UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has spoken out against pessimistic reports over the country’s future prospects. Sunak defended the Conservative government, stating bold action taken to prevent recession and protect small businesses led to one of the biggest upward revisions for the UK economy by the Bank of England and the strongest surge of confidence amongst finance directors since 2020. Sunak also made direct reference to post-Brexit growth rates and said the country’s plans to boost its economy and trade with other nations had led to significant inward investment.
YouTube personality Hank Green has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer affecting the blood. In an online video, Green explained how his enlarged lymph nodes prompted a visit to the doctor, where he was quickly diagnosed. Green assured fans that Hodgkin’s lymphoma is relatively easy to treat, but warned that the prescribed chemotherapy would be “fairly unpleasant”. In addition to his YouTube channels, Green has enjoyed a surge of popularity on social media app TikTok, where he has posted numerous videos on social issues and science.
Australians would have to donate $30bn annually to match New Zealand’s level of philanthropy, which is 1.84% of its GDP, according to a submission by umbrella organisation Philanthropy Australia to the Productivity Commission. Research conducted by the group found that only 71.3% of Australians donated to charities over the past year, with less than two-thirds of those earning less than $50,000 doing so, compared to 83% of those earning more than $120,000. The charity sector in Australia wants reforms to superannuation bequests and the process of permitting Australians to pass on a portion of their tax refund to charities, estimated to be $30bn annually. One proposal would be to grant all charities deductible gift recipient status, which is available in New Zealand, the UK and the US, but currently only granted to some Australian charities. Simplification of the bequest process has also been suggested as a reform.
The 21 men murdered in Libya in 2015 by ISIS militants will be revered as martyrs by both the Roman Catholic Church and the Coptic Church. This joint agreement is remarkable given the schism between the two churches since 451 AD and that they have historically viewed each other as fundamentally heretical. Last week, the bodily remains of the men were taken to Rome by Pope Tawadros II of Alexandria as a gift to Pope Francis. They will be included in the Roman Martyrology for February 15 as a sign of the spiritual communion between Catholics and Copts.
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has urged the Conservative Party to stop spreading an “insidious declinism", and warned it not to allow an “inaccurate narrative” about the country to become reality. Speaking as the Conservative Party faced internal friction over Brexit and UK economic performance at a National Conservatism conference, Hunt emphasised the importance of boosting economic growth and halving inflation by the end of the year, which he said was the "quickest way to put money back in people’s pockets”.
Over the past 40 years, average metabolic rates have dropped by 122 calories per day for women and 220 for men, according to researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The phenomenon occurred despite more people exercising than previously. Genetics play the biggest role in determining metabolic rates, with weight and age as the main factors. The research is published in the journal Plos One.
The trend could be a major factor in growing rates of obesity, with reduced energy expenditure during rest meaning more calories being stored as fat, health specialists have said. The researchers suggested that the change in diet could be at the root of the problem, with people eating less meat, which has high levels of protein, and consuming more processed carbohydrates.
Suggestions for boosting metabolic rates include prioritising sleep, building lean muscles through means such as squats, while too much caffeine should be avoided. Those on diets should avoid low-fat regimes which could dramatically lower metabolic rates and thus make it harder to maintain a healthy weight. Research suggests low-calorie regimes should take no more than 200-300 calories daily. Experts also recommend the use of resistance training, such as press-ups, among individuals as they get older.
Harley Street nutritionist Kim Pearson has identified seven negative food habits to break. Thinking occasional treats are occasional is often incorrect, as Pearson's surveys show. Rewarding behaviour, especially with wine or sugary snacks, is a short-term solution that can become a habit. Kitchen cupboards full of low-calorie, starchy-branded foods are a bad for you compared with protein, which leaves people fuller for longer. Overconsumption of fruit also does not suit everyone, while dried fruit and fruit juices are high in sugar. Finally, Pearson advised consumers to avoid items labelled as “no added sugar,” which could still make effective weight-management difficult.
