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Good news for weekend warriors: people who do much of their exercise on a couple of days still get heart benefits

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emmanuel-stamatakis-161783">Emmanuel Stamatakis</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-ahmadi-1241767">Matthew Ahmadi</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/raaj-kishore-biswas-1374060">Raaj Kishore Biswas</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Physical activity has <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451">established benefits</a> for health. The <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451">World Health Organization</a> recommends adults do a minimum of 150–300 minutes of moderate or 75–150 minutes of vigorous activity each week. This can include active transport from place-to-place, exercise for fun and fitness, energetic housework or physical activity at work.</p> <p>These amounts can be accrued by being, as the <a href="https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/24/1451">WHO recommends</a>, regularly active throughout the week, or being a “weekend warrior” who does the bulk of their activity on one to two days only, which don’t need to be consecutive.</p> <p>So far, experts haven’t fully established which of the two patterns is better for overall health. For many people, busy lifestyles may make it hard to be physically active every day. It may be more feasible to squeeze most physical activity and exercise into a few days.</p> <p>Fresh <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2807286">analysis</a> of the large <a href="https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/">UK Biobank</a> database attempted to compare these two patterns of weekly activity and compare how they reduced cardiovascular risk for heart attacks, heart failure, irregular heart beat and stroke.</p> <h2>What the new study found</h2> <p>Researchers analysed records from 89,573 participants who wore a wrist activity tracker for seven days and were tracked for cardiovascular events for over six years.</p> <p>Those who did less than the WHO recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week were considered inactive. About a third (33.7%) of participants were inactive. Some 42.2% were termed active “weekend warriors” (they did at least 150 minutes and more than half of it occurred within one to two days) and 24% were regularly active (at least 150 minutes with most activity spread out over three or more days).</p> <p>Researchers considered the potential factors that could explain the link between physical activity and new cases of cardiovascular events, such as smoking and alcohol intake. They found both active groups showed similarly lower risk of heart attack (a 27% reduction for weekend warriors and 35% for regularly active people, compared with inactive participants).</p> <p>For heart failure, weekend warriors had a 38% lower risk than inactive people, while regular exercisers had a 36% lower risk. Irregular heartbeat risk was 22% lower for weekend warriors and 19% lower for regularly actively people. Stroke was 21% and 17% lower for weekend warriors and regular exercisers, respectively.</p> <h2>Not so fast. Some study limitations</h2> <p>Although the information was recorded by activity trackers, researchers did not consider on which days of the week the activity was done. Some people may have been active on Saturdays and Sundays, others might have chosen Wednesday and Friday – or different days each week. In that sense, <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2807286">the study</a> examined a “pseudo-weekend warrior” pattern.</p> <p>Despite the many advantages the UK Biobank activity trackers have over <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2596007">questionnaire-based studies</a>, these trackers are not great at capturing strength-training exercise, such as weights or pilates, and other static activities that have <a href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/187/5/1102/4582884">established cardiovascular</a> health benefits.</p> <h2>What other research in this area says</h2> <p>There have been several questionnaire based studies in this area in <a href="https://academic.oup.com/aje/article/160/7/636/136697">the past 20 years</a>.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2596007">2017 study</a>, for example, combined data from 63,591 adults from England and Scotland and tracked them over 12 years. We looked at <a href="https://theconversation.com/weekend-warrior-exercise-is-it-good-for-you-70964">risk reductions</a> for death from any cause, cardiovascular disease and cancer causes. We found similar benefits among people who clocked at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity in one to two sessions per week, compared with three sessions or more per week.</p> <p>Our more <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02100-x">recent studies</a> used activity trackers and emphasised the flexibility of activity patterns that benefit the heart and circulation. We found doing short one-minute-long bouts of incidental vigorous physical activity three to four times a day can cut the risk of death from cardiovascular causes by <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-022-02100-x">almost half</a>.</p> <p>Similarly, in another study we found just 19 minutes of vigorous physical activity a week was associated with <a href="https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/46/4801/6771381">40% reduction</a> in the risk of cardiovascular death, with steadily increasing benefits to the maximum amount of vigorous activity recorded (110 minutes a week linked to a 75% risk reduction).</p> <h2>What it means for you and your routine</h2> <p>Taken together, the <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2807286">new study</a> and <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2596007">previous research</a> suggest the same thing: if it is difficult to find time to be active during a busy week, it is good enough to plan moderate to vigorous physical activities in a couple of weekdays or in the weekend.</p> <p>That said, there are benefits in being regularly physically active on most days of the week. A good session of aerobic exercise, for example, improves health indicators such as <a href="https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/HYP.0000000000000196">blood pressure</a>, and <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40279-021-01473-2">blood glucose</a> and <a href="https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12944-017-0515-5">cholesterol levels</a> for a day or longer. Such effects can moderate some of the long-term health risks of these factors and assist with their day-to-day management.</p> <p>But confirmation that we can be flexible about how physical activity is accumulated across the week for heart health benefits is encouraging. It offers more opportunities for more people to be active when it is convenient and practical for them.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210053/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/emmanuel-stamatakis-161783">Emmanuel Stamatakis</a>, Professor of Physical Activity, Lifestyle, and Population Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/matthew-ahmadi-1241767">Matthew Ahmadi</a>, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/raaj-kishore-biswas-1374060">Raaj Kishore Biswas</a>, Research Fellow &amp; Biostatistician, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/good-news-for-weekend-warriors-people-who-do-much-of-their-exercise-on-a-couple-of-days-still-get-heart-benefits-210053">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Teenage "speed camera warrior" confronted by grouchy "Karen"

