thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--How Drinking Coffee On An Empty Stomach Affects The Body

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Maybe you start your day by rolling out of bed and shuffling straight to the kitchen for a cup of coffee. Or perhaps you’re in the habit of having black coffee before you eat anything else.
But is it bad to drink your morning brew before you have something in your stomach? While many people drink coffee before breakfast with no issues whatsoever, others have reported increased gastrointestinal upset or jitteriness if they don’t eat something first.
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“While coffee intake and the body’s response varies from person to person, some people may be especially sensitive to caffeine, perhaps more so on an empty stomach,” registered dietitian Alissa Rumsey — author of Unapologetic Eating— told HuffPost.
Research that specifically addresses the effects of coffee on an empty stomach is limited. And a strong link between coffee consumption and digestion issues, in general, has not been established.
Delmaine Donson via Getty Images Those sensitive to coffee and caffeine may notice it irritates their stomach more if they don't eat something first.
That said, it’s important to listen to how your body responds to coffee on an empty stomach, as we all tolerate what we eat and drink differently. If you feel fine after, then there’s no need to stop. But if you experience discomfort, you may want to adjust your habits.
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“When it comes to nutrition, there is really no one-size-fits-all approach,” said Stefani Sassos, registered dietitian for the Good Housekeeping Institute. “No one knows your body better than you do. Tolerance to coffee, and really any other beverages or foods, is very individual.”
We talked to experts about the potential downsides of drinking coffee on an empty stomach and what to do if it’s triggering unpleasant symptoms for you.
If You Have Digestive Problems
Coffee stimulates the production of acid in the stomach, which can be irritating to some, including those who deal with heartburn and reflux. For certain people, the discomfort may be more noticeable on an empty stomach. If that’s the case for you, registered dietitian Maya Feller of Maya Feller Nutrition recommends pairing your cup of joe with foods that calm stomach acidity.
“These include ripe bananas, oatmeal, eggs, non-citrus fruits, and whole-grain toast,” she said. “Be mindful of added sugars and synthetic creamers when enjoying your coffee, as they are known triggers for reflux and heartburn in some individuals.”
Coffee also increases contractions of the muscles in your colon, which is why it helps some people poop. While many regard that as a benefit, for some with preexisting gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or those prone to diarrhea, it could make their symptoms worse. Caffeine, a stimulant, is thought to play some role in the laxative effect of coffee. But other compounds in the beverage are likely responsible, too. That’s why even the decaffeinated variety can increase gut motility. (And having milk or cream with your coffee could be upsetting your stomach if you have a dairy sensitivity.)
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PeopleImages via Getty Images Even decaf can have a laxative effect in some people because of certain compounds found in coffee.
Know that eating also stimulates your digestive tract, though. So having a meal or snack with your coffee may not eliminate the urge to run to the bathroom, as one gastroenterologist told Health.com. However, you may want to avoid having coffee with whatever foods tend to trigger your GI symptoms.
Again, the key is to pay attention to how you feel. If you routinely experience discomfort when drinking coffee on an empty stomach and eating something with it doesn’t help, then you might consider cutting back on it.
“Oftentimes, the dose or quantity matters when it comes to foods or beverages and gastrointestinal tolerance,” Sassos said. “You may tolerate one cup of coffee just fine, but three cups causes severe discomfort. Listen to your body and adjust accordingly.”
If You Deal With Jitters Or Anxiety
Caffeine’s stimulant effects can mimic or heighten common anxiety symptoms such as nervousness, restlessness, trouble sleeping and rapid heart rate — particularly when consumed in larger doses. People with anxiety disorders may experience jitteriness from smaller amounts of caffeine than those not prone to anxiety. Up to 400 mg per day is thought to be safe for most healthy adults, but anxious individuals might get the jitters from 200 mg. (For reference, one cup of coffee brewed at home contains about 100 mg of caffeine.) So would eating something with your first cup of joe reduce those jitters?
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According to Marilyn Cornelis — a caffeine researcher and associate professor in the department of preventive medicine at Northwestern University — some scientific research suggests that consuming pure caffeine (i.e. not via coffee) with food “increases the time in which caffeine reaches peak levels in the blood and also decreases the peak concentration.”
“Theoretically, the latter would decrease any effects of caffeine, but this may vary by an individual’s sensitivity to caffeine,” she said, noting that the caffeine dose in such experiments is generally larger than the amount found in a single cup of coffee.
Johner Images via Getty Images People with anxiety may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine.
If you feel extra edgy after your cup of joe, see if having a meal or snack with your morning beverage makes a difference. The dip in blood sugar you experience when you haven’t eaten in a while can also contribute to feelings of anxiousness.
You might also think about decreasing your caffeine intake. “People susceptible to caffeine-induced anxiety may therefore benefit with eating something first, but why not reach for decaf instead or at least reduce the amount of coffee consumed?” Cornelis said.
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But It’s Possible Your Symptoms Have Nothing To Do With Coffee
Yes, it’s important to take note of any discomfort you feel after drinking coffee with or without food — or anything else you consume, for that matter. But as Rumsey pointed out, sometimes it’s not what we eat that’s responsible for our symptoms.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Easy Lasagna Recipes To Make With No-Boil Pasta

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Many staples of Italian cuisine are born out of a labour of love ― handmade pastas are meticulously kneaded and and cut, and sauces are slowly simmered for hours. But when you, a home cook, want to slap together an Italian-ish dinner, you don’t necessarily have time for that. Frankly, you may not even have time to boil a pot of lasagna, much less struggle with the slippery ribbons as you lay them out before assembly.
This is where no-boil lasagna come in. In an effort to save our time and energy, the modern food technology gods have created no-boil (sometimes called “oven-ready”) lasagna noodles, which are layered into your dish raw and come out of the oven fully cooked. We did a little research and after asking food scientists and some Italian chefs what they think of the shortcut, the answer is clear: If you’re looking for a reliable alternative to traditional noodles that’s fast and user-friendly, they’re worth it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--This Covid Christmas Will Leave Women More Burned Out Than Ever

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With women in heterosexual relationships typically taking on extra domestic and emotional labour at Christmas, the 2020 holiday season is shaping up to leave women more burned out than ever.
This year has already seen the added load of housework and caring during lockdowns falling mostly on women.
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In those first few months of lockdown, when childcare and education, normal paid work and every meal – as well as the extra tidying and cleaning – moved inside, numerous studies showed that, in heterosexual cohabiting relationships, most of this extra care has fallen on women, with women still spending an average of 15 hours more on domestic and caring duties each week than men.
Particularly for couples with young children, this tends to be seen as a fair division. Ask men whether they split household chores equally and they’ll often claim either that they do, or that their wives and girlfriends take on more because he undertakes (more) paid work outside the home.
JGI/Jamie Grill via Getty Images
In many cases though, household inequalities brought on by lockdowns are due to the same wider economic forces that have always seen women in heterosexual relationships do more of the housework. We still have a gender wage gap, which typically makes women the lower earner in relationships, in turn making women more likely to be the one to drop out of the paid workforce or take a pay cut.
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My husband claims that I do more around the house because he “doesn’t care” whether our home is as clean and tidy as I like it to be. In the before times, I would often be greeted at my friends’ and sisters’ homes with “excuse the mess!| (regardless of the actual mess levels), a phrase rarely heard when their male partners answered the door.
We don’t have children yet, but just the two of us at home in those first few weeks of lockdown seemed to create infinitely more laundry, more dishes, more mess to tidy up. We both moved to full-time working from home at first, but my husband runs a hospitality business, while my day job was relatively safe. The extra household chores (like the existing household chores) fell to me.
And suddenly, December is here. While I normally love the warmth and glitter of the festive season, even in normal times I usually feel like I need another break in January to recover. In a year that has already given women more housework than ever, can we expect Christmas to give us a chance to relax?
As well as the obvious uptick in cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping that comes with the season, women tend to take on the emotional labour of buying and wrapping presents, and writing and sending cards. In previous years – when there were events to go to – we also tended to be the ones arranging the household schedule. Which relatives are we seeing, and when? Where are we meeting friends? When is the work party? And the nativity show? And how are we ringing in the new year?
While a huge chunk of that has been taken away this year – my party dresses are gathering dust in my wardrobe, and I’m already receiving calendar invites for family get-togethers on Zoom – a Covid-Christmas brings its own issues. We’re navigating which in-laws to join in a “Christmas bubble”, and negotiating the safest way to see family within the rules.
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Amidst this, the pressure is on to make the interactions we can have more thoughtful. In lieu of hugs, some of the most tangible exchanges available are sending and receiving post (proper, handwritten post). Writing out names and addresses, adding personal notes, buying stamps and wrapping up to walk to the post box feels like the least we can do.
Many of us have returned to sending Christmas cards for the first time in years, and gift-giving is more important than ever this year – but this “kinship work” of maintaining family ties is typically seen as women’s work. When I was addressing cards, it was my mother and mother-in-law I messaged to find the addresses of cousins and other relatives.
My own husband doesn’t take part in the card-writing or the gift-planning, claiming again that he “isn’t bothered”. Don’t get me wrong, he gets the gifts I ask him to get, does the things I ask him to do. But it it is me who knows what we need to get, and what we already have, me who will wrap up the gifts and make sure we have stamps. As with household cleanliness, women tend to be the ones doing this work, because we’re the ones to be judged harshly when this work isn’t done.
In 2020, we are collectively experiencing more burnout than ever. We are looking for rest, for normalcy, for Christmas magic. Does it have to fall on wives and girlfriends to create that for their male partners? The emotional labour of running a household must still be done, so in this year of change, let’s flip the question of who does more housework and instead ask: who has more time to relax?


