Latest news with #SpecialK
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Vogue Williams admits she got ‘obsessed with avoiding food' after cruel ‘thunder thighs' remark as teen
VOGUE Williams has opened up on her struggle with disordered eating as a teen. The 2 Vogue Williams released her first autobiography, Big Mouth, last week 2 Vogue opened up about her disordered eating as a young teen In the tell-all book, relationships and even her failed marriage with singer When it came to dissecting her teen years, the Irish model opened up about her relationship with food as a young teen. After a boy from her school called her "thunder thighs", Vogue told readers: "I then became obsessed with avoiding food." She added: "I used to pack a sandwich for lunch and whatever else my mum would be happy with and just not eat it. READ MORE IN VOGUE WILLIAMS "Instead I would fill a sandwich bag with Special K and try and survive on just that for the day. I hadn't really learned much about nutrition and thought Special K plus very little else would make me skinny." The mum-of-three reminisced on her dieting experience, adding: "I wish I knew then what I know now. "I genuinely thought eating nothing would make me lose weight and I was always hungry. It's sad to look back and think what a young girl who doesn't like her body will deny herself." The weight Vogue was losing. MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN She said: "My mum then began to force me to sit down and eat my dinner, she wouldn't let me leave the table until I finished the food. "Eating food was the last thing I wanted to do, proper things like pasta and chips were everything I hated at the time." Vogue Williams shows off her wedding outfit Vogue explained that if she tried to unpack her disordered eating it all boiled down to her being "uncomfortable with her height". The star highlighted how she "always wanted to be five foot eight" and added: "Throw in a pair of stick thin legs and that would have been my dream." HSE Help & Guidelines for Eating Disorders If you've been affected by issues raised in this article please reach out to the HSE helplines listed below. If you think you may have an eating disorder, see your GP as soon as you can. If you have an eating disorder, your GP should refer you to an eating disorder specialist. It's hard to admit you have a problem and ask for help. It may make things easier if you bring a friend or loved one with you to your appointment. Visit for information and support about eating disorders. Vogue emphasised how food, health and nutrition are "so important" to her now. Today, the star has learned how to find a balance with food and exercise. The 39-year-old continued: "I train and eat healthily, I only follow the 80/20 rule and I never ever diet. "In a restaurant now, I will order what I want. I am a health freak so I do try to be careful about what I put into my body. "But I do have a sweet tooth so chocolate is always here to stay."
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
The ketamine kids ravaging UK town as dealers hit PRIMARY schools & teen girls draw business plans to become drug lords
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO teenagers high on ketamine sway like zombies on the canal path yards from happy Burnley fans fresh from watching their team clinch promotion back to the Premier League. While the Lancashire town is basking in football glory, it's also tackling a growing ketamine epidemic which has seen kids as young as 12 hooked on it, with fears child dealers are bringing it into primary schools. 11 Recreational use of the horse tranquilliser has doubled in a year in the UK 11 Addicts have self-harmed and attempted suicide in the former mill town Credit: Getty The Sun can reveal that one 13-year-old girl dealer even created a "business plan" to set herself up as a drug boss, complete with profit and loss estimates, and had recruited dealers and runners to peddle the popular party drug - also known as 'Special K' or 'Kit Kat'. Teenage girls are feared to have been sexually assaulted while high, and addicts have self-harmed and attempted suicide in the former mill town where the white powder can be bought for just £10 a gram. Recreational use of the horse tranquilliser has doubled in a year in the UK, and it is believed to be made legally in factories in India as well as illegally in China, Laos and Vietnam. The Class B drug is then smuggled to Britain via Belgium or Holland and sold by county lines drug dealers. According to the National Drug Treatment Monitoring System, the number of 18-year-olds in England entering drug treatment who identify ketamine as one of their problem substances rose to 917 in 2023-24 from 335 in 2020-2021. Ketamine is particularly damaging to the inner lining of the bladder, and heavy users can end up incontinent or