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Rebel Wilson's memoir "pulled from shelves"

Fans hoping to get their hands on a copy of Rebel Wilson's memoir have been left disappointed after the book has been pulled from shelves in Australia. The book, titled Rebel Rising, was released on Wednesday, although numerous retailers have removed the book from their websites, halting sales indefinitely. One of Australia’s biggest book retailers, Amazon, have made the memoir unavailable to order, and noted to customers: “We don’t know when or if this item will be back in stock.” On Booktopia.com the book is currently listed as “Unavailable” with no date listed as to when the memoir will be back on-sale. Wilson took to Instagram to celebrate the release of her book, but her post was inundated with comments from frustrated fans in Australia and New Zealand who were questioning why it was no longer available in the region. “I am in Australia and can’t get a copy,” wrote the frustrated fan. “Just went to my local book store and they said it has been recalled to be possibly be re-printed and have parts redacted!! Can we get it in the US?” Fans in the UK appeared to be having the same issue, with many questioning why they couldn’t pick up the book in their own country either. Many were quick to speculate that the reason the book has been pulled from shelves was due to ongoing legal issues with actor Sacha Baron-Cohen, who Wilson named and shamed in the book for acting inappropriately while they were working on a movie together. When the news broke that Wilson was calling out Baron-Cohen for his alleged behaviour, the Aussie actress claimed that Baron-Cohen "threatened" her over the book's release. Taking to her Instagram, Rebel wrote, “I will not be bullied or silenced with high priced lawyer or PR crisis managers. The ‘a**hole’ that I am talking about in ONE CHAPTER of my book is Sacha Baron Cohen.” "Now the a**hole is trying to threaten me. He’s trying to stop press coming out about my new book. But the book WILL come out and you will all know the truth.” Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Supermarket worker finds 2000 Olympics relic between the shelves

A worker at an Aussie supermarket has discovered a relic of Australian culture that is over two decades old. While moving some old shelves in the grocery store as they prepared for renovations, the supermarket worker was shocked to discover a long-expired chocolate bar that was released for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Posting about the discovery on a Facebook page called Old Shops Australia, a man posted about his wife’s unusual find. “My wife works in a supermarket and they were moving the shelving around and this was stuck between two shelves. Still wrapped up with chocolate inside,” the man said. The 'Sydney 2000 Games Story Block' had the three characters, Syd the platypus, Millie the echidna and Olly the Kookaburra on the front. It also had one of six collectable Olympic Games story book inside the wrapper, with the chocolate expiring on July 30th 2001. Images of the almost-forgotten treat have been circulating online triggering old memories in thousands of Aussies. One person noted the wrapper was made out of paper and foil rather than the plastic used today. Others pointed out the generous size of the chocolate block which is 250g compared to the 180g bars available now. “Oh wow!! This brings back memories!! A near 24 year old block of chocolate!! Would anyone be up for tasting it?! Wonder how much it's worth?! How long since the supermarket had a good clean and update?! So many questions!” one woman asked. “Partly want this to go to a museum, partly just wanna see it unwrapped,” a second wrote. “Oof, right in the nostalgia,” a third said and another chimed in, “Mouldy as hell. I wonder what the story book looks like.” Image credits: Facebook

Food & Wine

Why "Grey Divorce" is on the rise in Australia

It seems that the older generation is taking a page out of the millennial playbook and saying, "Thanks, but no thanks" to marriage. According to a recent report by <a href="https://www.seniors.com.au/documents/australian-seniors-series-love-after-50-report-whitepaper.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Seniors</a>, the trend of "Grey Divorce" has become so prevalent that one in three couples in Australia decide to call it quits after hitting the big 5-0. It turns out that once the kids have flown the nest, some couples find themselves facing a conundrum. And no, it's not a midlife crisis involving sports cars and questionable hair dye choices. It's the dreaded "empty nest syndrome" – the sadness and upheaval that parents experience when their adult children finally leave the family home. The report clearly highlights that almost half of these later-in-life divorces are triggered by the empty nest syndrome, followed closely by increased financial pressures (35 per cent) and retirement adjustments (34 per cent). But the report also reveals a silver lining. Many singles over 50 are discovering greater happiness and fulfilment in their solo acts. It's like they've found the secret formula for joy, and it doesn't involve a partner – just personal space, independence, financial control, peace and quiet, and less stress. Who needs a spouse when you can have tranquillity and control over the TV remote? In fact, more than half of single people over 50 reported being content without a committed partner, and almost one-third claimed that their relationship status was a positive influence on their happiness. Move over, relationship goals; it's time for solo satisfaction to take centre stage. And for those still treading the murky waters of late-life love, there's hope yet. The report offers some sage advice from those who've managed to keep the spark alive, including open and honest communication about changing needs, supporting personal growth, and maintaining independence. While the report concludes that overall divorce rates in Australia have actually hit an all-time low in recent years, the over-50 crowd appear to be shaking things up and going their own way. So, whether you're contemplating marriage or dealing with an unexpected guest cancellation at your wedding, just remember – there's a 50/50 chance you'll be navigating the exciting world of "Grey Divorce" someday. Image: Getty

