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Conventional wisdom has long touted high intensity exercise as an effective way to burn calories and facilitate weight loss. However, a new study is challenging this widely-held belief, suggesting that pushing yourself too hard may actually have the opposite effect. Lead researcher Takashi Matsui, PhD, from the Institute of Health and Sport Sciences at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, explained the key findings of the study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, to Medical News Today. He said, “Our study found that while exercise is a powerful strategy for weight loss, a single session of high-intensity exercise that induces heavy sweating can significantly reduce subsequent physical activity and core body temperature, leading to weight gain. Interestingly, this weight gain occurs despite no changes in food intake.” This counterintuitive conclusion runs contrary to mainstream fitness advice. Dr Jagadish J Hiremath, medical director at AASRA Hospitals, says, “Contrary to po[CENSORED]r belief, high-intensity exercise (HIE) can, under certain circumstances, contribute to an increase in body weight. This unexpected outcome is attributed to the complex interplay of hormones within the body, particularly cortisol, the stress hormone.”HIE can disrupt the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, he adds, known as the circadian rhythm, and trigger a surge in cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol not only amplifies appetite but also saps motivation for further physical activity. This vicious cycle leads to increased calorie consumption, often exceeding the calories burned during exercise, ultimately tipping the scales towards weight gain. Effects of high-intensity exercise on metabolism According to Dr Hiremath, “High-intensity exercise puts the body’s metabolism through a series of peaks and valleys. Initially, it ignites a metabolic fire, accelerating calorie expenditure. However, the surge in cortisol that accompanies HIE acts as a double-edged sword.” https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fitness/high-intensity-exercise-weight-gain-fitness-workout-health-9395912/

Thomas Markle has made last-ditch attempt to amend fences with his estranged daughter Meghan Markle, asking the Duchess to make his 80th birthday more amazing with her presence. Meghan's estranged father wants to reunite with the Duchess on his big day but fears there is no chance of reconciliation even he made heartfelt plea, saying: "I’ve never been one for birthdays, but I know the one person I most want to hear from, Meghan, won’t be in touch," he told the Mail.However, a source close to the Duke has claimed: "Harry might be asking the Duchess to fulfil her father's request as it would help him fully enjoying his final years." "The Duke is also desperate to see his own dad King Charles and brother Prince William as he wants to make peace with them amid royal health woes as the monarch and Princess of Wales are battling cancer," the source added. The insider went on revealing the truth about Meghan's nature, saying: "It can not be predicted whether Meghan would say yes to her father's request as she's not a lady who easily forgets and forgives." Meghan's dad also asked the Sussex to not to deprive Archie, Lilibet of their royal life. Thomas got emotional as he said: "I would love to meet my grandchildren, but I would be happy with a photograph at this stage." He continued: "I never expected to make it to 80 because Markle men never do. My father died at 61." However, Meghan has not responded to any of her dad's plea as she's enjoying life in Montecito with her family. US royal commentator Hilary Fordwich hit out Meghan's "hypocrisy” for not reaching out to her father, despite claiming to "care about so many other people". Speaking to GB News host Mark Dolan, Fordwich noted the "very sad state of affairs" the duchess is in with her father, and slammed her for having "empathy for other people" but not her own parent. "It is a frightfully sad story. He also added that he never thought that he'd have something in common with the King. And of course, the King doesn't know his grandchildren either. And I think that's a very sad state of affairs," said Fordwich. Dolan reacted as saying that the latest interview from Thomas Markle will "not be good for the brand" of Harry and Meghan, as they are "all about their PR". https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1205668-prince-harry-wants-meghan-to-meet-her-dad-thomas-markle

Music title: SOS - RASM-E-CHAHARUM Signer: SOS Release date: 6/28/2024 Official YouTube link: Informations about the signer:- Your opinion about the track (music video):-

Artist: Bohemia Real Name: Roger David Birth Date /Place: October 15, 1979 Age: 44 Social status (Single / Married): Married Artist Picture: Musical Genres: Desi hip hop Hip hop Rap Awards: Punjabi Music Award for Best Duo/Group Top 3 Songs (Names): BOHEMIA - Kali Denali (Official Audio) Classic Viral Hit!-Patola (Full Song) Guru Randhawa | Bohemia | T-Series-Sajjad Ali ft. Bohemia - TAMASHA - (Official Video) Other Information: Roger David (born October 15, 1979), better known by his stage name Bohemia (Punjabi: بوہیمیا, stylised BOHEMIA or Raja), is a Pakistani-American rapper and record producer

