Latest news with #Svetlana
New York Post
01-07-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Sorry, Fido: New evidence suggests pet ownership may not be as beneficial to health as we thought
Your furry friend might not be the answer to a ruff life. Canine companionship has long been touted as a remedy for people seeking comfort and connection, particularly when pandemic-era lockdowns kept millions apart. But new research suggests that even in times of extreme social isolation, having a pet doesn't always improve well-being — and sometimes, it makes it worse. Advertisement 5 Studies show 65.1 million American households own at least one dog. – The study analyzed data from nearly 3,000 Hungarians, collected over several months in 2020 by researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest. Among the participants, 65 acquired a pet while 75 lost one, prompting the team to examine how these changes affected their well-being over time. The results? Not exactly tail-wagging. Advertisement Researchers found new pet owners experienced a short-lived boost in cheerfulness after bringing a dog home — but that initial high didn't last. Over time, their calmness, life satisfaction, cheerfulness and activity levels dropped. 5 Interacting with a dog has previously been shown to lower levels of cortisol, the body's stress hormone. Svetlana – Advertisement 'What surprised me most was that new pet in the household had no effect on the respondents' loneliness,' Judit Mokos, a data scientist and one of the paper's first authors, said in a statement. 'Our research suggests that dogs do not provide a real solution to loneliness; rather, they make the new owners more anxious,' she added. Even more surprising: losing a pet didn't affect the well-being of their former owners. Advertisement 'It appears that, at least during stressful periods, the average person, who may not be the primary caregiver but simply shares a household with the pet, is not significantly affected by the pet's loss, nor is their well-being a strong predictor of the decision to acquire one,' said Ádám Miklósi, who initiated the data collection on companion animals. These findings cast doubt on earlier studies suggesting dog ownership offers a wide range of health benefits, including reducing stress and anxiety, building social connections, increasing physical activity and lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. 5 Research suggests the companionship of dogs isn't a complete replacement for human social interaction. yurakrasil – 'Based on the data, most people living together with a companion animal do not seem to experience any long-term 'pet effect,' nor do they bond strongly with their animal,' said Eniko Kubinyi, head of the MTA-ELTE 'Momentum' Companion Animals Research Group. 'It is possible that the dynamics of the pandemic have led many to make impulsive choices against their long-term interest, or that only certain groups — like devoted animal lovers or older adults living alone — truly benefit from pets in stressful times,' she added. The loneliness epidemic Loneliness became a bigger problem during the coronavirus pandemic, but studies suggest half of American adults had already experienced it before the outbreak. 5 Millions of Americans are affected by depression, anxiety and other mental health challenges. Tinnakorn – And the social fallout didn't end when lockdowns did. Research shows that many people, especially teens, young adults and seniors, continued to spend more time at home and less time socializing than before the public health crisis. Advertisement In fact, a 2024 study by the American Psychiatric Association found that 30% of adults felt lonely at least once a week last year, with 10% battling loneliness every single day. That's a bigger problem than many realize. Studies show chronic loneliness can increase the risk of premature death as much as 15 cigarettes a day. It's linked to heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, inflammation and a weakened immune system. Loneliness is also strongly associated with depression, anxiety, stress and low self-esteem. Advertisement In 2023, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared that 'loneliness, isolation, and lack of connection in our country' are an 'epidemic' and a 'public health crisis.' 5 The loneliness epidemic has affected older adults in particular. Angelov – At last year's Aspen Ideas Festival, Murthy shared three simple daily actions to help Americans rebuild their social connections. Advertisement First, spend 15 minutes each day reaching out to someone you care about. 'We have built this cultural narrative over the years that success is about being independent and being independent is about not needing anyone,' Murthy said. 'That is something we fundamentally have to change.' Second, when you're with others, shelve distractions and give them your full attention. 'Five minutes of being fully present with someone in conversation is more powerful than 30 minutes of distracted conversation,' he explained. Advertisement Finally, make daily acts of service a priority. 'Service is a very powerful antidote to loneliness, because it not only helps us connect — whether it's in the act of helping one person or helping a community — but it reminds us that we have value to bring to the world,' Murthy said.
Time Out
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Downtown Alliance kicks off free lunchtime concert series at Oculus Plaza next week
Lower Manhattan's lunch crowd is getting a serious upgrade next week. Starting on Wednesday, June 4, the Downtown Alliance is reviving its "Art Is All Around" performance series with six weeks of free midday concerts designed to turn your typical lunch break into a full-on vibe. Every Wednesday at noon through July 9, a new act will take over either the World Trade Center's North Oculus Plaza or 140 Broadway, bringing everything from salsa to soul, swing to funk. The series, programmed by acclaimed jazz vocalist and producer Svetlana Shmulyian, blends live music with professional dance performances—think tap, cha-cha-cha and modern jazz, all unfolding in the middle of the Financial District. The opening show on June 4 features Lulada Club, a powerhouse group specializing in vintage tropical rhythms like bolero and salsa, reimagined for modern audiences. They'll be followed the next week by Svetlana herself and the New York Collective, whose interactive jazz performance includes both audience participation and live tap dancing by Lisa La Touche. The third concert on June 18 brings the party courtesy of Norman Edwards Jr. and his band SpinKicK, with infectious grooves inspired by Jamiroquai and Prince, and dancer Michela Marino Lerman helping bring it all to life. After that, the series shifts to 140 Broadway. Highlights include Ginita y La Orquesta Esa's Latin jazz set on June 25, a high-energy New Orleans-inspired show from Alphonso Horne and His Gotham Kings on July 2 and a rousing finale on July 9 featuring trumpeter Wayne Tucker and the Bad Mothas, joined by dancer Bianca Delli Priscoli. 'Whether you're taking a lunch break from the office or out exploring the neighborhood, these performances are an energizing and uplifting way to enjoy summer in the city,' said Downtown Alliance President Jessica Lappin. The concert series is part of the Alliance's larger "Art Is All Around" initiative, which brings public art and performances to the streets of Lower Manhattan. No tickets are required, and all performances are free—just show up and enjoy the show. With this much rhythm packed into an hour, don't be surprised if your casual lunch run turns into a full-on dance break.