Legal

New royal book pulled from shelves over huge legal blunder

Copies of an explosive new book about the royal family are being pulled from shelves and destroyed after a translation error "accidentally named" the alleged "royal racist". Sales of the new book Endgame, written by Omid Scobie who also wrote Finding Freedom about Harry and Meghan's exit from the royal family, were "temporarily" put on hold just days after its release after what has been labelled an error. According to Xander, the publishers of the Dutch edition of Scobie's book, a translation error led to a member of the royal family being identified as the person who made comments about baby Archie's skin colour. “[We are] temporarily withdrawing the book by Omid Scobie from sale. An error occurred in the Dutch translation and is currently being rectified,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday. Meanwhile, <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/royals/24884315/royal-racist-accidentally-named-omid-scobie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sun</a> claims that thousands of copies of the book are now being destroyed as a result. The "racist royal" scandal dates back to when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle sat down with Oprah Winfrey for a tell-all interview in 2021, when Markle alleged that while she was pregnant with their first child, Prince Archie, there were “concerns and conversations” from a member of the royal family about how dark his skin might be. The Duchess of Sussex stopped short of naming the person involved, telling Winfrey, “I think that would be very damaging to them.” In the original edition of his book, Scobie also declines to identify the royal, claiming libel laws prevented him from doing so – although he has confirmed he knows who it is. “I do know who made the comments about Archie’s skin colour,” he told UK program Good Morning during his book press tour. “The names were mentioned in letters between Meghan and Charles that were exchanged sometime after the Oprah interview." “We know from sources that Charles was horrified that that’s how Meghan felt. Those conversations were, and that he wanted to, sort of as a representative for the family, have that conversation with her. “And it is why I personally think they have been able to move forward with some kind of line of communication afterwards. Though they may not see eye-to-eye on it.” It’s understood the royal family member accidentally named in the Dutch edition was not the person Meghan had been referring to. Image credits: Getty Images / Harper Collins

Books

Traveller shares hilarious hack to ensure the middle seat on a plane stays empty

There is nothing more joyous than boarding a plane and being seated next to an empty seat, ensuring you have a comfy flight by not being squished in with other travellers. But with this joy can also come sheer disappointment, when you get comfy in your extra space before a last-minute traveller comes to claim the empty seat. To combat the chance of someone robbing you of your space on a cramped plane, one traveller has shared the hilarious lengths he goes to in order to make sure the middle seat on a plane stays empty. The traveller posted the video of his hilarious hack to TikTok, sharing his trick with others to guarantee some extra space every time you fly. He put his arm upright inside a spare hoodie, placing a hat on top of his hand, to make it look like the seat was already occupied – preventing anyone else from taking that spot. The video has since been taken down, but has been reshared by other accounts. Of course, this hack only works on flights that have open seating policies, where passengers choose their own seats once on board, rather than having them assigned. The trick seems to work, with passengers avoiding his row and taking up empty seats elsewhere. Some viewers called the hack "genius" and said they would try it out for themselves next time they travel. However, others were skeptical, wondering how the trick would work if passengers eager to be seated are walking towards the two front on, rather than from behind. Image credits: TikTok

Travel Tips

How to downsize without leaving the suburb you love

If you find yourself rattling around in a home that now has too many rooms to clean, and you’d prefer to spend more time doing things you love rather than household chores, it might be time to downsize. Not only can downsizing your property simplify your lifestyle, it has the potential to free up some funds as well. If you manage your ‘empty nester’ status well, it can become a profitable nest egg! But downsizing to a smaller home can be a daunting process. You may not be ready for the close proximity of a retirement village, nor are you keen to leave the neighbourhood you love. You have great neighbours, you’re close to family, and you have all the amenities you want nearby, but your house just doesn’t suit your lifestyle anymore. So, what are your options? There are in fact a couple of great alternatives to packing up and leaving everything you’ve known behind: building a dual occupancy home or a knockdown rebuild on your existing block of land. What is a dual occupancy development? A dual occupancy home design, also known as a ‘duplex’ or ‘multi-dwelling’, can come in a variety of layouts: either two attached dwellings side by side, where both properties have street frontage, or one behind the other, where there’s a driveway down one side of the property. A dual occupancy home is a great consideration for those who: <ul> <li>Want to remain in the same area but don’t need as big a house.</li> <li>Want a low maintenance lifestyle.</li> <li>Have a large block in an area where land prices are increasing.</li> <li>Want to realise some of the equity in the land.</li> <li>Want to create an ongoing income stream through an investment property.</li> </ul> Unlocking wealth with a dual occupancy home design The Australian property boom has made many people many millions. But the fact is that the wealth lies in the land not in the dwellings themselves. Many people who have owned a slice of the Aussie Dream for more than 10-15 years are sitting on potential gold, however all their equity is tied up in the land beneath their house. For empty nesters that are ready to downsize, this offers enormous opportunity. It’s no surprise that dual occupancy house designs are increasing in popularity. There are a number of ways you can capitalise on this opportunity: <ul> <li>Live in one house and sell the other.</li> <li>Live in one house, then rent the other one. This provides a potential income stream and is particularly great if your property is in an area where rental supply is low.</li> <li>Sell both houses and live somewhere else. This option works well in areas where housing stock is low and demand is high – and when you’re prepared to find somewhere else to live!</li> </ul> There are some design limitations when it comes to building a dual occupancy home due to the somewhat restricted footprint, and a number of things to consider such as the size of your block, street frontage, driveways and council approvals. Thankfully however, experienced homebuilders such as Metricon have the expertise and know-how to provide you the guidance you need to make the most of your asset. Knockdown rebuild – build a brand-new home, wherever suits your lifestyle “Don’t move your life, improve your life!” is a fitting motto for those looking to take advantage of their great location by building a more suitable home for their life stage. If you really love where you live but your home just isn’t right for you any more, then there are two likely options: a renovation or a knockdown rebuild. A knockdown rebuild is especially a great option when you are looking to downsize – such as replacing your double storey home with a more suitable single storey option. Perhaps you are weighing up the option of moving but also hoping to build new. Let’s explore your options. To renovate or rebuild? Before jumping on the renovation bandwagon, assuming it is an easier option, there are a few factors to consider that may ultimately influence your decision. These can include: the extent of your renovation, the comparable costs between renovating and rebuilding, and the expected increase in value of your property. Other factors such as the condition of your home (some old homes can’t cope with structural changes), and ongoing expense (a new home is typically cheaper to maintain than an older home), may preclude you from renovating. Renovating can often result in unforeseen cost blowouts and uncover previously hidden or undiscovered faults. There’s also the hassle of shifting furniture, isolating rooms, living in only part of your home or moving out completely during the renovation. A knockdown rebuild however, may be easier and deliver a more satisfying result than you think: a brand-new home where everything is clean and reliable, in a floorplan that matches your desired lifestyle perfectly. Re-locating and building new If you’re looking for a complete lifestyle change when downsizing, perhaps weighing up the options of a sea or tree change, you can have the best of both worlds and build your dream home to perfectly suit your new location. Images: Getty

