thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Ex-Trump Aide Ripped For ‘Gross’ Remark About Greta Thunberg’s Body

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Sebastian Gorka, radio host and former aide to President Donald Trump, is under fire after cracking a joke about young climate activist Greta Thunberg’s body.
During an interview on Gorka’s radio show, guest Andrew Klavan tripped over the teen’s last name.
“Whatever her name. What is her name?” the crime writer said. “Greta Thunberg?”
Gorka then turned that into a crack about her body.
“Thunder thighs, Greta Thunberg,” he replied in a clip posted online by Media Matters:
Sebastian Gorka calls climate activist Greta Thunberg "thunder thighs" https://t.co/fCv22UOflQ pic.twitter.com/YUzSa4zjrn — Jason Campbell (@JasonSCampbell) January 7, 2020
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Thunberg, a Swedish environmental activist named Time’s Person of the Year in 2019, just turned 17 last week. Critics slammed Gorka for offering up any comment at all about her body:
She is 17 years old. What the actual fuck. https://t.co/S8ty1IWAZH — Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) January 7, 2020
The disgusting Sebastian Gorka follows the toxic Trump playbook, calling Greta Thunberg "thunder thighs." These assholes love to attack females, especially young ones. Thunberg turned 17 four days ago. https://t.co/0FpdACnziY — Mark Jacob (@MarkJacob16) January 7, 2020
Nazi scumbag pervert Sebastian Gorka went from calling teen climate activist Greta Thunberg “thunder thighs” to saying he welcomed Iran’s attacks on our troops.
I’d love to see this slovenly sack of rancid meat in total ruin, but @SebGorka blocked me, so I can’t tell him that. — Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) January 8, 2020
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Sebastian Gorka is an ugly mug. Greta’s thigh size is irrelevant. My question is Why is he critiquing a minor’s body? Is he some kind of pervert? Gorka is a crusty & mentally warped human. It’s clear that he is jealous of Greta’s thunder. https://t.co/QuxNvaXMOw — trina d firey (@madorairene) January 7, 2020
‘Thunder thighs’: Top Trump ally Sebastian Gorka mocks body of child activist Greta Thunberg
Eeeew. This guy is truly gross https://t.co/D64MD0mDxO — Gary Swergold (@gs314) January 8, 2020
Super-mentally-healthy dude, that Gorka. Hey @SebGorka, stop sexualizing children, you pervy fascist. https://t.co/sQqojRkpB7 — Shower Cap (@CapShower) January 7, 2020
Gorka is a garbage person. Also, her last name is pronounced Toonberg, so in addition to being logically nonsensical and gross, it also doesn't make sense in an alliterative way. — You're With Stupid Now (@AdamJWaldorf) January 7, 2020
Many on the right have consistently attacked Thunberg, not simply to challenge her views on climate change but also to spit out deeply personal insults.
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Michael Knowles of the US website Daily Wire last year repeatedly called her “mentally ill” during an appearance on Fox News. The network called the statement “disgraceful” and apologised.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Keir Starmer Surges Into First Place On MPs' Nominations For Labour Leadership

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Keir Starmer’s hopes of becoming Labour’s next leader have received a double boost after he was backed by Britain’s biggest union and a tranche of MPs.
The shadow Brexit secretary secured more nominations from MPs than any other rival in the race to become Labour’s next leader and has already passed the parliamentary hurdle needed to make it onto the ballot.
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He surged into the lead among his Commons colleagues with 23 MPs backing him. Rebecca Long Bailey is in second place with the support of 7 MPs. Jess Phillips has the support of 6 MPs.
But Starmer also won the hugely significant support of Unison, the union that represents 1.3 million NHS and other public sector staff.
With candidates needing at least two trade unions and 5% of affiliated members, Unison’s endorsement means that he will almost certainly become the first contender to get on the leadership ballot.
General secretary Dave Prentis said: “We believe – if elected by the membership – Keir Starmer would be a leader to bring the party together and win back the trust of the thousands of voters who deserted Labour last month.
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“Unions created the Labour Party to give working people a voice in Westminster. But it can only achieve for them, their families, their communities and the country’s public services when in government. Keir has a clear vision to get Labour back to the winning ways of the past.”
Starmer said: “I want to lead a Labour party that will stand side-by-side with trade unionists.”
With just five days left until nominations close, contenders have to win the support of 22 MPs to go through the first stage of the process to get on the ballot to succeed Jeremy Corbyn. There are 202 Labour MPs.
Lisa Nandy, who impressed backbenchers with her pitch at the first leadership hustings in front of MPs on Tuesday night, has the backing of 2 MPs.
Emily Thornberry has received the backing of 1 MP. Clive Lewis has not received the vote of any MPs so far.
Under party rules, once the required 22 MPs have been secured, leadership contenders then need to win 5% of local party nominations or 5% of party affiliates such as trade unions or socialist societies. At least two unions plus one affiliate are needed.
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The contest will end on April 2, with the winner announced two days later.
List of nominations Rebecca Long-Bailey
Paula Barker Apsana Begum Kim Johnson Navendu Mishra Angela Rayner Zarah Sultana Mick Whitley Lisa Nandy Rosie Cooper Yvonne Fovargue
Jess Phillips
Tonia Antoniazzi Neil Coyle Julie Elliott Holly Lynch Siobhan McDonagh Wes Streeting
Keir Starmer
Debbie Abrahams Tracy Brabin Ben Bradshaw Bambos Charalambous Judith Cummins Alex Cunningham Janet Daby Thangam Debbonaire Stephen Doughty Clive Efford Preet Gill Emma Hardy Carolyn Harris Sarah Jones David Lammy Chris Matheson Kerry McCarthy Stephen Morgan Marie Rimmer Nick Smith Bill Esterson Jo Stevens Daniel Zeichner
Emily Thornberry
Fabian Hamilton
Last night the six candidates set out their stalls in parliament. Addressing the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP), Long-Bailey said that in losing the election, Labour “let down the people who rely on us”.
Earlier, the frontbencher insisted that she was not the “continuity candidate” to replace Corbyn, but gave him a “10 out of 10 rating” – describing him as “one of the most honest, kind, principled politicians I’ve ever met”.
Starmer told the hustings that the party needs to “win back our heartlands” and had “a mountain to climb”.
Phillips told the hustings she does not want to be the next leader of the opposition, but rather “the next Labour prime minister – I want the people here to be in government”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Love Island's New Host Laura Whitmore Addresses Diversity Concerns

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Love Island’s new recruit Laura Whitmore has spoken out over concerns about the show’s diversity, after producers made the decision to replace Caroline Flack with another white presenter.
Last month, Laura was one of several celebrities rumoured to have been in the frame for Caroline’s job, when it was revealed that she would not be returning to present the upcoming series, after she was arrested and charged with assault.
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Other rumoured names included Maya Jama, Rochelle Humes and Vick Hope, and when the job eventually went to Laura, several tabloid outlets claimed there had been a “race row” after the show chose not to recruit a presenter from a BAME background.
In a new interview with The Sun, Laura said: “I think all of them are brilliant hosts. And I’m friends with everyone.”
Laura Whitmore Mark Thomas/Shutterstock
She continued: “I think the most important thing is for everyone to be in the room and everyone to have an opportunity.
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“It’s the same when it comes to the gender pay gap. I just think it comes down to you should get paid what you’re worth.
“It doesn’t matter what your gender is, what your race is, everyone is equal and everyone should have equal opportunity.”
Caroline Flack arriving in court last month Hollie Adams via Getty Images
In the past few years, Love Island has faced criticism over its apparent lack of diversity, both in terms of body shape and LGBTQ representation.
There have also been some concerns regarding how BAME contestants’ journeys on the show have played out, with many pointing out that in the last few series, the last contestants selected to couple up have been either black or mixed race.
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Love Island’s first ever winter series begins on Sunday night at 9pm on ITV2.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--The 12 Biggest Work Email Faux Pas, From Kisses At The End To Excessive Exclamation Marks

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You might send dozens of them a day, but it turns out there’s a fine art to firing off the perfect work email – and it almost never involves kisses.
In a survey of almost 2,000 people, conducted by employee experience platform Perkbox, 65% said signing off an email with an “x” is one of the biggest faux pas.
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Other unpopular habits include using capital letters FOR WHOLE WORDS OR SENTENCES, cc’ing people who don’t need to be cc’d, and using slang words like OMG.
Something that divides the crowds, though, is exclamation marks. Using too many irritates just over half (52%) of workers – but how many is too many? A strict 16% think it’s never acceptable to use an exclamation mark, while 48% think using one is acceptable. Just 24% of people would stretch to two!
The 12 biggest email faux-pas:
Using capital letters for whole words or sentences – 67% Using kisses or ‘x’ – 65% CC’ing people who don’t need to be involved – 63% Using slang, eg ‘OMG’ – 53% Using too many exclamation marks – 52% Sending an email without proofreading – 50% Sending very long emails – 29% Using emojis – 29% Not having an email signature – 23% Double emailing – 22% Using smiley faces – 22% Using coloured fonts – 21%
The survey also asked respondents about the most annoying email clichés. Thankfully, the old favourite “hope you are well” is safe, with just 6% finding it annoying.
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You may want to rethink your style if you regularly use “just looping in...”, though.
The most annoying email clichés:
‘Just looping in...’ – 37% ‘As per my last email’ – 33% ‘Any updates on this?’ – 24% ‘Just checking in’ – 19% ‘Confirming receipt’ / ‘confirming that I have received this’ – 16% ‘Per our conversation’ – 15% ‘Please advise’ – 8% ‘Thanks in advance’ – 7% ‘Hope you’re well’ – 6%
Considering kisses are off the cards, it’s unsurprising that “love” was voted the worst way to sign off a work email. After all, you’re not sending a note to your grandma.
But there’s a balance to be struck: give your colleagues too little thought with no sign off and you’ll also be judged. If you’re looking for a safe bet, stick with “all the best” which annoys just 9% of workers – why, we do not know.
Top 10 worst email sign offs:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--How White House Farm Murderer Jeremy Bamber Still Denies The Crime 35 Years On

