LONDON, Aug. 23 (Xinhua) — Viktor Gyokeres opened his Arsenal account with a brace as the Gunners swept Leeds aside 5-0 at the Emirates, after Manchester City succumbed 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at home on Saturday.
The atmosphere was electric from the start and Arsenal wasted little time asserting control. Jurrien Timber powered in a header from a set piece before turning provider for Bukayo Saka to smash home a second before half-time.
Saka’s strike came at a cost, though, with the England winger later forced off injured. Martin Odegaard also limped out on his 200th Arsenal appearance, adding to Mikel Arteta’s concerns despite the emphatic win.
Gyokeres made his mark after the break, weaving into the box to fire low for Arsenal’s third before Timber grabbed his second of the game from another corner.
Teenage midfielder Max Dowman then stole the spotlight on his Premier League debut. The 15-year-old won a stoppage-time penalty, which Gyokeres converted to seal the rout.
At 15 years and 234 days, Dowman became Arsenal’s second-youngest ever player to appear in a Premier League game, behind only Ethan Nwaneri. Leeds, by contrast, was comfortably second best, troubling David Raya just once through a Pascal Struijk header.
Tottenham Hotspur made back-to-back Premier League victories under new manager Thomas Frank with a 2-0 triumph over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Having thrashed City 4-0 on its last visit in November, Spurs once again left Manchester with all three points thanks to disciplined defense and clinical counterattacks.
Brennan Johnson’s opener, awarded after a VAR check, put Spurs ahead before Joao Palhinha punished a James Trafford error in first-half stoppage time. City pressed after the break but couldn’t break down a resolute Spurs defense, who recorded a second straight clean sheet.
Marcus Tavernier’s deflected strike handed Bournemouth a 1-0 win, its first one of the campaign, leaving 10-man Wolves empty-handed for a second successive week.
The Cherries, sharper from the outset, punished a poor Jean-Ricner Bellegarde pass on the edge of the Wolves box as Antoine Semenyo teed up Tavernier. His low drive cannoned off Emmanuel Agbadou, looped against the underside of the bar, and over the line.
Wolves rarely threatened, and its task became even harder after Toti Gomes was shown a straight red card for bringing down Cherries striker Evanilson as last man, allowing Bournemouth to see out a deserved victory.
Brentford’s club-record signing Dango Ouattara struck on his debut to give the north London side a 1-0 win over Aston Villa at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The 42.5 million-pound Burkina Faso international, signed from Bournemouth only a week earlier, calmly slotted home in the 12th minute to settle the contest.
The result also marked a winning home league debut for new head coach Keith Andrews, who replaced Thomas Frank this summer.
Burnley claimed bragging rights in a clash of newly promoted sides as Josh Cullen and Jaidon Anthony struck after the interval for a 2-0 win over Sunderland at Turf Moor.
Captain Cullen curled a precise low effort into the far corner just two minutes into the second half, before turning creator late on with a through ball that Anthony finished by rounding the goalkeeper.
The victory ensured a confident first three points of the season for Burnley, while Sunderland was left still searching for form in the top flight. ■
In the January 8, 2025 blog on his website Saaol.com, Dr Bimal Chhajer, a cardiologist specialising in non-invasive cardiology, said that maintaining heart health is not rocket science, but it does demand consistent care and attention. Also read | Cardiologist shares ‘jadoo diet for weight loss’, assures you’ll shed at least 7 kg in 1 month without starving yourself
Keep an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar level.(Shutterstock)
In his blog, the cardiologist shared a list of ‘simple yet powerful habits that can nurture your hearts for a lifetime of well-being’ – from eating mindfully to cutting back on salt helps keep your blood pressure in check.
He shared, “Nurturing your heart doesn’t require drastic changes. Small, consistent efforts in your diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle choices can significantly impact your heart health. Remember, your heart is your constant companion in life’s journey, so treat it with love and care. Start today, and let your heart beat to the rhythm of a long, vibrant, and heart-healthy life.”
By incorporating these simple tips, diet, and lifestyle changes, you can take proactive steps to support your heart health and reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases:
‘Be mindful of portions’
1. Dr Chhajer says you should eat mindfully to fuel your heart the right way. “Our heart loves it when we eat well. But it’s not about strict diets; it’s about mindful choices,” he says.
2. A balanced diet is also a must. Dr Chhajer says, “Aim for a colourful plate filled with fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains.”
