Hong Kongers are set to get longer visa-free stays in Malaysia, according to people with direct knowledge of

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Nintendo has announced it is making a live-action The Legend of Zelda movie. Let the

A new report has found that the price of childcare is still rising in the United States and has gone up by 220 per cent since 1990. In the annual report from Annie E. Casey Foundation, the charitable organisation examined the importance of childcare across the country, with data from each state about the overall well-being of children. With an analysis from Child Care Aware, an advocacy organisation, the report found that “child care costs have risen 220 per cent since” 1990, “significantly outpacing inflation”. As noted by the US Inflation Calculator, the cumulative rate of inflation, from January 1990 to May 2023, is approximately 138 per cent . The Annie E. Casey Foundation also looked at the annual cost of childcare and how it can impact parents’ income. More specifically, the average yearly cost for care for one child in America was $10,600 in 2021, which is “more than a third of a single parent’s income”. The report looked at the annual cost for a centre-based childcare for a toddler, based on each state. Results showed that prices are the highest in Washington DC, with a cost of $24,396 per year. Centre-based childcare in Connecticut is also expensive, with an annual price of $18,156 per year. The report said over 2 million children in the US had family members who experienced job changes due to childcare prices from 2020 to 2021. The organisation examined the ethnicity of these 2 million children: 17 per cent of them were Black, 16 per cent Latino, and 14 per cent Asian and Pacific Islanders. The organisation also looked at the analysis of 2017 data, which showed how the childcare system disproportionately impacted families of colour. For example, centre-based childcare for two children absorbed 26 per cent of a working mother’s median household income. Meanwhile, 42 per cent of a Latino working mother’s median household income paid for two children’s childcare, while 56 per cent of a Black working mother’s income covered this childcare cost. On the economic well-being of children around the country, findings showed that over 12 million were in poverty in 2021. That same year, there were over 21 million children whose parents lacked secure employment, and nearly 22 million children living in a household with high housing cost burden. Earlier this year, a report by the US Department of Labor also found that families with younger children in the country pay a significant amount on childcare. After looking at data from 2018, which was adjusted based on the inflation rate in 2022, the report noted that “childcare prices range from $4,810 for school-age home-based care in small counties to $15,417 for infant centre-based care in very large counties”. Read More Thirty, flirty and declining: How 30 became a terrifying milestone for an anxious generation More help with childcare costs for families on Universal Credit from end of June Government’s childcare reforms ‘risk worsening outcomes’ for poorer children

Psoriasis has been a hot topic in the health world in recent years, thanks in part to one very vocal – and very famous – celebrity. Kim Kardashian has shared the ups and downs of her experience with the skin condition on TV and social media, and penned a piece on the subject for her sister Kourtney’s website Poosh. “When I was 25, I had my first psoriasis flare-up,” the reality star and entrepreneur wrote. “I got a common cold, and since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, this triggered it. It was all over my stomach and legs.” After an injection of cortisone recommended by a dermatologist, the symptoms went away for five years, but came back when Kardashian was in her 30s. “Psoriasis can start at any age, but most often develops in adults between 20 and 30 years old, and between 50 and 60 years old,” says Dr Nisa Aslam, a GP from Typharm’s Skin Life Sciences Foundation. “The severity varies greatly. For some people, it may be relatively minor, whilst for others, psoriasis has a huge impact on quality of life.” In the case of Kardashian, her psoriasis – which has no known cure – also went away during her two pregnancies, but came back after and has fluctuated ever since. “I’ve become extremely comfortable with my psoriasis,” she continued in her essay, revealing that sometimes she covers it up with body make-up and sometimes she doesn’t. “I hope my story can help anyone else with an autoimmune disease feel confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” To mark Psoriasis Awareness Month in August, these are the key facts you need to know about the chronic condition… What are the symptoms of psoriasis? “Psoriasis is a type of skin disease that affects about 2% of the population of the UK,” says consultant dermatologist Dr Natalia Spierings, author of Skintelligent: What You Really Need To Know To Get Great Skin. “Patients develop thickened red plaques of skin with thick silvery white scale over the top.” The most common places for plaques to appear are the backs of the elbows, the front of the knees, the scalp and the lower back. They may be itchy or painful. “On brown and black skin, the patches can also be purple or dark brown in colour, and the scales may look grey,” says Aslam. Psoriasis is also linked with an inflammatory form of arthritis, known as psoriatic arthritis, which Kim Kardashian was diagnosed with in 2019. Aslam explains: “Psoriatic arthritis affects the nails, joints and can affect the eyes, the cardiovascular system and may cause insulin resistance, leading to diabetes.” What is it caused by? “Psoriasis is an ‘immune-mediated’ disease, which means that the skin is inflamed, due to a dysfunction or abnormality in how the immune system works,” Spierings says. Doctors believe that an overactive immune system speeds up skin cell turnover, which causes plaques. “Normal skin cells will grow and then shed off the top of the surface of the skin in a cycle which takes approximately a month,” Spierings continues. “In psoriasis, this process is sped up to only three or four days, so the skin doesn’t have time to shed off, and therefore the scale builds up on the skin.” Diet and lifestyle factors can cause flare-ups of the condition. “Known triggers include drinking excessive alcohol; family history; smoking; stress and hormonal changes, for instance during puberty and menopause,” says Aslam. “Plus certain medicines such as betablockers, used to treat high blood pressure; throat infections; other immune disorders and skin injuries. Obesity has been shown to double the risk of psoriasis.” What treatments are available? While there is no cure for the chronic condition, it is possible to treat the symptoms during flare-ups. “There are a variety of effective prescribed skin treatment options, from steroid ointments and creams, to the development of new formats like medicated tapes such as Fludroxycortide tape,” says Aslam. “This is a transparent medicated surgical tape impregnated with the steroid Fludroxycortide, which can be cut to size. When applied to the skin, it helps to reduce redness, swelling and itching.” UV light or sun exposure has also been shown to help psoriasis. “But remember that uncontrolled sun exposure also increases your risk of skin cancer and premature ageing,” says Spierings. “If you want to use sunlight therapy for your psoriasis, it is best to do this via a dermatologist using special machines to deliver the UV treatment.” Because it’s an inflammatory condition, psoriasis can be affected by what you eat. “Certain foods, particularly ultra-processed foods high in fat, salt and sugar may cause an inflammatory response,” says Aslam. “It’s important to stick to a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables, fruits, wholegrains, beans and lentils, and oily fish with small amounts of lean meat, and small amounts of dairy if liked.” She adds: “Finding the most effective therapy is often a matter of trial and error, so it’s important to keep going back to your doctor, or dermatologist, for advice.” Psoriasis and mental health It’s important to note that skin conditions like psoriasis can have a detrimental impact on mental health. “A recent Typharm survey found that 23% of those surveyed think others believe they are infectious and 19% think they are perceived as unhygienic,” Aslam says. However, it is not contagious or caused by poor hygiene. “Patients with psoriasis have a high risk of developing depression because of their skin problem,” says Spierings. “It is incredibly important to seek proper treatment if you have psoriasis or think you may have it.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live How to dress in rainy summer weather How to make the Prince of Wales’s Earthshot burger 13 potential cancer symptoms you should get checked out

