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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.
Armed men kill two at Haiti press conferenceTexas vs. Texas A&M FREE LIVE STREAM (11/30/24): Watch college football, Week 14 online | Time, TV, channelHuman remains found buried along the Eel River near the northern border of Mendocino County more than a decade ago have been identified as those of a Washington State man missing since 1986, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office reported. According to the MCSO, deputies were informed in late October of 2012 that “human remains had been discovered buried in a shallow grave” near Piercy, located near the southern Humboldt County line. In a press release emailed Monday, the MCSO explains that “detectives with the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Investigations Bureau (then) responded to the 83000 block of Highway 271 in Piercy, and were provided with a plastic bag containing human foot bones. Photographs taken by the reporting party were also provided to investigators at this time.” MCSO personnel then used kayaks to paddle “approximately 1/4 mile (on the Eel River) to the location where the remains had been discovered, (requesting assistance from) Forensic Anthropologists from California State University ... for the excavation/preservation of the buried skeletal remains.” The remains were reportedly found not under water, but “in the high water line.” According to the MCSO, “the Forensic Anthropology team unearthed human skeletal remains, which were absent the head. It appeared the remains located within the shallow grave had been there for an extended time, and the partial articles of clothing collected suggested 1980s styles.” The case was initially labeled as a “John Doe homicide, (and later) multiple attempts to identify the remains of the buried skeletal remains were made, but ultimately unsuccessful.” Then in spring of 2024, the MCSO reports that it “sent forensic evidence to Othram in The Woodlands, Texas,” where scientists reportedly “successfully developed a DNA extract from the forensic evidence and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown man (and) ultimately providing new investigative leads to law enforcement. The investigative leads presented genealogical findings for a Warren David Hawkins,” a 21-year-old man last seen in the summer of 1986. The MCSO reports that its investigation revealed that Hawkins, born on Jan. 1, 1965, “had been reported missing by his sister (Paula Hawkins) to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in Washington State, (with) the last reported sighting of Hawkins being in July of 1986 when his now deceased mother dropped off 21-year-old Hawkins and another unknown male at a bus station. (His sister) Paula provided a DNA reference sample to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, which was provided to Othram Technology and later used for his identification. An additional DNA sample was obtained from Paula in 2024 by the Gresham Police Department in Oregon.” When asked Monday how much the identification work cost, MCSO spokesman Capt. Quincy Cromer said “the cost for the services performed by Othram is $10,000, (and) this particular case was crowd-funded by Othram, so it did not cost anything for Mendocino County.” The MCSO notes that though “the remains of Warren David Hawkins can now be returned to his family, (the case) is still an active and ongoing homicide investigation, (and) anyone with information related to this case is requested to call the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 707-463-4086. The MCSO thanked the following agencies for their assistance: Othram Technology, California State University – Chico Anthropology Department, NamUs (National Missing and Unidentified Persons System), Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office in Washington and the Gresham Police Department in Oregon.”NPFL: Lobi Stars pip Kwara United, Insurance win at home
US President-elect Donald Trump filed a brief Friday urging the Supreme Court to pause a law that would ban TikTok the day before his January 20 inauguration if it is not sold by its Chinese owner ByteDance. "In light of the novelty and difficulty of this case, the court should consider staying the statutory deadline to grant more breathing space to address these issues," Trump's legal team wrote, to give him "the opportunity to pursue a political resolution." 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.
Christian vote, especially Catholics, critical to Trump's historic winWASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor in his second administration, elevating a Republican congresswoman who has strong support from unions in her district but lost reelection in November. Chavez-DeRemer will have to be confirmed by the Senate, which will be under Republican control when Trump takes office on Jan. 20, 2025, and can formally send nominations to Capitol Hill. She was born in Santa Clara, California, and her family later moved to Hanford. Chavez-DeRemer graduated from Hanford High School in 1986 and went on to earn a degree in business administration at Fresno State in 1990. Here are things to know about the labor secretary-designate, the agency she would lead if she wins Senate approval and how she could matter to Trump’s encore presidency. Related Story: Chavez-DeRemer’s Pro-Labor Record Chavez-DeRemer is a one-term congresswoman, having lost reelection in her competitive Oregon district earlier this month. But in her short stint on Capitol Hill she has established a clear record on workers’ rights and organized labor issues that belie the Republican Party’s usual alliances with business interests. She was an enthusiastic back of the PRO Act, legislation that would make it easier to unionize on a federal level. The bill, one of Democratic President Joe Biden’s top legislative priorities, passed the House during Biden’s first two years in office, when Democrats controlled the chamber. But it never had a chance of attracting enough Republican senators to reach the 60 votes required to avoid a filibuster in the Senate. Chavez-DeRemer also co-sponsored another piece of legislation that would protect public-sector workers from having their Social Security benefits docked because of government pension benefits. That proposal also has lingered for a lack of GOP support. Related Story: Labor Leaders Remain Cautious Chavez-DeRemer may give labor plenty to like, but union leaders are not necessarily cheering yet. Many of them still do not trust Trump. The president-elect certainly has styled himself as a friend of the working class. His bond with blue-collar, non-college educated Americans is a core part of his political identity and helped him chip away at Democrats’ historical electoral advantage in households with unionized workers. But he was also the president who chose business-friendly appointees to the National Labor Relations Board during his 2017-21 term and generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. He criticized union bosses on the campaign trail, and at one point suggested members of the United Auto Workers should not pay their dues. His administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge has since struck down the Biden administration’s more generous overtime rules. And though Trump distanced himself from the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 during the campaign, he has since his victory warmed to some of the people involved in that conservative blueprint that, broadly speaking, would tilt power in the workplace even more toward employers and corporations. Among other ideas, the plan also would curb enforcement of workplace safety regulations. After Trump’s announcement Friday, National Education Association President Becky Pringle lauded Chavez-DeRemer’s House record but sounded a note of caution. “Educators and working families across the nation will be watching ... as she moves through the confirmation process,” Pringle said in a statement, “and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda.” AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised Chavez-DeRemer’s “pro-labor record in Congress,” but said “it remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as Secretary of Labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda.” Labor Department’s Potential Spotlight Labor is another executive department that often operates away from the spotlight. But Trump’s emphasis on the working class could intensify attention on the department, especially in an administration replete with tremendously wealthy leaders, including the president-elect. Trump took implicit aim at the department’s historically uncontroversial role of maintaining labor statistics, arguing that Biden’s administration manipulated calculations of unemployment and the workforce. Related Story: If she is confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer could find herself standing between the nonpartisan bureaucrats at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a president with strong opinions about government stats and what they say about the state of the economy — and the White House’s stewardship. Her handling of overtime rules also would be scrutinized, and she could find herself pulled into whatever becomes of Trump’s promise to launch the largest deportation force in U.S. history, potentially pitting Trump’s administration against economic sectors and companies that depend heavily on immigrant labor. Adding Diversity to the Cabinet Chavez-DeRemer was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Oregon. She joins Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio, the Florida senator, as the second Latino pick for Trump’s second Cabinet. Trump’s first labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, also was Latino.
