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By Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times A recent study that recommended toxic chemicals in black plastic products be immediately thrown away included a math error that significantly overstated the risks of contamination, but its authors are standing by their conclusions and warn against using such products. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Chemosphere , experts from the nonprofit Toxic-Free Future said they detected flame retardants and other toxic chemicals in 85% of 203 items made of black plastic including kitchen utensils , take-out containers, children’s toys and hair accessories. The study initially said the potential exposure to chemicals found in one of the kitchen utensils approached the minimum levels the Environmental Protection Agency deemed a health risk. But in an update to the study, the authors say they made an error in their calculations and the real levels were “an order of magnitude lower” than the EPA’s thresholds. The error was discovered by Joe Schwarcz, director of McGill University’s Office for Science and Society in Canada. In a blog post, Schwarcz explained that the Toxin-Free Future scientists miscalculated the lower end of what the EPA considered a health risk through a multiplication error. Instead of humans being potentially exposed to a dose of toxic chemicals in black plastic utensils near the minimum level that the EPA deems a health risk, it’s actually about one-tenth of that. Though Schwarcz said the risks outlined in the study aren’t enough for him to discard his black plastic kitchen items if he had them, he agreed with the authors that flame retardants shouldn’t be in these products in the first place. “The math error does not impact the study’s findings, conclusions or recommendations,” said Megan Liu, a co-author of the study who is the science and policy manager for Toxic-Free Future . She added that any traces of flame retardants or toxic chemicals in cooking utensils should be concerning for the public. Flame retardants are getting into commonly used items because black-colored products are being made from recycled electronic waste, such as discarded television sets and computers, that frequently contain the additives. When they’re heated, the flame retardants and other toxic chemicals can migrate out. If you’re wondering whether your old black plastic spoon or other utensils are a part of this group, Liu shared some more guidance. It’s nearly impossible to know whether a black plastic product is contaminated. That’s because these products that include recycled e-waste don’t disclose a detailed list of all ingredients and contaminants in the product. Liu said it’s also unclear how many types of flame retardants are in these black plastic products. Some of the products that researchers tested in this recent study “had up to nine different harmful chemicals and harmful flame retardants in them,” she said. Anytime you’re looking for the type of recycled plastic a product is made of you’re going to look for a number within the chasing arrows (that form a triangle) logo. Recycling symbols are numbered 1 to 7 and we commonly associate the numbers with what we can toss in our blue recycling bins. The 1 through 7 numbers stand for, respectively, polyethylene terephthalate, high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or Styrofoam, and miscellaneous plastics (including polycarbonate, polylactide, acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene, styrene, fiberglass and nylon). The study found higher levels of toxic flame retardants in polystyrene plastic, which is labeled with the number 6, said Liu. There isn’t a definitively timeline of when recycled electronic-waste started to be incorporated into black plastic products specifically, but e-waste started to get recycled in the early 2000s, Liu said. The way computers, cellphones, stereos, printers and copiers were being disposed of previously was to simply add them to a landfill without reusing salvageable parts. But as the National Conference of State Legislatures notes, electronics production required a significant amount of resources that could be recovered through recycling. Recovering resources such as metals, plastics and glass through recycling used a fraction of the energy needed to mine new materials. However, the study pointed out that flame retardants and other chemical contaminates have been detected in and near e-waste recycling facilities, in indoor air and dust at formal e-waste recycling facilities in Canada, China, Spain and the U.S. It also noted contamination in soil samples surrounding e-waste recycling sites in China and Vietnam. The safest nontoxic material options for kitchen utensil are wood and stainless steel. ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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MOSCOW (AP) — Russian police raided several bars and nightclubs across Moscow on Saturday as part of the government’s crackdown on “LGBTQ+ propaganda,” state media reported. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * MOSCOW (AP) — Russian police raided several bars and nightclubs across Moscow on Saturday as part of the government’s crackdown on “LGBTQ+ propaganda,” state media reported. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? MOSCOW (AP) — Russian police raided several bars and nightclubs across Moscow on Saturday as part of the government’s crackdown on “LGBTQ+ propaganda,” state media reported. Smartphones, laptops and video cameras were seized, while clubgoers had their documents inspected by officers, Russia’s Tass news agency said, citing sources in law enforcement. The raids come exactly a year since Russia’s Supreme Court ruled that the “LGBTQ+ movement” should be banned as an “extremist organization.” Its decision followed a decades-long crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has touted “traditional family values” as a cornerstone of his quarter-century in power. Footage shared on social media appeared to show partygoers being ordered by police to lie on the floor as officers moved through Moscow’s Arma nightclub. The capital’s Mono bar was also targeted, Russian media reported. In a post on Telegram on Saturday, the club’s management didn’t directly reference an incident with law enforcement, but wrote, “Friends, we’re so sorry that what happened, happened. They didn’t find anything forbidden. We live in such times, but life must go on.” Police also detained the head of the “Men Travel” tour agency on Saturday under anti-LGBT laws, Tass reported. The news agency said that the 48-year-old was suspected of preparing a trip for “the supporters of nontraditional sexual values” to visit Egypt over Russia’s New Year’s holidays. The raids mirror the concerns of Russian activists who warned that Moscow’s designation of the “LGBTQ+ movement” as “extremist” — despite it not being an official entity — could see Russian authorities crack down at will on groups or individuals. Other recent laws have also served to put pressure on those that the Russian government believes aren’t in line with the country’s “traditional values.” On Nov. 23, Putin signed into law a bill banning the adoption of Russian children by citizens of countries where gender-affirming care is legal. The Kremlin leader also approved legislation that outlaws the spread of material that encourages people not to have children. Advertisement
As the 2025 bull run approaches, investors are scouting the crypto market for promising opportunities. Cardano (ADA), a veteran in blockchain technology, and Rexas Finance (RXS), a rising contender revolutionizing real-world asset (RWA) tokenization, are grabbing attention. While ADA has seen impressive growth, Rexas Finance is positioning itself as a game-changer by bridging blockchain with tangible assets. Here’s a look at both options and why Rexas Finance could redefine investment opportunities. Cardano Faces Resistance Despite Momentum Cardano, one of the leading blockchain networks, has experienced significant growth recently. ADA reached $1.04, marking a 218% monthly surge, spurred by optimism over pro-crypto policies under Trump’s administration. However, ADA's struggle to surpass the $1.25 resistance level is raising concerns. Analysts suggest that, while Cardano benefits from speculative interest, its market growth lacks the transformative utility that attracts long-term investment confidence. Cardano’s focus on smart contracts and ecosystem expansion continues, but it faces stiff competition from projects addressing real-world inefficiencies, such as Rexas Finance. Rexas Finance Unlocks Real-World Assets Rexas Finance (RXS) is reshaping the crypto market by introducing seamless access to tokenized real-world assets. Leveraging blockchain, it allows investors to own, trade, and tokenize assets such as real estate, gold, and commodities with unprecedented ease. Rexas simplifies investment in traditionally illiquid markets, providing opportunities for fractional ownership, which significantly lowers the entry barrier. Rexas enables users to tokenize any tangible asset, allowing individuals to buy and sell real estate, commodities, or collectibles through a user-friendly interface. For example, an investor in Asia can now own a share of a restaurant in Europe and earn passive income without visiting the property. This approach transforms asset ownership and creates liquidity in markets traditionally reserved for large institutional investors. The platform’s total token supply of 1 billion (RXS) supports its operations. Token allocation includes presale (42.5%), staking pools (22.5%), and marketing (3%), ensuring sustainable growth and ecosystem expansion. With $17.8 million raised so far, Rexas has demonstrated overwhelming support, as all tokens in stages 1-7 sold out rapidly, with presale prices increasing 3.33x to $0.10 in stage 8. Early investors stand to double their returns when the token launches. Tools and Features Rexas Finance offers innovative tools that simplify tokenization for users: • Token Builder: Helps users tokenize any asset, whether real estate, commodities, or