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Strangled estate agent linked to ‘Devil of Avignon’ was gagged with ether, raped & struggled so hard she lost her rings

MURDERED estate agent Sophie Narme has been linked to convicted serial rapist Dominique Pelicot – with cops probing his possible involvement in her gruesome death in 1991.

Sophie, 23, met with a client to show him an apartment in Paris, who gagged and drugged her with ether, raped her and killed her in a struggle so brutal her rings came off.

Sophie Narme, 23, was raped and murdered in 1991
Sophie Narme, 23, was raped and murdered in 1991
Courtroom sketch of Dominique Pelicot at his trial.
Reuters
Dominique Pelicot in court during a trial over the mass rape of his ex-wife[/caption]
Dominique Pélicot, defendant in Avignon rape trial.
Police Handout
Pictured: Dominique Pelicot[/caption]

After 33 years of delays to the investigation into her death, French police are taking a fresh look at Dominique Pelicot.

Jailed on Thursday for 20 years after inviting some 70 strangers to rape his drugged wife, Dominique has already admitted to one cold case from the 1990s.

Chilling similarities between the two decades-old investigations has led cops to turn their focus to Sophie’s death – which he denies any involvement in.

Sophie met with her client, named Mr Duboste, on December 4 1991 at around 10am.

Her worried parents alerted bosses that they hadn’t heard from her that evening – prompting them to go and check the apartment themselves.

Sophie’s boss found her lifeless body in the apartment, lying face down with her hair covering her face.

Her family’s lawyer Florence Rault told franceinfo that Sophie’s killer “restrained her then put her to sleep with ether” and “tore her bra”.

She told how he “raped her before strangling her with the belt of her skirt”.

And Florence said that “she lost all the rings she had on her fingers”, marking her “attempts to struggle”.

Sophie’s skin was “cut” with “wounds”, and in a harrowing detail, Florence said her attacker likely “used a bladed weapon, probably a box cutter”.

Lawyer Florence Rault.
Lawyer Florence Rault, who represents Sophie’s family

A witness said they saw “a man with a raincoat” pass by, but the neighbours heard nothing, according to Florence.

After years of delays the Nanterre cold cases unit got hold of the case.

The office told how three investigating judges in the unit made a key connection between Sophie’s murder and the attempted rape of another woman, Marion (pseudonym), in 1999.

She too was a young estate agent, lured to an apartment by a man who drugged her with ether and tried to rape her before she miraculously managed to escape.

Dominique Pelicot’s DNA was linked to Marion’s attempted rape during his time in custody over recent months – for a grim campaign of abuse against his ex-wife.

His sample matched traces of blood found on the shoes that Marion was wearing the day she was assaulted.

Marion, now in her forties, formally identified him for cops.

He then admitted to the crime during police interrogation – although denied using a weapon.

Dominique had lured Marion, 19, into a building on the pretext that he might want to buy it.

He then pinned her to the ground, bound her wrists with rope, used ether on her and pulled down her pants.

As the drugs soon wore off, she was able to get away and lock herself in a closet until he left.

He has denied any involvement in the rape and murder of Sophie Narme.

No DNA traces were found at the crime scene after Sophie’s murder – and the sperm sample recovered there was lost.

Dominique’s lawyer, Béatrice Zavarro, told AFP in January 2023 that the accusations are “based solely on connections”.

She said “My client’s position is one of absolute and persistent denial. He is shocked. We will fight as best we can.”

Inside the horror Pelicot case

BY Ellie Doughty, Foreign News Reporter

A TRULY disturbing mass rape case that shocked France, and the world, culminated this week in a whopping 51 convictions in court totalling more than 400 years of prison time.

After months of harrowing testimony – the twisted ex husband of grandmother Gisèle Pelicot, Dominique, was found guilty of raping his own wife for almost a decade and offering her up to strangers online.

Serial rapist Dominique, 72, admitted to inviting dozens of men to force themselves on his drugged wife Gisèle, who went years completely unaware of what he was doing to her.

He was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 20 years behind bars, meaning he could die in prison.

All other 50 defendants were convicted in court – with sentences of up to 15 years handed out to his co-defendants.

Most were found guilty of raping Gisèle, two were convicted of attempted rape and two of sexual assault.

Gisèle and her children attended court to hear the sentencing, and as monster Dominique wept during the verdict, she watched on, resting her head against a wall.

