thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Michael Cohen Predicts When And How 'Loser' Trump Leaves The White House

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President Donald Trump may leave the White House for next month’s Christmas break and never return, according to his former personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen.
But it’s not because Trump plans to concede to President-elect Joe Biden.
“I wouldn’t be shocked if there’s no concession speech at all,” Cohen told MSNBC’s Alex Witt on Sunday. “My theory is that Christmastime he heads to Mar-a-Lago and I don’t believe he comes back to Washington. I think he stays at Mar-a-Lago all the way through the inauguration.”
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Cohen, who worked for Trump for years before turning on him in 2018, added that Trump was unlikely to attend the inauguration.
“He cannot let the camera look at him and basically pull down the curtain and see the wizard that’s standing beside,” Cohen said. “That he’s a loser, and it’s killing him.”
Since Trump can’t accept losing, he had to fabricate a conspiracy theory to explain it.
“Donald Trump cannot accept the fact that he lost,” Cohen said at another point in the interview. “To him, it’s tantamount to calling him a loser, which is the worst thing in the world that you can actually call him.”
As a result, Trump will fight the election’s results, even after leaving office, to damage the new administration.
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“He’s gonna start his own media company,” Cohen predicted, noting that Trump wanted to launch one in 2015. “Every day he’s gonna sow more chaos with more fake information disseminated out there in order to be a thorn in President-elect Biden’s thigh.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Major The Dog Came From An Animal Shelter. Now He's Headed To The White House.

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The White House is going back to the dogs ― including a shelter dog.
After four years of President Donald Trump’s famously pet-free tenure, Joe Biden winning the 2020 presidential election means that the patter of furred feet will likely be heard inside the White House once more.
The Biden family has two German shepherds: Champ, purchased from a breeder in 2008, and Major, adopted from an animal shelter 10 years later.
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When the Bidens got Champ, they were criticised for purchasing a puppy from a high-volume commercial breeder that some described as a puppy mill. The family took a different path the next time around and adopted Major from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018.
Joe Biden and Major at the Delaware Humane Assocation in 2018. Steph Gomez via Delaware Humane Association
Major had been surrendered to the shelter along with his littermates, and the whole crew was in poor health. The Bidens first took in Major as a foster puppy and ultimately decided to adopt him permanently. (His siblings also all found homes.)
Since then, the pair has made regular appearances on social media, particularly in photos from Jill Biden.
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Though Major has been described on social media and on some news sites as the “first rescue dog” in the White House, that isn’t accurate. Lyndon B. Johnson had a beloved dog named Yuki who was found by his daughter at a Texas gas station on Thanksgiving in 1966.
President Lyndon B. Johnson introduces his pet dog Yuki on the South Lawn of the White House in September 1967. Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
“LBJ’s favorite dog was a rescue named Yuki, a white mutt who had been abandoned by his owner in a gas station in LBJ’s hometown of Johnson City, Texas,” wrote Johnson’s grandson, Lyndon Nugent, according to the Presidential Pet Museum. “They shared a very significant bond that personified the American spirit: Only in America could a poor boy from Johnson City end up in the White House.”
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And while decidedly not a dog, at least one other presidential pet had similarly scrappy roots. Socks, the famous black and white cat belonging to the Clinton family, was originally a stray who jumped into Chelsea Clinton’s arms in Arkansas.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Alec Baldwin 'Overjoyed' He's Going To Be Out Of A Job At SNL

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Alec Baldwin might be out of a job soon, and he couldn’t be happier about it.
“I don’t believe I’ve ever been this overjoyed to lose a job before!” read a post on the Twitter account for the Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Foundation.
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I don’t believe I’ve ever been this overjoyed to lose a job before! — HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) November 7, 2020
It will be comforting when we have a President who doesn’t Tweet twice as much as I do@realDonaldTrump — HABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) November 7, 2020
This weekend’s episode of SNL aired just hours after the election was called for Democrat Joe Biden, and saw Baldwin making what could be one of his final appearances ― although he stayed true to his character by saying that he wouldn’t go easily.
“I was re-elected president of the United States,” Baldwin’s version of Trump announced. “But, of course, they are trying to steal the election away from me.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Dwayne Johnson Explains Why He Cried Over The Election Result

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My vote represented my little girls. It also represented/ Humanity Decency Principles and values @laurenhashianofficial and I instill in our little daughters. And finally, my vote represented the importance of just being a decent human being. And to me, being a decent human being matters. This win feels so good, but now the real work begins. Because we have an entire country divided. I’m not turning my back on you just because we have a difference of opinion. Im not made that way. I’m still right here and when the sun comes up, we all get up with it - go to work, feed our families and pay our bills. Congratulations to President elect @joebiden and Vice President elect @kamalaharris and to all our American people for engaging in the biggest voter turnout our country has ever seen 👏🏾👊🏾 Stand tall, lay it all on the line and cheers to UNITY and finding common ground. Let’s get to work. DJ 🥃🇺🇸


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--9 Things Sleep Doctors Would Never Do At Night Before Going To Bed

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But for many people, logging a full night’s rest can be a challenge. Less than half of adults (49%) get the recommended seven to eight hours of shuteye, according to a Better Sleep Council survey from March. And just over half of respondents (52%) described their sleep quality as “poor” or “fair.”
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What you do — and don’t do — leading up to bedtime matters; your evening routine can impact your sleep for better or for worse.
We asked sleep doctors what they avoid doing before crawling into their sheets. Of course, no one has perfect sleep habits — not even experts ― but here’s what they try to steer clear of:
1. They don’t watch the news.
“Even though nighttime might seem like the perfect time to catch up on the latest Covid-19 information, we should try to avoid things that can cause anxiety before bed. Unfortunately, nowadays the news is filled with things that can cause worry and other unwanted emotions that you definitely want to avoid if you are hoping to get a good night’s sleep. The news, in some ways, keeps people up late at night the same way that a horror movie can. Images and information regarding violence or fear stimulate your mind preventing you from having a smooth transition into sleep.” — Raj Dasgupta, associate professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine
2. They avoid working in bed.
“With the Covid-19 pandemic, a significant proportion of our population is working from home these days, and as such, your home has become your office. You want to avoid at all costs working from your bed, however, as you want to maintain the relationship with the brain that the bed is only for two things — sleep and sex.
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As you do more and more mentally stimulating activities in bed, the brain slowly develops a psychological association of the bed being a place to stay awake rather than sleep. This, in turn, can trigger people to develop sleep-onset insomnia. Your house is already your office, so during these difficult times, use the bed as your sanctuary — a place to relax, escape work and sleep.” ― Ruchir P. Patel, medical director of the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona
3. They don’t work out.
“Exercise in the morning or during the daytime can go a long way to helping improve insomnia symptoms at night, but exercise late in the day can be counterproductive. Many people try to exercise at night with the goal of ‘wearing themselves out,’ but are inadvertently making it harder for themselves to fall asleep.” ― Stacey Gunn, sleep medicine physician at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona
Adene Sanchez via Getty Images If you watch to catch some Zzzs, avoid exercising too close to your bedtime.
4. They steer clear of tense conversations.
“Try your hardest to avoid a heated conversation with your significant other before bed. As the saying goes, never go to bed angry, or bad feelings will harden into resentment. There is research to support the idea that negative emotional memories are harder to reverse after a night’s sleep.
Plus, anger is a huge turn-off. If you do this repeatedly, it creates an unhealthy pattern, and destroys potential opportunities for sexual intimacy. Confrontations lead to a stress response, which is exactly opposite of what you want if you’re trying to fall asleep easily. It’s important to create a peaceful environment for you and your partner to have a good night’s sleep. Instead of fighting, maybe snuggle up together and watch ‘Love Actually,’ one of my personal favourites.” — Dasgupta
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5. They absolutely do not consume caffeine.
“Avoid drinking any caffeinated drinks past 2pm. Caffeinated drinks — including coffee, iced tea, pre-work out drinks or energy drinks — act as a stimulant. Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors — and adenosine [plays a role in] sleep homeostasis.” — Anupama Ramalingam, sleep medicine physician at the Insomnia and Sleep Institute of Arizona
6. They try to avoid drinking alcohol.
“Some people end up self-medicating with a nightcap, because it does help them to fall asleep more easily at the beginning of the night. But I recommend against it because it causes the sleep architecture to be disrupted later on, resulting in poor quality sleep. If I do have a drink in the evening, I try to separate it from bedtime, and give the alcohol a chance to clear out of my system before going to sleep.” ― Gunn
“Many people try to exercise at night with the goal of ‘wearing themselves out,’ but are inadvertently making it harder for themselves to fall asleep.” - Stacey Gunn, sleep medicine physician
7. They don’t use electronic devices (without a blue light filter).
“In sleep and circadian science, we use the term ‘zeitgeber’ — or ‘time giver’ — to describe environmental cues that help us entrain to a 24-hour cycle. Light is the most powerful zeitgeber that signals the brain to stay awake. Prolonged exposure to bright light around bedtime keeps us awake and reduces the amount of sleep we get. Exposure to light at night also suppresses the brain’s natural production of melatonin, a hormone that is released in response to darkness and helps us to fall asleep.” ― Anita Shelgikar, clinical associate professor of neurology and director of the sleep medicine fellowship at the University of Michigan
8. They also don’t keep the lights in their home turned up bright.
“I was reminded during a fishing trip to the Outer Banks [in North Carolina] with my nephews of the importance of avoiding artificial light before bedtime. We were forced to use propane lanterns on the island each night as there was no electricity available. Several of the parents on the fishing trip remarked that the darkness had improved their sleep so much that they might pitch the idea of ‘Lantern Tuesday’ to their spouses: A night each week dedicated to reducing light exposure and improving sleep sounds like a great idea to me!
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Exposure to bright light suppresses melatonin secretion. Plus, alteration of the circadian rhythm (or the daily rhythmic sleep-wake cycle) by nocturnal light exposure may contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic disease. What sort of practical steps can one take to avoid bright light? Dim the lights in the home except for a few lamps several hours before bed.” — William J. Healy, assistant professor of medicine and director of sleep quality improvement at Augusta University.
9. They make sure they don’t spend a long time awake in bed.
“Many of our patients will give themselves a 10-hour sleep window but realistically are only asleep for six to eight hours. Please do not spend more time in bed than you really need. All the extra time in bed awake results in your brain starting to develop an association that the bed is a place to be awake and also sleep. But this, in turn, can result in disruption of your sleep drive and thus result in poor sleep efficiency and sleep quality.” — Patel