Sportswear company Puma has signed a deal to sell fan wear and produce merchandise for all 10 Formula One teams from 2024. Puma is an established racing performance products maker, having worked with Mercedes AMG, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Porsche. It has also launched a streetwear collection aimed at women with Scuderia Ferrari. The collection, designed by June Ambrose, a hip-hop industry veteran, will be available this spring. F1 is one of the world's fastest-growing sports, with an estimated 1.5 billion viewers tuning in annually.
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has promised "on-pitch success" to club supporters, despite a difficult season, including the departure of boss Antonio Conte in March. Spurs have also gone 15 consecutive seasons without a trophy and recent managerial search efforts have come up short. While Cristian Stellini was sacked after a disastrous four games, the search, which extended to three months, has yet to find a permanent successor to Conte. Earlier this month, former club player Ryan Mason was appointed as interim head coach following the sudden sacking of Mourinho’s replacement, Nuno Espirito Santo in November.
Publisher HarperCollins announced plans to release a wider range of romance novels in response to the genre's increased popularity, particularly among younger readers. In Canada, Harlequin, the major romance publisher until its acquisition by HarperCollins's parent News Corp, noted that readers have increasingly demanded diverse representation. Between 2017 and 2022, sales in Canada's romance market rose for fiction that featured LGBT+ characters (up 10,406%), African American and Black love stories (1,733%) and those featuring romance in the workplace (1,793%). “An increasing number of younger, and often more diverse readers have discovered and embraced this genre, much of it fuelled by BookTok," said Simon & Schuster in a statement.
The FBI is investigating the claims of a woman in Texas who says she is Diamond Bradley, a young girl who disappeared from her Chicago home in 2001. Diamond Bradley and her sister Tionda disappeared from their family’s apartment in Bronzeville in summer of 2001. Following the claim, the woman has reportedly submitted a DNA test which is being tested by the FBI. No new leads or suspects have been identified since their disappearance and the case remains open.
The King Island brown thornbill is one of the most likely Australian species to become extinct in the near future, according to a 2018 paper predicting which birds and mammals are at imminent risk of such an event. At present, just approximately 200 of the birds are thought to exist, living in scattered remnant areas of wet eucalypt forests on the island of their namesake, just south of Tasmania. The extent of any genetic diversity in the current population is unknown. Although in 2019 the Australian government pledged to prevent extinctions as part of its Threatened Species Action Plan, the rate of global extinctions is currently 1,000 times the background rate. The Australian eastern quoll was declared extinct due to climate change in 2016, and a recent study from the Australian National University suggested that scientists’ focus on very endangered birds that are difficult to observe, and which often occur in wild and rugged terrain, means that many other Australian species are on the brink of extinction.
Plane crash in Croatia kills three Dutch nationals, ministry says
Reuters
23-05-21 16:08
A light aircraft carrying three Dutch nationals has crashed in a mountainous region of north-west Croatia. The aircraft was reportedly Dutch-registered, and disappeared from radar during a flight from Maribor in Slovenia to Pula on Croatia’s Adriatic Coast. The cause of the crash is unknown and an investigation has been launched.
A book from 1993 posited that in 37 years cancer, heart disease and AIDS would be eliminated and human lifespan could be extended to 150 years, among other mind-boggling medical breakthroughs. The predictions in American pathologist Dr Jeffrey Fisher's Rx 2000: Breakthroughs In Health, Medicine And Longevity book relied on the imminent results of genetic research and early detection of disease and trends included designer babies, bionic body parts, creativity pills and a cure for cancer.
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad has been feted by Gulf leaders at a summit in Jeddah, marking his restoration to the Arab League after being expelled in 2011. It is one of a number of recent moves towards normalisation between the regime and Gulf states that were once committed to his downfall. However, there remain critics of Assad, not least within north-west Syria, where fighting has persisted despite a ceasefire reached in March this year. Observers believe that any move towards greater investment in areas of Syria controlled by the regime would be halted by Western sanctions and other penalties imposed in the wake of the war. Meanwhile Kyiv used the summit to draw attention to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and urged attendees to confront Moscow's aggression.
Bryan Kohberger, a criminology PhD student accused of murdering four University of Idaho students in November 2022, will appear in court on Monday for his arraignment. Kohberger is expected to enter a plea on four counts of first-degree murder and burglary. Following a six-week investigation, Kohberger was arrested on 30 December after his DNA was found on a knife sheath left behind at the crime scene. A white Hyundai Elantra, matching his, was also captured on surveillance footage driving away from the area at the time of the murders.