Consumer spending has started to slow in recent months, and economists expect it to continue moderating through the remainder of the year. While inflation is falling, so is disposable income, which is pushing “real spending” lower. Lower-income consumers are most affected, while higher-income spenders are expected to keep the economy moving forward. Discretionary spending on things like entertainment, travel and eating at restaurants could take a hit, as could big-ticket purchases on credit. Consumer spending helped carry the U.S. economy past recession forecasts in 2023 and has remained resilient so far this year even in the face of continued high inflation and interest rates that remain at two-decade highs. The pace of spending has started to slow, however, and economists expect it to moderate further in the back half of 2024. Lower income shoppers are likely to pull back the most, particularly when it comes to discretionary spending, while higher-income spenders are expected to keep the economy moving forward, economists say. Spending Expected to Slow Down A slowdown in real disposable income growth, along with a cooling labor market, higher tax payments and persistent inflation, helped drive spending lower in the first quarter, according to Oxford Economics, which forecasts that consumer spending will continue its gradual slowdown in the second half of the year.1 “The weaker personal income and spending numbers, together with the downward revisions to consumption growth for the first quarter, have raised concerns that the core engine of the economy is slowing,” wrote Oxford Deputy Chief US Economist Michael Pearce. “Consumer spending growth is moderating from last year, though we expect only a gradual slowdown at best over the second half.” Wells Fargo also identified slower spending trends, lowering its consumer spending growth estimate by more than a percentage point for the second quarter to 1.9%. BMO Economics has also lowered its expectation for consumer spending and expects the slowdown to continue.2 BMO Economics. “Viewpoint, May 31, 2024.” “We expect this moderation in income and demand growth to hang over the U.S. economy’s performance for much of this year,” BMO Chief U.S. Economist Scott Anderson wrote.Younger, Poorer Consumers Feel the ‘Squeeze’ Recent data from the Census Bureau showed that retail sales rose just 0.1% in May compared to the previous month, which was a weaker reading than economists had expected. In addition, April’s sales figures were revised to a 0.2% decline rather than staying flat as the bureau initially reported. Oxford Economics notes that household balance sheets remain resilient, with assets rising while debt relative to income has declined. “Middle- and high-income households, who are responsible for most consumer spending, remain in strong shape,” Pearce wrote. However, data show that younger and poorer households missed out on the opportunity to build savings during the pandemic and are now relying on a strong labor market to keep up their spending. “That explains why their spending has been squeezed, and a subset of consumers relying on credit cards are increasingly facing delinquency and default,” he wrote. Discretionary spending on things like recreation, entertainment and eating at restaurants and travel will likely be cut back, as will big-ticket purchases made on credit. “Businesses need to prepare for an environment where consumers are not splurging like they were last year,” said Jeffrey Roach, LPL Financial chief economist. Fed Closely Watching Consumers Amid Inflation Fight The Federal Reserve raised interest rates to decades-high levels in order to keep prices from spiraling out of control. Now, with interest rates elevated for more than a year, officials are looking at consumer spending numbers to see if the increased borrowing costs are serving their intended purpose of slowing spending enough to keep price hikes in check. The effect of interest rates can be seen on consumer spending in some categories, Federal Reserve Gov. Governor Adriana D. Kugler said earlier this month, especially as pandemic-era savings are spent down.3 “While consumption growth has been resilient over the past couple of years, fueled in part by excess savings accumulated during the pandemic and solid real wages that now exceed pre-pandemic levels, it slowed noticeably in the first quarter, especially for spending on goods,” Kugler said at a recent event in Washington, D.C. “High interest rates have left a mark on consumer assessments of buying conditions for motor vehicles and other large durable goods, which often have to be financed,” Kugler added. https://www.investopedia.com/consumer-spending-h2-2024-preview-8668759

