Latest news with #Magnet
The Sun
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Struggling to sell your house? Boost your property price by £46k with 5 features buyers want, from as little as 55p
If your home's stuck on the market, small DIY tweaks could be the key to unlocking serious value – up to £80,000 in some cases – and you don't need a huge budget to get started. Across the UK, homeowners are turning to budget-friendly upgrades to help attract buyers and push up asking prices. From kitchen fixes to kerb appeal, these clever features are proving popular with house-hunters – and small upgrades, like new cupboard handles starting at just 55p, can make a big difference. Kitchens sell homes – and you don't need a full refit to impress. Just swapping out tired cupboard handles or giving walls a lick of paint could work wonders. Upgrade your kitchen Daniel Copley, Consumer Spokesperson at Zoopla, said: "The explosion of DIY trends on TikTok over the past year has undoubtedly led to an increase in people doing budget renovations. "We know kitchens are a key selling point for many buyers – and the centre of activity in many households – so DIY projects are often focussed on this space. "Getting this right can add value and make your home more appealing.' He added in an interview with Magnet: 'Superficial touches, such as replacing broken handles or treating worktops, could give your kitchen a quick update and improve your chances of adding value.' Even updating taps, resealing tiles, or adding stick-on splashbacks can bring your space up to date – and make it stand out in online listings. Swapping out an old kitchen tap can cost as little as £15–£30, depending on the style and finish. Resealing tiles with fresh silicone is another quick win, with sealant tubes priced at around £5–£10 each. For a more noticeable upgrade, stick-on splashbacks – including marble, tile-effect, or stainless steel designs – typically range from £10 to £30, and can completely transform tired kitchen walls in under an hour. Add panelling Panelling is one of the easiest ways to give a room a luxury feel without blowing the budget. Self-adhesive MDF or foam wall panels are widely available and cost between £12 and £60 per wall, depending on size and design. Popular choices include shaker-style and fluted timber-effect panels, often seen in hallways or bedrooms. You'll also need basic tools like a level, saw and adhesive – available from around £5 to £10 – making this one of the most affordable DIY upgrades that adds instant style. Popular in bedrooms and hallways, these DIY kits are now widely available and easy to install. Tool and DIY expert Glen Peskett from Saxton Blades explained: 'We're seeing a big shift toward cosmetic DIY this year, simple jobs that make your home feel more stylish, secure and ready to sell. I turned a derelict, rotten garage that people used as a loo into a stunning two-bedroom home "Many people are surprised how far a small spend can go when you've got the right tools and materials to do it yourself.'pan It's not just for the experts either. Many panels come pre-cut and self-adhesive, meaning you don't need power tools or professional help. Just a spirit level and a spare afternoon. Swap out light switches They're small, but buyers notice them. Old, yellowing switches can instantly date a home, while sleek flatplate alternatives make it feel more modern and put-together. Updating your light switches is a quick, low-effort job with high visual impact. Flatplate designs in black, brushed steel or brass start from just £4–£10 per switch, and are widely stocked by retailers like Toolstation and B&Q. Replacing a handful of tired switches throughout the home can give it a polished, contemporary edge that buyers instantly notice. Glen Peskett continued: "A quick aesthetic win. Swapping out dated white switches for flatplate, black or brushed brass alternatives instantly modernises interiors. "You'd be amazed how much sleeker a space feels with updated switches. It's the kind of detail buyers notice.' This is a quick fix that takes minutes and can be done room-by-room, keeping costs down while freshening up your interiors. EV charging points With more drivers going electric, homes with a charging point are increasingly attractive to buyers. The typical cost to install an electric car charger at home in the UK ranges from £800 to £1200, and whilst the upfront cost might seem steep, the potential payoff is worth it, especially in suburban or commuter areas. A 7kW charger is most common for households, with faster 22kW options