thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--The London Marathon Is Cancelled. Here's How Runners Feel.

Supplied Marathon runners share how they're feeling following the marathon cancellation
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The London Marathon has become the latest victim of Covid-19. After initially being postponed to October, the race will now only be accessible for a small pool of elite athletes. Others will be able to run the race remotely, if they wish.
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Of course, the marathon isn’t only about elite athletes. For many people, the 26-mile challenge is about more than just running fast; it’s a way of achieving a personal milestone, or celebrating the life of a person lost all too soon.
Its cancellation is gutting for many – those who have spent months training, those who’ve waited years to get a place, or even those who have used it as something to focus on through the pandemic. Many will be looking for new ways to motivate themselves and release tensions of the year – perhaps even running the 26-mile length alone in their own neighbourhoods.
HuffPost UK spoke to five London Marathon runners to find out how they’re feeling now they can’t take part in the famous race. Here’s what they had to say.
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NurPhoto via Getty Images
‘I was running for my dad, who said 2020 would be my year’
Sian, 30, charity worker for Age Cymru, North Wales
Supplied Sian, marathon runner
“Running the London Marathon was the dream for me. I’ve never been one for bucket lists, but I followed the event religiously, before I’d even ran a mile. I watched the last one with my dad, who passed away a few months after. He told me: ‘2020 will be your year Siani’. Three weeks after after he died, I was given a place on team Macmillan. Running gave me focus, which I needed.
“I spent weekend after weekend running for hours in various storms that hit us at the beginning of this year, as well as my own grief, which I hadn’t acknowledged previously. When my grief finally caught up with me, I wondered how I was still here breathing, in this world where my dad no longer existed.
“There were days when I had to focus on breathing from one hour to the next and nothing more. But despite how I felt, when my alarm would go off for my morning long run, I pulled on my running gear and gave everything I had.
“In February, I started to feel the unease of running this marathon. But given the race was in memory of my dad I was determined to run, if there was a possibility. I knew it was the best decision when it was postponed in April, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I hadn’t shed a tear or two! I’ve now signed up for a few virtual races with my son to raise funds for charities, including Mind and Roy Castle’s Lung Foundation.
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“After the latest announcement, I had a gin in the garden and a natter with my fabulous neighbour. I will run this weekend, and I will carry on running. My aim is to complete the virtual run in October, where my family can join me along the way! London will be there for us someday.”
‘I will still run, as a mark of defiance in tough times’
Walker, 32, law professional, London
Supplied Walker, marathon runner
“My first entry for the London Marathon ballot was in 2013, I was unsuccessful then and have been unsuccessful each in ballot entry since. In January 2020, I was fortunate enough to get a charity place with the Redress Trust – it was going to be my year! By the time London Marathon cancelled the April race, I had already run the 20-mile long run and fundraised £350 for the Redress Trust.
“The April announcement was a huge setback, but daily short runs during the tough lockdown days were a great antidote to the harrowing Covid-19 stories. I stopped marathon training between April and May and only restarted in June with the hope of running on October 4. It was difficult to train with uncertainty hanging over me, but I’m relieved with London Marathon’s decision.
“I intend on running the virtual 40th marathon on October 4 and raising as much as I can for Redress. While disappointed about the lack of crowds and atmosphere, I’m determined to still run the London streets I call home and collect the 40th medal and shirt. 2020 has been a tough year for most, I will run as a mark of defiance in tough times.”
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‘I’ll still be getting miles in, walking lots and doing weights in the gym’
Daniel, 37, recruitment business manager, Nottinghamshire
Supplied Daniel, London Marathon runner
“I’m relieved we finally have an answer about the London Marathon. I know they’re giving runners the option to do it virtually, but that’s not for me. Running the London Marathon is all about the experience, crowds, music, and other inspirational runners helping each other finish and grab that special medal.
“I’m no gazelle and don’t enjoy long-distance running, but training for the marathon saved me during dark times. My dad died at 55 from lung cancer, and I had depression and really struggled. It gave me a focus, a purpose and a way to give back to keep his legacy alive. He was my absolute hero and my world.
“Waiting for the marathon announcement has been mentally and physically draining. The 2021 marathon will be October now, so I won’t be re-starting my training plan until next year, but I’ll still be getting miles in, walking lots and doing weights in the gym.
“I’ll carry on helping others talk comfortably about their mental health and removing the stigma attached to it.”
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‘I’m absolutely exhausted and gutted I won’t be able to run’
Michael, 23, Boston
“I’m absolutely gutted I won’t be able to run the marathon in London this year. But, while it’s disappointing, I do feel runners can’t be too down about it, considering what’s happening in the wider world right now.
“It’s important, at times like this, to look at positives. I will still run the London Marathon in October, although it will be virtual from my hometown in Boston.
“I can then say I’ll be a part of the first (and maybe only ever) virtual London Marathon. Let’s see how it goes – and at least my training will not go to waste again! I know it won’t be the same as a normal London Marathon, but make no mistake, I will be back to run the London Marathon next year or in the next few years when the world is safer place again.
“My advice to other runners is to stay positive. The opportunity will come round again and will be bigger and better than before.”
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‘I’ve applied and been rejected many times’
Calandra, 41, entrepreneur, Brighton
Supplied Calandra, London Marathon runner
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“My initial feeling was relief! I’ve never run a marathon before, and I find running quite gruelling. I never start my training early enough, so although I ran the Brighton Half Marathon in February – and ran two halves during lockdown – my proper marathon training hadn’t really begun. My motivation fizzled when the April event was postponed, and it didn’t help that my husband put my running shoes in the tumble dryer!
“That said, the physical exercise focus really helped me in lockdown – it gave me a reason to be out the house, in the fresh air, and importantly gave me time alone. I’m generally an active person, so pounding the pavements in Brighton kept me positive and chilled – I’m very grateful to live here! Another benefit of me running was it motivated friends of mine to run, too.
“I’m a born and bred Londoner, and this event is very much on the bucket list. I’ve applied and been rejected many times, so another years’ wait won’t make a difference – and I’ll be waiting. For me it’s about the crowds, the atmosphere and running in my birth city.
“On October 4, I’ll sit on my sofa watching marathon documentaries and revel in having pain-free knees and no blisters!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Why Is It So Hot? Brits Told To 'Behave' As UK Braces For Warmest Day Of Year

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Brits have been told to brace themselves for what could be the hottest day of the year on Friday as a mass of hot air sweeps across the UK from the Atlantic.
The Met Office said that the current heatwave – which is expected to last until at least Sunday – was the result of “hot air mass” that had originated in the Atlantic Ocean, heating up as it swept across continental Europe.
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A combination of clear skies, strong August sunshine and light winds is a recipe for “very high temperatures”, a Met Office meteorologist told HuffPost UK.
The mercury is expected to rise to 37C in London and the south east on Friday.
However, forecasters have predicted that temperatures could surpass the 37.8C recorded at Heathrow on July 31 – the hottest day of the year so far and the UK’s third warmest ever.
A very hot day to come across parts of the UK on Friday 🌡#UKHeatwave #4cast pic.twitter.com/BDHNGt9rZx — Met Office (@metoffice) August 6, 2020
The threshold for a heatwave is three days of temperatures over 25C across most of the nation and 28C in London.
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In Bournemouth, where a “major incident” was declared in June after thousands flocked to the town’s beaches, the council warned people to “behave responsibly” when visiting the coast.
BCP Council tweeted on Thursday: “Councils do not have the power to close public beaches.”
However, it added: “Police can issue temporary dispersal orders if they consider these necessary.”
Councils do not have the power to close public beaches. Police can issue temporary dispersal orders if they consider these necessary.
Behave responsibly, follow the government guidance, respect our area and enjoy your visit!😎#RespectProtectEnjoy #EnjoySummerSafely — BCP Council #EnjoySummerSafely (@BCPCouncil) August 6, 2020
A couple stake an early claim on the best spot on the beach on August 07, 2020 in Margate Leon Neal via Getty Images
Public Health England (PHE) has issued a heat-health warning amid the high temperatures, with people advised to stay cool indoors by closing curtains that face the sun and ensuring pets or children are not kept in vehicles.
Ishani Kar-Purkayastha, a consultant at PHE, said the advice was particularly important amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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“This summer, many of us are spending more time at home due to Covid-19,” she said.
“A lot of homes can overheat, so it’s important we continue to check on older people and those with underlying health conditions, particularly if they’re living alone and may be socially isolated.”
A man talks to three girls as they dip their feet in the saltwater lido on Friday in Margate Leon Neal via Getty Images
Meanwhile, health expert Ilan Kelman warned that the UK’s rising temperatures will make it “highly dangerous” for people to be outside if more is not done to curtail climate change.
Kelman, who is a professor of disasters and health at University College London, said: “These temperatures are unfortunately in line with the expectations for heat under climate change, which is one of the most concerning health impacts.
“Without stopping human-caused climate change, these levels of summer heat and humidity will become regular, making it highly dangerous for us to be outdoors and even indoors without continual cooling.
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“Air pollution can also worsen under heat with its knock-on health effects, such as for cancer and asthma.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--20 Things To Ask Your Partner Before Marriage

