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Do parolees really ‘walk free’? Busting common myths about parole

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/monique-moffa-1380936">Monique Moffa</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alyssa-sigamoney-1375881">Alyssa Sigamoney</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greg-stratton-161122">Greg Stratton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jarryd-bartle-441602">Jarryd Bartle</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michele-ruyters-18446">Michele Ruyters</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>Parole is a hot topic in politics and in the media at the moment, fuelled by several high-profile parole applications.</p> <p>Recently, <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/no-parole-for-convicted-baby-killer-keli-lane/xoykrtvxe?cid=testtwitter">Keli Lane’s</a> attempt to be released on parole after years in jail for the murder of her baby daughter was unsuccessful. <a href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/how-frankston-serial-killer-paul-denyer-will-apply-for-bail/news-story/4613d1b3fced1f4aeaa9c4e08e8b81e0">Paul Denyer</a>, known as the “Frankston Serial Killer” for murdering three women in the 90s was also denied parole.</p> <p>Meanwhile, Snowtown accomplice <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/bodies-in-the-barrels-helper-mark-haydon-released-on-parole/news-story/fdfbbbe7b59267d8009c6910249de585">Mark Haydon</a> was granted parole with strict conditions, but is <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-01/snowtown-accomplice-mark-haydon-still-in-custody-after-parole/103653934">yet to be</a> released.</p> <p>Some media coverage of such well-known cases is littered with myths about what parole is, how it’s granted and what it looks like. Here’s what the evidence says about three of the most common misconceptions.</p> <h2>Myth 1: people on parole walk free</h2> <p>Parole is the conditional release of an incarcerated person (parolee) by a parole board authority, after they have served their non-parole period (minimum sentence) in jail. This isn’t always reflected in headlines.</p> <p><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/snowtown-murders-bodies-in-barrels-murders-mark-haydon-release-south-australia/f4b62a72-ec3d-4238-94d2-64697fbcdef3">Some coverage</a> suggests people on parole are released early and “walk free” without conditions. This is not true.</p> <p>According to the <a href="https://www.adultparoleboard.vic.gov.au/what-parole/purpose-and-benefits">Adult Parole Board of Victoria</a>: "Parole provides incarcerated people with a structured, supported and supervised transition so that they can adjust from prison back into the community, rather than returning straight to the community at the end of their sentence without supervision or support."</p> <p>Parole comes with strict conditions and requirements, such as curfews, drug and alcohol testing, electronic monitoring, program participation, to name a few.</p> <p>People with experience of parole highlight its punitivism and continued extension of surveillance.</p> <h2>Myth 2: most parolees reoffend</h2> <p>Another myth is that the likelihood all parolees reoffend is high. Research over a number of years has consistently found parole reduces reoffending.</p> <p>For example, <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0004865815585393?journalCode=anja">a 2016 study in New South Wales</a> found at the 12 month mark, a group of parolees reoffended 22% less than an unsupervised cohort.</p> <p>A <a href="https://www.bocsar.nsw.gov.au/Publications/CJB/2022-Report-Effect-of-parole-supervision-on-recidivism-CJB245.pdf">2022 study</a> by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research found parole was especially successful in reducing serious recidivism rates among incarcerated people considered to be at a high risk of reoffending.</p> <p>More recently in Victoria, <a href="https://www.adultparoleboard.vic.gov.au/system/files/inline-files/Adult%20Parole%20Board%20Annual%20Report%202022-23_0.pdf">the Adult Parole Board</a> found over 2022–23, no parolees were convicted of committing serious offences while on parole.</p> <p>In contrast, unstructured and unconditional release increases the risk of returning to prison.</p> <h2>Myth 3: parole is easy to get</h2> <p>While the number of parolees reoffending has dropped, so too has the total number of people who are exiting prison on parole.</p> <p>Over a decade ago, Victoria underwent significant parole reforms, largely prompted by high-profile incidents and campaigns. In just five years following Jill Meagher’s tragic death in 2012, the Victorian government passed <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10345329.2018.1556285">13 laws reshaping parole</a>.</p> <p>The result is the number of people on parole in Victoria has halved since 2012, despite incarceration numbers remaining steady.</p> <p><iframe id="maNRy" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" style="border: none;" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/maNRy/" width="100%" height="400px" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>These reforms have made it more difficult for people convicted of serious offences to get parole, as well as preventing individuals or specific groups from being eligible for parole (such as police killers, <a href="https://theconversation.com/no-body-no-parole-laws-could-be-disastrous-for-the-wrongfully-convicted-191083">“no body, no parole” prisoners</a>, and certain high-profile murderers).</p> <p>Similar laws can be found in other states. For example, no body, no parole was introduced in all other Australian states and territories, except for Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.</p> <p>As a consequence, more people are being released at the end of their full sentence. This can be detrimental not only for the incarcerated person but the wider community, because they are not receiving the reintegration support parole provides.</p> <p>Aside from restricted access due to political intervention, parole is facing a new crisis, which has nothing to do with eligibility or suitability.</p> <p>Last year, 40% of Victorian parole applications were denied, often due to reasons <a href="https://www.adultparoleboard.vic.gov.au/system/files/inline-files/Adult%20Parole%20Board%20Annual%20Report%202022-23_0.pdf">unrelated to suitability</a>.</p> <p>Housing scarcity played a significant role, with 59% of rejections (or 235 applications) citing a lack of suitable accommodation as one of the reasons parole was denied. This is playing out <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-11/women-on-bail-parole-increased-risk-of-homelessness-qld/102717002">across the country</a>.</p> <p>Parole is vulnerable to community and media hype, and political knee-jerk reactions in response to high profile incidents involving a person on parole. Because of the actions of a few, parole as a process has been restricted for many.</p> <p>While the wider community are active in advocacy efforts to restrict parole from certain people or groups (for example, this petition for <a href="https://www.change.org/p/lyns-law-no-body-no-parole">Lyn’s Law in NSW</a>), public efforts to restrict parole seem at odds with its purposes.</p> <p>Despite this, research suggests when the public are educated about the purposes and intent of parole, they are more likely to be <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3125829">supportive of it</a>.</p> <p>The susceptibility of parole to media and community influence results in frequent, impactful changes affecting individuals inside and outside prisons. Headlines such as “walking free” have the potential to mislead the public on the purpose and structure of parole. Coverage should portray parole beyond mere early termination of a sentence by accurately reflecting its purpose and impact.<!-- 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/226607/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/monique-moffa-1380936">Monique Moffa</a>, Lecturer, Criminology &amp; Justice, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/alyssa-sigamoney-1375881">Alyssa Sigamoney</a>, Associate Lecturer in Criminology and Justice Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/greg-stratton-161122">Greg Stratton</a>, Lecturer - Criminology and Justice Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jarryd-bartle-441602">Jarryd Bartle</a>, Associate Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michele-ruyters-18446">Michele Ruyters</a>, Associate Dean, Criminology and Justice Studies, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-parolees-really-walk-free-busting-common-myths-about-parole-226607">original article</a>.</em></p>

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Surprising move after top cop busted for speeding

