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Luisa Zissman Shares Secret to Easing Back-to-School Stress

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Luisa Zissman Shares Secret to Easing Back-to-School Stress

As more than half of UK parents feel the pressure of the new school year, location-sharing technology offers a way to reduce the mental burden, reclaim time, and get more done.

Over 54% of UK parents admit they’ll be stressed when the new school year begins, and many agree that preparing children for the return to school in September is one of the most stressful periods of the year (52%).

These findings are part of new research released today by Life360, the family connection and safety company, which discovered that nearly half of parents are worried about how they’ll cope with the demanding term-time schedules when their children return to school this September. Furthermore, more than three-quarters of parents agree that tweens and teens are reluctant to think about returning to school until the very last minute (77%), adding to the mental load on parents.

Half of the parents surveyed acknowledged they struggle to get their children ready for the new school term after the summer break. Challenges include establishing a new routine after a more relaxed holiday schedule, planning and organising school transportation, coordinating extracurricular activities, adjusting bedtimes and wake-up times, motivating children to feel excited about the new term, shopping for school supplies, and re-establishing homework routines.

As parents busy themselves with making packed lunches and sewing name tags, ensuring the family’s technology is properly set up for the new term can offer peace of mind while giving children more independence. In fact, 40% of those surveyed have used location-sharing apps to help reduce family stress and manage busy schedules.

Luisa Zissman, podcaster and mother of three, including her teenage daughter Dixie, has teamed up with Life360 as parents look for ways to manage the demands of family life and reduce stress during the back-to-school season. She said: “Back-to-school season can be super stressful trying to co-ordinate the family’s busy schedule. It can be made even more difficult when my daughter is off doing her own thing and doesn’t answer calls or texts, or let me know what her plans are after school. But I’ve found that giving her the freedom she craves, while staying connected through Life360, really helps us both.”

When asked about the top things their children do that frustrate them as the back-to-school season approaches, parents cited ignoring calls and texts, failing to share updates on their whereabouts, not informing them of after-school plans, forgetting to charge phones, and coming home later than expected. The survey also found that parents send an average of five messages each week inquiring about their child’s whereabouts, with 59% sometimes being ignored, and another four weekly texts trying to find out when their child will be home.

As a busy working mother, Luisa understands the stress of managing a hectic household. She continued, “Knowing where she is without having to constantly chase her for updates has taken a lot of stress out of our routine and helped me better coordinate our family’s busy schedule. It’s comforting to know exactly when she’s on her way home or heading to a friend’s place. This peace of mind lets us navigate the back-to-school chaos with a lot less stress.”

With almost half of parents who use location-sharing technology with their children agreeing that it reduces their worry about what their children are up to (47%), the top reasons for using this technology are:

  • To ensure my child is safe (61%)
  • For peace of mind (56%)
  • To quickly find my child if something goes wrong (47%)
  • To reduce my anxiety by providing real-time updates on their location (45%)
  • To keep an eye on where they go to avoid dangerous situations (35%)
  • To build trust when I can see they are where they said they were going (28%)
  • To ensure they are home on time (20%)
  • To make it easier to plan transportation and avoid delays (19%)
  • My child doesn’t usually respond to my messages about their whereabouts (16%)
  • To ensure they are going to school regularly (13%)

David Rice, International General Manager at Life360, said: “The back-to-school season is stressful enough for both parents and kids without constantly chasing each other for updates on each other’s whereabouts. By ensuring the whole family is always in the loop, parents and kids can ease some of that anxiety and navigate the chaos with a bit more confidence.”

He added, “It’s no surprise that Life360 saw a 66% increase in UK registrations during the first week of September last year. With features like real-time location sharing, arrival and departure notifications, low battery alerts, location history, and SOS with emergency services dispatch, Life360 genuinely helps alleviate frustrations for parents as their kids return to school.”

2024 US Open: British No1 Boulter knocked out in New York

Alex Hoad
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2024 US Open: British No1 Boulter knocked out in New York

British number one Katie Boulter claimed ‘everything was horrendous’ as she was dumped out of the US Open in the second round on Thursday night.

