NATURAL selection may have been at play in a tragic incident in Russia last week, where seven people died after drinking hand sanitiser because they ran out of alcohol during a party.
A total of nine people from the Tomtor region in the country's east consumed the cleansing gel, with the first three, aged 27, 41 and 59 succumbing quickly and another four dying after being medically evacuated to the regional capital Yakutsk.
A further two remain hospitalised in a serious condition, officials said.
An official warning has been issued not to drink the COVID-19-protective substance, which was almost 70% methanol.
A hungarian confectioner has been overwhelmed with demand after deciding to put tiny marzipan masks on his chocolate Santas this year.
Laszlo Rimoczi said the idea was simply aimed at raising people's spirits amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but has now had to step up production of the sweet festive treats after receiving many more online orders than expected.
He now makes about 100 a day, using gluten-free Italian chocolate, red painted hats and the marzipan masks which are fastened with icing ribbons.
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