thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Our Antibody Response To Coronavirus Could Decline Over Time, Study Warns

Covid-19 Viaframe via Getty Images
Our antibody response to coronavirus could decline over time, new research has revealed.
A study by Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI tested more than 365,000 people in England between June and September to see if they had any Covid-19 antibodies.
Antibodies are a type of protein produced by the body in response to an infection to fight the attack.
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Researchers found that the number of people who tested positive for coronavirus antibodies was 6% between June 20 and July 13. But by the end of September, this had dropped to just 4.4%.
Experts said the results of the study could suggest that our antibody response to Covid-19 reduces over time.
Helen Ward, one of the lead authors, said: “This very large study has shown that the proportion of people with detectable antibodies is falling over time.
“We don’t yet know whether this will leave these people at risk of reinfection with the virus that causes Covid-19, but it is essential that everyone continues to follow guidance to reduce the risk to themselves and others.”
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It remains unclear whether Covid-19 antibodies – which are produced when the body is attacked by an infection – provide any effective level of immunity.
But the study found that the reduction in the prevalence of antibodies was not equal across all age groups.
People aged 18 to 24 had the highest prevalence of antibodies between June and September – and this figure declined at the slowest rate out of all age groups.
Meanwhile, people aged 75 and over not only had the lowest prevalence of antibodies, but also the biggest decline in numbers.
In the latest round of the study, between September 15 and 28, the prevalence of antibodies was highest in London, and in those of Black and Asian ethnicity.
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Scientists said the results of the research showed that a vaccine is needed to protect large numbers of the population, and so-called “herd immunity” is still a “long, long way” off.
Graham Cooke, professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London, said: “The big picture here is that after the first wave, the great majority of the country still did not have evidence of protective immunity.”
It means the country still has a “great majority of people” who are unlikely to have been exposed to Covid-19, he said.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Why We Need To Stop Saying 'When Things Get Back To Normal'

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Oliver Helbig via Getty Images Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that getting back to normal isn’t “going to be a light switch that you turn on and off."
How many times in the last few months have the words “When things get back to normal...” come out of your mouth?
“When things get back to normal, I’m finally using all my vacation days and taking that trip to Italy.”
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“When things get back to normal, I’m never saying ‘no’ to an invite from my friends to go out on the weekends.”
Seven months into the pandemic, the refrain of “when things get back to normal” has become common. Covid fatigue is very, very real. Pining for better days, for “getting back to normal” as soon as possible, makes sense as a coping mechanism. But is it the healthiest outlook to take, when expert after expert warns that it will be quite some time until “normalcy” ― at least as we defined it pre-pandemic ― returns?
Getting back to normal isn’t “going to be a light switch that you turn on and off,” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert, told people in the spring. Realistically, the world won’t get back to something like “normalcy” until late 2021, when a vaccine for Covid-19 could be widely distributed, Fauci said in September.
“Normal” will look considerably different post-Covid. Just like in the aftermath of the September 11 terror attacks in the US, people will have to adjust to new security precautions. Temperature checks and lower-capacity restrictions in public places will likely become commonplace, for starters. We might become a mask-wearing culture.
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And for the families and friends of the people who have died because of Covid, the prospect of “getting back to normal” without their loved ones around is a complicated matter. As comedian Rhea Butcher put it recently, at this point, we’re “not in a quarantine, but just an unending, normalised pandemic.”
Given that disheartening reality, what we need is realistic optimism and a kind of tempered hope, according to Ryan Kelly, a psychologist in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“We need hope to thrive,” he told HuffPost. “However, unrealistic optimism can be a problem, too ― it’s the person who says ‘This glass of water is half full and we’ll never need water again!’”
“A post-Covid world should be remarkably different, meaning some things may not feel ‘normal’ or ‘comfortable.’ But we will adapt to that, too, and be stronger for it.” - Ryan Kelly, psychologist
When Kelly’s clients bring up their hopes for a “return to normal,” he gets it. “What they usually mean is that they want to feel safe and comfortable again, which is understandable. But I don’t think it’s healthy to aspire to a return to the normal of yesterday.”
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Kelly, a big comic book fan, thinks it would be wise to lean into Marvel creator Stan Lee’s famous “Excelsior!” motto when times get tough. “Excelsior” is a Latin word meaning “ever upward” ― not “ever the same,” Kelly explained.
“We are designed to adapt and grow, not simply to ‘exist,’” he said. “And that can only be achieved by overcoming adversity and embracing progressive change.”
A post-Covid world should be “remarkably different,” he said, “meaning some things may not feel ‘normal’ or ‘comfortable.’ But we will adapt to that, too, and be stronger for it.”
Instead of fixating on a quick return to normal, we should mentally prepare for a difficult 2021 so we can be pleasantly surprised if and when a positive development on the Covid front does occur, said Elisabeth LaMotte, therapist.
The best advice LaMotte has received about psychologically navigating the pandemic came from a therapy client in late March. This woman brought up Navy Vice Adm. James Stockdale’s reflections on his almost eight years as the highest-ranking naval officer prisoner of war in Vietnam.
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Stockdale observed that his fellow POWs who fared well emotionally were the ones who realised they could be living in captivity for an exceedingly long time. Meanwhile, LaMotte said, “the optimistic prisoners, who pinned their hopes on being released, fell apart.”
This idea became known as the “Stockdale paradox.”
“This pandemic and its restrictions are obviously nothing like being held captive as a war prisoner, but it is optimal to prepare for the long haul,” LaMotte said.
To that end, we should focus on what we can control right now. LaMotte recommends using idle hours to discover a productive routine, nurture relationships, exercise regularly and take good care of yourself.
“No one wants to live like this forever, and it is adaptive to remain hopeful,” she said. “But it is also emotionally prudent to assume that this is our enduring new normal, at least for the foreseeable future.”
Getty Images Therapist Elizabeth McCorvey recommends saying "When things open back up...” since it touches on a technical aspect of things, rather than the more abstract idea of “normalcy.”
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Is there a better way to look at all this than “getting back to normal”?
If the idea of “getting back to normal” is unhelpful, is there a more tempered phrase ― something that’s hopeful but that acknowledges we might be in this for the long haul?
Elizabeth McCorvey, a psychotherapist from Hendersonville, North Carolina, said she’s taken to saying “When things open back up...” since it touches on a technical aspect rather than the more abstract idea of “normalcy.”
“I tell people to think about what you’re actually saying when you say ‘back to normal,’” she said. “Are you saying ‘back to normal’ when you really mean ‘when I felt safe, loved, in routine, emotionally and economically stable and secure’? If so, try saying that.”
It can help your mood to focus less on the broad (“getting back to normal”) and instead hone in on exactly what you’re missing. Sometimes, when your goals are more precise, there will be actionable things you can do to get closer to them.
“Maybe you’re saying ‘I wish things were back to normal’ when you really mean ‘I wish I could hug my mum,’ or ‘I wish I had a stable sense of my finances,’” McCorvey said. “Having a specific sense of what you need means you can have a more specific action plan to get back to a healthier state.”
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The reality is, “normal” wasn’t working for many of us.
There’s another point to note: For many of us, what constituted “normal” before Covid wasn’t exactly a place worth returning to.
If we look at this utterly exhausting year as a whole ― the pandemic, the social unrest over racial injustice, the economic crisis ― a case can be made for not wanting to return to “normal” as it once was.
FG Trade via Getty Images Instead of idealizing the old definition of “normal,” it might be smarter to figure out a system that’s safer and and healthier for all of us, one therapist said.
Instead of idealising that old “normal,” it might be smarter to use this time to figure out a system that’s safer and and healthier for all of us, McCorvey said. If we play our cards right, she believes, Covid-19 and our current reality could be a huge wake-up call.
“You think it’s hard living in a world where you’re not sure who is safe and who’s not? Where you have to be mindful of which buildings you go in, and some days, circumstances mean it’s safer just to not leave the house? That’s every day for a lot of BIPOC folks,” McCorvey said. “And a lot of disabled folks. And a lot of neuro-divergent folks. And a lot of trans folks.”
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Now that we’ve all gotten a taste of that, McCorvey said, it’s worth asking: “What’s my role in creating a safer and healthier community so no one has to deal with that?”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--15 Top Christmas Toys Generating The Biggest Buzz In 2020

