Day: November 7, 2021

Merry Crustmas from Morrisons!

Customers’ hopes of a white Christmas have been answered this week as Morrisons launches its new festive pizza range – including a Chocolate Gingerbread pizza (£2.89) hand-topped with snow-shaped marshmallows to create a mini snow scene.

The decadent toppings make for the ultimate dessert pizza, with salted toffee sauce, milk chocolate chips, mini white mallows, double chocolate chunk cookie dough and six mini gingerbread men. A luxurious choice for sweet pizza lovers and perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Available from Morrisons in-store pizza counters, the pizza is part of a new limited-edition range for customers to enjoy in the run up to Christmas. 

New festive flavours include The Caramelised Biscuit pizza (£2.89) which has been created with biscuit and pizza fans in mind. The 10-inch pizza base is coated with a generous serving of caramelised biscuit spread and topped with white chocolate chips and caramelised biscuits.

And for those who can’t wait until the 25th for their Christmas dinner, the Pigs in Blankets pizza (£3.89) is topped with classic Pigs in Blankets, chicken and cranberry sauce – on a 14-inch stonebaked base with tomato sauce and cheese. The ultimate way to enjoy these festive favourites ahead of the big day.

Mark Pearson, Buying Manager at Morrisons, said: “Our customers love Christmas and they love pizza. So we challenged our foodmakers to come up with three festive flavours to spread some Christmas cheer amongst customers and get everyone excited for the festive season.” 

The new Christmas pizzas will be available at pizza counters in Morrisons stores across the country. The Pigs in Blankets and Chocolate Gingerbread pizzas are available until Friday 24th December, priced at £3.89 for Pigs in Blankets & £2.89 for Chocolate Gingerbread Pizza.

The Caramelised Biscuit pizza will be available from Monday 15thNovember until Sunday 28thNovember, priced at £2.89. 

For more information visit www.morrisons.co.uk. 

MCU vs DCEU: Which Marvel/DC movie come out on top with the highest IMDB ranking?

  • Avengers Infinity War and Avengers Endgame hold the top two spots with the highest IMDB ratings of 8.4 out of the MCU movies and DCEU movies.
  • Zack Snyder’s Justice League released in 2021 holds the third spot with a IMDB rating of 8.1.
  • Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the only DC movie with a high IMDB.

The new study was conducted by creative resource Design Bundles, which analysed every film in Marvel’s cinematic universe and DC’s extended universe to discover the top 10 based on IMDB ratings. 

The movies with the joint highest IMDB rating are Marvel’s Avengers Infinity War, and Avengers Endgame, which each score a rating of 8.4 on the film review site. The movies, released in 2018 and 2019 respectively by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures are separated in their popularity by the number of Google searches they receive each month.

The study found that Avengers Endgame, Marvel’s final instalment in the trilogy receives an average 267,000 Google searches per month – more than five times as many searches as the second instalment, which generates an estimated 51,000 Google searches per month.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the third highest rated movie on the list, with an IMDB rating of 8.1 after being released in 2021 by Warner Bros. This ‘Snyder’s cut’ version of Justice League receives 22,000 Google searches per month.

Marvel/DC Movies and IMDB Ratings Data Table:

Movie:Year of Release:Distributor:IMDB Rating:Search Volume:
Avengers: Infinity War2018Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures8.451,000
Avengers: Endgame2019Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures8.4267,000
Zack Snyder’s Justice League 2021Warner bros8.122,000
Marvel’s The Avengers2012Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures835,000
Guardians of the Galaxy 2014Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures8150,000
Iron Man 2008Paramount Pictures 7.9177,000
Thor: Ragnarok2017Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures7.992,000
Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings2021Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures7.947,000
Captain America: Civil War2016Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures7.814,000
Captain America: The Winter Soldier2014Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures7.713,000

The original and beginning of the Avenger trilogy, Marvel’s The Avengers, is the fourth highest rated movie on IMDB with a rating of 8. The film was released in 2012 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and receives 35,000 Google searches per month.

Guardians of the Galaxy takes the fifth highest IMBD rated movie spot, also scoring 8, and receiving 150,000 Google searches per month.

The sixth highest rated movie from the Marvel and DC stables is Iron Man with an IMDB rating of 7.9. The film was was released in 2008 by Paramount Pictures and still receives 177,000 Google searches per month.

Thor Ragnarok and Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings are in seventh and eighth with an IMDB rating of 7.9 each. The third dedicated Thor film was released in 2017 and receives 92,000 Google searches per month.

Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which is the most recent Marvel release following its September 2021 premiere, and it has already achieved a 7.9 rating on IMDB, with 47,000 Google searches per month.

In ninth is Captain America Civil War which was released in 2016 and has an IMDB rating of 7.8. The movie has also received 14,000 Google searches per month.

Finally, in tenth place is Captain America the Winter Soldier, which was released in 2014 by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and has an IMDB rating of 7.7. The last instalment of Captain America receives 13,000 Google searches per month.

A spokesperson for Design Bundles commented on the study: “The Marvel and DC rivalry is decades old, but when it comes to films, this data shows that Marvel is the clear winner, with nine of the top ten highest rated films.

“It’s also fascinating to see the average number of monthly searches for each movie, with Avengers: Endgame proving to be the most Googled by a considerable margin. The ‘Snyder’s cut’ version of Justice League is the sole representative for DC, but they will be hoping that upcoming films such as Black Adam, starring The Rock, will help break Marvel’s dominance of the top ten.”

The study was conducted by Design Bundles, which offers high quality premium design resources and a marketplace which allows graphic designers to register and sell their products.   

St James Quarter adds iconic Duck & Waffle restaurant to line up

St James Quarter is set to welcome the acclaimed Duck & Waffle restaurant – with prestigious locations in London and Hong Kong – for its Edinburgh debut in 2022.

The all-day restaurant will be located on level 4, occupying 8,400 sq ft, including a terrace overlooking the entrance, joining the other mouth-watering culinary offerings already located within The Quarter.

Directly accessible from Register Square and reflecting the brand’s signature culinary style, Duck & Waffle Edinburgh will deliver its playful take on traditional British cuisine with broad European influences emphasizing local, rustic, seasonal and sustainable ingredients to the Scottish capital, with dishes designed for sampling and sharing.

Following a hugely successful first phase launch, the signing is a demonstration of the global appeal of St James Quarter, as the mixed-use district continues to establish its place as the number one dining destination in Scotland.

Ed Corrigan at St James Quarter, said: “For a brand of the calibre of Duck & Waffle to choose St James Quarter for its first UK restaurant outside of London is a massive coup for Edinburgh, underlining not just the strength of the city’s international appeal, but St James Quarter’s growing reputation in the market.

“It adds to a stellar food offer that will cater for all of our visitors, from the casual diner to the serial foodie – we absolutely cannot wait for this opening.”

Shimon Bokovza, Managing Partner & Brand Visionary of Duck & Waffle added: “Duck & Waffle was born in London and we’re proud to spread our wings to Edinburgh’s anticipated St James Quarter as we expand globally.

“We’re eager to participate in the city’s love for culture and the arts through our own contribution of culinary creativity and epicurean community.”

Duck & Waffle will join the likes of SUSHISAMBA, Bonnie & Wild, Ka Pao, Black Sheep, Bross Bagels, Salerno Pizza, Wingstop, Thai Express Kitchen and Pho as St James Quarter continues to strengthen an already formidable line up of dining options.

A game-changing mixed-use development being delivered by Nuveen Real Estate, St James Quarter completes the distinctive offer of Edinburgh with over 80 new brands, an enticing mix of restaurants and bars, W Edinburgh, a boutique Everyman Cinema, a Roomzzz Aparthotel, and an unrivalled guest experience providing customers with an enviable events programme in a range of new and attractive public spaces.

Complementing an unrivalled shopping offer – which includes a host of brands including & Other Stories, Mango, Zara, Bershka, Pull & Bear, Stradivarius, Russell & Bromley, Miele, Next, H&M, JD Sports, John Lewis, and many more – St James Quarter will be a premier food and drink destination providing a truly diverse offer – from fast food, fresh food, to family and  restaurant dining including Bonnie & Wild as the anchor for the development’s new concept food hall, Five Guys, and The Alchemist. The offer will be available over a number of locations throughout St James Quarter, each with its own unique look and feel.

NHS 24 are winners at Herald Digital Transformation Awards

NHS 24 is delighted to have been awarded the top prize for Best Use of Technology in Healthcare at the Herald Digital Transformation Awards 2021.

These awards focus on, and celebrate, how organisations across all industries and sectors have successfully adopted digital technology into their daily practices.

Best Use of Technology in Healthcare

The NHS Inform COVID portal has offered trusted advice 24/7/365 throughout the pandemic. Anyone with a digital device has had access to answers at their moment of need. More than 27 million sessions have delivered timely, safe and accurate information to the public, at their fingertips, day and night.

Dr Laura Ryan, Executive Medical Director at NHS 24 said: “In a period where we have seen incredible pressure on NHS services to continue to deliver the highest quality of care, we are delighted that the NHS inform digital platform, which has had 44 million hits from members of the public since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, has been considered for this award.

“The team behind this work have been innovative, creative and responsive to respond to health and wellbeing needs, and we are delighted that they are being recognised in this way.

“We know that the mental health campaign and the Covid-19 portal on NHSinform.scot have provided safe, up to date information and advice to millions of Scots throughout since early 2020.

“This recognition encourages us as we continue to develop innovative online support alongside our telephone services with a clear focus on accessibility and choice for the public when they use our services.”

Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on 4 November 2021

Good Food Nation? Holyrood commitee launches consultation

An inquiry to consider the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Bill has been launched by Holyrood’s Rural Affairs, Islands and Natural Environment Committee.

The Bill requires Scottish Ministers and certain public bodies (referred to in the Bill as ‘relevant authorities’) to create Good Food Nation Plans which are intended to ensure greater policy coordination and to set out the outcomes to be achieved; clear actions for Scottish Government and public bodies to take; and indicators through which progress will be measured.

The Committee’s focus is to ensure the Bill provides the best framework to make the Scottish Government’s vision of Scotland as a Good Food Nation ‘where people from every walk of life take pride and pleasure in, and benefit from, the food they produce, buy, cook, serve, and eat each day,’ a reality*.

Speaking as the inquiry was launched, Committee Convener, Finlay Carson MSP, said: ““Food plays an integral part in all our lives and can have a transformative impact on people’s health and wellbeing, as well as being a key part of our economy, so it’s important that we get this right.

“This Bill provides an opportunity for policy coordination across the public sectors to help create a food system that works for the people of Scotland.

“We want to hear the views of interested individuals and organisations from right across Scotland to fully understand the impact the Bill will have. Will the proposals set out in the Bill legislation help the Scottish Government achieve its aims?”

The Committee has launched a survey looking for views which closes on Wednesday 5 January.

You can submit views here https://www.parliament.scot/bills-and-laws/bills/good-food-nation-scotland-bill/overview*

*Scottish Government discussion document ‘Recipe for Success: Scotland’s National Food and Drink Policy – Becoming a Good Food Nation’.

Stop Cambo! Shetland Doctors demonstrate against oil extraction

Doctors in Shetland have led a climate demonstration calling on the UK Government to cancel the planned development of the Cambo oilfield, which lies under the north Atlantic seabed just 150 miles to the west of the islands.

The UN Secretary General, António Guiterres, exclaimed that the climate crisis had reached “code red for humanity” and said that countries must end all new fossil fuel exploration and production, shifting fossil fuel subsidies into renewable energy. Despite this warning, the UK government has recently doubled down on its commitment to exploit the Cambo field.

Doctors are concerned as research shows that heating of the earth’s climate could jeopardise food security for billions of people, leading to mass starvation across huge swathes of the planet. Despite being a wealthy country, the UK is vulnerable as it currently imports most of its food from overseas.

Local consultant paediatrician Dr Alex Armitage said that he felt a professional duty to join yesterday’s demonstration and push for more urgent action.

“To reach net zero we must have a complete transformation of our society now. If we do not, I fear that children that I see in my clinic will face unimaginable horrors in their lifetimes,” he said.

“It feels difficult in Shetland coming and making a public stand against the fossil fuel industry, which employs many people locally and has brought prosperity to Shetland. However, the need for urgent decarbonisation is clear.

“We live in one of the windiest places in the northern hemisphere, in Shetland we have a huge opportunity to rapidly transition our energy economy into renewables. Opening up the Cambo oilfield shows a glaring lack of climate leadership from the government”

Dr Deepa Shah, GP for the South Mainland, explained how moving to a low carbon economy could benefit public health: “Action on climate change through decarbonisation of our lifestyles will not only improve the health of our planet but will also lead to significantly better mental and physical health for my patients.

“This will come about through healthier diets, more active travel, better insulated homes and a corresponding reduction in fuel poverty.

“Taking action on climate change means both a sustainable future on this planet for our children and also longer, healthier lives for ourselves”

The health workers led yesterday’s march from Lerwick health centre to Lerwick Town Hall.

Pictures: Hans Marter and Alex Armitage

Police Scotland welcomes a reduction in incidents over Bonfire Night

Local resources and specialist national teams from Police Scotland have again come together to deploy on Bonfire Night, with the organisation recording 20 per cent fewer calls and reported incidents in comparison to last year.

A policing plan under the name Operation Moonbeam was introduced in 2018 in response to significant public disorder and anti-social behaviour the previous year. This had included targeted attacks on the blue light services responding to emergency calls during the Fireworks Night period.

Throughout Thursday, 4 November, and Friday, 5 November, 2021, 649 calls were received by police in relation to fireworks, and a further 105 regarding fires. In 2020 these figures were 798 and 153, respectively.

Operation Moonbeam lead, Assistant Chief Constable Tim Mairs said: “Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, again, there were fewer organised events this year.

“It is very encouraging that we saw a reduction in calls during this traditionally high-demand period. I want to thank everyone who heeded our advice to enjoy themselves in a safe and responsible manner.

“However, unfortunately a number of police officers as well as colleagues from the other emergency services were targeted by a minority of people intent on causing disorder. I utterly condemn this behaviour.

“Thankfully, none of those affected sustained serious injuries but no-one should have to face violence in the course of their duties. These kind of incidents put intense additional pressure on the emergency services and impact our officers’ ability to respond to other people in need.

“We will continue to thoroughly investigate these incidents in the coming days so as to identify those involved.”

Assistant Chief Officer Stuart Stevens, Director of Service Delivery for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Attacks on our firefighters are completely unacceptable.

“This type of behaviour not only prevents our crews from bringing any emergency to a safe and swift conclusion, but it can impact on our emergency service colleagues – including the police when they must escort us at the scene.

“This type of behaviour is, of course, carried out by a very small minority and we once again thank our communities for their continuing support and working together with us to stay safe.”

Dragon enters lion’s den as Born Free hosts ‘State of the Earth’ Qestion Time event at COP26

Leading figures, including Will Travers OBE, Dominic Dyer, Deborah Meaden and Pen Farthing, to debate the importance of habitat, wildlife protection and animal welfare

“The time for talking is almost over. CoP26 is our last and best chance to discuss, agree and invest in the bold, decisive actions needed to reverse biodiversity loss, wean ourselves off fossil fuels, reach carbon neutral by 2030 (not 2050), clean up our oceans and our air, end the exploitation of the many by the few – and save ourselves. Born Free remains positive, but I believe it is now or never.” – Will Travers OBE.  Exec President and Co-Founder, Born Free

As part of the Cabinet Office Green Zone event programme at the COP26 Climate Change Summit in Glasgow, leading wildlife charity, Born Free, is hosting a key debate on the ‘State of the Earth’, in the format of a Question Time event at the IMax Cinema at the Science Centre, Glasgow, on Sunday 7 November from 12.30 to 2.30pm.

The event will be chaired by Born Free Policy Advisor and Wildlife Advocate Dominic Dyer, based on the format of the BBC current affairs programme, with questions for the panel being submitted by the audience of over 400 delegates and attendees.

Dominic Dyer, Chair of the event and Born Free’s Policy Advisor, said: “The climate emergency is not just a crisis for the future of human civilisation, it also endangers the future of the natural world and all animal life on this planet.

“In our lifetime, we have seen a 68% global decline in animal population sizes around the world, largely due to deforestation, unsustainable industrial agriculture, illegal wildlife trade and the growing impact of climate change. 

“It’s time to end the exploitation and destruction of the natural world and usher in a new era where we re-wild landscapes, restore our oceans, and create a new world where wildlife and people can live in harmony and thrive together.” 

Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden, businesswoman and passionate animal welfare campaigner commented: “There is a huge focus on Net Zero going in to COP26, but it is important we also consider the wider issues which feed into the health of our planet, including biodiversity, animal welfare, plastics and pollution. 

“I am delighted to be sitting on such a knowledgeable and diverse panel to discuss how we can best tackle these hugely important issues.”

Craig Bennett, CEO Wildlife Trusts concluded: “COP26 represents an import moment in time when we all need to question and reflect how well we are doing in tackling the climate & ecological emergency.

“This Question Time event provides a great opportunity for anyone to ask questions of the panel about any issues and to participate in this timely and urgent debate.”

Born Free’s Head of Policy, veterinarian Dr Mark Jones, added: “The biodiversity and climate crises are inextricably linked. Nature acts as a natural carbon store and a buffer to global warming and the effects of extreme weather events.   

“Addressing global warming is key to ensuring species can continue to survive and thrive in the habitats they have evolved to live in. This event is a real opportunity drive home the message to decision makers that we need to act, and act now, to limit global warming and protect nature and wildlife, for the sake of all life on earth.”

Pen Farthing, CEO and Founder, Nowzad, added: “The Born Free ‘State of the Earth’ Question Time is an important opportunity to engage with a live audience on how we can make this world a better place for people, nature and animals, at home and abroad.” 

