The article discusses the Blue Zones project in Fort Worth, a $50 million initiative funded by Texas Health Resources to combat obesity and improve health by adopting healthy-living principles from areas known for longevity. Despite the efforts, obesity rates in Fort Worth have risen by 4 percent since the program's inception. The project includes urban environment changes like bike lanes and access to fresh food, especially in underserved areas. The article also touches on the decline of health standards in the original Blue Zones due to westernization and the impact of health insurance on community health, referencing the Affordable Care Act. The journalist, Cristina Roca, is a freelance journalist and a global journalism fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs.

UBS Group AG's shares declined after the Swiss bank reported second-quarter earnings that did not meet analysts' expectations, with a net profit of $2.11 billion on revenue of $8.92 billion against the expected $2.40 billion profit on $9.43 billion revenue. The bank's CEO, Ralph Hamers, described the quarter as challenging due to high inflation, the war in Ukraine, and Covid-19 disruptions in Asia. RBC Capital Markets noted disappointment in several areas, including assets-under-management levels.

Spanish judge Eloy Velasco initiated an investigation into alleged crimes by Syrian officials, marking a significant step for international justice. The case, led by lawyers Almudena Bernabeu and Maite Parejo of Guernica 37, accuses nine Syrian officials of state terrorism. The victim, a Spanish national's brother, was allegedly tortured and killed in Syria. The public prosecution challenged the jurisdiction, but the appeal will be settled by the National Court's Plenary. The case highlights the use of universal jurisdiction, which has been restricted in Spain since 2014. Despite the challenges, the case is seen as a message against impunity and a spotlight on Syrian government crimes. The investigation is currently stalled due to a judicial transition, with the new judge, Manuel García Castellón, needing to catch up on the case.

Ubrique, a town in Cádiz with a long-standing leather crafting tradition, experienced a return of luxury fashion brands like Dior and Louis Vuitton after initially losing them to cheaper Asian labor markets. Despite the sector's prosperity, labor improvements lag, with workers facing exploitation and off-the-books employment. The local leather industry, crucial to Ubrique's economy, is marred by precarious working conditions, extensive use of temporary contracts, and reliance on undeclared labor. Unions like UGT and CCOO struggle to improve conditions, but face challenges such as lack of representation and fear among workers. The discrepancy between official employment figures and the reality suggests a significant portion of production occurs informally. Some luxury brands have made long-term investments in Ubrique, leading to improvements, but overall, the fear of unemployment perpetuates labor exploitation.

The article discusses Bradley Charvet's plan to open a fellatio café in London, which due to legal issues, will utilize sex robots instead of human workers. Robotics expert David Levy and others believe sex with robots will become common in the future. However, current sex robots are rudimentary, and the idea of a robot-staffed sex café is seen by some as a PR stunt. The article explores the technological advancements in sex robots, with companies like Abyss Creations developing AI-enhanced robotic heads for their RealDolls. The ethical implications of sex robots are also examined, with concerns about objectification and gender roles. The article suggests that the development of sex robots is not only a technological issue but also a social and cultural one, with potential impacts on human relationships and sexuality.

The article discusses the rise in HPV-related cancers in Canada, with a particular focus on oral cancer surpassing cervical cancer in prevalence. It highlights the lack of safe oral sex practices despite increased awareness of STIs. Experts like Gillian Knight and Alex McKay emphasize the need for protection during oral sex due to the risks of transmitting STIs such as herpes and HPV. Anisha Gupta, a dentistry student, and her colleagues have designed a new protective barrier that doubles as a sex toy to encourage safer oral sex practices. The article also touches on the gender-neutral HPV vaccination in Canada and the challenges of popularizing barrier protection due to social stigmas and the impracticality of current methods like oral dams.