thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--BBC Insists Staff Can Attend Pride Marches If They 'Don't Get Involved In Anything Controversial'

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The BBC has been forced to clarify that its staff can attend Pride events – but only if they “do not get involved in matters which could be deemed political or controversial”.
It comes after the broadcaster launched new so-called impartiality guidelines for its workforce, saying they should not attend “public demonstrations or gatherings about controversial issues” even in a personal capacity. BBC employees told The Guardian they had been instructed that Pride marches would be included in this ban.
Advertisement
But in a note from director-general Tim Davie sent to senior staff at the corporation on Friday morning, colleagues were told that there is no ban on attending Pride parades if it does not bring the BBC into disrepute.
Staff who work in news and current affairs, factual journalism and senior leaders are free to attend events that are “clearly celebratory or commemorative” and “do not compromise perceptions of their impartiality”, Davie explained.
The internal note read: “If news and current affairs staff are participating in such events they must be mindful of ensuring that they do not get involved in matters which could be deemed political or controversial.
“There is no ban on these staff attending Pride events. Attending Pride parades is possible within the guidelines, but due care needs to be given to the guidance and staff need to ensure that they are not seen to be taking a stand on politicised or contested issues.”
Advertisement
The latest information has been widely condemned as both confusing and disappointing.
One BBC staff member told HuffPost UK: “I don’t have a problem with BBC staff being contractually obliged to be publicly party politically impartial, as civil servants are. What makes me uncomfortable about this stance on ‘impartiality’ that the updated guidelines take, however, is that it assumes a default, uncontroversial position which is the ideal – and which, by implication, is that of a cisgender heterosexual white person.
“By instructing staff to ‘not express a view on any policy which is a matter of current political debate or on a matter of public policy, political or industrial controversy, or any other ‘controversial subject’ and then using the specific examples of ‘trans issues’ both online and at Pride marches, and of Black Lives Matter protests, as has been raised in meetings with managers, it is making what are markers of identity for so many BBC colleagues into political issues as well.
“It feels like censorship to try and control how someone publicly expresses and discusses their markers of identity, especially when these characteristics have historically been – and still are – factors of oppression for so many people.”
Staff were banned from attending Black Lives Matter protests over the summer, HuffPost UK revealed in August.
London, UK - July 3, 2014: BBC head office and square in front of main entrance with walking people IR_Stone via Getty Images
Advertisement
Hugh Smithson-Wright, a restaurant PR consultant and LGBTQ+ rights activist, described the corporation’s Pride position as “awful”.
“This is a heavily qualified clarification. What counts as a ‘politicised or contested issue’? The death penalty for homosexuality in Brunei? Surging state-sanctioned homophobia in Poland? Homicide rates for trans people of colour? All of these and many more are what Pride is about,” he told HuffPost UK.
“Tim Davie seems to be saying: ‘You can attend a ‘Pride’ march if it’s one of those happy-clappy sanitised desexualised ones where being queer is only mentioned obliquely and doesn’t actually, y’know, protest anything.’ Awful.
“It would be better if, rather than positioning events like Pride and BLM as being ‘politicised’, the BBC were to champion and actively encourage the attendance of its staff at them. It feels dangerously retrograde for the BBC, by implication, to position supporting equality as something that can be ‘contested’ – that just validates bigotry.”
Peter Woodhouse, head of business sector at law firm Stone King, said there could also be potential legal claims for employers who try to restrict employees’ actions outside work.
Advertisement
“This is a classic example of where society recognises competing rights. Here society would recognise a right to freedom of expression and association, but this could be pitched against the perceived benefit of the political impartiality of the BBC,” he told HuffPost UK.
“The law and employers can struggle with this and much will depend on how firm the BBC will be in its enforcement. Ultimately, they might decide to dismiss someone and at the very least they will have to ensure that their policies are clear, up-to-date and applied consistently.
“Their policies should specifically cover conduct outside work. Failures [to do this] in such areas could make a dismissal unfair.”
Niall Carson - PA Images via Getty Images
Woodhouse added: “Further, I would anticipate claims for discrimination, for example, if the policy disproportionately impacts on someone from a particular race or ethnic origin. Such a measure must be justified and the reasoning behind it must be shown to be non-discriminatory. Here, the BBC’s reasoning is to prevent political bias and to ensure impartiality – however, consistency and proportionality in the application of the measure will be key to reduce the risk of potential discrimination claims.”
Advertisement
As a result of the recent social media guidance from the BBC, the National Union of Journalists is calling for an urgent meeting with the director-general.
Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary, said: “Following the publication of the guidelines yesterday, the NUJ sought an urgent meeting with the BBC to address our members’ concerns about the changes which could constrain individuals’ ability to meaningfully participate and engage in issues that matter to them – whether that’s in their trade union, their communities or in events such as Pride.
“The director general’s confirmation this morning that attendance at Pride would not be a breach is obviously welcome – that the clarification proved necessary shows that further clarity is needed.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--100 Black British Writers Back Reni Eddo-Lodge Over Kemi Badenoch Segregation Claim

HuffPost is part of Verizon Media .
We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through @ @ @ @ @ similar technologies , to display personalised ads and content , for ad and content measurement @ @ @ @ @ development .
Your personal data that may be used • Information about your device and @ @ @ @ @ IP address • Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps Find @ @ @ @ @ use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy .
To enable Verizon Media @ @ @ @ @ your personal data select ' I agree ' , or select 'Manage settings ' for @ @ @ @ @ your choices .
You can change your choices at any time by visiting Your Privacy @ @

Black Writer's Guild Supplied
Over 100 Black writers are calling on the government to rein in its ministers following Olukemi Badenoch’s implication that author Reni Eddo-Lodge’s work supports racial segregation.
The collective – known as the Black Writers’ Guild – is urging Whitehall to ensure that ministers are responsible with their language and “avoid spreading misinformation”.
Advertisement
It comes after The Spectator printed comments from Badenoch on Saturday that suggested guild member Eddo-Lodge, author of Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, advocates for racial segregation.
The open letter which includes signatures from Afua Hirsch, Nels Abbey and Malorie Blackman states: “The allegation here is not only clearly false but dangerous. It risks endangering the personal safety of anti-racist writers.
“In recent years progressive writers, politicians and activists across Europe and the United Kingdom have been physically attacked and killed by far-right extremists.”
“It is in this climate that we ask the government to ensure ministers are responsible with their language, avoid spreading misinformation and apply better judgement in order to protect the lives and freedom of minorities,” the letter adds.
Advertisement
The Spectator article stated that Badenoch was “particularly incensed by the boom in sales of texts such as White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo and Reni Eddo-Lodge’s Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race”.
“Many of these books — and, in fact, some of the authors and proponents of critical race theory — actually want a segregated society,” the minister said.
Writing on Twitter on Wednesday, Eddo-Lodge announced that she had contacted the Spectator for a correction to its piece, which ran under the headline “Kemi Badenoch: The problem with critical race theory”.
I've written to both @spectator and @Independent, asking them to correct the false claims about my politics published in both publications last weekend. pic.twitter.com/9Img0PFoVe — Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renireni) October 28, 2020
The guild was formed following the death of George Floyd.
Sharmaine Lovegrove, publisher at Dialogue Books, told HuffPost UK: “I fully co-sign the letter from the BWG as I am deeply concerned by principles of free speech and representation being eroded by this government.
Advertisement
“By vilifying cultural experts we are in danger of suggesting there is only one narrative and that totally undermines progression and equality within our society.”
Paul Mendez, author of best-selling book Rainbow Milk, said: “The ignorance and recklessness displayed by Badenoch, as a Black woman, is unforgivable. I wish to include my name in support of Reni and other anti-racist authors.”
Jendella Benson, head of editorial at Black Ballad, told HuffPost UK: “It’s completely insulting the way that Reni’s work is being distorted. One of the most important additions to our literary landscape and the only way they can discredit her is to lie. We cannot let it stand at all; it’s an insult to our collective intelligence.”
The equalities minister also told the commons, during a general debate on Black History Month last week, that teachers who present the idea of white privilege as a fact to their students are breaking the law. Speaking passionately at the despatch box, she described critical race theory as “an ideology that sees my Blackness as victimhood and their whiteness as oppression”. This sparked widespread backlash with many criticising the minister as being “sad”, “inaccurate” and “disappointing”.
HuffPost UK has contacted Badenoch and The Spectator for comment.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--I Survived The Grenfell Fire. Boris Johnson Still Hasn't Delivered On His Promises

