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- Gets minor design highlights - Features LED lighting and full-TFT instrument console - Could be launched in India soon Along with the unveiling of the Leoncino 800, Benelli has taken the covers off the 2020 TNT 600 street naked at the on-going 2019 EICMA show in Milan. The motorcycle has undergone subtle design updates along with few feature additions. The design of the 2020 model is closely similar to the images that were leaked online earlier this year. Under the update, the 2020 TNT 600 features a revised front fascia with LED lighting, full-TFT instrument console. Besides that, the motorcycle remains the same except for the dual-tone colour scheme of green and white. As for the motor, it continues to be powered by the same 600cc, inline-four unit that now produces 79.3bhp at 11,500rpm and 54.6Nm at 10,500. Notably, these power figures are slightly on the lower side in comparison to the out-going model suggesting that the 2020 edition is compliant with the new emission norms. The naked street bike continues to be suspended by chunky 50mm inverted forks up front and a preload and rebound adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking is handled by twin discs at the front and a single unit for the rear. The bike rides on 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 120/70 (front) and 180/55 (rear) section tyres. The 2020 TNT 600 tips the scale at 234kg which is a three kg gain over the current version sold in India. This could be due to the addition of larger catalytic convertors to comply with the emission norms. Interestingly, Benelli will not be retailing the 2020 TNT 600 in the European market. As far as the Indian market is concerned, expect the company to bring it to the Indian shores by the second half of 2020.

Do you really need to have your car's oil changed every 3,000 miles? Experts say not necessarily. VM/GETTY IMAGES Oil changes are just one of the many minor hassles of car ownership, but they're crucial to keeping your car in good shape. Furthermore, if you don't change your oil on time and with the proper products, it could void your car's warranty. However, experts now say that the standard oil change interval of every three months — or every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) — is old news, and that most cars can travel quite a bit farther before needing oil replaced. If you're changing your oil more frequently than necessary, it won't help your car. It doesn't harm it either, but you're wasting money, time and resources. Keep in mind, too, that throwing away oil that's still usable puts a strain on the environment. There are four main "recommended" intervals for oil changes based on factors specific to you and your car: Every 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) or every six months Every 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles (8,046 to 12,070 kilometers) Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles or every six months (16,093 to 24,140 kilometers) Let's take a look at the circumstances for each. Change Every 1,000 Miles First, if some experts say that 3,000 miles is too often, why would those same experts recommend intervals of every 1,000 miles? It all depends on your driving habits. If your driving routine consists mostly of trips that are 10 miles or less, you should consider changing your oil more often than every 3,000 miles for two reasons. If you aren't making long trips at high, steady speeds (like you would on a highway) then your engine isn't getting hot enough to boil off condensation that accumulates in the system. That can cause oil to break down faster. Most of the wear and tear on your engine occurs when you're starting your car, and if you aren't driving very far, most of your driving is of the type that is very hard on your engine. More frequent oil changes will help minimize the damage. In short, if you drive your car infrequently, as in much less than the mileage of your recommended service interval, you should still change your oil twice a year since the oil degrades over time. Change More Frequently Some car experts suggest that the 3,000-mile interval is really for the benefit of shops that change oil, since the more frequently you come in, the more money they make. Still, if you have an older-model car that recommends this interval, you're probably better off adhering to it. Scientific American makes the case for longer intervals, specifically every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, based on the fact that this is what's recommended in most car owners' manuals. The 5,000 to 7,500 miles interval is becoming increasingly common, though some manufacturers recommend you also take your driving style and habits into account. For instance, if your car is fairly new and you usually drive 20 minutes or more and achieve fairly steady speeds (as opposed to stop-and-go traffic the entire drive) you are a prime candidate for increasing the time between your oil changes. However, if your car is older, it's best to stick with the manufacturer's recommend maintenance schedule. Change Every 10,000 Miles If your car's manufacturer recommends synthetic oil, or if you decide to make the switch, you could go as many as 10,000 miles or morebetween oil changes. Though synthetic oil is much more expensive than regular oil, it has more benefits. It performs better than regular oil (see Now That's Interesting, below) and is better for the environment. Opinion differs, though, whether upgrading is worth it. While some experts suggest doing it in most circumstances, Consumer Reports says that, generally, you shouldn't switch to synthetic if your car doesn't need it. If you frequently tow heavy loads, synthetic oil can help ease the extra strain on your engine. If you own a model known to be prone to sludge issues (that is, when your engine gets clogged with the residue of degraded oil), synthetic oil can help alleviate those problems and prolong the life of your engine. Get into the habit of checking your oil at least once a month. JOSE LUIS PELAEZ INC/GETTY IMAGES What Those Dashboard Lights Mean It's best to keep track of the miles you drive between oil changes, though some cars make this easier with a dash indicator that tells you it's time to head to the shop, as part of what is called an oil life monitoring system. These systems track your mileage and also use data from your driving that's analyzed by your car's computer to determine when your car needs an oil change. When the light illuminates, it's best to get the oil changed as soon as possible, but it's not necessarily urgent. If your car has an oil life monitoring system, note that this light is different than your oil pressure light, which illuminates on your dash if your car's oil isn't flowing properly due to low level, a failing oil pump, a leak in the system or some other issue. Learn the difference between the two dash lights, because if the oil pressure light comes on, you need to stop driving as soon as possible to avoid engine damage. Get in the habit of checking your oil at least once a month to ensure your car's not leaking or burning oil. If the level is low, add oil. Good oil should be a clear brown-black color, though the Automobile Association of America cautions that color is not the only indicator of oil life. If the oil is murky or opaque, it might be time for a change, and if it's milky, your engine may be leaking coolant. If your car has one of the aforementioned oil monitoring systems, though, you might not have a dipstick to check the oil. The moral of the story? If you don't know how often to change your oil, or how to check it between oil changes, consult your owner's manual. These habits will help ensure the longevity of your engine.

