#home cleaning companies in November 2024

[my-house-cleaner]

Why Professional Home Cleaning Companies in November 2024 Are Worth the Investment

As November 2024 rolls around and the holiday season approaches, you might find yourself juggling preparations and wondering if professional home cleaning services are truly worth the investment. Home cleaning companies in November 2024 offer advanced cleaning technologies and eco-friendly solutions that leave your home spotless, allowing you to focus on more joyful tasks. Beyond just surface cleaning, they prioritize health and hygiene, tackling hidden allergens and germs. But have you considered how these services could transform your holiday experience? Let's explore the true value they bring to your home and peace of mind.

Holiday Season Preparation

As the holiday season approaches, it's time to get your home in tip-top shape for guests and gatherings.

Hiring a professional home cleaning company can be a game-changer. You won't have to stress over scrubbing floors or dusting every nook and cranny. Instead, let the experts handle it, ensuring your home sparkles from top to bottom.

My House Cleaner  The Woodlands will tackle those tricky spots you might overlook, like ceiling fans and baseboards. With their efficient service, you'll have more time to focus on decorating and planning your holiday menu.

Plus, a clean home creates a welcoming atmosphere, making your guests feel comfortable and festive.

Invest in professional cleaning, and you'll enjoy a stress-free, joyful holiday season with family and friends.

Advanced Cleaning Technologies

After preparing your home for the holidays with professional help, it's fascinating to explore the advanced cleaning technologies these companies use to deliver outstanding results.

They've got cutting-edge tools and equipment designed to tackle even the toughest dirt and grime. For instance, robotic vacuum cleaners navigate seamlessly around furniture, ensuring every corner's spotless. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in vacuums trap allergens, improving air quality instantly.

Steam cleaners sanitize surfaces without harsh chemicals, making them effective on stubborn stains. These pros also use smart scheduling apps to optimize cleaning routes and times, ensuring efficiency and precision.

You'll appreciate their use of UV light technology to disinfect surfaces, eliminating bacteria and viruses. With these innovations, your home sparkles like never before.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

Embracing eco-friendly cleaning solutions, professional house cleaning services in The Woodlands are redefining how we maintain our living spaces.

You'll find that these companies prioritize using non-toxic, biodegradable products that are safe for your family and pets. By choosing such services, you're not just ensuring a spotless home but also contributing to a healthier planet. They utilize green-certified products and methods that minimize environmental impact while effectively tackling dirt and grime.

Moreover, these companies often implement practices like recycling and waste reduction in their operations, further supporting sustainability.

You can rest easy knowing that your home's cleanliness doesn't come at the earth's expense. Opting for eco-friendly cleaning professionals means you're making a conscious choice to protect both your home environment and the global ecosystem.

Time-Saving Benefits

When you're juggling a busy schedule, the time-saving benefits of hiring professional home cleaning companies in November 2024 can't be overstated.

You're free to focus on what truly matters to you—be it spending quality time with family, pursuing hobbies, or advancing your career. Professional cleaners handle the scrubbing, dusting, and vacuuming efficiently, giving you hours back each week.

You also avoid the hassle of buying and maintaining cleaning supplies. Professionals bring their own tools and products, so that's one less thing to worry about.

Additionally, they clean faster and more thoroughly than you might on your own, thanks to their expertise and experience. By relying on them, you ensure your home is clean without sacrificing your precious time or energy.

Health and Hygiene Priorities

Maintaining a clean home isn't just about aesthetics; it's crucial for your health and hygiene, too. Dust, allergens, and germs can accumulate quickly, affecting your family's well-being.

House cleaners  The Woodlands use specialized tools and products to eliminate these hidden threats more effectively than typical cleaning routines.

You mightn't realize it, but common areas like kitchens and bathrooms are breeding grounds for bacteria.

Professionals target these hotspots with precision, reducing the risk of infections. They also tackle hard-to-reach spots, ensuring no corner is left untouched.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Professional Cleaning Companies Handle Delicate or Antique Items?

You'll find professional cleaning companies carefully handle delicate or antique items by using specialized techniques and products.

They train staff to recognize fragile pieces, ensuring gentle cleaning and preventing damage, giving you peace of mind with their expertise.

What Insurance Coverage Do Cleaning Companies Provide for Potential Damages?

When you hire cleaning companies, they typically offer liability insurance covering potential damages.

This insurance ensures you're protected if anything breaks or gets damaged.

Always check the specifics of their coverage to ensure you're fully covered.

Can I Customize the Cleaning Services to Fit Specific Needs?

Yes, you can customize cleaning services to fit your specific needs.

Most companies offer flexible packages, allowing you to choose what areas to focus on, frequency of visits, and any special requests you might have.

How Do Professional Cleaners Ensure the Safety of Pets During Cleaning?

Professional cleaners prioritize pet safety by using non-toxic products and keeping animals away from cleaning zones.

They communicate with you to understand your pet's needs and ensure a safe, stress-free environment during the cleaning process.

What Qualifications or Training Do Professional Cleaners Typically Have?

You'll find that professional cleaners often have training in sanitation, safety, and efficient cleaning techniques.

They're usually certified through industry-recognized programs, ensuring they meet high standards.

Their expertise ensures your home's cleaned thoroughly and safely.

Conclusion

By investing in home cleaning companies in November 2024, you're setting yourself up for a stress-free holiday season. You'll enjoy the benefits of advanced cleaning technologies and eco-friendly solutions that create a healthier home. With experts handling the often-overlooked areas, your space will be spotless, welcoming, and guest-ready. Plus, you'll save precious time and energy, allowing you to fully embrace the joy of the season with family and friends. It's a decision you won't regret.

[reasonsforhope]

"A company in France has developed genetically-enhanced houseplants that remove 30 times more indoor air pollutants than your normal ficus.

Paint, treated wood, household cleaners, insulation, unseen mold—there is a shopping list of things that can fill the air you breathe in your home with VOCs or volatile organic compounds. These include formaldehyde and other airborne substances that can cause inflammation and irritation in the body.

The best way to tackle this little-discussed private health problem is by keeping good outdoor airflow into your living spaces, but in the dog days of summer or the depths of a Maine winter, that might not be possible.

Houseplants can remove these pollutants from the air, and so the company Neoplants decided to make simple alterations to these species’ genetic makeup to supercharge this cleaning ability.

In particular, houseplants’ natural ability to absorb pollutants like formaldehyde relies on them storing them as toxins to be excreted later.

French scientists and Neoplants’ co-founders Lionel Mora and Patrick Torbey engineered a houseplant to convert them instead to plant matter. They also took aim at the natural microbiome of houseplants to enhance their ability to absorb and process VOCs as well.

The company’s first offering—the Neo P1—is a Devil’s ivy plant that sits on a custom-designed tall stand that both maximizes its air-cleaning properties and allows it to be watered far less often.

Initial testing, conducted by the Ecole Mines-Telecom of Lille University, shows that if you do choose to shell out the $179 for the Neo P1, it’s as if you were buying 30 houseplants. Of course, if you went for the budget route of 30 houseplants, you’d have to water them all.

The founders pointed out in an interview done with Forbes last year that once they settled on the species and fixed the winning genetic phenotype, the next part of the process was just raising plants, the same activity done in every nursery and florist in every town in Europe."

Deliveries for the P1 are estimated for August 2024.

-via Good News Network, November 6, 2023

--

Note: I'm not a plant biologist, but if this works the way the company's white paper says it does, holy genetic engineering, Batman.

(Would love to hear thoughts from anyone who is a plant biologist or other relevant field!)

[humanrightsupdates]

Amnesty International: Water Defender Killed

On Saturday, September 14, environmental defender and coordinator of the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Assets, Juan López, was murdered as he was leaving his work as a community and religious leader in the parish of San Isidro Labrador in the municipality of Tocoa, department of Colón, northern Honduras. According to public reports, Juan López was shot by an unidentified person on a motorcycle. We demand the Honduran authorities to ensure a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killing of Juan López, as well as other killings and attacks against the defenders of the Guapinol river, to refrain from using the justice system to harass them and to ensure their integral protection.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: November 14, 2024

Several communities, campesino groups, parishes, and local organizations in the municipality of Tocoa (department of Colón), North of Honduras, led by the Municipal Committee for the Defense of Common and Public Assets (Comité Municipal por la Defensa de los Bienes Comunes y Públicos, CMDBCP) have opposed the operating license issued to the mining company, Inversiones Los Pinares in the Carlos Escalera National Park, formerly known as Montaña de Botaderos, since 2015. On August 1, 2018, local residents set up the “Guapinol camp” to peacefully protest against the license and mining exploitation in the core zone of a protected area of the water sources on which they depend for their survival.

Members of the CMDBCP have faced at least two criminal proceedings since 2018 for defending the Guapinol and San Pedro Rivers of the impacts mining project. Aly and his brother, Reynaldo Dominguez, as well as Juan López, Leonel George, Marco Tulio Ramos, Eugenio Esquivel, and Adaly Cedillo spent some time in prison in 2019 along with other Guapinol River defenders for these proceedings. The same proceedings led to the unjust detention of eight defenders of the Guapinol river for more than two years solely for peacefully defending the right to clean water.

After rigorous analysis, Amnesty International determined that the case file shows multiple flaws in the investigation and declared them prisoners of conscience. Following a Supreme Court ruling citing violations of the right to due process, the eight defenders of the Guapinol river were released in February 2021. In a separate decision, in June 2022, this court annulled similarly unfounded criminal proceedings against Juan López, Leonel George, Reynaldo Domínguez, Marco Tulio Ramos, and Adaly Cedillo.

On January 7, 2023, Aly Magdaleno, Domínguez Ramos, and Jairo Bonilla Ayala were intercepted by armed assailants as they were returning home and shot and killed on the spot, according to their relatives.

On February 7, 2024, lawyers of the Guapinol defenders were notified that the prosecutor's office in Tocoa had appealed, in December 2022, a favorable resolution of the Supreme Court of Justice that annulled unfounded criminal proceedings against five Guapinol defenders: Juan López, Leonel George, Reynaldo Domínguez, Marco Tulio Ramos, and Adaly Cedillo. A sixth defender, Eugenio Esquivel, appears in the appeal although he is not part of the case in question.

Over the last five years, Amnesty International has been alerted on numerous deaths and other attacks against activists in Honduras, which is one of the deadliest countries in the world to be a human rights defender. Honduras still one of the deadliest countries in the world for land and environmental defenders. Despite the seriousness of the attacks on these defenders, Honduras has not yet signed the Escazú Agreement, the first environmental human rights treaty in Latin America and the Caribbean, which obliges signatory states to protect environmental defenders and entered into force on April 22, 2021.

[alsjeblieft-zeg]

083 of 2024

Created by chasingghosts

Are you going to be busy tomorrow?

I hope so. Still some packing, and I hope to go to France for shopping.

What was the last topic you read about on Wikipedia?

Lada cars. Like, these ones from Russia.

Have you ever donated money to Wikipedia?

No, I haven't. Honestly, not planning to do either.

Is your country part of the Commonwealth?

No, it's not. From Europe, only 3 countries are and mine is not one of them.

Around what time of the year do you start your Christmas shopping?

November? Anything earlier feels too early.

Do you have blinds or curtains on your windows?

Blinds on most of them. We only have curtains on windows that come to the backyard, and our kitchen window + bathroom window has nothing at all.

What are the most common birds you'd see around your home?

House sparrows, house martins, seagulls, pigeons.

Did you sleep well last night?

Yeah. But there was a lot of work today so I'm tired now, I'm gonna go to bed when I finish this.

Did you live within walking distance of school when you were a kid?

Theoretically yes, but I also had one tram stop.

What board games did you play when you were growing up?

I was playing outside with friends, not playing board games.

Do you know any sign language?

No, sadly. It would be convenient, though.

When was the last time you bought new clothes? What did you get?

Last year I think, a hoodie.

What, other than books, do you have on your bookshelves?

Fake plants (so my cat doesn't get poisoned when she tries to eat them), photo frames, some sea-themed decorations, perfume bottles.

Do you ever watch streamers on Twitch?

No, I don't.

How close are your nearest neighbours?

We share walls.

Has your house ever been broken into? How did you find out?

No, thankfully not.

What do you usually eat for breakfast?

A yogurt or cereal with milk.

What's the first thing your hand touches if you reach to the left?

The couch or the blanket, depends how far.

Describe your favourite mug or cup.

It's white and has a logo of our company on it. Another one is green, another is black and another is transparent.

If you could teleport to any country right now for a holiday, what would it be?

Poland, but I'm going next week anyway.

Are you overwhelmed right now?

Yeah, kind of. But only two working days to summer break, so I'm gonna leave work troubles at work.

Did you share a bedroom with someone when you were growing up?

No, my sister had her own room.

Have you ever had anything dry cleaned?

I haven't, but my husband had, one of the things he was selling.

How many group chats are you in? Do you participate in them much?

I'm not in any, but I'm a member of a few forums.

What's the best concert you ever went to?

I don't really go to concerts, but I'm gonna say Shuriken II. Guys are really good.

