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LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company. The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. "I'm very honored," Ohtani said through translator Matt Hidaka in an exclusive interview with the AP. "Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I'll get the award again." In balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members, Ohtani received 48 votes. He previously won the award in 2023 and 2021, when he was with the Angels. "Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods," he said. "I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States." The AP honor has been given out since 1931. Golfer Babe Didrikson won six times, the most by a man or woman. Swimmer Léon Marchand of France, who won four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was second with 10 votes in balloting announced Monday. Golfer Scottie Scheffler, whose victories this year included the Masters and an Olympic gold medal, was third with nine. The AP Female Athlete of the Year will be announced Tuesday. Moving from the beleaguered Los Angeles Angels to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award and first in the National League, led his new team to its eighth World Series championship and created Major League Baseball's 50/50 club by hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. Ohtani signed a then-record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023. Already a two-way superstar, he embellished his reputation even further despite not pitching all season while he rehabilitated from a second major right elbow surgery he had in September 2023. Ohtani went wild on offense, making every at-bat a must-see moment. The 6-foot-4 designated hitter batted a career-high .310 while easily surpassing his previous career highs in home runs and stolen bases. In September, he reached the previously unheard of 50/50 mark in a performance for the ages. Against the Miami Marlins in Florida, Ohtani went 6 for 6 with three homers, 10 RBIs, two stolen bases and 17 total bases. "It wouldn't shock me if he went 60/60 and 20 wins a year from now," Brad Ausmus, who managed the Angels in 2019 during Ohtani's second season in Anaheim, said recently. "This guy is the greatest athlete to ever play the sport of baseball and there's not a close second." Ohtani said he knew the Dodgers' franchise record for most homers in a season was 49. His previous best was 46, set in 2021. "I kind of wanted to get over that bar," he said. "I was pleasantly surprised I was able to pass that record." Ohtani carried the Dodgers offensively during the regular season, and he stayed healthy until Game 2 of the World Series. He injured his left shoulder trying to steal second base against the New York Yankees and finished the Series playing hurt. He underwent surgery a few days after the Dodgers celebrated their championship in early November. "I don't have full range of motion yet, but it feels a lot better," he told the AP. "There's no pain. There's obviously still a little bit of tightness, but slowly but surely it's getting better." Ohtani recently received an updated rehab schedule, and he's focused on the near-term. "It's the small steps that I think are very important to get me to the ultimate goal, which is to just get back healthy," he said. Ohtani is also throwing in the 70 mph range, which is typical for pitchers early in the offseason. "I'm going to continue to ramp up slowly," he said. The Dodgers' rotation for next season is in flux, and Ohtani is waiting to see how it shakes out. "We may go with a five-man rotation with a bullpen (game), which is what we did a lot during this season or we may have a six-man rotation," he said. "But it's all about balancing out when we can get rest and recuperate. We'll see where that takes us along the playoff chase. I've got to obviously pace myself, but again that situation will guide us to how we get there." The Dodgers open the 2025 season in Japan, where Ohtani is even more closely watched. "My personal goal is to be fully healthy by the time the opening games do start," he said. "To be able to pitch and hit would be great, but the situation will kind of guide itself." Each time Ohtani comes to the plate or steps on the mound, there's great pressure and expectation for him to perform spectacular feats. "I just go out there and try to stay within myself," he said. "I can only control what I can control and that's where you trust your teammates. The guys behind me, you trust they're going to make the plays for you. I don't really try to overthink it." Ohtani generated big bucks for the Dodgers off the field, too. Fans traveled from Japan in droves to see him play around the U.S. At Dodger Stadium, they paid extra for tours of baseball's third-oldest venue narrated by Japanese-speaking guides and to be on the field during pre-game batting practice. A majority of the fans bought Ohtani-branded merchandise, especially his No. 17 jersey. Ohtani's presence also helped the Dodgers land a bevy of new Japanese sponsors. Because Ohtani prefers to speak Japanese and use an interpreter with the media, he is shrouded in a bit of mystique. Asked before his first postgame series if he was nervous, he dropped a one-word answer in English: "Nope," which drew laughter. Japanese-born Dodgers manager Dave Roberts observed Ohtani's behind-the-scenes interactions with his teammates, coaches and staff, and came away impressed. "I really do believe that as good of a ballplayer as he is, he's a much better person. He's very kind, considerate, he cares," Roberts told the AP. "I'm just proud of any fame or glory or award that he receives because he just does it in such a respectful and humble way." Ohtani relishes his privacy and rarely shares details about himself off the field. That's why his February announcement via Instagram that he had wed Mamiko Tanaka, a former basketball player, stunned his new teammates and the rest of the world. The following month, after the Dodgers arrived in South Korea to open the season, he was enveloped in scandal when his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers after being accused of using millions of dollars of Ohtani's money to place bets with an illegal bookmaker. His new teammates rallied around Ohtani, who was found to have no part in the wrongdoing, and publicly it didn't seem to affect him even if he was privately distressed by it. By June, the uproar had subsided. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani. The public got a glimpse of Ohtani's softer side in August, when his dog Decoy delivered a first pitch to his owner on their shared bobblehead night. The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje exchanged an endearing high-five with Ohtani at the plate. As a result, Decoy became a celebrity in his own right, with his breed (pronounced COY-ker-HUND-che) making the list of the most mispronounced words of 2024. He and Ohtani were mentioned during the telecast of last month's National Dog Show, where the small Spaniel-type breed was among the competitors. "The number of the breed has kind of dwindled, so by him gaining a little bit of popularity hopefully that brings up the number of his breed," Ohtani said. "I do feel like we were able to, in a small way, contribute to the popularity of the dog and I'm sure Decoy himself would be happy about that." Ohtani will be looking to top himself next year while eyeing a repeat World Series title. "It's almost like right now you can lock in the Most Valuable Player in the National League award because no one has that ability or talent," Roberts said. "I'm just excited to see what '25 has for Shohei Ohtani." Get local news delivered to your inbox!I recently listened to an archive clip on the radio that consisted primarily of people whingeing about the railways. Amongst the biggest complaints was about dirty trains and u reliability of services and there was widespread hope that things were about to get better. It all sounds familiar but the clip was from 1961 and came as the nationalised UK rail network was about to make the momentous move from steam to diesel. Fast forward more than 60 years and things haven’t really changed that much, apart from no-one today will moan about the problem of soot making the stations dirty. British Rail had many good points, not least the fine dining carriages, but in the end it became a national joke. But it appears the Labour Government has no recollection of BR’s faults as it embarks on the renationalising of the network. Read More: Is the human cost of Net Zero drive really worth it? Even the name - Great British Railways - harks back to a glorious bygone age that many argue didn’t actually exist. Regardless, it is happening but will it make a difference? History tells us it won’t and will almost certainly make things worse. Scotrail, of course, was nationalised in 2022 but you’ll be hard pressed to find a passenger who will say with a straight face that things have improved. Under Labour’s plan, three rail operators will be taken into state control next year, but the move is not expected to bring down fares for passengers travelling on these lines. UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said she recognised that “affordability is really important to people” but that people were “willing to pay for a good service”. Of course they will but there is no guarantee they will get one. Read More: One Day plaque row is battle between conservation over evolution South Western Railway will be renationalised in May 2025, C2C in July 2025, and Greater Anglia in autumn 2025, after Labour passed a law allowing it to do so. But some have criticised the plans, arguing that public ownership will not make much difference unless it is paired with fresh investment in the railways. And therein lies the rub - can the taxpayer seriously be expected to fund new rolling stock and other investments that private companies currently do to the tune of billions of pounds? In short, no, which means the whole exercise is pretty futile. Presently, shiny new trains rattle up and down the country making rail travel vastly superior to what it once was. But what happens when they all need replaced? They’re not cheap and politicians keep telling us they’re skint so where will the money come from? Almost certainly from higher fares which folk will be happy to pay if the service matched the ticket price which it almost never does. Under the existing system, Britain’s railway lines are run by train operating companies as franchises for a fixed length of time. The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, which has passed Westminster, allows the government to act on its manifesto promise to take rail contracts back into public ownership in five years as each private franchise runs out. The government also plans to set up a new arms-length body, the elaborately-titled Great British Railways (GBR), which will take over service contracts currently held by private firms as they expire in the coming years. Read More: How can CalMac run ferry services without any ships It wants GBR to take over responsibility for maintaining and improving rail infrastructure from Network Rail eventually. This moves comes as rail fares are due to rise by 4.6% from March as set out in the recent UK Budget, a figure that the transport secretary repeated when asked if tickets will get cheaper with public ownership. She described this as “the lowest absolute increase for the last three years”. Ms Alexander added that it while people may be willing to pay more for a “really good” service, including at evenings and weekends, performance had to improve. The transport department said that renationalisation would improve reliability, boost economic growth, and save £150m per year in fees. However, Rail Partners, which represents private train firms, said Labour has “parked the big decisions” on how to fix the railways. Responsibility for running train services was handed to private companies during the 1990s, and since then there has been a boom in rail usage. This year alone, passengers numbers have increased by 23% and 1.4bn passengers now use the railways annually. Some franchises have undoubtedly been a success, while many others less so. A few have been downright dreadful and have deservedly been