">The ceremony is part of a 230-year tradition which symbolises the joining of humans with the divine, as she is thought to be a deity representing mother earth.</p> <p dir="ltr">It also commemorates the day when two Indigenous groups came to peace- with the marriage between a Chontal king, now represented by the mayor, and a princess girl of the Huave Indigenous group, now represented by the female alligator.</p> <p dir="ltr">The age-old ritual involves the reptile being taken house to house before the wedding so that residents can take their turn dancing with it.</p> <p dir="ltr">She is later on changed into her wedding dress, which Olivia Perez was in charge of during this ceremony.</p> <p dir="ltr">"For us, the crocodile is important because she is the princess who comes to bring us water, a good harvest, rains, so that God the Almighty Father sends us food, fish, corn, the harvest," she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the wedding, the mayor dances with his bride to traditional music.</p> <p dir="ltr">Local fishermen would also take part in the ritual and toss their nets on the ground in hopes that their marriage would bring “'good fishing, so that there is prosperity, equilibrium and ways to live in peace.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty, Oaxaca Informa10 Twitter</em></p>

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Bavarian Prince’s bride faints during royal wedding ceremony

<p dir="ltr">Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, 40, has tied the knot with his Dutch-Canadian fiancée Sophie Evekink, 33, in a lavish wedding ceremony at the Theatine Church in Munich on Saturday.</p> <p dir="ltr">But according to a German royal writer, it didn't go as seamlessly as expected.</p> <p dir="ltr">"A spokesperson confirmed that Princess Sophie fainted during the wedding this morning. After a drink she was fine again and the ceremony continued,” reported the royal writer.</p> <p dir="ltr">"The bride fell backwards, the groom caught her. The maid of honours rushed over, paramedics brought her water. She felt well again straight away. Prince Leopold of Bavaria gave her a piece of glucose,” she added.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A spokesperson confirmed, that Princess Sophie fainted during the wedding this morning. After a drink she was fine again and the ceremony continued.</p> <p>— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristinsQueens/status/1659871441318301697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Despite the minor mishap, the rest of the ceremony went smoothly and the bride herself looked stunning in a long-sleeve gown with floral lace detailing, and an extravagant veil which integrated Bavarian, Canadian, and Dutch elements.</p> <p dir="ltr">She completed the look with the Bavarian sapphire tiara, a headpiece that has been in the groom's family for decades and has been worn by other women linked to the royal house.</p> <p dir="ltr">The groom donned a black tailcoat suit which he completed with a grey vest and pants.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following the religious ceremony at the Theatine Church, the newlyweds then headed to the Nymphenburg Palace where their wedding reception was hosted by Duke Franz of Bavaria.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sophie, now known as Princess Sophie, later on changed into a light blue gown.</p> <p dir="ltr">The wedding, which had several European royals in attendance, occurred almost a year after the couple announced their engagement last August.</p> <p dir="ltr">In lieu of gifts the couple had asked their guests to donate to humanitarian causes instead.</p> <p dir="ltr">Prince Ludwig, who is the great-great grandson of the last King of Bavaria will one day become the Duke of Bavaria and Head of the House of Wittelsbach.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #323338; font-family: Figtree, Roboto, Rubik, 'Noto Kufi Arabic', 'Noto Sans JP', sans-serif; background-color: #ffffff; outline: none !important;"><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

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Leo Sayer finally ties the knot in intimate ceremony

<p> Pop star Leo Sayer has married his longtime partner Donatella Piccinetti after nearly four decades of dating.</p> <p>The <em>You Make Me Feel Like Dancing</em> singer <span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">wed </span><span style="font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Piccinetti in a private ceremony in their home </span>in the NSW Southern Highlands.</p> <p>Sayer, 74, took to Instagram to share the news, posting a black-and-white photo of Piccinetti’s hand over his, showcasing their new rings.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrJe6DzAjUw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CrJe6DzAjUw/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Leo Sayer (@leosayerofficial</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The caption explained the lovebirds celebrated with a reception lunch in Berrima, close to their home, and that they "couldn't be happier with how the day went.”</p> <p>A friend of the couple, publishing executive Jackie Frank also shared a photo of the pair on their special day, both dressed in white.</p> <p>Speaking to the <em>Johnnie and Tiggy Walker Consciously Coupling</em> podcast in 2021, the two of them revealed that they first met in 1984.</p> <p>Italian-born Picinetti had recently moved to London and was working as a hostess at an Italian restaurant when the pop star came in to dine.</p> <p>"I could see this guy looking at me and not eating… so I went up to them and said, 'Is everything OK?' And he said, 'Yeah. Who are you anyway?'" she recalled. "And then people, they were sitting around the bar, they said, 'Oh, do you know who that is?' I said no. 'Oh, that's Leo Sayer.' I knew his songs, I realized after, but I didn't know who he was.”</p> <p>Sayer said he was instantly struck by his wife-to-be and returned to the restaurant daily so he could ask her out. Little did he know, she was on vacation at the time, so he left her an office full of flowers.</p> <p>"It was love at first sight for me," he said. "She's just this lovely glowing light in my life.”</p> <p>The couple admitted that they have separated throughout their long relationship, "We've not had an exactly normal relationship," Piccinetti said. The pair shared that there was always something between them that kept them coming back to each other.</p> <p>"This connection was always there,” Piccinetti told the podcast. "It was undeniable… It's quite amazing, actually. It has been an adventure.”</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty/Instagram</em></p>

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Rod Stewart’s secret ceremony

<p>Sir Rod Stewart and his wife Penny Lancaster have shared in a secret ceremony down under.</p> <p>As busy as he was entertaining the masses, the British rocker, 78, found the time to renew his vows with his model wife, 52, for a second time.</p> <p>According to <em>Women’s Day</em>, the vow renewal took place during their time in Sydney.</p> <p>The lovebirds arrived in Australia in early March 2023 to kick off Stewart’s tour where he wowed the nation with a string of performances.</p> <p>Stewart and Lancaster managed to sneak off to a special ceremony accompanied by their sons Alistair, 17, Aiden, 12 and their 18-year-old niece Raphaella.</p> <p>Rod “spaced out his tour” so that their sons could attend the vow renewal, <em>Woman’s Day</em> claimed.</p> <p>According to an insider the pair had plans to renew their vows for a while but held off until this year.</p> <p>They celebrated the special day afterwards at dinner with Aussie TV presenter Richard Wilkins.</p> <p>The insider, a friend close to the family, said, “There’s a very good reason why Rod’s insisted he space out his tour dates – it’s the perfect place and the perfect time to renew their wedding vows.</p> <p>“Now they can’t wait and are using this chance to do something special while here.</p> <p>“Penny and Rod love being in love.</p> <p>“They think there’s something fun about celebrating their vows in different locations around the world, so why not do it all again in Sydney!”</p> <p>Stewart and Lancaster first met after she offered to take photos of him during one of his tours in 1999.</p> <p>The 52-year-old had recently made the switch from modelling to photography just a few years before meeting him.</p> <p>The couple tied the knot eight years later at a beautiful ceremony in Portofino, Italy.</p> <p>They continued the love-fest during their lavish honeymoon in a yacht at the same location.</p> <p>The pair first renewed their vows on their 10th wedding anniversary in 2017.</p> <p>They share two kids together, while Stewart shares his eldest child Sarah with his ex Susannah Boffey.</p> <p>The singer also has a daughter Ruby with his ex-girlfriend Kelly Emberg and Renee and Liam were born while he was married to his ex-wife Rachel Hunter.</p> <p>His daughter Kimberely and his son Sean were born during his marriage to ex-wife Alana Stewart.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Instagram</em></p>