1. Talk about debt.
2. Fully and willingly commit to one another. No ‘I’m not sure’ and ‘what ifs’ and ‘it’s not the right time.’ You are either in or you’re out.
3. When/how many kids y’all want (adoption? are one of you infertile? etc.)
4. Talk about STDs. Get checked. Seek medical help/informed professional knowledge. Keep those tests up to date and find ways to do so even within the marriage.
5. Talk about your 5-10 year timeline regarding career/education. Can you move? Willingness to relocate?
6. Levels of religiosity. Openness to growth? Lack thereof? Do you share fundamental core beliefs about life? Very important.
7. Anger managements issues: do one of you struggle? Are you in therapy for it/taking it out on others? Seek help, because it will destruct you and the future and the children.
8. Energy. Does it match? You decide. Follow your gut.
9. Clothing: it may seem like a small problem but small things eventually add up. Make sure your expectations match one another to full comfort.
10. Sexual compatibility. Not going to go into details, but y’all need to be on the same playing field. Consent wise, willingness to try things, traumas, etc… figure it out.
11. Finances: how do you intend on splitting bills? Gender roles? Taking the parents in during old age?
12. Age doesn’t matter too much. In my experience it’s about the person and what their world views are. If you are young, make sure the person you’re with will allow you to keep growing at your own pace and in your own way. It’s called respect.
13. Opposite gender boundaries. Set what’s okay. What’s not okay. Hugs/handshakes/etc. I know it sounds tribal and trust should be there, but you’d be surprised what people’s boundaries are. Better to know than not know.
14. Social media: believe it or not, people will break up over this. Some prefer privacy. Some not. Get on the same page or you’ll be clowning on one another.
15. I mentioned this before, but savings. How much do y’all have earned and combined? How much is your intended salaries? Is it sustainable? Apartment? House? Speak futuristically if it’s not something you can afford right now. Get on the same page.
16. What is cheating? Entanglements? Define your breaks.
17. Physical and verbal abuse: what is and isn’t considered abusive language and decorum? Seek help, please. Professionals can always step in.
18. What are your dying wishes? Burial proceedings? What if one of you becomes paralysed? Godparents? Uncertain events? Death? Speak it. Speak on all of it.
19. Importantly, love is not what keeps relationships going. An active commitment to LOVE, despite the downfalls, keeps it going. Get out the princess-king happily ever after mindset and you’ll be fine.
20. I want everyone to notice how I failed to mention level of education, family or tribal background, ethnicity, job level and all. It’s because none of this matters in the long run. Trust. you ain’t a good person based off superficial attributes.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Ex-Labour MP Eric Joyce Handed Suspended Sentence For Making Indecent Image Of Child

Former MP Eric Joyce PA
Former Labour MP Eric Joyce has been sentenced to eight months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work for making an indecent image of a child.
The sentence means that the 59-year-old will not spend time in prison, although if he fails to comply with the judge’s requirements or commits any further offences he could spend the remainder of his term behind bars.
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Joyce – who was the MP for Falkirk between 2000 and 2015 – had a 51-second film on a device which depicted a number of children, one of which was said to be 12 months old.
Joyce, of Worlingworth, Suffolk, pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to the offence, which took place between August 2013 and November 2018.
He was required to sign the sex offenders register after his admission.
Joyce, who became a Labour MP in 2000, left the party to serve as independent MP for Falkirk in 2012, stepping down before the 2015 general election.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Deplatforming Works, Just Ask David Icke

Katie Hopkins, who was removed from Twitter for breaching the platform's rules on hate speech. Joshua Blanchard via Getty Images
How should online hate and misinformation be dealt with? When Wiley launched a tirade of anti-Semitism, his social media accounts were removed, as have the accounts of hate actors like Katie Hopkins, and Alex Jones in recent years.
In response to the growing following of the QAnon conspiracy theory, Twitter has deleted over 7,000 accounts dedicated to it. Some deride this as a sign of an emerging “cancel culture” and an attack on free speech, but it should also be asked whether deplatforming actually works?
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Earlier this year, David Icke was the king of a profitable conspiracy empire. Within weeks of the pandemic reaching the US and UK, he had become the single greatest producer of coronavirus misinformation anywhere in the world.
As an organisation focussed on tackling the growing online myths about coronavirus, we could see Icke was a huge problem, but targeting him for deplatforming was not an easy decision. We asked ourselves in advance “is this going to work, or might it backfire?”
After all, publicly challenging those who spread hate and lies comes with the risk that you might just give them fresh exposure, making the problem worse, not better. The Center for Countering Digital Hate’s own research on online trolling shows that engaging with a claim in order to refute it can often help amplify and entrench it, both as a result of the technology and human psychology.
“Freedom of speech does not mean freedom of reach.”
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That said, there are consequences to inaction, too. Icke’s poisonous misinformation about coronavirus had already been viewed 30 million times.
Every week his social media accounts attracted another 22,000 followers. And all of this was helping make Icke and the tech giants who both powered and profited from him millions of dollars in revenue.
Obviously David Icke has the right to spout whatever nonsense he likes, but he doesn’t have the right to an audience of millions. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom of reach.
The key was to focus our call on the tech giants themselves, highlighting their moral failings in enabling Icke, to deplatform him and take away the megaphone that they had given him.
We knew this approach could work from the research that our friends at Hope Not Hate conducted following the removal of Tommy Robinson’s anti-Muslim hatred from mainstream platforms, as well as research from the academics JM Berger and Jonathan Morgan showing that the suspension of extremist Twitter accounts “limited the ISIS network’s ability to grow and spread”.
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Now our own investigation has laid bare the devastating effect deplatforming has had on Icke’s ability to spread his coronavirus misinformation and anti-Semitic hate.
Icke is now having to rely on BitChute, a YouTube alternative for the far right, where he has just 42,000 subscribers compared to the 890,000 he had on YouTube before his ban.
His use of BitChute makes for a case study in why deplatforming works. Since 2017, Icke has backed up all of his YouTube videos to BitChute, allowing for a direct comparison of how hate actors fare when they are robbed of the vast reach that tech giants can give them.
Our report examined 64 of Icke’s YouTube videos that had been viewed 9.6 million times – the same videos on BitChute have been viewed just 430,000 times. On average, just 6,711 people watch Icke’s BitChute videos, compared to 150,000 before his ban from YouTube.
Importantly, another nine videos that had been viewed on YouTube 3.9 million times were not backed up to BitChute. It means that the spread of these videos, including one that was YouTube’s most popular video promoting the “Agenda 21” conspiracy that the UN is intentionally depopulating the world, has been halted completely.
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There are encouraging signs that Icke is reaching less people through his network of collaborators too. When our report launched in April, most people who had viewed Icke’s coronavirus misinformation had done so on the London Real YouTube channel, attracting 15 million views. While that channel still exists, all of its videos of Icke have been removed.
It shows that deplatforming works – even when it is partial. Unfortunately, Instagram and Twitter have yet to follow Facebook and YouTube in removing Icke and his content.
Icke, of course, has complained that our campaign was just another part of the global Zionist conspiracy arrayed against him.
The truth is that professional conspiracy theorists like him will always come up with new conspiracy theories.
The difference is that there are now 1.6 million fewer subscribers listening to him, and you can’t believe a conspiracy theory if you’ve never heard it.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Eurovision Song Contest To Launch New US Version, Bosses Confirm

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Eurovision has announced that it is coming to America for the first time.
However, rather than the US competing in the existing contest – which already features entrants from outside of Europe, including Australia – it is launching its own version of Eurovision, dubbed The American Song Contest.
As revealed on Friday morning, The American Song Contest will feature entrants from all 50 states performing songs, who will be whittled down in a series of Qualifier Competitions before the live Semi-Finals and the grand finale.
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While Eurovision traditionally airs in May, The American Song Contest is set to debut “during the holiday season of 2021”.
The #Eurovision Song Contest is heading to the USA 🤩
We're super excited to announce that The American Song Contest 🇺🇸 will debut in 2021!
Read all about it 👉 https://t.co/w6ZFbTyetB pic.twitter.com/YSdeehOQ3t — Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) August 7, 2020
Martin Österdahl of the Eurovision Song Contest has said: “The Eurovision Song Contest’s unique legacy dates back 65 years and its worldwide popularity is still rising. It’s time for America to experience this spectacle, through its sister competition, the American Song Contest.
“Love of music is universal and celebration of music in different genres and styles can transcend boundaries and unite people. We are excited to have found the right partners to offer another series that our fans across the globe can fall in love with and to share this unique competition with the American people.”
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This year’s Eurovision was set to take place in Rotterdam, following The Netherlands’ victory in 2019, but it was ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s since been confirmed that the 2021 competition will still take place in Rotterdam, with a number of contestants scheduled to take part this year returning, albeit with new songs.
The 65th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in 2021 Serg Glovny/ZUMA Wire/Shutterstock
Eurovision recently had its overseas profile boosted thanks to the Netflix film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams as a pair of musicians from Iceland.
Although the film received mixed reviews, its closing number Husavik has received radio play here in the UK, and has even reached number 59 in the official charts.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--I'm A Celebrity Relocating To UK Castle For 2020 Series Due To Pandemic

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I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! is moving to the UK for its upcoming series, ITV has confirmed.
The 20th series of the reality show will relocate from the Australian jungle to a ruined castle in the British countryside, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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And while the setting will be markedly different to previous series, ITV has said that celebrities will still be undertaking “gruelling trials and fun-filled challenges to win food and treats”, with one of them crowned King or Queen of the Castle.
Ant and Dec will return to host the UK-based I'm A Celebrity ITV/Shutterstock
The show will be hosted by usual presenters Ant and Dec, who will broadcast live every night from the castle, the exact location of which is yet to be announced.
Richard Cowles, director of entertainment at ITV Studios said that the team had “pulled out all the stops to try and make the series happen in Australia”, but the pandemic meant it “just wasn’t possible for us to travel and make the show there”.
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He added: “We are all really excited about a UK version of I’m A Celebrity. While it will certainly be different producing the show from the UK, the same tone and feel will remain.
“Our celebrities will probably have to swap shorts for thermals but they can still look forward to a basic diet of rice and beans and plenty of thrills and surprises along the way”.
I'm A Celebrity usually takes place in the Australian outback ITV
ITV’s director of television Kevin Lygo also said: “We announced last week that we were doing all we could to make the series and I’m thrilled that we can bring the show to viewers albeit not in the jungle.
“We have a great team both on and off screen and I know they will produce a hugely entertaining series”.
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ITV has said more information about the new series will be released in due course.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Prince William And Kate Middleton Lose It After Woman Says They're 'S**tty' At Bingo

