thedailymirror--2020-12-18--Solskjaer's dig at Leeds as Man Utd boss prepares to renew hostilities

Manchester United have been attacked , spat at and had tea thrown over them by Leeds fans - but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can ’ t wait to renew one of football ’ s fiercest rivalries .
This version of the War of the Roses has largely been on ceasefire since Leeds ’ relegation from the Premier League in 2004 , apart from a coupe of flare-ups in 2010 and 2011 when the sides clashed in the Cups .
Solskjaer experienced Leeds ’ naked hostility towards United as a player and smiled as he remembered the ‘ welcome ’ they always @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the passion of this fixture , even if trips over the Pennines were like entering a war zone for Sir Alex Ferguson and his players .
Solskjaer is excited about renewing hostilities in the top flight on Sunday at Old Trafford for the first time since February 2004 , when he came off the bench in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road .
He feels Marcelo Bielsa ’ s Leeds , with their emphasis on possession and attacking football , is far removed from David O ’ Leary ’ s snarling side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday ’ s game , ” said the United boss .
“ It ’ s been too long , I know how much it means for supporters and our club .
“ They were fiery games .
There were tackles flying in , they were players from both teams who were winners .
“ We had a few fights of course .
Elland Road wasn ’ t the quietest place when we came off the coach , put it that way !
“ The other thing is it ’ s a different type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has done a great job and will test us to the limit.
” Solskjaer has several fond memories of playing Leeds and his favourite was scoring twice in a 4-3 win at Elland Road in March 2002 .
“ I enjoyed scoring two in a win at Elland Road , a header at the back stick , ” he said .
“ I came on as a sub and it was a cross from Giggsy .
“ They were two good teams back in the day .
I liked the build up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had tested us as a team.
” Ferguson admits he felt frightened when Leeds fans surrounded their city centre hotel near Elland Road when the sides last met in the League Cup in 2011 .
“ I don ’ t know how many hundreds of them there were , but our hotel was surrounded by seven police vans , ” he said .
“ It was frightening .
It was like the film Zulu .
Jesus !
“ Historically it ’ s been there for a long time .
I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Manchester United , but it ’ s there and it ’ s not nice.
” Ferguson claims the 1992 League Cup semi-final second leg at Elland Road was even worse when the Leeds fans kicked off when United scored a controversial late winner .
“ The crowd invariably gave us the impression that lynching would be too good for us , ” he said .
“ Eric Harrison was on the bench and was attacked by some fans from the main stand because of his resemblance to me .
“ Some of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other drinks thrown over them .
Nice place , Leeds.
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Manchester United face Leeds United in a Premier League fixture for the first time in 16 years on Sunday, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is relishing the resumption of one of English football's most fierce rivalries
Manchester United have been attacked, spat at and had tea thrown over them by Leeds fans - but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can’t wait to renew one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
This version of the War of the Roses has largely been on ceasefire since Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League in 2004, apart from a coupe of flare-ups in 2010 and 2011 when the sides clashed in the Cups.
Solskjaer experienced Leeds’ naked hostility towards United as a player and smiled as he remembered the ‘welcome’ they always received at Elland Road.
He loved the passion of this fixture, even if trips over the Pennines were like entering a war zone for Sir Alex Ferguson and his players.
Solskjaer is excited about renewing hostilities in the top flight on Sunday at Old Trafford for the first time since February 2004, when he came off the bench in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road.
He feels Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, with their emphasis on possession and attacking football, is far removed from David O’Leary’s snarling side.
Image: PA) PA)
“I can’t wait for Sunday’s game,” said the United boss. “It’s been too long, I know how much it means for supporters and our club.
“They were fiery games. There were tackles flying in, they were players from both teams who were winners.
“We had a few fights of course. Elland Road wasn’t the quietest place when we came off the coach, put it that way!
“The other thing is it’s a different type of Leeds coming up with a coach who has done a great job and will test us to the limit.”
Image: RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/EPA-EFE/REX) RICHARD WAINWRIGHT/EPA-EFE/REX)
Solskjaer has several fond memories of playing Leeds and his favourite was scoring twice in a 4-3 win at Elland Road in March 2002.
“I enjoyed scoring two in a win at Elland Road, a header at the back stick,” he said. “I came on as a sub and it was a cross from Giggsy.
“They were two good teams back in the day. I liked the build up to the games and the quality they had tested us as a team.”
Ferguson admits he felt frightened when Leeds fans surrounded their city centre hotel near Elland Road when the sides last met in the League Cup in 2011.
“I don’t know how many hundreds of them there were, but our hotel was surrounded by seven police vans,” he said.
“It was frightening. It was like the film Zulu. Jesus!
“Historically it’s been there for a long time. I don’t know what it is between Leeds and Manchester United, but it’s there and it’s not nice.”
Ferguson claims the 1992 League Cup semi-final second leg at Elland Road was even worse when the Leeds fans kicked off when United scored a controversial late winner.
“The crowd invariably gave us the impression that lynching would be too good for us,” he said.
“Eric Harrison was on the bench and was attacked by some fans from the main stand because of his resemblance to me.
“Some of our directors and their wives had tea and other drinks thrown over them. Nice place, Leeds.”
*Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip


thedailymirror--2020-12-18--Danielle Lloyd slammed by fans for 'non-socially distant' birthday celebrations

Danielle Lloyd has been slammed by her fans after she celebrated her birthday by enjoying a night out in a limo with pals .
Posting a picture of the celebrations to Instagram she was seen posing with three friends - all stood pouting together while dressed to the nines - without leaving any distance between one another .
Current government guidance is that people from separate households should stay at least 2 metres apart - or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions - although there are no fines for not abiding by this .
After posing up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stretch Hummer and joined her girls inside the vehicle for karaoke , sharing constant updates to social media via her Instagram Story .
Knocking back drinks and singing 1995 Gillette song Short Short Man , the foursome went without masks in the stretch limo , with one pal even getting up to twerk while leaning over another of Danielle 's friends .
Those in chauffeur-driven vehicles , such as limos , are exempt from the the rules requiring passengers in black cabs and Ubers to wear masks or face a £200 fine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the comments section of her Instagram .
But Danielle explained the group had not actually gone anywhere .
The mother-of-four replied she had gone `` no where '' when one asked : `` Where have you gone ?
Tier 3 please tell me so I can go x '' A spokesperson for Danielle has been contacted by The Mirror for comment .
Onetime Miss Great Britain Danielle , who was turning 37 , lives in Birmingham with her electrician husband Michael O'Neill .
She 's mum to three sons with her ex Jamie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Michael .

Fans attacked the celebrations in the comments section of her Instagram - but Danielle Lloyd explained the group had not actually gone anywhere
Danielle Lloyd has been slammed by her fans after she celebrated her birthday by enjoying a night out in a limo with pals.
Posting a picture of the celebrations to Instagram she was seen posing with three friends - all stood pouting together while dressed to the nines - without leaving any distance between one another.
Current government guidance is that people from separate households should stay at least 2 metres apart - or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions - although there are no fines for not abiding by this.
After posing up, the former WAG then hired a stretch Hummer and joined her girls inside the vehicle for karaoke, sharing constant updates to social media via her Instagram Story.
Knocking back drinks and singing 1995 Gillette song Short Short Man, the foursome went without masks in the stretch limo, with one pal even getting up to twerk while leaning over another of Danielle's friends.
Image: Instagram) Instagram)
Those in chauffeur-driven vehicles, such as limos, are exempt from the the rules requiring passengers in black cabs and Ubers to wear masks or face a £200 fine.
Nevertheless, fans attacked the celebrations in the comments section of her Instagram.
But Danielle explained the group had not actually gone anywhere.
The mother-of-four replied she had gone "no where" when one asked: "Where have you gone? Tier 3 please tell me so I can go x"
Image: Instagram) Instagram) Image: Instagram) Instagram)
A spokesperson for Danielle has been contacted by The Mirror for comment.
Onetime Miss Great Britain Danielle, who was turning 37, lives in Birmingham with her electrician husband Michael O'Neill.
She's mum to three sons with her ex Jamie O'Hara and another boy, Ronnie, with Michael.


thedailymirror--2020-12-18--Russian spies infiltrate US nuclear agency in 'overwhelming' cyber attack

Russian spies have been accused of hacking into the agency responsible for the US 's nuclear weapons stockpile .
The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration , which maintains the US 's atomic weapons , said it had evidence that hackers had accessed its network , Politico reported .
It was targeted as part of a hacking attack which also affected at least half a dozen other US agencies .
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , which had been managing the federal response to the hacks , had been `` overwhelmed '' by the numerous attacks , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hackers managed to steal any valuable information .
Shaylyn Hynes , a Department of Energy ( DOE ) spokesperson , said investigations had found that the attack had not breached critical defense systems .
`` At this point , the investigation has found that the malware has been isolated to business networks only , and has not impacted the mission essential national security functions of the department , including the National Nuclear Security Administration , '' she said in a statement .
`` When DOE identified vulnerable software , immediate action was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all software identified as being vulnerable to this attack was disconnected from the DOE network.
” It is believed the hackers accessed the government systems via SolarWinds , which sells IT management products to hundreds of government and private-sector clients .
The hack began as early as March , when malicious code was snuck into updates to SolarWinds ' Orion , which monitors the computer networks of businesses and governments for outages .
While the US Government has not pointed the finger of blame at anyone yet , security experts have said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
Yesterday Microsoft said it found malicious software in its systems related to the hack .
The Redmond , Washington company is a user of Orion , the widely deployed networking management software from SolarWinds .
The U.S. National Security Agency issued a rare `` cybersecurity advisory '' on Thursday detailing how certain Microsoft Azure cloud services may have been compromised by hackers and directing users to lock down their systems .
“ This adversary has demonstrated an ability to exploit software supply chains and shown significant knowledge of Windows networks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency wrote in an alert .
“ It is likely that the adversary has additional initial access vectors and tactics , techniques , and procedures ( TTPs ) that have not yet been discovered . ''
“ CISA has determined that this threat poses a grave risk to the Federal Government and state , local , tribal , and territorial governments as well as critical infrastructure entities and other private sector organizations.
” The FBI and other agencies have scheduled a classified briefing for members of Congress for Friday .
Donald Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , Republican Senator Mitt Romney criticized the White House for its “ inexcusable silence and inaction ” .

