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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday joined the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in observing the first International Day to Combat Islamophobia. At a meeting of the OIC foreign ministers held on Nov 27 last year in Niamey, Niger, Pakistan presented a resolution to designate March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The resolution was unanimously adopted by the OIC foreign ministers. The OIC is now working with the international community to commemorate the day at the global level In a statement issued here on Monday, the Foreign Office said the OIC’s unanimous support for the designation of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia was a reflection of sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world. The OIC will organise a top-level event in New York on March 17 to mark the occasion. “The scourge of Islamophobia, fuelled by hate speech and lack of knowledge and disinformation, is causing unimaginable suffering to Muslim minorities around the world,” the FO statement said. It said that Islamophobia had taken many forms, including negative profiling, mob lynching by cow vigilantes, discriminatory laws, attacks on women for wearing hijab, ban on minarets, negative propaganda and disinformation campaigns, manifestos of far-right parties, deliberate vandalism of Islamic symbols, and holy sites and attempts to link and equate Islam with terrorism.“Such acts imperil our shared aspirations for a peaceful world and harmonious future for all,” the statement said. The FO said that Pakistan had always supported and continued to lead international efforts for building bridges between cultures and civilisations. “Through the observance of this day, we want to build a better understanding of Islam and Islamic precepts,” it said. “We intend to send a message of international solidarity and cooperation. We remain determined to promote values of peaceful co-existence as well as inter-faith and cultural harmony,” the Foreign Office said.

Kia has revealed its new electric only EV6 crossover, a car that ushers in a new design direction for the Korean brand, representing its “shifting focus towards electrification.” The Kia EV6 is the first in a line of new electric only cars as part of the brand’s Plan S business plan, which will see it launch seven new EVs by 2027, all of which will use the EV prefix. The EV6 is Kia’s first car based on its new E-GMP electric car platform and we can see from the pictures that the front-end styling reflects its power source, with a very slim grille flanked by headlights that wrap around onto the front wings. Electric cars need very little airflow as the hardware doesn’t need cooling like a combustion-engined car. Despite the compact drivetrain, the EV6’s bonnet has a pronounced sporty-looking dome, flowing back to the heavily raked windscreen. The coupe-like roofline tapers to a chopped-off tail to help aerodynamic performance. The EV6 embodies Kia’s latest design direction under the philosophy of ‘Opposites United’. This is formed of five key design pillars that Kia calls: Bold for Nature, Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, Tension for Serenity. According to Kia, these five areas are the inspiration behind the EV6’s shape and proportions, the car’s feel and ambience, the evolution of the brand’s design strengths, its adoption of new technology and innovations (including the power source, of course), and the balance of the car’s look respectively. The EV6’s E-GMP underpinnings have also allowed Kia plenty of freedom with the interior design, as packaging has been optimised for the car’s battery and electric motor, freeing up more space inside. One of the interior’s key elements is a new infotainment system, called the Audio Visual and Navigation (AVN) screen. This high-definition curved panel looks ultra-modern and evolves Kia’s infotainment further. Its current cars’ systems are strong, so we’re hoping for further improvements here, too. Along with the wide, curved screen, the slim dashboard houses a digital driver display and the climate controls, which use ‘buttons’ that give haptic feedback. Below the air-conditioning controls, the dash slopes away towards the front of the car “creating a sense of space and openness,” according to Kia. The front seats are slim and lightweight, and trimmed in environmentally friendly fabric made from recycled plastic. Kia has moved leaps and bounds in design terms over the last 15 years since the brand hired designer Peter Schreyer in 2006. The German stylist revamped Kia’s line-up for the European market before leaving the brand in 2018, with Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia’s Global Design Centre, responsible for the new look. “EV6, as the first dedicated Kia EV, is a showcase of human-centred, progressive design and electrified power. We strongly believe EV6 is a compelling and relevant model for the new EV market,” he said.

Chicago's city life suited Anna Johnson, who lived downtown for about 10 years, working as a digital producer at an advertising agency. But when the pandemic dragged on beyond a few weeks and the glitzy city closed its doors, the independent life became too quiet. "I started to feel really lonely in my apartment by myself, and I just kind of felt trapped," Johnson says. She decided in June to move back in with her parents who live about two hours away from the city in Rockford, Ill. Johnson says the move has been good for her, mentally and also financially. In the early days of the pandemic, many people escaped crammed apartments in crowded cities to airy suburbs and more open locales to escape the deadly disease. And as remote work became an option for many, people suddenly felt that they had more freedom to choose where they lived and they no longer had to be tethered to where their employers were located. And just like that, 2020 made moving a reality for millions of Americans. Some, like Johnson, moved in with their parents to be around family and even save on rent. For others, it finally gave them the excuse to give serious attention to pre-pandemic pipe dreams, such as moving to distant locations across the country in pursuit of a better lifestyle and a cheaper cost of living. Indeed, 33% of people who moved during the pandemic did so for financial reasons, according to a study conducted by Pew Research Center. "A third of adults told us that money troubles of some kind, including the fact that they lost their job, was the main reason driving them to move on account of the virus," says D'Vera Cohn, senior writer and editor at Pew Research Center. The moves were most dramatic in the largest, most expensive, and most densely po[CENSORED]ted cities, like New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. An analysis of U.S. Postal Service change-of-address data from February to July of last year found that there was a five-fold increase in moves out of New York City's Manhattan and Brooklyn buroughs. Overall in the country, temporary change-of-address requests were up almost 27% in that time period, according to MYMOVE, which analyzed the data. There's expectations that these moves could continue. Real estate brokerage firm Redfin found in a recent survey that a third of homebuyers and sellers would consider moving to a different city or area if remote work becomes permanent. Some people have already moved thousands of miles away. Chandra Prater, a stay-at-home mom, and her husband had talked for years of leaving Los Angeles, where they lived with their kid and pets. The pandemic had been especially hard on their 10-year-old daughter. The sudden adjustment of being in the home all the time left her feeling isolated. "She became so depressed she wouldn't eat or get out of bed," Prater says. "No 10-year-old should live like that. It was completely heartbreaking." Her husband, who works in information technology, started working from home in March last year. Moving out of Los Angeles was already on their minds and the oppressive heat of the summer had started to weigh on them. But the couple didn't consider it seriously until his company said he'd probably never need to be in the office as much as before. That took the pressure off and made the decision to move easier. So, Prater, her husband, their daughter, five cats, and their duck packed up and moved to Olympia, Wash. Prater's daughter and their duck love the rain, so far. "She loves being able to be in nature. One of the first times it rained, after we moved here, she just went out in stretch pants and a T-shirt to play in the rain," Prater says, noting that her daughter is happier.

