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Cruise ships are back and carrying COVID. No, it’s not 2020. But here’s what needs to happen next

<p>Cruise ships carrying passengers with COVID are back in the news. The Coral Princess, with an unconfirmed number of people testing positive on board, is <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7959796/virus-infected-cruise-ship-to-dock-in-wa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set to dock</a> at Fremantle, Western Australia. The Quantum of The Seas, with passengers reportedly testing positive, <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1585194230825246721" target="_blank" rel="noopener">is heading for</a> Brisbane. There have been similar situations at other ports in <a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/477429/cruise-ship-with-covid-19-cases-failed-to-follow-current-isolation-guidelines" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Zealand</a> and <a href="https://www.cruiselawnews.com/2022/10/articles/disease/covid-cruise-ships-return-down-under-with-hundreds-of-infected-guests/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Pacific</a>.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">FIRST ON 9: A COVID-riddled cruise ship is heading for Brisbane, with passengers reporting hundreds of people are confined to their rooms. <a href="https://twitter.com/Anna_Rawlings?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Anna_Rawlings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9News?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9News</a> <a href="https://t.co/ygLdE5FlqG">pic.twitter.com/ygLdE5FlqG</a></p> <p>— 9News Queensland (@9NewsQueensland) <a href="https://twitter.com/9NewsQueensland/status/1585194230825246721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>But this isn’t 2020. The cruise ship industry and health authorities have learned much from large outbreaks linked to the Ruby Princess and Diamond Princess cruise ships early in the pandemic.</p> <p>Yet, there’s even more we can do to limit the impact of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID) spreading from cruise ships to communities on land.</p> <p><strong>Why are we worried about cruise ships?</strong></p> <p>Cruise ships can have epidemics of a variety of infectious diseases, <a href="https://theconversation.com/cruise-ships-can-be-floating-petri-dishes-of-gastro-bugs-6-ways-to-stay-healthy-at-sea-this-summer-126351" target="_blank" rel="noopener">not just COVID</a>, facilitated by large numbers of people in close proximity, especially during indoor social activities.</p> <p>We know SARS-CoV-2 is spread mainly by <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-pressure-is-on-for-australia-to-accept-the-coronavirus-really-can-spread-in-the-air-we-breathe-160641" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inhaling contaminated air</a>, so indoor activities may pose a risk if ventilation is poor.</p> <p>Cruises typically last at least a week, which covers the incubation period for infections such as influenza and COVID. So all it takes is for one infected person to be on the ship to set off an epidemic.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">More than 130 passengers and crew on the first cruise ship to arrive in the country in two years have tested positive for Covid-19.<a href="https://t.co/tA73LTzQad">https://t.co/tA73LTzQad</a></p> <p>— RNZ (@radionz) <a href="https://twitter.com/radionz/status/1584959572342878208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 25, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Staff stay on ships much longer than passengers, and can continue to infect new passengers, perpetuating a cycle of outbreaks.</p> <p>But <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-020-0869-5#Fig1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">almost half</a> of infections are transmitted asymptomatically. So, without testing everyone on board (before they board and during outbreaks), infectious people can board a ship without being aware they are infected and cause an epidemic. Infected staff can also infect new passengers, and passengers can infect communities they visit on land.</p> <p><strong>What happened with cruise ships and COVID in 2020?</strong></p> <p>Early in the pandemic, large outbreaks on ships, such as the <a href="https://theconversation.com/yes-australians-on-board-the-diamond-princess-need-to-go-into-quarantine-again-its-time-to-reset-the-clock-131906" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Diamond Princess</a> made the headlines. Some 634 of 3,711 (17%) people on board <a href="https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.10.2000180" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tested positive</a> for COVID. The ship was quarantined for two weeks.</p> <p>An <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/58699?utm_source=content_alert&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_content=fulltext&amp;utm_campaign=26-August-20-elife-alert" target="_blank" rel="noopener">estimated 69%</a> of transmissions on board were transmitted asymptomatically.</p> <p>The Ruby Princess had a COVID outbreak in March 2020 with <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-12/nsw-ruby-princess-class-action-trial-covid-19-testing-sydney/101527156" target="_blank" rel="noopener">around 700 cases</a>. Yet health authorities allowed passengers to disembark in Sydney without testing, who then dispersed around the country at a time we had no vaccines.</p> <p>Our research <a href="http://www.ijtmgh.com/article_119534_550421b9e1139603f85c3fc9af97d25a.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">showed</a> this resulted in growing community clusters for weeks afterwards.</p> <p><strong>But it’s not 2020</strong></p> <p>We now have vaccines. But vaccination rates vary globally (and cruise passengers are often from many countries). Some vaccines are <a href="https://pmj.bmj.com/content/postgradmedj/98/1159/389.full.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less effective than others</a>, not everyone is up-to-date with their <a href="https://theconversation.com/millions-of-australians-still-havent-had-their-covid-boosters-what-message-could-convince-them-now-190482" target="_blank" rel="noopener">booster shots</a>, <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj-2022-071113" target="_blank" rel="noopener">vaccine immunity wanes</a> (even after having a booster), and current vaccines are generally <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-in-protection-against-omicron-between-2-doses-and-3-doses-of-vaccine-176447" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less-effective</a> against currently circulating Omicron subvariants.</p> <p>This means people can be infected and infectious despite being vaccinated.</p> <p>Many of us have also had COVID, especially in 2022. But our immunity following infection (whether or not we’re also up to date with our vaccines) wanes too. People who were infected with older variants may also have a <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq1841" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dampened immune response to Omicron</a>, which means limited protection.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Australia’s COVID vax program has lost all momentum: booster rates are going nowhere. The $11 million winter booster communication campaign had no impact. An updated Omicron vaccine is on the way, but have we lost the motivation to get a shot? <a href="https://twitter.com/GrattanInst?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GrattanInst</a> <a href="https://t.co/DjHeW59ssT">pic.twitter.com/DjHeW59ssT</a></p> <p>— #UnhealthyIndustries (@WePublicHealth) <a href="https://twitter.com/WePublicHealth/status/1575705478461419520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p>Cruise ships and health authorities have also tightened up their COVID protocols.</p> <p>The New South Wales government, for instance, publishes on its website <a href="https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/travel/cruising-rules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the COVID risk</a> of in-coming vessels. It places ships in one of three categories according to a number of factors, including the number of COVID cases on board.</p> <p>Cruise ships also have <a href="https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/coral-princess-covid-outbreak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">strict protocols</a> for controlling and managing outbreaks. This includes masks for close contacts, mandatory isolation for infected passengers for five days, and testing of anyone with symptoms.</p> <p>The problem is that transmission can continue because of asymptomatic infections. The ship may need medical evacuations or assistance for severely ill people. There is also the problem of infection being transmitted to communities on shore after people without symptoms disembark.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/PrincessCruises?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrincessCruises</a> Majestic Princess had at least 116 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cruise?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cruise</a> guests with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> when it arrived in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Tahiti?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Tahiti</a>, according to a local newspaper. <a href="https://t.co/LtvDaVKIaR">https://t.co/LtvDaVKIaR</a></p> <p>— James (Jim) Walker (@CruiseLaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/CruiseLaw/status/1585389753591279616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 26, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><strong>We can do more</strong></p> <p>People disembarking and unknowingly spreading the virus is especially a problem for small towns.</p> <p>The itinerary of the Coral Princess, which has since been modified, included the Western Australian towns of Broome and Geraldton, both of which have large Aboriginal communities, and other towns, such as Albany and Busselton.</p> <p>Small towns may not have a hospital, may have limited access to health care, and would not have capacity to deal with many severely ill patients. Capacity for medical evacuations are also limited.</p> <p>In the map below, we can see how hospitals are distributed in rural areas around Broome. Most hospitals are near Perth and the southwest coast. Broome has one hospital with about 40 beds. Large hospitals in Perth and Darwin are about 2,000 kilometres away, which would be the destinations for medical evacuations of severely ill patients.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=849&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=849&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=849&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1067&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1067&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/492085/original/file-20221027-36452-5tqk25.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=1067&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Map showing distribution of hospitals in Western Australia" /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">Most major hospitals are near Perth, which is about 2,000 kilometres from Broome.</span> <span class="attribution">Samsung Lim, author provided</span></figcaption></figure> <p>So it’s important to monitor for outbreaks in Broome after the Coral Princess docked there this week, and ensure availability of testing to enable early intervention (such as antiviral drugs) to control outbreaks.</p> <p>Cruises with outbreaks on board should ideally <a href="https://ozsage.org/working_group/regional-rural-and-remote/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avoid</a> small towns or remote locations with limited health services or vulnerable populations, as the impacts on these communities may be much greater than in a large city.</p> <p>Visiting small towns during an on-board epidemic <a href="https://ozsage.org/media_releases/ozsage-position-statement-cruise-ship-epidemic-and-risk-to-small-towns-in-western-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">would be safer</a> if everyone who disembarks is tested first, is negative, and wears a mask on shore.</p> <p><strong>What else could we do?</strong></p> <p>The cruising industry has acknowledged the reality of COVID being a continuing threat. This could be improved by recognising the role of asymptomatic transmission in testing policies.</p> <p>For instance, all passengers and crew should have a negative rapid antigen test at the start of the cruise, and during an outbreak. All close contacts and all disembarking passengers should be tested for COVID, regardless of symptoms. The cost of testing would be much less than the lost costs of large epidemics.</p> <p>During a cruise epidemic, companies also need to consider the locations being visited, how much COVID is already present there (some remote towns have very little COVID) and available health-care systems for locals.</p> <p>Rapid use of antivirals may also help to control epidemics on board as these allow passengers testing positive to <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/laninf/article/PIIS1473-3099(22)00644-2/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">clear the virus faster</a>.</p> <p>The aviation industry <a href="https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/covid-19/12-19_walkinshaw.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">does well</a> in providing safe air in-flight. The cruise industry has also started <a href="https://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles.cfm?ID=5474" target="_blank" rel="noopener">changing ventilation</a> to add fresh air instead of recirculated air indoors.</p> <p>But there is still some way to go before we can say the threat of COVID is over, on-board or on land.<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/193384/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em>Writen by C Raina MacIntyre. Republished with permission from <a href="https://theconversation.com/cruise-ships-are-back-and-carrying-covid-no-its-not-2020-but-heres-what-needs-to-happen-next-193384" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Cruising