Downsizing

Give your “empties” a new life

In a time when a lot of people are trying to be more eco-conscious, we are often trying to find new ways to make sure items are recycled correctly. While recycling labels can often be confusing and misleading, it is very common for recyclable items to still end up in landfill. When it comes to beauty products, these small plastic containers can often end up in garbage bins, despite being able to be broken down and recycled correctly. Luckily, <a href="https://www.priceline.com.au/in-store-services/terracycle-at-priceline/">Priceline’s partnership with Terracycle</a> is helping people recycle their “empties” more easily than ever before. As part of the Greener Together recycling program, Priceline stores all over Australia are housing specialised recycling bins for customers to place their “empties” in when they come into a store to stock up on their favourite products. Once stores have sent the empty makeup containers to Priceline’s recycling partner Terracycle, the empties are separated by polymer type, cleaned and then extruded into plastic pellets to make new recycled products. Since the launch of the initiative, Priceline and Terracycle have helped save 3 tonnes of product from ending up in landfill. When customers drop their empties into a recycling box, you can scan the QR code available for Sister Club members to gain 50 Bonus Sister Club points every month when you recycle your makeup empties. Empty items such as glass bottles, pumps, caps, droppers, plastic tubes, bottles, containers, mascara tubes, eyeliners, lip products, and palettes (even ones that include a mirror) can all be recycled in store. There is a list of items that are not accepted into the recycling boxes, such as nail polishes, makeup brushes, wooden makeup pencils, perfumes, aerosols and products that are not empty. So next time you’re heading into a Priceline store to stock up on your favourite beauty products, be sure to bring in your empties to help cut down on landfill and protect Mother Earth. Image credits: Getty Images / Instagram

Beauty & Style

Woolies worker seriously stabbed while stacking shelves

A Woolworths worker who was allegedly randomly stabbed with a 40cm has opened up about the terrifying ordeal. Donna Grocott was stacking shelves in the pet aisle at Woolworths in Ellenbrook Central in northeast Perth when she was allegedly stabbed in the back of her hip by Cassandra Hickling on August 16. The 44-year-old worker was rushed to hospital with the 40cm knife still lodged in her back and required seven staples after it was removed. She also suffered injuries to her fingers but says she is lucky to be alive after the knife failed to puncture any major organs. “I feel very fortunate that my injuries were not worse,” Ms Grocott said. “I’d like to thank the people who helped me at the store and the emergency responders and the hospital staff for taking care of me.” Hickling, 35, was arrested at her home and charged with attempted murder. She remains behind bars awaiting her court appearance at the end of the month. Midland Police Detective Sergeant Tania Mackenzie confirmed the women did not know each other and that Hickling purchased the knife from a different shop. “(It is) something I’ve never heard of happening before in my career,” she said. “It was just someone going about their day-to-day work, stacking shelves in the shopping centre. “There’s been no one else in the aisle and she’s been approached by the suspect who has (allegedly) stabbed her with a filleting knife.” Woolworths is offering counselling to staff. Images: 7News/Facebook