needing to have the organ removed and replaced with a bag. The potent painkiller and sedative has become a hugely popular street drug due to its hallucinogenic and relaxing effects, but it can be highly dangerous. Hollywood actor Matthew Perry, who played Chandler in the sitcom Friends, died in 2023 after an overdose, and former RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne died aged 32 of a cardiac arrest caused by the effects of taking ketamine in January. In Burnley, tragic teenager Preston McNally fell into the Leeds-Liverpool Canal after taking the horse tranquilliser drug with three friends. His inquest heard that a witness saw them acting like "zombies" and could not control their legs. How ketamine can change someone's life at 'startling' speed revealed by Dr Catherine Carney 11 Tragic teenager Preston McNally died after falling into the Leeds-Liverpool Canal having taken the horse tranquilliser drug with three friends Credit: Facebook 11 Preston's inquest heard that a witness saw him and his mates acting like 'zombies' before he fell into the canal Credit: STEVE ALLEN 11 Local vicar Alex Frost has been campaigning about the dangers of ketamine Credit: STEVE ALLEN Local vicar Alex Frost, 55, who has been campaigning about the dangers of ketamine, told The Sun: "Tragically they could not help him as they were too out of it. "It's a pandemic here in Burnley. It's undoubtedly one of the ketamine hotspots in the country. "It's shocking the scale of it. It's due to the high levels of deprivation and also the cost of it." The married dad-of-three, who is the vicar of St Matthews Church, added: "We have seen 12-year-old kids being addicted. It's a pandemic here in Burnley. It's undoubtedly one of the ketamine hotspots in the country Alex Frost "And then the dealers groom kids with the latest trainers… the latest fashion gear, then they got in debt over it and have to sell more. "I know of one 13-year-old girl who did a business plan for selling ketamine. She had profit and loss margins - she had worked out how much she could get it for and then how much she sold it for. "If she had only managed to funnel that enterprise into something legitimate, that would be very impressive. "Her mother only found out she was involved in ketamine when she saw a picture of her daughter being held by her ankles and then dropped down the stairs of a house while they were all high on ketamine.' 'K-hole' The vicar, who turned to campaigning when a parishioner broke down in tears over the effect ketamine was having on her daughter, wants the drug to be upgraded to a Class A category. The synthetic drug's origins lie in the early 1970s, when it was developed as an easily administered anaesthetic for combatants in the Vietnam War. It became popular in the 90s as a clubbing drug alongside ecstasy. An excessive hit can cause temporary catatonia, known as a "K-hole". Former addict Finley Worthington, who racked up £22,000 debts over ketamine, told The Sun: "That's the ultimate hit. When you have experienced a k-hole, you chase it. 11 Ex-addict Finley Worthington raked up £22,000 debts over ketamine Credit: STEVE ALLEN 11 Eighteen members of a drugs gang who based their operation in Burnley, Brierfield and Nelson were jailed for almost 90 years in 2024 The 'heroin of a generation' Party drug ketamine has been dubbed the 'heroin' of a generation as users warn its true toll has yet to be fully seen. The potent painkiller and sedative has become a hugely popular street drug due to its hallucinogenic and relaxing effects. But for some, a party habit can spiral into a devastating addiction. Exeter University researchers who interviewed 274 ketamine addicts warn the drug causes 'high levels of physical health problems and psychological consequences'. They estimated that nearly half – 44 per cent – of British users suffering devastating side effects from ketamine do not get professional help. Sixty per cent had bladder or nasal problems, while 56 per cent suffered from organ cramps. Six in 10 interviewees had mental health problems and reported psychological issues including cravings, low mood, anxiety and irritability. One anonymous ketamine user in the study said: 'I feel it is the heroin of a generation. 'More information will only become available once more people my age begin to suffer so greatly from misuse that it can't be hidden anymore.' Another added: 'People know the risks of heroin and cocaine but not how addictive ketamine can become.' Read more here. "I have seen all sorts on the drug. One time I hallucinated that I was on a fairground ride in my bedroom and I was going round and round - it was crazy. "I chased that high to see that again." The 25-year-old was addicted to ketamine for six years and at times snorted more than seven grams a day. He said: "I was in hospital many times because of ketamine. It was very scary. "The pain was so bad that I ended up using ketamine as an anaesthetic. "Kids now take it in houses, parks or by the canal. You see them in clubs swaying like zombies." 