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10 incredible things to do in Tokyo

<p>Tokyo is a city that defies definitions. An intersection at which modern living combines with old-fashioned sensibilities, Tokyo has been captivating tourists for years.</p> <p>We’re going to take a look at the top 10 things to do when visiting this famous city. It’s fair to say a visit to this famous city is not complete without trying these experiences.</p> <p>We've also included a selection of photographs depicting these experiences. To see them all, scroll through the gallery above. The pictures correspond to the list below.</p> <p>1. <strong>Tsukiji Market</strong> – If you’re an early riser, Tsukiji Market offers world famous tuna auctions that start around 5am and are truly an experience for travellers to behold.</p> <p>2. <strong>Meiji-jingū</strong> – The centrepiece of this captivating shrine is the towering, 12 metre high gate created from 1500-year-cyprus, which gives the region an authentic feel.  </p> <p>3. <strong>Shibuya Crossing</strong> – We’ve covered this <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/shibuya-pedestrian-crossing-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">pedestrian crossing before</span></strong></a>, but it’s definitely worth a second mention. Controlled chaos on an unimaginable scale.</p> <p>4. <strong>Sensō-ji</strong> – One of Japan’s most-famous temples, which is home to a golden image of Kannon (the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy) and a variety of captivating sights.</p> <p>5. <strong>Tokyo Sky Tree</strong> – Opening in May 2012 as the world’s tallest free standing tower, Tokyo Sky Tree provides glorious, panoramic views of the enchanting surrounds.</p> <p>6. <strong>Tokyo National Museum</strong> – This captivating museum has a range of exhibits including pottery, sculptures, weapons and the world’s largest collection of Japanese art.</p> <p>7. <strong>Ōedo Onsen Monogatari</strong> – An onsen (hot spring)-themed amusement park gives you the real onsen (hot spring) experience and provides utter relaxation.</p> <p>8. <strong>Kabuki-za</strong> – Providing a captivating observation of Japanese culture, this ancient theatre allows visitors to experience a range of memorable performances.</p> <p>9. <strong>Sumo wrestling</strong> – A traditional sumo wrestling tournament is a must-see experience for anyone visiting Japan and is a captivating look at this ancient culture.</p> <p>10. <strong>Zoetrope</strong> – Whisky fans need look no further than Zoetrope, which has more than 300 varieties of Japanese whisky, including some no longer commercially available.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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Cafe won’t let guests leave until they finish their work