The 31st seed in Flushing Meadows was a break up in the first set before crumbling to lose in straight sets to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, a 21-year-old who had only played one Grand Slam match before this year.

Boulter, 28, broke early but surrendered her advantage to go down 7-5 in the opening set, and lost by the same score in the second, despite trying to mount a late comeback.

The world no74 has improved from being outside the top 150 in January and reached the third round at Wimbledon, beating defending champion Marketa Vondrousova along the way.

Boulter was picked up by cameras saying “everything was horrendous” to her team in the stands.

She only completed three matches on hard courts after representing Team GB on the clay of Roland Garros at the Paris Olympics.

The Spaniard will face either sixth seed Jessica Pegula or former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin in round three.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, seeded four, has withdrawn ahead of her second round match against Jessika Ponchet, the world no143 from France.

In the men’s draw Jannik Sinner saw-off home favourite Alex Michelsen 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to reach the third round.

England v Sri Lanka Second Test: Superb Root century paces England on opening day

Alex Hoad
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England v Sri Lanka Second Test: Superb Root century paces England on opening day

Joe Root cracked a record-equalling 33rd test century for England as the hosts piled on the runs on the opening day of the second Test at Lord’s.

The former skipper made 143 as England amassed 358-7, while Gus Atkinson scored an eye-catching 73 not out before stumps.

The tourists raised a few eyebrows when Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and chose to put England in under blue skies on what looked a placid track.

However the decision looked a clever one as a succession of batters gave away their wickets cheaply, with stand-in opener Dan Lawrence edging to the keeper on the walk for nine while stand-in skipper Ollie Pope went for one, holing out of an ill-advised pull shot.

Ben Duckett made a neat 40 but with England stumbling to 82-3 and 130-4, Root formed the bedrock of the innings and added 48 with Harry Brook (33) and 62 with Jamie Smith (21), but it needed the seventh-wicket stand of 92 with Surrey’s bowling all-rounder Atkinson to add respectability to the scoreboard in the benign conditions.

Root equalled the record for Test centuries at Lord’s with his sixth and passed Sir Alastair Cook as England’s highest Test run scorer on home soil, also matching Cook for 33 tons in an England shirt.

He survived a staunch LBW appeal on 11 and inside-edged past his own stumps on 59 but eventually fell in a preventable manner too, miscuing a reverse scoop off Milan Rathnayake to Pathum Nissanka at point, but Atkinson continued to complete a maiden half-century and build another 50 partnership with Matty Potts off the back of four sixes.

Police seek man in relation to sexual offences in Manchester

Helen Greaney
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Police seek man in relation to sexual offences in Manchester

Police want to speak to a man in relation to alleged sexual offences committed against a male.

At around 1.30am on Sunday, July 14, the victim was in Manchester’s Gay Village where he met a man.

The victim (21) blacked out and woke up in his hotel room the next morning.

CCTV shows the victim being escorted up to the hotel room by an unknown male believed to be the offender.

Anyone who recognises the man pictured is urged to contact Longsight CID on 0161 856 4259 and quote the log number 855 of 14/07/2024.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online via crimestoppers-uk.org

New heritage trail to uncover Middleton’s fascinating past

Helen Greaney
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New heritage trail to uncover Middleton’s fascinating past

A new trail celebrating Middleton’s rich history is set to launch as part of the national Heritage Open Days celebration this September.

The trail covers 24 fascinating sites across the area, including the Old Grammar School, Long Street Methodist Church and the Grade I-listed St Leonard’s Church, which includes Saxon-era features.

Described in a major architectural guide as a town of ‘considerable individuality, historically important and more distinguished than most in its architecture’, Middleton’s sights have a proud history, with links to radical reformers, the famous Arts and Crafts movement, and even an LS Lowry painting.

Local volunteers, architects, councillors and council staff have carefully selected the sites to showcase the best of the area.

Places to discover include the Ye Olde Boar’s Head. Likely dating from the 16th century, the pub later became a favoured drinking establishment of the late Middleton political reformer, Sam Bamford.

Also included on the trail is St Leonard’s Church, the oldest original church in the Manchester Diocese, and a number of buildings designed by the late, Middleton born architect, Edgar Wood, who was one of the most well-known champions of the famous Arts and Crafts style.

The trail has been broken down into three separate walks and guided walks of these smaller trails will be taking place on September 14 and 15.

Led by a mixture of volunteers and trained tour guides, the walks will take place at the following locations.

Saturday, September  14  

10:30am to 12:30pm (red route – Middleton’s Golden Cluster)

Meeting point – Car park by St Leonard’s Church, St Leonard’s Square, M24 6DJ

This walk will take in Middleton’s Golden Cluster of architecture and history, including Middleton’s oldest church and architectural gems designed by Edgar Wood. Walkers can find out more about the town’s links to the Jacobite rebellion and the Peterloo Massacre as part of the trail.

Saturday, September 14

2pm to 4pm (green route – Manchester Old Road and Alkrington Woods)

Meeting point – Moonraker Sculpture in Middleton Gardens, M24 4DF

This walk will take visitors from Middleton town centre, through Middleton’s parks and green spaces and onto beautiful late 19th century suburbs and stunning Palladian architecture.

Sunday, September 15     

10:30am to 1pm (red route – golden cluster and Blue route – Middleton Town Centre and Market Place)

Start point – Car park by St Leonard’s Church, St Leonard’s Square, M24 6DF

In addition to the highlights of the Golden Cluster, this route will take history buffs around Middleton’s mills and town centre. Visitors will find out more about Middleton’s social history and what it would have been like to live and work in Middleton during the industrial revolution.

Councillor Sue Smith said: “As someone who knows Middleton extremely well, I’m still surprised and awed by the sheer amount of history we have here. This trail, which has been carefully put together with the support of the community who are so passionate about their area, will give people a fascinating insight into this important place, which has so many stories to uncover.

“And as Heritage Open Days is a celebration of our country’s wonderful heritage, it’s a fantastic time to launch this new trail. I would love to see people coming along and find out more about Middleton’s past.”

The development of the trail has been supported by Rochdale Borough Council’s Middleton Township committee, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) and HPA Architects.

 

Understanding metal fabrication: Essential standards and best practice

Helen Greaney
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Understanding metal fabrication: Essential standards and best practice

Metal fabrication is one of the basic processes in the manufacturing industry, and it usually
involves cutting, bending, and building structures and parts out of raw metal materials.

These processes are heavily used in many industries, starting with mechanical engineering
and ending with electronics and power engineering. Nevertheless, for an optimal level of
quality and safety of the manufactured products, strict standards need to be met. It is very
important to be aware of these regulations for anybody who either needs or is involved in the
provision of metal fabrication services.

The fundamentals of metal fabrication

Metal fabrication is a multitiered process that commences with raw materials, usually in the
form of metal sheets or plates. The materials progress through several steps of being
changed:

Cutting: The very first step in fabrication, most times, is cutting the raw metal into the desired
shape or size. The techniques used for this are laser cutting, plasma cutting, and shearing.

Bending: The metal, once cut, can be bent to a specific angle or in form. This could be
carried out using press brakes or rolling machines.

Assembling: Finally, the fabricated pieces are assembled into the final product. This step
often includes welding, riveting, or the use of adhesives.

Each of these steps often requires detailed preparation and perfect execution for the final
product to be according to specification. Deviations from the design or poor workmanship
can lead to structural failures or unsafe products.

Who needs metal fabricators?

Many industries require metal fabricators to operate. A few examples are as follows:

Construction: The structural bones of any building, bridge, and other infrastructures are
manufactured by the fabricator in the shape of beams, columns, and other structural
members.

Automobiles: The automobile industry relies on precision in metal fabrication to come up with
strong and lightweight vehicle parts. The fabrication ranges from chassis to engine parts.