Pain etched across his features, Jeremy Bamber looked close to collapse at the funeral of his adoptive parents and sister.
Clutching the hand of his girlfriend Julie Mugford, clad in a chic black mourning veil, it was impossible to view the then 24-year-old as anything but a man crushed with grief.
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On August 7, 1985, June and Neville Bamber, both 61, had been shot dead in the family farmhouse in Essex. Their six-year-old grandsons Daniel and Nicholas had been murdered in their beds – apparently by their mother, Jeremy’s sister, Sheila “Bambi” Cafell. Police said the 26-year-old then took her own life.
An aerial view of White House Farm in Tolleshunt D'arcy, Essex Ted Blackbrow/ANL/Shutterstock
The farm house was locked from the inside, so the possibility of an intruder was immediately eliminated. Sheila, who had mental health problems and had stopped taking the medication she had been prescribed for schizophrenia, was found dead, with the gun still in her hands and a bible balanced on her chest.
Jeremy said he had received a frenzied phone call from his father on the night of the tragedy, telling him to fetch help because Sheila had gone “berserk” with a gun.
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Tabloids picked over details of Sheila’s life, depicting her as “drug-crazed”, and her brother as a handsome man suffering under the weight of a terrible loss. Press coverage of the funeral, including the now iconic image of Jeremy breaking down in tears outside the church, plastered the media.
Jeremy, who stood to inherit nearly £500,000 after the deaths, fed the tabloid appetite by dining out in fancy restaurants and taking holidays in the south of France.
Freddie Fox and Alexa Davies as Jeremy Bamber and Julie Mugford ITV
But nine weeks after the deaths, and immediately after his return from one of his European sojourns, Jeremy was arrested on suspicion of the murders. Within 14 months he had been charged and convicted of killing his own parents, sister and nephews, with the judge describing him as “evil, almost beyond belief”.
Jeremy is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole and is one of the few prisoners in the UK subject to a whole-life order. His conviction has been the subject of several appeals and reviews.
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Now ITV’s dramatisation of the tragedy – White House Farm – will examine how botched police work and the stigmatisation of a treatable mental health condition almost led to a murderer slipping free. Lawyers for Bamber had asked ITV to postpone the series in light of a current legal challenge, but this was refused by the broadcaster.
Freddie Fox takes the role of Jeremy Bamber, with Cressida Bonas playing his sister Sheila. Her former husband and father of her twin boys Colin Caffell is portrayed by Mark Stanley and Mark Addy is Detective Sergeant Stan Jones, an officer who pursued the truth even in the face of opposition from his seniors. The courtroom scenes were filmed at Chelmsford Crown Court, where Bamber was convicted.
Police initially believed the murders had been carried out by Sheila 'Bambi' Caffell, Jeremy's sister ANL/Shutterstock
Ahead of the show, Fox said: “I cannot and would not give an opinion on whether I feel Jeremy Bamber is guilty or innocent. It is not my place to do that, but obviously he is a psychologically interesting person who is both articulate, well-spoken, well-educated, determined and, quite possibly, manipulative. It was a very interesting balance to strike.”
Director Paul Whittington said: “One of the big things for me in telling this story was to understand the attitude towards mental illness at that time and how that can still inform attitudes today. A lack of understanding about mental health was definitely part of the flaws of the initial investigation.
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“It’s important for Sheila’s ex-husband and father of their twin boys Colin Caffell, who has been very supportive of this project, that we see Sheila as a wonderful mother as well as someone who suffered from mental illness. The portrayal of Sheila is one of the most important things about this drama.”
Colin Caffell, who was heavily involved in the project and wrote his own account of the tragedy in his book In Search of The Rainbow’s End, said: “Sheila was a passionate young woman, hungry for loving affirmation, but with no real concept of how beautiful she actually was. Before she was diagnosed and medicated she could be explosive as a way of dealing with her frustration.
Colin Caffell with his twins, who were murdered in their beds ITV
“But she was only ever destructive towards inanimate objects, breaking things in order to cause a reaction in others, usually me. As a mother of twins, she was always kind and loving, playful like a lioness with her cubs, never, ever angry with them.
“People forget the details of this case but so many have stuck in their mind that Sheila was a drug addict. She was not a drug addict. Sheila was very subdued by her prescribed medication.”
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Indeed Detective Sergeant Stan Jones, played by Addy, held doubts about the murder-suicide theory from the start.
Addy said: “Mental illness was viewed very differently in the 1980s. People knew relatively little about it, so you could see how people would initially have accepted she must have gone ‘crazy’ and carried out the murders. She was a troubled soul but not a killer.”
Caffell added: “It reminds the viewer of the brutality of the whole thing. And the fact that Sheila, a slip of a girl at 5ft 7ins, couldn’t overcome Nevill Bamber, a man who was six foot four, an active farmer who lifted bales. There was no way Sheila could have achieved that… She had never picked up a rifle in her life and certainly never knew how to fire one or reload one.”
The murder-suicide theory – backed by the phone call Jeremy claimed he received from his father on the night of the deaths – meant police didn’t think there was a crime scene to keep intact and as a result, people were walking through the house and through the blood immediately after the murders at a time when forensics were a relatively new tool.
Mark Addy as DS Stan Jones ITV
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Gemma Whelan, who plays Jeremy’s cousin Ann Eaton, said: “There was a bloody-minded attitude that the police felt certain they knew what had happened and wanted to close the case as soon as they could to move on from the media spotlight.”
The turning point came when Jeremy’s girlfriend Julie Mugford, played by Alexa Davies, finally cracked and told police that her lover had planned and executed the murders.
Jeremy’s arrest followed soon afterwards.
His case has since been the subject of several appeals and reviews by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.
Jeremy’s legal team at Quality Solicitors Jordans described the current case for appeal as “complex”, but said if successful it “would be one of the UK’s most notorious miscarriages of justice”.
In October the Mirror carried a story about a telephone note that referring to a call made by Jeremy on the night of the killings, allegedly showing he was not at the scene at the time.
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Jeremy Bamber arriving at the Court of Appeal in London in 2002 PA Archive/PA Images
Jeremy had argued two calls were made to police on the night of the murders, one from himself and another from his father, but the prosecution at his trial had alleged there was only one which was made by Jeremy at 3.26am from the scene.
The new note is said to refer to a call, timed at “approximately 3.37am”, from Jeremy.
His legal team argue it shows Jeremy could not have made a 3.26am call from the farm and returned to his home 3.5 miles away in Goldhanger to make the second call, the newspaper said.
Bamber found the note among thousands of police documents released to him in 2011. It is reported the note states: “We received a telephone call at the P.Stn (Police Station, Witham).
“The officer (PC West) at CD Control (Chelmsford) was on the phone and told us that he was relating information to us and still had the informant (Jeremy Bamber) on the other telephone.”
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The legal team suggests the new note could support an alternative theory that Sheila carried out the murders before taking her own life.
Jeremy has said his father called him and said Sheila had “gone crazy”.
The jury at his Chelmsford Crown Court trial were directed to disregard Jeremy’s claims that he had called police from his home.
Cressida Bonas as Sheila Caffell ITV
The note is said to come from an interview with a PC Myall, of Essex Police, during the Dickinson Inquiry into the force’s handling of the case.
Last month Jeremy’s legal team confirmed that judicial review proceedings had been issued against the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over “serious non-disclosure which our client says have occurred”.
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A statement from Quality Solicitors Jordans said: “We have been engaged in an extensive dialogue with the CPS for some time as our investigation in conjunction with the team supporting this case has uncovered what appears to be significant evidence pointing to the fact that there has been a miscarriage of justice. However, in order that we can progress this case further, essential further disclosure is required which has been set out to the CPS in precise terms.
“It is disappointing that the CPS has chosen not to engage with that process and accordingly there is no alternative but to pursue that judicial review, particularly in circumstances where it appears that this may demonstrate that a misleading position was placed before the jury in relation to the forensic evidence.”
Fox has described Bamber as a 'psychologically interesting person who is both articulate, well-spoken, well-educated, determined and, quite possibly, manipulative' ITV
The solicitors’ statement added: “We do not propose to comment further upon the matter whist judicial review proceedings are underway. We are aware that this case gives rise to huge media interest, but we would recommend caution whilst proceedings are underway in view of the consequences to this litigation and any future appeal.”
Indeed, Jeremy’s legal team had asked for the programme to be postponed, though not cancelled.
They said: “This arises in the context of an ongoing and very active process to seek the return of the case of Jeremy Bamber back to the Court of Appeal, including importantly judicial review proceedings which have been issued against the Director of Public Prosecutions relating to serious non-disclosure which our client says have occurred.
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“As a result of this, we have written to the producers of the drama series and invited them to postpone the broadcast of this series whilst matters are resolved in the High Court. We have intimated that we are concerned that such a drama series by nature will place a fictitious narrative in the public domain which may be counter-productive to the administration of justice in due course.”
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Jeremy Bamber’s conviction for killing five people, including two children, has been the subject of several appeals and reviews by the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission over a number of years.
“These processes, including a number of Essex Police internal reviews, have never found anything to suggest that Bamber was wrongly convicted of these murders 35 years ago.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--The Funniest Tweets From Parents In The Past Week

Me: Hey kids, I brought you home some yoga mats! I’m taking you to kids’ yoga tomorrow.*Demonstrates downward dog* This is how you do downward dog!
6: No, mommy, that’s not downward dog. That’s the “come and wipe my bum” position after we poop.
Have kids, they said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Iran Launches Missiles At US Forces In Iraq But Donald Trump Says 'All Is Well!'

