thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Beyond The 'Gram: Real Life Exercise Motivation Tips That Actually Work

Clarissa Leahy via Getty Images St. James, London, UK
You can scroll down endless photos of hyper-bendy yoga babes on a sunset beach and fitness gurus grinning at their salads, but the truth is the only thing you’re exercising is your thumb. We asked health and fitness experts – and yes, some do have hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers – for their best advice on how to get off your couch and into enjoying exercise in real life.
1. Small changes DO work
“Make small but significant changes that are sustainable in the long term,” says Shaun Stafford, personal trainer and, Men’s Fitness cover model. “Aim for ‘easy wins’ that can slot into your current routine and lifestyle and turn into healthy habits, like drinking more water, cycling to work rather than taking the car or adding more fibre to your diet.”
Advertisement
2. Dial down your self-criticism
So you missed a workout? So what? “My most important tip is don’t quit or beat yourself up if you miss a session, and always make sure you schedule in rest time,” says Jessica Skye, founder of Fat Buddha Yoga who is also Nike Yoga’s only UK ambassador.
3. But don’t give up
“Your excuses are burning exactly zero calories per hour,” says Maeve Madden, fitness influencer and author of Beat the Bloat. “Remember it doesn’t matter how slowly you go, as long as you don’t give up.”
FatCamera via Getty Images
Alistair Crew, master trainer at David Lloyd Clubs, advises asking yourself what is the single most important fitness and health goal you want to achieve. “Keep a reminder on the fridge door or on your work computer screen so that you constantly keep your eye on the prize.”
Advertisement
4. Do something you enjoy
“Choose an activity that you actually enjoy, that way you’re more likely to stick with it,” says Jessica Skye. “Make it social; get a buddy to train with, or arrange a juice, lunch or dinner after the workout. You could also create a ritual around exercise, for example, after every run treat yourself to a candle-lit bath with your favourite products.”
5. Do something different
“It’s always good to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone,” says Samiya Nordeen, founder of Santhosh Dance, which offers a different way to get fit and feel healthier and happier with dance classes in Latin Fitness (based on disco), American Hustle, Salsa, Cha Cha Cha and Rumba.
“Try a new activity every six months or so because once the body and muscle memory gets used to an activity, you get less return for your effort. Pushing your muscles to work in a different way, also helps your sense of self-achievement because you’re mastering a new skill set.”
Alistair Crew agrees: “Albert Einstein said – ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results’. So how about signing up for an event? Committing to a consistent training schedule for obstacle course races like Tough Mudder or Spartan can be a great motivational tool, and you can create an effective support network and train with a group of friends, family or colleagues.”
Rana Faure/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Advertisement
6. Just move more
You don’t need to be stomping on the treadmill every day to feel the benefits. “Find movement in everyday stuff – leave the house 10 mins early and go the long way around, get off a stop early and walk a little further, take your entire lunch break and go for a walk for 30 mins after you’ve eaten,” says health coach Joanna Shurety. “Moving is just as important as structured exercise.”
7. Self-discipline is the muscle you need to use
“Even a yoga devotee like me can fall off my mat,” admits Kat Farrants, founder of online yoga platform Movement for Modern Life. “Discipline is like a muscle; we need to cultivate it. There are a few life hack-style tips that can help. One that works for me, is getting everything ready the night before: lining up a class and putting yoga in my diary for the next day so it’s official.”
8. Make it fun – like skipping
“Skipping is known to be one of the best forms of cardio and HIIT workouts out there, as it helps to improve endurance, balance, coordination and agility,” says Daria Kantor, founder of the personal fitness app TruBe.
“By engaging your muscles with piecemeal exercises such as skipping, you will allow your body to properly adjust to a sustained fitness routine and build up your confidence at the same time.”
FatCamera via Getty Images
Advertisement
9. Be realistic
“Pick goals that you’re actually likely to stick with,” says NHS weight loss consultant Dr Sally Norton, “Deciding to run a half marathon if you haven’t gone for a run in years is unrealistic – instead, you could sign up for a 10K challenge, and set yourself a gentler goal. It doesn’t mean you can’t build up to do a marathon eventually, but a smaller goal will be easier to achieve. Plus, the positivity you’ll get from achieving any goal will help you to stick with your resolution long-term.”
Performance coach Luke Worthington says it’s all about finding and maintaining the right balance. “Goal-setting should involve a thorough life evaluation. How much time do you have? How much time can you spare? Are there activities that take up your time now that are less important than the plan you want to create? Health and fitness is all about balance.”
10. Be specific
“Vague aims like ‘get fit’ or ‘be more healthy’ can be difficult to keep on top of, and can feel unattainable, leading to you feeling disappointed,” says Dr Norton. “Instead, give yourself specific, attainable goals. For example, you could resolve to exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week, or to cut out caffeine, or sugar. Keep them realistic and build up.”
11. Rope in your mates
Fear of letting a friend down is a great motivator for getting off the couch and out. Yoga teacher Dylan Ayaloo says: “Get a group together to do the challenge with you - once you declare out loud or commit to someone else or a group, you’re more likely to follow through and you can celebrate each milestone with your group. Motivation by positive reinforcement like appreciation, acknowledgement, celebration is a for more long term and sustainable strategy for creating change.”
12. Making healthy food swaps
Celebrity personal trainer Bradley Simmonds recommends ditching quick, sugary fixes that lead to the inevitable mood and energy crash in favour of “a nutrient-dense snack like a handful of almonds. Almonds are high in magnesium, an essential nutrient that contributes to a reduction of tiredness and fatigue.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--How To Eat Healthily On Holiday And Still Have A Good Time

How Verizon Media and our partners bring you better ad experiences To give you a better overall experience , we @ @ @ @ @ that are more useful to you .
For example , when you search for a @ @ @ @ @ search information and location to show the most relevant cinemas near you .
We also @ @ @ @ @ you ads for similar films you may like in the future .
Like Verizon Media @ @ @ @ @ show you ads that they think match your interests .
Learn more about how Verizon @ @ @ @ @ and how our partners collect and use data .
HuffPost is part of Verizon Media @ @ @ @ @ partners need your consent to access your device and use your data ( including location @ @ @ @ @ , and provide and measure personalised ads .
Verizon Media will also provide you with @ @ @ @ @ .
Learn more .
Select 'OK ' to continue and allow Verizon Media and our @ @ @ @ @ , or select 'Manage options ' to view your choices .

Jutta Klee via Getty Images
A buffet table laden with pastries at breakfast, creamy pasta sauces with lunch, plates piled high with local delicacies for dinner… there’s no doubt that sampling all there is to offer when you’re on holiday is a huge part of the fun factor, but it can also result in piling on the pounds and undoing all your hard work pre-hols in a matter of days.
“I advise clients to approach the way they eat and drink on holiday with an 80/20 mindset,” says registered nutritional therapist May Simpkin. “It’s your downtime, and you deserve to enjoy it. If you make more sensible choices 80% of the time, you can treat yourself the other 20%.”
Advertisement
And try to avoid the “boom or bust” mentality, continues May. “It sounds counterintuitive but don’t be so strict with your diet and exercise regime before you go that when you finally get to your destination you fall off the wagon spectacularly,” she says. “Bingeing on food that was previously off-limits, and vowing not to move a muscle all week because you’re sick of the sight of your gym kit, will leave you feeling bloated and sluggish. A balanced approach before you go and while you’re away is much healthier. Many people find they naturally eat less on holiday anyway, away from their normal routine, so you may surprise yourself by dropping a pound or two without even thinking about it.”
Jim Purdum via Getty Images
Watch your sugar intake
Pastries at breakfast and puddings are obvious but less so is the sugar in fruit, says May. “It looks very healthy,” she says. “But it does contain natural sugar so make sure you balance it out with some lean protein and healthy fats. Mix fruit with Greek yoghurt and nuts for a sustaining meal that won’t spike blood sugars, or follow your fruit platter with scrambled eggs.”
Order smart sides and sharing bowls
“By getting more veg and salad into each meal, you’ll end up with an indulgent-looking plateful of food and feel satisfied without overdoing the carbs,” says May. “Choose a lean protein dish and order side salads and extra veg to go with it – you can share a bowl of chips, rather than ordering with your meal. If you stick to that hierarchy, you won’t go far wrong.”
Advertisement
Swap high calorie booze for spirits
Nothing says holiday like a lunchtime beer, right? “Switch to vodka and soda with a squeeze of lime and you’ll save calories while still feeling indulgent,” says May. “You can add ice to spirits too, which helps keep you hydrated. Don’t feel you have to have a drink every lunchtime, either. Book into an exercise class mid-afternoon, or arrange to join friends for a swim, game of tennis, or bike ride. You get the benefits of exercising and can reward yourself with a refreshing drink early evening.”
Westend61 via Getty Images
Ditch the milky coffees (and the biscuit on the side)
A cup of tea, or an Americano with a dash of milk saves calories while still giving a caffeine boost, if that’s what you’re craving, says May. “Again, it’s not about taking a puritanical approach,” she continues. “It’s a sensible choice that means you can have pud later.”
Listen to your body


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--The Unexpected Benefits Of A 20-Minute Walk

