When you think of Middle Eastern authorities, “hot pants” probably doesn’t spring to mind. Pierre Achkar, the mayor of Broumana (a Lebanese mountain town overlooking Beirut and the Mediterranean) plans to change that.

According to Nine News, Achkar, “Hatched a plan to recruit young, attractive women as traffic cops, in an odd bid to improve the nation’s image…. Not only that, but he’s making them wear red berets and tiny black hot-pants,” as they direct traffic along the high-street.

“We in Lebanon want to change the bleak picture of Lebanon in the West,” (Ruptly).

According to The Economist, “Rich tourists from the Gulf, who spend big and stay long, no longer holiday in his (Achkar’s) mountain town.” For this reason, the mayor wants, “Tourists from the West to plug the gap.”

“People in the West don’t visit Lebanon because they think it’s a country of Islamic extremism,” explains Mr Achkar (reported by The Economist). “We want to show that we have the same way of life as the West. You wear shorts and we wear shorts. We have democracy. Our women are free.”

Policewoman Samata Saad said: “We came willingly to this work and we have accepted it with enthusiasm and we still hope that it will return in every summer season,” (Nine News), while newly badged 19-year-old Chloe Khalife, “Says she is an example of Lebanon’s open society,” (The Economist).

Although the policewomen interviewed were ostensibly happy with the changes, some have questioned why the mayor is only interested in attracting heterosexual men (and lesbians) with a fetish for short shorts (the male police uniform has stayed the same).

“It’s a cheap PR exercise that only serves as a reminder of how far from equality, rights and respect we really are” (Lina Abirafeh, director of the Institute for Women’s Studies in the Arab World said, reported by The Economist).

As Lebanese religious courts make it difficult for women to leave violent husbands, allow girls as young as nine to marry, prevent women from passing on their nationality to their children and do not consider sexual harassment a crime, the notion that hot pants are a mark of an open society is tokenistic at best.

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For a brave breed of traveller, only the world’s most dangerous destinations will do. They happily trade the daily grind for adrenaline-charged holidays that could end in death just as easily as they could end in a killer Insta shot.

If five star hotels, Michelin meals, all-inclusive cruises and soothing spa days are your thing, sit this one out. The world’s most dangerous travel destinations are for the fearless (or foolish) only.

Mount Hua, China

In northwest China, 120 km east of Xi’an, lie the peaks of Mount Hua. A variety of temples and other religious structures dot its slopes, but to see them, you must scale the mountain by side-stepping across narrow wooden planks that look like they’ve seen centuries. Handholds are few. Instead trekkers cling to a series of loose metal chains bolted to the mountainside. One wrong move and you’ll plunge hundreds of metres to your death.

Gansbaai, South Africa

If Jaws didn’t permanently scare you out of the ocean, head to South Africa to go deep-sea diving with great whites. The waters around Gansbaai are densely populated with the toothy beasts, earning it the dubious distinction of being named the great white shark capital of the world. A metal cage only seems safe until you’re face to face with 3,324 kg of cartilaginous killing machine.

Death Road, Bolivia

Everything you need to know is in the name. The path from La Paz to Coroico in Bolivia is a treacherous trip that once killed hundreds of drivers annually. Dizzying elevation, the 3.6-metre-wide single lane, a lack of guardrails and limited visibility due to fog and rain make the journey highly hazardous (but all the more exciting for it). Truly adventurous travellers skip the vehicle in favour of a mountain bike.

War Zone Tours, Various

It doesn’t get much more extreme that willingly entering a war zone. If that’s your idea of a happy holiday, book an expedition with War Zone Tours. The company’s tour leaders are former military special operations personnel turned “High Risk Environment Guides” who have spent years in the world’s most dangerous corners. Destinations include Iraq, Beiruit and Somalia.