Caring

(H)anger is real: your bad mood and empty stomach are linked

<div class="copy"> Grumpy? Long time between meals? Well now you can cheer up, thanks to a new study validating the link between your cranky mood and grumbly belly – your ‘hanger’ is real. Psychologists studying a group of primarily Austrian, German and Swiss adults have found an association between self-reported hunger, and heightened levels of anger and irritability. Helping people understand their own emotional responses to feelings of hunger could help them better regulate their behaviour, says Anglia Ruskin University professor in social psychology Viren Swami. “Research suggests that being able to label an emotion can help people to regulate it,” says Swami, who was the lead author of the study <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0269629" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in Plos One. “Therefore, greater awareness of being ‘hangry’ could reduce the likelihood that hunger results in negative emotions and behaviours in individuals.” The three-week study monitored 64 participants who submitted five daily reports to researchers via a smartphone app. In each report, participants used a 0–100 scale to evaluate how hungry, irritable and angry they felt. Even when accounting for demographic differences between participants, there was an association between hunger and heightened levels of irritability, anger and reduced feelings of pleasure. It’s the first time the phenomenon has been investigated outside of a laboratory environment and adds to an existing body of research showing that declines in blood glucose levels influences negative emotions. “This ‘hangry’ effect hasn’t been analysed in detail, so we chose a field-based approach where participants were invited to respond to prompts,” explains study co-author Stefan Stieger, professor of psychology at Karl Landsteiner University. “[It gives] a much more complete picture of how people experience the emotional outcomes of hunger in their everyday lives.” The researchers didn’t offer conclusions as to how to mitigate hunger-induced feelings. Reaching for a banana next time you feel cross is probably a safe bet. Image credits: Getty Images  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=197455&title=%28H%29anger+is+real%3A+your+bad+mood+and+empty+stomach+are+linked" width="1" height="1" /> </div> <div id="contributors"> This article was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/hanger-is-real/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Matthew Agius. </div>

Mind

URGENT RECALL: Lucas' Papaw Ointment pulled from shelves

Several batches of Lucas’ Papaw Ointment have been urgently recalled, due to microbial contamination. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) issued the nationwide recall of 11 batches of the topical ointment. The microorganisms in questions have been identified as Aspergillus tubingensis, Sordaria humana, Penicillium paneum and Paenibacillus glucanolyticus. The TGA said that while these moulds and bacteria pose “minimal risk” to the general population, there is a “remote risk” that individuals who are immunocompromised could become ill if exposed to these organisms. The impacted batch numbers are: <ul> <li>00522D22, 15g, Expiry April 2025</li> <li>00822E25, 15g, Expiry May 2025</li> <li>00822E26, 15g, Expiry May 2025</li> <li>00822E27, 15g, Expiry May 2025</li> <li>00822F01, 15g, Expiry June 2025</li> <li>00822F03, 15g, Expiry June 2025</li> <li>00822F06, 15g, Expiry June 2025</li> <li>00822E31, 15g, Expiry May 2025</li> <li>00522E04, 75g, Expiry May 2025</li> <li>00522E05, 75g, Expiry May 2025</li> <li>00822E30, 200g, Expiry May 2025</li> </ul> Those who use the cult product are urged to check the batch number which can be found at the ‘crimp’ at the top of the tube or at the bottom of the bigger containers. Those who have an ointment from an affected batch are advised to “immediately stop using it” and return it to the place of purchase for a refund. No other batches or other Lucas’ Papaw Remedies products are being recalled at this time. Images: Lucas Papaw.com.au

Body

Popular product pulled from ALDI shelves over allergy fears

ALDI has issued an urgent recall for a popular salad and has pulled it from the shelves over fears that it could contain an undeclared ingredient that could cause allergic reactions. The 500g Fresh Salad Co Thai coconut wild rice prepared salad has been recalled because it could contain cashews, with Food Standards Australia expressing concern that consumers with a cashew allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if they eat it, per <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/food-warnings/aldi-pulls-thai-coconut-rice-salad-due-to-undeclared-cashews/news-story/29063456fff4e456a53d59177ac00b14" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. The product was on sale at ALDI stores across NSW, the ACT, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. <img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/06/recall-salad.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /> Image: Food Standards Australia Anyone with a cashew allergy or intolerance who purchased the salad shouldn’t eat it and instead return it to any ALDI store for a refund of the purchasing price if it has one of the following use-by dates: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 3, 2022 </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 4, 2022 </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 5, 2022 </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 6, 2022 </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 7, 2022 </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 8, 2022 </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Use by July 9, 2022 </li> </ul> Any consumers who are concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Image: Getty Images

