Spain is renowned for heart-stopping Paellas, artery-loosening wines, and ticker-friendly olive oil.

Such is España’s gastronomic success, its patatas bravas and Riojas are crunched and slurped all over the world. What hasn’t translated globally, however, is the art of the sobremesa.

As the BBC reports, “There is no equivalent word in English, though the concept is simple: sobremesa is the time you spend at the table after you’ve finished eating.”

In Spain, this kickback, enjoyed with family or friends, is much longer than in other countries (particularly ones like Australia, America and the U.K). Though it sounds simple, it is a powerful social adhesive, which can also provide a host of benefits.

RELATED: Why Spaniards Will Never Understand Australia’s Obsession With Wellness

The extended nature of the sobremesa can lead to deep discussions you might not have otherwise (think: sentences that begin with, “You’ve inspired me to” or “I’ve been wanting to say how much it means to me that you”).

As the BBC reports, the sobremesa also lends itself well to humour: “Jokes never land better than when the listener is well fed and, ideally, a little bit tipsy. All you have to do is say something remotely funny, and even if you mess it up you’ll likely still get a laugh.”

“My mother has a habit of telling jokes and erupting into infectious, uncontainable laughter long before she gets to the punchline. The jokes aren’t always that funny, but her delivery absolutely kills every time.”

“On a personal level, the sobremesa is fundamental,” Dani Carnero, chef at La Cosmopolita in Málaga, where Spain’s best chefs, including Ferran Adrià, Joan Roca, José Andrés and Andoni Luis Aduriz, go to eat when they’re in town, told the BBC.

“As a chef, when I see people spending time at the table after lunch, I feel that it’s a sign that everything has gone well, but oftentimes people enjoy themselves even more than during the meal itself. The sobremesa can be magical.”

As for sobremesa rules, there are only a few to follow. “Most importantly,” the BBC reports, is that aside from “urgent necessities” nobody gets up from the table.

“You have to stay at the table where you ate, amid the post-lunch wreckage of crumpled napkins, stray packets of sugar and the last pieces of dessert that may or may not get eaten. Sobremesa is about prolonging the lunch because you’ve had such a good time that you don’t want it to end; if you leave the table, the spell is broken.”

How long does the sobremesa last? There’s no set rule, but it often lasts for as long as the meal itself. Some legends will take it all the way through until they are hungry again, but this is unusual.

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A post shared by Diana Carmo (@dianacarmo) on Aug 22, 2020 at 1:32pm PDT

Of course, as the BBC points out, the all-day lunch is not an everyday occurrence, but “a fixture on occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries and Sundays with the family.”

That said, even midweek, many Spaniards still take the time to have a relatively leisurely lunch (this ‘lazy lunching’ concept, funnily enough, is now being embraced in Australia, thanks to the pandemic-driven work from home revolution).

In fact, Spain’s penchant for “skillful indulgence” has been linked with Spain taking out Bloomberg’s Healthiest Country rankings, perhaps undermining the 4.2 trillion wellness industry being embraced by Crossfit loving countries like Australia and America, which regularly finish further down the list.

As Campo Viejo global ambassador Federico Lleonart told DMARGE last year, the “easy-going” Spanish way of life probably contributes to their long and healthy lives, telling us; “people really enjoy going out and sharing with friends.”

“There is always a meeting where a glass of wine is involved. You go to a tapas bar and of course you always enjoy a glass of wine. [It is] very social and very spontaneous.”

RELATED: The True Meaning Behind Anthony Bourdain’s Most Famous Quote

“The people in Spain are not obsessed with eating [or avoiding] fat or carbs, it’s basically a good combination of a lot of fish with a lot of fresh vegetables. Another important part of living longer is having a healthy social life and sharing with friends. Everything without excess.”

Ready to embrace the subtle art of drinking all the wine? Don’t get up from the table just yet.

Read Next

• ‘Lazy Lunching’: The European Food Trend Sweeping Australia
•  The ‘Naive’ Alcohol Myth Europeans Wish Australians Would Stop Spouting

The post The 'Untranslatable Secret' To The Perfect Spanish Meal appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

When it comes to luxury watches, nothing quite beats a gold Rolex – especially when it comes to making a style statement (or showing off to the world that you’ve made it). Combining the world’s most coveted watch brand with the world’s most stereotypically desirable material just screams ‘baller’.

