Manchester United inflicted more FA Cup semi-final misery on Tottenham Hotspur as they recovered from a poor start to win 2-1 at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Tottenham, playing on the ground which has been their temporary home all season, got off to a dream start.

Dele Alli scored from close range but Alexis Sanchez equalised with a header and Ander Herrera fired Uniteds winner midway through the second half.

While United can look forward to the prospect of finishing the season with some silverware, Tottenham must pick themselves up after an eighth successive FA Cup semi-final loss.

The usual Spursy argument will be made and there will come a point when this undoubtedly talented side must back up the bouquets it gets with actual trophies, the true currency of success.

Spurs flew out of the blocks but simply could not put United away and there was an air of desperation and frustration.

There was also the questions of Pochettinos decision to persist with Michel Vorm in goal and keep first-choice Hugo Lloris on the bench.

While it is harsh to place defeat solely at Vorms door, he certainly could have done better with Herreras winner.

Harry Kane could not find his usual sure touch and Son Heung-min, superb this season, had one of those days when nothing went right.

Standing between United and a record-equalling 13th FA Cup triumph will be Chelsea or Southampton, who play on Sunday.

Source: NAN

New research suggests that a single night of sleep deprivation can increase levels of beta-amyloid protein involved in the making of Alzheimers disease.

The discovery was made by scientists from the American National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).

Beta-amyloid also known as amyloid beta is a sticky protein that can accumulate between brain cells and form plaques. These plaques disrupt brain cell communication, and this is believed to play a key role in Alzheimers disease.

Study co-author Nora D. Volkow, of the Laboratory of Neuroimaging at the NIAAA, and colleagues recently published their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Alzheimers disease is a progressive cognitive disorder characterised by memory loss and changes in behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia, affecting around 5.7 million adults in the United States alone.

Past research has associated disrupted sleep with an increase in beta-amyloid levels, but Volkow and colleagues note that there have been some shortfalls in research.

Despite the evidence, say the researchers, that acute sleep deprivation elevates [beta]-amyloid levels in mouse interstitial fluid and in human cerebrospinal fluid, not much is known about the impact of sleep deprivation on [beta]-amyloid burden in the human brain.

To help shed light on how acute sleep deprivation influences brain levels of beta-amyloid, the team studied 20 healthy adults aged 2272.

Using positron emission tomography imaging, the researchers measured beta-amyloid burden in the brain after one night of rested sleep and after one night of sleep deprivation.

After a single night of sleep deprivation, the researchers noticed an increase in beta-amyloid levels in the right hippocampus of the subjects brains, as well as in the thalamus.

The hippocampus is the brain region associated with long-term memory, and the thalamus is a brain region involved in processing sensory information.

According to the authors, these findings provide preliminary evidence for the role of SD [sleep deprivation] on [beta-amyloid] accumulation in the human brain.

Volkow and her colleagues note that they are unable to say whether a night of rested sleep could negate the accumulation of beta-amyloid caused by a bad nights sleep, but this is something that they plan to investigate in future research.

Still, they believe that their new study suggests that getting a good nights sleep may be crucial to our brain health.

The authors conclude:Our results highlight the relevance of good sleep hygiene for proper brain function and as a potential target for prevention of AD [Alzheimers disease].

Reported by Medical News Today.

Source: NAN

In Ghana, mosques and churches are seen to be compounding the problem of noise pollution, according to a report by Deutsche Welle.

In the capital Accra, authorities are seeking to deal with the noise caused by these places of worship and mosques in particular.

Mosques are being asked to use mobile text or WhatsApp messages to call the Muslim community to prayer.

Why is it that time for prayer cannot be transmitted with text message or WhatsApp? So the imam would send WhatsApp messages to everybody, said environment minister Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng.

I think that will help to reduce the noise. This may be controversial but its something that we can think about, he told DW.

The government says it is hopeful such a change could contribute to a reduction in excessive noise.

For many Muslims living in the capital, the idea of a mobile call to prayer is more difficult to embrace.

Fadama community mosque imam, Sheik Usan Ahmed, calls Muslims to prayer five times at prescribed times throughout the day. Although he agrees that the level of noise could be reduced, relying on text and WhatsApp messages could also have economic implications, he told DW.

The imam is not paid monthly. Where would he get the money to be doing that? We try to practice what is possible. So the text message or any other message is not a problem. But I dont think it is necessary, Ahmed said.

Other Muslim residents who spoke to DW also rejected the suggestion. I dont find anything wrong with Muslims waking up at dawn and using the megaphone to call their people to come worship their god because we have Christian churches who use megaphones as well and they also preach at dawn, said Nora Nsiah.

