MEMOIR

High Caucasus

by Tom Parfitt (Headline £25, 332pp)

The children arrived at school on September 1, 2004, the first day of the school year, ‘carrying new satchels and bunches of flowers for their teachers . . .’

One of the first-graders, seven-year-old Dzera Kudzayeva, had been chosen for the ‘first bell’ ritual, in which a new girl is hoisted on the shoulders of one of the oldest boys and rings a handbell. The town was called Beslan.

Shortly after the children assembled, the militants arrived, jumping off a flat-bed truck, firing automatic rifles in the air and shouting Allahu Akbar! 

They shot two security guards and then took hundreds of children and their teachers hostage inside the school. 

Days passed; the situation became chaotic, with local men arming themselves with guns, and Russia’s ruthless special forces, Spetsnaz, arriving.

The militants were Chechens, seeking revenge in the pro-Russian Christian republic of North Ossetia for the countless brutalities Russia had inflicted on their own Muslim homeland of Chechnya, paying brutality back with even worse brutality.

They released a few breastfeeding mothers and their babies, but the rest of the captive children were made to strip to their underwear, herded into a baking hot gymnasium and denied drinking water. They were forced to drink their own urine.

Finally, chaos erupted, bombs exploded, fire broke out and the building was stormed — resulting in the deaths of 333 people, including 186 children. 

Parfitt, a correspondent in Moscow for British newspapers, saw it all.

‘In a man’s arms, a girl of nine or so had blood trickling from the corners of her mouth . . . the corpses of four children lay covered in sheets . . . a man in camouflage with his fists raised in bloody rags . . .’

Many journalists witness dreadful things to bring us the news, but Beslan was an especially hideous massacre of the innocents. 

Even though Parfitt insists, bravely, that he didn’t suffer from PTSD afterwards, he certainly struggled.

Soon there came recurring nightmares, especially one in which he saw a mother who had just lost her child in the massacre, falling to the ground in slow motion, ‘floundering, plunging before my helpless sight. Three seconds torn from a reel of terror and decelerated into endless purgatory.’

One evening, ‘I was pulling on my socks when I began gabbling incoherently’. He decided he had to do something. 

And so he did what many traumatised survivors have done: he turned to nature, to mountains, to forests and rivers, and to the slow, wordless magic of a very, very long walk.

He would trek from end to end across the Caucasus mountain range, through its many troubled but beautiful republics, like Ingushetia, Dagestan, and Chechnya itself: eight regions in all, with the Foreign Office advising against visiting all but two of them.

Parfitt hoped to experience a more tranquil region, to find his own peace, and try to understand how something so atrocious could have happened.

The result is this book, High Caucasus, one of the most harrowing, beautifully written and finest accounts of a mountain trek that I have ever read — an instant classic. 

You might describe it as a secular pilgrimage in search of some kind of salvation, or at least partial healing and understanding. 

Parfitt comes to absolutely love this landscape: ‘The North Caucasus had cast a spell over me that no place has matched, before or since.’

He vividly evokes a world where life is very tough, but so are the people: a world where Abkhazian women trek miles across the border to sell armfuls of mimosa blossoms for a few roubles to the Russians, while the menfolk shoot bears and then ‘sell the fat for people to rub on their chests when they’re ill’.

He meets numerous jolly, if often tipsy, shepherds with huge moustaches, wearing sheepskin jackets, spending months up in the high summer pastures with their flocks, defending them from wolves and sleeping in sparse huts. 

They are always keen to press vodka upon this exotic foreign walker, and discuss the world together.

An orthodox priest tells him he has heard that London is very bad for crime. ‘East 17,’ he said. ‘Same as the group.’ ‘Ah,’ says Parfitt, ‘Walthamstow.’

There are many such comic moments, as when he fears he’s heading into a gunfight, hearing bullets fly, but a local assures him: ‘More likely a wedding.’

Soon he encounters ‘a pristine blue Rolls-Royce Phantom with a man sitting on the passenger window and firing a Kalashnikov into the air’. All very cheery, nothing to worry about.

Parfitt concludes his great adventure with the feeling that history is something all peoples must both remember and forget, so as not to be trapped into attitudes of smouldering hatred and longing for revenge.

And yes, nature heals, as do long days with simple but far from stupid people.

At last the Caucasus comes to mean not just the horrors of Beslan, but also ‘a curtain of cloud rising like smoke over a ridge . . . a bowl of mulberries on a sunlit windowsill’, while ‘above all, filling the horizon from west to east in a chain of wonder, rises the frosty palisade of the mountains: vast, sparkling, immutable’. 

A magical book.

GWS kick eight goals in a row including a ‘Jackie Chan’ special to put St Kilda to the sword in their elimination final at the MSG

• Giants took control early at the ‘G’ 
• Saints managed to rally late in the first half 
• Plenty of highlights including karate kick GWS goal 

By Josh Alston For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 02:38 EDT, 9 September 2023 | Updated: 02:38 EDT, 9 September 2023

An historic Colorado ranch boasting seven impressive homes has hit the market for a whopping $68 million. 

Spanning 245 acres across the countryside of Woody Creek in the Roaring Fork Valley of Pitkin County, Two Mile Ranch is a true legacy compound just 8 miles from Aspen.

The property’s new owners are being offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to scoop up one of the area’s oldest ranches, dating back to the 1800s. 

Seven custom-built homes are included in the sale, which are each carefully crafted to complement the land they sit on. 

Two Mile Ranch is one of the last great ranches left in the area and includes an array of unparalleled natural features. 

Stunning views of surrounding pastures, mountains and local wildlife create a picturesque landscape from the balconies and windows of the seven dwellings. 

Each of the custom-built homes showcase a distinctive artistic aesthetic – and even hold their own specialized features. 

These include the main Estate House, the Bunk House, Craftsman House, The Cottage House – also known as the ‘Hobbit House’, Ranch Manager’s house, Aspen Lodge and Shepard’s Cabin – all which can be rented out to generate income. 

The five-bedroom Estate House is complemented with a pool and hot tub, accessible from the primary bedroom on the main floor. 

With bright interiors and gorgeous features such as a hand-carved bath tub, the heart of the ranch is found within this remarkable space. 

Credited as the ideal perfect place to relax, the aspen lodge boasts four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, an outdoor firepit and hot tub. 

The residence is equipped with an open kitchen and living room with both full-time or part-time living compatibility. 

Encompassing each element of the ranch’s signature style, guests will be left in awe. 

The cottage house has its own enchanting features, including a secret entrance to the library from the mudroom accessed by pulling a book off a bookshelf. 

While inside there’s three bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, the architecture displays signs of extraordinary craftsmanship with its unique rock look and shape. 

Harnessing the charm of a classic ranch style, the Bunk House has two bedrooms, a sleeping loft and one-and-a-half bathrooms.

A deck is built off the living room to encourage a connection with the sweeping views outside. 

The Shepard’s Cabin, credited as the ranch’s ‘prize jewel’, is currently being used as a saloon and a game room. 

Located on the historic upper valley, Two Mile Ranch was originally owned by the Natal family who settled in the Aspen area in the late 19th century.

Douglas Elliman Realtor Raifie Bass said the listing is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a part of the ranch’s history. 

‘Two Mile Ranch is not just a property—it’s an exquisite living experience that harmonizes with its surroundings,’ said listing agent Bass. 

‘The blend of artistry, nature and luxury sets this ranch apart, offering an unparalleled opportunity for those seeking an exceptional lifestyle.’ 

The home’s previous owner, local investor Pat Scanlan, said new owners will have a chance to be a part of Two Mile Ranch’s history. 

‘The property is a precious glimpse into Aspen’s past, epitomizing the essence of legacy while preserving a cherished remnant of the Roaring Fork Valley’s ranch heritage,’ said Scanlan. 

‘Preserving the property held great significance to me. The 10-year vesting rights create a unique opportunity to construct 10,000 square feet of new space, which is a rare privilege.

‘Additionally, the thoughtful inclusion of conservation easements on the ranch and neighboring ranches will ensure the preservation of this idyllic landscape.’ 

Celebrities stepped out in droves on Monday evening to see Ed Sheeran perform at a private show in The Hamptons.

Gwyneth Paltrow, 50, brought along her and ex-husband Chris Martin‘s 17-year-old son Moses Martin.

And Jerry Seinfeld, 69, was seen in good spirits as he arrived with his wife Jessica, 51, by his side for the concert at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett.

The Goop founder was casually stylish in a navy blue knit sweater and wide-leg denim trousers.

Her teenage son joined her in a dark jacket layered over a crew neck white T-shirt. 

Gwyneth rounded out her ensemble with a pair of white sneakers and wore a pair of aviator sunglasses.

Her graying blonde locks were arranged in a center part and soft, lustrous waves as she tucked the front pieces behind her ears.

She stacked multiple bracelets and wore a chunky chain link necklace around her neck.

After the show she reemerged with her sweater tied securely around her wait.

The lifestyle guru showed off her toned arms and flashed her cleavage in a low-cut white tank top.

Moses joined his Oscar-winning mother in a pair of textured red Adidas sneakers. 

His tousled dirty blonde hair was neatly styled in a tapered haircut that left the hair on top of his head a bit longer. 

Missing from the scene was his older sister Apple, 19, who sometimes makes appearances on their mom’s Instagram account. 

Jerry dressed comfortably in a pair of faded blue jeans and a short-sleeved navy blue polo shirt. 

He wore a pair of gray suede sneakers with white soles and his salt and pepper hair was neatly cut.

The Comedians In Cars With Coffee star wore very narrow, rimless eyeglasses and sported a black watch.

He was all smiles as he kept close to his longtime partner, who looked stylish in a clinging magenta dress.

Jessica elevated her look by cinching a yellow and gray horizontally striped belt around her waist.

The New York native, who has three children with Jerry, coordinated the accessory with her woven multicolor purse.

She wore oversized, glamorous glossy black sunglasses and small diamond drop earrings. 

Her bouncy blonde bob haircut was styled in an off-center part and fluffy waves. 

Living legend Paul McCartney was also in attendance at the celebrity-filled concert. 

The 81-year-old Beatles crooner looked fantastic in an all black look that included a crew neck sweater and denim pants.

He wore aviator sunglasses and his graying hair was in a shaggy cut that complemented his fully gray beard.

The iconic music artist wore a watch around his right wrist and flashed a thumbs-up as he arrived at the venue.

Joining in the fun on Monday evening was Christie Brinkley, 69, who brought along her daughter Sailor Brinkley Cook, 25.

The stunning supermodel wowed in a plunging blue and cream patterned mini dress.

She paired the flirty look – which had a tiered skirt – with to-the-knee gladiator sandals. 

Sailor joined her mom in a long-sleeved floral patterned red maxi dress that she wore with black ballet flats.

Ed Sheeran performed an exclusive concert featuring music from his latest album Subtract for SiriusXM subscribers.

The high-profile production is slated to air on SiriusXM’s The Ed Sheeran Channel on Wednesday, August 16 at 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm and 9:00 pm ET.

After that, the performance will re-air throughout the week – and the show will also  air on SiriusXM Hits 1. 

It comes after the redhead pop star performed for free at Sam Branson’s 38th birthday bash on Necker Island.

Biden asks Congress for $40 BILLION in extra funds – including an extra $13 BILLION for Ukraine – teeing up potential showdown with Congress

• The total $40 billion request includes $13 billion in emergency defense aid and wildfire pay and an additional $8 billion for humanitarian support of Ukraine
• Also includes $12B for disaster relief after a season of heat and storms, as well as $4B for the border and to combat fentanyl to attract Republicans to the deal

By Morgan Phillips, U.S. Political Reporter For Dailymail.Com

Published: 18:17 EDT, 10 August 2023 | Updated: 18:22 EDT, 10 August 2023

A foreign hospital is the last destination any tourist wants to visit.

But seemingly innocent activities like enjoying an ice-cold drink or wearing flipflops by the pool could have nasty consequences. 

Every week, 3,000 Brits need emergency medical treatment while abroad, according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI). 

Here, experts explain the health risks of going on holiday and offer some tips on how to minimise your risk.  

Avoid ice cubes

Sitting with an ice-cold drink by the pool on a hot day sounds like the ideal luxury.  

But disease-causing bacteria, such as E coli and cholera, may be lurking in cocktail ice cubes created using unclean water. 

Even though the water has gone through the freezing process, the bugs are hardy enough that some will survive.

‘If they are frozen you still run a risk because when the ice cubes thaw, then you will have some viable bacteria that is still alive’, says Dr Joanne Santini, a microbiologist at University College London (UCL).

Ice cubes aren’t the only potential carrier of pathogens.

Just like ice cubes, ice cream can also harbour bacteria, so you should be cautious buying it for street sellers. 

However, there is an even bigger risk of getting ill when washing fruit or brushing your teeth with contaminated water. 

This is because the liquid hasn’t been boiled or frozen to help kill off some of the pathogens. 

‘It depends where you’re going and if there is faecal bacteria in that water’, says Dr Santini.

She said: ‘Parts of south east Asia, south Asian, parts of Africa and probably some places in the west will have faecal contamination of drinking water.

‘So if you use that water to wash anything, you drink it or you brush your teeth, then you are going to get a risk of getting organisms like E coli or salmonella.’

If you think the water isn’t safe in your holiday destination you should drink bottled water or boil the water before drinking it, otherwise you could end up with diarrhoea or cholera, warns Dr Santini. 

Be careful wearing flip flops 

Flip flops may be the ideal footwear for relaxing by the poolside. 

But podiatrists warn sprained ankles and fractured bones are a risk when wearing the classic summer shoes. 

‘Whilst flip flops and sliders are great for walking poolside, we wouldn’t recommend them for longer walks as they offer little support to the feet and can end up doing more harm than good,’ says Emma McConnachie, spokesperson for the Royal College of Podiatry. 

She added: ‘Flip flops, and any backless shoes, can put you at an increased risk of injury, especially where alcohol or longer walks are involved. 

‘Common injuries are blisters, foot strain caused by a lack of support and prolonged use, sprained ankles and even fractures in the bones of the foot and ankle.’

Giving children secure footwear is also advisable to help prevent poolside accidents. 

Ms McConnachie said: ‘Youngsters are less likely to heed “no running” warnings at the poolside, try swim socks or swim shoes instead as these can be worn both in and out the pool.’

However, flip flops do have their uses as they can protect your bare feet from picking up nasty infections such as verrucas or athlete’s foot. 

Both verrucas and athlete’s foot are very common and spread by contact with infected cells. 

Pool side and changing areas are the perfect environment to catch these infections.

Long-haul and night flights

Some of the health hazards of a holiday are present before you even get to your destination. 

Rushing to get to the airport on time can be stressful and those travelling at night also have to battle with sleep loss. 

And that’s before you struggle with the subsequent jet-lag.  

Professor Russel Foster, an expert in circadian neuroscience at Oxford University, stresses that just one night of poor sleep can be enough to set you up for an illness.

‘There is a very clear relationship between stress, jet lag and immune suppression,’ he says. 

He adds: ‘Even one night of poor sleep can have a significant impact by suppressing the immune system.’

This means the combined stress of getting to the airport and the sleep loss from time-zone changes or catching a plane in the early hours can leave you vulnerable to falling ill on holiday. 

Professor Foster said: ‘It can make you more vulnerable to picking up a bug or infection, either on the aircraft or when you arrive. You are a bit more vulnerable.’

Swimming in polluted seas or lakes 

A dip in the sea or refreshing plunge into a lake is a classic holiday activity. 

But bacteria that can cause infections and diseases such as E coli and cholera could be lurking in polluted seas or lakes. 

Even in the UK waters, seas contaminated with sewage can make you sick. 

Experts generally recommend salt water for swimming as it generally has fewer riskier pathogens than fresh water. 

People with immune deficiencies should be particularly cautious about fresh water swimming. 

Swimming in such contaminated water can cause dysentery as well as respiratory and ear, nose and throat infections, says Immunodeficiency UK. 

The charity urges people who have a suppressed immune system, or their carers, to enquire how clean the sea and lakes are before committing to a dip. 

It adds that even swimming pools may pose a similar health risk if the water is not adequately monitored for quality and regularly cleaned. 

Sunrise host Natalie Barr rips into the Big Four Aussie banks: Here’s how they are giving YOU a raw deal as they make millions

• Major banks to crop grilling in parliament this week
• CEO’s of Westpac, NAB, ANZ and CBA to front the inquiry
• Banks to be grilled over interest rates for savings accounts

By Olivia Day For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 22:13 EDT, 11 July 2023 | Updated: 02:51 EDT, 12 July 2023

Picture this: The zoom meeting has just ended, it’s your lunchbreak and you’re off to catch some rays on a beach in Spain. 

Sounds like a pipe dream, right?

Well maybe not, as it turns out millions are now being allowed to work remotely from outside of the UK.

Figures from accountancy firm RSM UK showed 33 per cent of businesses let their employees to log in from anywhere.

Supporters of the remote life argue it gives them a better work-life balance, allowing them to see family who may live abroad and escape Britain’s cold winters. 

But remote critics say working from home stifles productivity and stops workers from being able to really connect and create with colleagues. 

Research has also found that working from home can prove worse for employees’ mental health, as some feel like they never properly switch off from work due to their office also being their home, while others struggle with feeling isolated and miss the socialisation of an office environment.

But how do the people for whom the beach-office life is a reality feel about it? 

From meetings on paddleboards and checking emails on safari to walking the cats at lunchtime, MailOnline spoke to the people checking out of the office… 

The toy maker who lives in a van 

Toy manufacturer Paolo Dyboski, 53, has been remote working since December 2020 and has logged in from France, Spain, Germany, the US and the UK.

She has even taken a meeting on a paddleboard!

The mother-of-three, who was born in Milan and grew up in Liguria, Genova, lives in a van with her home-schooled 14-year-old son.

‘It’s really positive for him because I’ve got time when he needs it,’ Ms Dyboski, who also chairs Welsh refugee charity Pobl i Bobl, told MailOnline. 

‘It’s incredible. We have been into prehistoric caves, we’ve been exploring marine reserves. The kind of things that are biology or history hands on that he wouldn’t get otherwise.’ 

Ms Dyboski’s team is based in North Wales and she believes that allowing employees to work remotely from abroad has been great for moral, as well as productivity.

‘It’s not that I’m on holiday, they know that I’m working and they know they can rely on my 24/7 to be there and play my part,’ she said. ‘It wouldn’t work without great great teamwork.’

Ms Dyboski, who runs a non-toxic, cruelty free, vegan bubble company called Dr Zigs, said the Covid pandemic allowed ways of working that hadn’t been seen as acceptable before.

‘It changed everybody’s mindsets, which helps. I think we gave each other a bit of slack as well.

She added that people became a bit more open minded, and the flexibility was now there if you needed to work remotely to care for someone, for your health both physical and mental or just to have a better work-life balance. 

And during the Covid pandemic, she said ‘so many people proved that they could go above and beyond with flexibility’.

She said: ‘When I’m in work [at the toy factory] I’m doing details, when I’m out of work I’m doing the overviews and strategic meetings. 

‘So I’ve just been out in London with my middle daughter. My eldest is in Cardiff so when I’m in the UK I will also work from there I was in London taking meetings a couple of days ago. It doesn’t matter where I am, as long as I have my laptop.’

Ms Dybonski said it was powerful to see how workers went ‘above and beyond’ with flexibility during the pandemic, ‘working their socks off’ to get things done under the circumstances.

