thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--This Is What It's Like When Your Twin Comes Out As Trans

Courtesy of the author Ella, left, with her twin, Vince
With only 22 minutes between us, it’s surprising my twin and I are so different.
As far back as I can remember, we have been almost polar opposites. If I wore pink, they’d wear purple; when I did ballet, they did gymnastics; I was shy while they were outgoing and, when asked what we wanted to be when we grew up, I said a ballerina and they’d said a pig.
We have different friends, different interests, different styles and, honestly, you’d never know we were twins by looking at us – we barely look like cousins. But being a twin, despite the opposing opinions and one’s preference for a fingerless glove over a pair of gladiator sandals, makes for an indestructible bond.
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We grew up in a single-parent household, and although we weren’t inseparable on the school playground or in the park by any means, our home life was different. We bonded over our love for Ned’s Declassified School Survival Guide and distaste for our new (now ex) step-family. And while to the naked eye we could have been strangers, we were closer than I could even begin to articulate. I can’t think of a time that I ever truly felt alone; as a twin I’ve always had someone else I can depend on. It always seems to be in my late-night, assignment-induced breakdowns at university when I receive a text letting me know they’re thinking of me. And when I’d come home crying over something pointless (probably a boy), I could always count on them to give me a hug until I was okay.
“I can’t think of a time that I ever truly felt alone; as a twin I’ve always had someone else I can depend on”
Although we endured a slightly rocky home life during our early teens, which led to me moving in with my dad, it was comforting knowing that there would always be someone who understood what we went through; someone to talk to. Living separately for the first time, though, did create an inevitable distance and we found ourselves with less and less in common as we moved into sixth form.
We essentially switched roles: I became the outgoing, confident and thick-skinned twin while they were quiet, unmotivated and sensitive. Little did I know they were suffering with what I’d later discover was anxiety and depression. I’ll always regret not reaching out when things started to change; when the physical distance started to breed emotional distance and become increasingly detrimental to our relationship.
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In those years it was clear I had taken our relationship for granted, and I’d neglected the blessing of having a twin. It’s more than just having a sibling, it’s growing up with a best friend you’ve always had and always will. But what if one piece of information could potentially change that relationship completely?
When we were 16, my twin came out as a trans-male. His demeanour changed, along with his Facebook profile, and he very casually asked me to call him Vince and use he/him pronouns: “I’d prefer that”. I probably said something along the lines of “okay but, why?” It’s all but a distant memory now, but I remember feeling indifferent… confused, but comfortable under the guise of “this won’t last”.
Courtesy of the author Ella and Vince as children
I spent a month or two in denial, batting off my friends’ transphobic comments and ‘jokes’ in the hope that, if I ignored it, everything would go back to normal. Of course, it didn’t, and it was wrong for me to think it would. I know that now. But this was 2015, when Caitlyn Jenner had barely come out through that Vanity Fair cover, and the discourse around what it meant to be trans was hardly understanding.
It was difficult to comprehend. My best friend and confidante – the most important person in my life – wasn’t who I thought they were. Had he been pretending this whole time, or was it a phase? At 16 there was something so hard to come to terms with about finding out someone I’d known my whole life had been struggling to share their true identity with me.
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I was confused: first of all, I was hurt Vince didn’t feel he could come to me sooner and, at the same time, I felt like I couldn’t talk to him about my feelings without causing offence. It was like limbo. I wanted to understand, but I didn’t know how to ask. It was lonely. Suddenly it didn’t feel like we were on the same page anymore. Before, it never felt awkward talking to my twin – but now it did sometimes, and that hurt in itself. But considering how I felt, I can’t even begin to comprehend how he did. Vince had been so brave in coming out, and here I was selfishly hoping that I wouldn’t lose my sister.
But then, Vince wasn’t my sister. He’s my twin. And although it was difficult to repress the instinct to call him by his old name and pronouns, I learned to do it. And guess what? Nothing changed. Nothing except his happiness.
“I'm grateful for Vince's transition... because he can finally be his true self but also, selfishly, because his transition has made me a more accepting and compassionate person.”
Pronouns and denial weren’t the only things I struggled with when Vince came out. I was worried. Worried that people wouldn’t accept him, that he’d be the butt of a joke or, worse, the victim of a hate crime. I was worried that people wouldn’t understand – or even try to understand. I was worried that he wouldn’t be any happier now than he was before. I had the primal urge, as a twin, to protect him. I care about him – I wanted to avoid the awkward silences and ignorant comments generated by introducing him as Vince. I won’t forget the happiness I felt when I introduced him to some new friends and they didn’t even blink.
Vince coming out has been a huge learning experience, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. Grateful because he can finally be his true self but also, selfishly, because his transition has made me a more accepting and compassionate person. It’s not that I was transphobic, but at 16 I was ignorant and I was uneducated. Now, I have the chance to be a true ally, to push back against transphobia with meaning and passion.
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I love my brother and respect him for being strong enough to truly be himself. Although we don’t relate to all the same things any more – from everyday experiences like finding the perfect bra to tricky gender issues like periods – there’s one thing that will never change. Vince will always be my best friend.
Ella Glover is a freelance journalist. Follow her on Twitter at @ellajglover


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--Madame Tussauds Removes Harry And Meghan Figures From Display

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Well that didn’t take long.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wax figures have been removed from the royal family display at Madame Tussauds London ― but they’re not being turned into candles.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who shockingly announced Wednesday they were stepping back from senior royal duties and plan to divide their time between the the U.K. and North America, are being moved elsewhere in the wax museum, officials said in a press release sent to HuffPost on Thursday.
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“To reflect the upcoming change in the Royal line up, Madame Tussauds London will be moving its Harry and Meghan figures from its Royal set with immediate effect,” the museum said in a statement.
General manager Steve Davis explained the relocation, saying, “As two of our most popular and well-loved figures they will of course remain an important feature at Madame Tussauds London as we watch to see what the next chapter holds for them.”
The popular pair previously stood between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William stood on the other side with Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles, as seen below.
The old display, featuring the royal pair. Madame Tussauds London
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“Harry and Meghan will be separated from the family to mirror their ‘progressive new role within the Royal institution,’” the museum wrote.
Here’s what it looks like without them, as shown in the Press Association video above:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--William Algar: Murder Victim Found Dismembered In Barnes Home Was Jazz Trumpeter

William Algar was a talented musician Metropolitan Police
A man whose dismembered remains were found in a house in Barnes has been formally identified by police as “brilliant” jazz trumpeter William Algar.
The remains of Algar, known to friends and family as Blaise, were found at a house in Nowell Road, on January 3. His head and torso were recovered but his arms and legs had been removed and have not yet been found.
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The search of the property came amid concerns that had been raised about the welfare of the occupant – weeks after he was first reported missing.
A post-mortem examination carried out at Kingston Mortuary on January 5 gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
On Tuesday a 17-year-old from Kensington and Chelsea appeared at the Old Bailey charged with murder. He will next appear before court on February 16.
Detective Inspector William White from the Specialist Crime Command said: “Blaise’s family are completely devastated by the loss of their son and brother and we continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding his murder.
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“I am now turning to the public and anyone who knew Blaise to tell me what they may have seen in the time leading up to his death.
“I am specifically interested in hearing from anyone who had contact with him during November and December. Blaise was known to visit the local shops in the Castlenau area – did you notice him or speak to him?
“I am also keen to hear from any residents in and around Nowell Road who have yet to speak to us – in the months prior to Christmas did you notice people you did not recognise coming and going from Blaise’s house during the day and night?
“Any information you might have could assist us in establishing Blaise’s movements in the time leading up to his death.”
Blaise’s family said in a tribute: “We are utterly horrified to lose our son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, friend in such tragic circumstances.
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“William Algar, also known as Blaise, was an incredibly talented musician and a gentle man. He was a brilliant jazz trumpeter and his playing brought joy to so many people.
“He was also a very vulnerable man. We hope that someone, anyone, can provide vital information to ensure those responsible for his death are brought to justice as swiftly as possible.
“Please contact the police if you can help, even if it feels like a small piece of information it might prove crucial to the investigation.”
Anyone with information that could assist police with their enquiries is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8721 4054.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--First Look At The Winter Love Island Villa

First Look At The Winter Love Island Villa
Love Island is about to return to our screens and HuffPost UK has been given early access to the villa for a first look at where the islanders will be staying. There are a few new additions, including a men’s dressing room and the aptly-named "dog house". The new Winter edition of the show will be filmed in South Africa – the first time away from its usual residence in Mallorca.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--Celebs React To Meghan And Harry’s Big Announcement (And Piers Morgan Is NOT Happy)

