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☆ As few as 4,000 steps a day can reduce your risk of death, but more is better
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Walking a minimum of 4,000 steps a day significantly reduces your risk of an early death, while taking 2,337 steps a day will reduce your risk of death specifically from cardiovascular disease but “more is better,” according to a new meta-analysis of studies. Anything below 5,000 steps a day is considered a “sedentary lifestyle,” according to the study. While approximately 4,000 steps a day was associated with a “significant” reduction in the risk of an early death, the biggest impact on risk occurred when people walked more than 7,000 steps a day, with the most benefit occurring at about 20,000 steps, the study found. Start early and keep it upAdults 60 and older who walked between 6,000 and 10,000 steps a day saw a 42% reduction in risk of early death, while people under 60 who walked between 7,000 and 13,000 steps a day had a 49% reduction in risk, he said. The difference is likely explained by the formula, “the earlier, the better,” Banach said.

Persons: Maciej Banach, David Katz, ”, Katz, “, Banach, Dr Ibadete Bytyçi, ” Banach, Andrew Freeman, Freeman, ‘, ‘ Don’t, ’ Organizations: CNN, European Society of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, True Health Initiative, European, Preventive Cardiology, University Clinical, Jewish Health, CNN’s Locations: Baltimore , Maryland, Australia, Japan, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, Kosovo, Pristina, Denver , Colorado

☆ MIND diet may not be brain-boosting in the short term, new clinical trial shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-18 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —Results are in from the highly anticipated clinical trial on the Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay or MIND diet — a diet designed specifically to boost the brain — and they are less stellar than anticipated. Actually, the MIND diet did improve the brains of those who followed it for three years. Past studies have shown both the MIND diet and the Mediterranean diet significantly reduced the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND diet also assimilates elements of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (or DASH) diet. The DASH diet has been shown to reduce blood pressure and is the American Heart Association’s top diet.

Persons: ”, Lisa Barnes, Barnes, Walter Willett, Harvard T.H, Willett, “ It’s, David Katz, ” Katz, romaine, ” Willett, “, Katz Organizations: CNN, Disease Research, Rush University Medical Center, Harvard, of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, True Health Initiative, Rush University, New, of Medicine, Blue Locations: Chicago, Chan, Amsterdam, American, Swiss chard

Just four years ago, a joint American and Chinese effort to stem the flow of fentanyl produced in China from reaching the United States appeared set to take off. Beijing had unveiled a sweeping new law banning the synthetic opioid, leading the Trump administration to praise China’s top leader, Xi Jinping, for “a wonderful humanitarian gesture.”Soon, Chinese and American law enforcement agents joined forces to investigate and prosecute fentanyl traffickers in China. But today, cooperation between the two countries on fentanyl is at an impasse. Mutual efforts to crack down on a narcotic responsible for tens of thousands of drug overdoses in the United States each year have been thwarted by wider geopolitical tensions over trade, human rights, Russia and Taiwan. The failure to cooperate on fentanyl interdiction is emblematic of the myriad ways the bilateral relationship has run aground.

Persons: Trump, China’s, Xi Jinping, Antony J, Blinken Locations: China, United States, Beijing, Russia, Taiwan

☆ India's women wrestlers push for reforms after sexual harassment case
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( Rupam Jain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/4] Simran Ahlawat, a wrestler, practices wrestling with another male wrestler at an akhara in New Delhi, India, June 19, 2023. The Dahiyas, along with nine female wrestlers and their parents to whom Reuters spoke, were determined that none of the young women would give up the sport, however. Instead, they are setting their eyes on WFI elections set for July to achieve their demand for reforms of a system that provides guidance to more than 53,000 young female wrestlers. "I can assure you that every girl will feel protected and we are working towards addressing all the concerns raised by female wrestlers," Sports Minister Anurag Thakur told Reuters. Yet in Haryana, home to more than 5,000 large and small wrestling schools with a history of turning out some of India's top female athletes, women wrestlers expressed dismay.