But if you walk into a Rolex boutique and ask for information on their gold watches, they’ll ask you to be more specific. Are you interested in the new Submariner in white gold? A pink gold Day-Date, perhaps? Or do you mean something in solid gold, monsieur?

RELATED: Rolex Drops Its Largest Submariner To Date, Complete With New Movement

Solid gold is also called ‘yellow’ gold, and it seems as if musical superstar Justin Bieber has taken that moniker to heart: stepping out in Los Angeles in a completely yellow outfit to complement his 18ct yellow gold, champagne dial, diamond-highlighted Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (ref. 116528GLDD) worth a cool $50,000.

The shirt and tracksuit pants are both pieces from Bieber’s own clothing label, Drew House, which uses yellow as a signature colour. The yellow Crocs seem to be an unreleased collaborative pair Bieber’s worked on with the infamous rubber clog brand – Bieber teased the upcoming collaboration last week with a cryptic teaser post on his Instagram. This outfit just adds more fuel to that fire.

RELATED: Justin Bieber Keeps Wearing The ‘Footwear Contraceptive For Men’

It’s not the first time he’s paired this outrageous watch with an outrageous outfit. Take this ‘odd’ purple outfit he contrasted with his Daytona with last year.

Rubber clogs aren’t the only collaboration Bieber’s penned as of late: he’s recently released singles with Ariana Grande and Chance the Rapper; appeared on Jaden Smith’s latest mixtape; starred in the music video for DJ Khaled and Drake’s collaborative single, and graced the cover of Vogue Italia with his wife Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin).

Read Next

• Rafael Nadal Prepares For French Open Domination With ‘Revolutionary’ $1.2 Million Richard Mille Watch
• David Beckham Can’t Stop Wearing His One-Off Inter Miami Tudor Watch

The post Justin Bieber Coordinates Solid Gold Rolex In Most Outrageous Fashion appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”272449″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]This feature has been produced in partnership with MINI

Being cooped up inside for most of this year hasn’t helped the auto industry in Australia move out of its dark period.

Not only has local manufacturing seized, but the economic and social consequences of The Bat Kiss have meant that Australians are buying less new cars than ever before. On top of that, most of the cars on sale in this country are just, for lack of a better word, boring.

Carsguide’s market stats tell a sobering story: “We have now entered the era of light-commercial vehicles and SUVs. The passenger car is, if not dead, then dying.” Of the top ten vehicle models on sale in Australia, three are SUVs, and three are utes. Australia’s #1 model by sales figures is the Toyota HiLux – hardly ‘bedroom poster’ material.

But one brand that’s been making cool cars from day dot is MINI, who might just be the breath of fresh air we need in 2020. From the insane John Cooper Works GP to the high-tech yet multifunctional Hybrid Countryman and the new zippy MINI Electric, it’s so rare to find a carmaker whose entire lineup is completely bereft of boring motors.

Australians have been sleeping on modern MINIs too long – here’s why.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”272351″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Space Consciousness” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator][vc_column_text]The quintessential Australian car used to be a large sedan – veritable ‘land yachts’ with big, lazy engines. While ‘Commos’ and Falcons will always have a place in Australian motorists’ hearts, the reality is that they are products of a bygone era.

As we step into an era of urban living, sprawling metropolises and ultradense inner-city road networks present an urgent need for small, space-efficient, multifunction cars. MINI has unexpectedly stepped up to the plate better than most to this end, with well-packaged, innovative cars that fit the ‘Urban’ brief to a tee.

Take the new Hybrid Countryman, which combines 1,275L of cargo space in a car that’s a foot shorter than a Subaru Forester, that only uses 2.5L/100km. It’s other touches, too: the Clubman’s unique double-door hatchback that’s super-wide opening and practical while looking great; how the 5-door Cooper can fit 5 adults over 6ft whilst maintaining the go-kart handling MINI has become famous for; the incredible fuel-efficiency and low CO2 emissions that all MINI models boast…

Despite their diminutive size, MINIs leave little wanting for performance. The classic MINI was not a very powerful car – even in its most powerful guises, it only hit a max of 70kW. 

Nevertheless, it entered racing royalty after winning the gruelling Monte Carlo Rally three times in the 1960s, slaying giants far more powerful thanks to its impeccable ‘go-kart’ handling and light-weight performance. 

Modern MINIs continue to be developed with this recipe of light and agile performance; except they now add horses. Lots of horses. Or killer wasps, if you prefer.

