Fiona Apple “Ladies” The big frustrating thing about loving Fiona Apple’s music is that she takes so long between records, but the immediately apparent thing about her new album Fetch the Bolt Cutters is that these particular songs simply couldn’t exist as they do without all that time for reflection and emotional processing. Whereas most […]

NOTE: In our traditional April Fool’s posts, we endeavor to make them credible at the beginning, then crank up the nonsense until the joke becomes obvious. But these days, the idea of knowingly spreading misinformation (even when comically false) sounds exhausting. So here’s our notice ahead of time: This is 100% silliness! Hope it lightens [...]

The UK government will begin trials of its coronavirus contact-tracing app this week, but what impact it will have on slowing the spread of covid-19 is unclear

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50 percent of people between the age of 60 to 69 years suffer from hypertension. This statistic only worsens as a person grows older reaching about 75 percent in those over the age of 70. In fact, the lifetime risk of developing hypertension is approximately 90 percent for men and women who were non-hypertensive at 55 or 65 years respectively – making hypertension a condition that requires our immediate attention.

While the condition affects one’s whole body, your heart is one organ that takes the worst beating. Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, Senior Cardiologist, Asian Heart Institute tells you how hypertension affects your heart and what you can do to deal with the condition.

How does hypertension affect your heart?

• It can result in hardening and thickening of the heart arteries, leading to their narrowing and causing the heart to receive less blood supply.
• It can also cause a heart attack. In fact, persons who present with an acute heart attack often have preexisting hypertension that evaded detection and treatment.
• It can cause abnormal thickening of heart muscle, the presence of which is a strong predictor of future cardiovascular death.
• High blood pressure puts more load on the heart and increases the amount of work that the heart has to do.

Eating right

Eating a heart-healthy diet is important for managing your blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart attack, heart disease, stroke and other diseases. Aim to eat a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain and high fibre foods, fat-free and low fat or 1 % dairy products etc. Avoid saturated and trans fats, excess salt and added sugar in your diet. DASH (Dietary approach to stop hypertension) diet pattern which contains low sodium, high potassium and rich in fruits and vegetables reduces by an average of 5.5 mm Hg for systolic and 3 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. For hypertensive patients, the reduction is 11.4 mm Hg for systolic and 5.5 for diastolic blood pressure. Low salt (< 1500 mg/day) further potentiates the reduction of blood pressure.

Maintain a healthy weight:

As your body weight increases, your blood pressure can rise. In fact, being overweight can make you more likely to develop high blood pressure than if you are at your desirable weight. You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by losing weight. Even small amounts of weight loss can make a big difference in helping to prevent and treat high blood pressure. Studies conducted in obese hypertensive patients show a decrease in body weight by 1 kg resulted in a reduction of systolic and diastolic pressure by 1.2 and 1.0 mmHg, respectively.

Be physically active:

Physical activity not only helps control your blood pressure, it also helps you manage your weight, strengthen your heart and manage your stress level.

Even moderately intense physical activity, such as brisk walking, is beneficial when done regularly for a total of 30 minutes or longer at least 5 days a week. Hiking or stair-climbing, jogging, running, bicycling, swimming, fitness classes, team sports, dance classes are some of the activities which can help you stay fit. Studies say that regular dynamic physical exercise for at least 30 minutes daily for most days of a week leads to 5 to 9 mm Hg reduction of systolic blood pressure.

Say no to tobacco:

While smoking has not been conclusively proven to cause high blood pressure, each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your blood pressure for many minutes after you finish. For your overall health and to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, avoid all forms of tobacco as well as secondhand smoke. A study has shown that smoking cessation leads to a reduction of systolic blood pressure by 3.5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.9 mm Hg.

Avoid drinking:

Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily increases your blood pressure, but repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases. If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation.

Also read: World Hypertension Day: Why And How You Should Reduce Your Salt Intake

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A slow and steady weight loss plan is always a good idea, but losing weight too fast means putting your health at a risk which can lead to severe issues. So, be wise about undertaking excessive exercising or going for a crash diet. Pooja Chaudhary, wellness consultant, Healthians, an online diagnostic center that offers at-home services, lists down the common factors to take care of during a weight loss regime:

Losing weight around 0.45 kg-0.9 kg per week is a safe bet. But losing more than that can be considered as rapid weight loss which can have an impact on the health. At the start of exercise plan or diet plan, people witness a sudden weight loss of 2-3 kg. This is actually the water weight.

Angeli Misra, Co-founder of Lifeline Laboratory, lists down a few side effects of losing weight too fast:

1. It could damage your liver: Alcohol is not the only factor that puts you at a risk of developing a fatty liver. Sometimes following a surgery to reduce weight can also affect your liver.