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-15--How To Tweak Your Christmas Plans To Minimise The Spread Of Covid

Your best bet is to figure out what you want to get out of Christmas Day in advance – and how long you’d like to be with loved ones. For example, could you spend a couple of hours in the morning opening presents together and then head back to your respective homes?
Professor Lucy Yardley, an expert in health psychology at the University of Bristol and University of Southampton, told HuffPost UK: “If you spend hours and hours together, especially if you start drinking, then the longer you stay together, not only is the virus likely to be accumulating in the air and on surfaces, but also your guard will be let down and it’s more likely you’ll start spreading the virus.”
Another way to “do the minimum” is leaving your own home as little as possible for the week or so before you are due to meet loved ones – and that means doing any last minute Christmas shopping online.
“If two households are joining a household over Christmas, it will help if everyone in the household stops all other socialising for at least five days beforehand and during their stay,” says Professor James Naismith, director of the Rosalind Franklin Institute.
This means “no seeing others or no one going to an indoor venue,” he adds.
And if you do plan on seeing others over the festive break, remember to check yourself for symptoms – a temperature, change in sense of smell or a persistent cough – every day for a week beforehand. If you have any of these symptoms, don’t mix with people. Prof Naismith concludes: “The new year will bring the vaccine, doing what we can now will mean more people live to take it.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--How Boris Johnson Still Wants To Have His (Christmas) Cake And Eat It

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For one awful moment I actually thought he was going to croon. He had already taunted Keir Starmer in PMQs with a Mariah Carey song (“All I want for Christmas is a view!”) Then, in his No.10 press conference, Boris Johnson channelled his inner Michael Bublé, riffing on “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” to get across his new message on Covid curbs this festive season.
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Replacing “merry” with “very”, the PM showed once again that he can’t resist falling back on his usual repertoire, namely making lame gags despite the seriousness of the subject matter. His previous attempt at a similar Christmas hit – ”’Tis The Season To Be Jolly Careful” – had bombed in the charts, but he was clearly undaunted.
Unsurprisingly, Johnson showed he still wants to have his Christmas cake and eat it. Terrified of a public backlash (or at least a newspaper backlash, something else entirely) at the prospect of new laws and regulations, he kept saying “We don’t want to ban Christmas, to cancel it...” Of course, tightening the rules would not mean banning Christmas, merely reducing its scope. Which, it turned out, is exactly what his new guidance entailed.
While the PM protested that everything was ultimately down to individual responsibility, it rapidly became clear that he was changing the guidance significantly. Try not to see any elderly relatives until after they have been vaccinated. Isolate five days before you see anyone new at Christmas. Avoid the Boxing Day sales. Don’t travel unless absolutely necessary. This was a U-turn that dare not speak its name.
When the actual updated joint England-Scotland-Wales-Northern Ireland guidance was published, the gap between the rhetoric and the reality could not have been starker. Forget all that talk of three households mixing and instead read this: “The safest way to spend this Christmas is with your own household or your existing support bubble in your own home – and we strongly recommend that this is what you do if at all possible.”
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It was left to Wales’ Mark Drakeford and Scotland’s Nicola Sturgeon to actually say that publicly, rather than leave it to the small print. And that’s really the problem in England: the mixed and messy messaging that has been allowed by the PM to run riot ever since he made his original announcement last month. Turns out the ‘Covid Winter Plan’ is as changeable as Rishi Sunak’s multiple personality ‘Winter Economy Plan’.
Among the lamest reasons given by the PM for not changing the law (but changing the guidance) was the sheer inconvenience of people having to amend their holiday plans. There are two obvious objections to that. First, he should have got his own plans right first time, Secondly, he had no qualms about the inconvenience of tearing up summer holiday plans for millions with a few hours’ notice, so what’s different about winter holiday plans?
The most striking thing today was Chris Whitty’s demeanour and his sheer frustration that he was even in this position, with soaring cases already posing a threat to the NHS at its most vulnerable time of the year in January. When he said “this is not a moment to relax at all – quite the reverse”, the whole Christmas strategy was laid bare. Johnson is indeed relaxing things when many health professionals think he should be tightening them or at least not letting up.
Of course, the key thing now is that the public are actually clear on what the public health message is. Whitty was right that just because a motorway has a 70mph limit, we don’t whizz down it when it’s covered with black ice. He could have added that many Brits don’t smoke even though smoking is legal. If there’s a proper public information campaign to ram home the advice on keeping Christmas “small”, the message could still land even at this late stage.
We should all cross our fingers that the counterbalancing impact of closed workplaces and closed schools will bring down the R number, even as the extra household mixing will push it in the other direction. If people do take a minimalist approach (and the closure of pubs and restaurants for 60% of the population in Tier 3 may help), the NHS could be spared the worst.
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What would also help (as the Cummings episode proved) is seeing the PM practice what he preaches. His own Christmas plans are apparently not yet sorted, his press secretary Allegra Stratton told us on Wednesday. Given the Brexit uncertainty that’s perhaps no surprise. But will the PM now commit to not travelling to his country mansion of Chequers, given it is in Tier 2, he lives in Tier 3 and Christmas should be “local”?
One Whitehall source tells me that Johnson does not plan to take a ministerial red box with him during the Christmas break. That suggests he is indeed planning to get away somewhere, and without the bother of official work. I know that sounds jaw-dropping, but it would fit with a man who spent the early pandemic in his other country pad of Chevening.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--SNP MP Suspended From Commons After Mace-Wielding Brexit Protest

Drew Hendry, SNP MP Drew Hendry, SNP MP
SNP MP Drew Hendry has been suspended from the Commons for refusing to stop a loud protest over Brexit legislation.
The party’s business spokesman could be heard shouting “this is an outrage” as a debate on the controversial Internal Market Bill came to a close on Thursday.
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Deputy speaker Dame Rosie Winterton told Hendry to sit down but the MP refused before proceeding to pick up the parliamentary mace and walk towards the door of the chamber.
He was stopped by the doorkeepers, who took the mace from him.
MPs could be heard describing Hendry’s actions as “outrageous” and referring to it as “another boring stunt”.
Winterton called the incident “very childish”, before undertaking the formal procedure of “naming” Hendry in order to suspend him for the rest of the day.
The mace is the symbol of royal authority and without it neither House can meet or pass laws.
Here's the moment that Drew Hendry was suspended from the Commons after protesting over the UK Internal Market Bill.
He refused to resume his seat and also picked up the parliamentary mace before being named by Deputy Speaker Dame Rosie Winterton.
More on @PA https://t.co/8iimFtoJUB pic.twitter.com/pT1voeMfUD — Lewis McKenzie (@LewisMcKenzie94) December 16, 2020
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The Bill sets out how trade within the UK will operate post-Brexit, but critics feared the legislation in its original form represented a power grab by Westminster at the expense of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Following a number of defeats by the House of Lords and extensive debate and negotiations, the government had a rethink and made changes that will allow the devolved administrations agreed divergence from internal market rules through so-called common frameworks.
During the earlier debate, as MPs discussed the concessions before signing off the Bill, Hendry warned: “The only reason for this Bill as it now stands is to demolish devolution.
“If the government takes this Bill forward today, as they obviously will, that is what they will be doing.”
He added: “People in Scotland when they see the effects of this Bill will be angry about the fact that their rights are being taken away by these Tory ministers aided by their Labour bedfellows.
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“They will be furious about the fact that their rights are being stripped from them and they’re listening and they’re watching and they’re seeing developments in this place and they’re understanding now that the only way to protect their Parliament, to protect their rights, to protect their democracy in Scotland is to go forward as an independent nation and they’ll be voting for that I’m sure in due course.”
The SNP’s Mike Russell, the constitution secretary for the Scottish Government, praised Hendry for “speaking truth to power”.
He wrote on Twitter: “Congratulations to him.
“The Bill is undemocratic and undermines the rights of all Scottish & Welsh citizens. Legislative consent has been rejected by @ScotParl & @SeneddWales.
“The Tory UK government should have withdrawn it.”
Following his suspension, Hendry said: “This dangerous piece of legislation will enable Westminster ministers to have the right to override the decisions of the Scottish parliament by imposing lower food, environmental and other devolved standards on Scotland – regardless of the view of Holyrood.
“It undermines devolved policy making, grabs spending powers and removes state aid from being a devolved responsibility. It needs to be ditched.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Covid Rules: How Boris Johnson's Christmas Bubble Plan Came Close To Popping