<p>Victoria Police found themselves facing embarrassment recently when one of their top-ranking officers, Glenn Weir, was caught speeding.</p> <p>Weir, who serves as Victoria’s Road Policing Assistant Commissioner, was captured by a hidden speed camera in an undercover police car on February 29, traveling at 58km/h in a 50km/h zone.</p> <p>What makes this incident particularly noteworthy is not just the fact that a high-ranking police officer was caught breaking the law, but also the response Weir himself has taken. Despite being eligible to have the charge downgraded to a warning due to his clean driving record, Weir has chosen to accept the consequences – a $337 fine and a single demerit point penalty.</p> <p>In a statement addressing the incident, Weir expressed remorse and took full responsibility for his actions. He acknowledged the severity of the mistake, especially given his position as an advocate for road safety throughout his career.</p> <p>"I take full responsibility for this error and am mortified it has occurred," Weir said. "I’ve spent my entire career advocating for road safety and this incident proves nobody is immune from making a mistake on the road."</p> <p>Weir’s willingness to own up to his mistake sets an important example for accountability, not just within the police force but for all members of society. Moreover, his case underscores the importance of adhering to speed limits, with Victoria Police having long advocated for the correlation between speeding and road accidents. According to their data, speed is one of the leading causes of car crashes in the state, with the rise in the state’s road toll by almost 12% February 2023 to February 2024 further highlighting the urgency of addressing speeding and other reckless driving behaviours.</p> <p>Weir’s decision to accept the consequences of his actions demonstrates integrity and a commitment to upholding the principles of road safety. </p> <p><em>Image: 7 News</em></p>

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Parents busted for making their healthy child use a wheelchair to claim benefits

<p>A cruel mother and father have been jailed for over six years for forcing their healthy child to use a wheelchair in order to claim benefit payments. </p> <p>In 2012, Louise Law and her ex-husband Martin forced their then seven-year-old daughter into the wheelchair, as a ploy to gain a mobility car and disability allowance payments despite their being nothing wrong with her. </p> <p>The parents carried on with the scam for four years while they "fabricated illnesses and exaggerated symptoms" to teachers and NHS workers, all while raking in the extensive payments. </p> <p>The crown court in East Yorkshire, England, heard that the child suffered "gratuitous degradation" at being forced to use the wheelchair, as they were bullied at school and deprived of an ordinary childhood. </p> <p>In court, Louise Law admitted an offence of child cruelty, however she changed her plea on the day of a scheduled trial and was jailed for six years and nine months.</p> <p>Martin Law, now split from his wife, is now a long-term resident of a care home and was ruled unfit to enter a plea - although a jury convicted him of child cruelty, and was made subject of a guardianship order.</p> <p>Passing sentence, Judge Kate Rayfield told Mrs Law, "She missed out on so much of her childhood because of what you put her through."</p> <p>"Despite all of her tests revealing nothing wrong, you continued to subject her to appointments and investigations. You did the talking yourselves, telling the doctors lies."</p> <p>"This was a scam... You were telling her to report symptoms that she never said that she had."</p> <p>When the child reached the age of 18 in 2022, she was interviewed by police as she said the faux medical treatment from her parents began when she was six years old. </p> <p>A few initial medical appointments progressed to around 30 hospital appointments, including overnight stays.</p> <p>Prosecutor Louise Reevell told the court, "Her parents made her think that she could not walk properly. She would go to school in a wheelchair but she didn't really need it."</p> <p>Despite medical professionals proving that the child did not need the extensive medical treatment, her parents still claimed that the illnesses and symptoms of their daughter were genuine.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></p>

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Tourist busted for carving name into world's most famous Roman relic

<p dir="ltr">An Irish tourist has run himself headfirst into trouble in Rome after he was reportedly caught carving his name - and his girlfriend’s - into the Colosseum. </p> <p dir="ltr">It is said that he had been making his carvings, which were six-centimetre-tall initials, with a metal point - possibly his keys - and gouged into a pillar of the 2000-year-old historic monument.</p> <p dir="ltr">The inscription, dedicated to himself and his partner, reportedly read “Ivan+Haley 23”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Carabinieri police have claimed that the 32-year-old man was caught by private security at the World Heritage Site, and that social media videos of the incident alerted police to the alleged crime. </p> <p dir="ltr">The man has been accused of damaging the historical landmark, the Carabinieri confirmed to <em>CNN</em>, with the act considered to be a crime under Italian law. </p> <p dir="ltr">The Colosseum is one of the seven wonders of the modern world, and also a World Heritage Site, and Italy’s Minister of Culture has called for the tourist to be “identified and sanctioned”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I consider it very serious, unworthy and a sign of great incivility that a tourist defaces one of the most famous places in the world, the Colosseum, to engrave the name of his fiancée,” he tweeted, along with footage of the incident. “I hope that whoever did this will be identified and sanctioned according to our laws.”</p> <p dir="ltr">He later uploaded another video, accompanied by the scathing caption “Tourist scars the Colosseum.” </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="it">Reputo gravissimo, indegno e segno di grande inciviltà, che un turista sfregi uno dei luoghi più celebri al mondo, il Colosseo, per incidere il nome della sua fidanzata. Spero che chi ha compiuto questo gesto venga individuato e sanzionato secondo le nostre leggi. <a href="https://t.co/p8Jss1GWuY">pic.twitter.com/p8Jss1GWuY</a></p> <p>— Gennaro Sangiuliano (@g_sangiuliano) <a href="https://twitter.com/g_sangiuliano/status/1673318742057525248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">If the man is convicted, he faces a penalty of at least €2,065 (~$3,370.7) and up to one year in prison, according to <em>CNN</em>. </p> <p dir="ltr">And it isn’t the first time the Colosseum has been defaced by those seeking to carve out their place in history, with a Russian tourist facing a fine of €20,000 for carving the letter “K”. </p> <p dir="ltr">It’s a serious offence in the hearts of many, with archaeologist Federica Rinaldi - who is responsible for the ancient amphitheatre - telling the publication that “the Colosseum, like any monument that represents the history of all of us, must be preserved and handed over to future generations.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is a monument that deserves everyone’s respect because it belongs to everyone, and it must remain so,” Rinaldi added.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Carving one’s initials, in addition to being a crime, seems to be a gesture of those who want to appropriate the monument. Better take a selfie!”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

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Busting a king-sized myth: why Australia and NZ could become republics – and still stay in the Commonwealth

