News Article from The Guardian
Summary
Here is a comprehensive rundown on where the crisis currently stands:
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Western nations will warn the Russian president, Vladimir
Putin, on Thursday that his country will pay “ruinous” costs for
invading Ukraine during an unprecedented one-day trio of Nato,
G7 and EU summits that will be attended by the US
president, Joe Biden, in Brussels.
Zelenskiy said he hoped for “meaningful steps” at the round of
summits, noting they would reveal “who is a friend, who is a
partner, and who betrayed us for money”.
The Ukrainian president also called for a global rally to protest Russia’s
war on Ukraine, urging citizens of the world to publicly stand against the
war.
Russian forces have been accused of taking hostage the people of the
besieged Ukrainian city of Chernihiv, as local officials imposed
drinking water rationing on trapped civilians. About 150,000 people
are stuck in the northern city with little hope of aid after Russia cut
them off from the capital, Kyiv, when a key bridge was bombed on
Wednesday.
Ukraine is increasing pressure on Russian forces north-east
of Kyiv while carrying out successful counterattacks against
Russian positions in towns on the outskirts of the capital, the UK
defence ministry has said.
Nato announced it will double its troops along the alliance’s
eastern flank. “The first step is the deployment of four new Nato
battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia, along with
our existing forces in the Baltic countries and Poland,” said the alliance’s
secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg.
Nato countries are also expected to agree at Thursday’s meeting
to provide special kit to help protect Ukraine against chemical,
biological or nuclear attacks launched by Russia.
The White House has quietly assembled a team of national
security officials to sketch out scenarios of how the United
States and its allies should respond if Russian President
Vladimir Putin unleashes his stockpiles of chemical, biological
or nuclear weapons, the New York Times reports.
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Britain will provide 6,000 defensive missiles and extra funds to
support the Ukrainian military, as well as BBC
journalists providing news coverage in the region.
The US government has said it believes war crimes have been
committed in Ukraine based on its assessment of evidence
that civilians have been deliberately targeted.
Between 7,000 and 15,000 Russian soldiers have been
killed since the beginning of the war, Nato estimates. By way of
comparison, Russia lost about 15,000 troops over 10 years in
Afghanistan, the Associated Press has reported.
Ukraine is using facial recognition software to identify the
bodies of Russian soldiers killed in combat and to trace their
families to inform them of their deaths, Ukraine’s vice prime minister
said.
The Russian climate envoy Anatoly Chubais has stepped down
and left the country in protest against Putin’s war
in Ukraine. He is the highest-level official to break with the Kremlin
over the invasion.
Israel has blocked Ukraine from buying Pegasus spyware,
fearing Russia’s anger. The revelation, after a joint investigation by
the Guardian and Washington Post, offers new insight into the way
Israel’s relationship with Russia has at times undermined Ukraine’s
offensive capabilities – and contradicted US priorities.
Putin has said Russia plans to demand payment in roubles for
its gas sales to “unfriendly” countries. The announcement sent
European futures soaring over concerns the switch would exacerbate a
looming energy crisis by jamming up deals that run to hundreds of
millions of dollars every day.
The risk of coup by Russia’s federal security service (FSB)
against President Putin is growing every week that the war
in Ukraine continues, a whistleblower at the heart of Russian
intelligence has said, according to a report from The Times.
As usual, for any tips and feedback please contact me through Twitter or at
samantha.lock@theguardian.com
The Guardian keeps you up to the minute on the crisis in Ukraine with a global
perspective and from our team around the world and around the clock. Thank
you for reading and please do stay tuned.
5 Strong Steps To Immunity
It’s that time of year when we’re waking up in the morning and almost expecting to start
the day feeling a little run down. Between the holiday madness, the colder temperatures,
cold and flu season and the emergence of the latest COVID variant, it’s more important
than ever to give our immunity some much-needed love.
Let’s begin with a quick explainer on the immune system: It’s a complex network of
organs, tissues, cells and antibodies that serves to protect the body from infection. When
the immune system is healthy, it’s primed and ready to attack any type of foreign
invader (bacteria, virus, pathogen, parasite) that crosses its path.
However, when the immune system is weakened, it’s not as capable of fighting off
germs. As a result, the body signals us to let us know something is wrong. These signals
can be anything from feeling sluggish, to coming down with a bad cold, recovering
slowly from a wound or being diagnosed with a more troublesome condition.
The promising news is that there are a number of holistic ways to recharge the body’s
defense system. Yes, vitamin C is a biggie. Consuming foods that are packed with this
antioxidant (oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, tomato juice, and red and
green peppers, to name a few!) have been shown to help reduce the length and severity
of the common cold, reduce inflammation and support your skin’s barrier—the body’s
first line of defense. Yet there are other vital nutrients and essential lifestyle strategies
that can strengthen your immunity during the upcoming winter season.
Read on for five simple ways you can keep your immune system healthy and strong this
season.