3. Dr Chhajer swears by healthy fats: “Embrace the goodness of olive oil, avocados, and nuts while limiting saturated fats.”
4. Portion control is key. “Be mindful of portions to prevent overeating and maintain a healthy weight,” he says.
5. Dr Chhajer adds you should limit your salt intake. “Cutting back on salt helps keep your blood pressure in check,” he explains.
6. According to the cardiologist, the more you move, the less stress you have. He says, “Exercise isn’t just about sculpting the perfect body; it’s a celebration of your heart’s strength.”
‘Don’t forget to sip water throughout the day’
7. Regular workouts are also important. Dr Chhajer says, “Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.”
8. Dr Chhajer explains that to reduce stress, ‘incorporate relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation’.
9. He adds, “Stay hydrated: don’t forget to sip water throughout the day to support your heart’s work.”
10. Sleep matters and ‘it is more than just rest; it’s a crucial part of heart health’, the doctor shares. “Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule to regulate your body’s internal clock,” he says.
11. Say no to smoking, and yes to heart health. Dr Chhajer says, “Quit smoking. Kicking the smoking habit is one of the best gifts you can give your heart. Seek support to quit smoking and lower your risk of heart disease. Avoid secondhand smoke: protect yourself from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.”
12. Regular health check-ups also play a role, as the cardiologist says, “Prevention is better than cure, and routine health check-ups are your safety net.” He adds, “Schedule regular health check-ups to monitor your heart health. Keep an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.”
13. Limit alcohol. “Enjoying a drink in moderation is fine, but excessive alcohol can harm your heart. Limit alcohol consumption to maintain a healthy heart,” he adds.
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Russia on Saturday said its forces had taken two villages in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region, increasing the military pressure as world leaders struggle to broker an end to the conflict.
South Africa added its voice to those calling for a summit between Ukraine and Russia.
Russian forces are slowly advancing in the embattled eastern region of Donetsk, grinding closer to Kyiv’s key defensive line in costly metre-for-metre battles.
Moscow’s defence ministry said on Telegram that its forces had captured the villages of Sredneye and Kleban-Byk.
The taking of Kleban-Byk would mark a further advance towards Kostiantynivka — a key fortified town on the road to Kramatorsk, where a major Ukrainian logistics base is located.
On Friday, Russia said its troops had captured three villages in the Donetsk region it claimed to have annexed in September 2022.
On Saturday, Ukrainian military officials said its forces had stopped a Russian advance and recaptured the village of Zeleny Gai in the Donetsk region in a post to Telegram.
In July, Russia claimed the capture of the village, on the border with Dnipropetrovsk, adding that it was an important stronghold used by Ukraine to protect the area.
The latest Russian advances come as hopes dim for a summit between Russian and Ukrainian presidents — a solution championed by US President Donald Trump as part of his efforts to end the conflict.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday added his voice to calls for a Russia-Ukraine summit during a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“President Ramaphosa stressed the urgency of holding bilateral and trilateral meetings between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine and the United States as key to signal a firm commitment to ending the war,” said a statement from his office.
Ramaphosa, who currently chairs the G20, also spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, the statement added. He will speak with other European leaders in the coming weeks.
Ramaphosa spoke on Monday with Vladimir Putin, whom he described in October at the BRICS summit as a “dear ally” and a “valued friend”.
However, for the first time since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, South Africa earlier this year backed a UN resolution declaring that Russia had launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
When Sony released its latest version of Astro Bot last year it allowed gamers playing as the cute white robot to unlock bots in various guises, from the fungus-infected zombie in The Last of Us to the knife-wielding mercenary seen in Metal Gear Solid.
The merging of characters — intended to celebrate the 30-year history of the PlayStation console — is symbolic of an accelerating multibillion-dollar effort to squeeze more out of the Japanese tech giant’s vast gaming empire.
According to interviews with more than 10 of Sony’s top games executives, designers and studio founders, the company is trying to balance creation and control in a business that is central to the Tokyo-based group’s strategy.
Sony is seeking to ensure that its “first-party studios” — 20 standalone groups that make games exclusively for its PlayStation console — contribute more to overall revenue growth and take measured risks, all without squashing the independence each studio demands to produce hits.
“I don’t want teams to always play it safe, but I would like for us, when we fail, to fail early and cheaply,” said Hermen Hulst, chief executive of the studio business at Sony Interactive Entertainment, which handles the PlayStation brand.
