thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Animal Crossing Lets Me Lead The Peaceful Life I Crave Right Now

Courtesy of the author HuffPost UK
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, people are seeking different ways to not only pass the huge amounts of time many of us find ourselves with, but also cope with and escape the increasingly dark news cycle.
I’ve baked more bread in the last week alone than in the rest of my life combined. My roommates and I have developed an addiction to flavoured seltzer water — shoutout to mango La Croix. We’ve gotten really into the HBO show Succession. And then, of course, there’s Tiger King, the world’s latest WTF streaming obsession.
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But one coping mechanism has risen above the rest for me and millions of others around the world: Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
The video game, the seventh entry in the Animal Crossing series, dropped 20 March for the Nintendo Switch, a few days after social distancing began in earnest for many people. The release spurred many ill-informed line-ups at video games stores like EB Games and GameStop that were still open for some reason (they’ve since closed). But you could also order it online, which millions of people did.
The game launched to universal acclaim, and came at the perfect time for people to spend hours a day chopping wood, catching fish and paying off your debt to a pesky raccoon.
Like previous iterations of the Animal Crossing series, New Horizons finds the player tasked with setting up a small community filled with animal friends.
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“The game launched to universal acclaim, and came at the perfect time for people to spend hours a day chopping wood, catching fish and paying off your debt to a pesky raccoon.”
That’s it — there’s no grand macguffin to be obtained or bad guys to beat. Your job in the game is to live in this virtual town and make friends with virtual animals like Dom the ram or Flora the flamingo.
Honestly, a dream right now.
“New Horizons” includes the added spin of a tropical island setting, and an escapist “vacation” vibe. Like previous entries in the series, you must repay a series of loans to that pesky raccoon I mentioned, named Tom Nook (who’s definitely a crook) in order to set up first a tent, and later an ever-expanding house.
Eventually, other animals move to your island. “New Horizons” has a particular “DIY” crafting theme, where your character can take raw resources and build other things like furniture, gifts or landscaping for your island and its residents.
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It’s solitude done right, and a great way to spend the hours you’re stuck inside social distancing. Every day I log on and collect hardwood to build artisanal furniture that I resell to Timmy and Tommy, the raccoons that own the local shop. Sometimes, I dig up fossils to help Blathers the owl fill up his museum. Other days, I build a rainbow crosswalk on my island because I want my virtual world to be filled with pride.
There are some loosely defined goals built into the game — catch this many fish to fill out your collection, collect materials to build a general store — but overall the game experience is up to you.
Making music? You can do that.
So, I played a saxophone solo in my latest video... using the in-game alto saxophone in Animal Crossing New Horizons. No pitch shifting - this was all completely random notes! Just took a few takes!
Full video here if you're interested :) https://t.co/Dxrxyb7j5B pic.twitter.com/nMxVU9jfBD — insaneintherainmusic (@insanerainmusic) March 30, 2020
Recreating horror movie scenes? Definitely.
Day 10 of self quarantine and I’m already making my own horror movie in Animal Crossing ❤🪓 pic.twitter.com/aB7oz2U7uO — mei (@meidianatahir) March 25, 2020
When animal crossing became a horror game pic.twitter.com/4heCFkGV3F — 𝙍𝙞𝙥𝙥𝙡𝙚 (@Ripplethegamer_) March 27, 2020
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Or maybe you just want to catch a bunch of tarantulas? You can do that too.
And while you can spend all day puttering around doing whatever your heart desires, it can also be a delightfully social experience.
My friend Marta was set to fly out to the west coast from Calgary this past weekend for her 30th birthday. Friends were going to gather in Victoria, karaoke would be sung, it was going to be a blast. However, with advisories against non-essential travel, large gatherings and more, those plans quickly collapsed.
But the party lived on in Animal Crossing. Marta opened up her island and friends popped by throughout the day to wish her well, drop off fruit, and pose for adorable pictures by the cake she had set up.
Marta and I celebrate her birthday in "Animal Crossing: New Horizons" in lieu of an in-person party. Nintendo
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Up to eight people can visit a virtual island at once, which has led to plenty of wholesome parties.
since we are quarantined we threw @_goodluckjoy a surprise bday party on animal crossing :^) HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOY !!!!!!!!! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ pic.twitter.com/9RuMCZ7em2 — Jackie Lee 🍓💐🎁 (@_itsjackielee) March 25, 2020
My boyfriend's birthday is today but we couldn't have a party bedause of social distancing so we threw one in #AnimalCrossing! #ACNH pic.twitter.com/3KoT5VNk8K — Leels ☠ (@OfficialLeels) March 24, 2020
And long-distance partners are even going on dates in the game.
Can confirm that museum dates in #animalcrossing with your long distance partner are v v v v v v v wholesome and cute pic.twitter.com/cLKIzwh8ky — Elizabeth McCague (@eamccague) March 31, 2020
dates only in animal crossing now pic.twitter.com/6EQ2jHLBwK — mei 🍊 (@rottenmei) March 25, 2020
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There’s even been Animal Crossing weddings!
We don’t have a lot of control over the world around us right now, but in Animal Crossing, you can decide everything down to where the trees on your island grow or how you spend your day. You may not be putting on anything but sweatpants in real life, but you can pick out a different adorable outfit for your character every day in the game.
There’s something wonderfully banal about going through the motions of normal life — albeit virtual — in video games. It’s why we love life simulation games like The Sims. But right now in particular, it’s easy to understand the appeal of a game like Animal Crossing, which takes that simulation and removes any stress and instead covers it in a veneer of cuteness and community.
“There’s something wonderfully banal about going through the motions of normal life — albeit virtual — in video games.”
I’ve been reporting on covid-19 since January. The daily new cycle has been exhausting, particularly in the past few weeks as this global pandemic has hit home here in Canada. Every day I read and write about more deaths, more diagnoses and more of my friends and loved ones losing their jobs. Whether you’re a reporter or not, you’re likely tapped into it too.
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March has felt like the longest month that’s ever been. And according to officials, social distancing restrictions will be in place until at least the summer. Further, we won’t return to “normal” until a vaccine is developed — which will likely take more than a year.
What’s helped me get through it is, sometimes after a long day of following this endless news cycle, I’ll log off Twitter, curl up with a cup of tea and boot up the game.
My character in the video game "Animal Crossing: New Horizons." Nintendo
There’s this little outcropping of rock on my virtual island that stretches out into the sea. I’ve set up a chair there where I can sit and watch the virtual sunset.
Sometimes I’ll sit there for half an hour, doing nothing at all and just watching the waves roll in and the sun go down.
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And for a little while, things are alright.
This article first appeared on HuffPost Canada Personal


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Banksy Jokes His Wife Is Sick Of Him Working At Home

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It looks like Banksy is going a little stir-crazy from self-isolation.
At least that’s the impression from a series of photos the elusive street artist posted on Instagram on Tuesday.
In the post, Banksy joked that his wife “hates it” when he works from home and then showed off photos of how he redecorated his bathroom in a rat theme.
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As ITV noted, Banksy commonly employs rats as a method of social commentary, so they were natural inspirations for his bathroom renovation.
Of course, as the other photos showed, the devil was in the details.
British street artist Banksy is now tackling his bathroom. Banksy via Instagram
Bansky's toilet. Banksy via Instagram
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Amanda Holden's Lockdown Photoshoots Just Got Even More Ridiculous (If That Was Even Possible)

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If you thought Amanda Holden dressing up to take the bins out was extra, just look at what she’s done now.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge has donned her wedding dress to cut the grass, in her most ridiculous lockdown photoshoot yet.
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Mandy has been keeping herself entertained while being stuck at home with her husband and two daughters by posting outlandish pictures and videos on her Instagram.
The latest sees her mowing her sprawling lawn while wearing her white wedding dress, accessorised with a tiara and wellington boots.
Posting the video on her page, Mandy wrote: “Nice day for a good mowing! Hope it puts a smile on your face.
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“Why not join me... post a video of an unusual thing you can do in a wedding dress.”
Amanda Holden mowed her lawn in her wedding dress Instagram
.had a bit of #fun with the family by mowing the lawn in my #weddingdress Why not join & tag me or @thisisheart and wear YOUR dress doing an unusual task! #doitinthedress ♥ #lockdown #stayhome #wecandoit💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/f0ApqkFANU — Amanda Holden (@AmandaHolden) April 16, 2020
Earlier this month, Amanda was seen donning an evening dress to take her bins out, explaining she “wheelie wanted to dress up”.
She also posted a video of herself working out using freshly baked cakes as weights.
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When not posting 10/10 content online, Amanda has been enjoying cooking, running and FaceTiming while in lockdown.
Speaking to Woman’s Own, she said: “It’s a difficult and worrying time for a lot of families, especially on the work front.
“In all honesty, I’m quite enjoying spending time with my family. It’s making me take a step back and appreciate everything.
“I’ve never taken anything for granted, but love the fact it’s just the four of us in one house. Our house is always so busy and full of other people.”
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She continued: “I’m cooking, I’m running every day, and I’ve been FaceTiming and contacting family and friends way more than I’d normally have time for.
“I’m trying to appreciate the circumstances. Of course, I’m very lucky to still be working.”
Amanda is continuing to present her Heart Breakfast Show during the lockdown, travelling from her Richmond home to central London each day to wake up her listeners.
She is also back on our screens in the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent, which launched last weekend.
However, the auditions were pre-recorded before the coronavirus outbreak, with ITV also announcing the live shows will not air until later in the year as a result of the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Princess Anne Gives Rare Interview Urging Young Royals Not To Reinvent The Wheel

