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So THIS Is Why Doctors Ask Such Invasive Questions

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I am no conspiracy theorist; I trust doctors, I trust medicine and I have found that this has served me well in life. However, I have to confess that when my doctor asks me something seemingly ‘random’ question, I do wonder why that would ever matter.

For example, I have been with my partner for almost nine years and lived with him for almost seven years but we are not married and don’t plan to be. When my doctor asks about my sexual activities and soon after asks if I’m married, my first instinct is to get defensive.

What can I say? I’m tired of being asked when we will marry.

However, one expert has explained why these questions occur and, well, I stand corrected.

Why doctors ask ‘weird’ questions

Writing for The Conversation, Jill Inderstrodt, an Assistant Professor of Health Policy and Management, Indiana University says: “For those of us who use demographic data collected during health care encounters to conduct research and design interventions, it does matter whether patients answer their doctor’s demographic questions.

“But as a patient myself, I can see how these questions might seem unnecessary and even invasive.”

She goes on to explain that by answering these questions, you’re actually playing a part in shaping Public Health: “When you answer the demographic questions your doctor logs in your electronic health record, you’re doing more than disclosing personal information. You’re adding one small piece to a giant puzzle of data that allows researchers like me to see a bigger picture.

“Your health information can help us understand who gets sick and why. It might even be used to design real health interventions.”

Pretty beautiful, actually.

Inderstrodt goes on to give real-life examples of this, saying: “For example, my colleagues and I in the Indiana University Better AI for a Strong Rural Maternal and Child Health Environment Lab use this data to train machine learning models that predict preeclampsia, a life-threatening condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy, before a mom gets really sick.

“We could use only clinical data: diagnoses, labs and vital readings like blood pressure that contribute to the outcome of preeclampsia.

“But for conditions like preeclampsia, Black moms are diagnosed at higher rates than their white counterparts. Research shows that race and racism can be major contributing factors to this disparity.”

As for why doctors ask if you’re married…

Uh, so, my doctor isn’t personally invested in my relationship status. Shocked.

Inderstrodt explains: “This is why your cardiologist asks about your marital status. Your response might help researchers understand why single moms are more likely to have cardiovascular disease than their married counterparts.

“And telling your optometrist your race is one of the only ways to learn what role race might play in patients using weight loss drugs experiencing vision loss.”

Ah. Fair enough.

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‘Absolute F*****g Disaster’: Why A Union Leadership Result Is Bad News For Keir Starmer

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Keir Starmer has been dealt another huge blow after one of his closest trade allies was deposed as leader of a leading trade union.

Christine McAnea was defeated by the left-winger Andrea Egan, who was kicked out of the Labour Party in 2022.

In a major shock, Egan received nearly 60% of the vote and will take over from McAnea next month.

The result will shift the balance of power on Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC), making it harder for Starmer and his supporters to control.

A senior Labour source said the result was an “absolute fucking disaster – a massive loss for Keir”.

Another party insider said: “It’s terrible. The biggest trade union in the country has gone to the hard left for the first time ever.

“It will probably mean waves of strikes across the public sector, causing misery to anyone in need of social care services ,for example.”

Labour MP Karl Turner told HuffPost UK said McAnea’s defeat was linked to worsening relations between Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and the Parliamentary Labour Party.

He said: “When you outsource the management of the PLP to unelected office staff you end up losing control of everything else.”

A Labour source said: “The No.10 gang need to stop with all this glorifying in punching down on Labour and trade union members.

“If you don’t tend to your flock no wonder they abandon you.”

Egan, who was expelled for sharing articles on social media from Socialist Appeal, an organisation banned by Labour, has said she will look again at the financial relationship between Unison and the party.

Last year, Unison gave Labour £1.49 million, making it the party’s largest union donor.

Egan said: “This result means ordinary Unison members are at long last taking charge of our union.

“We will put faith in members’ decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or Cabinet minister who acts against our interests.

“Together, we will turn Unison into the remarkable force for change it should be. That journey has begun today.”

The result was welcomed by the Mainstream campaign group, which is closely aligned to Andy Burnham, who has made little secret of his desire to replace Starmer as Labour leader and PM.

“This result shows clearly that vast swathes of Labour’s historic coalition feel the government has fallen out of step with its mainstream,” the group said.

“By working hand in hand with our partners in the trade union movement, the Labour Party has ushered in huge advances for working people before and it can do so again – but only if the party rediscovers its progressive instincts.

“We look forward to working with Andrea and all those who share our commitment to a more open Labour Party with the energy and ideas to transform the country.”

Starmer said: “Congratulations to Andrea Egan on her election as General Secretary of Unison. I look forward to working with her.”

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Keir Starmer Mocks Reform Over Russian Bribes And Race Rows At PMQs

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Starmer went on a Christmas-themed attack at prime minister’s questions as the Commons prepares to rise until the New Year.

