thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--The Government's New Housing Rules Could Result In 'Modern Slums' Being Built

Build, build, build – that is the message Boris Johnson gave the UK as it emerged from the coronavirus lockdown.
Promising the most radical building reforms since the Second World War, the prime minister vowed the government would make it “easier to build better homes where people want to live”.
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Housing campaigners are *seriously* worried about how ministers plan to go about this.
What is the issue?
On Tuesday, the government announced it was pushing forward with plans to free developers of the need to get full planning permission when they demolish unused light industrial or office buildings (for planning nerds, classes B1a, B1b and B1c) and replace them with housing (so long as it has a footprint below 1000 square metres, and isn’t more than 18 metres tall).
That means extending what are known as “permitted development rights” (PDR). Developers are already able to bypass planning permission and use these rights to convert office blocks into housing, but the changes would allow them to go further – physically knock those buildings down and start again.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick said the changes would “help transform boarded up, unused buildings safely into high quality homes at the heart of their communities”.
Sounds like a way to tackle the housing crisis, right?
Except for one pretty major problem. Or, actually, several.
Why are campaigners worried about PDRs?
Campaigners – including the Local Government Association (LGA) – have warned that there could be serious repercussions if the government presses ahead with plans to extend PDRs.
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Unlike when they apply for planning permission through councils, developers are not required to provide affordable housing when they build housing using PDRs. Which means... they don’t.
In January, the LGA estimated 13,500 affordable homes had been lost because developers were able to covert office buildings into houses through PDRs and bypass council requirements.
Housing charity Shelter has previously branded the the government’s extension of PDRs an “ineffective and unsuitable method of solving the housing crisis”.
Reacting to Tuesday’s news, Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said it was “extremely concerning” that developers had been granted “further leeway to avoid building the affordable homes we desperately need”.
“The current lack of genuinely affordable housing is leaving thousands living on a knife edge unable to keep up with spiralling rents and housing costs,” he said.
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LGA spokesperson Councillor David Renard said taking planning powers away from councils by extending PDRs would risk “giving developers the freedom to ride roughshod over local areas”.
He warned that, as well as taking away communities’ ability to hold developers to account about affordable homes, it would also mute their voices when it came to the quality of housing, and making sure that developers support key infrastructure such as roads, schools and health services.
On Tuesday, 21 London councils wrote to Jenrick urging him to think again. Jenrick is currently under fire for waving through a massive development in east London that didn’t have enough affordable housing and saving Tory donor Richard Desmond up to £50m in the process. (It is worth noting that the Westferry Printworks would still need planning permission under the new rules.)
They said extending PDRs would “benefit speculative developers at the expense of decent and affordable homes” while also undermining the high street.
22 London Council’s have written collectively to @RobertJenrick @mhclg asking for an urgent rethink on plans for yet more permitted development rights. These benefit speculative developers at the expense of decent & affordable homes and will undermine our high streets. pic.twitter.com/lA6FLO9aEs — Danny Beales (@DannyBeales) July 21, 2020
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The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has also written to the housing secretary, calling the extension of the PDR policy “truly disgraceful”.
“There is no evidence that the planning system is to blame for the shortage of housing, and plenty to suggest that leaving local communities powerless in the face of developers seeking short-term returns will lead to poor results,” said RIBA president Alan Jones.
What do we already know about the impact of PDRs on housing?
Cineberg via Getty Images
News that ministers were pressing ahead with changes to planning permission came on the same day that a government-commissioned report highlighted a series of problems with homes built using PDR.
Developers can already convert old office blocks into housing without needing full sign-off from the local council.
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Investigating the issue, researchers from UCL and the University of Liverpool said that PDR conversions “seem to create worse quality residential environments” compared to those with full planning permission.
This conclusion was in relation to a number of factors linked to the “health, wellbeing and quality of life of future occupiers”, the study said.
The report found that PDR converted housing not only more likely to be very small, with only 22.1% of the homes meeting nationally described space standards, but to be located in business parks or industrial areas.
Researchers also concluded that there was an issue with “adequacy” of natural light in some PDR homes, while many failed to offer space for occupants to do activities such as clothes drying or relaxation.
Councillor Mark Crane, a spokesperson for the District Councils’ Network, said the report showed that rather than taking more powers away from councils, the government needed to stop “tinkering with the planning system”.
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“Communities do not have a say over permitted development conversions, and developers are also not required to provide vital local infrastructure and affordable homes,” he said.
“For this reason permitted development should be ended, and the full planning process followed.
What about the environment?
Some councils are worried that a lack of control over planning permission through PDRs could have a serious impact on their attempts to tackle the climate emergency.
Railing against the changes, Liverpool City councillor Laura Robertson-Collins told HuffPost UK earlier this month that councils needed “really stringent planning laws” so they could make sure any new buildings were “up to the absolute highest environmental standards”.
Mark Jones, the environmental lead for Sheffield City Council, said that his main powers as a councillor were over transport and planning permission.
By taking away the council’s authority on what is built where, the government was also taking away its power to deal with climate change, he suggested.
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“One of the biggest levers I have as a local councillor other than transport policy is planning policy – where we build those new properties, whether those properties are within an active transport radius of workplaces,” he said.
“So unless the government comes to its senses on this ludicrous approach, we’re going to really really struggle to achieve what we want via the planning system and the transport system.”
Labour’s shadow housing minister Mike Amesbury isn’t happy either.
“Far from building back better, these plans will usher in a new era of slum housing and sound the death knell of the high street,” he said.
“This ‘Developer’s Charter’ will take control away from communities and give building firms the power to build low-quality rabbit-hutch housing, despite the government’s own research telling us that permitted development homes are of a worse standard than those built under planning permission.
“The government should instead be properly resourcing planning authorities, not lining the pockets of their developer mates at communities’ expense.”
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A Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Building the homes the country needs is central to our mission and an important part of our plans to recover from the impact of the coronavirus.
“Last year we delivered more than 241,000 new homes across England – more than at any point in the last 30 years and these new regulations will mean we can make the best use of available space to build many more much needed homes.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--Met Police Officer Survives Being Dragged 40 Feet By Speeding Driver

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A police officer escaped with just minor scrapes after being dragged 40 feet by a speeding driver in north London.
The car was driven at him in Southgate on Wednesday morning after he became suspicious of the two men inside and approached them.
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The officer, who has not been identified, was dragged along with the soles of his shoes being torn off.
He eventually disentangled himself and was able to roll free.
In a statement, the Met Police said he was “shocked, but thankfully only suffered minor bruises and grazes”.
A spokesperson added: “He was treated for his injuries at a police station and has remained on duty.”
Police are seeking the two occupants of the car on suspicion of attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH). Any witnesses or anyone with any information can call police on 101 or contact via Twitter @MetCC. Please quote CAD 2032/22JUL.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--BBC Panorama Reporter John Ware To Sue Jeremy Corbyn

Jeremy Corbyn attends the Commonwealth Day Service 2020 on March 9 in London Samir Hussein via Getty Images
Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
Panorama reporter John Ware is taking legal action against former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, his lawyer has confirmed.
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The move follows Corbyn’s statement on Wednesday that Labour agreeing to settle the Panorama case “risks giving credibility to misleading and inaccurate allegations” about action to tackle anti-Semitism in the party.
Asked if action would be taken arising from Corbyn’s statement after the hearing, lawyer Mark Lewis from Patron Law – who represented the Panorama whistleblowers and Ware – said: “I can confirm that I have been instructed to pursue cases.”
It is not yet known who else might be involved in bringing the possible libel action.
Labour announced today it will pay “substantial damages” to whistleblowers who contributed to the Panorama expose of the party’s handling of anti-Semitism.
It also issued an unreserved apology over “defamatory and false allegations” made following the investigation.
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Corbyn said it was “disappointing” that his party had settled the claim, adding that it was a “political decision, not a legal one”.
It is the latest sign of Keir Starmer’s attempts to draw a clear distinction between the party he leads and the one over which Corbyn presided.
Seven former employees from the party’s governance and legal unit, who were responsible for the investigation of allegations of misconduct by party members, sued Labour after it issued a press release describing them as having “personal and political axes to grind”.
The legal action followed the broadcast in a July 2019 edition of the programme titled “Is Labour Anti-Semitic?”.
Katherine Buckingham, Michael Creighton, Samuel Matthews, Daniel Hogan, Louise Withers Green, Martha Robinson and Benjamin Westerman all had concerns there was “a lack of commitment” by Labour to properly investigate anti-Semitism within the party, the High Court heard on Wednesday.
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At the same hearing, Labour also apologised to Ware – the journalist who made the programme – for falsely accusing him of “deliberate and malicious misrepresentations designed to mislead the public”.
The party agreed to pay “substantial damages” to the journalist.
Labour has declined to reveal the payout amount given as part of the settlement.
When asked about speculation that it amounted to as much as £500,000, Starmer’s spokesperson told reporters: “There’s no point [in asking] because I’m not going to get into the figures or even speculate.”
Labour’s handling of anti-Semitism allegations under Corbyn’s leadership is the subject of an inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission – and Starmer has already received a draft report from the watchdog.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--Kim Kardashian Calls For Compassion And Empathy As She Addresses Husband Kanye West's Mental Health