Dozens of people gathered outside the court, applauding Gisèle who has become something of a feminist icon in France throughout the trial.

People all over the world have been left appalled at how Dominique was able to covertly assault her for so many years, and how many seemingly normal members of the local community joined in.

Married for decades and parents to three children, the couple lived in a small, sleepy town called Avignon in southern France.

Dominique would slip tranquillising drugs and sleeping pills into her evening meals or drinks before inviting strange men over to rape her while unconscious – filming the horrific assaults and storing video and pictures of them on his computer.

Men who answered Dominique’s disturbing offers included a gardener, farm driver, tradesman and retired fireman.

The youngest was 21, and the oldest 68. While most only took part once, some did so up to six times.

Dominique was first arrested in September 2020 for secretly filming up women’s skirts at a supermarket in Carpentras.

While in custody, he confessed to a hard drive hidden under a printer with the file called “Abuses” – full of 20,000 images and videos depicting the rapes of his wife.

The incredibly brave Gisèle had to sit through more than three months of horrendous testimony throughout the course of the trial.

This included extracts from Pelicot’s collection of homemade abuse videos and images being shown in court.

Heroic Gisèle testified: “They regarded me like a rag doll, like a garbage bag.”

Meanwhile sick Dominique confessed: “I am a rapist, like the others in this room,” and said he may “die alone like a dog”.

EERILY SIMILAR

Prosecutors have highlighted how the cases share similarities – including the fact that they were both estate agents attacked during apartment visits.

As well as the use of small cords to tie them up or restrict them, a similar method of undressing them and the same drug.

Florence said: “What happened in 1999 begins like in 1991. We find the ether, the cutter and links.”

Speaking of what happened to Marion, she explained: “A man came into the real estate agency and spoke to her directly, telling her that he was urgently looking for an apartment.

“He was friendly and presentable: Marion was not suspicious. She thought of an apartment located nearby and took him by car.”

When he asked her if his bed would fit in the apartment, Marion bent down to take some measurements.

Florence said: “Then she feels a blade under her neck and can no longer move under the effect of the ether.

“She struggles not to breathe in this smell which makes her leave.”

Marion then managed to “grab the private parts” of her attacker, who lets her go.

Florence said she locked herself away in a closet and hid there for four hours before coming out to find him gone.

Dominique allegedly told an investigating judge in 2022: “While passing in front of the real estate agency and seeing the young woman, I had an impulse.”

Gisele Pelicot and her lawyer leave the Avignon courthouse during the trial of her former partner.
AFP
Gisèle Pelicot leaves Avignon courthouse[/caption]

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Macy’s breaks silence on rumors chain is closing iconic Manhattan store that first opened 102 years ago

MACY’S has shut down rumors it is under pressure to hive off its iconic Manhattan location, reassuring customers that the company is “committed” to keeping the flagship store open.

According to an exclusive statement obtained by The U.S. Sun, the iconic retailer signaled it had no plans to shut down the Herald Square operation.

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Macy’s CEO Tony Spring revealed disappointing sales results in December[/caption]
Alamy
Macy’s has reassured customers it has no plans to sell its iconic Herald Square location[/caption]

“We remain committed to our Herald Square location and look forward to continuing to serve our customers there,” a Macy’s Inc spokesperson said.

The comment come following reports in the Financial Times which said an activist hedge fund had called on Macy’s to sell real estate properties including its Manhattan location.

The Financial Times reported calls from Barington Capital Group and real estate investment partner Thor Equities for the company to create a separate subsidiary to collect rent from Macy’s retail operations and sell or redevelop some properties.

The fund also reportedly asked Macy’s to cut back spending and explore the sale of its Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury store banners.

“We invested in Macy’s because we believe the shares are mispriced relative to the upside potential we see in management’s new strategic plan and the compelling value of the company’s owned real estate assets,” James Mitarotonda, Barington’s chair, told the outlet.

“However, we are concerned with Macy’s large capital expenditure programmes.”

The investors estimate that Macy’s portfolio, which includes 521 stores across the country, is worth between $5 billion and $9 billion.

But an internal source at Macy’s told The U.S. Sun there were “no plans” to sell off the iconic Manhattan location and hosed down suggestions there was push from investors to cut back in real estate assets.

The move to reassure customers comes as the retailer faces a tough financial outlook.

