Latest news with #Morocco
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus holding talks in swap deal for Nayef Aguerd
Serie A giants Juventus are interested in signing West Ham centre-back Nayef Aguerd in the summer transfer window. Gianluca di Marzio has reported that the defender is being closely monitored by the Bianconeri, having spent the previous season on loan at Real Sociedad. Advertisement Juve have already made contact with West Ham over a move and the two parties are talking to each other about the feasibility of a move. The deal can potentially include Daniele Rugani and it can take the form of a swap. The move is only in an initial phase and it can evolve in the next few days, depending on how the talks go. It is clear that the Morocco international is an important target for Juve, who are looking to bolster their backline and can lose more than one centre-back this summer. Rugani spent the previous season on loan at Ajax and is already back with the Juve squad. Kaustubh Pandey I GIFN
Health Line
6 hours ago
- Health
- Health Line
6 Benefits of Medjool Dates
You can eat Medjool dates raw, dried, or as a sugar alternative in recipes. They contain fiber and other beneficial nutrients, including iron and potassium. Medjool dates are a variety of dates enjoyed for their natural sweetness. They're larger, darker, and more caramel-like in taste than other common types like Deglet Noor. As tropical stone fruits, they have a single pit surrounded by edible flesh. Native to Morocco, Medjool dates come from the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera) and are now grown in warm regions of the United States, the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. They're often sold dried but not dehydrated, making them soft and sticky. Their sugars become more concentrated as they dry, increasing their sweetness. This article explains the nutritional content, benefits, and uses of Medjool dates. Medjool date nutrition facts Medjool dates are a concentrated source of healthy nutrients. Just 2 dates (48 grams) provide: Calories: 133 Carbs: 36 grams Fiber: 3.2 grams Protein: 0.8 grams Sugar: 32 grams Fat: 0 grams Calcium: 2% of the Daily Value (DV) Iron: 2% of the DV Potassium: 7% of the DV Copper: 19% of the DV Vitamin B6: 7% of the DV Magnesium: 6% of the DV Dates offer a significant amount of fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium. Medjool dates contain significantly more calcium than other common varieties like Deglet Noor. Calorie and sugar content Dates are a concentrated source of natural sugars. While people who monitor their blood sugar may need to moderate their intake of dates, one 2016 clinical trial found that this stone fruit has a glycemic index (GI) of 55.3, which is considered low. A recent study also found that eating dates did not negatively impact blood sugar management in people with type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, Medjool dates pack many calories in a small serving, so you may want to limit your intake. Dried fruits, such as raisins, dried apricots, and prunes, contain more calories per serving than their fresh counterparts because they contain less water. Most of the calories in Medjool dates come from their sugars. Potential health benefits Medjool dates offer several health benefits. May protect your heart The fiber and antioxidants in Medjool dates may help protect your heart. Fiber can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and keep your arteries clean, reducing your risk of heart disease. Just two dates (48 grams) contain over three grams of fiber. One 2013 test-tube study found that Medjool and other date varieties stimulated cholesterol removal from blood cells and prevented the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can lead to the buildup of plaque in arteries. Plaque accumulation can eventually block blood flow, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Further research is needed to confirm this. More recent reviews and analyses of human studies show mixed results. A 2024 study concluded that dates may lower total cholesterol and triglycerides and improve HDL (good) cholesterol, but found no consistent reduction in LDL. Another study in 2025 found that dates reduced total cholesterol but had no effect on LDL, HDL, or triglycerides. Medjool dates are also a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Their carotenoid and phenolic acid antioxidants have both been studied for their beneficial effects on heart health. Supports healthy digestion Fiber is essential to promoting healthy digestion and bowel regularity. Sufficient fiber in your daily diet helps form stool and prevent constipation. Eating enough fiber may also reduce your risk of digestive diseases like colorectal cancer. In a 3-week study, 21 people ate 7 dates (50 grams) daily, significantly improving their bowel movement frequency compared to when they didn't eat dates. High in antioxidants Medjool dates boast several antioxidants, which can protect your cells from oxidative damage that can lead to diseases like cancer, heart disease, and brain ailments. The antioxidants in Medjool dates include flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, which have been studied for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and brain-protective properties. Other potential health benefits Natural fuel for your body. Medjool dates offer a high number of carbs in a small serving. Carbs are your body's primary source of energy. May support bone health. Medjool dates contain a small amount of calcium and are a decent source of potassium, manganese, and copper, all of which are important nutrients for bone health. May protect brain health. Animal studies link dates' antioxidants to lower levels of inflammatory markers and reduced brain plaques associated with conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Bear in mind that more research is needed on these benefits. How to add Medjool dates to your diet Medjool dates are available year-round at most grocery stores. They're often sold along with other dried or raw foods. Some Medjool dates are pitted, but if you purchase ones with pits, you must remove them before eating. Simply slice the date open lengthwise and pull out the pit. These dried fruits make a great sugar alternative due to their sweetness, which comes from fructose, a natural sugar. To substitute Medjool dates for sugar, make a date paste by blending 2 cups (480 grams) of pitted dates with 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) of water. Then, use this paste instead of sugar in your recipes at a 1:1 ratio. You can also add these sweet fruits to smoothies, sauces, and dressings, or chop them in a food processor and use them for no-bake desserts like pie crusts, energy balls, and fruit-and-chocolate bars. What's more, you can fill raw Medjool dates with peanut butter, cheese, nuts, or even cooked grains like rice.
