Latest news with #Silk
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Silk. (Causeway Bay)
Local bubble tea brand Silk. has unveiled a retro-inspired store on Causeway Bay's Sharp Street. Unlike its other locations across town, this branch is Silk's first dine-in venue, allowing customers to grab a seat and chill out as they sip on their drinks. The vintage-inspired store features old-school board games and local antiques as part of its decor, adding to its nostalgic vibe. Aside from serving up original hand-shaken drinks, there are also branch-exclusive items available. The star of the show has got to be their pistachio mochi topped with honeycomb bits, created in collaboration with Tsuen Wan's traditional food shop, Min Fong Hong. Only 50 of these sweet treats are available daily and each customer can only purchase two pieces of mochi upon purchasing a Silk beverage. They've also reimagined the red bean fleecy in their latest drink, Cool Beans. It's got ingredients like red bean cream foam, chocolate balls, roasted oolong tea, and popping red bean pearls, making it a must-try for those who want a twist on a classic favourite.
Gizmodo
3 days ago
- Business
- Gizmodo
Physicists Propose Cheaper Alternative to Particle Colliders: Supermassive Black Holes
A new study from Johns Hopkins University suggests that supermassive black holes—those cosmic behemoths lurking at the centers of galaxies—might already be generating the kinds of high-energy particle collisions researchers have spent decades trying to recreate here on Earth. Published today in Physical Review Letters, the study proposes that certain spinning black holes could serve as natural particle accelerators, rivaling or even exceeding the capabilities of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). That's a big deal, especially as funding for fundamental physics research grows increasingly scarce in the United States, and plans for next-generation colliders stretch far into the future. For about a decade, experts have theorized that supermassive black holes could do this, co-author Andrew Mummery, a theoretical physicist at the University of Oxford, told Gizmodo. But his study attempted to validate this theory by looking for naturally-occurring scenarios that would give rise to a black hole's supercollider-like behavior. Understanding how this happens could provide a new avenue for research on dark matter and other elusive particles. 'One of the great hopes for particle colliders like the Large Hadron Collider is that it will generate dark matter particles, but we haven't seen any evidence yet,' explained co-author Joseph Silk, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Oxford, and the Institute of Astrophysics in Paris, in a Johns Hopkins release. 'That's why there are discussions underway to build a much more powerful version, a next-generation supercollider,' Silk said. 'But as we invest $30 billion and wait 40 years to build this supercollider—nature may provide a glimpse of the future in super massive black holes.' At the LHC, protons are smashed together at near-light speeds to uncover the building blocks of reality—and hopefully, to catch a glimpse of dark matter, the mysterious stuff that makes up about 85% of the universe's mass. But it turns out black holes might already be producing these elusive particles in the wild. Some supermassive black holes spin so rapidly that they can fling out jets of plasma at astonishing speeds. In their new study, Mummery and Silk modeled what happens near the edge of these spinning monsters, where violent gas flows can whip particles into chaotic collisions, much like a human-built collider does. 'Some particles from these collisions go down the throat of the hole and disappear forever,' Silk said, 'But because of their energy and momentum, some also come out, and it's those that come out which are accelerated to unprecedentedly high energies.' These ultra-energetic particles zipping through space could, in theory, be picked up by Earth-based observatories like IceCube in Antarctica or the KM3NeT telescope beneath the Mediterranean Sea, both of which already detect ghostly particles called neutrinos. Earlier this year, KM3NeT researchers announced the detection of the most energetic neutrino yet, a potential step forward in understanding the behavior of these ephemeral and energetic particles. Equipped with a deeper understanding of how these high-energy particles might form at the edges of supermassive black holes, Mummery now aims to investigate their nature. Figuring out what, exactly, escapes from these cosmic voids could offer a cost-effective, naturally occurring complement to traditional colliders. The approach could yield a new path toward uncovering the nature of dark matter.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
80mph driver went on wrong side of dual carriageway and through red lights after 'stupid decision'
