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Welcome to Money Distilled. I’m John Stepek. Every week day I look at the biggest stories in markets and economics, and explain what it all means for your money. Memo to the new government: don’t mess it up Whoever wins tomorrow’s general election here in the UK, they face an uphill battle. The economy is in a dreadful mess and there’s a big tidying up job to be done. That’s the narrative anyway. But, as I said last week, this is actually rather overdone. This is a good election to win. For a start, on the political front, many of the big constitutional issues are in a lull period. In 2014, Scottish independence was a live issue. Not so much now. In 2016, we voted to leave the European Union and spent the next three years arguing about how to do it. It’s now done and no one with any sense has the energy to resurrect the issue right now. On the economic front, meanwhile, the great post-2008 stagnation is behind us. The global pandemic disrupted everything for the best part of three years, but it resulted in a bucket of fiscal stimulus being thrown on top of a deleveraged but dormant economy. That sent inflation surging and got us out of the zero-interest-rate era with a bang.In short, this is — for however long it lasts — not a country in a semi-emergency situation. We certainly have plenty of problems (and the fact that there’s probably more chance of “surprise” seat changes at this election than ever before reflects that), but there is breathing space. That was not the case in either 2017 or 2019 (the last two general elections). So that’s a boon for the next government’s early days. Meanwhile, the economy is actually in better shape than most people might allow, which could lead to pleasant surprises in the coming months. The UK’s Debt Picture Is Less Awful Than It Looks The ever-helpful Simon French over at Panmure Gordon has put some numbers on the argument. Firstly, Britain’s debt-to-GDP situation is not ideal, no doubt about it, sitting at nearly 100%. But this is one of those areas where relativity matters. If we were the only economy with debt-to-GDP of 100%, we’d be right to focus on addressing that, and addressing it fast, because we’d probably struggle to attract external lenders who had better options elsewhere. But we’re not. In fact, of the G7 economies, only Germany has a better-looking debt picture. Canada, France, the US, Italy and Japan are all worse. Also, the drop in the inflation rate means that the burden of servicing our debt (paying the interest) has fallen sharply too in the last 18 months or so, because of the large proportion of index-linked bonds the UK has in issue. In short, it’s not ideal, but relative to other countries, we look better, and relative to recent history, the debt trajectory is less unsustainable. None of that means that the next government can ignore it, but it’s not a screaming emergency and there’s no reason to expect an imminent run on the pound, for example. Far more encouraging still is the state of UK consumer balance sheets. This is something that very few people seem to have wrapped their heads around. But since the credit catastrophe of 2008, British households have deleveraged (i.e. reduced their debt relative to their assets) significantly. As French points out, in 2008, consumer debt (mortgages, loans and credit cards) totaled £2.2 trillion, while cash balances stood at £1.5 trillion. In other words, there was a £700 billion gap. Now those balances are roughly equal, with £1.85 trillion of each. (The figures are all in today’s money, by the way.) https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2024-07-03/the-new-uk-government-will-have-economic-breathing-space?srnd=economics-v2

Scientists from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) have released an open-source AI model that can read animal behavior. Based on deep learning, the AI, called SuperAnimal, studies the motion of an animal’s different body (such as the eyes, mouth, hands, and feet) and performs accurate behavioral analysis. SuperAnimal is a foundational model, meaning it can be used to build more specialized automated animal behavior analysis tools. For instance, a conservationist can make his own version of SuperAnimal to track endangered animals. A veterinary doctor can train and develop a SuperAnimal model to monitor the health of animals in their hospital. In 2018, the EPFL team launched DeepLabCut, a powerful pose-estimation software capable of achieving human-level precision in identifying and tracking animal movements. SuperAnimal is the upgraded version of this earlier work. “DeepLabCut was the first animal pose estimation tool that allowed users to build customized neural networks. It automated and improved the accuracy of behavioral studies. Our new SuperAnimal models, which are integrated within DeepLabCut, can track many, many species, and is the largest collective animal dataset plus trained models to be released to date,” Mackenzie Mathis, one of the researchers and a neuroscientist at EPFL, told ZME Science.SuperAnimal is trained using 85,000 images and can be used to study the behavior of over 45 species including many rodents and four-legged animals. What’s more surprising is that this tool can also analyze the behavior of a fictional creature from a photo or video.However, the fictitious creature, such as a unicorn, should have some of its body features similar to that of real animals. For instance, Mathis and her team produced an AI-generated image of a wolpertinger (an animal mentioned in German folklore supposedly born from a hare and a deer) and used SuperAnimal to analyze its behavior. https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/superanimal-an-ai-model-that-anyone-can-use-to-understand-animal-behavior/