Scientists have identified and named over a million animal species, and there are millions more yet to be discovered across Earth's seven continents. But which continent has the most animal species? For hundreds of years, scientists have been cataloging and geolocating species across the globe. Prior to the digital age, most of our information about species distribution came from museum collections, said Vítor Piacentini, an ornithologist at the Federal University of Mato Grosso in Brazil. Nowadays, the public also contributes to this effort. In the past 20 years, there has been a "revolution" in citizen science, Piacentini told Live Science, and "scientists are using their data to fill the gaps."Using this information, scientists can map the distribution of species worldwide. In the late 1980s, scientist Norman Myers coined the term "biodiversity hotspot" to refer to places with an exceptionally high number of species for their surface area. Of the now 36 hotspots worldwide, most are in continents that cross the equator, where the climate is warm and humid. The reason for this has to do not just with animals but also with plants. "Plants are the foundation of species," Barnabas Daru, an applied ecologist at Stanford University, told Live Science. "If a place has a higher diversity of plants, it makes it easier for other organisms that depend on those plants to become more abundant." Related: Which group of animals has the most species? Although plants can live in all sorts of conditions, most thrive in warm, humid places. The humidity and warmth work together to provide essential moisture: Warm air traps water molecules to create humidity. Warmth is also better for many microorganisms, especially the decomposers, which break down dead material that the plants harvest for nutrients. https://www.livescience.com/animals/which-continent-has-the-most-animal-species

Listen. Don't buy an electric car if you live somewhere where charging is a hassle. Don't rely on an EV if you regularly drive further in a day than a fully charged battery can take you. And definitely don't buy an EV you can't afford. Barring all of that: If you’re in the market for a new Maserati GranCabrio, do yourself a favor and get the all-electric Folgore. It simply lives up to the grand-touring ideal better and more elegantly than its gasoline-powered twin.The 2025 Maserati GranCabrio comes in two varieties: The Trofeo, powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine making 542 horsepower, and the Folgore, with three electric motors making a standard 760 horsepower—with a short burst of up to 1,200 horsepower. Both models are all-wheel drive. At a sumptuous drive program on the shores of Lake Maggiore, where Northern Italy brushes up against Switzerland, Maserati introduced us to both versions of the all-new four-seat convertible.The gasoline-burning Trofeo gets its power from a lightly finessed version of the Nettuno engine that first debuted in the MC20 supercar. This engine, with its unusual 90-degree layout, is compact enough to sit entirely behind the GranCabrio’s front differential, which allowed Maserati to snuggle the engine down lower than you’d typically see in an all-wheel-drive car. (It also let Maserati head of design Klaus Busse draw the clamshell hood nice and low, the way it should be on a sports car). Utilizing precombustion-chamber technology adapted from Formula 1, the GranCabrio Trofeo makes 479 pound-feet of torque at 3,000 rpm and pulls authoritatively right up to its 6,500-rpm redline. https://www.motor1.com/reviews/724899/2025-maserati-grancarbio-ev-first-drive-review/

Second ODI, Worcester New Zealand 141 (41.5 overs): A Kerr 43 (86); Ecclestone 5-25 England 142-2 (24.3 overs): Bouchier 100* (88); Halliday 1-11 England won by eight wickets; lead series 2-0 Scorecard. Maia Bouchier struck her maiden international century as England thrashed New Zealand by eight wickets at Worcester. The 25-year-old opener hit the winning runs in a chase of just 142 which also brought up her hundred from 88 balls. Bouchier hit 17 fours and added 73 for the first wicket with Tammy Beaumont in another one-sided contest that gave England an unassailable 2-0 series lead. Earlier, spinner Sophie Ecclestone starred with 5-25 as New Zealand were skittled for 141 in 41.5 overs. Amelia Kerr, who made 43, and Maddy Green with 30 were steadily building a platform at 114-3, before a woeful collapse of seven wickets for just 27 runs. After being all out for 156 in the opening game, New Zealand's batters were visibly short of confidence against slower bowling, with eight wickets falling to spin here to follow the seven at Chester-le-Street. They played with little intent, crawling to 26-2 from the powerplay before Ecclestone crucially had skipper Sophie Devine stumped for 28 as she was threatening to accelerate. Amelia Kerr and Green's stand of 58 followed but then chaos ensued, with Charlie Dean pinning the latter lbw to spark the dramatic collapse which included a passage of four wickets for no runs. England's openers then tucked into plenty of loose bowling against a weary attack again tasked with defending a paltry total. The only real challenge presented by the White Ferns was for Bouchier to reach her century in a race against time with the runs required to win, but Nat Sciver-Brunt calmly guided her to the milestone. It was an emphatic performance in a breakthrough year for the opener. The three-match series continues at Bristol on Wednesday and is followed by five T20s.Another dominant performance from England highlighted the stark gulf in class between the teams, with a New Zealand side who have not played much cricket recently looking even lower in confidence than the first outing. Their batting line-up boasts world-class talent in Suzie Bates, Amelia Kerr and Devine but the pressure weighing on their shoulders was evident in how they approached the innings. Bates was caught off the top edge rushed by Lauren Filer's pace for five from 15 balls, Devine battled for 28 from 34 balls but fell at a crucial moment and Amelia Kerr looked constantly torn between whether to stick or twist as she held the key for their hopes once the experienced duo had departed. That caution worked in Ecclestone's favour as Devine was stumped when trying to force the score, Brooke Halliday was bowled for six also trying to sweep aggressively and Izzy Gaze whacked one to mid-off. Lauren Down and Molly Penfold were both caught on the crease, and Dean had Amelia Kerr brilliantly caught and bowled to end her anchoring stay from 86 balls. It was a thankless task for their bowlers, and Bouchier capitalised on that with her first century in all forms of cricket since playing for Middlesex Under-13s in 2012. The bowling was poor and unthreatening throughout but it was a classy knock as she continues to nail her place at the top of the order which started in the series away to the same opponents earlier this year. After scores of 91 and 95 in both white-ball formats, it looked like the nerves were going to get the better of her again with a tense lbw survival on 92 following a New Zealand review, before she was expertly guided by the calmness of Sciver-Brunt to help her to the landmark. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cl5yd7npjlwo

