London, 8th January 2024: Today, as Parliament resumes, actor and activist Idris Elba launches the Don’t Stop Your Future campaign, demanding urgent government action to address the pervasive issue of serious youth violence in the UK.

In a symbolic display at Parliament Square, Idris Elba, accompanied by Yemi Hughes, mother of Andre Aderemi, who tragically lost his life to knife crime, showcases an installation of neatly folded outfits representing lives lost to violence. He emphasises the urgent need for politicians to prioritise this crisis and act decisively.

Idris Elba’s campaign aims to shine a spotlight on the human cost of knife crime by displaying these poignant outfits in front of Parliament, honouring the lives lost and urging political leaders to take meaningful action. The actor emphasises the importance of seizing the opportunity of the New Year to drive change, profiling and supporting grassroots organisations that provide alternatives to crime.

Accompanying the installation are billboards across the UK featuring poignant words from Poojah Kanda, mother of Ronan Kanda, who fell victim to mistaken identity in 2022. The campaign seeks to convey the ongoing impact of serious youth violence on victims' families.

As part of the initiative, Idris releases a powerful track titled ‘Knives Down’ to raise awareness and give a voice to those affected by knife crime. The video features a debate in the House of Commons, highlighting the stories of victims and worst-affected communities. The track calls on Parliament to urgently ban zombie knives and machetes, addressing the supply chains that bring them to UK streets.

The actor and activist stresses the need for both immediate action and long-term support. He calls on the government to invest in youth services, citing a 74% cut in funding since 2010/11 and the correlation between youth service cuts and increased youth violence.

To tackle the root causes of serious youth violence, Idris Elba calls for the formation of a Coalition to End Knife Crime, a cross-party, cross-governmental working group that includes relevant government departments, grassroots organisations, sporting bodies, young people, and technology companies. The goal is to improve collaboration and dialogue, addressing the underlying issues contributing to youth violence and ensuring a brighter future for young people across the UK.

Patrick Green, CEO of the Ben Kinsella Trust said: “Idris’ Don’t Stop Your Future campaign is a vital and much needed intervention to shine a spotlight on serious youth violence, which has been neglected for too long. It's horrifying that hardly a day goes by without the tragic news of someone being hurt, maimed, or even killed with a machete or zombie knife. Four months have passed since we were promised the legislation we so desperately need to ban these weapons, yet the Bill has only just started its agonisingly slow journey through Parliament.

“The Government has demonstrated that when they deem it necessary, Parliamentary time can be found to expedite Bills with urgency. So, why, when we know that these knives are being used to take the lives of our children, are they not prioritising a ban with the same urgency?
Lock, Stock and Barrel: Jamaica takes on illicit arms and weapons 

19 March 2024
In Jamaica, a concerted effort is underway to tackle a challenge that has long hindered progress and prosperity – the proliferation of small arms and light weapons. As the third-largest island in the Caribbean, with a population of 2.73 million, Jamaica faces the stark reality of high crime rates. Firearms, arriving through official and unofficial channels, play a pivotal role in fuelling organized crime, contributing to homicides and violence concentrated in urban and rural areas. Indeed, on average nearly 80 per cent of all homicides in the country have involved the use of a firearm.

Vision 2030 Jamaica, the National Development Plan, underscores the profound impact of crime and violence on the country’s development and its impact on citizen safety and security. Recognizing the complexity of this issue, spearheaded by the United Nations, the Joint Programme on reducing small arms & light weapons in Jamaica, under the umbrella of the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) Fund, stands as a shining example of coordinated action and support for the island nation pooling in various actors and expertise to address both the supply and demand sides of the problem.

Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, the programme leverages the strengths and expertise of four key UN entities: the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA), the Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC), and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Working to deliver as one, the UN Country Team has synchronized efforts to channel investments towards addressing the scourge of illicit small arms and the SDGs and national priorities, more broadly.

Through the Programme’s targeted capacity-building sessions, law enforcement officials at the nation’s maritime and seaports, airport authorities and customs agents now boast of improved detection capabilities. The Programme is also providing legal advice and legislative support in the development of a new Firearms Bill, a  legislative framework governing small arms reduction.

Further, it has also facilitated meaningful research by launching the first Violence Audit conducted in Jamaica. The Audit is the first time a clear baseline has been established on the use of small arms and light weapons in volatile communities. Moreover, the inter-agency technical working group, an innovative component of the programme, has fostered increased collaboration and information sharing, ensuring a comprehensive and people-centered approach to tackling violence.

The Programme has also worked closely with educators and youth to foster firearm free and peaceful school communities. Engaging closely with the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Programme has led to the establishment of clear guidelines on reducing the presence of firearms in schools, opening channels of communications to various breaches and recording incidents of use. For vulnerable youth, the Programme has been instrumental in setting up “Youth For Peace Clubs” that are helping inculcate peaceful conflict mediation skills, manage their social and emotional behaviours and tackle gender stereotypes to bring about change.

One teacher, participating in the training, commented, "I really appreciated all that was shared about peace. My main take away is that peace is more than just a word but an active tool to effect positive change in all our lives and improve the quality of our lives. What I will do now is to promote peace in all my classes and guide my students to peaceful resolutions for their conflicts.”

Reflecting on how interpersonal conflicts would earlier escalate into fights and the change since the Programme’s intervention, two youth participants to the training said, “I learned the difference between conflict and violence. I want to use my learnings to change the school. I want to be a change maker. I want to create a Youth For Peace Club at my school.”

“It is time for the Government to take action and ban machetes, and zombie knives with immediate effect.”

Friday, March 14, 2025

Subscribe to Newsletter »

• Home
• Magazine
• Artists
• Media
• Culture
• More
• Tools

Search »

• Home
• News
• Society
• No To Guns! Yes To Life - International Awareness Campaign against Gun Violence

By Karl Pearson on Sunday, November 21, 2010 - 2 comments

Gun and knives crime appears to be an increasing problem the world over with more than Three Million (3,000,000) lives taken by it each year and it is probably fair to say that Jamaica has more than its share. A campaign is now underway there to try and unify people into saying enough really is enough.   

