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“Impact of Sports Gambling on Mental Health,” by Assistant Professors of Economics Cody Couture and Jeffrey Cross, and Stephen Wu, the Irma M. and Robert D. Morris Professor of Economics, appears in the October issue of Economic Letters from Elsevier. In their paper, the authors examine the impact of gambling on mental health and provide causal evidence from their research, conducted using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a nationally representative survey conducted by the U.S. Center for Disease Control.Their findings showed that “the legalization of gambling across the United States has increased access to betting, particularly sports betting, which hasheterogeneously impacted the mental health of residents in those states.” They found that “young men between the ages of 18 and 24 see an improvement in their mental health” due to improved access to legalized gambling as a new form of entertainment. Their results also showed that married men between 30 and 34 years of age “see a substantial decline in their [mental health] resulting from legalized gambling, possibly due [to] the added stress of being financially responsible for someone else.” They noted that the study showed “no discernible effect for women.” https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/sports-gambling-mental-health-couture-cross-wu

It’s been a minute since the Honda Pilot’s latest generation debuted. Actually, it’s been two years. The restyled SUV showed its muscular bod for the first time in November, 2022. Aside from a brief first-drive event in early 2023, we kind of forgot about the “new” Pilot. Does that make it an entirely forgettable machine? Certainly not. After a week and approximately 600 miles in a 2025 Pilot Black Edition, I found the SUV to be a superb family truckster with legitimate room for seven or eight people inside, not an easy accomplishment in the mid-size SUV segment. But my backside wasn’t very happy after three straight hours in the driver’s seat. And my wallet wasn’t happy with the required fuel stops.Every SUV segment is super competitive, but the mid-size crew is home to heavy hitters like the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Toyota Highlander, Jeep Grand Cherokee… I could go on. The Pilot is arguably the best-looking of the bunch, balancing its chiseled, upright shape with clean lines and satisfying proportions. Finding that design sweet spot isn’t easy, and the Black Edition adds a bit more flavor with black exterior trim. Set against the Radiant Red Metallic paint, this Pilot just flat-out looks sharp.The Black Edition brings more snazzy trim inside, namely in the form of red stitching and red interior lighting to contrast with the sea of black leather. Like the exterior, Honda strikes a comfortable balance with its design, though some might find the layout a bit dated despite being just two years old. The 9.0-inch tablet-style touchscreen contributes to that—it’s decidedly smaller than most everything else in this segment. https://www.motor1.com/reviews/730061/2025-honda-pilot-black-edition-review/

Vitality County Championship leaders Surrey underlined their claims for a third successive Division One title as they beat Lancashire in comprehensive fashion. Rory Burns' team took less than two sessions on day four to dismiss their opponents for 177 and secure victory at The Oval by an innings and 63 runs.Conor McKerr polished off Lancashire's tail to finish with 4-27, while Dan Worrall and Jordan Clark each took three wickets as Surrey made it seven wins from 10 Championship games.Matthew Hurst, Lancashire's highly rated 20-year-old, tried hard to hold up Surrey by adding a fine 64 to a first-innings 46, but it was an uphill struggle after Worrall dismissed Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings for 13 and 16-year-old debutant Rocky Flintoff in successive balls. Jack Leach gave England's selectors a reminder of his ability as title hopefuls Somerset's match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston ended in a rain-affected draw.The left-arm spinner has been overlooked by England in favour of Somerset team-mate Shoaib Bashir since the opening Test against India in Hyderabad in January, but he took five wickets at the cost of only 18 runs in 49 balls, finishing with 5-77, to truncate Warwickshire's second innings at 270. Somerset faced a victory target of 369 from 68 overs, but they were not helped by rain and ended on 206-4 when the two sides shook hands. https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12123/13203510/county-championship-surrey-hand-lancashire-comprehensive-defeat-to-move-closer-to-third-straight-title

Weight loss enthusiasts are always on the hunt for a new hack — a new fad that can get them closer to their goal. But can switching out one’s breakfast with dinner and vice versa help them get one step closer? Indianexpress.com set out to find the truth behind it. “Swapping breakfast for dinner has gained a lot of attention for weight loss. The main principle is to consume a larger, dinner-like meal in the morning and a smaller, breakfast-like meal in the evening,” said Sneha Sarkar, Nutrigenomic specialist and Diabetes Educator. What is the main principle behind this concept? This concept is essentially centred around the need to boost metabolism. “Eating a larger meal in the morning can increase your resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermogenesis, helping your body burn more calories throughout the day,” explained Sarkar.She said that consuming a larger meal in the morning may improve insulin sensitivity, reducing the risk of developing insulin resistance and related health issues. “By eating a smaller meal in the evening, you may reduce overall calorie intake and avoid consuming excess calories close to bedtime, which can aid in weight loss,” said Sarkar.However, she said that pregnant or breastfeeding women, people with diabetes or blood sugar issues, those with a history of eating disorders or certain medical conditions, such as gastrointestinal issues should stay away from following this particular way of eating.“Ensure you’re getting a balanced diet with appropriate macronutrient and micronutruent ratios, regardless of when you eat your meals, and listen to your body. If you’re not hungry in the morning or feel weak, it may not be the best approach for you,” she said. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/breakfast-for-dinner-help-you-lose-weight-loss-9422298/