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Workers Should Get Two Weeks Paid Leave If A Loved One Dies, Charity Tells Ministers

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The government must introduce statutory paid bereavement leave for workers in the UK, campaigners have urged.
Bereavement charity Sue Ryder said ministers must bring in new laws to give workers who lose a partner or close relative two weeks paid leave in the wake of their death.
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Under current legislation, statutory bereavement pay is only available to eligible parents if their children die before they turn 18, or if a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Meanwhile, employees have the right to “reasonable” time off if a dependent dies – but there is no legal right for this leave to be paid.
The call comes amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen more than 49,000 people in the UK die after testing positive for Covid-19.
The UK has the eight highest coronavirus death toll in the world.
Heidi Travis, the chief executive at Sue Ryder, said two weeks paid leave would “allow people a crucial period of time to start processing their grief”.
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“For many people, grief can be debilitating and additional stressors, such as work, can feel overwhelming,” she said.
“Currently many employers offer three to five days compassionate leave, but lower-income workers in less secure jobs often don’t have access to any leave.”
Research from the charity suggests that grief among workers costs the UK economy £23bn a year.
It said that while investing in bereavement leave might have short-term initial costs, it would result in long-term savings due to reduced staff absences, increased productivity and a decreased reliance on health and benefits systems after bereavements.
But a spokesperson for the government instead urged employers to “display compassion” to their workers.
“Family bereavement is an extremely personal and difficult issue which people deal with in different ways,” they said.
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We urge employers to display compassion and flexibility towards employees facing this ordeal.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--I Fled My Abusive Relationship And  Spent The First Lockdown In A Women's Refuge

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Content warning: this article contains description of domestic violence and emotional abuse
By the March lockdown, I had moved in with my then-boyfriend after a house share fell through. In a vulnerable financial position due to debt and working freelance, I became dependent on him for a roof over my head.
We had been in and out of each other’s lives for years. In that time, he had always been controlling and aggressive: telling me what to do, who to see, what to wear and how to act. He heavily smoked weed and had mental health issues which he refused to address.
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Picking an argument with me when I had been drinking was his modus operandi, thinking no one would believe me if I described his abuse.
I first left him after an incident of violence which really shook me. I locked myself in the bathroom until he had calmed down, staying on the phone to my friend whilst he screamed and banged on the door. I managed to leave with a small suitcase and sofa surfed, then stayed in an Airbnb until I ran out of money – and went back to him, feeling like a failure, like I couldn’t cope in the world alone.
Things then escalated to the point where I was genuinely scared for my life. He tried to kick me out in the streets at 4am but I refused to leave (like I usually did) because we were in lockdown. His reaction to my defiance was particularly violent, even for him. He strangled me, punched me in the face multiple times and slammed a door on my hand. I was in love with him at the time so I didn’t understand the amount of danger I was in whilst living with him. It sounds bizarre but I wasn’t frightened when he was strangling me. It almost didn’t seem real, like those dreams so vivid you remember them all day after you wake up and wonder if they were real after all.
“When I got to the refuge I was in a state of shock, but the staff were so warm and welcoming.”
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What confused me the most was his behaviour after. He walked over to the window with his head in his hands, shaking and crying. It was the only time I had ever seen him cry in the years that I had known him. A neighbour heard the noise and let herself in, which was humiliating, and I left in bloodstained pyjamas with my handbag and went next door until I could find a safe place to go.
Family booked me a hotel and I stayed there for about a week until I found a place at a women’s refuge. Finding a place in a refuge was actually quite straightforward – I called a domestic violence helpline and they called back with phone numbers for available spaces. I also had a keyworker from a women’s charity texting me phone numbers for refuges with vacancies near me. I worried about talking to people about something so personal but the domestic violence workers I spoke to were supportive and encouraging as they listened to me describe my situation.
When I got to the refuge I was in a state of shock, but the staff were so warm and welcoming while they talked me through the rules designed to keep you and others safe. I wasn’t allowed to give the address to anyone, not even taxis or takeaways, and there was a PO box address I could use for banking and official letters.
Being in a refuge was nothing like I had imagined. I thought the women would be unfriendly and unwelcoming but that was not the case. Despite the lockdown we all socialised – despite the pandemic, we lived together under one roof as one household so it was okay. At the very least, it was preferable to treading on eggshells in a confined space with a violent man.
“I’m now in a career I am passionate about, and it’s all because I received help when I most needed it. I don’t know where I would be without our literally life-changing, life-saving domestic abuse services.”
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Straight away I made intense friendships with the other women and children there. We all cooked dinner together, stayed up at night smoking in the garden having heart-to-hearts. We became an unexpected family. Emotions ran high and there were fall outs, of course, but more than anything, there was understanding. The other women knew my feelings of love, rage, betrayal, and my confusion. I learned from them how to stay strong, and realise that it always gets worse, never better. The next time I went back, I might not be so lucky.
I have since left the refuge and I’m living safely in my own place after six months of support. When I found out that I had a flat to move into I was excited, followed by deep concern about how I would cope without the safety of the refuge. My emotions were all over the place and leaving was bittersweet, but the refuge offers you two months of floating support during your transition into independent living.
The refuge gives you food, books, clothes, toiletries and a shoulder to cry on. They help you rebuild your life again so that you never have to go back to the situation you fled from. It’s scary to leave after experiencing complete safety but it feels liberating to know you can survive independently.
I’m now in a career I am passionate about, and it’s all because I received help when I most needed it. I don’t know where I would be without our literally life-changing, life-saving domestic abuse services. I’ve made lifelong friends who share my trauma, we experienced the emotions of leaving domestic abuse together, and speaking to them made me feel less isolated when I felt overwhelmed by my situation. All abusers seem to read from the same playbook, I learned. They think they’re so smart but the truth is they’re nothing more than a sad cliché.
I’m now sober, independent and embarking on a new path that I never thought possible, with a wonderful support system in place. I am happy and free for the first time in my life. If you or someone you know is trapped in a violent relationship, I want you to know there is help out there. The phone number for the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is 0808 2000 247. The most important thing is getting out and staying out, everything else can wait.
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Cleo Turner is a journalist, writing under a pseudonym
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If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you are not in immediate danger, you can contact:


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--When You Talk About Donald Trump’s Body, Every Fat Person You Know Hears You

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Dear Anderson,
On Thursday night, you referred to President Donald Trump as an “obese turtle,” which rapidly turned into a viral hashtag. I was in the car listening when you said it, and I immediately tried to call you out on Twitter for it, but didn’t have a good signal. However, I wasn’t alone in that, and others did succeed in pointing out your fatphobic comment. Unfortunately, when it inevitably turned into a hashtag and then into memes, the vast majority of the comments were disgustingly fatphobic.
This clip has now been watched over ten million times. It has been so widely discussed in the less-than-24 hours since it aired that it already has its own Snopes article verifying its veracity.
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Listen, there’s no denying that Donald Trump is a despicable human being ― but that has absolutely nothing to do with his body size, and everything to do with who he is as a person. Criticise his lies, criticise his attempts to steal the election with fraudulent lawsuits, criticise his behaviour... but don’t criticise his body, because you cannot do that in a vacuum.
You cannot mock one fat person without mocking another fat person. It doesn’t work that way. Every single one of your fat viewers or listeners last night heard those words. Some have internalised fatphobia enough to be ‘okay’ with that, but many of us are not even remotely okay with it ― and none of us, fat or thin or in between ― should be okay with fat-shaming.
Certainly, you’re hardly alone in using his body size as a way to insult or mock him. It’s been going on his entire time as a candidate and as president. The author Your Fat Friend wrote about how the left has a fatphobia issue, and how it specifically relates to Trump, well over a year ago. Blogger and activist Ragen Chastain wrote about fat-shaming Trump ― and how his nastiness does not justify it ― almost three years ago.
Earlier this year, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi took heat for making it clear how she felt about his body size, referring to him as “morbidly obese,” which is not actually even true when using the source for the phrase ― the horribly problematic and racist BMI charts.
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Former presidential candidate (and CNN political commentator) Andrew Yang has mocked Trump for his size, joking that Trump’s “so fat” he could only beat Yang at an “eating contest,” conveniently ignoring the fact that the vast majority of competitive eaters are actually thin.
People defend these actions by pointing out that Trump has himself made many fat jokes, that he’s a notorious bully. Somehow that makes it ‘okay’ for many.
“The problem here is that Trump is unlikely to ever see most of these jokes. But your fat viewers, your fat friends? They hear it, and many of them care deeply.”
The problem here is that Trump is unlikely to ever see most of these jokes. Obviously, ones made by people with a platform like yours, he’s probably going to hear about. But the millions of retweets and memes? He won’t hear about them or see them ― and the reality is, even if he does, he’s not likely to care. But your fat viewers, your fat friends (assuming you have any)? They hear it, and many of them care deeply.
On Nov. 4th, fashion designer GabiFresh tweeted that fat folks have been asking people to stop making fat jokes about Trump (and really, anyone else) for what feels like eternity now.
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As Gabi wrote in her Twitter thread, “Trump isn’t seeing your jokes. Your fat friends (or fans) are. And now we know you think our bodies are a punchline [emphasis mine]. Stop.”
Here’s the thing. Whether meant as a “joke” or as a pretend expression of concern for his health (specifically regarding Covid-19), it’s not funny or helpful. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s harmful.
I notice that none of you who were so quick to prognosticate about his potential demise from Covid-19 due to his fatness (and, yes, also his age) have bothered to comment on how he not only survived it, but how within a few weeks he was doing dozens of campaign rallies. Regardless of what you think of the man, that requires stamina. A man on death’s door from his body size (or any other reason) isn’t likely to pull off that kind of show.
Yes, he had access to the best possible medical care. But hey, maybe that is in and of itself telling, huh? Maybe if a doctor is treating someone with the best quality of care, they don’t die just because they’re fat. Imagine that?!
Your comments comparing Trump to an “obese turtle” do not help us get better treatment. They don’t help us get better care. Quite the opposite, in fact. They just add to the seemingly insurmountable struggles we face merely trying to exist as fat people in a world that could not more clearly hate us. They just make it that much more likely that doctors, scientists and researchers will continue to view us as a “problem” rather than work toward treating us as human beings, deserving of equal care and compassion.
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Anderson, your words matter, as do those of your fellow journalists, as do those of people like Pelosi or Yang or many others in positions of power and influence who have “joked” about Trump’s weight (or anyone else’s) over the years.
When you “joke” about or “concern troll” Trump’s body, you are doing that to the bodies of every single fat person watching, reading or listening to you at that moment. Even those who never watch you aren’t immune, as they will inevitably see your hatred be picked up by friends, family members or social media.
Donald Trump is only the vector in this. He’s the current target for your fatphobic behavior and thoughts. But us fat people know ― we KNOW ― that you can’t talk about his body the way you do without also thinking it about every other fat person. Even the ones you supposedly care about.
I won’t give up hope that you (and the rest of the fatphobic world) can ― and will ― someday be better. I can’t afford to give that up because it’s what keeps me fighting every single damn day. It’s what sustains me through the soul-crushing feeling of someone I respected talking about bodies that look like mine in the cruel and unnecessary way that you ― and so many others ― have.
Sincerely,
A fat (former) fan
Update: On Saturday, November 7, 2020, Anderson Cooper responded to the controversy about his comments, saying, “I regret using those words... That’s not the person I really want to be and it was in the heat of the moment and I regret it.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--19 Gorgeous Gifts For The Home – Because We're Not Going Anywhere Else

HuffPost UK Homeware gifts
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
Lockdown means your Christmas shopping is likely to be all online, from the comfort of your own home.
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If you’re yet to start on yours, we’ve got you covered with plenty of guides this season – from uplifting gifts, to tech and gadgets, to presents that are perfect for foodies.
We’re all spending a lot of time at home right now – well, for the next month anyway – so it makes sense to splurge on thoughtful homeware gifts that will add something joyful to a loved one’s everyday environment.
Whether that’s a splash of colour (check out the jazzy cake stand) or something more practical (marble coasters, anyone?), we’ve got you sorted.
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Patch Plants Bertie the Boston Fern
Bertie The Boston Fern, Patch Plants, £12
Patch plants has plenty of houseplants on offer – but Bertie the Boston fern is easy to care for, so is the perfect gift for newbie and professional plant parents alike. He’s also child and pet friendly, which is a bonus.
Etsy Bath board
Bath Board With Wine Holder, Etsy, From £14.95
Living through a pandemic is pretty stressful, so we’re on the hunt for gifts that help loved ones relax to the max. This beautiful bath board comes with slots to fit an iPad and a place to pop their wine glass. What more could they need?
Anthropologie The Phoebe cake stand
A show-stopping stand for all the baked goods they’ll have perfected over lockdown. The item is made from hand-blown soda lime glass and measures 28cm in diameter.
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Aesop Aesop bathroom gift set
A trio of much-loved Aesop formulations for hands and body. This gift set includes the brand’s Resurrection Aromatique hand cream and hand wash, as well as its Geranium Leaf body cleanser. Guaranteed to leave their over-sanitised skin delightfully smooth and nourished.
M&S Teddy fleece throw
Perhaps the comfiest gift of all – this thick fleece throw is sure to keep them warm and snuggly for many winters to come. It comes folded with a gift ribbon. We might even have to buy one for ourselves, too.
LSA International Champagne saucers
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Forget flutes, it’s all about the Champagne saucer now. The Polka set of saucers from LSA International features four glasses which come in different colours, all hand-painted to stand out from your usual glassware.
West Elm Marble coasters
Set Of 4 Marble Coasters, West Elm, £31.20
These chunky, marble coasters – originally made in India – are super stylish while being super practical, helping to protect their furniture.
Oliver Bonas Mini plant pots for succulents
Set Of 3 Mini Plant Pots, Oliver Bonas, £29.50
The perfect gift set for someone who loves succulents – the Suelo ceramic mini plant pots feature individual faded ombre designs in brown, orange and pink hues, all sat atop a duckegg blue dish. These pots come in a beautiful box too, making them a great gift choice.
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Hampson Woods Ash serving board
Ash Serving Board, Hampson Woods, £55
For kitchenware that’s ethically sourced, look no further than Hampson Woods. Materials are gathered from sustainable sources as well as arborists in and around London who specialise in clearing fallen trees. All products are designed and made at a workshop in Cumbria. This ash chopping board will to serve its recipient well for years to come.
Oliver Bonas Amber and vanilla multi wick candle
Who doesn’t love a new candle? This one is guaranteed to last yonks judging by the sheer size of it. Expect ‘woody top notes of almond, vanilla and musk, tempered with white flowers and earthy amber’. The vessel is crafted from mouthblown sodalime glass, so can be reused after the candle has burnt down.
Ian Snow Patterned quilt
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Coral Haze Floral Quilt, Ian Snow, £129
Coming in a range of hues, from pumpkin yellow to salmon pink, this gorgeous quilt is made from 100% cotton, with a cotton outer and natural cotton filling. Ian Snow was set up by the man himself, however is now run by his two daughters. Expect ethically-sourced homeware and soft furnishings, and bold and vibrant prints. If this quilt isn’t for you, there are more colours and styles available on the company’s website.
H&M Stoppered carafe
A stylish glass carafe with a black stopper, perfect for when entertaining friends and family is back on the cards. For £17.99, you can’t really go wrong.
Anthropologie Whitney cheese board
For what is probably the most extra cheeseboard on the high street, look to Anthropologie which is selling a marble and mother of pearl board covered with a gorgeous, gold star pattern.
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Etsy Tan France x Etsy Collaboration mug set.
No home is complete without a couple of chunky mugs – ideal for those warming beverages as the cold winter hits. This gorgeous set from the Tan France x Etsy Collaboration made by littlewrenpottery, were created with a soft pastel look and modern minimal shapes. Guaranteed to go with any decor.
Zara Pepper mill
Wooden Pepper Grinder, Zara Home, £17.99
A great gift for foodies. Pepper and salt mills are often items we don’t want to buy ourselves – so when they’re gifted, it makes all the difference. This pepper grinder, made from acacia wood, will go with all kinds of interiors, too.
Yeshen Venema Weighted blanket
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Weighted Blanket, Mela, From £99.99
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--No, You Can't Catch Covid-19 From Drinking Tap Water