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(The Center Square) – Christians helped push President-elect Donald Trump across the finish line on Election Day, a survey found. Trump received the majority of the Christian vote, while Vice President Kamala Harris received the majority of the non-Christian vote. This is according to a report from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, which surveyed 2,000 voting-age adults nationally. The election was a historic comeback for Republicans on many fronts, with Trump being the first Republican to win the popular vote vote in over two decades. Among self-identified Christians, Trump also received 56% of their votes, compared to the 60% Harris received from non-Christians. Yet, because the majority of voters still identify as Christians, Trump had a larger share of the vote. “Although Harris won a larger share of the non-Christian vote than Trump’s share of the Christian votes, Christians outnumbered non-Christian voters by more than a 5 to 2 margin – delivering the decisive Nov. 5 victory to President Trump,” the report said. “Not only did most of Trump’s votes come from Christians, but they gave him a 17 million vote cushion over Harris, which proved to be an insurmountable lead.” Christians represented 72% of the voters who turned out. The report also found that Catholics had record-high turnout, despite overall voter and Christian voter turnout being well below what it was in 2020. While voter turnout was lower than 2020 in most of the Christian subgroups polled, 70% of Catholics reported voting compared to 2020’s 67%. Voters with a “biblical worldview” also voted at a higher percentage, up to 67% in 2024 from 2020’s 64%. Just days before the election, Trump predicted that Harris would struggle with the Catholic vote on Election Day. “Kamala Harris has finally lost the Catholic vote,” he said on social media on Oct. 25. “Her and the Democrats persecution of the Catholic Church is unprecedented! Her poll numbers have dropped like a rock, both with Catholics, and otherwise.” While many politicos expressed concerns that Trump’s moderate pro-life stance would disenfranchise Christian and anti-abortion voters, it seems to have much less of an impact than expected. In fact, Trump pointed to Harris’ abortion stance as pushing Catholics toward voting for him. “Kamala is demanding late-term abortion, in months seven, eight, and nine, and even execution after birth, and people aren’t buying it – and they never will,” the former president said . The report found that 20% of Christians selected abortion as the most-consequential issue this election, with inflation (38%) and immigration (34%) receiving even higher percentages. Yet, potentially even more impactful on the election than the increase in the Catholic vote was the significant drop in non-Christian turnout, even higher than those reported in Christian subgroups. The report found that adults “associated with a faith other than Christianity” and “adults who have no religious faith” had a massive drop in turnout from 2020, dropping 12% and 9% respectively. With both of these groups historically supporting Democratic candidates, this cratering in support likely had a significant impact on Harris’ chances of winning. George Barna, who serves as the director of research at the Cultural Research Center and led the survey, said Trump’s boost with Christians was just too much for Harris. “Americans forget that two-thirds of adults in this nation consider themselves to be Christians,” Barna said . “Donald Trump, for all of his perceived and ridiculed faults, did a better job than did Kamala Harris of representing hallowed Christian characteristics such as the importance and support of family, the rule of law, limited government authority, financial responsibility, and the like.”
Christian vote, especially Catholics, critical to Trump's historic winMarco Silva has urged his ex-Arsenal stars to inspire Fulham to victory at Tottenham . Three points would see the Cottagers leapfrog their London counterparts in the table as Silva's side bid to bounce back from last weekend's shock home thrashing at the hands of Wolves . And the Fulham boss wants Emile Smith Rowe, Reiss Nelson and Alex Iwobi, all Gunners academy graduates, to make themselves heroes, stating: "I haven't spoken with Emile, Reiss or with Alex about this situation. "However, probably their feeling is going to be different about the game. The reaction towards them from the Tottenham fans is also probably going to be different than with me or Kenny Tete or Issa Diop. "If it can give them a different level of motivation, then it would be good for us. They are in Fulham now and they fight really hard for us. I know they are proud to be part of the club in this part of their careers." "If it can give them a different level of motivation, then it would be good for us. They are in Fulham now and they fight really hard for us. I know they are proud to be part of the club in this part of their careers." Ahead of the matchup, stubborn Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou boldly declared he is "not interested" in pragmatism after Tottenham threw away a late lead in their Europa League draw with Roma in midweek. Silva, however, revealed that while he has huge admiration for his opposite number, he had no choice but to evolve in order to make Fulham competitive again in the Premier League . The Portuguese said: "You adjust things, you are always trying to add things and in life, you can never stand still. "Yes, in some moments I know I like to play football and be on the front foot but sometimes it does depend on the opponent and whether the other team allows you to do it. "What I see from Ange is that you can always talk about the identity of the team. You can choose an idea but you have to convince the players. "I really respect him, I have my idea and identity and what I see from Tottenham is one clear idea from a very good manager and he goes with it until the end." Fulham will be without imperious centre-back Joachim Andersen this weekend after the Dane suffered a calf injury against Wolves. Harrison Reed, Jorge Cuenca and Ryan Sessegnon are also sidelined. Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
