House Republicans have been provided with previously unaired footage that reveals the then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi admitting responsibility for not having the National Guard protect the Capitol building ahead of the January 6 [...] The post New Footage Shows Pelosi Admit Responsibility For Not Having National Guard At Capitol appeared first on The People's Voice.

Sony Music will commemorate the 40th anniversary of Springsteen’s Born In The USA with coloured vinyl release featuring expanded packaging and memorabilia - live playlist launched

Shakespeare’s Sister Speaks JamesHoare Wed, 06/12/2024 - 10:11

Claudia Sheinbaum has been selected as Mexico’s first female president, winning by a landslide. Preliminary results from Mexico’s official electoral authority show that the 61-year-old former mayor of Mexico City received between 58 percent and 60 percent of the vote, outperforming her primary rival, entrepreneur Xóchitl Gálvez, by approximately 30 percent. Sheinbaum will succeed her mentor, departing President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on October 1st. Promising continuity and progress Sheinbaum, a former energy scientist, has committed to maintain López Obrador’s “advances,” particularly in welfare programs that have helped him gain favor. In her victory address, she stressed the larger significance of her triumph: “For the first time in the 200 years of the [Mexican] Republic, I will become the first woman president of Mexico.” She cast her election as a victory for all women, proclaiming, “This is not just about me getting [to the top office], it’s about all of us getting here. I won’t fail you.” A trailblazer with a background in science Sheinbaum served as mayor of Mexico City before her presidential campaign, a position that is frequently regarded as a prelude to the presidency. Her scientific career is equally impressive. Sheinbaum, born to Jewish immigrants from Bulgaria and Lithuania, studied physics before earning a doctorate in energy engineering. She spent years analyzing Mexican energy consumption trends at a prestigious California lab, where she became a climate change expert. Her advocacy and competence led to her appointment as Mexico City’s Secretary of the Environment during López Obrador’s mayoral mandate. A historic election for women The 2023 race, which features two female frontrunners, marks a huge leap for women in Mexico. Edelmira Montiel, 87, expressed her delight at seeing a woman elected to the highest office, recalling a time when women couldn’t vote or had to rely on their husbands’ voting decisions. “Thank God that has changed and I get to live it,” she told Reuters. Tackling violence and crime Despite the celebrations, the election campaign was marred by violence, with over 20 local candidates assassinated around Mexico. Gálvez accused the administration and Sheinbaum of neglecting to address the violence perpetrated by powerful crime organizations. While Gálvez promised to combat crime directly, Sheinbaum has concentrated on addressing the core cause of violence, such as poverty, promising to engage in social programs to keep young Mexicans from becoming recruits for criminal organizations. Strengthening international relations Sheinbaum also wants to repair relations with the United States strained under López Obrador. She has pledged to maintain “a relationship of friendship, mutual respect, and equality” with Mexico’s northern neighbor while protecting the rights of Mexicans living in the United States. This balanced approach reflects her overall vision for diplomacy and domestic policy. Legacy and support López Obrador, who has been in power since 2018, was constitutionally forbidden from seeking a second term, but he offered significant support to Sheinbaum. His endorsement, combined with his high approval rating, greatly aided her campaign. Many voters supported Sheinbaum and López Obrador’s party because it prioritized poverty reduction and social welfare. As Claudia Sheinbaum prepares to take office, she will be burdened with resolving Mexico’s long-standing concerns, such as crime and poverty. Her election opens a new chapter in Mexican politics, promising continuity and growth while offering a different viewpoint on leadership and gender equality.The post Claudia Sheinbaum becomes Mexico’s first female president first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Coldplay set a new bar for sustainability in the music industry, reporting an astounding 59 percent reduction in their touring carbon footprint over their previous world tour. This success results from innovative techniques and fan collaboration, all consistent with the band’s dedication to environmental stewardship. A commitment to change Coldplay presented a 12-point strategy in 2021 to reduce their emissions when traveling, after frontman Chris Martin’s pledge to tour responsibly or not at all. The band set an ambitious aim for the Music of the Spheres world tour, which began in 2022: reduce carbon emissions from performance production, freight, and travel by at least 50 percent. Two years into the tour, the band joyfully declared that it had exceeded this goal. “We’re happy to report that direct CO2e emissions from the first two years of this tour are 59 percent less than our previous stadium tour (2016-17), on a show-by-show comparison,” they said. Fan-powered energy solutions Coldplay’s connection with fans to produce power during concerts is an important part of its sustainability initiatives. Kinetic dance floors have been used in shows to turn the movements of the audience into energy. Fans are encouraged to jump on bespoke tiles to convert their dance energy into concert power. Fans can also use power bikes during the spectacle. These bikes, when combined with solar panels and kinetic dance floors, enable the charging of smaller stage areas as well as vital equipment like phones and laptop computers. “We’d like to thank everyone who’s come to a show and helped charge the show batteries on the power bikes and kinetic dance floors,” the band stated. Sustainable practices—not just for show Coldplay’s dedication to sustainability goes beyond electricity generation. The band has taken many steps to reduce trash and promote recycling. One example is the usage of recyclable LED wristbands, which spectators are urged to return for reuse. They’ve also encouraged concertgoers to arrive by foot, bike, ride-sharing, or public transportation, and to bring refillable water bottles. The data supporting these accomplishments was gathered by the sustainability company Hope Solutions and certified by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). MIT Professor John E. Fernandez applauded the band’s work, saying, “Coldplay is charting a course for a low-carbon, biodiverse, and equitable future.” They are setting an example for the entire music industry in terms of authentic and humane sustainability.” Remarkable accomplishments and ongoing efforts Last July, an interim assessment showed a 47 percent reduction in carbon emissions, which was somewhat below the band’s aim. However, new data show that the trip has improved in efficiency over time. The band now claims that “72 percent of all tour waste has been diverted from landfill and sent for reuse, recycling, and composting,” up from 66 percent in 2023. Eighteen shows were totally powered by a tourable battery system built of used BMW batteries, substantially lowering dependency on traditional power sources. During the tour, Coldplay also funded two solar-powered “ocean cleanup river interceptors” to help with larger environmental activities. A tree has been planted for every ticket sold, a total of 7 million so far, by the global forestry NGO One Tree Planted, demonstrating the band’s dedication to environmental restoration. Next steps Live touring is inherently carbon-intensive, particularly for world tours with far-flung sites. Despite relying on air travel for the majority of gigs, Martin has committed to use public transportation wherever possible, as he did for the band’s Cardiff shows, arriving by train. Coldplay acknowledges that their journey to full sustainability is ongoing. “As a band and as an industry, we’re far from where we should be on this. But we’re appreciative for everyone’s help so far, and we applaud everyone who’s working to move things forward,” they said. A new standard for the music industry Coldplay’s success in lowering its carbon footprint has established a new standard for sustainability in the music industry. Their creative techniques and dedication to eco-friendly procedures show that large-scale events can be both enjoyable and environmentally responsible. As more artists and bands attempt to follow suit, Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres tour is a striking example of how the business may move toward a more environmentally friendly future.The post Coldplay’s sustainable tour triumph: reducing carbon footprint by 59% first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Can this hi-tech electric toothbrush truly improve your oral hygiene routine?

The Fen Carbonatite Complex may be Europe's key to a secure rare-earth-element supply chain following the discovery of a huge deposit at the site.