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Labour MP Tells Starmer To Scrap Jury Reforms Or Face A By-Election

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A Labour MP has told Keir Starmer to scrap his planned jury reforms – or he will trigger a by-election.

The government intends to limit jury trials in England and Wales, abolishing them altogether for non-serious offences – those with a likely prison sentences of three years of less – in a bid to clear the court backlog.

But Karl Turner, the former shadow solicitor general, has told The Sunday Times he is “ashamed” of the prime minister and justice secretary David Lammy for going ahead with the plans.

The MP for Kingston upon Hull East urged the government to “stop these ludicrous proposals and get on with the hard job of sorting out the criminal justice system”.

He voted for a Tory motion to force a vote among MPs on the government’s justice reforms this week, breaking the party whip as he did so.

That marked the first time Turner had voted against his own party since securing a seat in 2010.

While around 40 Labour MPs previously warned the prime minister they are not prepared to support the plans, Turner was the only one to oppose the government and back a Tory motion.

But he told The Sunday Times he is “not fearful of having the whip removed” as a result, and would even consider standing down as an MP.

He currently holds his seat with a majority of 3,920 – Reform came in second place.

Despite the threat, Turner said he does not believe he will end up triggering a by-election, noting Labour MPs are “seething” over the reforms.

He suggested the backbenchers will be able to defeat the government’s motion if it “daft enough” to bring it forward.

Turner also revealed that the justice reforms “really matter” to him because he was wrongly accused of a crime “many years ago” – leading him to pursue his own career in law before becoming an MP.

The Ministry of Justice told the newspaper: “Victims are facing an unacceptably long wait for justice after years of delays in our courts. This government is determined to change that.

“That is why we are combining bold reforms, record levels of investment and action to tackle inefficiencies across the system — so victims and survivors see their cases heard sooner and get the justice they deserve.

“Taken together, these measures will ensure the most serious cases are prioritised and continue to be heard by a jury, while reducing unnecessary delays that leave victims waiting for far too long.”

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This Frustratingly Common Issue Could Be A Sign Of ADHD

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Ever choose to skip the dishes one night because you were too stressed after an event-filled work day? Have you ever put off that grocery run you promised you’d get done because you couldn’t bring yourself to get dressed and out the door?

These are universal situations that every person is familiar with. However, for people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD, the seemingly relatable situation of putting off a task can trigger an emotionally distressing cycle that can cause one’s mind and body to shut down.

Though not a clinical term, this experience has been coined “task paralysis”.

What task paralysis looks like for people with ADHD

Task paralysis is believed to be related to sensory overload, and generally looks like “over-analysing, the inability to get started on a project, trouble making decisions and feeling unable to sort out details,” according to Dr Cynthia Seng, a psychiatrist at Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Adult Behavioral Health.

As the name implies, task paralysis can cause a neurodivergent person to feel emotional overwhelm that stops them in their tracks. Lila Low-Beinart, a licensed professional counsellor and founder of Divergent Paths Counseling, described this “freeze” mode as a “deer in the headlights” feeling, followed by a “submit” mode that’s like when a “hedgehog curls in a ball.”

Additionally, Marcy Caldwell, owner and director of The Center for ADHD, told HuffPost that task paralysis is a “gap between action and intention.” She typically observes it manifesting in three major ways: procrastination, perfectionism or a combination of both.

ADHDers who lean toward procrastination may mentally check out with activities like doomscrolling. Additionally, experts agree that some people with ADHD engage in “procrastivity,” a term used to describe a specific form of procrastination that arises when someone works on productive tasks to avoid the one that should be prioritised.

For ADHDers who turn towards perfectionism as a form of task paralysis, Caldwell noted that they may adopt an “all or nothing” mindset.

“It can come on as a way of understanding task paralysis. Someone might say, ‘I’m feeling stuck, so I really shouldn’t be doing this because it has to be perfect anyways,’” she said, adding that this may look like endlessly researching a topic or watching YouTube tutorials to find the “right” way of accomplishing a task.