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The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors passed a resolution chiding Iran's poor cooperation with the agency after hours of heated exchanges, diplomats told AFP late on Thursday, a move Tehran called "politically motivated". The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board follows a similar one in June. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada’s new border plan with Donald Trump’s transition team, a day after Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Both Trudeau and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who Trudeau has been courting to become Canada’s next finance minister, shared posts on X Thursday, a day after Trump’s latest jab at Canada in his Christmas Day message. It isn’t clear if Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who has repeatedly insisted Trump’s 51st state references are a joke, will raise the issue with Trump’s team when he and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly meet with them in Palm Beach. The two are there to discuss Canada’s new $1.3 billion border plan with just under four weeks left before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada’s plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada LeBlanc’s spokesman, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, said the ministers will also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump’s threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers will build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau “governor” instead of prime minister. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw “explains Canada to Americans.” The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. “In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada,” Brokaw says in the video. Trudeau did not expand about why he posted a link to the video, posting it only with the words “some information about Canada for Americans.” Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau’s recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump’s antics on X Thursday, calling it “casual disrespect” and “carrying the ‘joke’ too far.” “Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership,” said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland’s sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau’s leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia.{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-11-30T16:22:24+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-11-30T16:22:24+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-11-30T16:22:22+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22242/news/rwanda/what-misuse-of-ambulances-means-for-patient-safety", "headline": "What misuse of ambulances means for patient safety", "description": "An ambulance was recently shown, in a video that went viral, being loaded with sacks of cement. The video stirred discussions and raised concerns about...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22242/news/rwanda/what-misuse-of-ambulances-means-for-patient-safety" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/30/65203.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/11/30/65203.jpg" }, "articleBody": "An ambulance was recently shown, in a video that went viral, being loaded with sacks of cement. The video stirred discussions and raised concerns about related ethical issues in the healthcare system. The New Times delved into the issue, exploring the broader consequences of such actions and the safeguards in place to prevent similar cases. ALSO READ: Ministry urges strict adherence to proper use of ambulances This incident, to which the Ministry of Health responded, issuing a statement condemning the misuse and reiterating the purpose of ambulances as essential vehicles for emergency medical care, happened in Gisagara District. The Minister of Health, Dr Sabin Nsanzimana, said that the people responsible for the misuse of the ambulance were punished. Dr Jean Nepomuscene Sindikubwabo, the Head of Emergency Medical Services at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), emphasized the critical role ambulances play, describing them as mobile hospitals. He said the vehicles are equipped with sensitive and essential medical tools such as emergency oxygen and medicines, that must be protected from contamination. The incident in Gisagara, where cement sacks were transported in the ambulance, posed a direct risk to these materials, and undermined the ambulance’s readiness for emergencies. ALSO READ: Five things to know as Rwanda acquires over 100 new ambulances “What if, on your way, you encounter an accident where people need urgent medical attention? Would you abandon your cargo to act?” Sindikubwabo asked, underscoring the importance of keeping ambulances available all the time. He pointed out that even after taking a patient to hospital, an ambulance must remain ready to respond to any other emergencies. ALSO READ: Govt moves to address shortage of ambulances According to reports, the ambulance involved in the incident was delivering the cement sacks to Save Health Centre to support infrastructure rehabilitation. While the intent might not have been for personal gain, Sindikubwabo clarified that misusing ambulances, regardless of the motive, breaches legal and ethical standards, which may lead to serious consequences. Legal implications Lawyer Jean Paul Ibambe explained that such actions could be prosecuted under Rwanda’s anti-corruption law, which includes provisions against the misuse of public property. Article 11 of the 2018 law states that using public resources for unauthorized purposes can