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Sunderland described as ‘best city in the North East’

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Sunderland voted best in the North East

Sunderland has stepped into the limelight, earning the accolade of being the top city in the North East according to a travel writer’s evaluation, unexpectedly joining the ranks of esteemed locations like Italian spas, Croatian castles, and Spanish trails as a standout discovery of 2023 in the Guardian.

Highlighted for its cultural gems like the National Glass Centre, Penshaw Monument, and the warm hospitality of its residents, Sunderland’s crown jewel was deemed to be none other than the “Roker Riviera,” more commonly recognized as Roker Beach. Embracing the Blue Flag beaches of Roker and Seaburn, this coastal haven boasts a picturesque seafront and an expansive promenade linking the two areas.

Roker Beach offers a delightful stroll to the lighthouse, scenic parkland nestled among cliffs, and a selection of dining spots including Downey’s Fish and Chips and Fausto Coffee. Meanwhile, Seaburn presents Stack, a bustling hub on land, a vibrant surfing community in the waters, and the delectable seafood delights of Latimers at the beach’s north end.

Within the city center, Sunderland’s diverse culinary landscape received commendation, with independent ventures like Pop Recs and Mexico 70 singled out as premier dining destinations. Ben Aitken, a seasoned author renowned for his travel-themed books, expressed his ardent admiration for Sunderland in Guardian Travel, affirming, “To my mind, Sunderland is the best city in the North East. During my recent city break, I found myself irreversibly captivated by its people, heritage, architectural marvels, and its exceptional culinary offerings (those tacos at Mexico 70 were beyond words, and the sandwich at Pop Recs, simply divine).”

Ben Aitken, wrote in Guardian Travel: “To my mind, Sunderland is the best city in the North East. I went for a city break a few weeks ago, and left the former shipbuilding heavyweight irreparably smitten: with its people, its pedigree, its architectural spread, and by what it’s putting on the table (the tacos at Mexico 70 were ineffable, the sandwich at Pop Recs sublime).

“Other gleaming features include the Penshaw Monument (a whopping folly on a hill), the National Glass Centre (a revealing experience by the river), and a local speciality called Pink Slice. Jordan Pickford aside, Sunderland’s brightest asset must be its beach – the Roker riviera.

Renowned artist LS Lowry frequented this coastal paradise annually, drawing inspiration from its seemingly endless shoreline. Aitken fondly recalled his run along this rejuvenating expanse, wishing it stretched on indefinitely.

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New Study Suggests Vaping Poses Significant Risk of Heart Failure

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Vaping heart problems

Recent research suggests a notable increase in the risk of heart failure among individuals who vape, with those who have used e-cigarettes at any point being 19% more likely to develop heart failure compared to non-users. This finding underscores the potential dangers associated with vaping, particularly concerning heart health.

Dr. Yakubu Bene-Alhasan, the lead researcher of the study, emphasized the growing body of evidence linking e-cigarettes to adverse health effects, challenging the previous assumption of their safety. He highlighted the substantial difference observed in heart failure risk among vapers, urging individuals to consider the health implications, particularly concerning heart health.

Heart failure occurs when the heart fails to effectively pump blood throughout the body, often due to weakness or stiffness. According to the British Heart Foundation, over a million people in the UK are affected by heart failure. The study, which examined over 175,000 individuals in the US, including both vapers and non-vapers, found that 3,242 participants developed heart failure over approximately 45 months.

The research indicated that vaping is associated with a specific type of heart failure characterized by stiffening of the heart muscle, leading to impaired blood filling. However, no correlation was found between vaping and reduced ejection fraction, a condition where the heart muscle weakens, resulting in inadequate contraction of the left ventricle.

These findings underscore the need for further investigation into the potential cardiovascular effects of vaping. The study results are being presented at the American College of Cardiology’s annual scientific session, highlighting the significance of this research in shaping public health policies.

In response to the growing concerns, the UK Government recently introduced legislation, known as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, aimed at curbing youth smoking and vaping. The bill includes measures to restrict vape flavors and packaging targeted at children, signaling efforts to address the rising prevalence of vaping among young people.

