Latest news with #Tilda
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Make di world dey eat less rice?
Rice pass more dan just food. For ova half di world population, na staple of daily life – na symbol of culture, tradition, and economic survival. "Rice na di absolute heartbeat of every Filipino dish. E pass staple food, na cultural cornerstone," Adriene Bianca Villanueva, one BBC World Service listener from Manila, di capital of Philippines tok. "Most Filipinos dey chop rice three times a day – breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even dessert. My favourite rice go probably be sticky rice, sake of say na every Filipino dessert, dem write sticky rice on top" she tok. But as climate pressures dey mount, one pressing question na: Make we dey chop less of rice? Global staple dish According to di UN Food and Agriculture Organization, e get ova 50,000 edible plant species, yet just 15 crops dey provide 90% of di world food energy intake. Rice, wheat, and maize na di top contributors. "Between 50 and 56 percent of di world population rely on rice as di principal staple," Dr Ivan Pinto, Director General of di International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) tok. E dey equal to nearly four billion pipo wey dey eat rice as dia primary food every day. Dem dey plant rice on large scale across South and Southeast Asia, as growing demand dey for Africa and varieties also present for Europe and Latin America. But rice dominance in global diets come wit a cost. A thirsty crop "Rice na very thirsty plant," Jean-Philippe Laborde, managing director of Tilda, one UK-based rice company wey belong to Spanish multinational Ebro Foods explain. "E dey consume between 3,000 to 5,000 litres of water per kilogram of rice grown, wey be a lot." Majority of rice production dey happun for flooded fields, particularly for South and South East Asia. Dis method dey support di crop but also dey create environment wit low oxygen, wey dey known as anaerobic conditions. "Wen fields dey flooded… microorganisms proliferate dey produce large amounts of methane," Dr Ivan Pinto tok. Methane na potent greenhouse gas, wey dey responsible for about 30% of global warming, according to di International Energy Agency. IRRI estimate say rice production account for 10% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Greener methods Tilda don dey try one water-saving method wey dey known as Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD). E involve to put pipe 15cm below di ground. Instead of di constantly flooding fields, farmers go irrigate only wen water no dey in di pipe. "Normally you get 25 cycles within your growth period," Laborde tok. "By applying AWD technique, you fit reduce dat to 20. So, by cutting five [flooding] cycles, you fit save methane emissions." In 2024, Tilda bin expand im trial from 50 to 1,268 farmers. Di results dey striking. "We fit reduce di water [usage] by 27%, di electricity by 28%, and fertilisers by 25%,"Laborde. E points out say yields in di meantime increased by 7%. "So, na not just to increase di revenue wit a higher cost, di increasing revenue wit lower cost," e tok. Laborde underline say methane emissions also dey drop by 45% and e believe say dis fit fall by as much as 70% if flooding cycles dey reduced even further. Climate stress While rice dey help feed billions – particularly through high-yield varieties like IR8 from di Green Revolution – climate change now dey threaten di production, as rice dey grow for regions wey dey experience intense heat, drought, heavy rainfall or floods. For India, temperature bin reach 53C during di rice-growing season for 2024. In Bangladesh, more frequent and intense floods dey spoil crops. IRRI dey turn to dia vast gene bank of 132,000 rice varieties to find solutions. One key breakthrough na gene wey dey allow rice plants to survive underwater for up to 21 days. "Dis varieties fit persist under flooded conditions long enough for di floods to recede, without affecting yield, "Pinto, add say dem dey increasingly popular in flood-prone regions of Bangladesh. Alternative staples Some govments don try to encourage populations to move away from rice. For Bangladesh, goment bin carry out one campaign 15 years ago as part of attempt to promote potatoes as alternative, as di price of rice bin dey go up steadily. "We love potatoes… but entirely to dey chop only potatoes instead of rice no be sometin pipo dey reason," Dhaka resident Shareef Shabir recall. China bin launch similar initiative to for 2015, promote potatoes as a nutritious superfood. Di kontri bin become leading producer of potatoes in di 1990s and for many parts of di kontri, pipo don dey used to eating potato as a staple food. Yet, di campaign still fail. "For south-west and north-west China, pipo there dey occasionally chop potatoes as staple," Jakob Klein, one anthropologist for SOAS University of London. But, e say, for many areas di potato dey linked wit poverty. "Pipo for di south-west of China tell me say dem grow up eating potatoes. Dat way na to say 'I grow up in poverty'. Stigma dey associated wit eating potatoes," e tok. Difficult choice Globally, rice remain deeply embedded in pipo lives. E dey tasty, easy to cook, store and transport. Di world dey consume an estimated 520 million tonnes of rice annually. In di Philippines, Adrian Bianca Villanueva admit say while she fit cut back, to give am up dey difficult. "Even if I no wan eat rice, if I go to party or different house, dem go always offer rice," she tok. "I think I go eat less rice – but not totally take am out, sake of say na part of our daily lives."