Case in point: a stock classic MINI makes a piddling 25kW. Even a base 3-door modern MINI Hatch makes four times that figure, while being more than 30% more fuel-efficient compared to the classic. 

Needless to say, the new MINI Electric Hatch is even better on fuel (chiefly because it doesn’t use any) but also makes 135kW, which is quite a lot for a car that’s almost a metre shorter and 50% more powerful than a Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

Plus, you get all the benefits of an electric powertrain, including great acceleration – which makes the go-kart comparison even more apt.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”271321″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]All MINIs, whether turbocharged or electrified, retain the impeccable handling of their forebears yet unlike classic MINIs, which are notoriously uncomfortable to drive, new MINIs are comfier than a cup of English Breakfast and a warm scarf on a blustery day.

Performance is only half the story, however. The reality is that in a city environment, you’re not going to use all the power your car may have. The new BMW M3 and M4 might make 353kW but how much of that can you use if you’re stuck in traffic on the Pacific Highway? What’s far more important is having performance you can use, and being comfortable at the same time.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Environment” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Of course, the other thing that’s important is that you’re not spewing out oodles of carbon into the atmosphere whilst you’re stuck in traffic either.

This is where MINIs really excel: they’re some of the least polluting cars on the market. So they’re good for the environment as well as your eyeballs. 

This is particularly true for their electrified models. The Hybrid Countryman is big on space but gentle on the environment, capable of up to 61 kilometres of electric range, more than enough for the average Australian daily commute. If you want to forgo dinosaur juice entirely, the Electric Hatch boasts a 233km range from its 100% electric drivetrain. 

At a time when Australians are becoming more conscious of the space around them and having less impact on the environment, 2020 has really brought home how important our impact on the world is. Rather than buying cheap, disposable crap and looking for convenience, we need to think harder about the kind of investments we want to make. 

MINI sits in an interesting section of the market, cut above your standard fare but not as dear as luxury brands. They offer a unique combination of style, sustainability – and fun, which just makes sense. But sometimes you don’t need to make sense…[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Cool Factor” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Because the most convincing reason to buy a MINI is that they never go out of style.

The small car segment is one that often attracts the worst creative instincts of car design (take the Nissan Micra, which Jeremy Clarkson once described as a “scrotum”). The MINI, however, benefits from an iconic and timeless design heritage.

Not only do all their models share that legendary silhouette. It’s the little things, like how their tail-lights show a Union Jack, or the Power spoke wheels on the Electric Hatch inspired by a UK power-point. The entire brand might have been borne out of retro revival, but they haven’t let that wholly dictate their direction.

The classic MINI, which had a production run from 1959 until the end of the millennium, was so popular and endured for so long because of its combination of impressive performance, practical size and irrepressible personality. In 2020, when cars are getting bigger and more boring, MINI’s 21st-century offerings are the perfect antidote to drab, and are sure to endure for years to come.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”272376″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator][vc_column_text]

Check out MINI’s full range of fun automobiles online.

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The post Why MINI Could Be Australia’s Most Unexpectedly Relevant Car Brand Of 2020 appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Tanned skin, heroic lifeguards, espresso bars, bikini photoshoots, F45, Peronis; Bondi is everything an over-eager English backpacker could hope to find in Australia.

But it’s more than the stereotypes, however, with a photo by lensman Sammy Blanchard showing Bondi beachgoers don’t always display the entitled attitude the suburb is crudely known for.

RELATED: Psychologist Explains The Mindset Of Living In Bondi

Though Eastern Suburbs residents have been chided for their laissez faire approach to the world’s woes this year, it seems we have turned a corner, with the following photo, taken on Monday, demonstrating a hypnotic kind of social distancing that wouldn’t look out of place in a beehive.

“Looks like a print on carpeting,” one Instagram user wrote.

 

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A post shared by Sammy b (@sammyblanchard) on Oct 5, 2020 at 3:30pm PDT

Too many people? Yes. Too close? Judging by NSW’s ‘a towel’s length‘ guideline (and Mr. Blanchard’s exclusive comments to DMARGE), in most cases, no.

“Big crowds at Bondi over the weekend,” Mr. Blanchard captioned the photo. “You’d think corona didn’t exist anymore!”

Comments beneath the post remarked (some ironically, some not) on the proximity of the sun seekers.

“Great shot!! Social distancing at it’s best.”

