Latest news with #Nichol
Fashion United
6 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
US brand Rockport to enter UK and Ireland via new Authentic deal
US footwear brand Rockport is set to enter the UK and Ireland through a new deal between its parent company Authentic Brands Group and distribution firm Chapters brand Group. Through the agreement, Chapters will distribute Rockport men's and women's footwear across the two regions. In a release, Chapters' managing director, Graeme Nichol, said there was 'a clear demand for footwear that combines everyday functionality with thoughtful design and Rockport delivers exactly that'. Nichol noted that Chapters' has 'stuck faithfully to the brand's original specifications' for footwear classics like the Umbwe, which still incorporates 'Vibram soles, Hydroshield membranes, full moccasin construction and sumptuous, butter calf leathers'. In his own statement, Henry Stupp, president, lifestyle and entertainment EMEAI at Authentic, added: 'Rockport is a brand with a strong heritage, global recognition and a loyal following. 'Chapters' deep understanding of the regional markets and expertise in brand building make them the ideal partner to establish Rockport's presence and unlock long-term growth across these important regions.' Rockport, founded in 1971, was acquired by Authentic in 2023 after the brand had filed with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Authentic's intention was to secure strategic partnerships to 'propel the Rockport brand into new heights', efforts of which had already been made evident by the establishment of a licensing agreement in the US with Marc Fisher Footwear.
Scottish Sun
30-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
The 5p old-wives all natural hack that stops wasps, bees and flies coming into your home as the weather warms up
According to the TikToker, you only need to do this trick every three to four days BUZZ OFF The 5p old-wives all natural hack that stops wasps, bees and flies coming into your home as the weather warms up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AS the weather is warming up and Brits are enjoying glorious sunshine, there's another, less welcome, guest - pesky flies and wasps. Luckily, one savvy woman has come to rescue with the perfect old-wives solution - and not only is it natural, it also costs just 5p. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 One savvy woman revealed how to use a common cooking ingredient to keep pesky flies and wasps away Credit: Getty 2 According to the TikToker, you only need to do this trick every three to four days Credit: Tiktok/@nicholsonbaba TikToker Nichol explained that to keep annoying insects out of your home for good this summer you may wish to check your kitchen first. Here, you will find an onion - which according to the woman, can be used to deter the unwanted visitors and keep your home pest-free. If you've run out of onions, you can find them for as little as 10p at most supermarkets, such as Sainsbury's and Tesco. For the summer hack, you will only need to use half an onion, so the trick works out to be even cheaper - a mere 5p per use. Demonstrating the simple yet effective trick on her page, Nichol instructed: ''Get the onion - and go over your windows, guys. ''Rub the onion, guys, keep them wasps, mosquitos and flies away.'' She went on the informative video: ''Let the smell of that onion steep into your door and your windows. ''Keep the smell there, keep rubbing, guys.'' If you're worried about the reek ruining your home - and day- fear not, as the cleaning fan claimed the pungent aroma ''disappears after a really short time''. For bets results, Nichol told fellow TikTokers she follows the ''fantastic'' onion method every three to four days. Everyone can see the bees - but you have 20-20 vision & high IQ if you can spot the queen in 11 seconds 'What a lifesaver' Since being shared online, where Nichol boasts close to 13,000 followers, the clip has racked up more than 263k views, 8,700 likes and 183 comments in less than 24 hours. One woman had seen the video just in time, writing: ''What a life saver, these flies are driving me insane already!' Another chimed in: ''Ooooh I live in Dubai and the mosquitos that fly in my door are next level! Why do flies come out in summer? Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE! The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures. Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active. The hotter weather also let's them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs. House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours! In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days. The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months! ''Definitely trying this just hope it doesn't stink with the heat.'' ''I'm so trying this, I'm allergic to bees and wasps,'' someone else commented. However, not everyone will be racing to put the purse-friendly hack to test themselves, as many feared streaks and a nasty stench. ''Nope. after cleaning my windows I think not. my door screen protectors will do and windows shut,'' a viewer said. ''What about the smell when people walk towards your doors,'' a critic wasn't entirely convinced.