stripped of their roles early. It is hard to conclude that nationalisation is less about passengers and more about ideology which is always a dangerous track to go down. As if to illustrate this, when Humza Yousaf (remember him)? announced the Dutch firm Abellio was being stripped of the franchise and Scotrail be nationalised, the top management was kept on. Read More: Sabbath isn't for everyone so Tesco should open on Sunday If, as the then Transport Secretary, claimed, Abellio was worse than useless, then the failing management would have been binned along with the franchise. Unions also like a nationalised industry as they know elected ministers are more likely to cave in to demands than a private company is. Let’s hope that nationalisation is a roaring success and passenger numbers keep rising As everyone would be a winner. This could be the age of the train after all.Forgotten in the cannabis crash is how the industry is a Canadian success story

Ohtani wins third AP Male Athlete of the Year award

By HALELUYA HADERO The emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce novel and detailed online reviews with almost no work has put merchants , service providers and consumers in uncharted territory, watchdog groups and researchers say. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. They are typically traded on private social media groups between fake review brokers and businesses willing to pay. Sometimes, such reviews are initiated by businesses that offer customers incentives such as gift cards for positive feedback. But AI-infused text generation tools, popularized by OpenAI’s ChatGPT , enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice, which is illegal in the U.S. , is carried out year-round but becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season , when many people rely on reviews to help them purchase gifts. Where are AI-generated reviews showing up? Fake reviews are found across a wide range of industries, from e-commerce, lodging and restaurants, to services such as home repairs, medical care and piano lessons. The Transparency Company, a tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews, said it started to see AI-generated reviews show up in large numbers in mid-2023 and they have multiplied ever since. For a report released this month, The Transparency Company analyzed 73 million reviews in three sectors: home, legal and medical services. Nearly 14% of the reviews were likely fake, and the company expressed a “high degree of confidence” that 2.3 million reviews were partly or entirely AI-generated. “It’s just a really, really good tool for these review scammers,” said Maury Blackman, an investor and advisor to tech startups, who reviewed The Transparency Company’s work and is set to lead the organization starting Jan. 1. In August, software company DoubleVerify said it was observing a “significant increase” in mobile phone and smart TV apps with reviews crafted by generative AI. The reviews often were used to deceive customers into installing apps that could hijack devices or run ads constantly, the company said. The following month, the Federal Trade Commission sued the company behind an AI writing tool and content generator called Rytr, accusing it of offering a service that could pollute the marketplace with fraudulent reviews. The FTC, which this year banned the sale or purchase of fake reviews, said some of Rytr’s subscribers used the tool to produce hundreds and perhaps thousands of reviews for garage door repair companies, sellers of “replica” designer handbags and other businesses. It’s likely on prominent online sites, too Max Spero, CEO of AI detection company Pangram Labs, said the software his company uses has detected with almost certainty that some AI-generated appraisals posted on Amazon bubbled up to the top of review search results because they were so detailed and appeared to be well thought-out. But determining what is fake or not can be challenging. External parties can fall short because they don’t have “access to data signals that indicate patterns of abuse,” Amazon has said. Pangram Labs has done detection for some prominent online sites, which Spero declined to name due to non-disclosure agreements. He said he evaluated Amazon and Yelp independently. Many of the AI-generated comments on Yelp appeared to be posted by individuals who were trying to publish enough reviews to earn an “Elite” badge, which is intended to let users know they should trust the content, Spero said. The badge provides access to exclusive events with local business owners. Fraudsters also want it so their Yelp profiles can look more realistic, said Kay Dean, a former federal criminal investigator who runs a watchdog group called Fake Review Watch. To be sure, just because a review is AI-generated doesn’t necessarily mean its fake. Some consumers might experiment with AI tools to generate content that reflects their genuine sentiments. Some non-native English speakers say they turn to AI to make sure they use accurate language in the reviews they write. “It can help with reviews (and) make it more informative if it comes out of good intentions,” said Michigan State University marketing professor Sherry He, who has researched fake reviews. She says tech platforms should focus on the behavioral patters of bad actors, which prominent platforms already do, instead of discouraging legitimate users from turning to AI tools. What companies are doing Prominent companies are developing policies for how AI-generated content fits into their systems for removing phony or abusive reviews. Some already employ algorithms and investigative teams to detect and take down fake reviews but are giving users some flexibility to use AI. Spokespeople for Amazon and Trustpilot, for example, said they would allow customers to post AI-assisted reviews as long as they reflect their genuine experience. Yelp has taken a more cautious approach, saying its guidelines require reviewers to write their own copy. “With the recent rise in consumer adoption of AI tools, Yelp has significantly invested in methods to better detect and mitigate such content on our platform,” the company said