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Princess Anne allowed a rare look into her life in a candid new interview with Vanity Fair, in celebration of her 70th birthday in August.
Queen Elizabeth II’s only daughter spoke of the difficulty of having a title and also gave insight into the differences between how those of her generation in the royal family approach such matters as philanthropic endeavours, contrasted with the way younger royals do things.
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Anne described herself as “the boring old fuddy-duddy at the back saying, ‘Don’t forget the basics.’”
“I don’t think this younger generation probably understands what I was doing in the past and it’s often true, isn’t it?” Anne told the magazine.
“You don’t necessarily look at the previous generation and say, ‘Oh, you did that?’ Or, ‘You went there?’ Nowadays, they’re much more looking for, ‘Oh let’s do it a new way,’” she continued, before describing her attitude toward any new ideas.
“And I’m already at the stage, ‘Please do not reinvent that particular wheel. We’ve been there, done that. Some of these things don’t work,” she said. “You may need to go back to basics.’”
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Vanity Fair
Though the princess didn’t name names, her comments likely allude to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who announced their step back from the royal family in January and officially exited from it on March 31. The couple, who now split their time between the UK and North America, recently corroborated reporting by The Telegraph that they are starting their own non-profit organisation, which will be called Archewell.
It appears Anne likely referenced Harry, her nephew, and Meghan again ― and voiced a show of support ― when she spoke of not giving her own children His or Her Royal Highness titles when they were born. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex didn’t give their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, an HRH title, either.
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles,” Anne said of her decision for her kids, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips. “So I think that was probably the right thing to do.”
As Vanity Fair reporter Katie Nicholl notes in the story, her interview with the princess occurred a month after Harry and Meghan said they would be giving up ― but not losing ― their His and Her Royal Highness titles.
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WPA Pool via Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and Princess Anne attend a reception to mark the 50yh anniversary of the investiture of the Prince of Wales -- Anne's brother -- at Buckingham Palace on March 5, 2019.
The interview also referenced a recent moment that brought Anne global attention.
In December, she appeared to shrug off an interaction with President Donald Trump at a royal reception for the NATO summit in London, and was later accused of laughing about Trump with other world leaders.
Princess Anne responds with a shrug as the Queen gestures her after greeting US president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania.
The world leader was invited to meet the royals as part of the Nato summit held in London https://t.co/yAJDagcU0E pic.twitter.com/8GYnGe7IVc — ITV News (@itvnews) December 4, 2019
A Press Association report later denied any intentional shrug on her part or effort to poke fun, and an unnamed source told Vanity Fair that Anne was “unhappy to be dragged into that particular story.”
“She has always been careful not to be seen to be political in any way,” the source added. “She is also incredibly respectful, so any suggestion that she would laugh at anyone behind their backs was quite upsetting for her.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Seven Things You Need To Know About Coronavirus Today

Get the latest on coronavirus. Sign up to the Daily Brief for news, explainers, how-tos, opinion and more.
Men are dying from coronavirus at twice the rate of women in England and Wales, figures have shown for the first time, while the government has ordered 15,000 new ventilators.
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The latest figures show:
As of Thursday, a further 870 coroanvirus-related deaths in UK hospitals have been reported in the last 24 hours – 740 in England, 80 in Scotland, 32 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland – over 24 hours.
Nearly 16,000 coronavirus tests were carried out in England, Scotland and Wales on Tuesday.
98,476 people have tested positive for coronavirus in those three nations.
Here’s what you need to know today:
WHO dismisses health minister’s vaccine claims
A man walks along the beach in Cleethorpes as the UK continues in lockdown to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. (Photo by Danny Lawson/PA Images via Getty Images) Danny Lawson - PA Images via Getty Images
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said the world “can’t wait” for a Covid-19 vaccine to become available before lifting lockdown measures.
Catherine Smallwood, senior emergency officer at WHO Europe, warned that such immunisation is at least 18 months away, dismissing suggestions from health minister Nadine Dorries that the UK needed a vaccine before the nation could “exit full lockdown”
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Dorries came under fire on Wednesday for claiming that a vaccine was the only way the UK could escape restrictive measures, stating: “Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy.”
Journalists should stop asking about an ‘exit strategy.’ There is only one way we can ‘exit’ full lockdown and that is when we have a vaccine. Until then, we need to find ways we can adapt society and strike a balance between the health of the nation and our economy . #COVID19 — Nadine Dorries 🇬🇧 (@NadineDorries) April 15, 2020
Government approves first new adapted ventilator design
The government has ordered 15,000 new ventilators after the first newly-adapted design, created by a manufacturing consortium, was approved by regulators.
Hundreds of units of the ventilators, manufactured by Penlon as part of the VentilatorChallengeUK (VCUK) consortium – which includes Formula One racing teams Mercedes, McLaren and Williams – are expected to be produced in the next week.
The first 40 of the devices were sent to a military distribution site at MoD Donnington on Thursday for delivery to the NHS.
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At the outbreak of the crisis, PM Boris Johnson said the NHS needed more 30,000 ventilators – a number that was later lowered by health secretary Matt Hancock to 18,000. The NHS had approximately 8,175 ventilators at the time of Johnson’s initial request.
Men dying from coronavirus at twice the rate of women in England and Wales
The mortality rates for men with coronavirus are more than double the rates for women. Victoria Jones - PA Images via Getty Images
Coronavirus is killing men at double the rate of women in England and Wales, new figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show.
The data, published on Thursday morning, also revealed that 91% of deaths related to the virus recorded in March involved at least one pre-existing condition.
Covid-19 was the underlying cause of death in 3,372 deaths in March: the equivalent of 69 per 100,000 people – accounting for 7% of all deaths in England and Wales that month – 9% of all deaths for males and 6% for females.
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The data also revealed that the largest number of deaths were in those aged between 85 and 89 years old, with heart disease the biggest underlying condition.
Health secretary confirms 27 NHS coronavirus deaths
The health secretary has confirmed that 27 NHS staff have now died after contracting coronavirus.
Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast there had “very sadly” been 27 verified deaths, referring explicitly to the death of 28-year-old Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, a heavily pregnant nurse who died after contracting the virus.
More than £65,000 has now been raised for Agyapong’s family, including her newborn daughter who was delivered via emergency caesarean.
It is with great sadness we announce that yet another member of our nursing family, Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, has sadly died from COVID-19. She is survived by her newborn daughter. pic.twitter.com/PvZHMpRzBj — NursingNotes (@NursingNotesUK) April 15, 2020
Agyapong had worked as a nurse on a general ward at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital for five years, where she died on Sunday. She had tested positive on April 5 and was admitted to hospital on April 7.
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A Gofundme page set up on Wednesday morning had raised more than £65,000 by early Thursday morning.
“Mary was a blessing to everyone she came across and her love, care and sincerity will be irreplaceable,” organiser Rhoda Asiedu wrote on the page.
“I am raising this funds for her immediate family; her husband, AJ and her baby girl little Mary, who was born at the time of her demise.”
Colleagues paid tribute to Agyapong, who also went by her married name Mary Boateng, on the GoFundMe page. Renai Mcinerney wrote: “Sister Mary was my colleague, I worked alongside her for a few years. She deserves her family to be looked after, after she devoted her life to the NHS as a nurse.” Caitlin Green posted: “So sorry to Mary’s family and friends for her loss. She will live on in her beautiful baby girl.”
99-year-old veteran continues walking laps of his garden after raising more than £14m for NHS
Captain Tom Moore, 99, poses after he continued to raise money for health workers, by attempting to walk the length of his garden one hundred times before his 100th birthday this month. Peter Cziborra / Reuters
The 99-year-old veteran who has raised more than £14m for the NHS has completed the 100 laps of his garden - but will keep going as long as donations continue to be made in his name.
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Captain Tom Moore, who lives with his family in Bedfordshire, finished the last of the planned 25-metre laps early on Thursday morning.
Congratulations to @CaptainTomMoore, who has completed a fundraising walk to raise more than £12m for NHS charities!
Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment surprised Tom with a Guard of Honour at a safe distance as he completed his final lap.#InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/Yqw8K8AQqs — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 16, 2020
Hours later, Downing Street suggested that Moore’s efforts could be rewarded with an honour.
A spokesperson for No.10 said: “Tom has captured the heart of the nation with his heroic efforts and has raised an incredible amount of money for hardworking NHS staff.
“He has embodied the spirit of the whole country in doing their bit for the battle against coronavirus to support the NHS and save lives. From his military contributions to his support for NHS staff, Tom has demonstrated a lifetime of bravery and compassion.
“The prime minister will certainly be looking at ways to recognise Tom for his heroic efforts.”
His achievements – which started at a modest target of £1,000 last week, ahead of his 100th birthday on April 30 – were singled out by Matt Hancock during the Wednesday evening press conference at Downing Street.
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In his opening address, the health secretary said: “I want to pay a special tribute today to Captain Tom Moore.
“Captain Tom, you’re an inspiration to us all, and we thank you.”
Speaking on ITV, Moore said: “I’ve always been one for having a future, I always think things will be good. We’ve fought so many battles and we’ve always won and we’re going to win again.”
His daughter Hannah said her father had become “a beacon of hope for people” during challenging times and that the donations were “beyond words”.
She added that the local postmaster had already been “inundated” with messages ahead of Moore’s 100th birthday, which is on April 30.
At least 16 people killed in suspected domestic abuse attacks since the start of lockdown
The rate of deaths has almost doubled, campaigners have said. Ute Grabowsky via Getty Images
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At least sixteen people have been killed in suspected domestic abuse incidents since the start of lockdown three weeks ago, campaigners have said.
The figure of five deaths a week is more than double the UK average for the time of year, Sky News reported.
Counting Dead Women, a campaign group which account for domestic abuse deaths nationwide, have identified the deaths of sixteen people – including children – in the period between March 23 and April 12.
Support charity Refuge has also recently revealed a 25% rise in calls to the National Domestic Abuse Helpline within a five day period shortly after the PM announced the lock down.
Home secretary Priti Patel announced a new awareness campaign to tackle the issue during a press briefing on Saturday.
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She said: “I want to emphasise that anybody who is a victim of these crimes can still get help. Anyone in immediate danger should call 999 and press 55 on a mobile if you are unable to talk.”
Medics warn of increase in home deaths due to reluctance to call for an ambulance
Dozens more people than usual have died at home after suffering a cardiac arrest, medics have warned. Victoria Jones - PA Images via Getty Images
Dozens more people are dying at home each day after suffering cardiac arrests – potentially related to coronavirus – before ambulance crews can reach them, medics have warned.
Minutes of an online meeting held by London’s senior A&E staff, obtained by the Guardian, reveal the sharp rise in at-home deaths due to a reluctance to call for an ambulance.
The notes contained details of concerns shared by medics that seriously ill people are opting to avoid A&E or dialling 999 in order to avoid placing a strain on the service.
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“People don’t want to go near hospital,” the document said. “As a result salvageable conditions are not being treated.”
Fears have also been raised that many of thee deaths are as a result of untreated Covid-19, which can place an extreme strain on the heart. The head of one A&E department told the Guardian: “Of these 85 extra cardiac arrest deaths a day in London, they must be mainly Covid.”
Homeless charity faces ‘deeply troubling’ times amid crisis
One charity has warned of a 50% drop in donations. Chris J Ratcliffe via Getty Images
A homeless charity has warned of “deeply troubling” times amid the coronavirus crisis, as donations plummet amid a soaring demand for help.
Turning Tides, which supports 200 homeless people in West Sussex, says it is urgently asking for help as it faces a 50% drop in fundraising income due to lockdown.
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The charity has supported homeless people across the county for the last 28 years, but chief executive John Holmstrom says: “We have never seen anything like the situation we are facing now and urgently need to ask for help.
“The picture we are facing as an organisation is deeply troubling.”
The charity is asking the public to join a “campaign to keep homeless people in our community alive”, and vital emergency donations are requested via the Turning Tides website.
Holmstrom added: “We have 21 properties across the county supporting some 200 homeless people.
“Additionally, we are providing vital practical and emotional support to growing numbers of rough sleepers being housed in temporary accommodation to limit the spread of the virus.
“There is an unprecedented demand on our services and this will only increase in the weeks and months to come.
“Many of our courageous frontline staff are designated keyworkers and, like our colleagues in the NHS, they are under huge pressure and putting their own health on the line as they support some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--35 Tweets That Show Just How Much Parents Are Losing It In Quarantine