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Iran launches 15 missiles at US-led forces stationed in Iraq in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani
No confirmed casualties at this time
President Trump tweets to say “assessment of casualties and damage taking place” but adds: “So far, so good!”
But one report on Iranian state television claims – without evidence – 80 “American terrorists” had been killed and US helicopters and military equipment damaged
Iranian officials say retaliatory strikes have “concluded”, adding Tehran did not want a war
UK foreign secretary Dominic Raab urges Iran not to carry out further “reckless and dangerous” attack
In what appears at this time to be an unrelated incident, a Ukrainian passenger plane has crashed shortly after taking off from an airport in Iran killing all 176 people on board.
Iran has carried out its promised “severe revenge” for the killing of Qassem Soleimani last week, by launching missiles at US-led forces stationed at two military bases in Iraq.
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US officials said 15 missiles were fired, with 10 striking the Ain al-Asad base 100 miles west of Baghdad, one striking a base in Irbil in northern Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, and another four missing their targets.
iran Reuters
One source told Reuters that early indications showed there were no US casualties, while other US officials declined to comment.
A report on Iranian state television said 80 “American terrorists” had been killed and helicopters and military equipment damaged but it did not provide evidence of how it obtained that information.
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The Ministry of Defence has confirmed there were no British casualties in the attacks.
People celebrate in the street after Iran launched missiles at US-led forces in Iraq, in Tehran, Iran January 8, 2020. Wana News Agency / Reuters
Donald Trump tweeted in the early hours of Wednesday morning to say an assessment was taking place but claimed “all is well” and “so far, so good”. he added he would be making an official statement later in the day.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
In announcing the strikes, Iranian officials said Tehran did not want a war and its strikes “concluded” its response to Friday’s killing of Qassem Soleimani, a powerful general whose burial after days of mourning was completed around the time of the missile launches.
However, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said the missile attack was a “slap on the face” of the United States and that US troops should leave the region. He was addressing a gathering of Iranians who chanted “Death to America”.
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The UK has urged Iran not to carry out further “reckless and dangerous” attacks after Tehran fired missiles at military bases in Iraq hosting British and US troops.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab urged Iran to pursue “urgent de-escalation” as the crisis in the Gulf intensified, PA Media reports.
Whilst we are urgently working to establish all the facts on the ground, we can confirm that there were no UK casualties. Our first priority continues to be the security of British personnel. — Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) January 8, 2020
Iranian television reported an official in the supreme leader’s office as saying the missile attacks were the “weakest” of several retaliation scenarios. It quoted another source saying Iran had lined up 100 other potential targets.
More than 5,000 US troops remain in Iraq along with other foreign forces in coalition that has trained and backed Iraqi forces against the threat of Islamic State militants.
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Hours before the Iranian strikes, US defence secretary Mark Esper said the United States should anticipate a response from Iran for the killing of Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, a unit of the Revolutionary Guards.
“I think we should expect that they will retaliate in some way, shape or form,” he told a briefing at the Pentagon.
An Iranian man holds a picture of Qassem Soleimani during a funeral procession for Iranian Major-General Qassem Soleimani, head of the elite Quds Force, and Iraqi militia commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, who were killed in an air strike at Baghdad airport, in Tehran, Iran January 6, 2020. Wana News Agency / Reuters
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said Iran “took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter”.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” he wrote in a post on Twitter.
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Soleimani’s killing and the strikes by Iran came as tensions have been rising steadily across the Middle East after President Trump’s decision to unilaterally withdraw America from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers.
They also marked the first time in recent years that Washington and Tehran have attacked each other directly rather than through proxies in the region. It raised the chances of open conflict erupting between the two enemies, which have been at odds since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Elsewhere in Iran, Ukrainian passenger plane carrying 176 people has crashed due to technical problems shortly after taking off from the capital Tehran, killing all on board.
The Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines came down near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport and burst into flames.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed on Wednesday morning that all passengers and crew on board had been killed, citing preliminary information.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Ugly Betty's America Ferrera Remembers Show Creator Silvio Horta After He's Found Dead, Aged 45

Ugly Betty star America Ferrera has paid tribute after the show’s creator, Silvio Horta, who has been found dead at the age of 45.
America – who played Betty Suarez in the hit US comedy – paid tribute to the producer in an Instagram post, saying she was “stunned and heartbroken” by the news.
On Tuesday, representatives for Silvio Horta confirmed that he had died, but did not provide any further information.
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America Ferrera and Silvio Horta in 2007 Vince Bucci via Getty Images
The actress wrote shortly after the news broke: “I’m stunned and heartbroken to hear the devastating news of Ugly Betty creator, Silvio Horta’s death.
“His talent and creativity brought me and so many others such joy & light. I’m thinking of his family and loved ones who must be in so much pain right now – and of the whole Ugly Betty family who feel this loss so deeply.”
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Other members of the cast, including Vanessa Williams and Michael Urie, have also been paying their respects on social media.
I will be forever indebted to this sweet, brilliant man. 💔 https://t.co/M8MYuDle6I — Michael Urie (@michaelurie) January 8, 2020
Silvio and I used to stay up late and laugh until our sides hurt—and complain to one another about life. He wrote the finest scenes, for all of us—crafted the most wonderfully flawed being I’ve ever had the privilege to embody. I’m empty right now... https://t.co/obZdfTwqHQ — Eric_Mabius (@Eric_Mabius) January 8, 2020
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Mark Indelicato – the former child actor who played Betty’s nephew Justin Suarez – shared a post on his Instagram story about the “truly devastating news”.
He wrote: “Silvio gave me my start at 11 years old and trusted me with a character that was so close to his heart. He will be greatly missed by all.”
Silvio Horta pictured at an event in 2011 David Livingston via Getty Images
Silvio was best known for his work on Ugly Betty, which was his adaptation of the popular Colombian series, Yo Soy Betta, La Fea.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--4 Common Pregnancy Skin Care Problems, And How To Solve Them

Lisitsa via Getty Images
While it makes sense that the hormonal changes of pregnancy can affect a woman’s skin, many women are surprised by how drastic those can be, and how much they can shift from month to month. Because pregnancy hormones vary from woman to woman, it’s difficult to find actionable advice and product recommendations that actually work.
So what is out there for pregnant women dealing with new, changing and ever-evolving skin? To answer this, we talked to three board-certified dermatologists.
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There’s a laundry list of “routine” skin-related issues many women experience during pregnancy, including hormonal acne and melasma. Surprisingly, pregnancy can also exacerbate current pre-pregnancy skin issues or reignite long-dormant ones.
“Some pregnancies bring forth skin issues that the expectant mother did not know she had, like psoriasis, but many pregnant women also endure routine issues like stretch marks, varicose veins and cellulite, all of which are worsened during pregnancy,” dermatologist Harold Lancer told HuffPost.
Pregnancy can also cause changes in existing conditions like moles and spider veins, which is why it is important to consult your dermatologist and get a skin check during pregnancy if you notice any changes in mole size, colour or shape.
Below are four common skin care issues pregnant women face, along with tips from dermatologists.
1. Why is my skin exceptionally dry during pregnancy?
Water is vital to many of the processes that occur in your body during pregnancy, such as helping to form the placenta and maintaining amniotic fluid. But since you’re now sharing your body with another human, it can be harder than ever to provide adequate hydration to your skin’s largest organ ― your skin.
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To help combat dryness in both your face and body, dermatologist Sandra Lee, founder of SLMD Skincare, recommends creams over lotions. “Remember the best time to moisturise is when you’re still damp from the shower or bath, as this helps to diminish the evaporation of water from your freshly washed skin,” she said.
Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare, agrees: “Bellies especially tend to get itchy as the skin is stretching. Moisturising after bathing is important as is using products formulated to prevent stretch marks and eczema on both mommy and baby.”
But what if you want a more lasting approach than using a moisturising cream? “In terms of treatments, red light oxygen procedures and hydrating sesame oil lymphatic drainage procedures are best for this skin concern,” Lancer suggested. “Red light therapy works to increase collagen and elastic tissue production, and both procedures aim to restore and rejuvenate skin.”
2. How do I cure melasma during pregnancy?
Many pregnant women experience melasma, a condition that results in dark, discoloured patches on the skin. There is no “cure” for pregnancy-related melasma (which is actually known as chloasma during pregnancy), but this skin condition usually resolves itself post-birth. Unfortunately, hydroquinone is one of the most commonly prescribed over-the-counter medications used to lighten melasma, but it is not safe for expecting mothers. Instead, Patel recommends safer alternatives: “Kojic acid, licorice, azelaic acid and niacinamide lighten discoloured skin slowly but safely.”
Liderina via Getty Images Pregnant women are likely to experience dryness, melasma and hormonal breakouts due to changing hormones and the body's shifting priorities.
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The good news is that even without the use of hydroquinone, there are things expecting mothers can do to mitigate symptoms and prevent melasma from worsening.
“When it comes to melasma, sunscreen is your best ammunition,” Lee advised. “It’s also important to avoid heat, as this is a precipitating factor.” Lee suggests using a physical sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide instead of a chemical one. “Chemical sunscreens (like oxybenzone) are protective, but they convert sun rays to heat, which you do not want if you have melasma.”
3. How do I treat hormonal breakouts during pregnancy?
Many acne-fighting ingredients such as salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide and retinol are not safe to use in excess during pregnancy. Fortunately, there are gentler organic alternatives and even some in-office treatments that are safe to use during pregnancy.
“Hormonal breakouts during pregnancy can be helped with the use of blue light therapy, infrared laser treatments and gentle extractions with steam and some light exfoliation,” Lancer revealed. “Blue light therapy in particular helps to kill certain acne-inducing bacteria on the skin’s surface.”
“Changes in your hormones oestrogen and progesterone are unavoidable during pregnancy. Most women discover during pregnancy that acne improves or worsens,” Lee explained. “If it worsens, it’s difficult to find an over-the-counter acne medication that is approved during pregnancy. If you’re having problems with acne during your pregnancy, it’s best to seek the guidance of a board-certified dermatologist.”
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puhhha via Getty Images Blue light therapy can help to kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin's surface.
4. Which skin treatments are safe during pregnancy?
The short answer: Always ask your doctor.
Even if you don’t experience any dramatic changes to your skin, there are still many routine skin treatments from which pregnant women need to abstain throughout pregnancy including Botox, laser procedures and chemical peels.
“Not much is allowed when pregnant, not necessarily because they are known to be dangerous but because we don’t know if there is a danger to the developing foetus,” Lee explained. “Sunscreen is the most important thing you can do.”
Pregnant women who want to maintain their skin care regimen shouldn’t assume everything is off the table, however, as many may be surprised which treatments are still considered safe during this time.
“Botox and neurotoxins are contraindicated in pregnancy, but fillers, however, are not,” Patel clarified. “Although some chemical peels are OK, consulting with your dermatologist as to what in-office procedures you can do for upkeep is recommended.”
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For those who still want to look and feel their best during pregnancy, the best solution is the simplest: consistency.
“I tell all of my patients how incredibly important it is to establish a consistent skin care program that is performed daily,” Lancer said. “Consistency is key to the prevention of damage to the skin and is much easier to accomplish than reparation.”
For those more concerned about chemicals and reactions to sensitive skin, sticking to “clean” beauty and skin care during this time is the best idea, as well as researching products and skin care developed with pregnant and nursing mothers in mind.
Lancer summed it up best: “Expecting mothers really only need two things to maintain that healthy pregnancy glow: safe treatments and diligent at-home care.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--My Dad Is Forgetting Who I Am. This Is How It’s Changing Our Relationship