costing more. Government grants may also be available to help with installation, depending on your location. Adding an EV point doesn't just future-proof your property – it makes it more desirable to eco-conscious and tech-savvy buyers. Up front cost: £800-1200 House price boost: £3,000 to £5,000 according to the National Association of Property Buyers. Boost curb appeal Cleaning windows, repainting your front door, and adding greenery with potted plants or hanging baskets can make your home more inviting from the moment buyers arrive. Curb appeal, or how your home looks from the street, can increase value by as much as 11 per cent, according to property experts. And you don't need a gardener – even just trimming hedges and clearing the path can make a noticeable difference. In competitive markets, a well-kept exterior can tip the scales in your favour and secure a quicker sale. With the average cost of moving house rising and the market still unpredictable, homeowners are getting creative. These simple, affordable improvements don't just add polish – they could also make or break your sale. And while you don't need to splash out on all five at once, even picking one or two could help your home stand out from the crowd. 2
Web Release
03-07-2025
- Health
- Web Release
Saudi German Hospital Jeddah Becomes the First and Only Hospital Outside the USA to Earn Magnet Recognition with Distinction
Saudi German Hospital Jeddah Becomes the First and Only Hospital Outside the USA to Earn Magnet Recognition with Distinction In a historic milestone for healthcare worldwide, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah has been officially awarded Magnet Recognition with Distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) — the most prestigious international honor for nursing performance and patient care quality. This makes SGH Jeddah the first and only hospital outside the United States to receive this designation, setting a new global benchmark and placing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the forefront of nursing excellence. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to only the highest-performing Magnet organizations globally, recognizing institutions that not only meet but exceed rigorous standards in nursing leadership, innovation, and patient outcomes. SGH Jeddah now stands as a global role model for nursing excellence, committed to delivering world-class care and transforming the patient experience. 'This is a proud moment for Jeddah and for our entire Saudi German Health family,' said Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, Vice Chairman of Saudi German Health. 'To be the first and only hospital outside the USA to earn Magnet Recognition with Distinction is an extraordinary achievement. It honors the incredible people behind our vision: our nurses, our caregivers, and our entire healthcare team. Their daily dedication enables us to bring world-class care to our community. Today, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah stands as a symbol of what's possible when compassion and excellence come together in service of every patient.' Dr. Ahmed Shebl, Group CEO of Saudi German Health, added: 'The Magnet Recognition is far more than a credential, earning it with Distinction places us among the most elite hospitals worldwide. It reflects a culture that relentlessly pushes the boundaries of what healthcare can achieve. This honor affirms that we are not only delivering care, but transforming lives through innovation, leadership, and patient-centered excellence.' Ms. Iman El Kouwatly, Group Chief Nursing Officer, shared: 'For our nurses, this recognition is deeply personal. Being recognized with Distinction validates the heart, skill, and excellence they bring to every patient encounter. Under the leadership of Eng. Ahmed El Banna, CEO of SGH Jeddah, and Ms. Hadia Al Tabsh, CNO of SGH Jeddah, our nursing team lives our philosophy of 'caring like family' giving their best every day to make a meaningful difference.' The Magnet Recognition Program is the gold standard for nursing excellence globally, with Magnet hospitals consistently delivering superior patient outcomes, higher satisfaction, and increased staff engagement. With this achievement, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah joins SGH Aseer and SGH Riyadh as part of a select group of Magnet-designated institutions within Saudi German Health, reinforcing the group's leadership in quality care and its commitment to 'Caring like family': combining innovation with heart, for every patient, every time.