The “No To Guns! Yes To Life International Awareness Campaign Against Gun, Knife & Gang Violence” is being spear headed by Black Music Promotions from Portmore. They believe that fighting crime is not just the sole responsibility of the Police, but of all citizens as well, and only through collaborated, committed effort can this be achieved.

"Joshua grieved, and wanted to do a song, that would be used as a learning tool, for others. This is how he got the inspiration, to write this song", told us Randolph Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of Black Music Promotion.

"GUN OR LIFE was recorded in 2006, as Joshua had a friend who was involved in illegal gun activities. Joshua on numerous occasions, ask him to quit and change from his way of living. At one point in time, Joshua ask him to come to the studio with him, to see if he could get the man involved in music recording, but he refused as usual. That same day Joshua invited him to the studio, he died the evening, he was killed by police after robing & shot some one."

"Joshua grieved, and wanted to do a song, that would be used as a learning tool, for others. This is how he got the inspiration, to write this song."

It hopes that by getting its citizens and police to work together and unite as one they will dim
Plan to cut thousands of civil service jobs in radical government shake-up

Exclusive: Proposals also include crackdown on quangos and restructuring NHS England

• What are quangos and what do they do?

A radical blueprint for reforming the state is being drawn up by government officials, including a crackdown on quangos and thousands more civil service job cuts, the Guardian understands.

Proposals to restructure NHS England, with entire teams axed to save money and avoid duplication, could be replicated across a range of arm’s length bodies that spend about £353bn of public money.

Separately, No 10 and the Treasury are understood to be taking a close interest in proposals drawn up by Labour Together, a thinktank with close links to the government, to reshape the state under plans dubbed “project chainsaw”.

The project’s nickname is a reference to Elon Musk’s stunt wielding a chainsaw to symbolise controversial government cuts for Donald Trump’s administration.

Keir Starmer told his cabinet at their weekly meeting on Tuesday that they should stop “outsourcing” decisions to regulators and quangos and take more responsibility for their own departments.

The prime minister said they “must go further and faster to reform the state” and reverse what he described as a “trend” under previous government of decisions being made by other bodies.

In a speech on Thursday he will set out plans expected to result in the cutting of thousands more Whitehall jobs than expected, as well as a reorganisation of more than 300 quangos, including NHS England, which together employ almost 300,000 people.

29 mins agoHEALTHBy Molly CourtTrending News Reporter@mxllycourtShare0 CommentsThe campaign will be targeted at children aged three to five (Image: Getty)

A country-wide supervised toothbrushing campaign has been launched in a bid to “revive” the country’s oral health across England.

The programme, in which children are encouraged to brush their teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, will take place in early years settings, including nurseries and schools for children aged of three to five.

While many welcomed the scheme, education leaders said that schools cannot be expected to “fix all of society’s ills” and that steps must be taken to prevent a shift of “what is ultimately a parental responsibility on to the shoulders of schools”.

School and nursery staff in the most deprived areas of England will be asked to supervise young children while they brush their teeth, under a national toothbrushing programme launched by the government.

Should teachers teach children how to brush their teeth?
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) March 7, 2025

The scheme which was launched on Friday (March 7) will see funding made available from April and the initiative will be targeted at the most deprived areas of the country.

Official data shows as many as six in 10 children in some areas have rotting teeth by the age of five, with clear differences between poorer regions of England and the more affluent.

It is hoped that the initiative could save the NHS millions by reducing the number of children who need hospital care for rotten teeth.

Supervised toothbrushing is already available to 143,000 children across the country, according to figures published in the British Dental Journal.

The Department of Health and Social Care said it expects up to 600,000 children to take part in the supervised brushing.

0:00 / 0:47How much water should you drinkdaily?

The initiative, from DHSC and the Department for Education, will be backed by £11 million. Schools are able to voluntarily sign up to the scheme.

Health minister Stephen Kinnock said: “It is shocking that a third of five-year-olds in the most deprived areas have experience of tooth decay, something we know can have a lifelong impact on their health.

“It’s why we’re delivering supervised toothbrushing to young children and families who are most in need of support as part of our wider plans to revive the oral health of the nation.

“This includes providing 23 million free toothbrushes and toothpastes through our partnership with Colgate-Palmolive to reach up to 600,000 children each year.”

Early education minister Stephen Morgan, added: “This Government is working hard to break the unfair link between background and opportunity, to ensure tens of thousands more children are school ready every year.”

Do you agree with the rollout of this campaign across England? (Image: DEAN HINDMARCH/Getty)Eddie Crouch, chairman of the British Dental Association commented: “It’s rare to find something to smile about in dentistry these days.

“But supervised tooth-brushing is tried and tested policy that will save children from pain and our NHS a fortune.”

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT, explained: “There is no doubt that there is a crisis in childhood dental health in this country and the Government are right to make it a priority.

“However, we cannot keep loading increasing expectations on schools.

Recommended reading:

• Pageant queen urges regular eye tests as she credits hers for saving her life
• Warning to parents due to take maternity or paternity leave
• How to appeal a school place if your child doesn't get their first choice 

“Nor can we keep looking to schools to fix all of society’s ills. Most people would see tooth-brushing as a basic part of parenting, and we must be careful not to shift what is ultimately a parental responsibility on to the shoulders of schools.

“The new expectations around breakfast clubs are already placing increasing demands in schools, there is only so much we can expect teachers and school staff to do.

“We would urge the Government to think further about how parents can be supported to look after their children’s oral health and to focus on rebuilding NHS dentistry.”

HEALTHShare0 Comments

5 Comments / Music / By Enki's Records

Discover some of Jamaica’s top child stars, from classic reggae singers to dancehall DJs. Many proceeded to have successful careers as adults.

Billy Boyo was a teenage star of pre-digital dancehall. He was born in 1969 in Kingston, Jamaica. His real name was Billy Theophilus Rowe.

Legendary producer Henry “Junjo” Lawes discovered Billy Boyo when he was just 12 years old. In the early 1980s, Billy Boyo recorded some amazing hits with the powerful Roots Radics Band and the innovative young engineer Scientist. ‘One spliff a day’ is one notable example. Always under Junjo, Billy Boyo recorded the album “DJ Clash Volume 2” with fellow young deejay, Little Harry.

