jili with free Public support has been key for Canada Post workers as they halted mail delivery across the country, but maintaining that support had been getting harder as the strike dragged on, experts say. “As strikes wear on, they become more difficult to sustain, and if the public is not rallying behind you, it can be demoralizing for the union,” said Brock University labour professor Larry Savage. More than 55,000 postal workers have been off the job in a strike that has lasted more than four weeks. However, an end may be in sight. With the two sides seemingly still far apart, federal Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said on Friday that he's asking the Canada Industrial Relations Board to look into whether a negotiated deal is possible before the end of the year. If the board decides it's not possible, MacKinnon is asking that it order workers back on the job and extend the terms of the current collective agreements until May 22, 2025. In the meantime, a commission would examine the dispute and provide recommendations on how new deals can be reached. Canadian Union of Postal Workers negotiator Jim Gallant says on the picket lines, Canada Post workers have been getting the support they need — plus coffee, doughnuts, fried chicken, knitted hats and socks, and even turkeys from citizens. But Savage said he feels overall public opinion has been mixed so far on the strike. “It’s not clear to me that either party is winning the war of public opinion,” he said. “(It) seems like a good chunk of people seem to not care about the strike, but those who do seem evenly split between Canada Post and the union. And I think lots of people are just frustrated and surprised that the strike has lasted this long.” That divide was reflected in a recent Angus Reid poll, though it was conducted during the third week of the work stoppage. The survey of just over 3,000 Canadians found 34 per cent sided with Canada Post and its demands, while 29 per cent stood with the union. The rest were unsure, or didn't support either side. Social media posts reflect the mixed opinions, with some people expressing frustration with the disruption and others proclaiming their support for striking postal workers. Adam King, an assistant professor in the labour studies department at the University of Manitoba, said online discourse doesn’t tell the whole story. “It takes very little effort to post a comment on a story, but it takes much more to show up to a picket line,” he said. On the picket lines King has seen in Winnipeg, “CUPW has received lots of support,” he said, from the labour movement and the public. King and Savage said there’s been a broader trend of higher public support for striking workers in recent years. “The fact that Canada Post isn't a profit-making, billionaire-owned company complicates it a little bit, because it's easier to go after a grocery baron, for example, than Canada Post,” said Savage. But both said even for the public sector, which Canadians historically have had less support for amid labour disputes, the public has been surprisingly onside over the past couple of years. “I think the public has been generally very understanding and receptive of workers' demands coming out of the pandemic,” said King. “I think there was a level of understanding that maybe wasn't there in previous years, that people really do understand that people are in a crunch, union members are in a cost of living squeeze, and they're sympathetic to their demands.” As the Canada Post strike dragged on, "I think there might be maybe some shifts in public opinion, and it might be harder to maintain, especially as the Christmas season approaches,” said King. But for the most part, “I would fit this strike into that longer pattern" of stronger support for striking workers, he said. Gallant said as the strike continued, there has been a lot of pressure on both sides to reach a deal. “We don't want to be the people that ruin Christmas,” he said. Business associations had called for government intervention, saying the strike was harming business owners during the key holiday season. The day the strike started, Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke posted on X that Canada Post is an essential service and shouldn’t be allowed to go on strike. But strikes are meant to disrupt “business as usual,” Savage pointed out — the anger of customers and business owners is intended to pressure employers to reach a deal. However, strikes “also risk alienating the public,” added Savage. “The trick is for the union to align its demands with the interests of the public. And that is like ... walking a tightrope,” said Savage. Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress, said public support is important for workers during strikes because it not only boosts morale on the picket line, it puts pressure on the employer to come to the table. "I mean, they are really stuck, but there's pressure all the way around. There's pressure on the employer, and there's pressure on the union as well," she said. When a strike goes on for multiple weeks, "it's harder to see the end of the road," said Bruske. Groups within the labour movement like the Canadian Labour Congress try to keep the momentum going through social media, email campaigns and speaking to the media, she said. "Making sure that you maintain that momentum and that public support for the issue is critically important." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian PressMotorcycle rider pinched between two trucks in gruesome freeway collision