The Toyota GR86 and Subaru BRZ might be cut from the same cloth, but their sales don't reflect that. With the second quarter of the year over, we can have a closer look at how the attainable sports cars fared in the first half of 2024. Through June, 7,467 people bought a GR86 in the United States where its platform-sharing sibling only mustered 1,414 sales. The GR86 is outselling the nearly identical BRZ by a ratio of five to one, which has us scratching our heads. We've contacted Subaru to explain why its car is far less po[CENSORED]r. Meanwhile, the only logical explanation we can think of about the BRZ's lackluster sales is the vehicle's potentially limited availability at dealers. It should be noted Toyota has a much stronger retail network than Subaru in the US, which would partially explain the gap in sales.Toyota is happy to report that GR86 demand is up 41.9 percent this year whereas Subaru says its sister car is down by 43.7 percent from January to June. Last month, 1,500 people bought a GR86 and only 243 purchased a BRZ. As you can imagine, the BRZ is the slowest-selling product in Subie's portfolio through June. We can't say the same for the GR86 since it outsold the Crown, Supra, and other products.Speaking of Toyota's more expensive sports car, which just lost its four-cylinder engine for the 2025MY, demand dropped 7.8 percent in the first six months of the year. Deliveries declined to 1,495 units, and with the cheaper base model going away, the future isn't looking too bright. There's a hotter Supra GRMN on the way but that's unlikely to move the needle since it's expected to be a limited-run special edition. On a related note, we're asking Toyota why it only moved 13 units of the Prius in June compared to the same month of last year when it sold 2,466 units. We will update this article once we hear back. https://www.motor1.com/news/725350/gr86-outselling-brz-five-times/