Speaking to DMARGE, Mr. Blanchard said he believes various media outlets have been using photographic tricks to exaggerate how close people are at the beach.

However, he also believes “it’s needed.”

“We do need to be reminded that there still is a global pandemic and just because it’s a public holiday and 30 degrees doesn’t make you immune.”

Mr. Blanchard told DMARGE, “From what I saw, I think people were well behaved. There were a lot of people on the beach but the beach is 1 km wide! With lots of space comes lots of people.”

Mr. Blanchard said most people were following the towel length rule, too.

In any case, things got heated on the weekend with Waverly council on Monday warning people to stay away from Bondi beach as the sand neared capacity.

Access to Bondi Beach is set to be restricted from 2:00pm if crowds don’t stop flocking to the sand.

The beach is nearing capacity as people turn out for the public holiday. pic.twitter.com/9JyjWVN7o1

— 10 News First Sydney (@10NewsFirstSyd) October 5, 2020

Underneath a 10 News First Tweet, a similar story played out, with various users remarking some version of, “Looks well spaced out.”

 

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A post shared by MORNING BONDI (@morningbondi) on Oct 2, 2020 at 6:14pm PDT

This forms part of a broader debate around the benefits of shaming Those Enjoying 2020 (which, the logic goes, will encourage people to distance more seriously) as well as the disadvantages (if it is reported on with optic tricks and hysterical language, people may disregard the crucial messages underneath).

It also exposes why it makes little sense to refer to ‘the media’ as one singular beast.

Danish news site reminds people of being skeptical of how news photographers take pictures. Here is the same place, one picture taken with a zoom lense, and the other with a wide-angle lense: https://t.co/lPMJDHXOfD pic.twitter.com/mOSpiFEsDx

— Thomas Baekdal (@baekdal) April 26, 2020

Though this ‘pushing together of punters’ is a phenomenon seen on front pages all around the world (media analyst Thomas Baekdal pointed the same thing out in Copenhagen in April), it is particularly pronounced in Australia – particularly Sydney – where various publications play off the so-called ‘latte line.’

Mr. Blancahrd told DMARGE this “absolutely” happens to Bondi.

“In true tall poppy style Aussies love to bring Bondi (and the East) down a few pegs. But then they flock down here when there’s good swell or good tanning conditions.”

RELATED: Photographer Captures Australian Winter Ritual Americans Will Never Understand

Read Next

• Woman’s Response To ‘Draconian’ New Beach Law May Be Most French Thing Ever
• Controversial Bondi Beach Photo Depicts Scene That Could Never Happen In America

The post 'Perfect' Bondi Beach Photo Shows Fine Art Of Social Distancing In Australia appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Switzerland might be known as the centre of world watchmaking, but the Swiss watch industry very nearly died.

Quick history lesson: after enjoying a virtually unchallenged monopoly for most of the 20th century, the Swiss watch industry – which was and remains a crucial part of the Swiss national identity – became unseated by the rise of quartz watches. In 1969, Seiko released the Astron, the world’s first quartz watch, which kickstarted the ‘quartz revolution’, better known as the ‘quartz crisis’. That moniker was particularly true for the Swiss watch industry.

Quartz watches are significantly cheaper to produce than mechanical watches and are generally speaking much more accurate. The watch industry almost overnight went from being dominated by analog and mechanical watches to digital and quartz pieces. It was a paradigm shift that Switzerland was slow to react to – conversely, American and Japanese brands took keen advantage of the new technologies. Hundreds of Swiss brands went out of business, and things looked dire.

Eventually, the Swiss government and a group of investors led by Lebanese entrepreneur Nicolas Hayek formed what eventually became known as the Swatch Group, consolidating many Swiss brands under one roof. The Swatch brand itself was a masterstroke of Swiss ingenuity and marketing know-how: with only 51 moving parts, a plastic case and a wide variety of colours, the original Swatch was an immediate success thanks to its minimalist look and affordable price point. Millions were sold, saving the Swiss watch industry and creating a bonafide icon of 80s design.

Today, Swatch is as strong as ever, their timepieces loved for their typically Swiss reliability as well as playful designs. In 2013, Swatch released another significant innovation: the SISTEM51: a genuine automatic Swiss watch for less than $250.

Now in 2020, Swatch has improved the value proposition of the SISTEM51 even further. Their latest release, a new pair of SISTEM51 ‘Bio-Reloaded’ models, not only provide Swiss horological excellence for a cracker price but are also made out of bio-sourced materials – meaning they’re easy on the planet as well as your wallet.