Earlier this month, the department store chain revealed disappointing sales figures and was forced to slash its profit outlook. 

Macy’s CEO Tony Spring in December said it plans to close about 150 locations by the end of 2026, blaming competition from big box retailers, the rise of e-commerce and high overhead costs.

According to its quarterly results, Macy’s trimmed down its adjusted earnings per share of $2.25 to $2.50 down from August guidance of $2.34 to $2.69.

RETAIL APOCALYPSE

A number of major retailers are suffering as the sector grapples with changing consumer behavior, the rise of e-commerce, and inflationary pressures sparked by the pandemic.

With a raft of chains, including Walmart, winding back their retail footprint, experts say retailers are in financial strife due to increased borrowing costs and consumers tightening their wallets amid ongoing cost of living pressures.

According to analysis by retail data provider CoreSight, there has been a 24% increase in store closures in 2024 alone.

BELOVED STORE

The closure of Macy’s flagship Herald Square location would likely cause outrage among shoppers.

Built in 1902, the location is one of the world’s largest single shops since it expanded to 7th Avenue in 1924.

It has hosted many events, including the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1929 and 4th of July fireworks in 1976.

The U.S. Sun reports on all things retail, including Macy’s recent quarterly report.

The U.S. Sun has also extensively covered the ongoing closure of brick and mortar locations.

US braces for '45,000 store closures'

Some 45,000 bricks-and-mortar stores could close in the next five years, experts have warned.

Several major retailers have announced store closures or gone out of business altogether in recent years.

Chains such as Foot Locker, Sally Beauty, Tuesday Morning, Shore City, Z Gallerie, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams have all gone out of business.

Bed Bath & Beyond has closed all of its brick-and-mortar stores and is now an online-only retailer.

The most affected retailers have been clothing, consumer electronics, sporting goods, hobby, book, music, and home furnishing stores since the start of 2019.

UBS has predicted the total number of retail stores will drop by 45k from 958k to 913k.

Despite that, the report says that certain stores should thrive while others decline.

It said retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Home Depot, and Target, could be among the winners.

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World’s loneliest gorilla Bua Noi spending her 41st Christmas ALONE still trapped in mall cage for shoppers to gawp at

ONE of the loneliest gorillas in the world is set to spend her 41st Christmas trapped in a tiny concrete cage inside a shopping mall.

Bua Noi has lived behind bars in Thailand for most of her life with shoppers constantly gawping at her as they walk past.

A gorilla sits behind bars in a zoo.
Rex
Bua Noi is set to spend another Christmas behind bars, after being held in the controversial zoo for decades[/caption]
Gorilla in a zoo cage.
EPA
Bua looking sad as she peers through the rusting bars of her cage[/caption]
A gorilla in a cage at a zoo.
AFP
Many groups have voiced their concerns over the gorilla’s wellbeing[/caption]

The gorilla has been caged up for decades in the widely criticised Pata Zoo which sits above a supermarket.

This allows passers-by and shoppers to gaze in at the unloved mammal who is unable to ever leave.

On Christmas, when all the people go home to their families, Bua will stay locked up in her rusting enclosure all alone.

A damming report back in 2019 detailed how Bua had been pulling out her hair and anxiously rolling around in her isolated cage.

Footage also shows the lonely gorilla looking visibly depressed and staring through the bars of her old cage.

All of this has made Bua one of the most well-known living gorillas with her being at the centre of dozens of campaigns aimed at getting her free.

These calls have come mainly from international campaign groups but even celebrities such as Cher.

PETA have spent over 12 years trying to relocate Bua but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

But the owner of Bua has constantly ignored calls to give her a better quality of life and says he will only release her if he is paid £700,000, according to reports.

This leaves her spending another festive season alone and unwanted.

Even the environment minister of Thailand, Varawut Silpa-archa, has made it clear he wishes to see her moved to a sanctuary.

“We collected donations from Bua Noi’s supporters. But the problem is that the owner refuses to sell Bua Noi.

“When he does agree to sell her, the price is too high. Bua Noi is considered private property so we cannot do anything to remove her.”

Bua was first shipped off to the shopping centre from Germany when she was just a one-year-old.

She has been trapped in her cramped and dirty cage ever since.

Jason Baker, PETA Asia’s Senior Vice President, has been campaigning for the gorilla’s release since 2012.

He has been vocal about his grave concerns for her health and wellbeing.

He said: “Bua Noi the gorilla is suffering from extreme psychological distress in the concrete enclosure to which she has been confined alone for nearly 40 years.

“PETA has offered multiple times to transfer her and all the other animals at Pata Zoo to reputable sanctuaries, where they would have trees to climb, grass to roll in, and other animals to socialise with.”

Pata Zoo has defended their treatment of Bua Noi, with the director claiming criticism of her welfare “doesn’t concern me”.

Inside “one of the worst zoos in the world”

Pata Zoo is not only home to the sombre gorilla but also more than 200 other animal species including tigers, bears and pythons.

Many of the animals live in similar conditions to Bua and spend their days wallowing about in pity.

A chilling report by International Animal Rescue has even claimed that some animals were left to die in their cages.

PETA has strongly condemned the zoo for years with Jason Baker, the organisation’s Asia Senior Vice President labelling it “one of the worst zoos in the world”.

He said: “Every animal at Pata Zoo is enduring a life sentence – something not handed to even the hardest Thai criminals – for simply being different to humans. 

“This shabby facility is internationally condemned as one of the worst zoos in the world.

“All the animals held captive there are confined to pitifully small, barren enclosures and denied sunshine, fresh air, and opportunities to exercise or engage in behaviour that’s meaningful to them.”

“But they could have a meaningful life if they were transferred to a facility that would provide the mental stimulation and physical comfort of the naturalistic environment they need.”

The controversial zoo is located on the sixth and seventh floor of Pata Pinklao Department Store and has operated since 1983.

Gorilla sitting behind bars in a zoo enclosure.
Getty
The adult gorilla moved to the zoo when she was aged just one[/caption]
A woman wearing a mask views a gorilla in a zoo enclosure.
EPA
Her enclosure where visitors can watch on from a distance[/caption]
Cobra in enclosure at Pata Zoo, Bangkok.
EPA
A cobra inside an enclosure at the Pata Zoo in equally as rough conditions[/caption]

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LeBron James slams state of NBA and breaks silence on All-Star Game changes after bosses launch review

LEBRON James has spoken out against the state of the NBA today.

The NBA is starting to make changes to the game, with the All-Star game being the first to be affected.

AP
LeBron James has spoken out about the NBA All-Star game and the state of the league[/caption]
Getty
James thinks that there are too many three-point shots being taken[/caption]

The All-Star game has been one of the most criticized parts of the league, and the NBA is transitioning to a new format for this season.

Instead of two All-Star teams playing one game, there will be four teams playing in a tournament.

“Something had to change,” James said.

“We’ll see, we’ll see when we get there.

“It’s different. Obviously anytime you make some type of change it’s going to be some buck back.

“I don’t know. I mean, I have my ideas of what could possibly work. You got to do something.

“Obviously, the last couple of years have not been a great All-Star Game that Sunday night.”

LeBron acknowledged this change, but also used it was a chance to speak out against the league as a whole.

“It’s not just the All-Star Game. It’s our game in general,” James said.

“There’s a lot of f***ing threes being shot.

“So it’s a bigger conversation than just the All-Star Game.”

The NBA is seeing a large drop in ratings due to the current product on the court.

Commissioner Adam Silver recognizes this addressed how he felt about the three pointers.

“The answer is yes, [we are having] many discussions about the style of basketball [being played],” Silver said.

“I would not reduce it to a so-called 3-point shooting issue.

New rights deal

The NBA signed an 11-year deal with three networks for the league's rights from the 2025-26 season.

And there will be no games on TNT for the first time since the network launched in 1988.

The Walt Disney Company will continue to show the league with 80 regular-season games across ESPN and ABC.

They will also show around 18 playoff games from the first and second round, a Conference Finals series for 10 of the 11 years, and remain the home of the NBA Finals.

NBC will return as an NBA broadcaster for the first time since 2002.

The network will show up to 100 games per season across it’s channels and Peacock streaming service.

It will also be the home of NBA All-Star and show approximately 28 playoff games from the first and second round.

NBC will show one Conference Finals Series for six of the 11 years, rotating with new broadcaster Amazon Prime.

Amazon will show 66 NBA regular-season games including one on Black Friday.

The streaming service is also the home of the latter stages of the NBA Cup and the entire Play-In Tournament.

Prime will also broadcast around one third of the playoff games in the first and second round.

