Latest news with #BlueRibbon
Zawya
10-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa's Blue Ribbon bread maker Premier's profit jumps
JOHANNESBURG - South African food producer Premier Group on Tuesday posted a 26.8% rise in annual profit as revenue rose by 7%. The maker of Blue Ribbon bread and Snowflake flour, reported a headline earnings per share - the main profit measure in South Africa - of 634 cents for the year ended March 31, up from 453 cents a year earlier. It declared a final dividend of 271 cents per share.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
These are the top public high schools in Connecticut, according to Niche
CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Westport School District's Staples High School was determined the best public high school in the state for 2025, according to an annual analysis from Niche. It's not the first time the school as earned this title from Niche. They've ranked No. 1 at least three times in recent years. 2024: 3 Connecticut schools make Blue Ribbon list Niche used demographic and student life data from the U.S. Department of Education, combined with surveys from millions of students and parents, to make its ranking. They said the criteria with the most weight was academics, which they graded based on state assessment proficiency, college enrollment data, and survey responses on academics from students and parents. Other factors included culture and diversity, teachers, parent and student surveys on experience, clubs and activities, resources and facilities, and sports. Most of the top 25 'best' schools are found in Fairfield County. The full list can be found below. These Connecticut towns named most laid-back beach towns in the Northeast Meanwhile, Manchester High School was named the most diverse school. That ranking was determined by the schools' student racial diversity index, parent and student surveys on culture and diversity, the percent of economically disadvantaged, and gender diversity. The top 10 most diverse schools can be found listed below, along with a list of schools with the best teachers, which Niche determined using reviews from students and parents, plus academic and teacher data from the U.S. Department of Education. Best schools: Staples High School in WestportOverall Niche Grade: A+ New Canaan High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Darien High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Greenwich High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Wilton High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Ridgefield High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Center for Global StudiesOverall Niche Grade: A+ Avon High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Farmington High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Glastonbury High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Fairfield Warde High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Connecticut International Baccalaureate Academy in East HartfordOverall Niche Grade: A+ Weston High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A+ Marine Science Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut in LearnOverall Niche Grade: A Conard High School in West HartfordOverall Niche Grade: A Daniel Hand High School in MadisonOverall Niche Grade: A Hall High School in West HartfordOverall Niche Grade: A Simsbury High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Cheshire High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Guilford High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A East Lyme High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Masuk High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A South Windsor High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Trumbull High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Fairfield Ludlowe High SchoolOverall Niche Grade: A Most diverse: Manchester High School Hamden High School Stratford High School Stamford High School Connecticut International Buccalaureate Academy in East Hartford Connecticut River Academy at Goodwin University in East Hartford Global Experience Magnet School West Haven High School Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton Derby High School Best teachers: Staples High School in Westport Farmington High School New Canaan High School Greenwich High School E.O. Smith High School Center for Global Studies in Norwalk Wilton High School Avon High School Fairfield Warde High School Shepaug Valley School More information on the rankings can be found on Niche's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Overtime period appears nearly done as budget deals materialize
The Brief Legislative leaders expect this to be the last week to start without a special session announced to vote on final budget deals. Legislators have agreements on every necessary omnibus budget bill. They're still working out policy issues in some cases. The health bill isn't finalized, but a spreadsheet shows MN Care cuts that seem to match an agreement to drop undocumented adults from the healthcare program. The education bill is written out and includes a steady budget for the next two years, but large cuts for 2028-29, mainly to special education. ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - The finish line might finally be visible for Minnesota's drawn-out budget deal. 'The end is near' Week three of overtime is here, and leaders expect it to be the last one. Lawmakers tell FOX 9 a special session could happen as soon as Wednesday. Leaders still have some heavy lifting to do in their policy negotiations, but there's an agreement now on the money in every bill, and the details are starting to become public. For example, the health bill isn't written out yet, but a spreadsheet includes major cuts to Minn-Care, which matches an agreement to remove undocumented adults from the program. Steady for now The biggest slice of Minnesota's budget pie is essentially done and Democrats protected some of the changes they made during their trifecta two years ago. "An education formula that is still indexed to inflation," said Rep. Cheryl Youakim (DFL-Hopkins). "And a bill that does not repeal unemployment insurance for our hourly, valuable hourly workers." But Republicans warn this budget could serve as a canary in a coal mine. It leaves funding steady for the next two years — without cuts even to private schools, as the governor had suggested. Cuts coming But in the next budget, this agreement calls for $420 million in cuts that will undoubtedly hit school districts hard. "You look at the declining enrollment, you look at the special ed costs coming up," said Rep. Ron Kresha (R-Little Falls). "I hope that people and school boards and superintendents and teachers alike are looking at this going how are we going to mitigate the risks that are in front of us." Some of the cuts are already laid out — including $48 million in transportation funding for special ed students. "I know the decisions around what programs would receive reductions was not easy," said Education Commissioner Willie Jett. "The hardest one was in special education." Blue Ribbon scalpel Jett will head up a Blue Ribbon commission to chop another $250 million from special education, almost 10% of the entire special ed budget for 2028-29. What's left? And at least one policy issue may still be up in the air. "If any of you have strong opinions either for or against them, seclusion rooms are that issue if you will," said Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-Eden Prairie). "We're still working on it." The expansion of seclusion rooms that passed in the Senate is not in the fully written education bill, but working group members tell us it's possible this isn't the final version of the bill that'll be up for a vote during the special session.
