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You think your daily commute to work is tough? I drive my car through an Aussie river

admin — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 06:13:05 +0000

By Shania Obrien For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 00:59 EDT, 21 September 2023 | Updated: 04:00 EDT, 21 September 2023

An Australian tour guide drives through a river filled with 600 crocodiles to get to work every day – and the terrifying journey frequently has him fearing for his life.

David McMahon, 36, is a head tour guide for Venture North Safaris in Australia’s Northern Territory.

‘I’ve been guiding in Northern Australia for over 15 years through some of the most remote and spectacular parts of the country,’ he told FEMAIL.

One of David’s tours see him cross the East Alligator River at Cahill’s Crossing – a deadly journey that has claimed two lives in the past.

‘I don’t think this is everyone’s idea of a commute to work – but things are a bit different up here in the Top End,’ he said.

David McMahon, 36, is a head tour guide in Australia’s Northern Territory

He then shared a short clip that showed almost 15 crocodiles monitoring his car.

‘I’m crossing the mighty East Alligator River – they’re lined up as the diamond scale mullet and barramundi are swimming up the crossing,’ he explained about the starving crocodiles.

David shared that the disparity in the name and creature occurred because English explorer Phillip Parker King couldn’t tell alligators and crocodiles apart.

‘This is truly such a wild place,’ David said, gazing out onto the deadly reptiles.

He told FEMAIL: ‘There has been many times over the years when I’ve crossed this river with my heart in my mouth!

‘The worst is at night time, and there was one occasion I had to cross it really deep when the tide had stopped and before it started rushing out again.

‘As soon as I entered the water, the headlights went under and I had to do the crossing blind – knowing exactly what was waiting for me if I made a mistake.’

An Australian man revealed that his daily commute to work includes driving across a river filled with 600 crocodiles – and the terrifying journey frequently has him fearing for his life

But despite the frequent dose of terror, David truly loves his job.

‘I love being able to share the beauty of Northern Australia with guests from around the world,’ he said.

‘It’s such a wild place up here and there are fewer and fewer places on the planet like this.

‘To spend so much time in the bush is a privilege I never take for granted and I honestly can’t pick a part of the job I don’t love,’ he added.

The short clip David shared showed almost 15 crocodiles monitoring his car

Many were shocked by David’s arduous commute and commended him for his bravery.

‘I’d be so afraid of doing that – too close for comfort,’ a woman said. ‘Good on you!’

‘My anxiety peaked watching that, you’re so brave,’ another added.

While others chose to combat their fear with humour.

‘That’s the road my dad crossed everyday on foot to get to school,’ one wrote.

‘At least you don’t get stuck in a traffic jam there,’ a second said.

Parents’ fury as primary school BANS packed lunches leaving mothers having to drive to

admin — Thu, 21 Sep 2023 09:18:17 +0000

A furious mother has been driving to her four-year-old daughter’s primary school to deliver food each day after the institution banned packed lunches.

Bean Primary School has banned packed lunches for children in Year 1 and Reception due to the need to guarantee a certain number of cooked dinners from the meal provider.

But parents are outraged by the implementation of the policy which they say strips their children of their choice between a packed lunch or a hot dinner.

Some also bemoan the quality of the cooked lunches – citing meals such as ‘onion bhaji and chips’.

However, the headteacher of the school in the village of Bean, Kent, insists the lunches are of excellent quality and include alternatives for children with special dietary requirements.

HAS YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL BANNED PACKED LUNCHES? Email jessica.hamilton.mol@mailonline.co.uk

Fay Armitage, whose lactose intolerant four-year-old daughter Bonnie is in Reception at Bean Primary School, is vehemently opposed to the new policy banning packed lunches. Ms Armitage and Bonnie are pictured outside the school

Ms Armitage drives to the school gates to allow her daughter to eat her packed lunch in the car (pictured)

Fay Armitage, whose lactose intolerant daughter Bonnie is in Reception at the school, is vehemently opposed to the new policy.

She says four-year-old Bonnie regularly comes home with tummy aches from school as she’s no longer able to control how much dairy she has in her diet.

Ms Armitage was hoping to send Bonnie to school each day with a packed lunch so she would know exactly what she’d eaten throughout the day.

But parents have now been forbidden to do so, as all children in Reception and Year 1 must partake in school dinners.

Ms Armitage has been told instead to fill in a special dietary request form so the kitchen knows what they can give Bonnie.

But the mother-of-three does not seem to think that is sufficient and sometimes drives to the school gates to allow her daughter to eat her packed lunch in the car.

‘I didn’t say she can’t eat certain foods,’ the 35-year-old, who works as a part-time healthcare assistant said. ‘I just monitor what she eats and make sure she does not have too much of anything that is going to upset her tummy.

‘I don’t need them to tell me every mouthful she eats, but just to give me an idea so I can adjust her evening meals accordingly.

‘If she has had a yoghurt I would know not to give her one later. They just told me they didn’t have enough staff to be able to do that.

She added: ‘I think it’s ridiculous, to be honest.’

