Alistair Carns' Everest climb using xenon gas is under scrutiny
It had emerged that Alistair Carns and three other former British special forces soldiers who climbed Everest on Wednesday were going to be summoned by the Nepalese government after using xenon gas.
Carns, 45, a Royal Marine reservist who spent 24 years in the military before turning to politics, Garth Miller, Anthony Stazicker and Kev Godlington were part of the expedition that was the first commercial ascent to use the gas in pre-expedition treatments.
The method is believed to accelerate red blood cell production and reduce the need for the usual long acclimatisation. Typically,
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Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Hundreds of kindergarten pupils are poisoned after cooks use PAINT to decorate meals
Hundreds of kindergarten pupils have been poisoned after cooks used paint to decorate their meals. More than 200 children in northwestern China fell ill with potential lead poisoning from date cakes and corn rolls, state media said on Tuesday. Investigators found 'abnormal' levels of lead in the blood of 233 children at Peixin Kindergarten in Tianshui city, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Of those, 201 of the children are being treated in hospital. Food safety scandals were once common in China, where tainted milk formula made hundreds of thousands of babies ill in 2008 and was linked to six deaths. City authorities investigated the head of the kindergarten last week after receiving reports that children were falling ill. A parent told state-run Jimu News tabloid last week that children had been experiencing stomach pain and nausea, and that some of their teeth turned black. Testing revealed that samples of three-colour steamed date cakes and corn rolls contained more than 2,000 times the national safety standard for food contaminants. The cake, served at breakfast, returned a reading of 1,052 milligrams per kilogram and the roll, served at another meal, was found with 1,340 milligrams per kilogram. The nationwide limit for lead in wheat and starch is 0.5 milligrams per kilogram, according to Chinese government records. CCTV said security footage shows kitchen staff adding packaged yellow colouring to a flour mix used in both contaminated dishes. The kindergarten's principal, surnamed Zhu, and an investor surnamed Li have been detained along with six other people, CCTV said. Two others are on 'bail pending trial'. Investigators found that Zhu and Li allowed kitchen staff to produce food using paint pigments purchased online that were later found to contain lead and were marked inedible. Testing among children attending other kindergartens linked with Peixin returned normal results. Food safety standards have generally improved across China but revelations last year that cooking oil had been transported in containers also used to carry fuel sparked outrage across Chinese social media.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- The Sun
COSRX Snail Mucin skincare review: Get over 50% off the K-beauty brand this Amazon Prime Day
GLASS skin is the Korean beauty trend that doesn't seem to be faltering any time soon, with one brand at the helm: COSRX. It's been praised all over social media for its super-hydrating properties, so I knew I had to review COSRX snail mucin to see the results for myself. COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream Korean Snail Mucin Face Cream, £23.99 £11.80 BUY HERE When I visited Seoul last year, I was struck by the fact that the brand's bestselling products champion one key ingredient: snail mucin. 'It's a nutrient-rich byproduct compatible with all skin types that can help improve a damaged skin barrier by offering deep hydration,' says Julia Marinkovich, the UK COSRX representative. 'This can help contribute to a plumper and more glowing complexion, and there's also research to support the claim that snail secretion filtrate can promote wound healing and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.' With this in mind, I decided to test the five most popular snail mucin products from the K-beauty brand, including the hero Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence, to see if I could heal my dry and sensitive skin. So read on to find out what happened when I tested COSRX. Pros Intensely moisturising Non-irritating Repairs the skin's barrier Cons Not suitable for shellfish allergy Not vegan Sticky texture Overall Rating: 4/5 How I tested COSRX Snail Mucin Skincare I have combination skin that's on the drier side with an oily T-zone. My skin has also become sensitised over the years due to over-exfoliation and testing out hundreds of beauty products. I swapped my current skincare essentials with five COSRX products and tested them for over a month, every morning and night. As I didn't try out a cleanser or SPF from the brand, I used existing products in conjunction with the tested products. COSRX Snail Mucin Skincare review: Quickfire Q&A How much is COSRX? The cheapest item in the COSRX range is the £5.99 COSRX Acne Pimple Master Patches. The most expensive item is the COSRX Full Fit Propolis Light Ampoule serum, which costs £33.99. Who's it best for? While suitable for all skin types, the range is particularly good for anyone with a damaged skin barrier who wants to restore their complexion. What we loved: I immediately felt a difference using a number of the products. My skin instantly felt hydrated and moisturised for longer thanks to innovative ingredients that really work. Affordability is another positive. What we didn't: Whilst the products work really well together, those who like to mix-and-match brands may find