The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the US's atomic weapons, has said that hackers had accessed its network, with security experts blaming Russia
Russian spies have been accused of hacking into the agency responsible for the US's nuclear weapons stockpile.
The Energy Department and National Nuclear Security Administration, which maintains the US's atomic weapons, said it had evidence that hackers had accessed its network, Politico reported.
It was targeted as part of a hacking attack which also affected at least half a dozen other US agencies.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which had been managing the federal response to the hacks, had been "overwhelmed" by the numerous attacks, officials said.
It is not clear whether the hackers managed to steal any valuable information.
Shaylyn Hynes, a Department of Energy (DOE) spokesperson, said investigations had found that the attack had not breached critical defense systems.
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
"At this point, the investigation has found that the malware has been isolated to business networks only, and has not impacted the mission essential national security functions of the department, including the National Nuclear Security Administration," she said in a statement.
"When DOE identified vulnerable software, immediate action was taken to mitigate the risk, and all software identified as being vulnerable to this attack was disconnected from the DOE network.”
It is believed the hackers accessed the government systems via SolarWinds, which sells IT management products to hundreds of government and private-sector clients.
The hack began as early as March, when malicious code was snuck into updates to SolarWinds' Orion, which monitors the computer networks of businesses and governments for outages.
While the US Government has not pointed the finger of blame at anyone yet, security experts have said the hack bares the hallmarks of a Russian attack.
Yesterday Microsoft said it found malicious software in its systems related to the hack.
The Redmond, Washington company is a user of Orion, the widely deployed networking management software from SolarWinds.
The U.S. National Security Agency issued a rare "cybersecurity advisory" on Thursday detailing how certain Microsoft Azure cloud services may have been compromised by hackers and directing users to lock down their systems.
“This adversary has demonstrated an ability to exploit software supply chains and shown significant knowledge of Windows networks,” said the Cybersecurity Infrastructure and Security Agency wrote in an alert.
“It is likely that the adversary has additional initial access vectors and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) that have not yet been discovered."
Image: AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images)
“CISA has determined that this threat poses a grave risk to the Federal Government and state, local, tribal, and territorial governments as well as critical infrastructure entities and other private sector organizations.”
The FBI and other agencies have scheduled a classified briefing for members of Congress for Friday.
Donald Trump has yet to publicly address the hacking.
On Thursday, Republican Senator Mitt Romney criticized the White House for its “inexcusable silence and inaction”.


thedailymirror--2020-12-18--Back to school for Boris Johnson: this is how you ruin a country

After 11 months of crisis , £280billion-worth of panic-buying , and the expense of nearly all its political capital , you might think it impossible for any government to actually make things worse .
For upon being told that coronavirus infections were now rife in schools , and that a better testing programme was needed than the one he has spent £22bn destroying , that blond bombast has rustled up NO money and ZERO people to carry out a WORSE testing programme .
It 's like watching an already-ignorant and ill-behaved pupil finding a whole new way to get detention @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you that applauds the ingenuity and determination that must have been involved .
It takes a special sort of commitment to see the rules , break the rules , put the rules in a blender , render the rules radioactive , jump up and down on the rules , and then steamroller the rules , all in front of a watching nation which you daily instruct to follow all the rules , apart from if you think it 'll kill someone , in which case that 's up to you .
Perhaps he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they could likewise oversee an invasive medical procedure .
Or as is more likely , and his own teachers long ago warned the world , perhaps Johnson , B. did n't think much at all .
Today a government which `` puts our children 's education first '' to the extent that it has demanded schools reopen despite localised floods of infection has insisted that schools must break off that education in order to administer coronavirus tests to their pupils .
There are 8.8m children in England , in 24,360 schools .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week would require 1.7m tests a day , and assuming 2 minutes for each , every school would on average need to devote more than two hours of the day to it .
But some schools have 1,000 pupils , while others have 100 .
And the government says testing should happen TWICE a week .
It would also require at least seven adults to do these tests .
A team leader , a test assistant , someone to process them on-site , and a Covid-19 co-ordinator to make sure they 're safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence of government guidance , it was assumed teachers were expected to do this .
Today , the government says it could be `` volunteers '' , or the army .
So that 's the PTA , then , or parents , or perhaps they 'll get Granny in to do it , she does all the rest of the childcare .
These volunteers will not , as is usual for those who go into schools , have criminal record checks first , so perhaps we can also expect some enterprising drug dealers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bit .
And if that does n't work , well , a limited number of trained killers are always available .
And there 's a lovely online training video and questionnaire that 'll take them each 2hrs 40mins to complete , so that 's the same as a nursing degree .
Never mind that these tests are wildly inaccurate when not done by trained medics , or processed in a lab .
Never mind the false negative , and false positive , rates are so great that they could miss half the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more in children who do n't have it at all .
The important thing is that something must be seen to be done , that schools are the next battleground , and that when it all goes completely tits up in a couple of weeks , he can blame the teachers .
The teachers who wo n't be seeing their relatives this Christmas , because schools closed too late for them to self-isolate first .
The teachers who have got children washing their hands more times in a day than most of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who were exposed to Covid-19 by by parents who went to the school gates with no masks or thought or care , and argued that their children should n't go to school in case THEY got infected , and bugger the fact that risks for teachers were exponentially worse .
The teachers who struggled to teach children online , as those who needed them most never turned up to a Zoom class , and they could n't even be sure those who did log on were there .
The rules said pupils must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so teachers could not see inside their bedrooms .
The teachers who were told that their assessment of the students they 've known for years were not as accurate as a `` mutant algorithm '' with which Boris Johnson was prepared to blight thousands of lives , until it embarrased him .
The teachers who , for the first time , have to teach in masks , while not approaching students , and dealing with constant Track & Trace 'pings ' that they have spent more than 15 minutes next to the student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yep , it 's definitely all their fault .
It is teachers , after all , who told everyone to shake hands with coronavirus patients in March , on the same day SAGE had told them not to .
It is teachers who did not close the borders , dithered about masks , spunked secret billions on government contracts for cronies , and said that day trips to Barnard Castle in the middle of lockdown were perfectly fine .
It 's teachers who slashed their own budgets , then ordered themselves to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing funds .
It 's teachers who refused to feed hungry school children , all-but erased the Child Poverty Commission , and teachers who got an absolute beasting from Marcus Rashford this summer while teachers took their eye off the ball to complain about Rule Britannia then tore up their own Brexit plan .
It 's teachers who told the country Priti Patel was a bully , and that was OK , and let Dominic Cummings leave of his own accord , with £50,000 extra .
It 's teachers who are starving children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver their breakfasts .
If schools are at the centre of a new spike in infections , of course they need testing .
If that testing is to be any use , it has to be done by medics and processed in labs .
If that is to happen , it means diverting resources to schools , not getting schools to do stuff they 'll be no good at or putting children at risk to do it .
And none of this is a surprise , when school 'bubbles ' are lost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home , or hangs out in the park with their mates , or is the child of a key worker .
Everyone reading this can figure that out , which is why it is particularly puzzling that a man whose education cost £30,000 a year is struggling with it .
Not all teaching is perfect .
There is clearly an argument for Eton College to take a good , hard look at itself , as it has become perfectly clear in the past 12 months it has groomed Boris Johnson to ruin the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But speaking as someone whose 4-year-old started school 3 months ago , and who can now read and write ; for whom teachers arranged a socially-distanced visit from Santa Claus ; and whose mummy has meanwhile been able to work - teachers have done a fabulous job , and they ought to be left to get on with it .
If we 've learned only one thing this year , it 's that all Boris Johnson is any good at testing is our patience .

