BERLIN (Reuters) -German industrial production rose slightly less than expected in April, posting an increase thanks to the construction sector

Researchers have discovered that some penguin parents sleep for only seconds at a time around-the-clock to protect their eggs and chicks

Middle-aged people not getting enough sleep are less likely to see the benefits of exercise when comes to protecting against decline in skills such as memory and thinking, scientists have said. Researchers from University College London (UCL) found that those in their 50s and 60s who performed regular physical activities but slept less than six hours a night had a faster decline in these skills overall. The team found that after a decade, their cognitive functions – such as attention, memory and learning – were the same as those who did less physical activity. The researchers said their study, published in journal The Lancet Healthy Longevity, highlights the need for sleep to protect against cognitive decline as people get older. Lead author Dr Mikaela Bloomberg, of UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, said: “Our study suggests that getting sufficient sleep may be required for us to get the full cognitive benefits of physical activity. “It shows how important it is to consider sleep and physical activity together when thinking about cognitive health. “Previous studies examining how sleep and physical activity might combine to affect cognitive function have primarily been cross-sectional – only focusing on a snapshot in time – and we were surprised that regular physical activity may not always be sufficient to counter the long-term effects of lack of sleep on cognitive health.” The World Health Organisation already identifies physical activity as a way to maintain cognitive function, but interventions should also consider sleep habits to maximise long-term benefits for cognitive health Prof Andrew Steptoe For the study, the team looked at data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (Elsa) from nearly 9,000 people aged 50 and over. Their cognitive function was assessed over a period of 10 years with various memory and verbal fluency tests. Questionnaires were also used to assess how long they slept and whether this was less or more than six hours. People were also asked about their levels of physical activity. At the start of the study, those who were more physically active also had better cognitive function regardless of how long they slept. However, this changed over the 10-year period, with more physically active short sleepers in their 50s and 60s experiencing more rapid cognitive decline, the researchers said. But for people aged 70 and over, the benefits of exercise on cognitive function were maintained, despite short sleep, the team added. Co-author professor Andrew Steptoe, of UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, said: “It is important to identify the factors that can protect cognitive function in middle and later life as they can serve to prolong our cognitively healthy years and, for some people, delay a dementia diagnosis. “The World Health Organisation already identifies physical activity as a way to maintain cognitive function, but interventions should also consider sleep habits to maximise long-term benefits for cognitive health.” Read More 8 best kids’ bunk beds that are fun and functional Nurture your health and wellbeing this season The best holidays to book for August, from beach breaks in Portugal to stays on an Italian lake More travelers get cozy with glamping, even amid high costs People who sleep very late may die earlier due to unhealthy habits, study says

The world's first international treaty to protect the high seas is due to be adopted Monday at the United Nations, a historic environmental accord designed to...

When Daren Till expressed his thoughts on the party destination Ibiza, Tritan Tate chimed in with his own opinions

Mama June and her husband Justin Stroud prepares for a second wedding after getting married at the courthouse as their family wasn't invited to the first one

Forget about orange slices, players like Alex Morgan, Australia’s Katrina Gorry and Jamaica’s Cheyna Matthews are redefining what it means to be a “soccer mom.”

It is still unconfirmed how many were on board the submersible which reportedly has a capacity of transporting five people at a time

