Canada in 'shock and mourning' after 15 die in junior hockey team bus crash

• PM Justin Trudeau and ‘national hockey family’ pay tribute
• More than a dozen injured though driver of truck unscathed 

 
 The wreckage of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team bus and the semi-trailer which collided on Highway 35. Photograph: Canadian Press/REX/Shutterstock

Ashifa Kassam in Toronto and Edward Helmorein New York-Sat 7 Apr 2018 23.02 BST

Police in Canada said on Saturday the death toll in a horrific crash in Saskatchewan had risen to 15 people, after a bus carrying a junior hockey team collided with a semi-trailer on a rural highway. More than a dozen were injured.

Prime minister Justin Trudeau said Canada was in “shock and mourning”.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said 29 people were on the Humboldt Broncos’ team bus, including the driver, when the crash occurred some 200km (120 miles) north-east of Saskatoon. The team had been heading to a Saskatchewan junior hockey league game against the Nipawin Hawks, officials said.

Police initially said 14 people had died and another 15 were sent to a hospital “with a variety of injuries. Three of these people have injuries that are critical in nature.”

Images from the scene suggested the force of the crash had torn the bus in two, leaving debris scattered across the highway. The semi-trailer sat nearby, overturned.



No names were released as police worked to notify families. Officials would not say if the dead included players – who hail from across Western Canada and range in age from 16 to 21 – or their coaches.

Saying it was too early to determine the cause of the collision, police said the driver of the semi-trailer was not injured. Along with players and coaches, those on the bus included emergency personnel and an announcer with a local radio station.

Citing relatives, the Canadian Press said on Saturday that those killed included head coach Darcy Haugan, described on social media as an incredible mentor to young players, and captain Logan Schatz, who had played with the team for just over four years.

A photo tweeted earlier in the day showed three players lying side-by-side in hospital beds, hands clasped together. The caption said the three were “bonding and healing”.

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Officials with the team struggled to hold back tears as they explained that the priority on Saturday was on taking care of the players and families affected.

“We are heartbroken and completely devastated by the tragedy that occurred yesterday,” said Kevin Garinger, team president. “We will never forget 6 April 2018. We will never forget the members of our Broncos family who were taken from us …We will persevere and we will honour the souls who were lost.”

He described the Broncos as a close-knit team who were well-known in the small farming community of 6,000 where they played. The players had been heading to game five of a playoff series, with the next game scheduled to take place on Sunday in Humboldt. The community said it would instead use that time to hold a vigil in the local hockey arena.

“This is truly a dark moment for our city and our community and our province,” said Rob Muench, mayor of Humboldt, wearing a green and yellow Broncos jersey.

“Throughout Canada we see teams going out into the Canadian winters on buses all the time,” he said. “It’s always a thought in parents’ and fans’ minds about what could happen. And unfortunately this happened here in Humboldt.”

Reports of the crash sent parents from across western Canada rushing to the scene, fearing the worst. In Humboldt, a hockey arena was turned into a mobile crisis unit.

Michelle Straschnitzki, the mother of an 18-year-old player on the team, said her son Ryan had been taken to a hospital in Saskatoon. “We talked to him but he said he couldn’t feel his lower extremities so I don’t know what’s going on,” she told the Canadian Press. “I am freaking out. I am so sad for all of the team-mates and I am losing my mind.”

Darren Opp, president of the Nipawin team, said parents, coaching staff and players had gathered in a local church. “It’s a horrible accident, my God,” he said. “It’s very, very bad. There’s uncles and moms and dads waiting to hear whether their sons and nephews are OK.”

Kevin Henry, a coach who runs a hockey school in Prince Albert and knows players on the Humboldt team, said the crash had left people reeling. “It is sort of every parent’s worst nightmare,” he said. “This is I would think one of the darkest days in the history of Saskatchewan, especially because hockey is so ingrained in how we grow up here.”

Condolences poured in from across Canada and around the world, from former hockey players, sports organisations and political leaders.


Emergency crews block the highway near the crash site. Photograph: Canadian Press/Rex/Shutterstock

“An entire country is in shock and mourning,” Trudeau said in a statement. “Our national hockey family is a close one, with roots in almost every town – small and big – across Canada. Humboldt is no exception and today the country and the entire hockey community stands with you.”