7NEWS
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Labubu mania hits Australia: Top-selling doll outfits go viral on Temu
Labubu fever is taking over Australia. From social media platforms to e-commerce carts, Australians are not only collecting the quirky creatures but also embracing the latest craze — Labubu fashion. What began as a niche interest among collectors has quickly morphed into a full-blown online movement, with TikTokers, YouTubers, and budget-savvy shoppers showing off their dressed-up Labubus in style. The Labubu trend shows no signs of slowing down. According to Google Trends, search interest in 'Labubu clothes' has spiked in Australia over the past 12 months. Backing up the hype, Temu, a global online marketplace, reports that 6 of its top 10 best-selling items in the Dolls & Accessories category are Labubu clothing sets with some listings selling nearly 20,000 units. On TikTok, creators like Tilda, dubbed the 'blind box toy queen' are leading the charge. Her videos featuring curated Labubu outfits from Temu have gained traction with fans eager to give their mini companions a runway-ready makeover. Meanwhile, over in Melbourne, YouTuber Joanne Santos recently unveiled her first Labubu outfit haul, revealing a collection that spans adorable to avant-garde. From tiny suspenders to hand-crocheted accessories, these pint-sized outfits are capturing hearts across the country. And it's not just about looks, it's about affordability. One Aussie shopper raved about a recent find from Temu: 'Considering some people are charging up to $25–$50 for Labubu outfits, this was an amazing find. ' Temu has become the unofficial hub for Labubu fashionistas, offering affordable, trending outfits and accessories without breaking the bank. From protective cases to custom-crafted fits, collectors are snapping up items by the thousands. The platform is also hinting at what could be the next collectible trend: animal-themed dolls are beginning to top Temu's bestseller charts for doll gear in Australia. With growing demand and new drops on the horizon, the next big wave may already be taking shape. Top-Selling Labubu Fashion Picks on Temu:
Eater
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Eater
A Stunning New Aperitivo Bar Opens in Echo Park With Spritzes and Pizza
Skip to main content Current eater city: Los Angeles A new aperitivo bar is opening in Echo Park just in time for spritz-filled warm summer days. Jason Goldman, the owner of Roman-inspired restaurant Bacetti Trattoria, will debut Bar Bacetti in the former Tilda space right next door. Tilda closed in February 2025 after five years. Bar Bacetti will open on June 26 with a menu of aperitivi, wine, Italian drinking snacks, and pizza. Bar Bacetti will celebrate Italy's aperitivo culture with a menu of easy-drinking spritzes and bites to pair. Sip on a Two-Kiss Spritz, the bar's version of an Aperol spritz that swaps cappelletti for Aperol, or the Sofia with fizzy chinotto, lambrusco, and port. A handful of Italian wines will be available by the glass, along with zero-proof cocktails like the Quasi-White Negroni and a shakerato with espresso and orgeat. The bites menu features a lineup of spuntini, or Italian small snacks. Olives are tossed with anise, orange peel, and bay leaf, while peppers come stuffed with tuna, capers, and anchovy. Thin focaccia di Recco is topped with stracchino, and cannellini beans swim in a rich tomato sauce. In place of a full charcuterie spread, Bar Bacetti serves gnocco fritto, a puffy, fried Italian bread topped with a slice of cured meat, plus a few other Italian-esque small plates like chilled octopus, and beef and pork meatballs. The pizzas from Bacetti, which fall between Roman and Neapolitan styles, will also move over to Bar Bacetti, with puffy-crusted funghi, margherita, and meat-topped pies. In turn, Bacetti has refocused its menu on pastas like gnocchi alla Romana and cavatelli, plus salads, and larger proteins, such as branzino and bistecca. The interior of the former Tilda space has been transformed with rich greens and a stone bar that resembles a slab of mortadella, dotted with hues of pink and pistachio. Bar Bacetti retains Tilda's existing natural wood frames, which add a cozy touch to the airy interior. A vintage espresso machine sits on the counter, gleaming as the sun reflects off its polished metal exterior. Just outside, a smattering of tables makes up a dog-friendly patio. Leaning into the feeling of an Italian bar, Bar Bacetti will be walk-in only, with a daily aperitivo hour from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. that includes a complimentary snack with select drink purchases. The full menu is available starting at 3 p.m. until the bar closes at 10 p.m. Bar Bacetti is located at 1507 Echo Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90026, and is open Thursday to Tuesday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. See More:
South China Morning Post
22-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
How to reverse ageing? 2 women in their 60s on shaving decades off their biological ages
American biohacker Bryan Johnson invests big money – an estimated US$2 million yearly – trying to turn back his body clock. His quest for eternal youth includes specialised nutrition, supplements and personalised medicine – from stem-cell injections to DNA editing. Advertisement You do not have to be rich or a risk-taker to slow the ageing process , though. There are more accessible options that are a lot less costly, and may be even more successful, as two British authors reveal in books that describe how they cut decades from their biological age. Chronological vs biological age Essentially, your chronological age is how long you have lived; your biological age is how old your cells and organs are. Johnson, for example, is 47, but reportedly has the heart function of a 37-year-old and the fitness level of an 18-year-old The number of years you have lived represents an 'incomplete account of the ageing process', says Professor Cathal McCrory, a co-principal investigator of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, or Tilda, at Trinity College Dublin in Ireland. 'Consider two same-aged peers of 50. The number of years that have passed is technically the same for both of them, but the ageing experience may be very different. Even identical twins age differently, despite sharing 100 per cent of their DNA,' he says. Biohacker Bryan Johnson is 47, but reportedly has the heart function of a 37-year-old, and the fitness level of an 18-year-old. Photo: Magdalena Wosinska British journalist and author Sandra Parsons exemplifies how to slow ageing. She has engineered her 'real' age – 63 – down by 40 years or so.