LOADING ERROR LOADING
A year ago, Sir Martin Moore-Bick published his first round of recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
The prime minister promised us the government would implement the recommendations in full. “That commitment is absolute,” Boris Johnson said, “because if any good is to come of this senseless tragedy – a tragedy that should never have happened – and it is to become a catalyst for change.”
Advertisement
A year on and that “absolute commitment” isn’t so absolute after all.
In the fire we lost our homes, 72 of our loved ones died and our community will never be the same. We’ve looked to the Hillsborough families for inspiration – their determination and fight for justice over decades. But we’ve always hoped that justice would come sooner for us.
That one of the legacies of Hillsborough would be our families wouldn’t have to wait so long or fight so hard – that our children wouldn’t grow into adults still waiting for resolution for the trauma they experienced that awful night.
But with each passing year it becomes clearer that the system is stacked against us and promises so easily made by politicians are rarely kept.
There has been progress – we’ve fought for it. Dangerous cladding has been banned, new legislation going through parliament sets out to overhaul the nation’s unfit construction industry and the London Fire Brigade is planning new training for managing major incidents and handling emergency calls.
Advertisement
But, across the board, most of the recommendations have not yet been implemented, and there are signs the government is back tracking on key changes.
The London Fire Brigade still has many recommendations to implement, the government is allowing landlords and developers to water down change, and the same group of experts that failed us before the fire are being allowed to get away with it again.
The biggest of Sir Martin’s findings was that the external wall of the tower was so dangerous it “promoted the spread of fire”.
But not a day goes by when we don’t hear more stories of families trapped in homes wrapped in combustible cladding. The government’s strategy to deal with the crisis has failed and they are passing the buck to families who are trapped in these homes.
Once again it’s been left to residents to raise their voices about the safety of their buildings and new residents are joining the #EndOurCladdingScandal campaign every week. But still those in charge are not listening. It is a reminder of what happened to us before the fire.
Advertisement
“A year on from Sir Martin's report, we have learnt what many have learnt before us – inquiries might help with the truth but they don’t deliver change unless those in power act.”
Sir Martin also ruled there should be a national evacuation policy. Many of our loved ones were told to “stay put” even as Grenfell went up in flames. But the National Fire Chiefs, led by Roy Wilshire, have, so far, failed to deliver this.
The government is also ignoring the recommendation for disabled people in high rises to have evacuation plans. Now, the family of Sakina and Fatima Afrasehabi, who died in the fire, are bringing a Judicial Review to force the government back on this. Sakina was disabled and her family believes she and many others would still be alive if the council landlord had made an evacuation plan.
It is imperative this recommendation is not diluted or disregarded and change is brought for the many other families across the country.
Advertisement
We all have a right to feel safe in our homes. It should not be down to families to fight for changes the government already promised it would make. Survivors and bereaved families gave witness testimony to the Grenfell Inquiry – we relived our trauma and our experiences in the hope that it would bring truth and change in honour of the 72 lives that were lost, and the many more who suffered.
The day we heard the findings of Sir Martin’s report was overwhelming. The details, the clear recommendations, it was the first sign we had that we had been listened to and change would come. Sir Martin did his duty that day to deliver a thorough report. But it will all come to nothing if the government does not keep its end of the bargain.
A year on from that report, we have learnt what many have learnt before us – from Hillsborough to Stephen Lawrence – inquiries might help with the truth but they don’t deliver change unless those in power act.
The system is stacked against us. But we will not allow this to be another report that gathers dust until the next tragedy happens. We want justice and change and we are not going away until we get it. That is our absolute promise, and we keep our promises.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--'Second Pandemic' Warning Issued As Mental Health Crises Rise

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Mental health charity Mind has warned of a ‘second, mental health pandemic’ if nothing is urgently done to support people mentally during the coronavirus pandemic.
Data on new urgent referrals to crisis care teams – mental health professionals who give support out of hospital – found referrals in England rose from 17,733 in March 2020 up to 20,028 in June and 20,540 in July.
Advertisement
New emergency referrals also shot up from 6,281 in March to 7,632 and 7,481 in June and July respectively. In 2019 by comparison, there were 5,191 emergency referrals in March, and 5,273 and 6,358 referrals in June and July.
Referral figures in June and July 2020 were higher than ever previously recorded, Mind said. The charity also received up to 500 calls a day to its helpline in October, twice the usual number for this time of year.
Mind said urgent investment must be made to support community services into the winter to prevent people from reaching crisis point.
Advertisement
Busà Photography via Getty Images
Multiple studies have found the pandemic has had a negative impact on mental health across the board. One study published in The Lancet found significant increases in mental distress among 18-24-year-olds, 25-34-year-olds, women, and people living with young children.
A separate survey by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) which looked at levels of depression in adults found one in eight adults (12.9%) developed moderate to severe depressive symptoms during the pandemic.
Adults who were aged 16 to 39 years old, female, unable to afford an unexpected expense, or disabled were the most impacted.
The latest data suggests the nation is in the grip of a mental health emergency, said Mind, which is further underpinned by the spike in calls to its helpline.
The charity wants the government to invest in urgent community services and allow people with severe mental health problems to access Covid-safe face-to face-support if they need it, including in places with tier 3 lockdowns.
Advertisement
It also wants to make sure people can get the support early enough to avoid reaching crisis and that those returning home after coming out of hospital are helped to stay well.
A mental health crisis can include self-harming, psychosis, attempting suicide or a manic episode. Paul Farmer, Mind’s chief executive, said it’s a “critical moment” for the government to act to “prevent a second, mental health pandemic”.
“It has to invest in mental health services in the community right now and give those most at risk the option of face to face support if they need it, even in areas with the strictest lockdown restrictions,” he said. “We know how urgent this is because of the hundreds more people ringing Mind asking for help.”
Farmer said “far too many people aren’t getting the support they need” and are ending up in crisis, which is not only “traumatic for them” but adds to the strain on the NHS.
“The government has to learn from what went wrong in the first wave of coronavirus and make sure people can access help early on, to protect people’s mental health and the NHS,” he said.
Advertisement
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) told HuffPost UK that it acknowledged how challenging this unprecedented time has been for people’s mental health and wellbeing – and urged anybody who needs it to seek help.
“Mental health has remained an absolute priority, with community and crisis services adapting to continue to provide support, including by using digital and face to face appointments where appropriate and establishing all-age 24/7 urgent mental health helplines,” said DHSC, adding that it had given £10.2m in additional funding to mental health charities in response to the pandemic.
Useful support


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Labour Jumps To Five Point Poll Lead Over The Conservatives

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Labour has jumped to a five-point lead over the Conservatives, according to a poll published on Friday.
The Ipsos MORI survey put Labour on 42% with the Conservatives on 37%. The Lib Dems trail in third with 8% while the Green Party was fourth on 5%.
Advertisement
It is the first time Labour has been ahead of the Tories in poll conducted by the firm since Boris Johnson became prime minister in July 2019.
Johnson also scored the worst rating as PM he has received, with 33% satisfied, 59% dissatisfied, a net satisfaction rating of -26%.
Keir Starmer meanwhile has held onto a net positive satisfaction rating of +15, with 45% satisfied and 30% dissatisfied.
According to Ipsos MORI, of opposition leaders going back to Michael Foot, who led Labour between 1980 and 1983, only Tony Blair had better net satisfaction ratings at this stage of his leadership (+26).
Advertisement
The poll, for the Evening Standard, was conducted between October 22 and October 28 as Boris Johnson faced a huge backlash over his refusal to fund more free school meals for hungry children.
It also comes as the death toll from the coronavirus second wave started to mount, with experts warning the UK is now at a “critical stage” with infections doubling every nine days.
This week, the daily death figures topped 350, meaning the UK has shot past an earlier warning by chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance that the country could see 200 coronavirus deaths a day by mid-November.
Almost a fifth of England’s population will soon be living under the country’s toughest Covid-19 rules.
Starmer’s political director, Jenny Chapman, said the poll was “encouraging” for Labour.
But the results were gathered before the Labour was plunged into a new civil war following the publication of an Equality and Human Rights Commission report into anti-Semitism in the party.
Advertisement
It found Labour has been responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination.
Jeremy Corbyn was dramatically suspended from Labour on Thursday, after he rejected some of the equality watchdog’s findings and claimed the issue had been “dramatically overstated for political reasons” by his critics.
This put him at odds with Starmer, who had warned that any suggestion allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour while Corbyn had been leader were exaggerated would not be tolerated.
And speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme on Friday, Starmer said it was possible Corbyn’s suspension from the party could be escalated to an expulsion.
“I’m deeply disappointed in that response from Jeremy Corbyn yesterday” the Labour leader said. “I don’t want a civil war in the Labour Party, I don’t think there is any need for one.”
Allies of Corbyn have rallied to his defence. Unite union boss Len McCluskey called the suspension an “act of grave injustice” which could “create chaos within the party” and put any chance of election success in jeopardy.
Advertisement
Ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell described the suspension as “profoundly wrong”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Deaths, Infections, Lockdowns – How Covid Went From Bad To Worse This Week