HuffPost UK Courtesy of the author
I imagine my dad standing in a long corridor. His memories are lightbulbs above his head. Those closest to him have blown already. The ones further away still offer a little light and warmth. They’ll burn out soon enough. Then it’ll be darkness. This is how he will forget me.
Age has done a number on him. His dark-honey skin has lost its sweet glow and vigour. Less time spent in the park, boying off big muscle men and elastic teenagers alike with his basketball skills – coupled with an insistence on dressing for an Arctic expedition whatever the weather – has seen to that. His shoulders, once broad enough to carry our family’s history, are now slumped by burdens he can’t quite find the words for. His nose is as proudly Armenian as ever, but his eyes now resemble a pair of milky lakes; I can no longer see beneath their cloudy surface, making it impossible to grasp the confusion bubbling in their depths.
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My old man’s anger, which I found equally impressive and terrifying as a boy, has been dampened. Impressive when it was aimed at the politicians dressing up their hate on our television, or a fully grown man who tried taking me for a dickhead on the roads. Terrifying when I was in fact being a dickhead on the roads. Was it his booming voice or his hurtling fist which left craters in my bedroom door? Today, he turns this diluted anger almost exclusively inwards – when he’s struggling to tie his shoelaces, or finds himself lost between the three languages he once spoke so effortlessly.
My dad is a dying planet and I am the moon, a powerless observer to his fate. I can’t break free from his pull – I can’t stop writing about my relationship with him and the dementia he lives with.
He forgets lots of things. He forgets to put our dog’s lead on before they go on their early morning bop around the block. Sometimes he forgets the way back. He forgets to boil the kettle when he makes his coffee. And he forgets he’s had one cold coffee, so immediately makes another. He forgets to add milk to his breakfast cereal, or cereal to his breakfast milk. He forgets to shower. He forgets my age, and my birthday and that I’ve been working with young people for the last decade, while hustling on the side as a writer.
He never, ever forgets to call Boris Johnson a prick when he sees him on the television, though.
“I’ve reflected on my qualities as a son. I was a proper bastard growing up... I’ve tried to rectify that in adulthood, but have I been good enough? Have I been present?”
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My brother and I initially shrugged off his illness and its symptoms. We performed the nonchalance of two young men, unwilling to confront their father’s mortality. It’s been almost ten years now. A near-decade of bemusement and quiet patience, horror and belly laughs. Because the sight of my dad trying to get out of the car with his seat-belt still securely fastened, and then floundering like a giant carp, is some funny shit.
Along with the sadness and palliative laughter, I’ve spent endless hours reflecting.
I’ve reflected on my qualities as a son. I was a proper bastard growing up, causing my parents a whole bag of shame and stress, choosing detentions, suspensions, drugs and roadside scraps for no good reason other than that’s what I thought men do. I’ve tried to rectify that in adulthood, but have I been good enough? Have I been present?
I’ve considered my old man’s qualities as a father too. After waiting twenty-odd years for him to stop spending precious hour upon hour in the bookies, he finally has. He’s forgotten what he needs to do to place a bet. There’s nothing sweet about this. The taste in the back of my throat is overwhelmingly bitter when only now he tells me he doesn’t want to make betting an everyday thing.
For every joyous afternoon spent together in the park, or in-front of the television, hauling our beloved United to victory through sheer force of will, there were those lost to the allure of the betting shop. How I despised those smoke-filled beacons of fluorescent light, blighting every corner in my ends with their ugly glow.
HuffPost UK The author and his father
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He was often with us in body, but not spirit, his mind clearly mulling over long shots, spread bets and sure things. Can you really be present if your mind is elsewhere?
Watching films together in our narrow living room was the perfect remedy for any absent mindedness, my dad contemplatively sipping a can of Budweiser as the story unfolded before us, Marley the cat stretched out beneath the electric strip heater.
The films we watched together were the learning resources my dad used to teach me the lessons of masculinity that were taught to him decades earlier. Think physical prowess, power and strength. Think Wesley Snipes axe kicking fools in Passenger 57, Arnie and “Get to the chopper!”
The Karate Kid trilogy was my absolute favourite. What’s not to love about Daniel Laruso Crane-kicking blonde, blue-eyed bullies in the face? Or Mr Miyagi mugging John Kreese off without throwing a single punch, before honking his nose like a car-horn.
If you know the films, you know the original is gold standard cinema, and the third is probably held in high regard by Daniel-Stans alone. However the trilogy’s most meaningful, wonderfully shot scene sits about halfway through Part 2. It slammed into my chest like a Kobra Kai fist.
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In the scene, Daniel joins Mr Miyagi on a beach in Okinawa, to comfort his mentor after the death of Mr Miyagi’s father. Daniel reflects on how he dealt with his own father’s passing, how he questioned whether he had been a good son, and how in the end, simply being present, holding his father’s hand and saying goodbye was enough. Mr Miyagi looks out towards the ocean, stoic at first, but as he absorbs Daniel’s words, his eyes fill with tears. The scene ends with Daniel placing an arm around his mentor, a beautifully tender moment where the teacher-student dynamic between the two characters is subverted.
“In the crumbling castle of my dad’s mind, the past has been reduced to ruins. What matters most now is being present.”
Despite being barely old enough to walk to the corner shop alone to buy a box of Nerds at the time, I was already a card-carrying member of the ‘boys don’t cry’ club. Obviously, I learnt that trash from my old man. I was also secretly gripped by an obsessive fear of death; I was terrified by the fact of my own eventual death, and fixated on the reality that my parents are going to die too. The scene overwhelmed me. My on-screen heroes had both lost their fathers. I was destined to lose mine.
I went through my repertoire of ‘don’t cry’ tricks. I bit the inside of my cheeks. I dug my fingernails into my palms. I tried to relive Eric Cantona’s rocket of a goal against Arsenal in my mind. Nothing was working. I stole a glance at my dad, in need of a robust example of manliness, and found him subtly thumbing away tears from his eyes before they tumbled down his bristly cheeks. For a precious moment I accepted all the sadness I was feeling, without shame.
One day, fully living the reality of slowly, steadily losing my old man and desperately struggling to find peace amongst it all, I found myself firing ‘Karate Kid Part 2 beach scene’ into YouTube.
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Daniel was right. I was never, ever going to be a perfect son. Nor my dad a perfect father. That doesn’t matter anymore. In the crumbling castle of my dad’s mind, the past has been reduced to ruins. What matters most now is being present – when he needs me to help him put our dog’s lead on before they go out, and boil the kettle for him while he’s gone. I need to remind him to pour milk on his Weetabix and Jaffa Cake combo, and tell him to shower after breakfast. Every time he asks, I’ll patiently explain that I’m 33 years-old, that teaching and writing is just-about allowing me to pay my rent. I’ll smile when he expresses prideful surprise at these facts.
In the evening I’ll ask if he wants to watch a film with me.
Rob Kazandjian is a writer and teacher. Follow him on Twitter at @RKazandjian


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Trump: 'All Is Well' After Iran Attacks Iraqi Bases Used By US Military

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President Donald Trump praised America’s military and said “all is well” after Iran fired a string of missiles at two military bases in Iraq that house American troops.
“Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now,” Trump tweeted late Tuesday, confirming that Iran had struck two military bases in Iraq. “So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well-equipped military anywhere in the world, by far!”
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The president said he would make a statement about the missile strikes on Wednesday morning.
All is well! Missiles launched from Iran at two military bases located in Iraq. Assessment of casualties & damages taking place now. So far, so good! We have the most powerful and well equipped military anywhere in the world, by far! I will be making a statement tomorrow morning. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 8, 2020
Iran began striking the al-Asad and Erbil bases on Wednesday morning local time. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian armed forces, claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement to the press, saying it was carried out in the name of Major General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the United States in a drone strike last week.
“The fierce revenge by the Revolutionary Guard has begun,” the IRGC said in a statement Wednesday, according to The New York Times.
The missiles were fired just hours after Soleimani’s body was returned to his hometown for burial.
The Pentagon said it was still evaluating the damage from the strikes, noting the pair of bases had been on high alert after Iran’s threats. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Mark Esper rushed to the White House shortly after the strikes began to meet with Trump.
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The IRGC warned the US and its allies not to retaliate further after the base attacks.
“We are warning all American allies, who gave their bases to its terrorist army, that any territory that is the starting point of aggressive acts against Iran will be targeted,” it said in a statement carried by Iran’s state-run news agency.
Iran took & concluded proportionate measures in self-defense under Article 51 of UN Charter targeting base from which cowardly armed attack against our citizens & senior officials were launched.
We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression. — Javad Zarif (@JZarif) January 8, 2020
Iranian officials also said the strikes were meant to be a “proportionate” response to Soleimani’s death.
“We do not seek escalation or war, but will defend ourselves against any aggression,” Javad Zarif, Iran’s foreign minister, wrote on Twitter.
Tehran had pledged to respond in a “crushing and powerful manner” after Trump ordered the killing of Soleimani, one of the most powerful military figures in the Middle East. Within days of that attack, the nation also ended its remaining commitments to limit nuclear fuel production as part of the Iran nuclear deal.
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Trump had attempted to stave off any retaliation after Soleimani’s death, warning that the American military had identified 52 targets in Iran ― including cultural sites ― should Iran attack US assets. Critics noted that targeting cultural sites would be a war crime in defiance of international law even as the president initially doubled down on his vows. (He walked back the remarks on Tuesday after the Pentagon said such targets were not on the table.)
The Associated Press noted that the al-Asad airbase is a major outpost in Iraq’s Anbar province that was first used by U.S. troops after the 2003 invasion of that country to overthrow Saddam Hussein. American forces have been stationed there during the campaign against the self-described Islamic State.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--176 Dead After Ukrainian Plane Crashes In Iran