Aerospace: In aerospace, the stakes are even higher, for the fabricators are making the
parts that will withhold the tough conditions and features stringent safety.

Manufacturing and electronics: In the same way, the fabricators fabricate a host of products
in the electronic and manufacturing industries from machinery parts to electronic enclosures.

Medical devices: High quality demanded for surgical equipment, implants, and other critical
devices has nothing to expect from this industry.

What are the features of a trusted metal fabrication company?

In engaging a metal fabrication company to work with, the following are the essential
reliability and quality factors the company should have:

Experience and expertise: When you’re weighing up which company to go with, consider
where they have most expertise, for example, sheet metal fabricators should have a great
understanding of material, techniques, and industrial standards.

Certification: ISO 9001 or AWS D1.1 certification, among others, will more or less guarantee
quality, since their quality and practices are certified to meet industry standards or best
practice.

High-end technology: The current development of versatile technology in the form of CNC
machining and laser cutting allows for the fabrication process to be both efficient and
accurate. A company, using modern technology, is increasing its opportunities to solve
complex problems in fabrication.

Customer testimonials and references: Positive customer reviews and strong references
from past projects themselves are indicators that a company is both reliable and quality-
driven. Proper reviews need to be made, and where possible, previous clients need to be
contacted.

Compliance with safety standards: A company into metal fabrication, of course, ensures the
safety of its workers and their products. It should strictly follow OSHA and other safety
standards.

Conclusion

Metal fabrication is one such process that is supposed to be very integral in supporting all
other industries with their very basic elements and structures. In-line adherence to prevailing
standards is of essence for the quality, safety, and reliability of metal fabricated products.

Among the key factors for the choice of a metal fabricating partner would be experience,
certification, technology, and commitment to safety. With a good fabricator, companies can
be assured that projects will be successful; the metal-based products produced will live up to
the highest standards of quality.

Man jailed after web of lies leads to firearms find

Helen Greaney
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Man jailed after web of lies leads to firearms find

Jason Varccianna (37) of no fixed abode, has been jailed for nine years following a five-day trial.

He was found guilty of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, possession of ammunition with intent to endanger life, and possession of an offensive weapon and sentenced at Bolton Crown Court on Tuesday.

In December 2023, police were alerted to a car on Barlow Moor Road in Chorlton – that Varccianna was driving – due to the levels of tint on the windows. When requested by police, he pulled over and said his name was Daniel Johnson.

As the officer retrieved his vehicle kit to test the window tint, Varccianna locked his car and ran off. The vehicle was seized, and further checks showed that it belonged to a Jason Varccianna, incorrectly registered to an address on Dalton Avenue in Stretford.

Police declined Varcianna’s request for a friend to pick up the car as the circumstances appeared suspicious, and the car was never collected.

Later that month, Varccianna talked to police about the incident but refused to confirm who was driving the vehicle. He was arrested as he was wanted for unrelated matters.

In January, the vehicle was emptied by a third party following a disposal instruction from police. During the search, a firearm was found hidden under the passenger seat in a black plastic bag.

Armed officers and crime scene investigators attend the scene and identified that it was a viable firearm, later classified as an EKOL Gediz 9mm blank firing, self-loading pistol. A thorough search also revealed a baton, GPS tags  and paperwork indicating that this car belonged to Varccianna.

Extensive phone work was conducted on Varccianna’s phone to understand his movement on the night his car was seized by police in December. Despite the alias, Varccianna’s phone placed him in the immediate area in the moments following him making off from the police officer.

In January, Varccianna was arrested in Northwich. Officers searched him and found a Kinder Egg in his pocket which contained five wraps of hard white powder.

DS McCorry said: “Varccianna was caught with a deadly weapon which had the potential to inflict serious violence or end up in the hands of organised criminals. He went to great lengths to try and conceal his criminality, but ultimately, he was complacent, and he is now behind bars for a substantial amount of time.

“This investigation is an excellent example of collaboration between departments across Greater Manchester Police, and what started as a proactive vehicle stop resulted in a diligent investigation and a dangerous man being taken off our streets.”

