Saturday, July 16, 2022
Friday, July 15, 2022
Mountain Home fitness influencer Hampton Liu knows you can do it - Arkansas Times
It doesn’t actually matter if you’re the exercising type, or even if you’ve never heard of Hampton Liu, the Mountain Home fitness guru with a global and growing following. Once you meet him, you’re going to want to be his friend. The great news here is that he probably wants to be your friend, too. And if, as you spend internet time with your new friend Hampton, you find yourself progressing toward your goal of doing a few full pushups or even a pull-up (!), then that’s a pretty great perk, now, isn’t it?The 28-year-old Liu rolled into the online fitness scene only a couple of years ago, and while he’s picked up TikTok and Instagram followers by the millions, he’s still bashful about the “influencer” label. To be fair, it’s not a perfect fit. Buff but not bulky, relaxed and relatable, Liu is a fitness influencer like Mr. Rogers is a childhood influencer, or Tom Hanks is an actor influencer. “My goal is to help people cultivate long-term fitness and happiness through creating fitness content and building community,” he explains at hybridcalisthenics.com. It’s that endearing combination of expertise and warmth that prompted one YouTube follower to dub Liu “the Bob Ross of working out.”
The first thing to know about Liu’s workout program, Hybrid Calisthenics, is that you don’t have to pay for it. Anyone with an internet connection can follow along. “This routine is provided free of charge so that it may help as many people as possible,” the website says. You can buy branded T-shirts or send donations via Patreon, but no pressure. And he’s big on gravity and body weight as strength-building tools, so there’s no pressure to buy any fancy equipment, either. Most of Liu’s workout videos show him exercising on his deck, using the railing or walls as props to correct posture or perfect a backbend. He’s also prone to a parkour approach, seemingly unable to resist turning rock walls and tree limbs into fitness props from which he balances and hangs in gravity-defying ways.
The second thing to know is that Liu does not expect you to be able to do any of these gravity-defying stunts, especially not at first. He champions gradual progress, made over the course of a lifetime. Take, for example, his 3-minute YouTube video “You CAN do pushups, my friend!” Starting as all his videos do with his standard greeting, “Hello, my friends! It is your brother Hampton,” the video follows what his fans will recognize as a reliable formula: reassurance that the challenge before us is tough but achievable; a sequence of suggested variations to build up strength over time; and his signature sign-off to “Have a beautiful day.”
A post shared by Hampton (@hybrid.calisthenics)
Escalating degrees of difficulty keep plain-jane pushups from being either too off-putting for beginners or too boring for the more muscled among us, Liu explained. Start where you are and go from there. “The concept embodies a lifetime of progress.” You should absolutely jump in on this with some wall pushups, then progress to incline and knee versions and then to the real deal if you feel so called. (In fact, why not go do 25 wall pushups right now? Good job!) But it’s Liu himself, more than the nuts and bolts of his content, that draws a crowd. Here’s a sampling of viewer comments:
I trust this guy with my life without ever meeting him.
This guy is one of the most wholesome and selfless people I’ve ever heard of.
I know this means nothing to you, because you don’t know a single thing about me, but I’m 16, you give me comfort. You remind me of my older brother a lot, and he isn’t with me anymore, so your content makes me really happy and at peace. And I really hope something in your life makes you feel the same.
He’s like the most wholesome creator on here. I just love his positivity and light.
And he takes the occasional negative comment in stride. Liu has been criticized for being too skinny and not muscular enough. Some commenters said he looks like a woman, probably because of his enviably glossy shoulder-length hair. “It’s never made me upset. We need to accept these things we know to be true. Once we accept them, they no longer can be used against us,” he reasoned. “I do have long hair and slightly round features.”
Liu meets viewers’ vulnerability with his own, augmenting fitness content with podcasts and musings usually presented with his signature coffee cup in hand. A recent offering, “In the Event of My Death,” has Liu sharing some pretty deep thoughts on being at peace with his inevitable demise. He has more insight into this topic than most people his age, having recently nursed his mother after a serious stroke and through the final years of her life. She died in 2020. That experience, he said, was “a catalyst of a fundamental personality shift and a revelation about myself.” The revelation: “I wanted to be able to give to other people without any expectation of anything in return. That’s fundamental in both my content and my routine.”
No doubt this experience added to the emotional intelligence and empathy that are Liu’s superpower, every bit as much as the surreal upper body strength that allows him to hang perpendicularly from light poles. Not that he’s in a rush to meet death, he said, but there will be some perks when the final moment comes. Specifically, Liu admits part of him will welcome freedom from a repetitive intrusive, irrational fear that he might step on a crawling baby. There he goes again, breaking down a topic that’s dreaded and intimidating into something relatable and a little less terrifying.
Liu earned a degree in international business from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and he earned his high energy and full-throttled interest in health from his dad. Both Liu’s parents came to the United States from Taiwan before he was born. Liu’s dad helps run an integrative medical center in Mountain Home, focused on martial arts and traditional Chinese healing.
Combining that business degree with his genetic predisposition for promoting wellness and his off-the-charts emotional intelligence makes for an unlikely but winning combination, even when he doesn’t charge a penny.
