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Discover the joys of hassle-free travel on a guided holiday

<p>Planning a holiday can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Between researching destinations, booking hotels, figuring out transportation and planning activities, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if you could skip all that hassle and just focus on enjoying your trip?</p> <p>AAT Kings’ guided holidays are the perfect solution for those who want to explore and experience without the stress. And with more than 100 years of experience in the touring industry – plus incredible savings of up to 15%* on selected 2025 trips – here’s why choosing an AAT Kings guided holiday beats going it alone every time.</p> <h2><strong>Stay in style and comfort</strong></h2> <p>One of the biggest perks of traveling with AAT Kings is the carefully chosen quality hotels. Say goodbye to hours of research and the anxiety of booking a hotel in an unknown location. With AAT Kings, you’ll stay in centrally located accommodations, ensuring you’re never far from the action. Plus, porterage and hotel tips are included, meaning you don’t have to worry about handling your bags or fumbling for change.</p> <h2><strong>Sightseeing made easy</strong></h2> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-51336" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/08/1089674-134-Tourism-Australia_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>Forget about the confusion of guidebooks and the frustration of not knowing what you’re looking at. With AAT Kings, you get knowledgeable and friendly Travel Directors who offer in-depth sightseeing with local guides to help you gain access to unique cultural experiences. Enjoy VIP entry into a host of attractions, bypassing those lengthy queues. You’ll gain a richer understanding of the sights you see, all while enjoying a seamless experience.</p> <h2><strong>Delicious meals, zero hassle</strong></h2> <p>Food is a huge part of any travel experience, and AAT Kings ensures you get the best of local cuisine without the guesswork. Enjoy breakfast daily and some lunches and dinners included in your tour. Authentic experiences, welcome receptions and farewell dinners are all part of the package. Quality local cuisine, tips included, and help with reservations and directions to where the locals eat – it’s all taken care of. No more worrying about navigating unfamiliar menus or the risk of poor quality.</p> <h2><strong>Travel in comfort and style</strong></h2> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-51335" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/08/AAT-Kings-Coach_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>Transportation logistics can be a nightmare when travelling independently. With AAT Kings, you can sit back and relax as you’re chauffeured around in luxury coaches or small vehicles by professional drivers. Daily transportation is included, along with fuel, toll charges and parking. There’s no risk of getting lost or dealing with unfamiliar road rules – just relax and enjoy the ride.</p> <h2><strong>Exclusive experiences you won’t forget</strong></h2> <p>Perhaps the most exciting part of AAT Kings’ guided holidays are the exclusive experiences on offer. From “Be My Guest” dining events on select itineraries to hidden sightseeing gems and immersive cultural experiences, you’ll enjoy unique activities that aren’t easily accessible to independent travellers. With local guides and experts, you’ll gain insights and experiences that make your trip truly special.</p> <p>So, if you’re looking for breathtaking landscapes, adventure, relaxation and unique cultural experiences all expertly curated with every detail taken care of, AAT Kings has you covered. Especially when it comes to our Top Three Favourite Aussie Tours from their amazing 2025 line-up of guided holidays!</p> <h2><strong>Top Tour No1: Outback Adventure</strong></h2> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-51360" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/08/Field-of-Light-141512-56-Credit-Tourism-NT-Ray-Reyes_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>This 15-day journey through Australia’s iconic outback offers an immersive experience into the heart of Australia’s stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. From the vibrant cityscapes of Adelaide and Alice Springs to the breathtaking landscapes of Uluru, Kata Tjuta and Kings Canyon, each day promises unforgettable moments.</p> <p>Engage with Indigenous culture, marvel at ancient rock formations and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow travellers on this amazing tour that combines comfort with adventure, ensuring an enriching and exhilarating outback experience.</p> <p>Including a specialist team of an experienced Travel Director and Driver, both accredited with Uluru and Kakadu National Parks, you’ll enjoy stays in centrally located premium hotels and benefit from included National Park entrance fees, as well as arrival and departure transfers. Culinary delights include 14 full breakfasts, eight dinners with wine, a special “Be My Guest” dinner, as well as a farewell dinner! Additionally, the tour covers two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Kakadu National Parks.</p> <p><strong>Travel Period:</strong> April 01, 2025 to March 31, 2026.</p> <p><strong>More info: </strong><a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/outback-adventure/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.aatkings.com/tours/outback-adventure/</a></p> <h2><strong>Top Tour No2: </strong><strong>Tasmanian Wonders</strong></h2> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-51337" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/08/cradle-mountain-129507-56-Credit-Pierre-Destribats_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>This 10-day adventure across the stunning island of Tasmania promises a blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich history and unique wildlife encounters. From the bustling streets of Hobart to the serene wilderness of Cradle Mountain and the pristine beaches of Freycinet National Park, every moment is designed to captivate and inspire.</p> <p>The Tasmanian Wonders Tour includes experienced guides for a seamless and informative journey; visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Tasmanian Wilderness and Port Arthur; centrally located premium hotels for comfort and convenience; plus nine full breakfasts, one lunch and six dinners with wine, allowing you to savour the wonderful local flavours and cuisine.</p> <p>Highlights of the tour include visits to iconic destinations such as Salamanca Place, Gordon River, Wineglass Bay and the charming towns of Launceston and Strahan. All National Park entrance fees as well as arrival and departure transfers are taken care of, leaving you to relax and concentrate on engaging with the rich cultural heritage, indulging in fresh local produce, and marvelling at the diverse wildlife – including the famous Tasmanian Devil!</p> <p><strong>Travel Period:</strong> April 01, 2025 to March 31, 2026.</p> <p><strong>More info: </strong><a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/tasmanian-wonders/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.aatkings.com/tours/tasmanian-wonders/</a></p> <h2><strong>Top Tour No3: Wonders of the Kimberley</strong></h2> <p><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-51338" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2024/08/Ord-River-125532-56-Credit-Tourism-Australia_1280.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p>This 11-day adventure through one of Australia’s most remote and captivating regions is a true feast for the senses, blending breathtaking natural landscapes with rich cultural heritage and unique wildlife encounters. Highlights include a visit to the historic pearling town of Broome with its stunning Cable Beach sunsets and vibrant multicultural atmosphere; Fitzroy Crossing and the geological wonders of Geikie Gorge and its ancient rock formations; the fascinating gold rush history of Halls Creek; Purnululu National Park and the striking beehive-shaped rocks of the Bungle Bungle Range; the tranquil beauty of Emma Gorge; the towering cliffs and crystal-clear pools of the El Questro Wilderness Park and so much more.</p> <p>Gain deep insights into Indigenous culture with a visit to the Mimbi Caves, guided by local Gooniyandi people. Experience the rich storytelling and traditional knowledge shared by Aboriginal guides, offering a profound connection to the land and its history. Cruise the stunning waterways of the Ord River and Lake Argyle, keeping an eye out for local wildlife. All this and more will be part of your Kimberley adventure, guided by a highly experienced Travel Director and Driver. Again, as is the AAT Kings way, you’ll stay in centrally located premium hotels and unique lodges while enjoying ten full breakfasts, two lunches and eight dinners with wine, including a special farewell dinner to celebrate your adventure. All National Park entrance fees, arrival and departure transfers, and unforgettable excursions are included.</p> <p><strong>Travel Period:</strong> April 01, 2025 to March 31, 2026.</p> <p><strong>More info: </strong><a href="https://www.aatkings.com/tours/wonders-of-the-kimberley/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.aatkings.com/tours/wonders-of-the-kimberley/</a></p> <p>So what are you waiting for? Choosing an AAT Kings guided holiday clearly means more than just convenience – it means enjoying a richer, more immersive travel experience. It means saying goodbye to the stress and uncertainty of independent travel and hello to the joy of exploring with expert guidance and premium amenities.</p> <p>Pack your bags, leave the planning to AAT Kings, and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime!</p> <p>For more information on how you can save up to $7,900* per couple on selected Australia and New Zealand tours when you book and pay before 30 Sept, 2024*, visit <a href="https://www.aatkings.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.aatkings.com/</a></p> <p><strong><em>*Terms & Conditions</em></strong><strong><em>: Save up to 15% + 5% on selected AAT Kings tours</em></strong></p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Destinations include:</em></strong><em> South Australia, Northern Territory, Tasmania and Western Australia.</em></li> <li><strong><em>For travel:</em></strong><em> Selected dates 01Apr2025-31Mar2026</em></li> <li><strong><em>On sale:</em></strong><em> Until 30Sep2024</em></li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong><em>Terms and conditions:</em></strong><em> Maximum saving of $7,900 NZD is the total discounted amount, per couple, twin share on the Wonders of the West Coast and Kimberley tour (now from $16,662 NZD per person, twin share) and Untamed Kimberley & West Coast tour (now from $16,662 NZD per person, twin share). Save up to 15% on selected tours, on land only AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays (First Choice and Best Buys tours). Discount applicable to tour portion only. Sale valid until Jan 15, 2025, on select travel departures from Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026. Combinable with NEWSAVE5 and Global Tour Rewards (excludes all other promotions). Blackout departure dates may apply. NEWSAVE5 - Save an additional 5% on all Guided AAT Kings tours and Inspiring Journeys itineraries when you book and pay by Sep 30, 2024. Offer valid for sale between Jul 12, 2024 – Sep 30, 2024, for select travel departures from Apr 1, 2025 – Mar 31, 2026. Combinable with New Season Sale and Global Tour Rewards (excludes all other promotions). Please quote NEWSAVE5 at the time of booking. The above deals are for new bookings only. All discounts are subject to availability at the time of booking, with limited seats available. All offers may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Other standard booking conditions apply. For deposit information see booking </em><a href="https://www.aatkings.com/about-us/booking-conditions/"><em>conditions here</em></a><em>. Contact your travel agent or speak to our experts for more details. Conditions are correct as of July 8, 2024.</em></li> <li><strong><em>Highest dollar amount saving per state: </em></strong><em>TAS  $4,140. WA $7,900. NT $4,480. SA $3,000.</em></li> </ul> <p><em>All Images: AAT Kings.</em></p> <p><em>This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with AAT Kings.</em></p>

