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WHO: Artificial sweeteners have no weight-loss benefit, may raise health risks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

Brian Niemietz | New York Daily NewsThe World Health Organization has come out against the use of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) as a means to control weight or limit noncommunicable sickness.“The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children,” WHO said in a statement Monday.That review also determined long-term use of NSS could contribute to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and serious illness in adults.“Replacing free sugars with NSS does not help with weight control in the long term,” WHO Director for Nutrition and Food Safety Francesco Branca said in a statement. “NSS are not essential dietary factors and have no nutritional value.”Branca suggests people reduce consuming sweets altogether, starting at an early age.Aspartame, advantame, cyclamates, neotame, saccharin, sucralose and stevia are among the additives addressed i...

Arlington Heights considering Bears’ demolition request because town ‘does not have any authority’ not to, mayor says

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes said the village has received questions and concerns about the Chicago Bears’ recent application for a demolition permit at Arlington International Racecourse, prompting the mayor to explain at the Village Board meeting Monday night why the request is being considered.“The village does not have any authority to withhold approval of demolition for any reason if the application is complete and the property owners’ demolition plans comply with the village code,” Hayes said at the meeting.He and other Village Board members said the village is “100% committed” to transparency as the village and team navigate the early stages of what could be a behemoth project at the old racetrack.The Bears closed on the 326-acre racecourse site in February, then applied May 3 to tear down the iconic grandstand. The team has proposed building a multibillion dollar NFL stadium and adjoining mixed-use commercial, residential and enter...

Patriots OT Riley Reiff has one goal in debut season with New England

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

FOXBORO —  In free agency, the Patriots turned to Riley Reiff to address one of their most glaring roster holes at offensive tackle.Entering his 12th NFL season, Reiff turned to New England for a surprising reason: a ring.The 34-year-old veteran said Tuesday a championship is what keeps him motivated at this late stage of his career. Two years ago, Reiff came close to a title with the Bengals after an ankle injury sidelined him for the end of Cincinnati’s Super Bowl run. But instead of joining his teammates on the sideline for an eventual 23-20 loss to the Rams in Super Bowl LVI, he was stuck in the stands.“I was there – up in the press box,” he told reporters. “Not a nice press box, either.”That year, Reiff started 12 games at right tackle — a position he may soon play with the Patriots. Prior to playing in Cincinnati, he was the Vikings’ left tackle from 2017-2020. That stint followed a five-year run with the Lions, when he played both tac...

Trying to time the stock market? Read this first

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

Bob Haegele | (TNS) Bankrate.comTiming the market refers to buying securities when the price is low and selling them when the price is high. Trying to time the market can be tempting because it might seem like you can make a lot of money, but it’s not without risks.Buy low, sell high. While it’s simple in theory, in reality, it’s highly unlikely you will be able to time the market successfully. Chances are, you will buy things you think will increase, but it never happens. Then you’re left selling it at a loss. This scenario is all too common, and it’s why you should avoid trying to time the market.While you could try to time the market, it’s better to avoid it in most cases. Fortunately, there are several alternatives to it instead. Depending on your goals, one of the alternatives might be a better choice.The problem with timing the marketTiming the market is difficult. Actually, that is probably an understatement as very few people can time the market consistently. In fact, even p...

Family of sisters killed in Mother's Day hit-and-run crash speaks out

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The family of two sisters, who were killed in a hit-and-run crash in the Bay Terraces neighborhood on Mother’s Day morning, spoke to FOX 5 about their loved ones.Daniel Jimenez, the husband of 25-year-old Elizabeth Higuera Cano, says he’s having a hard time accepting the fact his wife is gone, let alone the fact it happened on Mother’s Day.“A beautiful person inside and out and I know that she’s impacted a lot of people. Talking to friends, I just found out she was four weeks pregnant. She was trying to celebrate Mother’s Day,” Jimenez said. “She’s really an amazing mom and wife, my soulmate and the best person I could ask for to be with.”Elizabeth and her 23-year-old sister Jazmin Higuera Cano were killed by a hit-and-run driver around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Two other friends in the car with them were injured, but survived.Jimenez speaks of Liz being bold, saying she was an artist, supportive of his career in the Navy and above all else, a loving mother.Speaking about Jazmi...