But with some companies going back to pre-pandemic requirements of office working, she added: ‘Then to go back to something that’s a bit of a paternalistic society that tells you that you have to be at your desk, it’s difficult. 

‘And people don’t want to hear that. Feeling that trust, that respect, was good for everyone.’

The consultant who checks emails on safari in Kenya  

Sonya Barlow can work from anywhere, including checking emails while on safari in Kenya.

The 30-year-old diversity and inclusion consultant works for three companies – all of which allow her to work remotely from wherever she chooses.

A big travel lover, Ms Barlow has seized this opportunity and constantly travels for work – having set up office in places including Mauritius, Estonia, Turkey and Nairobi. 

And she stays in beautiful hotels kitted out with gyms and spas to make it all the sweeter. 

She raved about the benefits of remote working in an interview with MailOnline, saying: ‘I’m in a better headspace, I’m focused, I’m more productive. I’m able to turn or offload my apps. I can turn my social media off. I am able to get the work done.’

Ms Barlow, who is also a business author and radio presenter for BBC, was also diagnosed with ADHD last year.

She said she finds changing screens regularly and being in new environments can help ‘increase my mental cognitive functions’, adding that the freedom of being able to control her working hours a bit more has been invaluable. 

‘Because I’m neurodivergent I can give my brain a rest, which is really important,’ she said.

And the social aspect of remote working is something that attracts her to that way of life.

She said: ‘The great thing about working abroad, not just in the UK, is that the sunshine lasts a little bit longer and so you are not worried about “Oh I need to go the gym, or go for a walk and get my Vitamin D” in the morning. 

‘I can actually get the work done and then in the evening I can go and enjoy myself and be in a better headspace.’

But Ms Barlow did point out that it’s not all great, as remote working can pose challenges.

‘The negatives of not being in an office environment is that you don’t get to collaborate with your team in the same way,’ she said.

‘There’s a lack of networking when you’re not in the office. You don’t really know what’s happening day to day so you need to be constantly informed.’

Another negative she said was that you are constantly working with technology, so finding ways of offsetting that is key, and if your laptop or wifi crashes, you’re in trouble.

The journalist who walks his cats in Lithuania

Josh Askew, 28, was travelling back and forth between London and Vilinius, Lithuania to visit his girlfriend who studies there.

But in January he decided to make the jump and move out there properly, thanks to remote working.

The Euronews journalist, from Brighton, now spends his lunchbreaks taking his two bengal cats on walks. He said the low cost of living has given him a much better quality of life. 

‘I can have quite a decent life here as the rent is very cheap and the cost of living is low,’ he said. ‘It’s a much gentler pace.’

Mr Askew added: ‘I can take my two bengal cats out for a quick walk, maybe go to a cafe nearby. 

‘Life can be a bit more leisurely and it can definitely be a lot more flexible by the fact that you’re working from home. 

‘It’s easier to adapt to unforeseen events and circumstances.’

But he said home working does have its downsides, such as feeling alienated.

He said: ‘Because I work remotely I haven’t even seen some of my colleagues face to face, what they look like. 

‘So it can be harder to make friends because you don’t necessarily have a pool of people to draw upon.’

Mr Askew also said that you can end up working longer hours when logging in remotely, as there’s ‘no real escape from it’.

‘It’s very easy to find yourself working overtime,’ he said. 

‘Of course you gain more not having to commute but then you kind of lose that as you’ll do half an hour here and an hour there. It adds up.’

However, Mr Askew insisted that depsite its negatives, he is still a ‘firm believer in remote working’.

‘I don’t think I could ever, ever go back,’ he said. 

The media head who escapes cold British winters 

Miguel López Cedeño, who is head of paid media at Absolute Digital Media, is allowed to work wherever he chooses in the world.

While he currently lives in the UK, the 36-year-old father-of-one has been lucky enough to work from both Greece and Spain.

He told MailOnline that the flexibility has been key, as his family live abroad and it means he can see them more.

‘It provides the opportunity to spend time with part of my family who are currently residing in Europe,’ Mr López Cedeño said

‘It also enables me to access other types of support, such as healthcare. 

