Jill Kenning says she has been unable to get a drug she uses to manage her condition.
Patient living in ‘horrific pain’ due to UK-wide drugs shortage
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Why This Election Might Be The Most Pivotal In Israel’s History
Israeli voters will head to the ballot box today in the country’s first legislative election since its war with the Palestinian militants Hamas began.
The conflict, which broke out on October 7 2023, has engulfed Gaza, while also creeping into Iran, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen – and attracting international condemnation.
Now Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is locked in a tense contest with Gadi Eisenkot, the former head of Israel Defence Forces, to hold onto his job.
Here’s what you need to know.
How Do Israeli Elections Work?
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, has 120 elected members – so any political party needs to win 61 seats to govern with a majority.
But Israel uses proportional representation when it comes to elections, so its governments tends to be coalitions made up of multiple groups.
If parties are not able to reach an agreement and form a majority, a minority government could form or another election could be called with Netanyahu remaining as the interim leader.
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Who Is Battling It Out?
Netanyahu is Israeli’s longest-serving prime minister and the leader of the right-wing Likud party.
He was first elected as Israel’s youngest-ever prime minister in 1996 for three years.
He then served several consecutive terms from 2009 to 2021, though he was forced to form a coalition with far-right parties in 2022.
Netanyahu has subsequently overseen the most ring-wing government in the country’s history and will likely have to do a deal with the far-right again if he wants to remain in power.
His main opponent, Eisenkot, only formed his Yashar Party – meaning “straight” or “honest – last year.
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He served in Netanyahu’s cabinet until he resigned in 2024 over the prime minister’s handling of the Gaza war.
He has criticised the incumbent PM for the security failures which led to October 7, and is seen as being a rather unpolished newcomer.
But he has been rather non-committal over the two-state solution for ending the Gaza war and the Israeli settlement of the occupied West Bank.
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Former right-wing prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Lieberman are also running, along with ex-general Yair Golan, who is on the left.
Two Arab parties are running, too. They could be the ultimate power brokers in the coalitions, though it’s unclear if the Jewish parties will work with them.
Why Might This Be Such A Pivotal Election?
The Gaza conflict has shaken Israel and Netanyahu could be on the cusp of losing power as a result.
When Hamas militants killed nearly 1,200 people and took 251 hostages back to Gaza, Israelis began to question the country’s security.
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The friends and families of the victims and hostages taken by Palestinian militants on October 7 have demanded accountability for the government’s failure to prevent the attack.
Netanyahu has been trying to portray himself as “Mr Security” by highlighting the strategic victories in Israel’s war since 2023 in an attempt to hold onto voters.
But, the cost of living weighs on many Israelis, too, as food and housing costs have risen since Israelis last went to the polls.
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Challengers also criticise the government’s reliance on conscription, as even ultra-Orthodox Jewish men in full-time religious study are being sent to war.
The conflict against Hamas is a deeply divisive topic within Israel, too.
While there is plenty of support for the war – with many believing Israel is making an effort to avoid causing unnecessary suffering to Palestinians – there have been some consternation over the suffering in Gaza.
The British Red Cross reports that the death toll in the Palestinian territory now exceeds 69,000, including 17,000 children.
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But, a year after a ceasefire was reached, Israel continues to strike Gaza nearly every day, claiming to target Hamas militants.
The occupied West Bank is another area of conflict, as the Israeli settlements – which are illegal according to international law – continue to grow.
via Associated Press
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However, the two frontrunners have similar approaches to the war in Gaza.
Netanyahu has promised to prevent the creation of a Palestinian state, as has Eisenkot.
The latter has also vowed to end Hamas rule in Gaza in 18 months – either through a peace plan or more military action.
Eisenkot supports Israeli settlements but opposes the E1 settlement project which would split the West Bank in two. He’s also pushed back against extremist Jewish settlers.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, has presided over a significant expansion of settlements in the West Bank.