Persons: Simran Ahlawat, aghast, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Narendra Modi's, Singh, Mona Dahiya, Deepika, Virendra Singh, Rajesh Ahlawat, Anurag Thakur, Anjani Kashyap, Rupam Jain, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, KHARKHODA, Wrestling Federation of India, Reuters, Sports Authority of, Sport, Rights Alliance, International Olympic Committee, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Haryana, Kharkhoda, Sports Authority of India

The indictments mark the first time the U.S. has sought to prosecute any of the Chinese companies responsible for manufacturing precursor chemicals used to make the painkiller. The companies at the heart of the three separate indictments are accused of selling precursor chemicals to the Sinaloa Cartel in Mexico, which in turn has flooded the U.S. with the drug. Federal prosecutors in Manhattan announced the unsealing of an indictment against the China-based chemical company Hubei Amarvel Biotech, along with its executives Qingzhou Wang, 35, Yiyi Chen, 31, and Fnu Lnu, also known as Er Yang, with fentanyl trafficking, precursor chemical importation, and money laundering offenses. "Fentanyl poses a singular threat, not only because the smallest doses can be lethal, but because fentanyl does not occur in nature. In the Eastern District of New York, prosecutors announced the unsealing of two more indictments against three other Chinese companies and individuals accused of conspiring to manufacture and distribute fentanyl in the U.S.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Qingzhou Wang, Yiyi Chen, Fnu Lnu, Er Yang, Joaquin, El, Guzman, Lisa Monaco, Blinken, Wang, Chen, Yang, Sarah N, Lynch, Luc Cohen, David Brunnstrom, Chizu Nomiyama, Angus MacSwan Organizations: WASHINGTON, U.S . Justice, U.S, Hubei Amarvel Biotech, Justice Department, Embassy, Global Coalition, Administration, of, U.S . Prosecutors, Hebei Sinaloa Trading, Thomson Locations: United States, China, Washington, Sinaloa, Mexico, Manhattan, Hubei, cryptocurrency, Los Angeles, Honolulu , Hawaii, New York, of New York, Hebei Sinaloa, U.S

☆ Indian wrestlers suspend protest after promise of swift probe of federation chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-07 | by ( Rupam Jain | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW DELHI, June 7 (Reuters) - India's top wrestlers said they had decided to suspend protests on Wednesday after the country's sports minister promised a swift probe of their federation chief who they accused six months ago of sexually harassing female athletes. The wrestlers have been camping in New Delhi for months seeking the arrest of Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) President Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has denied the allegations. Singh, a six-time member of parliament, has been accused of sexually assaulting seven female athletes, including a minor. His lawyer rejected all the allegations levelled by the wrestlers and said Singh was cooperating with the police in the probe. It has also threatened to suspend WFI if it fails to hold a fresh election this month.

Persons: Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, Singh, Narendra Modi's, Bajrang Punia, Anurag Thakur, Punia, Sakshi Malik, Vinesh Phogat, . Sports Minister Thakur, Joanna Maranhao, Sakshi Dayal, Hritika Sharma, Bill Berkrot, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Wrestling Federation of India, Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party, BJP, Sports, Tokyo, . Sports Minister, Rights Alliance, International Olympic Committee, IOC, Thomson Locations: DELHI, New Delhi, Asian

The election came after World Bank board members interviewed Banga for four hours on Monday. Biden congratulated Banga on his "resounding approval" to run the World Bank, which he described as "one of humanity’s most critical institutions to reduce poverty and expand prosperity around the globe." "Ajay Banga will be a transformative leader, bringing expertise, experience, and innovation to the position of World Bank President," Biden said. "The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process, as discussed at the April 2023 Spring Meetings, and on all the World Bank Group’s ambitions and efforts aimed at tackling the toughest development challenges facing developing countries," the bank said. The World Bank has been led by an American since its founding at the end of World War Two, while the International Monetary Fund has been led by a European.

☆ Ajay Banga: Indian American businessman is the new president of the World Bank
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The election came after World Bank board members interviewed Banga for four hours on Monday. Biden congratulated Banga on his “resounding approval” to run the World Bank, which he described as “one of humanity’s most critical institutions to reduce poverty and expand prosperity around the globe.”“Ajay Banga will be a transformative leader, bringing expertise, experience, and innovation to the position of World Bank President,” Biden said. “It is a challenging moment, but it’s a moment where the World Bank remains more vital than ever, and where getting the evolution of the World Bank is absolutely critical,” the official said. “The Board looks forward to working with Mr. Banga on the World Bank Group Evolution process … on all the World Bank Group’s ambitions and efforts aimed at tackling the toughest development challenges facing developing countries,” the bank said. The World Bank has been led by an American since its founding at the end of World War Two, while the International Monetary Fund has been led by a European.

☆ Fried food is linked to increased risk of anxiety and depression
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-24 | by ( Taylor Nicioli | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

A research team in Hangzhou, China, found that frequent consumption of fried foods, especially fried potatoes, was linked with a 12% higher risk of anxiety and 7% higher risk of depression than in people who didn’t eat fried foods. These results “open an avenue in the significance of reducing fried food consumption for mental health,” according to the paper published Monday in the journal PNAS. Frequent consumption of fried foods was linked to higher risk of anxiety and depression. Dr. Walter Willett said the results “should be regarded as very preliminary, especially the connection with fried food and acrylamide.”“The health effects of fried food will depend greatly on what food is fried and what type of fat is used for frying,” said Willett, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at Harvard T.H. It's also possible that some people with mental health issues reach for fried food.

☆ U.S. aims to rally allies to up pressure on Russia, shore up Ukraine support
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( Andrea Shalal | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON, April 10 (Reuters) - The U.S. government will seek to rally allies this week to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and shore up support for Kyiv, a top U.S. Treasury official is slated to say on Monday. "The United States is redoubling our efforts to rally our global coalition of allies at the Spring Meetings on Treasury’s two lines of effort as part of the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine," he said in the prepared remarks. That means "shoring up economic support for Ukraine’s government and people, and ... continuing to deny (Russian President Vladimir) Putin the revenue and military equipment he needs to further his illegal war." Shambaugh highlighted the four-year $15.6 billion IMF program approved for Ukraine on March 31 as another key form of support, and a way to underpin Ukraine’s efforts to strengthen good governance. "Looking ahead, Ukraine will need support from a broad set of donors as its recovers and rebuilds.

After Russia invaded Ukraine, the West formed what looked like an overwhelming global coalition: 141 countries supported a United Nations measure demanding that Russia unconditionally withdraw. South Korea Indonesia Israel Thailand Japan Saudi Arabia Philippines Afghanistan CambodiaBy contrast, Russia seemed isolated. Eritrea “Russian actions are being distorted” North Korea Russia Belarus Syria Eritrea “Russian actions are being distorted” North Korea Russia Belarus SyriaBut the West never won over as much of the world as it initially seemed. But like many other African countries, South Africa appears careful to balance its growing ties with Russia against maintaining a relationship with the West. Others that provided Ukraine with military support have declined to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

☆ Biden vows "to protect" country in State of the Union speech, refers to China balloon
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( Patricia Zengerle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"I'm committed to work with China where we can advance American interests and benefit the world," Biden said. "But make no mistake about it: as we made clear last week, if China threatens our sovereignty, we will act to protect our country. Investing in American innovation, in industries that will define the future, that China intends to be dominating," Biden said. Democrats have joined Republicans in demanding more information about the balloon and the Biden administration's policy toward the government in Beijing. We built a global coalition," Biden said, vowing to stand with Ukraine "as long as it takes."

☆ Biden's State of the Union 2023: Key quotes of the night
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden delivers his State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2023. Amid the economic upheaval of the past four decades, too many people have been left behind or treated like they’re invisible." Fighting for the sake of fighting, power for the sake of power, conflict for the sake of conflict, gets us nowhere." And to my Republican friends who voted against it but still ask to fund projects in their districts, don’t worry. Ambassador, America is united in our support for your country.