A former gangster and bank robber who turned into a nightclub owner and opposition politician, Gayton McKenzie has now risen to become South Africa's minister of sports, arts and culture. President Cyril Rampahosa appointed Mr McKenzie - the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) - to the portfolio in the multi-party government that he announced on Sunday after his African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority in the 29 May election. A prolific tweeter, the 50-year-od relished his appointment, posting a photo of himself putting on football boots and, with a touch of humour, typed: "Thank you for all the well wishing messages, I will reply shortly I’m just busy getting ready, I have work to do 🥅 ⚽️." For Mr McKenzie's admirers, his appointment is the latest sign of how he overcame adversity to achieve success. He robbed his first bank before he turned 16, then became, as he put in an interview with a local radio station, a fully fledged gangster, spent seven years in prison, and vowed to change after his release. "I might have had 12 rand in my pocket but I had billion rand in my mind. And that is what people do not understand - they concentrate on what they lack instead of how to get what they lack," he said in a 2013 interview with public broadcaster SABC. He became a highly paid motivational speaker, got books about his life published, including A Hustler's Bible, and ventured into various businesses - from mining in Zimbabwe to nightclubs in South Africa - with Kenny Kunene, his soulmate from prison. Mr Kunene earned the nickname "Sushi King" after he had sushi served on the bodies of women clad only in their underwear at his 40th birthday bash at the Zar Lounge nightclub in an upmarket suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa's main city.The nightclub subsequently shut, as did a branch in Cape Town registered in Mr McKenzie's name following legal action over alleged unpaid rent and electricity, according to the IOL news site. “I’m not interested in clubbing. I’m busy with other projects. We killed the Zar brand - there are no future plans [for Zar],” Mr McKenzie was quoted as saying at the time. These days, he is better known as a politician, having launched the PA in 2013, with Mr Kunene as his deputy. More than a decade later, the party gained 2% of the national vote and fared better in elections for the provincial government in the Western Cape, getting 8%. Its support came mainly from the coloured community, as people of mixed race are known in South Africa. The PA's signature slogan is "Ons baiza nie", an Afrikaans phrase which loosely translates as "We are not scared". Afrikaans is widely spoken in the coloured community, which makes up around 8% of South Africa's po[CENSORED]tion. "For the first time there is coloured people also going to parliament through the Patriotic Alliance. We are the only party that takes all races to parliament," Mr McKenzie said, after the results were announced. Political analyst Kagiso Pooe told the BBC that Mr McKenzie had a "bravado" style, which appeals to his constituency. "People want to believe and see someone that comes from their type of background and isn’t shy to say: 'This is who I am.' You see it with people like President Zuma, President Trump and other such personalities," he said. Mr McKenzie's campaign against undocumented migrants was a vote-winner for him, the analyst added. "Unfortunately, mainstream politicians and parties have shied away from this and he tackles it directly." Critics denounced his campaign as xenophobic. He waged it under the slogan "Abahambe", which he has translated from the Zulu as "Let them go" - and, in a publicity stunt, he visited the border with Zimbabwe to chase away people trying to enter South Africa. He was also accused of hypocrisy, as his critics pointed out that in the 2013 SABC interview he described immigrants from other parts of Africa, including Zimbabwe, as an "integral" part of South Africa's economy, while "the problem with us is - black people I'm talking about here - we are lazy". As Mr Ramaphosa began negotiations over the formation of a coalition government, Mr McKenzie publicly said that he wanted his deputy to run the home affairs ministry, which is in charge of immigration. He sought the police ministry for himself as he said his previous life as a gangster meant he was in a good position to tackle South Africa's high crime rate. “None of them [other politicians] are equipped to deal with the mafias, with the murder rates we are seeing. South Africa needs me," he was quoted as saying by the TimesLive news site. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crgglkkdlgro

In the never-ending quest for natural remedies to combat the rising cases of insomnia today, a content creator has a rather unique way of doing things. In an experiment for her followers, she drinks lettuce water to see if it helps her sleep. This unconventional aid, made by steeping lettuce leaves in hot water, has been touted by some as a gentle, plant-based solution for those struggling with insomnia or restless nights. But does it actually work?H P Bharathi, Dy. CMO, Jindal Naturecure Institute, says, “Lettuce, particularly romaine, contains a milky fluid called lactucarium, which has sedative properties similar to opium but much milder. This compound is thought to contribute to lettuce’s potential sleep-inducing effects. Also, lettuce is rich in certain nutrients like lactucin and lactucopicrin, which may have calming effects. Additionally, lettuce contains magnesium, a mineral known to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality.” Tanya Mehra, child nutritionist, adds that these compounds are thought to interact with the central nervous system, “potentially acting on receptors involved in pain and sleep regulation, such as the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors.” This interaction may produce a calming effect, she says, helping to induce sleep and reduce anxiety. However, Bharathi reveals that there is limited scientific evidence supporting the claim that lettuce water can induce sleep in those suffering from sleep problems.Scientific evidence supporting the claim that drinking lettuce water can improve sleep quality Mehra agrees with Bharathi. She notes that most of the available evidence is “anecdotal or based on traditional use”. “Some studies have looked at the sedative effects of compounds found in lettuce, such as lactucarium, in animal models,” she adds.For individuals seeking to improve sleep, Bharathi states, lettuce water may be worth trying as a safe and natural remedy, but it should not replace proven sleep hygiene practices or treatments recommended by healthcare professionals. https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/life-style/leafy-drink-lettuce-water-sleep-insomnia-remedy-9399452/

