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Economic Times
9 hours ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed
Synopsis Saima Wazed, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, highlights yoga's role in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility on International Day of Yoga. She emphasizes that yoga fosters mindful consumption and respect for nature, reducing our ecological impact. Studies reveal yoga's benefits, including increased strength, reduced inflammation, and improved mental health, reinforcing its holistic value for individuals and the planet. In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga. ADVERTISEMENT "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on Friday. The International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she said. It was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added. ADVERTISEMENT "Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated."In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said. ADVERTISEMENT Clean air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed benefits of yoga are well-documented, she said. ADVERTISEMENT Studies have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added. A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said. PTI (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Yoga offers path to sustainability: WHO regional director Saima Wazed
Saima Wazed, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director, highlights yoga's role in promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility on International Day of Yoga. She emphasizes that yoga fosters mindful consumption and respect for nature, reducing our ecological impact. Studies reveal yoga's benefits, including increased strength, reduced inflammation, and improved mental health, reinforcing its holistic value for individuals and the planet. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In a world facing environmental challenges , yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging people to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world, WHO South-East Asia Regional Director Saima Wazed said on the eve of International Day of Yoga "In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she said in a statement on International Day of Yoga, marked annually on 21 June, celebrates this timeless practice that nurtures body and soul, she was first proposed by India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Recognizing yoga's universal appeal, he suggested the Summer Solstice - 21 June - as a symbolic date, Wazed 177 UN member states co-sponsoring the resolution, the proposal received overwhelming support, and the day was first celebrated in 2015, starting a global wellness movement, she year's theme, "Yoga for One Earth, One Health," reminds us of the deep connection between our well-being and the health of our planet, she added."Yoga is more than just physical exercise. It is a journey towards inner peace and harmony, and teaches us to listen to our bodies and to live mindfully. As we practice yoga, we become more aware of our surroundings, and more attunes to the rhythm of nature," Wazed stated."In a world facing environmental challenges, yoga offers a path to sustainability by encouraging us to live simply, consume mindfully, and respect the natural world. In embracing yoga, we can reduce our ecological footprint and contribute to a healthier planet," she air, pure water, and fertile soil are essential for our well-being. Yoga encourages us to protect these vital resources and ensure a thriving planet for future generations, Wazed benefits of yoga are well-documented, she have shown that 77 per cent of people report feeling physically stronger after practising yoga regularly. 82 per cent of patients with chronic inflammation experienced a nearly 50 per cent reduction in inflammation after just six weeks of daily yoga. Yoga can also help mental health, she added.A study by Harvard Medical School found that 60 per cent of participants with depression experienced a significant reduction in symptoms after practising yoga twice a week for eight weeks, Wazed said. PTI
Ya Libnan
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Libnan
Time for Putin to Adopt Trump's Ukraine Ceasefire Plan
Throughout his long political career, the Russian president has been accused of countless atrocities. The former KGB chief Vladimir Putin is a war criminal and should be treated as such, former US President Joe Biden was quoted as saying in February , 2022 . Russia was kicked out of the UN Human Rights Council as members voted 93-24 in favor during the United Nations General Assembly. Biden said the vote marks a meaningful step by the international community, further demonstrating how Putin has made Russia an 'international pariah.' By : YaLibnan Editorial Board It's 2025—not 1945. Yet Russian President Vladimir Putin still clings to a bygone era of perceived Soviet glory while presiding over one of the most disastrous military campaigns in modern history. His invasion of Ukraine has not only failed to achieve its objectives but has left Russia humiliated, isolated, and increasingly dependent on pariah states and foreign mercenaries. Russia's human cost has been staggering. Independent estimates suggest that well over 300,000 Russian soldiers have been killed or wounded in Ukraine. Tens of thousands of families across Russia are burying young men who died for a war they never chose. Morale among troops is at a breaking point, and forced conscriptions have triggered protests and mass emigration. To sustain this faltering campaign, Putin is now leaning on foreign fighters and military support from regimes with little regard for international norms. North Korean artillery shells are arriving at the front lines. Chinese drones are quietly reshaping battlefield tactics. Fighters from Syria, and reports of assistance from Vietnam, have further exposed the Kremlin's desperation. What kind of great power needs mercenaries from four continents to fight its neighbor? Putin's latest move—a unilateral three-day ceasefire to mark the anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II—is a hollow gesture, meant more for optics than peace. Ukrainian officials have rightfully dismissed it, calling instead for a serious and lasting truce based on the plan proposed by the United States and supported by President Donald Trump. President Trump has made it clear: he wants a permanent ceasefire and a roadmap toward a peaceful resolution. 'President Trump has been very clear he wants a permanent ceasefire and to bring this conflict to a peaceful resolution,' said U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes on Monday. And yet, Putin resists. Why? Because acknowledging the Trump plan would mean admitting what the world already knows—his war has failed. Russia, once seen as a formidable global power, now begs for ammunition and manpower from Tehran, Pyongyang, and beyond. This is not a strength; it is a strategic and moral collapse. Putin's symbolic ceasefire to celebrate a war from 80 years ago does nothing to stop the bloodshed today. If he truly wants to honor the spirit of peace and victory, he should take a bold step toward the future, not retreat into the past. The path forward is clear: adopt the Trump ceasefire plan and end this war with dignity. Russia's future—and its place in the world—depends on it.
New York Times
31-03-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Why China Is Wary of a Trump-Xi Summit
In Washington, President Trump has said he is willing to meet with Xi Jinping, China's top leader. In Beijing, Chinese officials and experts agree that a meeting between the heads of state must precede any broad reset of relations with the United States amid Mr. Trump's aggressive approach to trade and foreign policy. But arranging a meeting is already proving slow and difficult. Senator Steve Daines, Republican of Montana, who came to Beijing this month as an informal representative of Mr. Trump, said one of the main goals for his trip was to lay the groundwork for a presidential summit. After meeting China's vice premier for economic policy, He Lifeng, Mr. Daines said in an interview that he believed a summit would be held by the end of the year — a slower pace than many in Washington had expected. On the Chinese side, Communist Party officials and government advisers said in interviews over the past week that they were taken aback by Mr. Trump's rapid-fire moves on tariffs, Greenland, Ukraine and other issues. They have been startled by his hostile treatment in public of foreign leaders like President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. As a result, they are cautious about scheduling a summit. Tensions between Beijing and Washington could worsen this week, when a new set of Mr. Trump's tariffs is set to take effect in a potentially broad limit on trade. Chinese officials are reluctant to schedule a summit until the two sides have negotiated details in advance, including a deal between the two countries that would endure for the rest of Mr. Trump's term. The Trump administration has not yet specified what an acceptable deal might be. 'The Chinese side believes the Trump administration has not really figured out what is the way to deal with China and make a deal,' Wu Xinbo, the dean of the Institute of International Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai, said on Friday. 'The Chinese side would like to wait for a more constructive and sensible signal from the administration,' said Mr. Wu, who was part of an unofficial delegation of retired senior Chinese officials and academic advisers who met with American officials and experts last month in the United States. Two other Chinese experts familiar with discussions between the United States and China mentioned the possibility of the two leaders meeting in New York City around the time of the United Nations General Assembly in September. But it remains unclear whether their governments can make enough progress by then, said the experts, who were not authorized to comment. In a faxed reply to questions about the possible timing of a summit, the spokesperson's office at China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it had 'no information to release at this time.' Mr. He held a video call on Wednesday with Jamieson Greer, the United States trade representative. Mr. He expressed concern about Mr. Trump's imposition of two rounds of 10 percent tariffs on Chinese goods so far this year, according to a Chinese statement after the meeting. China has already retaliated against Mr. Trump's initial tariffs on Chinese goods by imposing extra tariffs on imports of American fossil fuels and agricultural products. Senator Daines's trip was only the second congressional visit to China in more than five years. While members of Congress usually travel in groups to foreign countries, no other senators or representatives chose to accompany Mr. Daines to Beijing. Beijing has not rewarded the American side for Mr. Daines's outreach. In an unannounced move on March 16, China, the world's largest importer of beef, halted practically all imports of American beef. It had previously been buying $1 billion a year of American beef, much of it from Mr. Daines's state. Beijing granted five-year licenses in March 2020 to several hundred American slaughterhouses to export beef to China. That came after years of intermittent interruptions in shipments because of trade frictions and China's purported concerns over mad cow disease in the United States, although international animal health experts found the beef to be safe. China's own beef industry has also long opposed imports. The recent expiration of the export licenses has in effect closed the Chinese market, with shipments plummeting to 54 tons in the week after the licenses expired, from about 2,000 tons a week. Beijing's decision not to renew the slaughterhouse licenses put pressure on Mr. Daines. 'The effects of this decision on U.S. ranchers can hardly be overstated, which is why I raised this issue directly with Vice Premier He Lifeng,' Mr. Daines said, adding that he was 'calling on China to reverse this decision.' The spokesperson's office at China's foreign ministry said that it was 'not aware' of the slaughterhouse license dispute.