Did you know?
A cowbird will sneak into another bird's nest, lay her egg, and leave it for the other bird to raise.
And I'll be damned if that isn't the best parenting hack I've ever heard.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--This Morning's 18 Most Controversial Moments Ever

This Morning has aired many controversial moments over the years ITV/Shutterstock
Because it’s a show that usually only makes headlines because of a feel-good story or – let’s face it – because the hosts have totally lost it over a cheeky innuendo, it’s easy to forget that This Morning has actually been at the centre of controversy on a fair few occasions.
Since its debut more than 30 years ago, the ITV daytime staple has become known for its light touch, and over the years it’s cheered us up countless times while we’ve been off sick or *ahem* working from home.
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But whether it’s awkward interviews, touchy debate subjects and even political scandals, This Morning has also made headlines for all the wrong reasons on more than one occasion.
Here are just some of the biggest controversies to ever hit the show...
1. Eamonn Holmes and his coronavirus theory
ITV
In April 2020, Eamonn Holmes was criticised by viewers and scientists when he appeared to defend a conspiracy theory which suggested that 5G was responsible for the coronavirus pandemic.
The following day, he read out a statement live on air, insisting: “It is not true that there is a connection between the present national health emergency and 5G and to suggest otherwise would be wrong and indeed it could be possibly dangerous.
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“Every theory relating to such a connection has been proven to be false and we would like to emphasise that.”
2. Kerry Katona’s infamous interview
Kerry Katona had a new reality series to plug in 2008, and decided that This Morning would be the ideal place to plug it.
Unfortunately, that’s not quite how it played out.
After a turbulent few years in the public eye, the disastrous interview is perceived by many as a low point in Kerry’s media career, during which she was seen slurring her words and behaving erratically as she discussed her plastic surgery.
Presenters Phillip Schofield and Fern Britton were also criticised by some for their part in the interview too, with certain critics claiming they handled the situation in a heavy-handed and insensitive fashion.
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3. Phillip Schofield and his “list”
ITV
Then-prime minister David Cameron was a guest on This Morning back in 2012, with Phillip taking the opportunity to show off a more serious side of his interviewing abilities.
Unfortunately, this backfired, and after presenting the former PM with a list of alleged high-profile paedophiles, Phillip turned the paper over leading to some of the names being picked up by the studio cameras.
Phillip issued a public apology the following day, and was later reprimanded by ITV.
“If any viewer was able to identify anyone listed, I would like to apologise and stress that was never my intention”, he said at the time. “I was not accusing anyone of anything and it is essential that it is understood that I would never be part of any kind of witch hunt.”
4. Spin To Win goes full Black Mirror
This Morning hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby offered Spin To Win players the chance to win their energy bills covered for four months Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
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The popular Spin To Win game attracted criticism in September 2022, when it offered viewers the chance to win their energy bills paid for amid the cost of living crisis.
The competition, which usually sees cash prizes or holidays up for grabs, was dubbed “dystopian” and like something out of Black Mirror after the format was changed.
The following day, the prize was extended to cover any household bills of the player’s choosing.
Phillip appeared to dismiss the controversy, remarking to nervous laughter from Holly: “Wonder how much of that they can complain about online?”
However, the format then quietly returned to normal the following day.
5. Eamonn Holmes brands Meghan Markle “uppity”
In recent times, Eamonn has made no secret of his dislike for Meghan Markle, including an infamous tirade on his Talk Radio show, and a segment on This Morning in which he branded her “uppity”.
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The latter incident caused a stir after it was pointed out by one viewer – who made a complaint to Ofcom – that the word has racist origins, and was used in the US in the 19th Century to refer to Black people who “didn’t know their place”.
While reports initially stated that Eamonn had been reprimanded over this, ITV insisted this was not the case, but did say the matter had been a “point of learning” for the presenter.
He later denied this too, though, insisting: “I haven’t learnt anything from it. I’d keep it as a national conversation. I don’t have anything to say about it.”
6. Phillip and Holly interview Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn
ITV
In the lead-up to the 2019 General Election, This Morning featured interviews with the leaders of both the Labour and Conservative parties.
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However, many viewers took issue with an apparent disparity between the interview styles, noting that while Phillip gave Jeremy Corbyn a “grilling”, the same didn’t seem to be the case for Boris Johnson, with whom the duo were seen taking a selfie at the end of the segment.
After he and Holly began trending on Twitter over the selfie, Phillip tackled the backlash head on, insisting: “Can I point out that if Mr Corbyn had asked for a selfie, we would have happily obliged.”
7. Phillip accuses Fern Britton of “memory loss” over Bafta invite
It had long been rumoured that Phillip and Fern’s time presenting This Morning didn’t have the happiest of endings, and it seemed there was still a bit of tension between the pair when she was interviewed in honour of the show’s Bafta win.
Throwing a bit of shade, Fern claimed: “Congratulations on Bafta. That was absolutely wonderful and brilliant, and I would have loved to have been there, but I didn’t get an invitation...”
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“You are on stage,” Phillip interrupted. “So, how’s it going? Standing ovations every night...”
Cutting in, Fern quickly quipped: “Well, I wasn’t on [the night of the event].”
Afterwards, Phillip claimed on Twitter that Fern had in fact turned down an invitation to the Bafta celebration – infamously tweeting “#memoryloss” – and it later transpired that her management hadn’t actually passed along the invitation, turning it down on her behalf. Oh dear.
8. Holly and Phil face ‘queue-jumping’ accusations after filming report at Queen’s lying in state
Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield inside Westminster Hall BBC
Holly and Phil faced accusations of “queue jumping” during their visit to report on the Queen lying in state following Her Majesty’s death in September 2022.
There was an online backlash after they appeared inside Westminster Hall without having taken part in the public queue.
Programme bosses later issued a statement insisting that the presenters had attended in order to film a segment due to air the following week, and were there to report on the event as members of the media.
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The pair later addressed the controversy on air, with Holly saying in a pre-recorded voice-over during their report that she and Phillip had “respected” the rules in place, but “realise that it may have looked like something else” and therefore “totally understand the reaction”.
She explained: “Like hundreds of accredited broadcasters and journalists, we were given official permission to access the hall. It was for strictly for the purpose of reporting on the event for millions of people in the UK who haven’t been able to visit Westminster in person.
“The rules were that we would be quickly escorted around the edges to a platform at the back. In contrast, those paying respects walked along a carpeted area beside the coffin and were given time to pause.
“None of the broadcasters and journalists there took anyone’s place in the queue, and no-one filed past the Queen.”
Holly continued: “We, of course, respected those rules. However we realise that it may have looked like something else and therefore totally understand the reaction. Please know that we would never jump a queue.”
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9. Sam Delaney upsets pharmacists
Ken McKay/Shutterstock
Journalist Sam Delaney sparked more than 2,000 complaints to Ofcom in early 2020 when he made disparaging comments about pharmacists.
He caused a stir when he remarked that most people “rightly or wrongly — don’t have much respect for [pharmacists] anyway because we think that they’re pretend doctors”.
The president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society described Sam’s remarks as “extremely disappointing and concerning”, noting: “Pharmacists have a huge amount to offer the NHS and we work extensively across it.
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“Pharmacists, including myself, were infuriated by the comments made denigrating a profession which, on a daily basis, saves people’s lives.”
ITV responded: “During this segment contributors often express their personal or light-hearted views, which do not always reflect the views of This Morning. Referring to this specific topic, we apologise if there was any offence caused.”
10. Holly and Phil clash with Noel Edmonds
While they usually do their best to stay neutral as they interview guests, there was no mistaking the tension when Holly and Phil sat down to chat to Noel Edmonds in 2016.
After discussing his own recovery from prostate cancer, the former Deal Or No Deal host suggested to the duo that negative thoughts and attitudes can cause serious illnesses.
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Phillip suggested Noel’s comments could be perceived as “insensitive”, prompting the guest to blast the interview after going off air, a grudge he held for many more months later.
“Phil, trying to be Jeremy Paxman doesn’t suit you and at least JP gives his guest the chance to answer,” Noel said later. “If you are unlucky enough to be seriously ill, I promise I won’t be so callous and I will show you respect, sympathy and compassion.”
11. But he isn’t the only guest to get on the wrong side of Phillip
She’s known for her no-holds-barred attitude, and that’s exactly what Kim Woodburn gave Phillip Schofield when she appeared on This Morning to discuss her tumultuous stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
The two clashed after Kim called her former housemate, and Phil’s friend, Coleen Nolan “two-faced”, insisting: “She’s a horrible person. You won’t get phoniness out of me, darling, I’m 74 years of age… you’ve got a long time left to work on television, but if I never got a job on television again I couldn’t give a toss. So I’m not a diplomat like you.”
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The interview ended with Kim taking issue with the questions she was being asked, and branding the host a “big phoney”.
12. Eamonn Holmes rubs David Cassidy up the wrong way
The late David Cassidy was left unimpressed with Eamonn Holmes back in 2015, when the host brought up his financial issues, asking: “Are you just here to rubbish me?”
However, he was similarly defensive when Ruth Langsford questioned whether his fans were helping him through his difficulties, accusing the pair of “interrupting” him.
Later in the show, Eamonn admitted that had he not had his wife at his side, he’d have “told [David] where to go”.
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13. “Bondage For Beginners” segment raises eyebrows
At the height of Fifty Shades-mania, This Morning decided to air a segment exploring the film’s BDSM themes, titled “Bondage For Beginners”.
The decision to air a whole feature centred around various sex toys in the middle of the morning wasn’t one that sat well with everyone, though, with a total of 120 complaints being made to Ofcom.
Eventually, the media regulator cleared This Morning, with Phillip Schofield putting the whole thing down to “middle England outrage”.
14. Alison Hammond misgenders Caitlyn Jenner