Do you like to watch subtitled movies?

I don't like to watch movies.

Are you still in touch with any of your exes?

Yes, with Nielsje. We're still close friends.

How old were you when the first American Pie movie came out?

I don't even know when it came out.

Do you know how to change the oil in a car? What about a flat tyre?

Yes and yes.

What do you do for work?

I build trains. Like, for real.

[vindicta-reliquiae]

//so, it's 2024 already. the last time i ever posted was 21 May 2022.

it's been 2 years, and my life has been like Space Mountain. i'll try not to ramble so much, but here goes.

i've been on prescription since around August last year, for depression. there was a point of time where i kept breaking down everytime i came home from work, more so coz around November 2022 i thought i got me a good job being a writer for a packaging company. but that didn't work out at all considering management was technically horrible, horrendously lack of manpower, and the office space was more barren and desolate than a Level 4 backroom. it didn't do well for my mental health at all and i have no idea how i managed to survive SIX fucking months there.

(i prolly burned the bridge there too but oh well)

then i don't know why but i went back to my old teaching place around June last year, and that's not working out either apparently; i know now how much i fucking hate making cold calls. and as much as i'm still able to teach like i used to before 2020, now i'm just,,,,,miserable i guess. still am, but hopefully not too long i hope.

i got a new job lined up soon, and i'm honestly hoping that this will work out at least better than my last one. i also have been trying to work my way to do more voice acting/do voiceworks and dubbing recently, what with being casted in my good friend's animated shorts. that's good progress, i hope.

and im not joking when i said cleaning my email inbox drove me to come back here. and tbh i really hope i can stay just a little longer here, and reconnect with old friends again. i sometimes come back to Tumblr to read back all the things i've written, and reminisce a bit. and it makes me feel bittersweet, but also cheers me up.

if you got this far, thank you i love you merry chrismas. i do miss some of the friends here sometimes, but brain tends to be ewie and shit and i hate it.

you know what's funny? 4 years ago i welt AWOL too. i gotta stop it honestly.

[tameodesza]

Last updated: November 2, 2024

💡Welcome to the hub of all of my fics!

💡Shawn Michaels-centric; BretShawn’s my OTP 🫶🏽

💡 I’ll occasionally write other Shawn pairings as well

💡 I only post on tumblr and ao3; anywhere else isn’t me

PS: I do not do requests, but only because I’m afraid of doing a bad job 😭 (writer’s block is the devil). But please feel free to ask questions or leave comments about any of my fics! Hope you enjoy! :)

[purple text] = latest update

Bret Hart x Shawn Michaels

💍 Househusband AU

Shawn is a stay-at-home husband to one of the greatest wrestlers of all time - Bret Hart. This is a collection of short stories and headcanons showcasing their love for each other as they navigate the trials and tribulations of marriage.

🌷 Love’s Maze

Shawn suffers through a painful heartbreak after ending his 7-year toxic relationship with Marty Jannetty, but Bret is there to help pick up the pieces.

  🍼 Daddy’s Boy AU:

The Wrestling Promoter’s Kid: Shawn Michaels is Vince McMahon’s son, which impacts not only his career, but his relationship as well.

Daddy's Disapproval: Vince disapproves Shawn’s relationship with Bret

🧟‍♂️ Dead Ends (zombie au)

As an unknown virus spreads rapidly amongst society, Bret and Shawn are forced to depend on each other for survival. This is the story of how this unlikely pair attempts to navigate through the post-apocalyptic world while growing to love each other along the way.

👑 Prince AU

Headcanon 1: Shawn, a 28-year-old prince, and Bret, a 35-year-old farmer, live completely opposite lives. But despite their difference in social status, their paths cross in ways they least expect.

Headcanon 2: Shawn's courting process has begun, and this focuses on Shawn’s courtship adventures with Mark and Ric.

Strawberry Prince: Prince Shawn begins his courtship with Bret, but all it takes is one day for them to fall for each other.

Bittersweet: Prince Shawn informs his parents of his decision to marry Bret, but when their disapproval threatens to tear the pair apart, a plan is concocted to unite the lovers once again.

🎯 One Shots

House of Horrors: Bret takes Shawn to a spooky attraction for spooky season.

Modus Operandi: Bret had worked a lot of odd jobs throughout his career, but he never thought his film degree would lead him to the set of a porno.

Closure: They were lovers once. Two halves destined to entwine. But life had a way of beating them down, cracking their happy façade, leaving two broken halves that could never fit again.

Second Chance: Shawn needed to see Bret one last time, to see if they could salvage whatever scraps were left of what they once had.

🗒��� Other Headcanons

Harry Potter AU: Slytherin!Shawn x Gryffindor! Bret

Kevin Nash x Shawn Michaels

💔 The Affair AU

Infidelity: Shawn begins a tumultuous affair with Bret after Kevin leaves for WCW.

Confession: Shawn is pressured to come clean about his affair with Bret Hart.

🎯 One Shots

Envy: Kevin comforts an upset Shawn after Kevin wins the WWF Championship belt

Stripped: Shawn does a promo nearly naked and it leaves Kevin hot and bothered.

Cotton Candy Kisses: Kevin tries to win a prize for Shawn at the county fair but it doesn’t go according to plan

The Bodyguard: Men threw themselves at Shawn all the time, but he felt empty inside. He was an object used to fulfill their needs. And at the end of the day, they went back to their lives, to their loved ones who were unaware of their dirty little secret named Shawn Michaels

Boundaries: Diesel understood that Shawn had some kinky clients, but he’d never seen Shawn so battered after a session

Other

To All the Men Shawn's Ever Loved: Shawn and his 5 boyfriends. {shawn/marty/kevin/bret/taker/hunter}

Three's Company: Hunter had done a lot of crazy things for Shawn. But he was thrown for a loop when Shawn approached him one night, throwing around the idea of an open marriage. {shawn/hunter/bret}

The Valley: In Death Valley, Halloween wasn’t a night to play tricks or seek treats. It wasn’t a night to disrespect the dead by wearing them as costumes. Rather, it was the one night the dead could walk amongst the living. {hbtaker}

[jacks-tracks]

Puerto November 2024

Wait! What happened to the last 7 months!? Lots, but that is all carefully writtten as a draft on a piece of paper, which is hiding.

So,taking up from my happy return in April. home seemed very quiet. That,s what i forget about Lasqueti, it,s just the sound of nature, with the occasional vehicle clanking down the rotten road. Like mine!

Having spent a month banging pipes into the rotten frame of the Willy truck(it was free!) , which ran last fall, I tried to start it this Spring, but the fuel pump had died. So i cut out the truck deck, only to discover that the pump had no power. Guided by my buddy Sam, testing proved that it was indeed non functional. Then sam revealed that the trucks brakes were bad and the clutch failing. 3 strikes/out! Now it,s a parts truck, and needed as the fuel injectors on the original Mazda were clogged. N,o amount of injector cleaner helped, but by acclerating wildly in 1st, i got the fourth cylinder to cu t in.

Hmmm, parts truck! I,d never seen a fuel injector, much less changed them, but with Sams patient help and by removing an exceptional number of bolts, the injectors were revealed. Cleaned with solvent, blown out with flaky turkey baster invention, reinstalled... no change. Was it the plugs? the wires? Me? Sam said ..lets transplant the Willy injectors into the reluctant mazda. More hidden bolts, another unsuccesful try and finally with the suspect injectors discarded, triumph! Still rough, surely no resale value, but it goes! And ran all summer. Mostly I rode my old motorcycle, saving on gas, which ran out on the island when the barge got diverted. I had squirreld a few cans away, so kept rolling.

After last years wireworm plague I moved my garden to Waynes field.Real dirt! 3 inch firepump watering, fast! 60 foot rows of potatoes, beets, carrots, beans, broccoli, squash and a selection of winter vegetables. Wish I could say it was great, but the coast had very mixed weather, alternating hot cold spells, drought and rain, and none of them in the correct order to encourage the growth. 100 buckets of seaweed for fertilizer and mulch. tilled with the dying Honda to remove weeds, and had a bumper crop of volunteer kale. I ate kale as a survival food back when I was broke, not so tasty now. Zuchini was slow, so you know its bad. Deer and sheep pushed the fish net fences at home, sucking the leaves off the thornless blackberrys, and even weaseled under a corner to top the kale, twice! I did a lot of fence fixing! A BB pistol kept the deer moving( no harm , but it startles them!). What was very productive was apples. My 12 trees yielded 1000 pounds! Canned as sauce, dried , and juiced Got up to drinking a litre of fresh juice daily. I gave away 500 pounds and the sheep and deer shared the rest with me.

Old friends came to visit, Arn for Arts fest, Kevin Eleven for a birthday party, and the kids for the Firemans picnic.It,s fun having guests! I had a house guest for 5 weeks too.

My tenant in the old dome home had a baby with his bi polar wife. His friend sent her Mom from Singapore to help with the baby and housework. Gina, recently retired from a career as an accountant was living in their tiny home and all was well till the bi polar wife hit tilt and had a screaming meltdown Gina fled to my house where i welcomed her in to stay in my guest room. Must say I enjoyed the Chinese cooking, intelligent company, and explaining the island life with it,s attendant processes. Big jump from Singapore to the woods! Gina left to travel on but will return in April for another visit.

Having a boat shaped hole in my head, I bought a catalina 27 from my friend Rosalind, who bought it on impulse and realized it needed much work while she already had a 30 foot life boat restoration on the go. Together we fixed the essentials, like running motor, bilge pumps, etc. The season timed out before we even took a test sail so I paid for the boat and left it moored out on her shore line in long Bay No leaks, good spot, might be there in the Spring! I,ve missed sailing a lot, and the Lasqueti ferry was over crowded all summer, so having transport and a freight boat (Gas ,food, people) will be great.

The rainy season came early, monsoon downpours, 3 inches in a day, 7 inches over a week, cold and soggy. I harvested my puny plants, transferred the overflowing catchment tanks to the uphill storage, and winterized the house Already the grey, short, cold days were affecting my mood. I hate winter on the coast, 7 months of blah! Burned a lot of firewood, which dries the house, makes hot water, and also dries apples and laundry. LED lights are easy on electricity, so my old second hand batteries, managed. New ones in the spring along with more panels and a freezer at home. As inflation eats away the buying power of my savings, I,m putting the capital into hard goods, like batterys, sailboats and maybe a newer truck.

Enough off the cuff blab... More from Puerto soon...

[starfriday]

Crompton Launches the Nigella Pro Mixer Grinder to Revolutionize Kitchen Convenience

07 November 2024, Mumbai – Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited, renowned for its long-standing commitment to technological advancement and consumer satisfaction, unveils its newest addition to its kitchen appliance portfolio – the Nigella Pro 500W Mixer Grinder. Crafted to enhance the cooking experience by seamlessly blending functionality with modern aesthetics, the Crompton Nigella Pro is an essential addition to any home. Designed for efficiency and convenience, it meets all your culinary needs. With its powerful 500W Powertron Motor, it delivers quick grinding and blending, helping you save valuable time in your daily cooking routine.

With its powerful cooking capacity, the Crompton Nigella Pro mixer grinder is made to simplify your cooking tasks. This multipurpose grinder provides efficiency and convenience with its many jars for blending, grinding, storing, and carrying ingredients, thereby, effortlessly saving valuable time. The Nigella Pro is a dependable partner for your cooking projects because of its continuous 30-minute grinding capability, which guarantees smooth functioning for even the most demanding recipes. Whether you're blending a quick morning smoothie, preparing baby food, or crafting flavorful chutneys, the Nigella Pro Mixer Grinder is not just another kitchen appliance—it’s a lifestyle enhancer. Designed for maximum efficiency and convenience, it boasts unique Grind, Blend, Store, and Carry jars that meet all your culinary needs. Moreover, with its powerful 500W Powertron Motor, this mixer grinder ensures swift grinding and blending, helping you save precious time while effortlessly grinding the hardest ingredients.

The Nigella Pro mixer grinder is designed to elevate your culinary experience which handles the toughest tasks, from blending ice to providing the best grinding of the delicate ingredients.

Grind, Blend, Store & Carry Jars: The Nigella Pro includes specially designed inverted PC jars with cover lids and sipper caps, allowing you to seamlessly transition from grinding to storage and even on-the-go.

Uninterrupted Grinding: Experience 30 minutes of continuous grinding, perfect for those larger batches without the hassle of frequent interruptions.

Ergonomically Designed: The large knob is easy to operate, ensuring a user-friendly experience for everyone in the household.

Enhanced Airflow and Aesthetics: The innovative honeycomb vents not only improve airflow for efficient operation but also add a modern touch to your kitchen decor.

Ease of Cleaning and Usage: The transparent PC jars allow you to monitor your blending consistency, making it easier than ever to achieve your desired texture.

With the Nigella Pro Mixer Grinder, Crompton is committed to enhancing everyday cooking experiences, providing the perfect balance of power, convenience, and style.

