Designer Christian Cowan had a full circle moment when he recently dressed pop legend Kylie Minogue. “There are two moments when I decided I wanted to be in fashion, and they’re both around Kylie Minogue,” Cowan remembers. “One was in Borders bookshop in Cambridge [where Cowan grew up], my mum was getting a coffee and I was waiting – on the TV was the Can’t Get You Out Of My Head music video. I was like, ‘What is that? That is what I need to do’. “Then for my 12th birthday, my mum was really sweet and got me tickets to see Kylie’s X tour in the O2. It was right in the nosebleed seats at the back, and I was living my best life.” Cowan designed a red jumpsuit with zips for Minogue to perform in New York, and says: “To dress people like that, people who I really looked up to and still look up to is always an honour.” And Minogue isn’t the only celebrity who has worn Cowan’s colourful, whimsical designs. Pretty much any star you can think of, Cowan will have dressed – Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Heidi Klum, Cardi B, Miley Cyrus – the list goes on. While pop stars definitely seem to gravitate to his work, Cowan says there’s no real limit to who wears his clothes. “The Christian Cowan person is anyone, but it’s someone who wants to enjoy themselves, it’s someone who wants to be complimented and get attention. It’s someone who enjoys the fun of dressing up – our customers in general, they’re not really dressing for the gaze or perspective of anyone else – they’re just feeling f****** fabulous.” Cowan went to university in London and now resides in New York – and he says he gets inspiration from both major fashion hubs. The US “leans more into maximalism, and [is] not afraid of opulence and showing off, which is very much part of my brand”, he reflects. “And the UK I’d say is more [about] pushing the boundaries and trying out new things.” Ultimately, both cities are “incredibly fashionable and stylish and have created original thinkers – so I feel very lucky to be between the two”. Cowan established his eponymous label in 2016 so feels like an industry stalwart by now, but he’s still only 29 years old. “I started my brand and career very young,” he admits. “I would definitely say it’s grown up with me – the collections that I put out at the beginning are by no means the collections I’m putting out now.” But he doesn’t feel embarrassed when looking back at earlier work, instead calling his collections “like a diary”. “You can see as I grew up, the big life experiences that happened influenced [my style]. To say it has matured – maybe that’s the wrong word – but I would say my references have gotten more expansive with time. I look further than I used to – before it was like, who was next to me in the club.” While he doesn’t go to the clubs as much as he used to (“I’m like an old man!”), he occasionally pops in (“I love to see what my friends are wearing”), while getting inspiration from elsewhere as well. “I’m definitely a child of the internet, the internet is a huge part of it. I think designing is almost like dreaming – it’s a random compilation of everything you’ve seen, all smudged into one thing.” Cowan has made a name for himself as someone who loves to collaborate, and he often gets inspiration from his creative partners – ranging from the Teletubbies to Crocs, and now, Candy Crush Saga, who he’s designed an exclusive garment for. Called ‘The Sweet Seat’, it’s a one-of-a-kind, wearable garment inspired by the dreaded task of finding a seat to play on public transport. “Collaboration is the key to success in general in life – work, personal, everything,” he muses. “So when doing these collaborations, whether it’s a dress for Lady Gaga or this Candy Crush partnership, it’s always super collaborative. I want their opinion, I want their input, I want both partners involved and to be excited. “Especially with a celebrity wearing the clothes as well, you want them to feel amazing and excited to wear the piece – you don’t bully them into wearing something they’re not fully down for. You always have a better result if you collaborate.” Working with Candy Crush gave Cowan a welcome pause from designing his next New York Fashion Week collection, set to debut in September. “We’re doing a few things we’ve never done before that I think will be surprising to people – I just can’t wait. It’s our biggest show, the collection’s over double the size of any collection we’ve ever done before,” he shares. With designing collections for fashion week twice a year, making bespoke outfits for celebrities and all the extra projects in between, does Cowan ever suffer from fashion burnout? Cowan admits to having “brief moments in my past” where he’s struggled, but adds: “When you feel that it means you need to try something new, and I never had it again after I realised that. “I make sure I’m filled with creative, fun projects – I don’t think I’d ever get burnt out. I want to be doing this until the day I die.” The limited-edition Sweat Seat will be available for purchase on christiancowan.com/candycrush for £786.92 from July 26. Download Candy Crush today on Google Play or the App Store. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Deborah James’s daughter launches anniversary clothing line for Bowelbabe Fund Government has more work to do to ensure families secure quality childcare – MPs Wall squat exercises can help lower blood pressure, study suggests

‘Beer tanning’ is one of the latest beauty fads to trend on TikTok, with the ‘beertan’ tag racking up over 200k views. As the phrase suggests, beer tanning means applying beer to the skin while sunbathing, in the belief it will enhance the tanning process. Some fans of the method on social media have been applying beer as well as SPF, while others have skipped sun-care altogether and simply rubbed beer onto their skin. What is ‘beer tanning’ and is it safe? “The beer tanning trend involves using beer as an alternative to traditional tanning lotions to achieve a sun-kissed glow. Proponents of this trend claim that the sugars and acids in beer can help darken the skin, and potentially provide additional benefits due to the presence of antioxidants and vitamins in some beer types,” Caroline Brooks, skin specialist and founder of The Glasshouse Salon & Spa, told PA Media. “However, it’s important to note that there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness or safety of using beer for tanning purposes.” Serious health risks Dr Maham Khan, consultant dermatologist at the Cadogan Clinic, stressed it’s “crucial to approach this trend with caution” as there are potentially serious sun safety concerns. “As a consultant dermatologist treating patients with skin cancer on a daily basis, I feel compelled to stress the utmost importance of