<p>Teenage "speed camera warrior" Beau Jackson has been confronted by a disgruntled middle-aged woman as he warned motorists of an upcoming speed camera. </p> <p>The Central Coast local has dedicated his free time to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/travel/travel-trouble/i-ve-been-saving-them-heaps-teen-speed-camera-crusader-hailed-a-hero" target="_blank" rel="noopener">alerting drivers</a> to hidden speed cameras that can often result in <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/speed-camera-crusader-cops-highly-dubious-fine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hefty fines</a>. </p> <p>While parked on the side of the road with a sign bringing attention to the sneaky cameras, thankful motorists often show their appreciation to Beau by honking their horn. </p> <p>Despite his noble cause, the 17-year-old had his first unpleasant experience with a local, and shared the confrontation on <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@scamerasloveme/video/7088872965651172610?is_copy_url=1&amp;is_from_webapp=v1&amp;lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">social media</a>. </p> <p>Beau filmed the woman, who he dubbed 'Karen' walking away and said from behind the camera, "This lady tried getting me by complaining about the honks - tried getting a photo of my number plate."</p> <p>"It's the first Karen interaction," he laughed, as another passer-by honked their horn.</p> <p>"She tried to take a photo of my number plate - I'm legally parked, there's nothing she can do about it."</p> <p>When speaking to <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10753241/Beau-Jackson-teenage-speed-camera-warrior-confronted-grouchy-Karen.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail Australia</a>, Beau explained the woman lived close to where he was parked, and got sick and tired of the honking noise. </p> <p>"She asked me to move because she was sick of the honking," he said.</p> <p>"I told her I was only parked there because the speed camera van was parked a few metres in front of me."</p> <p>The woman was unfazed about his mission to save locals from spending hundreds of dollars in speeding tickets and continued demanding that he move.</p> <p>When he continually refused, she started taking photos of Mr Jackson and his bike.</p> <p>"So I started taking photos of her," he recalled.</p> <p>"She backed right off when I did that, and then she starting making phone calls."</p> <p>Beau was unsure of who the woman was calling, but explained that as soon as the mobile speed camera took off from the area, so did he. </p> <p>"When they left, I had no reason to be there anymore so I left," he added.</p> <p>As Beau's video of the encounter racked up thousands of views, many people left comments telling the teenager to ignore the haters and keep protecting the community. </p> <p><em>Image credits: A Current Affair</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Grace Warrior Powell turns one!

<p>Proud mother, Bindi Irwin got the birthday celebrations started early for baby Grace Warrior. She has shared a video montage on Instagram from little moments over the past 12 months.</p> <p>"Our Grace Warrior is almost one and this year has been the greatest of our lives," she gushed.</p> <p>The clip features a number of moments and includes husband Chandler, Bindi's brother Robert and their mum Terri Irwin.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbbOG7aBzMz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CbbOG7aBzMz/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The video has been watched 1.2 million times, the Instagram Reel is set to the song ‘A Letter to My Daughter’ by Kerri Brown.</p> <p>Chandler's parents have flown in from America for their granddaughter's birthday celebrations, with Bindi sharing a video from a beach day with her in-laws this week.</p> <p>The clip showed "Grace is riding in style" as Bindi is seen pulling her daughter across the sand in a beach trolley.</p> <p>Fans were thrilled the family, long separated due to the pandemic, were able to be together and meet in-person.</p> <p>On Monday, Bindi announced special celebrations for Grace's first birthday will take place across Australia Zoo on Friday the 25th of March.</p> <p>The family will officially open Camp Grace, with children under 14 able to enter the zoo for free, with birthday cupcakes on offer for everyone.</p> <p>There is set to be croc feeding, a safari challenge obstacle course, clay workshop, pot plant planting workshop and live performances with the chance to meet popular cartoon characters Bluey and Bingo.</p> <p>Grace was born on the couple's first wedding anniversary, after they tied the knot on March 25th, 2020 ahead of restrictions at the start of the pandemic.</p>

Family & Pets

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"Each of us is a warrior": Prisoners released to join fight against Russia

<p dir="ltr">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that imprisoned Ukrainian citizens with “real combat experience” will be released to join the fight against Russia.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Zelensky made the “morally difficult” announcement during an address on Monday (local time), as peace talks between Ukraine and Russia continue.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Ukrainians with real combat experience will be released from custody and will be able to compensate for their guilt in their hottest spots,” he <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/ukrainian-prisoners-released-to-fight-russia-peace-talks-fail-231759682.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a video posted to Telegram.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All sanctions against some individuals who participated in the Anti-Terrorist Operation will be lifted. The key thing now is defence.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The president urged Ukrainians to help protect their country and said Russian troops were fighting “against all living beings”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I went to the presidency, I said that each of us is the president. Because we are all responsible for our country,” Mr Zelensky said.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-1901643b-7fff-3e34-f417-b25df38f94dc"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“For our beautiful Ukraine. And now it has happened that each of us is a warrior. And I am sure that each of us will win.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CahvwH7Atdj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CahvwH7Atdj/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Володимир Зеленський (@zelenskiy_official)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Mr Zelensky also called on Russian soldiers to flee and save themselves.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Don’t trust your commanders, don’t trust your propagandists. Just save your lives,” he urged.</p> <p dir="ltr">He also used the address to encourage foreign volunteers wanting to join the fight to sign up for an “international brigade” at Ukrainian embassies.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison discouraged Ukrainians in Australia from flying over to fight in the conflict.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At this time, the legality of such actions are uncertain under Australian law,” Mr Morrison said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Zelensky’s address comes as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to meet unexpected resistance.</p> <p dir="ltr">The President signed a letter formally requesting immediate membership of the European Union, though it could take years for it to become an actuality.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, videos have emerged on social media of residential areas in Kharkiv being shelled.</p> <p dir="ltr">Authorities said at least seven people had been killed and dozens were injured.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-877388f3-7fff-801b-6769-655edb600d85"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @zelensky_official (Instagram)</em></p>

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How a great-grandmother is creating a new generation of warrior women

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Meenakshi Amma has become a driving force in the world of traditional Indian martial arts, as she has fought to revive the art of Kalarippayattu.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kalarippayattu, also known as Kalari, is the oldest form of martial arts in India, and Amma has been working to encourage women and girls of all ages to take up the ancient practice. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I started Kalari when I was seven. I am still practising, learning and teaching,” said the matriarch of the Kadathanad Kalari Sangham school, founded by her late husband in 1949.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844633/meenakshi-amma-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/10c160409f9746e3b1c483857038d60e" /></p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty Images</em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you open the newspapers, you only see news of violence against women.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When women learn this martial art, they feel physically and mentally strong and it makes them confident to work and travel alone.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kalari can involve the use of weapons such as staffs, swords and shields, and contains elements of yoga and dance. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Reputedly 3,000 years old and often mentioned in ancient Hindu scriptures, the art remains infused with religion in the present day.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">British colonial rulers in India banned the sacred practice in 1804, but it survived underground before a revival in the early 20th century and after independence in 1947.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Kalari is now recognised as a sport and is practiced by many all over India. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844634/meenakshi-amma-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/975d75a4a292444d993c21274e2810d1" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credit: Getty Images</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Inside Meenakshi’s Kalari hall, her son Sanjeev Kumar puts barefoot pupils, boys and girls alike, through their paces on the ochre-red earth floor as he takes up his mother’s legacy. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It’s a form of poetry,” said civil engineer Alaka S Kumar, 29, daughter of Sanjeev. “I am going to teach Kalari, with my brother. We have to take over. Otherwise, it is gone.”</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p>