that thicker formulas don't sit as well on top of certain products in the range. COSRX Snail Mucin Skincare review: The Nitty Gritty Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence 100ml, £25.99 £18.59 BUY HERE Spoiler alert: Snail 96 Power Essence is well worth the hype. While it's labelled as an essence, I think it's better to categorise this as a serum as its viscous texture is similar to Hyaluronic Acid serums, but is less watery in texture, which makes applying it much easier. The trick to getting the most hydration out of it is to apply it on damp skin, so after cleansing, I spritz a facial spray over my face and wait a few seconds before applying the essence. A little goes a long way; you only need one to two pumps to cover the entire face. It's got a super-high concentration of snail mucin, and I've noticed almost immediate effects since using this; my skin feels instantly hydrated and stays moisturised for longer throughout the day. Moreover, I'm impressed with how it's managed to soothe my skin's barrier and even take down some redness I have. Personally, I prefer using this over Hyaluronic Acid as it keeps my skin hydrated for longer, and the texture works for my dry skin. However, oilier skin types may find it too heavy, and I used less on my forehead than on my cheeks. It does take a bit of work to figure out how to layer it. While it worked perfectly with its snail cream and light moisturisers, it didn't absorb as well when I layered an E45 face cream over it, as it was too occlusive. But it's been over a month since I started using this essence, and it's become part of my daily routine, and when I finish this bottle, I'm immediately getting another one. Advanced Snail 92 All-in-One Cream COSRX Advanced Snail 92 All in One Cream Korean Snail Mucin Face Cream, £23.99 £11.80 BUY HERE Pros: Gives a glowy finish, hydrating, soothes dryness and redness, works under make-up Cons: Sticky texture, not moisturising enough for dry skin, messy application Rating: 3.5 / 5 If you want glass skin immediately, then the all-in-one snail cream will deliver just that. Similar to the essence, this cream is infused with a whopping 92% of snail mucin, and when you open the jar, it looks exactly like slime. I didn't mind the look of it too much, but I did find that it's a bit messy to use. It's super sticky to the touch, which makes it tricky to extract the right amount, so you'll want to start small and then apply more if needed. But it's amazing value for money, as only a small amount is needed to cover your entire face. Surprisingly, when I massaged it on, it didn't feel greasy at all and left my skin with a glossy sheen, almost filter-like, and I absolutely loved the look it gave. It also works well under make-up, but make sure you layer it with more cream-based products, as opposed to powder, to emphasise the glow. Despite the glowy look, I actually found that it wasn't moisturising enough to keep my dry skin hydrated for long periods, and I had to apply an emollient cream over the drier parts of my face. I've since moved this to my nighttime routine as it's slightly too fussy for me to use in the daytime, and I prefer using a richer cream to really lock in that moisture. mouth and eye area and press the remaining residue in with fingers. COSRX Master Pimple Patch BUY HERE Even though COSRX is known primarily for its snail mucin products, its pimple patches are one of its bestsellers. Having used these patches in the past, I was excited to test out a fresh pack of them as I loved them so much on my first go. Happily, these didn't disappoint. They were great for targeting spots and have a transparent look, so they look invisible on. They're also comfortable to wear, and I liked wearing the stickers to bed or when I would be working from home. They are a bit fiddly at first as you can only apply them onto dry skin, so it's best to wait until after your skincare products have been absorbed before putting them on. My partner has acne-prone skin and enjoys using the pimple patches as they help prevent dirt from touching the spot and allow the skin to properly heal. The patches were effective in reducing any redness and excess oil and definitely minimised the appearance of spots. Plus, you can get up to 90 in a pack, which is excellent value for money. Size: 36-90 pack Skin type: All How to Apply: Apply gently with the sticky side down. Leave on overnight. AHA / BHA Exfoliating Facial Treatment AHA / BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner, £20 £15.38 from Lookfantastic BUY HERE Having over-exfoliated my skin in the past, I was a bit hesitant about using this COSRX treatment. The AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner is an exfoliator wth an ingredient list that includes 0.1% glycolic acid (AHA) and 0.1% Betatine Salicylate (BHA), but since it's got a low concentration of both acids, it's gentle to use even on sensitive skin. I was surprised to discover that it didn't irritate my skin and actually helped to clear my blackheads, particularly on my nose. Over time, it helped to slough away dead skin cells, leaving my skin more radiant, and when I layered the essence or an active ingredient on top of it, it didn't sting. The instructions state that you should spray the exfoliator on a cotton pad and then swipe the pad across the face. However, I found it easier to spray the product directly onto my face as the cotton pad wasted a lot of product, and I could target the exfoliator on areas of my face that needed it more, like my T-zone. While you could use it every day, I prefer to use it once or twice a week, as I don't suffer from active breakouts, so that's why it became my least-used product of the ones I