exercising caution and mindfulness when it comes to the TikTok trend of ‘beer tanning’. While the desire to achieve a glowing tan is understandable, it is crucial to approach this trend with caution and prioritise sun protection,” said Khan. “Applying beer to the skin in the belief that it enhances tanning is a questionable practice that lacks scientific evidence. More importantly, this method does not provide any protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. “UV radiation is a known carcinogen and a major contributor to skin damage, which can manifest as sunburn, premature ageing, and an increased risk of skin cancer, including melanoma.” Protecting your skin in the sun is vital SPF is important for all skin types and skin tones. While it’s especially vital for people with naturally pale complexions, even those who don’t think they have a tendency to burn need to protect themselves in the sun. “I cannot stress enough the significance of using quality and appropriate SPF products to shield the skin from harmful UV rays,” Dr Khan added. “Sunscreen with a high SPF rating, along with broad-spectrum protection, is essential to safeguard the skin effectively. “However, it’s crucial to note that sunscreen alone may not offer complete protection, and additional measures such as seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and avoiding sun exposure during peak hours, are equally vital. “Furthermore, it is imperative to understand that a tan is not a sign of healthy skin, but rather an indication of damage. Even if individuals manage to achieve a tan through unconventional methods like beer tanning, it should not be considered a safe or desirable practice.” Is it ever worth trying a beer tan? According to the experts – no. If you do enjoy a beer at the beach, stick to drinking it (preferably under a nice shady umbrella). “The safest and most effective way to achieve a sun-kissed glow is by using self-tanning products or spray tans, that are specifically formulated for this purpose and have undergone rigorous testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness,” said Brooks. “Always prioritise the health and wellbeing of your skin when considering any beauty or tanning trend.” Dr Khan added: “I strongly advise against engaging in the beer tanning trend or any other unproven and potentially harmful methods of tanning. Instead, let’s be responsible and informed about the risks associated with sun exposure, diligently using SPF protection and taking steps to safeguard our skin. “By prioritising sun safety, we can enjoy the outdoors responsibly, while minimising the risk of skin damage and potential health consequences.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Christian Cowan: Designing is like dreaming Deborah James’s daughter launches anniversary clothing line for Bowelbabe Fund Government has more work to do to ensure families secure quality childcare – MPs

The Princess of Wales has been labelled a “disappointment’ with regards to her approach to jewellery. Former Vogue editor and fashion critic Suzy Menkes made the remarks during an interview on the newest episode of her podcast Creative Conversations. Speaking to British Vogue’s jewellery editor Carol Woolton, the two discussed and analysed some of Kate Middleton’s recent style choices, explaining to listeners that as a senior member of the royal family, she would surely have access to some of the finest jewels in the country. “The Princess of Wales is a bit of a disappointment about jewellery,” said Menkes. “She gives the impression that she only puts it on when she absolutely has to.” The 79-year-old critic continued: “I imagine her looking beautiful in one of those gowns behind the scenes and then pulling a face as if to say, ‘Do I have to wear this?’ “She doesn’t give any sense of adoring jewellery and being pleased to put it on.” Menkes went on to suggest that Queen Camilla seems far more interested in jewellery, stating: “[Kate] doesn’t seem to have Camilla’s joy at wearing jewellery.” She went on: “We now have a new Queen, so presumably she has a first opportunity to look at the jewels. “We can imagine that the next in line to the throne’s wife would be something that was very special, so will we see Catherine wearing jewellery that is more dramatic, that is more personal to her? I don’t know. I can’t help feeling with things of beauty, you either love it or you don’t.” Later in the podcast, Menkes went on to discuss some of the controversy that the royal family’s jewellery collection has garnered over the years. “It’s one of these strange secrets,” she said. “It’s not discussed, and I can see why because some of the pieces are dubious. They came from India. “I won’t say they were stolen but they were perhaps given and taken by the British Royal Family. They weren’t stealing it but they were taking over a country at that time, and and taking jewels they thought were an attractive thing to take back to England with them.” Read More Kate Middleton’s sweet tradition for Prince George’s birthday Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte wear matching ruffles for eight-year-old’s first Wimbledon Adorable moment young boy meets Kate Middleton at Wimbledon Fans defend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle amid breakup rumours Kate Middleton’s sweet tradition for Prince George’s birthday Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte wear matching ruffles for Wimbledon finals

The daughter of Dame Deborah James has helped create a one-year anniversary collection of her late mother’s In The Style clothing line to continue raising funds for cancer research. Dame Deborah raised more than £1.7 million for her Bowelbabe Fund when she launched her fashion collection last year, which featured T-shirts with the words Rebellious Hope across the chest. In memory of her late mother, Eloise James has collaborated with In The Style to create an anniversary clothing line using Dame Deborah’s favourite prints and colours. In a video shared on Instagram, she said: “I am so excited to be working with In The Style to help create the one-year anniversary collection of my mum’s line. “I know she loved making this collection and so did I. She got all of her favourite patterns and designs so we took them out and put them into this new collection so I really hope you enjoy it. “100% of the profits are going to the Bowelbabe Fund and we’re keeping everybody in mind while doing this, this collection is for everybody.” You, Me And The Big C podcast host Dame Deborah, known as Bowelbabe online, died in June 2022 at the age of 40 after suffering from bowel cancer. She set up the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK which has raised more than £10 million. On Instagram, In The Style said: “Just