Kim Kardashian West has called for “compassion and empathy” in a statement addressing her husband Kanye West’s mental health for the first time.
On Wednesday afternoon, Kim posted a lengthy statement on her Instagram story, in which she spoke about Kanye’s bipolar disorder, claiming she hoped doing so could challenge the stigma around mental health.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
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“As many of you know, Kanye has bipolar disorder,” Kim wrote. “Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand.
“I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.”
Kim continued: “Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behaviour know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor.
“People who are unaware or far removed from the experience can be judgemental and not understand that the individual themselves [has] to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try.
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“I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions. He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of being an artist and a Black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bipolar disorder.
“Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words sometimes do not align with his intentions.”
A screengrab of Kim's Instagram statement Instagram/Kim Kardashian West
Kim concluded: “We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it most.
“I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well-being and for your understanding.”
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The Grammy-winning musician first spoke publicly about his bipolar diagnosis on his album Ye, released in 2018.
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--Care Workers Have Toiled On The Covid Frontline – This Is How We Repay Them

Sasirin Pamai / EyeEm via Getty Images
Over the last few months there has been a central message emanating from all commentators – politicians, media and indeed the general public. Care workers, often previously unrecognised for the skilled role they carry out, have been clapped, cheered and generally feted for the amazing job they do. In turn, Boris Johnson has described the work within care as “brilliant” and the Secretary of State has stated it has been “amazing”. Yet, roll forward to this week and it seems that this message has been forgotten, and once more care workers go unrewarded in the latest Covid dividend for public sector workers.
Quite honestly it is difficult to imagine anyone who has played more of a public servant role than the lowest paid members of the health and care workforce, who have turned out day and night in care homes, home care, supported living, extra care housing services and mental health services during this Covid pandemic.
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Some 24 hours a day, seven days a week our professional care staff have continued to care under the most challenging of circumstance. They – like their amazing colleagues in health – have done this with compassion, providing a lifeline to the most vulnerable across our communities.
It was therefore particularly galling to hear Rishi Sunak’s announcement around pay increases for public sector workers excluding those who are delivering care. Then to add salt to the wound, a clumsy interview with Minister of State Kit Malthouse on BBC Radio Four’s Today programme, which essentially profiled the government commitment to raising minimum wage as the government’s mechanism for rewarding care workers. As a motivational speech for care workers, it did not go down well.
“This has to be a never again moment for social care, it cannot be possible for future announcements about reward to leave them aside.”
The government’s position has long been one that the salary of care workers is down to individual employers and is not something that they should get involved with. However, this does not serve either employers or the care workforce well. The funding of adult social care is complex, and the nuances of how care is commissioned, and whether or not people have to pay for their care is beyond the realms of the majority until they get involved in receiving or arranging care. Yet, the pandemic does mean that people want to see care workers valued and rewarded – and for that to happen at pace and in a meaningful way – then government has to get involved.
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In other parts of the UK, this issue has been treated differently. For example, the Welsh government acted quickly, and on 1 May announced that each and every care worker should receive a £500 payment in recognition of their work on the Covid front line. Although, recent reporting would suggest there is still ongoing dispute about whether the payment of £500 is net or gross, meaning that the funding has yet to reach the pocket of the worker. This needs to quickly move from gesture to reality, as the financial hardship of low paid care staff has been well documented. During the Covid pandemic, the amazing Care Workers Charity, that I am a trustee of, has sprung into action to address the many forms of hardship that workers have experienced during Covid. This started off with recognising the need to support staff surviving in isolation on Statutory Sick Pay, and has moved forward to develop programmes around supporting mental health, transport costs and sadly the costs of funeral for family and loved ones. The charity has raised an incredible, and much needed £2 million during this period, showing just how important care workers are to the wider public.
Clearly things must change for care workers. The longer term drive for reform is likely to dominate future discussions on social care and recognising and funding social care staff properly must be front and centre of that agenda. The government and employers need to work together to ensure that there is a minimum wage for care – one which accurately reflects the skills, expertise, compassion and care which those working on the front line have shown day in and day out. This has to be a never again moment for social care, it cannot be possible for future announcements about reward to leave aside those who, for many, have represented the essence of community response to a community wide pandemic.
We need the government to act now to ensure that each and every care worker is recognised and rewarded for their extraordinary work.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--Trump Reportedly Asked US Ambassador To Help Move British Open To His Resort

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President Donald Trump attempted to wield his political influence to get the prestigious British Open golf tournament hosted at his Trump Turnberry resort in Scotland, The New York Times reported on Tuesday.
Trump in 2018 reportedly asked the US ambassador to Britain, Woody Johnson, to see “if the British government could help steer” the televised event to the money-losing course bought by The Trump Organisation in 2014, according to the newspaper, which cited three unnamed sources.
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Johnson reportedly ignored ethics concerns raised by his then-deputy, Lewis Lukens, and floated the idea with the secretary of state for Scotland, David Mundell, per the Times. Lukens later reportedly flagged the request with State Department officials. He was later forced out of his role at the US embassy in London after telling a positive anecdote about former President Barack Obama during a speech, reported the Times.
Mundell declined to comment on his dealings with Johnson, according to the Times. He referred the paper to a British government statement that said Johnson “made no request of Mr. Mundell regarding the British Open or any other sporting event.”
Donald Trump, pictured playing golf at his Trump Turnberry resort in 2018. The president reportedly sought to move the British Open to the money-losing golf course. Leon Neal via Getty Images
Mike Woodcock, a spokesperson for the R&A golf association that runs the tournament, said he had not “received any approaches from the British government or the Scottish government” about moving the event to Trump’s resort.
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Johnson, the White House and the State Department all declined to comment to the Times.
The 2020 British Open was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump, as president, is exempt from US conflict of interest laws. Still, his request may have violated the Constitution’s emoluments clause banning federal officeholders from receiving payments from foreign governments because the security bill would likely have been footed by the British government, the Times reported.
Noah Bookbinder, executive director of the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington watchdog group, tweeted it was “hard to think of a better example of using the presidency for personal gain in ways that could affect international relations.”
Our ambassador, at President Trump's urging, reportedly asked the British government to steer the British Open to Trump's club. Hard to think of a better example of using the presidency for personal gain in ways that could affect international relations.https://t.co/JHTVS9a8du — Noah Bookbinder (@NoahBookbinder) July 21, 2020
Walter Shaub, the former head of the US Office of Government Ethics, also expressed dismay:
. . . because, after all, what's an Ambassadorship for, if not for misusing your position to ask a foreign government to give your boss an unconstitutional emolument or two? https://t.co/XFhUPRGzDx — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) July 22, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--What Is QAnon? The Wacky Conspiracy Theory Twitter Is Cracking Down On

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President Donald Trump isn’t actually President Donald Trump – he is in fact an undercover agent on a top secret mission to rid the world of evil and prevent a coup by liberal elites who also happen to be paedophiles.
This is the truth according to QAnon, a far-right conspiracy theory astonishing in its breadth, deeply worrying in its reach and gobsmacking in its ludicrousness.
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While it might be easy to dismiss such outlandish claims, Twitter this week announced it would crack down on accounts that spread it, describing it as “behaviour that has the potential to lead to offline harm”.
If that wasn’t enough to convince you, last year the FBI classed QAnon as a domestic terror threat.
And it’s not just contained to the US – one apparent supporter was even spotted at a pro-Brexit protest in the UK in March last year..
#Qanon has made it it to the Brexit rally on Whitehall/parliament sq pic.twitter.com/zGSu72A46B — Henry Langston (@Henry_Langston) March 29, 2019
So what the hell is QAnon? Well, let us take you down the rabbit hole...
It all began with one mysterious comment...
During a press conference in October 2017, President Trump – stood alongside US military top brass – said: “You know what this all represents? Maybe it’s the calm before the storm. Could be, the calm. The calm before the storm.”
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TRUMP: "Maybe it's the calm before the storm."
...
REPORTER: "What storm Mr. President?"
TRUMP: "You'll find out." (via Satellite News) pic.twitter.com/bWMzGrDPNa — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 5, 2017
Despite being pressed by reporters, Trump didn’t elaborate on his ambiguous warning.
In a normal world, this would have been the end of it – another bizarre comment from a president famous for making bizarre comments.
But this isn’t a normal world.
The tweet, posted in 2017, came at a deeply divisive moment in American politics, where fake news was on the rise and conspiracy theories were running rife. It was seized upon by the darkest recesses of the internet, and was transformed into the story that drives QAnon.
Who started it?
An anonymous person, or perhaps a small group, known as Q, who claims to be a government insider with secret knowledge about what is going on in the upper echelons of the US government.
They first surfaced on the website 4chan, a few weeks after Trump’s comment. The site is known one of the darker and more disturbing corners of the internet, where extremism is rife.
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Q, or Q Clearance Patriot, to give them their full name, started a thread titled “Calm Before The Storm” and over subsequent weeks and months they laid out what would become QAnon.
What’s with the weird name?
“Q Clearance” is a reference to the highest level of security clearance in the US government, with access to government secrets.
If there really are aliens in Roswell, this person would know about it. Unless they’re fibbing of course....
What other proof is there that Q is who they say they are?
None. Aside from the name and posts like the one below, Q has offered up no proof whatsoever that they are who they say they are.
QAnon 4Chan
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OK, so what does Q say?
The overall gist is that Trump is trying to save America from a deep state network led by the likes of Hillary Clinton, former president Barack Obama and billionaire financier George Soros.
Q releases information in vague and cryptic posts called “breadcrumbs” which their followers piece together, hence they are known as “bakers”. The end result? Theories called “dough”.
A cracking example of this occurred in June 2018, when a long-exposure camera picked up the light on an air ambulance over Whidbey Island near Seattle, creating a moody shot of the morning clouds with a bright streak on the left-hand side.
But what else does it look a little bit like? A missile. Q posted the pic with the caption: “This is not a game. Certain events were not suppose [sic] to take place.”
QAnon 8Chan
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Enter the bakers, who quickly deduced it was a plot to shoot down Air Force One and kill the president.
The fact that I am having a meeting is a major loss for the U.S., say the haters & losers. We have our hostages, testing, research and all missle launches have stoped, and these pundits, who have called me wrong from the beginning, have nothing else they can say! We will be fine! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 11, 2018
And yeah, you can guess what Q’s followers read into that...
Some researchers claim the object in sky is the cone of a missile, next to AF1?
Attempted assassination? UFO?
"Missile stopped"
Stopped by our own submarine? Or was our submarine hacked, used to launch a missile?
Note:
"Launch" from Whidbey Island was Sunday 6/10 3:56am#Qanon pic.twitter.com/W80fz4HztP — Melanie Lauren (@Sweetemmilyn) June 13, 2018
Here are a few more specific claims Q and their followers have made:
Perhaps one of the most incredible claims is that Robert Mueller’s Special Counsel investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, was actually instigated by Trump himself.
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According to the QAnon version of events, Trump pretended to collude in order to recruit Mueller to secretly investigate the Democrats who are, if you’ll remember, mostly paedophiles.
Q’s followers were convinced the Mueller investigation would actually end with the indictments of Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama among others, but the fact this didn’t happen hasn’t put any of them off.
Surely no one actually believes all this?
Alas, they do. And they’re not just tinfoil-hat wearing people confined to their basements.
Here’s Tammy, an adherent who in another video filmed at a Trump rally claims she is a family doctor, explaining why she’s a Q acolyte in a video that recently went viral on Twitter.
“Remember this moment. Please remember where you were and the circumstances the very first time you asked who, or what, is Q?
“And here’s why: Q is you. And Q is me. Q is logic. Q is a plan to save the world. Q is not a secret, but Q is secretive. Carefully-crafted, secret information that anyone can have access to.
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“Q will one day be in every history book. Q is the best thing that has ever happened to you. So remember, remember this moment, permanently.”
A QAnon follower explains how she responds when somebody asks her "What is Q?" pic.twitter.com/jDtZpjBRL7 — Travis View (@travis_view) August 6, 2019
OK Tammy.
Even more worryingly, QAnon adherents are even making their way in to the upper levels of the US Republican party.
Take Angela Stanton King for example. She’s running for the US House of Representatives and is being funded by Republicans.
She’s also met, been retweeted and even pardoned by Donald Trump.
While she denies believing in QAnon, she has regularly tweeted its slogan and also tweets things like this:
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Good morning,
How many of you think this is still about Trump being a racist and not the Globbal elite pedophiles trafficking children...
THE GLOVES ARE OFF!!! #SAVETHECHILDERN — Angela Stanton King 🇺🇸 (@theangiestanton) July 11, 2020
TRUTH BOMB 💣
This isn’t about COVID 19 or BLACK LIVES MATTER. This is a major cover up for PEDOPHILIA and HUMAN TRAFFICKING. — Angela Stanton King 🇺🇸 (@theangiestanton) July 16, 2020
So what’s the big deal if a few people believe this?
Well, we’ll hand over to the FBI to explain this one, who last year designated the movement a domestic terror threat – that’s how seriously they’re taking it.
“The FBI assesses these conspiracy theories very likely will emerge, spread, and evolve in the modern information marketplace, occasionally driving both groups and individual extremists to carry out criminal or violent acts.”
So in sum, these aren’t your average “the moon landings were faked” conspiracy theorists, the US authorities are concerned some may use the story in order to perpetrate and justify violence.
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QAnon Statista
And there’s precedent. QAnon is seen as an offshoot of the PizzaGate conspiracy in which a false claim that Hillary Clinton was running a child trafficking network from the basement of of a pizza shop in Washington DC escalated into an almost fatal conclusion.
On December 4 2016, Edgar Welch decided to check the rumours for himself and armed with an assault rifle, drove from North Carolina and fired shots into the restaurant.
No one was hurt and Welch gave himself up to police after finding no evidence of child slaves being held there.
Despite it being absolute nonsense, PizzaGate still has its adherents, most notably Robbie Williams.
Holy shit, Robbie Williams is a PizzaGate truther https://t.co/Hgt6MYZLyQ — Chris York (@ChrisDYork) June 24, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--£1,000 Bounty To Find Racist Who Defaced George Floyd Mural In Manchester

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A George Floyd mural in Manchester was defaced overnight with racist graffiti – with a £1,000 bounty being offered to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Sacha Lord, founder of The Warehouse Project and a Greater Manchester night-time economy adviser, said in a tweet the “scumbag” that painted the N-word over the artwork “does not represent Manchester”.
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He added: “The good news is the area is hugely condensed with CCTV. I’ll offer up £1,000 for any info leading to an arrest. DMs open.”
I cannot believe someone has sprayed a racist comment across the George Floyd mural in the Northern Quarter. The scumbag does not represent Manchester. The good news is the area is hugely condensed with CCTV. I'll offer up £1000 for any info leading to an arrest. DM's open. — Sacha Lord (@Sacha_Lord) July 22, 2020
The portrait by street artist Akse was painted in Manchester’s Stevenson Square in the weeks following the death of George Floyd on May 25.
Greater Manchester Police have launched an investigation into the graffiti, but have yet to arrest anyone.
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Councillor Nigel Murphy, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, described the act as “utterly sickening”, adding: “We are currently reviewing CCTV footage in the area and we will do everything we can to find out who committed this abhorrent crime.
“Manchester is a place that celebrates our diversity and we will not tolerate hate in our city.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--Minister Tries To Quell Fears Cummings Could Interfere With Intel Committee

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Coronavirus has changed everything. Make sense of it all with the Waugh Zone, our evening politics briefing. Sign up now.
A senior minister has attempted to quell fears that Boris Johnson’s top adviser Dominic Cummings could interfere with the work of the independent intelligence and security committee (ISC).
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Following the publication of its long-delayed Russia report on Tuesday, ISC chair Julian Lewis raised concerns about claims Cummings attempted to sack officials supporting the committee and replace them with political appointees.
The ISC works differently from other parliamentary committees due to the sensitivity of its work scrutinising the intelligence agencies, with the government taking a role in the nomination of its members, who then elect a chair. The committee is supported by an independent secretariat.
Under repeated pressure from MPs, security minister James Brokenshire said he did not want to see the independence of the ISC being called into question.
It comes after Boris Johnson rejected the Russia report’s key recommendation – that the government should assess whether Moscow tried to meddle in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
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Lewis also angered Downing Street last week and was sacked from the Tory Party when he moved to take the committee’s chair ahead of the government’s favoured candidate Chris Grayling, with the help of Labour and SNP votes.
During an urgent question in the Commons on Wednesday, Lewis called for a categorical commitment that political special advisers like Cummings would not interfere in the committee’s work.
Dr Julian Lewis MP has a question about party political special advisers. I wonder who he means? pic.twitter.com/4QHxEvNQa9 — Zolan Quobble #FBPE see #p48 #UndoTheCoup (@zolq) July 22, 2020
The now-independent MP said: “The Russia report could not have been produced to this high standard without the dedication, the expertise and above all the objectivity of the ISC’s brilliant staff, some of whom I’ve worked with previously.
“Yet according to the journalist, Tim Walker, some people within the government tried to sack the secretariat and make political appointments.
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“Will my right honourable friend, as I still regard him, resist the temptation to fob us off with cliches about not believing everything you read in the media, and give this House now a categorical commitment that no party political special advisers will be allowed anywhere near the intelligence and security committee?”
Brokenshire responded: “He will recall that he and I shared the bill committee establishing the ISC and he will know the weight and consideration I give to it and indeed the work of those officials and those who work to support its activities, its inquiries and its investigations.
“He can certainly have my assurances as to the weight and the support that I give to his committee.
“I commend the work of the previous committee that has produced this report which is subject to this urgent question.
“I’d also commend all members of the committee for the work, the robust and rigorous work, that I know that they will do during the course of this parliament.”
Liberal Democrat former government chief whip then insisted that Brokenshire “did not answer the question” from Lewis.
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Brokenshire responded: “I was very clear as to the weight and the importance of the independent scrutiny that the ISC provides and why from my perspective and the government’s perspective we will always examine and reflect carefully on the incredibly important work and the importance of that being conducted in the independent way that the ISC has always fulfilled its role and responsibility.”
Labour MP and Commons home affairs committee chair Yvette Cooper then urged Brokenshire to “rule out any attempt at government interference in the work of the ISC, any political appointments to its secretariat, any special advisers to be appointed”.
Brokenshire replied: “I’m very clear on the need for independence by the ISC as I have responded to in previous questions.
“Certainly I do not want to see the sense of that question of its independence being drawn into any doubt.
“It is important that the ISC is independent and rigorous and the right honourable lady can have my assurance in terms of the steps that I take to uphold that.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--We're Getting Sunburnt In The Pandemic. Don't Forget To Wear Sunscreen.

