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Irish Examiner
09-05-2025
- Science
- Irish Examiner
How can we save pollinators in Ireland before it's too late?
In the high-stakes rom-com of nature, pollinators are the wingmen and wingwomen sparking love stories between flowering plants — the plants that help provide everything from your morning coffee to that Instagram-worthy avocado toast. Bees, butterflies, beetles, wasps, hoverflies, and even bats shuttle pollen to fuel plant reproduction, powering ecosystems and 35% of global crop production. In Ireland, they're the quiet heroes behind apples, oilseed rape, and wildflower meadows. But this romance is hitting a rough patch. Pollinators are in steep decline, and science has blind spots. Who are these pollinator A-listers and B-listers, and how can Ireland save them before the credits roll? Bees: The Pollen-Packing Heartthrobs Bees are pollination's leading stars. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) and Ireland's native bumble bees (Bombus) make flowers swoon. Bumble bees shake pollen loose from crops like tomatoes, while honey bees tumble through blooms, their fuzzy bodies snagging pollen with ninja-like precision. But the buzz is fading. In Ireland, 30% of bee species face extinction risks, mirroring global pollinator declines. Habitat loss (farmland and cities now cover nearly half of Earth's land) squeezes bee homes. Pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, disrupt their memory and behaviour. Though banned for outdoor use in Ireland and the EU since 2018, these chemicals linger: a 2023 study found neonicotinoid residues in pollen collected by honey bees and bumble bees from Irish fields, even without recent applications. Add climate change, which throws flower blooming schedules off-kilter, and bees face a stinging triple threat. Butterflies: The Fluttering Influencers A six-spot burnet moth sitting on knapweed Butterflies aren't just garden eye candy; they're pollination's charmers. Their long tongues sip nectar, brushing pollen as they flit between blooms like knapweed, vital for Ireland's hedgerows. They're less efficient than bees but keep wildflowers thriving. Yet butterflies are declining. Ireland's marsh fritillary is among those at risk. Climate change plays dirty: warmer springs nudge butterflies to emerge early, only to find their flowers haven't bloomed. Picky caterpillars, like tortoiseshells needing nettles, starve if host plants disappear. Nature's Lovable Weirdos Not all pollinators sport stripes. Meet the B-team: beetles, wasps, ants, hoverflies, and maybe even shrews. Flower beetles stumble through daisies, pollinating grasslands. Wasps pollinate ivy in autumn. Ants sneak into tiny thyme flowers, while blowflies step up in Ireland's rainy spells when bees stay home. Hoverflies zip between wildflowers and double as aphid assassins — nature's pest control. Thyme in flower — ants that climb into tiny thyme flowers act as pollinators. Picture Thinkstock/PA Moths are pollination's brooding romantics, visiting night-blooming plants like honeysuckle. Some research has shown that they boost crops like rapeseed but work the graveyard shift, so they're overlooked. However, light pollution can scramble their navigation Even shrews might brush pollen through clover as they scamper. It's a small role, but it shows how diverse nature's cast is. The catch? Science focuses on bees, leaving these B-listers as extras. Native pygmy shrew — they act as pollinators when they brush through clover. Picture: NFF Caption Wild Card: The Pollinating Frog Nature loves a plot twist. In Brazil, scientists found Izecksohn's Brazilian tree frog (Xenohyla truncata), the first known pollinating amphibian, diving into milkfruit flowers with pollen on its back. It's a quirky case, but it highlights how little we know about pollination's full cast. Though most frogs are strictly insectivores/carnivores, there is one species of frog that is a frugivore (eating primarily raw fruits). The Izecksohn's Brazilian treefrog (Xenohyla truncata) eats small fruits whole and plays an important role in the environment dispersing seeds! — Frog Facts (@Facts4Frogs) January 30, 2021 Ireland lacks pollinating frogs, but our own gaps (like small mammals' roles) deserve a look. Ireland's Pollinator Crisis Let's not sugarcoat it: pollinators are tanking. In Ireland, 30% of bee species and several butterflies face extinction risks. Habitat loss, pesticides, and climate chaos form a brutal triple threat. Pesticides disrupt bee behaviour, while climate-driven mismatches leave pollinators and flowers out of sync. We know the pieces but not the full puzzle — how do these stressors interact over time? But we do know what we need to do, and that's the important part. Solutions: Ireland Can Steal the Show We've got a script to save pollinators, but it needs scale. The All-Ireland Pollinator Plan promotes wildflower strips that boost pollinator numbers. Cutting pesticides, as the EU's Green Deal aims to do by halving use by 2030, is critical. Urban gardens, restored hedgerows, and citizen science (like recording sightings on the National Biodiversity Data Centre's app) make every community a pollinator haven. Small actions, like planting native wildflowers or leaving nettles for caterpillars, add up. Protecting pollinators isn't just about saving bees; it's about safeguarding the systems that grow our food and give life to our landscapes. The science is clear, the stakes are high, and Ireland has a chance to do something about it. Let's give these pollinators the encore they deserve before nature's rom-com fades and the credits roll.
