Everything posted by Angel of Death
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Primark is set to open in Tunbridge Wells town centre. The retail chain, which has 191 stores in the UK, has purchased the former BHS site on Calverley Road with a view to creating a two-storey shop. Primark has said renovation works on the site at the council-owned Royal Victoria Place shopping centre will begin shortly. The announcement follows the council's consultation on plans to regenerate the town centre by 2040. Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said it hopes the move will bring jobs and an economic boost to the town centre. Justine Rutland, deputy leader and cabinet member for economic development, said: "It was really important to us to see the former BHS unit filled with a store that many residents, especially young people, have been asking for, and which will complement existing businesses." Tunbridge Wells MP Mike Martin said: "Stores like Primark are what are called anchor tenants and they bring other stores, and much increased footfall, to towns." In March 2023, the council's business plan reported 28% of Royal Victoria Place's units were empty. In 2023, the council bought the centre's lease from British Land and appointed developers RivingtonHark to manage the centre. In July, Nando's announced it would open a restaurant in the former Gateway building on Grosvenor Road. The shopping centre unit bought by Primark is currently occupied by Homeland Furniture, which announced its closure in June. The retail property was once home to BHS before the chain went into administration in 2016. Primark London and South East sales director Philippa Nibbs said: "We know our customers have wanted a Primark here for a long time." Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgwlev15eeo
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More than 50 animals have been taken from an animal rescue centre during a raid by police and other agencies. Dogs, puppies, a cat and kittens, and five tortoises were surrendered under animal welfare laws at CAARS animal rescue in Essington near Wolverhampton, officers said. After police earlier described the conditions as “appalling”, the BBC tried to contact the centre but with no response. Tuesday’s raid was carried out by Staffordshire Police with council, veterinary, RSPCA and dog handling teams. South Staffordshire Council is leading an investigation. All the animals were checked by vets and were being taken to approved, licensed kennels including Birmingham Dogs Home. The police Facebook post said: “Hopefully they’ll warm up and be looked after properly from now on – and maybe even find their forever homes.” The force said 34 dogs, 19 puppies, one cat, five kittens and five tortoises were surrendered under animal welfare legislation and were being looked after at alternative locations. The action was prompted by multiple complaintsalleging potential illegal activities relating to animal welfare and licensing concerns, officers said. A council spokesman said complaints were received about dogs and cats reportedly living in squalid conditions, triggering a coordinated investigation. An investigation was ongoing, the council added, and the authority was unable to comment further until an outcome was reached. Councillor Rita Heseltine, cabinet member for regulatory services at the district council thanked members of the public for coming forward. She said: “We are committed to investigating issues related to licensing and animal welfare fully and taking action where necessary to protect animals.” An RSPCA spokesman said: “We are so grateful to people who report suspected animal suffering and urge anyone with concerns about the welfare of an animal to report them to the relevant authorities.” Sgt Craig Beardsley, from the county’s proactive and rural crime team, said: “We’re determined to continue working with our local partners in Staffordshire to tackle the issues affecting rural communities the most. “Only by working together can we continue to take action.” Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpqdp4rynw3o
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Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng has announced at the Guangzhou, China, auto show that Lotus will introduce plug-in-hybrid range-extender powertrains, as reported by Autocar. The setup will use turbocharged gas engines and will be capable of ultra-rapid charging thanks to a 900-volt electrical architecture. Lotus has not said when the system will arrive and in which models we can expect to see it. A few years ago, Lotus announced big plans to go electric. The Emira sports car was set to be the brand's final internal-combustion vehicle, and Lotus has since launched the electric Eletre SUV and Emeya sedan in global markets. These two models were due to be followed by a smaller electric SUV and an EV sports car. But now Lotus is backtracking, announcing that it will introduce plug-in hybrids featuring internal-combustion engines in the near future, as reported by Autocar. The decision was confirmed by Lotus CEO Feng Qingfeng at the Guangzhou auto show in China, Autocar reported. The range-extender plug-in-hybrid system, which Feng dubbed "Super Hybrid," will combine a turbocharged gas engine with batteries that support ultra-rapid charging. The company aims to use the range-extender gas engine to boost the overall driving range to 680 miles. Link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a62979639/lotus-plug-in-hybrid-range-extender-reported/
