thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-13--Will The New Generation Of Trade Union Bosses Help Or Hinder Keir Starmer?

When Keir Starmer held a Zoom call with a clutch of Britain’s biggest trade union general secretaries this summer, the mood was one of warm solidarity. Starmer had impressed the unions with his harrying of the government over the A-levels fiasco, but he made clear his priority was coronavirus and the threat of mass unemployment.
Union bosses fed back stories from the coalface, with real worries on health and safety and employers gearing up to make redundancies. The meeting agreed a joint focus on national campaigning to expose Boris Johnson’s plan to withdraw the furlough jobs support scheme this autumn. Starmer and the union “barons” were all on the same side.
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But the quiet efficiency of the meeting was in contrast to a wider unease and instability within the union movement. One of the big players, the GMB, had seen its general secretary Tim Roache forced out amid allegations of sexual harassment. Dave Prentis, the head of Unison, had announced he would step down after a marathon 20 years in post.
And just over a week before the Zoom call, in a reminder of the bitter battles of Labour’s civil war in recent years, Unite’s Len McCluskey had issued a stark warning to Starmer: his union could pull funding and Labour could “go under” if it veered to the “right”. Starmer’s election was a “disappointment” for those like him who wanted Rebecca Long-Bailey to keep the Corbyn flame alive, McCluskey had said.
PA
With the election of the Unite leader’s successor set to start in 2021, and with similar contests taking place for Unison and the GMB, a new generation of general secretaries will be installed over the coming year. It’s a changing of the (old) guard that hasn’t been seen in decades, with all three of the biggest trade unions holding their elections within months of each other.
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As this week’s TUC will underline, the coronavirus pandemic and its focus on health and safety in the workplace has suddenly given unions more profile, influence and membership than in decades. So the looming change at the top three unions - which together have more than three million members - matters more than ever.
A cultural shift could occur too, with three white men being possibly replaced by women, and two by union officials from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Although all the unions are campaigning to protect the jobs of their members right now, the under-the radar campaigns for the jobs of their general secretaries are also underway.
But with their donations providing Labour’s dominant source of income, and with each holding key seats on the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC), the general secretary elections also matter hugely to Starmer. Each could usher in a new era under a ‘moderate’ or a more radical leadership. As one MP puts it: “He could end up with the strongest union support of any Labour leader since [Hugh] Gaitskell in the 1950s. Or he could end up with a nightmare.”
GMB General Secretary Tim Roache arrives at the union's headquarters in London ahead of a meeting to discuss their Labour leadership recommendation. PA
GMB
The union with the biggest current problems is undeniably the GMB. The 622,000 members of the General, Municipal, Boilermakers’ and Allied Trade Union have seen not just their general secretary Tim Roache suddenly quit over allegations of misconduct.
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Just weeks ago, a damning independent report by QC Karon Monaghan found the union guilty of “institutional sexism”. Bullying and cronyism were huge problems too, fuelling a toxic, alcohol-fuelled culture that made women feel unsafe and unrecognised. Although women make up a growing number of its members, there is job “segregation” in the union with females in junior or admin roles and the officers almost all men.
The controversies don’t just stop at sexual harassment. The union has also ordered a separate internal financial audit, a move approved by its executive last week. Minutes seen by HuffPost show that accountants PWC have been asked to investigate “GMB procurement, GMB political expenditure, the use of GMB corporate credit cards”.
The executive also agreed to seek legal advice on whether it could ask staff whether they knew about a “lie detector test” that Roache agreed to when confronted with allegations of misconduct. Some in the union believe both exercises are a “fishing expedition” that will yield little, but others believe it could expose further deep-seated problems.
The two main contenders for the general secretary vacancy are seen as Gary Smith, the Scottish regional secretary, and Rehana Azam, a national secretary with responsibility for public services.
Smith has several friends among Labour MPs. It was he, and not Azam, who gave evidence on the impact of Covid before the Business Select Committee this year. Although he performed well, some eyebrows were raised within the union, as Azam is the union’s lead on the virus and is from a community hard hit by the pandemic.
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Smith is seen by his supporters as the kind of leader needed to steady the ship and put the workplace, rather than Westminster, at top of its priorities. “Decades ago, the GMB’s role was the traditional anchor for the party leadership, solid and reliable,” one MP says. “It hasn’t always been that dependable on the NEC in recent years and has played some of Unite’s silly games. Most regional secretaries, and their members, wanted Starmer for leader but the union ended up nominating Lisa Nandy.”
One union insider points to the way Smith has fought against recent British Gas moves to sack and reemploy thousands of staff. “Gary is a hard-nosed industrial organiser, very clear about the industrial priorities of the union. The GMB would be much more ‘bottom-line’. Both he and Rehana are relatively young and would keep the union moving.”
Azam’s supporters say she will be exactly the breath of fresh air the union needs in the wake of the sexism scandal. “Having a young, Bame woman would be great optics but more importantly she’s really good. She has a high level of emotional intelligence, something union leaders should have these days. She’s not interested in nepotism or tit-for-tat factionalism.”
There is even recent speculation within the union that Smith could step aside and let fellow ‘moderate’ Kathleen Walker Shaw, a veteran official who was beaten by Roache in the last general secretary election, have another go at the top job.
But Smith is seen as a strong contender precisely because the recent route to winning has been to build up a regional powerbase and then do deals with other regional bosses to get the most backing.
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“To understand the GMB you have to understand it really is a set of regional fiefdoms. The regions have the money and the power. You get your name in the regional magazine,” says one member. “Turnout can be abysmally low and a few thousand votes can swing it. And it is dominated by the white male, 40-65s who know the regional politics.”
Amid its current internal chaos, with claim and counter-claim of bullying, the GMB executive has yet to decide a timetable for an election, but one is expected by the spring.
Outgoing Unite general secretary Dave Prentis endorsing Starmer earlier this year for Labour leader. Empics Entertainment
Unison
Even if Azam fails to feminise the leadership of the GMB, over at Unison a woman is the favourite for the top job. Christina McAnea, assistant general secretary, has notched up more than 100 nominations so far.
“The momentum is behind her. If she wins, Keir will continue to benefit from very close support from the union that really powered his leadership campaign,” one Starmer ally says.
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“But Keir is wisely staying completely out of it, he is a stickler for the rules and for realising that unions choose their general secretaries, not party leaders.”
McAnea is far from a shoo-in, however, for the election due early in the new year. Up against her are Roger McKenzie, another assistant general secretary who has been endorsed publicly by Jeremy Corbyn, and fellow left-winger Paul Holmes, who has been endorsed by John McDonnell.
“It can take just a few thousand people to win this, and none of the candidates really has big name recognition among the members,” one Unison insider said. “Christine is picking up most nominations but Roger getting the backing of Corbyn could prove significant. He breached a fundamental principle that MPs don’t try to interfere in union elections, but it could be effective.”
In recent years, the Left has grown in influence in Unison. At least two regional secretaries in Unison are card-carrying members of the Communist Party. Even if McAnea wins, the executive elections next summer could shift Left from the current small majority for ‘moderates’, tying her hands, some say.
Holmes, a veteran on Kirklees Council in West Yorkshire, is the wild card. He has talked of moving the union’s London HQ to the midlands. “No one should write off Paul Holmes. He’s Mr Unison up in Yorkshire, an old fashioned Left candidate,” one Unison insider said.
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There’s another reason that Holmes could do well. Unlike Labour party internal elections, which operate proportionally on an AV system of preferences, all trade union elections are still done on a first past the post basis. “He could come through the middle,” says one Unison old hand.
Crucially, union elections have a much more left electorate than for Labour elections because they have members affiliated to other parties, like the SWP and others. “It’s not a Labour electorate,” a union expert said. “It’s impossible to really call who will win, it could be any one of the three.”
Whoever wins the Unison general secretary job will want to cement its new position as the UK’s number one union, with a massive 1.4 million members, and the fastest growing in Europe.
Its influence on Labour’s ruling NEC has grown, however, since Corbyn’s defeat. As well as its own two reps, the union’s Scottish official Johanna Baxter is a constituency rep, while former vice president Carole Sewell is the Bame rep.
“Unison’s strength has seemed artificially low in the last few years because it was growing at the same time Unite got all the headlines,” one of its key figures said.
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“We have felt left out in recent years. We’ve got 1.3 million public sector workers, a huge pool of potential Labour voters that Keir needs, health and social care staff, bin workers, manual workers, all the people he has to win back in Red Wall seats.”
Len McCluskey and Jeremy Corbyn at Labour conference in 2016. EMPICS Entertainment
Unite
Of the three union races, however, the real potential banana skin for Starmer is Unite. After 10 years at the helm, with two re-elections to his name, Len McCluskey has dominated the union, with many admirers on the Left.
One veteran said that McCluskey’s profile was so high that even some members of other trade unions think he’s their own general secretary.
But his tenure coming to a close and the four main contenders expected to run are Steve Turner, Sharon Graham, Howard Beckett and Gerard Coyne.
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McCluskey has been repeatedly cryptic about his intentions but the latest intelligence from within the union is that he now wants to “go long” and serve out his full term which ends in April 2022. However, under union rules that ensure at least six months are needed for the election process, that would still mean the race starting next year.
Some insiders think McCluskey has opted to give more time for Howard Beckett to build up his industrial base. Others believe that he simply wanted to put down a marker that he’s not a “lame duck” general secretary and can still have influence on national politics.
Assistant general secretary Steve Turner, a former bus conductor and shop steward, is seen by many as the favourite. He recently won the vital endorsement of the United Left faction of the union, after a closely fought selection against Beckett another assistant general secreary.
Turner was briefly a member of Militant and has a long record on the Left that make it all the more infuriating for his supporters when some Beckett supporters suggest he’s ‘right wing’ because he has shown a willingness to work with Starmer.
A Millwall football fan who used to go to matches with the late RMT leader Bob Crow, Turner even at one point had a “MillwallMilitant” private email address.
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“Steve is a pragmatist. You can do a deal with Steve. A lot of people who organised for Len are backing Steve,” said one Unite insider, on condition of anonymity.
“Moderate” flagbearer Coyne, a former West Midlands regional secretary, came within roughly 5,000 voters of defeating McCluskey in the last contest, a surprisingly close result that spooked many on the Left.
But since then, union rules have changed so that any candidate has to win 152 local branches of the union to even stand. Turner will almost certainly cross the threshold, but others may struggle.
The change infuriated some in the union. “The double standards of Unite’s leadership has been on show in their determination to raise the threshold for nominations needed from union branches for GS candidates, making it harder for anti-establishment candidates, while demanding Labour does the opposite for its leadership elections,” one long-time union and Labour insider said.
Coyne supporters are confident he can meet the threshold. “If he can get the branch nominations, he’s got a good chance. He ran last time and name recognition matters.”
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Those who know Coyne point out that he puts the members first, even when it’s uncomfortable for Labour. When the Labour-run Birmingham council threatened 6,000 redundancies, Coyne was quietly asked to avoid making a fuss ahead of the local elections but refused to back down.
One MP who thinks Coyne can win the Unite race says he has been smart so far not to launch a campaign. “Gerard is right to lie low for now and watch the Left just take lumps out of each other. First past the post [election], isn’t it?”
Another figure with strong Labour and union links said change was overdue: “Unite as well has coasted for too many years on past glories, haemorrhaging members and failing to recruit sufficient new younger members in new sectors.
“Too often the damage has been self-inflicted: Independent minded and effective officials and recruiters at Unite have been viewed as a political threat by the pro-Corbyn establishment and either bullied or paid to leave, further denuding the talent pipeline.
“Several of the brightest and best were poached by steelworkers union Community which has recruited far more successfully in new areas, including the self-employed.”
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Sharon Graham is an outsider candidate whose supporters believe she can pull off a surprise victory.
In July, she described herself as “the Workplace Candidate” focused on delivering an industrial programme. Though overwhelmingly of the Left, she already has support from some “moderate” activists who don’t share her politics but admire her organisational ability.
Graham has made a name for herself with campaigns that included sending activists dressed as rats to protest against bosses. She benefits from a network of organisers who one ex-insider describes as “a union within union”.
“She’s played it cannily so far. She decided not to run for the United Left because she knew that if she lost she would be out of the race completely,” a union official said. One active Unite member told HuffPost UK: “I’ll wager that when all is said and done and Len has resigned, the next general secretary of Unite, when the vote is held, will be Sharon Graham.”
Unite's assistant general secretary Howard Beckett outside the Ineos Grangemouth petrochemicals complex. PA
A split Left?
But Beckett is the one candidate who could really cause Starmer a headache. Despite a traditional agreement that defeated candidates in the Unite Left selection then drop out of the race, Beckett has told the BBC he will run.
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He has however yet to formally launch any campaign and his supporters say he and all union officials should be focused on fighting Covid job losses rather than an election that has no vacancy yet.
“He proved that he doesn’t act collectively, it’s all about him,” one left-wing critic says. “It’s going to be tough for him to get the branches because he has little institutional support within the union, particularly among industrial activists.
“Even though he has a following on Twitter, many of those people aren’t actually in the union. You need to be known at branches, at combines [meetings] of convenors, of shop stewards, to get through to our members. The damage he could do to Steve is the real problem.”
Beckett has previously run on a radical platform that appeals to some of both Corbyn and McCluskey’s supporters, including a “Unite TV” station that would be a left-wing alternative to Netflix and the BBC.
Currently a member of the Labour NEC, he has often been vociferous in his criticism of Starmer. He has attacked the Labour leader for pushing for the reopening of schools and for his sackings of Rebecca Long-Bailey, Ian Lavery and Richard Burgon.
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In one tweet he warned Starmer and Boris Johnson against trying to “dump the pandemic fallout on the working class”.
“Howard thinks he’s the smartest lawyer in the room. And then Keir speaks, and you know who’s the smartest lawyer in the room,” said one NEC member.
But disunity on the Left could be Beckett’s biggest problem. Jane Taylor, a Unite rep who sits alongside Beckett on the NEC, tweeted at the time her dismay that a leftwing faction in Scotland had decided to reject the United Left result and instead back Beckett. “Very sad day for the left,” she said, adding there was no “a sense of betrayal”.
The other problem for Beckett is that many of Unite’s executive committee are also members of United Left. Bad blood between Beckett and the United Left group was underlined in an exchange of letters seen by HuffPost UK following Turner’s victory.
Beckett wrote that “it is very clear from the regional data alone that the rules of this election have been broken. Intentionally so.” In reply, United Left’s committee gave a 10-point rebuttal and criticised “your on-going refusal to accept the legitimate outcome of the ballot”.
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A solicitor from Northern Ireland, his critics in the union say he’s a millionaire with no history of its shop steward tradition. But Beckett has a valuable ally in Karie Murphy, Jeremy Corbyn’s former chief of staff and a close friend of McCluskey’s.
Beckett’s hopes of getting on the ballot paper could rest with Unite Community, a section of the union set up by McCluskey to further its political ambitions. Membership is just £25 a year rather than £150 plus for traditional members and it has up to 10,000 members. “It’s Continuity Len, in many ways, and was the swing vote in 2017 in squeaking it for him. It could help Howard this time.”
Some within the union believe its credibility was undermined when it opted to formally endorse Rebecca Long-Bailey in the Labour leadership race, even though plenty of Unite reps liked both Lisa Nandy and Starmer. In the end, Long-Bailey came third in the union section of the contest, while Starmer romped home with 53% of affiliates’ votes.
One insider adds that the figures were even worse for McCluskey. Unite so dominates the affiliates that it has roughly 75% of the union section, so a 53% win for Starmer could only come from him realistically getting a majority of Unite members. “Keir won among Unite, not many people realise that,” one source said.
In fact, Starmer could benefit hugely if he uses Unite members as a sounding board for his policies, not least because many of them live and work in those Red Wall seats he needs to regain. “Lots of our members read the Sun and the Mail and voted Brexit,” said one insider. “If Keir can listen to their concerns, he can help us claw back those seats from the Tories.”
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One senior Labour source said that Starmer could “live with” all of the general secretary candidates in all the union races. “Apart from Howard.”
What next?
Starmer’s immediate focus for Labour is on the anti-Semitism report due to be published by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. His allies within the party are also concentrating on internal elections for places on the ruling NEC, with nine constituency reps, disability, youth and Wales reps all up for grabs.
He is firmly staying out of the union elections, even though some MPs will be working behind the scenes to help organise for some candidates.
But whoever wins the three big union elections in 2021, their respective votes on the NEC could give Starmer a freer hand, or act as a brake on some of his plans.
Some other unions think that Unite in particular needs to learn from recent months. One example of how the Left can overreach itself emerged recently during the row over the party agreeing to make out of court payouts to whistleblowers who took part in the BBC Panorama programme on anti-Semitism.
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A raft of NEC amendments was tabled on the Forde inquiry into a leaked document on the affair, and on some of them the leadership was ready to engage. But when leftwing activists issued a legal letter to try to stop the NEC approving the payouts, the leadership promptly decided to vote down every single amendment.
“This is where they are getting it wrong,” said one key trade union figure. “They can’t dictate terms to the party leader. Keir’s people become more entrenched and the Left won’t get a majority for any of what they want. It’s just not smart politics. We on the Left have to be smarter.”
Another veteran union activist said the heavy defeat for Labour at the last election could not be forgotten quickly.
“There’s a Tory government with a majority of 80. Len put all his money on a radical Corbyn government and that’s gone. The new GSs [general secretaries] have to secure the best deal for their members now and focus on the workplace, not Westminster,” they said.
“There are Tory MPs now who have big union memberships in their seats so they have to do business with them on a daily basis. Johnson says he wants to rebalance the economy towards manufacturing and industries like defence and steel are heavily unionised so can have an impact.”
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One leftwing member of the NEC said that getting Starmer, and Labour, elected in 2024 had to be the basic principle that united all unions.
“If Steve [Turner] wins, I think he’ll get a relationship with Keir that will be similar in many ways to Len’s with Ed Miliband: very supportive, with public endorsements that are helpful to both sides.
“Although he won’t obviously agree with everything the leader does, just as Len didn’t with Ed, he will publicly say [as McCluskey did] ‘this is the prime minister this country needs’.
“Steve’s very left wing and will fight hard, it’s a joke for anyone to claim he’s some kind of centrist. But he knows his prime job is representing members while at the same time getting a Labour government. And Labour needs to win.”
A few weeks ago, McCluskey signalled that he wasn’t ready to give up his broader ambitions for Labour’s direction. “People have to brush themselves down, but the reports of the Left’s death are greatly exaggerated,” he said.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-13--These Are The Areas Of England With The Highest Rates Of Covid-19