In 1983, Billy Boyo (together with Ranking Toyan and yet another child star, Little John) went to London to work with producer Silver Kamel. Due to various reasons, it took almost twenty years before Billy Boyo’s album, “Zim Zim”, was released.

Billy Boyo wasn’t a prolific recording artist, he was more of a live deejay rather than a recording artist. He died in 2000, according to most sources of a brain tumor.

Dennis Emmanuel Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1957. He started his career as a nine-year-old singer, performing with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires in the mid-60s.

Dennis Brown cut his first hit single, No Man Is An Island for Clement “Sir Coxsone’ Dodd at the age of 10. Over the next 30 years, he would become one of the most prolific artists the world has ever seen, releasing around 80 studio albums, seven live productions and countless singles.

Bob Marley dubbed him “The Crown Prince of Reggae“, and Brown would prove influential on future generations of reggae singers. Dennis Brown died of cardiac arrest in 1999 at the age of 42.

very young Dennis Brown [source: pinterest]

Freddie McGregor was born in 1956 in Clarendon, Jamaica. His music career began when he was seven years old. At that time, in 1963, “Little Freddie” formed his band “The Clarendonians” with Peter Austin and Ernest Wilson, and recorded his first song for the Studio One label.

Ever since Freddie McGregor has had an incredibly steady career. He’s spanned nearly every stylistic shift in Jamaican music, from ska to Rastafarian roots reggae to lovers rock, and even experimented in dancehall.

John McMorris, or Little John, was born in 1970. This Jamaican dancehall musician is best known for his 1980s recordings when he was one of the reggae DJ child stars along with Billy Boyo and Little Harry.

He began performing and recording at the age of nine and was famous for his ability to create lyrics over any backing track. He recorded for many producers in the 1980s, notably for ‘Junjo’ Lawes, Joseph Hoo Kim, Jah Thomas, and King Jammy.

Little John, Billy Boyo and ranking Toyan [image from Deejay Toasters on facebook]

Little Harry was born in 1965. According to Discogs, his real name is Claude Alexander Campbell. Little Harry’s music career started when he was about 13 years old, and he became famous throughout the 1980s for his live performances with sound systems including Volcano and King Sturmars Hi-Fi.

Little Harry was an early collaborator with Yellowman and recorded the 1983 LP “DJ Clash Volume 2” with fellow child deejay Billy Boyo.

Born James Chambers in 1944, Jimmy Cliff began his illustrious career while in high school by entering many local talent contests.

By the time he was 14, Cliff had released several hit singles, including Hurricane Hattie. At 16 years old, he represented Jamaica at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair. Shortly after his career took off when he was signed by Island Records. Jimmy Cliff has released more than 30 albums.

This British-Jamaican reggae band was formed in England in 1979 when the ages of its members ranged between 8 and 12 years. Musical Youth is best remembered for the successful 1982 single “Pass the Dutchie”, which became a No. 1 hit around the world.

Delroy Wilson was born in 1948 in Kingston. He began recording when he was only 13, while still attending Boys’ Town Primary. By 1962, he had recorded his first set of songs under the guidance of Clement ‘Coxson’ Dodd.

Delroy Wilson was one of Jamaica’s most soulful vocalists, and over a 40-year career he unleashed a flood of hits and masterpieces. He died at the age of 46 in 1995 following health complications.

Anthony Moses Davis – better known as Beenie Man – was born in 1973 in Kingston. This Jamaican dancehall deejay started toasting at 5 years of age. He won the Tastee Talent contest in 1981. His initial stage name was spelled Beany Man. He would eventually work with Henry Junjo Lawes, Bunny Lee and Sly and Robbie – among others – achieving international stardom in the 1990s.

Nadine Sutherland burst onto the scene when she was 11 years old, in 1979, when she beat Yellowman in the first Tastee Talent Contest. Recording a song was part of her prize for winning the competition, and her hit single, Starvation on the Land, was produced by Bob Marley. She went on to become a successful dancehall artist in the 1990s.

Comment below!

enkismusicrecords.comhttps://enkismusicrecords.com › reggae-top-child-stars-j...Discover some of Jamaica's top child stars, from classic reggae singers to dancehall DJs. How many had successful careers as adults?Videos23:0010 Child Stars of Reggae and Dancehall Part 1 - Jamaica ...

Bring the Noise > Explore

It originated on a small Carribean island and grew to become a global phenomenon recognised as a cultural institution by UNESCO, the story of reggae's success is closely entwined with the history of Jamaica.

Reggae's roots, springing from the social upheaval in post-war Jamaica, are a fusion of different musical eras and styles, coupled with a message of unity and hope.

How did this musical genre, with a uniquely Jamaican twist, become a worldwide brand influencing artists like Rihanna and Sean Paul?

Mento is the name given to Jamaican folk music that emerged in the 1940s and 1950s.

Similar to Calypso, which originated in Trinidad, the sound of Mento can be traced back to the convergent society of Jamaica.

Jamaica was colonised by Spain, mainly in the 1500s, and then Britain in 1655.

Enslaved people were transported from Africa to work on the country’s sugar plantations.

The resulting mix of cultures contributed to the growth of an identifiable Jamaican sound.

Characterised by the fusion of European and African traits, with origins in enslaved work songs – created with guitar, rumba box, bongo and banjo, Mento mixed this with satirical lyrics of everyday life and verse repetition, creating a foundation from which reggae would blossom.

In the 1960s the popularity of Mento began to decline as people were influenced by R&B music from the USA, played on radio stations.

Across Jamaica musicians and singers began to cover these songs and imitate their styles.

At the same time electricity was becoming widely accessible and sound systems – mobile discos on the streets – became the new craze.

Dances were a big part of the Jamaican working class community and became a place of business with people selling food and drinks, spreading money to the wider community.

Competition was rife with sound men competing to put on the best set, even sometimes resorting to violence.

It was all about the exclusivity, getting songs from overseas no one had heard of. Music became a national obsession particularly among the young.

