#sugar free wale biscuit

[jerseydeanne]

The Royal Collection Trust has published the official recipe for one of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cakes

Recipe for Prince William's 'groom's cake'​ Serves eight Ingredients 225g Rich Tea biscuits 115g softened unsalted butter 115g unrefined caster sugar 115g chopped dark chocolate (minimum 53% cocoa solids) 2 tablespoons warm water For the chocolate ganache 125g dark chocolate, chopped 125g whipping cream Equipment 15cm metal cake ring Method 1. Prepare the metal cake ring by greasing with butter and lining the sides and the bottom with baking paper. Place the lined ring on to a flat tray and leave to one side until required. 2. Break the biscuits into small pieces, around 1–2cm in size. Do not place into a processor - the biscuits should not become crumbs. 3. Place the softened butter and the sugar into a bowl and cream together until light and fluffy. 4. Melt the chocolate either in the microwave or over a simmering saucepan of water. 5. Once melted, pour the chocolate on to the butter and sugar and mix thoroughly. 6. Add the water and then the broken biscuit pieces. Stir well to make sure that all the biscuit pieces are coated with the chocolate mix. 7. Place the mixture into the lined cake ring and carefully but firmly push it down to create an even texture. Place the cake into the fridge to chill until the chocolate becomes firm. This could take up to 30 minutes. For the chocolate ganache 1. To prepare the ganache for the cake covering, place the chopped chocolate into a bowl and pour the whipping cream into a saucepan. 2. Bring the cream to a simmer and then pour over the chopped chocolate. Carefully stir until the chocolate has completely melted and the ganache is smoothly blended. 3. Remove the chocolate biscuit cake from the fridge and from the cake ring. Place on to a wire rack with a tray beneath to collect the excess ganache. 4. Carefully coat the chocolate biscuit cake with the warm ganache, making sure that all of the cake is evenly coated. Allow to set fully before moving to your service plate and decorating as desired.

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The Royal Collection Trust (RCT) has published the official recipe for one of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding cakes, allowing fans to recreate the “really easy” no-bake treat at home in 30 minutes. The RCT, which looks after the Queen’s art collection and public visits to the royal palaces, shared the recipe for the chocolate biscuit cake on its social media, describing it as a “decadent treat”. Prince William’s “groom’s cake”, a tradition dating back to the Victorians, was a chocolate biscuit cake he loved in childhood. It features just five ingredients, including two tablespoons of warm water, plus an optional chocolate ganache. The cake is known to have been one of two at the 2011 wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, with the then Kate Middleton choosing a traditional, white, multi-tiered cake by Fiona Cairns. McVitie’s, which made the rich tea biscuits used in the cake, were sent the recipe and returned a creation fit to feed 600 guests, with nearly 40lb of chocolate and 1,700 biscuits. The RCT’s version is for a modest eight guests. Now published online for free, it finally settles the question of the “official” recipe after several former royal chefs have shared their versions over the years. At the time of the royal wedding, The Telegraph’s Xanthe Clay said: “It’s an unconventional choice for a wedding cake, but a chocolatey biscuit fridge cake is a tremendous crowd pleaser, just like Wills himself.” The groom’s cake, which often contains chocolate or alcohol, was a tradition in Britain in Victorian times, but has since largely been forgotten. It is said that if single women sleep with a slice of the cake under their pillow, they will dream of their husband-to-be. Carolyn Robb, who worked as a chef in the Royal household for the Prince and Princess of Wales and the young Princes William and Harry, has previously recalled making the cake for nursery tea, adding: “The boys often took some back to boarding school in their tuck boxes.” Darren McGrady, formerly chef for the Queen and later Diana, Princess of Wales, and her two sons, has published a slightly different recipe including egg. He called it “Her Majesty the Queen’s favourite afternoon tea cake by far”.

source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/royal-family/2021/10/04/decadent-treat-official-recipe-one-duke-duchess-cambridges-wedding/?utm_content=telegraph&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1633363586

[thehealingkind]

Teff: the tiny grain packing an almighty punch!

Just as we (finally) learn how to cook and devour the fluffiest quinoa, another 'superfood' hits the store shelves to keep us on our toes.

Say hello to teff, an ancient grain from Ethiopia which appears to be winning hearts (and for good reason).

What is teff ?

Teff is a grain about the size of a poppy seed that comes in a range of colours, from white and red through to a really dark brown. It’s currently the smallest known grain in the world, and has been hanging out in East African cuisines for around 3000 years before grabbing our attention here in Australia. The reason it’s survived for so long is it thrives pretty much anywhere, and can happily withstand the most waterlogged soil or drought-stricken desert without a single complaint.

Teff is jam—packed with good stuff and more flexible than your Wednesday night yoga teacher. Best of all, it retains its nutrients during the milling process as neither the germ or bran is said to be removed. Reason enough to try it out in some recipes? I think so! Watch this space, there's one coming to subscriber inboxes later this week!

Why is teff good for you?

Teff is high in protein and amino acids, making it fantastic for energy and muscle toning. It's carb content is quite high (and comparable to that of quinoa), but they're low GI and full of fibre which helps you keep your weight off and blood sugar down. It’s also full of iron and a great source of resistant starch which helps strengthen your stomach's probiotics.

So why does it need a gig in your pantry? It’s gluten free, nut free and (obviously) wheat free, making teff a perfect alternative for those with sensitivities. There are plenty of gluten-free and similar replacements out there, but teff offers oodles more nutrients and it’s earthy taste makes it a flavoursome alternative.

How do we eat teff?

You know that feeling of discovering a versatile new health food that just makes you want to try every way possible (or am I the only one who gets excited about that..)? There are so many different uses for teff grains and the flavour and texture changes with every one. Here are some options to get you started:

Serving suggestions: Sprinkle on: salads, breakfast bowls Add to: Risotto, schnitzels, smoothies Use as flour in: cakes, muffins, crepes and pancakes, biscuits Heat it for: porridge

Just a note, if you’re using it as flour add one part Teff to one part brown rice or millet flour.

Where do you purchase teff?

Thankfully farms in New South Wales and Tasmania have started growing teff which makes it much cheaper than it's been in the past. Being a lot closer than East Africa also means there are good supplies of the grain in major supermarkets and most health food stores. We found a good list of stockists via Teff Tribe here.

[techsciresearch]

Australia Biscuit Market to Cross $ 4 Billion by 2025: TechSci Research

Growing preference for convenience food or on the go light snacks, innovation in product line of biscuits, increasing disposable income, coupled with increasingly busy lifestyle to continue driving Australia biscuit market

According to a recently released TechSci Research report, “Australia Biscuit Market By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025”, Australia biscuit market is projected to surpass $ 4 billion by 2025F on account of growing preference for convenience food or on the go light snacks as increasingly busy lifestyle and lack of cooking skills are leading to higher demand for convenience foods. Moreover, a rising number of consumers are increasingly opting for healthy product options which includes biscuits for health-conscious consumers offered by various companies. Additionally, expanding urban population which rose to 85.9% by end of 2019 and increasing product variants in Australia biscuit market are also driving the country’s biscuit market.

Australia biscuit market is segmented based on product type into Plain Biscuits, Cookies, Sandwiched Biscuit, Crackers & Crispbreads and Others. Plain Biscuits accounted for the largest share in Australia biscuit market in 2019, followed by Cookies. Most of the companies are increasingly launching digestive biscuits and are competitively engaged in launching new and innovative plain biscuits. An increasing number of consumers are also opting for Crackers & Crispbreads, which have low sugar content and are considered to be healthier.

Browse over 17  market data Figures spread through 70 Pages and an in-depth TOC on "Australia Biscuit Market "

https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/australia-biscuit-market/1704.html

The distribution channel of Australia biscuit market is categorized into Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores & Independent Grocery Stores and Others. In 2019, Supermarkets & Hypermarkets accounted for more than 60% of the market share in Australia biscuit market due to increasing penetration of supermarkets in the country as well as growing consumer preference to shop from supermarkets for easy availability of different products under a single roof. However, during the forecast period, the share of Supermarkets & Hypermarkets is expected to slightly decline on account of increasing focus of companies to make their products reach convenience stores, independent grocery stores and online channels across the country. Urban areas remain the dominant consumption market, however, deeper penetration in rural areas is expected to drive volume growth of biscuit market in Australia.

In terms of region, the Australia biscuit market is categorized into Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales, Victoria & Tasmania, Queensland, Northern Territory & Southern Australia, and Western Australia. Of all these regions, Australia Capital Territory & New South Wales region dominated the market in 2019, followed by Victoria & Tasmania. In terms of company, major players operating in Australia Biscuit Market include Arnott’s Biscuits Holdings Pty Limited, Green's Foods Holdings Pty Limited, Unibic, Byron Bay Cookie Company, Waterthins, Mondelez, Ausbic Pty Ltd and others. In 2020, Arnott’s Biscuits Holdings Pty Limited held the largest market share in the country’s biscuit market, and the company is expected to continue its dominance through 2025.

Download Sample Report @ https://www.techsciresearch.com/sample-report.aspx?cid=1704

Customers can also request for 10% free customization on this report.

“Australia biscuits market is expected to grow at a steady pace due to rising demand for biscuits in the snack category, predominantly on account of increasingly active lifestyle, spending less time for cooking homemade food, and high income levels in Australia. Adults and young adults are the primary buyers of biscuits, and they are also the target consumer segments for the major players operating in the market.”, said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.

“Australia Biscuit Market By Product Type, By Distribution Channel, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2025” has evaluated the future growth potential of Australia biscuit market and provides statistics and information on market structure, consumer behavior and trends. The report is intended to provide cutting-edge market intelligence and help decision makers take sound investment evaluation. Besides, the report also identifies and analyses the emerging trends along with essential drivers, challenges, and opportunities available in Australia biscuit market.

About TechSci Research

TechSci Research is a leading global market research firm publishing premium market research reports. Serving 700 global clients with more than 600 premium market research studies, TechSci Research is serving clients across 11 different industrial verticals. TechSci Research specializes in research-based consulting assignments in high growth and emerging markets, leading technologies and niche applications. Our workforce of more than 100 fulltime Analysts and Consultants employing innovative research solutions and tracking global and country specific high growth markets helps TechSci clients to lead rather than follow market trends.

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[becsmoker1980]

Blonde healthy brownies. 5 x weetbix biscuits 1 x cup whole meal plain flour 1/2 x cup Greek yogurt 1/2 x cup chocolate protein powder 1/4 x cup raw sugar 1/4 x cup melted coconut oil 1 x cup dedicated coconut 1/2 x cup milk - I used skim but you can use any 1 x teaspoon vanilla essence 1 x tablespoon olive oil 1 x egg 1/2 x cup chocolate chips - I used white, you can use dark, milk, carob or dairy free. Put all ingredients into a food processor or ThermoMix blitz on high until a cake like batter. Stir through the chocolate chips. Bake in a preheated oven on 160 degrees for about 30-40 minutes or until golden on top. Allow to cool then cut. Store in an airtight container. #EasyAndDelicious #GetInMyTummy #Treats #HealthyTreats #HomeBakedGoodness #HomeMade (at Wahroonga, New South Wales, Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtsMCfNBKVx5F-ita6oQQO3PhvrM1V_UBj08tA0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1weahawl5kw7e

[vacationsoup]

New Post has been published on https://vacationsoup.com/central-florida-bbq-festivals/

Central Florida BBQ Festivals - Take Your Taste Buds to Porkalicious

If you like a good BBQ blow-out, then you'll love all the Central Florida BBQ festivals, contests and cook-outs. Due to year round sunshine, professional pit masters and amateurs alike cook up a storm in Florida all year-long.

Central Florida BBQ festivals give you the chance to pig out on Pitmaster specials. What better way to enjoy this classic American cuisine? Treat your taste buds to mouth-watering, award-winning ribs, championship brisket and piggylicious pulled pork.

Central Florida BBQ festivals don't just stop at BBQ staples though. Fancy a little heat? Try deep-fried jalapeño's. How about that sweet tooth craving? Deep fried Oreos and deep-fried strawberries will give you the perfect sugar rush. You'll find smothered nachos, loaded tater tots and smokin' sliders. And traditional sides like Southern-Style Collard Greens, sweet beans, green bean casserole and Mac n Cheese.

Sanctioned BBQ Contests

Many of the Central Florida BBQ festivals are contests that are sanctioned by Florida BBQ Association. Does being a sanctioned event make a difference to you and I? Well it does, and it doesn't, kind of!

Health regulations mean we, the public, aren't able to sample food created for the competition. The food is prepared, presented and judged. Then family and friends of competing teams get to gorge on the goodies.

But, the winners (Grand Champions) of top-level sanctioning associations, like Florida BBQ Association, qualify for an invitation to larger and more prestigious world championships. They'll be invited to compete world championships such as The American Royal, Houston Rodeo Show and the Jack Daniels BBQ World Championship.

That means a sanctioned BBQ contest will attract top-level Pitmasters. And lots of these guys have vending spots where you can purchase award-winning food.