Within hours of being launched, a fundraising campaign to help the players and families affected by the crash had raised more than C$1.1m ($860,000), far exceeding its initial target of C$10,000.
Donald Trump said on Twitter he had spoken to Trudeau, “to pay my highest respect and condolences to the families of the terrible Humboldt Team tragedy. May God be with them all!”

Friday’s crash – which ranks among the country’s worst disasters to strike the Canadian sporting community – sparked painful memories of a 1986 accident that killed four hockey players with Saskatchewan’s Swift Current Broncos, when the team bus slid off an icy highway in late December.

German police foil Berlin half-marathon attack plan

More than 30,000 runners took part in Sunday's event

Image copyright

8 April 2018

German police have foiled an alleged plot to attack Sunday's half-marathon in Berlin.

They said six men were arrested over plans to carry out a "violent crime".

Die Welt newspaper says one man detained planned to mount a deadly knife attack on participants and spectators.

The newspaper reports the men have suspected links to a Tunisian man who killed 12 people in the city in a December 2016 truck attack.

Anis Amri was shot dead in Milan days later after a Europe-wide manhunt.

He had pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Sunday's police statement said that several addresses were searched along with two vehicles. Those detained were aged between 18 and 21.

The police declined to give further details as their inquiries are ongoing.

An unnamed senior police official is quoted as telling Die Welt: "We are still making our assessment. But it was probably a close call."

• Who was Christmas market lorry attacker?

More than 30,000 athletes participated in the half-marathon event on Sunday.

Earlier, German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer reiterated that the government was committed to national security.

He was speaking in Muenster, where two people were killed and 20 more injured on Saturday after a van was driven into the outdoor seating area of a restaurant.

Officials say the suspect in that attack, who killed himself, is not known to have any terror links, and is thought to be a German national with mental health issues.

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Trump’s Views on Trade Aren’t a Passing Fad

The United States and Europe must find a synthesis between the free trading dogmas of yesterday and the nationalist impulses of today.

European Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom speaks at the Atlantic Council in Washington on June 29, 2016. (Yuri Gripas/AFP/Getty Images)

BY PETER ROUGH

| APRIL 3, 2018, 3:08 PM
Cecilia Malmstrom, the European commissioner for trade, surely felt relieved after her recent trip to the United States. In early March, U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that he intended to slap 10 and 25 percent tariffs on imported aluminum and steel, respectively, blindsided her and her colleagues. Shortly after, she crossed the Atlantic to plead her case directly to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. The European Union, she explained over two days of meetings in Washington, should not be held responsible for a problem made in China. Back in Brussels, she learned that the president had agreed: The EU would be temporarily exempted from the metals tariffs after all.

“U.S.-Europe trade war likely averted, for now,” headlines blared. Less noticed, however, was a joint statement by Malmstrom and Ross announcing discussions on “trade issues of common concern.” Intentionally or not, Trump’s move had kick-started a broader negotiation over the future of trade. Brussels had purchased a temporary success at the price of a potentially dangerous strategic dialogue.

To be sure, Trump is fond of such power plays, utilizing leverage to coerce even the United States’ closest allies. For the past year, Trump has repeatedly and loudly bemoaned the U.S. trade deficit with Europe, which topped $150 billion in goods last year. However, while Europe has acknowledged the trend, it has done little to correct it. As one senior German official told me recently, he is focused on defending the status quo by rallying congressional allies. Another prominent German put it this way: “We just need to get through the next three years.”

In part, this sentiment stems from the European assessment of Trump as a capricious, if not downright contemptuous, U.S. president. As French President Emmanuel Macron put it in response to the tariff threat, “We will not talk about anything when it is with a gun to our head.” But the European attitude also goes beyond an analysis of the man himself, reflecting a broader calculation that Trump represents an historical anomaly. If opinion polls are to be believed, so the thinking goes, a new American president will take office in less than three years. A return to the past is in the offing, if only the continent can hold out long enough.

That would be a major miscalculation. Regardless of who controls the presidency, the United States will probably take a more competitive view of trade for years to come. This is true for two reasons. First, U.S. workers in states blighted by globalization are less convinced than ever that the relationship with Europe is sacred, let alone important enough to justify large trade imbalances.

 Almost 30 years after the end of the Cold War, the memory of a tightknit alliance fighting communism is fading, replaced by the image of two large blocs battling for jobs and market share.
But working-class skepticism, even hostility, toward free trade is nothing new. What makes the present moment unique is a perceived shift in the international distribution of power. In past decades, Americans considered running large trade deficits the sacrificial duty of a superpower. Increasingly, however, U.S. dominance of the post-Cold War order is slipping. As other blocs challenge the United States, the public will be more and more inclined to see relationships with other countries through a zero-sum lens. In the process, competitive nationalism will grow in popularity over free trade, especially if obstacles like non-tariff trade barriers are seen to disadvantage the United States.

Already, such a shift in attitude is rippling across both parties: For years, Hillary Clinton was considered a staunch free trader. But in 2016, like the other three finalists for president, she reversed course. From Elizabeth Warren to Kamala Harris, no Democratic Party candidate with a viable path to the White House in 2020 is a true free trader.

For Europe, led by Germany, this poses a conundrum. The German economy is export-led, and international markets are the lifeblood of its manufacturing industry. By ignoring Trump, it risks a dangerous escalation. “When a country (USA) is losing many billions of dollars on trade with virtually every country it does business with, trade wars are good, and easy to win,” Trump warned last month.

Instead of confrontation, therefore, European countries like Germany would be wise to consider a two-pronged strategy of accommodation and reorientation. For starters, Germany should work to close the trade deficit with the United States without badly damaging its export industries, for example by lowering import barriers, raising its purchasing power, and curtailing excessive subsidies. This new posture would echo South Korea’s approach, which led to an update of the U.S.-South Korean free trade agreement just last month.

Second, Germany should join the United States in an offensive against Chinese trade practices. The recent Chinese purchase of 10 percent of automaker Daimler AG is only the latest in a series of moves that are causing concern in Berlin. Germany is waking up to the prospect of a broad-based Chinese effort to pilfer advanced manufacturing technologies from the West. Clearly, this is an area for trans-Atlantic cooperation. Just last month, Trump took aim at unfair Chinese trade practices, slapping retaliatory tariffs on Beijing with evident glee. By teaming up with the United States in this area, Europe can recapture the trans-Atlantic solidarity of yesteryear while
simultaneously addressing a major threat to its economy.

In both substance and style, Trump is certainly an insurgent president. But it would be a mistake to dismiss his worldview as idiosyncratic — a passing fad merely to be endured and outlasted. If Europe and the United States want to maintain public support for trade in the decades to come, they must find a synthesis between the free trading dogmas of yesterday and the more nationalist impulses of today. Anything less will only clear the field for a truly dangerous revisionist: China.

Farmers Unrest Indicate Class Conflict between Organised & Unorganised People in India

The farmers and those living in the lower and marginally above lower income level feel aghast , when they hear that thousands of crores of rupees are lost in the public sector banks due to corruption and fraud and still such defaulters live in comfortable conditions or conveniently run away from the country.

by N.S.Venkataraman-Apr 8, 2018

( April 8, 2018, Chennai, Sri Lanka Guardian) Due to the rapid spread of visual media, around 25% of the Indians living below poverty line and another 40% of Indians living marginally above the poverty line are now becoming increasingly aware about the difference between their life style and living conditions and those belonging to higher income group. Amongst the poor people, large segment constitute the farming community. With the increasing level of awareness ,the aspiration of the farmers to lead better quality life is becoming stronger day by day.

The recent 180 kilometre march by around 25000 farmers in Maharashtra state highlight the frustration of the farmers who belong to unorganized class and who now feel that they are left out of the main stream of national life, with large part of national income being cornered by the organized and affluent class. The farmers seem to think that the tall talk about GDP growth and increasing foreign exchange reserves and overall prosperity index of the country mean nothing to them.

The fact is that the organized class of people working in government departments and other organisations, both in private and public sector, corner lion’s share of national income .In the case of several states, more than 70% of the income of the government is spent towards salaries and wages for it’s employees and other administrative expenses.