One school in particular, Alpha Boys School, run by nuns, encouraged music playing and helped develop some of Jamaica’s greatest musicians including Yellowman, Edward Thornton and Dizzy Reece.

Meanwhile Jamaica’s professional recording industry was also starting to take shape.

Recording studios, which had concentrated on American influenced R&B, began hiring out their facilities to local musicians who recorded original songs which were picked up by sound systems, still looking for that exclusivity.

Jamaica became independent in 1962 and Ska’s upbeat rhythm reflected the mood in the newly autonomous country.

Adopting America R&B style but adding Mento elements, the new music kept a 4/4 timing with guitar or piano used to increase emphasis on the off-beat and along with a dynamic brass section and a creeping bass line, a distinct new Jamaican sound, of local singers, was created.

Ska was also growing in popularity overseas, Millie Smalls had a top five hit in the UK chart with My Boy Lollipop in 1964.

This seeping of Jamaican music in to popular culture would continue with cult 1972 film The Harder They Come, the title track of which was performed by Jimmy Cliff, with other contributors including Desmond Dekker.

Ska was a fast paced chaotic musical genre but from the mid 1960’s the climate in Jamaica that had spawned it was beginning to change.

Streets in downtown Kingston become lawless with ‘Rude Boys’ gangsters terrorising locals.

Music mirrored this and Rocksteady, a slower paced sound, grew in popularity.

Musicians would turn to old-fashioned love songs, and singers replaced instrumentals.

Rhythms became more relaxed and songs easier to dance to.

This also gave the bass line more of an emphasis as the slower pace allowed it to be more defined.

Artists such as Alton Ellis and The Techniques thrived in this era. Some artists such as Hopeton Lewis found Ska too fast to follow and so adapted to a gentler pace.

Rocksteady, however, would prove to be a brief affair, lasting around two years.

In 1966 Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia visited Jamaica – an important moment for the religious movement Rastafari which saw him as the messiah - 100,000 Jamaicans turned out to see him.

This link with Rastafarian culture would become a vital strand of reggae.

During the late 1960’s, Jamaica was on the brink of civil war, with political unrest, poverty and volatile streets.

Reggae with the bass taking charge, and drums as part of the melody, reflected this new Jamaica.

Lyrics became more conscious and words of protest and revolution changed the vibe and identity of the sound.

Roots reggae concerned itself with the everyday life and hopes of Africans, led by the Rastafarian belief and it was this genre that Bob Marley and the Wailers took global.

Marley sang of the past oppressions of slavery and the future hopes of unity.

Sub genres such as dub also formed, consisting of recycled and remixed rocksteady and ska tunes, incorporating a toaster, essentially an MC, who spoke over the song with Rastafarian messages.

The dancehall genre also emerged using digital reggae influenced rhythms.

By 1978 a failing economy and political unease was at its peak and political issues along with the musical tradition all came together in reggae to form strong lyrics with an uplifting sound to empower.

Reggae’s presence can still be felt today, influencing genres such as punk, hip hop and rock through artists such as Eric Clapton, Sean Paul, Rihanna, Protoje and Chronixx.

Through time, Jamaicans have constantly mirrored their environment through music, creating an authentic reflection of the nation.

The power of reggae, built on a foundation of history with the spirit of the Jamaican people and messages of a better future, became a notion with universal appreciation.

Bogle had become a friend of a wealthy landowner and fellow Baptist George William Gordon, a bi-racial man who served in the Assembly as one of two representatives from St. Thomas-in-the-East parish. Gordon was instrumental in Bogle being appointed deacon of Stony Gut Baptist Church in 1864. Conditions were hard for black peasants, due to social discrimination, flooding and crop failure, and epidemics. The required payment of poll taxesprevented most of them from voting. In August 1865, Gordon criticised the governor of Jamaica, Edward John Eyre, for sanctioning "everything done by the higher class to the oppression of the negroes".[4]

"Artistic Impression of Paul Bogle" in Morant Bay, Jamaica[1]

Born1822Died24 October 1865 (aged 42–43)Cause of deathHangedNationalityJamaicanKnown forLeader of the protesters in the Morant Bay rebellionWebsitehttps://paulboglefoundation.org/

More of our videos here watch now at the link below 

https://youtube.com/shorts/F5-x9bGlm-A?si=bk_V8Tecv2CDOEJZ

Sex after 50 can be fulfilling, but it may require more planning and thought than in previous years. Some factors that can affect sex life after 50 include: 

• Menopause: Declining estrogen levels can make it harder to get aroused and reduce desire for sex. Other symptoms of menopause that can affect sex include vaginal dryness, night sweats, anxiety, and depression. 
• Aging: Chronic illness, injuries, and changes in body image can all impact sex
• Erections: Men may notice that erections aren't as firm as they used to be. 
• Painful intercourse: Vaginal atrophy or dryness can cause pain during penetrative sex. 

Here are some tips for having a good sex life after 50:

• Communicate: Be open with your partner about sexual needs and changes. 
• Physical therapy: If pain is due to radiation, chemotherapy, or surgical scarring, physical therapy can help. 
• Consider exercise: Sex is a form of physical activity that can burn calories and improve your health. 
• Listen to your body: Prioritize your own needs and listen to what your body is telling you. 

As you age, some conditions or medicines may put a damper on your sex drive and performance. But don’t think that if you’re in the over-50 crowd, you have to settle for a less-than-fulfilling sex life.

You can still enjoy sex -- you just may have to put a little more thought and planning into it than you did when you were younger.

Here are 7 things you can do to keep sex exciting and fulfilling for you and your partner:

You may think of sex as leisurely, but you can work up quite a sweat during lovemaking. Here are a few reasons why getting fit can help you get it on:

It strengthens your muscles. Nothing can kill a mood faster than hurting your back or pulling a muscle. Check into the best strength-training exercises for you.

It improves your mood. Exercise can release chemicals in your brainthat make you feel better and more at ease. When was the last time you felt blue and also interested in sex?

It helps you look better. Regular exercise can keep your body looking its best and that can help your confidence and boost your sex life.

For women, regular physical activity might help with arousal.