A sanctioned contest generally gives you a lot more choice from top-level BBQ. But don't let that put you off a good old regular BBQ or backyard get together though!

Family Friendly BBQ Festivals

Virtually all Central Florida BBQ festivals are family friendly events and perfect for all ages. Adults will appreciate the quality of food and live entertainment. There's usually live outdoor concerts and beer tents.

For kiddos, there's often a bounce house and games. You'll also often find craft and art vendors.

And did we mention mouth-watering competition level food?

Central Florida BBQ Festival 2019 Calendar

Sizzlin' Smokin' BBQ Cook-off

When: February 8th 2019 6pm-9pm Where: Martin Luther King Jr Park, 199 E Lake Silver Dr NE, Winter Haven, FL 33881 Admission: Free

The Sizzlin’ Smokin’ BBQ Cook-off will have BBQ Sample tickets available for purchase. A $10 Sample Plate gets you 5 meat samples and 2 sides. Vote on your favorite BBQ in the People’s Choice Award. You'll also have a chance to win a Pro 20 Pellet Traeger Grill with a $10 raffle ticket. Micah Shane will be performing.

Winter Garden Blues & BBQ Festival

When: February 9th 2019 - 4pm - 10pm Where: Winter Garden Downtown Pavillion & Farmers Market Admission: Free

Take in the beat of Southern Blues while you munch on award-winning BBQ.

Music Line Up:

4 pm - Sean Chambers

6 pm - Lauren Mitchell Band

8 pm - Selwyn Birchwood Band

Apopka BBQ Showdown

FBA Sanctioned, Backyard Contest When: February 9th 2019 11am-6pm Where: Northwest Recreation Complex, 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway Apopka, FL 32712 United States Admission: Free

Join in the family fun in one of the largest BBQ showdowns in Florida. There will be live entertainment on the amphitheater stage from 11am-5pm, live demonstrations, BBQ food vendors & merchants. People’s choice tasting from 11:15am-2pm, BBQ awards on stage at 5pm.

Grills Gone Wild - Davenport

FBA Sanctioned, Backyard Contest When: February 15th 2019 5pm-9pm | Saturday February 16 2019 10am-5pm Where: Market Street, Davenport, Florida Admission: Free

Grills Gone Wild in Davenport not only has awesome food and live music, but there's a classic car show too.

Live Music Schedule:

Friday 5pm - 9pm - Nathan Baldwin Band

Saturday 10am - 12pm Josh Blevins Band

Saturday 12pm-5pm Steel Horse

Bay Street Classic Car Show is held Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

When: February 16th 2019 - 2pm – 6pm General Admission | Noon - 6pm VIP Bacon & Whole Hog Session Where: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa, Florida Admission: Starts at $40, up to $75 for VIP package for advance purchase.

Event organizers tell us: "Get ready to enjoy all those pleasures that true Southerners live by - Beer, Bourbon, Barbeque, Boots, Bacon, Biscuits, Bluegrass and Smoked Beasts! It's a great day of beer sippin', bourbon tastin', music listenin', cigar smokin', and barbeque eatin'. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE –TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon".

BBQ Selection: Pulled pork from whole hogs, ribs, brisket, chickens, sausages and any fixin’ you could imagine.

Seminars: With Master Distillers, Brewmasters, and Pit Masters From the Deep South.

Live Rock & Blues Music

Contests: Tampa's Best Beer Belly; Drink Like A Lady; Bacon Eating Competition

All You Care To Taste Beer and Bourbon Tastings: 40 Bourbons and 60 Beers on Tap.

Games: Giant Jenga, Cornhole and More

Check out the video from last years event:

Ribs on The Ridge

FBA Sanctioned, Backyard Contest When: February 22nd 5pm-9pm | February 23rd 10am-5pm 2019 Where: Lake Eva Park, 555 Ledwith Ave Haines City, FL 33844  Admission: Free

One of the larger Central Florida BBQ contests, Ribs on the Ridge offers endless food varieties, arts and craft vendors. Entertainment includes national recording country artist Craig Cambell and local superstar Kenzie Wheeler.

Blues & Brews Backyard BBQ Cook-off, Car Show & Family Festival

When: Saturday February 23rd 2019 11am to 3pm (Teams set up Friday) Where: Eastern Florida State College - Melbourne Campus 3865 N Wickham Rd, Melbourne, Florida 32935  Admission: $10 at the gate or $8 in advance

As well as delicious BBQ, there will also be food trucks attending this fun family event. Live music performed by Penny Creek Band. Youngsters will love the Kid Zone, car enthusiasts will enjoy the 3rd Annual Red, White & Wheels Car Show.

All proceeds benefit Eastern Florida State College Foundation student scholarships.

Planes, Trains & BBQ

FBA Sanctioned, People's Choice When: March 2nd 2019 Where: Wooten Park, 100 E Ruby St, Tavares, FL 32278 Admission: Free

Take the whole family along to this kid-friendly event. Not only is there delicious food to tuck into, but there is lots of entertainment and a classic car show to boot.

Free Concert

Air Show

Train Rides

Award winning BBQ

Food & Merchandise Vendors

Kids Zone

Classic Car Show

Swamp Boys Q School

Not a contest or festival, but if you want to learn how the pro's get it right, this is for you. This two-day BBQ techniques class could take you from beginner to winner. You'll learn a variety of skills including meat selection, marinades, cooking temps, sauces and flavor profiles.

You'll learn from the best too: Pitmaster Rug Bagby has been involved in over 390 BBQ contests.

When: March 2nd and 3rd 2019 Where: 2400 Havendale Blvd, Winter Haven, Florida Info: Swamp Boys Q School

Pig on The Pond

When: Friday March 8 2019  5 pm - 10 pm | Saturday March 9 2019 10 am - 10 pm | Sunday March 10 2019 11 am -  6 pm Where: Clermont Waterfront Park, 100 3rd Street Clermont, FL 34711 United States Admission: Free

This annual festival has lots of entertainment for all the family:

Chilli Cook Off

Fireworks

Chase's Racing Pigs

Swamp Brothers

Carnival Rides

Skinny’s BBQ Throwdown 

FBA Sanctioned, People's Choice When: May 3rd-4th 2019 Where: Merritt Island, Florida

Big Belly BBQ Battle

Sanctioned FBA Event When: August 30th - 31st 2019 Where: Davenport, Florida

Lakeridge BBQ & Blues Festival

When: October 11, 2019 10:00 am - 8:00 pm | October 12, 2019 10:00 am - 8:00 pm | October 13, 2019 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Where: Lakeridge Winery, 19239 US 27 North Clermont, Florida 34717 Admission: Adults $10, children under 12 free

Get ready for the battle! Five of the USA’s top BBQ Rib Competitors have been invited to compete in an epic battle. The team that takes top spot will be the Lakeridge Winery "Rib Champion". Enjoy live music from some of the area’s top Blues Bands. In the Wine and Cheese Bar you'll hear some great solo acts.