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HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.
I have a confession: when I started compiling this gift guide, to help me select some of the ‘must-have’ gifts for kids this Christmas, I went straight to the source: my own.
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Yep, I sat down with my four and eight-year-old to write their Christmas lists, reminding them this year’s celebrations are likely to be quite different, not least because our area is currently in a tier 2 lockdown.
They were anxious it might mean Santa couldn’t come – but even though money is tight for everyone at the moment, I reassured them Santa would likely find at least one special toy in his workshop.
So with their help – plus some diligent research – here are 15 toys for kids generating the biggest buzz in 2020.
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Gibsons Jigsaw Puzzle For Rebel Girls
A great choice for a Covid Christmas, as you can do it indoors and get Granny involved, too. My daughter loved the book, which celebrates queens, activists, scientists, artists and sporting champions throughout history, and picked the puzzle version out immediately. Best for slightly older kids.
Argos Trapped: Escape Room Assorted
An ‘escape room in a box’ sounds like perfect fun for older kids (8+) – it’s an action-packed escape room experience for families that promises to, “turn any room into an escape room”. With clever clues to crack and puzzles to solve, you can choose between Carnival (easy), Art Heist (medium) and Bank Job (hard). Each one takes 1-2 hours to complete depending on your level of cunning.
Golden Bear Toys Smart Ball Speed Football
Smart Ball Speed Football, Golden Bear Toys, £24.99
This innovative football measures how fast you kick the ball. Simply place the Speed Ball on the kicking tee, switch on the in-built sensor, listen for the countdown then kick the ball as hard as you can. The speed you kick the ball will register in kilometres per hour. You can even challenge friends and family to see who has the fastest kick. The challenge is on!
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Nintendo Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit on Nintendo Switch
It’s time to turn your home into a race track. You can drive a kart in the real world using the usual controls, while watching all the action from the kart’s on-board camera, via your Nintendo Switch or TV screen. Basically, your home will be transformed into the bottom of the ocean, a sandy desert and more... it’s the priciest item on our list, but my kids are already obsessed.
Smyths CoComelon Musical Doctor Checkup Set
A musical doctor kit? In a global pandemic? Topical, relevant and, in this case, fun. Check. The set is inspired by nursery rhymes from the popular YouTube series, CoComelon, which means your little one can sing the “Doctor Checkup Song” – accompanied by 9 different doctors’ office sounds. Lie down and sneak a nap while your child checks your heart with the stethoscope, your temperature with the thermometer, and gives you a (hopefully, painless) shot with the syringe.
Argos Little Live Gotta Go Flamingo, £33
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This interactive flamingo wiggles and jiggles his neck – and repeats what you say. He even tells you he needs a “poop” after he’s fed, and sings the hilarious ‘Uh Oh Gotta Go!’ song. My kids already want one each. Oh, no.
VTech/Argos KidiZoom Studio
Your kids can be the star of their own videos – this kit comes complete with green screen to create special effects, too. Set up the included tripod to film videos, or use the flip-up lens and handle to capture selfie videos.
LEGO/Argos LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course Toy Game
No gift guide is complete without a Lego toy, right? For kids aged six and over, this Lego Super Mario Starter Course features a highly interactive Lego Mario figure – with colour sensors and LCD screens in his eyes, mouth and belly to display more than 100 different instant reactions to movement.
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Argos Argos Little Tikes First Washer Dryer Playset
Little Tikes First Washer/Dryer is an interactive toy designed to be as realistic as the real thing, so kids can pretend to do laundry like the grown ups – lucky, ahem, them. Tots can turn dials to hear wash/dry cycle sounds, and there’s more than 10 laundry accessories. For ages 2 and over.
Smyths Power Treads
Power Treads is an all-surface vehicle that flips, rips and roams all over your home. Create your own custom course using the Power Treads modular track set with interchangeable pieces. The bigger the scale, the more epic the trail!
Galt Toys/Amazon Germ Attack!
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This year’s most topical game, Germ Attack, teaches children valuable lessons about beating germs whilst having fun. The latest game in the best-selling Horrible Science range, children can play as either the shrunken scientist or gruesome germs as they race through the body, aiming to be the first to get to the heart.
Schleich/Amazon Large Dino Research Station
MAXX, the ringleader, has lots to do at the dino research station from Schleich Dinosaurs. In addition to the command centre, the station also has a viewing platform with swivelling tranquiliser dart gun and a crane. Underneath, there’s a quarantine room for newly captured dinos... sounds perfect for a Covid Christmas.
Argos Drone Home Game.
Drone Home is the first ever game to feature a real drone! Launch each of your aliens down the ramp and into the drone. Once an alien is inside, it will lift off and the alien can flee to safety. But if your family are competitive, watch out – other players can sabotage your mission by knocking your alien out with their own. The goal is to be the first to get all your aliens safely home. Age 6+.
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Pound Toy Eco Gelli Play - orange
Eco Gelli Play, Pound Toy, £2
It’s time to dive into some sensory, squishy fun, by sprinkling a bag of Gelli Play powder into some water, where it’ll turn into eco-friendly Gelli. The unique texture of Gelli Play, the manufacturers say, along with the bright colours, encourage sensory development. Safe from harsh chemicals! Age 3+.
ThumbsUp NASA Retro Galaxy Lamp


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Coronavirus Postponed My Wedding, Twice. And That Taught Me Something

Mark Dymchenko via Getty Images Bride in a wedding dress with a medical protective mask in her hands, on a pink background
“Are you worried this virus could threaten your wedding,” I remember a friend texting me back in March. That evening, my fiancé and I had been ignoring all news surfacing of any virus, instead arguing over wedding favours.
“Not at all, it’s just affecting Asia,” I replied dismissively, bemused she could even suggest such a thing to a bride-to-be who had been meticulously planning her wedding for 15 months and was on the cusp of the final countdown.
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Like many industries, no one could really quite imagine what a write off weddings would be for 2020. As events unfolded from that March evening, it became clear we wouldn’t be able to have the day we had been looking forward to. We would not be able to host 130 guests, and a big question mark appeared over our Sri Lanka honeymoon.
Fast forward a few months and our wedding has now been postponed twice – once in May and again in October. In May, weddings of any form were not allowed and in October, weddings of 15 were permitted with guests wearing masks.
Weddings dreams for thousands of brides and grooms have crumbled, but thinking optimistically there is likely to be an increased appreciation for these joyous moments in the future. After all enduring love which has survived a pandemic could be more of a reason to party. Our big day is now scheduled for Autumn next year.
If all else fails, fingers crossed, the big celebration could be the Golden Wedding Anniversary!
Allow yourself time to mourn your wedding, and then move on
I expected our biggest challenge would be agreeing on bridesmaid dresses with my sister, or maybe finding those pants to suck in my stomach for my wedding dress – not the raging chaos of a worldwide pandemic.
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The heartache was real. Some people may see that is as trivial, but I wouldn’t. At first I felt personally victimised and burst into tears in the office when my hen party was cancelled. People have been having weddings for years, could this pandemic not have waited a few more months, I selfishly thought.
However, as the hardships – lockdowns, job losses, health issues – either directly or indirectly as a result of Covid-19 mounted, I quickly learned to stay grounded. Once I realised this was all out of my control, it was easier to take a step back.
It pays to rein in your inner bridezilla
If someone can’t attend your wedding for a decent enough reason – say they’ve just given birth, live on the other side of the world or have a family wedding clash – it’s key to remember this is just one day, and the best friendships will last years. Don’t burn any bridges.
In fact, the delay in our wedding date has made me more grateful for many people in my life. Our initial wedding date proved to be a clash for one close friend, who was living in another country and due to give birth the week before, but the bridezilla in me was livid. “I am sure you could manage it, just jump on an 18-hour flight and the baby can sleep,” I naively insisted.
Obviously as someone who was not yet a mother, I could not really understand the big deal. Throughout the ups and downs of the pandemic, this friend could not have been more kind and generous with her time. Thank goodness, I managed to rein in my inner bridezilla on this occasion.
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Be fair to your suppliers
Many suppliers are self-employed and will have lost out on work throughout the pandemic. One supplier offered to refund the deposit the first time we cancelled, as she could not make the second date. I refused and insisted it was her money. She is now able to do the third wedding date, and has given us a better deal.
The wedding industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, which has left thousands of businesses out of pocket. I think people will always want to come together and celebrate weddings, but it is hard to know when they will resume as the events we know them to be.
Be flexible... but know your limits
We had waited 18 months for a summer wedding, but we decided to be open-minded with dates going forward. We discussed what government restrictions on numbers we would settle with and those we wouldn’t. Other people have gone ahead and had their special day in the middle of the pandemic, but we decided that wasn’t for us – we wanted to keep pursuing the dream of having a room full of people we love to share the special moment with us. But we also did not want to put our guests at any risk of catching Covid-19, and so, if the pandemic continues, we will be having our big day with any restrictions set upon us next year.
I remember waking up last Christmas Day in a panic as the hot water had run out at home. I then worried that, in five months time, my bridesmaids and I would be showering in Arctic temperatures on the wedding day. It somehow nearly ruined Christmas, but little did I know a cold shower would be the least of my issues in 2020.
We can all imagine getting married, and the intricacies of the day – champagne flowing, beautiful flowers, the bride and groom sparkling the night away. I suppose in these times, it is important to remember that, really, weddings are a day when you say your vows to your other half – everything else is a bonus.
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Fundamentally, weddings as we know them may not be the same for a while, but these uncharted times have taught me to be even more grateful to have a strong relationship.
Laura Mowat is a freelance journalist. Follow her on Twitter @lcmowat


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--BAME People Hit Hardest By Covid-19 Due To Decades Of 'Injustice, Inequality And Discrimination'

A review by Labour peer Doreen Lawrence concluded that decades of injustice and inequality led to BAME people being disproportionately hit by coronavirus Anthony Devlin via Getty Images
Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people have been disproportionately hit by the Covid-19 pandemic as a result of “decades of structural injustice, inequality and discrimination”, a damning review led by Baroness Doreen Lawrence has found.
The report – which was commissioned by Labour leader Keir Starmer – branded the situation an “avoidable crisis”, warning that the pandemic must be a “watershed moment for change”.
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“Black, Asian and minority ethnic people have been overexposed, under protected, stigmatised and overlooked during this pandemic – and this has been generations in the making,” Lawrence wrote.
It comes a week after HuffPost UK revealed that intensive care beds across England are filling up with BAME people at the same disproportionate rate as during the first peak, suggesting no lessons were learnt – despite the government making plenty of noise about the commissioning months ago of a review into the problem by Public Health England.
Lawrence’s work has now concluded that BAME people are not only more likely to work in sectors that have been “overexposed” to Covid-19, but to have a higher chance of having other conditions that increase the risk of serious illness and face greater barriers to accessing healthcare.
Workers have been put at risk by the government’s failure to facilitate Covid-secure workplaces, and the “no recourse to public funds” rule has disproportionately affected BAME communities, the report said.
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It also warned that BAME people have faced “disgraceful racism” as people have sought to “blame different communities for the spread of the virus” – fuelled in part by global leaders dubbing it the “Chinese virus”.
Covid-19 dowell via Getty Images
In September, youth worker Hesketh Benoit told HuffPost UK how he had lost 37 friends to Covid-19 – 36 of whom were Black.
“The penny started to drop very early on in the pandemic for me that all the people I knew who were dying of coronavirus were Black,” he said.
“I remember thinking: ‘I don’t know any Caucasian people who’ve died of it.’ And I have lots of friends and know so many people from very diverse backgrounds.”
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Lawrence said her report was a “rallying cry” to break the “clear and tragic pattern” of discrimination and inequality that had led to BAME people being hit harder by the pandemic.
Among her recommendations to government was a warning that it must improve access to PPE in high-risk workplaces and make sure it is appropriate for all staff – including those who wear hijabs, turbans or have a beard for religious reasons.
Employers must also be reminded that they have a legal duty to record Covid-19 deaths caused by occupational exposure, the report said.
Meanwhile, Lawrence said the the government should suspend the “no recourse to public funds” rule for migrants – which prevents them from accessing services – during the pandemic.
And Labour peer also called for barriers to public health information – including linguistic, cultural and digital hurdles – to be removed by ministers by working with faith and community groups to get important messages about coronavirus across.
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Labour leader Starmer welcomed the report, saying it must be a “turning point”.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Nigella Lawson Doesn't 'Take For Granted' That She's Still Alive At 60

