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Immune globulin (human) by Grifols for Tachycardia (Tachyarrhythmias): Likelihood of ApprovalAs the Vancouver Canucks head out short-handed on a big six-game road trip — an away stint that’s increasingly feeling like a potentially pivotal stretch in the season — how are fans feeling? The Canucks are still missing a couple stars. J.T. Miller isn’t expected to play until after this road trip. But there’s some hope on the horizon. Brock Boeser will hopefully make his return next week. Thatcher Demko continues to skate with his teammates and appears close to a return, although not necessarily imminent. He was notably upbeat in speaking to reporters before the road trip, not saying there’s a target for a return date, but still making it clear he is hoping it’s soon. So how do fans think this road trip will go? Not expecting to win many games, but do they show up every night? Might get a big boost if Boeser returns. But this team is not a contender with their current defence. — Jordan Spinks via Bluesky The showing-up part is something that is baffling head coach Rick Tocchet to a degree. Most of the roster is back from last year, but they’re still struggling for consistency. Whereas last year’s team was relentless in how they applied pressure on the opposition, this year’s lineup hasn’t always done so. The way the likes of Kiefer Sherwood, Nils Hoglander and Conor Garland forecheck stand out in a way that shouldn’t. You know they’re going to get in on the puck. But we should be thinking like this about every player on the team. Newer players like Danton Heinen and Jake DeBrusk are still works in progress in this regard. U.S. Thanksgiving (usually) doesn’t have much movement in playoff standings. Important trip, but still have big concerns on the way team is playing. Commitment and buy-in feels nothing like last year. — Aaren T. via Bluesky Year in, year out, there’s eternal truth about the NHL standings at American Thanksgiving — three-quarters of the teams that are in playoff positions at the end of November will go on to make the playoffs. American Thanksgiving is Thursday. The Canucks are currently in a playoff spot, but only just. They have work to do. This road trip is going to be very important for their prospects this season, both in the literal standings, but also in the team’s self-image. They do need to commit more, to buy-in more, to what they’re doing. That’s plain to see. It’s a big test for the leaders on the team. It will end with a pretty decent trade. — Anthony Riglietti via Bluesky There’s little doubt the Canucks are on the hunt for a defenceman. But are they in a rush? No. They know they need another defenceman who can move the puck. They also have faith in the prospects they have in the long run. But in the interim, with this team being close to a proper contender, they do need to upgrade. Last year, they made the Nikita Zadorov trade at the end of November. There was something of a necessity then: Carson Soucy was hurt. Right now, there’s no injury, just a roster that’s creaking due to its own construction. Will adding a new defenceman now pay immediate dividends and lead to more wins? In the long run, certainly. In the short run, probably not. The moral here is that the Canucks are surely going to make a trade, but their past process has shown that they don’t leap before they have to. I’m feeling really optimistic, expectations are much lower than I think they normally would be, and we always seem to do much better when the expectations are lowered! — Geordie Canuck via Bluesky The eternal vibe of the Canucks fan is: Don’t expect things to go right, and hey, maybe you’ll be surprised. This isn’t really what a fan wants. They want that 2011 feeling, or even last season’s feeling, where they just think the team is going to win every night. Right now, that’s not the vibe. The vibe seems to be anxiety. People are already feeling enough anxiety about the world at large, about their finances, about everything. Canucks, these fans want you to get back to where you need to be. pjohnston@postmedia.com
AI warfare may conjure images of killer robots and autonomous drones, but a different reality is unfolding in the Gaza Strip. There, artificial intelligence has been suggesting targets in Israel’s retaliatory campaign to root out Hamas following the group’s Oct. 7, 2023 attack. A program known as “The Gospel” generates suggestions for buildings and structures militants may be operating in. “Lavender” is programmed to identify suspected members of Hamas and other armed groups for assassination, from commanders all the way down to foot soldiers. “Where’s Daddy?” follows their movements by tracking their phones in order to target them—often to their homes, where their presence is regarded as confirmation of their identity. The air strike that follows might kill everyone in the target's family, if not everyone in the apartment building. These programs, which the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has acknowledged developing, may help explain the pace of the most devastating bombardment campaign of the 21st century, in which more than 44,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry, whose count is regarded as reliable by the U.S. and U.N. In earlier Gaza wars, Israeli military veterans say airstrikes occurred at a much slower tempo. “During the period in which I served in the target room [between 2010 and 2015], you needed a team of around 20 intelligence officers to work for around 250 days to gather something between 200 to 250 targets,” Tal Mimran, a lecturer at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and a