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Roman Josi scored twice and Jonathan Marchessault scored a goal and assisted on another to lead the Nashville Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night. Steven Stamkos also scored and Juuse Saros made 22 saves for the Predators, winners of two of three. Adam Lowry scored and Eric Comrie made 32 saves for Winnipeg, which had a two-game winning streak snapped. Nashville played their first home game after returning from a two-week, five-game road trip where it went 1-2-2. Stamkos’ third period goal came on a Nashville power play. Six of his seven goals on the season have come with the man-advantage, and he has three power-play goals over the last three games. Takeaways Jets: Winnipeg split their first back-to-back set of games this season. Even though their win at Pittsburgh on Friday night was over an Eastern Conference team and Saturday’s loss came to a fellow Central Division team, the Jets entered Saturday 19 points ahead of the Predators in the standings. Predators: After a disastrous start to the season, getting a victory against the best team in the NHL so far this season could provide some confidence for a team that entered Saturday with a league-low 15 standings points. Link: https://apnews.com/article/jets-predators-score-b199ac8f9a41bc074e9dae78ab99b4a0
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A Jersey-based charity providing specially designed beach wheelchairs for people with disabilities has reflected on a successful summer season. BeachAbility said leadership, strong partnerships and a grant from the Association of Jersey Charities contributed to the successful season. The charity said every year there was "significant impact access" to the island's beaches for about 150 wheelchair users. Alongside appointing a new leadership team, the charity said it also recruited a summer worker to ensure beach wheelchairs were well-maintained. 'Dedicated volunteers' BeachAbility chairwoman Beth Gallichan said: "We're incredibly grateful to Jersey Employment Trust for helping us find the right person and to the Association of Jersey Charities for their financial support, which enabled us to continue providing uninterrupted service through the summer. "Thanks to funding and the generosity of our dedicated volunteers, locals and visitors alike can enjoy our beautiful south coast beaches using accessible wheelchairs. "This access allows people to fully experience Jersey's stunning coastline alongside friends and family, a vital part of our local culture and lifestyle." Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn01zzlz43yo
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On Thursday, the Ukrainian city of Dnipro was hit by a Russian air strike which eyewitnesses described as unusual, triggering explosions that went on for three hours. The attack included a strike by a missile so powerful that in the aftermath Ukrainian officials said it bore the characteristics of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Western officials were quick to deny this, saying that such a strike would have triggered a nuclear alert in the US. Hours after the strike, Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a TV address, said that Russia had launched a "new conventional intermediate-range" missile with the codename Oreshnik, meaning hazel tree in Russian. Putin said that the weapon travelled at a speed of Mach 10, or 2.5-3km per second (10 times the speed of sound), adding that "there are currently no ways of counteracting this weapon". He said that a major military-industrial site in Dnipro, used to manufacture missiles and other armaments, had been hit. He described the attack as a test which was "successful" because the "target was reached". Speaking a day later to senior defence officials, he said tests of the missile would continue, "including in combat conditions". Putin's description of the weapon notwithstanding, there seems to be no clear consensus about what it actually is. Ukrainian military intelligence maintains that the missile is a new type of ICBM known as Kedr (cedar). They say it was travelling at Mach 11 and took 15 minutes to arrive from the launch site, more than 1,000km (620 miles) away in the Astrakhan region of Russia. They said the missile was equipped with six warheads, each with six sub-munitions. This assumption is backed up by BBC Verify's examination of video footage of the strike. Most of it is blurry or of poor quality, but it clearly shows six flashes against the night sky, each comprised of a cluster of six individual projectiles. The location that was hit is an industrial area