Orange Blossom Revue

Sanctioned FBA Event, Backyard Contest When: December 6th - 7th 2019 Where: Lake Wales, Florida

Central Florida BBQ Festivals Calendar 2020

The Old Florida Outdoor Festival When: February 7 2020 - February 8 2020 Where: Apopka, FL 32712 United States

Grills Gone Wild – Davenport When: February 14 2020 - February 15 2020 Where: Market Street, Davenport, Florida

Ribs on the Ridge – Haines City February 21 2020 - February 22 2020 Where: Lake Eva Park – Haines City, 555 Ledwith Avenue, Haines City, Florida

Big Belly BBQ Battle – Davenport When: September 4 2020 - September 5 2020 Where: Davenport PD, Market Street, Davenport, FL 33837 United States

Orange Blossom Revue – Lake Wales When: December 4 2020 - December 5 2020 Where: Lake Wales Park, 33 N LakeShore Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853 United States

[iasshikshalove]

Daily News Articles/Editorials 28th March 2020

SHIFT TO UPSCALING FOOD RATIONING NOWTHEME:

Expanded rations will not only bring relief in this pandemic but also help sustain a nourished and healthy population.

Two days ago, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ₹1.7-lakh crore package of social security measures to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic in the period of the 21-day lockdown.

In respect of food security, the package falls far short of what is needed. I argue that we need to immediately ensure universal rationing with an expanded food basket, and special measures for cooked food in urban areas for the vulnerable population.

The burden of the current lockdown is borne disproportionately by the large unorganised workforce, comprising hundreds of millions of casual daily wage-workers and self-employed workers.

India already holds the record for the largest number of malnourished persons in the world. As their ability to purchase food diminishes, a growing population of working people and their families will soon enter a phase of hunger and undernourishment.

The answer to this looming and very real scenario of food insecurity lies in a massive programme of food rationing, far greater than what the Finance Minister has promised.

Lessons from history:

To ensure that all people have access to adequate food in the midst of this unprecedented health and economic crisis with potentially high levels of mortality, we must immediately expand our food security system.

Before I come to the components of such an expanded programme, let us briefly look at the lessons provided by the experience of other countries in using rationing in times of scarcity.

In the United Kingdom in the 1940s, rationing or a policy of “fair shares” was introduced in a period of war and scarcity. Starting in 1939, each and every person was issued a ration book, with a weekly entitlement that could be collected at a local grocery store.

Rationing encompassed many commodities, starting with butter, bacon and sugar, and later augmented by eggs, biscuits, tinned food, meat, cereals, etc.

A remarkable outcome of the war years was, as Amartya Sen has demonstrated, a significant improvement in vital statistics including a rise in life expectancy and a decline in the mortality rate.

Despite heavy war casualties and a decline in consumer expenditure per capita, life expectancy actually improved. In the first six decades of the 20th century, the decade from 1941 to 1950 saw the largest increase in life expectancy in England and Wales.

India’s Timeline:

In India, the British introduced rationing in six cities in 1942, mainly to supply industrial workers with adequate food.

Following demands from a strong political movement, Malabar became the first rural area to implement rationing in 1943.

In the mid-1960s, the system of rationing or the Public Distribution System (PDS) was made a national universal programme, which steadily expanded till 1991.

In the 1990s, the policies of liberalisation led to the withdrawal of universal rationing and its replacement by a policy of narrow targeting. Differential entitlements were provided for BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line) households.

In 2013, the landmark National Food Security Act (NFSA), ensured legal entitlement to rations and other food-based schemes (such as mid-day meals in schools).

Around 75% of rural households, and 50% of urban households, that is, a total of two-thirds of all households, were eligible for inclusion (now termed priority households) in the NFSA.

The implementation of the NFSA — notably the PDS, the Mid-day Meal Scheme, and the Integrated Child Development Services scheme — varies significantly across States; nevertheless, the infrastructure for distribution of food is in place in all parts of the country.

China’s Strategy:

In China, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), a planning body, was the key coordinator along with the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) in ensuring supplies of basic foods and price stability to the poor, especially in Wuhan province, the epicentre of the current pandemic, which was under lockdown since January 23, 2020.

The Chinese strategy had multiple components, which included public corporations and ministries, 300 large private companies, 200,000 private stores, and local government institutions.

To illustrate, State-owned companies such as COFCO or the China National Cereals, Oils and Foodstuffs Corporation, and Sinograin (China Grain Reserves Corporation) supplied key commodities to Wuhan. This included 200 tonnes of rice, 50 tonnes of flour and noodles, and 300 tonnes of edible oils each day during the peak of the pandemic in February 2020.

The National Grain Trade Centre has to date supplied 155,000 tonnes of corn and 154,000 tonnes of soyabean to Wuhan. Special delivery trucks for transport of vegetables were arranged, and the local government organised open-air markets.

Kerala was the first State in India to announce a package with income support measures and in-kind measures including free rations of 15 kg (grain) and provision of cheap meals.

The government of Tamil Nadu announced free rations of rice, sugar, cooking oil and dal to all ration card holders. The supply of rations for unorganised workers is to be through Amma canteens.

The Delhi government will give 1.5 times existing entitlements at no cost to all ration card holders.

Key points of a plan:

In India a system of expanded rations must have the following components. First, for all rural households, free rations of rice and wheat at double the normal entitlement must be distributed.

The current entitlement is about half the quantity of daily cereal intake recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research: the new quantities should be the actual minimum requirement per person per day.

The government of India has now doubled rations (rice or wheat) to all priority households, from 5 kg to 10 kg per person per month. However, this falls short, as the rations are not to all households but only priority households; the rations are not free (only the additional 5 kg is free).

The provision of rations must be universal: this is not the time to demarcate households by type of ration card or whether they have a ration card or by any form of biometrics.

The system of identification of priority households is not error-proof, and no household wrongly excluded should be outside the ambit of rationing today.

This upscaling is feasible as the country has stocks of 58 million tonnes of rice and wheat; and the wheat harvest is currently underway in north India.

Second, for all rural households, additional rations of cooking oil, sugar, salt and lentils should be provided on a regular basis. Soap must also be included in this list.

As supplies have to be arranged, the distribution could be weekly or fortnightly in order to ensure smooth availability. It is good to see that the government of India has announced one kg of dal per household, but it needs to provide more commodities quickly.