ITV
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She’s a This Morning favourite, so many viewers were left disappointed when Alison Hammond accidentally used male pronouns to refer to Caitlyn Jenner during her time in the I’m A Celebrity jungle.
“So [Ant and Dec] are just loving Caitlyn at the moment,” Alison said. “He keeps coming out with these Geordie sayings, so he’s officially [a Geordie]…”
At that moment, Ruth interrupted, pointedly saying: “She is very funny.”
Alison then agreed: “She’s great, she’s fascinating.”
The moment was never addressed by Alison, and a rep for This Morning declined to comment at the time.
15. The “should boys cry?” debate irks viewers
ITV
After Ant Middleton made the worrying admission he encourages his son to take a “stiff upper lip” approach when it comes to displaying emotions in 2019, This Morning turned the topic into one of their debates, titled simply: “Should boys cry?”
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The debate featured building firm owner Glenn Slater and lifestyle blogger Vicki Psarias, with the former saying he felt the “tough love” he received from his own father had made him a “stronger person”.
However, the show’s decision to frame the topic as a debate came under fire from those watching at home, with many pointing out the high rate of suicide among young men as reason alone to not present men bottling up their emotions as a valid argument.
16. But the unfortunate debate topics don’t stop there
ITV
This Morning had already taken heat for a different debate two years earlier, in the wake of the allegations that had recently been levelled against the disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein.
Nick Ferrari and Debbie Arnold were both featured in the debate, titled “Have Sexual Harassment Allegations Gone Too Far?” (yes, really).
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During the discussion, Phillip said: “The thing is, for all the good that #MeToo has done, it has been widely used to name, with no proof, with no concrete evidence… and then someone’s name is attached to the #MeToo.”
When Debbie – who had recently spoken about her own experiences of sexual harassment – then commented that “sometimes you have to do that”, at which point Phillip interrupted, saying: “But why do you have to do that? Why don’t you just go to the police? Why are you using Twitter to name someone?”
The debate was branded “infuriating”, “disgusting” and “disgraceful” by viewers on Twitter.
17. Rylan Clark apologises after consent comments
ITV
While guest presenting This Morning in 2016, Rylan Clark led a debate about consent, and whether or not it was something that male university students should be taught about.
During the segment, Rylan suggested there should also be “compulsory alcohol classes” if consent was to be taught to young men, adding: “This is very much a two-way street.”
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He later claimed his comments had been “taken out of context”, but apologised to those he’d offended.
“I believe my comments have majorly been taken out of context and if anyone was offended by what I said I do apologise but in no way [do] I condone any sexual abuse,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I’m mortified that a small handful of you got that impression. Apologies if anyone was offended. I was referring to an earlier case study we didn’t actually touch on and have been very misinterpreted.”
18. Eamonn Holmes suggests to a sex addict that she should “charge for it”
Ken McKay/Shutterstock
Yes, this actually happened.
In 2012, Eamonn joined Holly Willoughby on the couch to interview Crystal Warren, a woman who said she was a sex addict.
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After she detailed her addiction, Eamonn offered: “If you need this five or six times a day, have you never thought about making a business of it? Charging for it?”
Crystal then protested, to which he responded: “If you’re not particularly selective, what I’m saying is, why wouldn’t it be a business to you?”
An ITV rep said at the time: “Eamonn’s question was in the context of a wider balanced and frank interview and we have had no complaints.”
19. Katie Hopkins
This Morning has frequently been named as one of the causes of Katie Hopkins’ ascent to notoriety, as around 2013 and 2014, they frequently featured her as a commentator during controversial debates.
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Her most infamous appearance came during a discussion about names, in which she said she wouldn’t allow her children to play with certain classmates, if she didn’t approve of what they were called, rattling even the usually-stoic Holly.
Specifically naming “geographical” names as a bugbear of hers, Phil then pointed out that Katie’s own daughter is named… India.
20. Amanda Holden’s feud with Phillip Schofield
The feud between Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield is a long and complicated one, but in a nutshell...
When Holly went on maternity leave in 2014, Amanda was brought in to replace her, and she returned multiple times to guest present in the years that followed (although admittedly not always with Phil).
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In 2018, Holly had to miss two months of the daytime show while she filmed I’m A Celebrity in Australia, and it looked like the Britain’s Got Talent judge was a frontrunner for the job.
The Sun has claimed that Amanda had indeed been lined up to cover for Holly but ITV had withdrawn the offer at the last minute, instead giving it to Rochelle Humes, and that Phil had influenced the decision.
However, ITV was quick to deny Phillip had been instrumental in Rochelle’s hiring, saying in a statement: “Presenter line-ups on This Morning change regularly. Final decisions are made by producers, not presenters.
“Phillip is a much-loved broadcaster and part of the ITV family. He’s a consummate professional and held in high regard at ITV.
“Amanda is also held in high regard as a judge on one of our biggest shows,” they added.
Since then, Amanda has taken multiple shots at Phillip in the press, although he’s remained fairly tight-lipped about the whole thing.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Pastors Sue California Governor For Limiting Religious Gatherings

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Pastors from three California churches are suing Governor Gavin Newsom and several local officials for restricting religious gatherings during the coronavirus pandemic ― arguing that their congregations can worship in person and practice social distancing at the same time.
In a federal lawsuit filed in the Central District of California on Monday, the evangelical Christian plaintiffs insist it’s unconstitutional for the state to allow some businesses to stay open ― such as grocery stores, restaurants, and laundromats ― while houses of worship are forced to close, even if they agree to abide by the government’s guidelines for social distancing.
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“If a Californian is able to go to Costco or the local marijuana shop or liquor store and buy goods in a responsible, socially distanced manner, then he or she must be allowed to practice their faith using the same precautions,” Harmeet Dhillon, former vice chairwoman of the California Republican Party and a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, told The Associated Press.
The plaintiffs include the pastors of three churches, one in San Bernardino County and two in Riverside County. A woman who attends the San Bernardino church is also listed as a plaintiff.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a stay-at-home order to combat COVID-19 on March 19. Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
The lawsuit claims Newsom’s stay-at-home order from March 19, and similar measures by Riverside and San Bernardino local officials, are a “gross abuse” of power that takes advantage of the pandemic to expand government authority “by unprecedented lengths.”
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Newsom’s order deems as essential “faith-based services that are provided through streaming or other technology, but in-person services are not listed.
James Dean Moffatt, senior pastor of Church Unlimited in Indio, California, was fined $1,000 for violating Riverside’s order prohibiting social gatherings after holding an in-person service on April 5, Palm Sunday, the lawsuit states.
Moffatt had his church building cleaned and disinfected after hearing about the virus, according to the complaint. The pastor also made sanitisers available to everyone who entered, encouraged families to sit at least six feet apart, and told anyone who was sick or uncomfortable with coming to church to stay at home.
Moffatt believes it is important for Christians to “come together, remember, and celebrate all that Jesus has done for this world,” the lawsuit states. The pastor also believes the Bible commands him to baptize people and pray for the sick by laying his hands on them ― two acts that can’t be done online.
A 5-year-old child put his head down on an empty pew at a church in Oakland, California, on March 22. Shannon Stapleton / Reuters
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Days later, Riverside issued a clarification to its order stating that drive-up church services that practised social distancing would be allowed just for Easter Sunday.
Brenda Wood, senior pastor of Riverside’s Word of Life Ministries International, held a drive-up church service at her church on Easter. Parishioners wore masks and each car was parked at least six feet from other vehicles, the complaint says. Church restrooms were off-limits during the service. Wood spoke through a portable sound amplification system, which meant congregants rolled down their windows to listen.
Communion was served by an individual wearing a mask and gloves, who handed out pre-packaged elements using tongs.
The pastor shared photos of the service on her Facebook page on Tuesday.
Wood wants to continue holding drive-up church services until the state of emergency has been lifted, the lawsuit states, citing a Bible verse from the book of Hebrews as the pastor’s inspiration. The verse encourages believers to not give up on “meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing.”
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“Wood believes she can implement proper social distancing measures similar to those practiced by restaurants, auto mechanics, and abortion clinics,” the lawsuit states.
Patrick Scales, lead pastor of Shield of Faith Family Church in San Bernardino, also wants to have church services while practicing social distancing guidelines. Scales said most of his congregants will stay at home, but he would like to be available for those who are healthy and believe they can safely attend in-person services. Families would stay six feet apart from other families and all worshippers would wear masks, the complaint says.
Scales “believes that religious services are essential for the spiritual
health of the congregation so that the congregants can exhort one another during these difficult times,” the lawsuit states.
The way California and these two counties have enforced their bans on religious gatherings has been inconsistent and “ad hoc,” the complaint alleges. Riverside, for example, made an exception to its order for Easter Sunday, but didn’t make exceptions for other Holy Week events or for the holidays of other faiths.
Neither Newsom’s office nor officials in Riverside and San Bernardino counties have responded to HuffPost requests for comments on the lawsuit.
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A church in Sacramento held a Palm Sunday service on April 5, despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom's stay-at-home order. Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Most churches in California have stopped holding in-person services, The Associated Press reported.
California’s legal tussle over the constitutionality of limiting religious gatherings emerges as similar debates take shape nationwide. States have approached the issue in a variety of ways ― some have explicitly prohibited religious groups from worshipping in-person while others have offered religious exemptions to statewide stay-at-home orders.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--This Is What It's Like To Have Asthma During The Coronavirus Pandemic