176 Dead After Ukrainian Plane Crashes In Iran
A Ukrainian passenger plane carrying 176 people has crashed due to technical problems shortly after taking off from Iran, killing all on board.The Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines came down near Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport and burst into flames.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker Viral Conspiracy Theory Gets The Kiss Of Death

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Beware! Spoilers for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker below.
Two weeks after the release of Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker comes the rise of the “JJ Cut”.
Recently, #ReleaseTheJJCut began trending on Twitter seemingly, in response to a viral Reddit post which suggested there is another version of the movie.
This phantom film, dubbed the “JJ Cut” after its director, JJ Abrams, is the answer to every Star Wars fan who was dissatisfied with the version of the film released in cinemas. But it’s also a version Disney doesn’t want you to see.
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In the viral post from the subreddit r/saltierthancrait — which describes itself as “a community for those who are critical of the recent new Star Wars revival from Disney” — a Reddit user claims to have corresponded with an anonymous source from The Rise Of Skywalker production.
Daisy Ridley in The Rise Of Skywalker Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd.
This “source” — who offers no proof — tells the Reddit user a number of huge revelations: JJ Abrams didn’t approve of the final cut of the movie, he was against the Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) kissing scene and he wanted to have Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) be together. Also, there was supposed to be a scene with Force ghosts surrounding Rey and another with Finn telling Rey that he’s Force-sensitive.
So why would Disney deliberately keep fans from seeing this magical, mythical version of Rise Of Skywalker? To ruin Abrams, of course!
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The “source” claims Warner Bros. wants Abrams to jumpstart its DC superhero movies — a potential threat to Disney-owned Marvel’s dominance in the realm.
Therefore, to sour Warner Bros. on the director and “make JJ look bad to potential investors/shareholders,” Disney seemingly sabotaged its own movie like a gosh darn Sith supervillain.
This level of calculated corporate self-destruction is thrilling — and also “fan fiction,” according to a number of established entertainment journalists with insider knowledge.
Unlike the “Snyder Cut”, an alternate, likely unfinished edit of the 2017 film Justice League that fans and even actors from the movie have driven into internet-legend status, it doesn’t look like the “JJ Cut” actually exists.
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This is the 3rd insider after @MakingStarWars and @PeterSciretta that have debunked this. And FYI Jason ward was the one who successfully leaked the whole movie. If he alone says it's fake then best not to get hyped up. https://t.co/EgsKe0D8m6 — Wesley (@wesleywhite626) January 6, 2020
Reporters such as /Film editor-in-chief Peter Sciretta and Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub rubbished the existence of the “JJ Cut”, and our own interview with Rise Of Skywalker editor Maryann Brandon seems to back them up.
One of the points that stands out from the viral Reddit post is JJ Abrams’ supposed contempt for the Kylo and Rey kiss from the end of the film:
JJ was against the Reylo kiss (or Reylo in general). This was Disney’s attempt to please both sides of the fandom.
It’s apparently such a big point that the author of the post wrote a follow-up to back it up even more:
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JJ didn’t like the kiss but had to include something along those lines. They settled for what to show, but that doesn’t mean he liked it. He absolutely did not.
However, despite how much the post claims JJ didn’t like it, when we talked with Brandon days after the premiere, it kind of sounded like he did.
The editor went into detail about why the kiss was included, saying there were many versions of “should they/shouldn’t they” but that tge director was supportive of the scene.
“I always said, ‘The movie will tell us whether they should kiss or not. We will know by the time we get to the end of our process, if it should happen.’” Brandon said. “And I felt it should, and [JJ Abrams] agreed with me, and other people who saw the film agreed.”
Another point in the viral post stated JJ wanted to have Finn and Poe together as a couple, which is something the fandom has been talking about since The Force Awakens in 2015. “JJ fought to make this happen,” the post read.
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But again, when we asked Brandon about the idea, the longtime JJ Abrams collaborator said she’d never even heard about that possibility. To her, the characters were always just friends.
“I think, again, they’re best of friends,” she said. “There is a kind of brotherhood there where they understand each other, and they’ve got each other’s back.”
Finally, the Reddit post claimed the “JJ Cut” has Finn specifically telling Rey he’s Force-sensitive and includes a scene showing Finn using the Force.
If that’s true, Brandon didn’t appear to be aware of it. When we asked the editor what Finn tried to tell Rey — which is a joke that goes throughout the movie — she said she thought it was supposed to be left up to interpretation and didn’t seem to know herself.
“It’s one of those things I think is cool in the movie that’s up to interpretation, and I think that’s exactly what was meant by it,” she said. “I think what you want it to be is what it is. One person said, ‘Oh, he’s gonna tell her he’s in love with her,’ and I thought maybe he was, or, ‘He’s gonna tell her he understands the Force now and he believes in it.’ Maybe it’s that. I’ve never asked JJ or [writer Chris Terrio]. I just always took it as one of those humorous ... because it’s a joke, that keeps going through the film.”
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There’s little doubt that Disney and Lucasfilm had a say in the story and that there were alternate scenes and a longer version of the film before it was edited down to the theatrical cut. But that’s no revelation. That’s just how movies are made.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--These Are The Vegan Make Up And Beauty Products You Need

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Veganism is booming. From your favourite coffee shop stepping up its vegan pastry game to supermarkets unveiling new dishes to eat for dinner, eating a plant-based diet has never been so easy.
Now, the beauty industry is also upping its game. Across skincare, haircare and makeup, there’s been a shift in what consumers want in their products and what they don’t – namely animal-derived ingredients. And brands have stepped up to deliver. Vegan product launches rose 175% in the five years to 2018, the Soil Association told HuffPost UK – and most months sees a new arrival.
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HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
Vegan and cruelty-free makeup artist Em-J believes this is down to customers demanding more transparency. “A few years ago, I don’t believe people cared less,” she tells HuffPost UK. “We trusted these giant brands for so long [but] due to social media have discovered there is a lot they have not told us.”
This has been brilliant for the beauty industry, she adds, making way for new indy brands. “We trust them because they talk directly to the customers and are open and honest about their ethics and ingredients.”
Here at HuffPost, we regularly shine a light on the best in vegan beauty – so we’ve rounded up all our product guides and tests in one handy place.
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HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
If you’re new to the world of vegan beauty, thanks to Veganuary, to a good start, we’ve compiled the best of the beauty brands, from affordable to high-end, in one easy list. From self-tan, dry shampoo and body oils to makeup brushes, highlighters, lipsticks and foundations, we’ve got you covered – cruelty-free.
HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
Switching up your beauty routine doesn’t mean you should have to compromise on results – healthy hair is a must. In our roundup, we hand-picked the best and most budget-friendly so you can tame frizz, reduce flyaways and, crucially, cleanse hair, with complete peace of mind. From niche brands to big names, there’s plenty of choice whatever your hairtype, starting from just £3.66.
HuffPost UK MALTE MUELLER VIA GETTY IMAGES
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Yes, even your nail polish can contain ingredients sourced from animals. HuffPost reported on how many of the of nail varnishes you buy on the high street or find in beauty salons will not be vegan – and are listed in ingredients with complex chemical compounds, so deciphering them can be tricky. You could be painting your toenails with guanine from processed fish scales, carmine from drying or crushing insects and keratin, derived from cattle, horses, pigs and rabbits. We found four animal-free polishes to treat your toes to.
Brand Spotlights
HuffPost UK Amazon
Lady Gaga unveiled her debut line of cosmetics, Haus Laboratories, in 2019 exclusively on Amazon. The vegan range featured a mix of jet black liquid eyeliners, jewel-toned liquid eyeshadows, lip liners and matching lip gloss, along with face stickers, so you can mix and match your exaggerated feline flicks with ease. See the full collection here.
HuffPost UK Lush
Eco-friendly brand Lush is an industry leader when it comes to making more ethically conscious beauty choices and in 2019 announced it would no longer include egg in any of its products, citing concerns over animal welfare.
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Product Tests
Sustainable and vegan makeup brand Depixym, created by Victoria Feebery and Alice Rhodes, is less than a year old, but already capturing imaginations. The range comprises 18 cosmetic emulsions that look like tubes of paint, but are versatile, multi-use products. I put them to the test and created four looks, from a classic winged liner and red lip to a taupe eyeshadow and lashings of mascara. They’re almost entirely plastic-free too. Read the full review here.
HuffPost UK Louise/HuffPost UK
HuffPost UK Body Shop's Aloe soothing day cream.
HuffPost’s Life Reporter Tasha cannot get enough of this soothing aloe day cream from The Body Shop and its become a staple in her low maintenance beauty routine. “It’s calming and gentle on the old fizzog, doesn’t bring me out in a shedload of zits and is pretty affordable at £13,” reads her ode to it here.
HuffPost UK Brogan/HuffPost UK
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HuffPost’s Life Editor Brogan put Lush’s vegan shampoo and conditioning bars to the test over a fortnight to see how they delivered. While initially sceptical that they would be as effective as her regular bottled products, she was pleasantly surprised by how similar the results were. Read her full review here.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Love Island: Why Mike Boateng's Police Job Was A Training Ground For Life In The Villa

