thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--This Is How I Learned To Accept Being 'Too Horny'

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You’re reading Sex Diaries, a HuffPost UK Personal series about how we are (or aren’t) having sex. To share your story, get in touch on ukpersonal@huffpost.com.
I don’t know if it was a blessing or a curse that when my office’s work from home policy became a little more, um, loose, so did I.
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I was in my late twenties and I suddenly found myself very horny. As you can suspect, working from home was a challenge in this state of mind; especially with my new roommate, the Hitachi Magic Wand. (I won’t get into it lest you have a bottle of wine and a few hours to spare, but let me just say this: that is one powerful vibrator.)
When I wasn’t masturbating, I was thinking about masturbating. The days I did go into the office, I found myself staring blankly at my computer, imagining bedroom adventures with my now growing list of crushes.
I had just gotten out of a nearly five-year, toxic relationship. I assumed this was just the normal, next step after heartbreak. I mean, Peaches said it best: “Fuck the pain away.” But while my heart healed, my habit continued. I managed to squeeze in quick sessions even if it meant being late and blaming my dog for my tardiness.
“He insisted on going outside again!” (I got horny.)
“He peed five times!” (I came five times.)
“The one benefit to me losing control of my mind (and time) was discovering just how good my body was capable of feeling.”
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I needed to know more. And, after some eye-opening Internet searches, I learned what was happening to me was more than just break-up aftershock: it was science. In 1953, Alfred Kinsey, everyone’s favourite zoologist, proposed that while male sexual responsiveness peaks around age 18 before declining, women are most sexually responsive in their late twenties and thirties. In Sexual Behavior in the Human Female – ironically published some years after the male edition – Kinsey also proposed a woman’s sexual responsiveness remains more or less constant into her 50s and 60s.
I really did appreciate Mother Nature delaying a woman’s libido; it was as if she was making sure we all got diplomas, degrees, and some experience in the real world before completely turning us into horny mush. But holy crap, into our 50s and 60s? I realised I still had a lot on my to-do list that would require a fully functioning brain. I had to figure out how to control this new normal, not only for my life to-do list but for my to-do list of a different kind: my future partners.
You see, the one benefit to me losing control of my mind (and time) during this phase was discovering just how good my body was capable of feeling. I never knew such intense pleasure. The problem? Once I knew what I was capable of providing my body, finding lovers to match that level of intensity got harder. And because I was so vocal about being horny in my life as a comedian, lovers who knew this assumed pleasing me would be a walk in the park.
Wrong. I needed more. Simply ‘being horny’ wasn’t enough for me and, once again, I found science was backing me up. Inspired by Kinsey’s studies like the one above, a group in 2002 performed a study which concluded that a woman’s sexual peak was more likely to be linked to sexual satisfaction. That made sense, the more I thought about it.
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There had been a shift in the origin of some of my more hornier moments. Half the time they were rooted in the obvious (sex, body parts, touching), but the other half were rooted from me. Well, me and my world. I was finding new pleasure in the weather, mundane conversation, dancing, my first sip of coffee, smells, bus rides (Note: not smells on bus rides). These simplicities didn’t end in orgasms but they satisfied my soul deeply. I realised I needed partners who could do the same.
My own sexual peak was demanding attention. I should’ve felt empowered by her brazen behaviour. And I was! But I also just wanted to get laid, and searching for soul-satisfying lovers didn’t always make that easy. It’s not that I couldn’t enjoy any part of non, soul-satisfying sex – an orgasm is an orgasm, right? – but it certainly trimmed the fat in terms of partner selection. It felt unfair to simultaneously be open to more casual sexual relationships and need that ‘soul food.’
I knew (or at least had a much better idea) about what I wanted out of sex, and it wasn’t always understood by my partners. Some didn’t know what to do with me, some didn’t know what to do with themselves, and some were just straight up confused – one even calling me ‘too kinky’. No, not for telling him to spit in my mouth (that, he was okay with), but for telling him (kindly) exactly how and where I wanted to be touched.
“My horniness transformed from a healing process to a way of life and, believe me, I won’t deny it was overwhelming.”
Where was I when the definition of kinky changed to ‘concepts that confuse men?’ Knowing what I wanted in bed wasn’t a kink, it was confidence. It was communication. Concepts that, as I continued my journey, became easier, and concepts that should be celebrated not criticised.
My horniness transformed from a healing process to a way of life and, believe me, I won’t deny it was overwhelming for others. It’s still overwhelming for me! The mushy brain, the fantasies, the vibrators. There’s a learning curve in finding a balance between pleasure and productivity. But the louder my horniness gets, the louder I get. I’m learning not to be scared of my body and I’m learning not to be scared of communicating her demands. It’s always worth it when I do.
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Whenever – and however – your horniness makes herself known, listen to her. Learn from her. And when the time is right, let yourself get loud about her. I can guarantee you she has your best interests in mind.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Grace Millane's Mother Tells Killer Her Daughter Died 'Terrified And Alone At Your Hands'

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Why was Grace Millane’s murderer granted anonymity?
The reasons for the so-called suppression order, like the name of the killer himself, cannot be given for legal reasons.
Under what circumstances can someone be given anonymity?
New Zealand law says that the court has to be satisfied that publication of the person’s identity would cause hardship to the person charged, create a risk of prejudice to trial, or endanger the safety of any person as among the eight reasons for suppressing a defendant’s identity.
Why wasn’t the murderer identified when they were convicted or sentenced?
Simply, because the order remains in place until the judge says it is lifted.
What punishments are there for those who breach the order?
Under the Criminal Procedure Act, punishments can include a six month jail sentence and a fine of up to 100,000 New Zealand dollars (£49,000).
Has anyone reported his name?
Yes. Some outlets outside of New Zealand have printed the name of the murderer. Breaching the order is not an offence which could lead to extradition and the long arm of New Zealand’s suppression law does not stretch to those overseas.
How are things different in the UK?
Defendants are only granted anonymity in a number of instances by British courts, including where they are under 18.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Film Company Has Perfect Response After Donald Trump Mocks Parasite’s Oscars Success

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Director Bong Joon-Ho’s searing commentary on class struggle made history at the Academy Awards this month when it became the first foreign language film to win Best Picture.
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On a memorable night, Parasite also earned Bong the Best Director Oscar and won both Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature.
Bong Joon-ho, director of Oscar-winning Parasite, at a press conference in Seoul, South Korea. ASSOCIATED PRESS
However, during a rally in Colorado the US president made his feelings clear about the film’s success.
“How bad were the Academy Awards this year?” the president asked, prompting boos from the crowd.
“The winner is – a movie from South Korea! What the hell was that all about?
“We got enough problems with South Korea with trade. On top of that, they give him best movie of the year? Was it good? I don’t know. Let’s get Gone With The Wind. Can we get Gone With the Wind back, please?
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“Sunset Boulevard? So many great movies.”
Mr Trump added: “Did this ever happen before?”
Following Trump’s comments, Neon, the North American distributor of Parasite, issued a short - but sweet - response.
“Understandable, he can’t read,” the company’s official Twitter account said.
The president also aimed a barb at Brad Pitt, who mentioned Mr Trump’s impeachment trial during his Oscars acceptance speech.
“And then you have Brad Pitt,” Mr Trump said. “I was never a big fan of his. He got up, said a little wise guy thing. He’s a little wise guy.”
Parasite is one of the most acclaimed films of recent years - and has been a huge commercial success.
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Bong’s satirical dark comedy veers wildly between different genres as it tells the story of an unscrupulous poor family’s often hilarious attempts to embed themselves inside the home of a rich family.
It moves from comedy to horror before building up to a gruesome conclusion.
Parasite was a popular choice for best picture at the Oscars, winning ahead of Sam Mendes’s well-fancied war epic 1917.
Bong addressed the issue of Western audiences being reluctant to watch foreign language films during his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes.
“Once you overcome the one-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” he said after winning the best foreign film award.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--36-Year-Old Woman Arrested For Calling 911 After Parents Shut Off Cellphone

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A 36-year-old Ohio woman was arrested last week when she repeatedly called 911 to complain that her parents had cut off her cellphone service.
Officials in Stark County arrested Seloni Khetarpal of Jackson Township on Feb. 13 after she called the regional emergency dispatch centre demanding that police come to her house, according to local station WJW.
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Authorities didn’t note what phone Khetarpal used to make the calls, but dispatchers told her to call 911 only if there was an actual problem.
However, Khertapal reportedly called back two hours later, insisting she felt the lack of a working phone was a legitimate police matter.
Court documents obtained by The Smoking Gun say Khetarpal was “belligerent” during her phone calls to the point that officers decided to arrest her on charges of disrupting public services, a fourth-degree felony.
Khetarpal appeared in court on Friday and was released after posting a $2,500 (£1,900) bond, according to Cleveland TV station WEWS TV.
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Her next scheduled court date is February 27.
The Smoking Gun noted that Khetarpal is a licensed realtor and that authorities have not said why her parents shut off her phone service in the first place.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Britain First's Paul Golding Charged Under The Terrorism Act

Paul Golding the leader of Britain First gestures outside the House of Parliament last year. SIPA USA/PA Images
The leader of far-right political group Britain First has been charged with an offence under the Terrorism Act after refusing to give police access to his phone.
Paul Golding, 38, was stopped at Heathrow Airport in October on his way back from a trip to the Russian parliament in Moscow by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.
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He refused to give the pin codes for a number of his electronic devices.
Golding was later charged with refusing to comply with a duty under Schedule 7 of the act.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday.
In a statement Golding said he was not a terrorist and described the charges as “an abuse of legislation”.
Schedule 7 allows police to interrogate, search and detain anyone for up to six hours at UK ports.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--5 Of The Pettiest Office Power Plays Co-Workers Can Pull