Thankfully, we seem to be over the ‘go hard or go home’ mentality when it comes to exercise. Instead, there’s a movement towards what experts call ‘functional fitness’, which helps keep our bodies strong for everyday activities and embraces those we actually enjoy (and therefore do more regularly). In a world where we’re sat down more than is good for us, this is good news indeed – when the World Health Organization (WHO) cites physical inactivity as the fourth leading risk factor for overall illness and early death worldwide, it would appear it’s high time to get off our backsides.
Hoxton/Sam Edwards via Getty Images
A mood-boosting ‘magic pill’?
“Human beings aren’t designed to simply sit around,” says fitness expert and celebrity trainer Matt Roberts. “A steady-state activity such as walking gently boosts circulation, which in turn increases the levels of adrenalin and endorphins in your system,” he continues. “Higher levels of these hormones boosts mood and energy, which is why you always feel better after a walk.”
Advertisement
Walking also significantly reduces your chances of heart disease, stroke, dementia, colon and breast cancer, and depression, according to NHS UK. What’s more, it’s been hailed a ‘magic pill’ by Dr James Brown, a senior lecturer in biology and biomedical science from the School of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University. He suggests that walking combats ageing and helps prevent early death, citing all the health benefits outlined above with a few more thrown in for good measure: “Walking…can cut arthritic pain by half, raise energy levels and reduce fatigue,” he told delegates at the British Science Festival in Birmingham. “All of these changes are not seen in people who run marathons; they are not seen in people who lift weights in the gym, or spend four hours running on the treadmill. They are seen in people who walk, and who walk for half an hour a day.”
Jill Tindall via Getty Images
Clear benefits
For those with young families, a pleasantly surprising benefit of getting outside for a walk is that it can help young children develop long-distance vision, according to a Chinese study of almost 1,000 school-age children. Dr Mingguang-He of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou found participants who had one 40-minute lesson of outdoor activities every day had a significantly lower risk of developing myopia (nearsightedness) than classmates who had all their lessons inside (30.4% of the outside group had nearsightedness compared with 40% of the indoor group). Time spent outside appears to be beneficial because focusing on objects in the far distance helps strengthen the eye muscles.
Advertisement
Another study from the University of Essex showed that just five minutes of outdoor play (‘green exercise’) improves a child’s mental wellbeing and self-esteem – another good reason to turn off the tablets and shoo them outside, whatever the weather.
In a world where speed is of the essence, and a frantic pace of life the norm, walking can be a moving meditation for those who struggle with the more traditional form of this mind-calming technique.
“I struggle to meditate for even a couple of minutes,” says Louise Davies, 34, a teacher from north London. “I fidget, find my mind wanders and I usually give up after about five minutes, fretting about the time I’ve wasted trying to ‘relax’. Walking, on the other hand, clears my head like nothing else – I find I’m super-focused and often come back having mentally sifted through and sorted my biggest worries.”
Maskot via Getty Images
Slowing down
Walking also gives us a chance to connect with others, according to slow movement pioneer Carl Honoré, author of In Praise of Slow (£8.99, Orion). “It helps us foster a slower frame of mind, so that we become more aware of the people around us and able to meaningfully reconnect,” he says. In other words, have a chat as you meander around country lanes or through the park.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--The Best Luxury Men's Fragrances for 2020

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
A spritz of fragrance is the perfect finishing touch to any outfit, and a luxurious pick-me-up that’s worth the splurge. You deserve it.
Advertisement
With that in mind, we’ve scoured the latest and greatest scents to see you through the year or will serve as gift inspiration for someone special. Either way, wallets at the ready.
HuffPost UK Byredo Night Veil Sellier Extrait de Parfum, Harrods
Part of Byredo’s Night Veils range, Sellier uses flowers and leather to create bespoke blends that are smokier than the rest fo its olfactory wardrobe. This heady mix of black tea, leather accord, tobacco leaves and oak moss, is good if you like something that leaves a mark rather than a subtle scent.
HuffPost UK Tom Ford Rose Prick Eau De Parfum, Selfridges
Advertisement
The newest fragrance from Tom Ford suits a more feminine taste, with its modern take on the classic rose scent. Forget smelling like your nan, instead spritz this mix of Turkish and Bulgarian roses with an added sharpness thanks to the notes of vanilla and Sichuan pepper.
HuffPost UK Armani Beauty Prive Rouge Malachite, Harvey Nichols
Behold this majestic bottle. It’s pleasantly aromatic, making it a crowd pleaser with jasmine, orange blossom and tuberose. If you’re feeling generous, we think this would make the perfect gift that even the fussiest recipient will enjoy.
Rowan Fee Tom Daxon Fuyu Eau De Parfum, Liberty London
Perfumery runs in Tom Daxon’s family, his mum was creative director of Molten Brown, so it’s clear he has a nose for the job. In his carefully curated line-up of 14 fragrances, Fuyu is a stand out. White peach and iris give it a musky scent, it’s unlike anything we’ve smelt before. Don’t believe us? Head to Liberty London and have a spritz or yourself.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK Molton Brown Mesmerising Oudh Accord & Gold Eau de Parfum, John Lewis
Speaking of Molton Brown, it may not be first place you look for to find fine fragrance, but it’s not one to be missed next time you’re in the aisle’s of John Lewis. It’s a rich infusion of oudh accord, vanilla and honey, so not one for the faint hearted. One spritz will be enough for this to last all day.
HuffPost UK L’Artisan Parfumeur Passage D’Enfer Eau de Toilette, Harrods
L’Artisan Parfumeur is a Parisian fragrance brand you don’t come across often. Available in very few stores in the UK other than Harrods, it’s well worth checking out. Inspired by scents found in nature, this bottle is a heady blend of lily, white musk, incense and cedarwood. Delicious.
HuffPost UK The Alchemist’s Garden The Voice Of The Snake Eau De Parfum, Gucci
Advertisement
For any apothecary fans, Gucci has the perfect eau de parfum for you. And no, we’re not talking Pottery Barn in Friends, this is luxury at its finest. Creative Director Alessandro Michele looked to alchemy and botanicals to create this unique scent that is designed to replicate a snake’s movement through a forest through fragrance. You’ll find patchouli, saffron and oud in this intensely rich blend.
HuffPost UK Maison Margiela Sailing Day Eau De Toilette, Harvey Nichols
For something more fresh and uplifting, this blue bottle will put a spring in your step. Think of it as a breath of fresh air, inspired by ocean waves and sunny skies, which lets face it, we’re all in short supply of right now.
HuffPost UK Acqua Di Parma Osmanthus Eau de Parfum, Space NK
If you like citrus, you’ll love this for its cocktail of green mandarin, osmanthus flower and neroli oil. Sweet but sickly, rich but nor overwhelming, it’ll make the perfect transition from winter to spring. Roll on the sunshine.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Why Parasite Winning Best Picture Is A Huge Leap Forward For The Oscars

This is major. For the first time in the Oscars’ 92-year history, a foreign-language film was crowned Best Picture.
Parasite, the genre-busting South Korean masterpiece about a struggling family of four who con their way into a wealthy clan’s employ, began awards season as a long-shot contender. It won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May and became a runaway favourite among stateside critics. Still, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ relative aversion to subtitles seemed deterring. At first, a nomination was the most anyone could hope for.
Advertisement
But Parasite assumed a life of its own, forging one of the most exciting Oscar trajectories in recent memory. The film found box-office fortune as it expanded across North American cinemas throughout autumn and winter, and Bong Joon-ho solidified his reputation as a cunning director skilled at disguising nuanced political allegories as crowd-pleasing blockbusters, something he’d already done with The Host, Snowpiercer and Okja.
During the months he spent traveling the globe to promote Parasite and charm industry voters, Bong gained rock-star status. His warm smile and rumpled hair lit up room after room, as well as the cover of Variety. He even acquired an online fan army that adopted the Beyoncé-inspired hashtag #BongHive. And on Sunday, Bong also won Best Director, Best International Feature Film and Best Original Screenplay (with Han Jin-won).
Bong Joon-ho, alongside translator Susan Choi, accepting the award for Best International Feature Film MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
Positioned against star-driven hits such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Irishman, Joker and Ford v Ferrari, Bong and his film were underdogs representing the best of what cinema is capable of. The 50-year-old director became an unlikely unifier, someone people could feel proud to support.
Advertisement
The Oscars tell us a lot about the state of popular culture at any given moment, or at least what Hollywood values. Last year, the Academy made a regressive Best Picture choice in Green Book, an oversimplified portrait of race relations that could have just as easily opened 30 years ago, over forward-thinking choices like Roma, Black Panther and The Favourite. This time, with awards season unfolding alongside President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, the 8,469-member organisation opted for a progressive emblem: an international film fixated on the class disparities fuelling economic division around the world.
Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: NEON + CJ Entertainment/Getty
“I haven’t been able to really analyse what’s going on,” Bong said when I asked him in November why this movie had struck such a cord. “Perhaps it’s because ‘Parasite’ is a true story about our lives, and also the story about the gap between rich and poor is something that everyone can sympathise with, no matter which country you’re from.”
Come Oscar night, Parasite faced its steepest competition from 1917, the other film that fared particularly well in the predictive precursor accolades. Parasite won the Screen Actors Guild’s top prize (and a televised standing ovation) in January, indicating a lift in the Best Picture contest since SAG boasts a significant voter overlap with the Academy. But 1917 later took the Bafta, Directors Guild Award and Producers Guild Award, ostensibly dampening the odds of a Parasite victory. The World War I drama also scored the Golden Globe, but that one is a bit of a wash, as foreign films are ineligible for the Globes’ best-picture categories.
Choi Woo-shik, Song Kang-hoi, Jang Hye-jin and Park So-dam in Parasite Neon
Advertisement
With a two-pony race, the narrative was clear. 1917, for all its handsomeness, was the old-guard choice, a war drama contending for a statue that has gone to war dramas since the day the Oscars were born. (The first movie to win Best Picture was Wings, a 1927 silent film set during, yep, World War I.) Parasite, on the other hand, marked a path forward at a moment when Hollywood is facing technological, economic and social upheaval. The Academy has diversified its membership in recent years to include more women and people of colour, and a Parasite victory realises the fruits of that initiative.
Of course, Sunday’s Oscars weren’t without blindspots. When nominations were announced last month, Parasite received nods for its direction, screenplay, production design and editing – but nothing for its actors. That was no shock, considering the Asian cast isn’t well-known among American audiences, but the snub nonetheless epitomised what’s off-kilter about the Academy’s sensibilities. The Oscars – and Hollywood more broadly – has a history of prioritising non-white stories only when they depict slavery and other horrors, which could explain why Cynthia Erivo was the only actor of colour to make this year’s shortlist. (Erivo earned her nomination for portraying Harriet Tubman.) If Parasite was so beloved, why didn’t that extend to the actors who telegraphed the film’s humanity?
But that oversight, in turn, makes Best Picture even more of a triumph for Parasite. It’s only the 12th movie in Oscar history – and the first since 2008’s Slumdog Millionaire – to win without a single acting nomination to its name.
As a new decade begins, maybe we can finally start putting an end to the conventional wisdom that dictates what can reasonably vie for Best Picture.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--The 10 Best Baby Monitors To Reassure Parents While The Little Ones Snooze