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Bindi's back! Wildlife Warrior mum returns after personal hiatus

<p><span>Bindi Irwin has returned to Instagram after almost a month of silence.</span><br /><br /><span>The 22-year-old took to social media on Thursday to share some new adorable photos of her three-month-old daughter, Grace Warrior, and her husband, Chandler Powell.</span><br /><br /><span>"Our beautiful angel has started giggling all the time and absolutely loves nature walks, looking for wildlife with us," she captioned the photo set on Instagram.</span><br /><br /><span>"Can you believe she'll be four months old soon?! Infinite love and gratitude in my heart."</span><br /><br /><span>Last month, Irwin revealed she'd be stepping back from social media after a major family scandal involving her paternal grandfather, Bob Irwin was brought to light.</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-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CRU_-7gB_4t/?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/CRU_-7gB_4t/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p><br /><span>"Hi guys, Just a note to say thank you for your support. I'm taking a break from social media and most of my work in the public eye for a month to be with my beautiful daughter and my wonderful family," she wrote on the social media platform.</span><br /><br /><span>"I feel tremendously grateful to share our life and conservation work with you but I need some time to focus on the happiness that is my family (both human and animal). You can keep up with our adventures by following my family and Australia Zoo on social media. 💙"</span><br /><br /><span>"Recently, I've had many people reaching out to share their own stories of working hard to protect their mental health," the post went on to say.</span><br /><br /><span>"Thank you for sharing and speaking your truth. To my friends who are dealing with depression, anxiety and other battles every day — I see you. These issues are very real and deserve to be discussed and addressed.”</span><br /><br /><span>She added: "Surround yourself with the light of people who genuinely care about you and will support you during the good times and the hard times.</span><br /><br /><span>“Remember there are helplines available. Mental health deserves understanding and support instead of being dismissed or patronised. You are absolutely worthy of love and kindness."</span></p> <p><span>The post has since been deleted, but it followed just a few days after she revealed the strained relationship she has with her grandfather in a comment on Facebook.</span><br /><br /><span>Bindi had shared a tribute to the men in her life on Father's Day in the US, but left Bob out of the post.</span><br /><br /><span>"What about your grandfather you know your fathers, father!!! He [too] was a good man, who I assume got the shaft," a user wrote.</span><br /><br /><span>"Thank you very much for your comment," Bindi responded.</span><br /><br /><span>"I really wish that my entire family could spend time with Grace. Unfortunately my grandfather Bob has shown no interest in spending time with me or my family. Publicly he continues to claim that he wants to spend time with us while privately my entire life has been psychological abuse from him.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841925/bindi-irwin-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/caccff06b61d488cb4a855233711402f" /><br /><span>"He has returned gifts I've sent after he opened them, he has ignored my correspondence and from the time I was a little girl he has ignored me, preferring to spend time doing anything else rather than being with me. He has never said a single kind word to me personally."</span><br /><br /><span>"It breaks my heart but it is not healthy to engage in an abusive relationship. My mum still writes to him and sends birthday and Christmas gifts to him with no response," Bindi continued, adding that the family have been Bob's "financial support since 1992 when he retired from Australia Zoo, sending him funds every week."</span></p> <p><span>"We built him a house on a beautiful property and will always do our best to ensure his well-being. I want Bob's happiness in life but I cannot be a victim to his mental abuse anymore," she went on to add.</span><br /><br /><span>"I hope everyone remembers to be kind to one another but most of all care for your own mental health. I have struggled with this relationship my entire life and it brings me enormous pain. I have to choose to care for my own mental health now."</span><br /><br /><span>Author Amanda French, who co-wrote Bob's 2016 memoir, The Last Crocodile Hunter, later came forward in defence of Bob.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841917/bob-irwin-family-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/44f9f932a55748b6a0ce4bc6df1ef9c4" /><br /><br /><span>"He is nothing but kind," she said on Bindi's Facebook post.</span><br /><br /><span>"He hasn't seen you since you were 10. He has done all he knows how to do and that is bury his head in the sand because that's how he copes."</span><br /><br /><span>"He loves your Dad, and you guys more than you know," French added.</span><br /><br /><span>"This should be a private matter not written about on Facebook. I'm so disappointed to read this. It's immature to write such words."</span></p> <p><em>Images: Supplied</em></p>

Family & Pets

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New first for baby wildlife warrior

<p>Life with a newborn is full of milestones from the moment a mother finds out she is expecting.</p> <p>Bindi Irwin and husband Chandler Powell have celebrated their first time venturing out of their newborn baby bubble to enjoy their first family dinner.</p> <p>Taking to Instagram, Bindi shared a photo of her family standing in the middle of a lavish tropical jungle with fairy lights hanging above them.</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/CO6cg3khLwn/?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/CO6cg3khLwn/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"First family dinner adventure with our sweet girl. I'm a proud mama," she wrote underneath the snap.</p> <p>The couple's clearly beaming smiles speak for themselves as they crowd over their daughter's pram.</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/CO1AdWehQMg/?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/CO1AdWehQMg/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The photo was taken by none other than Bindi's talented brother, Robert Irwin.</p> <p>It has been a week full of milestones for Bindi, who celebrated her first Mother's Day last week.</p>

Family & Pets

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“That is not activism”: Barack Obama quick to call out keyboard warriors

<p>Barack Obama spoke at the Obama Foundation’s annual summit in Chicago and spoke about the state of politics and activism within the US as well as the ‘woke’ culture that continues to grow in the world of politics.</p> <p>Being ‘woke’ means being aware or attentive to injustices in society and some people use being ‘woke’ to ‘cancel’ people who do things wrong, whether that be spelling mistakes in tweets or using the wrong word to describe something.</p> <p>The former US President was quizzed and got passionate about those who are ‘politically woke’.</p> <p>“This idea of purity and you’re never compromised and you’re politically woke, and all that stuff — you should get over that quickly,” he said, according to<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/barack-obama-says-politically-woke-should-get-over-themselves/news-story/3500ce14ebfaaa2d4674556e2fcc1769" target="_blank">news.com.au</a></em>.</p> <p>“The world is messy. There are ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws. People who you are fighting with may love their kids and share certain things with you.”</p> <p>He was also quick to mention the issue with young people thinking that they can spark change by pointing out spelling mistakes.</p> <p>“One danger I see among young people particularly on college campuses is that I do get a sense among certain young people, and this is accelerated by social media, that the way of me making change is to be as judgmental as possible about other people and that’s enough,” Mr Obama said.</p> <p>“Like if I tweet or hashtag about how you didn’t do something right, or used the wrong verb, then I consider that I can feel pretty good about myself because, ‘man did you see how woke I was, I called you out’,” Mr Obama said, prompting laughter in the crowd.</p> <p>“That is not activism, that is not bringing about change.</p> <p>“If all you’re doing is casting stones, you are probably not going to get that far.”</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7832154/obama-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/836c492da6f6498a9ce70d8c9f5decf0" /></p> <p>Former first lady Michelle Obama also spoke about the US’s problems with racism.</p> <p>“Families like ours — upstanding families like ours who were doing everything we were supposed to do and better — as we moved in, white folks moved out because they were afraid of what our families represented,” she said.</p> <p>“I always stop there when I talk about this out in the world because I want to remind white folks, ya’ll were running from us. This family. This family with all the values you read about, you were running from us.</p> <p>“And you still running, because we’re no different from the immigrant families that are moving in. the families that are coming from other places to try to do better.”</p> <p>“I can’t make people not afraid of black people,” she said.</p> <p>“But maybe if I show up every day as a human, a good human, maybe that work will pick away at the scabs of your discrimination.”</p>