<p dir="ltr">If you struggle a lot with procrastination then the only thing left for you to do is to book a ticket to Japan and head to this one cafe.</p> <p dir="ltr">Unless you procrastinate that too, but hear us out. </p> <p dir="ltr">Manuscript Writing Cafe in Tokyo is the one-stop destination for procrastinators looking to get their work done.</p> <p dir="ltr">There are 10 workstations and people are allowed to leave ONLY when they have finished their work.</p> <p dir="ltr">And the staff will make sure you have completed your projects as they come to check in on you at least six times an hour. </p> <p dir="ltr">They also bring with them free snacks, tea, coffee, water and high-speed wifi. </p> <p dir="ltr">Once you have completed all your tasks, you are given a paper with an orange stamp and you are free to leave. </p> <p dir="ltr">The video was shared to <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@leanneinjapan/video/7095383871398694149?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TikTok</a> and has been viewed more than 624,000 times and has received around 120,000 likes with many commenting about how they need to be at the cafe all the time. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Yup, I definitely need to work there.. ah.. maybe later,” one wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Kindness and torture at the same time,” someone commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I guess I'm bringing a sleeping bag,” another joked.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ll go later,” another joked about procrastinating their visit.</p> <p dir="ltr">“So essentially I'd be living there,” read another. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: TikTok</em></p>

International Travel

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Global emissions almost back to pre-pandemic levels after unprecedented drop in 2020, new analysis shows

<p>Global carbon dioxide emissions have bounced back after COVID-19 restrictions and are likely to reach close to pre-pandemic levels this year, <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/preprints/essd-2021-386/">our analysis</a> released today has found.</p> <p>The troubling finding comes as world leaders meet at the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow in a last-ditch bid to keep dangerous global warming at bay. The analysis was undertaken by the <a href="https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget">Global Carbon Project</a>, a consortium of scientists from around the world who produce, collect and analyse global greenhouse gas information.</p> <p>The fast recovery in CO₂ emissions, following last year’s <a href="https://theconversation.com/global-emissions-are-down-by-an-unprecedented-7-but-dont-start-celebrating-just-yet-151757">sharp drop</a>, should come as no surprise. The world’s strong economic rebound has created a surge in demand for energy, and the global energy system is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels.</p> <p>Most concerning is the long-term upward trends of CO₂ emissions from oil and gas, and this year’s growth in coal emissions, which together are far from trending towards net-zero by 2050.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429724/original/file-20211102-28770-1s1j889.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="people seated around U-shaped table" /> <span class="caption">The troubling findings come as world leaders meet at the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Evan Vucci/AP</span></span></p> <h2>The global emissions picture</h2> <p>Global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels dropped by 5.4% in 2020, compared to the previous year. But they are set to increase by about 4.9% above 2020 levels this year, reaching 36.4 billion tonnes. This brings them almost back to 2019 levels.</p> <p>We can expect another 2.9 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions this year from the net effect of everything we do to the land, including deforestation, degradation and re-vegetation.</p> <p>This brings us to a total of 39.4 billion tonnes of CO₂ to be emitted by the end of this year.</p> <p>The fast growth in emissions matches the corresponding large increase in energy demand as the global economy opens up, with the help of <a href="https://www.f4b-initiative.net/post/majority-of-17-2-trillion-covid-stimulus-packages-doing-more-harm-than-good-to-environment">US$17.2 trillion</a> in economic stimulus packages around the world.</p> <p>CO₂ emissions from all fossil fuel types (coal, oil and natural gas) grew this year, with emissions from coal and natural gas set to grow more in 2021 than they fell in 2020.</p> <p>Emissions from global coal use were declining before the pandemic hit in early 2020 but they surged back this year. Emissions from global gas use have returned to the rising trend seen before the pandemic.</p> <p>CO₂ emissions from global oil use remain well below pre-pandemic levels but are expected to increase in coming years as road transport and aviation recover from COVID-related restrictions.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429469/original/file-20211031-17-1pa5f0i.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429469/original/file-20211031-17-1pa5f0i.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">Global fossil CO₂ emissions.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Source: Global Carbon Project, https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget</span></span></p> <h2>Nations leading the emissions charge</h2> <p>Emissions from China have recovered faster than other countries. It’s among the few countries where emissions grew in 2020 (by 1.4%) followed by a projected growth of 4% this year.</p> <p>Taking these two years together, CO₂ emissions from China in 2021 are projected to be 5.5% above 2019 levels, reaching 11.1 billion tonnes. China accounted for 31% of global emissions in 2020.</p> <p>Coal emissions in China are estimated to grow by 2.4% this year. If realised, it would match what was thought to be China’s peak coal emissions in 2013.</p> <p>India’s CO₂ emissions are projected to grow even faster than China’s this year at 12.6%, after a 7.3% fall last year. Emissions this year are set to be 4.4% above 2019 levels – reaching 2.7 billion tonnes. India accounted for 7% of global emissions in 2020.</p> <p>Emissions from both the US and European Union are projected to rise 7.6% this year. It would lead to emissions that are, respectively, 3.7% and 4.2% below 2019 levels.</p> <p>US and EU, respectively, accounted for 14% and 7% of global emissions in 2020.</p> <p>Emissions in the rest of the world (including all international transport, particularly aviation) are projected to rise 2.9% this year, but remain 4.2% below 2019 levels. Together, these countries represent 59% of global emissions.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429471/original/file-20211031-75805-1jh07jf.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429471/original/file-20211031-75805-1jh07jf.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">Regional fossil CO₂ emissions 2019-2021.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Source: Global Carbon Project, https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget</span></span></p> <h2>The remaining carbon budget</h2> <p>The relatively large changes in annual emissions over the past two years have had no discernible effect in the speed at which CO₂ accumulates in the atmosphere.</p> <p>CO₂ concentrations, and associated global warming, are driven by the accumulation of greenhouse gases – particularly CO₂ – since the beginning of the industrial era. This accumulation has accelerated in recent decades.</p> <p>To stop further global warming, global CO₂ emissions must stop or reach net-zero – the latter meaning that any remaining CO₂ emissions would have to be compensated for by removing an equivalent amount from the atmosphere.</p> <p>Carbon budgets are a useful way of measuring how much CO₂ can be emitted for a given level of global warming. In our latest analysis, we updated the carbon budget outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (<a href="https://templatelab.com/climate-change-report-2021/">IPCC</a>) in August this year.</p> <p>From the beginning of 2022, the world can emit an additional 420 billion tonnes of CO₂ to limit global warming to 1.5℃, or 11 years of emissions at this year’s rate.</p> <p>To limit global warming to 2℃, the world can emit an additional 1,270 billion tonnes of CO₂ – or 32 years of emissions at the current rate.</p> <p><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429886/original/file-20211103-19-fl69o8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429886/original/file-20211103-19-fl69o8.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="" /></a> <span class="caption">The remaining carbon budgets to limit warming to 1.5℃ and 2℃. Updated from IPCC 2021.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Source: Global Carbon Project, https://www.globalcarbonproject.org/carbonbudget</span></span></p> <p>These budgets are the compass to net-zero emissions. Consistent with the pledge by <a href="https://eciu.net/netzerotracker">many countries</a> to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, CO₂ emissions need to decline by 1.4 billion tonnes each year, on average.</p> <p>This is an amount comparable to the drop during 2020, of 1.9 billion tonnes. This fact highlights the extraordinary challenge ahead and the need to increase short- and long-term commitments to drive down global emissions.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170866/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><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/pep-canadell-16541">Pep Canadell</a>, Chief research scientist, Climate Science Centre, CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere; and Executive Director, Global Carbon Project, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/csiro-1035">CSIRO</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/corinne-le-quere-315624">Corinne Le Quéré</a>, Royal Society Research Professor of Climate Change Science, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-east-anglia-1268">University of East Anglia</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/glen-peters-114835">Glen Peters</a>, Research Director, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/center-for-international-climate-and-environment-research-oslo-707">Center for International Climate and Environment Research - Oslo</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/pierre-friedlingstein-903247">Pierre Friedlingstein</a>, Chair, Mathematical Modelling of Climate, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-exeter-1190">University of Exeter</a></em>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/robbie-andrew-422668">Robbie Andrew</a>, Senior Researcher, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/center-for-international-climate-and-environment-research-oslo-707">Center for International Climate and Environment Research - Oslo</a></em>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rob-jackson-213135">Rob Jackson</a>, Professor, Department of Earth System Science, and Chair of the Global Carbon Project, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/stanford-university-890">Stanford University</a></em></p> <p>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/global-emissions-almost-back-to-pre-pandemic-levels-after-unprecedented-drop-in-2020-new-analysis-shows-170866">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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World’s tallest athlete towering in Tokyo

<p>The world’s tallest athlete Morteza Mehrzad, who competes sitting down, is 246cm tall and he’s part of the Iranian men’s sitting volleyball team which is on track for back-to-back gold medals at the Paralympics.</p> <p>The middle-eastern nation has dominated the sport for decades — winning six of the past eight gold medals in the men’s game — but it’s the addition of Mehrzad which has made the team even more unbeatable.</p> <p>The 33-year-old is the second tallest man alive and the tallest Paralympian in history.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.12648221343875px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843639/tallest-athlete-2-um.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3b9a155aa6764bbe9dc77eaf510d451a" /></p> <p>In a sport where players with a variety of ailments sit down and try to get the ball over the net which is approximately 1.15m off the floor, it’s very easy for Mehrzad.</p> <p>Iran will meet the sport’s other powerhouse Bosnia Herzegovina in the semi-finals on Thursday night in a rematch of the gold medal game in Rio four years ago.</p> <p>On that occasion, Mehrzad made the difference and Iran won the medal.</p> <p><strong>Iran’s coach asked Mehrzad to join</strong></p> <p>Iran’s coach Hadi Rezaeigarkani saw Mehrzad on a TV program about physical disorders and got in contact with him, asking him to join the team.</p> <p>He took up the sport nine years ago and made his international debut in 2016 and immediately started winning awards. He’s only improved, continuing to dominate at the Paralympics.</p> <p>Even sitting down, when Mehrzad raises his right arm, it reaches a height of 1.93 metres. When spiking — the term used to describe a forceful attacking shot to get the ball over the net — he can get his dominant hand up to 2.3m in the air.</p> <p><strong>It’s not all good news for the Iranian sports star</strong></p> <p>While it’s easy to see why Mehrzad would be happy with his progress, it isn’t all good news for the Iranian superstar.</p> <p>He suffers from acromegaly - a medical condition which arises from the brain’s pituitary gland producing too much growth hormone after the body’s growth plates have closed. By the age of 16 he was already over 1.9m tall.</p> <p>Mehrzad rarely stands up though because he seriously injured his pelvis in a bike accident as a teenager, meaning he now spends significant amounts of time either on crutches or in a wheelchair.</p> <p>His right leg has stopped growing and it’s about 15cm shorter than his left. The sad reality is that while he’s helping his teammates to win and bringing recognition to his country in Tokyo at the moment, his condition does not bode well for his long term future.</p> <p>A spokesperson for his team said: “His health is not going well. His health is currently declining because he’s getting taller. I think he’s still growing. The first time we saw him he could walk better but now he has to walk with crutches.”</p> <p>But now is a time for Mehrzad and his team to focus on the positives. Iran has won six gold medals and two silvers across the past eight Paralympics, and with Mehrzad’s help, it looks likely they’ll be heading home from these Games with some more medals as well.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Team GB rocked by doping controversy at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Great Britain's men’s track team is in danger of having their silver medal being stripped, after one of its athletes tested positive for banned substances. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Britain's Olympic 4x100m relay silver medallist Chijindu 'CJ' Ujah has been provisionally suspended for allegedly breaching strict anti-doping rules at the games.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) reported that athlete had returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from a test carried during the Olympics in Japan. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The substances detected were Ostarine and S-23, which are both classified by the World Anti-doping Organisation, as they have similar effects to steroids. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The substances have been banned from the Olympics for some time, as they help build muscle and enhance overall sporting performance. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CJ responded to the news of the doping scandal with a cryptic Instagram post that said, “Stay focused… Because truth is madder than fiction.” </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">CJ is allowed to request independent analysis of the sample to prove his innocence and keep his Olympic title. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If he is found guilty of using performance-enhancing drugs, it could be devastating for his fellow members of the relay team. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Zharnel Hughes, Richard Kilty and Nethaneel Mitchell-Blake will also be at risk of being stripped if the positive is confirmed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The news comes after three other track and field athletes were suspended during the Games for suspected doping. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Moroccan-born Bahraini 1,500m runner Sadik Mikhou, Georgian shot putter Benik Abramyan and Kenyan sprinter Mark Otieno Odhiambo were listed for using performance-enhancing drugs, and remain under investigation by the AIU. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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“I’m in shock”: Olympian stuns the world with “impossible” run