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Fleet Street Fox)

Back to school for Boris Johnson: this is not how to run a country. It's how you ruin one
After 11 months of crisis, £280billion-worth of panic-buying, and the expense of nearly all its political capital, you might think it impossible for any government to actually make things worse.
Dear, sweet, naive Reader: meet Boris Johnson.
For upon being told that coronavirus infections were now rife in schools, and that a better testing programme was needed than the one he has spent £22bn destroying, that blond bombast has rustled up NO money and ZERO people to carry out a WORSE testing programme.
It's like watching an already-ignorant and ill-behaved pupil finding a whole new way to get detention: there is a small bit of you that applauds the ingenuity and determination that must have been involved.
Image: REUTERS) REUTERS)
It takes a special sort of commitment to see the rules, break the rules, put the rules in a blender, render the rules radioactive, jump up and down on the rules, and then steamroller the rules, all in front of a watching nation which you daily instruct to follow all the rules, apart from if you think it'll kill someone, in which case that's up to you.
Perhaps he thought that, as teachers supervise exams, they could likewise oversee an invasive medical procedure. Or as is more likely, and his own teachers long ago warned the world, perhaps Johnson, B. didn't think much at all.
Today a government which "puts our children's education first" to the extent that it has demanded schools reopen despite localised floods of infection has insisted that schools must break off that education in order to administer coronavirus tests to their pupils.
There are 8.8m children in England, in 24,360 schools. To test them all just once a week would require 1.7m tests a day, and assuming 2 minutes for each, every school would on average need to devote more than two hours of the day to it.
But some schools have 1,000 pupils, while others have 100. And the government says testing should happen TWICE a week.
Image: PA) PA)
It would also require at least seven adults to do these tests. A team leader, a test assistant, someone to process them on-site, and a Covid-19 co-ordinator to make sure they're safe. Last night, with a total absence of government guidance, it was assumed teachers were expected to do this. Today, the government says it could be "volunteers", or the army.
So that's the PTA, then, or parents, or perhaps they'll get Granny in to do it, she does all the rest of the childcare. These volunteers will not, as is usual for those who go into schools, have criminal record checks first, so perhaps we can also expect some enterprising drug dealers, thieves, and perverts to do their bit. And if that doesn't work, well, a limited number of trained killers are always available.
And there's a lovely online training video and questionnaire that'll take them each 2hrs 40mins to complete, so that's the same as a nursing degree.
Never mind that these tests are wildly inaccurate when not done by trained medics, or processed in a lab. Never mind the false negative, and false positive, rates are so great that they could miss half the real infections and come up with dozens more in children who don't have it at all.
The important thing is that something must be seen to be done, that schools are the next battleground, and that when it all goes completely tits up in a couple of weeks, he can blame the teachers.
Image: PA) PA)
The teachers who won't be seeing their relatives this Christmas, because schools closed too late for them to self-isolate first. The teachers who have got children washing their hands more times in a day than most of us do in a week. The teachers who were exposed to Covid-19 by by parents who went to the school gates with no masks or thought or care, and argued that their children shouldn't go to school in case THEY got infected, and bugger the fact that risks for teachers were exponentially worse.
The teachers who struggled to teach children online, as those who needed them most never turned up to a Zoom class, and they couldn't even be sure those who did log on were there. The rules said pupils must have their laptop cameras turned off, so teachers could not see inside their bedrooms.
The teachers who were told that their assessment of the students they've known for years were not as accurate as a "mutant algorithm" with which Boris Johnson was prepared to blight thousands of lives, until it embarrased him.
The teachers who, for the first time, have to teach in masks, while not approaching students, and dealing with constant Track&Trace 'pings' that they have spent more than 15 minutes next to the student's phone they confiscated. Those teachers. Yep, it's definitely all their fault.
It is teachers, after all, who told everyone to shake hands with coronavirus patients in March, on the same day SAGE had told them not to. It is teachers who did not close the borders, dithered about masks, spunked secret billions on government contracts for cronies, and said that day trips to Barnard Castle in the middle of lockdown were perfectly fine.
It's teachers who slashed their own budgets, then ordered themselves to pay for extra coronavirus measures out of existing funds. It's teachers who refused to feed hungry school children, all-but erased the Child Poverty Commission, and teachers who got an absolute beasting from Marcus Rashford this summer while teachers took their eye off the ball to complain about Rule Britannia then tore up their own Brexit plan.
It's teachers who told the country Priti Patel was a bully, and that was OK, and let Dominic Cummings leave of his own accord, with £50,000 extra. It's teachers who are starving children to the extent that UNICEF has to deliver their breakfasts.
Bad teachers. BAD.
If schools are at the centre of a new spike in infections, of course they need testing. If that testing is to be any use, it has to be done by medics and processed in labs. If that is to happen, it means diverting resources to schools, not getting schools to do stuff they'll be no good at or putting children at risk to do it.
And none of this is a surprise, when school 'bubbles' are lost the moment a student gets on the bus home, or hangs out in the park with their mates, or is the child of a key worker. Everyone reading this can figure that out, which is why it is particularly puzzling that a man whose education cost £30,000 a year is struggling with it.
Not all teaching is perfect. There is clearly an argument for Eton College to take a good, hard look at itself, as it has become perfectly clear in the past 12 months it has groomed Boris Johnson to ruin the country, rather than run it.
But speaking as someone whose 4-year-old started school 3 months ago, and who can now read and write; for whom teachers arranged a socially-distanced visit from Santa Claus; and whose mummy has meanwhile been able to work - teachers have done a fabulous job, and they ought to be left to get on with it.
If we've learned only one thing this year, it's that all Boris Johnson is any good at testing is our patience.


thedailymirror--2020-12-18--Michael Owen's Premier League predictions including Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal

Michael Owen has backed Liverpool to keep up their winning run but reckons Manchester United could have their hands full with Leeds United .
The Reds saw off Tottenham in midweek thanks to a late Roberto Firmino header .
It sent them top ahead of a tricky trip to Crystal Palace with Selhurst Park proving to be a challenging venue for Liverpool for the years .
But Jurgen Klopp 's side have shown their champion mentality by battling on despite the absence of key individuals and Owen expects them to pick up another three points .
He told Bet Victor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home to Tottenham on Wednesday means that they sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League .
`` These are the types of results that win you championships , and when you consider that the Reds are still not at full strength , it ’ s a massive statement .
`` History tells us that this has been a tough fixture for Liverpool .
However , Palace have only won 2 at home all season and I think this will go the way of the away side . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ top flight for the first time in 16 years .
The Red Devils saw off Yorkshire opposition on Thursday night , but the Whites are a different prospect and will be reeling after their 5-2 success against Newcastle .
He said : `` What a great sight it is to see this match back on the fixture list .
Leeds travel to Old Trafford in the Premier League for the first time since February 2004 .
`` That day the sides drew 1-1 and I think this will be another tight match .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ teams come at them .
They are excellent at smothering sides and can really run the legs off you if given the chance .
`` I can ’ t help thinking back to Leeds match against Liverpool at the start of the season .
If they approach this in a similar way , I think we could be in for an entertaining match with the sides ultimately sharing the points . ''
A troubled Arsenal side managed to earn a share of the spoils as they drew with Southampton last time out .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ look to have got their mojo back .
And Owen is predicting another stalemate on Merseyside .
He added : `` With back-to-back wins , Everton have certainly turned the corner after a poor run of results .
Wednesday ’ s away win against Leicester lifted the Toffees to 5 place , and up against an Arsenal side who look completely out of sorts , they ’ ll fancy their chances .
`` Fifteenth in the table is simply not good enough and unless Mikel Arteta starts winning football matches , his tenure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Tottenham and Chelsea meanwhile both lost in midweek but have been backed to return to winning ways .
The Blues have lost consecutive games with Frank Lampard calling out his own team .
`` They went into last weekend as genuine title contenders , but after back-to-back defeats , the Stamford Bridge faithful will have been left scratching their heads. ''
West Ham arrive here unbeaten in two .
The Hammers have been difficult to play against this season , so Chelsea will have to be at their best if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said Tottenham : `` Jose Mourinho almost executed his plan perfectly at Anfield on Wednesday .
`` A late Liverpool goal means Spurs now sit 2 in the Premier League , although I think most of their support will still be satisfied by that .
`` Spurs have looked extremely professional this season .
I think they ’ ll be patient here and wait for Leicester to come out .
`` If that happens , Son & Kane are a force to be reckoned with .
So , I ’ m siding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean sheet in the process . ''
Owen has also backed Man City to win Southampton as well as successes for Brighton , Newcastle and Aston Villa .

Liverpool will be looking to hammer home their advantage this weekend in the capital while old rivalries renew at Old Trafford with Leeds taking on Man Utd
Michael Owen has backed Liverpool to keep up their winning run but reckons Manchester United could have their hands full with Leeds United.
The Reds saw off Tottenham in midweek thanks to a late Roberto Firmino header.
It sent them top ahead of a tricky trip to Crystal Palace with Selhurst Park proving to be a challenging venue for Liverpool for the years.
But Jurgen Klopp's side have shown their champion mentality by battling on despite the absence of key individuals and Owen expects them to pick up another three points.
He told Bet Victor: "Liverpool’s late win at home to Tottenham on Wednesday means that they sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
"These are the types of results that win you championships, and when you consider that the Reds are still not at full strength, it’s a massive statement.
Image: PA) PA)
"History tells us that this has been a tough fixture for Liverpool. However, Palace have only won 2 at home all season and I think this will go the way of the away side."
United meanwhile will host Leeds in the top flight for the first time in 16 years.
The Red Devils saw off Yorkshire opposition on Thursday night, but the Whites are a different prospect and will be reeling after their 5-2 success against Newcastle.
He said: "What a great sight it is to see this match back on the fixture list. Leeds travel to Old Trafford in the Premier League for the first time since February 2004.
"That day the sides drew 1-1 and I think this will be another tight match.
"Leeds are at their best when teams come at them. They are excellent at smothering sides and can really run the legs off you if given the chance.
"I can’t help thinking back to Leeds match against Liverpool at the start of the season. If they approach this in a similar way, I think we could be in for an entertaining match with the sides ultimately sharing the points."
Image: PA) PA)
A troubled Arsenal side managed to earn a share of the spoils as they drew with Southampton last time out.
They head to an Everton side who look to have got their mojo back.
And Owen is predicting another stalemate on Merseyside.
He added: "With back-to-back wins, Everton have certainly turned the corner after a poor run of results. Wednesday’s away win against Leicester lifted the Toffees to 5 place, and up against an Arsenal side who look completely out of sorts, they’ll fancy their chances.
"It’s now 6 matches since Arsenal won a Premier League match.
"Fifteenth in the table is simply not good enough and unless Mikel Arteta starts winning football matches, his tenure at the Emirates could be short lived."
Tottenham and Chelsea meanwhile both lost in midweek but have been backed to return to winning ways.
Image: PA) PA)
The Blues have lost consecutive games with Frank Lampard calling out his own team.
It’s been a tough week for Frank Lampard’s Chelsea," Owen continued.
"They went into last weekend as genuine title contenders, but after back-to-back defeats, the Stamford Bridge faithful will have been left scratching their heads.
" West Ham arrive here unbeaten in two. The Hammers have been difficult to play against this season, so Chelsea will have to be at their best if they are to win this."
Before he said Tottenham: "Jose Mourinho almost executed his plan perfectly at Anfield on Wednesday.
"A late Liverpool goal means Spurs now sit 2 in the Premier League, although I think most of their support will still be satisfied by that.
"Spurs have looked extremely professional this season. I think they’ll be patient here and wait for Leicester to come out.
"If that happens, Son & Kane are a force to be reckoned with. So, I’m siding with Tottenham to win and keep a clean sheet in the process."
Owen has also backed Man City to win Southampton as well as successes for Brighton, Newcastle and Aston Villa.