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Every Monday, we’ll answer your questions on Covid-19 and health in a feature published online. You can submit a question here.
This week, HuffPost UK reader Jillian asked: “If sewage systems are being tested for Covid, as it is carried in urine and we are all drinking water that has been through treatment plants, could Covid be caught through the tap water we are drinking?”
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Worries about Covid-19 appearing in drinking water aren’t unfounded. We know that the virus has been found in people’s faeces, and that it’s also been found in wastewater. So naturally, people are wondering whether the tap water we drink could also be home to the virus.
The short and sweet answer is: no. There is no evidence that people can get Covid-19 by drinking tap water or that the virus that causes it – SARS-CoV-2 – has been found in this water. In fact, the UK is considered to have one of the safest and purest water supplies in the world.
Wastewater from toilets is treated at sewage treatment works before being safely returned to our rivers. This is where our drinking water also comes from, in addition to groundwater or reservoirs, however it goes through complex treatment processes to make it safe to drink.
One caveat is that events, such as disinfection failures or leaks, occasionally occur that might impact on the quality or sufficiency of the water supplied.
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It remains unclear whether if this did happen, Covid-19 transmission could then occur.
Dr Jeremy Rossman, honorary senior lecturer in virology at the University of Kent, points out that at present, there is no evidence that Covid-19 is found in urine. Some virus can be found in the faeces, though it’s not clear if this virus plays a role in transmission of the disease, he adds.
The main way the virus behind Covid-19 spreads is through person-to-person contact, not through the water system. “All evidence from the spread of the virus shows that the drinking water supply is not a route for transmission of the virus,” says a spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
Water UK, a trade association representing the UK’s major water companies, says drinking water supplies are routinely disinfected as part of the treatment process – and this process removes all harmful pathogens including viruses.
A spokesperson told HuffPost UK in an email: “There is absolutely no risk of contracting Covid-19 from your water supply.”
Dr Rossman explains that UK tap water goes through multiple purification processes, including disinfection, and these treatment processes are “very effective” at removing any potential pathogens from the water supply.
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“Covid-19 should not be an exception,” he adds. “There is no evidence to suggest that sewage plays a role in Covid-19 transmission and the virus has never been found in the water supply.”
It’s much more likely that someone would get Covid-19 from a contaminated cup that an infected person happened to touch, than from the water in the cup, he says.
LSOphoto via Getty Images
Professor Timothy LaPara, from the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering at University of Minnesota, agrees it’s not an issue in areas where water is treated. He has been looking for SARS-CoV-2 in the US water system as part of a body of research.
“The primary system that protects public health is the drinking water treatment system,” he tells HuffPost UK. “These technologies are exceptionally robust at removing all particles in the size range of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens.
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“Public water supplies in the developed world are, with few exceptions, exceptionally safe to consume.”
On top of that, SARS-CoV-2 virus is “not especially difficult to disinfect or treat,” he adds. “Our drinking water system is designed to eliminate far more difficult pathogens and it does so very effectively.”
There would be a concern of Covid-19 contamination in areas where water isn’t disinfected or if people are using private wells which collect groundwater.
“We normally assume that groundwater is safe to drink and free from microbiological contaminants (like SARS-CoV-2) but research done over the last 10-15 years has shown that viruses are often present in groundwater at levels that can get people sick,” says Prof LaPara.
“Our research has looked for SARS-CoV-2 in our water system and so far we have yet to find it. That said, the number of people sick with Covid is increasing, which means that chances of SARS-CoV-2 getting into our groundwater is also increasing. So, we’re still looking.”
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Water UK advises that people should continue to use tap water as normal, including for drinking, hand washing, bathing, cooking, and cleaning teeth.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Has Boris Johnson Finally Learned To Stop Over-Promising And Under-Delivering?

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Politics, like life, is full of ironies large and small. Boris Johnson, the great grandson of a Turkish politician, led a Vote Leave campaign that infamously and falsely suggested the UK wanted Turkey to join the EU. Johnson himself said that he didn’t want a situation where 77 million Turks could “come here without any checks at all”. The Turkey scare was one of the “baseball bats” that persuaded voters to back Brexit, Dominic Cummings has since said.
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Today, as Johnson joined others in giving a cautious welcome to the good news on Pfizer’s new Covid vaccine, there was a Turkish link of which the PM may not have been aware. Pfizer’s key partner on the vaccine was a German firm BioNTech, which was founded by a husband and wife team whose parents migrated from Turkey.
Ugur Sahin, whose dad worked at a Ford factory in Cologne, and wife Oezlem Tuereci, are described as a “dream team” who are so devoted to their work that they spent part of their wedding day in the lab. It was Sahin who had a light-bulb moment in January when he read a Chinese research paper on the new coronavirus and realised he could adapt anti-cancer drug tech to an anti-viral vaccine.
Reacting to the news, Joe Biden was already sounding like a president. “I congratulate the brilliant women and men who helped produce this breakthrough and give us such cause for hope,” he said, while stressing that the results were still uncertain and wearing a mask was the best weapon for Americans right now.
Johnson reverted instead to the language of one of his Telegraph columns, talking about “the distant bugle of scientific cavalry coming over the hill”, saying “that toot” was louder but still some way off. The PM may or may not be aware that tooting a bugle is street slang for snorting cocaine, but he seemed to have temporarily weaned himself off the drug of Covid boosterism
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His line that “I’ve been very careful to not get people’s hopes up” may have come as a shock to anyone who saw his “unlockdown” press conference in July, complete with his talk of a return to “significant normality” by Christmas. In one spectacular self-own, he stressed the importance of “not being mentally sidetracked by a sudden surge of optimism”.
Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam did utter the word Christmas today, but was careful to say he was “not yet certain” but was “hopeful” that “some” people could benefit from the vaccine before the festive season. However, he stressed it would take more than 40 days for it to start working, was unclear if it affected asymptomatic transmission and it would be a “colossal mistake” for anyone to drop their guard against Covid this winter.
With time running out for a trade deal with the EU, Brexit and Covid are both on Johnson’s mind right now. The heavy defeat in the Lords for his Internal Market Bill’s plan to break international law will put the PM into a tricky spot with the Biden team (and peers’ unusual decision to vote during a committee stage was meant to do just that). If he dares resurrect it in the Commons, he risks incurring the wrath of not merely Brussels but Washington.
No.10 again trotted out the line that the UK would prosper with an “Australia-style” outcome on Brexit. Tonight, in a withering assessment of Johnson’s record, Sir John Major used a speech to pick up on such boosterism. “False optimism is deceit by another name,” the former PM said. “Suddenly, we are no longer an irreplaceable bridge between Europe and America. We are now less relevant to them both.” Ouch.
Still, while the PM has been burnt by his own rash predictions of sunlit uplands on Covid, others may be encouraged by several developments today. Professor John Bell’s World at One interview will have given hope to many that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is really on the way. Just as relevant are plans to finally roll out mass testing for all NHS staff from next week. The government’s decision to send out 600,000 rapid tests to 50 Directors of Public Health across England this week is another cause for hope too.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Lords Inflict Huge Defeat On Boris Johnson’s Plan To Break International Law On Brexit

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Boris Johnson’s plan to break international law over Brexit has been overwhelmingly rejected by the House of Lords.
Peers voted by 433 to 165 to strip out clauses in the Internal Market Bill which would allow the UK to renege on its obligations in the withdrawal agreement signed with the EU.
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The defeat, one of the largest of any government in the Lords since hereditary peers were slimmed down in the 1990s, means that Johnson will have to weigh up whether to reinsert the clause in the House of Commons next month.
In another overwhelming show of strength, the Lords also voted by 407 to 148 to remove any breach of the northern Ireland protocol in the EU withdrawal treaty.
The PM risks a fresh backlash from Joe Biden if he pushes ahead with his proposals, as the president-elect has made plain he believes the British plan poses a threat to the Good Friday Agreement that has kept the peace in northern Ireland for decades.
Speaking after the votes, Labour’s Lords leader Baroness Smith said: “I am sure some in government will initially react with bravado and try to dismiss tonight’s historic votes in the Lords.
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“To do so, however, would underestimate the genuine and serious concerns across the UK and beyond about ministers putting themselves above and beyond the rule of law.
“The government should see sense, accept the removal of these offending clauses, and start to rebuild our international reputation.”
Europe minister Lord True said that the vote appeared to be a “wrecking” move and a government spokesperson stressed after the defeat that it was not backing down.
“We are disappointed that the House of Lords has voted to remove clauses from the UK Internal Market Bill, which was backed in the House of Commons by 340 votes to 256 and delivers on a clear Conservative manifesto commitment. We will retable these clauses when the Bill returns to the Commons,” they said.
“We’ve been consistently clear that the clauses represent a legal safety net to protect the integrity of the UK’s internal market and the huge gains of the peace process.
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“We expect the House of Lords to recognise that we have an obligation to the people of Northern Ireland to make sure they continue to have unfettered access to the UK under all circumstances.”
During the debate, Conservative former leader Lord Howard had led the calls for Johnson to “think again”, warning the government used the language of “lawbreakers” everywhere.
Howard said “nothing has changed” since Northern Ireland secretary Brandon Lewis admitted the Bill breaks international law in a “very specific and limited way”.
The Brexiteer peer said: “How can we reproach other countries – Russia, China, Iran – if their behaviour becomes reprehensible when we ourselves have such scant regard for the treaties we sign up to, when we ourselves set such a lamentable example?”
General view of the House of Lords in London as the European Withdrawal Agreement Bill is debated. PA Wire/PA Images
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Independent crossbench peer Lord Judge, a former head of the judiciary, had advised the House of Lords should be “neither complicit nor supine” and should vote against clauses in the bill.
In a speech on Monday night, former Tory PM Sir John Major also said the bill had already “damaged our reputation around the world”.
Major, who warned Johnson that a second independence referendum in Scotland and a border poll in Ulster were now likely, added that Brexit had meant that Britain is “no longer a great power” and “will never be so again”.
“Suddenly, we are no longer an irreplaceable bridge between Europe and America. We are now less relevant to them both,” he said.
Downing Street will be hoping that its provisions for breaking international law will not be needed if a deal can be struck with Brussels on a trade deal later this month.
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The EU has already threatened legal action on the provisions and reintroducing the clause in early December, when the bill returns to the Commons, would be seen as provocative.
Johnson introduced the clauses to the internal market bill because he claimed the EU was planning to interpret the Brexit withdrawal treaty – and its the “northern Ireland protocol” — in an “extreme” way.
He suggested the rules could create a hard border in the Irish Sea, between the province and the rest of the UK.
The legislation aims to limit the EU’s powers to determine state aid for northern Irish firms and customs arrangements in the region.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated. Follow HuffPost UK on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--UK Government Trapped In Metaphor Hell In Response To Vaccine Hope

