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  • Amendment to holiday schedule of Crude palm oil, Indonesia PTPN tender: pricing notice

    Amendment to holiday schedule of Crude palm oil, Indonesia PTPN tender: pricing notice

    The price assessment for AG-PLM-0017 Crude palm oil, Indonesia PTPN tender will not be published on Monday August 18 due to an ad hoc additional national holiday declared by the Indonesian government, which results in no local tender carried out on the day.  

    Fastmarkets’ pricing holiday calendar has been updated to reflect these changes. You can find the pricing holiday calendar here: https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology/price-schedules/ 

    This price is part of the Fastmarkets Ags Oils, Fats and Biofuels package.

    For more information or to provide feedback on the amendment of the pricing schedule, or if you would like to provide price information by becoming a data submitter to this price, please contact Regina Koh by email at regina.koh@fastmarkets.com. Please add the subject heading “FAO: Regina Koh, re: Crude palm oil, Indonesia PTPN tender”. 

    Please indicate if comments are confidential. Fastmarkets will consider all comments received and will make comments not marked as confidential available upon request.

    To see all Fastmarkets pricing methodology and specification documents, go to https://www.fastmarkets.com/methodology.

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  • What are the benefits and harms of ketamine and other N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists for treating chronic pain?

    Key messages

    • It is unclear whether ketamine (given through a vein, taken by mouth, or applied in cream form to the skin) reduces pain intensity, but it may have unwanted effects when given through a vein.

    • It is unclear whether memantine, dextromethorphan, amantadine, and magnesium reduce pain intensity or have unwanted effects.

    • We need more and better studies to investigate the benefits and harms of ketamine and other N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists for chronic pain.

    What is chronic pain?

    Chronic pain is pain that lasts for at least three months. It is a common problem that affects up to one-third of all people. Chronic pain can be a symptom of different medical conditions, or may be unexplained. People with chronic pain often experience fatigue, anxiety, depression, and reduced function and quality of life.

    What are N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists?

    NMDA receptor antagonists are a group of medicines that affect the excitability of nerves involved in pain and other brain functions. They include ketamine, memantine, dextromethorphan, amantadine, and magnesium. They are used by doctors for a range of health conditions, including chronic pain.

    What did we want to find out?

    We wanted to find out if ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists are better at reducing pain than a ‘dummy’ treatment (placebo), usual medical treatment, or another medicine. We also wanted to find out if they are associated with any unwanted effects.

    What did we do?

    We searched for studies that looked at ketamine and other NMDA receptor antagonists compared with placebo, usual medical treatment, or another medicine, in adults with chronic pain. We compared and summarised the results of the studies and rated our confidence in the evidence, based on factors such as study methods and sizes.

    What did we find?

    We found 67 studies that involved 2309 people with a range of chronic pain conditions, including nerve pain conditions (e.g. diabetic nerve pain, postshingles pain), fibromyalgia, and complex regional pain syndrome. The proportion of women in the studies ranged from 11% to 100%. Thirty-nine studies looked at ketamine, 10 looked at memantine, nine looked at dextromethorphan, three looked at amantadine, and eight looked at magnesium. Sixty-two studies compared these medicines with placebo. Most studies were from Europe, the UK and the USA, and 19% received some form of financial support from pharmaceutical companies. Studies were generally brief, only running for a few months.

    Main results

    We don’t know if ketamine (given directly through a vein, taken by mouth, or applied in cream form to the surface of skin) reduces pain intensity. When given through a vein, ketamine may have unwanted effects that include feeling out of touch with reality, nausea, and vomiting. We don’t know if there are unwanted effects from taking ketamine by mouth or applied to the skin.

    It’s unclear whether memantine, dextromethorphan, and amantadine (taken by mouth), or magnesium (given directly through a vein or taken by mouth) reduce pain intensity or have unwanted effects.

    What are the limitations of the evidence?

    We have little to no confidence in the evidence for a few reasons. It’s possible that people in the studies were aware of which treatment they were getting. Not all studies provided data about everything we’re interested in. There were not enough studies to be certain about the results of our outcomes, and the included studies were very small.