financial instruments. • QuickMint Bot: Available on Telegram and Discord, this feature allows token minting with simple commands, making blockchain accessible to beginners. • Launchpad: Supports fundraising for tokenized projects, giving innovators access to investors within the Rexas ecosystem. With these tools, Rexas bridges the gap between traditional finance and blockchain, enabling the tokenization of virtually any asset. Community Confidence and Recognition Rexas Finance has secured listings on CoinMarketCap and CoinGecko, platforms trusted by millions for crypto data. This visibility enhances investor confidence and community engagement. Additionally, Rexas Finance has undergone a CertiK audit, confirming the security and reliability of its smart contracts. With plans to launch on three top-tier exchanges, RXS is set to expand its reach even further. To attract more participants, Rexas has launched a $1 million giveaway, offering 20 winners $50,000 each in USDT. Participants can boost their chances by completing quests and referring friends, making this an accessible and rewarding entry point into the Rexas ecosystem. Final Thoughts: Why Rexas Finance Leads the Bull Run Narrative Rexas Finance is not merely riding the hype of blockchain trends; it is creating a paradigm shift by tokenizing real-world assets. While Cardano has made strides in blockchain innovation, Rexas Finance addresses immediate, tangible use cases that resonate with investors seeking real-world impact. With an already successful presale, robust tools, and community-driven growth, RXS presents a strong case for outperforming other tokens in the 2025 bull run. For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below: Website: https://rexas.com Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinance (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with NRDPL and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)Robert Libman: Legault's Northvolt gamble is on the verge of disaster
Intech Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Kadant Inc. ( NYSE:KAI – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 2,384 shares of the industrial products company’s stock, valued at approximately $806,000. Other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Janus Henderson Group PLC lifted its position in Kadant by 15.1% in the 1st quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 22,324 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $7,321,000 after acquiring an additional 2,923 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its position in shares of Kadant by 133.3% during the second quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 3,066 shares of the industrial products company’s stock valued at $902,000 after buying an additional 1,752 shares during the last quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in Kadant by 16.1% in the 3rd quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 793 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $268,000 after buying an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Raymond James & Associates raised its position in Kadant by 6.5% in the 2nd quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 84,117 shares of the industrial products company’s stock worth $24,712,000 after buying an additional 5,167 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Sanctuary Advisors LLC bought a new position in Kadant during the 2nd quarter valued at about $615,000. 96.13% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and set a $360.00 price objective on shares of Kadant in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. Kadant Stock Up 2.3 % KAI stock opened at $412.79 on Friday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $354.00 and its two-hundred day moving average is $321.01. The company has a market cap of $4.85 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.25 and a beta of 1.21. Kadant Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $249.51 and a fifty-two week high of $429.95. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a quick ratio of 1.46 and a current ratio of 2.29. Kadant ( NYSE:KAI – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 29th. The industrial products company reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.43 by $0.41. Kadant had a net margin of 11.12% and a return on equity of 15.10%. The company had revenue of $271.61 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $266.38 million. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.69 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 11.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts forecast that Kadant Inc. will post 10.11 earnings per share for the current year. Kadant Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, February 6th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, January 9th will be issued a dividend of $0.32 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.31%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 9th. Kadant’s dividend payout ratio is presently 13.10%. Insiders Place Their Bets In related news, Director Thomas C. Leonard sold 152 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $398.21, for a total value of $60,527.92. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,250 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,692,392.50. This represents a 3.45 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link . Also, VP Fredrik H. Westerhout sold 600 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $397.25, for a total value of $238,350.00. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now owns 1,437 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $570,848.25. The trade was a 29.46 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders sold a total of 3,052 shares of company stock worth $1,091,455 over the last quarter. 1.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Kadant Company Profile ( Free Report ) Kadant Inc supplies technologies and engineered systems worldwide. It operates in three segments: Flow Control, Industrial Processing, and Material Handling. The Flow Control segment develops, manufactures, and markets fluid-handling systems and equipment, such as rotary joints, syphons, turbulator bars, expansion joints, and engineered steam and condensate systems; and doctoring, cleaning, and filtration systems and related consumables consisting of doctor systems and holders, doctor blades, cleaning shower and fabric-conditioning systems, forming systems and wear surfaces, and water-filtration systems. Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Kadant How to Calculate Retirement Income: MarketBeat’s Calculator The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing Should You Add These Warren Buffett Stocks to Your Portfolio? 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 10 Best Airline Stocks to Buy FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Receive News & Ratings for Kadant Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kadant and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump’s political coalition
Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals'Hyderabad traffic police books motorist for noise pollution, dangerous drivingNot long ago, someone asked about the Rialto Theater that once stood at the southeast corner of Walnut and Pine streets in Lockport. It was recently featured on the Niagara History Center Facebook page. While looking into the history of a property, it is always interesting to learn what was on the site before and after a particular structure was there. On the 1851 map of the village of Lockport, the earliest one that includes names, the southeast corner of Walnut and Pine is occupied by Dr. C. Hill. A quick check of the 1856 Lockport Directory reveals his first name as “Caleb.” He was born in Orwell, Vermont, in 1802 and graduated from the Vermont Academy of Medicine in 1827. Dr. Hill was still living in Vermont in 1830 at about which time he married Fannie Bacon; their son and only child, Linnaeus, was born in 1832. In 1840, the family was residing in Ridgeway in Orleans County. When Dr. Hill moved to Lockport is unclear, but he was there by 1850. In an 1890 reminiscence in the Lockport Daily Journal, it is stated that, “Dr. Hill, formerly in company with Dr. J. H. Helmer, lived here for some years and built the home now occupied by James Jackson, Jr....” Not much could be learned about Dr. Hill’s tenure in Lockport. At least one local physician, Dr. Peter Faling of Gasport, wrote that he had studied under Dr. Hill in Lockport in the 1850s. One lasting connection the Hills had to this area was their daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Van Horn. She was the daughter of John Van Horn and granddaughter of James Van Horn of Newfane. Linnaeus and Elizabeth married in 1856 and moved to Brooklyn. Dr. and Mrs. Hill sold the house at Walnut and Pine a year later and also moved to Brooklyn where Dr. Hill died in 1863 at the age of 61. Before Dr. Hill left Lockport, his house and property were purchased for $7,000 by his partner, Dr. Josiah H. Helmer, who, within a short time, sold it to Dr. Samuel S. Thorn for the same amount (about $270,000 in 2024). In 1860, Dr. Thorn sued Dr. Helmer for selling him the property “above its estimated value.” Thorn won a $1,000 ($38,500) judgment against Helmer. Dr. Thorn did not keep the property for very long and soon moved to Toledo, Ohio. The next owner of the house was James Jackson, Jr. The address was 33 Walnut Street (later changed to 106 Walnut) and Jackson would reside there for 30 years until his death in 1891. He was born January 26, 1825 in Medina, where he also married Lizzie Gurden, in 1845, and his only child, J. Carl, was born a year later. The family moved to Lockport in about 1855 and Jackson opened his first lumber yard at Clinton and Mill streets a few years later. Lizzie died in 1861 and Jackson later married Emily Fitch. By the mid-1860s, Jackson was involved in the political life of the village. He was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Democrat representing Lockport for one term in 1864. Three