A volunteer-run cat rescue organisation has launched a large-scale operation to trap and rescue over 80 stray cats roaming the streets of Rokeby. Birchgrove Feline Assistance pounced into action last week after receiving a ‘particularly distressing’ call about multiple cats being killed and laid out in the Greater Hobart suburb.The organisation told Pulse the situation was “critical”, with more cat deaths reported since their initial visit to the area. They said a local resident told volunteers they had counted over 76 cats on their street.The charity has spent several days collecting cats from the neighbourhood to prevent them from breeding further, taking in multiple pregnant and some sick felines. One cat picked up last week had broken teeth and was missing an ear.“We will be racing the clock before the numbers explode with kittens,” Birchgrove said. The RSPCA has also launched an investigation into the situation.“Inspectors are seeking information in relation to multiple deceased animals that have been located in a reserve at 63 Duntroon Drive, Rokeby during August 2024,” a spokesperson said. “If anyone has any information in relation to animals at this reserve, in particular CCTV footage that may capture the area, please contact the RSPCA Tasmania Inspectorate.” Once all cats have been trapped, they will be cared for, rehabilitated and desexed before being rehomed. https://pulsetasmania.com.au/news/80-stray-cats-rescue-operation-underway-after-animals-killed-in-rokeby/

Amid some uncertainty about a bailout from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government hopes the Fund’s executive board will meet in September to approve a $7 billion loan package for Pakistan. Finance Minister Mohammed Aurangzeb had earlier expected this to take place in August. The delay is attributable to the need for the government to first secure around $2 billion in additional financing and confirm $12 billion of debt rollovers from China, Saudi Arabia and UAE. The government is confident that the larger, longer duration Fund program will be approved as all other conditions have been met. Once this happens it will of course help to stabilize the economy, that has been in the critical ward, and restore some confidence. But while the bailout is necessary to meet the country’s immediate financing requirements, it is not sufficient to drive a sustained economic recovery. External support is a fire fighting response that cannot fix the economy’s structural weaknesses. IMF programs help to create the conditions for economic recovery. But policies to grow the economy, promote investment and build business confidence are for the country to evolve, own and implement through structural reforms. This requires an economic vision and a comprehensive plan. So far, a visionless government’s economic strategy has involved little more than meeting IMF conditionalities, trying to secure debt rescheduling from bilateral donors and seeking high-cost commercial loans from Middle Eastern banks. The government has now also approached Saudi Arabia for an additional loan. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif keeps talking about rolling out an economic plan but five months into his government none has emerged. He has appointed a plethora of committees and task forces on a range of economic and trade issues as if economic management can be done by committee. This, when the solutions are already out there, long known, never implemented. One such committee was tasked by Mr.Sharif with evolving a home-grown economic plan, ironically under the stewardship of a foreign consultant. But when the plan it produced left the prime minister unimpressed the task of reviewing it was handed over to yet another committee headed by Deputy Prime Minister and foreign minister Ishaq Dar, whose handling of the economy in previous PML-N tenures proved ineffective and controversial. https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2568743