DAVID VENNI David Venni
Nigella Lawson doesn’t take for granted that she’s still alive at 60.
“My mother died at 48 and my sister at 32,” she has told Good Housekeeping in a new interview. “And then John [Diamond, her late husband] at 47.
“So, even if I were the sort of person who planned ahead, I don’t think I would have seen myself here… I kind of think you can’t do anything about it [ageing] so why complain?”
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The TV chef says it feels “wrong” when you’ve been surrounded by people who have died young to say, ‘My hair’s awful, I’ve got to get my roots done’ or ‘My hands look like lizards’.
“So I don’t dwell on [ageing],” she said. “As long as you’re healthy, that really is the most important thing.”
Lawson spoke to Good Housekeeping for their December issue, and also discussed her favourite Christmas traditions with the magazine.
“Being with my children, a lot of cooking, a lot of eating and lots of lying about,” she said, speaking of what the big day means to her.
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HuffPost UK David Venni
“I love watching films with them and I enjoy not having things in the timetable. I’m also a bit clichéd and like having the fire burning and lots of tealights and fairy lights.
“It’s about turning my home into this cocooning, magical place where it feels a bit different from the rest of the year.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--BBC Faces Backlash After Oscar Pistorius Trailer Fails To Name Reeva Steenkamp

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The BBC has apologised after a trailer for a new documentary about Oscar Pistorius failed to refer to his murdered girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by name.
The runner – a double amputee who competed in both the Olympics and Paralympics – had been hailed as an inspirational figure for overcoming his disability.
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But he was later jailed for the murder of Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day 2013, and the trial of the South African athlete became a global media sensation.
The BBC said it had removed the offending trailer, which referred to Steenkamp as “his girlfriend” and “she”, prompting criticism online.
A statement from the broadcaster said: “We regret that the original trail did not refer to Reeva Steenkamp directly.
“We are aware of the upset it has caused, which was never the intention. We have removed the trail and it will be replaced by something more representative of the series, which examines in detail a number of complex issues connected with her murder.”
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Pistorius was described as a “remarkable human being” and a “really nice guy”. I couldn’t give a flying f.. about his sporting accomplishments or how “nice” he seemed. He killed a woman called Reeva Steenkamp and he was found guilty. Say her name. #HerNameWasReevaSteenkamp https://t.co/NLt4bK4X1A — Laura Winter (@lauracwinter) October 27, 2020
My god BBC. “The extraordinary story of paralympic and Olympic sprinter” who “suddenly found himself at the centre of a murder investigation.”
Extraordinary? Found himself? INSPIRATIONAL?! No way to talk about a convicted murderer. Talk about minimising the murder of women. pic.twitter.com/OMq0lRARN3 — Sonia Sodha (@soniasodha) October 27, 2020
Four-part series The Trials Of Oscar Pistorius will be available on BBC iPlayer next month before airing on BBC Two at a later date.
The series features interviews with people close to his story and looks back on his journey to becoming an international athletics star before his arrest.
Daniel Gordon, who directed the documentary, said: “The story of Oscar Pistorius is remarkable in its complexity.
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“It’s at once inspirational and harrowing, and provides a lens of insight into a breadth of issues – from gender-based violence to disability rights, racial inequality and media frenzy.
“My hope is that the film gives audiences context and layers to a story they think they know.”
We have removed the trail for 'The Trials of Oscar Pistorius' that was posted on social media earlier today: https://t.co/LL9pRCjvEc pic.twitter.com/pZIMjXpVqE — BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) October 27, 2020
Dan McGolpin, controller of BBC iPlayer, said: “This incredible documentary series provides new perspectives on the terrible events of Valentine’s Day 2013, giving us a deeper and closer look at one of the world’s most remarkable sporting figures, on the South Africa that he grew up in and the media circus that surrounded his trial for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Barack Obama Says Trump Is 'Jealous Of Covid’s Media Coverage'

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No other president in American history has been as hyper-focused on his own press as US president Donald Trump, which might be why he keeps dismissing the seriousness of the Covid-19 pandemic, Barack Obama joked Tuesday.
“More than 225,000 people in this country are dead. More than 100,000 small businesses have closed. Half a million jobs are gone in Florida alone. Think about that,” the former president said at an Orlando, Florida, drive-in rally to support Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
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“And what’s his closing argument? That people are too focused on Covid. He said this at one of his rallies. Covid, Covid, Covid, he’s complaining. He’s jealous of Covid’s media coverage.”
“If we were focused on Covid now, the White House wouldn’t be having its second outbreak in a month,” said Obama, adding that Trump has “turned the White House into a hot zone. Some of the places he holds rallies have seen new spikes right after he leaves town”.
🇺🇸 Running Mate is a US election podcast – just for Brits. Now available everywhere.
Trump has downplayed the coronavirus since the start, calling concerns about it a “hoax”, refusing to issue federal guidelines, pushing unproven treatments, insisting on holding large campaign events, and mocking people for wearing masks and social distancing. Despite the number of new cases spiking again in the US eight months into the pandemic, he keeps boasting that everything is under control.
Obama’s remarks come exactly one week before the last day of voting in an election that polls suggest Biden is favored to win. Trump has repeatedly charged that his Democratic opponent will “Shutdown the Economy at the tip of a hat” if he’s elected. Biden’s camp says the economy has suffered for as long as it has because Trump has refused to take basic steps to stop the spread of Covid-19 so that businesses can safely reopen.
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Florida, where Obama was stumping for his former vice president, remains a close race with Biden leading by a couple of percentage points. Trump won the key swing state in 2016, carried by older, white and blue-collar voters, after Obama had taken Florida in 2008 and 2012.
No one should give Trump a pass on the coronavirus, Obama argued Tuesday.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Five Key Recommendations From The Lawrence Review Into Covid Impact On BAME Communities

Ensure Covid-19 cases from the workplace are properly recorded
BAME workers have suffered disproportionately from the government’s failure to ensure workplaces are Covid-secure, the review found.
Many respondents told Lawrence about inadequate PPE, failures to implement and access risk assessments and insufficient government guidance on their protection.
The review suggests that adequate recording of Covid-19 cases can be achieved by employers documenting occupational infections of Covid-19 in line with health and safety law.
Lawrence also suggests that the government should introduce a legal requirement for employers to publish their Covid-19 risk assessments on a central government portal.
Access to PPE in all high-risk workplaces should also be provided, according to the review, and employers should be careful to provide PPE that is appropriate for all staff – such as those who wear hijabs, turbans or have beards for religious reasons.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Why Universal Credit Is Not A Universal Answer To Covid's Economic Devastation

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It’s been another day and another 24 hours of damage for Boris Johnson over free school meals as he considers how to get away with a climbdown without it being branded as another U-turn.
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The prime minister’s strategy is understandable given the situation he has got himself in, having made a whopping 13 policy U-turns since the coronavirus pandemic.
Johnson is said to be considering giving extra cash to councils to set up holiday clubs, which could feed hungry children in England, in a bid to defuse the row.
But with the Marcus Rashford-inspired petition set to hit 1m signatures, the damage has already been done.
The PM will also have to ensure the plan actually works, with Kirsty McHugh of the Mayor’s Fund for London, which is involved in holiday club trials, telling PA that many of the voluntary groups and public sector organisations that run the clubs are likely to be closed at Christmas.
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Of course many Tory MPs are bemoaning how Johnson got himself into this mess, as my colleague Paul highlighted with this essential piece yesterday.
And it may just be down to a seemingly misguided belief among some Tories that universal credit (UC) should be enough to solve the problem.
I have been passed a voter’s Facebook post which was doing the rounds among Tory MPs on Tuesday.
In it, a voter insists that there is “absolutely no reason that any child out there being paid this amount should be going hungry”. Attached is a UC statement showing the person in question is eligible for £281 monthly support for their one child for October.
But even George Osborne – yes the Tory deficit hawk former chancellor who slashed welfare budgets and was the architect of austerity – acknowledges that explaining away the free school meals problem with UC is “tin eared”.
Osborne explains in his Evening Standard newspaper of his time as an MP: “When I visited the food bank in my Cheshire constituency it confirmed two contradictory realities.
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“First, the people I met there were receiving the same welfare payments as lots of others who were managing without the food bank. In other words, Whitehall would argue that they didn’t need handouts.
“Second, however, the people I met were in real need of help. Life had dealt them very hard blows. Many struggled (as so many of us would) to manage very tight budgets.
“A few had chaotic lives and simply couldn’t cope. It was no good telling them to manage their money better. If the food bank wasn’t there, their children would go hungry.”
Osborne now believes a government U-turn is “inevitable”.
And it is hard to argue when Rishi Sunak made a similar case that UC would cover the hit to incomes caused by replacing furlough (80% state wage subsidy) with his job support scheme (67% of wages covered), before U-turning and making the latter scheme more generous.
Rashford’s bigger goal is believed to be increased eligibility for school meals for all on UC, and Johnson may be wise not to pick another fight.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Why Boris Johnson’s Excuses About Free School Meals Don’t Add Up