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You might not think it, but Love Island contestant Mike Boateng’s job in the police has been a training ground for life in the villa.
The officer is poised to be the ITV2 show’s new couples’ counsellor thanks to his role in the force, revealing he has “saved a lot of relationships” during his time working as a first responder.
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Mike has told of how he would regularly go into couples’ homes and tell them “how to run their lives”.
Love Island's Mike Boateng ITV
Speaking to HuffPost UK and other journalists in Cape Town, South Africa ahead of entering the villa on Sunday, he said: “I haven’t saved anyone’s life but I like to think I’ve saved a lot of relationships. You’d be surprised, but we’re basically like marriage counsellors.
“We go into people’s houses and I tell people how to run their lives, which is weird, because I’ll go in and they’ve been married for 25 years and be there like, ‘you shouldn’t be doing that, you should show her more respect, look at the kids’.”
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Mike, who actually applied to be on the show – unlike many other contestants who are scouted by producers – said he will “naturally” find the role of carer and confidante in the villa.
“If people need that person to talk to, they come to me and I’ll give them as much back as I can,” he said.
Asked how he will deal with confrontation in the villa compared to his job, he added: “The same way I deal with it, which is to be neutral. I definitely won’t pick sides, I always do what I feel is right and I always weigh up the options and see what’s going on.”
Mike, 24, also told of how his job had regularly placed him in danger, saying: “We deal with a lot of mental health, so unfortunately for them, they don’t really know what they’re doing most of the time, so it puts us in danger, but we’re trained to deal with that.”
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He also credited meditation for helping his own mental health, which he claims is strong enough to cope with the pressures of the villa and the sudden, intense fame it will bring after.
“I meditate in my spare time, and I’ve got a really close family so I speak to them,” he said. “[The police] give us quite a lot of downtime if you are feeling a bit pressured and stuff like that, so I’ve got a lot of mechanisms to deal with.”
Mike has quit his job with Manchester Police to join Love Island, but revealed his bosses have kept his role open should he wish to return after the series.
He said: “I’m really fortunate in the sense that they’ve left the door open for me if I do wanna go back, which is really nice of them.
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“Obviously with this kind of opportunity, anything can happen, but it shows that they trust me to represent myself well enough in that environment for me to then go back.”
Mike, who says former Islanders Amber Gill and Amy Hart are “his type on paper”, has also been getting coaching about appearing on reality TV from his brother Samuel, who was a candidate vying for Lord Sugar’s business investment on the 2016 series of The Apprentice.
“He has given me a few tips which I’m grateful for,” Mike explained. “He’s given me tips on how to act, how to speak to people and what to expect, so I feel like I’ve got an idea of what to expect when I get in the villa.”
Mike's brother Sameul appeared on The Apprentice in 2016 BBC
Samuel was fired in a double sacking during the eighth week of the BBC reality show, but Mike expects to last longer in the Love Island process.
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“There’s not really rivalry because I think I’m better than him anyway,” he jokes. “He might disagree, but that’s up for debate. I think I’ll do better than him.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--The Hilarious Way Parents Had The Sex Chat With Their Kids

Carol Yepes via Getty Images
If you don’t explain what sex is to your children using a weird animal analogy, how do you do it?
In a variety of bizarre ways, apparently – that’s according to the parents I spoke to about handling one of the most uncomfortable moments of raising kids.
My own experience of it happened without warning. On the way home from school, my seven-year-old repeated something her friend told her about how babies were made – and let’s just say that between them, they’d got it quite wrong.
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I wasn’t prepared for ‘the chat’, but I had no choice – I had to set her straight, so I said something along the lines of: “That’s almost right. Except it doesn’t go there, it goes there.”
The rest, I explained, she would learn more about when she was a little older. But if she had any questions, she should ask me, her dad, or a teacher. Case closed – for now.
To get a few more tips when that time does arise, I asked HuffPost UK readers how they handled the sex conversation with their kids. Brace yourselves.
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‘My son brought the conversation up in the bath’
“My son’s ‘sex talk’ was very funny. Aged around six, he was having a bath with a female friend, aged four – and to whom he is quite seriously betrothed to be married! He started telling her what they would do when they’re older – much to my, and her mum’s, surprise. I asked him how he’d discovered this and he said, matter of fact as you like, that he’d read it in a book. So, no biggie. He’s been very unembarrassed to talk openly about sex ever since!” - Emily, mum of two
‘My daughter asked questions, then said it was disgusting’
“I’m a big fan of the ‘American Girl’ books. There’s one called The Care and Keeping of You, which is about puberty for the pre-pubescent, that my daughter read. I tried really hard to answer all her questions frankly about the book, which led onto further questions about sex and willies. She said it was disgusting!” - Sarah, mum of two
‘I called it a grown-up cuddle’
“When the conversation came up for me, I explained it in terms of a ‘grown up cuddle.’ But it really depends on the age of the child, doesn’t it?” - Jerome, dad of one
‘No animals were involved in our chat’
“I did it very matter of factly – but it was all about reproduction, and not how much fun mummy and daddy have doing it. My daughter was very young, three I think. She asked how babies get in mothers’ bellies, and the truth seemed to be the logical answer. No animals were involved.” - Simon, dad of one
‘I avoided the formal sit-down’
“I did it while doing something else – baking cookies, running an errand, etc – because it’s so much better than a formal sit-down. I used plain matter-of-fact talk, but also addressed the emotional element.” - Laura, mum of two
‘I explained it exactly like it is’
“I explained it just exactly like it is – with correct terms, too. My kids said ‘ewwww’ but never asked any more questions!” - Nadine, mum of three
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‘I slow-dripped the conversation casually’
“I just talked normally over the years slow-dripping it casually. It started when my daughter was four and saw a DVD in a store in Delhi called ‘Yoga for Sex’ and asked very loudly in the middle of this store, “Mummy, what is sex?”″ - Pragya, mum of three
‘Sperm meets egg’
“Sperm meets egg is roughly what I’ve covered so far!” - Nicola, mum of one
‘It’s important to teach the fun bit’
“I think it’s really important to teach the fun bit, too! It’ll help with issues of consent later in life – if it doesn’t feel good, then maybe don’t do it. I currently just answer questions as they come along using scientific terms, but I’m definitely going to sit down around age nine or 10 for a big, embarrassing talk about arousal, consent etc.” - Gaynor, mum of one
‘We watched a nature documentary’
“I had a conversation led by my then eight-year-old after a nature documentary with elephants...” - Lucy, mum of two


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--10 Housewarming Gifts That Aren't Sh*t

10 Housewarming Gifts That Aren't Sh*t

HuffPost UK
“Take them a loaf of bread,” my mum advised me when I asked her what to bring a friend who had just moved house.
At the time I scoffed. There was no way I was turning up with a loaf of Kingsmill, no matter how empty my friend’s new kitchen cupboards might be. However, having since moved several times myself I would prefer a loaf over a cactus. Plants are great, don’t get me wrong, but they take up valuable space and the soil spills out when you move flats for the umpteenth time.
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Bread definitely isn’t the answer either, no matter how fancy and sourdough it might be. So, I’ve done some strenuous research and identified ten presents you can buy your newly-homed loved ones that feel thoughtful and personal and will guarantee future invitations.
Huffington Post UK Iko Blue Glass Cocktail Shaker, Oliver Bonas, £25
The recipient will always be ready to host a gathering with this gorgeous cocktail shaker. Nothing screams “I’m a fully-fledged grown up and can throw a damn good party” quite like having your own barware.
Huffington Post UK Large Bowl Glass Scented Candle, John Lewis, £40
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No-one was ever upset to receive a scented candle and this one is particularly attractive. Not only will it last ages and smell divine, but it also makes a lovely decorative ornament once the wax has all been burned. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Huffington Post UK Personalised Oak And Brass Vinyl Storage Rack, Not On The High Street, £49
Simple, classic and achingly cool, this gift will ensure your loved ones are dancing around their (extremely well-indexed) new home for years to come. You can personalise it free of charge for that extra thoughtful touch.
Don’t let the dreamy cloud and moon design fool you, these bookends are made from concrete and will sturdily prop up your friends’ favourite novels. They also look brilliant at either end of a mantelpiece or on their own as ornaments.
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Huffington Post UK Penguin Kissing Watercolour Print, Etsy, £8.01
Lots of people think artwork is expensive, but this colourful, uplifting animal print proves them wrong. The bright palette goes with most colour schemes and will perk up any room.
Huffington Post UK Personalised Wooden Pot Planter, Not On The High Street, £22.99
The green-fingered among us will enjoy showing off their succulents, herbs or flowers in these personalised planters. If they aren’t into gardening then they could also use these to store keys, fruit or unwanted housewarming gifts.
Huffington Post UK Marcato Atlas 150 pasta-maker, Selfridges, £75
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Is there a greater gift than the gift of fresh pasta for all eternity? We think not, especially when the machinery is this chic. This pasta-maker is ideal for foodies and carb-lovers everywhere – plus, you’re likely to benefit at some point, too.
Huffington Post UK Mikasa Cheers Set of 4 Crystal Balloon Gin Glasses, Amazon, £18.83
Who doesn’t want to sip gin from what is, essentially, a giant glass bowl? The recipients can put these straight to use when you arrive if they haven’t unpacked their own glassware yet.
A house isn’t really a home until the photographs are up, so help your pals on their way with this stylish metal picture frame. The duck egg blue is a safe choice if you have no idea what colour they’re going to paint their walls yet.
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Huffington Post UK Large Gluggle Jug, Trouva, £32
I will never, ever stop loving these, and the noise they make as you pour (can you work it out?) never ceases to tickle a room full of adults. Staying hydrated has never looked so stylish – or kitsch.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--15 Feel-Good Things To Treat Yourself To This January