former legal adviser in the IDF, tells TIME. “Today, the AI will do that in a week.” Experts on the laws of war, already alarmed by the emergence of AI in military settings, say they are concerned that its use in Gaza, as well as , may be establishing dangerous new norms that could become permanent if not challenged. The treaties that govern armed conflict are non-specific when it comes to the tools used to deliver military effect. The elements of international law covering war—on proportionality, precautions, and distinctions between civilians and combatant—apply whether the weapon being used is a crossbow or a tank—or an AI-powered database. But some advocates, including the International Committee of the Red Cross, , noting the crucial need to ensure human control and accountability as AI weapons systems become more advanced. “The pace of technology is far outstripping the pace of policy development,” says , the executive vice president at the Center for a New American Security and the author of . “It’s quite likely that the types of AI systems that we’ve seen to date are pretty modest, actually, compared to ones that are likely to come in the near future.” The AI systems the IDF uses in Gaza were first detailed a year ago on the Israeli online news outlet , which shared its reporting with . Yuval Abraham, the Israeli journalist and filmmaker behind the investigation, tells TIME he believes the decision to “bomb private houses in a systemic way” is “the number one factor for the civilian casualties in Gaza.” That decision was made by humans, he emphasizes, but he says AI targeting programs enabled the IDF “to take this extremely deadly practice and then multiply it by a very large scale.” Abraham, whose report relies on conversations with six Israeli intelligence officers with first-hand experience in Gaza operations after Oct. 7, quoted targeting officers as saying they found themselves deferring to the Lavender program, despite knowing that it produces incorrect targeting suggestions in roughly 10% of cases. One intelligence officer tasked with authorizing a strike recalled dedicating roughly 20 seconds to personally confirming a target, which could amount to verifying that the individual in question was male. The Israeli military, in responding to the report, said that its use of AI is misunderstood, saying in a that Gospel and Lavender merely “help intelligence analysts review and analyze existing information. They do not constitute the sole basis for determining targets eligible to attack, and they do not autonomously select targets for attack.” At a conference in Jerusalem in May, one senior military official sought to minimize the importance of the tools, which he likened to “glorified Excel sheets,” Mimran and another person in attendance told TIME. The IDF did not specifically dispute Abraham’s reporting about Lavender’s 10% error rate, or that an analyst might spend as little as 20 seconds analyzing the targets, but in a statement to TIME, a spokesperson said that analysts “verify that the identified targets meet the relevant definitions in accordance with international law and additional restrictions stipulated in the IDF directives.” Converting data into target lists is not incompatible with the laws of war. Indeed, a scholar at West Point, assessing the Israeli programs, that more information could make for greater accuracy. By , that may have been the case the last time Israel went to war in Gaza, in 2021. That brief conflict apparently marked the first time the IDF used artificial intelligence in a war, and afterward, the then-head of UNRWA, the U.N. agency that provides health, education, and advocacy for Palestinians, on “a huge sophistication in the way the Israeli military struck over the last 11 days.” But the 2021 round of combat, which produced 232 Palestinian deaths, was a different kind of war. It was fought under Israeli rules of engagement ostensibly intended to minimize civilian casualties, including by "knocking on the door"—dropping a small charge on the rooftop of a building to warn occupants that it was about to be destroyed, and should evacuate. In the current war, launched more than 14 months ago to retaliate for the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust, Israeli leaders shut off water and power to all of Gaza, launched 6,000 airstrikes in the space of , and suspended some measures intended to limit civilian casualties. "This time we are not going to " " and ask them to evacuate the homes," former Israeli military intelligence chief Amos Yadlin five days after Oct. 7, warning that that the weeks ahead would be "very bloody" in Gaza. "We are going to attack every Hamas operative and especially the leaders and make sure that they will think twice before they will even think about attacking Israel." Abraham reported that targeting officers were told it was acceptable to kill 15 to 20 noncombatants in order to kill a Hamas soldier (the number in previous conflicts, he reports, was zero), and as many as 100 civilians to kill a commander. The IDF did not comment on those figures. Experts warn that, with AI generating targets, the death toll may climb even higher. They cite “automation bias”—the presumption that information provided by AI is accurate and reliable unless proven otherwise, rather than the other way around. Abraham says his sources reported times they made just that assumption. “Yes there is a human in the loop,” says Abraham, “but if it’s coming at a late stage after decisions have been made by AI and if it is serving as a formal rubber stamp, then it’s not effective supervision.” Former IDF chief offered a similar observation in an with the