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In a political row as emotive as the free school meals saga, it’s little wonder the Tories – who voted overwhelmingly against extending the voucher scheme – are desperate to justify their position.
Facing a barrage of criticism, and an extraordinary community effort in opposition to the move, the PM and his ministers have insisted that free school meals outside of term time are not a good solution.
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Billions of pounds, they say, have already been put into councils and the welfare system to help systemically prevent child hunger – despite the surging demand at food banks.
Speaking on Monday, Boris Johnson said: “We don’t want to see children going hungry this winter, this Christmas, certainly not as a result of any inattention by this government – and you are not going to see that.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure that no kid, no child goes hungry this winter during the holidays. That’s obviously something we care about very much.”
He continued: “We support the local councils – indeed we fund the local councils and many of the organisations that are helping in this period – but we are also uplifting Universal Credit by £1,000 and we think that is one of the best ways you can help families in this tough time.”
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But this isn’t new money, and there are concerns it won’t reach the children who really need it. Here are three of the Tories’ claims about their support system, and the reasons they might not stand up to scrutiny.
The £63m given to local authorities by government
Boris Johnson leaves 10 Downing Street. NurPhoto via Getty Images
One of the key defences used by the government to justify voting against feeding hungry children is that they’ve actually already spent loads already.
Alongside injecting billions into the welfare system (more on that later), Johnson and his fellow Tories have referenced an additional £63m announced for local authorities in June to help those “struggling financially as a result of coronavirus”.
The Local Authority Emergency Assistance Grant for Food and Essential Supplies applies only to households in England and – as the title suggests – is designed explicitly to help them afford food and essentials.
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Free school meals are not mentioned at all in the government’s guidance to local authorities, and there is no suggestion that the fund is intended to prevent child hunger in the school holidays.
In fact, the words “child” or “children” only appear once – when the guidance states: “If families are receiving food vouchers for children through the Covid Summer Food Fund, this should be taken into account, and you should avoid duplicating provision.”
Perhaps more significantly, the guidance also stated on a page last updated on August 4: “The government anticipates that most of the funding will be spent within 12 weeks.” Twelve weeks after June 11 ended in August – and even if we assume the statement was intended to be correct as of August 4, that 12 weeks was over on Tuesday
The fund was criticised by experts even at the time of its announcement for failing to go far enough to protect vulnerable children – especially considering the drastic cuts to local welfare schemes under years of Conservative rule.
Sam Royston, director of policy at The Children’s Society, said in June that the required funding was actually £250m, adding: “Local welfare schemes have been gradually eroded, with one in seven local authorities now offering no scheme at all.
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“Our recent research found spending on emergency financial support has fallen by £250m compared to support provided through predecessor schemes in 2010, with 63% of councils cutting spending between 2015 and 2019.”
The £1,000-a-year uplift in Universal Credit
Another favoured statistic offered by Tories is the £6.5bn “financial injection” into the welfare system, to cope with the soaring demand for Universal Credit as the job market was decimated by Covid-19.
There’s no breakdown available of where exactly that money has gone throughout the crisis, but in a May statement given by work and pensions secretary Thérèse Coffey, it was noted that 10,000 laptops had been deployed to help department staff work from home and a new job-search site had been set up.
Coffey said: “I think it is worth reminding the House of our financial injection of over £6.5bn into the welfare system so it can act as a safety net for the poorest in society.”
Part of this fund has financed an “uplift” in Universal Credit – £20 a week, or around £1,000 a year – to support the growing number of families struggling through Covid-19, especially as lockdowns severely disrupt key industries such as hospitality.
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But that £20 a week is nearly matched by the £15-a-week value of free school meals cards, so if the government intended it to pay for food during the school holidays then it hasn’t left much else to cover all the other costs of the pandemic for those receiving Universal Credit.
Announcing it in March, Sunak said: “I know that people are worried about losing their jobs. About not being able to pay the rent or the mortgage. About not having enough set by for food and bills,” which suggested it was meant to cover more than just lunches for children. Consider too that the government thought it necessary to find free school meals during the summer holidays, ie on top of the Universal Credit uplift it now says is sufficient.
Incidentally, analysis of the support package carried out by the Resolution Foundation has revealed that there are no plans to extend it beyond April 2021, meaning some six million of the UK’s poorest households will suffer an income loss of £1,000.
The UK’s Covid support is “the most generous in Europe” (perhaps even the world)
MPs, ministers and even the PM have taken to describing the UK as a world-leader when it comes to Covid-19 financial support.
Boris Johnson recently claimed there is “no country in Europe” that has equalled the UK’s financial response to the pandemic – a line of argument that has inevitably made an appearance in the scramble to defend the decision not to extend the voucher scheme.
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The day after the motion appeared in the Commons former health secretary Jeremy Hunt told Sky news that the government had already provided significant financial support – adding that the UK had been “the most generous country anywhere in Europe, possibly the world”.
But this isn’t true. The National reported earlier in October that – according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) – both wage and business support is much stronger in other European nations such as Germany and Italy.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Two Young Children And Two Adults Die After Refugee Boat Sinks Off French Coast

A policeman stands next to a rescue vessel during a search operation after a boat carrying at least 18 migrants capsized off the coast of Loon-Plage near Dunkirk, northern France. REUTERS
Four people, including two children aged five and eight, have died after a migrant boat sank off the coast of France, authorities have confirmed.
It brings the total number of migrant deaths since 2018 to 10, and is believed to be the single biggest loss of life during the current migrant crisis. Refugees charity Care4Calais said it was “utterly devastated”.
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The four deaths are confirmed to have belonged to a Kurdish-Iranian family. Their names are Rasoul Iran-Nejad, 35, Shiva Mohammad Panahi, 35, Anita, nine, and Armin, six, according to the BBC.
Their 15-month-old son, Artin, is believed to be still missing.
More than a dozen people from the boat have been taken to hospitals in Calais and Dunkirk, according to the Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said the UK had offered “every support” to French authorities as they investigate the “terrible incident”. Home secretary Priti Patel said she was “truly saddened” to learn of the “tragic loss of life”.
Patel was strongly criticised earlier this year for suggesting sending in the Navy to stop refugees crossing the Channel, despite the fact the UK’s resettlement scheme has been closed since March – meaning there is no safe, legal route for refugees to reach the UK by other means.
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Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley said the refugee community in Calais is “utterly devastated”.
She said: “We are grieving for the victims, we stand in sympathy and solidarity with their families and friends.
“It is cruel and horrifying that this time, young children are among the victims.
“This unnecessary loss of life has to stop. No one should ever feel they have to get into a fragile craft and risk their lives crossing the Channel, least of all vulnerable children.”
She called for the incident to be a “wake-up call” for those in power in the UK and France.
The charity Save the Children echoed her views, saying: “Today’s tragic news must be a wake-up call for both London and Paris to come up with a joint plan that ensures the safety of vulnerable children and families.
“The English Channel must not become a graveyard for children.”
Two people have already died making the perilous journey across the Channel this year, including one earlier this month.
Military resources and civilian boats have been involved in the rescue operation after the vessel was seen in difficulty near Dunkirk.
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The people on board are thought to have been trying to cross to Britain despite wind gusts of up to 18mph.
The alarm was raised by the crew of a yacht, who notified search and rescue.
French patrol boats and a helicopter from the Belgian air force were dispatched as well as a fishing boat. The search operation is continuing.
An investigation into the causes of the sinking has been launched by the Dunkirk public prosecutor.
French citizenship minister Marlene Schiappa said she learned of the incident with “great sadness”.
“Despite the resources of the state, which were all mobilised in the SOS operation, the losses are heavy and the final toll is still uncertain,” she said.
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke, who has been outspoken on the issue of Channel crossings, tweeted: “It is terrible that tragedy has struck in the Channel again. People traffickers have no regard for life, no matter how old or young.
“These perilous crossings must be stopped, once and for all, before there is more loss of life in these stormy winter seas.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Strictly Come Dancing: Songs And Dances Revealed Ahead Of First Elimination

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With the first elimination of the series looming, Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced the songs and dances that each of the 12 couples will be performing in this week’s live show.
Fresh from topping the leaderboard last week, pop singer HRVY will be dancing a Viennese Waltz to Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber’s lockdown anthem Stuck With U, while Maisie Smith will tackle a Tango to Miley Cyrus’ recent hit Midnight Sky.
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This week will see the first Couples’ Choice routine of the series, with Nicola Adams and Katya Jones performing a unique dance to Years & Years’ Shine, while scene-stealer Bill Bailey will deliver a Quickstep to Talk To The Animals from the musical Doctor Doolittle.
And if all of that wasn’t exciting enough, former MP Jacqui Smith and Anton DuBeke will be hoping they can recover from last week’s performance with a Samba to Tom Jones’ Help Yourself.
This year's Strictly Come Dancing cast BBC
Check out the full list of performances below:
Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse: Quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin
Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe: Paso Doble to El Gato Montes by Ramon Cortez
Clara Amfo and Aljaž Skorjanec: Viennese Waltz to You Don’t Own Me by Lesley Gore
HRVY and Janette Manrara: Viennese Waltz to Stuck Wit U by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke: Samba to Help Yourself by Tom Jones
Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer: American Smooth to Night And Day by Frank Sinatra
Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk: Salsa to Get Lucky by Daft Punk
JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden: Paso Doble to Believer by Imagine Dragons
Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez: Tango to Midnight Sky by Miley Cyrus
Max George and Dianne Buswell: Jive to I’m A Believer by The Monkees
Nicola Adams and Katya Jones: Couples’ Choice to Shine by Years & Years
Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice: Quickstep to You Are The Sunshine Of My Life by Stevie Wonder
Despite this Saturday’s live show falling on Halloween, Strictly bosses have made the decision to axe this year’s annual spook-tacular, due to the fact that the series has already been cut short as a result of the pandemic.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--UK Coronavirus Daily Death Toll Tops 350 For First Time Since May

