Latest news with #Guardian
The Guardian
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Hong Kong teachers allegedly told to avoid US Independence Day events
Teachers in Hong Kong have been warned to keep themselves and students away from any US Independence Day celebrations as they may breach national security laws, educators have alleged. A text message purportedly sent by the principal of a Hong Kong school to staff said the education bureau's regional education office had reminded them 'to be careful about Independence Day activities organised by the US consulate in Hong Kong, and not to participate to avoid violating the national security law and Hong Kong laws'. The text was published on Edu Lancet, a Facebook page run by a former manager at the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, Hans Yeung. It urged staff to be diligent in 'protecting' any students who were considering participating, and to discourage them. Another email shared on Edu Lancet and seen independently by the Guardian, told faculty staff that any teacher who received an invitation from an embassy or a foreign organisation funded by an embassy must seek permission to attend from the principal for the purpose of 'maintaining national security'. The Hong Kong education bureau did not confirm or deny the claims in response to questions from the Guardian, but in a statement said it had enacted policies to help schools 'effectively prevent and suppress acts and activities that endanger or are detrimental to national security'. 'Schools have the responsibility to play a good gatekeeper role and to enhance the sensitivity of teachers and students to national security,' it said. The bureau had enacted 'clear guidelines' for schools which required them to 'establish school-based mechanisms and formulate appropriate measures according to their own circumstances and needs to implement various tasks related to safeguarding national security and national security education', it added. The bureau did not answer questions about what laws would be broken by attending any Fourth of July event, or whether such warnings only applied to the US holiday. The US Consulate in Hong Kong has been contacted for comment. Edu Lancet and Yeung, who runs the page to voice concerns from those working with the education system and 'expose the current problems', have been criticised by the Hong Kong government in the past for their posts. The security secretary, Chris Tang, has accused Yeung of 'making incitements' from his now home in the UK. The purported directives fit in with tightening restrictions on Hong Kong's education system, and a push to have the curriculum focus more on national security amid increased control of the city by the Chinese government. After pro-democracy protests wracked the city in 2019, the ruling Chinese Communist party imposed a national security law on Hong Kong which broadly outlawed acts of dissent and opposition as violations against the state. In 2020 the then chief executive, Carrie Lam, blamed the education system for fuelling the protests, setting the tone for an overhaul which is still ongoing. The Hong Kong government has since altered the school curriculum to include teachings on national security in subjects including English language, music, maths and sport, and to focus more on patriotic education. It has also banned texts it sees as endangering national security, including a picture book about sheep created by the city's physiotherapists union, and prosecuted authors. Teachers in Hong Kong have previously told the Guardian they felt pressure to self-censor, in fear of being reported for remarks seen as unpatriotic. Since the start of the 2023-24 school year, all new teachers in public sector schools, direct subsidy scheme schools and kindergartens must sit an exam on Hong Kong's mini constitution, the Basic Law, and the national security law. Hong Kong's education minister, Christine Choi, has repeatedly warned of 'soft resistance' in schools, and this month said educators had to be vigilant against the infiltration of 'hostile forces' through events such as book fairs and extracurricular activities which 'could include undesirable reading materials'. Additional reporting by Jason Tzu Kuan Lu
Perth Now
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Gina Gershon almost broke Tom Cruise's nose
Gina Gershon almost broke Tom Cruise's nose when he tickled her during a love scene. The 63-year-old actress appeared opposite the Top Gun star in 1988 movie Cocktail and she's revealed she accidentally kicked him in the face and left him covered in blood while they were filming a romantic scene in bed together. She told the Guardian newspaper: "I almost broke his nose. I had never done a love scene before and it was going to be with Tom Cruise. I thought: God, I get paid for this. He was so cute. I had a crush on him immediately. He was very protective and very much a gentleman, saying: 'Let's keep you covered.' He was very concerned ... "I'd told him I was very ticklish, because he had started to tickle me earlier. I said: 'Just don't do that. I lose control because I was tortured as a child by my brother'. "Right before the take, he was down there and grabbed my waist in a tickly, sweet manner. I didn't mean to, but I had a kneejerk reaction right into his nose. "It was full of blood. I thought: I just broke Tom Cruise's nose." Gershon admits she felt terrible about the accident and feared she'd never work in Hollywood again - but Cruise was very "kind" and "sweet". She added: " I [thought I] will never work in Hollywood again. I was mortified because I really kicked him good. I didn't mean to. "He said: 'Nope. My bad. You warned me.' I remember thinking: this guy is a movie star. He deserves everything he gets. "He was just so kind and so sweet with me in a situation where I was quite vulnerable." Gershon also starred in 1995 erotic drama Showgirls and she previously admitted she was terrified for her career after the movie bombed at the box office. She told The Independent newspaper: "I realised I have a lot of PTSD around that movie ... They were like, this is gonna be huge – but I knew it was going to be a disaster. "I was always happy with my work in it, but I knew that it was not going to be what people thought it would be. And I was scared, so I just told my agents, 'Get me another job before Showgirls comes out. I need to show that I really am an actress'." However, she's pleased the film - which follows a woman who hitchhikes to Las Vegas to pursue her dreams of being a showgirl - is being seen in a new light these days. She added: "Showgirls was shunned, but now it's 30 years later, and screenings of it are selling out, and people love it."