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Even so, none of the dominant Jewish parties are campaigning to pursue a two-state solution – and Netanyahu has already blocked it.
Both Netanyahu and Eisenkot say Israel must retain security control over all territory between the Jordan River and Mediterranean Sea.
via Associated Press
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What Happens Next?
Israeli broadcasters are expected to publish the exit polls at 10pm local time, (8pm GMT).
Preliminary results will come out the next day and official results will be published on November 4.
Israel’s president Isaac Herzog will invite the leader he believes has the best chance of forming a coalition to start setting up their government – though that can be an arduous process running up to a month long.
If the politicians cannot agree to form a government after that, Herzog can ask a second and a third leader to take over, before he will have to call new elections.
Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.
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So THAT’s What Those Numbers On Plastic Recycling Signs Actually Mean
You know those little triangles with three arrows that you sometimes see on plastic containers?
I always figured those meant an item was recyclable, and I didn’t pay any attention to the numbers that lie inside.
But as it turns out, these can sometimes be a “Resin Identification Code”, and the digits they contain could reveal how easy (or otherwise) a product is to recycle.
The figures, which range from one to seven, inform the user about the best place to put their waste – be it general recycling or a specialist point. Some may sadly need to be put in the bin with your general waste if you have no suitable facilities nearby.
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Anson_iStock via Getty Images
What do the numbers on plastic recycling symbols mean?
They refer to:
- PET, or polyethylene terephthalate. This is found in some bottles and food packaging and is widely recycled.
- HDPE, or high-density polyethylene. You’ll find this on containers like milk bottles and cleaning product bottles; like PET plastic, it’s widely recycled.
- PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. PVC is commonly seen on things like car parts and window fittings, and it’s not widely recycled. Recycle Now says you should generally put this in the waste bin.
- LDPE, or low-density polyethylene. You might spot this on plastic wrapping and some plastic bags. It can be recycled at specialist points, but most councils don’t take it.
- PP, or polypropylene. Commonly used for containers that hold hot liquid, like some tubs and trays, it’s widely recycled.
- PS, or polystyrene. This foamy plastic is “notoriously difficult to recycle”, says London Recycles. It should generally go in your bin, but, they add, we should avoid it as much as possible when we can and reuse it when we can’t.
- Miscellaneous or “other” plastics. This can refer to crisp packets, DVDs, or any other plastics that don’t fit into the six other categories. Some stores or designated points have special type 7 recycling facilities, but they’re not usually accepted in standard recycling collections.
What should I do if my recycling centre doesn’t accept the type of plastic I have?
Start by looking up your council’s rules on plastic recycling. Even if they don’t accept your plastic type, they may have advice on where will.
Some major supermarkets, including Tesco. Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, Waitrose, and Co-Op have special collection points for some hard-to-recycle plastics. These are usually for soft plastics like shopping bags.
If your type 7 plastic is from a DVD or CD, consider donating these to a charity shop or selling them second-hand instead of throwing them away.
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Where possible, steer clear of very hard-to-recycle materials like polystyrene. Reuse rarely-recycled plastic, like shopping bags, when you can.
Lastly, don’t mix non-recyclable materials in with your regular recycling. Items like plastic film and flexible bags can cause issues at recycling plants, i.e., through clogging up sorters “and potentially causing whole loads of recyclable waste to go to landfill”, said Zero Waste Scotland.
Alexander Skarsgård Names Most ‘Uncomfortable’ Part Of His Incredible Wicker Transformation
Alexander Skarsgård has admitted that his transformation for his new movie Wicker was no walk in the park.
The Swedish actor stars alongside Oscar winner Olivia Colman in the new twisted fairytale, about a lonely fisherwoman in medieval times who wishes for a husband to be made out of wicker, only for him to then come to life and turn her life upside down.
During a video interview with Elle to promote their new movie, Alexander admitted that it was the small details that proved the most troublesome when it came to his look for the film.