Food & Wine

New Cadbury ‘Caramel Slice’ block to hit the shelves

Finally, details of a new Cadbury block created by a famous Australian chef have emerged online, sparking excitement amongst those with a sweet tooth. Curtis Stone has collaborated with the iconic confectioner to give the humble Dairy Milk bar a fresh twist on its 100th anniversary. Launching a “caramel slice” flavour, excited fans are running to Coles to stock up. The block features the brand’s classic milk chocolate with a smooth flowing caramel, vanilla flavoured crème and crunchy biscuit pieces. Delicious! Official news of the Curtis Stone block has yet to be announced by Cadbury, but an eagle-eyed Coles shopper has already spotted the chocolate on shelves and shared it to social media. TikTok user @deficitincalories shared a short clip of the $5 bar at his local Coles and was so inundated with requests for more information, he posted a review just an hour later. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@deficitincalories/video/7108164178082368769" data-video-id="7108164178082368769"> <section><a title="@deficitincalories" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@deficitincalories" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@deficitincalories</a> <a title="review" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/review" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#review</a> <a title="new" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/new" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#new</a> <a title="coles" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/coles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#coles</a> <a title="caramelslice" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/caramelslice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#caramelslice</a> <a title="cadbury" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cadbury" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cadbury</a> <a title="chocolate" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/chocolate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#chocolate</a> <a title="curtisstone" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/curtisstone" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#curtisstone</a> <a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="foryou" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foryou" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#foryou</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Deficit In Calories" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7108164214853864194" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Deficit In Calories</a></section> </blockquote> “If you like Caramello Koala, you’re are going to love this. Think Caramello Koala, vanilla cream and biscuit pieces all in one,” the Melbourne man said. “It doesn’t taste exactly like a caramel slice, but it comes pretty damn close for a chocolate bar. “Curtis Stone and Cadbury did their thing on this. Highly recommend it to anyone that loves caramel. I’m tossing up between 9.5 and a 10 out of 10.” It didn’t take long for the video to blow up, earning more than 350,000 views in less than 24 hours. Many declared they were “running” to the supermarket to buy one, as others revealed their local Coles was yet to stock the new block. The chocolate block is exclusive to Coles, presumably because of Curtis Stone’s role as an ambassador for the supermarket. The sweet treat officially launches on June the 15th, but some stores have already started displaying stock. Images: Tiktok

Food & Wine

New Tim Tam flavour hitting the shelves

Arnotts gave Aussies the opportunity to vote for the new Tim Tam flavour and the results are in! The options were between Dark Choc Espresso Martini Tim Tam or Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam. Voting closed on April 11, with the winning flavour announced as Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam. The delicious, decadent flavour will hit Coles’ shelves in July. The Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam has rich brown sugar and toffee notes paired with a creamy blend of buttery smooth butterscotch cream, also coated in delicious milk chocolate. Compared to the Dark Choc Espresso Martini which is made with roasted espresso and vodka flavoured cream sandwiched between two crunchy biscuits, all coated in decadent dark chocolate. The Butterscotch and Cream Tim Tam flavour will make a delicious addition to the pantry, alongside your other favourite Tim Tams. Rebecca Chan, Arnott's Senior Brand Manager said it’s always fun getting Aussies to vote for a new flavour, proving it successful in previous years. “We know how passionate Australians are about Tim Tams and we love giving them the opportunity to choose a new flavour each year,” she said. “The two flavour contenders are certainly our most indulgent so far, bringing an espresso martini into mouth-watering biscuit form, with the ultra decadent Butterscotch and Cream alongside as a fierce contender.” Images: Arnotts

Food & Wine

“Hidden” sugars on our supermarket shelves

<div class="copy"> Australians are buying large amounts of “hidden” added sugars in their supermarket groceries, according to a new study. The research, led by the George Institute for Global Health, found that over half of the food and drink bought in supermarkets contains added sugar, but it’s not clearly labelled as such. “We used supermarket survey data to look at the amount of added sugar that Australians buy when they shop at the supermarket,” says Daisy Coyle, a dietician and research fellow at the George Institute. The researchers looked at a year’s worth of purchases from 7,188 households. They found that on average, Australians are buying nine teaspoons (36g) of added sugar per person per day in groceries, with low-income households buying more. “It might not sound like a lot, nine teaspoons, but it’s recommended by the World Health Organization that we consume no more than 12 teaspoons each day. So we’re getting nine teaspoons just from packaged food from the supermarket alone,” says Coyle. Restaurant, takeaway and other non-supermarket food would need to be very lean in sugar indeed to avoid exceeding the recommended daily amount. Most of the added sugar comes from 10 different categories of food product. Coyle says that some of these products wouldn’t necessarily be thought to have large amounts of added sugar. “The usual suspects are up there, things like sugary drinks, and chocolates and lollies, but we’re also finding more of the everyday staple foods contain a lot of added sugar,” she says. “Things like breakfast cereals, pasta sauces and yoghurts.” The researchers believe these added sugars may make it more difficult for Australians to eat healthily. “The issue with added sugars is that it’s not on the nutrition label,” says Coyle. “So while consumers can pick up a product and look at, say, the protein, carbs and total sugar content, they can’t get any information about the added sugar. So you can’t compare products – you can’t make healthier choices.” Plenty of foods – like fruit and milk – contain sugar naturally, but this is less of a concern from a nutrition perspective. “Natural sugars come from healthy foods that contain other nutrients,” says Coyle. “If you’re talking about sugar that’s in fruit, you’re not just getting the sugar – you’re getting fibre and vitamins and minerals. Added sugar contains nothing but just sugar.” The researchers believe that this extra sugar needs to be addressed at a policy level. This could include making current voluntary <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/healthy-food-partnership/partnership-reformulation-program" target="_blank">sugar reduction targets</a> mandatory and lower, and introducing stronger labelling guidelines, among other things. “We always think that it shouldn’t just be on the consumer, it shouldn’t just be on the individual,” says Coyle. “Our food environments, our supermarkets, should be made healthier, so it’s easier to make a healthy choice.” A paper describing the research is <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2021.06.013" target="_blank">published</a> in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Image credits: Getty Images</div> <div id="contributors"> This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/added-sugars-australian-supermarket-products/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Ellen Phiddian. </div>

Food & Wine

5 ways climate change boosts tsunami threat, from collapsing ice shelves to sea level rise

The enormous eruption of the underwater volcano in Tonga, Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, triggered a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/tonga-volcano-generates-tsunami-us-tsunami-monitor-said-2022-01-15/">tsunami</a> that reached countries all around the Pacific rim, even causing a <a href="https://apnews.com/article/oil-spills-business-tonga-peru-trending-news-3a92a17e2101945afcb22f5eb5bfb2ad?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=AP">disastrous oil spill</a> along 21 beaches in Peru. In Tonga, waves about 2 metres high were recorded before the sea level gauge failed, <a href="https://twitter.com/ConsulateKoT/status/1483384039826464768/photo/1">and waves of up to 15m</a> hit the west coasts of Tongatapu Islands, ‘Eua, and Ha’apai Islands. Volcanic activity could continue for weeks or months, but it’s hard to predict if or when there’ll be another such powerful eruption. Most tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, but a <a href="http://tsunami.org/what-causes-a-tsunami/">significant percentage</a> (about 15%) are caused by landslides or volcanoes. Some of these may be interlinked – for example, landslide tsunamis are often triggered by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions. But does <a href="https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change">climate change</a> also play a role? As the planet warms, we’re seeing more <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-can-climate-change-affect-natural-disasters">frequent and intense</a> storms and cyclones, the melting of glaciers and ice caps, and sea levels rising. Climate change, however, doesn’t just affect the atmosphere and oceans, it affects the Earth’s crust as well. <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-climate-geology-idUSTRE58F62I20090916">Climate-linked</a> geological changes can increase the incidence of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions which, in turn, can exacerbate the threat of tsunamis. Here are five ways this can happen. <h2>1. Sea level rise</h2> If greenhouse gas emissions remain at high rates, the average global sea level is <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/srocc/chapter/chapter-4-sea-level-rise-and-implications-for-low-lying-islands-coasts-and-communities">projected to rise</a> between 60 centimetres and 1.1m. <a href="https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Ocean-fact-sheet-package.pdf">Almost two thirds</a> of the world’s cities with populations over five million are at risk. Rising sea levels not only make coastal communities more vulnerable to flooding from storms, but also tsunamis. Even modest rises in sea level will dramatically increase the frequency and intensity of flooding when a tsunami occurs, as the tsunami can travel further inland. For example, <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aat1180">a 2018 study</a> showed only a 50 centimetre rise would double the frequency of tsunami-induced flooding in Macau, China. This means in future, smaller tsunamis could have the same impact as larger tsunamis would today. <h2>2. Landslides</h2> A warming climate can increase the risk of both submarine (underwater) and aerial (above ground) landslides, thereby increasing the risk of local tsunamis. The <a href="https://www.nrdc.org/stories/permafrost-everything-you-need-know">melting of permafrost</a> (frozen soil) at high latitudes decreases soil stability, making it more susceptible to erosion and landslides. More <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/news/2951/climate-change-could-trigger-more-landslides-in-high-mountain-asia/">intense rainfall</a> can trigger landslides, too, as storms become more frequent under climate change. <a href="https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-do-landslides-cause-tsunamis#:%7E:text=Tsunamis%20are%20large%2C%20potentially%20deadly,a%20result%20of%20submarine%20earthquakes.&text=Tsunamis%20can%20be%20generated%20on,a%20rapidly%20moving%20underwater%20landslide.">Tsunamis can be generated</a> on impact as a landslide enters the water, or as water is moved by a rapid underwater landslide. In general, tsunami waves generated from landslides or rock falls dissipate quickly and don’t travel as far as tsunamis generated from earthquakes, but they can still lead to huge waves locally. In Alaska, US, glacial retreat and melting permafrost has exposed unstable slopes. In 2015, this melting caused a landslide that sent 180 million tonnes of rock into a narrow fjord, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-30475-w">generating a tsunami reaching 193m high</a> – one of the highest ever recorded worldwide. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/441884/original/file-20220121-8856-1regaso.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/441884/original/file-20220121-8856-1regaso.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="" /></a> Scientists survey damage from a megatsunami in Taan Fiord that had occurred in October, 2015 after a massive landslide. Peter Haeussler, United States Geological Survey Alaska Science Center/Wikimedia Other areas at risk include <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818121000849">northwest British Columbia</a> in Canada, and the Barry Arm in Alaska, where an <a href="https://dggs.alaska.gov/hazards/barry-arm-landslide.html">unstable mountain slope</a> at the toe of the Barry Glacier has the potential to fail and <a href="https://www.woodwellclimate.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Letter-to-Stakeholders_-Barry-Arm-Landslide-Final.pdf">generate a severe tsunami</a> in the next 20 years. <h2>3. Iceberg calving and collapsing ice shelves</h2> Global warming is accelerating the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/chasing-ice-glacier-calving-climate-change-2014-10?r=US&IR=T">rate of iceberg calving</a> – when chunks of ice fall into the ocean. Studies predict large ice shelves, such as the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica, will <a href="https://news.climate.columbia.edu/2021/12/17/crucial-antarctic-glacier-likely-to-collapse-much-earlier-than-expected/">likely collapse</a> in the next five to ten years. Likewise, the Greenland ice sheet is <a href="https://climate.nasa.gov/news/3062/warming-seas-are-accelerating-greenlands-glacier-retreat/">thinning and retreating</a> at an alarming rate. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/441878/original/file-20220121-8497-jjkh3d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/441878/original/file-20220121-8497-jjkh3d.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Iceberg near ship" /></a> Icebergs colliding with the seafloor can trigger underwater landslides. Shutterstock While much of the current research focus is on the sea level risk associated with melting and collapse of glaciers and ice sheets, there’s also a <a href="https://nhess.copernicus.org/articles/12/415/2012/">tsunami risk</a> from the calving and breakup process. Wandering icebergs can trigger <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00767-4">submarine landslides and tsunamis</a> thousands of kilometres from the iceberg’s original source, as they hit unstable sediments on the seafloor. <h2>4. Volcanic activity from ice melting</h2> About 12,000 years ago, the last glacial period (“ice age”) ended and the melting ice triggered a dramatic <a href="https://eprints.lancs.ac.uk/id/eprint/32995/2/Tuffen_PTRSL.pdf">increase in volcanic activity</a>. The correlation between climate warming and more volcanic eruptions isn’t yet well constrained or understood. But it may be related to <a href="https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/70182772">changes in</a> stress to the Earth’s crust as the weight of ice is removed, and a phenomenon called “<a href="http://people.rses.anu.edu.au/lambeck_k/pdf/152.pdf">isostatic rebound</a>” – the long-term uplift of land in response to the removal of ice sheets. If this correlation holds for the current period of climate warming and melting of ice in high latitudes, there’ll be an increased risk of volcanic eruptions and associated hazards, including tsunamis. <h2>5. Increased earthquakes</h2> There are a number ways climate change can increase the frequency of earthquakes, and so increase tsunami risk. First, the weight of ice sheets may be <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsta.2010.0031">suppressing fault movement and earthquakes</a>. When the ice melts, the isostatic rebound (land uplift) is accompanied by an increase in earthquakes and fault movement as the crust adjusts to the loss of weight. We may have seen this already in <a href="http://www.geotimes.org/oct04/NN_glacier.html">Alaska</a>, where melting glaciers reduced the stability of faults, inducing many small earthquakes and <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818104000487?casa_token=BGo_KzIOuJkAAAAA:UHyQvV-tvVulwAfvOFPJILcG2206iyZhOM9TCVS_VAh0UdLimWrfu_NJRTHJVtwlKBL0cfA">possibly the magnitude 7.2 St Elias earthquake</a> in 1979. Another factor is low air pressure associated with storms and typhoons, which studies have also shown can trigger earthquakes in areas where the Earth’s crust is already under stress. Even relatively small changes in air pressure can trigger fault movements, as <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nature08042">an analysis</a> of earthquakes between 2002 and 2007 in eastern Taiwan identified. <h2>So how can we prepare?</h2> Many mitigation strategies for climate change should also include elements to improve tsunami preparedness. This could include incorporating projected sea level rise into tsunami prediction models, and in building codes for infrastructure along vulnerable coastlines. Researchers can also ensure scientific models of climate impacts include the projected increase in earthquakes, landslides and volcanic activity, and the increased tsunami risk this will bring.<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/175247/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jane-cunneen-290217">Jane Cunneen</a>, Adjunct Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/curtin-university-873">Curtin University</a> 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/5-ways-climate-change-increases-the-threat-of-tsunamis-from-collapsing-ice-shelves-to-sea-level-rise-175247">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Domestic Travel