80mph driver went on wrong side of dual carriageway and through red lights after 'stupid decision' A judge said it was 'a miracle' that nobody was killed by Brandon Silk's 'frankly appalling' driving A driver who had taken cocaine and cannabis "did everything he could" to escape from police as he led officers on a high-speed pursuit, a court has heard. Brandon Silk hit speeds of 80mph during the chase, went through multiple red lights, raced along residential streets, and drove along the wrong side of the dual carriageway outside Swansea Prison as he tried to flee. A judge at Swansea Crown Court described Silk's driving as "frankly appalling" and said it was "a miracle" that nobody had been seriously injured or killed as a result. The 23-year-old's barrister told the court her client was "deeply ashamed" of his behaviour. Alexandra Wilson, prosecuting, told the court that in the early hours of October 10 last year firearms officers on routine patrol in Swansea city centre signalled for a Nissan Juke vehicle being driven along Oystermouth Road to pull over. She said instead of stopping, the driver of the Juke accelerated away and a police pursuit of the vehicle was authorised. Silk is pictured driving the wrong way along West Way in Swansea (Image: CPS Cymru ) Article continues below The court heard that a short time later an officer in an unmarked car in Neath Road spotted the Nissan and joined the pursuit, following the fleeing car as it sped through the residential streets of Hafod before heading towards Dyfatty and taking Cwm Road where it hit speeds of 70mph. Silk then turned right onto Llangyfelach Road before taking Pentre Mawr Road heading back towards Hafod, where he took the dedicated Hafod bus route into the city centre at speeds touching 80mph. The prosecutor said Silk then sped down High Street and The Strand and turned right onto Oystermouth Road - going through multiple red lights at junctions along the way. Silk going through a red light at the junction of Clarence Street and West Way (Image: CPS Cymru ) The defendant then crossed onto the wrong side of the dual carriageway and sped past Swansea Prison before turning right and effectively doing laps through the residential area of Sandfields. The prosecutor said the pursuit came to an end in Dilwyn Street as Silk headed for The Kingsway - an area the prosecutor said was busy with students at the time - where police cars boxed the Nissan in. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter The court heard that Silk tested positive for cannabis and cocaine at the scene and subsequent blood tests showed the presence of cocaine at the level of 130mg per litre of blood and cannabis at the level of 77mg per litre, the legal limits being 50mg and 2mg respectively for the drugs. Silk driving between bollards in Hafod (Image: CPS Cymru ) When searched he was found to be in possession of a small amount of cannabis. The defendant answered "no comment" to all questions asked in interview. Brandon Silk, of Caernarvon Way, Bonymaen, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, two counts of drug-driving, and possession of cannabis when he appeared in the dock for sentencing. He has no previous convictions. Georgia Donohue, for Silk, said the driving before the court could only be described as "reckless and stupid" and said the defendant was "deeply ashamed" of what he did. She said on the night in question her client had "lost control of his emotions" following an argument about his late father and took the "stupid decision" to consume drugs and drive, "something he will regret for the rest of his life". Silk driving down the wrong side of Oystermouth Road towards Swansea Prison (Image: CPS Cymru ) The barrister said Silk had struggled to manage his attention deficit hyper-activity disorder since childhood and had been self-medicating with cannabis, and she said the events of October 10 had been a wake-up call for him. Recorder Christopher Felstead told the defendant his driving had been "frankly appalling" and said it was a "miracle" that nobody had been seriously injured or even killed as a result of it. He said Silk drove at speeds of up to 80mph, went through numerous red lights, "flew across junctions", drove on the wrong side of the road, and travelled at "huge speeds" through residential streets as he "did everything he could to escape" from police. The recorder said the offending clearly crossed the custody threshold and the only real question for the court was whether the prison sentence had to be served immediately. He said the decision was "very finely balanced" but said there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and, on balance, he was prepared to give Silk "the benefit of the doubt". Article continues below With one-third discounts for his guilty pleas Silk was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 18 months and was made the subject of a mental health treatment requirement and was ordered to complete a rehabilitation course. The defendant was banned from driving for three years and must pass an extended driving test before he can get a licence.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How To Start A Farm: These Black Canadian Farmers Are Battling the Food Crisis