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Kate Middleton and Prince William didn’t receive their normal royal treatment during a public engagement on Wednesday. Luckily, it seems like they absolutely loved it.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, Wales, where they ran into an old friend: Joan Drew-Smith.
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While the 87-year-old’s name might not be familiar, she made headlines back in May for telling the royal couple during an outing where they did bingo calling that the experience “wasn’t as good as it should have been.” Queen of sass, no doubt.
Kate and William were able to see Drew-Smith on their most recent visit to the home and the prince reminded her of their funny exchange.
“Hello Joan, do you remember we did the bingo with you? You said we weren’t very good,” he joked.
And boy, did she remember.
WPA Pool via Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge react as they were told they aren't good at online bingo by resident Joan Drew Smith (in white blouse) at the Shire Hall Care Home.
“Yes,” she answered. “You did a bloody shitty job.”
The couple collapsed with laughter while one person sitting next to Drew-Smith lost it, put their hands over their mouth and twisted in their seat.
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The prince let out a loud laugh and an “excellent!” paired with a fist pump.
“Was it that bad? Was it the worst job you’d ever seen?” he added, egging her on.
The Duke of Cambridge later said that he had nothing but “love” for Drew-Smith.
“I love Joan, she’s brilliant,” the prince told the staff at the nursing home, according to The Mirror. “If only everyone was as honest as her.” Watch the whole exchange below:
Prior to the hilarious exchange and visit, the royals spent time at Barry Island, a seaside resort hot spot, where they stopped by an arcade for some games and also spoke with those in the tourism business who have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
During their outings, both William and Kate wore masks. Kate paired her face covering with a familiar floral Emilia Wickstead number, which she last wore during a visit to the Back to Nature festival with Mary Berry in September 2019.
WPA Pool via Getty Images The Cambridges on the promenade as they visit beach huts to speak to local business owners about the impact of COVID-19 on the tourism sector on Aug. 5.
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WPA Pool via Getty Images Kate and William watch children play a grab a teddy game at Island Leisure Amusement Arcade during their visit to Barry Island, South Wales.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall recently donned PPE and was spotted wearing a mask for an engagement last week, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have worn masks during their time spent volunteering in Los Angeles.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Christine Quinn 'Disappointed' With How Wedding Is Portrayed On Selling Sunset: 'I Cried When I Watc

Christine Quinn 'Disappointed' With How Wedding Is Portrayed On Selling Sunset: 'I Cried When I Watched It'

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Selling Sunset star Christine Quinn has said she is “disappointed” with how her wedding is portrayed on the new series of the reality show.
The Netflix hit returns for its third series on Friday, with Christine’s wedding to Christian Richard taking centre stage in one of the episodes.
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However, real estate agent has said she finds it “hard to watch” her opulent nuptials, as she wishes there was less focus on the drama between her colleagues from the Oppenheim Group.
Christine Quinn's wedding features in Selling Sunset's third season Netflix
She told US magazine People: “I was a little disappointed. It just didn’t really showcase the way that it was.
“The wedding was the best day of my life and it was hard for me to watch it on the television show because that’s not really the way that I remember it.”
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She continued: “I understand they wanted to get certain storylines in there, but this was actually my day. This was my day, and I was just disappointed in the way it was perceived on camera and translated, unfortunately.
“I’m not going to lie, I was crying when I watched it. I was like ‘This is not my wedding, this is not my wedding.’
“I would have loved some vows. I would have loved a line from me: I talked with all the girls afterward, they congratulated me.
“I curated my music very well – I was really happy about that – and I walked down the aisle to Sweet But Psycho by Ava Max, the violin version; I did my bouquet toss to Iggy Azalea’s Lola; and I had Phantom Of The Opera playing when we were announced as husband and wife.
“We had these huge LED screens that were gorgeous, projecting snow and rain and (playing) thunder, and all these fabulous things. It was just a whole theatrical performance.”
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She lamented: “It is what it is.”
Chrishell Stause is at the centre of drama at Christine's wedding Netflix
In a trailer for the third season of Selling Sunset, it was teased that Christine’s rival Chrishell Stause walked out of the event, which took place in December.
The pair’s feud has taken prominence in the first two series, with Chrishell previously declining an invitation to Christine’s engagement party.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Dirty Dancing Sequel Confirmed With Jennifer Grey Returning

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Get ready to have the time of your life all over again, as Dirty Dancing is getting a sequel.
Jennifer Grey is set to appear in the film, which was officially confirmed on Thursday night, having played Frances “Baby” Houseman in the 1987 original.
Rumours of a follow-up have swirled for a while now, with studio Lionsgate calling it “one of the worst kept secrets in Hollywood”.
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Jennifer Grey played Baby in Dirty Dancing Lionsgate
Sharing some details about the movie, studio boss Jon Feltheimer said: “It will be exactly the kind of romantic, nostalgic movie that the franchise’s fans have been waiting for and that have made it the biggest-selling library title in the company’s history.”
The original 1987 film saw Baby fall in love with Patrick Swayze’s hunky dancing instructor Johnny Castle at a holiday resort.
Patrick sadly died in 2009 at the age of 57, after being diagnosed with cancer.
Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey in a scene from the film Dirty Dancing Archive Photos via Getty Images
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Warm Bodies filmmaker Jonathan Levine is developing the film with his frequent collaborator Gillian Bohrer, while Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis have written the screenplay.
Jennifer Grey will also serve as an executive producer.
Further details are yet to be announced, but it will reportedly be set in the 1990s.
Jennifer is reprising her role in the new film SIPA USA/PA Images
Dirty Dancing was hugely successful upon release and grossed more than $214 million (about £163m) at the global box office.
It also landed an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Song for Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life, which Johnny and Baby danced to in the film.
Jennifer previously explained that she had difficulty spinning around in the film’s famous dance finale, as the stage had been painted and she kept getting her feet stuck.
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She said: “I remember doing the big dance finale and they had just painted the stage and it was sticky. The paint would stick to my feet so I couldn’t turn.”
She also revealed that she had practiced the movie’s famous signature lift in a “very cold” lake even though she didn’t think it was “healthy” to be in the water.
Jennifer said: “I remember swimming in the lake was very, very, very cold. You have to be really young and hungry to get in water that cold for that long. It was not good. I remember thinking, ‘Can you die if your nipples explode?’ It just didn’t feel healthy to be in that water.”
In 2004, Lionsgate released prequel Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, starring Diego Luna and Romola Garai, but it failed to achieve the same success as the original.
A TV movie remake of the 1987 film starring Abigail Breslin, Debra Messing, Nicole Scherzinger and Sarah Hyland debuted in 2017, but was met with a negative reaction from critics.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Priti Patel Accused Of 'Sabre-Rattling' Over Reports Navy Could Intercept Channel Migrant Crossings

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Priti Patel has reportedly ordered officials to draw up plans that could see Royal Navy patrols deployed in the English Channel, after a record-breaking 235 migrant crossings took place on Thursday.
More than 1,100 migrants arrived in the UK in July alone, according to PA Media analysis – almost as much as the total number of those who arrived in May and June combined.
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On Thursday 235 people crossed the Channel by boat, breaking a record set only a week ago, when 202 people crossed in 24 hours.
In total, 17 vessels were apprehended. Among them was said to be a group of 15, including children and a heavily pregnant woman.
According to reports, the home secretary has asked officials to draw up plans in which the Navy could turn back boats for the first time.
“All options” were being considered, one government source told the Daily Mail.
CHARLOTTE GRAHAM via Getty Images
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A Home Office source said: “The final straw was this record number, which led the home secretary to demand this new initiative.
“The real solution must come from the French – we want the French to take them back.”
The Refugee Council said deploying the Navy would only serve to push people to “take even greater risks” with coming into the UK.
Former Labour home secretary Jacqui Smith said Patel should focus on continuing the discussion which “home secretaries have always had with their French counterparts”.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she said: “Any of us who know the Channel know that you must be pretty desperate to try and get across.”
“Rather than sabre-rattling about using the Navy, why not get some better coordination going between the UK and France about how we can actually prevent people from taking to the seas in such a dangerous way in the first place?”
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'Why not get some better coordination going between the UK and France?'@Jacqui_Smith1 responds to Priti Patel's plan to send the Royal Navy to tackle the migrant crisis after a record number of migrants cross the Channel border in a day.
Watch GMB 👉 https://t.co/yyUUJmzswF pic.twitter.com/Xdlfciw4eR — Good Morning Britain (@GMB) August 7, 2020
Last month Patel was accused of creating “fake news” after she claimed French authorities were not stopping migrants from crossing the Channel.
Calais MP Pierre-Henri Dumont told BBC Radio 4′s Today programme: “It’s not true to say we are doing nothing, it’s quite the opposite actually.
The Home Office has declined to comment on the Navy’s potential involvement.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has declined to deny reports the Navy could be used to patrol the English Channel for migrant crossings.
“I wouldn’t want to speculate on exactly what measures will be put in place,” he told Sky News.
“It’s important that we work closely with our French allies on this situation.
“Obviously France is a safe country for migrants to be, we all want to see these crossings reduced and, pending the outcomes of those conversations, we can decide on the best next steps to take.
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He added: “I think people are absolutely right to be frustrated at the scenes they’re seeing, I’m frustrated, everyone is.”
““Those being forced to make desperate journeys across the Channel are doing so because they simply have no other options and become reliant on those willing to exploit them.”” - Minnie Rahman, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
French officials said they had also rescued migrants from several kayaks in their own waters as they headed for the UK.
A helicopter deployed in response to the incident saw at least 23 people intercepted and brought back to France.
Chris Philp, minister for immigration compliance and the courts, said the UK would be returning as many migrants as possible to France and that return flights were scheduled over the coming days.
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“We work closely with France and I will be in Paris early next week to seek to agree stronger measures with them, including interceptions and returns,” he said.
“This situation simply cannot go on.”
So far 3,948 people have crossed the Channel in more than 300 boats this year.
In 2018, former home secretary Sajid Javid declared the Channel journeys a “major incident” in a move that was called an “over-reaction” by charity the Refugee Council.
Minnie Rahman, public affairs and campaigns manager at the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, said: “Those being forced to make desperate journeys across the Channel are doing so because they simply have no other options and become reliant on those willing to exploit them.”
Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy at the Refugee Council, said: “Further tightening of border security is entirely the wrong approach, and only serves to push highly vulnerable people to take even greater risks. It’s important to focus on the root cause of this issue, and identify clear solutions.
“People are attempting this crossing as there are few safe and regular routes to the UK for people seeking asylum.
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“The government could deal with this issue through expanding the resettlement programme, introducing humanitarian visas, and reforming restrictive family reunion rules.”
Mariam Kemble Hardy, head of campaigns at Refugee Action, said the majority of migrants that make the crossing have a valid claim for asylum.
“The government could easily help put an end to boat crossings by creating more safe and legal routes for people fleeing violence and persecution to find safety here,” she said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--School Kids Are Now Being Forced To Question If They Can Afford To Go To School