The PM said: “Mr Speaker, may I take the opportunity to wish you, all the staff in parliament, every member and their families across the House a very happy Christmas.

“And a little festive advice to those in Reform. If mysterious men from the east appear bearing gifts, this time report it to the police.”

That was a reference to Nathan Gill, Reform’s former leader in Wales who was jailed for 10 and a half years last month for taking bribes from Russia.

Later in the session, Starmer also poked fun at Runcorn MP Sarah Pochin, who said in October that it “drives me mad when I see adverts full of black people, full of Asian people”.

The prime minister said: “The member for Runcorn is clearly dreaming of a white Christmas.”

Starmer’s attacks are further evidence that Labour sees Reform as their main rivals, with the party maintaining a comfortable opinion poll lead throughout 2025.

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Putin’s Top Diplomat Revives One Of Russia’s Most Toxic Claims – And Turns It Against The UK

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Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat has attacked Europe once again as Ukraine’s allies make grinding progress with US-brokered peace talks.

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused the UK, France, Belgium and the Baltic States of “resurrecting” Nazism in a fresh takedown of the continent.

Putin justified his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 by falsely claiming the country needed to be “denazified” and “demilitarised”.

Almost four years later, that excuse has returned – but is now being levelled at Ukraine’s allies, all while they are trying to negotiate a peace deal.

Europe has tried to water down Donald Trump’s pro-Kremlin peace plan so it does not end up sacrificing too much of Ukraine’s sovereignty, or rewarding Putin for his aggression.

These efforts have, unsurprisingly, not been welcomed in the Kremlin.

Russia has long criticised Ukraine’s allies for supporting the beleaguered country throughout the war.

Putin has also been dragging his feet in early peace talks, refusing to compromise on any of his maximalist goals.

Speaking to Iranian broadcasters on Monday – hours after European leaders held crunch talks over the Ukraine war – senior Putin aide Lavrov attacked the continent yet again.

Without any evidence, he said: “The saddest and the most hazardous thing is that the theory and practices of Nazism are being resurrected in Europe, primarily in Brussels but also in Berlin, London, Paris, not to mention the Baltic States.”

He also claimed: “Europe is waging a war with us once again with Ukrainians under a Nazi flag, using European money, instructors and all Western intelligence and reconnaissance data while Europe is pumping Ukraine with increasingly more modern weapons.”

Russia started the war by invading Ukraine in a land grab and now controls a fifth of its land.

Western leaders have repeatedly expressed fears that if Russia were permitted to seize Ukrainian land, Putin would come back for territory and eat into Europe.

Lavrov then appeared to wipe out Ukraine’s history altogether.

He said: “Another threat consists of cancelling everything Russian in territories which used to be inhabited by Russians for many centuries and which had a Russian culture and history but happened to become part of Ukraine.”

He also alleged: “Europe is like a failed doctor who struggles to diagnose his patients and opts for randomly prescribing pills or mixtures to ease the symptoms, if only for a brief moment.

“These Europeans doctors have been unwilling to come up with a diagnosis.”

Russia is yet to respond officially to the new proposals from Europe around ending the war – but Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested Moscow remained unwilling to compromise.

He said: “We want to stop this war, achieve our goals, secure our interests, and guarantee peace in Europe for the future. That’s what we want.”

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Huge Boost For Zack Polanski As Five Labour Councillors Defect To Greens

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Five Labour councillors have defected to the Greens in a further boost for party leader Zack Polanski.

The politicians, who sit on Brent Council, said they had become disillusioned with Labour’s direction under Keir Starmer.

It is the biggest mass defection from Labour to the Greens as the environmental party continues to enjoy a surge in support.

The five defectors include Harabi Farah, a former cabinet member on the council, and former Labour whip Iman Ahmadi Moghaddam.

Polanski said: “The Green surge has just widened in London.

“What we’re witnessing in Brent mirrors what we’re hearing across the country on doorsteps and in polls.

“Good Labour councillors can see Labour has abandoned any sense of progressive politics and is showing absolute cowardice in its doomed attempt to out Reform, Reform with the politics of division and scapegoating.

“Increasingly, people are finding the alternative they need by joining the Green Party and working for a better world shaped by hope rather than fear.

“In the elections in May, it is the Greens who will be taking the fight to Reform and we show our intent today in Brent. This is just the start.”

The chair of the London Green Party Federation, Eugene McCarthy, said: “This huge defection reflects what we are hearing on the doorstep. Labour aren’t prepared for what’s coming in May’s local elections.”

The Brent division of the Green Party also welcomed the news, saying: “Brent is the most diverse borough in London, rich in history and culture, yet years of Labour and Tory austerity have taken a heavy toll.

