Latest news with #assemble
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Aldi is selling stylish alternative to its sell-out rattan sofa for summer – and it's £160 cheaper than viral favourite
ALDI is selling an alternative to its viral sold-out rattan sofa, for £160 cheaper. With temperatures set to reach , Brits across the country are likely making plans to soak up the sun in the 2 The rattan bench is perfect for doing up your garden on a budget Credit: Aldi 2 The bench is £160 cheaper than Aldi's viral rattan sofa Credit: ALDI And what better way to enjoy the hot weather than to treat yourself to some brand new garden furniture. Aldi Rattan Bench Landing in stores this Thursday, July 3rd, Aldi's The stylish two seater bench is perfect for placing on your patio or balcony, and will help you to relax and unwind in your outside space. The 119 x 60 x 77cm bench is super easy to assemble and the viral rattan design will make you the envy of friends and neighbours . Read more garden stories However, you'd better set your alarm if you want to snap up the bargain buy, as with all Specialbuys, once they're gone, they're gone. Cheaper Than Viral Sofa Aldi's new outdoor bench is a whopping £160 cheaper than the German discounter's viral Rattan Effect Corner Sofa, which landed in stores earlier this year, and quickly sold out. The £199 buy features the same chic rattan design, but also comes with cosy cushions and a food stool. The stylish sofa fits three people, and is also incredibly easy to assemble. Most read in Fabulous More Budget Garden Furniture Tesco shoppers are currently rushing to stores to buy stunning "reduced to clear" garden furniture that's up to 40% off. Shoppers can get their hands on the 'It's spacious enough for two adults' - The Range release double garden rocking chair less than €120 Reduced from £28.99, this lounger is great for relaxing outdoors. If you're planning a garden bash this summer and need to give your gazebo frames a new lease of life, these The side panels have been reduced to £25.59 and come in two different sizes, both of which have windows to let in that natural light. How To Get Rust Off Garden Furniture And if you don't want to fork out for new furniture, and simply fancy sprucing up the garden chairs you already have, How to upcycle garden furniture in 3 steps There's really no need to spend a fortune on new garden furniture. Rebecca Miller, Fabulous' Associate Editor and gardening enthusiast has shared her tips to transforming grotty second-hand furniture into pieces that look brand new. "Recycling centres, dump shops, charity shops and Facebook Marketplace are brilliant places to pick up second hand items for cheap. And all you need to do is have a spare afternoon to spruce them up - and it's something you can get your kids involved in! Clean Everything looks better after a good scrub. If in doubt, opt for a simple washing-up liquid and warm water solution, and get to work removing all the grime and dirt. If the piece of furniture can withstand some pressure, why not pressure wash it? Leave it to dry, then you can see what you're dealing with. Fix-up If the item of furniture is a little wonky, or you're unsure how sturdy it is, take a moment to check all the fixtures and either replace them or tighten them up. Colour The quickest way to transform a piece of furniture is with a lick of paint. When choosing a new colour, base it on shades that will fit with your existing garden design and plants - but most importantly, pick a colour that will bring a smile to your face." Laura Carter from the online retailer has shared go-to technique for revamping your furniture. According to the expert, all you need is a brillo pad to spruce up your rusty metal outdoor furniture. Nothing dates outdoor furniture more than rust but thankfully, it can be easily cleaned off. And what better way to do so than using an inexpensive Brillo pad, which prove to be great for surfaces such as steel or cast iron. You can pick up
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers develop game-changing tool to predict deadly natural disasters: 'Of paramount importance'
A recent study published in the Water Resources Research journal discussed using a new deep learning framework — known as Long Short-Term Memory Station Approximated Models, or LSTM-SAM — to predict the state of water levels during extreme weather events, in order to better forewarn and evacuate nearby civilians. With Atlantic hurricane seasons lending themselves to more frequent and intense storm surges over the past decade, the impact of today's hurricanes could prove devastating for individuals and homes that aren't prepared. In particular, the coastal flooding associated with many hurricanes in the Southern U.S. has a history of endangering lives, buildings, and ecosystems. Led by environmental engineering Ph.D. candidate Samuel Daramola, the researchers used a "transfer learning" technique to quickly and accurately make predictions with LSTM-SAM. While conventional storm prediction models rely on large bodies of weather and ocean data that are inefficient and expensive to assemble, LSTM-SAM