Henrik Sorensen via Getty Images Not inviting you to the proper meetings and group outings is one type of petty office power play a colleague can pull.
When you enter the workforce, you may quickly realise that your job is not just to do what you were hired for, but also to compete in the world of office politics.
“Avoiding office politics is like trying to avoid air, because if you have more than two people working together, you are going to have politics in some form or fashion,” said Marie G. McIntyre, a workplace psychologist and author of “Secrets to Winning at Office Politics.” “Politics to me is really about managing the relationships at work in order to accomplish whatever your goals are.”
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In the positive sense, office politics are just strategies to increase your influence to get business goals done, McIntyre said. But these manoeuvres become harmful power games when the player is more concerned about increasing their own status than preserving working relationships.
It starts to hurt the business when the main focus is on “How do I make me more important?” McIntyre said, because “part of being effective at work is effectively working with and collaborating with other people.”
When a colleague tries to diminish you and limit your influence at work, that’s a petty power play. Once you know how these players operate, you can create countermoves to defeat their game, McIntyre and other experts told HuffPost.
Here’s how to handle five common manoeuvres that can have a real, negative effect on your work reputation.
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1. They try to supervise your work but aren’t your boss.
The “hallway monitor” is a self-appointed compliance officer or a “supervisor of people that they’ve not been given authority to supervise,” McIntyre said. They have a need to make sure things are done according to their way of what’s right.
“There are a surprisingly large number of people who just take it upon themselves to monitor their co-workers and report things they think are not appropriate, or don’t like, or things they think are errors to management,” McIntyre said, citing the story of a co-worker who kept sending emails about mistakes they thought their co-worker had made to that person’s boss.
Yellow Dog Productions via Getty Images Some colleagues become self-appointed overseers of the office.
Pushback strategy: Let the hallway monitor know you don’t appreciate this feedback, or tell your superior.
If you are getting feedback about how your work should be done from someone who has no authority over you, you can let them know that your boss doesn’t have problems with the way you work.
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That language could sound like, “I’m sure you feel like you are being helpful by sending emails to our manager, but it really isn’t your job to supervise me. He never has problems with my work, so I would really appreciate it if you didn’t do that,” McIntyre said.
McIntyre said she personally thinks it is more useful to go to the boss in this scenario. Let them know your concerns about the oversight with a neutral question like, “Do you have any desire for her to oversee my work?”
2. They don’t invite you to the meeting or event you need to attend.
Petty office power players often use exclusion from events or meetings as a control manoeuvre. “They want more control and they think they’ll have that with you not there. Or they just don’t want your point of view in that meeting,” McIntyre said.
Pushback strategy: Call out the behaviour and invite yourself.
If you hear about a wrongful exclusion before the event happens, invite yourself if appropriate, McIntyre said.
Rahkal C. D. Shelton, a project manager and author of “Woosah: A Survival Guide for Women of Colour Working in Corporate,” said she was not invited to her co-workers’ group work lunches in a job she held. One strategy she deployed was to acknowledge the behaviour and ask direct questions like, “Are you ladies heading to lunch later in the week?”
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“The shunning game can be insidious because the perpetrator may claim they just forgot to invite you. Shelton advises being vigilant if you notice this behavior and documenting it through personal emails to yourself.”
If you’re being left out of lunches or outings that include supervisors as well as peers, “then that’s more of a concern,” Shelton said. In these cases, Shelton recommends reporting this exclusion because you don’t want to miss out on valuable information that is discussed. You can bring it up to your boss and ask about upcoming opportunities by saying, “Hey, what’s coming down the pipeline? Are there any extra expectations?” Shelton said.
The shunning game can be insidious because the perpetrator may claim they just forgot to invite you. Shelton advises being vigilant if you notice this behaviour and documenting it through personal emails to yourself in case you need to build a case later. “You can’t get away with the ‘I forgot again’ multiple times because then you’re singing the same song,” she said.
If your power-hungry colleague claims they simply forgot you, you can also approach the behaviour as an error that you are asking them to correct. For example, if you are being excluded from important emails, McIntyre advises emailing back with a statement like, “‘I noticed that I got left off the email list for the last couple of communications about this project. I’m sure that was an oversight. I need to let you know I need to be on that list.’ And if necessary, copy your boss.”
3. They invade your space.
Unless you have given someone permission, no one should be eating your food or getting too close to your workspace. Some people are unfortunately just bad with personal space. But others who violate your boundaries are controlling co-workers who think they can do what they want regardless of how you may feel and invade your personal space in an effort to assert their dominance.
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McIntyre recalled a colleague who picked up a document from her desk in front of her. “I was sitting in my chair in my office. He walked around behind my desk, reached over my shoulder, and picked up the document that I had had in front of me. I just took it back and turned in my chair and said, ‘You need something, Mike?’ And he went away.”
PhotoAlto/Ale Ventura via Getty Images “Some people have a very poor sense of boundaries,” McIntyre said.
Shelton said she experienced this type of space violation with a boss who would stand over her to have conversations while she was sitting down, which made her feel helpless.
Pushback strategy: Say the action is unwanted and get the person out of your space.
When your boundaries gets crossed, draw the line. Pleasantly but firmly assert yourself, such as by saying, “I know you have a habit of picking things up, and I would appreciate if you didn’t do this,” McIntyre said.
McIntyre said that if you can’t physically get back whatever the person has touched, you can say, “Can I have that back, please? That’s something I’m working on.”
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When her boss would invade her space and tower over her, Shelton’s strategy was to stand up, too. “I would scoot back further to cause some distance, or oftentimes I would stand with her. I would get up and engage her in the conversation so by then we’re eye level,” Shelton said.
“I was sitting in my chair in my office. He walked around behind my desk, reached over my shoulder, and picked up the document that I had had in front of me. I just took it back and turned in my chair and said, ‘You need something, Mike?’ And he went away.” - Marie G. McIntyre, workplace psychologist
4. They copy your boss into your emails.
“A lot of times, it’s a form of intimidation, especially when they are cc’ing multiple people,” Shelton said about this tactic, which suggests, “We’ve got the magnifying glass on you.”
Pushback strategy: Get ahead of the email copier by communicating with the person they are trying to rope in.
“If it’s pulling your boss into something and there might be a misunderstanding, you really need to do damage control with your boss,” McIntyre said. That damage control can look like, “Bob copied you on this email, we’re in the middle of the conversation about this, let me explain what the issue is,” she said.
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Shelton said you can acknowledge that your co-worker copied your boss into the conversation in your reply, and close that you will chat offline with your boss with a statement like, “Thank you, I will follow up with this person offline.”
If you know you have dropped the ball on an issue, get ahead of your petty colleague and schedule time with your boss before they’re copied on the conversation. Then you can counter with, “I already have this on their calendar. Thank you, it’s not necessary,” Shelton said.
5. They frame your work as their own.
Credit-stealers come in many forms in the workplace. They can claim they did more for the project than they did. Or they can sell your idea as theirs.
Wavebreakmedia via Getty Images Give credit back where it is due by citing who actually did the work.
Pushback: Take credit back by citing sources and changing I’s to We’s.
If the theft happens out loud, you can chime in by noting the full list of contributors: “That was great work. I’d like to include that we worked together,” Shelton said.
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One graceful way to ensure proper credit all around is to team up with your colleagues and give kudos to an idea originator. This amplification strategy was reportedly practiced by female staffers in the Obama administration.
“When a woman made a key point, other women would repeat it, giving credit to its author,” reported Juliet Eilperin for The Washington Post. “This forced the men in the room to recognise the contribution — and denied them the chance to claim the idea as their own.”
If credit-grabbing is happening through email, continue the conversation without noting the obvious theft attempt because “that just makes you look silly,” McIntyre said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Is Venting Actually Good For You?

Is Venting Actually Good For You?

Malte Mueller via Getty Images
Many of us love to vent, to feel that sweet release after ranting about something that’s made us angry. But when we do decide to let off steam with our friends or colleagues, is it actually any good for us?
“Venting has a place. It can be constructive,” says psychotherapist Sophie Robinson-Matthews. “It can be useful, in the moment, to get something off your chest so you’re not burying it and bottling it up.”
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This is because people have an innate desire to talk and be heard, explains Yvette Addo, a BACP-registered counsellor. In therapy, for example, clients talk about how they’re feeling and they may express anger, sadness, or frustration. This is, essentially, venting – they’re given room to explore what they’re feeling.
In that sense, venting can be good for us – but only when done in a safe, constructive and supportive manner. There’s a fine line between the cathartic release of getting something off your chest and what Addo describes as “spewing” – being spiteful or insensitive.
Plus, dwelling on those negative feelings for too long can be damaging. We’ve all been stuck in a swirling cycle of negativity before. Nothing good ever comes from it – and studies have even linked it to depression. Issues arise when venting is used the only method a person uses to express their emotions.
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Who you vent to matters
The matter of who we vent to is equally as important as how we vent. We need to trust they’re not going to share what we tell them.
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We also need to make sure that person helps us vent constructively. Otherwise, they can perpetuate a negative cycle by colluding with us, says Robinson-Matthews. Therapists are a popular option – but you don’t have to always turn to a professional.
A friend who is trusting, honest and wants what’s best for you will do the trick. The person should also be a good problem solver so they can help you find an answer to the issue(s) you face.
“Venting has a place. It can be constructive.” - Psychotherapist, Sophie Robinson-Matthews
So, how do you do it constructively?
Once you’ve found the right person for the job, take five minutes to get whatever it is off your chest. Sound out your frustrations. Deflate any angry energy.
Then, turn your head to problem-solving, alongside the person you’re with. “There are times when [they] might be able to suggest productive actions, that [you] might not have considered due to your emotive state,” says Addo.
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Go through a few questions: What was that vent session all about? How can you stop it from happening again? Has it happened before? Take a step back, too – is there a bigger picture, here?
“Often we vent because we feel it’s about us in some way, or we feel personally sidelined or attacked,” Robinson-Matthews explains. “But usually there’s a bigger picture involved and it’s not necessarily as personal as it feels in the moment. Anyone who can help us see the bigger picture and problem-solve is good.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--How To Up Your Breakfast Game Without It Feeling Like A Chore