Daily Mirror
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chocolate fans baffled after realising 'Blue Ribbon's' real name
Chocolate fans have only just realised that Blue Riband has been the correct name for their favourite wafer biscuit bar for the last 80 or so years Chocolate lovers have been scratching their heads in confusion after learning the true pronunciation of a much-loved wafer biscuit bar. For ages, enthusiasts assumed that Nestle's Blue Riband was said like 'Blue Ribbon'. Meanwhile, there's been a fierce debate on whether it should sound like 'Ribbund' or 'Ri-band'. An old TV advert from 1985 settled the argument by declaring the bar should be called Blue 'Ribbund', avoiding the 'band' pronunciation in the famous confectionery's name. Originally released in 1936 by Gray Dunn and later taken over by Rowntree's, the brand was snapped up by Nestle in 1988. It has since become a staple in households due to its tasty combination of four layers of thin wafer with a sumptuous praline filling, all enrobed in velvety milk chocolate. Nonetheless, numerous individuals are adamant that the treat used to go by Blue 'Ribbon'. Social media has been abuzz as people air their astonishment regarding the bar's proper name. One Reddit post went viral when a user exclaimed: "Wait a minute... they aren't called 'Blue Ribbons'?" The replies were swift, with one correcting: "Nope, they're not. They've been called Blue Riband for about 80 odd years." A fellow poster joined in, saying, "I've always called them Blue Ribbons, you are not alone," A third admitted, "Had me fooled for 18 years," joining a chorus of bemused consumers. Brittany Miller, a TikTok sensation with 2.4 million followers, was left gobsmacked by the actual name of a popular chocolate bar during her latest grocery haul. One follower reacted to her discovery, saying: "I thought they were blue ribbon as well!". "Literally has this discussion the other day they where defo called blue ribbon," another chimed in. Another added their voice to the mix: "Yes blue ribbon! I also thought it was that!". On X, someone else expressed their astonishment: "I'm shook. For years I thought the lunchbox biscuit was called 'Blue Ribbon' when in actual fact it's 'Blue Riband'. "Nearly 18 and I never knew until today that it's Blue Riband not a Blue Ribbon. I'm shell shocked." However, those who got the name wrong aren't entirely to blame, as 'riband' actually means 'a ribbon'. Name aside, the chocolate remains beloved, and Nestle has just upped the ante by introducing a new Blue Riband flavour – a hazelnut bar. It's essentially the classic Blue Riband, known for its wafer layers enveloped in milk chocolate, but now with a creamy hazelnut filling to boot.
New York Post
28-05-2025
- New York Post
Crypto-bro ‘kidnappers' ordered thousands of dollars of fancy food a day — and sometimes couldn't even be bothered to bring it inside
Accused kidnappers William Duplessie and John Woeltz lived a party-bro lifestyle at the Soho townhouse where they allegedly tortured an Italian tourist — sometimes ordering so much fancy food they didn't even bother to bring it inside. 'Will and John would order about $1,500, $2,000 in food every day, literally from the best restaurants. They would get delivery food from Nobu, Cipriani, Blue Ribbon, you name it,' one visitor to the house told The Post Wednesday. 'There was one time I came in and it was the funniest thing — they had $600 of Blue Ribbon [delivery] sitting outside that nobody even got.' Duplessie, 33, and his 37-year-old pal Woeltz — who reportedly calls himself the 'Crypto King of Kentucky' and has boasted of holding $100 million in digital currency — have been arrested on charges including the kidnapping and assault of Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan. Advertisement 13 John Woeltz — seen here after being arrested at his rented Soho townhouse — reportedly would 'order about $1,500, $2,000 in food every day, literally from the best restaurants.' Obtained by NY Post 13 Woeltz was arrested in Manhattan Saturday on charges including kidnapping and assault. He is being held without bail. David Burns The Italian national claims he was held against his will for 17 days, from May 6 to 23, and allegedly tortured for the password to his $30 million Bitcoin wallet. Advertisement 13 William Duplessie, who was apparently staying at the townhouse with Woeltz, was also arrested on similar charges. Steven Hirsch The visitor to Woeltz's rented townhouse described a lavish scene at the property, where police reportedly found Polaroid photos of Carturan with a gun to his head, as well as firearms and ammunition, night vision goggles, a ballistic vest and traces of blood. 'They had every type of liquor, thousand dollar bottles of wine, $20K of liquor including Pappy Van Winkle,' said the visitor. 'They were always smoking weed at the house' — to the point that they 'set off the smoke detector.' The scene lined up with one crypto insider's description of Duplessie, who is from Miami but also said to have ties to Switzerland. Advertisement 13 Duplessie (left, with Woeltz) has a reputation as 'quite the partier,' a source said. TMZ / BACKGRID 13 Video obtained by TMZ shows Duplessie dancing shirtless in a club with a woman on his shoulders — revealing tattoos of leopards, the seal of Kentucky and the coiled 'Don't Tread on Me' rattlesnake of the Gadsden Flag. TMZ / BACKGRID He turned himself in Tuesday after reportedly partying hard in the Hamptons over Memorial Day weekend, according to sources. 'I saw him at parties. He was quite the partier,' said the insider, who recalled 'douchey' Duplessie's days in Miami, including at the Fontainebleu Hotel. 'He struck me as a little 'Wolf of Wall Street,' I think would be the right way to phrase it. Like if you gave a frat guy $100 million. Advertisement 'He drank a lot. He was hitting on girls a lot, sometimes obnoxiously and in a rude sense.' 13 One visitor to the house said Woeltz'had every type of liquor, thousand dollar bottles of wine, $20K of liquor including Pappy Van Winkle.' Paul Martinka 13 'They were always smoking weed at the house' — to the point that they 'set off the smoke detector,' the visitor said of Woeltz and Duplessie. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post According to TMZ, the pair 'partied like every day was their last.' And a source previously told The Post that the Soho townhouse, which Woeltz was allegedly renting for roughly $30,000- to $40,000-a-month, saw plenty of people coming in and out — including some well-known socialites. A video obtained by TMZ shows Duplessie dancing shirtless in a club with a woman on his shoulders — revealing tattoos of leopards, the seal of Kentucky and the coiled 'Don't Tread on Me' rattlesnake of the Gadsden Flag, which is today associated with rebellion and distrust of government. Duplessie and Woeltz are also pictured partying at The Box, an exclusive erotic nightclub in Manhattan, where they would reportedly drop up to $100,000 in a single night before inviting girls back to the Prince Street townhouse. 13 Alleged victim Michael Valentino Teofrasto Carturan fled the townhouse without shoes. WNBC 13 Carturan was allegedly held against his will for 17 days. WNBC Advertisement Another alleged guest was Charlie Zakkour — a club kid turned crypto trader who is one of the stars of a new Bravo reality show. A video from Woeltz's arrest Friday shows a blond man looking concerned as cops led Carturan away from the Soho townhouse. Page Six reported the man is Zakkour, whose show, 'Next Gen NYC,' premieres June 3. The series, according to Bravo's website, 'follows a tangled web of friends raised in the spotlight — or at least close enough for good lighting — as they stumble into adulthood one brunch, breakup and spontaneous decision at a time.' 13 Charlie Zakkour, a co-star of the new Bravo reality series 'Next Gen NYC,' was seen outside the house at the time of Woeltz's arrest and is reportedly a friend of the accused. Bronson Farr/Bravo via Getty Images Advertisement 13 Zakkour, seen here with Evans Rhett at a 2025 Met Gala after party, is said to be a Manhattan club kid turned crypto trader. Getty Images for Raising Cane's The cast includes Gia Giudice, whose mom, Teresa Giudice, is a longtime fixture on 'The Real Housewives of New Jersey'; Ariana Biermann, daughter of 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta' star Kim Zolciak-Biermann; Ava Dash, the daughter of Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Damon Dash and fashion designer Rachel Roy; and Riley Burruss, whose mom, Kandi Burruss, formerly of 'The Real Housewives of Atlanta.' While Zakkour isn't a reality show nepo baby, he does come from enormous privilege. Mom Elizabeth Williams is an art collector in Palm Beach and dad Anwar Zakkour, who has an address in Manhattan, is a private investor who has held high-profile roles at JP Morgan, CitiBank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he was the Global ead of Technology, Media and Telecommunications Investment Banking. 13 The Soho townhouse where the crime allegedly took place is said to rent for $30,000-$40,000 a month. TMZ / BACKGRID Advertisement 13 Photos of the home show a trash-strewn kitchen. TMZ / BACKGRID Page Six previously reported that Zakkour, who is not implicated in the alleged crimes, would sometimes 'crash' at Woeltz's luxurious Prince Street pad. On Wednesday, a source said that Zakkour is known as the 'Chuck Bass' of 'Next Gen NYC' — a reference to Ed Westwick's bad-boy character from 'Gossip Girl.' 'We don't see him at his job on the show. He's just a kid making it in Manhattan like the other kids,' the source said, adding that filming 'has been done for a long time' and 'I don't think anyone [on the show] has spoken to him' since it wrapped. Advertisement Another source told The Post that Zakkour knew the accused through the crypto world. The crypto insider said that Duplessie 'was known, at least, to be a successful person in the space' — but admitted that 'a lot of crypto people are a little obnoxious, and I think [Duplessie] had that reputation.'