over a year ago, we launched a very special collection with our hero, Dame Deborah James. “Captivated by her rebellious hope and inspiring journey, together we created a range to raise awareness of her life-changing Bowelbabe fund. “This was something that Deborah felt really passionate about and she really put her all into creating this range with the team. “She had an immense love for fashion and the way you can use clothes to ‘make you feel better & get you through the day’, which is something we wanted to champion throughout her collections.” The online fashion house ​said despite raising almost £2 million through her collection, “in true Deb style, we’re not done yet”. “We promised Deborah that we would work closely with her family to continue to spread her message of hope and positivity and help keep her legacy going,” it said. “With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce that we’ve collaborated with her daughter Eloise James over the past few months to bring you a new collection! “This stunning range includes a variety of dresses, skirts, tops and more in sizes six to 28, and Eloise and the team have included many prints and colours that were Deborah’s favourites. “We hope you love the collection as much as we do and continue to support Deborah’s charitable legacy with these beautiful pieces.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Government has more work to do to ensure families secure quality childcare – MPs Wall squat exercises can help lower blood pressure, study suggests Wall sits and planks the best exercises for lowering blood pressure, study suggests

The Government has more work to do to address “structural problems” in the early years system to ensure families benefit from high-quality affordable childcare under its reforms, MPs have said. Plans to expand the number of subsidised childcare places for working parents in England “should not come at the expense of quality”, the Commons Education Select Committee has warned. From September, the Government will change minimum staff-to-child ratios from 1:4 to 1:5 for two-year-olds in England, but it will remain optional. The group of MPs said it is “deeply concerned” about the plans and it is calling on the Government to reverse the changes “if quality is degraded”. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced reforms in the Budget in March which will allow some families of children as young as nine months in England to claim 30 hours of free childcare a week. Simply extending the number of hours that the Government calls free will not work unless the funding rates accurately reflect the costs of providing high quality early education and childcare Committee chairman Robin Walker From April next year, working parents of two-year-olds will be able to access 15 hours of free childcare. This will be extended to working parents of all children older than nine months from September next year. From September 2025, working parents of children under five will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare per week. The Education Select Committee said it was a “welcome investment” following concerns raised by parents and early years providers during its inquiry about “affordability and sustainability”. The report added: “However, this investment is much overdue and more will need to be done to address the structural problems in the ECEC (Early Childhood Education Care) system if the funding increases are to be implemented effectively. “In particular, close attention should be paid to effective funding distribution. Settings in disadvantaged areas already struggle more than those in more affluent areas, yet we know that it is children from disadvantaged families that can benefit the most from high-quality ECEC.” The Treasury “missed an opportunity” to reform tax-free childcare and increase the flexibility of the system under its plans to expand free childcare for working parents, the report said. Under the current system, working parents of three and four-year-olds in England are eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week. The tax-free childcare scheme also allows eligible working families to claim 20% government support with their childcare costs, up to an annual limit of £2,000 per child. The Commons Education Select Committee report said the requirement for parents to reconfirm their eligibility every three months for the 30 hours entitlement and tax-free childcare scheme is “unduly onerous” and should be reduced to once per year. Committee chairman Robin Walker said: “The childcare market is facing significant challenges in affordability and availability, with unprecedented staff turnover and nurseries closing, despite massive demand from parents who want a career and to provide for their families but struggle to find affordable services. It is clear that ministers have more work to do to address this. “Simply extending the number of hours that the Government calls free will not work unless the funding rates accurately reflect the costs of providing high-quality early education and childcare. “We have heard that many settings rely on charging more for the children who attend them outside of the funded hours. It is therefore essential that ministers reduce burdens on the sector and provide adequate funding for all the stages of early education.” He added: “Staff are the lifeblood of this sector and the huge expansion of subsidised childcare will only be successful if we can stem the tide of people leaving the workforce. “There needs to be a revamp of career development, with improvements to pay, progression and conditions so that the profession is given the respect and status it deserves.” Not only have years of severe underfunding plagued the sector but the worst staffing crisis in decades has created a perfect storm which must be addressed if the sector has any chance of survival in the coming years Neil Leitch, Early Years Alliance The cross-party group of MPs is calling on the Department for Education (DfE) to “work closely” with childcare providers and local authorities across the country “to set the funding rate at a sufficient level.” It added that the DfE should stop describing the 30 hours offer as ‘free hours’ and instead refer to it as ‘funded’ or ‘subsidised’ hours to “improve parental trust” in the childcare subsidy system. Neil Leitch, chief executive of the Early Years Alliance (EYA), said: “Not only have years of severe underfunding plagued the sector but the worst staffing crisis in decades has created a perfect storm which must be addressed if the sector has any chance of survival in the coming years. “If that wasn’t bad enough, it’s likely that the upcoming sector expansion will be dangerously underfunded and will place unrealistic expectations on providers already