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AFTER PULLING off an upset win in District 18 over Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy at the polls in November, Manchester’s Victoria Sullivan is hitting the ground running as a state senator, putting in a legislative service request (LSR) involving intra-district school choice. LSRs are drafts for legislation lawmakers would like to see drawn up. They are sent to the Office of Legislative Services, which converts the request into a draft bill. Sullivan, R-Manchester (whose district includes Manchester Wards 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and the town of Litchfield), says intra-district school choice would give families interested in choosing a different school in their local district the ability to do so. “This is something that I would have implemented in Manchester had I been successful in my bid to become mayor,” Sullivan said. “Having this a state law will benefit far more than just Manchester families. Children should not be segregated by socioeconomic status, which is exactly the way public schools divide children. “I believe this will also improve public schools if there is competition within them.” Also known as open enrollment, intra-district choice lets families choose from public schools within their local district other than their assigned school. Sullivan’s request to the Office of Legislative Services reads as follows: “Whereas children should not be segregated by zip code or socioeconomic status, intra-district public school choice will allow families education choice within their own district. “Every taxpayer within a district is paying into the schools and should therefore have the option to choose the best school for their child. “Families opting to choose a public school other than the school assigned them by the school board or district will be responsible for providing their own transportation. “Requests to change schools must be made no later than July 1 for the upcoming school year. “An emergency request may be made at any time if it is determined that the child’s safety is at risk in their current school. “The receiving school must be able to accommodate the student based on teacher to student ratio and school capacity. “The Superintendent of schools will make the determination of availability. “Any parent denied access based on availability may submit an appeal to the local school board who will have the power to override the Superintendent’s decision.” The bill, if ever passed, would take effect July 2025, Sullivan said. “Local tax dollars pay the bulk of the expenses for public schools,” said Sullivan. “Any family interested in choosing a different school in their district should have the ability to do so.” Sullivan said the current conversations in Manchester around Beech Street School are a “great testament as to why this is important.” “The school board and aldermen keep saying that the children in this neighborhood, where many of our refugees, new Americans and underserved families live, deserve to know they are valued,” Sullivan said. “They are correct. Giving these families equal footing and opportunity sends that exact message.” Don’t expect any action on Sullivan’s request until early 2025. As of Dec. 1, the Manchester City Library is no longer charging overdue fines on all items in its collection, joining a “growing movement among public libraries nationwide seeking to remove barriers to increase access,” library officials said in a release. “Research has shown that overdue fines can serve to prevent lower income members of the community and children from accessing library materials and services, and have been largely ineffective in their stated goal of discouraging tardy returns of library materials,” the release states. “Removing fines will allow the library to better serve patrons and meet its mission of ‘striving to provide services and materials to meet the needs of our diverse and changing community.’” While overdue fines have been eliminated, patrons are still responsible for returning items by their due date. “If an overdue item is not returned within a 40-day window, patrons will still be charged a replacement cost for the item,” library officials said in a statement. Any questions regarding individual library accounts should be directed to the library circulation desk. Manchester City Library Director Denise van Zanten was announced as the 2024 recipient of the Ann Geisel Award of Merit from the NH Library Association (NHLA) during their annual Fall Business Meeting & Conference in Plymouth. The award is named in memory of Ann Geisel (1947-1999), who provided distinguished service to local, regional, and national library communities. Recipients are individuals, groups or organizations that have made similar significant contributions to the New Hampshire library community, or to NHLA. Van Zanten was honored in part for “helming the ship” of the largest public library in New Hampshire through a period of extreme challenges — financial crises, a pandemic, etc., and serving as a mentor to many new library directors throughout the state over the last 20-plus years. Webster Elementary School is opening a new food pantry to serve students and families, following a donation from Hannaford Supermarkets. Webster Principal Meg Canning , social worker Stacey Evans , Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Chmiel and network director Erin Murphy were on hand at the North Side Plaza Hannaford store recently to accept a donation of $1,500 in gift cards. Evans, who is coordinating efforts to open the food pantry, said it will help meet the needs of the school community. “We are thankful to Hannaford for their generous donation of $1,500 in gift cards for the pantry,” Evans said. “With the help of partners like Hannaford, our mission is to stop the gap of food insecurity from Friday afternoons to Monday mornings.” Webster was one of several schools to receive a grant from the city’s Health Department over the summer to open a food pantry. “I’m incredibly proud of the work that is underway in our schools and grateful for the support we are receiving to address this critical issue,” Chmiel said in a statement. “Combined with our efforts to increase access to school breakfast, inclusion of culturally appropriate meal options, and emphasis on getting families in need connected to free or reduced(-price) meals, we are approaching this problem on multiple fronts. “I’m eager to see these new in-school food pantries get up and running.” In addition to Webster, Weston and Beech Street elementary schools, West High School and the Adult High School are planning to open food pantries this year. Those schools, plus Gossler Park Elementary and the Middle School at Parkside were also recipients of health department grant funding. Evans and Canning at Webster said they hope to have the food pantry set up by the start of 2025. “Having this food pantry at Webster will greatly benefit our students and surrounding community,” Canning said. “We are so thankful to Hannaford for supporting our food pantry and being an upstanding community partner with Webster Elementary School.” To apply for free or reduced meal prices, complete the application at www.myschoolapps.com .