The Guardian
8 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Get a fan and shut curtains: how to keep your home cool in a heatwave
It's tempting to throw the windows open all day in the hope of a breeze, but when it is really hot outside, you only let in hotter air. Open the windows nice and wide overnight (if it is safe to do so) or early in the morning to let cooler air in, then shut them as the outside temperature climbs. Try to generate a through breeze by opening windows on opposite sides of your home or from top to bottom. A lot of heat comes through windows as thermal radiation, which warms the surfaces and air in a room, raising the ambient temperature. Closing the curtains or blinds acts as a barrier, helping to prevent the heat from going further into your room beyond the window. If you can, hanging a sheet or other barrier over the outside of the window helps prevent thermal radiation from entering your room, which can keep it significantly cooler on very hot days. There's a reason homes in hot and sunny climes have shutters on the outside of their windows. The British Blind & Shutter Association says research it commissioned at a London block of flats found that temperatures reached 47.5C in rooms without shading, whereas rooms that had external blinds fitted reached a maximum of 28C. Using an electric fan to move air around your home can help cool you, as long as the air temperature is less than 35C. It will not cool down a room. Of course, fans come in various shapes and sizes, including pedestal, tower and desk versions, and with varying price tags. This week the Guardian published an article that included our pick of the best fans. The best overall was named as the AirCraft Lume, a pedestal fan costing (at the time of writing) £119 from the online retailer AO. The one named as best budget fan and best desk fan is made by Devola and was available this week for £49.99. Buying an energy-efficient model will help with running costs and reduce the amount of heat that the fan's motor creates. You can also position it in front of a window when it is cooler outside to encourage air to enter your home. A step up from a standard fan is an evaporative cooler, which is essentially a fan that blows through a damp material. The water evaporates into the air, absorbing some of the heat energy and cooling the resulting breeze from the fan by a few degrees. They work best in dry conditions, though, so can struggle in relatively humid British summers. This week's Guardian article on fans also looked at evaporative coolers, and the one our writer liked the best was the Swan 5 Litre Nordic Air Cooler (£69.99). For a free version, you could – in theory – try pouring some cold water across a sealed, tiled floor, which will then evaporate to cool the tiles, though this could damage flooring material and will increase the humidity in your home. Dehumidifiers are usually associated with the wet winter months, but one of the factors that makes heat less bearable is high humidity, because it reduces the body's ability to cool itself effectively by sweating. A dry heat is much easier to deal with than a humid one. If it is really humid in your home a dehumidifier can help keep you cool, though many generate their own heat as part of the process, so it is a balancing act. It won't be nearly as effective as actual air conditioning, but to make a DIY air cooler, all you need to do is blow air over something cold. There are many YouTube videos showing different ways to create your own air conditioning surrogate, but the most basic is a bowl of ice water in front of a fan. Just be very careful with water and electricity. Another popular technique is to use an old coolbox or polystyrene tub with a fan. Cut a hole in the top of the box big enough for a fan to blow into it, then cut an exhaust hole for the air to leave. Fill the box with ice packs or bottles of frozen water and let the fan blow straight down into the box over the bottles to pump colder air into the room. Getting a proper 'split' air conditioning system installed can be very expensive, but portable air conditioning units aren't nearly as pricey. They are usually the size of a small filing cabinet and contain the compressor and the fan in one unit. They have the downside of generating heat in the place you are trying to cool, which has to be pumped through a tube and out of a window. For short-term use in a heatwave, they can effectively cool one room, such as a bedroom or lounge. Cheap units cost from about £130, with good ones more in the £300 range. They consume a lot more electricity than a fan and are rated in British thermal units (BTU) for cooling