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Bolton remains the place in England with the highest rate of coronavirus infections, new data has revealed.
Public Health England figures show the town recorded 552 new Covid-19 cases in the seven days to September 10 – the equivalent of 192 cases per 100,000 people.
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It represents a significant jump in infections, with a rate of 126.2 cases per 100,000 recorded the week before.
The increase comes despite the government implementing even tougher lockdown restrictions for the town, including a strict curfew for bars and restaurants.
According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the 14-day infection rate across the UK is currently 48.6 cases per 100,000 people.
But Bolton is not alone – four other areas of England also have rates that are now higher than 100 cases per 100,000, the PA news agency reported.
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Areas of England with the highest rates of Covid-19 Bolton: 126.2 cases per 100,000 people Blackburn with Darwen: 118.2 cases per 100,000 people Hyndburn: 114.8 cases per 100,000 people Oadby and Wigston: 114 cases per 100,000 people Preston: 102 cases per 100,000 people
PA made the calculations based on Public Health England data published on September 13 on the government’s coronavirus dashboard.
The latest data from Public Health England also reveals that more than 1,000 new cases of Covid-19 were recorded in Birmingham in the week leading up to September 10.
A total of 1,014 new cases were recorded – the equivalent of 88.8 cases per 100,000 people, up from 53 in the previous week.
From Tuesday, people in Birmingham – along with those in Solihull and Sandwell – will be banned from mixing with other households in a bid to stop the surge in cases.
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Other cities which recorded sharp increases in their weekly rate included Sunderland, which recorded 262 new cases, Liverpool (424 new cases), Manchester (428 new cases) and Leeds (554 new cases).
Areas with increasing coronavirus rates Sunderland: 94.3 cases per 100,000 people, up from 34.2 Liverpool: 85.1 cases per 100,000 people, up from 32.9 Manchester: 77.4 cases per 100,000 people, up from 54.3 Leeds: 69.8 cases per 100,000 people, up from 48.4
In total, 210 of the 315 local authority areas in England recorded an increase in the weekly rate of new Covid-19 cases in the seven days to September 10.
The rate fell in 91 areas and was unchanged in 14 areas.
New cases were recorded in all 315 local authority areas.
On Sunday, the UK reported 3,330 new cases of coronavirus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-13--Gogglebox's Steph And Dom Share Epic Wedding Throwback And Obviously, The Pictures Are Incredible

