In the realm of economics, Canadian banks have sparked a debate over the calculation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), particularly criticizing the inclusion of shelter costs. National Bank and TD Bank have both released reports suggesting that excluding shelter costs from CPI calculations could present a more favorable inflation outlook. National Bank highlighted that CPI inflation outside shelter was only 1.3% in February, advocating for a focus on broader economic health rather than the potentially misleading shelter-inflated figures. TD Bank supported this view, suggesting that aligning Canadian inflation calculations more closely with those of the U.S. could lower the perceived inflation rate. However, this stance has been met with criticism, emphasizing the essential nature of shelter costs in the cost of living, especially in Canada’s harsh winters. The Bank of Canada has yet to yield to these pressures, maintaining its current methodology for calculating inflation.
On the health front, recent studies have shed light on the effects of intermittent fasting (IF) on cardiovascular health and quality of life. A study presented at the American Heart Association’s sessions revealed a 91% higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease associated with an 8-hour time-restricted eating schedule. This finding, derived from data on over 20,000 U.S. adults, suggests that while IF may offer short-term benefits, its long-term impact, especially on individuals with pre-existing conditions, warrants caution. Conversely, another study focusing on a 16-hour fasting period reported significant improvements in quality of life and fatigue reduction among healthy participants. This study, involving 30 individuals, noted no adverse changes in laboratory parameters, suggesting a good safety profile for IF. These contrasting findings highlight the complexity of dietary interventions and the need for personalized health advice.
In agricultural news, a concerning outbreak of a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, known as hpai, is affecting dairy cattle in Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas. The disease, which causes flu-like symptoms and a significant drop in milk production, has raised alarms about its potential to infect humans and its broader impact on the dairy and meat industries. While no cattle deaths have been reported, the spread of hpai among mammals, including minks and potentially humans, underscores the urgency for research and control measures to prevent further impact on the agricultural sector.
Sources
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Spreads to Dairy Cattle in Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas
Now, it has come out, and I think within the last 24 hours or so, that they have identified this design disease. Get this, as HPI HPAI, sorry, highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Source | Submitted by mtntulip
Intermittent Fasting Improves Quality of Life and Reduces Fatigue in Healthy Individuals: Study
Intermittent fasting (IF) is defined as an eating pattern without calorie restrictions, alternating between periods of fasting and eating. In the past decades IF has not only become a popular weight-reducing diet but is thought to improve Quality of Life (QoL) and fatigue.
Source | Submitted by nickythec
Study Finds 8-Hour Time-Restricted Eating Associated with Higher Risk of Cardiovascular Death
People who followed a pattern of eating all of their food across less than 8 hours per day had a 91% higher risk of death due to cardiovascular disease.
Source | Submitted by nickythec
Canadian Banks Urge Bank of Canada to Exclude Shelter Inflation from CPI Calculations
If we calculate Canadian inflation using the same weights as the Fed’s preferred metric, Canadian inflation would be at just 2.1% y/y (Chart 1)!
Source | Submitted by shplad
by aaronmckeon 