If you feel exhausted by the end of a working day, it is time to incorporate nutritious snacks — like blueberries with pumpkin seeds — into your diet. As per experts, pumpkin seeds and blueberries have rich nutritional profiles and offer numerous health benefits, making them a healthy evening snack option. “Pumpkin seeds are rich in nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and healthy fats. They are also high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help support heart health, reduce inflammation, and boost overall immunity,” said Ruchika Jain, chief dietitian, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj. Pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, are small but mighty. “They are rich in protein, healthy fats, and a variety of essential nutrients. A handful of pumpkin seeds provides a substantial amount of magnesium, zinc, and iron,” said Eshanka Wahi, culinary nutritionist, holistic wellness coach, and the founder of Eat Clean with Eshanka.Additionally, pumpkin seeds also promote better sleep and mood regulations due to the presence of tryptophan, an amino acid that aids in the production of serotonin, mentioned Jain. “Magnesium is crucial for muscle and nerve function, zinc boosts the immune system, and iron is vital for oxygen transport in the blood. Additionally, pumpkin seeds are a good source of antioxidants, which help protect the body against inflammation and chronic diseases,” said Wahi. “Blueberries are rich in dietary fibre and antioxidants, especially anthocyanins. They can be an ideal snack for weight management, as they help maintain a healthy digestive system due to their high fibre content and promote satiety. The compounds present in blueberries are also known for their powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties,” shared Jain. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/pumpkin-seeds-blueberries-good-evening-snack-benefits-9373631/

Ferocious storms and torrential rains that lashed France, Switzerland and Italy this weekend have killed seven people, local authorities have said. Three people in their 70s and 80s died in France’s northeastern Aube region on Saturday when a tree crushed the car they were travelling in during fierce winds, the local authority told the AFP news agency on Sunday.A fourth passenger was in critical care, it added. In neighbouring Switzerland, four people have died and another two are missing, according to local police, after violent thunderstorms and melting snow caused flooding and landslides in two southern cantons. Three of the victims were killed early on Sunday in a landslide in the remote Maggia valley, in the Italian-speaking Alpine canton of Ticino, police said in a statement. The three bodies were recovered in the Fontana area of the Maggia valley and they were currently being identified, while another person was missing in the Lavizzara side arm of the valley, Ticino authorities said. Difficult rescue efforts The civil security services said “several hundred” people were evacuated in Valais and roads closed after the Rhone and its tributaries overflowed in different locations. Emergency services were assessing the best way to evacuate 300 people who had arrived for a football tournament in Peccia, while almost 70 more were being evacuated from a holiday camp in the village of Mogno.The poor weather was making rescue work particularly difficult, police had said earlier, with several valleys inaccessible and cut off from the electricity network. The federal alert system also said part of the canton was without drinking water.Extreme rainfall also struck southeastern Switzerland last weekend, killing one person and causing major damage. In northern Italy’s Aosta valley, internet users shared images of spectacular floods and swollen rivers rushing down mountain slopes. Scientists say climate change driven by human activity is increasing the severity, frequency and length of extreme weather events such as floods and storms. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/30/at-least-seven-dead-as-fierce-storms-lash-france-switzerland-italy