The coronavirus pandemic has found fresh legs around the world, as confirmed deaths pass 600,000 and countries from the U.S. to South Africa to India struggle to contain a surge of new infections. Hong Kong issued tougher new rules on wearing face masks, Spain closed overcrowded beaches and Germany reported another outbreak at a slaughterhouse. Pope Francis said “the pandemic is showing no sign of stopping” and urged compassion for those whose suffering during the outbreak has been worsened by conflicts. The World Health Organization said that 259,848 new infections were reported Saturday, its highest one-day tally yet. While the U.S. leads global infections, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country in the pandemic with more than 350,000 cases, or around half of all those confirmed on the continent. Its struggles are a sign of trouble to come for nations with even fewer health care resources. In Europe, where infections are far below their peak but local outbreaks are causing concern, leaders of the 27-nation European Union haggled for a third day in Brussels over a proposed €1.85 trillion ($2.1 trillion) EU budget and coronavirus recovery fund. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there is “a lot of good will, but there are also a lot of positions” in the talks, which have have laid bare divisions about how the countries hit hardest by the pandemic, such as Italy and Spain, should be helped. She said the talks, which were initially scheduled to end on Saturday, could still end without a deal. As scientists around the world race to find a vaccine to halt the pandemic, Russia's ambassador to Britain on Sunday rejected allegations by the United States, Britain and China that his country's intelligence services have sought to steal information about vaccine efforts. >> Sweden’s Covid-19 strategy has caused an ‘amplification of the epidemic’ “I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” Ambassador Andrei Kelin said when asked in a BBC interview about the allegations. “I learned about their (the hackers') existence from British media. In this world, to attribute any kind of computer hackers to any country, it is impossible.” Confirmed global virus deaths risen to nearly 603,000, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins. The United States tops the list with over 140,000, followed by more than 78,000 in Brazil. Europe as a continent has seen about 200,000 deaths. The number of confirmed infections worldwide has passed 14.2 million, with 3.7 million in the United States and more than 2 million in Brazil. Experts believe the pandemic's true toll around the world is much higher because of testing shortages and data collection issues. >> How long will social distancing last? Infections have been soaring in U.S. states such as Florida, Texas, Arizona, with many blaming a haphazard, partisan approach to lifting lockdowns as well as the resistance of some Americans to wearing masks. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said Sunday that the situation was so dire in his California city that authorities were considering a new stay-at-home order. Even where the situation has been largely brought under control, new outbreaks are prompting the return of restrictions. Following a recent surge in cases, Hong Kong made the wearing of masks mandatory in all public places and told non-essential civil servants to work from home. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the situation in the Asian financial hub is “really critical” and that she sees “no sign” that it’s under control. Police in Barcelona have limited access to some of the city’s beloved beaches because sunbathers were ignoring social distancing regulations amid a resurgence of coronavirus infections. Authorities in Amsterdam urged people not to visit the city’s famous red light district and have closed off some of the historic district’s narrow streets because they are too busy. Slaughterhouses also have featured in outbreaks in the U.S., Germany and elsewhere. Authorities in northwestern Germany's Vechta county said 66 workers at a chicken slaughterhouse tested positive, though most appeared to have been infected in their free time. An earlier outbreak at a slaughterhouse in western Germany infected over 1,400 and prompted a partial lockdown. Cases in the Australian state of Victoria rose again Sunday, prompting a move to make masks mandatory in metropolitan Melbourne and the nearby district of Mitchell for people who leave their homes for exercise or to purchase essential goods. Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said those who fail to wear a mask will be fined 200 Australian dollars ($140). “There’s no vaccine to this wildly infectious virus and it’s a simple thing, but it’s about changing habits, it’s about becoming a simple part of your routine,” Andrews said. Speaking on Sunday from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis renewed his appeal for an immediate worldwide cease-fire that he said “will permit the peace and security indispensable to supplying the necessary humanitarian assistance.”

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The question of why can’t the world speak a single language is echoed more often, either by people interested in languages or by people whose interest in languages does not go beyond using them to communicate. That’s why we have to seriously consider this question. So why can’t just everybody wake up someday and decide to speak a single language? Easy-peasy! Why do we have all this linguistic mush of so many different languages? To answer this question, we need to consider why we have multiple languages in the first place. Let’s start with the (presumed) original picture. To answer this question, we need to consider why we have multiple languages in the first place. Let’s start with the (presumed) original picture. The original picture It is presumed that at some point, about 100,000-200,000 years ago, Homo Sapien ancestors started using language in the way we mean language now, with all its complex grammar and vocabulary. At the time, they were spread out over a relatively confined space on the globe and it is practically impossible that language spontaneously arose in more than a handful of places. So, at one point, there was some limited number of languages among groups of people that had some amount of geographic proximity. It could have been relatively easy for one language to emerge then, or that everyone all spoke the same mother tongue anyway and for things to have stayed that way till now. But that didn’t happen. In fact, the opposite happened. As humans spread across the globe and po[CENSORED]tion growth exploded exponentially, so too did the number of languages. In fact, it’s estimated that there were approximately 10,000 languages spoken only a couple of hundred years ago.