‘Not to mention that the chance to escape the cold British winters!’

Mr López Cedeño, who became a father earlier this year, said that being closer to his friends and family has boosted his productivity.

He said: ‘Being able to change my work environment from time to time also provides a reset and often encourages me to keep pushing forward.’

The lack of Vitamin D in the UK was a big driving force in his decision to remote work from abroad. 

‘I also enjoy having more exposure to the sun during the winter abroad compared to in the UK where daylight hours are more limited,’ he added.

And in a digital age, Mr López Cedeño feels technology is breaking down the boundaries of working abroad, helping people feeling more satisfied in their jobs. 

The impact of jet lag can be reduced by ‘reshaping’ the inflight travel experience, research has shown, with foods including chilli and chocolate shown to ‘contribute to improved traveller wellbeing’.

These findings come from research undertaken by Australian airline Qantas and the University of Sydney‘s Charles Perkins Centre during test flights for Qantas’s ‘Project Sunrise’ program, which will connect Sydney directly with New York and London for the first time from late 2025.

Different lighting and sleep schedules, mealtimes, and movement and exercise were also highlighted as lessening the severity of jet lag, a statement said.

Qantas has been working with the University of Sydney’s Charles Perkins Centre since 2015 when it first began preparations to launch Perth to London direct flights.

Qantas operated three Project Sunrise research flights from New York and London to Sydney in 2019 in partnership with Australian researchers to collect real-world passenger data.

Researchers travelled on the aircraft and monitored 23 volunteer customers who were fitted with wearable device technology during the 20-hour flights as they followed a specially designed menu, lighting, sleep and movement sequences.

Initial findings, as yet unpublished, indicate that, compared to customers on a traditional inflight sequence of eating and sleeping, those on the tailored schedule experienced less severe jet lag (self-reported), better sleep quality inflight, and better cognitive performance in the two days after flight, the statement revealed.

The inflight trials involved tailored cabin lighting schedules to facilitate adaption to the destination time zone and integrating simple stretch and movement activities.

They also adjusted the timing of meal services to align the body clock and encouraged wake and sleep by using specific menu items, including fish and chicken paired with fast-acting carbohydrates, as well as comfort foods such as soups and milk-based desserts. 

The aim, the statement said, was to promote the brain’s production of the amino acid tryptophan (‘Tryp’) to help passengers drift off more easily.

The specially designed Airbus A350s that Qantas will use for Project Sunrise flights include an onboard ‘Wellbeing Zone’ informed by the research, where passengers can take time out to stretch and do simple exercises onboard, guided by video screens.

Peter Cistulli, Professor of Sleep Medicine at the University of Sydney, said while the research was ongoing, there were clear signs that the interventions implemented during the trial flights reduced the impact of ultra-long-haul travel.

‘The early results are promising, and it’s given us great momentum to look to the next stage of customer research to support Project Sunrise product and service design,’ said Professor Cistulli.

‘We have a multi-disciplinary team of more than ten researchers from medicine, science and engineering backgrounds working together on this project. This includes sleep researchers, circadian experts, nutrition and movement experts. No airline has ever done this kind of research before.

‘The early findings have given us optimism that we can make a real difference to the health and wellbeing of international travellers thanks to this partnership with Qantas.’

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the national carrier was excited by the prospect of minimising jet lag and revolutionising international flying for all travellers.

‘Given our geography, Qantas has a long history of using imagination and innovation to overcome the tyranny of distance between Australia and the rest of the world,’ said Mr Joyce.

‘Now that we have the aircraft technology to do these flights, we want to make sure the customer experience evolves as well, and that’s why we’re doing this research and designing our cabins and service differently.

‘Our A350s will have about 100 fewer seats than most of our competitors, which gives us room for more space in all classes as well as a Wellbeing Zone for premium economy and economy passengers to stretch. People can choose how they spend their time, but we’ll make recommendations based on science around menu choices and best times to eat or rest. That extends to before and after the flight to improve how people feel when they arrive on the other side of the world.