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Ed Sheeran hints he is to emerge from retirement after quitting music last year

Ed Sheeran has ignited rumours he is about to make a spectacular return to the world of music – after retiring at the end of last year .
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter left fans devastated last year when he announced he was taking time out from music after spending years on the read and releasing albums back to back .
But now he has left fans thrilled and excited after he reacted to a social media post to signal his return to the forefront of music could be imminent .
A fan account on Instagram issued a lengthy theory about Ed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ahead of the release of a new album rumoured to be called ‘ Subtract ’ – with the star himself responding to the theory .
The fan wrote : “ Okay so here are my thoughts about subtract and Ed coming back .
“ One big question is whether Ed ’ s 18 month break started at the end of the divide tour or when he posted the note .
If it ’ s August 2019 , it ’ s very plausible that Ed ’ ll be back on Christmas Eve , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s when he posted his note last year.
” The fan went on to speculate that it would be too early for Ed to return as the past nine months have been taken out by coronavirus related lockdowns – and they added that the star welcomed his first child , a daughter named Lyra , in August .
The fan continued : “ [ Manager , Stuart Camp ] said in the podcast that subtract is probably gon na come out around August 2021 .
If they ’ re still planning on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no point in Ed already coming back in December .
“ If his break started after his note , it would normally end in June 2021 .
This just makes way more sense to me : he comes back in June with the lead single ( s ) , release maybe one or two more singles in July ( and August ) and then puts out subtract in August.
” They went on to reiterate their theory that new music won ’ t be released before the end of 2020 , adding : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he actually will come back next week , but I guess we ’ ll just have to wait and see.
” To the shock and surprise of the fan , and many others , the flame haired man himself responded to the post .
Ed wrote in the replied section : “ All very valid questions , but youl know at least one answer soon x ” .
The response there fans into a frenzy of excitement , with many interpreting Ed ’ s short answer as confirmation that new music will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responded to his comment , writing : “ Subtract is coming !
”

Ed Sheeran puts one of his paintings up for charity auction
Ed Sheeran puts one of his paintings up for charity auction
The Lego House singer left fans distressed last year when he revealed he would be hanging up his guitar. But now he has left fans excited by hinting new music is on the way.
Ed Sheeran hints he is to emerge from retirement after quitting music last year
Ed Sheeran has ignited rumours he is about to make a spectacular return to the world of music – after retiring at the end of last year.
The 29-year-old singer-songwriter left fans devastated last year when he announced he was taking time out from music after spending years on the read and releasing albums back to back.
But now he has left fans thrilled and excited after he reacted to a social media post to signal his return to the forefront of music could be imminent.
A fan account on Instagram issued a lengthy theory about Ed returning to music as soon as next week ahead of the release of a new album rumoured to be called ‘Subtract’ – with the star himself responding to the theory.
Image: Getty) Getty)
The fan wrote: “Okay so here are my thoughts about subtract and Ed coming back.
“One big question is whether Ed’s 18 month break started at the end of the divide tour or when he posted the note. If it’s August 2019, it’s very plausible that Ed’ll be back on Christmas Eve, ‘cause we all know that that’s when he posted his note last year.”
The fan went on to speculate that it would be too early for Ed to return as the past nine months have been taken out by coronavirus related lockdowns – and they added that the star welcomed his first child, a daughter named Lyra, in August.
Image: Europa Press via Getty Images) Europa Press via Getty Images)
The fan continued: “[Manager, Stuart Camp] said in the podcast that subtract is probably gonna come out around August 2021. If they’re still planning on releasing it then, I just see no point in Ed already coming back in December.
“If his break started after his note, it would normally end in June 2021. This just makes way more sense to me: he comes back in June with the lead single(s), release maybe one or two more singles in July (and August) and then puts out subtract in August.”
They went on to reiterate their theory that new music won’t be released before the end of 2020, adding: “There’s still a chance that he actually will come back next week, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.”
To the shock and surprise of the fan, and many others, the flame haired man himself responded to the post.
Ed wrote in the replied section: “All very valid questions, but youl know at least one answer soon x”.
The response there fans into a frenzy of excitement, with many interpreting Ed’s short answer as confirmation that new music will be coming soon.
One excitable fans responded to his comment, writing: “Subtract is coming!”


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Mum, 36, 'poisoned' by breast implants for 10 years feared she would die

A mum was left fearing for her life after discovering her breast implants had been 'poisoning her ' for more than 10 years .
Estelle Johnston had hoped her Allergan textured silicone breast implants would boost her confidence after she went from an A to a D cup in 2009 .
However within months she believes she began to be 'poisoned ' by the implants , leaving her with heart palpatations , static in her vision , gut issues , loss of taste and smell and joint pain .
The 36-year-old 's weight began to yo-yo out of control and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months in 2015 , whereas other days she was so bloated she looked 'pregnant ' .
Over the next decade the bizarre list of symptoms ravaged her body , leaving her agoraphobic and house-bound , with crippling anxiety and so poorly she was often unable to get out of bed .
The former caterer battled to find a cure , before a sympathetic surgeon removed her implants in January this year - as he linked her symptoms to 'breast implant illness ' .
Estelle claims her urine , which had begun to strongly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when she passed water , suddenly went back to normal within days of the implants being removed .
Now slowly recovering , Estelle fears she may still develop cancer in the future - after it was revealed a link had been found between Allergan textured silicone implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ ALCL ] .
Estelle , from Belfast , Northern Ireland , said : `` I was poisoned for 10 years .
`` I want to stop people making stupid mistakes that could affect their whole lives .
`` I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what I 've been through and not know what was wrong with them .
`` I wonder 'am I ever going to feel normal again ? '
It 's horrific .
`` You think you get [ the implants ] out and you 'll recover , but you could still develop that rare cancer even though they 're out .
`` I 'm terrified of getting cancer .
I fear this is n't over .
I still have a lot of symptoms and I do n't know if I 'll ever recover .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ done through Transform to correct a breast deformity , she felt confident and loved her new figure .
But within six months , she claims she developed anxiety and was left 'constantly shaking ' .
Estelle said : `` I had a tuberous breast deformity - I did n't grow properly .
That was my reason for getting them .
`` [ After the surgery ] it was great - I had confidence and boobs .
`` I do n't think I was even a cup-size before .
I was maybe an A-cup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It was going great .
I was happy in my life - I had my partner , my daughter and was working away .
`` Six months after I first got them , I started getting really bad anxiety .
I was n't right - I was constantly shaking .
`` I felt angry but I thought it might be the stresses of life .
I went to the doctors at the time and they gave me anti-depressants .
`` It seemed to help and mask the symptoms for a while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February 2015 .
My mood swings went crazy .
`` That was the build-up of getting poisoned for years .
My body could n't take it anymore . ''
After overcoming her anxiety and depression with the help of medication , Estelle still felt lethargic and in 2015 her symptoms began to worsen .
She claims she developed a catalogue of more than 30 symptoms , including extreme weight loss and burning eyes .
In 2015 , Estelle suddenly dropped 4st in two months and the following year , she became so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 , she claims she suddenly piled back on 5st within a couple of months and 'ballooned up with no change in diet ' .
During this time , she was admitted to A & E with heart palpitations and panic attacks .
She claims her symptoms included dizziness , ringing and pain in her ears , inflammation across her body , joint pain , hair loss , bloating , static in her vision , shortness of breath , burning urine - and became so severe she 'felt like she was dying ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a constant fight or flight mode - I could n't calm down and had a break down because of all the symptoms I had .
I felt like I was dying . ''
Estelle went to see her doctor in 2018 , desperate and scared by her unexplained symptoms .
She claims she was then referred to the breast clinic , where a surgeon who had seen other women with similar problems agreed to remove her implants in January this year .
Estelle said : `` I went to the doctors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the pain in my boobs .
`` I first went in January 2018 .
They were like 'oh no , they 're fine .
They 'll last a lifetime ' .
`` I was n't happy because I was still sick .
`` At the end of 2018 , I went to see a surgeon who I told the truth [ about my symptoms ] .
He said ' I 've had a lot of women here with the same symptoms .
They 're feeling very ill from their implants ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] I felt calmer inside .
That complete doom and fear lifted .
`` I 'm not going to say I 'm recovered - I still ca n't leave the house and have been diagnosed with PTSD [ from my experience of the implants ] .
`` I am better than what I was but I 'm nowhere near the person I was .
[ The implants ] destroyed my life .
`` My stomach still swells .
It 's wrecked my whole gut .
`` Anything I eat , even if I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I look like I 'm pregnant and I always had a flat stomach .
`` They say it can take up to five years to recover and some people never recover .
Am I ever going to get better ? ''
Allergan announced a global recall of Biocell textured breast implants in July 2019 after the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) in the US requested the recall .
The FDA recommended that anyone considering these implants 'be informed of the risk of developing BIA-ALCL ' , however did not recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get them removed if they were not suffering any symptoms .
In the UK , the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [ MHRA ] also advised that clinicians 'discuss the potential risk of BIA-ALCL when seeking the consent of new patients ' .
According to the government 's website , the MHRA say that those already with the implants 'do not need to have them removed in the absence of any symptoms from this rare form of cancer ' .
But the MHRA advise surgeons to 'strongly encourage patients to check for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distortions ' .
A spokesperson for Transform Hospital Group said : `` Allergan began a recall of implants already issued to distributors and healthcare providers in December 2018 .
Importantly , and based on independent clinical analysis , the Allergan recall did not advise providers that historic patients ' implants should be removed .
`` In addition , the UK regulator responsible for breast implant safety - the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) - does not advise that patients with Allergan breast implants should seek to have the implants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says 'There is currently no evidence of an increased risk to patients and there is no need for people who have Allergan breast implants to get them removed or have any additional clinical follow-up . '
`` All patients are fully informed of the potential risks of surgery generally , and specific to their procedure , as part of their consent process before undergoing surgery . ''