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Breathtaking shots from the 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year

<p>The winners of the 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year have been announced, showcasing stunning photography with a focus on conservation and sustainability. </p> <p>The competition, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions, received nearly 20,000 entries from both amateur and professional photographers in 154 different countries. </p> <p>The top prize went to Slovenian photographer Matjaz Krivic who submitted a stunning shot of one of the world’s last two remaining northern white rhinos. Najin, the 33-year-old rhino, was pictured with her keeper, Zachary Mutai. </p> <p>The picture was shot in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy and demonstrates the impact of the Cumbre Vieja volcano’s eruption on La Palma’s landscape. </p> <p>As the judges commented, Krivic told their story “beautifully and sensitively. The images are tender and intimate.”</p> <p>“I am honoured to have my work recognised and acknowledged by the judges of the Travel Photographer of the Year competition …” Krivic said of his win. “Travel and photography has been my passion and a big part of my life since I can remember and this award inspires me to continue with my journey.”</p> <p>A 14-year-old Australian, who now lives in Portugal, took home the Young Travel Photographer of the Year award. Kaia Tham’s work is shot solely on an iPhone, and the judges praised this choice by commenting, “seeing the world in a different way and exploring it with a phone rather than a camera has given this young photographer’s portfolio a fresh feel and a different perspective observing the streets of Lisbon.”</p> <p>Two other Australians received acknowledgement for their work, securing themselves special mentions from the judges - Jason Edwards with one, and Scott Portelli with three.</p> <p>2022’s People’s Choice award went to Romain Miot from France. This award is the only category in which the judges have no say on the winner - the 130 finalists are instead voted on by the general public. </p> <p>Miot’s work features a salt caravan in Mauritania’s Sahara Desert. Of the photograph, Miot said, “when I returned from the trip, I realised that this image of a camel owner ordering the dromedaries looked like a conductor with an orchestra.”</p> <p>The photos from the 2022 awards will be exhibited in May at the Royal Photographic Society as part of World Photography in Focus, ahead of the 21st Travel Photographer of the Year awards for 2023.</p> <p><em>All image credits: 2022 Travel Photographer of the Year </em></p>

International Travel

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Hilarious winners of the worldwide 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

<p>The winners of the 2022 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been announced, with some hilarious photos capturing astounding moments of the most adorable animals. </p> <p>An image of a three-month-old lion cub falling out of a tree has been named the overall winner of this year's competition, with Jennifer Hadley in the Serengeti, Tanzania, capturing the moment late one afternoon. </p> <p>"It didn't even occur to me that he would make a go of getting down by himself in the most un-cat like fashion. I mean, how often do cats fall out of trees?" Hadley said in a press release.</p> <p>"No one expected this to happen and of course we were concerned for his safety but happily as cats do, he righted himself just in time and landed on all fours and ran off with his siblings. A happy ending for a hapless kitty who didn't quite know how to get down from a tree." </p> <p>Hadley also won the People's Choice Award for her photo of a dismissive penguin seemingly snubbing his friend, which was titled <em>Talk to the Fin</em>. </p> <p><em>All image credits: Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2022</em></p>

International Travel

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Happy Howlidays! Most popular pet names of 2022 revealed

<p>The top pet names for 2022 are in, with Luna, Bella and Archie continuing to dominate lists, with a few extra names making their debuts.</p> <p>Luna was the top name for female cats and dogs, while Archie and Charlie are the winners for male dogs.</p> <p>The list was complied by Pet Insurance Australia and showed the top trending names for cats and dogs born in 2022. “It's lovely to explore these lists every year to see the current trends with pet names,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia said.</p> <p>The top name for a male dog was Milo, according to the insurer's data, while the top name for a male cat was Ollie, which ranked in seventh place for dogs.</p> <p>Female cats appeared to be named after pantry staples, with Pepper, Maple, Biscuit and Candy all making the list.</p> <p>Male cats were more likely to have names common among children, including Ollie, Archie, Charlie, Sam, Teddy and Ziggy.</p> <p>While female dogs continue to carry on with monikers that have been able to pass the tests of time – including Daisy, Bella, Ruby, Molly and Lola.</p> <p>Top male cat names:</p> <ol> <li>Ollie</li> <li>Archie</li> <li>Charlie</li> <li>Chino</li> <li>Floyd</li> <li>Loki</li> <li>Sam</li> <li>Snowy</li> <li>Teddy</li> <li>Ziggy</li> </ol> <p>Top female cat names:</p> <ol> <li>Luna</li> <li>Pepper</li> <li>Maple</li> <li>Winnie</li> <li>Angel</li> <li>Audrey</li> <li>Baby</li> <li>Biscuit</li> <li>Candy</li> <li>Charlotte</li> </ol> <p>Top male dog names:</p> <p>1. Milo</p> <p>2. Teddy</p> <p>3. Archie</p> <p>4. Charlie</p> <p>5. Buddy</p> <p>6. Murphy</p> <p>7. Ollie</p> <p>8. Alife</p> <p>9. Leo</p> <p>10. Ziggy</p> <p> </p> <p>Top female dog names:</p> <p>1. Luna</p> <p>2. Daisy</p> <p>3. Bella</p> <p>4. Ruby</p> <p>5. Coco</p> <p>6. Molly</p> <p>7. Nala</p> <p>8. Lola</p> <p>9. Winne</p> <p>10. Maggie</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Shehan Karunatilaka wins Booker prize for Sri Lankan political satire, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida

<p>Sri Lankan novelist Shehan Karunatilaka has won the 2022 Booker Prize for his second novel, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida.</p> <p>The win couldn’t come at a better time for Sri Lanka, a country once more engaged in <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/10/06/sri-lanka-economic-crisis-protests-imf/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">political and economic instability</a>, as it suffers through one of the world’s worst economic crises, with soaring inflation, food and fuel shortages, and low supplies of foreign reserves. And of course, the government was overthrown in July, after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled following mass protests.</p> <p>Karunatilaka said in his acceptance speech:</p> <blockquote> <p>My hope for Seven Moons is this; that in the not-too-distant future, 10 years, as long as it takes, Sri Lanka […] has understood that these ideas of corruption and race-baiting and cronyism have not worked and will never work.</p> </blockquote> <h2>Political black comedy</h2> <p>Karunatilaka’s novel is extraordinary – and hard to pin down. It is at once a black comedy about the afterlife, a murder mystery whodunit, and a political satire set against the violent backdrop of the late-1980s Sri Lankan civil war. It is also a story of love and redemption.</p> <p>Malinda “Maali” Kabalana, a closeted war photographer, wakes up dead in what seems to be a celestial waiting room. The setting will be familiar to many who’ve spent time in Colombo (as I have – it’s where my husband’s family is from). We open in a busy, bureaucratic office, filled with confusion, noise, a propensity against queuing – and a healthy dose of “gallows” humour. In other words, Maali is in some sort of purgatory.</p> <p>Maali soon discovers he has seven days – seven moons – to solve his own murder. This isn’t easy – he is interrupted by sardonic ghosts (often with grudges, questionable motives, and a tendency towards extreme chattiness), the violent reality of war-torn Colombo, and piecing together his memories of who he was.</p> <p>He also has seven moons to lead his official girlfriend and his secret boyfriend to a cache of photographs, taken over time, which document the horror of the war – and incriminate local and foreign governments.</p> <p>Karunatilaka’s subject matter and plot highlight, question and explore Sri Lanka’s legacy – and its continued, difficult relationship with its civil war, which spanned 1983 to 2009, though the reverberations continue. And his novel’s provocative, intimate, second-person style implicates us – the readers.</p> <p>Karunatilaka has mastered his craft as a novelist. He never once wavers from a second-person perspective that might be unwieldy (perhaps even gimmicky) in a lesser writer’s hands. The novel tells us, “Don’t try and look for the good guys, ‘cause there ain’t none”.</p> <p>It realises a combined responsibility for the tragedy of that 25-year civil war, in which the country’s colonial history is also implicated. British colonialists brought Tamil workers from South India to Sri Lanka, to work as indentured labourers on their coffee, tea and rubber plantations. Their descendants’ fight for an independent Tamil state was a strong component of the civil war.</p> <h2>Diffusing violence with humour</h2> <p>As a novelist and lover of second-person narration and a long-time follower of Karuntailaka’s accomplished work, I couldn’t be more delighted by this Booker win.</p> <p>I first came across Karunatilaka through his debut novel, <a href="https://www.penguin.com.au/books/chinaman-9780099555681" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chinaman</a>, which was handed to me by my sister-in-law several years ago on a family visit to Colombo. That book taught me about cricket, but it also taught me the sardonic brilliance of Sri Lankan humour.</p> <p>Karunatilaka once again uses humour to great effect in The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida – to diffuse confronting moments of violence, to engage his reader, and for pure enjoyment. This novel follows a murder victim through a bloody civil war – and it’s laugh-out-loud funny.</p> <p>It’s also a tighter, more focused book than Chinaman: here is an author in control of his craft and what he wants to say with it. The Booker judges, too, praised the “scope and the skill, the daring, the audacity and hilarity” of the book.</p> <p>Karunatilaka’s winning novel took time to write. Ten years have passed since Chinaman. His skilful use of craft to tell this complicated story is testament to the idea that good books take the time they need: something that all authors know but publishers are not always willing to accept. However, Karunatilaka has been busy in that ten years, not just writing literary fiction, but writing for children – and having a family. The 47-year-old is now married with two kids.</p> <p>Karunatilaka is only the second Sri Lankan novelist to have won the Booker Prize. (The first was Michael Ondaatje in 1992 for The English Patient.) But last year, his countryman Anuk Arudpragasam was also <a href="https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/authors/anuk-arudpragasam" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shortlisted</a>, for <a href="https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Anuk-Arudpragasam-Passage-North-9781783786961" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Passage North</a>, another accomplished novel set in the aftermath of the civil war.</p> <p>I’m excited by what this means for Sri Lankan authors and the Sri Lankan publishing scene. Here is a country with stories to tell and enormous skill to tell them with: let’s hope this leads to more Sri Lankan novels achieving wide readership, success and deserved acclaim.</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/shehan-karunatilaka-wins-booker-prize-for-sri-lankan-political-satire-the-seven-moons-of-maali-almeida-192722" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: thebookerprizes.com</em></p>

Books

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Stunning winners of 2022 iPhone Photography awards

<p>The winners of the 2022 iPhone Photography Awards have been announced, with these talented photographers showing how the Apple smartphone can be used to the best of its ability. </p> <p>The annual awards, which is in its 15th year, received "thousands of submissions from all over the world", with many of this year’s winning photographs depicting "beauty rising out of isolation" and honouring "photography’s ability to build bridges across lost connections", according to the judges.</p> <p>Awards were given out in several categories, including abstract, animals, architecture, children, city life, environment, landscape, lifestyle, nature, other, people, portrait, series, still life, sunset and travel. </p> <p>The overall winner of the competition was Italian photographer Antonio Denti, who captured a poignant picture of a child and a solider in Iraq, described as a "moment of tenderness in the dusty rubble of war".</p> <p>Commenting on the winners, jury member Whitney Van Nes says, "With images that appreciate the sublime and the beautiful, this year’s winning photographers share a strength of spirit in the face of our unnerving world."</p> <p>"Congratulations to all the winners and your awareness in the moment that life is happening."</p> <p><em>All image credits: iPhone Photography Awards</em></p>

Technology

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“This is heaven”: New details from JLo as she describes wedding to Ben Affleck