Women may also benefit from what’s called Kegel exercises. They can make your pelvic floor muscles stronger. You can identify those muscles the next time you pee by stopping in midstream. You can practice tightening and relaxing those muscles several times a day.

Men who exercise are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction, or ED, than men who are inactive. If you enjoy long-distance bicycling, make sure you have a soft, comfortable seat and a bike that fits you properly. This can help you avoid a potential ED problem.

Be sure to talk to your doctor before you begin any new exercise program.

When you’ve been with the same partner for a long time, you may want to come up with ideas to add a little variety to your sex life.

The answer might be something as simple as changing the time of day you have sex. If you’re too sleepy at night, maybe sex in the morning is right for both of you.

Some other ideas to keep things interesting:

• Try different sexual positions
• Set the stage and create a romantic atmosphere; a little planning can go a long way
• Take it out of the bedroom and find a new place to make love
• Shower or take a bath with your lover
• Indulge in professional massages that will leave you both relaxed

If you or your partner can’t do this anymore, there are other options for you to enjoy closeness and pleasure.

The simple but intimate acts of kissing and touching should not be overlooked. You and your partner may also consider:

• Giving each other sensual massages
• Oral sex
• BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE
• WELLNESS

BUSINESS

Posted on February 7, 2025

With the Body Balance Journey now over, you’ve already shown yourself what’s possible when you commit to change. So, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for all the amazing work you’ve already put in.

You’ve built healthier habits, balanced your body and started feeling even better — but here’s the big question: How do you keep the momentum going?

The answer: transition into the maintenance phase of the Body Balance System… unless you want to keep going at the pace you’re currently on.

In the maintenance phase, you’ll shift your focus to actually listening to your body. Here are four steps to take to shift gears from transformation mode to thriving mode in a way that feels natural, sustainable and freeing.

The Approved Foods List from the Body Balance System is your best friend — like, forever. Your BFF, if you will.

Whole foods — such as lean proteins, fresh veggies, fruits and healthy fats — naturally help you maintain your body goals. They’re nutrient-dense, filling and far less likely to trigger cravings.

Here’s why this works:

• Fewer processed foods, fewer cravings: Whole foods keep your blood sugar steady, which means fewer “I need a snack now!” moments. It’s amazing how quickly you don’t crave unhealthy snacks once you switch to eating whole foods. Whereas, processed snacks are like trying to fill a leaky bucket; no matter how much you eat, you’ll still feel unsatisfied.
• Naturally satisfying: High-fibre veggies, lean proteins and healthy fats are shown to keep you feeling full longer, making it easier to stop when you’re satisfied. What’s also great about whole foods is you can eat MORE of them, not less. Just imagine how many strawberries you could eat that would equal the volume of a cookie.
• Better balance: Whole foods nourish your body, supporting the balance you’ve worked so hard to achieve. With vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, real foods fuel your body and mind, not just your appetite.

You’re probably familiar with the foods and portions you typically eat to hit your nutrition goals. By now, you can likely estimate serving sizes with reasonable accuracy. If you’re ready, start trusting your instincts to portion your meals. Items, such as eggs, often come pre-portioned, making this even simpler.

Remember, if you’re tuning into your hunger and fullness cues, slight variations in portions — whether you have a little more or a little less — won’t make a significant difference. Your body naturally adjusts your appetite and satisfaction to meet your energy needs over time. As a general guide, aiming for a portion about the size of your palm is a great place to start.

Action Step: Keep your kitchen stocked with System-approved staples to make healthy eating your new normal. Also, make sure those tempting processed snacks are out of sight. If your fridge and pantry are a treasure trove of whole food options, you won’t have to “willpower” your way to healthy choices.

Maintenance isn’t just about keeping the scale steady — it’s about living a balanced, healthy lifestyle that feels good every day. Ask yourself:

• How do I feel after meals? Energised or sluggish?
• Am I moving my body in ways that I enjoy?
• Am I giving myself grace on days that aren’t perfect?

Remember, health is wealth.

The habits you’ve built during the Journey don’t have to end. Keep what works for you and adjust as needed. For example:

• Keep up meal prep: A little time upfront to prepare your go-to healthy meals saves a ton of stress later. It’s a game-changer for staying on track.
• Stay active: Whether it’s walking, yoga or hitting the gym, find or continue with activities you love and make them a regular part of your routine.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Keep sipping water throughout the day — your body will thank you.

Perfection isn’t the goal. Consistency is.

There will be days when you eat pizza or skip a workout — and that’s okay. Everything you eat is a choice. Try to make choices that support your health and your goals most of the time but allow yourself the freedom and flexibility to make other choices, 

As you wrap up the Body Balance Journey, take a moment to recognise how far you’ve come.

You’ve done the hard part. You’ve proven you can do this. Now, make it stick. Because the best version of your life is just getting started.

Download ArticleSECTIONS1What is a welfare check?2How to Request a Welfare Check3What justifies a welfare check?+Show 1 more...OTHER SECTIONSTips and WarningsRelated ArticlesReferencesCo-authored by Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: October 20, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you have a friend, loved one, or acquaintance that you just can’t seem to get in touch with? A welfare check (also known as a wellness check or a police welfare check) could be the solution that you’re looking for. Read on to learn exactly what a welfare check is, as well as how (and when) to request one. With a simple phone call, you’ll be one step closer to reaching the person you’re worried about.

• Police officers perform welfare checks on behalf of concerned friends, loved ones, acquaintances, and co-workers.
• Request a welfare check by either calling 911 or a non-emergency police number.
• A consistent lack of contact, mental health crisis, and suspicious activity near someone's home all justify a welfare check.

