Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died at the same time, firefighters believe. The Hollywood star is believed, 95, ...
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Gene Hackman probe update as time of death of Hollywood star and wife ‘revealed’
Gene Hackman probe update as time of death of Hollywood star and wife ‘revealed’
Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa died at the same time, firefighters believe. The Hollywood star is believed, 95, ...
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How to get rid of a beer belly without giving up booze in 5 simple steps – and the 2 biggest mistakes people make
NOTHING quite beats a pint in the sunshine.
But do it too often and you can easily end up with a beer belly.
The round, protruding and often hard stomach is common among frequent boozers across the UK.
It’s largely down to the calorific nature of the drink – we’re talking well over 200 calories in many of the most popular brands.
But that’s not all. Throw in a bag or two of crisps, followed by an end-of-the-night tray of chips and greasy fry-up the next morning, and you’re asking for some extra fat around your middle.
Personal trainer Monty Simmons, from Move With Monty, tells Sun Health: “A beer belly basically means you’ve got too much fat around your abdomen – both visceral fat (around your organs) and subcutaneous fat (just under the skin).
“It’s often linked to high-calorie, high-carb diets full of foods like pizza and drinks like beer, plus things like bloating if your body doesn’t handle certain ingredients, like gluten, well.
“When you combine these factors, you can end up with a round middle.”
Not only can this make your clothes feel a little tight, it can also increase your risk of serious health problems.
“Aesthetics aside, the biggest issue with a beer belly is that the visceral fat around your organs raises your chances of developing conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” Monty (@movewithmonty) says.
“If you don’t address it with a balanced diet and consistent exercise, you’re risking serious cardiovascular problems down the line.”
Unfortunately, it’s not as easy as doing a few sit-ups and increasing your kale intake.
“Spot reduction isn’t a thing – you can’t just tell your body, ‘Burn the fat only on my belly’,” the expert adds. “Instead, you need to reduce your overall body fat.
“The good news is that when you lose weight in general, you’ll start getting the subcutaneous stuff off (the soft layer you can pinch) and the visceral stuff deeper inside.”
Here’s how Monty recommends you do it.
1. GET YOUR MEASUREMENTS
START by getting an accurate baseline.
“Weigh yourself or measure your waist with a tape measure, then do this every week, maybe three times a week, to stay dedicated,” Monty says.
“This will help you to see how your body’s shape is changing, and doing it multiple times a week will mean you have a moving average of the changes.
“It means that when you’re having a ‘heavy day’ or a ‘bloated day’, you get a better picture of the ups and downs over the week.
“As long as the average weigh-in or waist measurement number is coming down, your diet and exercise is on the right track.”
2. FOLLOW THE 80:20 RULE
MANY people think that to lose weight, you need to spend hours and hours in the gym.
Of course, exercise is great and can certainly help you burn some serious calories.
But really, most of your beer belly-busting results will be made in the kitchen, according to Monty.
He says: “If I had to say, I’d say it’s 80 per cent diet, 20 per cent exercise when it comes to losing a beer belly.
“It’s much easier to eat 300 extra calories than it is to burn them off – that’s why paying attention to what you’re putting in your mouth is so important.
“That said, exercise isn’t optional if you want the best results.
“You’ll boost your metabolism and maintain (or even build) muscle mass, which helps in the long run.
“And when you get the body fat down enough, you might even see some abs at the end of the rainbow!”
The 'biggest weight loss pitfalls' and easy fixes
WE’VE heard it all before. You want to lose weight, so you need to exercise more, cut out carbs and ditch the sugar, right?
Not necessarily. Weight loss could be so much easier, less hunger-inducing and actually involve more sleep, leading industry experts say.
Here, coaches and nutritionists share their ultimate pound-shedding hacks…
- Eat a savoury breakfast instead of a sweet one to curb cravings later in the day.
- Don’t cut out too many foods – or calories – so you don’t feel hungry all the time. Be sure to include a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes.
- Prioritise sleep, then exercise. While exercising is a great way to help you drop a few pounds and get healthy, sometimes sacrificing sleep can have the opposite effect.
- Eat a big enough lunch and dinner that you don’t need to snack.
- But if you do need a snack, only eat things you have made yourself.
You can read the full article here.
3. THE BEST EXERCISES
“HIGH-INTENSITY workouts like sprints, burpees, or circuit training can be super time-efficient, but they’re tough to keep up for a long session,” Monty says.
“Alternatively, longer, moderate workouts – like a steady run, bike ride, or swim – plus some weight training is a tried-and-true combination.
“It really depends on what you enjoy and can stick with – because consistency beats perfection every time.
“If I had to pick the five best exercises for getting rid of a beer belly, I’d recommend the following.”