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TfL are facing a financial crisis like never before and it is young people who will bear the brunt of it.
During the coronavirus pandemic, we collectively followed the government’s instruction to “stay home and save lives”, leading to a debilitating fall in revenue for the travel service.
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Now, as an ill thought-out condition of the £1.6 billion bailout package from the UK government, free and discounted travel is being stripped away from thousands of young Londoners. The government must reconsider this move.
This fundamentally irresponsible decision will make the lives of young people across London far more difficult. Soon, before starting their journey to school or seeing friends, many will have to ask themselves: “Can I afford this?”.
London is often portrayed as a city of wealth, but the sheer levels of inequality that exist here are swept under the rug.
The capital has a staggering 39% of children living in poverty and faces a looming recession, comparable to that of the Great Depression. Despite this, the government is making our poorest families pay a minimum of £60 per child per month just for them to attend school.
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The conditions of the government’s bailout proposals will create a financial barrier between thousands of young people and their education. This will have profound consequences for social mobility and equality in the capital, which will only serve to deepen the divide between the richest and poorest families.
Beyond that, thousands of the most poverty-stricken young people will now be forced to reconsider the financial viability of their education.
Throughout the last few weeks, as more people have become aware of this proposed change, social media has been set ablaze with personal accounts of how disruptive this would be.
Disadvantaged young people are now being forced to re-evaluate whether they can afford to travel to school; this is having a serious impact on both their mental health and their educational opportunities. Many have now been forced to relegate their academic dreams in favour of more economical options. They shouldn’t have to.
In addition, the growing mental health crisis will be exacerbated as many young people will become financially unable to attend external CAMHS appointments.
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During the coronavirus pandemic, the importance of mental health has been put in the spotlight; by taking away free travel for young people at this time the issue will only worsen.
The lockdown made youth loneliness far more apparent and by implementing these changes, many young people will have to cut down on how often they see their family and friends. This will only serve to inflame the mental health epidemic sweeping across the capital. It is paramount that we do not have barriers put in place between either our education or our mental health provision.
Moreover, the plan to refer these issues to local authorities, which are already overburdened, will resort to vital services for young people being neglected.
This change is set to cost local authorities up to £10 million when councils are, at present, starved of funding. This will simply cripple the already struggling provision young people rely on; these include: mental health services, street safety programmes and youth clubs, which have seen a £990 million cut in the last 10 years. These changes may be the final nail in the coffin for youth services – putting our vulnerable young people at risk.
Furthermore, suspension of free travel will make walking through dangerous areas unavoidable, thus exposing us young people to ever-increasing levels of crime.
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Worryingly, the Met recorded an increase of 14,000 violent crime offences last year, emphasising the additional danger to young people. We should be creating safe havens for our young people, not forcing them into harm’s way.
On top of this, the tedious nature of determining eligibility for financial support has led to confusion amongst the poorest families in our society.
The “temporary” nature of these changes are just as unclear as we still don’t know how long they will last or even who they will affect.
For young people, considering long-term options such as schools and youth clubs they wish to attend, the ambiguity is extremely alarming. This will lead to thousands of young people falling through the gaps, widening inequalities that have become far too prominent during the coronavirus pandemic.
Since the disastrous terms of the TfL bailout were announced, young people across the capital have continuously tried to make our voices heard. In the last week of May, we sent a letter, signed by 100 young people, to the Mayor of London, yet we have had no response since. Similarly, on 6 June, an additional 200 young people signed a letter sent to the Prime Minister, but this too has fallen on deaf ears.
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Politicians, sheltered from the ramifications of such a change, have chosen to make this a party-political issue, which should not be the case when referring to the future of our community.
This change will intensify the economic deprivation caused by Covid-19, which has disproportionately affected the most disadvantaged in our society.
The government now has the opportunity to listen to the plights of young people by saving a lifeline which so many are dependent on. It is time to make things right.
Signed London Youth Parliament Members:
Elia Yousf
Athian Akec
Loshini Subendran
Theo Sergiou
Raphael Leon
Hammad Malik


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Los Angeles Will Shut Off Water, Power To Those Caught Violating COVID-19 Orders

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Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti this week pledged to crack down on residents who continued to flout the city’s social distancing measures by hosting parties and other large social gatherings.
At a news conference, the mayor authorised the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to cut off utility service to properties whose occupants are caught violating Covid-19 health orders.
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He said the measure, set to take effect Friday, is targeted at those “determined to break the rules” and are known to have “repeatedly engaged in such behaviour” rather than first-time offenders.
“If the [Los Angeles Police Department] responds and verifies that a large gathering is occurring at a property, and we see these properties reoffending time and time again, they will provide notice and initiate the process to request that [the Department of Water and Power] shut off service within the next 48 hours,” Garcetti said.
“By turning off that power, shutting down that water, we feel we can close these places down,” he added.
The mayor’s announcement comes amid a recent spike in coronavirus cases across Los Angeles County. The county’s public health director, Barbara Ferrer, said Thursday that residents under the age of 50 now make up more than 60% of new Covid-19 diagnoses.
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With bars and nightclubs shuttered, officials say many of the city’s young adult residents are nonetheless taking a cavalier approach to coronavirus health restrictions and flocking to private house parties, often without wearing masks.
“These large parties are unsafe and can cost Angelenos their lives,” Garcetti said Wednesday.
His announcement followed a large house party in the Beverly Crest neighbourhood of Los Angeles that drew noise complaints and continued past midnight on Tuesday. It ended in a shooting that left one woman dead and four other people injured.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--The Return Of Girls Aloud? | Good Vibes Only

The Return Of Girls Aloud? | Good Vibes Only
Kimberley Walsh has hinted at a reunion of Girls Aloud, following the girls reconciliation with Nadine Coyle. We’re hoping for a return of the pop group for their 2022 anniversary! Also in the show, a dog clip that’ll get you chuckling and the House of Mouse lift the curtain on their successful theme parks.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Gwyneth Paltrow Recalls The Moment Her Marriage To Chris Martin Was Over

But the two were able to find a solution in “consciously uncoupling” in 2014, though they faced unimaginable levels of backlash for going public with the then-quite unknown phrase.
“The public’s surprise gave way quickly to ire and derision,” Gwyneth wrote of the reaction to their announcement after 11 years of marriage.
“A strange combination of mockery and anger that I had never seen. I was already pretty tattered from what had been a tough year. Frankly, the intensity of the response saw me bury my head in the sand deeper than I ever had in my very public life.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Trump Signs Executive Orders Banning Transactions With TikTok, WeChat In 45 Days

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President Donald Trump issued an executive order Thursday effectively banning video-sharing app TikTok from operating in the US, saying the country must take aggressive action against the Chinese-owned platform “to protect our national security.”
The order, starting in 45 days time, would ban any US transaction with TikTok-owner ByteDance.
Trump issued a second order taking similar action against WeChat, the social media app owned by China-based tech conglomerate Tencent. He called for action against a “national emergency with respect to the information and communications technology and services supply chain.”
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BREAKING: President Trump just issued an executive order "on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok." It takes effect in 45 days, prohibits "any transaction" with ByteDance, the Chinese company that owns TikTok, and will almost certainly face legal challenges. pic.twitter.com/Ma9XOfYgOB — Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 7, 2020
The orders allege that both apps automatically capture vast swaths of information from users and that the collection of this data “threatens to allow the Chinese Communist Party access to Americans’ personal and proprietary information.”
Microsoft said Sunday it is in discussions with ByteDance to acquire the app’s US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand operations, following a conversation between its CEO Satya Naella and Trump. On Monday, Trump set a September 15 deadline for TikTok to find a US buyer.
Despite Trump’s own affinity for spreading falsehoods about Covid-19, the order also calls out the risk of Chinese government-backed disinformation campaigns “such as when TikTok videos spread debunked conspiracy theories about the origins of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus.”
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TikTok has faced scrutiny and growing unease in the US over privacy concerns and its alleged ties to the Chinese government. In May, the company appointed an American CEO in an effort to ease distrust. TikTok has insisted it has not and will not give data to the Chinese government.
It did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment Thursday.
The app has already been banned in several government agencies, including the US military since 2019, over security concerns.
Earlier Thursday, a bill passed the Senate unanimously banning all federal employees from downloading the app on government-issued devices. Trump had told reporters last Friday of his intention to ban the app.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--How Young Londoners Really Feel About Plans To Scrap Their Free Travel