on the brink.” He added: “For the committee’s findings to truly have a lasting impact, we hope against hope that it finally wakes the Government up to the reality of the situation facing families and providers and prompts urgent and effective action.” Last week, the Government said reforms expanding the amount of free childcare for parents will be “properly and fairly funded”. The DfE said its proposed new funding formula, which is now out for consultation, provides “additional funding for areas of deprivation”. The increased funding will see the expected average rate paid to local authorities for 2024/25 to be set at £8.17 for two-year-olds and £11.06 for under-twos, the DfE said. A Government spokesperson said: “We are rolling out the single biggest investment in childcare in England ever, set to save a working parent using 30 hours of childcare up to an average of £6,500 per year and give children the best quality early years education. “To make sure that we are supporting our fantastic early years workforce, we will be investing hundreds of millions of pounds each year to increase the amounts we pay childcare providers. We also are consulting on how we distribute funding to make sure it is fair.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Wall squat exercises can help lower blood pressure, study suggests Wall sits and planks the best exercises for lowering blood pressure, study suggests Everything you need to know about using a defibrillator

Exercises such as “wall sits” could be the best form of activity to help people reduce blood pressure, a new study suggests. Other physical activity including cardio, resistance training and HIIT workouts are also good for bringing down resting blood pressure levels, researchers found. But isometric exercises – those that involve engaging muscles without movement, such as wall sits and planks – provide the best results, they said. The study, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, saw researchers conduct analysis on previous studies looking at exercise and blood pressure. These findings provide a comprehensive data driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension Researchers Some 270 studies were included in the final analysis which contained data on almost 16,000 people. They examined the impact different exercises had on systolic blood pressure, which notes the force at which the heart pumps blood around the body; and diastolic blood pressure, the resistance to the blood flow in the blood vessels between heartbeats when blood is pumped around the heart. The researchers, led by academics at Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent, found that there were significant reductions in resting blood pressure following cardio (aerobic exercise); dynamic resistance training, such as squats, press-ups and weights; high intensity interval training (HIIT); and combined training and HIIT. But the largest reductions were seen after isometric exercise training. A secondary analysis on specific types of exercises found the most benefit was seen among those who performed “isometric wall squats” and among runners. The academics said that current exercise recommendations for the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure are based on “older data” and suggest that it may be time to review the current guidelines. “Aerobic exercise training, dynamic resistance training, combined training, high-intensity interval training and isometric exercise training are all significantly effective in reducing resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure,” they wrote. “Overall, isometric exercise training is the most effective mode in reducing both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. “These findings provide a comprehensive data driven framework to support the development of new exercise guideline recommendations for the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension.” For the average adult high blood pressure is considered to be from 140/90mmHg. When a person’s blood pressure is too high it puts extra strain on blood vessels, heart and other organs, such as the brain, kidneys and eyes. Persistent high blood pressure can lead to a number of serious health problems including heart attacks, strokes and vascular dementia. While there are medications which can help, people can make a number of life-style changes to help bring their blood pressure down including regular exercise, losing weight, cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and salt. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Wall sits and planks the best exercises for lowering blood pressure, study suggests Everything you need to know about using a defibrillator What you need to know about the massive LVMH deal with the Paris Olympics

A woman who turned to roleplaying with hyper-realistic dolls “to help (her) cope” with the death of her first baby – and continues to do so with her husband and two rainbow babies – has said her husband’s parents disapproved of the hobby and fired him from the family business as a result. Christina Keeler, 38, a stay-at-home mum and YouTuber, from Wyalusing, Pennsylvania, USA, fell pregnant with her first “miracle” baby in 2015, despite having endometriosis and being told she would not be able to conceive in her 20s. She suffered a miscarriage, but after watching a documentary about so-called reborn dolls, she had a “lightbulb moment” and realised getting a hyper-realistic doll would be the “perfect solution”. Christina’s husband Bill, 43, was “hesitant” at first but became supportive after he saw how much it “helped (her) grief”. The couple went on to have two “miracle” daughters, Grace, six, and Joy, four, who now help feed, change and dress the family’s five reborn dolls – which cost between £1,560 and £3,899 each – in their “nursery” complete with “a crib and a wardrobe”. The family often take the dolls out in public, and have shared their journey on YouTube – where Christina documents people’s reactions to her dolls and birthing videos. Some silicone dolls come in a fake womb which allows a Caesarean section to be performed at home. But Bill’s family were “disgusted” with the hobby, to the point where they gave him a choice to stop having the dolls or leave the family business. He refused to shut down the YouTube channel and did not want Christina to give up her hobby, so he was fired. She fell pregnant with her first baby in 2015, a year after her mother died of cancer. The couple were “elated” about the pregnancy because Christina had been told in her twenties that she would not be able to conceive because she has endometriosis, but she miscarried at eight weeks. Christina told PA Real Life: “When we lost the baby it was so devastating, I remember lying in the hospital