Download Article

1Call a local police non-emergency number or 911.Always call 911 if you suspect that the person is in active, immediate danger (like a suicidal friend or loved one). Dial the police non-emergency number for serious but not necessarily life-threatening concerns (like a neighbor you haven’t heard from in a few days).[2]

• Check your police department’s website to find the non-emergency number. If you’re calling on behalf of a distant friend or relative, be sure to call their local precinct.
• 
  

2Explain who you’re requesting the welfare check for and why.Let the operator know the full name of the person you’re worried about, as well as where they live. Then, explain why you’re worried about the person in question and/or why you think they could be in danger.[3]

• “I wanted to request a welfare check for my neighbor Jane Kelly who lives on 300 Apple Road. She hasn’t gotten her mail in several days and I haven’t seen her around the neighborhood at all. She’s 81, so I’m worried that she might have fallen or suffered a medical emergency.”
• “I’d like to request an immediate welfare check on my friend Josh Adams. He lives in apartment 17B in the Meadow Springs apartment complex on 700 Main Street. He just posted a suicide note on social media, and I’m afraid that he might take his own life.”
• 
  

3Wait to hear back from the police officers.If the welfare check goes well, law enforcement officers will likely call you back with an update. If the welfare check doesn’t go well, the officers will focus on the most immediate issue at hand.[4]

• Let’s say you requested a welfare check on your elderly aunt. The police stop by and find that she’s fallen and injured herself. In this case, they’d call for medical assistance before calling you back.
• 
  

Suicide riskWelfare checks are commonly called for people displaying suicidal tendencies—this might be a concerning text, a bizarre post on social media, or a confession over the phone. An urgent welfare check can potentially save someone’s life and help them get the mental health support that they need.[6]

• You can request a welfare check for a friend or loved one who’s experiencing any type of life-threatening mental health crisis. When making the call, ask if a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) is available to help the person in need—CIT officers are best equipped to handle these types of situations.[7]

Suspicious activity near a person’s homeDoes your neighbor’s home look broken into, or do you see suspicious people prowling near their home? Call the police and request a welfare check—this allows law enforcement to quickly assist potential victims

1. 1Police knock on the person’s door and see if they’re home.After knocking or ringing the doorbell, the officers will announce themselves and wait for someone to answer the door. If the person in question is fine, the police will contact the original caller with an update.[9]
   • Ask the police officer if you can go with them during the welfare check, especially if you suspect that the person could be having a crisis. It could be comforting for them to see a familiar face during the check-in.[10]

2Officers investigate around the home if nobody’s around.Police may walk around the person’s home and see if they can get an idea of where the person may be and what’s going on. They may also inspect the garage/parking lot to see if the person’s car is nearby.[11]

• Police officers will also check the person’s mail to see if they have any letters or packages piling up.
• 
  

3Officers collect background information and do a little research.Law enforcement might knock on neighbors’ doors, check the call history at the person’s home, and dig into the person’s medical history. In some cases, officers might check nearby hospitals and jails to see if the person is there.[12]

• Police will ask neighbors if they’ve seen the person recently, or if they know about any spare keys the person might have to their home. They might also contact the person’s family and friends for this type of information.

4Police forcefully enter the home if they feel the situation calls for it.Believe it or not, police are allowed to enter a person’s home without a warrant if they think that person’s life or safety could be in danger. Ultimately, this decision depends on the specific situation.[13]

• Police will often search for an open window or another point of entry before breaking into the home.

• BUSINESS
• 
  
• PRODUCTS & RECIPES
• LIFESTYLE
• BEAUTY & PERSONAL CARE
• WELLNESS

BUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS PRODUCTS & RECIPES

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS PRODUCTS & RECIPES

READ MORE

BUSINESS PRODUCTS & RECIPES

Posted on June 11, 2024

New Kiwi Berry flavour is here, paired with the same incredible benefits! Embrace all that life has to offer with Nutrifii™ Renew, a patent-pending, t…

CONTINUE READING

• BUSINESSLORENA GABOR ADVANCES TO CHAIRPERSON 2
  Partner.Co is thrilled to announce that Lorena Gabor has advanced her title to Chairperson 2. Reflecting on the Journey Reflecting on her achievement,…February 11, 2025
• BUSINESSHOW TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM AFTER THE BODY BALANCE JOURNEY
  With the Body Balance Journey now over, you’ve already shown yourself what’s possible when you commit to change. So, give yourself a well-deserved pat…February 7, 2025
• BUSINESSUNSTOPPABLE GENERATION WINS THE 2024 EMEA VISION AWARD
  Please join us in congratulating Unstoppable Generation on being chosen for the 2024 Europe Vision Award! The Vision Award: Partner.Co’s Highest Achie…January 23, 2025
• BUSINESSPARTNER.CO WINS 7 VEGA DIGITAL AWARDS
  New competition, same winning spirit. We are thrilled to announce we’ve won one platinum and six gold awards in this year’s Vega Digital Awards, an in…December 27, 2024
• BUSINESSPARTNER.CO WINS 2 PLATINUM & 1 GOLD VIDDY AWARDS
  Please join us in celebrating Partner.Co’s latest competition wins: two platinum and one gold in this year’s Viddy Awards! “When I use the word ‘tirel…December 20, 2024
• WELLNESSSURVIVING THE HOLIDAY HUSTLE WITH PARTNER.CO PRODUCTS
  We wish you a merry … everything! But let’s be real — sometimes the holiday season feels more chaotic than cheerful. Between all the holiday hus…December 13, 2024
• BUSINESSKATY HOLT-LARSEN & VIVIAN CHUNG-PATTERSON WIN GLOBEE® WOMEN IN BUSINESS AWARDS
  We’re thrilled to celebrate two of our executives, Katy Holt-Larsen and Vivian Chung-Patterson, for winning Globee® Women in Business Awards. This yea…December 12, 2024
• WELLNESSHOLIDAY BALANCE 101: WELLNESS TIPS & PRODUCT PICKS
  The holidays are here, and with them come oh-so-many tasty temptations. It’s all too easy for our wellness goals to slide like Santa down the chimney.…December 10, 2024
• PRODUCTS & RECIPESINDULGE IN GUILT-FREE HOLIDAY MOCKTAILS
  With the holidays almost here, it’s time to start planning our favourite part — the menu! Holiday Mocktails This year, instead of a calorie-dense eggn…December 6, 2024
• BUSINESSPARTNER.CO WINS 9 MARCOM AWARDS
  The MarCom Awards honour excellence in marketing and communication while recognising the creativity, hard work, and generosity of industry professiona…December 6, 2024

Our roles are varied and all contribute to delivering vital services to the public. 