5 Easy Steps to Stronger Immunity
Eat Mushrooms
This is the kind of fungi you want in your life! After all, mushrooms offer two types of B
vitamins: Riboflavin (an antioxidant which encourages the immune system to function
properly) and niacin (which bolsters the immune system by reducing inflammation in
the lungs). Plus, this tasty meat substitute provides selenium, another antioxidant, and
copper, an essential nutrient that helps the body produce red blood cells and maintain
immunity.
One study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition discovered
that cooked shiitake mushrooms—a dark colored, earthly-flavored mushroom that is
used in traditional Chinese medicine—could enhance the immune system.
If you love stir-fry meals, try making this Sauteed Shiitake Mushrooms with Ginger and
Watercress. For a savory snack, whip up these Stuffed Mushrooms with Broccoli Rabe
and Farro.
Consume Quercetin
A flavonoid (a colorful phytonutrient compound) found in numerous fruits and
vegetables, research has been uncovering the multiple benefits of quercetin, including
its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One recent review published in the
journal Food Science & Nutrition reported that quercetin was shown in both animal and
lab studies to inhibit various viral infections—one being COVID.
Look for quercetin in plant foods, such as onions, shallots, fennel, red apples,
grapes, berries, citrus fruits, leafy greens, green and black tea (OK, and even red wine!).
Get Your Vitamin D
When the days are shorter during the winter months, your body is likely lacking in the
sunshine vitamin … which means your immunity could take a hit. According to one
study published in the journal Nutrients, a research team from Belgium concluded that
there’s an “indisputable relation between vitamin D and the immune system.” The Food
Science & Nutrition review also noted that this fat-soluble vitamin (which the body
naturally produces when the skin is exposed to sunlight) has been shown to reduce the
risk of viral diseases.
Keep in mind that vitamin D can only be found in select foods, such as fatty fish
(like salmon, tuna and mackerel, all of which are loaded with anti-inflammatory omega3s), egg yolks and fortified beverages and cereals. While it’s highly unlikely to suffer
from toxic levels of vitamin D (a 10-year study of more than 20,300 adults found that
only one patient dealt with clinical toxicity), a vitamin D supplement can interact with
certain medications, so check with your physician before taking the over-the-counter
form.
Exercise
Sweating it out can actually help your immune system run smoothly. The National
Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus lays out a few possible theories as to why regular
exercise may be an effective way to support immunity.
It’s been speculated that working out may aid the lungs and airways by flushing out
bacteria. It can also cause positive changes in antibody levels and white blood cell count
(these cells belong to the immune system to help fight infection), and may help the body
ward off bacterial growth.
It’s no secret that physical activity has the ability to lower stress hormones,
and studies indicate that chronic stress can lead to elevated inflammation levels,
ultimately wreaking havoc on immune function. So whether you prefer stepping onto
the yoga mat or bouncing around in a HIIT workout, your sweat session can make you
stronger—both on the outside and inside.
Say “Om”
And speaking of ways to lower cortisol levels, better known as the stress hormone,
consider becoming more mindful. A comprehensive review published in the Annals of
the New York Academy of Sciences found possible links between mindfulness
meditation and certain markers connected with inflammation and cell-mediated
immunity (a type of immune response that does not involve antibodies).
Not sure where to begin? Try one of these guided meditations that may help you drift off
to sleep faster—a double whammy since catching quality shut-eye is another proven
immune booster!
(Images: Shutterstock)
News Article from “People” Magazine
Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson are back on the west coast!
After making a brief stop in New York, the two were seen getting off a plane in Los
Angeles on Tuesday.
In the photo obtained by PEOPLE, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians alum, 41,
opted for a casual look, donning a full black ensemble including a hoodie and puffer
vest. She accessorized with black sunglasses while pulling her hair back into a
ponytail.
Davidson, 28, also kept it comfy, wearing a gray hoodie with a pair of black sweats
and a vest.
RELATED: Ariana Grande Gifts Kim Kardashian Her New R.E.M. Beauty
Collection amid Pete Davidson Romance
Their recent outing follows Kardashian's trip to Florida, where she made a
statement in an all-pink ensemble following the launch of her SKIMS Swim pop-up
shop in Miami on Saturday.
The mother of four sported a bubblegum-hued bandeau top, matching high-waisted
boot pants that showed off her toned abs, and a set of delicate, wrist-length gloves to
celebrate the occasion.
Earlier in the evening, the fashion mogul got all glammed up to attend a party in
Miami's Design District celebrating the launch. She kept her monochromatic theme
going with a metallic bikini top paired with matching pants and accessorized with a
pair of oversized sunglasses.
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CREDIT: DIGGZY/JESAL/SHUTTERSTOCK
While Kardashian was in Miami for the weekend, Davidson had a "wild" boys' night
with Scott Disick and friends, according to Instagram.
In a clip shared to Disick's Instagram Story, the Saturday Night Live star appeared
with a bored expression on his face after revealing he was the only one still awake
while the Talentless founder, 38, and two other pals fell asleep watching Sandra
Bernhard's film The King of Comedy.
"Boyz night was wild," Disick wrote over the video, adding four sleeping-in-bed
emojis.