result in prison terms of five to seven years and fines ranging from three to five million Rwandan francs. However, Ibambe noted that for a conviction, intent must be established. In the recent ambulance case, the defence could argue that the misuse was for institutional benefit rather than personal gain. Nevertheless, Ibambe stressed the importance of upholding regulations to maintain public trust and the integrity of emergency services. ALSO READ: Parliament tasks Govt to acquire more ambulances Safeguards and monitoring To prevent misuse, Rwanda’s ambulances are equipped with GPS tracking systems, speed governors, and cameras. Sindikubwabo explained that these systems, introduced in 2024, monitor the vehicles’ locations, speed, and driver behaviour, including alcohol use. While cameras are positioned at the front to protect patient privacy, plans are being considered to install rear cameras in a manner that respects privacy while enhancing accountability. Sindikubwabo underlined the role of the police in monitoring ambulance activities and intervening in cases of suspicious behaviour. He said the introduction of these systems reduced incidents of misuse. He emphasized the need for a cultural shift toward respecting the primary purpose of ambulances. The Ministry of Health pledged to collaborate with the national police to ensure adherence to regulations and prevent misuse. Sindikubwabo noted that beyond punitive measures and technological safeguards, fostering a sense of responsibility among health workers and drivers is key to achieving long-term solutions.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jesca Mutamba" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
By MATTHEW BROWN and JACK DURA BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Donald Trump assigned Doug Burgum a singular mission in nominating the governor of oil-rich North Dakota to lead an agency that oversees a half-billion acres of federal land and vast areas offshore: “Drill baby drill.” That dictate from the president-elect’s announcement of Burgum for Secretary of Interior sets the stage for a reignition of the court battles over public lands and waters that helped define Trump’s first term, with environmentalists worried about climate change already pledging their opposition. Burgum is an ultra-wealthy software industry entrepreneur who grew up on his family’s farm. He represents a tame choice compared to other Trump Cabinet picks. Public lands experts said his experience as a popular two-term governor who aligns himself with conservationist Teddy Roosevelt suggests a willingness to collaborate, as opposed to dismantling from within the agency he is tasked with leading. That could help smooth his confirmation and clear the way for the incoming administration to move quickly to open more public lands to development and commercial use. “Burgum strikes me as a credible nominee who could do a credible job as Interior secretary,” said John Leshy, who served as Interior’s solicitor under former President Bill Clinton. “He’s not a right-wing radical on public lands,” added Leshy, professor emeritus at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco. Frictions over lands The Interior Department manages about one-fifth of the country’s land with a mandate that spans from wildlife conservation and recreation to natural resource extraction and fulfilling treaty obligations with Native American tribes. Most of those lands are in the West, where frictions with private landowners and state officials are commonplace and have sometimes mushroomed into violent confrontations with right-wing groups that reject federal jurisdiction. Burgum if confirmed would be faced with a pending U.S. Supreme Court action from Utah that seeks to assert state power over Interior Department lands. North Dakota’s attorney general has supported the lawsuit, but Burgum’s office declined to say if he backs Utah’s claims. U.S. Justice Department attorneys on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject Utah’s lawsuit. They said Utah in 1894 agreed to give up its right to the lands at issue when it became a state. Trump’s narrow focus on fossil fuels is a replay from his 2016 campaign — although minus coal mining, a collapsing industry that he failed to revive in his first term. Trump repeatedly hailed oil as “liquid gold” on the campaign trail this year and largely omitted any mention of coal. About 26% of U.S. oil comes from federal lands and offshore waters overseen by Interior. Production continues to hit record levels under President Joe Biden despite claims by Trump that the Democrat hindered drilling. But industry representatives and their Republican allies say volumes could be further boosted. They want Burgum and the Interior Department to ramp up oil and gas sales from federal lands, in the Gulf of Mexico and offshore Alaska. The oil industry also hopes Trump’s government efficiency initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk can dramatically reduce environmental reviews. Biden’s administration reduced the frequency and size of lease sales, and it restored environmental rules that were weakened under Trump . The Democrat as a candidate in 2020 promised further restrictions on drilling to help combat global warming, but he struck a deal for the 2022 climate bill that requires offshore oil and gas sales to be held before renewable energy leases can be sold. “Oil and gas brings billions of dollars of revenue in, but you don’t get that if you don’t have leasing,” said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore industries including oil and wind. Trump has vowed to kill offshore wind energy projects. But Milito said he was hopeful that with Burgum in place it would be “green lights ahead for everything, not just oil and gas.” Conservation, drilling and grazing It is unclear if Burgum would revive some of the most controversial steps taken at the agency during Trump’s first term, including relocating senior officials