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We’re here to guide you through the coronavirus lockdown. Sign up to the Life newsletter for daily tips, advice, how-tos and escapism.
“How do I feel emotionally? I’m anxious – like many people,” Julie Thompson Dredge, 42, from Petersfield, tells me, when I ask how she’s managing her asthma. “I’m living with a certain amount of dread, doing things like sorting out my will should the worst happen – as I know I could be in trouble if I got coronavirus.”
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Many people are anxious about their health right now, but it’s worse for those classed as vulnerable. Back in March, the government released guidelines for those “at very high risk” if they were to contract coronavirus – and that included people with asthma. The national charity Asthma UK is constantly updating its guidelines to make sure people are effectively managing their condition.
But what’s it really like for sufferers?
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Thompson Dredge was diagnosed at 18 – the first week she went away to uni, when she was hospitalised – and has managed the condition ever since. In the past she’s dealt with bad flare ups, A&E and ICU visits due to her symptoms.
“It’s under control at the moment,” she says, “but the pandemic has meant I’m ultra vigilant about keeping on top of my medication: taking it twice daily, making sure I have three months’ supply at home, and it’s also made me really conscious about not going out.”
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Precautions she’s taken include cleaning with fewer products: “I use a steam mop and less stringent chemicals. Scented candles are a no no, as well as perfume.”
For some asthma sufferers, the worry is constant. Sonal Dack, 45, from south-east London, says when she heard about Covid-19, she was immediately more worried about a ‘surprise’ asthma attack if she caught the virus, so she’s been hyper-aware of the slightest change in how she breathes.
Dack, who’s been managing her asthma since she was five, is currently recovering from a heavy bout of symptoms associated with coronavirus.
HuffPost UK Sonal Dack: 'I know from experience that getting agitated can make it worse.'
“It’s been mentally quite tiring to constantly monitor my breathing but then try and stay calm if for example my chest feels tight or my breathing feels laboured,” she tells HuffPost UK. “I know from experience that getting agitated can make it worse. Fortunately, it’s not ever become too bad and I’ve been able to control it with medication.”
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Dack started taking her preventer inhaler more regularly, but had to stop because it was drying her throat out and making her cough more. “I keep my blue inhaler on me all the time and don’t hesitate to take it at the slightest sign of breathing difficulties. Normally I’d try and see if it will pass, but I don’t think it’s worth risking it right now. I don’t want to give our doctors any more work!”
“Normally I’d try and see if it will pass, but I don’t think it’s worth risking it right now” - Sonal Dack
Samantha Smith was initially under the impression she’d be fine during the pandemic, but started to struggle with her breathing after a trip to London. “Thankfully it was just a bad chest infection, but it meant I stopped being so ignorant to it and began to take precautions by regularly visiting Asthma UK’s website for coronavirus updates,” she says.
The 27-year-old, from Swadlincote in South Derbyshire has had asthma since primary school, but it’s been increasingly hard to manage as she’s got older. “Last year alone I was put on steroids five times and this year I’ve had four weeks worth so far. If I’m poorly, I feel like someone is pushing down on my chest and making it impossible to breathe.”
Since the outbreak, Smith has refused to see her boyfriend of seven years – he’s also an asthma sufferer, as well as his dad. “I’m worried about it because I don’t know what will happen to me if I get it – look at Boris Johnson as an example. I am taking self-isolation very seriously and I’m not using my daily exercise outside just in case I encounter someone who may be unwell.”
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HuffPost UK Samantha Smith: 'I don’t know what will happen to me if I get it.'
It’s been tough, Smith adds, and has created tension at home. “I had an argument with my dad because I wasn’t allowed to leave the house and broke down in front of my parents,” she says. “I’m independent and usually take care of everyone around me, rather than the other way round. I’ve had friends messaging offering to get me food and supplies and I hated it.
“It’s kind, yes, but it made me feel like I was incapable.”
Lydia Hutton, from Cardiff, has also been taking notice of her breathing a lot more than usual – and has stopped a couple of times to think if she needs her reliever. As a young child, Hutton was hospitalised due to her asthma. Day to day, it’s manageable, but she can’t go for more than 24 hours without her preventive [brown] inhaler before experiencing symptoms. “Taking my medication has become the same as brushing my teeth, I have to do it but as long as I do it doesn’t restrict the things I want to do,” she says.
Since coronavirus, she’s more aware of making sure her inhaler is on hand, and ensures she has her reliever [blue] inhaler with her at all times.
“I would often go weeks without knowing where the blue reliever was but now I know I have a spare in the car and one on my person every day.” She has also printed and updated her asthma action plan.
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HuffPost UK Supplied
Some sufferers are managing right now. Kirsty Warwick, 47, from Wimbledon, has mild asthma – and has done since her 20s. In preparation, she got her next two months of inhalers just before lockdown so she felt more secure at home. Her husband was concerned before lockdown that she shouldn’t be going out and about, but so far during the pandemic, she’s felt well and healthy.
“When I had a cough a few weeks ago, I was wary,” she says, “but I put it down to hay fever as I had no other symptoms and it wasn’t persistent.” Warwick has also reduced her trips out, which she says is easier now kids aren’t at school.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Feeling Anxious About The Supermarket Trip? Try These Expert-Approved Tips

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There’s an undeniable tension when you head to the supermarket at the moment. From the return of queuing up outside to spotting who among your fellow customers is wearing a mask and who isn’t, nothing about your regular shop feels “normal” right now.
Supermarkets have been identified as hotspots in the spread of the new coronavirus variant, and chains such as Morrisons and Sainsbury’s have announced they will be making mask wearing mandatory for all customers, except those with health exemptions.
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Many of us may still be feeling nervous about completing our essential errands, but we shouldn’t feel silly about these worries, says psychologist Dr Chloe Paidoussis-Mitchell – who could have predicted that popping out for milk could lead to such sweaty palms a year ago?
“Feeling anxious about the virus in supermarkets is a normal human response to an abnormal situation,” Dr Paidoussis-Mitchell tells HuffPost UK. “It is important [for people] to remember they may not be able to control what happens outside of them, but they can control what happens inside of them.”
Luis Alvarez via Getty Images
Dr Paidoussis-Mitchell says our way of “internal coping” is more resilient if we acknowledge and nurture it. You can do this by thinking about the task at hand logically. “Going to the supermarket is a manageable risk,” she says.
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Try to see current measures – the tape on the ground and staggered queuing at the checkout – in a positive light. They are there to keep you safe. Reminding yourself of the processes you’ll take after the supermarket, including washing your hands for 20 seconds, will make you feel more in control.
“The virus is not a superhero baddie,” says Paidoussis-Mitchell. “We can determine safe boundaries and taking caution is our superpower.”
mikeinlondon via Getty Images
It can also be helpful to remember times in the past where you’ve felt relaxed and in control at the supermarket, says Chloe Brotheridge, a hypnotherapist and coach at calmer-you.com, as this may prevent negative thoughts from spiralling.
“Do a mental rehearsal of going to the supermarket and imagine yourself feeling calm, grounded and self-assured as you do your shopping,” she says. “Imagine this with all your senses: see yourself looking relaxed, feel it in your body, notice your body posture, the sounds and smells – and imagine it going well.”
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If you feel panic rising as you approach the supermarket, both Paidoussis-Mitchell and Brotheridge recommend using positive affirmations. Try “I can’t control what happens outside of me, but I can control how I respond”, “I choose to hold on to my determined calm”, “all is well” or “I’ve got this”.
Practising controlled breathing will further reduce stress hormones being released at the perceived threat, explains Paidoussis-Mitchell.
Start by standing still. Then, fill your lungs fully by breathing through the mouth. Count to three whilst holding air in the lungs. Finally, breath out whilst counting to four. Repeat the exercise for a few minutes until you feel calmer. While you’re walking through the aisles, counting to 60 may also help you maintain a sense of calm, without getting too side-tracked from your shopping list.
Jacob King - PA Images via Getty Images
For some of us, anxiety around heading to the supermarket may have a more profound effect. If you’ve experienced a panic attack in relation to your weekly shop, you’re not alone – social media is full of people sharing their experiences.
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Panic attacks feel scary, but it may help to remind yourself they’re not dangerous, says Brotheridge. “It’s just adrenaline and the feelings soon pass,” she adds. “I love psychologist Claire Weeks’ advice to ‘float, don’t fight’. Imagine being able to float with the feelings instead of fighting against them.”
Journalling could be another way to nurture resilience and may lesson the frequency of attacks, says Paidoussis-Mitchell. “It’s a daily declutter of negative feelings and anxious thoughts will be less available to be triggered,” she says.
These tips are all designed to make panic and anxiety a little more manageable, but feeling nervous in the current climate is almost inevitable.
So don’t waste energy judging yourself for it. “Accept it and reframe it positively,” says Paidoussis-Mitchell. “The anxiety is only trying to keep you safe. Acknowledge it. Thank it and do what you can to reassure yourself internally. Normalising anxiety and fear can help us take control over it, moderate it and process it.”
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Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Does Extreme Heat Or Cold Kill Coronavirus?