Ms Armitage also feels that in implementing this new mandatory policy to have cooked dinners, the school is taking away the children’s right to choose what they eat.

Mrs Armitage was hoping to send Bonnie (pictured) to school each day with a packed lunch so she would know exactly what she’d eaten throughout the day

Ms Armitage has suggested the school provide a simple sandwich option for lunch, but was told this wasn’t possible. Bonnie is pictured eating a sandwich in her mother’s car

The new policy currently only applies to children in Reception and Year 1. But under the Government‘s universal infant free school meals (UIFSM) policy, the same scheme will gradually be rolled out to each new academic year group until it covers the entire school, and there are three choices to order from.

Parents are now arguing that under the new policy, Unicef children’s rights, which the school is signed up to, have been breached.

‘Bean Primary School is a Unicef Rights Respecting School – this is highlighted on their website where Article 12 states that every child has the right to express their views, feelings and wishes in all matters affecting them, and to have their views considered and taken seriously,’ Ms Armitage said.

‘Yet the school is ignoring the fact that some children would prefer a packed lunch and is forcing them to have a school dinner purely for financial gain.

‘It’s disappointing that the headteacher, Mr Reilly, and the school governors are taking away the rights of the children by refusing to let the younger children have a packed lunch.

‘While I appreciate that the government offers UIFSM, this is an offer and not compulsory.

‘It appears Mr Reilly and the governors have promised the catering company a minimum number of meals each day,’ the mother added, saying the policy is ‘forcing the children in Reception and Year 1 to have school dinners while children in all other year groups have the option of taking in a packed lunch from home’.

‘This is going to result in children being hungry unnecessarily and is not safeguarding my child or putting her needs first. It is instead preventing my child from eating properly.’

Ms Armitage has suggested the school provide a simple sandwich option for lunch, but was told this wasn’t possible.

‘I’m in a no-win situation,’ she said. ‘If I don’t collect her she’s starving, but if I pick her up we have a tantrum when she leaves because she doesn’t want to go back.

‘It doesn’t have to be fancy – just offer her a sandwich.’

Other mothers of children in Reception and Year 1 at the school are equally unhappy with the mandatory new policy.

Lissa Jones, another parent with a child at Bean Primary School, said the policy could detrimentally impact the children’s learning.

‘A decision on packed lunch or school dinners should rest with the parents of a child based on the parent’s knowledge of what a child can and will eat,’ she said.

‘Being forced to eat school dinners that children do not want to eat, will not eat and being forced to eat can have a detrimental effect.

‘A child could be put off going to school knowing that they will not enjoy the dinners, not eat much and therefore affect their happiness and learning.’

She added: ‘Of course encourage children to try new things, but don’t force them.’

Another mother, whose daughter in Year 1 was part of the first cohort under the no-packed lunches rule, said that although the policy helps her financially she’s unhappy with some of the food on offer.’

She said: ‘It’s not really fair on her that most of the week she is stuck with jacket potato that sometimes isn’t cooked very well and she comes home starving.

‘Not to mention some of the meal options not even an adult would choose. Onion bhaji and chips? What even is that?

‘The children just aren’t getting a variety of food.’

Ms Armitage feels that in implementing this new mandatory policy to have cooked dinners, the school is taking away the children’s right to choose what they eat. Bonnie is pictured above

In a letter, the school assured parents that staff were checking children had eaten enough and would ensure more of what they liked was available if not.

It was also stated that if a child was not eating adequately a member of staff would let the parent know, but that they might come home with an appetite due to their busy day.

Bean Primary School head teacher Graham Reilly said: ‘The policy was brought in a year ago because of the school’s need to guarantee a certain number of cooked lunches from the provider.

‘The quality of meals is excellent and we have received many compliments from parents and pupils.

‘There were no issues last year and the policy is being rolled out as each year group progresses, so children who have brought packed lunches in the past can continue to do so until they change schools.

‘The situation is explained to every parent who takes part in the meetings for reception-age children before choosing that school for their child.

‘There is a lactose-free alternative for affected children. It is not feasible to prepare a written report on everything an individual pupil has eaten.’

A spokesman for Kent County Council said it was up to individual schools to decide on their own policies and added there was ‘no obligation’ on them to allow packed lunches.

I had to pay £3,000 and drive 1,000 miles to Croatia to join my family on holiday because

admin — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:33:05 +0000

A father of three says he was forced to pay £3,000 and drive more than 1,100 miles across six countries in order to join his family holiday after falling victim to a little-known passport rule.

Peter Holt, 50, says he was one of three people turned away at the boarding gate for a flight to Croatia from the UK because his passport was out of date, despite it not expiring until next year.

Before the UK left the EU, valid British passport holders could freely travel across the EU even if their passport expired the day after their return.

But since 2021, UK passport holders travelling to any EU country will be denied entry if their passport was issued ten years previously, even if it still has extra months left.

Peter got his passport in July 2013 and was able to carry over unexpired months, giving the expiry of March 2024.