to the southwest of Dnipro city. Why is speed important? If Putin's description is correct, the missile is at the upper edge of the definition of hypersonic, and few things can achieve this. Speed is important because the faster a missile travels, the quicker it gets to target. The quicker it gets to target, the less time a defending military has to react. A ballistic missile generally gets to target by following an arcing path up into the atmosphere and a similar one down towards its destination. But as it descends, it picks up speed and gains kinetic energy, and more kinetic energy gives it more options. This allows it to manoeuvre down towards the target - by performing some kind of defending wriggle - that makes interception by surface-to-air missile systems (such as Ukraine's US-built Patriot defence missile system) particularly difficult. This is not new for militaries that have to defend against such threats of course, but the greater the speed, the harder it becomes. That is why Putin has likely placed emphasis on its speed in announcing this new type of missile. Some 80% of the missiles fired by Russia have been intercepted by Ukraine, an extraordinary figure. But these faster speeds of ballistic missiles are intended to try to bring that percentage down. Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg07zw9vj1o
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The 5G subscription in India is estimated to have reached about 10 million by 2022 end, and is seen accounting for about 57 percent of mobile subscriptions in the country by the end of 2028, making it "the fastest growing" 5G region globally, according to Ericsson Mobility Report. With the launch of 5G services in October 2022, the major 5G Indian market is witnessing huge network deployments under its Digital India initiative, it observed. The geopolitical challenges and macroeconomic slowdown in some markets notwithstanding, communications service providers globally are continuing to invest in 5G, the June 2023 edition of the Ericsson Mobility Report revealed. "5G subscriptions in India reached about 10 million by end of 2022 and are estimated to account for about 57 percent of mobile subscriptions in the country by the end of 2028, making it the fastest growing 5G region globally," it said. The fifth generation mobile subscriptions are growing in every region and forecast to top 1.5 billion globally by the end of 2023. The uptake of 5G subscriptions in North America has been stronger than expected in previous forecasts. The region had the highest 5G global subscription penetration at 41 percent at the end of 2022. Global mobile network data traffic continues to rise with the monthly global average usage per smartphone expected to exceed 20GB by the end of 2023. The report also highlighted the continued revenue growth in leading 5G markets. "The global adoption of 5G technology has surpassed one billion subscriptions, bringing positive revenue growth for communications service providers in leading 5G markets," Fredrik Jejdling, Executive Vice President and Head of Networks, Ericsson, said. In the past two years, the 5G introduction in the top twenty markets has resulted in a seven per cent revenue boost, Jejdling said, underlining a strong link between the increase in 5G subscriptions and service revenue. Globally, around 240 communications service providers (CSPs) have launched commercial 5G services and about 35 have deployed or launched 5G standalone (SA). The most common 5G services launched by service providers for consumers are enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), gaming and some (Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality) AR/VR-based services, such as training and education. The report also reveals that 5G continues to drive innovation in mobile service packaging. Among communications service providers, it is increasingly common to offer bundles with various po[CENSORED]r entertainment services such as television, music streaming or cloud gaming platforms. About 58 percent of 5G service providers currently do so in various forms. As per Ericsson, by 2028, 5G is estimated to account for almost 80 per cent of all FWA connections. Link: https://www.gadgets360.com/telecom/news/5g-india-accounting-57-percent-mobile-subscriptions-2028-ericsson-mobility-report-4141854
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Malwarebytes has acquired Swedish VPN provider AzireVPN, expanding its privacy-focused product portfolio. The deal, announced on November 7, integrates AzireVPN’s server infrastructure and privacy technologies into Malwarebytes’ suite of consumer-focused security tools. The deal’s financial terms were not disclosed The acquisition marks an expansion of Malwarebytes’ privacy offerings, which include Malwarebytes Privacy VPN and the free Malwarebytes Browser Guard web extension. The latter makes it virtually impossible for third-parties to modify or intercept user traffic. According to Mark Beare, General Manager of Malwarebytes’ consumer business, the company aims to “reimagine consumer cybersecurity” with its latest acquisition, focusing on protecting devices and data regardless of users’ location or financial resources. Enhanced privacy infrastructure A vital element of the acquisition is AzireVPN’s server infrastructure. The Swedish company is known for its distinctive approach to server management, physically owning and controlling all of its dedicated diskless servers. Malwarebytes has confirmed its commitment to maintaining this practice, which provides users with an additional layer of security and privacy. Perhaps the most notable technology acquired in the deal is AzireVPN’s Blind Operator feature. This security measure disables both remote and local access to servers, creating what the company describes as a robust barrier against unauthorised traffic interception. The technology makes it “virtually impossible” for any party to modify or tap the traffic on its servers or access user information. In the immediate term, both companies’ existing customers will see no changes to services. Malwarebytes Privacy VPN users will retain their current user experience, with the company maintaining its no-log service policy that helps prevent the tracking, storing, or sharing of user network data. Similarly, AzireVPN customers will continue to receive their existing VPN service, maintaining the company’s features which comprise: The acquisition is part of a strategic push by Malwarebytes into the privacy sector. Mark Beare emphasized the company’s long-standing advocacy for user privacy, suggesting that this acquisition will enable the development of more advanced VPN technologies and fe“We’re leaning even more on our mission to reimagine consumer cybersecurity,” Beare stated in the announcement. “With AzireVPN’s infrastructure and intellectual property, Malwarebytes is poised to develop more advanced VPN technologies and features, offering increased flexibility and enhanced security for our users.” atures. While specific integration plans have not been detailed, Malwarebytes has indicated that new VPN offerings are currently in development, with plans to leverage AzireVPN’s technology and infrastructure to introduce new features in the coming months. The VPN market has grown significantly in recent years, driven by increasing concerns about online privacy and data security. The acquisition positions Malwarebytes to compete more effectively in the market, particularly in the premium privacy-focused segment where AzireVPN has built its reputation. Link: https://www.telecomstechnews.com/news/malwarebytes-acquires-swedish-vpn-provider-azirevpn-to-boost-privacy-features/
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Today, AMD unveiled new desktop computing products, delivering enhanced performance for gamers. The lineup features the new AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Desktop processor, based on the "Zen 5" architecture and utilizing 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology. With the AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, AMD has re-engineered its cutting-edge on-chip memory solution with 2nd Gen AMD 3D V-Cache technology. The 64 MB cache memory has been relocated below the processor, which puts the core complex die (CCD) closer to the cooling solution to help keep the "Zen 5" cores cooler, delivering high clock rates and providing up to an average 8% gaming performance improvement compared to our last-gen generation and up to an average 20% faster than the competition. This revolutionary change in placement allows for extreme overclocking of the processor. It's the first X3D processor to be fully unlocked, empowering enthusiasts and gamers to push its performance to new limits. "We continue to push the boundaries of performance and innovation in desktop computing, delivering solutions that exceed the needs of gamers and creators alike," said Jack Huynh, senior vice president and general manager, computing and graphics, AMD. "With the introduction of the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor, built on our advanced 'Zen 5' architecture, we are elevating gaming performance like never before. Featuring innovative 2nd AMD Gen 3D V-Cache technology, this processor reflects our commitment to excellence and our ability to innovate in ways that redefine the industry." Delivering Performance for Gamers Combined with the advanced "Zen 5" processor architecture, the AMD 3D V-Cache technology works to attain the highest processor gaming performance on the market. While the generational uplift in average FPS is about 8%, many games such as Star Wars Outlaws will experience double-digit percentage improvements generationally. What's more, the Ryzen 7 9800X3D processor can demonstrate substantial generational improvements in minimum frame rates even when average frame rates are similar, providing the user with an experience that feels smoother, with less stutter - for instance, in The Last Of Us: Part 1, where the Ryzen 7 9800X3D has a similar average frame rate compared to the competition, but a 31% higher 1% low frame rate. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D is the ultimate solution for the PC gaming market, with eight high-performance "Zen 5" processor cores and 16 processing threads ready to make quick work of gaming and productivity tasks. 4.7 GHz base clock speed is combined with a 5.2 GHz max boost clock, and these represent the highest clock speeds ever on an X3D chiplet. A hearty 120 W TDP and its huge 104 MB of total cache provides the processor with the power it needs to perform. Link: https://www.techpowerup.com/328323/amd-introduces-next-generation-amd-ryzen-7-9800x3d-processor-usd-479-nov-7
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The current top post on the Monster Hunter subreddit, with nearly 4,000 upvotes, is simply titled WE DEFEATED GENDER completely bereft of any context. Thankfully just below it is the news that Monster Hunter players have been waiting to hear for years: for the first time in Wilds, armor designs will no longer be locked between male and female characters. "In previous Monster Hunter games, male and female armor were separate," said one of Capcom's developers during an hour-long livestreamed presentation at Gamescom today. "I'm happy to confirm that in Monster Hunter Wilds, there's no more male and female armor. All characters can wear any gear." Key to the "loop" of Monster Hunter is fighting the same beasts many times over to collect their body parts to use in the crafting of better armor and weapons. While the armor you craft from, say, famed series wyvern Rathalos has the same stats regardless of your character's gender, its physical appearance is completely different. Male armor broadly leans bulkier, while female armor generally tends to show more skin—shocking, I know. That's not the case with every armor set, but often the designs were quite different. That was frustrating with players who loved the look of, say, the female Rathalos Alpha armor set but happened to be playing a male character. In Monster Hunter: World you had to use a one-time free character edit voucher to change your character's gender and design, and pay up $3 for another one after that. While Monster Hunter Rise dropped the terms male and female, the armor differences between body "type 1" and "type 2" remained, with the same character voucher restriction in place. Wilds may still end up requiring you to pony up a couple bucks for a voucher to redesign your character, but now that armor designs are no longer locked to body type, one of the key reasons to do so is gone. Presumably Monster Hunter's "layered armor" system will also be returning in Wilds, letting you visually wear one type of armor while retaining the stats of another set underneath. All that is to say, get ready for Monster Hunter fans to show off their hunting fashion like never before when Wilds comes out next year. "Fashion game is officially the endgame," Capcom's community manager Jonno Stanton quipped during the stream. He's not wrong. Wes has been covering games and hardware for more than 10 years, first at tech sites like The Wirecutter and Tested before joining the PC Gamer team in 2014. Wes plays a little bit of everything, but he'll always jump at the chance to cover emulation and Japanese games. When he's not obsessively optimizing and re-optimizing a tangle of conveyor belts in Satisfactory (it's really becoming a problem), he's probably playing a 20-year-old Final Fantasy or some opaque ASCII roguelike. With a focus on writing and editing features, he seeks out personal stories and in-depth histories from the corners of PC gaming and its niche communities. 50% pizza by volume (deep dish, to be specific). Link: https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/fashion-hunters-rejoice-as-monster-hunter-wilds-ditches-gendered-armor-capcom-confirms-all-characters-can-wear-any-gear/
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Nickname: @Angel of Death Age: 21 Link with your forum profile: https://csblackdevil.com/forums/profile/76534-angel-of-death/ How much time do you spend on our channel ts every day?: 5 hours Where do you want to moderate? Check this topic: Free time How much time you can be active on the Journalists Channel?: For Me, all day Link with your last request to join in our Team: At least 5-6 hours per day Last 5 topics that you made on our section: I have created 5 topic that you can discuss with my profile and see that. Because I'm trying to do 5 topics, I can't, I don't know why You can see my activity
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Proposals to increase income tax have been blasted as "lazy, crude and cruel" by a former States economist. In a letter to all deputies, seen by the BBC, Dr Andy Sloan said a move by Policy and Resources (P&R) to temporarily increase income tax of 2p in the pound is not fiscally competitive or fair. Dr Sloan claimed the increase would leave islanders paying 10% more tax than those in the UK earning the same wage. P&R has said there is "need for action now" and the rise "forces the next States to decide on a long-term fiscal solution to our financial challenges, including the cost of long-term care". 'No empathy' The proposals to increase income tax for two years while looking to introduce GST will be voted on when the entire 2025 budget is put to deputies. "Raising the personal income tax by 2p in the pound, will mean a Guernsey worker on an average wage will pay 10% more tax and social insurance contributions than a worker on the same pay in the UK," Dr Sloan said. "When I came to the island in 2008, a Guernsey worker on the average wage paid 20% less. "Increasing income tax like this is a lazy, crude and cruel tool. "These proposals display no sympathy or empathy with average workers." Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c774v2xz6l5o