in a statement. The Coalition for Trusted Reviews, which Amazon, Trustpilot, employment review site Glassdoor, and travel sites Tripadvisor, Expedia and Booking.com launched last year, said that even though deceivers may put AI to illicit use, the technology also presents “an opportunity to push back against those who seek to use reviews to mislead others.” “By sharing best practice and raising standards, including developing advanced AI detection systems, we can protect consumers and maintain the integrity of online reviews,” the group said. The FTC’s rule banning fake reviews, which took effect in October, allows the agency to fine businesses and individuals who engage in the practice. Tech companies hosting such reviews are shielded from the penalty because they are not legally liable under U.S. law for the content that outsiders post on their platforms. Tech companies, including Amazon, Yelp and Google, have sued fake review brokers they accuse of peddling counterfeit reviews on their sites. The companies say their technology has blocked or removed a huge swath of suspect reviews and suspicious accounts. However, some experts say they could be doing more. “Their efforts thus far are not nearly enough,” said Dean of Fake Review Watch. “If these tech companies are so committed to eliminating review fraud on their platforms, why is it that I, one individual who works with no automation, can find hundreds or even thousands of fake reviews on any given day?” Spotting fake AI-generated reviews Consumers can try to spot fake reviews by watching out for a few possible warning signs , according to researchers. Overly enthusiastic or negative reviews are red flags. Jargon that repeats a product’s full name or model number is another potential giveaway. When it comes to AI, research conducted by Balázs Kovács, a Yale professor of organization behavior, has shown that people can’t tell the difference between AI-generated and human-written reviews. Some AI detectors may also be fooled by shorter texts, which are common in online reviews, the study said. However, there are some “AI tells” that online shoppers and service seekers should keep it mind. Panagram Labs says reviews written with AI are typically longer, highly structured and include “empty descriptors,” such as generic phrases and attributes. The writing also tends to include cliches like “the first thing that struck me” and “game-changer.”LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani is keeping elite company. The Japanese superstar caps 2024 by winning The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, tying him with basketball great Michael Jordan. He trails only four-time winners Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. "I'm very honored," Ohtani said through translator Matt Hidaka in an exclusive interview with the AP. "Obviously all the hard work has paid off. Maybe next year, I'll get the award again." In balloting by 74 sports journalists from the AP and its members, Ohtani received 48 votes. He previously won the award in 2023 and 2021, when he was with the Angels. "Growing up in Japan, I did follow Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods," he said. "I would see their accolades and how they were successful in the United States." People are also reading... The AP honor has been given out since 1931. Golfer Babe Didrikson won six times, the most by a man or woman. Swimmer Léon Marchand of France, who won four gold medals at the Paris Olympics, was second with 10 votes in balloting announced Monday. Golfer Scottie Scheffler, whose victories this year included the Masters and an Olympic gold medal, was third with nine. The AP Female Athlete of the Year will be announced Tuesday. Moving from the beleaguered Los Angeles Angels to the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani won his third Most Valuable Player award and first in the National League, led his new team to its eighth World Series championship and created Major League Baseball's 50/50 club by hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases. Ohtani signed a then-record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023. Already a two-way superstar, he embellished his reputation even further despite not pitching all season while he rehabilitated from a second major right elbow surgery he had in September 2023. Ohtani went wild on offense, making every at-bat a must-see moment. The 6-foot-4 designated hitter batted a career-high .310 while easily surpassing his previous career highs in home runs and stolen bases. In September, he reached the previously unheard of 50/50 mark in a performance for the ages. Against the Miami Marlins in Florida, Ohtani went 6 for 6 with three homers, 10 RBIs, two stolen bases and 17 total bases. "It wouldn't shock me if he went 60/60 and 20 wins a year from now," Brad Ausmus, who managed the Angels in 2019 during Ohtani's second season in Anaheim, said recently. "This guy is the greatest athlete to ever play the sport of baseball and there's not a close second." Ohtani said he knew the Dodgers' franchise record for most homers in a season was 49. His previous best was 46, set in 2021. "I kind of wanted to get over that bar," he said. "I was pleasantly surprised I was able to pass that record." Ohtani carried the Dodgers offensively during the regular season, and he stayed healthy until Game 2 of the World Series. He injured his left shoulder trying to steal second base against the New York Yankees and finished the Series playing hurt. He underwent surgery a few days after the Dodgers celebrated their championship in early November. "I don't have full range of motion yet, but it feels a lot better," he told the AP. "There's no pain. There's obviously still a little bit of tightness, but slowly but surely it's getting better." Ohtani recently received an updated rehab schedule, and he's focused on the near-term. "It's the small steps that I think are very important to get me to the ultimate goal, which is to just get back healthy," he said. Ohtani is also throwing in the 70 mph range, which is typical for pitchers early in the offseason. "I'm going to continue to ramp up slowly," he said. The