Nearly a year to the day after Covid-19 grounded tours and forced performance venues to close, the music world will celebrate its stars at the Grammys on Sunday, and try to move past a crushing 2020. The normally glitzy gala will be scaled back, like all major awards shows, to a primarily virtual affair, with a mix of live and pre-taped performances in keeping with restrictions now commonplace in the coronavirus era, which left the industry flailing and forced the ceremony to be pushed back. Beyonce -- whose repeated losses in the top categories have stirred heated controversy -- leads the pack with nine nods, followed by Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Roddy Ricch with six each. Beyonce’s sweeping "Black Parade" -- released in June amid explosive nationwide anti-racism protests, after another spate of deadly police violence targeting Black Americans -- is up for Record and Song of the Year honors. Many critics nevertheless favor the chances of Lipa, who took a big risk in dropping a sparkly disco ball of a dance album just as the pandemic took hold -- a bet that paid off. Swift -- a onetime Grammys darling who hasn’t won in five years -- bagged a handful of nominations for releasing her surprise quarantine album "folklore", a commercial and critical hit. And rapper Ricch -- who won a trophy last year for his collaboration with the late artist Nipsey Hussle -- is a strong contender, including for Song of the Year, which honours songwriting, for his hit "The Box". Bluesy rocker Brittany Howard -- known for fronting the band Alabama Shakes -- seized the spotlight on her own with her first solo album "Jaime", which earned five nominations. She is among the top candidates in the rock categories, which for the first time are almost all dominated by female nominees. Last year’s big winner Billie Eilish could strike gold again, while Post Malone, Justin Bieber and rapper DaBaby are all also in the mix. And "hot girl summer" queen Megan Thee Stallion is likely to slay, with four nominations including for Best New Artist. The remix of her wildly po[CENSORED]r song "Savage" featuring Beyonce is up for several awards including Record of the Year -- a collaboration that helped Queen Bey jump to the front of the pack. Also eyeing Best New Artist honors is Phoebe Bridgers, the Californian indie artist who is one of the women leading the charge in the rock categories. But it wouldn’t be the Grammys without controversy. The Weeknd has pledged to stop submitting music for awards consideration after he surprisingly received no nominations, despite a big year commercially. The Canadian superstar follows in the path of artists like Frank Ocean and Drake, who have turned up their nose at an institution they say fails Black artists and women. On Friday night, MusiCares -- the philanthropic arm of the Recording Academy that focuses on assisting music industry members with mental health and financial hardship -- held its annual star-studded fundraising event, with artists including Elton John Zooming in for the cause. "This year’s mission feels more urgent," the British legend said of the normally black-tie gala that also was shifted online. Ringo Starr, Mick Fleetwood, Shakira, Bonnie Raitt and Gloria Estefan were among the music greats urging donations to the fund after a year that left the industry in freefall. The event relied on a mix of recorded performances from past years, from the likes of Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, along with fresh shows from artists including John Legend, and Album of the Year nominees Haim and Jhene Aiko.

Tesla caught the automotive world napping when it burst on to the scene in 2012 with the Model S. The US electric car start-up demonstrated that there was a serious appetite for EVs with a premium price tag, and ever since then car makers around the world have been frantically developing competitors to cash in on this increasingly lucrative market. Advertisement - Article continues below The Ford Mustang Mach-E is one of them, and also one of the most important new Fords that we have seen for a generation. Its significance is demonstrated by the Mustang name that Ford has bestowed it with – one of the most recognisable in the industry. Best electric cars Best electric cars to buy 2021 To put this crucial new electric crossover to the test, there’s only one car for the job: the Tesla Model 3. A former Auto Express Car of the Year, the baby Tesla sets the benchmark when it comes to premium, desirable and attainable electric motoring. In Standard Range Plus guise, the Model 3 matches the Mustang Mach-E RWD Standard Range for power, range and price. Both cars develop around 265bhp, they can cover up to 270 miles on a single charge, and a little over £3,000 separates them on price. Let’s see which one comes out on top.

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) – We’ve all heard that eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep are important for good health, but other lifestyle behaviors can affect your well-being too! One common culprit, artificial sweeteners. They have zero calories, but they can also destroy and alter gut bacteria. The way you sleep may also affect your health. Sleeping on your side in the fetal position might be comfortable, but it can lead to back pain and problems with your lungs. According to The National Sleep Foundation, the best position is on your back. Prolonged sitting, even if you exercise daily, can affect your health. Try setting a timer to remind you to get up and walk around as much as possible and get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.Additionally, avoid Teflon pans, they contain a chemical that’s been linked to thyroid conditions, kidney problems, testicular cancer and low birth weight. Deodorant that contains aluminum might also increase your risk for breast cancer. Not drinking enough water is another mistake many people make. Dehydration can lead to high blood pressure and kidney stones. The Institute of Medicine of The National Academies of Sciences recommends 11 to 16 cups of water per day. Contributor(s) to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Robert Walko, Videographer; Robert Walko, Editor. To receive a free weekly email on Smart Living from Ivanhoe.

ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Canada's Marion Thenault captured her first World Cup aerials victory of her career on Saturday, while teammate Lewis Irving won bronze in the men's event. Thenault, a 20-year-old from Sherbrooke, Que., scored 89.ALMATY, Kazakhstan — Canada's Marion Thenault captured her first World Cup aerials victory of her career on Saturday, while teammate Lewis Irving won bronze in the men's event. Thenault, a 20-year-old from Sherbrooke, Que., scored 89.88 points after landing a double-full full in the super finals, beating Russia's Liubov Nikitina (86.36) and Zhanbota Aldabergenova of Kazakhstan (84.99). "Honestly, it just feels amazing," Thenault said. "I felt so proud and overwhelmed with emotions on the moment. I showed what I was able to do. I am still on a cloud right now." Thenault, whose previous best was a bronze in January in Moscow, shared World Cup rookie of the year honours with Ukraine's Dmytro Kotovskyi. She finished third in the overall standings. Irving, a 25-year-old from Quebec City, nailed a full double-full full in the super final to take bronze, his sixth World Cup podium finish of his career. "Marion and I had discussed all year finishing on the podium together and we finally got it done," Irving said. "The season hasn't been easy, so to end on such a good note is great. I'm looking forward to getting home and getting some well-deserved rest." Swiss skiers Pirmin Werner and Nicolas Gygax finished 1-2. The World Cup freestyle season wraps up Sunday in Almaty with a dual moguls event. This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 13, 2021. The Canadian Press