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Amid a constant stream of news, it can be near-impossible to keep track of where we are with coronavirus.
But infection rates, hospitalisations, contact tracing and the death toll are all vital to our understanding of the virus and how we’re tackling it – even if they can be difficult to find.
Advertisement
To help you make sense of it all, here are the most recent updates and statistics we have on Covid-19:
Highest number of Covid outbreaks now in care homes
Care homes are now the setting for the highest number of coronavirus outbreaks, data published by Public Health England suggest.
The most recent numbers show 1,392 “acute respiratory infection incidents” (ARI) in the past week – that’s what you and I would call “outbreaks”, or instances where two or more confirmed cases have been linked to a particular place or event. This is up from 1,125 in the previous week.
The NHS is once again facing a rapidly increasing number of Covid-19 infections, with hospitalisations rising sharply. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Advertisement
Of those, a total of 397 incidents were identified in care homes, while the second highest number of outbreaks – 334 – was recorded in workplace settings.
There were 311 outbreaks identified in educational settings such as schools and universities.
Death toll tops 300 twice
A graph showing UK daily Covid-19 deaths. Statista
Twice this week the UK’s Covid-19 death toll topped 300, with 310 deaths recorded on October 28 and 367 recorded on October 27 – the highest figure since May 28.
The most recent figures, published on Thursday, show that 280 deaths had been registered in 24 hours, with 214 in England, 21 in Wales, 37 in Scotland and eight in Northern Ireland.
More than 4,000 people have now died of Covid-19 in the second wave of the pandemic, with the nation far surpassing an earlier warning by chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance that the country could see 200 coronavirus deaths a day by mid-November.
Advertisement
To date, 45,955 people have died in the UK within 28 days of a positive Covid test.
Official figures from the Office for National Statistics also show that 58,925 people in the UK have died with Covid-19 on their death certificate.
Infections and hospitalisations continue to rise
The latest data from NHS England show the number of hospital beds in England occupied by confirmed coronavirus patients has more than doubled in two weeks from 4,105 on October 13 to 8,595 on Tuesday.
A graph showing UK daily Covid-19 cases. Statista
The new figures, published on Thursday, also showed there were 743 Covid-19 patients in mechanical ventilation beds in England on Tuesday, up from 560 on the same day the previous week.
Meanwhile, the NHS Test and Trace system recorded its highest-ever weekly number of positive cases.
The latest data from the test and trace system shows that a total of 126,065 people tested positive for Covid-19 at least once in the week to October 21 – a 23% increase on the previous week and the highest weekly number since the programme began at the end of May.
Advertisement
If that sounds high, you won’t be pleased to know that a study by Imperial College London estimated that almost 100,000 people are catching Covid-19 every day, with the test and trace system catching just a quarter of them.
As of Friday, data released by the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) showed the R rate across the UK had dropped slightly week-on-week but that the pandemic was still growing. The rate is currently between 1.1 and 1.3, meaning on average that every 10 people infected will infect between 11 and 13 people.
And the latest weekly surveillance report from Public Health England showed Covid-19 case rates in England were rising for all age groups except 10- to 19-year-olds.
The highest rates are currently among 20- to 29-year-olds at 333.2 cases per 100,000 people in the week to October 25, up from 306.6 in the previous seven days. For people aged 70 to 79 the rate was 110.0, up from 88.0, while for people aged 80 and over it rose from 125.6 to 156.7.
Tracers still barely reaching 60% of contacts
The government’s much-criticised contact tracing system, headed by Tory peer Dido Harding and run by private firms such as Serco and Deloitte, reached just 60.3% of all close contacts of people who had tested positive for Covid-19.
Advertisement
Contact tracing rates improved by less than 1% after hitting a record low last week. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
This marks a very slight improvement from the previous week’s figures, when just 59.6% of close contacts were reached – a record low for the system.
A total of 284,701 people were identified as coming into close contact with someone who had tested positive between October 15 and October 21 – an increase of 12% when compared with the previous week and a continuation of the sharp upward trend since the end of August.
Unfortunately, scientists have estimated that a minimum 80% of close contacts need to be reached for the system to be effective.
What’s more, taking into account the fact Test and Trace only catches a quarter of infections in the first place, and that not all of those will provide their contacts, the figure that 60% of those contacts provided are reached is clearly... not telling the full story.
Advertisement
Mounting pressure for a second England-wide lockdown
With France and Germany entering second national lockdowns, and Wales almost a week through its “firebreaker” restrictions, pressure is mounting on the government to tighten up the rules in England as cases continue to mount.
Experts have widely suggested that a more national approach is needed to address the soaring infection rate as opposed to the three-tier system, and home secretary Priti Patel refused on Thursday to rule out a second lockdown.
Patel said: “I think at this stage, of course, we can rule nothing out because we are a government that is focused on making sure that we stop the spread of this virus and also [that] we protect public health.
“So we have been using, and we are using and we will continue to use, every single means available to us to do exactly that.”
But communities secretary Robert Jenrick also said ministers will “try everything in our power” to avoid a “blanket national lockdown”.
Advertisement
He said the government’s “very firm view” is that a short national “circuit-breaker” lockdown would be the wrong approach, saying “you can’t have a stop-start country”.
11m people soon to be living under strictest rules
Just weeks after the three-tier system of lockdowns was unveiled, close to a fifth of England’s population is now living under the country’s toughest Covid-19 rules.
It will take the total number of people in the highest level of restrictions to just over 11m – 19.6% of the population.
And with the Tees Valley and the West Midlands also expecting to be moved up to tier 3 soon, millions more people could soon be under the strictest level.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--George R. R. Martin Shares Look At Original Game Of Thrones Pilot – And Looks A Lot Different

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Game Of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin has given fans a “peek at the past”, with a look at the original pilot for the show.
The author – who penned the novels Game Of Thrones was based on – revealed he was originally set to make a cameo at the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo.
Advertisement
In a picture he shared on Twitter, Ian McNeice can also be seen as Illyrio Mopatis – a role that was later recast and given to Roger Allam.
Here's another peek at the past, and the original pilot for GoT. We shot the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo in Morocco. Ian McNeice played Illyrio Mopatis, and I played one of the wedding guests, presumably another magister. #TBT https://t.co/2BiGflKIIO pic.twitter.com/ItkUw75uvV — George RR Martin (@GRRMspeaking) October 29, 2020
George wrote: “We shot the wedding of Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo in Morocco. Ian McNeice played Illyrio Mopatis, a magister of Pentos, and I played one of the wedding guests, presumably another magister.
“Both of us, alas, were left on the cutting room floor when Dany was recast and the wedding was reshot. Ian McNeice was terrific as Illyrio, by the way, but a scheduling conflict made him unavailable for the reshoot.”
Advertisement
He added: “I never did find time to do another cameo, but I suspect the show was better for it.”
George R.R. Martin Jon Kopaloff via Getty Images
George recently revealed his least favourite moment from the Game Of Thrones TV series.
The scene in question sees King Robert Baratheon going hunting, where the writer apparently felt there was a distinct lack of extras.
Speaking as part of a new behind-the-scenes book by James Hibberd, Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon, George said: “Where we really fell down in terms of budget was my least favourite scene in the entire show, in all eight seasons: King Robert goes hunting. Four guys walking on foot through the woods carrying spears and Robert is giving Renly shit.
“In the books, Robert goes off hunting, we get word that he was gored by a boar, and they bring him back and he dies. So I never did [a hunting scene]. But I knew what a royal hunting party was like.
“There would have been a hundred guys. There would have been pavilions. There would have been huntsmen. There would have been dogs. There would have been horns blowing – that’s how a king goes hunting!” George said. “He wouldn’t have just been walking through the woods with three of his friends holding spears hoping to meet a boar.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Dominic Raab Refuses To Rule Out Introducing 'Tier 4' Coronavirus Restrictions

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Speculation over a fourth, stricter tier of coronavirus restrictions is continuing after the foreign secretary refused to rule the idea out.
Asked about reports, Dominic Raab told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We’re always ready for further measures that we can take. But I think the most important thing about further measures is that we continue on the track we’re on targeting the virus.”
Advertisement
And he said the public would find it “desperately unfair” if a national lockdown was imposed given that infection rates vary so widely across the country.
Tier four could see the closure of restaurants and non-essential retail (file picture) PA
He told BBC Breakfast: “I think intuitively as well as scientifically if you look at what we’re trying to achieve, [that] is to focus on where the virus is the strongest or where the uptick is the greatest.
“Also I think in areas where the virus is not picking up, I think people would feel it was not only counterproductive or ineffective but desperately unfair for measures to be imposed across the board.”
Advertisement
It comes in the same week that health secretary Matt Hancock also refused to rule out the possibility of a new tier of restrictions.
There have been reports that Whitehall is in discussion with local authorities about imposing a further layer of coronavirus restrictions – “tier 3 plus”, or tier 4.
According to the i newspaper, Whitehall sources expect to make the decision if the existing three-tier system has not made an impact by mid-November.
Tier 3 measures include the closure of pubs and bars that don’t serve food, gyms, soft play areas and casinos. A fourth tier could see the closure of restaurants and non-essential retail, the newspaper said.
On Monday, Hancock told BBC Breakfast the government would “rule nothing out” at the prospect of the new restrictions.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Amanda Holden Did Tiger King For Halloween And The Results Are Obviously Incredible

View this post on Instagram
Hey all you cool cats and kittens ...this is one cute Puss @iamashleyroberts @tigerkingpark #happyhalloween 🧡 @secretspauk


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Bobby Ball Remembered With Special Tribute At Blackpool Tower

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The British comedian – best known as one half of duo Cannon & Ball – died in a Blackpool hospital on Wednesday night, after contracting Covid-19.
Following the news of his death, the town that was instrumental in Bobby and comedy partner Tommy Cannon’s rise to fame paid homage to him, lighting up his name on the Blackpool Tower.
Advertisement
Footage taken on Thursday night showed that the iconic Blackpool landmark had also been illuminated with catchphrase, “Rock on, Bobby!”
Thank you Blackpool For the acknowledgement to Bobby pic.twitter.com/EWVjathhIJ — Phil Dale (@PhilPdale) October 29, 2020
The footage was also posted by his former Mount Pleasant co-star Sally Lindsay, who wrote: “Oh he would have LOVED this!!”
Advertisement
Oh he would have LOVED this!!❤❤❤ https://t.co/pQkciE6wXS — Sally Lindsay (@sally_lindsay) October 30, 2020
Rock On Bobby! Blackpool Tower pays tribute to Bobby Ball. https://t.co/IMfmgjTGlr — BBC Lancashire (@BBCLancashire) October 30, 2020
In a statement announcing his death, Bobby’s spokesperson said: “Bobby had been taken to the hospital for tests as he started with breathing problems. At first it was thought to be a chest infection but a test proved positive for Covid-19.
“His wife Yvonne said the hospital and staff could not have been more wonderful, as they were outstanding in their care of duty and they did everything possible for him and she cannot praise them enough.
“She said that the family and Tommy would like to express their sincere thanks to the many, many people who have been fans of Bobby and they know that they will all share in part the great loss and total sadness that Yvonne, the family and Tommy all feel.”
Advertisement
Bobby Ball in 2018 Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock
Bobby’s comedy partner Tommy Cannon led the tributes, saying he’d been left “devastated” by the news.
“Rock on, my good friend, I can’t believe this, I’m devastated,” he said.
Jason Manford, Chris Moyles and Les Dennis were among those who shared their memories of the comedy star.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Sky Axes The Chop Following Investigation Into Claims Contestant Had 'Nazi Tattoos' On His Face