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The UK has spent the last couple of days waiting to find out whether Boris Johnson might reluctantly turn families’ Christmas plans on their heads amid rising Covid-19 rates.
Not only have coronavirus infections risen by almost 29% in a week, but London – along with large parts of Essex and Hertfordshire – have been plunged into the strictest tier 3 restrictions.
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According to the BBC, 34m people in England are now living under “very high alert” coronavirus rules.
All of this led to medics and scientists seriously urging the PM to scrap his plan to allow people to form a three-household Christmas bubble between December 23 and 27, saying it could lead to a third wave of the virus.
So how did we end up here, with the public essentially left to decide for themselves the safest way to celebrate Christmas?
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November 24
With just over a month to go until Christmas Day, Johnson – in collaboration with national leaders – laid out his plans for the festive season.
Under the agreed system, coronavirus restrictions would be eased between December 23 and 27 to allow three households to come together to form a Christmas bubble, with travel restrictions also relaxed to allow people to get home.
This decision was made despite numerous warnings from experts about the dangers of relaxing the Covid rules over Christmas.
All four UK nations have agreed that from the 23rd to the 27th of December, you will be able to form a Christmas bubble of no more than three households.
https://t.co/5qLRcLBP8W pic.twitter.com/boonZD27Q8 — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 24, 2020
In a video on Twitter, the PM said the “special dispensation” would allow families to reunite.
However, he urged people to think twice about who they decided to bubble-up with – especially elderly or vulnerable people.
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“Tis the season to be jolly, but tis also the season to be jolly careful,” he said.
November 25
Westend61 via Getty Images
Despite the PM urging caution, scientists wasted little time in warning the Christmas bubble plan was “throwing fuel on the Covid fire” and could lead to a third wave of coronavirus.
Professor Andrew Hayward – a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies – made it very clear he was less than impressed with the idea.
He told BBC2’s Newsnight: “I think it will definitely lead to increased transmission. It is likely to lead to a third wave of infection, with hospitals being overrun, and more unnecessary deaths.
“We are still in a country where we have got high levels of infection with Covid, particularly in young people. Bringing them together for hours, let alone days, with elderly relatives, I think, is a recipe for regret for many families.”
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Hayward added that with vaccines on the way “we are really in danger of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory on this one”.
December 2
England’s second lockdown ended, with the vast majority of the country placed into strict tier 2 and tier 3 restrictions. Only the Isle of Wight, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly made it into tier 1, which still allows mixing indoors with people from outside your household.
December 8
The first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine were handed out to the public.
December 14
Two people wearing face masks walk beneath an archway in Covent Garden in London, which has moved into the highest tier of coronavirus restrictions as a result of soaring case rates. PA
It was on Monday that the debate about Christmas really began to hot up after it was announced that London – along with large parts of Essex and Hertfordshire – was set to enter tier 3 restrictions amid rising coronavirus rates.
Amid questions about whether the government would push ahead with its plan at “any cost”, health secretary Matt Hancock acknowledged the potential dangers of meeting up, advising people to try and self-isolate if they plan to meet up with elderly relatives.
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Meanwhile, Professor Christina Pagel – a member of the Independent Sage group – told HuffPost UK that the government must make it clear that “could does not mean should” when it comes to Christmas.
“I think what the government needs to do now – given that it has already said what the rules are for Christmas and people have made plans accordingly – is to give the messaging that, just because you can, it doesn’t mean you should,” she said.
Chris Hopson, chief of NHS Providers, said that a bump in cases in the US following Thanksgiving at the end of November should serve as a warning about Christmas.
“Over the last fortnight, as of yesterday in the States, the number of cases has gone up by 25 per cent, the number of hospitalisations has gone up by 20 per cent in a fortnight, and the number of deaths has gone up by 60 per cent in a fortnight,” he told the BBC.
“That gives you pretty clear evidence that we already knew that when you increase social contacts, then surprise, surprise, you get further virus spread and you get a higher death rate.”
December 15
On Tuesday, ministers and devolved leaders met to discuss Christmas freedoms amid fears about the impact relaxing coronavirus rules could have.
It followed a joint warning from the British Medical Journal and Health Service Journal that allowing people to form Christmas bubbles could lead to a spike in Covid-19 infections, leaving the NHS overwhelmed and the UK in the midst of a third wave.
December 16
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a virtual press conference inside 10 Downing Street in central London on December 16, 2020. MATT DUNHAM via Getty Images
That brings us to Wednesday – just a week before people across the UK had planned to travel home for Christmas.
Despite speculation the PM’s Christmas bubble plan might have been popped altogether, Johnson instead confirmed that people would still be allowed to socialise with two other households over the festive period.
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“We don’t want to criminalise people’s long-made plans,” he told MPs. Instead, he urged the public to be “extremely cautious” in their behaviour.
Johnson added: “It’s absolutely vital that people should – at this very, very tricky time – exercise a high degree of personal responsibility, especially when they come into contact with elderly people, and avoid contact with elderly people wherever possible.”
In short – no-one is going to stop you forming a three-household bubble, but it’s down to you, rather than the government, to decide if that’s actually safe.
However, it quickly transpired that this would not actually be the case in Wales, where authorities confirmed that Christmas socialising would be limited to two households by law.
A third household will only be allowed to join the bubble if it’s someone who lives alone.
While Scotland has not imposed any additional rules, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said that her “strong recommendation” was for people to “stay within your own household and your own home”.
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Later on Wednesday, Johnson also warned the public to have a smaller Christmas than the rules allow.
“A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas,” he said.
Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, he advised people to reduce contact with others from this Friday and cut down the time spent with others over Christmas.
What next?
Between December 23 and 27, people will legally be allowed to travel across the country – and between nations – to visit family.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Brexit: Parliament Could Be Recalled 'As Early As Next Week' To Vote On Deal

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Boris Johnson could recall parliament “as early as next week” to vote on a Brexit trade deal, Downing Street has said.
MPs are due to head home for their Christmas break on Thursday when, as usual, parliament goes into recess for the festive season.
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But in a clear sign that an agreement with Brussels is close, Number 10 has said MPs and peers could be asked to return in just a few days’ time.
Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle can recall parliament at Johnson’s request with 48 hours’ notice, which includes weekends.
A No.10 spokesman said: “Time is now in short supply to reach an agreement with the EU and we expect discussions will continue over the coming days.”
They added: “In the absence of further substantive business, we will – subject to usual approval by the House – go into recess tomorrow [Thursday], but with the knowledge that we will recall MPs and Peers to legislate for a deal if one is secured.
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“That recall could be as early as next week.”
It means that parliamentarians could be debating and voting on a Brexit deal legislation right up until New Year.
With the transition period due to end on December 31, time is running out, though UK and EU negotiators are thought to be hammering out the final details.
Screen grab of Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle speaking during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, London. PA
Disagreement on fishing quotas, fair competition rules and dispute resolution is thought to be the final hurdle.
No.10 added: “Parliament has long shown it can move at pace and the country would expect nothing less.
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“The process for recall will align with the process for finalising the legislation for a deal, if one is secured, and no time will be lost.
“Under the recall process, we will adapt the days’ proceedings to focus exclusively on the passage of that legislation. This may mean meeting at an earlier time.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Unite Chief Warns Keir Starmer Against ‘Sitting On The Fence’ About Brexit Bill

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One of Britain’s most senior trade union chiefs has urged Keir Starmer and Labour MPs to vote for a Brexit trade deal agreed between Boris Johnson and the EU.
Steve Turner, assistant general secretary at Unite and a favourite to replace Len McCluskey, has posted a video message in which he told the party: “No sitting on the fence, no abstentions, no messing about.”
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Starmer is under pressure from several of his shadow ministers and many pro-Remain party members to abstain or vote against a Johnson deal, with many believing it undermines Labour’s ability to criticise a bad agreement.
But he is also facing calls from both the left and centre of his party not to send the wrong message to former Labour voters who switched to the Tories in 2019, while retaining the ability to improve on the trade deal if Labour wins power.
In the new video, seen by HuffPost UK, Turner says: “Just days to go, we say to Boris Johnson: get the deal done. And to Labour we say: no sitting on the fence, no abstentions, no messing about.
“We’ve left the EU and a vote against the deal now will have one outcome: a no-deal. A no-deal will be catastrophic for jobs, our manufacturing heartlands and our economy.
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“A deal, however thin and failing, will still provide a foundation to build on over coming months and years. We can plug the holes and fill the gaps.”
The Labour leader has been warned that if he tries to whip his MPs to vote for a Tory Brexit deal he risks resignations from his shadow ministerial team, albeit at a junior level.
Among the senior figures reported to be uncomfortable about backing the deal are shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds, shadow trade secretary Emily Thornberry and shadow justice secretary David Lammy.
Starmer gave a hint recently that he would back a deal rather than abstain, when he said to Boris Johnson: “If there is a deal, then my party will vote in the national interest – not on party lines, as he is doing.”
He has vowed to scrutinise closely any deal brought back from Brussels, but trade unions like Unite fear Labour could repeat the mistakes of the 2019 election when Jeremy Corbyn was seen as indecisive on the key issue.
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Amid intense speculation that a deal is close between the UK and the EU, parliament still has to ratify one in legislation before December 31.
Emergency plans are being drafted to give the Commons and the Lords time to pass the treaty.
Labour’s shadow trade minister Lucy Powell told HuffPost UK’s Commons People podcast this month that the party “can’t keep putting two fingers up to people if we want them to vote for us again”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Covid Christmas Guidelines: Here’s The New Advice On Mixing, Travel And Crowds

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Boris Johnson has announced a change in advice for what people should do over the Christmas period.
The government will ease coronavirus restrictions and legally allow up to three households to mix between December 23 and 27.
But while this law will not change, in most parts of the UK, the prime minister has substantially changed what he would like people to do.
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“A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas,” the prime minister told a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday. “Have yourselves a merry little Christmas — and, I’m afraid this year I do mean little.”
Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, summarised the guidelines as: “Keep it small. Keep it short. Keep it local.”
Number of households
Johnson said while up to three households were allowed to mix legally as a “bubble”, “these are maximums and not targets to aim for”.
He said people should avoid staying away from home overnight if they can.
And the prime minister advised that people should consider delaying seeing elderly relatives entirely until they have been vaccinated.
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In Scotland, first minister Nicola Sturgeon said her “strong recommendation” was that people “stay within your own household and your own home”.
But in Wales, first minister Mark Drakeford asked that “only two” households should mix over Christmas rather than three.
And the Welsh government has gone further by moving to change the law to reduce the number of households who are allowed to mix to two households plus one single person household.
Travel
The prime minister has asked people to “reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible” for five days before visiting others for Christmas.
He also said if “possible” people should avoid travelling from a high prevalence to a lower prevalence area.
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Crowds
Johnson said people should “think carefully” about avoiding crowds in the Boxing Day sales.
And he said “no one” should be gathering in large groups to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Barcroft Media via Getty Images
The new guidance came after Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove held talks involving the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Johnson has been under intense pressure to scrap or at least scale back the Christmas relaxation amid fears it will lead to a surge in cases, particularly given the experience in the US since Thanksgiving in November.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Boris Johnson Tells Public To Have ‘Smaller’ Christmas Than Rules Allow