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
HuffPost UK HuffPost UK
All The Gear, No Idea is a regular series from HuffPost Finds where we feature product recommendations for parents, by parents.
Advertisement
Baby monitors have come a long way in recent years, and the sheer volume of products on the market can be mind-boggling.
Whether you’re in the all-bells-and-whistles brigade, or prefer something a little more down to earth, it’s safe to say that a baby monitor is an essential for new parents.
Here’s our round up of some of the best video and audio baby monitors ― to help you keep the remaining sleep parenthood has left you with.
Huffington Post UK Angelcare AC337 Baby Movement Monitor with Video, Amazon, £199
Advertisement
Angelcare specialise in movement sensor baby monitors. This touchscreen model also offers video and audio monitoring, with the only wireless motion sensor pad on the market.
Pop the sensor pad under the cot mattress and it will notify you if your baby hasn’t moved for 20 seconds. This feature can be switched off for the toddler years and you can buy an additional nursery pack to monitor two babies at a time; great for twins or a second child.
It also has a 4. 3-inch screen, two-way talk back and infrared night vision, so you can watch them as they sleep. Additional features like a night light and a temperature display will soothe and comfort babies and parents alike.
There are less fancy models in the range, so if the sensor pad is the real selling point, but you’re not so fussed about video, there are more affordable options you could explore.
Huffington Post UK BT Video Baby monitor 6000, John Lewis, £99.99
Advertisement
Another monitor that allows you to see, hear and talk to your baby from another room. Infrared night vision enables you to watch them day or night. This one is easy to set up and has a clear, large 5-inch screen that tilts and zooms, as well as good sound quality. There are additional features like a temperature sensor, a lullaby function, a feeding timer and a nightlight. It doesn’t have Wi-Fi or a movement sensor, but coming in under £100, you get a lot for your money.
Huffington Post UK Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature Digital Video and Movement Baby Monitor, Amazon, was £213.99, now £147.25
This one also offers a motion sensor pad, combined with video and audio monitoring. In addition to this, it has digital enhanced cordless technology (DECT), which to you and me means you won’t get digital interference; last thing you need when you finally get to put your feet up is crackling radio waves. There’s a good range on this model (300m) and a rechargeable docking point. The two way talk button, night light and temperature display are nice added extras.
Huffington Post UK BT Audio Baby Monitor 400, John Lewis, £24.99
Advertisement
For parents who’d prefer to switch off from screen time, this is a solid, audio only option. It has great range – allowing you to stray 300 metres away, even outside. The sound quality is high and there are also LED sound level lights for when you don’t want any audio – say during a dinner party – but still want to be kept in the loop. An affordable, no frills option that is easy to use and ticks all the boxes.
Huffington Post UK Philips Avent Digital Video Baby Monitor, Amazon, was £145.57, now £130
This model has a smaller screen than some of the others on the market – only 2.7 inch - but the picture is good, even at night. It loses points on its static camera – no CCTV style tilt and zoom on this one - but there is a wall mount, so you can set it up near your baby. It has an excellent battery life, thanks to its eco mode, as well as some neat little extras, like five lullaby options, a two-way talk back and the connection is reliable. Philips highlight the fact that it is safe and secure with FHSS technology and the no Wi-Fi option means there’s no risk of getting hacked.
This is the one for parents on the move. It’s wireless, so it’s great for camping or travelling. It has a long battery life, with rechargeable lithium batteries and both parts of the monitor will last for 24 hours on one charge. Another plus is its good signal strength over long distances – a range of 300 metres. There are some juicy extras that will delight tech lovers, too, such as a remote control camera, silent motorized technology and voice activation. You can also link it to up to four cameras. With a lifetime warranty, it’s good value for money.
Advertisement
Huffington Post UK Arlo Baby 1080p HD Monitoring Camera, Amazon, £134.99
On design alone, with its bunny ears and feet, this is a bit of a winner, and is sure to be a hit with little ones. It is also one of the best monitors on the market in terms of picture quality, boasting 1080p HD. Similarly the night vision works up to 4.5 metres, so you can see your baby’s every move. This one works by synching with your smartphone through a free Arlo app, which is convenient, but the downside is that there isn’t a parental monitor, so you always have to use your phone. You also get sound and motion alerts, two-way talk back and a room temperature and air gage to boot.
Huffington Post UK Summer Infant Baby Pixel Monitor, Amazon, was £199.99, now £163.09
This one has a lot of kit, like a 5-inch touchscreen monitor, a 360-degree tilt camera, with remote steering, that can pan around the room and amazing picture quality. A nice extra is the virtual sleep zone, which alerts you if your child rolls over too far, or – in the toddler stage -gets out of bed and strays beyond the pre-set, virtual border. Other features include a nightlight, room temperature display, clock and a lullaby function. Overall impressive.
Huffington Post UK Motorola MBP8 Digital Audio Baby Monitor, Amazon, £16.99
Advertisement
A snip at under £20, this is a great budget option. It’s pretty no-frills, but it does the job, and it does it well. It has a 50m indoor range and lets you know if you’ve wandered out of range. Lights alert you to any noises from baby and it has very good sound quality courtesy of its 1.8 GHz DECT technology. An excellent audio only option.
Kodak Kodak
This one has a crystal clear 5-inch HD monitor, as well as the option to use it on your phone, if you download the KODAK smartphone app. The camera itself can tilt, zoom and pan and the rechargeable batteries and Wi-Fi connection, means that you can easily take it with you on family trips. It has the nifty extras the other models do, such as infrared night vision, two way talk back and sound and motion alerts, but it also offers cloud and SD-card recording. So you can document and relive your child’s antics for years to come.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Keanu Reeves Brought His Mum To The Oscars, Wins Best Son

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The first Oscar of the night for the 92nd Academy Awards was an easy call — Keanu Reeves wins for Best Son.
The Toy Story 4 star, who perennially causes Twitter to go into spontaneous meltdowns, did it again by bringing his mother, Patricia Taylor, with him on the red carpet.
Advertisement
Cue the crying and heart emoji:
He is so cute with his mom. Still getting over my Keanu crush from Speed. https://t.co/j6Dp9hvocw — Tamara Robbins (@Tamara_Robbins) February 10, 2020
Keanu Reeves winning w his mom as his date. 🥰 #Oscars2020 https://t.co/pLOvHTtUAl — SandyLeeTV (@SandyLeeTV) February 10, 2020
AND HE LOVES HIS MOM 😩❤
Keanu: 1
Everyone at the Oscars: 0 https://t.co/CbuMyi4ahh — Sarah (@borhapsarah) February 10, 2020
Advertisement
keanu reeves bringing his mom to the #Oscars is the best thing you’ll see today pic.twitter.com/mCMIPVMe1o — 𝚕𝚎𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚎. (@keanusre) February 10, 2020
Keanu and Patricia waved and posed with the best of them, even stopping for an interview with Ryan Seacrest, who asked Patricia for an update on her son’s super secret film, Matrix 4.
She said she would reveal nothing, before adding that she really only knew about Matrix 1, 2 and 3.
Here’s Keanu for all of us who bring our moms to the #oscars pic.twitter.com/WZT2pajK3n — Los Angeleno (@LosAngeleno) February 10, 2020
No offence to Keanu’s Bill & Ted co-star Alex Winter, but you can’t get much better than the excellent adventure this pair had hitting the carpet.
Patricia Taylor and Keanu Reeves at the Oscars Amy Sussman via Getty Images
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Oscars 2020: 7 Big Firsts From This Year's Academy Awards

1. First up, the big one: Parasite is the first non-English-language film to ever be awarded Best Picture at the Oscars
It’s taken 92 years, but Parasite is the first film that isn’t in English to receive the top honour at the Academy Awards. Parasite had already made history as the first South Korean film to be nominated in that category, too.
Advertisement
2. Bong Joon-ho is also the first South Korean filmmaker to win Best Director and Best Original Screenplay
South Korean film director Bong Joon Ho poses with his engraved awards as he attends the 92nd Oscars Governors Ball. VALERIE MACON via Getty Images
In his acceptance speech, the director paid homage to fellow nominees Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, for inspiring and championing his work, respectively. He also made what we assume was an accidental Mean Girls reference, when he said he wished he could cut the award into five and share it with the rest of the nominees.
3. Taika Waititi is the first Māori person to win an Academy Award
Taika Waititi, winner of Best Adapted Screenplay for Jojo Rabbit Rachel Luna via Getty Images
Advertisement
Originally from New Zealand, the Jojo Rabbit director is also the first indigenous filmmaker to win an Oscar, after picking up Best Adapted Screenplay. Singer Buffy Sainte-Marie was the first indigenous person to ever win an Academy Award in 1982, triumphing in the Best Original Song category.
After winning his award, Taika dedicated it to indigenous children around the world who want to create art.
4. Hildur Guðnadóttir is the first Icelandic person to ever win an Oscar
Hildur Guðnadóttir accepts the Music - Original Score - award for Joker. Kevin Winter via Getty Images
It’s been a busy few months for Hildur, who has picked up an Emmy, a Golden Globe and a Grammy for her work on both the TV series Chernobyl and the hit film Joker.
She was awarded Best Original Score for her musical contributions to Todd Phillips’ film, becoming only the fourth woman to emerge triumphant in this category.
Advertisement
After accepting her award, she dedicated it “to the girls, to the women, to the mothers, to the daughters who hear the music bubbling within”, urging them: “Please speak up, we need to hear your voices.”
5. Brad Pitt finally has an acting Oscar
Brad Pitt waits for his award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role to be engraved as he attends the 92nd Oscars Governors Ball. VALERIE MACON via Getty Images
It’s been 24 years since Brad Pitt was first nominated for an Academy Award, for his performance in 12 Monkeys.
Since then, he’s been nominated a further three times in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories, but 2020 would finally be the year he would land a win, after his performance in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.
Brad does already have an Oscar, though, as he was one of the producers of 12 Years A Slave, which won Best Picture in 2014.
Advertisement
6. And Bernie Taupin has had his first win too
Elton John and Bernie Taupin with their Best Original Song Oscar for in the press room at the 92nd Academy Awards. Jennifer Graylock - PA Images via Getty Images
Although Elton John already had an Academy Award, his usual songwriting partner did not, as the chart-topping musician’s contributions to the Lion King soundtrack saw him team up with musical theatre composer Tim Rice.
This is no longer the case, though, with Elton and Bernie’s new song for the biopic Rocketman being awarded Best Original Song at the Oscars in 2020.
“This is justification for 53 years of hammering it out,” Bernie said, noting that it was a fitting moment as Rocketman essentially told the story of their friendship and professional relationship.
7. Laura Dern has earned Netflix its first ever acting award
Laura Dern poses with her engraved award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Marriage Story. VALERIE MACON via Getty Images
Advertisement
The streaming service has had some success at the Oscars in the last few years, with Roma being awarded Best Foreign Film and Best Director, Icarus receiving Best Documentary Feature and two past wins in the Best Documentary Short category.
In 2020, Laura Dern probably earned Netflix its most high-profile Oscars victory yet, bagging Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Marriage Story.
This also marks Laura’s first win at the Oscars, after receiving her first nomination in 1992.
But there’s one big first that’s proved to still be out of reach...
Diane Warren now holds a record for most Oscar nominations without a win
US songwriter Diane Warren. ROBYN BECK via Getty Images
Following her recognition in this year’s Best Original Song category, Diane now has 11 nominations without ever having won an Oscar, more than any other woman in history.
The songwriter’s first nomination was back in the late 1980s, for her contribution to the Mannequin soundtrack, and since then she’s been nominated for collaborations with Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Gloria Estefan and Aerosmith, but none of them have resulted in an Academy Award.
Advertisement
Still, there’s always next year, right?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Billie Eilish's Oscars In Memoriam Performance Honours Kobe Bryant, Kirk Douglas