Malaysian Reserve
05-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
TEAMSTERS STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S UNION JOB-PROTECTING FILM TARIFFS
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The following is a statement from Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien and Teamsters Motion Picture Division Director Lindsay Dougherty on President Donald Trump's announcement to place a 100 percent tariff on films produced abroad: 'For years, Hollywood studios have hollowed out the industry by following Corporate America's crooked playbook of outsourcing good union jobs. Studios chase cheap production costs overseas while gutting the American workforce that built the film and TV industry. 'These gigantic corporations line their pockets by recklessly cutting corners, abandoning American crews, and exploiting tax loopholes abroad. While these companies get rich fleeing to other countries and gaming the system, our members have gotten screwed over. 'The Teamsters Union has been sounding the alarm for years. If studios want to benefit from American box offices, they must invest in American workers. 'We thank President Trump for boldly supporting good union jobs when others have turned their heads. This is a strong step toward finally reining in the studios' un-American addiction to outsourcing our members' work. 'The Teamsters applaud any elected official — Republican, Democrat, Independent — who's willing to fight for American workers. We look forward to continuing to work with the administration to build a trade agenda that benefits our members and workers throughout the American motion picture and TV industry. 'It's time to create good film jobs here at home by bringing production back to America.' Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Contact:Matt McQuaid, (771) 241-0015mmcquaid@
The Citizen
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Toys are much more than a playroom prop for kids – they're a multi-sensory experience
Some toys, however, are slipping off the radar. Plushies are the 'it' toy right now. Picture Hein Kaiser Toys aren't just toys anymore. Today, toy shops aren't just toy shops anymore. Toys are adventures waiting, like they always were. But gone are the days of small selections, simple cap guns and a few dolls on the shelf. Today, it's brand this, series that, heroes and kids' idols everywhere. Birthdays, friends' celebrations and the festive season can be bewildering for any adult. These days, said toy giant Zuru's Beatrice van Niekerk, toys are a multi-sensory experience. Gone are the days when a kid tore open a box, grabbed a toy, and got straight to playing. Now, it's all about the unboxing, too. It's about the reveal, the anticipation, the layers of surprises or mini experiences before you even get to the main event. Packaging has become part of the play, she said. This, of course, is thanks to unboxing videos that have racked up millions of views on social media, especially since the pandemic. Toys are about the unboxing experience first Then, too, there's ASMR, which stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It's a trend that will not go away, it seems. It's a term that describes the 'tingling, static-like, or goosebumps sensation in response to specific triggering audio or visual stimuli. These sensations are said to spread across the skull or down the back of the neck and, for some, down the spine or limb.' There you have it. 'The demand for toys that create a spectacle is only growing,' shared Van Niekerk. 'A lot of the nostalgic toys we played with as kids are still around, but social media has changed the game,' she said. 'Kids aren't just exposed to local trends anymore. They're seeing what kids around the world are playing with, and that's created a massive brand awareness and demand.' Plushies have made massive comeback Go to any toy shop and you will see bucketloads of plush toys these days. 'Plushies have made a massive comeback, especially in February,' Van Niekerk said. 'Valentine's plush sales were 80% higher than ever before this year.' But it's not just about soft toys anymore; it's about how they're presented, what comes with them, and whether there's an extra layer of collectability. 'That's why Rainbowcorns do so well,' she said. 'You don't just get a plush inside an egg; you get a compound to dig through, little surprises along the way, and it ties into a game on Roblox.' ALSO READ: Apple TV's The Studio satire satisfies Blasters, or handguns through to machine guns that shoot foam darts, have also evolved from the humble cap gun of yesteryear. Also gel ball ammo. 'Gel balls have really carved out a space in the past two years,' she said. 'Gel is a bit more accessible than paintball, it doesn't have the same sting, so slightly younger kids can get involved.' Even water blasters are seeing an unexpected resurgence, with a demand spike starting as early as July. 'Water toys usually peak in summer, but we saw a lift mid-winter,' she said. 