New York Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Manchester City CEO Ferran Soriano praises Club World Cup: ‘It was very much needed'
Manchester City chief executive Ferran Soriano has praised the concept of the newly-expanded Club World Cup, saying the change was 'very much needed'. City won the tournament two years ago when it was contested by seven teams but this summer it has grown to 32. It has split opinion but the prize pot is worth $1 billion in total and Soriano believes it is a good thing for the sport. Advertisement 'We are very excited by it, I think it's something that was very much needed,' he told reporters in the United States. 'Soccer is a global sport and we have to make it global. 'You have to have teams like Manchester City playing teams from Morocco, Korea or wherever. That's part of the globalisation of the number one sport in the world. 'I think it's a great initiative and we are very happy to be here.' Attendances have varied at different stadiums and cities but City's opening match in Philadelphia brought a crowd of 37,446. 'It's very important to be here because we are a global football club,' said Soriano. 'We have our roots and we are proud of them. But you can be local and relevant and faithful to the history of the club and the fans that support you, but you can also be global and show what we do — which we believe is beautiful football — to the world. 'It's a combination that works very well and we are proud.' City beat Moroccan side Wydad AC 2-0 in their opening game and play Al Ain and Juventus in their remaining group matches. Having gone a season without a trophy for the first time since 2016-2017, City are aiming to go all the way in the U.S. 'The ambition for City in any competition is to win it. That's the status of the club,' Soriano added. 'Obviously, it's not possible to win always so we want to go as far as we can. But the ambition of Manchester City always is to win.'
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
British holidaymaker dies from rabies: what you need to know about the disease and getting the jab if you're going abroad this summer
The recent death of a British woman from rabies after a holiday in Morocco is a sobering reminder of the risks posed by this almost universally fatal disease, once symptoms begin. If you're considering travelling to a country where rabies is endemic, understanding how rabies works – and how to protect yourself – may go a long way in helping you stay safe. Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK's latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences. Rabies is a zoonotic disease – meaning it is transmitted from animals to humans – and is caused by a viral infection. In 99% of cases the source of the infection is a member of the canidae family (such as dogs, foxes and wolves). Bats are another animal group strongly associated with rabies, as the virus is endemic in many bat populations. Even in countries that are officially rabies-free, including in their domestic animal populations – such as Australia, Sweden and New Zealand – the virus may still be found in native bat species. Other animals known to transmit rabies include raccoons, cats and skunks. Rabies is caused by lyssaviruses (lit. rage or fury viruses), which are found in the saliva of infected animals. Transmission to humans can occur through bites, scratches or licks to broken skin or mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth. Once inside the body, the virus spreads to eventually reach the nervous system. Because it causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, symptoms are primarily neurological, often stemming from damage to the nerve pathways responsible for sensation and muscle control. Patients who develop rabies symptoms often experience altered skin sensation and progressive paralysis. As the virus affects the brain, it can also cause hallucinations, and unusual or erratic behaviours. One particularly distinctive symptom – hydrophobia, a serious aversion to water – is believed to result from severe pain and difficulty associated with swallowing. Once rabies symptoms appear, the virus has already caused irreversible damage. At this stage, treatment is limited to supportive intensive care aimed at easing discomfort – such as providing fluids, sedation and relief from pain and seizures. Death typically results from progressive neurological deterioration, which ultimately leads to respiratory failure. It's important to note that rabies symptoms can take several weeks, or even months, to appear. During this incubation period, there may be no signs that prompt people to seek medical help. However, this window is crucial as it offers the best chance to administer treatment and prevent the virus from progressing. Another danger lies in how the virus is transmitted. Even animals that don't appear rabid – the classical frothing mouth and aggressive behaviour for instance – can still transmit the virus. Rabies can be transmitted through even superficial breaks in the skin, so minor wounds should not be dismissed or treated less seriously. It's also important to remember that bat wounds can often be felt but not seen. This makes them easy to overlook, should there be no bleeding or clear mark on the skin. The good news