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Steph and Dom Parker are still very much missed on Gogglebox, but the pair have served up a treat for fans on their 22nd wedding anniversary by sharing an epic throwback of their big day.
And it looked like their nuptials were just as colourful as the couple we all fell in love with on the Channel 4 show.
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Steph and Dom posted highlights from wedding album on Twitter on Saturday, which marked 22 years since they tied the knot.
Steph and Dom married in 1998 Twitter
Steph can be seen wearing an incredible large collar on her wedding gown, reminiscent of the Evil Queen from Disney’s Snow White And The Seven Dwarves, complete with a tiara, gloves and a huge bouquet of lilies.
Dom, meanwhile, sported an intricately embroidered burgundy and black tailcoat.
“22 yrs ago today - best day, best life, best decision, best friends #chinchin,” the couple captioned the snaps on their joint Twitter account.
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22 yrs ago today - best day, best life, best decision, best friends #chinchin pic.twitter.com/wEdX5mMdu4 — Steph and Dom (@stephanddom) September 12, 2020
Steph and Dom were two of the original stars of Gogglebox when the show launched in 2013.
They were cast after previously appearing on Four In A Bed, where they opened the doors to their hotel, The Salutation in Sandwich, Kent.
Steph and Dom on Gogglebox Channel 4
The couple left Gogglebox back in 2016, and have since appeared on shows like Celebrity Hunted, The Jump and Celebrity Masterchef.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-13--Edinburgh University Renames David Hume Tower Over Philosopher's 'Comments On Race'

University of Edinburgh in Edinburgh, Scotland. JByard via Getty Images
The University of Edinburgh has renamed its David Hume Tower over the philosopher’s “comments on matters of race”.
From the start of the new academic year – and until a full review is completed – the tower will be known as 40 George Square, the prestigious Scottish university announced on Sunday.
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It comes after more than 1,700 people signed a petition demanding the university dropped the name of the 18th century philosopher from the campus building, accusing Hume of writing “racist epithets”.
“Nobody is demanding we erase David Hume from history,” the petition reads.
“However, we should not be promoting a man who championed white supremacy. That is mutually exclusive with the goal of reducing the harm caused by racism at Edinburgh University to students of colour.
“We can take Hume’s writings and learn about them in context, but there is no reason the tallest building on campus should be named after him.”
David Hume Tower will be renamed 40 George Square Google Streetview
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Edinburgh University said the decision to change the name of the tower had been taken “because of the sensitivities around asking students to use a building named after the 18 century philosopher whose comments on matters of race, though not uncommon at the time, rightly cause distress today”.
A number of other universities have already reviewed the name of campus buildings and departments linked to problematic historical figures.
In July, City, University of London, announced it was renaming its prestigious Cass Business School, which was named after Sir John Cass, the director of a slave trade company.
However, the decision sparked a backlash among some business school alumni, who said the name change would devalue their degrees.
London Metropolitan University has also rebranded its art school – which was formerly known as the Sir John Cass School of Art, Architecture and Design – over the 17th century merchant’s links with the slave trade.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-13--UK And EU Negotiators Are Now Arguing About Brexit On Twitter

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For more than four years, we have become accustomed to rolling rounds of Brexit negotiations with little information emerging beyond carefully crafted public statements, punctuated by an explosion of activity once every few months.
But as the row rumbled on over the UK’s plan to break international law to potentially renege on the withdrawal agreement (WA) it signed this year, negotiations spilled online in an extraordinary public spat.
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On Sunday, UK chief negotiator David Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier found themselves embroiled in a Twitter argument over the “facts” around food imports.
A reminder is needed at this point - both sides have around a month left to conclude negotiations or the UK will default to economically damaging WTO rules for trade with the EU when the standstill transition period ends on December 31.
The row came after Barnier on Friday demanded “more clarity” from the UK about its biosecurity controls if it wants to get the automatic right to export animal products into the EU when the transition ends and Britain stops following Brussels rules.
The EU’s reluctance to grant the UK a “third-country listing” to allow food imports sparked concerns in No.10 that mainland Britain could be blocked from sending animal products to Northern Ireland - because the province will follow EU rules in this area to maintain an invisible border with the Republic, under the terms of the WA.
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But Barnier hit back at the suggestions WA’s Northern Ireland protocol was a “threat to the integrity of the UK”, again demanding more detail about Britain’s plans for biosecurity rules, and insisting that “sticking to facts is also essential”.
Protocol on IE/NI is not a threat to the integrity of the UK. We agreed this delicate compromise with @BorisJohnson & his gov in order to protect peace & stability on island of Ireland. We could not have been clearer about the consequences of #Brexit [1/2] — Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) September 13, 2020
Sticking to facts is also essential. A case in point: 🇪🇺 is not refusing to list 🇬🇧 as a third country for food imports (SPS). To be listed, we need to know in full what a country’s rules are, incl. for imports. The same objective process applies to all listed countries [2/2] — Michel Barnier (@MichelBarnier) September 13, 2020
Frost then hit-back in an extraordinary seven-tweet thread, in which he accused the EU of potentially making it “automatically illegal” for Northern Ireland to import food from Great Britain (mainland UK).
1/7 I would like to make a few comments and state a few facts, in my capacity as the PM's negotiator in the current and last autumn's talks. https://t.co/qJ2hGUf5RM — David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) September 13, 2020
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Taking aim at Barnier, Frost stressed that he wanted to “state a few facts”, stressing the EU “knows perfectly well all the details of our food standards rules” because the UK is operating under Brussels regulations now.
He also claimed the EU had warned the UK “explicitly” that if it is not granted third-country listing “we will not be able to move food to Northern Ireland”.
6/7 The EU's position is that listing is needed for Great Britain only, not Northern Ireland. So if GB were not listed, it would be automatically illegal for NI to import food products from GB. — David Frost (@DavidGHFrost) September 13, 2020
Frost concluded: “I hope the EU will yet think better of this. It obviously makes it no easier to negotiate a good free trade agreement and the solid future relationship which we all want.”
It comes after the EU accused Boris Johnson of damaging trust in Brexit negotiations with his law-breaking Internal Market Bill, which would give ministers the power to renege on sections of the WA governing trade in Northern Ireland.
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The proposals have sparked a major Tory rebellion which threatens to derail the legislation when it comes to the Commons for votes this week.
The EU has said the UK must drop the Bill by the end of the month or risk negotiations on a long-term trade deal collapsing.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-13--Fresh Trial Faced By Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe In Iran Postponed At Short Notice

Iranian-British aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is seen in an undated photograph handed out by her family Handout . / Reuters
A new trial faced by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe – who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2016 – has been postponed at short notice.
It was reported in Iranian state media on Monday that the 42-year-old was facing fresh charges.
It came four years after Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian dual national, was convicted of plotting to overthrow the government – an accusation she completely denies.
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Her husband Richard Ratcliffe said Sunday’s trial would hear charges of spreading anti-government propaganda.
But on Sunday he confirmed that the trial has been postponed and no new date has been set.
Amnesty International UK accused the Iranian authorities of “playing cruel political games” with Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and called on the UK government to make it their “absolute priority” to get her home for Christmas.
Meanwhile Labour’s Tulip Siddiq – who is Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s MP – said: “This morning I spoke to Nazanin’s husband Richard.
NAZANIN UPDATE
This morning I spoke to Nazanin’s husband Richard. Her “trial” has been postponed and will not happen today. She is relieved, frustrated, stressed and angry. Once again she’s being treated like a bargaining chip. More info will follow later today #FreeNazanin — Tulip Siddiq (@TulipSiddiq) September 13, 2020
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“Her ‘trial’ has been postponed and will not happen today. She is relieved, frustrated, stressed and angry.
“Once again she’s being treated like a bargaining chip.”
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokeswoman said: “We welcome the deferral of this groundless court hearing, and call on Iran to make Nazanin’s release permanent so that she can return to her family in the UK.”
This week Boris Johnson described the decision to bring new charges as “indefensible and unacceptable”, according to Downing Street.
Ratcliffe has said the new charges against his wife were further evidence she is being held for “political leverage” amid a multimillion pound dispute between Britain and Iran.
Having been moved to house arrest in March, when thousands of prisoners were granted clemency and released from Iranian jails amid the Covid-19 outbreak, Zaghari-Ratcliffe was returned to court on Tuesday only months away from her expected release date and told she would face a second trial.
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Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of jailed British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, speaks to the media on College Green, in Westminster, London, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP) ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kate Allen, director of Amnesty International UK, said: “Nazanin has already been unjustly convicted once after a deeply unfair trial.
“It is a nonsense that she should ever have even faced a second court date.
“It appears the Iranian authorities are playing cruel political games with Nazanin.
“The situation has gone on long enough.
“Nazanin has continued to suffer in Iran away from her husband and young daughter.
“The UK government has had four and a half years to secure her unconditional release and has failed to do so.
“Securing Nazanin’s release should be an absolute priority.
“As a matter of urgency, ministers now need to step up their efforts to get Nazanin home in time for Christmas and provide a clear plan on how they will do this.”
It has been claimed Zaghari-Ratcliffe is being held in order to force the UK into settling a multimillion pound dispute with Iran.
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The debt dates back to the 1970s when the then-shah of Iran paid the UK £400 million for 1,500 Chieftain tanks.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Love Island’s Alex George Says He Feels ‘Tremendous Guilt’ Following Death Of Younger Brother