Travel Tips

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94-year-old grandma takes on huge travel challenge

<p>"Grandma Joy" Ryan was 91 when she first got her passport, and she hasn't stopped travelling since. </p> <p>Now aged 94, she is embarking on a new global challenge with her grandson Brad Ryan, 42, with the intergenerational duo planning to travel to all seven continents in the world together. </p> <p>"I don't have many years left, [so] you hop to it," Grandma Joy told <em>CNN Travel</em>. </p> <p> "If you slow down, you don't get anything done."</p> <p>The pair, who are from the US, have already travelled to three continents, visiting Banff National Park in Canada last year to "represent North America well beyond just our own country", and Africa in 2023, visiting both Amboseli National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. </p> <p>Their most recent trip was to South America, where they travelled to Ecuador, and spent time in  the Galapagos Islands, as well as Chile. </p> <p>"It was amazing to see those huge tortoises," Grandma Joy recalled. "They could raise their shells up just like a convertible or something."</p> <p>Prior to travelling the world together, the grandma-grandson duo were actually estranged for around a decade due to a family rift that occurred after Ryan's parents divorced. </p> <p>After reconnecting in 2010, Ryan was telling his grandma about his previous hiking adventures on the Appalachian Trail and Mount Kilimanjaro, when he learnt that his grandmother "had never set eyes on a mountain."</p> <p>"That was one of her lifelong regrets," he said. </p> <p>"Her travel had been limited to just a few road trips to Florida with my grandfather when he was alive.</p> <p>"Her view of the world was always what she saw on the Travel Channel or just on the news."</p> <p>That conversation stuck with him and the pair embarked on their first journey together in 2015, when Ryan decided to take a weekend road trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. </p> <p>"At 85, she saw her first mountain, climbed her first mountain and went camping for the first time and fell off the air mattress a couple of times and didn't complain," he said. </p> <p>He added, that having to move more slowly as he was travelling with his grandma, meant that he was able to appreciate everything in a more meaningful way. </p> <p>"I wasn't rushing through the places that I was visiting. I was really taking the time to appreciate smaller details.</p> <p>"The lens through which she is seeing the world is very different to most people my age. She doesn't visit a place thinking, 'Well, I'll be back again,' so there's more presence."</p> <p>They kept the adventure going and decided to travel to the 62 other US National Parks, and while it took them almost eight years with two-month long breaks between each trip, Grandma Joy made history last year. </p> <p>She became the oldest person to visit all 63 National Parks in the US. </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/CsU_w4-rqyP/?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/CsU_w4-rqyP/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Grandma Joy’s Road Trip — Brad and Joy Ryan (@grandmajoysroadtrip)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"Being an old person sitting on the porch, this makes you feel like, 'Well maybe I did accomplish something.' So I enjoyed every bit of it," she said. </p> <p>Ryan himself is very proud of his grandmother's achievement, and after going viral with their national parks quest in 2023, he said that travelling with her has been a life-changing experience. </p> <p>"She shattered my preconceived notions about what it means to be an older person,"  he said. </p> <p>"Because she wasn't just sitting in the passenger seat looking out the window, although we did that too."</p> <p>He then described how Grandma Joy went ziplining at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia and whitewater rafting at Wrangell St. Elias National Park in Alaska at the age of 91, and how she reminded him of all the possibilities that come with getting older. </p> <p>"I think we all have this sort of innate dread about getting older," he said. </p> <p>"And we think about the limitations instead of the possibilities. She [Grandma Joy] reminds us of the possibilities that still exist."</p> <p>While the pair are currently "still recovering" from their latest trip to South America, they shared their plan to visit Australia later this year, and hope to  "hop over to Asia" after. </p> <p>Once they've ticked off Australia and Asia off their list, they plan to visit Europe and hope to end their trip in Antarctica. </p> <p>"Antarctica is the one that's like the wildcard," Ryan said. "We would love that, but getting there is challenging.</p> <p>"I'd like to end big, and I think Antarctica would be the cherry on top of this adventure."</p> <p>The duo document all their adventures on their Instagram account, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/grandmajoysroadtrip/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grandmajoysroadtrip</a> and despite people wondering when they would wrap it up, Grandma Joy's "willing spirit" keeps her going. </p> <p>"I just take one step at a time, one day at a time, and thank the Lord every morning for giving me one more day," she said. </p> <p>"I try to be an optimist. The glass is half full, not half empty. And the people that you meet along the way lift your spirits.</p> <p>"You see people in worse shape than you, and I just think 'I've got a lot to be thankful for.'</p> <p>"Not everybody's lucky enough to have a grandson that's willing to drag them around."</p> <p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p> <p> </p>

International Travel

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Maintaining friendships after a dementia diagnosis can spur feelings of joy and self-worth