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Asked for the “most uncomfortable part about transforming into the Wicker Husband”, he responded: “The eyelashes. I don’t like when people poke my eyeballs. Call me crazy, but that’s not my thing.”
Opening up more generally about his costume, he continued: “It was basically like a suit, and then different chest plates and arm plates, and then [they] glued the Wicker Husband’s face onto my face, lips and then those eyelashes.”
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“[We] got it down to under two hours,” he added.
Earlier this month, both stars appeared on The Graham Norton Show to discuss Wicker, where Alexander opened up about the practical effects that went into changing him into the Wicker Husband.
“It was real and made by the same artists that worked on Lord Of The Rings,” he explained. “The suit was exquisite and it took them 18 months to make.”
“I particularly liked the nipples – they had extraordinary craftsmanship, so I kept them,” the Big Little Lies star added, before proving his point by presenting them to Graham as a gift.
via Associated Press
Much has already been made of the racier scenes between Olivia and Alexander’s characters, with Wicker’s director admitting that the two actors brought new levels to these sequences when they arrived on set.
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Wicker hits cinemas on Friday 30 October.
The secret to slower aging may be hiding in your gut
Scientists have uncovered a surprising connection between the bacteria living in the human gut and the speed at which the body ages. Researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa found that certain gut microbes are associated with slower biological aging, while others are linked to faster aging.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, found that differences in gut bacterial communities accounted for approximately 15% of the variation in participants’ biological aging rates. The results suggest that the gut microbiome, the vast community of microorganisms living in the digestive system, may provide valuable clues about aging at the molecular level.
“This study advances our understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiome and biological aging,” said senior author Alika K. Maunakea of the UH Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine. “We found that microbial patterns in the gut were significantly associated with molecular measures of aging, even independent of chronological age. These findings open important new directions for understanding how modifiable biological systems influence long-term health trajectories and longevity.”
Scientists Identify Gut Bacteria Linked to Faster and Slower Aging
To investigate the relationship between gut bacteria and aging, researchers examined stool and blood samples collected from 123 adults across a wide range of ages. They identified the bacteria present in each participant’s gut and compared those findings with blood-based molecular markers used to estimate the body’s rate of aging.
These biological measurements differ from chronological age, which simply reflects how many years someone has been alive. Instead, they are designed to assess how quickly aging-related changes are occurring within the body.
The researchers found a notable association between the composition of the gut microbiome and DunedinPACE, an advanced biomarker that measures the pace of biological aging.
Some bacterial species stood out for their particularly strong relationships with aging. Bifidobacterium adolescentis was among the microbes most strongly associated with slower biological aging. In contrast, Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens showed one of the strongest associations with faster aging.
These differences suggest that particular patterns of gut bacteria may offer important information about how rapidly the body is aging.
How Diet, Lifestyle, and Environment May Influence Gut Health
Lead author Braden P. Kunihiro said the discovery adds to growing evidence that the gut microbiome could play an important role in precision health research, which aims to better understand individual differences in health and disease.
Unlike chronological age, the composition of the gut microbiome can change in response to everyday influences, including diet, lifestyle, and environmental conditions. This makes it a particularly interesting area of investigation for scientists studying healthy aging.
“The gut microbiome is highly responsive to lifestyle, diet, environment and other everyday exposures,” Kunihiro said. “Our findings suggest that the microbiome may reflect important aspects of biological resilience and aging in ways that could eventually help inform future wellness and healthy aging strategies.”
The research also included Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander participants, groups that have historically received limited representation in studies of aging and gut microorganisms.
Co-author Ruben Juarez explained that including these populations could help scientists investigate how social circumstances and environmental conditions leave lasting biological effects over the course of a person’s life.
“The microbiome exists at the intersection of behavior, environment and human biology,” Juarez said. “Studies like this help illuminate potential pathways through which lived experiences and social factors influence long-term health outcomes.”
Could Changing Gut Bacteria Influence How We Age?
