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New York Post
4 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Watchdog to probe sunscreens that didn't offer protection as advertised
Australia's medicines watchdog has confirmed it will investigate a report claiming several sunscreens did not offer the sun protection they advertised. Consumer group CHOICE delivered the report last week, claiming it had tested 20 popular SPF50 and SPF50+ sunscreens and found 16 of them fell short of the protection they advertised. Advertisement 6 Consumer group CHOICE delivered the report last week, claiming it had tested 20 popular SPF50 and SPF50+ sunscreens and found 16 of them fell short of the protection advertised. DC Studio – SPF stands for 'sun protection factor' and is the measure of how well the sunscreen protects a user from the sun's UV rays. An SPF 50 sunscreen is meant to block about 98 percent of the rays, meaning it will take 50 times longer to get burnt than with unprotected skin. The consumer group tested the products with experts in an accredited sunscreen lab, with four products returning SPF results in the 40s, four in the 30s, and seven in the 20s. Advertisement The popular brands tested include Banana Boat, Cancer Council and Bondi Sands sunscreens. In one example, the Banana Boat Baby Zinc Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+ tested at 28, while the Coles SPF 50+ Sunscreen Ultra Tube tested at 43. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has responded to the report and said it would investigate CHOICE's findings and take 'regulatory action as required'. 6 An SPF 50 sunscreen is meant to block about 98 percent of the rays, meaning it will take 50 times longer to get burnt than with unprotected skin. Kate – Advertisement 'Sunscreens with a primary purpose of UV protection are considered to be therapeutic goods and are regulated by us to ensure their safety, quality and efficacy,' the watchdog stated. 'It is a requirement under therapeutic legislation that statements on sunscreen labels are truthful and not misleading. 'It is also a legislative requirement that a sponsor of a therapeutic sunscreen product holds evidence that supports the SPF claim they make at the time they include the medicine in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. 'We will be investigating the CHOICE findings and will take regulatory action as required. Advertisement 'We cannot comment on individual matters including whether products may be subject to investigation or compliance and enforcement activity, or the status of any such investigation and activity.' One skincare company that says it takes the testing of its products seriously has been criticized by users following the release of the CHOICE results. CHOICE said Ultra Violette's Australian Sunscreen's lean screen 50+ mattifying zinc sunscreen was tested and returned a result of just SPF4. The company, which sells its products at Sephora, shared an Instagram post last month boasting about how much it cost to test their 'skin screens.' 'Do you know how SPF is actually tested? Making our SKINSCREENS can cost up to $150K in testing alone (sorry to our CFO!!!)' the post stated. 6 CHOICE said Ultra Violette's Australian Sunscreen's lean screen 50+ mattifying zinc sunscreen was tested and returned a result of just SPF4. Ultra Violette 'We take the integrity of our products pretty damn seriously – no cutting corners here. 'We ensure you have the best protection (from both UVA and UVB), *and* the added skincare benefits to match, no matter where in the world you are.' Advertisement Consumers were quick to respond to the report, with one customer claiming she used the product for three years and now has concerns about its effectiveness. 'Hey UV, I'm so worried about this report from CHOICE,' the customer replied on Instagram. Another customer said she had been 'badly burnt' using queen and supreme screens after reapplying the products and asked the company to stop selling them if they did not meet standards. Ultra Violette, which sell sunscreens between $27 and $77, has disputed CHOICE's findings. Advertisement In a statement last week, the company said it was deeply committed to the health and safety of its customers and accused CHOICE of releasing misleading information to generate headlines. A spokesman said Ultra Violette only worked with reputable, TGA-licensed manufacturers who performed substantial quality release testing in accordance with the strictest SPF standards in the world. 'Given our commitment to producing the highest quality sunscreens for consumers, we do not accept these results as even remotely accurate,' a spokesman said in a statement. 'It is also essential to note here that the recognised authority governing sunscreens in Australia is the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA), not CHOICE Magazine.' Advertisement 6 The company says it's deeply committed to to the health and safety of its customers. Ultra Violette The company said it retested a batch of sunscreen when they found out about the Choice testing, and the results came back with an SPF reading of 61.7, which was above the 50+ threshold. 'CHOICE's recent retest only included 5 participants, where 2 results were considered non validated, resulting in a sample size of only 3,' the statement said. 'Over the past 4 years, we have conducted 3 different tests at independent labs vs. Choice's 1.3 tests.' Advertisement A spokesman said if the CHOICE results represented the actual level of protection offered, they would have hundreds of cases of reported sunburn and skin damage while using this product in real life situations. 'At Ultra Violette we take misleading claims made about our products very seriously,' the statement read. CHOICE chief executive officer Ashley de Silva said she stood by the test results. 