Two Nasa astronauts who have been stuck in space for over two months will return to Earth in February 2025 with SpaceX. Nasa said the Boeing Starliner spacecraft the astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore had travelled to International Space Station (ISS) on would return to Earth "un-crewed". The pair took off on what was planned to be an eight-day mission on 5 June but will now spend around eight months in orbit. The Starliner experienced problems on its way to the ISS, including leaks of helium, which pushes fuel into the propulsion system. Several thrusters also did not work properly. Boeing and SpaceX were both awarded billion-dollar contracts by Nasa to provide commercial space flights for its astronauts. Boeing’s was worth $4.2bn (£3.18bn) while SpaceX, which was founded by billionaire Elon Musk, got $2.6bn. SpaceX has so far sent nine crewed flights to space for Nasa, as well as some commercial missions, but this was Boeing’s first attempt at a crewed mission. Engineers at Boeing and Nasa have spent months trying to understand the technical issues with the Starliner craft. They have been carrying out tests and gathering data, both in space and back on the Earth. Their hope was to pin down the root of the problems and find a way to return the astronauts home safely on Starliner.Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson said Boeing has been working closely with Nasa to understand what improvements need to be made to the spacecraft. "Space flight is a risk, even at its safest and even at its most routine, and a test flight, by nature, is neither safe nor routine," he said. "Our core value is safety and it is our north star." The decision has been made to extend the pair's stay on the ISS until February 2025 so they can return on a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The extra time allows SpaceX to launch its next vehicle, with lift-off scheduled for the end of September. It was supposed to have four astronauts on board, but will instead travel to the space station with two. This leaves room for Mr Wilmore and Ms Williams to join them in the vehicle to return to Earth at the end of its planned mission next February.Nasa has said both astronauts had previously completed two long-duration stays in space and understood the risks of the test flight, including being aboard the station longer than planned. The organisation said Mr Wilmore, 61, and Ms Williams, 58, both "fully" supported the plans for their return and would spend the next few months carrying out scientific work, space maintenance and possibly doing some "spacewalks". Boeing’s Starliner had already been delayed for several years because of setbacks in the spacecraft's development. Previous un-crewed flights also suffered technical problems. In a statement, Boeing said it continued to focus "on the safety of the crew and spacecraft". "We are executing the mission as determined by Nasa, and we are preparing for a safe and successful un-crewed return," it added. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy47w9yndpo

Artist: MC HotDog Real Name: Yao Zhongren Birth Date /Place: April 10, 1978 Taipei, Taiwan Age: 46 Social status (Single / Married): Single Artist Picture: Musical Genres: Hip hop Awards: Golden Melody Award for Best Male Mandarin Singer - Golden Melody Award for Best Lyricist Top 3 Songs (Names): Woman 27 (feat. Miaca Kuan) 髒藝術家 髒藝術家 - Single · Out of Here (feat. A-Yue Chang) Other Information: MCHotDog (Chinese: 姚中仁; pinyin: Yáo Zhōngrén; Wade–Giles: Yao Chung-jen; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Iâu Tiong-jîn; born April 10, 1978) is a Taiwanese rap artist and best known as “The Father of Taiwanese Hip Hop Music”. He also known for his use of explicit lyrics in his songs.

Music title: Savage - Nasli Hip-Hop (Diss 18+) (Official Music Video) Prod by ‪@z4nemusic‬ Signer: Savage Release date: 8/24/2024 Official YouTube link: Informations about the signer:- Your opinion about the track (music video):-

The Republic of Ireland’s economic growth is showing signs of moderating after a period of "spectacular expansion" the country’s largest business organisation has said. Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) has also warned that lack of delivery on infrastructure projects and underinvestment in higher education, is "materially impacting" Ireland’s reputation as a place to do business. In its quarterly economic outlook IBEC is urging the finance minister to focus on those issues in October’s budget. It will be the last budget before the Irish general election which could take place later this year. Ireland’s economy recovered strongly from the pandemic and in 2023 the domestic grew by 5% according to official figures. The employment rate reached an all time high of 74.4% in the second quarter of this year. IBEC says it expects that positive momentum to continue in the short term but that "the forward view for the Irish economic model is more challenging". It cites the rise of global trade tensions and greater competition for foreign investment as a challenge to growth potential, exacerbated by a poor record on infrastructure delivery. 'Strategic priorities need addressing' Earlier this week, the former chief executive of the country’s inward investment agency, Martin Shanahan, repeated a warning that global companies are "frustrated with the slow response in addressing infrastructure shortfalls in areas like housing, energy, water and transport". IBEC's chief economist, Gerard Brady, said that "unlike in the past" there is the chance to tackle these issues, given the government is running a budget surplus. "Budget 2025 should prioritise global competitiveness by enhancing investment offerings, fostering innovation, and investing in critical skills and infrastructure to drive our economy forward. "This can only be achieved by addressing strategic priorities rather than diluting resources with widespread handouts," he added. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9351q552zjo