Israeli news site Ynet six months before Oct. 7. “The concern,” he said, speaking of AI broadly, “is not that robots will take control over us, but that artificial intelligence will supplant us, without us even realizing that it is controlling our minds.” Adil Haque, the executive editor of the national security law blog Just Security and the author of , described the tension at play. “The psychological dynamic here pushes against the legal standard,” he says. “Legally, the presumption is that you can’t attack any person unless you have very strong evidence that they’re a lawful target. But psychologically, the effect of some of these systems can be to make you think that this individual is a lawful target, unless there’s some very obvious indication that you make independently that they are not.” Israel is far from the only country using artificial intelligence in its military. Scores of defense tech companies operate in Ukraine, where the software developed by the Silicon Valley firm Palantir Technologies “is responsible for most of the targeting” against Russia, its CEO TIME in 2023, describing programs that present commanders with targeting options compiled from satellites, drones, open-source data, and battlefield reports. As with Israel, experts that Ukraine’s use of AI is in a “predominantly supportive and informational role,” and that the kinds of technology being trialed, from AI-powered artillery systems to AI-guided drones, are not yet fully autonomous. But concerns abound about potential misuse, particularly on issues related to accuracy and privacy. Anna Mysyshyn, an AI policy expert and director of the Institute of Innovative Governance, an NGO and watchdog of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, tells TIME that while “dual-use technologies” such as the facial-recognition system Clearview AI play an important role in Ukraine’s defense, concerns remain about their use beyond the war. “We’re talking about ... how to balance between using technologies that have advantages on the battlefield [with] protecting human rights,” she says, noting that “regulation of these technologies is complicated by the need to balance military necessity with civilian protection.” With fighting largely confined to battlefields, where both Russian and Ukrainian forces are dug in, the issues that animate the debate in Gaza have not been in the foreground. But any country with an advanced military—including the U.S.—is likely to soon confront the issues that come with machine learning. “Congress needs to be prepared to put guardrails on AI technologies—especially those that put international humanitarian law in question and threaten civilians,” Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont said in a statement to TIME. In September, he and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging the State Department to “proactively and publicly engage in setting international norms about the ethical deployment of AI technology.” Welch has also since put forward his proposed Artificial Intelligence Weapons Accountability and Risk Evaluation (AWARE) Act, which if passed would require the Defense Department to catalog domestic deployments of AI systems, the risks associated with them, and any foreign sharing or exportation of these technologies. “A more comprehensive and public approach is necessary to address the risk of AI weapons and maintain America’s leadership in ethical technology development,” Welch says, “as well as establish international norms in this critical space.” It may seem unlikely that any government would find an incentive to introduce restrictions that also curtail its own military’s advancements in the process. “We’ve done it before,” counters Alexi Drew, a Technology Policy Adviser at the ICRC, pointing to treaties on disarmament, cluster munitions, and landmines. “Of course, it’s a very complex challenge to achieve, but it’s not impossible.”U.S. Contemplates Ban on TP-Link Routers Amid Security Fears
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As we near the end of November, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The time is ticking and if you haven’t started your Christmas shopping list, we are here to help you. While have rounded up some of the best beauty advent calendars you can get right now to surprise someone with a daily treat in the lead up to December 25, for your fitness fanatic friend (or yourself), luxe activewear and self-care items are the ultimate gift. Whether it’s a pair of leggings to help them kickstart - or continue - their love affair with the gym or a wellness journal to help keep their mind clear, or a massage gun as an investment buy, there’s always a fit for every budget. From gifts that are perfect stocking fillers to dream pressies, we have rounded up just a few fitness and wellness gifts your other half, best friend, mum, dad will love - especially with a myriad of Black Friday deals in our midst. READ MORE: From Taylor Swift to sparkling crystals - three last minute advent calendars you can still snap up today READ MORE: Shoppers hail £24 serum for 'keeping my face smooth' after 20% discount Coming from two people passionate about health and fitness, we have tried and tested a number of these items and know full well that they're pretty epic pressie. With that in mind, take a peek at our festive fitness and wellbeing recommendations this Christmas. Lululemon Align High-Rise Pant 28” , £88 - it’s a classic and a bestseller and there’s a reason why - the buttery soft Nuu fabric is so weightless that it doesn’t roll down the waist and the clever stitching at the gusset avoids the embarrassing ‘camel-toe’ situation. It’s