The price caps, together with a European Union ban on Russian oil product imports that also comes into force on Sunday, seek to limit Moscow's ability to fund its war in Ukraine, which began nearly a year ago. "The caps we have just set will now serve a critical role in our global coalition’s work to degrade Russia’s ability to prosecute its illegal war," Yellen said in a statement after the agreement was released. Yellen said the sanctions and price caps are forcing Russian President Vladimir Putin to "choose between funding his brutal war or propping up his struggling economy." Yellen said global energy markets had remained well-supplied and public reports indicated that oil importers such as China and India were using the price cap to "drive steep bargains" on Russian oil. A senior Treasury official told reporters that while Washington was mindful of the IMF's view, it remained convinced that the price caps were "changing the trajectory" of Russia's budget because petroleum was the main source of revenues.

☆ U.S. slaps Iran with another round of sanctions over drones used in Russia's war on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Amanda Macias | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A drone flies over Kyiv during an attack on Oct. 17, 2022, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Friday announced a slew of fresh sanctions and additional measures targeting Iran's aviation and defense sector, as Washington ups the ante in its campaign against Tehran for supplying Moscow with weapons for its war on Ukraine. The Treasury Department imposed sanctions on six executives and board members from Iran's Qods Aviation Industries, the country's top defense manufacturer, for producing unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. Tehran has transferred UAVs to Moscow for use on the battlefield across Ukraine, according to the Treasury. In addition, Treasury also imposed sanctions on Qods Aviation Industries Chairman Seyed Hojatollah Ghoreishi, managing director Ghassem Damavandian, board members Hamidreza Sharifi-Tehrani, Reza Khaki, Majid Reza Niyazi-Angili and Vali Arlanizadeh.

REUTERS/Rebecca Naden/File PhotoMONTREAL, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Countries are gathering Tuesday for a key U.N. nature conference in Montreal, aiming to broker a new global agreement to protect what's left of Earth's wildlife and natural spaces. Global Land Outlook assessment. Like many other campaigners, Zabey called for "an ambitious, clear and enforceable international agreement" similar to the Paris Agreement on climate change. Unlike the U.N. climate talks, Montreal's summit will see few world leaders, which negotiators say could make it tougher to reach an ambitious agreement. Meanwhile, Montreal police have put up a 3-meter (10-foot) fence around the downtown summit venue, Palais des congrès, and are preparing for thousands of student protesters expected to swarm the Montreal's streets to demand a strong deal to protect nature.

☆ Ultraprocessed food may contribute to dementia, study says
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —We all eat them — ultraprocessed foods such as frozen pizza and ready-to-eat meals make our busy lives much easier. If more than 20% of your daily calorie intake is ultraprocessed foods, however, you may be raising your risk for cognitive decline, a new study found. While short of proof, this is robust enough that we should conclude ultraprocessed foods are probably bad for our brains.”There was an interesting twist, however. “Ultraprocessed foods drag diet quality down, and thus their concentration in the diet is an indicator of poor diet quality in most cases,” Katz said. One easy way to ensure diet quality is to cook and prepare your food from scratch, Suemoto said.

Some progress has been made, but it's not enough," Rebecca Marmot, chief sustainability officer at consumer goods company Unilever (ULVR.L), said. While regulators have pushed for more rigorous reporting on the companies' environmental impact and efforts to battle climate change, broader impact on nature and biodiversity has not yet been subject to similar scrutiny. The COP15 talks in Montreal will see countries try to agree a new Global Biodiversity Framework to combat the crisis that threatens over one million plant and animal species with extinction. "Assessment and disclosure are an essential first step to generate action, but it will only have an impact if it is made mandatory," the 330 businesses said in their statement. "Without this information, we are flying blind into extinction," Eva Zabey, executive director at global coalition Business for Nature, said.

☆ Why impact investing needs to be 'decolonized' to help the people most affected by climate change and inequity
▼ + stars: | 2022-06-30 | by ( Durreen Shahnaz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Kazi Awal/InsiderImpact investing doesn't always help the people impacted most by inequity and climate change, according to Durreen Shahnaz, founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange. As the founder and CEO of Impact Investment Exchange, I've seen how much actual impact impact investing can have — and how it can reinforce old, problematic norms. McGlashen's involvement in both the scandal and the world of impact investing is not merely a coincidence. This means that impact investing in Asia, Africa, and Latin America is coming from the Global North and with it, the power of how impact investing should go. While companies like IIX are all about the Global South investing in each other, we are the minority.

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