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We all know breakfast is good for us – it’s been linked to better cholesterol, memory and energy levels, to name but a few of the health benefits.
A 2020 study on the topic suggested eating a big brekkie can also boost metabolism and help you lose weight. The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found starting the day with a big breakfast – rather than ending it with a big dinner – could help you burn twice as many calories during the day.
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But of course, not all big breakfasts are created equal – scoffing a full English is unlikely to yield the same benefits as a nutritiously, thought-out plate.
So how can you up your breakfast game, without it feeling like a chore?
Make the timing work for you
Breakfast essentially means “breaking the fast”, but that doesn’t mean you need to eat at the crack of dawn if you can’t stomach food that early, says registered nutritional therapist Kelly Vines.
“What’s important is not to leave it so late that your energy and blood sugar levels drop, as then you’ll be reaching for the wrong, instant high energy foods,” she tells HuffPost UK.
There’s no set “closing time” for experiencing the benefits of a good brekkie, agrees registered nutritionist Charlotte Stirling-Reed. Some people like it super early, some on-the-go, and others enjoy a late brunch. “Do what works for you when it comes to your mealtime routine,” she says.
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If you identify as someone who “just doesn’t do breakfast”, Anna Groom, a BDA spokesperson and registered dietitian, says this can change. “I find people can gradually train themselves to eat breakfast as it becomes a habit,” she says. “So having a drinkable yoghurt or piece of fruit as a starting point is a great idea.”
Arx0nt via Getty Images
Fill your plate with goodness
Eating a balanced breakfast is the best way to start the day feeling energised. In your breakfast, Stirling-Reed says you should try to get:
:: A portion of carbs, such as oats or wholemeal bread,
:: A portion of protein, such as beans, yogurt, fish, eggs or ground seeds/nut butters,
:: A portion of fruit or vegetables, such as spinach in a smoothie, berries on porridge, or green beans in your omelette.
You should aim to get fibre in there too, as most of us don’t get enough of it in our diets, she says. Breakfast is a great time to top up our fibre intakes.
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YelenaYemchuk via Getty Images
The NHS recommends aiming for 400 calories in your breakfast – but calories can’t tell us everything. Some nutrient-rich foods may have a higher calories content than processed, sugar-based products. Because of this, Vines says it may be more useful to think about how your breakfast leaves you feeling.
“You want your breakfast to just start to fill you,” she says, “but not so much that you’re left feeling too full. Otherwise, this could make you feel lethargic as all your energy will be going towards digesting that big meal.”
Don’t forget to have a drink too, says Groom: “A drink should always be consumed in the morning to support good hydration, which is important for a healthy immune system, as well as concentration.”
Switch up your recipes
If you’ve got an exciting breakfast planned, you’ll want to make time to eat it. A healthy start to the day doesn’t need to be a heavy lift.
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Vines likes throwing ingredients into a blender for a fast smoothie breakfast.
Breakfast smoothie recipe: 1 cup of spinach
1/2 a banana
A handful of frozen berries
1/2 a cup coconut water
A handful of raw nuts or a tablespoon of nut butter/avocado
1/2 cup oats
An optional scoop of protein powder for an extra boost.
Alternatively, she’s a fan of porridge with a spoonful of nut butter and berries on top, or avocado on rye bread toast with a boiled or poached egg. Groom likes to add oily fish to her avo on toast.
If that feels like too much work, Stirling-Reed says there’s nothing wrong with cereal, but choose wisely and add toppings for extra flavour and nutritional benefits. “Opt for fortified, low sugar cereals with a handful of berries and a sprinkling of seeds,” she says.
Treat yourself to a special breakfast at the weekend – a full English isn’t off the cards. “If you choose the right foods it can be a healthy, balanced option. Think quality sausages, toast, grilled tomatoes and a side of spinach,” says Stirling-Reed.
“Or pancakes are great for the weekend – they contain protein and carbs already, but you can vary their toppings to make them balanced: peanut butter, forest fruits and yogurt works well, or add scrambled egg and grilled tomatoes.”
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Make breakfast a ritual
It may be temping to grab a cereal bar before logging onto work, to get an extra few minutes in bed, but Chloe Brotheridge, hypnotherapist, author and host of The Calmer You podcast, believes making time for a proper breakfast can boost your wellbeing. “Our start to the day can dictate how the rest of it goes,” she says. “If we’re rushed and frantic, it can be hard to shake that feeling later.”
Giving yourself time and space in the morning puts you in a good state of mind, says Brotheridge. To make the act of eating breakfast a more conscious and rewarding experience, she recommends really focussing on the food you’re eating.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Damilola Taylor Killer Jailed For Driving Into Police Officer

Ricky Preddie & Damilola Taylor HuffPost UK
One of the killers of 10-year-old Damilola Taylor has been jailed for four years after driving into a female police officer.
Ricky Preddie was 13 and his brother Danny 12 when they killed the schoolboy in November 2000 in a crime that shocked the nation.
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The pair were jailed for eight years for Damilola’s manslaughter in 2006.
Ricky Preddie, 32, also known as Ricky Johnson, is back behind bars after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving; driving whilst disqualified; failing to stop; and driving without insurance at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday.
Scotland Yard said he was sentenced to four years imprisonment and banned from driving for 12 years, which will start when he is released from jail.
He was driving an Alfa Romeo in Wembley, north London, when police tried to stop his car on the afternoon of November 6 last year.
Preddie stopped the car but reversed along the pavement before crashing into a police vehicle, causing leg and neck injuries to a Pc who was getting out.
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He made his escape but the car was found nearby shortly after and he was arrested on November 12.
Flowers from the parents, Richard and Gloria Taylor, of murdered 10-year-old Damilola, left while visiting the spot where their son was killed in Peckham. Police hunting the killers of the 10-year-old arrested two youths and a woman in connection with the murder. Detective Superintendent David Dillnutt told a press conference at New Scotland Yard that the arrests were made at 6am at addresses in Southwark, south east London. See PA News story POLICE Boy. PA photo: Sean Dempsey PA
This comes as Richard Taylor, Damilola’s father, launched his ‘Year of Hope’ campaign ahead of the 20th anniversary of his son’s death. The move is geared at raising awareness around knife crime and the safety of London youth.
Detective Superintendent Ray Keating said: “In escaping from officers who had pulled him over, Johnson’s driving was extremely reckless and resulted in an officer being seriously injured.
“He then drove off from the scene, callously leaving the officer needing urgent medical attention.
“The officer has since returned to full duties, and I would like to commend her courage and strength since the incident.
“While she has recovered physically, the incident has taken an emotional and psychological toll.
“Sadly, officers are injured whilst protecting the public far too often.”
Richard and Gloria Taylor, mother of murdered school boy Damilola who was killed in Peckham, south London November 2000, at a press conference in Scotland Yard to coincide with the release of an eight-month inquiry by John Sentamu, * ... the Bishop of Birmingham. The review made a total of 23 recommendations in relation to the police criminal justice system and prison service, and although the review acknowledged that the Metropolitan Police had moved on since the botched Stephen Lawrence inquiry in 1993, it made a series of criticisms, particularly of the way the Crown's 14-year-old child witness known as 'Bromley' was dealt with. PA
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Damilola had moved to Britain from Nigeria a few months before he was jabbed in the thigh with a broken beer bottle by a gang of youths as he walked home from the local library after school.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Harry And Meghan Will No Longer Use Word 'Royal' In Branding

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will no longer use the word royal, as in their “Sussex Royal” branding, a spokeswoman for the couple has said.
The spokeswoman said: “While The Duke and Duchess are focused on plans to establish a new non-profit organisation, given the specific UK government rules surrounding use of the word royal, it has been therefore agreed that their non-profit organisation, when it is announced this Spring, will not be named Sussex Royal Foundation.
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“The Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not intend to use ‘SussexRoyal’ in any territory post Spring 2020.”
Harry and Meghan had been in discussions with aides and senior royals about the use of the word, but it appears they have fallen foul of UK government rules.
Plans to trademark “SussexRoyal” have also been abandoned.
The couple’s popular Instagram account uses the name SussexRoyal, as does a website set up by the couple after their decision to stop carrying out official royal duties in favour of financial freedom.
Both will now have to be re-branded to reflect the duke and duchess’ decision.
It is understood the applications were not in the pursuit of commercialisation but to protect the couple’s brand from being exploited.
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The duke and duchess’s lives as working royals will end on March 31 when they stop representing the Queen and become financially independent.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--London Mosque Attack Had ‘Been Brewing’, Say Leaders

Mosque attack had ‘been brewing’, say leaders PA
Muslims in London felt a mosque attack had “been brewing” following incidents at places of worship around the world, community leaders have said.
Shaukat Warraich, director of public affairs at Muslim welfare charity the Al-Khoei Foundation, said worshippers are now “looking over their shoulders” as they come to prayer, with many women and children opting to stay at home rather than venture out to mosques after dark.
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Warraich said he spoke to the London Central Mosque about their security measures only an hour before Thursday’s attack, in which a man knifed the muezzin, who makes the call to prayers.
Raafat Maglad returned to London Central Mosque on Friday PA
Warraich said many Muslims had been on edge since the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand last March, when 51 people were killed and many others injured by a white supremacist.
He said: “Things have been brewing for some time now, since the Christchurch attacks (generally) the community has feared something like this.
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“Regent’s Park is the most iconic mosque in London because of its size and location, but it is probably also the most secure in terms of what they have and resources and manpower.
“But generally mosques are soft targets. Most don’t have any security apart from some CCTV.
“People are looking over their shoulders, 100%.”
Warraich said others have stopped congregating around the entrance to mosques if they arrive late for prayers as they do not want to be considered a target.
He said it would “send the wrong message” to introduce airport-style security, but said mosques were now consulting with security companies in order to make worshippers feel safer.
Worshippers arrive for midday prayers at the London Central Mosque PA
Yousif al-Khoei, founding member of the Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board, called for Muslims to “try to uphold a normal life but be vigilant” and for mosques to increase their security arrangements.
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“Don’t let fear get into you to the extent that terrorists win the day,” he said.
Although the reasons for Thursday’s attack are not yet clear, Mr al-Khoei also suggested there is a rising trend in Islamophobia and condemned media coverage of attacks.
“The fear factor in the community has its roots in many incidents across the country and around the world where Islamophobia seems to be a current trend in people who think Muslims are fair game,” he said.
“People complain that Muslims have become easy targets for some sections of the media.
“Whenever there is an incident where a Muslim is involved it’s about Muslim terrorism. Most of the time when there’s an incident where Muslims are the victim it’s marketed as some lunatic or mad person.
Yousif al-Khoei Al-Khoei Foundation
“We need to have steps both to define what Islamophobia is and to counter it and to record it. Otherwise I fear that this cultural victimhood will keep growing.”
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Al-Khoei said attackers of Muslims have “perverted the message of religion”.
He added: “To the wider community, it’s really important that no community feels targeted or marginalised or discriminated against.
“We are confident a democratic system can never allow the extremists to prevail and the Muslims of Europe this century not to become the Jews of Europe last century.”
Khizar Mohammad, media manager at East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre, said that despite the attack on Thursday, its mosque had been full.
“Fortunately, people know such horrendous incidents are rare, and the mosques today have been as full as usual,” he said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Billie Eilish Bags Her First UK Number One With New James Bond Theme Song

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Billie Eilish has landed her first ever UK number one single, thanks to her new James Bond theme No Time To Die.
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It’s now been revealed that the song has gone straight in at the top of the UK singles chart, the first of Billie’s songs to do so.
What’s more, with 90,000 chart sales – including 10.6 million streams in a week – No Time To Die appears to have had the biggest opening week for any Bond theme, according to Official Charts Company, as well as having the biggest first-week sales for any other single in 2020.
Billie Eilish Samir Hussein via Getty Images
Although this is Billie’s first time topping the UK singles chart, she previously came close with her past songs Bad Guy and Everything I Wanted, which peaked at number two and three, respectively.
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She previously said of No Time To Die: “It feels crazy to be a part of this in every way. To be able to score the theme song to a film that is part of such a legendary series is a huge honour.
“James Bond is the coolest film franchise ever to exist. I’m still in shock.”
Earlier this week, Billie performed the song live for the first time on the Brit Awards stage, where she was accompanied by composer extraordinaire Hans Zimmer, guitar legend Johnny Marr and her brother Finneas, with whom she co-wrote the track.
Billie and Finneas performing at the Brit Awards Samir Hussein via Getty Images
No Time To Die is only the second Bond theme in history to reach number one, the first being Sam Smith’s Writing’s On The Wall back in 2015.
Sam went on to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the Oscars the following year, a feat previously achieved by their Bond song predecessor Adele, who recorded the title track for the film Skyfall.
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Skyfall reached number two in 2012, but was kept off the top spot by Swedish House Mafia and John Martin’s Don’t You Worry Child.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Boris Johnson Has Not Been Seen For A Week Despite Storm Dennis Floods

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It’s been a week since we last saw Boris Johnson, despite hundreds of homes being flooded and a storm over a No.10 advisor who quit after he was found to have advocated eugenics.
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The prime minister decamped to his government-owned Chevening mansion for part of the parliamentary recess and has not been seen in public since last Friday’s post-reshuffle cabinet meeting.
Johnson’s submarine strategy during Storm Dennis is in stark contrast to his approach during the December election, when he visited flood victims and convened a meeting of the Cobra government emergency committee.
In the meantime, hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes in the worst-affected areas following days of flooding.
Then-foreign secretary Boris Johnson in a row boat with Czech Republic's deputy foreign minister Ivo Sramek at Chevening in 2017. PA
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Two severe life-threatening Environment Agency flood warnings remained in place on Friday afternoon, while there were 67 less serious flood warnings and 144 flood alerts in place.
The agency has warned of worsening conditions across the Pennines and parts of Yorkshire, and said that ongoing river flooding remains “probable” for the English-Welsh border around the River Severn for the rest of the week.
Even some of Johnson’s supporters have been pleading for him to visit and help after England was lashed with strong winds and 144% of its average February rainfall.
"I’m a staunch supporter of Boris Johnson... Now I’ve supported him, come on Boris - come and support me."
Ironbridge resident Vic Haddock appeals for the PM to visit the flood-hit community in Shropshire. pic.twitter.com/uV4Z6MQGvX — Aubrey Allegretti (@breeallegretti) February 19, 2020
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has looked to capitalise on the PM’s absence, visiting flood victims in south Wales and urging Johnson to “go and talk to them”.
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Johnson did not respond, instead sending out environment secretary George Eustice to accuse the Labour leader of “trying to politicise the floods”.
"The Prime Minister has tasked me with leading on this issue."
The Environment Secretary, George Eustice MP says the Prime Minister doesn't need to go to flood hit areas of the UK, because he has been visiting them "on his behalf".
JM#KayBurley pic.twitter.com/rOTRdoQHUe — Kay Burley (@KayBurley) February 17, 2020
The government has also provided a package of support, including allowing households to apply for up to £500 of hardship payments, as well as council tax and rates relief for three months for “significantly affected” homes and businesses.
Small- to medium-sized businesses are eligible for a grant worth up to £2,500 if they have suffered severe, uninsurable losses, while flood-hit homes and companies can apply for up to £5,000 to make them more resilient.
But despite the announcements, Johnson has not appeared to publicise them, perhaps wanting to avoid a repeat of the scenes when he visited South Yorkshire in November.
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WATCH: ‘It’s took you over five days. You should have been there Saturday morning having a meeting... and I’m sorry your announcements yesterday were a pittance.’
Residents in flood-hit Stainforth tell @BorisJohnson what they think of his govt’s response.@itvcalendar | #Floods pic.twitter.com/YDvAOGCJS4 — Joe Pike (@joepike) November 13, 2019
This is the moment furious locals heckle Boris Johnson as he visits a town hit by flooding in Stainforth, Yorkshire. pic.twitter.com/1KMk7nDmfu — LBC (@LBC) November 13, 2019
"You took your time Boris"
Boris Johnson is criticised by some residents affected by floods on a visit to South Yorkshirehttps://t.co/iqr7npsTFK pic.twitter.com/dmBIwLfrvT — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) November 13, 2019
This morning I spoke to Chinese President Xi to express my sympathy and support for those affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The UK government has donated vital medical equipment to the region and we will continue to offer our assistance. (1/2) — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 18, 2020
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But it comes amid claims that Johnson’s chief of staff Dominic Cummings is set to stop the Commons liaison committee of senior MPs grilling the prime minister.
Johnson has already cancelled appearances before the high-ranking committee twice since becoming PM.
Moreover, he has faced criticism in recent months for dodging an election interview from Andrew Neil and taking days to appear to respond to the US assasination of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani, having taken a holiday to the private Caribbean island of Mustique.
“It is not too late. We have an interview prepared. Oven-ready, as Mr Johnson likes to say”
Andrew Neil issues a challenge for Boris Johnson to commit to an interview with him, to face questions on why people have “deemed him to be untrustworthy”https://t.co/daHLxEYn4r pic.twitter.com/oQ21uDdtJe — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) December 5, 2019
HuffPost UK has asked Downing Street to say where Johnson is and what he is doing.
Quote Of The Day
Lisa Nandy when asked if she has ever has ever taken drugs.
Friday Cheat Sheet
Sadiq Khan has ruled out backing Left-winger Rebecca Long-Bailey for the Labour leadership. In an interview with the Evening Standard, the London mayor said he would “decide over the course of the next few days” between Keir Starmer and Lisa Nandy.
Nandy has told Labour List that she has been “surprised” at the “level of misogyny” she and Long-Bailey have faced during the campaign.
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Priti Patel, the home secretary, has been warned by former Home Office permanent secretary Sir David Normington to “take time” over her planned immigration reforms.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Simone Biles Teases A Move No Female Gymnast Has Ever Pulled Off In Competition