University rooting for Paralympic medal hopefuls at Paris 2024 Games

Helen Greaney
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University rooting for Paralympic medal hopefuls at Paris 2024 Games

The University of Manchester is cheering on two talented athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Grace Harvey, Dental Public Health master’s student and immunology graduate at The University of Manchester, will be heading to the French capital this month to compete in the para-swimming events.

This is not Grace’s first Paralympic appearance, having cinched a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 100m breaststroke (SB5). She went on to win gold in the same event at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira in 2022, and silver in the Manchester event in 2023 held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

She has come a long way in her swimming career, having started the sport for physiotherapy and joining her first swimming club at nine years old. Grace is now the current European champion in the 100m breaststroke (SB5), collecting gold at the 2024 Championships in Madeira and silver in the 100m freestyle (S6).

From Ware, Hertfordshire, Grace is a 10-time British record holder and she swam for the University at the 2018 British Universities and Colleges Sport championships. She is also a University of Manchester Sport Scholar, with her extensive training regime comprising of 8 pool sessions, three gym sessions and two indoor rowing sessions a week.

Also appearing at the Paralympics this year is Archie Atkinson. Enrolled on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and supported by the University, he will be making his Paralympic debut as part of Team GB’s para-cycling team.

Despite being in the early stages of his cycling career, Archie has already won gold in the MC4 individual pursuit at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships this year. He also secured gold in the MC4 scratch race at the UCI Cycling World Championships – Para-track, and bronze in the MC4 road race at the UCI Cycling World Championships – Para-road.

James Marenghi, head of Sport & Physical Activity at The University of Manchester, said: “The scholarship programmes at The University of Manchester are vital in ensuring students are supported in balancing their studies and progressing their sporting aspirations. We are therefore delighted to see a number of our past and present student athletes progress to represent their country in the biggest sports event on the planet and are proud of their achievements.

“Everyone at the University wishes Grace and Archie the very best of luck for their individual competitions, and we will all be supporting them in their aims of winning Paralympic gold!”

The University of Manchester has a proud history of developing elite sportspeople, from students and alumni to athletes supported through TASS, a Sport England funded partnership delivered across education institutions.

Since the scheme launched in 2004, The University of Manchester has been proud to be a TASS Delivery Site. Supporting over 150 athletes over this time, the University provides physiotherapy, lifestyle advice, nutrition support and sport psychology services.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games run until September 8.

Bluewater: Global Study Reveals Over Half of People Do Not Trust Their Tap Water

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Bluewater: Global Study Reveals Over Half of People Do Not Trust Their Tap Water

A major global study from the United States reveals that 40 percent of people worldwide are losing trust in tap water due to fears over its safety, a concerning insight that demands urgent government action, says Bluewater, a global innovator in water purification and beverage solutions. The study – published in the journal Nature Communications – surveyed 148,585 adults across 141 countries, conducted by researchers at Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“This shocking revelation underlines the need for governments and water authorities worldwide to urgently tackle the contamination of our drinking water by toxic chemicals, microplastics, and other pollution,” said Bluewater founder and CEO Bengt Rittri. The Swedish ecopreneur added that public distrust of tap water is driving the consumption of bottled water, which has a profoundly negative impact on the planet’s health, environment, and inhabitants.

According to the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health, over 600 billion single-use plastic bottles are produced annually; most are not recycled and end up in landfills and oceans, where they release toxic chemicals and break down into micro and nanoplastic particles. A groundbreaking 2023 report entitled ‘Hidden Hazards: The Chemical Footprint of a Plastic Bottle’ concluded that the proliferation of PET plastics “may prolong the climate crisis, threaten human health, and promote environmental racism.”

Mr Rittri noted that the new study highlights how difficult it is for consumers to assess the hazards and safety of their water supply because many contaminants cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. He expressed astonishment that 39% of those polled in the United States believed they could face serious harm from drinking tap water in the short term.