1. High knees
RUN on the spot, driving one knee up at a time, aiming to bring your thighs up to pelvis level.
Keep your chest lifted and land softly with bent knees.
Use your arms to drive momentum.
2. Jumping jacks
MOST people are familiar with this one.
Jump and widen your legs while lifting your arms up to make a star shape, then bring them back to your sides.
Maintain a tall spine, stay light on your feet, and follow a consistent rhythm – think “1,2,1,2.”
3. Squat kicks
LOWER into a chair-like squat, lift one knee, then kick out in front of you.
Remember, bring your knee up and then kick.
4. Pop squats
WITH your legs slightly wider than shoulder width, jump in the air and land gently.
As you land, touch one hand to the floor. The next time you jump, touch the other.
A half squat is fine.
5. Mountain climbers
IN a plank position, keep your body straight.
Bring one knee toward your chest (without placing the foot down) as if you’re jogging on the spot.
Don’t let your front foot touch the floor.
4. AVOID THESE MISTAKES
REMEMBER that everybody is different – and it’s a marathon not a sprint.
Monty says: “One major slip-up is cutting your calories too hard and too fast.
“Sure, you’ll lose weight, but you’ll also risk losing muscle unintentionally.
“Plus, you’ll feel tired, cranky, and more prone to quitting.”
But that’s not all. “You also can’t just focus on ab exercises,” Monty adds.
“If you have too much body fat, those abs won’t show until you get your weight low enough.”
5. WHAT TO EAT
SO now you know what to do in the gym or in your living room. But what about the kitchen?
Monty recommends a whole-food approach.
“Think plenty of lean protein (chicken, fish, legumes), healthy fats (avocados, nuts), and complex carbs (whole grains),” he says.
“My usual breakfast is a single slice of bread, half an avocado, two eggs, a sprinkle of chili flakes, and a pinch of salt.
“If I’m on the go in the morning, I might grab a Huel Black shake because it’s convenient for when I’m training clients in the mornings, and it’s high in protein and relatively low in calories – great for having abs year round!”
Getting rid of a beer belly is all about losing overall body fat, which means balancing a nutritious diet with regular exercise
Monty Simmons
Monty also recommends limiting alcohol, sugary drinks and heavily-processed carbs – though thankfully you don’t have to ditch them completely.
“It’s okay to enjoy them once in a while, but if you’re serious about getting the belly off, be realistic about how often you have a drinking sesh,” he says.
A pint of beer contains around 240 calories, so sink five of those and you’ve had about half your recommended calorie intake for the entire day (2,000 for women, 2,500 for men).
SEE RESULTS
ONCE these principles are ingrained into your routine, you should start to see results.
“Getting rid of a beer belly is all about losing overall body fat, which means balancing a nutritious diet with regular exercise,” Monty says.
“Exercise choices depend on your preference and current fitness level – just be sure to push yourself a bit to see progress.
“Meanwhile, watch your food intake, keep your protein levels up, and track your weight and waist measurements with a dedicated mindset.
“Remember, you’re doing this because you respect yourself too much to carry on as you are.
“With patience and consistency, you’ll gradually lose both the soft fat you can pinch and the hidden visceral fat that’s more dangerous.
“And along the way, you’ll reduce your risk of serious health issues, increase your energy levels, and feel much better fitting into your clothes.
“Remember – it’s about finding a sustainable balance that works for you.”
First look at Tesla rival as major carmaker unveils sneak peak preview of new ‘futuristic’ EV
A MAJOR carmaker has unveiled its new “futuristic” EV rival to Tesla in a sneak peak preview.
Volvo’s subtle reveal came during a video that launched its separate ES90 model, the manufacturer’s first-ever electric saloon.
During the clip, keen-eyed viewers could briefly spot the carmaker’s next newest all-electric model, based on its XC60 crossover.
Hiding under a large sheet, the rear of the brand new EX60 was spotted in a dusty pink colour.
The super quick glimpse was snuck into the ES90’s video and revealed the SUV for the first time.
It appears to look like a slightly shrunken version of the seven-seat EX90, although the rear lights seem more in line with the smaller-sized EX30.
The motor is designed to slot in perfectly as the medium-sized electric crossover between the EX30 and EX90, according to Top Gear.
Volvo will be hoping it sells well against tough competition that includes the Tesla Model Y, Polestar 2, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and countless more.
The EX60 will be the first car that Volvo will build on its next-gen SPA3 platform, although there are no words yet on what that means for its battery size or motor output.
On top of this, Volvo has said it has created something called “Superset tech stack” for the EX90.