<p><span>Norway’s Karsten Warholm has had an incredible run by smashing his own “impossible” world record, taking the gold in the men's 400m hurdles.</span><br /><br /><span>Warholm clocked in at a remarkable 45.94 seconds.</span><br /><br /><span>He beat his previous world best of 46.70sec.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842812/norway-world-record-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4a6da1c59057416f9b46990d2d57993b" /></p> <p><em>Image: Supplied</em></p> <p><span>He went head to head with American Rai Benjamin, who came under the previous world record mark and won silver.</span><br /><br /><span>Brazil’s Alison Dos Santos claimed bronze in 46.72.</span><br /><br /><span>Warholm’s feat is something never-before-seen, as only four runners in history have ever clocked sub-47sec times, let alone sub-46.</span><br /><br /><span>Seven of the eight runners also recorded their personal best times.</span><br /><br /><span>The race was one that came down to the final 20m.</span><br /><br /><span>As Warholm’s world record time flashed on the big screen, he roared and ripped open his shirt.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842813/norway-world-record.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/60445dd9738a4b799bc26111795783a6" /></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em><br /><br /><span>Aussie icon and commentator Bruce McAvaney, described the win as one of the most iconic performances ever seen at the Olympics.</span><br /><br /><span>He said it competed with Usain Bolt's 9.63sec 100m run at the London Olympics.</span><br /><br /><span>"It will go down as the greatest 400m hurdles ever run and arguably the greatest race we have seen at an Olympic Games. What a contest," McAvaney said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Karsten Warholm's 45.95 in the 400-meter hurdles took .75 of a second off of the world record.<br /><br />To take that much off of the WR in an event human beings have been running for 120+ years should not be possible. It should not be possible!</p> — Jonathan Gault (@jgault13) <a href="https://twitter.com/jgault13/status/1422399636698923010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Former Aussie athletics star Tamsyn Manou said the shock of the race left her speechless.</span><br /><br /><span>"I'm in shock. Bruce, I'm in shock. I cannot believe for the men's 400m hurdles there is a 45 second run," she said.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Ppl, I don’t think you realize what you just watched. A man just ran Sub 46 in the 400M Hurdles. That’s Beamon’s jump in Mexico City, Bolt’s sub 9.6 in 100 meters. I saw Kevin Young run 46.78 in Barcelona, still can’t believe Warholm ran that fast. Geeeeezzz</p> — shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShannonSharpe/status/1422400410812252165?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>"We've taken this event to a place where I don't think anybody (expected).</span><br /><br /><span>"Everybody was talking about a world record, but I don't think anybody would have said it will be won in sub-46 seconds."</span><br /><br /><span>American sports commentator Tom Harrington said: "That 400 meters hurdles was the greatest in history".</span></p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

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World reacts with shock to Olympic athlete slapped on live TV

<p>Judo fans were left in shock when German athlete Martyna Trajdos was shaken and slapped in the face by her coach before an Olympic bout in Tokyo.</p> <p>The live broadcast showed the bizarre moment ahead of Trajdos' elimination round of 32 fight with Hungary's Szofi Ozbas on Tuesday afternoon.</p> <p>The German ultimately lost the fight, with Ozbas emerging triumphant by Waza-Ari.</p> <p>However, the footage of Trajdos and her coach inevitably caught the attention of viewers, with many voicing their concern for her well-being.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CR1VL4nqyy6/?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/reel/CR1VL4nqyy6/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Martyna Trajdos (@martyna_trajdos)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>But Trajdos defended the pre-fight ritual <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CR1VL4nqyy6/" target="_blank">on Instagram</a>: "Don't worry guys! That's the ritual which I chose before fights. My coach is just doing what I want him to do to fire me up!</p> <p>"I wish I could have made a different headline today.</p> <p>"As I already said that’s the ritual which I chose pre competition! My coach is just doing what I want him to do to fire me up!"</p> <p> </p>

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Barty's brilliantly blunt take on Tokyo heat

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the weather in Tokyo reached the mid-30s, many players have been complaining about being forced to play at the peak of the heat. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, Aussie tennis star Ash Barty had no qualms about the inclement weather and gave a blunt response when asked for her opinion on the conditions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We’re Aussies, mate. We’re alright,” she told News Corp after her and Storm Sanders’ loss in the women’s doubles against Czech pair Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meanwhile, Spain’s Paula Badosa was taken off the court in a wheelchair after collapsing from heat exhaustion during her quarter-final match against Marketa Vondrousova.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Suspect scenes like these may have played a part in the decision of Olympic organisers to take tennis out of the worst of the heat.<br /><br />Paula Badosa taken off court in a wheelchair with heat exhaustion. <a href="https://t.co/I6GZ4Uq7KY">pic.twitter.com/I6GZ4Uq7KY</a></p> — James Gray (@jamesgraysport) <a href="https://twitter.com/jamesgraysport/status/1420352664236404739?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It was a shame to finish my participation in this way,” Badosa said. “The conditions have been demanding from day one. We tried to adapt as best as possible but today the body has not responded as needed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I have suffered a heat stroke as you all have seen and I did not feel ready to continue.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Russian Daniil Medvedev also struggled with the soaring temperatures during his third round win over Fabio Fognini.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Medvedev took two medical timeouts and asked who would be responsible for his death.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I can finish the match but I can die,” he told chair umpire Carlos Ramos when asked if he could continue. “If I die, are you going to be responsible?”</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Still alive🥵 <a href="https://twitter.com/Tokyo2020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Tokyo2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Olympics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Olympics</a> <a href="https://t.co/xEJqMGUNsq">pic.twitter.com/xEJqMGUNsq</a></p> — Daniil Medvedev (@DaniilMedwed) <a href="https://twitter.com/DaniilMedwed/status/1420306048758554629?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I just had darkness in my eyes, like between every point I didn’t know what to do to feel better.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I was bending over and I couldn’t get my breathing together. I was ready to just fall down on the court.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After complaints from world No. 1 Novak Djokovic and several other plays, organisers have since moved the start of play to 3pm local time to offer players some added protection against the heat.</span></p>