SEOUL -- The gap between winners and losers in South Korea's auto industry is widening as Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors leave their weaker rivals in the dust. While earnings at Hyundai and Kia are recovering from the downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, GM Korea, the local subsidiary of General Motors, Renault Samsung Motors and SsangYong Motor, which is owned by Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra, are struggling to stay afloat. The pandemic has underscored the diverging fortunes of the two leaders and the laggards. SsangYong Motor filed for court receivership in December 2020, while Renault Samsung saw its production plunge 31% last year as one of its biggest manufacturing contracts expired. On Feb. 3, SsangYong's Pyeongtaek plant suspended operations due to "disruptions caused by parts suppliers' refusal to deliver products," according to the carmaker. The company was unable to meet demand for cash payments from suppliers. The plant has since restarted, but still shuts down from time to time due to a shortage of components. SsangYong was forced to cease production for the same reason late last year. Worries about its creditworthiness grew after it missed loan repayments and sought a reprieve by filing for receivership with the bankruptcy court in Seoul on Dec. 21. Mahindra & Mahindra, which owns 75% of SsangYong, and its main creditor, Korea Development Bank, are looking for sponsors. The Indian parent said it will help put the South Korean automaker back to its feet by striking a quick deal with stakeholders. But negotiations over the company's restructuring are not going well as the troubled company failed to attract much interest from potential investors. During the past two decades or so, SsangYong Motor has lurched from one setback to the next. After the SsangYong conglomerate fell victim of the 1997 Asian currency crisis, the group's key automaking unit was sold to China's SAIC Motor in 2004. But SsangYong failed to gain traction and was put into receivership in 2009. It was sold to Mahindra in 2011 and has since been trying to turn itself around, to little avail. Its output in 2020 plunged 20% from the previous year to 106,000 vehicles. A shortage of capital has hobbled its efforts to roll out new models, further depressing sales. Unless a new sponsor emerges, the company could drift toward liquidation, said one industry observer. Renault Samsung, which is 80% owned by Renault of France, posted an even steeper decline in production. Since it was sold by the Samsung group to the French automaker in 2000, it has maintained output by manufacturing cars for the Renault group. It used to produce about 100,000 Nissan Rogues a year at its sole factory in Busan, but the French-Japanese alliance discontinued the contract last year as part of its groupwide restructuring, causing Renault Samsung's output to sink 31%. One factor behind Renault's decision to let the contract expire was the plant's combative labor union. The union moved forward with a strike even as the company was negotiating with its parent to find replacement models to produce, baffling Renault executives. With the negotiations for a new contract going nowhere, the outlook for the automaker remains murky. Although GM Korea has seen a smaller drop in production, it is also at a crossroads. GM has announced that it will stop making gasoline-powered vehicles by 2035. GM's plant in South Korea has never produced electric vehicles, which means the local subsidiary could face a sharp drop in output as its parent shifts its focus to EVs. Like Renault Samsung, GM Korea has been beset by its militant labor union. Workers walked off the job as the company was going through a rough patch, prompting GM's management to postpone an investment of some $180 million to produce a new SUV. Because domestic demand alone is insufficient to keep the company in the black, it faces tough negotiations with its U.S. parent. One common thread for the weaker producers is a failure to adapt to the shift to CASE -- connected, autonomous, shared and electric -- mobility. Despite their affiliations with big global carmakers, Renault Samsung and GM Korea are grappling with uncertainty due to their parents' restructuring. The outlook for SsangYong, which makes a little over 100,000 vehicles annually, also remains bleak. Even Hyundai, the country's top automaker, and affiliate Kia have had to team up with foreign manufacturers to secure the research and development funds needed in a changing industry. Last year, South Korea's domestic auto production fell 11% to 3.5 million vehicles, with exports shrinking. Given continued weak demand, the country's auto industry will likely keep struggling, with the three cash-strapped automakers stuck in a deep hole.

Overweight low-income mothers of young kids ate fewer fast-food meals and high-fat snacks after participating in a study - not because researchers told them what not to eat, but because the lifestyle intervention being evaluated helped lower the moms' stress, research suggests. The 16-week program was aimed at preventing weight gain by promoting stress management, healthy eating and physical activity. The methods to get there were simple steps tucked into lessons on time management and prioritizing, many demonstrated in a series of videos featuring mothers like those participating in the study. "Many of these women are aware of feeling impatient, and having head and neck pain and trouble sleeping - but they don't know those are signs of stress." An analysis of the study data showed that the women's lowered perceived stress after participating in the intervention was the key factor influencing their eventual decrease in consumption of high-fat and fast foods. "It's not that these women didn't want to eat healthier," Chang said. "If you don't know how to manage stress, then when you are so stressed out, why would you care about what you eat?" The research is published in a recent issue of the journal Nutrients. The 338 participants, overweight or obese moms between the ages of 18 and 39, were recruited from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which serves low-income mothers and children up to age 5. Those eligible for the program must have an annual household income no higher than 185 percent of the federal poverty line. Chang said these women are likely to face a number of challenges that could cause them stress: financial difficulties, living in run-down neighborhoods, frequent moves, unstable romantic relationships and households bustling with little kids. It's also common for this po[CENSORED]tion to retain 10 or more pounds of pregnancy weight after childbirth and risk life-long obesity and potential problems for themselves and new babies if they become pregnant again. During the trial, the 212 participants randomized into the intervention group watched a total of 10 videos in which women like them gave unscripted testimonials about healthy eating and food preparation, managing their stress and being physically active. Participants also dialed in to 10 peer support group teleconferences over the course of the study. Chang and colleagues previously reported that as a group, the women in the intervention arm of the study were more likely to have reduced their fat consumption than women in a comparison group who were given print materials about lifestyle change. This newer analysis showed that the intervention's lessons alone did not directly affect that change in diet. When the researchers assessed the potential role of stress as a mediator, the indirect effect of the intervention - reducing participants' perceived stress - was associated with less consumption of high-fat foods, including fast food. A 1-point reduction in the scale measuring stress was linked to a nearly 7% reduction in how frequently the women ate high-fat foods. The intervention focused on showing the women examples of how they could achieve a healthier and less stressful lifestyle rather than telling them what they had to change. "I learned a lot from those women," Chang said. "Everything needs to be practical and applicable to daily life - anytime, anywhere." Some examples: Comparing a bag of chips to a bag of apples - the chips might be half the price, but they supply far fewer family snacks. Or using a household responsibility chart to assign tasks to young children, and encouraging moms to reward kids with a hug or individual attention when they follow the instructions. And taking deep breaths to counter the feeling of being overwhelmed. When it came to stress management, the researchers focused on advising the women to shift their thinking, and not to blame themselves when things go wrong, rather than to take on solving the problems that caused them stress. "We raised their awareness about stressors in their lives, and unfortunately a lot of these problems are not within their control," Chang said. "So we teach them ways to control their negative emotions - remember that this is temporary, and you can get through it. And give them confidence to look to the future."