An online community has erupted around people filming wildlife with backyard trail cameras, complete with dollhouse furniture film sets. It's not just cute: the videos are uncovering animal secrets for biologists. Growing up in Los Angeles, I mostly ignored nature. "I'm a city person" I'd say to anyone who tried to drag me on a hike. But during lockdown, I noticed finches nesting on my balcony. I hung bird feeders and downloaded an app to ID bird calls, hoping for something to keep me away from doomscrolling. The finches made for a soothing distraction, but things really changed when I spotted a cute "critter cam" account on social media. People weren't just feeding birds, they were filming them – even setting out a tiny hot tub for the birds to splash around in. I became obsessed. I bought a generic trail camera on Amazon to put in my yard. In a matter of days, I'd plunged into the lives of my neighbourhood skunks, squirrels and possums, a nature-made reality show unfolding in the bushes of my own garden. Depending on where you live, there's probably a whole parallel universe of animal life right outside your window. All it takes is a little spy craft, and thanks to the proliferation of cheap cameras, a bustling po[CENSORED]tion of critter enthusiasts has emerged online.But this growing body of at-home wildlife footage is good for more than a quick hit of cuteness-driven dopamine. The animal videos people are sharing on social media are shifting perceptions about urban wildlife, fostering supportive communities and even impacting conservation efforts. "My game cams bring me closer to the animals with whom I share this ecosystem," says Eric Aldrich, who runs an at-home trail camera account from his home in Tucson, Arizona. "And when I share what my cameras capture with others – on social media, in meeting halls, in the desert and the mountains – my human neighbours feel closer, too." From online hobbyist to citizen science On his half-acre of land that borders a dry watercourse, Aldrich has three solar-powered trail cameras. Originally po[CENSORED]rised by hunters and researchers, trail cameras have infrared light motion sensors that are triggered, ideally, when an animal walks past. "I set mine to the highest-quality video setting and keep my [motion] sensitivity low because I don't want blades of grass or a bug setting it off," Aldrich says. Once a month, Aldrich reviews the footage and edits together a narrated video that he shares on YouTube, Instagram and in a trail camera Reddit group. The regular cast of characters include packs of peccary – an herbivore that resembles a wild boar, also known as a javelina – deer, rabbits, coyotes, quail and nectar-feeding bats. But it was Aldrich's footage of a bobcat in a radio collar that cemented his status as an honorary research assistant. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240822-at-home-trail-cameras-capturing-the-secret-animal-reality-show-in-your-own-back-garden

The Jaguar F-Type is dead. After 11 years in production, the British two-seater is being put to pasture as Jag reinvigorates its lineup with an EV-only approach. The decision marks the end of one of the United Kingdom’s all-time great sports cars. We’re sad about it. To give the F-Type a proper sendoff, we thought it appropriate to drive the car one last time. After a weekend of backroad carving, long highway drives, and city errand-running, it’s clear to us the world is losing out on one of the last true all-rounder performance vehicles of the 2010s.It’s hard not to stop and stare. Even 10 years after its introduction, the F-Type stuns with its beauty. Whether we’re talking about the original car or the facelift introduced in 2019, it’s tough to find an angle that isn’t pleasing to the eye. It combines classic roadster proportions with a pair of lovely fascias. People asked me about this car constantly, despite its age. I’m especially partial to the rear end; Those taillights and quad tips make it one of the best-looking cars produced in the 21st century, hands down.Time hasn’t been as kind to this Jag’s interior, but it’s still hard to fault. The cabin looks like it was designed in the early 2010s, with physical buttons scattered throughout the cabin in a less-than-linear fashion. While it’s not as pleasing to the eye as setups like the new AMG GT, the F-type’s switchgear is far more user-friendly. There aren’t seven menus to jump through to get to the cooled seats, or touch-capacitive buttons to adjust the cruise control. Just a bunch of solid, clicky buttons—as it should be.The only thing that really dates the F-Type is its screens. The gauge cluster is just a digital display of analog-style speed and revs, and doesn’t show much other information. The 10.0-inch infotainment screen feels generations old. It’s miles less responsive and less vibrant than the new stuff. Its saving grace is standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which work well. Sadly you need a wire for both of them. Otherwise, the F-Type remains a pleasant place to spend time. The seats are comfortable and easily adjustable, the stereo bumps, and visibility is excellent. I could easily do a full day behind the wheel in this car... which is exactly what I did over a weekend. The car you see here is an F-Type P450 R-Dynamic, the cheapest variant in the F-Type lineup for 2024 (Jaguar dropped the V-6 back in 2019 with the facelift). In this case, it’s also the best version of the F-Type. Under the big clamshell hood is the company’s 5.0-liter supercharged V-8 engine, paired to an eight-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels—the same layout the F-Type started with in 2013. https://www.motor1.com/reviews/729547/2024-jaguar-f-type-review-last-drive/