Task paralysis can look like “over-analyzing, the inability to get started on a project, trouble making decisions and feeling unable to sort out details,” according to psychiatrist Dr. Cynthia Seng.

SBenitez via Getty Images

Task paralysis can look like “over-analyzing, the inability to get started on a project, trouble making decisions and feeling unable to sort out details,” according to psychiatrist Dr. Cynthia Seng.

How task paralysis can impact someone with ADHD

Whether task paralysis manifests as procrastination or perfectionism, it can begin to quickly snowball and transform into what feels like an avalanche. When someone avoids their to-do list, it grows even more daunting.

“Over time, task paralysis can interfere with work performance, academic success, and relationships, even when someone is capable and motivated. Repeated struggles can lead to chronic stress, burnout, anxiety, and lowered self-esteem, especially in environments that misunderstand ADHD,” said Stephanie Olano, owner and CEO of TODOS Therapy. “Many people internalise these challenges as personal failure rather than a support issue.”

Alexa K., a 31-year-old from Colorado with ADHD, told HuffPost that when she has “tedious or unpleasant” tasks to complete – like signing up for benefits or making appointments – she is physically unable to do them.

“It has impacted my life because there are things that are important that I end up missing out on, or I procrastinate and miss a deadline,” Alexa said. “I feel like there are so many missed opportunities.”

Working through task paralysis

Gaining a deeper awareness of how ADHD-related task paralysis affects your life can support you in developing skills that work for you.

Caldwell explained that often her first “go-to” method is brain dumping, which encourages a person to get all their tasks and thoughts on paper so those tasks feel less overwhelming.

From there, Caldwell said that it’s crucial to “break down [tasks] into micro actions” that feel manageable and achievable. For example, instead of thinking about tackling all your household chores at once, set aside 10 minutes to do laundry and walk away once finished.

“Sometimes it helps if I designate a time block to a specific task and I don’t allow myself to do anything else or have any other distractions,” Alexa said.

Seng added that after completing a task or time block, some people may find “scheduling a ‘reward’ like a beverage or a text to a friend” is a successful tactic.

Further, taking ADHD medication, speaking to a neurodiversity-affirming therapist, or trying an evidence-based method such as body doubling can offer additional support. Body doubling is a technique in which someone with ADHD formally or informally works alongside someone else to increase motivation and foster a sense of accountability.

Factors such as working a full-time job or being a caretaker may make it more difficult to implement these skills. In this case, utilising resources like accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act can be indispensable.

“Accommodations are not ‘special treatment,’” Olano explained. “They are tools that allow people to access their abilities on a more level playing field.”

Ending the cycle of shame surrounding task paralysis

If you have someone in your life with ADHD, it’s significant to understand that task paralysis is real and can be debilitating. It’s not an “excuse” for missing a deadline or a manipulative tactic to skirt doing the laundry.

“As a neurodivergent clinician who experiences task paralysis myself, I wish the neurotypical people around me understood that task paralysis is not something I can ‘push through,’” Low-Beinart said. “When neurotypical people judge or shame us, that only increases the stress and thus the cycle of task paralysis.”

Rather than trying to fix or find a solution to someone’s task paralysis, instead offer support, validation and respect as they navigate this experience. Developing skills to cope with task paralysis can be an ever-evolving process, and being met with patience, and being patient with yourself if you’re the one experiencing task paralysis, is crucial.

As Olano concluded, “When we replace shame with support and focus on changing systems rather than blaming individuals, people are far more likely to succeed.”

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The Words Women Use For Their Vaginas May Affect How They Feel About Sex, Study Shows

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While driving a year or so ago, social psychologist Rotem Kahalon began thinking about the words women use to describe their vagina.

Well, it wasn’t out of nowhere. Kahalon had been listening to a podcast on women’s health where a gynaecologist noted – almost in passing – that she was often surprised by how even older women refer to their genitalia using euphemisms such as “down there” or “pee-pee”.

“This remark struck me as potentially meaningful: it seemed likely to reflect how women perceive and relate to their genitalia, with possible implications for health-related behaviours and sexual pleasure,” said Kahalon, who’s an assistant professor in the faculty of medicine at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan, Israel.