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Billie Eilish brought the Oscars to a breathless standstill Sunday with a performance of the Beatles’ 1965 hit, Yesterday, during the evening’s In Memoriam segment.
The singer-songwriter wore a black sequinned outfit and was accompanied by her brother, Finneas O’Connell, on piano as images of Kobe Bryant, Kirk Douglas and other stars appeared on screens above them.
Advertisement
Billie Eilish gives a haunting and beautiful rendition of "Yesterday" during the #Oscars In Memoriam segment pic.twitter.com/oFj1Ljnx70 — MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) February 10, 2020
The Academy confirmed on Twitter last month that Billie would appear at the Oscars for a “special performance,” but kept specifics under wraps.
Some fans assumed that she would use the occasion to unveil her much-anticipated theme song for the forthcoming James Bond film, No Time to Die, but that didn’t happen.
Billie herself called Yesterday a song she’d “always loved” in an Instagram story shortly before the ceremony.
Advertisement
Billie Eilish performs onstage during the Oscars Kevin Winter via Getty Images
Sunday’s much-buzzed-about performance capped off a bustling awards season for Billie and Finneas, who is her main songwriting and producing partner.
Last month, she became the youngest artist – and first woman – to make a clean sweep of the Big Four categories at the 2020 Grammys: Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “Bad Guy,” and Album of the Year for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?.
Her triumph was second only to Christopher Cross, who achieved the four-category sweep in 1981.
Finneas, who has also collaborated with Camila Cabello and Halsey, won Producer of the Year/Non-Classical, as well as Best Engineered Album/Non-Classical, for When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?.
The forthcoming Bond theme will place Billie alongside luminaries like Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney and Madonna who have recorded songs for Bond 007 films over the years. At 18, she’s the youngest artist to do so.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Kristen Wiig's 'Lasagna' Dress At The 2020 Oscars Has Twitter Feeling Saucy

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Kristen Wiig turned up at this year’s Oscars in an ensemble that was one of the night’s most divisive looks.
The Bridesmaids star appeared at the ceremony in a red gown accentuated with side ruffles, pairing it with black opera gloves. The narrow, form-fitting shape of the dress had Twitter users comparing the look to everything from a lobster to the red carpet itself.
Advertisement
Kristen Wiig attends the 92nd annual Academy Awards on Feb. 9 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
Many people compared Wiig’s dress to the one Emily Blunt wore at the 2019 Screen Actors Guild Awards, which bore pink ruffles, and likened it to, well, a vagina.
Maybe it's my years studying gender theory at Uni but, Kristen Wiig's dress has real vagina vibes pic.twitter.com/hCm2En2ejT — Tali Aualiitia (@taliaualiitia) February 10, 2020
The most popular interpretation, however, was that the dress was shaped like a plate of lasagna.
“Love a noodle lewk,” one person quipped.
I love these dresses! Kristen Wiig looks like a piece of lasagna! 😃 #Oscars — Bridget Fitzgerald (@smileybridge) February 10, 2020
Advertisement
I can’t with Kristen Wiig and this dress. Serving lasagna realness?? pic.twitter.com/0Q4P8BjLhp — Cathy Renna (@CathyRenna) February 10, 2020
Kristen Wiig's Oscar dress will henceforth will be known as the Lasagna Dress. pic.twitter.com/EwqQwL78XO — Allison M. (@AlliCinema) February 10, 2020
What does Kristen Wiig's #Oscars dress look like? Well, Twitter has some pretty spot-on comparisons. 😂 https://t.co/NNaEOV2wPG — POPSUGAR Fashion (@POPSUGARFashion) February 10, 2020
Kristen Wiig is dressed like she’s about to do a Ruveal pic.twitter.com/c6OqnKWTmN — Ira Madison III (@ira) February 10, 2020
Wiig presented the award for Achievement in Costume Design on Sunday alongside Bridesmaids co-star and fellow comedian Maya Rudolph. Wiig returns to the big screen alongside Gal Gadot in Wonder Woman 1984, due out in June.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Number Of UK Coronavirus Cases Doubles To Eight

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The spread of coronavirus is a “serious and imminent threat” to the health of people in the UK, Matt Hancock has warned, as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose from four to eight.
Four more people from Brighton were diagnosed over the weekend, one of which had been at the same French ski resort where other UK patients are believed to have contracted the infection.
Advertisement
All were contacts of a previously confirmed UK case, the Department of Health said. At least one is reportedly a staff member at the city’s County Oak medical centre.
The newly-diagnosed patients have since been moved from Brighton to London to receive specialist care.
In a statement, chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said: “Experts at Public Health England continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. They successfully identified these individuals and ensured the appropriate support was provided.
“The patients have been transferred to specialist NHS centres at Guy’s and St Thomas’ and The Royal Free hospitals, and we are now using robust infection control measures to prevent further spread of the virus. The NHS is extremely well prepared to manage these cases and treat them, and we are working quickly to identify any further contacts these patients have had.”
Advertisement
Four further patients in England have tested positive for #coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the UK to eight.
The new cases are all known contacts of a previously confirmed UK case. The virus was passed on in France.
More information:
▶https://t.co/3H9U5qlWTR pic.twitter.com/R6Af51qCVN — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) February 10, 2020
Budget airline easyJet also issued a warning about one of its passengers on a London-bound flight who had since tested positive for the virus.
Health secretary Hancock announced new regulations on Monday “to ensure that the public are protected as far as possible from the transmission of the virus” – giving the government extra control to fight the spread of infection.
It will mean people can be forcibly quarantined and will not be free to leave.
“Our infection control procedures are world leading and the NHS is well prepared to deal with novel coronavirus,” a Department of Health spokesperson said.
“We are strengthening our regulations so we can keep individuals in supported isolation for their own safety and if public health professionals consider they may be at risk of spreading the virus to other members of the public.
Advertisement
“This measure will rightly make it easier for health professionals to help keep people safe across the country.”
The measures designate Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral and Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes, where sufferers are being treated, as “isolation” facilities and Wuhan and Hubei province in China as an “infected area”.
According to PA Media, the move was in response to one of the Britons who returned from Wuhan attempting to leave isolation.
A government source said “there was someone who was threatening to abscond from Arrowe Park” despite all the Britons who returned on the evacuation flight signing a contract agreeing to a 14-day quarantine period.
In response to concerns about whether those contracts were legally enforceable, the new action was taken to ensure that individuals can be kept in supported isolation.
Advertisement
“The transmission of coronavirus would represent a serious and imminent threat so to prevent that we are taking action to enforce isolation of certain individuals,” the source said.
easyJet revealed on Monday morning that it had been notified by the public health authority that a customer who had recently travelled on one of its flights had since been diagnosed with coronavirus.
“Public Health England is contacting all passengers who were seated in the vicinity of the customer on flight EZS8481 from Geneva to London Gatwick on 28 January to provide guidance in line with procedures,” a spokeswoman said.
“As the customer was not experiencing any symptoms, the risk to others on board the flight is very low.
“We remain in contact with the public health authorities and are following their guidance.
“The health and well-being of our passengers and crew is the airline’s highest priority.
“All of the crew who operated have been advised to monitor themselves for a 14-day period since the flight in line with Public Health England advice. Note this happened 12 days ago and none are displaying any symptoms.”
Advertisement
The number of UK cases of coronavirus has doubled (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images) Hollie Adams via Getty Images
Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of the National Infection Service at Public Health England, said the new UK cases were all “closely linked and were rapidly identified”.
“Our priority is speaking to those people who have had close and sustained contact with confirmed cases so that we can advise them on what they can do to limit the spread of the virus,” he added.
China’s coronavirus death toll rose by 97 early on Monday to 908, with the number of confirmed cases on the country’s mainland increasing to 40,171
Meanwhile, 60 more people on a quarantined cruise ship have tested positive for coronavirus, Japan’s health minister has said.
Advertisement
There are now 130 confirmed cases on the Diamond Princess, quarantined in the port of Yokohama, near Tokyo, with officials previously saying 70 people had the virus among the 3,711 passengers and crew.
More than 3,600 people are still in a 14-day quarantine on board the ship.
A plane carrying British citizens evacuated from the virus-hit city of Wuhan landed in Oxfordshire on Sunday.
The flight, with more than 200 people on board, including some foreign nationals, arrived at RAF Brize Norton shortly before 7.30am.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Joaquin Phoenix Honours Late Brother River In Emotional Oscars Speech On 'Injustice'