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While 2023’s fashion season has seen its fair share of bold color trends, no look has permeated the style kaleidoscope more this year than silver metallics. From cowboy boots and handbags so shiny they could double as mirrors to silver metallic pants that will make every day feel like the weekend, a festive mood is in the air.

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Like many migrants who leave their family and friends behind, Laura Linares finds that when she misses Venezuela, preparing traditional dishes from her childhood...

The first race of the 2024 season will be held on a Saturday night in Bahrain as Formula 1 released the calendar for next year. Bahrain, which has hosted the season-opener since 2021, has usually hosted its grand prix on a Sunday as is customary in the sport, but due to Ramadan next year’s race will be on a Saturday night. Sunday is considered a “feast day” during the Islamic festival, which sees the world’s almost two-billion Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset during the other six days of the week. The second race in Saudi Arabia will also be on a Saturday, meaning there will be three out of the record-breaking 24 races held a day earlier than usual, with Las Vegas set for a Saturday night lights out. The Chinese Grand Prix – not held since 2019 due to Covid-19 restrictions – is set to return in Shanghai on April 21, while there are no brand new additions to the calendar, with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps extending its contract for another season after potential plans for a race in South Africa fell through. The British Grand Prix at Silverstone will be held in its traditional slot on Sunday 7 July and the season will climax, as usual, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina on December 8. 2024 CALENDAR IN FULL: February 29-March 2: Bahrain Grand Prix at Sakhir March 7-9: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix at Jeddah March 22-24: Australia Melbourne April 5-7: Japan Grand Prix at Suzuka April 19-21: China Grand Prix at Shanghai May 3-5: Miami Grand Prix at Miami May 17-19: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola May 24-26: Monaco Grand Prix at Monaco June 7-9: Canada Grand Prix at Montreal June 21-23: Spain Grand Prix at Barcelona June 28-30: Austria Grand Prix at Spielberg July 5-7: British Grand Prix at Silverstone July 19-21: Hungary Grand Prix at Budapest July 26-28: Belgium Grand Prix at Spa August 23-25: Netherlands Grand Prix at Zandvoort August 30-September 1: Italy Grand Prix at Monza September 13-15: Azerbaijan Grand Prix at Baku September 20-22: Singapore Grand Prix at Singapore October 18-20: USA Grand Prix at Austin October 25-27: Mexico Grand Prix at Mexico City November 1-3: Brazil Grand Prix at Sao Paulo November 21-23: Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas November 29–December 1: Grand Prix at Qatar Lusail December 6-8: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina