
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save BEIRUT â 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 worldâs leading industrialized nations also expressed cautious optimism Monday about possible progress on a ceasefire. What does Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy mean for Atlantic City International Airport? 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Voting closes at noon for The Press Football Player of the Week Jersey Shore restaurants shift gears to survive in offseason South Jersey student talks about her yearlong suspension as others adjust to school elsewhere: 'It was a hard lesson' âKnock on wood,â Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said as he opened the Group of Seven meeting outside Rome. âWe 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.â 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 greatâso 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 productsâand 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 caringâin 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 everyoneâmaking 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 toâbut 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 productsâhowever, 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 brandsânot 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!After Trumpâs win, Black women are rethinking their role as Americaâs reliable political organizers
Young holds 3-shot lead over Scheffler in BahamasOverall, by cultivating a comprehensive system, fully unleashing potential, and harnessing the dual drive of consumer spending and investment, countries can usher in a new era of sustainable growth and prosperity. This approach requires a visionary leadership, collaborative efforts from all stakeholders, and a commitment to continuous improvement. As we navigate the complexities of the modern world, it is essential to embrace this holistic approach to ensure a bright and prosperous future for all.
NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) â Chucky Hepburn had 16 points, 10 assists and seven steals, Noah Waterman also had 16 points and Louisville beat No. 14 Indiana 89-61 on Wednesday in the opening game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Louisville (4-1) beat a ranked team for the first time since topping Virginia Tech 73-71 on Jan. 6, 2021. Kasean Pryor scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half and Reyne Smith added 12 points for Louisville. Malik Reneau scored 21 points and Oumar Ballo added 11 for Indiana (4-1). Reneau reached 20-plus points for the eighth time in his career. The Cardinals led 37-29 at the break after making 7 of 17 from 3-point range and shooting 57% overall. Indiana missed six straight shots on two occasions in the first half, sandwiched around a string of seven missed field goals, as the Cardinals shot 9 of 29 (31%). Louisville exploded for 52 second-half points by shooting 66.7% from the field. Pryor missed only one of his six shots in the second half. Louisville quickly built a commanding lead in the second half after starting on an 11-2 run, highlighted by Pryor's fast-break dunk . The lead reached 30 on freshman Khani Rooths' alley-oop dunk that came during the Cardinalsâ 16-0 run for a 78-40 lead. Louisville entered the week ranked sixth in the country in 3-point attempts per game at 34. The Cardinals attempted 27 against Indiana and made 10 of them â with four apiece from Waterman and Smith. Louisville also came into the game averaging 19 forced turnovers per game. The Cardinals scored 30 points off 23 Indiana turnovers. Louisville, which played its first road game of the season, faces West Virginia on Thursday. Indiana plays No. 3 Gonzaga in the consolation bracket. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballLG UNVEILS WORLD'S FIRST BENDABLE 5K2K GAMING MONITOR, WINNER OF THREE AWARDS AT CES 2025
Surprising twist in fate of bankrupt Big Lots and Party City READ MORE: Big Lots begins epic 'going out of business' sales By DANIEL JONES, CONSUMER EDITOR FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 00:38, 30 December 2024 | Updated: 00:38, 30 December 2024 e-mail View comments Big Lots and Party City could both be saved from closure. The two retailers have no connection other than both being in the news this month after saying - within two days of each other - they were going out of business. But they could also now become sister companies if retail mogul Mitch Modell has his way. The founder of the Modell's sporting goods chain has bold plans to rescue the two struggling brands. Last Friday (December 20), Party City bosses shocked staff by telling them it was going out of business and would shut all of its remaining 700 stores by February. The next day the company filed for bankruptcy. It was the second announcement of a high profile retailer shutting down in as many days. Big Lots announced on December 19 that it was beginning 'going out of business' sales at all its 963 remaining locations across the US, after a buyer fell through. It had filed for bankruptcy in September and had hoped to keep going once it restructured. In an exclusive interview with The Real Deal, Modell revealed that he plans to submit formal bids for both companies by the end of the week. Party City is shutting down all its stores immediately, putting an end to nearly four decades of business Big Lots is beginning 'going out of business' sales at all its stores across the US, as it prepares to close its remaining locations Mitch Modell - the founder of the Modell's sporting goods chain - has bold plans to rescue Big Lots and Party City Although Modell has not yet reached out to either company or enlisted legal counsel, he made it clear he is determined to revive both brands. 