Phoenix’s speech also touched on animal rights, and he specifically went into graphic detail discussing the dairy industry.
“We feel entitled to artificially inseminate a cow, and then we take her baby... Then we take her milk and put it in our coffee,” he said.
The actor continued on to say that the people in the room gave him a second chance in life, and told the crowd those chances when “we’re at our best.”
“When we support each other, not when we cancel each other out for past mistakes, but when we help each other grow. When we educate each other. When we guide each other toward redemption, that is the best of humanity,” he said, before tearing up to quote lyrics from his late brother, River Phoenix’s band, Aleka’s Attic. River died in 1993.
“When he was 17, my brother wrote this lyric. He said, ’Run to the rescue with love, and peace will follow,’” he concluded his speech.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has come in for criticism this year ― and not for the first time ― for the homogeneity of its nominees. Only one person of colour was nominated in any of the four acting categories (Cynthia Erivo, for Best Actress in Harriet), and all of the nominees for Best Director were male.
Phoenix, for his part, also won Best Actor for Joker at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards earlier this month, and similarly used his platform there to criticise the organisation for its treatment of people of colour. All 20 nominations in the BAFTAs’ four main acting categories this year went to white performers.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Emotional Brad Pitt Dedicates First Acting Oscar Win To Kids: 'I Adore You'

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A visibly emotional Brad Pitt won his first-ever acting Oscar on Sunday night, dedicating his award to the six children he shares with ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
The actor picked up the award for his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in the Best Supporting Actor category, beating screen veterans Tom Hanks (A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood), Al Pacino (The Irishman), Joe Pesci (The Irishman) and Anthony Hopkins (The Two Popes).
Advertisement
Getty Images
After hugging co-star Leonardo DiCaprio, Pitt took to the stage to deliver an understated and moving speech about his decades-long journey through the entertainment industry.
“I’m not one to look back, but this has made me do so ... all the wonderful people I’ve met along the way, to stand here now ― Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, ain’t that the truth,” he said.
He ended his speech by dedicating the award to his children ― Maddox, 18, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 13, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 11.
Advertisement
“This is for my kids, who colour everything I do,” he said. “I adore you. Thank you.”
Brad Pitt’s full acceptance speech at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/pIoiixbYrr — Brad Pitt Web (@BradPittWeb) February 10, 2020
Pitt and Jolie, who divorced in 2016 after two years of marriage, were locked in an acrimonious custody battle long after their relationship ended.
The two reached a final agreement over the custody of their children in November 2018 after years of bitter negotiations in and out of the public eye.
Pitt has become something of an awards show darling this year, dominating the competition at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the Golden Globes, the British Academy Film Awards and essentially every other ceremony for his turn as over-the-hill stuntman Cliff Booth in the Quentin Tarantino-directed feature.
And, of course, his legitimately funny acceptance speeches, in which he’s joked about everything from his difficult marriages to his co-star “LDC,” have raised expectations for his time on the Oscars stage.
Advertisement
He did make some cracks during his Oscar speech, referencing President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial and the blocking of John Bolton’s testimony.
“They told me I only have 45 seconds up here, which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week,” Pitt said.
Brad Pitt accepts the Actor in a Supporting Role award for "Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood" onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9 in Hollywood, California. Kevin Winter via Getty Images
He also paid tribute to director Tarantino, adding that “the film industry would be a much drier place without you.”
For Pitt, it’s been on a long and winding road to his first acting Oscar win. The 56-year-old previously won an Academy Award in 2014 for producing 12 Years a Slave.
Advertisement
He’s been nominated for six previous trophies at the awards show, scoring his first nod in 1996 for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as Jeffrey Goines in the drama 12 Monkeys.
The Academy overlooked Pitt’s performances for more than a decade after his first nomination until 2009′s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, but he lost to Sean Penn for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
In 2012, he received dual nominations for starring in and producing the baseball drama Moneyball before finally taking home a trophy for the Steve McQueen-directed drama two years later. Pitt’s sixth Oscar nomination came from producing The Big Short, which was nominated in 2016 for Best Picture but ultimately lost out to Spotlight.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post misstated the ages of Pitt and Jolie’s six children.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--More Than 20,000 Homes Without Power In Wake Of Storm Ciara

LOADING ERROR LOADING
More than 20,000 homes have been left without power as Storm Ciara continues to wreak havoc – with warnings of strong winds and heavy snow still in place.
UK Power Networks reported more than 18,500 properties across the east and south east of England were in the dark, while Western Power Distribution said more than 2,800 homes were cut off.
Advertisement
“We understand how difficult it is to be without electricity and our teams are working hard to get everyone back on supply as quickly as is safely possible,” UK Power Networks, which owns the power lines across London, the south east and east of England, said in a statement.
“Our engineers have already restored the majority of power supplies affected by the storm, and we are helping families in vulnerable circumstances who are without power.”
Parts of the UK were facing blizzards and up to 20cm of snow on Monday, with travel disruption set to continue.
Advertisement
Some areas saw a month and a half’s rainfall in just 24 hours and gusts of more than 90mph swept across the country on Sunday.
Meanwhile, 178 flood warnings in place across the country.
Flights, ferries and trains all saw cancellations and delays on Sunday, while drivers faced treacherous conditions with floodwater, fallen trees and other debris closing roads.
A Met Office amber weather warning for wind, which had been in place across most of England, elapsed at 9pm on Sunday as Storm Ciara moved away to the north east of Scotland.
But a yellow warning for wind remained in force for the whole UK until midnight, with strong winds, heavy showers, snow and ice expected on Monday.
A yellow warning for heavy snow and strong winds is in place for Northern Ireland and most of Scotland and a yellow warning of snow and ice is in force for north west England throughout Monday and Tuesday.
Advertisement
A yellow warning for wind in the south is in place between 10am and 5pm on Monday.
A man photographs large waves caused by Storm Ciara as they hit the the seafront and wall in Newhaven, Britain February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Toby Melville Toby Melville / Reuters
Met Office meteorologist Alex Burkill told the Press Association: “While Storm Ciara is clearing away, that doesn’t mean we’re entering a quieter period of weather.
“It’s going to stay very unsettled.
“We have got colder air coming through the UK and will be feeling a real drop in temperatures, with an increased risk of snow in northern parts of the UK and likely in Scotland.
“There could be up to 20cm on Monday and Tuesday and with strong winds, blizzards aren’t out of the question.”
Train passengers were advised to check with operators before travelling, with early train cancellations expected as Network Rail engineers assessed the damage.
Advertisement
There were numerous reports of rail disruption on Monday morning, including trains on the TransPennine Express between Preston and Edinburgh being suspended due to flooding at Carlisle.
Hundreds were left stranded at Euston on Sunday, with fallen trees blocking several routes north and passengers advised not to travel.
⚠🚨 DO NOT TRAVEL 🚨⚠
This is our latest advice to passengers.
Really sorry, folks, but #StormCiara is making it increasingly difficult to run a reliable railway for you.@nationalrailenq @AvantiWestCoast @LDNOverground @LNRailway @CalSleeper pic.twitter.com/j4y2CGDcBu — London Euston (@NetworkRailEUS) February 9, 2020
Motorists are also warned to take care with continued disruption to the road network and tricky driving conditions likely to continue into rush hour.
And airports around the country on Sunday night told travellers to check their flight with their airline due to the continuing bad weather conditions.
Advertisement
British Airways said in a statement there will be a “minor knock-on effect” to Monday’s schedule.
“We’re getting in touch with those affected, and have brought in extra customer teams to help them with a range of options including a full refund or an alternative flight between now and Thursday,” the airline said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week

3 year old threw herself across her dad’s lap. Her face was covered in peanut butter and she kept yelling “I WANNA COLOR.” Then she cried. Then she wanted a hug. Then she took off her shirt and yelled about how hot it was.
Who needs drunken nights out when you’ve got toddlers?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Best Sex Toys For Women For A Little Self-Love This Valentine's Day

LOADING ERROR LOADING
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
You’re reading How To Get Off, our series celebrating bodies, pleasure, fantasy.
Sorry to go all cliché on you, but sometimes the best kind of love is the kind you give to yourself. And yes, this can mean reading self-help books, shunning bad dates in favour of nights in and asking for that pay rise you really deserve, but sometimes it might mean investing in some bedroom hardware that will have you feeling all kinds of empowered.
Advertisement
Whether you’re in a relationship but still enjoy going solo every now and then, or are single and looking for a way to increase your orgasms without giving yourself repetitive strain injury, we’ve rounded up the crème-de-la-crème of the sex toy world. From vibrators for beginners to put some buzz into your V-Day to heaven sent self-stimulators that mimic the feeling of oral, there’s something for everyone.
Yes, we know it’s Valentine’s Day but, as Eva Longoria once said: ‘The best sex I have ever had is with my vibrator.’ And who are we to argue with that?
HuffPost UK SONA™ 2 Cruise Cerise, Lelo
This soft silicone number has been specifically engineered to absorb sonic waves and transmit them back into your body, around your clitoris, for a deep, yet surprisingly gentle, sensation. It’s got a slew of five-star reviews online and I have several friends (ahem) that can vouch for it, too.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK ORA 3 Deep Rose, Lelo
Yes, it’s pricey, but so is ordering countless tubs of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream when the date you hung your orgasm hopes on flakes at the last minute. This new-age sex toy simulates the feeling of oral stimulation and is a mind-blowing combo of vibration patterns and an ultra-smooth rotating node – you’ll feel like you’ve got someone in bed with you.
HuffPost UK Desire Luxury Rechargeable Rabbit Vibrator, Love Honey
The Desire Rabbit is the evolved sibling of the infamous Rampant Rabbit. With a silken silicone shaft and ears to stimulate both inside and outside, this powerful sex toy has eight patterns and pulses to choose from, as well as 12 levels of adjustable intensity. Who cares about red roses anyway?
HuffPost UK BASICS Ribbed Anal Starter Dildo 5 Inch, Love Honey
Advertisement
Anal play can feel intimidating, but this starter dildo is the way to go if you’re curious. The long, soft ribbed shaft and tapered tip allow for an easier insertion and a heady experience once you’ve found your rhythm with it. It’s the sex toy equivalent of Pringles: once you pop, you can’t stop.
HuffPost UK Bondara Love Struck Silicone 10 Function Clit Stim, Bondara
We couldn’t have a Valentine’s Day roundup without including a heart somewhere, although this one comes in the form of a heart-shaped vibrator. Perfect if you’re looking for love that keeps on giving, this handheld vibrator has 10 different vibration settings and its ridge delivers more intense pleasure while the nodules bring softer sensations. We’re totally loved up!
HuffPost UK Bondara Red Silicone Rabbit Clitoral Stimulator, Bondara
This pocket-sized vibrator means that you can take the fun with you and, in theory, have it anytime, anywhere. You’re the master of your own fate with this one as you control how, and where, the vibrations hit depending on how you angle the soft ears or pointed nose. You’ll never be able to look at a bunny in the same way again.
Advertisement
HuffPost UK 7 Speed Quantum Vibrating Bullet, Ann Summers
Get straight to the point – no need for small talk – with this targeted clitoral stimulator. Simply push the button and enjoy seven speeds of vibrations and a body-tensing orgasm at the end of it. The Ben & Jerry’s can wait, this is where the party’s at.
HuffPost UK Pleasure is Second Nature Biodegradable Vibrator, Nasty Gal
I love the name of this vibrator, and love even more that it’s biodegradable; feel good while you do good, eh? It’s powerful, it’s portable and its slimline shaft means you can play pain free from the get-go.
HuffPost UK Take a Seat Non-Penetrative Vibrator, Nasty Gal
Advertisement
Get comfy this Valentine’s Day with a seated-vibrator. With 10 different settings to choose from, you needn’t worry about warming up your wrists, just sit down and wiggle about – you’ll soon find your rhythm. Plus, it’s worth it for the joy of knowing you’ll definitely get a seat instead of queueing at the bar for an hour drinking overpriced Negronis while you wait.
HuffPost UK Bodywand Luxe Mini Rechargeable Massager Wand, Simply Pleasure
An oldie (not literally), but a goodie, this bodywand clitoral stimulator delivers powerful orgasms every.single.time. You can charge it via USB - so need to scramble around for batteries – and its textured grip means that you can easily control where you want it to go. In fact, I’m officially renaming this to ‘magic wand’.
Getty / HuffPost How To Get Off Banner