estimates flood levels based on broader flood patterns recorded in the past. One unique appeal of LSTM-SAM, per news, is the fact that accurate, high-efficiency storm predictions no longer need to be limited geographically to regions that have access to powerful data-processing facilities. Since LSTM-SAM bases its predictions on storm-flood patterns as a whole, the technology isn't locale-specific and can be applied to regions with minimal prior storm data. "Other studies have relied on repetitive patterns in the training data," Daramola told "Our approach is different. We highlight extreme changes in water levels during training, which helps the model better recognize important patterns and perform more reliably in those areas." More Atlantic hurricanes than ever are making landfall, which means the devastation wreaked by these storms cannot be understated. In fact, according to a 2023 report by the Front Page, rainfall flooding was responsible for more than half of the casualties caused by tropical cyclones. "The need for reliable flood prediction frameworks is of paramount importance," continued. "Advanced deep learning tools like LSTM-SAM could become essential in helping coastal communities prepare for the new normal, opening the door to smarter, faster, and more accessible flood predictions associated with tropical cyclones." While we can't prevent hurricanes altogether, cutting-edge predictive innovations can help minimize the safety risks and allow residents time to plan for an evacuation. Meanwhile, since planet-warming carbon pollution considerably supercharges seasonal storms, we can take small steps to reduce our unfriendly contributions, such as installing home solar panels, repurposing household waste, and switching to an electric vehicle. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Close to 90, Dalai Lama determined as ever to embrace every soul that reaches for him
Dharamsala: As His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama steps toward his 90th summer and is still young, a gentle brilliance seems to trail in his wake, like the light of a day that refuses to fade. Age rests upon him lightly, nowhere near enough to dull the spark in his eyes or the softness of his smile with a firm believer, 'We 7 billion human beings -- emotionally, mentally, physically -- are the same'. In these tender days, he has opened himself even more to the world -- lengthening his audiences and deepening his teachings, amazing coming from someone who wakes up at 3 a.m. to meditate for several hours -- as though determined to embrace every soul that reaches for him. Believers come in waves, hopeful, their hands folded and hearts open. And despite the weight of years, the Buddhist monk, without a home but loved in millions of homes, bends toward them again and again, sometimes slapping bald pates or waggling devotee's nose, bestowing quiet blessings that feel like a breath of spring on the soul. It's as if the years have distilled in him a pure, enduring light -- one that grows ever more luminous the more he gives. His Holiness, an honorific given by his followers, is the globetrotting pontiff known for wearing his trademark maroon robes. For India, the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who is turning 90 on July 6, is a symbol of Buddhism, also a revered guest not just of India but of its citizens. According to the Dalai Lama's office, when His Holiness is in Dharamsala, they try to schedule outdoor public blessing lines on the mornings of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. During public audiences, individuals have an opportunity to very briefly greet His Holiness and receive his blessings. To join one of these lines, people are asked to send a written email request to His Holiness' office, giving some background information about themselves along with the exact dates of their visit to Dharamsala. During his last winter sojourn in Bylakuppe and Hunsur in Karnataka, the Dalai Lama led prayer services, attended debates, performed ordinations for 303 monks and met 8,021 people. His Holiness also gives public talks. In India, teachings and public talks are usually free and open to the public. However, to attend teachings and public talks outside of India, one is usually required to purchase a ticket. The proceeds from the ticket sales are used to cover the costs of the venue and other expenses related to his visit. Back to his 90th birthday celebrations on July 6, huge crowds are expected to assemble early in the morning at the hilltop Tsuglagkhang temple in McLeodganj that has lured hundreds of thousands of Westerners since the Dalai Lama settled here in 1960 after fleeing from Chinese persecution with his followers. To express spiritual respect, the democratically elected Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), based in this North Indian hill station, will be organising a year-long celebration from July 2025 to July 2026, declaring it the Year of Compassion. The celebrations comprise a special offering of long-life prayers in Dharamsala on the eve of the birthday to ensure the longevity and fulfilment of His