bed after they had taken the baby out of my belly, and screaming for my mum and wept wanting to cuddle my baby.” She “really struggled” with the grief of losing her mother and her baby so close together. She explained: “This feeling of sorrow just never went away, it was so painful that I never talked about it again.” Despite having her two “miracle” children Grace and Joy, Christina still longed to hold her first baby, and after watching a documentary about reborn dolls, she wanted to get one to see if it would help her grief. She said: “I felt so blessed to have two healthy girls, but that feeling of missing the first baby never quite went away. “When my youngest was around two years old, my husband and I came across a documentary about reborn dolls. “And he was like, ‘That’s really weird’, and I played it off that I thought the same, but actually I really wanted one to help me cope and I thought it would be the perfect solution.” After persuading her husband, Christina ordered her first lifelike doll, Hannah, costing her around £155. She said: “I told my husband and he was not on board at all, he was hesitant, but after explaining my reasoning, he was much more understanding and more accepting.” When the doll arrived, Christina instantly felt like it helped with her mourning. She said: “It helped me therapeutically because for the first time ever when I got my first reborn doll, I was able to talk about the loss of our baby. “And since then I have healed tremendously from that loss because I’m able to talk about it and share my story and help others – it helped my grief, for sure.” Christina now has a collection of five dolls called Carter, Cadence, Quinn, Isabella and Sammy, which she loves to dress, cuddle and feed. She takes the dolls out in public and people often mistake them for real babies. She said: “We have a nursery for them with a crib and a wardrobe. I check on them throughout the day, and on other days, especially when the girls want to get involved, I pick out an outfit for them, bring them to breakfast, get them to feed them a bottle, change them. “If we’re running errands we often take them out with us and put them in a car seat and stroller.” Christina and her family have been sharing their experiences on YouTube, where they are known as The Reborn Family. She said: “I make videos about people’s reactions to my dolls, as well as vlogs and birthing videos – I have some silicone reborn dolls which come in a womb and you perform a C-section on it at home, to give birth to the baby.” Despite her immediate family being supportive of the hobby, Christina admits not everyone in her wider family understands. She said: “My husband’s family were, and still are, disapproving of the reborns, even though they can see how much they helped me. They were disgusted. “We moved from California to Pennsylvania because my husband was next in line to take over the family business because they were about to retire, and they asked if we would like to do so and we agreed. “When they were on vacation they came across our YouTube channel, and they called us up and they were mortified and so embarrassed, and said we were ruining the family name.” When Bill’s parents came home, they gave him an ultimatum to stop having the dolls. Christina explained: “Bill said that he was not going to quit his job, and didn’t want me to stop having reborns because they were so therapeutic for me at the time, and his dad said, ‘Well, then you’re fired’.” My husband’s family were disgusted, they said we were ruining the family name Bill’s father was contacted by PA Real Life for comment, but he had not responded at the time of publication. Even though her reborns have caused tension in the family, Christina cannot see herself giving up her hobby any time soon. She said: “Reborns continue to help me with my grief, and I love sharing content with other people who have lost babies, and they can also really help people with dementia, people who are infertile, people with anxiety and depression, I wouldn’t want to stop this.” Read More Teenager who thought she was pregnant diagnosed with ovarian cancer Woman praised for response to parents who asked her to swap first class seat with their child Barbie vs Oppenheimer: Greta Gerwig makes history with biggest box office opening for a female director

A recent investigation has found that some Ozempic and Wegovy patients suffered from severe gastroparesis, also known as stomach paralysis, after taking the medications. In a report from CNN published on 25 July, two patients reported that their “stomachs are paralysed” after taking type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic – a semaglutide injection known for its weight loss side effects. “I wish I never touched it. I wish I’d never heard of it in my life,” Joanie Knight, a 37-year-old from Louisiana, told CNN. “This medicine made my life hell. So much hell. It has cost me money. It cost me a lot of stress; it cost me days and nights and trips with my family. It’s cost me a lot, and it’s not worth it. The price is too high.” Emily Wright, a 38-year-old teacher from Toronto, said she vomits so frequently that she had to take a leave of absence from her job. “I’ve almost been off Ozempic for a year, but I’m still not back to my normal,” she said. According to CNN, both women have been diagnosed with severe gastroparesis, a disorder that slows or stops the movement of food from the stomach to the small intestine, per the Mayo Clinic. Wright has also been diagnosed with cyclic vomiting syndrome, which causes her to throw up multiple times a day. Meanwhile, one Wegovy user claimed she began experiencing stomach problems after her doctor prescribed her the weight loss drug – which works by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), regulating blood sugar levels and slowing down the rate at which food leaves the stomach to create the feeling of fullness. However, the medication caused her to vomit so much that she became dehydrated and needed to visit urgent care. Brenda Allen, from Texas, has since been managing her nausea and vomiting with a medication called Zofran and prescription probiotics. Now, the US Food and Drug Administration has said they’ve received reports of stomach paralysis among patients taking the medications. “The FDA has received reports of gastroparesis with semaglutide and liraglutide, some of which documented the adverse event as not recovered after discontinuation of the respective product at the time of the report,” the agency said in a statement to CNN. However, officials clarified that they were unable to determine whether taking Ozempic or Wegovy was the cause of stomach paralysis, or if it was caused by a different issue. “Gastroparesis can be a complication of diabetes that is related