Peter Holt, 50, was forced to watch his family fly to Croatia without him as he had tried travelling on an expired passport

He took his Mini Cooper though six countries over two days, eventually reuniting with his family

The determined dad drove his car from Surrey to Croatia over two days, covering more than 1,100 miles

But post-Brexit rules, which he had no idea about, brought this forward to July 2023.

The financial planning consultant watched on in dismay as his wife Claire, 46, took their two sons Rocky, eight, and Axel and Hunter, both six, and flew to Croatia on an easyJet flight.

He says that no one had flagged his passport issue until he was at the airport.

‘We had booked the holiday in February, and it said nothing about an issue with the passport then.

‘I had my boarding pass, been through bag check, passport control, yet now at the final stage I was turned away,

‘It just didn’t – and still doesn’t – make sense.’

His family were overjoyed to see him again, after they were separated for several days

‘We had booked the holiday in February, and it said nothing about an issue with the passport then,’ Peter said

The determined dad, from Surrey, was forced to drive his Mini Cooper 1,102 miles to Croatia, cutting through France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia before finally joining his family two days later in Croatia.

‘I bought my ticket to pass through the Channel Tunnel and set off on my journey,

‘The crazy thing is both the English and French border control teams at the crossing accepted my passport adding further mystery to the tale.’

Peter drove around 500 miles on the first day of his journey stopping in Strasbourg, France at 10pm at a Hilton hotel.

He turned on Find My iPhone tracking services so his family could follow him on his continental journey.

The British dad went through France, Germany, Austria and Slovenia before finally joining his family two days later in Croatia

‘The trip was fantastic, the roads were smooth, the scenery was fantastic, and driving through mainland Europe was just beautiful,’ he said

He says the pan-European road trip cost him an additional £3,000 due to hotels, food and crossing fees

He then drove the remaining 608 miles through Germany, Austria, and Slovenia in 12 hours to meet his family at their hotel in Pula at 8pm.

‘My kids, wife, and I were just elated that I had made it there in such a short period, of time’ he said.

‘And to only miss two days of our two-week holiday was just brilliant.’

While he missed out on some of his holiday, he managed to get a spot of sightseeing in.

He said: ‘As sad as the situation was, the trip was fantastic, the roads were smooth, the scenery was fantastic, and driving through mainland Europe was just beautiful.

‘I saw signs for places I had seen on the TV like France’s Champagne regions and the Allianz Arena in Munich, I just wish I could have stopped off.’

He is now warning other holidaymakers to check the expiry dates on their passports, as his pan-continential journey cost him an additional £3,000 in crossing fees, food and hotels.

‘I am glad to have made it, but the situation was just so unnecessary,’ he said.

‘I just wish someone, be it easyJet or the UK Passport Office, would have let me know.’

An easyJet spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘Unfortunately Mr Holt was unable to fly to Pula due to their passport not meeting current validity rules. easyJet follows the rules on passport validity as set out by the authorities where we operate.

‘We remind customers during booking and before they travel to ensure they are aware of the requirements for the destination they are flying to and it is customers’ responsibility to ensure they have valid documentation for travel.’

Admiral motor insurance price hikes drive revenue to £2.2bn

admin — Wed, 16 Aug 2023 19:23:33 +0000

Admiral motor insurance price hikes drive revenue to £2.2bn

Admiral’s turnover jumped by 21% to £2.24bn for the six months ending June
Claims inflation has been hit by more expensive repairs and supply chain snags
Admiral shares were the top riser on the FTSE 100 by early Wednesday afternoon

By Harry Wise

Published: 10:42 EDT, 16 August 2023 | Updated: 10:42 EDT, 16 August 2023

Admiral defied difficult economic conditions in the first half as price hikes helped drive double-digit revenue growth.

The insurer has hikes prices to offset elevated claims inflation, particularly within its motoring business, which has seen more expensive repairs, supply chain snags and soaring used car costs.

Price hikes led to Admiral’s revenues jumping by 21 per cent to £2.24billion for the six months ending June, with its UK motor insurance arm providing most of the growth.

Cost challenges: Motor insurers like Admiral have been hit by more expensive repairs, supply chain snags and soaring used car costs over the past year

Although the division’s customer numbers dipped slightly, turnover climbed by around £250million thanks to higher average premiums after lifting prices by about a fifth across new business and renewals.

Revenues also expanded in its international insurance and UK household segments for the same reasons, although they further benefited from a bump in customers.

Pre-tax profits rebounded by 4 per cent due to higher interest rates pushing up investment income and fewer payout claims than initially expected.

Milena Mondini de Focatiis, chief executive of Admiral, said: ‘The group has once again delivered a solid performance and strong growth in the context of a challenging market, although we believe that the cycle is turning.’

Admiral noted that secondhand vehicle prices, a major contributor to damage inflation, had seen prices begin to stabilise.

She added: ‘Inflation persists, but we have navigated the cycle well, maintaining pricing discipline and a focus on medium-term profitability.

‘We recognise that these are challenging times for many people, and we are committed to being there for them when they need us the most, delivering good service and competitively priced products while also actively managing our costs.’