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Simone Biles, already the most decorated gymnast in the history of the sport, looks like she’s about to add to both her legacy and her growing medals collection.
On Thursday, Biles shared a video on Twitter that featured a vault move no female gymnast has ever pulled off in competition:
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just droppin this here real quick :-) pic.twitter.com/sIx0M112qJ — Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) February 21, 2020
As fans on reddit noted, it was the Yurchenko double pike.
Earlier this month, Biles posted another clip of her working on the move and landing in a foam pit, which caused fans to wonder if she was really going to try it. Now, she’s landing on a mat over the pit, showing she’s not only closer to perfecting it, but also hinting that she may be prepping it for the Tokyo Games.
In response to the earlier clip, The Washington Post reported that the move might be too risky for the Olympics given that it can lead to a head or neck injury without the right height and technique. A few male gymnasts have performed the move, but no woman has done so in competition.
Yet.
Fans are ready:
Everyone needs to understand how lucky we are to be alive in the time that @Simone_Biles is doing gymnastics.
LOOK.
AT.
THIS.
A Yurchenko double pike onto a soft mat and it looks PHENOMENAL. https://t.co/MuSeNNv7uD — Jennifer Iacopelli (@jennifercarolyn) February 21, 2020
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imagine being so powerful you can over rotate a YURCHENKO DOUBLE PIKE... amazing, show stopping, brilliant https://t.co/073wQSp10M — gymnast relate (@gymnastrelate) February 21, 2020
Simone Biles is making gymnastics look easy again 😉 I’ve got another vault to try: Yurchenko double back in an open tucked position with a half twist after the first flip!!! If anyone can do it, @Simone_Biles can! @CLcecile #supersimone https://t.co/BY0a26krkw — Kyle Shewfelt (@kyleshew) February 21, 2020
Any other gymnast ever: If I attempt a yurchenko double pike will I land on my neck and die instantly?@Simone_Biles: If I attempt a yurchenko double pike, will I have *too much power* for a clean landing?
😱😱😱
So glad I’m alive in her time ❤👏🏼 https://t.co/bvvEc6eEzL — Megan Jo (@MeganJo54759281) February 21, 2020
She might as well lay this out while she’s at it. There will never be another like Simone Biles. pic.twitter.com/181sLGcR6Y — Meg McDonald (@Meg__McDonald) February 21, 2020
@Simone_Biles will be the first woman to land a yurchenko double pike on vault. #speakingintoexistence https://t.co/IoehorQnIW — Pamela Correa (@___pamcake___) February 21, 2020
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We are not worthy @Simone_Biles 🐐👑🥇😍🔥What a time to be alive! https://t.co/LAj7a2bZ41 — It's Me! It's Me! (@cpnqn) February 21, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Bullied Boy With Dwarfism Receives Support From Around The World

Bullied Boy With Dwarfism Receives Support From Around The World
Messages of support have flooded in for nine-year-old Quaden Bayles after a video featuring the boy’s heartbreaking reaction to being bullied went viral. Mum Yarraka filmed Quaden after being bullied at school because of his dwarfism, and since posting the video on Facebook the family have been inundated with messages from around the world.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--The Masked Singer Finale | Good Vibes Only

The Masked Singer Finale | Good Vibes Only
This week in the world of entertainment, The Masked Singer came to an amazing but not too surprising climax, there’s hints of a possible Girls Aloud reunion, we’re getting nostalgic and taking a look back at The Brit Awards 2000, Lewis Capaldi continued his dual personality antics, and we were in awe at Lizzo’s tequila drinking skills.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Danny Cipriani Details His Past Struggles With Suicidal Feelings In Powerful Video

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Danny Cipriani has shared a powerful video in which he detailed his own struggles with suicidal feelings, following the death of his friend, Caroline Flack.
The former rugby star, who briefly dated Caroline in 2019, posted the video on Friday morning, revealing he’d been inspired to speak his truth after “someone he loved very dearly as a person… decided to take her own life, as everyone knows”.
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He explained that he had been in touch with his friend “for the last three or four months”, saying; “We’ve always been in contact, since we were together, since we weren’t, it’s always been a loving friendship, and I was so vulnerable with her in my moments, when we first met, and I told her everything about me, because I felt safe with her.”
Danny Cipriani Instagram/Danny Cipriani
“I told her all the things I was embarrassed and shameful about, and she made me OK. And ultimately it was embarrassment and shame that killed her.
“So I’m telling everyone now what my most embarrassing and shameful moments are, because I know she knew I had the strength to do this, and we had spoken about how things had to change. But I didn’t know it was going to take this [for it to happen].”
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A visibly emotional Danny continued: “She knew everything about me, and the reason I’m saying this is because embarrassment and shame is not something that should make you do this. It’s how we treat people and look after them, because everyone has embarrassment and shame to some sort of degree.
“Whatever it is, we be kind. We try to be and be gentle… we don’t need maliciousness, we don’t need people going through your bin, we don’t need people trying to gather information.
“But at the end of the day, we’ve created what the media is. Because at the end of the day, if there’s a good and bad story, the bad story is [read] more, if the bad story is [read] more, then as a business, they’re going to keep doing the bad.”
Useful websites and helplines:
Mind , open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.) The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk
is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@themix.org.uk Rethink Mental Illness offers practical help through its advice line which can be reached on 0300 5000 927 (open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm). More info can be found on www.rethink.org.
He concluded: “As human beings, as social media, we now have the power to [make a change]. On social media, we can be kind, and not read that, and do things and change perception and everything.
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“What I’m trying to say is… we can’t just blame the media. We can’t blame ourselves, it’s just what has been created. But we can now change what is happening. We can move forward.
“Her life will not go in vain, and this is why I have to tell this story.”
Danny also noted that he’d spoken to Caroline the day before her death, saying he’d even “written her messages that she’s not going to read”.
Since Caroline’s suicide was reported over the weekend, a number of the presenter’s high-profile friends and colleagues have paid their own emotional tributes.
This includes Laura Whitmore, who is presenting the current series of Love Island, and delivered a powerful speech on her BBC Radio 5 Live show on Sunday, urging her listeners to be kinder to one another.
Caroline Flack Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP
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“Anyone who has ever compared one woman against another on Twitter, knocked someone because of their appearance, invaded someone’s privacy, who’ve made mean, unnecessary comments on an online forum need to look at themselves,” Laura said.
“To the press, the newspapers who create clickbait, who demonise and tear down success, we’ve had enough.
“I’ve seen journalists and Twitter warriors talk of this tragedy, who they themselves have twisted what the truth is. You don’t have to tear someone down to feel good about yourself.
“So to listeners, be kind. Only you are responsible for how you treat others and what you put out in the world. I’ve had messages, I’ve been harassed for just doing my job, and this is where the problem is. I want to use my platform – this platform – to call people out, because it’s gone too far. Your words affect people.
“To paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell, to trolls hiding behind a keyboard: enough.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Can Joe Biden Step Out From Obama’s Shadow?

The former vice president who found social media notoriety through his “bromance” with Barack Obama, Joe Biden is the most well-known politician in the race to become the Democrats’ presidential candidate for 2020.
He comfortably led early polling thanks to name recognition alone.
The 77-year-old has trumpeted his vast political experience and ability to beat Trump, arguing he has a rapport with the working-class vote that turned Republican in the crucial Midwestern states in 2016. He defended Obamacare against rival candidates who want a more European-style healthcare system.
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But Biden’s status as the frontrunner is under threat. His disappointing finish in the Iowa caucuses rattled his donor base and lowered his cash reserves. Trailing former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg and the leading progressive, Bernie Sanders, Biden was running fourth, close to Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar.
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at a campaign event on February 5 ASSOCIATED PRESS
That has left some establishment Democrats, including some Biden supporters, questioning his contention that he will reclaim clear front-runner status in the race against Donald Trump once the primary fight moves beyond overwhelmingly white Iowa and New Hampshire to more racially diverse electorates.
And it is a reminder of how Biden’s previous presidential campaigns ended disastrously, never advancing beyond Iowa. Curiously, in 1988, he plagiarised a speech made by former Labour leader Neil Kinnock, casually appropriating facts about the UK politician’s upbringing in Wales to describe his own in Pennsylvania.
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Questions have been raised over his habit of unpopular policies (voting for the Iraq war) and whether an avowed centrist who makes great play out of working with Republicans is in tune with a divided, deeply partisan electorate. His son Hunter’s business links in Ukraine are already being exploited mercilessly by Trump, regardless of the truth of the president’s claims.
The former vice president who found social media notoriety through his ‘bromance’ with Barack Obama Shutterstock
His habit of making unforced gaffes has also cast a pall across his candidacy. In August last year he delivered a rousing speech accusing Trump of encouraging white supremacy. But the next day he took the wind out of his own sails by claiming “poor kids” were as bright and talented as “white kids”. That same month he flubbed one of his own new slogans, telling a crowd at Iowa State Fair: “We choose truth over facts!”
Other notable flubs include referring to Margaret Thatcher when he meant Theresa May and claiming a number of students who survived the shooting in Parkland, Florida in 2018 “came up to see me when I was vice-president” – a mean feat given that the massacre occurred a year after he had left the White House.
“I am a gaffe machine,” he admitted in December, adding: “But, my God, what a wonderful thing compared to a guy who can’t tell the truth.”
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Biden has also faced a swell of allegations that he has made women uncomfortable with his use of physical contact. More than half a dozen women have publicly aired complaints that he had touched them inappropriately at political events, though none has alleged sexual misconduct.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--James Corden Gets Put On The Spot As He's Asked 'How Much He Regrets Doing Cats'