Christmas is the time for giving, yet all too often we forget about ourselves in the great race to buy and wrap presents, plan, cook and host. So, come January I think it’s time we set that straight and focused on giving back to ourselves.
Self-care isn’t just about meditation, costly detox retreats and splashing out on a luxury spa day (though all are valid), sometimes it’s about the little things that you do for yourself in a day. For some it will be those ten minutes they get in the morning, sitting with a steaming cup of coffee before the emails roll in, and for others it’s getting outside into the fresh air and moving their body.
I’m always looking for new ways of treating myself (because, I too, am worth it, L’Oréal) and finding helpful reminders to take that ‘me time’ I deserve. And because you deserve it too, I thought I’d share a selection of all the feel-good things I am loving, have loved or am about to invest in for myself. Whatever your budget, whatever your interests and whatever time you have spare, here are 15 things to get you into the spirit of self-care.
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HuffPost UK The Positive Planner, Not On The High Street
The Positive Planner, Not On The High Street, was £24, now £19.20
The positive impacts of journalling have been much discussed recently, and this 12-week version is entirely dedicated to self-care. With inspirational quotes, art therapy and mindfulness activities, you might be surprised how making time to settle down with your diary for several minutes a day will improve it.
HuffPost UK Pure Cashmere Cropped Hoodie, Marks and Spencer
It’s well known that M&S is the best place to get affordable cashmere on the high street, and I can’t think of anything better to curl up in than this super soft hoodie. It’s impossible not to feel even slightly glamorous sashaying round the house in this.
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HuffPost UK This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, Oliver Bonas
When I was young my mum would tell me that everything would look better in the morning, and you know what, she was right. And nothing makes me sleep more soundly than this lavender deep sleep pillow spray. It’s a spa in a bottle.
HuffPost UK Prestat Praline Truffles, Selfridges
I’m always buying gorgeous boxes of chocolates for other people, but never for myself. Why not? Well I’m changing that right now, and so should you. These Prestat truffles are some of the silkiest, creamiest chocolates I’ve ever tried and this January you’ll be seeing them around my house much more.
HuffPost UK Super Sculpt High Waisted 7/8 Yoga Leggings, Sweaty Betty
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Yoga is a common self-care practice, but a fresh pair of leggings really does make all the difference. Slipping on these super sculpt, super supportive yoga leggings from Sweaty Betty will help you look and feel your best while you backbend away.
HuffPost UK Terrarium Kit with Glass Container Fittonia Fern Moss Tools, Etsy
Having a hobby is paramount to switching off and giving ourselves some downtime; creative hobbies in particular are really beneficial, especially if you spend most of your day in front of a screen. This terrarium kit combines nature, fun and free-reign (all which are good for you) into a neat kit that will leave you with something decorative for your home afterwards.
HuffPost UK Organic Melting Chocolate Pudding, Daylesford
I defy you to find anything more comforting and indulgent than this melt-in-the-middle chocolate pudding from lusted-after brand, Daylesford. It says it serves two but I would recommend popping it in the oven for a few minutes before settling down in an armchair with a spoon and Ru Paul’s Drag Race on the TV. Just what the doctor (me) ordered.
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HuffPost UK Pai Skincare Organic Copaiba Deep Cleanse AHA Mask, Amazon
A face mask is the original self-care, it’s likely the first thing you think of when you think of the words. Lying back with a refreshing (if a little odd looking) mask slathered all over your face and nowhere to be but on your sofa. Plus, clean, fresh skin does wonders for your sense of calm.
Eat Happy Eat Happy
The first solo cookbook by Melissa Hemsley, one half of the bestselling Hemsley + Hemsley sisters. This book offers 30-minute, fuss-free, food to make you feel good. Yum!
HuffPost UK Wild Argan Oil Bubbling Bath, The Body Shop
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Running a deep bubble bath after a long, cold day is one of life’s little pleasures. Amp up your bath game with this lightly scented bath soak – I’m envisioning candles, a juicy novel and the joy of silky soft skin when you finally emerge.
HuffPost UK DIPTYQUE Baies Scented Candle, Selfridges
Diptyque has a cult following and, once you’ve smelt one, it’s easy to see why. Baies is one of their most famous scents and is a sophisticated blend of rose and blackcurrant leaves. If you can’t get out for an uplifting walk in the countryside, light this and sit on your sofa instead.
HuffPost UK Pukka Turmeric Gold, Organic Herbal Latte with Cardamom & Saffron, Amazon
This delicious blend of turmeric, cardamom and saffron only needs milk to turn it into a frothy, indulgent hot drink that will perk up your mood and soothe your mind. It’s caffeine free so you can have it at any time of the day and the it’s perfect during winter where the vibrant colour and earthy taste is a real ray of sunshine.
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HuffPost UK Slip White Silk Pillowcase, Selfridges
If you can’t wear silk constantly then you should at least sleep on it. Slip pillowcases are the silkiest of the lot, they feel heavenly against your skin, encourage deep slumber and leave your skin looking soft and fresh in the morning.
HuffPost UK ‘The Botanical’ Mini Posy Fresh Flower Subscription, Not On The High Street
There’s not much nicer than fresh flowers and even better when they turn up at your door each month without you having to move a muscle. This subscription box of mini posies will come through your letterbox, so you don’t even need to get out of bed.
HuffPost UK Sweet by Yotam Ottolenghi, Amazon
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A sugar high is a staple part of my self-care routine. Not only is baking soothing and fun, the recipes in this award-winning cookbook also mean you’ll end up with some pretty delicious results. My personal favourites are the cranberry, oat and white chocolate biscuits – I could eat the entire tray.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Do You Really Need To Floss Every Day? We Asked Dentists

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You sit in the dentist’s chair, look up at the bright white light and get the same old question for the umpteenth time: do you floss? (And no, we’re not talking about the dance).
An investigation by Associated Press (AP) in 2016 found there was little scientific evidence to suggest flossing is beneficial – despite it being recommended across the board, from dentists as well as the NHS.
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Four years after AP’s findings, which saw the US government quietly update its guidelines to remove recommendations to floss on its website, UK dentists are standing by what they said: flossing, or using interdental brushes, daily is good for our teeth.
Specialist orthodontist and member of the British Dental Association, Dr Iain Hoeltschi, tells HuffPost UK: “Even though there has been conflicting evidence about flossing and its effectiveness, I still thoroughly recommend flossing once a day. I also recommend using interdental brushes as these are better equipped to remove food particles and bacteria that can build up between teeth.”
bortonia via Getty Images
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Why should you floss?
While the evidence base is inconclusive for flossing, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it, says Professor Damien Walmsley, the British Dental Association’s scientific adviser.
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Flossing helps you reach areas of the tooth that toothbrushes can’t. Often, bits of food may come out from between your teeth when you floss, which would otherwise be left. “You wouldn’t wash only one side of a dirty dish and then put it back in the cupboard to use again tomorrow, would you?” says Dr Reena Wadia, a gum specialist.
When you brush, she explains, you’re only washing half of the surfaces of your teeth – front and back – and you’re neglecting the sides your toothbrush doesn’t touch. This leaves the area near the gum line dirty, “like only washing one side of a dish.”
If left uncleaned, plaque can build up between the teeth, and the bacteria in it can cause gum disease. A 2017 study, which came after the AP investigation, found flossing was associated with a “modestly lower” prevalence of periodontitis (inflammation of the gums and structures of the teeth). Out of 6,939 adults, the odds of periodontitis were 17% lower for those who flossed more than once a week than for those who flossed less often. The study suggested flossing between two and four days a week could be as beneficial as flossing more frequently. But dental experts tell HuffPost UK that daily is best.
Interdental brushes should be your first choice if these fit in between your teeth, adds Dr Wadia. This advice is echoed by NHS Choices, too. “[The brushes] come in various sizes and you need to ensure a snug fit so go for the largest size that fits. If the interdental brushes don’t fit, floss is your next best option.”
What happens if you don’t floss?
Dr Hoeltschi and Dr Rhona Eskander, a member of the British Dental Association, say they visibly see the difference between patients who floss and those who don’t. “The biggest sign to tell if someone flosses or not is in their gums,” says Dr Hoeltschi. “Regular flossing leads to healthier gums, whereas people who don’t floss can have slightly red and inflamed gums.”
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Dr Eskander says other tell-tale signs of non-flossers are patients with plaque between their teeth, bleeding gums and bad breath, as a result of “trapped food and proliferating bacterial growth” between their teeth.
Octopus182 via Getty Images
Should you floss before or after brushing?
The order you floss and brush could make a difference, according to a small study of 25 dental students from 2018. Floss first, brush second was found to be better than brushing then flossing in order to reduce interdental plaque.
Dr Eskander, who advises her patients to floss twice a day, agrees that people should floss before they brush. “This then ‘unplugs’ the gaps and makes the brushing more effective as the brush tips can reach between the teeth more readily,” she explains. “It also allows for an easier flow of mouth wash which can reach areas of the teeth which bristles tips can’t.”
Are there any negative implications to consider?
The environment, for one – tooth floss is a single-use plastic that is typically made of nylon or Teflon, which isn’t biodegradable. And because it doesn’t break down, it can cause serious clogs and environmental damage when flushed. But there are alternative options, such as plastic-free charcoal floss made from bamboo trees.
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Flossing could also damage your gums if you do it too vigorously. Dr Hoeltschi says if you notice severe bleeding or pain after flossing, visit your dentist for advice.
The routine can also be hard to follow for people who aren’t very dextrous, who have large hands or arthritis, says Dr Eskander. If you find flossing difficult, try interdental brushes (such as Tepe), or an electronic flossing device (such as the Philips AirFloss), she suggests.
What else can be done to practice good teeth hygiene?
Professor Walmsley, from the British Dental Association, urges people to brush teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. His warning comes after a survey of adults’ oral health in the UK revealed that around one in four only brush their teeth once a day.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--5 Healthy Ingredients You Should Be Eating In 2020