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Kainaat Siddiqi, 16, from Hounslow, is due to start sixth form in September, at a school that’s a 45-minute bus journey from her home.
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Kainaat, who’s an aspiring doctor, chose the school for its track-record in helping students secure university places studying medicine. But the government has announced plans to scrap free travel for under 18s and she’s no longer sure if she’ll be able to afford the fare.
“I’ve been doing a lot of research into online schools or going to sixth forms closer to home,” she tells HuffPost UK. “I’m honestly really scared, I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. I know that if I have to move to a different sixth form it will lower my chances.”
In May, the government announced a £1.6bn bailout package for Transport for London (TFL), needed to keep services running amid the decrease in fare income caused by the pandemic.
As part of the package, the government said free travel would be “suspended” for some under 18s – meaning the Zip cards frequently carried by young Londoners to access free or reduced travel could disappear. The start date of the suspension, or how long it may last, remained unclear for months– sparking the hashtag #DontZapTheZip.
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On Friday, it emerged that the suspension is likely to begin on November 2 and apply to secondary school children. A letter from transport minister Baroness Vere of Norbiton to TfL, seen by the site On London, said: “I can confirm that we would like the temporary suspension of free travel for 11-17 year olds to be implemented immediately after October half term.”
Kainaat Siddiqi Kainaat Siddiqi
The government has said free travel to and from school will continue for children of all ages who are eligible, as identified by councils. However, thousands of families will soon be expected to pick up the cost.
This will have life-changing impacts for children like Kainaat, who’s recently started a part-time job in retail alongside her studies.
“I come from a single parent household and my brother is working full-time to support the family. We’re definitely going to be affected by this and it’s going to be hard for us,” she says. “Now that I’m able to work, I was hoping to pay towards the house finances and take on some of my own bills at some point. Now, with free travel ending, I can’t help out. It’s just creating another set of bills.”
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Sadiq Khan has criticised the government’s decision to end free travel as part of the bailout, with a statement on the Mayor of London’s website accusing the government of “making ordinary Londoners pay the cost for doing the right thing on Covid-19 and staying at home”.
But with the mayor’s words falling on deaf ears, teenagers are taking matters into their own hands. Joshua Brown-Smith, 14, from Lewisham, has launched an online petition calling for the government to reverse its decision, which has already gained more than 198,000 signatures. A second petition, launched by 17-year-old Olivia Faria, has gained more than 150,000 signatures.
Meanwhile members of the UK Youth Parliament have written an open letter to the government, shared exclusively with HuffPost UK, calling on the government to re-evaluate their proposals and reinstate free travel.
Elia Yousf, 17, is the Youth MP representing Harrow and is among those who’ve signed the open letter. He’ll be returning to sixth form college in September and says the proposed changes to travel will make it harder for him to do work experience, or attend lectures outside of school.
“As a young person living in the suburbs, the end to free travel will make my ability to explore opportunities in central London far more expensive, which will reduce my accessibility to many different fields of work,” he says.
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“This would take away opportunities for thousands of young people looking to find their foothold for future careers, significantly impacting social mobility in the capital.”
Elia Yousf Elia Yousf
Elia is concerned that having fewer extra curricular opportunities might make his university application less competitive. He thinks the travel changes represent just one of the ways young people have been “forgotten” by the government.
“The severe cuts to policing and the mass shutdown of youth centres show us that the government has forgotten us young people and has set us aside,” he says. “The end to free travel is simply the nail in the coffin.”
“They think they can take away our rights and we are going to be mute about it, but they’re wrong.” - Joshua, 14
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Joshua, who started the #DontZapTheZip petition, shares Elia’s views. “Since the Conservatives have been in power, youths have been defunded down to the max, and now, to take away the only thing we have is wrong,” the 14-year-old tells HuffPost UK.
“Boris Johnson and the government have really underestimated young people. They think they can take away our rights and we are going to be mute about it, but they’re wrong.”
Joshua relies on his Zip card daily, to get to school, to volunteer within his community, to socialise with friends and to see family. He’s concerned about the financial implications for this family – and others – if parents suddenly need to pay for travel.
Joshua Brown-Smith Joshua Brown-Smith
“Covid-19 has hit many households. Many parents have been furloughed or don’t have a job to go back to,” he says. “They’re saying young people need to take bikes to school, but a lot of people don’t own a bike. If you use a Santander bike you have to pay a pound, plus we don’t know if the Santander bikes are regularly cleaned, so they might have the virus on them. It’s a careless statement.”
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The teen is also unimpressed that the government is yet to respond to his petition, despite it being supported by the Child Poverty Action Group and reaching almost 200,000 signatures.
“They’ve been very mute so far – and I think it’s damn rude,” he says. “It’s showing everybody that they just don’t care. The rich will be getting richer and the poor will be getting poorer.”
All three teenagers share one clear message to the government: repeal the decision immediately. Joshua adds: “Boris Johnson really needs to use his head and collaborate with TFL and try to come to some agreement. They need to start working with Sadiq Khan, this should not be a political bashing to make the Labour party look weak. Young people should not be drawn into a political war.”
In a joint statement from the Mayor of London and TFL, a spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “Sadiq has been clear that suspending free travel for under 18s is unfair, could hit the poorest Londoners hardest and will place additional administrative and financial burdens on already stretched schools and local authorities.
“He is urging the government to drop this condition of the recent funding deal and instead work with TfL to find a better solution that doesn’t risk hitting the poorest Londoners hardest.”
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A Department of Transport spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “The decision about under-18 travel is a temporary measure to help tackle the spread of Covid-19 and reduce the risk of crowding on our transport network.
“We have also ensured the concession for children eligible under national legislation for free home to school travel will continue.”
Until there’s a definite revoke, any words offer little reassurance to the teens facing uncertain futures.
“They’ve decided to look at the economy instead of how it’s actually going to affect me as a young person, when we are their future,” says Kainaat. “We are the future of this whole country and it feels like we’ve been left on our own.”
• This article was edited on Friday August 7 to include the proposed timing for the removal of free travel for secondary school pupils.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--What To Do If You Think You're Unfairly Being Made Redundant

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One in three UK employers expect to make workers redundant this autumn, research suggests, as the financial impacts of the coronavirus pandemic continue across the country.
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The survey, from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Adecco, found 33% of employers expected to let staff go overall – this increased to 38% in the private sector, compared to 16% in the public sector.
It follows a survey from Citizen’s Advice, which found parents, carers, disabled people and those who previously shielded are at least twice as likely to face redundancy than the rest of the working population.
The latter survey of 6,000 people asked workers if they’d been made redundant in the past three months, or if they were in the process of being made redundant.
One in four disabled people (27%) said they were facing redundancy. This rose to 37% of those who said their disability has a large impact on their day-to-day life. Half of those who were in the shielded group (48%) said they were at risk of redundancy, while two in five parents or carers (39%) faced losing their job.
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Maskot via Getty Images
So what should you do if you think you may have been selected for redundancy based on one of these discriminatory factors?
Know your rights
Before entering into any talks about redundancy, make sure you know what you’re entitled to walk away with, says Slater and Gordon employment lawyer Sarah Hexter.
“If you have over two years of service and your redundancy is confirmed, then you should be paid a statutory redundancy payment,” she says. “You should be paid in lieu of your notice period and any accrued and untaken annual leave. It should also include any other contractual payments you may be entitled to.”
The minimum requirement for statutory redundancy payment is:
Half a week’s pay for each full year you were under 22
One week’s pay for each full year you were 22 or older, but under 41
One and half week’s pay for each full year you were 41 or older
“If you were paid less than usual because you were ‘on furlough’ because of coronavirus, your redundancy pay is based on what you would have earned normally,” the government’s website confirms.
You can check the redundancy pay you’re entitled to using this online calculator.
Know what a fair process looks like
If you’ve never faced redundancy before, get acquainted with what a fair redundancy process should look like and ask yourself if that was followed in your workplace.
“A fair redundancy process should include: informing the employee, consultation, considering alternative roles and a fair selection process,” explains Hexter. “If someone was selected for having children or shielding this would be considered an unfair selection.”
Consider claiming unfair dismissal
If something doesn’t feel right, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Look through this checklist to see whether your dismissal may be unfair.
“Employees with over two complete continuous years of service could claim unfair dismissal,” Hexter says. “However, if the selection was discriminatory on the grounds of, for example, sex or disability, there is no requirement for two years’ service.”
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If you suspect you may have been discriminated against in the redundancy process, Hexter recommends keeping a record of events, discussions and communications from your employer.
“Confirm any decisions in writing where possible,” she says. “Seek legal advice as soon as possible, as the timescales for taking action are very short and you will need to act on any potential employment tribunal claim within three months.”
Contact your nearest Citizens Advice if you’re considering challenging your dismissal – an adviser can help you work out if you have a genuine claim, and your chances of winning it.
You may be advised to appeal through your employer’s appeal process. If your employer doesn’t have a process, you might be able to get help from Acas. They can help you look for ways to resolve disputes without going to a tribunal.
Another option may be making a claim to an employment tribunal. Citizens Advice can help with this if you’re thinking about making a claim.
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Prepare for the worst
It may sounds defeatist, but you should financially plan for a worst case scenario, rather than relying on securing a bigger redundancy package or getting your job back imminently.
Although all workers are protected by law against discrimination, at the moment workers have no guarantee these laws will be enforced, says Citizens Advice.
There are a number of national organisations responsible for enforcing specific workers’ rights, including the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EASI) and the HMRC National Living Wage Compliance Team (HMRC NLW), but Citizen’s Advice is concerned support for those facing unfair dismissal can fall through the cracks. And while employees can take their issue to an employment tribunal, there was a backlog of 400,000 cases going into this crisis.
Because of this, Citizens Advice is calling for a single watchdog to enforce employees’ rights. The government committed to establishing this in the 2019 Queen’s Speech. In the meantime, Citizens Advice is urging that emergency funding be given to the existing enforcement bodies.
“If someone is facing an unfair redundancy, the odds of getting redress under the current system are stacked against them,” says Dame Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice. “Workers need a watchdog that will be a one-stop shop to protect their employment rights.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--The Heatwave Hacks You Need To Cool Down When It's Boiling Outside