“Services continue to shrink, in-work poverty is rising, families are under pressure, and local businesses face growing uncertainty. In one of the world’s wealthiest cities, such inequality is indefensible.”

Polanski was only elected Green leader in September, and has overseen a huge boost in the polls for the fringe party and soaring membership.

As of December, the Greens has more than 180,000 members – meaning it has more than doubled in the last three months, and overtaken the Conservative Party in membership numbers.

Researchers at Opinium also found Polanski is the most popular party leader in the UK recently.

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Why A GP Says ‘Snowshoeing’ May Be Better Exercise Than Walking

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It’s very hard to predict snow in the UK, which means we don’t yet know whether we’ll have a white Christmas.

Still, those who have access to thick blankets of fluffy flakes, like those in parts of Scotland, might benefit from “snow shoeing” in it, said Dr Suzanne Wylie, GP and medical adviser for IQdoctor.

What is “snowshoeing”?

“Snowshoeing” works more or less like you’d think it would.

It “is simply walking on snow using snowshoes to give extra flotation and grip,” Alpine Exploratory shared.

Snowshoes are frames, with spikes for added grip, that you can strap onto your walking boots to prevent sinking into deep snow.

Historians have found wooden versions of the design dating back to 3,800 BC.

And, like with “Nordic walking”, you’ll also have some poles to hold onto to propel you along.

If you’re taking an unexplored or difficult path, Alpine Exploratory recommends using a guide.

What are the health benefits of “snowshoeing”?

“Snowshoeing can offer some advantages over normal walking, largely because of the environment and the physical demands involved,” Dr Wylie told HuffPost UK.

“Walking on snowshoes requires greater effort due to the resistance of snow and the added weight on the feet, which can increase cardiovascular workload and energy expenditure compared with walking on flat, firm ground.

“This can help improve aerobic fitness and engage a wider range of muscle groups, particularly in the legs and core, while still remaining relatively low impact on the joints.”

And, she explained, the method reduces the likelihood of hurting yourself on othwerwise trickty terrain.

“The wider base of the snowshoe can also reduce the risk of slipping compared with walking on icy ground in standard footwear, although good technique and suitable terrain are important to minimise falls”.

Like other forms of walking, the GP added, snowshoeing “supports heart health, helps with weight management, and can improve blood sugar control”.

“Snowshoeing” might benefit our mood, too

All exercise can help to boost our mood, and some research suggests that mountain walking might make us happier than strolling on a treadmill.

So perhaps it’s no wonder Dr Wylie said that snowshoeing “has the added benefit of being an outdoor activity often done in natural, scenic settings.”

She continued, “Exposure to daylight and nature is associated with improved mood, reduced stress, and better mental wellbeing, which can be particularly valuable during winter months when people are more prone to low mood.

“As with any exercise, it should be approached sensibly, taking into account individual fitness levels and medical conditions, but for many, snowshoeing can be an enjoyable and effective way to stay active both physically and mentally.”

BRB – looking for the snowiest spot I can…

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Rob Reiner’s Son Nick Arrested And Charged Following Parents’ Deaths

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The son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer is in police custody following his parents’ deaths.

In the early hours of Monday morning, it was first reported that Reiner and Singer had been found dead at the home they shared in Los Angeles, California, in what has since emerged to have been an apparent double homicide.

Following this, outlets including Entertainment Weekly and ABC News reported that the couple’s son, Nick, had been arrested, and was being held on $4 million (just under £3 million) bail.

BBC News also said that Nick Reiner had been charged with a felony-level crime following his arrest.

Rob Reiner and his son Nick during an interview in 2016
Rob Reiner and his son Nick during an interview in 2016

Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic

The Los Angeles Fire Department previously said it had responded to a medical aid request shortly after 3.30pm on Sunday afternoon, where a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were found dead inside.

Reiner and Singer’s deaths were subsequently confirmed in a statement from their family to Variety, which read: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner.

“We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”

The son of the late entertainment legends Carl and Estelle Reiner, Rob Reiner began his career in entertainment in the late 1960s, eventually rising to fame for his work in the sitcom All In The Family, for which he won two Emmys.

However, to many, Reiner will be best remembered for his work behind the camera, helming classic films like This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, Misery and When Harry Met Sally.

Over the course of his film career, Reiner was nominated for Best Director at the Golden Globes on four occasions, for Stand By Me, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men and The American President.

Reiner married Singer in 1989, after meeting her while working on When Harry Met Sally.

The couple had three children; Jake, Nick, and daughter Romy. Reiner also became the adopted father of a daughter, Tracy Reiner, during his first marriage to the actor and film director Penny Marshall.

Additional reporting by AP.

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Hate Throwing Stuff Out, But Need More Space? ‘Reverse Decluttering’ Could Help

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What a rotten mix of traits I have. I love collecting new stuff, hate throwing things out, and also adore free space and clear counters.