Dodgers' rotation for next season is in flux, and Ohtani is waiting to see how it shakes out. "We may go with a five-man rotation with a bullpen (game), which is what we did a lot during this season or we may have a six-man rotation," he said. "But it's all about balancing out when we can get rest and recuperate. We'll see where that takes us along the playoff chase. I've got to obviously pace myself, but again that situation will guide us to how we get there." The Dodgers open the 2025 season in Japan, where Ohtani is even more closely watched. "My personal goal is to be fully healthy by the time the opening games do start," he said. "To be able to pitch and hit would be great, but the situation will kind of guide itself." Each time Ohtani comes to the plate or steps on the mound, there's great pressure and expectation for him to perform spectacular feats. "I just go out there and try to stay within myself," he said. "I can only control what I can control and that's where you trust your teammates. The guys behind me, you trust they're going to make the plays for you. I don't really try to overthink it." Ohtani generated big bucks for the Dodgers off the field, too. Fans traveled from Japan in droves to see him play around the U.S. At Dodger Stadium, they paid extra for tours of baseball's third-oldest venue narrated by Japanese-speaking guides and to be on the field during pre-game batting practice. A majority of the fans bought Ohtani-branded merchandise, especially his No. 17 jersey. Ohtani's presence also helped the Dodgers land a bevy of new Japanese sponsors. Because Ohtani prefers to speak Japanese and use an interpreter with the media, he is shrouded in a bit of mystique. Asked before his first postgame series if he was nervous, he dropped a one-word answer in English: "Nope," which drew laughter. Japanese-born Dodgers manager Dave Roberts observed Ohtani's behind-the-scenes interactions with his teammates, coaches and staff, and came away impressed. "I really do believe that as good of a ballplayer as he is, he's a much better person. He's very kind, considerate, he cares," Roberts told the AP. "I'm just proud of any fame or glory or award that he receives because he just does it in such a respectful and humble way." Ohtani relishes his privacy and rarely shares details about himself off the field. That's why his February announcement via Instagram that he had wed Mamiko Tanaka, a former basketball player, stunned his new teammates and the rest of the world. The following month, after the Dodgers arrived in South Korea to open the season, he was enveloped in scandal when his longtime interpreter and friend, Ippei Mizuhara, was fired by the Dodgers after being accused of using millions of dollars of Ohtani's money to place bets with an illegal bookmaker. His new teammates rallied around Ohtani, who was found to have no part in the wrongdoing, and publicly it didn't seem to affect him even if he was privately distressed by it. By June, the uproar had subsided. Mizuhara pleaded guilty to federal bank and tax fraud charges and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani. The public got a glimpse of Ohtani's softer side in August, when his dog Decoy delivered a first pitch to his owner on their shared bobblehead night. The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje exchanged an endearing high-five with Ohtani at the plate. As a result, Decoy became a celebrity in his own right, with his breed (pronounced COY-ker-HUND-che) making the list of the most mispronounced words of 2024. He and Ohtani were mentioned during the telecast of last month's National Dog Show, where the small Spaniel-type breed was among the competitors. "The number of the breed has kind of dwindled, so by him gaining a little bit of popularity hopefully that brings up the number of his breed," Ohtani said. "I do feel like we were able to, in a small way, contribute to the popularity of the dog and I'm sure Decoy himself would be happy about that." Ohtani will be looking to top himself next year while eyeing a repeat World Series title. "It's almost like right now you can lock in the Most Valuable Player in the National League award because no one has that ability or talent," Roberts said. "I'm just excited to see what '25 has for Shohei Ohtani." Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Ohtani wins third AP Male Athlete of the Year award

The 15 best beauty buys this year as chosen by YOU (and they start from just £1.22!) Hannah Betts announces the results of Inspire's 2024 Beauty Awards READ MORE: Look chic (not cheap) in sequins: Tess Daly's stylist reveals the golden rules for Strictly showstopping sparkle By HANNAH BETTS FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 16:37 EST, 22 December 2024 | Updated: 16:37 EST, 22 December 2024 e-mail View comments What's your favourite Christmas custom? Decorating the tree? A trip to see the lights? Hanging up stockings, perhaps? Regular readers will know that I'm not a huge fan of Yule. My treat to myself next week will be a solo expedition to see Lesley Manville in Oedipus – hardly festive japes. However, there is one tradition that does spark joy for me and that is Inspire's annual beauty awards (along with – I admit it – the suitably dour In the Bleak Midwinter). I adore this festive ritual, a celebration of glamour in which we sift through the year's best beauty boosters. There is no finer feedback on my daubing, spritzing and column-writing year than this collective demonstration of how you feel about it all. And it appears you love this annual deep dive as much as I do, as you voted in your thousands, delivering your verdicts on the very best in beauty. After all, whatever myself and the other judges think, it is your opinion that really matters. The 15 winners of the Inspire Beauty Award's have been revealed Your pick of the crop features classic, old and new Well, the results are in for 2024 – and how utterly fascinating they are. Your pick of the crop features classics, old and new. Under 'old', we have veterans such as Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (£65 for 30ml, Boots.com) , the 'little brown bottle' launched