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Property losses are expected to mount after a huge bushfire claimed at least three homes and nearly a dozen outbuildings in Victoria as a new blaze threatens lives and homes in Western Australia. or signup to continue reading Cooler conditions have brought some relief to fire crews battling a blaze in Victoria's Grampians region but residents threatened by a bushfire in WA's Mid West have been urged to "leave now". In the Grampians, emergency crews will continue impact assessments in affected areas where a blaze with a perimeter of more than 380km has so far scorched more than 75,000 hectares. Dry conditions and difficult, mountainous terrain mean the fire is likely to burn into the new year but cooler, settled conditions are providing fire crews the opportunity to try to contain the blaze. Three homes have been confirmed lost in Moyston, a rural farming community on the edge of the Grampians National Park, as of early Saturday evening. Another 11 outbuildings have also destroyed by the fire across Moyston and Pomonal, which was devastated by fire earlier in 2024. On the other side of the nation residents of several communities in WA's Mid West have been urged to leave as an uncontrolled bushfire approaches. An emergency warning is in place for parts of of Mount Adams, Irwin, Mount Horner and Yardarino and an evacuation centre has been set up at Dongara. "You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. There is a threat to lives and homes," the Department of Fire and Emergency Services warning says. In Victoria, State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty said there was still a lot of work to be done to confirm the Grampian fire's damage. "These numbers will continue to evolve over the next couple of days," Mr Hegarty said. There have been significant livestock losses, particularly sheep. Three watch and act alerts remained in place in and around western Victoria's Grampians National Park as night fell on Saturday, with the area from Long Gully Road to College Road remaining safe. Residents from Halls Gap have also been allowed to return home. Conditions in western Victoria are expected to remain mild before westerly winds give way to warmer northerlies on Monday. Hardship payments have become available for people with homes in evacuation areas or who have suffered property damage, via the state and federal-funded Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said the assistance included a one-off payment of $680 per adult and $340 per child up to a maximum of $2380 per eligible family to help cover essentials such as food, clothing, medication and accommodation. No total fire bans are in place in NSW on Sunday but high fire danger remains for the Northern Slopes, North Western, Upper Central West Plains, Greater Hunter and Sydney regions. "We do have heatwave conditions continuing, and warnings current for northeastern parts of NSW and much of Queensland," weather bureau meteorologist Sarah Scully said. A number of fires are burning or have recently been contained in NSW. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementNo. 11 Tennessee crushes UTEP to enhance CFP chances
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Nvidia, IBD Stock Of The Day, Offers Early Buy Point As It Crosses Key LevelsResearchers from Nanda Nath Saikia College and Bodoland University in India, Silesian University of Technology in Poland, and the University of Texas at El Paso in the United States have highlighted the necessity of shifting from a linear economy to a circular economy (CE) to combat critical global challenges. The current "take, make, consume, dispose" model is unsustainable, leading to escalating waste production, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. Waste generation has far outpaced population growth, resulting in significant financial pressures, mismanagement of natural resources, and pollution of ecosystems. CE offers an alternative by focusing on minimizing waste, retaining resource value, and regenerating materials in continuous cycles. This transition is not only environmentally crucial but also aligns with achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as clean energy, responsible consumption, and climate action. Biomass Energy as a Key to Sustainability At the core of CE is the use of biomass energy, derived from organic waste such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, and municipal solid waste (MSW). Biomass offers a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing energy security. The study explores thermochemical methods, such as gasification and pyrolysis, and biochemical processes like fermentation to convert biomass into energy. Gasification generates syngas, a combustible mixture of gases, while pyrolysis produces biochar, bio-oil, and syngas through thermal decomposition. Fermentation, meanwhile, converts cellulosic materials from agricultural waste into bioethanol, a clean-burning fuel with diverse applications. MSW, with over 60% biodegradable content, presents a largely untapped opportunity to produce renewable energy while addressing waste management issues. By leveraging these approaches, biomass becomes an essential component of CE, addressing both energy and environmental challenges. Transforming Wastewater into Energy with Microbial Fuel Cells The study introduces microbial fuel cells (MFCs) as an innovative solution for treating municipal wastewater while generating electricity. Using electrogenic microbes, MFCs convert organic contaminants in wastewater into electrical energy, offering a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional treatment methods. This technology not only produces green energy but also aligns with CE principles by repurposing waste into valuable resources. The dual-chambered MFC, which separates anode and cathode compartments with a proton exchange membrane, efficiently transforms wastewater into energy while reducing pollutants. MFCs exemplify the potential of CE to tackle pressing global challenges like energy scarcity and environmental degradation. Overcoming Barriers to Circular Economy Adoption Despite its promise, CE faces several significant barriers. Economic challenges, such as high costs of recycled materials and insufficient financial incentives, hinder widespread implementation. Technical obstacles include the lack of standards for reclaimed materials and the complexities of recycling processes, while social barriers like limited public awareness and education exacerbate these difficulties. The study calls for collaborative efforts across governments, industries, and communities to address these challenges through policy support, technological innovation, and educational programs. By overcoming these barriers, CE can move from theory to practice, creating a more sustainable and equitable global economy. A Call to Action for a Sustainable Future The researchers emphasize that comprehensive waste management strategies are critical for realizing the vision of CE. These strategies involve reducing waste at the source, improving recycling practices, and adopting innovative waste-to-energy technologies. Municipalities and manufacturers can play pivotal roles by integrating product lifecycle data, optimizing waste collection systems, and designing products for sustainability. Biomass energy, in particular, offers significant potential for rural rehabilitation and economic development by utilizing local resources and supporting sustainable livelihoods. Transitioning to CE not only addresses environmental concerns but also drives innovation, creates economic opportunities, and promotes societal well-being. Adopting CE and sustainable environmental practices is no longer optional but an urgent necessity. The transition requires collective efforts from governments, industries, and individuals, as well as significant legislative reforms and technological advancements. While the challenges are substantial, the benefits of CE are far-reaching. By reducing waste, improving resource efficiency, and leveraging renewable energy sources like biomass, societies can combat climate change, preserve ecosystems, and achieve economic growth. This research serves as a clarion call for decisive action, urging stakeholders across all sectors to embrace CE principles and build a sustainable future. By transforming waste into resources and embracing innovative technologies, humanity can overcome the pressing challenges of resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and climate change to secure a resilient and prosperous world for future generations.The TV presenter and journalist defied doctors’ orders by joining thousands of farmers in London on Tuesday to protest against agricultural inheritance tax changes. The 64-year-old, who fronts Prime Video’s Clarkson’s Farm, which documents the trials of farming on his land in Oxfordshire, wrote in a post on the Top Gear website in 2010: “I have bought a farm. There are many sensible reasons for this: Land is a better investment than any bank can offer. The government doesn’t get any of my money when I die. And the price of the food that I grow can only go up.” Clarkson also told the Times in 2021 that avoiding inheritance tax was “the critical thing” in his decision to buy land. Addressing the claim in a new interview with The Times, the former Top Gear presenter said: “I never did admit why I really bought it.” The fan of game bird shooting added: “I wanted to have a shoot – I was very naive. I just thought it would be a better PR story if I said I bought it to avoid paying tax.” Clarkson was among the thousands who took to the streets this week to protest over the changes in the recent Budget to impose inheritance tax on farms worth more than £1 million and he addressed the crowds at the march in central London. He told the newspaper he is not happy to be the public face of the movement, saying: “It should be led by farmers.” The presenter said he does not consider himself a farmer because there are “so many basic jobs” which he cannot do, but he feels his role is to “report on farming”. Earlier this month, it was confirmed Clarkson’s Farm, which has attracted huge attention to his Diddly Squat farm shop, had been renewed for a fifth series. Asked whether the issue behind the tax protest is that rural poverty is hidden, Clarkson agreed and said his programme was not helping to address the situation. “One of the problems we have on the show is we’re not showing the poverty either, because obviously on Diddly Squat there isn’t any poverty”, he said. “But trust me, there is absolute poverty. I’m surrounded by farmers. I’m not going out for dinner with James Dyson. “It’s people with 200 acres, 400 acres. Way past Rachel Reeves’s threshold. They are f*****.” The newspaper columnist also presents Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? on ITV. The Grand Tour, his motoring show with former Top Gear colleagues Richard Hammond and James May, ended in September. Discussing whether he might move into politics, Clarkson said: “I’d be a terrible political leader, hopeless. “I’m a journalist at heart, I prefer throwing rocks at people than having them thrown at me.” However, he said he would be “100% behind any escalation” after the farmers’ march. Clarkson revealed last month he had undergone a heart procedure to have stents fitted after experiencing a “sudden deterioration” in his health which brought on symptoms of being “clammy”, a “tightness” in his chest and “pins and needles” in his left arm. He said in a Sunday Times column that one of his arteries was “completely blocked and the second of three was heading that way” and doctors said he was perhaps “days away” from becoming very ill. Asked if he is thinking about retiring, the Doncaster-born celebrity said: “Probably not. It depends when you die, I always think. “You’d be surprised, us Northerners are made of strong stuff.”