KIA ampliará su gama de modelos, específicamente el segmento de las SUVs, con el arribo del Seltos para inicios de 2020. De esta manera, la marca coreana tendrá un total de cinco opciones de camionetas, más una minivan. Con este número, KIA se convertirá en una de las marcas con el mayor número de modelos de SUVs de tamaño pequeño, compacto y mediano. Igualmente, esta futura SUV tendrá la misión de colocarse en del Top 5 de las más vendidas dentro de su segmento, tal y como lo hace Sorento, Sportage, Niro, Soul e incluso la Sedona, que rápidamente se ha convertido en la segunda minivan más vendida de México. Esta nueva Seltos, que estará ubicada justo entre el Soul y la Sportage, rompe totalmente con el diseño que nos tiene acostumbrados KIA en el resto de la gama. Digamos que repite la fórmula de Soul, en ofrecer una imagen totalmente diferente a lo que podemos ver en el resto de la gama. Debido a que rompe con el diseño que se ha vuelto caractistico en los SUVs, en donde todo está apuntado a una pronunciada caía del techo, el Seltos se distingue de sus rivales por su diseño robusto y deportivo. Fiel a la costumbre de KIA, esta nueva camioneta dispone de un interior de alta calidad y lo último en tecnología enfocada la infoentretenimiento. Destaca la pantalla táctil de 10.25 pulgadas, un Head-Up Display de 8.0 pulgadas y sistema de audio Bose de ocho bocinas. Aunque aún es temprano para hablar sobre la versión que llegará a México, todo indica que el KIA Seltos estará disponible con el motor turbo de 1.6 litros productor de 177 hp o con el 2.0 litros de aspiración natural con 149 hp. También habrá que esperar que tipos de caja estarán a la orden: la transmisión de doble embrague de siete velocidades, la automática de seis velocidades o la continuamente variable. Finalmente, la producción de KIA Seltos se basará en dos plantas: Andhra Pradesh, India, y en Gwangju, Corea.

12 phrases that parents are advised not to say Without a doubt, dedicated and loving parents only wish the best for their children. And it is because of this fact that they try to control their every step, constantly teaching and motivating them. Some phrases that sound harmless to adults can, however, harm the child's psyche. These are words that we usually say automatically, without even thinking, just because we have heard them from our parents. Based on the opinion of psychologists, Bright Side collects some of the phrases that may affect the lives of children in the future. "You can be what you want" Supporting children in choosing their hobbies and interests is good. However, research shows that if their ambitions are unrealistic, it can have a negative impact on them. They need to be aware that sometimes not everything happens the way they imagine it, and it is good to have a "plan B" in case they fail to fulfill their dream of a future career, for example. Not every child can become a talented surgeon, astronaut, or football star, even if he or she works hard to achieve that goal. And this is absolutely normal. The parents' task is to teach the child to be realistic and to set achievable goals, and to warn him that it is inevitable that there will be no disappointments in his life. "Even if you can't, you have to do it" If it is a physical activity, it can harm the child. This phrase is often spoken by parents who are trying to make their dreams come true (to become a ballerina or a famous and successful athlete) through their children. The child should only learn to listen to his body and respond adequately to pain and discomfort. "You're just like your mother / father" There is nothing wrong with comparing a child to a relative, but in a positive way. Unfortunately, however, these phrases usually have a negative connotation and criticize not only the child's but also the parent's behavior. This confuses the children and causes them to occupy either the father's side or the mother's side. "Your best. No one can compare to you" Even if uttered with love, such a phrase can have adverse effects on the child's self-esteem, as it may not dare to try something new for fear of failing and failing to meet his parents' expectations. "Eat broccoli, spinach, cauliflower, it's good" According to researchers at the University of Chicago, the word "healthy" has become synonymous with "not tasty" over time. This way, they can refuse to eat any healthy food without even tasting it. If you want your child to eat cauliflower, for example, it is better to say that it is delicious and crunchy. "Don't hit your brother, your sister" It is absolutely normal sometimes to experience negative emotions towards a certain person. Both children and adults may find it difficult to control their feelings, but this does not mean that it is impossible. And this is exactly what we need to teach our children - to accept emotions and to control their reactions. The phrases "don't beat your brother" or "don't insult your sister" are often not enough if the reason is not explained. No child will ever answer "Okay, no!". "Don't worry about bullshit" Do not underestimate your child's problems. Perhaps what is nonsense to you is of particular importance to him, even if it is a lost toy. When you show disregard for him, you may lose his confidence and refuse to turn to you for advice or help when the problem is really serious. "Let me help you" The child's ability to only determine when he really needs help and when he can cope is just one of the most important skills that he needs to acquire at an early age. "Don't touch this, you'll break it" Repeating this phrase often will only make your child feel restricted. It is very likely that if you say it, it will crack and break something just because you have set it at a subconscious level that it will happen. Subsequently, when he becomes an adult, he may be afraid to build a career, as he will fear that things will not work out as they should. If you are afraid that your child may break or ruin something of value, you better say "Watch this, I'm afraid it may break". "You're so smart" At first glance, this phrase may seem like a good way to praise your child. But this may make him think that he does not need to put much effort in order to succeed, since he has a natural talent. It is better to encourage the work and effort it puts into it. For example, "Work so hard on this project" or "I knew you would, because it took so much time and effort." "Mom's not crying. It's all right"