This feature is described as being like a set of building blocks, and all subsequent Volvo EVs will utilise its same fundamental core of systems, software, and hardware.
TopElectricSUV expects the new vehicle to feature an exterior with a mixture of “modern but conventional proportions with futuristic design elements.”
The car experts also said: “[It will have] a spacious and minimalist interior, class-leading safety and ADAS features, and a frugal zero-emissions powertrain.
“Considering the powertrain and technology to be included, the EX60 is poised to be the most advanced EV coming out of Gothenburg.”
The SUV’s sneak reveal came amidst the launch of Volvo’s all-new ES90 Saloon.
With a range of up to 434 miles, it also positions itself as a major contender in the ever-growing electric car market.
The ES90 is built on Volvo’s SPA2 architecture and features 800-volt charging technology, a significant upgrade over previous models.
This allows for faster charging speeds, with the ability to add 186 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
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The car comes with two battery options: an 88kWh version for the single-motor model, and a 102kWh battery for the twin-motor versions.
The range varies between 404 miles for the smaller battery and 434 miles for the larger one.
In terms of performance, the ES90 offers three powertrain configurations.
The base model comes with a 328bhp rear-wheel-drive setup, while the more powerful twin-motor versions deliver up to 671bhp.
The car can accelerate from 0-62mph in as little as 4.0 seconds for the high-performance variant, with a top speed of 112mph for all models.
The ES90 is also equipped with advanced computing technology, powered by dual Nvidia Orin processors.
This system is capable of handling 508 trillion operations per second, supporting Volvo’s latest active safety features and enabling future over-the-air updates.
US pornstar Whitney Wright poses with AK-47 in AFGHANISTAN after ‘being welcomed by woman-hating Taliban’ sparking fury
INFAMOUS US pornstar Whitney Wright has been captured posing with an AK-47 in Afghanistan after “being welcomed” by the “woman-hating” Taliban.
The 33-year-old caused uproar last year after she visited Iran, putting herself at risk of arrest and being sentenced to the death penalty with the country’s laws making sex work illegal.
Furious activists have slammed Wright after she bizarrely shared her travel snaps on social media where she poses with what looks to be an AK-47 in the Islamic nation.
The pornstar has since deleted the unbelievable image of her wielding the gargantuan weapon.
Wright also shared pics of some of the country’s tourist landmarks, like the Herat Citadel, the Sabz Masjid and the Green Mosque in Balkh.
She simply captioned the unbelievable carousel of snaps with “Afghanistan”.
In Taliban-controlled country, women are unable to leave the house without a man, speak in public or even look through a window while home.
The Afghanistan government’s strict “virtue and vice” laws force women to stop doing various things in public, like showing their face and bodies, singing or reading aloud, and looking at men they are not related to.
Women in the country are also no longer able to visit national parks or beauty salons, play sports or even go solo travelling beyond the perimeter of their houses due to sickening morality laws.
The X-rated star from Oklahoma in the US has consistently ignored her government’s official advice regarding travel to various countries.
Wright has also previously travelled to other predominantly Muslim nations like Iran, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.
Afghanistan also has very strict laws regarding adult content and internet usage.
The Taliban have not commented on Wright’s questionable visit to Afghanistan during the holy month of Ramadan.
Wright would likely have needed high-level approval to enter the country given the need for a visa and the lack of US consular services there.
Activists have slammed the porn star and the “hypocritical” government for promoting Afghanistan as a tourist destination, while women in the country are “imprisoned in their own homeland”.
Speaking to RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi, women’s rights activist Washma Tokhi said: “Afghan women are imprisoned in their own homeland, while foreign visitors – no matter their background – are treated with hospitality.”
She also called the decision to grant a tourist visa to US porn star Wright “fundamentally hypocritical”.
Radio Azadi also reports claims that female tourists are being invited and therefore encouraged to visit Afghanistan as it desperately seeks to soften its dire international reputation and give a false image that the country is safe for women.
But another interviewee, Nasima Bidargar, said how “this freedom is only for foreigners”.
Some social media sites like Instagram and TikTok are beginning to show travel guides for Afghanistan, created by female travel influencers from countries like the UK, Australia and Hungary.
The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Afghanistan, with the security situation described as “volatile”.
Taliban’s anti-woman laws
THE Taliban has unleashed a reign of terror since seizing control of Afghanistan in August 2021.
Its cruel administration claims that Islamic law “guarantees” the rights of Afghan men and women.
But women have been progressively erased from public spaces, prompting the United Nations to denounce the “gender apartheid” the administration has established.
Women are barred from many ordinary activities by the hardline Islamic regime such as studying and working.
Taliban authorities have banned post-primary education for girls and women, restricted employment and blocked access to parks and other public places.