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to “step back” as senior royals has gone down well with many of the royal couple’s celebrity fans.
In a ground-breaking personal statement, Megan and Prince Harry said they will work to become “financially independent”, while continuing to “fully support” the Queen as they divide their time between the UK and North America in the future.
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Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS via Getty Images
Amanda Holden was one of the first big names to react to the news on her Heart Radio breakfast show.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge said: “Honestly I don’t really understand what all the fuss is about because before Christmas the royal family announced they were going to slim down the royal family, just use the main players, and I would imagine that Harry and Meghan don’t consider themselves main players so all they are doing is stepping back, earning their own money and still going to represent us brilliantly abroad.
“I mean I really like them, I hate the fact that they get all this kind of stuff in the press and I think, I suspect that she maybe is, or wants another baby and I’m thinking she doesn’t want to go through another year of everyone kind of slagging her off, so yeah I’m all for it. I want them to stay together, I want them to be happy.
Amanda Holden at Global's Make Some Noise Night in London. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images) Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images
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Amanda added: “It’s a shame because I feel that Harry is the more fun, down to earth one so we’ll kind of lose a bit of sparkle I think, but I think we’ll be able to watch from a distance. I think they’re going to storm it.”
The TV star also suggested that had Diana, Princess of Wales lived, she would have “done the same kind of thing” by moving abroad to represent the country “brilliantly across the globe”.
.@AmandaHolden fully supports Harry and #Meghan’s decision to take a step back from the Royal Family and earn their own money.
What do you think about The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s plans to split their lives between the UK and America?
🎧Listen Live - https://t.co/eMuzMz9v3Y pic.twitter.com/cIDPipaGU0 — Heart (@thisisheart) January 9, 2020
Former Strictly Come Dancing champion Stacey Dooley, who has been critical of Meghan’s treatment in the press, also praised the royal couple’s decision.
She tweeted: “I’ve always rated Harry.”
Many other stars followed suit…
I’ve always rated Harry. 🕺🏼 — Stacey Dooley (@StaceyDooley) January 9, 2020
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I love Harry and Meghan. — Richard Osman (@richardosman) January 9, 2020
And that folks, is what power looks like. 👑 https://t.co/2uLihXRnsn — Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil) January 8, 2020
Well I guess everyone is speaking either about Trump or Meghan & Harry !! I am just really astounded and saddened at the amount of racism I am reading. I can understand when people have different opinions but have zero tolerance for RACISM!!!! — Motsi Mabuse (@MOTSI_MABUSE) January 9, 2020
However, Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan wasn’t feeling quite as supportive...
BREAKING: Harry & Meghan have just published their new rulebook for the media to obey.
Even Putin wouldn't try to pull a stunt like this.
I fear they've both gone nuts. https://t.co/vHMtFZjIJh pic.twitter.com/cfoMvGpRl6 — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020
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Wow. What a disgraceful way to treat The Queen.
Shame on Harry & Meghan. https://t.co/j2m24M2MSu — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020
The taxpayer should not be paying a single penny to support Meghan & Harry’s new life as duty-free celebrities. Not. One. Penny. pic.twitter.com/GzALYVYCfs — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 9, 2020
No. She’s breaking up our royal family after fleecing the public purse. As a taxpayer, and a Monarchist, I’m entitled to take a rather dim view of this. https://t.co/s6gkmN3yiI — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) January 8, 2020
Meanwhile, Darren McGrady, a former personal chef for Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, and Princes William and Harry, fired off tweets aimed at Meghan following the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s announcement.
In the string of four tweets, McGrady ― who goes by “The Royal Chef” on his website and on social media ― said that Prince Harry was being “manipulated” and that Meghan “just wanted to be famous.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--Egg Freezing Is 'No Guarantee Of A Baby', Women Are Warned

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Women considering egg freezing need to know it’s “no guarantee of a baby”, experts have warned, highlighting that just 18% of treatments have led to a successful birth in the past 15 years.
Proponents of egg freezing say it’s a way for women to delay motherhood if they’re not yet ready to be parents, but would like to be in the future. The treatment involves having eggs collected, frozen and stored, before they’re thawed and used in a process much like IVF at a later date.
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The process is the fastest growing fertility treatment in the UK and companies including Google, Apple and Facebook have divided opinion by offering the treatment to female employees.
Science Photo Library via Getty Images
But researchers presenting at the Fertility 2020 conference in Edinburgh on Thursday called for caution. The team, led by Dr Meenakshi Choudhary at Newcastle Fertility Centre, analysed data from the UK’s fertility regulator, the HFEA, over 15 years. The live birth rate using the patient’s frozen eggs was 18%.
However, it should be noted that 15 years is a long time for such a fast-moving technology. Much of this is historical data and the techniques for using frozen eggs have improved. HFEA data from egg freezing completed in 2017 shows “success rates from frozen cycles are now comparable with fresh cycles, with birth rates per embryo transferred (PET) of 23% and 21% respectively”.
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In other words, egg freezing is about as successful as regular IVF – but neither come with a guarantee of a baby.
“The suggestion is that women seeking to preserve their fertility should be aware that they may have as little as a one in five chance of having a baby later,” the researchers said.
Dr Mariano Mascarenhas from Leeds Fertility, who presented the research, added that “the chances of having a baby can improve if eggs are stored early in life”.
“Unfortunately we couldn’t account for the age at which eggs are stored or when and how they were stored because that information isn’t available,” he said. “So, for some patients the chances for success may be a bit higher.”
“It is important that we tell our patients about the risk that they may not have their much-wanted baby.” - Dr Mariano Mascarenhas from Leeds Fertility
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“Importantly, the live birth rate using frozen donor eggs was considerably higher, at 31%,” added Dr Mascarenhas. “Hence for young fit women with no fertility issues, the success of egg freezing may ultimately be much greater. It is still important that we tell our patients about the risk that they may not have their much-wanted baby.”
But for some women, undergoing egg freezing despite knowing the stats will still feel like a good option.
Sarah Bagg was 38 when she decided to freeze her eggs. “I’d always thought, like a lot of women do, that I was going to have kids and it was all going to happen naturally,” she previously told HuffPost UK.
Then, after the breakdown of a longterm relationship, Bagg decided to undergo egg freezing. She isn’t sure whether she’ll go on to use her frozen eggs, but she doesn’t regret paying for the procedure.
“It was part of my own healing process, as well as being able to put a plan into action,” she said. “If I wasn’t able to [freeze my eggs], I don’t think I would have asked myself all the questions I have done in the last three years. I would still be chasing a partner to be a dad, rather than being happy in myself.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--Iran Plane Crash: Ukraine Investigators 'Want To Search Crash Site For Missile Debris'

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Ukraine investigators are keen to search the site of Wednesday’s deadly crash southwest of Iran for possible debris of a Russian-made missile used by Iran’s military, it has emerged.
Oleksiy Danylov, the country’s security council secretary, said investigators wanted to search for debris after unverified images circulated on Iranian social media showing the debris of a Russian-made Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile of the kind used by the Iranian military.
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An initial report by Iran’s civil aviation organisation said the plane had experienced an unspecified technical problem.
Tensions between Washington and Tehran have risen with the United States’ killing of a top Iranian general on Friday. Tehran retaliated with a missile strike on US targets in Iraq.
Debris is seen from Ukrainian plane which crashed shortly after taking off from Iran on Wednesday ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Kiev team of investigators includes experts who participated in the investigation into the 2014 shooting down of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17, Danylov said.
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The Malaysian airliner was shot down on July 17, 2014, over territory held by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, killing all 298 people on board.
In a televised statement, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier asked people to refrain from speculation, conspiracy theories and hasty evaluations regarding the crash. He declared Thursday a day of national mourning.
Zelenskiy said he would speak by telephone with the Iranian president to step up cooperation in investigating the crash.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has outlined four potential scenarios that may explain the crash, including a missile strike, a collision, an engine explosion or terrorism.
An initial report by Iran’s civil aviation organisation said the plane had experienced an unspecified technical problem. The Ukrainian International Airlines Boeing 737-800, flying to Kiev and carrying mostly Iranians and Iranian-Canadians, crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran’s Imam Khomeini airport, killing all 176 people on board.
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The Iranian report, which referred to the crash as an accident, cited witnesses on the ground and in a passing aircraft flying at high altitude as saying the plane was on fire while still aloft.
It said the three-year-old airliner, which had its last scheduled maintenance on Monday, encountered a technical problem shortly after take-off and started to head toward a nearby airport before it crashed. The report said there was no radio communication from the pilot and that the aircraft disappeared from radar at 8,000 feet.
It is so far unclear if any technical issue could be related to a maintenance fault or defective part.
Countries recognised under a UN-administered convention as participants should nominate who they wish to be involved in the Iran-led investigation, the Iranian report said.
As the country where the plane was designed and built, the United States would usually be allowed to be accredited but neither side has said whether US investigators will be dispatched to Iran.
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The disaster puts a renewed spotlight on Boeing, which faces a safety crisis over a different type of 737, though the plane that crashed in Iran does not have the feature thought to have caused crashes of the grounded 737 MAX.
Flowers and candles are placed in front of portraits of the flight crew members of the Ukrainian 737-800 plane. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Investigations into airliner crashes are complex, requiring regulators, experts and companies across several international jurisdictions to work together. It can take months to fully determine the cause and issuing an initial report within 24 hours is rare.
A Canadian security source told Reuters there was evidence one of the engines had overheated.
The crash happened hours after Iran launched missile attacks on US-led forces in Iraq, leading some to speculate that the plane may have been hit.
The initial assessment of Western intelligence agencies was that the plane had suffered a technical malfunction and had not been brought down by a missile, five security sources ― three Americans, one European and the Canadian ― who asked not to be named, told Reuters.
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The Ukrainian airliner took off at 6:12am, local time and was given permission to climb to 26,000 feet, the report said. It crashed six minutes later near the town of Sabashahr.
Bodies and body parts recovered from the site of the crash have been taken to the coroner’s office for identification, the report said.
Smouldering debris, including shoes and clothes, was strewn across a field where the plane crashed on Wednesday. Rescue workers in face masks laid out scores of body bags.
Onboard were 146 Iranians, 10 Afghans, 11 Ukrainians, five Canadians, three Britons and four Swedes, the report said, but said some may have held citizenship of other countries.
Ukrainian authorities have said those on board included 82 Iranians, 63 Canadians, and 11 Ukrainians.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--You've (Probably) Been Storing Your Bras Incorrectly – And It's Not Doing Them Any Good