'We're gonna get the deal,' Modell confidently stated in the interview. To spearhead the effort, Modell has enlisted a seasoned team, including Demos Parneros, former CEO of Barnes & Noble, and Larry Meyer, former CFO of Forever 21. Modell plans to appoint Parneros as CEO and Meyer as CFO of the new venture. Meyer would also take on the role of executive vice president. Modell, who previously shut down his own 141-store sporting goods chain in 2020, says he expects to have financing secured by the end of the week but declined to provide specifics on his funding sources. Both Party City and Big Lots have been in financial turmoil for months. Party City, which employs approximately 12,000 people, recently informed its workers that it plans to close its doors by February. With around 700 stores nationwide, the company has struggled with declining sales, ballooning debt, and increased competition. Big Lots is also in a similar position, currently in the process of closing about 970 locations and liquidating its remaining inventory. Despite these bleak circumstances, Big Lots CEO Bruce Thorn has expressed hopes of finding a buyer, and Modell sees an opening to step in and 'save' both brands. 'We want to save every job in the 1,600 stores,' he said, referring to the combined total of Party City and Big Lots locations. Modell's vision for the two companies involves a dramatic shift in focus. While Party City would retain its core business of party supplies, Modell envisions Big Lots pivoting toward affordable apparel and sporting goods. He also plans to introduce low-cost footwear - priced at just $20 - and fresh produce. The revamped Big Lots would also cut back on certain product categories, including furniture, recliners, and electronics over $10. Instead, Modell wants to focus on offering 'closeouts' and 'special deals' sourced directly from liquidators. 'We're going to make it a treasure hunt on steroids,' Modell explained, adding that most items would be priced at $10 or less. To keep costs down, Modell plans to source goods directly from factories and farms. With 75 warehouses stocked with goods ready to ship, Modell is already gearing up for the next phase of his retail comeback. He aims to have a prototype store open by mid-January. 'Everyone - lenders, creditors, bankers, investors - who doubted me is going to see what a store looks like and the excitement it brings,' he said. Party City was also in the news this week when it emerged the final nail in its the coffin was self-inflicted . The chain's troubles began with an appraisal conducted by retail consultants Hilco Global, which Party City hired in September. The firm was tasked with assessing the value of Party City's inventory - the products stocked in its stores and warehouses - as part of a plan to secure more financing. Bosses had hoped to use a generous appraisal of the value of inventory â from costumes to party hats â would allow the retailer to borrow more money to shore up its finances. However, in mid-November, Hilco's preliminary report dealt a crushing blow to the business. It said that the value of Party City's inventory had been 'dramatically' slashed compared to previous appraisals. 'This basically means the appraisers thoughts that the various products on store shelves and piled up in warehouses was worthless tat,' a retail expert told DailyMail.com. Since the expert has consulted with Party City, they asked not to be named. This revelation over the plunge in value of stock was shared by Party City lawyer Christopher Hopkins during a US Bankruptcy Court hearing in Houston on Monday. After the initial low valuation, Party City's creditors, owed around $162 million, demanded the retailer set aside $50 million in reserve to cover loans. This pushed the company closer to the brink, court papers show. The group of creditors took over the business when it first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2023. When the group were unwilling to plough in more investment and the company could not raise any more external funds the company had to take more drastic action. This included stopping new inventory orders, delaying rent and vendor payments ceasing new inventory orders and delaying rent and vendor payments, according to court documents. Although Party City managed to exit bankruptcy in September last year, by December 10 this year its cash pile had fallen below the $50 million reserve its lenders wanted, and it again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Lenders 'considered it essential to commence store closing sales before the Christmas and New Year's selling season to maximize