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/colleen-whyte-1281976">Colleen Whyte</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/brock-university-1340">Brock University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darla-fortune-1363967">Darla Fortune</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/concordia-university-1183">Concordia University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-genoe-1363968">Rebecca Genoe</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a></em></p> <p>What would our lives be like if we could no longer depend on our most cherished friendships? The people who know us best, who have been there through our ups and downs, and share a history with us?</p> <p>For many people living with dementia, this is a reality. Over 500,000 Canadians <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/what-dementia/dementia-numbers-canada">are currently living with dementia</a>, and a diagnosis often leads to <a href="https://www.alzscot.org/news/friendship-and-dementia">a loss of friendships</a> and social opportunities.</p> <p>The reactions of friends greatly affect the experience of someone living with dementia. When friends distance themselves because they don’t know what to say or presume they no longer know how to interact with their friend, a person with dementia can experience <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275353356_Friendships_for_People_Living_with_Dementia_in_Long-Term_Care">feelings of isolation and loneliness</a>.</p> <p>When people living with dementia can depend on their friends, they continue to enjoy meaningful leisure activities, experience <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afx186">feelings of joy and self-worth</a>, and see themselves as <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/take-action/become-dementia-friendly/meaningful-engagement-people-living-dementia">valued members of their social circles</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://dementiaandfriendship.ca/">Our research</a> had us interview friends together, asking them to share tips and strategies for navigating dementia. We heard moving stories of deepened bonds of friendship, genuine acceptance and the joy of simply being together.</p> <h2>Adapting to changes</h2> <p>Our research allowed us to speak with people who shared a 70-year friendship and couldn’t imagine life without each other. We learned that for some, a neighbourhood walk together was an opportunity to say a quick hello and how a weekly trip to the pub enabled some friends to connect and re-connect in a familiar space.</p> <p>People living with dementia and their friends <a href="https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980821000301">may adapt to changes</a> brought about by the diagnosis in several ways. For example, they may prioritize their friendship by setting aside time for regular phone calls and visits. They may alter the way they think about the friendship by being accepting of the changes. They may also use practical strategies, like providing reminders for plans, and offering additional support when spending time together.</p> <p>Friends of individuals living with dementia may seek ways to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1471301220980898">continue enjoying meaningful time together</a>. Sometimes this involves identifying activities that are comfortable and familiar. It may also involve providing direction and encouragement to support the continuation of enjoyable experiences, such as visiting a favourite restaurant.</p> <p>For some, additional comfort may come from hanging out as a group because there is extra support available if needed.</p> <h2>Open and honest communication</h2> <p>Open and honest communication is key to maintaining any friendship and becomes particularly important following a diagnosis of dementia. Yet, that may be the biggest challenge.</p> <p>Below are <a href="https://dementiaandfriendship.ca/">some questions that friends might find helpful</a> to ask over a cup of coffee, on a walk or in a quiet, shared moment:</p> <ul> <li>What do you value about our friendship? Can I tell you what our friendship means to me?</li> <li>What is one thing I do that makes you laugh? Here’s something you do that makes me laugh…</li> <li>How can we make sure we maintain our friendship (i.e., talk on the phone, over the internet, go for coffee)? How often do you want to connect? How do we need to change our time together? What can stay the same?</li> <li>How can we support each other to continue enjoying the leisure activities that are meaningful to us?</li> <li>What are the best times and days to plan activities (i.e., morning, afternoon, weekday, weekend)? Are there exceptions?</li> <li>Do we need to schedule something in advance (need time to prepare, or get more rest the day before) or can we be spontaneous?</li> <li>Where do you feel safe and able to be yourself?</li> <li>When we are in public and you need me to step in for you, how will I know? What is “our” signal?</li> <li>What do I do if I notice you’re starting to make decisions that are not like you?</li> <li>Can I ask you these same questions in a few weeks?</li> </ul> <p>The need for friendship <a href="https://alzheimer.ca/en/help-support/im-living-dementia/living-well-dementia/staying-socially-connected">does not diminish with age</a> and <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/happiness-in-world/201312/the-true-meaning-friendship">friendships continue to deeply enrich our lives</a>.</p> <p>Given that a dementia diagnosis often puts individuals at an increased risk of social isolation, we must pay careful attention to understanding ways to ensure that friends remain engaged with their networks in personal and meaningful ways.</p> <p>The first step is to trust in the friendship and begin to explore how it can be sustained over time.<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/187038/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/colleen-whyte-1281976"><em>Colleen Whyte</em></a><em>, Associate Professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/brock-university-1340">Brock University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/darla-fortune-1363967">Darla Fortune</a>, Associate Professor, Applied Human Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/concordia-university-1183">Concordia University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-genoe-1363968">Rebecca Genoe</a>, Professor, Kinesiology and Health Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </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/maintaining-friendships-after-a-dementia-diagnosis-can-spur-feelings-of-joy-and-self-worth-187038">original article</a>.</em></p>

Relationships

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Finding joy at age 100: Talking to centenarians about living their best life at any age