Sony has spent big on its network of first-party studios over the past decade, such as its $3.6bn deal to acquire Halo-maker Bungie in 2022, while providing studios with hundreds of millions of dollars per year to develop wildly successful titles such as God of War and Spider-Man.
First-party studios brought in a small slice of Sony’s gaming and network revenues worth $32bn last year but executives said they carry outsized importance as they define the unique personality of the PlayStation. They provide the games and characters that mark the console out from Microsoft’s Xbox and Nintendo’s Switch.
“PlayStation is basically the HBO of gaming, mass budget and big productions,” said Joost van Dreunen, games analyst and academic.
Hulst said he wants Sony’s studios to “think big” in the search for new blockbusters. But he adds that the company is putting in more safeguards to limit the impact of inevitable failures.
That effort has been magnified by the collapse of Concord, developed by Firewalk Studios, which Sony acquired in 2023.
The title was Sony’s effort to catch up in so-called “live-service gaming”, a lucrative niche led by rivals such as Epic Games’ Fortnite and Electronic Arts’ Apex Legends, in which users pay to get access to continuous updates and features.
When Concord was released in September last year, the market was already saturated by similar and cheaper offerings. The game was shut down after only two weeks following poor sales and reviews. Firewalk Studios was closed soon after. Analysts suggest Concord cost upwards of $250mn to make.
That expensive demise appears to have led to a change in strategy. Hulst downplayed a previous target — pushed by former PlayStation boss Jim Ryan — of releasing 10 or more live-services games by March of next year. Sony cancelled plans for some high-profile live-service attempts, such as The Last of Us.
“The number [of live-service releases] is not so important. What is important to me is having a diverse set of player experiences and a set of communities,” he said.
“We have since put in place much more rigorous and more frequent testing in very many different ways,” said Hulst. “The advantage of every failure . . . is that people now understand how necessary that [oversight] is.”
Studio bosses said this oversight includes more focus on group testing, encouragement to learn from what others in the Sony family are doing, and closer relationships between top executives who clock hundreds of hours of gameplay ahead of titles going live.
“The ways in which [a studio is] different might not all be helping you make great games,” said Chris Zimmerman, co-founder of Seattle-based Sucker Punch, the studio behind the Ghost of Yotei.
As a so-called “Triple-A game” — meaning it was significantly more expensive to produce than Astro Bot — Yotei is the follow up to a samurai game that became one of Sony’s best selling titles in Japan.
There were no “boundaries” enacted by Sony on how they developed the sequel, but “if we’re heading towards a giant landmine, like there’s another studio making exactly the same game, that’s good information,” said Jason Connell, Sucker Punch’s art director.
“That Concord has forced them to learn their lessons is the silver lining,” said Robin Zhu, an analyst at Bernstein. “Sony is in a great position to capitalise long-term if they focus on the kind of games that make them different and successful.”
Hulst said he wants studios — incentivised by profit sharing — to also think about how the intellectual property they generate can be turned into ever bigger franchises, core to Sony’s shift to an entertainment-led company. This has been achieved previously with titles such as The Last of Us, Uncharted and a vast array of anime that Sony has acquired.
The emergence of Astro Bot, made by Tokyo-based Team Asobi, has even led to a growing belief that it could be Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s decades-old Super Mario franchise, which features a moustachioed plumber who has leapt across multiple titles and even inspired Hollywood movies.
“We take a very intentional approach to IP creation . . . understanding how a new concept can turn into an iconic franchise for PlayStation, that can then again become a franchise for people beyond gaming,” said Hulst.
Sony’s pitch to studios is that it will insulate them from the financial pressure faced by independents by providing the resources to build bigger operations.
“It was a little bit scary . . . being bought by a bigger company feels like you’re just about to be swallowed by this bigger fish, but it was more like we get to still function like a small studio, but with access to the resources,” said Mikael Haveri, brand director at Housemarque, another Sony studio in Finland. It is gearing up to release Saros, the follow-up to a game that saw players reborn over and over again in an alien world.
But industry insiders note that these studios remain dependent on the parent group’s decisions around hardware, especially in the face of Nintendo’s success with the hybrid Switch, and are exposed to shareholder demands for continued revenue growth. Sony has recently said it will increase the price of the PlayStation in the US by roughly $50 due to the “challenging economic environment”.