Mass rallies challenging the Kremlin rocked Russia's Far East city of Khabarovsk again on Saturday, as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the arrest of the region’s governor on charges of involvement in multiple murders. The massive unauthoritized crowds gathered despite local officials’ attempts to discourage people from taking to the streets, citing the coronavirus epidemic and an alleged averted terrorist threat. Furgal, the Khabarovsk region governor, was arrested on July 9 and flown to Moscow where he was put in jail for two months. Russia’s Investigative Committee says he is suspected of involvement in several murders of businessmen in 2004 and 2005. Furgal has denied the charges, which relate to his time as a businessman importing consumer goods ranging from timber and metals. Khabarovsk residents dismissed the charges against him as unsubstantiated and denounced the Kremlin for targeting a governor they elected. “It’s not only about this (whether Furgal arrest is legal or not). People are fed up with the way we are treated, that they can simply take away our choice," protester Mikhail Yerashchenko told The Associated Press on Saturday. A member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, Furgal was elected governor in 2018, defeating the Kremlin-backed incumbent. His victory was unexpected: Furgal didn't actively campaign and toed the Kremlin's line, publicly supporting his rival. People voted for him nonetheless, delivering a humiliating blow to the main Kremlin party, United Russia, that has been losing seats in regional governments over the past two years. During his two years in office, Furgal has earned a reputation of being “the people's governor." He cut his own salary, ordered the sale of an expensive yacht that the previous administration bought, met with protesters when rallies happened and significantly reduced flight fares for residents in remote areas. “Furgal became a political symbol for the residents of the region, and all accusations — no matter how grave — are from another, non-political dimension,” political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said in a Facebook post. Last Saturday, crowds of reportedly up to 35,000 people rallied in Khabarovsk. Protesters demanded that Furgal's trial be moved to Khabarovsk, with one saying “we have elected him and it's up to us to judge him." Some questioned the timing of the arrest, pointing to Furgal's decade-long stint as a lawmaker in the Russian parliament before running for governor, during which the murder charges never came up. The unauthorized protests are the largest ever in Khabarovsk, a city of 590,000. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation “not standard" this week. Moscow has not yet appointed an acting governor 11 days after Furgal's arrest. Police didn't interfere with Saturday's rally. Protesters held banners demanding Furgal's freedom and chanted “I, you, he and she – the entire country is for Furgal”. Smaller rallies in support of Furgal also took place Saturday in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, another big city in the Khabarovsk region, and in the city of Vladivostok in the neighboring Primorye region. “Though I’m almost 70, I worry sincerely about my region, about Russia and our nation, about Furgal and freedom. I want us to be free," Alla Sokolova, a protester in Khabarovsk, told the AP.

Changan finalmente inicia la comercialización a todo público de su camioneta Hunter, un producto muy esperado y que hemos cubierto en extenso aquí en Autocosmos. El desarrollo de Changan con PSA Aunque la Genesis de este proyecto ya la hemos comentado, es bueno entrar a resumir algunos puntos claves que contextualicen su fabricación Changan hace bastante que tiene lazos con PSA, aunque más bien relacionándose con DS. Changan tiene alianzas con muchas otras marcas, tal como muchos grandes grupos chinos. La alianza en específico de Peugeot con Changan, se hace bajo la submarca Kaicene, de vehículos comerciales más modernos. Es por eso que, en China, esta camioneta se llama Kaicene F70 y como tal lleva los logos e insignias correspondientes. Para mercados de exportación, se usará la marca Changan, tanto con la denominación F70 como con el nombre Hunter (Cazador). Peugeot también comercializará su versión de la camioneta (Landtrek) a nivel internacional. Esta cuenta con un frontal propio y de seguro, con características únicas, incluyendo versiones de seis asientos, carrocerías de cabina simple (o para carrozar), más elementos de seguridad, entre otros. Se especula la llegada de esta camioneta durante el 2021, pero dependerá de la situación mundial (pandemia). La camioneta, aunque es fabricada por Changan en China, también será fabricada por Peugeot en otros mercados. Por ejemplo, para Mercosur, se entiende que se usará la fábrica que tiene el grupo en Uruguay (Nordex). El desarrollo de esta camioneta no es algo así como que Peugeot le pagó a Changan para hacer una camioneta. El desarrollo es completamente en conjunto, tanto en diseño de chasis, control de calidad, ingeniería y pruebas, las cuales abarcan 260.000 kilómetros en diversas condiciones. No fue un proyecto hecho a puertas cerradas en una sola pista de pruebas y por lo mismo vimos camionetas camufladas con las tres marcas (Peugeot, Kaicene y Changan, fotos de conocimiento público y otras privadas) operadas por Derco para pruebas de homologación y ajustes regionales. Dimensiones y capacidades de la Changan Hunter La Hunter entra al segmento C de camionetas, po[CENSORED]rmente llamadas "de una tonelada" y el cual ha tenido en los últimos años un explosivo auge, principalmente de camionetas de origen chino, las que han tomado el segmento de precios que antes tenían las marcas más consagradas. Es un segmento altamente competitivo y jugoso para las marcas, por el ticket promedio que se paga, porque no son el vehículo más económico del mercado, considerando lo mucho que se venden. No por nada, la Mitsubishi L200 es el vehículo motorizado más vendido del país. Son camionetas grandes y robustas, que cada vez ofrecen más diseño y sofisticación. Puntualmente, las dimensiones y capacidades de la Hunter, son completamente equivalentes a la Peugeot Landtrek. Largo: 5.330 mm Ancho: 1.930 mm Alto: 1.835 mm Entre ejes: 3.180 mm Despeje: 226 mm Capacidad de carga: 800 kilos (cabina completa) y 1.000 kilos (solo conductor) Capacidad de remolque:1.750 kilos (remolque sin frenos) y 3.500 kilos (remolque con frenos) Angulo de ataque: 29º Angulo de salida: 27º Angulo ventral: 25º Angulo de inclinación: 42º Capacidad de vadeo: 600 mm Diseño de la Changan Hunter Predomina una enorme parrilla con borde cromado, la cual le da un aspecto imponente. Todas las versiones llevan llantas de 17" El capot no está muy inclinado y lleva algunos pliegues que le dan robustez. Las luces traseras cuentan con carcasas de policarbonato con diseño 3D Según versión podemos encontrar pisaderas, barras en el techo, manillas cromadas, cobertor sintético para el pick-up (Line-X) El cajón de carga presenta ganchos exteriores y barras deportivas símil antivuelco (doble A) en los costados. Interior y equipamiento de la Changan Hunter Aquí es donde se nota directamente la mano de Peugeot en el proyecto. Y considerando que los franceses hacen muchísimo hincapié en el estilo y calidad, se tomaron por completo este ítem. Y, de hecho, notarás como la consola es muy futurista, rescatando elementos ya vistos en autos de Peugeot. Enumeraremos; los comandos al volante son 100% de Peugeot y el diseño general del volante, es como el de la 3008, pero más grande (porque no hay iCockpit); el pomo de la palanca de cambios, es el mismo del 208 saliente; el diseño de los aireadores es muy similar al visto en la Partner/Rifter; la tapicería de los asientos de cuero con tela, también es una idea de Peugeot; el computador a bordo, aunque tiene otras tipografías, es el mismo visto en varios Peugeot de la generación pasada (208, 308); los modernos botones de aluminio en la consola central, son de la 3008. Seguridad en la Changan Hunter Todas las versiones llevan de serie: Doble airbag Frenos ABS+EBD Anclajes ISOFIX Cinco cinturones de tres puntas Las versiones Luxury agregan: ESP Control de tracción Frenos de disco traseros Monitor de la presión de los neumáticos Asistente de partida en pendiente Control de descenso