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Now that the new year is here, everyone feels pressure to reboot and revive their diet. Regardless of what the new health food trends for 2020 will be, we’ve got a list of five foods that are both delicious and nutritious additions to any January diet.
Sugar Kelp
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If the late 2010s were marked by a fierce dedication to the green that is kale, expect a slightly different tack in 2020. Sean Barrett, a Montauk fishing professional responsible for the sustainable seafood purveyor Dock to Dish, has been working in conjunction with GreenWave on Long Island’s East End to develop a crop of sugar kelp.
“We were astonished by how rapid the growth was,” Barrett told HuffPost. “GreenWave has a small nursery, where they seed long lines of kelp seeds into a marine twine rope, and then they send those spools out to growers. In 2019, we seeded and grew and harvested and cooked and served sugar kelp.”
This particular type of seaweed, which thrives in nitrogen-rich waters and can grow in the same column of space as oysters, offering oyster farmers a way to expand their crop base, has numerous nutritional benefits. High in vitamins A, B1, B2, D and E, it’s also a great source of zinc, magnesium, iodine, potassium and calcium. The kelp can be dried and eaten as a snack, added to soups and stews, eaten in salad form, or added to butter to accent other foods. Atlantic Holdfast Seafood Co. is one of the largest commercial producers of sugar kelp. The company sells its crops online.
Barrett confidently predicted that “2020 will be the year that kelp will be recognised as the new kale.”
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Sweetgreen, the American fast-casual restaurant chain known for its healthful salads, will be offering the sea crop to its customers. Barrett sees this as just the beginning. Sugar kelp, he said, is “the gateway drug to 10,000 species of edible plants that grow in the ocean.”
“It’s superrich in electrolyte minerals, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and sodium,” said Stefanie Sacks, a culinary nutritionist and author of ”What the Fork Are You Eating. “It definitively has trace minerals as well, such as chromium, copper, iodine … which is important to note, because it’s a trace mineral and it’s critical for normal thyroid function.”
Sugar kelp, Sacks noted, is also high in folic acid (vitamin B9) and is low in calories, low in carbohydrates and low in fat. “I don’t like to use the word superfood, but it is a nutritional powerhouse,” she said.
Chaga Mushrooms
Fydorov via Getty Images Chaga mushrooms look less like traditional mushrooms and more like a piece of hard wood.
Technically a species of mushroom, chaga is a parasitic fungus found on certain varieties of trees. The fungus has a long history in the wellness community; its immunity-boosting qualities have been used for centuries in China and Siberia. Today, Sloan Kettering recognises that chaga mushrooms may prevent and treat cancer, as they have been found to inhibit cancer progression in laboratory animals.
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“It’s more like a piece of hard wood, and it grows on the side of birch trees in very cold climates,” said Bridget LeRoy, co-founder and former co-owner of Chaga Island, a prepared tea that uses the mushroom. “You cannot culture chaga. It only can be foraged. If you take it in powder form as a capsule or as a tea that you put in a tea bag that you dunk in water, it does absolutely nothing,” she added.
The key to extracting the benefits of chaga ― according to LeRoy, the mushroom can work as an antiviral, lower blood sugar and reduce inflammation ― is to cook it in water at a low temperature for a long time and then consume it as a tea or broth. LeRoy suggests using a slow cooker for maximum benefit. She adds cinnamon sticks to her brew, but said chaga can take on the flavour of nearly anything you add to it.
“It has more antioxidants than any food on earth, and it’s anti-inflammatory. You can take it if you think you’re getting sick,” LeRoy added. You can buy these mushrooms on eBay and Amazon (look for chaga chunks that do not come from polluted areas, like China).
Nutritional Yeast
OlgaMiltsova via Getty Images Toss a handful of nutritional yeast on popcorn for a cheesy (but vegan) flavor.
This species of yeast ― Saccharomyces cerevisiae ― is used in bread-baking and beer-brewing, but it can also be used as an additive to foods, offering secondary “umami” flavours and even taking the place of cheese in some recipes. It’s also a natural thickener and can be used to add a fuller consistency to sauces without the addition of flour or fat. One easy way to introduce it to your diet is to sprinkle it over popcorn for a high-fibre, low-calorie, extra delicious snack.
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There is no denying how much punch this ingredient packs, in terms of nutrition. Nutritional yeast, which is available in most health food stores, many grocery stores and online, is high in B vitamins and has been shown, in particular, to help with B12 deficiencies in people who don’t eat meat. It is high in zinc, selenium, manganese and molybdenum. It may lower cholesterol, too. And it contains all nine essential amino acids, as well as two grams of protein per teaspoon.
“From a culinary standpoint, it’s a wonderful addition to any meal where you want a fermented flavour without the addition of dairy,” Sacks said. “Nutritional yeast is high in B12, and B12 is thought to help boost energy.” Meet the superfood that is both flexible and delicious.
Fenugreek Seeds
ASSOCIATED PRESS Toasted fenugreek seeds can be added to just about anything you eat.
Fenugreek seed hails from the Mediterranean, where it has long been used in medicines, tinctures and cooking. The seed’s appealing flavour ― some liken it to maple syrup ― makes it an excellent addition to pungent medicinal solutions.
To use the seeds, you can toast them in a frying pan, which releases their flavour. They can be added to breads, salads, curries, pickles, condiments, and sauces. Ground fenugreek can be added to teas and other drinks as well.
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The benefits of the seeds are abundant. Since it slows the absorption of sugars into the stomach, fenugreek is a natural remedy for those struggling with diabetes. Lactating mothers have used the seeds to stimulate milk production. It has been known to treat digestive problems, kidney ailments, vitamin deficiencies, and, as a soak, skin disorders like eczema. It can be purchased in specialty spice stores, both ground and whole.
“I use it as a complement in Indian cuisine when I cook it,” Sacks said. “It’s also thought that taking 1,800 to 2,700 milligrams of fenugreek seed powder can help with menstrual cramps.”
Kamut
Westend61 via Getty Images Kamut contains 30% more protein than wheat.
If there is a miracle replacement for plain old wheat, kamut ― an Egyptian grain with 30% more protein than wheat ― is it. Some people with wheat allergy or intolerance can even consume kamut (though you’ll want to check with your doctor first).
Kamut is also known as Khorasan wheat. Known for its full, nutty flavour, it can be used as a substitute for regular wheat. It can be milled into flour and then baked into cookies, breads and other baked goods. It can also be used in the production of beer and pasta, and eaten hot, as a cereal, in lieu of oatmeal or cream of wheat.
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Importantly, this ancient grain is full of B vitamins and protein. Some studies have even indicated that the prolonged consumption of kamut can lead to lowered cholesterol and blood sugar.
“It’s really high in manganese,” Sacks said. “Manganese is a mineral that our bodies need. [Kamut also] helps with protein and amino acid utilisation.”
Bob’s Red Mill, the specialty grain producer that you can find at most retailers these days, sells kamut in 24-ounce bags. You can also find milled kamut flour from select online retailers.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Maximalism Is The Big Wedding Trend Of 2020 – What That Means For Your Dress, Flowers And Decor

Alena Kravchenko via Getty Images
The big day is set to get even bigger in 2020 as maximalism has been predicted as the wedding trend of the year.
The organisers of A Most Curious Wedding Show – the biggest indie bridal event in the UK – have predicted a move away from the“less is more” approach in favour of all things bold and beautiful.
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As a self-proclaimed maximalist, April Denison, founder of wedding planning service Kook Events, is excited about the emerging shift and says maximalism translates as “bold colours, glitter and over-the-top design” for weddings.
Expect maximalism to add texture to the traditional white dress, says Denison.
“Some examples I’ve seen have included heavily sequinned and embellished wedding dresses (Alice Temperley is a good example), tinsel, sequinned and feather capes and jackets on brides, and bold coloured or patterned suits on grooms,” she tells HuffPost UK.
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It’s also a case of “go hard or go home” when it comes to decor.
“We’re seeing huge floral installations, mirror balls, neon, bright colours and clashing prints. The wedding world is definitely mirroring what we’re seeing in interiors and mainstream fashion trends,” says Denison.
Bold bouquets and bountiful blooms around the room will also play a key part in maximalist weddings, predicts Jemma Cox, from Martin & Cox Floral Events.
“I predict we will see an explosion of texture and a blend of traditional and contemporary blooms thrown together. Roses, Hydrangeas, Astillbe and all those associated with a typical ‘country garden’ wedding will stand amongst Orchids, Proteas, grasses and interesting shaped blooms.”
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When it comes to colour schemes for flowers, Cox says this year is “about becoming less matchy and being more bold”.
“That includes the colour palette. I think we are set to go bright and vivid to pack a punch but I do also believe that the softer pink, green and taupe hues will be sticking around for a little bit longer,” she says.
Denison believes the move towards maximalism may stem from brides and grooms looking to make sure every detail of their day is primed for Instagram.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-08--Iran Plane Crash: 3 Brits Among 176 Killed After Ukrainian Jet Crashes Near Tehran

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Three Britons were among 176 people killed when a Ukrainian passenger plane crashed after taking off from Iran, the Ukrainian foreign minister has said.
The Boeing 737 belonging to Ukraine International Airlines burst into flames after taking off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport and came down down around six miles away.
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Ukrainian officials confirmed on Wednesday morning that all passengers and crew on board had been killed. The country’s foreign minister later gave a breakdown of their nationalities as follows:
82 Iranians
63 Canadians
11 Ukrainians including nine crew
10 Swedes
4 Afghanis
3 Germans
3 Britons
BP has confirmed one of those killed in the Tehran plane crash as 42-year-old reservoir engineer Sam Zokaei, who has worked at the oil company for more than 14 years.
Zokaei, from Twickenham, London, was on holiday from working at BP’s site at Sunbury-on-Thames in Middlesex.
The two other British victims have been named as engineer and researcher at Imperial College London, Saeed Tahmasebi Khademasadi, and Mohammed Reza Kadkhoda Zadeh from West Sussex.
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Officials originally said the cause of the crash was engine failure, ruling out a missile attack or act of terrorism related to current tensions in the region.
A subsequent statement from Ukraine’s embassy in Iran, however, appeared to walk back the conclusions, saying any previous comments were not official and that the cause of the crash had not yet been disclosed.
Iranian state TV said the incident was due to unspecified technical problems, and Iranian media quoted a local aviation official as saying the pilot did not declare an emergency.
The black box recorder from the aircraft has been found and an investigation is underway, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Carrier Ukraine International Airlines said it was doing everything possible to confirm the cause, and the investigation would also involve Boeing and Ukrainian and Iranian authorities. It was the Kiev-based airline’s first fatal accident.
Associated Press journalists who reached the crash site saw a wide field of debris scattered across farmland. The dead lay among shattered pieces of the aircraft.
Rescuers in masks shouted over the noise of hovering helicopters as they worked.
“The fire is so heavy that we cannot (do) any rescue... we have 22 ambulances, four bus ambulances and a helicopter at the site,” Pirhossein Koulivand, head of Iran’s emergency services, told Iranian state television.
Debris is seen from the plane crash on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2019. ASSOCIATED PRESS
According to air tracking service FlightRadar24, the plane that crashed was Flight PS 752 and was flying to Kiev. The plane was three years old and was a Boeing 737-NG, it said.
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Boeing spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the company was aware of media reports of a plane crash in Iran and was gathering more information.
Part of the wreckage from Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752, a Boeing 737-800 plane that crashed after taking off from Tehran's Imam Khomeini airport on January 8, 2020 via REUTERS
The Boeing 737-800 is a very common single-aisle, twin-engine jetliner used for short to medium-range flights. Thousands of the planes are used by airlines around the world, PA Media reports.
Introduced in the late 1990s, it is an older model than the Boeing 737 MAX, which has been grounded for nearly 10 months following two deadly crashes.
The crash came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack targeting two bases in Iraq housing US forces in retaliation for the killing of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani.