thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--'Critical Incident' Declared In South Wales After Flooding As Storm Jorge Arrives

Pontypridd, which was also flooded two weeks ago, and the Ely area of Cardiff, are particularly affected, the force said, as it warned residents to stay indoors unless “absolutely necessary”.
More than 600 homes and a similar number of businesses have been hit in Wales, accounting for around a quarter of affected properties in the UK.
Superintendent Andy Kingdom said: “Indications are that the rain is set to stop and river levels will soon recede.
“There is still significant surface water and debris on the roads throughout the force area so we would advise people only to travel if absolutely necessary.”
England has had more than 200% of its average February rainfall, according to the Environment Agency, with some areas getting a month’s worth in 24 hours.
There were six yellow weather warnings for rain, wind and snow in force across the country on Saturday morning, stretching from Cornwall to the north of Scotland and across to Northern Ireland.
A total of 76 flood warnings were in place across England and Wales, mostly in the South West and along the English-Welsh border, and in Yorkshire, while a further 204 “flooding is possible” alerts are also in force.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--Danny Cipriani And Rugby Teammates Pay Tribute To Caroline Flack During Match

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Danny Cipriani and his rugby team have paid tribute to his friend and ex Caroline Flack during their latest match.
The player and his Gloucester teammates ran out with the words “Be Kind” printed across the back of their shirts as they played a Gallagher Premiership Rugby match against Sale on Friday.
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The message referred to a social media post where the former Love Island host had told fans: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind”.
Gloucester's Danny Cipriani wears a 'Be Kind' logo on his shirt during the Gallagher Premiership match at Kingsholm Stadium PA
Danny dated Caroline, who took her own life at the age of 40 earlier this month, last year and the pair had remained friends after splitting up.
He said ahead of the match: “Caroline was one of the most caring, genuine people I ever met.
“She endured unimaginable criticism during her years in the public eye but through it all, she just wanted people to show a little kindness to each other. And that’s a message that should be her legacy – be kind.
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The back of the team's shirts were designed in memory of Caroline Flack PA
“We all have spells of self-doubt, anxiety and low points. Nobody needs other people to point out their flaws and make them feel worse about themselves. A little kindness goes a long way.”
Danny’s team made the tribute as part of the club’s campaign to raise mental health awareness in partnership with the Samaritans.
They are also donating £5 from every ticket purchased to the Gloucester and District Samaritans.
Caroline Flack died earlier this month PA
Following Caroline’s death, Danny shared a powerful video in which he detailed his own struggles with suicidal feelings.
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Revealing she’d inspired him to speak his truth, he said: “We’ve always been in contact, since we were together, since we weren’t, it’s always been a loving friendship, and I was so vulnerable with her in my moments, when we first met, and I told her everything about me, because I felt safe with her.”
Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--'Crucial' Hunt For Source Of First UK-Infected Coronavirus Case Underway

“This case – a person testing positive for novel coronavirus with no known link to an affected area or known case – marks a new chapter for the UK and it will be crucial to understand where the infection came from to try to prevent more extensive spread,” said Ball.
“This was always a concern – this is a virus that frequently causes symptoms very similar to mild flu or a common cold, and it’s easily transmitted from person to person.
“This means it can easily go under the radar.”
Three new cases of the virus were confirmed on Saturday, all of which were found in patients who had recently travelled to high-risk countries. The total number of cases now stands at 23.
Meanwhile, government is reportedly preparing to bring in new emergency powers to help stop the spread of Covid-19.
It is understood that this will give schools, councils and other parts of the public sector powers to suspend laws – including health and safety measures – to cope with a pandemic.
Teachers and nursery workers will be allowed to have larger classes to cope with staff absences under the laws, which are due to be introduced next week.
Dr Stephen Griffin, associate professor at the University of Leeds, said: “Whilst the first person-to-person transmission within the UK may come as a shock to many, it was really only a matter of time.
“What now becomes critically important is our ability to identify, isolate and care for infected individuals, and to trace their recent contacts.
“If localised outbreaks remain contained then it should be possible to limit the impact upon the UK. However, I suspect the frequency of small outbreaks might increase in coming weeks as the source countries of imported cases become more diverse.
“If we experience a burgeoning epidemic as seen in South Korea it will represent a significant challenge to our already stretched NHS and public health infrastructure.
“As directed by WHO, we should use this time window to invest and prepare for such a potential outbreak, whether it happens or not.”
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the original source of the virus was “unclear”, adding that there was no “immediately identifiable link” to overseas travel.
According to Public Health England (PHE), one of the latest coronavirus cases was a resident in Surrey.
Haslemere Health Centre in the county was closed on Friday, with a statement on its website saying: “The surgery is temporarily closed today to enable a clean of the surgery as a routine precautionary measure. The practice will reopen on Saturday and patients will be advised if their appointment needs to be rearranged.”
Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said it was “unsurprising” to see a case of human-to-human transmission in the UK.
He added: “There will be significant efforts to look at how this patient came to be infected, who is the index case in the UK and to see if any there are any other secondary cases.
“Though this is a notable development here in the UK, the overall risks to the public right now remain unchanged.”
On Friday it emerged that a British man, reported to be in his 70s and said to have lived abroad, was confirmed as the first UK citizen to die from coronavirus.
The man, who was on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship which has been quarantined off Japan’s coast amid the outbreak, was the sixth person from the vessel to have died.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--This Is How Easy It Is To Buy A Lethal Crossbow In The UK

It is a weapon so lethal it is still used by special forces for “silent kills”. But HuffPost UK has found that anyone armed with just a credit card and an internet connection can buy one with ease.
For £190, a crossbow capable of firing aluminium bolts at 340 feet per second – 373kph – can be bought online, without stringent checks. Smaller models cost as little as £29.95.
When HuffPost UK investigated, the process took around 10 minutes to complete, with the only requirement being a checkbox to say the buyer is over the age of 18.
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A number of recent high profile attacks have raised concerns the law on crossbows may not be fit for purpose.
Deaths from crossbows in the UK are rare – there was only one in 2018 and two so far this year, but incidents of injury, threatening behaviour and animal abuse are more common.
Gerald Corrigan had retired to North Wales to live “a peaceful life” and was adjusting the satellite dish outside his home on April 19 when a crossbow bolt pierced the 74-year-old’s body, inflicting “horrendous life-changing injuries”.
The former lecturer died 22 days later with his partner Marie, and his son and daughter, Neale and Fiona by his side.
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Terence Whall, 39, was convicted on Monday of his murder and has been jailed for a minimum of 31 years.
Gerald Corrigan. PA Media
DCI Brian Kearney who investigated the case, told HuffPost UK that the arrow that killed Corrigan had been modified with a “hunting attachment”.
“These attachments cause devastating injuries and are used to hunt large game in countries where these activities are legal,” he said.
Numerous types of hunting attachments for crossbows can be bought on Amazon, with no checks.
A crossbow hunting tip available on Amazon for just £2.69. Amazon
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Although rare, the death of Corrigan isn't an isolated case – in May, a two-year-old girl was shot in the head with a crossbow bolt at a house in Liverpool.
In March, police officers in Wales said they “feared for their lives” when a man who said he was hearing voices in his head threatened them with a crossbow.
And in June, two calves were shot at a farm in Warwickshire, one fatally.
Andy Simeon, a former SAS team medic, told HuffPost UK: “In terms of lethality crossbows were originally used for killing armoured knights.
“Serbian special forces and Spanish Green Berets still use them for ‘silent kills’.”
Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, has been trying to get the law on purchasing crossbows changed ever since she was made aware of a vulnerable person in her constituency in possession of one of the weapons.
Crossbow HuffPost UK
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“I had a constituent who had some severe mental health challenges who was able to access a crossbow,” Maskell told HuffPost UK
“As it happens, his target was the wall of his flat but it just shows exactly how people at risk can so easily access these kinds of weapons.
Maskell also had a number of letters from constituents saying that cats in the York area were being used as target practice.
“Some were seriously injured as a result,” she says. “You look into it and you suddenly you realise that here is a lethal weapon which is readily available for any unsavoury person to use in the wrong way.”
The spotlight on violent crime in the UK has inevitably fallen on bladed weapons and the rising number of stabbings, particularly in London, has even prompted some retailers to remove single kitchen knives from sale.
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And in 2016, the Home Office took action and banned the sale and manufacture of so-called “zombie knives”. Ministers launched a crackdown on the blades, which can be up to two foot-long with a serrated edge and carry images or words that glamorise violence.
Inspired by horror films and often advertised as collectors’ items, they were available on the internet for as little as £10.
Zombie knives ban comes into effect across England and Wales on Thursday: https://t.co/E1FeHxA6ko pic.twitter.com/EkeJFo4FOD — Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) August 15, 2016
Maskell believes something similar should be done about crossbows. “Clearly there is an inadequate level of security checks around purchasing crossbows. The only check is your age. [Sellers] don’t need to know your history or background.”
A Home Office spokesperson told HuffPost UK: “Crossbows are subject to strict controls and retailers are banned from selling them to a person under the age of 18.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--The Rudest Things You Can Do At The Airport