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--'Everyone Gets To Orgasm Differently' – 5 Women On Their Eureka Moments

LOADING ERROR LOADING
You’re reading How To Get Off, our series celebrating bodies, pleasure and fantasy.
These are the two words rarely spoken during sex ed: female pleasure. From our school years, we’re taught how to avoid getting pregnant. We’re told about the male orgasm, but the female one, the one that has nothing to do with babies, is all but forgotten. And things don’t get much better as adults, with representations of female pleasure in TV, film and porn often world’s apart from reality. It’s no wonder so many women are struggling to get off.
For every sexual encounter, men orgasm on average 87% of the time, while women are left at 65%, according to research on the O-gap.
Advertisement
Heterosexual men orgasm most regularly, followed by gay men and bisexual men, then lesbians, bisexual women – and finally hetero women.
“Women are brought up to not voice their needs, to not be difficult or demanding, to not be a show-off and to not be sexual,” Lisa Williams, co-author of More Orgasms Please: Why Female Pleasure Matters, previously told HuffPost UK. “Then when we grow up and get to the bedroom, this is obviously going to have an impact.”
However, it’s never too late to discover the power of female pleasure – and there’s no correct way of doing it. To prove just that, five women share their very different “eureka” moments.
‘I kissed a girl in my 20s and it felt like fireworks’
Shilpa, originally from Delhi but now based in Leeds, dated men in her late teens and early 20s, but says she was never truly satisfied. “Even though it felt good, especially the kissing and cuddling, I never looked forward to it and even while we were having sex, I would want to get it over with,” the 25-year-old says. “But I kissed a girl at a club once when I was 24 and it felt like fireworks.”
Advertisement
That kiss – “like all the shit they show in movies” – was the start of Shilpa exploring her sexuality and last year, she met her girlfriend.
“I started looking forward to and even craving sex. I fucking love both getting and giving orgasms now,” she says.
“For me, physically having an orgasm feels like my insides all come together and then go around on a world tour. Emotionally, I feel like finally everything fits right, like everything makes sense in the universe.”
Shilpa says she felt her “main role” in hetero sex was “pleasing” her male partners, but in her same-sex relationship, things feel more equal.
“You still have to discover and figure out what your partner likes and gets turned on by,” she adds. “Even though you have the same organs, everyone gets to the point of orgasm differently.”
Advertisement
‘I met a man who made me feel safe naked’
Natasha, 44, who grew up in Hungary but now lives in London, says she discovered female pleasure when she was 18, with a boyfriend who was “very invested” in pleasing her.
“He was quite serious that he couldn’t imagine a man having vaginal sex without first giving orgasm, orally. He was also good at penetrative sex, in all sorts of positions, and I got quite used to getting pleasure. He made me feel safe naked and excited,” reflects Natasha.
“My body and femininity felt natural and sacred, something for me to enjoy with his help, not something to be ashamed of, or something that is a gift to a man. My body felt like a gift to me.”
The relationship ended because he “liked to spread the love around” and Natasha says it took until she was 30 for her to have great sex again. But that spell also ended in infidelity.
“In my 40s now, with two long-term relationships (and not-great sex) since, I am starting to wonder if it’s possible to find great sex and a great, loyal relationship in one,” she says.
Advertisement
“With other men, especially recently, it felt like they look at it as if I’m giving my body to them, which is the biggest turnoff. Because of that great experience when I was young, bad lovers put me off sex.”
Narathip Ruksa via Getty Images
‘I ditched the pill and found pleasure in my 30s’
Claire, 49, from Ayrshire, Scotland, had lacklustre sex during her marriage, which she describes as “aimed at his pleasure, mostly”. But when she got divorced at 29, then came off the pill, she says the combination of the two hugely improved her sex life into her 30s.
“My first real awareness [of pleasure] was after divorce. I came off the pill and then found out it was preventing my body from responding,” she explains.
“Discovering that getting aroused and wet was not the massive work load it had previously been took a lot of pressure off me, and made me relax and learn what I like and don’t like.”
Advertisement
Claire believes switching to a contraception injection eased her dryness – particularly because old problems persisted when she temporarily tried the pill again.
“I really noticed the sudden lack of body response, so realised what had been a source of pressure in our marriage was less us and more medicine,” she says – and her new partner also helped. “He was also a more considerate lover who incorporated a vibrator into sex,” she says. “I found sex really enjoyable and found my body did react and respond.”
Narathip Ruksa via Getty Images
‘Learning to make myself orgasm helped me communicate with partners’
Abigail Geiger, 28, who lives in Orlando, Florida, says until recently she’d orgasmed less than 10 times in 10 years of being sexually active. Last summer, she decided to take matters into her own hands.
“I’d been moping in my apartment after a particularly painful ghosting when I came across a video series promising to help any woman with her orgasm,” she explains. “I groaned at first. But something made me click the play button.”
Advertisement
The video, led by sex therapist Vanessa Marin, discussed all the potential reasons why a woman might struggle to orgasm and Abigail realised she’d spent a decade focusing on pleasing her partners, rather than herself.
“I started masturbating and I had an orgasm after the second try,” she says. “I felt total relief. And not just the normal post-orgasm relief. I also felt a sense of surprise: I was honestly surprised I was able to give myself the same euphoria after associating orgasms with partners my entire sex life.”
That moment strengthened her sense of self, she adds: “It made me feel powerful. Naturally, that spilled into sex with partners – after learning to make myself orgasm, I knew how to communicate that to someone else and make sex more of a two-way street.”
Starting to masturbate in her late 20s has taught her: “I am my most important partner”. “I no longer struggle with being able to orgasm by myself,” she says. “That’s a huge step for me. What I now struggle with is being confident enough to talk about it. That’s my new journey.”
Advertisement
‘I took control and my body felt like it had a huge release’
Reaching orgasm had never been a problem for Emma, 27, from Lincoln, when she’s flying solo. But she always struggled to climax through penetrative sex.
Advertisement
“It just doesn’t seem to work for me and focusing on having an orgasm was getting me down so I resigned myself to not having orgasms during sex with my boyfriend,” she explains. “We’ve been together about six months and recently, during foreplay, I was really enjoying it. Usually at this point when it gets good, we switch and start having sex – but I don’t come and he does. So this time, when he started putting a condom on, I told him not to stop and carry on with foreplay using his fingers and his mouth.”
The change in tack led to Emma’s first orgasm with her boyfriend and taught them both a lot about pleasure, she says. “It was like we had found something new to do together and we both loved it,” she says. “Physically, my body felt like it had a huge release and I wanted to collapse after, I lay on the sofa for ages feeling so great. It was empowering to get across to my boyfriend that I can have an amazing orgasm too if we try different things.”
The experience taught Emma that “women’s orgasms are just important”.
“You’ve got to take control sometimes,” she says. “Sex might not just be about sex. Sometimes foreplay can be the end goal. Try new things and don’t feel bad for your own needs.”
How To Get Off is our answer to Valentine’s Day, celebrating bodies, pleasure and fantasy – whatever your relationship status. We’ll be exploring what really gets us off in 2020, looking at sexual awakenings, toys and erotica, and real-life experience.
Getty / HuffPost


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Plant-Based Diet: Everything You Need To Know