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Alex George has said he will never get over the death of his teenage brother and said he has felt “tremendous guilt” in the aftermath.
The Love Island star has spoken candidly about his grief over the death in July of 19-year-old Llyr, who was due to begin studying at medical school.
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Dr George, who is an A&E doctor, told ITV’s Lorraine: “Losing someone to mental health is obviously very tough … when someone is 19, (he had) a lot of things to look forward to.
“Mental health is like that, it shocks, it’s one of the things that shocks me in my working career and it’s now shocked me in my own personal life. You can’t predict these things. Mental health can affect anyone. It’s so important to realise.”
Alex George ITV/Shutterstock
Asked how he is coping, he said: “That’s the hard thing, I felt tremendous guilt. I’m a doctor, I’m the older brother.
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“I always wanted to protect and look after him. What could I have done differently? I’m supposed to be a mental health advocate. It was just the worst thing.
“But, as you say, mental health and physical health are akin … it is an illness. That’s why it’s so important we treat it like that.”
He added: “I wanted to be open about that because it’s nothing to be ashamed of. It is an illness like anything else.”
He said he has since gone back to work at Lewisham Hospital in south-east London, adding: “The hospital has been so kind to me, they’ve let me come back in a way to take my time and build up, it’s been very helpful.
“It’s more important than ever to me that we tackle mental health properly and do it in the right way. Going back has helped hugely.
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“I’m passionately moving forward. My life is before and after what’s happened. I realise I will never get over this.
“I feel a real purpose … Just, please everyone, if you are struggling, please reach out. There is always a chance for a better day, please reach out and ask for help. The pain of loss of this kind of thing is just immense, so please reach out.”
Dr George said when he got the phone call from his father he could tell straight away that “something bad had happened”.
“When he said it was Llyr, the world sort of ended in a sense, everything, the world came down on my shoulders almost.”
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He continued: “My little brother, Elliot, picked me up and we drove back to Wales. We sat in silence for five hours, each of us was crying and shouting and just letting out all this anguish, I guess. I went into different parts of my mind on that journey home.
“Really dark parts of your mind, to be honest, just disbelief. I couldn’t believe this had happened.”
Dr George later wrote on Instagram: “Today was so so hard and not something I ever thought I would have to face.
“I miss Llyr so much. I want to say how grateful I am for all of your support and kindness throughout this time and a huge thank you to @lorraine and the team for being so supportive.
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“Now it’s time we make real change in how we approach mental health. I want to see a ‘mental health toolkit’ created for schools and universities.
“My goal is that teaching on mental wellbeing, self care and what to do when you are struggling, is taught from the very beginning.
“I need your help and support to make this a reality. It won’t be easy but we can do it together. Who’s with me?”
Useful websites and helplines
Mind, open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393.
Samaritans offers a listening service which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill).
CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer a helpline open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year, on 0800 58 58 58, and a webchat service.
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The Mix is a free support service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email help@themix.org.uk


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Grouse Shooting And Hunting Exempt From Johnson's 'Rule Of Six' Covid Curbs

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Boris Johnson is facing a fresh row over his new coronavirus “rule of six” curbs after it emerged that the government has exempted grouse shooting and other “hunting” with guns from the restrictions.
Pro-hunting and shooting groups can continue to hold gatherings of between six and 30 people because they are covered by a loophole that permits licensed “outdoor activity”.
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New regulations published by the government for England just before midnight on Sunday have a string of exemptions for sports clubs, wedding receptions and even political protests.
But they also have an exemption for when “a gathering takes place outdoors (whether or not in a public outdoor space)” for the purpose of “a physical activity which is carried on outdoors”, where a licence, permit or certificate is held by the organiser.
HuffPost UK has learned that the Cabinet Office’s special Covid-19 Operations ministerial committee – chaired by Michael Gove – scheduled a meeting on Saturday, with one agenda item titled: “Exemption: hunting and shooting.”
The meeting was abruptly cancelled just hours beforehand, with cabinet ministers and officials told that this issue would be discussed later or via ministerial correspondence.
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Members of a shooting party as the Glorious 12th, the official start of the grouse shooting season, gets underway
Insiders believe that the meeting was axed to avoid any ministers raising objections.
Instead, the “outdoor activity” wording was inserted into the regulations, opening the way for an exemption for so-called “country sports” such as grouse and pheasant shooting and hunting.
One source said the entire issue held up the publication of the regulations until shortly before the new law was due to kick in at midnight on Sunday.
Brand new government guidance published by the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on Monday lists “shooting (including hunting and paintball that requires a shotgun or firearms certificate license)” as a “sport or organised outdoor activity”.
It appears that foxhunting may not be exempted, but the current position is unclear.
When asked by HuffPost UK if the reference to “shooting (hunting)” included foxhunting, a spokesperson said “the exemptions are as listed in the guidance”.
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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Former minister Tracey Crouch said: “Many will find this topsy-turvy prioritisation from government.
“I’ve had queries about choirs, community bands, addiction therapy groups, all of whom would be worthy of an exemption and instead we are scrabbling around prioritising shooting animals. It’s bonkers.”
Shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard added: “Across the country, people are struggling to get COVID-19 tests anywhere near their homes.
“But the Conservatives are distracted with trying to exempt the bloodsport passions of their big donors from coronavirus regulations. It shows where this government’s priorities really lie.
“It is clear there’s one rule for the cabinet and their mates and another for the rest of us.”
Chris Luffingham, director of campaigns at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “The Government is giving the shooting industry carte blanche to continue its murderous activities despite the threat posed by gatherings during this awful pandemic.
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“The recent Government People and Nature Survey for England found that an increasing number of people (42%) are saying that nature and wildlife are more important than ever for their wellbeing – this government exemption flies in the face of that and condemns many animals to being shot for ‘sport’.
“Lockdown offered animals a respite from the activities of hunters so we think the Government’s move to allow shooting is a backward step.”
Much of the Tory party has long been proud of its links to hunting and shooting, believing it boosts rural communities with vital income, and has received donations from its advocates.
Former Countryside Alliance chairman Simon Hart is now in Johnson’s cabinet as Welsh Secretary.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who sits on the Covid-19 Operations committee, was this summer praising the work that grouse shooting can do for moorland.
Delighted to recently join Rishi Sunak MP at Bolton Castle to show the many benefits of moorland mgmt for grouse. Rishi Sunak MP: “I learnt a huge amount about the importance of moorland mgmt & how it contributes to the astonishing range of wildlife that thrives on these moors." pic.twitter.com/pHvW4FjItC — Amanda Anderson (@MoorlandAssoc) July 17, 2018
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Johnson himself has written in the past that he “loved” foxhunting with dogs, once writing in the Spectator magazine of the “semi-sexual relation with the horse” and the “military-style pleasure” of moving as a unit.
Sir Humphry Wakefield, father-in-law of the PM’s chief adviser Dominic Cummings, who has shoots on his Chillingham Castle estate in Northumberland, has said “I love shooting, hunting”.
The party’s fundraising balls have frequently auctioned pheasant shooting events in Scotland. In 2017, one supporter handed over £15,000 for an eight-person excursion to shoot pheasants on a Scottish estate.
However, several Tory MPs have long campaigned against foxhunting and other “blood sports”.
Shooting – including grouse, pheasant and pigeon shooting and “recreational deer stalking” – was one of several activities permitted when lockdown was eased this summer, with no restrictions on how far people could travel to do so.
Mask-wearing shooters were out in force for “the Glorious 12th”, the first day of the grouse shooting season in August.
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Grouse shooting in Scotland as 'the Glorious 12th', the official start of the grouse shooting season, got underway PA
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We have exempted over thirty types of sport, exercise and physical activity such as football, rugby and other outdoor pursuits
“Outdoor activity is safer from a transmission perspective, and it is often easier to social distance. Where such activities take place, safety measures must be taken including conducting a risk assessment and compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance.”
The British Association for Shooting and Conservation said in a statement last week: “The latest guidance says that there will be exceptions where groups can be larger than six, including work or voluntary services as well as outdoor sport and physical activity events.
“BASC continues to press ministers for further detail but believes that these exemptions encompass shooting where shoots operate in accordance with Covid secure guidance issued by representative shooting organisations, including BASC.”
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The Countryside Alliance also said last week: “From our understanding at present businesses and organised sports operating in England to Covid secure standards will be exempt from the new restrictions on social gatherings.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Boris Johnson In Bid To Make Surprise Speech To Subdue Tory Brexit Rebellion