HuffPost UK Getty/HuffPost UK
Many of us will admit to shoving our bras into a packed underwear drawer at the end of the day, or hanging them from door handles – hey, we’re not judging. But it turns out, that’s not the proper way to store them if you want them to last. (It’s news to us, too).
Katie Thacker, from the buying team at Boux Avenue, says while storage techniques are often reliant on the amount of space you’ve got to work with, customers are generally advised to store bras in a drawer that’s big enough to lay each of them down flat without folding in half.
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This is especially important if your bra has underwire and is a moulded style – for example, it has some padding or a boost, as it “will help avoid losing the shape in the cup and any creasing,” says Thacker.
To keep the cup shape and “encourage firmness”, Michael Thomson, owner of Pour Moi, advises popping a pair of socks or knickers inside the cups, while they’re laying flat.
tenkende via Getty Images How NOT to store your underwired bras.
Folding your bra by twisting the cups under each other can damage both the cups and the wiring of it. Thomson says you should care for your bras the same way you would a suit – “you would never fold or misshape it, and the same level of care should be made.”
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You should only fold your bra in half (better known as chucking it in the drawer) if it’s a ‘cut and sew’ or unpadded style, adds Thacker. Silk bras, or ones made of delicate fabrics like lace, should be folded inside out in the drawer to prevent damage.
Interestingly, to keep your bra in shape for longer, Agent Provocateur urges people not to wear the same one for more than three days in a row, as it causes it to stretch and lose shape. “When you wash a bra it returns the fibres back to the original state so helps to keep it fitting well,” they add.
tenkende via Getty Images Store your bras flat, don't squish them into small spaces.
While we’re on the topic of looking after our bras – how often should we be washing them? Experts from Persil and Good Housekeeping believe washing after 3-4 wears is best. In sweaty season, you might want to do it more often – and sports bras should definitely be washed after each wear.
“Washing gets rid of the oils and germs that accumulate, so the more oil you’re producing, the more frequently you’ll need to launder your bra,” says Good Housekeeping Institute’s Lexie Sachs.
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Always check the label before washing, as some bras should only be hand-washed. Others should be washed on no more than a 30-degree cycle, as the hotter the water, the more prone bras are to shrinkage.
It’s also recommended that you fasten the hook and eye clasps before putting it in the washing machine, to prevent the clasps from getting caught in the drum and damaging your bra.
You might want to pop them in a net bag to keep them separated from all your other clothes, too. Haven’t got a net bag? A pillowcase should do the trick.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--Meghan And Harry’s Royal Retreat Has Been A Long Time Coming

Meghan and Harry AP
Having a tumultuous relationship with your in-laws isn’t uncommon for married couples. I mean, Bollywood wouldn’t be the booming success it is without the fractious narrative of the unruly daughter in-law, so perhaps the news of Meghan and Harry’s decision to take a step back from being senior royals wasn’t a huge shock to me after a lifetime of exposure to the movies I was raised on. Whether there will be a happy ending where everyone involved breaks out into song after a tearful reconciliation is still up for debate, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
“The couple repeatedly tried to instil boundaries while maintaining their regal duties but they were defied time and time again.”
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In hindsight, the warnings were there. The unrelenting scrutiny, malicious accusations and undeniable racism was clearly taking a toll on the reserved couple so much so that Harry first broke royal protocol by putting out an official statement confronting the treatment of his wife head on. A bold and unexpected move, which was the first red flag that current events can be traced directly back to. The couple repeatedly tried to instil boundaries while maintaining their regal duties but they were defied time and time again by the press and its calculated agenda, which the public ate up, giving them the financial incentive to continue the salacious smearing of Markle.
English rose Kate Middleton and mixed race Hollywood actress Meghan Markle were consistently pitted against each one another with Kate more often than not considered the pinnacle of the supposed standard which many believed Meghan repeatedly failed to meet. From crossing her legs wrong, wearing nail polish, refusing to show off her baby immediately after giving birth to ridiculous suggestions that her pregnancy was fake for optics. Kate has no doubt experienced her fair share of criticism which she has weathered with class but you could argue that it is a little bit easier to do when you’re not fighting racist dog whistles due to your race which is out of your control. An international and well respected publication even wrote articles where they tried to ascertain just how black Archie would be as if that is appropriate discourse and not blatant race baiting.
“Prince Andrew is the only real winner in this situation. He must be delighted as Meghan and Harry continue to deflect from the serious allegations against him.”
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Meghan Markle being a mixed race black woman has been a source of contention ever since the rumours she was dating Harry were confirmed. A successful woman in her own right with a thriving career as an actress was considered beneath the royals despite Meghan being a passionate humanitarian which is part of what attracted Harry to her in the first place. You would think that such an accomplished and compassionate woman would be welcomed with open arms but unfortunately in an institution as outdated as the royal family progression is desperately lacking.
Newspapers begged the question: “Are we ready for a mixed race royal?” As is she were a foreign species yet to be seen by the world. Ready for what, I’d wonder? Ready for the backlash to her heritage? The slander of her name? Her messy family dynamics splashed all over headlines across the world? How does anyone prepare for that especially when they are so limited in what they can say in defense due to the restrictions placed upon them by their powerful in-laws. How do you even begin to fight the repression of the crown when your husband’s grandmother is the literal queen of England.
More importantly, why do we assume that racism is an acceptable price to pay for a marriage in the spotlight? Why is it considered something to “overcome” and silently bear? Surely, the offensive behaviour exhibited by royalists should highlight how far we need to come urging a deeply needed reform on the more toxic parts of British culture. Many claim it is simply Meghan they dislike and that’s fair. We should not be forced to like everyone but to ignore the racial intolerance is to remain willfully ignorant.
A common source of deflection is to highlight Meghan’s white father to justify why she’s “not really black” which is an argument I don’t personally understand but being mixed race hasn’t exactly saved her from the public ire when it’s distinctly her blackness that is under attack. Black stereotypes and slurs are what are wielded against her as if it’s something she should do better to conceal which is another hole in the theory that being a model minority allows your to “transcend” race and e seen as an equal. Relegating the outrage against her due to her being a “person of colour” is reductive and vague. The lack of specificity in acknowledging the rampant anti-blackness is incredibly telling and an additional argument against lumping all ethnicities under one umbrella. It’s a disservice to the very real and under scrutinised existence of the struggles black people face. The angry denials of her ethnic background reveal how far Britain still has to go in order to claim true progression. We might be the “least racist country” but that doesn’t comfort me as much as it alarms me at the extremely low bar with which we’re supposed to be satisfied, if not thankful. Nice try but no thanks.
Harry has repeatedly stated his strong feelings regarding his position in the royal family. He has never shied away from his anger towards the treatment of his mother who died at the hands of a ferocious press with no sense of boundaries. Why wouldn’t it frighten him to see history repeat itself with his wife? What kind of father would he be if he allowed the abuse to remain unchallenged? What kind of husband would he be if he didn’t defend and support his wife? The vows taken are “for better or for worse” after all. The richer and for poorer part is a whole other story. I have to admit the idea of a couple in their late 30s venturing into the world of the financially independent is less admirable and more amusing with a hint of cringe. Again, revealing the absurdity of the redundant royal institution.
Sure, they aren’t a regular married couple but neither of them asked for this. Harry was born into royalty and Meghan fell in love and chose to essentially convert for the sake of her in-laws who did not show the same support in return. They are caught between a rock and a hard place as they navigate their supposed obligations and their desire to live a life away from the incessant media circus.
If I may, I would like to posit that Prince Andrew is the only real winner in this situation. He must be delighted as Meghan and Harry continue to deflect from the serious allegations against him handing the royal family the lesser scandal they need in order to keep the public distracted. Meghan Markle has been a fortuitous lightning rod of negative attention which coincidentally help conceal the more nefarious aspects of the crown and its subjects. If anything, her in-laws should be immensely grateful.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-09--Police Investigate Hate Crime After MP Claims Peer Called Her ‘Queer’

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Police are investigating allegations of a hate crime at the House of Commons after an MP who was called “queer” by a peer after she raised his “abusive” behaviour towards parliamentary staff.
Lord Ken Maginnis was accused of “one of the worst cases of abuse of security staff I have seen” by SNP MP Hannah Bardell.
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The Northern Irish unionist peer launched a tirade at staff, calling them “crooked” after he forgot his pass to enter parliament and they would not allow him in, Bardell told the Commons on Wednesday.
PA Archive/PA Images
Responding to HuffPost UK, Maginnis did not deny the allegations, instead choosing to attack Bardell by accusing her of attempting to to “settle a score” because she is “queer” and he is opposed to gay marriage.
Bardell told the Commons on Thursday morning she considered his comments about her to “be a hate crime”.
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“We must set the best possible standards for this place for other LGBT people and indeed our staff,” she added.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday evening that it was investigating an allegation of hate crime at the House of Commons.
A spokeswoman said: “The Met’s Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team is looking into an allegation of hate crime at the House of Commons made to them on Thursday January 9.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, said Maginnis’ “attack” on Bardell was “unutterably disgraceful”. He told MPs Bardell was “clearly owed an apology” from the peer.
He added: “I think everybody who heard about that was shocked by the comments he is reported to have made and not denied. I think they are really appalling.”
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Later, the Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, said Lord Maginnis’s language was “totally unacceptable and has no place in parliament”.
“I am deeply concerned by recent reports of a member of the House of Lords directing offensive language towards parliamentary security staff and a member of parliament,” he said.
“The reported behaviour and use of such language is totally unacceptable and has no place in parliament.
“We are working hard to build an inclusive and respectful environment, and behaviour such as this totally undermines our collective efforts.
“Security on the parliamentary estate is everyone’s responsibility. Any disregard for security rules is against the interests of us all.
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“Our security staff do a difficult job with the utmost professionalism and deserve support from all members.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Courteney Cox And Daughter Whip Out Major Moves In TikTok Dance Debut