Our work touches all aspects of life in the UK, from education and the environment, to transport and defence.

You could make a real difference to people’s lives with a career in the Civil Service.

Find out which profession could be your perfect fit using our Career Matcher.

Try our Career Matcher

• Benefits
• Learning and Development
• Culture

A work-life balance is key for us all. We offer flexible working as well as health, well-being and discount schemes. The annual leave package usually starts at 25 days per year and increases to 30 days with long service. Our pension scheme is one of the best workplace pension schemes in the UK public sector, with an average employer contribution of 27%.

Read more about Benefits

The Civil Service is divided into departments. Whatever your passion – from the environment to welfare – there’s a department to match.

Find out more

Every civil servant is part of a profession. Your profession is linked to the type of job you do. Find the one that matches your talents.

Find out more

• & PERSONAL CARE
• WELLNESS

BUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS PRODUCTS & RECIPES

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS

READ MOREBUSINESS PRODUCTS & RECIPES

READ MORE

BUSINESS PRODUCTS & RECIPES

Posted on June 11, 2024

New Kiwi Berry flavour is here, paired with the same incredible benefits! Embrace all that life has to offer with Nutrifii™ Renew, a patent-pending, t…

*** Drink 1 fluid ounce (30 ml) twice a day! ***

Miranda Kerr
Beauty icon

Miranda Kerr is one of the world’s most beautiful people. She’s a professional model, an author, an entrepreneur and a world-wide beauty icon. She also happens to be a huge advocate of noni and Thrive Adaptogenics, and she talks about it whenever she gets an opportunity.

In a recent issue of Life & Style, a European publication with a circulation of over 125,000, Kerr calls Tahitian Noni® Juice (now known as Thrive Adaptogenics) an integral part of her daily diet. She often calls noni her “Beauty Secret”.

on morinda blog

Miranda Kerr called
noni her “beauty secret”

During a recent appearance on Conan, Miranda sat down with Conan O’Brien to discuss a variety of subjects including her love of noni. Miranda called noni her “beauty secret,” and enthusiastically shared its benefits with a nationwide audience.

“[Noni] is a fruit which orginates in Tahiti,” Kerr told O’Brien.
“It works on a cellular level to re-energize all the cells.”

“I drink it all the time!” Kerr added.

beverages are the ideal choice for all those
who seek to maintain an active and balanced lifestyle while facing the challenges of modern life.

This is evidenced by an ever-growing body of research. Independent scientists around the world have confirmedthat a substantial number of bioactives provide proven health benefits.

Buy Noni Juice Original 

https://partner.co/?custid=N4475403

moboawardsandspiceofficialOriginal audioLiked by indiyahhp and others

• moboawards
  The Queen of Dancehall is coming to the #MOBOAwards stage! @spiceofficialis ready to bring the 🔥 and deliver a performance like no other on Feb 18! 🤩✨
  
  Are you ready to feel the energy and experience an unforgettable moment with Spice? 🙌🏾
  
  Don’t miss out—see her live at the 2025 MOBO Awards on February 18 in 

Returning Resident Registration and Application Process

Who is Eligible?
In order to be considered a Returning Resident, and to benefit from the concession afforded to Returning Residents, you must satisfy one of the following conditions:

1. Be a Jamaican national who has attained the age of 18 years, and who 
   • has been residing overseas for the last 3 consecutive years, and
   • is returning to Jamaica to reside permanently.

1. Be a Jamaican student who has attained the age of 18 years and who has studied abroad for more than one year but fewer than 3 consecutive years 
2. Be a Jamaican student who has attained the age of 18 years and who has studied abroad for more than one year but fewer than 3 consecutive years.
3. Be a Non-Jamaican whose spouse is a Jamaican Returning Resident.
4. A Deportee who has been residing overseas for the last 3 consecutive years

Note: A couple - husband and wife- will be counted as one family if returned together, and will only get one concession. Spouses not returning together, but within three years of each other, are treated as one family and will also get only one concession.

Documents Required
Returning Residents must visit the Jamaica Customs Agency Returning Residents Unit and submit the following:

• Valid Jamaican Passport or foreign passport that is endorsed with the unconditional landing stamp
• Validated Bill of Lading or Airway Bill
• Taxpayers Registration Number (TRN)
• Documentary evidence that will substantiate residency outside of Jamaica for 3 or more consecutive years.
• Returning Students should present a transcript, student’s I-20, confirmation letter of attendance from last institution of study and identification card issued by the institution
• Deportees should present their Deportation Order and case file.

Entitlement

• A specified amount of personal and household effects can be imported free of customs duty.
• Returning Residents may import their tools of trade free of customs duty
• Returning Students are entitled to import reasonable quantity of used household effects, musical instruments, and one of each type of electronic equipment (new or used) 
• Deported persons will receive entitlement similar to that of returning residents.

NB: Qualified applicants can benefit only ONCE from this concession

Click here for Entitlement

Former President Donald Trump speaks during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on November 15 in Palm Beach, Florida.Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesNicole Narea covers politics Vox. She first joined Vox in 2019, and her work has also appeared in Politico, Washington Monthly, and the New Republic.

Former President Donald Trump revived his familiar flirtation with white extremism last week after he dined with the rapper Ye, who has recently come under fire for his antisemitic comments, and prominent white supremacist and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes at his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago.

Over the years, Trump has repeatedly egged on white supremacists — who believe that white people are inherently superior — and white nationalists, who desire a physical or symbolic white nation, with racist dog whistles. At times, he has even overtly defended them. His affiliation has given a bigger platform to hate-based movements broadly, and they, in turn, have become an indispensable part of his base. The groups became emboldened in the Trump era to make their views more explicit: For instance, during the January 6 insurrection, protesters carried a Confederate flag into the US Capitol, erected a gallows and noose on the lawn, and evoked a seminal white nationalist text.

Trump has never said explicitly that he supports white nationalism or white supremacy and, as president, repeatedly denounced antisemitism, though he later criticized American Jews for not showing enough gratitude for his support of Israel. (His daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, are Jewish.) On the record, he has disavowed the Ku Klux Klan and its former leader David Duke, who endorsed him for president in 2016, as well as condemned white nationalists, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups. Still, he’s continually taken pains not to alienate white extremists, leaving himself room for plausible deniabilitysuch that his supporters find no need to question their fealty. 