<p dir="ltr">Jennifer Lopez has finally revealed the romantic details of her wedding to Ben Affleck after the newlyweds married in a beautiful three day ceremony which she described as “heaven”. </p> <p dir="ltr">"This is heaven. Right Here. We're in it now," JLo wrote in her third letter, OnTheJLo, since the pair said their vows in an intimate ceremony in Vegas on July 17, just three months after being engaged (for the second time).</p> <p dir="ltr">Those words were written by Affleck for the film <em>Live by Night</em>, which he also directed, and one he said again on the evening of their wedding reception.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He also said it the night of our wedding reception in his speech, and I thought...how perfect.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Affleck first proposed to Lopez, now known as Mrs Jennifer Lynn Affleck, 20 years ago. </p> <p dir="ltr">The singer had previously shared stunning images of the <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/beauty-style/finally-jlo-shares-pics-of-her-three-stunning-wedding-dresses" target="_blank" rel="noopener">three wedding dresses</a> which are each estimated to cost around the $1 million mark.</p> <p dir="ltr">Now her third newsletter since saying “I do”, JLo has revealed that “this was perfect timing” for the pair to get married. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Nothing ever felt more right to me, and I knew we were finally ‘settling down’ in a way you can only do when you understand loss and joy and you are battle tested enough to never take the important things for granted or let the silly insignificant nuisances of the day get in the way of embracing every precious moment,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We find ourselves in that long-desired time of life: having gratitude for all that life has shown us, even its trials and tribulations. That night really was heaven.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She said guests were worried because of the unsettling weather with thunder and lightning occurring every night of the week, and on top of that people caught a stomach bug. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The truth is, I never had one doubt. All week I felt the calm and easy certainty that we were in God’s hands,” JLo wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">But on August 20, the sun shone on the love birds with JLo happy that after all these years she was celebrating her marriage to a man she truly loved. </p> <p dir="ltr">“The twenty years between those dreams of youth and the adult world of love and family we embraced that day, brought more to this marriage than either of us ever could have imagine,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We weren’t only marrying one another; we were marrying these children into a new family. </p> <p dir="ltr">“They were the only people we asked to stand up for us in our wedding party. To our great honor and joy, each one did.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Twenty years ago, when they were meant to get married, they spoke about Marc Cohn’s ‘True Companion' as the perfect wedding love song.</p> <p dir="ltr">The song began to play after the last child walked down the aisle with JLo describing it as “a song we first listened to together what seemed both like yesterday and forever ago — and life came, strangely, beautifully, mysteriously, divinely full-circle.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“Later Ben told me that the chords of the song and seeing Marc Cohn both shocked him and allowed him to feel the way both roads we had walked found their way, inevitably, inexorably, and perfectly together. </p> <p dir="ltr">“And when he saw me appear at the top of the stairs that moment it both made absolute sense while seeming still impossibly hard to believe, like the best dream, where all you want is never to awaken. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I would have had many of the same thoughts probably had I not been focusing so hard on not tripping over my dress, but when I got close enough to see his face, it made the same wonderful sense to me. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Some old wounds were healed that day and the weight of the past finally lifted off our shoulders. Full-circle — and not at all the way we planned it. Better.”</p> <p dir="ltr">After the reception, the newlyweds finally shared a “yummy brunch by the lake” before she signed off wishing everyone to find the same love she has. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Years ago, we had no idea the road ahead would mean navigating so many labyrinths and hold so many surprises, blessings, and delights,” she continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It all culminated in this moment, one of the most perfect of our lives. We couldn’t have been happier. </p> <p dir="ltr">“I wish all of you the same kind of happiness...the hard-earned kind that’s all the sweeter for the journey that came before it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We love you guys ...forever... OnTheJLo.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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Qantas reports huge loss but even bigger revenue

<p dir="ltr">Qantas CEO Alan Joyce has announced a whopping $1.9 billion loss for the 2022 Financial Year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Following almost two years of next to no flights due to the Covid pandemic, Mr Joyce explained that flights are “all full” as they push to get them out of storage.</p> <p dir="ltr">He however revealed that despite air travel resuming, his company has faced a devastating loss but quite an impressive revenue.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The Group had an underlying loss before tax of almost $1.9 billion, and a statutory loss before tax of just under $1.2 billion,” Mr Joyce said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“That brings our total losses since the start of the pandemic to more than $7 billion and takes lost revenue to more than $25 billion.</p> <p dir="ltr">“To put that in perspective, on a statutory basis, COVID cost us more money in the past three years than we made in the five years before that.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The fact we’ve been able to steer through this is remarkable. And now that we are through it, things are improving even faster than we expected.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Joyce then noted the frustration felt by flyers due to delayed and cancelled flights, lost luggage, and labour shortage.</p> <p dir="ltr">He said that they are working toward improving customers’ experience as leisure flying soared to 125 per cent of pre-Covid levels and business travel to 90 per cent. </p> <p dir="ltr">“As many of you have probably experienced, strong travel demand has also brought some difficulties,” he continued. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We knew the recovery was coming and we were ready for the restart. What we weren’t ready for – after 18 months of COVID being suppressed – was such high levels of community transmission and the sick leave that followed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The rebound in travel demand also coincided with a massive labour shortage. Of course, that shortage has been more acute in aviation because of how many people left the industry during two very uncertain years.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All of this resulted in well-publicised problems: long queues, delayed flights and misplaced bags.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was incredibly tough for our people and deeply frustrating for our passengers. It simply wasn’t good enough, and for that, we have apologised.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Joyce revealed that the company has hired more than 1,500 staff since April, with more new recruits to come in the next few months.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re reducing our domestic flying – in part – to give us more buffer. We are rostering more crew across fewer flights, which means we can better cover sick leave that is averaging almost 50 per cent above normal,” he continued.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We’re also investing more in technology, including an upgrade to our airport kiosks and bag drop facilities, as well as new scanners at boarding gates.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Inflation is 2022’s boogeyman. How can we address rising living costs, while helping bring it down?