An adventure athlete who cycled the world and survived falling down a mountain in India has been killed by a bus near his home in northern Israel. Roei Sadan, known affectionately as "Jinji", was 39 years old. From 2007 to 2011, Mr Sadan cycled across 42 countries on six continents. He was hit by a United Tours bus while cycling near the entrance to Kibbutz Rosh Hanikra, where he lived, on Wednesday at about 14:30 local time (12:30 GMT). He was admitted to Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, where he was in a critical condition until he died on Friday, Israeli Hebrew-language media reported. In 2010, three years into his cycle around the world, Mr Sadan wrote in The Jerusalem Post: "While I cycle across continents, I am not alone. I visit Israeli embassies around the globe, I give lectures at schools and I tell the world about Israel... Some call me the 'ambassador on wheels'." His route went from northern Alaska down the west coast of North, then Central, then South America. He then cycled from the tip of South Africa up to Ethiopia, and then to Israel for a two-week break. The next leg went across Europe, then across Turkey, then through Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in Central Asia, on to China. Finally, he cycled along the coast of Australia - two weeks of which was on a tandem bike with the blind Israeli cyclist Orly Tal, the Times of Israel reported. Poet of Palestinian displacement dies aged 77 Israel's vaccine rollout linked to infection fall Israel Prize winner accused of sexual assault Five years later, in 2015, he was climbing Stok Kangri mountain in Ladakh, north India, when he slipped on a rock during his descent and fell hundreds of metres. He suffered a concussion and was taken to hospital in Delhi. Once stable he was transferred to a hospital in Israel, where he was in a coma. "I remember the summit, and then I woke up two months later," he told the Times of Israel the following year. He went on to make a miraculous recovery, and begin cycling again.

BEIJING — Tesla’s Model Y is getting off to a solid start in China, less than three months since deliveries began. The mid-size SUV was the third best-selling electric car in February at 4,630 vehicles, according to data released Wednesday by the China Passenger Car Association. Taking January into account, the data showed the car was the ninth-best seller among new energy vehicles, a category that includes electric cars. Tesla announced on New Year’s Day its China-made Model Y would begin deliveries at a price that Chinese media said was 30% cheaper than previously announced. The Model Y was po[CENSORED]r even though car sales typically fall during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, which was in February this year. Nationwide passenger car sales fell 45.5% in February from January, according to the association. For the first two months of the year, that data showed nearly 3.34 million passenger cars have been sold in China, with new energy vehicles accounting for 7.5%. Chinese electric car start-ups Xpeng and Li Auto both announced a sharp drop in deliveries in February to just over 2,000 vehicles each and low forecasts for the first quarter. Rival Nio led the group with roughly twice the deliveries in February and a much higher guidance for the quarter. The three Chinese start-ups’ vehicles rank among the top 15 new energy cars sold in China in the first two months of the year, according to the passenger car association data. Tesla’s Model 3 takes second place But the start-ups still lag bigger automakers in China’s electric vehicle market. First place went to the Hongguang Mini, a low-cost miniature electric car developed by General Motors’ joint venture with Wuling Motors and state-owned SAIC Motor. Tesla’s Model 3 sedan, which was the best-selling electric car in China last year, ranked second for February and the first two months of the year, according to the association’s data. In third place for January and February combined was BYD’s luxury Han sedan, the data showed. The vehicle, which comes in both pure-electric and hybrid models, has surged in po[CENSORED]rity since its launch last summer. Due to reliance on self-reporting, some in China’s auto industry have cast doubt on the accuracy of the association’s figures.

A complete blood count (CBC) test is recommended to identify general infection, iron studies to look for iron deficiency. Since the bone disease is common in women, calcium and vitamin D are recommended. Along with this cholesterol, glucose levels and liver check is also needed," said Dr Prerna Agarwal, technical operations, Apollo Diagnostics Many females experience hormonal fluctuation at some point in their lives. Hormonal imbalance strikes-in when the endocrine gland fails to function appropriately. It occurs owing to diabetes, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, and improper eating habits. Hormonal imbalance causes PCOD, thyroid problems, and infertility. In order to keep the condition at bay, one must stick to a well-balanced diet, get some physical activity, and sleep well, say experts. Dr Kaishreen Khan, obstetrician and gynaecologist, Apollo Clinic Pune says, “Females in the middle-aged group — 20-50 years — encounter hormonal imbalance due to a sedentary lifestyle, mental stress, a high percentage of body fat or an over or underactive thyroid. The symptoms of hormonal imbalance are mood swings, poor sleep, low libido, weight gain, anxiety, tiredness, heavy and painful periods, irregular periods, delayed menses or early menses, excessive facial hair, acne, fatigue, and anxiety. Hormonal imbalance can also cause PCOD and infertility.” Hormones can be termed as messengers in one’s body. They tell you what to do and when. Hormones regulate one’s mood, body temperature, sleep, growth, appetite, stress, metabolism, and reproductive cycles. Hormonal imbalance in females can be seen during puberty, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and menopause. It indicates a fluctuation in one’s estrogen, progesterone, thyroxine, prolactin, and cortisol levels. Many factors give a tough time to the endocrine system causing fluctuation of the hormones. Dr Khan added that the treatment of hormonal imbalance depends on the underlying cause and “may vary from person-to-person”. “Your doctor will be able to determine the right kind of treatment for you. Along with treatment, you will also have to follow some lifestyle modifications such as getting sound sleep at night, exercising daily for half-an-hour, eating a well-balanced diet, and maintaining an optimum weight. Minimise the intake of sugary and packaged foods and schedule regular health check-ups,” she explained. “Opt for blood tests in order to check your overall all health — thyroid, estrogen, prolactin, testosterone, cortisol levels. A complete blood count (CBC) test is recommended to identify general infection, iron studies to look for iron deficiency or anaemia. Since the bone disease is common in women, calcium and vitamin D are recommended. Along with this cholesterol, glucose levels and liver check is also needed,” said Dr Prerna Agarwal, technical operations, Apollo Diagnostics. ALSO READ |Missed or irregular periods? Stress amid the pandemic could be causing it Regular screening of breast and cervical cancer is required to look for tumours, lumps, and cysts. Females should opt for PapSmear tests right from the age of 20, added Dr Agarwal. “Do PapSmear once a year for three consecutive years and if the sample is negative then do it after every three years till you are 65. It is also essential to do breast self-examination after every menses to spot any abnormalities in the breast as early diagnosis and treatment can reduce morbidity and mortality rates,” she said.