to long-standing or poorly controlled disease, further complicating the ability to determine what role the drugs played in the reported events,” they said. As for whether patients should be warned about taking the drugs, the FDA maintained that taking the medications, such as for treating diabetes or weight management, may still “outweigh the risks in some patients with gastroparesis or delayed gastric emptying”. In response to reports of stomach paralysis, Novo Nordisk – the manufacturer behind Ozempic and Wegovy – noted that these drugs have been extensively studied in the real world and in clinical trials. “Gastrointestinal (GI) events are well-known side effects of the GLP-1 class,” the company told CNN. “For semaglutide, the majority of GI side effects are mild to moderate in severity and of short duration. GLP-1’s are known to cause a delay in gastric emptying, as noted in the label of each of our GLP-1 RA medications. Symptoms of delayed gastric emptying, nausea and vomiting are listed as side effects.” Last week, the American Society of Anesthesiologists also issued a warning that those who take GLP-1 agonists should avoid the medications a week before surgery because they may increase “risk of regurgitation and aspiration of food” while under anesthesia and deep sedation. Ozempic, a once-weekly injection used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has skyrocketed in use after people were reportedly prescribed the FDA-approved diabetes medication as an “off-label” weight loss drug. However, because of its increasing popularity, it has led to national shortages of the diabetes treatment - leaving those who actually need Ozempic without it. Meanwhile, Wegovy and Mounjaro are popular once-weekly semaglutide injections specifically approved for the treatment of obesity and weight loss. There are many side effects of taking medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. According to the FDA, the most common side effects of taking Wegovy are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, headache, fatigue, indigestion, dizziness, and digestive disorders. The FDA has also warned about more serious complications that can occur from use of Wegovy or Mounjaro, such as the “potential risk of thyroid C-cell tumours,” pancreatitis, gallbladder problems, acute kidney injury, increased heart rate, and suicidal behaviour or thinking. Taking Ozempic can also lead to possible thyroid tumours, including cancer, pancreatitis, changes in vision, and kidney and gallbladder problems. The Independent has contacted Novo Nordisk and the FDA for comment. Read More Clinics told to stop prescribing medicines as weight loss drug hits diabetes supply Influencer addresses ‘dangers’ of complimenting people’s bodies after weight loss comments Ozempic under EU investigation over reports of suicidal thoughts Mindy Kaling shuts down weight loss question as ‘people take it so personally’ What are weight loss injections and what’s the controversy? Raven Symone says people shouldn’t use Ozempic for ‘glamazon purposes’

A mother has questioned whether children should be “forced” to share after revealing an incident in which her son was allegedly “pushed” by another child on a splash pad for not sharing. Skye Amundsen, a mother from Maryland who goes by the username @hopeandplum on TikTok, reflected on the incident in a video posted earlier this month. According to Amundsen, who noted that the video was a “message to the mom that had the audacity to tell me that my son should have to share at the splash pad,” she and her two-year-old son had been playing at a local park with an outdoor sprinkler when the confrontation occurred. “Now, hear me out before you judge me. My son is two. He’s playing. He likes to step on the little things on the splash pad and stop them from splashing up,” the TikToker said. “This splash pad has tons of these, so he’s not hurting anyone.” In the video, the TikToker said that a little girl, who was “unhappy” with her son’s behaviour, then walked up to the two year old and “pushes him”. “She’s bigger than him and she pushes him. And my son’s like: ‘No’ and he steps back on it,” Amundsen recalled. “And she pushes him again.” According to Amundsen, she was “sitting there watching” and “waiting” for the mother of the other child to intervene. “I was like, well, you know, I’m going to give her a chance,” the TikToker said. @hopeandplum What do you think? We don’t force sharing and find our kids do it naturally most of the time. But why would anyone share with someone being mean? #newmomtips #summermom #momlife ♬ original sound - hope&plum | Baby Carriers Amundsen said that the other mother didn’t intervene despite the woman’s daughter allegedly pushing her two year old for a third time. However, after the third time, the TikToker said her son got “mad” and pushed the other child back. “So I intervene, because I’m his mother and I’m not going to let him push people,” Amundsen continued, adding that, as she was talking to her son, the other mother approached her to confront her about her son’s behaviour. “As I’m talking to my son, this woman has the audacity to say to me: ‘You should really teach your son to learn how to share, it would be better for him,’” the TikToker said. “I’m sorry, my son should learn how to share? Your daughter walked up and shoved my son three times, so my child should allow your child to push him and that’s acceptable and he should share with that human?” In the video, Amundsen then acknowledged that “everyone has different opinions on sharing,” and that she “likes” sharing and “thinks it’s nice,” but also doesn’t believe “you have to force your child to share, especially when another child is getting physical with them”. According to Amundsen, she ultimately told the other mother that they could “agree to disagree” when it came to their respective opinions about sharing. As of 25 July, the TikToker’s video, which she captioned: “What do you think? We don’t force sharing and find our kids do it naturally most of the time. But why would anyone share with someone being mean?” has been viewed more than 609,000 times, prompting other parents to weigh in in the comments. In response, the majority of viewers said they agreed with Amundsen on the basis that sharing shouldn’t be expected after “pushing”. “I totally agree with you. Definitely not sharing after pushing. Oh heck no,” one person wrote. Another said: “Absolutely agree. Also what is he supposed to share? I don’t understand, she wants him to let her use the single water spout that he was playing with?” “Wowww, the nerve of that other mom. In all fairness, you have better control than me,” someone else wrote, prompting Amundsen to reveal that she was “too stunned to speak” during the confrontation. In response to another comment, she said she was in “true shock” but that she was later “kicking” herself for “not saying more”. The Independent has contacted Amundsen for comment. Read More Woman claims restaurant ‘hack’ for toddlers solves family dinners out Woman praised for refusing to switch first class seat on plane with child Mom sparks backlash for piercing newborn’s ears in hospital: ‘How is that even legal?’ Schoolboy almost dies from swallowing magnets for TikTok challenge Woman shares honest review of New York City apartment TikTok mom slammed after making 5-year-old son run in 104 degree heat