'Hidden epidemic' Finley now works as a charity drugs counsellor and runs support group Ketamine Education Services. Shaking his head, he added: "We are seeing kids as young as 12 addicted to it but I'm sure it's being taken into primary schools and sold by kids just ten or 11. "It's shocking. It's a hidden epidemic.' One mum said her daughter's ten-month ket addiction was a nightmare. Kids now take it in houses, parks or by the canal. You see them in clubs swaying like zombies Finley Worthington Speaking to The Sun from her home, she said: "It was a living hell when she was suffering withdrawals. "She threw plates at us, attacked us and all sorts. My daughter self-harmed and talked about killing herself. It was a nightmare. "The Government needs to upgrade it to Class A. It is everywhere in Burnley - kids take it in parks and by the canals. "It's so cheap - they put pocket money in and club together to buy it." The devastating impact of ketamine Ketamine is a very powerful anaesthetic that can cause serious harm. Taking ketamine can be fatal, particularly if it is mixed with other drugs. Physical health risks In the short term, it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, and make you feel sick. It can also make you confused, agitated, delirious and disconnected from reality. As it leads to loss of feeling in your body, paralysis of the muscles and loss of touch with reality, ketamine can leave you vulnerable to hurting yourself or being hurt by others. Because you don't feel pain properly when you've recently taken the drug, you can injure yourself and not know you've done it. The party drug can cause damage to your short and long term memory. Prolonged use can also result in serious bladder problems, causing an urgent, frequent and painful need to pee and blood stained urine. Although stopping using ketamine can help, sometimes the damage can be so serious that the bladder needs surgical repair or even removal. The urinary tract, from the kidneys down to the bladder, can also be affected and you may be left incontinent - meaning you can't hold in your pee. Abdominal pain, sometimes called 'K cramps', have been reported by people who have taken ketamine for a long time. Finally, evidence of liver damage due to regular, heavy ketamine use is emerging. Mental health risks The longer term effects of ketamine use can include flashbacks, memory loss and problems with concentration. Regular use can cause depression and, occasionally, psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations. Ketamine can also make existing mental health problems worse. Medical grade ketamine is now being researched as a potential treatment for severe depression, but it is too early to know the results of this research. Source: FRANK Ketamine is classified as Class B, with the maximum penalty for supply and production 14 years in jail. The Government said it was seeking expert advice on whether to reclassify ketamine as a Class A which would mean anyone supplying it could be handed a life sentence. Lancashire Police has launched Operation Shore to crack down on the supply of ketamine in Burnley and nearby Padiham. A boy of 15 was among those arrested in dawn raids. Cops are also cracking down on e-bikes and e-scooters being used to deal ketamine throughout the borough. Inspector Matt Plummer said: "We have seen a concerning rise in ketamine misuse across our communities, and it's vital that we respond both with enforcement and education." Dr Sakthi Karunanithi, director of public health at Lancashire County Council, said: "There has been an increase in ketamine use nationally so it is incredibly important for us to work together with our partners to help stop ketamine getting into our communities. "We are already providing support to those affected by ketamine and their families, as well as delivering sessions to children and parents to educate them about the dangers of ketamine. "In a very short period of time, ketamine can cause permanent damage to the body, including bladder problems, changes in mental health, memory, and damage to your nose, liver and kidneys." 11 Lancashire Police has launched Operation Shore to crack down on the supply of ketamine in Burnley and nearby Padiham Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd 11 Mobile police stations were set up as part of Operation Shore Credit: Lancashire Police 11 Finley says kids now take ketamine in houses, parks or by the canal Credit: STEVE ALLEN
Times
24-04-2025
- Business
- Times
UK politics live: Ed Miliband refuses to rule out regional energy pricing