The prevalence of kidney disease in Alabama is extensive. Of the 37 million Americans living with kidney disease, a significant number of those people live in Alabama. World Kidney Day, observed annually on the second Thursday in March, campaigns for kidney health across the globe. “Regionally, the high incidence of kidney disease in the Southeast is a major complication of other diseases such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes,” said Anupam Agarwal, M.D., executive vice dean in the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and director of the Division of Nephrology, who has been a practicing kidney physician and researcher for more than 30 years. Heat maps for diabetes, obesity, stroke and kidney disease show that chronic diseases appear in the same areas. Agarwal says Alabama is always a hot spot for these chronic conditions. A compounding crisis Agarwal explains that kidney complications can be of significant magnitude since the kidney is closely linked to multiple organ systems. “More importantly, Black/African Americans, Latinx and Hispanic communities, and other underrepresented minorities have a much higher predisposition to kidney disease,” he said. “This disparity could be related to genetic factors, specifically a gene called ApoL1 — a component of high-density lipoprotein that transports cholesterol and certain fats through the bloodstream from the body’s tissues to the liver. Mutations in the ApoL-1 gene render Black/African Americans more susceptible to kidney disease.” Plus, with increased incidences of high blood pressure and other underlying conditions, the chances of kidney disease are much higher in communities of color. In the same way, Agarwal says, social determinants of health deeply contribute to the kidney disease burden in Alabama, an issue that has been publicly exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Diet and salt intake, access to health care, and access to exercise make a huge difference in kidney health,” he said. “We still see patients who show up in the emergency room who have never had their blood pressure checked and have never seen a doctor in their entire lives due to mistrust in medicine and/or lack of access to health care. They have end-stage kidney disease needing emergent dialysis and ultimately a transplant.” COVID meets a preexisting epidemic Multiple studies in the United States and Europe have noted high increases in acute kidney injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. A study of 4,000 participants by Mount Sinai, published in September 2020, describes troubling consequences of COVID-19 on the kidneys, including acute kidney injury, which occurred in 46 percent of hospitalized patients, one-fifth of whom required dialysis. Even after hospitalization, many people suffer long-term kidney complications from COVID-19. In a recent study of more than 5,000 U.S. veterans hospitalized with COVID-19, 32 percent had acute kidney injury. Of significant concern was the fact that 47 percent did not recover to baseline kidney function by discharge, highlighting that chronic kidney disease is an important post-acute consequence of COVID-19. “The virus enters a cell through a protein called ACE2, and the kidney has a very high content of the ACE2 protein,” Agarwal said. “The outcomes for otherwise healthy people and the impact on the kidney is still unknown. Studies are ongoing, and more needs to be done.” People with existing kidney disease are at a higher risk of long-term complications from COVID-19. “Those on dialysis and who have received kidney transplants can get very sick,” he said. “While the burden of kidney disease in Alabama was already high, the COVID-19 pandemic adds an additional obstacle for those living with kidney disease, as well as their treating physicians.” Cutting-edge research at UAB Agarwal has also dedicated a portion of his professional work to training the next generation of nephrologists, as well as to finding new therapies and discoveries on kidney disease in his laboratory. “The collaboration at UAB is like nowhere else in the country,” he said. “We take a bedside to bench and back to bedside approach with our research. This method propels findings and creates momentum in discoveries.” At the O’Brien Center for Acute Kidney Injury Research, funded as one of eight National Institutes of Health Centers in the country, Agarwal’s laboratory is currently studying a specific protein, heme oxygenase-1, and learning how to exploit this protein to protect against acute kidney injury and kidney disease. “It turns out that this protein may also have a protective effect against COVID-19 in the kidney,” he said. “Living Well with Kidney Disease” Agarwal says this year’s World Kidney Day and Kidney Health Awareness Month are more important than ever due to the major complications presented by COVID-19 in kidney patients. “It’s a time to be reminded of preventive measures,” he said. “World Kidney Day aims to provide education on kidney health and resources for those impacted by kidney disease.” He says one reason so many people have undetected kidney disease is that it does not cause any pain during early stages of the disease. Kidney disease is found through blood work, having blood pressure levels checked and urine tests. “Staying up-to-date on annual physicals is a great way to stay protected,” he said. Agarwal also says that kidneys can be protected by eating a well-balanced diet, aiming for a healthy weight, managing blood pressure, reducing stress and exercising. For those living with diabetes, having blood glucose maintained with treatment can help prevent kidney disease. Additionally, following CDC guidelines is critical to maintaining kidney health during the pandemic. Simple guidelines like washing hands, wearing a mask and social distancing can help prevent COVID-19 infection, which ultimately protects the kidneys.

Chinese factory worker Weng Changqing knew he wanted an electric car before he even had his driver’s license. Living in a small town in eastern China and looking to start a family, he figured the savings on gas and maintenance would allow him to afford to buy his first ride. He wasn’t in the market for a Tesla Model 3, which starts at about $38,000 in China. Instead, the 37-year-old bought a 66,900-yuan ($10,000) crossover from local electric-vehicle maker Hozon Auto. It’s one of a growing number of vehicles that run on batteries and electric motors gaining po[CENSORED]rity in lower-income parts of the country because of their modest prices and lower running costs. (EVs don’t need oil changes, spark plugs, or the various belts that have to be replaced periodically on gasoline cars.) Cheap, reliable EVs like Changqing’s have the potential to open car ownership—and the increased mobility that brings—to a whole class of people who previously couldn’t afford to have their own wheels. Changqing estimates the cost of electricity to charge his car for an entire year to be less than $400, which would buy only 377 liters (100 gallons) of gasoline in China—enough to drive about 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles) in a 2020 Trumpchi GS3 crossover from Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. “These ultracheap EVs are reaching a new customer in China, as they likely will in other markets as prices come down,” says BloombergNEF analyst Siyi Mi. EV prices are on track to reach parity with fossil fuel-powered cars in the next four to six years, at which point annual sales will start to skyrocket, reaching 25 million in 2030, up from about 2 million a year currently, according to BNEF. This shift could have far-reaching social effects, especially for people living outside city centers and in rural areas where access to public transport is limited, says Selika Talbott, a professorial lecturer at American University in Washington and founding partner of an automotive consulting firm. Over the past decade, car prices have far outpaced wage growth in the U.S., leaving the lowest-earning fifth of the po[CENSORED]tion spending as much as 30% of their income on transportation costs. “Taking into account people’s access to transportation, it’s very important to see a greater diversity of models like EVs being offered on the lower end of the price range,” Talbott says. In China, Hozon Auto’s Neta N01 is one of a slew of low-cost EVs, including the $8,950 e1 minicar from Warren Buffett-backed BYD Co. There’s also the SAIC Motor Corp.-General Motors Co. joint venture’s Hongguang Mini, which entered the market last year at a base price of just $4,230 and quickly became a hit. In the first half of 2020 the average retail price of an EV, excluding incentives, was $55,233 in the U.S., compared with $29,895 in China, according to automotive research firm Jato Dynamics. Automakers are able to churn out the mainland’s budget EVs by keeping frills to a minimum in the interior and under the hood. The cars are often only capable of traveling at low speeds. And Changqing’s electric crossover gets about 187 miles per charge—about half the distance of a Tesla Model 3 Long Range. The low prices allow an increasing number of people—often young, lower-income, and living outside major cities—to buy their first car. These EVs are especially po[CENSORED]r in more rural parts of China, where more than 500 million people live but fewer than 1 in 5 have until recently owned a car. Some models are flying off lots at a pace industry executives say they’ve never seen before. In the month after the Hongguang Mini EV made its debut in July it was the top-selling new-energy vehicle in China, with 15,000 units sold. In September its sales hit more than 20,000, almost double that of Tesla Inc.’s Model 3 that month. Still, a number of obstacles stand in the way of an EV-led democratization of the car market spreading outside regional areas of China. The nation’s low-cost EV industry has benefited from government subsidies and other incentives such as low-interest loans in villages, towns, and smaller cities. China is also the world’s biggest battery manufacturer, so its EV makers benefit from access to a low-cost supply of the most expensive part of a plug-in vehicle. With automakers and parts suppliers in other countries unable to manufacture at such low costs, they may not be able to offer such affordably priced EVs for some time, BNEF analysts say. And for the rollout of electric vehicles to be equitable, there needs to be widespread access to charging facilities, Talbott says. Today, charging stations often end up concentrated in affluent metropolitan areas, and some apartment dwellers without off-street parking don’t have access to at-home charging. Monthly Ownership Costs in the U.S. *Includes federal tax credit for electric vehicles. Data: Carboncounter.com Nonetheless, low-cost EVs have already started to gain traction in many markets over the past five years. A recent study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, mapping more than 1,000 cars available in the U.S. on the basis of their total lifetime costs (which include upfront, maintenance, and fueling expenses), shows that Nissan Motor Co.’s electric Leaf—starting at less than $25,000 for a 2021 model after tax subsidies in the U.S.—is one of the cheapest cars available today. The study’s head, MIT professor Jessika Trancik, says that in the years since her team began evaluating vehicles in 2016, she’s seen more electric cars, with longer range, falling below the average cost of vehicle lifetime ownership in the U.S. “There are already EVs on the market that can save consumers money,” she says. “That’s something that’s important for people to know.” Changqing mostly uses his EV for his daily commute to work. In his bachelor days he got by with a motorbike—a low-cost option po[CENSORED]r in many parts of developing Asia. But about a year ago he found a new need for the car: His wife was pregnant with their first child and had to be driven to her regular checkups. “The reality is it’s a necessity for each family to have a car, regardless of their economic condition,” Changqing says. “You may have a luxury car, or you may only be able to afford a cheap one, but it’s a must.” —With Chunying Zhang Read next: Elon Musk Loves China, and China Loves Him Back—for Now BOTTOM LINE - Within a decade, annual sales of electric vehicles globally are expected to jump tenfold. Lower-cost models could spur EV use outside urban or high-income areas.