News

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5 reasons why Japan and China should be your next travel destination

<p>A holiday to China and Japan is like no other, both countries date back over 3,000 years and are steeped in age old traditions, culture and fascinating history.</p> <p>From the bustling metropolises of Shanghai and Tokyo, to ancient temples and majestic castles, tranquil zen gardens, roly poly pandas and world-famous snow monkeys, there is so much to see and do. Scroll through the gallery to see five reasons why Japan and China should be your next travel destinations.</p> <p><strong>1. Walk along the Great Wall of China</strong></p> <p>A visit to China would not be complete without visiting the Great Wall. This masterpiece in construction will amaze you regardless of your expectations.</p> <p>Stretching over 21,000km from the Yellow Sea to the Gobi Desert, the Great Wall took an estimated 20 years to build during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).</p> <p>Taking a walk along this magnificent structure is not only the best way to appreciate it, but also a great way to take in the incredible scenery and breathtaking views.</p> <p>Be sure to get there early to avoid the crowds and make the most of the best light for capturing those memorable photos.</p> <p><strong>2. Explore Kyoto</strong></p> <p>If you’re looking for Japan’s spiritual heart, look no further than Kyoto. Japan’s capital for a millennium, Kyoto was the heart of art, culture, philosophy and religion. Here you’ll find 2,000 temples and shrines including 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites.</p> <p>Some of the best-known cultural arts were born in Kyoto – the tea ceremony, Kabuki theatre and geisha who you will find scurrying along the street to their evening appointments.</p> <p>Kyoto is the idyllic setting to relax in tranquil zen gardens, take part in a traditional tea ceremony, try your hand at the art of origami or traditional calligraphy.</p> <p>Just outside Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari Shrine, dedicated to the god of rice and sake (Inari), it features 5,000 vibrant orange tori gates that wind up the hill, it is one of the most impressive sites in Kyoto.</p> <p>Thirty minutes from Kyoto is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, one of the most photographed sights in Japan. The lush bamboo stretches as high as the eye can see while sunlight filters through the gaps making for some stunning photos. Walk along the bamboo lined path and enjoy the serenity of the forest.</p> <p><strong>3. Gaze in awe at the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, China</strong></p> <p>Discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well, the Terracotta Warriors are synonymous with China, and just like the Great Wall, is one of the world’s most iconic archaeological finds.</p> <p>Constructed on the order of China’s First Emperor Qin Shi Huang who wanted an army to protect him in the afterlife, the Terracotta Warriors took 720,00 builders to construct over 40 years.</p> <p>Divided over three pits, pit one is the most impressive as it features 6,000 warriors (2,000 are on display) as well as horses, all facing east and ready for battle.</p> <p>The Terracotta Warriors continues to be a sight that intrigues any visitor to this day, standing in their original formation as they did when they were uncovered by the farmers in 1974.</p> <p><strong>4. Marvel at Japan’s colourful autumn leaves</strong></p> <p>From September through to November, Japan is a mosaic of colour with striking shades of red, yellow and orange as the country changes colour for its autumn leaves season.</p> <p>Starting in Tokyo and travelling down towards Kyoto and its surrounds, Japan’s autumn leaves are truly a magnificent sight.</p> <p>Temple gardens and shrine grounds become a stunning picture of autumn colours as the maple and gingko trees change colour, making it one of the most photogenic times to visit Japan.</p> <p>During autumn leaf season you can enjoy maple leaf shaped cakes and maple leaf shaped tempura</p> <p><strong>5. Watch roly poly giant pandas play</strong></p> <p>China’s celebrated bears are not only one of the world’s most loved species, they are also one of the world’s most endangered, which may be because of their disinterest in breeding.</p> <p>Located in Chengdu is the famous Panda Conservation Centre which mimics the natural habitat of giant pandas with the aim to encourage breeding. Since opening in 1987, the centre has successfully bred over 170 giant pandas.</p> <p>By visiting the centre, you will not only see these shy enigmatic creatures but also learn about the breeding program and how what the centre is doing to increase their numbers.</p> <p>The giant pandas are most active in the morning when its feeding time, so arrive early so that you maximise your time watching these national treasures play. </p> <p><em>This is sponsored content brought to you in partnership with <a href="https://www.wendywutours.com.au/special-offers/">Wendy Wu Tours</a>.</em></p>

International Travel

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Fans outraged at Australian Ninja Warrior grand final