Speaking about the company’s newly launched product, Ketan Chaudhari, PL Head, Small Domestic Appliances at Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd., said, "With the launch of the Nigella Pro Mixer Grinder, we are excited to redefine convenience in the kitchen for our customers. This innovative product enhances the cooking experience, allowing users to effortlessly prepare a variety of dishes, from nutritious smoothies to flavorful chutneys. Designed to meet the evolving needs of today’s busy lifestyles, the Nigella Pro empowers our customers to lead healthier lives with ease. Its unique features, including Grind, Blend, Store, and Carry jars, make meal preparation efficient and enjoyable. Equipped with a powerful 500W Powertron Motor and advanced Motor Vent-X technology, the Nigella Pro ensures optimal performance and longevity. Whether you're a busy professional or a culinary enthusiast, this mixer grinder is an indispensable tool that caters to all cooking needs, reflecting our commitment to providing quality appliances that simplify life."

The Nigella Pro, with corrosion & leakage-free stainless steel jars are set to transform the blending experience in household across India. The price of the product is INR 3500 and is available at all Crompton authorized retail outlets and leading ecommerce platforms. This innovative product is poised to make morning’s easier, meals healthier, and lives simpler

[theultimatefan]

World Food Championships Welcomes Bar Keepers Friend as 'Official Clean Team'

As final preparations are being made by World Food Championships to host hundreds of amateur and professional cook teams in Indianapolis this Fall, one thing is guaranteed… the Kitchen Arena will be spotless. The World Food Championships announced today that Bar Keepers Friend will serve as the “Official Clean Team” at this year’s event taking place November 8-12 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Fall Creek Pavilion located at the Indiana State Fairgrounds & Event Center.

The “Clean Team” will be responsible for keeping the 30+ cook stations in the Kitchen Arena and surrounding demonstration areas spotless and sanitary from round to round, including opening and final rounds in the 12 different competitor categories.

Indianapolis-based Bar Keepers Friend has been a leading manufacturer of household and industrial cleaning products since 1882. The company’s “claim to fame” – its original powder cleanser - effectively removes rust, mineral deposits, oxidation, grease, and baked-on stains from a wide variety of surfaces. Over the years, Bar Keepers Friend continued to innovate, creating products like their Soft Cleanser, Cookware Cleanser, MORE Spray + Foam multipurpose cleanser, and many more. Used in homes, businesses, and institutions worldwide, Bar Keepers Friend cleaning products are safe to use on stainless steel, copper, brass, glass, fiberglass, ceramic, tile, chrome, Formica, porcelain, and Corian.

In 1956, Dr. Beurt SerVaas purchased Bar Keepers Friend from the Gisler Polish Corporation; leading to the establishment of SerVaas Laboratories. “We’re very proud to sponsor the World Food Championships,” said Paul SerVaas, President & CEO of SerVaas Laboratories. “We guarantee our cleansers will make your cookware shine as bright as your trophies. Stop by our booth and ask us for a free sample.”

“We are thrilled to have Bar Keepers Friend come abroad this year to help with the clean-up and transition between competitions in Kitchen Arena,” said Mike McCloud, Founder of World Food Championships. “We appreciate having an expert clean team using industry leading products to support the cleanup process in an environmentally positive way. With Bar Keepers Friend in the kitchen, our Food Champs can focus on food preparation and leave the cleaning to the pros.”

Since its debut in 2012, WFC has amassed a tremendous worldwide following, providing a one-of-a-kind culinary experience at its events, as well as numerous live and made-for-TV shows. In addition to popularizing competitive cooking, the WFC platform has had an undeniable impact on the food industry, facilitating the creation of more than 10,000 new dishes and supporting communities via partnerships with various local non-profits, charities, and food banks throughout the United States. In short, the WFC platform has given birth to “Food Sport” by providing a level playing field, a fair judging system, innovative culinary programming, ambassador opportunities, TV visibility and a process that allows talented culinary teams to compete in ways never seen. The 2024 World Food Championships will be held in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 8-12, with qualifying events being conducted throughout the year.

Consumers and competitors can stay up to date on all announcements and programming updates for the upcoming championship event by following the World Food Championships on social media via Facebook and Instagram (@WorldFoodChampionships) and LinkedIn (@WorldFoodChampionshipsHoldings).

[architectnews]

Diamond Schmitt Architects Office, Toronto

Diamond Schmitt Architects Firm Toronto, Ontario Design Practice, Canadian Architecture Studio

Diamond Schmitt Architects Office

post updated 21 Jan 2021

Diamond Schmitt Architects Practice News

Diamond Schmitt Architects Office News arranged chronologically:

Senior Associate, Associates & Director Named In Expansion Of Diamond Schmitt’s Design & Management Teams

TORONTO, ON, January 21, 2021 – Diamond Schmitt (DSA), the innovating Canadian-based architectural firm with studios in Toronto, New York and Vancouver begins the new year with the naming of a senior associate architect, the promotion of 10 architects to associate positions, and the appointment of a new director.  By continuing to strengthen its Canadian design and management teams the firm is poised to deepen its national and international contributions to built and professional environments.

In the words of Principal and co-founder Donald Schmitt, the firm has “…gone from strength to strength and continues to deliver exceptional architecture. Despite the global pandemic keeping us all socially distant we have remained resilient, grown stronger and more focused to serve our projects. Our capabilities are in no small part due to these recent advancements and appointments.”

Liviu Budur, OAA, LEED AP (Toronto) advances to the position of Senior Associate Architect. The ten new Associate Architects include: Erin Broda, OAA, PHD (Toronto) Stephanie Huss, OAA (Toronto) Persis Lam, OAA (Toronto) Jeff Geldhart, AAA (Calgary) Mehdi Ghiyaei, OAA (Toronto) Sid Johnson, Architect AIBC, LEED AP (Vancouver) Helmut Kassen, PhD, CMA (Toronto) Cameron Turvey, OAA (Toronto) Javier Zeller, OAA, MRAIC (Toronto), and Haley Zhou (Toronto). Finally, Melanie Coates (Toronto) has been appointed as the firm’s Communications Director.

These exceptional individuals are active ambassadors of the firm and are exemplary for their demonstrated expertise and commitment to the pursuit of excellence for every project commission. The collective talent of these experts’ university and professional accreditations spans the globe, from the heart of Romania, across Canada, along the eastern USA and into northern Iran.

A commitment to environmental stewardship is upheld by their many LEED accreditations and Passive House design certifications. Their community engagement is further demonstrated by ongoing civic activism and active memberships with the Black Architects and Interior Designers Association (BAIDA) and Building Equality in Architecture Toronto (BEAT), an independent organization dedicated to the promotion of equality in the profession of architecture.

With studios in Toronto, New York, and Vancouver, Diamond Schmitt ( dsai.ca) has a global perspective and a portfolio of academic facilities, commercial, residential, recreation, and performing arts centre projects throughout North America and abroad. Current and notable Canadian projects include: Victoria, BC’s TELUS Ocean Building; McGill University’s New Vic Project, a campus for sustainable systems and public policy; Toronto’s Alexandra Park Passive House Pilot Project and McMaster University’s Peter George Centre for Living and Learning. Diamond Schmitt delivers innovative architecture to empower organizations, communities and people to harness change for the greater public good.

Diamond Schmitt Architects Design & Management Photography:

Headshots photos : Jim Ryce, Alastair Bird, Todd Korol

Liviu Budur: photo : Jim Ryce

Erin Broda: photo : Jim Ryce

Jeff Geldart photo : Todd Korol

Mehdi Ghiyaei: photo : Jim Ryce

Stephanie Huss: photo : Jim Ryce

Sid Johnson photo : Alastair Bird

Helmut Klassen: photo : Jim Ryce

Persis Lam: photo : Jim Ryce

Cameron Turvey: photo : Jim Ryce

Javier Zeller: photo : Jim Ryce

Haley Zhou: photo : Jim Ryce

Melanie Coates: photo : Jim Ryce

26 Nov 2020 NRC Mississauga Research Facility Opens

MISSISSAUGA, ON – The National Research Council (NRC)’s new advanced materials research facility has opened in Mississauga. Designed by Diamond Schmitt, the facility will serve as a national clean energy hub, supporting and undertaking foundational research of new materials for clean energy and other applications and transitioning them to industrial use.

This facility will bring companies, government, and universities together to collaborate on breakthrough projects in clean technologies and advanced materials, as part of the Canadian Campus for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (CCAMM), a joint initiative between the NRC and the Xerox Research Centre of Canada (XRCC).

The new 21,500 square foot facility is designed with flexible laboratory and office spaces that are divisible by movable / removable partition systems and with multiple layers secure access. The laboratory program includes characterization, dry, wet and a high bay pilot lab to accommodate the range of NRC’s research. The two-storey building is designed with the ability for future expandability vertically with minimal disruption to ongoing research activities.

The building exterior of precast concrete cladding and vertical fins provides solar shading and light dispersion into the interior. The façade provides a distinctive presence on the site while maintaining a complementary relationship with the surrounding campus architecture of the Sheridan Science and Technology Park.

“The opening of our new facility in Mississauga represents a major stepping stone for the National Research Council of Canada in advancing Canada’s clean energy agenda. Our vision is for this collaborative hub to become the home to new technologies that will enable industry to be more sustainable.” said Roger Scott-Douglas PhD, Acting President, National Research Council of Canada. “We look forward to working with our partners in accelerating the development of advanced materials technologies and their commercialization into disruptive products for industry.”

“The NRC Mississauga research facility is a unique facility that will act as a focal point for the development of high-performance advanced materials manufacturing.“ said Eric Lucassen, Project Architect, Diamond Schmitt. “The interior laboratory spaces and casework systems have been designed to provide maximum flexibility for the user groups while the exterior building features of rigger, quality, and permanence speak to some of the core values of the NRC.”

17 Nov 2020 Jennifer Mallard selected for Hamilton Design Review Panel

November 17 2020, HAMILTON, ON – Diamond Schmitt is pleased to announce that Principal Jennifer Mallard has been selected as one of nine new members for the Hamilton Design Review Panel (DRP) for the 2021-2024 term.

Panel members will provide recommendations and advice to planning staff regarding the design of proposed development projects within the Design Priority Areas, including the downtown, west harbour, primary city corridors and other areas experiencing transformational change.

Jennifer Mallard is a Principal at Diamond Schmitt with over 30 years of experience in the design of public buildings, including performing arts centres, libraries and educational institutions. She is dedicated to collaboratively managing complex projects and skilled at driving large, specialized teams towards a focused common goal. This approach positions her clients at the centre of a process that is fuelled with energy, commitment and enthusiasm and carefully considers all architectural and programmatic objectives.

Jennifer is a talented designer with a proven track record for elegant and functional projects which can be exemplified with her portfolio of work, notably her project for the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington and the Daniels Spectrum Arts and Culture Centre in Toronto.

“I have a deep appreciation for Hamilton and its history. Both of my parents’ families settled in Hamilton upon immigration to Canada in the early 1900’s. I was born in Hamilton, and grew up in Ancaster and Dundas.” said Jennifer Mallard, Principal, Diamond Schmitt. “I have been fortunate to work on a variety of significant public buildings, shaping their civic spaces and their impact on their environments. Each of these projects engages the life of its surroundings in different ways, but all are part of a civic engagement process that is essential to the creation of vibrant cities. I’m honoured to contribute to the conversation about the future of the City of Hamilton.”

Diamond Schmitt Architects (dsai.ca) is a Canadian based architecture firm with global perspective. With studios in Toronto, New York, and Vancouver, the firm has an extensive portfolio of academic facilities, commercial and residential projects as well as recreation and performing arts centres throughout North America and abroad. Diamond Schmitt believes that architecture can empower organizations, communities, and people to harness change for the greater public good.

August 6, 2020 Derek Newby as a new principal at Diamond Schmitt Architects

Vancouver – Diamond Schmitt Architects is pleased to announce that Derek Newby has returned to the company as a principal in the growing Vancouver practice.

Derek brings extraordinary experience to designing mixed-use, office and academic facilities and is recognized nationally for his leadership in sustainable design and high-performance buildings. For years he has advocated for low-carbon buildings, both through the application of Passive House principles to reduce operating emissions and through the use of timber to reduce embodied emissions.

photo : Alastair Bird

His recent work includes designing Canada’s Earth Tower in Vancouver, a proposed 38-storey mixed-use building built mainly of timber to Passive House standards. He was also the Project Architect for Orchard Commons, a large mixed-use hub at the University of British Columbia, and he led the design for numerous office projects planned for downtown Vancouver.

Most recently Derek worked alongside Diamond Schmitt on the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC and the Tommy Douglas Public Library in Burnaby BC – both of which reflect a deep commitment to practical, elegant design.

Derek is a member of the Architectural Institute of British Columbia and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. He is a LEED accredited professional, a Certified Passive House Designer and has served on the Advisory Design Panels of New Westminster and Surrey, B.C.

Said Newby: “I’m delighted to rejoin my colleagues here and look forward to expanding our presence in BC, across Western Canada and into the US.” Said Donald Schmitt, the firm’s co-founder: “Having worked with Derek in Toronto and collaborated when he returned to Vancouver with his family, we are excited to welcome him back to Diamond Schmitt”.