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Deputy chief medical officer for England, Jonathan Van-Tam, Boris Johnson and British army brigadier Joe Fossey. WPA Pool via Getty Images
The UK government appeared to be suffering from a nasty bout of verbal diarrhoea as it tried to express itself amid high hopes for a coronavirus vaccine.
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Boris Johnson’s prose was at its most purple as the prime minister attempted to contextualise pharmaceutical company Pfizer’s announcement that there had been a breakthrough in clinical trials.
At the daily briefing on Monday, the PM was flanked by England’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, who was slightly more successful in his use of analogy, simile and metaphor.
It began with Johnson speaking of the “distant bugle of the scientific cavalry”, before he warned: “I can tell you that tonight that toot of the bugle is louder, but it’s still some way off.
“We absolutely cannot rely on this news as a solution. The biggest mistake we could make now would be to slacken our resolve at a critical moment.”
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“That toot of the bugle is still some way off,” says Boris Johnson.
Would love to hear from absolutely anyone who isn’t bored to the brink of death by his utterly wearisome schtick. — Tom Peck (@tompeck) November 9, 2020
PM mixing his 'cowboys and indians' metaphors.
Mass testing is one of the "arrows" in our "epidemiological quiver.."
But re a vaccine: "the distant bugle of the scientific cavalry coming over the brow of the hill...that toot of that bugle is louder but still some way off." — Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) November 9, 2020
If I’m reading this right, the PM is saying we should have a toot of some bugle to celebrate the vaccine? https://t.co/OVn42tQ22W — Ian Rankin (@Beathhigh) November 9, 2020
But he wasn’t finished there.
The prime minister later added he was “buoyantly optimistic”, but that people should not see the development as “a home run, a slam dunk, a shot to the back of the net, yet”.
And Van-Tam, suggesting it was not yet known how the Pfizer vaccine would affect transmission of the virus, picked up the ball and ran with it (sorry).
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The Boston United season ticket holder said: “So this is like… getting to the end of the playoff final, it’s gone to penalties, the first player goes up and scores a goal.
“You haven’t won the cup yet, but what it does is, it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten.”
Van-Tam received better reviews.
absolutely cracking analogy from JVT: it's a penalty shootout, we've got the first one in. That doesn't mean the cup is won, but we've shown that the goalie can be beaten. — Jane Merrick (@janemerrick23) November 9, 2020
Jonathan Van Tam using a play-off final penalty shootout analogy in the briefing pic.twitter.com/zBbK5YkMnc — Scott Innes (@Flying_Inside) November 9, 2020
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Van-Tam just used a penalty shootout analogy to describe the vaccine pic.twitter.com/evszIfK8KR — FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) November 9, 2020
Johnson: "this is a bugle in the distance"
Me, a dumb northerner: "wa"
Van Tam: "We've scored but we've not won the cup yet"
Me: "ey up" — Megan Townsend (@mmtowns) November 9, 2020
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The man dubbed “JVT” by colleagues and fans went for another classic.
He said: “We don’t know yet when we can get back to normal. We are in the second wave and I don’t see how the vaccine will make any difference to the wave we’re in. We’ve seen a swallow but this is very much not a summer. Please don’t relax.”
Oh, British army brigadier Joe Fossey was there too. We think.
WPA Pool via Getty Images
Not sure they should have let Brigadier Fossey wear camouflage during the press conference. pic.twitter.com/5C2XFSRyXu — GedRobinson (@GedRobinson) November 9, 2020
And with the bit between his teeth, Van-Tam went again.
He said: “This to me is like a train journey. It’s wet, it’s windy, it’s horrible. And two miles down the tracks two lights appear and it’s the train and it’s a long way off and we’re at that point at the moment. That’s the efficacy result.
“Then we hope the train slows down safely to get into the station, that’s the safety data, and then the train stops.
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“And at that point the doors don’t open. The guard has to make sure it’s safe to open the doors. That’s the MHRA, that’s the regulator.
“And when the doors open, I hope there’s not an unholy scramble for the seats. The JCVI has very clearly said which people need the seats most and they are the ones who should get on the train first.”
Well, that cleared that up.
Loving JVT going all Thomas the Tank on us with his vaccine analogy about a train coming into the station and the doors not opening. pic.twitter.com/Mr3bp9f76p — Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) November 9, 2020
Van-Tam now comparing a vaccine to standing on a wet, windy station and seeing the train lights a couple of miles away before it finally opens and the most vulnerable passengers are allowed on first. He's on a roll. — Kevin Maguire (@Kevin_Maguire) November 9, 2020
Prof JVT is by far the best communicator in this pandemic. Clear, precise, no-nonsense, good use of analogies (train one was excellent). And I trust him in a way I just never trust Boris. pic.twitter.com/V5beNVzqlW — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) November 9, 2020
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Poorest Countries Could Be Left Behind As Wealthy Nations Buy Up Covid Vaccine

Trials of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine suggest it is more than 90% effective Meyer & Meyer via Getty Images
Poor countries could be left behind in the fight against coronavirus as wealthier nations scramble to buy up doses of a potential Covid-19 vaccine, campaigners have warned.
On Wednesday, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech announced its coronavirus vaccine had proven more than 90% effective in trials, leading one the of the UK government’s key scientific advisors to declare that life could be back to normal by spring.
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No.10 was quick to tell the public that the UK has procured 40m doses of the Pfizer vaccine, with 10m set to be manufactured by the end of the year if the jab is approved by regulators.
The US has also secured a deal for 100m doses of the vaccine, with another 500m available if needed.
But with Pfizer only able to produce 50m doses of the vaccine by the end of 2020 and another 1.3bn in 2021, global poverty charities and social justice campaigners have warned that people in the poorest parts of the world could be left at the back of the queue for the potentially life-saving vaccines.
“Countries like the UK and US have already bulk bought a huge amount of the medicines, proving that fair global distribution has been set aside by the rich countries in their quest to get their hands on all potential vaccines first,” Nick Dearden, the director of Global Justice Now, told HuffPost UK.
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The campaign group has urged Pfizer and BioNTech to put its vaccine into a World Health Organisation (WHO) global patent pool, which would allow others to manufacture and distribute the jab and increase the number of people able to be vaccinated.
Heidi Chow, the organisation’s pharmaceuticals campaigner, warned there was “nowhere near enough” of the Pfizer-manufactured vaccine to meet global demand.
“We are heading towards artificially created scarcity for this vaccine which is completely unacceptable in a global pandemic,” she said.
If Pfizer and BioNTech fail to share the vaccine patent, the WHO must suspend all patents on all Covid-19 medicines, Chow said.
“This is a race against time and we cannot allow the pursuit of profit to triumph over human need.”
Number 10 said the UK had procured 40m doses of the Pfizer/ BioNTech coronavirus vaccine PA
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Dr Albert Bourla, the chief executive of Pfizer, has previously dismissed the idea of Covid-related intellectual property pools, telling reporters in May: “I think it is nonsense and at this point of time it’s also dangerous.
“There’s a giant effort right now happening to find a solution. The risks we are taking [represent] billions of dollars and the chances of developing something are still not very good.
“So to have a discussion, to say keep in mind that if you discover [a vaccine or drug], we are going to take your IP, I think it’s dangerous,” he said.
Global poverty charity Oxfam has added its voice to calls for Pfizer and BioNTech to share the patent for its coronavirus vaccine, saying the pandemic won’t come to an end “unless the vaccine is available and affordable to everyone”.
“Pfizer’s estimated price for the vaccine is too high and the company cannot produce enough. The vaccine will be 0% effective to the people who can’t access or afford it,” said Niko Lusiani, Oxfam America’s senior advisor.
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“In a global pandemic of this magnitude, we must pursue a new path – a people’s vaccine that prioritises public health over private profits.
“No one should have access to a life-saving vaccine only if they live in the right country or have enough money. Governments and corporations must work together to make all Covid-19 treatments and vaccines global public goods.”
On Monday, Pfizer revealed it would be able to produce as many as 1.3bn doses in 2021.
But it has already agreed to supply 120m doses of the vaccine to Japan, 40m to the UK, as many as 600m to the US and as many as 300m to the EU, across differing time scales.
The charity Christian Aid has urged the UK government – along with other G20 governments – to get behind the campaign to make the vaccine accessible.
“The UK and other G20 countries must support the WHO initiative, made at the World Health Assembly in May, to combine research and create a global patent pool, ensuring that all drugs related to the testing, treatment, prevention and response to Covid-19 are immediately accessible and genuinely affordable to all countries,” said Patrick Watt, the charity’s director of policy.
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“Today’s announcement could be a turning point in the battle to contain Covid-19 and reduce its huge toll of human suffering,” he added.
“But for that to happen, governments must back the global call for a people’s vaccine that is available to poorer countries as well as the wealthiest. Access to any successful vaccine must not become a global postcode lottery.”
But a spokesperson for Pfizer said the company’s decision-making during the pandemic “is not being driven by traditional cost/benefit analysis”.
“During the pandemic, instead of using a traditional cost-effectiveness approach, we will price in a way that can help governments to ensure that there is little to no out-of-pocket costs for their populations,” they said. “Broad access is important – speed, safety and availability are driving us.”
The spokesperson added: “It is important to note that our Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing costs have been entirely self-funded and we have already invested billions of dollars – and are prepared to continue bearing the costs of all development and manufacturing scale-up costs – in an effort to find a solution to this pandemic.
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“We are committed to making our Covid-19 vaccine accessible to those at highest risk of Covid-19. We are in discussions with Unicef and the Gates Foundation to provide doses to the Covax facility. Our intention through this potential collaboration is to provide doses to the poorer countries in the world.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Donald Trump Fires Defense Secretary Mark Esper