“You can give a tremendous amount of things away for free and still make a living,” Liu explained. “I have a website where I sell fitness equipment. I never push, but I let people know, if you need this, I have it.” That site generates some income, and so do the online ads that appear with his content. Add money from Patreon subscribers and a potential book deal, and Liu is doing OK.
There’s no hard sell on the business side of things, just like there’s no hard sell on the fitness side. Liu’s favorite exercise of all, walking, generates zero dollars in revenue for him. But how many pull-ups does one person really need to do? “At some point, the strength pursuit really becomes more of a hobby than a necessity,” Liu admits.
He plans to continue pursuing this hobby/livelihood hybrid in Mountain Home. He started offering his routines online around the time COVID-19 hit, fundamentally changing the way the world does business and allowing him to beam out content from anywhere, even Baxter County. Liu was born in Utah but has lived here since he was 2. “I love Arkansas,” he said. “A lot of people are surprised when I tell them I’m from Arkansas.”
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Memorandum on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Associated Labor Abuses - The White House
The White House1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
National Security Memorandum/NSM-11
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
THE SECRETARY OF LABOR
THE SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY
THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA TO THE UNITED NATIONS
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY POLICY
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY
FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
SUBJECT: Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated
Fishing and Associated Labor Abuses
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and related harmful fishing practices are among the greatest threats to ocean health and are significant causes of global overfishing, contributing to the collapse or decline of fisheries that are critical to the economic growth, food systems, and ecosystems of numerous countries around the world. Distant water fishing vessels, which engage in industrial-scale fishing operations on the high seas and in waters under other states’ jurisdictions, can be significant perpetrators of IUU fishing and related harmful fishing practices. IUU fishing often involves forced labor, a form of human trafficking, and other crimes and human rights abuses. Left unchecked, IUU fishing and associated labor abuses undermine U.S. economic competitiveness, national security, fishery sustainability, and the livelihoods and human rights of fishers around the world and will exacerbate the environmental and socioeconomic effects of climate change.
Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of my Administration to address the problem of IUU fishing, including by distant water fishing vessels, and associated labor abuses, including the use of forced labor in the seafood supply chain. I hereby direct executive departments and agencies (agencies) to work toward ending forced labor and other crimes or abuses in IUU fishing; promote sustainable use of the oceans in partnership with other nations and the private sector; and advance foreign and trade policies that benefit U.S. seafood workers. No nation, government entity, or non-governmental organization can address IUU fishing and associated labor abuses single-handedly. I therefore direct agencies to increase coordination among themselves and with diverse stakeholders — public and private, foreign and domestic — to address these challenges comprehensively. With this memorandum, I direct agencies to use the full range of existing conservation, labor, trade, economic, diplomatic, law enforcement, and national security authorities to address these challenges. Where applicable, activities will be carried out through or in coordination with the Interagency Working Group on IUU Fishing established pursuant to section 3551 of the Maritime Security and Fisheries Enforcement (SAFE) Act (16 U.S.C. 8031), the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force established pursuant to section 741 of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act (19 U.S.C. 4681), and as appropriate the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons established pursuant to section 105 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7103).
Sec. 2. Forced Labor in the Fishing Industry. The United States is committed to promoting labor rights and human rights and fundamental freedoms through worker-centered trade policies, and to working to eliminate abusive labor practices, in particular forced labor, in supply chains. Agencies shall enhance interagency coordination and the use of existing tools and authorities to address the challenge of forced labor in the seafood supply chain.
(a) The United States Trade Representative (USTR), in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce through the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and other relevant agencies, shall:
(i) continue to engage in the World Trade Organization negotiations on fisheries subsidies to seek additional disciplines prohibiting fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, and to seek additional transparency with respect to IUU fishing and the use of forced labor on fishing vessels;
(ii) engage, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, with trade partners, including free trade agreement partners and preference program beneficiaries, to address forced labor and other abusive labor practices in fishing; and
(iii) seek to collaborate with Mexico and Canada under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to prohibit the importation of goods, including seafood, produced in whole or in part by forced labor.
(b) The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Labor, the USTR, and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in coordination with the Administrator of NOAA and other relevant agencies, shall continue to highlight links between IUU fishing and forced labor and other abusive labor practices, with a focus on distant water fishing and vessels using flags of convenience to continue unsustainable fishing practices. These heads of agencies shall adjust the mix of United States Government messaging and promotion of non-governmental voices to achieve the greatest effect and shall develop themes and narratives that resonate with target audiences including foreign governments, the private sector, and global and U.S. consumers.
(c) The Secretary of Homeland Security, through the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and in coordination with the Administrator of NOAA, shall:
(i) investigate fishing vessels and operators suspected to be harvesting seafood with forced labor and issue withhold release orders, as appropriate;
(ii) at the discretion of relevant CBP officials, share evidence with allies and partners to encourage parallel customs enforcement actions, as appropriate;
(iii) investigate prospective civil penalty cases against importers connected to previously issued fishing vessel withhold release orders, as appropriate;
(iv) in coordination with other relevant agencies, use the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force to monitor United States enforcement of the prohibition under section 307 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1307) to prevent the importation of seafood harvested with forced labor into the United States; and
(v) use Maritime Operational Threat Response processes to facilitate interagency notifications, responses, and legal enforcement actions for IUU fishing offenses, including taking appropriate action when forced labor is identified.