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The novel coronavirus has upended our lives in many ways, and we’re all desperate to lower our risk of getting Covid-19, the disease it causes.
Experts are still learning about how the virus survives and spreads, including how temperature affects that process. However, there are some things they do understand based on current data and other known viruses.
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Here’s what you should know about whether certain extreme temperatures can kill the coronavirus:
Exposing yourself to the sun won’t eliminate coronavirus.
Hot temperatures don’t have an effect on the virus, and no area of the world has less of a risk than others right now because of its climate.
“You can catch Covid-19, no matter how sunny or hot the weather is. Countries with hot weather have reported cases of Covid-19,” according to the World Health Organization. “To protect yourself, make sure you clean your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose.”
Covid-19 can also spread in hot and humid climates.
There’s still a question of seasonality with Covid-19. Early on in the outbreak, experts suspected the virus could be like other coronaviruses and have a shorter lifespan at higher temperatures and in higher humidity. Most illnesses have an easier time surviving and reproducing in the colder months.
But we won’t know for sure this will happen with Covid-19 until the seasons change and more research comes.
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“We don’t have direct data for this virus, nor do we have direct data for a temperature-based cutoff for inactivation at this point,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The necessary temperature would also be based on the materials of the surface, the environment, etc.”
Cold weather also cannot kill coronavirus.
There also isn’t evidence that an extreme cold outside temperature will have an effect on the virus.
WHO notes that there is “no reason to believe that cold weather can kill the new coronavirus or other diseases.” Our normal body temperature typically remains around 98 degrees, give or take, regardless of the external temperature or weather.
Direct exposure to intense temperatures through other methods will also not eliminate Covid-19.
Hand dryers, hot baths, ice baths, UV lights and other related methods will likely not prevent a Covid-19 infection on their own. (The same goes for methods like dousing yourself in chlorine or alcohol sprays ― just in case that was something you were considering.)
WHO warns that attempting these methods may end up being harmful. For example, extremely hot showers can burn you, and UV radiation can cause skin irritation.
Bottom line: Practising social distancing and good hygiene is your best option for warding off coronavirus.
The best advice for preventing Covid-19 is the advice that’s been drilled into us from the beginning: Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and ― most importantly ― stay home. The CDC also now recommends that everyone wear a face mask in public.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Our Family WhatsApps Are Full Of Coronavirus Misinformation, And We Need To Talk About It

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It’s hard to believe that it’s been just weeks since the UK was brought to a standstill over coronavirus – I for one have settled into my new routine of government regulated walks and essential trips to the shop. However, helplessness has set in as I find myself waging war against coronavirus on a whole new front: WhatsApp.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock – for which, given the circumstances, I wouldn’t blame you – you’ve probably encountered coronavirus misinformation on social media in the last month. Whether it’s hastily forwarded coronavirus conspiracy theories or clearly faked screenshots that have previously prompted an eye roll and chuckle, they’ve drastically increased in frequency and infiltrated major public conversations. From Houseparty and Monzo being forced to deny rumours that they’re on the brink of collapse to the government stating that there was “zero per cent” of a rumoured “total lockdown” in London, unsubstantiated reports are spreading from WhatsApp into the news without substantial evidence.
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These messages generally follow the same format (as the now infamous giant lasagne voice note proved), with someone telling you that their friend’s mate/cousin/colleague works in the NHS/Army/Home Office and wants you to know we are being misled. In my experience, they have usually been passed on by someone already scared about the virus, with the messages confirming their fears. As soon as one arrives, I’m filled with dread: not at the message’s content, which can be verified with a quick Google, but knowing that I’ll have to address it.
We’ve all heard the term ‘fake news’ bandied around, but no matter how media literate you may be, there seems to be a disconnect between the evidenceless messages we share with our friends and actual fake news.
“In an ideal world, we should find it easy to call out any misinformation we receive on WhatsApp... But as we’re slowly realising, this is far harder to do than you’d expect.”
Growing up as a teenager with access to the internet, my generation was taught internet literacy from a young age. For us, forwarded WhatsApp messages were scaremongering chain emails, and secondary school assemblies covered how to spot them and what not to believe. In an ideal world, we should find it easy to call out any misinformation we receive on WhatsApp, kindly educating the sender so they don’t repeat this pattern.
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But as we’re slowly realising, this is far harder to do than you’d expect. We’re British, it’s in our nature to avoid confrontation at all costs – and the thought of straining an already distanced relationship with a loved one during a global pandemic makes my skin crawl.
In many ways, it’s easier to call out misinformation that’s clearly faked or ludicrous, knowing that you’re likely to be backed up by another chat member or that the sender will probably understand. Things get tougher when it comes to the posts which aren’t so obviously damaging, but still contribute to this culture of misinformation.
One such message sent my way contained “18 wise words from Bill Gates” on coronavirus, telling its readers that the pandemic was “a great corrector” to humanity’s destruction of the planet. While the sentiment seemed harmless enough, one quick Google showed that it had obviously not come from Bill Gates.
“I really don’t blame anyone for falling for these messages. We all feel helpless in this situation of unknowns.”
Having promised myself I would highlight any misinformation, no matter how neutral seeming, I pointed out that the message was nice, but that a quick fact check would show it wasn’t from the Microsoft co-founder. “It’s not fact, it’s opinion,” they replied, clearly annoyed. I couldn’t really blame them, as they weren’t wrong: the words were opinion. But they weren’t Gates’ and his name gave them a validity they didn’t deserve.
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Many mates have had similar experiences, knowing they have to call out their friends and family for behaviour they’ve previously laughed off, and subsequently being made to feel guilty for doing so. You can preface your messages with the words “I’m not blaming you for sending me this” all you like, but that’s a message hard to convey over text without seeming patronising.
What’s frustrating is I really don’t blame anyone for falling for these messages. We all feel helpless in this situation of unknowns. And with trust for political figures already at a low, a message telling you that, yes, you are being lied to only confirms those fears. Messages aren’t passed on maliciously, but with the hope of stopping loved ones from being kept in the dark.
For my parents’ generation, the outbreak of covid-19 is both the biggest crisis they’ve ever experienced, and the first time they’ve had this influx of information – and misinformation – to contest with. My generation was raised on the internet, and that means I have a duty to call it out for everyone’s sake. But that doesn’t mean it’ll ever be easy.
Isobel Lewis is a features journalist. Follow her on Twitter at @izlew
Have a compelling personal story you want to tell? Find out what we’re looking for here, and pitch us on ukpersonal@huffpost.com


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--I Am A BAME Doctor and I'm Worried I Wouldn't Survive Coronavirus

Racism in medicine has always been an issue but it is back on the agenda during the global pandemic. Getty Images
Over the past few weeks, I have been coming to terms with the fact that I, a doctor, may become seriously unwell with Covid-19. And I am seriously concerned that as an African-British woman I may have less chance of surviving.
Due to the infectious nature of the disease, most hospitals have stopped or reduced visitors. This would mean I would have no one to advocate on my behalf, so if the severity of the disease doesn’t kill me, I could still be at risk by not receiving the same level of care as my Caucasian counterparts.
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Racism in medicine has always been an issue but it is back on the agenda during this global pandemic. I have witnessed Black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) colleagues face racism from patients and their colleagues, as well as being on the receiving end myself. I have seen patients insist they do not want to be treated by BAME doctors and threatening to submit complaints. In response to this, I’ve witnessed other staff saying nothing and seemingly trying their best to accommodate these wishes to avoid, at all costs, said complaint. It is important that the public and those in the NHS know the fears that a BAME doctor might have about how they might be treated as a patient, especially during this unprecedented time.
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As an NHS doctor working in maternity and armed with the facts that black women are five times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues, I am no stranger to contemplating health inequalities based on race. We are now learning that Covid-19 disproportionally affects those from a BAME background. Yet, we are simultaneously being told that this viral infection is “a great leveller” that does not discriminate.
Every death is a tragedy, but as Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the Council of the British Medical Association, said, the number of BAME individuals who have died cannot be “random” when you consider that BAME staff make up less than half of the NHS workforce. At the time of writing, out of the 45 NHS staff who have died of coronavirus, at least 32 appear to have been BAME.
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“I recognise as a female African-British doctor I am still in a relatively privileged position but that does not mean I am immune to the systemic discrimination BAME individuals may face should I contract Covid-19.”
BAME doctors might find it harder to complain about inadequate levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) and so might inadvertently place themselves at a greater risk of catching the virus, according to Dr Nagpaul.
I recognise, in many ways, I am in a relatively privileged position. But that does not mean I would be immune to the systemic discrimination BAME individuals may face should I contract Covid-19 and become unwell enough to require hospital care. My profession and status would not protect me then. Sadly, we know subconscious bias contributes to how easily healthcare is accessed and how that care is received.
I recognise that the reasons for the deaths we are seeing in the BAME community will be complex and varied. But some reasons may be unsettling. According to research by The King’s Fund, the variations in experience in health services and health outcomes are not only down to genetics, as is so often touted, but also racism, or, “cultural insensitivity”.
Very little progress has been made when it comes to reducing discrimination against BAME NHS staff. We can only hope that research into the tragic deaths of my fellow BAME colleagues during this epidemic will be prioritised. This may help inform how we as a profession can tackle and change a problem that goes against the core values the NHS — that we love and work for — holds dear.
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At this country’s time of need, each and every member of the NHS is selflessly placing themselves in the line of fire.
But we must acknowledge the BAME NHS staff potentially putting themselves at disproportionate risk for a system that does not value them equally.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-16--Coronavirus Has Brits Sleepwalking Into A Totalitarian Surveillance Stat