Across the nation, Canadians are feeling the pinch of increasing food prices. According to the Bank of Canada, food inflation hit 10% in 2022, the highest in thirty years. Since then, inflation has continued to rise, but only about 3.5%. This year, the average family of four is expected to spend $16,833.67 on food, an increase of up to $801.56 from last year. After years of food insecurity, the situation in Canada's biggest city has become untenable. The Daily Bread reported that 10% of Torontonians were using food banks—a first for the 'first world' city. To combat urban hunger, Mayor Olivia Chow of Toronto declared a food emergency across the city. Toronto is the 3rd city to officially declare a food emergency, after Mississauga and Kingston in 2024. The declaration is another largely symbolic gesture from the government and encourages all levels of government to help fund ongoing programs. An answer with no real action, the emergency declaration leaves citizens with little hope of relief and assistance. The failure of the city to provide relief is part of the nation's failure to provide a sustainable agricultural system. The real consequences are not just to family budgets but to individual health. It feels as if every day, there is another food recall from dairy to meat, etc. Last summer, three people in Ontario died in a listeriosis outbreak associated with certain Silk products. It's not just funding food; Canada has failed to regulate its largest agribusinesses. In partnership with the government, Canada's agribusinesses have used legal shenanigans like tied employment to make a profit off thousands of desperate Black and Brown migrant workers. Lured with the hope of citizenship, farmers primarily from Central America and the Caribbean face abuses the U.N. says is 'tantamount to modern slavery.' So if our food is killing us to make, afford and consume, what can we do about it? In an open letter to the city, Jessey Njau, the founder of Zawadi Farms in Toronto, appealed to the municipal government to call a food emergency (which they did) but also to provide support to urban farms like his. Njau is calling for fiscal and non fiscal changes at the local level, including: Ensuring that Toronto's food programs, including school meal programs, prioritize local farms over industrial suppliers, simplify bureaucratic processes to help small farms sell directly to institutions like schools, hospitals, and community centers, develop a system for aggregating and distributing produce from multiple small farms. Jessey Njau, Zawadi Farm along with Arnest Sebbumba of Sarn Farms, and Judith Prince of Ubuntu Farms. Both farms are proudly represented at the Downsview location. These actions are meant to help small farmers, who are at a disadvantage among Canada's larger, more established businesses. Njau, a Kenyan migrant to Toronto and former IT consultant, set up a five-acre farm in Downsview Park, but he is not the only one. While the government and its collaborators face a class action lawsuit for their treatment of Black migrants, new Black agriculturalists are popping up across the country to feed the community and the country. Even before this current crisis, a quarter of Black residents in Toronto were food insecure. Neighbourhoods that have large Black and migrant populations are at higher risk of facing food stress. The North Toronto area, where Zawadi Farms is located, faces more serious food insecurity issues than most of the city. According to the Black Creek Food Justice Network, residents of the neighbourhood pay seven percent more for food, even as the community has one of the lowest incomes in the city. This is why Njau wants the city to connect local farmers to community food programs. Rather than paying larger businesses to fund school programs, shelter food assistance, etc, he believes local farms like his can provide for the community. With a consistent stream of income, Zawadi and other farms can continue to build operations. 'We want to be financially resilient,' said Njau to ByBlacks. Zawadi Farms, an 11-acre plot, sits on land owned by the Canada Lands Company and was granted to Zawadi through partnerships with food nonprofit Fresh City. But they have plans to grow further, especially if the city takes their call to action seriously. Zawadi is more of a social enterprise than a profit-maximizing business. Part of its programming includes workshops with schools and event space rentals. With commercial operations, Njau hopes to put more money into feeding people. Currently, Zawadi is one of a handful of Black farms that sell their produce via subscription and at farmers' markets, including the St. Lawrence Farmers Market. But it's not the only game in town. Njau's model for urban farming comes from the Black community in Toronto. 'Sarn Farms is growing Afro-centric crops, Ubuntu Farm, Black Creek Community Farm, Toronto Black Farmers. They have all been doing the same thing,' says Ngau. West of Zawadi is the Black Creek community, a neighbourhood of migrants, many of them Black. Speaking different languages from across the Black diaspora, it can be hard for these groups to build a sense of belonging. But when the topic of food comes up, everyone is in unison. The Black Creek Community Farm provides residents in the area with culturally appropriate staples like okra and other agricultural products that are not affordable in Loblaws or Metro. 