baona via Getty Images There are ways to make the airport process more pleasant for yourself and fellow travelers.
Airports are not generally known as fun and carefree places. But that doesn’t mean you have to add to the unpleasantness.
“Travelling is stressful,” Jodi R.R. Smith, president of Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, told HuffPost. “But if you go into a situation that you know is going to be stressful with a negative attitude, it will only prove to be true.”
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In the case of airports, sometimes rude behaviours can even slow down the speed and efficiency of the process for everyone, so it’s important to be mindful.
To that end, HuffPost asked etiquette experts to identify some rude behaviours they often observe at the airport. Read on for 12 examples.
Holding Up Lines
The process of going through the airport can involve many long lines, so it’s important to be respectful of others and do your part to keep things moving as quickly and efficiently as possible.
“Have your ID ready and be prepared to remove your shoes at security,” said Diane Gottsman, national etiquette expert, author of “Modern Etiquette for a Better Life” and founder of The Protocol School of Texas.
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“Don’t be surprised when a kiosk or agent opens up,” Smith said, noting that the time spent waiting in line offers the opportunity to get everything ready. “Pay attention to signs and announcements. Look around and see what people in front of you are doing to speed up the process. The idea is to make this as safe and painless for everyone involved. If you’re aware of your surroundings, you make the process less painful.”
Being Harsh With Airport Employees
The people who work at airports have to deal with angry and frustrated travellers all day. If you’re upset about a flight delay or lost luggage, don’t lash out at airport employees. In addition to being rude, that approach may work against your interest.
“When you’re mean to the airport workers, that does not incentivise them to want to help you,” Smith explained. “If you really are in need of assistance, you want to be as diplomatic as possible. A little bit of good cheer can go a long way. Smile at baggage handlers and ticket agents. Say thank you. They have long, hard shifts, and courtesy is contagious.”
Pushing To The Front Of Security
“Don’t arrive late and then expect everyone to allow you to move to the front of the line,” said Gottsman. “Emergencies happen, but when checking in or going through security, give yourself enough time for delays.”
Leaving Your Bins Behind
When you’re finished with a bin, don’t leave it on the conveyor belt to create a backlog. This can hold up the security process for others.
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“Gather your things, check the bin and put it in the return spot. Some now even have automated ones,” said Smith, noting that it doesn’t take a lot of effort.
Regrouping In The Middle Of Security
Once you’ve retrieved your belongings on the other side of the scanner, go to the designated bench or table area to regroup.
“People like to stop right there to put their shoes and belts back on,” Smith observed, comparing this to stopping at the top of an escalator. “Go to the benches or vestibule to put things back together. Make it easy for the people behind you.”
Maskot via Getty Images
Blocking The Moving Walkway
Stopping in the middle of a moving sidewalk is an etiquette no-no.
“If you want to stand, you and your luggage need to be in a straight line all the way to the right so that people can walk on the left,” said Smith, adding that she generally encourages people to walk on moving sidewalks, rather than stand.
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“Do not block these and impede other travellers’ progress,” she said. “At some airports, you’re lugging yourself and your bags for what feels like miles between gates, so if you can save a couple steps, all the better. And if there are people coming, your children shouldn’t be running backwards.”
Hogging Seats At Crowded Gates
Odds are there will be many other people at your gate, so don’t spread out and occupy more seats than you need.
“So many people take up not only the chair they’re sitting in, but also one next to them with all their food and the other side with their bags,” Smith explained. “If you’re at an active gate, you’re allowed to have one seat. If you want to spread out like that, look for an unused gate.”
Not Attending To Your Children
It’s good to let your kids move about in the airport to tire them out before a flight. But that doesn’t mean leaving them to their own devices.
“Pay attention to your surroundings. Look for an empty gate for your child to run about, not one that is filled with people,” said Smith.
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Getting Angry With Kids
On the flip side, it’s also rude to make a fuss about parents who are attending to their children but not able to calm them down.
“Avoid rolling your eyes at children who are tired from flight delays and don’t have the ability to behave like an adult,” Gottsman advised.
Complaining About Small Things
At the airport, it may be tempting to forget the difference between an actual issue and what’s just part of the process.
“Go into this with the ‘hurry up and wait’ attitude,” said Smith. “You may manage to get lucky and not encounter many lines, but you can presume that you’re going to wait somewhere along the way. Don’t be surprised and don’t act annoyed and mutter under your breath just because you have to wait.”
Blocking Terminal Walkways
“When you’re walking down the terminal to your gate, two abreast is the max,” said Smith. “Five people in your party cannot walk in a line and block others from getting to their gate or exiting the airport.”
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Indeed, just because you have a long connection and can walk at a leisurely pace doesn’t mean others are in that situation. You could be a speed block for someone on a tight connection racing to board their plane.
Swarming The Boarding Area
There’s a term for airplane passengers who push ahead and clog the front of the boarding area long before their group is called: gate lice. Needless to say, etiquette experts consider this behaviour to be rude.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--It’s 2020. Women Can Propose Whenever They Want

On 29 February, we expect the onslaught of adverts and articles telling women the world over: “This is the day you’re allowed to propose.”
If you’re popping the question today, more power to you – we sincerely hope it goes well. But in 2020, the idea that a woman has to wait for her one day in four years feels outdated and decidedly heteronormative.
So, we asked five women who proposed to their partners how they did it and why they’re glad they didn’t wait for February.
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‘I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I’ve done’
Sophie North Sophie North and her partner Eliot.
Sophie North, 29, decided to propose to her partner Eliot Ruocco-Trenouth in August 2018, on his 27th birthday – just before their 7th anniversary. While speculating in conversation that Eliot might propose on their upcoming holiday, a friend made a throwaway comment that she could always do it if he didn’t.
“That sowed the seed and now, here we are!” says Sophie, who lives in London. “I’m almost annoyed with myself that it took my friend’s comment to make me think about proposing to Eliot – I think of myself as someone who doesn’t blindly follow tradition, but I really hadn’t thought of it at all.”
Eliot is an animator and illustrator, so Sophie wrote a proposal speech and asked a talented friend to animate it for her. “I didn’t actually have to speak any words, which was a massive bonus as I was in tears as soon as he started watching the video,” she says. “He was shocked – he had absolutely no idea it was about to happen – but really happy.”
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The pair are due to tie the knot with a low-key ceremony later this year and since proposing, Sophie has “strong feelings” about women only proposing on 29 February. “Why do we only get one day every four years when it’s ‘acceptable?’” she asks. “I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I’ve done, and can recommend it to anyone.”
‘People should feel free to propose, simply because they want to’
Alexia Lenoir Aisha Shaibu (left) and her partner Alexia Lenoir (right).
It was midnight on her birthday in October 2019 when Alexia Lenoir, 35, proposed to her partner Aisha Shaibu, 30, taking her totally by surprise.
“I don’t think I’ve ever felt so nervous about anything in my life but the wedding convo had been going on for quite a while, and we both knew we wanted to do this,” she says of the night. “We had been together for two years and it was the most amazing birthday present I’ve ever had – for her to say yes.”
Alexia, who’s originally from Paris, decided to propose in the intimacy of their London home. “After dinner we were chilling, watching movies and when it got close to midnight we wanted to have a toast to my birthday. I casually got the Champagne ready in the kitchen, and came back to the living room room, kneeled down and proposed,” says Alexia. “She literally burst into tears as she totally didn’t expect it. For a good 10 minutes she was still figuring out whether this was real or not, which I found super cute.”
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Alexia chose to do the proposing in their same-sex relationship and thinks that choice should exist in heterosexual relationships, too. “Asking for someone to be united in marriage is something that should come from both partners, regardless of gender,” she says. “The societal standards and old-fashioned traditions shouldn’t really be an issue and people should feel free to propose, simply because they want to and they feel it’s the right time for them.”
Handily, she’s a wedding planner, so the next steps were a breeze. Alexia already knew some suppliers she wanted to work with, but found other ideas via Nu Bride – a wedding blog “dedicated to adding a splash of diversity to the UK wedding industry”. Although she’s loved every minute of proposing, she thinks there’s work to do around “deconstructing stereotypes” so that more women feel empowered to propose.
“Proposing is actually such a beautiful thing and I will never forget how I made my future wife feel when I did that,” she says.
‘I wanted to take the pressure off him’
Laura Glaister Laura Glaister and her husband Jeff.
Laura Glaister, 38, proposed to her partner Jeff in September 2016 after the couple had been together 14 months. It was a leap year and she’d read an article about how women “can only propose on February 29th”.
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“It got me thinking how ridiculous that is, how much pressure is put on men to propose, and how many women ‘wait around’ hoping he’ll buy a ring,” she says. “I decided I was going to ask him, partly because I really wanted to marry him, partly to take the pressure off him, and partly because I thought it was a cool thing for a woman to do.”
She ordered some props to help her propose, including five glass bottles of Diet Coke with “Jeff will you marry me?” printed on the labels – a joke about her “addiction” to the drink. “I had them hidden in the boot of my car for about a month and then we went on holiday to Turkey, so I packed them in my case wrapping them up in towels,” says Laura. “On the day of the proposal I snuck back to our hotel room and put the bottles in the minibar.”
The moment Jeff spotted them is “a bit of a blur” for Laura, who says he was so surprised, he paced the room before saying yes. “Afterwards, he said he was pleased I asked him as it would’ve taken him a while to get around to it.”
The day they flew home to the UK, the couple went to choose a ring together, and in June 2018, they married in Manchester, where they live, in the empty swimming pool at Victoria Baths. Their wedding day had “feminist touches”, with Laura doing a speech and both her parents walking her down the aisle.
‘I didn’t want to sit around and wait’
Charis Charis and her partner Joseph.
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Charis and Joseph, who chose not to share their surnames, got engaged in September 2018 on their eight year anniversary. The pair, originally from Essex, had previously chatted about marriage and agreed they’d love “a big party” at some point, but it was Charis, 27, who officially popped the question.
“I didn’t want to sit around and wait for something that I knew we would both enjoy, just because it’s the ‘done’ thing.” says Charis. “There’s no good time to spend the money the average couple in the UK spend on a wedding – so I was excited to see how far we could make our money stretch for a big celebration.”
The couple moved to London in 2014 and Charis enlisted 10 mutual friends to help make a “treasure trail” of clues and tasks around the city for her proposal.
“The whole way along my sister and I were watching it happen, hiding behind corners, ducking behind cars and trying to keep out of sight but checking to see it was going okay,” she says. “When the teams got stuck they could text ‘the trail hotline’ which was actually my sister’s work phone, and we would respond in rhyming clues.”
After “confusing the hell out of Joseph” with the tasks, Charis proposed. She’d prepared a speech, which she “promptly forgot” as soon as she started talking, but “thankfully the reaction was a surprised but happy ‘yes.’” Charis thinks the idea that women can only propose on 29 February is “ridiculously outdated”.
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“As women we fight for independence on a daily basis – from everyday sexist comments to equal treatment,” she says. “We should be proud of the independence we fight for, and like men do already we should feel empowered to make decisions about our future regardless of what tradition says we should do.”
‘It was going to be a long wait until a leap year’
kate and sharon Kate Everall (left) and her wife Sharon (right).
Sharon Everall, 37, and her wife Kate Everall, 32, got married in October 2012, almost three years after Sharon proposed in December 2009. The couple, from Brighton, East Sussex, had been together for a little over three years when Sharon decided it was time to propose.
“I can’t honestly pinpoint what made me make that decision. I guess, I just realised that I didn’t want to lose Kate to someone better,” says Sharon, who runs the Lesbemums blog with Kate. Sharon had initially planned to propose on Boxing Day with the ring hidden in the Christmas tree, but ended up hastily bringing the date forward to 9 December.
“I came home from work to find Kate sitting on the side of the bed, crying. She’d noticed I’d been acting differently the past few weeks (you don’t have to be Sherlock to work out why), and that made her think I was about to break up with her,” says Sharon. “So I calmed her down, reassuring her that we weren’t about to break up, and I figured I best explain, and proposed there and then. Not romantic in the slightest, but I’d rather ditch the romance than have a very stressed partner for next two weeks.” Beyond relieved, Kate instantly responded with a “yes”. “Being two women, if we went by the whole ‘women can only propose on 29 Feb’, it would be a very long wait.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--Muslim Women Break Down The Myths Around Hair And Hijab

