Egypt's early presidential election campaign off to eventful start
President Sisi is facing a challenge from an outspoken critic of a kind Egypt has not seen in years.
2023-10-05 20:19
How to talk to kids about cigarettes and vapes, following Rishi Sunak’s smoke-free generation plans
Stopping the nation from smoking has long been a top priority for medical experts, families and governments, and PM Rishi Sunak has made his plans for the issues clear. At the 2023 Conservative Party Conference, Sunak said that the legal age for buying tobacco should rise every year from those born in 2009 in a bid to “try and stop teenagers taking up cigarettes in the first place”. He said: “A 14-year-old today will never legally be sold a cigarette” under new legislation he is proposing for England. The Prime Minister also said more must be done to “restrict the availability” of vapes to children, but what can be done by parents in the meantime? Here are the conversations to have with your children… The dangers of smoking “Starting smoking and vaping at a young age can have serious and long-lasting health consequences,” explains Dr Chun Tang, medical director and GP at Pall Mall Medical. “Nicotine is particularly harmful to developing brains. Young people are more vulnerable to nicotine addiction, which can lead to a lifetime of tobacco dependence. Nicotine impacts cognitive function and memory, potentially affecting academic performance. “Aside from the detrimental effect on cognitive ability as outlined above, smoking is, of course, a leading cause of various health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and many others,” he says. “Smoking during adolescence can also interfere with the growth and development of the lungs, leading to reduced lung function. This can result in breathing difficulties and decreased physical performance.” The dangers of vaping Vaping isn’t a safe alternative, yet he sweet-smelling, plastic steam machines are rife. “Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon, and the long-term health effects are still not fully understood,” says Tang. “There is ongoing research to assess the potential long-term risks, including the development of chronic health conditions.” Vaping has been associated with various adverse health effects, including lung injuries, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular issues, he notes. “Some of the chemicals found in vaping aerosols can be harmful when inhaled into the lungs. “If a smoker takes approximately 15 puffs of a cigarette before putting it out, then we can safely assume that a 600-puff disposable vape is equivalent to around two packs of cigarettes. “Some reports suggest young people can get through as many as 7 vapes a week, the equivalent of 14 packets of cigarettes. “That is an enormous amount of nicotine and so we can expect to see the health risks posed by nicotine to be [more] exacerbated in vapers than smokers – which could be severely impacting cognitive function and affecting academic performance.” It’s essential, he says, for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals “to educate young people about the potential risks of vaping and smoking and provide support and resources for those who want to quit”. Don’t lecture them Try to be open and curious rather than defensive and angry if your child is smoking or vaping. Dr Kerry Irving, senior clinical psychologist at online mental health platform Kooth, says: “Approach any conversation to understand why the young person smokes or vapes rather than to lecture, as the latter can cause people to shut down.” Consider available supportThere may be resources online and in person that might help your child, from the NHS to TikTok creators tracking their quitting journey. “Suggest accessing external support – encourage the young person to see their GP or to make use of some of the free Stop Smoking initiatives online or in your local community,” Irving says. Be sympathetic to relapse Expect wobbles. If your teen or child is quitting smoking or vaping try to stop accept that overcoming an addiction is not easy and recovery is not linear. “Relapses are an important part of changing any behaviour long term,” says Irving. “You can help the young person learn from these by gently encouraging them to reflect on what went wrong and helping them plan for how to try again.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 4 must-have denim trends for autumn, from wide-leg jeans to split skirts Doorscaping: How to create a fabulous front door display for autumn More than a quarter of middle-aged women living with ‘metabolically healthy obesity’ – study
2023-10-05 19:56
Assassin's Creed Mirage: Why Arabic is at the heart of the new game
The makers of the latest in the stealth action series have put Arabic front and centre of the project.
2023-10-05 19:19
How to Win $400 GUARANTEED Betting Just $10 on ANY MLB or NFL Game with DraftKings + FanDuel Promo Codes!
DraftKings and FanDuel are giving new users a guaranteed $400 bonus betting just $10 this week on any game! Find out how to claim these offers here.
2023-10-05 18:24
Biden approves new section of border wall as Mexico crossings rise
Building a border wall was a signature policy of Donald Trump and fiercely opposed by Democrats.
