All posts tagged: area

How could Britain look under proportional representation? See the results for your area

How could Britain look under proportional representation? See the results for your area

Published by Sam Flores

New analysis produced exclusively for the Guardian reveals how different voting systems would return wildly different seat totals in the UK parliament based on current polling. While the current first past the post (FPTP) system could leave Reform UK just 30 seats short of a majority based on recent polls, the modelling shows how proportional systems would be likely to give the UK a more finely balanced parliament that better represents the votes people cast. New research conducted by More in Common suggests that, under proportional systems such as single transferable vote or regional party list, the UK could end up being governed by a progressive alliance of parties. The new prime minister, Andy Burnham, has recently signalled support for proportional representation, adding his voice to other Labour figures as well as parties such as the Liberal Democrats, the Greens, the SNP and Plaid Cymru. Electoral reform has also enjoyed increased public support in recent years. How proportional systems could change the map Proportional representation (PR) aims to produce a parliament that more closely reflects …

Barfly music venue to reopen in Camden: will this be London’s coolest area once more?

Barfly music venue to reopen in Camden: will this be London’s coolest area once more?

Published by Sam Flores

How Camden came to be this free spirited “incubator” for talent comes down to class and creativity. It’s traditionally been a poor area, a cheap place to live, while also being graced with the presence of London artists, from Charles Dickens, who had a house in Bayham Street, to Walter Sickert (creator of the grisly series of paintings, The Camden Town Murder), to the many musicians who played shows here, including Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, The Ramones and Prince. Withnail and I was set here and perhaps set the tone for the place more than any other: it ain’t pretty but it is fun. Source link

Bay Area woman could be the first to swim the length of California

Bay Area woman could be the first to swim the length of California

Published by Sam Flores

SAN FRANCISCO — Catherine Breed plans to swim the length of California’s Pacific Coast this summer and she has heard from many fans, but also from people who think she’s a) crazy b) has a death wish or c) has no idea what she’s getting herself into. “This is not an inherently smart thing to do,” Breed said after a brief swim at Aquatic Park in San Francisco on Monday, “but most things that have never been done before aren’t.” “Probably a lot of people are asking, ‘Why?’ But why did someone climb Mt. Everest? Why do a marathon in Antarctica? Why row across the Pacific Ocean?” continued Breed, a 6-footer known for finishing swims faster than she starts them. “People do these things to inspire others. I hope along the way, I can inspire people to do things that seem hard.” Breed, 32, has been planning the three- to four-month swim along more than 900 miles of coast for several years. Besides personal fulfillment, she’s looking to inspire more women to get into the ocean and, …

Woman stabbed to death in ‘busy’ area of London | UK News

Woman stabbed to death in ‘busy’ area of London | UK News

Published by Sam Flores

A woman has been stabbed to death in a “busy” area of London in a “deeply concerning” attack. Police were called to reports of a stabbing in Pound Lane, Willesden, at around 4pm on Saturday. A 50-year-old woman was found with stab wounds and died at the scene. A 30-year-old man – believed to have been known to the victim – has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He has been taken into custody at a north London police station, the Metropolitan Police said. Detective Superintendent Tony Bellis, responsible for local policing in Brent, said the force would maintain an elevated presence in the area over the coming days. He said: “An incident of this nature is tragic and deeply concerning, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family, friends and all those affected. “Based on what we know at this stage, this is believed to be an isolated incident, and there is no information to suggest any wider risk to the public.” Read more:Met Police chief: Overhaul ‘out of date’ policing systemPolice to ramp …

Arizona to limit groundwater pumping in hard-hit area

Arizona to limit groundwater pumping in hard-hit area

Published by Sam Flores

For years, the water table has been dropping beneath thousands of acres of desert farmland in western Arizona, where a Saudi-owned dairy company has been allowed to pump unlimited amounts of groundwater to grow hay for its cows. But the company and other landowners in the area will now face limits under a decision by state officials to impose regulation. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said Monday that her administration is acting to “crack down on the out-of-state special interests that are pumping our state dry while Arizona families and farmers suffer.” Fondomonte, part of the Saudi dairy giant Almarai, is by far the largest water user in the area, using dozens of wells to to irrigate alfalfa that it ships overseas to the Middle East. After conducting a review, the state Department of Water Resources designated the Ranegras Plain area, located 100 miles west of Phoenix, as a new “active management area” to preserve the groundwater. This isn’t the first time the Democratic governor and her administration have used this approach to curb excessive pumping …

If you sit all day, you may have a weak posterior chain—these three trainer-recommended exercises can strengthen the area

If you sit all day, you may have a weak posterior chain—these three trainer-recommended exercises can strengthen the area

Published by Jenni Sidey

Much of modern life seems to involve sitting—driving, working at a desk and even socialising keeps us glued to our seats for long periods. While sitting isn’t damaging in itself—after all, squatting is an act of sitting to standing and it strengthens your glutes—excessive time spent in any position can cause muscle weakness, especially if you don’t do anything to counteract it. I spoke to personal trainer Monty Simmons, who shared his top resistance band workout designed to strengthen the back of the body, helping you counter long hours spent flexed in a chair. You may like The muscles running down the back of your body—known as the posterior chain—and the front of the shoulders are ones that easily weaken from prolonged sitting. Targeting these areas can support a better posture and improve overall body health and strength. Simmons recommends the Fit Beast resistance band, which he says is durable and consistent in tension. “Resistance bands change difficulty by altering tension through the movement,” he says. “Bands also challenge stability and control because the resistance …