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Boris Johnson will make a direct appeal to Tory rebels to back his “critical” Brexit plans despite them breaking international law.
The prime minister’s proposals to give ministers the power to go back on key sections of the “oven ready” withdrawal agreement he negotiated and signed have sparked a major backlash from his own MPs.
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On Monday, Rehman Chishti quit as the PM’s religion envoy, with the Brexiteer former barrister insisting that “if we give our word, then we must honour it”. His resignation will add pressure to the PM, as rebels threaten to derail his Internal Market Bill, which comes to the Commons later today.
One MP told HuffPost UK there were “definitely more than 40 angry” Tories who could join Labour in voting against the government’s wishes, putting the PM at risk of a first Commons defeat since December’s election.
The PM has responded to the rebellion by choosing to open the debate on the Bill on Monday afternoon, instead of business secretary Alok Sharma, and to take questions from rebellious backbenchers.
Shadow business secretary Ed Miliband will respond for Labour after Keir Starmer had to self isolate, after a member of his household showed symptoms of coronavirus.
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Johnson attempted to calm Tory rebels in a Zoom chat on Friday but the backlash has grown over the weekend, with ex-PM David Cameron and his former attorney general Geoffrey Cox sharply criticising the plans.
The other living former prime ministers - Tories Sir John Major and Theresa May, and Labour’s Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, have also voiced opposition to the plans.
Asked why the PM had decided to replace Sharma in opening the debate, his official spokesperson said: “It is a critical piece of legislation for the United Kingdom and as the prime minister has been doing over the course of the last week he will be setting that out to the House of Commons.”
Rebels are coalescing around an amendment proposed by senior Tory and Commons justice committee chair Bob Neill, which would give MPs a veto over powers in the Bill coming into force.
But some hardened opponents of the plans do not even believe that amendment, to be voted on next week, goes far enough.
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One Tory predicted as many as 20-30 Tories could oppose the Bill outright at second reading, its first Commons stage, tonight.
A further 20 could abstain, they suggested, putting the Bill at risk of defeat in its first vote.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Strictly Come Dancing *Will* Have An Audience This Year, But Things Will Be Very Different

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It’s been confirmed that this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing will be going ahead with a live studio audience, albeit in a slightly different way to usual.
A post on the BBC’s website has revealed that Strictly fans can now apply for tickets, which will be allocated in groups of four, with audience members watching the show at cabaret-style tables rather than the usual rows of seats.
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This means people from the same household or social bubble will be able to sit together to watch the show, either at tables or in a balcony seating.
Audience members will have to wear face coverings as long as they are at Elstree Studios, where Strictly is filmed, with the BBC stating: “We would be grateful if you could bring plain black face coverings.”
It's time...https://t.co/FWXVp6caE7 Check it out before 10pm on 20th September!! pic.twitter.com/TSP3Fs6bWV — BBC Shows and Tours (@bbcshowstours) September 14, 2020
Groups of fewer than four members will not be allowed to apply for tickets, “to allow us to make the most of the space in the studio”.
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The listing also suggests that this year’s Strictly live shows will begin on Saturday 24 October, with filming also taking place on Monday 12 October, for what is presumably a pre-recorded launch show.
This year’s series will be markedly different to past runs, due to coronavirus restrictions.
For one thing, the show is running for less time than usual, with the number of contestants reduced to 12.
Long-serving judge Bruno Tonioli will also not be appearing on the panel for the first time in Strictly history, due to filming commitments in the US, where he lives most of the time.
Strictly hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly BBC/Guy Levy
It’s also been revealed that Strictly will not be able to take its annual trip to Blackpool Tower in 2020, although producers will be paying tribute to the iconic ballroom in their own way.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Kidbrooke Crash: Driver Dead And 11-Year-Old Child Critical After Bin Lorry Smashes Into House

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The driver of a bin lorry has died after colliding with cars and crashing into a house in south-east London.
An 11-year-old child is in a life-threatening condition and a “number of other people have been injured, the Met Police has said.
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Officers were called to the scene in Broad Walk, Kidbrooke, shortly after 8am on Monday following the collision. The lorry driver was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other males injured in the crash were also taken to hospital, with one of those later discharged.
London Fire Brigade said it appeared a lorry had collided with two cars and crashed into a house, causing structural damage to the building.
Police at the scene of a collision in Broad Walk, Kidbrooke, south-east London, where the driver of a lorry which hit two cars before crashing into a house died and an 11-year-old child is in a life-threatening condition in hospital. PA
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A local, who asked to remain anonymous, said the scene was “utterly tragic” after the lorry crashed just 30 metres from his home.
“About 8am when I was preparing school run for my kids, all (of a) sudden police, ambulance siren, helicopter sound went on,” he told the PA news agency.
“Local traffic was controlled by police, then I heard people are talking about a lorry crashed into local house… then someone was sent off (in an) air ambulance.
“Bit emotional myself right now after hearing an 11-year-old kid is in serious condition. It’s utterly tragic – my thoughts are with their loved ones.”
London Fire Brigade station commander Nathan Hobson said: “Specialist Urban Search and Rescue crews attended the scene and efforts were made to free the lorry driver but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Kate Middleton Launches Inspiring Collection Of UK Lockdown Photos

Kate Middleton Launches Inspiring Collection Of UK Lockdown Photos
Led by The Duchess of Cambridge, Hold Still is an ambitious community project to create a unique portrait of the UK during lockdown. Over 31,000 submissions were received and a panel of judges selected 100 portraits to be featured in a special digital exhibition.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--‘A Movie For Paedophiles’ - How Netflix Missed The Point With Cuties

Films have been ‘cancelled’ for featuring offensive content way before cancel culture began: in 1973, Stanley Kubrick declared that his film, A Clockwork Orange, should never be played again in his lifetime after the furore it caused.
Audiences have called out films which they have deemed to be offensive for decades, but typically, film-makers and distributors have fought back, claiming their work is important in an artistic sense.
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The debate about what constitutes ‘good’ art has risen again after Netflix acquired the rights to Cuties, a French feature from film-maker Maïmouna Doucouré.
The film, about one young girl torn between the life of her Senegalese Muslim family and the Westernised ways of her French schoolmates, won the directing jury prize at this year’s Sundance, and has received a raft of positive reviews, scoring 88% on online review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
But the scenes of suggestive dancing have riled some viewers who have condemned the feature as child pornography. Those on the other side of the debate view the film as a nuanced criticism of the culture of child objectification - and a crucial conversation starter.
Criticism gained pace after Netflix marketed Cuties with an image of the young cast posing provocatively, rather than the using original poster, which featured them shopping. Netflix has since removed their choice of poster, and apologised for marketing the film in a way which was deemed in bad taste.
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So “Cuties” was a French film that went to Sundance. Netflix gets ahold of it , re-titles it something questionable and slaps a hyper-sexual poster on it. I haven’t watched yet so I will reserve my feelings about the actual film...but the diff in the two posters says a lot. pic.twitter.com/2YkkCs05D2 — Blood Moonbeam (@BloodMoonbeam) August 20, 2020
“We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties,” said Netflix in a tweet that included the film’s original French title.
“It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.”
We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description. — Netflix (@netflix) August 20, 2020
The streaming service has defended their inclusion of the film on the platform, saying it is “a social commentary against the sexualisation of young children” rather than having the intention of objectifying young girls.
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Yet, furious critics have continued to make their voices heard. A Change.org petition to have the film removed from Netflix has garnered almost 360,000 signatures.
“This movie/show is disgusting as it sexualises an ELEVEN year old for the viewing pleasure of pedophiles and also negatively influences our children! There is no need for this kind of content in that age group, especially when sex trafficking and pedophilia are so rampant! There is no excuse, this is dangerous content!” reads the caption.
However, removing the film from platforms would be an unfair move, say the British Board of Film Classification, who explained to HuffPost UK why they don’t believe the film has any potential to harmfully impact viewers.
Cuties creator Maimouna Doucoure at the Netflix premiere of Cuties at the 70th Berlinale International Film Festival Berlin Andreas Rentz via Getty Images
“The film addresses the effects of sexualisation in popular culture, including on young people, but this is handled sensitively within the context of a coming-of-age drama,” the spokesperson said.
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They added: “Our extensive research into public opinion, and our Classification Guidelines, guides us as we seek to ensure that classification decisions reflect people’s opinions in the UK.”
Other industry voices speaking to HuffPost UK agree.
″It sounds to me like Netflix inappropriately positioned the film missing the point of what it was about,” says Julie Des, founder of the She Does Filmz organisation to celebrate female voices in film.
Julie is yet to see the film, but believes the commotion over the sexualised poster is “not necessarily a reflection on the film - and from reviews I’ve seen it’s not, it’s more a reflection of Netflix not handling the film’s content appropriately.”
“The fact that this film was directed by a woman changes everything.”
Cutie is the product of a female film-maker, says Julie, and therefore unlikely to reinforce negative stereotypes about women in film that are traditionally found in films made from the perspective of the male gaze.
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″The fact that this film was directed by a woman changes everything in terms of perspective and intent,” adds Julie, who notes how “we’re uncomfortable with discussing girls sexuality, because the viewpoint has historically been twisted, with connotations and risks associated with it.”
Bucking that trend, Cutie offers an authentic look at the reality of life for young girls growing up with the threat of sexual exploitation, says Doctor Helen Jacey, screenwriter and CEO of Shedunnit Productions. “Netflix removed the original poster after a public outcry, but that doesn’t reflect on the filmmaker’s intensions for her work,” she says.
“The backlash to the marketing of this movie, before many of the complainers have even seen the film, does show that her subject matter is pertinent,” she adds on the divide in opinion around the film.
Helen goes so far as to say that “exploitation belongs to the exploitative viewer,” and that marketing executives risk the real message of the film being lost by using the sexualised poster. She believes executives “recognise that generic images of women are proven to sell” and forefront those over more representative images of the film as a whole.
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The message from French-Senegalese film-maker Maïmouna Doucouré circles back to the toxicity of cancel culture, of people condemning things before they fully understand them. Responding to the backlash against the film in an interview with Refinery 29, she said that “ultimately, people didn’t have the right information” before they formed their opinions.
Explaining more about her inspiration for the film, she said: “At one point these young girls took the stage and danced very well. But it was also very disturbing to watch because they danced like adults, like we see in music videos. So I started wondering whether or not they were conscious of the message they were sending with this sexualised dance.”
Despite Maïmouna’s defence, the #CancelNetflix hashtag on Twitter is rife with screenshots of cancelled Netflix subscriptions. It’s unclear how many of them have actually seen the film, although the point of having the film cancelled seems to have got lost somewhat in a sea of trolls. “I personally can’t wait to watch Cuties #CancelNetflix,” one user provocatively tweeted.
The debate around outrage seems so often to be typified by opposing opinions being shouted loudly, rather than having the intention of educating audiences or changing minds.
More than anything, it’s important we see past the tone deaf marketing campaign to understand the true power of female film-makers telling their own stories, says Julie Des.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Keir Starmer Self-Isolating After Household Member Shows Symptoms Of Covid