Jacob’s Well, Texas, USA

Nothing says “fun for the whole family” like a potentially deadly dive. The largest underwater cave in Texas has been a nearly non-stop source of water for thousands of years. It’s also been known to swallow people whole. Interesting algae and wildlife wait below the surface, but that’s only if you survive the 30+ metre drop, multiple chambers, and the unstable silt which can completely wipe out visibility.

RELATED: 10 Most Dangerous Roads In The World

Aokigahara Forest, Japan

Aokigahara Forest, at the foot of Mount Fuji in Japan, is lush and dense and, theoretically, beautiful. It’s also one of the most haunting places on Earth. The so-called ‘Suicide Forest’ has become a mecca for people looking to take their own lives. More than 70 died there in one year alone, and because the forest is so vast, authorities can’t always locate the bodies – meaning unwitting visitors stumble upon them instead. Hollywood has since turned it into a horror movie whilst the forest continues to live up to its reputation for creepy occurrences – it’s eerily silent as the ground is lush with moss-like vegetation which absorb a lot of the residual sound. There’s also no cell reception in the forest and compasses don’t work because of the magnetic deposits left in the soil floor. In other words, if you get lost here you’re pretty much screwed.

Pripyat, Ukraine

Deserted amusement parks are eerie at the best of times, but this one takes things to a whole new level. Pripyat was a charming town of 49,000 until it was destroyed by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986. Residents abandoned everything in terror, leaving behind a spooky ghost town that includes decaying gymnasiums, auditoriums, galleries and the aforementioned fun park. Unstable structures and radiation make Pripyat a hazardous choice for a holiday.

Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls, Zambia

Thousands of tourists travel to Victoria Falls, the world’s largest sheet of falling water, each year. Some are content to admire from afar, but the adrenaline obsessed get up-close-and-personal in Devil’s Pool. Only a small (and slippery) rock wall separates you from the edge should you dare to take a dip. You can even dangle your arms and legs over the rushing cliff, if you’re feeling particularly invincible that day.

Tornado Territory, Oklahoma, USA

While sensible folks flee natural disasters, the thrill-seekers at Extreme Tornado Tours head directly for them. April and July mark the beginning and end of tornado season in the United States, when storm chasers cheerfully intercept one of Mother Nature’s most ferocious phenomenons. Not only do people willingly put themselves at risk of being Wizard of Oz’d, they pay thousands of dollars for the privilege.

Mount Mayon, Philippines

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It’s always exciting news when Panerai announce a timepiece and their latest continues this trend for the Italian luxury watchmaker.

Say hello to the Panerai Luminor California 8 Days DLC 44mm PAM00779, a watch which takes all of Officine Panerai’s most defining (and sought-after) qualities and crams it into a masculine piece that’s made to stand out on any wrist.

PAM0079 features the iconic 44mm Luminor case machined from DLC (Diamond Like Carbon)-coated titanium for maximum robustness and scratch resistance without compromising on lightness. This also includes the mandatory bridge lever device. The ‘California’ dial aspect is derived from the watchmaker’s military roots which keeps things super clean with just an hours and minutes function paired with Arabic-Roman numeral markers and thermally blue hands. Other cool appointments includes Panerai’s in-house Calibre P.5000 mechanical movement which affords a hefty 8-day power reserve.

REALTED: Panerai Opens First Australia Boutique In Melbourne

The untreated brown leather strap polishes things off nicely with contrast beige stitching and a heat-stamped ‘OP’ logo. There’s also an additional black rubber strap included in the box if your worldly pursuits include a bit of diving – a task the Panerai is up for with its 300 metre water resistance rating.

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If you haven’t ever found yourself scrolling your best mate’s girlfriend’s sister’s cousin’s grandma’s dog’s Insta at 2am then I’m sorry to tell you but you may be stuck in 2015.

However, whilst there’s nothing wrong with staring at adorable golden retrievers and chatting-up spambots, if you find yourself doing it every night, you might suffer from “social jetlag”.

The term was recently coined during an inquiry into Australia’s “sleep deprivation problem”, conducted by University of Adelaide sleep specialist Robert Adams, who reckons poor sleep is taking a serious toll on the country’s health and welfare.