power, so make sure you buy one powerful enough for the size of your room. When it's very hot, turn off anything that generates heat. Electrical appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, stereos, games consoles and computers can all generate quite a lot of heat over time when in use, while other devices such as your router or lights also emit a little heat. Cooking generates a lot of heat, so use the hob and oven sparingly and consider only cooking late at night when you can have the windows open. Alternatively, take your cooking outside using a barbecue, camping stove or similar. Keeping yourself cool and hydrated can help you deal with heat. Consider eating cold food such as sandwiches and salads or water-rich foods such as cucumbers and ice lollies. Fill up bottles of water during the evening and store them in the fridge overnight so you have cold water to drink during the day. Taking a tepid but not freezing cold shower is an effective way of cooling your body. You want to cool the skin as much as possible without exposing it to very cold water, which can cause your blood vessels to contract, trapping the warm blood from radiating your core heat away through your skin. You can also use a cold compress to cool parts of your body – something that can be particularly effective on the back of your neck, your armpits or wrists. If all else fails, take a trip to a place with air conditioning such as a shopping centre, supermarket, cinema or other cool space to recuperate. Some say that checking into a cheap hotel with air conditioning can also be a lifeline in the hottest of nights.
Nylon
10 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Nylon
Guardian invites you to its biggest and first-ever health & beauty fiesta from 4 to 6 July
If there is ever a place where you can get all your health and beauty needs under one roof, it is at the not-to-be-missed inaugural Guardian Health & Beauty Fiesta, happening from 4 to 6 July at Marina Bay Sands. Image courtesy of Guardian. As one of the renowned retailers in Singapore with their eye on the pulse when it comes to wellness, this first-ever fiesta will bring together over 80 beauty, health and personal care brands that you can experience and get acquainted with, on top of chances to win $10,000 worth of lucky draw prizes daily, gifts with purchase, and exclusive promotions. Yuu members also get to enjoy exclusive rewards at the fiesta where they can get $5 off with a minimum $50 spend, and $8 off with a minimum $80 spend. Image courtesy of Guardian. When you make a minimum spend of $30 at the Guardian Health & Beauty Fiesta, you are one step closer to being a lucky winner of $10,000 worth of lucky draw prizes, ranging from $100 Guardian cash vouchers, to a TEFAL Compact Handstick (worth $369) or a Dyson Supersonic Air Wrap Dryer (worth $859). The grand prize winner of the lucky draw will walk away with an OTO Elements Massage Chair (worth $4280) In addition to good deals and a chance at a lucky draw, you'll be able to enjoy exclusive gifts with purchase when you make a minimum spend. Image courtesy of Guardian. Image courtesy of Guardian. Image courtesy of Guardian. These include the Mannings Guardian Joguman 3-Fold Umbrella (with minimum $100 spend), the Mannings Joguman 3pc Travel Organiser Set (with minimum $150 spend), and the Foldable Trolley (with minimum $230 spend). Plus, when you make a minimum $88 spend, you'll get to receive a free goodie bag worth up to $200 (limited sets available daily). Besides browsing brands that you may already be familiar with, the Guardian Health & Beauty Fiesta is the perfect place to encounter new and exclusive products that you can add to your daily routine. Here's a look at some products that you can expect to find. Colgate Miracle Repair Toothpaste Image courtesy of Guardian. Formulated with 98.5% pure Amino acid to help prevent root cause of gum recession, the Colgate Miracle Repair Toothpaste is your go-to dental buddy that helps in gum revival to improve gum health by reducing dental plaque and tartar formation on your teeth. It also offers a pleasant brushing sensorial experience with a unique Jasmine flavour — all to help preserve your youthful, ageless smile. Sensodyne Clinical White Toothpaste Image courtesy of Guardian. Designed for sensitive teeth, the Sensodyne Clinical White Toothpaste is created with clinically proven whitening ingredients that help remove stains, polish teeth and help prevent future stains while helping to protect sensitive teeth and strengthen enamel. MyBoostars Keratin Boost-Repair Shampoo Image courtesy of Guardian. Featuring a strengthening and restorative formula