Mid East Info
02-07-2025
- Health
- Mid East Info
Saudi German Hospital Jeddah Becomes the First and Only Hospital Outside the USA to Earn Magnet Recognition with Distinction
In a historic milestone for healthcare worldwide, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah has been officially awarded Magnet Recognition with Distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center ANCC — the most prestigious international honor for nursing performance and patient care quality. This makes SGH Jeddah the first and only hospital outside the United States to receive this designation, setting a new global benchmark and placing the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the forefront of nursing excellence. Magnet with Distinction is awarded to only the highest-performing Magnet organizations globally, recognizing institutions that not only meet but exceed rigorous standards in nursing leadership, innovation, and patient outcomes. SGH Jeddah now stands as a global role model for nursing excellence, committed to delivering world-class care and transforming the patient experience. 'This is a proud moment for Jeddah and for our entire Saudi German Health family,' said Makarem Sobhi Batterjee, Vice Chairman of Saudi German Health. 'To be the first and only hospital outside the USA to earn Magnet Recognition with Distinction is an extraordinary achievement. It honors the incredible people behind our vision: our nurses, our caregivers, and our entire healthcare team. Their daily dedication enables us to bring world-class care to our community. Today, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah stands as a symbol of what's possible when compassion and excellence come together in service of every patient.' Dr. Ahmed Shebl, Group CEO of Saudi German Health, added: 'The Magnet Recognition is far more than a credential, earning it with Distinction places us among the most elite hospitals worldwide. It reflects a culture that relentlessly pushes the boundaries of what healthcare can achieve. This honor affirms that we are not only delivering care, but transforming lives through innovation, leadership, and patient-centered excellence.' Ms. Iman El Kouwatly, Group Chief Nursing Officer, shared: 'For our nurses, this recognition is deeply personal. Being recognized with Distinction validates the heart, skill, and excellence they bring to every patient encounter. Under the leadership of Eng. Ahmed El Banna, CEO of SGH Jeddah, and Ms. Hadia Al Tabsh, CNO of SGH Jeddah, our nursing team lives our philosophy of 'caring like family' giving their best every day to make a meaningful difference.' The Magnet Recognition Program is the gold standard for nursing excellence globally, with Magnet hospitals consistently delivering superior patient outcomes, higher satisfaction, and increased staff engagement. With this achievement, Saudi German Hospital Jeddah joins SGH Aseer and SGH Riyadh as part of a select group of Magnet-designated institutions within Saudi German Health, reinforcing the group's leadership in quality care and its commitment to 'Caring like family': combining innovation with heart, for every patient, every time.
ABC News
20-06-2025
- ABC News
Friends to continue search two years after Belgian tourist Celine Cremer vanished at Philosopher Falls
Celine Cremer is not the first person to vanish without a trace in the thick Tarkine rainforest on Tasmania's west coast. The 31-year-old Belgian tourist disappeared at Philosopher Falls two years ago, a walk named after the prospector and mining investor James "Philosopher" Smith, who is said to have changed the entire fate of Tasmania by discovering tin at Mount Bischoff. The walk is a short trek outside the town of Waratah, and is known for its enchanting forest, brightly coloured fungi, and a glimpse into the region's mining past. Signage on the track explains that it follows a water race that carried water from the Arthur River to the now ghost mining town of Magnet to provide hydro power. A century later, private investigator Ken Gamble is scrambling through the forest, but he is not looking for minerals. "I've been to a lot of very rough areas and I spent three years in the army reserve and I've never seen anything like this," Mr Gamble said. "This was something else. Once you get into the area where she disappeared, it is really something I've never seen before, and it's dangerous. Another sign down near the falls, just readable under years of forest grime, shares the history of the conditions early prospectors faced. This quote on the sign has seemingly become prophetic. The woody interlacing branches, even when not an inch in diameter, will bear the weight of a man laden with his knapsack. But woe betide the luckless wight who, while travelling through this scrub, treads on the treacherous mossy disguised twig or branch which has decayed. Should this not infrequent case happen, down to unknown depths he may drop, while the green treacherous mossy carpet springs into its place like a trap, concealing the engulfed explorer. It is to be feared that one or two of our missing mining prospectors have met their fate this way… — RM Johnson, Systemic account of geology of Tasmania, 1888 Ms Cremer was reported missing on June 26, 2023, when she did not get on the Spirit of Tasmania as planned. Her car was found in the car park of the Philosopher Falls walking track the next day, but it is believed to have been there since June 17. Search and rescue teams conducted an extensive search of the area, using swiftwater rescue experts and a cadaver