Illustration: Damon Dahlen/HuffPost; Photos: Handouts
As a Muslim woman who chooses to wear khimar (kee-mar) or a head-covering, I have often encountered some of the most ridiculous notions about what it signifies: that some man forced me to wear it, or that I have no hair at all.
The questions surrounding this practice in Islam have been:
“Do you wear that in the shower?”
“Do you ever take it off?”
“Do you even have to take care of your hair under there?”
Here’s a quick lesson on the modesty practice of Muslim women. The hijab (hee-jab), which is the term people often misuse to refer to the head covering, is much more than just a head covering. It is a full embodiment of modesty. It is a code of both behavioural and dressing ethics, applying to men and women alike. It is a combination of how you speak, behave and treat others in addition to how you present yourself to the world through what you wear.
Women who choose to cover their hair do so for their own spiritual connection, but what’s underneath their khimar is also treated with the same spiritual practice, love and care.
We spoke with eight Muslim women who shared their experiences wearing khimar, the misconceptions they’ve endured, and how they feel about their hair.
Bibi Watts, Philadelphia
Courtesy of Bibi Watts "I love the feeling of having my beauty be a secret and not getting caught up worrying about the demands of society,” says Watts.
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“When I think about my hijab, I see it as my crown. Not only is it a personal stamp of identity, but it gives me a sense of class and uniqueness. I find it funny when people ask if I style my hair because ‘no one sees it.’ As if to infer, since the public can’t see, it shouldn’t matter how it looks. It’s actually quite the opposite. I love unveiling for my husband at home and see myself as the gift he gets to unwrap each time I take my hair down. I love the feeling of having my beauty be a secret and not getting caught up worrying about the demands of society.”
Aisha Abdul-Aleem, Baltimore
“I have always had a full head of long, thick hair, and caring for it is a lot. Covering my hair daily is a double-edged sword. Although it is protected and I am pleasing my Lord while wearing the khimar, on the other hand, my hair yearns for moisture and daily attention. This leads me to ensure that it is taken care of and in doing that I make frequent salon trips. Since covering my hair, it has increased in length and it takes more time to care for it. I welcome questions about it because it allows me to introduce Islam to others and allows them to get an understanding of Islam and who I am.”
Sadiyah Powell, Washington, D.C.
Courtesy of Sadiyah Powell "The day after I got married, I cut all of my hair off. It allowed me to learn and fall in love with my hair in a brand new way," says Powell.
“For me, a lot of emphasis was put on my hair when I was younger. Because my mother was preparing me for wearing hijab — a life where my hair would really only be seen by my family ― a lot of it was framed as if it was community hair in a sense. The day after I got married, I cut all of my hair off. It allowed me to learn and fall in love with my hair in a brand new way. Really experiencing its growth, texture, and body in its smallest capacity and seeing its journey to becoming what it is now has made me truly appreciate my hair.”
Hayyat Watts, Rock Hill, South Carolina
“An appreciation and respect for hijab was instilled in me from a formative age. My mother told her daughters we were flowers in Allah’s Garden. Elevated ladies. And we were made to feel special, unique and treasured. As a girl, I was taught that though my hair shouldn’t be uncovered, nor beautified for the public, neither should it be unkempt underneath my veil. Natural or permed, cornrows or curls, we took pride in staying fly. And it’s so much easier as a married woman to have only my man’s taste to consider, outside mine, when I’m styling these hidden locks.”
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Aliyah Hakim-El, New York City
Courtesy of Aliyah Hakim-El "What I love most is that hijab allows me to look fly even on a bad hair day," says Hakim-El.
“While hijabs have become normalised in the mainstream media and the fashion world, many stereotypes continue to exist. Many are still convinced that our choice to cover somehow means we neglect our hair. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Wearing hijab has actually made daily hair care a priority for me as opposed to causing damage to achieve a particular style. While my hijab might temporarily flatten my curly fro, I’m glad to know it’s protecting my hair against dust and direct sunlight. Covering my hair has also made me more comfortable with experimenting with styles and colours which I probably would deem too risky if I didn’t cover. What I love most is that hijab allows me to look fly even on a bad hair day. I also like that I can represent pride in my religious identity publicly and also get cute for my husband when I’m home. To the world, our hair is covered all day, but in reality, the moment we enter our house, we’re in a Pantene commercial.”
Iman Khalid, United Arab Emirates
Iman Khalid “I really used to struggle with the thought of wearing a scarf full-time because so much of my beauty was wrapped up in my hair," says Khalid.
“I really used to struggle with the thought of wearing a scarf full-time because so much of my beauty was wrapped up in my hair. I questioned who would still find me beautiful if it were concealed. I knew I was supposed to wear it but wondered what would spark the fire that would lead me to wear it for the pleasure of God. An auntie was sick and dying in the hospital and against my mother’s advice, I went to visit without my hair covered. Walking into her room I could feel the presence of the angels and realised my hair was never going to save my life. When I got home I prayed hard, ‘Allow me to love you more than I love myself. Allow me to love what you love and to be who you want me to be.’”
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Aisha Almuid, Baltimore
“As a Muslim woman, it is a part of my religious duty to wear the headscarf, but as a feminine woman, it is a part of my self-care routine to care for my hair just as I would if it was on display for the public to see. For me, hair care is not just for people to see, but it is a part of my self-esteem. When my hair is properly taken care of, I feel beautiful regardless. Just as we wax and do other hygienic care that no one sees, the same applies for me and my hair care.”
Ashley Marshall-Seward, Atlanta
Courtesy of Ashley Marshall-Seward "Trust and believe, this hair is laid under my hijab!” says Marshall-Seward.
“I was raised in the beauty salon. My aunt owned one and getting my hair done was lovely. I’ve been wearing hijab for 18 years, and just because I cover my hair does not mean I’ve stopped caring for my hair. I picked up a valuable skill from my aunt, and I enjoy styling mine and my daughter’s hair in many different ways. I don’t think twice about not being able to show my hair off to others in public; I reserve my beautiful styles for my family to see in our home. But trust and believe, this hair is laid under my hijab!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--Will Coronavirus Slow Down In The Warmer Months Like Flu Season?