designed for yoga but many have also worn it as a base layer for extra cold weather, the leggings don’t bulk up and there’s no way that people can tell you’re wearing two pants. Some might complain about they have "way too much fabric gathered at the bottom" but the Align leggings are available in other lengths - 23”, 25”, 28” and 31”. Other than the classics, their Christmas collection includes a cosy, snuggly Wunder Puff Cropped Jacket (£228) in cream-coloured textured fleece that is a dream outerwear for wintry weather. The cinchable hem and close-fitting interior cuffs trap the heat and block out the cold while the 550-fill-power goose down insulates for high-warmth for all occasions. There's no need to wear thick sweater and a thin top like the Swiftly Tech Long-Sleeve Shirt , £68, will do because the jacket is described by shoppers as "it's like wearing a cloud". For gents, a trustworthy mid layer like the Smooth Space Quarter Zip , £118, is smart enough to wear as an easy Friday office uniform or an casual weekend look. Both Nomad Beige and Black are great colours for this season. The material is soft and kind to skin and even if you sweat a bit, the modal-blend fabric dries any patches quickly. Theragun Massage guns are helpful in relaxing tensions in muscles whether you are to wind down from a workout or to de-stress and reduce soreness from daily chores. Therabody's Theragun caters to beginners as well as professional athletes. If you are not how active your giftee is, the Theragun Relief would be the best option as it's made for everyday massage for everybody. With Black Friday discounts, the Theragun Relief is now reduced from £125 to £99 . The distinctive triangle grip makes it easier to reach different parts of body compared to other brands and you can choose between three massage speeds with LED indicators. Writer Tiffany used it to soothe neck and shoulder tension and she said: "The wider Dampener attachment hits a broader area when I want a quick few-minutes treatment. The one-button control is easy to use: short press to change speeds and long press to turn on or off." For professionals, you can grab Theragun Pro at discount too, it's now down from ££499 to £399. The device has been fully redesigned with visually-guided, built-in routines and a quieter motors. Fabletics active wear Going to the gym and working up a sweat is a helluva lot easier when your outfit is both supportive and stylish. It'll leave you feeling fabulous and thus ready for a hefty workout - while looking cute. Even better if your active wear matches. And one set I'm simply obsessed with since getting is the Fabletics Oasis Twist Medium Impact Sports Bra , £59, and matching 7/8 length leggings, £64 in the colour Merlot (a deep burgundy red). With a fashion forward approach, you can count of Fabletics to deliver an active-wear set that is both functional and pretty. The medium support bra features a lovely twist detail at the front that makes it look bikini-esque at first glance. Offering ample support for small and larger chest-sizes, the bra is flattering and can handle most activities from pilates to spin. I will say, while the bra (which has removable cups) gently lifts, shapes and holds you in place gracefully, I wouldn't do a high energy HIIT workout because it personally didn't provide me with enough support (it is medium, so I'll give it that). Had I the ability to tighten the criss-cross straps at the back, maybe it could have. For that I'd probably reach for the Faye high impact sports bra. But on a whole this sports bra not only makes me feel confident but I know that I'm not going to have any embarrassing wardrobe mishaps mid-workout. The leggings, however, can handle anything. The Define PowerHold High-Waisted 7/8 Leggings have a thick waistband that smooths, flattens and hugs your waist and stomach in - super flattering. The material is thick so you can squat without fear of your knickers being on show and the material is buttery soft. Perhaps the most important detail is that they can withstand any activity with no rolling down in sight. Costing £64, they're ideal for runners, gym bunnies and Pilates queens and even athleisure-wear brunch enthusiasts who just love a good legging. If you want to stay cosy at home, their Oasis PureLuxe High-Waisted Pocketed Kick Flare Leggings are absolutely the most comfortable ones to wear for all-day lounging. The £84 a pair comes with external pockets, which are perfect for phone and earbuds. The V-neck sweatshirt , £84, is a dreamy top to compliment the leggings, the fleece lining with added sweat-wicking and anti-odour tech that you'll never want to take it off. The front is slightly cropped with a drape at the back, which gives more movement. BetterMe Pilates ring equipment When you feel like you've mastered the standard floor mat Pilates, your next challenge is incorporation toning equipment to test your fitness and core strength even further and one brand whose Pilates gear is not on top quality and pretty too is BetterMe. While you can get yourself a cute new pink mat for £54 here , fire up those biceps, triceps, glutes and core with a toning ring (£51). Coming in four different colours, this ring helps target and tone muscles as it can add resistance without the need for additional weights. If you want to challenge yourself further, add some weight to your Pilates flow with the brand's adjustable weight bands which have a weight of 1lb and can be attached to your wrists or ankles to spice up any workout. Easy to wear and travel friendly, they're great for if you're wanting to go a quick workout on the go, or simple tone up while sitting at your desk. Take a look