As the host of The Late, Late Show, James Corden is more than used to giving celebs a grilling, but he recently found the tables were turned when he was posed a rather uncomfortable question by Justin Bieber.
In Thursday night’s edition of the US talk show, James and The Biebs sat down to play Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts, a segment where they have to either answer a difficult question, or eat some disgusting I’m A Celebrity-esque delicacies.
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In the first round, both stars swerved questions about whether Justin or Harry Styles is more talented, and which country has the “worst fans”, after which it was the Yummy singer’s turn to ask a question.
Throwing his head back, Justin asked the host: “How much do you regret doing Cats?”
James Corden CBS
As the studio audience lost it, James responded: “Do you know what? I’ll answer that.”
“So one is the least, and 10 is the most,” he continued. “Well, here’s the thing. I had the loveliest time making that film. It took me six days, and I loved every single second of it.
“I think you’ve got to be careful not to… you’ve got to decide things on your own personal experience. And I had a really great time. So… I don’t regret doing it at all, because I decided to do it in the same way that I’ve decided to do many things, some have worked and some haven’t.”
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Justin and James face the tough questions on The Late, Late Show CBS
He concluded he was going to “have to put it at a solid five”, before correcting himself to a slightly less regretful “4.5”.
James played Bustopher Jones in Tom Hooper’s big-screen adaptation of Cats, which was mauled by critics upon its debut last year.
Shortly after release, James admitted he’d not yet seen the film but had “heard it’s terrible”, later poking fun at the backlash during an appearance at the Oscars.
Dressed in outfits resembling those from the film, he and co-star Rebel Wilson presented the award for Best Visual Effects, sarcastically noting: “As cast members of the motion picture Cats, nobody more than us understands the importance of good visual effects.”
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James as Bustopher Jones in Cats Universal
The joke received a big laugh from the audience, but was less well-received by the Visual Effects Society.
“Last night, in presenting the Academy Award for outstanding visual effects, the producers chose to make visual effects the punchline,” they said.
“The best visual effects in the world will not compensate for a story told badly.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Stop Flaking. Just Say Yes Or No To Social Plans

FluxFactory via Getty Images
“Hey, sorry it’s last minute, but I don’t think I’m going to make it later.”
There are few things that annoy me more than getting a text from a friend bailing on the day. Of course, there are times we all genuinely need to cancel plans – if you’re snotty or vomiting, I don’t want to see you either. And if you’re struggling with your mental health and need a night in, I’ll understand and be the first to offer support.
But flaking – which I define as backing out of a plan with a lame or non-existent excuse – is reaching new heights.
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More than a quarter of British adults have initially said yes to an invite, despite having no intention of attending in the first place, according to a new study. Craving downtime and embracing “the joy of missing out” were among the reasons people wanted to stay in.
But let’s get one thing straight: flat-out lying to your friends isn’t a legitimate form of self-care. It’s selfish – and it’s likely to have a negative impact on their wellbeing.
The survey of 2,000 people, conducted by Privilege Insurance, found only one in five follow through with every plan they make and around a third of all pre-planned meet-ups never actually occur.
As someone who tends to be the organiser of social plans – the person who’s co-ordinated the calendars, researched the restaurant and booked the table – the stats are even more infuriating.
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For every plan that falls through, there’s a schmuck behind the scenes who’s wasted a lot of time and energy. If you cancel on plans you had no intention of going to, it tells me you think your time is more valuable than mine – and that hurts. If you do it repeatedly, maybe we both need to think about why, and take a long, hard look at our friendship.
“If you cancel on plans you had no intention of going to, it tells me you think your time is more valuable than mine – and that hurts.”
The study also suggests younger generations are more prone to flaking than our parents; millennials admitted to telling three times as many ‘porkies’ per year (22) to get out of plans, compared to over 55s (7). It isn’t surprising.
I’m reminded of a conversation I had with my nan a few years ago when I asked her how she co-ordinates seeing her friends without using a mobile phone. Her response was simple: you set a time and date for your next meeting when you see each other, put it in your diary, and stick to it.
Maybe WhatsApp and our ability to let a friend down with a few words hastily typed during the working day has created a culture of unreliability.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-21--Venting Can Be Damaging. Here's How To Do It Constructively


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Love Island's Ollie Williams Felt Like 'Most Hated Person In Britain' After Leaving Show

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Former Love Island star Ollie Williams has reflected on the controversy he found himself at the centre of after leaving the show, admitting he it made him feel like the “most hated person in Britain”.
Ollie lasted just three days in the villa back in January, after which he made the decision to quit the show.
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His exit came shortly after photos of him posing with dead animals had begun circulating on social media, leading many to suspect he was a trophy hunter.
Since leaving Love Island, Ollie has denied these accusations, and now says the ensuing backlash was difficult for him to deal with, adding he felt like he was “treated like a murderer” upon his exit.
Ollie Williams, pictured shortly before entering the Love Island villa Joel Anderson/ITV/Shutterstock
“We just need to be a bit kinder to each other,” he told the BBC. “We have this constant battle with the pressures of social media, people can say anything, it’s insane.”
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Ollie went on to claim that after leaving the villa, he was almost immediately flown back to the UK, explaining: “I had someone checking I was OK mentally when I came out, but on landing in London they assigned me a security detail - I knew then things were bad.
“I felt like the most hated person in Britain... I never in a million years thought it would be this bad.”
He also described having to go into hiding for 10 days after returning to the UK, saying: “I’m from a farming family in Cornwall, yes it was a privileged background, but I didn’t deserve to be trolled and neither did my family.
“My sister received death threats on social media, it’s affected the whole family.”
Ollie speaking in the Love Island beach hut ITV
Backing calls for more regulation on social media platforms, Ollie continued: “The worst thing you can do is try to battle them [on social media], but it’s hard not to let it affect you.
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“It’s no good just blocking and reporting, that doesn’t work - currently regulation is non-existent.”
Both Ollie and ITV have always insisted that he left Love Island of his own accord because he had feelings for his ex-girlfriend back home, with the reality star adding: “I never killed those animals, and I wasn’t pulled from the show.
“Even if I had [shot those animals] it’s completely legal, it’s actually encouraged in that part of the world to support conservation.”
The current series of Love Island is about to come to an end, with the winning couple being crowned in Sunday night’s live show.
Fans had speculated whether the usual summer series would be airing, following the tragic death of its host Caroline Flack last week, but a post on ITV’s website advertising for future contestants has strongly suggested the show will be going ahead as usual.
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Since her death, a number of her famous friends and former colleagues have been paying tribute, including Laura Whitmore, who is currently hosting the first ever winter series of Love Island.
Last week, Laura gave an impassioned speech on her radio show, calling for her listeners to be kinder to one another, and think more of the consequences of their words.
Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--David Dimbleby Criticises 'Liar' Boris Johnson And Accuses PM Of 'Apeing Trump'

The BBC's David Dimbleby. Dan Kitwood via Getty Images
David Dimbleby, one of the BBC’s most senior journalists, has criticised Boris Johnson as a liar and accused him of “apeing” Donald Trump’s tactics.
In an unseen interview with Germany’s ARD state TV channel the veteran presenter said “nobody” trusted the PM, who he said was “undermining” the BBC.
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He said: “Nobody trusts Boris Johnson. Who could trust Boris Johnson? He lies everywhere to everyone. He lies to his family. He just makes it up, you know.
“Boris Johnson, above all politicians, does it his way. He doesn’t take any notice of what people say. He doesn’t care what people think. He just wants to be prime minister.”
The comments were first published by the Daily Mail, who obtained a transcript of parts of the interview which were not aired by the German broadcaster.
The 82-year-old, who is best known for hosting Question Time for a quarter of a century, added: “Johnson is apeing some of the attitudes of Trump. He is a different kind of political animal, like Trump, very similar rulebook.
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“If you are like that the one thing you don’t want is people questioning what you’re doing, which is why he won’t let his ministers go on television or any serious programme.
“Johnson doesn’t give a damn for independent analysis, impartial judgment on what it [the government] is doing. They’re not willing to submit to scrutiny… because they’re arrogant with power. And they won’t last.”
Dimbleby hosted coverage of every general election from 1979 to 2017, and followed Johnson throughout the 2019 campaign for a documentary.
The veteran broadcaster also said the “BBC is under threat in a way it has never been before”, after news broke of government proposals to scrap the TV license fee.
He said: “The pernicious route they [the government] are using is to say the licence fee is wrong or unfair.
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“I don’t believe it is wrong or unfair.
“It is a way of damaging and undermining the BBC that is dangerous and should be resisted forcefully if public broadcasting is to survive.
“Anything that chips away at what we believe to be a good democratic process is dangerous and has to be fought against.
“It has to be explained why not speaking to people is dangerous, why not appearing on television is dangerous.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Onward Will Feature Disney's First Ever Openly LGBTQ Character In An Animated Film

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The first openly LGBTQ character to ever appear in an animated Disney film will be featured in the new film Onward, it has been confirmed.
Lena Waithe – whose past credits include Master Of None and Dear White People – will lend her voice to Office Specter, a lesbian policewoman in Onward, Disney’s latest collaboration with Pixar.
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On Friday, the news was first reported in Slate and The Advocate, with Lena sharing a screengrab of the headline on her Instagram, alongside a rainbow emoji.
According to Slate, Officer Specter’s sexuality is confirmed when she refers to how her “girlfriend’s daughter” has her “pulling her hair out”, in response to a character whose own girlfriend’s child is causing him stress.
Director Dan Scanlon told Yahoo of the inclusion of a character from the LGBTQ community: “It’s a modern fantasy world and we want to represent the modern world.”
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Lena Waithe Taylor Hill via Getty Images
In the past, Disney has been criticised for teasing LGBTQ moments but not committing to them fully, most notably in the live-action remake of Beauty And The Beast.
Similarly, much was made of a same-sex kiss in the most recent Star Wars film, which amounted to a split-second display between two women in the background of a scene, which was even cut from some international versions of the film.
Reports have also suggested that comedian Jack Whitehall would be playing Disney’s first ever openly gay main character in the new film Jungle Cruise, though some were upset that the part went to a character who identifies as straight.
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Meanwhile, many fans have praised scenes in other Pixar films, including Toy Story 4 and Finding Dory, which appear to have included same-sex couples.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Cara Delevingne Has A Shady Response To Justin Bieber After He Discussed Her On The Late, Late Show