First Test, Emirates Old Trafford (day three of five) Sri Lanka 236 (Dhananjaya 74; Woakes 3-32) & 204-6 (Mathews 65, K Mendis 56*) England 358 (Smith 111, Brook 56; A Fernando 4-103) Sri Lanka are 82 runs ahead Scorecard England are moving towards victory over Sri Lanka after an eventful third day of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford. The tourists closed on 204-6 in their second innings, only 82 ahead at the end of a Friday that began with England’s Jamie Smith completing his maiden Test century. Sri Lanka were in danger of imploding when captain Dhananjaya de Silva was out to Matthew Potts. With Dinesh Chandimal having an X-ray on his thumb after being pinned by Mark Wood, the tourists were effectively 95-5 in their second innings, still 27 adrift. But Angelo Mathews showed some much-needed defiance, dragging Sri Lanka into the lead with 65 in a stand of 78 with Kamindu Mendis. Crucially, England persuaded the umpires to change the ball and got a replacement that swung, with Potts having chances dropped off both Mathews and Kamindu. Mathews eventually poked Chris Woakes to Potts at point and though England will have been concerned by Wood leaving the field midway through an over, his replacement Joe Root needed only two balls to induce a wild hack from Milan Rathnayake. Sri Lanka were at least boosted by the news that Chandimal has avoided a fracture and he returned to move to 20 not out, alongside Kamindu unbeaten on an impressive 56. Earlier, wicketkeeper Smith’s 111 lifted England to 358 and a first-innings lead of 122.For two days, some occasionally high-quality cricket had been hard to enjoy because of the drab conditions. A sunny Friday with a bigger crowd felt like the arrival of a spectacle. With that in mind, the prospect of Sri Lanka folding was disappointing, especially given the one-sided nature of England’s series against West Indies last month. For some time, a three-day finish seemed the most likely outcome. Mathews, though, has form in these situations. In 2014 the 37-year-old former captain rescued Sri Lanka from a helpless position at Headingley and engineered one of the most famous victories in their history. He found a confident partner in Kamindu. The pitch, often uneven, went to sleep. Stand-in England captain Ollie Pope was forced into his hardest thinking of the match. The ball change, 41 overs into the Sri Lanka innings, was the turning point, though England almost missed their chance. While Woakes accounted for Mathews, he had already been badly missed by Root at slip and Gus Atkinson was slow to move towards Kamindu’s slash to point. England will remember what happened on this ground during last year’s Ashes Test, when most of the last two days were lost to rain and the match was drawn. Rain is again forecast for the weekend, but they will hope their position is strong enough and the weather kind enough for victory to be achieved. https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/ckg2yevnjg2o

During the rainy season, many people experience digestive issues. As such, it’s not surprising our social media algorithm shows many natural home remedies that “promise” relief. One such was by Chef Keertida Phadke, who suggested having ginger and lime with some salt, sugar to combat metabolism issues. “A ginger-lime digestive that needs only 4 ingredients to come together and makes the tastiest, chatpata digestive aide perfect for monsoons. There’s no recipe per se,” she said. How to make it? Ingredients *Thinly sliced/grated ginger with *Sugar *Salt *Lime juice (enough to cover the slices) Method*Combine everything in a glass jar. Put the lid on and shake well. *Taste and check if you need more salt/sugar. *Refrigerate for 2-3 days. You’ll see how the concoction turns the prettiest shade of pink. “Do a final adjustment of salt/sugar now that the flavours have steeped,” said Phadke. Note *This easily stays in the fridge for 10-12 days. According to Phadke, beyond its digestive powers, this makes a great relish – crisp, salty, savoury – and so much better than the vinegary ginger served alongside subpar sushi.Veena V, dietician, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bangalore said that ginger and lime are powerful ingredients with diverse healthful properties that make them great choices for the monsoon. “Ginger contains gingerol, which is a bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It also helps get rid of nausea, improve digestion, and prevent flu and common colds that abound during the rainy season. Also, ginger has warming properties,” said Veena. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/ginger-lime-digestive-monsoon-tips-9450459/

At least five US Secret Service agents have been placed on administrative leave following the attempt on Donald Trump's life in Pennsylvania, US media reports. They include the head of the the Pittsburgh field office that coordinated security with local police, three other agents in the same office and a member of Trump's personal detail, according to the BBC's US news partner CBS. Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, was injured in the right ear by a bullet fired from a roof by Thomas Crooks, 20, at a rally in Butler on 13 July. His burst of gunfire killed one crowd member and injured two others before he was shot dead by a Secret Service sniper. Anthony Guglielmi, a spokesman for the Secret Service, said its review of "this operational failure" was ongoing, adding that agents were held to "the highest professional standards" and any violations could result in disciplinary action. Kimberly Cheatle resigned as the service's director shortly after facing members of Congress in a contentious hearing where she failed to provide specific answers about the attack and her agents' response. She has since been replaced by Ronald Rowe as acting director. The House of Representatives has formed a task force to investigate the operational failures that allowed Crooks to fire on the crowd. Trump held an outdoor rally in North Carolina on Wednesday, his first since the assassination attempt. His podium surrounded by bulletproof glass. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyn6p67p0jo