Sky has made the decision to axe The Chop: Britain’s Top Woodworker following an investigation into claims that one of the contestants has “Nazi tattoos” on his face.
Earlier this month, the Sky History show was put on pause after there were claims on social media that some facial inkings belonging to Darren Lumsden AKA “The Woodman” could be associated with neo-Nazi ideology.
Lumsden has denied the claims, which came after some pointed out that the “88” on his cheek could be a white supremacist symbol representing “Heil Hitler” (H is the eighth letter of the alphabet, so 88 could symbolise HH). Others noted that Lumsden has the word “Homegrown” tattooed above his top lip.
Advertisement
Darren Lumsden AKA “The Woodman” was a contestant on The Chop SkyHistory
Announcing it would now not be airing the rest of series, Sky History said in a statement: “Following an independent investigation, AETN UK has made the decision not to broadcast any further episodes of The Chop on Sky History.
“A contestant’s tattoos included symbols that could be connected to far-right ideologies and could cause offence; we sincerely apologise for that and we are sorry that our processes did not prompt further investigation at an earlier stage. The contestant continues to strenuously deny that he has, or ever had, far-right leanings.
“We are thoroughly reviewing our internal processes following the investigation.”
It added: “AETN UK and Sky History stand against racism and hate speech of all kinds.”
Advertisement
Talking about his tattoos to the Bristol Post ahead of his appearance on the Sky show, Darren said: “About 10 years ago I saw someone with facial tattoos and started to work with my tattooist on my look.
“I have my daughter on the back of my head and my son on my cheek.
“When some people first meet me they are a bit shocked, admittedly. But they soon warm to me after a few minutes.
“Some people ask for selfies with me. I’ve never had a negative reaction to my tattoos. They are just me.”
The Chop is hosted by comedian Lee Mack and Rick Edwards, along with Master Carpenter William Hardie.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--5 Fibs You Were Told This Week... Featuring Soy Sauce And Woolworths

ASSOCIATED PRESS
For the last few weeks, 5 Fibs has brought you tales of untruths, deceit and misdirection that, for the most part, have centred on the government and its response to the coronavirus.
So it was with a certain joy that while researching the latest edition, HuffPost UK realised we could fill almost an entire article with something completely different.
Advertisement
Then we realised that even without the coronavirus pandemic as a factor, the UK is still totally nuts which is why you’re soon to read about soy sauce and the non-existent return of the masters of pic’n’mix.
As it’s an insanely rare thing these days, let’s start with a fib that’s actually quite jolly.
Woolworths
It was the news we all needed amidst an awful year – the finest purveyor of pick’n’mix the world has ever known was returning to our high streets.
But alas, because it’s 2020 and apparently no one is allowed nice things anymore, it was all a hoax sparked by a dubiously small Twitter account with terrible spelling.
Despite this, much of the country’s media jumped on the news as high street gospel.
Every major online outlet has reported Woolworth's is returning to the high street.
One call from me to owner Very's PR - he doesn't know a thing about it.
Surely a story based on a Twitter account with 900 followers (and spelling mistakes) should be verified? pic.twitter.com/bdfGf2R6Nm — Tom Witherow (@TomWitherow) October 27, 2020
Advertisement
In an interview with the Guardian, the 17-year-old sixth-form student from York behind the stunt said: “Fake news is so easy to spread, and it took Twitter over 12 hours to shut down the account.
“There was spelling mistakes and a lack of a website purposely injected into the account, and yet some of the media still took it as gospel. I feel bad for the reporters.”
Jeremy Corbyn
Thursday was a truly awful day for the Labour Party as the long-awaited findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) were published.
In short it was absolutely damning and found under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, the party was responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination.
A defiant Corbyn refused to accept the full findings of the inquiry and in an interview with Sky News insisted he was “not part of the problem”.
Advertisement
Corbyn: “No I’m not part of the problem” pic.twitter.com/sCbrj7RSnD — John Stevens (@johnestevens) October 29, 2020
Just minutes later, it became apparent the party deemed this to be fibbing when it was announced Corbyn was being suspended for his response to the report.
Earlier in the day, Keir Starmer told reporters: “If – after all the pain, all the grief, and all the evidence in this report – there are still those who think there’s no problem with anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, that it’s all exaggerated, or a factional attack, then, frankly, you are part of the problem too.
“And you should be nowhere near the Labour Party either.”
Soy sauce
Government departments are always looking for ways to appear in touch with the people and it was in this spirit that the Department of Trade (DoT) jumped on the Great British Bake Off hashtag as the show aired on Tuesday night.
The DoT Twitter account remarked how contestants “used a lot of soya sauce”, and it was “a good thing it will be made cheaper”.
Advertisement
The bakers used a lot of soya sauce in the first challenge on #GBBO, so it's a good thing it will be made cheaper thanks to our trade deal with Japan 🇯🇵 — Department for International Trade (@tradegovuk) October 27, 2020
Thing is, as it stands, soy sauce is not subject to any tariffs as the UK continues to benefit from some EU trade deals, at least until December 31, and is seeking an agreement with the bloc.
Trade expert David Henig was among those who challenged the department over the claims, saying it was “not a good look when you can’t trust a government social media account to tell the truth”.
Current tariff on soy sauce entering the UK from Japan - 0%. Tariff on soy sauce entering UK after UK-Japan trade deal - 0%.
Not a good look when you can't trust a government social media account to tell the truth. https://t.co/IVH5Qg8LtV — David Henig (@DavidHenigUK) October 27, 2020
The department later clarified it was referring to tariffs the UK could be paying – 6% – under a no-deal scenario, which would push the country on to World Trade Organisation terms but this wasn’t enough to placate Henig.
Best not argue. Might have been accurate if the account had said "thanks to the trade deal the price won't go up compared to now". Also, checking my own soy sauce, it says "Naturally brewed in China. Blended in the UK" Is that going to be cheaper after a UK-Japan deal? pic.twitter.com/WyrlFFyvEt — David Henig (@DavidHenigUK) October 27, 2020
The Covid app ‘ghosts’
If you’ve been using the NHS Covid-19 app there’s a good chance it’s been fibbing quite regularly to you over the last few weeks.
A slightly concerning message received frequently by some users reads: “Possible Covid-19 exposure. Someone you were near reported having Covid-19. Exposure date, duration and signal strength have been saved.”
Fortunately it turns out this is a glitch that has hopefully now been fixed.
At the time, DHSC said these particular alerts were default privacy notifications from Apple and Google – who created the underlying technology – to alert people that the app is sharing information with the system.
Confusion persisted despite a follow-up message being introduced on October 13 to reassure users.
HuffPost UK
Advertisement
And finally...
Our traditional US entry to end with this week focuses on Ivanka Trump and her apparent scientific prowess that basically no one was aware she possessed.
The president’s daughter featured in a remarkable document in which the Trump administration triumphantly declared victory over the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday, one week before the 2020 election and with Covid-19 cases surging across the country.
The claim came in a new 62-page report from the White House that listed the scientific and technological accomplishments during President Donald Trump’s first term.
The list includes possibly one of the biggest fibs of modern times: “ENDING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.”
Clearly in need of backing up, the White House drew on..... Ivanka Trump.
White House OSTP releases "Science and Technology Accomplishments from First Term", includes "ENDING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC" as accomplishment.
(guess they dunno what accomplish means?)
https://t.co/kURaSH3AgI
includes statement from noted STEM expert Ivanka Trump pic.twitter.com/tralEAmKIP — Dan Vergano (@dvergano) October 27, 2020
She wrote: “Over the past four years, president Trump’s policies and investments in science and technology ensure America stands ready to solve today’s most pressing challenges and that our workforce is prepared for tomorrow’s innovations.
Advertisement
“For years to come, these achievements will guarantee the United States remains the world’s leader in research, discovery and the advancement of industries that will shape our future.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--The Best Reusable Face Masks (And The Worst) According To Which?

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Reusable face masks are now an essential household item, but it seems not all are created equal. A study by consumer champion Which? found huge differences in the effectiveness of widely-available reusable masks.
The study revealed some of the best performing face coverings are able to block more than 99% of potentially harmful bacterial particles, but found the worst allowed up to 93% of those particles to escape. Not great.
Advertisement
It’s worth noting straight off the bat that face covers are not the same as surgical face masks – and are sold with the caveat that they’re not medical masks.
But fabric face coverings are intended to help block larger droplets and aerosols breathed out by the wearer. Which? tested for factors such as: how well a mask filters bacteria, how breathable it is, and how it fares after multiple washes.
Here’s what they found.
The ‘worst’ face masks
Three out of the 15 face coverings Which? tested performed so badly they were deemed a ‘Don’t Buy’.
At the bottom of the table and earning the lowest scores overall were a face covering from Termini8 sold at Lloyds Pharmacy (£2), one from Asda (£3) which is no longer on sale, and one from Etiquette (£3), which is sold at Superdrug.
All were lightweight and breathable as they were made with only one layer of material, but this affected their ability to filter potentially harmful particles, earning each mask only one star out of five in this category.
Advertisement
Studies have found three layers is preferable to filter out harmful particles.
A spokesperson for LloydsPharmacy told HuffPost UK it takes the quality and efficacy of the products it sells “very seriously” and that the Termin8 mask is compliant with all necessary requirements as set out by the Department for Health and Social Care and the British Retail Consortium.
“In addition to a range of face coverings we also stock a wide range of face masks that meet medical standards, which have not been included in the Which? testing,” the spokesperson added.
The Asda mask is no longer on sale – and hasn’t been for some time. A spokesperson added: “Product safety is our key priority and all of our George face coverings comply with and British Retail Consortium guidance and the Office for Product Safety and Standards.”
Superdrug disputed the testing methods used by Which? and said it’s “disappointed” at the Etiquette face cover’s Don’t Buy’ rating. “It has been tested against the EN 14683 standard for surgical masks and the CEN Workshop Agreement which is not an official standard,” said Superdrug’s spokesperson.
“This product was clearly retailed as a fabric face covering and not a surgical mask – designed to help the wearer reduce the spread of a cold or virus, as per government guidelines.”
Advertisement
The ‘best’ face masks
Two of the products tested were awarded Best Buy status: the NEQI reusable face mask (£15 for 3), which is available from retailers including Boots and Ocado, as well as Bags of Ethics Great British Designer face coverings (£15 for 3), available at Asos and John Lewis.
Both were considered comfortably breathable, earning the full five stars in this category without compromising on filtration (four stars out of five).
For the tests, Which? used an aerosol generator to shoot bacterial particles that were 3 micrometers in diameter at sections of mask fabric and see what percentage of bacteria made it through.
The lab tests revealed that masks with multiple layers are much more effective than single layer masks at filtering particles.
Interestingly, tests revealed that almost all of the face coverings got better at filtering particles after being washed. Face coverings were re-tested after five hot wash cycles, and most improved, due to the fibres compressing.
Advertisement
Best for glasses wearers
The Asos (£12) and AB Mask (£10), which is available at Boots, were the only two masks that didn’t cause glasses to steam up and were rated highest for glasses-wearers’ comfort, with both scoring five stars in this category.
What now?
Which? is urging manufacturers to use these findings as a basis for improving their products, while retailers should seek to ensure they are selling products that will effectively filter out potentially harmful particles, it said.
In the meantime, Which? is encouraging consumers to research the best available options for themselves and others before making a purchase.
Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said: “With face coverings now such an important part of daily life, they not only need to be durable and comfortable, but also provide effective filtration from harmful particles in order to keep us and others safe.
“Our results prove that there is a huge difference in quality between reusable masks sold in stores around the country and online. We would urge manufacturers to use our findings to up their game and improve their products – until then it is worth taking time to research the best option for yourself and your loved ones.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Andrew Lloyd Webber Reveals He's A Secret My Chemical Romance Fan And We're Kind Of Speechless