Diamond Schmitt Architects (www.dsai.ca) has studios in Toronto, New York, and Vancouver and an extensive portfolio of academic facilities, commercial and residential projects as well as healthcare, recreation and performing arts centres throughout North America and abroad.

May 22, 2020 Diamond Schmitt Appoints Two New Principals

Totonro – Diamond Schmitt Architects is pleased to announce the appointment of Sybil Wa and Nigel Tai as Principals with the firm. The promotion of the two Senior Associate architects recognizes their contribution to design excellence and skilled project management on a wide range of projects.

“We welcome these skilled design architects as partners in the firm as we continue to strengthen the practice,” said Donald Schmitt, Principal, with the Toronto-based company.

photo courtesy of architecture studio

Ms. Wa’s career path with Diamond Schmitt began while still in high school, before deciding to pursue architecture. She returned while studying the profession at university and was hired upon graduation.

Her work includes civic and institutional projects with a focus on performing arts venues. Among these are the Four Seasons Centre and the renewal of what is now the Meridian Arts Centre in Toronto; the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia; and the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines.

Now based in New York City where she manages the firm’s studio, she is a key member of the design team on the re-imagination of David Geffen Hall, the home of the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.

She participates in public housing design review and other city building initiatives and has advocated for playgrounds and family-sized residential units to improve liveability in cities. “The design process has the potential to inspire creative and empathetic solutions,” said Ms. Wa.

Nigel Tai joined Diamond Schmitt in 2008 after gaining experience in Hong Kong and London. This seasoned fast-track architect has managed complex institutional projects from design concept approval to building opening in a highly condensed time frame as little as two years.

He was project architect on the award-winning Environmental Science and Chemistry Building at University of Toronto Scarborough, now recognized as a model of sustainable design in the laboratory typology.

Equally adept in working in a range of project procurement models and project scale, Mr. Tai is currently managing the design of two student residences at Queen’s University and Carleton University, and the final phase of construction of Transit City, the transformative residential project that is at the heart of the new Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

“Architecture plays an increasingly important role in charting a sustainable future and advancing collaborative design solutions is the way to address this urgent objective,” Mr. Tai said.

He recently accepted a second term as a charter member of the Burlington Urban Design Advisory Panel.

3 Apr 2020 Diamond Schmitt names new Associates and Directors

Diamond Schmitt names new Associates and Directors Toronto – Diamond Schmitt is pleased to announce the expansion of its design and management teams with the appointment of 14 Associates and advancements and two new Directors.

Four architects are promoted to Senior Associates: Walton Chan, Cecily Eckhart, Eric Lucassen, and Jessica Shifman. New Associates are Elena Chernyshov, Jessica Cheung, Chris Hughes, Dieter Janssen, Wen-Ying Lu, Giuseppe Mandarino, Judith Martin, Fernanda Rubin, Arne Suraga, and Jose Trinidad.

New Directors are Claudia Cozzitorto, Design Technologies Director, in Toronto, and Rod Maas, Technical Director, in our Vancouver studio.

“These promotions acknowledge the talent, breadth of experience and design depth in our studio across a wide range of projects as we continue to grow our practice,” said Donald Schmitt, Principal, Diamond Schmitt Architects.

Mr. Chan is working on the design of seven stations for Ottawa’s LRT Confederation Line expansion and condominium projects in Toronto. He recently completed the York Region bus terminal at Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.

Ms. Eckhart has extensive experience in laboratory design and is guiding the Laboratory Modernization for Environment and Climate Change at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ontario.

Mr. Lucassen is at work on the National Research Council of Canada Centre for Advanced Material Manufacturing in Mississauga and a residential tower in Etobicoke. He previously completed the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Health Centre.

Ms. Shifman recently completed phase one of renewal at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto and is contributing to design competitions and work on the Ottawa LRT expansion.

Among the newly appointed Associates, Elena Chernyshov in the Vancouver studio is working on a rezoning project in Vancouver, a commercial project in Victoria, the Cameron Community Centre and Library in Burnaby and Oakridge Presentation Centre. Ms. Jessica Cheung was on the core team for the rejuvenation of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa and is currently project manager for the York University Markham Campus Centre.

Chris Hughes immersed himself in the design of the Senate of Canada Building – Ottawa’s former train station – and is now at work on the new Security Centre for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in Toronto.

Dieter Janssen focused on the customized detailing of the Senate Chamber and is currently project architect for the University of Guelph’s MacKinnon Building renovation for their College of Arts and IICSI program.

Ms. Wen-Ying Lu relocated to our Vancouver practice in 2017 where she is project architect on four residential towers at Oakridge Centre. She has also worked on the redevelopment of Mirvish Village in Toronto.

Giuseppe Mandarino brings his experience from the Bridgepoint Active Healthcare design team to the Michael Garron Hospital project to transform an early 20th-century facility into a modern centre and a hub for an eastside Toronto neighbourhood. Ms. Judith Martin was active in the rejuvenation of the National Arts Centre with particular focus on the Kipnes Lantern and new public space. She is now working on the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.

Ms. Fernanda Rubin worked on the recently completed University of British Columbia Undergraduate Biosciences Complex and is currently working on Bristol Court, a residential tower in Mississauga and a cultural project in Calgary.

Arne Suraga is currently working on a Passive Haus residential project for Toronto Community Housing, the Carleton University Engineering Design Centre in Ottawa and Transit City residential towers in Vaughan.

Jose Trinidad has applied his computational design skills to numerous international competitions and current projects, including David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center in New York and Buddy Holly Hall, which opens in 2020 in Texas.

Design Technologies Director Claudia Cozzitorto applies her architectural background to building information modelling (BIM) implementation at the firm. She has held national and local roles for the advocacy of BIM in architectural practice. Rod Maas, Technical Director, at the Vancouver studio, brings a background in highly sustainable design on international projects to oversee technological implementation.

Diamond Schmitt Architects is based in Toronto with studios in Vancouver and New York City. With the latest round of appointments, the firm comprises 19 Principals, 9 Senior Associates, 28 Associates, and architectural and support staff for a total of 282 people.

Photo

Top row: Walton Chan, Cecily Eckhart, Eric Lucassen, and Jessica Shifman

Middle row: Elena Chernyshov, Jessica Cheung, Chris Hughes, Dieter Janssen, Wen-Ying Lu, Giuseppe Mandarino

Bottom row: Judith Martin, Fernanda Rubin, Arne Suraga, Jose Trinidad, Claudia Cozzitorto, Rod Maas

photo courtesy of architects office

More Diamond Schmitt Architects practice news online soon

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada & New York, NY, USA and Vancouver, BC, Canada

Toronto Architecture Practice Information

Diamond Schmitt Architects office based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Toronto Architect

Diamond Schmitt Architects is recognized as one of Canada’s leading architectural practices. Founded in 1975 and located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the firm currently employs 160 architects working on projects worldwide. The founding principals of the firm are architects A.J. Diamond and Donald Schmitt.

Diamond Schmitt – main page with current news Robarts Library Building, University of Toronto, image courtesy of architects

Over the course of three decades, Diamond Schmitt Architects has steadily grown in both size and reputation with an increased focus on large-scale institutional buildings designed to meet the specific needs of performing arts organizations, as well as academic and medical research institutions, many of which have won international design awards. Design success at Diamond Schmitt Architects has been matched with equal success by budget and schedule control, a record in which the firm takes much pride.

Diamond Schmitt Architects has recently completed award-winning performing arts centres for the Canadian Opera Company, the National Ballet of Canada, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Washington’s Sidney Harman Hall, and the Garter Lane Theatre in Ireland. Currently in design at Diamond Schmitt Architects are concert halls for the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Denver Symphony Orchestra as well as a number of performance halls for smaller theatre groups in both Canada and the United States.

Left to right: AJ Diamond, Gary Mcluskie, Michael Tracey: photo courtesy of architects firm

Three of recent projects by Diamond Schmitt Architects were recognized by Architectural Record and its sister publication BusinessWeek as being among the 10 best buildings in the world in the following years – 2004: The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem; 2007: the Four Seasons Center for the Performing arts in Toronto, Canada; 2008: The Sidney Harman Hall at the Harman Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C. Measurable results proving that these buildings changed people’s lives helped support the theory that good design equals good business.

As well, Diamond Schmitt Architects has received over 150 regional, national and international awards for excellence in design as well as awards from national building associations (brick, concrete, steel, wood, glass and bronze) and ‘green’ organizations such as the U.S. and Canadian Green Building Councils for leadership in the design of environmentally sustainable buildings.

Diamond Schmitt Architects has developed a reputation as a teaching office, encouraging an open and collaborative design process that over the years has attracted talented young architects from around the world. The architectural teams at Diamond Schmitt are lively and diverse with over 25 languages currently spoken within the office.

In 2004 and again in 2008 the international accounting and consulting firm Deloitte LLP included Diamond Schmitt Architects on their list of the 50 Best Managed Companies in Canada. In 2008 A.J. Diamond co-authored (with Donald Schmitt and Don Gillmor) Insight and On Site, The Architecture of Diamond and Schmitt. Part manifesto, part monograph, the book addresses critical urban issues and provides examples from the Diamond Schmitt architectural practice that both address and offer planning and design solutions to those issues.

Canadian Architecture

Canadian Architects

Toronto Architecture

Architecture Studios

Buildings / photos for the Diamond Schmitt Architects page welcome

Website: www.dsai.ca

The post Diamond Schmitt Architects Office, Toronto appeared first on e-architect.

[diaspora9ja]

Biden vows science-based pandemic response: Live news | US & Canada

US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday launched a coronavirus job drive, his first transfer as he begins his transition into the White Home.

President Donald Trump, who has but to concede defeat, faces growing strain to guarantee a clean transition.

Trump’s authorized staff is about to launch a number of extra long-shot authorized challenges to leads to a number of key states on Monday.

States throughout the nation are dashing to finalise their vote counts to certify their official outcomes, with some election officers in shut states reportedly receiving threats.

Whats up and welcome to Al Jazeera’s persevering with protection of the US elections. That is Joseph Stepansky.

18 minutes in the past (19:17 GMT)

White Home instructing federal businesses to fireside political appointees looking for new jobs

The White Home is instructing federal businesses to fireside political appointees of  Trump who’re on the lookout for job alternatives after Trump’s election defeat to President-elect Biden, the Related Press has reported.

A senior administration official advised the information company that presidential personnel director John McEntee, the president’s former private aide, advised White Home liaisons at departments that they need to terminate any political appointees looking for new work whereas Trump has refused to just accept the electoral outcomes.

The official spoke on situation of anonymity to debate non-public conversations.

Trump’s time period ends at midday on January 20. A number of thousand political appointees throughout the federal government will see their jobs finish by that date.

33 minutes in the past (19:02 GMT)

Republican Senator Collins congratulates Biden, needs him ‘each success’

Senator Susan Collins, one of many extra average Republicans within the chamber, congratulated President-elect Biden on his “obvious victory” on Monday and urged a transition course of that ensures he and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are prepared to manipulate on January 20.

“He loves this nation, and I want him each success,” Collins mentioned in an announcement. She was considered one of just some Republican senators to congratulate Democrat Biden after he received sufficient electoral votes on Saturday to clinch the US presidency.

Collins additionally acknowledged Trump ought to have the chance to problem outcomes from Tuesday’s election. Trump has not conceded.

My assertion on the 2020 Presidential election outcomes: pic.twitter.com/8NY1WpaJpC

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) November 9, 2020

1 hour in the past (18:20 GMT)

Mexico says election reticence not on account of fraud suspicions

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has mentioned that his choice to attend for an official US election consequence earlier than congratulating Biden doesn’t imply he believes there was fraud.

“Ready doesn’t imply that we’re going to endorse (claims) that there was fraud. We don’t know that,” Lopez Obrador mentioned at his every day information convention. “We wish to act prudently. Let’s anticipate the authorities to resolve it. Then we are going to communicate out.”

Lopez Obrador mentioned Saturday that he would anticipate “all authorized points” within the US presidential election to be settled earlier than providing any congratulations, whilst such messages poured in from many different world leaders.

1 hour in the past (18:15 GMT)

Trump already discussing 2024 presidential bid: Report

Trump is already telling aides he’s contemplating a 2024 presidential bid, two sources acquainted with discussions advised Axios.

The report is the strongest indication but that Trump is starting to just accept he has misplaced the election, the information website notes.

US presidents can solely serve two phrases, however they don’t should be consecutive.

1 hour in the past (18:13 GMT)

UK PM Johnson predicts shut ties with Biden

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned on Monday his authorities may have shut ties with the US below President-elect Biden and so they have a shared curiosity in tackling local weather change.

Johnson, who was as soon as dubbed “Britain Trump” by Trump himself, once more congratulated Biden on his victory.

“This nation has had a superb relationship with the White Home over the previous couple of years, however it has a superb relationship with the White Home for a lot of, a few years and I’ve little doubt we are going to proceed to have a really, very sturdy, and really shut relationship with our American buddies,” Johnson mentioned at a media convention.