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Cara Delevingne has issued a withering response to Justin Bieber, following his recent appearance on The Late, Late Show.
The model was recently the topic of conversation when Justin and James Corden played Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts, which sees guests being faced with a variety of difficult questions, or having to tuck into some rather disgusting I’m A Celebrity-esque treats.
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During the skit, James asked the singer to “rank” his wife Hailey Baldwin’s model friends Cara, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.
Rather than taking a bite of bull penis, Justin opted to answer the question, saying: “Kendall, Gigi, Cara Delevingne.”
Justin Bieber plays Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts CBS
“I know Kendall the best, I’ve spent the most time with Kendall, she’s a good friend of ours. I haven’t spent a lot of time with Gigi and I haven’t spent a lot of time with Cara,” he quickly added.
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“I have nothing against those people, it’s just I have a better relationship [with Kendall]… I don’t want to eat a bull’s penis.”
Soon after the segment aired, the supermodel posted two clips on Instagram, the first showing Justin’s comments about her on The Late, Late Show, and the second showing them sharing the stage at a Victoria’s Secret show.
“Now vs. Then,” she wrote. “If you have nothing against me, then why don’t you unblock me?”
Cara added: “Love you @haileybieber - he should have just eaten the bull penis.”
Justin has not publicly responded to Cara’s post since it was shared on Friday.
Cara Delevingne Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Cara previously hit out at Justin last summer, over his response to Taylor Swift’s comments about his manager, Scooter Braun.
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“I wish you spent less time sticking up for men and more time trying to understand women and their valid reactions,” she said.
The same game of Spill Your Guts Or Fill Your Guts also saw James Corden being put on the spot, when he was quizzed about “how much he regrets” appearing in the ill-fated Cats film.
Watch the entire feature in the video below:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Friends Cast Finally Confirms One-Off Reunion Special For HBO Max

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At long last, we finally have a straight answer about that long-rumoured Friends reunion.
Reports about the much-loved sitcom’s six key actors coming together for a reunion special have been circulating pretty much since it went off the air in 2004, but things have gone into overdrive in the last 12 months.
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Shortly after this, she let slip that she and the rest of the cast were “working on something”, but refused to offer any more information.
However, since then, Ross actor David Schwimmer has suggested the Friends reunion may not be happening any time soon, insisting he “just didn’t think it was possible”.
Well, we’re happy to announce that he’s wrong, and all six of the main Friends cast will officially be getting back together for a reunion special later this year.
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As was previously reported, the special – which will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US – won’t be a new scripted episode of the sitcom, but rather a fun look back at the smash hit series, featuring all of the original cast.
The news was confirmed by all six cast members, who shared the same post on Instagram simultaneously, saying simply “it’s happening…”.
The special – dubbed a “celebration of Friends” – will be available to stream in May, alongside all 10 series of the show, which HBO Max has acquired the US streaming rights to.
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HBO Max chief Kevin Reilly said: “Guess you could call this the one where they all got back together – we are reuniting with David, Jennifer, Courteney, Matt, Lisa, and Matthew for an HBO Max special that will be programmed alongside the entire Friends library.
“I became aware of Friends when it was in the very early stages of development and then had the opportunity to work on the series many years later and have delighted in seeing it catch on with viewers generation after generation.
“It taps into an era when friends – and audiences – gathered together in real time and we think this reunion special will capture that spirit, uniting original and new fans.”
The cast of Friends NBC via Getty
For the time being, Friends is expected to continue streaming on Netflix here in the UK, following its debut on the streaming platform in 2018, gaining the classic sitcom a new generation of fans.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Ryanair Boss Slammed For 'Abhorrent' Comments About Muslim Men

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has been fiercely criticised after calling for the profiling of Muslim men at airports.
The airline boss has been accused of making “abhorrent” racist remarks, with the Muslim Council of Britain stating that his comments amounted to discrimination against Muslim passengers.
In an interview with The Times, the 58-year-old CEO said that families with young children should be waved through airport security as there was “virtually” zero chance of them being bombers.
”Who are the bombers? They are going to be single males travelling on their own,” he said.
“If you are travelling with a family of kids, on you go; the chances you are going to blow them all up is zero.”
He added: “You can’t say stuff, because it’s racism, but it will generally be males of a Muslim persuasion. Thirty years ago it was the Irish.
“If that is where the threat is coming from, deal with the threat.”
A spokesperson for the Muslim Council of Britain said: “Michael O’Leary should be under no illusion: his comments are racist and discriminatory.
“He openly advocates discrimination against ‘males of a Muslim persuasion’, which presumably is not based on specific intelligence but solely whether someone ‘looks or acts like a Muslim’.
“This is the very definition of Islamophobia.”
The spokesperson said Muslims already face challenges in airline travel and added: “It is a shame that such racism is being expressed so openly, and that the CEO of a large airline would so want to discriminate against his customers so brazenly.”
Hate-crime monitoring group Tell Mama said the comments could come back to bite O’Leary’s business – likening them to jewellery firm boss Gerald Ratner’s misguided remark in 1991 when he called one of his own products “total crap” and was later axed when profits plummetted.
In a statement posted on Twitter the group said: “Besides being discriminatory and basing judgements on the ‘looks’ of people, which is abhorrent, O’Leary clearly does not know about the history of terrorism, where people have used others to bypass this blunt and divisive technique.
“This could be a Gerald Ratner moment for O’Leary, where his flippant statements come back to seriously affect his business.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--11 Worrying Flood Records Broken In The Last Two Weeks