CentralITAlliance via Getty Images
Hot weather is back. And after months of moaning about it being too cold, we’re shifting to our favourite summer pastime: complaining about the heat.
If you’re one of those people who groans as soon as the word “heatwave” is uttered, here are some helpful tips and tricks for keeping cool.
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1. Grab a sponge and get dabbing
Apply tap water to your chest, arms, back, legs and face with a sponge in heatwave conditions to help keep cool. That’s according to a 2019 study from the University of Sydney – so it’s pretty legit. Immersing feet in water above your ankles was also found to be beneficial, the study found.
The study’s results, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found applying water to these areas of the body improved comfort during a heatwave, in addition to lowering cardiovascular strain and reducing the rate of dehydration. Winning.
Senior author and associate professor Ollie Jay, from the faculty of health sciences, said: “Usually people are just told to drink water, but our findings show that the extra evaporative heat loss you can get from also applying water across the body with a sponge can make a difference.”
If you’re not up for sponging yourself down, run the cold tap on your wrists every now and then to cool down.
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Jasmine Murray via Getty Images
2. Shut your curtains and blinds
If the sun shines directly into your home, close your curtains to try and keep rooms as cool as possible on the hottest days of the year.
“If your house does experience more sunlight throughout the day, it’s recommended you keep your curtains, shutters and blinds shut to stop the sunlight from beaming into your home,” says Lucy Askew, a spokesperson for Hillarys blinds. “This will keep things marginally cooler and slightly more bearable during heatwaves.”
It’s also worth remembering that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors. If that’s the case, head outdoors to keep cool, sticking to shady spots (under trees, parasols, etc) and respecting social distancing if you’re in a public place.
3. Don’t forget to drink
One of the key risks posed by a heatwave is dehydration from not drinking enough water. If you’re not great at remembering to drink throughout the day, keep a jug of water nearby so you can keep topping your glass up.
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Avoid drinking excess alcohol if you can, as this will only fuel dehydration.
4. Have a brew (or two)
It might sound counterintuitive, but drinking a hot drink increases the body’s heat load and makes us sweat. The output of this is that when the sweat evaporates from the skin, it cools us down.
But, one caveat is if you’re drinking a hot drink in an environment where the sweat won’t evaporate – for example, if it’s really, really humid – that hot drink might not do the trick. Interestingly, iced water and iced drinks don’t help that much, as the body overcompensates to warm the liquid to body temperature. So if it’s pretty humid, room temperature water is best.
5. Mind what you eat
Biochemist Shirley Corriher has previously spoken about the foods that work best – and the ones that don’t – to keep people cool. In 2012, she said fruits and vegetables are good in hot climates as they’re packed with water, Inside Science reported. So, cucumber, melon and celery are your friends.
Spicy foods can also help, as they contain compounds called capsaicin, which can make you sweat and therefore cools you down.
Corriher noted that foods high in fat and protein – which includes ice cream – are not great to keep you cool as your body has to work harder to digest them. “It cools you when you eat it, but alas, it doesn’t last,” she said.
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6. Position your fan wisely
If you’re working in a room with a fan, position it near to where you’re sitting so it blows straight onto you, keeping your body cool. At night you might want to open a window and put the fan in front of the open window, facing inwards, to propel the cool air into your room.
7. Put your sheets in the fridge or freezer
There’s nothing worse than trying to sleep when your bedroom is a furnace. One life hack many swear by is to pop a bed sheet into a plastic bag, then put it in the fridge or freezer during the day. Take it out just before you get into bed and enjoy a cool start to the evening.
Age UK suggests using light-coloured, lightweight cotton sheets to keep you cooler at night – but also, if you have a spare sheet, it’s a good idea to wet it and hang it in front of an open window so the breeze blows through it and helps bring down the room’s temperature.
8. Freeze your hot water bottle


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Single At 38, I Decided I Wanted Kids. I Wasn’t Prepared For What I’d Have To Do

Courtesy of Angela Hatem The author and her son.
I always assumed that once I made the decision to start a family, and put myself in the stirrups, that science and my body would just do their jobs. After all, I come from a long line of reproductively gifted people. My mom is one of 12, and my father is one of eight. Hell, I am the oldest of five. My family makes babies. That’s what we do. My mom once joked she could get pregnant sitting next to a man’s hat. As I found out, by way of a very uncomfortable ultrasound and some lacklustre bloodwork, I could be sitting on that man’s hat, in my birthday suit, on ovulation day, and I still might not get pregnant.
I knew that once I decided to begin a family that there would be battles to fight. For starters, I was unattached with no plans or desires to get married. To have a baby, I was going to have to mix and mingle with a vial of sperm provided by an anonymous donor. Tricky, but not a deal-breaker. Secondly, I was a bit riper on the vine than science would like; I was 38, and at my age, becoming pregnant can be a bit more difficult.
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I didn’t procrastinate having kids, I just kept thinking I had time. I thought seriously about becoming a mom at 35, but at that point, even I was a little wary of the unconventionality of it all. Getting married was never a goal, but I thought it was a possibility, so I didn’t want to rush to jump on the turkey baster. Then suddenly I was 38. I wasn’t married, I didn’t have a partner and I also knew, more than anything, I wanted to have a kid. Never getting married would not be a life regret for me. Not trying to have my own child would.
So four years ago, when I was 38, I decided it was my window. That the time had come to put my money where my uterus is.
“Suddenly I was 38. I wasn’t married, I didn’t have a partner and I also knew, more than anything, I wanted to have a kid.”
It was exciting and puke-on-my-shoes frightening once I decided to begin the whole process. My age was a motivator, but it was also one of my biggest fears. My single life didn’t really faze me, maybe it should have, but honestly I didn’t feel so alone. For the most part, my family and friends were really supportive. I was living in Indianapolis, near most of my extended family, while my immediate family was still living the tropical dream in South Florida. There were a few folks who gave me side-eye and encouraged me to get a cat.
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Then there was my 95-year-old grandmother, who wanted me to run to the nearest Catholic orphanage and grab a cute little girl baby. Truth be told, I looked into private adoption, and it isn’t cheaper than in vitro fertilisation. I was also worried about being passed over by birth mothers because of not having a partner. Adoption was never off the table, and I think any parent/caregiver route is admirable, but for me, I knew in my heart that I really wanted to birth my child, and that’s the route I wanted to try before relying on the kindness and generosity of others.
I was armed with my resolve and supported by my people. On the financial side, I wasn’t rich, but I was resourceful. Fertility care is not covered by insurance in Indiana, so I had to dip into my savings and take on a part-time job as an Uber driver to make treatment financially possible. With my support system and my small stash of cash, I was ready to face my battles with everything I had. What I wasn’t prepared for was a blood test that told me my fight might be over before it even began.
My bloodwork revealed that I had low ovarian reserve. This is science-speak for “there weren’t a bunch of eggs left in my basket.” My levels weren’t just low for my age, they were low for a woman years older than me.
I hadn’t even passed go yet, and I felt like a fertility failure. I come from the big, fat, fertile family. I honestly thought fertility was inherited, and like the thousands of baby-making Catholics that came before me, that I would just fire out kids, age be damned. Unfortunately for me, fertility is not inherited. For the first time in my life, I felt like my body and I were at odds. I had never known it to turn against me or challenge me. But there I was, an eggless reject with a jerk for a body.
“What I wasn’t prepared for was a blood test that told me my fight might be over before it even began.”
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I was scared and shaken, but I was still eligible to compete. My doctor tried to build me back up with inspiring fertility slogans: “Quality not quantity” and “It only takes one.” I chose to suspend my disbelief and actively believe. Not because I was convinced, but because the alternative might break me.
So I tried and I failed. I tried some more and I failed some more. I underwent seven inseminations and was empty ― in every way possible. An insemination is the least invasive method in fertility care, and though it’s not physically grueling, it’s emotionally taxing. I had to purchase sperm from a federally regulated cryobank for about $740, which includes shipping, then wait for an ovulation pee stick to tell me it’s showtime. Then I had to rush to a clinic, where they thread a catheter locked and loaded into my uterus, and then I had the pleasure of waiting for two weeks to take a pass-fail pregnancy test.
Each time it failed, I had to wait for my period to start, and then the whole thing starts over again. It’s a vicious cycle that comes with a ton of effort and, for me, a whole lot of emptiness. I was empty in my heart, empty in my wallet for paying for treatment, empty where it really mattered.
Finally, my fertility specialist told me my best chance to conceive was through IVF, but IVF is expensive and not a guarantee. One round of treatment in Indianapolis would cost me a fortune. I was still committed to becoming a mother, but after seven insemination attempts, I was starting to get the feeling that I was being priced out of a life I really wanted.
“I was still committed to becoming a mother, but after seven insemination attempts, I was starting to get the feeling that I was being priced out of a life I really wanted.”
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If my body was going to shoot me down on biologically having my own child, I could find a way to accept that and happily pursue other options if I knew I had tried everything I could. Stopping because of money didn’t feel like trying everything, so I started researching affordable fertility clinics out of state and came across one in Syracuse, New York, called CNY Fertility. There, they offered IVF treatment at $3,900 a cycle, a huge difference from the quote I had received in Indianapolis.
So I got in my car and I took my measly basket of eggs to New York for IVF.
At CNY, I underwent two failed IVF attempts. At this point, I was 39 and, much like my ovarian reserve, my hope was low. I was doing the most aggressive thing science could do for a woman like me, and it was not working. Correction, I was failing.
I was a hard worker who rarely surrendered. Failure didn’t seem to make sense. I was doing the work and going the extra mile. Hell, I was going 600-plus extra miles, and I was still coming up short. I was fighting as hard as I could, but I didn’t have much fight or money left in me.
I made a promise to myself that I would give this one more chance. One more round of IVF before I would move on to a different way to become a mother.
A lot of my people who had been so supportive initially were now beginning to have their doubts. I could feel their pity, and I could see from their faces that they thought I was beating a dead horse. It hurt because it felt like they didn’t believe in me, and it hurt because a part of me thought they were right. As committed as I was to my last try, I was equally embarrassed and ashamed. I hated being pitied, I hated feeling like the fool who couldn’t see the writing on the wall. Lucky for me, I hated surrender, too.
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“As committed as I was to my last try, I was equally embarrassed and ashamed. I hated being pitied, I hated feeling like the fool who couldn’t see the writing on the wall.”
So I kept going for what would be the last time, and I came out with a positive pregnancy test.
For 10 minutes after that gorgeous plus sign appeared, I was filled with a happiness I had never known. It was the type of euphoria reserved for Disney princesses who get their houses cleaned and their dresses made by cartoon bluebirds.
Then the twelfth minute struck, and that’s when the terror and “what ifs” started to roll in. I had spent the better part of two years being clobbered by bad news. You don’t just get over that in a heartbeat.
It’s been almost four years since my fertility journey began and I was told I had low ovarian reserve. It wasn’t an easy conception, but my son was worth the two years of trying and all the pain, tears, energy and money.
This article first appeared on HuffPost Personal
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--I Live In Beirut. Our City Is On Its Knees, But We Will Not Buckle