Third, if milk, eggs and vegetables (or one or more of them) can be supplied, we can not only ensure basic food security at the time of a major health crisis, but actually address our burden of malnutrition.

For urban areas, we need a combination of provision of dry goods and of cooked food. All households with ration cards can be given the same entitlements as proposed for rural households.

For the vast numbers of workers and migrants in towns and cities, however, we must set up arrangements for preparation and delivery of cooked food. The large numbers of closed community kitchens (schools and colleges, company and office canteens, for example) and restaurant workers now sitting idle or laid off can be brought together to undertake a massive programme of provision of cooked meals at subsidised rates. Kerala has taken the lead here.

This will require careful planning and technology to distribute food while ensuring physical distancing. The answer is not to simply close the Indira Canteens (serving low-cost meals) as Karnataka has done.

All the measures proposed must continue for at least three months, and be reviewed afterwards.

An imaginative massive exercise of expanded rations could not only provide succour in this pandemic but also bring in a policy shift that will help sustain a nourished and healthy population.

IT’S ALSO A FIGHT AGAINST PUNITIVE MEASURESTHEME:

The requirement of massive resources following the pandemic may be an occasion to lift global economic sanctions.

A global pandemic demands game-changing actions by all nations in order to halt its global spread, provide relief in terms of medical supplies and to rebuild shattered lives.

The global community has the responsibility to rise to the occasion. Any global cataclysm affects poor countries more than the rich ones as the former do not have the resources to meet the unexpected economic challenge.

While the developed countries and their groups provide economic packages to themselves and their partners, developing countries stare into the distance with hope of handouts from the international financial institutions or some generous rich allies.

One way of dealing with the emergency in an emergency mode is to consider lifting of economic sanctions imposed by the United Nations and individual countries on developing countries.

Many international sanctions imposed on the basis of political and economic decisions and taken as a part of diplomatic efforts by countries, multilateral or regional organisations against states or organisations exist around the world.

These were meant either to ‘protect national security interests, or to protect international law, and defend against threats to international peace and security.

These measures include the temporary imposition on a target of economic, trade, diplomatic, cultural or other restrictions’ and can be lifted only through a long process of ascertaining whether their objectives were met.

The UN Security Council has a ‘mandate by the international community to apply sanctions that are binding on all UN member states. They serve as the international community’s most powerful peaceful means to prevent threats to international peace and security or to settle them’.

Peace enforcement is possible if the sanctions fail, but that is only in the rarest of rare cases. The sanctions often lie dormant for technical reasons even if their original intent and purpose have lost their relevance. The victims of these sanctions suffer in silence or engage in negotiations to get relief.

When America struck:

Apart from UN sanctions, there are ‘unilateral sanctions that are imposed by individual countries in furtherance of their strategic objectives.

Typically intended as strong economic coercion, measures applied under unilateral sanctions can range between coercive diplomatic efforts, economic warfare, or a threat of war’. These take the form of economic, diplomatic, military and sport sanctions.

The unilateral sanctions are naturally not mandatory to any other state, but the United States has often stipulated, like in the case of Iran, that those countries which do not apply sanctions to Iran would be debarred from doing business with the U.S., a Hobson’s choice in many cases.

After the initial invasion of Kuwait by Iraq, the UN ‘placed an embargo on the nation in an attempt to prevent an armed conflict. A naval and air blockade was added. The purpose of the initial sanctions was to coerce Iraq into following international law, which included the recognised sovereignty of Kuwait’.

But even after the liberation of Kuwait, a series of sanctions were created to weaken the country.

A UN plan to purchase food and medicines by selling Iraqi oil to the world became one of the most serious scandals to hit the UN and its Secretary General.

S. sanctions against Iran over the years broke the back of the country and forced it to reach an agreement to limit its nuclear activities.

The U.S.’s withdrawal from the Iran deal has now resulted in Iran facing crippling sanctions. Perhaps, the impact of COVID-19 was severe in Iran on account of the sanctions and the resultant economic crisis in the country.

There are many more cases of sanctions against many countries still in existence. Temporary sanctions in protest against the policies of countries often result in expulsion or withdrawal of diplomatic personnel.

The politics of sanctions entered a new era when U.S. President Donald Trump signed into law the “Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act” (CAATSA) that grouped together sanctions against Russia, Iran and North Korea.

Currently, the U.S. alone, or together with other countries has sanctions against Belarus, Myanmar, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Liberia, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and Zimbabwe and other countries.

The wide network of sanctions is comprehensively monitored by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the US Department of the Treasury which enforces economic and trade sanctions based on U.S. foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes and related entities and individuals.

 calculation:

[roodiaries]

Tropical Thunder

The Journey North

I'm not talking of a Game of Thrones journey north, where the bitter cold whips one's bones to the brittle core as they pass beyond The Wall and into the icy depths of the unforgiving wildling realms. No. A nice gentle tropical journey north towards the equator, where beaches and tourists are plentiful, the palm trees nestled along an expansive Pacific coastline and the state of relaxation knows no bounds as yet another shrimp is procured from the figurative barbie. Stereotypes aside, the East Coast is fun, but a little too popular and similar at times. You have to make it your own, with good travel mates and a random journey.

Fresh from my incredible holiday in Vanuatu, I left Sydney with Yusuke on 11 September, excited to jump in the Nissan and plough northwards. I had to be in Cairns (2400km away) in 9 days for my new job. We didn't bother messing about too much in New South Wales, as we'd both spent a lot of time here and seen all we wanted to see. We Byron Bayed for a night, and enjoyed the tremendous views on offer there, before a short jump over the Queensland border to Brisbane, where we spent two nights and almost got towed.

The real journey into the unknown began after this, along with an epic 14-hour driving day where we ended up talking to a local woman about the effects of the recent cyclone in Rockhampton (which lies on the Tropic of Capricorn) and eventually reached Airlie Beach. Its electric atmosphere was unfortunately wasted on us tired travellers, as all we wanted to do was go to bed and shovel food down without the pressure and distraction of hostel kitchen chit-chat. Of course, we were awoken by an Aussie guy screaming – “I'll fucken' cut ye open, yer cunt!” – to a guy who had boldly told him to quieten down. Next day was the legendary Whitsunday Islands trip. All prior knowledge about this archipelago and national park had conjured up images of a calm sandy paradise, but we were in for a huge surprise as it turned out to be the ferry ride from hell and one of the roughest sea journeys I've ever experienced. I'm never sure whether I'm just being overly affected by things (scientifically known as OABT Syndrome), but it was bumpy as. Whitehaven Beach was a real treat, however.