'We are an 8-acre farm annually growing over 32,000 lbs of produce and over 110 diverse range of vegetables, fruits, and herbs, including culturally significant crops such as callaloo, garden eggs, okra, bitter melon, and Scotch bonnet pepper,' said Ohemaa Boateng, Executive Director of Black Creek Community Farm. Black Creek Community Farm in Toronto Like many, she loves the farm for its sense of belonging and community. Alongside staple vegetables like tomatoes, kale, and carrots, the organizations' produce is available through their community market, Community Supported Agriculture Program, and food justice initiatives that distribute fresh, organic produce to low-income families. While the Black Creek area has large Asian communities, the region also embraces its Black culture and traditions. The farm brings together a global village through field trips, workshops, and free community events like the Annual Farm Festival, taking place this year on July 19. A post shared via Instagram Currently, the BCCF operates under the management of FoodShare Toronto. Their goal is to establish Black Creek Community Farm as a fully community-led and community-owned organization, ensuring that the people who live and work in Jane-Finch have direct agency over the farm's future. They are currently conversing with partners, including the City of Toronto, to secure long-term land tenure. Both farms have been very successful without ownership; the real advantages come with land ownership. At least, that is what Toyin Kayo-Ajayi, founder of the Canadian Black Farmers Association, believes. The Nigerian-born BC local says the Black community needs to own land to make food security a reality. A farmer from his youth growing up in Nigeria, Toyin is unafraid of the Canadian hinterland. 'Many migrants come from the bush (rural areas), but come to Canada and stay away. We need to change that thinking.' Toyin is not just a farmer in BC but an advocate, food processor and social entrepreneur. 'Instead of a condo, the community should buy five acres of land,' said Kayo-Ajayi. While the BCCF and Zawadi use borrowed land, Toyin owns his land and Kara Kata Farms has BC official farm status, essential to qualifiying for certain tax exemptions and subsidies that lower your expenses. Having official farm status is rare in the Black Community, but not impossible. A post shared via Instagram 'My grandfather told a story about how a pepper seed can feed a city. Once you plant a seed, it will grow peppers with fifty seeds. Those fifty seeds will grow fifty seeds each, and eventually you will have enough food for a city.' Toyin explained to me. The sentiment is nice, but without any tangible plans to make it happen, his grandfather's words would stay just that. But the BC farmer is full of plans. From goat banking to controlled capital expenditure, he is ready to help any new would-be farmers. 'People keep telling me you came from a village in Africa. You came to Canada, you ran back into the bush. What are you doing in the bush? Why are you not coming to the city?' says Toyin. Many Black people in Canada are a generation removed from farming at most. My parents grew up as subsistence farmers before coming to Canada. I haven't seen them pick up a seed since. But I have heard them (and most migrants) complain about the food here, yet migrants make up a tiny proportion of farm owners. With high start-up costs, Toyin knows that anyone who wants to be a farmer needs to rely on a support system. So, how should you go about starting your farm? Toyin's first approach includes a 5-acre concept: 'Let's say you have a house in the city, sell it, buy five acres, half an hour or 45 minutes away from the city. The house is there, the land is there, and you live there and farm it.' Buying the land is, of course, important to farming, but owning five acres in BC comes with a specific status as a farmer. But even if you have the land, creating food is not easy or cheap. Animal husbandry is an easier route to begin with, according to Toyin. His goat banking system would let members pay to care for a goat and then get to keep its babies for themselves. He says a goat is a great way to start a farm, even with a little money. For farmers like Njau and Toyin, once they started their farming journey, everything changed. A post shared via Instagram 'It's part of getting people involved, getting people to have a sense of belonging. It's not the money you are putting in.' However, since cash is still king, having commercial operations is always useful. Toyin also sells his African soil mix online and will be available in stores soon. What sets Zawadi Farms, the BCCF and Toyins' five acres apart from the rest of Canadian agribusiness is the mission statement to uplift everyone. 'You can have one or two acres for people generally in the community to be involved. Like a shared partnership. Once you get everybody involved, then gradually, somebody gets some money, buys farmland and you start again.' If we as a community are going to sacrifice our bodies for Canadians to eat, we should do it with sustainability, ownership and cooperation in mind. It's not hard; we just have to follow the examples in our community.