The Centre for Convention on Democratic Integrity (CCDI), has said that the United Nations (UN) deserves commendation for its unwavering commitment against genocide. The group in a statement issued by the Permanent Representative of CCDI to the United Nations, Comrade Olufemi Aduwo, said the United Nations deserves commendation for its unwavering commitment to confronting this heinous crime. In the statement titled: ‘Honouring the Genocide Convention: A Call to Act’, CCDI said: “From establishing international tribunals to adopting the responsibility to protect doctrine, the UN has sought to hold perpetrators accountable and protect vulnerable populations. “Its efforts, though imperfect, have saved countless lives and fostered global awareness of the need to act. Seventy-six years ago, on a momentous Monday in 1948, the world took a stand against one of the gravest crimes imaginable with the adoption of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. “It was a solemn promise, an assurance to humanity that the horrors witnessed during the Second World War would never be repeated. Yet, decades later, the spectre of genocide still looms, casting a long shadow over a fractured world. “The atrocities in Rwanda, Bosnia, and Myanmar are grim reminders that the international community has often fallen short of its pledge. Genocide, a calculated and systematic attempt to destroy entire groups, remains a stain on humanity’s conscience. Division, hatred, and indifference have allowed such tragedies to fester. “The United Nations deserves commendation for its unwavering commitment to confronting this heinous crime. From establishing international tribunals to adopting the responsibility to protect doctrine, the UN has sought to hold perpetrators accountable and protect vulnerable populations. Its efforts, though imperfect, have saved countless lives and fostered global awareness of the need to act.” CCDI, however, said awareness must transform into decisive action, saying the international community must strengthen mechanisms for early warning, empower civil society, and foster unity across nations. “Education must become a tool for building empathy, dismantling prejudice, and promoting tolerance. Leaders must reject the politics of hatred and ensure that justice is served swiftly and without bias. “Genocide is humanity’s failure, but preventing it is humanity’s obligation. Let us honour the Convention by renewing our commitment to a world free from hatred and violence. Only then can we truly say, Never again.”

One day, when actor and comedian Rosie O'Donnell was in her 50s, her body ached and her arms felt sore, but she pushed through the pain, not realizing she was having a massive heart attack. She had surgery to put in a stent that saved her life. Shortly after her 2012 heart attack, O'Donnell shared her experience on her blog. During her 2015 television standup special, she spoke about how the experience changed her life. The segment included a heart attack acronym the comedian coined: HEPPP (hot, exhausted, pain, pale, puke). O'Donnell's candidness about her heart attack helped spread awareness about how it can present differently in women. She's one of countless celebrities over the years who have opened up about their health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, depression, heart disease and stroke. When celebrities reveal and discuss their health issues, the impact can be far-reaching. It not only helps to educate the public, but it also can reduce stigma and inspire others. "Health disclosures by celebrities do matter, and we know this from decades of research across a lot of different health conditions and public figures," said Dr. Jessica Gall Myrick, a professor of health communication at Pennsylvania State University in University Park. "They absolutely do influence people." Some of the earliest celebrity health disclosures happened in the 1970s and 1980s with U.S. presidents and first ladies. When first lady Betty Ford was diagnosed with breast cancer just weeks after Gerald Ford became president in 1974, she spoke openly about her diagnosis, inviting photographers into the White House and helping make talk of cancer less taboo. In 1987, first lady Nancy Reagan used her breast cancer diagnosis as a chance to advocate for women to get mammograms. Her disclosure came two years after President Ronald Reagan's colon cancer diagnosis, about which the couple was equally as vocal. "Individuals throughout the country have been calling cancer physicians and information services in record numbers," the Los Angeles Times reported after Nancy Reagan's widely publicized surgery. The public showed a similar interest years earlier following Betty Ford's mastectomy. Another major milestone in celebrity health disclosures came in 1991, when 32-year-old NBA superstar Earvin "Magic" Johnson revealed he had tested positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. "Life is going to go on for me, and I'm going to be a happy man," Johnson assured fans during a news conference. He immediately retired, only to return to the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. His disclosure, along with his work as an advocate for safe sex, helped shatter stigmas around HIV and AIDS. Calls to testing centers increased significantly in the days and weeks after Johnson's announcement. "That celebrity disclosure really helped people see there was a wider susceptibly to HIV," Gall Myrick said. "People were more likely to say, 'I need to think about my own risks.' It was very powerful." When it comes to heart and stroke health, President Dwight Eisenhower helped make heart attacks less frightening and mysterious. During a news conference in 1955, millions of Americans learned from the president's doctors about his heart condition, his treatment, and concrete steps they could take to reduce their own heart attack risk. Other notable figures have shared their health experiences over the years. Soap opera legend Susan Lucci , who was diagnosed with heart disease in 2018, has advocated for women's heart health. Basketball great Kareem Abdul Jabbar talks about his irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation, and advocates for regular health screenings. Lawyer, author and television personality Star Jones continues to speak about heart disease risk after having lifesaving heart surgery in 2010. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Clark brought stroke and aphasia into the national spotlight when he returned to hosting "New Year's Rockin' Eve" in Times Square just a year after his 2004 stroke and continued until his death in 2012. And actor and comedian Jamie Foxx recently revealed he had a stroke last year. "Celebrity disclosures represent teachable moments," said Dr. Seth M. Noar, director of the Communicating for Health Impact Lab at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. "Searches for different health conditions often spike in the wake of these types of announcements. They cause people to think about these health issues, learn more about them, and in some cases change their behaviors." Celebrities have also highlighted the importance of CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator, or AED, to restore a person's heartbeat if they experience cardiac arrest. Interest in CPR and AEDs spiked in 2023 after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during an NFL game broadcast on national TV. Views of the American Heart Association's hands-only CPR pages jumped more than 600% in the days following Hamlin's cardiac arrest. Three months later, around 3 million people had watched the AHA's CPR video. Family members of celebrities who have died from a heart issue have also spread awareness. After actor John Ritter died of an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2003, his wife, actor Amy Yasbeck, started the Ritter Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and help others avoid a misdiagnosis. A literature review published in Systematic Reviews in 2017 found that people are conditioned to react positively to celebrity advice. Research also has found that people often follow advice from celebrities who match how they perceive – or how they want to perceive – themselves. The most effective celebrity disclosures are frequently the ones that tell a compelling story and include clear steps people can take to apply lessons the celebrity learned to their own health situation, Gall Myrick said. "People are more likely to take action when they feel confident and capable." Research has shown that celebrity disclosures often impact calls to hotlines and page views on health-related websites, and they can spark behavioral and even policy changes. Anecdotally, Gall Myrick said, people ask their doctor more questions about health conditions and request medical screenings. Celebrities can have a big impact because people tend to have parasocial relationships with them, Gall Myrick said. These are one-sided relationships in which a person feels an emotional connection with another person, often a celebrity. People may feel as if they know the basketball player they've watched on the court for years, or the Hollywood actor they've followed, she said. They want to comfort them after a health disclosure. Social media has only increased this feeling of familiarity, as celebrities regularly share mundane – but fascinating – details of their daily lives, like what they eat for breakfast, their favorite socks, or the meditation they do before bed. "We spend a lifetime being exposed to celebrities through the media, and over time, you get to know these public figures," Gall Myrick said. "Some feel like friendships." A study published in the journal Science Communication in 2020 compared reactions to actor Tom Hanks, who had COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and an average person with COVID-19. Researchers found that participants identified more with Hanks when it came to estimating their own susceptibility to COVID-19. The participants also felt more emotional about the virus that causes COVID-19 when thinking about it in relation to Hanks versus an average person. When a celebrity reveals a health condition, it's a surprise that may feel personal, especially if they are well-liked and the health issue is dramatic and sudden. "We feel like we know them, and the emotional response is what can then push people out of their routine," Gall Myrick said. Noar said a celebrity health story is often a more interesting and powerful way to learn about a health condition than just the facts, which can feel overwhelming. People are drawn to the slew of media coverage that typically follows a celebrity disclosure, he said. "Some of these high-visibility public figures' stories are now woven into some of these illnesses," Noar said. For example, Angelina Jolie is often linked to the BRCA1 gene mutation after the actor shared she had a preventive double mastectomy because of her elevated breast cancer risk and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed because of her increased risk for ovarian cancer. "It's a narrative, a story that humanizes the condition in a way that very informational communication really doesn't," Noar said. "People remember it, and it can potentially be a touch point." After a disclosure, patients may bring up a celebrity's story during a doctor's appointment and connect it to their own care. Today's multiplatform digital culture only amplifies celebrity messages. "You're seeing everyday people react to these events, and that can have a ripple effect too," Gall Myrick said. "We know from research that seeing messages more than once can be impactful. Often it's not just one billboard or one commercial that impacts behavior; it's the drip drip drip over time." Still, there's a cautionary tale to be told around the impact of celebrity health news, especially if the celebrity has died. An unclear cause of death may lead to speculation. Gall Myrick said that guesswork could potentially end up hurting rather than helping if patients were to act on misinformation or a lack of information. "Maybe the death was atypical or it needs more context," she said. "That's where advocacy groups and public health organizations come in. They need to be prepared for announcements or disclosures about celebrity deaths, and to fill in some of those gaps." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Scottsdale, Arizona, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hosted at the prestigious Fairmont Princess in Scottsdale, this year's MedSpa Pro Meeting brought together pacesetting voices in medical aesthetics under the guidance of industry pioneers and co-chairs Barry DiBernardo, MD, Jason Pozner, MD, and Joseph Russo, MD. Over three intensive days, participants immersed themselves in a wealth of cutting-edge, comprehensive content that spanned advanced injection techniques, emerging technologies, and business management strategies. Program highlights included an exclusive Head-to-Head Anatomy Masterclass led by preeminent anatomist Sebastian Cotofana, MD, PhD, and an innovative Weight Loss Track spearheaded by Johnny Franco, MD. Complementing these sessions, expertise-driven curricula featured a dedicated Aesthetician Track and Master Injector Live Injection Program. Beyond the core curriculum, expert-led panel discussions explored today's most pressing aesthetic medicine topics while market-leading brands showcased game-changing products and services in the exhibition space. Together, these experiences equipped participants with fresh perspectives, practical insights, valuable partnerships, and lasting connections, empowering them to elevate their clinical and personal success. MedSpa Pro's rebranding represents expanding pathways for advancing this booming specialty. "As we embrace the next chapter in aesthetic medicine, we are excited to unveil our new identity as MedSpa Pro," stated Doreen Brown, CEO of Informa Connect Medical Division. "This evolution reflects our commitment to keeping pace with our ever-evolving industry and serving our expanding community through gold-standard training and unmatched networking opportunities." MedSpa Pro's refined brand identity will roll out in the coming months as the company prepares for a breakthrough 2025. Among exciting new initiatives, next year introduces specialized training opportunities led by the distinguished Dr. Russo and fellow acclaimed experts, strengthening the organization's position as the foremost resource in medical aesthetics. Aesthetic medicine providers, medical spa professionals, and industry stakeholders can mark their calendars for the 3rd Annual MedSpa Pro Meeting, set to take place at the iconic Boca Raton resort in November 2025. Further details about upcoming programs will be announced soon; in the meantime, please visit MedSpa Pro's LinkedIn profile for updates. ### MedSpa Pro serves as the leading educational platform for medical aesthetics professionals, delivering targeted education, tailored training, and strategic networking opportunities across the industry. Through its premier conference and progressive initiatives, the organization connects enterprising practitioners with renowned experts to advance excellence in aesthetic medicine. MedSpa Pro is part of the Informa Connect Medical Division, a global force in medical education across the entire healthcare ecosystem. Aly Vazquez MedSpa Pro aly.vazquez@informa.com

Some Centralia area residents living in the Fords Prairie neighborhood near Centralia High School and the banks of the Chehalis River are now questioning whether it's safe to drink the water coming from their own taps. Recent testing from wells in the area has shown dangerously high levels of nitrates in the water, but questions now remain, specifically what is causing it and how it can be remedied. More than a dozen residents were in attendance at the Centralia City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to voice their concerns over the contamination as both city and Lewis County staff were on hand for a presentation on the issue. The neighborhood is in Centralia’s urban growth area, meaning the city is in an interlocal agreement with Lewis County for jurisdiction in the area. The county is ultimately responsible under the current agreement. Currently, both city and county officials are working with neighborhood residents to test more wells on private property throughout the neighborhood, trying to pinpoint the source of the nitrate contamination in the area’s ground water. High nitrate levels in water are dangerous, especially to infants and adults with pre-existing health issues, as the nitrates can cause methemoglobinemia, also known as blue baby syndrome, according to the Cleveland Clinic. With blue baby syndrome, the nitrates are converted to nitrite in the stomach, which prevents red blood cells from carrying oxygen, leading to bluish skin discoloration due to low blood oxygen levels. This can cause a number of symptoms ranging from neurological development issues for infants to pale skin, fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting and more for adults. Chronic nitrate exposure can also lead to increased cancer risk and possible birth defects. As for what can cause high nitrate levels in water, it can be triggered by a range of factors from industrial waste, fertilizers, animal waste, wastewater and more. And while many of the residents