LOADING ERROR LOADING
With more than 50 years as a composer to his name, it’s no surprise that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s taste in music would be more eclectic than most, but we still weren’t expecting his latest musical revelation.
In a new video posted on social media, the musical theatre giant revealed that he was apparently a secret fan of My Chemical Romance, heaping praise on their Black Parade album.
Advertisement
On Thursday, Andrew responded to a comment from 2017, when an MCR fan lamented that The Black Parade was yet to be turned into an “incredible goth musical”.
Comparing infamous “G note” at the beginning of the emo rockers’ song Welcome To The Black Parade with his own iconic Phantom Of The Opera intro, he wrote: “It’s one thing to create an iconic set of chords, it’s another to make one note iconic?”
It's one thing to create an iconic set of chords, it's another to make one note iconic? @mcrofficial https://t.co/xWcuI529dA pic.twitter.com/SGbkrFoZ2R — Andrew Lloyd Webber (@OfficialALW) October 29, 2020
This was accompanied by a video of himself playing both on his piano, which got plenty of MCR fans talking in the responses…
Advertisement
My fandoms colliding, and I'm here for it. Formal Welcome to the Black Parade, Mr. Webber. I suspect the Phantom would be in it, somewhere. pic.twitter.com/uvjbY4euL6 — Deb 💙🌊 (@Nightingveil) October 29, 2020
This unexpected crossover has broken my brain. pic.twitter.com/GXoDJhxo5R — Alexander (@SpookyHorn) October 29, 2020
I’m both musical theater and everybody else...I DID NOT EXPECT THE G NOTE. pic.twitter.com/0oXCjbX5nE — Rey de Nueva York🇨🇺 (@TribeeQueen) October 29, 2020
We got G noted by the amazing Andrew Lloyd Webber! — Jillian Anderson🏳🌈 击☂✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 (@247Lush) October 29, 2020
Advertisement
It’s all of our Halloween cross-over dreams come true @BriiMonster pic.twitter.com/jzAnggK8G2 — spooky scary skEllenton 🍿 (@elenfae) October 30, 2020
My Chemical Romance were supposed to have been reforming for a string of shows in the summer, but these have been postponed until next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, this latest revelation isn’t the first time Andrew Lloyd Webber has shared his unusual musical tastes with the world.
Earlier in the year he posted a TikTok of himself performing a mash-up of his anthemic Phantom Of The Opera with Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP.
We don’t know what was more alarming, the fact someone thought to put those two songs together, or the dance routine that he broke out in the clip…


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--The Terrifying His House Is The Only Film You Need To Watch On Netflix This Halloween

The Weinstein Company was reportedly so upset when director Remi Weekes refused to sell them the rights to His House, they tried to sue. Then Netflix offered an eight figure sum after execs fell for the British horror film at Sundance.
Offers from two of the biggest film distributors in Hollywood is an impressive start for the newcomer. The British director is a former advertising professional who has made his feature-length directorial debut with this genre-bending psychological thriller about two asylum seekers entering the UK.
Advertisement
What presumably pricked the ears of Hollywood is how this thriller generates its frights from unusual subject matter: Two asylum seekers are placed in government housing in a drab estate in Essex, given a map showing where the house is in relation to the local shop and told no guests are allowed. Before long, the couple are seeing ghosts - but are these horrors hiding in the walls real, or are they PTSD flare ups manifesting from past trauma?
Establishing scenes show the couple fleeing south Sudan for Britain Netflix
Remi Weekes’ debut mixes the social realism of scenes shot on the Essex council estate with flashbacks revealing some of the horrors asylum seekers face. As they cross land and ocean on journeys which can cost lives, individuals are forced to make decisions with potentially harrowing consequences.
“I think cinema for so much of its history has been concerned with a very narrow point of view,” Remi Weeks tells HuffPost UK. “When you open it up to focus on people who are more traditionally shown through art house, or confined in pigeon boxes, it feels new, it feels different, and I find it quite exciting.”
Advertisement
Remi and his team consulted people who work directly with asylum seekers to ensure they represented the issues properly on screen. In order to not homogenise the immigrant experience, His House focuses on one couple: Majur Mosaku, played by Wunmi Mosaku, recognisable from HBO series Lovecraft Country, and her husband Bol Majur, played by Sope Dirisu, who recently starred in Sky Drama series Gangs of London.
“I kind of wanted to make it be about two people, have the story focus between two people, and their journey, and ignore, I guess, the broader debate or the more divisive parts of it,” says Remi.
External scenes were shot in the town of Tilbury, Essex Netflix
There are some truly shocking moments, mostly confined to the council house in Essex, and particularly when the ghosts appear to torment the new arrivals.
“It was important to make sure it was relatively realistic,” Remi says of the screaming faces which appear from the walls: literal ghosts from the past. “You’re making sure the ghosts are real people, that the style never overtook the substance, and that you saw the characters within the ghosts. That was so important to us.”
Advertisement
Remi spent time with researchers to learn about East African culture, particularly the south Sudanese Dinka culture, when designing the faces of the intruders to make sure they were authentic.
“It was important to make sure that it didn’t feel art directed, or we were magpieing different elements to make something superficial,” he explains.
In-between unwanted guests, lingering scenes of the council house, which is in disrepair, dwell on the mind. With so few changes of location, the passing of time, and the couple’s journey into despair, is documented by the changing colours of the wallpaper: a signifier of what’s real in a landscape of imagined horrors. “It was important to have a journey visually, especially when it’s a film primarily set in one location,” says Remi.
Matt Smith plays council official Mark in His House Netflix
The crew shot in a real house in Tilbury, Essex. Remi visited a number of properties in the town and location managers spoke with residents before the shoot, and put on events to thank them for their input. Some residents also starred in the film as extras.
Advertisement
“They were really really open to giving us ideas and tips in terms of which spaces to go in. We found one family who were so helpful and they were very open to us filming in their house, which we filmed for a few days before rebuilding the house on a soundstage.”
Tilbury itself felt fitting for a number of reasons. “A lot of immigrants when they first come to this country pass through that part of the country so it seemed relevant,” says Remi, who also felt attracted to the anonymity of the place. “It’s not dissimilar to the kind of suburban areas that you would often have asylum seekers. Also, it’s near the coast.”
“It was important to make sure it was relatively realistic": director Remi Weekes on filming the jumpiest scenes in His House Aidan Monaghan/NETFLIX
Tilbury also acts as a microcosm for British hostility. In one scene, Rial experiences aggression from a group of young British youths who mock her African accent as she walks to the shops, and in another, Bol is followed around a store by a security guard who’s suspicious he may steal items because he is Black.
Remi was inspired by his own experiences of going shopping to film that scene. “That is a constant presence in my life, that’s something that certainly happens to me all the time.
Advertisement
“England’s been very good at projecting a certain image of itself around the world, but often when you come for the first time, it’s not the same image you see,” continues Remi. “For a lot of asylum seekers it can be quite disorientating, confusing...
“What I liked about Tilbury is it’s hard to place where it is. There’s no real clear British signifiers in the architecture. For me it’s a great place for emphasising a person’s disorientation and confusion about where exactly they are in England.”
As the UK collectively prepares for a potential second lockdown, the haunted house genre may feel uncomfortably close to home this Halloween: like Majur and Bol, we too are stuck staring at the same four walls.
But His House reminds us about the people who have got it far worse than us: the people who do not even have a home they can retreat to for safety.
His House is in select cinemas now and on Netflix. Watch the trailer below.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Eat Out To Help Out Scheme ‘Increased Coronavirus Infections By Up To 17%’