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Two weeks after Storm Ciara dumped floodwaters across the UK, and nearly one week since Storm Dennis did the same, there are still scores of flood warnings in place.
It’s not going to get immediately better – parts of the UK that have already been saturated by heavy rainfall and flooding are braced as forecasters warn of further wet and windy weather this weekend.
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Long-term, the picture isn’t any rosier.
“The number of big storms we get, one after another after another, is predicted to increase with climate change – and we think that this is what we’re seeing right now,” says Professor Daniel Parsons, director of the Energy and Environment Institute told HuffPost UK earlier this week.
“The impacts of climate change are being seen right now in terms of these sorts of storms,” he said, adding that it is “absolutely is the case” that we’re seeing more flooding – and that it’s likely to get worse.
Such is the scale of the effects of extreme weather we’ve seen this week that a number of records have been broken - and not the kind you get a reward for.
More crazy stats from #Herefordshire Wye flooding by @Gary_Bywater
Over half a metre bigger than anything seen in 110 years
2 of the biggest 5 floods ever recorded have happened in the last 4 months.
It’s getting scary folks. pic.twitter.com/bfEpypbrnM — Dave Throup (@DaveThroupEA) February 19, 2020
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Most flood warnings
The Environment Agency’s (EA) flood and coastal risk management executive director John Curtin said on Sunday that there were a record 594 flood warnings and alerts in force.
Curtin tweeted: “Breaking: we now have the most flood warnings and alerts in force (594) in England than any other day on record.”
BREAKING: we now have the most flood warnings and alerts in force (594) in England than any other day on record. Stay safe and updated here https://t.co/K5GUW3z87V pic.twitter.com/0IEdWBAOpi — John Curtin (@johncurtinEA) February 16, 2020
Record-breaking river levels
England has already received 141% of its average February rainfall so far with some areas experiencing a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours.
River levels continue to exceed existing records across the country and according to the Environment Agency, nine rivers have seen record-breaking levels.
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These are the ones to have breached record levels so far:
The River Severn
Flooded homes on the banks of the River Severn following Storm Dennis on February 19, 2020, in Worcester. Christopher Furlong via Getty Images
And this is the view over the Severn Valley flood plain. pic.twitter.com/GnozouzR9W — mynewtown (@my_newtown) February 17, 2020
So any way we travelled by train today and we passed through Worcester. The River Severn has completely taken over. Looking at this clip we weren’t actually over the river until 12 seconds in to the video! #Floods pic.twitter.com/e9jj7VXMVN — Margot (@BloodyMargot) February 17, 2020
The River Derwent
Seen after the rain stopped in Derby; the flooding of parkland adjacent to the river Derwent; it is a flood plain after all. pic.twitter.com/H5XCFrKpDW — Chris Hall (@christop_hall) February 16, 2020
A bridge was closed in Derbyshire earlier in the week as flood waters continued to rise, the Gazette & Herald reported, with the River Derwent bursting its banks as a result of the arrival of Storm Dennis.
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With low-lying roads around the river flooded for several days, emergency services were forced to again remind drivers not to risk driving through vulnerable routes.
The River Derwent has definitely burst its banks now pic.twitter.com/meZeLWCqiR — David Taylor (@DavidTaylor_uk) February 17, 2020
The River Aire
Eggborough power station in North Yorkshire is reflected in floodwater from the River Aire. PA Media
Footage shared by BBC Radio York, captured by a passer-by earlier this week, showed a car trapped on a flooded road with water rising almost to the windscreen as response teams helped the recovery effort amid record river highs.
This Audi fell victim to over spill from the river Aire today near Skipton. The local 4X4 response team say they’re still recovering vehicles this evening. #StormDennis #skipton #riverAire
Callum Horsfield 🎥 pic.twitter.com/0YXQ2ZHxVC — BBC Radio York (@BBCYork) February 16, 2020
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River Aire kirkstall. Poor old bridge Inn beer garden disappears again pic.twitter.com/6tgSmDc6Ce — Paul Chatterton (@PaulChatterton9) February 16, 2020
The River Trent
Flood water surrounds a house after the River Trent burst its banks, in Lowdham, Nottinghamshire. LINDSEY PARNABY via Getty Images
Communities living close to the River Trent have been warned of the continued risk of flooding over the course of the weekend, with parts of the river placed under flood alerts.
Water as far as the eye can see on the River Trent at North Muskham. First time we have ever measured the entire floodplain flow with the @hrwallingford Arc Boat. @EnvAgencyMids River peaked just 0.25 m below the November 2000 Record. pic.twitter.com/FCD2fpkAEj — Richard Severn (@rsevern7) February 19, 2020
When the River Trent shows you how mighty it can be! Luckily my boat is ok! But just shows what a mighty powerful name @HMSTrent has! pic.twitter.com/HpJf5ehQJy — Cllr James Dawson (@CllrJamesDawson) February 17, 2020
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The River Wye
The River Wye today resembles the Congo, only with floating cars. pic.twitter.com/85NYDBl9Nw — James Roberts (@nightriverwood) February 16, 2020
Dramatic pictures shared online compared the usual peaceful scenes along the Wye with the destruction that has been wrought by the floods – with once user highlighting a picturesque footbridge almost consumed by the river, despite its usual position metres above the water.
Biblins Bridge over the river Wye at Symonds Yat shows the volume of water in the river. #floods #ukfloods #riverwye pic.twitter.com/2uVRzhqRvb — Shaun (@shaunkhickey) February 20, 2020
Pictures from the village of Symonds Yat reveal the devastating impact of rapidly rising waters on businesses and infrastructure, with parts of the area rendered unrecognisable by the flood.
The Wye broke the previous record at Monmouth where waters rose to 7.15m over February 15/16, the New Civil Engineer reported.
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Update on flooding: waters are receding but all businesses at Symonds Yat East & West badly affected @biblins1 @saracensheadinn @OldCourtHotel @Butterfly_Zoo & Biblins Bridge closed due to damage. Please stay away from the river. #Floods #Flooding #Herefordshire #RiverWye pic.twitter.com/qk726jajNC — The Forest of Dean & Wye Valley (@DeanWye) February 20, 2020
The River Calder
A man walks along a flooded street in Mytholmroyd, northern England, on February 9, 2020, after the River Calder burst its banks. OLI SCARFF via Getty Images
For those living near the River Calder, perilously high waters are nothing new – residents have, in recent years, become used to the threat of their homes flooding.
The Calder Valley in Yorkshire has seen six floods in five years, the Guardian reported, with the arrival of Storm Ciara earlier in February once again causing chaos throughout the area.
ExaminerLive reported on February 9 that the river had reached its highest ever recorded level of 5.4m at Ledgard Bridge, Mirfield – higher than the Boxing Day floods of 2015, which saw the waters rise to 5.25m.
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The River Ribble
Yesterday, the River Ribble peaked at its highest ever recorded level at Clitheroe. That's the second new record in just five years. These events should only be happening every 100 years or so. We all need to take #ClimateAction to avert an imminent #ClimateCrisis pic.twitter.com/Gub8eWAYOY — Mark Sutcliffe (@SMSutcliffe) February 10, 2020
The River Ribble, which runs through North Yorkshire and Lancashire, has also seen record highs – with deadly consequences. The Lancashire Post reported on Friday that a dog had been killed after being swept into a drain in Penwortham, two years after another pet had met the same fate.
BBC News reported on Thursday that the river had recently reached a record high, alongside several other rivers in the area.
ICYMI here’s the video of the River Ribble in #Preston. Now more like a huge lake stretching from behind the Capitol Centre at Walton-le-Dale to Samlesbury and beyond. @BBCLancashire @bbcnwt pic.twitter.com/P96lcul0Ak — Steve Saul (@StevenSaul) February 9, 2020
The River Colne
Ver-y full #riverver today where it meets the #rivercolne. This is where the stepping stones are - hard to spot the proper river channel! #floods #hertfordshire @VerValleySoc pic.twitter.com/W5F3p7zdnw — Peter White (@picturespete) February 17, 2020
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Pictures shared on social media showed the River Colne, which has also reached it’s highest ever levels in some parts, breaking its banks – with the original course of the river almost completely obscured by the flooding.
The River Lugg
A man makes his through floodwater past an abandoned vehicle near the village of Hampton Bishop near Hereford, after the River Lugg burst its banks. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gloucestershire Live reported on Wednesday that communities around parts of the River Lugg in Herefordshire had been placed under severe flood warnings, with some properties in the village of Sutton St Nicholas cut off completely as waters remained high.
The Environment Agency were also brought in on Wednesday in order to try and save the 14th century Mordiford Bridge from the flooding, Sky News reported.
The Environment Agency is attempting to save the 14th century Mordiford bridge, the oldest surviving bridge in Herefordshire from the rising River Lugg.
Get the latest news on flooding here: https://t.co/Vd3cbIzTEg pic.twitter.com/K6uuvi5oaL — Sky News (@SkyNews) February 19, 2020
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Google Searches
Curtin also tweeted this week to say that a record number of people – 842,000 – had searched for the flood risks in their area on the 16 February.
Ok here’s your stats for the day - on the 16th Feb we had 842,000 users who performed a total of 1.2 million searches for their flood risk - smashed our record by nearly 200,000! It’s amazing folk are starting to check and prepare for their flood risk (heat map of searches shown) pic.twitter.com/LGzAP4lPxX — John Curtin (@johncurtinEA) February 19, 2020
Meanwhile, flood-hit residents in the Wye and Severn valleys are being urged to remain vigilant despite river levels falling below recent peaks, which included the highest ever reading in Hereford.
A multi-agency briefing held on Thursday heard emergency planners may have to re-think “models for what unprecedented looks like” following widespread flooding in Shropshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
The meeting at West Mercia Police HQ at Hindlip Hall, near Worcester, included representatives from local councils and other agencies tasked with flood prevention and recovery.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Man Charged Over Knife Attack At London Central Mosque

A man has been charged following a knife attack at London Central Mosque on Thursday.
Daniel Horton, 29, of no fixed address, was charged on Friday night with grievous bodily harm and possession of a bladed article, Scotland Yard said.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.
Raafat Maglad, who is in his 70s and is the mosque’s muezzin, was treated in hospital for stab injuries after Thursday’s incident but was later released.
Eyewitnesses at the scene on Thursday described how worshippers tackled the attacker to the ground and restrained him until police arrived.
Maglad was taken to hospital, where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries, and returned fewer than 24 hours later to the Regent’s Park mosque for Friday prayers.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-22--Elizabeth Warren Could Be The First Female US President. Here's What You Need To Know

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren ASSOCIATED PRESS
Elizabeth Warren, the former law school professor and senator from Oklahoma, is a self-styled progressive in the running for the Democratic presidential nomination, vying with Bernie Sanders as the left-wing candidate of choice.
A recent dispute between the two marked a significant turning point in a campaign that has generally been characterised by genial differences. Last month Warren claimed Sanders had told her during a private meeting two years ago that he did not think a woman could win the White House. Sanders has denied the claim, with a senior Sanders adviser saying “those conversations can sometimes get misconstrued.”
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Warren has promised to appoint women or non-binary people to at least half of the top positions in the executive branch if she wins the presidency.
She has based her campaign on a populist anti-corruption message and argues the country needs “big, structural change”. Specifically, her anti-corruption plan would “end lobbying as we know it” by instituting a lifetime ban on members of Congress and White House Cabinet secretaries from ever becoming lobbyists.
At the same time, corporate lobbyists would be blocked from working for the federal government.
Both practices are common today.
She also would prohibit federal judges from avoiding misconduct investigations by leaving their posts, prevent courts from sealing settlements in public health and safety cases and ban class-action waivers for all cases involving employment, consumer protection, antitrust and civil rights.
And taking direct aim at issues involving the Trump administration, Warren would require candidates for public office to post their tax returns online.
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Presidents, Cabinet secretaries and members of Congress would also be prohibited from owning businesses on the side.
Trump, of course, has refused to release his tax returns years after promising to do so, and the Trump organisation continues to do business around the world.
“Donald Trump is corruption in the flesh,” Warren said last year.
“He is sworn to serve the people of the United States, but he serves only himself and his partners in corruption.”
Since arriving in Washington in 2013, the Massachusetts senator and former academic has campaigned to eliminate student debt, which she says is part of a “rigged system”.
But the 70-year-old has faltered in the race, fading from the top of polls nationally after peaking last autumn. Her push for “electability” generally, and a move away from a full-blown ‘medicare for all’ proposal to fix the US healthcare crisis, has resulted in her losing support on the left.
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In the Iowa caucuses, Pete Buttigieg clung to a slight lead over Sanders with Warren, former vice president Joe Biden and Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar trailing. Even so, Warren continues to contend that she is the best candidate to unite the party’s warring moderate and progressive factions.