Boston Globe
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
‘Cruel' decision: Immigrants in Massachusetts face fresh deportation fears after Trump end humanitarian parole program
Related : Advertisement The court ruled on a request from the Trump administration to stay a lower-court decision that temporarily halted plans to end the humanitarian parole programs. The proceedings originated from a that Trump ended after he returned to office in January. The Trump administration planned to end the program on Humanitarian parole dates back to the 1950s, when a law granted the attorney general discretion to admit noncitizens from countries affected by gang violence, war, or other political instability. Trump has targeted the system as part of his wider crackdown on legal immigration and promise to deport millions of people. Related : Advertisement Two justices appointed by Democratic presidents, On Saturday, Mayor Michelle Wu said the city remains 'steadfast' in its commitment to being safe, welcoming, and 'creating opportunity for all.' 'It's not despite our immigrant heritage that we are strong, it is because of our immigrant heritage and the diversity of all of Boston,' she told reporters at Harambee Park, speaking at a an unveiling of Caribbean flag poles. Wu's office provided the Globe with an audio recording of her remarks. Related : US Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin praised the high court's decision on Friday in a statement that called the CHNV program 'disastrous.' 'Ending the CHNV parole programs, as well as the paroles of those who exploited it, will be a necessary return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First,' she said. Thielman said in the last two years, the institute has helped about 15,000 people from Haiti enroll in federal benefits, about half of whom were granted legal status through the CHNV program. The agency also enrolled 1,500 to 1,800 Haitians with the legal protections in employment services to help them find work, he said. Many Haitians have left the country to flee gang violence, political turmoil, poverty, and fallout from natural disasters, including a devastating earthquake in 2010. Related : Advertisement Tilda, a 42-year-old Haitian woman living in Brockton, said she came to Massachusetts under the parole program in 2023. She asked to be identified by her nickname because she fears retaliation from federal immigration authorities. With her parolee status, Tilda said she was granted authorization to work, found a job with a plastic appliances manufacturer, and became certified as a home health aide. 'I liked it, because I found a job,' she said through a Haitian Creole interpreter during an interview in April. 'I was living a better life.' Related : Returning to Haiti is not an option, she said. Her father falls asleep amid the sound of gunfire outside his home in Port-au-Prince, she said. Tilda previously attempted to establish a new life in Brazil, but said she couldn't find steady work and then moved to the United States. 'It's very difficult because if you go back to Haiti, you risk your life,' Tilda said. One plaintiff in the lawsuit seeking to reinstate the program is Wilhen Pierre Victor, a Woburn resident who sponsored family members to enter the United States from Haiti with humanitarian parole. Victor's brother and his family relocated to Woburn last year, and have found work, but applications filed by her niece and cousin weren't processed before Trump ended the program, the complaint said. Now the niece and cousin are stuck in Haiti and Victor's brother fears he and his family won't be able to stay here. Advertisement 'Her brother and his family could be forced to return to a life in Haiti rife with instability and violence,' the complaint said. In a statement, Karen Tumlin, founder and director of Justice Action Center, one of the groups behind the lawsuit, said the Supreme Court's move is 'devastating.' 'While we grieve with these communities today, we remain resolved in our fight for the dignity they deserve,' she said. Without humanitarian parole, noncitizens can seek authority to stay in the country legally by applying for asylum or temporary protected status, Thielman said. Yet the temporary protected status program is also under attack. On May 19, the Supreme Court let the Trump administration withdraw those protections from about Willian came to the United States from Venezuela two years ago with temporary protected status and now works as a delivery driver for Amazon. He asked to be identified only by his first name because he fears retaliation from immigration officials. Willian said Venezuelans who fled to the United States are seen as enemies by Nicolás Maduro, leader of the South American nation who has been described by Trump as a 'dictator.' Returning to Venezuela could be dangerous, he said. 'Even if we don't commit a crime, even if we don't do anything wrong, they could put us in jail,' Willian said in Spanish as Thielman translated his remarks into English. Marvin Mathelier, executive director of the Toussaint Louverture Cultural Center in Boston, said Haitians must sell all their belongings to pay to leave the country. Advertisement If they are forced to return, they face nothing but danger, he said. 'I think this is cruel,' said Mathelier, whose parents moved to the United States from Haiti in the 1980s. 'We are just throwing them back to the wolves and that's just very unfortunate.' Laura Crimaldi can be reached at