LOADING ERROR LOADING
The Eat Out To Help Out scheme, which saw individuals and families encouraged to eat out at discounted rates following the national lockdown, caused a “significant” increase in Covid-19 cases, a study has claimed.
The Warwick University research suggests that the scheme may be responsible for between 8 and 17% of all new detected clusters of coronavirus emerging during August and into early September in the UK.
Advertisement
Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the scheme of subsidised meals to help the pub and restaurant sector after it was badly impacted by the pandemic.
The Eat Out To Help Out Scheme gave diners a state-backed 50% discount on meals between Mondays and Wednesdays PA
Treasury figures show more than 100m meals were eaten under the scheme, which gave diners a 50% state-backed discount up to a maximum of £10, on meals every Monday to Wednesday.
The paper, entitled “Subsidising the spread of Covid-19: Evidence from the UK’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme”, by Dr Thiemo Fetzer, states: “Given the dramatic rise of Covid-19 infections across the UK in recent weeks, the likely changes in consumer behaviour due to higher infection risks and the ensuing economic damage this generates suggests that the EOHO scheme may have indirect economic and public health costs that vastly outstrip its short-term economic benefits.”
Advertisement
Dr Fetzer has tweeted the study, remarking on the “unintended consequences of a UK policy which makes me cringe at how my tax money is spent”.
Today I m sharing another paper on unintended consequences of a UK policy which makes me cringe at how my tax money is spent all the while debating #FreeSchoolMeals "Subsidizing the spread of COVID-19: Evidence from the UK’s #EOHO scheme". ➡ https://t.co/ebrSXrQ0hT a thread🧵⬇ pic.twitter.com/mv7awXn8x6 — Thiemo Fetzer (@fetzert) October 30, 2020
In a moment of prescience, earlier this month prime minister Boris Johnson told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show the Treasury incentive “may have helped to spread the virus” and that its impact needed to be counteracted, with the country facing a second surge in positive Covid-19 cases.
But Sunak, in comments made to The Sun, said the success of the initiative had helped prop up two million jobs and that he had no regrets about paying for it.
“No, definitely not,” Sunak is reported to have said when asked if he held any regrets.
“We had an industry that I care deeply about because of employment.
“It’s over two million people.”
Dr Fetzer’s study comes as this week the number of people in the UK who have died with 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 passed 45,000. The country hit a 200-a-day death toll much earlier than experts had predicted.
Advertisement
The Office for National Statistics has compiled separate figures showing how many people have died with coronavirus mentioned on their death certificates. This figure stands at about 60,000.
Dr Fetzer told Sky News: “The UK saw a massive explosion of cases in a way that was not seen in other countries.
“It’s that scheme that has helped to bring about an earlier second lockdown and restrictions on the restaurant sector that it was determined to help economically.”
The study used data from HMRC’s own restaurant finder app and found that participating restaurants saw an increase in visits of between 10% and 200% compared to 2019. As the scheme ended, visits to restaurants started to decline – indicating that its positive economic impact was short-lived.
It states that areas with high uptake saw a decline in new infections a week after the scheme ended.
A Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not recognise these figures – which as the study itself admits, are ‘back-of-the-envelope’ calculations.
Advertisement
“Many other European counterparts have experienced an uptick in cases - irrespective of whether similar measures for the hospitality industry have been introduced.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Keir Starmer Says He Does Not Want A Labour 'Civil War'

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Keir Starmer has said he does not want a “civil war” in Labour, after Jeremy Corbyn was suspended from the party.
But the Labour leader said his predecessor could yet be expelled and accused him of adding to the “pain” of the Jewish community.
Advertisement
Supporters of Corbyn have rallied to his defence after a damning investigation into Labour’s handling of anti-Semitism during his time as leader.
The report by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) found the party was responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination.
But Corbyn rejected some of the equality watchdog’s findings and claimed the issue had been “dramatically overstated for political reasons” by his critics.
This put him at odds with Starmer and led to Corbyn having the whip removed on Thursday.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme on Friday, Starmer said he was not gong to “renege” on his commitment to tackle anti-Semitism.
Advertisement
“I don’t want a civil war in the Labour Party, I don’t think there is any need for one,” he said.
Asked if Corbyn could face permanent expulsion, Starmer said it was not his decision to make, but added: “Yes, people have been expelled from the Labour Party.
“It’s not for me to say what process should be followed,” he added. “Or what sanction is in order.”
Starmer said Corbyn’s decision not to accept the EHRC report in full “just adds to that pain” felt by “Jewish communities and Jewish members”.
Unite union boss Len McCluskey called Corbyn’s suspension an “act of grave injustice” which could “create chaos within the party” and put any chance of election success in jeopardy.
Ex-shadow chancellor John McDonnell described the suspension as “profoundly wrong”.
Momentum, the campaign group that helped propel Corbyn to the party leadership, announced there will be a virtual Stand with Corbyn rally on Friday evening.
“The suspension of Jeremy Corbyn by the Labour Party leadership is a naked attack on the left that undermines the fight against anti-Semitism and makes a mockery of Keir Starmer’s pledge to unite the party,” it said.
Advertisement
The fallout came on what Sir Keir labelled a “day of shame” for Labour after the EHRC found the party broke equality law over its handling of anti-Semitism complaints.
The EHRC investigation found evidence of “political interference” by then leader Corbyn’s office in the complaints process.
Interim chair Caroline Waters said there had been “inexcusable” failures which “appeared to be a result of a lack of willingness to tackle anti-Semitism rather than an inability to do so”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Kanye West's Hologram Gift For Kim Kardashian Has Twitter Thinking Of One Man Only

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Kim Kardashian sparked a lot of conversation on social media on Thursday night when she revealed that husband Kanye West had made her a hologram of her late father in honour of her 40th birthday.
But after Kim posted footage of the virtual Robert Kardashian (complete with glowing comments about Kanye, naturally), there was only one man on people’s minds: David Schwimmer.
Advertisement
As you may recall, the former Friends star played Robert Kardashian in The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, Ryan Murphy’s TV adaptation of the OJ Simpson trials.
And soon after Kim’s tweet was posted, David Schwimmer’s name began creeping up the list of trending topics...
the plan? create a hologram so lifelike it makes david schwimmer obsolete pic.twitter.com/oXaQM42oTI — Ben Rosen (@ben_rosen) October 30, 2020
David schwimmer you’re doing amazing sweetie https://t.co/AZyUQixpGX — Jack Manion (@jackmanion) October 30, 2020
Advertisement
OK, but imagine the hologram suddenly going off and David Schwimmer walking out in costume. Now THAT would have been a birthday surprise. — Ryan Love (@RyanJL) October 30, 2020
For my birthday, Kanye got me the most thoughtful gift of a lifetime. A special surprise from heaven. He hired David Schwimmer to reprise his role as my dad! It is so lifelike! We made him perform over and over, filled with emotion. pic.twitter.com/Zl4xhGhxwq — LadyHaylo🦋 (@ladyhaylo) October 30, 2020
For my birthday, Kanye got me the most thoughtful gift of a lifetime. A special surprise from heaven. A compilation of David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian saying "JUICE." ✨🤍 It is so lifelike! We watched it over and over, filled with emotion. pic.twitter.com/SAt1rNZ9OA — sreekar (@sreekyshooter) October 30, 2020
Kanye could’ve just called up David Schwimmer instead. Would’ve been much cheaper, and a LOT more convincing... pic.twitter.com/N8O0nP4ael — Chris Evangelista 🎃 (@cevangelista413) October 30, 2020
It would’ve been so much cheaper if Kanye just hired David Schwimmer to play her dad. — Mark Ellis (@markellislive) October 30, 2020
Advertisement
I wonder if David Schwimmer is pissed off he didn’t get the gig https://t.co/eFeqhuKHUh — sophie hall-oween 🎃 (@SophLouiseHall) October 30, 2020
David Schwimmer busy or? https://t.co/BwYIthewAB — John E Warren ♿🤠 (@FloppyAdult) October 30, 2020
My parents never gave me a David Schwimmer hologram for my birthday even once, what gives — Tommy Cap (@tcaporale4) October 30, 2020
David Schwimmer checking out why he’s trending: 👀 pic.twitter.com/TFvVwguOt0 — Alejandro Guerra (@Cinephile420) October 30, 2020
And while we’re on the subject of David Schwimmer, let’s remember one of our favourite news stories of last year...
Advertisement
David Schwimmer is trending and I can’t help but remember the time people thought he was robbing a crate of beer in Blackpool pic.twitter.com/2UDKl01Y5s — CJ 🎥 (@ConnorMoorcroft) October 30, 2020
Robert Kardashian was a criminal defence attorney best known for successfully defending his friend O.J. Simpson against charges that the former football star and actor killed his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman in Los Angeles in 1994.
In Kim K’s video, the hologram version of her dad is seen telling the reality star she is beautiful — and that he watches over his kids and grandkids every day.
For my birthday, Kanye got me the most thoughtful gift of a lifetime. A special surprise from heaven. A hologram of my dad. ✨🤍 It is so lifelike! We watched it over and over, filled with emotion. pic.twitter.com/jD6pHo17KC — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 29, 2020
“I am so proud of the woman you’ve become, Kimberly,” the image says. “The most beautiful thing that I have witnessed is watching you grow your family.”
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Trump Loves To Lie But His Favourite Whopper Isn’t Fooling Anyone Now