For instance, does using more anatomically correct language like “vagina” or “vulva” increase your enjoyment of sex? What effect does using dirty talk like “pussy” have on body image? And what about our mothers and grandmothers, who on the whole, vastly prefer “privates” or “pee pee”?

Turns out, the terms you use to describe your nether regions (there’s a euphemism for you) matter deeply.

For starters, the researchers found that using playful or childish terms in your day-to-day – “pee pee,” “hoo-ha,” “vajayjay” – tended to report more negative feelings about their genitals.

“These terms were also linked to a more negative perception of partner’s oral sex enjoyment, greater use of vaginal cleaning products and higher openness to labiaplasty,” said Tanja Oschatz, who studies women’s sexuality at Johannes-Gutenberg-University in Mainz, Germany, and co-authored the study.

Meanwhile, using vulgar terms during sex – “pussy,” “cunt” – is connected to a more positive sexual experience, Oschatz told HuffPost.

“Interestingly, using the word ‘pussy’ in sexual contexts was associated with greater sexual pleasure and more frequent orgasms,” she said. “This suggests that a word once considered derogatory may now be reclaimed by many women and carry an element of empowerment.”

To conduct the study, which was recently published in the journal Sex Roles, the researchers surveyed 457 women from the United States, spanning from age 18 to 81. (The average age was around 37 years.)

Illustration: HuffPost; Photo: Getty Images

To conduct the study, which was recently published in the journal Sex Roles, the researchers surveyed 457 women from the United States, spanning from age 18 to 81. (The average age was around 37 years.)

For the study, recently published in the journal Sex Roles, researchers surveyed 457 women in the United States ranging in age from 18 to 81, with an average age of about 37.

The women were asked what terms they most commonly use to refer to their genitals in two different scenarios: everyday, non-sexual scenarios and during partnered sex.

Then, the women completed a series of questionnaires designed to assess their genital self-image, their overall sexual pleasure, orgasm frequency, attitudes toward oral sex and some health behaviours, like if they used vaginal cleaning products and their openness to labiaplasty, a type of cosmetic genital surgery meant to reshape or reduce the size of the labia minora or labia majora.

In everyday conversation, the study found that a majority of women, about 75%, reported using at least one anatomical term, with “vagina” being the most frequent. Playful euphemisms were also common, used roughly among 15% of the participants, especially older women. (So your mom isn’t the only one who blanches at the mention of “vagina.”)

There’s definitely been a generational shift in favoured terms, Oschatz said.

“One thing that was interesting was that compared to data from 20 years ago, we also found that the term ‘vulva’ (referring to the outer parts of women’s genitals) and words referring to the clitoris have become more common, suggesting a more differentiated and anatomically informed vocabulary today,” Oschatz said.

Context really mattered here, though. For instance, childish terms were linked to more negative attitudes only when used in non-sexual contexts, but not during sexual ones.

“We found that genital naming among women is very diverse,” Oschatz said.

The researchers were surprised to find that using euphemisms — vague and indirect terms like “down there” or “private area” — was not associated with more negative attitudes toward women’s own genitals.

Maskot via Getty Images

The researchers were surprised to find that using euphemisms — vague and indirect terms like “down there” or “private area” — was not associated with more negative attitudes toward women’s own genitals.

There’s a lot of discussion – especially in online parenting circles – about the need to use correct anatomical terms for genitalia. When kids feel comfortable saying “vagina” or “penis,” the argument goes, it reduces shame about their bodies and gives them the language they need to tell a trusted adult if someone touches them inappropriately.

While this study in no way discounts any of that – being intentional with our language and learning how to advocate for ourselves with our words is important – the study adds some nuance to our understanding of how that all plays out into adulthood.

The researchers were surprised to find that using euphemisms – vague and indirect terms like “down there” or “private area” – was not associated with more negative attitudes toward women’s own genitals.

“We had expected that these terms might carry an element of shame or discomfort, which could be linked to a more negative genital self-image. But our findings suggest otherwise. Instead, it was really the use of childish language that was related to negative feelings and attitudes,” Oschatz said.