BACK in May, President Biden issued a pointed tweet. Writing on the platform now known as X, the post read simply: “No one is above the law”. The comment was about his predecessor in the Oval Office — President Trump . The former (and future) President was undergoing a set of trials at the time, which Trump’s supporters believe to be entirely politically motivated. Joe Biden and the Democrat party machine set prosecutors after Trump in multiple states, all the time in search of a crime . As is the way of prosecutors in the US, if they look for a crime they will find one. Sure as anything. Read More on Opinion But wow, how six months seems able to change things. Enriched themselves Because yesterday President Biden announced, on the way out of office, that he is going to pardon his son, Hunter, of every charge that he has faced to date , as well as any charges that might still be brought. This is in spite of him swearing in the past that he would do no such thing. The specific charges that Hunter Biden was awaiting sentence for related to tax evasion and ownership of a gun which he had lied about on purchase. Most read in The Sun He is now going to be pardoned of these charges. But it is the pardoning of him for other potential charges which rankles many Americans most. Thanks to the investigative work of Miranda Devine, the New York Post and others, it has been clear for years that the Biden family — mainly his brother James and son Hunter — have been running a business off the person they called “the big guy”. For years members of the family enriched themselves thanks to their closeness to the man who was Vice President before he became President. Most notoriously, Hunter sat on the board of an energy company in Ukraine called Burisma . The company paid him millions of dollars to sit on their board. Despite Hunter having precisely zero knowledge or expertise in gas. Or in anything much. But Hunter Biden’s exploits finally came to a head in 2020 when a laptop he left at a repair shop found its way into the hands of the New York Post. Drug of choice Hunter was a drug addict at the time. His chosen drug of choice appeared to be crack. And perhaps it was for this reason that he dropped his computer off at a repair shop then never picked it up. Before the Trump-Biden election in 2020, the story of the “laptop from hell” was published. It showed a lot of things. Some of the media that did pick up the story focused on Hunter’s bizarre behaviour. He was so self-destructive that he seems to have been in the habit of taking photos of himself smoking illegal drugs and having sex with prostitutes. This was salacious stuff. Salacious stuff But much more important — and what got buried — was the influence-peddling. The laptop had thousands of emails and other messages to and from Hunter that showed the way in which he and other members of the Biden family were making money by using their famous relative. This showed a seriously corrupt family. But the story was literally suppressed. The New York Post had its Twitter and other social media pages locked. This was pre- Elon Musk Twitter. Other media pretended that the whole story was what the Americans call “a nothing-burger”. Worse still, there was an organised attempt to discredit the story. More than 50 former US intelligence agents signed a letter claiming that the story bore the hallmarks of a Russian intelligence operation. This was during the time when the Democrats were obsessed with the idea that Russia had somehow got Trump into the White House . They had spent four years saying “Russia Russia Russia”, despite never producing any evidence. In fact, the real election interference was by those US intelligence sources. It was they who colluded to suppress the Hunter Biden story. It was they who decided without even having seen the contents of the laptop that it was a tool to push the election Trump’s way. Crack-smoking During the years since it is those intelligence agents and others who showed that they were not just wrong, but part of a cover-up. It was a disgraceful piece of interference — on the free Press and on a US election. Hunter Biden knew that what he had already been charged with would hover over him. And he knew — as did his father — that there was every chance that charges much more serious than crack-smoking would come to light. The Democrats weaponised the justice system against Trump. And pretended that nobody was above the law. READ MORE SUN STORIES Now they are heading out of office, we learn that things are quite otherwise. It turns out that some people can be above the law. But your surname has to be “Biden”.Topa, Stewart, McKenzie, Sulser reach deals ahead of tender deadline
Channel 4 Big Fat Quiz Of The Year viewers have same complaint as Strictly star debutsA recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children's toys and hair accessories. In a blog post, Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada, explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. (Dreamstime/TNS) The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were "an order of magnitude lower" than the EPA's thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University's Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it's actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren't enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn't be in these products in the first place. "The math error does not impact the study's findings, conclusions or recommendations," said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they're heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you're wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. Generally, how do I know a product is harmful? It's nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That's because these products that include recycled e-waste don't disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it's also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study "had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them," she said. How can I find out if black plastic food trays are made with recycled contaminated plastic? Anytime you're looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you're going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. When did recycled e-waste begin contaminating black plastic products? There isn't a definitive timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. What are safer alternatives? The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. The 20th century brought airplanes, radio, television, the internet, and plastic. Lots of plastic. That plastic is now showing up on shorelines, forming islands in oceans, and generating mountains of translucent trash on land. Around 700 species of animals in the sea have been found to interact with plastic daily. Companies across every industry face pressure to reduce the amount of plastic they produce. Seventy-two percent of the world's largest have made voluntary commitments to reduce their plastic waste, according to a Duke University analysis. One industry, in particular, has greatly benefited from