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BP, UAE suspend $2 bn gas deal in Israel

Petrol. (File Photo: IANS)

BP declined to comment beyond confirming the content of the NewMed statement. Adnoc declined to comment. NewMed Energy’s shares fell as much as 7% in Tel Aviv…reports Asian Lite News

BP and an oil company owned by the United Arab Emirates have shelved talks to buy a 50% stake in Israel’s leading natural gas producer, judging the $2 billion deal too risky as the war in Gaza rages.

NewMed Energy said Wednesday that all three companies had agreed to “suspend discussions” on the deal “due to the uncertainty created by the external environment.”

BP (BP) and Abu Dhabi’s state oil company Adnoc had “reiterated… interest in the proposed transaction,” it added in a statement, without detailing the conditions under which talks might resume.

“There can be no certainty that discussions will resume or that an agreement will be reached in the future, nor as to the terms of an agreement should one be reached,” NewMed Energy said.

BP declined to comment beyond confirming the content of the NewMed statement. Adnoc declined to comment. NewMed Energy’s shares fell as much as 7% in Tel Aviv.

The development highlights the impact the war in Gaza is having on companies doing business in the Middle East. Several Western brands, including Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC and Pizza Hut, have faced boycotts in the region by customers who perceive them as supporting or having ties to Israel’s war in Gaza.

BP announced the proposed investment in NewMed Energy just under a year ago as part of a plan to form a joint venture with Adnoc to extract natural gas in “areas of mutual interest,” including in the eastern Mediterranean.

The proposed transaction was widely seen as evidence of deepening financial ties between Israel and the UAE following the normalization of diplomatic relations in 2020. But the war has strained those ties, and the UAE has repeatedly called for an “immediate ceasefire” in Gaza.

In the days immediately following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which triggered the war, a BP executive told investors that the company remained “optimistic” about the prospects for the NewMed deal, according to media reports.

BP and Adnoc were to acquire 50% of NewMed Energy by buying the company’s publicly traded shares, plus part of a stake held by Delek, an Israeli energy conglomerate.

NewMed owns 45.34% of the Leviathan Reservoir, the largest gas reservoir in the Mediterranean and the location of one of the world’s biggest deepwater gas discoveries. Chevron holds a 39.66% stake in the reservoir.

Separately, BP was one of six companies awarded licenses by Israel’s energy ministry in October to explore for natural gas off the country’s Mediterranean cost.

The British oil company and Adnoc continue to work on other projects together. Last month, they announced a joint venture to develop natural gas assets in Egypt.

UAE-US non-oil trade reached $31.4 bn in 2023

Danny E Sebright, President of the US-UAE Business Council, said that the volume of non-oil trade between the UAE and the United States reached USD 31.4 billion in 2023, and is expected to continue growing at the same pace in 2024.

Sebright added, in statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), that US exports to the UAE reached $24.8 billion last year, exceeding 2022 exports of USD 20.8 billion, by 19 percent, noting that the UAE remained the top US export destination in the Middle East and Africa for the fifth consecutive year.

The President of the US-UAE Business Council highlighted that US exports to the UAE support 125,000 jobs in the US, while UAE exports to the US totaled USD 6.6 billion last year.

Sebright said that UAE investments in the US market continue to grow, focusing on various sectors including real estate, manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. He pointed to three areas with greater potential for further cooperation between the two countries in 2024: healthcare and life sciences, financial services and private equity, and technology and artificial intelligence.

Sebright said that the UAE and the United States continue to build on the tremendous progress made last year in the lead-up to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the areas of renewable energy, food security, and sustainability, in addition to the continued strength of traditional foundations of the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries in sectors such as space, defence, and energy. (ANI/WAM)

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Health Lifestyle Lite Blogs

Effective ways to lower blood pressure

Wall squats (isometric) and running (aerobic) was found to be the most effective individual exercises for reducing systolic BP (90.5 per cent) and diastolic (lower reading) BP (91 per cent), respectively, with isometric exercise, overall, the most effective for reducing both blood pressure elements…reports Asian Lite News

Suffering from high blood pressure (BP)? Doing static isometric exercises — the sort that involve engaging muscles without movement — such as wall squats and planks are best for lowering blood pressure, finds a study.

The study, published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that cardio (aerobic exercises); dynamic resistance training, such as squats, press-ups, and weights; high intensity interval training or HIIT (episodic short bouts of high intensity exercise interspersed with short periods of recovery at a lower intensity) are also effective.

But isometric exercises were able to reduce systolic (upper reading) BP by 98 per cent, compared to combined training (76 per cent), dynamic resistance training (46 per cent), aerobic exercise training (40.5 per cent) and HIIT (39 per cent).

Wall squats (isometric) and running (aerobic) was found to be the most effective individual exercises for reducing systolic BP (90.5 per cent) and diastolic (lower reading) BP (91 per cent), respectively, with isometric exercise, overall, the most effective for reducing both blood pressure elements.

“Overall, isometric exercise training is the most effective mode in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure,” said the researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University, UK.

“These findings provide a comprehensive data driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension.”