“I think we look more holistically at the skill level on the floor, the diversity of the offense, the fan reception to the game, all of the above.”

There has been a massive uptick in three-point attempts per game over the last decade.

In the 2015-16 season, the Golden State Warriors led the league with 31.6 attempts per game.

The Boston Celtics lead the NBA this season with 51.1 attempts per game.

There’s no telling what the NBA could change to get this number down, but they are going to have to try something.

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ESPN announces major broadcasting change for NBA Christmas Day schedule with 14 hours of live TV coverage

ESPN has announced full coverage details for the NBA on Christmas Day special.

The network will broadcast basketball non stop from midday ET until the early hours of the morning.

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ESPN stars Stephen A. Smith and Malika Andrews face a busy day on Christmas with five NBA games live on the network[/caption]
AP
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers will take center stage against the Golden State Warriors[/caption]

Five games will be shown back to back, all live on national television.

They will all be shown live on ABC as well as ESPN throughout the holiday.

The action kicks off with NBA Countdown on ESPN from 11 am ET.

And the first live action sees the San Antonio Spurs visit the New York Knicks from midday ET.

That game will also have a Mickey Mouse themed simulcast on ESPN2.

Next up will be the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Dallas Mavericks from 2.30 pm ET.

And the Philadelphia 76ers face the Boston Celtics from 5 pm ET.

The main game at 8 pm ET sees the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors.

ESPN’s top team of Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson and Lisa Salters will be on the call for that game.

It will see another showdown between two modern-day greats LeBron James and Steph Curry.

And the action will conclude with the Denver Nuggets taking on the Phoenix Suns in a 10.30 pm ET tip-off.

Christmas Day is one of the biggest in the NBA calendar.

It traditionally marked the first time in the season in which games appear on national, network television.

That changed in recent years with the finals of the NBA Cup in Las Vegas earlier in December.

The NBA has also faced competition in recent years from the NFL on Christmas Day.

NBA on Christmas Day schedule

12 pm ET - San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

2.30 pm ET – Minnesota Timberwolves vs Dallas Mavericks

5 pm ET – Philadelphia 76ers vs Boston Celtics

8 pm ET – Los Angeles Lakers vs Golden State Warriors

10.30 pm ET – Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns

That has intensified this year with two football games live on Netflix.

The NFL tended to schedule games on Christmas only when they fell on regular gamedays – Thursday, Sunday or Monday.

But this year they have gone out their way with a Wednesday doubleheader live on the streaming service.

The Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 pm ET.

And the Baltimore Ravens visit the Houston Texans at 4.30 pm ET with Beyonce performing a halftime show.

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Golden Globes’ $1m gift bags revealed – A-listers to walk out with $500k Turks & Caicos vacation and $34k in rare wines

GOLDEN GLOBE nominees may not all walk away with a fought-for trophy, but they’ll certainly be getting their weight in gold. 

The gift packages for nominated A-listers has been revealed and it’s the most expensive ever – with $1million worth of goods in every one, almost double last year’s. 

PA
The Golden Globes are on their way – with nominees taking home over goods worth up to $1million[/caption]
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The gifting suite is going to be stacked this year for stars[/caption]
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Ariana Grande is among this year’s nominees[/caption]
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Pamela Anderson has been celebrated for her role in The Last Showgirl[/caption]

Compiled by luxury lifestyle brand Robb Report this year, each bag contains everything a Hollywood star needs to pamper themselves after the rush of awards season – from skincare products, bottles of expensive wine and tequila, to a $25,000 ‘dance-focused workout and wellbeing experience’. 

As the nominees are revealed for the 82nd annual show, which airs on January 5th, Robb Report’s president and Penske Media Corporation’s Head of Luxury Sales, Luke Bahrenburg, has spoken out about the choices.

He said: “This year’s collection embodies the pinnacle of luxury, offering recipients an extraordinary journey through bespoke craftsmanship, exclusive experiences, and iconic brands that define excellence.” 

Some stars will be luckier than others, with the pricier gifts – including a $507,492 trip to Turks & Caicos, being strictly limited to just one or two lucky nominees and winners. 

Eligible gifts will receive a directory of the gifts lift and how many are available as well as its value.