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/heather-joyce-nelson-1440914">Heather Joyce Nelson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/beverlee-ziefflie-1445320">Beverlee Ziefflie</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/saskatchewan-polytechnic-5681">Saskatchewan Polytechnic</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paula-mayer-1445321">Paula Mayer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/saskatchewan-polytechnic-5681">Saskatchewan Polytechnic</a></em></p> <p>Aging is seen as a period of loss, and there are unhelpful <a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/10-myths-about-aging">myths about older adults</a>. Myths lead to treatable conditions being considered normal parts of aging, including cognitive decline, dementia, depression and loneliness. Some even consider exercise dangerous in older adults.</p> <p>At the same time, mainstream media promotes the message that <a href="https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2017.58015">being young is central to a person’s value</a>. These ideas lead to ageism and older adults being seen as lesser.</p> <p>After spending time with six female centenarians in assisted living facilities, our research team — which included four nursing researchers and a documentary filmmaker — learned there is plenty still worth living for.</p> <p>Centenarians are a small but growing segment of the population with <a href="https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/daily-quotidien/220928/dq220928c-eng.pdf?st=LrkfjZE_">13,844 centenarians in Canada</a>, and our findings debunk myths about the experience of aging.</p> <p>We asked the centenarians questions about what brings them joy and how they plan for the future because we wanted to learn how the very elderly plan for and find ways to live their best lives. The results of this study were <a href="https://vimeo.com/showcase/looking-forward-at-100">turned into a 32-minute documentary</a> that captures participants’ long and interesting lives and offers insight into continued meaning experienced by centenarians in their daily lives. Three of the centenarians died shortly after the interviews took place.</p> <h2>Long and interesting lives</h2> <p>The participants were born between the years 1919 and 1922. They were children during the Great Depression and young adults during the Second World War.</p> <p>One of the women helped build bullet casings and worked on the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Lancaster-airplane">Lancaster bomber</a>. Another woman helped her husband protect the blueprints of the ill-fated <a href="https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/avro-arrow">Avro Arrow aircraft</a> when he brought them home from work. Two women lost their husbands when their children were small and had to go to work to support their families. They all experienced love and adventure.</p> <p>Our team was fascinated by their stories and wanted to further explore what their lives look like today.</p> <p>Betty, 101, saw happiness as a choice. “I don’t know what’s really to complain about. I went through life staying happy,” she said.</p> <h2>Joy and challenges</h2> <p>This study used a research method called <a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/151684840/Braun-Clarke-2006-Using-Thematic-Analysis">thematic analysis</a> to find four themes: Finding Joy, Act your Age, Looking Forward and Putting Challenges into Perspective.</p> <p>The centenarians found joy each day and enjoyed the little things such as activities, visits and treats. Betty enjoyed cheating at solitaire and Jean, 100, played the piano. Clementina, 101, had fun gambling and Joyce, 100, continued to write stories and watch her grandchildren in music concerts.</p> <p>Family was central to their lives and they enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Two of the women stated that raising their children was the biggest accomplishment in their lives.</p> <p>The centenarians also found great joy in reminiscing about their interesting lives. However, one of the challenges was that there was no one left alive who had the same shared experiences.</p> <h2>Limitations</h2> <p>The centenarians were constrained by the limitations of society, their bodies and their self-perceptions. “You have to act your age,” said Clementina. She physically described this phenomenon by clasping her hands together in her lap and sitting still.</p> <p>Some participants found life to be boring at 100 compared to their lives as younger adults. They had limited opportunities to do what they would like. “We had homes,” said Joyce, 100, describing how they had known better lives, which made it hard to accept the constraints of their current existence.</p> <p>In spite of these feelings, many of the participants continued to be busy and live life fully despite limitations. Jean, despite needing a wheelchair for mobility, continues to do people’s taxes for a volunteer organization, plays piano for church services and leads choirs within her facility.</p> <p>“I am constantly rebelling against my situation physically,” she said.</p> <p>The other women in this study also continued to challenge norms of what their age and disabilities meant. Joyce writes and submits short stories for publication, and has a poem in the war archives in Ottawa.</p> <p>Assisted living facilities often prioritize resident safety, but this can come at a cost to personal freedom. Some residents only leave their facility accompanied by a facility employee or a family member. Clementina rebelled against this restriction and at the age of 97, snuck out of her assisted living facility in a cab to go to the casino, pretending that she was going to meet her son.</p> <p>All of the participants put their life challenges into perspective. They all had lost spouses, friends and some had lost their children. “I was broken,” Clementina said about losing her husband.</p> <p>Christine, 102, was asked how she managed after losing her husband when her children were still small. “I am still here,” she said.</p> <h2>The future</h2> <p>Most of the centenarians had few plans for themselves for the future and were more interested in leading their day-to-day lives. Betty jokingly described the inevitability of her death and that she was “looking for the bucket.” Most described being prepared to die except for Jean, who laughed and said she didn’t have time to die. “I have too many plans.”</p> <p>The centenarians looked to the future of their families and the larger community and entrusted the next generation to make good choices.</p> <p>Participants in this study had long and interesting lives and continued to find meaning each day. This study supports the idea that older adults continue to lead engaging lives and that we need to support older adults to live their best lives at any age.</p> <p><em>This article was also co-authored by journalist and filmmaker Kelly-Anne Riess and retired nursing instructor Susan Page.</em><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/206852/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/heather-joyce-nelson-1440914"><em>Heather Joyce Nelson</em></a><em>, Assistant Professor of Nursing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-regina-3498">University of Regina</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/beverlee-ziefflie-1445320">Beverlee Ziefflie</a>, Instructor, Nursing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/saskatchewan-polytechnic-5681">Saskatchewan Polytechnic</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/paula-mayer-1445321">Paula Mayer</a>, Associate Research Scientist, Nursing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/saskatchewan-polytechnic-5681">Saskatchewan Polytechnic</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</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/finding-joy-at-age-100-talking-to-centenarians-about-living-their-best-life-at-any-age-206852">original article</a>.</em></p>

Caring

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Why we should embrace the joy of dressing ‘outside of the lines’ like Gen Z

<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steven-wright-1416088">Steven Wright</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-wales-1586">University of South Wales</a></em> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gwyneth-moore-1416089">Gwyneth Moore</a>, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-wales-1586">University of South Wales</a></em></p> <p>Have you seen that <a href="https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/this-is-how-to-style-the-new-cargo-pant-according-to-these-danish-influencers">cargo pants are back</a>? Young people are once again swishing down hallways and they might even be wearing <a href="https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/article/crocs-lyst-hottest-product">Crocs</a> on their feet, because these are cool now too. For many this could be seen as dressing “badly” but Y2K (2000s fashion) is all the rage at the moment.</p> <p>Fashion has long been one of the most creative playgrounds to express yourself and also define your personal identity and status. Gen Z take this very seriously. However, they are no mere followers of fashion but are adventurously carving out their own trends and styles – joyfully playing with the way they dress and express themselves through their clothes.</p> <p>Gen Z are rejecting everything from outdated gender tropes <a href="https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/beauty/why-gen-z-yellow-will-never-be-millennial-pink/">to curated colour schemes</a> and <a href="https://www.vox.com/22697168/body-positivity-image-millennials-gen-z-weight">the idea of the “perfect” body</a>.</p> <p>For several hundred years, it was the fashion industry who controlled what was on trend. It was <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/42978704">in bed with</a> the media, style icons, designers and the tycoons of the industry. This relationship has enabled trends to be predicted and for aesthetic movements to be planned and consumers to be catered for. The masses watched and waited to be told what was new and “hot”.</p> <p>This relationship is now being short-circuited by a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17569370.2022.2149837">generation of digital natives</a> who live in a world where the distinction between the digital and the physical is blended.</p> <p>Gen Z will not be dictated to, they are not anxiously waiting to be told they are on trend, on social media they are making heir own trends by breaking rules, embracing creativity and finding joy in dressing bravely.</p> <h2>The democratisation of fashion</h2> <p>Each generation has changed fashion. The baby boomers brought us flower power in the 1960s and 1970s using free love in contrast to their parents’ <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/30036343?searchText=free+love+counter+culture+fashion&amp;searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dfree%2Blove%2Bcounter%2Bculture%2Bfashion&amp;ab_segments=0%2FSYC-6744_basic_search%2Ftest-1&amp;refreqid=fastly-default%3A1b4986acdbd4197e33c408f8641061a6">clearly defined social and gender roles</a>.</p> <p>Boomers’ younger siblings brought us “punk” in the 1970s and 1980s, a subculture dedicated to using the symbols of the state against itself and deliberately playing with the obscene and vulgar. This was amid a global political climate of conservatism and repression.</p> <p>Then <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/742606?searchText=baby+boomer+fashion+flower+power&amp;searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dbaby%2Bboomer%2Bfashion%2Bflower%2Bpower&amp;ab_segments=0%2FSYC-6744_basic_search%2Ftest-1&amp;refreqid=fastly-default%3Af122f7705806e1673dfa550b2fc44c16">again in the 1990s</a> we saw grunge, Gen X’s response to a futureless world post-cold war.</p> <p>Well, Gen X have had children and those kids have decided that they find joy in dressing outside of the lines (so to speak), you can be anything, you can be everything and you can be nothing.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9GUkkenYvlY?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <p>Gen Z (and even millenials) have witnessed the ever-increasing democratisation of fashion through social media sharing and the global reach of online platforms. They have seen thousands of tiny subcultures formed online where they undergo a near constant cycle of evolution, explosion and reformation.</p> <p>Take the early <a href="https://www.instyle.com/fashion/clothing/emo-style">2000s “emo” trend</a>. Once a big subculture, it was thrust to the corners of the internet where everyone thought it would languish and die.</p> <p>However, emo is experiencing a revival with people wearing all black, corsets becoming cool again and heavy eye makeup being sported by the likes of Gen Z darlings <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/mariasherm2/willow-smith-bullied-my-chemical-romance-paramore-emo">Willow Smith</a> and <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2021/12/juice-wrld-olivia-rodrigo-kid-laroi-emo-music/621069/">Olivia Rodrigo</a>.</p> <p>But Gen Z are not sticking to one style. Fashion has become a pick and mix of trends and ideas where an individual can use the ingredients to create and recreate identity as often as they desire. There is joy in dressing, not fear. There are no rules.</p> <h2>No rules</h2> <p>As new fashion consumers gleefully reinvent notions of good taste and beauty, the traditional trickle-down effect for trends has been replaced by a bubbling up from new sources defining what’s new and what’s next. From Instagrammers to icons, vloggers and TikTokkers, the <a href="https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JFMM-12-2020-0275/full/html">sources for trends are broad and varied</a>.</p> <p><iframe style="border: none;" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed/7127790531932949766" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p> <p>Young people are creating <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14614448221146174">their own place in a new world</a>. A world where crocs are high fashion and what “goes” is in the eye of the beholder. Boxers as a headdress or leggings as scarf? sure. Why not even wear a <a href="https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/jw-anderson-ss23-womens-runway-collection/">keyboard</a> as a top? <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@saracampz/video/7127790531932949766">Maximalism</a> is being taken to new extremes as clothes are layered over more clothes and no colour, object or pattern is out of bounds.</p> <p>These are the COVID kids, a generation that came of age during a global calamity where the only form of communication was digital and two-dimensional.</p> <p>The loudest and boldest and most insane outfit is the one that will get you most attention on screen. For kids used to consuming media through TikToks rather than glossy editorials, <a href="https://myjms.mohe.gov.my/index.php/ijbtm/article/view/20001">only the most dramatic, fun and playful will do</a>. Fashion has taken itself way too seriously for way too long. A cleansing fire of young, creative people is exactly what is needed right now. We should all take a page out their book and find joy in dressing in whatever we want.<!-- 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;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/199940/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: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/steven-wright-1416088">Steven Wright</a>, Head of Subject - Fashion Marketing and Photography, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-wales-1586">University of South Wales</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/gwyneth-moore-1416089">Gwyneth Moore</a>, Course coordinator - BA (Hons) Fashion Business &amp; Marketing &amp; BA (Hons) Fashion Design, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-south-wales-1586">University of South Wales</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</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/why-we-should-embrace-the-joy-of-dressing-outside-of-the-lines-like-gen-z-199940">original article</a>.</em></p>