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It’s been more than 20 years since we first saw The One With The Routine but Courteney Cox has clearly still got the moves.
The Friends star and her 15-year-old daughter Coco Arquette performed a choreographed dance routine on TikTok, which Cox then posted to Instagram this week.
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“Wanna see your child lose their patience? Do a TikTok with them,” she wrote.
Fans were quick to recall the classic episode of the hit ’90s sitcom in which Monica Geller (Cox) and her brother Ross (David Schwimmer) performed a very ... intense choreographed routine on the set of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Geller shares Coco with her ex-husband David Arquette. The two split in 2012 after 13 years of marriage, and she has been with her current partner, Snow Patrol singer-songwriter Johnny McDaid, since 2013.
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Cox’s celebrity friends were apparently very impressed with her enduring dance prowess. David Spade, Erin Foster and Selma Blair all chimed in with comments.
“I am really impressed! You are a super woman. True story,” Blair wrote.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--40 Hilarious Tweets About The Lies Parents Tell Their Kids

Yesterday I convinced my 6 year old son I could see his memories by looking into his ear directly at brain.
He was amazed talking about, “What else do you see mama?!” as I told him things we were both there for.
Parenting is fun


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe: British Mother Jailed In Iran Fears Extended Sentence As Tensions Rise

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A British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran fears receiving a second jail sentence amid increasing tensions in Iran.
Mother-of-one Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was admitted overnight to a prison clinic after experiencing “palpitations and panic attacks”, her husband has said.
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Richard Ratcliffe said tensions in Tehran, sparked by the US assassination of general Qassem Suleimani, are taking a toll on her mental health.
Zaghari-Ratcliffe is midway through a five-year sentence, accused of spying, which she denies.
The UK government has been attempting to secure her release after affording her diplomatic protection in March 2019.
The 41-year-old is among as many as five people with dual British-Iranian nationality, or with UK connections, believed to be in prison in Iran at present.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Friday morning, Ratcliffe said: “This is a situation where there is a lot of anger in Iran and a lot of vulnerability, and it’s very stressful for the people involved.
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“I mean, Nazanin was taken down to the clinic overnight two nights ago, through palpitations and panic attacks.
“So I think it’s important for the government to just do what they can.”
He added: “She was put on beta blockers to calm down.
“We usually expect things to happen a week or 10 days later, so there is a sense of foreboding which is affecting all the prisoners.”
Ratcliffe added that he was due to meet Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials later on Friday.
He said: “There’s certainly concerns, I think it’s a very tough time, and you have heard on the news this morning about other events in Iran, it’s just really sad.
“In terms of what contact we have had with the government, we should be trying to meet with the Foreign Office today, in just a couple of hours’ time.
“[We are] really pressing up on the media for a meeting with the prime minister.
“So we will be calling to find out when we can do that.”
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, the British-Iranian woman jailed in Iran PA Wire/PA Images
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In a statement to HuffPost UK last week, Ratcliffe said the air strike “definitely pours cold water over the chances of progress in Nazanin’s case.
“The increase in tensions will put a freeze on any other rapprochement,” he said.
“We had seen a release of a US prisoner just before Christmas – so were hopeful that might lead to other releases. We are much less hopeful now.”
Ratcliffe also urged Boris Johnson to pay a £400m debt Britain owes Iran, as his wife now fears receiving a second jail sentence as Iran seeks revenge on the west.
The sum has been outstanding since pre-revolutionary Iran paid the UK for 1,500 Chieftain tanks in the 1970s.
The deal was cancelled after the Shah of Iran was deposed in 1979, but, while Iran has demanded the money back, Britain has so far refused.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Amy Schumer Shows Us What Having IVF Actually Looks Like In Candid Instagram Post

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Amy Schumer has revealed the physical and emotional toll IVF is taking on her body.
In a candid photo posted to Instagram, Schumer, 38, bared her stomach covered in bruises. “I’m a week into IVF and feeling really run down and emotional,” she wrote alongside it.
The actor, who is mum to eight-month-old Gene with her husband Chris Fischer, asked her followers for advice if anyone had been through it. “We are freezing my eggs and figuring out what to do to give Gene a sibling,” she added.
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Schumer lifted the lid on the difficulties involved in having multiple children – and the issues some women have conceiving. Her fans came out in droves with support, sharing their own experiences of the procedure.
“IVF is a road that I travelled,” one commenter said. “The waiting room is like a library with no eye contact. The meds make you feel bloated or what I like to call ‘puffy’ – like uncomfortable in your skin.”
The woman went on to reveal the “little moments” she can’t forget, and advised Schumer to “laugh” at them. “The doctor investigating your lady parts, sperm cups filled from 90s porn, the endless needles that become a job, and my personal favourite was the hot anaesthesiologist asking you how much you weigh.”
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She added: “Be kind to yourself and always take one day at a time. Always remember you have a beautiful kid and that is a miracle in itself!”
Another woman who’d been through IVF – and now has an eight-year-old daughter – said: “It is a very difficult process and sadly, [there’s] little you can do to make it easier on either of you. Try to keep busy and enjoy the moments with Gene. That beautiful boy will remind you of the why.
“Also keep all your syringes and take a photo before discarding them.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--The Government’s Attempt To Suppress BDS Is An Assault On Fundamental Freedoms

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Smuggled into a Conservative Party manifesto, widely seen as thin on concrete policy proposals, was a commitment to introduce primary legislation to stop public bodies from supporting Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns targeted at Israel.
Last month, UK Special Envoy for Post-Holocaust issues Eric Pickles put more meat on the bones of this proposal by indicating that the legislation would prevent public bodies from working with those who support BDS. Whatever this means in practice, the move would represent a serious assault on fundamental freedom of expression.
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Theresa May’s government had already moved to suppress BDS by attaching regulations to existing pension law that sought to prevent Local Government Pension Schemes from divesting from companies complicit in Israel’s violation of Palestinian human rights.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) challenged these moves in the courts and a final judgment by the Supreme Court is expected shortly. On a narrow level, the government’s proposed bill may be seen as an attempt to bypass any judgement in the Supreme Court which rules its pension regulations illegal. But the government’s actions need to be understood in a broader and more global context.
For at least five years, Israel has been coordinating a campaign to criminalise the BDS movement and delegitimise groups calling for any form of sanction to address its continuing violations of international law. At the domestic level this has manifested in Israel introducing a raft of laws including the “Anti-Boycott Law” in 2011, which means that individuals or organisations who endorse a call to use BDS tactics are liable to have legal action brought against them. Last month Israel deported Omar Shakir, Human Rights Watch Director, due to the organisation’s opposition to settlements in the occupied West Bank and its calls for companies to stop working with the settlements.
The so-called “lawfare” strategy has also seen Israel persuading friendly western governments to introduce laws to suppress BDS. More than 20 US states have passed bills and orders that penalise support for BDS. In France in 2010, the Justice Minister issued an instruction to state authorities to consider calls for boycott illegal - a move which has led to more than 30 activists being charged with criminal activity for participating in BDS actions.
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The underpinning narrative used to support these legislative moves is that campaigning for BDS is an inherently anti-Semitic activity. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism is crucial to this tactic, and we have already seen how it’s been used to shape political discourse on this issue. For instance, one example cited in the IHRA definition is “claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour”.
This assertion can be, and often is, deployed to say that criticism of the range of racist laws which discriminate against Palestinian citizens of Israel is inherently anti-Semitic. In 2018, a group of MPs called on the UK Government to stop Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) because they claimed it was anti-Semitic and in violation of the IHRA. In fact, IAW is an annual series of educational events that seek to raise awareness about Israel’s military occupation and discriminatory policies which have been shown to fit the legal definition of apartheid.
Another example cited under the IHRA is “requiring of [Israel] a behaviour not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation”. This line is used to characterise calls for any form of sanctions against Israel as anti-Semitic. The Simon Wiesenthal Centre, for example, defined Airbnb’s decision to delist properties in illegal settlements in the West Bank as the 6th worst worldwide incident of anti-Semitism in 2018. Ironically the Centre also responded to Airbnb’s action by calling for a global boycott of the company – this was a key part of the body of pressure that led Airbnb to reverse its decision. It is examples like these that have led to the IHRA being severely criticised by leading human rights lawyers, academic experts on anti-Semitism, and bodies like the Institute for Race Relations.
The shape of the legislation proposed by the government has not been made clear and was not clarified in last month’s Queen’s speech. However, Pickles’ formulation suggests it may mirror laws used in the US which in turn inspired a motion debated by Barnet Council in 2018. That motion, eventually shelved after lobbying pressure from PSC amongst other bodies, would have committed the council to not letting or renting space to any individual or group promoting BDS. A draconian interpretation of the wording could have meant council housing being denied, for example, to members of Trade Unions who have BDS policies.
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The government’s moves are not only a serious assault upon the rights of Palestinians to articulate their oppression and call for peaceful action to address it, as well as the rights of those who wish to respond to that call by supporting BDS campaigns. It is also a worrying harbinger of this government’s willingness to follow the Trump model in abandoning core values that are the glue of a decent society – upholding the rule of law internationally and domestically alongside the fundamental right of freedom of expression. In this regard, the proposed legislation must be opposed not just by those for whom justice for the Palestinian people is a core campaign, but by all who care about safeguarding fundamental democratic principles.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Rosena Allin-Khan Interview: Labour Deputy Leader Hopeful Says Growing Up In Poverty 'Puts Fire In Y

Rosena Allin-Khan Interview: Labour Deputy Leader Hopeful Says Growing Up In Poverty 'Puts Fire In Your Belly'