The rarest gifts, which are available to only one participant, include the trip to Turks & Caicos; a $272,000 Liber Pater Wine tasting and dinner experience in Bordeaux, France; a trio of Liber Pater wines valued at $34,800, with 2015, 2018, and 2019 vintages; a three-night stay in a 6-bedroom Caribbean estate villa ($35,000) and a a non-surgical Stemcell Facelift ($40,000).

However, each nominee is guaranteed to go home with nine gifts, valued up to $119,198 a piece.

This year’s event will be hosted by stand-up comedian Nikki Glaser, who takes over from Jo Koy’s divisive performance last year.

Awards season this year is proving to be one of the most tightly fought in recent history, with the Golden Globes marking to many the start, and set-up, of the celebrations to come.

In the film sector, Netflix’s Emilia Perez leads the nominations with 10.

The dramatic multi-lingual musical, starring Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez and Karla Sofia Gascón, follows the story of a gangster who hires a lawyer to help him fake his death and transition into a woman.

Post WWII film The Brutalist, starring Adrian Brody as a Hungarian trying to build his life in American, received seven nominations, while the Ralph Fiennes led Pope drama Conclave earned six.

Golden Globes - Guaranteed Take Home Swag

While the biggest and most expensive gifts will have to be fought for, every nominee and host will be taking home treats worth $119,198. These are:

  • A bottle of The Hearach Single Malt Scotch Whisky and/or Isle of Harris Gin ($90/$150)
  • A five-day luxury yacht charter throughout the Coral Triangle in Indonesia ($60,000)
  • A one-night stay in a Beverly Hills suite ($1,500)
  • A five-night stay in a Grand Cayman resort ($55,000)
  • Beauty, Apparel, and Wellness: The Fluid Cream ($209)
  • A choice of Coyuchi organic-linen or cotton sateen sheets ($572 – $1,392)
  • A CurrentBody LED Light Therapy Face Mask Series 2 ($469)
  • EXPONENT Vitamin C Serum and COQ10 ($98)
  • A skin-care essentials kit from FEMMUE ($290)

Sean Baker’s anti-Cinderella tale Anora and the Demi Moore-led body horror flick The Substance both earned five each.

For television, The Bear once again topped the billing with five nominations, while Disney+’s/Hulu’s Shōgun and Only Murders in the Building got four each. 

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
All guests will receive a free stay at the Grand Cayman Ritz-Carlton[/caption]
AFP
Stars will recieve all their gifts in a luxury bag[/caption]
PA
Who will be taking home the awards?[/caption]
AP
Nicole Kidman’s Babygirl has been nominated for an award[/caption]
Beach Enclave
One lucky winner will receive a trip to Turks and Caicos[/caption]
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Angelina Jolie stars in Maria[/caption]

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‘Biohacker’ Bryan Johnson microdosing on weight loss jabs to stay young as drugs ‘lower risk of cancer and Alzheimer’s’

MILLIONAIRE ‘biohacker’ Bryan Johnson has embarked on several wacky schemes in a bid to turn back the clock.

They range from infusing his son’s plasma into his blood to injecting a stranger’s fat into his face and following a strict diet and exercise routine that sees him eat his last meal at 11am.

Bryan Johnson, founder and CEO of Kernel Holding SA, at the Milken Institute Global Conference.
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Bryan Johnson announced he would be microdosing weight loss jabs in a bid to turn back the clock[/caption]
Exilis Ultra 360 skin tightening treatment on a man's face, neck, and hands.
bryan_johnson/twitter
The 47-year-old has embarked on a costly quest to age backwards[/caption]
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injection box with four 5 mg/0.5 mL prefilled pens.
Reuters
He’ll be taking reduced doses of tirzepatide – but experts have warned against doing this at home[/caption]

Now, the tech guru has announced he’d started microdosing on weight loss jabs, as part of his “longevity protocol”.

There’s not an ounce of spare fat on the Bryan’s body, but the longevity guru said he would be taking reduced doses of the drugs to reap other benefits.

Bryan wrote in a thread posted to X: “Robust evidence indicates that GLP-1 agonists have a rejuvenating and anti-ageing effect in obese people.

“More recent evidence suggests a potential for GLP-1 agonists in preventing age related disease in non-obese people too.”

GLP-1 drugs – which stands for glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists – work by mimicking a hormone produced by the gut when you eat, which signals to the brain that you’re full and prevents you from overeating.

They also help regulate blood sugar and are approved for treating type 2 diabetes, under names like Ozempic.

Medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro harness the same technology and are prescribed to people for weight loss.

But studies suggest that the drugs may have other uses too.

These may range from dulling cravings for alcohol to lowering the risk of obesity related cancers, warding off heart disease, strokes and Alzheimer’s – and even slowing down ageing.

According to Bryan, “there has been growing scientific data suggesting that these meds are also beneficial for longevity via several mechanisms that are independent from weight loss”.

The longevity guru cited a number of other benefits, such as “anti-inflammatory effects”, “caloric restriction”, improved cardiovascular health, and “cognitive preservation”.

But it’s worth bearing in mind that research into these benefits is still its fledgling era.

While GLP-1s are well studied in people with diabetes or obesity, we don’t yet know how they’ll affect people without these conditions

Not to mention that weight loss drugs can bring on some pretty nasty side effects – even at lower doses.

Weight loss jabs might benefit your health in other ways
The drugs have other possible benefits except weight loss

Bryan’s ‘microdosing protocol’

Bryan announced that he’d be using tirzepatide, often dubbed the ‘King King’ of weight loss jabs.

The drug is available in the UK as Mounjaro and is recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 and at least one weight-related illness.

It was announced earlier this month that the drug will be rolled out on the NHS, but fewer than 10 per cent of eligible patients will initially be able to access – after officials revealed they’ll be dishing them out to be people with the highest needs first.

According to Bryan, tirzepatide’s benefits include “lowering blood glucose, suppressing appetite, weight loss and cardiovascular protection”.

For the next 12 weeks, he will be taking weekly doses of tirzepatide starting at 0.5 milligrams, which is a fraction of the recommended 2.5 milligrams starting dose.

He will be monitoring for any benefits, side effects, and evidence of anti-aging.

“As someone already metabolically healthy and in the lowest 1 per cent of body fat content, my goal isn’t weight loss,” Bryan said of his choice to take smaller amounts of the drug.

“Microdosing allows me to harness the potential longevity benefits of GLP-1RA while minimising side effects and avoiding unwanted weight or muscle loss,” he claimed.

‘Don’t do this yourself’

There’s been a flurry of anecdotal reports of people microdosing weight loss drugs in order to drop pounds while avoiding the side effects.

But experts warn this isn’t something you should do yourself – especially if you aren’t obese and haven’t been prescribed the drugs.

Dr Donald Grant, GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy told Sun Health: “The news that tech entrepreneur, Bryan Johnson, is microdosing weight loss treatment for anti-ageing is worrying and could lead to more people doing the same without prior research – risking well-being.

“Even in small doses, the treatment can be dangerous if taken by people who do not need it – including Bryan Johnson.

“Common side effects such as nausea and digestive issues can impact people, even from micro-dosing weight loss treatments.

“Studies into the benefits of these medications, outside of weight loss, are in their early stages, therefore, I strongly advise that people avoid taking the treatment unless they qualify and it’s to treat obesity.”

Side of effects of microdosing

Dr Grant went on: “Using weight loss medication when it’s not required can increase the likelihood of side effects and may also boost the intensity.

“Common side effects include gastrointestinal issues, fatigue and dizziness.

“However, more serious side effects include pancreatitis, muscle loss and issues with gallbladders.

“Taking these medications can be incredibly dangerous to non-obese individuals and could increase the risk of malnutrition or alter blood sugar levels dramatically.

“Therefore, to be safe, it’s best to discuss weight loss treatment with your GP, they can advise on whether it’s suitable and safe to use.”

Everything you need to know about fat jabs

Weight loss jabs are a hot media topic at the moment, with hundreds of success stories from people who shed the pounds.

In March 2023, the NHS announced it would make Wegovy, a drug made by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, available on prescription to thousands of obese Brits.

It contains the drug semaglutide, which is said to have helped reality star Kim Kardashian and Twitter boss Elon Musk lose weight.

Wegovy, which helped a third of people reduce their weight by 20 per cent in trials, is now available from pharmacies like Boots.

How do they work?

The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less and therefore lose weight.

To do this, semaglutide mimics the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1.

GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.

London GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, said: “Your body naturally produces an appetite regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1.

“These jabs work by regulating your appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.”

Aren’t they diabetes drugs?

Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy, was originally sold under the name Ozempic specifically for diabetes patients.

But people started noticing it helped suppress their appetites, stopping them eating as much and helping them shed the pounds.

