oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | commuting, health, health and exercise, health benefits, lifestyle
Walking
Working helps save money and increases your steps – however, researchers indicate it also reduces the likelihood of specific types of cancer.
Walking to work reduces the likelihood of developing liver tumors by nearly half and significantly lowers the chances of experiencing kidney issues.
cancer
by a third.
In comparison, commuting daily raises the risk of developing bladder cancer by nearly 40 percent.
Scientists from
Oxford University
and the University of Auckland at
New Zealand
examined the impact of everyday commutes on the likelihood of developing specific cancers, analyzing the transportation patterns of over 250,000 individuals between the ages of 40 and 69.
They discovered that 14 percent of participants walked to their jobs, 8 percent rode bicycles, 15 percent took public transportation, and 63 percent drove cars.
Earlier studies conducted by the group found that regularly walking or biking to work reduces the risk of developing breast and colon cancer.
Recent studies featured in the International Journal of Epidemiology examined connections between commuting and 16 different types of cancer. Except for liver and kidney tumors, the researchers discovered no clear relationship between transportation patterns and the remaining forms of cancer.
They stated: “Engaging in active travel, like walking, incorporates physical activity into everyday life, whereas driving contributes to a more inactive lifestyle.”
The verified method for maintaining a comfortable temperature
Mercury levels are rising once more, and Britain is enjoying another period of intense heat.
However, if you’re curious about the most effective way to remain cool in extremely hot weather, take heart — researchers have developed an ideal solution.
The key is to utilize an electric fan to lower the temperature of your outer skin, while consuming the appropriate quantity of chilled water based on your body weight—to prevent internal overheating.
Scientists at Hebei Vocational University of Technology and Engineering in Xingtai, China, discovered that the most effective way to cool down is by sitting close to a fan and consuming 6 milliliters of chilled water per hour for each kilogram of body weight.
An individual who weighs 90kg – approximately 14 stone – should consume 540ml of chilled water, which is slightly less than a pint, each hour. Someone weighing 60kg, or just below 10 stone, needs to intake about 360ml per hour – equivalent to roughly two-thirds of a pint.
These scientists discovered that this approach proved most effective for reducing body heat, minimizing fluid loss through sweating, and lowering both blood pressure and pulse rate. Consuming small amounts of water combined with a fan—or simply using a fan alone—was significantly less successful, as indicated by findings reported in the Journal of Thermal Biology.
Chinese scientists gathered 14 male participants and exposed them to an intense heat environment for eight hours, where the average temperature was 36.5°C (97.7°F). During various periods, the subjects were either not provided with any cooling devices, only utilized a fan, or received a fan along with varying amounts of chilled water.
Audience members contributed to some extent, yet not consuming enough water at the same time raised the chances of becoming dehydrated, according to the research. Additionally, an insufficient amount of cool water was ineffective in countering the harmful impacts of high temperatures on the body.
According to a study, the researchers noted that heatwaves will pose a greater risk to public health—particularly because numerous households lack air conditioning systems.
Smiling is the most effective remedy for coping with stomach surgery discomfort.
Undergoing abdominal surgery might not seem amusing — however, viewing only 25 minutes of humor prior to the procedure could help lessen post-operative discomfort, according to research.
Every year, the NHS performs approximately 1.3 million of these procedures in England, such as appendectomy and hernia surgery, which typically require patients to take pain medication afterward.
It is well established that laughter encourages the production of endorphins—natural substances produced by the body to alleviate pain—and helps reduce muscle tension, which may lead to discomfort. To investigate the extent of this effect in real-life situations, scientists invited 176 individuals scheduled for abdominal surgery to participate in the study.
One half of the participants were instructed to view 25 minutes of scenes from a well-known television sitcom, whereas the remaining individuals did not have any content provided for them to watch.
Findings published in the journal Nursing and Health Sciences indicated that individuals who experienced a hearty laugh felt less anxious prior to surgery and experienced decreased pain following the procedure.
On average, their levels of anxiety and discomfort were discovered to be nearly half compared to individuals who didn’t view the program. Turkish researchers determined that viewing humor might serve as an effective natural method to get ready for surgical procedures.
Patients often experience pre-operative anxiety whether the procedure is minor or major,” they stated. “However, humor and laughing can enhance resistance to pain and improve emotional well-being.
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oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | driving, highways, roads, transportation
The Thai Expressway Authority (EXAT) has decided to exempt toll charges along three highway corridors within Metropolitan Bangkok, covering 63 toll stations, on Mother’s Day, which falls on August 12, between 12:01 AM and midnight.