Toronto Star
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
The all-Canadian Mother's Day gift guide
Mother's Day is just around the corner, so in case you need some inspiration for spoiling all the mother figures in your life, we've got just the thing or two: beautiful, elevated Mother's Day gifts they'll actually use. Bonus: They're all from homegrown Canadian talent, and who doesn't love that? The sculptural earrings Dean Davidson earrings, $195, Supplied Shop Here These triple-hoop pavé huggies will bring elegance and sparkle to her everyday jewellery rotation — because basics should never be boring. The nourishing hand cream Paume Probiotic Hand Cream, $30, Supplied Shop Here Infused with probiotics and plant-based emollients, this chic little tube of cream from an editor-adored beauty brand is one she'll keep close at hand. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The statement ring Mejuri ring, $848, Supplied Shop Here The vibrant gemstones on this gold dome ring aren't only a stylish statement, they represent the six boroughs of Toronto in a sweet homage to this Canadian brand's hometown. The moving read 'Story of Your Mother' by Chantal Braganza, $30, Shop Here This poignant book of essays weaves together reflections on motherhood with the author's childhood stories as the daughter of Mexican and Indian immigrants—a perfect contender for a TBR pile or book club. The plush bathrobe Silk & Snow robe, $106 (on sale from $125), Supplied Shop Here Bring softness to her mornings with this bathrobe made from organic-cotton muslin. It'll wrap her in spa-level comfort—the kind of indulgence she didn't know she needed but absolutely deserves. The summer candle Lohn candle, $48, Supplied Shop Here This beach-inspired candle's blend of salty cedar, piney palo santo and aromatic copal will transform her space into a coastal retreat straight from a Nancy Meyers movie. The sleek carryall Monos bag, $150, Supplied Shop Here Every mom knows the struggle of finding the perfect travel-friendly bag. Enter this minimalist canvas tote: Its spacious interior will carry all the essentials, plus the knick-knacks only moms seem to have on hand. The recipe refresh 'Matty Matheson: Soups, Salads, Sandwiches: A Cookbook,' $48, Photo: Indigo Shop Here Whether she's a fan of 'The Bear' or a regular at one of Matty Matheson's acclaimed restaurants, this cookbook is a wonderful addition to her collection. His takes on soup, salad and sandwiches provide inspo to refresh the daily menu. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The creamy blush 19/99 Beauty Cream Blush Stick in Szolo, $36, Supplied Shop Here There's a reason 19/99 is an editor favourite: It's designed for all (yes, including women over 60) who want no-fuss makeup but still love to play. This ultra-creamy and blendable stick adds a vibrant flush to both cheeks and lips The elegant scarf Silk Laundry scarf, $160, Shop Here A silk scarf will never go out of style, and that's why it makes it the perfect gift. This one features an artful print and can be worn countless ways: knotted at the neck, wrapped as a headscarf, tied to a handbag and beyond. The everyday sunglasses Maguire sunglasses, $110, Supplied Shop Here One can never have too many pairs of sunglasses. This timeless rectangular pair is crafted from lightweight recycled plastic. They're effortlessly chic and will be worn on repeat all sunny season long. The artisanal chocolates Chocolat de Kat Mother's Day Box, $34, Supplied Shop Here Skip the cake and surprise Mom with these chocolates inspired by iconic cake flavours (Opera! Pineapple Upside Down! Black Forest!) instead. The two-bite treats are packaged in a limited-edition box designed by Canadian illustrator Emily Taylor. The low-maintenance lip tint Lise Watier Love My Lips Fresh Tinted Lip Gel in Berry Jelly, $35, Supplied Shop Here This lip tint is enriched with hyaluronic acid, vitamin E and tsubaki oil, and the buildable gel formula glides on like a dream, delivering long-lasting colour and hydration. The hosting essential Fable serving platter set, $109, Supplied Shop Here This sleek, white-pebbled serving platter (complete with four coordinating mini bowls) will make every meal pop, whether it's a bagel brunch spread or takeout night. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The versatile rug Sundays rug, $300, Shop Here Refresh her space for summer with this eye-catching rug from Sundays. Woven from recycled polyester yarns, its lightweight design and geometric pattern bring effortless style, whether it's laid out indoors or under the sun for patio season. When you make a purchase through the links in this article, we may earn a small commission. Our journalism is independent and not influenced by advertising. Learn more.
