Latest news with #TheNational
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Researchers discover surprising side effect of ban on plastic grocery bags: 'We can judge it very well'
Researchers discover surprising side effect of ban on plastic grocery bags: 'We can judge it very well' The United Arab Emirates' ban on single-use plastic bags took effect in 2024, and the results are already proving that it has been incredibly effective. According to The National, the ban has not only helped limit litter and other negative environmental issues associated with single-use plastics, but it has also contributed to a slower decline in camel populations due to reduced plastic consumption. The National spoke to Dr. Ulrich Wernery, who co-authored a 2021 study on camel deaths correlated with large plastic materials in their stomachs. "There's a very good reduction in plastic bags in the UAE and we can judge it very well," Dr. Wernery said. "We do not find a lot of camel cases with plastic [bags] in their stomach. [In] the last year we've seen a tremendous, very good reduction by 60 to 80%." Around the world, single-use product bans, particularly plastic bags, are gaining popularity. In Punjab, plastic bags below a certain thickness have been banned as of 2025. Meanwhile, in the U.S., states like California have a ban on all plastic bags and encourage reusable shopping bags. Plastic consumption by wildlife is a significant concern, as exemplified by the widespread opposition to plastic straws due to their impact on marine life, including sea turtles. While the decrease in plastic-related camel deaths is a sign the UAE is moving in the right direction, other plastic items still pose a threat to these and other animals. "Dr. Wernery said that camels eating the plastic ropes used to hold their hay bales remains 'a severe problem,'" The National wrote. The hope is that broader plastic bans will be implemented, not just in the UAE, but everywhere, and plastic-related animal injuries and plastic pollution can be further mitigated. To do your part, consider switching to plastic-free alternatives for everyday items. This could include ditching single-use water bottles and investing in something reusable or bringing your own to-go containers to restaurants. Every step counts in making a change to reduce plastic in our environment. Should plastic grocery bags be banned nationwide? Absolutely No way Let each state decide I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the the daily Crossword
The National
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Doing the right thing for Gaza would gain the SNP more support
He would quite probably gain much more support, and respect, by simply putting an immediate ban on any trade with Israel, regardless of whether it is, in any shape or form, armament supplies. He should also put an end to the £10 million Scottish Enterprise subsidies to those industries involved in such exports to Israel. READ MORE: UK Government panned for refusal to address pro-Israel group concerns These two moves alone would, I'm sure, guarantee a majority vote for the SNP. But with one provision: that the aforementioned trade bans continue until such time as the population of Gaza is recognised as a separate nation and all lands in the West Bank and [[Gaza]] Strip are restored to the people of [[Gaza]]. The Ferret exposé in The National concerning Angus Robertson's meeting with Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK, Daniela Grudsky, does little to help Swinney and his government, after 12 months of secrecy of this meeting. Political transparency is no excuse where Israel is involved. In today's high-technology world of communication, it has been very plain to see what Netanyahu has been advocating against the Gazan people, in particular the Israel Defence Forces' one-sided slaughter of innocent babies, children, women and unarmed men. Even when just queuing for scant food supplies. READ MORE: UK spy plane flew towards Gaza hours before Labour condemned 'horrors' The pretext excuse that the IDF were shooting at Hamas individuals does carry not weight anymore. The other excuse from Netanyahu and his government cronies – that criticism of his attacking Gaza and the prevention of aid, food and and water is simply antisemitic – is also a worn-out excuse. Netanyahu's war is not a religious war. It is purely political, seeking to expand his land while driving out the centuries-held population of those lands who were there long before it ever became the so-called 'promised land'. So, c'mon [[John Swinney]]. You have turned around Scotland with a modest success since you became First Minister. If you wish to remain so for another five years, then join the rest of the world, forget Westminster, and do the right thing for [[Gaza]]. READ MORE: SNP MPs in call for full UK arms embargo on Israel And while you're at it, do the right thing for your own country and my adopted country, by telling us what a independent Scotland will be like, what constitution will contain, that we will have a Scottish currency from day one and that myself and all the other pensioners will enjoy a much healthier and improved pension. We do do not want to imagine. We know what we want!! Alan Magnus-Bennett Fife THE front page of the Sunday National was not a surprise to me. After all, we are living in an unbelievable dystopia, reminiscent of Lewis Carroll's fiction about Alice in Wonderland. We thought when we got an SNP government we were getting something SPECIAL. But it turns out to be just the same old brown-envelope Ministry of Silly Walks as we have had since the beginning of time. READ MORE: Angus Robertson's secret Israel meeting minutes revealed Unless the SNP cleans up its act, and desists from collaborating with GENOCIDE, they will find out that the Scottish citizens will NOT put up with the violence that is popular in other parts of this great British Empire. John Swinney will see when we have our general election in Scotland that the electorate refuse to turn a blind eye to their behaviour. And he knows that. I certainly will NOT be voting for [[SNP]]. I tore up my membership when Mr Swinney went crawling to that popular guy with all the golf courses, Donald Trump. Margaret Forbes Blanefield