The toll-free routes are:
Chalerm Maha Nakhon Highway (21 toll stations)
Sri Raya Expressway (32 checkpoints)
Udon Rathayaburi Highway (10 toll stations)
On August 12, we celebrate the birth of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother and observe National Mother’s Day, recognized as an official public holiday announced by the Prime Minister’s Office.
This effort demonstrates the transportation ministry’s strategy, outlined in the updated concession contracts involving EXAT, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited, and Northern Bangkok Expressway Co., Ltd.
The initiative seeks to lower transportation expenses for citizens and assist in reducing traffic jams at toll stations, according to EXAT.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | airline industry, aviation, business, civil aviation, economics
The aviation industry was assessed at N258.9 billion in the newly published rebased GDP figures, indicating a sector facing poor performance and difficulties staying viable, according to Daily Trust.
The total represents the value of the sector included under Air Transportation in the GDP figures for 2024.
On Monday, July 21, 2025, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) published the updated GDP report, showing that the economy expanded by 3.13% during the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.27% in the corresponding period of 2024.
The nominal GDP at market prices, after being recalculated, was N205.09 trillion in 2019, increased to N213.64 trillion in 2020, reached N243.30 trillion in 2021, rose to N274.23 trillion in 2022, amounted to N314.02 trillion in 2023, and totaled N372.82 trillion in 2024.
Where air transport stands
The air transport sector operates completely within a dollar-based system. The purchase of airplanes, refueling, aircraft servicing, and almost every activity within the industry are measured in U.S. dollars.
Nevertheless, based on NBS statistics, air transport was worth N258.9 billion in 2024, which equals approximately $169.3 million.
The industry was worth N215.6 billion in 2023; N178.4 billion in 2022; 145.5 billion in 2021, and N101.1 billion in 2020—the pandemic year—while reaching N222.4 billion in 2019.
According to Daily Trust, based on the exchange rate in 2019, approximately N306 per dollar, aviation expenses amounted to roughly $725.4 million.
The aviation industry faced restrictions throughout 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, significantly impacting air travel.
As per experts, the resurgence of air travel following the coronavirus outbreak was slowed down due to the depreciation of the naira and increasing price hikes, leading to fewer individuals traveling by plane.
A sector in recession?
As per an assessment conducted by the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), three industries performed below expectations in the updated GDP figures.
Analysts noted that three industries—air transportation, textiles, and coal extraction—are currently experiencing a downturn.
The CPPE stated, “High-achieving industries were financial services [15.3%], oil refinement [11.51%], transport [14.08], ICT [7.4%], and metallic minerals [25%].”
The subsequent industries experienced declines: Livestock (-16.7%), Fishing (-0.21%), Textiles (-1.63), Coal Mining (-22.3%), Quarries and Minerals (-21.55%), Plastics and Rubber (-3.2%), Iron and Steel (-0.35%), Air Transportation (-0.81%).
Recession-affected sectors consist of aviation, textile production, and coal extraction. This comes after they have experienced steady decline during recent periods.
As ticket costs rise, the number of travelers has decreased considerably, as reported by airline companies.
The Acting Managing Director of Ibom Air, George Uriesi, has recently expressed worry about declining passenger numbers, stating that this issue is a significant source of anxiety.
The head of Ibom Air stated that air travel demand has been decreasing since 2022, noting that the problem is worsening and steps need to be taken to draw more travelers into flying.
Decreasing passenger numbers – Service Providers
“We’ve dropped by 27% compared to 2024. We’re facing difficulties; we must figure out how to encourage more travel,” he stated.
An airline representative stated that airports need to collaborate with airlines to remain viable, noting, “Within the aviation system, the airline serves as the key force. No one would make even a small amount of currency if airlines stop operating. Everyone discusses finances since it is the airlines that keep operations running.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Capt. Ado Sanusi, told our reporter during an interview, “Passenger travel numbers have been decreasing in Nigeria. This decrease has continued, and we understand why it’s happening. I’ve discussed this in multiple interviews before. Several elements contribute to the drop in passenger volume. The flow of travelers indicates the level of economic activity within a nation. When the economy slows down, so does the movement of people.”
‘Activities picking up’
Sanusi, nevertheless, thinks the economy is showing signs of improvement slowly and mentioned that the federal government should collaborate with airlines to simplify tax procedures.