at the brand's equipment here. Gymshark leggings It's always a good feeling wearing a new kit, not does it make you look stylish, it also improves your performance. As runners' favourite, Gymshark's compression leggings are known for quality at an affordable price. The Vital Seamless Leggings moulds your physique while 'decorative' yet actually breathable mesh dots pattern keep you cool, also not to mention the subtle shading contours that give off an illusion of a butt lift. Priced at £45, shoppers can choose from 11 colours including timeless classics and seasonal bright hues. For mens, their Apex Seamless Shirt , £38, is a distraction-free workout top that gives a second skin feel. As compression clothes raises temperature in a runner's muscles, it also helps with better blood flow and you are less likely to spasm and strain. Columbia hiking jacket Living in the UK, you'll know that one necessity - especially if you enjoy the odd hike every now and again - is a water proof jacket, such as this Inner Limits III Waterproof Jacket from Columbia , currently on sale for £80. A jacket that is described as being able to 'do it all', it can seemingly protect you from the rain and wind and is ideal for walks up a mountain or on a mental health walk around the block to release tension and stress. Fitted with Omni-technology to keep the water out, the coat - which comes in an array of colours, my our favourite is the 'Juicy, Spice' orange and burgundy - features an adjustable storm hood, interior security pocket - for all your precious belongings - zippered hand pockets, adjustable cuffs and a draw cord at the hem. For men, the new Landroamer Hooded Puffer Jacket, £210 , is a thick jacket in urban lifestyle but with zippered dual-entry hand pockets and also a handy D-ring to keep essentials close while on the move. It's available in three colours (white, black and khaki) and sizes between small and extra-extra large. TRINIDa Sleep Candles Getting a good night's sleep is one of the best things you can do for your mental wellbeing and energy levels. But switching off a busy brain at night doesn't always come easy. There are a handful of tools out there you can use to help create a safe and tranquil setting in which to drift off from sunset clocks and meditation apps to lotions. One which I received last year as a present that helped transform my night time routine wa s a set of candles filled with essential oils which you can light when you're getting ready for bed to promote a calm setting, reduce anxiety and help you get a good sleep. The TRINIDa Sleep Candles cost £11.99 on Amazon and have been 'professionally curated to help to relax and prepare for good night sleep and fresh awake'. Containing the likes of lavender, geranium and patchouli for one and lavendar, chamomile and ylang ylang for the other, the two candles - which focus on generating a good sleep and deep sleep - will help relax the mind and body and aid in creating a setting which can give you the best night's sleep you've had in a long while. Of course, it goes without saying that you must blow them out before you actually fall asleep, but the essential oils will remain lingering in the air as you slumber. Papier's wellness journal The wellness industry has boomed in the last few years, with journaling become more and more popular. And while some may see it as a trend, the power that writing your thoughts, worries, feelings, hopes, desires and more on paper for you to see, is stellar. Stationary brand Papier offers an array of different journals, tailored to what you may be needing. From gratitude to wellness to sleep, the pages inside this aesthetically pleasing (you can pick which colour you want it in and can even personalise it with your name) allow you to indulge in a big old brain dump, release you of tension, worries and more. As described on the website, the brand's Wellness Journal helps you 'Make time for yourself' and is to be used as follows: "Start and end each day with a fresh mindset, set intentions and take note of the things that make you feel good. Inside, there are 12-weeks of pages for reflecting on your mindful goals, habits, meals, water intake, sleep and the things you’re grateful for." As well as spaces for you to write, the journal includes useful articles written by wellness experts as well as a weekly and monthly check-in taking into consideration six wellness pillars Get yours here. New Balance Running trainers For the runners in your life, a new pair of trainers in which they can jog, sprint and embark on a marathon is always going to be a good pressie. And one brand that does comfortable trainers extremely well is New Balance , whose Fresh Foam x 860V14 shoes have been praised for being highly reliable as well as long lasting - as one happy runner shared: "Perfect Fit! I’ve worn the NB 860 model for the past 20+ years for 1/2 marathons and as nursing shoes . I’ve never been disappointed." They even commented: "Highly recommend for over-pronation." Alongside a lovely and bright orange and blue design, the Fresh Foam X 860v14 combines innovative, performance enhancing Stability Plane technology with underfoot cushioning for maximum comfort and support. Get them here. While they're a little bit more of an expensive gift at £140, they're an investment your giftee will be forever grateful for. Yogi Bare yoga mat and equipment If you practice yoga on a daily basis or want to get into the full body and soul experience, having a good quality (eco-friendly is a plus) yoga mat that lasts is always going to help you jump out of bed in the morning for a physical and mental stretch. And the brand Yogi Bare, whose products focus