Britain is prepared to slash tariffs on US cars and agricultural products such as beef and chicken to secure a trade deal. Rachel Reeves said on Wednesday that she wanted to see trade barriers between the UK and the US reduced as part of negotiations with the Trump administration. Ministers are understood to be willing to reduce long-standing UK import tariffs of 10 per cent on cars and 12 per cent on agricultural products. 'I want to see tariff and non-tariff barriers reduced between the UK and the US,' Reeves told the BBC before a meeting on Thursday with Scott Bessent, President Trump's most senior economic official. • Read in full: Chancellor considers reducing import tariffs The former defence minister Grant Shapps has said that he has 'some theories' as to why President Trump 'seems to support the tyrant' President Putin, but he is barred by the Official Secrets Act from sharing why. He told Times Radio: 'I don't think it's too much of a stretch, and many of your listeners will already know because it's publicly reported that he's had previous run-ins with Kyiv, unrelated to the war, and people may come to their own theories as to why he seemed to be in cahoots with Putin, who after all is a dictator who wants a completely different type of world to the one which has been constructed after the Second World War.' Shapps added that he found it 'really disgusting' that the leader of the free world is 'coming out as nothing more than a swaggering bully and choosing tyranny over democracy'. Nigel Farage has said he is 'eating the Tories for breakfast' before the local elections on May 1. In a post on X, the Reform UK leader shared a photo of himself eating a bowl of 'Special Kemi', a take on the popular breakfast cereal Special K. Farage tagged Sir Keir Starmer in the post. Ed Miliband has refused to rule out zonal pricing for parts of the country based on local energy supply and demand. The energy secretary told Sky News that he would make a 'calm and considered decision' on zonal pricing, which reportedly could lead to higher bills in places such as the southeast of England compared with Scotland. Miliband insisted his aim was to cut energy bills in a 'way that's fair'. Speaking to LBC, he added: 'I'm not going to take a decision that is going to raise prices in some parts of the country. That is not what I'm going to do.'
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Yahoo
DC man pleads guilty to selling drugs, fentanyl that left 2 dead in 2023
WASHINGTON () — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia () said a D.C. man pleaded guilty to selling large amounts of drugs, including a sale of fentanyl that led to the deaths of two men. On March 14, Jevaughn Mark, 33, of D.C., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and 500 grams or more of cocaine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The attorney's office said that between Jan. 10, 2024, and March 13, 2024, Mark was charged with eight counts of unlawful distribution and distribution of 40 grams or more of fentanyl. South Carolina man pleads guilty to sexually abusing young Reston girls The charges stemmed from six purchases where Mark sold drugs to undercover DEA and Metropolitan Police Department task force officers. Officials said during each instance, officers requested to buy ketamine, also known as 'Special K.' Instead, they were given a mixture of fentanyl and other substances, including heroin. Once authorities obtained an indictment, police executed a search warrant at Mark's home and located two guns, cocaine, fentanyl, a body armor vest and about $38,000 in cash. On June 13, he was charged with a superseding indictment in connection to the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine that led to the deaths of Brandon Román and Robert Barletta. DC USPS worker convicted of stealing over $1.6 million in checks from mail Under the plea agreement, the attorney's office noted that Mark admitted to causing the death of the two men by selling them 'Ketamine,' which was actually fentanyl, in 2023. According to the USADC, Román and Barletta shared the drugs with each other. They were found dead inside their home in Northwest, D.C., the day after Mark sold them fentanyl. Mark's sentencing is scheduled for June 13, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Discover the Health Benefits of Cereal on National Cereal Day