Sky News
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
The key moments that have shaped Trump and Zelenskyy's relationship
Why you can trust Sky News The relationship between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been complex over the years. Relations between the two presidents extend as far back as 2019, the year the Ukrainian leader took office. It has since weathered the start of the war in Ukraine, Mr Trump 's reelection and last month's heated exchange in the Oval Office, in which Mr Zelenskyy was accused of being "disrespectful" to his country's most powerful ally. Here we look back at the key moments that have helped shape the pair's relationship and how it has changed over the years. The 'perfect' phone call One of the first times Mr Zelenskyy spoke with Mr Trump was in July 2019, months after he became president of Ukraine. During a 30-minute phone call, the US leader suggested that in exchange for future military support for Ukraine, Mr Zelenskyy should help launch an investigation into Joe Biden's son, Hunter. Trump allies alleged Mr Biden had lobbied Ukraine to dismiss its top prosecutor to obstruct a probe into energy fIrm Burisma, which had Hunter Biden as one of its board members. Mr Trump's request coincided with him appearing to want to weaken Mr Biden as he competed to become the Democratic nominee for the presidential election. It was this call that formed the basis for Mr Trump's first impeachment by the Democratic-controlled House in December 2019 on abuse of power and obstruction of justice charges. Mr Trump denied wrongdoing at the time and referred to his exchange with Mr Zelenskyy as a "perfect" phone call. He was later acquitted by the Senate. Mr Zelenskyy later admitted, during his first face-to-face meeting with Mr Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2019, that there was "no blackmail" involved in the exchange. Outbreak of war Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, triggering the biggest conflict on the European continent since the Second World War. At the time, the Biden administration made steadfast military and political support for Ukraine a centrepiece of US foreign policy, which included huge sums of military assistance. Mr Trump condemned the war as "appalling", saying at the time that he was praying for Ukrainians. He even extended praise to Mr Zelenskyy, calling him "brave" for staying in the capital, Kyiv. In the run-up to the 2024 presidential election, Mr Trump claimed he would be able to stop the war in 24 hours, adding that he would be able to "get it settled" before even entering the White House. Doubting the claims, Mr Zelenskyy invited Mr Trump to Ukraine during an interview with Sky News' US partner network, NBC News, in November 2023. "If he can come here, I will need 24 minutes - yes, 24 minutes. Not more. Yes. Not more - 24 minutes to explain [to] President Trump that he can't manage this war [in that time frame]," Mr Zelenskyy told Meet The Press presenter Kristen Welker. He added at the time that he was unsure if Mr Trump would have Ukraine's back if he were to re-enter the White House. Meeting ahead of US election A month before Mr Trump won the US election, Mr Zelenskyy visited him in Trump Tower, New York. The trip, which took place in September, came after Mr Zelenskyy told the New Yorker magazine that he thought Mr Trump "doesn't really know how to stop the war". He added, "many leaders have thought they could, but have been unable to do so". While in New York, the pair discussed ending the war, with Mr Trump telling Fox News after the meeting that Mr Zelenskyy wants fighting in his country to stop. Mr Zelenskyy also reissued the invite for Mr Trump to visit Ukraine, to which he said he would accept. 'Dictator without elections' Work seemingly began on a ceasefire deal soon after Mr Trump was sworn into office. Mr Zelenskyy said in February that he was working with a team from the Trump administration, describing the US as the "power that has the ability to not only stop the war but also help ensure the reliability of peace afterwards". But relations quickly seemed to turn sour when the US administration held talks with Russian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia without Ukraine. 1:28 The four-and-a-half hour meeting was condemned by Kyiv, who said talks should not be held behind Ukraine's back. Mr Zelenskyy also postponed a visit to Saudi Arabia, reportedly as a way to avoid giving the US-Russian meeting "legitimacy". The US-Russian meetings appeared to work as a catalyst of dwindling relations between the two presidents, with Mr Trump then suggesting that Ukraine was responsible for starting the war, adding that Mr Zelenskyy had "better move fast" or he would have no country left. Her later called Mr Zelenskyy a " dictator without elections" - a dig at him remaining in office after Ukraine's general election was delayed due to Russia's invasion. He also repeated the claim that the Ukrainian president has low approval ratings - which had already been dismissed by Mr Zelenskyy as Russian disinformation - and claimed American aid money had been misused. That Oval Office meeting Despite prior crosswords, relations between Mr Trump and Mr Zelenskyy appeared to be back on track near the end of February, when Ukraine said it wanted to sign a minerals deal with the US, giving them the right to $500bn (£394bn) in potential revenue from the resources. The deal had planned to be signed during an in-person meeting in the Oval Office, but Mr Zelenskyy's visit was cut short due to a clash in front of the world's media. 3:58 The last 10 minutes of the almost 45-minute meeting descended into a tense back-and-forth, which began with vice president JD Vance telling Mr Zelenksyy: "I think it's disrespectful for you to come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media. "You should be thanking the President [Trump] for trying to bring an end to this conflict." As the Ukrainian president tried to object, Mr Trump raised his voice and told him: "You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. "You're gambling with World War Three, and what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country that's backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have." The back 'on track' phone call Addressing Congress a few days after the meeting in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said he had received an " important letter" from Mr Zelenskyy in which he said he would work under his leadership to reach a peace deal. The letter appeared to echo what Mr Zelenskyy had said in a statement on social media hours after the US reported it was pausing military aid to Kyiv. Mr Zelenskyy described the Oval Office meeting as "regrettable", adding that it "did not go the way it was supposed to be" and it was "time to make things right". He also added that he was "ready to sign" the mineral deal, which had remained a sticking point between the two countries. The pair did not have any direct contact until Wednesday, when they had an hour-long phone call. Mr Trump described the conversation as "very good" adding that he and Mr Zelenskyy are "very much on track".