Admiral shares were the FTSE 100 Index’s top performer by early Wednesday afternoon, rising by 6.6 per cent, or 146p, to £23.45.

They have still slumped by over a third from their peak in summer 2021 when the firm was buoyed by a growing customer base and a drop in car accidents from people travelling less often.

Trading has inevitably struggled since then as the end of Covid-related restrictions encouraged Britons to take more journeys.

Matt Britzman, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: ‘Conditions are likely to remain tough over the rest of the year, but Admiral should be able to continue its string of outperformance versus peers with selective underwriting and strong pricing power.

‘The group’s also been very prudent with reserves in recent years, now sitting on a good chunk of excess which should be unwound into profits over the next few years.’

Aviva also released half-year results on Wednesday, showing operating profits increasing amidst soaring demand for private health insurance as Britons sought to beat record NHS waiting lists.

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The cheapest way to drive from England to France revealed by Which? – pitting ferries

admin — Fri, 11 Aug 2023 12:53:59 +0000

Planning on a road trip from the UK to France but in need of a steer for the best-value ways of crossing the Channel?

No need to feel lost at sea regarding prices because researchers at Which? have been hard at work analysing the cost differences between taking the ferry and rolling onto a LeShuttle Channel Tunnel train service.

The insights below – which include prices for overnight ferry services – will help you work out whether it’s worth sacrificing sea views for speed. All the costs are average prices for a standard car with two adults, two children, travelling in August.

Which is cheaper – the ferry or Channel Tunnel (LeShuttle)?

‘If price is your only concern, the ferry beats LeShuttle hands down,’ Which? says.

Which? investigated the average prices for peak season crossings between the UK and France. The Dover (above) to Calais route with providers such as P&O Ferries costs £106 on average, it reveals

It notes that, on average, LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel Le Shuttle) is £60 more expensive each way for a car with four passengers than the ferry service from Dover to Calais.

According to the watchdog, even if you hunt for late-night Channel Tunnel bargains, you’re unlikely to beat the ferry price. When Which? scoured the latter half of August for cheap crossings, the best one-way journey it could find was £120 on LeShuttle. In contrast, the cheapest one-way ferry crossing was just £54.

That said, LeShuttle is undoubtedly the fastest way to get from the UK to France, Which? says.

THE CHEAPEST ROUTES FROM ENGLAND TO FRANCE BY CAR, ACCORDING TO WHICH?

DOVER TO CALAIS

Average single price – £106

Average return price – £220

Crossing time – 1hr 30min

Operators – P&O Ferries, DFDS, Irish Ferries

DOVER TO DUNKIRK

Average single price – £107

Average return price – £225

Crossing time – 2hrs

Operators – DFDS

FOLKESTONE TO CALAIS – CHANNEL TUNNEL

Average single price – £166

Average return price – £346

Crossing time – 35 minutes

Operators – LeShuttle

NEWHAVEN TO DIEPPE

Average single price – £234

Average return price – £429

Crossing time – 4hrs

Operators – DFDS

Overnight crossing is available

POOLE TO CHERBOURG

Average single price – £293

Average return price – £585

Crossing time – 4hrs 30min

Operators – Brittany Ferries, Condor

PORTSMOUTH TO LE HAVRE

Average single price – £295

Average return price – £576

Crossing time – 7hrs 59min

Operators – Brittany Ferries

Overnight crossing is available

POOLE TO ST MALO

Average single price – £296

Average return price – £570

Crossing time – 6hrs 15min

Operators – Condor

PORTSMOUTH TO CHERBOURG

Average single price – £345

Average return price – £619

Crossing time – 3hrs

Operators – Brittany Ferries

Overnight crossing is available

PORTSMOUTH TO CAEN

Average single price – £365

Average return price – £699

Crossing time – 5hrs45

Operators – Brittany Ferries

Overnight crossing is available

PORTSMOUTH TO ST MALO

Average single price – £498

Average return price – £827

Crossing time – 11hrs

Operators – Brittany Ferries

Overnight crossing is available

PLYMOUTH TO ROSCOFF

Average single price – £443

Average return price – £825

Crossing time – 5hrs30

Operators – Brittany Ferries

Overnight crossing is available

All average prices for a standard car with two adults, two children, travelling in August. Based on booking in June. Provided by Direct Ferries.

Source: Which?

‘If price is your only concern, the ferry beats LeShuttle (above) hands down,’ Which? says

When travelling on LeShuttle, you are advised to arrive one hour before departure and, once you’ve boarded, the journey to France takes just 35 minutes on average.

The consumer champion adds that many people who travel with pets also favour LeShuttle as you can keep your dog or cat with you in the car – a familiar environment – for the whole journey.

Dover to Calais crossing – which ferry company is cheapest?

The popular Dover to Calais crossing is served by three ferry companies: DFDS, Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries, Which? notes.

Overall, Irish Ferries had the cheapest fare for every single date that Which? compared in its study of crossings. Its lowest price for a last-minute booking was just £54.

P&O Ferries also had some very low last-minute fares – within a few pounds of Irish Ferries – but these were limited and often only on the very unsociable 3.10am crossing, Which? reveals.

The watchdog notes that when comparing prices, it’s always worth checking the Dover to Dunkirk route to see if prices are better at the time you wish to travel. Dunkirk is only 24 miles (39km) east of Calais, and more convenient for those travelling on to Belgium.

What’s the cheapest day and time for cross-channel ferries and LeShuttle?

As a general rule, Sunday to Thursday departures offer the best rates, Which? reveals, adding that as you would expect, Friday and Saturday departures are pricey.

The Dover to Dunkirk (pictured) ferry route with DFDS costs £107 on average, Which? reveals

The watchdog’s comparison of August dates found that you could pay up to £201, one way on LeShuttle on a Friday or Saturday, but the most expensive fare on a Tuesday was £158.

Its research found that the cheapest time to travel from Dover to Calais by ferry was always between 10pm and 6.30am. The 10.15pm crossing had the cheapest fares on 14 of the 18 days Which? checked. The 2.55am and 6.15am crossings also regularly had the cheapest fares.

For the best LeShuttle fares, avoid crossing in the morning, Which? recommends. The 8am to 2pm trains had the highest prices, it found, and the cheapest crossings were always after 8pm. In particular, the 10pm to 11pm crossings were cheapest on 13 out of the 18 days Which? checked.

Can it work out cheaper to take an overnight ferry?

Which? says that ferries from Newhaven, Portsmouth and Plymouth all offer overnight sailings. These typically take longer, so that you can, in theory, get a good night’s sleep and drive off the boat refreshed in the morning. But longer crossings are generally much more expensive.

The watchdog notes that these sailings are particularly convenient if you live in the southwest of England, or are bound for western France, and could result in much shorter driving distances.

To take an extreme example, a family driving from Swindon to La Rochelle would drive 250 miles (402km) fewer by taking the Portsmouth-Caen route, rather than the Dover-Calais route. However, it would only save them around £50 in petrol and tolls, which doesn’t make up for the additional ferry fare for the longer sailing (£259 more on average), Which? reveals.

It costs an average price of £166 to travel from Newhaven to Dieppe (pictured) with DFDS

The consumer champion notes that overnight sailings do save you money on accommodation – you’ll have one less night in a hotel – but if you really want a good night’s sleep you’ll have to add on the price of a cabin on the ferry. A family cabin on the Portsmouth-Caen route cost £83 when Which? looked.

Can I get cheap ferry tickets to France with Tesco Clubcard vouchers or Nectar points?

Which? explains that you can use Tesco Clubcard points to book Dover to Calais crossings with Irish Ferries and P&O Ferries. You can also book LeShuttle crossings using Clubcard reward vouchers.

Every £5 of vouchers can be turned into £10 to spend on a ferry ticket, the watchdog says, though it notes that terms and conditions apply to these bookings.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to spend Nectar points on ferry tickets.

Commenting on the findings, Jo Rhodes, Deputy Which? Travel Editor, said: ‘Thousands of holidaymakers will be planning a trip to France this summer, but the impact of strike action, bad weather and lengthy immigration processes all contributed to delays at Dover earlier this year – so it’s unsurprising that many travellers might be worried about how long it will take them to get to their destination.

‘If speed is your priority then LeShuttle is the best option. However, if you’re looking to save money on driving to France, the ferry is definitely the cheaper option – and you can save even further by travelling at non-peak times and comparing prices between ferry companies.’

NHS doctor who helped to drive strike action has been selling a drug used for skin

admin — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 01:34:14 +0000

NHS doctor who helped to drive strike action has been selling a drug used for skin whitening

Glutathione, which is used as a skin whitener was described as a ‘dangerous fad’
It may have ‘toxic effects on the liver, kidneys and nervous system’

By Glen Owen and Abul Taher

Updated: 19:39 EDT, 17 June 2023

An NHS doctor who helped to lead medics’ demands for a 35 per cent pay rise has been selling a drug used for skin whitening, a Mail on Sunday investigation has found.

Dr Adam Daneshmend, a council member of the British Medical Association (BMA), is ‘founder and CEO’ of Vital Healthcare Solutions, which runs a website called Glutathione Shop UK, which sells vials of a drug called glutathione for intravenous injection.

Use of glutathione, which is usually applied as a skin whitener by women of Asian or Afro-Caribbean origin, has been described as a ‘dangerous fad’ by the American Medical Council on Science and Health and criticised as ‘unethical’ and ‘potentially dangerous’ by the British Medical Journal.

Some governments advise against its use because it may have ‘toxic effects on the liver, kidneys and nervous system’.

As a BMA council member, Dr Daneshmend has helped to drive industrial action by doctors which has crippled the NHS, as the Government has also faced damaging strikes by teachers and train drivers.

As a BMA council member, Dr Daneshmend has helped to drive industrial action by doctors which has crippled the NHS

He joined picket lines this year when junior doctors held four-day and three-day strikes over their pay demands, which Ministers have criticised for being ‘unrealistic’.