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Boris Johnson has urged the public to have a “smaller Christmas” than the Covid rules allow.
As it stands, three households are able to form a Christmas bubble over five days, from December 23 to December 27, in England.
But, speaking at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday, the prime minister called on everyone “to exercise extreme caution” and the “greatest possible personal responsibility”.
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“A smaller Christmas is going to be a safer Christmas and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas,” he said.
Johnson stopped short of legally changing the rules, saying it would be “frankly inhuman and against the instincts of many” to effectively “ban Christmas”.
But he issued new advice, telling people to reduce contact with others from this Friday and cut down the time spent with others over Christmas.
People planning to see families at Christmas should avoid travelling from “high prevalence” areas to those with lower coronavirus case rates and not to stay overnight if possible, he said.
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He further suggested people should delay seeing an elderly relative until they have been vaccinated, avoid going to crowded Boxing Day sales, and not gather in large groups indoors to celebrate New Year.
Chief medical officer Chris Whitty, who appeared alongside the PM, said: “Keep it small, keep it short, keep it local, and think of the vulnerable.”
Wales and Scotland have issued stronger guidance for the festive season, however.
A view of a Christmas tree on Old Bond Street. SIPA USA/PA Images
First minister of Wales Mark Drakeford said people should stick to a limit of two, rather than three, households could form a Christmas bubble.
The Scottish government, meanwhile, has advised that a bubble of no more than two households should not meet up for more than a day and avoid staying overnight together.
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Johnson said the government was forced to act amid a rise in coronavirus infections in recent days.
He said: “When we say three households can meet on five days I want to stress these are maximums and not targets to aim for.
“It’s always going to be safest to minimise the number of people you meet. That means if you are visiting others over Christmas we’re asking you in the five days beforehand, as early as this Friday, to reduce the number of people you are in contact with to the lowest possible.
“If possible don’t travel from a high prevalence to a lower prevalence area and avoid staying away from home overnight if you can.”
He went on: “And whatever your plans for Christmas, please think carefully about avoiding crowds in the Boxing Day sales.
“And no one should be gathering in large groups to see in the new year.”
He added: “If you have an elderly relative you might want to delay seeing them until they have been vaccinated.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--Love Actually Director Reveals The Huge Secret He Kept From Martine McCutcheon Prior To Filming

Love Actually director Richard Curtis has revealed he kept a big secret from a nervous Martine McCutcheon after she signed on for the film.
The former EastEnders star appeared Hugh Grant’s love interest Natalie in the 2003 festive rom-com.
And while she admitted to having imposter syndrome appearing alongside a number of Hollywood stars, Richard originally hid the fact he’d written the part of Natalie especially for her.
Martine played Natalie in Love Actually Universal
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Richard made the revelation in a video to promote a Love Actually quiz in aid of Comic Relief, explaining that the scripts had been written using Martine’s real name.
“When I was writing the film, I was absolutely determined that Martine was going to play the woman that Hugh Grant fell in love with,” he said.
“It was only when we were about to have the read-through, which was actually sort of going to be her audition, that I suddenly realised I had called the character Martine.
“So literally the day before, we did that sort of ‘change all’ thing on the computer. [We] changed everything to ‘Natalie’ suddenly, and then hoped it would be okay, because we didn’t want Martine to see the part was for her and then do so badly and be sad for the rest of her life.
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“But she was absolutely perfect at the read-through, as we expected,” he added.
Reflecting on joining the cast, Martine also said: “I spent most of my life with imposter syndrome thinking I was going to be kicked out of anywhere fabulous.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-16--No.10 Says Dominic Cummings' 40% Pay Hike Was 'Correct' As He Was 'Important'

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Downing Street has defended Dominic Cummings’ £40,000 pay rise despite the fury it sparked from both government staffers and opposition parties.
Boris Johnson’s top adviser was handed a 40% pay rise in 2020 despite causing outrage by apparently breaking coronavirus rules – travelling to Durham during the spring lockdown and then visiting Barnard Castle with his wife and son to test his “eyesight”.
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The revelation that Cummings was now being paid between £140,000 and £144,999 was seized upon by Labour leader Keir Starmer, who asked the prime minister on Wednesday “how on earth” it was justified when millions of public sector workers have had their pay frozen.
At PMQs, Johnson did not respond to the question, while the Labour leader joked Cummings’ pay hike “wasn’t performance-related”.
But afterwards his press secretary Allegra Stratton insisted Cummings was being paid the “correct” salary because he was “one of the most important” advisers in the government.
Stratton told reporters: “It’s the case that Dominic Cummings’ revised salary reflected the fact that up until his departure he was one of, if not the, most important special adviser.
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“And the new salary he received was, as you know, in line with the salary that chiefs of staff and people of that rank received
“So it’s not that his new salary took him over and above what you expect for the kind of role he performed.”
Asked if the pay rise was a good use of taxpayers’ money, Stratton said: “It’s the correct level of salary for the role Dominic Cummings performed.
“Dominic Cummings was a valued member of staff.”
The decision to hike Cummings’ pay by 40% sparked fury among government special advisers, most of whom only got a 1% increase.
On Tuesday, one Whitehall source told HuffPost UK that the raise was a “disgrace”.
“He always said he was gonna find a way to reward spads who were doing a good job,” they said.
“All he did was secure a massive pay hike for himself.”
Cummings walked out of Downing Street last month amid controversy over appointments at No.10 and an inquiry into the leaking of the PM’s decision on the November lockdown.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Secondary Schools To Have 'Staggered' Return After Christmas, No.10 Confirms

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Secondary schools will have a “staggered” return in January, Downing Street has confirmed.
Exam-year students, vulnerable children and children of critical workers will go back to school as normal after the Christmas holidays, but the majority of secondary school pupils will start the term online.
It is hoped the staggered return will allow headteachers to roll out mass testing of children and staff in the new year.
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Primary school pupils will go back to school as normal in January, alongside students in exam years, vulnerable pupils and key workers’ children.
In a statement released on Thursday education secretary Gavin Williamson said all pupils would be back in face-to-face education from January 11.
Williamson said: “This targeted testing round will clamp down on the virus as students return from the Christmas break and help stop the spread of Covid-19 in the wider community.
“This additional testing will catch those who have the virus but are not showing symptoms to help schools and colleges stay in control of the virus throughout the spring term.
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“The new programme of daily testing for close contacts of those with confirmed cases of the virus will also mean we can keep more pupils in school, the best place for their development and wellbeing.”
Schools and colleges will, in January, offer students two rapid tests three days apart, with positive results confirmed by a lab-based PCR test.
The DfE has said it will soon provide guidance on how to set up and staff testing sites, with armed forces personnel expected to be involved. The statement from the DfE said “reasonable workforce costs” would be reimbursed.
Those students attending face-to-face education in the first week of term will be offered the first testing dates.
With attendance plummeting as the Christmas holidays approach and cases soar in some parts of the country, schools have found themselves at the centre of a row over whether or not pupils should be allowed to learn remotely during the final days of term.
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Williamson has vetoed this idea, threatening legal action against councils and schools who have said they will move to online teaching.
A number of councils in London have now reported contact from the Department for Education (DfE) warning them of potential legal action if they go ahead with closing early amid soaring cases. However, some private schools, such as Eton, have closed early.
The Labour-run Greenwich and Islington councils were forced to row back on their advice for pupils to be taught at home in the last few days of term.
Waltham Forest Council, also under Labour control, said schools in the north-east London borough had been threatened with potential legal action by the government if they followed the council’s advice to shift learning online.
A fourth Labour-run council, Redbridge, said it would support a switch to online learning as schools faced “huge strain” due to the impact of local coronavirus cases.
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The DfE said on Tuesday that lateral flow tests would be deployed to all secondary schools and colleges to “help detect asymptomatic cases and break chains of transmission”.
It is estimated by the government that one in three people who are infected with Covid-19 do not have symptoms.
As part of the new testing programme, students who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will also be eligible for daily testing for seven days.
Under current rules, everyone in a school bubble must self-isolate if someone within it tests positive for Covid-19.
But from January, those who agree to daily tests will not have to self-isolate. School staff will also be eligible for daily testing if they have been identified as a close contact.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Jacob Rees-Mogg Says Unicef 'Should Be Ashamed Of Itself' For Feeding Hungry Children