is that there are proven and effective ways to protect yourself from rabies – either before travelling to a higher-risk area, or after possible exposure to an infected animal. Modern rabies vaccines are far easier to administer than older versions, which some may recall – often with discomfort. In the past, treatment involved multiple frequent injections (over 20 in all) into the abdomen using a large needle. This was the case for a friend of mine who grew up in Africa and was one day bitten by a dog just hours after it had been attacked by a hyena. The vaccine can now be given as an injection into a muscle, for instance in the shoulder, and a typical preventative course requires three doses. Since the protective effect can wane with time, booster shots may be needed for some individuals to maintain protection. Sustaining a bite from any animal should always be taken seriously. Aside from rabies, animals carry many potentially harmful bacteria in their mouths, which can cause skin and soft tissue infections – or sepsis if they spread to the bloodstream. Read more: First aid and wound treatment is the first port of call, and seeking urgent medical attention for any bites, scratches or licks to exposed skin or mucous membranes sustained abroad. In the UK, this also applies to any injuries sustained from bats. A doctor will evaluate the risk based on the wound, the animal involved, whether the patient has had previous vaccines, and in which country they were bitten, among other things. This will help to guide treatment, which might include vaccines alone or combined with an infusion of immunoglobulin infusions – special antibodies that target the virus. Timing is crucial. The sooner treatment is started, the better the outcome. This is why it is so important to seek medical help immediately. In making the decision whether you should get a vaccine before going on holiday, there are recommendations, but ultimately the choice is individual. Think about what the healthcare is like where you are going and whether you'll be able to get treatment easily if you need it. Vaccines can have side-effects, though these tend to be relatively minor, and the intended benefits vastly exceed the costs. And of course avoid contact with stray animals while on holiday, despite how tempting it may be to pet them. Several rules of thumb can counteract the dangers of rabies: plan your holiday carefully, seek travel advice from your GP, and always treat animal bites and scrapes seriously. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Dan Baumgardt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Pep Guardiola 'hints that it was NOT his decision to sign £34M newcomer Rayan Cherki' - as he insists that it will be 'difficult' replace Kevin De Bruyne
Pep Guardiola appeared to offer a hint that Manchester City 's signing of Rayan Cherki wasn't his alone as he shared his thoughts on the new midfielder after his side's first Club World Cup match. The 21-year-old was one of the hottest prospects of the transfer market, with rivals Manchester United and Liverpool both thought to have circled the player on the heels of a successful season at Lyon. Cherki was named UEFA Europa League Young Player of the Season after finishing as the competition's top assist provider in the competition, and has been labelled one of finest technicians on the continent. Guardiola's side secured the midfielder for £34million as part of the club's wholesale rebuild this summer, which has included drafting in Chelsea 's third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, former Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. But after assessing one of his first performances against Moroccan outfit Wydad AC, which saw the serial winners claim an opening 2-0 victory on American soil, Guardiola let slip a telling detail about his newest player. 'Of course Kevin (De Bruyne) is difficult to replace, we know that,' Guardiola told reporters. 'For the quality he has, there is no doubt about it, but at the same time, the club decided on Rayan because he has incredible skills close to the box and great vision, pass in many things. 'It was just a first game with tough, tough conditions,' Guardiola added. 'I'm really pleased he came here.' Cherki for his part has been outspoken about how much wanting to work with Guardiola drove his desire to sign for the club. 'When I spoke with Pep and he wanted me - he was very, very clear,' Cherki told reporters this week. 'That the system, the club, the city is very good. I want to win and I think City wants to win it all. For me that's better. 'When you see Rodri, he won the Ballon d'Or here – it's clear that with City it's possible and I am here for this.' Guardiola is also thought to have discussed Cherki's preferred position with the player after inking his deal, with the Catalan manager reassuring his new signing that he can be 'free'. 'I spoke with Pep about my position on the pitch and we spoke about what I enjoy when I'm on the pitch. It's very good for me,' Cherki continued. 'He told me he loves a No10, but now I play all the positions in the pitch - so it's not complicated because I just want to play. 'Pep told me, 'when you have the ball, you are free' which is very good for me because it's my first quality to help the team.'