“One factor that could be very thrilling that you’re already seeing from the incoming administration is their willingness to hitch the UK within the marketing campaign to sort out local weather change,” Johnson mentioned, declining to reply a query about whether or not it was time for Trump to throw within the towel.

2 hours in the past (18:01 GMT)

Trump tweets that Secretary of Protection Mark Esper has been terminated

Trump has tweeted that Secretary of Protection Mark Esper has been terminated.

Trump mentioned Christopher C Miller, counterterrorism head, might be Performing Secretary of Protection.

NBC Information had beforehand reported that Esper, lengthy at odds with president, notably in his opposition to sending active-duty navy troops to reply to racial justice protests over the summer season, had ready a letter of resignation following the election however earlier than Biden claimed victory.

…Chris will do a GREAT job! Mark Esper has been terminated. I wish to thank him for his service.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2020

2 hours in the past (17:20 GMT)

UN chief congratulates Biden

United Nations Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres has congratulated Biden and Harris, a UN spokesman mentioned on Monday.

Guterres “reaffirms that the partnership between america and the United Nations is a vital pillar of the worldwide cooperation wanted to deal with the dramatic challenges dealing with the world at this time,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric advised reporters.

2 hours in the past (17:10 GMT)

Biden says US will increase PPE manufacturing when he takes workplace

Talking on-camera in Wilmington, Delaware, the Democratic president-elect mentioned after assembly with a panel of coronavirus advisers that his administration will take cost of manufacturing and distribution of private protecting gear (PPE) within the US.

“With circumstances rising as soon as extra, it’s crucial that we ramp up our manufacturing of private protecting gear to ensure our courageous well being care employees have what they should do battle safely towards this virus,” Biden mentioned.“We’re going to get states, cities and tribes the check and the provides they want,” he mentioned.

“I’ll spare no effort to show this pandemic round as soon as, we’re sworn into workplace on January 20,” he mentioned.

Biden additionally known as for an finish to the division and partisanship of the election marketing campaign: “This election is over. It’s time to put apart the partisanship and the rhetoric designed to demonise each other. It’s time to finish the politicisation of primary accountable public well being steps like masks carrying and social distancing.”

3 hours in the past (17:05 GMT)

Biden says US ‘nonetheless dealing with a really darkish winter’ from coronavirus

Biden, talking after a coronavirus briefing from his newly launched job drive, has pledged a science-based response to the pandemic, whereas saying the nation is “nonetheless dealing with a really darkish winter” regardless of constructive information on vaccines.

Biden urged People to put on masks, saying it’s “not a political assertion” and can save 1000’s of lives. He added the duty drive, which he launched on Monday, would create a blueprint for his administration’s response.

Biden, joined by vice president-elect Harris, gave the remarks from Wilmington, Delaware, standing in entrance of a stage that mentioned “workplace of the president-elect”.

President-elect Joe Biden spoke concerning the coronavirus on Monday from the Queen theater in Wilmington, Delaware [Carolyn Kaster/The Associated Press]

3 hours in the past (17:00 GMT)

Trudeau speaks to Biden, says assured he’ll strain China on international detainees

Canada is certain the US administration of President-elect Biden will reinforce the message to China that its coverage of arbitrarily detaining international residents shouldn’t be working, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mentioned on Monday after talking with Biden on the cellphone.

“(China’s) strategy round coercive diplomacy is ineffective and intensely preoccupying for democratic nations all over the world,” he advised a information convention. After Canadian police picked up a prime Chinese language government on a US arrest warrant in late 2018, Beijing imprisoned two Canadian residents.

“I’m extraordinarily assured that the incoming American administration will proceed to be a superb companion to Canada and different nations all over the world as we glance to impress upon China the strategy they’re taking is solely not working … (and) the significance of returning the 2 Canadians,” mentioned Trudeau.

3 hours in the past (16:45 GMT)

Housing secretary Ben Carson checks constructive for COVID-19 -report

Housing Secretary Ben Carson has examined constructive for COVID-19 on Monday, an ABC reporter mentioned on Twitter. He turns into the most recent sufferer of a second outbreak affecting the White Home and prime advisers to Trump.

White Home Chief of Workers Mark Meadows, who has ceaselessly appeared at public occasions with out carrying a masks, was identified final week together with a number of different staffers.

Carson had attended a largely maskless election night time get together on the White Home.

NEWS: Sec. Ben Carson examined constructive for COVID-19 this morning. His deputy chief of employees says he is “in good spirits & feels lucky to have entry to efficient therapeutics which support and markedly pace his restoration.” Carson attended the election night time get together on the White Home

— Katherine Faulders (@KFaulders) November 9, 2020

3 hours in the past (16:41 GMT)

Turkey says it’ll congratulate US election winner as soon as consequence finalised

Turkey will congratulate the winner of the US election after the results of the vote is finalised, a spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling AK Get together mentioned on Monday, two day after Biden clinched victory over Trump.

Ankara, which has been at odds with its NATO ally Washington over a bunch points, from variations in Syria coverage to Turkey’s buy of Russian missile defence programs, mentioned on the weekend it’ll proceed working with the following US administration.

Talking at a information convention after an AK Get together assembly chaired by Erdogan, Omer Celik mentioned Ankara would congratulate and name the following US president as soon as the result’s set, “out of respect for america and the American folks”.

Whereas most nations have been fast to congratulate Biden, others, together with Russia and China have remained silent on the outcomes of the presidential contest. US states are at present finalising their vote counts, which may take weeks. Biden will technically not formally be elected till states’ electoral votes are authorised by Congress in early January, though any challenges to the outcomes will doubtless be resolved earlier than then.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan meets with then Vice President Joe Biden in Istanbul, Turkey in 2016 [Kayhan Ozer/Reuters]

3 hours in the past (16:16 GMT)

Mar-a-Lago helipad to be eliminated when Trump leaves workplace

A helipad arrange at Trump’s Florida golf membership Mar-a-Lago might be eliminated after Trump leaves workplace, based on the Palm Seashore Every day Information.

Trump usually visited the property throughout his presidency, with the city approving the helipad so Marine One, the presidential helicopter, may land there, the publication reported.

Nevertheless, helicopter journeys to and from the Mar-a-Lago will now not be accessible on January 20, when Trump leaves workplace, based on the choice by the city council.

Trump usually used the Marine One helicopter to journey from the White Home to his Mar-a-Lago property [Pablo Martinez Monsivais/The Associated Press]

4 hours in the past (16:01 GMT)

Philadelphia election officers particulars threats throughout vote counting

Al Schmidt, a Republican a part of a trio of commissioners who run elections in Philadelphia, has mentioned his workplace has acquired loss of life threats as town continues to rely votes.

Schmidt, in an 60 Minutes interview printed on Monday, detailed unfounded allegations of election fraud within the metropolis. Trump has repeatedly pushed that baseless narrative. On Thursday, two armed males with out gun permits have been arrested exterior of the conference centre the place votes are being counted.

Schmidt mentioned there had been “calls to our workplaces reminding us that ‘That is what the Second Modification is for, folks like us’” referencing the constitutional modification that enables US residents to personal weapons.

“That’s a not so veiled loss of life menace,” correspondent Invoice Whitaker responded. “Sure, for counting votes in a democracy,” Schmidt mentioned.

Trump and his allies, together with private lawyer and frmer New York mayor Rudy Giuliani have frequently alleged widespread fraud in cities like Philadelphia with out proof [John Minchillo/The Associated Press]

5 hours in the past (14:38 GMT)

Trump plans to carry campaign-style rallies in help of litigation

Trump plans to carry campaign-style rallies in help of a raft of litigation his allies have launched, or are set to launch, to problem election leads to states throughout the nation, based on Axios.

Trump and his allies have pushed unfounded allegations of voter fraud. They’ve launched a number of lawsuits, together with many who have already been rejected by judges.

Trump plans to brandish obituaries of people that allegedly voted after they died, based on the information website. Trump’s marketing campaign can be sending groups throughout the nation to supervise the raft of recounts it plans to request, Axios reported.

  5 hours in the past (14:32 GMT)

Biden launches coronavirus job drive

President-elect Joe Biden has introduced the members of his coronavirus job drive, which can put collectively a blueprint for combating the pandemic.

The co-chairs are former Surgeon Normal Dr Vivek Murthy, former Meals and Drug Administration Commissioner Dr David Kessler and Dr Marcella Nunez-Smith, a Yale College professor and researcher.

Notable among the many job drive members is Rick Brilliant, a vaccine knowledgeable and former head of the Biomedical Superior Analysis and Improvement Authority. Brilliant filed a whistle-blower grievance alleging he was reassigned to a lesser job as a result of he resisted political strain to permit widespread use of hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug pushed by Trump as a COVID-19 therapy.

Different members embody Luciana Borio, a biodefence specialist, Dr Ezekiel Emanuel, an oncologist and bioethics chair on the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, Dr Atul Gawande, a Clinton administration well being adviser and surgical procedure knowledgeable, Dr Celine Gounder, an infectious illness knowledgeable who has studied HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, Dr Julie Morita, a paediatric and immunisation specialist, Dr Michael Osterholm, an infectious illness knowledgeable and epidemiologist; Loyce Tempo, a worldwide well being specialist, Dr Robert Rodriguez, an emergency medication knowledgeable who has researched psychological well being of COVID-19 responders, and Dr Eric Goosby, an infectious illness knowledgeable who has labored in AIDS/HIV.

Germany to face ‘aspect by aspect’ with US on world issues: Merkel

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has welcomed Joe Biden’s US presidential win [File: Tobias Schwarz/Reuters]

Germany will “stand collectively” with the US to beat world challenges from the coronavirus pandemic to world warming, Chancellor Angela Merkel mentioned.

In an announcement that was markedly heat in contrast along with her remarks 4 years in the past when Donald Trump took the White Home, Merkel underlined the “friendship of each nations that has stood the check of time”.

She pointed to President-elect Joe Biden’s “a long time of expertise in international coverage” and recollects “good encounters and talks with him”.

Merkel additionally mentioned Vice-President-elect Kamala Harris – “as the primary lady on this workplace and as a baby of two immigrants” -was an “inspiration” for a lot of.

8 hours in the past (11:32 GMT)

Trump faces calls to work with Biden staff on transition

President Donald Trump is dealing with strain to cooperate with President-elect Joe Biden’s staff to make sure a clean switch of energy when the brand new administration takes workplace in January.

The Normal Companies Administration is tasked with formally recognising Biden as president-elect, which begins the transition. However the company’s Trump-appointed administrator, Emily Murphy, has not began the method and has given no steerage on when she is going to achieve this.

Scoop: the nonpartisan Presidential Transition Heart, former W. Chief of employees Josh Bolten, and former UT Gov. Mike Leavitt name on the GSA to determine that Biden has received. Till they do, Biden’s transition can’t formally start.

now, paywall gone in 30. Letter right here. pic.twitter.com/9DIBrQLlet

— Alex Thompson (@AlxThomp) November 8, 2020

The advisory board of the nonpartisan Heart for Presidential Transition additionally urged the Trump administration to “instantly start the post-election transition course of and the Biden staff to take full benefit of the sources accessible below the Presidential Transition Act.”

9 hours in the past (11:00 GMT)

Estonian minister resigns over Biden ‘dirtbag’ remarks

Estonia’s far-right Inside Minister Mart Helme resigned after his feedback concerning the US election calling Joe Biden a “dirtbag” sparked outrage from authorities colleagues.

Mart Helme mentioned the “deep state” had helped Biden win and known as him a “corrupt dirtbag” on his Sunday radio present, with out giving any proof for his assertions.

Helme advised reporters he was stepping right down to protect the governing coalition however added: “You may’t muzzle me, nobody can muzzle me.”

9 hours in the past (10:28 GMT)

Germany has ‘nice expectations’ from Biden

Germany’s economic system minister mentioned there have been “nice expectations” that there can be “a return to multilateral approaches to worldwide commerce” after Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump to develop into the forty sixth president of america.

“We wish to return to an lively transatlantic commerce agenda as quickly as attainable, and step by step,” mentioned Peter Altmaier.

10 hours in the past (09:45 GMT)

Putin awaiting official US consequence to congratulate winner: Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready for official outcomes from the US presidential election earlier than congratulating a winner, the Kremlin mentioned.

“We contemplate it right to attend for the official outcomes to be finalised. I wish to remind you that President Putin repeatedly mentioned he’ll respect the selection of the American folks,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov advised reporters.

Peskov added that Putin had repeatedly mentioned he was able to work with any US chief and that Russia hoped it may set up dialogue with the brand new US administration to discover a technique to normalise relations.

10 hours in the past (09:15 GMT)

China declines to formally recognise Biden victory but

Chinese language State Councillor and International Minister Wang Yi  [File: China Daily via Reuters]

China joins Russia, Brazil and Mexico in declining to recognise Joe Biden’s victory within the US presidential election.

“I seen that Mr Biden has declared victory of the election. We perceive that the presidential election consequence might be decided following the US legal guidelines and procedures,” mentioned Wang Wenbin, Ministry of International Affairs spokesperson, at an everyday press briefing in Beijing.