My smartphone was making me stupid, Dr Dominic Pimenta writes. Getty Creative
I never thought it would take as little as four weeks to accept a national decline into dystopia. But after just a month locked in my flat, calls from family and friends who live in countries with fewer restrictions, remind me that this is all a bit totalitarian.
As a human rights researcher, my own adaptability scares me. While I fully support taking all possible measures to save lives and prevent the spread of coronavirus, including lockdown, I am scared that my priorities as a human with a survival instinct can so easily overtake what is important to me as a citizen.
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I read news of the new NHS contact tracing app, and my worries come into sharp focus. It rattles the part of me that has spent the past year buried in research reports on the uncontrolled spread of surveillance capitalism and the undermining of our digital rights, before the term has even entered our common lexicon.
The UK, along with many other European countries, is introducing a Bluetooth-enabled app to trace and alert people who have been in sustained proximity with confirmed cases of Covid-19, who would then be told to self-isolate. Apple and Google have joined forces to enable the necessary technology. Supporters of such an initiative, including researchers at the University of Oxford, argue that this app could serve as a cornerstone of a lockdown exit strategy, putting an end to the enforced confinement of millions of people while preventing a deadly second wave.
While ample assurances have been given that data collection will be completely anonymous and stored only on local devices, the Guardian recently revealed a draft government memo explaining how the app could be “de-anonymised” through device IDs “if ministers judge that to be proportionate at some stage”.
This is precisely the danger we are currently facing. We risk giving our whole arm when we only agreed to our pinky. In international human rights law, temporary derogations of fundamental rights may be considered legitimate if they are time-bound, necessary, non-discriminatory, and transparent. The two latter points are particularly lacking when it comes to the Covid app.
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And that is assuming that it even works as intended in the first place. TraceTogether, the now open-source Singaporean app that is serving as the model for the NHS version, was only downloaded by about a fifth of the population. Eighty to 100% is needed for the app to be truly effective as a contact tracing tool. Digital tracing worked well in China because they did not rely on voluntary uptake, but simply utilised its extensive surveillance state. This gives you an idea of the scale of surveillance called for by these initiatives.
This also leads into the issue of digital inequality, already laid bare by our differentiated lockdown experiences (like whether or not you can afford high-speed wifi). In the UK, only about 20% of people over the age of 75 own a smartphone. We risk a situation where the most vulnerable to the virus do not have access to the tools being promoted as the best means of protection.
We have been living under surveillance capitalism for a good while, but the current crisis risks normalising a new level of tracking. Reminding us how we are still living with security measures taken after 9/11, Edward Snowden has warned of a new era of bio-surveillance that survives long after we finally get a coronavirus vaccine. In March, an open letter signed by over 50 technology experts pointed out that phone data from UK service providers is already being used to track people’s movements. We currently do not fully understand who has access to it.
But say that it works – is it worth giving up a little bit more of our data and a few more of our freedoms? We’ve already taken large bites out of that cake on an unprecedented scale. Even if we determine this app to be worth the price, we must ensure that the impact of these measures is as limited as possible. The Women Leading in AI group published an open letter to MPs recommending the government openly publishes the framework supporting the deployment of the app and establishes an independent oversight board to ensure accountability. They also demanded that the government clearly frames this as a temporary and collective endeavour, with end dates for when our data will no longer be stored for the app.
When it comes to our digital rights, as with so many other things we hold dear, we are currently balancing on the edge of a precipice. We can choose to demand that this health crisis is understood as a collective effort where decisions are made for and by the people, or sleepwalk into unquestioned mass surveillance and further erosion of our fundamental rights and liberties.
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The latter prospect is enough to jolt me awake in the mornings. Perhaps it’s time to consider adding “Contact MP about the NHS app” to our new lockdown routines.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-04-15--Captain Tom Moore, 99, Passes £12m In NHS Fundraising Bid

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The 99-year-old army veteran who has raised more than £12m for the NHS has reached his target of completing 100 lengths of his garden before his centenary celebrations.
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Captain Tom Moore, who lives with his family in Bedfordshire, completed the last of the 25-metre laps early on Thursday morning.
Congratulations to @CaptainTomMoore, who has completed a fundraising walk to raise more than £12m for NHS charities!
Soldiers from 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment surprised Tom with a Guard of Honour at a safe distance as he completed his final lap.#InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/Yqw8K8AQqs — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) April 16, 2020
His achievements – which started at a modest target of £1,000 last week, ahead of his 100th birthday on April 30 – were singled out by Matt Hancock during the Wednesday evening press conference at Downing Street.
In his opening address, the health secretary said: “I want to pay a special tribute today to Captain Tom Moore.
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“Captain Tom, you’re an inspiration to us all, and we thank you.”
At that point, donations had surpassed £8 million, but by Thursday morning the figure had risen by another £4m.
On Wednesday evening, when the figure stood at £10m, the military veteran wrote on Twitter: “10 MILLION POUND! Virtutis Fortuna Comes.”
10 MILLION POUND!
Virtutis Fortuna Comes
I want to thank all the people behind the scenes including @JustGiving, @BBCBreakfast and @GMB for being behind us from the start, and all the wonderful people donating! #TomorrowWillBeAGoodDay
🙌🏼 — Captain Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) April 15, 2020
Earlier, he told BBC One: “I think that’s absolutely enormous.
“At no time when we started off with this exercise did we anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money.
“It just shows that people have such high regard for matters of our National Health Service and it’s really amazing that people have paid so much money.”
Moore began raising funds to thank NHS staff who treated him for a broken hip.
His daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, told the BBC that the amount raised was “beyond our wildest expectations”.
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When the JustGiving page went live last week, they thought their £1,000 target was a “real stretch”, she said.
“No words can express our gratitude to the British public for getting behind Tom, for making this into a heartfelt story,” she added.
“He’s a stoic Yorkshireman, he’s an unruffled straight-down-the-line kind of person and has embraced this adventure as the next stage of his life.
“I believe that life is all about purpose, we all need purpose, and, whilst he’s had a life full of purpose, he did fall and break his hip and became much less independent than he had been for the preceding 98 years, and what you have done, the British public, and everyone who’s supported him, is giving him his next purpose.
“He is articulate, he’s alive, he’s doing this and I think he’ll do this until everyone says, ‘Stop, don’t do it any more’.”
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Originally from Keighley in West Yorkshire, Mr Moore trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the Army for the Second World War, rising to captain and serving in India and Burma.
Meanwhile, an eight-year-old girl has started an online campaign for children to make birthday cards for Mr Moore’s 100th birthday.
Reegan Davies, from Port Talbot, South Wales, set a target of 1,500 virtual cards after posting a video online to thank him for his fundraising efforts.
She says in the video posted on Twitter: “You’ve got to make a birthday card for Tom, any social media you post it, and tag #makeacardfortom”.
– Donations to NHS Charities Together can be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-07--Boris Johnson Under Fire From Corbyn For Failing To Make Commons Statement On Iraq