LeBron James’ son Bronny suffered cardiac arrest during his University of Southern California basketball practice and was rushed to the hospital, according to a statement released by the family’s spokesperson on Tuesday. The public statement confirmed Bronny was out of the ICU, stabilised, and in recovery. Cardiac arrest is “the sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm,” and is also referred to as sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, according to the Mayo Clinic. Cardiac arrest refers to when the heart stops completely, and the body no longer has blood or oxygen flow. If not treated immediately, the condition can lead to death. The National Institute of Health attributes the cause of cardiac arrest to types of arrhythmias, irregular heartbeats that stop the blood from pumping through to the heart, with the main causes “ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia,” both types of arrhtyhmias. If a person has had prior cardiac arrest, heart valve disease, arrhtyhmias caused by gene defects, congenital heart defects, or coronary heart disease, they are more at risk. Family history, smoking, obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure, can put an individual at risk too. A heart attack differs from sudden cardiac arrest, as a heart attack means blood flow to a specific part of the heart is blocked which has the potential to change the “heart’s electrical activity that leads to sudden cardiac arrest,” while sudden cardiac arrest isn’t a blockage, the Mayo Clinic notes. According to the NIH, sudden cardiac arrest typically causes the individual to become unconscious and stops their breathing. Other symptoms include sudden collapse, no response to shouting or shaking, and no pulse. In certain cases, people may exhibit chest discomfort, weakness, shortness of breath, and heart palpitations before they suffer from cardiac arrest. Usually, the condition transpires without warning. According to M Health Fairview, a person who has a heart attack could be able to recognise their condition and be able to call emergency medical services. However, people undergoing cardiac arrest are typically unable to identify it in time. “Cardiac arrests are much rarer than heart attacks, but they are much deadlier. There are half as many – roughly 400,000 – reported each year in the US,” the report stated, adding that these instances are often fatal if not treated immediately. The NIH said: “Cardiac arrests usually occur in people’s homes, where no healthcare provider is present to make a diagnosis.” When first responders reach the patient, they will use an electrocardiogram, a heart imaging test, which will display ventricular arrythmia. Additionally, the NIH stated: “Most often, cardiac arrest is diagnosed after it occurs. Healthcare providers do this by ruling out other causes of a person’s collapse.” Treatments for cardiac arrest include cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). CPR is often necessary, as well as resetting the person’s heart rhythm with an AED. Certain medications, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and surgeries can help treat the condition too, according to the Mayo Clinic, while surgical operations to aid cardiac arrest include “implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, coronary angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, radiofrequency catheter ablation, and corrective heart surgery”. To prevent sudden cardiac arrest, the Mayo Clinic recommends establishing a healthy diet, going to the doctor regularly, avoiding tobacco use or smoking, heart disease screenings, and blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring. Furthermore, the clinic suggests being well-versed in CPR if you live with someone who may be at risk of the condition. A Johns Hopkins Medicine report acknowledges the benefits of exercising regularly in avoiding cardiac arrest. “A number of studies have also shown that people who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer a sudden heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac event,” the organisation noted. Read More What is Bell’s palsy? The neurological disorder Tiffany Chen was diagnosed with after giving birth Elon Musk slammed for pushing anti-vax conspiracy in response to LeBron James’ son Bronny suffering cardiac arrest LeBron James’ son Bronny suffers cardiac arrest at basketball workout Mom left ‘appalled’ after water park says she can’t breastfeed son in lazy river Scientists share the 8 habits that could take 20 years off your life Everything you need to know about using a defibrillator

A mother says she was left humiliated after water park staff told her she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed her nursing son in the lazy river. Tiffany Francis, a mother of two, from Georgia, took to Facebook on 14 July to detail the incident that allegedly occurred at Rigby’s Water World in Warner Robins, Georgia. Her Facebook post has since gone viral, with more than 1,000 likes and comments. “I have never in my years of being a breastfeeding mother had one single negative comment made to me about breastfeeding while out in public. I’ve had supportive comments from random people, but today was a different day,” she began her post. The mother then explained that she’d brought her 11-month-old son to the water park’s lazy river so she could nurse him before his nap. “He likes motion to sleep, he sleeps well in the car or swing, so he will also sleep in the lazy river,” she wrote. After her son was latched, Francis recalled that a lifeguard informed her that she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed in the lazy river. At first, she laughed off the lifeguard’s request because she thought it was a joke. Then, his boss came over to Franics and reiterated the lazy river’s rules against breastfeeding. “I asked her if it was posted somewhere and she told me that it was posted in the rules out front,” Francis said. “So I got out of the lazy river, and I went to read the rules.” The mother of two soon discovered that there was no rule against breastfeeding posted outside the lazy river attraction, and asked to speak to the