<p>Fans of <em>Australian Ninja Warrior</em> took to social media to slam the show for once again failing to produce a winner for the second year in a row.</p> <p>In order to claim the $200,000 prize money and be crowned Australia’s first Ninja Warrior, a contestant has to complete the eight obstacles in Stage 2 in less than two minutes 45 seconds, then six obstacles in Stage 3 and then finally climb a 22-metre rope to the top of Mt Midoriyama in less than 30 seconds.</p> <p>And just like in season one, not a single competitor was able to make it past the second stage in <em>Australia Ninja Warrior.</em></p> <p> </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">No winner on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarrior?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NinjaWarrior</a> ? What a stupid course! Surely they could set a course that requires more balance and agility than just brute arm strength. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/lame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#lame</a> Get a woman to set it next time <a href="https://twitter.com/Channel9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Channel9</a></p> — Elsa Evers (@elsa_la_guerita) <a href="https://twitter.com/elsa_la_guerita/status/1024254429988450304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">2 years in a row and no prize winner, anticlimax to the max. At least give the leader some cash <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarrior?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NinjaWarrior</a></p> — Justin Morley (@alanlength) <a href="https://twitter.com/alanlength/status/1024254829198069761?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">That was THE most anticlimactic season finale ever. A course so difficult literally NO ONE makes it thru? What a flop. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarrior?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NinjaWarrior</a></p> — Allie (@heyheyitsalliej) <a href="https://twitter.com/heyheyitsalliej/status/1024252934333198336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Absolutely stupid that their fastest 3 has to compete in the rain! Completely unfair - and what’s the point if no one wins? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarriorAU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NinjaWarriorAU</a></p> — Jessica Smart (@jesssmart_) <a href="https://twitter.com/jesssmart_/status/1024253466816827393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"> <p dir="ltr">Who wants to watch a show where no one wins though like...it’s disappointing and there’s literally only one shot left to win so ??? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarrior?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NinjaWarrior</a></p> — gay space princess (@alllydia) <a href="https://twitter.com/alllydia/status/1024251886327590913?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>On Tuesday night’s grand finale, Ninja Warrior’s most popular contestant Sam Goodall collapsed on course and was forced to retire hurt.</p> <p>Before the course, Sam had warned producers that he was struggling with the effects of Ross River virus, which he contracted months before the show was filmed.</p> <p>“I am concerned that my health is going to be a problem,” Goodall said in a piece to camera.</p> <p>“This Ross River virus has just really smashed me … Even though I’m not feeling as strong, I think if I put my mind to it, I’ll be able to push the body further than it wants to go.”</p> <p>Sam made it through the first two obstacles in Stage 2 of the grand final course, but fatigue set in and he only just managed to complete the Spider Jump.</p> <p>“It looks like he’s in some trouble,” host Ben Fordham said.</p> <p>Sam then dramatically buckled to his knees as his wife Rachael pleased with him to abandon the course.</p> <p>“Darling, you won’t be able to do it,” she said. “Just have a rest.”</p> <p>Unable to stand, Sam had to leave the competition.</p> <p>“This is such an upsetting way for Sam Goodall to finish season two on <em>Australian Ninja Warrior</em>,” host Rebecca Maddern said.</p> <p>Rob Patterson, an engineering student, technically finished in first place by going the farthest and fastest in the course, but was unable to finish the Unstable Bridge which was the 7th obstacle in Stage 2.</p> <p>In second and third place was Bryson Klein and Alex Bigg respectively who also made it to the Unstable Bridge.</p> <p> </p>

Body

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Lisa Curry & Lisa Wilkinson's sons star in Australian Ninja Warrior

<p>Australian Ninja Warrior has returned to screens for its second season, and it turns out there are famous offspring in the pool of contestants who will be fighting for the title.</p> <p>At this year’s Logies, <em>The Project</em> host Lisa Wilkinson confirmed that her 22-year-old son Louis FitzSimons would be appearing on the show.</p> <p>“I'm so proud! He's done something in a million years that I wouldn't do,” she told <em><a href="https://thefix.nine.com.au/2018/07/01/18/43/logies-2018-lisa-wilkinson-son-ninja-warrior" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>The Fix</strong></span></a>.</em></p> <p> “When we watched the show last year, we sat on the couch and he said I'm going to enter that,” she said.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="475" height="464" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819694/lisa1.jpg" alt="Lisa1"/></p> <p>“And I said, 'Darling, there will thousands of people who enter, so if you don't get in and you don't get chosen you have to be prepared for that!'”</p> <p>Wilkinson said her son is goal orientated and when he “aims for something, he’s totally committed!”</p> <p>Last week, Louis pinned his mental and physical determination on the influence of his dad, former rugby player and journalist Peter FitzSimons.</p> <p>“I'd say my father led an important role in giving me that drive to succeed,” he told <em><a href="https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebrity/tv/louis-fitzsimons-ninja-warrior-49389" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Woman’s Day</strong></span></a>.</em></p> <p>Last night’s episode of Australia Ninja Warrior saw Olympian Lisa Curry’s son compete in the challenging obstacle course.</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: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkjAJDeB3lO/" target="_blank">When your son walks you down the aisle ... 😊💕 Not sure if our guests were watching me or Jett😂 I know 1 person didn’t take his eyes off me💕💍🤵🏻👰 @mark66andrew @jertkenny @jaimileekenny @morgan__kenny @marilyncrystellebridal @mondofloraldesigns @houseofkdor</a></p> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" href="https://www.instagram.com/lisacurry/" target="_blank"> Lisa Curry AO</a> (@lisacurry) on Jun 27, 2018 at 4:41pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The son of Lisa Curry and former Ironman Grant Kenny, Jett Kenny, splashed out in the second obstacle, the UFO Slider.</p> <p>The tricky new challenge wiped out five contestants in a row during the episode.</p> <p>The 23-year-old lifesaver told the <a href="https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/jett-kennys-short-but-sweet-ninja-warrior-debut/3462562/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em></strong></span></a> that the course was unpredictable.</p> <p>"The way stuff moves around on the course can be unpredictable, and if you haven't done it before then you don't know what you're in for," he said.</p> <p>"It's a hard one to do. A lot of the people doing it with me had done the Spartan races and had that background, where I was going into the course completely blind. The closest thing I'd done was climbing on some monkey bars."</p> <p>While his surf lifesaving background helped him complete the fitness test all competitors need to pass before making it on the show, Jett said the course requires specific skills to come out on top.</p> <p>"Surf lifesaving is a very intense sport when it comes to training and all the different disciplines," he said.</p> <p>"You think it would give you a bit of an advantage but it's completely different. Everyone saw last year how the rock climbers did really well because of their grip strength and that's a massive thing. If anyone is planning on doing it in the years to come I would highly recommend rock climbing or something like that to work on that grip strength."</p> <p>Although he admitted he was disappointed with his result, Jett has set his sights on returning to the show next year.</p> <p>"I'd love to do it again. Coming off where I did I was a bit disappointed, but at the same time I didn't have major expectations to finish the course," he said.</p> <p>"It was a good, fun experience for me. I'm not happy with how I ended, but I'm still glad I did it.”</p> <p>It has also been rumoured that former Bachelor star Tim Robards and former NRL player Beau Ryan will be making a comeback this season.</p>

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64-year-old Australian Ninja Warrior contestant inspires nation