Coronavirus COVID-19 computer generated image. Yuichiro Chino via Getty Images
The UK’s daily coronavirus death toll has topped 350 for the first time since May.
The deaths of 367 people who had tested positive for Covid-19 and died within 28 days were recorded on Tuesday, bringing the UK’s total death toll to 45,365.
The last time daily deaths exceeded 350 was on May 27, when 422 people with Covid-19 were reported to have died.
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Of the deaths reported on Tuesday, 322 were recorded in England and 25 in Scotland.
Wales accounted for seven of the deaths, while another 13 occurred in Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, 22,885 new coronavirus cases were recorded across the UK on Tuesday amid a second wave of infections.
On Monday, it was revealed that Warrington – a town in north west England – would enter tier 3, the highest level of coronavirus lockdown restrictions, in a bid to get the virus under control.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--'Wild, Untamed': Black Men Reveal How Their Hair Has Shaped Them

Supplied Hair Power airs tonight on Channel 4
Much is spoken about women’s hair and how it defines them – but what about men?
A new Channel 4 documentary – Hair Power: Me And My Afro (airing October 27), reflects on how Afro-textured hair has shaped Black experiences in modern Britain.
The show platforms Black men, as well as women, who speak about how their hair has defined their lives since childhood and school – as well as how the barber shop acts as an important communal space for Black men and boys.
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HuffPost UK has heard from three men ahead of the show. Here are their stories.
‘Did I conform? No, I didn’t’
Pablo Blackwood is a Queens Park Rangers football coach who gets his hair cornrowed 26 times a year.
Channel 4 Pablo Blackwood
“My hairstyle, for me, represents my Blackness as my culture. It’s an opportunity 26 times a year, every two weeks, for me to express myself as a Black man. If your hair is too thick, or too black, or dare I say, natural, that becomes something that can identify you as being Black – more so than your skin tone. A natural beauty becomes a burden and we don’t see it as beauty, we see it as problematic, wild, untamed. It’s something that definitely impacts me.
“I’m a 70s baby. I grew up in west London in Chelsea in what I’d call a very cultural household – a very proud household – that recognised that whilst we were different, our difference was to be celebrated, not frowned upon
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“Unfortunately, there were a number of occasions where, in secondary school I was given detentions for my hairstyles. Did I conform? No, I didn’t. All those styles, I’m smiling now, but they all got me detention.
“When you get a detention, they don’t say what it’s for, it just acts as a negative against you. People associate you with someone that’s always in trouble. I used to walk to school sometimes, down the Kings Road. There’d be punks with their Mohicans and purple hair and blue hair, and I’d be thinking, that’s not conforming? And I just felt like I was being punished for being Black.”
‘I’ve been to the same barber since I was 21’
Adjani Salmon is a British Jamaican filmmaker and comedy writer with freeform locs.
Channel 4 Adjani Salmon
“The atmosphere of a Black male barbershop can be misconstrued, depending on your understanding of the culture. I think a lot of men are more faithful to their barbers than their partners. I’ve not cut my hair at a different barber from the age of 21 – and I’ve been in many relationships since 21!
“People see me before I see them now, you know – ‘You gotta be famous, bro, with hair like that.’ Children in particular, they’ll point... you get some aunties who are not particularly keen. Like somebody asked me: ‘Oh, so, do you work?’
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“The older generation were a little concerned. But I think the reason for them not doing that is because I guess, in their time, they were were forced to conform as a means of survival. It’s almost: look on the audacity of this privileged child, who’s growing out his hair like he doesn’t care about employment.”
‘I could see my skin, my hair were different’ Mark Maciver is a Barber shop owner who has cut the hair of Anthony Joshua, Stormzy, Tinie Tempah, Dizzee Rascal, Little Simz and Professor Green.
Supplied Mark Maciver
“I moved a lot growing up. I went to about five different primary schools and grew up in predominantly white areas. Me and my brother were the only Black children in one of the schools. The popular styles back then were curtains. I remember the kids coming together and talking about their curtains; combing it aside and flicking their hair.
“And I was just on the side being like: ‘I wish I could have curtains.’ Clearly I could see my skin was different, my hair was different, and the kids made it very apparent as well. There were parts of my childhood I, you could say, hated.
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“I remember when I was about six years old, because of the racial abuse I was receiving at school, I went home one day and said to my older brother, ‘You know what, I wanna be white.’ And they abused me badly. You emulate what you see and, you know, if everybody is looking at one thing and saying that’s the good thing, you’re gonna say also potentially that’s the good thing.
“But I couldn’t get involved in what those children were doing because my hair couldn’t part like that and hang like that. I thought it was knotty, I thought it was picky, I just thought it was like, you know, it’s just not good hair.”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-27--Spitting Image Creator Speaks Out After Reboot Loses Its US Broadcaster

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While Spitting Image is available to watch on the streaming platform BritBox in the UK, it was supposed to air weekly in America, with specially-created scenes for audiences across the pond.
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However, earlier this month, it was reported that NBC had backed out of showing Spitting Image just weeks before it was due to air, because of “nervousness” surrounding some of its content.
Speaking about the decision to Radio Times, Roger Law – who co-created Spitting Image in the 1980s – admitted he was “not in the least bit surprised” about NBC’s decision to reverse plans to air the show.
Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Mike Pence as depicted in Spitting Image BritBox
The 79-year-old said: “If it was going to be on regular NBC television I’m not in the least bit surprised that it was dropped.”
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He continued: “In America there’s a superficial politeness to this country of people who’ve all got guns.
“You’ve someone like Trump running the country yet [Americans] call him ‘sir’. That wouldn’t happen here.
“People here are rude to one another and there’s a taste for cruel humour. People went out and voted for Boris, we make him look like a shambles and yet they’re still very happy to laugh at it.”
Roger also spoke about the impending US election, admitting that while he hopes Joe Biden succeeds Donald Trump as president, it will mean big changes for Spitting Image.
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“Donald Trump is an absolute gift to a satirical show but on the other hand I would like to see him go, I really would,” he said.
“If Biden wins I think we might have to remake him. The current puppet hasn’t got a blink; he’s got no eyes. The mouth is good but he wears a mask with, ‘Shut up, man!’ written on it.”
Two new episodes of Spitting Image inspired by the lead-up to the US election will be available to watch from Saturday 31 October, with a recently-announced second series coming to BritBox in 2021.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Government Ridiculed Over Soy Sauce Tweet During Great British Bake Off

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Claims by Liz Truss’ Department for International Trade that soy sauce has been “made cheaper” by the UK-Japan trade deal have been ridiculed.
The government tweeted during Channel 4′s Great British Bake Off show on Tuesday night, remarking how contestants “used a lot of soya sauce”, and it was “a good thing it will be made cheaper”.
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As it stands, soy sauce is not subject to any tariffs as the UK continues to benefit from some EU trade deals, at least until December 31, and is seeking an agreement with the bloc.
The bakers used a lot of soya sauce in the first challenge on #GBBO, so it's a good thing it will be made cheaper thanks to our trade deal with Japan 🇯🇵 — Department for International Trade (@tradegovuk) October 27, 2020
The department later clarified it was referring to tariffs the UK could be paying – 6% – under a no-deal scenario, which would push the country on to World Trade Organisation terms.
Trade expert David Henig was among those who challenged the department over the claims, saying it was “not a good look when you can’t trust a government social media account to tell the truth.
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Current tariff on soy sauce entering the UK from Japan - 0%. Tariff on soy sauce entering UK after UK-Japan trade deal - 0%.
Not a good look when you can't trust a government social media account to tell the truth. https://t.co/IVH5Qg8LtV — David Henig (@DavidHenigUK) October 27, 2020
Best not argue. Might have been accurate if the account had said "thanks to the trade deal the price won't go up compared to now". Also, checking my own soy sauce, it says "Naturally brewed in China. Blended in the UK" Is that going to be cheaper after a UK-Japan deal? pic.twitter.com/WyrlFFyvEt — David Henig (@DavidHenigUK) October 27, 2020
Truss negotiated the deal with the Japanese government last month.
It will mean nearly all the UK’s exports to Japan will be tariff free and remove British tariffs on Japanese cars by 2026.
Truss has celebrated the deal as “ground-breaking, British-shaped deal” but critics counter it will boost UK GDP by only 0.07%, and cover a fraction of lost trade should the UK fail to strike an agreement with Brussels.
Emily Thornberry, Labour’s shadow trade secretary, told HuffPost UK: “The reality is that for the last four years, Liz Truss and other trade ministers have been massively over-promising and massively under-delivering when it comes to our trade deals, then constantly trying to fill the gap by exaggerating and misrepresenting what they’ve achieved.
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“That’s been especially true of this recent Japan agreement, and – to continue the Bake Off theme – last night’s Twitter debacle was just the icing on that much bigger cake.”
Nick Dearden, director of campaign group Global Justice Now, meanwhile, said the price of soy sauce could go up, regardless of the UK-Japan deal.
He said: “It’s difficult to know whether Liz Truss’ department is deliberately lying to the public, or they don’t understand how trade works, but either way we need to take their assertions with a pinch of salt – or maybe a teaspoon of soy sauce in this case.
“It is not true, given where we are, that the price of soy sauce will fall; in fact the price is very likely to increase. All the government has done is ensure tariffs on some soy sauce will not increase beyond current levels.
“The problem is we’re through Brexit looking glass here, where it takes all the running we can do, to keep in the same place. If we want to get somewhere else, we need to run at least twice as fast as that.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Women In The Driver's Seat: Being A Black Woman In British Motorsport