CTE cases in soccer players raise fresh questions about safety of heading the ball

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

English soccer star Jimmy Fryatt was known for his ability to head the ball, and the proof of his prowess may be in the damage it did to his brain.Still physically fit in his late 70s, Fryatt played tennis but couldn’t keep score or remember which side of the net he was supposed to be on. He lived in Las Vegas for almost 50 years but started to get lost while riding his bicycle in the neighborhood.“I had to put a tracker on him,” his wife, Valerie, said this week. “I’d call him and say: ‘Stop. I’m coming to get you.’”A North American Soccer League champion who played 18 years in Britain, Fryatt is one of four former professional soccer players newly diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The Concussion Legacy Foundation announced Tuesday that English pro and Oregon State head coach Jimmy Conway, Scottish and Seattle NASL midfielder Jimmy Gabriel, and NCAA champion Franny Pantuosco also were found to have the degenerative brain disease that has been linked to concussions in...

Cannes Film Festival kicks off with Johnny Depp, ‘Jeanne du Barry’ and plenty to talk about

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

CANNES, France (AP) — The Cannes red carpet sprang to life again Tuesday with the premiere of the Louis XV period drama “Jeanne du Barry,” with Johnny Depp, as the French Riviera movie pageant launched a star-studded and potentially controversy-rife 76th edition. Throngs of onlookers shouted “Johnny!” as Depp, in purple-hued sunglasses signed autographs and edged back into the spotlight following his explosive trial last year with ex-wife Amber Heard. “Louis XV,” directed and co-starring Maïwenn, has been billed as Depp’s comeback — though his prominent presence at Cannes has been hotly debated. A coterie of stars streamed down Cannes’ famous red carpet for the opening night ceremony, including Brie Larson, Uma Thurman, Gong Li, Elle Fanning, Catherine Deneuve (who graces this year’s festival poster) and a blue-haired Helen Mirren, who carried a fan labeled #worthit. Michael Douglas, who was to receive an honorary Palme d’Or at the opening night ceremon...

Church members hoping whoever stole truckload of organ pipes will repent, shipment can be recovered

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Members of a Tennessee church are hoping and praying that whoever stole a moving truck over the weekend will repent after finding out what’s inside: old organ pipes, and lots of them.Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis had loaded a Penske truck with nearly 2,000 organ pipes for transport to Spencer Organ Company in Boston, where they were to undergo restoration, news outlets reported. Instead the church discovered on Sunday that the truck and the almost 90-year-old pipes were gone.Spencer Organ Company owner Joseph Rotella said in a police report that the pipes have limited value to whoever has them now.“They have amazing intrinsic value to this project, they are historic. It is going to be very hard to duplicate them, but they don’t have a lot of value outside of this organ,” Rotella said.A statement posted on the church’s website says Memphis Police and Penske are involved in the search for the missing truck. The church also relayed...

Democrat pledges ethics package in his challenge of Mississippi GOP governor

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A Democrat running for Mississippi governor said Tuesday that he will push legislators to enact an ethics package that includes limits on campaign donations, frequent disclosure about lobbyists’ spending and a ban on former state officials quickly becoming lobbyists.“We’re going to send a message in the tune of that old Willie Nelson song: ‘Shut Out the Lights, the Party’s Over,’” Brandon Presley said during a news conference on the Capitol steps.Presley is trying to unseat Republican Gov. Tate Reeves. Presley is in his fourth term as an elected member of the three-person Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities.Reeves is seeking a second term as governor in a state where Republicans hold all statewide offices and a supermajority in the Legislature. Reeves previously served in other statewide elected offices — two terms as lieutenant governor and two terms as state treasurer. “Brandon Presley is a classic Democrat — accusing every Republican o...

Gas pipeline gets new permit to build in Appalachian national forest

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:11:42 GMT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A controversial and long-delayed natural gas pipeline got the green light for construction on national forest land in Virginia and West Virginia after the U.S. Forest Service reissued approval for a permit, despite past federal appeals court rulings determining developers had “inadequately considered” the project’s environmental impact.Monday night’s decision will allow the $6.6 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline to be built — for now — across a 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometer) corridor through the Jefferson National Forest.The 303-mile pipeline would transport natural gas that’s drilled in Ohio and Pennsylvania across rugged slopes in the Appalachian Mountains. Environmental groups say construction has led to violations of regulations meant to control erosion and sedimentation.Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC, the joint venture behind the project, still has other federal permits it will need approved as it works to complete the pipeline by the end of th...