years later he was elected Mayor of Lockport for one term. He ran for the 29th New York District in the U.S. Congress in 1868 and was defeated. In 1873, Jackson was elected a New York State Canal Commissioner for a three-year term. He re-entered politics in 1886 when he ran again for Congress, this time in the 33rd District. His opponent was Civil War hero Col. John B. Weber of Buffalo, who won the election. Following this defeat, Jackson retired from politics and concentrated on his business and community activities. In 1872, Jackson acquired the Van Valkenburgh lumber mill on East Market Street, about where Widewaters is today. This greatly increased his business as well as his assets; the 1870s was a good decade for him. He improved and expanded both of his lumber mills as well as his home and property at Walnut and Pine streets. A sketch of Jackson’s house in the 1878 Illustrated History of Niagara County shows a quaint Gothic-style home with gingerbread trim. The home and property were the scene of many social and charity events. By the 1870s, Jackson had turned the mill businesses over to his son, J. Carl, but he retained offices in several other companies including president of the Farmers’ & Mechanics’ Bank, treasurer of the Merchant’s Gargling Oil Company, vice-president of the Lockport Pulp Company, as well as member of the boards of the Holly Manufacturing Company, the Union Printing & Publishing Company and several others. Jackson died suddenly of a stroke on March 6, 1891, at the age of 66, in the Gilsey House Hotel while on a business trip to New York City. His body was brought back to Lockport for burial in Cold Spring Cemetery. Following Jackson’s death, his wife Emily remained in the home for a few years but later moved just across Walnut Street to the Blackley Flats Apartments. There were reports in the newspapers that the Jackson property was being considered for development including an apartment building in 1895, and the new Federal Building/Post Office in 1899. Neither project came to fruition and the home was turned into a boarding house. In 1912, the property was sold at public auction for back taxes. Emily Jackson died the following year, on January 14, 1913, at the age of 72. Six months later the house was heavily damaged in a fire caused by a flying ember from another fire on Buffalo Street. This ended the story of the nearly 65-year-old, once beautiful home. By the end of 1913, Lockport entertainment mogul Henry Thurston, who already owned the Temple Theater on Walnut Street, announced plans to build an open “Airdome” on the former Jackson property, primarily to hold sporting events. A few years later, he enclosed the arena, calling it Thurston’s “Auditorium.” With the growing popularity of motion pictures, Thurston once again transformed his venue at Walnut and Pine streets, this time into the Rialto Theater. The business was operated by the Schine Corporation. The new theater opened on November 11, 1924 to two sold out shows, with 1,500 people for each show, and a crowd of at least that number waiting to get into each performance. Gloria Swanson in “Wages of Virture” was the first movie presented there. A novelty of the new theater was the chance for the audience to see themselves on the big screen in the “Civic and Industrial Review of Lockport,” which featured films of the city’s business, industrial, retail and public places. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, even with competition from the Hi-Art and the Palace, the Rialto continued to attract a crowd with first-run movies and short features. The theater was remodeled and updated over the years and the main entrance was moved from Pine Street to the Walnut Street side. The last year the Rialto was in operation was in 1957. It was torn down in 1962 for a parking lot for the nearby M & T Bank. Later a small branch bank was built on the site.
MIT Unveils Game-Changing Nano-Antennas for Bioelectric Monitoring, Promises Leap in Disease Diagnosis,
THE SOCIAL Democrats candidate for Limerick City, Elisa O’Donovan, said she is “hopeful” to snap up the fourth and final seat in the constituency, but that “nothing can be taken for granted”. The final tallies showed that the Limerick City and County Councillor is firmly in the running for picking up the fourth seat in the City, with poll topper Willie O’Dea likely to take the first seat. Ms O’Donovan said: “I can’t believe the amount of Limerick people who put number one beside my name, I knew we had momentum and people believed in our message but it is still a wonderful experience to be in with a shot.” READ MORE: PICTURES: Counting of General Election votes continues at Limerick Racecourse In terms of the ballot paper error, which saw Kieran O’Donnell of Fine Gael and Mr O’Dea also impacted by the non-alphabetical order, Ms O’Donovan said: “You spend so much time and money on an election that you would hope that things like that would be checked once and checked twice, but obviously it just wasn’t in this case. “It is disappointing but hopefully it won’t have any material impact,” she said.