Music title: LOUD - Fury Rapsters | (Official Lyrical Video) Signer: Fury Rapsters Release date: 8/23/2024 Official YouTube link: Informations about the signer:- Your opinion about the track (music video):-

Beyond benchmark measures like employment, growth, and inflation, economics encompasses the full spectrum of humanity. It affects—and reflects—everyone. Central bankers may be most acutely aware of this, as well as the high cost for people should they falter in charting the policies to keep prices stable and workers employed. For interest-rate setters and anyone else pondering whether steering an economy has ever been so complicated or more consequential, recent books build out the literature on the most essential subject: how economics can be a tool to improve people’s lives. They also reflect new voices on civil society, tax reform and gender equality, as shown by the latest reviews in the IMF’s quarterly magazine, Finance & Development. From China-US ties and climate change to broadening gauges of economic growth, below is a selection of new books reviewers have recently highlighted in F&D’s pages.Elizabeth O’Brien Ingleson traces the cultural, diplomatic, and economic factors that shaped China’s 1970s transformation and its relationship with the United States. She describes how these factors played out in each country and in relation to each other to answer broader and more fundamental questions—not only about why China converged with US capitalism but also why American capitalists incorporated China into their vision of the future.R. Jisung Park documents how climate change affects human welfare and the global economy. Higher temperatures are reflected in everything from standardized testing and professional tennis to manufacturing and crime rates. “Hotter temperatures,” Park argues, “may already be affecting companies’ bottom lines,” and climate change has the potential to “significantly alter the economic playing field.”Paolo de Renzio shows how nongovernmental and civil society organizations influence tax reforms, based on case studies in countries at various stages of economic and institutional development. This book is part of a broader rethinking about tax policy, touching on a wide range of real-world examples, from former public officials in Guatemala holding an opaque and ineffective tax administration to account to a campaign for higher taxes on alcohol and tobacco in the Philippines. https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2024/08/21/economics-authors-confront-toughest-questions-on-data-history-and-theory

Researchers warn the animals we eat could be the gateway to a pandemic in the form of antimicrobial resistance, unleashing a wave of deadly superbugs.The World Health Organization estimates that drug-resistant diseases could cause up to 10 million deaths each year by 2050. The researchers analyzed this public health and food security challenge in the food animal industry in Southeast Asia for the International Journal of Food Science and Technology. This challenge is relevant to Australia, which has strong political, economic and social ties with countries in the region. Australia marked 50 years of engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a special summit in Melbourne earlier this year. Bioscientist Professor Rajaraman Eri and microbiologist Dr. Charmaine Lloyd from RMIT University in Australia and public policy expert Dr. Pushpanathan Sundram from Thailand co-wrote the journal article. "There is a big pandemic waiting to happen in the form of antimicrobial resistance," said Eri, who is the Associate Dean of Biosciences and Food Technology at RMIT and also a veterinarian. "We're going to face a situation in the world where will run out of antibiotics. That means we will not be able to treat infections." Asia is a hotspot of antimicrobial resistance in animals, with Southeast Asia being an epicenter, the team says. There are more than 2.9 billion chickens, 258 million ducks, 7 million cattle, 15.4 million buffaloes, 77.5 million pigs, 13.7 million sheep and 30.6 million goats in the region, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. "Livestock farming, mainly for smallholders, provides employment and side income, improves household dietary components and nutritional security, and provides food and economic well-being for their respective nations," said Sundram, who contributed to the research while he was at Chiang Mai University in Thailand. The research paper highlights Southeast Asia's challenges associated with antimicrobial resistance and residue in animals, and points out the need to differentiate the two concepts.Resistance occurs when microorganisms develop resistance to antimicrobial agents to which they are exposed. "On the farm, the presence of antibiotics in food, soil, water run-off and animal waste can contribute to this resistance developing," said Lloyd, from RMIT's School of Science. "The overuse and misuse of antimicrobial drugs, especially for growth promotion in healthy animals, have resulted in the increased rate of resistance. "Since resistant bacteria in animals may be transferred to humans through the food chain or by direct contact, this transmission pathway highlights the connection between human and animal health, emphasizing the need to address antimicrobial resistance in food animals." Food animals' residues are remnants of drugs, pesticides and other chemical substances that persist in animal tissues or products after administration or exposure to these substances. "Veterinary drug residues commonly arise from overusing and improper use of antimicrobial agents, growth promoters and other veterinary drugs in animal husbandry practices," Eri said. "Efforts in the region to regulate antimicrobial use are underway, but there's growing concern over consuming products with antimicrobial residues, which can impact human health due to the presence of antibiotic-resistant microbiota and pathogens in hosts," Sundram said. "In Australia, we have excellent policies to take care of antimicrobial resistance, specifically, the usage of antibiotics is well regulated," Eri said. "But that's not the case at the global level. In many countries, anybody can buy antibiotics, whether it be for human or animal use." The team has six recommendations for policymakers in ASEAN countries to address antimicrobial resistance and residue in food animals: Recognize the difference between residue and resistance, to tackle the resistance challenges with the right interventions in Southeast Asia's food animals. Collaborate regionally and develop tailored strategies to navigate disease outbreaks, environmental concerns, residue levels and antimicrobial resistance. Implement country-specific awareness campaigns, robust surveillance of residues and resistance, appropriate regulations and responsible antimicrobial use, to reduce resistance risks. Foster international cooperation and initiatives to address resistance comprehensively, ensuring a united front against both residue and resistance. Strengthen public health systems and preparedness. Promote innovation and research in alternative antimicrobial solutions, sustainable farming practices and advanced diagnostics, to stay ahead of evolving challenges. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-pandemic-animals.html