Video title: Best Fails of the week : Funniest Fails Compilation | Funny Videos 😂 - Part 24 Content creator ( Youtuber ) : The Funny Fails Official YT video:

Music title: Seedhe Maut - Kaanch Ke Ghar Signer: Seedhe Maut Release date: 6/29/2024 Official YouTube link: Informations about the signer:- Your opinion about the track (music video):-

Artist: Divine Real Name: Vivian Fernandes Birth Date /Place: October 2, 1990 Age: 33 Social status (Single / Married): Single Artist Picture: Musical Genres: Indian Hip-Hop Awards: MTV Europe Music Award for Best Indian Act Top 3 Songs (Names): DIVINE - 3:59 AM | Prod. by Stunnah Beatz | Official Music Video-DIVINE - Kaam 25 | Sacred Games (Prod. by Phenom)-DIVINE - One Side (Prod. by Byg Byrd) Other Information: Vivian Fernandes (born 2 October 1991), better known by his stage name Divine, is an Indian rapper from Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Northern Ireland’s economy grew strongly in the first quarter of 2024, official data suggests. The economy expanded by 1.4% compared to the final quarter of 2023. Most of that growth came from the services sector - which is the largest part of the economy. There was also growth in the construction sector, however manufacturing output continued to decline. Northern Ireland’s economy was essentially flat during 2023 as high inflation hit consumer spending and a series of public sector strikes also affected output. The broader economic environment has been improving recently with the rate of inflation easing and public sector pay disputes being resolved. That is reflected in a better performance for consumer services with the broad retail and hospitality sector growing by 2.2% in the first quarter of the year.Best performing part of economy Services is the largest part of the economy and includes business services. Business services, which include law, accountancy and management consulting, has been the best performing part of the NI economy since the pandemic. Output in that sector is at a 10-year high and has expanded by more than 30% since its pre-pandemic level at the end of 2019. It continued to expand in the first quarter of this year although the rate of expansion has moderated with quarterly growth of 0.7%. The strong performance may reflect the work that Northern Ireland-based employees do for GB and international customers.Glandore serviced office space has taken over seven floors of Arthur House in Belfast city centre and is expanding in response to increased demand for flexible working. The company's head of member engagement Nial Borthistle said the last six months of 2023 were "challenging". "But in terms of service providers, this year has been a really good start," he added. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ck7g2e41jwvo

Zoo de Granby continues its collaboration with LG2 for its summer 2024 offensive. Throughout the summer season, large-format out-of-home (OOH), proximity, video and radio executions remind us that with its (real) animals, water park and rides, Zoo de Granby combines the best of all three worlds. To this end, the friendly animals and playful tone as last summer's campaign returns. This time, the hippopotamus, giraffe, and meerkats, to name but a few, present the zoo's attractions, visually demonstrating the effect each has on them."We're delighted to be able to work hand in hand with LG2 to bring last summer's playful designs to life. Zoo de Granby has a unique proposition that combines education and fun, and our animals are the perfect spokespeople to put that proposition forward." said Marie-Christine Martin, director of sales, marketing and communications, Zoo de Granby."Last year, we wanted to bring children closer to real animals. This year, the completed drawings show us that the mission is accomplished. This summer, before-and-after is still at the heart of the campaign, but this time to show that the activities in the zoo's three parks have quite an effect on the animals." said Geneviève Langlois, partner and executive creative director, LG2.Zoo de Granby’s 2023 summer campaign, 'Sketchy Animals' to which the 2024 summer campaign follows, recently received two nominations at the renowned Cannes Lions competition, which rewards the best in advertising worldwide. It also won two Gold awards at the prestigious Marketing Awards and nine prizes at the Idéa competition, which celebrates the best in advertising creativity in Quebec. https://lbbonline.com/news/cute-animal-sketches-share-all-the-fun-of-zoo-de-granbys-three-worlds

