An Australian expat has revealed how she survived China's military-style 'fat prison' after being forced to stay inside the complex for a gruelling 28 days. TL Huang, 28, claims to be the first Australian ever to have signed up for the rigorous month after her mother recommended it to her. But Ms Huang, who now lives in Japan and China, told Daily Mail she has no regrets. TL Huang lost six kilos in 28 days at the fat campLunch was regarded as the main meal of the day. Ms Huang previously explained why the facilities were known as 'prisons'.

Independent Ireland representatives Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, Cllr Paul Hogan and Ciaran Mullooly MEP in the TUS International Arena in Athlone. Mercosur rally in Athlone today will 'focus many political minds'One of the organisers of today's public meeting regarding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement at the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone has said today’s rally would focus the minds of many MEPs across Europe:MEP Ciaran Mullooly was speaking ahead of the protest and meeting at the TUS campus in Athlone today. The event is expected to draw over 10,000 attendees who will hear several speakers, including Mullooly and Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice. Additionally, there will be several MEPs and representatives from other political parties and groups speaking at the event following invitations to do so from Independent Ireland. Speaking ahead of the protest in Athlone this morning, Independent Ireland Agriculture spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice said the battle to stop the Mercosur deal is far from over.

Ministers approve bumper salary hikes for top bosses, including one of more than 50pcIrish National Stud CEO Cathal Beale’s salary increased to €170,000Dublin Bus chief now to be paid €260,000No decision yet on RTÉ board’s application for pay rise for director generalBumper pay rises have been approved for a string of semi-State bossesAnne-Marie Walsh Today at 06:30Bumper pay rises have been approved for a string of semi-state bosses, with one getting an increase of more than 50pc.

‘I do know there are athletes using it’ – consumption of Ozempic within Irish sport causing great concernNutrition expert Sharon Madigan says taking weight-loss drugs to improve performances will deliver unexpected side effectsWada has been monitoring the potential misuse of weight-loss medication by athletesSinéad Kissane Today at 06:30If an athlete came to Sharon Madigan in her job as head of performance nutrition at the Sport Ireland Institute and asked about using something like Ozempic, the first question she would ask is ‘why?’

Mia Goth plays PearlA 'masterpiece' horror film with viewers describing it as 'painful, disturbing, and enthralling' broadcasts on Film 4 this evening. With Mia Goth taking the starring role, the production came to life through collaboration with director Ti West, remarkably developed through FaceTime conversations. Mia Goth in PearlThe movie boasts an impressive 93 per cent approval rating on film review platform Rotten Tomatoes. An original 'horror' film. It's beyond all my hopes and wishes for the film, Mia Goth has won my horror heart over.

It takes time and care, but financial freedom in possibleThe publishing world only really wakes up from January 15, but there are some books being published in these early January days. Here are a few to get things started, a mix of non-fiction and fiction including books for younger readers. Books on money and personal finances can be daunting (not to mention boring), but McGee’s easy style makes it all very readable and he somehow manages to convince the reader that financial freedom is possible. It will take time (five years) and care and attention, but he insists it’s there for everyone. Sage is a novelist who’s published one successful breakout book and now needs to come up with a second.

A gripping war drama featuring a legendary courtroom confrontation has been hailed by cinema enthusiasts as 'one of the finest films ever made', and it's airing on Channel 4 this evening. AdvertisementReleased in 1992, A Few Good Men centres on Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise), a military attorney representing two U.S. Marines accused of murdering a colleague at Guantánamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba. JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore), a fellow lawyer, persuades him that the accused were probably following orders from a superior officer. Kaffee gambles by summoning Col. Nathan R.Jessep (Jack Nicholson) to testify in a bid to expose the cover-up. Just finished the movie for the first time, and let there be no doubt, it shall not be the last.

Hydrogen can provide data centres with zero-emission backup power, support grid balancing, and reinforce Ireland’s green credentials. The next generation of facilities could evolve into hybrid energy hubs consuming, storing, and even supplying renewable energy to the grid. The challenge: data centres vs grid constraintsThe scale of Ireland’s data economy is immense. Electrolysers, located on or near data campuses, can convert curtailed wind power into hydrogen for storage or use in clean backup generation. Ireland’s ambition to be Europe’s digital host depends increasingly on its ability to harvest and store its renewable energy.

Mark Twain said man was made at the end of the week, by which time God was tired. It was the most candid and most chilling insight we have had into Mr Trump’s world view. Mr Trump is availing of every opportunity to make clear the position should be his. Mr Trump is unlikely to give it a second thought, but he is mistaken in believing that the status of the US as a superpower is weakened by having friends. Its global network of allies and partners, built up over decades, has been one of its core strengths.

Jessica Moretti was in tears after the interview and, speaking for the first time about the disaster, said: 'It's an unimaginable tragedy. Jacques and Jessica Moretti. In its immediate aftermath, Jacques Moretti claimed he 'followed all safety regulations'. Media outlets in France and Italy this week reported Mrs Moretti was captured on security cameras fleeing with the cash register. But as Jacques Moretti's father said yesterday, the couple 'are sentenced to life with this story'.

Photograph: Timothy A Clary/Getty ImagesEuropean shares ended Friday at a record high, powered by a surge in miner Glencore. DublinThe Irish index of shares ended the week marginally higher, with gains in food and construction stocks buoying the market. Among construction stocks, insulation specialist Kingspan added 2.8 per cent, while home builders Glenveagh and Cairn gained 0.9 per cent and 2.2 per cent respectively. LondonThe blue-chip FTSE 100 recorded ⁠its second straight weekly gain and its highest ever close of ⁠10,126.6 points, marking a 0.8 per cent gain on ⁠the day. Defence stocks led weekly advances, with a near 10 per cent gain – their best showing since November 2020 – after US president Donald Trump called for higher defence spending.

The new virus strain, subclade K, is a variant of the influenza A H3N2 subtype that has never circulated in people before. The US typically looks to the southern hemisphere when estimating how severe a flu season will be or what strain will emerge. The Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Australia said the country's flu season 'differed from what is typically observed.' Overall, subclade K viruses accounted for roughly half of the Australian viruses and more than two-thirds of the viruses in New Zealand. Subclade K viruses have now been detected in at least 34 countries.

Micheál Martin’s visit to China this week was the first by a sitting Taoiseach since 2012 and his hosts gave him the full, red carpet treatment. Martin met representatives from 13 Irish higher education institutions who run more than 100 joint programmes with Chinese colleges. The Taoiseach acknowledged those concerns during his visit to China but suggested that, instead of complaining about Chinese imports, the EU should become more competitive. In Beijing, the Taoiseach raised human rights issues including the imprisonment of former Hong Kong media owner Jimmy Lai. Talking about human rights cases seldom has much immediate effect on Chinese officials, who are happy to argue at length about which rights should take precedence.

Producing enough growth within an ARF to help fund your required annual income is crucial, and you should seek expert advice. Photo: GettyQ Is it better to leave a pension in an Approved Retirement Fund (ARF) in two years’ time or put it in a “zero tax” property option that avoids the stock market? What are the pros and cons of each?

Netflix viewers have been left enthralled by a new thriller with a 'diabolical twist' - as it's branded the 'ideal January binge'. 'Never saw that plot twist coming, I had to rewatch the last episode. Another agreed: 'I did not see that plot twist coming omg.' A third said: 'This best thriller series I’ve seen in a long time. Incredible plot twist.