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Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has said Unicef “should be ashamed of itself” for pledging £25,000 to feed hungry children in the UK, accusing the UN agency of “playing politics”.
It emerged on Wednesday that – for the first time in its 70-year history – Unicef had launched a domestic emergency response in a bid to help feed hungry children affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
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It has pledged £25,000 to help send breakfast boxes over the school Christmas holidays to 1,800 families in south London struggling as a result of the pandemic.
The agency said the outbreak of Covid-19 was the most urgent crisis affecting children since the Second World War.
But when Rees-Mogg – who is the leader of the House of Commons – was asked about this by Labour’s Zarah Sultana on Thursday morning, he hit out at Unicef.
Sultana, who is the MP for Coventry South, said: “For the first time ever, Unicef, the UN agency responsible for providing humanitarian aid to children, is having to feed working-class kids in the UK.
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“But while children go hungry, a wealthy few enjoy obscene riches. From Tory donors handed billions in dodgy contracts to people like the Leader of the House, who is reportedly in line to receive an £800,000 dividend payout this year.
“So will [Rees-Mogg] give government time to discuss the need to make him and his super-rich chums pay their fair share so that we can end the grotesque inequality that scars our society?”
Rees-Mogg hit back in response to the question, saying: “I think it is a real scandal that Unicef should be playing politics in this way when it is meant to be looking after people in the poorest, the most deprived, countries of the world where people are starving, where there are famines and where there are civil wars, and they make cheap political points of this kind, giving, I think, £25,000 to one council. It is a political stunt of the lowest order.”
He said the government has committed to reducing child poverty, has expanded free school meals to all five- to seven-year-olds and is spending £400m on supporting vulnerable children, families and people.
The MP for North East Somerset added: “Since 2010 to 2018/19, there are 100,000 fewer children in absolute poverty in this country.
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“This is a record success of conservatism and Unicef should be ashamed of itself.”
His comments have been slammed by Labour MPs, including deputy leader Angela Rayner.
Jacob Rees-Mogg says that @UNICEF should be ashamed of itself for stepping in to feed hungry children in Britain.
I say @Jacob_Rees_Mogg @BorisJohnson @RishiSunak and the rest of the government shoud be ashamed of themselves for letting children go hungry. — 🌈 Angela Rayner 🌈 (@AngelaRayner) December 17, 2020
Meanwhile, Sultana – who asked the question in parliament – added: “It’s shameful for kids to go hungry. It’s not shameful to feed them.”
Responding to Jacob Rees-Mogg’s comments in the Commons, Anna Kettley – who is the director of Unicef UK’s programmes and advocacy – said: “Unicef UK is responding to this unprecedented crisis and building on our 25 years’ experience of working on children’s rights in the UK with a one-off domestic response, launched in August, to provide support to vulnerable children and families around the country during this crisis period.
“In partnership with Sustain, the food and farming alliance, over £700k of Unicef UK funds is being granted to community groups around the country to support their vital work helping children and families at risk of food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic.”
She added: “Unicef will continue to spend our international funding helping the world’s poorest children. We believe that every child is important and deserves to survive and thrive no matter where they are born.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Covid Rules: More Areas Of South-East And East Of England Put Into Tier 3 Lockdown

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More areas of south-east and east England will move into tier 3 Covid restrictions, health secretary Matt Hancock has said.
From Saturday, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Peterborough, all of Hertfordshire, Surrey excluding Waverley, Hastings and Rother, as well as Portsmouth, Gosport and Havant in Hampshire will all face the toughest local lockdown measures.
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Bristol and North Somerset were also lowered to tier 2, he told the Commons, and Herefordshire would move to tier 1.
The minister also said the areas currently in tier 3, which include Manchester and all of the north-east, would not be moved.
“I regret having to take the action that we have to take,” Hancock told MPs.
“I deem it necessary and there is a strong view right across government that these actions are necessary.
“But I also plead that personal responsibility is absolutely essential to how we as a society should respond to this pandemic.”
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Hancock said there were 25,161 new cases on Wednesday and 18,038 people in hospital with the disease.
Warning the winter months “are always the most difficult months for people’s health and for the NHS”, he urged caution and said: “We’ve come so far, we mustn’t blow it now.”
Health secretary Matt Hancock in the House of Commons Handout . / Reuters
London, most of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire were moved into tier 3 on Wednesday as part of an emergency review earlier this week following a major spike in infections in the south east.
“It’s so vital that everyone sticks at it and does the right thing, especially over this Christmas period,” Hancock added.
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“It’s important to remember that this can be a silent disease. One in three people who have the disease has no symptoms but can still pass it on.
“Everyone, therefore, has a personal responsibility to play their part in keeping this pandemic under control.”
It comes after Boris Johnson urged the public to have a “smaller” Christmas than the rules allow amid widespread fear the five-day relaxation of rules will lead to a third wave when the NHS is most under pressure.
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth urged Johnson and Hancock to rethink the measures.
He said: “This isn’t about cancelling Christmas, Santa will still deliver his presents, but is (Hancock) really telling us that allowing indoor mixing of three households across regions and generations for five days is sensible given the virus is raging with such ferocity at the moment?
“And the devastating tragedy is that those who will be most impacted by this virus spreading through the easing are those who will be at the front of the queue for the vaccine in the next month or two.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--No, It's Not 'Too Late' To Cancel Christmas – Just Remember Eid

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This year, the extent of the British government’s incompetence has been especially galling. From u-turns galore to a shambolic Brexit negotiation, and now the Christmas reprieve.
Apparently, Covid-19 will just take five days off if we kindly let it know that Christmas has arrived. Oh, wait, that actually isn’t the case, and whether your Christmas is big or small, as Boris Johnson put it, covid doesn’t care – it’s a deadly virus.
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Eid, Diwali and Rosh Hashanah were all celebrated in lockdown and yet Johnson, defending his government’s easing of restrictions, said it would be “inhumane” to cancel Christmas.
The disparity of approach towards these religious holidays and Christmas is stark. Why wasn’t it “inhumane” to cancel households mixing for Eid hours just before the celebrations began?
Johnson continued: “It would not be right to criminalise those who have made plans and simply want to spend time with their loved ones.”
Where was this thought process when all the other religious holidays happened? It’s like the government wants to encourage religious animosity through the disparity of treatment towards different groups.
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And while we all bicker among ourselves about Christmas being allowed to happen or not, and the fairness of other religious holidays being celebrated in isolation, the government can continue its rampage of incompetence unchallenged by the public.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the national response was inspiring and why wouldn’t it be? This country has weathered storms before. People were there for one another – we helped our communities, made masks by the shed load, clapped for our key workers, looked after those who were isolating and helped our neighbours.
“So ask yourself – what price are you willing to pay for five days of festivities?”
A snap YouGov poll in September showed that 78% of British people supported lockdown restrictions, including closing pubs, bars and restaurants at 10pm and limiting indoor sports activities, as well as asking people to work from home. Almost half of Brits even believed the measures didn’t go far enough.
And so I refuse to allow the government to frame household mixing as the only option, and place the responsibility for covid on the public just so the government can say the public didn’t listen come January when infection rates inevitably explode.
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The public has been listening from the very beginning. We’ve done our part, despite the convoluted messaging from the government.
The lack of leadership or responsibility from those in government has cost hundreds of lives during this pandemic, and if that isn’t a damning indictment of the failure of this government, yesterday it was announced that for the first time in 70 years, UNICEF will be feeding hungry children in the UK affected by the covid crisis.
What exactly is the British government doing other than lining the pockets of its rich friends and the private sector? If we want to recover from this pandemic we need actual, genuine leadership.
So this is my plea. There is still time to cancel the Christmas easing of restrictions – it’s really not too late. It is the most ethical and human option.
Johnson must give up his obsession with playing into the politics of likability and lead this country out of this pandemic by making some difficult decisions because that is what leaders do. Or rather, that is what leaders are supposed to do.
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If in September the public agreed to restrictions and almost half of the public agreed that the measures weren’t strong enough, then who exactly is benefitting from the publicity parade of household mixing for Christmas other than Johnson?
Cancelling Christmas will be hard, yes, it will be difficult to have a Christmas separated from family and loved ones. But the government must take responsibility instead of normalising 500 deaths a day. These aren’t just numbers these are people; aunties, uncles, grandparents, sons and daughters now gone.
Allowing the mixing of households is sending people to their deaths, it’s disrespecting all those who weren’t able to be by loved ones sides this year in their final moments, and it shows a complete disregard for the strain this will cause to our already overburdened NHS.
Our key workers have been overworked and underpaid for too long. A Christmas reprieve will send us hurtling into another lockdown in the new year, which will have a lasting effect on our already struggling economy.
I’m tired of covid. I want my life back, just like you. This has been a year of sacrifice for all of us. But now, as we see hope on the horizon for the first time with the vaccine rollout, celebrating Christmas would be akin to throwing all our efforts to the curb. So ask yourself – what price are you willing to pay for five days of festivities?
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Nick Ferrari: Police 'Assessing' Hate Crime Allegation Against Top LBC Host