Why major airlines are flying empty planes

In order to keep prized departure and landing times at major airports, some of Europe’s biggest airlines have been forced to fly empty planes. Europe’s second largest air carrier, Germany-based Lufthansa, reported they had operated over 18,000 “ghost flights” through winter, despite the devastating pollution effects of these flights directly opposing Europe’s climate goals. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg shared news of the “ghost flights” on twitter, adding, “The EU surely is in a climate emergency mode…” Due to severely decreased demand for air travel, Lufthansa called for more short-term flexibility on airport time slots. “Without this crisis-related flexibility, airlines are forced to fly with planes almost empty, just to secure their slots,” it said. Still operating in a pre-pandemic mindset, the “use-it-or-lose-it” rule forces airlines to use at least 80% of their allocated slots to keep their flight times. These rules ensure major airlines are not able to hog valuable flying times, which boxes out smaller airlines from emerging. News of the ghost flights has prompted Stefan De Keersmaecker, a senior spokesperson of the European Commission, to refute these claims online. Stefan cited data from Eurocontrol which reported the first weeks of traffic in 2022 was at 77% of pre-pandemic rates. “In addition to the lower slot use rates, companies may also request a ‘justified non-use exception’ – to not use a slot – if the route cannot be operated because of sanitary measures, e.g. when new variants emerge during the pandemic,” he shared on Twitter. “EU rules therefore do not oblige airlines to fly or to keep empty planes in the air. Deciding to operate routes or not is a commercial decision by the airline company and not a result of EU rules.” Image credits: Getty Images