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We were convinced it was an earthquake.
Suddenly, as I was having my evening coffee at home with my wife and our four-year-old daughter, it was as though someone had grabbed our building and was shaking it with their hands.
A split second later, shockwaves from the blast that had started at the port just two kilometres away hit us. The glass window to our balcony shattered – that we survived felt a miracle, our curtain protecting us from shards of flying shrapnel.
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My initial reaction was total confusion. I needed to see if my daughter was okay, and I needed to pick up my wife from the floor – she had been thrown three metres across the room by the blast. She was in pain, but thankfully not too badly hurt. We both knew it could have been much worse.
“Everything was shattered: smashed balcony doors and windows left broken glass everywhere.”
We immediately went to a safe spot inside the flat, away from the windows. My daughter couldn’t stop crying, traumatised and unable to understand what had happened, but we composed ourselves and after a few minutes, when it seemed like things may have calmed down, I ventured back out to assess the damage. Everything was shattered: smashed balcony doors and windows left broken glass everywhere. I got my daughter some water, got my wife to wash her face and then started clearing some of the glass shrapnels from the floor.
The port explosion has been breaking news across the world, but to us Lebanese people, it is just one more tragedy in what has been an unbearable few years.
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Our country has been plunging deeper into an economic crisis that is now the worst it has seen since independence in 1943. Last October, thousands took to the streets to protest the economic situation. At Islamic Relief, where I work as Lebanon country director, we were forced to change our strategy from working on longer-term programmes to focus more on people’s immediate needs – mostly emergency food parcels. And when the coronavirus pandemic brought not only health woes but further economic stagnation due to lockdown, things only got worse. Cases have spiked in recent weeks.
Islamic Relief workers in Beirut Islamic Relief
This crisis has dragged nearly half the population – many of whom are Syrian and Palestinian refugees – below the poverty line, and has caused the unemployment rate to soar to 35%. With the country defaulting on debt for the first time earlier this year, now even middle class families have been fighting to put food on the table. For nearly a year, all people have been concerned with is ‘how am I going to eat tomorrow?’
The explosion of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate at the Port of Beirut has caused a humanitarian catastrophe, with at least 100 dead, at least 100 missing and at least 4,000 injured. An entire hospital was destroyed, and those remaining are already on their knees due to the pandemic. But if these immediate impacts aren’t bad enough, the disaster will only restrict food even further to a country whose people are already starving.
“We are used to adversity. So however unfathomable this challenge, we will come together to fight it.”
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Some 80% of Lebanon’s food stocks come through Beirut’s port, and it has all been completely devastated. The blast demolished a vast storage unit that was holding the majority of the country’s grain.
A large proportion of Lebanon’s population are refugees, and there have been social tensions building for years, exacerbated by the economic crisis. We are concerned that these tensions will bubble over and explode.
In the midst of this catastrophe, Lebanese people are resilient. We are used to adversity. So however unfathomable this challenge, we will come together to fight it.
Our staff at Islamic Relief, who thank goodness are safe, will be providing drinking water and food for people who have lost their homes. In a few days, we will also start helping to clear the streets of the debris caused by the blast, providing people currently out of work with cash to help out. Longer-term we will need to continue providing food parcels, in the hope that this country that has been on its knees for a long time now does not finally buckle.
Nidal Ali is Lebanon country director of the aid charity Islamic Relief, which has been working in Lebanon since 2006, supporting refugees and others living in poverty.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Trump Mispronounces Thailand As 'Thighland' In Latest Blunder

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US president Donald Trump has made another embarrassing verbal blunder which sent Twitter alight.
On Thursday, Trump spoke at a Whirlpool factory in Clyde, Ohio, where he griped about corporations sending jobs overseas to countries like “Thighland” and Vietnam.
As the video clip shows, the president quickly corrected himself.
President Trump pronounces Thailand "thigh land" before correcting himself." pic.twitter.com/P2uWWcJ0kn — The Hill (@thehill) August 6, 2020
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As you might expect, the misspeak amused many on social media, especially since it came just days after Trump mispronounced the name of Yosemite National Park as “Yo-Semites.”
Thighland is the home of the Yo Semites. https://t.co/n62NUzVnQC — Paul Begala (@PaulBegala) August 6, 2020
Good thing there wasn't a geography portion on that cognitive test. https://t.co/6N8BuUMLyJ — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) August 6, 2020
I used to frequent a strip club called "Thighland". Great happy hour. https://t.co/9m5t6j2T5Q — ralphgarman (@RalphGarman) August 6, 2020
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Thighland is my favorite country after Assganistan. https://t.co/6shV0lkltA — Alexis Boucher (@alexis_b82) August 6, 2020
The US president said: “Four or five years ago this place was a disaster. In 2017 Whirlpool won relief from the ITC (US International Trade Commission) once again. Once more, your foreign competitors moved their factories to prevent a level playing field, and to avoid liability.
“Shifting production to Thighland, and to Vietnam ...”
Trump then repeated himself to correct the pronunciation of Thailand, adding: “Two places that – I like their leaders very much – do they take advantage of the United States? Not so much anymore.”
Earlier in the day, Trump launched a deeply personal attack on Joe Biden, even questioning without foundation the former vice president’s faith in God.
Even for a president known for his blunt criticism, Trump’s remarks stood out and they signalled how contentious his election campaign may get over the coming months.
“He’s against God. He’s against guns. He’s against energy, our kind of energy. I don’t think he’s going to do too well in Ohio,” Trump said.
Biden campaign spokesman Andrew Bates responded to Trump’s comments by saying: “Joe Biden’s faith is at the core of who he is; he’s lived it with dignity his entire life, and it’s been a source of strength and comfort in times of extreme hardship.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Police Accused of Brutality Following 'Raid' On Youth Charity 4Front Project