Think you're leading a healthy lifestyle? Aside from occasionally veering off the path, most of us think we do a fair job of maintaining our health with good (or at least OK) eating habits and physical activity whenever we manage to fit it in. But is that enough to be considered "healthy?" According to a recent study, very few adults actually meet the criteria for a healthy lifestyle. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, showed that only 3% of American adults got a perfect score on what the authors say are the four basic criteria for healthy living. Just 13.8% met three of the criteria; 34.2% met only two criteria. Women scored slightly better than men. See how well you measure up on the researchers' four keys to healthfulness: Do you smoke? Are you able to maintain a healthy weight (a BMI of 18-25), or are you successfully losing weight to attain a healthy weight? Do you eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily? Do you exercise 30 minutes or more, 5 times a week? The good news is that these behaviors should not be foreign to you, as all but one are an integral part of the Weight Loss Clinic. Numbers 2 through 4 are the foundation of the WLC program, habits that we continually discuss, write about, and recommend. Everyone knows smoking is bad for your health. If you are one of the lucky ones who never became addicted to nicotine, pat yourself on the back. Smokers, I hope you are working diligently to kick your habit. It's impossible to underestimate the importance of a smoke-free life for your health -- as well as for the sake of those around you. 4 Steps and More While those four habits are indisputably important for a healthy lifestyle, some may argue that more factors should be taken into consideration. What would be on your list? Just for fun, I came up with my own personal top 10 list of healthy behaviors (beyond the four basics) that contribute to wellness and satisfaction with one's lifestyle: Brush and floss daily to keep your teeth and gums healthy and free of disease. Get a good night's rest. Well-rested people not only cope better with stress, but may also have better control of their appetites. Research has shown that a lack of sleep can put our "hunger hormones" out of balance -- and possibly trigger overeating. Enjoy regular family meals. This allows parents to serve as good role models, can promote more nutritious eating, and sets the stage for lively conversations. Being connected to family and/or friends is a powerful aspect of a healthy life. Smile and laugh out loud several times a day. It keeps you grounded, and helps you cope with situations that would otherwise make you crazy. Read the comics, watch a sitcom, or tell jokes to bring out those happy feelings. Meditate, pray, or otherwise find solace for at least 10-20 minutes each day. Contemplation is good for your soul, helps you cope with the demands of daily life, and may even help lower your blood pressure. Get a pedometer and let it motivate you to walk, walk, walk. Forget about how many minutes of activity you need; just do everything you can to fit more steps into your day. No matter how you get it, physical activity can help defuse stress, burn calories, and boost self-esteem. Stand up straight. You'll look 5 pounds lighter if you stand tall and tighten your abdominal muscles. Whenever you walk, think "tall and tight" to get the most out of the movement. Try yoga. The poses help increase strength and flexibility and improve balance. These are critical areas for older folks especially, and both men and women can benefit. Power up the protein. This nutrient is an essential part of your eating plan, and can make up anywhere from 10%-35% of your total calories. Protein lasts a long time in your belly; combine it with high-fiber foods and you'll feel full on fewer calories. Enjoy small portions of nuts, low-fat dairy, beans, lean meat, poultry, or fish. Last but not least, have a positive attitude. Do your best to look at life as if "the glass is half full." You must believe in yourself, have good support systems, and think positively ("I think I can, I think I can…") to succeed. It's All about You Your list of healthy lifestyle behaviors may be different from mine. The most important thing to remember is that you can make a difference in your health and well-being. Take charge of your life, and be mindful of small behavior changes that can make your lifestyle a healthier one.

The president of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba, on Thursday appointed the country's first woman prime minister, Rose Christiane Ossouka Raponda. The 56-year-old has been promoted from the defence ministry and takes over from Julien Nkoghe Bekale, who was appointed premier in January 2019. In a statement, the president's office said her mission will include "ensuring (Gabon's) economic relaunch and necessary social support in the light of the world crisis linked to COVID-19" Heavily dependent on income from oil, the central African state has been badly hit by the slump in the price of crude as well as the impact of the new coronavirus on trade. Oussouka Raponda is an economist by training who graduated from the Gabonese Institute of Economy and Finance, specialising in public finance. She became budget minister in 2012 and then the first female mayor of the capital Libreville in 2014, as a candidate for Bongo's Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG). Her new appointment comes at a time when opposition and civil society leaders are once more openly questioning Bongo's fitness to govern after he suffered a stroke in October 2018. He spent months abroad for treatment, and during this time the country was rocked by an attempted coup, in January 2019. The putsch bid lasted only a matter of hours, but was followed by a reshuffle that installed Nkoghe Bekale as prime minister and Ossouka Raponda as defence minister. Several months later, the authorities launched a vast anti-corruption drive that led to the incarceration of Bongo's right-hand man Brice Laccruche Alihanga and 20 associates, including four former ministers. Bongo was elected in 2009 after the death of his father Omar who led the country for 42 years. The president reappeared in the media on Monday after several weeks of absence, pictured at a meeting of heads of the various branches of the armed forces and police.

Italy on Tuesday returned to France a stolen artwork by British artist Banksy that was painted as a tribute to the victims of the 2015 Paris attacks at the Bataclan music hall. The chief prosecutor in charge of the investigation, Michele Renzo, told the French ambassador that it was significant that the handover was occurring on Bastille Day, given the need to continue fighting for all freedoms. “This door brings our minds back to the memory of the tragic and distressing event, and tells us that for liberty, for our individual liberties, we will always have to fight,” Renzo said at a ceremony in the French Embassy, where the artwork was being displayed for the holiday. French officials last year had announced the theft of the piece, a black image appearing to depict a person mourning that was painted on one of the Bataclan’s emergency exit doors. Ninety people were killed at the Bataclan on Nov. 13, 2015, when Islamic extremists invaded the music hall, one of several targets that night in which a total of 130 people died. Italian authorities had announced last month that they had discovered the painted door in an attic in a country home in Abruzzo. French Ambassador Christian Masset said the door was a “witness” to the attack but also an escape route. “Through this door which was an emergency exit, many people managed to escape,” he said. “Thanks to this door more lives were saved.” Standing next to the piece after it was unveiled, Renzo said Italy was proud to return the painting to its rightful owners. “Recovering this symbol, handing it back to the public’s emotion was for us a commitment and today is a great honor,” said Renzo, chief prosecutor in L'Aquila.

Living with an animal is a lot like living with a human friend: it's important to set clear boundaries, treat each other with respect, acknowledge one another’s needs, and spend quality time together. Unlike living with a human friend, however, your pet depends on you for food, health, care and affection, among other things. The specific ways in which you become friends with your pet will differ depending on what sort of animal you have. Be calm. This one is pretty self-explanatory. Breathe regularly, make your movements smooth and slow (though not so slow that they look abnormal, as this will also freak some animals out), and speak in a calm, normal voice. Avoid being loud. Just think how you would feel if someone seemed to be nervous around you, was fidgeting a lot and speaking loudly and nervously, and making quick, jerky movements. This would make most people feel at least a little nervous — it’s the same for animals. Try to always be calm when dealing with your pets, no matter what they’ve done. If you’re very upset at them, take a moment to calm yourself down before dealing with them. You want them to respect you, not fear you. 2. Be patient. Realize that it could take some time to build a lasting bond with your pet. Some animals, like puppies and kittens, might naturally be more easy around you than smaller mammals and reptiles, who might be more prone to defensive behaviour. If your pet doesn’t warm up to you right away, give it time. With consistent, kind, respectful behaviour, and the appropriate use of treats, you should be able to win it over. 3. Be consistent. Be consistent in everything you do, from feeding to training, and everything in between. Pets are like children in that they need consistency and structure in order to feel safe and secure. When they know what they can expect from you, your pets are more likely to feel comfortable around you (unless what they can expect from you is unpredictable, aggressive behaviour … which they won’t like).

Ethiopia has seen deadly unrest since Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa was shot dead at the end of June, with Oromos denouncing their marginalisation within a country that many experts are saying is becoming an authoritarian regime once more – despite the election of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. Oromos in Paris gathered to protest on Monday. As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital, near the ultimate symbol of protest, the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear. Placards and banners read “Free all political prisoners”, “Abiy Ahmed, dictator” and “Justice for Hachulu” The demonstration was organised in response to the killing of po[CENSORED]r singer Hachalu Hundessa, who was seen as a crucial voice for the Oromo people in Ethiopian politics. The day after he was shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa, crowds of demonstrators converged on several big cities – especially in the Oromia region, which surrounds the capital. Violence soon flared, with at least 239 people killed in the protests that shook Ethiopia last week, according to the country’s police. Authorities said some people were killed during the security crackdown while other were killed in clashes between different ethnic groups. More than 3,500 suspects were arrested. The Oromo demonstrating in Paris were worried about this crackdown and expressed support for sweeping political change. “We need equality and justice in our country,” said Mussa, a 25 year-old migrant from Ethiopia. Notably, a statement from the association organising the demonstration said that Hundessa was murdered “on government orders”, motivated by the fact that “He was Oromo”. Since then there has been a twist in the case. On Friday, Ethiopian Attorney-General Abebech Abbebe said that “the assassination was intended to be a cover to take power from the incumbent by force”, without providing details. FIGHT THE FAKE Coronavirus notice • View the recommendations and information for travellers issued by the French Government → / Africa Oromos say Ethiopia has become a ‘dangerous country for us’ at Paris rally Issued on: 12/07/2020 - 12:56 As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital, in the east of the city near the ultimate symbol of protest, the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear. Placards and banners read “Free all political prisoners”, “Abiy Ahmed, dictator” and “Justice for Hachulu”. As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital, in the east of the city near the ultimate symbol of protest, the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear. Placards and banners read “Free all political prisoners”, “Abiy Ahmed, dictator” and “Justice for Hachulu”. © Tiffany Fillon, France 24 Text by: Tiffany FILLON 3 min Ethiopia has seen deadly unrest since Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa was shot dead at the end of June, with Oromos denouncing their marginalisation within a country that many experts are saying is becoming an authoritarian regime once more – despite the election of Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in 2018. Oromos in Paris gathered to protest on Monday. ADVERTISING As they gathered around the statue holding aloft the flame of liberty at Place de la République – a major site for demonstrations in the French capital, near the ultimate symbol of protest, the Bastille – the Oromo protesters made their anger clear. Placards and banners read “Free all political prisoners”, “Abiy Ahmed, dictator” and “Justice for Hachulu”. The demonstration was organised in response to the killing of po[CENSORED]r singer Hachalu Hundessa, who was seen as a crucial voice for the Oromo people in Ethiopian politics. The day after he was shot dead in the capital Addis Ababa, crowds of demonstrators converged on several big cities – especially in the Oromia region, which surrounds the capital. Violence soon flared, with at least 239 people killed in the protests that shook Ethiopia last week, according to the country’s police. Authorities said some people were killed during the security crackdown while other were killed in clashes between different ethnic groups. More than 3,500 suspects were arrested. The Oromo demonstrating in Paris were worried about this crackdown and expressed support for sweeping political change. “We need equality and justice in our country,” said Mussa, a 25 year-old migrant from Ethiopia. Notably, a statement from the association organising the demonstration said that Hundessa was murdered “on government orders”, motivated by the fact that “He was Oromo”. Since then there has been a twist in the case. On Friday, Ethiopian Attorney-General Abebech Abbebe said that “the assassination was intended to be a cover to take power from the incumbent by force”, without providing details. Intra-Oromo ‘civil war’ Abiy Ahmed is himself an Oromo. But the community is divided. “There’s a civil war going on within the Oromo group at the moment,” said Ethiopia specialist René Lefort. “Oromo are fighting against other Oromo; there are those who support Ahmed and those who have taken up arms against the government,” Lefort said. At Place de la République, one protester who gave her name as Duniya argued that Ahmed has not done enough for the Oromo: “We thought that Abiy Ahmed supported our cause because he is Oromo, but over the past year Ethiopia has became a dangerous country for us,” she said. This is part of a broader “repression of human rights, which affects everyone in the country”, added Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International Researcher on Ethiopia. Ethiopia is becoming “more and more of an authoritarian regime”, Lefort said. He noted in particular the “thousands of political prisoners locked up all over the country” and “a press that’s starting to censor itself”. The demonstrators in Paris also denounced these abuses. “The internet has been cut off in Ethiopia since June 30; we don’t know how our families are,” Mussa said. “We don’t know what’s going on in Ethiopia from day to day,” Duniya added. Ahmed was not always such a divisive figure. In April 2018, his electoral victory was seen as heralding a brave new world – with the release of thousands of prisoners, the lifting of bans on hitherto repressed opposition parties and the repeal of illiberal laws. To cap it all off, Abiy was awarded the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize for creating a peace deal to end longstanding conflict with neighbouring Eritrea. But modern Ethiopia’s first-ever Oromo leader has failed to maintain the soaring po[CENSORED]rity that characterised his honeymoon period, especially amongst the Oromo ethnic group. “Ahmed has done nothing to stop the country from being torn apart by inter-ethnic conflicts,” Lefort said. “His main objective is to assert his power.”

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Until now, scientists didn't know that the canines understand both our words and the tone in which we say them. It doesn't take a scientific study for dog owners to believe that their pets know what they're saying. (We cat owners are a little less certain.) But it’s not always clear exactly what Fido is paying attention to. When we say “Good dog!” dogs hear both the words we say and how we say them, new brain scans show. For people, both the word and intonation are important, but no one knew—until now—whether that was also the case for dogs. (See "Dogs Are Even More Like Us Than We Thought.") In a study published August 29 in Science, scientists found the canine brain also processes the information in a similar way as humans. “I’m quite excited by this finding. It’s really exciting to see such close correspondence between brain activity in humans and dogs,” said Chris Petkov, a neuropsychologist at the U.K.'s University of Newcastle who was not involved in the study. Dog Brains Are a Lot Like Ours Study leader and dog lover Attila Andics started studying canines as a way to understand how the mammalian brain processes language. The first step was not an easy one: Training dogs to remain absolutely still in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner. It took several months for dog trainers to work their magic on 13 pet dogs that live in Hungary, including six border collies, four golden retrievers, one German shepherd, and one Chinese crested. “The hardest part was getting them to understand that they needed to lie absolutely still. Once they realized that we meant completely still, it worked out great,” says Andics, an ethologist at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary. (See "Can Dogs Feel Our Emotions? Yawn Study Suggests Yes.") 'That's a Good Dog' So with the same group of 13 dogs, Andics and colleagues played recordings of their owners talking in four different ways: A praising word (such as the Hungarian word for “clever” or “that’s it”) in a praising tone, a neutral word in a neutral tone, a praising word in a neutral tone, and a neutral word in a praising tone. His neuroimaging results showed that the left hemisphere of the dogs’ brains responded to the word itself, and that their right hemisphere responded to intonation. (See "5 Amazing Stories of Devoted Dogs.")