on helping you get the best out of your yoga practice, is an incredible place to stock up on the equipment needed. Its mats - many of which sell out rapidly - are designed with comfort, stability as well as aesthetic in mind (ie, they're both pretty and functional). Made from natural rubber, the surface has professional grade grip to ensure you don't slip and slide around, while the Ever Grip Paws mats have a thickness of 4mm for maximum comfort. Designed for 'practicality', the mats have an anti-sweat stain surface too, so the design (regardless of how maximalist or minimal it is) won't be ruined. As someone who has two of these mats (in a limited edition Teddy Mat pink cloud design and its tropical leaf iteration ), I can attest the quality is unreal. Regardless of how sweaty you get during your yoga, pilates or even HIIT workout on the mat, the grip is strong - the sweatier you get, the more grip you'll have. It's magic. I even take them on holiday with me as they're lightweight and easy to pack. While many of its mat designs can be found on Healf available for pre-order here (after selling out), the brand's Liverpool FC edition is available on Amazon for £89 here. You can push your flexibility and progress further with the brand's stunning cosmic Yoga Wheel here for £26.49 , or indulge in some acupuncture with the brand's acupressure pillow to alleviate stress, tension and discomfort. Get it here for £23.49. Take a look at Yogi Bare's yoga offerings here. Fitness watch Nobody's want a watch that simply tells the time these days - unless you've got a nice event to go to, of course. But with so many smart watches on the market at the moment, if you're a bit of a fitness fanatic, you'll want one which can - at least - help monitor your activity, steps, heart-rate, blood oxygen, stress, calories, sleep and even your menstrual cycle. Lucky for you, FITBIT's Versa 4 Smart Watch - Pink Sand & Copper Rose is currently on sale at Curry's for £129 from £179 and covers all those bases. Compatible with both iOS and Android, the battery life is six whole days (with an extra day added on within just twelve minutes). Plus, it's water resistant and can even track when you go swimming - how clever. It can also be used as a smart-watch, with the ability to receive calls and messages and even access your smart-wallet. One point of contention for some shoppers, however, was that the strap was a tad uncomfortable, with one shopper stating: "The strap it comes with is very uncomfortable. Had to buy a different strap." Another said it was: More of a fitness tracker than a smart watch. Spot on for what it can do. Has all the functions I require form a fitness watch." Get it here. If you want more of a smart-watch fitness-tracker hybrid, you can't go wrong with an Apple Watch - see the latest model here , or if you don't mind an older model, you can bag yourself the Apple Watch SE on Argos for £209. REEBOK While we are going head over heels with sweat-wicking tops and stretchy leggings, let's not forget the layer we wear closest to skin. Activewear brand Reebok's Suki Bonded Briefs , which comes in a pack of three for £26, are perfect to match with your buttery soft leggings. The seamless design provide ultimate comfort without showing the panty lines and the moisture-wicking technology keep you dry throughout the workout. You can also get the Amina Bonded Bralette , £24, to wear as a set. It's designed for everyday wear as well as low impact fitness - they are made from soft, stretchy materials that maintain their shape even after multiple washes. Mind Cards On the days you don't feel like to get your body moving, mind cards can be helpful with stress relief and boost emotional wellbeing. LSW London's mind cards collection, £14.99 for a set of 45 cards, include different themes like New Mum Edition and The Affirmations to cultivate a positive mindset. They are short phrases to encourage gratitude, self-care and reflection, which are a powerful tool for creating calm, balance, and positivity in everyday life. Whether you're seeking personal growth, relaxation, or emotional support, LSW Mind Cards make self-care easy and achievable.
Eaton Corp. PLC stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitors despite daily gainsA screenshot of the the viral video of ministry staff singing Christmas songs. — Screengrab via TikTok/Nga Kor Ming Official KUCHING (Dec 29): The Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) has deemed it ‘deeply troubling’ for an Islamic political party to criticise the recent Christmas celebration, hosted by the Housing and Local Government Ministry. The youth-led political party deemed such remarks by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS) as more than just an act of disagreement, as they were also seen as direct attacks on the essence of Malaysia’s identity as a harmonious, multi-racial and multi-religious nation. “Ours is a country founded on mutual respect and understanding, where the diversity of our people is not a weakness but a profound strength,” said Muda in a statement yesterday. “To question the celebration of Christmas or any other cultural or religious festivity is to undermine the values that have held Malaysians together for decades. “It is an attempt to sow division and distrust, and it risks eroding the delicate social fabric that binds us as Malaysians. “Festivals like Christmas, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Chinese New Year are not merely traditions, but are opportunities to build bridges between communities. “They remind us of our shared humanity and create a sense of belonging for all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion, and