Beauty & Style

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“How good is love”: Riptide singer ties the knot

<p dir="ltr">Australian musician Vance Joy, whose real name is James Keogh, officially tied the knot with his longtime partner, Selen Us on June 12.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair got married in a beautiful waterfront ceremony by the Marmara sea in Istanbul, Turkey.</p> <p dir="ltr">Vance and a few guests took to Instagram to share photos of the big day.</p> <p dir="ltr">In one photo fans get a glimpse into an intimate moment between the pair standing on a balcony overlooking the water. In another photo, we see the happy newlyweds share their first kiss.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bride donned a sleek backless white gown, while the groom opted for a more classic look in a black suit paired with a bowtie.</p> <p dir="ltr">The pair dated for over three years, and got engaged last November, after enduring a long-distance relationship during Covid.</p> <p dir="ltr">Friends and fans took to the comments to congratulate the couple.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Wow! Congratulations mate. Beautiful photographs.,” wrote Australian creative portrait and music photographer, Max Fairclough.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Guess I don’t have a chance anymore. Congrats!!!! 😂,” quipped a fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations!! Fire and the Flood was my wedding song. Wishing you both a lifetime of love and happiness x,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“How good is love,” commented a third.</p> <p dir="ltr">“CONGRATS!!! I’m so happy for the two of yous 🥳,” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Relationships

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"Joy and celebration": Royal baby news

<p dir="ltr">Just weeks after attending King Charles’ coronation in London, the King and Queen of Bhutan have shared some delightful news.</p> <p dir="ltr">King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema confirmed that they are expecting their third child on Wednesday.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Bhutanese royal couple took to Instagram to announce the happy news.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Their Majesties, The Druk Gyalpo and Gyaltsuen are happy to share the news that Her Majesty is expecting their third child, due in early autumn," the couple said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Their Majesties wish to thank everyone for their continued good wishes and prayers."</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/CtdZpnbBPKW/?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/CtdZpnbBPKW/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Her Majesty Queen Jetsun Pema (@queenjetsunpema)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Although an official due date has not been announced, Bhutan's autumn is from September to November.</p> <p dir="ltr">King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, 43, was officially crowned in December 2008 and goes by the official title Druk Gyalpo, which in the local Dzongkha language translates to Dragon King.</p> <p dir="ltr">Queen Jetsun Pema, 33, is the Dragon Queen of Bhutan.</p> <p dir="ltr">The couple got married in October 2011 and have two other children, their sons, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, seven, and Jigme Ugyen Wangchuck, three.</p> <p dir="ltr">Many fans have shared their well wishes to the royal couple in the comments of the post.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Congratulations 💖 and may your family be blessed,” wrote one fan.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Blessings from the UK,” commented another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A moment of joy and celebration,” wrote a third.</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Bruce Willis' birthday joy

<p>Bruce Willis has been seen for the first time since his dementia diagnosis. </p> <p>The actor has kept a low profile since he shared the news of his diagnosis with the degenerative disease earlier this year.</p> <p>But on Monday, Willis' ex-wife Demi Moore shared a wholesome video to Instagram of Bruce surrounded by his closest friends and family to celebrate his 68th birthday. </p> <p>His current wife Emma Hemming, as well as Willis’ daughters Rumer, Scout, and Tallulah were all present for the party along with a few other guests.</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/Cp_R789g_LD/?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/Cp_R789g_LD/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>In the video, the entire group, including Bruce, cheerfully sang Happy Birthday. </p> <p>Demi captioned the video, "Happy birthday, BW! So glad we could celebrate you today. Love you and love our family. Thank you to everyone for the love and warm wishes — we all feel them."</p> <p>She also shared a series of family photos, showing Bruce smiling widely as he posed with his daughters. </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/p/CqBUPvuOF9t/?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/CqBUPvuOF9t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Demi Moore (@demimoore)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>While fans were thrilled to get a rare glimpse at Willis in this capacity, there was some level of concern from his fans after he was captured occasionally stumbling ad losing his footing during the video. </p> <p>The video was flooded with happy birthday messages and well wishes, while fans shared a mixture of support and concern in the comments. </p> <p>One commenter wrote, “Always one of the coolest guys ever! Happy birthday Bruce!”</p> <p>Another fan noted, “Even the slightest thing is the BIGGEST thing! Usually, when a person is suffering from frontotemporal dementia they don’t remember the significance of blowing out the candle. And he did it without being told to. He even commented on the dog. He was definitely lucid and a participant at the moment. I am so glad to see this! Happy Birthday, Bruce!”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram</em></p>

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"If we stop communicating, Putin wins. Propaganda wins": how a Norwegian organisation is supporting Russian protest art