RobertoDavid via Getty Images
You’re reading our series Summer’s Not Cancelled, where we celebrate summer in this new normal. From rediscovering nature and cherishing time with friends and family, to virtual festivals and unforgettable staycations – summer’s still here, it’s just different.
Two in five Brits have spent more time outdoors in the sun during the pandemic, compared to the same time last year. So what impact is this having on our skin?
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A YouGov survey, commissioned by Cancer Research UK and Nivea Sun, found that while Brits are good at applying sun cream for days out and activities, they aren’t taking steps to protect themselves from the sun when they’re at home.
The survey of 2,060 UK adults found more than a third don’t take care in strong sun in their own outside spaces – such as gardens and balconies. This means not using sun cream, wearing sun hats, or sitting in the shade. But when they’re going to the beach, visiting a park, or going on a picnic, they’re more likely to keep their skin protected.
Adults aren’t applying sunscreen often enough, either. Only 60% of those who use sunscreen apply it before going out in the sun, the survey found, and 37% take it with them to apply throughout the day. Some respondents (7%) admitted they don’t do anything to protect their skin when the sun is strong.
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With more people exercising outside and spending time in the garden due to Covid-19, Cancer Research UK is urging people to use sun protection.
Claire Knight, the charity’s senior health information manager, says confusion and myths about sun safety could be putting people at risk of skin damage. “The sun isn’t only strong abroad,” she explains. “It can be strong enough to cause damage in the UK from the start of April to the end of September.
“So even if it doesn’t feel that warm, or it’s a cloudy day, it’s still possible to get burnt.”
Risk of sunburn varies from person to person, and sun damage can look different depending on skin type – for people with darker skin types, their skin might feel hot or itchy rather than change colour.
Getting sunburnt just once every two years triples the risk of melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer. There are two main types of skin cancer: melanoma – which is less common but more serious, as it can spread to other organs in the body – and non-melanoma, the more common type of skin cancer.
Statistics published last year showed melanoma skin cancer rates in the UK have soared by 45% over the course of a decade, with young people also developing the disease. Rates have increased by more than a third (35%) for women and 55% for men – and while melanoma is still more common in those over 65, rates for 25 to 49-year-olds have increased by 70% since the 1990s.
So if you’re spending more time outdoors during lockdown, it’s really important that you protect your skin. There are easy ways to do this, says Knight. For example, using a gazebo or a beach umbrella for shade in the garden and taking regular breaks inside when the sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm.
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“When you’re heading out pop on a T-shirt, hat and sunglasses and pack some sunscreen so you can keep it topped up throughout the day,” she says.
You should regularly and generously apply sun cream with at least SPF 15 and 4 or more stars, even when it’s cloudy – and remember to do your eyelids too, as these are frequently missed.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-22--I'm A Social Worker. Coronavirus Has Been Cruel On The Already Struggling Families I Work With

Colourful silhouettes of people wearing protective face masks against infection smartboy10 via Getty Images
“It’s cancer”.
These two words have the power to turn any life upside down, let alone those of the twelve children and young people sent spinning with these words every single day, from babies and toddlers who have no idea what is going on to teenagers dealing with a life-threatening illness at that tumultuous time of adolescence. Cancer is indiscriminate, and it is terrifying.
Then, there are their parents, their siblings, their school, their college, their friends, their family. Those two words have the power to turn so many lives upside down and affect not only the child’s health, but every aspect of their life.
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That’s where my role comes in. As a CLIC Sargent paediatric oncology social worker, I support and coordinate non-medical needs for children, young people and their families. I am there from diagnosis, throughout treatment, recovery and, if needed, bereavement support.
A child’s cancer diagnosis has a huge impact on the entire family. It is like a tidal wave that knocks you off your feet. At first, it’s the realisation of medication, hospitals and treatment that hits you. Then, it starts to crash past into all aspects of life; work, school, friends, relationships and finances. Your life becomes dominated by treatment and everything else is put on hold. It can feel like this unwanted and utterly uninvited disease becomes your identity and dilutes all other parts of you. Can you still go to work? What will happen about school? How will we tell their brother or sister? What will we do about paying for petrol and car park fees?
“Adding in a worldwide pandemic for the families I work with to navigate is just cruel.”
As a social worker, it’s my job to help with this collateral, and minimise the damage caused beyond the child’s health. To be an emotional support to the whole family, piece together their education, get access to finances, help to navigate benefit systems, support with housing, immigration and employment during an unimaginable situation for most.
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Adding in a worldwide pandemic for the families I work with to navigate is just cruel. The coronavirus crisis has created a whole new layer of threat, worry, stress and complexities to an already challenging situation. Not only are families having to deal with the ‘normal’ issues, they now have so much more to think about. Some families have to be in isolation for 12 weeks (and in some cases up to 12 months) to protect their children’s lives. I am increasingly collecting food packages for families through charity partners and local community action groups, just so children undergoing cancer treatment are fed. Employment issues have led to more families requiring financial support. We have also been advocating for the rights of working parents who need to shield, which means keeping up with the rapidly-changing government policies.
As the level of support given increases, the way we deliver it has had to drastically change. It’s been too risky to continue providing this support face-to-face so, like everyone else in the country, we have had to adapt. CLIC Sargent had to quickly find new equipment such as tablets and laptops so social workers across the UK could work from home.
“It can feel impersonal providing this support from afar. It’s no way near as effective as supporting families in person.”
Instead of seeing families in hospital wards, we’re now providing support virtually through phone and video calls. This means no longer holding their hands through difficult conversations, offering emotional support or spending time with children to help them understand what is going on.
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One of the hardest adjustments is trying to support patients for whom there isn’t a cure. My heart breaks for the families whose children will not survive, and are now unable to make precious memories due to the restrictions either. I am doing my best to reduce the impact of this and am trying to make those wishes happen, but it’s tough. And for the families whose children are receiving end of life care, the restrictions may mean the whole family being unable to spend those last, precious moments together.
It can feel impersonal providing this support from afar. It’s no way near as effective as supporting families in person. However, being able to continue supporting young cancer patients’ families remains our focus. We can’t imagine not being able to provide this support and doing it virtually is better than not at all.
Ideally, I hope to return to the wards as safely and as soon as possible but even if the restrictions mean I can’t be there in person, I am pleased I can still continue to tell children and families; “I am with you, I will be with you throughout this and I will help you figure out what happens next”.
Since the start of the pandemic, CLIC Sargent, which relies 100% on voluntary donations, has seen a 60% fall in income. We’ve had to put almost all our fundraising events on hold, leaving an £8million drop in income we need for things like homes near hospitals where families can stay for free, grants to help pay for essentials and even social workers like me.
While there is not a physical shoulder to cry on, our families know we are only a phone call away. Coronavirus will not stop social workers like me being there for families who need us.
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Anna Regan is a social worker with CLIC Sargent. For more information on their work, click here.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Taylor Swift Announces Surprise New Album Recorded In Lockdown

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Taylor Swift has surprised fans with the announcement of a brand new album.
The US singer’s latest release, Folklore, will be available from tonight (23 July) and comes just one year after her last release, Lover.
Taylor Swift Neilson Barnard via Getty Images
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“I’ll be releasing my entire brand new album of songs I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into,” the singer wrote on Instagram.
The singer revealed that despite writing and recording the album in isolation, she got to collaborate with “musical heroes” of hers, including The National’s Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver and Jack Antonoff.
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“Before this year,” she wrote, “I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed. My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world.”
She concludes her post: “That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with. Love you guys so much.”
Taylor also revealed that she had filmed a video for the album’s first single, Cardigan.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Demi Lovato Announces Engagement To Max Ehrich: : 'I'm Ecstatic'