tested. But if my skin breaks out, this will be the first product I'll be reaching for. Size: 150ml Skin type: All How to Apply: Spray on a cotton pad after cleansing, then wipe over or spray directly onto the face. Retinol 0.5% Oil BUY HERE I love using the COSRX retinol in my skincare routine as its anti-inflammatory properties really benefit my skin. In the Cosrx product, there is quite a low concentration of retinol, making it best for beginners as opposed to regular retinol users or those looking for a low dosage, but I love its formula. More similar to an oil, it feels nourishing thanks to the blend of Vitamin E and Squalane, and it didn't dry my skin out. It also pairs well when layered over the essence and under both thicker and lighter moisturisers. It has an earthy scent which isn't too pleasant, but it does dissipate. It's too early to truly tell the difference, as you need at least three to six months to see whether it's made a real impact, but I've had fewer blemishes and redness since using it without having to go through purging. Oiler skin types may prefer a retinol cream, but I now use this every evening as I love how soothing it feels. After using COSRX for over a month, I'm a snail mucin convert. I've really noticed that both the essence and the cream helped to soothe a lot of redness that I experience from dry weather and also keep my skin hydrated. Not to mention, it creates a glass-skin-like effect on your face that's pretty perfect for glowy skin lovers. While it's not vegan, COSRX is cruelty-free, and a good option if you've been let down or have suffered from sensitivities to Hyaluronic Acid. Most of the products I tried from COSRX are geared towards drier skin, but I believe every skin type can benefit from them. Particular highlights for me were the Advanced Snail Mucin Essence and the retinol; those two are going to become staples in my skincare routine. What is snail mucin and is it good for the skin? It might sound like something out of a horror film, but snail mucin (aka snail slime) is the gooey stuff snails naturally secrete to protect themselves. In skincare, it's filtered, purified, and packed into serums and creams thanks to its barrier-boosting and glow-enhancing properties. Whether you're dry, oily or somewhere in between, snail mucin can boost moisture, repair damage and leave your skin looking bouncier than ever before. It's gentle too, so even sensitive types can get in on the action. What are the benefits of snail mucin? Snail mucin is rich in hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, peptides and antioxidants, meaning it helps plump the skin, fade acne scars, smooth texture and calm inflammation. Hydration, healing, glow: it does the lot. Think of it as your skin's new overachieving best friend. It is best to apply snail mucin after cleansing and toning, but before your heavier creams or oils. Pat a few drops into damp skin, let it soak in, then carry on with your routine. Use morning or night, or both if you're feeling fancy. Is snail mucin good for acne? Snail mucin is GREAT for acne. It helps calm redness, fade leftover marks and keep your moisture barrier strong (which is key when dealing with breakouts). It won't clear your spots overnight, but it's a solid add-on in your anti-acne arsenal. Is Cosrx cruelty-free? Yes! Despite the snail connection, Cosrx does not test on animals, and the mucin is collected from happy, stress-free snails in a lab, with no squishing involved. Where can I buy COSRX in the UK? Originally from South Korea, COSRX is now available globally, with plenty of beauty retailers stocking it in the UK. Here's where you can shop the K-beauty brand.
The Independent
19 hours ago
- The Independent
Eight arrested after hundreds of children fall ill with lead poisoning
Eight people have been arrested in China after more than 200 children in the northwestern province of Gansu were found to have dangerously high levels of lead in their blood. The children fell ill with symptoms including stomach and leg pain, loss of appetite, and hair loss, according to online media outlets Jimu and The Cover, which cited parents. All the children are pupils at a privately owned kindergarten in Tianshui, Gansu, which was established in 2022 with 251 enrolled students. Investigations revealed lead contamination in food served to the students, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported. Authorities are continuing to investigate the kindergarten's staff, including its principal and legal representative. Reuters was not able to establish contact details for the school or verify the information independently. Food safety has improved in China following a series of scandals, including the 2008 discovery of toxic infant milk, which undermined public trust and consumer confidence. Inspections by regulators in 2022 found safety issues were more common in the catering industry and agricultural products, according to state media reports. CCTV said that investigators tested 223 samples of food from the school. The investigators found that two samples – a red date cake and a corn sausage roll – had lead content of 1052 mg/kg and 1340 mg/kg respectively, far above the official limit of 0.5 mg/kg, the state broadcaster said. The report said that investigators traced the lead to paint whose packaging had clearly marked it as inedible. So far, 201 children have been admitted to hospital and all families are receiving free medical treatment, the broadcaster said, citing local authorities. "The incident has caused physical and mental harm to the children and parents of Peixin kindergarten, and we are very sad. We will learn profound lessons," the broadcaster said, citing local authorities.