<p>An entire generation has never experienced life with high inflation. But that is set to change. Countries like Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and others are <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/inflation-stats-usa-and-world/">reporting rising inflation</a>. In New Zealand, inflation has climbed to its <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/129293267/annual-inflation-hits-73">highest rate in 32 years</a>. Our collective inexperience with the scourge of inflation, and how to solve it, could be a real problem.</p> <p>For those experiencing high inflation for the first time, it is helpful to understand just what economists and politicians are talking about.</p> <p>Inflation is a sustained increase in overall prices. Not everything goes up by the same amount but when people are having to pay more each week, month or year for the same basket of goods and services then that’s inflation.</p> <p>Inflation is harmful in many ways. It works like rust – slowly eating away at the value of your money. Inflation affects all of us. It doesn’t matter what the face value of your money is – what matters is the quantity of goods and services you can buy with it.</p> <p><strong>The real value of money</strong></p> <p>One easy way to understand inflation is to look at what you can buy for the money you have.</p> <p>Suppose at the start of the year your $100 note bought you 20 cups of coffee. However, inflation pushes coffee from $5 to $6 a cup. By the end of the year, your same $100 only buys you 16 cups of coffee. The face value of your money is the same but its real value (in terms of the number of coffees you can buy) has gone down. Your money is worth less now than a year ago.</p> <p>This rise in costs hurts wage earners who have limited opportunity to renegotiate their wages.</p> <p>Inflation also hurts those on fixed incomes such as beneficiaries and superannuitants who only receive periodic adjustments.</p> <p>Rising inflation hurts savers who find the real value of their savings going down if returns on savings don’t keep up with inflation – which they currently aren’t.</p> <p>Inflation can benefit borrowers who have the same debt at the end of the year but the value of that debt is lower in real terms. Providing there is at least some inflation adjustment to their income, borrowers have to sacrifice less to repay their debt.</p> <p>While this sounds good, it’s not. It encourages poor borrowing decisions and discourages savings.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474465/original/file-20220718-495-2r9amx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Young woman looking at a grocery receipt." /><figcaption><span class="caption">Inflation has risen to levels not seen for three decades. Consumers will feel the squeeze as their purchasing power drops.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/checking-receipt-royalty-free-image/691853536?adppopup=true">Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>The all-encompassing impact of inflation</strong></p> <p>In a progressive tax system, inflation hurts salary and wage earners who get pushed into higher tax brackets as they receive inflation adjustments to their pay.</p> <p>Inflation can also cause issues at a national level.</p> <p>If one country’s inflation rate is higher than their trading partners then its currency falls in value. In the early 1970s, the NZ dollar was worth almost US$1.50. Our higher inflation rates of the 70s and 80s saw it fall to around US$0.50 by the mid 80s.</p> <p>This drop in value limits what we can buy from overseas – things like life-saving drugs will become more expensive for us if we don’t get inflation down and others do.</p> <p><strong>The causes of inflation can come from good intentions</strong></p> <p>Inflation is too much money chasing too few goods.</p> <p>If central banks push more money into circulation, there is a real risk of inflation. A big increase in demand for goods from, for example, an increase in government spending can also trigger inflation. So can supply chain disruptions that reduce the goods available (meaning the same amount of money chasing fewer goods).</p> <p>Unfortunately, all these triggers are currently in play as countries respond to a series of global crises.</p> <p>The invasion of Ukraine and ongoing COVID-19 supply chain disruptions have reduced the goods available. Governments globally have boosted spending to support their economies. But this latter factor has been put on steroids by central banks being willing to purchase government debt.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/474468/original/file-20220718-53534-kfbvw2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="Man with mask pushing supermarket trolly." /><figcaption><span class="caption">Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused a cost-of-living crisis.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/man-wearing-mask-while-shopping-in-supermarket-royalty-free-image/1235145649?adppopup=true">Getty Images</a></span></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Unintended consequences</strong></p> <p>The RBNZ bought billions of government bonds to keep interest rates low as part of its <a href="https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/library-research-papers/research-papers/library-research-brief-large-scale-asset-purchase-lsap-programme">“large scale asset purchases” programme</a>.</p> <p>In New Zealand, the average money growth between 1995 and 2019 was about 8% per year. This accommodates a growing population, a growing economy and a little bit of inflation (a little bit is OK). In the last two years money supply has grown by around 30% per year.</p> <p>Of course it’s easy to look back with the benefit of hindsight. Those who made the decisions at the time don’t have that luxury.</p> <p>The RBNZ is now they are having to wind back their asset purchases and raise interest rates to rein in inflation.</p> <p>Some argue the RBNZ has been <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129311096/more-pain-expected-as-inflation-runs-hotter-than-a-government-can-handle">distracted and has dropped the ball on their key job</a> and we are now facing the risk the inflation genie is out of the bottle.</p> <p>Whether that criticism is justified or not, the RBNZ will now have to act decisively to reduce inflation. But getting inflation down is never painless.</p> <p>Households with mortgages will find their weekly budgets squeezed as interest rates rise. Firms will face falling demand from consumers with less to spend. Job growth will dry up – though New Zealand is in the fortunate position of starting with very low unemployment.</p> <p>Regardless, the RBNZ must do the job they got back in 1989 with the passing of the <a href="https://www.rbnz.govt.nz/-/media/29ada25bfa8b4e50922262618fb03e00.ashx?sc_lang=en">Reserve Bank of New Zealand Act</a>. New Zealand’s central bank is the only one that can control monetary conditions; it’s the only one that can get inflation under control.</p> <p>The same could be said for many of the countries facing growing inflation.</p> <p>If central banks don’t take decisive action, we could get a sharp reminder of just how bad inflation can be.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/187154/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/stephen-hickson-1288490">Stephen Hickson</a>, Economics Lecturer and Director Business Taught Masters Programme, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-canterbury-1004">University of Canterbury</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/inflation-is-2022s-boogeyman-how-can-we-address-rising-living-costs-while-helping-bring-it-down-187154">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Princess Charlotte joins her dad in rare video message

<p>Princess Charlotte has joined Prince William in a rare video message as the royal father and daughter wished England's football team good luck in the Euro 2022 women's final.</p> <p>In the video shared by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Instagram, William and Charlotte sent a message to the Lionesses, who later made history by winning their first major women's tournament by beating Germany 2-1.</p> <p>"We both want to wish the Lionesses the best of luck for tonight," William said. </p> <p>"You've done amazingly well in the competition and we're rooting for you all the way."</p> <p>Sitting on her father's lap, Charlotte chimes in with a short and sweet declaration of her own, saying, "Good luck, I hope you win. Bye!" and signing off with a wave.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cgq4TEyFBbg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cgq4TEyFBbg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@dukeandduchessofcambridge)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The women's team responded to the royal message with their gratitude for the well wishes. </p> <p>Queen Elizabeth later sent a message of congratulations to England, after the match went into extra time on Sunday.</p> <p>"My warmest congratulations, and those of my family, go to you all on winning the European Women's Football Championships. It is a significant achievement for the entire team, including your support staff," Her Majesty said in a statement.</p> <p>"The Championships and your performance in them have rightly won praise. However, your success goes far beyond the trophy you have so deservedly earned."</p> <p>"You have all set an example that will be an inspiration for girls and women today, and for future generations. It is my hope that you will be as proud of the impact you have had on your sport as you are of the result today."</p> <p>Prince William attended the final match at Wembley, and handed out the trophy to England's winning team.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram / Getty Images</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Prince Charles, Duran Duran and a giant bull: All the highlights of the Comm Games Opening Ceremony

<p>The 2022 Commonwealth Games are officially underway, after the impressive opening ceremony kicked off on Thursday evening. </p> <p>The extravagant ceremony captivated the attention of local and international fans, with TV viewers around the word tuning in to the Birmingham event. </p> <p>Prince Charles arrived at the Alexander Stadium in style, driving the same Aston Martin the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge famously left Buckingham Palace in on their wedding day.</p> <p>The Prince of Wales drove his luxury, vintage car out onto the arena before a display where several motor vehicles combined to form a perfect Union Jack on the arena surface.</p> <p>The ceremony celebrated aspects of the rich history and culture of Birmingham, with a 10 metre tall mechanical "Raging Bull" being waltzed into the stadium. </p> <p>The Bull Ring is a major shopping district in the city, which also features a sculpture of a bull, while the mascot for these Commonwealth Games is Perry the Bull.</p> <p>Female chain makers dragged the bull into the stadium, representing the chains used during the slave trade. </p> <p>The bull then broke free of those chains — symbolising the abolition of the slave trade and the 1910 wage strike that paved the way for women to break free from poverty.</p> <p>Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai addressed the audience early in the ceremony, sharing a heartfelt message about how Birmingham became her home and welcomed her family.</p> <p>Musical act Duran Duran, who began their career in Birmingham, closed the ceremony as they belted out fan favourite tracks such as <em>Save A Prayer</em>, <em>Planet Earth</em> and <em>Ordinary World</em>.</p> <p>The Commonwealth Games will run until August 8th, with 72 countries competing in 19 sports over the 11-day event. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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The world's best restaurants for 2022 have been revealed

<p>The cosmopolitan city of Copenhagen has had another incredible culinary year after a restaurant in the Danish capital was crowned best on the planet for the second year in a row.</p> <p dir="ltr">Geranium, which serves a meat-free, seasonally based Scandi menu, located in the unique location of the eighth floor of Denmark's national soccer stadium.</p> <p dir="ltr">It's open four days a week, a choice made by head chef Rasmus Kofoed and co-owner Søren Ledet in order to keep to an ethos of work-life balance.</p> <p dir="ltr">The two friends hugged joyfully as they celebrated winning their award at a lavish ceremony held in London's Old Billingsgate, a Victorian building that was once the world's largest fish market.</p> <p dir="ltr">Hollywood actor and CNN presenter Stanley Tucci hosted the ceremony, in a white tuxedo jacket on one of the UK's hottest days on record.</p> <p dir="ltr">Restaurants are only permitted to scoop the awards' top prize once, after which they're entered into a separate "Best of the Best" program.</p> <p dir="ltr">Members of that elite group include Geranium's Copenhagen neighbor Noma, as well as New York's Eleven Madison Park, The Fat Duck near London, Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, and Mirazur in Menton, France.</p> <p dir="ltr">South American restaurants fared well. In Lima, chefs Virgilio Martínez and Pía León's Central climbed two places to the second spot, while Maido, which serves Japanese-Peruvian fusion, slipped down to No. 11.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brazil's A Caso do Porco – a celebration of all things porcine has climbed 10 places to No. 7.</p> <p dir="ltr">Spain's presence on the list this year was solid with Barcelona's Disfrutar at No. 3, while Madrid's Diverxo shot up to 4th place. Larrabetzu's Asador Etxebarri – where all dishes, even dessert, are flame-grilled has slipped down to No. 6.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mexico City was represented by fifth place winner Pujol this year's Best Restaurant in North America and Quintonil, which climbed all the way from last year's No. 27 has landed in a No. 9 spot. Italy's Lido 84 and Le Calandre also moved up the rankings this year. Uliassi, in Italy's Senigallia region, was at No. 12, this year's Highest New Entry.</p> <p dir="ltr">It's not until No.20 that an Asia-based restaurant makes an appearance, with Den in Tokyo earning the highest place on this year's list.</p> <p dir="ltr">In the 20 years the awards have been running, no restaurant outside Europe or North America has ever won the World's 50 Best prize. All winners so far have come from Spain, the United States, the UK, Denmark, Italy and France.</p> <p dir="ltr">Here are the world’s best restaurants:</p> <p dir="ltr">1. <a href="http://www.geranium.dk/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Geranium</a> (Copenhagen, Denmark)</p> <p dir="ltr">2. <a href="http://centralrestaurante.com.pe/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central</a> (Lima, Peru) *Best Restaurant in South America*</p> <p dir="ltr">3. <a href="http://www.disfrutarbarcelona.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Disfrutar</a> (Barcelona, Spain)</p> <p dir="ltr">4. <a href="https://diverxo.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diverxo</a> (Madrid, Spain)</p> <p dir="ltr">5. <a href="https://www.pujol.com.mx/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pujol</a> (Mexico City, Mexico) *Best Restaurant in North America*</p> <p dir="ltr">6. <a href="http://asadoretxebarri.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asador Etxebarri</a> (Axpe, Spain)</p> <p dir="ltr">7. <a href="https://acasadoporco.com.br/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A Casa do Porco</a> (São Paulo, Brazil)</p> <p dir="ltr">8. <a href="https://www.ristorantelido84.com/en/home-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lido 84</a> (Gardone Riviera, Italy)</p> <p dir="ltr">9. <a href="http://www.quintonil.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quintonil</a> (Mexico City, Mexico)</p> <p dir="ltr">10. <a href="https://www.alajmo.it/en/sezione/le-calandre/le-calandre" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Le Calandre</a> (Rubano, Italy)</p> <p dir="ltr">11. <a href="http://www.maido.pe/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Maido</a> (Lima, Peru)</p> <p dir="ltr">12. <a href="https://www.uliassi.com/homepage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uliassi</a> (Senigallia, Italy)</p> <p dir="ltr">13. <a href="https://www.steirereck.at/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Steirereck</a> (Vienna, Austria)</p> <p dir="ltr">14. <a href="http://www.parrilladonjulio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Don Julio</a> (Buenos Aires, Argentina)</p> <p dir="ltr">15. <a href="https://www.nikoromito.com/reale/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reale</a> (Castel di Sangro, Italy)</p> <p dir="ltr">16. <a href="https://www.restauranteelkano.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Elkano</a> (Getaria, Spain)</p> <p dir="ltr">17. <a href="https://www.nobelhartundschmutzig.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nobelhart &amp; Schmutzig</a> (Berlin, Germany)</p> <p dir="ltr">18. <a href="https://alchemist.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alchemist</a> (Copenhagen, Denmark)</p> <p dir="ltr">19. <a href="https://www.piazzaduomoalba.it/it/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Piazza Duomo</a> (Alba, Italy)</p> <p dir="ltr">20. <a href="http://www.jimbochoden.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Den</a> (Tokyo, Japan) *Best Restaurant in Asia*</p> <p dir="ltr">21. <a href="http://www.mugaritz.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mugaritz</a> (San Sebastian, Spain)</p> <p dir="ltr">22. <a href="http://www.septime-charonne.fr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Septime</a> (Paris, France)</p> <p dir="ltr">23. <a href="https://www.thejaneantwerp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Jane</a> (Antwerp, Belgium)</p> <p dir="ltr">24. <a href="https://www.thechairmangroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Chairman</a> (Hong Kong)</p> <p dir="ltr">25. <a href="http://www.restaurantfrantzen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Frantzén</a> (Stockholm, Sweden)</p> <p dir="ltr">26. <a href="https://tim-raue.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Restaurant Tim Raue</a> (Berlin, Germany)</p> <p dir="ltr">27. <a href="https://www.hofvancleve.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hof van Cleve</a> (Kruishoutem, Belgium)</p> <p dir="ltr">28. <a href="https://www.le-clarence.paris/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Clarence</a> (Paris, France)</p> <p dir="ltr">29. <a href="https://www.st-hubertus.it/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">St. Hubertus</a> (San Cassiano, Italy)</p> <p dir="ltr">30. <a href="https://www.aoyama-florilege.jp/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florilege</a> (Tokyo, Japan)</p> <p dir="ltr">31. <a href="https://www.alain-passard.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Arpège</a> (Paris, France)</p> <p dir="ltr">32. <a href="https://www.maytalima.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mayta</a> (Lima, Peru)</p> <p dir="ltr">33. <a href="https://www.atomixnyc.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atomix</a> (New York City)</p> <p dir="ltr">34. <a href="https://www.hisafranko.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hiša Franko</a> (Kobarid, Slovenia)</p> <p dir="ltr">35. <a href="http://thecloveclub.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Clove Club</a> (London, UK)</p> <p dir="ltr">36. <a href="http://www.odetterestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Odette</a> (Singapore)</p> <p dir="ltr">37. <a href="https://fynrestaurant.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fyn</a> (Cape Town, South Africa)</p> <p dir="ltr">38. <a href="https://restaurantjordnaer.dk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jordnær</a> (Copenhagen, Denmark)</p> <p dir="ltr">39. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sornfinesouthern/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sorn</a> (Bangkok, Thailand)</p> <p dir="ltr">40. <a href="https://schauenstein.ch/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Schloss Schauenstein</a> (Fürstenau, Switzerland)</p> <p dir="ltr">41. <a href="http://www.la-cime.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">La Cime</a> (Osaka, Japan)</p> <p dir="ltr">42. <a href="https://en.quiquedacosta.es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quique Dacosta</a> (Dénia, Spain)</p> <p dir="ltr">43. <a href="https://www.borago.cl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boragó</a> (Santiago, Chile)</p> <p dir="ltr">44. <a href="https://www.le-bernardin.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Le Bernardin</a> (New York City)</p> <p dir="ltr">45. <a href="http://www.narisawa-yoshihiro.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Narisawa</a> (Tokyo, Japan)</p> <p dir="ltr">46. <a href="https://belcanto.pt/index.php?lang=pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belcanto</a> (Lisbon, Portugal)</p> <p dir="ltr">47. <a href="http://www.oteque.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oteque</a> (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)</p> <p dir="ltr">48. <a href="http://www.restauranteleo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Leo</a> (Bogotá, Colombia)</p> <p dir="ltr">49. <a href="https://ikoyilondon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ikoyi</a> (London, England)</p> <p dir="ltr">50. <a href="https://www.singlethreadfarms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SingleThread</a> (Healdsburg, California)</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Eatweek</em></p>