'Ultra Violette's Lean Screen SPF 50+ product was first tested using a 10-person panel, in line with the Australian/New Zealand Sunscreen Standard,' she said. 'When the product returned a very low SPF of 4, we decided to test a new sample to confirm the result, using a five-person panel on a different batch at a different lab in Germany.' 'The Ultra Violette product returned an SPF of 5 in this testing – an almost identical result.' 'The additional testing is not a requirement of sunscreen testing standards, but an additional level of rigour and testing Choice decided to undertake to ensure the low SPF result for the Ultra Violette product was accurate.' Ms. de Silva said the tests showed that products were not meeting consumer expectations. 6 The company said it retested a batch of sunscreen when they found out about the Choice testing, and the results came back with an SPF reading of 61.7. Ultra Violette 6 'At Ultra Violette we take misleading claims made about our products very seriously.' Ultra Violette 'Consumers expect sunscreen to protect them in line with the SPF rating on the product, but as our testing has shown, the SPF label doesn't always match what's in the bottle,' he said. One sunscreen, Ultra Violette's lean screen SPF 50+ mattifying zinc skinscreen, returned a result of just SPF4. 'We were really shocked to see the results for Ultra Violette's lean screen SPF 50+ product, so much so that we actually decided to test a different batch at a completely different lab in Germany to confirm the results,' Mr. de Silva said. 'Those tests found the product had an SPF of 5 – an almost identical result to our initial testing.' The consumer group was, however, quick to remind people that while a sunscreen may have ranked lower than claimed in its tests, that does not mean that products do not work. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or 20 can still give significant sun protection and is much better than using no sunscreen at all. The TGA said there could be 'variability' in SPF testing results across laboratories. 'Currently, the universally accepted methods of sunscreen SPF testing is using human subjects,' the watchdog said. 'It is a known issue that there is variability in SPF testing results across laboratories because testing on humans can be highly subjective and the response to a test can differ dramatically from one individual to another.' 'While progress is being made internationally toward in-vitro sunscreen testing (not on human subjects), which will improve consistency of results, these methods are not yet in place.' 'The TGA does not conduct human or animal testing. Where necessary, the TGA has outsourced SPF testing to accredited laboratories.'
IOL News
4 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Home workouts: Effective exercises for beginners with no equipment required
Exercising at home is convenient and cost-effective. Image: DC Studio / Freepik Working out doesn't have to mean spending hours at the gym or investing in expensive equipment. For many people, exercising at home offers a more convenient, cost-effective, and comfortable alternative. Whether it's due to a busy schedule, financial limitations, or simply preferring the privacy of home, at-home workouts are becoming an increasingly popular way to stay fit and healthy. Cape Town-based personal trainer Reemay Damons shares a series of effective, equipment-free exercises for beginners that prove you don't need fancy machines to get strong, toned, and energised. Warmup exercise Damons recommends doing a few warm-up exercises before starting your workout to ensure your muscles are properly prepared. Here are three basic exercises: Arm circles: Loosen up the shoulders and arms with small to large circles going forward and backwards. Leg swings: Swing one leg forward and backwards, then side to side, to open up the hips and hamstrings. Torso twists: Rotate your upper body side to side with controlled motion to loosen the spine and core. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Damons shares five simple beginner-friendly exercises that you can do at home without the use of equipment. Exercise 1: Wall pushups If you're a beginner, this can be done against a wall. Stand arm's length from a wall, place your hands on the wall at shoulder height, and lean in, bending your elbows until your nose almost touches the wall. Then, push back to the starting position. Exercise 2: Half crunches Half crunches are a good starting point for beginners or those seeking a less intense abdominal workout. In a half crunch, you lift your upper body only a few centimeters off the ground, engaging your core without fully extending your spine. Place your arms behind your head or across your chest. Exercise 3: Knee plank A knee plank is a simple, beginner-friendly way to get started on core strength. Start on your hands and knees. Lower your forearms to the ground with elbows directly under your shoulders. Walk your knees back slightly so your body forms a straight line from your head to your knees. Engage your core by tightening your abdominal muscles. Keep your hips in line with your shoulders and avoid arching your back. Hold the position for 20 - 30 seconds. Exercise 4: Knee lifts Knee lifts are a simple yet effective cardio exercise. Start by jogging on the spot, lifting your knees as high as possible. Try to lift your knees to hip level while keeping your core tight. Exercise 5: Squats To do a beginner squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, toes slightly out, and chest up. Engage your core, bend your knees, and push your hips back as if sitting in a chair. Lower down until your thighs are parallel to the floor or as low as comfortable, keeping your knees in line with your toes. Press through your heels to stand back up.