'It could be the changing seasons or just kids wanting to get ahead of the trend.' The selection is massive, the fun irresistible and thanks to gaming, cops and robbers have taken on a whole new meaning in the yard. Data now informs trends Rapid change in media and gaming makes predicting the next big thing somewhat challenging, but data is also readily available to see what's coming. 'We follow trends globally,' said Van Niekerk. 'If we see unicorn customisation trending in gaming, we'll create that into toys. That's exactly how Blastercorn, a unicorn-infused type gun, was developed.' Times have also changed and colour coding is officially out the window. 'Pink isn't just for girls anymore, and blue isn't just for boys anymore,' she said. 'Kids are more creative now. They're customising everything, from their blasters to their plushies. 'Dinosaurs are still huge, especially with new movies and series coming out all the time,' she said. 'But food-themed toys are on the rise. Plush pizzas, axolotl plushies holding doughnuts, snack-inspired collectables, it's a whole new trend.' And that's why plush toys now come holding Pringles cans or Froot Loops boxes. Some toys, however, are slipping off the radar. 'Kids still play with dolls, but it's different now,' she said. 'They don't just want a doll. They want the handbags, the shoes, the accessories. It's almost like the Kardashian influence has hit toys.' Even toy cars have had a facelift. 'Kids still race them, but now they want to customise them, ramp them, or smash them,' she said. 'It's all about interactivity and collectability.' NOW READ: Camping makes kids come alive
Scottish Sun
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hit quiz show set for celebrity version – a year after it was saved from the axe by TV bosses
The problem solving gameshow was shelved nearly two years ago GAME ON Hit quiz show set for celebrity version – a year after it was saved from the axe by TV bosses Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A HIT quiz show is set for celebrity version - a year after it was saved from the axe by TV bosses. The game show required contestants to use their language skills, lateral thinking, visual intelligence and memory to solve various mind boggling puzzles. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 A hit quiz show is set for celebrity version - a year after it was saved from the axe by TV bosses Credit: Channel 5 2 The much loved problem-saving gameshow is hosted by Lucy Worsley Credit: Channel 5 The primetime quiz Puzzling is set to return to 5 for a second series, nearly two years after its first outing. The problem-saving gameshow, hosted by Lucy Worsley, was shelved for 2024 before being revived by 5 for a second run this year. Production listings suggest the new run of episodes - yet to be announced by 5 - will include at least one celebrity special reports TV Zone. At the time some fans were sad to hear the show had been axed, with one person saying: "Noo we liked watching this!" However, the game show did receive a lot of complaints for having Lucy at the helm, as several viewers complained she didn't have the charisma for the role. One critic said: "I adore Lucy Worsley when she's allowed to be Lucy Worsley. But this quiz thing is painful." Another added: "Lucy Worsley is an interesting enough history presenter but utterly lacking charisma as a quiz host. "C5's Puzzling is a bad HoG/OC rip-off with a migraine-inducing set design. Anaemic and unengaging." Lucy had previously revealed she was under "huge pressure". She told the Sun TV mag: "I'm a wreck, an utter heap of nerves. This is all new to me, and the pressure of it is extraordinary. Channel 5 in major U-turn over quiz show as it returns - a year after it was shelved by bosses "There are so many things that could go wrong, for the contestants but also for me. "I'm under huge pressure to get the question out quickly but correctly. It's been a real joy, but also terrifying. "Normally I'm out with a very small crew stuck on a rainy street corner in Edinburgh. I'm not used to working with such a large, complex team in such a big TV studio." Before taking on the new role as game show host, Lucy was known for presenting historical documentaries on the BBC. Puzzling seeks to challenge Britain's brightest minds as they do battle to be hailed Britain's ultimate puzzler. At the start of each episode, six super smart strangers are split into two teams of three. The two teams try to accrue the most points through their powers of puzzling deduction. Every area of our player's mind will be tested across five puzzling rounds – In Other Words (language), Pressure Points (calculation), Rule Breakers (lateral thinking), Picture This (visual intelligence) and Memory Bank (memory). Then, in a dramatic plot twist, the winning team turn on each other to be named the 'Best of the Best' and earn a place in the series Grand Final where the ultimate puzzler will be crowned. The last series of Puzzling is available now on 5.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michelle Williams Throws Shade Over 'Brokeback Mountain''s Best Picture Loss at the Oscars: ‘What Was 'Crash'?'