<p>The imminent coronation of King Charles III is an ideal time for Australia and New Zealand to take stock of the British monarchy and its role in national life – including certain myths about what becoming a republic might mean.</p> <p>In particular, there is a common assumption that both nations must remain monarchies to retain membership of the Commonwealth of Nations. It might sound logical, but it’s entirely wrong. </p> <p>There is no basis for it in the rules of the Commonwealth or the practice of its members. Australia could ditch the monarchy and stay in the club, and New Zealand can too, whether it has a king or a Kiwi as head of state. </p> <p>Yet this peculiar myth persists at home and abroad. Students often ask me about it when I’m teaching the structure of government. And just this week a French TV station interpreted the New Zealand prime minister’s opinion that his country would one day <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/01/new-zealand-will-ideally-become-a-republic-one-day-says-chris-hipkins">ideally become a republic</a> to mean he would <a href="https://www.bfmtv.com/international/oceanie/nouvelle-zelande/nouvelle-zelande-le-nouveau-premier-ministre-souhaite-que-son-pays-quitte-le-commonwealth_AN-202305010328.html">like to see</a> it leave the Commonwealth.</p> <h2>What does ‘Commonwealth’ mean?</h2> <p>The implication that breaking from the Commonwealth would be a precursor to, or consequence of, becoming a republic relies on a faulty premise which joins two entirely separate things: the way we pick our head of state, and our membership of the Commonwealth. </p> <p>It would make just as much sense to ask whether Australia or New Zealand should leave the International Cricket Council and become a republic.</p> <p>The confusion may derive from the fact that the 15 countries that continue to have the British sovereign as their head of state are known as “Commonwealth Realms”. </p> <p>What we usually refer to as the Commonwealth, on the other hand, is the organisation founded in 1926 as the British Commonwealth of Nations. This is the body whose membership determines the competing nations of the <a href="https://www.commonwealthsport.com/">Commonwealth Games</a>, the highest-profile aspect of the Commonwealth’s work. </p> <p>King Charles III is the head of state of the 15 Commonwealth Realms and the head of the international governmental organisation that is the Commonwealth of Nations. The Commonwealth has 56 members – but only 15 of them continue to have the king as head of state.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said Monday he personally favors his country becoming a republic, though it’s not a change he intends to push for as leader. <a href="https://t.co/1XEiFFtqPT">https://t.co/1XEiFFtqPT</a> <a href="https://t.co/aftsZ0hHmV">pic.twitter.com/aftsZ0hHmV</a></p> <p>— The Diplomat (@Diplomat_APAC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Diplomat_APAC/status/1653406552693395457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 2, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <h2>Joining the Commonwealth club</h2> <p>To be fair, confusion over who heads the Commonwealth is nothing new. A <a href="https://www.royalcwsociety.org/_files/ugd/e578ea_5642f282aad345faa0b39c9eebd465e5.pdf">2010 poll</a> conducted by the Royal Commonwealth Society found that, of the respondents in seven countries, only half knew the then queen was the head of the Commonwealth. </p> <p>A quarter of Jamaicans believed the organisation was led by the then US president, Barack Obama. One in ten Indians and South Africans thought it was run by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan.</p> <p>Given the king’s overlapping leadership roles and the different use of the word in the contexts of Commonwealth Realms and the Commonwealth of Nations, these broad misunderstandings are perhaps understandable. In fact, it was this ambiguity that allowed for the development of an inclusive Commonwealth during the postwar years of decolonisation.</p> <p>However the confusion arose, it is also very simple to correct. The Commonwealth relaxed its membership rules regarding republics when India became one in 1950. </p> <p>According to Philip Murphy, the historian and former director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, this decision was based on the erroneous idea that India’s huge standing army would underwrite Britain’s great-power status in the postwar world. </p> <p>From that point on the Commonwealth of Nations no longer comprised only members who admitted to the supremacy of one sovereign. To make the change palatable, a piece of conceptual chicanery was needed. Each country did not need a king, but theking was to be head of the organisation comprising equal members.</p> <h2>Monarchy optional</h2> <p>Since then, the number of Commonwealth members has steadily increased to the 56 we have today.</p> <p>As early as 1995, membership was extended to countries with no ties to the former British Empire. With the support of Nelson Mandela, Mozambique became a member, joining the six Commonwealth members with which it shared a border. </p> <p>Rwanda, a former German and then Belgian colony, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/oukwd-uk-commonwealth-rwanda-idAFTRE5AS1C520091129">joined in 2009</a>. It became an enthusiastic member and hosted the biennial meeting of states known as CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting). The most recent countries to take up Commonwealth membership are the <a href="https://thecommonwealth.org/news/gabon-and-togo-join-commonwealth">former French colonies of Togo and Gabon</a>. </p> <p>According to the <a href="http://www.thecommonwealth.org/shared_asp_files/GFSR.asp?NodeID=174532">Commonwealth’s own rules</a>, membership is based on a variety of things, including commitment to democratic processes, human rights and good governance. Being a monarchy is entirely optional. </p> <p>The new king offers the chance for a broader debate on the advantages of monarchy. But let’s do so knowing Commonwealth membership is entirely unaffected by the question of whether or not the country is a republic.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/busting-a-king-sized-myth-why-australia-and-nz-could-become-republics-and-still-stay-in-the-commonwealth-204750" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. </em></p>

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Hotel worker busted going through traveller’s luggage

<p dir="ltr">A traveller has shared a hotel story from hell, revealing he secretly filmed a hotel worker going through his possessions after he checked in and unpacked. </p> <p dir="ltr">The guest captured the footage of a housekeeper appearing to sift through his belongings and look in his safe, after he utilised the hidden webcam on his laptop. </p> <p dir="ltr">Sharing the video on TikTok, the traveller issued a warning to his followers, with the caption, “Pro travel tip: you can turn your laptop into a security camera.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The video then shows the housekeeper helping himself to a beverage out of the mini fridge, before starting to rummage through the wardrobe.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Be careful when you’re travelling. This was the first time I set up a camera and caught this.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Luckily, the housekeeper didn’t take any belongings from the savvy traveller, although they still reported the incident to hotel management. </p> <p dir="ltr">They said the hotel “managed the situation professionally”, and the housekeeper was fired “on the spot”.</p> <p dir="ltr">The guest said when booking the hotel, they noticed a series of reviews mentioning thefts but weren’t able to find any proof, hence they felt the need to set up the camera. </p> <p dir="ltr">The video has racked up over 170,000 likes, with many people in the comment section saying they rely on similar technology to keep their belongings secure. </p> <p dir="ltr">One nervous traveller commented, “This is exactly why I barely take anything out of my suitcase, always keep my lock on it and always travel with the keys.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

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5 common food myths busted

<p>At a certain point, you can hear something so often that it is assumed to be true. But how many common food “truisms” are actually myths? We explore some of the most frequently believed below. </p> <p><strong>Coffee makes you dehydrated</strong></p> <p>False: As coffee is largely water, for those who have their caffeine fix daily, you’re unlikely to see dehydration as a result. However, large amounts of caffeine (over 500mg per day) can act as a diuretic, making your body produce increased amounts of urine, though this won’t result from moderate amounts of caffeine ingestion.</p> <p><strong>An apple a day still keeps the doctor away</strong></p> <p>False: Today’s apples aren’t nearly as nutritious as those found in the 40s, containing three time less iron as they once did, due to reused soil resulting from a lack of sufficient crop rotation.</p> <p><strong>Onions stored in the fridge won’t make you cry</strong></p> <p>True: When you store onions in the fridge, they produce less propanthial S-oxide, the irritant that causes the eye to water.</p> <p><strong>Gum stays in your stomach for years</strong></p> <p>False: Most gum leaves the body fairly quickly as do other foods, though it does so mostly undigested. The only time you have to worry is if your gum swallowing is plentiful, prolonged, and habitual, at which point there have been documented cases of gum building up in one’s stomach over many years, causing stomach pain.</p> <p><strong>You can save mouldy cheese</strong></p> <p>True: It is generally not a safety hazard to cut mould off of harder cheese in order to save the remains due to its density and relative lack of moisture. However, foods such as bread, fruit, and softer cheeses should be thrown out at the first sign of mould.</p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

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Nutrition experts bust 10 myths about hydration

