Hong Kong government to change the name of ‘space oil' drug to make it less appealing
Space oil is the street term for a narcotic substance containing etomidate, which is a short-term anaesthetic. It is usually inhaled through vaping and has been getting increasingly popular, especially among younger Hongkongers, because it is cheap and convenient to consume, becoming our city's third most commonly used drug by people under 21. The government has been trying to clamp down hard on space oil since it gained popularity in 2023, including it in Hong Kong's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance in February alongside cocaine and ketamine.
The issue had previously been brought up at a Legislative Council meeting last month that the name space oil had 'unnecessarily romanticised' the drug, and earlier this February, the government had already started referring to the narcotic as 'space oil drug' officially, instead of just space oil.
It now looks like space oil is going through another rebranding, as the security chief confirms that the government will be announcing its new name soon. Nothing has been set in stone yet, but Tang had also compared the appearance of space oil users to 'zombies' before and suggested changing the drug's moniker to 'zombie oil' instead.
If the goal is to make drugs sound less fun, perhaps they shouldn't name them after anything you can theme Halloween costumes around. Watch this space for updates on what we should call space oil next.
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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Wife found shot dead with husband and 2 kids in home makes shocking admission in tragic videos posted days before death
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALARMING details have emerged about the final days of the four family members who were found dead in their New Hampshire home. Emily Long shared that she was "struggling so much" two days before she was shot and killed alongside her husband and their two young children in what police are calling a murder-suicide. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Dr. Ryan Long, 48, Emily Long, 34, their daughter, Ryan, 6, and their son, Parker, 8 Credit: Facebook 8 Emily Long spoke about her depression in a TikTok posted on Saturday, August 16 Credit: TikTok / emilylong41 8 The home in Madbury, New Hampshire, where Emily Long, her husband, and their two children were found shot and killed on Monday Credit: WMUR Dr. Ryan Long, 48, Emily Long, 34, their son, Parker, 8, and their daughter, Ryan, 6, were found dead inside their family home in Madbury, New Hampshire, on Monday. A surviving toddler was left behind at the scene with no injuries. He is now safely with family members. While police haven't indicated a motive for the devastating crime, Emily's social media accounts reveal a glimpse inside the family's emotional final days before the tragedy. The mom was active on social media platforms, including Facebook, where she shared happy pictures of her family of five posing on occasions like Easter Sunday and pumpkin picking before Halloween. However, on TikTok, Emily was open in speaking about her husband's brain cancer diagnosis to more than 6,400 followers. In her account's bio, Emily described herself as a "NH Mom of 3 - Brain Cancer Wife," adding, "My digital diary - it's cheaper than therapy." Officials haven't confirmed the details of the dad's illness, but Emily said on the platform that dad Ryan was diagnosed with glioblastoma in April of this year. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. The survival rate is extremely low. 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We have partnered with local school districts and organizations to provide mental health support for our students and their families, and our staff. As we prepare for the coming school year, our commitment remains to the well-being of our students, staff, and their families. Out of respect for everyone involved, we will not be making further comments. Source: ORCSD Emily worked as a director of operations for a restaurant in the area, according to her LinkedIn. Ryan Long worked as a school psychologist in the Oyster River School District. "The Oyster River Cooperative School District community is heartbroken by the tragic loss of four community members," Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaps said in a statement to The U.S. Sun. "We extend our deepest sympathies to all those impacted during this incredibly difficult time." HORRIFYING SCENE State troopers responded to the home at around 8:21 pm on Monday after two callers contacted 911 to report the Longs dead in their home, police said. The four family members were found dead at the scene. It's unclear who called the cops. At this time, it's unclear who carried out the shooting. Autopsies on the four family members are set to be conducted on Wednesday, officials said. 8 Police investigating the scene of the apparent murder-suicide on Monday night Credit: WMTW