The economy is moving in the correct direction. However, the issue or challenge we face is that taxes are somewhat high, as well as ticket prices. This leads to higher costs overall, which means only a small number of people in Nigeria can afford to buy tickets.
Another party involved in aviation attributed the poor performance of the industry to the reduction in Nigerians’ available earnings.
“There’s no extra money anymore. People are definitely cutting back these days. Flying by plane has become something of a luxury,” he stated.
Nevertheless, Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), expressed disagreement with the notion that the aviation industry is experiencing a downturn.
Based on my experience and observations, there isn’t anything indicating such a major decline that would be categorized as a recession. Nothing suggests that to me,” he stated. “IATA data shows recovery, and the load factor remains fairly strong.
The depreciation of the Naira, with slowing inflation and progress in recovering from COVID-19 – according to an expert
An aviation specialist and the General Secretary of the Aviation Roundtable and Safety Initiative, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, mentioned during an interview with Daily Trust that the industry had been steadily rebounding after the closure caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, but this momentum was hindered by the depreciation of the naira.
Between approximately N300 and one dollar in 2019, the local currency currently trades at N1,534 as of yesterday.
Ohunayo stated, “The aviation industry was the most impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. It was expected that it would require three years for air travel to return to levels seen before the pandemic. In my view, this forecast has only come true in two or three nations that have regained their 2019 standards.”
In our situation, as we begin to recover, there was a shortage of funding, particularly the dollar, which serves as the primary currency used in the industry. This impacted our ability to operate effectively, leading airlines to reduce their services, cancel certain routes, and prompting travelers to explore alternative choices.
The cost of tickets from dollars to naira surged sharply. As a result of this increase, travelers also stopped using air travel. Airlines no longer possess the same level of capacity as before, which has decreased and impacted the frequency and routes offered, as well as availability within the market.
The exchange rate between the dollar and the naira surged alongside the subsequent rise in inflation, making ticket prices more expensive for travelers.
Once more, the disposable income available to Nigerians previously has been significantly reduced due to inflation. As a result, individuals are no longer traveling for matters that are not essential. Therefore, the journey must hold great significance for those who undertake it.
Amidst all these circumstances, air transportation faced the greatest impact since it represents an upscale mode of travel and comes with a high cost.
‘Remember once again that they also imposed restrictions on private jets. Keep in mind that by 2019, the number of private jets exceeded that of scheduled flights. The crackdown on private jet activities and requiring them to formalize their documentation resulted in certain planes being removed from the country, with others being put into storage, which also impacted the aviation sector’s role in the economy.’
Specialist looks for focused assistance for struggling industry
The head of CPPE, Dr. Muda Yusuf, urged focused assistance for struggling industries.
“Particular focus must be placed on industries facing decline and those with sluggish expansion. Overcoming structural issues, enhancing financial accessibility, dealing with instability, and encouraging creativity will be essential for driving revival and development,” he stated.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | commerce, gold, money, news, precious metals
Released on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
The cost of 24-karat gold per tola rose by Rs1,500 on Monday, reaching Rs357,700 after being priced at Rs356,200 the prior business day, according to the All Pakistan Sarafa Gems and Jewelers Association. Additionally, the price for 10 grams of 24-karat gold climbed by Rs1,286 to Rs306,670, compared to Rs305,384 previously, while 10 grams of 22-karat gold saw an increase of Rs1,179, now selling for Rs281,124 instead of Rs279,945. Per tola and ten-gram silver prices stayed unchanged at Rs4,031 and Rs3,455 respectively. In global markets, gold prices moved upward by $1 to reach $3,350 from $3,335, while silver maintained stability at $37.98, as stated by the association.
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | banking, economic policy, economics, monetary policy, politics and government
Published on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 11:54 AM
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has asked Pakistan to remove the finance secretary from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) board and immediately fill two vacant deputy governor positions to strengthen institutional independence.
The lender has also recommended amending the Banking Companies Ordinance of 1962 to remove the federal government’s authority to instruct SBP to inspect commercial banks, further reducing state influence over financial regulation.
In its Governance and Corruption Diagnosis Mission report, the IMF stressed that these reforms would ensure stronger autonomy at the central bank, even though the government remains the sole shareholder of SBP.
Earlier, in 2022, Pakistan revised the SBP Act due to pressure from the IMF, granting complete independence to the central bank and removing the finance secretary’s vote on the SBP board.