<h2>Myth: If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated</h2> <p>Actually, your thirst sensations are a pretty sensitive gauge of your fluid levels. “Dehydration is the body’s natural loss of water through sweat, tears and breathing. The kidneys control the water balance in the body, and when they sense the need for more water replacement, it sends a message to our brains to drink more water by making us feel thirsty,” explains kidney specialist Dr Dara Huang.</p> <h2>Myth: Drink eight glasses of water every day</h2> <p>No question that drinking enough water is important. But the eight glasses advice is a myth, says Dr Huang, and it can be dangerous. “If your heart or kidneys is compromised, drinking too much water can cause congestive heart failure, pulmonary edema, or water intoxication. In these cases, fluid intake should be limited,” she explains.</p> <p>To figure out the magic millilitre-count of aqua that your body needs, you should take many factors into consideration, according to nutritionist Dr Roger E. Adams. “This number may be too much for some and not even close for others, especially if you are a heavy sweater, or simply larger. The larger you are, the more water you need for every function in your body, not to mention replacing sweat. However, if you are smaller or don’t sweat a lot, even less than eight glasses may suffice to maintain water balance,” he notes.</p> <p>When in doubt, talk to your doctor for their expert opinion.</p> <h2>Myth: Always drink water first thing in the AM</h2> <p>You’ve heard it before: “Start your day with a full glass of water.” While you might be thirsty and you might naturally reach for that, Dr Huang says it’s not necessary. “If you have normally functioning kidneys, it may be refreshing to reach for water, but it’s not vital,” she notes. “Some people think that if you go to sleep at midnight and wake up at 8am, you’ve gone at least eight hours without hydrating, so you have to drink water. This isn’t the case. And your urine can give a glimpse too: Your urine is clear because it’s diluted. If your urine is dark, it’s because your kidneys are doing their job to conserve water and it’s concentrated. The first void of the day is usually the darkest,” she notes.</p> <h2>Myth: Coconut water is the best recovery drink</h2> <p>Yes, it’s trendy, and it’s supposed to replenish you after a night on the town or a tough workout. It does contain fewer kilojoules than other potassium-rich fluids – but it’s not always your best option, says Dr Huang: “To prevent dehydration, drinking plain water is just fine. And it’s important to know that coconut water is not for everybody. It can cause dangerously high potassium levels in those who have kidney disease and should be avoided.” When in doubt, start with water and then speak with your doctor if you still feel dehydrated.</p> <h2>Myth: You can’t overhydrate</h2> <p>You know what they say about too much of a good thing, right? It actually becomes a bad thing, and the same is true for H20. People tend to think that you can’t drink too much water – especially novice runners, says Adams. The truth is you can, and it can be lethal. “A condition called hyponatremia, is a result of ingesting too much water thusly causing a decreased concentration of sodium in the body. This can lead to confusion, convulsions, and even death, especially when running,” he shares.</p> <h2>Myth: Water is all you need</h2> <p>You can go longer without food than you can without water, but Adams is quick to note that sometimes good ole’ fashion H20 doesn’t give your system all it needs. Take into consideration how much activity you’re doing, he says, how hot it is outside and how much you’re sweating. “Water is a great fluid replacer for most people, but it isn’t the perfect way to regain water balance for everyone and in every situation,” he says. “Higher amounts of electrolytes are lost when sweat rates increase during longer events or activities in hotter climates. A 10K run in a hot area of the country demands more electrolyte replacement than a walk in chilly temperatures.”</p> <h2>Myth: Electrolyte-enhanced drinks are best</h2> <p>Ever wondered where Gatorade comes from, especially now that this electrolyte sports drink and its ilk have cornered the rehydration market? It’s an interesting story, but you may want to think twice before reaching for these popular beverages, according to Dr Tania Dempsey. You don’t always need one after light activity, and some of the ingredients can be questionable.</p> <p>“The hydrogenated oils they use – particularly brominated vegetable oil, which was taken out of Gatorade but is still present in Powerade – can be harmful to the thyroid,” she explains. (Note that most manufacturers have removed or are planning to remove the ingredient.) “Also, the sugars found in these sports drinks are unhealthy. Powerade still contains high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to type 2 diabetes. Gatorade recently switched to sugar and dextrose, which might sound better than HFCS but is equally problematic in causing the blood sugar to rise drastically.”</p> <h2>Myth: Caffeine causes dehydration</h2> <p>That daily cup of coffee in the am might be the only thing that ensures you get to your morning planning meeting, but is it drying out your system before you’ve even had a bite of breakfast? According to Adams, the commonly-held belief that coffee makes you dehydrated is plain wrong, especially for the casual coffee or tea drinker. Although large doses of caffeine alone can dehydrate, the water in your coffee and tea more than make up for any dehydrating effects, he explains.</p> <h2>Myth: Only drink extra during exercise</h2> <p>If you think sipping on a diet coke or tea is enough to keep you hydrated because you don’t work out frequently, you might be missing out on some much-needed H2O-induced nutrition – and make sure you know the subtle signs of dehydration. Adams says that many people think they only need water when they’re working up a sweat, but this habit can lead to mild dehydration during the day. Instead, he suggests drinking water throughout the day to make it your go-to beverage: “This is a simple way to ensure you are getting water all day long; not just when exercising. You need water for daily functions, so provide for that and you will ensure hydration the rest of the day,” he says.</p> <h2>Myth: The colour of your urine is the best hydration check</h2> <p>Yes, says Adams, the colour of your urine can be an indicator you need to chug, but there are other important indicators. Plus, if take multivitamins or are on a high-protein diet, the colour could be dark for reasons other than dehydration. “Instead of just looking at the colour, look at volume. The more you put in your body, the more that should come out. If you seldom go to the restroom, that’s a sign you are probably not consuming enough fluids,” he explains. “On the other hand, if you are running to the restroom every 15 minutes, you may be over-consuming fluids.”</p> <p><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/nutrition-experts-bust-10-myths-about-hydration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.</strong></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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Record-busting droughts are uncovering long-lost relics

<p dir="ltr">As much of the Northern Hemisphere experiences record-breaking droughts, the drying up of lakes, rivers and other bodies of water has exposed more than just dirt and debris.</p> <p dir="ltr">In Spain, a prehistoric circle of stones dubbed “Spanish Stonehenge” has emerged in a drying dam in the central province of Caceres. Since it was first discovered in 1926 and was subsequently covered by floodwaters, the stones have only been visible four times.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-69e9e002-7fff-0420-4ae2-bd5f650e4fd8"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Elsewhere in Europe, 20 German WWII warships have been exposed, sunken in the Danube River near Serbia’s river port town of Prahovo.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/ww2-ships.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Twenty Nazi warships emerged as the Danue River continues to dry up. Image: Reuters (YouTube) </em></p> <p dir="ltr">The Nazi German ships were among hundreds that sailed up the Danube while retreating from Soviet forces in 1944, and still hamper traffic traversing the river when water levels are low.</p> <p dir="ltr">In late July, a previously submerged WWII bomb weighing a whopping 450kg was discovered in the River Po, as the country declared a state of emergency in areas around the lengthy river as a result of the low water levels.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8607bc8a-7fff-40e9-c277-fb640bddce8a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">The ageing explosive was defused in a controlled explosion by military experts earlier this month near the village of Bogo Virgilio, but not before about 3,000 people were evacuated from the area, per <em><a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/20/europes-drought-exposes-wwii-ships-bombs-and-prehistoric-stones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Al Jazeera</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/bomb1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Military experts were deployed to detonate a 450kg bomb uncovered in Italy’s Polo River. Image: Global News (YouTube)</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, droughts in the US have exposed ancient footprints belonging to dinosaurs, as well as victims of suspected mob killings.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5c588192-7fff-5897-d1fc-eec76d0abe5a"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">In early July, the skeletal remains of a man who was shot in the head, stuffed in a barrel and tossed into Lake Mead, located outside the city of Las Vegas, were uncovered, with experts believing he would have died in the 1980s.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/dino-tracks.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Dinosaur tracks believed to be 113 million years old were found in a state park in Texas. Image: Texas Park and Wildlife Department</em></p> <p dir="ltr">The lake, along with the Hudson River, provides most of southern Nevada’s drinking water and has reached its lowest point since it was filled 90 years ago, as reported by <em><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/priyashukla/2022/05/03/drought-reveals-homicide-victim-as-lake-mead-recedes/?sh=6d6c198f3943" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Forbes</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">A discovery of Jurassic proportions was made at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas, after footprints believed to date back 113 million years were found.</p> <p dir="ltr">The tracks belong to the Arocanthosaurus, a bipedal dinosaur with three toes and a claw on each limb, per <em><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/24/science/dinosaur-tracks-texas-drought.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The New York Times</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Others that were also uncovered belong to Sauroposeidon proteles, a 15-metre-long dinosaur with a long neck and small head.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the fierce weather continues, experts believe more of these kinds of finds will emerge.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8560d718-7fff-73ba-3d6f-4e601c7ccece"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Texas Park and Wildlife Department / Reuters (YouTube)</em></p>

International Travel

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Record-busting quilt convention heads Down Under

