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‘Major gas pipeline at stake if…’: US, Germany warn Russia amid Ukraine row

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‘Major gas pipeline at stake if…’: US, Germany warn Russia amid Ukraine row

The United States and Germany warned Russia on Thursday that a major gas pipeline would be at risk if it invaded Ukraine, and despite a lukewarm statement from Moscow, Washington said it wanted a diplomatic route out of the woods.

A day after the United States and its allies formally responded to Russia’s security demands, senior officials in Moscow said their main concerns had not been addressed, but in particular did not rule out new talks.

The United States has warned Russia of swift and severe consequences if it invades Ukraine after Moscow amassed tens of thousands of troops on its border with its Western-leaning neighbor.

After speaking about divisions within Europe, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock told parliament that her government was “developing a strong package of sanctions” with allies including Nord Stream 2.

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Despite criticism from the United States and Eastern European countries, Germany has stubbornly built the pipeline, which will more than double Russia’s gas supply to Europe’s largest economy.

In Washington, a senior official expressed confidence that the invasion would prevent Germany from launching the multibillion-dollar project, which was completed in September but still requires testing and regulatory approval.

“If Russia somehow invades Ukraine, Nord Stream 2 will not move forward,” said Victoria Nuland, the undersecretary of state for political affairs.

“I think even today the statement from Berlin is very, very powerful,” she told reporters.

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New German Chancellor Olaf Schultz will visit on February 7 and discuss the crisis with President Joe Biden, the White House announced.

Stepping up its diplomatic offensive, the United States held a public meeting at the U.N. Security Council on Monday to discuss Russia’s “threatened behavior”, hoping to provoke condemnation even if Moscow could veto any resolution.

Biden also had a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday and said the U.S. was considering economic support after $650 million in military aid over the past year.

The White House statement said Biden “reiterated that the United States and its allies and partners stand ready to respond decisively if Russia further invades Ukraine.”

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But Biden, recognizing the immediate danger, warned again that Ukraine could indeed face a Russian invasion next month.

Emily Horn, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council, told AFP: “President Biden said there was a high probability that the Russians would invade Ukraine in February.”

NATO has placed 8,500 soldiers on standby in the Ukraine crisis, reminiscent of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

“There is only one decider”

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Russia denies any planned invasion but last month demanded broad security assurances from the West, including never allowing Ukraine to join the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times

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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

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Train smarter, not harder: How taking occasional breaks from gym can revolutionise your fitness routine

Taking regular breaks from intense training, like deload weeks, helps your body recover, preventing fatigue and injury, and ultimately boosts fitness gains.

When it comes to getting fit, the idea of spending hours at the gym might come to mind, but many fitness experts argue that taking a “deload week” every six to eight weeks is actually key to improving your fitness gains. A deload week involves reducing the intensity of workouts to allow the body to recover from the fatigue and muscle damage caused by intense training.

While high-intensity training helps build strength and fitness, it can also lead to muscle strain, and without adequate recovery, these gains can’t fully materialise. Deload weeks give the body much-needed rest to repair and rebuild, ensuring continued progress. (Also read: Bhagyashree swears by this super easy exercise for instant leg pain relief and better mobility. Watch how to do it )

Why recovery is key for muscle growth

According to an article by The Conversation, intense exercise can cause tiny tears in muscle fibres, leading to inflammation that requires rest or low-intensity exercise to heal. This inflammation is essential for muscle growth and fitness improvements. However, without proper recovery, muscles remain in a state of slight damage, preventing inflammation from resolving. This chronic state of inflammation can hinder muscle function, reducing oxygen efficiency and impairing performance. Giving muscles time to recover through rest ensures they repair properly and are primed for continued progress, setting us up for greater success in our fitness journey.

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Many gymgoers fear taking time off and are worried it will lead to a loss of gains. However, research shows that muscle genes have a “memory imprint,” which keeps them in a semi-prepared state. This allows muscles to respond more quickly and effectively to future training, promoting growth after a rest period. Even after extended periods of reduced intensity, up to seven weeks, muscular fitness can be restored to prime condition—and in some cases, surpass previous levels. Interestingly, recovery can occur twice as fast as it took to reach peak fitness initially, even if some strength is lost.

Taking time off from intense training is crucial to prevent muscle soreness and avoid overtraining syndrome. Overtraining occurs when the body doesn’t get enough rest, leading to prolonged fatigue, decreased performance, and mood disturbances. Symptoms develop gradually, making overtraining difficult to recognize until it’s severe. Rest is essential to avoid these issues and ensure long-term progress in training.

Role of overtraining syndrome and deload weeks

Overtraining syndrome is challenging to quantify due to its vague symptoms. Studies suggest it may affect as few as 10% of elite athletes, though rates could climb to 60% among highly competitive individuals. Recovery is essential for both fitness and overall health. When engaging in heavy gym routines, it’s vital to incorporate sufficient recovery time into your workout plan. Unlike rest days, which involve little to no exercise once or twice a week, deload weeks feature lighter training at reduced intensity—typically about 50% fewer workouts or a 20% drop in workout intensity.

Both rest days and deload weeks are essential for recovery and crucial to improving fitness. It’s not about choosing one over the other—they complement each other. For instance, intense training for marathons, Ironman, or CrossFit competitions requires weekly rest days alongside scheduled deload weeks. However, for recreational gym-goers exercising 1–3 times weekly at a moderate intensity, the recovery from this routine is often sufficient without the need for additional deload weeks.

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Fitness influencers recommend incorporating deload weeks into training schedules every 4–8 weeks, aligning closely with the expert advice of 4–6 weeks. However, it’s crucial to listen to your body and schedule deload weeks as needed. If your performance plateaus or worsens, it may signal time for a deload. Training plans should be flexible enough to allow rest when required. Deload weeks not only enhance performance but also support overall health.

Disclaimer: 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.

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