<p>Ian Newland may be the oldest person to compete on <em>Australian</em> <em>Ninja Warrior</em>, but he is defying expectations.</p> <p>On Sunday, the 64-year-old showed off his six-pack while completing the gruelling obstacle course.</p> <p>In his intro package for the show, the grandfather-of-three explained that he doesn’t spend much time thinking about ageing.</p> <p>“I don't look at age being a big deal. I don't want to live forever but I'd like to live well as I get older,” he said.</p> <p>“I watched season one (of <em>Australian</em> <em>Ninja Warrior</em>) on television and I thought, 'Gee, I'd love to give it a go.' I've always been fit and involved in sport. I was a competitive gymnast, competitive paddler, having paddled from Victoria to Tasmania.”</p> <p>Social media erupted with encouragement for Newland, as his fitness inspired others to look after their own health.</p> <p>“I was not as fit as this dude when I was 18!” one viewer wrote on Twitter.</p> <p>“The 64-year-old's abs! I'm so ashamed of myself. Off to the gym tomorrow,” another wrote.</p> <p>As Newland made it through different stages of the challenging obstacle course, his wife, Ann, cheered him on from the sidelines.</p> <p>However, despite an impressive effort, Newland failed to grab a suspended ball and fell into the paddle pool in the fourth obstacle.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="290" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819642/2_498x290.jpg" alt="2 (99)"/></p> <p>"The one I was worried about was the bridge of blades. I was so excited over getting through that one I lost a little bit of focus," he told the <a href="https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coasts-fittest-grandpa-makes-ninja-warrior-debut/3461880/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em></strong></span></a>.</p> <p>"I should have gone back into safety mode, but I just went ahead.</p> <p>"When you walk up on to that stage and see the lights, the cameras and your family is there, your heart rate just goes right up. You've got to get that energy under control."</p> <p>Despite not completing the course, Newland hopes his appearance on the show will inspire others to get active with their grandchildren.</p> <p>"I hope to inspire older people, 60-plus and even under, to get out there and enjoy life and keep fit and eat right," he said.</p> <p>"To have a healthy, fun attitude – I find that's the big thing. Do all the stuff with your grandkids. Don't sit there and watch them at the skate park; buy a skateboard and do it with them."</p> <p>Newland has started his home training so he can attempt the <em>Australian Ninja Warrior</em> course as a contestant next year.</p>

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64-year-old Australian Ninja Warrior contestant inspires nation

<p>Ian Newland may be the oldest person to compete on <em>Australian</em> <em>Ninja Warrior</em>, but he is defying expectations.</p> <p>On Sunday, the 64-year-old showed off his six-pack while completing the gruelling obstacle course.</p> <p>In his intro package for the show, the grandfather-of-three explained that he doesn’t spend much time thinking about ageing.</p> <p>“I don't look at age being a big deal. I don't want to live forever but I'd like to live well as I get older,” he said.</p> <p>“I watched season one (of <em>Australian</em> <em>Ninja Warrior</em>) on television and I thought, 'Gee, I'd love to give it a go.' I've always been fit and involved in sport. I was a competitive gymnast, competitive paddler, having paddled from Victoria to Tasmania.”</p> <p>Social media erupted with encouragement for Newland, as his fitness inspired others to look after their own health.</p> <p>“I was not as fit as this dude when I was 18!” one viewer wrote on Twitter.</p> <p>“The 64-year-old's abs! I'm so ashamed of myself. Off to the gym tomorrow,” another wrote.</p> <p>As Newland made it through different stages of the challenging obstacle course, his wife, Ann, cheered him on from the sidelines.</p> <p>However, despite an impressive effort, Newland failed to grab a suspended ball and fell into the paddle pool in the fourth obstacle.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="290" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7819642/2_498x290.jpg" alt="2 (99)"/></p> <p>"The one I was worried about was the bridge of blades. I was so excited over getting through that one I lost a little bit of focus," he told the <a href="https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/coasts-fittest-grandpa-makes-ninja-warrior-debut/3461880/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>Sunshine Coast Daily</em></strong></span></a>.</p> <p>"I should have gone back into safety mode, but I just went ahead.</p> <p>"When you walk up on to that stage and see the lights, the cameras and your family is there, your heart rate just goes right up. You've got to get that energy under control."</p> <p>Despite not completing the course, Newland hopes his appearance on the show will inspire others to get active with their grandchildren.</p> <p>"I hope to inspire older people, 60-plus and even under, to get out there and enjoy life and keep fit and eat right," he said.</p> <p>"To have a healthy, fun attitude – I find that's the big thing. Do all the stuff with your grandkids. Don't sit there and watch them at the skate park; buy a skateboard and do it with them."</p> <p>Newland has started his home training so he can attempt the <em>Australian Ninja Warrior</em> course as a contestant next year.</p>

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Why keyboard warriors should be wary