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Keir Starmer is self-isolating after a member of his household showed symptoms of coronavirus.
A spokesperson for the Labour leader said the family member has had a test and that Starmer is following guidance by self-isolating until results arrive.
Starmer was alerted to the news just after finishing a session of Call Keir on LBC radio on Monday morning.
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He has not shown any symptoms of the disease and will be working from home, the spokesperson added.
They said: “This morning Keir Starmer was advised to self isolate after a member of his household showed possible symptoms of the coronavirus.
“The member of his household has now had a test. In line with NHS guidelines, Keir will self-isolate while awaiting the results of the test and further advice from medical professionals.”
Labour leader Keir Starmer Henry Nicholls / reuters
The prime minister’s official spokesman said that Boris Johnson has spoken with Starmer on Monday morning and offered him his best wishes.
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Starmer had been due to speak in the Commons in a debate on the government’s controversial internal markets bill.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--7 Bits of Coronavirus Kit That Absolutely No One Needs

HUffPost UK
Coronavirus merchandise is here – but we’re unsure who on earth is buying it.
Designers are upping the ante with extortionate face shields and masks, while online retailers are busy making questionable slogan tees and jumpers. If you’ve got cash to spend, there’s no shortage of people willing to take it.
Here are seven items you’re better off leaving on the (digital) shelf:
Louis Vuitton’s Pricey PPE
Louis Vuitton
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Louis Vuitton is set to launch a designer face shield, with a price tag of $961 (£747), according to Vanity Fair. The shield is described as “an eye-catching headpiece, both stylish and protective”. It can also be flipped upwards and worn as a peaked hat, for people who aren’t satisfied with only looking slightly ridiculous. The pricey PPE will be in stores worldwide from October 30.
Virus cufflinks
CafePress
Who wants to be reminded of a deadly virus every time they look at their hands? These cufflinks are just bizarre, but the novelty site CafePress is also selling some with the slogan “wear a damn mask”, which we can (just about) get on board with.
Anything with ‘survivor’ on
HotScamp Store/Amazon
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There are way too many “Covid-19 Survivor” items on sale, like this hoodie currently available on Amazon. Firstly, insensitive much? Secondly, we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, don’t count your chickens...
Mask chains
Billie Simone
A number of retailers are selling “mask chains” – essentially glasses cords, repurposed for the pandemic so you don’t forget your face mask. The product above is by the jewellery designer Billie Simone and retails for a whopping $228 (£177). That’s a lot to pay to have your mask flapping around – and it’s definitely not the correct way to store it.
Leather face masks
Candice Cuoco
Designer Candice Cuoco has a collection of leather face masks on sale at Selfridges. The one above is priced at £75. One word: sweaty.
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Corona birthday mug
Novelteamugsuk/Etsy
Remember when we all thought everything would be okay if we just kept singing ‘Happy Birthday’ while washing our hands? Please, do not buy anyone this depressing reminder.
The worst Christmas jumper. Ever
PERFECT PERSONALISED GIFTS
Corona Christmas is coming to town – and we don’t need a reminder with this premature jumper, thank you very much. It’s being sold on NotOnTheHighStreet for £32.99 and we fear it’s the first of many.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Jo Malone Apologises After John Boyega Is Cut From Chinese Version Of Advert He Created And Directed

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Perfume company Jo Malone has issued an apology after John Boyega was cut from the Chinese version of an advert that he’d helped create.
Last year, Jo Malone debuted a new advertising campaign directed by and featuring the Star Wars actor, which showed him walking around Peckham, where he was born and raised, dancing with friends and spending time at home with his family.
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A reshot version of the ad featuring actor Liu Haoran in similar scenes was recently unveiled for the Chinese market, with a Jo Malone spokesperson having now apologised for the decision to remove John from the international clip.
We are thrilled to announce that our Jo Malone London Gent film featuring @JohnBoyega is the proud winner of The Fragrance Foundation Virtual Awards 2020 for Best Media Campaign. #ScentofAGent #TheFragranceFoundationAwards pic.twitter.com/rNZpTVXLB6 — Jo Malone London (@JoMaloneLondon) August 27, 2020
“We deeply apologise for what on our end was a mistake in the local execution of the John Boyega campaign,” they told The Hollywood Reporter.
“John is a tremendous artist with great personal vision and direction. The concept for the film was based on John’s personal experiences and should not have been replicated.”
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They continued: “While we immediately took action and removed the local version of the campaign, we recognise that this was painful and that offence was caused.
“We respect John, and support our partners and fans globally. We are taking this misstep very seriously and we are working together as a brand to do better moving forward.”
John Boyega Rodin Eckenroth via Getty Images
John is yet to comment on the matter directly, but did reshare a post from one Twitter user who wrote: “This is the ad John Boyega came up with and directed. It is great. Now, this man needs to be properly compensated for the thievery! No apology is good enough.”
He also retweeted a video from a fan highlighting the similarities between John’s original ad and the reshot version.
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This is the ad John Boyega came up with and directed. It is great. Now, this man needs to be properly compensated for the thievery! No apology is good enough. pic.twitter.com/QVduMN3ukJ — ferdosa @ #TIFF20 (virtually) (she/her) (@atomicwick) September 13, 2020
HuffPost UK has contacted John Boyega’s representatives for further comment.
Earlier this month, John made headlines when he spoke of his experiences as a member of the Star Wars cast, saying that Disney gave “all the nuance” to the saga’s white characters.
He said: “What I would say to Disney is do not bring out a Black character, market them to be much more important in the franchise than they are and then have them pushed to the side.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Disabled Students Urge Universities To Make Online Learning More Accessible