A father has come under fire after he was asked by a passenger during a flight if he wanted to swap seats to sit next to his family, but instead of moving himself, he got the other kid who was sitting with him to move. In the TikTok, @one_toughmother detailed what happened that led to the mum being left with both her baby, toddler and her kid, while the dad had a child-free flight. "I was seated next to a mom who had a baby in her lap and a toddler beside her,!" the on-screen text read and the situation was described as "a lot." "I offered to switch seats with the dad, who was a few rows up, so he could be with his family. "He says 'Great, thanks,' AND SENDS OVER ANOTHER SMALL KID TO SIT WITH THE MOM. "He enjoyed a kid-free flight," the video concluded. @one_toughmother A little sunday rage for ya #momsoftiktok #deadbeatdad Since being posted, the viral clip has received 4.6m views, 543,000 likes and a debate has been sparked over this scenario in the comments. On the one hand, many slammed the dad for being irresponsible and not helping out his wife with the kids. One person said: "The absolute rage I am feeling right now." "If I were the mom, he would not be my husband anymore after that," another person wrote. A third added: "I would have said no that’s not what I meant give me my seat back." "If my husband was like that we would be divorced before landing," a fourth person commented. Someone else replied: "This is the perfect ad for birth control." While others defended the father's actions. "Wait but, if he actually took the seat, wouldn't the other kid be left alone?? or did i miss smt [sic]." one person said. Another added: "What if he were a stay-at-home dad and mom was finally looking after the kids so he could have a break?" "This is why you should’ve minded your own business," someone else wrote. A fourth person replied: "I think he probably misinterpreted as it you not wanting to sit next to the children." In a follow-up video, the TikToker @one_toughmother who made the video noted "how differently it [the video] was received by men and women in the comments." @one_toughmother Replying to @Timmy Hope this clears up all the willful confusion. Most of the men in these comments making themselves KNOWN. #momsoftiktok #parenting #feminist She added that she didn't realise there was another kid sitting next to the dad when she made the offer to switch seats and that the father wanted her to sit in the middle seat instead of the aisle seat. "No, nobody was suggesting that he leave a kid alone with a stranger, the only reasonable option in this situation was for him to say 'No thank you, I'm actually sitting here with my other child.'" Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

Sam Allardyce said Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani was “hugely frustrated and disappointed” as the club stand on the brink of relegation. The Premier League concludes on Sunday and Leeds must beat Tottenham at Elland Road while hoping relegation rivals Everton and Leicester both drop points in their final games. Majority shareholder Radrizzani boldly declared last summer that another relegation battle was “impossible” after Leeds had survived on the final day with victory at Brentford. But the odds of pulling off another great escape are even bigger this time round and Allardyce said: “He’s hugely frustrated and disappointed. “He didn’t expect at the start of the season that the club would be in this position. “He didn’t expect he would have to employ three managers to get out of this position. He’s hugely frustrated. “The only way you sort that out is at the end of the season, have a look at the whole structure of the football club, and do whatever needs to be done. “But in the meantime the only focus is one big game, one massive game for the players and for us all in controlling the destiny of Leeds, only by winning and hoping that other people lose. “It’s not what we wanted, but it’s the position we’re in.” Radrizzani is reported to be part of a consortium poised to complete a takeover of Italian club Sampdoria, in partnership with Paris St Germain owners Qatari Sports Investments. The Italian, who turned to Allardyce with four games left in a last-ditch bid to retain Leeds’ top-flight status, is expected to expedite the sale of his remaining shares to 49ers Enterprises. The financial arm of NFL franchise the San Francisco 49ers increased its stake in the club to 44 per cent at the end of 2021 and has an option to own 100 per cent by January next year. Allardyce has taken one point from his three games in charge since becoming Leeds’ third manager of the season. Marcelo Bielsa’s successor Jesse Marsch was sacked in February and his replacement Javi Gracia lasted 11 league games before he too was dismissed. Allardyce, open to talks about staying in the role whatever Sunday’s outcome, said: “We’ll try and take advantage of the fact we’ve still got a small window of opportunity open. “On the balance of where we are, there are two completely different avenues where the club goes down. “You can pencil things in, but the only way you can put it in ink is whether you’re in the Premier League or you’re not.” Allardyce invited in Leeds great Eddie Gray, plus former captains Gordon Strachan and Gary McAllister for inspirational talks with his players this week. The former England boss added: “They had very successful times here and I think on the mentality side it’s about improving our mentality to deliver. “So somebody speaking a different voice about football, about what they did at this club, how much they love this club, I think is really important.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Liverpool’s lack of final-day drama ‘completely new’ to boss Jurgen Klopp Frank Lampard will be ‘back at Chelsea many times’ as a fan after interim role Ruben Selles urges Southampton to end wretched season on positive note

By Selena Li and Kane Wu HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong's stock exchange will no longer require companies to spell

A Russian official says Moscow's forces have shot down “a large number” of drones in Russia’s southern Belgorod region