Holiness' profound and noble wishes. In the run-up to becoming a nonagenarian, the Dalai Lama's latest book, 'Voice for the Voiceless,' was released on March 11. It presents an inside look at the efforts Tibetans have made to pursue the middle-way approach, which calls for a negotiated solution to China's occupation of their historically independent country. It also lays out how important international support has been for champions of the Tibetan cause and shows how the United States Congress has played a pivotal role in pushing China to resume dialogue. The Dalai Lama also writes about the plan for his succession in the clearest terms yet, illustrating the geopolitical importance of Tibet that he fled in the night of March 17, 1959, when the situation became extremely critical, with the result that he was left with no option but to leave his Norbu Lingkha Palace and seek asylum in the sacred land of India. The Dalai Lama's followers believe that a few days before his 90th birthday, His Holiness will possibly address the issue of his succession at a meeting of the top religious leaders in Dharamsala during which the Dalai Lama is expected to issue a video message. After arriving in India, His Holiness re-established the Tibetan government in exile while devoting himself to ensuring that the people of the three provinces of Tibet and the followers of the different religious traditions of Tibet remained a united entity. Since 1950, the Dalai Lama writes in 'Voice for the Voiceless', 'I have carried the duty of protecting Tibet and its people as well as our culture at the centre of my heart and will do so as long as I am alive.' Last year, CTA President Penpa Tsering confirmed that back-channel talks with China are ongoing. (Vishal Gulati can be contacted at [email protected])
Indianapolis Star
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Indy shows how protests 'can (and should be) done' during NBA Finals, police union president says
An anti-ICE protest that drew hundreds merged with an NBA Finals game that pulled thousands to downtown Indianapolis, all while millions were watching a city pushed into the national spotlight as the Pacers took on the Oklahoma City Thunder. And the whole thing went off without serious issue. While basketball fans lined up to file into Gainbridge Fieldhouse about 7 p.m. June 11, people chanted outside the arena to protest federal deportations, first staging at the corner of East Georgia and South Pennsylvania streets before marching a few blocks, occasionally blocking traffic. "Last night showed (protests) can be done safely and without violence," cheered Indiana police union leader Rick Snyder in a statement to media. He vowed police "will always protect the Rights of Americans to peaceably assemble and petition their Government for redress of grievances." 🚨INDY FOP STATEMENT ON PROTESTS DOWNTOWN'As Constitutional Law Enforcement Officers we will always protect the Rights of Americans to peaceably assemble + petition their Government for redress of night showed it can be done safely and without violence.' #FOP The Indianapolis demonstration remained nonviolent, in contrast to anti-immigrant protests in Los Angeles, where a city-wide curfew was implemented after days of clashes between law enforcement and agitators. Just before 7 p.m. June 11, about a dozen protesters handed out flyers and signs to passersby. The crowd grew as the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department's officer presence also increased. A speaker pointed toward basketball fans during anti-deportation speeches, prompting at least two people to yell "Go Pacers!" and a short chant of "USA." Indianapolis police were seen carrying pepper ball guns, less-than-lethal weapons that shoot balls designed to burst on impact and release pepper powder. None were fired. In a speech, one organizer told protesters not to antagonize law enforcement. An organizer said the crowd was a thousand people at its peak, while Indianapolis police put the count at about 500 based on drone footage and crowd density. Indianapolis police urged protesters toward the sidewalk as the group marched downtown. At one point, law enforcement moved crowds so an ambulance could pass. Marching ended on East Georgia Street around 8:30 p.m. "IMPD, KKK, IOF, it's all the same!' the crowd chanted, referring to the Ku Klux Klan and Israeli Occupation Forces. "I prefer crushed ICE," read one sign referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who facilitate deportations. Snyder said he applauded law enforcement agencies and Indianapolis residents for showing how peaceful assembly "can (and should) be done." Hours before the protest, images and rumors circulated online indicating ICE raids may have occurred near 42nd Street and Richelieu Road in Lawrence. On June 11, IndyStar reporters spoke with neighbors in the area who confirmed law enforcement activity. The owner of a self-serve laundry in the area also said they caught video of law enforcement in the area. A since-deleted social media post shared around 7:30 a.m. depicted several photos of men wearing vests that said "Police ICE."