Like the original Swatch, the SISTEM51 only has 51 moving parts anchored to a single, central screw. Unlike the original Swatch, which featured a battery-powered quartz movement and a 34mm case size, the SISTEM51 is a fully automatic watch, 41mm in size with an exceptional 90-hour power reserve. It’s hard to overstate what a triumph this is: there are few automatic watches of this quality at this price point.

Read Next

• Jaeger-LeCoultre Dives Deep With New ‘Ultramarine’ Polaris Collection
• Why Seiko Remains One Of Australia’s Most Loved Watch Brands

The post Swatch Maintains Status As Horology's Affordable Innovator With Latest Automatic Watch appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We like to think ourselves a bootstrapping bunch. But there’s one wilderness skill we’re lacking in – as shown in a new campaign by GME, Australia’s manufacturer of emergency distress beacons and radio communication equipment – knowing when to carry an emergency distress beacon.

That’s right: in this world where Google Maps reigns supreme and where the Southern Cross is associated more with the Cronulla Riots than with the night sky, we instinctively reach for our mobile phones to get us out of trouble.

However, 95 per cent of Australians are unaware, according to a GME study, that only 14 per cent of Australia has mobile phone reception.

Cue: a twist on the iconic 2006 slogan ‘Where The Bloody Hell Are You?’ (which comes from a $180 million tourism campaign which encouraged tourists to come and visit Australia).

GME has repurposed the message for Australians, encouraging them to think: ‘Where The Bloody Hell Am I?’ as they prepare to go bush in 2020 (a growing trend thanks to the dearth of international travel options).

 

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Legitimately one of the worst offroad situations I have been in. Stuck in the middle of nowhere with about 1.5km to the nearest tree or car to winch off (no way we were bringing @saltydavenport’s car on the lake to winch off). Thankfully we popped out with some tracks before we had to pull the PLB. #wherethebloodyhellami #gme @gme_au

A post shared by Harry Fisher (@firetofork) on Sep 29, 2020 at 4:33pm PDT

The ‘Where The Bloody Hell Am I?’ campaign urges those camping, bushwalking and fishing their way around the country to avoid a potentially dire situation by staying prepared and in touch by carrying an emergency distress beacon.

The campaign launches as new research polling 1,000+ Australians reveals the majority of Aussies would not choose the correct safety and communication equipment when going bush.

The research revealed, “Packing a mobile phone is the most popular safety equipment choice behind food and water supplies, with the vast majority (95%) of Aussies not realising that only a small fraction of Australia’s landmass (14%) is covered by mobile phone reception.”

GME also found that 55 per cent of Australians were looking to travel domestically, with one in two people saying they’re likely to participate in an outdoor adventure activity.

However, despite more than 50% of Aussies reporting “confidence” in their survival knowledge, our tendency to prioritise phones over distress beacons tells a different story.

 

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I have had my fair share of where the bloody hell am I? moments. Luckily, GME’s amazing radios and emergency beacons have meant me and my ute are never too far from help. The team @gme_au have just launched their epic ‘Where the bloody hell am I’ campaign to encourage Aussies not to skimp out on the best safety and communications gear when getting amongst the great outdoors. #gme #gmeau #wherethebloodyhellami #4×4 #offroad #2020travel #sponsored

A post shared by Ryan Gallagher (@ryangallaghergram) on Sep 27, 2020 at 11:31pm PDT

GME research shows 95 per cent of Australians aren’t aware that only 14 per cent of Australia’s landmass has mobile phone reception – despite mobile phones being the most popular choice of safety equipment.

“It’s great to see so many Aussies taking up camping, four-wheel driving and fishing for the first time, but many don’t realise that just a few clicks out of the city and you’ll need a UHF CB radio or Personal Locator Beacon if you require emergency assistance,” GME product and safety expert Tony Crooke said.

 

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A post shared by E L I S E (@elisehalina) on Jul 23, 2019 at 4:10am PDT

Putting this into perspective is Australia’s Search and Rescue System statistics – the organisation returns an average of 2,000 people per year, or over five people every day.

GME​ ​is Australia’s leading manufacturer of emergency distress beacons (EPIRBS/PLBs) and UHF radios – used to locate lost adventurers in an emergency situation. They are an incredibly important, life-saving tool, particularly in Australia where phone reception is limited,” (GME).