<p dir="ltr">For the first time, the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest quilt convention will be heading to Brisbane in a three-day event showcasing the best quilts from around the country and the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Australasian Quilt Convention runs from May 26 to May 29 and features exhibitions of quilts that are award-winning, never-before-seen and even some made especially for the convention’s yearly challenge.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-a83866f9-7fff-ea0a-66f9-f06262c4d46d"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Thirty finalists from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa from this year’s challenge, themed ‘Going Green’, will be on display at the convention, with the winners announced during Wednesday night’s cocktail party.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/quilt-show1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>A variety of quilts will be exhibited at the convention’s Quilt Show. Image: Supplied</em></p> <p dir="ltr">There will also be daily classes, where top quilters will take you through how to make everything from tote bags and cushions to framed quilts and adorable animals, and free seminars where you can pick up tips to improve your patchwork, sewing and other crafty skills.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-a4f17f5a-7fff-02ac-f10b-2a529d161bbb"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Along with plenty of things to see and do, you can also take something home with you from the Expo floor, with patterns, kits, and even quilting machines available to purchase.</p> <p dir="ltr"><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/05/quilt-show2.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Daily classes, run by top quilters, will take you through how to make all sorts of pieces. Image: Supplied</em></p> <p dir="ltr">To book your tickets to the event, hosted at Brisbane’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, head <a href="https://aqc.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-4b1c436f-7fff-189a-710a-28476493efa0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Art

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New stealth tech to bust parking violators

<p>Sneaky stealth technology is now being used to slap drivers with fines for violating parking rules.</p> <p>Council workers are driving around in a vehicle which is fitted with special licence plate recognition cameras that record the time of parking. </p> <p>When the workers come back for another scan to potential violators, they are alerted of vehicles that have overstayed the limit.</p> <p>Drivers are then surprised with a fine in their mailbox. </p> <p>At the moment these vehicles are being used by The Hills Shire and Bayside Council in NSW, but motorists are not happy.</p> <p>“This is way too far, it's beyond a joke. This is not the Australian way of life. What happened to this being a free country? We aren't even free to step outside our homes without the government watching our every step. you need a telescope to spot the line that's how far over it this has gone,” someone wrote. </p> <p>“How ridiculous. Pure revenue raising. No one is harmed by people overstaying parking limits,” another commented. </p> <p>“Oh for goodness sake aren't they ripping off the people of NSW enough,” another said. </p> <p>“They should make more free parking spaces rather than finding more innovative ways to charge them! The huge amount of toll we pay seems like not enough! It’s unbelievable how difficult it is to find free parking spaces in Sydney nowadays,” someone else commented.</p> <p><em>Image: Nine News</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Woman finds record-busting diamond

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A California woman made a surprise find after discovering a 4.38 carat yellow diamond in Arkansas’ Hot Springs National Park.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Noreen Wredberg was visiting the park with her husband Michael and decided to explore the Crater of Diamonds park, the state Parks Department told </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">NBC News</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I first saw the park featured on a TV show several years ago,” Ms Wredberg </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/american-airlines-removes-mother-toddler-refusing-wear-mask-onboard/0e144844-75b3-40a3-8ad7-92e3416c425d" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">told</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> the department.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When I realised we weren’t too far away, I knew we had to come.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The couple arrived at the park after several days of rain which had left the slightly-dry soil in an ideal condition for finding diamonds.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 333.33333333333337px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844590/244189895_10161140297647646_1540172523317654032_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/48ee06d0d5d84df4b199faf2b84bde25" /></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: The State Parks of Arkansas</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Wredberg had been searching for about an hour before she noticed the large gem.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I didn’t know it was a diamond then, but it was clean and shiny, so I picked it up!” she said, according to </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">NBC News</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If visitors find diamonds at the park, they can take it to the park’s Diamond Discovery Centre to confirm whether the diamond is real.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Arkansas is the only state with a public diamond mine, with more than 75,000 unearthed at the Crater of Diamonds since 1906.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Arkansas parks department said the diamond Ms Wredberg found is the biggest in the last year.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ms Wredberg has been allowed to keep the stone, but said she was unsure about what she would do with it.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: The State Parks of Arkansas / Facebook</span></em></p>

Money & Banking

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Fact or fiction? 5 myths about heart health, busted

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When it comes to heart health, cardiovascular disease is still affecting </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/about-whd/world-heart-day-2021/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">520 million people</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> around the world. In Australia, 16.6% of the total population is currently living with cardiovascular disease</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">[1]</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">. This continues to be the leading underlying cause of death in the country</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">[2]</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">,not only amongst the elderly but also for people </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/life-expectancy-death/deaths-in-australia/contents/leading-causes-of-death" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">aged 45–64</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Knowledge is power and understanding how to look after our heart is as essential as separating facts from fiction when it comes to our heart health.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7844397/ross-walker.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b080367c7cb546658786946d3b956a01" /></span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Supplied</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ahead of World Heart Day on 29 September, we spoke with Dr Ross Walker, an eminent practicing cardiologist with over 40 years experience as a clinician to discuss the top 5 myths surrounding heart health and help us separate truth from myth.</span></p> <p><strong>Myth 1: Heart disease is a man’s problem</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Like men, women can be diagnosed with a range of heart conditions. The common risk factors for cardiovascular disease for Aussie women are high cholesterol, overweight and lack of physical activity. In fact, 90% have one risk factor for heart disease, and </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/heart-health-education/risk-factors-for-women" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">50% have two or more</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Although cardiovascular disease develops 7 to 10 years later in women than in men, the risk </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12471-010-0841-y" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">increases significantly</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> after menopause. The truth is that most heart research has been done on male patients rather than females, but </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12471-010-0841-y" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">studies have shown</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that women have gender specific symptoms when it comes to heart disease and failure.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">What you can do whether you are a man or a woman is to get your heart checked every twelve months even if you are feeling fine. This way, if your blood pressure or cholesterol is not well controlled, you can commence treatment right away. The earlier you begin to treat these issues, the better.</span></p> <p><strong>Myth 2: After heart failure, exercise can be dangerous</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After heart failure, physical activity can actually assist you in restoring your usual day to day activities. Although you may be worried about which exercises you can and can’t do, staying physically active </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ehf2.12225" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">reduces your chances</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of having another heart attack. Being involved in a supervised cardiac rehabilitation program is recommended, especially if there is a prior history of heart disease or you have a very strong risk factor profile.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You can start by talking to your doctor and follow advice on how to gradually restore your fitness in a safe and suitable way. Walking, for example, is a great way to start. You can begin with a daily 5-10 minute walk and build up slowly to 30 minutes over several weeks.  </span></p> <p><strong>Myth 3: It is okay to have high blood pressure as we age</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As we age our cardiovascular system changes, and high blood pressure is more common in older people. As we age, our arteries </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/high-blood-pressure" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">become stiffer</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> causing our blood pressure to rise. However, this is not necessarily good for our health or heart. In fact, high blood pressure should be monitored regularly, as it increases the risk of suffering from stroke and a possible heart attack. </span></p> <p><strong>Myth 4: Good vs bad cholesterol</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A major misconception around cholesterol is that one type is good and one type is bad. Incorrectly, low-density-lipoproteins (LDL), is labelled as “bad” cholesterol while high-density lipoproteins (HDL) is labelled as “good” cholesterol. The truth is both types of cholesterol carrying proteins contain “good” and “bad” elements. LDL and HDL both contain small and large components.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The large components of LDL and HDL are beneficial for normal body metabolism, keeping cholesterol away from our arteries and removing any excess from arterial plaque, which </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/australian-health-survey-biomedical-results-chronic-diseases/latest-release" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">helps to prevent heart disease</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> The small components of LDL and HDL promote fatty deposits in the artery wall. This is what can contribute to cardiovascular disease.  The small components of LDL circulate in our blood and may build up in our arteries, forming plaque that may rupture, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/cholesterol/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">leading</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to blocked arteries. On the other hand, the small components of HDL are </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://iubmb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/biof.1205" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pro-inflammatory</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Although heart disease &amp; cholesterol have strong genetic components, it is also important to avoid foods containing trans fats and processed carbohydrates, eat a diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and conduct regular physical activity to help maintain good health. You may also need to check in with your GP to assess if your cholesterol levels are high and if you are deemed at high risk for a vascular event such as heart attack or stroke, the medications, such as statins or blood pressure therapy, may be necessary.</span></p> <p><strong>Myth 5: Supplements are of no benefit</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While a good balanced diet and exercise are key to good health, our food today has lower nutritional value and we encounter many toxins in our day-to-day. Supplements can bridge the gap between the nutrients we need and the food that is lacking them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For example, numerous studies have proven that </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ubiquinol.net.au/" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Ubiquinol</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, the active form of Coenzyme Q10, helps promote heart health by </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.eurekaselect.com/161292/article" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">providing the cellular energy needed</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> to keep the heart pumping well.  Ubiquinol helps improve heart function by maintaining healthy levels of LDL cholesterol as well as the overall maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While this antioxidant is found in many foods – including oily fish, meats and whole grains – it is difficult to achieve the daily recommended dose without consuming excessive amounts, e.g. 14kg of sardines or 60 avocados! In this case, taking Ubiquinol in supplement form may help achieve the recommended daily dose to support optimal energy levels and cardiovascular health. </span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Seek advice from a healthcare practitioner to determine if supplementation is right for you. Always read the label and use only as directed.</span></em></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article was written by Dr Ross Walker.</span></em></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[1]</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Australian Bureau of Statistics 2018, National Health Survey 2017-18, Data customised using TableBuilder</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">[2]</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Australian Bureau of Statistics 2020, Causes of Death 2019, cat. no. 3303.0, October</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