With their study complete, Oschatz said she’s happy to see some researchers currently replicating their study in different cultures and languages. (Research really needs to be done on all those Brits calling it a “fanny”.)

“Language is so diverse it is likely that categories and connotations vary largely,” Oschatz said.

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Here’s What It Means If Your Face Gets Bright Red After A Workout

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I do not know what people are talking about when they describe having, or being, “gym crushes”. For me, fellow gym-goers see my ugliest self: sweaty brow, frizzy hair, magenta face. Not exactly romantic.

But what does it actually mean if, like me, you go bright red after exercise?

Like getting out of breath after climbing the stairs, is it more or less worrying depending on its severity? Is there a “normal” level of redness after exercise?

We spoke to Dr Dominic Greenyer, GP and director at The Health Suite in Leicester, about why some people turn scarlet after a run and what it means.

The post-workout redness that made me think, "when is this worth worrying about?"

Amy Glover / HuffPost UK

The post-workout redness that made me think, “when is this worth worrying about?”

Why does my face turn red after a workout?

When you work out, your muscles need more blood (so much more, in fact, that over time, regularly exercised muscle tissue builds more blood vessels).

So, “when you exercise, your blood flow increases and pushes heat to the surface to help you regulate your temperature,” Dr Greenyer told HuffPost UK.

“We have lots of capillaries close to the skin on our face, which is why some people can look red in appearance” after working out, he added.

The more intense and/or long-lasting the workout, the redder your face might become. That’s because your body is working harder to try to cool you down.

“Some people are more prone to this, including those with fair skin or who suffer from a condition called rosacea,” the GP added.

Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that makes a person’s skin, including the skin on their face, appear redder due to dilated blood vessels.

Should I be worried if my face is always red after working out?

Thankfully, Dr Greenyer told us, “experiencing a red face after exercise is usually a very normal response, especially if you have really exerted yourself”.

It is usually nothing to worry about, even if you go very red.

But, the doctor cautioned, it could sometimes “suggest other conditions affecting the heart or liver” if it comes alongside other symptoms.

“Having a red face after exercise is usually nothing to worry about, and will return to normal once you stop, take some slow deep breaths and drink plenty of water,” he ended.

“But if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, chest pain or shortness of breath, see a doctor.”

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THIS Is The Colour Bell Pepper To Eat If You Want Maximum Immune Support

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We’re currently right in the middle of peak flu season, which means immune support is top of mind for pretty much everyone.

Staying on top of your vaccines is key to protecting your health. So are the hygiene basics we’ve been taught since school, like covering your mouth when you sneeze and washing your hands frequently.

Diet plays a role in immune support, too, and maybe you’ve been downing orange juice like it’s your job in an effort to avoid getting sick. While oranges are a good source of vitamin C, bell peppers have even more, making them a worthwhile veggie to incorporate into your meals.

While all bell peppers offer nutritional benefits, what they offer varies slightly depending on colour.

We talked to registered dietitians about how bell peppers’ benefits vary by colour. Curious as to which one you should go for to support your health goals, including immune support? Here’s everything you need to know.

How the nutritional benefits of bell peppers vary based on their colour

When comparing the nutritional benefits of the different colours of bell peppers, it’s helpful to know why their colours vary to begin with.

Ginger Hultin, a registered dietitian nutritionist who has a doctorate in clinical nutrition and is the author of Anti-Inflammatory Plant-Based Eating 101, told HuffPost that a bell pepper’s hue has to do with how ripe it is.

“Bell peppers change colour as they ripen on the vine, with green peppers being the least ripe and red peppers being the most mature,” Hultin said.

She explained that green bell peppers are high in chlorophyll, a pigment that gives them their green colour. “As the peppers mature on the vine, the chlorophyll breaks down, and more carotenoids [a type of antioxidant] are produced, accounting for the change in colour and nutrient profile,” she said.

Hultin added that, unlike bananas, bell peppers are non-climacteric fruits and don’t ripen after they’ve been picked.