RELATED: Photographer Captures Rare ‘Backcountry’ Sight Most Australians Will Never See

As Yahoo reports, the importance of an emergency beacon was proven last year after a Queensland bushwalker who fell down a waterfall crawled for two days with one of his legs “snapped” above the ankle before finally being rescued.

“Neil Parker, 54, fractured his leg and wrist in the six-metre fall on September 15, 2019, while walking by himself in Cabbage Tree Creek on Mt Nebo, northwest of Brisbane,” (Yahoo).

Read Next

• The Best Hiking Apparel Brands For Those That Want To Flee Civilisation In Style
• Best Walks In Sydney For Exploring The Great Outdoors

The post The Wilderness Skill Australians Think They Know But Really Don't appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The world’s most humble footballer knows a thing or two about giving people good birthday presents. A reporter once asked him what he got his wife for Valentine’s Day – his response? “What do you mean, ‘present?’ She got Zlatan.”

But he clearly saves the best presents for himself, because the only thing better than getting Zlatan as a present is Zlatan getting Zlatan a sports car as a present.

Yes, the imitable Swedish soccer superstar celebrated his 39th birthday last week by gifting himself a new Porsche 911 Targa 4S Heritage Design Edition in red. Limited to only 992 models and featuring a unique race-inspired livery and corduroy interior (designed to evoke the 50s and 60s), this ‘Neunelfer’ makes 331kW from its 3.0L flat-six and rockets from 0 to 100 in 3.8secs – an appropriately unsubtle roadster for a larger-than-life personality.

 

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Happy Birthday to Zlatan

A post shared by Zlatan Ibrahimović (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on Oct 3, 2020 at 4:30am PDT

The Porsche is a lovely car, but it’s far from the only head-turning automobile in the AC Milan striker’s garage. Earlier this year, ‘Ibra’ was seen stepping into a new Lamborghini Urus SUV, yet another addition to his expansive car collection. He also owns a Ferrari Enzo, Audi S8, Lamborghini Gallardo and Maserati GranTurismo among other rides.

Hell, this time last year he pulled exactly the same stunt – gifting himself a rare Ferrari Monza SP2 in black for his 38th. The caption, of course, was exactly the same: “Happy Birthday to Zlatan.”

 

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Happy Birthday to Zlatan

A post shared by Zlatan Ibrahimović (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on Oct 4, 2019 at 11:22pm PDT

While he’s still kicking goals (literally) in Italy’s Serie A, there’s been a fair amount of speculation regarding Ibrahimovic’s age. 39 is quite old to still be active in professional football, and it’s unclear whether Zlatan will continue with Milan after his contract expires, or move elsewhere. There’s talk that he could be moving to recently-promoted English Premier League team Leeds or even Hammarby, the top-tier Swedish team he recently bought a huge financial stake in (angering fans of his hometown club, Malmö FF, who have a bitter rivalry with Stockholm-based Hammarby).

Read Next

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic Works Out In The Most Expensive Gym You’ll See This Week
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The post Zlatan Ibrahimovic Buys Himself A Ferrari Monza appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Much has been said about Justin Bieber’s hairstyles over the years.

His signature haircut from his early Baby days – a much-ridiculed swooping bangs style – was quickly abandoned once his career started really taking off. In the subsequent years, he’s rocked everything from footballer-tier peaked quiffs, bleached-blond mini-dreadlocks, an ‘I want to speak to the manager’ inverted bob and even a man bun for a brief spell.

In recent years his hair has been much more sedate. Indeed, he’s more likely to cover it up with a beanie or baseball cap these days – like in this workwear-inspired ensemble he was spotted in last month. However, it seems as if 2020’s seeing Bieber return to a more ‘adolescent’ look, somewhat reviving his style from the early days of his career.

But at least adult Biebs has the sartorial know-how (and deep enough wallet) to distract from his ongoing bad hair day. Out on a “date night” with his glamorous wife Hailey, the 26-year-old singer/songwriter paired a Balenciaga calfskin leather jacket with a pair of rare Nike Air Yeezy 1 ‘Net’ sneakers worth around $4,000.

 

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Date night

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on Oct 3, 2020 at 8:21pm PDT

The untucked shirt and baggy trousers make the ‘middle school’ label seem even more appropriate – but honestly, the outfit works. Hell, he almost makes the haircut work too: the frizzy bangs and ear-framing tufts looking very retro, but not unbecoming.