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Singer and actor Demi Lovato has announced she’s engaged and is “honoured” to accept Max Ehrich’s “hand in marriage.”
“I love you more than a caption could express but I’m ecstatic to start a family and life with you,” Demi wrote to her fiancé under a gallery of romantic beach proposal photos from Malibu, California.
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“When I was a little girl, my birth dad always called me his ‘little partner’ - something that might’ve sounded strange without his southern cowboy like accent,” Demi said. “To me it made perfect sense. And today that word makes perfect sense again but today I’m officially going to be someone else’s partner.”
Demi – the former Disney Channel star who recently appeared in Will Ferrell’s Eurovision Song Contest – and Max got together in March, Entertainment Tonight reported.
Demi popped into the frame while Max – perhaps best known for multiple seasons on The Young and the Restless – performed an Instagram Live session during the coronavirus lockdown to make their relationship Insta-official.
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Their pairing went a bit more public in May, when they shared a kiss in Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber’s Stuck With U music video, People noted.
The Sorry Not Sorry singer gushed about Max in her engagement Insta. “I knew I loved you the moment I met you,” she said, adding that she’s never felt “so unconditionally loved.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--UK-EU Trade Deal Currently 'Unlikely', Says Michel Barnier

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A post-Brexit UK-EU trade deal is currently “unlikely” to be reached, Michel Barnier has said.
UK and EU negotiators have not yet reached any agreement following intensified talks between the two sides in July.
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Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Barnier said the two sides had until “October at the latest” to strike a deal or risk the imposition of quotas and tariffs from January 1 next year.
“This means that we only a few weeks left and that we should not waste it,” the EU’s chief negotiator said. “There are risks of no deal.
“By its current refusal to commit to the condition of open and fair competition, and to a balanced agreement on fisheries, the UK makes a trade agreement at this point unlikely.”
Barnier sad the UK was “effectively seeking for near-total exclusion of fishing vessels from the UK’s water” which was “simply unacceptable”.
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The UK’s chief EU negotiator, David Frost, agreed “considerable gaps remain in the most difficult areas”, including fishing, following the latest round of talks.
“We have always been clear that our principles in these areas are not simple negotiating positions but expressions of the reality that we will be a fully independent country at the end of the transition period,” he said.
The UK is currently in a transition period which sees it continue to abide by EU rules.
This period comes to a close at the end of the year and Boris Johnson has ruled out extending it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Gemma Collins' Manifesto For Becoming Prime Minister Could Not Be More GC If She Tried

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Gemma Collins has revealed her manifesto for if she were to ever run for prime minister – and let’s just say, her policies could not be any more GC.
The reality star believes she could do a better job than Boris Johnson by “making things a lot more fun” and inventing a money tree, it seems.
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Speaking about the changes she’d make to the country on her Radio 1 podcast, Gemma also said that everyone having a swimming pool was “a bog standard necessity”.
Gemma Collins SIPA USA/PA Images
She said: “I think my ideal future is that everyone could have endless money, so everyone could have whatever they want. Sunshine every day, ice creams for free, everyone has to have a swimming pool – a bog standard necessity – we’d only work three days a week and then you could party the rest and you still got the same salary.“
She also has plans to ban animal cruelty, increase holidays and promote the coverage of happy news so people don’t “have to think about bad things”.
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The self-proclaimed Essex diva also has designs on 10 Downing Street, revealing she would be changing the colour of the iconic black door were it to become her home.
She continued: “Obviously Downing Street wouldn’t know what hit them. I’d make sure my door at Downing Street was pink.
“And I wouldn’t be coming out doing any bog standard boring announcements.
“When the GC rolls out to make an announcement to her people, she’d be coming along a pink carpet, there would be music, there would be a glass of champagne as I was delivering a message to the nation.“
How we imagine Gemma's prime ministerial addresses might look like Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
She added: “That would be a good future for everyone. So GC for Prime Minister, move over Boris, the GC is in town.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--200 Covid Test Walk-In Centres To Be Built To Prepare UK For Second Spike

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More than 200 new city-centre coronavirus testing centres are to be set up by the government in a bid to ensure everyone in urban areas is within a 30-minute walk of a test.
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The fresh “ambition” set by NHS Test and Trace will be allied to Boris Johnson’s latest target of increasing testing capacity to half a million tests per day by the end of October.
At present just 15 walk-in centres exist, but the mass expansion will be part of a plan to ensure the UK is prepared for a possible second spike of Covid-19 this winter, along with the seasonal flu outbreaks.
“At least a couple of hundred” new walk-in centres are planned to be created between now and the end of October.
The new aim of ensuring every city and town dweller is within half an hour’s walk of a test by October 31 will be accompanied by a separate target to ensure those in rural areas are also 30 minutes by car from a testing centre.
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Most of the walk-in centres have shown a rapid turnaround time for results that far exceeds that of home testing kits, and are seen as more convenient for vulnerable and poorer citizens who don’t have a car.
Each of the centres, which will be accessible by foot or by cycle and will be Covid-secure, will have the capacity to test hundreds of people in one day.
Home testing won’t be scrapped, but it is expected to mainly service those patients waiting for negative Covid tests before going to hospital for routine operations.
A new “Lighthouse Laboratory” in Newport was also unveiled by the NHS as part of the drive to ramp up its testing capacity.
The new moves came as NHS Test and Trace posted its best figures since its creation six weeks ago.
The latest figures for the week between July 9 and July 15 showed that of the 3,887 people who had their positive Covid case transferred to the contact tracing system, 3,098 (79.7%) were reached and asked to provide details of close contacts.
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And of the 16,742 people identified as coming into close contact with someone who has tested positive, 13,034 people (77.9%) were reached and asked to self-isolate – an increase from 72.0% the previous week.
Both figures are now close to the 80% contacts that the government’s Sage committee of scientific advisers recommended as being crucial to make the whole system viable.
However, the average figures nationwide mask some concerning low rates of contacts in some of the poorest areas of England, including Blackburn which now has the highest per capita cases of coronavirus. Just around 50% of local contacts in the Lancashire town are being reached.
HuffPost UK understands that the government is looking at what extra financial help can be given to workers who fear that self-isolating for a fortnight would hit them in the pocket.
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Australia’s Victoria state announced overnight that workers who cannot afford to take time off while waiting for a Covid-19 test result will now be eligible for an AU$300 (US$215) hardship payment. The payment will be for those who cannot access sick pay.
In the UK, millions of workers are ineligible for statutory sick pay, which is set at around £95 a week – a level that health secretary Matt Hancock has admitted he could not live on.
Problems with the NHS Test and Trace continue on test turnaround times.
The proportion of people receiving their Covid-19 result within 24 hours of being tested at a regional site or mobile testing unit – a so-called “in-person” test – fell for the second week in a row.
Some 71.4% of people received the result within 24 hours in the week ending July 15, down from 87.7% in the week to July 8 and 90.7% in the week to July 1.
Boris Johnson last month pledged to get the results of all in-person tests back within 24 hours by the end of June.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--5 Powerful Mental Health Photos And The Stories Behind Them