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Sunday World
Mother ordered contract killing of 12-year-old daughter over ‘constant arguing'
The suspect, named only as Svetlana, offered a male acquaintance the equivalent of €1,100 to drown the child in a local river A mother who ordered the contract killing of her 12-year-old daughter over their constant arguing has been detained in Russia. The suspect, named only as Svetlana, offered a male acquaintance the equivalent of €1,100 to drown the child in a local river. The 46-year-old said she was tired of their constant arguing when she organised the hit but girl who was hiding behind a door heard everything. A river in the Chelyabinsk region News in 90 Seconds - May 24th 2025 The mother-of-four then sent her daughter out of the house with the man named only as 'Andrey' in the Izmailovsky settlement located in the Chelyabinsk region, it has been claimed. A local news outlet reported that, according to law enforcement, as they were walking along the road, 'the schoolgirl became very afraid and worried'. 'But the man told her everything and promised to protect her. 'He hid the girl at his home and went to the police.' He later told officers that the woman had offered to pay him cash for drowning her daughter in Bolshaya Karaganka River. The woman, who faces up to 15 years in jail for incitement to murder a minor, if convicted, was 'unable to explain her actions' when quizzed by officers. The girl has been placed in care with two siblings, aged 17 and six while the detained woman also has an adult daughter aged 18.
Metro
24-05-2025
- Metro
Mum who put out a hit on her 12-year-old daughter was fed up of 'bad behaviour'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A mum has been arrested after ordering the contract killing of her own daughter. The woman, from the Chelyabinsk region of Russia, offered an acquaintance the equivalent of £930 to drown her 12-year-old daughter in a local river. But her daughter was eavesdropping the chilling conversation – and the acquaintance, only named as 36-year-old Andrey, did not go through with the act. The mother-of-four sent her daughter out of the house with the man shortly after ordering the murder of her child. Local media reported: 'When they were walking along the road, the schoolgirl was very afraid and worried. 'But the man told her everything and promised to protect her. 'He hid the girl at his home and went to the police.' More Trending Svetlana told police she was 'tired' of her daughter's 'bad behaviour' and their 'constant arguments'. She faces a 15-year prison sentence for incitement to murder a minor if convicted. The girl has been placed into care along with two of her siblings, aged 17 and six. She also has an 18-year-old adult sibling. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Boy, 15, arrested for assault after 16-year-old dies at amusement park MORE: Neighbours 'devastated' after mum and three of her children killed in house fire MORE: Jay Slater's mum given crushing update in quest to track down crucial witnesses
The Sun
23-05-2025
- The Sun
Mum orders contract killing of 12-year-old daughter paying friend £930 to drown her because they ‘constantly argue'
A MUM has been arrested in Russia after allegedly hiring a pal to drown her 12-year-old daughter because they 'constantly argue'. The woman, named only as Svetlana, is said to have tried to pay a male friend £930 to kill her child by throwing her into a river in the Chelyabinsk region. 4 4 4 Unbeknown to her, the schoolgirl had been eavesdropping behind a door — and overheard her mum's chilling murder plot. Svetlana, 46, allegedly told the man she was 'tired' of her daughter's 'bad behaviour' and their 'constant arguments'. She then sent the girl off with the would-be killer — named as Andrey, 36 — in the Izmailovsky settlement, it has been claimed. 'When they were walking along the road, the schoolgirl was very afraid and worried,' reported Shot news outlet, citing law enforcement. 'But the man told her everything and promised to protect her. 'He hid the girl at his home and went to the police.' He told cops Svetlana had offered cash to have her daughter drowned in the Bolshaya Karaganka River. The mum-of-four was detained and now faces up to 15 years in jail for incitement to murder a minor. When questioned by police, she was reportedly 'unable to explain her actions'. Shock moment Russian teen TikToker threatens to have her Putin official mum send online haters to WAR sparking outrage The young girl has since been placed in care alongside two of her siblings, aged 17 and six. Svetlana also has an adult daughter, aged 18. It comes after a glamorous rapper dubbed the "Barbie Bandit" has been arrested in a dramatic police raid targeting a massive dark web drugs operation. Blonde beauty Maria L., 25, known for posing in Barbie-pink outfits and flaunting an assault rifle on social media, was seized by Russian cops in St Petersburg on May 15. The influencer-turned-trafficker is accused of helping run a slick online drugs shop — managing storage, distribution, and sales of illicit substances through the dark web. Photos online show the rapper in revealing crop tops and doll-like makeup, living a flashy life that masked a far more dangerous double identity. Police said: 'She helped sell the drugs online and also managed their storage and distribution.' During the raid, cops uncovered laptops, mobile phones, and a 'significant' stash of chemicals used to make hallucinogens — along with scales and other manufacturing gear. Meanwhile, a Russian teen TikTok star has sparked outrage after threatening to have her pro-Putin mother send online trolls to the war front. Yulia Shevtsova, a mayor in the Vologda region, was left red-faced after her 19-year-old influencer daughter made the chilling threat in a viral video. Ksenia Shevtsova infuriated viewers by boasting on TikTok: "Are you out of your mind, dude? Do you know who my mum is?" She added: "The mayor! We'll send you to the [war]." The clip, which quickly spread online, featured images and videos of Ksenia posing with her politician mum — followed by the bold claim she could send her critics to fight in Vladimir Putin's brutal war in Ukraine. 4