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Sophie Norris, Georgia Diebelius)

Estelle Johnston had hoped her Allergan textured silicone breast implants would boost her confidence after she went from an A to a D cup in 2009
Mum, 36, 'poisoned' by breast implants for 10 years feared she would die
A mum was left fearing for her life after discovering her breast implants had been 'poisoning her' for more than 10 years.
Estelle Johnston had hoped her Allergan textured silicone breast implants would boost her confidence after she went from an A to a D cup in 2009.
However within months she believes she began to be 'poisoned' by the implants, leaving her with heart palpatations, static in her vision, gut issues, loss of taste and smell and joint pain.
The 36-year-old's weight began to yo-yo out of control and she lost four stone in just two months in 2015, whereas other days she was so bloated she looked 'pregnant'.
Over the next decade the bizarre list of symptoms ravaged her body, leaving her agoraphobic and house-bound, with crippling anxiety and so poorly she was often unable to get out of bed.
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
The former caterer battled to find a cure, before a sympathetic surgeon removed her implants in January this year - as he linked her symptoms to 'breast implant illness'.
Estelle claims her urine, which had begun to strongly smell of 'perm lotion' and burned when she passed water, suddenly went back to normal within days of the implants being removed.
Now slowly recovering, Estelle fears she may still develop cancer in the future - after it was revealed a link had been found between Allergan textured silicone implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma [ALCL].
Estelle, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, said: "I was poisoned for 10 years.
"I want to stop people making stupid mistakes that could affect their whole lives.
"I wouldn't want someone else to go through what I've been through and not know what was wrong with them.
"I wonder 'am I ever going to feel normal again?' It's horrific.
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
"You think you get [the implants] out and you'll recover, but you could still develop that rare cancer even though they're out.
"I'm terrified of getting cancer. I fear this isn't over. I still have a lot of symptoms and I don't know if I'll ever recover."
When Estelle first had her implants done through Transform to correct a breast deformity, she felt confident and loved her new figure.
But within six months, she claims she developed anxiety and was left 'constantly shaking'.
Estelle said: "I had a tuberous breast deformity - I didn't grow properly. That was my reason for getting them.
"[After the surgery] it was great - I had confidence and boobs.
"I don't think I was even a cup-size before. I was maybe an A-cup and I went up to a D-cup.
"It was going great. I was happy in my life - I had my partner, my daughter and was working away.
"Six months after I first got them, I started getting really bad anxiety. I wasn't right - I was constantly shaking.
"I felt angry but I thought it might be the stresses of life. I went to the doctors at the time and they gave me anti-depressants.
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
"It seemed to help and mask the symptoms for a while, then it all came crashing down in February 2015. My mood swings went crazy.
"That was the build-up of getting poisoned for years. My body couldn't take it anymore."
After overcoming her anxiety and depression with the help of medication, Estelle still felt lethargic and in 2015 her symptoms began to worsen.
She claims she developed a catalogue of more than 30 symptoms, including extreme weight loss and burning eyes.
In 2015, Estelle suddenly dropped 4st in two months and the following year, she became so ill she was left housebound.
By 2019, she claims she suddenly piled back on 5st within a couple of months and 'ballooned up with no change in diet'.
During this time, she was admitted to A&E with heart palpitations and panic attacks.
She claims her symptoms included dizziness, ringing and pain in her ears, inflammation across her body, joint pain, hair loss, bloating, static in her vision, shortness of breath, burning urine - and became so severe she 'felt like she was dying'.
Image: Kennedy News and Media) Kennedy News and Media)
Estelle said: "I was in a constant fight or flight mode - I couldn't calm down and had a break down because of all the symptoms I had. I felt like I was dying."
Estelle went to see her doctor in 2018, desperate and scared by her unexplained symptoms.
She claims she was then referred to the breast clinic, where a surgeon who had seen other women with similar problems agreed to remove her implants in January this year.
Estelle said: "I went to the doctors and they sent me to the breast clinic because of the pain in my boobs.
"I first went in January 2018. They were like 'oh no, they're fine. They'll last a lifetime'.
"I wasn't happy because I was still sick.
"At the end of 2018, I went to see a surgeon who I told the truth [about my symptoms]. He said 'I've had a lot of women here with the same symptoms. They're feeling very ill from their implants'.
"[After they were removed] I felt calmer inside. That complete doom and fear lifted.
"I'm not going to say I'm recovered - I still can't leave the house and have been diagnosed with PTSD [from my experience of the implants].
"I am better than what I was but I'm nowhere near the person I was. [The implants] destroyed my life.
"My stomach still swells. It's wrecked my whole gut.
"Anything I eat, even if I drink water, it bloats like crazy. I look like I'm pregnant and I always had a flat stomach.
"They say it can take up to five years to recover and some people never recover. Am I ever going to get better?"
Allergan announced a global recall of Biocell textured breast implants in July 2019 after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US requested the recall.
The FDA recommended that anyone considering these implants 'be informed of the risk of developing BIA-ALCL', however did not recommend those who already had the implants to get them removed if they were not suffering any symptoms.
In the UK, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency [MHRA] also advised that clinicians 'discuss the potential risk of BIA-ALCL when seeking the consent of new patients'.
According to the government's website, the MHRA say that those already with the implants 'do not need to have them removed in the absence of any symptoms from this rare form of cancer'.
But the MHRA advise surgeons to 'strongly encourage patients to check for symptoms such as lumps, swelling or distortions'.
A spokesperson for Transform Hospital Group said: "Allergan began a recall of implants already issued to distributors and healthcare providers in December 2018. Importantly, and based on independent clinical analysis, the Allergan recall did not advise providers that historic patients' implants should be removed.
"In addition, the UK regulator responsible for breast implant safety - the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) - does not advise that patients with Allergan breast implants should seek to have the implants removed.
"Specifically, the MHRA says 'There is currently no evidence of an increased risk to patients and there is no need for people who have Allergan breast implants to get them removed or have any additional clinical follow-up.'
"All patients are fully informed of the potential risks of surgery generally, and specific to their procedure, as part of their consent process before undergoing surgery."


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Katie Price fears this Christmas will be last for her terminally ill mum

Katie Price is planning to celebrate this Christmas as fully as she can with her ill mother – who was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease three years ago .
The 42-year-old has revealed that her mum , Amy , has seen her health condition deteriorate in recent months leaving the family determined to celebrate the festive season while they can .
Mum-of-five Katie says she is receiving therapy to process the fact that her mother ’ s life will be cut short after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017 .
The incurable condition causes scarring on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be administered to alleviate symptoms , there is sadly no cure at this time .
Speaking to The Sun , Katie explained that she is trying to keep an optimistic outlook on the future .
She said : `` This year my mum deteriorated more so I just want to do really Christmas this year because I do n't know how long she will be here , '' said Katie .
`` There is nothing we can do about that , that is what I speak to a therapist about , what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with . ''
The star went on : ” I am not saying it will be her last Christmas but I really want to enjoy it .
I am really looking forward to this Christmas .
`` The last couple have been s*** .
We all sit in a circle and open our presents .
We watch The Snowman , Home Alone , the same old stuff .
I am looking forward to it . ''
Katie and Amy first shared the sad news of the health condition during an appearance on Loose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about her diagnosis , Amy said at the time : `` I ’ ve been going back to my local doctor for about five years for asthma .
“ I kept going back saying all the inhalers aren ’ t working , I ’ ve got this little cough and I ’ ve had that for years .
`` Then I had a chest infection , they said OK then , go and have an X-ray .
“ So I had an X-ray and something showed up , so my doctor referred me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said yes you ’ ve got this condition.
” Sharing her frustration about her diagnosis , she added : `` I ’ ve never smoked .
I ’ ve always been a sports person .
`` I go to the gym every morning , I do maybe two hours every morning and I ’ ve done that for years and years… And that ’ s why I was so surprised I ’ ve got a lung condition . ''