in Fords Prairie do have septic tanks, they believe there is another source aside from the possibility of wastewater leaking from their septic tanks, as resident Amy White told the council during the public comment session. Through her own investigation, White stated city staff told her they had actually been seeing increasing nitrate levels in a monitoring well northwest of Fords Prairie going back to 2015. “The wells at (Fort) Borst Park are pure, I was told, so that showed city water that the contamination source was to the west of the park,” White said. “What large source could there possibly be on Fords Prairie? Well how about a 240-acre game farm, raising 40-to-45,000 birds every year. Do the math. That many birds produce around 200 pounds of poop every day.” White was referring to the Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) Bob Oke Game Farm, which is located south of Centralia High School along Mt. Vista Road. She claimed staff told her the likely cause of the nitrate levels was leaking septic tanks, but stated her own was well-maintained and not leaking. White also recalled how shortly after she moved to the neighborhood in 2004, the game farm euthanized its entire flock to prevent the spread of disease to wild birds in the area, and the tens of thousands of dead birds were simply “buried on site,” on top of other questionable farming practices she’s observed. The game farm breeds and raises pheasants for hunters. It is named after the late Washington state Sen. Bob Oke. Originally opened in the 1950s as the Lewis County Game Farm, it was renamed the Bob Oke Game Farm in 2006 and is almost completely funded by WDFW pheasant hunting license fees, according to previous reporting by The Chronicle. Following public comment, Centralia Public Works Director Kim Ashmore and Lewis County Public Health & Social Services Director Meja Handlen gave a presentation addressing what the city and county know about the nitrate problem so far and what the next steps are in addressing this issue. According to Ashmore, Centralia staff have been testing wells in Fords Prairie since 1981 and did notice nitrate levels increasing in the area from 2017 to 2019 — where an increase of 2.8 to 3.42 milligrams per liter was observed. The maximum allowable limit of nitrate levels in water is 10 milligrams per liter, according to the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, while state law mandates increased monitoring be conducted if the level rises above 5 milligrams per liter. “We started looking at what are potential contaminants out there besides septic tanks and stormwater catch basins, things like that,” Ashmore said. Then a monitoring well on Mt. Vista Road directly next to the Bob Oke Game Farm showed much higher levels starting in 2023 — first at 8.0 milligrams per liter and rising to 9.18 milligrams per liter. The city also drilled another monitoring well at the corner of Mt. Vista and Eshom roads in late 2023. Test results from that well have ranged from 9.12 milligrams per liter to well above the allowable limit at 30.8 milligrams per liter this year. “That’s when we invited Lewis County into this discussion,” Ashmore said. He added wells on private property have also been tested in the neighborhood, all with nitrate levels above 10 milligrams per liter. According to Handlen, the main areas of concern the county has are residences located on Mayberry, Rancho, Eshom, Prill, Mt. Vista, Cowlitz and Pheasant roads along with some residences on Borst Avenue. “This is an area of concern and impact of about 70 homes,” Handlen said. “When we look at this map, we want to be really cognizant of a plume zone.” Tests on Centralia High School’s water supply did not find high levels of nitrates. Handlen stated that Centralia’s drinking water aquifer is shallow with loose overlaying soils, making it vulnerable to nitrate contamination, and historically nitrate has always been present throughout the entire aquifer. As for what happens next, Handlen said she is working to try to get more residents in the area to allow for testing in private wells. So far, they have notified 70 private well owners in the area, tested 28 wells and are now monitoring 20 wells in Fords Prairie, with “about 10 that are private wells that have very high (nitrate) levels.” While results were still inconclusive, high nitrate levels appear to be clustered in an area generally downgradient of the monitoring well at the corner of Mt. Vista and Eshom roads — mainly from residences on Mayberry Road. “We don’t have all the data for everybody on, say Mayberry (Road), and that’s what we really need, to show all the homes together,” Handlen said. Once more testing is conducted and the contamination source is identified, then work can begin on remedying this issue, Handlen added. In addition to more testing to pinpoint the source of the nitrate contamination, county and city staff are working to fund installation of under-sink nitrate filters for residents, with $41,600 coming from a Washington state Department of Health grant, pending grant approval next month. Ashmore added the city has been in contact with both state legislators and the WDFW about this issue, and is planning a community town hall meeting next week. “Everybody’s aware of the issue and we’re all trying to find what is the right solution, but as Meja said, we need a little bit more data,” Ashmore said. While he didn’t announce the exact time, Ashmore said he was in talks with Centralia High School staff to utilize a room on Thursday, Dec. 19, for the town hall meeting, “sometime around 6:30 p.m.” An announcement will be made once the town hall meeting details have been finalized.Quantum technologies: Preparing your business for the next tech revolution