Police officers and young people outside Colindale Police Station on Friday afternoon. Picture: Temi Mwale Temi Mwale
The founder of award-winning youth organisation the 4Front Project has accused the police of brutality following what has been described as a raid on its office in north west London on Friday afternoon.
Four people aged between 14 and 25 were arrested at around 2pm but all were later released, the Met has confirmed.
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According to the 4Front Project’s Temi Mwale, who was recently named an influential activist in British Vogue’s September issue, officers arrested a 14-year-old boy on their premises.
The situation escalated when staff asked why he was being arrested and for more information to pass on to his parents. Officers refused to engage, Mwale said.
Eyewitnesses have said that officers proceeded to “drag kids into vans with no good reason”.
URGENT
A police unit have just raided the @4FrontProject office in North West London, and started making arrests. Team members and the Graeme Park Estate community are at Colindale Police Station demanding immediate release. Huge police line. If you can, head over there now.
1/ — #BlackLivesMatterUK (@ukblm) August 7, 2020
Filming outside Colindale police station in Brent, Mwale said: “We’ve been assaulted so many times here today. We have two members of my staff team that have been arrested.
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“We have several young people who have also been arrested. This is what we’re dealing with and I’ve told them we want it to be deescalated and yet they’ve refused.
“This community is sick and tired of the way we’re being treated and now we need your support. We’re meant to be out there tomorrow, Tottenham police station, but instead we’re out here at Colindale police station right now.”
The protest in Tottenham on Saturday has been organised to mark the ninth anniversary of the 2011 riots, which were sparked by the death of Mark Duggan, a 29-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by a police officer in Tottenham on August 4 2011.
In the video posted on Instagram, Mwale added: “Every day we’re getting arrested in our community for no good reason. It’s the hottest day of the year. We’re thirsty. we’re tired. [...] Every single day they come to Grahame Park Estate. [...] Stop and search, strip search, the lot of it, we have it. Brutality, punching us. [...] We’ve had enough.
“Today started calmly, it started peacefully. Us as community workers [...] asking why a 14-year-old was being arrested here today, what has he done, so we can inform his mum. [...] They said they didn’t want to engage with us. [...] They said that they aren’t able to tell us anything. We’ve got a mum on the phone and we want to [...] be able to tell her what they’re doing.”
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A police vehicle left the 4Front Project office and a group of 30 to 40 people followed on foot to Coldindale police station, where they remained.
Colindale Police posted on Twitter: “A youth on the Grahame park Estate was arrested today for being in possession of drugs. A youth Project based on the Estate took it upon themselves to try to Obstruct Police carrying out routine duty. Hence the ill feelings from young people towards usat [sic] Colindale Police station.”
A youth on the Grahame park Estate was arrested today for being in possession of drugs. A youth Project based on the Estate took it upon themselves to try to Obstruct Police carrying out routine duty. Hence the ill feelings from young people towards usat Colindale Police station. — Colindale Police (@MPSColindale) August 7, 2020
It comes after the 4Front Project last month commenced legal action against the Met over “unfair” treatment of members of its team.
The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers on patrol in The Concourse NW9, carried out a section 23 stop and search under the Misuse of Drugs Act. A 14-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis.
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“As officers carried out the arrest, a group began to gather around the officers and obstructed the police vehicle from leaving the scene. Further police units attended.
“A further two people, a 23-year-old man and a 25-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of obstruction of a constable.”
A cordon was put in place around the police station and a Section 35 dispersal order has also been authorised, the Met has said.
A 19-year-old-man was also arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.
The force later tweeted all arrested have now been released from police custody.
Chief superintendent Roy Smith, borough commander for the north-west of London, said: “Whilst I understand that people may feel strongly about some police activity and arrests, interfering or obstructing officers at the scene only serves to inflame an already tense situation.
“Instead, I would ask people to use one of our many mechanisms for engaging and listening when the situation is calmer. This enables both sides to review things with a cool and steady head and in possession of the full range of facts.
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“Even when well-intentioned interfering, or obstructing officers carrying out their lawful duties, can cause far more problems than it solves. I am committed to listening, learning and improving but my officers must also have the ability to carry out their duties safely and without fear or favour.
“I am also aware of a number of rumours circulating on social media that specifically relate to injuries sustained by those arrested and the nature of this arrest. I want to clarify that no one who was arrested required medical treatment. Likewise, this arrest was not as a result of a raid or anything of that nature, this was part of a routine patrol in the area.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--17 Dead As Air India Plane Breaks In Two In Kerala

A passenger plane that crashed after it overshot the runway is seen at Calicut International Airport in the southern state of Kerala, India. via REUTERS
At least 17 people were killed and more than 100 injured when an Air India Express passenger plane repatriating Indians stranded by the Covid-19 pandemic overshot the runway in heavy rain near the southern city of Kozhikode on Friday, officials said.
The Boeing-737 flight from Dubai to Calicut International Airport was carrying 190 passengers and crew, the civil aviation ministry said in a statement. Among them were 10 infants.
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Television footage showed rescue workers moving around the wreckage in pouring rain. The aircraft lay split into at least two chunks after the plane’s fuselage sheared apart as it fell into a valley 35 feet below, authorities said.
“Because of the weather conditions, he could not land the first time, so he did a turnaround and tried to approach it from a different direction,” Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri told national broadcaster DD News, adding that only an investigation would reveal the cause of the crash.
Puri said authorities managed to rescue most of the passengers because the plane did not catch fire while descending the slope at the end of the table-top runway. Such runways are located at an altitude and have steep drops at one or both ends.
“The good news is that the plane broke up and we were able to access the passengers,” Puri said. He said rescue operations had been completed.
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The office of the chief minister of Kerala state, where the airport is located and which is home to a large number of Indians working in the Middle East, said that in addition to the 17 dead, 173 others had been hospitalised.
It was India’s worst passenger aircraft accident since 2010, when another Air India Express flight from Dubai overshot the table-top runway at Mangalore, a city in the south, and slid down a hill, killing 158 people.
Media reports suggested the plane skidded off the runway of Calicut, crashing nose-first into the ground.
Boeing said it was gathering more information about the incident, closely monitoring the situation and offering assistance to its customer.
India, which shut down all air travel in late March to try to contain the novel coronavirus, has restarted limited international air travel. Air India Express AXB1344 was a government-operated repatriation flight for Indians previously unable to return home because of the travel restrictions.
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TV visuals showed the aircraft’s nose smashed into a brick wall, with much of the middle of the plane pulverised.
Local TV news channels showed passengers, some of them lying motionless on stretchers, brought into a hospital surrounded by health workers wearing masks because of the Covid-19 pandemic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Trump Blasted For Playing Live And Let Die During Speech

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Whoever was behind the music at President Donald Trump’s appearance at an Ohio washing machine factory on Thursday might want to rethink the playlist.
The Guns N’ Roses’ cover of Paul McCartney and Wings’ Live and Let Die blared on the loudspeaker before the president’s speech at a Whirlpool plant in Clyde, Ohio.
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The White House is playing "Live and Let Die" before Trump's arrival at a thinly disguised campaign event in Ohio that the state's governor cannot attend because he just came down with Covid-19, the disease that killed over 1,400 Americans yesterday. pic.twitter.com/AGumBfSFb8 — Robert Mackey (@RobertMackey) August 6, 2020
The Intercept’s Robert Mackey posted video of the tasteless moment, noting that Ohio governor Mike DeWine could not attend because he had tested positive for Covid-19, “the disease that killed over 1,400 Americans yesterday.” A second test later showed DeWine negative.
The US has surpassed 160,000 coronavirus deaths under Trump’s watch and the toll is projected to reach nearly 300,000 by December.
The same song played during Trump’s visit to a Honeywell factory that makes face masks in May.
Twitter was aghast at the offensive encore, which was perhaps made worse by Trump’s callous “It is what it is” comment about the death toll in an HBO interview broadcast this week.
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“They’ll soon be playing Queen’s ‘Another one bites the dust,’ one person sniped on Twitter.
They’ll soon be playing Queen’s “Another one bites the dust” — Anraí MacUalghairg (@AinriM) August 7, 2020
When you think it can't get any worse........unbelievable. — Jeanne Rankin (@JRankin04231800) August 7, 2020
Yep. I guess this goes under the "it is what it is" campaign strategy. 🤬 — Longmont Area Dems (@LongmontDems) August 7, 2020
Someone has a very dark sense of humor. — Holly Kurzman (@HollyKurzman) August 7, 2020
Creepy AF. — Just Kidding Jeez (@justkiddingjeez) August 7, 2020
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-08-07--Labour Demands SNP Education Secretary Quits After Poorer Pupils Have Exam Grades Lowered

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Labour has demanded the resignation of Scotland’s deputy first minister John Swinney, who also serves as education secretary, over a policy that saw poorer pupils disproportionately have their exam marks downgraded.
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The Scottish Qualification Authority’s (SQA) process, put in place to cope with the coronavirus outbreak, saw the pass rate of pupils in the most deprived areas reduced by 15.2% from teacher estimates after the exam board’s moderation.
In contrast, the pass rate for pupils from the most affluent backgrounds dropped by 6.9%.
Scottish Labour said on Friday it had obtained evidence the SQA would not reveal the results of any appeals until the end of May 2021.
The party said as a result it would table a motion of no confidence in Swinney in the Scottish Parliament so as to have him removed from his job.
Nicola Sturgeon has defended the SQA and argued the argued the system helped to maintain the “credibility” of results.
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In Scotland’s first school year without exams due to the pandemic, more than a quarter (26.2%) of grades were changed during moderation by the SQA – a total of 133,762 – while 377,308 entries were accepted unchanged.
The exam board’s criteria for moderation included the historic performance of schools, and grades were adjusted “where a centre’s estimates were outside the constraint range for that course”, according to the SQA chief examining officer Fiona Robertson
New schools without previous exam results were unchanged.
An SQA spokesperson said: “The most disadvantaged young people have achieved better results in 2020 compared to both 2019 and the average results for the last four years.
“At Grades A to C, the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged young people is also narrower this year for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher than for last year or the average gap for the last four years.”
In England, Labour has written to education secretary Gavin Williamson calling for “urgent reassurance” that exam results south of the border “will not exacerbate existing inequalities”.
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In a letter to Williamson, shadow education secretary Kate Green warned this year’s system of assessment following the Covid-19 pandemic “risks creating winners and losers and some children in schools that have been improving are those who could lose out the most”.