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump’s most frequent and most effective lie, that he had built “the greatest economy in history,” appears to be losing its punch at the worst possible time for him.
Trump has never had overall favourability ratings in his entire three years and nine months in office, but for most of that time has enjoyed the perception that he was doing a good job handling the economy. Now, with his election for a second term only days away, just about as many Americans think he is doing a bad job.
Advertisement
A Gallup poll on Thursday found that Trump’s approval for his handling of the economy has fallen to 52%, from a high of 63% just this January.
A CNBC poll in October found his approval on the economy at 47-47, compared to the 51-36 advantage he had two years ago.
“Reality has caught up with him. He had a huge lead in terms of people’s confidence in him as an economic manager, and he blew it,” said Justin Wolfers, a University of Michigan economics professor. “One issue is that people don’t trust what he says anymore. Another is, well, look around – things are pretty grim, and people know this. You can’t bluster past the reality that people are having their hours cut, millions of families are getting by on one fewer paycheque, and no one feels confident that they know what’s coming next.”
That drop in public confidence in his abilities, though, has not stopped Trump boasts. “Did you see the number today: 33.1 GDP, the biggest in the history of our country by almost triple,” he said on Thursday at a rally in Floria hours after the release of new gross domestic product numbers. “We created the greatest economy in the history of the world,” he said at Arizona campaign rally on Wednesday.
Advertisement
Neither assertion was accurate. The economy under Trump has not been the greatest in this country, let alone the world, even before the pandemic. And the 33% growth figure he and his campaign are touting is an annualised rate, and does not make up for the productivity declines earlier this year during the pandemic. Furthermore, the economy now is as weak as it was during the depths of the Great Recession in 2009.
“It’s the ‘Big Lie,’” said Anthony Scaramucci, a longtime Trump friend and briefly a top White House aide who is now a critic of the president. He compared his use of the technique to the infamous Nazi propaganda minister: “He does it as well as Goebbels.”
President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally outside Raymond James Stadium on Oct. 29 in Tampa. AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Trump inherited a moderately strong economy from his predecessor, Barack Obama, which continued on the same basic trajectory for his first three years. GDP growth was slightly higher in 2018, thanks to a tax cut that suddenly injected billions into the economy, but fell back to the long-term average of 2% in 2019.
Despite this, Trump repeated hundreds of times, on social media and public remarks, that he had transformed what had been a horrible economy under Obama into “the greatest economy” in, variously, US history or the entire world.
Advertisement
By mid-2019, economic advisers in his own administration understood this was not true, as they looked for ways to counteract a manufacturing recession caused by Trump’s trade war with much of the rest of the world. They even pushed the idea of a reduction in payroll taxes – which fund Social Security and Medicare – as a way to boost consumer spending.
Voters, though, historically have not had a sophisticated understanding of the economy and how it works and typically just attributed its health to the president who happened to be in office. Republican George H W Bush was blamed for a recession that was nearly over by the time of his 1992 campaign. Democrat Bill Clinton was credited with the boom taking place at the time of his 1996 reelection – even though some of the policies that helped create it were passed under his predecessor, Bush.
“If it is on your watch, you get the upside and the downside,” said Peter Hart, a Democratic pollster. “Fair or unfair, that is how it works.”
That principle, Hart said, could wind up helping Democratic nominee Joe Biden, should he win the presidency next week. The pandemic is likely to have receded and the economy is almost certain to be doing better by 2022, in time for his first mid-term elections.
“In this case, it may be like the 1929 depression,” Hart said. “The voters always blamed Hoover, and Roosevelt got the credit because he cleaned up the mess and was a positive and empathetic leader.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Donald Trump Gets Called Out For His Endless Coronavirus Lies

LOADING ERROR LOADING
President Donald Trump’s months-long lies about the coronavirus pandemic are the focus of a new ad from Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s campaign.
The 51-second clip begins with footage of Trump in January claiming Covid-19 will simply “disappear.” Subsequent footage shows Trump repeatedly downplaying the threat of the virus, while acknowledging its danger in private, until the present day.
Advertisement
The United States is now in the grip of a devastating third wave, with experts predicting 100,000 new cases per day in the coming weeks.
The spot ends with a blunt message for voters:
“Over 220,000 Americans have died. Covid-19 is still raging. Trump is still lying.”
Trump has taken a decidedly anti-science approach to tackle the pandemic.
The president has pushed for businesses and schools to reopen in a bid to boost the economy before the election.
He has also flouted his own government’s safety advice in recent weeks, even after contracting the virus himself, to hold multiple campaign rallies, where his supporters stand closely side by side and don’t bother to wear masks.
Advertisement


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Lil Wayne Speaks Out In Support Of Donald Trump In Lead-Up To US Election

LOADING ERROR LOADING
With less than a week to go until the US election result is announced, Lil Wayne has revealed he’s endorsing Donald Trump for a second term in office.
On Thursday night, the Young Money founder posted a photo of himself and Trump giving the thumbs up, revealing they’d just had a “great meeting”.
Advertisement
“Besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership,” Wayne claimed.
“He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done.”
Just had a great meeting with @realdonaldtrump @potus besides what he’s done so far with criminal reform, the platinum plan is going to give the community real ownership. He listened to what we had to say today and assured he will and can get it done. 🤙🏾 pic.twitter.com/Q9c5k1yMWf — Lil Wayne WEEZY F (@LilTunechi) October 29, 2020
Trump announced his “platinum plan” in September, saying at the time it was intended to provide an economic boost to the Black community.
Lil Wayne’s tweet in support of Trump came as a surprise to many, including fellow rapper 50 Cent, who commented: “Oh no WAYNE, I WOULD HAVE NEVER TOOK THIS PICTURE.”
Advertisement
Lil Wayne performing at the BET Awards earlier this year BET Awards 2020 via Getty Images
50 Cent was recently forced to clarify his own political stance, after it appeared that he was endorsing Trump in an Instagram post about Joe Biden’s proposed tax increases for higher earners in certain states.
“Fuck Donald Trump, I never liked him anyway,” the In Da Club star wrote on Instagram, alongside a clip of ex-girlfriend Chelsea Handler lambasting him on Jimmy Fallon’s talk show for appearing to support the US president.
Advertisement
She has since issued a statement clarifying her political stance, insisting she now sides with the Democratic party, despite being raised in a Republican household.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Multiple Right-Wing Figures Pranked Into Thanking The Devil For Supporting Trump

Abedi did point out that he was “a bit crafty” in the spelling of “Iblis.”
“I spelled it ‘Ebliz’ and laid out the pronunciation as ‘ibb-lease.’ But [I] figured mentioning that Iblis is Arab should have been a cue to vet the request with someone who knows Arabic.”
Notorious Trump confidant and convicted felon Roger Stone had also been on the prank list, Abedi said, but potentially figured out what “Iblis” meant and “never took the bait despite multiple attempts.”
In the case of Lahren, Abedi said the Fox News pundit had learned nothing since August, when he pranked her in a viral video into saying that Trump was wise like an “ullu” — Hindi slang for an idiot or fool.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--A Fifth Of England Will Soon Be Living Under The Strictest Covid Restrictions

Almost a fifth of England’s population will soon be living under the country’s toughest Covid-19 rules.
Nottinghamshire entered tier 3 on Friday morning, while West Yorkshire will move up to the highest alert level from Monday as the number of patients in hospital continues to rise nationwide.
It will take the total number of people in the highest level of restrictions to just over 11 million – 19.6% of the population.
And with the Tees Valley and the West Midlands also expecting to be moved up to tier 3 soon, millions more people could soon be under the strictest level of restrictions.
Local authority sources in the West Midlands said the “very high” alert level could be imposed “by the end of next week or the start of the following week”.
Meanwhile, leaders in the Tees Valley area said the government told them it intended to raise their area into tier 3 – although no agreement had yet been reached.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said leisure and sports facilities, such as gyms, will be allowed to stay open in West Yorkshire when it moves to tier 3 on Monday.
It added more than a dozen regions will move from the lowest to the middle tier (tier 2) of restrictions on Saturday.
These include East Riding of Yorkshire, Kingston-Upon-Hull, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Dudley, Staffordshire, Telford, the Wrekin, Amber Valley, Bolsover, Derbyshire Dales, Derby City, South Derbyshire, the whole of High Peak, Charnwood, Luton and Oxford.
It comes as the latest data from NHS England showed the number of hospital beds in England occupied by confirmed coronavirus patients had more than doubled in two weeks from 4,105 on October 13 to 8,595 on Tuesday.
The new data, published on Thursday, also showed there were 743 Covid-19 patients in mechanical ventilation beds in England on Tuesday, up from 560 on the same day the previous week.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Kim Kardashian Surprised By Kanye West With Hologram Of Her Late Dad

LOADING ERROR LOADING
Kanye West had a sophisticated hologram of Kim Kardashian’s late father created for his wife’s 40th birthday with an interesting message... about her husband.
The rapper is the “most, most, most, most, most genius man in the whole world,” declared the hologram of lawyer Robert Kardashian, who died of cancer in 2003 when Kim was 22.
Advertisement
Fortunately, Kim loved it anyway.
“A special surprise from heaven. A hologram of my dad,” she tweeted. “It is so lifelike! We watched it over and over, filled with emotion.”
For my birthday, Kanye got me the most thoughtful gift of a lifetime. A special surprise from heaven. A hologram of my dad. ✨🤍 It is so lifelike! We watched it over and over, filled with emotion. pic.twitter.com/jD6pHo17KC — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 29, 2020
The hologram version of Robert Kardashian told his daughter she was beautiful — and that he watches over his kids and grandkids every day.
He also recalled driving Kim to school in his “tiny Mercedes”.
“I am so proud of the woman you’ve become, Kimberly,” the image said. “The most beautiful thing that I have witnessed is watching you grow your family.”
Advertisement
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian at the launch of The Cher Show in 2018 Bruce Glikas via Getty Images
Robert Kardashian was a criminal defence attorney best known for successfully defending his friend O.J. Simpson against charges that the former football star and actor killed his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman in Los Angeles in 1994.
Some on Twitter were moved by Kanye’s gift, while others were agog that the made part of it about himself with over-the-top praise from a man he never met. Others found the whole idea a tad... creepy.
As someone who has lost both of her Parents. I can honestly say I wish someone would give me a hologram of my parents singing.
You might see it tone deaf, but for a girl who just wants to cry in the middle of a pandemic and curl up with her mom. I see it as sweet. — Ashelli Jo (@AshelliJ8) October 30, 2020
Good grief — GeorgeWeahsCousin (@WeahsCousin) October 29, 2020
Advertisement
“This ... is a frustrating year,” sister Kloe Kardashian told Ellen DeGeneres on Thursday about the backlash, calling the birthday celebration a “beautiful experience.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Scarlett Johansson And Colin Jost Are 'Jost Married' After Intimate Wedding

The two kept their relationship private for a short time before making their public debut as a couple in November 2017. Two years later, Jost popped the question with an 11-carat diamond, which Johansson flashed for the first time during a San Diego Comic-Con 2019 panel.
Johansson said Jost “killed it” in his proposal, which she said came as a surprise.
“He’s very charming and very thoughtful and romantic. But yeah, I was surprised,” she explained, calling his approach “a whole James Bond situation.” “Even if you kind of imagine what that moment’s gonna be like, it’s still a beautiful moment ... I think more than anything, when someone tells you they want to share the rest of their life with you, it’s a lovely, special thing.”
Johansson and Jost reunited on the SNL stage last year, with the Oscar nominee declaring she had met the “love of my life” on the show.
And as for their wedding ceremony, the real question is whether Jost’s Weekend Update co-anchor, Michael Che, had any objections.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--The Trailer For Michael Bay's Covid-19 Movie Is Here, And People Have Thoughts

LOADING ERROR LOADING
As if Covid-19 wasn’t continuing to devastate the world enough already, a pandemic-themed thriller is heading to the big screen.
Viewers got a first look at Songbird, starring KJ Apa and Sofia Carson, when the film’s first trailer was released on Thursday. Directed by Adam Mason and co-produced by Michael Bay, the film envisions a four-year lockdown caused by a coronavirus mutation ― specifically, Covid-23.
Advertisement
KJ Apa stars in Songbird Courtesy of STXfilms
According to press notes, Songbird takes place in 2024 and follows a courier named Nico (played by Apa), who is in a socially distant relationship with Sara (Carson) amid the still-ongoing lockdown. When Sara appears to have been exposed to Covid-23, Nico ― who, as it turns out, is immune to the virus ― must make his way across a dystopian Los Angeles to save his virtual girlfriend before she’s hauled off to a quarantine camp by guards in hazmat suits.
Demi Moore and Bradley Whitford round out the cast of Songbird, which has already been billed as the first feature film to be made during Covid-19 in Los Angeles.
And though Mason has emphasised the film’s romantic elements, even likening it to Romeo and Juliet in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the response to the trailer has been considerably less sentimental.
Advertisement
Everyone (but Michael Bay): Ugh, I really hope this pandemic doesn't stretch past a year.
Michael Bay: HOLD MY BEER, BRO. — Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) October 29, 2020
Are you outta ya god damn mind...no one needs this right now...or ever... — bRandOlantern...trickortreat me my Nedley...👻🧙♀ (@bhoward25) October 29, 2020
Making a “dystopian horror movie” about a horror that is real and happening RIGHT NOW is so tone deaf. And so not what people need. So many people have lost jobs, livelihoods and loved ones due to COVID, and everyone’s life has been severely effected. Bad, bad, bad move. — pip pap @ genshin impact (@scallywap) October 29, 2020
Personally think releasing or even making this movie was just a tone deaf move. This will only cause more fear and in all honesty it’s just a disrespectful move by @michaelbay and the whole cast of #songbird. https://t.co/BEBJJmXYJB — Thomas (@ThomsiiJ) October 30, 2020
I’m channeling my election anxiety into anger at that stupid Michael Bay movie — Jenny Jaffe (@jennyjaffe) October 29, 2020
Advertisement
Given Bay’s record as the producer of action and thriller films like Armageddon and A Quiet Place, some have suggested that the all-too-real human tragedy of Covid-19 couldn’t be translated into film with anything resembling taste or empathy.
And though the movie depicts a mutated form of Covid-19, most of the characters don’t appear to be wearing masks or taking other protective measures in the trailer.
“This is quite possibly one of the shittiest attempts at cashing in on human suffering. Whoever makes this movie should be ashamed,” one person wrote. “This isn’t needed, nor wanted.”
Added another, “It’s too soon! We are still in the middle of the pandemic. I want distractions, not to be reminded of this nightmare.”
Advertisement
At least the producers behind Songbird appear to have taken the pandemic’s impact on the 2020 movie schedule into account and haven’t set a release date. And in spite of the criticism, Carson believes the film will ultimately relay hope to a world still grappling with the consequences of Covid-19.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Real-Life Hero Paul Rudd Stood In The Rain To Give Waiting Voters Cookies

LOADING ERROR LOADING
As if you needed more reasons to like Paul Rudd.
The Marvel star surprised early voters in New York City on Thursday at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, where he was seen handing out cookies to people waiting in line in wet weather to cast their votes.
Brian Rosenworcel, who snapped now-viral footage of the actor in action, told CNN that paul was thanking people as he offered the treats.
Advertisement
“I was standing in line and I thought Paul was just there to vote, but then he starts handing out cookies to people in line,” Brian said. “And he waited to greet people as they exited to say thanks for voting in the rain.”
I’m voting in Brooklyn and Paul Rudd is handing out cookies pic.twitter.com/XH4ikButCL — Brian Rosenworcel (@Bowl_of_Worcel) October 29, 2020
“I want to say thank you for coming out and voting and doing your part,” a masked Paul Rudd is heard saying in the clip.
In an interview with NowThis, the actor said he found it really encouraging to see the massive turnout of early voters around the US.
Advertisement
He said people deserved to be thanked and recognised for coming out early and waiting in line to do their part.
He was there with filmmaker Andrew Jarecki, who has been working with the Election Super Centers project to encourage voting at sports arenas and stadiums, where social distancing can be practiced to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The actor said the reaction was mostly positive.
Paul explained: “Every once in a while somebody doesn’t want anything to do with a cookie or talking to anybody, but usually people have come out and they feel so good because they’ve done it. There’s a real pride, I think, that we all feel when we cast a vote.”
🚨 We ran into Paul Rudd at the polls — and he was giving out cookies 🍪 pic.twitter.com/K2yZeptXSG — NowThis (@nowthisnews) October 29, 2020
Paul’s been busy doing his part to help out New Yorkers.
Last month, the star teamed up with the state of New York to make a hilariously awkward PSA pushing young people to wear masks to prevent the spread of Covid-19 as part of Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Mask Up America campaign.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--Easy Butternut Squash Dinner Recipes For Cosy Meals

You’ve likely learned how to roast butternut squash by now, and maybe you even know that the best way to peel it is by microwaving it and using a vegetable peeler. But if you’re just eating this fall favourite as a side dish, you’re missing out on a wealth of dinner ideas where butternut squash really shines.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-30--I Refuse To Let Slut-Shamers Stop Me Enjoying Sex

LOADING ERROR LOADING
You’re reading Sex Diaries, a HuffPost UK Personal series about how we are (or aren’t) having sex. To share your story, get in touch on ukpersonal@huffpost.com.
Nigerians are good at a lot of things, and pretence is definitely one of them. Whether it’s pretending to like people we don’t like, or pretending to not like people we like so it doesn’t get in their heads, we pretend a lot.
Advertisement
But the most amazing aspect of this pretentiousness is how we love to claim we don’t have sex. Which is funny because, according to the Society for Family Health Nigeria, we use about 400 million condoms yearly. If we are not having sex, who is using the condoms?
When it comes to those of us who do admit that people have sex, there’s a habit of slut-shaming that is downright outrageous. For some reason, sex between two people is treated like only the woman was involved in it. There is still the conscious or subconscious belief that, somehow, a woman’s worth is tied to her vagina, and that her marginal utility begins to reduce once she begins to have sex. And any woman who enjoys sex? That’s a slut!
Slut-shaming here is so commonplace it’s almost the norm. You start experiencing it once you hit puberty – sometimes even before. One of the most infuriating things about it is the sheer audacity of the people who engage in it. More times than I can remember, I have been slut-shamed for merely walking on the road or refusing to give out my phone number. It’s sick. Whether I politely decline or rudely ignore them, I’m still going to be called a slut.
“The openly sexual male is a player, while the openly sexual female is indecent and a prostitute.”
Advertisement
Bigmouse108 via Getty Images Lips Neon Signs Thin Line Seamless Pattern Background Include of Lip, Kiss and Mouth. Vector illustration of Icons
More often than not, this is usually the first time a growing girl experiences it. It gets confusing. Do I give out my number so I can have some peace? What happens when I pass this route again? As you grow up and learn how to deal with that, you start facing society members who believe you slept your way to every good place you’re in. An expensive phone? You fucked for it. A promotion? You fucked for it. A car? You fucked for it. Seen with a rich man? He’s definitely your sugar daddy.
The slut-shaming isn’t just external either. It happens internally as well. Family, friends, colleagues say stuff about you. I was once called a prostitute by a close relative because I opened a bank account without parental consent. I was called a “hoe” and worse by a considerable number of people – some of whom were supposed to be my friends – because of sex between some dude who lied and me. He did the lying, but I got the smoke.
There’s also the issue of the very people you’re sleeping with slut-shaming you. I mean, we are together but somehow you’re the stud and I’m the slut? Incredible. Nothing seems to stop your sexual partner from slut-shaming you for the sex you are (or were) having. Guys get out of relationships and begin to call their exes all sorts. Sometimes, they go as far as commodifying you and your body parts, to the adulation of other members of society. Then you begin to wonder if you had the sex in question alone.
“People try to pass slut-shaming off as a joke but the reality is that it sucks big time. Nobody wants to be insulted for simply choosing to live free.”
Advertisement
You see, the openly sexual male is a player, while the openly sexual female is indecent and a prostitute. I love adult jokes – I crack a ton of funny ones myself. But someone called my attention to it saying it was making people around think of me as loose. Can’t lie, I felt rather disappointed in everyone involved. I compared myself to a man in the same circle – If my jokes were dirty, his were downright filthy. However, he was funny and I was slutty? I keep my jokes to myself now. These people are clearly unworthy of such premium content.
Sometimes I deliberately do more of what I was doing just to spite the shamer. Sex? I’ll have more of it. Dirty jokes? I’ll crack dirtier ones. Short skirt? The next one I’ll wear will be shorter – with a thigh slit. I don’t think the comments made by the slut-shaming blockheads should weigh anyone down and stop them from enjoying themselves. I mean, we only live once, don’t we? If we live our lives always keeping what people will say in mind, we will simply not live for us; we’ll live for them.
But I understand that not everyone has thick skin. Sometimes, people try to pass slut-shaming off as a joke but the reality is that it sucks big time. Nobody wants to be insulted for simply choosing to live free. I don’t see slut-shaming as a hurdle. It’s more like a speed breaker – sometimes, the comments might slow me down, sometimes I just ignore them and speed along and sometimes, I don’t even see them and I just speed through. Bumpy, but we move.
Tobi Adebanjo is a freelance writer and student