Another Accra resident, Kevin Pratt, also dismissed Frimpong-Boatengs suggestion: Not everyone is on social media, and not everyone is as literate as he is. The Muslim call to prayer is traditionally supposed to reach as far as possible, Habiba Ali added.

The government has signalled it ultimately intends to enforce laws in order to quiet things down in Ghana.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has long warned of the harmful impact exposure to environmental noise may have on public health.

It lists cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbances and cognitive impairment among some of the short and long-term problems people could develop.

Source: NAN

In this article, we look at howestrogenandmenopauseaffect the skin, and whether rashes are related to these hormonal changes:

Estrogen plays a vital role in keeping the skin young, elastic, and healthy. Estrogen helps the skin by:

*Stimulating the production of oil, collagen, and other substances involved in skin health.

*Promoting wound healing.

*Reducing inflammatory skin disorders during pregnancy or periods of high estrogen.

*Possibly protecting against mortality from melanoma and other skin cancers.

*Providing some protection against sun damage.

While decreasing estrogen levels do have an impact on a persons skin, there are many other factors involved in skin health. These factors can include:

*sun exposure or damage
*dehydration
*smoking
*fat redistribution
*genetics

There is no evidence to suggest that menopause is linked to a specific type of rash. However, as a woman approaches menopause, the body becomes significantly more sensitive to changes in temperature, particularly heat.

During and before menopause, a woman may suddenly feel hot and sweaty, causing her face to become flushed or red. These are known as hot flashes, and they can be mild or severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Decreased estrogen levels can cause the skin to become itchy, sensitive, or irritated. Women may also notice that they are more sensitive to itchy fabrics, soaps, or beauty products. Scratching at itchy skin can causehivesand rashes.

A woman who has a rash should consider switching to natural or fragrance-free products to reduce irritation andinflammation. If rashes become especially problematic, she should see a dermatologist for further advice.

The decline in estrogen and other hormones can cause changes in a womans hair, causing it to thin or fall out.

During menopause, women may also notice that hair begins to grow on their face where it had not previously grown. This can include under the chin, along the jawline, or on the upper lip.

Women have many options for dealing with unwanted facial hair. Waxing and shaving are easy at-home options. A dermatologist can provide other options, such as laser treatment or hair removal cream.

As estrogen levels fall, it can cause the skin to get thinner and more delicate, meaning it is more easily damaged. Thinning skin can even lead to more frequent and noticeable bruising.

It is essential to use an SPF 30 sunscreen every day, even when not spending a lot of time in the sun. While sunscreen cannot treat thinning skin, it can prevent it from getting worse.

A woman should see her dermatologist if thin skin presents a serious problem with tearing or injury. The doctor may be able to suggest medical treatments that can help manage the problem.

In addition to thinning skin, women in perimenopause or menopause are more likely to have issues with dry or flaky skin.

This is because estrogen helps the skin to hold on to water, keeping it soft and moist. Without estrogen, the skin is prone to drying out.

To prevent dry skin, people can use a gentler cleanser, as traditional soaps can be particularly drying for older women. Moisturizing right after showering or bathing is best.

People should avoid using exfoliants or other strong products because they can be particularly damaging to delicate or dry skin.

Age spots are a common complaint of menopausal women. This is usually a sign of sun damage that has occurred throughout a womans lifetime.

Wearing sunscreen consistently and from an early age is the best way to prevent age spots and skin cancer developing later in life.

Some types of skin cancer can look like an age spot, so it is essential to see a dermatologist regularly. The risk of skin cancer increases with age and sun exposure.

Skin changes are a common complaint among women during or approaching menopause.
While these issues are the result of normal hormonal changes, there are a few things that women can do to help prevent them from happening or getting worse. Simple steps include:

*Using moisturizer: An oil-free moisturizer can help to keep skin thick and soft.

*Choose something gentle and free from perfumes or dyes to minimize the risk of irritation.

*Wearing sunscreen every day: Regular use of sunscreen can help prevent skin damage from sun exposure.

*Taking sun protection seriously: In addition to wearing sunscreen, wear hats, sunglasses, and other protective clothing to keep the skin covered up while exposed to the sun.

: It is important for women to see a dermatologist every year. In addition to screening forcanceror other suspicious marks, it is also a great opportunity to ask questions about problems or concerns about the skin.

While there is no evidence that menopause can cause a rash, it is common for women to experience reddening and irritation of the skin during a hot flash. This is usually short-lived and will resolve once the hot flash goes away.

Avoiding skin irritants, applying sunscreen daily, and seeing a dermatologist can help women manage or prevent some of the other skin conditions associated with menopause.

*This article by Nicole Galan was culled from

Source: NAN

Colourful and oozing defiance, a sports-friendly version of the abaya gown was once considered a symbol of cultural rebellion in conservative Saudi Arabia, but it is fast becoming the new normal.

