Latest news with #Edmonds'
Sydney Morning Herald
02-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
With more allegations of sexual abuse at childcare centres, is banning men the answer?
As horrified parents grapple with the latest sexual abuse scandal at a childcare centre, which has forced 1200 preschoolers to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, an abuse survivors' collective has called for a ban on male workers. Louise Edmonds, a founding member of the Independent Collective of Survivors, says the safety of children must be prioritised over all else. 'With growing evidence and lived experience pointing to the disproportionate involvement of men in cases of child sexual abuse, we must ask difficult questions,' she said. 'In my view, men have no place in daycare centres, not out of prejudice, but out of a duty to prioritise the safety of children over the optics of equality. Safeguarding must come before ideology.' Others argue a ban is not the answer, saying sexual offending – which, crime statistics show, is primarily perpetrated by men – is not the only type of abuse plaguing childcare centres, and that the system must be strengthened to ensure all kinds of child maltreatment are either prevented, or quickly identified, reported and acted upon. Edmonds' comments come as NSW pledges a trial of CCTV in childcare centres and moves to ban people who have been refused a Working With Children Check (WWCC) from appealing the decision. Concerns about safety in the early childhood sector have intensified amid a growing number of serious allegations against childcare workers. Loading In separate incidents over a single month last year, three NSW childcare workers were charged with sexual touching of children or, in one of the cases, child abuse. Last November, Australia's worst paedophile – childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith – was sentenced to life in prison for 307 sexual offences against 73 victims over almost 20 years. This week, two men, one of whom was a childcare worker, have been charged with serious abuse of young children in Victoria. Joshua Dale Brown is accused of abusing eight children at different centres in Melbourne, and police said he and the other man were known to each other.
The Age
02-07-2025
- The Age
With more allegations of sexual abuse at childcare centres, is banning men the answer?
As horrified parents grapple with the latest sexual abuse scandal at a childcare centre, which has forced 1200 preschoolers to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, an abuse survivors' collective has called for a ban on male workers. Louise Edmonds, a founding member of the Independent Collective of Survivors, says the safety of children must be prioritised over all else. 'With growing evidence and lived experience pointing to the disproportionate involvement of men in cases of child sexual abuse, we must ask difficult questions,' she said. 'In my view, men have no place in daycare centres, not out of prejudice, but out of a duty to prioritise the safety of children over the optics of equality. Safeguarding must come before ideology.' Others argue a ban is not the answer, saying sexual offending – which, crime statistics show, is primarily perpetrated by men – is not the only type of abuse plaguing childcare centres, and that the system must be strengthened to ensure all kinds of child maltreatment are either prevented, or quickly identified, reported and acted upon. Edmonds' comments come as NSW pledges a trial of CCTV in childcare centres and moves to ban people who have been refused a Working With Children Check (WWCC) from appealing the decision. Concerns about safety in the early childhood sector have intensified amid a growing number of serious allegations against childcare workers. Loading In separate incidents over a single month last year, three NSW childcare workers were charged with sexual touching of children or, in one of the cases, child abuse. Last November, Australia's worst paedophile – childcare worker Ashley Paul Griffith – was sentenced to life in prison for 307 sexual offences against 73 victims over almost 20 years. This week, two men, one of whom was a childcare worker, have been charged with serious abuse of young children in Victoria. Joshua Dale Brown is accused of abusing eight children at different centres in Melbourne, and police said he and the other man were known to each other.