It was more driving, driving in our car, north past the dispersing Great Dividing Range and glinty inland sunsets, through forests and fields, over sugar cane train tracks and past vast banana plantations. Townsville & Magnetic Island was the highlight of the trip for me. Mostly because the hostel was good quality – a good balance between social and quiet – and we met spirited Dutch Oz-newbie Jenny, who joined us for the sunset hike up Castle Rock, a towering and majestic hill over Townsville. The Maggie Island daytrip involved joining forces with Jenny's friend Lizzy, renting a mini open-top 4x4, a hot hike past wild koalas to WWII fortifications (I think I bored the others with any over-zealous talk of wartime history), one incredible sunset at West Point, a shy echidna and two brown tree snakes.

Cairns

Named after Irishman & Governor of Queensland, William Wellington Cairns, and unpronounceable without adopting an Aussie accent, this modest city of 140,000 inhabitants is a surprisingly pumping tourist mega-hotspot. Go more than 200m from the ocean and everything basically becomes shit (e.g. classic highways lined with industrial outlets and nothingy commercial suburbs), but the heart of the city is the marina and downtown area. Despite a smaller size, it has a nightlife to compete with most other Australian cities and a huge mix of nationalities. Steamy nights at Salt House, Pier Bar, The Reef Casino, Three Wolves and even The Woolshed will stay with me for a long time. The gorgeous green hills provide a tropical backdrop, and the Trinity Inlet is a beautiful spot to the south, while the beachside suburbs to the north – Trinity Beach, Kewarra, Palm Cove to name just three – are incredibly chilled out and enjoyable. Fishing with fun work-mates Max, Tun & Rankin on a boat trip up the river was a real privilege; as well as trips to Shangri-La's North Bar overlooking the marina with ex-Pullmanites and great friends Caitlin & Davide; the work-mate pool party at Caitlin & Max's house with poker and Cards Against Humanity was yet another reminder that this is not a normal life for an Englishman.

Nothing makes you feel more like you're in the tropics than the pungent smell of bat shit outside the Cairns Library, where hundreds of them gather before fleeing and feeding across the night sky. They are the animal that most represent Cairns for me, along with the ominous curlew, a gangly and awkward flightless bird that drifts in a ghostly way by night. I discovered the city by bicycle and was able to experience the city in all its hot, heavy, pungent glory.

The Winkworth Way

I moved in to 45 Winkworth Street in the western suburbs, paying $135 per week for a single room with a double-bed and air-conditioning. It was by far the best accommodation I've had in Australia. I loved the house for its airy openness and traditional Queenslander ambience, but mostly because of the fantastic people I lived with. I don't say this often, because I generally seem to end up in accommodation that's less than ideal. We were all travellers in the house, and all worked a lot so often wouldn't see each other for days at a time. But that made it all the more special when we did meet and hang out. There was Yukie, a Japanese lady from downstairs who dropped her keys in a bush when she fell down the stairs drunk one time; Ander from the Basque Country, who enjoys parties, bed bugs and violently offering biscuits as well as taking me on some excellent and fun day-trips; Leonie whose surname and town of origin (Ter Stege and Enschede respectively) Ander and I always enjoyed repeating back to her in a Dutch accent for immature amusement, who works too much but has a heart of gold; Tim, an Austin Powersy German dive instructor and goon connoisseur as well as a valued source of Stephen Colbert episodes; and Kacie from Texas, who is a rock of a friend and proves the Trump-American stereotypes wrong with a kind, fair outlook on life, and loves Australia if only it weren't for the cockroaches constantly falling on her head.

Even Andrew, the landlord, was pretty cool. Except for the occasions when he simply could not stop swearing in anger for minutes at a time, over some trivial thing that's happened with the roof or his phone. “Oh no. You baaastard!”

Pullmania

Working took up the bulk of my time. 39% of my waking hours over three months in Cairns were spent in the Pullman Cairns International Hotel. I actually calculated it. I had transferred up here from Sydney to fill the same role (a Food & Beverage Attendant, in Banquets), so technically should have known what I was doing. However, a few factors made PCI more challenging than PSHP: the climate was hotter, the furniture heavier, and many of the events much bigger and more challenging. It was a hectic & sweaty 3 months, and below I've chosen some events to paint a picture:

Friday 22 September: my first shift. I found my way through the labyrinthine back-of-house corridors in time for briefing, simultaneously meeting my manager, Karen, and the staff working tonight (most of the banquets team). In addition, we had lots of staff from Coco's (the restaurant in the lobby) and Staffing Solutions (a hospitality agency). I was behind the main bar with Italian sage Davide for a 400-pax cocktail reception, meaning canapés and free drinks for a bunch of lairy let-loose corporate types. Since it was the pool-deck, we couldn't serve glass bottles, so had to pour every single beer into a plastic cup. The queue was infinite, with murmurs of disapproval when not getting served immediately, and over the fact they had to drink beer out of plastic glasses. The struggle was very real and lasted for hours: one guy simply sighed, while another shook his head and laughed in disgust at my occasionally over-foamy beers. An arrogant racktastic blonde kept appearing at the bar, clicking her fingers and demanding to be served her rum & Coke (she knew it was my first day and that I would be a soft touch). I really felt shell-shocked when the event finally ended, and then overwhelmed with fatigue and frustration for the next few hours when we had to replace all of the furniture and polish all of the glasses we'd used tonight, which took us until 2am. 10-hour physical shift, no breaks. I soon realised this was not unusual.

Tiffany & Gareth: The Unhappy Bride. The grand ballroom was used to host the wedding reception of Tiffany and Gareth, an aboriginal couple who had married earlier today. Most of the guests were indigenous, too, and I always enjoyed doing events with aboriginal people, since I had seldom met any during my time in the South-East. However, Tiffany decided she wanted to ruin her own day by complaining about everything and causing problems in a truly bogan manner. Why didn't everyone have champagne for the toast!? This wasn't what I asked for on the buffet! Why are people getting too many free drinks!? Why did I get married!? The banquets team was on edge, and people snapped at each other, while our trooper of a supervisor, Shontelle, bore the brunt of the complaints (she had met with Tiffany several times before the event, and none of the things she was complaining about had ever been mentioned). She wanted a Fairytale Wedding, but wasn't the fairytale bride.