North Wales is driving paradise. The roads through Snowdonia National Park are, in the truest sense of the word, epic. Tight and twisting as you climb up the mountains, fast and flowing in the valleys, with sublime scenery surrounding the shadow of Mount Snowdon. Park on the side of the road for an hour and you may see three or four cars pass by. One of them might be someone who made the pilgrimage. Mostly it’s just you and the sheep. Our wooly friends are nonplussed about the car, as they are most things. I’m not. The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is the final salvo for the internal-combustion Boxster, complete with God’s Own Flat-Six—a 4.0-liter, 493-hp, 9,000-rpm engine lifted from the 911 GT3. Pair that with a chassis honed by Porsche’s Motorsport department, but optimized for the road, and you’ve got a car as epic as this place.In its current guise, the Porsche 718 Boxster has been with us since 2016, yet its bones date back to the 981-generation Boxster of 2012. Ancient in car terms, but this car still feels great. Porsche got the fundamentals just right. In all its guises, the Boxster has always offered perfect handling balance and a driving experience that’s hardly compromised compared to its tin-top Cayman counterpart. In fact, the Boxster is typically lighter than its Cayman equivalent, and so it is here with the Spyder RS. The funny thing is that Porsche doesn’t refer to this car as a “Boxster.” It is just, simply, the 718 Spyder RS, and that’s quite apt. Since its very beginning, the Boxster has always offered a blend of daily usability and sports-car fun, but the Spyder RS sacrifices some usability for more flare, more drama, more… more. Erecting the lightweight top is akin to pitching a tent. The top’s fabric offers about as much sound insulation and theft protection; the ride is quite tough at low speed; the gearing is relatively short, so the engine drones at highway speed; the bucket seats are a pain to climb in and out of. A Boxster GTS 4.0 is a car you can use every day, no problem. The Spyder RS demands more, but it also offers more. It takes the Boxster to new heights.The suspension that’s tough around town comes alive on a fast road. Snowdonia’s “B-roads” are lumpy and bumpy, heavily crowned to deal with the constant rain, and with weird dips at the inside of corners. And the occasional cattle grade to contend with. Here, the Spyder RS floats along the surface, adaptive dampers rounding off all the hard edges perfectly. Sport-mode suspension settings are often too hard for places like this, but in the Spyder RS, the dampers just keep the body tied down that little bit better, without ever upsetting the car. Porsche softened the spring rates compared with the Cayman GT4 RS and it pays dividends. On basically every road we threw at the Spyder RS, even the ones beyond Wales, the car ate them up. Like all Boxsters before it, the Spyder’s handling is perfectly calibrated. It pivots right around its center, with a chassis balance that responds so precisely to throttle inputs. Like the Cayman GT4 RS, the Spyder RS is a very fast car, but one that makes the driver feel immediately at ease. You get in and push hard straight away. The big brakes boost your confidence as well. I can’t remember the last time I drove a Porsche Motorsport car without their optional carbon-ceramics, but these cast-iron brakes stop more than well enough and offer perfect pedal feel. https://www.motor1.com/reviews/729564/porsche-718-spyder-rs-review/