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Students with disabilities have urged universities to make online learning more accessible after revealing their struggles during lockdown.
Many have said they received inadequate support following the transition and pointed to broader gaps in higher education for disabled students.
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Now, as they prepare for more home learning in the new academic year, students have spoken of their fears if more support is not provided.
Disability groups and student unions have for years advocated for more online learning, arguing it would be a step forward in the implementation of the Equality Act, which demands that “reasonable adjustments” be made for students with special needs.
But as the Covid-19 pandemic swept through the UK and online learning became the norm, not all universities were ready for the challenge.
Students with disabilities had to reconcile workload and health needs in a short time and with little support. From reduced control over screen exposure to prevent seizures, to issues with obtaining extensions for coursework, not all students benefited.
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According to the Office for Students, more than one in eight students in England declared at least one disability in 2018-19. However, an Office for National Statistics report paints a grim picture: 21.8% of disabled people had a degree in 2019 compared with 38.0% of non-disabled people.
The number is as low as 7% for people with severe or specific learning
difficulties.
“Those of us who don’t feel safe going into in-person classes need to be properlyconsidered. Disabled students cannot be an afterthought any longer” - Lancaster University student Charli, 19
Charli, 19, is worried about continuing remote courses. A Lancaster student with an autism spectrum disorder, she has struggled to receive help from department staff and disability services in the past.
Her support plan details options to achieve learning outcomes in spite of her disability. Yet the personnel’s limited awareness translated into erratic support and the switch to online learning exacerbated the problem. Autism may hinder the ability to follow complex conversations, especially with background noise – but Charli’s lectures did not have subtitles. Moreover, extensions for group projects were too short for her extenuating circumstances.
“The excuse that it happened so fast last term isn’t valid now,” she says. “Those of us who don’t feel safe going into in-person classes need to be properly
considered. Disabled students cannot be an afterthought any longer.”
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Lancaster University said: “Whilst we are not able to comment on individual students, the university’s approach to disability is inclusive and we take the support and wellbeing of all our students very seriously.
“Our departments worked hard to put in place the necessary individual reasonable adjustments for the new teaching and assessment arrangements. We are continuing with our efforts to effectively support our disabled students to ensure they also receive the best student experience.”
In 2014, Pippa Stacey was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) while at York. She now authors books and articles on chronic fatigue syndrome, and has her own social enterprise.
For her, faculty members can become more receptive to individual needs
through better diversity and inclusion training.
“Even when studying is primarily based online, regular contact and communication from both parties will help to ensure that disabled and chronically ill students aren’t being disadvantaged,” she said.
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Konstantina Nouka is a disability officer at Reading’s Student Union. She received 30 complaints during the lockdown and some students felt so unsupported they deferred exams.
Nouka is now involved in consultations across schools to improve online teaching, but she is adamant: “Universities across the UK need to invest in training for students with special needs and disabilities. There is still a huge deficit of knowledge among teachers, tutors, and professors when it comes to disabled students.”
A student working at home. picture alliance via Getty Images
An informal survey conducted by Disabled Students UK shows that changing learning set-ups can cause anxiety and fatigue.
Many disabled students also experience issues with pre-existing conditions flaring up when adjusting to a new study environment, sometimes with reduced access to medical care under lockdown.
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Marelize, 20, has had complications with her eyesight disability since the beginning of lockdown. Her severe blepharitis, which causes excessive sensitivity to light, worsened due to prolonged computer sessions and the move to two-week online exams. She had to request several deferrals to relieve symptoms and complete courses. As a result, she has outstanding assessments two months after the end of the official deadline.
Marelize appreciates that Bristol’s law school never questioned her claims and that it will supply a screen reader for the upcoming term. But online learning gave her a different understanding of her status.
“Before lockdown, I didn’t really see myself as being hugely affected by my condition,” she said. “I just put it down to me struggling with the course and being ‘lazy’, so I didn’t seek all the help available to me.”
Students attending the same school may have differing experiences, it should be said.
Lorna, a student with ME, praised Durham’s Supported Progression programme in a blog for the Higher Education Policy Institute.
“I must admit I did not expect people to have even heard of [my disability],”
she says. “But in my experience some have and some even understand the severity of it.
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Yet she recognises that is not the case for everyone: “Disabled students are an untapped potential, yet we struggle to receive these life-changing experiences at top universities.”
Another student, who wishes to remain anonymous, experienced a problem despite arrangements at Durham. He and his classics coursemates welcomed provisions allowing them to type in Greek and enjoy quality lecture recordings. However, the exam timetable did not fully accommodate his need for limited screen time to prevent epileptic seizures.
He says: “My last two exams were nearly consecutive and this did make it stressful. Even though I had completed and submitted the paper, it was hard to move onto the next one.”
Abigail, 19, also thinks that her college at Oxford, where she studies English, could have been clearer on the inclusion of extra time and breaks: “Putting the onus on disabled students to clarify just causes more stress than necessary,” she says.
But a lack of active support from the school for her two chronic illnesses did not negate the advantages of remote tuition. She hopes that some changes, such as larger archives of online resources, will become permanent.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Alesha Dixon Dispels Claims She Said She'd Quit BGT If ITV Apologised About Diversity Performance

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Alesha Dixon has spoken out following reports she said she would quit Britain’s Got Talent if ITV made a public apology over Diversity’s performance during this year’s semi-finals.
When BGT returned to our screens earlier this month, the former champions returned to the show to perform a routine inspired by the events of 2020, including references to the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Over the weekend, the Mail On Sunday claimed that Alesha – who has voiced her support for Diversity amid the backlash – had “told friends” that if ITV were to apologise over the performance, she would quit her role as a judge.
Alesha Dixon at this year's BGT auditions Stuart C. Wilson via Getty Images
Posting on Twitter on Sunday, she insisted she had “never threatened to quit” the series, accusing the journalist in question of “making up this story”.
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“For the record I never threatened to quit BGT, I’ve had no conversations with ITV regarding this matter,” she wrote. “I do however stand by and support @AshleyBanjo and Diversity.”
Alesha also added the hashtag, #IAmNotYourMediaPuppet.
For the record I never threatened to quit BGT, I’ve had no conversations with ITV regarding this matter and Katie Hind made up this story, I do however stand by and support @AshleyBanjo and Diversity. #IamNotYourMediaPuppet — Alesha Dixon (@AleshaOfficial) September 13, 2020
Alesha is the only member of the main BGT team to have publicly shown support for Diversity since their performance at the beginning of the semi-finals.
However, Piers Morgan – who was a judge on the show when they were crowned winners – also spoke out in defence of the group during Monday’s edition of Good Morning Britain.
Diversity members Ashley Banjo, Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo on stage during their BGT performance Dymond/Thames/Syco/Shutterstock
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The former Mis-Teeq star blasted a tabloid story claiming Simon’s girlfriend Lauren Silverman had confronted her backstage at Britain’s Got Talent, writing: “First class journalism at its best again! Don’t let the truth get in the way of a good story!


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--'Rule Of Six' Laws Were Published Just 30 MINUTES Before They Came Into Force

5ZA.—(1) Where a household comprises one adult, or one adult and one or more persons who were under the age of 18 on 12th June 2020 (“the first household”), the adult may choose to be linked with one other household (“the second household”), provided that— (a) neither the first household nor the second household are linked with any other household for the purposes of these Regulations or any of the Regulations mentioned in regulation 1(4), and (b) all the adult members of the second household agree.
(2) There is no limit on the number of adults or children which may be in the second household.
(3) The first and second households are “linked households” in relation to each other.
(4) The first and second households cease to be linked households if neither household satisfies the condition in the opening words of paragraph (1).
(5) Once the first and second households have ceased being linked households, neither the first household nor the second household may be linked with any other household.”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Piers Morgan To Those Who Complained About Diversity On BGT: 'You're The Problem'

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Piers Morgan has voiced his support for Diversity, after the dance troupe’s performance during the first Britain’s Got Talent semi-final led to thousands of complaints to Ofcom.
Just over a week ago, Diversity delivered a powerful routine inspired by the events of 2020, which included references to the killing of George Floyd, and the global protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement that followed.
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During Monday’s edition of Good Morning Britain, Piers – who was a judge on BGT when Diversity were crowned winners – showed his support for the group, in a short speech addressed to those who had made the complaints.
Diversity on stage during the first BGT semi-final Dymond/Thames/Syco/Shutterstock
The presenter said: “If you can’t handle that without feeling the need to never watch BGT again or to complain to Ofcom, there’s something wrong with you. You, you’re the problem. You’re part of the problem.
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“By the way, if you don’t like me saying this, then don’t watch us either. Don’t watch Good Morning Britain. Because I agree with Ashley Banjo and Diversity.
“And if you can’t handle it, Britain, wake up.”
Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Piers has previously raised eyebrows on a number of occasions when it comes to the subject of race, including during an interview with British rapper Dizzee Rascal earlier in the summer.
And ITV received a warning from Ofcom earlier this year, after more than 1,500 people complained about an incident that saw Piers mimicking a Chinese advert featuring the Queen’s grandson, Peter Phillips.
Since their performance, Diversity have received public support from BGT judge Alesha Dixon, who said she “stands by and supports [Ashley Banjo] and Diversity” in a tweet posted over the weekend.
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Last week, Diversity leader Ashley Banjo shared a screenshot of a comment aimed at himself, boxer Anthony Joshua and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, urging them not to “say anything about racism”.
He said: “For the people sending this:1. You do not represent or speak for the Great British public. 2. Silence was never and will never be an option.”
“3. Change is inevitable... Get used to it.”
Alesha also commented on this post last week, writing that such critics could “kiss my Black ass”.
Since Diversity’s performance in the BGT semi-final, both Ashley and his brother Jordan Banjo have spoken out about the racist abuse they have received.
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As well as performing, Ashley is also currently serving as a guest judge on Britain’s Got Talent, filling in for Simon Cowell, who recently underwent surgery on his back when he fell off an electric bike.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Diversity's Ashley Banjo Speaks Out Over Racist Abuse Following Britain's Got Talent Performance

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Ashley Banjo has spoken out about the racist abuse he and his fellow Diversity performers have received since their performance on Britain’s Got Talent, which featured references to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Earlier this month, Ashley led Diversity in a performance in the first BGT semi-final, which featured a look back at the events of 2020, including references to the killing of George Floyd and the global protests that followed.
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Addressing this in an Instagram video, Ashley told his fans he was “feeling nothing but proud and positive”, insisting that the “negativity is the minority”.
“It’s been a crazy week, and I’ve kind of been a bit quiet on socials,” he explained. “I’ve been living life, trying not to get caught up in it all, but I feel like now is the time to come out and say a few things.
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“So firstly, I just want to say thank you to all the people who have supported what me and Diversity did with our performance, and reached out. Honestly, it’s overwhelming, the positive reaction to what we did, hundreds of thousands of messages, comments, DMs, interactions in the street.
“And I know that a lot of the sort of press reports have been about the complaints and the negativity – which, there has been a lot, there’s been what? 15 or 16,000 complaints, a lot of negativity thrown back at the performance – but trust me, I’m right in the centre of it, and the negativity is the minority.”
He continued: “We’re feeling positive, proud, happy, confident and we stand by every single decision that we made with that performance.
“I mean, if I’m honest with you, to be able to stand on the very stage that launched Diversity into the limelight, as a judge on the panel, standing up for something we believe in, using our art to spark a nationwide conversation, what more could I ask for as a creative, as an artist? That is it… it feels like the biggest gift ever.”
Diversity performing during the first Britain's Got Talent semi-final Dymond/Thames/Syco/Shutterstock
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However, Ashley went on to speak about the racism he and many other members of Diversity have experienced since the performance aired, revealing that it has been “overwhelming” at times.
Ashley continued: “Moving onto the negativity, it’s been a lot. You know, everything from racial abuse to threats to just some really nasty stuff that I’m not even going to bring light to, because I’m not going to give it any more time than it deserves.
“But a lot of the negativity and the nastiness and the racism shows exactly why this performance was needed, and exactly why this conversation that has now risen from it is necessary.
“Racism is very real, I knew it before, and I definitely know it now. After this performance, and everything that we’ve received, it’s been overwhelming in the negative sense sometimes.”
Ashley spoke to fans on Instagram Instagram
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Ashley previously addressed reports of the initial Ofcom complaints on Instagram last week, writing: “I’m so grateful and overwhelmed by all of the love and support but also by the amount of conversation this performance has thrown up.
“2020 has been such a historical year. One day we will look back and realise it was the start of real change... Sending out nothing but love and positivity to everyone reading this post.”
Since then, he shared a second post, featuring a screenshot of a comment aimed at himself, boxer Anthony Joshua and Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, urging them not to “say anything about racism”.
He wrote: “For the people sending this:1. You do not represent or speak for the Great British public. 2. Silence was never and will never be an option.”
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He added: “Change is inevitable... Get used to it.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--David Cameron Becomes Fifth Former PM To Criticise Law-Breaking Brexit Plan