Previously published research shows that exercise in general is associated with significant reductions in blood pressure, with aerobic (cardio) exercise, such as walking, running, and cycling, the type primarily recommended for managing blood pressure.

But this recommendation is largely based on older data that exclude the newer forms of exercise, such as HIIT and isometric exercise, meaning that the current recommendations are probably outdated, the researchers said.

It may be time to review the current exercise guidelines for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure, they noted.

To potentially update information on the best form of exercise for controlling blood pressure, they included 270 randomised controlled trials published between 1990 and February 2023 in the analysis, with a pooled data sample size of 15,827 participants.

The pooled data analysis showed significant reductions in resting systolic and diastolic BP after all the various categories of exercise, but with the largest falls in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after isometric exercise training.

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Health Lite Blogs

Combining acupuncture with BP medication

High BP can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, memory loss, and cognitive decline…writes Dr. G.Prakash

Hypertension or high blood pressure poses a significant risk to both mortality and disability rates in India. If you are living with high blood pressure, your healthcare team may recommend incorporating lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication to manage your symptoms. However, alongside these conventional approaches, acupuncture, a therapeutic method derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), may offer potential benefits as part of your treatment regimen.

For approximately 3,000 years, acupuncture has been utilized to address various health issues. This practice involves the insertion of ultra-thin, flexible needles into specific acupoints on the body, stimulating the body’s natural healing processes. Additionally, modern acupuncture techniques may incorporate electroacupuncture, which involves the application of an electric current through acupuncture needles.

Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Blood pressure (BP) refers to the force that blood exerts on the walls of arteries during circulation. It is determined by the contraction of the heart muscle and is measured in systolic (during heart contraction) and diastolic (during heart relaxation) pressures. Typically, BP is denoted by the systolic pressure preceding the diastolic pressure, such as 120/80 which is considered normal.

Systolic blood pressure represents the maximum pressure exerted during a heartbeat when blood is being pumped out of the heart into the body’s arteries. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure is the lowest pressure recorded between heartbeats when the heart is filling with blood.

BP can rise temporarily during exercise or stress but when it remains persistently high, even at rest, it can damage the arteries. Stage 1 hypertension is characterised by a systolic reading of 130-139 or a diastolic reading of 80-89. A reading of 140/90 or higher is classified as stage 2 hypertension. A hypertensive crisis is indicated by a systolic rate of over 180 or a diastolic rate over of 120.

High BP can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, heart failure, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, memory loss, and cognitive decline.

How does Acupuncture Help to Regulate Blood Pressure?

While the exact mechanisms of how acupuncture works are not yet fully understood from a scientific perspective, it is believed that the stimulation of certain points in the body can have an impact on the central nervous system, influencing blood flow and the production of key hormones.

Regarding hypertension, acupuncture may assist in regulating blood pressure by affecting the hormones involved in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This system is responsible for maintaining blood pressure levels and fluid-electrolyte balance.

In particular, acupuncture may influence the presence of hormones and enzymes related to the RAAS in the bloodstream and stimulate receptors in the body that regulate blood pressure.

Moreover, acupuncture could potentially act on the limbic system, leading to increased levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the brain’s reward system. According to a study conducted recently, dopamine has the potential to decrease oxidative stress, which is characterized by an overabundance of free radicals, thereby assisting in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

What do Studies Suggest?

A recent study conducted at the University of California-Irvine (UCI) has provided the first scientific confirmation of the benefits of an ancient Chinese medical technique for patients suffering from mild to moderate hypertension. The research, published in the Medical Acupuncture journal, revealed that electroacupuncture, a type of acupuncture that uses low-intensity electrical pulses through needles inserted at specific points on the body, can lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension for up to six weeks. According to the researchers, these findings indicate that regular use of electroacupuncture could help individuals manage their blood pressure, potentially reducing their risk of heart disease and stroke in the long term.

In a 2007 clinical study published in Circulation, it was suggested that acupuncture, performed according to the precise specifications of ancient Chinese tradition, could be an effective treatment for mild hypertension, with some individuals experiencing results comparable to those achieved through single-drug therapy or aggressive lifestyle changes such as exercise and salt restriction. Additionally, a 2019 review concluded that combining acupuncture with Western medicine approaches could be more effective in improving hypertension than Western medicine alone.

Research indicates that acupuncture may provide temporary relief for individuals with high blood pressure. Combining acupuncture with standard blood pressure medication may have a greater effect on reducing blood pressure compared to medication alone. It is generally safe to use acupuncture alongside most blood pressure medications. However, it is crucial to seek treatment from a licensed and board-certified acupuncturist to ensure safe and effective therapy.

(Dr. G.Prakash, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Jindal Naturecure Institute, Bangalore)

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Food Lite Blogs

DASH diet to control high BP

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium should be included in the plan…writes Dr Sameer Gupta

The DASH Diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, is a diet that is intended to help treat or prevent hypertension. It is a simple diet that focuses on lowering sodium intake while increasing intake of potassium, magnesium, and calcium-rich foods. Although the DASH Diet was designed primarily to control high blood pressure, researchers have discovered that it is also effective in preventing osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.

