Latest news with #BreakingBarriers
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
'The Bolton wanderer' returns from epic trek from UK to Italian city
A Bolton wanderer has made it home from Milan after completing a 56-day trek from Manchester to the Italian city. Kai Flynn embarked on the journey in order to raise money for mental health charities , Andy's Man Club and Breaking Barriers, a Bolton charity that helps support young disabled children and adults. The 24-year-old faced gruelling mountain ranges and an allergic reaction on his way to the Lombardian capital in Northern Italy, which saw him in hospital in France. "It was just incredible," Kai said. More: Tourists on cafe-less Pendle Hill - 'We could have starved if not for mint cake' More: This coastal walk with 'beautiful views' is Lancashire's best More: 'Mesmerising' waterfall walk with 'breathtaking' views that's an hour from Bolton "I was nearly bawling in tears when I arrived in Milan." Kai came across what he described as "crazy" thunderstorms while he was crossing the Alps. (Image: Kai Flynn) He also took a more direct route, which entailed wild camping in the Jura mountains, which are a short distance north of the Western Alps along the French-Swiss border. He added: "It was surprisingly hot, and it was amazing to speak to loads of different people in the rural communities. (Image: Kai Flynn) "Everyone was so friendly, and I was speaking to people from Canada, and all across the world really. "They were obviously quite shocked when they found out why I was there and thought I was mad." The Bolton lad now wants to "walk across the world" and has his sight set on a three-year walking trip over to Asia. "I've realised this is what I'm here to do, this is my purpose," he added. Kai raised £2,200, £700 over his initial target, for mental health charities. He said: "I want to give opportunities to people and young people who haven't had the best start in life. "Whether that's clothes on their back, an Xbox, or a holiday to somewhere else in the UK. "It's important to me that those less fortunate are helped by the walks I'm doing." Back home safe and sound, the music producer's next walk is "one in the park" by comparison - a short trek from Middlebrook to Bolton town centre as part of an organised fundraiser.
Newsweek
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox Predicted To Acquire Controllable $10 Million Infielder
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox are in a weird spot this season. They have some talent, but following the shocking Rafael Devers deal, it seems like they're trending toward trying to contend next season rather than this season. With that in mind, the Red Sox could still hit the trade market with the intention of adding a controllable player to fill a hole on their roster. The Athletic's Jim Bowden recently predicted the Red Sox would acquire first baseman Nathaniel Lowe in a shocking trade with the Washington Nationals. Lowe has one more year of arbitration left on his contract. TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 15: A detail of a Boston Red Sox hat with the Breaking Barriers logo during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 15, 2025... TAMPA, FLORIDA - APRIL 15: A detail of a Boston Red Sox hat with the Breaking Barriers logo during a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 15, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. All players are wearing the number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. More"The Red Sox have a hole at first base, and Lowe would be a good fit. Last year he slashed .265/.361/.401 with 16 homers and 69 RBIs while playing plus defense at first base," Bowden wrote. "This year with the Nationals, he's hitting just .227 but has 12 doubles, 10 home runs, and 45 RBIs in 75 games. He'd be an upgrade for the Sox, who would control him through 2026. Lowe would be a solid placeholder until prospect James Tibbs III, acquired in the Devers trade, is ready for the majors." Lowe would be a great addition for the Red Sox. Triston Casas seems to be the first baseman of the future in Boston, but he was off to quite a rough start this season. With Casas' injury ending his season, Lowe could be the perfect replacement. Lowe is slashing .227/.294/376 this season. It's by far the worst season of his career, so the Red Sox could buy low and hope he returns to the 120 OPS+ player that he's been during the first six years of his career. More MLB: MLB Insider Suggests Shocking AL Contender's Manager 'On Hot Seat'
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
UC Davis top grad aims to revolutionize aging, befriends 95-year-old veteran through service
DAVIS -- Starting Friday morning and through the weekend, around 8,000 UC Davis undergraduate students will pack the Golden 1 Center for commencement ceremonies. Being honored with the University Medal as the top graduating senior of 2025 is Avantika Gokulnatha of San Jose. Gokulnatha studied biological sciences and researched aging at UC Davis. Now, she is bound for medical school with dreams of becoming a physician scientist to help find new ways to prevent age decline and allow older adults be independent for as long as possible. Excelling in both academic studies and service, Gokulnatha throughout her schooling has served in hospice centers, senior living facilities, and has even helped provide free medical care to uninsured and marginalized communities. She also led a student organization called Breaking Barriers for two years. The group teaches seniors regionwide to use newer technology like computers and smartphones. Gokulnatha says it's a passion project inspired by her late grandfather back home in India. "I said, if I can't do it for my own grandparents, maybe I can help someone else's grandparents whose family lives far away," Gokulnatha. "You know, making older people feel remembered, part of the community. Making sure they are involved and don't feel so forgotten." The small act of kindness has made a big impact for 95-year-old Jack McGruder, a resident at the Village at Rancho Solano senior living facility in Fairfield. Breaking Barriers would stop by to visit McGruder and the other seniors at the center about once a month to work on technology skills. Gokulnatha over the years formed an incredibly strong bong with McGruder who she now lovingly calls "Uncle Jack." "They could be out partying, having a good time. But they're here saying, 'hit this button, hit that button,'" said McGruder. "It makes a big difference because a lot of us old geezers don't know how to do that. That makes your life very isolated." The duo formed an unbreakable bond tableside with technology. As Gokulnatha studies aging, she is on a mission to innovate the way we grow old in her career to come. "I'm inspired by research going on that's looking at turning back the biological clock. Not necessarily lengthening our life span, but making the experience of aging a little easier," said Gokulnatha. She also taught McGruder how to watch the commencement live stream online so he can see her cross the stage on Saturday. "It's always rewarding to come out here, hear stories about a world where I didn't live," said Gokulnatha. "How vast his life experience has been and how many changes in the world he has lived through." Born in 1929, McGruder has seen more than most. He served in the United States Army during the occupation of Germany just after WWII ended. "I learned how to speak German and I was a military policeman in a very elite military organization. We were good guys, but we were tough," said McGruder. To any youngster who will listen, Jack offers simple advice. "Try to love and help all the people you interact with as best you can. I want them all to look for the positive things in life and have fun," McGruder said. Gokulnatha learned that sometimes the lessons that last a lifetime are taught outside the classroom. Up next, she is taking a gap year while applying for medical school. Gokulnatha is a Fulbright U.S. Student Program award recipient which will support her studies at the Max Planck Institute for the Biology of Ageing in Cologne, Germany.
Economic Times
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Brooke Shields' Meghan Markle podcast comments spark debate—then disappear
It's the podcast episode everyone's talking about—but you can't listen to it anymore! Just a week after its release, India Hicks, goddaughter of King Charles, has deleted an episode of her show featuring Brooke Shields, where the Hollywood icon gave some candid feedback about Meghan Markle's storytelling style at a high-profile SXSW the now-vanished episode, Shields recounted her experience sharing the stage with Meghan Markle and Katie Couric at the March 2024 SXSW event, 'Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen.' Shields described Markle's retelling of her famous childhood letter-writing campaign against a sexist dish soap commercial as 'too precious' and 'serious,' suggesting the audience needed a lighter touch. 'She kept saying she was 11! She wrote to the company, they changed the text, they changed the commercial. It was just too precious, and I was like, they're not going to want to sit here for 45 minutes and listen to anybody be precious or serious,' Shields said, according to The Independent . Sensing the room's mood, Shields interrupted Markle mid-story with a humorous contrast: 'When I was 11, I was playing a prostitute,' referencing her controversial role in 1978's Pretty Baby . Shields said her quip 'relaxed' the panel and 'the place went insane.' The podcast episode was quickly scrubbed from Hicks' website, with the link now leading to a 'page not found' message. The move has only fueled more chatter about the exchange and the ongoing fascination with Meghan's public persona. Despite the deleted episode, Markle continues her advocacy for social justice and gender equity through her Archewell Foundation and partnerships with organizations like Smart Works, proving that whether you find her 'precious' or powerful, she's not stepping out of the spotlight anytime soon.
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Brooke Shields' Meghan Markle podcast comments spark debate—then disappear
It's the podcast episode everyone's talking about—but you can't listen to it anymore! Just a week after its release, India Hicks, goddaughter of King Charles , has deleted an episode of her show featuring Brooke Shields , where the Hollywood icon gave some candid feedback about Meghan Markle 's storytelling style at a high-profile SXSW panel. In the now-vanished episode, Shields recounted her experience sharing the stage with Meghan Markle and Katie Couric at the March 2024 SXSW event, 'Breaking Barriers, Shaping Narratives: How Women Lead On and Off the Screen.' Shields described Markle's retelling of her famous childhood letter-writing campaign against a sexist dish soap commercial as 'too precious' and 'serious,' suggesting the audience needed a lighter touch. 'She kept saying she was 11! She wrote to the company, they changed the text, they changed the commercial. It was just too precious, and I was like, they're not going to want to sit here for 45 minutes and listen to anybody be precious or serious,' Shields said, according to The Independent . Sensing the room's mood, Shields interrupted Markle mid-story with a humorous contrast: 'When I was 11, I was playing a prostitute,' referencing her controversial role in 1978's Pretty Baby . Shields said her quip 'relaxed' the panel and 'the place went insane.' Live Events The podcast episode was quickly scrubbed from Hicks' website, with the link now leading to a 'page not found' message. The move has only fueled more chatter about the exchange and the ongoing fascination with Meghan's public persona. Despite the deleted episode, Markle continues her advocacy for social justice and gender equity through her Archewell Foundation and partnerships with organizations like Smart Works, proving that whether you find her 'precious' or powerful, she's not stepping out of the spotlight anytime soon. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