New York Post
14-06-2025
- Business
- New York Post
Why AI — not DEI — could be society's great equalizer
In companies across America, AI systems are coding software, creating marketing campaigns, and writing legal briefs — jobs that were once reserved for highly educated professionals. The college degree, long touted as the great equalizer, is losing value as algorithms master tasks that take humans years to learn. This isn't some distant scenario; it's happening now, and it will trigger the most profound workplace disruption since the Industrial Revolution. 5 AI will irrevocably change the global workforce, but hit white-collar workers harder than their blue-collar counterparts, which could benefit minorities. DC Studio – While most Americans still view today's job market struggles as temporary, major employers are quietly rebuilding their workforce strategies around AI-driven productivity increases — along with massive labor reductions. The revolution that's coming won't just change how we work, it will also upend who works at all. The data tells a stark story. McKinsey researchers project that 60%-70% of worker activities could be automated in the next three years. Goldman Sachs predicts 'significant disruption' affecting 300 million jobs in the US and Europe. The World Economic Forum estimates 85 million positions eliminated by the end of 2025. This AI revolution will also shatter the very assumptions on which diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks have been built. 5 According to the Dept. of Labor, minorities such as Latinos and African-Americans are more heavily represented in blue-collar professions such as construction, nursing and being security guards. These are jobs AI will have a far-harder time replacing. For decades, DEI operated under a prescriptive model: Expand access to elite education and professional careers seen as bastions of privilege where White people disproportionately benefit from systemic advantages. The 'knowledge economy' was framed as the promised land, and entry into white-collar strongholds — law, finance, tech, media — became the key to achieving both individual mobility and group equity for underrepresented groups. But what happens when AI targets those very professions for elimination? The evidence is clear: The occupations most vulnerable to AI displacement aren't blue-collar; they're white-collar, knowledge-economy jobs. Goldman Sachs' analysis shows that administrative support roles face 46% automation potential, legal work 44% and architecture and engineering 37%. Meanwhile, installation, maintenance and repair jobs face only 4% automation potential, and construction 6%. This creates a policy conundrum: How viable will any DEI model be when the majority of jobs lost are among 'privileged' white-collar workers? Traditional identity-based frameworks become inadequate when both Ivy League graduates and high-school-educated workers face simultaneous displacement. 5 Goldman Sachs' analysis shows that administrative support roles face 46% automation potential, legal work 44% and architecture and engineering 37%. Tierney – Paradoxically, the AI revolution may also usher in an era where blue-collar work offers more security than white-collar careers. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and other tradespeople operate in unpredictable physical environments, precisely the conditions AI and robotics struggle to navigate. These are also fields where people of color are not underrepresented. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Black workers constitute substantial portions of certain skilled trades, including nursing assistants (38%), security guards (36%) and transit drivers (33%). Similarly, BLS data finds that Hispanic workers are 'substantially overrepresented' in skilled trades like painting (59%), construction labor (51%) and carpentry (42%). As AI disrupts the economic security of college-educated professionals, it may, ironically, elevate sectors that DEI initiatives have largely overlooked. 5 Author Monica Harris says that AI challenges the value of human labor, and forces society to reconsider what makes us valuable beyond our economic output. Athena Lonsdale For the Black community, this economic shift has an important historical parallel. When enslaved Americans in Texas finally received news of their emancipation on June 19, 1865, many chose to forge pathways to economic advancement through skilled trades and entrepreneurship. Recognizing that financial independence was essential to freedom, they built sustainable livelihoods as blacksmiths, carpenters, seamstresses and business owners. Similarly, today's AI revolution may once again elevate trades and practical skills as crucial avenues of economic security for Blacks forced to pivot in a changing landscape. Today, the impact of AI challenges fundamental assumptions underlying DEI initiatives and necessitates an expanded framework for inclusion. It also invites a mandate to prepare all workers to thrive in an AI-mediated economy — not by chasing a shrinking number of office jobs, but by redefining what inclusion means in a post-white-collar era. This includes rethinking vocational education, investing in digital fluency across sectors and honoring skilled trades not as fallback options, but as integral components of a resilient and equitable workforce. 5 The workforce revolution brought about by AI may once elevate trades and practical skills as crucial avenues of economic security for African-Americans. Dearix – The coming disruption isn't just technological; it's philosophical. As AI challenges the value of human labor, it will force us to reconsider what makes us valuable beyond our economic output. This recognition of our common humanity could serve as the foundation for a new kind of inclusion, one defined by our shared vulnerability, adaptability and inherent dignity in a machine-accelerated world. We can approach the AI revolution as competing members of identity groups fighting for diminishing economic opportunities, or as a nation confronting a fundamental shift in how we define our worth and purpose. The latter path offers the possibility that in facing a common technological challenge, we might finally focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. Monica Harris is executive director of Fair For All.