India’s Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar will tee off at the iconic Old Course on Thursday, hoping to put aside their indifferent form at the Paris Olympics earlier this month. The Women’s Open, which carries a purse of USD 9 million, one of the biggest in the sport, will see the return of the Women’s Major to St. Andrews for the first time since 2013, when Stacey Lewis won the title. The only other time the course staged the Women’s Major was in 2007, when it was won by Mexican star Lorena Ochoa. Aditi is grouped with A Lim Kim of Korea and American Cheyenne Knight, while Diksha goes out with Japan’s Hikaru Yoshimoto and Casandra Alexander. Both start on the back nine. While Diksha has not played on the course competitively in the past, Aditi played at the Old Course in 2015 when she won the St Rule Trophy, an amateur event. Aditi went on to win the title and is the only Indian to have done it. Aditi, who started playing at the age of five, has numerous firsts to her credit. Diksha, 23, has charted her own path in the sport. Born with a hearing impairment, Diksha overcame several odds to win gold at the Deaflympics and then became the first golfer ever to have played the Deaflympics and the Summer Olympics, which she has done twice. Aditi is playing her eighth Women’s Open, where her best has been T-22 in 2018 -- her best in a Major is T-17 at 2024 Evian Championship. Diksha, making her fifth Women’s Open start, achieved her best finish -- a tied-21 -- at the 2023 edition.Diksha, who was with her family when their car met with an accident ahead of the Paris Olympics, said she is feeling better. Her father, Naren Dagar, who is also her caddie, was behind the wheel when the mishap occurred. Defending champion Lilia Vu is back and will try to emulate the commanding win she fashioned at Walton Heath. -PTI TENNIS Ankita Raina in second round Ankita Raina eased past Lucia Llinares Domingo 6-2, 6-2 in the first round of the $25,000 ITF women’s tennis tournament in Vigo, Spain, on Wednesday. Ankita was top-seeded in doubles with Vasanti Shinde and the duo had a bye in the first round.The first day of the Monsoon Pickleball Championship was witness to winners in seven categories held on day one of the championship with Ritesh Jaiswal and Anjali Pol winning their respective Advance Men’s and Women’s Singles categories. The 50+ Men’s and Women’s were dominated by Niten Kirtane and Shakks Devnani. Eight more categories will be played on Day 2 of the championship held from the 20 th of August 2024 till the 25 th of August 2024 at NESCO, Mumbai. Day two will also be witness to an exhibition match between top international players that will include headliner Jay DeVilliers and international pickleball stars like Quang Duong, Ryler DeHeart, Rob Nunnery, Megan Fudge DeHeart, Roos VanReek and Emilia Shmidt. https://sportstar.thehindu.com/other-sports/india-sports-news-results-scores-august-21-schedule-latest-updates-highlights/article68550792.ece

Written by Laura Marchese and Katherine Livingstone, Deakin University Melbourne Many of us are looking for ways to eat a healthier and more sustainable diet. And one way to do this is by reducing the amount of meat we eat. That doesn’t mean you need to become a vegan or vegetarian. Our recent research shows even small changes to cut down on meat consumption could help improve health and wellbeing.But not all plant-based options are created equal and some are ultra-processed. Navigating what’s available when eating out – including options like tofu and fake meats – can be a challenge. So what are your best options at a cafe or restaurant? Here are some guiding principles to keep in mind when cutting down on meat.Health benefits to cutting down Small amounts of lean meat can be part of a healthy, balanced diet. But the majority of Australians still eat more meat than recommended. Only a small percentage of Australians (10%) are vegetarian or vegan. But an increasing number opt for a flexitarian diet. Flexitarians eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, while still enjoying small amounts of meat, dairy, eggs and fish. Our recent research looked at whether the average Australian diet would improve if we swapped meat and dairy for plant-based alternatives, and the results were promising.The study found health benefits when people halved the amount of meat and dairy they ate and replaced them with healthy plant-based foods, like tofu or legumes. On average, their dietary fibre intake – which helps with feeling fuller for longer and digestive health – went up. Saturated fats – which increase our blood cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease – went down. Including more fibre and less saturated fat helps reduce the risk of heart disease. Achieving these health benefits may be as simple as swapping ham for baked beans in a toastie for lunch, or substituting half of the mince in your bolognese for lentils at dinner. For a long time we’ve known processed meats – such as ham, bacon and sausages – are bad for your health. Eating high amounts of these foods is associated with poor heart health and some forms of cancer. But the same can be true of many processed meat alternatives. Plant-based alternatives designed to mimic meat, such as sausages and burgers, have become readily available in supermarkets, cafes and restaurants. These products are ultra-processed and can be high in salt and saturated fat. Our study found when people replaced meat and dairy with ultra-processed meat alternatives – such as plant-based burgers or sausages – they ate more salt and less calcium, compared to eating meat or healthy plant-based options. So if you’re cutting down on meat for health reasons, it’s important to think about what you’re replacing it with. The Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend eggs, legumes/beans, tofu, nuts and seeds. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/food-wine/4-ways-to-cut-down-on-meat-when-dining-out-and-still-make-healthy-choices-9521846/