“When we launched Bluewater in 2013, it was with a planet plan rather than a traditional business vision, with the aim to develop technologies and solutions that would end the need for single-use plastic bottles,” Mr Rittri said. He added that Bluewater continues to vigorously pursue its plan, offering a steady stream of solutions that allow consumers and businesses to turn tap water into purified water that is safer and healthier to drink.

In 2024 alone, Bluewater has introduced a series of new products, including a unique kitchen station for homes and restaurants that removes up to 99.7 percent of contaminants such as toxic PFAS chemicals and microplastics from tap water, while adding vital minerals for enhanced health and taste.

Bluewater has also launched a new range of public dispensers in Europe called Bluewater Flow, designed for use in public spaces such as gyms, offices, hospitals, and schools. Other public dispensing solutions have proven hugely successful at major sporting and other events looking to boost their sustainability credentials, including golf, sailing, and running events like the British Open, The Ocean Race, America’s Cup, the Cape Town Marathon, governmental events such as COP 27 and 28, and numerous business conferences.

“We understand that the only way to tackle the plastic bottle menace is to restore public confidence in tap water, which will take substantial time, effort and money… or to increase awareness that solutions exist – like those provided by Bluewater that enable consumers to purify their tap water at point of use,” Mr Rittri said.

Estithmar Holding QPSC Successfully Issues QAR 500 Million Sukuk

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Estithmar Holding QPSC Successfully Issues QAR 500 Million Sukuk

The issuance marks the first corporate Sukuk in Qatari Riyal

Estithmar Holding QPSC is proud to announce the successful issuance of a QAR 500 million Sukuk, the first corporate Sukuk to be denominated in Qatari Riyal. This issuance represents the inaugural tranche of its QAR 3.4 billion Sukuk programme, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market (ISM).

The 3-year Sukuk offers a coupon rate of 8.75% and has garnered substantial interest from institutional investors, both governmental and non-governmental. The investor mix includes banks, insurance companies, and asset managers, with settlement expected in five days.

The Sukuk programme has been rated qaBBB (stable) on the Qatar National Scale by Capital Intelligence. Al Rayan Investment LLC, The First Investor QSCC, and Lesha Bank LLC acted as Joint Lead Managers (JLMs) for the issuance.

This issuance marks a significant achievement for Estithmar Holding QSPC, demonstrating the company’s ability to diversify its funding sources to support its long-term strategic growth objectives.

Eng. Mohamad Bin Badr Al-Sadah, Group CEO of Estithmar Holding, commented: “The issuance of the first corporate QAR-denominated Sukuk is a historic milestone for Estithmar Holding. Being listed on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market, this issuance has garnered significant interest from a diverse mix of investors.

This broad investor appetite is a testament to the confidence in our strategic growth plan across all four of our key divisions: healthcare, services, ventures, and specialised contracting.

The healthcare sector within Estithmar Holding has seen remarkable growth, particularly with the progress of The View Hospital in partnership with Cedars Sinai, and the opening of the Korean Medical Center KMC. This reflects our commitment to providing world-class healthcare services to Qatar and the region and contributes to medical tourism, with regional expansion through operating two hospitals in Iraq, and the upcoming completion of the Algerian-Qatari-German Hospital in Algeria. Estithmar Holding currently owns and operates facilities with a total capacity of more than 2000 beds.

Additionally, our services sector, which includes facilities management, catering, and resource supply, continues to expand both within Qatar and internationally.

Our ventures sector is set for significant success with major projects such as the Rosewood Resort in the Maldives and Rixos in Baghdad, both nearing completion, alongside the ongoing development of our existing touristic ventures in Qatar, including Al Maha Island, Katara Hills, and Maysan Doha, among others.

Our specialised contracting sector is also experiencing substantial growth, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we have seen a remarkable increase in our market share through key strategic projects.

The success of the Sukuk programme is the culmination of our broader growth strategy, which aims to deliver increasing investment value to our shareholders and reinforce Estithmar Holding’s leadership across all its operating sectors.”

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