(d) The Secretaries of State and the Treasury shall, as appropriate, consider whether their respective sanctions and visa restriction authorities may be used to address IUU fishing and associated labor abuses. These heads of agencies shall consider, as appropriate, whether to share evidentiary packages with allies and partners to facilitate parallel sanctions or visa restriction actions.
(e) The Secretary of Labor, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID, shall engage financial institutions, business organizations, labor stakeholders, and seafood importers on forced labor in seafood supply chains, including by promoting supply chain transparency and responsible business practices. These heads of agencies shall promote dissemination of information on the harms of IUU fishing and associated labor abuses in order to encourage greater corporate and consumer demand for due diligence, mechanisms to certify that seafood supply chains are free of forced labor, and the halting of financial transactions involving forced labor. These heads of agencies are encouraged to apply lessons learned from United States Government policies addressing the use of forced labor in the cotton sector and in other relevant sectors. The Administrator of USAID shall work to build regional networks between civil society organizations, trade unions, migrant worker networks, and recruitment agencies to address exploitation in the seafood industry. These networks should incorporate worker voices, including survivors of forced labor, to counter labor abuses and provide legal aid to migrant workers in the fishing industry.
(f) The Secretary of Labor shall use labor and development programs to provide training and technical support to national security-focused agencies, including the Department of Defense and the United States Coast Guard, and foreign partners on combating forced labor and other abusive labor practices on fishing vessels.
(g) The Secretary of Labor shall continue to raise public awareness about labor practices in the seafood industry, including by continuing to maintain its list of goods it has reason to believe are produced by forced labor or child labor in violation of international standards.
Sec. 3. Multilateral and Regional Solutions That Support Sustainable Fishing. It is the policy of my Administration to revitalize U.S. leadership in multilateral institutions, including regional bodies. I therefore direct agencies to collaborate with these organizations to increase global attention to the challenges of IUU fishing, including by distant water fishing vessels, and related abusive labor practices, such as the use of forced labor in seafood supply chains. My Administration will harness our international partners’ energy and innovative capacity to design and implement solutions.
(a) The Secretaries of State and Labor, the USTR, and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall promote decent work, counter forced labor, and take other actions to address IUU fishing and related harmful fishing practices at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN), the International Labor Organization (ILO), and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These heads of agencies shall work with the FAO to draft guidelines on social responsibility in fisheries and value chains and shall support ILO research on forced labor in fishing.
(i) The Secretaries of State and the Treasury shall consider whether to seek funding from the Congress and donors for multi-donor trust funds or regional programs at multilateral development banks to combat IUU fishing.
(ii) The Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall, as appropriate, elevate the issue of IUU fishing at the UN Food Systems Summit.
(iii) The Attorney General and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall support the International Criminal Police Organization to combat conservation crimes, including those related to IUU fishing, and build capacity for fisheries managers and investigators.
(iv) The Secretaries of State and Labor, the USTR, and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall explore concrete efforts to collaborate with G7 members on addressing forced labor in fishing. The Secretary of State, the Administrator of NOAA, and other relevant agencies shall use the G7’s focus on addressing unsustainable fishing practices as outlined in the 2030 Nature Compact to increase attention to and pursue efforts to counter harmful fishing practices.
(b) The Administrator of NOAA, in coordination with the Secretaries of State and Labor, the Secretary of Homeland Security through the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and the USTR, shall engage with regional fisheries management organizations to encourage adoption of measures that identify and counter IUU fishing, including high seas boarding inspection schemes. Additionally, these heads of agencies shall collaborate on regional initiatives to address forced labor and other harmful practices in the seafood industry, which will include:
(i) The Administrator of NOAA and other relevant agencies shall promote transatlantic cooperation to counter the use of forced labor in seafood supply chains, including through the United States-European Union (EU) High-Level Dialogue on Fisheries.
(ii) The Secretaries of State and Defense shall collaborate with counterparts in the Quad (which is composed of Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) to design and facilitate the implementation of a multilateral initiative, the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness, to strengthen maritime domain awareness and maritime security in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands using advanced commercial satellite data. The Administrators of NOAA and USAID, the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, and the Intelligence Community shall support this endeavor as appropriate.
(iii) The Secretaries of State and Labor and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall collaborate with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to encourage the design of technical assistance programming to address forced labor in fishing, linking these efforts to the US-ASEAN Plan of Action.
(iv) The Secretary of State and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall collaborate with Pacific Island nations, including through the Pacific Islands Forum, to counter IUU fishing and related human trafficking, including forced labor.
(v) The Secretaries of State and Labor and the Administrator of NOAA shall explore opportunities for cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) to begin discussions on forced labor and other abusive practices in fishing, linking these efforts to the APEC Roadmap on Combatting IUU Fishing.