As a 2021 review published in the journal Molecules explains, all bell peppers contain carbohydrates, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. All three dietitians we spoke to told HuffPost that the amount of these nutrients varies slightly, based on a bell pepper’s colour.

These are all the same plant, just at different levels of ripeness.

Ramona Macedonski / 500px via Getty Images

These are all the same plant, just at different levels of ripeness.

Red peppers have distinct health benefits

Want to get the most nutrients across the board? Registered dietitian and intuitive eating counsellor Kara Lydon recommends eating red bell peppers.

“Red bell peppers typically come out on top in terms of overall nutritional value. Since red peppers ripen the longest, they boast the most antioxidants,” she said.

Registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk said this too, explaining, “Red bell peppers are the highest in vitamin C and A due to longer ripening times, followed by orange, yellow and green.”

In terms of which colour bell pepper offers the most immune support, red comes out on top again.

“Studies show that red bell peppers have the highest content of vitamin C out of all the bell peppers, potentially as high as 60% more vitamin C than their green counterparts,” Lydon shared, highlighting a study published in the International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition.

As Michalczyk pointed out earlier, red bell peppers are also the highest in vitamin A, another nutrient that supports immune health.

But don’t discount orange, yellow and green peppers

Even though red bell peppers are the most nutrient-rich, that doesn’t mean that orange, yellow and green bell peppers aren’t worth eating.

All three dietitians emphasised that the nutritional differences between different coloured bell peppers aren’t huge, so you shouldn’t get too hung up on it.

“Each bell pepper offers a unique antioxidant profile, so it’s best to ‘eat the colours of the rainbow’ when it comes to bell peppers so that you can reap the nutritional benefits of each kind,” Lydon said.

For example, yellow bell peppers are particularly high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that support eye health.

As for green bell peppers, Hultin said they are lower in calories. “Green bell peppers have slightly fewer calories than their red, orange and yellow counterparts since they are less ripe and their natural sugars haven’t accumulated yet. However, this difference is negligible,” she said. A red bell pepper contains about 37 calories per pepper, while a green pepper contains 24.

It bears repeating that when it comes to the nutritional differences among bell pepper colours, all three dietitians say these differences are pretty minimal across the board, so it’s important not to get too hung up on them.

How you cook them matters

If you want to get the maximum benefits from your peppers, how you cook them matters. “Steaming and stir-frying are two good ways to cook bell peppers to help prevent the loss of water-soluble vitamins like vitamin C,” Michalczyk said.

She recommends avoiding boiling or cooking bell peppers at high heat to preserve their nutrient density as much as possible. “It’s good to keep in mind that overcooking can degrade nutrients found in vegetables and boiling can cause the water-soluble vitamins to leach into the water,” she explained.

Since vitamin A is fat-soluble, Hutlin recommends sautéing peppers in extra-virgin olive oil to help maximise nutrient absorption.

There is no shortage of bell pepper recipes you can find online to experiment with to learn your favourite ways to eat them.

Lydon said that, personally, she loves stuffed bell peppers because they’re easily customisable based on taste preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. “Make it a well-balanced, satisfying meal by adding a source of lean protein like ground turkey, chicken or fish, a starch high in fiber like brown rice or quinoa and a dietary fat like cheese or avocado,” she shared.

Hultin says that bell peppers can be easily mixed into soups, stews, omelettes or frittatas for breakfast, roasted as a side or enjoyed raw and sliced to pair with hummus.

“Ultimately, all colours of bell peppers make a great addition to the diet, so I wouldn’t stress too much about getting one colour vs. the other,” Michalczyk emphasised.

“Go for a variety to reap the benefits from the health compounds that are unique to each colour. In the winter, during cold and flu season, I think it’s great to know that red bell pepper has more vitamin C than an orange and incorporate those into different meals and snacks to support your immune system.”

It’s also important to remember that bell peppers are just one of many nutrient-rich foods, including ones that support your immune system. So it’s worth it to vary your meals with other foods too, like cauliflower, butternut squash and apples. Besides providing your body with a wider range of nutrients, switching things up will keep your taste buds happy, too.