<p>As an international student at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow in 2012, I remember studying <em>Rekviem</em> (requiem) by Russian poet <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/anna-akhmatova">Anna Ahkmatova</a>, an elegy she penned in secret as a tribute to the countless victims of Stalin’s murderous purges. </p> <p>Akhmatova’s writing revived the atrocities, delivering their darkness into the light.</p> <p>Her words spoke of constant fear permeating lives; of distrust, anxiety and betrayal; of the secret police arriving to drag you or your family away. </p> <p>To avoid detection and retribution, Ahkmatova whispered the poem to her friends who committed it to memory. She burned the incriminating scraps of paper.</p> <p>In the first four-and-a-half months following Putin’s attack against Ukraine, over 13,000 anti-war protesters <a href="https://ovdinfo.org/articles/2022/03/07/cracked-heads-and-tasers-results-march-6th-anti-war-protests">were detained</a> in Russia.</p> <p>Some estimates are that <a href="https://meduza.io/feature/2022/05/07/skolko-lyudey-uehalo-iz-rossii-iz-za-voyny-oni-uzhe-nikogda-ne-vernutsya-mozhno-li-eto-schitat-ocherednoy-volnoy-emigratsii">hundreds of thousands</a> fled Russia in early 2022, among them thousands of artists who no longer felt safe in the climate of increasing censorship.</p> <p>Some of these artists have found themselves in Kirkenes, a small Norwegian town 15 kilometres from the Russian border.</p> <h2>Russia’s protest art</h2> <p>Russian and Soviet artists have a long history of art as protest.</p> <p>The poem <em><a href="https://poets.org/poem/stalin-epigram">Stalin’s Epigram</a></em> (1933) authored by <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/osip-mandelstam">Osip Mandelstam</a> depicted Stalin as a gleeful killer. Authorities imprisoned and tortured Mandelstam, then deported the poet to a remote village near the Ural Mountains. </p> <p>After returning from exile, he persisted writing about Stalin until he was sent to a labour camp in Siberia, where he died in 1938 at the age of 47. </p> <p>Under the comparatively liberal rule of Stalin’s successor <a href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/131346?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents">Nikita Khrushchev</a> from 1953, the Soviet Union began to enjoy previously unimagined freedoms.</p> <p>Protest art reflected these newfound liberties, becoming increasingly provocative and experimental. </p> <p>Many famous art movements surfaced during this period, including <a href="https://www.moscowart.net/art.html?id=SotsArt">Sots Art</a> — a fusion between Soviet and Pop Art — as Russian artists tested the boundaries, exposing the grim realities and unhappiness of life under Stalin’s regime. </p> <p>In 1962, the legendary composer Shostakovich set his <a href="https://theconversation.com/decoding-the-music-masterpieces-shostakovichs-babi-yar-82819">13th symphony</a> to a series of poems by his contemporary, Yevgeny Yevtushenko. One of these poems was Babi Yar, which criticised the Soviet government for concealing the <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/babi-yar-ukraine-massacre-holocaust-180979687/">massacre of 33,371 Jews</a> in a mass grave outside Kyiv.</p> <p>In contemporary Russia, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/10/world/europe/pussy-riot-russia-escape.html">Pussy Riot</a> came to the attention of the world in 2012 when members stepped behind the altar in Moscow’s golden-domed Christ the Saviour Cathedral wearing neon-coloured balaclavas to deliver a “punk rock prayer”. </p> <p>Their voices echoed off the cavernous, hand-painted ceilings, raging against Putin’s affiliation with the Orthodox church and the homophobic, anti-feminist policies that followed. </p> <p>They were sentenced to two years imprisonment.</p> <p>Today, <a href="https://artreview.com/amidst-a-crackdown-russia-anti-war-artists-and-activists-try-to-reclaim-the-streets/">pictures from Russia</a> reveal anonymous anti-war graffiti on the sides of buildings, “no war” chiselled into a frozen river, and yellow and blue chrysanthemums and tulips left at the feet of Soviet war memorials.</p> <h2>Cross-border collaborations</h2> <p><a href="https://www.pikene.no/">Pikene på Broen</a> (girls on the bridge) is an arts collective based in Kirkenes.</p> <p>They have spent the past 25 years curating art projects to promote cross-cultural collaboration and tackle political problems in the borderland region. </p> <p>Pikene på Broen is host to the the annual art festival <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barents_Sea">Barents</a> Spektakel (spectacle), an international artist residency including Russian, Norwegian and Finnish creatives, the gallery and project space Terminal B in Kirkenes town, and the debate series Transborder Café.</p> <p>The venue has become a hub for open discussions relating to current political and cultural issues, drawing contributions from artists, musicians, writers, politicians and researchers.</p> <p>Evgeny Goman, an independent theatre director from Murmansk, Russia – about 200 kilometres from Kirkenes – has been collaborating with Pikene på Broen for over 10 years.</p> <p>After moving to Norway in early 2022, Pikene på Broen worked with Goman to organise Kvartirnik (from the word kvartira, meaning apartment), an online talk group for Russian and Norwegian artists to exchange ideas. </p> <p>Following Putin’s attack on Ukraine, Kvartirnik shifted to an underground movement for dissident artists. Ironically, the name Kvartirnik derives from the clandestine concerts arranged <a href="https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad/blog/ciee-kvartirnik-understanding-through-music">in people’s apartments</a> during the Soviet Era when musicians were banned from performing in public.</p> <p><a href="http://deadrevolution.tilda.ws/?fbclid=IwAR2PcaqY7VdLtS1zYUu4JCbD6F36KZ8JKv_FEIYsNeSTE4aKokhV7YpITas">Party of the Dead</a> is one of several Russian protest art groups who participated in Kvartirnik. </p> <p>Pictures from the snow-decked Piskaryovskoye Cemetery in Saint Petersburg reveal members dressed as skeletons, holding placards reading: “are there not enough corpses?”.</p> <p>I spoke with Goman about the art coming out of Kvartirnik today.</p> <p>“In peaceful times, art is more about entertaining,” he says. </p> <p>"But in war and conflict, art is more important because it’s the language we use to express our pain. And through metaphors and symbolism, it allows us to speak about things that are censored."</p> <h2>Countering propaganda</h2> <p>Kvartirnik collaborators in Murmansk have also produced and distributed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samizdat">Samizdat</a> (self-publishing), an anonymous newsletter containing art suppressed by the state. </p> <p>“We have to be really smart now about how we do things in Russia,” Goman says. “Subtle.”</p> <p>Goman is pessimistic about Russia’s future. But he believes the key to moving forward is keeping communication open. He tells me the West’s decision to <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/03/right-way-cancel-russia/627115/">ban Russian culture</a> has backfired on their plan to pressure Putin into ending the war against Ukraine. </p> <p>Instead, he says, the divide is steadily increasing, leaving dissident artists isolated inside a country operating on fear and propaganda, furthering Putin’s agenda. </p> <p>“Putin wants us to not affect Russian minds. And that’s why we have to keep the dialogue going,” he says of the importance of cross-border collaborations like those he has undertaken in Kirkenes.</p> <p>"If we stop communicating, Putin wins. Propaganda wins."</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-we-stop-communicating-putin-wins-propaganda-wins-how-a-norwegian-organisation-is-supporting-russian-protest-art-186911" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

Art

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Olivia's final photo is a burst of pure joy