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Comments by LBC host Nick Ferrari about “Jamaican rapists and paedophiles” have been reported to the Metropolitan Police as an alleged hate crime, HuffPost UK can reveal.
On December 3, during a live broadcast discussion about 23 people being removed from a deportation plane bound for Jamaica due to legal challenges, Ferrari said: “Fairly soon there will be a Jamaican rapist or paedophile coming to a street near you.”
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The Home Office had previously said the people being deported were “dangerous foreign criminals” and among them were murderers and rapists, but it declined to provide a full list of convictions when asked by HuffPost UK.
Ferrari’s comment sparked backlash, with many people condemning his words as inflammatory and promoting stereotypes which will stoke division and fear of Black people.
Thousands of people signed a Change.org petition against Ferrari, while campaign groups including the InfluencHers and Windrush National Organisation are calling for him to be sacked.
“We can confirm we have received an allegation of hate crime in relation to an alleged comment made on a radio broadcast on [December 3]. The matter is currently being assessed,” a Met spokesperson told HuffPost UK.
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Outraged listeners also flagged Ferrari’s remarks to Ofcom. A spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “We are assessing the complaints against our broadcasting rules, but are yet to decide whether or not to investigate.”
Nick Ferrari Scott Garfitt - PA Images via Getty Images
Discussing the removal of people from the flight, Ferrari had told his listeners: “We spoke a couple of days ago about those Jamaican nationals – the rapists, paedophiles and murderers. Don’t worry, the lawyers have had their say, aided by some celebrities and a lot of Labour politicians.
“Many of them currently now reside in this country, are unlikely to be deported, so probably will be freed. So that’s great work by various celebrities – Thandie Newton is one of them, Naomi Campbell got involved as well [...]. So fairly soon there could be a Jamaican rapist or paedophile coming to a street near you.”
It comes as Labour leader Keir Starmer faced fresh criticism on Monday morning for his “failure to challenge full-blown white supremacism” during his weekly appearance on Ferrari’s LBC show.
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There needs to be a full explanation and apology from Labour's leadership about this diabolical failure to challenge full-blown white supremacism on national radio.
(Watch this 1:10 in, I nearly clawed my eyes out) pic.twitter.com/kUoCpgAOWP — Owen Jones 🌹 (@OwenJones84) December 14, 2020
During a discussion about Millwall football fans booing players for taking the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, a caller rang in to explain why her husband had joined in.
“If anything, the racial inequality is now against the indigenous people of Britain because we are set to become a minority,” she said, adding: “We just have to look across to the Middle East. Israel has a state law that they are the only people in that country to have self-determination – well why can’t I, as a white, British female, have that same right?”
Starmer told the caller he doesn’t think that booing was the right thing to do – but neither he nor Ferrari responded to her stance regarding “the indigenous people of Britain”.
“We all have those rights,” Starmer said. “This is about recognising some injustice that’s gone on for a very long time. And I think people were genuinely moved this year and want to make sure that that injustice is dealt with. People will look at it different ways but I think the vast majority of people do want a more equal society.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Test And Trace Records Best Ever Week For Contact Tracing

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The Test and Trace system has recorded its best ever week for contact tracing, hitting its target for only the second time since May, new figures reveal.
The proportion of “close contacts” of people with Covid in England reached was 92.7% for the week ending December 2, according to the most recent figures.
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Despite running for more than six months, Test and Trace only managed to hit it’s 80% target for the first time since May on December 10 – reaching 85.7% of close contacts of people with Covid-19 in England.
During one week in October the system only managed to trace 59.6% of contacts. The government’s own scientific advisers have said that the entire system is only viable if it meets the 80% target.
The key driver for improved performance was the decision only to phone households once when they’ve been in contact with a positive coronavirus case, instead of calling individual household members.
The service had been getting complaints from the public about being “bombarded” with phone calls to the same home and decided in mid-November to change its practices.
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Figures in early December were the first time that under-18s in a household were no longer contact traced individually, provided the parent or guardian in the household confirmed they had completed their legal duty to inform their child to self-isolate.
“These operational improvements have resulted in an increase in the proportion of contacts reached and the proportion reached within 24 hours,” the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said.
The budget for Test and Trace is now £22bn, equivalent to almost a fifth of the entire NHS budget for one year, and has faced intense criticism for its use of private sector firms such as Serco and Deloitte.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Tory MP Says 'Christmas Party' At Private Members' Club Was 'Business Meeting'

Tory MP Tobias Ellwood Peter Nicholls / Reuters
Senior Tory MP Tobias Ellwood was among 27 people at a “Christmas party” held at a private members’ club amid tough Covid lockdown restrictions.
The former defence minister claims the event, at the Cavalry and Guards Club in London’s Piccadilly on Tuesday, was a “business dinner” and therefore exempt from the tier 2 restrictions the capital was under at the time.
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According to the Mail Online, Ellwood gave a speech at the gathering, organised by the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC), and insists he was “introduced to business people” and that “it was a proper business function”.
Mr Ellwood gave a speech at the event and then says he was "introduced to business people... It was a proper business function"
The Commons defence committee chair says there were no Christmas crackers and when asked if turkey was served for the meal said: "No I don't think so" pic.twitter.com/Fs00CeKVTr — John Stevens (@johnestevens) December 16, 2020
Under tier 2 restrictions, the mixing of households indoors is banned.
Pubs can only serve alcohol with a substantial meal and people should work from home where possible.
Business meetings of up to 30 people, where there is no alternative, are allowed.
According to reports, around 27 people were at the event and the IBBC removed an original description of the gathering as Christmas party when approached by reporters.
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London was moved into the toughest local lockdown, tier 3, on Wednesday after a massive spike in infections prompted Boris Johnson to act sooner than the scheduled tiers review on Thursday.
Ellwood said in a statement to the Mail: “I would not be attending a Christmas party, it was a business meeting.
“I went there to meet business people and that is what it was. The club went to extreme lengths so that as a business function it was absolutely Covid-compliant.”
He reportedly admitted 27 people were at the event but said “they all followed the guidance”.
“It is absolutely right that everybody should follow the rules. The club confirm that the rules were not broken,” he said.
He denied that there were Christmas crackers and that turkey was served, adding: “There was a proper formal address and then I was introduced to business people. It was a proper business function.’
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Ellwood’s latest words in the Commons, on Monday, warned health secretary Matt Hancock that the five-day. relaxation of rules at Christmas could lead to a third wave of the virus.
He said: “While 2020 has been the most testing of years, 2021 should be different because of the vaccine.
Let’s not begin the New Year with a 3rd Wave.
Letting down our guard for 5 days over Xmas could be very dangerous indeed. pic.twitter.com/NMTrvSfU86 — Tobias Ellwood MP (@Tobias_Ellwood) December 14, 2020
“My concern is that letting down our guard for five days during Christmas could be very dangerous indeed. Will the secretary of state review those conditions, which were put together some time ago, and come back to the House to present an updated version so that we do not begin the new year with a third wave.”
He also called for the area covering his own constituency of Bournemouth East to be moved into tier 1, which means the least restrictions possible during the pandemic.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Ports Firm Advised By Chris Grayling 'Wins £35m' Brexit Cash As Others Get 'Next To Nothing'

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The government is facing questions over why £35m of post-Brexit cash was awarded to a ports company advised by former minister Chris Grayling – while others received “next to nothing”.
Labour MP Rachel Reeves quizzed the government about the money in the Commons on Thursday after details of the government’s £194m port infrastructure fund, designed to help ports build import controls needed for post-Brexit checks next year, were leaked to the Financial Times.
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They show that two ports owned by Hutchison Ports Europe, where former transport secretary Grayling recently took on a £100,000-a-year role as a strategic adviser, were handed £35m of the cash.
Harwich port received nearly £23m while Felixstowe was given £13m, in awards that were among the highest for the 53 applications.
Nearly all the projects received much less than they applied for, which prompted warnings from the British Ports Association of “major pressures” to get borders ready in time for the middle of next year, when the UK will begin applying import checks to EU products.
So here is the list of what everyone got - 41 ports had winning bids totaling just over £194m - but you'll note that Dover got...wait for it...£33k. No, that is not a type. Thirty-three thousand pounds. They asked for £33m!! Why? Well to build new passport lanes. /4 pic.twitter.com/SVuBckyoJF — Peter Foster (@pmdfoster) December 16, 2020
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Shadow Cabinet Office minister Reeves questioned why Dover, by comparison, got just £33,000 after applying for £33m, while Portsmouth faces a shortfall of £8m.
Reeves also revealed a letter from the parliamentary secretary at the Cabinet Office to Labour MP for Porstmouth South, Stephen Morgan, which stated that “ministers decided that all bids which are recommended to be supported will be funded to 66%” of their original bid, rather than the full amount they said was needed for post-Brexit infrastructure.
At Cabinet Office questions, Reeves said: “Why has the government short-changed vital infrastructure, critical to the everyday economy, while at the same time wasting millions of pounds on consultants and middlemen as part of Tory cronyism?”
She went on: “What a false economy, given the cost to British businesses and consumers with delays and disruptions at the border.
“Will the government publish the full rationale for each of their 53 port decisions?
“Not least since some companies received next to nothing and while one port company, which coincidentally pays a former Tory cabinet minister £100,000 a year, was awarded £26m yesterday by this government.”
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Chris Grayling is paid £100,000 a year in return for just seven hours of work per week for Hutchison Ports Europe Toby Melville / Reuters
While Reeves said Harwich and Felixstowe were awarded £26m, HuffPost UK understands she intended to refer to the full £35m figure.
Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove replied: “Of course we’d be delighted to make sure that the full assessment criteria are shared with the honourable lady and with all constituency members.
“The port infrastructure scheme had an independent team to look at the eligibility of all the ports that applied and to assess all of the bids and they have done on the most rigorous of bases.
“But it is the case that a number of ports have welcomed the additional funding and the additional infrastructure support that we will give.
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“But we will continue to work with all ports in order to ensure that we can have a world class border.”
British Ports Association chief executive Richard Ballantyne said: “On one level the port infrastructure fund allocations are welcome but we understand most projects have not received the full allocations.
“This means plans could need to be redrawn creating major pressures to get borders ready in time for next year.
“We will be asking urgently for clarification on the funding shortfalls and what the allocations mean for certain projects.
“This infrastructure will be needed irrespective of whether there is a Brexit trade deal or not, however there have been delays to the process and finding out what specifications are needed form various government agencies has been challenging.
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“The fund was heavily oversubscribed, and we would urge the government to consider allocating further resources so that all ports can be Brexit ready, across the country.
“Whatever government does it needs to be quick.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Covid Spreading Faster In Wales Than Thought After IT Blunder Misses 11,000 Positive Tests