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Trump Thinks US Aggression Can Overpower Everything. No One Seems Willing To Prove Him Wrong.

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Donald Trump outdid himself this week.

After initiating military strikes against Venezuela and capturing its president Nicolas Maduro, he declared he would “run” the country – and send in America’s oil companies.

While there were some murmurings of dissent over this aggression, his western allies effectively looked the other way, shirking questions over whether this was a breach of international law.

But Trump wasn’t finished. He then began to renew his threats against Colombia, Cuba, Mexico and Iran – as well as the Danish territory of Greenland.

Attacking the latter would effectively tear the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) apart, considering both the US and Denmark are members.

He told the New York Times he could be left with a “choice” between sticking with Nato or grabbing Greenland.

As the White House’s deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller said this week: “Nobody is going to fight the US militarily over the future of Greenland.”

European leaders did pipe up a little in defence the Arctic island, writing a joint statement reminding the US that its future can be decided only by Greenland and Denmark.

But evidently, that’s not enough. The president does not care. He has pressed on, insisting the US “needs” the territory.

The 80-year pact among western leaders after World War 2 to commit to a shared idea of defence, democracy and law has gone out the window.

And European leaders fear the repercussions that could follow if they challenge the most powerful man in the world for upending the rules-based order.

Does this mean it is now Trump’s world, and we’re just living in it?

Associate fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme. Keir Giles told HuffPost UK that at the moment it certainly looked like it – “who is going to stop him?”

He pointed out that the States is widely seen as the main enforcer of international law, and so America has been able to pick and choose which elements it wants to uphold – or now let it collapse altogether.

He did suggest Europe might be less powerful than it thinks – but that the continent should have a strategy that goes beyond “pandering” to the White House.

Evidently, the softly-softly approach is barely registering with Trump, as seen from the UK prime minister’s interactions with him this week.

Keir Starmer has tried to become a Trump whisperer over the last 18 months, but he could not even get the US president on the phone in the immediate aftermath of his military strikes on Venezuela.

It seemed that it was only after the UK and France promised to send their troops to Ukraine in the even of a peace deal and Britain helped the US seize a Russian tanker linked to Venezuelan oil in the North Atlantic that Trump picked up the phone on Wednesday.

And, judging by the short readout from No.10, Starmer made no progress on persuading Trump to climbdown on his Greenland ambitions.

Surprisingly, they had a second conversation on Thursday.

“The leaders discussed Euro-Atlantic security and agreed on the need to deter an increasingly aggressive Russia in the High North,” according to Downing Street. “European allies had stepped up in recent months to defend Euro-Atlantic interests, but more could be done to protect the area, the prime minister said.”

Trump’s comments’s response to those words from Starmer were notably absent.

President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries during a joint press conference at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
President Donald Trump and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries during a joint press conference at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.

via Associated Press

So there are growing calls for European leaders to grow a backbone, especially if Trump moves to annex Greenland.

As EU correspondent Ole Ryborg wrote for Danish media outlet, DR: “What the Europeans have not tried yet is to act against the US. The political will has not been there.”

He suggested if Europe banded together against the US, it could use its “large arsenal of very powerful weapons” to knock Trump off course.

The specialist noted how the continent could start an economic conflict, too, by halting the export of the specific technology that the US buys in Europe, which could block the entire US AI sector.

The EU could stop using American cryptocurrency, impose personal sanctions on Americans or implement an entry ban on US politicians.

The bloc could consider freezeing financial assets, too, limiting the new purchase of American government bonds, restricting US companies and services and disrupting the US-EU medicine trade.

“Putin has been emboldened by president Trump’s recent aggressive posturing”

– CEO of Hope for Ukraine and humanitarian expert, Yuriy Boyechko

Even closing US military bases in Europe would send a statement to the White House.

It’s certainly in Europe’s interests to stop Trump sooner rather than later – and not just because of Greenland.

That’s because Trump’s moves appear to have given Russia a boost.