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A cash-strapped urban farm could close by the end of the year, the owners have warned. Neil Campbell and Joanna Holbrook-Morris need £40,000 to save Nunny's Farm in Grimsby. But they said they feared most of the animals would have to be put to sleep without the extra funds. "A lot of animals that we've rescued, we were their second chance," said Ms Holbrook-Morris. "Where are they going to go if we have to fold?" The farm, on the Nunsthorpe estate, has welcomed more than 100,000 visitors since opening in 2021. It is not only a visitor attraction, but works with veterans and children outside of mainstream education, runs a mini-farmers club and rescues unwanted animals. "The whole farm is built around and for mental health," Mr Campbell said. The owners have launched a fundraising appeal to help save the farm. They said they had suffered from bad weather and flooding over the past year. Costs rose by £20,000 last April due to a rise in the minimum wage, Mr Campbell said. The farm was now "facing another £14,000 increase" after the recent budget announcements. "I don't see where that is going to come from," he added. "We tried to fund it last year through personal loans which are still outstanding, so that's not an option for us any more". Ms Holbrook-Morris said: "The animals would have to be put down. "The majority of them will not be able to be relocated because of Bluetongue [virus], which means we can't move cows, alpacas, sheep or goats out of the area". The owners are looking for outside investment. Mr Campbell added: "This is my life's work. It's everything." Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0j8e9vg60lo
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In a world of ever more complex performance cars, the refreshingly pure and elemental 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is proof that you don't need go-faster tech to have a great time. It isn't perfect and presents a number of glaring compromises when it comes to day-to-day usability, but that's not why you buy a Miata. In the pantheon of sports cars, the Miata delivers the thrills and joys every keen driver is looking for, and that's what makes it so beloved.Read full review There aren't many cars in today's market that can give you real raw exhilaration without breaking the bank. The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a roadster that not only offers a fun driving experience without sacrificing fuel efficiency but is also affordable. Space is scarce in this lightweight brawler, but thrills are pleasingly abundant. The Miata received some minor updates for the 2024 model. There has been no official mention of a complete redesign for 2025, but that seems unlikely to us at this point. We also don't dismiss the possibility of electrification creeping into the Miata lineup. Link: https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/cx-5/
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We are inundated with information on physical fatigue, what it is, how we measure it and how we can recover. But what about mental fatigue and how we recover from that? We are starting to understand the impact that mental fatigue can have on physical performance but how can we manage it? How can we recover from it to maximise performance in a subsequent match or training session? We spoke to Suzy Russell, a researcher at Australian Catholic University and asked her 6 important questions on this. Over the last few years, we have seen a growing body of evidence that builds upon foundational work examining the impact of mental fatigue on physical performance [1]. Recent investigations have begun to inform us about the impacts on technical, tactical, psychomotor and psychological aspects of performance. Physically, we see decreased time to exhaustion, reduced power output and cadence during cycling time trial performance; increased completion time for 3 km and 5 km running trials, and across swimming distances [1]. An average of 16 ± 5% less distance covered on the field-based Yo-Yo IRT1 test provides a relatable example of the impact mental fatigue can have [2]. We have also seen increased session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and lower self-selected volume completed during resistance training. Generally, the physical research demonstrates a negative impact on endurance tasks. The impact on a short isolated maximal anaerobic effort appears to be