Novo Nordisk then developed Wegovy, which contains the same chemical but at higher doses specifically to aid weight loss.

Wegovy is not prescribed for diabetes patients.

Can I get them?

Wegovy is offered on prescription to obese adults given specialist weight loss treatment.

The NHS currently also offers a similar drug called Saxenda, or liraglutide.

Both are only available throught specialist weight management services, which means you have to be referred to clinics led by experts.

GPs can’t prescribe them on their own, Dr Watson said. 

The jabs have to be taken as part of an overall programme to help with lifestyle changes and psychological support to get the best effect from the medication prescribed. 

Are there any risks?

Like all medicines, the jabs do not come without side effects.

Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.

Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”

Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.

What other options are there?

Mounjaro (brand name for tirzepatide) also came onto the market in early 2024.

Like Wegovy, tirzepatide stems from a drug originally designed to treat diabetes.

The weekly injection helped overweight people drop more than two stone in 18 months.

It is available with to order with a prescription online from pharmacies including Superdrug and LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.

It works in a similar way to Wegovy and Saxenda, but is more effective.

Dr Mitra Dutt from LloydsPharmacy says: “Based on clinical trials, 96 per cent of people were able to lose more than five per cent of their body fat using Mounjaro. In similar trials, 84 per cent of people lost more than five per cent of their body weight on Wegovy, and 60 per cent on Saxenda.

“Mounjaro works by activating two hormonal receptors (GIP and GLP-1), which enhance insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity, and work to decrease food intake.”

Bryan himself said he’d be on the lookout for particular side effects, including nausea and vomiting, unintentional weight loss and muscle loss.

“Increased satiety could lead to unintentional caloric restriction,” he said.

“I intend to stick to my 10 per cent caloric restriction regimen.

“I will be watching out diligently for subcutaneous fat loss, especially in the face.”

The tech guru added that “there’s for muscle wasting, possibly higher than expected from caloric restriction alone, typically [because] people on GLP-1-RA tend to consume less protein due to appetite loss”.

Bryan said he would perform a number of tests before and after the “intervention” to measure its success.

They include blood sugar and insulin monitoring, measuring markers of inflammation, calculating his biological age and doing MRIs to keep track of fat and muscle mass.

He noted: “Ongoing monitoring and consultation with healthcare professionals are crucial to ensure safety and efficacy.”

'Monumental' fat jabs could level the playing field

By Lizzie Parry, Head of Health

FIRST things first, let’s just clear up which so-called ‘fat jabs’ are available on the NHS at the moment.

Chances are you’ve heard of Ozempic – the brand name has become synonymous with weight loss jabs, largely thanks to celebrities in the US rumoured to have used it.

But, Ozempic is not available on the NHS for weight loss and is only approved as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in the UK.

That said, Wegovy, a similar treatment that contains semaglutide, the same active ingredient as Ozempic, is approved for weight-loss on the NHS.

Meanwhile, Mounjaro, dubbed the ‘King Kong’ of skinny jabs – a slightly newer drug with the active ingredient tirzepatide – is also licensed for weight loss in the UK.

Both semaglutide and tirzepatide work to help people lose weight by suppressing appetite.

The causes of obesity are complex, and in many cases genetics are a major factor.

Our genes influence all sorts of things, from how much food we need to eat to feel full to how our brain reacts to food cues.

So, it really is the case that some people feel the urge to eat more often than others.

In the face of giant portion sizes, ultra-processed foods at every turn and on every menu, it can be incredibly difficult for some people – due to their genetics – to maintain a healthy weight.

That’s why these drugs could prove a game-changer. They could help level the playing field.

For those people who are genetically predisposed to being more hungry, these drugs can help realign their urge to eat to that of a person who finds it easier to stay slim.

That said, no medication comes without risk.

So, doctors need to assess each individual on a case-by-case basis to balance any risk versus the benefit for their patients.

In people who live with severe obesity, the likelihood is that the benefits will outweigh the risks, especially if they have other health issues like diabetes or heart disease.

For those of a healthy weight, it’s more likely the risks will outweigh the benefits, experts warn.

Common side effects include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, gallstones, and less common but more severe risks include acute pancreatitis.

While these drugs really could prove monumental in helping to shrink the nation’s waistline, it is vital that they come with support and education to help improve people’s diet and lifestyle, putting movement and exercise at the heart of any prescription.

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