dog, but efforts were formally suspended on July 10 with winter conditions not considered survivable. Mr Gamble became involved in the case when Ms Cremer's friend Justine Ropet reached out to him. Her friends and family were frustrated that authorities could find no trace of her, and they wanted answers. Mr Gamble had worked on the disappearance of another Belgian in Australia, Theo Hayez. His specialty is complex cybercrime and large-scale online fraud, but he gets involved in select missing person cases when he believes police could have missed something. With permission from Ms Cremer's mother, Ariane, he obtained her phone data and began a pro bono investigation. He went through Ms Cremer's phone data and said he discovered additional settings within the raw data inside her Google account. "That actually provided me with very detailed GPS points, and I was able to map that out, and that gave me her last 40-plus GPS points up until 4:18pm on the day she disappeared," he said. "I put those into a map and a diagram, and I was surprised to learn that particular area was not searched." Mr Gamble ended up travelling to the forest in April 2024 to conduct his own search with a team on high ground above the walking track. "We went to that exact location and started searching from that point onwards. We were there for a couple of days," he said. He said the ground where she had gone was "treacherous". "It was thick, it had a large canopy of growth over it, and you couldn't actually walk through the forest — you had to climb under logs and over trees," he said. He returned again in May after organising a drone search with the help of drone expert Daniel Wood using LiDAR technology to capture the contours of the ground and to detect anything unusual. Mr Wood has a background in criminology, and his drone work is credited with finding the remains of Corey O'Connell in Western Australia two years after he went missing. Even the drone struggled to get accurate readings due to how thickly covered the ground was. But it captured an image of something with an unusual colour. "The police took that really seriously and sent their own team up to do an additional search," Mr Gamble said. The public was also able to help search for Ms Cremer by looking through the images captured by the drone. But again, nothing was found, and a third ground search by Mr Gamble's team also got no results. Because Ms Cremer had location services turned on, Mr Gamble said parts of her route could be traced. "You can see intermittent connections when she leaves the car park, and then it goes off for quite a while because she's walking in an area that has no coverage," he said. "Then right at the end of the trail across what's called Seven Mile Creek, she comes back into range again, and you can actually see by the coordinates where she's walking. "You can see where she's turned, and she's suddenly gone off the trail and gone up into high ground." He believed she had her phone's map on and was trying to follow it back to her car. Mr Gamble said he believed there was compelling evidence that something went wrong up in that area. "I strongly believe she is within a 1 kilometre radius of the area where she was last pinged at 4:18pm," he said. Friends of Ms Cremer have booked flights to come to Tasmania in December to do their own search. Ms Cremer's mother, Ariane, is helping organise the trip, but says she's been "very confident" with Tasmania Police in the search for her daughter, and she appreciates the support from the Tasmanian community. "I am still happy with the support we get from the other side of the world," she says. Ariane will not be travelling to Tasmania as part of the group, but says she hopes they will be able to find something. "I really do hope for us and for all the people involved to find a clue." In a post on social media translated from French, her friend Elo said they were "no longer hoping for miracles, only answers". "It will soon be two years since our childhood friend disappeared, without a trace, in a Tasmanian rainforest. Time passes but silence remains unbearable and its absence leaves a void that nothing fills," the post said. Her best friend, Justine Ropet, who has been working with Mr Gamble, also posted about the trip, saying the group of four would be going to the site to explore it themselves. "[The group will] be guided by Tasmanian Police, involved from the start, supported by experts and supported by volunteers," she said. "We sincerely hope to find a trace: an object, a clue, something." Tasmania Police Inspector Andrew Hanson said foul play was considered early on in the investigation into Ms Cremer's disappearance. "There is no evidence of anything else other than a misadventure," he told ABC Radio Hobart. Tasmania Police and Mr Gamble agree that she went off-track. Inspector Hanson said he acknowledged the pain Ms Cremer's family was feeling, and that it was a difficult decision to suspend the search. "We're still in touch with her family, mostly through her mum Ariane, and we are very keen and very committed to continue what efforts we can. "It's quite limited with the terrain and with the work that's already been done and with the passage of time, but we never close missing person cases." Inspector Hanson said visitors to Tasmania did not realise how dense bushland could be, and Philosopher Falls was an example of that. "We are very committed to continuing to help Ariane find her daughter, and that means assessing any new information or any new technologies that might help in that effort," he said.
Newsweek
01-06-2025
- General
- Newsweek
American Teacher in South Korea Compares School Lunch to U.S.—'Grotesque'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. An American working as a teacher in South Korea has shared photographs showing how different school lunches are there to the ones he had growing up. William Pacheco is an elementary school teacher at Keisung Primary School in Daegu, South Korea. He's been living in South Korea for over 15 years now but grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. That background has given him a unique perspective when it comes to comparing the school lunches he enjoys today with the ones he had as a kid. Though he's keen to stress his perspective comes from his memories of growing up in Florida back in the 1990s, Pacheco told Newsweek he was taken aback when he first saw how "vastly different" school meals are in South Korea. "The food is fresher and far less processed," Pacheco said. "Students receive more food and based on what I have seen, students actually want to eat the food. Most school food I had growing up was almost inedible." Lobster was served for lunch at a South Korean School. Lobster was served for lunch at a South Korean School. William Pacheco Pacheco's memories of school lunches back then are not always positive ones, with the educator branding some of what was served to him as "prison food." "As a kid, I had to deal with milk that came in a bag and stale food of questionable quality that had to be eaten with a plastic spork," he said. "On some days it was grotesque. I distinctly remember kids tossing out entire meals because it was inedible." Keisung Primary School in Daegu is a government funded private school, not unlike a school in the Magnet school program in the U.S., with students and staff served the same meals. "I look forward to them," Pacheco said. "There's enough variety for me to not get bored of them." Thinking about the key difference between the school lunches he enjoys now in South Korea and the ones he had as a kid in the US, Pacheco said: "A lot more care and prep is required to make the meals in Korea. It's not about tossing bagged food onto a tray or into a microwave." Eager to spark debate on the subject and encourage people around the world to compare school lunches, Pacheco shared a series of photos to Reddit under the handle u/novadaemon. The post, shared earlier in May, amassed more than 1,000 upvotes, and included a phot from the day teachers and pupils at his school were served lobster tails. "The lobster thing was a special event. It isn't on the menu all the time, but the fact that the kids got the opportunity to eat it is something that would never happen back home," he said. "The variety of food here is amazing." A pair of students' school lunches, including highly sought-after lobster tail. A pair of students' school lunches, including highly sought-after lobster tail. William Pacheco Though he acknowledges he works in a private school, Pacheco said a similar standard exists in the public school system and that, crucially, the vast majority of school meals are free to children, which stands in stark contrast to the U.S. Though he knows his understanding of school lunches in the U.S. today is limited, he has friends with kids back home who have shown him what they eat. He's also seen some of pictures shared on social media showing of some of what is served to kids today. "Although I think it is a vast improvement over what I got as a kid, it is still full of processed carbs, fats and preservatives," he said. Improving the quality of food served in U.S. schools is an ongoing concern. In April last year, the U.S. The Department of Agriculture's (USDA) introduced new limits on added sugars as part of a new set of standards that also aim to reduce sodium levels in kids' meals. In a gradual shift to school meals, by fall 2027 the aim is to see a 10 per cent reduction of sodium in breakfast, and 15 per cent reduction for lunch, and a reduction in added sugars, with phase one seeing limits on specific high-sugar items, such as cereals and yoghurt, and phase two a reduction in overall weekly limits. Under the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service guidance, schools are required to follow the MyPlate standards for lunches that require kids to be served a plate of food that is made up of grains, vegetables, milk, protein foods and fruits. However, key government figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have called for an overhaul of the school lunch system with a greater focus on nutrition. A selection of the lunches served to children at a school in South Korea. A selection of the lunches served to children at a school in South Korea. William Pacheco Pacheco is skeptical about that approach though. "The U.S. could raise nutritional value standards and companies would just find the cheapest way to load the food with artificially sourced nutrients," he said. "I would just be more concerned with providing kids with balanced and fresh options in a format that is appealing," Pacheco said. "The meals here are balanced and contain fresh ingredients. Kids are exposed to a variety of food from a bunch of different countries as well. Their protein sources aren't limited to beef, chicken and pork. They also get a wider variety of fruits and vegetables." Pacheco acknowledges the quality of lunches today has improved but still feels it could "definitely be better" and wonders whether the quality of what is served today in the US may well be having a wider negative impact. "If a way to a man's heart is through his stomach, that would certainly apply here to kids," he said." I truly believe that c****y school lunches have a negative effect on the entire schooling experience in America. The more I think about it the more negative I feel about it." Newsweek reached out to Keisung Primary School for comment via Instagram.