This has led to fears that pressure on studios such as Team Asobi could lose what brought them success in the first place: a tightly knit 60-strong team able to work rapidly. “I think that intimacy is really hard to replicate if you would grow to like 200, 350 people,” said Asobi’s art director Sebastian Brueckner.
The issue creates a dilemma for Astro Bot’s makers and Sony’s other studios: how to be aligned with the Japanese group’s wider ambitions, while keeping its own distinct identity intact. So far, both Sony and the studios are determined to maintain that balance.
“If the creative side started feeling ostracised or penalised . . . between us we’d have that conversation” said Team Asobi head Nicolas Doucet. “That would definitely come to a boil.”
President Donald Trump on Friday tapped close political aide Sergio Gor as US ambassador to India, sending one of his feared enforcers at a delicate time in ties with New Delhi.
The 38-year-old Gor rose quickly in conservative politics to become one of the most powerful, if low-profile, aides in the White House with a task of vetting some 4,000 appointees to ensure utmost loyalty to Trump.
Gor’s enemies include Elon Musk, who following his spectacular falling-out with Trump branded Gor a “snake” after he scuttled the tech and aerospace billionaire’s choice to lead NASA.
Gor’s influence does not include extensive experience in foreign policy, beyond joining travel overseas and leading a purge of National Security Council staffers whose views were called into suspicion.
“For the most populous Region in the World, it is important that I have someone I can fully trust to deliver on my Agenda and help us, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Sergio will make an incredible Ambassador,” he wrote.
Trump wrote that Gor would also hold a role of special envoy for South and Central Asia.
Trump has largely sidelined traditional diplomats and relied for diplomacy on personal friends, with the State Department’s top position for South Asia still vacant.
The nomination comes after a spike in tensions with India, which the United States has prioritized as an emerging partner since the 1990s.
Trump has moved to ramp up tariffs on India to pressure it over its purchases of energy from Russia, despite Trump’s own diplomacy with counterpart Vladimir Putin.
India in recent days has held top-level meetings with both Russia and China. Successive US administrations have viewed India as a balance against China, seen as the top US global rival.
Trump has spoken of brokering between India and Pakistan after they reached a ceasefire in a brief conflict in May, although India has been hesitant on any direct US role.
Lady Gaga takes internet by storm with recent update about fiancé
Lady Gaga recently revealed her source of motivation during her Mayhem Ball Tour.
The 39-year-old singer, who rose to fame with her debut album The Fame in 2008, heaped praise on her fiancé, Michael Polansky, for encouraging her ahead of the show.
During her concert in New York on Friday, August 22, the Abracadabra hitmaker, filled with emotion, said, “Right before I came onstage, my fiancé, Michael, said, ‘When you go out there, let them fill you up.’”
The Bloody Mary singer then introduced her single Hair from her second studio album Born This Way, explaining that the album holds a “very special” place in her heart.
Later in the show, the Shallow hitmaker recalled a close friend’s special remarks made ahead of her dream concert, which she said meant a lot to her.
“I’m sure all my albums could not be made without New York, but I am sure that this album would not have been made without New York,” Gaga said. “This is all of you and for all of your dreams, for maybe sometimes no more fighting, just showing up.”
This revelation comes shortly after Gaga and Polansky, 41, made headlines for their date night in New York on Thursday, August 21.
For the unversed, Gaga is currently on her Mayhem Ball Tour, which will conclude in January 2026.
Meanwhile, the Poker Face singer and Polansky began dating in 2019 and confirmed their engagement during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Prince Harry urged to reach King Charles ‘behind closed doors’
Prince Harry is urged to claim his position back in the Royal Family.
The Duke of Sussex is reminded healing rift with the Royals will be able to make his return to the UK with wife Meghan Markle.
Speaking about the estranged Royal, expert Duncan Larcombe tells OK!: “It would have to be done in absolute private, behind closed doors, because there’s simply been too much played out in public, and that has to end if anything is to be repaired.”
He adds: “The royal family needs to be united. They need to be seen as kind of figureheads of British society, and a division is not good whatsoever. King Charles will make his own decisions, and William would not be able to tell the King what to do.”
Prince Harry left the Royal Family back in 2020 alongside wife Meghan Markle and son, Prince Archie. The couple later accused the Royal Family of showcasing racism towards their son and publicly shared their grievances on television. Harry and Meghan now live in California, where they also welcomed their daughter, Princess Lilibet.