On the surface, a plant-based diet sounds simple. And although it’s been trending lately, the idea of eating “mostly plants” has been in the zeitgeist since Michael Pollan spelled it out in “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” in 2006.
That said, anyone who has tried to move towards a plant-based diet knows that doing so isn’t quite as simple as it sounds.
A strict plant-based diet means eating no animal products (aka veganism), but not everything is black and white.
Obviously, a plant-based diet centres on plants: fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes. Strictly speaking, it excludes all animal products, including not only meat but eggs and dairy. Some people follow a more flexible plant-based diet that includes a little bit of meat and/or dairy, which isn’t technically a plant-based diet. But since both strict plant-based diets and more flexible ones are valid choices with proven health benefits, we’ll talk about both of them here.
“Some people say plant-based and mean vegan while others don’t,” said Marisa Moore, a registered dietician. “I use the term to mean mostly plants, not vegan.”
Then, there’s the question of what kind of plant-based food should be included in the diet. “Another group takes plant-based to mean 100% ‘whole foods’ plant-based, meaning even processed foods that are made entirely of plants are excluded,” said Taylor Wolfram, a registered dietician. She also pointed out that there is “no standard definition of processed food,” which further muddies the idea of what a “whole foods” plant-based diet really is.
bauhaus1000 via Getty Images A plant-based diet centers around plants: fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, seeds, beans and legumes. Strictly speaking, it excludes all animal products.
Advertisement
The bottom line is: One person’s plant-based diet might exclude animal products and processed foods, while another person’s might make a little bit of room for these things. What all plant-based diets have in common is that they emphasise eating mostly minimally processed plant foods.
There’s evidence that eating a more “whole foods” plant-based diet can improve health, even if you don’t cut out animal products completely.
Good news for anyone who can’t fathom giving up cheese or steak forever: You don’t need to eat 100% plant-based to see health benefits. Shivam Joshi is an internal medicine physician at the New York University School of Medicine who eats an entirely plant-based diet, but he doesn’t necessarily recommend that to his patients.
Many of them are immediately turned off by the idea of going completely vegetarian or vegan. “I don’t tell people to go vegetarian or vegan,” Joshi said. Instead, he tells them to eat plant-based meals most of the time, without worrying about cutting out meat and dairy altogether.
“You can get most of the benefits of a full-on plant-based diet by eating this way. No one has really shown that full-on vegan is better,” he said.
Advertisement
Moore also pointed out that eating a mostly plant-based diet “leaves room for flexibility, which can remove a lot of stress around eating. I’m a big fan of flexibility when it comes to food ― no need to try to be perfect.”
Moore suggested a limited amount of flexibility, though: “If you’re newly transitioning to a plant-based diet, you might start by adding just one or two plant-based meals per week and gradually work your way down.” Or, you could make a goal to only eat meat X times per week, depending on what feels realistic for you.
Joshi emphasised a diet rich in unprocessed, high-fibre plant foods. In the short run, he said, these foods deliver high levels of vitamins and minerals, and can help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In the long run, these effects can improve a person’s health outcomes.
“Epidemiological data shows that the more plant foods someone eats, the lower their risk for certain chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes and some cancers,” Wolfram said.
OK, but what does shifting to a plant-based diet actually look like?
“Whenever someone is considering a plant-based diet, I generally suggest starting off slow,” said Ryan Maciel, a registered dietitian with Precision Nutrition. “Start with one of your favourite dishes ― let’s say a chicken stir-fry. Replace the chicken with beans, lentils or tofu as your plant-based protein source.” In other words, take some time to get comfortable with cooking and eating a few simple plant-based meals before you start overhauling your entire diet.
Advertisement
Nastasic via Getty Images One person’s plant-based diet might exclude animal products and processed foods, while another person’s might make a little bit of room for these things. What all plant-based diets have in common is that they emphasize eating mostly minimally processed plant foods.
You can also focus on upping your fruit and vegetable intake before making any other major changes. Joshi pointed out that only 1 in 10 Americans eats the recommended five servings per day, and that making this a priority will have a huge impact ― you’ll get more vitamins, minerals and fibre, and likely eat less saturated fat (which the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends limiting to 10% of your total calories in order to lower your risk of heart disease). And, you’ll get the most out of those five-a-day if you eat a variety, including leafy greens every day, because you’ll also get a variety of nutrients.
When and if you do start eating primarily plant-based foods, be sure to prioritise protein and other key nutrients that are less abundant in plant foods.
Wolfram emphasised the importance of prioritising protein-rich plant foods.
“Legumes are a key food group for plant-based eaters to meet protein and amino acid recommendation,” she said. Protein recommendations vary from person to person, but the National Academy of Medicine recommends that adults get 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight each day, about 50 grams per day for a 140-pound person.
“Legumes include beans, lentils, peas, peanuts and soy foods such as tofu and tempeh. Plant-based eaters should strive for a minimum of 3 to 4 servings of these foods every day (1/2 cup beans, lentils, peas and soy foods; 1/4 cup peanuts; 2 tablespoons peanut butter).”
Advertisement
Maciel emphasised the importance of getting adequate micronutrients. Here are some ways to do that:
Dark leafy greens, beans and fortified grains are a good source of iron, and eating them alongside foods rich in vitamin C (like citrus and bell peppers) can help with iron absorption.
“ Omega 3-fatty acids are essential fats that can improve your health by reducing your risk of heart disease,” Maciel said. Omnivores can get these from fatty fish, but walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds are all good plant-based sources.
Dairy is off-limits, but it’s a major source of calcium. “There are plenty of other options for you to choose to meet your needs,” Maciel said. Fortified plant-based milks, tofu, broccoli, leafy greens, beans, nuts and seeds are all good sources.
“It can be challenging to get enough vitamin D from whole food sources, especially for vegetarians,” Maciel said. Although things like plant-based milk, orange juice and cereals are often fortified, people who don’t get much sun exposure might be lacking in vitamin D ― talk to your doctor about possible supplementation.
“ Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones,” Maciel said. “Since iodine is naturally found in foods such as fish and dairy, plant-based eaters excluding these foods may be at risk.” Seaweed and fortified grains are good sources, or you could switch to using iodised salt (many salts at the grocery store are iodised).
“Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products and fortified foods,” Maciel said. “Therefore, vegans need to take a B12 supplement or consume foods fortified with vitamin B12. Plant-based options include fortified plant-based milks, fortified cereals and fortified nutritional yeast.”
On a plant-based diet, your “staples” will look a little bit different.
“Especially if this is a new way of eating, know that it may take some time to figure it all out,” Moore said. “You’ll need to plan a little more to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need and not going hungry because you’re not sure what you can eat.” Cooking big batches of veggies and grains at the start of each week can make things easier, as can keeping plenty of canned or dried beans, nuts and seeds on hand.
Although processed foods shouldn’t make up the bulk of your plant-based diet, store-bought frozen veggie burgers and other plant-based meat alternatives are a smart way to round out your meals when you’re pressed for time and/or staring down an empty fridge. Likewise, fortified cereals and breads are good sources of many of the nutrients that Maciel mentioned above, so look for whole-grain versions and make them a staple in your kitchen.
One final thing to keep in mind: A plant-based diet isn’t realistic for everyone, and that’s OK.
What many plant-based diet advocates forget is that not everyone has access to unprocessed plant-based foods, and that even those who do might not realistically be able to eat them regularly. Roughly 11% of the U.S. population is food-insecure, meaning they don’t consistently have access to fresh and healthy foods. For anyone in this position, a plant-based diet will be nearly impossible. And even individuals who can access whole foods might not have time to prepare them regularly ― cooking whole foods from scratch takes longer than picking up ready-made food or cooking convenience foods. This is important to keep in mind when deciding whether a plant-based diet is realistic for you ― it’s also a reason not to extol the virtues of such a diet to everyone you meet, as it might instil shame in someone who just can’t eat that way.
Advertisement
“Plant-based diets can be appealing to those with eating disorders and disordered eating because certain foods are restricted and, therefore, the diet can reduce calories,” Maciel said. “For these individuals, a plant-based diet or any diet that restricts certain foods probably isn’t the best idea.” Instead, he recommended that those individuals shift away from food rules, with the help of a registered dietitian or therapist, if possible.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Oscars 2020: Eminem's Surprise Performance Sparked A Mixed Reaction From The Crowd

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Oscars bosses had a surprise up their sleeve on Sunday night, when Eminem rocked up in the middle of the show for an impromptu performance.
Yes, despite not having been on the list of performers announced prior to this year’s Academy Awards, the chart-topping rapper made a sudden appearance during the ceremony, much to the shock of viewers at home and, apparently, everyone in the audience.
Advertisement
After a video montage of past hit songs from films was played, Eminem appeared on stage to perform a live rendition of his signature track Lose Yourself, taken from the film 8 Mile.
It’s safe to say the surprise performance garnered quite a range of reactions from the celebrities in the audience, some of whom were up on their feet or rapping along, while others looked utterly bemused by the whole thing...
The crowd reactions to Eminem's Oscars performance is amazing 😂pic.twitter.com/oHIF0WO1pk — SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) February 10, 2020
the reactions to that Eminem performance were so good #Oscars pic.twitter.com/981WiI8mix — Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 10, 2020
Advertisement
IDINA’S REACTION TO EMINEM SKSKSKSKSKSKSK pic.twitter.com/jHNUjGbSDY — Sam Stryker (@sbstryker) February 10, 2020
A real range of reactions to that Eminem throwback (tbh not sure if Billie knew who he was) #Oscars pic.twitter.com/GMDpjc9ZUH — Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) February 10, 2020
Lose Yourself earned Eminem the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2002, although the rapper actually declined to attend the ceremony to collect the award at the time, and given it’s also not any noteworthy anniversary of his win, we’re still a little confused as to why he was there in the first place.
THE OSCARS® - The 92nd Oscars® broadcasts live on Sunday, Feb. 9,2020 at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood and will be televised live on The ABC Television Network at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST. (CRAIG SJODIN via Getty Images)EMINEM Craig Sjodin via Getty Images
Advertisement
Eminem surprise-released his 11th studio album, Music To Be Murdered By, last month, topping the album chart on both sides of the Atlantic.
Other big-name performers at this year’s Oscars included Janelle Monáe, who opened the show with a tribute to the big films of the last 12 months, and Billie Eilish, whose cover of The Beatles’ Yesterday accompanied the “in memoriam” montage.
Check out all the red carpet pictures from this year’s Oscars in the gallery below...
Oscars 2020: All The Red Carpet Pics You Need To See See gallery
Want to watch the Oscars live? Sky is screening the event on its Sky Cinema Oscars channel or you can sign up for a seven-day free trial for a Sky Cinema pass from Now TV.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Oscars 2020: All The Best Moments From This Year's Academy Awards