negligible. Impairments in technical skills include number of errors, number of tackles and percentage of successful tackles in soccer [3]; free throws, three point shots and turnovers in basketball [4]; and decision making in volleyball [5]. These critical skill examples are supplemented by a negative impact on sport specific psychomotor performance including decision making, reaction time and accuracy [6]. The body of evidence informing potential changes in tactical performance is yet to emerge. However, available information indicates impairments in tactical behaviours and compensatory physical demands during small sided games [7]. Having said that, we have only just scratched the surface. There is plenty more to explore, quantify and understand. Link: https://www.sportsmith.co/articles/understanding-mental-fatigue-and-mental-recovery-in-sport/
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As many gyms remain closed, Lifepro is introducing two adjustable dumbbell sets to support those who are looking to start or continue strength training at home. The in-home strength training and weight lifting products were created to make high-quality equipment accessible for low-grade workouts at home. The adjustable dumbbell line introduces six weight sizes that are built into each model, so that a dozen weights are packed into a compact package. While the PowerUp products range from 2.5 pounds up to 15 pounds, the PowerFlow Plus supports more advanced workouts at home that require up to 25 pounds. The company recently launched other solutions for at-home use, such as foldable treadmills and under-desk cardio machines, which respect consumers' need for flexibility and space-saving solutions. 1. At-home Strength Training - The trend of at-home strength training is growing and offering innovative solutions in equipment design and convenience. 2. Adjustable Equipment - The trend of adjustable equipment is revolutionizing at-home workouts with a focus on space-saving and versatile design. 3. Flexible Fitness Solutions - The trend of flexible fitness solutions is transforming the fitness industry by offering consumers a range of convenient and customizable options for exercise. Industry Implications 1. Fitness Equipment - The fitness equipment industry has a disruptive innovation opportunity to create more adjustable and space-saving equipment for at-home workouts. 2. Health and Wellness - The health and wellness industry has an opportunity to increase their product offerings in the at-home fitness space by providing more innovative and flexible solutions for consumers. 3. E-commerce - The e-commerce industry has the opportunity to capitalize on the trend of at-home strength training by providing customers with easy access to a variety of products and offering personalized recommendations. Link: https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dumbbell-sets
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(London) – Poland’s government is targeting people for alleged abortion-related activities, intensifying a climate of fear that heightens risks for women and girls, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch released a video highlighting how the government’s dubious use of its powers to chase down alleged abortion-related activity threatens people’s rights to privacy, autonomy, and health, amongst others. Since a near-ban on legal abortion in 2020, Polish officials have increasingly opened investigations on questionable legal grounds against women and girls seeking medical care for miscarriages or after legal medication abortions, as well as against doctors. Polish law does not criminalize having an abortion but rather anyone who provides or assists someone in having an abortion outside of highly restricted grounds. The government is apparently attempting to find a basis for prosecuting family members, friends, and healthcare providers for illegally providing or assisting abortions. “Polish authorities’ ruthless pursuit of people trying to get or provide basic health care can only be described as a witch hunt,” said Hillary Margolis, senior women’s rights researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The government is misusing police and courts to advance its anti-rights agenda, taking its abusive policies into private homes, hospital rooms, and doctors’ offices.” In interviews with Human Rights Watch, doctors, lawyers, and a woman who had a legal medication abortion described sweeping and speculative investigations, and overbroad searches. Criminalizing those who provide or assist an abortion unjustifiably interferes with the right to health, leading to negative health outcomes and potential persecution of those seeking abortion. Additionally, since January 2021, at least six women are known to have died after doctors did not terminate their pregnancies despite complications that posed a danger to their health or lives, which remain legal grounds for abortion in Poland. Prosecutors opened investigations into all six cases, five of which are ongoing. In the sixth, the prosecutor discontinued the proceedings without