NEW YORK — With the holiday season in full swing, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is offering six tips to help the millions of Americans celebrate the holidays with their loved ones in a dementia-friendly way. “Dementia doesn’t prevent someone from feeling the warmth, love, and laughter of the holiday season, but it can change how they experience it,” said Director of Educational and Social Services Jennifer Reeder. “Being proactive, adaptable, and inclusive of the person’s wishes and abilities are the best ways caregivers can help them have a happy and joyful holiday season.” AFA offers these six tips for creating a dementia-friendly holiday season: Keep decorations festive, but simple. Decorating is part of the holiday season fun. However, many flickering lights, noisy items, or major changes to the person’s environment can be overwhelming and could potentially cause the person to wander. Choose a few favorite items and phase in decorations over a period of days, so that changes to the person’s environment are less confusing. Eliminate dangerous decorations and safety hazards. Avoid fragile decorations that can shatter. Ones that look like food or candy should also be avoided, as they can be mistaken for edible treats and could create a choking or dental hazard. Be mindful of potential tripping hazards on the floor, such as wires for decorations, as dementia can cause changes in vision, depth perception, and gait. Securely hook Christmas trees to the wall to avoid falls and use menorahs or kinaras with electric candles to reduce fire hazards. Adapt past traditions. Build on old traditions when appropriate, such as enjoying favorite music or movies, and adapt past traditions as well. If the person always sent out holiday cards or baked holiday cookies and still wants to do so, do it with them. Start new traditions that center on activities and events the person enjoys and can do, such as touring neighborhood holiday lights together. Whenever possible, ask your loved one what traditions are most important; these activities keep them engaged, and help you prioritize and plan appropriately. Feeling some sadness about changes and losses, especially during a holiday, is normal. Acknowledge these feelings and then move on to new ways to celebrate. Take cues from your loved one. Utilize a strengths-based, person-centered approach and incorporate what the person can do and what they choose to do now, rather than dwelling on what they used to do. Focus on those things that bring joy and let go of activities that seem too stressful. Prepare a quiet, calm space before a holiday gathering. Create a space where your loved one can sit comfortably during a holiday gathering, and where guests can visit in small groups or one-to-one, if the celebration becomes overwhelming. Provide familiar comfort items in the space (i.e., favorite blanket, sweater, stuffed animal) to help your loved one feel safe and at ease. To the greatest extent possible, maintain the person’s normal routine when scheduling holiday gatherings; disruptions in routine can be difficult for someone living with dementia. Accept help from others. Many parts of the holiday season — shopping for gifts, making preparations, or hosting a holiday gathering — can be stressful even without the additional responsibilities of caring for a loved one with dementia. Relatives and friends might be eager to help but do not know how. Accept their offers of assistance and be specific about what would be helpful; running errands, bringing a dish to the celebration, or spending time with your loved one so you can complete holiday tasks. For more information, visit alzfdn.org .Every SUV and ute discontinued in Australia in 2024