After declining to acknowledge Biden’s victory regardless of repeated questions from reporters, Wang mentioned: “We hope the brand new US authorities can meet China midway.”

11 hours in the past (08:35 GMT)

Mexico international minister says ‘enormous potential’ for US ties

Mexican International Minister Marcelo Ebrard speaks throughout a information convention on the Embassy of Mexico in Washington, DC [File: Susan Walsh/AP Photo]

Mexico’s international minister mentioned there was “enormous potential” for US ties, a day after the Mexican chief mentioned it was too quickly to congratulate President-elect Joe Biden.

“From what I heard from Joe Biden’s speech, it’s clear that there’s going to be a cooperation coverage at a worldwide degree and with Mexico,” Marcelo Ebrard advised El Universo newspaper.

“What we see coming is a step with an enormous potential,” he added.

President Lopez Obrador has managed to take care of cordial relations with Trump – visiting him in July – regardless of the US chief’s remarks when he branded Mexican migrants “rapists” and drug sellers throughout his 2016 election marketing campaign.

11 hours in the past (08:06 GMT)

Equities rally after Biden is asserted winner of US vote

Shares, oil and high-yielding currencies rallied on Monday after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the US election, as merchants are hoping lawmakers will now give attention to passing a brand new stimulus for the world’s greatest economic system.

Observers mentioned the main focus will now be on Biden’s financial and international coverage strategy, with optimism for a much less tumultuous management following 4 years of the bombastic actual property tycoon Donald Trump.

“Mr Biden is perceived in Asia as being more likely to re-engage in worldwide commerce, a constructive for Asia,” mentioned OANDA’s Jeffrey Halley.

Merchants are actually seeking to Capitol Hill hoping for a recent rescue package deal for the economic system after lawmakers didn’t hammer out something regardless of months of haggling, although any new plan won’t doubtless be as massive as what can be anticipated from a Democrat-led Congress.

12 hours in the past (07:44 GMT)

Trump’s election night time get together provides to virus scrutiny

The Trump marketing campaign’s election night time watch get together within the White Home East Room has develop into one other image of President Donald Trump’s cavalier angle in the direction of a virus that’s ripping throughout the nation and infecting greater than 100,000 folks a day.

The White Home has been more and more secretive about outbreaks. Many White Home and marketing campaign officers, in addition to those that attended the election watch get together, have been stored at midnight concerning the diagnoses, unaware till they have been disclosed by the press.

“The administration was cavalier concerning the dangers of the virus for themselves and for the nation. And that’s one cause why now we have so many circumstances,” mentioned Dr Joshua Sharfstein, a public well being professor at Johns Hopkins College’s college of public well being.

12 hours in the past (07:13 GMT)

Stories: Trump’s inside circle urges him to maneuver on

Donald Trump’s inside circle is split over his refutation of the outcomes exhibiting Joe Biden received the 2020 election, together with his spouse Melania and son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner reportedly urging him to concede and transfer on.

.@jonkarl: “Nearly all people within the president’s inside circle … are totally conscious that that is over. There have been conversations, conversations that I’m advised embody the primary girl about persuade him to make a swish exit.” https://t.co/sPlwnHbr7y pic.twitter.com/ErQQvmH8m4

— ABC Information (@ABC) November 8, 2020

Kushner has approached him to concede, two sources advised CNN. The primary girl, based on one other supply, has advised Trump it’s time to settle for the election defeat.

Nevertheless, after the report emerged, Melania Trump later tweeted: “The American folks deserve honest elections. Each authorized – not unlawful – vote needs to be counted. We should shield our democracy with full transparency.”

The American folks deserve honest elections. Each authorized – not unlawful – vote needs to be counted. We should shield our democracy with full transparency.

— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) November 8, 2020

14 hours in the past (05:15 GMT)

‘Abolish the electoral school’, says Bernie Sanders

Joe Biden will win the favored vote by over 4 million votes. The Democratic nominee for president has now received the favored vote in 7 out of the final 8 elections. One particular person, one vote. Democracy should rule.

Sure. We must always abolish the electoral school.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) November 8, 2020

Source link

from Diaspora9ja https://diaspora9ja.com/biden-vows-science-based-pandemic-response-live-news-us-canada/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=biden-vows-science-based-pandemic-response-live-news-us-canada

[technavio]

Global Air Freshener Market 2020-2024 | Evolving Opportunities with Air Delights Inc. and Church & Dwight Co. Inc. | Technavio

The global air freshener market is poised to grow by USD 2.78 billion during 2020-2024, progressing at a CAGR of over 4% during the forecast period. Request free sample pages

Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Air Freshener Market Analysis Report by End-users (Individual users and Enterprise users), Product (Spray/aerosol, Electric, and Others), Application (Residential, Corporate office, Car, and Others), Geography (APAC, Europe, MEA, North America, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2020-2024".

https://www.technavio.com/report/air-freshener-market-industry-analysis

The market is driven by product launches. In addition, the flourishing fragrance market is anticipated to boost the growth of the air freshener market.

Vendors are introducing a wide range of air freshener products to attract customers as well as to increase their presence in the market. For instance, in October 2019, Enviroscent launched a new range of air fresheners and scents made from naturally sourced ingredients. Similarly, in November 2019, Godrej launched the Godrej aer smart matic air fresheners in India. The product is said to be the country’s first smartphone-controlled smart home fragrance. Such successive product launches help vendors to increase sales, which is crucial in driving the growth of the global air freshener market.

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

View market snapshot before purchasing

Major Five Air Freshener Market Companies:

Air Delights Inc.

Air Delights Inc. operates its business through segments such as Air Fresheners, Restroom Essentials, Restroom Accessories, Repair Parts, Restroom Plumbing, Valves/Backflow, and Facility Products. The company offers a range of active and passive air fresheners. Some of its key offerings include Microburst 9000, AutoFresh Select Pump, TCell and Solid air fresheners.

Church & Dwight Co. Inc.

Church & Dwight Co. Inc. operates its business through segments such as Consumer Domestic, Consumer International, and Specialty Products Division. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Air Freshener is the key offering of the company.

Farcent Enterprise Co. Ltd.

Farcent Enterprise Co. Ltd. operates its business through segments such as Air Freshener, Cleaning Tools, Disposable Bags, Deodorizer, Moisture Absorption, Detergent, and Others. The company offers a range of air fresheners in various aromas and prices. Some of its key offerings include FF480VXE Scented Leaf Deodorizer (Lavender), FF480PXE Scented Leaf Deodorizer (Pure), FF480GXE Scented Leaf Deodorizer (Green), and AA123VXE (Lavender) Scented Egg.

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. operates its business through segments such as India, Indonesia, Africa (Including Strength of Nature), and Others. The company offers a range of air fresheners for use in cars and rooms. Godrej aer click, Godrej aer spray, and Godrej aer scents candles are some of the key offerings of the company.

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA operates its business through segments such as Adhesives for Consumers, Craftsmen and Building, Industrial Adhesives, Beauty Care, and Laundry & Home Care. The company offers various air freshener products such as Delicate Apple, Tropical Garden, and Coral Reef under its Iba brand. It also offers air fresheners for home environments through its Renuzit brand.

Air Freshener Market End-user Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024)

Individual users

Enterprise users

Air Freshener Market Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024)

Spray/aerosol

Electric

Others

Air Freshener Market Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024)

Residential

Corporate office

Car

Others

Air Freshener Market Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020-2024)

APAC

Europe

MEA

North America

South America

Technavio’s sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report, such as the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more. Request a free sample report

[particlecounting]

Did India's Air Improve in 2019

A Smart Air analysis of new air quality data found that pollution improved in 2019 in all major cities in india. Small PM2.5 particles in the air decreased from 2018 to 2019 by as much as 15.5%.

Delhi

Even though all cities saw pollution decrease, Delhi saw just a meagre 1% decrease. Among India’s five largest cities, Delhi still holds the medal for most polluted at 98 micrograms of PM2.5 (µg/m3).

This news may come as little surprise to Delhiites, who lived through a declared public health emergency November 1st.

Delhi Air Worst in Winter, Harmful All Year Long

Broken down by month, Delhi’s air pollution closely mirrored 2018. Delhi’s most polluted month in 2019 which averaged 197 micrograms—nearly 20 times the WHO annual limit.

Despite its toxic air, the Cities100 report highlighted the Delhi government’s efforts to tackle air pollution. Delhi has declared efforts to close down its dirtiest power stations, subsidize development and procurement of renewables, and increase electric vehicles, including electric buses.

Kolkata

After worsening air in 2018, Kolkata’s PM2.5 pollution decreased 14% in 2019. However, stretching back to 2015, Kolkata is back to where it started, showing no progress over four years.

The decrease in 2019 might be due to Kolkata’s efforts towards greening people’s commutes, introducing electric buses and ferries. These efforts brought Kolkata to fifth place on the Sustainable Mobility sector in the Cities100 report and may bring down pollution in the years to come.

Mumbai Sees Significant Air Improvement

In Mumbai, PM2.5 fell significantly by 37% in 2019, from 67 micrograms to 42.

If current plans become reality, lungs in Mumbai may have better days ahead. To fight air pollution, in the second half of 2019, Mumbai submitted an action plan that proposed launching electric buses.

Hyderabad PM2.5 Pollution Drops in 2019

Hyderabad air saw a 21% drop in PM2.5 in 2019. PM2.5 dropped from 52 micrograms to 41, although that still puts Hyderabad far above the WHO annual limit.

Chennai

Chennai saw lower PM2.5 in 2019, even after yearly improvement each year since 2016. In 2019, PM2.5 dropped 10% to 26 micrograms, making it the cleanest major city in India.

Air Still Unsafe in All Major Indian Cities

Despite the progress, PM2.5 in all major Indian Cities are still farm above the WHO Annual Limit of 10 micrograms. This matters because long-term exposure to PM2.5 above 10 micrograms has been shown to increase cardiopulmonary and lung cancer mortality. According to the WHO’s Air Quality Guidelines, this link has been established with more than 95% confidence.

However, there may be reason for optimism. In 2019, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The program has a goal of 20%-30% reductions in PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by 2024, compared to 2017.

  Studies Document Protective Effects of Purifiers, Masks

Despite the harms of PM2.5, studies have found that wearing masks prevents effects on blood pressure and heart rate variability. Placebo-controlled studies of air purifiers have found that reducing particulate in the home prevents harm to blood pressure, inflammation, and immune response—even among young, healthy twenty-year-olds.

Smart Air is a certified B Corp committed to combating the myths big companies use to artificially inflate the price of clean air. To help people living in polluted cities protect themselves, Smart Air provides empirically backed, no-nonsense purifiers and masks, helping to lower the cost of clean air.

[starfriday]

TTK Prestige Announces Shubhutsav- A Special Festive Offer, Elevating Home Cooking

National, October 2024: To celebrate the festive season, TTK Prestige has launched "Shubhutsav Festive Offer 2024," a special campaign running until November 15, 2024. Consumers can enjoy significant discounts and receive free gifts when purchasing Prestige products.

This campaign features unprecedented offers and substantial discounts, along with additional complimentary gifts to enhance their appeal. Shoppers can save money while enjoying Prestige products during this festive time.

Anil Gurnani, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at TTK Prestige Ltd., stated, “At TTK Prestige, we’ve noticed that brands providing innovative products are highly valued by loyal consumers. Our goal is to deliver the most innovative and feature-rich products to Indian households at exceptional value. Shubhutsav presents a variety of benefits and discounts for our customers. We anticipate a successful season ahead and are excited for our valued consumers to take advantage of these enticing offers.”

Exclusive offers and discounts for Shubhutsav 2024: This year’s Shubhutsav offers are even more delightful and exciting than last year with TTK Prestige offering incredible discounts across all their product categories.

Consumers can upgrade their kitchen this season by adding the innovative Spillage Control Svachh Tri- Ply 3L Pressure Cooker with 3-layer metal body (SS, Aluminium, SS), which comes with a free Durastone Omni Tawa 27 cm worth INR 1,550 free.

To ease the process of cleaning the stove after cooking, TTK Prestige’s Svachh Neo 3 burner Gas Stove worth INR 11,295 with liftable burners for hassle- free cleaning is the best purchase. For Shubhutsav, this must-have product is accompanied with the popular Nakshatra Essential Svachh 3L Pressure Cooker worth INR 2,525 and Svachh Granite Non- Stick Cookware 3- Pc Set worth INR 4,395, free.

Consumers can avail an exciting offer on Endura Pro Mixer Grinder with 14 different functionalities and powerful 1000W motor which is available only during the festival at a 25 percent discount along with this, they can get the popular Sandwich Maker worth INR 1,795, free.

The popular Oscar SafeSense Chimney 900mm with SafeSense Technology for Automatic Smoke & Gas Leak Detection is available at a 25% discount along with free installation and a kit. Consumers are entitled to a free Svachh Efficia Hob 3- Burner worth INR 17,495.