The National
5 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Greens Holyrood candidate confirms late bid for party leadership
Dominic Ashmole has entered the contest after being selected as a South Scotland regional candidate for the upcoming Scottish Parliament election, according to The Herald. He joins MSPs Gillian Mackay, Ross Greer and Lorna Slater in fighting for the two co-leader posts. The 58-year-old research and development manager placed third on the South Scotland list behind the party's Laura Moodie and former Hamilton by-election candidate Anne McGuinness. He said his goal was to challenge the party to speak more plainly about the difficult times he believes are ahead, and to demand 'emergency action' at Holyrood and in wider society in response to 'the collapse of climate and nature'. READ MORE: Scottish Greens election 'clusterf***' as key member quits in candidate row 'Some people might assume that only MSPs can stand for this role," he said. "But the Scottish Greens have the luxury of two co-leaders, and this can be turned to our advantage. "With my colleague focused on delivering Green policies at Holyrood, I can work directly with the public, with civic society and with our excellent Green councillors, to help accelerate and scale up the change we so urgently need. 'We have a problem with hope. Everyone craves it – voters perhaps demand it. But 'hope' has also become a cynical rallying cry for vested interests and the super-rich." He went on: 'Tragically, the future is not in fact full of hope. 2.5 degrees of heating is expected by 2040, with 4 degrees probable before 2100 – and scientists warn we'll soon cross multiple 'tipping points' that endanger continued life on Earth. "As Greens, we are rightly proud of our achievements in both local and national government. But the brutal truth is that the situation demands bigger and faster change. Rather than selling 'hope', we should be issuing a call to arms. Let's mobilise civic society to mount a grassroots emergency response, and to empower a bolder politics.' Ashmole contested Conservative MP David Mundell's Westminster's constituency, Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale & Tweeddale, in 2024. He placed sixth with 3.4% of the vote share. (Image: Christian Gamauf) The list of Green Holyrood candidates sparked controversy earlier this week when MSP Maggie Chapman (above) was not included as a lead candidate in the North East region. Instead, she has been replaced by activist Guy Ingerson, who previously lodged a bullying complaint against Chapman. The National previously reported that the complaint alleged that the MSP contacted Ingerson's place of work in October 2024 to suggest that he was "untrustworthy and should be 'watched'". On Tuesday it was revealeda key member had quit their role after an internal row erupted over the candidate list. Kate Joester resigned from her position as internal elections officer on Monday night. Internal messages seen by The National showed members raising concerns about the selection process for some of the lists, with some members demanding a recount. The National understands concerns were also raised around the selection contest between Harvie and Ellie Gomersall – who placed second on the Glasgow list –particularly around the transferring of votes to Gomersall from candidates who were knocked out in previous voting rounds. READ MORE: Daily Express front page piles pressure on Labour to act on Gaza The party had sought to reassure members on Monday evening, as a spokesperson was quoted saying in the media that the party's internal elections officer (IEO) "has confirmed that the process and the methodology used are compliant with our selections procedure, and the lists published are correct". However, shortly after that comment was published, Joester announced she had quit the role and claimed she had no part in the statement. "To clarify regarding the statement in the press on members' concerns about counting irregularities; this did not come from me as Internal Elections Officer, and I am no longer in that post as of this evening", she told members. Joester then shared with members that she resigned from the role because "I hadn't done a good enough job", adding that she had made an error in "not spotting the anomaly in the results spreadsheets when they were initially sent to me". However, she clarified that she did "not know whether there is a problem with the results".
The National
6 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Manus on Markets: Trump claims 'largest trade deal in history' signed with Japan
From tariff turmoil and stock shocks to market meltdowns, the global financial system has never been in such flux. Manus Cranny, The National's geo-economics editor, cuts through the noise and presents insights from the stories making headlines around the world.
CBC
6 hours ago
- Politics
- CBC
Inclusive rite of passage + India's court backlog
The National is invited to an Indigenous-led camp in Alberta, working to inspire a renewal of rite of passage ceremonies by making them more inclusive. Plus, what's behind India's massive court backlog.