Katie Price's mum breaks down in tears as she talks about her health
Katie Price's mum breaks down in tears as she talks about her health
The former glamour model's mum, Amy, was diagnosed with diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017. The disease affects her lungs and makes breathing more difficult.
Katie Price fears this Christmas will be last for her terminally ill mum as health 'deteriorates'
Katie Price is planning to celebrate this Christmas as fully as she can with her ill mother – who was diagnosed with a terminal lung disease three years ago.
The 42-year-old has revealed that her mum, Amy, has seen her health condition deteriorate in recent months leaving the family determined to celebrate the festive season while they can.
Mum-of-five Katie says she is receiving therapy to process the fact that her mother’s life will be cut short after being diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017.
The incurable condition causes scarring on the lungs causing breathing difficulties and while treatments can be administered to alleviate symptoms, there is sadly no cure at this time.
Image: katieprice/Instagram) katieprice/Instagram)
Speaking to The Sun, Katie explained that she is trying to keep an optimistic outlook on the future.
She said: "This year my mum deteriorated more so I just want to do really Christmas this year because I don't know how long she will be here," said Katie.
"There is nothing we can do about that, that is what I speak to a therapist about, what I am going to have to deal with."
Image: sophie_pricey/Instagram) sophie_pricey/Instagram)
The star went on: ”I am not saying it will be her last Christmas but I really want to enjoy it. I am really looking forward to this Christmas.
"The last couple have been s***. We all sit in a circle and open our presents. We watch The Snowman, Home Alone, the same old stuff. I am looking forward to it."
Katie and Amy first shared the sad news of the health condition during an appearance on Loose Women in 2017.
Bravely opening up about her diagnosis, Amy said at the time: "I’ve been going back to my local doctor for about five years for asthma.
“I kept going back saying all the inhalers aren’t working, I’ve got this little cough and I’ve had that for years.
"Then I had a chest infection, they said OK then, go and have an X-ray.
Image: sophie_pricey/Instagram) sophie_pricey/Instagram)
“So I had an X-ray and something showed up, so my doctor referred me to Toby, a specialist, he said yes you’ve got this condition.”
Sharing her frustration about her diagnosis, she added: "I’ve never smoked. I’ve always been a sports person.
"I go to the gym every morning, I do maybe two hours every morning and I’ve done that for years and years… And that’s why I was so surprised I’ve got a lung condition."


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha wows fans as she confidently dances in her underwear

Nadia Sawalha oozed confidence as she recorded herself dancing around her home in just her underwear .
The 56-year-old Loose Women star looked sensational as she pulled out her best moves while wearing just a matching black underwear set .
In the cheerful clip , that she actually filmed to plug the underwear set , the television star beamed from ear to ear as she danced in front of the Christmas tree at her home .
Nadia also decided to leave the music turned off , in order to allow her 336,000 Instagram followers to try and get the track @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the song that she was dancing to in her caption .
`` Can you guess what I ’ m dancing too ?
?
Yup !
I say a little prayer ..by Aretha Franklin !
!
Why not blast it too and have a dance with me in your undies girls ! ''
she wrote .
`` Dance like everyone who ’ s watching you LOVES you !
!
Honestly it will feel weird at first and then you will grow to LOVE IT !
! ''
In Nadia 's empowering message , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'love their wobbles ' .
She continued : `` If something wobbles tell it you love it !
If your cellulite winks at you give it a wink back and a ‘ hello dimples ‘ .
`` Fake it to make it and then ( over time ) it will become your reality ! ''
Its not the first time that Nadia has stripped off to just her underwear as she delivers a poignant message to her fans .
Just days ago , the confident television star slipped into a red underwear set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alongside the sizzling snap , Nadia revealed that she was hoping all the Christmas gifts arrive before the big day because she did n't want to venture to the shops .
As well as opening up about her festive plans , Nadia wrote a Christmas message to her followers .
`` Merry flaming Christmas boys and girls !
! ''
she wrote .
`` Ps I ’ ve already put the half stone on that I usually lard on AT Christmas !
It ’ s just one bit of good news after another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a story to sell ?
Get in touch with us at webcelebs @ trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033

Loose Women star Nadia Sawalha looked sensational as she confidently danced around her home in just a black underwear set. The television star shared the clip alongside an empowering message
Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha wows fans as she confidently dances in her underwear
Nadia Sawalha oozed confidence as she recorded herself dancing around her home in just her underwear.
The 56-year-old Loose Women star looked sensational as she pulled out her best moves while wearing just a matching black underwear set.
In the cheerful clip, that she actually filmed to plug the underwear set, the television star beamed from ear to ear as she danced in front of the Christmas tree at her home.
Nadia also decided to leave the music turned off, in order to allow her 336,000 Instagram followers to try and get the track.
The mum of two eventually revealed the song that she was dancing to in her caption.
"Can you guess what I’m dancing too ?? Yup ! I say a little prayer ..by Aretha Franklin !! Why not blast it too and have a dance with me in your undies girls !" she wrote.
Image: nadiasawalha/Instagram) nadiasawalha/Instagram)
"Dance like everyone who’s watching you LOVES you !! Honestly it will feel weird at first and then you will grow to LOVE IT !!"
In Nadia's empowering message, the television star also urged her followers to 'love their wobbles'.
She continued: "If something wobbles tell it you love it ! If your cellulite winks at you give it a wink back and a ‘ hello dimples‘.
"Fake it to make it and then ( over time ) it will become your reality!"
Image: nadiasawalha/Instagram) nadiasawalha/Instagram)
Its not the first time that Nadia has stripped off to just her underwear as she delivers a poignant message to her fans.
Just days ago, the confident television star slipped into a red underwear set as she imitated a similar-looking image.
Alongside the sizzling snap, Nadia revealed that she was hoping all the Christmas gifts arrive before the big day because she didn't want to venture to the shops.
Image: Instagram) Instagram) Image: nadiasawalha/Instagram) nadiasawalha/Instagram)
As well as opening up about her festive plans, Nadia wrote a Christmas message to her followers.
"Merry flaming Christmas boys and girls !!" she wrote.
"Ps I’ve already put the half stone on that I usually lard on AT Christmas ! It’s just one bit of good news after another today !!!"
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--How to watch 'Star of Bethlehem' in first visible Christmas sighting in 20 years

A rare planetary alignment could create a “ Christmas star ” similar to the one said to have guided the three wise men .
Saturn and Jupiter will come the closest they have done in hundreds of years , creating a “ spectacular event in the sky ” on Monday on the winter solstice .
While the planets remain millions of miles apart in space- to the naked eye on Earth they will appear as one bright eye object .
While conjunctions - where objects appear very close to each other in the sky - are not rare , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because of its appearance this year on the winter solstice , it is being described as the 'Christmas Star ' in reference to the story of Jesus ' birth .
The solstice is also the longest night of the year - giving people a greater chance of seeing the spectacle .
Professor Michael Burton said the biggest planets in the solar system will be just 0.1 degrees apart , one-fifth the diameter of the full moon , and appear as the brightest object in the sky .
Prof Burton , the director of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , added : “ When that [ the 1623 conjuction ] happened it was daytime .
“ The last one which actually would have been well placed to be seen was 1226 , 800 years.
” He said a conjunction is one possibility for what has become known as the Christmas Star from the story of Jesus ’ birth .
`` You can imagine the solar system to be a racetrack , with each of the planets as a runner in their own lane and the Earth toward the center of the stadium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our vantage point , we 'll be able to see Jupiter on the inside lane , approaching Saturn all month and finally overtaking it on December 21 . ''
`` Conjunctions like this could happen on any day of the year , depending on where the planets are in their orbits , '' Prof Throop explained .
`` The date of the conjuction is determined by the positions of Jupiter , Saturn and the Earth in their paths around the sun , while the date of the solstice is determined by the tilt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to view the Star of Bethlehem in the UK The advice to see the rare event in the UK is to look to the south west as soon as possible after sunset .
You should be watching by about an hour after sunset - since the planets will set below the horizon quickly , according to Space.com 's advice .
The planets will remain in close alignment for a few days from December 21 , and will remain easily visible to the naked eye when looking toward the southwest just after sunset .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it should be able to be seen with the naked eye , even from within cities where there is a lot of light pollution .
Binoculars or a telescope should enable viewers to see Jupiter 's four large moons .
The chance of clear skies is set to be greater in the northern half of the UK .

mirrornews@mirror.co.uk (Stephen  White, Talia Shadwell)

Saturn and Jupiter will align on the winter solstice to produce a 'Christmas Star' like the one referred to in the story of Jesus' birth - visible from Earth for the first time in nearly 800 years
How to watch 'Star of Bethlehem' in first visible Christmas sighting in 20 years
A rare planetary alignment could create a “Christmas star” similar to the one said to have guided the three wise men.
Saturn and Jupiter will come the closest they have done in hundreds of years, creating a “spectacular event in the sky” on Monday on the winter solstice.
While the planets remain millions of miles apart in space- to the naked eye on Earth they will appear as one bright eye object.
While conjunctions - where objects appear very close to each other in the sky - are not rare, this will be the closest since 1623.
Because of its appearance this year on the winter solstice, it is being described as the 'Christmas Star' in reference to the story of Jesus' birth.
Image: DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY) DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)
The solstice is also the longest night of the year - giving people a greater chance of seeing the spectacle.
Professor Michael Burton said the biggest planets in the solar system will be just 0.1 degrees apart, one-fifth the diameter of the full moon, and appear as the brightest object in the sky.
Prof Burton, the director of Armagh Planetarium and Observatory in Northern Ireland, added: “When that [the 1623 conjuction] happened it was daytime.
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“The last one which actually would have been well placed to be seen was 1226, 800 years.”
He said a conjunction is one possibility for what has become known as the Christmas Star from the story of Jesus’ birth.
NASA Planetary Science Division astronomer Henry Throop described the phenomenon.
"You can imagine the solar system to be a racetrack, with each of the planets as a runner in their own lane and the Earth toward the center of the stadium," he said.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)
"From our vantage point, we'll be able to see Jupiter on the inside lane, approaching Saturn all month and finally overtaking it on December 21."
"Conjunctions like this could happen on any day of the year, depending on where the planets are in their orbits," Prof Throop explained.
"The date of the conjuction is determined by the positions of Jupiter, Saturn and the Earth in their paths around the sun, while the date of the solstice is determined by the tilt of Earth's axis."
Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Getty Images/iStockphoto)
How to view the Star of Bethlehem in the UK
The advice to see the rare event in the UK is to look to the south west as soon as possible after sunset.
You should be watching by about an hour after sunset - since the planets will set below the horizon quickly, according to Space.com's advice.
The planets will remain in close alignment for a few days from December 21, and will remain easily visible to the naked eye when looking toward the southwest just after sunset.
Space.com assures the phenomenon is so bright it should be able to be seen with the naked eye, even from within cities where there is a lot of light pollution.
Binoculars or a telescope should enable viewers to see Jupiter's four large moons.
The chance of clear skies is set to be greater in the northern half of the UK.