These strikes helped lead to the cancellation of an estimated 370,000 appointments and operations.

It may have toxic effects on the liver and kidneys

Actress Gwyneth Paltrow is a supporter of IV-injected glutathione to combat ageing and boost health, saying it was one of her ‘favourite’ injected drugs. The claim has been dismissed by doctors. Popular American health website WebMD says: ‘People take glutathione for ageing, alcohol use disorder, liver disease, heart disease and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.’

When The Mail on Sunday contacted Dr Daneshmend, he first denied having anything to do with Glutathione Shop UK and then said it may be linked to his company, which has been running for two years.

When asked about glutathione, he then abruptly put the phone down. Later, Dr Daneshmend sent a statement saying that the website was not fully operational yet and was not advertised.

He added that glutathione was not advertised on the website as a skin whitening product.

He said: ‘This website was never fully operational, nor was it advertised, but was created as a proof of concept. The website should not have been searchable and was not carried forwards due to commercial reasons.

‘One product planned for sale was glutathione – a legal and approved supplement commonly available both online and on the high street from pharmacies, fitness supplement retailers and wellness shops. The other product was vitamin C.

‘Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally produced by the body and people take it for many reasons, including to boost their immune system and for liver health.

‘Glutathione was not marketed on the website as a skin lightening or bleaching product.’

Dr Daneshmend also pointed out glutathione is found in high street health shops like Holland & Barrett. After we placed our calls to him, the website for Glutathione Shop UK was taken down, as well as Dr Daneshmend’s Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media pages.

The BMA declined to comment.

Greggs starts year healthily as absence of Covid measures drive major sales growth

admin — Tue, 16 May 2023 12:36:02 +0000

Greggs starts year on a healthy note with a sales surge thanks to cheaply-priced treats and later shop opening times

Bakery chain revealed turnover expanded by 17.1% on a like-for-like basis
Greggs has warned profits would be impacted this year by rising cost inflation
Longer store opening times boosted purchases of pizza and chicken goujons

By Harry Wise For This Is Money

Published: 05:54 EDT, 16 May 2023 | Updated: 06:01 EDT, 16 May 2023

Greggs has begun the year with bumper revenue growth as it benefited from strong demand for affordable treats.

The bakery chain revealed turnover expanded by 17.1 per cent on a like-for-like basis for the opening 19 weeks of 2023, while total sales jumped by more than £100million to £609million.

Trading rose significantly compared to the equivalent period last year, with the early part of 2022 hit by the omicron variant of Covid.

This reduced commuting into city centres after Britons were encouraged again by the Government to work from home.

Biting: Greggs has begun the year with bumper revenue growth as it benefited from a lack of pandemic restrictions and strong demand for affordable meals

Besides the absence of travel restrictions, the company has gained from longer opening times at hundreds of outlets driving purchases of hot food items like pizza and chicken goujons.

In addition, Greggs noted that demand for its plant-based products had received an uplift from the popularity of its newly-created vegan Mexican chicken-free bake.

Susannah Streeter, the head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: ‘UK consumers may be proving a bit flaky when it comes to big-ticket items, but appetites are still strong for pasties, and sausage rolls on trips out to the shops, on lunchbreaks or trips away.’

She added that the cheap price of Greggs’s treats was helping ‘keep sales hot amid the cost-of-living crisis.’

The Newcastle-based group has warned profits would be impacted this year by rising cost inflation of around 9 to 10 per cent, driven especially by staff salaries and skyrocketing energy bills.

Costs have been passed onto customers through price hikes, including on its famed sausage rolls, which now cost £1.20 each after being £1 at the start of January 2022.

Analysts forecast Greggs will report approximately £163million in pre-tax profits for 2023, compared to £148.3million last year.

Charlie Huggins, manager of the Quality Shares Portfolio at Wealth Club, said: ‘The cost of raw materials, energy and wages are all rising rapidly, and Greggs is significantly exposed to all three.

‘However, at least inflation appears to have stabilised and isn’t getting worse. And crucially, sales are rising strongly, which is providing oxygen to help absorb cost pressures.’

Greggs is also ploughing ahead with a store expansion programme, intending to have more than 3,000 UK shops sometime during the latter half of this decade.

Having opened a record number of shops in 2022, it announced plans in March to launch 150 more outlets and trial 24-hour drive-thru locations this year.

So far this year, it has opened 63 new shops, including in Canary Wharf and at Cardiff and Glasgow airports.

Greggs shares were 2.4 per cent lower at £27.76 on Tuesday morning, although they have grown by over a quarter in the past six months.

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Why you should travel to Lacey’s Creek Walking Track, Djuri National Park a short drive

admin — Sun, 07 May 2023 03:32:45 +0000

Travellers are flocking to this ‘magical’ stretch of rainforest despite being home to one very dangerous animal: ‘It’s paradise’

Adventures are flocking to Lacey’s Creek Walking Track
It sits in Djiru National Park in Far North Queensland
The trail winds through a magical rainforest

By Louise Allingham For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 01:12 EDT, 5 May 2023 | Updated: 01:15 EDT, 5 May 2023

Adventure chasers are heading north to a stunning and ‘unforgettable’ hiking trail that winds through a magical rainforest.