The study found that 31 per cent of survey respondents were suffering social jetlag—a similar but perhaps more painful form of traditional jetlag. Whilst “normal” jetlag is associated with physically changing timezones, “social jetlag” is where you mentally switch time-zones, whether that be by having a different sleep pattern Monday to Friday compared to the weekend (due to work), or whether that be because you’re living vicariously through your globetrotting pal’s Instagram by night and sleeping at your desk by day.

To be prescribed with “social jetlag,” your sleep on work nights must be more than an hour out of sync with sleeps on weekends or other days off. Which makes it surprising only one third of Australian’s (allegedly) have it, when you consider how Happy Hour can change the space time continuum of a Friday/Saturday night.

As reported by the SBS, “Socially jetlagged people were more likely to go to bed late, wake up tired, be late for work and go to work when sick. This suggests, says Professor Adams (the lead author of the study), that people with social jetlag, “Are either less able to recognise their sickness signs or they feel a degree of pressure to work despite being unwell or just plain tired” (SBS).

“Either way, it’s time we considered the consequences of these employees driving, operating dangerous machinery and potentially spreading contagious illness in the workplace,” he said.

As reported by The Guardian, “Those sleep-deprived people were also more likely to have computer devices in the bedroom and use them frequently in the hour before sleep.” If this sounds like you, the Sleep Health Foundation advises you head to bed slightly earlier and wake slightly later, instead of having a large sleep-in. Or just unfollow your wannabe influencer friends. Whatever floats your mayfair filtered canoe.

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Avengers assemble. Well, sort of. Every year Wimbledon brings out some of the world’s biggest celebrities and the finals is where the pinnacle of style and star power meet.

This year’s event was a truly special one with Novak Djokovic reclaiming his throne at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Off court was where the fashion action was happening though with not one but three Marvel superheroes looking dapper ‘AF’ as they made their way into the game.

Tom Holland who plays Spider Man stepped out in a classic navy windowpane suit that was meticulously tailored and paired with a spread collared shirt and two-tone skinny knitted tie – the perfect combination for a glistening British summer’s day.

The other Tom, Tom Hiddleston, meanwhile did a superb job of going down the classic Saville Row route with a tailored double breasted number that wore fat lapels and a fine check pattern. Black framed glasses add an extra touch of distinguished gentleman to the look and there’s really no faulting Loki for this power move.

Finally we move onto Dr. Strange himself, Benedict Cumberbatch. Marvel’s wizard lord opted for a striking beige suit complete with a matching fedora hat for a touch of quintessential British classicism and sporting tradition. The suit was paired with a sky blue shirt, grey tie, polka dot pocket square, brown Oxford shoes and a slim Jaeger Lecoultre timepiece.

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Nobody likes being told to ‘pull up’ when it comes to their favourite things in life, however a little moderation is never a bad thing. It can help keep fun things fun, avoid health problems and most importantly keep you from looking a down right tosser.

In no particular order, here are the things every man must do in moderation (and by moderation we mean much less of).

Tanning Overload

I’m not here to warn you about skin cancer, rather tell you to moderate your visits to brown town. Over tanning via the sun will age you like a pair of leather boots, too much electric beach will kill you quicker than a can of Mortein, and spray tanning will only make you look like an Oompa Loompa.

A tan is great but keep it to a healthy glow, not a chocolate dipping sauce. Mmmm…delicious.

Being A Creep

We all love the idea of being a bon vivant, man about town, lothario…. whatever you want to call it, but don’t become the guy who’s obsessed with picking up. It’s a bad buzz and you’ll soon find the girls you want are not interested in seeing your well cooked German sausage.  Be the good time guy (flame) and care less about the moths.

Talking About Yourself

Get used to the idea of listening to others before winding up about telling everyone how awesome you are. Being humble is a forgotten art in the world where a humble brag is just a tweet away. Be the guy who’s just as interested in someone else’s day as your own. Do try to listen and remember too. It will be noticed.

Gaining Muscle

I love the gym. Eat big, lift big, get big, but too much gain and you’ll no longer fit into your favourite Gucci suit, Paul Smith shirt or Nudie Slim Jim jeans. When you’re too big it becomes difficult to buy off the peg clothing and you’ll soon be rocking Gym Shark singlets and boot cut G-Star jeans to every function. Size matters in men’s fashion, so it’s recommended keeping the massive in moderation.

Complaining About Life

Nobody wants to hang out with the guy who’s constantly bitching and moaning about life or that love of their life that got away five years ago. Sure vent when you need to, but keep the negativity in check. It’s a drain on your energy and those around you and most importantly, it’s not attractive (see: How To Be Attractive When You’re Not).

You don’t hear the opposite sex saying, “Oh, I met the best guy the other day. He was the best complainer!”.

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The world’s most stylish men are out in force and it’s good news for you if you’re lost for wardrobe inspiration.

Hitting up the circuit in the past weeks have been guys like Mark Ronson, Jim Chapman, Stanley Tucci, Dwayne Johnson, Adrien Brody, Pierce Brosnan, Eddie Redmayne, Richard Biedul and Oliver Cheshire.

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So you want to build muscle? It’s not as straightforward as just downing protein and lifting heavy.To uncover the secret of how to get muscles, we need to release the right hormones for cell proliferation and muscle development – and to make this behind-the-scenes sequence happen, we need quality nutrition as well as progressive muscle overload through resistance work.The best exercises to include in our workout regimen are explosive large muscle group exercises. Effective work of the glutes and quads, being the biggest muscle groups in the body, releasing the most testosterone, insulin type factor 1 and growth hormone, the three hormonal building blocks of muscle development.The following three exercise supersets can be endlessly adapted to help build muscle faster. It should be noted that each of these exercises should be modified to suit any muscle weakness, asymmetries and competency level, and varied to ensure effective shocking of the body and ongoing muscle soreness.You will not develop muscle if you are injured, so ensure you have the right technique and do not sacrifice technique for intensity.

Explosive Deadlifts (Or Cleans) With Box Jumps

Varying speed and time under tension to ensure fast twitch muscle fibre development is key in ensuring the muscle you develop is effective muscle. Adding plyometric exercises such as box jumps or hops is a great example of this.Warm up your hips by undergoing some deadlifts at a light weight (30-50% of bodyweight). Following, begin your working set of deadlifts or cleans at 75% of your heaviest lift for 6 sets of 12 repetitions. Adjust the speed at which you eccentrically (the “down” phase) and concentrically (the “up” stage) contract your muscles. Slow on the down phase and explode up. This is a great way to ensure muscle development as well as mobility through your hamstrings.Once you have finished your deadlift set, move into bodyweight box jumps (once you can move your legs again). This is a great conditioning exercise that builds fast twitch muscle fibres.

Weighted Chin Ups & Barbell Bent Over Rows

Whilst your lats, delts and arms will be fried from performing chin ups, throwing a weight between your feet is a great way to maximise the work that your abs and core are doing at the same time. If you can do chin ups before moving into a bent over row (with barbell), which effectively works the entirety of your posterior chain, you can effectively work all your back muscles and be sure to stress the body.The chin ups should be from a dead hang (straight arms at the bottom) pulling until your shoulders or chest touch your thumbs and your entire head is above your hands. A good target to be able to hit is with a 5-10kg dumbbell held between the feet slightly in front of the body – 8-12 reps for 4 sets.

Military Press & Weighted Dips

Increasing your shoulder width is an effective way to look bigger, quicker, and it also helps with your other pressing lifts by having the triceps and chest as secondary movers.The right technique however is often overlooked and leads to decreased range of movement and scapular instability, inhibiting strength and thus also size gains. Regressing this movement by reducing weight and ensuring full mobility of the shoulders by doing some repetitions with the bar coming down behind the head is key before loading this movement. We want a painless, manageable and smooth lifting motion, rather than a leg shaking, body compensating struggle.Super-setting this shoulder press (military press) with a bodyweight dip is a great way to exhaust the triceps, shoulders and chest, and to do it safely.BUT…It is not enough to simply do your resistance work and eat well. Both areas should be constantly monitored to ensure the body is being shocked enough to change, and constantly in the right environment to add muscle. In addition to nutrition and training quality, other factors that will affect your results are rest, consistency in matching your macros, stress levels and hydration.Jordan Ponder is a personal trainer and the founder of Paramount Recreation Club and Transform Health in Sydney, Australia. His goal is to create and inspire habitual health whilst improving performance. Contact Jordan to arrange a nutrition, fitness and lifestyle consultation.

The post Crucial Exercises That Will Ensure You Get Bigger Faster appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

We’ve all heard of the Running of the Bulls, a 10-day fiesta where you get chased down cobblestone streets by day and consume too-many copas by night. But as much as this Mexican (Spanish Basque?) standoff between animal rights activists and revellers is a world-class party to behold, there’s an even weirder one off the tourist trail: Los Escobazos.

Where Is It?

Los Escobazos takes place in Jarandilla de la Vera, a small village 600km South-West no where near Pamplona, in Spain’s Extremadura region. Known for: ham, pork, bushwalking. Not known for tourism, nightlife.

What Is It?

Celebrating the immaculate conception with a scene straight out of hell, the literal meaning of Los Escobazos is “the broom hits.” The problem with translating it is escobas are “brooms” in the same way AK47’s are “pistols”. These ~bundles of sticks~ start off 20cm wide and one metre long, wielded by kids. But as the night goes on, escobas 3 metres long, wider than Señora Kardashian’s hips start to appear, hoisted by groups of 10 or so villagers. The idea throughout the night stays the same though—run around “sweeping” (read: hitting) people with your flaming implement. All in honour of Santa Maria.

How The Night Progresses

At this point the town plaza is full of “refuelling stations” (fires), and people, young and old, running madly with flaming brooms. Whilst drinking aniseed liquor from pigskin bladders. And although you’re not allowed to hit above the waist, the flames often extend well overhead. This is accompanied by chanting, which reaches a crescendo as the clock strikes midnight. At this point the “fire fighting” comes to an end and a religious procession comes out of the church, flanked by horses bearing Virgin Mary banners. Everyone then makes their way to a three story tall, christmas-tree-shaped pile of wood, which is not-so-promptly set alight (they don’t set it on fire until the entire procession has arrived).

What Started It?

A post shared by James Booth (@jimjam1112) on Dec 8, 2016 at 12:25am PST

This catholic celebration of the sweet Virgin Mary didn’t come to look like a satanic cult all on its own. Although the exact origin is unknown, locals say the tradition stems from ancient shepherds, who would light their way down the nearby mountain with blazing torches, then have some fun putting them out when they got home. Ever since this unspecified date, Los Escobazos has been held every year on the 7th of December.

Is It Dangerous?

At the beginning of the night, before they bring out the flaming, tree-sized ‘brooms’, you could be mistaken for thinking it’s just a quirky equivalent of Halloween. People chat in tapas bars, kids swipe pint-sized escobas around the plaza, and a particularly repetitive (albeit catchy) hymn is sung.

Should You Go?

For those harbouring inner pyromania or masochistic aspirations: absolutely. You are far more likely to get injured (albeit less fatally) at Los Escobazos than you are at The Running Of The Bulls. It also feels like more of an adventure, because it’s well off the gap year trail, and you’ll be more of a novelty to the locals than you are in many other places. You might melt your shoes, and get a few singed leg hairs, but other than that you’ll be fine.

A post shared by James Booth (@jimjam1112) on Feb 11, 2017 at 3:03pm PST

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