<p>News of Olivia Newton-John’s death has saddened adoring fans around the world.</p> <p>The great British-born Aussie music icon passed away at 73 years of age after an intense battle with breast cancer. After spending 25 years in remission, she confirmed her cancer had returned for the third time in September 2018.</p> <p>As her health declined in recent years, Newton-John largely steered away from the public eye and was seen only a handful of times over the past year.</p> <p>The last time fans saw her speaking on camera was when she posted a Christmas message to her Instagram followers on Christmas Day, 2021.</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/tv/CX3kzVZFJ8y/?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/tv/CX3kzVZFJ8y/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Olivia Newton-John (@therealonj)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“I want to thank you all for all of your support over the years and I wish you all the best and send you love and light.”</p> <p>Her last TV appearance came a few months before that, in October of 2021, when she made a guest appearance on Dancing With The Stars for the show’s Grease-themed night.</p> <p>As contestants paid tribute to the cult-classic staring herself and John Travolta, Newton appeared via a video message to wish them well.</p> <p>“I’m so thrilled and honoured that you’re celebrating Grease tonight! I know your couples have been working really hard and I can’t wait to see their performances!” she said.</p> <p>Her personal Instagram account was, in recent years, mostly dedicated to flashback posts from throughout her career and competitions to keep fans engaged with her work.</p> <p>However, just last April 18, 2022 she delighted fans with a rare, candid photo of herself and the last picture fans will have of her.</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/Ccd4aK-vVKv/?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/Ccd4aK-vVKv/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Olivia Newton-John (@therealonj)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Olivia has been hailed as "<a href="https://www.oversixty.co.nz/health/caring/olivia-s-final-photo-is-a-burst-of-pure-joy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Symbol of triumphs and hope</a>" or over 30 years for sharing her journey with breast cancer and will be dearly missed.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

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"Joy has filled our hearts": John Legend and Chrissy Teigan's big news

<p>John Legend and Chrissy Teigan have announced they are expecting another child after reportedly doing IVF treatments since Feburary 2022.</p> <p>This news follows the couple’s heartbreaking tragedy in October 2020 where their baby was a stillborn at 20-weeks.</p> <p>“The last few years have been a blur of emotions to say the least, but joy has filled our home and hearts again,” Teigan began her Instagram announcement on Thursday morning.</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/Cgz_10nv_Dn/?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/Cgz_10nv_Dn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by chrissy teigen (@chrissyteigen)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“1 billion shots later (in the leg lately, as u can see!) we have another on the way.</p> <p>“Every appointment I’ve said to myself, ‘ok if it’s healthy today I’ll announce’ but then I breathe a sigh of relief to hear a heartbeat and decide I’m just too nervous still.</p> <p>“I don’t think I’ll ever walk out of an appointment with more excitement than nerves but so far, everything is perfect and beautiful and I’m feeling hopeful and amazing,” she said.</p> <p>“Ok phew it’s been very hard keeping this in for so long!”</p> <p>The couple already has two children, a daughter named Luna, six, and a son Miles, four.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Meet the ute-driving pup bringing joy to the world

<p>The owners of a now-viral pup who was filmed behind the wheel of a work ute have been blown away by the fact that their innocent video has brought so much joy to people around the world.</p> <p>Lexi the Jack Russell was recorded steering the Zschech family ute around a paddock on their farm in south-western Victoria – and the global responses they have received have been overwhelming.</p> <p>"I've had messages from Finland, Canada, America, Great Britain," Cam Zschech, Lexi's owner, told A Current Affair.</p> <p>"It took off a bit more than I thought. I had all these people messaging me. I can't believe it. I still can't believe it really."</p> <p>Ian and Cam have a 1500-acre farm just outside Hamilton, Victoria, and they run grain crops and have about 2000 ewes.</p> <p>"I've been here (for) the long 21 years of my life. It's a place that I'll probably be forever," Cam said.</p> <p>"We got Lexi about 14 months ago. She was really quiet when we got her. We thought we had a good one, but she's turned out to be so much more than that."</p> <p>As it turned out, Lexi has become an internet sensation after her efforts behind the wheel.</p> <p>"I learned to drive with Dad in the passenger seat. We'd put it in low gear and we'd idle along and I would steer. I thought I'd try and teach Lexi," Cam said.</p> <p>The attention that their pooch has received has brought the father and son even closer together.</p> <p>"It's great," Ian said. "And here we are, near Hamilton. It's a beautiful part of the world."</p> <p>For those wondering just how accomplished Lexi is behind the wheel, don't overthink it. To efficiently feed all the sheep, Cam often leaves the ute in low gear and Lexi jumps on the back to distribute hay around the paddock.</p> <p>However, Lexi's latest role, where she sits up in the driver seat, is only to make people smile. She’s only ever left in the ute on their property, in a controlled environment, along a flat paddock.</p> <p>Cam and Ian said they are just out to give everyone a laugh.</p> <p><em>Image: A Current Affair </em></p>

Family & Pets

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Orchestra brings joy to people with dementia

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An orchestra in Manchester is offering free music therapy workshops to people with dementia based in an unusual location - a monastery.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Manchester Camerata have delivered a program called Music in Mind since 2012, with its nine musicians and two music therapists delivering weekly music therapy sessions to 20 local aged care homes.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7845044/music-dementia1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5dad496ff0bc4f3da69545d44a34b053" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Manchester Camerata have been providing music therapy to those with dementia for the last nine years. Image: Manchester Camerata</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After COVID-19 saw the team pivot to an online offering, they returned to in-person sessions inside the 149-year-old Gorton Monastery as the UK eased health restrictions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">During the weekly sessions, the musicians share their knowledge, techniques, and resources with those caring for people with dementia so they can continue to use music therapeutically at home.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our new music cafe offers such a fantastic and vital opportunity for all at-home carers to make new friends and learn new life-enhancing skills,” Lizzie Hoskin, Head of Camerata in the Community, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.itv.com/news/granada/2021-09-15/manchester-camerata-runs-weekly-music-sessions-for-people-with-dementia" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are very proud to be able to make this service possible, especially for those who’ve been isolating because of the pandemic and have spent so much time apart with little or no support.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">David Tollington, a french horn player in the orchestra, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-manchester-58595926" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the sessions show “the power of music” for those with dementia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">He said some people taking part don’t “remember what they have had for breakfast but they remember the entire lyrics to a song”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to music and memory, it can have a range of </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://practicalneurology.com/articles/2017-june/music-and-dementia-an-overview" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">positive effects</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> on those diagnosed with dementia.</span></p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24009169/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some studies</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> have shown that listening to music or singing in music therapy sessions can improve an individual’s general cognition, and their ability to pay attention.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Singing has also been shown to evoke remote memories, resulting in people being better able to recall short stories as well as the names of children and friends.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Manchester Camerata</span></em></p>

Mind

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Reminiscence stars Hugh Jackman