 

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Record number of migrants cross English Channel so far this year

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Record number of migrants cross English Channel so far this year

So far this year, a record-breaking number of migrants have traversed the English Channel, according to preliminary figures from the Home Office. The count reached 4,644 within the first quarter of 2024, setting a new high for the initial three months of a year.

On a single day, Tuesday, 338 individuals were transported to the UK aboard seven vessels. This surge in arrivals surpasses the early 2022 record of 4,548 from January through March, and also outstrips the 3,793 migrants recorded in the early months of the previous year.

This increase occurs amidst Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s concerted efforts to curtail such crossings under his “stop the boats” initiative, which he claimed was showing results. Despite these efforts, a recent declaration from Downing Street labeled the situation as a “migration emergency,” following a record-setting day for crossings on March 20, with 514 individuals arriving in 10 boats.

Prime Minister Sunak had outlined the “stop the boats” campaign as a key goal for 2023, promising the enactment of new laws aimed at deterring unauthorized arrivals. According to this pledge, illegal entrants would face detention and expedited removal.

Comparatively, the UK saw 29,437 migrants arrive by crossing the Channel in the previous year, a decrease of 36% from the 2022 peak of 45,774. However, current figures indicate a 23% increase in crossings over the same period in 2023, and a 12% rise over 2022, based on PA news agency’s analysis.

Amid these developments, the government’s proposed Rwanda Bill is facing delays in Parliament, with discussions postponed until after the Easter recess. In response to the latest statistics, the Labour Party has criticized the government’s handling of the situation, with Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock urging for more effective border control measures. He criticized Prime Minister Sunak for denying the rise in small boat arrivals and emphasized the need for a more organized border strategy.

Labour proposes enhancing border security, dismantling smuggling networks, addressing the asylum application backlog, ceasing the use of hotels for asylum seekers, and establishing a new returns and enforcement unit.

In its response to the climbing numbers of small boat crossings, the Home Office emphasized the urgency of initiating deportation flights to Rwanda and highlighted ongoing collaboration with French authorities to combat the escalating violence and obstructions faced by police on French shores. The Home Office remains committed to legislative strengthening and international partnerships to decrease these crossings and ensure safety.

 

 

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See Staff at Chillingham Castle, the UK’s most haunted castle confess everything they have seen their time there!

 

 

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School summer holidays should be reduced to fours weeks!

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A recent study recommends reducing the length of school summer vacations to four weeks and extending the duration of mid-term breaks instead. The study, which is set to be released next month and is backed by the Nuffield Foundation, argues that the current school schedule in England, which has remained unchanged since the Victorian era, needs to be updated. This change aims to better support modern families, students, and educators by balancing out the academic year and addressing educational disparities intensified by the pandemic.

Lee Elliott Major, a professor at the University of Exeter and co-author of the study, believes that adjusting the distribution of school holidays throughout the year can improve student wellbeing, ease the workload of teachers, and even out childcare expenses for parents, without incurring additional costs. He asserts that reducing summer breaks while extending the February and October half-terms could help rejuvenate teachers and provide students with breaks during the more intense periods of the school year.

The suggested modifications are especially aimed at benefiting students from less advantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs, who typically struggle with returning to school after a long summer break. Moreover, teachers have reported improvements in behavior and wellbeing when breaks are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

The concept of a shortened summer holiday has previously been experimented with by certain school trusts and local authorities, resulting in significant reductions in absenteeism. Despite this, the proposal has met with some resistance from parents concerned about arranging extended childcare.

Teacher opinions on reducing the summer holiday length are mixed, with no clear consensus according to recent surveys. While the idea of altering school holiday schedules is not new and has seen various levels of implementation and reaction over the years, it continues to provoke debate.

Geoff Barton from the Association of School and College Leaders acknowledges the potential benefits but cautions against quick changes without comprehensive understanding of the impacts. He emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the effects on mental health, educational inequality, and other pressing educational challenges before making any significant calendar adjustments.

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See Staff at Chillingham Castle, the UK’s most haunted castle confess everything they have seen their time there!

 

 

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