Evening Standard
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Evening Standard
Noel Edmonds reveals frightening escape from New Zealand home after sudden emergency
The couple's move Down Under is now the focus of a new ITV documentary, Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure. The series follows Edmonds' life since relocating to New Zealand in 2018, where he and his other half have swapped studio lights for farm life.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Noel Edmonds's health regime might seem bonkers, but he looks incredible at 76
If you're not watching ITV's Noel Edmonds' Kiwi Adventure, please make your way to the television immediately you've finished reading this. The television presenter, who was essentially one of the most famous men in Britain throughout most of our lives, has started again in New Zealand, and there's a documentary film crew there to capture all the thrilling vicissitudes. It's Edmonds's can-do optimism versus all manner of locally produced adversity. There's lots to see: the majestic landscape, his innuendo-strewn pub, the gigantic estate, but easily the most compelling sight is the former TV star's athletic 76-year-old body. Edmonds is a walking miracle. He gasps with perfect comic timing as he's hit by the freezing water from his shower nozzle. I'm a health journalist and former editor of Men's Health, and it is impossible not to be impressed by his muscular torso (and leonine head of hair). I hate cold showers. They bring to mind the shabby rental flats of my youth. But if Edmonds takes them, I'm in. This is Edmonds' recipe for vitality, and we are invited to watch him demonstrate it. Some of it is at the more 'committed' end of alternative therapy, some of it more mainstream. He claims to have 'cracked the code' to better health with a six-pillar wellness routine made up of these six components: 1) Structured water 2) Pulsed electromagnetism field therapy (PEMF) 3) Tranquil power (a form of slow exercise) 4) VIBE (Visualisation of Body Energy) 5) Meditation 6) Nutrition As a 61-year-old man on the right side of fit, I watch Edmonds in action, performing his wellness routine – sometimes using layman's terms and sometimes giving the activities Noel-speak names – and have two competing voices in my head. The first deeply sceptical, the second just, 'Doesn't he look incredible?' on repeat. We might think the 76-year-old is bonkers – but are there some lessons to be learnt? I think so. Edmonds swears by this water in which, advocates claim, the molecular structure has been altered to enhance its effects. For believers, the water is altered by being magnetised. The science on this one is weak. Studies are inconclusive or have questionable methodology. He claims it is water in its purest form and is more easily absorbed by the body. For a take on this less mainstream advice, I turn to a woman who is a wholehearted believer in alternative therapies and the antidote to my science-obsessed cynicism. Sarah Jones St John is the founder of the Grey Wolfe wellness facility in Barnes, London, that provides many of the approaches that Edmonds has installed in his New Zealand home. 'Structured water carries a clear, life-friendly pattern. Drinking it with intention helps every cell stay vibrant and well-hydrated,' she says. Structured water machines retail for just under £300, and having neither Edmonds' wealth or faith, I'm unlikely to invest, however, I aim for 2.5 litres of water a day as a 70kg active man. When not drinking the special water, the former TV presenter attaches himself to a pad that generates pulses of electromagnetism. Edmonds claims it helps his cells work properly. There is some science to this one. I found a study carried out in Taiwan into the pain-relieving benefits of PEMF found it did indeed have an effect on patients suffering shoulder issues: 'PEMF therapy significantly improved short-term pain scores and both short-term and long-term functional capacity in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.' St John's take? 'PEMF magnetic waves simply echo the earth's natural pulse, resetting our own bio-electric field so we feel energised and balanced.' Edmonds was awarded Heat magazine's 'Torso of the Week' slot earlier this month. While not a peer-reviewed academic paper, at 76, that's data I find hard to ignore. And when you see the former presenter of Multi-Coloured Swap Shop in his home gym, the work that goes into his award-winning physique is impressive. Inside, we see him practising his 'tranquil power' lifting technique. It seems to be Edmonds's version of 'Time under tension training' – an entirely legitimate approach to strength work. Edmonds slows down each movement and pauses during the really tough part. Taking time over the whole process is proven to be effective, and the increased mental focus is also beneficial. With research published in the Strength and Conditioning Journal suggesting that 'mechanical tension, metabolic stress, and muscle damage are increased when the exerciser focuses their attention,' Noel is definitely onto something here, as these are the factors that boost muscle size, which becomes increasingly important with age. Personal trainer Matt Roberts agrees: 'Whether we like it or not, midlife comes with a battle against muscle loss and hormone changes that make new challenges appear seemingly out of the blue. Good muscular strength is the number one goal for everyone – period. Without it, there is a knock-on effect on your entire body. Muscular strength affects your bones, skin, gut, brain and hormone system.' It's worth saying that a session of tranquil power will not make you slim and athletic like Edmonds unless your diet is part of your plan. Noel is yet to reveal much detail about his nutrition regime, but we gather he's a meal skipper. Which, with countless studies nodding to the benefits of fasting, is a great way to manage calories if you can handle the hunger. He avoids processed foods and acidic foods like meat, eggs and favours fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds and pulses. Building on the mind-management techniques, he employs VIBE, a Noel-speak acronym. Visualisation is a technique that involves imagining a desired outcome in as much sensory detail as possible. There have been studies into the positive effects of visualisation, and Cancer Research UK quotes a 2016 study that suggested it helped people cope with treatment side effects. One of the more memorable moments in episode one is where we see our protagonist