<p>With a stellar cast including the man ‘who can do no wrong’ – Hugh Jackman – it’s a pity this movie just doesn’t seem to stack up.</p> <p>The critics are united in saying it just doesn’t excite or appeal as it should. One said, perhaps the movies’ ‘greatest crime’ was how ‘effortlessly it wastes the collective appeal of it’s a-list cast.’</p> <p>This movie is a moody, snail-paced mix of neo-noir and sci-fi. Set sometime in the future along the Miami coast - now, devastated by climate change and partially sunken - with a modified version of life still persisting on its belt nocturnally since days are just too hot.</p> <p>You can see the aim for <em>Reminiscence </em>was an existential, film-noir, but sadly, the result is a vaguely pessimistic dystopia at best.</p> <p>You’ll see nods to the likes of <em>Chinatown, Blade Runner</em> and even <em>Minority Report</em>, and while this is not a bad thing, the problem is <em>Reminiscence</em> does so little that's original it’s a pity.</p> <p><strong>Stellar cast including our own Hugh Jackman</strong></p> <p>Hugh Jackman plays the lead character, Nick Bannister and he a private eye who gets to investigate the depths of his clients’ memories. He and his fellow ex-military business partner Watts, (played by Thandiwe Newton) work together and they have a good, platonic thing going in a world where the future offers no hope and past is the only avenue that comes with jolts of optimism buried within.</p> <p>While the duo give freebies to repeat customers often, they still manage to make a living with their memory machine - a cocoon bed and a wired headpiece that plays and projects any memory the client chooses from stashes of discs, as a 3D hologram.</p> <p>The resident femme fatale of <em>Reminiscence</em> arrives in the form of Mae, the sad jazz singer played by Rebecca Ferguson. She’s clad in a spectacular, crimson-red gown that could disarm any lethal human in its presence.</p> <p>Bannister and Mae soon embark on a steamy romance but that’s only the beginning. There’s far more that happens in this dystopian future world but the problem is, when the movie’s finished, you probably won’t remember it.</p> <p>While the director, Lisa Joy, has taken some risks here and has produced an interesting film, there’s not enough to pull all the interesting effects together, which is a pity.</p> <p><strong>You can watch <em>Reminiscence</em> in cinemas if they’re open and you can rent it online at <a href="mailto:https://www.primevideo.com/?ref_=dvm_pds_amz_au_dc_s_g_mkw_sXeT8JnzH-dc_pcrid_332954201944&amp;mrntrk=slid__pgrid_34931321457_pgeo_9071803_x__ptid_kwd-2850171361">Prime Video</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Photo: Courtesy of Reminiscence </em></p> <p> </p>

Movies

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The world’s first fully vaccinated cruise sets sail

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The world’s first fully vaccinated cruise ship has set sail from Florida after winning a lengthy legal battle. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) restarted their operation on August 15th with the Norwegian Gem setting sail from </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Florida with fully vaccinated passengers and crew.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The voyage is a result of a legal feat by the line’s parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, who had sued the state of Florida to let the cruise commence. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The legal action was taken against the state, as state law </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">banned businesses from requiring people to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite this law, the cruise company was insistent on having 100 percent of people on board fully vaccinated against coronavirus, as opposed to adopting voyages that allow a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">On August 8th, a judge ruled in favour of a preliminary injunction on the law, allowing the cruise line to go ahead with their vaccination policy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This win kick-started NCL voyages worldwide, as cruises departed from both Greece and Alaska following the courtroom win. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Harry Sommer, NCL's president and CEO said in a press release that the win was felt around the world as the company could resume safe operations. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"It has been an exhilarating few weeks as we relaunch our fleet, reunite with our shipboard families and welcome our guests back for their long-awaited cruise vacations," he said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">​​"Today is even more special as it is the first time we are relaunching from our hometown and from the new NCL Terminal at PortMiami. After many months, we are ready to deliver a safe and memorable experience for our guests at every step of their cruise journey."</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Shutterstock</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Marie Kondo to ‘spark joy’ once again with new series

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After garnering the world’s attention with her decluttering techniques, Marie Kondo is showing the world how her methods can change lives in a new Netflix series.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sparking Joy with Marie Kondo</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> will allow viewers to see inside Kondo’s home, meet her family, and see “how she sparks joy in her daily life” with her KonMari Method.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmQF-Xsx3D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRmQF-Xsx3D/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Marie Kondo (@mariekondo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Across three episodes, the organising expert will help a small town declutter their lives, seeing how her method affects their “businesses, relationships, and communities”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kondo originally introduced her tidying method in her book, <em>The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up</em>, in 2010, and has since become a global sensation.</span></p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkVOBjrA6i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CMkVOBjrA6i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Marie Kondo (@mariekondo)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though few details are known about the upcoming show, including the name of the chosen town, the series is expected to premiere on August 31.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Catch a sneak peek of the show here.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Images: Netflix</span></em></p>

TV

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“Completely ridiculous” fine issued to Norwegian beach handball team

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Norway’s beach handball team has been fined 1500 euros (approximately $2500 NZD) over a violation of the sport’s uniform rules during the European Championships match.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In the bronze medal match against Spain, the Norwegian women’s team wore bike shorts instead of bikini bottoms.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The European Handball Federation (EHF) said in a statement that the shorts were “not according to the Athlete Uniform Regulations defined in the IHF Beach Handball Rules of the game”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team was fined 150 euro per player.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Abid Raja, Norway’s sports minister, said it was “completely ridiculous” and that attitudes needed to change.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Norwegian Handball Federation (NHF) criticised the fine and took to Twitter to say it was proud of the women for saying enough was enough.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Norway's women's beach handball team was fined €1,500 for refusing to wear bikini bottoms at a European championship game.<br /><br />Men wear shorts but IHF rules say women "must" use bikini bottoms, despite players saying that bikini bottoms are restrictive and uncomfortable to play in. <a href="https://t.co/VwP2cxAE1H">pic.twitter.com/VwP2cxAE1H</a></p> — AJ+ (@ajplus) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajplus/status/1417545591005974529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We at NHF stand behind you and support you. Together we will continue to fight to change the rules for clothing so players can play in the clothes they are comfortable with,” it said in the post.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to Beach Handball rules, female players must wear tops and bikini bottoms while men must wear tank tops and shorts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Athletes’ uniforms and accessories contribute to helping athletes increase their performance as well as remain coherent with the sportive and attractive image of the sport,” the uniform regulations said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Female athletes must wear bikini bottoms … with a close fit and cut out on an upward angle towards the top of the leg.”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">I knew there was a double standard for uniforms worn by male and female athletes... but this picture of Norway's beach handball team says a lot. <a href="https://t.co/qdZBKU7pTK">https://t.co/qdZBKU7pTK</a> <a href="https://t.co/KoWdOvecmr">pic.twitter.com/KoWdOvecmr</a></p> — Dr. Ji Son (@cogscimom) <a href="https://twitter.com/cogscimom/status/1417582965110894594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The decision has been widely criticised on social media, with some calling the differing rules for the mens’ and womens’ uniforms a “double standard”.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Norwegian Handball Federation / Twitter</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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"Brings such joy": Fergie opens up about becoming a grandmother

<p>Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York is elated to be a grandmother.</p> <p>Taking to social media, the first time grandma wrote: "As Grandparents, The Duke and I are thrilled and blessed at the arrival of our grandson August Philip Hawke Brooksbank."</p> <p>"He is a beautiful blessing and a bringer of such love and joy to all our Family," she continued. "I am so proud of Jack and Eugenie, they are and will be wonderful parents."</p> <p>The Duchess also told<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hellomagazine.com/royalty/20210220107323/sarah-ferguson-exclusive-princess-eugenie-baby-name/" target="_blank"><em>Hello</em></a><span> </span>she's "so excited" about her new grandmother status.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">As Grandparents, The Duke and I are thrilled and blessed at the arrival of our grandson August Philip Hawke Brooksbank. He is a beautiful blessing and a bringer of such love and joy to all our Family. I am so proud of Jack and Eugenie, they are and will be wonderful parents <a href="https://t.co/vgfvBbBKS1">pic.twitter.com/vgfvBbBKS1</a></p> — Sarah Ferguson (@SarahTheDuchess) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarahTheDuchess/status/1363092420435533827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 20, 2021</a></blockquote> <p>"August Philip Hawke Brooksbank, a wonderful grandson and he brings such joy, smiles and love to all our family," she told the publication.</p> <p>Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank confirmed the name of their son 11 days after his birth, after welcoming baby August on February 9, 2021.</p> <p>The couple took to Instagram to reveal the baby's name, a day after the Duke of York's 61st birthday.</p>

Family & Pets