World Leaks

DEAR DEIDRE: A colleague is spreading malicious lies about me at work, and it’s making me feel so stressed and anxious.

I now dread going into the office because I’m sure everyone is talking about me – and that they all believe the rumours. I’m at the end of my tether.

I’m a 44-year-old divorced man. 

This colleague, who is older than me, has never liked me because he sees me as competition and feels he was passed over for a promotion which I got. 

From what I can work out, he’s been telling people that I was inappropriate with a younger female colleague.  

He saw me with my arm around her in the corridor and jumped to conclusions.

The truth is, she was crying and I was comforting her. She doesn’t want anyone to know why.

Please help. This is ruining my career and my life.

DEIDRE SAYS: Having lies spread about you is both distressing and very serious, as it’s slander. 

Talk to your line manager and to Human Resources and let them know what’s happening. 

If possible, ask the female colleague if she’ll back you up. And tell other colleagues the rumours are baseless.

If you’re a member of a union, contact them too. You can also find independent workplace advice through Acas (acas.org.uk, tel: 0300 123 1100).

It might be worth speaking directly to your colleague and asking him to set the record straight. But take advice on this first. 

My support pack, Standing Up For Yourself, should help you have this conversation.

DEAR DEIDRE: MY boyfriend says I’ve become a different person since I started losing weight. 

But what he doesn’t know is that I fear I’ve developed an eating disorder.

I’m 24 and he’s 26. We’ve been together for two years. 

When I first started losing weight, it was intentional because I was a bit overweight. But now I can’t stop dieting.

I restrict my food and have trained myself to only eat one tiny meal a day. I also weigh myself several times a day, and exercise whenever I can to burn off the calories.

Lately, I’ve noticed I feel cold all the time, have no energy and no interest in socialising – especially as it usually involves eating and drinking. 

I’ve been hiding my weight loss under baggy clothes and never letting my boyfriend see me naked.

He’s bound to realise soon, and I know he’ll be worried and try to make me stop – but I don’t want to.

Although I know this isn’t good for me, I’m not ready to stop. I keep telling myself that I can lose just a few more pounds, then I’ll start eating normally again. 

But I’m starting to worry I’m not in control anymore, and I’m scared. 

DEIDRE SAYS: It does sound like you have all the signs of an eating disorder, which could be anorexia, so it’s brave of you to ask for help before you make yourself seriously ill.

It’s almost impossible to deal with this alone. You need professional help. 

Please reach out to Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk) who can help you, and won’t judge you.

Also read my support pack about Eating Disorders which has more information. 

Do try talking to your boyfriend honestly if you can, and tell him you need his support while you get help with this.

A LUXURY space balloon capsule set carry passengers to the edge of space has splashed down after its first key test.

Florida-based Space Perspective successfully flew an unmanned version of their Spaceship Neptune – Excelsior craft to altitude of about 100,000 feet.

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An unmanned luxury space balloon has successfully returned to Earth[/caption]

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The test flight took off from the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida[/caption]

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The space balloon made a splash on its arrival[/caption]

The capsule reached the Earth‘s atmosphere before making a controlled descent and splashdown after six hours.

The test validated several key technologies that will be used in future commercial spaceflights.

The flight took off from the Marine Spaceport Voyager ship, off the coast of St. Petersburg, Florida, on September 15

Founder and chief technology officer, Taber MacCallum said: “This is a defining moment for Space Perspective.

“This unmanned flight not only proves our technology but also brings us closer to making space accessible for everyone.”

Co-Founder of Space Perspective Jane Poynter said: “This demonstration shows how accessible and gentle our spaceflight experience will be, bringing space travel within reach for more people than ever.”

The company plans to start human spaceflights in 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2026.

To date, more than 1,800 tickets have been sold, with seats costing $125,000 each.

They will enjoy a world-class food and beverage program, comfortable seating, and amenities like custom headphones.

The luxury space balloon will feature five-feet (1.5 meter) high windows, deep seats, dark, purple tones and subdued lighting, the atmosphere contrasts with the white and sanitised capsules of its competitors.

Wifi connectivity and a drinks bar round out the “Space Lounge” inside the company’s Neptune capsule.

Whether it really constitutes spaceflight is a matter of debate.

The balloon reaches an altitude of 20 miles (30 kilometers), much lower than rivals Virgin Galactic, which goes just over 50 miles high, or Blue Origin, which breaches the Karman Line, 62 miles above sea level, the internationally-recognized space border.

But 20 miles is still far higher than commercial planes, which ascend around six miles high.

There’s no special training required. The balloon climbs at a serene 12 miles per hour (19 kilometers per hour), and the company pitches itself as a greener, zero-emissions alternative to rocket fuels.

They intend to get the hydrogen for the balloon from renewable sources, rather than extracting it from fossil fuels.

‘Super Luxury’ sneak peak

The orbital spacecraft also boasts a “highly customisable” experience for its high-rolling passengers.

“If you can dream it, our team is ready and waiting to work with you to make it a reality,” the company writes on its website.

“From the menu and cocktails onboard, to the soundtrack and lighting, your individual preferences may be incorporated into your flight.”

The number of passengers is also customisable – depending on how much you’re paying.

But in total, the space balloon can fit up to eight tourists onboard.

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The company plans to start human spaceflights in 2025, with commercial operations beginning in 2026[/caption]

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Ticket to the space balloon will set the average person back $125,000[/caption]

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In total, the space balloon can fit up to eight tourists onboard[/caption]

Federal prosecutors say that the hefty financial penalty would cover the costs of the government response to the fatal bridge collapse and for the monthslong effort to clear the wreckage.

Britain’s shifting weather patterns are a particular problem for these ingenious, misunderstood birds.

The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has warned Nigerians against making hateful and divisive comments on social media as they could be detrimental to the country’s unity. Fagbemi stated this on Wednesday while speaking at the Abuja Social Media Summit organized by Red Carpet. The AGF was represented at …

Wizkid’s ex-girlfriend and popular businesswoman Tania Omotayo has just welcomed her second child, and congratulatory messages are already flooding in. She had shared a video on Snapchat of her older daughter playing with the baby, who was laying in the cradle. While the arrival of the child has been solidified because of the video, Tania …

New images of Jude Law’s character in Star Wars: Skeleton Crew have been released, and they prove he’ll be playing a completely new kind of Jedi. Jude Law will play Jod Na Nawood in Skeleton Crew, the upcoming live-action Star Wars show. He, along with the rest of the cast of Skeleton Crew, will be …

The Nigeria Air Force has commenced the airlifting of election materials for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Benin, the Edo State capital. This was made known in a statement by the Deputy Director Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, Kabiru Ali on Wednesday. Ali stated that this initiative is a component of …

The media office of the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has given an update on his visit to the office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, office on Wednesday. A statement signed by Bello’s Director of Media, Ohiare Michael, said the former Governor, accompanied by the state governor, Ahmed Ododo, left the …