Changes can be effective at targeting symptoms, keeping chronic heartburn at bay If your eating habits have changed during the pandemic or you’re dealing with new sources of stress, you may find you’re getting painful heartburn and acid reflux more often. But don’t just reach for medication. Proton-pump inhibitors like Prilosec, Prevacid, and Nexium can be expensive. And when these drugs are used over the long term, they’ve been linked to an increased risk of heart attacks, kidney disease, and dementia. But the good news is that a recent study found that some simple lifestyle changes can be effective at targeting symptoms to keep chronic heartburn and acid reflux at bay. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most important factors in reducing painful symptoms. Getting at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily can help. So can following a healthy diet that includes a higher intake of whole grains and a lower intake of red meat and added sugars. And if you smoke, here’s another reason to quit. The chemicals in cigarettes can interfere with normal digestion in ways that can trigger heartburn. Consider your beverage choices. A study found that people who drank no more than two cups of coffee, tea, or soda a day experienced fewer symptoms. For occasional, unexpected mild heartburn, you can try an antacid to neutralize it. But if you expect to get heartburn after a spicy meal, a low-dose histamine blocker like Tagamet or Pepcid AC can decrease stomach-acid production. If you experience heartburn more than twice a week or it recurs for weeks or months, consider seeing your doctor. But tweaking your lifestyle may keep you out of the drugstore in the first place. Consumer Reports health experts also say that if you’re bothered by symptoms at night or when you lie down, it will help if you avoid eating within 3 hours of bedtime. Copyright 2021 by KSAT - All rights reserved. ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Author Photo Marilyn Moritz As a consumer reporter, Marilyn is all about helping people stay safe and save a buck. Since coming to KSAT in 1985, she’s covered everything from crime to politics, winning awards for her coverage of the Mexican Mafia, Oklahoma tornadoes, children’s transplants, an investigation into voting irregularities and even a hit-and-run Santa Claus.

WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden on Wednesday directed his administration to order another 100 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine, growing a likely U.S. surplus of doses later this year while much of the rest of the world struggles with deep shortages. Even before Wednesday's order, the U.S. was to have enough approved vaccine delivered by mid-May to cover every adult and enough for 400 million people total by the end of July. Enough doses to cover 200 million more people are on order should vaccines from AstraZeneca and Novavax receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The new J&J doses, which would cover another 100 million people, are expected to be delivered in the latter half of the year. White House aides said Biden’s first priority is ensuring that Americans are vaccinated before considering distributing doses elsewhere. “We want to be oversupplied and overprepared,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday, saying Biden wanted contingencies in the event of any unforeseen issues with the existing production timeline. “We still don’t know which vaccine will be most effective on kids,” she added. “We still don’t know the impact of variants or the need for booster shots. And these doses can be used for booster shots as well as needed. Obviously that’s still being studied by the FDA but again we want to be over-prepared as I noted earlier.” Biden's announcement comes as the White House has rebuffed requests from U.S. allies, including Mexico, Canada and the European Union, for vaccine doses produced in the United States, where months of production runs have produced vaccine solely for use in the country. Meanwhile, Russia and China, whose leaders don't face voters in free and fair elections, have used their domestically produced shots for strategic leverage. China has pledged roughly half a billion doses of its vaccines to more than 45 countries, according to a country-by-country tally by The Associated Press. Four of China’s many vaccine makers are claiming they will be able to produce at least 2.6 billion doses this year. Russia has sent millions of doses of its Sputnik V vaccine to countries around the world, even as it vaccinates its own po[CENSORED]tion. Analysts say a goal of this vaccine diplomacy is to bolster Russia’s image as a scientific, technological and benevolent power, especially as other countries encounter shortages of COVID-19 vaccines because richer nations are scooping up the Western-made versions. Israel, which has vaccinated more than half of its po[CENSORED]tion with Pfizer vaccines produced in Europe, has also attempted to use vaccine diplomacy to reward allies. Biden did move to have the U.S. contribute financially to the United Nations and World Health Organization-backed COVAX alliance, which will help share vaccine with more than 90 countries with lower and middle-income nations, but it has yet to commit to sharing any doses. Biden's purchasing strategy has come under criticism from nongovernmental organizations who have encouraged the White House to develop clear plans and thresholds for sharing vaccine with the world. “The only way to defeat this virus for good is to defeat it everywhere — and that requires an immediate plan for sharing excess vaccine doses globally,” said Sarah Swinehart, senior director for communications at The ONE Campaign. Asked about the surplus Wednesday, Biden told reporters that “if we have a surplus, we’re going to share it with the rest of the world.” "This is not something that can be stopped by a fence no matter how high you build a fence or a wall. So we’re not going to be ultimately safe until the world is safe,” acknowledged Biden. “So, we’re going to start off making sure Americans are taken care of first, but we’re then going to try to help the rest of the world.”

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Washington, D.C. – U.S. News & World Report, a nationally recognized publisher of consumer advice and information, today announced the Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in 2021. U.S. News evaluated nine of the largest insurers in the country and found the national average insurance premium to be $1,321 per year. "It's always a good idea to check for cheaper car insurance rates from another company at the end of your policy term, and it's especially important to cross-shop auto insurance quotes when you have major changes in your life, like starting a new job or moving to a new town," said Nate Parsons, senior editor of U.S. News Best Cars. "Our list of the cheapest car insurance companies can help consumers pinpoint which insurers might offer them the lowest annual premiums." For the third year in a row, the analysis from U.S. News shows that USAA is the cheapest car insurance company in the U.S., with an average rate of just $875 per year. Not everyone will qualify for insurance with USAA because membership is limited to policyholders who have a military affiliation. Geico is the cheapest option for most Americans, and though its annual premium of $1,100 is more than USAA's, it's still significantly cheaper than the national average in the study. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Allstate has the highest average insurance premium in our analysis. At $1,788 per year, Allstate's annual rate is 35% higher than the national average. The Cheapest Car Insurance Companies in 2021 1. USAA 2. Geico 3. State Farm 4. Travelers 5. Nationwide 6. Progressive 7. American Family 8. Farmers 9. Allstate In addition to the average annual rates from each car insurance company, the study utilizes different driver profiles to help consumers determine what they might pay for car insurance. An individual's credit score can have a significant effect on auto insurance rates. The average annual cost for a driver with good credit is just $1,311, while a driver with poor credit pays nearly 70% more, with an annual premium of $2,227. Similarly, having a poor driving history can substantially increase rates. For a driver with a DUI conviction, the average rate among the companies in the study is $2,112, which is nearly $800 more than the average rate of those with a clean driving record. To get comparative insurance rates for this study, U.S. News worked with Quadrant Information Services to analyze a report of insurance rates in all 50 states from nine of the largest national car insurance companies, though not every company operates in every state. Quadrant obtained publicly available rate data that car insurers file with state regulators. Our study rates are based on profiles for both male and female drivers aged 25, 35 and 60 who drive an average of 6,000 or 12,000 miles per year. Vehicles used include the 2015 Honda Civic, 2015 Toyota RAV4 and 2015 Ford F-150. Three car insurance coverage levels were used, as were credit tiers of good, fair and poor. Clean driving records and records with one accident, one speeding violation and one DUI were also used in the calculations of certain driver archetypes. About U.S. News Best Cars Since 2007, U.S. News Best Cars, the automotive channel of U.S. News & World Report, has published rankings of the majority of new vehicles sold in America. Each year, U.S. News also publishes the Best Cars awards, including Best Vehicle Brands, Best Cars for the Money and Best Cars for Families. U.S. News Best Cars supports car shoppers throughout the entire car buying journey, offering advice for researching cars, finding cars for sale near you and getting the best rate on car insurance. U.S. News Best Cars had more than 73 million visitors over the past year, with the majority actively shopping for a car. More than 70% of active shoppers reported that U.S. News influenced their car-purchasing decision, saying that they trust our advice to be unbiased and that they would recommend our site to others. Media Contact: Sarah Javors, sjavors@usnews.com, 202-955-2153 About U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower people to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives. A digital news and information company focused on Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars and News, USNews.com provides consumer advice, rankings and analysis to serve people making complex decisions throughout all stages of life. More than 40 million people visit USNews.com each month for research and guidance. Founded in 1933, U.S. News is headquartered in Washington, D.C

Thinking about starting a new diet? While the amount of information available can be overwhelming, it’s possible to find a diet that is safe, suitable and effective for your lifestyle. Luis Rustveld, Ph.D., registered dietitian with Baylor Family Medicine, discusses what you need to know about the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) diet. Q: What is the TLC diet and how does it work? A: The National Institutes of Health designed the TLC diet to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The TLC diet is more than just a diet. It’s an approach taken to modify lifestyle behaviors that are not healthy and that can put you at risk for heart disease. The TLC diet has three main components: Diet, exercise, and weight management. Adherence to the TLC diet can result in weight loss, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), increasing good cholesterol (HDL), and lowering triglycerides (a type of fat in your blood), all of which form part of the lipid profile. The TLC diet follows evidence-based recommendations and is not a fad diet. Reducing saturated fat intake in the diet to lower LDL by choosing lean meats and low-fat dairy products and limiting whole eggs with yolk to no more than three per week Increasing intake of whole grains to lower LDL (50% of grains eaten should be whole grain) Eating fish two to three times per week – in particular, oily fish such as salmon and tuna to lower triglycerides and to increase HDL Using foods containing plant sterols or stanols to lower LDL. The TLC program also recommends engaging in moderate to vigorous exercise for 30 minutes four to five days per week for heart health and increasing HDL. Q: What are the recommended foods? Discouraged foods? A: Recommended foods include whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish, beans, lentils, foods rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats. Whole grains include whole-grain bread, oatmeal, whole grain rice, whole grain pasta, to name a few. Foods rich in monounsaturated fats include avocado, nut butters (trans fat free), nuts and seeds, canola, olive, peanut oil, and olives. Sources of polyunsaturated fats include fatty fish (salmon, tuna, halibut, mackerel), pine nuts, walnuts, grape seed oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, plant stanol esters, flaxseed, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds, sesame seeds. Saturated fats are discouraged (limit to no more than twice per week), such as bacon (regular or turkey), butter, coconut, coconut milk, cream (half and half, heavy, light, whipped), cream cheese, lard, oil (coconut, palm, palm kernel), salt pork, shortening, and sour cream.In addition to lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, the TLC diet also provides those who follow it with a balanced diet that can help reduce the risk of getting other chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. A useful behavior modification strategy endorsed by the TLC program is to differentiate between physical fullness (stomach is so full and distended because you may have overeaten) and satiety, a physiological signal from your brain that tells you to stop eating. One can achieve satiety by slowing down when you eat and chewing your food well to allow the brain to register that you are full. Q: Who should avoid this diet? A: People with dietary restrictions, such as those who cannot drink milk because of lactose intolerance or milk allergies, vegetarians, and people with Celiac disease, will find it challenging to follow the TLC diet. However, substitutions can be made for individuals with special dietary needs. Q: What kind of physiological changes or side effects should be expected? A: Aside from positive physiological changes such as improved lipid profile, blood sugar, blood pressure, and satiety, there are no known negative physiological changes or side effects of following the TLC diet. Q: What else should people know before considering this diet? A: The TLC diet requires making specific lifestyle changes and therefore is helpful to consult with a registered dietitian to get proper guidance. The TLC program is not designed for quick weight loss. It’s a healthy lifestyle plan that encourages long-term behavior changes that can improve the management and prevention of diet-related chronic conditions.