Although the findings reveal a meaningful relationship between gut bacteria and biological aging, researchers stress that the study does not establish cause and effect. In other words, finding certain microbes in people who age more slowly does not necessarily mean those bacteria are responsible for slowing the aging process.
Further studies will be needed to determine whether deliberately changing the gut microbiome can influence biological aging or improve long-term health.
Still, the findings offer a promising starting point for exploring how the microorganisms living inside us relate to the aging process and whether they could eventually help guide more personalized approaches to healthy aging.
“This is an important early step toward understanding the gut microbiome’s relationship with healthy aging,” Maunakea said. “Future research will help clarify the mechanisms involved and whether these microbial signatures may eventually contribute to precision approaches for promoting long-term health and wellness.”
Low testosterone may make sugar far more harmful to your liver
Low testosterone can contribute to several health problems, and an unhealthy diet may make some of those risks even worse. One major concern is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a condition that affects approximately 40% of adult men worldwide and has become a significant global health issue.
Fatty liver, the earliest stage of MASLD, occurs when excess fat builds up in the liver. Several factors are associated with the condition, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, low testosterone levels, and excessive fructose consumption from sugary drinks and processed foods. However, scientists have not fully understood how these factors interact or whether their combined effects are more harmful than each one individually.
How Low Testosterone and Fructose Affect the Liver
To investigate this connection, a research team from the Graduate School of Agriculture, led by graduate student Hiroki Takahashi and Associate Professor Naoki Harada, examined how reduced testosterone and high fructose intake influence liver health.
The researchers used eight-week-old male mice and divided them into six experimental groups. Some underwent castration to lower testosterone levels, while others received a sham operation. The groups included Sham/Control, Sham/Fructose, Sham/Fructose + Antibiotics, Castration/Control, Castration/Fructose, and Castration/Fructose + Antibiotics.
To determine how these conditions affected the animals, the team analyzed liver cells and tissues, blood plasma, organic acids from the cecum, and samples of gut bacteria.
A Dangerous Combination for Fatty Liver
The results revealed that mice with reduced testosterone levels developed heavier livers when they consumed fructose. However, this increase in liver weight was smaller in mice that also received antibiotics.
When examined separately, low testosterone and fructose intake produced only modest changes in liver triglyceride levels. When combined, however, the two factors had a much stronger effect, significantly increasing fat accumulation and worsening fatty liver.
The researchers also identified changes in the composition of gut bacteria, altered liver gene activity, and elevated levels of pyruvate in the cecum among mice exposed to both reduced testosterone and fructose.
These findings suggested that the gut microbiome could play an important role in explaining why the combination was particularly harmful.
Gut Bacteria Reveal a Hidden Mechanism
Further experiments helped the researchers identify a possible biological explanation for the increased liver fat.
“Upon examining this mechanism, we found that changes in the gut microbiota led to increased levels of pyruvate within the intestine. Furthermore, experiments using mouse-derived primary hepatocytes revealed that pyruvate acts synergistically with fructose to promote neutral lipid accumulation in hepatocytes,” explained Takahashi.
In other words, changes in gut bacteria appeared to increase intestinal pyruvate, a compound involved in energy metabolism. Laboratory experiments with liver cells isolated from mice showed that pyruvate and fructose worked together to increase fat storage in those cells.
The discovery suggests that interactions among testosterone levels, dietary fructose, and gut bacteria may help explain how fatty liver develops and worsens.
Potential New Ways to Prevent Fatty Liver Disease
Understanding this relationship could eventually help researchers identify new approaches to preventing or treating fatty liver disease. In particular, targeting the processes through which pyruvate contributes to fat accumulation may offer promising possibilities.
“Going forward, we hope to clarify the mechanism by which pyruvate promotes triglyceride accumulation to pioneer the development of therapeutic drugs and establishment of preventive methods through dietary interventions,” added Professor Harada.