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Between impromptu performances, surprise wins and viral moments from the star-studded audience, there was a lot going on at this year’s Oscars.
At this point, you may well have heard that Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite has made history with its unexpected Best Picture win, while Joaquin Phoenix, Renée Zellweger, Laura Dern and Brad Pitt surprised precisely no one when they were awarded the night’s prizes for acting.
Advertisement
Still, as any awards show devotee will tell you, the ceremonies are about so much more than who won what.
These are all the key moments you might have missed from this year’s Oscars, if staying up until five in the morning isn’t really your thing...
1. First of all, Billy Porter was the obvious winner of the red carpet
Rick Rowell via Getty Images
A year after stealing the show with his infamous “tuxedo dress”, the Pose actor turned heads once again with this ensemble, made up of an elaborate skirt and a sleeveless top adorned with 24-carat gold feathers and platform boots.
Advertisement
Seriously, that’s how you make an entrance.
2. But special mention has to go to Kaitlyn Dever of Booksmart and Unbelievable fame
Amy Sussman via Getty Images
This dress gets the double thumbs up from us for not only being amazing, but also totally sustainable.
3. Natalie Portman also made headlines with her wardrobe choice
Natalie Portman embroidered her Dior cape with all of the female directors who weren't nominated for #Oscars. Check out her explanation here. pic.twitter.com/kyyo2wVMZf — Amy Kaufman (@AmyKinLA) February 10, 2020
Eagle-eyed film fans quickly picked up on the lining of Natalie’s jacket, which was adorned with the names of female filmmakers who were snubbed from the Best Director category in 2020.
4. And Timothée Chalamet’s fashion statement was also a bold one
Steve Granitz via Getty Images
Advertisement
On one hand, we love when male stars stray from the traditional tuxedo on the red carpet, but on the other hand…
5. With no host and therefore no opening monologue, Janelle Monáe kicked things off with this retrospective of the last year in film
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
Janelle’s performance also alluded to a number of films that were totally snubbed by the Academy in 2020, including Dolemite Is My Name, Us, Queen And Slim and, perhaps most obviously, Midsommar.
“I’m so proud to stand here as a Black, queer artist telling stories,” the singer told the audience. “Happy Black History Month.”
Advertisement
6. And then out came Billy Porter as Elton John
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
In another call-out to the night’s supposedly “snubbed” films, Billy Porter paid homage to Rocketman during the performance, with a quick blast of I’m Still Standing.
7. The first presenters of the night were former Oscars hosts Chris Rock and Steve Martin
Together, the duo poked fun at criticism the Academy has faced in recent years, most notably around the lack of diversity in the 2020 nominees.
Chris also suggested that Kevin Hart lost out on his Oscars presenting gig because of “Twitter”, while they both explicitly said they felt Eddie Murphy had been snubbed for his role in Dolemite Is My Name.
Advertisement
8. Brad Pitt won the first award of the night, and got a little bit choked up (as did we, actually)
Brad Pitt: "They told me I only have 45 seconds up here—which is 45 seconds more than the Senate gave John Bolton this week." https://t.co/Yg9e4wKstH #Oscars pic.twitter.com/VRTWbGMHll — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 10, 2020
As he picked up his first ever Oscar for acting (he was previously awarded one in 2014, for his work as a producer on 12 Years A Slave), Brad got things off on a political note, before shouting out director Quentin Tarantino.
From there, he took his speech in a rather personal direction, reflecting on his own career and verging on tears as he did so.
“Once upon a time in Hollywood… ain’t that the truth,” he observed. “This is for my kids, who colour everything I do. I adore you.”
9. Idina Menzel performed Into The Unknown with different Elsas from all over the globe
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
Advertisement
And obviously her Frozen co-star Josh Gad couldn’t resist a little dig at John Travolta while he had the stage.
10. Taika Waititi dedicated his Best Adapted Screenplay win to indigenous children all over the world who want to create art
The Jojo Rabbit director – the first person of Māori descent to ever win an Oscar – said: “We are the original storytellers and we can make it here as well. Thank you.”
11. Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig prove to everybody why they need to host the Oscars in 2021
Why is it that every year Maya Rudolph completely slays presenting at the Oscars, and every year Maya Rudolph is not given the job presenting at the Oscars? Literally, it makes no sense.
Advertisement
She and her Bridesmaids and Saturday Night Live co-star Kristen Wiig first kicked things off with a skit about being “too upset” to present their first award (it later transpired they were “just acting” and wanted to prove they had dramatic chops).
For their second award, they launched into a medley of songs about clothes, from These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ and Lady In Red to Vogue and You Can Leave Your Hat On.
Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig are having the most fun humanly possible. https://t.co/8kz7m5vtnF #Oscars pic.twitter.com/B01ZABKPKB — ABC News (@ABC) February 10, 2020
It was actually pretty impressive, not that everyone in the audience was sold.
12. Billie Eilish is not feeling Maya and Kristen’s unpredictable duet
Talk about a picture telling a thousand words…
ABC
13. Laura Dern
"Some say, never meet your heroes. But, I say, if you are really blessed you get them as your parents." @LauraDern dedicates her #Oscars win for #MarriageStory to her parents https://t.co/SKj2exF4dN pic.twitter.com/O6fjjM0Wv6 — The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 10, 2020
Advertisement
We repeat: Laura. Dern.
14. Eminem appeared completely from nowhere to perform Lose Yourself...
Craig Sjodin via Getty Images
Hours later, we still have no idea why this happened.
Lose Yourself is, of course, an Oscar-winning song, but Eminem didn’t even bother to show up to the Academy Awards that year, so why would he turn up in 2020 (other than the obvious fact he’s got an album to flog, that is).
15...and his impromptu arrival got a mix of reactions from the celebs in the audience
A real range of reactions to that Eminem throwback (tbh not sure if Billie knew who he was) #Oscars pic.twitter.com/GMDpjc9ZUH — Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) February 10, 2020
the reactions to that Eminem performance were so good #Oscars pic.twitter.com/981WiI8mix — Jarett Wieselman (@JarettSays) February 10, 2020
You love to see her hate to see it. pic.twitter.com/gJE4Er2IPi — Danny Barefoot (@dannybarefoot) February 10, 2020
Advertisement
We don’t think Martin Scorsese is an Eminem fan. Just a hunch.
16. Cynthia Erivo’s performance was absolutely astounding
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
We’ll be honest, this was not a song we were really aware of prior to Oscars night, but Cynthia undoubtedly gave the performance of the night with this. It probably should have won Best Original Song too (no offence to Sir Elton, of course), which would have made her the youngest EGOT in history.
Still, there’s always 2021, we suppose…
17. Cats finally gets the Oscars moment it deserves
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
We’re kidding, obviously, but we did laugh at this a lot.
18. Bong Joon-ho admits he’s “very ready to drink tonight” after winning Best International Film
Advertisement
Although most of his speech was in Korean, this one line in English was a true stand-out moment. Little did the filmmaker know, he’d be back on stage a further twice later in the night.
19. Billie Eilish covers Yesterday
It wasn’t quite the James Bond debut we’d been expecting, but it was still a great performance from one of the world’s most exciting popstars (not to mention an appropriate accompaniment to the “in memoriam” section).
20. Olivia Colman charms everyone yet again
MARK RALSTON via Getty Images
“Last year was the best night of my husband’s life,” Olivia told the world, with a grin. “He actually says that, and I’ve given birth three times.”
Advertisement
21. Joaquin Phoenix gave another heartfelt and impassioned speech after scooping Best Actor
He name-checked everything from environmental issues to his own past “scoundrel” behaviour, ending in an apparent plea for people to stop drinking cow’s milk and a quote from his late brother, River Phoenix.
22. Jane Fonda should win some class of award for the way she announced Best Picture
can not get enough of the emotions flashing across jane fonda's face as she realizes history is being made pic.twitter.com/o9dWA0sa1X — chuck (@anakinapoIogist) February 10, 2020
And the roar from the crowd afterwards shows just how much goodwill there was for Bong Joon-ho’s film.
Check out all the photos from this year’s Oscars red carpet below…
Oscars 2020: All The Red Carpet Pics You Need To See See gallery
Advertisement
Want to watch the Oscars live? Sky is screening the event on its Sky Cinema Oscars channel or you can sign up for a seven-day free trial for a Sky Cinema pass from Now TV.
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-10--Boris Johnson's Brexit Trade Plan Will Hit UK Economy, Experts Warn

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Make sense of politics. Sign up to the Waugh Zone and get the political day in a nutshell.
Boris Johnson’s Brexit plan for a Canada-style trade relationship with the EU will have a negative impact on Britain’s economy, an overwhelming majority of experts have told a survey.
Some 88% of more than 100 academics expect the relationship negotiated by the prime minister, in light of the strategy he revealed last week, to have a negative economic impact.
Advertisement
Most of the academics (59%) from leading universities also believed it would be “substantially” negative, the Brexit policy panel survey for the UK In A Changing Europe think-tank showed.
The experts last summer correctly predicted that Brexit would not happen on October 31 and that UK would have to ask for a delay.
Professor Anand Menon, director of UK In A Changing Europe, said: “Brexit poses a number of challenges.
“Not least, as this newest survey reveals all too clearly, an overwhelming majority of social scientists believe that the economic impact of Brexit will be negative.
Advertisement
“This will make the governments ambitious agenda for ‘levelling up’ the country all the more difficult to achieve.”
In February’s survey, taken after the PM outlined his Brexit strategy, a majority (67%) believed he would succeed in striking a deal covering trade in goods such as manufacturing and agriculture before the end of the year.
But they were pessimistic about the prospects for a quick deal on services which make up the vast bulk of the UK’s economy before the end of the transition period, with nearly three quarters (74%) believing agreement in this complex area was unlikely by 2021.
Despite this, nearly half (44%) of the experts thought Johnson would stick to his promise not to extend the transition beyond December 31.
More than half (53%) thought he would achieve his goal of negotiating a Canada-style trading relationship, although around a quarter thought the UK would end up with an EU-Switzerland type of arrangement, with sector-by-sector deals.
Advertisement
A slim majority (52%) of the panel also thought the UK would strike a trade deal with the US within the next five years.
Johnson outlined his government's negotiating stance during a key speech at the Old Naval College in Greenwich, London last Monday ASSOCIATED PRESS
On the contentious Brexit issues of fishing and financial services, the experts also predicted both the UK and the EU would be disappointed, at least in the short-term.
Less than half (47%) of the panel believed there would be a deal on the rights of EU fisherman to trawl UK waters by the end of the year, despite Brussels’ demands for access.
And more than half (54%) thought it was unlikely that the EU would grant permission for the kind of broad-based access the UK is seeking for its financial services through what is known as “equivalence”.
Advertisement
It came as Theresa May’s former deputy, David Lidington, admitted the previous government made mistakes in the first phase of the Brexit talks, which were marked by three years of rancour, chaos and division.
Lidington said ministers were slow to realise “how hard some of the political choices in the negotiations would be”.
“There should have been a different approach to the negotiations at the start, because I think it would have been possible then to come to the deal earlier,” he said.
“And possibly, you know, an attempt to reach out to the other parties early on, saying: ‘This is a national decision, we have had a vote in the referendum, now we need to move forward together.’”
Lidington also criticised May’s decision to create the new department for exiting the EU (DExEU), which was closed by Johnson on Brexit day, January 31.
Advertisement
“In my ideal world, I would not have invented DExEU as a department,” he said.