    How up to date is this evidence?

    The evidence is current to June 2025.

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  • 81-Year-Old Music Icon ‘Healthy and Happy’ Amid Claims of Elder Abuse

    81-Year-Old Music Icon ‘Healthy and Happy’ Amid Claims of Elder Abuse

    81-Year-Old Music Icon ‘Healthy and Happy’ Amid Claims of Elder Abuse originally appeared on Parade.

    Music legend Gladys Knight has publicly addressed concerns about her health and wellbeing after her son made allegations against her husband, claiming mental and financial abuse.

    The 81-year-old “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer is reassuring fans that she remains “healthy and happy” despite the family dispute that has drawn public attention and reported involvement from North Carolina authorities.

    Knight, who has been performing for nearly 75 years, continues her busy touring schedule as part of The Queens Tour alongside fellow R&B icons Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills. The tour, which began in May, has 11 additional shows scheduled from September through December.

    The controversy stems from statements made by Knight’s son, Shanga Hankerson, who expressed concern about his mother’s performance schedule in an interview with People.

    Hankerson, 49, alleged that the extensive touring was “detrimental” to Knight’s health and claimed it was primarily driven by her husband, William McDowell, rather than the singer’s own desires.

    The “Empress of Soul” responded to these concerns through a statement shared with People, offering a different perspective on her current situation and career.

    “I’m sorry that my health and performances have been misrepresented. I want my fans and those concerned to rest assured I am doing very well for someone who has been on stage for three quarters of a century, hard to believe, right?” she said.

    “I’m healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months. I’m excited to get back on the road with my sisters and on stage with The Queens Tour. See you soon.”

    However, Hankerson maintains his position that his mother is struggling, describing her as being “on cruise control” in recent performances. He cited specific incidents raising concern about Knight’s memory, including an alleged New Year’s incident where he claims Knight did not recognize him for 45 minutes.

    The family dispute has escalated beyond public statements, with Hankerson revealing he filed a formal complaint with the Department of Human Services in Buncombe County, North Carolina earlier this month. According to Hankerson, case workers conducted an assessment at Knight’s home the following day.

    “I did my best to give [McDowell] the space to play the role of husband and do what was in my mom’s best interest, and he has not done that. Why is she working? Why is she in this situation where she’s being made to believe that she has to work like this? That’s really my issue with it,” says Hankerson, who alleges that McDowell has been “mental[ly] and financial[ly]” abusive to his mother.

    🎬SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬

    Knight’s representatives have pushed back against these allegations. Her publicist Laura Herlovich issued a statement expressing that Knight and her team are “greatly saddened by Shanga’s unfounded allegations,” particularly given that he allegedly “has had no substantial contact with her.”

    The statement also clarified Knight’s recent schedule, noting, “She has not been on tour since June 1 and can’t wait to begin touring again in September.”

    “At this time our lawyers have no choice but to explore any and all legal remedies due to Shanga’s defamatory comments.”

    Hankerson disputes this characterization, calling the statement “inaccurate” and alleging he has been “purposefully kept in a position of having minimal access” to his mother, maintaining that her “deterioration has occurred over a period of years, and is very evident.”

    Hankerson has further challenged Knight’s representatives to provide proof of her condition. “They can say what they want. If her health has been misrepresented then supply evidence of reliable and verifiable, expert medical opinion that will stake their practice and reputation on their claim to the contrary.”

    81-Year-Old Music Icon ‘Healthy and Happy’ Amid Claims of Elder Abuse first appeared on Parade on Aug 18, 2025

    This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.

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  • A network analysis study of anxiety, depression and loneliness among middle-aged and elderly people in Xining area | BMC Psychology

    A network analysis study of anxiety, depression and loneliness among middle-aged and elderly people in Xining area | BMC Psychology

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  • Publication of First Half 2025 Results on

    Publication of First Half 2025 Results on

    Kaldalón hf. will publish its financial results for the first half of 2025 after market close on Thursday, August 21, 2025.