That means I can spend hours stressing over my cluttered cupboards, despairing about what could happen if I threw away that once-beloved trench coat, all to end up in a frozen, stressed state.

If that sounds like you, Bill Parkinson, a bedding expert from Sleepy Piglets, may have a solution.

“If you struggle with decision fatigue, reverse decluttering is a great way to ease into the process with a more positive mindset,” he explained.

What is “reverse decluttering”?

The process is pretty simple (and rather like Marie Kondo’s joy-sparking rule) – instead of trying ot work out what you want to lose, consider what you couldn’t live without.

“Rather than starting with what to get rid of, begin by setting aside the things you know you want to keep,” Parkinson said.

“This helps set the tone for a productive session by focusing on what’s already useful or valued in your space. That small win naturally makes the decisions that follow feel less overwhelming, while helping you to feel more confident and in control from the outset.”

Indeed, some research has found that employees who set short-term goals were more likely to complete them.

“Once your essentials are set aside, it’s much easier to look at what’s left and decide what to donate, recycle or move on,” Parkinson continued.

’Tis the season for regifting, too

If you really don’t like the idea of throwing your possessions away, Parkinson said, “Regifting is a great way to give good quality items that you don’t have time to sell a second life.

“A barely-used lamp, for example, could be exactly what someone else is looking for. Passing items on makes the process feel more rewarding and intentional, especially if you’re someone who struggles with the guilt of letting things go.”

After all, he explained, “What tends to slow people down when decluttering is the idea that they might sell everything at a later date. In reality, those ‘sell’ piles often sit around for weeks and can often be mistaken for rubbish in your next clear-out.”

Bedrooms are particularly susceptible to accumulating clutter for this reason, he stated.

“Being decisive about what to actually give away is what turns a declutter session into real progress.”

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Andy Burnham Says Latest Labour Leadership Stories Are ‘Rubbish’. But MPs Aren’t Convinced

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Andy Burnham has described reports he wants to become an MP again before May as “rubbish”.

However, Labour MPs are convinced the Manchester mayor is eyeing a speedy return to Westminster so he can be in position to run for the party leadership if Keir Starmer is ousted.

Voters will go to the polls on May 7 next year for elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and councils across England.

Opinion polls suggest Labour is heading for a catastrophic result, which could trigger a leadership challenge to the prime minister.

Burnham, who quit Westminster in 2017 so he could run to become mayor of Greater Manchester, would need to be an MP again to stand for the top job.

He was accused of plotting to replace the PM during the Labour conference in September, when he made a number of criticisms of the party leadership.

According to newspaper reports today, Burnham has held talks about standing in a by-election before May.

Although Burnham passed up the opportunity to comment before the stories were published in the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday, he did post a reaction on X this morning.

He said: “Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place.”

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Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place!

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Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place!

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) December 14, 2025

But one of his supporters told the Mail on Sunday: “It’s happening. We are on the brink of securing a seat which is likely to come free shortly and where the polls say Andy would beat Reform.”

It is understood that would most likely be the Gorton and Denton seat currently held by former minister Andrew Gwynne, who was suspended by Labour in February over offensive messages he sent WhatsApp messages and is currently on long-term sick leave.

In a statement to The Times in September, Gwynne said: “In order to end the tedious speculation about my seat while I’m trying to recover from a period of ill health, it is my intention to serve the full term.

“The route to No 10 is not going to be through Gorton and Denton.”

But one MP told HuffPost UK: “Andy is gagging for a seat before May. Why wouldn’t he be? He knows that he needs to be ready in parliament for the local election results in May. Andrew Gwynne’s is the seat he will go for.”

A former Labour frontbencher said: “Burnham has spoken to other MPs who might fancy going but hasn’t been able to get a deal.”

Gwynne is thought to be coming under pressure from senior Labour figures in his constituency to stand down to make way for Burnham, but it will ultimately be up to government chief whip Jonathan Reynolds to authorise a by-election.

Another MP said: “There’s a significant number of us livid that he’s undermining the PM at every turn. He’s overestimating his support at Westminster.

“If he wanted to stand for parliament, he had an opportunity last year to run at the general election.

“We also can’t afford to have a mayoral by-election at the same time as he purports to want to have a leadership contest at the very top of the party during the course of summer 2026. It’s incredible.”

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said Labour politicians should “focus on the day job” of delivering for the public rather than indulging in leadership speculation.

She told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme: “I think that all of us in Government and in the Labour Party have a responsibility to focus on the day job and to get on with delivering for the British people.

“I was on your show just a few weeks ago, and I made this point that every single minute you have in government is precious, and it’s a huge privilege and an honour to be the government of your country, and we mustn’t waste a single second of it.

“So actually, this is on the whole of the government and all of the parliamentary Labour Party and the whole Labour movement to make sure we don’t waste a single second of the time that we have in government.”

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