Last week’s dinner, which occurred just a week after Trump announced his 2024 bid for the presidency, should dispel any doubt that Trump had left his alliance with white extremists behind him. His advisers reportedly told him that associating with people like Fuentes is political suicide, and he issued a statement claiming he didn’t invite Fuentes and didn’t know who he was. Notably, Trump’s statement did not denounce Fuentes’s or Ye’s beliefs, but merely noted Ye “expressed no anti-Semitism,” and that “I didn’t know Nick Fuentes.”

Fuentes is both a white supremacist and a white nationalist who has praised fascists and authoritarian leaders, has connections to American neo-Nazism, and believes that the US should have a white Christian majority. He attended the August 2017 “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was present at the Capitol insurrection. Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, has publicly embraced antisemitism in recent months, losing his contract with Adidas over comments such as his statement that he would “go death con 3 [sic] on JEWISH PEOPLE,” seemingly referencing the “defcon” military alert. And after wearing a T-shirt that read “white lives matter,” he was accused of abusing the language of Black power to promote white supremacy.

There is a long history of racism within the British royal family, from involvement with the transatlantic slave trade to support for Nazism to Meghan Markle's allegations about comments made by a royal about her child’s skin colour. When it comes to their own behaviour or their family's past, the royals make no effort to address these issues - whether it's everyday racism, structural racism, slavery, empire, the realities of multi-ethnic Britain and their role amongst it all.

The topic of racism in the monarchy clearly makes some people uncomfortable and so it is often difficult to have an open and honest conversation about it. Racism is a complex problem within our society and the royal family has a long history of turning a blind eye to it, and in some circumstances enabling it. Undoubtedly, racism has been allowed to flourish within the House of Windsor and none of us should allow this to continue. The royal family must be held accountable for their behaviour.

Accusations of racism in the Royal Household include:

• The British monarchy was instrumental in supporting the slave trade, something the Queen never publicly acknowledged. Elizabeth I had strong connections to Britain's slave trade and publicly supported Captain John Hawkins, who captured 300 Africans in 1562.
• From King George I (1714-27) to King William IV (1830-37) British monarchs actively supported slavery, investing in it and profiting from it. While slavery had been abolished in Britain in 1807, the future King William had been a vocal opponent of abolition in the House of Lords. Queen Victoria inherited a personal fortune gained through the slave trade, a fortune that has been handed down to subsequent monarchs.
• Queen Elizabeth’s silence on the issue for her entire life showed an unwillingness to face up to past injustices, and a lack of commitment to multicultural and multiracial Britain (and Commonwealth countries). The current royal family continues to profit from the slave trade, through its untaxed inheritances and makes considerable efforts to conceal these gains from the public.
• Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson showed support for the Nazi party before and during the Second World War. Both nurtured a friendly relationship with Adolf Hitler and many speculated that they were involved in a failed plot to overthrow the British crown during the war.
• Prince Philip’s problematic language and outright racism (and sexism) mostly occurred without acknowledgment or apology from the palace. On various public engagements, he referred to Asians as "slitty-eyed", ridiculed Nigerian national dress and referred to Aboriginal people as "spear throwers" (to name a few examples). Uncharacteristically, an apology was issued after one visit to an electronics factory, where he said a messy fuse box looked "as though it was put in by an Indian."
• In 2001 a black former employee of Charles accused the then prince of protecting his most senior aide after the aide was accused of racially abusing her at work.
• Princess Michael of Kent was accused of racially abusing diners in a New York restaurant in 2004, when she told them to "go back to the colonies".
• In 2017 Princess Michael of Kent was widely criticised for wearing a blackamoor brooch when she first met Meghan Markle. The blackamoor design is considered by many to be racist in its depiction of black people. 
• Prince Andrew was once recorded using an egregious racial slur about black people, also whilst on official business. In a different incident, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith accused Andrew of making "unbelievable" racist comments about Arabs.

To date, none of the senior royals has commented on issues of racial equality, such as the Black Lives Matter and the discrepancy of deaths from Covid-19 among Black British, African, Asian populations, although they choose frequently to speak out about the social and political issues which suit their own agendas.

The monarchy is an institution with its foundations firmly rooted in maintaining a Caucasian bloodline. The role of head of state is bestowed on the first-born descendants in each successive generation of the all-white royal family. A non-white person is therefore excluded from holding the title of head of state, which constitutes institutional racism. The answer is not to integrate other ethnicities into the royal family but rather to abolish the monarchy and allow for a truly egalitarian and progressive future for the country, where qualification, experience and suitability ensure one’s position as head of state, not birth.

In the 60s, long before Trevor McDonald and Moira Stuart became household names, a 26-year-old from Jamaica was a regular on the news. Then the racist letters and calls started

Ellen E JonesThu 7 Jan 2021 06.00 GMTShare

In 2008, Barbara Blake-Hannah sat down to write a letter of admonishment to the Guardian. “I must put history right,” she wrote, explaining that a poster issued by the paper was incorrect. It contained, she noted, the common misconception that Trevor McDonald was the first Black person to report the news on British TV after he joined ITN in 1973 and that Moira Stuart, on BBC News from 1981, was the first Black woman. In fact, said Blake-Hannah – an author, film-maker and former Jamaican senator – in 1968 she was one of three Thames Television on-camera reporters for the current affairs programme Today, presented by Eamonn Andrews. (The BBC had hired a Black trainee reporter, Eric Anthony Abrahams, a few years earlier.)

At the time her appointment made every daily newspaper, bar the Daily Express. Blake-Hannah claims the Express held out only because “they had a rule: no Black people on the front page”. “Shirley Bassey sang regularly and there were comedians, but we were allowed in an entertainment capacity, not as serious news people, delivering serious stories.”

Probert Road SurgeryProbert Road, Oxley, Wolverhampton, WV10 6UFSearch this websiteSearch

Online Services

• Home
• Surgery Information
• Services
• Appointments
• Prescriptions
• Health Information & Support
• Contact