(vi) The Secretary of State, in collaboration with the Administrators of NOAA and USAID, shall elevate the issue of IUU fishing, including by distant water fishing vessels, and related harmful fishing practices, at any future Our Ocean Conferences and in meetings and working groups of the Organization of American States, APEC, the African Union, relevant African sub-regional bodies, and the Pacific Alliance.
(vii) The Administrator of USAID shall work to initiate partnerships with and support multilateral institutions such as the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center and the Coral Triangle Initiative to counter IUU fishing.
(viii) The Secretaries of State and Defense, in collaboration with the Administrator of NOAA, shall explore opportunities for cooperation between Atlantic Basin African maritime forces and the United States Africa Command to improve West African capacity to detect and counter IUU fishing.
(ix) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, in collaboration with the Secretaries of State and Commerce and the Administrator of NOAA, shall continue to pursue opportunities through the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel) to promote international collaboration to counter IUU fishing and integrate best practices into the National Sustainable Ocean Plans of each Ocean Panel country.
Sec. 4. Partner Engagement, Capacity, and Resilience. The United States benefits from an unparalleled ability to shape global discourse and convene stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector. The United States’ track record of conserving fisheries and combating forced labor enables it to lead by the power of example. The United States’ robust network of alliances and partnerships and its broad array of conservation, law enforcement, trade, economic, diplomatic, labor, and other authorities and programs can be used to generate innovative, cross-cutting, and powerful solutions. It is the policy of my Administration to harness these advantages to address the challenge of IUU fishing, including by distant water fishing vessels, and related harmful fishing practices, such as forced labor in the seafood supply chain.
(a) The United States has a strong track record of making environmental data, such as data produced by the U.S. Global Change Research Program and its participating agencies, freely available to partners and the general public. The Office of Science and Technology Policy shall support the interagency policy committee process in assessing the best-available evidence concerning fisheries-environment interactions. This may include, for example, identifying regions more likely to be at risk of harmful and unsustainable fishing practices due to climate change and its resulting threats to food security.
(b) The Secretaries of State and Defense and the Administrator of USAID shall work with partners to use all available tools to increase maritime domain awareness to combat IUU fishing, including increasing the use of vessel tracking systems, aerial surveillance, and radio frequency data, as well as utilizing emerging technologies such as advances in machine learning paired with synthetic aperture radar, as appropriate. The Administrator of USAID shall also continue to promote the use of communication technology to improve connectivity and safety for commercial fishing vessels and support ethical and sustainable fishing practices.
(c) The Administrator of USAID, in coordination with the Secretaries of State, Commerce, and Labor; the USTR; the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard; and the Administrator of NOAA, shall strengthen alliances with non-governmental organizations, think tanks, organized labor, academia, industry associations, and the business community to highlight and address IUU fishing and associated labor abuses, including forced labor, in the seafood sector, and to develop best practices for combating these abuses, promoting sustainable fisheries, rebuilding fish stocks, and empowering fisheries workers. These heads of agencies shall engage with fishers, fish processing workers, port workers, and relevant trade unions to seek input on the real-world impacts of IUU fishing and abusive labor practices. The Administrator of USAID and other relevant agencies shall use development and technical assistance programs, as appropriate, to address corruption in governance systems; support judicial reform and public financial management; and build journalist, trade union, and civil society capacity to raise awareness of IUU fishing.
(d) The Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretaries of the Treasury, Defense, and Homeland Security; the USTR; the Administrators of NOAA and USAID; the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard; the United States Mission to the European Union; and other heads of departments and agencies as appropriate, shall cooperate with the EU, Japan, other G7 members, and other partner countries, together or individually, to work to counter harmful fishing practices in West Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Indo-Pacific. These heads of departments and agencies shall:
(i) identify and, as appropriate, seek resources for technical skills training in littoral Africa, including ship inspections, ship maintenance, and oversight of maritime governance programs;
(ii) develop information-sharing networks and arrangements with partner countries to inform a maritime common operating picture to improve regional maritime domain awareness and combat IUU fishing in the South Atlantic, Oceania, Indo-Pacific, Eastern Pacific, and West Africa;
(iii) leverage opportunities to include IUU fishing provisions within existing and new bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements with partner nations, including in Latin America and the Caribbean and Africa; and
(iv) use all available intelligence capabilities to identify and enable, as appropriate, interdiction of vessels conducting or engaged in IUU fishing, particularly those that are operating within the exclusive economic zones of nations with which the United States has bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements.
(e) The Administrator of NOAA, in collaboration with the Secretary of State and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, shall encourage adoption of the Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and shall provide assistance, as appropriate, for its implementation, including training and capacity building, as directed by the Maritime SAFE Act. The Administrator of USAID shall strategically support interagency partners to strengthen Port State Measures programs in individual states.
(f) The Administrator of NOAA shall seek resources, as appropriate, to deploy fisheries enforcement representatives to posts to support regional efforts to counter IUU fishing and to build capacity for monitoring, control, and surveillance to combat IUU fishing and related harmful fishing practices, such as forced labor.
(i) The Administrator of NOAA, in collaboration with the Secretary of State and the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, shall work to improve maritime law enforcement coordination in partner countries to address IUU fishing, related abusive labor practices, and trade of protected marine species.