Not only does Covid-19 damage the lungs, heart and kidneys, it can also cause severe brain damage – with patients suffering neurological conditions including paranoia and hallucinations, a British scientific study has revealed. Following her discharge from hospital after being treated for symptoms of Covid-19, a 55 year-old British woman started hallucinating, seeing monkeys and lions in her house. She started suffering from a persecution complex, and was possessed by a compulsion to repeatedly take off and put on her coat. She was one of 43 patients with severe neurological complications from Covid-19 studied by British scientists, for a study published on July 8 in the neurological publication Brain. This report reinforced the growing scientific consensus about the severe brain damage the coronavirus can cause. “We had to wait for the virus to come over to Europe from China before scientists in Italy could tell us about its neurological effects,” said Pierre-Marie Lledo, director of the Department of Neuroscience at the Institut Pasteur, the renowned medical research centre in Paris. At the outset of the pandemic, the first salient finding in this domain was the loss of taste and smell amongst those suffering from the coronavirus. The new study “makes it possible to the see more clearly the kind of neurological damage Covid-19 causes”, Lledo noted. There is a wide variety of problems it creates. The British scientists behind the Brain study have found that it can provoke strokes, different types of encephalitis, ADEM (an acute inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that usually affects children), and Guillan Barré syndrome (a condition that attacks the nervous system and causes paralysis). These complications – which only seem to affect a small number of those infected with the virus – can occur up to six days before and 14 days after the onset of the more common Covid-19 symptoms such as a dry cough or fever. These findings suggest that Covid-19 has a “neurotropic inclination, meaning that it attacks neurons”, Lledo continued. The best-known neurotropic virus is rabies, which attacks the central nervous system almost exclusively. The fact that Covid-19 is primarily a respiratory illness in no way prevents it from having this neurological aspect. “We know that the receptor which allows Covid-19 to enter cells is present in the respiratory tract, but it is also present in cells of other organs, such as the brain and liver,” said Nicholas Locker, a professor of virology at the University of Surrey. “It’s quite common for a virus to be able to migrate, so it’s not surprising that Covid-19 causes brain damage,” he continued. Covid-19 is not the first case of a virus that attacks the brain. One of previous pandemics to take the world by storm, the 1918-19 Spanish flu, caused serious neurological complications. Similarly, the Zika virus, which travels through the blood, has been shown to cause forms of brain damage such as microcephaly. During previous pandemics of coronaviruses – such as SARS in 2002 and MERS in 2012 – “there were signs of repercussions on the brain, although not enough” for a sufficiently clear picture, Lledo said. What surprised the British researchers was that, for some of the hospitalised patients, “the pulmonary symptoms were relatively weak, while the neurological symptoms were severe”, Lledo said. This was notably the case for a woman in her sixties, already suffering from symptoms of cognitive decline, who was admitted to the hospital after a series of hallucinations. The damage to her brain was worse than the damage to her lungs. However, the British study doesn’t give any indications as to whether people who are asymptomatic or are showing only mild symptoms risk developing serious neurological complications. “The researchers were looking specifically at what was happening in patients who were already very ill,” Locker said. The sample size was also too small to allow scientists to make an assessment on this point. The fact that some of these patients developed neurological complications up to two weeks after the onset of symptoms of Covid-19 suggests that “we’ll need to monitor patients more closely after they’ve hospital to take this risk into account”, Locker noted.

Alfa Romeo dévoile, lors d’une conférence de presse virtuelle, les évolutions apportées à ses produits phares, la Giulia Quadrifoglio et le Stelvio Quadrifoglio. Les Giulia et Stelvio Quadrifoglio MY20 constituent toujours la vitrine de l’excellence Alfa Romeo et expriment toujours plus performances et style italien. Le renouvellement des gammes Giulia et Stelvio, initié au début de cette année, s’achève donc avec l’arrivée de ces versions Quadrifoglio dont les performances, toujours au sommet de leur catégorie, sont assurées sans changement par le puissant moteur bi-turbo 2.9 V6 capable de délivrer 510 ch et 600 Nm de couple maximum à 2500 tr/min, associé à une boîte de vitesses automatique à 8 rapports et, sur le Stelvio à la transmission intégrale Q4. Comme sur les versions standards MY20, les variantes Qaudrifoglio de la Giulia et du Stelvio bénéficient de nouveaux systèmes d’assistance au conducteur ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), permettant une conduite autonome de niveau 2 et développés en collaboration avec Bosch, comme l’Aide au maintien de la trajectoire, le système de surveillance des angles morts, et autre régulateur de vitesse actif qui, en conjonction avec le système de reconnaissance des panneaux de signalisation, permet d’ajuster la vitesse définie en fonction des limitations. Esthétiquement, l’extérieur se contente de nouveaux feux arrière à LED surteintés brunis et une nouvelle finition noire brillante pour le trilobo avant et les badges arrière. De nouvelles teintes sont également proposées avec un inédit Vert Montreal et de nouvelles jantes de 21’’ spécifiques à la Quadrifoglio font leur apparition sur Stelvio. Pour rehausser plus encore le caractère sportif des Alfa Romeo Giulia et Alfa Romeo Stelvio, la marque Mopar a créé une nouvelle gamme d’accessoires Quadrifoglio exclusive, qui comprend notamment un système d’échappement haute performance inédit créé en coopération avec Akrapovič, un kit de feux arrière surteintés brunis ou des éléments en carbone tels le V de la calandre avant, les coques de rétroviseurs ou un becquet arrière. Pour le millésime 2020, de nombreuses évolutions ont été apportées : dans l’habitacle, le nouveau design de la console centrale apporte une meilleure qualité perçue visuelle et sonore ainsi que des espaces de rangement complémentaires. Le volant et le levier de vitesses, ce dernier désormais recouvert de cuir, ont été revus alors que les ceintures de sécurité sont maintenant disponibles non seulement en noir, mais également en rouge ou vert (en option). Prochainement, un nouveau revêtement en cuir micro-perforé sera proposé en option pour les sièges sport à réglages électriques. Cette option élargira les possibilités de personnalisation des Giulia et Stelvio Quadrifoglio, qui continuent par ailleurs à être équipés en série de sièges sport en cuir et en Alcantara ou, en option, des sièges sport Sparco avec coque carbone. La technologie embarquée s’enrichit d’un tout nouveau système d’infodivertissement avec écran central de 8,8’’ désormais tactile, dont l’interface paramétrable via des widgets est totalement repensée. Parmi les nouvelles fonctionnalités exclusivement dédiées aux Quadrifoglio, citons les écrans dédiés au contrôle des performances, qui permettent de visualiser les conditions de fonctionnement de la voiture en temps réel : températures des principaux systèmes mécaniques, répartition du couple, pression turbo et puissance utilisée -ainsi que des chronométrages numériques mesurant accélérations et vitesse maximale.