Food & Wine

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The world's best cities in 2022 revealed

<p>The top 53 cities in the world have been crowned, after Time Out asked 20,000 city dwellers around the world to share their opinion.</p> <p>The guide's <a href="https://www.timeout.com/things-to-do/best-cities-in-the-world" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">2022 World's Best Cities Index</a> revealed that Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has been voted the best city in 2022, due to its beauty, history and walkability. </p> <p>The Illinois capital city of Chicago came in second, the Colombian city of Medellin in third, Glasgow in fourth place and The Netherlands' capital of Amsterdam in fifth place. </p> <p>The ranking is now in its fifth year, as it calls on those who live in a city to "point people in the direction of the places that locals are raving about" and putting an emphasis on "the things that make cities great places to visit as well as to live".</p> <p>Edinburgh took the crown as the best city in world, with locals calling the city "ever-evolving". </p> <p>Time Out added about the city, "Self-expression is encouraged, with 88 per cent of locals saying it is easy to express who you are in the city. It's something that’s celebrated every summer with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which this year will be marking its 75th anniversary."</p> <p>Chicago's second place spot is largely due to the city's thriving art and culture scene, with 95% of people claiming there is always something new to do. </p> <p>The guide adds, "Whether you want to try world-class dining from high-end restaurants to outstanding family-run eateries, party until 4am at historic clubs, spend a day soaking up the sun along Lake Michigan, see iconic artworks or just wander among different neighbourhoods – all this is putting the city on the map for visitors."</p> <p>One New Zealand city was featured in the list, with Auckland coming in at 47th. </p> <p>Two Aussie cities also made the list, with Melbourne coming in at 15th and Sydney taking out the 46th spot. </p> <p>Check out the entire list of the top 53 cities for 2022 below. </p> <p>1. Edinburgh, Scotland</p> <p>2. Chicago, USA</p> <p>3. Medellin, Colombia</p> <p>4. Glasgow, Scotland</p> <p>5. Amsterdam, The Netherlands</p> <p>6. Prague, Czech Republic</p> <p>7. Marrakech, Morocco</p> <p>8. Berlin, Germany</p> <p>9. Montreal, Canada</p> <p>10. Copenhagen, Denmark</p> <p>11. Cape Town, South Africa</p> <p>12. Madrid, Spain</p> <p>13. Manchester, England</p> <p>14. Mumbai, India</p> <p>15. Melbourne, Australia</p> <p>16. Taipei, Taiwan</p> <p>17. London, England</p> <p>18. Porto, Portugal</p> <p>19. Lyon, France</p> <p>20. New York, USA</p> <p>21. Buenos Aires, Argentina</p> <p>22. Birmingham, England</p> <p>23. Stockholm, Sweden</p> <p>24. Tokyo, Japan</p> <p>25. San Francisco, USA</p> <p>26. Delhi, India</p> <p>27. Toronto, Canada</p> <p>28. Lisbon, Portugal</p> <p>29. Boston, USA</p> <p>30. Mexico City, Mexico</p> <p>31. Tel Aviv, Israel</p> <p>32. Paris, France</p> <p>33. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</p> <p>34. Manila, Philippines </p> <p>35. Athens, Greece</p> <p>36. Dublin, Ireland</p> <p>37. Sao Paulo, Brazil</p> <p>38. Miami, USA</p> <p>39. Barcelona, Spain</p> <p>40. Dubai, United Arab Emirates</p> <p>41. Rome, Italy</p> <p>42. Los Angeles, USA</p> <p>43. Accra, Ghana</p> <p>44. Singapore</p> <p>45. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates</p> <p>46. Sydney, Australia</p> <p>47. Auckland, New Zealand</p> <p>48. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil</p> <p>49. Johannesburg, South Africa</p> <p>50. Istanbul, Turkey</p> <p>51. Bangkok, Thailand</p> <p>52. Hong Kong</p> <p>53. Doha, Qatar</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

International Travel

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It’s 2022. Why do we still not have waterproof phones?