that is designed to help repair hair damage and smooth frizz, the MyBoostars Keratin Boost-Repair Shampoo gives your hair the care it deserves while reinforcing the hair structure for healthier, shinier, and more manageable locks. It cleanses effectively without stripping your hair of its essential moisture, making it suitable for all hair types, including coloured hair. Biodance Collagen Mask to Foam Cleanser Image courtesy of Guardian. Offering you a soft and firm gelato texture, the Biodance Collagen Mask to Foam Cleanser uses a perfect pH balanced formula that helps to remove waste inside pores, and improve sebum, whiteheads, and blackheads after a single use. Blackmores Omega Ultra Image courtesy of Guardian. A high-strength fish oil that delivers fours times the Omega-3 — Blackmores Omega Ultra is designed to support your overall health and wellbeing with 10-in-1 benefits for brain, eye and cardiovascular health. Swisse Ultiboost Liver Detox (120 Tablets) Image courtesy of Guardian. Your liver works tirelessly and its always good to give it support to promote your overall well-being. The Swisse Ultiboost Liver Detox is specially formulated with globe artichoke, turmeric and milk thistle, which helps to support natural liver cleansing and detoxification processes. Ocean Health Gingko Memory+ 60s Image courtesy of Guardian. Using a plant-based formula consisting of Gingko Blob, Brahmi and Omega-3 DHA, the Ocean Health Gingko Memory+ is designed to support cognitive health and memory function. It also helps to support memory, learning and information processing, as well as support healthy blood circulation and mental clarity. Holistic Way Premium Gold Bio-NMN Women Image courtesy of Guardian. As we age, our bodies become more susceptible to environmental stress as our NAD+, a cellular energizer, also declines with age. In an effort to help prevent the decrease, Holistic Way Bio-NMN Women (400mg) helps to increase NAD+ levels in the body while supporting healthy cells and aging. It is also enhanced with patented Pomegranate Extract that is micro encapsulated in liposomes to help promote the targeted delivery of antioxidants for skin health. Aside from the introduction of the new products at the fiesta, do look out for exclusive deals which include up to 30% off products across categories. Click here to find out more.
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Jeremy Allen White was 'tolerant' of Bruce Springsteen on film set
Jeremy Allen White was 'very tolerant' of Bruce Springsteen on the set of Deliver Me From Nowhere. The 34-year-old actor portrays Springsteen in the upcoming biographical movie, and the rock legend has revealed that Jeremy was gracious during his visits to the film's set. Springsteen, 75, told Rolling Stone magazine: 'Jeremy Allen White was very, very tolerant of me the days that I would appear on the set. 'I said to him, 'Look, anytime I'm in the way, just give me the look and I'm on my way home.' So the days that I got out there, he was wonderfully tolerant with me being there. And it was just fun. It was enjoyable.' The new movie explores 'some of the most painful days' of Springsteen's life. And the chart-topping star actually made a conscious effort to avoid the set on certain days. He explained: 'I mean, there's some unusualness to it because the movie involves, in some ways, some of the most painful days of my life. 'If there was a scene coming up that was sometimes really deeply personal, I wanted the actors to feel completely free, and I didn't want to get in the way, and so I would just stay at home.' Springsteen is one of the best-selling artists of all time, but he still suffers from stage fright. He previously explained to the Guardian newspaper: 'You work on an album in a hermetically sealed environment. One of the most frightening things is playing it for someone else. For the first time you're hearing it through their ears. 'They're just sitting there, but you're hearing the thing totally brand new through their ears. And you're recognising all its faults and all its strengths. So the thing about coming out in front of an audience every night is that I'm hearing what I'm doing through that audience's ears.' Springsteen learned how to play in big stadiums after years of touring. He shared: 'It's all about making that initial connection with the audience. If you do that, the folks at the back will feel it, the folks in the middle will feel it, the folks at the front will feel it. 'If you go out there and you can't imagine that connection, it's not going to happen, and then you're going to have a miserable few hours. That's when you think, 'OK. I'm a fraud.''