This base-line projection, which is highly uncertain, is predicted on the absence of significant infection flare-ups or subsequent waves that would require further widespread lockdowns, according to the “South Asia Economic Focus: Beaten or Broken, Informality and Covid-19”. The report says the current account deficit (CAD) is expected to widen to an average of 1.5pc of GDP over 2021-22, with imports and exports gradually picking up as domestic demand and global conditions improve. The fiscal deficit is projected to narrow to 7.4pc in FY22, with the resumption of fiscal consolidation and stronger revenue driven by recovering economic activity and critical structural reforms. On the other hand, expenditures will remain substantial due to sizeable interest payments, a rising salary and pension bill, and absorption of energy state-owned enterprise (SOE) guaranteed debt by the government, the report says. Given anemic growth projections in the near term, poverty is expected to worsen, and vulnerable households rely on jobs in the services sector, and the projected weak services growth is likely to be insufficient to reverse the higher poverty rates precipitated by the pandemic. About risks and challenges, the report says there are considerable downside risks to the outlook with the most significant being a possible resurgence of the infection, triggering a new wave of global and or domestic lockdowns and further delaying the implementation of crucial structural reforms. Locust attacks and heavy monsoon rains could lead to widespread crop damage, food insecurity and inflationary pressures, and livelihoods for households dependent primarily on agriculture could also be negatively impacted. Finally, external financing risks could be compounded by difficulties in rolling-over bilateral debt from non-traditional donors and tighter international financing conditions, report says.

Aston Martin will build its new full-electric cars in the UK starting in 2025, the automaker's chairman and biggest shareholder, Lawrence Stroll, told the Financial Times. An electric sports car will be produced at the company's plant in Gaydon, England, and an electric SUV at its plant in St. Athan, Wales, Stroll said in an interview published on Sunday. Aston Martin will carry on making traditional engines for enthusiasts well into the next decade, Stroll also told the paper. The automaker will also add electrified versions of its models, Stroll said. A mild hybrid version of the DBX SUV is due later this year and a plug-in hybrid DBX will launch in 2023. Stroll, a Canadian billionaire, led a 535 million-pound ($740 million) rescue of the company in 2020, and holds a 22 percent stake, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Mercedes-Benz may provide batteries to the automaker, Stroll said, though Aston Martin is looking at all options. Mercedes parent company Daimler holds a 20 percent stake in Aston Martin. Aston Martin had planned to launch the Rapide E as its first electric model and revive the the Lagonda marque to sell electric cars but the plans were dropped as too costly after Stroll's rescue. The automaker's pledge to build cars in the UK comes at a time when the country is struggling to attract investment after Brexit. Though the nation still enjoys tariff-free trade with the European Union Stellantis, which has two factories in the UK, is seeking government support to build electric vehicles at its Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, England. However, the country is taking a lead on regulation around electric vehicles, with plans to ban the sale of new gasoline and diesel vehicles by 2030. Aston Martin has not turned a profit since it went public in 2018, but Stroll has set targets for the luxury automaker to earn 500 million pounds on 2 billion pounds of revenue by 2025. Stroll has also returned the company to Formula One racing. Automakers selling cars in Europe are accelerating plans to become electric only as the European Union imposes tougher CO2 emissions rules to fight climate change. Jaguar Land Rover has said that its Jaguar brand will become all-electric starting in 2025. Bentley will drop internal combustion engines from its cars by 2030 and switch its entire model range to full-electric vehicles. Ford will sell only full-electric passenger cars in Europe by 2030. Volvo also aims to be an electric-only brand by the same date. , additional paperwork and complex laws on the origin of components has created friction for exporters.

Their fairytale wedding was watched around the world, raising hopes of a new chapter in the royal family, reflecting a more diverse, modern Britain. But after the dream turned sour and they quit last year, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan are now building a very different life. In Sunday’s CBS interview, the couple wore jeans to feed the hens they keep at their California home, and were seen playing with young son Archie on the beach. It’s a far cry from Harry’s previous regimented life and the formal duties Meghan was expected to embrace after their marriage in 2018. Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales was born in 1984 into a life of unimaginable privilege, the youngest of heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles’ two sons. His mother, princess Diana, died when he was 12. While at Eton, an elite boarding school, he failed to excel and was considered a loose cannon. A photo that emerged of him in 2005 wearing Nazi uniform at a fancy dress party did little to help his image. He told Oprah Winfrey that losing his mother so young had "quite a serious effect on not only my personal life but also my work as well". Like older brother William, he joined the military, serving as an army captain in Afghanistan. He called his time in uniform "the best escape I’ve ever had". Afterwards he took on more public roles, launching the Invictus Games for wounded soldiers and veterans and publicising mental health issues. Meghan, born in Los Angeles in 1981 to a black social worker mother and a white lighting director father, could not have had a more different upbringing. Her mother, Dora Ragland, and father, Thomas Markle, split when she was two. Meghan attended a private Catholic school, then studied theatre and international relations at university. She married film producer Trevor Engelson in 2011 -- the same year she got her breakthrough role in a Canadian legal drama, "Suits". They divorced two years later. Harry and Meghan met in 2016 on a blind date. She said she did not know much about the royal family. Harry said he had never seen "Suits". But he told James Corden in a recent interview that he soon realised they had something "pretty special". The couple soon went public, first at the Invictus Games in September 2017. Her beauty and style made an impact but some media openly questioned whether she was royal marriage material because of her mixed-race heritage and status as a divorce. Yet, millions around the world were captivated by their unconventional royal wedding at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. It included a gospel choir and a sermon by black US Bishop Michael Curry. But her estranged father did not attend. Prince Charles led her down the aisle instead. It emerged from the Winfrey interview that Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby married the couple three days earlier at a private ceremony. Royal life seemed to go smoothly at first, with Meghan drawing cheering crowds and beaming with Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. But there were signs of trouble ahead, rumours of disquiet among staff, resignations, tears and tantrums, as well as unfavourable media comparisons with William’s wife, Kate. William and Harry -- close since their mother’s death -- moved to separate their households and staff. Meghan’s father leaked a letter where she expressed sadness at the breakdown in their relationship. Meghan was criticised in the press for not wearing tights, sitting the "wrong" way, eating avocados, cradling her pregnant stomach, or shunning the traditional post-birth royal photocall. The couple even issued a statement condemning what they saw as racist coverage, in the start of a battle with the media that has seen some sued, and others frozen out.