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Susannah Constantine opens up on being alcoholic and AA meetings for first time

Susannah Constantine has opened up about her alcoholism for the first time ever in order to help others that have seen themselves rely on drink during the past year .
The 58-year-old TV presenter has decided to speak out about her own experience with alcoholism in light of new statistics about people struggling with alcohol during lockdown .
According to the What Not To Wear star , alcoholics charity Alcohol Change recorded a 242 per cent increase in visitors to their website and other support outlets during the first lockdown between March and June .
Penning an open letter to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to help others in their journey to recovery by sharing her own .
The former Strictly contestants explained in her piece for the Daily Mail that she found herself relying too heavily on alcohol – but never allowed herself to drink during the day time or in a way that would put others in danger .
She wrote : “ Despite never drinking before 6pm , I looked forward to that first glass of wine too much and then it became an unconscious reflex .
Evenings were so much more fun with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or so I thought .
“ One or two glasses soon became a bottle and a half , and I ’ d wake up in the morning struggling to remember the night before.
” She went on tow write that it took her “ so long ” to realise she was an alcoholic because she wouldn ’ t drink in the day – making her under appreciate how much she was drinking .
Susannah expressed a fear that there is an increase in alcoholism among women in their 40s in particular , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in her own life .
She said : “ it was a time of great change as my children were becoming more independent , my career was evolving and my mother was reaching the end of her life .
“ It is a key time , especially in a woman ’ s life , when you begin to reassess your place in the family and society as a whole .
This is a time when it is common for women to have to redefine themselves.
” The TV star went on to reveal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ husband had to take her home from a friend ’ s 40th birthday as she could no longer stand .
Her turning point came while on holiday in Cornwall where she drank until she blacked out , fell over , and fractured two bones in her back .
Susannah wrote : “ When I first attended an AA meeting , the relief swept over me when I realised other people had the same stories and feelings ; I was not alone .
I would say the same to anyone coming to terms with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone .
It is not an exaggeration to say that AA saved my life.
” If you are worried about your relationship with alcohol , contact the AA helpline free on 0800 917 7650 .

The What Not To Wear star has been attending AA classes for eight years after she realised she had a problem with booze after passing out and breaking bones in her back
Susannah Constantine has opened up about her alcoholism for the first time ever in order to help others that have seen themselves rely on drink during the past year.
The 58-year-old TV presenter has decided to speak out about her own experience with alcoholism in light of new statistics about people struggling with alcohol during lockdown.
According to the What Not To Wear star, alcoholics charity Alcohol Change recorded a 242 per cent increase in visitors to their website and other support outlets during the first lockdown between March and June.
Penning an open letter to help others, Susannah hopes to be able to help others in their journey to recovery by sharing her own.
The former Strictly contestants explained in her piece for the Daily Mail that she found herself relying too heavily on alcohol – but never allowed herself to drink during the day time or in a way that would put others in danger.
She wrote: “Despite never drinking before 6pm, I looked forward to that first glass of wine too much and then it became an unconscious reflex. Evenings were so much more fun with booze. I was more entertaining — or so I thought.
“One or two glasses soon became a bottle and a half, and I’d wake up in the morning struggling to remember the night before.”
Image: WireImage) WireImage)
She went on to write that it took her “so long” to realise she was an alcoholic because she wouldn’t drink in the day – making her under-appreciate how much she was drinking.
Susannah expressed a fear that there is an increase in alcoholism among women in their 40s in particular, and revealed her own struggles intensified amid upheaval in her own life.
She said: “It was a time of great change as my children were becoming more independent, my career was evolving and my mother was reaching the end of her life.
“It is a key time, especially in a woman’s life, when you begin to reassess your place in the family and society as a whole. This is a time when it is common for women to have to redefine themselves.”
The TV star went on to reveal her rock bottom came soon after her husband had to take her home from a friend’s 40th birthday as she could no longer stand.
Her turning point came while on holiday in Cornwall where she drank until she blacked out, fell over, and fractured two bones in her back.
Susannah wrote: “When I first attended an AA meeting, the relief swept over me when I realised other people had the same stories and feelings; I was not alone. I would say the same to anyone coming to terms with similar issues now: you are not alone. It is not an exaggeration to say that AA saved my life.”
If you are worried about your relationship with alcohol, contact the AA helpline free on 0800 917 7650.


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Scientists 'launch investigation' to see if mutant Covid is linked to UK surge

Scientists are reportedly investigating whether a new mutant strain of Covid-19 is driving a surge in hospital admissions in Kent .
Non-urgent operations at hospitals in Kent have been postponed due to the rise in coronavirus patients being treated , the NHS confirmed on Friday .
However urgent services include cancer appointments would be unaffected , a spokesperson said .
Experts are assessing whether the new strain of coronavirus is to blame after its discovery was made public earlier this week .
The i Paper reports that scientific experts plan to work through Christmas to assess whether the new strain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original , as they track around 1,000 cases in north east London and north Kent .
SAGE experts and academics are reportedly also investigating whether the new strain is behind a surge in hospital admissions being seen in parts of Kent .
According to the i Paper , average weekly admissions in Medway in Kent in November were higher than the rates seen during the first lockdown April .
Hospitals in north-east London , east London and Essex are also reportedly under pressure from a sudden rise in admissions .
The mutation is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are reportedly concerned it could be spreading more rapidly than the original strain of the coronavirus .
Experts said mutations are normal processes in the life of coronaviruses like Covid-19 , and it has been expected it would adapt into new strains as time wore on .
He assured there was nothing to suggest the strain would not respond to the Pfizer vaccine being rolled out across Britain , but urged people to be vigilant .
The spread of the mutant strain had been thought to have been largely contained to London and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported on Friday that fears it was spreading could lead to a ban on travel to and from the South East as early as Saturday .
Boris Johnson is said to be in talks over bringing in the strict travel curbs just days before Christmas , after receiving evidence from Government scientists that the new strain is more virulent than the original .
Public Health England and other agencies planned to monitor the strain over the next two weeks after finding it spreading swiftly in hard-hit Kent .
But infection rates rising around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the home counties join London and Kent in Tier 3 on Thursday .
The Telegraph reports that Whitehall sources have not ruled out a press conference on Saturday concerning the prospect of fresh restrictions , just days before they were due to be relaxed for Christmas .

Scientists are said to be monitoring surges in hospital admissions in Kent where the NHS has halted non-urgent appointments, as a mutant Covid-19 strain emerges
Scientists 'launch investigation' into whether mutant Covid is linked to hospital surge
Scientists are reportedly investigating whether a new mutant strain of Covid-19 is driving a surge in hospital admissions in Kent.
Non-urgent operations at hospitals in Kent have been postponed due to the rise in coronavirus patients being treated, the NHS confirmed on Friday.
However urgent services include cancer appointments would be unaffected, a spokesperson said.
Experts are assessing whether the new strain of coronavirus is to blame after its discovery was made public earlier this week.
The i Paper reports that scientific experts plan to work through Christmas to assess whether the new strain is more dangerous and virulent than the original, as they track around 1,000 cases in north east London and north Kent.
Image: PA) PA)
SAGE experts and academics are reportedly also investigating whether the new strain is behind a surge in hospital admissions being seen in parts of Kent.
According to the i Paper, average weekly admissions in Medway in Kent in November were higher than the rates seen during the first lockdown April.
Hospitals in north-east London, east London and Essex are also reportedly under pressure from a sudden rise in admissions.
The mutation is being monitored by health experts, who are reportedly concerned it could be spreading more rapidly than the original strain of the coronavirus.
Image: Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo) Andrew Teebay/Liverpool Echo)
Health Secretary Matt Hancock revealed its discovery earlier this week.
Experts said mutations are normal processes in the life of coronaviruses like Covid-19, and it has been expected it would adapt into new strains as time wore on.
He assured there was nothing to suggest the strain would not respond to the Pfizer vaccine being rolled out across Britain, but urged people to be vigilant.
The spread of the mutant strain had been thought to have been largely contained to London and the South East.
However The Telegraph reported on Friday that fears it was spreading could lead to a ban on travel to and from the South East as early as Saturday.
Image: PA) PA)
Boris Johnson is said to be in talks over bringing in the strict travel curbs just days before Christmas, after receiving evidence from Government scientists that the new strain is more virulent than the original.
Public Health England and other agencies planned to monitor the strain over the next two weeks after finding it spreading swiftly in hard-hit Kent.
But infection rates rising around the wider South East saw most of the home counties join London and Kent in Tier 3 on Thursday.
The Telegraph reports that Whitehall sources have not ruled out a press conference on Saturday concerning the prospect of fresh restrictions, just days before they were due to be relaxed for Christmas.


thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Perishers - 19th December 2020