Melbourne Cup Day: I hadn't slept well the night before, and my body and mind weren't ready for a rare daytime shift. Some of the richest people in Cairns came to the hotel to mingle with fellow poshos over lunch, look fancy and watch the Melbourne Cup horse race on big TV screens. I was put in the fenced-off VIP section with my Team Leader, Harumi. All we had to do was pour drinks for them, or fetch beers from the bar, then clear their plates when they were finished with their buffet lunch. But things went wrong early on when I opened a bottle of champagne and the cork literally flew up to hit the ceiling, bouncing off it and landing in someone's lap on the other side of the ballroom. I could have melted with embarrassment, but played it off as the fault of the bottle (“she was a fizzy one!”) to the gawkingly judgemental woman I was serving. Luckily, neither the General Manager of the hotel, my F&B Manager nor the Banquets Manager had noticed, but I still felt traumatised and on-edge for the rest of the day. I over-compensated by being especially servile and smiley, and somehow managed to gain a $10 tip for my efforts. It was a horrible shift and I felt very alone. Some staff, like Tun, were supportive, patient and helpful, some were less understanding, while others simply didn't care. I hate the pressure not to mess up in these kind of VIP environments, constantly being on display and concentrating hard not to bump into stuff, drop things or spill drinks (difficult for me). And to look busy, even if you're inconveniencing the customer by reaching over unnecessarily to grab that one extra glass. It made me question whether the job was for me. But is this my career? Hell no. I decided to try meditation to relieve stress, which was reaching unhealthy levels during some shifts, like this one. It would have been nice to have some kind of feedback on your work, and to be told you had done well, or how to improve in certain areas. But that didn't seem to happen much here.

Other stories:

The Scotland Rugby League team & the hype of the Rugby League World Cup being in town: we served them dinner and lunch. I was surprised that almost all of them were actually from the Midlands and northern England!

When we had four Christmas parties on four floors at the same time: I did the one on the pool-deck with Abi, serving 30 insurance workers drinks and dinner and watching them get merry and sloshed and chant our names!

The high-school graduation events at the end of November, with synchronised student dances, numerous presentations, and thankfully no alcohol

Some huge alternate drop dinners with some hot & heavy plate carrying, and equally strenuous plate-clearing

Moving stacks of chairs across the road to the Pullman Reef Casino with Rankin, and them constantly toppling on the uneven kerb onto the zebra crossing!

Three consecutive evening shifts in October where I was transferred to Novotel Oasis Cairns Resort with Tun, Aimee and Caitlin for one work conference's dinner events. It was a lot of fun, and nice to work in a smaller, more personal hotel

The Cairns experience is now at an end, but I will never forget those 3 months I spent in Far North Tropical Queensland, and the friends I made there. I am now in Darwin about to begin a road trip down the West Coast, so I will be writing about that as my final blog in Australia.

Thank you for reading,

Oliver

[trendingnewsb]

Election 2017: What do leaders do in their spare time? – BBC News

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Which political heavyweight likes to bounce around on a trampoline – naked?

Politicians are busy people. When they’re not running the country or their party, they’re trying to persuade the public to vote for them. But they also have families, hobbies and passions. So, when they do get a bit of spare time, what exactly do the party leaders do with it?

Leisure time

Image copyright PA

Image caption Theresa May often heads to the hills with her husband Philip

Prime Minister Theresa May likes to stretch her legs up and down hills and mountains, saying she decided to call the current election while walking in the Welsh mountains.

Mrs May has also said she and her husband Philip enjoy “quite strenuous walking up mountains in Switzerland”. It may be worth remembering that the prime minister studied Geography at Oxford University.

And while it’s not exactly a hobby, she’s also known for her love of shopping for shoes.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has an interest in the design and history of manhole covers – a hobby which he himself has described as “zany”.

“My mother always said there’s history in drain covers. I take pictures of them. People think it’s a little odd, but there we are.”

He also likes to visit Cambridge. “One of my secret joys is to get a train up and ride around for the day.” He couldn’t drive there, because he doesn’t own a car, which perhaps goes some way to explain his interest in trains.

He’s also very keen on growing his own veg. “I always make time for my allotment. You like a dry summer because the weeds don’t grow.”

Image copyright Science Photo Library

Image caption Tim Farron gets a Buzz out of the Apollo space programme

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is fascinated by space, saying: “I love the Apollo programme… the immense risks that were taken”. He also likes fell running and walking in the Lake District.

When it comes to relaxing, you’ll often find the UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Paul Nuttall in a boozer – he describes himself as a “pub person”, with Guinness his tipple of choice.

Co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, “loves nothing more than walking on the Sussex Downs” with her family.

This walking theme among a few politicians raises the tantalising prospect of the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens having an impromptu Parliamentary debate out on a wind-swept hill somewhere.

Image caption The UK’s political leaders have a varied range of personal interests

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), says her favourite travel destinations are Skye and Portugal.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’s favourite past-time is bouncing around on a trampoline while naked. And often with his dog, who apparently can do back flips.

Mr Adams says he too can do tricks on the trampoline, but has declined to “discuss it publicly”.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) Arelene Foster has previously been a Girl Guide leader.

Screen time

Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite films are said to be Casablanca and The Great Gatsby – although which version of the latter is unclear, given there have been four cinema versions spanning a period from 1926 to 2013.

Nicola Sturgeon is a fan of Borgen, the Danish political drama about a woman who rises to become prime minister while having to maintain a fragile coalition.

She’d most like to get stuck in a lift with actor George Clooney, because he’s “really interesting”. The SNP leader also likes TV singing contests, being a fan of The X Factor and The Voice, while Arlene Foster is an EastEnders fan.

Tim Farron also watches The X Factor, with his children.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Don’t be distracted by that grin – George is actually great at conversation too

A university friend of Theresa May’s has said they both loved watching comedy sketch show The Goodies.

And Mrs May recently revealed she watches both Sherlock and Midsomer Murders, but not Broadchurch or Line of Duty.

If Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood spends any time in front of the TV, it’s usually watching political programmes, such as Newsnight and Question Time. She also says the programme Valleys Rebellion by actor Michael Sheen, about political disillusionment in Wales, has made her cry.

Political harmonies

Tim Farron spends his spare time “watching music on YouTube”, a legacy from the days when he fronted a New Romantic band called The Voyeurs in 1980s. At least, it was called that until they realised what it meant. Then they changed it to Fred the Girl.

The Lib Dem leader said the band, which had a recording session with Island Records, were described as a “fourth rate New Order – which I’m very proud of”.

And Mr Farron still hasn’t quite put his warbling days behind him, because his karaoke song of choice is the Waterboy’s The Whole of the Moon and he’s been known to be an enthusiastic singer at the Glee Club.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption “I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon…”

Jonathan Bartley, the co-leader of the Green Party, spends his free time gigging with his band, the Mustangs. He’s pretty good too, as he was nominated for Blues Drummer of the Year at the British Blues Awards in 2010.

His political partner Caroline Lucas cites Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond as her karaoke song of choice.