advancements in single-use plastic technology: the medical industry. Only in recent years have businesses and academics in the field begun to talk about minimizing their impact on our environment like beverage manufacturers and other consumer goods-producing businesses. Medical Technology Schools analyzed academic studies published in the National Library of Medicine , the American Medical Association , and news reports to shed light on the medical community's use of plastics through history, their environmental problems, and proposed solutions to reduce their impact. And the impact can be significant. A single hospital patient generates nearly 34 pounds of waste a day —as much as a quarter of it is plastic. The COVID-19 pandemic only worsened the problem. The pandemic pushed hospital capacity to the brink and led to a massive increase in personal protective equipment and medical supply usage. Medical-grade masks and other protective equipment like face shields, made mostly of nonrenewable plastics, were in high demand. In 2020, the World Health Organization estimated that the international need for PPE manufacturing would boost 40% to address the public health crisis. Hospitals needed an estimated 89 million masks, 76 million gloves, and 1.6 million goggles every month of the pandemic. To date, nearly 677 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered, each requiring their own plastic syringe, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated that the U.S. would produce a year's worth of medical waste in just two months due to the pandemic. The World Economic Forum warned that the COVID-19 crisis threatened to " stall and even reverse progress " to reduce large plastic waste. It's a challenge researchers acknowledge today as they search for solutions. Plastics introduced an era of ultraconvenience to the world. It makes our clothes. It's made bike helmets and airbags possible. And it's a cheap material to produce, meaning it's cheap for consumers too. Almost as importantly, it's durable and incredibly easy to make into complex shapes—a trait that helped plastics invented in the mid-20th century quickly replace more expensive metal and wooden goods. That adoption extended to the medical field, where the single-use nature of plastics represented a move toward more hygienic tools for physicians and hospitals. But it wasn't plastic's sanitary qualities that the industry first latched onto. Like so many other technical advancements, convenience and cost were the initial driving factors. That they were more conducive to creating a sterile environment for patients was a benefit that health care began to tout closer to the end of the 20th century. PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, replaced glass bottles previously used to hold IV solution and replaced rubber tubing used throughout hospital settings. Plastic has also become the go-to material for making syringes and catheters. Plastic products are generally made from chemicals derived from the oil and natural gas refining process. Chemists use those byproducts to create synthetic materials with malleable and durable chemical structures. The low cost of these materials has helped medical device-makers support better health outcomes for communities across the U.S. since the 1900s. No longer was health care priced at rates only the elite could afford—it was accessible to a much larger swath of the public. In the last decade, the U.S., in particular, has emerged as a massive market for medical plastics. The country generally accounts for nearly half of the global market for medical devices. Plastic's durability is not only a benefit but a detriment to the environment, as the material can take many years to deteriorate when it enters landfills or trashes oceans. Estimates vary widely, but scientists ballpark that depending on the kind of plastic and the environment in which it decomposes, it could take dozens to thousands of years to break down entirely. COVID-19, which remains a burden for health care systems, isn't the only force raising the stakes for a health care industry pressured to reduce reliance on plastics or find ways to reuse them. Global annual production of plastic has doubled in the last two decades , according to the Environmental Protection Agency. As the U.S. looks toward the future, its aging population is another factor that could exacerbate the rate at which medical plastics end up in landfills. People require more medical care as they age, and aging baby boomers are expected to place increased demand on the medical device industry. At the same time, governments are under pressure to lower health care costs, which have become unaffordable even for those insured . As recently as 2021, researchers lamented a lack of data on efforts to recycle medical plastics. Around 350 hospitals participate in Practice Greenhealth's Environmental Excellence Awards . Practice Greenhealth is an organization working to help hospitals increase their sustainability. It's one of the few sources of hospital sustainability data, and its roster of participating hospitals represents a small fraction of the more than 6,000 hospitals operating in the U.S. To meet the need to reduce plastic waste generation, some hospitals are moving away from using plastic in certain applications. Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center replaced health care workers' disposable plastic isolation gowns with reusable cloth gowns at its hospitals in the last decade, saving money and preventing literal tons of medical waste. It also implemented a process for sterilizing and incinerating the boxes that hold used needles, allowing them to be reassembled and reused in a health care setting. Recycling plastic medical waste is complicated by the potential for contamination and the need to separate contaminated and noncontaminated waste; once separated, they can be broken down with heat or treated with chemicals and reprocessed. However, using chemical methods to break down and dispose of plastics has drawbacks. Over 200 nongovernmental organizations signed a letter in 2023 urging the Biden administration to end federal support for methods like these, arguing they generate toxic pollutants. The Vinyl Council of Australia is working with hospitals to recover used materials made of PVC . The materials are broken down into tiny pieces, washed and heated at high temperatures, and remade into things used outside medical settings. In the U.S. and Europe, there's the Healthcare Plastics Recycling Council, a coalition of companies working in the health care device space that includes DuPont, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic. In 2021, the HPRC, advised by professionals at Kaiser Permanente and other health systems, rolled out a medical waste recycling pilot project with hopes of scaling it across more hospitals. Story editing by Ashleigh Graf. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Medical Technology Schools and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Build your health & fitness knowledge Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!