2. Loose skin: Rapid weight loss leads to loose skin as skin loses elasticity.

3. It may slow down your metabolism: Excess of everything is bad. Excessive exercises and crash dieting can slow down your metabolism as you easily and soon get tired. Due to that your body works slow and you feel a sense of fatigue.

4. Other side effects: Losing weight fast by doing excessive exercise, swimming and crash diet may be linked to several other side effects like hunger, fatigue, irritability, muscle cramps, dizziness, constipation or diarrhea.

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We remember walking into Le 15 Café in Colaba on a late evening craving a gooey chocolate brownie. They had run out by then but a familiar voice from behind the counter told us if we weren't in a hurry, she'd bake a fresh batch. That was Pooja Dhingra, in her black and pink uniform and contagious smile, even at the fag end of a tiring service day.

Lodged opposite Ling's Pavilion, patrons to the Parisian café had many such stories to share, as seen with the thank you notes left on tissue paper. In 2015, Dhingra coaxed chef Pablo Naranjo Agular into moving to Mumbai from Colombia to create the savoury menu for the café. Their social media posts of sunny-side ups, waffles and tartine were drool-worthy enough to make followers land up for a meal.

'Uncertain times'

The lockdown and subsequent slump in business has pushed Dhingra to take the tough call of shuttering the café for good. "These are uncertain times and everyone has to look at the vision of their companies to decide the road ahead. Unfortunately for us, that meant to cut down our overheads to ensure we can keep the dessert business going. The challenges we predicted were low walk-ins, high rentals and the onset of the monsoon and a general slow-down of business," said Dhingra.

The café has been profitable for three years while the company has been profitable for six months. "We are operating from a central kitchen and servicing outlets. With a predicted decrease in revenue, it wouldn't make sense to keep this space going," reasoned Dhingra. For her, it's all guesswork about how long until the economy picks up. "What will change is how people dine out, and the emergence of social distancing that means reducing covers and higher deliveries," she said. Le15 at Lower Parel and Bandra will function as usual when the lockdown ends.

'A live organism'

When we call Naranjo in his home in Colombia, he is baking bread. His voice gives away the mood. Kneading dough might possibly help deal with the news. "A restaurant is a live organism that needs to feed, enjoy, rest, sleep and start all over again the next day. If you are not nourishing it, it suffers a lot. Coronavirus is showing us that reality," sighs Naranjo. "The time at the café was everything. I poured my heart and soul into it. I remember the times when Pooja would ask me to take a day off. But I would still show up on my off day. When I saw her love towards the business, it worked the same way for me. It's how we managed what we built together," he reminisces.

Dhingra is working on absorbing some of her staff. "We are working on an e-cookbook to raise funds for the team," she shares, signing off, "I dreamt of having a café since I was 16. I built it piece by piece with all my savings. Every memory will stay with me for life."

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The lockdown has come as a boon to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), which has taken the time to repair the damaged but traffic free Western Express Highway. The work is expected to be completed by May 31. Work on the Eastern Express Highway, which will soon begin, is also expected to be completed by May 31. Mumbaikars can then expect pothole-free smooth roads this monsoon.

According to an MMRDA spokesperson, "The completion period for repairing/improvement of WEH is 11 months, but due to the lockdown, we will be able to complete it substantially within a month by May 31. The cost of the work is R47 crore. Work on repairing/ improvement of the bad patches on EEH will start shortly. Possibly from May 11 and the cost for this is about R30 crore and efforts will be made to complete it by May 31. As per the plans, the works have been divided into 4/5 parts to ensure fast completion."

Sources from MMRDA said the idea is to complete the quality work at the earliest so during the monsoon motorists using these highways don't have to face inconvenience.

The WEH is the main highway connecting the Western suburbs to the city bearing 5,000-7,000 (Passenger Car Unit) PCU/hr per direction for most stretches.

MMRDA has also started addressing the problem of traffic jams at junctions on WEH, which were taking place due to uneven roads because of paver blocks. Few months back MMRDA had started removing the paver blocks on the west side of JVLR junction on the WEH, in order to reduce the obstruction in traffic.

MMRDA has also prepared a plan for the facelift of WEH, and so it has appointed global consultants to study its shortcomings and a project estimated at R100 crore has been planned for the same.

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Auditions of MTV Roadies Revolution will be held live on social media for the first time ever, in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown. This is the 17th season of the popular adventure reality show. "Since its inception, 'Roadies' has had a lot of firsts to its credit. Going virtual is another innovative dimension to its iconic journey and speaks volumes of its repute as a reality show. At a time when social distancing has become the norm of life and we have found respite in our phones, 'Roadies LIVE' auditions is a great effort and a well-timed step to reach the youth. This is also a first for me in 17 seasons and I am looking forward to a power-packed experience. To all the young, high-spirited souls, here's your last chance to make the cut and be a part of this exhilarating journey," show host Rannvijay Singha said.