Features of DASH Diet

* Dash Diet’s objective is to lower sodium content from the diet. Sodium intake should be limited to 1,500 milligrams, i.e., about 2/3 teaspoons of salt a day.

* Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, nuts, legumes, and low-fat dairy rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium should be included in the plan.

* Alcohol and caffeine consumption should be moderate.

* Given below is a table suggesting what all should be included in the DASH diet plan. This diet plan is simple to implement and can be used as a long-term approach to healthy eating. According to surveys and studies, this diet plan is extremely effective, and people who followed it saw noticeable results in just two weeks. It might be a good idea to make gradual changes so that you can stick with it. Furthermore, the DASH diet is not just for hypertension patients; anyone can follow it because its main goal is to incorporate a healthy intake of potassium, magnesium, and calcium into the diet, which is essential for all humans. The DASH diet is definitely something you can start if you want to eat healthy and lower your blood pressure.

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India News Politics

Will not be cowed down, says AIMIM after attack on Owaisi

Owaisi escaped unhurt when two men opened fire at his car when he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut…reports Asian Lite News

The All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) on Thursday condemned the attack on its president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in Uttar Pradesh.

Party leader and Telangana MLA Mumtaz Ahmed Khan said the party will not be cowed down by such incidents.

Khan said such attacks were not new for the party as it made many sacrifices during the last 65 years.

The AIMIM leader said the party’s opponents, especially the communal forces, were afraid of its growing popularity. He said the public meetings being addressed by Owaisi in Uttar Pradesh were drawing lakhs of people and the party’s opponents were unable to digest this.

Owaisi escaped unhurt when two men opened fire at his car when he was returning to Delhi after campaigning in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut.

The MP’s SUV came under attack at a toll plaza in Hapur in western Uttar Pradesh. He left for Delhi in another vehicle.

Police arrested one of the assailants while the search was for his accomplice.

Owaisi has demanded the Election Commission to order an independent inquiry into the attack. He also sought an inquiry by the governments in UP and at the Centre.

The MP also plans to raise the issue with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.

Owaisi has been campaigning aggressively in UP for the last few weeks. His party has already announced that it will contest 100 seats in the state.

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Lite Blogs Parenting

Great health! The best gift for your father

It is easy to forget to drink enough water in the rush to do things. But this can be detrimental to your father’s efficiency, may lead to brain fog and may even lower their immunity…writes Siddhi Jain.

Parenting is a serious topic in our society and taking care of parents is also very important topic to be discussed and practiced. The pandemic has caused many of us to reimagine our lifestyle and take cognizance of the potential health risks. Give your father the gift of great health by getting him to adopt a wise sodium-intake diet and a little bit of exercise. Ensure he makes small lifestyle changes for positive impact, starting with these four tips.

Check his BP

The connection between excess sodium intake and high blood pressure (hypertension) is an open secret. World Hypertension Day that went by in May also reminded us of the importance of keeping this silent killer in check. In fact, it has been found that regulating one’s salt intake in the diet can prove very effective in getting one’s BP under control. So, help your father rein in his salt intake by using iodized salt with low sodium, for example — Salt with at least 15 per cent less sodium from a trusted brand. Another effective strategy is to help them switch to alternative flavourings: wedges of cut lemon, chili flakes and black pepper powder, onion powder, and garlic powder are good options. Herbs like coriander, parsley, mint, oregano, thyme, and basil work well too.

Try this: Mix 5 parts roasted and powdered sesame seeds with 1 part salt (high quality iodized salt), and use as a flavouring. The fact is that although the total requirement of iodine for an adult adds up to less than a spoonful as there is no storage organ for iodine in the body, it is necessary for iodine to be included in our daily diet. Salt works as a very effective medium for this purpose and will help them meet their iodine requirement too.

Colour therapy

Ensure that they eat a plate full of palatable colour. A colourful diet that is the easiest and most effective way to ensure well-being and to keep myriad diseases at bay. And what better time than during Father’s Day to reiterate the importance of this simple rule of rainbow eating to our fathers. This simple step will pay rich dividends in terms of better health and longevity for them.

Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate.

It is easy to forget to drink enough water in the rush to do things. But this can be detrimental to your father’s efficiency, may lead to brain fog and may even lower their immunity. To prevent dehydration, share with them this simple plan: Begin the day with 2 glasses of water. Finish 1 litre of water by lunchtime and then another by dinner time. Also have an additional glass of warm water after every meal. This will take care of their daily water needs.

Don’t miss out on exercise

Lockdown and the virus has interfered with everyone’s exercise regime: accessing gyms are tough and stepping out for walks is not easy. But this is no reason to stop movement completely. After all, they need to burn off those extra calories (and also need some extra help from endorphins to keep the moody blues away) now more than ever. So ask your father to get creative. Take short walks after dinner by walking around the house or in the balcony /garden (however small or big it might be), or enroll them in an online yoga class.

With health being front and centre in these times, ensure your father has the best shot at a healthy life ahead. (Tips by Kavita Devgan, Nutritionist, Tata Salt)

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