Last year, the brutal regime banned women from training to become midwives.
A recent law even prohibits women from singing or reciting poetry in public under the Taliban government’s ultra-strict application of Islamic law.
It also encourages them to “veil” their voices and bodies outside the home.
In July 2023, the Taliban banned women’s salons and parlours – taking away their final places of recreation and relaxation.
Months prior, they stopped all sports for girls and women and ordered women to stop entering gymnasiums and parks.
Some local radio and television stations have also stopped broadcasting female voices.
Taliban forces previously imposed a harsh version of Islamic rule on Afghans before they were ousted after the US-led invasion in 2001.
Girls were barred from school and women were banned working outside the home or being seen in public with a male relative.
And those who broke the rules faced floggings, beheadings, hangings, and crucifixions.
Guardian ‘played judge, jury and executioner’ of Noel Clarke’s career in ‘unlawful conspiracy’ over sex claims
THE Guardian played “judge, jury and executioner” of Noel Clarke’s career in an “unlawful conspiracy” over sex claims, a court heard.
The award-winning actor is suing the newspaper for libel over seven articles and a podcast that alleged he was sexually inappropriate towards women.
In written submissions, Clarke’s legal team said claims that he was a “serial abuser of women” were false.
The High Court was also told that the “conspirators'” intention was to cause him “irreparable” financial and reputational damage.
Clarke has accused Guardian News and Media (GNM) of playing “the role of judge, jury and executioner” of his career and reputation.
The articles featured claims from a number of women in the film and TV industry who claimed Clarke groped them and was sexually inappropriate over many years.
His lawyer Philip Williams said that while GNM’s investigation took place over three-and-a-half weeks, Clarke was “barely able to reply to the allegations” and was only originally given 24 hours to respond.
He also told the court the articles, which were published between 2021 and 2022, were not framed “in an even-handed tone”.
Mr Williams explained the Kidulthood star has become “completely exiled” from the film industry following the allegations and is perceived as a “criminal” by those he previously worked with.
He accused GNM’s sources of having an “axe to grind” against the Doctor Who actor and branded them “hostile”.
The barrister said 14 of the complainants were involved in a conspiracy and the journalists involved in the articles were aware.
But Gavin Millar KC, for GNM, has argued that there is “ample evidence” that all of the articles were true or substantially true.
He told the court GNM reasonably believed that publishing all of the statements at the centre of the libel case was in the public interest.
The lawyer added: “The defendant will adduce evidence from 16 women who experienced the claimant’s misconduct first-hand, some of them on multiple occasions.
“There is no motive for them to lie and the claimant has not suggested any, beyond making wild allegations as to an alleged conspiracy.”
Clarke, who vehemently denies the allegations, will give evidence in the libel trial.
GNM said around 16 women will tell the court about the award-winning actor and producer’s alleged conduct.
The court previously heard that Clarke has asked to amend his claim, which will be dealt with after the libel trial finishes.
As well as increasing his claim for special damages to more than £70million, he wants to bring further action – alleging that multiple people conspired against him using fabricated reports of misconduct or sexual assault.
The hearing before Mrs Justice Steyn is due to conclude in April, with a decision expected in writing at a later date.
Lex Luthor Actor Is the Reason Why James Gunn Started Dating His Wife Jennifer Holland
James Gunn is so much more than just the co-CEO of DC Studios. On top of being one of the most beloved and respected directors out there, he is also known for his bright personality. While not much is known about his personal life aside from the influence that DC has had on him, fans […]
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Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively May Have Already Set Themselves up for the Ultimate Humiliation in Court Amid Justin Baldoni Drama
Hollywood lawsuits are usually about money, power, and bruised egos, but rarely do they also involve… anatomy lessons. Yet here we are, watching Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Baldoni take It Ends With Us from the big screen to the courtroom, and somehow, the drama has escalated beyond defamation claims to include parts of […]
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One Piece: Oda May Have Revealed Luffy’s True Heritage That Now Makes Skypiea the Most Important Story So Far
The Monkey D. family members in One Piece are a curious bunch. Garp is the Hero of the Marines, Dragon is the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, and Luffy is one of the Emperors of the Sea. They couldn’t be any more different yet connected in One Piece. Even though their appearances look vastly […]
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After Foggy’s Fate, I’m Not Entirely Sure if Daredevil: Born Again Plans to Honor Charlie Cox’s Only Demand Under Kevin Feige
The MCU brought back Matt Murdock with the Disney+ show Daredevil: Born Again. The series opened earlier this week with a nostalgic trip down memory lane with our favorite characters and then sucker punched with a tragic death. Foggy Nelson, our resident law badass is dead and took the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen with him. […]
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