Michelle Williams had a brief take about her movie losing Best Picture at the 2006 Oscars The award that year went to but did score three wins: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score The actress has previously admitted that her Best Supporting Actress nomination for the film led to an "unnerving" point in her career Michelle Williams still has some feelings about her movie Brokeback Mountain losing Best Picture at the 2006 Oscars. The 44-year-old Dying for Sex actress discussed the enduring impact of the tragic gay love story and its controversial Best Picture loss to Crash during a Thursday, April 3, appearance on Watch What Happens Live. Host Andy Cohen told Williams that the 2005 movie was likely "still in my top two movies of all time" and added that he was "very upset about the Best Picture loss." "I mean, what was Crash?" Williams coyly asked about the film that ultimately took home the Academy Award. Cohen replied by implying that the winning picture didn't have the longevity of Brokeback Mountain as it wasn't still sparking conversations all these years later. Related: 15 Things You May Not Know About 'Brokeback Mountain' Cohen also asked Williams if she was aware that the film would have such "a profound impact" before its premiere. She replied affirmatively. "People were so open about it," she said. "I just remember doing the junket. You know, you don't really get an opportunity to see a lot of grown men cry. That was the moment that I think that we all knew it was going to be special to people." Brokeback Mountain amassed eight nominations at the 2006 Oscars, including Best Picture. Williams snagged a Best Supporting Actress nod, Heath Ledger was in the running for Best Actor and Jake Gyllenhaal was up for Best Supporting Actor. Anne Hathaway also starred. When the night was over, the cast and crew went home with three Oscars: Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score. Related: Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio 'Said No' to Playing Lovers in 'Brokeback Mountain', Says Gus Van Sant Williams has previously reflected on the impact of her Oscar nomination, her first of five to date, for the film. While appearing on Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist in April 2023, she said that the recognition left her feeling "a little bit frozen for a moment, creatively." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "It was really unnerving after that," she admitted. "Like, what do you do? What do you do next?" She added that the amount of attention that she was receiving "can be sort of destabilizing." It also caused pressure to perform. "Now it feels like, 'Well, people are watching. What if I make a mistake?' That's really scary. What would happen to me?" she explained. In 2020, Gyllenhaal shared his own story about the Oscars and Brokeback Mountain. He told Another Man magazine that Ledger, who died in 2008, refused to present at the 2007 ceremony due to a joke that they wanted to make about the movie. 'I remember they wanted to do an opening for the Academy Awards that year that was sort of joking about it," he recalled. 'I was sort of at the time, 'Oh, okay … whatever.' I'm always like, 'It's all in good fun.' And Heath said, 'It's not a joke to me — I don't want to make any jokes about it.' ' He continued, saying, 'That's the thing I loved about Heath. He would never joke. Someone wanted to make a joke about the story or whatever, he was like, 'No. This is about love. Like, that's it, man. Like, no.' ' Read the original article on People