‘Importantly, these direct flights actually cut total travel time by more than three hours compared to one-stop services.’

Parallel research has also been done to manage crew wellbeing on these flights, the statement said, which also draws on experience from other ultra-long-haul flights operated by Qantas.

Qantas is scheduled to take delivery of its first A350 in late 2025, with the Project Sunrise launch route between Sydney and New York expected to take off shortly after.

Qantas currently uses Boeing Dreamliners for non-stop flights between London Heathrow and Perth, a distance of 14,498km (9,008 miles).

London to Sydney is a distance of 16,983km (10,553 miles) and New York to Sydney is 15,979km (9,929 miles).

Big brand and expensive sunscreens may not offer the protection against skin damage they profess to on the label, it is claimed.

The alarming findings come from safety experts at Which?, who found a number of cheaper supermarket alternatives offer strong protection.

The consumer champion said that one Avon product ‘did not come close’ to hitting its claimed SPF30 protection in tests.

Most suncreams carry an SPF – Sun Protection Factor – and a UVA rating which are measures of protection against the rays associated with skin damage and cancer.

People rely on the information to guide them on how long they can safely stay out in the sun during heatwaves.

Which? tested 19 popular suncreams, with one being identified as a ‘don’t buy’ because it failed safety protection tests.

It said Avon’s Refreshing 3-in-1 Face and Body Sun Lotion SPF30 (£5.75/150ml) ‘did not come close to hitting its claimed SPF30 in tests’.

Which? said: ‘Consumers are advised to avoid this product. By not living up to its SPF claims, it does not offer adequate sun protection, meaning people using them could unwittingly put themselves at risk.

‘With parts of Britain in the grip of a heatwave, it is vital people protect themselves from harmful UVA and UVB rays that could lead to skin damage and cause skin cancer.’ 

The group said products with good protection do not have to break the bank.

For example, several of Asda’s products passed sun protection tests and earned a Which? Great Value badge for their low prices.

These included Asda Protect Moisturising Sun Lotion SPF30 at just £3 for 200ml. Testers said it was absorbed easily without being greasy or sticky and did not leave white marks on skin.

Among slightly more expensive spray products, testers found Asda’s Protect Refreshing Clear Sun Spray at £4 for 200ml was easy to apply, not tacky to touch and did not leave any visible residue. Most importantly, it gave the required SPF and UVA protection in lab tests.

The Asda products outshone premium Ultrasun Family SPF30, which was over seven times more expensive at £26 for 150ml. Both were highly effective against UV, however Ultrasun was not as easily absorbed.

Boots also fared well in the testing and earned a Which? Great Value badge for its low price. Its Soltan Protect & Moisturise Lotion (SPF30) at £4 for 200ml delivered all the protection required.

In the children’s category at products with an SPF of 50+, first place went to Asda’s Kids Sun Lotion Spray, at £3.60 for 200ml.

Another another great value option was Boots Soltan Kids Protect & Moisturise Lotion, at £4 for 200ml.

The Which? Head of Home Products and Services, Natalie Hitchens, said: ‘It is great to see cheaper sunscreen options available on the high street and in supermarkets at a time where consumers need affordable options.

‘However, it’s a concern to find a big brand product on the market that has failed our testing and did not offer the level of protection claimed on the packaging.

‘Our advice is to stick to a tried and tested suncream. Do not be fooled into thinking that paying a higher price will definitely mean a better or safer product as our testing proved a supermarket own brand product can do the job well.

‘We’ve found plenty of highly effective, cheap sunscreens available on the high street, so there’s no need to splash out to keep you and your loved ones safe in the sun.’

Avon said it stands behind its product, but promised an investigation. It said: ‘The safety of our customers is our priority and that’s why our expert skincare team produces the most effective sun care formulas.

‘Upon hearing from Which? Avon has engaged its quality and research and development teams to investigate the specific batch of product that Which? tested.

‘Avon stands behind its data and that of the independent labs which conduct our testing.’