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David Cameron has become the fifth former prime minister to criticise Boris Johnson’s international law-breaking Brexit plan.
The former Tory premier has said he has “misgivings” over his successor’s internal market bill, which is due to be debated in the Commons today.
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The bill unpicks parts of the Withdrawal Agreement (WA) negotiated last year to give UK ministers key powers to decide when EU rules apply to Northern Ireland.
Johnson faces a major rebellion from Tory backbenchers over the bill.
Tory former prime minister David Cameron said: “Passing an act of parliament and then going on to break an international treaty obligation is the very, very last thing you should contemplate.
“It should be an absolute final resort.
“So, I do have misgivings about what’s being proposed.”
He added: “And, of course, the bigger picture here is that we are in a vital negotiation with the European Union to get a deal and I think we have to keep that context, that big prize in mind.
“And that’s why I have perhaps held back from saying more up to now.”
It follows a joint piece by John Major and Tony Blair in the Sunday Times urging MPs to reject the legislation.
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Last week, Theresa May also shared her concerns about the prospect of the UK breaking an international agreement and Gordon Brown has also spoken out.
"How can the government reassure future international partners that the UK can be trusted to abide by the legal obligations of the agreements it signs?" asks ex-PM Theresa May
No 10 is introducing law which could change part of the Withdrawal Agreementhttps://t.co/HyuB1SWSbB pic.twitter.com/fhdNAdBAnr — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) September 8, 2020
Justice secretary Robert Buckland on Sunday suggested he may resign over the plan.
Former attorney general Geoffrey Cox, a prominent Brexiteer, has also hit out at Johnson’s approach, writing in the Times: “It is unconscionable that this country, justly famous for its regard for the rule of law around the world, should act in such a way.”
The government meanwhile claims the bill protects the Good Friday Agreement, which secured peace in Northern Ireland.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Trump's 'Reckless And Selfish' Indoor Campaign Rally Condemned

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As President Donald Trump pushed ahead with his first indoor campaign rally in months in Nevada on Sunday night, the state’s governor Steve Sisolak condemned him for selfishly endangering lives and hosting an event deemed high risk by his own government.
Gatherings of more than 50 people have not been permitted in Nevada since May, a guideline that was based on White House recommendations. Sisolak denounced Trump’s actions in an 11-part Twitter thread.
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“Tonight, President Donald Trump is taking reckless and selfish actions that are putting countless lives in danger here in Nevada,” he began. “Despite reports from his own White House, despite local officials in Southern & Northern Nevada reiterating to the venues the existing restrictions in State emergency directives, tonight, the President is knowingly packing thousands into an indoor venue to hold a political rally.”
He accused the president of failing to develop a unified national response strategy and now ignoring the guidelines states have established for themselves.
“To put it bluntly: he didn’t have the guts to make tough choices ― he left that to governors and the states. Now he’s decided he doesn’t have to respect our state’s laws. As usual, he doesn’t believe the rules apply to him,” he wrote.
“This is an insult to every Nevadan who has followed the directives, made sacrifices, and put their neighbours before themselves. It’s also a direct threat to all of the recent progress we’ve made, and could potentially set us back.”
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As Governor, I have worked with public health and infectious disease specialists to create emergency directives to protect public health and get our economy back on track. — Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) September 14, 2020
That means limiting gathering sizes, mandating face coverings and practicing social distancing. All of which the President recklessly disregarded for his own gain this weekend in Nevada. — Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) September 14, 2020
At a time when Nevada is focused on getting our economy back on track and protecting public health, the President’s actions this weekend are shameful, dangerous and irresponsible. — Governor Sisolak (@GovSisolak) September 14, 2020
Trump’s rally, held roughly 20 miles south of Las Vegas, is his first to be held indoors since his highly criticized Tulsa, Oklahoma, event on June 20. That gathering likely contributed to a spike in Covid-19 cases in the area, a top Tulsa health official said.
At another rally in Minden, Nevada, on Saturday night, Trump criticised Sisolak’s restrictions on crowd sizes and accused him of setting double standards for Republicans. “He tried to stop us,” Trump said. “He couldn’t.”
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Rallies were originally planned at airports in Reno and Las Vegas, but they were moved after authorities said they would violate local directives.
The City of Henderson told Trump’s venue, Xtreme Manufacturing, that it would be violating state laws if the rally went ahead.
“The City of Henderson has issued a compliance letter and verbal warning to the event organiser that the event as planned would be in direct violation of the governor’s Covid-19 emergency directives,” the City of Henderson said in a statement. “Specifically, gatherings of more than 50 people in a private or public setting is prohibited.”
The venue may face a fine of up to $500 for the violation and its business license could be suspended or revoked, the statement said.
Trump told his supporters that the venue’s owner thought it was unfair that Trump wasn’t allowed to host the indoor event and told them to “tell your governor to open up your state.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--100,000 Households Used Food Banks For The First Time During Lockdown - - And Demand Is Set To Rise

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The number of people forced to rely on food banks for the first time has soared as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new study.
And the need for food parcels is expected to rise by 61% this winter, as families with children feared to be hit the hardest.
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The UK’s food bank provider, the Trussell Trust, has said it saw an immediate and sustained increase in demand across its food banks from the start of the outbreak.
In April there was an 89% increase in the number of emergency food parcels compared with the same month in 2019, including a 107% increase in the number of parcels given out to children.
Between April and June, almost 100,000 households received support from a food bank for the very first time.
Analysis carried out on behalf of the charity by Heriot-Watt University has estimated 846,000 food parcels will be distributed this winter, as mass employment is expected to rise with the end of the furlough scheme in October.
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The charity warned there will a further rise in poverty, with 670,000 additional people classed as destitute by the end of the year, meaning they cannot afford essentials such as housing, energy and food.
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Communities throughout the country have shown enormous resilience in helping more people than ever before, but food banks and other community charities cannot continue to pick up the pieces. None of us should need a charity’s help to put food on the table.
“Our research finds that Covid-19 has led to tens of thousands of new people needing to use a food bank for the first time. This is not right. If we don’t take action now, there will be further catastrophic rises in poverty in the future.
“With the furlough scheme set to wind down, we must act now to put in place protection for each other. We must take it to help us weather the storm left in the wake of Covid-19.”
It comes as separate findings published by Action for Children revealed 71% of households who accessed funds by the charity did not have financial issues before the pandemic.
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Tens of thousands of people have been forced to rely on food banks for the first time. Anthony Devlin via Getty Images
Its report showed two thirds of the charity’s ground workers fear families will become worse off over the next six months.
A government spokesperson said: “We have provided £9.3bn extra welfare support to help those most in need, including increasing Universal Credit by up to £20 a week, as well as introducing income protection schemes, mortgage holidays and additional support for renters. Meanwhile, since mid-March we’ve supported 3.9 million claims to Universal Credit and made 1.3 million advance payments to people who could not wait.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--Two LA Sheriff's Deputies Fighting For Their Lives After Ambush Shooting As They Sat In Their Car

Two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were “fighting for their lives” Saturday after a lone gunman walked up to their parked patrol car and fired on them through an open window, officials said.
The female and male partners were hit multiple times in the car outside a metro station in the city of Compton, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at a press conference Saturday night.
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Surveillance footage of the scene released by authorities shows a man walking up to the car on the passenger side and firing several times “without warning or provocation,” said an earlier statement from the LASD. The suspect immediately fled on foot.
The shooter hadn’t been apprehended as of late Saturday.
“These are real people doing a tough job,” Villanueva told reporters. “It just shows the dangers of the job in the blink of any eye.”
He called the shooting a “cowardly act. The two deputies were doing their job watching out for the safety of the people on the train,” he said, adding: “Seeing somebody just walk up and start shooting on them — it pisses me off. It dismays me.”
The deputies were not identified, but Villanueva said one is the 31-year-old mother of a 6-year-old boy. The male deputy is 24. Both of them joined the force just over a year ago, said Villanueva, who swore them into office.
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The two were both out of surgery by late Saturday. “We’re going to keep them in our thoughts and prayers,” said Villanueva.
Moments ago, 2 of our Sheriff Deputies were shot in Compton and were transported to a local hospital. They are both still fighting for their lives, so please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. We will update this thread with information as it becomes available. — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
The Sheriff’s Department posted a clip of the surveillance footage on Twitter. It’s shown below. Be warned: It’s disturbing.
Update: The gunman walked up on the deputies and opened fire without warning or provocation. pic.twitter.com/cBQjyKkoxJ — LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) September 13, 2020
Officials asked for anyone who had witnessed the shooting or knew anything about it to contact the LASD.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-09-14--40 Tweets That Sum Up Friendship In The Age Of Covid-19

2020, a play
Friend: Do you remember that bar we got dinner at back in January?
Me: Yeah! What a fun find. We gotta go back when this is all over.
Friend: Well it closed. And then it burned down.