On Thursday, Russia targeted western Ukraine, Lviv, with an intermediate range ballistic missile which travelled approximately 1,622km to its target.

The CEO of Hope for Ukraine and humanitarian expert, Yuriy Boyechko, told HuffPost UK this “escalation appears fueled by a perception of Western disunity”.

He added: “Specifically, Putin has been emboldened by president Trump’s recent aggressive posturing, including his dismissal of Nato’s traditional role and his alarming renewed threats to use military force to acquire Greenland.

“By eyeing the territory of a Nato ally while signaling that the US commitment to the alliance is fluid, the current administration has created a vacuum that the Kremlin is eager to fill, actively testing the threshold of global stability in a world where the old rules no longer seem to apply.”

Giles also noted that Europe needs to get its act together and appreciate the impact of Trump’s moves, dispelling the “assumption that wars only happen to other people”.

He called out Britain in particular, claiming “the UK government is doggedly resisting taking an interest in national defence” while the very real threat of Russian war looms.

While Vladimir Putin’s nose was put out of joint this week after Trump seized part of his shadow fleet, Giles said the Russian president probably “doesn’t want to interrupt his enemy while he is making a mistake” and rearranging the world order to Russia’s liking – especially when it jeopardises Nato.

Russia is already testing the so-called grey zone between war and peace, too.

The Daily Mail reported this week that Russia could cripple Britain by cutting just 60 undersea cables carrying 99% of all UK data, while its shadow fleet has been accused of trying to sabotage telecommunication cables.

Allies on the continent evidently can no longer ignore Trump’s posturing – but it remains to be seen whether any of them will put their heads above the parapet and risk the Republican’s wrath.

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Why Did Storm Goretti Turn Birmingham’s Sky Bright Pink?

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Storm Goretti has hit the UK, bringing with it heavy snowfall and incredibly strong winds.

The harsh weather conditions, which have risen from the south to meet the UK’s existing cold front, led to multiple weather warnings.

But it’s unlikely that even the most diligent forecast-checker would have expected the luminous pink sky seen by some in Birmingham during the storm.

So why did the highlighter-bright shade, described by the BBC as “Stranger Things pink,” take over?

Why was the sky pink in Birmingham?

It’s a combination of the weather conditions and the neon pink lights of Birmingham City Football Club.

The presence of falling snow and large, reflective clouds amplified the hue across the city, the BBC explained.

Met Office spokesman Grahame Madge added, “The blue wavelengths of light are more easily scattered by snow or water droplets, allowing the longer wavelengths – such as red and orange – to get through.

“This can have the effect of turning colours more pink or orange.”

Basically, Storm Goretti reflected a lot more of the bright pink lights from Birmingham City Football Club than is usual because of the amount of reflective precipitation and clouds it brought to the atmosphere.

And the way that snow and water reflect light amplifies red and orange shades more than others, making the pink extra-pink.

Why are there pink lights in Birmingham City Football Club to begin with?

OK, so that’s why the pink light was amplified.

But why are their fuchsia bulbs in the stadium to begin with?

Well, according to ITVX’s sports correspondent, Dan Salisbury-Jones, these are from heat lamps used by the stadium.

“They are using LED lighting rigs to help the grass recover as quickly as possible between matches,” he explained.

“Birmingham’s are provided by a Dutch company called SGL Systems in case you’d like one for your lawn!”

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Could UK Workers Ever Get Paid Period Leave?

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Last year, the government announced that it would renew its Women’s Health Strategy to help improve equality and access.

“Whether it’s being passed from one specialist to another for conditions like endometriosis or PCOS… it’s clear the system is failing women, and it shouldn’t be happening,” Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said at the time.

Now, a menstrual leave petition is approaching the threshold for a parliamentary debate (100,000 signatures).

Here, we spoke to Justyna Strzeszynska, women’s health expert and founder and CEO of AI-powered period care app Joii, about what that might mean.

What are people asking to be debated?

The petition is asking calling on the government to “introduce statutory paid menstrual leave of up to three days per month for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis”.

They noted this was put in place in Portugal in April of last year.

