Why this common fruit is essential for preventing diabetes and obesity.

Timmy Mabs| 9th September, 2024.

Researchers at Western University have identified nobiletin, a promising chemical that can be found in tangerines and sweet oranges that may help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. 

Their studies on mice suggest that this chemical generated from citrus has potential health benefits, especially for people who are battling obesity and related illnesses. 

A meal heavy in fat and cholesterol, which usually results in weight gain, insulin resistance, and elevated blood fat levels, was fed to the mice used in the study. But the mice who had nobiletin in their food were substantially thinner and fared better than the mice who did not get the substance.

France: Macron names ex-Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier as PM

Timmy Mabs | 5th September, 2024.

Barnier, the former Brexit negotiator and now France's oldest premier, is tasked with forming 'a unifying government in the service of the country'.

Barnier was named French Prime Minister two months after political deadlock in the country [Getty/file photo]

French President Emmanuel Macron picked Michel Barnier, a former EU negotiator on Brexit, as the nation's next prime minister on Thursday, the presidency revealed.

This appointment put an end to almost two months of political impasse that had been caused by unexpected polling. "A unifying government in the service of the country" is Barnier's stated mandate. At 73 years old, Barnier is the oldest premier in French history.

Since Wednesday, French politicians and the media have speculated on the potential announcement of the next chief of state to succeed Gabriel Attal, given the hung parliament that resulted from the July elections. 

A left-wing coalition became the most powerful political force in France since there were not enough seats to form an outright majority. The far-right and Macron's centrist faction are the only two major parties still present in the National Assembly.

The early favourites were thought to be former Conservative minister Xavier Bertrand and socialist prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve. 

However, all figures were contradicted by the French parliament's new mathematical structure.

In France, the prime minister is chosen by the president and is subject to parliamentary censure. 

Bertrand and Cazeneuve both run the prospect of being faced with a motion of no confidence that would be supported by the far right and the left bloc. 

Right-winger and former Brexit negotiator for the European Union, Barnier, was spotted leaving Macron's meetings at the Elysee to return to front-line politics as premier.

He has essentially vanished from French politics since his Republicans (LR) party lost the nomination to challenge Macron for president in 2022. 

An unnamed presidential advisor claims that the seasoned former foreign minister and EU commissioner is "Macron-compatible" and won't be ousted from office by parliament anytime soon. 

Unidentified but described as "extremely popular with right-wing members of parliament without being an irritant on the left" was a minister in the outgoing government.

Marine Le Decides. 

Macron appears to be counting on the far-right National Rally (RN) of three-time presidential candidate Marine Le Pen not to block the appointment of Barnier.

The party's deputy leader Sebastien Chenu, speaking to BFM TV, appeared to indicate the RN would not automatically back a vote of no confidence against Barnier, as it would for Bertrand and Cazeneuve.ee

RN party leader Jordan Bardella said Barnier would be judged "on evidence" when he addresses parliament.

Greens leader Marine Tondelier countered: "We know in the end who decides. Her name is Marine Le Pen. She is the one to whom Macron has decided to submit."

Macron's decision comes under the gun of a deadline to submit a draft 2025 budget for France's strained government finances before October 1.

It also marks his attempt to acknowledge rejection of his seven-year rule without giving up on hard-fought reforms, chief among them last year's widely resented increase to the official retirement age to 64 from 62.

After the July election deprived Macron of his relative majority in parliament, the centrist president has drawn out the appointment of a new prime minister for a period unprecedented since World War II, through the July-August Olympic Games and beyond.

Atal became the first openly gay head of state in France this year, and he has held caretaker status throughout the unrest.

He expressed his hope that his successor will be able to "convert the try" of the measures whose execution he was unable to complete in a daily interview with Le Figaro. He spoke in a rugby-like tone.

Trump campaign ordered to stop using Isaac Hayes song at rallies after family sues.

By Timmy Mabs | 4th September, 2024

Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump arrives at a campaign event, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024, in Johnstown, Pa
Alex Brandon/AP

An order from a judge temporarily barred the use of "Hold On, I'm Coming."

A temporary injunction was issued by a federal judge in Atlanta on Tuesday, directing Donald Trump and his campaign to cease using a song that was co-written by the late artist Isaac Hayes at their events.

According to court documents that ABC News examined, the 1966 song "Hold On, I'm Coming" was played at Trump rallies and can be heard in internet campaign recordings. Ronald Coleman, a spokesman for Trump, released a statement saying that the judge did not mandate the removal of these recordings.

We are quite pleased that the court acknowledged the First Amendment issues at stake and declined to compel the removal of already-posted films, according to Coleman, who also stated that "the campaign had already agreed to cease further use." 

The son of Hayes, Isaac Hayes III, stated on social media last month that he was suing Trump and his campaign for $4 million in unapproved usage of the song "Hold On, I'm Coming." According to court records, Trump and his associates performed the song more than 150 times without authorisation.

Following the hearing on Tuesday, Isaac Hayes III wrote, "We won," on Instagram. "@realdonaldtrump has been barred from playing @isaachayes music forever."

The injunction stops the campaign from playing the song pending further proceedings and the court would consider a motion for reconsideration based on copyright ownership if appropriate.

In response to the ruling, "the campaign has a license to play the music through an agreement with BMI and ASCAP," referring to performance rights groups Broadcast Music Inc and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

According to court records, the song was made popular in 1966 by the musical duo Sam & Dave and peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 at that time. Although Hayes, who co-wrote the song with David Porter, died in 2008 at the age of 65, the song's right and copyright are currently held by his estate, according to court filings.

A cease-and-desist letter was submitted to the Trump campaign on behalf of Isaac Hayes Enterprises after the song was played as the "outro" music at one of their events in 2020, according to court filings.

According to court documents, the groups named as defendants in the complaint filed by Isaac Hayes Enterprises last month for hosting events and uploading videos where the song was played were the Donald J. Trump for President campaign, the Republican National Committee (RNC), Turning Point, the American Conservative Union, the National Rifle Association (NRA), and BTC.

The court observed that Hayes Enterprises withdrew the motion regarding Turning Point, the NRA, and the RNC on Tuesday. Along with Beyoncé, Celine Dion, Jack White, and the Foo Fighters, Hayes is among the musicians who have demanded that Trump cease performing their songs at his concerts.

Spain condemns the death of the six Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas. 

Timmy Mabs | 3rd September, 2024.

Spain is deeply troubled by the deaths of six Israeli hostages who had been held since Hamas' terrorist attacks on October 7. 

The relatives of the victims have the support and condolences of the Spanish government. 

We again implore the parties and the mediators to seek a durable truce that would facilitate the expeditious release of all detainees, a substantial influx of aid, and the promotion of peace in the Middle East.