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Breakfast myths busted: Is cereal really that bad for you?

<p>When it comes to breakfast, cereal more often than not has a bad reputation.</p> <p>Breakfast in general seems to be the meal most Aussies are most likely to skip. With studies showing almost half of choose to ditch breakfast on weekdays.</p> <p>For most, breakfast cereal might be a little way down the list of choices, especially those who are a little more health conscious. If you’ve heard one of the most common and surprising myths around – that breakfast cereal is too sugary and has little to no nutritional value.</p> <p>A first-ever scientific analysis of different types of breakfast cereals and their impact on the health of Australians found positive benefits for body weight and nutrition, regardless of the type of cereal and sugar content.</p> <p>If this surprises you, here molecular nutritionist Dr Emma Beckett shares with <em>Yahoo Lifestyle</em> other breakfast myths that you didn’t know about:</p> <p><strong>Myth:</strong> Traditional breakfast foods are bad for you</p> <p><strong>Truth: </strong>Some foods high in carbohydrate, such as wholemeal bread and breakfast cereals contain dietary fibre, which helps us to feel fuller, therefore starting the day off right.</p> <p>Breakfast cereal is a simple and convenient way to start the day and it can often provide more nutrients such as Iron, B-vitamins and fibre, than non-cereal breakfast choices. What’s better, cereal pairs well with other nutrient dense breakfast foods such as Greek yogurt, and nuts, which are a source of protein. Protein is essential in the diet as it is the most filling macronutrient that can help reduce grazing habits throughout the day.</p> <p><strong>Myth: </strong>Processed = bad</p> <p><strong>Truth: </strong>Most food needs to go through some sort of processing for it to even be edible and digestible – processing is a broad term that includes cooking, cutting and packaging.</p> <p>For many foods it is also necessary to undergo some sort of processing in order to preserve the food and prevent wastage, and to make them tasty and practical. </p> <p>From a nutritional perspective, key nutrients like protein aren’t necessarily lost during processing, they can sometimes be retained or made easier to access through processing. Others like B vitamins and iron may be added back if they’re lost, in a process called enrichment. </p> <p>Staple foods, like breakfast cereals and breads are also often fortified with extra nutrients – these foods are chosen because they are affordable, accessible, shelf stable and popular. It is also important to consider to what degree the food item has been processed, with ultra-processed items to be consumed in moderation.</p> <p><strong>Myth: </strong>Cereal is too sugary and has no nutritional value</p> <p><strong>Truth: </strong>Australian data has shown that cereal contributes less than 3 per cent of added sugar in the diet. </p> <p>Many cereals contain whole grains and fibre which many people are not getting enough of. They are full of essential vitamins and minerals that are important for health and wellbeing, and are the number one source of iron in the Aussie diet, especially in children. </p> <p>Cereal contains a range of sugar levels, there are some sweeter ones, but most are moderately sweetened and many sweetened with added fruits which contain natural sugars.</p> <p>For example, half of <em>Kellogg’s</em> 55 cereals contain two or less teaspoons of sugar per bowl. Updating formulations have meant that they have removed over 700 tonnes of sugar and 300 tonnes of salt from Aussie diets – that’s the equivalent to the weight of around seven blue whales!</p> <p>Cereal has been proven to have positive benefits for body weight and nutrition.</p> <p><strong>Myth: </strong>If it isn’t wholegrain it doesn’t contain fibre</p> <p><strong>Truth</strong>: Whilst whole grain foods contain fibre, not all fibre-containing foods contain the whole grain. Fibre is found in the outer part of the grain called the bran. The bran can be removed from the grain and used in foods. Foods made with bran may not always contain whole grain but they do contain plenty of fibre.</p> <p>Two out of three Aussies are not meeting their daily fibre targets. In fact, four out of five Aussies don’t eat enough fibre to protect themselves from chronic disease! An adequate intake of fibre is between 25 and 30 grams a day for most of us. That might sound hard, but getting your daily dose is actually easy if you eat high-fibre options including fibre rich breakfast cereals, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts.</p> <p>Did you know that different whole grains have different levels and types of fibres - for example whole grain brown rice and corn both have naturally less fibre compared to other whole grains such as whole grain wheat and oats, which have higher amounts of fibre.</p> <p><strong>Myth: </strong>It’s expensive to have a healthy diet</p> <p><strong>Truth: </strong>It can be a misconception that healthy food is far more expensive than unhealthy and takeaway options. </p> <p>According to recently published Australian research based on modelling, it is possible to improve Aussie diets while spending less money on food, choosing low-cost nutritious foods improves diet quality and can reduce a family’s grocery bill by over 25 per cent.</p> <p>There are actually lots of healthy options that are cheap to buy and aren’t going to spoil quickly. Wholemeal bread and breakfast cereals are good for the budget and last for a while. When it comes to buying fruit and vegetables, canned and frozen options are just as healthy as the fresh ones, and you can buy them cheap and store or freeze ahead of time. If you do your research and shop around, healthy eating really doesn’t have to be as expensive or challenging as it might seem. </p> <p><strong> </strong></p>

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Olympic athlete jailed for 25 years