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It’s well known that the flu ebbs and flows with the weather each year. During the colder months, the virus strikes hard, infecting millions – but when spring rolls around, the illness begins to lose strength and flu activity subsides until the next cold season.
That’s because respiratory viruses like the flu are more powerful in cool, dry air. The colder temps allow them to multiply easier and spread faster. With spring right around the corner, many are wondering if – like the flu – coronavirus cases may dwindle with the warmer weather.
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Around the world, infectious disease experts are hoping this will be the case, though it’s still too soon to know exactly how the novel coronavirus (known as Covid-19) will respond to the new season. Remember, we’ve never seen this virus before, and researchers are scrambling to figure out how this disease survives and spreads. Here’s what we know so far:
Weather has affected other coronaviruses
Before Covid-19, other coronaviruses triggered an international public health emergency: severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) in 2003 and Middle-Eastern respiratory syndrome (Mers) in 2012.
These coronaviruses aren’t the same, but they do share a handful of similarities. The makeup of Covid-19 is about a 79% match to Sars-CoV and a 50% match to Mers, so we can potentially learn a thing or two from how those outbreaks played out.
Looking back at Sars, one study identified an 18-fold increase of infections in colder temps compared to warmer days. Another report looked at how the virus behaved in different environments and found that its viability rapidly declined at higher temperatures and humidity levels. The researchers found the SARS virus became increasingly inactivated as temperatures and humidity rose.
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Similarly to Sars, Mers – which was mostly spread from animals to humans – also seemed to be stronger in cold, dry weather. Researchers in one study stated, “coronaviruses have been shown to exhibit strong seasonal variation in natural hosts.” They found that that colder, drier conditions increased the risk of Mers transmission from camels to humans.
Four coronaviruses circulate around the world every year, causing common colds. Studies have shown they’re also more prevalent in the fall and winter compared to the summer months.
Dr. Charles Gerba, a professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Arizona, told HuffPost he expects Covid-19 to pan out similarly to other coronaviruses, given that it’s spreading and “behaving a lot like the common cold coronaviruses.”
So, it’s possible Covid-19 could calm down come late spring but it’s not a guarantee.
“Viruses can be unpredictable, so it is very important to be cautiously optimistic about this,” said Dr. Ellen Foxman, a Yale Medicine clinical pathologist and researcher in the school’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Clinical Virology Laboratory. This is a rapidly evolving situation, Foxman added, and infectious disease experts will need to continually reevaluate their plans as they learn more.
Ada Yokota via Getty Images Experts aren't sure yet how seasons will affect COVID-19, but they have some clues from previous illnesses.
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Why does cold air have that effect?
So, the flu, Sars and Mers all fare better in chillier climates. But what about cold weather makes them rev up? It boils down to a few factors, health experts say.
First, certain viruses have an easier time surviving and reproducing in colder temperatures. Many respiratory viruses hang out in the nasal passages and airways of the lung, and there’s growing evidence that when these areas are cooler (from inhaling cooler air), the body’s natural antiviral defences suffer, Foxman said. She added that sunlight can inactivate certain viruses.
Meanwhile, viruses also thrive without humidity. “In the winter, relative humidity goes down because of heating in homes, so the virus survives longer,” Gerba said.
In addition, people tend to huddle indoors together when it’s cold outside. Doing so increases the risk of being exposed to other people’s illnesses, either through their respiratory droplets circulating through the air or via contaminated surfaces.
Lastly, our immune systems suffer in cold weather. The lack of sunshine causes a drop in people’s Vitamin D levels, which has a major role in managing our immune responses, or ability to fight infections. Some believe that cool air causes our blood vessels to constrict, which may make it harder for white blood cells to move about our bodies and fight germs.
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Practicing healthy habits is the best way to fend off anything
Again, there’s no guarantee since this current virus is novel, but hopefully we’ll see Covid-19 start to back off as the weather gets warmer. If it’s like those other coronaviruses, Gerba expects things to settle down around May.
In the meantime, your best bet is to keep your immune system strong. Get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, exercise and make sure you’re getting plenty of vitamins and minerals through a healthy diet. Covid-19 seems to be more severe in people who have underlying illnesses, so it’s crucial to take care of any other health conditions you have.
Foxman also suggested getting your flu jab if you haven’t already, as it’ll prevent you from getting influenza and therefore free up resources in hospitals for people who may get sick from the coronavirus.
But the main thing, Gerba said, is to disinfect and destroy the germs that cause Covid-19 ― or any other illness for that matter. (The flu is still an issue!)


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-02-29--The Man I Thought Was My Boyfriend Was An Undercover Cop Sent To Spy On Me

Andy Davey was my first proper boyfriend. A member of the same animal rights group as me, we started an intimate relationship when he was 24, single, and worked as a ‘man with a van’.
Or at least that’s what I believed for 25 years.
The truth was ‘Andy Davey’ never existed. The person pretending to be my boyfriend was, in reality, 32, married – and an undercover police officer named Andy Coles. An officer in the Special Demonstration Squad, he was deployed to spy and collect information on protest groups in the UK.
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It was decades later that I found out the truth, but nothing prepares you for finding out the person you shared your most intimate moments with was a paid actor, a total stranger. Through a network of activists supporting those affected by undercover police abuses I discovered the truth: that in his ‘real’ life, Coles had gone on to become deputy police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire, and a Conservative councillor. His arrogance, working in two publicly respected positions despite the completely unjustified relationship he had with me, turned my stomach. How could someone who used me like that be fit for public office?
“The guilt and shame I feel for what happened, knowing I didn’t protect the 19-year-old me, is driving my need to continue campaigning.”
As painful as it was, I decided I had to tell my story publicly. People have a right to know what these undercover officers were doing to women like me; by exposing the truth, I hope to ensure this never happens to anybody else. In May 2017, Channel 4 ran my story. Three days later, Coles stepped down as deputy police and crime commissioner.
I knew then I needed to make an official complaint. I wanted the police to investigate the wrongdoing. I wanted to put my case on record, and I wanted the police to look at the evidence and state who they believed was telling the truth. To get to that point, I had to give a four-hour interview, answering everything they asked, including intimate details about our sex life.They interviewed my friends and family, and one of the other women who said he had made sexual advances to her. They even took letters away that I’d written about him during our relationship.
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Only recently, I received the notification that the Met had upheld my complaint and found it ‘credible’ that we’d had a relationship. Had he not retired, the Met said he would have had “a case to answer” and “would have been subject of a misconduct hearing” . They would not be challenging my claim against them for what he did. Despite all this, Coles still denies our relationship ever happened.
That means mine is a double injustice, familiar to so many people who’ve been wronged by the state: what they did to you in the first place, then what they do to avoid accountability.
“This isn’t just about me – it’s about stopping this happening to anyone else”
I need Coles to admit what happened. I have no shame in admitting my mental health has suffered hugely, and I’m receiving help for it. The guilt and shame I feel for what happened, knowing I didn’t protect the 19-year-old me, is driving my need to continue campaigning.
Some people who care about me say I shouldn’t keep going, keep protesting, that it’s not good for me But I have to. While what happened to me can’t be changed, the best I can do now is stop it happening to anyone else. I need to know who sent him into my life and why.
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And this isn’t just about me – it’s about stopping this happening to anyone else. It’s about the other people spied on by police; other women deceived; families who lost loved ones, the parents of the dead children whose identities were stolen, the blacklisted workers, those that suffered miscarriages of justice.
It’s about making it clear we have had enough of these bizarre, sordid, counter-democratic secret police units.
‘Jessica’ is an activist, writing under a pseudonym. For more information on her campaign, visit policespiesoutoflives.org.uk.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--Pete Buttigieg To Quit US Presidential Race - Reports

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Pete Buttigieg has ended his race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The move shook up the contest to pick a candidate to take on Donald Trump in November’s election and came two days before the crunch 14-state ‘Super Tuesday’ contests.
It paves the way for fellow moderate Joe Biden, who won a big victory in South Carolina at the weekend, to usurp frontrunner Bernie Sanders.
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“Today is a moment of truth ... the truth is that the path has narrowed to a close for our candidacy if not for our cause,” Buttigieg told supporters on Sunday night. “Our goal has always been to unify Americans to help defeat Donald Trump and to win the era for our values.”
The then-mayor of South Bend, Indiana, formally announced his presidential bid in April last year, when he was virtually unknown on the national stage.
Despite nearly tying with Sanders to win the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary, Buttigieg fell behind in the more diverse Nevada caucuses, finishing with 14.3% of the vote compared to Sanders’ 46.8%.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--Boris Johnson To Chair Emergency Cobra Meeting Over The 'Significant Challenge' Of Coronavirus

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Boris Johnson will chair a Cobra meeting about coronavirus for the first time on Monday after a surge in confirmed cases in the UK.
The prime minister is expected to warn there is “little doubt” Covid-19 will present a “significant challenge” for the UK as he finalises the government’s ‘battle plan’ to fight the disease.
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Johnson had been dubbed a “part-time” prime minister by critics for failing to take charge of a Cobra meeting before this week.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it was now “inevitable” that the deadly virus would “become endemic” in the UK as it was announced on Sunday that 13 more cases of Covid-19 had been diagnosed.
It brings the total number of people to have contracted coronavirus in the UK to 36, with Scotland declaring its first case.
On Monday morning, it was revealed that a clinician at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre was among the people who have tested positive for the virus.
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The East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust said the risk to patients was “very low” and that everyone who had been in contact with the clinician had been identified. The centre remains open.
Over the weekend, the number of deaths from the virus around the world surpassed 3,000 over the weekend.
The vast majority of deaths have been recorded in China, where the outbreak began. However, people have now died from coronavirus in 12 other countries, including South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan.
The Cobra meeting will be attended by senior ministers as well as chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, as they ratify the government’s proposed countermeasures.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is also expected to take part.
Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale, north London, as the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK leapt to 36. PA
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The PM is set to tell those at the crunch meeting: “The number of coronavirus cases around the world is rising every day – and the UK is no exception.
“There now seems little doubt that it will present a significant challenge for our country.
“But we are well prepared, and the government and the NHS will stop at nothing to fight this virus.
“This battle plan lays out in detail the measures we could use – if and when they are needed.”
The Conservative Party leader has delegated to his ministers to lead the sessions since they were first put into action in January.
But Johnson took a more active role in dealing with the situation on Sunday when he visited a Public Health England lab in Colindale, north London, where tests are being carried out on suspected coronavirus samples.
The PM then headed to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead to meet with staff who are treating patients with the virus.
Emergency powers set to be unveiled this week to help combat the virus include suspending rules about the maximum numbers of children that a single teacher can be responsible for.
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The temporary measures will also allow for emergency medical registrations to create a “Dad’s Army” of retired doctors to back up an already under-strain NHS.
In a sign of how far the government fears coronavirus could escalate, Secretary of State Hancock refused to rule out putting British cities on lockdown, in an echo of how China looked to first contain the virus to its Wuhan epicentre.
Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “There is clearly a huge economic and social downside to (shutting down cities).
“But we don’t take anything off the table at this stage because you have to make sure you have all the tools available if that is what is necessary.”
The Liberal Democrats have called for post-Brexit trade talks with the European Union, which are due to start on Monday, to be postponed to allow ministers to focus on stopping coronavirus.
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The pro-Brussels party also called for the transition period to be extended beyond December as a result of the growing global concern.
Acting leader Sir Ed Davey said: “During this gathering storm, the national interest surely suggests that the PM should seek an extension of the Brexit transition period and pause the trade talks.
“Then the NHS and local communities can get the funds and the focus they deserve, and the UK can talk to our European neighbours about how we can cooperate against the coronavirus which does not recognise national borders.”
A Mail on Sunday report suggested that parliament could shut its gates if the situation worsens, with the government considering banning all major public events.
And the Guardian reported that the local elections, scheduled for May 7, could be postponed as a result of mounting fears of a widespread outbreak.
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But Downing Street sources pointed to comments made by the Health Secretary where he said the advice for the public would remain the same until scientists looked to convince ministers otherwise.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--Boris Johnson Reveals Goals For Trade Talks With US And Says NHS Is Not 'For Sale'

Donald Trump and Boris Johnson during the annual Nato heads of government summit in Watford, Hertfordshire. PA Wire/PA Images
The UK government says it will ensure the NHS is not ‘for sale’ as negotiating objectives for the upcoming trade talks with the United States were outlined.
Boris Johnson pledged to “drive a hard bargain” as the the government said it wants to open up opportunities for British businesses and investors while also protecting healthcare via the desired free trade agreement.
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It added it remains committed to keeping the NHS universal and free at the point of use, something which the prime minister was pushed on time after time during the general election.
The British team also wants to guarantee high standards and protections for British consumers and workers, including on animal welfare.
The prime minister said: “We have the best negotiators in the business and of course, we’re going to drive a hard bargain to boost British industry.
“Trading Scottish smoked salmon for Stetson hats, we will deliver lower prices and more choice for our shoppers.
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“Most importantly, this transatlantic trade deal will reflect the unique closeness of our two great nations.”
The comments come as ministers prepare to publish its negotiation mandate with the US on Monday.
The talks will take place in parallel alongside the bartering with the European Union over a post-Brexit relationship.
Downing Street has been urged by trade union leaders not to “cosy up” to US president Donald Trump during the talks, calling on the PM to block any US manoeuvring to lower food standards.
Ministers have repeatedly faced demands to rule out chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef being imported from the US in any deal, with animal welfare and environmental concerns raised.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) said it expects manufacturers of ceramics, cars, food and drink, and professional services to be among the British industries to benefit the most from tariff-free access to the US market.
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Crawford Falconer, DIT’s chief trade negotiation adviser and formerly New Zealand’s chief negotiator, will oversee talks on the UK side.
Negotiating rounds will alternate between the UK and US.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said: “Striking ambitious free trade agreements with our partners around the world is one of the key opportunities of Britain becoming an independent trading nation once again.
“This deal with our biggest single trading partner will cut red tape for our small businesses, cut tariffs for our great products from dairy to cars and increase growth in all four nations.”
Following Britain’s divorce from Brussels in January, it is now free to strike global trade deals.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--First Case Of Coronavirus Confirmed In Scotland

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The first case of novel coronavirus has been confirmed in Scotland after the patient recently travelled from Italy, the Scottish Government has said.
The person, who has not been named but is said to be from Tayside, has been admitted to hospital and is currently receiving treatment in isolation.
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon chaired a Scottish Government Resilience Committee meeting on Sunday evening.
Earlier, 12 more people in England tested positive for coronavirus as Boris Johnson said the government was prepared for the spread of the disease to continue.
The latest cases bring the total number in the UK to 36 – of which 33 have been found in England.
Chaired a meeting of @scotgov Resilience Committee tonight to ensure all necessary steps being taken. Confirmation of a positive case is not unexpected and we are likely to see more in days ahead. Preparations to deal with what might be a significant outbreak are well advanced. https://t.co/uP6FMZv4cs — Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 1, 2020
Sturgeon said: “Our first thoughts must be with the patient diagnosed with coronavirus, I wish them a speedy recovery.
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“Scotland is well-prepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus but there is currently no treatment or vaccine.
“Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--Boris Johnson Declares 'Confidence' In Embattled Home Secretary Priti Patel

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Boris Johnson has declared his “confidence” in embattled home secretary Priti Patel.
The prime minister said Patel was doing a “fantastic” job despite the explosive resignation of Home Office permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam.
In an unprecedented on-camera statement on Saturday, Rutnam accused Patel of running an orchestrated briefing campaign against him, accused her of bullying and vowed to sue for constructive dismissal.
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It has led to calls for Patel to be suspended from the government but Johnson stood behind his close cabinet ally.
During a visit to Public Health England in north London, the PM said: “I absolutely do have confidence in Priti Patel.
“I think she is a fantastic home secretary.
“It is never an easy job, as anyone who has been home secretary will testify. It is one of the toughest jobs in government.
“There is a big, big task ahead of us now. We are delivering, at last, a new immigration system for this country, a points-based immigration system.
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“That will take a lot of work by the Home Office, a fantastic department.”
Sir Philip Rutnam’s statement in full: pic.twitter.com/aKQXicFeqp — FDA union (@FDA_union) February 29, 2020
On Thursday, HuffPost UK revealed that Patel had wanted to move Andy Tighe, one of her most senior officials, out of the department on Christmas Eve and asked Rutman to deliver the news.
Rutnam refused to do so, believing it too cruel to effectively sack his colleague on Christmas Eve, HuffPost UK understands.
Rutnam’s refusal to carry out Patel’s orders is said to be one of the factors that has led to a breakdown in their relationship.
Relations between the pair were said to have deteriorated to such a level that Patel has blacklisted her permanent secretary’s staff and is cutting them out of regular day-to-day meetings.
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Prior to Rutnam’s resignation there had been reports that Patel had demanded his removal and had been bullying Home Office staff.
On Sunday, shadow chancellor John McDonnell called for Patel’s suspension.
"We need an effective Home Secretary & an effective Home Office." @johnmcdonnellMP says if there's an independent investigation into the allegations made against Priti Patel by Sir Philip Rutnam - the PM will have to suspend the Home Secretary.#Ridge: https://t.co/9YYDy5iG2X pic.twitter.com/dW3FbxhKk5 — Sophy Ridge on Sunday (@RidgeOnSunday) March 1, 2020
He told Ridge on Sunday on Sky News: “When you get a civil servant going public like this it’s unprecedented, I can’t remember a case like this so there must be something pretty bad that’s gone on.”
He added: “One of the ways the prime minister could go forward is have an independent investigation, but during that period you’d have to suspend the home secretary whilst that went on.”
Senior Tories rallied around Patel including former minister Nusrat Ghani, who suggested the criticism of the home secretary had sexist overtones.
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Health secretary Matt Hancock said his cabinet colleague was “determined” but “extremely courteous” in her dealings with government officials.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “Priti is a very determined home secretary.
“She is probably closer to where the public are on the issues of law and order than any home secretary in recent history. I think she drives things forward.
“Now, I also think she is extremely courteous, and in every dealing I’ve had with her she has been very courteous.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--Joe Biden's Big Win In South Carolina And What It Means For The Democratic Presidential Race

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Joe Biden has resurrected his struggling presidential campaign after a huge win in South Carolina in the state-by-state battle for the Democratic nomination.
The former vice president won overwhelmingly in the Southern state, drawing 48% of the votes cast compared to 20 per cent for Bernie Sanders, the independent US senator from Vermont who had established himself as the frontrunner after strong performances in the first three contests in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
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After a third-place finish in South Carolina, billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer pulled out of the race.
Biden’s victory puts him in position to claim he is a viable ‘moderate’ alternative to self-described ‘democratic socialist’ Sanders, whose surging campaign and calls for a political revolution have rattled a Democratic Party establishment worried that he is too far to the left to beat Donald Trump in November’s general election.
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks at a primary night election rally in Columbia, South Carolina. ASSOCIATED PRESS
It was 77-year-old Biden’s first primary victory after three separate presidential runs over three decades ― and he owed it in large part due to Black voters, who make up roughly two-thirds of registered Democrats in South Carolina.
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“All of those of you who have been knocked down, counted out, left behind, this is your campaign,” a fist-pumping Biden said in a fiery victory speech in Columbia. “Just days ago, the press and the pundits had declared this candidacy dead. Now thanks to all of you ... we’ve just won and we won big because of you.”
Who is in the lead?
There’s a danger of reading too much into a ‘Biden bounceback’. Sanders leads in the crucial overall national delegate count with 56 and Biden is second with 51, with another seven South Carolina delegates yet to be allocated. But there is still a long way to go: a candidate will need at least 1,991 delegates to win the nomination outright at the party’s convention in July.
After disappointing finishes in Iowa and New Hampshire, polling averages show Biden struggling badly in California, for example, where his cash-strapped campaign simply hasn’t had the resources to effectively compete.
One recent poll actually had him under the 15% threshold needed to win any delegates at all, meaning he could get shut out of its huge delegate haul entirely. Polls have also shown him behind Sanders in Texas.
Biden’s strength among Black voters could be the silver lining for his campaign, however, suggesting his path to the nomination lies in states across the South.
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In South Carolina, Edison Research exit polls showed Biden with 61% of African-American support to Sanders’ 17%. At least five states - Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas and Virginia - have big blocs of African-American voters that could help Biden.
All eyes on ‘Super Tuesday’
Biden’s win comes ahead of so-called ‘Super Tuesday’, when voters in 14 states and one territory will decide who gets a third of the delegates.
If Sanders does well on ‘Super Tuesday’, he could take a huge step toward building an insurmountable delegate lead. The senator kept most of his focus on those contests this week, holding huge rallies in Massachusetts and Virginia. Although he placed a distant second in South Carolina, he picked up a few delegates in the state, denying Biden a clean sweep.
Bernie Sanders gestures during a campaign rally in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Biden must hope a flurry of media attention and his name recognition will help him in ‘Super Tuesday’ states, where Sanders’ prolific fundraising has helped him build bigger organisations and broadcast far more advertisements.
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On Sunday, Biden and rivals Michael Bloomberg, Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar are set to help mark the anniversary of the landmark civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, ahead of the vote in the state.
Sanders’ fundraising continues
Biden said he is confident his campaign can build a winning coalition across the country despite lagging Sanders in fundraising and organisation.
The Sanders campaign quickly tried to get back the momentum after South Carolina, announcing it had raised $46.5 million from more than 2.2 million donations in the month of February, a huge sum that dwarfed what any other Democratic candidate had raised last year in any three-month period.
In contrast, Biden said he raised about $18 million in February. The biggest fundraising quarter last year was Sanders’ $34.5 million in the last three months of the year.
The Sanders campaign also announced a new wave of television advertisements in nine states that will hold primary contests on March 10 and March 17, after Super Tuesday.
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What about the other candidates?
The Democratic contenders will face competition for the first time on ‘Super Tuesday’ from Bloomberg, the billionaire former New York mayor who has blanketed the country with half a billion dollars in advertising. Bloomberg skipped the first four state primaries. Biden’s resurgence may actually dash Bloomberg’s hopes since his campaign has been based on the former VP struggling to gain traction.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-01--Thirteen New Coronavirus Cases Confirmed In UK

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Twelve more people in England have tested positive for novel coronavirus, and Scotland confirmed its first case, as Boris Johnson said the government was prepared for the spread of the disease to continue.
The latest cases bring the total number in the UK to 36 – of which 33 have been found in England.
One of the patients, from Essex, had no relevant travel and it is not yet known how they contracted the virus – the second such known case in England.
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Three of the patients in England were close contacts of a known case and were transmitted in the UK.
A Tayside resident who recently travelled from Italy became the first person in Scotland to be diagnosed with coronavirus, the Scottish Government said.
Speaking to at a Public Health England centre in Colindale, north London, the prime minister said he was “very, very confident” that the NHS is able to cope with an outbreak of coronavirus.
“As you know, we’ve found about 35 people in this country who have, or have had, the illness,” Boris Johnson said.
“And clearly there may be more, that’s likely to spread a bit more, and it’s vital therefore that people understand that we do have a great plan, a plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
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Boris Johnson visits a laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in north London. PA
“And I am very, very confident that in the NHS we have the professionals who will be well able to cope with it.”
Professor Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said on Sunday that investigations were ongoing as to whether the patient from Essex had contracted it “directly or indirectly” from an individual who had recently travelled abroad.
Of the eight remaining cases, six had recently travelled from Italy, while two had been in Iran.
These patients are from London, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Gloucestershire.
One of the confirmed cases is in Bury, according to Bury Council, which said the patient had been taken to a specialist NHS infection centre.
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12 further patients in England have tested positive for COVID-19.
Further details ⬇ pic.twitter.com/7uTkl1Qmyp — Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 1, 2020
The total number of confirmed cases in England is now 33. Following previously reported confirmed cases in Northern Ireland and Wales, the total number of UK cases is 35.
All of the newly identified cases are being investigated and health officials have begun tracing anyone who had close contact with them.
As of 9am on Sunday, more than 11,000 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK – with 36 confirmed as positive.
It comes after the health secretary conceded it was “inevitable” that the deadly virus would continue to spread across the UK.
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Matt Hancock did not rule out following China’s lead in shutting down cities if the Covid-19 outbreak escalates, as he outlined a new “battle plan” by the government on Sunday.
On isolating entire cities, as Chinese authorities did with Wuhan, Hancock told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “There is clearly a huge economic and social downside to that.
“But we don’t take anything off the table at this stage because you have to make sure you have all the tools available if that is what is necessary.”
The Republic of Ireland reported its first case on Saturday, while staff members at two separate schools in England were confirmed to have tested positive for Covid-19.
On Sunday, St Mary’s School in Tetbury confirmed that a case identified the day before in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, was a member of staff.
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Meanwhile, a staff member at an infant school in Berkshire was confirmed to have tested positive on Saturday.
In an email, Willow Bank Infant School headteacher Michelle Masters urged parents to “remain calm and follow the recommended hygiene procedures”.
A pub in Haslemere, Surrey, has been closed until further notice for deep cleaning after a customer “tested positive for coronavirus”.
A patient in the county was confirmed as the first to catch the illness within the UK on Friday.
The landlords of the Prince of Wales pub said on Facebook that they had no symptoms of the virus and that it was a “precautionary measure only”.
On Sunday, the Department of Health and Social Care announced every department will have a ministerial lead on the virus, and a cross-Whitehall “war room” is being set up to roll out an enhanced public information campaign.
Emergency powers designed to restrict Covid-19 if it becomes endemic, due to be announced this week, would only be “temporary”, said Hancock.
He confirmed that “population distancing measures”, such as banning public gatherings and cancelling football matches, could be considered by the government, while closing schools may be “necessary”.
He added the NHS was ready to deal with further cases of coronavirus, with more than 5,000 emergency critical care beds available.
Elsewhere in the world, Italy says coronavirus infections in the country have jumped by 40% to 1,576, and the number of deaths has risen to 34.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--How To Self-Isolate For Coronavirus – Especially If You Don't Live Alone

Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 should stay at home for at least seven days, official advice states. And if you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home.
After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine, advises the NHS. But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for seven days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they’re at home for longer than 14 days.
Here’s what you need to know about self-isolation – whether you’ve been told to self-isolate yourself or are a concerned partner, housemate or friend.
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If you’ve been told to self-isolate
Self-isolation means remaining indoors and avoiding contact with other people –so not going to work, school or public areas, and not using public transport. You shouldn’t have visitors to your home and you should ask friends and family members to drop off supplies (food, medicine, etc) on your doorstep.
If you order takeaways or online food shops, tell the driver to leave the goods outside, in the porch, or as appropriate for your home. You shouldn’t have any physical contact with them.
For those living in house- or flat-shares, the situation is a little more complicated. Those in isolation should separate themselves from other people and stay in their room with the window open. They should only leave the room if they need to – for example, to go to the toilet, wash or make something to eat.
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PHE advises that they should wear a face mask if they’ve been issued one. If they can’t wear a face mask, the people who they live with should wear one while in the same room.
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Those self-isolating should sleep in a separate bed to their partner, and also try to keep away from pets. If this is unavoidable, they should wash hands before and after contact with their pet, PHE advises.
They should also use a separate bathroom to others if they can. The isolated person should use separate towels from other household members, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand hygiene purposes. They should use the bathroom last and clean it thoroughly after use, PHE advises.
With shared kitchen facilities, the isolated person should use it when others are out or not using it, and make sure they use separate tea towels. Dishwashers are best for removing germs but if there isn’t one, dishes should be washed with hot water, washing up liquid, and dried thoroughly. PHE advises those self-isolating to take meals back to their room to eat in order to limit exposure to others.
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It warns that those in isolation shouldn’t share any of the following with people in their home when they have used them: dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels and bedding.
Laundry, bedding and towels should be placed in a plastic bag and washed once it’s known that tests for coronavirus are negative.
If you live with someone who is self-isolating


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Why Comedian Joe Lycett Has Legally Changed His Name To Hugo Boss

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Comedian Joe Lycett has legally changed his name to Hugo Boss – but it’s not just for the purpose of comedy.
Joe has taken aim at the German fashion house, after reports the company was using trademark claims to target small businesses and charities who use the name “boss”.
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The artist formerly known as Joe Lycett PA
According to WalesOnline, Swansea-based Boss Brewing was left with legal fees totalling around £10,000 last year after the fashion brand sent it a cease and desist letter when the brewer tried to register its brand.
In 2018, The i paper reported that a charity called DarkGirlBoss received a legal letter from Hugo Boss when it tried to trademark the name.
The comic, who presents Channel 4′s The Great British Sewing Bee, posted a letter on Twitter from the UK Deed Poll Office, which confirmed he had taken official steps to “absolutely and entirely renounce, relinquish and abandon the use of my said former name”.
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He then said he would be “launching a brand new product as Hugo Boss”, which will be revealed on a new series of the Channel 4 consumer rights show Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back.
So @HUGOBOSS (who turnover approx $2.7 billion a year) have sent cease & desist letters to a number of small businesses & charities who use the word 'BOSS' or similar, including a small brewery in Swansea costing them thousands in legal fees and rebranding. (1/2) — Hugo Boss (@joelycett) March 1, 2020
It's clear that @HUGOBOSS HATES people using their name. Unfortunately for them this week I legally changed my name by deed poll and I am now officially known as Hugo Boss. All future statements from me are not from Joe Lycett but from Hugo Boss. Enjoy. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/IlDoCrfmaO — Hugo Boss (@joelycett) March 1, 2020
I am pleased to announce that I will be launching a brand new product as Hugo Boss. All will be revealed on the new series of #GotYourBack on @Channel4 — Hugo Boss (@joelycett) March 1, 2020
Joe wrote on Twitter: “So @HUGOBOSS (who turnover approx $2.7 billion a year) have sent cease & desist letters to a number of small businesses & charities who use the word ‘BOSS’ or similar, including a small brewery in Swansea costing them thousands in legal fees and rebranding.
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“It’s clear that @HUGOBOSS HATES people using their name. Unfortunately for them this week I legally changed my name by deed poll and I am now officially known as Hugo Boss.
“All future statements from me are not from Joe Lycett but from Hugo Boss. Enjoy.”
Appearing on BBC Two’s Victoria Derbyshire on Monday, where the host referred to him by his new name, the comic said: “Thank you for calling me Hugo Boss, I’m going to have to get used to it.”
He showed off his BBC visitor pass, which had a picture of him with his new name, and he added: “I’m now legally Hugo Boss, according to the BBC system.”
Explaining his actions, he said: “It’s a massive company taking on a little company and it’s just not fair – nobody’s going to confuse a beer with Hugo Boss.
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“I don’t think I’d splash myself with Heineken in the morning on my neck… So they clearly don’t like their name being used, they’ve sent dozens of these to small businesses and charities.”
He added: “I changed my name by deed poll, and I didn’t expect the reaction… I was in the bath about an hour ago.
“I’ve legally changed my name and it’s a headache I’ve got to tell you, there’s so many things you have to do.”
A statement from Hugo Boss was read out during Hugo’s appearance on The Victoria Derbyshire Show, which said: “Following the brewery’s application to register a trade mark we approached them regarding the use of Boss in relation to two beer names in their portfolio.
“This was to avoid conflict and potential misunderstanding regarding the brands Boss and Boss Black, which had been used by the brewery but are long-standing trademarks of our company.
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“The discussions clarified the situation in respect of these two brands as well as in relation to textile merchandising for the future. The brewery is able to proceed with the majority of their products without impact on their current branding.”
Founded in 1924, the fashion company – which often stylises itself as Boss – employs more than 14,000 people in 127 countries and generated sales of more than 2.7 billion euros in 2018 from its 439 stores.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Piers Morgan And Susanna Reid Stunned At Throwback Of First Meeting On BBC Breakfast

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Piers Morgan was welcomed back to Good Morning Britain with the ultimate throwback on Monday, as bosses reminded him and Susanna Reid of the moment they first met.
The pair were shown a clip of their first TV appearance together, which came years before they were paired up on the ITV breakfast show in 2015.
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In fact, it took place on the rival programme BBC Breakfast in 2005, when Susanna was still a presenter on it.
Piers and Susanna found plenty to comment on as they watched the clip, which saw Piers appear on the BBC Breakfast sofa talking about First News, which he was then the executive editor of.
Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid were reminded of when they first met on BBC Breakfast in circa 2005 ITV
“Susanna’s body language is quite interesting,” Piers joked. “Really quite flirtatious. Lots of leaning in towards me.”
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“And you’re mansplaying in return!” correspondent Richard Arnold interjected, noting how he was sat.
After Piers mocked the way Susanna spoke, she said: “I think we both sound so much posher there!”
Piers and Susanna have worked together since he joined Good Morning Britain in 2015 S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock
She added: “He looks like Colin Firth. With your raffish open-necked shirt.
“So it is true we did once meet in a television studio all those years ago. It’s a good memory that I completely deleted from my memory bank.”
Piers and Susanna were reunited on Monday after he had enjoyed a couple of weeks off.
Last week saw Susanna team up with her former BBC Breakfast co-presenter Bill Turnbull, who stood in for Piers.
Bill and Susanna worked together until she defected to ITV to launch GMB in 2014.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--14 Of The Best Responses To The Teen Bullied For His Love Of Books

PA
Dozens of authors and members of the public have come forward to show their support for a teenager who was bullied for his love of reading.
Callum Manning, a 13-year-old from South Shields, has an Instagram page called Cal’s Book Account where he posts book recommendations. His classmates from his new school found out about it and created a WhatsApp group to bully the teen, leaving him in tears.
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When his sister Ellis Landreth found out and wrote about it on Twitter, things started to turn around.
Can’t believe how awful kids are. My little brothers made an Instagram reviewing and talking about books and kids in his new school have seen it and have created a group chat calling him a creep slagging him off about it and added him to it so he could see 🥺 pic.twitter.com/wuuj2XlO34 — Ellis (@EllisLandreth1) February 29, 2020
Ellis posted a picture of Callum’s Instagram account and wrote: “Can’t believe how awful kids are. My little brother [has] made an Instagram reviewing and talking about books and kids in his new school have seen it and have created a group chat calling him a creep, slagging him off about it and added him to it so he could see.”
Her tweet has since gained more than 180,000 likes and Callum’s Instagram account now has more than 225,000 followers – plus support from high profile authors.
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Matt Haig urged his followers to follow Callum’s account on Instagram. The tweet gained more than 2.2k likes and led to a surge of support for the teen. The author later tweeted to offer Callum some free books to add to his collection.
I am happy to send him any of my books signed and for free if he wants them. Dm if interested. — Matt Haig (@matthaig1) March 1, 2020
Dozens of others authors also pledged to follow Callum’s account or send him books, including David Nicholls, Caroline Kepnes, Malorie Blackman and Giles Paley-Phillips.
Hi Ellis, not on Insta but would be delighted to send Cal a book (if he's not too overwhelmed) — David Nicholls (@DavidNWriter) March 1, 2020
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It is devastating and I would very much like to send Cal some books. — Caroline Kepnes (@CarolineKepnes) March 1, 2020
Followed! — Malorie Blackman (@malorieblackman) March 1, 2020
Hey, I'll defo send a book to Cal, my DMs are open, no one should be abused in this way for doing the thing they love #BeKindAlways — Giles Paley-Phillips (@eliistender10) March 1, 2020
Author Christopher Golden offered to donate books to Cal’s school library in his name.
I’d love to send Cal some books. @EllisLandreth1 and if his school has a library I’d also like to donate some books to the school in his name. — Christopher Golden (@ChristophGolden) March 1, 2020
Members of the public have also made kind offers. Digital marketing consultant Rob Knowles offered to send Cal a signed first edition of Origin by Dan Brown.
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I have a signed first edition of Origin by @AuthorDanBrown. If you want to DM me a mailing address I’d be very happy to send it to Cal. Keep on reading! 🙇 pic.twitter.com/nIBb53d6Tf — Rob Knowles (@robmknowles) March 2, 2020
Others have offered to send Cal books or gift cards so he can grow his collection and continue reviewing.
I've followed him and dropped him a little message but I'd love to buy him a book or send him over an amazon gift card - I'm sure he has a lot of books on the way but please DM me if there's any book he doesn't have 😊 — bef ydw i (@beffybadbelly) March 1, 2020
As a mum of a six-year-old, this makes me so mad. Cal sounds awesome. He also has great taste in books! I'd be happy to send some if you have an address. ❤ — 💀C. J. Tudor 💀 (@cjtudor) March 1, 2020
Over on Instagram, Callum’s posts have inspired some heartfelt messages about the power of reading.
One Instagram follower, @bookishbranton, wrote: “Reading is one of the most magical things on earth. To be able to live different lives, be everything at once, feel everything, understand different people, different circumstances, and different loves. It’s a love some don’t understand but ignore the hate because you’re amazing, and to those who hate I say this; find the right book for you and you will never look down upon [someone] who loves to do so.”
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Another follower, @savemethecrumbs, said Callum inspired them to start reading. “Never stop reading Cal. For as long as you read and share your thoughts I will follow,” they wrote. “And guess what, you’ve inspired me to pick up a book! I haven’t read one in over three months and it’s high time I get back to reading. Thanks for the encouragement my friend.”
People have also offered to chat to Callum about books, as well as sharing their own stories to give him motivation for the future.
I've given him a follow. I'm a copywriter and love books, so if he ever wants to talk about books with me I'd be happy to chat to him and give him recommendations 🤗 — Rachel (@rgi0c) February 29, 2020
Hi Ellis and Cal! I’ve just followed your Instagram. When I was your age, a neighbour made fun of me because she saw I read a lot instead of hanging out on the street with other teens. A few years later I had a PhD and earn my living talking about books. So you keep being you. X — Claire Nally Ⓥ (@tinyhippo1979) March 2, 2020
Action Jackson, a motivational speaker who goes into schools to promote happiness, sent Callum a video, saying: “Great people who are doing great things need haters, because haters fuel us to do more of what we do.
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“I’m a big fan of what you’re doing because I believe that readers become leaders.”
Tell your brother congratulations on having haters 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yKRurEUTPa — 🇬🇧UK Ambassador for Happiness 🙂 (@Actionjackson) March 1, 2020
Callum’s mum, Carla Landreth, told PA Media the support over the weekend has made a huge difference,
“On Friday night he was in tears,” she said. “He was absolutely devastated that people could be so cruel. And since this has been happening, his confidence has soared. He’s a lovely kid, he’s a very loving kid, and he’s just saying, ‘I can’t believe these people want to follow me on Instagram and want to send me stuff’.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Fiona Phillips Says Brendan Cole's Strictly Come Dancing Exit Was 'Karma' After He 'Wasn't Very Nice

Fiona Phillips Says Brendan Cole's Strictly Come Dancing Exit Was 'Karma' After He 'Wasn't Very Nice' To Her

Fiona Phillips has said that Brendan Cole’s axing from Strictly Come Dancing was “karma” after he “wasn’t very nice” to her when they were partnered together.
The former GMTV presenter was paired up with the pro dancer on the BBC ballroom show during the 2005 series.
Fiona Phillips and Brendan Cole on Strictly Come Dancing in 2005 BBC
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Speaking of their time working together, Fiona told the Daily Star: “Brendan was a real bugger, actually. He wasn’t very nice. He was really naughty.
“He’s not on the show now. Karma indeed. It works its way every time.”
Fiona’s routines saw her pick up a string of low scores and her and Brendan were eventually voted off in week four of the third series.
In 2018, Brendan was axed from Strictly after 15 years on the show.
At the time, he said he found it “hard to talk about” and remained in the dark about the decision to drop him from the cast of pro dancers.
Brendan was axed from Strictly in 2018 PA
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He said on ITV’s Lorraine: “They’ve made an editorial decision to not have me back on the show. I’m a little bit in shock. I’m quite emotional, a bit raw about it.
“I’m disappointed. It’s very hard to talk about. It’s a recent decision. I’ve always known this day would come.
“I’m sure I’ll never know the ins and outs.”
He added: “Even though the show has a different team, I will always be one of the ones who was part of the journey who got it to where it is today. And to not be a part of that is hard.”
Since leaving Strictly, Brendan has taken part in a number of stage productions and has also become a father for the first time with wife Zoe.
He also made a memorable appearance on The X Factor: Celebrity with Jeremy Edwards last October.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--NASA Images Show Air Pollution In China Dropped During Coronavirus Slowdown

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Astounding images taken by pollution monitoring satellites show a significant decrease in toxic gases above China over the last several weeks, likely in part due to an economic slowdown caused by the new coronavirus outbreak, NASA said.
Images released by the space agency show yellowish nitrogen dioxide cloaking a wide area of land north and east of Wuhan, where the virus originated, during the first few weeks of January. By mid-February, the cloud was almost entirely gone.
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These effects would correlate with Chinese authorities ordering a city-wide quarantine of Wuhan at the end of January and the halting of transportation into and out of that city and several others to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Nitrogen dioxide, which is harmful to human health and the environment, is emitted by motor vehicles, power plants and industrial facilities.
Nitrogen dioxide levels have significantly decreased in China amid the new coronavirus outbreak, according to researchers who pointed to massive quarantines and manufacturing slumps as partial reasons behind the drop. https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/
China, which has the second-largest economy in the world, also saw its manufacturing sector suffer more than expected in February, amid efforts to contain the virus, according to an official survey released on Saturday.
“This is the first time I have seen such a dramatic drop-off over such a wide area for a specific event,” Fei Liu, an air quality researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, said in a statement that accompanied the satellite photos.
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NASA acknowledged that the pollution decrease also coincided with Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, which can prompt businesses and factories to shut down from the end of January to early February. Air pollution levels typically decline during this time of year because of the festivities and then increase again once the celebration is over, the space agency said.
Though Lunar New Year celebrations may have improved the air quality, researchers said the region’s response to the virus appears to be the biggest factor, especially since levels have not rebounded after the holiday as they usually do.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Olly Murs ‘Still In Shock’ Following Death Of Friend CaroIine Flack

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Olly Murs has spoken about the heartbreaking moment he was told his friend Caroline Flack had died.
The singer was on holiday with his girlfriend Amelia Tank when his manager called him in the middle of the night to tell him the news that the Love Island presenter had taken her own life at the age of 40.
Olly, who worked with Caroline on The X Factor and Xtra Factor between 2011 and 2013, told The Sun he was “still in shock” following her death two weeks ago.
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Olly Murs and Caroline Flack KGC-246/STAR MAX/IPx
“I’m still in shock, really,” he said. “To think I won’t have a conversation, a laugh, work, or even just get a random voice note from Cazza again — I just can’t get my head around it.”
Olly remembers the precise moment his phone rang – at 2:23 am – when his manager broke the upsetting news.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Olly said. “My manager told me and I just stared at my phone for hours… I just didn’t want to believe it.
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“I was numb to any feelings and then I just broke down.”
He continued: “Since then I just have constant waves of emotions — one minute I’m OK, the next I’m so sad for her.
“It’s hard, I’ll always miss Caz a lot.”
The Voice star was one of the first to pay tribute to Caroline after she was found dead at her London flat on 15 February.
Sharing a picture of them both laughing on Instagram, Olly said his heart was “forever broken”.
Olly, who found fame on X Factor in 2009, returned to the show to present spin-off, The Xtra Factor alongside Caroline, with the two later presenting the main show for one series in 2015.
Useful websites and helplines:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--The Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week (Feb. 22-28)

I live in Florida and my kids have never seen snow, so I look forward to the day we can take a trip to a place where they can have that experience.
And if they like it enough, then I'll leave them there.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--ITV Apologises After Ant And Dec Sketch Features Offensive Japanese Flag

ITV has apologised after an offensive Japanese flag was featured during a sketch on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The most recent episode of the weekend entertainment show saw the hosts taking part in a martial arts skit during a performance from singer Anne Marie, who is a karate expert.
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock
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Both Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were seen wearing headbands that carried the Rising Sun flag, which is seen by some as a symbol of Japan’s imperialist past.
It was incorporated during the 19th century by the Japanese army and was the flag of its navy during the Second World War, when the country was allied with Nazi Germany.
ITV confirmed it has now taken steps to re-edit the show for future broadcasts as they apologised for the “unintended” error.
A spokesperson said: “We apologise for any offence caused during the End of the Show Show by the costumes worn.
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“This was clearly unintended and we have taken steps to re-edit that part of the episode for the Hub and for repeat broadcasts.”
Ant and Dec with Anne Marie during an earlier segment of the show Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock
Anne Marie also issued her own apology and criticised the choice of costumes, saying that “education on this part of the history wasn’t done”.
She posted on Twitter: “I sincerely apologise to all those who were affected and hurt by my appearance last night on a UK TV.
“I want you to know I had nothing to do with the costumes on this sketch.
“Unfortunately, education on this part of the history wasn’t done and I am also hurt by the pain this signifies for so many people.
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“Our team is talking to the TV station, working on taking down the footage, so that it does not cause any more pain.”
South Korea, which was occupied by the Japanese between 1910 and 1945, is particularly critical of the flag, which it has called a symbol of Japanese “imperialism and militarism”.
In 2013, Japan’s foreign ministry released a statement on the issue, saying the design was “widely used throughout Japan, such as good catch flags used by fishermen, celebratory flags for childbirth and seasonal festivities, and flags of Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force vessels.”
It added: “Claims that the flag is an expression of political assertions or a symbol of militarism are absolutely false.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-03-02--Coronavirus Latest: Health Worker At Cancer Centre Among New UK Cases

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One of the new cases of coronavirus in the UK is a health worker at a cancer centre in Middlesex, NHS officials have confirmed.
In a statement, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust confirmed that a clinician at its Mount Vernon Cancer Centre had tested positive for Covid–19.
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However, the risk to patients and staff at the centre remains “very low”, the trust said.
“We are very well prepared for incidents like this and the NHS and Public Health England are taking all necessary steps to manage the situation,” the statement read.
“All individuals who were in contact with the clinician have been identified and the appropriate measures taken.”
The centre – a specialised cancer treatment unit in Northwood – remains open.
The coronavirus case is among the 36 which have been reported in the UK, with the figure jumping by 13 on Sunday.
A health worker at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is among the newest cases of coronavirus in the UK Google Maps
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It included the first incidence of Covid–19 in Scotland, meaning the virus has now reached all four parts of the UK.
To date, 11,750 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK.
Prime minister Boris Johnson – who will chair an emergency Cobra meeting about Covid-19 on Monday – has said there is “little doubt” the virus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK.
Meanwhile, health secretary Matt Hancock refused to rule out British cities on lockdown to prevent the spread of the infection.
He told the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme: “There is clearly a huge economic and social downside to (shutting down cities).
“But we don’t take anything off the table at this stage because you have to make sure you have all the tools available if that is what is necessary.”