Putin tells China's Xi that their countries are acting in their own interests Vladimir Putin told Xi Jinping that their countries were acting in their own interests and not against any other state as they met at a security summit in Kazakhstan. It's the second meeting between the two leaders in as many months. Mr Putin also met Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan earlier at the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The growing security and defence club, whose members include Iran, India and Pakistan, is part of Moscow and Beijing's ambition to counter the influence of the US and its allies.Zelenskyy 'tired' of Ukrainian PM - report Volodymyr Zelenskyy is "tired" of his prime minister, Denis Shmyhal, and plans to sack him, according to a report. A source close to the Ukrainian president told Ukrainska Pravda that Mr Zelenskyy's feelings about Mr Shmyhal were "evident from his attitude at meetings". "He doesn't even really listen to him any more," they said, adding that he was looking for someone with more "creative solutions and proposals". Another reportedly high-ranking source said there had been two events that provided cause "to dismiss Mr Shmyhal in the last two months". They suggested Mr Shmyhal could be replaced by Ukraine's economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko.Number injured in Dnipro strike rises again The number of people wounded in Russia's daylight attack on Dnipro city has risen to 47, the prosecutor general's office has said. A 14-year-old girl is among those injured but the total number of victims is still being established, the office said. The attack left at least five people dead.Ukrainian drones hit area near Zaporizhzhia power plant, Russian officials claim Three Ukrainian drones struck an area near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, its Russian-installed management has claimed. In a Telegram post, the plant's management said drones hit an electricity substation, damaging the facility and injuring eight staff. The power plant - the largest in Europe - has been occupied by Russian forces since early in the war. Russian state news agency TASS reported earlier today that drones had hit the plant itself. Sky News cannot independently verify either claim. https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-latest-russia-putin-kharkiv-sky-news-live-blog-12541713

Music title: Shut Up Signer: KRSNA Release date: 7/2/2024 Official YouTube link: Informations about the signer:- Your opinion about the track (music video):-

Artist: RAP DEMON Real Name: Abdullah Malik Birth Date /Place: March 20, 1996 Age: 28 Social status (Single / Married): Single Artist Picture: Musical Genres: Musician, artist, music producer Awards: Is Rap Demon The Next Big Thing Top 3 Songs (Names): Why Not Meri Jaan | Ft. Rap Demon-L.O.C. (LINE OF CONTROL) | RAP DEMON & KARMA | KALAMKAAR-Rap Demon - Shikway (Official Music Video) Other Information: Rap Demon, aka Abdullah Malik, was born in 1996 in Islamabad, Pakistan. His age is 23 years old (as in 2020). He has given some po[CENSORED]r rap songs including “Gauntlet 2.0” ( November 2019), “Qoum Bhutt Hai” (January 2019), “Anay Dey” (March 2020), etc.

In recent decades, single-use plastics have pervaded modern societies, causing a significant surge in plastic pollution that exacts a heavy toll on our environment. Addressing this issue requires prioritizing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics wherever feasible. Disposable menstrual products are a notable contributor to plastic waste, with billions of sanitary napkins and tampons being discarded every year. Despite the availability of sustainable options like menstrual cups (MCs), consumer preference for single-use products remains dominant across many countries. Many possible reasons for this have been reported in previous studies, such as inadequate awareness of MCs' maintenance and their environmental benefits, as well as preconceived notions about comfort and health impacts. However, it is not entirely clear how consumers incorporate these factors when deciding which menstrual products to purchase, which in turn makes it harder to devise effective promotional campaigns for MCs. To address this knowledge gap, an international research team set out to understand how different information on menstrual products affects the decision making of consumers in different countries. Their study was published on June 24, 2024, in Volume 5 of Frontiers in Sustainability. Led by Professor Takuro Uehara from Ritsumeikan University, in collaboration with Ms. Sitadhira Prima Citta from Ritsumeikan University, Dr. Mateo Cordier from Université de Versailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Dr. Takahiro Tsuge from Sophia University, and Dr. Misuzu Asari from Research Institute for Humanity and Nature, the study employed large-scale online surveys and discrete choice experiments (DCE) to explore consumer decision-making across France, Japan, and Indonesia—countries with diverse socioeconomic and cultural contexts. Simply put, participants of the online surveys were presented with three options for menstrual products, namely MCs, sanitary napkins, and tampons. Different groups of participants also received different types of information regarding the products, such as their human health and environmental impact, and cost-effectiveness of MCs. After analyzing the survey results, the researchers found that providing information about the superior cost-effectiveness of MCs was quite impactful in all three countries. “While sanitary napkins remain the most commonly used menstrual products in the surveyed countries, our study revealed that emphasizing the economic benefits of MCs can enhance their adoption compared to health and environmental benefits information,” states Uehara, “This shows that tailored information efforts emphasizing on cost saving could play a crucial role in promoting the use of MCs as sustainable menstrual products.” The researchers then considered potential strategies to turn MCs into consumers’ menstrual product of choice. “Government and non-profit organizations could launch educational campaigns highlighting the long-term financial benefits of MCs over disposable products, using health professionals, companies, and media outlets to spread this information. Placing cost-per-use information near MCs at points of purchase, a strategy known as simplification and framing, may also nudge consumers towards sustainable products,” muses Uehara. It is worth noting that the research team also explored the necessity of developing tailored strategies for each country, taking into account differences in consumers and markets. For instance, in Japan, influencer marketing and educational initiatives could effectively address public apprehensions and limited knowledge about MCs. In France, marketing efforts should emphasize the ease of use, comfort, and adaptability of MCs to an active lifestyle. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, where availability may pose a challenge, promoting locally produced MCs could not only boost adoption but also support small- and medium-sized enterprises. Finally, Uehara notes the importance of equitable access and information if MCs are to become a mainstay. “The free provision of MCs can significantly enhance their adoption and help alleviate period poverty, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. However, these initiatives must ensure that the introduction of free MCs is accompanied by educational efforts to inform users about their benefits and maintenance requirements,” he concludes. These efforts will hopefully lead to better marketing and promotional strategies for MCs, ultimately helping to create a more sustainable society free of plastic pollution. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1050034