Call me basic, but I don’t think "electric vehicle" and "engaging driving experience" mix all that well. It’s like having orange juice right after brushing your teeth or taking a half gallon of milk to the gizzard after eating Thai food. But Hyundai decided to make me look a fool and build the spectacular 2024 Ioniq 5 N. This is my first go at the thing, and I’m impressed so far. Not only has no other EV made me laugh like this—but almost no other cars I’ve driven in the last year have made me this giddy. Sure, it has up to 641 horsepower from two motors, which is part of the laugh factor. And it has a lot of serious onboard gear like adaptive dampers, track-ready cooling, 275-millimeter wide tires, and a dizzying array of electronic programs for variable torque splits, drift mode, and track-specific regenerative braking. But at the core of the excellence is something wonderful.Whimsy. Camp. Comedy. In my short time with it so far, the Ioniq 5 N knows how to party. For its $67,475 base price (of which you can’t add any options), it is a performance car bargain on paper.I've still got plenty more time to spend with this thing, but here's my shortlist of loves and hates so far: What's Good So Far? Mind-bending performance. This thing is stupid fast, even amongst its EV peers. 641 horsepower feels slightly underrated, and it pulls properly hard at highway speeds, unlike some other EVs. Excellent suspension. The adaptive dampers clearly have a broad range; Normal mode is nearly as plush and lovely as a normal Ioniq 5. Click them into N mode, and they suddenly become pogoing lunatics fit for a backroad. Impressive. Unbelievable handling. OK, hyperbole can get old but this thing, so far, is one of the best-handling cars you can buy at any price. I’m not sure how Hyundai pulled this off, but the confidence from the chassis, and the lovely murmurs of weight and communication from the steering make the 5 N supremely easy to scumbag on a backroad. https://www.motor1.com/features/724678/hyundai-ioniq-5n-ask-us-anything/

If you are here to avoid discussion about the future of an England management struggling at a major tournament you are in the wrong place. For Gareth Southgate, see Jos Buttler and Matthew Mott. England’s semi-final defeat by India in Guyana was emphatic. It brought an end to their reign as T20 World Cup champions. In many ways it told us what we already knew – that England struggle on slow, low pitches and their bowling attack is not quite at the elite level. But at the same time this tournament leaves unanswered questions, namely, are England any good and are Mott and Buttler the right leaders to take them back to the top of the white-ball game? That those doubts remain is a problem for the coach and captain.Just days ago it felt like England had turned a corner. It seemed their leadership duo had wriggled free of the ghosts of last year’s disappointing defence of the 50-over World Cup. A run to the semi-finals would have been viewed as a decent effort in another world. But defeat by 68 runs brings those demons back into view, especially in a tournament where three of your four wins came against Namibia, Oman and the United States. Now, for the first time in five years, England do not hold a white-ball trophy. England's managing director of men's cricket Rob Key must decide whether there has been enough from Buttler and Mott to remain for the next one - the Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February. Buttler’s case is strengthened by the lack of alternatives. Harry Brook is the only realistic candidate of a suitable age, who is also guaranteed a place in the XI. Some doubt whether the job would suit the 25-year-old, but he has led Yorkshire four times in the T20 Blast and England at an Under-19 World Cup. Captaincy has never seemed to come as naturally to Buttler as it did his predecessor and close friend Eoin Morgan.Speak to those close to Buttler and they insist he is the right man – a calm head with a smart cricket brain who can lead by example as England’s greatest white-ball batter. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cql82px49z4o

As we reach middle age, a battle begins within our bodies – one against muscle loss. But why does this happen, and what can we do to win this fight and maintain our strength? G Sushma, Clinical Dietician at CARE Hospitals Banjar Hills, Hyderabad, sheds light on the science behind muscle loss and shares strategies to keep your muscles strong and healthy. Several factors join forces to contribute to muscle loss around middle age, she said. Let’s explore these key villains:Hormonal Shifts: As we age, our bodies produce less testosterone and growth hormone, crucial players in muscle maintenance and growth. Women experiencing menopause may also face additional challenges due to declining estrogen levels. Less Activity, More Muscle Shrinkage: Our activity levels often decrease with age, leading to muscle atrophy. Remember, “use it or lose it” applies to muscles too!Metabolic Slowdown: Our bodies’ metabolic rates slow down with age, leading to a potential imbalance where muscle protein breakdown outpaces muscle protein synthesis. Neuronal Decline: A gradual decrease in motor neurons, responsible for muscle movement and strength, can also contribute to muscle loss.Chronic Inflammation: Low-grade inflammation, often increasing with age, can be another foe in the battle against muscle mass. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/fitness/muscle-mass-loss-middle-age-how-to-stop-9416167/