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Roger Federer’s distressing announcement

<p><span>Roger Federer has announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Tokyo Olympics after a major “setback” in his knee injury recovery.</span><br /><br /><span>The 20-time Grand Slam champion was beaten by Hubert Hurkacz during Wimbledon in the quarter-finals last week.</span><br /><br /><span>Last year however, the 39-year-old underwent two surgeries on his right knee.</span><br /><br /><span>He has been training to win an Olympic singles gold medal, but now it looks like the star might have to wait another four years.</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/CRRhJdfFBgE/?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/CRRhJdfFBgE/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Roger Federer (@rogerfederer)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>The global pandemic delayed the 2020 Olympic Games by a year, and while it will still go ahead – it will largely be held behind closed doors.</span><br /><br /><span>Strict health restrictions will also be in place.</span><br /><br /><span>The Olympic singles title is the only major tournament Federer is yet to win.</span><br /><br /><span>The tennis star lost during the semi-finals in 2000, in Sydney.</span><br /><br /><span>In 2012, he would go on to be beaten by Andy Murray in London, just weeks after dominating the Brit on the same Centre Court in the Wimbledon final.</span><br /><br /><span>Federer did however win doubles gold with Stan Wawrinka in Beijing 13 years ago.</span><br /><br /><span>The star’s loss to Hurkacz was only his 14th defeat at Wimbledon in over 119 matches.</span><br /><br /><span>It is also the first time he has been beaten in the tournament in straight sets since 2002.</span><br /><br /><span>Additionally, it was Federer’s first time he’s lost a set 6-0 at Wimbledon, and just the third time at a Slam.</span><br /><br /><span>“With everything that comes after Wimbledon, we were always going to sit down and talk about it because clearly now Wimbledon is over,” Federer announced.</span><br /><br /><span>“I got to take a few days. Just see, OK, what do I need to do to get in better shape so I can be more competitive.”</span><br /><br /><span>He slipped to ninth in the ATP rankings after Wimbledon, which is his lowest position since March 2017.</span></p>

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“I am sickened”: Prince William blasts racial abuse

<p><span>Prince William has received brutal backlash after condemning the racist abuse of England’s Euro 2020 final players.</span><br /><br /><span>"I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night's match," the royal shared on Monday night from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's official Twitter account.</span><br /><br /><span>"It is totally unacceptable that players have to endure this abhorrent behaviour. It must stop now and all those involved should be held accountable."</span><br /><br /><span>The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in attendance at the match on Sunday.</span><br /><br /><span>Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka, three Black members of England's squad, all received a slurry of racist abuse after they missed their shots during the penalty shoot-out against Italy.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Saka crying breaks my heart man. He's 19, a kid. Most his age are just figuring out what college is. And here is stepping up to take probably most important pen for his country in 50 years.<br /><br />He's already achieved more than most &amp; there's still so much to come. So so proud of him. <a href="https://t.co/IUvBwwsPMq">pic.twitter.com/IUvBwwsPMq</a></p> — angel (@Angelshi_) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angelshi_/status/1414345218523025408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><br /><span>Italy won the shoot-out 3-2.</span><br /><br /><span>England lost the Euro 2020 final in heartbreaking circumstances in front of their home fans, despite initially taking the lead.</span><br /><br /><span>However, William’s public call out received an icy response with many questioning why the royal kept silent while his sister-in-law, who is bi-racial, received a flurry of racist abuse while she served in the royal family.</span><br /><br /><span>“For years #sussexsquad has been told that we are ‘race baiters’ for highlighting the racism against Meghan Markle. Tonight, seeing the abuse hurled at Saka, Rashford and Sancho literally proves what we’ve been saying for years,” one person said.</span><br /><br /><span>Another added: “Prince William performative ally ship. His words would have legitimate credibility right now if he had condemned racist abuse towards Meghan Markle and Archie. His silence and complicity fuelled what he condemns today.”</span><br /><br /><span>A third asked: “Were you sickened by the racist abuse aimed at your sister-in-law Meghan Markle for years? What [about] your own blood nephew Archie?” asked a user, amid a sea of other tweets criticising William:</span><br /><br /><span>“I am sickened by the racist abuse aimed at England players after last night’s match. But I love it when it’s aimed at my nephew and SIL Meghan Markle (winks),” another tweet said.</span><br /><br /><span>The official England Football Twitter account tweeted, "We're disgusted that some of our squad — who have given everything for the shirt this summer — have been subjected to discriminatory abuse online after tonight's game. We stand with our players."</span><br /><br /><span>The Football Association — England football's governing body — also released a statement via social media.</span><br /><br /><span>"The FA strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media," a spokesperson said.</span><br /><br /><span>"We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behaviour is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.</span><br /><br /><span>"We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.</span><br /><br /><span>"Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse."</span></p>

News

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Prince George beside himself at Euro2020 Final

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>The Cambridge family have been spotted enjoying a day out at the Euro2020 finals, cheering for England as they played against Italy in the nail-biting match.</p> <p>Seven-year-old George was delighted and was seen cheering and clapping on England as they took an early lead against Italy.</p> <p>He was wearing a suit, despite dad Prince William's best efforts to let him wear a jersey in support of his team.</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842376/gerge-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d9bce633ab38485f9c215761ff5edcc8" /></p> <p>Tennis star Marion Bartoli said William was in favour but his wife was against.</p> <p>She told<span> </span><em>BBC Radio 5 Live</em>: "Yesterday I had an afternoon tea with the duchess and it was very much a discussion whether George will be allowed to wear the jersey tonight at Wembley or not.</p> <p>"William was for it, Kate not so keen, so we'll see."</p> <p>The Duchess of Cambridge appeared to have won that battle.</p> <p>However, Prince George's tie was in the colours of England, with Prince William wearing the same tie.</p> <p>Unfortunately for the royals and the whole of England, Italy beat England 3-2, with Italy winning the match in a penalty shoot-out.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Family & Pets