Perishers - 19th December 2020

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Perishers - 19th December 2020 Perishers originally ran from 1959 to 2006. The strip is still so popular today that we decided to reprint the best of the strips by Maurice Dodd and Dennis Collins
Perishers originally ran from 1959 to 2006. The strip is still so popular today that we decided to reprint the best of the strips by Maurice Dodd and Dennis Collins
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thedailymirror--2020-12-19--Sir David Attenborough 'punched the air' after Donald Trump lost US election

Sir David Attenborough has told how he leapt from his chair and punched the air in delight after climate change-denier Donald Trump lost the US Presidential election .
The 94-year-old naturalist says hearing Joe Biden immediately vow to sign America back up to the international agreement to limit global warming left him feeling hugely heartened .
Sir David says : “ America is the most powerful country in the world , economically , and has huge influence on what happens .
`` That someone should be coming into power who recognises the importance of the ecological problems that face us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear he was going to become the President Elect was to reinstate America ’ s backing of the Paris agreement ...
I can ’ t remember getting out of my seat and cheering all by myself until that moment .
“ I have never done it before , even for our own elections .
“ But when I heard that I actually said ... ” At this point in our Zoom call , Sir David re-enacts jumping up , arms aloft , mouthing the word “ yes ” .
It is quite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate change and the immediate action needed will become even clearer when BBC1 ’ s landmark series A Perfect Planet airs next month .
Combining earth science and natural history , the series explores how weather , ocean currents , solar energy and volcanoes drive , shape and support biodiversity .
The fifth and final episode takes a sharp change of tone as it examines the dramatic impact of humans on the planet – and what needs to be done to correct the damage .
Sir David and executive producer Alastair Fothergill state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that climate change is a problem that can be solved .
Mr Fothergill says : “ We ’ ve seen how , in the search for the vaccine , humanity has united and put so much energy into solving that problem .
To be honest , Covid is a relatively small problem compared with the planetary crisis facing us .
So if humanity can unite to solve Covid surely we can to solve climate change ?
” Like the presenter , he feels America getting a new , greener President is a crucial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got in , ” he sighs .
With the international conference on global warming due in Glasgow next year , Sir David says this is a timely moment to emphasise that climate change is real .
He adds : “ This is not just talk .
This is not just a little fantasy .
If we warm the Earth to such a degree that the Arctic melts , every city in the world will be under water .
“ A high proportion of the big cities in the world are built around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And if the ice melts , the seas are going to rise and flood those cities .
“ That ’ s not ... science fiction .
It ’ s going to happen .
And we have still got a chance to stop it happening .
What do we have to do to persuade people that that ’ s the case ?
” But he knows that he ’ s got his work cut out – speaking to the pilot of a helicopter who was flying him over Miami during filming made him realise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David recalls : “ I said to the pilot , ‘ Look at all these huge , great hotels , if we go on like this they ’ ll all be under water ’ .
‘ Rubbish , ’ he said ( well , he actually said something else ) but he didn ’ t believe it .
He sees no reason why anybody should take any action .
There is a very strong element in the United States that does not believe it , including the past President.
” Fothergill says of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They talk about the home truths , the facts , that we ’ re producing 100 times more carbon dioxide than all the volcanoes on the planet .
“ That the ocean currents are no longer flowing as they did , that hurricanes hitting the east coast of America are more frequent and more powerful – but also they talk about the solutions .
You need to empower them with the solutions and the good news is nature is unbelievably resilient and mankind already has the technology to solve these problems .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ The first episode deals with volcanoes , and looks at the wildlife that thrives amid the toxic effects of eruptions .
Series producer Huw Cordey says : “ Even the most hostile of volcanic landscapes can support life , like Lake Natron in Tanzania , which is the most corrosive body of water.
” He adds that the lake is home to tens of thousands of flamingos – though viewers should brace themselves for scenes of their chicks being picked off by marabou storks as they race across the corrosive salt plains to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the series are Aldabra giant tortoises , whose habitat in the Indian Ocean is threatened by flooding , lions in Kenya whose roaming patterns are affected by the weather and otters who hunt year-round in the heated waters of Yellowstone National Park .
Brown bears are shown at Kurile Lake , Russia , where the fertile volcanic waters lead to high numbers of salmon .
Sir David says the series will show we are at a crossroads for reversing the damage we ’ ve wreaked since the industrial revolution .
He adds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is poised close to big disasters .
We can stop them .
But if we ’ re going to stop them , we ’ ve got to understand what they are and how they work .

Sir David Attenborough has revealed his delight that climate change-denier Donald Trump lost the US Presidential election to Joe Biden
Sir David Attenborough has told how he leapt from his chair and punched the air in delight after climate change-denier Donald Trump lost the US Presidential election.
The 94-year-old naturalist says hearing Joe Biden immediately vow to sign America back up to the international agreement to limit global warming left him feeling hugely heartened.
Sir David says: “America is the most powerful country in the world, economically, and has huge influence on what happens.
"That someone should be coming into power who recognises the importance of the ecological problems that face us – whose first statement after it became clear he was going to become the President Elect was to reinstate America’s backing of the Paris agreement... I can’t remember getting out of my seat and cheering all by myself until that moment.
Image: Nick Shoolingin-Jordan/Silverback Films 2020) Nick Shoolingin-Jordan/Silverback Films 2020)
“I have never done it before, even for our own elections.
“But when I heard that I actually said...” At this point in our Zoom call, Sir David re-enacts jumping up, arms aloft, mouthing the word “yes”. It is quite a sight to behold.
His thoughts on climate change and the immediate action needed will become even clearer when BBC1’s landmark series A Perfect Planet airs next month.
Combining earth science and natural history, the series explores how weather, ocean currents, solar energy and volcanoes drive, shape and support biodiversity.
The fifth and final episode takes a sharp change of tone as it examines the dramatic impact of humans on the planet – and what needs to be done to correct the damage.
Image: Nick Shoolingin-Jordan/Silverback Films) Nick Shoolingin-Jordan/Silverback Films) Image: Alain Lusignan/ Silverback Films) Alain Lusignan/ Silverback Films)
Sir David and executive producer Alastair Fothergill state the Covid pandemic has given them hope that climate change is a problem that can be solved.
Mr Fothergill says: “We’ve seen how, in the search for the vaccine, humanity has united and put so much energy into solving that problem. To be honest, Covid is a relatively small problem compared with the planetary crisis facing us. So if humanity can unite to solve Covid surely we can to solve climate change?”
Like the presenter, he feels America getting a new, greener President is a crucial development.
“Thank goodness Biden has got in,” he sighs.
Image: Photography Tui De Roy copyright Silverback Films) Photography Tui De Roy copyright Silverback Films) Image: Toby Nowlan/Silverback Films 2018) Toby Nowlan/Silverback Films 2018)
With the international conference on global warming due in Glasgow next year, Sir David says this is a timely moment to emphasise that climate change is real.
He adds: “This is not just talk. This is not just a little fantasy. If we warm the Earth to such a degree that the Arctic melts, every city in the world will be under water.
“A high proportion of the big cities in the world are built around the coast, because of their ports. And if the ice melts, the seas are going to rise and flood those cities.
“That’s not... science fiction. It’s going to happen. And we have still got a chance to stop it happening. What do we have to do to persuade people that that’s the case?” But he knows that he’s got his work cut out – speaking to the pilot of a helicopter who was flying him over Miami during filming made him realise how big the task was.
Image: Huw Cordey/Silverback Films 2018) Huw Cordey/Silverback Films 2018) Image: Alain Lusignan/ Silverback Films) Alain Lusignan/ Silverback Films)
Sir David recalls: “I said to the pilot, ‘Look at all these huge, great hotels, if we go on like this they’ll all be under water’. ‘Rubbish,’ he said (well, he actually said something else) but he didn’t believe it. He sees no reason why anybody should take any action. There is a very strong element in the United States that does not believe it, including the past President.”
Fothergill says of the scientists on the upcoming series: “They talk about the home truths, the facts, that we’re producing 100 times more carbon dioxide than all the volcanoes on the planet.
“That the ocean currents are no longer flowing as they did, that hurricanes hitting the east coast of America are more frequent and more powerful – but also they talk about the solutions. You need to empower them with the solutions and the good news is nature is unbelievably resilient and mankind already has the technology to solve these problems. We just need the political will.”
The first episode deals with volcanoes, and looks at the wildlife that thrives amid the toxic effects of eruptions.
Image: Huw Cordey/Silverback Films 2018) Huw Cordey/Silverback Films 2018) Image: Silverback Films 2018) Silverback Films 2018)
Series producer Huw Cordey says: “Even the most hostile of volcanic landscapes can support life, like Lake Natron in Tanzania, which is the most corrosive body of water.” He adds that the lake is home to tens of thousands of flamingos – though viewers should brace themselves for scenes of their chicks being picked off by marabou storks as they race across the corrosive salt plains to get to fresh water.
Also featured in the series are Aldabra giant tortoises, whose habitat in the Indian Ocean is threatened by flooding, lions in Kenya whose roaming patterns are affected by the weather and otters who hunt year-round in the heated waters of Yellowstone National Park.
Image: Huw Cordey/Silverback Films) Huw Cordey/Silverback Films)
Brown bears are shown at Kurile Lake, Russia, where the fertile volcanic waters lead to high numbers of salmon.
Sir David says the series will show we are at a crossroads for reversing the damage we’ve wreaked since the industrial revolution.
He adds: “We, our planet, is poised close to big disasters. We can stop them. But if we’re going to stop them, we’ve got to understand what they are and how they work.
“And that’s what this series does.”
A Perfect Planet, BBC1, January.