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Warning: this article covers issues including sexual abuse, depression, addiction and violence against marginalised communities.
“There has been a stigma around black men and mental health and we have to break it by being open about our experiences,” says Benji Reid, a Manchester-based photographer living with depression and post traumatic stress disorder – or PTSD.
Reid captured a powerful shot of himself as an astronaut, tethered to his daughter while she sat playing on her phone, to convey the strength of their father-daughter relationship and how she is a pillar of stability and comfort.
Both of them are engaged in acts of escapism – she through her phone, and he as a “broken astronaut” floating up into the air. He’s tethered to her, and the simple, comforting fact of her presence keeps him in the real world.
After a particularly difficult period for his mental health, Reid said he created this image as a “love note” to his daughter for being there in his time of need. It’s also a visual representation of how supportive relationships can be lifesaving.
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Benji Reid / benjireid.com 'Holding onto Daddy'
“I wanted to play with the reversal of roles in the family, as a child nonchalantly plays on her phone but provides stability and comfort in the face of turbulence and precariousness,” says Reid, of the shot which has been shortlisted for the Wellcome Photography Prize 2020.
The prize aims to celebrate images that tell visual stories about the health challenges of our time, combatting taboos and bringing complex issues to life to show how health affects society.
Reid’s photo, submitted in the Mental Health single image category, will be assessed by a panel of six judges, with the winners announced on August 19. Winners of each category will receive £1,250, while the overall winner will receive £15,000.
“Making this image has given me license to talk to a wider audience about PTSD and depression without shame,” says Reid.
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Another of the shortlisted images is shot by photographer Tom Merilion, an open water swimmer, who admits for most of his life he hasn’t come face to face with mental health issues – either personally or through the people he knows.
Other swimmers had spoken to him about how cold water swimming was beneficial for mental wellbeing, so he wanted to find out more. He perused various Facebook groups to see if anyone was keen to tell their stories.
“Nina was one of the swimmers who got back to me. I wanted to see her in the river where she regularly swims in Scotland,” he recalls.
“We shot early in the morning, the water was below 5 degrees, and there was an amazing mist as the sun rose. I got in close to shoot her portrait and asked her to close her eyes. I noticed that her reflection was creating interesting distortions in the water. The elements came together: the mist, her expression, her reflection and her purple woolly hat.”
Tom Merilion 'Nina, 3 Degrees'
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Nina has anxiety and severe depression, and swims in cold water each day to try and ease her mind. It gives her a way to gain confidence and energy – she also sees it as an alternative treatment to medication.
“It makes all my senses feel alive no matter how dead inside I feel going in. I notice natural life, the seasons and the weather, the way the water is moving around me, and importantly it makes me feel like I am actually capable and can achieve amazing things,” she says.
Merilion photographed Nina while she swam in the River Spey in Scotland. “To see Nina and the other swimmers I met use cold water swimming as a natural cure or a way to relieve the symptoms of their illnesses was truly inspirational,” he says. “Taking someone’s portrait is a collaboration and I felt honoured that Nina let me in and had talked very openly about her life and issues.”
Another of the shortlisted photos, titled ‘Unspoken’, was taken back in 2005 by Spanish photographer Lorena Ros. It shows Irene, then 22, sitting on the corner of a bed in the house where she was abused by a close family member.
“When I started this photography series, I was working on abuse and sexual abuse in developing countries far away from my home country,” says Ros, “and then I realised no one was talking about it in my own home country of Spain.
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“This particular image came about because I was looking for a space where the survivor felt comfortable having their story told. I was surprised at how open survivors were in telling me their stories – I wanted their stories to be heard, not in a sensationalised way as they often are in the media, but in a more real and respectful way.”
Lorena Ros 'Unspoken'
Ros wants people to know that child sex abuse is perpetuated by the silence around it. “There’s shame there, so perpetrators get away with it. This makes telling these stories even more important.”
Irene found group therapy helpful, and, years later, she is still friends with the women she met there and building a life that isn’t defined by her abuse.
“I want people to realise survivors are regular people and that they can carry on ordinary lives,” says Ros. “As soon as they talk about it and get rid of that shame and understand that it wasn’t their fault, they can break away from it. But they will carry around the feeling that it is their fault until they do.”
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Camila Falcão 'Téo'
Many of the photos submitted in the series are a reminder that poor mental health and indeed, mental illness, do not exist in a vacuum.
Téo – a poet, actor and cultural producer – is a transgender man who was photographed by Camila Falcão as part of her project ‘Across, in Between and Beyond’. In Brazil, where Téo lives, transgender people face overt political and social prejudice, and sometimes violence – one survey ranked Brazil as the world’s deadliest country for the trans community.
But trans people face persecution and stigma in countries across the world – including in the UK – ranging from name-calling and threats to intimidation and physical assault. They are also more likely to have mental health problems. A 2018 report from Stonewall found almost half of trans people had thought of taking their own life in the past year.
The last photo shortlisted in the 2020 awards is of Amber Lynn Nichols, then 24, who was photographed last year by Jeffrey Stockbridge, based in Philadelphia, not long after coming off heroin. Stockbridge was working on a photography series about addiction in north Philadelphia when Nichols got in touch.
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“A week later, I met Amber at her apartment in a suburb of Philadelphia and we recorded an interview and made a few photographs,” he recalls. “I remember seeing a cherry blossom tree outside her apartment and knew that this fleeting moment of beauty that symbolises growth and new life would be a perfect element to include in the picture.”
Jeffrey Stockbridge 'Amber Lynn Nichols, 24 Years Old, 3 Months off Heroin'
She spent a whole year clean, which ended when she was prescribed pain medication after an injury. “I should have known better than to take opioids, but oh well. You live and you learn,” she says. Nichols, who has struggled with addiction and mental health issues since she was 11, plans to become a drug and alcohol counsellor so she can help others living with addiction.
The message Stockbridge wants people to take away from the photo is that relapse is often a part of recovery. “It is rare that someone who is addicted to heroin is able to achieve a long lasting recovery on their first try,” he says. “As many people suffering from addiction will tell you, addiction is a disease that requires a life-long effort, dedication, and the support from many in order to maintain sobriety.
“Sharing your story can be a powerful tool toward recovery. Amber has shown tremendous courage by sharing the personal details of her battle with mental heath issues and substance use disorder. Having an outlet for these really tough stories that are difficult to digest, and getting it out into the world, not only benefits the person who is sharing but has the potential to benefit other people who are struggling.
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“The stories that we tell ourselves have the potential to change our future.”
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on rethink.org.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Netflix's Indian Matchmaking Erases Whole Swathes Of Our Community

Netflix's Indian Matchmaking erases people like me, Dan Hastings writes. Screenshot
“I want someone who isn’t too dark, you know, fair-skinned,” says Richa, a 30-year-old Californian, to Sima Taparia in the final episode of Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking.
Released on July 16, 2020, the show follows Mumbai’s star matchmaker Taparia in India and the US, advising Indian Millenials as they search for a life partner.
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Merging Netflix’s obsession with dating programmes and the recent success of Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever (viewed by 40 million households around the world in its first four weeks on the platform), the show is already in the platform Top 10 in the UK.
Clearly, it appeals to a public either interested in the fantasy that is arranged marriages in the age of Tinder, or just looking for an entertaining dating programme with love, drama and good looking people.
However, as a South Asian man myself, I could not help but notice how the show chose to turn a blind eye to the problematic discourse depicted onscreen. Richa asking for a fair skinned partner with enthusiasm didn’t even make me blink because in each episode we witness Taparia, her clients and their parents referencing their fondness for light skin.
Colourism – the hatred of darker skin tones – is such an issue in South Asia that beauty giants Unilever and L’Oréal chose to change the name of their skin whitening products rather than taking them off the shelves. It would be too bad for business.
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Even though Taparia’s market is broader than the South Asian continent, her services seem limited to wealthy Indian families and upper middle-class Americans. In Mumbai, self-titled “eligible bachelor” Pradhyuman’s closet protected by a fingerprint lock sets the tone. His mum looking for a girl from the same background isn’t surprising given they live in the Indian caste system.
In Houston, Texas, lawyer Aparna goes on a date with a 40-year-old podcast host who only recently left his parents’ house. “Srini the loser”, as her mom calls him, isn’t good enough. In an individualist and capitalist America, casteism is morphed into classism for second and third-generation Indian immigrants. Looking for someone from the same class background seems an acceptable criterion just as being “fit”, “trim”, “tall”, “Hindu”, “Sikh” or “vegetarian”.
When 25-year-old Akshay candidly admits that he has never been in love, and spent his time outside of India only studying in Boston, I was very intrigued. We had the perfect example of the Indian son who does everything his mum asks him to do, from getting a degree abroad to going back home to work in the family business.
I too never got the time to fall in love in uni because my parents sent me to France to study and come back to take over their hotel afterwards. It turned out I rebelled and chose another path, but Akshay did not. He seems to be imprisoned in the gilded cage he was born in.
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As in any dating show, misogyny and sexism are included with the package. Akshay, while having nothing to say to his possible wife-to-be on their first meeting, wonders: “If she’s busy with her work, who’s gonna take care of the kids and all?”.
Women are also supplying misogyny here. Akshay’s mom says she is the one who gets to decide when her daughter-in-law is supposed to get pregnant. Taparia uses “compromise” as her ultimate rule to the women she coaches, while being way warmer to her male protégés.
“I taught all my clients a guru mantra: compromise and adjust. Isn’t that what we do if our flight is late at the airport? So why don’t we do it in our married lives?” the matchmaker said in an interview with Vogue India.
She describes an American client who is divorced with a child as someone who “cannot fit in some traditional Indian families”. She condones the people who see businesswoman Ankita as non-photogenic and too fat and the ones who look down on Nadia for being Indian-Guyanese.
I was happy to see a TV show tackling the discrimination people like Nadia and I suffer from as descendants of Indian indentured servitude. In the 19th century, our ancestors left India to work in the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean in French and British colonies. Yet no one gets it, and we seem never to be Indian enough in the Asian community and too Indian among our white peers. It might be the only part of the show that dug deeper.
Netflix knows how to produce content representing different sexualities, but sadly here, heterosexuality is the norm, pure and simple. LGBTQ+ South Asians don’t even exist, according to the show. I haven’t seen a programme without a non-heterosexual character in years. But once again, no one seems to care onscreen.
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According to the executive producer in an interview for Jezebel: “Our show is not to admonish people, but hopefully will be a reflection, and hold a mirror up, and say: Let’s talk about what we value and how we need to change and think differently.”
Indian Matchmaking embodies a certain type of entertainment that refuses to challenge the status quo. Yet my feelings, as a dark skinned, fat, queer Indian man did get hurt given the nonexistence of people like me in the programme. It’s another reminder of why I ran away from this community in the first place.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Great British Bake Off Has Already Resumed Filming 'In Deep Secret' Amid Coronavirus Changes

“Unusually I am departing from the Great British Bake Off so I can spend more time with my other work. As my waistline will testify, Bake Off is an all-consuming show.”
Of his appointment, Matt said in a statement: “I’m chuffed to bits to be joining the most delicious show on television. I can’t wait to break bread with Noel, Prue and Paul and meet the brilliant bakers.
“And bearing in mind my love of cake, I’ve already ordered some much larger trousers in anticipation. See you in the tent!”
Judges Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are also believed to be returning for the show’s 11th series, which is due to air on Channel 4 later this year.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--How To Post About Mental Health Without Sounding Like A Heartless Jerk