Although the findings come from experiments in mice and isolated mouse liver cells, they provide new insight into how hormonal changes and diet may interact to influence liver health.
The study was published in American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Common drugs may help dangerous viruses spread through the body
Medications are designed to treat diseases and relieve symptoms, but some can also produce unintended effects that put patients at risk. While side effects are common with many treatments, researchers have identified a particularly concerning possibility involving drugs used to control inflammation.
Scientists at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have discovered that a widely used class of anti-inflammatory medications may make it easier for certain viruses to infect cells and spread throughout the body.
“We have found a surprising and potentially serious side effect of a class of anti-inflammatory drugs. They can help viruses spread more easily in the body,” says Denis Kainov, a professor at the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Common Anti-Inflammatory Drugs May Help Viruses Spread
The medications at the center of the findings belong to a class called Janus kinase inhibitors, or JAKs. These drugs are widely prescribed to control inflammation, but their effects on the immune system may also leave the body more vulnerable to viral infections.
“Among the viruses that more easily affect the body with the help of these drugs are Rift Valley fever virus, influenza A, adenovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19,” Kainov says.
These viruses can cause significant illness, making any treatment that potentially increases their ability to spread a serious concern.
Why Arthritis Drugs Can Weaken Antiviral Defenses
In a new study published in NAR Molecular Medicine, Kainov and his colleagues investigated how JAK inhibitors influence the body’s ability to defend itself against viruses.
“JAK inhibitors are often prescribed for autoimmune diseases and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis,” says Erlend Ravlo, a PhD research fellow at NTNU and first author of the article.
Although these medications can be highly effective at reducing inflammation, their benefits come with an important trade-off. By suppressing certain immune responses, they can also interfere with the mechanisms that normally protect the body from viral infections.
“In particular, the drugs suppress an important immune signalling pathway that helps protect healthy cells from viral attacks,” Ravlo said.
This pathway plays a central role in coordinating the body’s response when viruses attempt to infect healthy tissue.
Scientists Discover How JAK Inhibitors Disrupt Immune Protection
The research team found that JAK inhibitors, including the medication baricitinib, can reduce the activity of genes involved in fighting viral infections.
“These genes play a crucial role in the body’s response to viral infections,” said Aleksandr Ianevski, an NTNU researcher and coauthor of the new paper.
When JAK inhibitors interfere with this immune signaling system, they weaken an important layer of antiviral protection. Without the usual defensive response, viruses may find it easier to establish an infection and spread between cells.
To investigate these effects, the scientists combined advanced virology methods with gene expression analysis and organoid technology. Their experiments included cells from the lungs, eyes and brain, along with miniature organ models grown in the laboratory.
These approaches allowed the team to examine how the drugs affect antiviral defenses across different types of human tissue.
“Although JAK inhibitors are effective in the treatment of inflammation, this shows that they can pose a hidden risk for patients who have latent or active viral infections,” says Ravlo.
What the Findings Mean for Patients and Future Treatments
The results highlight the importance of carefully considering the risks associated with JAK inhibitors, particularly when patients may already have a viral infection or when outbreaks are occurring.
Researchers suggest that healthcare professionals should exercise caution when prescribing these medications during periods of increased viral transmission.
However, the same immune-suppressing properties that create potential risks for patients could also offer advantages in certain research settings. Under controlled laboratory conditions, these effects may help scientists develop vaccines or evaluate potential antiviral medications.
The researchers hope their findings will encourage greater awareness of how JAK inhibitors influence the immune system and support further investigations into their safest and most effective uses.
“We recommend further studies to better understand how the drugs can be used optimally, especially during virus outbreaks or pandemics,” says Ianevski.
Professor Magnar Bjørås of the Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine provided significant scientific expertise and secured most of the funding for the research. Additional financial support came from the Central Norway Regional Health Authority, the South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority, the Research Council of Norway and the Swedish Research Council.