The recent steep pay hike for government employees in the wake of the 7th pay commission, rise in the salaries and perks for the MLAs and MPs, sharp increase in the salary for judges, governors, Vice President. President etc. have created heart burning amongst the poor people belonging to unorganized class, who are left out of this prosperous organized class and privileged people.

The farmers and those living in the lower and marginally above lower income level feel aghast , when they hear that thousands of crores of rupees are lost in the public sector banks due to corruption and fraud and still such defaulters live in comfortable conditions or conveniently run away from the country. The collusion between the bank employees, politicians and business men in nefarious activities make the farmers and other poor people feel increasingly desperate and frustrated.

Seeing the restlessness of the farmers and poor people , the governments try to buy peace with them by extending freebies and gifts.

While governments are introducing several welfare measures for the benefit of the poor people and provide them opportunity to grow up in the economy ladder ,the benefits of several welfare measures launched by the government do not reach them adequately, both in qualitative and quantitative terms , due to poor implementation of several schemes at the ground level, consequent of the inefficiency and corruption in the government machinery and amongst the politicians in power.

Many poor people do realize that quality education for children from their families will alone help them to adequately equip themselves with qualifications and build their fortunes. With educational sector largely going into the private hands who demand exhorbitant fees beyond the affordable level of the poor people , the poor farmers have to necessarily send their children to government owned and government aided schools and colleges. Unfortunately, the quality of education imparted in these institutions are so poor ,that many poor families think that they are not benefited at all by free education facilities. The result is that the children from lower income group families are unable to equip themselves with adequate knowledge level and skill, which make them remain poor all the time. Same is the case of free medical facilities provided by the government to poor people.

Those belonging to the organized class such as government employees and bureaucrats, those employed in banks and other public and private sector companies and even the government teachers go on strike from time to time and paralyse the functions and force the government and other employers to yield to their demand to raise wages and perks. Obviously, the farmers seem to think they also need to adopt such strategies to get their share of national income.

The farmers’ protest and long march in Maharashtra state should be seen as symbolic of the feelings of restlessness, frustration and disappointment amongst the unorganized class of people in India.

The demand of the farmers is that the government has the duty and responsibility to help them come out of the present precarious living conditions and the government should meet their expectations.

Modi government is certainly aware of the restlessness of the unorganized class and has introduced several proactive measures in recent times. Given the complexity of the issues faced by India, government certainly does not have quick fix solutions. What Mr. Modi need to do now is not only to keep on introducing more measures to promote equality of opportunities in the country. He has to come down very hard on those involved in corrupt practices in the government , amongst the business houses, banks , health and education sector etc,that will give confidence to the poor people about the earnestness of the Modi government,.

Farmers and people belonging to unorganized class need to be clearly convinced that they are not less mortals compared to those in the organized class and any action on the part of Mr. Modi to create such feelings and sentiments amongst the poor people will go a long way in retaining his popularity and convincingly winning the forthcoming 2019 national elections.

‘Poop coffee’ is the most expensive on the planet. But is it ethical?

Civet coffee is priced at around $700 per kilogram. Source: Akkharat Jarusilawong/ Shutterstock

By Holly Patrick | 6th April 2018 | @HollyMaeVogel

EATING puppies and drinking snake wine might be considered cruel, but what’s your moral stance on drinking kopi luwak?

Kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee, is the world’s most expensive coffee retailing at around US$700 per kilogram. How is it made? Asian palm civets eat coffee berries and poop them out, which will then be collected and turned into coffee for human consumption.

Fermentation occurs as the cherries pass through the civet’s intestines and their digestive enzymes change the structure of the proteins in the coffee beans, removing some of the acidity to make a smoother and somewhat tastier cup of coffee.

SEE ALSO: Smoking orangutan in Indonesia sparks outrage

What luwak coffee means look like once they have been ingested by the civet. Source: Johan Kusama/ Shutterstock

Asian palm civets are intriguing little creatures. They are small, mottled gray and black creatures around the same size as a domestic cat. Their bodies are long, stocky and covered in coarse, messy hair.

They are nocturnal animals that can be found roaming the rainforests in the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, Bali, and Sulawesi.

Civets form an important part of the food chain in the region by eating pesky insects that affect crops and in turn, are eaten by leopards and snakes. However, Asian palm civets also raid fresh fruit fields and not only eat the fresh fruit crops but also mark their territory with the strong scent given off by glands near the genitals.

It’s through the passing of excreted coffee beans past these glands on the way out that give kopi luwak its unique taste.

For many years, farmers saw civets as pests. However, as the specialised coffee industry grew and tourism increased to Indonesia, civets became “protected” creatures – but for the financial gain of farmers and zoos.

When kopi luwak farmers realised collecting scat from the wild was too taxing and time-consuming, they began trapping these delicate creatures and forcing them into captivity.

A civet’s captivity means being force-fed only coffee cherries, being kept in cramped, unsanitary, caged conditions and quite literally going stir crazy as the noise and light pollution interrupts their innate nocturnal habits.

A report released in 2016 by researchers from Oxford University’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and London-based non-profit World Animal Protection found the living conditions of these beautiful creatures to be deplorable.

A civet that has been force-fed beans to produce coffee. Source: Inspired By Maps/ Shutterstock

“Some of these cages were literally the tiniest – we would call them rabbit hutches. They’re absolutely soaked through with urine and droppings all over the place,” Neil D’Cruze, one of the researchers told National Geographic.

If the description doesn’t make you recoil and reach for the tissue box to wipe your tears, then maybe knowing the introducer of kopi luwak to the West urges you to not try this specialist coffee.

In an article published by The Guardian, Tony Wild of Taylors of Harrogate, claims he was the guy who first brought authentic, wild kopi luwak to the wealthy western world after he read about it in an article.

However, he now pleads with Westerners not to try the cruelly produced product. 

“Nowadays, it is practically impossible to find genuine wild kopi luwak – the only way to guarantee that would be to actually follow a luwak around all night yourself,” he said.

Wild refers to the kopi luwak in his article as an “utterly preposterous, utterly hideous trade.”

SEE ALSO: Thai elephant polo tournament triggers animal rights row

There is no certification program to ensure the “wild” stamp on the bag of US$400 coffee is collected from free-to-roam civets.

Although Japanese scientist Eiichiro Fukusaki claims he has invented a method to detect whether this “poop coffee” is genuine or not, it’s most likely to have come from an excruciating uncomfortable and distressed caged civet.

If you wouldn’t buy a snakeskin bag, a seal-pup fur coat, alligator skin boots or an angora wool jumper, then don’t buy kopi luwak.

A version of this article was originally published on our sister website Travel Wire Asia.

8 Reasons You Should Be Eating More Ginseng

Studies indicate that ginseng may improve brain function, boost the immune system and reduce the risk of certain cancers.

By Arlene Semeco / Authority Nutrition-April 8, 2018, 10:00 AM GMT


Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

This slow-growing, short plant with fleshy roots can be classified three ways, depending on how long it is grown: fresh, white or red.

Fresh ginseng is harvested before 4 years, while white ginseng is harvested between 4–6 years and red ginseng is harvested after 6 or more years.

There are many types of this herb, but the most popular are American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng).

American and Asian ginseng vary in their concentration of active compounds and effects on the body. It is believed that American ginseng works as a relaxing agent, whereas the Asian variety has an invigorating effect (1, 2).

Ginseng contains two significant compounds: ginsenosides and gintonin. These compounds complement one another to provide health benefits (3).

Here are 8 evidence-based health benefits of ginseng.

1. Potent Antioxidant That May Reduce Inflammation

Ginseng has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (4).

Some test-tube studies have shown that ginseng extracts and ginsenoside compounds could inhibit inflammation and increase antioxidant capacity in cells (5, 6).

The results are promising in humans, as well.

One study investigated the effects of having 18 young male athletes take 2 grams of Korean red ginseng extract three times per day for seven days.

The men then had levels of certain inflammatory markers tested after performing an exercise test. These levels were significantly lower than in the placebo group, lasting for up to 72 hours after testing (7).

Another study followed people with skin inflammation. It found improvements in inflammation and antioxidative activity after treatment with Korean red ginseng extract (8).

Lastly, a larger study followed 71 postmenopausal women who took 3 grams of red ginseng or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Antioxidant activity and oxidative stress markers were then measured.
Researchers concluded that red ginseng may help reduce oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzyme activities (9).

SUMMARY: Ginseng has been shown to help reduce inflammatory markers and help protect against oxidative stress.

2. May Benefit Brain Function

Ginseng could help improve brain functions like memory, behavior and mood (10, 11).

Some test-tube and animal studies show that components in ginseng, like ginsenosides and compound K, could protect the brain against damage caused by free radicals (12, 13, 14).

One study followed 30 healthy people who consumed 200 mg of Panax ginseng daily for four weeks. At the end of the study, they showed improvement in mental health, social functioning and mood.

However, these benefits stopped being significant after 8 weeks, suggesting that ginseng effects might decrease with extended use (15).

Another study examined how single doses of either 200 or 400 mg of Panax ginseng affected mental performance, mental fatigue and blood sugar levels in 30 healthy adults before and after a 10-minute mental test.

The 200-mg dose, as opposed to the 400-mg dose, was more effective at improving mental performance and fatigue during the test (16).

It is possible that ginseng assisted the uptake of blood sugar by cells, which could have enhanced performance and reduced mental fatigue. Yet it is not clear why the lower dose was more effective than the higher one.

A third study found that taking 400 mg of Panax ginseng daily for eight days improved calmness and math skills (17).

What’s more, other studies found positive effects on brain function and behavior in people with Alzheimer's disease (18, 19, 20).

SUMMARY: Ginseng has been shown to benefit mental functions, feelings of calmness and mood in both healthy people and those with Alzheimer's disease.

3. Could Improve Erectile Dysfunction

Research has shown that ginseng may be a useful alternative for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men (21, 22).

It seems that compounds in it may protect against oxidative stress in blood vessels and tissues in the penis and help restore normal function (23, 24).

Additionally, studies have shown that ginseng may promote the production of nitric oxide, a compound that improves muscle relaxation in the penis and increases blood circulation (24, 25).
One study found that men treated with Korean red ginseng had a 60% improvement in ED symptoms, compared to 30% improvement produced by a medication used to treat ED (26).

Moreover, another study showed that 86 men with ED had significant improvements in erectile function and overall satisfaction after taking 1,000 mg of aged ginseng extract for 8 weeks (27).
However, more studies are needed to draw definite conclusions about the effects of ginseng on ED (24).

SUMMARY: Ginseng may improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress in tissues and enhancing blood flow in penile muscles.

4. May Boost the Immune System

Ginseng may strengthen the immune system.

Some studies exploring its effects on the immune system have focused on cancer patients undergoing surgery or chemotherapy treatment.

One study followed 39 people with stomach cancer after surgical procedures, treating them with 5,400 mg of ginseng daily for two years.

Interestingly, these people had significant improvements in immune functions and a lower recurrence of symptoms ( target="_blank"28).

Another study examined the effect of red ginseng extract on immune system markers in people with advanced stomach cancer undergoing post-surgery chemotherapy.

After three months, those taking red ginseng extract had better immune system markers than those in the control or placebo group (29).

Furthermore, a study suggested that people who take ginseng could have up to a 35% higher chance of living disease-free for five years after curative surgery and up to a 38% higher survival rate compared to those not taking it (30).

It seems that ginseng extract could enhance the effect of vaccinations against diseases like influenza, as well (31).

Even though these studies show improvements in immune system markers in people with cancer, more research is needed to demonstrate the efficacy of ginseng in boosting resistance to infections in healthy people (32).

SUMMARY: Ginseng may strengthen the immune system in people with cancer and even enhance the effects of certain vaccinations.

5. May Have Potential Benefits Against Cancer

Ginseng may be helpful in reducing the risk of certain cancers (33).

Ginsenosides in this herb have been shown to help reduce inflammation and provide antioxidant protection (34, 35).

The cell cycle is the process by which cells normally grow and divide. Ginsenosides could benefit this cycle by preventing abnormal cell production and growth (34, 35).

A review of several studies indicated that people who took ginseng had a 16% lower risk of developing cancer (35).

Moreover, an observational study suggested that people taking ginseng could be less likely to develop certain types of cancer, such as lip, mouth, esophagus, stomach, colon, liver and lung cancer, than those who do not take it (36).

Ginseng may also help improve the health of patients undergoing chemotherapy, reduce side effects and enhance the effect of some treatment drugs (34).

While studies on the role of ginseng in cancer prevention show some benefits, they remain inconclusive (37).

SUMMARY: Ginsenosides in ginseng seem to regulate inflammation, provide antioxidant protection and maintain the health of cells, which could help decrease the risk of certain kinds of cancer. Nevertheless, more research is needed.

6. May Fight Tiredness and Increase Energy Levels

Ginseng has been shown to help fight fatigue and promote energy.

Various animal studies have linked some components in ginseng, like polysaccharides and oligopeptides, with lower oxidative stress and higher energy production in cells, which could help fight fatigue (38, 39, 40).

One four-week study explored the effects of giving 1 or 2 grams of Panax ginseng or a placebo to 90 people with chronic fatigue.

Those given Panax ginseng experienced less physical and mental fatigue, as well as reductions in oxidative stress, than those taking the placebo (41).

Another study gave 364 cancer survivors experiencing fatigue 2,000 mg of American ginseng or a placebo. After eight weeks, those in the ginseng group had significantly lower fatigue levels than those in the placebo group (42).

Furthermore, a review of over 155 studies suggested that ginseng supplements may not only help reduce fatigue but also enhance physical activity (43).

SUMMARY: Ginseng may help fight fatigue and enhance physical activity by lowering oxidative damage and increasing energy production in cells.

7. Could Lower Blood Sugar

Ginseng seems to be beneficial in the control of blood glucose in people both with and without diabetes (44, 45).

American and Asian ginseng have been shown to improve pancreatic cell function, boost insulin production and enhance the uptake of blood sugar in tissues (44).

Moreover, studies show that ginseng extracts help by providing antioxidant protection that reduce free radicals in the cells of those with diabetes (44).

One study assessed the effects of 6 grams of Korean red ginseng, along with the usual anti-diabetic medication or diet, in 19 people with type 2 diabetes.

Interestingly, they were able to maintain good blood sugar control throughout the 12-week study. They also had an 11% decrease in blood sugar levels, a 38% decrease in fasting insulin and a 33% increase in insulin sensitivity (46).

Another study showed that American ginseng helped improve blood sugar levels in 10 healthy people after they performed a sugary drink test (47).

It seems that fermented red ginseng could be even more effective at blood sugar control. Fermented ginseng is produced with the help of live bacteria that transform the ginsenosides into a more easily absorbed and potent form (48).

In fact, a study demonstrated that taking 2.7 grams of fermented red ginseng daily was effective at lowering blood sugar and increasing insulin levels after a test meal, compared to a placebo (49).

SUMMARY: Ginseng, particularly fermented red ginseng, may help increase insulin production, enhance blood sugar uptake in cells and provide antioxidant protection.

8. Easy to Add to Your Diet

Ginseng root can be consumed in many ways. It can be eaten raw or you can lightly steam it to soften it.

It can also be stewed in water to make a tea. To do this, just add hot water to freshly sliced ginseng and let it steep for several minutes.

Ginseng can be added to various recipes like soups and stir-frys, too. And the extract can be found in powder, tablet, capsule and oil forms.

How much you should take depends on the condition you want to improve. Overall, daily doses of 1–2 grams of raw ginseng root or 200–400 mg of extract are suggested. It’s best to start with lower doses and increase over time.

Look for a standard ginseng extract that contains 2–3% total ginsenosides, and consume it before meals to increase absorption and get the full benefits.

SUMMARY: Ginseng can be eaten raw, made into tea or added to various dishes. It can also be consumed as a powder, capsule or oil.

Safety and Potential Side Effects

According to research, ginseng appears to be safe and should not produce any serious adverse effects.

However, people taking diabetes medications should monitor their blood sugar levels closely when using ginseng to ensure these levels do not go too low.

Additionally, ginseng may reduce the effectiveness of anticoagulant drugs.

For these reasons, talk to your doctor before supplementing with it.

Note that due to the lack of safety studies, ginseng is not recommended for children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Lastly, there is evidence suggesting that the extended use of ginseng could decrease its effectiveness in the body.

To maximize its benefits, you should take ginseng in 2–3-week cycles with a one or two week break in between (14).

SUMMARY: While ginseng appears to be safe, people taking certain medications should pay attention to possible drug interactions.

The Bottom Line

Ginseng is an herbal supplement that has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine.

It is commonly touted for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It could also help regulate blood sugar levels and have benefits for some cancers.

What’s more, ginseng may strengthen the immune system, enhance brain function, fight fatigue and improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Ginseng can be consumed raw or lightly steamed. It can also easily be added to your diet via its extract, capsule or powder form.

Whether you want to improve a certain condition or simply give your health a boost, ginseng is definitely worth a try.

This article was originally published by Healthline. Reprinted with permission.

GSP+ retention policies on track: EU

• EU monitoring delegation on GSP+ upbeat on human rights and reform process 
• Calls on Govt. to stay the course, insists no demands but 
• EU partner in SL development 
• Concerned over Digana riots, urges Govt. to ensure no impunity for perpetrators 
• Says no-confidence motion sign of vibrant democracy in SL
• To meet PM today for discussions

By Uditha Jayasinghe -Friday, 6 April 2018 

Progress on key legislative and policy reforms needed to keep GSP+ were developing well, believes a monitoring delegation of the European Parliament, which yesterday said it remained committed to improving human rights in Sri Lanka.

The six-member delegation of the European Parliament Committee on International Trade (INTA) arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to follow up on the country’s commitments made in exchange for preferential access to the European Union (EU) market.

The Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) is of key importance for Sri Lanka’s economy. The INTA delegation was pleased to note that trade between the EU and Sri Lanka was on an upward trajectory following the entry into force of GSP+ last summer, making the EU Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner.
“We are here to debate issues linked to GSP+ and we are very keen to cooperate with Sri Lanka partners to keep the facility alive. We come as friends and allies. We are not here to master or teach anyone. This is not to scrutinise Sri Lanka. We are of course interested in the overall policy situation, security and judiciary measures because it is important for investors to know that Sri Lanka is a stable country,” delegation Chairman Jan Zahradil told reporters. 

The delegation met key Sri Lankan officials, including Law and Order Minister Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Leader of the Opposition S. Sampanthan, Labour Minister John Seneviratne, NGO representatives, trade unions and UN officials. They will meet with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe today.

The delegation also observed the no-confidence motion unfolding in Parliament on Wednesday and observed that it was a demonstration of Sri Lanka’s vibrant democracy in action. They were also positive of efforts made by the Government to adhere to a range of international and UN conventions that are critical to maintaining GSP+ and emphasised the monitoring effort was in no way targeted at making demands from Sri Lanka.

“We value the relations between the European Union and Sri Lanka and are keen to strengthen and deepen those relations. We need to dispel the myth of external demands. There are certainly certain sections of political discourse in Sri Lanka that likes to push this message to Sri Lankan people that there are demands being made by Europe and perhaps elsewhere as well. That is simply not the case. Sri Lanka has to want to raise its standards for itself and we believe the people of Sri Lanka are genuinely committed to wanting to raise their own standards,” said INTA Standing Rapporteur for South Asia, Sajjad Karim.

However, the delegation did raise concerns about the communal clashes in the Kandy District last month and called for perpetrators to be held legally responsible and for the Government to engage more with the affected community and rebuild their confidence with effective governance.

“I’m not satisfied that adequate policing and protection was provided for those who were under attack immediately at the point when they were under attack. There is certainly nervousness amongst minority communities here in Sri Lanka, which includes the Muslims, and therefore there is a need for the Government to reach out to ensure cohesion and good community relations are reinstated. The only real demonstration of that is to ensure there is no impunity for the perpetrators of these acts, whoever they may be,” Karim added.

Despite the slow progress on key reforms, including replacing anti-terrorism legislation, the delegation expressed confidence of the Government’s commitment and insisted Sri Lanka remained on the right path.

“The review and monitoring mechanism is to see a trend of improvement with mechanisms being put in place that would ultimately promote human rights. It is that track, that trend that we are looking for. There has already been much delivery by Sri Lanka on so many issues but there is further work to do. Now is the opportunity to do that and I hope Sri Lanka seizes it.”