Starting from Monday (April 27) on the MTV Roadies Facebook page, the first-ever virtual audition will go on up to Friday, and will give one contestant a chance to join the official journey this year.

Neha Dhupia, one of the judges on the show, is excited. "Social media and the euphoria around it is undeniable, more so during this lockdown when we are glued to our phones more than ever. We're excited to bring 'Roadies' to digital platforms that connect the masses. Digital auditions are the best way to tap into the young psyche amidst lockdown and get them prepped up for something challenging. Keeping up with our theme of 'Revolution', I am excited to meet some spirited people during the LIVE auditions who have it in them to take positive action and join us on the journey ahead," she said.

 

 

 

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Dare to watch @princenarula & @nikhilchinapa test the wild skills of the entries? Watch it LIVE today at 5 PM on @mtvroadies Facebook page! Also, keep sending in your entries on @voot telling us why you deserve to be on the #RoadiesRevolution journey. Click the link in bio. @oppomobileindia @castrolbiking @axiom_ayurveda @manforceindia #RoadiesLiveAudition

A post shared by MTV Roadies (@mtvroadies) onApr 27, 2020 at 1:28am PDT

Added her co-judge Nikhil Chinappa: "Every year, Roadies ups the ante with innovative formats that resonate with the sentiments of the youth. Virtual auditions are a leap ahead in that direction to leverage a platform that is extremely relevant in the present scenario and reach out to a wider demography. 'Roadies' auditions have always called for mass attention and It would be interesting to witness the traction online."

Rapper Raftaar, also a judge on the show, feels "digital has emerged as the new normal" amid the ongoing crisis and lockdown.

"For a show which defines youth, their goals, and preferences, this digital effort can engage the youth and amplify 'Roadies Revolution' in a way never seen before. I am glad to be a part of this one-of-a-kind experience," he said.

Prince Narula, who also judges the reality show, feels "The live auditions are yet another feat in creating a revolution and reaching out to our young audience".

"I'm really excited to meet some brilliant people and look forward to their perspective. This is going to be a great precursor to our adventurous journey later in the year," Prince added.

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From bringing estranged couples together to encouraging stars to become corona warriors, the COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown period is changing reality for many celebrities, and they are embracing it with an open mind. Here are some of the changes:

Estranged by love, united by the lockdown:

For many estranged couples, lockdown spelt truce. Celebrity exes, including Hrithik Roshan and Sussanne Khan; Imtiaz Ali-Preety Ali; Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, are spending the lockdown together with their children and making the most of it. Their social media handles are a glimpse into how they are spending their time together.

Stars turn corona warriors:

Apart from extending monetary help in the fight against the pandemic, some stars are joining the battle as corona warriors. Like actress Shikha Malhotra, who worked with Sanjay Mishra in "Kaanchli Life in a Slough", is currently working as a volunteer at a hospital in Mumbai to fight against coronavirus, and actor Ashish Gokhale is also working at a private hospital treating the coronavirus patients. In the West, actor Sean Penn has partnered with authorities in Los Angeles to run a coronavirus testing centre.

Taking precautions, but fashionably:

 

 

 

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Safety First NEXT LEVEL. Thank you @lindaevangelista Full video coming on my YouTube soon… All bought on @Amazon 6 weeks ago

A post shared by Naomi Campbell (@naomi) onMar 10, 2020 at 6:07pm PDT

Supermodel Naomi Campbell went viral when she was spotted wearing a hazmat suit, a surgical mask and rubber gloves at an airport to guard herself against the coronavirus. And that's not it. Celebrities are taking all the precautions to protect themselves from getting the disease while staying stylish and glamorous. Kim Kardashian West has also been spotted warning masks and gloves.

Apart from this, the stars are also keeping their fans and followers updated about how they are spending their free time, from their work out a schedule to kitchen escapades to new found love for gardening.

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Consuming Mediterranean diet rich in antioxidants could reduce the adverse effects of air pollution on health. A diet which includes antioxidants present in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, olive oils, fish and poultry over red meat and processed foods, can weaken the adverse effects of exposure to high levels of air pollution, says researchers.

The study showed that people who least adhered to these antioxidant-rich foods had 17 per cent higher risk of cardiovascular disease related deaths for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter increase in long-term average PM2.5 exposure, compared to 5 per cent in those who consumed such diet.

"Given the benefits we found of a diet high in antioxidants, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that particle air pollution caused by fossil fuel combustion adversely affects health by inducing oxidative stress and inflammation," said George Thurston from Department of Environmental Medicine at the New York University.

The study, presented at the American Thoracic Society 2018 International Conference in San Diego, included data from 548,699 participants for over a period of 17 years. They were linked to estimates of long-term exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone (O3) based on census tract information.