<p>While manufacturers have successfully increased the water-repelling nature of smartphones, they are still far from “waterproof”. A water-resistant product can usually resist water penetration to some extent, but a waterproof product is (meant to be) totally impervious to water.</p> <p>Last week, Samsung Australia was <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/media-release/samsung-australia-to-pay-14m-penalty-for-misleading-water-resistance-claims" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fined A$14 million</a> by the Australian Federal Court over false representations in ads of the water resistance of its Galaxy phones. The tech giant admitted that submerging Galaxy phones in pool or sea water could corrode the charging ports and stop the phones from working, if charged while still wet.</p> <p>Similarly, in 2020, Apple was fined <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-fined-12m-dollars-by-italy-over-iphone-water-resistance-claims/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">€10 million</a> (about A$15.3 million) in Italy for misleading claims about the water resistance of iPhones.</p> <p>It’s very common for phones to become damaged as a result of being dropped in water. In a 2018 survey in the US, <a href="https://www.statista.com/statistics/959492/us-top-common-smartphone-damage-cause/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">39%</a> of respondents said they’d dropped their phones in water. <a href="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/damaged-devices-a-fact-of-life-for-most-smartphone-users-100614.html">Other</a> <a href="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/damaged-devices-a-fact-of-life-for-most-smartphone-users-100614.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surveys</a> have had similar results.</p> <p>So why is it in 2022 – a time where technological marvels surround us – we still don’t have waterproof phones?</p> <p><strong>Waterproof vs water-resistant</strong></p> <p>There’s a <a href="https://www.iec.ch/ip-ratings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rating system</a> used to measure devices’ resistance against solids (such as dust) and liquids (namely water). It’s called the Ingress Protection (IP) rating.</p> <p>An IP rating will have two numbers. In a rating of IP68, the 6 refers to protection against solids on a scale of 0 (no protection) to 6 (high protection), and 8 refers to protection against water on a scale of 0 (no protection) to 9 (high protection).</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=600&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=754&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=754&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471066/original/file-20220627-13-hyrp6k.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=754&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Chart showing International Electrotechnical Commission's IP Ratings Guide" /></a><figcaption><em><span class="caption">The International Electrotechnical Commission is the body behind the IP ratings guide.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">International Electrotechnical Commission</span></span></em></figcaption></figure> <p>Interestingly, the benchmark for the water-resistance rating varies between manufacturers. For example, Samsung’s IP68-certified phones are <a href="https://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/what-is/water-resistant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">water-resistant</a> to a maximum depth of 1.5m in freshwater for up to 30 minutes, and the company cautions against beach or pool use. Some of <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT207043" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple’s iPhones</a> with an IP68 rating can be used at a maximum depth of 6m for up to 30 minutes.</p> <p>Yet both <a href="https://www.samsung.com/au/support/warranty/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Samsung</a> and <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT207043" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Apple</a> are unlikely to consider repairing your water-damaged phone under their warranties.</p> <p>Moreover, IP rating testing is done under <a href="https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251513569" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controlled</a> laboratory conditions. In real-life scenarios such as boating, swimming or snorkelling, factors including speed, movement, water pressure and alkalinity all vary. So, gauging a phone’s level of water resistance becomes complicated.</p> <p><strong>How are phones made water-resistant?</strong></p> <p>Making a phone water-resistant requires several components and techniques. Typically, the first <a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/how-does-waterproofing-work-apple-iphone-7-samsung-galaxy-s7-sony-xperia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">point of protection</a> is to form a physical barrier around all ingress (entry) points where dust or water could enter. These include the buttons and switches, speakers and microphone outlets, the camera, flash, screen, phone enclosure, USB port and SIM card tray.</p> <p>These points are <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=8671469" target="_blank" rel="noopener">covered and sealed</a> using glue, adhesive strips and tapes, silicone seals, rubber rings, gaskets, plastic and metal meshes and water-resistant membranes. After this, a layer of ultra-thin polymer <a href="https://www.conformalcoating.co.uk/index.php/materials/nano-coatings/%22%22" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nanocoating</a> is applied to the phone’s circuit board to help repel water.</p> <p>Nevertheless, a phone’s water resistance will still <a href="https://www.phonearena.com/news/phone-not-waterproof-water-resistant-forever_id115587" target="_blank" rel="noopener">decrease</a> with time as components age and deteriorate. Apple <a href="https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT207043" target="_blank" rel="noopener">admits</a> water- and dust-resistance are not permanent features of its phones.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/471544/original/file-20220629-19-pektlc.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=503&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Phone gets flushed in a toilet bowl" /></a><figcaption><em><span class="caption">Many people drop their phones down the toilet – be careful!</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></em></figcaption></figure> <p>Cameras are not entirely impervious to water, but some can tolerate submersion a lot better than smartphones. Often that’s because they’re relatively simpler devices.</p> <p>A smartphone has much more functionality, which means internal components are more sensitive, fragile, and must be built into a smaller casing. All of these factors make it doubly difficult to afford phones a similar level of water resistance.</p> <p>Adding water resistance to phones also <a href="https://inshorts.com/en/news/waterproof-phones-would-cost-2030-more-xiaomi-1466431118612" target="_blank" rel="noopener">increases their price</a> for consumers (by 20% to 30%, according to Xiaomi’s co-founder). This is a major consideration for manufacturers – especially since even a small crack can render any waterproofing void.</p> <p><strong>Keeping devices dry</strong></p> <p>Apart from nanocoating on the internal circuit boards, applying <a href="https://www.techradar.com/au/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/why-aren-t-all-our-smartphones-waterproof-right-now-1327692" target="_blank" rel="noopener">water-repellent coating</a> to the exterior of a phone could boost protection. <a href="https://www.p2i.com/solutions/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Some</a> <a href="https://www.hzo.com/solutions/protection-capabilities/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">companies</a> are working on this technology for manufacturers.</p> <p>Future phones <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S003039922031327X" target="_blank" rel="noopener">might also have</a> circuitry that’s fabricated directly onto (waterproof) silicone material using laser writing techniques, and further coated with water-repellant technologies.</p> <p>For now, however, there’s no such thing as a <em>waterproof</em> phone. If your phone does find itself at the bottom of a pool or toilet and isn’t turning on, make sure you take the best steps to ensure it dries out properly (and isn’t further damaged).</p> <p>You can also buy a waterproof case or dry pouch if you want to completely waterproof your phone for water activities.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/185775/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ritesh-chugh-162770" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ritesh Chugh</a>, Associate Professor - Information and Communications Technology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CQUniversity Australia</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/its-2022-why-do-we-still-not-have-waterproof-phones-185775" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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