<p><em><strong>Michael Douglas, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of Western Australia, examines the legal risks of online defamation.</strong></em></p> <p>Having suffered some terrible product or service, there is something darkly satisfying about publishing a scathing online review. This may not be virtuous or kind, but it can be cathartic. However, if your online review is disparaging of a person’s reputation, that person could sue you for defamation.</p> <p><strong>The rise of the keyboard warriors</strong></p> <p>Keyboard warriors like me have benefited from an explosion in the number of review <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.choice.com.au/" target="_blank">websites</a></strong></span> and <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/foursquare-city-guide/id306934924?mt=8" target="_blank">apps</a></strong></span> in recent years. These cover everything from <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.zomato.com/" target="_blank">food</a></strong></span>, to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/" target="_blank">travel</a></strong></span>, to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.australiandoctor.com.au/news/doctor-rating-sites-fundamentally-flawed" target="_blank">medical professionals</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>Platforms like <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/cases/wa/WADC/2015/126.html" target="_blank">Facebook</a></strong></span> and Google make it very easy to leave a scathing online review. Mobile technology enables customers to vent, or compliment, even while they are still in the store.</p> <p>Review websites keep consumers informed while letting the market know what works and what does not. In extreme cases, consumer reviews can even move corporate giants to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/28/eas-day-of-reckoning-is-here-after-star-wars-game-uproar.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>change their policie</strong></span>s</a>.</p> <p>For those on the other side of the equation, online reviews can be terrifying. I know from experience – anonymous student evaluations are part and parcel of being a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://au.ratemyteachers.com/" target="_blank">university lecturer</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>Bad reviews can be <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com.au/owner-yelp-is-bad-for-small-business-2013-4?r=US&amp;IR=T" target="_blank">disastrous</a></strong></span> for small businesses. Understandably, some reviewees will be motivated to silence negative reviewers. In extreme cases, they may even go to court.</p> <p><strong>You can be sued for a scathing review</strong></p> <p>In Australia, freedom of speech is not as free as some might think – even when “spoken” on the internet. Although we have an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.humanrights.gov.au/freedom-information-opinion-and-expression" target="_blank">implied freedom of political communication in our constitution</a></strong></span>, we do not have a US-style right to free speech. Defamation law places significant limitations on our freedom of speech.</p> <p>Courts have the power to force a person to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321306294_Douglas_M_2017_The_exorbitant_injunction_in_X_v_Twitter_Communications_Law_Bulletin" target="_blank">remove content from the internet</a></strong></span>, or pay damages to the plaintiff for harm done to their reputation. Failure to comply could mean <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/blogger-shane-dowling-jailed-for-contempt-for-naming-tim-worners-alleged-lovers-20170810-gxt4px.html" target="_blank">prosecution for contempt</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>Professional reputation is highly valued by defamation law. Damages can be significant if defamation causes an actual loss of business, or even a <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://theconversation.com/rebel-wilsons-4-5-million-win-a-sobering-reminder-that-defaming-a-celebrity-can-be-costly-83968" target="_blank">loss of opportunity</a></strong></span>. In the absence of proven economic loss, substantial “general” damages may still be awarded as a consolation for <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://theconversation.com/hockeys-defamation-win-is-dark-news-for-democracy-and-free-speech-44129" target="_blank">hurt and distress</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>When defamation occurs online, damages awards may increase to account for the “<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2811967" target="_blank">grapevine effect</a></strong></span>”: the way salacious content tends to be shared and repeated on the internet.</p> <p>However, there are a couple of barriers that could make it harder to sue.</p> <p>Firstly, some “persons” cannot sue. Under Australia’s <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www8.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/wa/consol_act/da200599/s9.html" target="_blank">uniform defamation laws</a></strong></span>, certain corporate bodies – that is, companies – do not have a cause of action in defamation. Unlike overseas, large companies <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2003/jun/04/foodanddrink.shopping" target="_blank">like McDonald’s</a></strong></span> can’t sue under Australian defamation law, but this does not apply to <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/54a6364e3004de94513d916a" target="_blank">not-for-profits</a></strong></span>, or small businesses with 10 employees or less. Hotheads should proceed with caution before slagging off their corner café.</p> <p>Secondly, a review must identify a person directly or indirectly in order for someone to be able to sue for defamation. A generic Facebook rant about “how bad restaurants are in blah suburb” will not meet the requirements of “identification”.</p> <p>These barriers are not insurmountable. In 2014, a group of restaurateurs were awarded more than <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/former-reviewer-matthew-evans-who-cost-fairfax-600000-has-turned-to-farming-and-television/news-story/3698276fa706f7f382a33cc2f5759c90" target="_blank">A$600,000 in damages for a defamatory review in The Sydney Morning Herald</a></strong></span>. Fairfax stood by the critic who made the harsh review, which remained online for years. While the average rant on Zomato won’t cause a restaurant to close down, this case illustrates that an expression of opinion about a business can have very serious consequences.</p> <p><strong>What to do if you’re sued</strong></p> <p>Take it seriously. See a lawyer.</p> <p>In 2017, <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-surgeon-munjed-al-muderis-awarded-480k-over-online-defamation-by-patient-20170608-gwn17a.html" target="_blank">Sydney surgeon Munjed Al Muderis was awarded A$480,000 damages</a></strong></span> for a defamatory online campaign of abusive reviews by a former patient and the patient’s brother. There was no evidence of any medical negligence or wrongdoing, and the size of the damages award was partly attributable to the poor conduct of the defendants – <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/5936545fe4b074a7c6e1657a" target="_blank">they failed to participate in the proceedings</a></strong></span>.</p> <p>Having been served with a defamation claim, a lawyer may advise that you’re protected by defences to defamation. For example, a defence is available if your review is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www7.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/wa/consol_act/da200599/s25.html" target="_blank">substantially true</a></strong></span>; or if you have expressed an <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www7.austlii.edu.au/cgi-bin/viewdoc/au/legis/wa/consol_act/da200599/s31.html" target="_blank">honest opinion</a></strong></span> on a matter of public interest, and your opinion is based on proper material.</p> <p>These defences might allow you to defend a trial, but they will not necessarily prevent you from being sued. They also come with practical challenges: for example, the reviewer, rather than reviewee, must prove the substantial truth of the publication. While your lawyer is dealing with those challenges, you will be dealing with your lawyer’s bills. Defending defamation is expensive, even if you win.</p> <p><strong>What if your review was anonymous?</strong></p> <p>Not all review platforms require you to disclose your identity. A recent example is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong><a href="http://www.ratemyboss.org.au/" target="_blank">Rate My Boss</a></strong></em></span>, a website created by union United Voice, which allows workers to review their employers anonymously. Anonymity makes sense from the workers’ perspective.</p> <p>From the employers’ perspective, the anonymity problem may be avoided by pursuing the publishers of the website rather than the reviewer. This is the standard model for a lot of defamation litigation; media organisations will often defend defamation on behalf of their writers.</p> <p>A disgruntled reviewee may go one step further and go after the internet giants that link people to defamatory content. These intermediaries have much deeper pockets and the practical ability to prevent something from being accessed. Whether Google should be responsible as “publisher” of its search engine content is <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/SydLRev/2017/24.html" target="_blank">about to be tested</a></strong></span> in the High Court.</p> <p>As for you, the reviewer: if you have been particularly nasty in an anonymous review, the reviewee may litigate to find out who you are. It may be tricky, but a would-be plaintiff has options: a couple of years ago, movie pirates were <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://www.news.com.au/technology/online/piracy/dallas-buyers-club-war-with-iinet-downloaders-finally-comes-to-an-end/news-story/a51ba7091b090be07a559a3cab8ad7f1" target="_blank">threatened with the prospect of a court order</a></strong></span> compelling iiNet to reveal their identities in a copyright dispute. The context is different, but the anxiety felt by those Matthew McConaughey fans demonstrates that online naughtiness is not as anonymous as we might think.</p> <p><strong>Play nice and none of this matters</strong></p> <p>If you play the ball, not the man; if you focus on what you actually experience, rather than making grandiose claims; and if you focus on the truthful aspects of a product or service in a harsh but fair review, you are less likely to fall afoul of defamation law.</p> <p>What are your thoughts? Have you ever left a scathing review online?</p> <p><em>Written by Michael Douglas. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.theconversation.com" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Conversation</span></strong></a>.<img width="1" height="1" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/92595/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" alt="The Conversation"/></em></p>

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Channel Seven backlash – new show "exactly the same" as Nine's Australian Ninja Warrior