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President Donald Trump has fired his defense secretary Mark Esper following rumours the Pentagon chief was preparing to step down.
In a pair of tweets, Trump announced that Christopher Miller, the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, will serve as acting defense secretary.
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“Mark Esper has been terminated,” the president tweeted. “I would like to thank him for his service.”
Esper had prepared a resignation letter before the election results were final because he was one of the cabinet members expected to be ousted should Trump win, NBC News reported last week.
Trump has reportedly been unhappy with Esper’s performance for months.
NBC News reported in September that White House officials approached veterans affairs secretary Robert Wilkie about potentially taking the top spot at the Pentagon should Trump decide to fire Esper.
Esper, who has headed the Defense Department since June 2019, has broken with Trump on several occasions. In June, Esper called it “a mistake” to have accompanied the president days earlier in his infamous photo op in front of a church near the White House amid anti-racism protests. He also defied Trump’s threat to use active-duty troops to quell the nationwide protests.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Piers Morgan Gives Good Morning Britain Viewers Quite The Image As He Recounts Naked Hotel Corridor

Piers Morgan Gives Good Morning Britain Viewers Quite The Image As He Recounts Naked Hotel Corridor Story

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Piers Morgan left Good Morning Britain viewers with quite the image on Monday, as he regaled them with a story about the time was stuck in a hotel corridor stark naked.
The presenter offered up the anecdote on the ITV breakfast show after correspondent Nick Dixon trapped his shirt in his hotel room door shortly before he was due on air.
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Insisting things could have been much worse for Nick, Piers revealed he was once left locked out of his room as naked as the day he was born.
He recalled: “I remember once thinking that room service had come to my door in a hotel, many years ago.
“And I went, opened the door, poked my head out, couldn’t see anything, thought they may have left it on the floor.
“Popped out, door shuts behind me. It wouldn’t have mattered if I hadn’t been completely stark naked, and then had to wander around the corridor of this hotel!
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Piers Morgan recounted an awkward hotel story on Good Morning Britain ITV/Shutterstock
″[You’re] trying to find somebody, and of course you don’t want to bump into anybody, you want to find a phone to ring the reception, and even that’s awkward,” Piers continued.
“It was very awkward. Anyway, I sympathise with you mate,” he said to Nick. “Yours is by far the least embarrassing thing [to happen] in a hotel.”
Piers’ stunned co-host Susanna Reid joked: “And there’s an image the other hotel residents can never unsee!”
And indeed, a story we can all never unhear.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Joe Biden Urges Americans To Wear A Mask – In Stark Contrast To Donald Trump

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US president-elect Joe Biden has made his first speech on the coronavirus outbreak since his triumph – and he has taken a starkly different approach to Donald Trump.
Speaking after a positive update on the prospect of a coronavirus vaccine, Biden said its approval process must be guided by science so the public can have confidence it is safe and effective.
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He also warned that the United States is still facing a very dark winter and that a vaccine likely won’t be available for months.
There are more than 100,000 new Covid-19 cases being reported daily in the US.
“I implore you, wear a mask. Do it for yourself. Do it for your neighbour. A mask is not a political statement,” Biden said, adding that he would spare no effort to turn the pandemic around once he is sworn in.
US president-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks in Wilmington, Delaware. ANGELA WEISS via Getty Images
Trump, who has yet to accept the results of the election, has not taken the disease as seriously as Biden.
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He mocked Biden for wearing a mask (“Did you ever see a man that likes a mask as much as him?”), flirted with the idea of injecting disinfectant as a therapeutic and constantly played down the threat of the disease that has killed more than 250,000 Americans.
On Monday it was revealed a coronavirus vaccine being trialled by two pharmaceutical giants has been found to be more than 90% effective in preventing Covid-19 in tests.
The vaccine is being developed by Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech.
The study of more than 43,500 people – which was held across six countries – did not uncover any serious safety concerns, the companies said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--It Would Be A 'Colossal Mistake' To Relax Despite Vaccine Breakthrough, Warns Health Official

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A Covid-19 vaccine could be available for “some” by Christmas but it would be a “colossal mistake” for Brits to relax amid the winter second wave, Jonathan Van-Tam has said.
England’s deputy chief medical officer said he was “hopeful” a vaccine programme could soon be rolled out, but cautioned it would be the spring before a “horizon” was in sight.
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“We have seen a swallow but this is very much not the summer,” he said, at the Downing Street press conference on Monday.
It came after the announcement from Pfizer and BioNTech that a coronavirus vaccine in trials is more than 90% effective in preventing the disease.
John Bell, who advises the government and is professor or medicine at Oxford University, said on Monday that it was a “major step” in the fight against the virus and he could say “with some confidence” life could return to normal by spring.
Van-Tam said the news represented a significant moment in the battle against the disease, but that it would be for the independent regulator to clear it for use in the UK.
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“This is a very important scientific breakthrough. I am certain of that,” he said.
“I am hopeful because of all that, but not yet certain that we could begin to see some vaccine by Christmas.”
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson (C) speaks flanked by British Army Brigadier Joe Fossey (R) and Britain's Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Jonathan Van-Tam (L) during a virtual press conference on the coronavirus pandemic in the UK inside 10 Downing Street in central London on November 9, 2020. (Photo by Tolga Akmen / POOL / AFP) (Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) TOLGA AKMEN via Getty Images
He said age would be “by far and away” the most important factor in determining who should receive the vaccine first.
Using a football metaphor, he said: “So this is like… getting to the end of the playoff final, it’s gone to penalties, the first player goes up and scores goal.
“You haven’t won the cup yet, but what it does is it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten.”
But Prof Van-Tam said “we don’t yet know” when life can get back to normal or when coronavirus restrictions can start to be lifted.
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“Frankly, we’re in the middle of the second wave, and I don’t see the vaccine making any difference for the wave we are now in,” he said.
“I’m hopeful that it may prevent future waves, but this one we have to battle through to the end without a vaccine.”
Prime minister Boris Johnson echoed what Van-Tam said, adding:
“We absolutely cannot rely on this news as a solution and the biggest mistake we could make now is to soften our resolve.”
The PM said “scientific cavalry” was on its way, but stressed the need for caution.
“I must stress that these are very, very early days,” he said.
Johnson said he had talked about the “distant bugle of the scientific cavalry coming over the brow of the hill” with a breakthrough.
“I can tell you that tonight that toot of the bugle is louder, but it’s still some way off, we absolutely cannot rely on this news as a solution,” he said.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Countdown Announces Temporary New Host As Nick Hewer Shields In Lockdown

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Countdown viewers will have to get used to some changes in the coming weeks, as a new presenter is temporarily taking over from Nick Hewer.
Radio DJ Colin Murray will be presiding over the Channel 4 quiz show as the team films new episodes while Nick shields at home during lockdown.
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Colin is already known to Countdown audiences, having regularly sat in Dictionary Corner, alongside Susie Dent.
Nick Hewer will not be filming Countdown during lockdown Channel 4
Nick announced the news on Twitter on Monday, revealing that in spite of the safety protocols show bosses have put in place to allow them to continue recording, his family have asked him to stay at home.
Writing on Twitter, he said: “Good luck to Colin Murray, popular dictionary corner guest and Countdown fanatic, who takes over from me as host today and for the rest of Covid lockdown recordings (although I’ll still be on your screens for a week or two) as this 76-year-old shields at home – in spite of the amazing military-style safety protocols put in place by ITV Studios and Channel 4.
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“Between you and me, I’d have confidently carried on, but the family has handcuffed me to a radiator, saying ‘You’re not going anywhere’.”
Colin Murray will be keeping Nick's chair warm Channel 4
Nick added: “So have fun Colin and keep my chair warm for me.”
Good luck to Colin Murray, popular dictionary corner guest and Countdown fanatic, who takes over from me as host today and for the rest of Covid Lockdown recordings (although I’ll still be on your screens for a week or two) as this 76 year old shields at home - in spite of...... — Nick Hewer (@Nick_Hewer) November 9, 2020
,,,,,,the amazing military-style safety protocols put in place by ITV Studios and Channel4. Between you and me, I’d have confidently carried on, but the family has handcuffed me to a radiator, saying ‘you’re not going anywhere’. So have fun Colin and keep my chair warm for me — Nick Hewer (@Nick_Hewer) November 9, 2020
Back in July, Nick praised the makers of Countdown for going to “such trouble” over the precautions, as his age makes him vulnerable to coronavirus.
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The former Apprentice star began hosting the show in 2012, after taking over from Jeff Stelling.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Police Launch Appeal After Foxes Shot With Crossbow In Greenwich

Metropolitan Police have issued an appeal for information after three foxes were shot with a crossbow in Greenwich, London. Police handout
London’s Metropolitan Police have issued an appeal for information after three foxes were shot with a crossbow in Greenwich.
Two were found dead and another is reported to have been seen with a “bolt or arrow” sticking out of its back in the same location.
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The Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit was contacted on Thursday after a member of the public saw an injured fox in Parkgate, near Blackheath.
Volunteers from charity the Fox Project were called to the scene and treated the animal, but couldn’t save it.
Three foxes have been shot with a crossbow in the area of Parkgate SE3 9XF over the past few days.
Shooting wild animals with a crossbow is an offence & police are appealing for info to find the person/s responsible.
☎ 101 / Tweet @MetCC quoting CAD 4617/06Nov
@MPSMiddlePark pic.twitter.com/X57jbomjje — Greenwich MPS (@MPSGreenwich) November 9, 2020
Conchi Gago, from the Met’s Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “It’s absolutely shocking that two animals have died in such awful circumstances.
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“It is obvious that whoever did this did so deliberately and it is disturbing to think that someone would intend to injure and kill a wild animal.”
The Fox Project is offering a £2,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of whoever is responsible for the attacks.
The charity’s founder, Trevor Williams, said: “Every year we treat more than 1,000 foxes at our specialist rescue centre but this is a truly shocking case.
“It’s hard to understand that there is a small minority of people in society who are capable of such extreme cruelty to animals.”
Under section 11 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, using a bow or crossbow to kill an animal is illegal and you can be prosecuted for it.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Mark Hamill Has A Very 'Star Wars' Reaction To Trump Losing

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Mark Hamill knows a thing or two about defeating Death Stars.
President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, which once compared itself to the planet-destroying weapon in Star Wars, was taken down over the weekend with Joe Biden’s projected victory as the next president of the United States.
Of that, Mark, otherwise known as Luke Skywalker himself, had a very Star Wars response.
“Best Episode Ever,” Mark wrote, sharing a meme likening the Star Wars movies to the presidency. Barack Obama is appropriately A New Hope, Trump is Empire Strikes Back and Biden is Return of the Jedi.
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Mark also tweeted, “Yub nub, y’all... Here & all over the planet, YUB NUB*!!!” and shared a video showing people celebrating the Biden win as if it were the end of Return of the Jedi:
Yub nub, y'all... Here & all over the planet, YUB NUB*!!!
🇺🇸🌎🎆🗺🧨🌐👏🌍🎇🌏😍🏳🌈🥰🏳⚧👍
(*#Hooray_Freedom) https://t.co/igMe1c6qYI — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 8, 2020
If you hadn’t guessed, Mark isn’t a Trump fan. The actor has been a staunch supporter of Biden, even fact-checking Trump as “the worst president ever” in a video for the now-president elect.
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But Mark wasn’t done with his fantastical fictional comparisons. He borrowed from another huge franchise for one last Trump burn.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Vernon Kay Shows Fans His I'm A Celeb Quarantine House – And It's Way More Luxurious Than The Show's

Vernon Kay Shows Fans His I'm A Celeb Quarantine House – And It's Way More Luxurious Than The Show's New Castle

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With all of this year’s I’m A Celebrity contestants currently in insolation prior to entering the castle later this week, Vernon Kay has given fans a glimpse inside his quarantine quarters – and it’s much more luxurious than what he’s about to experience.
The TV presenter posted a video tour of the mansion he has been living in alone prior to the ITV reality show kicking off on Sunday.
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This year, the show is relocating from the Australian jungle to a creepy castle in the Welsh countryside due to the pandemic, with all the contestants required to self-isolate for two weeks beforehand to ensure they are Covid-free.
After it was announced Vernon was one of the 10 celebrities taking part in the new series, he shared a post on Instagram reacting to the news and showing his followers inside the luxury pad in Anglesey.
Golf enthusiast Vernon has set up his own net in the sprawling garden, as well as a putting course indoors.
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The outside also features a hot tub, while there is also a fully equipped gym for him to work out in.
Vernon also revealed all of his food and drink needs are catered for by the production team, who deliver items to the house.
Vernon Kay ITV
The former Family Fortunes host has been forced to isolate away from wife Tess Daly, who is currently busy hosting the current series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The couple are parents to 16-year-old Phoebe and Amber, 11.
This year's I'm A Celebrity line-up ITV
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ITV recently confirmed that one of the contestants on the line-up was still in self-isolation, having recently tested positive for coronavirus.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Lord Kilcloony Rebuked For 'Racist' And 'Entirely Unacceptable' Kamala Harris Tweet

Paul Faith - PA Images via Getty Images
A member of the House of Lords has been condemned for a tweet in which he referred to the US vice-president elect Kamala Harris as “the Indian”, claiming not to know her name.
Lord John Kilclooney was accused of racism on Monday morning when he asked a question about the line of presidential succession if Joe Biden “moves on”.
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He said: ”What happens if Biden moves on and the Indian becomes President. Who then becomes Vice President?”
What happens if Biden moves on and the Indian becomes President. Who then becomes Vice President? — Lord John Kilclooney (@KilclooneyJohn) November 9, 2020
The tweet – which has since been deleted – was met with widespread disbelief, including from former Biden adviser Jon Wolfsthal, who tweeted: “1) She is American. 2) You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Labour leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Angela Smith, said the remark was “despicable and beneath contempt, and totally unacceptable from anyone – but especially from someone in Parliament”.
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The Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, said: “Lord Kilclooney should retract and apologise. This is an offensive way to refer to anyone, let alone a woman who has just made history.
“The comment is entirely unacceptable and has no place in British politics. I could not be clearer.”
Conservative MP Simon Hoare, who is chair of the Commons Northern Ireland affairs select committee, wrote that the message was: “Bad. Rude. Racist. Appalling,” and said he had submitted a formal complaint to the Lord Speaker’s office.
Bad. Rude. Racist. Appalling. He should apologise and withdraw. I understand he has blocked me for saying so. https://t.co/poXp3RRygp — Simon Hoare MP (@Simon4NDorset) November 9, 2020
This would even have been racist 100 years ago. Disgrace. — Matt Haig (@matthaig1) November 9, 2020
Labour shadow minister Wes Streeting said “action must be taken” over the peer’s tweet.
“He did it before to Leo Varadkar and now he’s done it to Kamala Harris. This sort of racism would be unacceptable from anyone, but from a member of the House of Lords it beggars belief,” Streeting tweeted.
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Lord Kilclooney, currently a crossbench peer, previously deleted a tweet describing former Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar as a “typical Indian”. Varadkar’s father is Indian.
Labour’s shadow justice secretary David Lammy added: “She is called Kamala Harris. Please send this awful comment straight back to the dark ages.”
Please tell me this is a parody account. — Pádraig Belton (@PadraigBelton) November 9, 2020
Lord Kilclooney denied that his message was racist, and tweeted that he would “certainly withdraw my reference to her as an Indian as it seems to have upset some people” but had not deleted the tweet in question.
Whilst Biden is proud to be Irish and Harris is rightly proud of her Indian background I certainly withdraw my reference to her as an Indian as it seems to have upset some people. I did not know her name and identified her with the term Indian. Most people understood.Racist NO. — Lord John Kilclooney (@KilclooneyJohn) November 9, 2020
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He also told PA Media: “The first thing is to get it in perspective. The criticism is minor, the support is massive – I’ve never had so many Twitter followers in one day, ever.
“I’m very fond of India myself. I’m a member of the British India all-party group, I have two Indians [tenants] in my flats here in London and there’s nothing racist in it whatsoever.
“She’s proud of her Indian roots just as Biden’s proud to say he’s Irish.”
He justified his previous tweet about Varadkar by saying “I didn’t know his name at the time” but, asked if he will delete his latest message now he knows Harris’s name, he said: “No, not indeed. Because she’s proud of her Indian background.”
The 82-year-old peer, who is no longer a member of the UUP, said that he did not try to find out Harris’s name online before writing the tweet.
Asked why he did not use a search engine before sending the message, he replied: “That’s not your concern.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--Brexiteer Tory Warns Joe Biden: Our Mandate Is Bigger Than Yours

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A backbench Tory MP has told Joe Biden that Brexiteers have a bigger mandate for leaving the EU than he does for his presidency.
John Redwood wrote an open letter to Biden, insisting the UK will uphold the Good Friday Agreement for peace in Northern Ireland.
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The issue is threatening to cause friction between Boris Johnson and the US president-elect, who has expressed concerns about the UK government’s controversial law-breaking internal market bill and its potential impact on peace in Northern Ireland.
Joe Biden Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
The pair have yet to speak since Biden’s victory was confirmed on Saturday and Democratic figures have criticised Johnson for his past comments about Barack Obama.
But Redwood dismissed Biden’s concerns that the legislation could lead to the erection of a border between Northern Ireland and the Republic as “false EU rumours”.
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The ex-minister went on to compare the 52% to 48% Brexit victory of 2016 to Biden’s 50.7% to 47.7% victory over Donald Trump in the US election last week.
Biden garnered more than 75.4m votes, compared to the 17.4m who voted for Brexit.
John Redwood PA
In a letter to Biden published on his website, Redwood said: “I must stress that the UK does uphold the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland.
“As we leave the EU we have no plans to impose a hard border between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, contrary to false EU rumours.
“It is the EU which seems to be planning new border controls on their side of the border which you may like to take up with them.
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“The UK’s EU referendum gave us a larger percentage mandate for exit than your own convincing win, so you will understand the importance to us of becoming a truly independent country again on January 1 next year.”
Redwood also claimed Trump’s defeat showed there was still “considerable support for his Republican vision of growth promoted by lower taxes, putting America first when dealing with China, promoting peace in the Middle East, and protecting individual liberties” because the loser got more than 70m votes.
Addressing Biden, Redwood went on: “It is a pity he [Trump] has chosen to query the election outcome without setting out convincing evidence of the voter fraud he alleges. It makes your task of uniting America more difficult.
“The UK respects democratic mandates and agrees with you that the results of counting all the valid votes are the sacred instruction of the people which all true democrats respect.”
Responding to Redwood’s letter, Liberal Democrat Brexit spokesperson Christine Jardine said: “As much as I am sure that the US president-elect, Joe Biden, will be grateful for all the words of wisdom he will receive in the coming months, unfortunately this letter from John Redwood is not one of them.
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“Joe Biden has made clear that the internal market bill does not respect the good Friday Agreement and that it should not be allowed to be a casualty of Brexit.
“John Redwood would be better spending his time sending letters to his own prime minister, urging the government to accept the changes set to be passed by the House of Lords later this evening, which will remove the illegal aspects from the legislation.”
Best for Britain CEO Naomi Smith said: “John Redwood has helpfully highlighted precisely why the new president is concerned about protecting the Good Friday Agreement.
“It is clear that, regardless of the consequences, Redwood doesn’t believe anything should interfere with his political nirvana. That includes imposing a hard border on the island of Ireland if the EU don’t accept all our demands.
“There is no mandate for that and, if the government does continue to undermine international law, it faces being given the cold shoulder by our friends in the States.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--The Crown Series 4: The Reviews Are In, And They're Positively Glowing

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Reviews have begun pouring in for the upcoming fourth series of The Crown – and they’re positively glowing.
While the last season of the royal drama received more mixed reviews, the forthcoming episodes have been raved about by critics, and the show is once again being hailed as the jewel in Netflix’s… well… crown.
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Perhaps unsurprisingly, a great deal of the praise has been heaped on newcomers Emma Corrin and Gillian Anderson, who join The Crown in its fourth series as Princess Diana and former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, respectively.
Emma Corrin as Princess Diana in The Crown Netflix
Here’s just a selection of what’s being said about the show…
“Emma Corrin’s performance blossoms and blooms and pretty soon she is a tour de force as Diana, her peeping-shyly-through-her-fringe mannerisms exactly right. She helps to make this an excellent series [...]”
″[This series] wrings every last drop from its juicy material, especially with the introductions of a young Princess Diana (an uncanny Emma Corrin) and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (a gravel-voiced Gillian Anderson, doing the absolute most with the aid of a towering, immovable wig).”
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“It’s a season of next-level performances, really. Anderson’s turn as Thatcher is so viscerally physical — her head held high under an armoured bouffant, her replication of Thatcher’s raspy, received pronunciation simply impeccable — that it’s impossible to avoid the critical cliché: She is transformed.”
“If it’s possible to make a thoughtful and internalised drama about the Monarchy during the 1980s – the era of big hair and even bigger scandals – Morgan has found a way.”
“Peter Morgan meticulously juggles both standalone events [...] and the overarching stories to create both stand-alone, world-class cinematic episodes and the classiest, most compelling soap opera ever.”
“In a season with the most pop culture audience pressure riding on it — because of the Princess Diana factor, there is no doubt that people who have never watched a single second of The Crown before now will tune in — Peter Morgan’s show delivers its best yet.”
“Offering some awkward comedy but also some icy tension, the relationship between The Queen and Thatcher helps to provide some of Olivia Colman’s best material yet as the monarch, while Gillian Anderson will no doubt enter awards conversation for her remarkable turn channelling the Iron Lady.”
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“For his part, Josh O’Connor does an excellent job as Prince Charles, which can’t have been easy. [...] Almost every scene with Diana brings out the worst in him, and many of those scenes are heart-breaking to watch. This is The Crown at its best.”
“The latest episodes are dizzyingly beautiful and staggering in scope, anchored in a gorgeous breakout turn from newcomer Corrin. Rather than flounder under the weight of playing the most photographed woman of the era, she wears our collective expectations as effortlessly as she pulls off that pageboy haircut.”
“The Crown season 4 is possibly the most anticipated Netflix series of the year, and that’s down to the introduction of two people – Margaret Thatcher (Gillian Anderson) and Diana Spencer (Emma Corrin). Thank God it lives up to the hype, with the most captivating episodes to date thanks mainly to these two women.”
“Viewers will see a masterclass in acting by Anderson and Colman as the two juggernauts of their craft subtly spar with each other as Queen and Prime Minister increasingly take decidedly different stances on everything from the Commonwealth to motherhood.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-11-09--5 Lawsuits And Criminal Investigations Trump Could Face Once He Leaves Office

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Donald Trump on Wednesday left the White House for the luxury surroundings of his Florida golf resort after begrudgingly handing over the presidential reins to Joe Biden.
Unfortunately for the now-former president, his first few days without the heavy responsibilities of the Oval Office may not be quite a relaxing as he hopes.
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Now Trump is no longer the most powerful man in the world, he doesn’t have the legal protections that go with it and, as you’re about to see, there’s potentially an awful lot he needs protecting from.
Trump leaving the White House for the last time as president on Wednesday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
Here are some of the other lawsuits and criminal probes that may haunt Trump from today...
Possible tax fraud
While Trump still hasn’t released his tax returns, dogged reporting (especially by the New York Times) has made some startling revelations – not least that he paid just $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017.
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Some legal experts have said that, based on the report, Trump could face federal income tax evasion charges, and could conceivably face a criminal prosecution brought by the US Department of Justice, led by a new US attorney general.
“You’ve got the stuff that has come out of the New York Times that has all kind of [indicators] of tax fraud,” Nick Akerman, a lawyer at Dorsey & Whitney and a former federal prosecutor, told the news wire Reuters.
Akerman cautioned that it was not possible to know for certain until seeing all of the evidence.
Trump has rejected findings from the NYT report, tweeting that he had paid many millions of dollars in taxes and had in fact used legal methods to reduce his tax bill.
Twitter
As yet there is no evidence Trump paid “millions of dollars in tax” and, in 10 of the previous 15 years, Trump paid no federal income taxes at all.
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He also has more than $300m in loans due to be repaid in the next four years.
Such a prosecution would be pretty controversial, and the Justice Department could decide charging Trump is not in the public interest even if there is evidence of criminal wrongdoing.
Joe Biden has approached that question very carefully, saying he would not interfere with his Justice Department’s judgment.
Biden told National Public Radio in August that pursuing criminal charges against his predecessor would be “a very, very unusual thing and probably not very – how can I say it? – good for democracy”.
A lawyer for Trump did not return Reuters’ requests for comment.
Trump returns to the White House on Saturday. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The New York Prosecutor
Manhattan district attorney Cyrus Vance, who enforces New York state laws, has been conducting a criminal investigation into Trump and the Trump Organisation for more than two years.
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The probe originally focused on “hush money” payments that Trump’s former lawyer and self-described fixer Michael Cohen paid before the 2016 election to two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump, which the president has denied.
Vance, a Democrat, has suggested in recent court filings that his probe is now broader and could focus on bank, tax and insurance fraud, as well as falsification of business records.
Trump has called Vance’s case politically motivated harassment.
The case has drawn attention because of Vance’s efforts to obtain eight years of Trump’s tax returns.
Despite saying all is well with them, Trump has gone to great lengths to stop his tax returns being made public which is obviously slightly... suspicious.
In July, the US Supreme Court denied his request to keep them under wraps, but only allowed prosecutors access to them – not the Democratic-led committees that were also after them.
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The mixed verdicts meant the they would be kept out of the public eye for the time being, and the legal arguments are still making their way through various US courts.
One of the uncertainties that remains is whether or not prosecuting a sitting president is constitutional. As soon as Trump leaves office, though, it’s likely to be fair game.
“Those concerns will disappear when Trump leaves office,” said Harry Sandick, a former prosecutor in New York.
The investigation poses a threat to Trump, said Corey Brettschneider, a professor of political science at Brown University.
“The fact that they have issued the subpoenas and have litigated all the way to the Supreme Court suggests that this is a very serious criminal investigation of the president,” Brettschneider said.
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Trump was playing golf when he found out Joe Biden had won the election. OLIVIER DOULIERY via Getty Images
The fraud investigation
New York’s attorney general Letitia James has an active tax fraud investigation into Trump and his family company, the Trump Organisation.
The inquiry by James, a Democrat, began after Trump’s former lawyer Cohen told Congress the president inflated asset values to save money on loans and insurance, and deflated them to reduce real estate taxes.
The Trump Organisation has argued the case is politically motivated.
The inquiry is a civil investigation, meaning it could result in financial penalties but not jail time.
Trump’s son Eric, an executive vice-president for the firm, was deposed in October because of what the attorney general described as his close involvement in one or more transactions being reviewed.
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The White House on Sunday morning. ASSOCIATED PRESS
The defamation suit
E Jean Carroll, a former Elle magazine writer, sued Trump for defamation in 2019 after the president denied her allegation that he raped her in the 1990s in a New York department store, and accused her of lying to drum up sales for a book.
In August, a state judge allowed the case to go forward, meaning Carroll’s lawyers could seek a DNA sample from Trump to match against a dress she said she wore at the store.
A federal judge in Manhattan rejected a bid by the US Justice Department to substitute the federal government for Trump as defendant in the case. US district judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan said that Trump did not make his statements about Carroll in the scope of his employment as president.
Barbara McQuade, a law professor at the University of Michigan, said she expected Biden’s justice department to abandon the effort to shield Trump from the case.
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“It would seem unlikely for [the Department of Justice] to continue to pursue what I see as a frivolous argument in a new administration,” said McQuade, a former federal prosecutor.
Carroll said last year that she does not plan to file a criminal complaint.
The other defamation suit
Trump also faces a lawsuit by Summer Zervos, a 2005 contestant on Trump’s reality television show The Apprentice, who says Trump kissed her against her will at a 2007 meeting and later groped her at a hotel.
After Trump called Zervos a liar, she sued him for defamation.
Trump said he is immune from the lawsuit because he is president.