(ii) The Secretary of Defense shall use, as appropriate, Maritime Security Initiatives to enhance maritime detection capabilities of eligible countries within their exclusive economic zones, increase maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific and Africa, and develop a common operating picture for regional information sharing.
(g) The Secretary of State and the Administrators of NOAA and USAID shall endeavor to assist developing countries with the establishment and enforcement of marine protected areas to promote the conservation of fish species and sustainable coastal management.
(h) The Secretary of State, the Administrators of NOAA and USAID, and other relevant agencies shall engage with partners to promote legally caught fish and seafood supply chains that are free of forced labor as the preferred option and to highlight its benefits.
Sec. 5. Import Markets. The United States is the world’s single largest country market for seafood; more than 85 percent of the seafood Americans consume is imported. The United States has taken steps to limit the market for products derived from IUU fishing and forced labor, but additional action is required. It is the policy of my Administration to combat abuses and to strengthen incentives for ethical behavior in the global seafood industry, including by limiting the market for products derived from IUU fishing, forced labor, or other abusive labor practices. Agencies should seek opportunities to leverage the United States’ large seafood import market to advance these objectives and unify public messaging that condemns IUU fishing. Wherever possible, agencies should seek opportunities to coordinate international messaging that condemns IUU fishing with like-minded partners. The United States, the EU, and Japan together account for approximately 55 percent of the global seafood market, providing an opportunity to work with democratic market economies to develop more powerful signals to the global seafood market.
(a) By the end of 2022, the Administrator of NOAA shall initiate a rulemaking to expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to include additional species and species groups, as appropriate. NOAA shall continue to seek resources and technological tools to improve the effectiveness of SIMP and other efforts to address IUU fishing. NOAA shall pursue its ongoing efforts to conduct risk-based assessments of SIMP species and species groups and continuously expand coverage of the program, as appropriate, to meet the objectives of combating IUU fishing and seafood fraud most effectively.
(b) The Administrator of NOAA, the Commissioner of CBP, and other relevant agencies shall work to leverage existing and emerging technologies to detect IUU fishing and prevent or deter illegal seafood imports from entering U.S. markets.
(c) The Secretaries of State and Labor, the USTR, the Administrator of NOAA, the Commissioner of CBP, and other relevant agencies shall explore opportunities to use existing trade tools and authorities to counter forced labor in the seafood supply chain and IUU fishing generally, such as through the use, as appropriate, of countervailing duties, actions pursuant to section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2411), import declarations, certification under the Pelly Amendment to the Fishermen’s Protective Act of 1967 (22 U.S.C. 1978), and due diligence requirements. These heads of agencies shall work to develop new tools and authorities to address gaps and shall work with partners to take parallel actions.
(d) The Secretaries of State and Labor and the Administrator of NOAA shall work to build on existing dialogues and cooperation mechanisms with allies, partners, and international organizations to develop joint or complementary approaches to addressing forced labor in the global seafood industry.
(e) The Administrator of USAID shall convene leaders from industry, civil society, and government to develop recommendations for improving information flows that create meaningful deterrence, accountability, and remedies for illegality in labor and harvesting practices in wild fisheries.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
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STEM kits, gardening starters and fishing poles: The library's more than books! - Wareham Week
Looking to start a vegetable garden, or want to teach your child how to grow marigolds? How about looking through the stars with a telescope kit, or learning how to make a magnetic levitation train. Or maybe you’re just looking to go fishing, but don’t have a pole on you.
The Wareham Free Library offers all these options and more through some of its less traditional items available for residents to check out, children’s librarian Marcia Hickey explained.
Hickey went through the many kits and tools that residents can check out for themselves and their children from both the library’s main building and its Spinney branch at 259 Onset Ave.
The library has several STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) kits available for checkout, and a few gardening kits ready for residents too.
The STEM kits include: a Rocks and Minerals kit, a Human Body kit, a Dinosaurs/Fossils kit, an Anti-Gravity Mag-Lev and Electronics kit, a Telescope/Space kit and a Weather kit.
Each includes books, activities and tools for children and their parents to look through and discover, Hickey said.
Most recently, the library has worked with Mass Audubon to offer a new kit, “Beyond the Beaten Path: Exploring the Outdoors,” which includes binoculars and a magnifying glass, Hickey said.
Later this summer the library will have more kits on tap, she said, after the library obtained a grant from Nouria.
The most popular kit so far, she said, is the space one, which includes a telescope for use. The dinosaurs/fossils and human body kits are also oft-used.
Each STEM kit can be checked out for a two-week period, though the rock and minerals kit can be kept for up to a month, as it contains a rock tumbler that spins for about that long.
The library also offers gardening kits, both for adults and children, Hickey said, available for a two-week checkout from the main branch.
“(There’s) little tools for the little ones,” she said. “We just try to introduce the children to growing food.”
The gardening kits come with a bit of soil, egg cartons and seeds. The adult gardening kits come with vegetables and herbs, while the kid kits are filled with marigold and sunflower seeds, Hickey said.
For people more nautically minded, the libraries also offer fishing poles for checkout, both in adult and child sizes. They can be checked out for one week from either library location, Hickey said.
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Ask the Master Gardener: Are murder hornets found in Pennsylvania? - Reading Eagle
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The Penn State Extension of Berks County Master Gardeners will be featuring questions and answers to inquires received through their Garden Hotline.
Q: I’ve been seeing large bees/wasps. Are these the murder hornets that I’ve been hearing about?
A: No. The Asian giant hornets are not found in Pennsylvania yet. They have only been found in Washington state and British Columbia, Canada. What you have seen is the European hornet, which have been very active this year.
Both of these insects are large, as is the cicada killer wasp. Check out this website https://extension.psu.edu/european-hornet for comparison pictures of the differences between the insects. Continue to contact the PSU Extension office if you suspect that you found the Asian giant hornet.
Q: Why are there more or less acorns in some years?
A: There are several logical reasons for this phenomenon. Here are a few potential scenarios:
1. Environmental conditions, such as heavy spring rains, growing season, flood events, drought and unusually high/low temperatures, can cause poor acorn pollination, acorn crop abortion and complete acorn crop failures.
2. Early season frosts can severely damage oak flowers resulting in poor pollination success.
3. Some oak trees are genetically poor producers of acorns — absolutely nothing you can do.
4. Acorn production dramatically decreases when oaks reach a certain age and/or a certain diameter.
5. If your oak is in the red oak family, then you can typically expect heavier acorn crops every 3-5 years.
6. If your oak is in the white oak family, then you can typically expect heavier acorn crops every 4-7 years.
7. Pests or pathogens, confounded by weather-related phenomena, may also be responsible.
8. It is quite common for older oaks to work into a 2-year cycle, producing abundant crops of acorns one year, and next to nothing the following year, and continuing that pattern.
Penn State Master Gardeners with advanced diagnostic training staff the hotline, answering questions on lawn care, landscape plants, houseplants, fruit, vegetables and herbs, insect and disease issues and identification of unknown plants or insects. Advice is based on Integrated Pest Management strategies and environmentally-friendly approaches. For more information on these and other gardening-related topics, email the Garden Hotline at berksmg@psu.edu or call 610-378-1327.
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The Best Home Workout Equipment for Older Adults - Healthline
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process.Regardless of age, staying active is important for overall health.
After all, physical activity can help prevent health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. It can also improve sleep and reduce the risk of depression and anxiety (1, 2).
Regular exercise is particularly important for older adults, as reduced physical activity is a contributing factor in the loss of strength and stamina that comes with aging (3).
Plus, staying physically active as you age can help maintain your independence and reduce your risk of injury from falls (4, 5).
For adults 65 years of age or older, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends at least 2 days per week of strength training, plus one of the following cardio activities (5):
In order to meet these recommendations, it can be helpful to have gym equipment at home.
We researched the best workout equipment for older adults based on the following criteria:
Here are the 10 best home workout equipment items for older adults.
General price ranges with dollar signs ($–$$$) are indicated below. One dollar sign means the product is rather affordable, whereas four dollar signs indicate a higher cost.
Generally, prices range from $24.97–$3,399.99, though this may vary depending on where you shop.
Pricing guide
Biking is a great way to build lower body strength and get your heart rate up.
Indoor bikes are available in a range of styles, including upright and recumbent.
While upright bikes offer a more traditional exercise bike experience, recumbent styles help take some of the pressure off your joints and may be more comfortable if you experience limited mobility or joint pain.
Below are our picks for the best exercise bikes for older adults.
The JEKEE Recumbent Exercise Bike is ideal if getting on and off an upright bike is difficult or uncomfortable for you.
The bike has a large cushioned seat that’s adjustable and designed to help take some of the pressure off your back while riding. Meanwhile, the pedals feature adjustable straps to keep your feet secure throughout your workout.
Other notable features include eight levels of resistance, heart rate sensors on the handles, and an LCD console, which displays your time, distance, speed, heart rate, and calories burned.
While it doesn’t have a touch screen, the bike offers a device holder, allowing you to stream workout classes or TV shows using your own tablet or smartphone.
Additionally, the bike is relatively light and equipped with transport wheels, making it easy to move.
However, assembling it isn’t quite as easy, so you may want to consider paying for professional assembly.
Overall, reviews are positive, with many customers mentioning that the bike is affordable, comfortable, easy to get on and off of, and great for a low-impact workout.
On the other hand, some users are less than thrilled by the company’s customer service team. Reviewers also note that while the bike is advertised as suitable for varying heights, it may still be too big for shorter individuals.
The LANOS 2-in-1 Folding Exercise Bike provides the unique option of having both an upright and recumbent bike in one machine.
Because of this, the upright bike version includes a backrest, which is a bonus if you need the extra support.
What’s more, the bike can be folded and stored, making it suitable for smaller spaces. It’s also relatively light, allowing you to move it to another area in your home if needed.
With 10 levels of resistance, all fitness levels can enjoy a workout on this machine.
As with the JEKEE above, the LANOS 2-in-1 includes heart rate sensors on the handlebars, a device holder, and an LCD screen for monitoring your performance metrics, such as speed, distance, time, heart rate, and calories burned.
According to the company, no tools are required for assembly, and the whole process should only take about 30 minutes. User reviews back this claim, mentioning that setting up the bike is quick and simple.
Overall, customers are satisfied with their purchase, though some complain of a loud knocking sound when the machine is in use.
While the bike is affordable, it’s important to note that it only comes with a 90-day warranty.
Treadmills offer a convenient way to get in a cardio workout, especially when getting outside isn’t an option.
Depending on your fitness goals and ability, you can opt for a simple walking treadmill, or one with a few extra bells and whistles.
Keep in mind, running is considered a high-impact activity that may not be appropriate for all fitness levels.
Here are our top picks for the best treadmills for older adults.
The 3G Cardio Elite Runner Treadmill is a sturdy, heavy-duty option for more advanced walkers and runners.
It also includes a low deck height of 7.5 inches (19.1 cm), as well as an orthopedic belt, making it suitable for those with limited mobility as well.
Speeds reach up to 12 mph (19.3 kph), and the incline can be adjusted from 0–15%, providing plenty of training options for individuals of varying fitness levels.
The treadmill includes preprogrammed workouts, fitness tests to assess your progress, and an option to create your own workouts, though some user reviews mention that doing so is a bit tricky.
The digital display shows speed, time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate, which is taken from the pulse sensors built into the handlebars.
Overall, this treadmill is a well-built, versatile machine. However, it’s also expensive and doesn’t offer an integrated touch screen for streaming classes, which may be a downside for some.
Additionally, because it’s so big and heavy, it may be worth paying extra for professional assembly.
Overall, reviews are positive and some mention that the customer service is great. While the treadmill is expensive, most reviewers feel that it’s well worth the cost.
If you’re interested in a walking treadmill, this option from Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the best.
The machine features extensive, multi-grip rails, making it great if you have limited mobility or balance. Plus, it has a low deck height, making stepping on and off the treadmill easier.
The digital monitor displays calories, distance, time, and speed throughout your workout. However, unlike the treadmill listed above, this one doesn’t include heart rate sensors.
This treadmill also doesn’t allow for incline, so if you’re looking for a workout that includes hills, this isn’t the machine for you.
That being said, it’s a great option if you prefer walking over running. It may also be a good choice if you’re recovering from an injury, though it’s important to clear any activity with your doctor or physical therapist first.
Compared with the first treadmill on the list, this machine is much more affordable, smaller, and lighter. It even comes with transport wheels on the front so that you can move it if needed.
Just keep in mind that as the max speed is capped at 5 mph (8 kph), it can only be used for walking and light jogging.
Overall, user reviews are positive. However, some customers find it challenging to set up, so you may want to pay for expert assembly.
Ellipticals are another great way to get in an effective, low-impact cardio workout.
An elliptical machine works by standing on pedals and using a gliding motion to move your legs back and forth. Some also include moving handles to engage your upper body as well.
As a result, compared with a treadmill, an elliptical is a better option if you’re prone to knee injuries or have joint pain.
Below are our picks for the best ellipticals for older adults.
The Sole Fitness E35 Elliptical Machine has unique, oversized pedals that slope slightly inward, which, according to the company, helps reduce the strain on your ankles, knees, and hips.
While it doesn’t offer many of the high-tech features as other ellipticals, the E35 is built with a durable frame and includes programmed workouts for all fitness levels.
To keep you motivated while you sweat, you can listen to music or podcasts through the machine’s Bluetooth-enabled speakers or by plugging your device into the USB port.
The elliptical also features a tablet holder, cooling fans, heart rate sensors on the handlebars, and a chest strap for more accurate heart rate data.
Most user reviews are positive, with customers frequently mentioning the machine’s extensive warranty and sturdy, heavy-duty frame.
However, because of its size, the E35 may be difficult to assemble.
According to the website, professional assembly is temporarily unavailable, so you may want to enlist a friend to help you set it up.
Finally, while it isn’t cheap, Sole Fitness offers special financing options for qualified customers.
Designed specifically for people with joint issues or those recovering from hip or knee surgery, the Teeter FreeStep LT3 Recumbent Cross Trainer combines the support of a recumbent bike with the movement of an elliptical.
For optimal comfort, the seat is adjustable and offers three reclining positions, while the handlebars are also adjustable to accommodate users of varying heights.
Another unique feature is the movement pattern of the pedals.
Rather than a circular or long gliding motion, the pedals move more vertically, similar to a stepper machine.
As a result, the FreeStep helps prevent your knees from traveling over your toes and keeps your hips stable, making the movement more comfortable if you have joint pain or limited mobility.
The trainer also includes three levels of resistance, a tablet holder, and a small digital display for monitoring your time, distance, speed, and calories burned.
However, there are a few potential downsides to consider, including difficult assembly and a high price tag.
With that said, special financing options are available, and the elliptical is eligible to be paid for using a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA).
Strength training offers many benefits for adults of all ages, but it’s particularly important for maintaining muscle mass and supporting everyday activities, like carrying groceries.