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We’ve come a long way in recent years when it comes to talking about mental health ― but there remains so, so much more people need to learn.
The proof is in the Twitter discourse occurring this week about Kanye West’s mental health. The artist, who in 2018 revealed he has bipolar disorder, held a rally in South Carolina over the weekend where he made a series of comments about slavery and abortion.
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He has since posted a string of tweets, some of them seemingly addressing his family’s concern over his emotional wellbeing. West said his wife, Kim Kardashian West, and mother-in-law Kris Jenner “tried to fly in with 2 doctors to 51/50 me” (referring to the law for the temporary and involuntary psychiatric hold of individuals who present a danger to themselves or others due to signs of mental illness.) That tweet and many others have since been deleted.
West isn’t the only celebrity whose mental health has become a matter of public discussion lately. People also continue to speculate about Britney Spears’ well-being on her Instagram posts, where many users in comments continuously hurl insults about her mental health.
While many people ― including celebrities ― posted well-intentioned thoughts on social media about West and Spears, others took the opportunity to meme and joke about their behaviour. Terms like “crazy” and “insane” are being thrown around.
The posts were uninformed at best, heartless and ignorant at worst.
The urge people have to post commentary on what’s happening in the world is a main reason Twitter, Instagram and other platforms exist. However, that impulse shouldn’t include a permission slip to be devoid of all compassion ― especially when it comes to mental health. Belittling mental illness to a meme or a quip on Twitter doesn’t make you funny, it makes you a jerk.
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ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images Some posts about rapper Kanye West's behavior this week are proof that many people still lack compassion about mental health.
An estimated 1 in 5 people experience a mental health condition in any one year (but given the global health crisis we’re in, who knows ― there could be an uptick in that). The stigma surrounding mental illness, especially serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, often prevents people from seeking proper help. Disparaging remarks about a celebrity’s mental state on social media only intensify that stigma.
So if you feel compelled to comment on a public figure’s mental health in the future (or anyone’s for that matter), here’s a guide to consider before posting:
Don’t automatically equate certain behaviours with a person’s mental health status
Someone can make misogynistic, racist or absurd comments and not have a mental health issue. Someone can make them and also live with a mental illness.
“I want everyone to know that not all erratic behaviour means there’s a mental health concern. And some folks who appear ‘fine’ are living with mental health diagnoses,” said Racine Henry, a therapist and owner of Sankofa Marriage and Family Therapy in New York.
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“Sometimes people do things without rhyme or reason and that is literally human nature,” Henry continued. “If you’re going to speak on mental health without knowing the topic intimately, you’re in no position to judge a complete stranger, no matter how many of their records you’ve bought or how long you’ve followed them on Instagram.”
Don’t diagnose
Most mental health professionals abide by the Goldwater Rule, which is an ethical standard designed to prevent therapists from diagnosing people who are not their patients, especially in the public. If these experts won’t make a conclusion about someone’s condition from afar, those just observing from outside of the mental health field shouldn’t either.
Not only that, you can be easily deceived by what you think you might be “witnessing,” Henry said.
“I want everyone to know that mental health diagnoses look very different than what you are assuming or even what you may have experienced personally or with someone you know,” Henry said. “It’s impossible to compare because the rules don’t apply across the board. Even when we make diagnoses as professionals, we rely on standard criteria but we also know people don’t fit neatly into categories.”
Avoid stigmatising language
Words hold power. Using terms like “crazy,” “insane,” “overmedicated,” etc. in a casual manner can perpetuate negative stereotypes of mental illness. And those imprecise terms ignore the very real health problems someone might be experiencing.
“Labelling anyone is harmful because it minimises and dismisses their pain. Even among mental health professionals, those words are taboo and problematic,” Henry said. “Part of the problem we have with mental health as a society is that we talk about it and treat it as though it’s not germane to our overall health and wellbeing.”
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“Nobody is crazy or insane,” Henry added. “There are people with mental illnesses and there are people with mental health diagnoses. All of whom deserve respect, adequate treatment and for their dignity to be observed.”
Learn from and lean on experts
“If you’re going to say something, do your research,” Henry said. “Better yet, listen to the actual professionals who have the training and experience to have the conversation.”
There are plenty of mental health professionals on social media who you can amplify during these types of conversations (here are a few accounts to start with). Educate yourself and your followers through their words and guidance.
Share resources
Mental health issues are invisible illnesses that can affect anyone, including your friends, family and followers ― whether or not you know it. So make comments like someone you love will read it. If you want to positively contribute to the conversation, try sharing mental health resources or stories about your own experiences. It also would be helpful to post crisis lines, guides on how to find affordable therapy or other outlets where people can get help.
Don’t blame anyone
In West’s case, some shifted the blame to Kardashian West for not getting him help or controlling the situation. Others chastised West for not accepting help.
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“We need to stop placing blame on the people around them and the person in question, as well,” Henry said. “Mental illness is nobody’s fault and nobody can control another human being.”
You can also just ... not hit post
If you can’t do any of the above, this is a good option. HuffPost editor Phil Lewis summed it up best:
If you don't really know what you're talking about re: mental health, it's okay to not tweet. really — philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 21, 2020
Henry also underscored this point. “I think it’s better to not comment, in most cases,” she said. “We don’t know what that person struggles with every day. We don’t know what their traumas are, even though we assume to know everything about public figures and we don’t know what kind of progress they are making.”
When in doubt, log off, take care of your own mental health and be kind.
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Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
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CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Exclusive: Boris Johnson Told To Fund Cleaners To Keep Classrooms Covid-Secure

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Boris Johnson is facing calls to provide extra funding for school cleaning after a new survey suggested heads were struggling to make premises Covid-secure for pupils ahead of reopening in September.
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Labour, the Greens and trade union Unison all urged education secretary Gavin Williamson to foot the bill for increased cleaning - of toilets, classrooms and toys in nurseries - or force schools in England to cut other services instead.
New government guidance issued this summer states that more rigorous and regular cleansing of classrooms, washrooms and items touched regularly, such as chairs, should be undertaken to limit the infection risk from coronavirus.
All pupils are expected to return in September for the first time since March, but schools minister Nick Gibb has now told MPs that heads and councils “should use their existing resources” when planning to welcome all children back for the autumn.
A newly released survey by Unison, shared exclusively with HuffPost UK, found that nearly three in 10 (29%) staff said there had been no increase in cleaning services since schools went back at the start of June.
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Four in five (81%) of those questioned said non-cleaning staff at their school - often teachers and teaching assistants - were being asked to clean classrooms and items such as chairs and books.
Based on responses from more than 8,000 employees working in primary, nursery and special schools in England, it also found that nearly two thirds (65%) of workers reported that regular cleaning staff were expected to carry out ‘deep cleans’ rather than hand it to specialists.
A fifth (20%) who took part in the survey said cleaners at their school had no access to the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Many English schools have not hired more cleaners despite the extra demands created by Covid-19, Unison found. Other employees such as teaching assistants are having to help clean toilets and sanitise toys, according to the survey.
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More than a quarter of those surveyed by the union (27%) said their cleaning staff had not received specialist training on handling hazardous substances and a similar proportion (26%) said they had not been risk assessed.
Many school cleaners are employed by private firms, often paying only the minimum wage and statutory sick pay.
Unison head of education Jon Richards said: “Cleaning a school properly is a specialist job, yet the workers doing this are often overlooked, underpaid and haven’t been trained for the extra demands.
“Lots more cleaners are needed. Other staff shouldn’t be expected to step in to help out. Teaching assistants are stretched enough as it is. They should be focusing on supporting pupils, not standing in for cleaners.
“Everyone wants to see children back in the classroom, but this must be done safely. Given the extra cleaning needed, the government must give schools the money to employ cleaners with the necessary training and protective kit to keep the whole school safe.”
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Shadow education secretary Kate Green PA
One cleaner in a primary school in Bedfordshire, who did not want to be named. said: “We’re two cleaners down as they’re shielding. It’s unlikely the school will recruit more cleaning staff for September – they and the local authority don’t have the money.”
Another said: “We’ve been scrubbing floors, walls and deep cleaning, even though we’re not deep cleaning specialists.”
“Out of four cleaners, only two have been at work. The workload has trebled and now we have to split our shifts to ensure a cleaner is on site all day.
“Due to the sheer quantity being used, I’m struggling to replace hand soap. I’ve never run out before in my career as a cleaning supervisor. It’s physically and emotionally demanding.”
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Yet another cleaner added: “The teaching staff are cleaning the desks during the day and the midday supervisory assistants are coming in to empty bins and clean toilets at lunchtime.”
Shadow education secretary Kate Green told HuffPost UK: “We want to see every child safely back in school in September, but the government needs a credible plan to make that happen.
“If schools are not given additional resources then children across the country will foot the bill, with resources that should fund their education instead paying for public health measures because the government refuse to do so.
“If the government are serious about getting our children back to school then they will give schools the resources they need to make it happen safely.”
Green MP Caroline Lucas, whose parliamentary question prompted Gibb’s response, said: “Head teachers are telling me that with the time and money, they can do everything being asked of them to get children safely back to school but without it, they cannot.
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“Schools are facing the impossible choice of not deep cleaning, which could put staff and pupils at risk, or cutting other services to fund it. The chronic lack of government strategy and resource in education is one of the long list of failings in the response to Covid, and it’s not acceptable - schools should be a top priority.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Schools and teachers have gone to incredible lengths over recent months to get children back to the classroom, and we are immensely grateful to them.
“Schools are receiving a £2.6 billion boost in funding this year compared with 2019, as we invest over £14 billion in total over the three year period through to 2022-23 - giving every school more money for every child. Our £1 billion Covid catch-up fund will provide additional support to tackle the impact of lost teaching time.
“Throughout the pandemic, schools have continued to receive their core funding while also being able to claim for specific exceptional costs such as additional cleaning required due to confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases.”
The DfE provided an “exceptional costs fund” earlier this year that allowed schools to claim for specific costs incurred between March and July – worth up to £75,000 for large secondary schools. But there appears to be no such extra funding since July.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--1 In 3 Women Asked To Wear More Makeup On Work Video Calls