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Princess Mary cheers on Denmark with her outfit

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post-body-container"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, her husband Crown Prince Frederick and their son Prince Christian supported Denmark against England in the highly anticipated Euro 2020 semi-final last night.</p> <p>Princess Mary, 49, opted to wear the colours of the Danish flag and was by her family's side as they cheered on Denmark.</p> <p>The family were preventing the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a protective face mask that was complete with a Danish flag on it.</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/CRCO3eIgI0X/?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/CRCO3eIgI0X/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by DET DANSKE KONGEHUS 🇩🇰 (@detdanskekongehus)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>However, the trip wasn't without controversy as the Danish royal family are able to watch the match in person whereas millions of Danish fans are forced to watch the semi-final from home.</p> <p>The country's biggest newspaper, Ekstra Bladet, slammed the Danish royal family, with the newspaper editor Henrik Qvortrup saying that "blue blood gives immunity in all respects" as well as pointing out that it "looks a little unfortunate" that the royal family are able to skip quarantine to go to the match.</p> <p>"It's England and UEFA," Christian Kokholm Rothmann, chairman of Danish Football Fans, told<span> </span><em>Ekstra Bladet.</em></p> <p>"It is the size of the wallet that determines whether one can get to football in England. Class division of society has apparently been reintroduced in England."</p> <p>"The ones you have to be really mad at are UEFA. They should have moved the match [from] where the fans cannot access.</p> <p>"The European Championships should bring people together and spread joy, and now it divides people because many who want to see the semi-finals do not have access to it. It's a shame."</p> <p>The Danish royal family hit back saying that it was "completely natural" that "it represents Denmark" at the match.</p> <p>Unfortunately, the presence of the royal family wasn't enough for Denmark to win the game as England defeated Denmark 2-1.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Beauty & Style

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2021 Quality Service Awards NZ winners announced

<p>Reader’s Digest has released the names of the New Zealand businesses that achieved customer service excellence during an extraordinarily challenging year.</p> <p>In releasing the Quality Service Award results, Reader’s Digest acknowledges it has been a time of “extreme difficulty” for customer service given lockdowns and other Covid-19 challenges. Yet the owners and staff of businesses listed as award winners rallied and their success is arguably more commendable than ever, says Reader’s Digest editor-in-chief Louise Waterson.</p> <p>Mrs Waterson adds that while the pandemic may have shifted the standard markers of business success, customer service has remained core among those success markers.</p> <p>“During the peak of the pandemic, the award-winning businesses remained savvy, clever and calm in their approach to customers, so much so that the importance of kindness and understanding once again became paramount.”</p> <p>The Reader’s Digest survey revealed that about two thirds of New Zealanders (68 percent) say they are more money conscious now since the start of the pandemic. And 68 percent of New Zealand consumers acknowledge they now put more thought into their choice of products and services than they did pre-Covid.</p> <p>Reader’s Digest commissioned independent market research company Catalyst to survey New Zealanders’ opinions of a range of service providers.</p> <p>A total of 1,500 New Zealanders of a mixed demographic were asked to rate their experience of service provided by businesses / organisations.</p> <p>Running since 2015, the survey identifies the most satisfied customers across 40 different categories, from pet insurance to pizzas and from Supermarkets to Superannuation. The prestigious Quality Service Award recognises companies that truly understand consumers’ needs.</p> <p>The winners’ line-up includes businesses that have repeatedly featured on the podium, as well as first time Gold winners such as Electric Kiwi (Gas &amp; Electricity Provider) and Hello Fresh (Meal Plan Delivery Service).</p> <p>The full list of New Zealand Quality Service Award winners for 2021 can be seen <span><a href="https://qualityserviceawards.co.nz/">here</a></span>.</p>

Home & Garden

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Can you rid yourself of 2020’s financial stress as we head into 2021?

<p>2020 has been a tough year for nearly everyone, and that may be especially true for retirees and those nearing retirement who suddenly are worried about whether their careful planning and years of saving could be upended by events beyond their control.</p> <p>After all, retirement is supposed to be a pleasurable and satisfying time when you kick back and enjoy the fruits of all those decades of labor. That’s difficult to do if you’re jittery about a volatile stock market, or you fret over every expenditure because you aren’t sure whether your savings can go the distance in a lengthy retirement.</p> <p>As this year draws to a close, and we look toward 2021, plenty of people still have worries. For them – and maybe for you – the future is uncertain. But frankly, the future is always uncertain, and worrying about your finances without taking charge of your situation does no one any good.</p> <p>So, if you’re already in retirement or plan to be there soon, how can you reduce some of that financial stress that’s weighing you down in these tumultuous times? Let me offer a few ideas:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Take control.</strong> Just stewing and letting the emotional strain rule your days and nights does no good. Instead, focus on actions you can take to help reduce some of that stress. Often, just doing something – anything – can help you feel better. Review your financial assets so you truly know where you stand. Those assets might include savings accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance, real property or other items. You can’t create a plan unless you know exactly where you stand, so taking stock of things should be the first step. That way you aren’t operating in the dark. And what about the “T” word? Taxes! Have you imparted tax-efficiency as a part of your retirement plan? Do you know your options when it comes to this certainty?</li> <li><strong>Reconsider the timing of your retirement.</strong> Whenever the economy is shaky, it’s best to consider your options ahead of time so you can be prepared before problems arise. If you’re still working, for example, and you suddenly lose your job, one option may be to retire earlier than you originally planned and take Social Security. That can come with downsides, though. If you begin drawing Social Security before your full retirement age (between 66 and 67 for most people) you receive a reduced monthly check. That could cost you tens of thousands of dollars over a long retirement. Conversely, if your job situation is stable but you're worried your nest egg is inadequate, consider postponing retirement. That will allow you to save more, potentially increase your Social Security benefits, and can potentially give your investments time to recover from temporary market declines.</li> <li><strong>Review your budget and clean up bad habits.</strong> Many of us have less-than-stellar financial habits that we developed over the years. Those patterns of behavior don’t magically disappear as you approach retirement. You need to be intentional about changing bad habits so you aren’t spending more money than you need to – or should. To help you determine the difference between necessary and discretionary spending, review the past six months to a year of expenditures. As you review your spending, think beyond all those momentary, one-time splurges. Include your regular household bills, such as utilities, cable and cell phone service. You might be able to save money through a family plan, by bundling services, or by cutting the cord altogether.</li> <li><strong>Evaluate the risk in your portfolio.</strong> Perhaps you have had an aggressive investment strategy, and that’s how you accumulated a big nest egg that (you hope) was designed to carry you through decades of retirement. But, in an uncertain market and with retirement already here or close at hand, it may be wise to re-evaluate how much risk you’re holding in your portfolio. Now would be a good time to diversify and consider other investment options so you can help protect what you already have.</li> </ul> <p>Remember, though, that if your unsteady financial situation is getting the better of you, you don’t have to go it alone. Find an experienced financial professional who can help you develop a plan that can potentially ease at least some of your worries.</p> <p>It’s possible to get back on track financially – and, hopefully, set aside those concerns that could mar your enjoyment of life in retirement.</p> <p class="p1"><em>Written by Alan Becker, president and CEO of <a href="http://www.rsgusa.net">Retirement Solutions Group</a> and author of Return on Investment or Reliability of Income? The True Meaning of ROI in Retirement.</em> </p>