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4 Things To Do Immediately If Back Pain’s Keeping You Up At Night
According to the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), nearly three-quarters of us are struggling with the issue on a daily basis – with almost half avoiding seeing their GP about it.
Sleep is the area of daily life most affected by back pain, a survey of 2,000 UK adults by Circle Health Group revealed, with 30% of sufferers saying it stops them from getting quality shut-eye.
But while you might think your back pain is coming from having the wrong type of mattress or dodgy pillow positioning, Liam Stapley, senior physiotherapist at Circle’s Huddersfield Private Hospital, suggested it’s “what you do during the day” that often matters more.
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“Prolonged sitting, standing, or avoiding movement because of pain can leave your muscles tight and fatigued by bedtime,” he explained. Cue those awful aches that make it difficult to sleep.
What to do if back pain is ruining your sleep
1. Assess your sleep setup
“If your mattress has visible dips, uneven wear, or you regularly wake with stiffness that eases once you get up and move, it may have lost its support and is worth replacing,” said the physio.
“If you consistently sleep better in a different bed, that is another sign [that your mattress isn’t right for you]. But these are comfort adjustments, not solutions to recurring pain.”
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Snoozing on your back or your side is generally considered to be the best position for your back, but there are still a few modifications that can be made if you find yourself suffering with aches and pains.
According to Mayo Clinic, if you sleep on your side, it might be helpful to pop a pillow between your legs and bend your knees slightly. This can help “align your spine, pelvis and hips”. For back-sleepers, it can help to pop a pillow under the knees.
It’s best to try and avoid stomach-sleeping, but if you absolutely can’t, try and put a small, flat pillow under your hips and lower stomach.
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Nearly one in five people with back pain say they’ve bought a new mattress specifically to help manage the issue – and while it might help, there’s a chance it won’t address every factor that may be contributing to your pain.
“If you regularly wake with stiffness, notice that pain is affecting you more in your sleep, or find that changes to your mattress and pillows have not made a lasting difference, look at the wider pattern rather than continuing to treat the bed as the sole answer,” said Stapley.
2. Don’t sit or stand in the same position before bed
Sitting at a desk, driving, standing in one place or spending an evening on the sofa can all result in you staying in the same position for a long time before trying to sleep, which isn’t great news for your back.
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Before bed, Stapley advises making time for a comfortable change of position. This could be a short walk, light mobility work, or doing a few chores.
The aim is not an intense late-night workout, but to avoid moving straight from prolonged stillness into bed.
3. Choose movement you can keep doing consistently
If your sleep’s been disrupted because of back pain, you might feel lethargic the following day and desperately want to rest. But the expert said you should continue normal activities where possible, with the specific movement and exercise chosen based on your needs and capabilities.
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“There is no single exercise that works for everyone. Walking, swimming, Pilates, yoga, and mobility work may all suit different people,” he said.
“The most useful option is generally the one you can do regularly without worsening symptoms. If a particular movement consistently increases your pain, seek tailored advice rather than pushing through it.”
Laura Finucane, a consultant physiotherapist specialising in spinal conditions, previously told HuffPost UK that “motion is lotion” when it comes to recovery from acute back pain (where you’ve had it for up to six weeks).
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Remaining active can “turn down” the intensity of the pain you’re feeling, while staying still reinforces the thought process that movement is bad, which can “turn up” the intensity of pain, she said.
4. Treat repeated sleep disruption as part of the wider picture
Disrupted sleep is not a diagnosis in itself, but it can be a signal that back pain is affecting more of your life than you realise.
If it is also limiting your ability to do chores, hobbies, work or study, that pattern suggests the issue goes beyond what a mattress change or a different sleeping position can address, suggested the physio.
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If back pain repeatedly disrupts your sleep or limits everyday life, speak to an appropriate healthcare professional, such as a physiotherapist or GP, for advice.
Stapley ended: “If your symptoms are worsening, or you experience numbness, weakness, or any changes to bladder or bowel function, seek assessment from a healthcare professional promptly.”