The Irish Sun
30-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Irish Sun
The 5p old-wives all natural hack that stops wasps, bees and flies coming into your home as the weather warms up
AS the weather is warming up and Brits are enjoying glorious sunshine, there's another, less welcome, guest - pesky flies and wasps. Luckily, one savvy woman has come to rescue with the perfect old-wives solution - and not only is it natural, it also costs just 5p. Advertisement 2 One savvy woman revealed how to use a common cooking ingredient to keep pesky flies and wasps away Credit: Getty 2 According to the TikToker, you only need to do this trick every three to four days Credit: Tiktok/@nicholsonbaba TikToker Nichol explained that to Here, you will find an onion - which according to the woman, can be used to deter the unwanted visitors and If you've run out of onions, you can find them for as little as 10p at most For the Advertisement READ MORE ON HOMES Demonstrating the simple yet effective trick on ''Rub the onion, guys, keep them She went on ''Keep the smell there, keep rubbing, guys.'' Advertisement Most read in Fabulous If you're worried about the reek ruining your home - and day- fear not, as the cleaning fan claimed the pungent aroma ''disappears after a really short time''. For bets results, Nichol told fellow TikTokers she follows the ''fantastic'' onion method every three to four days. Everyone can see the bees - but you have 20-20 vision & high IQ if you can spot the queen in 11 seconds 'What a lifesaver' Since being shared online, where Nichol boasts close to 13,000 followers, the clip has racked up more than 263k views, 8,700 likes and 183 comments in less than 24 hours. One woman had seen the video just in time, writing: ''What a life saver, these flies are driving me insane already!' Advertisement Another chimed in: ''Ooooh I live in Dubai and the mosquitos that fly in my door are next level! Why do flies come out in summer? Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE! The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures. Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active. The hotter weather also let's them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs. House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours! In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days. The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months! ''Definitely trying this just hope it doesn't stink with the heat.'' ''I'm so trying this, I'm allergic to bees and wasps,'' someone else commented. However, not everyone will be racing to put the purse-friendly hack to test themselves, as many feared streaks and a nasty stench. Advertisement ''Nope. after cleaning my windows I think not. my door screen protectors will do and windows shut,'' a viewer said. ''What about the smell when people walk towards your doors,'' a critic wasn't entirely convinced.
The Sun
30-04-2025
- General
- The Sun
The 5p old-wives all natural hack that stops wasps, bees and flies coming into your home as the weather warms up
AS the weather is warming up and Brits are enjoying glorious sunshine, there's another, less welcome, guest - pesky flies and wasps. Luckily, one savvy woman has come to rescue with the perfect old-wives solution - and not only is it natural, it also costs just 5p. 2 2 TikToker Nichol explained that to keep annoying insects out of your home for good this summer you may wish to check your kitchen first. Here, you will find an onion - which according to the woman, can be used to deter the unwanted visitors and keep your home pest-free. If you've run out of onions, you can find them for as little as 10p at most supermarkets, such as Sainsbury's and Tesco. For the summer hack, you will only need to use half an onion, so the trick works out to be even cheaper - a mere 5p per use. Demonstrating the simple yet effective trick on her page, Nichol instructed: ''Get the onion - and go over your windows, guys. ''Rub the onion, guys, keep them wasps, mosquitos and flies away.'' She went on the informative video: ''Let the smell of that onion steep into your door and your windows. ''Keep the smell there, keep rubbing, guys.'' If you're worried about the reek ruining your home - and day- fear not, as the cleaning fan claimed the pungent aroma ''disappears after a really short time''. For bets results, Nichol told fellow TikTokers she follows the ''fantastic'' onion method every three to four days. Everyone can see the bees - but you have 20-20 vision & high IQ if you can spot the queen in 11 seconds 'What a lifesaver' Since being shared online, where Nichol boasts close to 13,000 followers, the clip has racked up more than 263k views, 8,700 likes and 183 comments in less than 24 hours. One woman had seen the video just in time, writing: ''What a life saver, these flies are driving me insane already!' Another chimed in: ''Ooooh I live in Dubai and the mosquitos that fly in my door are next level! Why do flies come out in summer? Flies are present all year round, but all of a sudden when summer comes, they are just EVERYWHERE! The main contributing factors are the breeding cycle of flies and the soaring temperatures. Insects are cold blooded and in summer, when their body temperature rises from the external heat, they become more active. The hotter weather also let's them seek out cool moist spots, like inside your home, to escape from the sweltering heat and to lay their eggs. House Fly eggs take around 20 hours to hatch, but when the temperature rises above 37 degrees, can hatch within 8 hours! In extreme hot weather the eggs can mature from larvae to adult fly in as little as four days. The average lifespan of a housefly is 21 days, so each female can lay up to 900 eggs during the summer months! ''Definitely trying this just hope it doesn't stink with the heat.'' ''I'm so trying this, I'm allergic to bees and wasps,'' someone else commented. However, not everyone will be racing to put the purse-friendly hack to test themselves, as many feared streaks and a nasty stench. ''Nope. after cleaning my windows I think not. my door screen protectors will do and windows shut,'' a viewer said. ''What about the smell when people walk towards your doors,'' a critic wasn't entirely convinced.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
New Wave of Smaller, Cheaper Nuclear Reactors Sends US States Racing to Attract the Industry