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The number of current coronavirus cases in Wales is almost twice as high as previously thought after it was revealed 11,000 positive tests were missing from official figures.
Public Health Wales (PHW) said a maintenance on an IT system led to “significant under-reporting” of cases between the 9 and 15 December.
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The number of new cases previously reported for those dates stood at 11,911 but the real figure is almost double at 22,911.
PHW said all those who had tested positive were informed correctly despite the tests being missing from official figures.
Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford told BBC Breakfast: “This was planned upgrading of the computer system, none of the data is missing, everybody who had a positive test in Wales was told that last week, everything was uploaded.
“But the figures do demonstrate just how serious the position here in Wales has become and underlines why we made the decisions yesterday, both in the lead-up to Christmas, during Christmas, and once Christmas is over.”
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Plaid Cymru health spokesman Rhun ap Iorwerth said the news “raises questions” and “rocks trust” in the government.
He told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme: “I think we’re heading into a period that is about as tight as it can get starting from Christmas Eve.
“I must say when the first minister announced yesterday that from the 28th there would be a tightening of restrictions, and I could see the figures as they were, one wondered why not do things now in terms of stepping up support for areas most heavily affected, but this does put a new slant on it again.”
He added: “This is a serious bulk of figures being added to the total today and it raises questions about the way data is analysed.
“It raises questions again about the interaction between what is controlled in Wales and the Lighthouse laboratories, and it’s one of those things that again sort of rocks trust in what’s happening and the data that’s presented to us.”
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Ben Birchall - PA Images via Getty Images
The development comes ahead of a review of the tier system on Thursday, with reports suggesting the number of people living under the toughest restrictions could increase.
Boris Johnson insisted he did not want to “cancel” Christmas, but said people should prepare for a “smaller, safer” festive period amid fears about the spread of coronavirus.
Confirming the so-called “Christmas window” allowing three households to join together between December 23 and 27 would go ahead, Johnson said people would be left to make individual judgments on whether Christmas celebrations were worth the risk, with warnings to avoid elderly relatives and a recommendation to isolate beforehand.
The government had wanted a UK-wide approach to Christmas, but Wales will now legislate to restrict mixing to two households – and will go into a tougher lockdown on December 28.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Priti Patel Says People Should 'Change' Their Christmas Plans And Not Travel

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Priti Patel has said people should “change” their Christmas plans to avoid spreading coronavirus across the country.
The home secretary said the government wanted the public “not to travel” to see others where possible.
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The government will ease coronavirus restrictions and legally allow up to three households to mix between December 23 and 27.
But amid fears there will be a further surge in infections if people take full advantage of the relaxed rules, Boris Johnson on Wednesday asked people to have a “smaller” Christmas than the law allows.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme on Thursday morning, Patel said said people should be “conscientious”.
“We’re urging people not to travel. Why would you travel? If you’re in a low tier area, why would you travel into a high tier area? So people will exercise their judgment,” she said.
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“I would urge people to change. I won’t be seeing my parents this Christmas, my parents live in a different part of the country and I will not travel to see them.
“I want to protect them, I don’t want to be spreading the virus. I feel I will take that responsibility and others will make that judgment too.”
England’s chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said modelling indicated the looser restrictions would lead to more deaths.
“Keep it small, keep it short, keep it local and think of the most vulnerable people,” he told a Downing Street press conference.
Johnson had wanted to maintain a UK-wide approach to Christmas, but Wales deviated from the plan in legally limiting households allowed to mix to two plus one single person household.
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Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said her “strong recommendation” was for people to stay within their own household and own home.
In Northern Ireland, first minister Arlene Foster said the public must take “all and every precaution” at Christmas and proposals for further restrictions will be brought forward on Thursday.
It comes as Matt Hancock is set to unveil what, if any, changes are made to the tiers in England.
The health secretary is due to update MPs on Thursday morning on whether any regions of the country will be moved up or down a tier.
London and parts of Essex and Hertfordshire were placed under tier 3 on Wednesday, ahead of the scheduled change.
It means 34 million people or 61% of England’s population are living under the toughest level of restrictions.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--French President Emmanuel Macron Tests Positive For Covid-19

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French president Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19.
In a statement, the French presidency said: “In accordance with the health regulations in force applicable to all, the president of the Republic will isolate himself for seven days.
“He will continue to work and ensure his activities remotely.”
According to the presidency, the diagnosis was established following a RT-PCR test carried out as soon as the first symptoms appeared.
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It is not known when or from whom he contracted the virus, but all those who have been in close contact with the president in recent days are being traced and informed.
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French prime minister Jean Castex and president of the National Assembly, Richard Ferrand, will also self-isolate after coming into contact with Macron over the last few days.
Spain’s PM Pedro Sanchez and European Council president Charles Michel will quarantine until Christmas Eve after having lunch with Macron earlier this week.
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Macron was at a European Council heads of state meeting on December 10 and 11. His schedule over the last week has also included a private dinner with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during which he awarded him the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour.
He also has had lunch this week with Ursula von der Leyen as well as the Portuguese prime minister António Costa.
A spokesperson said that all Macron’s trips had been cancelled, including an upcoming visit to Lebanon on December 22.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--RuPaul's Drag Race UK Series 2: First Celebrity Guest Judges Confirmed

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The first batch of celebrities who’ll be appearing as guest judges on the upcoming second series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK have been confirmed – and it’s an eclectic mix of stars.
So far, the BBC has announced five of the series’ guest judges, including chart-topping singer MNEK and daytime presenter (and occasional actor) Lorraine Kelly, both of whom appeared on the first series in 2019.
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He coached the @frockdestroyerz to success and now @MNEK is returning as a guest judge. pic.twitter.com/K9mZXG4Ym8 — RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 17, 2020
Lorraine was one of the two guest stars who played the first ever British version of Snatch Game, while MNEK helped the Frock Destroyers record their version of Break Up (Bye Bye), which ended up cracking the top 40 here in the UK.
Lorraine said: “It’s my favourite show in the world and I’ve actually been a judge on it!
“It was an absolute joy to be there… the queens were just incredible. I felt as if I were in a gorgeous Ru bubble all day and all was right with the world. And I was sitting beside RuPaul, who smells divine!”
And finally, the legendary @reallorraine is ru-turning to the line-up. pic.twitter.com/IkXqzACA6d — RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 17, 2020
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Also joining the panel will be actor Elizabeth Hurley, supermodel Jourdan Dunn and performer Sheridan Smith.
Fingers crossed Sheridan’s involvement means we can expect a Cilla: The Rusical challenge in season two.
She joked fans should look out for her “fangirling and massive pregnant belly”, commenting: “I am such a superfan! I’m shaking! Ru was sat next to me! And Michelle Visage! And Alan Carr!
“It’s been amazing. The queens are fabulous. I had the best day. I felt like I’d won a competition.”
Award-winning actress of stage and screen, @Sheridansmith1 is taking on the role of critic. pic.twitter.com/3wbDOCDtkh — RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 17, 2020
The gorgeous, iconic, Liz Hurley will be sitting on the judging panel. pic.twitter.com/6HzgDuKbmU — RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 17, 2020
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After years of werking the runway @missjourdandunn will be passing on tips to our queens. pic.twitter.com/So3v8DQrcW — RuPaul's Drag Race UK (@dragraceukbbc) December 17, 2020
Dawn French previously teased that she would also be appearing as a guest judge on Drag Race UK, while reports recently suggested that Gemma Collins would be taking part in Snatch Game this time around.
RuPaul and Michelle Visage will both be returning for the second series of Drag Race UK, as will regular judges Graham Norton and Alan Carr.
The new series will launch on BBC Three on 14 January 2021, meaning the UK series will be airing at the same time as its US counterpart for the first time.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Donald Trump’s Atlantic City Casino To Be Blown Up And You Can Push The Button

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One of President Donald Trump’s former Atlantic City casinos will be blown up next month, and for the right amount of money, you could be the one to press the button that brings it down.
The demolition of the former Trump Plaza casino will become a fundraiser to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City that the mayor hopes will raise in excess of $1 million
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Opened in 1984, Trump’s former casino was closed in 2014 and has fallen into such a state of disrepair that demolition work began earlier this year. The remainder of the structure will be dynamited on January 29.
“Some of Atlantic City’s iconic moments happened there, but on his way out, Donald Trump openly mocked Atlantic City, saying he made a lot of money and then got out,” said Mayor Marty Small. “I wanted to use the demolition of this place to raise money for charity.”
The Boys & Girls Club has hired a professional auction company to solicit bids from Thursday through January 19, when the top bids will be revealed and a live auction will determine a winner. The organisation provides after-school and summer recreation, education and career-training programs for Atlantic City children and teens.
Trump, then a real-estate developer, opened the casino in a prime spot at the centre of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk where the Atlantic City Expressway deposited cars entering the resort. It was the site of many high-profile boxing matches, which Trump would regularly attend.
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It closed in 2014, one of four Atlantic City casinos to shut down that year, followed by another former Trump casino, the Taj Mahal, in 2016. That property has since reopened as the Hard Rock casino.
The third casino Trump used to own here, Trump Marina, was sold to Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta in 2011 and is now the Golden Nugget.
Trump cut most ties with Atlantic City in 2009 aside from a 10% fee for the use of his name on what were then three casinos in the city. That stake was extinguished when billionaire Carl Icahn took ownership of the company out of bankruptcy court in February 2016.
Trump Plaza has sat empty for six years and has been deteriorating. Earlier this year, large pieces of the facade broke loose from one of the hotel towers and came crashing to the ground. In one storm, additional debris fell from the structure onto the Boardwalk.
Icahn owns the former Trump Plaza building and has agreed to the demolition. Small said he is eager to discuss potential uses for the land with Icahn once the casino is gone, including some sort of family attraction.
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“Not often does inner-city oceanfront land open up,” the mayor said. “We have one chance to get this right.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Kate Garraway Returns To Good Morning Britain After Family's Recent Covid-19 Scare