Deaths from all causes increased by 5 per cent for every 10 parts per billion (ppb) increase in long-term average NO2 exposure in those with least consumption of the diet as compared to 2 per cent among the people with higher consumption.

"However the diet did not appear to protect against the harmful effects of long-term exposure to O3...the ozone effect was not significantly blunted by a Mediterranean diet, so ozone apparently affects cardiac health through a different mechanism", said Thurston.

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A number of goods and services tax regime amendments, intended to simplify compliance for traders, will become effective in India from April 1, 2019.

The Dutch Government has confirmed that a registry of ultimate beneficial owners of companies will enter into force in the Netherlands from January 2020.

Singapore's tax agency has announced that the territory's new double tax avoidance agreement with Cambodia entered into force on December 29, 2017, capping cross-border withholding taxes on trade and investment.

The Australian Government has set out the numerous changes made to the tax system on July 1 and launched a consultation on new tax rules for "stapled structures."

New type of nanoparticle developed by scientists effectively vaccinated mice against dengue virus. The findings of the study published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases.

The revised double tax avoidance agreement between India and Cyprus will take effect from April 1, 2017, India's Central Board of Direct Taxes has announced.

Paracetamol, the commonly used painkiller, when administered intravenously, lowers blood pressure. The mechanism underlying this dangerous side effect has been identified.

Two types of diabetes drugs namely SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 drugs were effective in reducing heart complications including stroke, heart attack, and

Regardless of patient gender, age or smoking status, teprotumumab, the first FDA-approved drug for thyroid eye disease, provides significant improvement

A new pneumonia vaccine that is more effective and less expensive than those currently used in Brazil is being tested in human patients, said researchers

Hydroxychloroquine shows weak evidence of its effectiveness against coronavirus in the new study. The drug has been identified by the US Food and

Candidiasis treatment could be improved using new drug formulation. Specific chemical signal released from a bacterium can be used to improve the activity

The UK Government on January 10, 2020, released the synthesized text of the 1987 Belgium-UK double tax agreement, as modified by the BEPS multilateral instrument.

The UK Government on January 10, 2020, released the synthesized text of the 1987 Belgium-UK double tax agreement, as modified by the BEPS multilateral instrument.

A new tax treaty between Finland and Spain, which will broaden the Finnish Government's taxing rights with respect to pension income, will be effective from 2019, according to the Finnish Ministry of Finance.

The Australian Taxation Office has released a new ruling on how to calculate the effective life of depreciating assets for income tax purposes, in Taxation Ruling (TR) 2019/5, which is applicable from July 1, 2019.

Australia has enacted new integrity measures included in the Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2019 affecting self-managed super funds.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore has announced that the BEPS multilateral instrument entered into force for several of its double tax treaties on April 1, 2019.

Unconscious food cravings were found to make bariatric surgery less effective for extreme obesity, stated new research that was accepted for presentation

A new study published in The BMJ revealed that weight loss at the 12 month-up diminished, and improvements in heart disease risk factors largely disappeared,

Less-expensive foods are just as effective at helping female athletes recover from workouts as sports nutrition products, reports a new study. The findings

Poor maternal oral health can significantly affect the health of the infants, finds a study conducted at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Estimated per-case costs of six childhood health conditions linked to air pollution have been first compiled by the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health.

Chemotherapeutic drugs or antineoplastic agents used to treat various cancers enter the aquatic environment through human excretion and wastewater treatment facilities.

Injecting the new experimental cholesterol-lowering agent 'Inclisiran' reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol effectively in patients already

New substances discovered could ease the severe side effects of the medication or the drugs taken by patients for treating severe depression, reports a new study.

Some people are falling prey to coronavirus due to the Nocebo effect, the harmless thing that causes harm because people 'believe' its harmful. Achal

Several people may experience emotional distress and be at higher risk of developing psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic, reports a new study.

OCD patients have increased levels of Immuno-moodulin (Imood) protein in their lymphocytes. Antibody that neutralized Imood, can reduce the level of anxiety,

Soil erosion can have a devastating impact on traditional farming landscapes in developing countries. But its effects can only be fully addressed through significant advances in interdisciplinary scientific and societal approaches, according to new research.

New study developed a novel way to make blood stem cells present in the umbilical cord 'more transplantable' that could improve the treatment of a wide range of blood diseases in kids and adults.

Adminstering immunotherapy while waiting for their surgery, can cause tumours to shrink substantially or clear up in a very short time. Medical oncologist

New unique immunotherapy delivery system kills cold tumors by binding to the tumors' collagen, using interleukin 12 (IL-12) protein to inflame the tumor.

In 1988, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck near the northern Armenian city of Spitak. The temblor destroyed cities and is estimated to have killed between

The coastal region of Bangladesh is prone to natural disasters and these events are expected to worsen as a result of climate change.