2023-10-05 18:21
4 must-have denim trends for autumn, from wide-leg jeans to split skirts
When it comes to transitional fashion, it doesn’t get much better than denim. Navigating that tricky time when it’s not warm enough for T-shirts, or cold enough for coats, is easy when you’ve got a capsule wardrobe of denim delights. And with tons of catwalk and celebrity inspiration around, this autumn/winter, you’re spoiled for choice in the denim department. From baggy jeans to retro skirts, these are the denim trends you’ll be seeing everywhere this season… 1. Wide-leg jeans As seen on the catwalks at Diesel, Coach, Jean Paul Gaultier and more, wide-leg jeans are an autumn essential. Take your cue from the likes of Hailey Bieber and Gigi Hadid with extra-long baggy jeans teamed with trainers or loafers, or opt for a cropped pair to show off a pair of statement ankle boots. Monsoon Lucille Print Blouse, £42 (was £60); Lara Wide Leg Jeans, £80 Crew Clothing Parker Wide Leg Jeans, £69 2. Midi dresses A denim midi dress is incredibly versatile at this time of year – especially if it’s indigo, as opposed to summery light blue. A sleek pinafore is perfect for layering with long-sleeved ribbed tops or rollneck jumpers, while shirt-dresses go well with chunky trainers or knee-high boots. Aspiga Trinity Tencel Denim Dress, £150; Montreal Trainers, £99 V by Very Curve Sleeveless Button Through Denim Dress, £38; Scoop Neck Puff Sleeve Jersey Top, £18; Adidas Originals Stan Smith Trainers, £61.20 (were £85), Very 3. Embroidered jeans The latest Noughties look making a comeback, embellished and embroidered denim was a major trend on the AW23 runways, and now it’s hit the high street in a big way. From cute floral motifs to cool graphic designs, these elevated jeans take denim to the next level. Lucy & Yak Olly Jacket with Daisy-Mae Embroidery, £70; Dana Mom Jeans with Daisy-Mae Embroidery, £65; JoJo Socks, £7.50 (vest and shoes, stylist’s own) Fanfare High Waisted Recycled Embroidered Faces Jeans, £159 4. Split skirts As summer’s micro minis take a back seat, Nineties split-front skirts are the style to be seen in this season. Try an indigo or black knee-length skirt teamed with ankle boots for a laid-back weekend look, or go full-on grunge with a faded, floor-sweeping maxi. Oliver Bonas Washed Black Scalloped Pocket Denim Skirt, £65 PrettyLittleThing Vintage Mid Wash Split Front Denim Maxi Skirt, £32 Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Doorscaping: How to create a fabulous front door display for autumn More than a quarter of middle-aged women living with ‘metabolically healthy obesity’ – study Jonnie Peacock on Strictly Come Dancing representation: ‘It’s important to break people’s perceptions’
2023-10-05 15:49
Jet engine maker CFM says suspect parts reached its own repair shops
By Tim Hepher PARIS (Reuters) -Jet engine maker CFM International said on Wednesday the number of engines suspected of containing
2023-10-05 10:26
AI: Voice cloning tech emerges in Sudan civil war
Evidence suggests voice cloning tools were used to impersonate the ex-president of Sudan on TikTok.
2023-10-05 09:20
India Canada tensions: Hip-hop stars hit by row over Sikh separatism
Punjabi musicians fear they will be caught in the middle of rising tensions between India and Canada.
2023-10-05 07:28
Fat Bear Week 2023: Can chubby cub 806 Jr beat the seasoned champions?
His bodyweight has risen nearly 7,000%, but does "806 Jr" have what it takes to win Fat Bear Week?