water park’s manager. However, the manager instead claimed it was a “courtesy to other people” that she wasn’t allowed to breastfeed and cited the park’s rules against food or drink in the lazy river. According to the woman, she then asked for her family’s season passes to be refunded. “I can’t go there if I can’t get my son to nap while I’m there,” Francis said, noting that the water park staff wouldn’t refund her season pass. “Imagine all the bodily fluids being excreted into the water, but they’re worried about breastmilk when the baby was latched, my breast was out of the water, and the milk was only going into [the] baby’s mouth,” she continued. “I left crying, because I was told I couldn’t feed my child, which by the way it is against the law to tell a mother they can’t breastfeed their child. But sure, let’s worry about offending people by feeding a child.” Francis also pointed out how she witnessed several children sleeping in their mothers’ laps in the lazy river, and other children with their heads resting on their moms’ chests. “My situation looked just like theirs, my breast wasn’t exposed. My son’s face was covering everything,” she said. “Without looking extra hard, you’d think he was just asleep on my chest. But somehow I made people uncomfortable by doing the most natural thing I could do for my child, while just trying to let him nap.” Francis continued: “I’m just so upset and appalled and wanted to give a heads up to all the other moms out there that this is how breastfeeding moms are treated at Rigby’s Water World. You’re also not allowed to bring snacks in for the baby, so I was told today. I guess they’d rather babies just go hungry.” According to Georgia state law, which states that the “breastfeeding of a baby is an important and basic act of nurture,” a mother is allowed to “breastfeed her baby in any location where the mother and baby are otherwise authorised to be”. Speaking to People, Tiffany Francis described the incident as “humiliating” and noted that other breastfeeding mothers have since come forward sharing similar explanations about being shamed in public. "I just really didn’t think anybody would care. You’re at a water park. People are already pretty naked there, right? I don’t think it was the most offensive thing to happen that day," she told the outlet. “As a mom, it’s just crazy that people think it’s not okay to feed your own child. If it’s a bottle, it’s fine. Feeding them table foods, sure. But feeding them from the breast just grosses people out for some reason,” she added. “It’s been sexualised to the point where it’s not a natural thing, and that’s just gross.” In one comment, a fellow mother wrote: “Girl! Call me any day I’m off and we will go. I saw a mom nursing the other day and kept an eye on her just in case anyone approached. Wish I was still nursing because I would nurse right next to you!!” “What?! Sounds like a good old nursing mama sit-in needs to happen,” another commented. “How is that even still a ‘thing’ in 2023.” Meanwhile, one dad said: “Wow, as a father this is unbelievably wrong. Anyone should be able to feed their kid anywhere without a problem.” A member of the Rigby family, the owners of Rigby’s Water World, responded to the Facebook post in the comments section: “I know that breastfeeding is allowed in the park and I can understand the safety issues that come in hand with feeding in moving water. As for the courtesy of other guests, I agree that a mom should be able to breastfeed at any time, however an exposed breast in a water feature without a covering could be seen as indecent (we wouldn’t let another guest do the same).” She noted that the water park does have shaded seating, family rooms, and an “admin building” designated for breastfeeding. According to Today, Rigby’s Water World revised its breastfeeding policy within hours of the incident and apologised to Francis for the “misguided” policy. “We had a policy in place that didn’t allow breastfeeding in the river that was in line with the health department’s standard on no eating or drinking in the pools,” said Steve Brown, vice president of operations at Rigby’s Water World. “When I was made aware of the law that mothers can breastfeed anywhere they’re allowed to be, we reviewed our policy, reaching out to other experts who operate aquatic facilities,” he says. “From there, we decided to allow our guests to breastfeed in the pools, should they choose.” Georgia’s Department of Public Health rules and regulations for public swimming pools, spas, and recreational water parks states that “bathers shall not be allowed to eat or drink while in or partially in the water”. “We were under the impression it was a health code violation,” Brown told the outlet. “It was a misunderstanding…it was my mistake to misinterpret the law…there are different opinions on this issue but we want to comply with the law.” Brown added that Rigby’s did not issue Francis a refund for her season pass, and maintained that she was not asked to leave the park. The Independent has contacted Tiffany Francis and Rigby’s Water World for comment. Read More Researchers warn after 25 types of toxic flame retardant found in human breast milk: ‘Disturbing’ Keke Palmer’s boyfriend isn’t the only one who needs to stop telling women how to dress Woman sparks debate with claim she’s discovered the best month to get pregnant Woman claims restaurant ‘hack’ for toddlers solves family dinners out Mother calls out ‘double standard’ after husband is praised for doing ‘bare minimum’ Husband exposed for reaction to learning his wife is pregnant again

H&M has filed a lawsuit against infamous fast fashion retailer Shein for copyright infringement, according to court documents filed in Hong Kong. Hennes & Mauritz, the Swedish fashion brand more commonly known as H&M, has accused Zoetop Business Co – the Hong Kong-based entity that previously owned Shein – as well as Shein Group Ltd of copying its designs in the new lawsuit. H&M is seeking unspecified damages and an injunction to stop Shein from infringing on its copyright and trademarks. According to Bloomberg, the filing included photos of dozens of items – such as swimwear and sweaters – that H&M claimed was evidence Shein had stolen its designs. In a statement, an H&M spokesperson confirmed to Bloomberg it filed a lawsuit against Shein in Hong Kong, claiming the fast-fashion competitor “in multiple cases has infringed on our designs”. The next hearing is slated to take place July 31. More follows… Read More Fast fashion retailer Shein accused of racketeering and copyright infringement in lawsuit Chinese e-retailer Temu files lawsuit in US against rival Shein, alleging antitrust violations Italian designer launches scathing attack on Shein over ‘stolen ideas’: ‘Maybe I am the fool’