Women In The Driver's Seat: Being A Black Woman In British Motorsport
Carol Glenn is the first Black woman to have a race and speed licence in the UK and is a clerk of the course for British Motorsport. As Lewis Hamilton is highlighting issues around racism in the top levels of the sport, Glenn is highlighting what it’s like at club level and how she hopes to create change for the next generation.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Harry Styles Endorses Joe Biden In US Election: 'Vote With Kindness'

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Harry Styles has voiced his thoughts on the upcoming US election, revealing he’s endorsing Joe Biden in the race for the White House.
On Tuesday evening, the former One Direction star retweeted a video of a Biden campaign video, which sees him meeting supporters.
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“You deserve a president who will get up every single day and work to make your life better,” Biden captioned the video. “If you elect me, that’s exactly what I’ll do.”
You deserve a president who will get up every single day and work to make your life better.
If you elect me, that’s exactly what I’ll do. pic.twitter.com/afFAorq0KQ — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) October 25, 2020
The British singer wrote alongside the clip that he was supporting Biden because he felt he best embodied his key value: kindness.
“If I could vote in America, I’d vote with kindness,” he tweeted.
If I could vote in America, I’d vote with kindness. https://t.co/GQ8tw3Rqpl — Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) October 27, 2020
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“Treat people with kindness” has long been a mantra of Harry’s, with the singer even naming one of the tracks on his latest album after his famous motto.
Harry wearing a "treat people with kindness" pin at the Brits Dave J Hogan via Getty Images
In the lead-up to the US presidential election, a number of other musicians have voiced their support for Democratic candidate Joe Biden, including Taylor Swift, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez and Justin Timberlake.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Sexually Exploited Women Report 62% Rise In Sexual Violence During Covid Pandemic

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Sexually exploited women and sex workers reported a 62% increase in sexual violence during the first four months of the Covid-19 pandemic, a leading charity has found.
Yet not a single offence reported to police by the women helped by Changing Lives has resulted in a conviction for nearly two years.
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Data collected by the charity, which supports vulnerable people facing housing insecurity, also found a marked increase in repeat victimisation, with women experiencing multiple crimes against them – including sexual violence, physical violence and domestic abuse.
The shocking study used information from the charity’s services, which support more than 1,850 women across the north-east, Yorkshire and the Midlands.
Amid calls for home secretary Priti Patel to do more to support women amid lockdown restrictions, the charity also said there was reason to believe the figure could be higher in other parts of the country.
Sexually exploited women in the north-east reported a 179% increase in sexual violence, where the charity believes confidence in reporting to the police force could be higher.
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MarijaRadovic via Getty Images
Jennifer Harrison, head of policy and public affairs at Changing Lives, was among the contributors to the charity’s new report “Nowhere To Turn”.
She said: “We are concerned that this increase does not reflect the true extent of the sexual violence and abuse happening in our communities.
“For example, in the north-east there has been an increase of 179% and we believe this is closer to the reality of women’s experiences because there has been a sustained commitment and investment in multi-agency working across this area.
“In 2013, Northumbria Police created a dedicated liaison officer role trained in supporting people selling sex and adults exposed to sexual exploitation. Over time, this model is shown to have increased women’s confidence to disclose crimes to services and report crimes to police.”
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The charity said the women surveyed were already at increased risk of harm due to existing vulnerabilities, such as homelessness, addiction, and poverty, and are slipping through the net.
Home secretary Priti Patel faces calls to support sexually exploited women facing abuse during lockdown Empics Entertainment
The charity also reports an 83% increase in women seeking its help.
Harrison added: “We decided to conduct this research because we became increasingly concerned that women with existing vulnerabilities were at increased risk of sexual violence.
“We saw an 83% increase in the number of women accessing our specialist services for the first time in the first four months of lockdown.
“We continue to see unprecedented demand for our services, as well as significant and adverse impacts on women’s physical and mental health, including an increase in suicide attempts and self-harm.”
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And three quarters of the charity’s own services told the survey that women they worked with were “somewhat unconfident” or “very unconfident” of reporting crimes to police.
It added that, of the disclosures made to police, more than two fifths were investigated and closed because the victim decided to withdraw.
Changing Lives staff say reasons for this include, stigma and discrimination, fear of criminalisation, and victim-blaming.
Patel handed domestic abuse support lines an extra £2m in April and chancellor Rishi Sunak has said that charities can apply for a slice of £750m additional funding allotted to good causes.
But Laura Seebohm, executive director of external affairs at the charity, said the government needed to better target support at sexually exploited women.
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She said: “The women we support feel they are unable to access justice. Across all of the services included in our research, there have been zero convictions for any sexual offences reported to the police since the beginning of 2019.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Phillip Schofield Sets The Record Straight About 'Toxic' Atmosphere On This Morning

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This Morning host Phillip Schofield has addressed rumours of a supposed “toxic” environment behind the scenes of the ITV show.
Last year, it was heavily reported that there was serious tension among the cast and crew of the daytime show, which included claims that a complaint had been made about Phillip’s behaviour.
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While at the time he dismissed reports of a “toxic” atmosphere, branding them “wildly untrue”, he’s now elaborated in an interview with Chris Evans on his podcast How To Wow.
Phillip Schofield Mike Marsland via Getty Images
He insisted: “The fact there was a toxic atmosphere in This Morning... there has never been anything like that. Everyone is equal, we all love each other, they were worried about me, we all talk about each other’s families and their lives, it’s a tight-knit team.
“The fact there was supposed to be all of this going on, absolutely and completely untrue.”
Phillip added: “If I was an arsehole, I don’t think I’d have got what I’ve got. And for people to say ‘he’s shocking to work with’, I didn’t recognise this man, how could this be true, how could this happen?
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“The one solid thing I had under my feet was my security rug of my job. When that was pulled out from underneath me, that was a shocker…but I still maintained – and we had to maintain – this smiling face in the mornings, and sometimes it’s hard.”
Around the same time, it was reported that Phillip and co-host Holly Willoughby’s relationship had privately become strained, which they dismissed at the time.
Holly and Phil at the National Television Awards earlier this year David M. Benett via Getty Images
Reflecting on this, Phillip revealed to Chris Evans that this was actually around the time he’d first confided in her that he was gay, and their relationship was, in fact, as solid as ever.
“There was nothing that was being said that had any truth in it whatsoever,” he explained.
“There was no and there has never been a feud with Holly. [Journalists were] writing ‘Phillip and Holly feud’ and we couldn’t have been closer because I’d told her my secret and she was holding me together at work.”
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During the same interview, Phillip set the record straight over reports he and his wife, Steph, were divorcing, after he publicly came out as gay earlier this year.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Sam Smith Reveals They Underwent Hair Transplant Surgery

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Sam Smith has nothing to hide anymore, bravely opening up about their biggest insecurities, including hair loss, in a video for Vogue about beauty secrets.
The Diamonds singer revealed that they underwent hair transplant surgery after a receding hairline that started two years ago.
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“My hair... it’s been a touchy place for me,” Sam said in the video, which was posted online on Tuesday. “I haven’t actually spoken about this before, so I’m gonna speak about it because I don’t actually feel like I have anything to hide.”
On the advice of their hairdresser, the Grammy-winning artist began to research the cosmetic transplant procedure before deciding it was the right fit.
“I have had hair transplant surgery,” Sam said, combing through their hair. “How stunning is it?”
Sam Smith at last year's Brit Awards Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP
But luscious locks or not, Sam made it clear that self-confidence comes from the inside.
“It’s nice to have hair, but also if I was bald I would still own it, too,” they added. “Because bald is beautiful.”
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Sam first mentioned hair loss in a 2017 interview with the New York Times, saying their hair “started falling out from stress” following the Oscars ceremony that year.
At the time, they credited the drugs Rogaine and Propecia for helping regain some thickness, adding that “men need talk about hair loss” to combat stigma.
Elsewhere in the Vogue video, Sam discussed how makeup has become a key part of their journey as a nonbinary performer.
The singer announced in September 2019 that they identify as genderqueer and nonbinary and go by gender-neutral pronouns.
“Last year, when I changed my pronouns and really spoke out about my gender expression and my gender fluidity,” Sam said, “I started falling in love with makeup all over again.
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--This Sweary Turtle Just Won The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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If ever there were a picture that summed up how we feel about 2020, it’s the winning shot from this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography awards.
Mark Fitzpatrick bagged the crown at this year’s awards with his artful underwater photo of a grumpy-looking turtle appearing to flip the bird.
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Mark Fitzpatrick Terry the Turtle flipping the bird
In Hungary, Kranitz Roland spotted a squirrel-like creature standing up, clutching its tiny hands together, as if ready to belt out an opera number.
His photo – titled O sole mio – won the Affinity People’s Choice award. 14/10 would go and see this little fella perform at the Royal Albert Hall.
Kranitz Roland O sole mio
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The best photo in the ‘creatures of the land’ awards category was of this racoon who was snapped by Charlie Davidson as it woke up and stretched its legs. An unfortunate angle if ever we saw one.
Charlie Davidson Almost time to get up
Other commended photos in the series include a shot of two southern elephant seals cosying up to each other in Patagonia, South America, photographed by Luis Burgueño.
The one eyes up their (rather drunk-looking) companion suspiciously, which gave Burgueño inspiration for the photo’s title: “I had to stay late at work.”
Luis Burgueño 'I had to stay late at work.'
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Petr Sochman spotted two rose-ringed parakeets in Kaudulla national park, Sri Lanka, using their feet to clean each other’s beaks. Sochman said this particular photo – which looks like the male is asking the female to stay back – was “asking to be taken out of context”.
Of course, he titled it: ‘Social distance, please!’
Petr Sochman Social distance, please!
Photographer Arthur Telle Thiemann shot this happy chappy under water in the Canary Islands. He says: “Among a group of parrot fish I saw this one, with a crooked mouth, looking like it was smiling. I concentrated on it, and it took me several minutes until I got this frontal shot... and yes, it made my day."
Arthur Telle Thiemann Smile!
Megan Lorenz captured this, ahem, intimate shot while on a trip to Borneo: “I had many opportunities to watch monkeys interacting with each other. These Pig-Tailed Macaques showed me a bit more than I bargained for! Don’t blame me... I just take the photos, I can’t control the wildlife! So many titles came to mind for this photo but I went with the safe ‘family-friendly’ option and called it Monkey Business.”
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Megan Lorenz Monkey Business
Sue Hollis was exploring the Galapagos Islands when she noticed a sea lion enjoying a moment of serenity. “We were surprised to see that Sea Lions actively practice Yoga. Guess they need to get their Zen as well,” she says.
Sue Hollis Sun Salutation Class
This incredible photo was taken on UK soil, in Scotland. Krisztina Scheeff, who took the masterful shot, says: “Atlantic Puffins are amazing flyers and their fishing talents are, well, as you see some do better than others! I just love the second Puffin’s look: can I just have one please?”
Krisztina Scheeff Seriously, would you share some?
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Yevhen Samuchenko spotted a group of langurs lounging around on some bikes in the small town of Hampi, India, and he couldn’t not get a snap of them.
Here they are, looking like a group of bikers on a weekend meet.
Yevhen Samuchenko The race
Sally Lloyd-Jones spotted a naughty kingfisher flagrantly breaking the rules. “I was hoping a kingfisher would land on the ‘No Fishing’ sign but I was over the moon when it landed for several seconds with a fish,” she says. “It then flew off with its catch. It appeared to be mocking the person who erected the sign!”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Puppet Master Or Pawn – Just What Exactly Is Michael Gove’s Game?

Ever since he knifed Boris Johnson in the back in 2016’s Tory leadership contest, Michael Gove has been followed around by one question: what is he up to?
Despite being apparently forgiven by the prime minister and handed a key cabinet role as chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Gove still sparks suspicion around Westminster.
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Depending on who you talk to, he is variously described as the man pulling the strings in Johnson’s government, or someone who is being kept busy in the Cabinet Office to keep him “out of trouble” and away from any plotting.
That said, Gove does appear to have changed.
Having once declared the UK had “had enough of experts” during the Brexit referendum, he has now positioned himself as one of the cabinet’s leading so-called “doves” calling for the suppression of coronavirus and aligning himself with the, erm, expert scientists on the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
But given that as recently as April he was quoted as telling colleagues “we need to run this hot” and “I agree with Rishi [Sunak]” – seen as the leading anti-lockdown “hawk” – it is a position that has again raised eyebrows.
HuffPost UK spoke to MPs and Westminster and Whitehall insiders to try to figure out just what Gove is up to, and where he may go next.
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Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove walks outside Downing Street in London Peter Nicholls / Reuters
‘The Cabinet Office is more powerful than it has been’
Gove is undoubtedly one of the central figures in Johnson’s government, taking on key roles in tackling the twin crises facing the UK in Covid and Brexit.
He chairs the cabinet’s key Covid-O (operations) committee, which meets daily Monday to Friday, where HuffPost UK understands he often steers the conversation with permanent members Sunak and Matt Hancock in the way No.10 wants it to go.
Gove also sits on the wider Covid strategy committee, chaired by the prime minister, and is overseeing preparations for Brexit and the potential disaster of no deal.
To help him, he has created roles for key allies in the Cabinet Office, including former Vote Leave campaigner Gisela Stuart and ex-spad (special adviser) Henry de Zoete, as “non-executive board members”.
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And Gove’s closeness to his former special adviser Dominic Cummings – now Johnson’s key aide – has led to speculation that he is the one actually running the government.
One former No.10 staffer suggests that Cummings moving himself and key Downing Street aides to a new Nasa-style “mission control” in Gove’s building at 70 Whitehall is a sign of shifting power.
“In the past, proximity is power.
“The closer you are to the PM – you can stop people coming in, you are absolute gatekeepers and you rule the roost.
“The move signals to me they think the power no longer resides with the PM, the power resides in the Cabinet Office, just a short walk away from Michael Gove’s office.”
But others see it differently.
“I don’t get the feeling, this conspiracy theory, that Gove is secretly running the government. The real inner group is Boris and Cummings and the political secretary”
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’The whole aim of the exercise was to move Boris there,” one Tory insider says.
“I’m sure Michael will use all the elbow room he’s got to flex his elbows but the whole plan was to get Boris over there so you had everyone in one space.”
They go on: “I don’t get the feeling, this conspiracy theory, that Gove is secretly running the government.
“The real inner group is Boris and Cummings and the political secretary [Ben Gascoigne]. It’s a very small group of Boris uber-loyalists.” (Gascoigne is a longstanding aide who has been with Johnson on and off since his early days as London mayor.)
There are also questions about whether Johnson really trusts Gove and whether the wounds from the 2016 leadership contest have fully healed.
A Westminster source says: “On one level he should be quite powerful because Boris is the frontman, Gove is the details man. it’s almost like the Bush-Cheney alliance, someone once described it as.
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“The issue with Gove is a lack of trust, so they think how to keep him busy.”
Whatever Gove’s motivations at the moment, he clearly wields power with his wide ranging brief and is an asset to No.10 due to his ability “to argue black is white” in defence of the government in broadcast interviews.
One Whitehall insider says: “All this stuff is overdone – everyone always thinks he is up to something. Whenever there were briefings people would suspect Gove, even if they weren’t him.
“But the Cabinet Office is definitely more powerful than it has been for some time – there are so many things you ask about and it turns out the Cabinet Office is on top of that as well.
“If you understand government at the moment you understand that.”
‘He can’t help himself’
Despite being a key figure on Brexit, Gove is perhaps wielding the most of his political influence in the government’s coronavirus response – even though he’s one of the less visible faces in the No.10 briefings.
Allies dismiss reports of a rift with Sunak, who is the only hawk on the Covid-O committee up against Gove and Hancock.
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But few have answers when asked why the libertarian Gove has put himself at odds with his traditional backbench kin in backing tougher lockdown measures.
And it appears something of a U-turn when compared with his demands to “run this hot” as the cabinet debated how to get out of lockdown in April.
One insider suggests Gove’s Covid-fear may simply be a symptom of being “inside the tent – which looks rather different from the outside”.
Allies meanwhile insist that he is yet to be convinced by any alternative approaches.
But his position and influence in the Covid debate behind-the-scenes has inevitably set tongues wagging.
One Tory suspects Gove may be positioning for a snap leadership contest, should the rumours about Johnson failing to last much longer in the top job turn out to be true.
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They envisage a leadership election defined by how the candidates responded to coronavirus, and see the “hawk” side of the debate as being crowded out by Sunak.
As health secretary, they feel Hancock is “the only minister with a vested interest in favour of lockdown” – to protect the NHS, while Sunak has an interest as chancellor in protecting the economy, “which makes Gove’s position interesting”.
Gove torpedoed Johnson's 2016 Tory leadership bid after the pair won the EU referendum PA Archive/PA Images
“Obviously I’m not discounting the possibility that [Gove’s lockdown scepticism] is a genuine view,” they say.
“But we all know he’s always on manoeuvres and it is potentially a big point of differentiation, versus Rishi especially.
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“It is obviously a gamble but he would need to gamble.
“Everyone other than Hancock, who isn’t going to win, is on the hawk side.
“I think Gove knows it’s hard for him to win any leadership election given his previous backstabbing and unpopularity.”
Even if Gove’s motives are genuine, as allies insist, he cannot escape the perception that he is always plotting, and cabinet ministers are said to be annoyed at pro-lockdown briefings to the press, which they blame on Gove.
“The problem with him is he can’t help himself, and even if he isn’t trying to do that there’s a perception that he is – people are always asking what’s he up to, people are questioning the motivation as opposed to the outcome,” a Westminster insider says.
“It all goes back to stabbing Boris in the back after the referendum.
“It’s a shame for him because it fundamentally undermines what he’s trying to do.”
‘Who else is there?’
It is difficult to find anyone in Westminster who thinks that Gove has given up on the Tory leadership, despite two failed attempts.
Sunak may be the the clear frontrunner to take over if a leadership contest comes before the next election – not so far-fetched given Johnson’s plunging popularity – but as a Tory insider puts it: “If Sunak crashes and burns among all these tax rises and spending cuts paying for coronavirus, who else is there, apart from the intriguing shadow leadership bid of [1922 committee chair] Graham Brady?”
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Nevertheless, the Tories seem unlikely to be willing to replace an election-winning machine in Johnson with someone who is at best viewed with suspicion by voters.
“The one thing that the commentariat sometimes loses sight of is that he’s [Gove is] totally unelectable,” a former government insider says.
“In the 2015 election Lynton Crosby got him moved from education to chief whip because he took 2% off the Tories’ polling total.
“OK, he’s really smart and he speaks in perfect sentences but the only people that admire him are in Westminster. The public don’t like him.
“It’s not even like an Ed Miliband – [Gove is] totally unelectable.
“The public just think he’s a bit odd.”
‘He’s still going to be important’
Gove appears unlikely to dislodge Priti Patel as home secretary – a role he would covet, while Sunak is unsackable at the Treasury.
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It’s left many to wonder what he might do next once Covid and Brexit are out of the way, hopefully in 2021.
Gove’s passion for the union is well known and he already chairs a cabinet committee tasked with ensuring policymaking across the government boosts the argument for the United Kingdom remaining intact.
He is also a key figure in the Cummings-led plans to reform the civil service, which he sketched out in his summer Ditchley lecture.
But despite the importance of these tasks, several figures believe Gove has the best record for reforming and delivering and say he should be used in a role where he can deliver policies Red Wall Tories can put on their election leaflets in 2024.
Gove is already said to be active among those groups in the Commons tearoom and has spoken to new backbench factions like the right-wing “Common Sense” group.
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Gove is said to be taking an interest in culture war issues like the singing of Rule Britannia at the Proms Matt Kent via Getty Images
One 2019-intake MP says Gove has shown a keen interest in tackling what the Tories see as the “woke agenda”, consulting Red Wallers when culture war rows like the debate over Rule Britannia flare up.
“He’s done a bit of work on immigration, the ‘woke agenda’ and attitudes like that, including the Channel crossings.
“Especially on the woke side he’s seen as the brains of the party and what’s going on.
“He’s definitely playing an active interest in it – whether he’s leading it or not, he definitely understands concerns and is feeding in and taking on board colleagues’ comments about it.
“He’s very much actively getting people’s views on it. It’s not like we’re going to him – he actually wants to hear and engage on this topic.”
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Several sources suggest Gove could be put in charge of delivering on the prime minister’s “levelling up” agenda and prove himself a key electoral asset while staying behind the scenes and away from the cameras.
As a Whitehall insider puts it: “Labour are going to go on broken promises. They are going to go through the manifesto and ask: did they deliver?
“And the idea that Labour can’t win – if the electorate can switch from a minority government to a majority of 80 then they can damn well switch back the other way.
“You’re deluded to think otherwise, forget what people teach you in a politics class.
“As Janet Jackson said: ‘What have you done for me lately?’”