Currently, the SBP board includes the governor and eight non-executive directors, one from each province. However, two of the three sanctioned deputy governor posts remain vacant, with only Saleem Ullah serving in finance, inclusion, and innovation.
In the meantime, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated that the government does not intervene in establishing interest rates or exchange rates, which are set by the State Bank of Pakistan. He further mentioned that an IMF evaluation team will arrive in Pakistan during September to discuss a $1 billion loan installment.
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | disasters, emergencies, news, rain, rainfall
Released on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Heavy rains in northern China have claimed at least 13 lives, with five people still missing, as authorities struggle to manage extreme weather that shows no sign of stopping soon.
State media reported that three bodies were recovered from floodwaters in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, while three others went missing near the banks of the Yellow River, roughly 70 kilometers away.
Monday’s downpour, the first of three consecutive storms forecast in the region, dumped more than 204 mm of rain in less than 24 hours, exceeding August’s monthly average by over double.
Earlier, on Saturday, a flash flood swept through Bayannur’s grasslands after a river burst its banks, killing at least ten people and leaving 13 campers stranded; one was rescued while two remain missing.
Search efforts by rescue crews persist in Ordos, close to Baotou—a key center for rare earth minerals—amid severe rain and floods posing risks to facilities and potentially forcing many from their homes.
Weather experts caution that intense precipitation connected to global warming presents increasing difficulties for officials, straining outdated flood protection systems, resulting in financial damage, and endangering millions of people living in northern China.
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | actors and actresses, birthdays, celebrities, celebrity gossip, entertainment
Published on, Aug. 19 — August 19, 2025 2:04 PM
Pakistani actress Hania Aamir caught her followers off guard with heartfelt birthday messages shared on Instagram, featuring a series of images from a latest gathering that quickly captured everyone’s affection.
In the pictures, Hania wore a sleeveless printed outfit paired with long boots and a striking red leather half-jacket, accessorized with a golden chain, armlet, and elegant earrings, completing her look with light makeup.
She added a caption to the post: “Happy birthday to you if it’s your birthday today,” which pleased fans who had celebrated their birthdays lately and generated immediate excitement among her social media audience.
Hania was observed laughing and embracing her companions, among them co-actresses Sabeena Syed and Yashma Gill, indicating an enjoyable and vibrant event. A week prior, Sabeena posted comparable party pictures, fostering lighthearted interactions on social media.
Hania recently gained worldwide attention after being featured on IMDb’s list of Top 10 Most Attractive Actresses Around the Globe for 2025, placing at number six, alongside renowned celebrities who are admired for their attractiveness and acting skills.
Her bubbly personality, relatable screen presence, and growing global influence continue to make her a fan favorite, reflecting the increasing international appreciation for Pakistani talent and culture in the entertainment industry.
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | automotive industry, car companies, cars, electric cars, singapore
Chinese electric vehicle brand Nio plans to debut in Singapore in the first quarter of 2026, marking its first market in the Southeast Asia region.
The automaker announced in a press statement released on Monday that it will introduce its small electric hatchback called Firefly.
The car allows conventional electric vehicle charging, but it also enables swapping the battery with a completely charged unit within three minutes at Nio’s facilities.
For the first time, this launch will include a right-hand drive variant of the Firefly.
The Straits Times
reported.
Nio previously stated intentions to manufacture vehicles with right-hand drive alongside those with left-hand drive for regions including the U.K. and Southeast Asia. Distribution will be handled by the multi-brand automotive company Wearnes Automotive in Singapore.
Established in 2014, Nio made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in 2018 and subsequently expanded to the Singapore and Hong Kong stock markets in 2022, as reported.
The Business Times
.
Nio is known for its battery swap technology, which is currently not permitted for passenger EVs in Singapore, though the system has been approved for motorcycles and is being tested on heavy vehicles.
The company and its local distributor Wearnes said they “will evaluate” introducing the technology in the city-state, but offered no specifics on when or how it might be implemented.
The arrival of Nio came after several other Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, such as JMEV earlier this month and Avatr at the end of July, according to reports.
AsiaOne
.
Another Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, BYD,
currently leads Singapore’s passenger car market
representing almost 20% of new sign-ups during the first six months of this year.
Toyota from Japan and the German premium brand BMW come next with market shares of 14.4% and 11.1%, respectively.
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | football clubs, football players, lionel messi, soccer, sports
Dhaka, Aug. 19 — Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has praised teenage signing Franco Mastantuono for his maturity while playing down the Argentine’s choice of Lionel Messi as the world’s best player.