Travel Tips

RECALLED: Coca-Cola pulls popular drink from shelves amid fears of contamination

Coca-Cola Amatil has urgently recalled the popular drink called Appletiser in its 750ml size from all supermarket shelves amid fears the juice is contaminated. The sparkling apple juice is feared to be contaminated with microbial mycotoxin-patulin and the recalled product has date markings of best before June 1 and June 2 2022. If customers have this product at home they should return the product to where they purchased it and they will receive a full refund. The juice has been on sale at Coles supermarkets in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania and at Woolworths supermarkets in Victoria. The product was found to have an elevated level of microbial mycotoxin-patulin contamination which Food Standards Australia and New Zealand said can cause illness if consumed. The World Health Organisation states mycotoxins are naturally occurring toxins created by certain moulds which can be found in apples. Anyone who consumed the product and is worried about their health should 'seek medical advice. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand announced the recall on Wednesday. Image: Getty Images

Food & Wine

RECALLED: Popular white wine pulled from shelves

A popular white wine has been recalled after undeclared allergens have been detected. Noble Fellows Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Vintage 750mL was issued with a recall notice on Saturday by the Federal Government’s statutory authority. The popular wine has previously been available for sale in BWS and Dan Murphy's bottle shops across the country and retails for $15. Food Standards Australia and New Zealand have said that the recall is due to the unexpected presence of an undeclared allergen, being sulphites. The health authority says that customer who have an allergy or intolerance may have a reaction if the wine is consumed. “Consumers who have a sulphites allergy or intolerance should not consume this product and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund,” the recall notice says. The recall was issued after the wine failed to adhere to legislation regarding allergies. Australian legislation requires labels disclose that their product contains sulphites and limit the amount permitted in wines. Image credit: Shutterstock/Food Standards ANZ

News

Why supermarket shelves are emptying – and it's NOT panic buying

Customers across Sydney are being greeted with empty shelves at major supermarkets in what is a flow-on effect of the state’s ongoing coronavirus lockdown. Over the weekend, NSW entered its 11th week of lockdown. Frustrated shoppers at Woolworths, Coles and Aldi Stores in Greater Sydney took to social media to share pictures of depleted, bare shopping aisles. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <a href="https://twitter.com/Coles?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coles</a> in Katoomba is looking a bit empty 🙁 <a href="https://t.co/tjIzXVd9v1">pic.twitter.com/tjIzXVd9v1</a> — JON DEE (JonDee.com) (@JonDeeOz) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonDeeOz/status/1433344350021324805?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2021</a></blockquote> Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and bakery sections all looking a little scarce. However, panic buying isn’t responsible this time around, instead wide spread covid-19 virus is to blame, forcing employees into isolation for an extended period of time. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843870/new-project-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/924413f836c14a31a85d6971cf33811e" /> Images: supplied by customer This has caused serious disruption to supply chains. Woolworths have over 3,300 staff members in self-isolation while Coles has just under 1800 people in quarantine. Aldi has admits self-isolation orders for staff are causing disruptions across their supply chain too. Staff members that remain able to work are stretched thin, causing widespread issues in the supply chain and their ability to stock shelves. All retails involved have assured customers that food remains plentiful – the problem being just getting it into stores.

Food & Wine

RECALLED: Popular apple juice pulled from shelves over contamination fear

A popular brand of apple juice sold at Coles supermarkets in Victoria and New South Wales has been recalled over contamination fears. A notice issued by Food Standards Australia New Zealand on Wednesday confirmed that Thirsty Brothers Pty Ltd had recalled the Original Juice Co. Black Label Cloudy Apple Juice 1.5L over fears of microbial (Mycotoxin - Patulin) contamination. The notice said, “Food products containing Mycotoxin - Patulin may cause illness if consumed.” “Any consumers concerned about their health should seek medical advice and should return the product to the place of purchase for a full refund.” Patulin is a mycotoxin most commonly found in rotting or damaged apples, and may not have been detected before the manufacturing process began. The impacted items have a use-by date of 07/10/2021 and should not be consumed. Concerned customers are being urged to contact Thirsty Brothers Pty Ltd for more information and advice. A second recall notice was also issues for Barossa Fine Foods Pastrami 100g due to non-compliant labelling. The product was available at a range of independent supermarkets across all states and territories, except Tasmania. “The recall is due to non-compliant labelling (incorrect printed ‘Use By’ date). The printed Use By date of 09/12/2021 is incorrect. The correct Use By date is 16/09/2021,” the regulator said. “The food may cause illness if consumed after 16/09/2021.” Customers are advised not to eat the product after September 16, and instead, return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Image credits: Shutterstock/NSW Food Authority

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