Time Out
29-07-2025
- Time Out
Hongkongers are prioritising health and longevity more than ever before – but men would rather focus on tech
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Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
'Britain's 'tandemic' isn't just a beauty trend - it's a public health crisis'
Pall Mall Medical GP, Dr Chun Tang, says the UK's "tandemic" is part of a wider health crisis amongst young Brits, for which the concern goes far beyond being a beauty trend gone wrong Promoted on TikTok as a beauty trend loved by thousands, the return of sunbed tanning among young Brits - particularly Gen Z - is a huge cause for concern. Dubbed 'Britain's tandemic' by GP Dr Chun Tang: "We're seeing a generation chasing the perfect tan at any cost." Hooked on the look, the love of deep tans has seen a surge in sunbed vists, particularly in Northern cities, as research shows Newcastle as the leading city for tan addiction with an alarming 2,042 searches per 100,000 residents each month. That's 6,280 searches in June 2025 alone. A close second is Manchester at 1,981 per 100K, with Warrington (1,839), Sheffield (1,657) and Glasgow (1,638) following to make Britain's top five. What's most surprising is London's 593 searches (for every 100K), presenting a clear regional divide. Unfortunately for Brits, Dr Tang warns this latest beauty trend hides major health risks underneath its tanned, glowing skin. Sunbed use causes a range of serious side-effects, from burns to skin cancer - and now doctors are now begging for the end of this looming health crisis disguised as a Gen Z trend. 'A public health crisis in the making' The dangers of the machine-made tan were also highlighted in a Melanoma Focus study, which found 43 percent of young people aged 18 - 25 admitted to using sunbeds and 29 percent confirmed a regular top-up. Glamourised by influencers and content creators in social media trends, the need for bronzed skin for a 'hot girl summer' has both boosted searches and content. Google searches related to sunbeds and tanning have rapidly increased to half a million, with '#sunbed' and '#sunbeds' achieving a combined 159,400 posts on TikTok. As well as more social content, there are more shopping opportunities too, as tan-enhancing products, such as carrot oil and bronzing butters are advertised on TikTok Shop. Dr Tang tells us that the health risks are undeniable, and include: premature ageing, severe burns, and most worryingly, an increased risk of skin cancer. "This isn't just a beauty trend, it's a public health crisis in the making," he says. Debunking the Vitamin D myth According to the NHS, vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. The site notes that the best source for vitamin D, from March through to September, is sunlight. "The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors," the site reads. Vitamin D can also be found in oily fish – such as salmon, sardines, trout, herring or mackerel, red meat, egg yolks and can be taken via supplements. According to Active Salon, while the levels of UVB you'll get from a sunbed are not quite as high as the sun, sunbed lamps do emit both UVA and UVB radiation. "This means that indoor tanning, whether in a lie-down sunbed or stand-up booth, can help your body to produce vitamin D," the site explains.. However, Dr Tang shuts down the myth of sunbeds being a safe way to top up vitamin D. He says this myth is "dangerously misleading" and urges Brits to avoid sunbeds altogether as there is "no safe level of use". Instead he recommends tan lovers to "embrace self-tan lotions or sprays as safer alternatives; cover up with hats and UV-protective clothing outdoors; and get regular skin checks, especially if you've used sunbeds in the past". For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox. 'Use SPF and brush up on the ABCDE rule' The GP advises individuals " use SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen daily, even in winter" and to follow the 'ABCDE rule' when monitoring existing moles/ changes on our skin. "The ABCDE mole rule is a handy way to spot anything suspicious: A is for Asymmetry; B is for Border (look for jagged edges); C is for Colour (multiple or uneven shades); and D is for Diameter (anything bigger than a pencil eraser should get checked out). Finally, E is for Evolution (keep track of any changes in your moles over time)". "In short, if a mole looks weird or is changing, get it seen. We now have innovative assessments like mole mapping that creates a detailed photographic record of your moles, helping detect new or changing ones early. They can be crucial for spotting skin cancer before it becomes serious".