KAJANG: Malathi Nimayah, 39, has always had a soft spot for animals and in 2019, she witnessed a dog fighting for its life after a hit-and-run incident. Despite taking it to a veterinary clinic for treatment, its injuries were too severe and it died soon after. Malathi, who previously worked as a nurse and has a Diploma in Multimedia, said she ran her own event management company but felt distraught by how strays live on the streets. She decided to dedicate herself to looking after them and is now a full-time independent animal rescuer. She looks after 65 cats, 148 dogs and three rabbits, some of which are disabled due to abuse or being involved in road crashes. “In the beginning, I picked up injured strays and sent them for treatment before releasing them. But in time, I realised the strays I helped had nowhere to go. “I did not have the heart to return them to the streets, knowing their chances of survival would be low, so I took them home. But as their numbers increased, my family started to complain and so did the neighbours.” There were even complaints to the Kajang Municipal Council and enforcement officers visited her house to conduct an inspection. “I had many issues with the council. Its officers threatened to forcibly remove the strays from my house. I cannot blame my neighbours for complaining because not everyone loves animals.” She said the council gave her two weeks to remove the strays and with such a short notice, she contacted all her friends in search of a house to rent. She rented one in Saujana Palma Residences here, where the neighbours were more compassionate and did not mind her animal rescue activities. However, she eventually needed an even bigger space for her growing “animal kingdom”. Through an estate agent, she rented an abandoned factory in Taman Industri Villaraya in Semenyih to house the strays. “I could not find any empty land to rent and build a shelter for the animals, so renting the factory was the next best option. The factory owner, who is also an animal lover, agreed to rent the property after he learned of my predicament.” She said renting the factory is worthwhile as the strays are happier and have more space to run around. Malathi said every month, she needs to raise about RM17,000 for food, RM2,000 for utilities, RM2,500 for supplements, RM5,900 to rent the house and factory, between RM6,000 and RM10,000 for veterinary bills and RM3,000 for cleaning agents and disinfectants. “With a monthly expenditure of between RM36,000 and RM40,000, I am in desperate need of funds and am appealing to the public to please come forward with any assistance they can provide. “Some individuals have asked why I am trying to save the strays if I cannot afford it. But those in my care include disabled animals that nobody wants to adopt. We cannot just leave them on the streets to die, right?” https://thesun.my/local-news/forgoing-life-comforts-to-care-for-abused-injured-animals-GA12651531#google_vignette