2023-10-05 07:22
Mother sparks debate after claiming her son received a ‘zero’ grade because he didn’t have classroom supplies
A mother has sparked a debate after revealing that her son received a “zero” from his teacher because he didn’t bring in “classroom supplies”. The parent, Shanitta Busby, shared a recent video to TikTok about her 13 year old, in which she explained that he recently started at a new school. She noted that, prior to the middle schooler’s first day, she bought him “new school supplies,” since the list of supplies needed was “a little different” than ones she’d seen before, and she “wanted him to be prepared”. Busby said that while her child’s first week at school went well, he came home the second week and told her: “My teacher said we need to have classroom supplies.” She responded to her son by saying it was strange that his teacher wanted him to have certain “classroom supplies”. “I’m like: ‘That’s weird, because we got you everything on the list that you would need for the class. And you’re not going to be using any classroom supplies,’” she recalled. “And so I left it at that.” However, according to Busby, the teacher later told her son that she’d “give [him] a zero if [he] didn’t turn in the classroom supplies”. While the parent questioned why her son was being graded for having the items, she said that she still went on to get the “classroom supplies,” which included things like tissues, Clorox wipes, hand sanitiser, pencils, Expo markers and red pens. Although she gave her son these supplies to turn in to his teacher, she said that the following week, her son “still had a zero”. She explained that when she emailed the teacher about the grade, she also claimed that parents shouldn’t be responsible for “supplying” the items needed in the teacher’s classrooms. “I email the teacher and I’m like: ‘Hey, I’m kind of concerned because my student has an 83 in the class, and everything else in the class is 100s and 98s. And he still have a zero for something called classroom supplies,’” she recalled. “I was like: ‘We bought the supplies anyways, but I don’t feel like it’s the parent’s responsibility to supply your classroom.’” She also told the teacher that she didn’t “think it was appropriate to assign a grade to students based on whether or not they’ve supplied” their teacher’s classroom. According to Busby, the teacher responded to the email by saying: “I appreciate an involved parent, and I’ll update his grade today.” However, the teacher didn’t address the parent’s concerns about the grade itself existing. @shanittanicole Am I doing too much? #fyp #school ♬ original sound - Snooze ❣️ “She said nothing about the fact that we shouldn’t have to supply your classroom with supplies,” she explained. “So I emailed the principal, I might be extra, but I just wanna see what’s going on. Why do I have to buy supplies for the classroom? In the comment, she clarified that she and her husband bought the supplies that were needed for his homeroom, as he’s in middle school. She then specified that the grade he got for “classroom supplies” was for only his math class. Busby later shared a follow-up video with a screenshot of her son’s grade in the class, noting that there were two different grades for his “supplies”. While he got 90 for his “homework/classwork,” in the “supplies section”, he initially had a zero under the “participation” for “supplies”. However, his zero was then updated to a 100, giving him a 98 in the class. She then emphasised why she contacted the principal about her son’s “supplies” grade, adding: “Why are you assigning a grade for additional school supplies for the classroom? That’s what was wrong to me.” In the comments of the two videos, which have received more than 1.5m views combined, many people came to the parent’s defence, noting that some parents can’t afford all classroom supplies, so children’s grades shouldn’t be penalised for that. “Classroom supplies are not graded. She is not to force parents to get it,” one wrote, while another added: “That is so unfair!! Especially for the kids whose parents CAN’T afford groceries let alone classroom supplies!!!” “Somebody has to buy supplies and it’s not fair to the teacher. BUT they pool the supplies because everyone can’t afford them. To grade that is ridiculous,” a third commented. On the other hand, some parents acknowledged that they would get certain school supplies for their children, and defended teachers from having to buy them. @shanittanicole Replying to @In the view Graded School Supplies Part 2 #fyp #school #xybca ♬ original sound - Snooze ❣️ “I will buy anything my kids’ teachers need. I usually send $200 through a cash app per 1/4. Teachers shouldn’t have to buy either,” one wrote, while another added: “The grade I don’t agree with! As a former teacher, I spent a lot of my personal money on supplies. New teachers don’t even get a stapler.” “Teachers don’t make anywhere near enough to supply everything for classrooms, like tissues if your kid has a runny nose. Or wipes to clean messes,” a third wrote. Speaking to Insider, Busby said she’s still waiting to hear back from the principal on how the situation is being handled. She also shared her belief that the school districts should be giving supplies needed in classrooms, rather than having parents or teachers pay for it. The Independent has contacted Busby for comment. Read More Six-year-old girl with special needs found wandering busy road after school sent her home Father praised after teaching his daughters how to set expectations when dating men A Georgia woman confided in a friend about her relationship’s ‘tough times’. Four days later she was dead Man inundated with criticism after judging mum on her phone Brian Austin Green details stroke-like symptoms caused by diet: ‘I couldn’t speak’ Woman reveals how she discovered she’s allergic to water
2023-10-05 06:26
US factory orders beat expectations in August
WASHINGTON New orders for U.S.-made goods increased more than expected in August and shipments accelerated, supporting views that
2023-10-05 02:52