those who criticise such celebrations fail to see the bigger picture.” Muda further pointed out that inclusivity was ‘not a luxury, but a necessity in a diverse nation like Malaysia’. “Rejecting these moments of shared joy is not only divisive, but also a betrayal of the ideals upon which Malaysia was built. “For leaders who question these celebrations, one must ask what kind of Malaysia that they envision. “A nation fractured by distrust and suspicion? How can leaders who dismiss acts of inclusivity claim to represent the interests of a multiracial country?” it argued, adding that such rhetoric risks would only create divisions and harm the future of our nation. “Let us be clear. Rhetoric that pits Malaysians against each other based on race or religion has no place in our society. Muda stressed that it was high time for Malaysians to stand against such divisive narratives by rejecting any attempt to stoke fear or hatred in the name of politics. It said Malaysians must look beyond the narrow politics of division and work toward a Malaysia that celebrates its people in all their diversity. “This is not just about Christmas; it is about the Malaysia we want to build – a nation where unity triumphs over division, where respect is the norm, not the exception. “Let us remind ourselves that Malaysia’s true strength lies in its ability to embrace all its people, not just some. “This is the vision we must defend, and this is the Malaysia we must fight for,” it added.
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Washington: Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO – although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger, according to a new poll. In the survey from NORC at the University of Chicago, about eight in 10 US adults said the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the December 4 shooting of Brian Thompson . Luigi Mangione, centre, is escorted from Manhattan Criminal Court after his arraignment where he pleaded not guilty to state murder and terror charges in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Credit: AP Despite that, some have cast Luigi Mangione – the 26-year-old suspect charged with Thompson’s murder – as a heroic figure in the aftermath of his arrest, which gave rise to an outpouring of grievances about insurance companies. Police say the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were scrawled on the ammunition investigators found at the scene, echoing a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. UnitedHealthcare has said Mangione was not a client. About seven in 10 adults said denials for health care coverage by insurance companies, or the profits made by health insurance companies, also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Younger Americans were particularly likely to see the murder as the result of a confluence of forces rather than just one person’s action. Most Americans get health coverage through their job or by purchasing individual policies. Separate government-funded programs provide coverage for people with low incomes or those who are aged 65 and over or have severe illnesses or disabilities. Americans saw a wide range of factors contributing to UHC CEO’s killing and the poll found that the story of the slaying is being followed widely. About seven in 10 said they had heard or read “a lot” or “some” about Thompson’s death. Multiple factors were seen as responsible. About half in the poll believed that at least “a moderate amount” of blame is rooted in wealth or income inequality, although they did not think other factors like political divisions in the US held the same level of responsibility. Patients and doctors often complain about coverage denials and other complications interfering with care, especially for serious illnesses like cancer and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. Insurance industry critics frequently point to company profits in questioning whether the interests of patients are their top focus. UnitedHealthcare made more than $US16 billion in profit last year, before interest and taxes, on $US281 billion in revenue. Insurers frequently note that most of the revenue they bring in goes back out the door to pay for care. UnitedHealthcare said this month that it pays about 90 per cent of medical claims upon submission. The insurer has not provided details on the number of claims involved. Among young people, blame was spread equally between insurers and the killer. Americans under 30 were especially likely to think a mix of factors was to blame for Thompson’s death. They say that insurance company denials and profits are about as responsible as Thompson’s killer for his death. About 7 in 10 US adults between 18 and 29 say “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility falls on profits made by health insurance companies, denials for health care coverage by health insurance companies or the person who committed the killing. Young people are also the least likely age group to say “a great deal” of responsibility fell on the person who committed the killing. Only about four in 10 say that, compared with about 6 in 10 between 30 and 59. Roughly eight in 10 adults over 60 say that person deserved “a great deal” of responsibility. About two-thirds of young people placed at least a moderate level of blame on wealth or income inequality, in general. Frustrations with health insurers, coverage and the complicated US healthcare system have been simmering for years among patients. About three in 10 Americans said they had problems getting coverage from their health insurer in the [ast year, whether those involved problems finding a suitable provider