Up in the tropics of Far North Queensland in Djiru National Park is the Lacey’s Creek Walking Track which can be found less than two hours south of Cairns.

The spectacular trail takes visitors along the trickling creek and through the lush forest of ferns and towering palm tress that create a shady canopy.

While it is close to the popular Mission Beach and attracts thousands of tourists each year, the area is only sound-tracked by the forest and its wildlife making visitors feel like they’ve entered a prehistoric fantasy land.

At the end of the easy-grade trail travellers can find relief from the region’s balmy weather by taking a dip in the refreshing, crystal clear waters of Lacey’s Creek.

Travellers have discovered an enchanting walking trail through a magical forest that is teeming with native wildlife

Up in the tropics of Far North Queensland in Djiru National Park is the Lacey’s Creek Walking Track which can be found less than two hours south of Cairns

The spectacular trail takes visitors along the trickling creek and through the lush forest of ferns and towering palm tress that create a shady canopy

Swimmers will be sharing the creek’s fresh waters with a variety of fish as well as saw-shell turtles while walkers may be lucky enough to come across the park’s resident cassowaries.

The well-worn, gentle trail is roughly 1.5km, takes up to 45 minutes for a round trip and is best appreciated when walked in an anticlockwise direction.

Half way along the trail there is a viewing platform to take in the enchanting scenery of Lacey’s Creek.

The area is buzzing with wildlife from pythons to butterflies, bats, kangaroos, possums and even wild cassowaries.

At the end of the easy-grade trail travellers can find relief from the region’s balmy weather by taking a dip in the refreshing, crystal clear waters of Lacey’s Creek

How to get to Djiru National Park’s Lacey’s Creek Walking Trail

Lacey’s Creek Walk is approximately 7.5km from Mission Beach Village along the Mission Beach – El-Arish Road.

This walk is best appreciated when walked in an anti-clockwise direction. Starting from the Cassowary Information Shelter, here you can learn about cassowaries, which are frequently seen in the area.

The track passes through the rainforest and exits at the picnic area near the car park.

Source: Mission Beach Cassowaries

Swimmers will be sharing the creek’s fresh waters with a variety of fish as well as saw-shell turtles while walkers may be lucky enough to come across the park’s resident cassowaries

While cassowaries are usually shy and elusive they can be aggressive and dangerous if provoked so hikers should practice caution if they cross paths with one of the birds.

Visitors have been raving about their experience treading the Lacey’s Creek Walking Track but many advise travellers arm themselves with mosquito repellent before stepping out.

‘Wonderful little example of the incomparable North Queensland rain forest. The crystal clear pristine creeks are teeming with native fishes, and there are a few great places for a dip in the cool stream,’ one traveller wrote online.

‘Butterflies everywhere and peaceful running streams as your soundtrack makes this walk unforgettable,’ said another.

What to do is you meet a cassowary on a Djiru Park walking track

Cassowaries will be aware of you if you are moving around and will stand still assuming you can’t see them.

Once you are quiet you will easily hear a (cassowary or two) walking around if the ground cover is reasonably dry. Juveniles can be inquisitive.

Should you be approached by a bird avoid eye contact.

In the very unlikely event a bird persists in approaching you or if you notice it standing very tall, do not look it in the eye, back away very slowly placing a barrier of trees between you and the bird. (Never run away from a cassowary.

Like Emus it triggers a response to run also) If a cassowary is ignored it generally loses interest very quickly and goes on its way.

If by chance you don’t get to see a bird at Mission Beach and you have time to take a trip to Etty Bay you may be lucky to see one of a number of birds that regularly visit the beach.

These birds unfortunately are habituated to people. While the adult birds will move on if they know you do not have any food, younger birds can be unpredictable and demanding.

We don’t recommend taking a picnic onto the beach and if a bird approaches you while eating at a table, cover the food and avoid eye contact.

Source: Mission Beach Cassowaries

Lewis Hamilton blasts Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law, will drive in Miami with a rainbow

admin — Fri, 05 May 2023 17:02:05 +0000

Lewis Hamilton blasts Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law as he reveals he’ll drive the Miami Grand Prix with a rainbow helmet: ‘It’s the people in government that’s the issue’

The Mercedes driver criticized the state’s government for passing the law
Hamilton spoke out in favor of abortion rights at last year’s Miami Grand Prix
DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news

By Jake Fenner For Dailymail.Com

Published: 12:13 EDT, 5 May 2023 | Updated: 12:52 EDT, 5 May 2023

Mercedes F1 driver Sir Lewis Hamilton ripped the Florida state legislature’s anti-LGBTQ+ measures passed by lawmakers in recent months ahead of Sunday’s 2023 Miami Grand Prix.