New York Post
13-06-2025
- General
- New York Post
First class passenger sparks security scare after asking a flight attendant this bizarre question: ‘Unbelievable'
There are some things that are off-limits even to first class fliers. On the Delta Reddit page, a traveler recently revealed that a simple question asked by a passenger in seat 1B sparked a security scare on board their red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Fort Lauderdale. As cabin service began, the man allegedly pulled aside one of the flight attendants and asked about an apparent new procedure. A first-class passenger asked a flight attendant a question that was met with skepticism. DC Studio – 'Hey, totally random question, but on my last couple flights I noticed the [flight attendants] did not block access to the galley when the pilot used the lavatory. Is this a new procedure for you guys?' the person asked, according to the Redditor who was sitting in the nearby seat. That flight attendant did not answer the question and rather said that it was 'news' to them, then proceeded to report the conversation to the cabin manager. According to the Reddit user, the cabin manager approached the passenger and informed them that they could not discuss 'access procedures for the flight deck' for security purposes. The passenger responded, 'Oh, excuse me, I didn't realize I wasn't able to ask questions,' to which the cabin manager reportedly replied, 'I can answer most questions, but I cannot answer questions related to the security of the aircraft.' When the passenger inquired why the flight attendant couldn't answer a security-related question, the cabin manager allegedly said, 'Seriously? You know why. Don't you remember 9/11? We cannot talk about that stuff. So thank you for letting us know what you observed on your prior flights.' Later on, when the pilot used the lavatory, the poster noted that two of the flight attendants from the rear were called up to block the galley, and 'one of them stared at 1B the entire time.' 'Unbelievable this guy can't understand why it might be suspicious for the passenger seated in one of the two closest possible seats to the flight deck door to ask about galley obstructions procedures,' the original poster wrote. Flight attendants are trained to be hyper-aware of any behavior that might be deemed suspicious and could be a potential threat to cause harm to the pilot, fellow passengers or the plane.