Retirement Income

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2020 word of the year announced

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Collins English Dictionary has announced the 2020 word of the year, which is "lockdown".</p> <p>The term has quickly wormed its way into conversations around the world due to public health measures against the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.</p> <p>"Our lexicographers chose '<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-victoria-restrictions-things-you-may-not-know-lockdown-ends-melbourne/1dd707e6-a1d0-44af-bef9-17196b1799db" target="_blank" class="editor-rtflink">lockdown</a>' as Word of the Year because it is a unifying experience for billions of people across the world, who have had, collectively, to play their part in combating the spread of COVID-19," Collins wrote after announcing the award.</p> <p>"It's not a shock to remember that lockdown was originally a piece of prison vocabulary: it's when inmates are confined to their cells because of some disturbance on the wing," it added.</p> <p>"2020 is year that the meaning of the word shifted irrevocably: in most people's minds, lockdown is now a public health measure — its use having increased exponentially since 2019."</p> <p>The dictionary asid it registered over a quarter of a million usages of the word "lockdown", which is an increase of more than 6,000 per cent.</p> <p>Since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, virtually every major country has followed suit and enacted some form of lockdown.</p> <p>This makes 2020 a year unlike any other in modern history due to unprecedented social restrictions limiting human interaction.</p> <p>According to the dictionary, the choice of the word was easy.</p> <p> "It's no surprise that quite a few of the words on Collins Word of the Year 2020 shortlist have one big thing in common: the pandemic," the dictionary wrote.</p> <p>"Something that changed everyone's lives so profoundly — leaving no country or continent untouched — was bound to have a significant impact on our language."</p> </div> </div> </div>

Travel Trouble

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Prince Harry's moving message for the 2020 Diana Awards

<p><span>Last month, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, spoke out against the death of George Floyd during her commencement speech for her former high school’s graduation.</span></p> <p><span>Since then, she and her husband, Prince Harry, have become more vocal about the Black Lives Matter movement, and in a newly released video, Harry made his own strong statement against racism.</span></p> <p><span>In what would have been Princess Diana’s 59th birthday, it was also the annual presentation of the Diana Awards, established in the memory of the late royal.</span></p> <p><span>The awards recognise the youth for their social or humanitarian work, as Diana believed young people could change the world.</span></p> <p><span>In a video recorded for the awards, Prince Harry asked young people to help repair the current ills in our society and praised what the recipients had already accomplished.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Prince Harry recorded a video for the <a href="https://twitter.com/DianaAward?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DianaAward</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2020DianaAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2020DianaAwards</a> taking place today (on what would be Princess Diana’s 59th birthday).<br />In it, he says institutional racism is still “endemic” in our societies and has pledged that he and Meghan will be “part of the change” needed. <a href="https://t.co/5tbE263b3k">pic.twitter.com/5tbE263b3k</a></p> — Omid Scobie (@scobie) <a href="https://twitter.com/scobie/status/1278352027953893376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2020</a></blockquote> <p><span>"I am so incredibly proud to be part of these awards because they honour the legacy of my mother and bring out the very best in people like you," the Prince said. "You all are doing such incredible work, and at a time of great uncertainty you have found the power and inspiration inside of you to make a positive mark on the world."</span></p> <p><span>Harry mentioned how his mother would have felt a feeling of admiration for the recipients as she knew what they did was necessary and important, even though it was difficult.</span></p> <p><span>"I can assure you [Diana] would have been fighting in your corner," Harry noted. "Like many of you she never took the easy route, or the popular one, or the comfortable one, but she stood for something and she stood up for people who needed it."</span></p> <p><span>The Prince then began talking about issues related to the current climate, as the world has been protesting against racial discrimination.</span></p> <p><span>In his statement, Harry followed in his wife’s footsteps and mentioned that society has not yet done enough to combat these issues.</span></p> <p><span>"My wife said recently that our generation and the ones before us haven’t done enough to right the wrongs of the past," Harry said. "I too am sorry—sorry that we haven't got the world to the place that you deserve it to be."</span></p> <p><span>The Prince continued, calling out the racism still ever-present today. "Institutional racism has no place in our societies yet it is still endemic," he said. "Unconscious bias must be acknowledged without blame to create a better world for all of you."</span></p> <p><span>Harry then finished off his speech by asking young people, especially the recipients of the Diana Award, to continue fighting for a more equitable and fair society. He also verified his own commitment to these causes.</span></p> <p><span>"I want you to know that we are committed to being part of the solution and to being part of the change that you are all leading," Prince Harry said. "Now is the time and we know that you can do it."</span></p>

Caring