in 1982 as the world's first night serum, and, by day, Clinique Moisture Surge (£26 for 30ml) , born six years later, and since spun off into a host of hydrating incarnations. While, by way of the new, you applaud Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation (£43 ) and Glossier Boy Brow Arch ( £24, uk.glossier.com) , two of the most exciting cosmetic formulas of 2024, both of which hit the shelves in August. Judge and columnist Hannah Betts You are strong on high-street heroes such as Vaseline, Batiste, CeraVe, Kiko and Max Factor. Presumably, this is because you, like me, are spending cautiously and looking after your hard-earned cash. You understand that make-up remover stays on your skin for seconds and is a good product to save on, backing CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser (£12.50 for 236ml, Boots.com) as the winner, closely followed by Garnier Micellar Water (£3.15 for 100ml). Many of us are still strictly budgeting, knowing that in our bargain dry shampoo, lip salve and cleanser, we're also buying the best. That said, yours is a high/low spending philosophy and you also appreciate the morale-boosting impact of acquiring some humdinger at a more indulgent price. THE WINNERS: IN FULL Winner: Foundation/base Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation £43 Shop Winner: Eyeliner Hildun Beauty Silk to Set Kajal Liner £16 Shop Winner: Eyeshadow Kiko High Pigment Eyeshadow £7.49 Shop Winner: Mascara Max factor masterpiece mascara £12.99 Shop Winner: Brow product Glossier Boy Brow Arch £24 Shop Winner: Blusher/bronzer Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks £32 Shop Winner: Lip product Vaseline rosy lips £1.22 Shop Winner: Cleanser Cerave Hydrating Cleanser £12.50 Shop Winner: Day cream/serum Clinique Moisture Surge £28 Shop Winner: Night treatment Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair £65 Shop Winner: Hair hero Batiste Dry Shampoo £3.44 Shop Winner: Beauty tool Tweezerman Slant Tweezers £14 Shop Winner: Bath or shower product Olverum Bath Oil £43.50 Shop Winner: Body/lotion or cream Every & One Multi-tasking Cream £30 Shop Winner: Nail favourite Leighton Denny Nail Polish £12.50 Shop Most thrillingly, my beloved Olverum Bath Oil (from £43.50, libertylondon.com) topped the poll. Meaning 'true oil', and created by a German pharmacologist and a winemaker in 1931, this venerable aromatherapeutic concoction was once a luxury known only to a select few. Its precise formula is a fiercely-guarded secret, but acolytes swear by its therapeutic fusion of eucalyptus, juniper, lime, lemon peel, geranium, Siberian fir needle and rosemary to soothe body and soul. Eight decades after its creation, Mayfair's Barbers by Royal Appointment, Truefitt & Hill, had been asked to carry a small number of bottles for the Royal Household. Naturally, it never revealed who is the blue-blooded Olverum fan. Meaning 'true oil', Olverum was created by a German pharmacologist and a winemaker in 1931 The Hawksley family, founders of beautiful Belgravia perfumer Les Senteurs, came across Olverum in Truefitt & Hill, buying, then relaunching the brand in 2015. A 250ml flacon (£78, libertylondon.com) should see you through fifty baths. I have my eye on the two for £124 offer at bathandunwind.com, or, rather, I hope the supplier of my Christmas stocking does. If you'll allow me a little light trend spotting, your approach to foundation is exemplary. Your winner, Bobbi Brown Weightless Skin Foundation (£43, Boots.com) , really is sensational: a 53-shade, 'real' skin, no-make-up make-up, managing to look even better at the end of a long day than it did at the beginning. It's a youth-in-a-bottle wonder. If you are yet to try it, I suggest you invest. However, the runner up in this category, e.l.f.'s's Halo Glow Liquid Filter Complexion (£15, Boots.com ) is a clever choice too, widely regarded as a dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter (£39, charlottetilbury.com) , one of which sells every two minutes. Both are skincare/make-up hybrids, glow boosters providing a dewy, soft-focus effect across 12 shades. You pays your money, you makes your choice. Whatever this choice, please use your complexion enhancer on top of the Clinique Moisture Surge variant with SPF 25 in it ( £28 for 30ml, boots.com) for daily damage protection, swapping it for something with SPF 50 during sunnier months. You're also a fan of modish kajal liners, Victoria Beckham and Hildun dominating the eye pencil category with 37 per cent to last year's winner, Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner (£32, victoriabeckhambeauty.com) , and 46 per cent to this year's victor, new-broom Hildun Beauty Silk to Set Kajal Liner (£16, hildunbeauty.co.uk) . Who better than Hildun founder, former beauty journalist Suzy Griffin Dunne, to explain what the term means? Suzy's independent Irish company, Hildun, was founded in 2022 She told me: 'Kajal is a traditional eye make-up that originated in ancient Egypt and the Indian subcontinent. It has a soft and silky texture that glides smoothly on the outer and inner lids. It's great for creating natural, subtle and smoky looks, in addition to defining the waterline. The result is gentle, nourishing and gorgeously richly-pigmented.' Suzy's independent Irish company was founded in 2022. She made it her mission to incorporate key features from the most luxurious cosmetics in the world into Hildun, but at more affordable prices. Your winning £16 Kajal Liners were introduced as part of the brand's first collection. More shades will be added to the current seven in 2025. Their quality is exceptional, obviously rivalling premium brands. What is more, application is super easy, the pigment gliding effortlessly on, then lasting. I have Silk to Set in Navy Nights and Immortal Metallic Eyeliner in Silver on as I type and have to keep pausing to admire myself. The best-selling shades are the browns Pecan and Chocolate, and, as my fellow judge and Hildun champion Ruby Hammer tells us, the industry's professional arm went wild for them. The royal family's make-up artist, Hannah Martin, loved the formula so much she joined forces to create her very