lying on a bed under an array of crystals, wearing headphones and meditating. The effect is very science fiction; Edmonds looks set to wake up on a distant planet. There's no science to confirm crystals' power to heal, but they appear to have a real air of magic suspended over the former Deal or No Deal presenter. It's not entirely clear how the crystal bed is believed to work, but it appears to be connected to what he calls 'body energy systems'. I can't quite bring myself to turn to crystals. But when it comes to meditation – Noel's final pillar – I'm on board because there are countless studies that speak to its benefits. A meta study carried out in 2013 in California into the effects of transcendental meditation (TM) on people with anxiety found, 'TM practice is more effective than treatment as usual and most alternative treatments, with greatest effects observed in individuals with high anxiety'. It's been a long time since I tried meditation, but seeing Noel drift off under his array of illuminated crystals, I lay somewhat guiltily on my bed and attempted a 15-minute guided inner journey that I found on Spotify. The first five minutes are just my own mind thinking: 'Am I meditating yet?', but I'm fairly sure I did eventually find some true moments of stillness. Ultimately, Noel's formula for health and longevity is a mix. If you're someone who waits for definitive evidence, much of what he does probably isn't for you. It's hard to separate the effectiveness of Noel's techniques from the power of his belief in them. I can't say I'll be lying on a crystal bed any time soon, but I will be attempting to emulate some of his positive energy and dedication. There is something irresistible about his vigour and optimism - and it helps that he looks extremely good for his age. Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy is a non-invasive form of therapy where low-frequency electromagnetic pulses are applied to a targeted part of the body for a short period of time. You can stand or lie on a PEMF pad, depending on its size. Unlike a traditional sauna, which heats the air around you, an infrared sauna emits rays of light that warm up the body directly. The heat penetrates deeper into the skin while the air temperature is lower than a traditional sauna, making it easier to sit in. A 2018 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that men who used saunas four to seven times per week had a 63 per cent reduced risk of sudden cardiac death. Advocates of infrared claim it boosts cardiovascular health, prevents muscle soreness after exercise, and improves circulation. In these containers, the air pressure is increased two to three times higher than usual, meaning the lungs can gather much more oxygen than would normally be possible. Originally these chambers – which you climb into and lay down in – were used to treat a condition called decompression sickness which is caused by rapid drops in water pressure. Athletes also use them to speed up recovery and, more recently, they have been adopted by biohackers. A 2021 research overview carried out in Spain found, 'as wounds need oxygen to regenerate tissues properly, an exposure of 100 per cent oxygen accelerates this process.' Proponents say time in a chamber speeds up exercise recovery and supports the immune system. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
New York Times
26-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Alabama lands CB Jorden Edmonds, Crimson Tide's first 5-star commitment in 2026 class
Alabama football landed its first five-star commitment in the 2026 class when defensive back Jorden Edmonds announced his commitment Wednesday to the Crimson Tide. Edmonds, the No. 27 player nationally according to the 247Sports Composite, is the No. 1-ranked cornerback in the country and becomes Alabama's second defensive back commit, joining four-star Zyan Gibson. Advertisement Edmonds — a 6-foot-2, 175-pound prospect — hails from Marietta, Ga., and is a major recruiting win for Alabama, which landed him amid offers from nearly every high-caliber program in college football. With his commitment, Alabama has four commitments in the 2026 class, which was ranked 39th nationally before his commitment. Defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist led the way in Edmonds' recruitment. With another blue chip prospect to a defensive back group, Alabama has continued to rebuild after Nick Saban's retirement, which saw a mass exodus of players as Saban personally coached that position group. From the last recruiting cycle to this one, Alabama has signed/landed the verbal commitment of five defensive backs — all ranked inside the top 100 players nationally. A post shared by Jorden (@jordenedmonds) Edmonds is a two-way star for Sprayberry High, doubling as the team's top cornerback (35 tackles, three pass deflections) and leading wide receiver (35 catches, 670 yards, four touchdowns) last season. The ball skills part of Edmonds' game is significant given the new identity of Alabama's defense. The new scheme implemented by coordinator Kane Wommack emphasizes zone coverage through eyes on the quarterback and making plays on the ball. Alabama finished fifth nationally in takeaways last season (28). Edmonds' height, which has been verified as 6-feet-2 1/2 inches by recruiting services, and his ball skills displayed by playing both sides are the type of combination that schools covet, and should fit nicely in Alabama's defense. Furthermore, Edmonds' body type is becoming increasingly popular in Alabama's recruiting focus. The current team features Domani Jackson — a 6-foot-1, 195-pound corner — as its leading starter. In the 2025 recruiting class, Alabama signed five-star Dijon Lee, a 6-foot-4 prospect and four-star Chuck McDonald, another 6-foot-1, near-200-pound prospect. Adding Edmonds signifies Alabama's focus on longer, rangier cornerbacks that can leverage their size to make an impact in multiple ways. Advertisement At the moment, Alabama is only carrying five cornerbacks entering the 2025 season and will lose Jackson to graduation this winter. As a result, cornerback will continue to be a position of focus for Alabama during the 2026 cycle. But adding Edmonds, the No. 1 ranked CB, to pair with Gibson, the No. 4 CB, one year after adding Lee and McDonald — the Nos. 2 and 7-ranked CBs respectively in the 2025 class — and five-star Zabien Brown before them in the 2024 class is about as strong of a data point as any that the trajectory of Alabama's secondary is trending upwards.