2020 might be a grim year for many people but it’s been pretty good for Justin. Not only did his February album Changes go gangbusters, but the other collaborations he’s penned – including singles with Ariana Grande and Chance the Rapper; an appearance on Jaden Smith’s latest mixtape; and a starring role in the music video for DJ Khaled and Drake’s collaborative single – have all been incredibly successful.

Read Next

• Shia LaBeouf Spotted Committing The Ultimate Men’s Activewear Crime
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The post Justin Bieber Rescues 'Middle School’ Haircut With Exceptional Jacket appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Venice has held back water for the first time in 1,200 years. This comes after decades of delays, controversy and corruption (and damaging high tides).

However, on Saturday – the first acqua alta of the season for Venice – the city finally tested its long-anticipated flood barriers against the tide.

A high tide of 135cm was forecast – one that would usually inundate the city. But after years of work, millions of euros and much incredulity, the MOSE barrier worked for the first time (bar a previous minor test against a low tide).

Venice stayed dry and citizens like Sebastian Fagarazzi, who told CNN he is used to moving his belongings – including furniture – off the floor every time the flood sirens go off, were relieved – and somewhat astonished.

“At 12.05 p.m., high tide, St Mark’s Square – which starts flooding at just 90 centimeters, and should have been knee-deep – was pretty much dry, with only large puddles welling up around the drains,” CNN reports.

“The square’s cafes and shops, which often have to close for hours on end, remained open. And in the northern district of Cannaregio, Sebastian Fagarazzi’s home stayed dry.”

The MOSE defence system consists of 78 flood barriers (bright yellow guards) installed in the seabed at the lagoon’s three main entrance points – the inlets of lido, malamocco and chioggia – that divide the Adriatic sea from the Venice lagoon Design Boom reports.

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According to Design Boom, the flood gates are split into four barriers, which each include multiple gates to admit vessels through. Also, “to offer a defense of the entire lagoon, the floodgates lie full of water and completely invisible in housing when inactive,” (Design Boom).

“Compressed air is then introduced in the event of a particularly high tide. the barriers thus rise up and block the flow of the incoming tide.”

“The MOSE flood barrier system was greatly needed due to the increasing frequent and intense high waters that hit venice over the recent years, most notably in 2019,” Design Boom reports. “It is designed to protect the city from tides of up to 3 meters – much higher than the forecast tide on the Saturday.”

“As well, the floodgates also [sic] guarantees the quality of the water in the lagoon, protection of the landscape, and the maintenance of the port activity.”

Since Saturday’s success, various Twitter users, both Venetian and non-Venetian, have taken to the internet with comments that reveal some brutal truths about Italian culture.

sometimes something works there in Italy

— Fermium (@fermium257) October 3, 2020

They also showed the on ground reality of what this historic event was like.

“Turns out my morning spent clearing my stuff off the floor just meant tidying, not flood defence,” one user wrote.

The wedding can go ahead at San Giorgio pic.twitter.com/3w90xaXhzf

— Julia Buckley (@juliathelast) October 3, 2020

The mix of Twitter comments suggest today’s Italy is simultaneously hopeful and cynical, corrupt and honorable; forward-thinking and reactive.

Users also questioned the Promethean nature of this solution, with some calling MOSE an expensive “stopgap,” arguing we should be stopping climate change rather than finding ways to cope with it.

MOSE = emergency fix to avoid disastrous #acquaalta like in November 2019. BUT in view of climate change and environmental protection, we need long-term solutions to ensure that Venice and the Lagoon can survive: WHY + WHEN DOES VENICE FLOOD:https://t.co/RA2uc7EWYV

— Iris Loredana (@LaVenessiana) October 3, 2020

Given the wheels of global warming are already in motion, some may call this a moot point (or at least argue we are going to have to do both).

After decades of bureaucratic delays, corruption and resistance from environmental groups, sea walls designed to defend Venice from “acqua alta,” or high water, went up on Saturday, testing their ability to battle the city’s increa…https://t.co/NWFgT6cn6W https://t.co/2oBdDU1LY4

— MAC-DUFF THP (@MACDUFF_THP) October 3, 2020

For more information on how the floodgates work, refer to the following video.

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The post The Incredible Moment Venice's Floodgates Worked For The First Time appeared first on DMARGE Australia.