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Boris Johnson has been accused of a “hiding behind his defence secretary” for refusing to appear in public to comment on the escalating crisis in the Middle East.
Jeremy Corbyn lashed out as the prime minister decided not lead for the government in the Commons on the US assassination in Iraq of Iranian military chief Qassem Soleimani.
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Defence secretary Ben Wallace updated MPs instead, but Corbyn responded formally for the Opposition in a bid to highlight the national importance of the situation.
The cabinet discussed events in Iraq at its meeting on Tuesday morning, and Johnson is set to chair a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) to go through detailed responses.
Downing Street insisted the PM was closely involved, but Corbyn asked Wallace:“Could he tell us where the prime minister is and what is he doing that’s so much more important than addressing parliament on the assassination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani – an extremely dangerous and aggressive act that risks starting yet another deadly war in the Middle East.”
Corbyn said the PM had not answered a series of questions he asked in a letter, adding: “Instead today he’s hiding behind his defence secretary.”
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A Labour source added: “This is a significant development with potentially major implications for the national security of this country.
“It is a dereliction of duty for the prime minister to refuse to come and update parliament and the country on this important issue.”
Johnson has not given any TV clips or appeared in public since his return from his Christmas holiday.
But No.10 defended the decision to delegate to Wallace, with foreign secretary Dominic Raab unavailable because he is in Brussels to discuss the situation with French and German counterparts.
Iranian MP holds a poster of Gen. Qassem Soleiman in the Tehran parliament ASSOCIATED PRESS
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“The PM leads a cabinet government and the response to events in the middle east is a collective cabinet response,” the prime minister’s official spokesman said.
“The prime minister has spoken to and continues to speak to world leaders.
“He has overseen the ministerial response and will chair the National Security Council. The safety and security of our personnel is of paramount importance and we keep our force protection measures under review.
“The defence secretary along with other ministers has worked to ensure British assets and interests are prepared and protected and he will update parliament with the latest developments.”
The spokesman added that during the cabinet meeting the PM stressed “the importance of protecting British citizens and interests and de-escalating tensions”, but a “more substantial” discussion would take place at the NSC.
Johnson, who returned from his Christmas holiday on a Caribbean island this weekend, has already been under fire for waiting several days to formally respond to the Iraq crisis.
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Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry accused Johnson of “sunning himself and drinking vodka martinis” instead of dealing with the issue.
Soleimani’s killing took place on Friday but it was Sunday evening before any Johnson statement was issued by No.10.
Thornbery said there had been three emergency Cobra meetings where Mark Sedwill, the cabinet secretary, had been forced to chair in Johnson’s absence.
Acting Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey said it was “shameful” that Johnson was “hiding behind his ministers on the dangerous situation in the Gulf”.
“The prime minister should stop dodging Parliament and explain what he will do to deescalate tensions and ensure the safety of British service personnel and civilians in the region,” he said.
“Boris Johnson must confirm that he will not blindly follow Donald Trump into military action against Iran, potentially the most reckless decision since the Iraq war.”
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Meanwhile, forty people have been killed in a stampede as Iranians flocked to the burial of the top commander killed in a US drone strike, officials say.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-07--Orange Is The New Black's Yael Stone Gives Up US Green Card To Reduce Carbon Emissions Amid Wildfire

Orange Is The New Black's Yael Stone Gives Up US Green Card To Reduce Carbon Emissions Amid Wildfires

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Currently living in the US, the Australian actress has an American green card, and divides her time between the States and Australia.
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However, amid the recent bushfires, Yael has announced she has made the decision to move back to her home country, suggesting it is not “environmentally ethical to build a life across two continents”.
“Time to make a sacrifice,” she tweeted, alongside a video message explaining her decision.
Not environmentally ethical to build a life across two continents. Time to make a sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/4gFVImMeMg — Yael Stone (@YaelStone) January 7, 2020
“After a long, considered process, we’ve come to understand that it’s unethical for us to set up a life in two countries, knowing what we know,” Yael said.
“The carbon omissions alone from that flying, it’s unethical. It’s not right. So I will be going through the process of giving up my green card and saying goodbye to my life in America.”
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She added that she would be moving full-time to Australia “doing the work I can to make a difference here, because the time is now”, concluding: “This is war, and we’ve only got 10 years, so we have to make sacrifices.
“This is just the beginning for me.”
Yael Stone Jamie McCarthy via Getty Images
In the last week, a number of high-profile Australian stars have been speaking out about the wildfires, with Chris and Liam Hemsworth and Kylie Minogue making huge donations to help the cause.
Meanwhile, at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, Russell Crowe took the opportunity to raise awareness of climate change, inspired by the fires.
More than 20 people have died and millions of animals are believed to have been killed in the blazes that have ravaged the country in recent months.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-07--Amanda Holden And Kelly Brook's Swearing Forces Heart Radio Bosses To Add Delay To Broadcast

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Kelly Brook has claimed Heart bosses were forced to introduce a delay button when she and Amanda Holden joined the station last year.
Last year, Kelly became the radio station’s drive time presenter, and admitted that her loose tongue got her into a bit of trouble when she first started the role.
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She told New! magazine: “I’d never done radio before Heart, so when I started I’d come out with stuff and my co-hosts would look at me and go, “I can’t believe she just said that!”′
Kelly went on to reveal that producers introduced a “dump button”, due to her and Amanda’s penchant for bad language.
Kelly Brook Global
She added: “We’ve had to have a dump button put in. Since Amanda and I joined there’s a delay. They never had that before. It’s in case one of us swears!”
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HuffPost UK has contacted Heart for comment.
Of course, Amanda does have previous when it comes to live outbursts, dropping the F-bomb during last year’s Britain’s Got Talent live shows when one contestant’s routine proved to be bit too much for her.
Amanda Holden Global
Amanda also proved herself to be the queen of oversharing in 2019, most notably during an interview with Keith Lemon in which she detailed soiling herself during a night out.
Read Kelly’s full interview in the new issue of New! magazine.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-07--Teenage Neo-Nazi Who Planned Durham Terrors Attack Is Jailed

An excerpt taken from a teenager's 'manifesto' shown to a jury at Manchester Crown Court PA
A teenage neo-Nazi terrorist who identified possible targets in his home city has been locked up for six years and eight months.
The 17-year-old boy drafted his own manifesto which listed ‘Areas to Attack’ in Durham such as schools, pubs and council buildings.
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He also wrote of planning to conduct an arson spree with Molotov cocktails on local synagogues.
Various handwritten documents were seized from his bedroom in March by police who also found a collection of far-right literature, Manchester Crown Court heard.
The teen listed 'areas to attack' PA
Analysis of his computer devices and mobile phone uncovered numerous internet searches on firearms, explosives and knives.
In November, jurors found him guilty of preparation of terrorist acts between October 2017 and March last year.
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The youth was also unanimously found guilty of disseminating a terrorist publication, possessing an article for a purpose connected with terrorism and three counts of possessing a document or record containing information likely to be useful to a terrorist.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-07--Iran Latest: US Braced For ‘Severe Revenge’ As Crisis Escalates

The unfolding crisis in the Middle East has continued to escalate as the world waits to see how Iran will respond to the killing of General Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike last week.
UK and European allies have called for calm as Iranian officials threaten to “set ablaze” American interests in the region.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the developments of the last 24 hours.
Iranian officials promise retaliation
The leader of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has threatened to “set ablaze” places supported by the United States but gave no hint of where this might be.
Speaking on Tuesday at the funeral of Soleimani in the town of Kerman, Hossein Salami’s vow mirrored the demands of top Iranian officials – from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to others – for “severe revenge” against America.
Salami praised Soleimani’s exploits and said as a martyr, he represented an even greater threat to Iran’s enemies.
“We will take revenge. We will set ablaze where they like,” he said, drawing cries of “Death to Israel!” from the crowd.
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In a further development, Iran’s parliament on Tuesday passed a bill that designates all US forces as terrorists.
The bill states: “Any aid to these forces, including military, intelligence, financial, technical, service or logistical, will be considered as cooperation in a terrorist act.”
US on high alert but unsure what to expect
The next chapter of the crisis is largely in the hands of Iran as the US awaits its response to the killing of Soleimani.
While officials say American intelligence isn’t clear on whether Iran’s latest military moves are designed to bolster Tehran’s defences or prepare for an offensive strike, the US is continuing to reinforce its own positions in the region, including repositioning some forces.
A police officer and K-9 do a security sweep early on Monday as Congress returns to to Washington to face the challenge of fallout from President Donald Trump's military strike in Iraq. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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US officials have initiated a heightened state of military readiness as they prepare for a possible “tit-for-tat” attempt on the life of an American military commander.
One official said the US anticipated a “major” attack of some type within the next day or two, PA Media reported.
Statista
According to a report on Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, Iran has worked up 13 sets of plans for revenge for Soleimani’s killing.
The report quoted Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, as saying that even the weakest among them would be a “historic nightmare” for the US.
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An Iranian guard holds a Hezbollah flag during a funeral procession and burial for Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani/ Wana News Agency / Reuters
Britain treads a careful diplomatic path
Boris Johnson finds himself joining with French and German allies in calling for calm in the region, whilst attempting to maintain good relations with the Trump administration ahead of talks with the US on a post-Brexit trade deal.
The PM and foreign secretary Dominic Raab have said the UK would not “lament” the passing of Soleimani but have made it clear that Trump’s threat to target Iranian cultural sites would be a breach of international law.
The PM has briefed senior ministers on the situation in Iraq at the weekly meeting of the Cabinet, Downing Street said on Tuesday.
The spokesman said they agreed Soleimani had been responsible for “disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region and posed a threat to all our interests”.
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The spokesman said a more “substantial“ discussion would take place at the National Security Council later on Tuesday.
Raab is travelling to Brussels for talks with his European counterparts on the situation.
The United Nations
The US has denied a visa to Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif that would have allowed him to attend a long-planned United Nations Security Council meeting in New York on Thursday.
Qassem Soleimani pictured in 2016. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Under the 1947 UN “headquarters agreement”, the US is generally required to allow access to the United Nations for foreign diplomats but Washington says it can deny visas for “security, terrorism and foreign policy” reasons.
The Security Council meeting would have given Zarif a global spotlight to publicly criticise the United States for killing Soleimani.
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The situation in Iraq
The strike that killed Soleimani was conducted in Iraq where the US continues to have a large military presence.
Iraq has urged the UN Security Council to condemn the air strike as a “flagrant violation” of the terms of the American forces’ presence in the country and the Iraqi parliament voted over the weekend to force them to leave.
Senior Pentagon leaders were forced to reaffirm the US has no plans to withdraw troops from Iraq, when a draft letter from a senior military officer surfaced that appeared to suggest plans for withdrawal were under way.
Deadly stampede
At least fifty people were killed and hundreds injured in a stampede that erupted at a funeral procession for Soleimani in his hometown of Kerman on Tuesday.
Coffins of Gen. Qassem Soleimani and others who were killed in Iraq by a US drone strike, are carried on a truck surrounded by mourners during a funeral procession, in the city of Kerman, Iran, Tuesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
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The big winners
The threats of retaliation coming out of the US and Iran over the last 24 hours were enough to spook markets into taking a knock by closing time on Monday, but there were some beneficiaries of the chaos.