TTK Prestige has made a place in the kitchens of India with their superior collection of innovative kitchen appliances and cookware. In addition to their range of feature-rich, durable, high performance and affordable products, their timely and responsive after-sales service makes TTK Prestige one of India’s most trusted and loved brands.

The company is always at the forefront of understanding customer requirements and bringing to them durable products with new and unique features. Sturdy, affordable and perfectly designed – every product of TTK Prestige is created lovingly and with great care. 

[sciencespies]

Can science break its plastic addiction?

https://sciencespies.com/environment/can-science-break-its-plastic-addiction/

Can science break its plastic addiction?

© Daniel Stier at Twenty Twenty and Miren Marañón at East Photographic for Mosaic

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Lucy Gilliam has an infectious passion for environmental action. Today, she works in Brussels on environmental transport policy. But in the early 2000s, she was a molecular microbiologist in Hertfordshire. Like many in her field, Gilliam got through a lot of disposable plastics. It had become a normal part of 21st-century science, as everyday as coffee and overtime.

Gilliam was, in her words, a “super high user” of the sort of plastic, ultra-sterilized filter pipettes that could only be used once. Just as so many of us do in our domestic lives, she found she was working with what anti-pollution campaigners call a “produce, use, discard” model. The pipettes would pile up, and all that plastic waste just seemed wrong to her.

Science’s environmental impact had begun to worry her. It wasn’t just a matter of plastics. She also wanted to know why there weren’t solar panels on the roof of the new lab building, for example, and why flying to conferences was seen more as a perk than a problem. “I used to bitch about it over coffee all the time,” Gilliam tells me. “How can it be that we’re researching climate science, and people are flying all over the place? We should be a beacon.”

She tried to initiate recycling programs, with some success. She invited the suppliers in to discuss the issue, and worked out ways the research teams could at least return the boxes pipettes came in for re-use, even if the pipettes themselves would still be used and discarded. It felt like a battle, though. Sensing that progress was likely to be slow, she started to ask herself where exactly she could make change happen, and moved to work in environmental policy.

Scientific research is one of the more hidden users of disposable plastics, with the biomedical sciences a particularly high-volume offender. Plastic petri dishes, bottles of various shapes and sizes, several types of glove, a dizzying array of pipettes and pipette tips, a hoard of sample tubes and vials. They have all become an everyday part of scientific research. Most of us will never even see such equipment, but we all still rely on it. Without it, we wouldn’t have the knowledge, technologies, products and medicines we all use. It is vital to 21st-century lives, but it is also extremely polluting.

In 2015, researchers at the University of Exeter weighed up their bioscience department’s annual plastic waste, and extrapolated that biomedical and agricultural labs worldwide could be responsible for 5.5 million tonnes of lab plastic waste a year. To put that in context, they pointed out it’s equal to 83 percent of the plastic recycled worldwide in 2012.

The problem with plastic is that it is so durable; it won’t decompose. We throw it in the rubbish, it stays there. It is thought that there may now be more Lego people on Earth than actual people, and these minifigs will outlive us all. When plastic products like these minifigs—or pipettes, bottles or drinking straws—do eventually break down, they stick around as small, almost invisible fragments called microplastics, which also come from cosmetics and clothing fibers. A 2017 study found microplastics in 81 percent of tap water samples globally. In the past few years, in mountain ranges in the U.S. and France, researchers even found microplastics in rain. They have recently been found in the Arctic, too.

Modern science has grown up with disposable plastics, but times are changing. This autumn, the first wave of young people to follow the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and go on “school strike for the climate” started undergraduate degrees. Universities can expect these young people to bring fresh and sometimes challenging questions about how scientific research is conducted. At the same time, many of those from Generation Z (those born from the mid-1990s onwards) are now starting Ph.D.s, and millennials (born from the early 1980s) are leading more and more labs. As more universities challenge themselves to eradicate disposable plastics, as well as to go zero-carbon, in the next few years or decades, scientific waste is increasingly being put under the microscope.

In a sign of how far things have moved on since Gilliam left her career in research, last November the University of Leeds pledged to go single-use-plastic-free by 2023. Recently, UCL has announced it will follow suit, with the only slightly less ambitious target of 2024. These new policies won’t just banish disposable coffee cups from campus, but a lot of everyday scientific equipment too.

Lucy Stuart, sustainability project officer at Leeds, says that reaction among researchers has been mixed, but they are gradually making progress. “For us, as a university, we are here to inspire the next generation,” she says. “Also, we are a research-based institution that is creating groundbreaking innovation every day, so we didn’t want to say the solutions aren’t possible, because we are the people that help create those solutions.”

The ambitious target has helped focus everyone’s attention, as has the clear sign that it has support all the way through the institution from the top of university management down. However, “We don’t want to implement top-down policies,” Stuart emphasizes. “We want individual researchers and employees to take ownership and look at the problem within their area, and then make a change.”

Elsewhere, many scientists are already pushing ahead on their own initiative. When David Kuntin, a biomedical researcher at the University of York, was discussing plastic waste with his lab mates, he soon found he wasn’t the only one who had noticed how much they were getting through.

“Using plastics on a daily basis—in science, it is kind of impossible to avoid nowadays. And someone just said, ‘Oh, we could fill a room after a week!’ and it got us discussing what we could do.”

One reason lab plastics are such a sticky problem is that they can get contaminated with the biological or chemical matter being researched; you can’t simply put them in the campus recycling bins with your coffee cup. Usually, lab waste plastics are bagged and autoclaved—an energy- and water-hungry sterilization process—before being sent to landfill. But, Kuntin says, not all plastic waste is too contaminated to recycle. Rather than simply classing everything as hazardous, straight off, he and his colleagues did an audit of the plastic they used, to see what they could decontaminate.

“The contamination we deal with is probably less dangerous than a moldy tin of beans you might have in your recycling after a few weeks,” Kuntin says. So, just as the team had learned that they had to wash their tins of beans before they put them in the council recycling bin, they learned ways to decontaminate their lab waste, too.

They developed a “decontamination station” with a 24-hour soak in a high-level disinfectant, followed by a rinse for chemical decontamination. They also looked at the plastics they were buying, to pick ones that would be easier to recycle. As a result of these measures, they’ve reduced the plastic they were previously sending to landfill by about a tonne a year.

“That’s 20 workers, 20 of us,” he says, sounding as if he still doesn’t quite believe that so few researchers could pile up so much waste. “We used a tonne of plastic that we can recycle.” They worked out it was enough to fill 110 bathtubs. And because they have also cut down how much equipment has to be autoclaved, they are saving energy and water, too.

“I think as scientists, we need to be responsible about what we’re doing,” Kuntin tells me. Not least, he says, because it is public money they are spending. “You can’t, with a clean conscience, just be using a tonne of plastic.”

At the University of Bristol, technicians Georgina Mortimer and Saranna Chipper-Keating have also set up schemes for sorting and recycling lab waste. “The waste in the lab was very easy for people to see. They were like, ‘I do this at home,'” says Mortimer.

They have been trialling glove and ice pack recycling through a company that specializes in hard-to-recycle waste, including contact lenses, crisp packets and cigarette butts as well as the sorts of plastics that come out of labs. They are keen to think more about re-use and reduction, too, knowing that recycling can only take them so far. They have worked out how they can bulk buy whenever possible, to cut down on packaging waste, for example.

Plastics is only part of the sustainable lab puzzle for them. “We have a lot of ULT freezers, ultra-low temperature freezers,” Mortimer says. The freezers “have thousands, thousands of samples going back more than 20 years”. And they are all stored at minus 80ºC. Or at least they used to be. Anna Lewis, sustainable science manager at Bristol, showed them some research from the University of Colorado Boulder, demonstrating that most samples can be safely stored at minus 70, saving up to a third of the energy. They have now raised the temperature of their ULT freezers.

The Bristol technicians have also been thinking about what they’re storing in these freezers, how, and whether it needs to be there. “There are samples that have just been left there for years,” says Mortimer. We’ve been discovering what these actually are, if they’re still usable, consolidating the space.” This hasn’t just saved energy and money, it’s also made working with the freezers more manageable. It’s simply easier to find things.

Martin Farley held the first lab sustainability post in the UK, at the University of Edinburgh back in 2013. He now specializes in ways research labs can become more sustainable, working in a similar role to Lewis at a couple of London universities. He first got into the issue because of plastics, but quickly found a whole range of issues to work on.

Farley points out that these ULT freezers can use as much energy as a house. So if you’re worried about energy use in the houses in your street, you should be worried about it in the fridges in your university too. Ultimately, as the climate emergency intensifies, Farley argues, “every facet of society needs to change”.

Labs might not be a “behemoth” like the oil and gas industry, he says, but they have a significant and often ignored environmental impact. In a research-intensive university, Farley reckons the labs will account for about two-thirds of the energy bill. If a university is looking to reduce its energy use, research sciences are a good place to start.

“We have people recycling at home, and doing nothing in their labs. I did a rough back-of-the-envelope calculation,” he tells me, and, depending on your research area, “your impact on the environment is 100–125 times more than at home.”

Tracing back through the history of science, it’s hard to tell exactly when disposable plastics arrived in labs. “That’s a job of work to be done, to figure out when plastic starts to get used in scientific instruments, scientific material culture, and how, and how it changes,” says Simon Werrett, a historian at UCL who specializes in the materials of science. He says that there’s plastic in a lot of historical scientific objects, but because museums don’t catalog items in those terms, it’s hard to date it exactly. Still, he suspects science’s plastic problem followed everyone else’s.

Production of the thing we call plastic started in the late 19th century. Today, we’re increasingly used to seeing plastic as a threat to wildlife, but back then, if anything synthetic products saved nature from being chewed up by human consumption. As the game of billiards became popular, manufacturers looked for a way to produce the balls from something more reliable than the trade in ivory. One firm launched a $10,000 competition to find an alternative material, which led to the patenting of celluloid (a mix of camphor and gun cotton) by American inventor John Wesley Hyatt in 1870.

Hyatt formed the Celluloid Manufacturing Company with his brother Isaiah, and developed a process of “blow molding”, which allowed them to produce hollow tubes of celluloid, paving the way for mass production of cheap toys and ornaments. One of the advantages of celluloid was that it could be mixed with dyes, including mottled shades, allowing the Hyatts to produce not just artificial ivory but coral and tortoizeshell too.

At the turn of the century, the ever-expanding electrical industry was running low on shellac, a resin secreted by the female lac bug which could be used as an insulating material. Spotting a market, Leo Baekeland patented an artificial alternative in 1909, which he named Bakelite. This was marketed in the 1920s as “the material of a thousand uses”, soon joined by a host of new plastics throughout the 1930s and 1940s too. Nylon, invented in 1935, offered a sort of synthetic silk, useful for parachutes and also stockings. Plexiglass was helpful in the burgeoning aviation industry. Wartime R&D put rocket boosters on plastic innovation, and just as plastic products speedily started to fill up the postwar home, a plethora of plastic goods entered the postwar lab, too.

Werrett emphasizes that today’s problems are a product not just of plastics but of the emergence of cultures of disposability. We didn’t used to throw stuff away. Disposability predates plastics slightly. Machines of the late industrial revolution, around the middle of the 19th century, made cloth and paper much easier to produce. At the same time, people were becoming more and more aware, and worried, about the existence of germs—for example, after John Snow identified the Broad Street water pump as the source of a cholera outbreak in Soho, London, in 1854. Just as Joseph Lister pioneered the use of antiseptics in medicine from the 1860s onwards, disposable dressings gradually became the norm. “So you have things like cotton buds, and condoms and tampons, and sticking plasters,” Werrett explains, as well as paper napkins and paper cups. As mass production advanced, it soon became cheaper and easier to throw things away than to clean and re-use them—or pay someone else to.

Cloth- and paper-based disposable products arrived over a relatively short period, but the new throwaway culture they instigated paved the ground for the plastic problem we have today. Paper cups and straws soon became plastic ones, and the idea of “produce, use, discard” became normal.

Still, the introduction of disposable plastics in postwar science and medicine wasn’t necessarily simple. Looking at medical journals from the 1950s and 1960s, Werrett has found a few complaints.

“There’s a tradition that surgeons have a pair of gloves, and they use that for their whole career,” he explains. These gloves would have been rubber—first introduced by William Stewart Halsted at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Maryland in the 1890s—but designed to last, boiled for sterilization and repaired rather than disposed of in favor of a new pair. “By the end of their career, they’ve got repairs and stains,” Werrett says, “and that’s a sign or mark of your experience as a surgeon.” Then disposable gloves came in, and not everyone was happy to leave these marks of experience behind.

Nurses had to be taught to throw things away, rather than keep them, he notes. “It wasn’t self-evident that disposability was a valuable thing. If anything, the default is to re-use things. You have to train people to see disposability as a valuable practice.”

For those looking for a plastic-free future for science, a technological fix could well be found in the history. Back in Bristol, Georgina Mortimer has been eyeing up the old glass cabinets. “We’re trying to get back into glassware, trying to make it cool again within our department,” she says, smiling.

In Brussels, Lucy Gilliam tells me about her grandmother, who worked in a hospital lab, and all the dishwashing assistance she had to support their use of glassware. “And now we do it all by ourselves. We’re like little research islands. And you know, plastic—and single-use disposable things—is filling the gap of people.

“There was a time when we were doing really advanced science without using plastics. And it’s not to say that all of the science that we do now can be done without plastics. But there is science that we were doing back then, and that we’re still doing now, that could be done without plastics.”

Plastic has become apparently indispensable for modern science. It can keep materials protected, even when we transport them. It keeps us out of them (for materials we don’t want to contaminate) and them out of us (for hazardous materials that might hurt us). It can be molded into a range of shapes. Some areas of science—not least DNA research—have grown up in an era of disposable plastics.

In some cases, though, a return to glass might be the answer. “Use glassware—it’s there, it’s available, it’s sterilised,” Mortimer enthuses. “All the universities will have a glass room just full to the ceilings of stuff that we can be using rather than plastics.” Along with Saranna Chipper-Keating, she has been tasked with producing a whole-life costing exercise on glass versus plastics. In theory, it should be cheaper to re-use glass than to buy plastics again and again, especially as there are often costs associated with dumping these plastics.

But re-using glass means it must be washed and sterilized, and that takes resources, too. This is a concern for Lucy Stuart in Leeds; they don’t want their plastic-free pledge to simply replace one environmental problem with another.

In York, David Kuntin is also concerned about the knock-on effects of switching back to glass. “Every day, we use reagents like cell culture media, a nutrient broth that cells thrive in,” he tells me. These broths have been developed for decades, and since most cells are grown on plastic, that’s what the reagents have been optimized for.

On top of this, researchers like Kuntin are interested in the finest details of cell behavior—and what they’re grown on could have an influence. “We know that cells are very responsive to their environment, and they can sense things like the roughness or stiffness of the surface they grow on,” he explains. Unexpected changes in behavior could be misinterpreted as a consequence of an experiment, when really it’s just that the cells are behaving differently on glass.

Another problem is how much time re-using glass could take. Disposable pipette tips are just quicker. And time, along with water and heat, could cost the lab money. Ultimately, though, they don’t know until they do a full analysis. “We could do a whole-life costing exercise, and it may well be that plastics are so much cheaper,” Anna Lewis says. “In which case, we would need subsidies.”

Lewis argues that any real change will require a change in how science is funded, with universities ideally needing to demonstrate some level of sustainability before they could apply for certain grant schemes. There is only so far they can go working with the goodwill and interest of a few enthusiasts. She sees scope to address this, if not in the next Research Excellence Framework (for assessing the quality of research in the UK) in 2021, then in the one after that. Whether the ecological crisis can wait for us to slowly negotiate yet another decade of science policy is another matter.

Martin Farley certainly sees a stronger appetite for change from the scientific community, compared to when he first started greening labs, back in 2013. “Five or six years ago, when I told my lab mates I was doing this, people laughed. There was a little bit of interest, like ‘Sure, I’ll recycle more’, and some jokes. Now, I get emails on almost a weekly basis. People out of the blue that are saying, ‘How can I do something? I want to do more.'”

The University of Leeds is keen to link with other organizations, too. They’ve created a network around Leeds, including other universities, the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the city council, and Yorkshire Water. They are also in discussions with one of the national research councils. Stuart says these sorts of collaborations are essential if they want to address disposable plastics on campus, because everything that comes in is part of the broader local economy. But it’s also part of the whole point of the project, seeing themselves as “a civic university”, ensuring that their research and innovation is used in a way that benefits the local area.

For researchers wanting to dive into the problem of plastic waste on their own, though, Gilliam has some simple advice: “First of all, see if you can get some buddies. Send out a note and convene a little meeting. Say, ‘I’ve seen these things, I’m concerned about it, does anybody have any ideas?'” In the event that no one will engage with you, she suggests you just start segregating some of your plastic anyway, putting it in a box and sending it back, sharing a photo on social media as you go. You might well find comrades in other labs if not your own.

“Start by doing something different, even if it feels like it’s really small and really pointless. Even small actions like that can have a ripple effect.”

Explore further

Scientists, here’s how to use less plastic

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PODCAST: Green Energy Growth Stocks. And More…

Green energy growth stocks in North America, India, and elsewhere. They include SolarEdge Technologies, Inc., Enphase Energy, Inc., Canadian Solar Inc., Azure Power Global Ltd., NextEra Energy Partners, Clean Energy Fuels, and TPI Composites. Australian analyst makes their investment picks: BetaShares Global Quality Leaders ETF, Magellan High Conviction Trust, BetaShares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF. More

PODCAST: Green Energy Growth Stocks. And More…

Transcript & Links, Episode 40, September 11, 2020

Hello, Ron Robins here. Welcome to podcast episode 40 published on September 11 titled “Green Energy Growth Stocks. And More… “— and presented by Investing for the Soul. investingforthesoul.com is your site for vital global ethical and sustainable investing news, commentary, information, and resources.

Remember that you can find a full transcript, links to content – including stock symbols and bonus material – at this episode’s podcast page located at investingforthesoul.com/podcasts.

And Google any terms that are unfamiliar to you.

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1. Green Energy Growth Stocks.

I start with a new analyst to this podcast, Aditi Ganguly, who wrote an article about green energy growth stocks titled 4 Green Energy Stocks to GROW Your Portfolio that appeared on stocknews.com.

I’ll mention each stock followed by some of her quotes related to that company.

“1) SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (SEDG)

… designs, manufactures and sells direct current (DC) optimized inverter systems for solar photovoltaic (PV) installations… On June 23rd, SolarEdge Technologies launched its new Energy Hub Inverter with Prism technology to provide higher flexibility in home backup for residential and commercial users.

As a result, SolarEdge Technologies maintained healthy financial performance amid the pandemic… GAAP net income increased 11% year-over-year to $36.70 million… SolarEdge Technologies expects its revenues to be in the range of $325-$350 million for the third quarter ending September 2020…

Its earnings per share is expected to grow 20% per annum over the next five years… The stock hit its 52-week high of $229.49 in August. SolarEdge Technologies is rated an A Overall [in our] POWR Rating.

2) Enphase Energy, Inc. (ENPH)

… is the world’s leading supplier of microinverters, with a dominating global market presence. Its semiconductor-based microinverter converts individual solar molecule energy and combines it with its patented networking and software technology for energy monitoring and control services…

Though Enphase Energy’s revenue for the second quarter that ended in June 2020 indicates a year-over-year decline, the company reported a record non-GAAP gross margin of 39.6%... Gross profit increased 6.67% from the same period last year to $48.38 million. Enphase Energy’s earnings grew 314.7% over the past twelve months…

Enphase Energy, Inc. is rated a Strong Buy in our POWR Ratings system.

3) Canadian Solar Inc. (CSIQ)

… develops and manufactures solar power products such as solar ingots, wafers, cells modules, etc. through two segments – module and Systems solutions (MSS) and Energy…

Canadian Solar’s… Net revenue for the second quarter (was) $696 million (and) surpassed the estimates of $630-$680 million… The consensus revenue estimate of $861.93 million for the third quarter ending September 2020 indicates a 13.4% rise year-over-year… EPS is expected to grow 20% per annum over the next five years… The stock hit its 52-week high of $26.72 in August.

It’s no surprise that Canadian Solar is rated a Strong Buy in our POWR Ratings system.

4) Azure Power Global Ltd. (AZRE)

… owns and operates solar power plants in India under long-term contracts with government agencies, non-governmental energy distribution companies and commercial customers. It has 43 utility scale projects and multiple commercial rooftop projects. Azure Power has been named the most sustainable company in the solar energy industry by the World Finance magazine. It has also been ranked as the top 10th global renewable power producer by Sustainalytics…

The consensus revenue estimate of $43.90 million for the fiscal second quarter ending September 2020 indicates an 8.9% increase year-over-year. Azure’s earnings per share is expected to grow 108% annually over the next 5 years… The stock hit its 52-week high of $25.62 in August.

Azure is rated a Strong Buy in our POWR Ratings system.” End quotes.

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2. Green Energy Growth Stocks.

The Motley Fool has again delivered a post on green energy growth stocks. It’s titled Love Renewable Energy? Buy These 3 Stocks. Three analysts each write about one stock recommendation.

I’ll first mention the analyst’s name, then the company they recommend, followed by relevant quotes from them on the company they recommend.

“1) Travis Hoium likes NextEra Energy Partners (NEP)

The real bottleneck in the renewable energy industry isn't technology or cost or any other operating limitation. The bottleneck is really around building and financing more renewable energy projects… That's where NextEra Energy Partners comes in.

NextEra Energy Partners is a subsidiary of NextEra Energy (NEE), which owns 5,330 megawatts (MW) of wind and solar assets that have an average of 15 years remaining on contracts to sell electricity to utilities…

What makes this a great stock to own long term is the company's growth prospects. Through NextEra Energy, it has a large pipeline of renewable energy assets to buy with long-term contracts. That flow of projects is expected to fuel a 12% to 15% increase in the dividend through at least the end of 2024…

2) Howard Smith suggests Clean Energy Fuels (CLNE).

… A growing number of transportation fleet operators are arranging to move away from fossil fuels… Clean Energy Fuels has a solution for them today…

Clean Energy operates approximately 550 natural gas fueling stations in the U.S. and Canada. Its core, and growing, product is a renewable natural gas (RNG) branded Redeem. Renewable natural gas is derived from organic waste from dairy farms, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants…

Redeem reduces carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to diesel or gasoline. Energy giants are taking notice. Total has a 25% stake and supply contract with Clean Energy. And Chevron and BP have also partnered with the company.

3) Jason Hall recommends TPI Composites (TPIC).

Some of the best investments in the green energy space are often companies the average person – or even most investors – have never heard of. 

One that certainly meets that mark is TPI Composites, with shares up 117% since going public in 2016, nearly doubling the gains of the S&P 500 over the same period.

The thesis is simple: It already has a massive share of the global wind turbine blade market, but the next two decades will see an acceleration in the deployment of wind turbines, and the world's biggest wind turbine makers will come to be more reliant on TPI Composites for their blades. 

Looking forward, TPI Composites could prove the best growth stock in renewable energy.” End quotes.

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3 ASX shares I’d happily buy every month.

Now I have some recommendations from an Australian analyst. The article is titled 3 ASX shares I’d happily buy every month. It appeared in the Australian edition of The Motley Fool.

As usual, I’ll say the name of the company followed by a few relevant remarks from the article’s author, Mr. Tristan Harrison. Though the first two funds aren’t strictly ESG funds, their holdings indicate a strong ESG bias.

“1) BetaShares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY)

Some of the companies in its holdings are: Apple, Nvidia, Adobe, Facebook, Intuitive Surgical, Accenture, Intuit, Nike, Alphabet and Texas Instruments. I like that its holdings aren’t limited to just one country.

The returns have been strong since inception in November 2018 [returning] 18.8% per annum.

2) Magellan High Conviction Trust (ASX: MHH)

This is a listed investment trust (LIT) which invests in the highest-quality businesses that it can find at a good price.

It maintains a portfolio of a limited number of names, around 10 or so… it picks businesses that are listed in other places like the US or Asia.

Some of its highest-conviction picks are: Alibaba, Alphabet, Microsoft, Tencent and Facebook… Since inception in October 2019 it has returned 10.4% per annum after fees.

3) BetaShares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: ETHI)

This ETF, which is all about picking sustainable businesses, has performed very strongly.

Since inception in January 2017, BetaShares Global Sustainability Leaders ETF has returned an average of 20.3% per annum… Its top holdings include names like Apple, Nvidia, Mastercard, Visa, Home Depot, Adobe, Paypal, Tesla, Netflix and Toyota.” End quotes.

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Franklin Templeton Launches Muni-Focused Green Bond Fund.

I mostly talk about stocks, but green bonds need to be covered too. One notable new green-ESG bond fund has been launched by one of the mutual fund industry’s pioneers, Franklin Templeton. Here’s an article describing the fund that appeared in ESG Today titled Franklin Templeton Launches Muni-Focused Green Bond Fund.

Quote “Global investment manager Franklin Templeton announced that it has launched the Franklin Municipal Green Bond Fund (FGBKX: US). The new fund will invest in muni green bonds, including climate bonds, sustainability bonds and environmental impact bonds, seeking to maximize income exempt from federal taxes…” End quote.

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Ending Comments

Well, these are my top news stories and their stock and fund tips -- for this podcast: “Green Energy Growth Stocks. And More…”

To get all the links, stock symbols, or to read the transcript of this podcast -- and more -- go to investingforthesoul.com/podcasts and scroll down to this episode.

Also, be sure to click the like and subscribe buttons in iTunes/Apple Podcasts or wherever you download or listen to this podcast.

And please click the share buttons to share this podcast with your friends and family. That way you can help promote not only this podcast but ethical and sustainable investing globally.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Stay well, healthy, and ESG wise!

Thank you for listening.

Talk to you again on September 25. Bye for now.

© 2020 Ron Robins, Investing for the Soul

Click here to download the episode