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One in three women has been asked to wear more makeup or change their hair while working from home, new research suggests, because while we’re interacting through a screen, sexism is alive and well.
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Almost as many women were asked to dress more sexily or provocatively during video calls, according to the research by employment law firm Slater and Gordon.
In general, more than one in three women have experienced at least one sexist workplace demand since the lockdown started in March, the survey of 2,000 men and women found.
The most common ways bosses justified lurid comments about dress included saying it would “help to win new business”, it is important to “look nicer for the team”, and “it would be more pleasing to a client”, according to the study.
Westend61 via Getty Images Young woman sitting on chaiselongue using laptop at home
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The law firm said it had hoped there would be a dramatic decline in reports of sexist behaviour as offices closed down, but that sexism had instead found “new and insidious” ways to thrive online.
Around two out of five women said demands were targeted at them or other women in their teams, rather than equally with male employees, leaving them feeling “objectified, demoralised and self-conscious” about their appearance.
Most women told to dress more provocatively did not report their boss to their HR department, and one in four actually agreed to change the way they looked for fear of a negative impact on their career.
Slater and Gordon employment lawyer Danielle Parsons said: “It is categorically wrong for a manager or anyone in a position of power to suggest, even politely, for a woman to be more sexually appealing in the workplace.
“This is a powerful form of coercion which makes women feel as if they must adhere to the manager’s request and be more visually pleasing to be successful at their job. This is demeaning to women.”
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Slater and Gordon urged women to report any demands to change their appearance to their HR department, or seek legal advice.
Sue Harris, legal director of the GMB union, said: “The way women are treated in our society is absolutely reflected in the findings of this poll.
“Nobody ever considers what a man looks like or suggests he change appearance for the purposes of a team call.”
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Sexism and harassment at work has a huge impact on women’s lives, even during a pandemic. Trade union reps can help members who experience it, but we need better laws to stop it happening in the first place.
“Ministers should strengthen the law by giving employers a legal duty to prevent sexual harassment at work. This would help put an end to toxic workplaces where sexism and harassment are an everyday experience for women.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Russian-Linked Donors Give Tories Money Simply Out Of 'Admiration', Says Minister

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Wealthy Russian-linked donors give money to the Conservative Party simply out of “admiration” for Tory ministers, Brandon Lewis has claimed.
The Northern Ireland secretary is reported to have received £25,000 from Lubov Chernukhin, a banker and the wife of President Vladimir Putin’s former deputy finance minister, and £23,000 from Alexander Temerko, a former chief of a Russian arms company.
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According to The Times another 13 cabinet ministers have also received large sums of money.
Lewis, a former Tory party chair, defended the donations as “properly declared”.
“I think we need to be fairly clear about this so we don’t get the facts wrong – these are British citizens,” he told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme on Thursday morning. “We do not accept funds from foreign nationals.
“I would absolutely defend the right of any British citizen, including the people you’ve outlined who have donated to myself and others, to play their full part in our democracy.
“That doesn’t just mean voting, that means supporting, if they want to, political parties and political candidates, and I’m very proud of the fact that, as a country, we allow British citizens to do that.”
Asked if he thought the donors “just do it for love of the Conservative Party and admiration of individual ministers”, Lewis said: “I think they do.”
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“You think hard-nosed businessmen and women give hundreds of thousands of pounds of their hard earned money simply because they are lost in admiration for the Conservative party?” Lewis was asked.
He said: “We see donations coming in from people across British society.
“I defend all British citizens’ rights to promote, support and vote for whichever party they want to.”
It comes after the government was accused of being too slow to recognise the potential threat posed by Russia to British democratic processes.
In a damning report, parliament’s intelligence and security committee said the government did not properly consider whether Moscow could interfere in the Brexit referendum until after the event.
The government has said there was “no evidence” of successful Russian interference but the committee – which oversees the work of Britain’s spies – suggested that there was no proper investigation.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Liam Payne Reveals The Very First Message He Sent To His Dad After One Direction Were Formed

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Liam Payne marked One Direction’s 10th anniversary by revealing the first message he sent to his dad after the band were formed.
On 23 July 2010, Liam and bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan were put together during filming of the X Factor bootcamp after failing to make it through to Judges Houses as solo artists.
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With much hype on social media surrounding the band’s anniversary, Liam posted a screenshot of the text he sent his father telling him that he was now part of a band.
Liam Payne SIPA USA/PA Images
It revealed he sent it at 8.09pm on 23 July 2010, and it simply read: “I’m in a boyband.”
Sharing it with fans, Liam wrote: “What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed.
“Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me.”
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What a journey… I had no idea what we were in for when I sent this text to my Dad ten years ago at this exact time the band was formed. Thanks to everyone that’s supported us over the years and thanks to the boys for sharing this with me #10YearsOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/0d17ggB66x — Liam (@LiamPayne) July 23, 2020
One Direction were put together by the X Factor judges alongside fellow girl group Belle Ami after a suggestion from guest judge Nicole Scherzinger.
They went on to become the most successful act the ITV talent show has ever produced, selling 200 million records worldwide and winning seven Brit Awards and six Billboard Music Awards.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-07-23--Trump Has 'Amazing' New Boast About Passing His 'Difficult' Cognitive Test

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Donald Trump once again bragged about passing a cognitive test, then went into detail about how he amazed his doctors by remembering five words in order.
Experts say the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test is supposed to be easy, as it is not a measure of intelligence but rather a way to look for signs of cognitive impairment.
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But Trump on Sunday told Chris Wallace on Fox News that the test gets “very hard,” and he made a similar claim to Fox News’ Dr Marc Siegel in an interview that aired Wednesday night.
“The first questions are very easy,” he said. “The last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question.”
Trump described being asked to repeat five words: person, woman, man, camera, TV, then being asked to recall those words a few minutes later and saying that he repeated them in order.
“They said nobody gets it in order. It’s actually not that easy, but for me it was easy,” Trump said. “That’s not an easy question.”
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He said the doctors were so impressed they told him so ― right in the middle of the test.
“They say, ‘That’s amazing. How did you do that?’ I do it because I have, like, a good memory,” he said. “Because I’m cognitively there.”
Trump’s unusual boast led to a lot of discussion on Twitter... much of it centred on “person, woman, man, camera, TV,” as well as his rather lengthy explanation of the test, which is included in the clips below:
I've never been moved to change my twitter "name" until now. — Person Woman Man Camera TV (@ClaraJeffery) July 23, 2020
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Wow. I think he is now trolling @sarahcpr. Can there be any other explanation? https://t.co/kiRnRWL7DB — David Corn (@DavidCornDC) July 23, 2020
Imagine explaining to yourself, on the day that Obama was elected, that the next president would brag on national television that he was able to remember five words in order. — Ian Millhiser (@imillhiser) July 23, 2020
Many successive generations of Americans will marvel at how someone as profoundly stupid as @realDonaldTrump could have been elected president of the United States. https://t.co/yUTJEUWREf — George Conway (@gtconway3d) July 23, 2020
these are the saddest of possible words
person woman man camera tv
trio of bear cubs and fleeter than birds
person woman man camera tv — Alexandra Petri (@petridishes) July 23, 2020
Listen, I’m not saying that I am THE smartest songwriter but... person woman man camera tv 😎 — FINNEAS (@finneas) July 23, 2020
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Oh my god. pic.twitter.com/hP3h20Oxuc — The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) July 23, 2020
Person, woman, man, camera, tv? https://t.co/poPc7PMXaw — THERE IS NO NEW TONE (@PhoBu3) July 23, 2020
Experts say the president’s fixation on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment is particularly puzzling because the test is normally administered only if someone is concerned that they or their loved ones may be experiencing dementia or other cognitive decline. @AshleyRParker https://t.co/QVxBQESpGe — Chris Jansing (@ChrisJansing) July 23, 2020
It’s pretty clear he couldn’t remember the actual ones on his test and was naming things in front of him like a bit in a comedy where a dude vamps a fictitious Mister Toastjuice on a call during breakfast. pic.twitter.com/MZUEYnzVOt — Schooley (@Rschooley) July 23, 2020