Pictures of female athletes running in the garb in the Red Sea city of Jeddah went viral last month, setting off a new debate on sartorial freedoms for women in a country where the typically all-black, body-shrouding garment is obligatory in public.

Some cultural purists vented fury online, calling it a breach of tradition, but opposition has been largely muted following recent comments from powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the abaya any abaya is not mandatory in Islam.

Until a formal edict comes however, designers such as Eman Joharjy are cashing in on the growing popularity of the so-called sports abayas, as many women push back against traditional attitudes of equating chastity with dress code.

There is a big demand, Joharjy told AFP at her fashion studio in Jeddah.

Having them in different colours is empowering.

Akin to a zippered jumpsuit, sports abayas envelop a womans body but offer greater mobility for sporting activities, in contrast to the classic baggy version where tripping on the hem of the flowing garment is a common risk.

The 43-year-olds designs come in colours like pistachio green, beige and white more tolerable in the kingdoms scorching heat and she uses natural fabrics, including French poplin, that do not cling to a sweating body.

One of the early pioneers of the trend, Joharjy said she was branded a social outlier and jeered by some as batman when she began designing and donning sports abayas publicly in 2007.

There was a little bit of rebellion but I designed it for myself, because its practical, she said.

You zip up and are ready to go.

Soccer-themed abayas

Joharjy has defied a popular maxim in Saudi Arabia: If its not black, its not an abaya.

Abayas have evolved over the years, with new patterns, fabrics and embellishments, and they are sometimes worn in the kingdom with baseball-style caps over headscarves.

The latest fad is an eye-catching ensemble of soccer-themed abayas in the colours of the local teams, a new way for female sporting fans to cheer for their favourite players.

Such fashion trends are gaining momentum amid the kingdoms liberalisation drive, including a historic royal decree allowing women to drive from June and enter sports stadiums for the first time.

The government is also seeking to jump-start womens sports and is moving toward compulsory physical education classes for girls, after a ban was lifted in 2014.

Saudi officials recently announced that women would be able to participate next year in the Riyadh international marathon, previously a male-only event.

Women exercising in public were long a target for the kingdoms austere religious police, which has largely been neutered in recent years.

And the once-unthinkable idea of doing away with the abaya appears to now be gaining traction.

The laws are very clear and stipulated in the laws of Sharia: that women wear decent, respectful clothing, like men, Prince Mohammed told CBS Television last month.

This, however, does not particularly specify a black abaya. (It) is entirely left for women to decide what type of decent and respectful attire to wear.

Modest look

Muslim cleric Sheikh Ahmed bin Qassim al-Ghamdi added a new wrinkle to the debate when he dismissed the long-held view that black was the only colour for abayas permissible in Islam.

The cloak is meant for maintaining a modest look and it does not have to be black, the former chief of the religious police in the holy city of Mecca, told Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya television last month.

But the risk of a social backlash is real in a society steeped in conservatism.

They look like cleaners! a tweet said, in response to viral images of athletes dressed in sports abayas.

Their purpose is not sports. We have all been running in full body veil, tweeted another.

Back at Joharjys studio, a longtime client Marwa al-Hadi walked in wearing one of her designs with magenta sneakers.

Abaya is like the Indian saree, it is part of our identity, Joharjy told her, as they weighed in on the future evolution of the garment.

But at the same time, if God did not want women to do sports, we would not have muscles or a body.

Hadi nodded.

It is no ones business to stop and question what Im wearing, she said.

*AFP

Source: NAN

Source: NAN

South Africas former president Jacob Zuma is hugging the headlines again with reports that he has fathered a new baby from a 24-year-old woman.

She gave birth to his child in a Durban hospital last week Thursday on his birthday, News24 said.

TimesLIVE identified the woman as Nonkanyiso Conco and went further to say she is set to become Zumas seventh wife.

Zuma is 76 years old.

Yes we are getting married but that is all I can say. I need to consult before I give any interviews she said.

Conco is a director of the Pietermaritzburg-based Nomkhubulwane Culture and Youth Development Organisation aimed at protecting the cultural practices of young Zulu women.

Conco reportedly resides in the plush Ballito Estate Hilltop home to some of the citys most well-heeled residents.

According to News24, the woman delivered the child at the Busamed Hillcrest Private Hospital last Thursday Zumas birthday.

Zuma is a polygamist who has fathered 22 known children from at least 11 women.

News24 relying on three sources reportef thar that Zuma came to visit his baby under strict security on Thursday night.

They had to clear the maternity ward for other patients. Hospital staff made it clear that this was strictly confidential, a source with direct knowledge of the birth told News24.

Ray Zuma, who is related to the former president, confirmed to News24 that Zuma was going to wed a woman named Nonkanyiso Chonco.