Hamilton, a vocal ally for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, compared laws approved by Florida’s Republican governor Ron DeSantis to oppression seen in countries such as Saudi Arabia.

‘It’s not good at all,’ Hamilton said ahead of the second grand prix held in Miami. ‘I stand by those within the community here. I hope they continue to stand firm and push back. I’ll have the rainbow on my helmet. It’s no different to when we were in Saudi.’

As the only Black driver in Formula One, Hamilton is one of the most vocal advocates for social justice, diversity, and human rights.

He has spoken out on issues of inclusion in countries with controversial human rights records and has previously raced with a rainbow helmet in Qatar and Saudi Arabia amongst other countries.

Mercedes F1 driver Lewis Hamilton blasted Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Miami this week

Hamilton has worn a rainbow helmet in countries with poor LGBTQ+ rights records like Qatar

These words from Hamilton come just days prior to the first of three Grands Prix to be held in the United States – with dates in Austin, Texas as well as Las Vegas coming later this season.

Desantis signed the ‘Parental Rights in Education Act’ – commonly referred to by opponents of the law as the ‘Don’t Say Gay Bill’ – back in March.

That law has been expanded and prohibits public school teachers in the state to teach their students about sexual orientation or gender identity.

While pushing back against the law, Hamilton did not outright say that Formula One should avoid racing in the ‘Sunshine State’ as a result of these repressive bills.

‘It’s not for me to decide something like that,’ Hamilton said. ‘I did hear and have read about some of the decisions that have been made in government here and I do not agree with it and I do not support it.

‘I really do continue to stand with the LGBTQ community and I’m wearing a rainbow flag on my helmet this weekend and I just really want to continue to support the community here and let them know I stand with them and I hope they continue to fight against it.’

Hamilton added, ‘It’s not the people of Miami that are making these decisions, it’s the people in government and that’s the issue.

‘I think, hopefully, all I can do – the sport is going to be here whether I am or not – but the least I can do is just continue to be supportive and just being here and having that on my helmet, hopefully that speaks well to the subject.’.

Hamilton did not explicitly say if Formula One should stop racing in Florida as a result of this

Hamilton: ‘It’s not the people of Miami… it’s the people in government and that’s the issue.

Hamilton also spoke out on social justice issues at last season’s Miami GP (shown above)

This isn’t the first time Hamilton has used the Miami Grand Prix to speak out on social justice issues in the United States.

Prior to last May’s Miami GP – the first one ever held at the Miami International Autodrome – Hamilton spoke out in favor of abortion rights in the country.

One month after the race, the Supreme Court overturned the decision made in Roe v. Wade that protected an individual’s liberties to have an abortion.

The resulting reversal of the ruling led to multiple states implementing serious restrictions on the medical procedure – including 14 states which have a full ban on the procedure. Many of those states do not have an exception for victims of rape or incest as a part of those laws.

‘I love being in the States, but I can’t ignore what’s going on right now and what some in the government are trying to do to the women who live here,’ Hamilton said at the time. ‘Everyone should have the right to choose what they do with their bodies. We can’t let that choice be taken away.’

Hamilton has pushed back against the FIA’s guidance prohibiting drivers from speaking out on social justice issues that it put in place prior to the start of the 2023 season

The FIA – Formula One’s governing body – said before the season started that drivers would be prohibited from speaking their minds on social justice issues at events.

After pushback from drivers, the position was clarified that allowed racers to respond to questions.

While Hamilton made his comments in response to a question asked by a reporter, he previously indicated that he would not follow the FIA’s rule.

Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of Formula One, with the most wins in the sport’s history and is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most world drivers championships ever.

Arm files for US listing in drive to raise £8bn funding

admin — Mon, 01 May 2023 11:36:05 +0000

Chip designer Arm registers for US stock market listing – set to be this year’s biggest

By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter

Published: 16:50 EDT, 30 April 2023 | Updated: 03:17 EDT, 1 May 2023

Chip designer Arm has registered for a US stock market listing – set to be this year’s biggest.

The Cambridge-based firm – thought to be valued at £50billion – has filed papers with regulators after revealing in March that it planned to float in New York.

Arm is a major UK success story whose technology underpins the global smartphone industry.

Listing: Arm is a major UK success story whose technology underpins the global smartphone industry

But it has shunned a listing in London, despite a campaign by ministers.

Its initial public offering (IPO) registration in the US confirms that it plans to press ahead despite recent market volatility. The number of US IPOs in 2023 is down 22 per cent on last year, according to figures from Dealogic.

However, the market may be starting to thaw, with Johnson & Johnson preparing to list its consumer health business Kenvue in New York next week.

Arm is reported to be planning to raise up to £8billion in a Nasdaq index float.

Arm has been faring better than some other companies in the chip industry thanks to its focus on data centre servers and personal computers.

Sales climbed 28 per cent to £593million in its most recent quarter.

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Chip designer Arm registers for US stock market listing – set to be this year’s biggest

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You think your daily commute to work is tough? I drive my car through an Aussie river filled with 600 starving killer crocodiles to get to my day job