Repeat car thief climbed up tree over 200-foot cliff to avoid arrest in Thurston County
Legendary singer-songwriter Elton John has said he had to delay the release of his upcoming album due to an eye infection that has significantly impaired his vision. Speaking on ABC’s Good Morning America on Monday, the 77-year-old said he has not been able to see out of his right eye for four months, impacting his ability to work. Elton John lost sight in his right eye following a severe eye infection. Credit: AP “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France ... And my left eye’s not the greatest,” he said. “I’m kind of stuck at the moment because I can do something like this [interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know because I can’t see a lyric for a start.” During a speech at the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame ceremony last year, John revealed he had a new album on the way with lyricist Bernie Taupin. It would mark his first studio album including all original material since Wonderful Crazy Night in 2016. However, his eye infection has delayed its release. “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen, and it kind of floored me. I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” John said. The pop star is undergoing unspecified treatment and remains optimistic he will recover. “There’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK. At the moment, that’s really what we’re concentrating on.” The interview comes almost three months after he told fans on social media that he had contracted a severe eye infection that left him with limited sight in the impacted eye. “I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process,” he wrote on Instagram in September. Despite his impaired vision, John has made multiple appearances over the past few months, including joining pop star Dua Lipa on stage at her Royal Albert Hall concert in October, where they performed their popular duet Cold Heart . Loading The EGOT winner, who retired from touring last year, also attended the premiere of his new Disney+ documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late , in both London and Toronto. Directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, the documentary tracks John’s 50-year career, as he prepared for his final concert at the Dodger Stadium in the US. “I’m so proud of the documentary. I’m proud of my sons. I’m proud of my attitude toward myself and what’s going on,” he said. “I’m just very lucky and I’m very grateful.” John became an EGOT winner at the 2023 Emmy Awards in January after winning the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. However, he was unable to attend as he was recovering from knee replacement surgery, which he underwent at the beginning of the year. He had a second knee replacement on his other knee in March. “To be honest with you, there’s not much of me left,” he joked while at a screening of his documentary at the New York Film Festival in October. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Live music Elton John Nell Geraets is a Culture and Lifestyle reporter at The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Culture LoadingMiddle East latest: Lebanon closes all its land border crossings with Syria except oneAmerican rugby sevens star Ilona Maher will join 15-a-side club Bristol in January in a bid to play in next year's women's Rugby World Cup, the English club announced on Monday. Maher, 28, helped the USA to a bronze medal at this summer's Olympic Games in Paris and is the sport's most popular player on social media. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Get the latest need-to-know information delivered to your inbox as it happens. Our flagship newsletter. Get our front page stories each morning as well as the latest updates each afternoon during the week + more in-depth weekend editions on Saturdays & Sundays.
The Pennsylvania Volleyball Coaches Association named nine area players on its 2024 all-state teams in Class 1A and 2A Thursday. District 6-1A runner-up Northern Cambria produced three all-state selections – senior setter Kiera Boring, senior right-side hitter Brenna McCracken and senior middle hitter Riley Olish. District 6-2A runner-up Forest Hills had a pair of all-state players – senior outside hitter Mya Colosimo, a four-time selection, and junior middle blocker Eva Myers. District 5-1A champion Berlin Brothersvalley had two all-state picks – junior setter Lexi Fairman and sophomore libero Cayley Poorbaugh. District 6-2A champion Richland sophomore middle blocker Addison Hirsch and District 5-2A champ North Star sophomore outside hitter Brooke Cannin also earned all-state honors. Cannin totaled 248 kills, 197 digs and 57 aces this past season. “Brooke is a very dynamic player,” North Star coach Tony Crisafulli said. “She works very hard in every match. She gives everything she’s got every night that we play. “It’s rare for a sophomore to be chosen all-state, but she’s one of three sophomores from our area that have been chosen. They’re very strong players.” Berlin Brothersvalley advanced to the first round of the PIAA Class 1A tournament. Fairman, the 2024 Somerset County most valuable player, supplied 738 assists, 84 kills and 69 aces. She surpassed 1,000 career assists earlier in the season. “Lexi is the floor general,” Berlin coach Corey Will said. “She fills that role perfectly as our setter. She handles the ups and downs of the game in a way that always keeps us moving forward in the match. “Her ball distribution and knowledge of the game definitely make her worthy of the all-state honor.” Poorbaugh totaled 331 digs and 75 aces this past season. “Cayley filled the role of libero perfectly,” Will said. “She pursues every ball. She controls the defensive aspect of the game for us. She’s a powerful server.” According to statistics posted on MaxPreps.com , Hirsch amassed 335 kills, 99 blocks, 98 digs and 52 aces as a sophomore. Richland defeated Forest Hills in the District 6-2A championship match and reached the PIAA tournament for the first time in 24 years, defeating District 7 Hopewell before exiting in the quarterfinals. “Addison Hirsch is a dominant presence at the net as a middle blocker and hitter,” Richland co-coach Lori Beard said. “She ended the season with 174 career blocks and 528 career kills. She also is a force to be reckoned with behind the serving line with 98 career aces. Her selection to the all-state team is well-deserved.” Forest Hills’ Colosimo totaled 1,686 kills, 1,250 digs and 201 aces in her four-year career. She is the only player at Forest Hills to total 1,000 kills and digs. Colosimo provided 400 or more kills in all four seasons. “Mya has played volleyball since she was in elementary school. She’s worked hard and loves this game,” Forest Hills coach Cassie Layman said. “She’s put forth the effort to put herself in position to lead a team that has been as successful as we have been. Along the way, she has achieved some personal goals.” Forest Hills finished as district runner-up each of the past two seasons. The Rangers advanced to the 2023 PIAA semifinals and the 2024 quarterfinals. Myers notched her 100th career block this season and finished her junior year with 135 career blocks. She netted 228 kills in 2024 and has 464 for her career. “Eva is a very coachable athlete, a very driven athlete and a natural leader,” Layman said. “I’m excited to see her lead us next season. She’s going to be impressive.” Northern Cambria’s Boring netted 656 assists, 238 digs and 34 aces this past season as the Colts reached the first round of the PIAA tournament. “Kiera has been a great leader over the last couple years,” Northern Cambria coach Alyssa Walters said. “She won a bunch of awards for us as a sophomore as well as achieving a bunch of things this season, hitting 500 digs while also accomplishing her 1,000th assist, which was huge for her. She’s always been a team player, so those little self accomplishments she had didn’t mean as much to her as performing in some of the big games and being able to be the leader that she is on the court. “That meant a lot more to her than her personal goals. She has kind of always been our glue.” McCracken supplied 262 digs, 170 kills, 37 aces and 30 blocks in 2024, according to MaxPreps.com . “Brenna is a coach’s dream,” Walters said. “She was the playmaker on our team. “When we needed to score a point or we needed to change something, she was always that player to be able to take the reins on that and to score points for us,” Walters said. “She has a great head on her shoulders. She is a tough all-around player. Anywhere I needed her, whether it would be a setter, a defensive player, a hitter, a server, she could do any of that very confidently.” Olish amassed 197 kills and 41 blocks for the Colts in 2024. “She is just such a lively person and when it comes to game time and having her head in the game, she was our rock when it came to our big, tough games,” Walters said. “Our conference games, our state playoff game, our district game, she was that athlete that turned it up and scored a ton of points for us in the front row. “She was a game-changer when it came to being a blocker, being super-controlled. She was a great server and it wouldn’t faze her at all to be able to play defense in those rotations. She is very versatile. This year specifically, she stepped up and became a huge part of our team and was a very good leader this season.” Mike Mastovich is a sports reporter and columnist for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5083. Follow him on Twitter @Masty81. 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The ITV show was back on screens tonight, with a number of famous faces taking on all five Chasers however viewers were quick to issue the same complaint 'The Chase' fans were left rather disgruntled as the celebrity team bagged a hefty £116,000 for charity all due to a contentious answer. The Christmas special episode featured Coronation Street's Tony Maudsley, 'Pointless' presenter Alexander Armstrong, Britain's Olympic trampoline hero Bryony Page, and actress Kerry Godliman facing off against the formidable Chasers in what turned out to be an edge-of-the-seat affair. However, the show drew criticism over one particular query posed by host Bradley Walsh. He asked Armstrong: "What name is given to a pointed hand tool used for making holes in the ground for seeds or young plants?" The given choices were "A: Dibble, B: Nibble, or C: Quibble," Alexander eventually chose 'Dibble,' which was accepted as correct, much to viewers' dismay as they insisted the correct term should be "dibber," not "dibble." One viewer commented: "Lee Mack and WILTY taught me that it's a dibber but okay." Echoing the sentiment, another stated: "It's actually called a dibber, not a dibble..." further elaborating: "It's dibber not dibble... ", with a fellow fan responding: "That's what I thought as well," reports the Express . Even 'Gardeners' World' defines this tool as "an ideal tool for gardening," with a dibber being described as a lengthy, sharply-pointed stick designed to punch uniform holes in the soil, creating optimal conditions for planting seeds, seedlings, cuttings, and diminutive bulbs. In a commendable display of teamwork and knowledge, all four celebrities made it to the final round, there to overcome Jenny Ryan, better known as the Vixen, with a three-question lead despite her speedy progress through Walsh's rapid questions. While the episode was warmly received, some viewers raised eyebrows at the celebrities bagging another Christmas special jackpot. One viewer commented: "Oh Wow! What about that, another Celebrity Christmas special jackpot being won." Others noted the contrast in difficulty levels between regular and festive episodes, with a comment stating: "Normal shows been harder, but the Christmas special as easy as anything." That said, there was plenty of commendation for Tony's performance in the final chase, with social media users showing their support. Someone applauded the star, saying: "@TonyMaudsley1 Well done! Smashed it! ". Echoing the sentiments, another chimed in with praise, remarking: "Tony smashed it in the final chase." Catch 'The Chase' on the telly every weekday at 5 pm on ITV1.
BEIRUT — Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 31 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials claimed they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including meters from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Bulldozers remove the rubble of a destroyed building Monday that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon. Foreign ministers from the world’s leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. “Knock on wood,” Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. “We are perhaps close to a ceasefire in Lebanon," he said. "Let's hope it's true and that there's no backing down at the last-minute.” A ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon was foremost on the agenda of the G7 meeting in Fiuggi, outside Rome, that gathered ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, in the last G7 encounter of the Biden administration. For the first time, the G7 ministers were joined by their counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as the Secretary General of the Arab League. Thick smoke, flames and debris erupt Monday from an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Tayouneh, Beirut, Lebanon. Meanwhile, massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighborhoods and other targets where Israel issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatiyeh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that 26 people were killed in southern Lebanon, four in the eastern Baalbek-Hermel province and one in Choueifat, a neighborhood in Beirut's southern suburbs that was not subjected to evacuation warnings on Monday. The deaths brought the total toll to 3,768 killed in Lebanon throughout 13 months of war between Israel and Hezbollah and nearly two months since Israel launched its ground invasion. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel claims to have killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. Destroyed buildings stand Monday in the area of a village in southern Lebanon as seen from northern Israel. Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said Monday that the pressure has increased because "we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire." Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were "close to a deal." "It can happen within days," he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. A member of the Israeli security forces inspects an impact site Sunday after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, U.S. officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing U.N. peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel demands the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government says such an arrangement would authorize violations of the country's sovereignty. On paper, being more sustainable and eco-friendly while shopping sounds great—so why don't more people do it? There is growing consumer consciousness about the environmental impact of where people choose to shop and the sustainability of the products they buy. According to McKinsey, over 60% of individuals surveyed in 2020 said they would be willing to pay more for a product that is packaged in an eco-friendly way. Since 2019, products marketed as being environmentally sustainable have seen a 28% growth in revenue compared to 20% for products with no such marketing, a 2023 McKinsey and NielsenIQ report found. Much of this is thanks to the preferences and attitudes of Gen Z, who, on average, care more than their older counterparts about being informed shoppers. The younger generation also has more social justice and environmental awareness altogether. Shoppers are willing to spend around 9.7% more on a product they know is sourced or manufactured sustainably, with 46% saying they would do so explicitly because they want to reduce their environmental footprint, according to a 2024 PwC report. Sustainable practices consumers look for from companies include production methods, packaging, and water conservation. But despite the growing consciousness around being more environmentally responsible, consumer actions don't always align with their values. In psychology, this is defined as the "say-do gap": the phenomenon wherein people openly express concern and intention around an issue, but fail to take tangible action to make a change. According to the Harvard Business Review in 2019, most consumers (65%) say they want to buy from brands that promote sustainability, but only 1 in 4 follow through. So why don't people actually shop sustainably, despite how much they express a preference for eco-friendly products—and how can we close the gap? The RealReal examined reports from the Harvard Business Review and other sources to explore why some shoppers want to buy sustainably but struggle to follow through. This lack of action isn't due to a lack of caring—in many cases, it's hard to know how to be a sustainable consumer and other factors are often outside of shoppers' control. But the more people shop sustainably, the easier and more accessible that market will be for everyone—making it much easier for folks to buy aligned with their values. There are many obstacles preventing shoppers from upholding eco-friendly habits as much as they may want to—but not all of these barriers are necessarily real, or accurately understood. Shopping sustainably simply isn't convenient or accessible for many. Those who live in apartment buildings are 50% less likely to recycle , according to Ipsos. Reasons for this can vary from lack of space to buildings being excluded altogether because of recycling contamination issues. Many believe that sustainable products are too expensive or of a lower quality. The former is often true, which does create a hurdle for many: The manufacturing processes and materials for sustainable products are pricey. For instance, organic cotton requires an intensive production process free of certain chemicals or pesticides; by definition, true eco-friendly products can't be mass-produced, further upping their price tag. Using recycled materials for packaging, or obtaining an eco certification, can also be expensive. However, although the narrative of eco-friendly products being more expensive is true, there is often more of an effort to use better quality materials that last longer than their noneco-friendly counterparts. This could end up saving consumers money in the long run: By paying more upfront, they can get more wear out of sustainable fashion, for instance. There is also undeniable political rhetoric surrounding eco-friendly products—however, despite many Conservative politicians decrying sustainable products, members of all generations are increasingly choosing to prioritize shopping sustainably regardless of their political affiliation, according to research from NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business . This finding shows a trend toward seeing sustainability as a nonpartisan subject everyone can benefit from, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum. Some might think eco-friendly clothing, in particular, is not fashion-forward; after all, many of the top clothing retailers in the world partake in fast fashion. However, brands are increasingly being recognized as 'cool' and 'trendy' for supporting environmentally ethical practices, particularly as younger generations prioritize sustainability, as noted before. Many increasingly popular online stores are taking advantage of this paradigm shift by offering secondhand shopping options that are not only fashionable, but also more affordable, like ThredUp or Poshmark. Additionally, many legacy large-name brands are hopping on the sustainability movement and are gaining appreciation from loyal customers. Amazon's Climate Pledge Friendly program partners with third-party certification bodies to make it easier for shoppers to identify eco-friendly products as they browse the website. H&M's newly launched H&M Rewear program debuts a resale platform that allows the resale of all clothing brands—not just their own. Similarly, Patagonia's Worn Wear program allows shoppers to trade in and buy used gear and clothing. The federal government is also working to close this gap. The Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program is attempting to make sustainable shopping easier for consumers and companies alike. It includes a directory of certified products, a list of safer chemicals to look out for on labels, a "Safer Choice" label that products can earn to denote they are eco-friendly, and resources for manufacturers looking to adopt more sustainable practices. Most of all, though, the biggest way shoppers can shift toward sustainable shopping is through their behaviors and attitudes amongst their peers and communities. Studies show that humans largely care what others think of their actions; the more shoppers make environmentally conscious shopping the norm, the more others will follow suit. From an economic perspective, the more consumers shop eco-friendly, the more affordable and accessible these products will become, too: Sustainable products are currently more expensive because they are not in high demand. Once demand rises, production rates and prices can lower, making these products more accessible for all. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. This story originally appeared on The RealReal and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Ana de Armas ’s latest romance has raised some eyebrows. On November 12, the Knives Out actor was photographed kissing lawyer Manuel Anido Cuesta in Madrid, Spain. Shortly after, it was reported that Anido Cuesta is the stepson of Cuban president Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez. His mother, Lis Cuesta Peraza, is Díaz-Canel’s second wife. As a member of the presidential family, Anido Cuesta has participated in various official events and international trips, including a meeting with Pope Francis, according to People en Español . Described by several outlets as an advisor to his stepfather, Anido Cuesta’s ties to the Cuban regime have made him a polarizing figure. Anido Cuesta — who is a lawyer by profession — earned his degree from the University of Havana, where he studied from 2014 to 2019, per La Nación . The couple’s rumored relationship became public when the Daily Mail published images of the pair kissing and enjoying a dinner date in Madrid. De Armas wore a white wrap coat, while Anido Cuesta was dressed in a navy coat. Other pictures from the evening showed them walking her dog together. Though de Armas and Anido Cuesta have yet to publicly address their relationship, the actor’s past comments have suggested she’s not a fan of the spotlight on her personal life. Reflecting on her highly publicized relationship with Ben Affleck, de Armas told Elle in July 2022 that the experience was “horrible.” “That’s one of the reasons why I left [Los Angeles]... It became a little bit too much. There’s no escape. There’s no way out,” she said. Despite the Cuban-Spanish actor’s efforts to maintain privacy, the backlash over her romance with Anido Cuesta has been swift and fierce, particularly among members of the Cuban diaspora. Some critics have taken to her social media with their concerns, prompting the actor to limit comments on her accounts . The controversy has even spilled into her professional life, with calls for brands like Louis Vuitton to cut ties with the Blonde star. Under Louis Vuitton’s Instagram post of its campaign with de Armas, some commenters accused her of aligning with the Cuban regime, which they viewed as oppressive. “It’s truly disheartening when someone, particularly a fellow Cuban, aligns themselves with a regime that has brought so much pain and oppression to our people,” wrote fashion and travel influencer Luis Caballero . “For any Cuban to not only support such a regime but also engage with its inner circle — like dating Díaz-Canel’s son-in-law and advisor — feels like a betrayal of the shared struggle for liberty and justice.” The Independent has contacted representatives for de Armas for comment. This isn’t the first time de Armas’s personal life has drawn public attention. Her relationship history has included other high-profile figures, starting with her nearly year-long romance with Affleck. The pair began dating in early 2020 after meeting on the set of Deep Water in late 2019. Their split in January 2021 was reportedly amicable, with sources citing conflicting priorities; de Armas wanted to leave Los Angeles, while Affleck needed to stay to be near his children. Later that year, de Armas began dating Tinder executive Paul Boukadakis, whom she met through mutual friends. The couple kept their relationship relatively private but made notable public appearances, such as attending the Venice International Film Festival in September 2022 and the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in 2023. Their relationship reportedly ended in November 2024, coinciding with de Armas’s first public sighting with Anido Cuesta.Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will need time to adapt without Bukayo Saka after their win over Ipswich - as the Gunners boss reveals the forward could be out for 'more than two months' Arsenal beat Ipswich on Friday courtesy of a first-half strike from Kai Havertz Mikel Arteta revealed Bukayo Saka is set for an extended spell on the sidelines LISTEN NOW: It's All Kicking Off! New formation, some new faces, but the optimism has gone at Old Trafford By HENRY CLARK Published: 23:25, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 23:26, 27 December 2024 e-mail View comments Arsenal 's hard-fought victory over Ipswich was marred by manager Mikel Arteta confirming that Bukayo Saka has undergone a ‘procedure’ on his injured hamstring and is expected to miss more than two months of action. Saka suffered the blow during last weekend's 5-1 win at Crystal Palace , with Mail Sport reporting earlier this week that the attacker could be ruled out until March. Asked for the latest on Saka's fitness, Arteta said: ‘I would prefer to leave that with the doctor but I can confirm he (Saka) had a procedure and he will be out for many, many weeks. ‘I think it will be more than two months, I don’t know exactly how much.’ Pressed on a timescale for Saka’s recovery, the Spaniard said: ‘I think it will be more than two months. I don’t know exactly how much.’ Arsenal weren’t at their fluid best at the Emirates on Friday with Kai Havertz ’s first-half goal all the hosts had to show for their dominance. Arteta admitted he was frustrated by his side’s failure to put the game to bed. Arsenal moved to second in the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Ipswich on Friday Mikel Arteta revealed post-match that Bukayo Saka has undergone a 'procedure' following his recent injury Saka suffered a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace last week and will be out for 'more than two months' according to Arteta ‘Very happy with the victory, the clean sheet and big parts of the game,’ said Arteta. ‘It was a really difficult opposition. ‘We had some big openings in the second half when we were being more aggressive. We should have scored more.’ Matchwinner Havertz, meanwhile, said that the responsibility will be on him and his team-mates to step up to the plate and fill the void left by Saka. He told Amazon Prime: ‘Everyone has to step up because we know Bukayo Saka is a very important player for us. But we have to adapt. I try to help the team, it was a different role for me today.' Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna was left disappointed that his side were unable to make one of their few second-half opportunities count. He said: ‘We grew into the game well and turned a bit of momentum at the end of the first half and got into some good positions in the second half. ‘There were a few situations late in the game where we could have shown more belief but we were too hesitant.’ Share or comment on this article: Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will need time to adapt without Bukayo Saka after their win over Ipswich - as the Gunners boss reveals the forward could be out for 'more than two months' e-mail Add comment
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 25: The Union of Investment Companies (UIC) has announced the release of the 20th issue of its quarterly magazine, The Investor, for December 2024. This special edition focuses on Kuwait's real estate market, highlighting its promising outlook amidst a cautiously optimistic global economic environment in 2024. Following the disruptions of 2023, the global economy has seen notable stability, driven by declining inflation and easing monetary policies, while Kuwait’s economy has demonstrated resilience and achieved significant growth, particularly in the real estate sector. In his editorial, UIC Chairman Abdullah H. Al-Terkait, reflects on the positive economic transformation in 2024, which has uplifted investor sentiment. He notes that Kuwait's real estate market is witnessing an early recovery, fueled by government reforms and major housing projects spearheaded by the Public Authority for Housing Welfare. The issue also explores the role of technology and sustainability in reshaping the sector, emphasizing the rapid adoption of advanced technologies and global environmental standards, which bolster Kuwait's appeal as a promising investment destination. The magazine features in-depth articles and analyses, including a comprehensive overview of Kuwait’s real estate market, key ongoing and upcoming projects, and success stories of leading developers. A key highlight is the global economic trends report, “2024: A Year of Calm After the Storm”, which examines how global economic factors have fostered favorable conditions for real estate recovery. The issue also includes an exclusive interview with Mohamed Abdullah Al-Saad, CEO of Amar Finance and Leasing. Al-Saad shares his insights on the transformative phase of Kuwait’s real estate market, underpinned by government-led initiatives and developmental projects. He discusses Amar's pivotal role in providing innovative financing and leasing solutions that align with market demands, emphasizing sustainability and flexibility. Al-Saad underscores the significance of integrating advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and improve client experiences. Closing the interview, he stresses the importance of public-private partnerships to drive sustainable growth in the real estate sector and expresses his optimism about the market’s future prospects amidst ongoing reforms and expanding investment opportunities. Additionally, the issue features an exclusive conversation with Moath Al-Ateeqi, Vice President of Real Estate Investment for the MENA region, who delves into the challenges and opportunities in the market. He highlights structural reforms that have redefined the real estate environment in Kuwait and underscores the vital role of innovation and sustainability in accelerating progress. Since its inception in 2017, The Investor has played a vital role in raising investment awareness within Kuwait’s business community. In 2024 alone, the magazine published five issues covering critical topics such as artificial intelligence and crypto-assets. With this latest release, The Investor aims to strengthen its position as a leading platform offering insightful analysis and a forward-looking perspective on Kuwait’s economy, particularly the dynamic and evolving real estate sector.
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