<p><span>Olympic kayaker and silver medallist Nathan Baggaley has been jailed for 25 years, over an elaborate plot to smuggle more than 500 kilograms of cocaine into Australia in 2018.</span><br /><br /><span>His brother Dru was handed down a sentence of 28 years’ jail.</span><br /><br /><span>Both brothers were convicted of attempting to bring in 650 kilograms of white powder (with an estimate of 512 kilograms ro be considered pure cocaine).</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842696/nathan-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/465a8cf904c049858f187dae4733fc26" /></p> <p><em>Nathan <span>Baggaley, 45. Image: Getty Images</span></em><br /><br /><span>A Brisbane Supreme Court jury has found both the brothers guilty over the detailed high-seas plan to import cocaine worth up to $200 million.</span><br /><br /><span>Defence barrister Mark McCarthy, argued Dru should be handed a 20 year prison sentence, while Nathan’s defence lawyer, Anthony Kimmins, recommended his client should get 14.</span><br /><br /><span>Justice Ann Lyons handed the brothers their punishment, telling them: “It is clear that I must impose a sentence on both of you which is to punish your drug-related crime in a way which signals plainly to anyone who considers like offending that courts are both able and willing to make it clear that actions of this nature will receive quite substantial penalties.”</span><br /><br /><span>Justice Lyons said to Nathan: “You could have easily removed it [the boat] from the ability of Dru to use it … you knew full well what was happening, and you went along with it ... You played an essential role, it was one where you were trusted.”</span><br /><br /><span>To Dru she said: “You did not cooperate with law enforcement officials … you were caught red handed and on film disposing of the cocaine.”</span><br /><br /><span>A last-ditch bid for leniency by the lawyers defending the brothers failed on May 24.</span><br /><br /><span>Justice Lyons rejected a last-ditch bid for leniency on May 24, after Dru argued that thought he was picking up tobacco packages.</span><br /><br /><span>She decided that Nathan knew what the boat he bought was going to be used for.</span><br /><br /><span>Dru and boat driver Anthony Draper were both arrested on July 31, 2018.</span></p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842697/nathan-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fe801c64b7d54e64bae7ff31460e3de1" /></p> <p><em>Dru <span>Baggaley, 39. </span>Image: Supplied</em><br /><br /><span>NSW law enforcement had to employ a surveillance plane, a navy ship and a RAAF plane,</span><br /><br /><span>The dramatic chase was ended by a number of specialist heavily armed SERT officers on a Queensland Water Police vessel.</span><br /><br /><span>Nathan had claimed his brother told him he was buying the boat for a proposed whale-watching business at Byron Bay and that he was unaware of the drug plot.</span><br /><br /><span>Dru claimed he thought he was going to get packages of tobacco, not cocaine, and alleged he was kidnapped and forced to go on the long voyage.</span></p>

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Olympian Scott Miller arrested in major drug bust

<p>Police claim the arrest of Olympic swimmer Scott Miller is a major coup in dismantling a criminal syndicate they say was intent on causing "death and misery" across regional NSW through the alleged supply of methylamphetamine.</p> <p>Police arrested two men on Tuesday, including the 45-year-old, following an investigation into the ongoing supply of over $2 million, or at least 4kg, worth of ice.</p> <p>Police also seized another 2kg of what they believe is a prohibited drug that is undergoing testing, bringing the estimated street value up to $3 million.</p> <p>Mr Miller was arrested at his waterfront home in Rozelle while another man, Wayne Allan Johnson, was detained at home in Balmain.</p> <p>Police have now charged Mr Miller with two counts of supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug, dealing with the proceeds of crime and directing a criminal group.</p> <p>He spent the day being questioned at the police station.</p> <p>His lawyer Hugh Salter told the court his client would not be applying for bail and asked for the matter to be put off for eight weeks.</p> <p>Mr Miller’s co-accused, Mr Johnson, was also charged on Tuesday afternoon with supplying a commercial quantity of a prohibited drug and taking part in a criminal group.</p> <p>They are both expected to face court on April 13.</p> <p>Police will allege the pair concealed 4kg of the drug known as "ice" inside candles.</p> <p>It is believed eight candles, each with 500g of ice hidden inside them, were intercepted in a vehicle on its way to Albury in regional NSW.</p> <p>“The ice (inside the candles) is of very high purity ... it was moulded inside the glass in each candle,” Drugs and Firearms Squad commander John Watson said.</p>

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“We were scared”: Venue worker speaks out after police bust up health breach wedding

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>A waiter has spoken out about what happened after management allowed more than 600 guests at a wedding reception, which is in violation of current NSW COVID-19 restrictions.</p> <p>Norman, who's worked at the Imperial Paradiso in Fairfield, said that employees were "incredibly concerned" they'd get in trouble despite having no idea management breached restrictions until the hordes of guests arrived.</p> <p>“I was really worried about getting a personal fine,” he told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/we-were-scared-waiter-at-a-fairfield-wedding-venue-fined-for-having-more-than-600-guests-speaks/news-story/1c3f0e1c9a8eda44695e0ec0bfcbbf7e" target="_blank"><em>NCA NewsWire</em></a>.</p> <p>“I didn’t know the amount of people who were coming and I don’t control the number of people, I’m not a manager.</p> <p>“We all knew once (we saw the guestlist) but as a normal employee if I said anything it wouldn’t have worked.</p> <p>“It was out of my hands.”</p> <p>NSW Police confirmed on Monday that the venue had been fined $5,000.</p> <p>Norman said things were tense as soon as police arrived, as staff were told to get in the kitchen and stay there.</p> <p>“The chefs were really upset too,” he said.</p> <p>“Even the band, I could hear them talking, and they said ‘let's eat dinner and leave’.”</p> <p>NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has warned that the breach could have drastic flow-on effects for the larger community.</p> <p>“Firstly can I say when you have a deliberate act like the venue operators – normally we thank businesses that are working hand in glove with government in relation with dealing with the pandemic, in this scenario and this case we got an example of someone who's done it bloody wrong,” he said.</p> <p>“He puts his own business and that business’s reputation at risk, the sector at risk, the broader economy and jobs, and worse the health of this state.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Australian police bust massive online child abuse ring

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Police have busted an online child exploitation ring, charging 14 men in Australia with filming and sharing the abuse of 46 babies and children.</p> <p>Men from NSW, Queensland and Western Australia are accused of preying on children and uploading child abuse material to an online network.</p> <p>The accused offenders range in age from 20 to 48 years old and include a childcare worker and a volunteer football coach.</p> <p>Police have alleged that the former childcare worker had used his job and "other deceptive means" in his personal life to gain access to 30 children, who he then shared with his partner who allegedly participated in the abuse.</p> <p>The 27-year-old man has been charged with more than 300 offences, including having sexual intercourse with a child under 10, indecent assault of a child under 16 and intentionally sexually touching a child under 10.</p> <p>Police began arresting the men in February, with the latest arrest on Friday.<br />Investigators have laid more than 800 charges and have not ruled out further arrests, with eight NSW men have been charged with 577 offences against 39 children.</p> <p>Bestiality charges relating to four animals were also laid against men in NSW.</p> <p>Australian federal police's acting commander of child protection operations, Christopher Woods, said that the scale of offending was unprecedented.</p> <p>“These men allegedly produced child abuse material for the depraved pleasure of their peers with absolutely no thought to the lasting effects their actions would have on these children,” he said on Wednesday.</p> <p>“Police will allege Operation Arkstone revealed a network of abuse, where the alleged offenders in the forums encouraged and emboldened each other to engage in acts of depravity and abuse of children.”</p> <p>More than 140 referrals to international police were made during the investigation, including 18 to the US which has led to three arrests.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Block-busting DIY tips from The Block’s Benny and Dave