<p>Australian Ninja Warrior was one of the <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/technology/2017/07/australian-ninja-warrior-deaf-contestant-disqualified/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>runaway hits for Nine in 2017</strong></span></a>, and Channel Seven is looking to get in on the action with the newly-announced Australian Spartan.</p> <p>The show sees contestants working as teams to negotiate a range of obstacles, with the promo voiceover boldly claiming it will be the, “toughest, biggest test of teamwork ever.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-video"> <p dir="ltr">FIRST LOOK: Welcome to the Australian Spartan arena! 💪 Only a team can conquer it.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianSpartan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianSpartan</a> coming soon to Channel 7. <a href="https://t.co/XQBzYz8yYC">pic.twitter.com/XQBzYz8yYC</a></p> — Channel Seven Perth (@SevenPerth) <a href="https://twitter.com/SevenPerth/status/948018513733500929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>But if Channel Seven thought their answer to Australian Ninja Warrior would be an immediate hit with fans, they were sorely mistaken. The immediate response to promo videos has been lukewarm at best, and many Twitter users have criticised the network for making a program so similar to that of one of its main competitors.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/australianspartan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#australianspartan</a>... Very obviously 7s next instant flop.</p> — GraemeT (@ghmt21) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghmt21/status/947723277773946881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Aaah I've worked it out. The new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianSpartan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianSpartan</a> is about seeing how long the audience lasts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChangeTheGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChangeTheGame</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBigDell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealBigDell</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/edwina_b?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@edwina_b</a> <a href="https://t.co/9ivjzZMlUi">pic.twitter.com/9ivjzZMlUi</a></p> — Dr Adrian Raftery (@MisterTaxman) <a href="https://twitter.com/MisterTaxman/status/940564595466313728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Not everyone was negative however, with some users looking forward to the program. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Am i the only one not looking forward to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianSpartan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianSpartan</a>? 🤷🏻‍♂️</p> — Guy 🏳️‍🌈🎗 (@greysfan) <a href="https://twitter.com/greysfan/status/947796659727036416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2018</a></blockquote> <p>Check out the promo above! Can you spot the difference?</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / Channel Seven </em></p>

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Uproar over Australian Ninja Warrior grand final

<p>Australian Ninja Warrior fans have been left disappointed after the much-hyped grand final aired last night.</p> <p>After three weeks of watching everyday Australians tackle complicated obstacle courses on Channel Nine’s extreme reality series, Australia was eager to find out which “ninja” would take home the title. But unfortunately, no one did.</p> <p>The exhausting series finales, where the 21 remaining contestants battled a brutal three-stage course, ultimately had no winner.</p> <p>No one even made it to the third and final stage. Eight contestants made it through to the nine obstacle stage one but all fell victim to the time limit pressures of stage two. Stage three was Mt Midoriyama: a 22m rope climb to be completed in 30 secs. It was left unscaled.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-video"> <p dir="ltr">TONIGHT 7.30pm: It's a race against the clock as our Ninjas have 3 mins and 45 secs to complete Stage One of the course! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarriorAU?src=hash">#NinjaWarriorAU</a> <a href="https://t.co/Gcqhw32dtw">pic.twitter.com/Gcqhw32dtw</a></p> — Ninja Warrior (@NinjaWarriorAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/NinjaWarriorAU/status/889716610298019840">July 25, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>Fans were quick to express their disappointment. Even Today Show host Lisa Wilkinson admitted her disappointment this morning, telling her co-anchors she can understand the viewer backlash.</p> <p>“The problem with everyone who got so involved and loved the show... you invested all of that passion and energy and you have made sure that you are sitting in front of the couch every night to see every single jaw-dropping moment and when you get to the end you at least want one person, who was better than everybody else, to have their moment of victory - and we didn’t have that,” she said.</p> <p>“I think that’s where people are feeling a bit like: I wanted to celebrate something at the end.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-video"> <p dir="ltr">Just Fred, our green and gold Ninja, doing his thing on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarriorAU?src=hash">#NinjaWarriorAU</a> course. 🔰 <a href="https://t.co/gkABHgAvAi">pic.twitter.com/gkABHgAvAi</a></p> — Ninja Warrior (@NinjaWarriorAU) <a href="https://twitter.com/NinjaWarriorAU/status/889802180932141056">July 25, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>The outcome wasn’t that surprising though to anchor Freddy Flintoff, who minutes before the finale commented: “It’s no wonder our expert said he wouldn’t be surprised if no one gets to the end of stage two — nevermind Mt Midoriyama.”</p> <p>After all, in America, where the show originated, it’s taken seven seasons for a contestant to scale the final stage and be crowned champion.</p> <p>Australia, I guess we’ll just have to wait until next season for someone – anyone – to be crowned Australian Ninja Warrior. </p>

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Australian Ninja Warrior viewers outraged after deaf contestant disqualified

<p>Social media was in uproar last night over the way a deaf Australian Ninja Warrior contestant’s disqualification was handled by the show’s editors and producers.</p> <p>Paul Cashion never heard the siren alerting him that his turn had ended after his foot slipped into the water on the first obstacle. Cashion continued through the course until his son, Josh, caught his attention and gave him the news via sign language.</p> <p>Viewers have taken to Facebook and Twitter to slam the moment as insensitive, humiliating and disgraceful.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FNinjaWarriorAU%2Fvideos%2F1553310828072223%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>“Shame on you Channel 9,” one Facebook commenter wrote. “You don’t show all of the people who make it through, but you highlight the confusion of a deaf athlete who was unaware that he was disqualified. This segment could have been edited to empower Paul, but you chose humiliation instead.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Worse television moment I've seen for some time. Your producers humiliated him. Why not edit the part out where his step-son had 2explain?</p> — Natalie (@PAFC_NSWMember) <a href="https://twitter.com/PAFC_NSWMember/status/886548847534657536">July 16, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">understand that rules are rules but the editing &amp; the way it was handled was disgraceful, turns me off the show <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NinjaWarriorAU?src=hash">#NinjaWarriorAU</a></p> — Tayla Richter (@tayla_richter) <a href="https://twitter.com/tayla_richter/status/886531475943731200">July 16, 2017</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ninjawarriorau?src=hash">#ninjawarriorau</a> execs 'So we have this footage of a deaf guy looking confused after being eliminated'. channel 9 'Oh show that, great TV!'</p> — Daveo (@inflammatorydev) <a href="https://twitter.com/inflammatorydev/status/886550918321250305">July 16, 2017</a></blockquote> <p>“I want all deaf people and all people with impairments to see me tonight and think that they can be on the show too,” Cashion told the cameras before his attempt at the obstacle course.</p> <p>Did you think the moment was insensitively handled? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.</p>

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