BATTLE CREEK, Mich., March 7, 2025 /3BL/ - National Cereal Day (March 7) is the perfect time to rediscover the original breakfast classic of cereal and the benefits that can be found in the cereal aisle today. Many people may not know that cereal is the No. 1 source of fiber for kids.[1] Cereal eaters also get more essential nutrients than non-cereal eaters and consume no more added sugar than those who don't eat cereal.[2] 'As a registered dietitian and cereal-lover, my favorite thing about cereal is it provides many key nutrients often lacking in most people's diets,' said Sarah Ludmer, Chief Wellbeing and Sustainable Business Officer at WK Kellogg. 'Cereal also is often how people introduce other nutrient-rich foods like milk, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds to their diets, which can be customized to fit individual dietary needs.' What You May Not Know About Cereal A Fiber Destination For the 95% of Americans who don't get enough fiber, the grain in cereals can help fill that deficit.[3] Cereal is the No. 1 source of fiber for kids and is also the top breakfast source of whole grains for children.[4] WK Kellogg makes more than 140 cereals that offer a good source of fiber and more than 70% of its cereals contain at least eight grams of whole grains. Good Source of Protein Did you know that a bowl of cereal and milk can provide as much protein as an egg? One egg offers six grams of protein, while cereals like Frosted Mini-Wheats® and Kellogg's Raisin Bran® have five grams and milk provides another six. Some Special K® and Kashi® cereals even offer 10 grams or more in protein. Since 90% of cereals are consumed with milk, they're a powerful breakfast choice with protein. Simple Grains with Few Ingredients More and more people are seeking to get back to basics, and cereal is much simpler than you may think. Most cereals start with grains that are simply puffed, toasted, flaked or shredded. Many WK Kellogg cereals contain minimal ingredients: grains, sugar, flavor and salt plus vitamins and minerals. Nutrient-Rich Cereal eaters get 14 more essential nutrients than non-cereal eaters,[5] which is a big deal when you consider more than 90% of Americans have a vitamin deficiency.[6] Many cereals are a great source of nutrients like Vitamin D, Calcium, Fiber, Iron and Folate. In fact, eating cereal has been positively associated with higher diet quality and is not associated with higher body weight among Americans.[7] Added Nutrients Without Added Sugar Research continues to show that cereal contributes to only 5% of added sugar in American diets and cereal eaters get no more added sugar than those who don't eat cereal.[8] A majority of cereals in market also have less than 12 grams of added sugars per serving which is less than a tablespoon, and many cereals have single digit or zero added sugar. About WK Kellogg Co At WK Kellogg Co, we bring our best to everyone, every day through our trusted foods and brands. Our journey began in 1894, when our founder W.K. Kellogg reimagined the future of food with the creation of Corn Flakes, changing breakfast forever. Our iconic brand portfolio includes Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Froot Loops®, Kashi®, Special K®, Kellogg's Raisin Bran®, and Bear Naked®. With a presence in the majority of households across North America, our brands play a key role in enhancing the lives of millions of consumers every day, promoting a strong sense of physical, emotional and societal wellbeing. Our beloved brand characters, including Tony the Tiger® and Toucan Sam®, represent our deep connections with the consumers and communities we serve. Through our sustainable business strategy – Feeding HappinessTM – we aim to build healthier and happier futures for families, kids and communities. We are making a positive impact, while creating foods that bring joy and nourishment to consumers. For more information about WK Kellogg Co and Feeding Happiness, visit Media: [1]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, General Population, children ages 2-17 years old, [2017-2018] [2]Zhu Y, Jain N, Vanage V, Holschuh N, Agler AH, Smith JD. Association between Ready-to-Eat Cereal Consumption and Nutrient Intake, Nutritional Adequacy, and Diet Quality in Adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-2016. Nutrients. [3] Reider CA, Chung RY, Devarshi PP, Grant RW, Hazels Mitmesser S. Inadequacy of Immune Health Nutrients: Intakes in US Adults, the 2005-2016 NHANES. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 10;12(6):1735. doi: 10.3390/nu12061735. PMID: 32531972; PMCID: PMC7352522. [4]Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data. Hyattsville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, General Population, children ages 2-17 years old, [2017-2018] [5] Zhu Y, Jain N, Vanage V, Holschuh N, Agler A, Smith J. Association between ready-to-eat cereal consumption and nutrient intake, nutritional adequacy, and diet quality in adults in the national health and nutrition examination survey 2015–2016. Nutrients. (2019) 11:2952. doi: 10.3390/nu1112295 [6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Second Nutrition Report: Guidelines and Recommendations [7]Sanders, Lisa M., et al. The Relationship of Ready-To-Eat Cereal Intake and Body Weight in Adults: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies and Controlled Trials. no. 4, July 2023