Rosena Allin-Khan, the wildcard in the race to be Labour’s next deputy leader, is a Cambridge University-educated doctor.
But unlike many of her peers at the university’s prestigious medical school, her story is not one of private education and privilege.
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Brought up by a single mum in a working class home in Tooting, Allin-Khan failed her A Levels - with two Es and a U - and at 18 never imagined she would go on to represent the London borough in parliament and realise her dream of becoming a doctor.
“It all felt pretty bleak,” she tells HuffPost UK. “I remember crying on the phone to my mum and feeling absolutely lost.”
Allin-Khan, who describes the task before Labour’s next deputy as a “roll your sleeves up” job in the wake of December’s devastating defeat, re-sat her exams but life was a struggle.
“My mum was a single mum and she had to work three jobs, so my brother and I always had jobs and it was quite tough,” she says. “So I was an ice cream scooper, I worked in Next shoes and accessories, I did silver service waitressing, I worked in a call centre trying to sell quality assurance manuals, I worked trying to sell weddings. You name it, I’ve done it.”
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Allin-Khan, who is 42, describes her younger self as someone who “refused to give up” and thanks Labour health reforms for opening up access to Cambridge’s Lucy Cavendish College to graduates after 2000.
She admits battling confidence problems and applied only after months of regular appeals from her close pals.
“I had lived a life where not that much was expected of me,” she says. “I was living under a Thatcher and then a Major government as a mixed race kid from a poor family in London.”
She feels getting into medical school was her biggest breakthrough and recalls her mum “crowdfunding money from friends” so she could prove to university chiefs her daughter had cash to fall back on.
“She said I’ll be damned if you don’t get in because we don’t have money and so off I went to this interview with this pretend money in the bank,” she says, adding: “For me it was a lot of pushing through barriers.
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“I was just never ever giving up. I was just so determined to do it, because I knew it was the way that I could transform other people’s lives. I really believe that.”
The mum-of-two, who is Muslim and wife to a Welshman, used her education to work in humanitarian aid and has a decade of experience working in conflict and disaster zones, such as Gaza and Lebanon.
A fan of extreme sports such as boxing and skiing, Allin-Khan, who is thought to be among Labour’s moderates, was asked by Jeremy Corbyn to serve as shadow sports minister and has used the role to speak out against racism in football and campaign for free standing at grounds.
Like her rivals Ian Murray, Richard Burgon and Dawn Butler, Allin-Khan will struggle to beat the clear favourite Angela Rayner, but her energy and enthusiasm are infectious and will leave an impression.
“If you have grown up in poverty, you know that it doesn’t know regional discrimination” - Rosena Allin-Khan
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She is also keen to reframek the narrative that only politicians from outside London can communicate about the realities of poverty and hardship.
“I think it’s important to have a breadth of candidates on the ballot paper,” she says. “And if you have grown up in poverty, you know that it doesn’t know regional discrimination.
“And it gives you a fire in your belly to fight for everyone else, regardless of where they’re from.
“The deputy job is going to be a roll your sleeves up job, and I have a lot of ideas.”
She also hopes that opening up about her own triumph over adversity will inspire young women from ethnic minority backgrounds.
“There’s nothing like growing up under the Tory government with my ethnic background and my socio-economic background and having people try and put me in a box,” she says. “The only box you should ever go in is the one you make for yourself. And I’m learning that more and more as time goes on because, even this place [Westminster], you’re forced to identify one way or another.
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“And actually, why do we have to? What can I just be, like, proudly British and proudly Polish-Pakistani.
Rosena Allin-Khan; British; Labour Party, Universal History Archive via Getty Images
“Why do I have to feel more one more the other. I just feel like, actually the only thing that matters is how I see myself and how I treat others.”
It was also at Cambridge that Allin-Khan first got involved with the Labour Party.
She was elected to Westminster when Sadiq Khan decided to run for London Mayor in 2016, sparking a by-election.
Her time in politics has been marked by turbulence. The day she was elected, Jo Cox was killed by a far-right terrorist and just days later the country voted to leave the European Union.
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She strongly supported a second referendum on Brexit but, following Boris Johnson’s Conservatives securing a commanding 80-seat majority, now accepts it is time to move on.
Labour infighting has also been rife since Corbyn was elected but Allin-Khan hopes the leadership and deputy leadership contest will bring unity.
“The thing I learned the most from my humanitarian work is that we all come to our political opinions based on our past and life experiences. And you can’t ever take that away from someone - that is their lived experience,” she says.
“And once we accept that we’ve all had different lived experiences, you work with the information that you have about someone else or their ideology.
“I think people are inherently good and everyone generally in politics I
truly believe is just trying to do their best.”
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While leadership favourite Rebecca Long Bailey gave Corbyn “ten out of ten” for his leadership, Allin-Khan does not agree.
“I would have to give him six out of ten,” she says. “He did get us to a point where we are an anti-austerity party and we have a record number of young people signed up to the party and registered to vote, but the biggest judge is the electorate and we didn’t wow anyone at the last election, did we.”
Following Corbyn’s claim that Labour “won the argument” at the election, Allin-Khan also stresses that the party has to reflect on the fact it has not won a majority since 2005.
“It’d be an incredible error to not recognise that we have suffered a catastrophic defeat and a blow to our party,” she says.
“We’ve lost the last last four elections. We need to learn from the mistakes of 2015.
“And I think we need to really look deep and listen in every corner of the country.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--To Solve Labour's Identity Crisis, Candidates Must Leave Labels Behind

Labour identity PA
Compared to the intense scrutiny of the 2019 general election campaign, the Labour leadership contest takes place in relative obscurity. That being said, the air of existential threat which accompanied Labour’s bid has failed to diffuse: next time, the party must “win or die”, warned Angela Rayner as she launched her deputy leadership bid this week. Given the size of the Tory majority, the next leader may prove to be a mid-project martyr.
Labour supporters are right to ask the big questions sooner rather than later. Who does the party currently represent? Who does it need to represent in order to win? How might supporters situate this future winning coalition within the party’s historical narrative? Does it even need to? As MPs have been announcing their candidacies over recent days, a variety of nods, gestures and half-answers to these questions have emerged. Rebecca Long Bailey plans to “radically democratise the economy”; Lisa Nandy to “empower frontline professionals” to run public services; Jess Phillips to “stand up for those who feel they can’t stand up for themselves”; Keir Starmer to “open up power and opportunity to all our communities”; Emily Thornberry to “foresee and exploit Johnson’s failings”.
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At this early stage (voting begins 21 February), a clear proposal of party identity is essential. Labour needs policy and narrative derived from scrupulously upheld values; not, as in 2019, values inferred by the electorate from poorly-packaged policy. On the fabled doorstep, Labour became the party of fiscal carelessness, foreign policy ineptitude and fatally, European indecision — all fronted by a widely unpalatable leader who mismanaged a crippling anti-Semitism crisis. Now, in the deepest depths of opposition, Labour has a chance to decide what it wants to become.
“If another phenomenon is to transcend single-issue status and become a moral determinant, then Labour must ensure it be the climate crisis.”
Attempting to rewire the party’s appeal by alluding to cultural conservatism is risky. Rebecca Long Bailey’s initial call for “progressive patriotism” implicitly subscribed to election analyses, which cast Labour’s diverse metropolitan base as the key turn-off to voters in its “traditional” Northern heartlands. Clive Lewis’ pitch — a plotted biography of mixed-race struggle — warns against “attempts to mimic their [the right’s] frames around migration and a distorted view of patriotism”. Perhaps most intelligently, Lisa Nandy’s proposal ends by outlining the shared risks of either approach. She promises to end “the wholesale patronising of working people as a homogeneous group”— the clumsy hallmark of both pandering to xenophobia within white Englishness, and choosing to abandon all “Red Wall” voters because of perceived blanket bigotry.
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The Wigan MP’s initial offering is noticeably quiet on Britishness, patriotism and her own mixed-raced backstory; a strict regional focus is preferred to potentially clumsy meta-narratives. In this she echoes leftist academic Alex Niven, who argues that regionalism is a “more enlightened way to channel tribal feeling than any of our available nationalist fictions”. Understanding that England’s current nationalism is just one among several potential belief systems — many of which can be cultivated in between general elections while reflecting Labour’s egalitarian values — may be a valuable position should Nandy proceed to the ballot. Scotland’s however, poses a huge problem for all.
Long Bailey’s official launch did calm concerns: “I will never throw migrants or BAME communities under the bus,” she wrote. But her correction draws attention to deeper complexities about the relationship between national identity and the Labour party after 4 April.
Central to this is whether (and how) candidates will move beyond demographic labels which not only fail to describe the socio-economic topography of 2020 Britain, but which are themselves the bases of post-election homogenisation narratives. Monolithic class labels, not unlike the “skilled/unskilled” language of reactionary immigration policies, risk fomenting further discrimination towards vulnerable groups, needlessly pitted against each other in the name of political diagnostics. Social stratifications must adjust to the 21st century realities of home ownership, precarious work, student debt and declining manual labour industries. After the election result, critics atomised Labour into its supposedly irreconcilable voter groups using these dated metrics, ignoring Britain’s rapidly shifting demographic sands. Politics professor Matthew Goodwin splitting the party into three entities and calling one group an “awkward alliance of students and ethnic minorities” is a case in point of this theoretical divide and conquer. As with a similar argument made about the US Democrats, such analysis often seems to suggest terminal disunity — not a strong starting point for any leadership candidate.
Labour should also be mindful of the Conservative’s willingness to abandon class-based conceptions of voting behaviour in order to win power. It wasn’t images of city traders that adorned the 2019 Tory manifesto, but employees of Middlesborough’s Wilton Engineering clutching a “We Love Boris” placard. Eager to cement votes that Johnson conceded were only “lent” to his party in 2019, the Tories will continue to co-opt Labour’s historic imagery. Clearly the Tories’ Brexit message was potent, but if another phenomenon is to transcend single-issue status and become a moral determinant, then Labour must ensure it be the climate crisis.
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A green Labour vision represents an opportunity to build towards pioneering cultural, environmental and electoral change while leaving behind the tired demographic frameworks on which “us versus them” narratives of imperial nationalism thrive. The party now has a chance to give the pillars of green democracy a proper airing: new industries, corporate responsibility, community activism and strong diplomacy. All candidates are likely to champion it, but only with a strong leader in opposition can Labour hope to lay foundations for a politics of radical equality — and power.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Honest's Bacon Plant Burger Is A Winner – And That's From A Meat Eater

HuffPost UK Honest's Bacon Plant Burger
My mouth waters when the burger is placed in front of me by the waiter. That could be because I had a small lunch and waited until 7.30pm to eat dinner. Or it might be because it smells – and looks – delicious.
I’m sitting in an Honest Burgers branch in south London, having just ordered a vegan burger – and when it arrives, I’m puzzled at how this gorgeous pile-up could actually be vegan. According to the menu, it combines a plant-based patty with a rasher of THIS Isn’t Bacon, vegan smoked gouda, shoestring fries, plant-based bacon ketchup, chipotle ‘mayo’, spinach and pickles.
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On the menu until 3 February to coincide with Veganuary, the chain said it wanted people who aren’t eating meat to have a satisfying bacon burger, too.
HuffPost UK Honest Burger's bacon plant burger
I’m a meat eater – flexitarian to be specific – who is trying to be veggie in January. I love bacon, burgers, and pepperoni pizza, but usually eat meat only when I’m out. So when the burger is set down, I’m eager to get stuck in.
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It looks like an Actual Burger™ and smells like one, too, packed full like the picture, with skinny shoestring fries, bacon, a patty, salad, deliciously-smelling bacon ketchup, and vegan cheese – all bookended by a brioche bun.
As I bring it to my mouth, the smell of “bacon” is overpowering. I take my first bite. Moist, not dry (for some reason, that’s what I was expecting), a strong bacon taste, the delicious addition of ‘bacon’ ketchup, and the crunch of a pickle. I smile, that “I-can’t-believe-this-is-vegan, smile”, while chewing my that first mouthful. It’s good. It’s... really good.
With the next bite, the ketchup oozes out, and I use the rosemary fries to mop it up. I catch part of the bacon to take a peek – and realise I’ve tried it before, in this vegan bacon sandwich. My reservation then was the look of it – oddly darker in colour – but in a burger covered in sauce and full of other ingredients, it’s not so noticeable. I’m going completely on the taste, and despite being slightly chewier than regular bacon, it’s pleasant.
The patty is a juicy, meat-style burger – less substantial than its meat counterpart, and lighter on the stomach, but it does the job. The flavour on its own is quite plain, but there’s so much else going on that it doesn’t matter.
Eating everything together – the patty, with the crunchy fries and bacon rasher, plus the ketchup and the pickle – is a delight. I chomp through my meal, trying each part separately – the cheese, the bacon, the patty, and the ketchup – satisfied by each one.
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HuffPost UK Amy Packham
As I take my last bite, I’m stuffed. But that groggy, tired, feeling I usually get after eating a greasy, meaty burger isn’t there. You know, that post-meat lull after you’ve scoffed a lot of meat? I feel full, comfortably full, but not too weighed down with the amount I’ve eaten.
Has the burger been popular, I ask the waitress, who is clearing our plates. “Yes!” she says, adding that the limited edition bacon element seems to have drawn people in. The chain already sells a plant-based burger with vegan smoked gouda, chipotle ‘mayo’, mustard, red onion, pickles and lettuce. But there’s something about the bacon plant that seems to be more intriguing – perhaps appealing to those who, like me, are meat-eaters trying to cut down.
At £14.50, it’s a tad pricer than I’d have liked. I’ve long been a fan of Honest’s vegetarian burger – a courgette and sweetcorn fritter burger with cheese, chipotle mayo, slaw, and pickles – and that’s only nine quid. But considering the bacon plant burger is full of fries and lot of other greasy goodness, as well as being limited edition, you can understand why they’ve hiked the price up.
I walk away content. It tasted great, I don’t have that sleepy-full feeling and I genuinely wouldn’t pick a meat burger over this one if I came back again.
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I’m a convert, a total bacon plant burger convert.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--News Corp Employee's Explosive Email Accuses Rupert Murdoch Empire Of 'Climate Change Denial'

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A senior News Corp employee has sent an explosive “reply-all” email to her colleagues accusing Rupert Murdoch’s media company of the “dangerous” propagation of “climate change denial and lies”.
Commercial finance manager Emily Townsend was responding to a senior executive who had highlighted a number of initiatives the organisation had launched in response to the devastating fires that have destroyed large swathes of Australia.
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In the email, Townsend said any positive action the company was taking now could not make up for the “misinformation campaign” waged by its publications, which include The Australian, The Daily Telegraph and Herald Sun.
News Corp News Corp
She said: “I have been severely impacted by the coverage of News Corp publications in relation to the fires, in particular the misinformation campaign that has tried to divert attention away from the real issue, which is climate change, to rather focus on arson (including misrepresenting facts).
“I find it unconscionable to continue working for this company, knowing I am contributing to the spread of climate change denial and lies.
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“The reporting... is not only irresponsible, but dangerous and damaging to our communities and beautiful planet that needs us more than ever to acknowledge the destruction we have caused and start doing something about it.”
Murdoch’s News Corp is the largest media company in Australia, reaching 16m of the country’s 24 million citizens. It also owns news brands around the world, including News UK, which runs British titles including The Sun and The Times.
Townsend’s claims of coverage that plays down climate change are backed up by a recent study showing articles in The Australian that have argued – falsely – that this year’s fires are no worse than in previous years and that arson is to blame rather than climate change.
News Corp executive chair Michael Miller said he stood by the coverage, adding: “Ms Townsend resigned in December and was due to leave News Corp shortly.”
The unprecedented fire crisis in south-east Australia has claimed at least 26 lives and destroyed more than 2,000 homes since September and has focused many Australians on how the nation adapts to climate change, PA Media reports.
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Thick smoke blanketing southeastern Australia along the border of Victoria and New South Wales on January 2, 2020 ASSOCIATED PRESS
Prime minister Scott Morrison has come under blistering criticism for downplaying the need for his government to address climate change, which experts say helps supercharge the blazes.
Asked whether he expected fire emergencies of the same magnitude to become more common in the future with climate change, Morrison did not give a direct answer.
“There’ll be the reviews that take place as you’d expect and I’ve indicated in response to questions that we’ll be working closely with state and territory authorities on how they’re undertaken,” he told reporters. “The links and implications here have been acknowledged.”
Morrison brushed off criticism over what many Australians perceive as a slow, detached response to the crisis.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Beyoncé Tipped To Record New James Bond Theme After Cryptic Instagram Post

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With less than three months to go until the new James Bond film hits cinemas in the UK, there’s still one crucial component left to be revealed.
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However, after a seemingly-innocent photo taken at the Golden Globes on Sunday night, Beyoncé fans think they might have figured it out.
After the awards show – where she’d been nominated for her contribution to the Lion King soundtrack – Beyoncé shared a posted standard photo of herself leaning in to sip a Martini, and it didn’t take long before the Beyhive swarmed into action.
Beyoncé posted this snap after the Golden Globes Instagram
Fans immediately began drawing comparisons between the photo and one the famously-private singer had shared of herself holding a lemon, shortly before her Lemonade album was announced.
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As fans began debating the significance of the Martini, many then agreed it looked like she was hinting that she’d be recording the song for the new James Bond film, No Time To Die...
Beyoncé posted this first picture before dropping LEMONADE so with this second picture is the new Album gonna be named OLIVE? pic.twitter.com/tXe64smzEo — 〽ac 🎭 (@Malc_white1) January 9, 2020
I think she's gonna be in James Bond project. Martini is his signature drink. https://t.co/QSDdijX7ck — ✨ Δslı (@AsliYonce) January 9, 2020
She’s not gonna get away with it this time... BEYONCÉ JAMES BOND THEME CONFIRMED. pic.twitter.com/3cRZSWcs04 — GARRY (@GarrySlay) January 9, 2020
still no confirmed singer for No Time to Die’s intro. U could be totally right — é 🌵 (@yaheardaboutus) January 9, 2020
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What makes me think Beyoncé is really doing the James Bond soundtrack is that it’s less than three months before the movie yet we still don’t know who are singing the songs. — INTO THE UNKNOOOOOOOOOOWN (@beeyonceknight) January 9, 2020
Beyoncé has been hinting at James Bond since her 2018 Coachella set when she sampled the theme tune during Don't Hurt Yourself pic.twitter.com/m18j8X9ONn — EDGES KINKY (@beeeysus) January 9, 2020
Also for the love of everything just because Beyonce had a Martini doesn't mean she's gonna sing the new James Bond theme.....!!!! — TakokaT (@K4tn3t0) January 9, 2020
can Beyoncé just enjoy her martini without us jumping to conclusions? pic.twitter.com/myJXdTk1if — uɐlɐ (@beydaddy) January 9, 2020
Beyoncé was previously rumoured to be in talks to record the Bond theme as far back as 2017, though her rep told Billboard at the time this was just “a rumour”.
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The last two James Bond films have featured musical contributions from Adele and Sam Smith, both of whom won Academy Awards for their musical efforts.
Beyoncé is currently at the centre of Oscars buzz of her own, with her song Spirit being heavily tipped to be among this year’s nominees when they’re announced next week.
Beyoncé Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
Other songs expected to be in the frame include Into The Unknown from the Frozen II soundtrack and a new Elton John track featured in the biopic Rocketman, which won a Golden Globe on Sunday.
It had been suggested that Taylor Swift’s new addition to the Cats soundtrack, Beautiful Ghosts, might also be in the running, but reports recently suggested that Universal had cancelled plans for the film to be considered at the upcoming Oscars.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Women Are Sharing Throwback Stories About The 'Special K' Diet. What *Was* That About?

HuffPost UK HuffPost UK/Getty
Many women look back at their younger years and scoff at the ridiculous diets they put themselves on to lose weight – when they didn’t even need to.
But no food plan united women more than the ‘Special K diet’, it seems.
The challenge, which gained popularity in the early 2000s, suggested people could drop a jeans size in two weeks if they ate just Special K for breakfast and lunch. Kellogg’s, which owns Special K, has since abandoned the plan.
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But the diet poppped up again, when Kayleigh Ann, 29, from Manchester wrote on Twitter: “Does anyone remember in the early 2000s when Special K brought out a “diet” where you just ate Special K for breakfast and lunch and then had a small meal for dinner? Wtf was that all about? Fucking hell.”
Speaking to HuffPost UK, Kayleigh says the memory just “popped into [her] head”, and she thought she’d see if anyone else had done it. In secondary school, she said she’d carry around a sandwich bag full of special K “to lose weight”, at just 14-years-old.
Her tweet quickly garnered thousands of likes and encouraged other women to share their stories. “Apparently the diet was popular with school girls,” she said. “I remember being a teenager and trying this for a week,” one wrote. “Yep, I remember that – I was in school, too,” wrote another.
Another woman said her 13-year-old self was “constantly” on the special K diet. “I felt v guilty if I broke from it,” she wrote. “I think a lot of teens were in a similar boat. I hope teenage girls now aren’t being suckered in to something similar.”
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Others remembered the ad for the diet with its “red swimming costume lady” – an ideal that many girls aimed for. “I think about this ALL the time,” one woman tweeted. “I remember being a kid and watching this thinking I’d always be slim like the lady on the Special K advert as I will do that diet when I’m older.”
Some said they kept to it, despite being “starving” during the day, because their friends were doing it, too.
Kayleigh’s shocked at how many people have replied to her saying they also did the diet – and at such a young age. “It’s upsetting that we felt we had to change our bodies at all, let alone as teenagers!” she tells HuffPost UK.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Instagram Scammers Are Exploiting The Australia Fires For Cash And Clout

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The bushfires ravaging Australia have killed dozens of people, destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. Millions of acres are burnt. More than a billion animals are feared dead. As the blaze spreads and these numbers continue to rise, opportunistic Instagram users are focused on other figures: dollars and likes.
Popular Instagram profiles are exploiting the crisis for personal gain, making empty promises to plant trees or donate money in exchange for traffic with posts such as, “1 LIKE = $1 DONATION.” Some falsely claim to be affiliated with legitimate aid organisations. Others have promoted personal PayPal accounts, urging their tens or hundreds of thousands of followers to donate to them directly while vowing to give those funds to charity later on.
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In identical posts, the Instagram accounts @thewildfund and @australiasafety, with 111,000 and 50,000 followers respectively, each committed to donating $1 per like to their “partner,” National Geographic. For every follow, the pages said they would give $5. @australiasafety also claimed that it had already given away $450,000, linking to a nonexistent website, australiasafety.org. Neither of the account owners responded to requests for comment.
Some scam accounts, like the ones above, falsely claim to be affiliated with legitimate aid organizations. Instagram posts
National Geographic told HuffPost that it is not affiliated with either of the pages, contrary to their claims. Yet the accounts still managed to accrue more than a million ‘likes’ and a surge of new followers in a matter of days — which could have earned them money.
Instagram removed both pages after being contacted by HuffPost.
The speed and ease with which crisis grifters’ profiles go viral on Instagram underscore the billion-user platform’s function as a hotbed for scams. Despite its policies against deceptive activity, the Facebook-owned company regularly allows hoaxes to flourish without consequence. This lack of proactive enforcement emboldens bad actors rather than deterring them.
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As a result, anonymous scammers are capitalising on people’s goodwill and feelings of powerlessness surrounding the devastation in Australia, said Nico, the 15-year-old creator of @exposinginstascams, which calls attention to fraud and other malfeasance on Instagram.
At a time when people around the world are desperately searching for ways to save koalas, or aid refugees, or support firefighters as they watch Australia burn on their screens, crisis grifters are there to meet their demand. If their pages get shut down, it’s easy enough to start over.
“The speed and ease with which crisis grifters’ profiles go viral on Instagram underscore the platform’s function as a hotbed for scams.”
“It’s disgusting,” Nico said. “It’s way past the line to use a crisis for attention and clout.”
The teen devotes much of his spare time to educating the public on how to recognise Instagram scams — a pervasive issue that he feels is best addressed by helping people stay informed. Hoaxers are constantly developing new ways to con people, he noted.
While many scammers exploit crises for quick cash, such as by soliciting direct donations, others employ a longer-term strategy: asking for likes, followers and reposts instead of money can lead to rapid account growth, in turn making the accounts more valuable. And after amassing large followings, crisis grifters can use a pivot-and-profit model by deleting their disaster-related posts and changing their usernames, then selling their pages or using them to attain paid brand deals.
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That’s exactly what the 23,000-follower account formerly known as @trees4australia appears to be doing. After raking in traffic with a photoshopped picture of a moose on fire and a declaration that it would be “planting $1 for every [‘like’]” — whatever that means — it quietly switched its page to private-access only, deleted its posts and pivoted to an unrelated username.
It’s a tired scheme, but often an effective one — especially when scammers latch on to highly publicised tragedies. In September, as the Amazon rainforest burned at an unprecedented rate, HuffPost detailed how Instagram users were using the blaze to promote their own pages as well as fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns. In June, opportunistic Instagrammers vowed to deliver meals to starving children in crisis-torn Sudan for followers and likes, The Atlantic reported.
“We are investigating this scam and will remove accounts and content that promote it,” a Facebook company spokesperson told HuffPost.
Instagram has yet to remove all of the accounts HuffPost brought to its attention.
The Australia bushfires have engulfed millions of acres across the country. Twitter@NSWRFS via ASSOCIATED PRESS
@plantatreeco, which boasts 570,000 followers and counting, claims it will donate to charity in exchange for followers and reposts on Instagram. In expired Instagram Stories, it has also claimed it will plant a tree every time someone follows its TikTok, YouTube or Snapchat accounts. In its Instagram bio, it says it has planted more than 36,000 trees to date, yet in now-deleted Instagram Story Highlights, that number was 200,000.
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Meanwhile, @plantatreeco is also aggressively urging people to visit its website, where it sells merchandise. There is no indication that any proceeds from the merchandise will go to charity. As Nico pointed out, @plantatreeco has done this multiple times before, then erased its Instagram content and started over.
Elsewhere, the site has featured blog posts such as, “Here’s what you can do to help the burning, ravaged Amazon rainforest,” which is plagiarised word-for-word from a Business Insider article, yet credited to a Plant A Tree Co blogger named Zack. The blog post vanished after HuffPost contacted the account to inquire.
@plantatreeco has previously been identified as a scam but told HuffPost that its critics have acted in bad faith. It provided what appears to be a receipt for a donation to Australia’s NSW Rural Fire Service for $3,173.30 that was made within hours of HuffPost’s initial outreach. The NSW Rural Fire Service was not immediately able to confirm the authenticity of that donation.
@prayforstraya, a page with 30,000 followers, has also promised to donate money and plant trees in exchange for followers, comments and reposts on Instagram. In an Instagram Live on Thursday, the account owner cast his skeptics as “dickheads.”
When HuffPost contacted him to ask about his claim of donating $25,000 to the Red Cross (which he has previously admitted was a lie), he had two questions:
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Edd Byrnes, Star Of Grease, Dies Aged 87

Grease actor Edd Byrnes has died at the age of 87.
The US actor was best known for his role as the smooth-talking radio broadcaster Vince Fontaine, who hosts the iconic school dance at Rydell High in the hit 1978 musical.
Edd also appeared in the TV series 77 Sunset Strip, in which he played the aspiring private investigator Gerald Lloyd “Kookie” Kookson.
His son Logan Byrnes, a news reader in California, confirmed the news of his father’s death on Thursday night.
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Edd as Vince Fontaine in Grease Paramount
Logan tweeted: “It is with profound sadness and grief that I share with you the passing of my father Edd Byrnes. He was an amazing man and one of my best friends.”
An press release accompanying the tweet said: “Edd Byrnes, an American actor who rose to stardom in the popular television series 77 Sunset Strip, died unexpectedly Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 at his home in Santa Monica California of natural causes at the age of 87.
“His is the story of an ambitious young kid who in his early 20s, drove out to Hollywood from New York City, with a few hundred dollars and a dream of making it big in the entertainment business.”
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As well as his roles in Grease and 77 Sunset Strip, Edd had numerous TV credits to his name, appearing in shows like Charlie’s Angels, The Love Boat, Murder She Wrote and Married With Children.
Edd at a book signing in his later years MediaPunch/Shutterstock
He also starred in films like Yellowstone Kelly and Erotic Images, in which he appeared opposite Britt Eckland.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claims She 'Advised' Harry And Meghan About Decision To 'Step Down' As Senio

Oprah Winfrey Addresses Claims She 'Advised' Harry And Meghan About Decision To 'Step Down' As Senior Royals

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Page Six reported on Thursday that Oprah – a friend of the royal couple, and one of the A-list guests at their wedding in 2018 – had talked through their decision with them and even “encouraged” them to pursue a new life in North America.
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However, Oprah has now set the record straight, insisting this is not the case.
“Meghan and Harry do not need my help figuring out what’s best for them,” she told People magazine.
“I care about them both and support whatever decisions they make for their family.”
Oprah Winfrey Rachel Luna via Getty Images
Earlier this week, Harry and Meghan caused a huge splash when they released a statement revealing: “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution.
“We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen.”
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson later said discussions were “at an early stage”, adding: “We understand their desire to take a different approach, but these are complicated issues that will take time to work through.”
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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Max Mumby/Indigo via Getty Images


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--Gavin & Stacey Fairytale Of New York Backlash Sparked Almost 900 Complaints To BBC

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The BBC received almost 900 complaints about the recent Gavin & Stacey controversy, it has been confirmed.
Over Christmas, Gavin & Stacey returned after a decade-long absence for a brand new festive special, which was largely met with positive reviews.
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However, many viewers were upset with the decision for two characters to perform a version of The Pogues’ Fairytale Of New York, which included an uncensored rendition of the line “you scumbag, you maggot, you cheap lousy f****t”.
The BBC has now confirmed to The Sun that they received a total of 866 complaints over the inclusion of the slur, after doubling down on their defence of why the lyric was featured in the first place on Thursday.
The cast of Gavin & Stacey in the recent reunion special BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson
In a message sent to those who contacted their Executive Complaints Unit over the controversy, they said: “While the word ‘f****t’ is now widely acknowledged as having the potential to offend, the song never suggests or implies that this is, or was ever, an appropriate way to address another person, nor does it link it to homosexuality.
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“Nessa and Bryn were seen singing the original lines and we can assure you there was no intention to offend viewers. We understand that some people will find it offensive in any context but we also recognise that the song is widely played and enjoyed in its original form.”
They also cited media regulator Ofcom’s past assertion that it’s “unlikely that audiences would widely perceive [the use of the slur] as a serious attempt to denigrate the homosexual community”.
Before the episode aired, it was revealed that an uncensored version of the song would be included in the episode, to which the BBC said: “Fairytale of New York is a very popular, much-loved Christmas song played widely throughout the festive season, and the lyrics are well-established with the audience.”
Rob Brydon and Ruth Jones performing Fairytale Of New York on Gavin & Stacey BBC
Meanwhile, back in December, The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan – who wrote the song – admitted he “didn’t understand” the backlash to the lyric in question, or how the term “f****t” could be “insulting to gays”.
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“Fuck that,” he said, during an appearance on Ireland’s Late Late Show. “Nobody in the band thinks that’s worth a second’s thought.”
He then went on to perform the song on the show, with Shane and singer Philomena Begley singing the whole thing uncensored.
When asked about the controversy a year earlier, Shane claimed: “She is a woman of a certain generation at a certain time in history and she is down on her luck and desperate. Her dialogue is as accurate as I could make it but she is not intended to offend.
“She is just supposed to be an authentic character and not all characters in songs and stories are angels or even decent and respectable, sometimes characters in songs and stories have to be evil or nasty in order to tell the story effectively.
“If people don’t understand that I was trying to accurately portray the character as authentically as possible, then I am absolutely fine with them bleeping the word, but I don’t want to get into an argument.”
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Kirsty MacColl – who is also credited on Fairytale Of New York – changed the lyric in question in later performances from “you cheap lousy f****t” to “you’re cheap and you’re haggard”.
Shane MacGowan Tristan Fewings via Getty Images
Last month, HuffPost UK contacted representatives for both James Corden and Rob Brydon, but did not receive a response.
Ruth Jones – who co-wrote the show, and whose character also appeared in the performance of Fairytale Of New York – previously told The Sun: “It is a different climate. But we have to remain true to the characters, to who they were.
“Characters in Gavin & Stacey are kind and big-hearted, I believe. So I think no one is going to be intentionally hurtful.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-01-10--What We Know About The Iran Plane Crash And The New Video

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It is “highly likely” the Ukrainian jetliner that crashed near Tehran killing all 176 people on board was shot down by a missile, Western leaders have declared, pointing the finger of blame at Iran.
US president Donald Trump framed the tragedy as a mistake but dismissed Iran’s initial claim that it was a mechanical issue with the plane.
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“Somebody could have made a mistake on the other side.” he said, noting the plane was flying in a “pretty rough neighbourhood”.
Here’s everything we know so far...
The accusation
Citing multiple sources, the leaders of the UK, US, Canada and Australia have said evidence suggests it was an Iranian surface-to-air missile that brought down Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 on Wednesday just outside Tehran.
Boris Johnson said there was now a “body of information” to support the claim but did not offer specifics but details of the US evidence have emerged.
Reuters reports that data showed the plane was airborne for two minutes after departing Tehran when the heat signatures of two surface-to-air missiles were detected.
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Rescue workers carry the body of a victim of a Ukrainian plane crash in Shahedshahr, southwest of the capital Tehran, Iran, Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
That was quickly followed by an explosion in the vicinity of the plane, a US official told the news agency. Heat signature data then showed it on fire as it went down. Heat signatures are infrared emissions detected by US military satellites.
There is no evidence as yet to suggest it was intentional. The airliner could have been mistaken for a threat, said four US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence.
Iranian air defences would have been on high alert at the time – just hours after it launched missiles at two US bases in retaliation for the killing of Qassem Soleimani.
In social media posts, ordinary Iranians voiced anger at their authorities for not closing the airport after Iran’s missile launches, Reuters reports. Scores of those on board were Iranians with dual nationality.
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The new video
On Thursday, a video surfaced on social media that appears to show a missile-like object exploding in the skies over Tehran.
The location at which the footage was filmed has been verified by investigative site Bellingcat and The New York Times, and shows a fast-moving object rising before a fiery explosion.
An object, apparently on fire, then continues in a different direction.
We are analyzing this new video supposedly showing a mid-air explosion. By our initial estimation, the video shows an apartment block in western Parand (35.489414, 50.906917), facing northeast. This perspective is directed approximately towards the known trajectory of #PS752. pic.twitter.com/nDvjRIkFU4 — Bellingcat (@bellingcat) January 9, 2020
The missile
The weapon at the centre of the accusation is the Tor, also called the SA-15 Gauntlet by Nato. It is a short-range “point defence” system that integrates the missile launcher and radar into a single tracked vehicle.
To attack a target, the Tor operator must identify it on the radar screen and direct the missile to launch.
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The Tor-M1 anti-aircraft defence system is displayed in a military parade to commemorate the anniversary of the start of the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, in Tehran September 22, 2009. Raheb Homavandi / Reuters
A former European air defence officer, who now works on missile defence technology, said that ideally, flight plans and transponder codes of all scheduled civilian flights would be shared with military units stationed near an airport.
“Shooting down a hostile aircraft is easy,” the officer, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue, told Reuters.
“It’s identifying the aircraft and not shooting down friendlies that are the challenges.”
The denial
Iran has flatly denied that the plane was hit by a missile and has called the latest reports “psychological warfare” against the country.
An initial report issued by Iran’s civil aviation organisation on Thursday said the three-year-old airliner, which had its last scheduled maintenance on Monday, encountered a technical problem shortly after takeoff.
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Colleagues of the flight crew members of the Ukrainian 737-800 plane that crashed on the outskirts of Tehran, light candles at a memorial inside Borispil international airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
It said the plane’s pilots did not make a radio call for help and that the aircraft was trying to turn back for the airport when it went down.
Government spokesman Ali Rabiei said in a statement: “All those countries whose citizens were aboard the plane can send representatives and we urge Boeing to send its representative to join the process of investigating the black box.”
The victims
On Thursday Boris Johnson confirmed four Britons died in the plane crash, up from the earlier reports of three.
The three known British victims included engineer Sam Zokaei, from Surrey, Saeed Tahmasebi Khademasadi, from west London, and Mohammad Reza Kadkhoda Zadeh, from near Brighton.
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In total 176 people were killed when the plane crashed moments after it left Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran at 6.10am local time (2.40am GMT) on Wednesday, bound for the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
Canadians held candlelit vigils in several cities on Thursday to remember 63 citizens killed in the crash, which Canada’s prime minister Justin Trudeau called a “tragedy that shocked the world”.
The investigation
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has accepted an invitation from Iran to take part in its investigation into the crash.
The NTSB confirmed it would take part in the probe after an Iranian official told Reuters of the agreement.
Canada, which had dozens of passengers onboard, has also assigned an expert, while a team from Ukraine held discussions in Tehran on Thursday.
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A photograph is placed at a memorial during a vigil in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, to remember the victims. ASSOCIATED PRESS
But the prospects of a thorough investigation were dealt a blow when images of bulldozers clearing the crash site emerged in Iranian TV.
CBS crew just visited the #Ukrainian airlines crash site west of Tehran. Nine am local time. Virtually all pieces of the plane were removed yesterday - say locals. Scavengers now picking site clean. No security. Not cordoned off. No sign of any investigators. pic.twitter.com/hhNJyokhjq — Elizabeth Palmer (@elizapalmer) January 10, 2020
The prospect of war
It was not immediately clear how the US and its allies would react although the leaders of those countries have all been keen to stress the tragedy was likely accidental.
Despite efforts by Washington and Tehran to step back from the brink of possible war, the region remained on edge after the killing of Gen Soleimani and Iran’s retaliatory missile strikes. US troops were on high-alert.
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