in-network, a claim getting denied or issues getting prior authorisation or insurer approval before care happens. These struggles were more prevalent among Americans under 60. The poll of 1001 adults was conducted from December 12 to 16 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the US population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.2 percentage points. AP Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for the weekly What in the World newsletter here .President-elect Donald Trump has made no secret of his disdain for diversity, equity and inclusion and has vowed to act on it, endangering federal contracting programs and, potentially, federal funding for education and social programs. Unsurprisingly, City Council members are now concerned about a Trump White House assault on Chicago’s coveted minority set-aside program, and they’re wondering what the city can do to insulate that program. At a City Council budget hearing Wednesday, newly-appointed city Chief Procurement Officer Sharla Roberts was asked what she intends to do to Trump-proof a program that Black alderpersons say is not doing nearly enough to share the wealth with companies owned by African Americans. The city spent $273 million on construction contracts this year, but Black-owned companies got just $18 million, or a 7% share. That’s compared to $52 million, or 19%, for Hispanics and $31 million, or 12%, for Asian Americans. “I sent you an article when the judges in Kentucky and Indiana struck down the DBE [disadvantaged business enterprise] program there. I’m concerned about the impact that, not just that legal decision, but also the apparent movement by the Trump administration to reduce DEI focus in the country in general,” said Finance Committee Chair Pat Dowell (3rd). “What are you doing to protect the city of Chicago and our program?” Without offering specifics, Roberts talked about ensuring that Chicago’s set-aside program is “narrowly tailored,” in part, by establishing a “centralized compliance” unit that gathers more information about all sub-contractors — not just companies owned by minorities and women. “When they review these types of programs, they will look at all types of firms that receive contracts,” Roberts said. “So moving forward, we’re going to make the recommendation to the other departments that are currently doing compliance that they track that information as well, so when they look at the city as a whole, they’re not just going to look at [Procurement Services].” Roberts also referred to the 2021 “disparity study” mandated by a federal judge that former Mayor Lori Lightfoot used to support her decision to extend the construction set-aside program until December 2027, after tweaking eligibility requirements. “We’re going to review the ... recommendations to ensure that we follow the recommendations from that disparity study and, moving forward, we’re also going to see if we need to conduct a new disparity study because that information was done in the area of construction. And we may do a disparity study that not only includes construction but professional services,” Roberts said. The offer to update the disparity study was not enough to satisfy Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36 th ), who has championed a pilot program that expanded the set-aside program to include veterans. He noted that DBE programs are “under attack at the federal level” and “because of the folks that are suing, the state of Illinois has decided not to put any goals” on some state projects. “What are we doing to make sure we’re prepared for any type of challenge from any future lawsuits?” Villegas said. Conservative groups have filed lawsuits that target corporations with workplace initiatives such as diversity programs, emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 2023 repeal of affirmative action in college admissions. Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer, recently said it is ending racial equity training programs and re-evaluating supplier diversity initiatives. Roberts said Chicago’s minority set-aside program has “a little bit more flexibility” than the federal DBE program, but it closely complies with Small Business Administration rules on federal contracts. Chicago’s construction set-aside program is one of the nation’s last, but the road to maintaining it has been rocky. In 2003, a federal judge responded to a lawsuit filed by the Builders Association of Greater Chicago by outlining a series of legal deficiencies in the set-aside law and giving the city six months to correct them. Under the revamped ordinance, Asian Americans were no longer automatically included in a “presumptively socially disadvantaged” group that includes African Americans, Hispanics and women. The redrawn ordinance also included a five-year sunset provision. In 2012, the city initiated a “Phased Graduation Program,” allowing minority contractors who exceed the program’s size standards to gradually exit over three years. Those firms get a 75% credit the first year, 50% in year two and 25% in year three. Four years later, minority and female contractors demanding a bigger piece of the pie temporarily derailed then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s plan to extend the construction set-aside program for five years. The Council ultimately approved the extension after Emanuel agreed to raise the bar by two percentage points for both minorities and women. Roberts was appointed in September to replace ousted Aileen Velazquez, a Lightfoot holdover. Velazquez was forced out and given an undisclosed negotiated settlement to compensate her for the early end of her mandatory term.