    An open presentation meeting regarding the results will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. at Grand Hotel, Sigtún 28. Doors open at 8:15 a.m.

    At the meeting, the Company’s management will present the financial results, provide an update on operations during the year, and discuss the Company’s outlook. The presentation material will simultaneously be made available on Kaldalón’s website at the start of the meeting.

    For further information, please contact:
    Jón Þór Gunnarsson, CEO
    jon.gunnarsson@kaldalon.is

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  • These Stocks Are Moving the Most Today: UnitedHealth, Dayforce, Novo Nordisk, First Solar, Soho House, and More – MSN

    1. These Stocks Are Moving the Most Today: UnitedHealth, Dayforce, Novo Nordisk, First Solar, Soho House, and More  MSN
    2. Stock Movers: SHCO, DAY, Novo Nordisk  Bloomberg.com
    3. Palo Alto, Novo Nordisk and Unitedhealth rise premarket; Tesla falls  Investing.com
    4. Stocks to Watch Monday: Novo Nordisk, Soho House, UnitedHealth, First Solar  The Wall Street Journal
    5. UnitedHealth, Dayforce, Novo Nordisk, First Solar, Soho House, and More Stock Market Movers  Barron’s

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  • Fungi have been ‘zombifying’ insects for 99 million years

    Fungi have been ‘zombifying’ insects for 99 million years

    3-D: Short for three-dimensional. This term is an adjective for something that has features that can be described in three dimensions — height, width and length.  

    amber: Fossilized tree resin (not sap). Researchers think most of this gemstone likely comes from conifers, or evergreen trees that bear cones. 

    ancestor: A predecessor. It could be a family forebear, such as a parent, grandparent or great-great-great grandparent. Or it could be a species, genus, family or other order of organisms from which some later one evolved. For instance, ancient dinosaurs are the ancestors of today’s birds. (antonym: descendant) 

    behavior: The way something, often a person or other organism, acts towards others, or conducts itself. 

    caterpillar: The larval stage of moths and butterflies. Somewhat wormy-shaped crawlers, caterpillars tend to eat leaves and other plant bits. Some will, however, dine on other insects. 

    fossil: Any preserved remains or traces of ancient life. There are many different types of fossils: The bones and other body parts of dinosaurs are called “body fossils.” Things like footprints are called “trace fossils.” Even specimens of dinosaur poop are fossils. The process of forming fossils is called fossilization. 

    fungus: (plural: fungi) One of a group of single- or multiple-celled organisms that reproduce via spores and feed on living or decaying organic matter. Examples include mold, yeasts and mushrooms. 

    gland: A cell, a group of cells or an organ that produces and discharges a substance (or “secretion”) for use elsewhere in the body or in a body cavity, or for elimination from the body. 

    infect: To spread a disease from one organism to another. This usually involves introducing some sort of disease-causing germ to an individual. 

    insect: A type of arthropod that as an adult will have six segmented legs and three body parts: a head, thorax and abdomen. There are hundreds of thousands of insects, which include bees, beetles, flies and moths. 

    insight: The ability to gain an accurate and deep understanding of a situation just by thinking about it, instead of working out a solution through experimentation. 

    paleontologist: A scientist who specializes in studying fossils, the remains of ancient organisms. 

    pupa: (plural: pupae) The life stage in insects following the larval (caterpillar) stage and preceding adulthood. 

    spore: (in fungi) The species’ single-celled reproductive stage — functioning much like a seed — that is released and spread by wind or water. Most are protected against drying and heat, so they can remain viable for long periods, until conditions are right for their growth. 

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  • The star clusters set to dazzle skywatchers in August 2025

    The star clusters set to dazzle skywatchers in August 2025

    As mid-August nights draw in, stargazers across the northern hemisphere are being treated to some of the most striking views of the year. Among the highlights are three prominent star clusters, each offering a window into the dynamic and ancient life of the Milky Way. From dense globular swarms to open formations etched into familiar constellations, these stellar gatherings are visible to the naked eye from dark-sky sites, but reveal their full majesty when observed with binoculars or a telescope.

    What are star clusters?

    Star clusters are gravitationally bound families of stars born from the same interstellar cloud. They come in two main types: open clusters and globular clusters. Open clusters, such as the Hyades and the Pleiades, are relatively young and often located in the Milky Way’s spiral arms. Their loosely bound nature means they can disperse over millions of years as passing stars tug at their members. Globular clusters, by contrast, are tightly packed spheres containing hundreds of thousands of stars, often among the oldest in the galaxy. These vast systems orbit in the galactic halo, high above and below the Milky Way’s disk, and many shine brightly enough to appear as faint smudges of light to the unaided eye.

    Roughly 150 globular clusters and more than 1,000 open clusters. Observing them requires patience and technique: allow around 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to darkness, and use averted vision, looking slightly to the side of the target, to engage the light-sensitive rods of your eyes. While some clusters can be glimpsed without equipment, 10×50 binoculars sharpen the view and begin to resolve brighter stars, and a telescope of six inches or more reveals their intricate structures in detail.

    The Great Hercules Cluster

    One of the brightest sights of August evenings is the Great Hercules Cluster, also known as Messier 13 (M13). Located about 25,000 light-years away in the constellation Hercules, M13 contains around 100,000 stars bound in a glittering spherical mass. It can be found between the bright stars Vega and Arcturus by locating the Keystone asterism, a diamond-shaped pattern of four stars at Hercules’ centre. Sweeping binoculars between Zeta Herculis and Eta Herculis brings this ancient cluster into view, a highlight of the summer sky.

    The Hyades and the Pleiades

    In the early hours before dawn, the constellation Taurus rises in the east. At its heart lies the Hyades, the closest open cluster to Earth at just 150 light-years away. Shaped like a sideways ‘V’ marking the bull’s face, its brightest star Aldebaran, the red ‘eye’ of Taurus, is a foreground object, only 65 light-years distant.

    Above the Hyades sits the Pleiades, one of the most famous open clusters, often called the ‘Seven Sisters’. This cluster hosts more than a thousand hot, young stars, but binoculars reveal the seven brightest that dominate its appearance. Positioned about 10 degrees above the Hyades, roughly a fist’s width at arm’s length, the Pleiades are a dazzling reminder of the Milky Way’s star-forming past.

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  • Schools in Bagh closed amid high flood alert

    Schools in Bagh closed amid high flood alert

    Authorities in Bagh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, have ordered the temporary closure of all schools and educational institutions following a high flood alert issued by the Meteorological Department.

    According to an official notification, both public and private schools across the district will remain closed on August 18 and 19 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students and staff.

    The Met Office has forecast heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in several districts, including Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bagh, Haveli, Kotli, Mirpur and Bhimber, over the coming days. It has cautioned that the weather conditions could trigger flash flooding and landslides, particularly in hilly areas.

    Officials said the decision to close schools was taken as a necessary step to reduce risks as the region braces for the impact of the ongoing monsoon spell.

    Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has also warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Islamabad within the next 24 hours, with intermittent breaks.

    Morning temperatures were recorded at 26°C in Islamabad, 28°C in Lahore and Peshawar, 29°C in Karachi, 21°C in Quetta and Gilgit, 17°C in Murree, and 23°C in Muzaffarabad.

    In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, cloudy weather with chances of rain, wind and thunderstorms is expected in Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian and Baramula. The morning temperature was recorded at 18°C in Srinagar, Pulwama and Baramula, 26°C in Jammu, 10°C in Leh, and 19°C in Anantnag and Shopian.


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  • Oil prices rise on US adviser comments on India buying Russian crude – Reuters

    1. Oil prices rise on US adviser comments on India buying Russian crude  Reuters
    2. India’s oil lobby is funding Putin’s war machine — that has to stop  Financial Times
    3. Western pressure on Russia-China crude trade bites both volumes and fleet  Tradewinds News
    4. Is India committing a blunder by siding with Russia?  Investing.com
    5. India’s purchase of Russian oil has to stop, says US trade adviser  Al Jazeera

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