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
COP30: ‘Focus on healing, building credibility of climate talks,' says Brazil
Brazil, the host of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30), has asked all countries who are party to the Paris Agreement to consider the future of climate negotiations when they assemble for the key event later this year. It has made it clear that there are three interconnected priorities during the June climate meetings in Bonn (SB62) and COP30 in November, which include reinforcing multilateralism, connecting the climate talks to people and focusing on implementation of the Paris Agreement. In a letter on Friday, Brazil urged the parties to reorient the climate talks ahead of the Bonn climate meetings, scheduled to take place from June 16-26. The Bonn talks are seen as a halfway point to the annual climate summit to be held in Brazil this year. 'Against a background in which climate urgency interacts with compounding geopolitical and socioeconomic challenges, the incoming COP30 Presidency hopes all delegations are guided by three interconnected priorities for SB62 and COP30: (1) to reinforce multilateralism and the climate change regime under the UNFCCC, (2) to connect the climate regime to people's real lives, and (3) to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement by stimulating action and structural adjustments across all institutions that can contribute to it,' the letter signed off by COP30 president designate André Aranha Correa do Lago said. 'This is the time we focus negotiations on healing and upgrading our process, rebuilding a global infrastructure of trust for accelerated and scaled outcomes. The credibility of our multilateral process is in the hands of negotiators in Bonn,' he wrote. The incoming COP30 Presidency is working to ensure that negotiations, the global mobilisation, the Action Agenda and the Leaders' Summit where world leaders announce their plans and views, each contribute to 'inaugurating a new era of putting into practice what we have agreed', Lago wrote in his third letter to parties. During a briefing on Thursday, HT asked COP30 President, ambassador Lago, asked what Brazil expected from COP30, especially against the backdrop of major geopolitical disruptions globally. 'Well, we don't have that answer yet, because we are listening to countries and this is the process in which we have to make sure that the international community is supportive of the results of COP30. And that is the success, the essential success of COP30, is the strengthening of multilateralism and everybody getting together convinced that it must be the solutions to fight climate change have to come from this dialogue and from this work together. So, we are still building that,' Lago told HT. He also said he doesn't want to create specific expectations immediately. 'We don't want to create, you know, like expectations and we want to do that and this. We really want to listen to the countries and understand their priorities. But I believe that we have received positive inputs regarding the priorities we have been showing in the letters and also in the effort of having a COP that convinces everybody that we have enough things negotiated for us to act more.' Erosion of trust among developed and developing nations has cast a shadow on the climate negotiations in recent years. Several developing countries are disappointed with the outcome of COP29, also because the agreement on New Collective Quantified Goal was seen to be in favour of developed countries. India led a fierce pushback at COP29 against what it called a 'stage-managed' climate finance deal, moments after the Azerbaijan presidency hastily gavelled through a contentious proposal. The hastily adopted text set a climate finance goal of 'at least $300 billion per year by 2035' and launched the 'Baku to Belém Roadmap to 1.3T'. However, India and other developing countries identified specific problems that could fundamentally alter climate finance obligations. These include the sum being too small and to be delivered only 11 years later. There was more uncertainty after US, the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, under President Donald Trump this January, announced its withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. Developing countries saw this as the largest historical emitter evading its responsibility. 'Acknowledging ongoing calls for COPs' reform, the incoming Presidency invites all Parties to consider the future of the process itself. As we move from a negotiation-centred to an implementation-centred era, Parties can intensify at SB62 the consideration of approaches and initiatives to increase the efficiency of the process towards enhancing ambition and implementation,' Lago said in his letter. He further wrote that the Bonn climate meeting could address longstanding challenges, including the excessive number of provisional agenda items for COPs and SBs, overlapping themes, scheduling constraints, and barriers that prevent the effective participation of smaller delegations. 'While these issues remain under consideration, it is advisable to avoid introducing potentially contentious new agenda items that could further burden the process or detract from agreed priorities. Looking ahead, future COPs can represent a new generation of climate conferences: not as isolated diplomatic events, but as systemic platforms to accelerate delivery, measure progress, and engage a broader ecosystem of actors,' the Brazil Presidency has emphasised. The first Global Stocktake (GST) which took place in Dubai at COP28, stands as a guide to Mission 1.5 and to our collective project around the vision of the UN Climate Convention, Lago said. All public and private stakeholders should work together towards the full implementation of the Paris Agreement by considering the findings of the GST. This includes the global calls for efforts towards halting and reversing deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, and for accelerating the global energy transition, Lago wrote, adding that parties should support one another to advance collectively on tripling renewable energy capacity globally, doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements, and transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly, and equitable manner.