own Hildun liner, a sister shade to Pecan, 'Spiced Pecan' which launched in June 2024 and also became a top-seller. Reading between the lines, your overall approach to make-up – your aesthetic, if you will - is beautifully bang up-to-date. You're happy with a barely-there, naturally-augmented look when it comes to mascara and lips, falling back onto high-street basics Max Factor and rosy-tinted Vaseline. However, you add definition, artistry and individual flourish with high-tech blusher - ragingly fashionable in 2024 – in the form of Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge for Lips & Cheeks (£32, bobbibrown.co.uk) , a famously flattering bestseller. Leighton Denny nail polish in shade 'Provocative' Your other great modernising touch is another of my joys of '24, Glossier Boy Brow Arch (£24, uk.glossier.com) . This new phenomenon is the natural-look dream: with a precision tip for hair-like strokes and flat side to fill gaps, long-lasting, water-, smudge- and hot flash-resistant. Good news for the overplucked of the Seventies or Nineties eras, it also comes in grey. Proof, were one to require it, that Glossier is not merely a millennial and Gen Z obsession, but for beauty lovers of all ages. No less reflective of your supreme taste is your penchant for Leighton Denny nail varnish. Mr Denny was the first manicure guru to score an MBE for his great British brilliance. His shades are seriously fabulous: I'll be wearing the limited-edition Opaque Metallic Varnish in Raspberry Crush (£12.50, leightondenny.com) over Yule. But, I also relish the ease of his plant-based, brightening treatment, Nail Illuminator Milky Brightening Nail Polish & Base Coat (£14, leightondenny.com) for the chic, 'no make-up make-up' nail that took flight this year. Meanwhile, I insist that you add all our worthy winners to your Christmas list and wish you an extremely beautiful New Year. Our expert judges verdicts... Millie Kendall, British Beauty Council CEO Millie Kendall, British Beauty Council CEO Whether as a brand founder, consultant or PR, Millie, who is the CEO of the British Beauty Council, has been involved in the industry for almost 40 years. I think this year's results, with wins for Max Factor and Bobbi Brown, and tried and tested products from well-known brands, such as Clinique Moisture Surge and Estee Lauder's Advanced Night Repair, really reflect what I said a few weeks ago. This year we've seen businesses doubling down on the classics, and selling the consumer what she wants — and what she knows works. Yes, you might see Advanced Night Repair beautifully repackaged throughout the year, or given the occasional upgrade as science moves on but Estee Lauder know better than to mess too much with a formula that's been delighting women since 1982. I'm not a big fan of newness for the sake of it. As the co-founder of the Sustainable Beauty Coalition it would be remiss of me to constantly push new things. But that aside I do think there's something really wonderful about iconic and classic products that have become icons for a reason. Because they work, and because nothing better has superseded them. I'm thrilled to see them triumph here. Ruby Hammer MBE Ruby Hammer MBE Make-up artist Ruby, 61, has been a mainstay of the beauty world since the 1980s and launched her beauty range, Ruby Hammer, in 2019. There was me thinking that I was sharing an insider secret when I raved about Hildun eye pencils, and it turns out I'm not the only one to think that they're brilliant. They must be the worst kept secret in the beauty industry judging by how many of you voted for them, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that. But then they're reasonably priced and tick all the boxes, so they're very well deserved winners. This is the second year in a row that Cerave Hydrating Cleanser has won in the cleanser category and that really doesn't surprise me. I used to buy this stuff in the US before it came to the UK and I'm so pleased that it's now available in Boots, Superdrug and every pharmacy up and down the country. It's a wonderful, gentle cleanser for all ages — not just menopausal skin or teens — and a bathroom cabinet staple. And Tweezerman tweezers are another classic. I helped launch them in the UK back in the 1990s and brows have been at the forefront of beauty since. Everyone needs a quality pair of tweezers and I don't think you get better than these. Another worthy winner. rubyhammer.com Katherine Spenley, Inspire Editor Katherine Spenley, Inspire Editor Inspire editor Katherine lives in London with her husband Anthony. As a high/low shopping addict, I'm thrilled to see a crop of brilliant bargains among this year's winners. I have a tin of Vaseline Rosy Lips in every handbag – a make-up artist once told me to dab a little over lipstick to refresh a fading pout without the faff of topping up a vivid colour (great when there's no time to reapply a statement lip without risking smudges!). A solid all-rounder, it's also good alone on a no make-up make-up day . Other subtle, but brilliant, choices include Glossier's Boy Brow Arch. I like an understated eyebrow, and this is great for filling any gaps and giving a really natural result. Along with Hannah and Ruby I'm delighted for Hildun. I find eyeliner tricky to apply, and this really does glide on without pulling, then stays put! (I take mine off with Garnier Micellar Water, which just missed out on a podium place and is a very worthy runner-up). Advertisement Share or comment on this article: The 15 best beauty buys this year as chosen by YOU (and they start from just £1.22!) e-mail Add commentA groundbreaking discovery has highlighted lithium-;a drug long used to treat bipolar disorder and depression-;as a potential therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This research, conducted by a team at the Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions within the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) led by Director KIM Eunjoon, reveals that lithium can restore brain function and alleviate behavioral symptoms in animal models of ASD caused by mutations in the Dyrk1a gene. ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder affecting 2.8% of the global population, characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, intellectual challenges, and anxiety. Because ASD imposes a heavy burden not only on the patients themselves but on their families and society as a whole, new therapeutic methods must be developed to treat the core symptoms of ASD. Despite its prevalence, there are no definitive treatments or preventive measures. Among the many genetic risk factors for ASD, Dyrk1a mutations stand out as significant, leading to conditions such as Dyrk1a syndrome. Patients carrying Dyrk1a loss-of-function mutation have presented with ASD, microcephaly, language problems, social disability, and anxiety. The mouse model carrying Dyrk1a I48K truncation mutation (a human patient mutation), also mimics these phenotypes closely. One of the underlying mechanisms of ASD symptoms by Dyrk1a mutation discovered within this study is impaired phosphorylation levels of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). To find the specific substrate of Dyrk1a, the researchers needed to generate mice lacking the entirety of Dyrk1a expression (homozygote), a condition that has been known to be embryonically lethal. However, by switching the mouse genetic background, it was possible to generate live animals with this mutation. Even so, the survival rate was abysmal, with less than 5% of the mutant pups surviving. After overcoming this hardest part, the authors found that the phosphorylation levels of various elements of the mTOR pathway, and mTOR itself were altered by Dyrk1a expression levels. Accordingly, they have chosen lithium to address this deficit, and as a tentative cure drug in Dyrk1a mutant mice. When lithium was administered to the mutant mice during their juvenile period, the results were remarkable. Lithium normalized brain size, restored the structure and function of excitatory neurons, and significantly improved behaviors related to anxiety and social interaction. Even more promising, the effects of this short-term treatment lasted into adulthood, suggesting that lithium may have long-term benefits by enabling structural and functional recovery in the brain. Through advanced mass spectrometry analysis, proteins and their phosphorylation levels rescued by lithium in Dyrk1a mutation mice were extensively screened. The team discovered that lithium's therapeutic effects are partly mediated through its action on Kalirin-7, a molecule essential for synaptic structure and function. By targeting this molecule, lithium helped to restore balance in the brain's signaling networks, addressing one of the core mechanisms of ASD. This is an exciting breakthrough. Dyrk1a mutations disrupt neural connectivity, much like a traffic jam or roadblocks in a city. Lithium helps to clear the congestion, restoring smooth communication between neurons." Dr. Roh Junyeop, senior researcher and co-first author of the study Related Stories Study: Brain volume changes correlate with social behavior differences in psychiatric conditions Neuroimaging study reveals structural brain differences in children with autism Study highlights air pollution as key environmental factor in autism risk Director KIM Eunjoon emphasized the potential impact of these findings, stating, "Our research shows that lithium, a widely used drug for bipolar disorder, could also serve as a treatment for ASD. The fact that its effects persist long after treatment ends underscores the importance of early intervention during critical developmental windows." This study, published in the prestigious journal Molecular Psychiatry on December 5, not only paves the way for new therapeutic approaches for ASD but also underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis and intervention. It offers a glimmer of hope to families and individuals affected by ASD, suggesting that targeted treatments may one day reduce the burden of this complex disorder. Institute for Basic Science Roh, J. D., et al. (2024). Lithium normalizes ASD-related neuronal, synaptic, and behavioral phenotypes in DYRK1A-knockin mice. Molecular Psychiatry . doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02865-2 .None

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RIDGEWOOD, New Jersey (WABC) -- A New Jersey high school basketball star is doing everything to dominate cancer just as he's continued to do on the hardwood. Johnny Jackson, a senior at Ridgewood High School, is battling stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which first came about last year. "Obviously I still don't feel the greatest, I'm still in the midst of a battle on my hands," said Jackson. "I mean it's just amazing I'm back on the court at this moment." Jackson was battling fatigue after every game and kept going to doctors searching for answers. He was diagnosed with mono. It seemed to linger after numerous visits to the doctor. "Within 10 minutes of talking to the allergist, he said you have to go see an oncologist," said Joe Jackson, Johnny's father. "Every parents worst nightmare to hear that." The 18-year-old's family was shaken by the diagnosis, but his will and determination hasn't been deterred. "You can't help him in this, added Lynsey Jackson, Johnny's mother. "And that's the hardest thing as a mom. But, Johnny has been great the whole time and he's fighting. He told us we need to be strong for him." Jackson is hoping to reach the milestone mark of 2,000 points this season, and on the right track after three games. He is also hoping to lead Ridgewood to a Sectional Championship. "He is inspiring," said Paige Jackson, Johnny's sister. "No one can ever understand. I think this is the hardest thing will ever have to go through as a family." Jackson was honored before a Coaches vs Cancer game on Monday, an event that's gone on for the past 15 years in Ridgewood. ---------- * Get Eyewitness News Delivered * More New Jersey news * Send us a news tip * Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts * Follow us on YouTubeWorld News Today Live Updates on December 24, 2024 : Investigator flags 26 OnlyFans accounts for suspected child exploitation

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