the proceeds of such sales for the benefit of all stakeholders,' Party City Chief Restructuring Officer Deborah Rieger-Paganis said in a sworn statement to the bankruptcy court. It is a bleak time for US retailers as non-essential spending plummets due to soaring living costs. America's top department store Macy's will close 65 stores within weeks . Retail experts warn this could be just the beginning, with 2024 shaping up to see the highest number of store closures since the pandemic. So far this year, US retailers have shut 7,300 stores - up nearly 60 percent from 2023. The final nail in the Party City coffin appears to have been self-inflicted The chain's troubles began with an appraisal conducted by retail consultants Hilco Global The New Jersey-based party supply giant is folding under financial pressure Despite being saved from bankruptcy in 2023, the retailer never recovered Read More Downfall of America's most famous retailer hits new low as it's left clinging on in only four states Party City, which was the largest party supply retailer in the U.S., employed around 6,400 full-time and 10,100 part-time workers as of 2021. When Litwin took the helm in August he promised to strengthen Party City's finances. A cloud of uncertainty has hung over Party City since the company first filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2023. It only exited in September. The company had wiped out $1 billion of its $1.7 billion debt. It also managed to keep the majority of its 800-plus stores open, though over 80 locations were shuttered between late 2022 and August 2024. Party City - based in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey - underwent a restructuring as lenders, including Monarch Alternative Capital and Silver Point Capital, took over and managed to clear around $1 billion of its debts, allowing about 850 shops to remain open. Although some stores were saved, more than 60 had to close their doors, including five in Topeka, Kansas , Salina, New York, Joplin , Missouri and Owensboro, Kentucky , and most recently in Staten Island. But the remaining $800 million debt proved too much. Party City was successfully expanding before the pandemic and had sales of $2.35 billion in 2019, according to Forbes. Overnight, its main customers - those hosting or attending parties - had no reason to shop at the store as social distancing was implemented. As it emerged from the lockdowns it was plagued by supply chain issues, rampant inflation and increased competition. New Jersey Kentucky CNN Kansas Walmart Share or comment on this article: Surprising twist in fate of bankrupt Big Lots and Party City e-mailOprah Winfrey surprises Gayle King again for her birthday with unexpected A-list guest
Opinion Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News. The irony is extraordinary: Some of our federal parliamentarians are now apparently wavering on their world-leading and lifesaving plans to impose mandatory age limits for social media use because they are being bullied by Elon Musk. Mr Musk took to the X platform that he owns â and that would be included in the ban â to retweet a statement from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted when the legislation was introduced last week. Mr Musk added: âSeems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians.â What absolute codswallop. This is about saving kidsâ lives, nothing more and nothing less. Our young teens are enduring an epidemic of suicides being fuelled by unlimited access to a tool that makes bullying easy to broadcast, and that our kids cannot escape. The national bullying framework that the government has agreed to pursue needs to be part of the response to this emergency. But without the social media ban, it is like telling 12-year-old kids they can drive a car all they like, so long as they have done a defensive driving course. They are not old enough! Making it illegal for kids under 16 to use social media arms parents and teachers with a big stick. It also means kids will know that using social media is wrong. It is like having an age limit for drinking. You canât realistically stop teens sneaking some booze before they turn 18, but they sure as heck know they are breaking the law. Imagine a world where there was no age limit for drinking alcohol. Parents would have no way of ever stopping it happening. It is the same now for social media â something that society has now learned is not an appropriate thing for under-16s, as they are not mature enough for it. Mr Musk has further claimed the only way to enforce the ban would be for all Australians, including adults, to have to pass an identity or age verification process. It will be up to the platforms to figure out how to make it work, but the deputy secretary of the federal communications department James Chisholm confirmed in a Senate estimates hearing this month that, indeed, âeverybody (would) have to go through an age-verification processâ â and the federal government has separately conceded the changes âmay require the collection, use and disclosure of additional personal informationâ. This is, of course, a reasonably significant change. But it will not apply to usage of the internet per se, just if you want to use one of those platforms captured by the change â and at this point that is Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. All already require you to sign up to use them. And the Prime Minister said yesterday there would be an obligation built in that any personal information was destroyed once age was verified. But even if you back Mr Muskâs position, the alternative is that our kids will continue to suffer â and some will tragically take their own lives as they think it is the only way they can escape the bullying that now follows them everywhere. And so what Mr Musk is really saying is that he does not care about Australiaâs children. He is fighting to keep them armed with a tool that they are too young to be trusted with, and that is ruining lives. Any parliamentarians pushing for this ban to not be imposed are taking the same position. They are prioritising the profits of billionaires over the lives of our kids. That is the logical extension of not acting here. We simply must stay the course. TEST MATCH LIVES UP TO NAME There is still nothing better in cricket than the challenges a Test match produces, and the game in Perth proved that, despite it not being the result Australia wanted. The term âtest matchâ was coined in 1 861 to designate which were the most important games to be played in Australia by a visiting team of Englishmen â in that those matches should be the greatest tests for the tourists of their âstrength and competencyâ. And so it was 163 years on in Perth â where an unheralded Indian side led from the front by their fire-breathing, pace-bowling captain Jasprit Bumrah dismantled a heavily favoured Australian side packed with this generationâs batting superstars, after which the homesideâs bowling megastars were picked apart by newly arrived batting prodigy Yashasvi Jaiswal and ageing legend Virat Kohli. The Indians thoroughly deserved their record victory. The Aussie team will have to regroup, and the selectors could be forgiven for contemplating whether this is the time for generational change. But the other great thing about Test cricket is that the tables could well turn in Adelaide at the end of next week. Bumrah under lights is the stuff of nightmares, but the same could be said for Australiaâs Mitchell Starc if he finds form. An Australian victory in Adelaide would be the perfect scene-setter for Brisbaneâs Test from Saturday, December 14. And knowing the curveballs that Tests can so often produce, it shouldnât be discounted. Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here Originally published as Editorial: Elon Musk doesnât care about Aussie kids, just his bottom line Read related topics: Let Them Be Kids Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Opinion Kennett: Only a bad government builds until it goes broke Infrastructure projects must be built as you can afford them, while balancing the other obligations of running the state. Victoria has got that mix badly wrong. Read more Opinion Bracks: Labor is reducing congestion and cutting travel times The Andrews-Allan governments has delivered on its infrastructure promises while delivering world-class projects that have improved the lives of Victorians. Read more
BEIJING, Dec. 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The campaign aims to enhance the Italian agricultural tradition and make its excellent products - kiwis, fresh and processed tomatoes, oranges and apples - known to a public increasingly attentive to quality and health benefits. Europe and also Italy, with its long agricultural history, is recognised worldwide for its food products of the highest quality. The European Art of Taste project aims to convey not only the intrinsic value of its fruit, but also the deep connection between Mediterranean culture and agriculture. Italian fruit is cultivated using methods that respect nature, combining tradition and technological innovation to guarantee high standards of quality and food safety. "Italian fruit is much more than just a food. It is the expression of an age-old culture linked to the land, quality and sustainability," says Luca Mari, Head of European Projects at CSOItaly. "With the European Art of Taste project, we want not only to promote our products in Asia, but also to share the experience and values of âMade in Italyâ, which combine authentic flavours and health benefits." The project also emphasises the importance of the Mediterranean diet, recognised by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity. Fruits such as oranges, apples, kiwis and fresh tomatoes are the basis of this diet, known to promote longevity and the prevention of chronic diseases. The Asian market, which is increasingly sensitive to wellness and health, represents an extraordinary opportunity for Italian producers to promote fruit as an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. By introducing Italian fruit to Asian markets, the project aims to strengthen trade links between Italy and Asian countries, promoting Italian agricultural excellence. Quality fruit, sustainable and rich in flavour like that produced in Italy, responds perfectly to the demand for fresh and natural products that characterises Asian consumers today. Press Office: Renato Pagani Renato.pagani@secnewgate.it - + 39 335 6939561 Giorgia Rizzi giorgia.rizzi@secnewgate.it News about The European Art of Taste and CSO Italy The project The European Art of Taste â Fruit & Veg Masterpieces aims to promote and inform about high-quality European fruits and vegetables and is financed by CSO Italy and the European Union. The following Italian companies also participate in the project: RK Growers, Mazzoni Group, Apofruit, Origine Group e Oranfrizer. CSO Italy, founded in 1998, is a unique entity in Italy that associates many of Italy's leading companies in the production and marketing of domestic fruit and vegetables. Completing the range of members are important companies specializing in different areas of the fruit and vegetable supply chain, from packaging, logistics, processing, machinery, and distribution. CSO Italy's mission is to provide useful services to members to improve and make the Italian fruit and vegetable industry more efficient and competitive. A technical table at the service of the entire Italian fruit and vegetable supply chain to increase its competitiveness through synergy among operators. CSO ITALY, has 73 members, distributed as follows: 51 producer members, 14 supply chain members, 3 subsidizing members and 5 supporting bodies. Funded by the European Union. However, the views expressed are those of the author(s) alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the awarding administration can be held responsible for them. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/892cefe7-6f2f-4db0-b296-8b387fe44a4bHowever, after a series of personal and professional setbacks, Lin Jingâen disappeared from the spotlight. Rumors swirled about her struggles with mental health and financial troubles. Fans were left wondering what had happened to their beloved star.
Anthony Hopkins celebrates 49 years of sobriety: 'One day at a time'
In winning the White House, he avoids the so-called 'big house'. Whether or not prison was a prospect awaiting Donald Trump is a moot point now, as he now enjoys the protection of the presidency . Politically, and legally, he has played a blinder. The delay strategy that he pursued through a grinding court process knocked his federal prosecution past the election date and when his numbers came up, he wasn't going down. It is an astonishing set of circumstances, given the alleged crimes and alleged criminal. Separate federal indictments accused Mr Trump of nothing less than an effort to overthrow democracy and there was the accusation in Florida that he mishandled classified documents. Mr Trump insisted he was innocent but, with the case dismissals, those denials won't now be tested before a jury. More on Donald Trump Prosecutors file to drop 2020 presidential election interference charges against Trump Donald Trump's legal woes aren't behind him - but the latest decision is a step in that direction Donald Trump can seek dismissal of hush money case as sentencing postponed Related Topics: Donald Trump Kamala Harris US Capitol riots US election 2024 Neither will the evidence on the indictment - eye-watering in the reading. Who can forget his 6 January "fight like hell" speech or the pictures of classified documents in boxes, seemingly hidden in his Mar-a-Lago bathroom, with alleged instructions to staff to conceal them? This from a man who was president and will be again. In dropping its prosecutions, the Department of Justice makes it clear that it feels it had a case. It states in its court filing: "The government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed. But the circumstances have." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player It leaves questions, not least about their timing. Why were the prosecutions not brought earlier, giving Donald Trump less opportunity to run down the clock? It also raises questions about the administration of justice in the US. Of all the cases that Americans deserved to see tried in an American court before an American jury, can there have been any more important? Probably none more consequential. There remain cases working their way through state courts in New York (the hush money conviction) and Georgia (election interference). There's every chance they will go the same way. The fact that the federal cases won't reach a courtroom is a function of the US justice system - a dysfunction, many would argue. Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News The counter view, of course, is that the criminal pursuit of Donald Trump was the product of a weaponised justice system. Read more: Trump can seek hush money case dismissal Prosecutors to focus on 'worst rioters' Hollywood star jailed over Capitol riot It is articulated in a statement from Trump spokesman, Steven Cheung, who said the justice department's decision "ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump and is a major victory for the rule of law". Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free It's a victory for Donald Trump, certainly. For the rule of law? On that, the jury's out.
CDC chief urges focus on health threats as agency confronts political changes15 hurt in Florida when train hits fire truck