The 18-year-old midfielder recently signed a six-year contract with Madrid and, during his unveiling last week, said he considered compatriot Messi the greatest player.
it’s perfectly normal for messi to be his role model,” alonso said to journalists on monday. “he’s argentine and uses his left foot, so i’m not surprised.
Mastantuono’s remarks, which referenced a Barcelona legend and long-time rival of Madrid, drew headlines in Spain and left some Madrid fans displeased. For over a decade, Messi battled Cristiano Ronaldo, who is regarded by many as Madrid’s all-time great, during the iconic La Liga rivalry. Ronaldo now plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, while Messi is with Inter Miami in Major League Soccer.
Madrid secured Mastantuono from River Plate after he turned 18, reportedly paying €45 million ($52.5 million) for the transfer.
Naples striker Lukaku could have an operation after suffering a thigh injury.
Alonso said he was impressed by the youngster’s personality early on. “When I first spoke to him at 17, he was confident and unfazed by the prospect of joining Real Madrid. His maturity has stood out since day one. I’m convinced he’ll adapt quickly on and off the pitch.”
The trainer suggested that Mastantuono could be included in Madrid’s La Liga match against Osasuna on Tuesday.
He will provide us with quality and enthusiasm, along with a powerful defensive approach,” Alonso remarked. “He possesses that Argentinian fighter mentality coupled with excellent skill and an outstanding left foot, whether during set pieces or the last assist. He’s young, yet he’s already competing at a reliable standard. It’s our responsibility to mentor him.
Source: Agency
oleh admin | Agu 19, 2025 | environmentalism, home and property, politics, politics and government, tenants
Nepal, August 19 — Following another ruling from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) regarding the removal of temporary shelters occupied by unauthorized settlers near the Manohara River in Kathmandu, the informal housing areas within the national capital once more attract attention. It has been reported that these individuals constructed between 25 to 30 makeshift dwellings by occupying lands designated for the Manohara Land Pooling Project. Three months prior, the KMC issued a notification demanding they leave the location; however, the occupants did not abide by this directive. Subsequently, on Friday, members of the KMC’s Municipal Police joined forces with officials from the Nepalese Police, arriving at the scene equipped with an excavator to remove the settlement. As their buildings were dismantled, local inhabitants began throwing stones and bricks toward law enforcement officers during the demonstration, leading to a confrontation where police used batons against the crowd, escalating tensions considerably.
The question remains: where will the squatters go once their temporary shelters are destroyed? Unfortunately, both the national government and the KMC have yet to provide a response. Despite this problem having plagued the Kathmandu Valley for years, a workable solution continues to be elusive. Previous attempts to assist squatters in finding new places to live have resulted in unsatisfactory results. For example, during the administration of Baburam Bhattarai, 251 makeshift houses in Thapathali were removed, with plans to move residents to a resettlement center located in Ichangu Narayan within the Nagarjun Hills, near the western part of the Kathmandu Valley. However, due to the absence of essential facilities such as power supply and clean water, nobody ended up moving into the facility.
Successive governments as well as local authorities have thus failed to solve the problem of squatters. While beautification of areas along Kathmandu’s rivers is welcome, such a development should not come at the cost of people’s right to live with dignity. Alarmingly, efforts to evict landless squatters have continued even after the Land Related Problems Resolution Commission in February urged all tiers of government not to breach the constitutional rights of squatters, warning that uprooting people from their settlements without proper management goes against human rights and humanitarian laws.
This escalating issue requires strong measures. The challenge of slums extends beyond Nepal—for example, Indonesia, which ranks as the fourth-most-populous nation globally, faces similar difficulties. However, the country’s large-scale initiative known as the National Slum Upgrading Project has significantly improved control over informal settlements. These effective examples deserve replication. A structured strategy regarding evictions must be implemented, requiring collaboration between the national administration and the Kathmandu Metropolitan Council. It should involve collecting precise data about homeless occupants and developing suitable resettlement schemes through active participation from those affected. Employing coercive methods previously failed and continues to prove ineffective moving forward.
Again, as outlined by the United Nations, before proceeding with any evictions, all viable alternatives must be explored, while also considering the participation of affected squatters when making decisions for them. Squatters live where they do only out of necessity; they have nowhere else to go. They know that their settlements are at high risk of being inundated and swept away, and their lives are in constant danger. If they get a good option to resettle elsewhere, many of them will happily do so.