<p>For the seventh consecutive year, Kennards Hire is again the official hire company supplier of Channel Nine’s longest-running reality TV series, <em>The Block</em>. </p> <p>Now in its 16th season, five teams are busily transforming five family homes from five decades in the Melbourne bayside suburb of Brighton.</p> <p>As returning equipment hire sponsor, Kennards Hire introduced the five highly competitive couples to their new Kennards Hire man-on-the-ground, Ben McTaggart – affectionately known as “Benny from The Block”. And now, along with landscape specialist Dave Franklin, we can reveal the pair’s favourite backyard and frontyard DIY tips:</p> <ol> <li><strong> Timber deck restoration reminders</strong></li> </ol> <p>“When getting started on your restoration you need to first clean down the deck and assess any damage. Make sure all the nails are punched firmly down before firing up the <span><a href="https://www.kennards.com.au/floor-sander.html">floor</a></span> sander to even out any chips or marks in the timber. Depending on how much work is needed, an <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/sander-orbital.html?trackParams=2441-1-1-100.00" target="_blank">orbital</a></span> sander is another useful option. Then it’s time to grab your preferred oil or stain and seal everything in to get your deck looking good as new.”</p> <ol start="2"> <li><strong> Outdoor ambience </strong></li> </ol> <p>“A sunken area with a fire pit, some cushion seating, candles and a hanging chair are great, simple ways to set the mood in an outdoor space. But the key to creating the perfect ambience in a backyard of any size is outdoor lighting, establishing a beautiful atmosphere that you can enjoy well into the night.”</p> <ol start="3"> <li><strong> Home pool excavating </strong></li> </ol> <p>“Pool excavating isn’t just for professionals, and with the right equipment is a fun job for DIYers looking to tackle a larger project. Before getting started you will need a permit, however once sorted use a <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/turf-cutter.html?trackParams=96474-1-1-100.00" target="_blank">turf cutter</a></span> to take up the turf and mark out the area of the pool. Make sure you check for any electrical or gas lines, before hopping on the <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/excavator-mini-1-8t1.html?trackParams=75-1-29-100" target="_blank">excavator</a></span> or bob cat to get digging.”</p> <ol start="4"> <li><strong> Equipment needed for a retaining wall</strong></li> </ol> <p>“To understand what you’re dealing with and the right equipment needed, first work out whether it’s going to be a sleeper or masonry wall. You will then need a <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkJiAkSPCVU&amp;feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">laser level</a></span> to establish the height, plus an excavator and <span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.kennards.com.au/plate-compactor-60kg.html?trackParams=676-2-5-100" target="_blank">compacting plate</a></span>. But every job is different and it’s best you consult a Kennards Hire team member who can give you the right advice for the job.”</p> <ol start="5"> <li><strong> Finishing touches</strong></li> </ol> <p>“If you have any old pots laying about the backyard, you can wash them up and breath in new life with a fresh coat of paint. Finish off by spreading mulch around the garden and planting some natives. It’s a simple way to revitalise your outdoor space.”</p>

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The housing boom propelled inequality but a coronavirus housing bust will skyrocket it

<p>A housing boom that lasted from the mid-1980s with only minor interruptions has <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-the-housing-boom-has-driven-rising-inequality-102581">added to rising income inequality</a> in Australia. Yet an impending housing market bust, triggered by the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting spike in unemployment, will not restore greater equality. On the contrary, recent history shows housing busts can <a href="http://web.stanford.edu/group/recessiontrends-dev/cgi-bin/web/sites/all/themes/barron/pdf/IncomeWealthDebt_fact_sheet.pdf">worsen inequality</a>.</p> <p>Those who benefit most from a boom are not those who pay the price when it busts. And those harmed by the boom often become even more vulnerable during the bust.</p> <p>Our analysis highlights the risks for people who bought their first home at the peak of the boom. We estimate 24,000 households are at very high risk because they took out large loans that might soon exceed their home value and also work in sectors with high job losses. Another 135,200 are at high risk and 121,000 are at moderate risk.</p> <p><strong>Coronavirus has set up a housing bust</strong></p> <p>Experts have long cited an upsurge in unemployment as the main threat to house price growth. This risk became reality with the coronavirus pandemic. Over the seven weeks from mid-March to early May, <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/6160.0.55.001Media%20Release1Week%20ending%202%20May%202020?opendocument&amp;tabname=Summary&amp;prodno=6160.0.55.001&amp;issue=Week%20ending%202%20May%202020&amp;num=&amp;view=">jobs fell by 7.3%</a>.</p> <p>Unless employment rapidly recovers, the housing market is facing a major downturn. In one worst-case scenario released by the Commonwealth Bank, <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-13/coronavirus-commonwealth-bank-house-prices-economy-unemployment/12241338">house prices could fall by up to 32% </a> over the next two years.</p> <p><strong>Recent first-time buyers are most vulnerable</strong></p> <p>Households that can hold on to their homes and weather the storm until the market recovers are not substantially harmed. Established owners, who bought their homes before or early in the boom years, have enjoyed the largest increase in their home values, and the largest reductions in their debt. This puts them in a position of relative resilience to a housing market bust.</p> <p>In contrast, <a href="https://dra.american.edu/islandora/object/auislandora%3A70463/datastream/PDF/view">evidence from the 2008 housing crisis</a> in the United States shows which households are most at risk. These were households that bought their first home with no deposit, or a very low one, in the period leading up to the 2008 crash. The crash left these households “underwater”, trapped with an asset worth less than their mortgage debt. Many defaulted on their mortgages, fuelling the housing market’s downward spiral.</p> <p>The Australian housing market and financial institutions differ from those in the United States in 2008 in fundamental ways. Still, Australian households that bought their houses at the peak of the boom and have now lost their jobs in the coronavirus pandemic are facing the highest risk.</p> <p>These include 24,000 recent (2014-5 to 2017-18) first home buyers who borrowed over 80% of the value of their home and were employed in <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6202.0">industries where jobs have now collapsed</a>. Another 135,200 recent first home buyers with high loan-to-valuation ratios are also at risk of going “underwater”, with homes worth less than their debt. Many of them are also in precarious employment, irrespective of the pandemic. (These figures do not include first home buyers in 2018-19, for which data are not yet available.)</p> <p><strong>Renters’ relief could be short-lived</strong></p> <p>Many private renters hope a housing downturn will translate into lower rents and perhaps give them a chance to buy their first home in a more affordable market. However, this is not always the case in a downturn. In the US from 2007 to 2009, despite declining house prices, <a href="https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/27011/1001550-Rental-Market-Stresses-Impacts-of-the-Great-Recession-on-Affordability-and-Multifamily-Lending.PDF">rental affordability stress has only increased</a>.</p> <p>In Australia, the sudden decline in international students and short-term rentals has <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/inner-city-rental-vacancy-rate-nearly-triples-amid-covid-19-student-exodus-20200523-p54vri.html">increased long-term rental vacancies in some areas</a>. <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/a-very-good-time-to-upgrade-tenants-bag-bargains-as-landlords-drop-rents-20200523-p54vp9.html">Reports suggest</a> rents are going down, especially at the upper end of some rental markets.</p> <p>However, in the longer run, the slowdown in housing construction will create supply shortages, leaving rental vacancies low and rents high. Many landlords, mostly “mum and dad” investors, have taken <a href="https://www.ahuri.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/16904/AHURI-Final_Report-296-Private-rental-in-transition-institutional-change-technology-and-innovation-in-Australia.pdf">large loans to finance their property investment</a>. They will need to keep rents high to hold on to their investment properties.</p> <p>Lower house prices will enable some households to become home owners for the first time, after being locked out of the market during the boom years. These households could benefit from a coronavirus housing bust if the market then recovers. Even so, their gains will do little to change the overall trend of rising inequality made worse by the housing downturn.</p> <p><strong>We need to flatten out booms and busts</strong></p> <p>Improved housing affordability is necessary to reduce social and economic inequality. A housing downturn will reduce house prices. But this downturn, when coupled with rising unemployment, will not deliver greater equality, especially if it’s followed by yet another boom.</p> <p>Australia has flattened the curve of COVID-19 infections. To be successful in reducing inequality, we need to flatten the curve of both booms and busts in the housing market cycle. And only a <a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-lays-bare-5-big-housing-system-flaws-to-be-fixed-137162">thorough overhaul of national housing policy</a> will achieve that.</p> <p><em>Written by Ilan Wiesel, Liss Ralston and Wendy Stone. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-housing-boom-propelled-inequality-but-a-coronavirus-housing-bust-will-skyrocket-it-139039">The Conversation.</a> </em></p>

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