Endometriosis (believed to affect one in 10 women) can cause chronic and period-specific pain. Adenomyosis is believed to affect about as many women, and also causes sometimes debilitatingly painful periods.

What happens if the petition gets 100,000 signatures?

“Once a UK parliamentary petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it becomes eligible for debate in parliament,” Strzeszynska explained.

“This doesn’t guarantee a change in law, but it does require the government to formally respond and gives MPs the opportunity to debate the issue and consider whether further action or consultation is needed.

“Importantly, it signals that this is no longer a niche issue, but one affecting a significant number of people across the UK.”

Does the CEO think this means we’ll get period leave soon?

Though she’s pleased by the public interest in menstrual leave, Strzeszynska isn’t sure we’ll see any changes soon, even if the debate reaches parliament.

“Historically, the UK has preferred to address health needs through flexible working, sick leave and disability or long-term condition protections rather than condition-specific leave,” she told us.

But she noted that “the growing public support for this petition reflects a real shift – painful and debilitating periods are being recognised as legitimate health issues, not inconveniences.

“What’s more likely is a gradual evolution, clearer guidance for employers, better use of sick leave for menstrual health conditions and stronger protections for people with diagnosed conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis.”

What might menstrual leave look like?

Petitioners are calling for statutory paid leave for up to three days a month for those with conditions like endometriosis and adenomyosis.

“In practice, menstrual leave in the UK is more likely to take the form of additional paid sick days, flexible working options or condition-specific accommodations, rather than a universal ‘period leave’ policy,” Strzeszynska opined.

“For example, a small number of additional paid health days per year, explicit recognition of menstrual health within workplace policies or the ability to work from home during severe symptoms.”

For menstrual leave to truly work, Strzeszynska said, employers need a degree of education on menstrual issues and trust.

“Many people don’t have predictable cycles or formal diagnoses, and others worry about stigma or being taken less seriously at work,” she said.

“When implemented thoughtfully, supportive policies can reduce presenteeism, prevent burnout and allow people to manage their health without fear of judgement, which ultimately benefits both employees and employers.”

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Farage Accused Of ‘Wanting To Bring Trump’s Death Squads’ To UK

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Nigel Farage has been accused of wanting to bring Donald Trump’s “death squads” to the UK amid Reform’s plans to crack down on immigration.

The US president is facing heightened backlash right now after an agent representing America’s ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement – fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Trump claimed the deceased woman was “driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer”, before the official shot her in self-defence.

But footage of the shooting suggests the woman tried to back up and drive away when agents told her to “get out of the fucking car”.

The incident has sparked intense outrage in the States and a wider debate about ICE amid Trump’s push to cut back on immigration.

Reform’s closeness with the current US administration means this conversation has leapt across the Atlantic.

As Green Party leader Zack Polanski pointed out, Farage has long suggested he would like to reduce immigration in the UK.

He said: “Farage wants to bring Trump’s death squads to the streets of Britain.

“Together, we will stop him.”

He pointed to a Reform policy document from August which promises to create an “enforcement unit called UK Deportation Command, including an Illegal Migrant Identification Centre”.

Polanski also noted that the Conservative Party previously pledged to introduce a £1.6 billion ICE-style removal force.

He wrote in a later post: “Trump started it.

“Reform and Tories are at it too. And Labour already heading in that direction. All cruel, potentially deadly and does nothing to fix the cost of living crisis.”

His concerns were echoed by other users on X, too…

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Reform most certainly want an ICE style immigration system in the UK too.
We must never allow Farage anywhere near power. https://t.co/2CKkvQ9IBi

— Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) January 8, 2026

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Reform most certainly want an ICE style immigration system in the UK too.
We must never allow Farage anywhere near power. https://t.co/2CKkvQ9IBi

— Narinder Kaur (@narindertweets) January 8, 2026

Reform UK was approached for a comment to Polanski’s remarks.

During a press conference on Wednesday, Farage was asked what he thought of Polanski.

He said: “This Polanski bloke has appeared out of nowhere… clearly a lunatic.”

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