The sold-out panel discussion will be held in front of a live audience of over 400 delegates as well as livestreamed to a large global audience here:

 https://youtu.be/JjZxe-S07dM

£55 million for nature restoration and biodiversity projects

Projects that restore nature and tackle the causes of biodiversity loss will benefit from a share of at least £13.5 million annually through a Scottish Government fund set up following agreement with the Scottish Green Party.

The Nature Restoration Fund will fund projects that address the biodiversity and climate crisis by putting Scotland’s species, woodlands, rivers and seas back on the road to recovery.

A Programme for Government commitment, the fund comprises a multi-year package of at least £55 million over the next five years.

On Nature Day at COP26, the First Minister and Minister Patrick Harvie visited the Seven Lochs project in Easterhouse to meet members of local community youth groups and take part in wildflower planting near a new habitat for endangered water voles.

Seven Lochs is a partnership project which has received funding from both the Biodiversity Challenge Fund and the Green Infrastructure Fund.

The First Minister said: “Today’s investment is our biggest ever grant scheme specifically targeted at nature restoration, reaffirming our commitment to addressing the twin challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.

“Most importantly, following the UK government’s withdrawal from the EU Life scheme, it will enable large-scale, multi-year, projects of the kind which are simply not possible with annual grants.

“We have reached a critical juncture for action – with the hosting of COP26 here in Glasgow and COP15 in Kunming, China next Spring – and we in Scotland are playing a leading role. 

“Through our leadership of the Edinburgh Process we are working to build commitment among governments around the world to raise the ambition at next year’s COP15 international biodiversity summit, in line with our own goal to halt the ongoing loss of nature by 2030.

“In addition today am delighted to formally endorsed the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature, further embedding Scotland’s place among leading nations with the highest environmental ambition.”

Mr Harvie said: “We are a part of nature, not apart from it. If we can’t support nature then we can’t support humanity. Scotland is committed to ramping up nature based solutions that create a greener, fairer and more prosperous nation for all. 

“This funding will mean new projects going forward across Scotland – on land and at sea – that address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, restore our natural environment and improve the health and wellbeing of local communities.”

Deborah Long, Chief Officer at Scottish Environment LINK, the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, said: “The Nature Restoration Fund is a hugely important weapon in our fight against nature loss and climate change.

“By investing in multi-year, multi scale projects, focussed on the species and habitats that need most help, a future for Scotland’s nature, young people and communities across Scotland looks a lot more promising.”

The Nature Restoration Fund supports action on the ground to address the biodiversity and climate crises by aiding nature restoration in Scotland’s terrestrial and marine environment, enabling transformative change through large-scale, multi-year, multi-partner projects.

This forms part of the wider commitment to invest £500 million in the natural economy over the course of the parliament to support a transformative approach to protecting and restoring Scotland’s biodiversity.

Funding will comprise of at least £13.5 million for each year of the current Parliament session (£11 million CDEL and £2.5 million RDEL per year), plus £1 million across the Parliament for administrative costs.

First Minister rallies delegates to climate challenge

Devolved governments, regions and cities from across the globe will today send a strong message to world leaders by committing to achieve Net Zero by 2050.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will tell the General Assembly of the Under2 Coalition that by signing up to the pledge in a new memorandum of understanding, they will be signalling the level of ambition required of COP26 to keep global warming to 1.5°C.

Promising Scotland’s continued support for the coalition, which has 260 members representing 1.75 billion people and 50% of the global economy, the First Minister said: “Everyone knows what is required for this summit to be a success.

“COP26 must secure the commitments that will limit global warming to 1.5°C or, at the very least, the near term commitments that will keep that objective alive.

“It must also deliver a fair financial settlement for developing countries, one which takes account of the loss and damage caused by climate change.

“There’s no doubt that over the past week we have seen progress. But it’s also clear that we’ve not yet seen enough.

“Over the coming days, world leaders – and the biggest emitters and potential funders especially – must step up. That is essential.

“But governments like ours must continue to play our part because, while none of us are at the negotiating table, our influence and our example will be crucial in building the momentum. That’s why we are placing so much value on our coalition’s revised memorandum of understanding.

“As we move further into this decisive decade, our coalition must be ready for the challenges ahead. As European co-chair, that will be my focus.

“Scotland is determined to play its part in ensuring the long-term strength of this coalition because we recognise its enormous value and its potential to achieve even more.”

The 2021 Under2 Coalition Memorandum of Understanding will be signed by delegates during today’s General Assembly at Strathclyde University.