With the promise of newer, cheaper nuclear power on the horizon, US states are vying to position themselves to build and supply the industry's next generation as policymakers consider expanding subsidies and paving over regulatory obstacles. Advanced reactor designs from competing firms are filling up the federal government's regulatory pipeline as the industry touts them as a reliable, climate-friendly way to meet electricity demands from tech giants desperate to power their fast-growing artificial intelligence platforms. The reactors could be operational as early as 2030, giving states a short runway to roll out the red carpet, and they face lingering public skepticism about safety and growing competition from renewables like wind and solar. Still, the reactors have high-level federal support, and utilities across the US are working to incorporate the energy source into their portfolios. Last year, 25 states passed legislation to support advanced nuclear energy and this year lawmakers have introduced over 200 bills supportive of nuclear energy, said Marc Nichol of the Nuclear Energy Institute, a trade association whose members include power plant owners, universities and labor unions. "We've seen states taking action at ever-increasing levels for the past few years now," Nichol said in an interview. Smaller, more flexible nuclear reactors Smaller reactors are, in theory, faster to build and easier to site than conventional reactors. They could be factory-built from standard parts and are touted as flexible enough to plunk down for a single customer, like a data center or an industrial complex. Advanced reactors, called small modular reactors and microreactors, produce a fraction of the energy produced by the conventional nuclear reactors built around the world for the last 50 years. Where conventional reactors produce 800 to 1,000 megawatts, or enough to power about half a million homes, modular reactors produce 300 megawatts or less and microreactors produce no more than 20 megawatts. Tech giants Amazon and Google are investing in nuclear reactors to get the power they need, as states compete with Big Tech, and each other, in a race for electricity. States are embracing nuclear energy For some state officials, nuclear is a carbon-free source of electricity that helps them meet greenhouse gas-reduction goals. Others see it as an always-on power source to replace an accelerating wave of retiring coal-fired power plants. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee last month proposed more than $90 million to help subsidize a Tennessee Valley Authority project to install several small reactors, boost research and attract nuclear tech firms. Long a proponent of the TVA's nuclear project, Lee also launched Tennessee's Nuclear Energy Fund in 2023, designed to attract a supply chain, including a multibillion-dollar uranium enrichment plant billed as the state's biggest-ever industrial investment. In Utah, where Gov. Spencer Cox announced "Operation Gigawatt" to double the state's electricity generation in a decade, the Republican wants to spend $20 million to prepare sites for nuclear. State Senate President J. Stuart Adams told colleagues when he opened the chamber's 2025 session that Utah needs to be the "nation's nuclear hub." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott declared his state is "ready to be No. 1 in advanced nuclear power" as Texas lawmakers consider billions in nuclear power incentives. Michigan lawmakers are considering millions of dollars in incentives to develop and use the reactors, as well as train a nuclear industry workforce. One state over, Indiana lawmakers this month passed legislation to let utilities more quickly seek reimbursement for the cost to build a modular reactor, undoing a decades-old prohibition designed to protect ratepayers from bloated, inefficient or, worse, aborted power projects. In Arizona, lawmakers are considering a utility-backed bill to relax environmental regulations if a utility builds a reactor at the site of a large industrial power user or a retired coal-fired power plant. Big expectations, uncertain future Still, the devices face an uncertain future. No modular reactors are operating in the US and a project to build the first, this one in Idaho, was terminated in 2023, despite getting federal aid. The US Department of Energy last year, under then-President Joe Biden, estimated the US will need an additional 200 gigawatts of new nuclear capacity to keep pace with future power demands and reach net-zero emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases by 2050 to avoid the worst effects of climate change. The US currently has just under 100 gigawatts of nuclear power operating. More than 30 advanced nuclear projects are under consideration or planned to be in operation by the early 2030s, Nichol of the NEI said, but those would supply just a fraction of the 200 gigawatt goal. Work to produce a modular reactor has drawn billions of dollars in federal subsidies, loan guarantees and more recently tax credits signed into law by Biden. Those have been critical to the nuclear industry, which expects them to survive under President Donald Trump, whose administration it sees as a supporter. Supply challenges and competition from renewables The US remains without a long-term solution for storing radioactive waste, safety regulators are under pressure from Congress to approve designs and there are serious questions about industry claims that the smaller reactors are efficient, safe and reliable, said Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Plus, Lyman said, "the likelihood that those are going to be deployable and instantly 100% reliable right out of the gate is just not consistent with the history of nuclear power development. And so it's a much riskier bet." Nuclear also has competition from renewable energies. Brendan Kochunas, an assistant professor of nuclear engineering at the University of Michigan, said advanced reactors may have a short window to succeed, given the regulatory scrutiny they undergo and the advances in energy storage technologies to make wind and solar power more reliable. Those storage technologies could develop faster, bring down renewables' cost and, ultimately, make more economic sense than nuclear, Kochunas said. The supply chain for building reactors is another question. The US lacks high-quality concrete- and steel-fabrication design skills necessary to manufacture a nuclear power plant, Kochunas said. That introduces the prospect of higher costs and longer timelines, he said. While foreign suppliers could help, there also is the fuel to consider. Kathryn Huff, a former top Energy Department official who is now an associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said uranium enrichment capacity in the US and among its allies needs to grow in order to support reactor production. First-of-their-kind reactors need to get up and running close to their target dates, Huff said, "in order for anyone to have faith that a second or third or fourth one should be built."