Voters will head to polling booths across Mauritania on June 29, in elections set to be a litmus test for the northeast African country’s young and fragile democracy. A vast but sparsely po[CENSORED]ted desert country with some 4.5 million people, Mauritania has long been beset by coups and military rule. The country has been under military dictatorship for nearly all of its 64 years since gaining independence from France in 1960. Its first peaceful power transfer came in 2019, when then-incumbent President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz chose not to run for a third term.The country is surrounded by neighbours battling armed violence involving a range of groups, and analysts say Mauritania faces the risk of that lack of security spilling over into its territory. Mauritania also has a legacy of racial discrimination that is still alive: Mauritania was the last country to abolish slavery in 1981, and crackdowns on activists from the Black Mauritanian po[CENSORED]tion have led to tensions in recent months. Racial disparities also show up in access to education, health and land. Some two million people are eligible to vote on Saturday. Here’s all you need to know about the coming polls:President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani – Representing the ruling El Insaf or Equity Party, experts say the 67-year-old incumbent president is the favourite to win the elections. Ghazouani will seek to clinch a second and final five-year term after leading the country’s first democratic transition since 2019. The president was a former military man. He served as former army chief under his predecessor, Aziz, who hand-picked him for the top job. In 2019, he won 52 percent of the vote in a competitive and largely peaceful election. Biram Ould Dah Ould Abeid – The 59-year-old parliament member is running under the banner of the Refoundation for a Global Action alliance (RAG). He came second with 19 percent of the votes in 2019. The anti-slavery activist is well-known for speaking up for Afro-Mauritanians who make up a majority of the po[CENSORED]tion, but who have historically faced discrimination. The activist has been jailed several times under previous governments for his outspokenness and campaigns, under his non-profit Initiative for the Resurgence of the Abolitionist Movement (IRA-Mauritania). Outouma Antoine Souleimane Soumare – An independent candidate, the neurosurgeon has campaigned on social justice, promising to change the constitution so it can more equally represent all social backgrounds, and pledging to provide basic amenities, especially to communities outside the capital, Nouakchott. Soumare is seen as a more moderate alternative to Abeid by many. Other candidates include: Hamadi Sidi Mokhtar Mohamed Abdi of the conservative Tawassoul Party, the main opposition with the largest number of parliament seats after El Insaf. Abdi is pushing for further entrenchment of Islamic law in the Muslim-majority country. Mamadou Bocar Ba of the Alliance for Justice and Democracy movement that represents mostly Black Mauritanians. El Id Mohameden M’Bareck of the Republican Front for Unity and Democracy (FRUD) or Hope Mauritania coalition. Mohamed Lemine El Mourteji El Wafi, who is running for the second time as an independent candidate. What are the key issues? Unemployment: Mauritanians under the age of 25 make up 60 percent of the po[CENSORED]tion. A combination of limited job opportunities and a dearth of needed skills means youth unemployment is at 23 percent, with thousands unable to find jobs. Poverty: Mauritania is one of the poorest countries in the world and more than half of the po[CENSORED]tion lives in poverty, most of them children. Those conditions have increasingly pushed young people to take deadly journeys on rickety boats, hoping to reach Europe. Some have also taken to flying to South American countries which require no visas, and then trekking through the dangerous Darien Gap to try to reach the United States. In March, the EU signed a multibillion-dollar deal with Nouakchott to boost border policing and reduce migrant arrivals. Amenities: Improving access to basic amenities like electricity and water is also a key demand of many voters. More than half of the country did not have access to electricity in 2020, according to the International Energy Agency. But also pressing is the insecurity that’s raging just across the eastern border with Mali and that threatens to spill over into an otherwise stable Mauritania. Incumbent Ghazouani on the campaign trail has argued that the country needs his steady leadership to avoid the prospect of extremism returning as a serious threat: Mauritania had successfully clamped down on armed groups in 2011. “We’ve not seen insecurity in Mauritania itself but we see that there’s pressure on that border, we’ve seen activities there – whether attacks or those extremist groups trying to infiltrate border communities,” said Dan Eizenga, a West Africa researcher at the US-based Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Tensions are simmering between Bamako and Nouakchott as well, the researcher said, as Mauritania has accused Malian troops of killing its citizens in its pursuit of armed groups. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/28/whats-at-stake-in-mauritanias-presidential-election