When asked if Conco was the same woman who had given birth to a baby earlier this month, Ray Zuma responded by saying: So?

I cant see why you are interested. When he was still the president, you [the media] were terrorising him, and now you are all of a sudden interested in him.

When asked about the details of the wedding, he said he was not privy to the details.

No date has been set yet. Both families must come together to decide on the date. We are still in the pre-nuptial phases of the process.

Zumas son Edward told News24, when asked about the baby: We are not going to respond, or entertain any of that nonsense.

When News24 visited the hospital earlier in the week, an employee confirmed that Zuma had visited the facility.

Yes he was here last week. I saw him with his security. I do not know why he came through.

But other sources confirmed the baby was Zumas. Hospital staff were briefed to keep it a closely guarded secret and only told this is JZs child and a VIP delivery.

Hillcrest Private Hospital management declined to comment saying they would not divulge details of any patient.

Reported by News 24

Source: NAN

The Zimbabwe government has sacked all striking nurses at public hospitals after they turned down a government offer of 17.1 million U.S. dollars to improve their pay.

The government said in a statement on Tuesday that it regarded the industrial action as politically motivated, and that it would immediately employ new nurses and recall those who retired from the service to replace the sacked health personnel.

Following the decision by government yesterday (Monday) to accede to the demands made by the striking nurses, government regrets to note that the industrial action in this essential service sector has persisted.

What makes the whole action both deplorable and reprehensible is the fact that as agreed yesterday (Monday) government today (Tuesday) released and transferred a sum of 17.1 million (U.S. dollars) into the account of the Ministry of Health and Child Care for payment to the striking nurses.

While this demonstrated good faith from the government which has been effected against demonstrable economic challenges facing our nation, (it) has not, quite surprisingly, persuaded the nurses to go back to their work stations in the interest of saving lives and helping patients placed under their care.

Government now regards this lack of remorse as politically motivated and thus as going beyond conditions of service and worker welfare.

Accordingly, government has decided to discharge all the striking nurses with immediate effect, the statement said.

The number of nurses fired could not be immediately established.

Nurses at major public hospitals countrywide, including in the capital Harare and second city of Bulawayo, are on strike.

The strike by the nurses over better pay and working conditions was the second this year and followed a month-long strike by doctors last month.

Source: NAN

By Peter Ejiofor
In its continued quest to provide families with more healthier and delicious food choices, Nestl Nigeria has introduced its new breakfast cereal, GOLDEN MORN Puffs.

Introducing the product on Wednesday at a Media Executive Meeting in Lagos, Nestles Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Mrs Victoria Uwadoka, said it was made purely from grains and cereals.

GOLDEN MORN Puffs is proudly produced in Nigeria for Nigerians. It is fortified with vitamins and iron to contribute to the efforts to address micronutrient deficiency in the country.

Micronutrient deficiency is the lack of essential vitamins and minerals required in small amounts by the body for proper growth and development.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 2 billion people in the world are affected by iron deficiency, which is the most common micronutrient disorder in sub-Saharan Africa, Uwadoka said.

The major health consequences of deficiency in essential micronutrients include impaired physical and cognitive development, which translates to reduced performance of school-aged children among others.

It is important to note that annually, Nigeria loses over 1.5 billion dollars in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) directly and indirectly to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Mr Aboubacar Coulibaly, Category Manager, Dairy, said that NESTL GOLDEN MORN Puffs, made from maize, millet, oats and soya, is fortified with GRAINSMART a unique combination of vitamins and iron.

Food fortification is a strategy that Nestl has adopted to help address the burden of micro-nutrient deficiency.

With 50 per cent of our portfolio already fortified with micronutrients, the introduction of Golden Morn Puffs breakfast cereal today is another step towards the fulfilment of our commitment to provide healthier, delicious food choices for all age groups, a journey we have been on for the past 57 years in Nigeria, he said.

Coulibaly disclosed that 94 per cent of the grains and cereals used in the production of Golden Morn Puffs is sourced locally.

We are very happy to announce to you today that the work we have been doing with local farmers for the past 7 years on capacity building and grain quality improvement is yielding results.

Ninety-four percent of the agricultural raw materials for the product we are launching today, Golden Morn Puffs was supplied by Nigerian farmers, he added.

He said that Nestl Nigeria would continue to invest in the development of nutrient rich delicious food to fulfil its purpose, which is enhancing quality of life and contributing to a healthier future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nestl Nigeria Plc began simple trading operations in Nigeria in 1961 and has grown into a leading food manufacturing and marketing company.

Nestl Nigeria is the biggest food company in West Africa and employs around 2,400 people and has three world class factories.

It manufactures and markets a range of high quality brands, including NESTL PURE LIFE, GOLDEN MORN, MILO, KITKAT, MAGGI and NESCAF.

Source: NAN

Source: NAN