Rakyat Post
20-05-2025
- Rakyat Post
Not All Monitors Are Created Equal—Here's How To Pick The Right One
Subscribe to our FREE Ever wondered why gamers care so much about refresh rates , nits or FPS ? It's simple: not all monitors are made equal, and the right specs can make a noticeable difference in how smooth, immersive, and responsive your games feel. Whether you're into fast-paced shooters, competitive titles, or open-world adventures, here's a quick breakdown of the monitor specs that matter most for gaming. Smoothness & Motion Clarity (Credit: Lifestylememory/Freepik) For most gamers, smooth motion and quick screen response are crucial. These affect how well you see and react to fast action in-game. Refresh Rate (Hz): How many times your screen updates each second. Higher rates, like 120Hz or 480Hz, mean smoother movement and fewer issues like screen tearing. FPS (Frames Per Second): The number of frames your system produces every second. More frames mean smoother animations—if your display can keep up. Response Time (ms): How fast a pixel changes colour (also measured as GtG—grey to grey). Lower response times reduce motion blur, making fast action clearer. Why it matters: A higher refresh rate and lower response time give you a clearer, smoother picture, essential for fast-paced games where quick reflexes matter. Image Quality: Colour, Brightness & Detail (Credit: Freepik) Good image quality helps you see details clearly and enjoy the visuals more. Resolution: The total number of pixels on your screen. More pixels mean sharper images. Common gaming resolutions are 1080p (Full HD), 1440p (QHD), and 4K (UHD). Colour Gamut: How many colours your monitor can show. A wider gamut means richer, more accurate colours. Most games use sRGB, but DCI-P3 offers a broader, more vibrant range. Brightness (nits): Measured in nits, this tells you how bright the screen can get. Higher brightness improves visibility and makes HDR effects pop. HDR (High Dynamic Range): Enhances contrast and colour depth, revealing more detail in-game. Why it matters: Better colour accuracy, brightness, and resolution make games look great, help you spot important details and feel more immersive. Panel Types (Credit: DC Studio/Freepik) Your monitor's panel technology affects overall performance—colour accuracy, contrast, viewing angles, and response time. Nano IPS: Uses a special nanoparticle coating to boost colour accuracy and vibrancy, delivering bright, lifelike colours. Perfect for gamers wanting rich visuals that are close to professional quality. OLED: Each pixel lights up individually and can turn off completely, creating true blacks and incredible contrast. OLEDs offer excellent colour and super-fast response times. Why it matters: Picking the right display panel means stunning visuals and smooth gameplay, giving you clearer images and faster reactions. Sync & Compatibility (Credit: DC Studio/Freepik) Adaptive Sync tech matches your monitor's refresh rate with your PC or console's graphics card output to prevent glitches like screen tearing and stuttering. FreeSync: Works with AMD graphics cards. G-SYNC: Designed for NVIDIA cards. Some monitors support both. Why it matters: Syncing your display with your GPU eliminates distracting glitches, giving you a smoother gaming experience, especially in fast-action scenes. Other Features to Consider (Credit: Freepik) Beyond core specs, these extra details and features can also boost your gaming comfort and enjoyment: True Black: Found in OLEDs where pixels turn off completely for perfect black levels and better contrast. Aspect Ratio: Most widescreen monitors are 16:9, but ultrawide screens offer more space and immersiveness. Ports: Check for HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, or USB-C based on your devices. Some come with built-in speakers and audio jacks too. Ergonomics: Adjustable stands, blue light filters, and flicker-free screens help reduce eye strain during long sessions. Some also include handy extras such as toggleable Crosshairs , FPS Counters and other gaming-focused tools for an enhanced experience. Choosing the Right Monitor for Your Gaming Style (Credit: Now that you know the important specs, finding the perfect monitor to suit your gaming style is much easier. Remember, gaming isn't one-size-fits-all. So, whether you're into fast-paced competitive shooters, immersive RPGs, or a mix of everything, your monitor should match how you play. Here's what to look for, plus some top picks from LG's UltraGear Gaming lineup that might fit the bill for you: For FPS & Fighting Gamers: Focus on Smoothness & Speed If fast shooters like Call of Duty or Marvel Rivals, or brawlers like S treet Fighter are your thing, you want a monitor with a high refresh rate and fast response time—think at least 240Hz and 1ms, as well as features like G-SYNC or FreeSync to prevent screen tearing and keep gameplay smooth. The (Credit: LG) For a more budget-friendly option, the (Credit: LG) For RPG Gamers: Focus on Visual Quality & Immersion If story-rich games like Red Dead Redemption or Clair Obscur are your favourites, picture quality matters most. Look for OLED or high-end IPS panels with solid HDR support for deeper colours and contrast. The (Credit: LG) Meanwhile, the (Credit: LG) For All-Round Gamers: Balanced Features If you play a bit of everything and maybe stream or create content too, go for a balanced monitor with around 144Hz or higher refresh rate, good colour accuracy, and a clean design. The (Credit: LG) Bonus: Don't Miss LG's Promo! So by now, we're guessing you're already thinking about upgrading your setup. Well, FYI, LG's UltraGear gaming monitors are on a limited-time deal right now—just register on to claim: 💸 5% rebate on your first purchase 🍽️ A free premium cutlery set worth RM250 Plus, you also stand a chance to win an LG washer or TV if you leave a product review on So don't pause your game for too long, start browsing for your new UltraGear monitor today—details Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