In a recent report released by NBC Dateline, Kohberger was believed to have broken into the home of a female student and then installed security cameras to spy on her in the weeks before he allegedly killed the four students. Kohberger had allegedly befriended the woman after moving to Pullman, Washington State, to begin a graduate program in criminal justice at Washington State University. He installed a video security system inside her home to allow him to spy on her, as he knew her wifi password and was able to tap into the cameras. NBC Dateline also reported that Kohberger’s sister feared he was involved in the students’ murders because of reasons including his behaviour and the fact that she saw spots of blood on his clothing.
Kohberger became a suspect in the case after six weeks of near-silence from law enforcement in Idaho and Pennsylvania. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Kohberger’s apartment, where they seized various items, including cell phone records and a disposable glove, stained with blood, according to sources.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the renowned musical theatre composer, has discovered 18th century links with family members who embarked on tours, played the cello and performed dance routines on skates. He found that the family name was Magito and is pronounced Mah-jee-toh, while one uncle, Alexis, was a cellist who appeared in Cambridge in the 18th century. Another, Pieter, was a “renowned Dutch rope dancer” who performed in clogs or skates, which Lord Lloyd Webber connected to Starlight Express. Additionally, Lloyd Webber’s great-great-great-great-grandfather, Samuel Simmonds, married Angelica Magito.
The body of a victim who was found in the woods in Alabama in 1997 has finally been identified as 20-year-old Jefferey Douglas Kimzy from Santa Barbara, California, officials have revealed. Kimzy's decomposing body was discovered in the woods, with his head, hands, and feet removed, making identification difficult. An autopsy determined that Kimzy was murdered and that the body parts were removed to make identification harder. The cold case was reopened in 2019 and samples were sent to Parabon NanoLabs for analysis, after which, with the help of the company's DNA phenotyping process, a composite image of the victim was created with the hope that it might generate new leads. The announcement has led to renewed interest in the case and persons of interest are being pursued.
Timothy Bliefnick, who appeared on the TV show Family Feud in 2020 and joked about his wedding, stating that his worst mistake was saying "I do", is facing trial for the murder of his estranged wife Rebecca. Bliefnick has been charged with breaking into Rebecca's home and shooting her 14 times. Prosecutors allege this was the result of a long string of domestic violence and threats against Rebecca. Becky had filed a restraining order against Bliefnick and his father before the alleged murderer decided to also file one against his estranged wife. Bliefnick’s online search history also reportedly included “how to wash off gunpowder,” “average police response time,” and “how to open a door with a crowbar.”
Before being charged with the murder, Bliefnick had appeared on the TV show Family Feud stating that his biggest mistake was saying “I do” on his wedding day. He then quickly rushed to clarify that it was not his answer to say and that he loved his wife. The couple filed for divorce in early 2021, court filings show, following 13 years of marriage. Becky was a compassionate and generous mother who had found her true calling in nursing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she was a travel nurse at the Northeast Regional Medical Center and Hannibal Regional Hospital in Missouri.
A text Becky sent to a friend in May 2021 read: “He has screamed in my face, he shoved me in front of the kids, and has thrown things across the room where the kids and I were standing.” Another friend of Becky testified on 23 May that she had been told by Mr Bliefnick that she’ll be dead before [having] any of [his] money.” Mr Bliefnick is facing between 45 years to life in prison if convicted. A GoFundMe to support Becky’s children has raised over $98,000.
Several Australian womenswear brands, such as Albus Lumen and Anna Quan, are launching menswear lines to tap into the growing men's luxury market. This year, male models walked the runway wearing crochet shirts, sleeveless jackets, and billowing pants. According to Market Research Future, the global menswear industry was worth $575bn in 2019 and will likely reach $1495bn by 2032. Getting men to purchase womenswear remains challenging, even for well-established brands, with British designer Stella McCartney forced to close her menswear range last year. Forthcoming Australian designers, such as Albus Lumen, are stocking the menswear range exclusively with online retailers.