providing reasons for doing so. Women and girls have been put under intense scrutiny for alleged abortion-related activity when they seek urgent health care. Joanna, a 32-year-old woman, said that the police demanded to strip search her in April after she had a self-administered medication abortion, which is legal. “They told me to take off my clothes, do squats, and cough,” Joanna said. “I was just standing in front of them, I didn’t take my underwear off…. I tried to take a step back but there was only a wall behind me. I felt I wasn’t a human being anymore.” The lawyer representing Joanna and others subject to invasive searches and interrogation said that such “fishing expeditions” do not have sufficient legal basis. “This is just searching for searching’s sake,” the lawyer said. “It’s not legitimate because the investigation must not be started without grounds for suspicion…. Only for abortion is it done this way.” These actions also constitute degrading treatment in violation of international human rights law, Human Rights Watch said. Cases that Human Rights Watch documented offer evidence that Polish law enforcement authorities have increased their pursuit of women, girls, and healthcare providers since the politically compromised Constitutional Tribunal issued a decision in October 2020 that virtually eliminated legal abortion in Poland. The decision, which entered into force on January 27, 2021, removed one of only three grounds on which an abortion could be obtained. Evidence consistently demonstrates that laws criminalizing or restricting access to abortion do not eliminate it, but rather drive people to seek abortion through means that may put their mental and physical health at risk and diminish their autonomy and dignity. Since the Law and Justice party (Prawo i Sprawiedliwość, PiS) came to power in 2015, Poland’s government has carried out a sustained attack on sexual and reproductive health rights, particularly access to abortion. The ruling party brought the abortion case to the Constitutional Tribunal after parliament voted not to adopt legislation effectively banning legal abortion. The authorities’ crackdown on women’s rights is a symptom of their broader capture of the justice system and dismantling of democratic checks and balances. Under Law and Justice, the government has systematically eroded the rule of law by undermining the independence of the judiciary and establishing effective control over the Constitutional Tribunal, among other institutions. It has sought to silence independent civil society groups, activists, and those who protest against its policies, including through the police and courts. Abortion rights defenders have also come under fire. In March 2023, a Warsaw court convicted Justyna Wydrzyńska, co-founder of the activist group Abortion Dream Team, of helping a woman to procure medication abortion pills. Wydrzyńska, who was sentenced to eight months of community service, is appealing the conviction. Poland’s government should urgently decriminalize abortion and provision of or assistance in procuring an abortion or abortion-related care, and ensure safe and legal access. The government and authorities should immediately stop questionable investigations and prosecutions related to abortion and ensure that women and girls can access necessary reproductive health care in a dignified and confidential manner, and that healthcare practitioners can provide such care without fear of prosecution. The authorities should also cease attacks on women’s and reproductive rights defenders. Authorities’ actions – and their use of undemocratic means to pursue their aims – raise serious concerns over breaches of the European Union’s founding values and Poland’s international human rights obligations, Human Rights Watch said. “By going after women and girls who need medical care – and doctors who provide it – Polish authorities are using their powers to terrorize people instead of to protect basic rights,” Margolis said. “As the government ramps up its targeting and harassment of people allegedly linked to abortion, anyone can fall prey to these attempts and have their privacy, dignity, and right to health violated.” Additional Information on Increased Targeting of Alleged Abortion-Related Activity The October 2020 Constitutional Tribunal decision stated that abortion on grounds of “high probability of severe and irreversible fetal impairment or incurable illness that threatens the fetus’ life” is unconstitutional, removing one of few, and the most accessible, legal basis for abortion under Poland’s highly restrictive law. Previously, over 90 percent of the approximately 1,000 legal abortions annually in Poland were on these grounds. Polish law now permits abortion only to safeguard the life or health of the woman or where a pregnancy results from rape or incest. However, in practice multiple barriers severely limit access to care in such cases, as the deaths of pregnant women refused terminations demonstrate. Link: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/09/14/poland-abortion-witch-hunt-targets-women-doctors