We're used to seeing teasers published by automakers days, weeks, or even months before the actual debut. But Kia is doing things differently. The company's first global pickup won't go on sale until later in 2025, but here it is, attending a car show in South Korea. Named Tasman, the mid-size truck is making a colorful splash at the 2024 Busan Motor Show. Since this isn't an actual reveal, the Ford Ranger rival is cloaked in a special livery penned by artist Richard Boyd-Dunlop. Kia intentionally left some parts of the body exposed to highlight the plastic cladding around the square wheel arches. We can also spot the vertical headlights, a pair of tow hooks, all-around disc brakes, and 17-inch wheels with six lug nuts. The alloys come wrapped in chunky BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A tires.By the looks of it, Kia didn't bring a near-production prototype. The absence of calipers tells us those brakes are fake. The fully enclosed underbody indicates the truck was missing suspension components. However, the design is the final one, right down to the tiny cameras mounted below the side mirrors for the blind spot system.Hiding in plain sight, the steps integrated into the corners of the rear bumper provide access to what appears to be a decent-sized bed. The taillights are quite small in relation to the wide rear end, which seems to have a split tailgate. Kia applied a dark tint to the windows to conceal the interior, but the cabin was exposed weeks ago in a video published on TikTok. In case you haven't seen it, we've attached it below. The Korean brand remains tight-lipped about the engines, but reports state a turbodiesel, 2.2-liter four-pot will be offered with 4x2 and 4x4 configurations as well as an eight-speed automatic transmission. The jury is still out on whether a V-6 is going to be available to better fight the Volkswagen Amarok, Toyota Hilux, and other mid-size trucks. https://www.motor1.com/news/725193/kia-tasman-truck-funky-wrap/

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz had goosebumps walking onto Centre Court before his opening match at Wimbledon on Monday, a 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-2 win over qualifier Mark Lajal. Lajal proved to be something of a speedbump for Alcaraz, who acknowledged that his 269th-ranked Estonian opponent surprised me a little bit" on Day 1 at the All England Club.Alcaraz, who won his third major championship at the French Open three weeks ago, defeated Novak Djokovic in last year's final on the grass at Wimbledon but said he was still nervous before Monday's match.When I walk into the court, I got goosebumps. I remembered last year. It was a great feeling," the 21-year-old Spaniard said in his on-court interview. But I try not to think about it. It's a new year totally different tournament. I have to be focused on my game just to play at the same level as last year if I want to repeat the same (success) as last year." Earlier, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka both pulled out of the tournament because of respective shoulder injuries. Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, said she was heartbroken to announce her withdrawal after it became clear in a practice session that she wasn't ready.Azarenka is also a two-time champion at Melbourne Park. Ninth-seeded Maria Sakkari was among the early winners on Monday, and said after beating McCartney Kessler 6-3, 6-1 that the women's draw is wide open. We could name like 20, 25 girls that could win the tournament right now, Sakkari said. Seventh-seeded Jasmine Paolini, the French Open runner-up last month, got past the first round at Wimbledon for the first time on her fourth try. The Italian beat Sara Sorribes Tormo 7-5, 6-3. On the men's side, fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev beat Aleksander Kovacevic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2, and eighth-seeded Casper Ruud defeated Alex Bolt 7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4. Unseeded Canadian Denis Shapovalov eliminated No. 19 Nicolas Jarry 6-1, 7-5, 6-4. Also Monday, former Grand Slam champions Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu were set to play matches at Centre Court. Raducanu won the 2021 US Open at age 18, but she has been dealing with various injuries since then. Her scheduled opponent 22nd-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova withdrew Monday because of illness. Alexandrova was replaced by Renata Zarazua, a lucky loser from the qualifying tournament. Gauff, who won the US Open last September, closes out the day's schedule in the main stadium against Caroline Dolehide in an all-American matchup. No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner is also on Monday's schedule, playing Yannick Hanfmann at No. 1 Court. https://www.business-standard.com/sports/other-sports-news/defending-champion-carlos-alcaraz-opens-wimbledon-with-straight-set-win-124070101192_1.html

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/