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Kate Garraway returned from a two-week break from Good Morning Britain on Thursday, revealing that during her absence, she and her children experienced a Covid-19 scare.
The daytime presenter – whose husband, Derek Draper, has been seriously ill in hospital since March, after contracting coronavirus – told co-host Ben Shephard that there had been multiple “challenges” thrown her family’s way in the last couple of weeks.
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“It’s lovely to be back, I’m sorry I’ve been absent for a couple of weeks now,” she explained. “Well, [we had] a few challenges kicking off, challenges with Derek as there always are.
“We had, outside of Derek, a little bit of a scare. In the sense that, we found out the children had come into contact with somebody who after they came into contact with them, tested positive for coronavirus.”
Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway on Good Morning Britain ITV
Kate continued: “It’s happening a lot because of schools, so just to be ultra, ultra, ultra cautious, kept them at home, kept me at home until we got negative tests.
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“We got two negative tests actually, because you know me, more is more. So all three of us had negative tests, mercifully.”
“But I did think, ‘oh my goodness, this is going to be very difficult, obviously horrific if any of us get sick’,” Kate added. “And I’ve had [Covid-19]. I had it when Derek first had it.
“But there is a lack of clarity about whether after six months you might not have the same level of antibodies.”
Kate Garraway and Derek Draper Can Nguyen/Shutterstock
Derek was placed in an induced coma after being admitted to intensive care with coronavirus in March.
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He has remained in hospital in the months since, with Kate sharing candid updates on her husband’s health in the time that followed.
In October, Kate confirmed the former lobbyist and political adviser was able to breathe without a ventilator and had mouthed his first word.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Ex-Cop Charged With Allegedly Attacking Repairman He Suspected In US Election Fraud Plot

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A former Houston police officer is facing up to 20 years in prison for allegedly running an air conditioner repairman off the road and holding him at gunpoint after suspecting him of orchestrating a massive voter fraud scheme.
Former Houston Police captain Mark Anthony Aguirre, 63, was arrested Tuesday for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after prosecutors said he violently detained the man on October 19. He apparently believed the repairman’s truck was transporting 750,000 fraudulent ballots, but no ballots were found.
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“He crossed the line from dirty politics to commission of a violent crime and we are lucky no one was killed,” Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said in a statement. “His alleged investigation was backward from the start — first alleging a crime had occurred and then trying to prove it happened.”
Former Houston Police captain Mark Anthony Aguirre, 63, was arrested on Tuesday after accused of threatening a repairman whom he wrongly believed was involved in an election scheme Houston Police Department
A Houston police officer, who witnessed the vehicular incident while responding to an unrelated call, called for backup. The office said he saw Aguirre force the other driver to the ground at gunpoint and pin his knee into the man’s back. The incident was captured on body camera footage, prosecutors said.
As the officer called for backup, a second suspect, who has not been identified, drove off with the repairman’s truck and left it in a nearby parking lot, police said.
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Aguirre identified himself to responding officers as a retired HPD captain and demanded that they take the man he was detaining into custody. Aguirre said he had been monitoring the truck’s driver for four days with a private group of citizens called “Liberty Center” and believed he was the mastermind of ballot election fraud, prosecutors said.
Aguirre did not reveal to authorities that he had been paid $266,400 by the right-wing Liberty Center for God and Country, with $211,400 of that amount being deposited into his account the day after the incident, prosecutors said.
Aguirre allegedly identified himself as being retired from the police force, but local reports indicate he was fired in 2003 following a botched street-racing raid that created legal issues for the city.
Police said Aguirre directed officers to a nearby parking lot, where the repairman’s truck was found and searched by police. Inside, they reported finding only air conditioner parts and tools. The repairman’s home was also searched. No ballots were discovered there either, NPR reported, citing a copy of the arrest affidavit.
“A lengthy investigation by HPD determined allegations of election fraud were unfounded and no evidence of illegal ballots was found,” the police department said in a statement.
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The aggravated assault charge is a second-degree felony that is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.
An attorney for Aguirre, speaking with local news outlet KTRK, defended his client and said the arrest was “political prosecution.”
“He was working and investigating voter fraud, and there was an accident. A member of the car got out and rushed at him and that’s where the confrontation took place,” said attorney Terry Yates.
President Donald Trump and his supporters have continued to claim, without any supporting evidence, that the November 3 election was stolen from him and that illegal ballots were cast in support of Joe Biden. Trump has urged his supporters to resist defeat and has unsuccessfully waged several lawsuits across the country in hopes of subverting the election’s results.
Current and former law enforcement officials have told HuffPost that they’re concerned that such election conspiracy theories will inspire acts of violence.
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The Houston-based Liberty Center has been among the organisations trying to dispute the election’s results. Its CEO, Republican activist Steven Hotze, last month unsuccessful filed a lawsuit that requested 127,000 votes cast in Harris County be thrown out, Houston Public Media reported.
In a Facebook post last month, Hotze called for Texas governor Greg Abbott to be “tarred and feathered” for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which included lengthening the early voting period and extending the time voters had to deliver completed absentee ballots. Hotze alleged that Abbott’s actions allowed Democrats more time to commit election fraud.
“I raised over $600,000 between October 8 and November 1 to hire private investigators and attorneys to discover, expose and disrupt the Democrats’ massive election fraud scheme in Harris County,” Hotze boasted in his post that requested additional donations through a GoFundMe page.
An attorney for Hotze told KTRK that he’d “be shocked” if Liberty Center endorsed Aguirre’s alleged use of violent force involving the repairman.
“His company definitely worked for the organization. With respect to what happened, I’m not familiar, but we’ll be looking into it,” said attorney Jared Woodfill, who did not immediately return HuffPost’s request for comment on Wednesday.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Trump Mocked For Griping About 'Endless Negative' Ads On Fox News

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Donald Trump’s relationship with Fox News ― once the cable network so dear to his heart ― continued to deteriorate on Wednesday, as the president railed against what he termed its “endless negative and unedited commercials.”
Although it’s unknown exactly which ads so annoyed him, it’s become crystal clear he doesn’t appreciate the willingness of at least some of the network’s journalists and commentators to recognise that Joe Biden defeated him in November’s election.
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Trump and his minions became especially irritated with Fox News on election night when its prognosticators called Biden the winner of Arizona ― a projection other outlets hesitated to make for several days but that ultimately proved correct.
The president gave further vent to his anger with his Wednesday tweet that, per usual, was over the top (Fox News is nowhere near dead).
Can’t believe how badly @FoxNews is doing in the ratings. They played right into the hands of the Radical Left Democrats, & now are floating in limboland. Hiring fired @donnabraziIe, and far worse, allowing endless negative and unedited commercials. @FoxNews is dead. Really Sad! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2020
Regardless of the merits of his post, many Twitter users thought the president ― even with his days in office nearing an end ― might have other priorities than the ratings of a cable network or the content of its commercials.
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3,000 Americans died of covid-19 yesterday, the same number as were killed on September 11th. Congress is nearing a $900 billion relief bill to help the millions of Americans who are going hungry or face eviction. Trump is focused TV ratings. What a pathetic, small man. https://t.co/LSU2OFWotb — Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) December 16, 2020
People are dying at a rate of 1-2 every 30 seconds right now.
People are lined up in miles-long lines around the country so their kids don't go hungry.
People are going homeless daily.
All while we are the richest country & Trump is talking about freaking ratings. Really Sad! https://t.co/pougDfgC6B — Russell Foster for Texas (@RussellFosterTX) December 16, 2020
Some pointed out the irony of a lame-duck president declaring something is past its prime.
It is sad to watch in real time how unhinged @realdonaldtrump is now - to even people like myself who are not fans of his.
It is also said to watch his obvious grift and pre production efforts to set up Trump TV - in which he attacks Fox News and almost everyone else. https://t.co/0k9yEabjjo — Dougie Kass (@DougKass) December 16, 2020
We can believe how badly Donald Trump did in the election. The lowest opinion ratings of any president and then he allowed Covid to kill a third of a million people.
His legacy is a mound of bodies higher than Mount Rushmore #MountRushmoreBodyMound https://t.co/K74RKHYAaP https://t.co/tYYGf3rwiY — Will Black (@WillBlackWriter) December 16, 2020
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Many people were confused by Trump’s rant against the network’s ads.
I don't normally do this so forgive me when I ask,
what's an "unedited commercial"?
Because as an editor, a commercial is probably the most edited thing on TV. https://t.co/c37rt1ydDG — Nathan Martin (@Editwithmouse) December 16, 2020


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-12-17--Kaley Cuoco Expertly Dodges Saucy Question About Ex Henry Cavill

“I had no one following me until I met Superman,” she told Cosmopolitan for a 2014 cover story.
“I’ve been in this business for 20 years, and my whole life, I could go anywhere, do anything. There had not been one paparazzi photo of me until like seven months ago. The recognition has been crazy.”