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Emily Maitlis Clashes With John Bolton Over Trump’s Impeachment Trial

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BBC Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis found herself in a tense on-air clash with Trump’s former national security adviser John Bolton last night.
An agitated Bolton repeatedly told Maitlis to “let me finish” as he answered her questions about why he did not appear at president Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
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She told him: “You were given the chance to testify at his impeachment.
“You were begged to do your duty as a citizen. You refused to tell the American people what you saw and what you knew.”@maitlis presses Donald Trump’s former National Security Adviser John Bolton over his refusal to voluntarily testify at the Trump
impeachment trial#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/h1p28XliEI — BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 27, 2020
“You were begged to do your duty as a citizen. You refused to tell the American people what you saw and what you knew.”
But Bolton replied: “You’re absolutely wrong about that. There’s a history here that I’d be delighted to lay out although I’m sure you won’t broadcast it here because it’s too complicated.”
As Maitlis began to speak over him, the former adviser warned her: “Let me finish. Let me finish, OK?”
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Bolton insisted he tried to move Trump in a “better direction” and resigned in protest when he was unable to.
“I was worried about him endangering American security,” he said.
“That’s why I tried to move his policies in better directions and why, ultimately, when I concluded I couldn’t do that, I resigned.”
He then continued to admonish Maitlis, telling her: “Will you let me finish? Will you let me finish my answer?” – before explaining: “The House of Representatives never issued a subpoena for me.
“And when they issued a subpoena for my former deputy, the White House ordered him not to testify.”
The House of Representatives (the lower chamber in US politics) approved two articles of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of power by Trump in 2019, but the decision was later struck down in the Senate (the upper house).
Bolton refused to give evidence in the impeachment inquiry, with some opponents claiming he instead saved his information for a tell-all book that was published in June – despite efforts by the US Justice Department to block its release.
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The book, which details Bolton’s 17 months as Trump’s national security adviser, contains descriptions of conversations with foreign leaders that could be seen as politically damaging to the president.


thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--What You Can Do On Bonfire Night 2020 – From Drive-In Fireworks To DIY

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We’re sorry to break it to you (but you probably guessed it already): most Bonfire Night events across the country have been cancelled because of local lockdowns and Covid restriction rules.
Like most mass gatherings this year, November 5 is yet another calendar event that has fallen wayside. But that doesn’t mean there’ll be no fireworks – the events will just look a little different in 2020.
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There’s still the possibility to go “ooh, ahh”, and see some beautiful displays. Here’s how.
SteveAllenPhoto via Getty Images
So, are all firework displays are cancelled?
Big, stand-out displays in the capital including those held at Alexandra Palace, Victoria Park, Blackheath, Battersea Park, Southwark Park, and Wimbledon Park won’t be going ahead this year due to concerns over physical distancing.
Outside of London, Lewes in East Sussex – the biggest Bonfire Night celebration in the UK – has also been cancelled. The Tar Barrels event, said to date back to the 17th century isn’t taking place this year, either. Due to escalating cases in Manchester, Yorkshire and Nottingham – they’ve all been cancelled.
Across the Severn Bridge, all fireworks displays in the Cardiff and Swansea area have been cancelled due to the country’s ‘firebreak’ lockdown. As it stands, things look the same up north in Scotland where Glasgow and Edinburgh have cancelled their firework displays, too.
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It’s likely your local events won’t be taking place – but it’s best to check online to see what’s happening.
SolStock via Getty Images
What can we do instead?
Don’t fret – while most standard displays have been cancelled, you can catch the sky being lit up from the comfort of your own car at a drive-in fireworks event. Most events only allow pre-purchased tickets and will be held in a social distancing compliant environment.
While Newark and Peterborough have already sold out, there are tickets left for Northampton drive-in fireworks on Sunday, November 8 from 5.30pm. Newark Showground event organisers have confirmed a huge drive-in display will still go ahead, complete with music. Tickets cost £25 per car. The organisers claim it will be the biggest in the county, with around 4,000 people able to attend.
With bonfire night events in Devon unfortunately cancelled. Luckily, Organisers Celebration Pyrotechnics has stepped in to put on a firework display at Westpoint in Exeter as a drive-in format where they’ll be crafting a spectacular firework event on Saturday November 7, with gates opening from 4pm. Hurry, tickets are selling out fast and spaces are limited. Prices start from £25.
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Ali Majdfar via Getty Images Fireworks
Celebration Pyrotechnics are also overseeing the firework display in Wadebridge’s Royal Cornwall Showground, which will take place on Sunday, November 1, with gates opening from 3pm and closing at 6pm, where the display will start at 6.30pm. A selection of local food and drink providers will be on hand to serve up a winter warmer menu, including some firework themed pizzas, to complete the traditional bonfire night experience. Tickets are available online and start at £30 per car.
Roaming Giraffe Events and Komodo Fireworks is hosting a drive-in firework display in support of the Air Ambulance Charity. Taking place at Market Harborough in Leicester on Saturday, November 7. There’s even an at-car food delivery service where you pre-order food from your phone. Tickets are £30 per car.
Winchester’s original bonfire and firework display plans may have been scuppered, but they’re doing things a little differently this year. They’ll be setting off epic fireworks displays from three top-secret locations across the city on Saturday, November 7 at 7pm. For those who can’t make it, they’ll also be streaming live on their Facebook from 6pm. All profits from the events will go towards the community fund helped those most affected by Covid-19.
phive2015 via Getty Images Glittering burning sparkler against blurred bokeh light background
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Want a virtual display you can watch in your dressing gown? Lancashire Fire and Rescue is putting on a bonfire and firework display on their Facebook page.
Rotary Club of Forres is also switching to an online stream in a bid to help raise money for charity on November 5, where people can tune in on Facebook.
Should I do DIY fireworks at home?
If you have an outdoor space, you might be tempted to have your own mini backyard bonfire this year. But be wary of the injuries caused by fireworks.
The pandemic presents a potential double-whammy: a rise in amateur garden fireworks due to a lack of organised firework displays and a health service under unprecedented strain.
“Firework-related injuries have become an all-too-familiar sight for hand surgeons, the repercussions of which can be devastating, with some even resulting in amputation,” David Warwick, president of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand, explains.
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“It is vital to remember these injuries are preventable, particularly during a time where NHS efforts are already under increasing strain.”
simonapilolla via Getty Images
The London Fire Brigade has also called on people to “think twice” about holding a firework display or building a garden bonfire.
“Think about your neighbours, particularly older people or those who are self-isolating, pets and of course those of us in the emergency services,” says Paul Jennings, deputy assistant commissioner London Fire Brigade.
“Despite our warning, if you do choose to have your own display, never drink alcohol and set off fireworks, keep fireworks in a closed metal box, and only ever buy ones with the British standard kite mark. Bonfires should be clear of buildings, sheds, fences, and hedges. Bonfires in your back garden can especially be dangerous.”
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thehuffingtonpostuk--2020-10-28--Claire Parry Death: PC Timothy Brehmer Jailed For 10 Years For Manslaughter

A custody image of Pc Timothy Brehmer Dorset Police
A police officer has been jailed for 10 years after admitting the manslaughter of his long-term lover.
Constable Timothy Brehmer was sentenced on Wednesday after being cleared of murdering nurse Claire Parry in a car park off the Horns Inn in West Parley, Dorset, on May 9.
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The 41-year-old was accused of strangling the mother-of-two after she sent a text message on his phone to his wife revealing their decade-long affair.
Parry, 41, from Bournemouth, was taken to hospital for treatment but died shortly afterwards. A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was a brain injury caused by compression of the neck.
Mother of two Claire Parry suffered a brain injury caused by compression of the neck. PA
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Jacobs said: “You were a trained and experienced police officer and your character witnesses described how you would help others.
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“Yet you did nothing to try to help Claire Parry. You did not ask her how she was. That was because you knew how she was.
“You could not possibly thought, as you said in your police interview, that she was simply taking a breath.
“You must have known that her body had gone limp after your assault on her. Before you walked to the car park entrance you must have seen how she was – hanging half out of the car.
“It must have been obvious to you as a trained police officer with extensive experience of casualties in traffic accidents that she was not breathing.
“In evidence you said you did not realise she was poorly. I consider that you appreciated that she was much worse than that.”
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The jury at Salisbury Crown Court was shown police body-worn video footage which showed Brehmer sitting in shorts with a top and with blood visible on his body.
Paramedics told the court that they were called to the Horns Inn in Christchurch Road, West Parley, to the defendant who had suffered stab wounds from a penknife to his arm.
He is seen sobbing and when asked what had happened, he says: “I have been having an affair for years, she was going to tell my wife, I am afraid I am going to lose my boy, so I met her here.
“She told my wife, I don’t remember the rest.”