out of Washington, D.C., dismantling parts of the Endangered Species Act and shrinking the size of two national monuments in Utah designated by former President Barack Obama. Officials under Biden spent much of the past four years reversing Trump’s moves. They restored the Utah monuments and rescinded numerous Trump regulations. Onshore oil and gas lease sales plummeted — from more than a million acres sold annually under Trump and other previous administrations, to just 91,712 acres (37,115 hectares) sold last year — while many wind and solar projects advanced. Developing energy leases takes years, and oil companies control millions of acres that remain untapped. Biden’s administration also elevated the importance of conservation in public lands decisions, adopting a rule putting it more on par with oil and gas development. They proposed withdrawing parcels of land in six states from potential future mining to protect a struggling bird species, the greater sage grouse. North Dakota is among Republican states that challenged the Biden administration’s public lands rule. The states said in a June lawsuit that officials acting to prevent climate change have turned laws meant to facilitate development into policies that obstruct drilling, livestock grazing and other uses. Oil production boomed over the past two decades in North Dakota thanks in large part to better drilling techniques. Burgum has been an industry champion and last year signed a repeal of the state’s oil tax trigger — a price-based tax hike industry leaders supported removing. Burgum’s office declined an interview request. In a statement after his nomination, Burgum echoed Trump’s call for U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. The 68-year-old governor also said the Interior post offered an opportunity to improve government relations with developers, tribes, landowners and outdoor enthusiasts “with a focus on maximizing the responsible use of our natural resources with environmental stewardship for the benefit of the American people.” Related Articles National Politics | Attorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual National Politics | Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees? National Politics | Beyond evangelicals, Trump and his allies courted smaller faith groups, from the Amish to Chabad National Politics | Trump’s team is delaying transition agreements. What does it mean for security checks and governing? National Politics | Judge delays Trump hush money sentencing in order to decide where case should go now Under current Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, the agency put greater emphasis on working collaboratively with tribes, including their own energy projects . Haaland, a member of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe in New Mexico, also advanced an initiative to solve criminal cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous peoples and helped lead a nationwide reckoning over abuses at federal Indian boarding schools that culminated in a formal public apology from Biden. Burgum has worked with tribes in his state, including on oil development. Badlands Conservation Alliance director Shannon Straight in Bismarck, North Dakota, said Burgum has also been a big supporter of tourism in North Dakota and outdoor activities such as hunting and fishing. Yet Straight said that hasn’t translated into additional protections for land in the state. “Theodore Roosevelt had a conservation ethic, and we talk and hold that up as a beautiful standard to live by,” he said. “We haven’t seen it as much on the ground. ... We need to recognize the landscape is only going to be as good as some additional protections.” Burgum has been a cheerleader of the planned Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, North Dakota. Brown reported from Billings, Montana.The case against a P.E.I. teacher and school guidance counsellor has been adjourned in Charlottetown provincial court for the second time. Bethany Jean Toombs, 41, has been charged with sexual assault, invitation to sexual touching and sexual interference — all involving a minor. Toombs was listed as a guidance counsellor at East Wiltshire Intermediate School in Cornwall at the time the charges were laid. Her name has since been removed from the school's website. The Public Schools Branch has said it cannot comment on cases before the courts. However, the agency has told CBC News that it is co-operating fully with the investigation, and that it is procedure to place staff charged with such offences on leave. P.E.I. woman, 41, charged with sex crimes involving a minor Public Schools Branch 'fully co-operating with police' after counsellor charged No information about the victim's identity or Toombs' connection to that person has been revealed in court. Even when it is, it cannot be shared in the media due to a publication ban put in place to protect the victim. Toombs is also facing a fourth charge of allowing a youth to use cannabis contrary to P.E.I.'s Cannabis Control Act. Lawyer represented Toombs in court To date, Toombs has not entered a plea or specified whether she wants her case to continue in provincial court or go to the Supreme Court of P.E.I. The accused did not appear in court in person at her first appearance on Oct. 28 or at her second appearance Monday, but was represented by her lawyer Chris Montigny. RCMP laid charges against Toombs in September. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) In both instances, Montigny told the court they were waiting on disclosure — the sharing of evidence used to build the case against Toombs — from the Crown before proceeding. On Monday, Crown attorney Chris White said there were some "technological impediments" in accessing some evidence collected but he said he believed it was being resolved. Toombs' next court appearance is Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. in Charlottetown provincial court, with Judge Nancy Orr presiding.