The CDC recommends getting at least 2 days of strength training in per week. Below are two great options for helping you reach this recommendation (5).
Adjustable dumbbells are great if you’re short on space, as they offer multiple sets of weights in one compact device.
The Bowflex SelectTech 552 is a particularly good option, as it replaces 15 pairs of weights and allows you to easily adjust the weight using a simple dial mechanism.
The dumbbells include weight loads ranging from 5 pounds (2.3 kg) up to 52.5 pounds (23.8 kg), which allows you to progress in weight without needing to purchase a new set of dumbbells.
While the SelectTech 552 may seem expensive, it’s relatively affordable if you consider purchasing 15 pairs of dumbbells separately.
Despite its convenience, this adjustable dumbbell set is bulkier than traditional dumbbells and may be a bit awkward to hold during certain exercises.
Still, the reviews are overall positive, with customers noting how easy the dumbbells are to use.
Depending on your range of motion, you may want to consider purchasing an elevated dumbbell rack to avoiding having to bend down to pick them up.
Additionally, you may also want to purchase an exercise mat or weight bench to allow for greater variety in your workout.
Resistance bands are a great alternative to free weights, as they take up less space and are easy to transport.
While there are several types of resistance bands to choose from, this set from Whatafit is one of the best for strength training.
The whole set weighs just over 2 pounds (1 kg), but can still provide just as much, or more, resistance as free weights.
This set includes 5 bands, with 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 pound (4.5, 9.1, 13.6, 18.1, 22.7 kg) resistance equivalents. You can also stack multiple bands to have up to 150 pounds (68 kg) of resistance.
In addition to the bands, your purchase comes with the following accessories:
Overall, reviews are positive, and individuals appreciate the affordability and versatility of these bands. While the set is relatively affordable, it doesn’t come with a warranty or guarantee.
Balance and mobility become increasingly important as we age. Research has shown that in addition to cardio and strength training, balance exercises help reduce the risk of falls and improve mobility in older adults (6).
Here are our picks of the best home equipment for balance and stability workouts.
A yoga mat is a great addition to any home gym, as it can be used for a variety of workouts, such as yoga, strength training, Pilates, and stretching.
At 6 mm, this particular mat is extra thick, making it more comfortable than other mats, especially on hard surfaces.
Additionally, the nonslip texture makes it easier to stay steady in yoga poses, though some users complain that it gets slick during sweaty workouts.
According to other reviews, washing the mat before the first use helps remove the slip, and if you still have trouble, you can always purchase a yoga towel for extra grip.
The Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat is available in a variety of colors and prints to suit your style. Plus, the company offers an extra-long version for taller individuals.
As a bonus, a free, downloadable yoga workout comes with the purchase of this mat.
Overall, the Gaiam Premium Yoga Mat is affordable and comfortable, making it a great pick for any type of floor exercise.
A Bosu ball is similar to an exercise ball, but with a flat surface on one side for added stability.
As a result, it’s super helpful to have on hand for balance exercises.
The Bosu ball can be used for a variety of balance and strength exercises, including bird dogs, pushups, and crunches.
Your purchase also includes a downloadable manual with instructions and sample workouts.
The Bosu Balance Trainer is available in a variety of colors and has mostly positive reviews online, though some users complain that it loses air and needs to be pumped up again more frequently than they would like.
A pump is also included in the box to make it easy to reinflate as needed.
When purchasing home exercise equipment, there are several factors to consider, including your workout goals, available space, and desired budget.
When shopping for workout gear, it’s important to think about the kinds of exercises that you enjoy, as well as the type of equipment that best fits your fitness and mobility level.
When shopping for a cardio machine, a few factors to consider include whether you want to be upright, as in walking or jogging on a treadmill, or if you prefer a seated experience, such as a bike or recumbent elliptical.
Meanwhile, for strength training, resistance bands and dumbbells are great options for building and maintaining muscle mass.
While resistance bands are lighter and often provide the same level of resistance as dumbbells, some exercises are easier to perform with free weights.
Finally, for balance and stability workouts, Bosu balls and yoga mats are both great options. Plus, they’re relatively affordable and can be used for strength training and cardio exercises, too.
As some gym equipment takes up more space than others, you’ll want to measure your desired workout areas to ensure that your purchase fits.
If space is limited, a yoga mat is a great option, as it supports a wide variety of strength, balance, and cardio workouts. You may also want to consider a folding cardio machine, like the LANOS 2-in-1 Folding Exercise Bike.
Of course, you’ll also want to decide how much you’re willing to spend on exercise equipment.
While some people prefer the high-tech features of more expensive cardio machines, it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t need to buy expensive equipment to stay in shape.
In fact, it’s possible to get an effective workout in using just your body weight.
Staying active as you age can help prevent certain health conditions, reduce your risk of falls, and maintain your independence.
As they each offer their own benefits, be sure to include cardio, strength training, and balance exercises in your weekly routine.
With seemingly endless options of equipment available for home workouts, how you choose to stay active is up to you. However, it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare professional before incorporating anything new into your routine.
Last medically reviewed on September 23, 2021
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