Arlene Foster also loves music and has sung at weddings.

Among those who just like to listen, Welsh pop band Catatonia are the favourite band of Leanne Wood.

In 2014, Theresa May’s picks were Abba’s Dancing Queen and Walk Like A Man – from the musical Jersey Boys – alongside Mozart and Elgar.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has revealed musical tastes that range from Joni Mitchell to Leonard Cohen to Luke Kelly on his Twitter feed. Nicola Sturgeon has expressed admiration for the Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit.

Novel ideas

Theresa May once told Desert Island Discs that a lifetime subscription to Vogue would be her luxury item on a desert island. Mrs May has also said that The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a “very, very cleverly written book and a very well-written book, and that it brings home is the absolute horror of the Holocaust”.

And she recently revealed she has read all of the Harry Potter books, although she declined to answer a query as to which of the characters she was most like.

Jeremy Corbyn likes reading the works of Irish poet WB Yeats, while his favourite novelist is said to be the late Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. A fluent Spanish speaker, the Labour leader also enjoys Latin American literature.

Image caption Arelene Foster (left) and Jonathan Bartley both enjoy music, while Caroline Lucas (right) loves animals

Caroline Lucas says she joined the Green Party in 1986 after being “utterly inspired” by Jonathon Porritt’s book Seeing Green.

She’s also mentioned reading The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life, by William Nicholson, which she described as “an incredibly compassionate novel”.

Leanne Wood’s politics are said to have been inspired by the novel Woman on the Edge of Time, a 1976 story by Marge Piercy that’s considered a feminist classic. It tells the story of a working class Mexican-American woman living in a rough area of New York. Ms Wood has said reading it was “as though someone had removed a blindfold”.

Nicola Sturgeon names Sunset Song, a story of a young woman’s struggles growing up in a dysfunctional family in a farming community in Scotland, published in 1932, as her favourite book of all time.

She also says James Kelman is one of her favourite authors, and suggested on Twitter that people should read his book Dirt Road.

Furry friends

Image copyright Jeremy Corbyn

Image caption El Gato has not revealed his thoughts on the Labour manifesto

Jeremy Corbyn currently owns a cat called El Gato – which is Spanish for “the cat”. He has described his pet as possibly being “a bit of a Tory” because of its “disappointing individualism and lack of concern for others”. Years ago, when married to his second wife, he owned a cat called Harold Wilson.

Nicola Sturgeon is afraid of dogs, and had to be coaxed into holding a cute little puppy during a visit to an animal charity.

No such fears for Gerry Adams, who has owned dogs since he was four or five years old. He also likes hanging out with his grandchildren’s dogs, and often goes hill walking with them.

Caroline Lucas has formalised her love of animals by becoming a vice-president of the RSPCA. She and her family also own a chocolate Labrador called Harry.

On the menu

During her later student years, Leanne Wood took a series of factory jobs, and one stands out in particular.

“At Ferrero Rocher in the early 1990s you were allowed to eat as many chocolates as you liked. It sounded like a dream job. I can’t look at them now though because I ate too many. I had so many on the first day that after day three I couldn’t stand them any more.”

But she is partial to a Sunday roast, which is “without question” her favourite meal, as well as her “guilty pleasure”.

Theresa May owns 100 recipe books and never buys takeaways. But she has described a bowl of crispy chips as her own “guilty pleasure”.

She’ll take a nip of whiskey or glass of wine, but didn’t express a preference of one over the other, saying it “depends on the circumstances”.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption The PM just can’t resist ’em…

Jeremy Corbyn became a vegetarian at 20 after working on a pig farm and isn’t keen on alcohol.

Asked what his favourite biscuit was during a Mumsnet Q&A, he replied: “I’m totally anti-sugar on health grounds, so eat very few biscuits, but if forced to accept one, it’s always a pleasure to have a shortbread.”

One of his favourite places to eat is Gaby’s Deli in London’s West End.

It’s been reported that he loves making jam with fruit grown on his allotment, and once belonged to an All Party Parliamentary Group for Cheese.

But his second wife, Jane Chapman, has said Mr Corbyn never once took her out for dinner during their five years together, preferring instead to “grab a can of beans and eat it straight from the can” to save time.

Tim Farron likes curry but is a vegetarian, and his strict eating habits have led some of his colleagues to describe his campaign trail as a “rubber tofu circuit”.

Caroline Lucas is also a vegetarian, while Nicola Sturgeon’s takeaway of choice is Indian.

Paul Nuttall is a fan of “proper milk”.

“Forget your Earth mother, lentil-loving, leftie alternatives like soya and almond milk. Give me the real stuff. I drink milk with almost every meal and have done since I was a kid,” he said.

A question of sport

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Jeremy Corbyn prefers pedal power to the combustion engine

Jeremy Corbyn is a fan of running, cycling, cricket and Arsenal football club.

Gerry Adams supports Antrim Gaelic football club, where his son Gearoid is one of the managers.

Arelene Foster is said to be at home in a rugby club.

Theresa May is a big fan of cricket, including Geoffrey Boycott and the West Indian fast bowler Tony Gray among her heroes. And she recently said she preferred rugby over football.

Tim Farron, a fan of the football team Blackburn Rovers, is also a keen player of the Beautiful Game himself.

Paul Nuttall played for Tranmere Rovers as a school boy and a youth team player. In 2016, he said he had “never claimed he was a professional player”.

Read more: http://ift.tt/2rRC4Fl

from Viral News HQ http://ift.tt/2qMxHHH via Viral News HQ

[mavwrekmarketing]

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Which political heavyweight likes to bounce around on a trampoline – naked?

Politicians are busy people. When they’re not running the country or their party, they’re trying to persuade the public to vote for them. But they also have families, hobbies and passions. So, when they do get a bit of spare time, what exactly do the party leaders do with it?

Leisure time

Image copyright PA

Image caption Theresa May often heads to the hills with her husband Philip

Prime Minister Theresa May likes to stretch her legs up and down hills and mountains, saying she decided to call the current election while walking in the Welsh mountains.

Mrs May has also said she and her husband Philip enjoy “quite strenuous walking up mountains in Switzerland”. It may be worth remembering that the prime minister studied Geography at Oxford University.

And while it’s not exactly a hobby, she’s also known for her love of shopping for shoes.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has an interest in the design and history of manhole covers – a hobby which he himself has described as “zany”.

“My mother always said there’s history in drain covers. I take pictures of them. People think it’s a little odd, but there we are.”

He also likes to visit Cambridge. “One of my secret joys is to get a train up and ride around for the day.” He couldn’t drive there, because he doesn’t own a car, which perhaps goes some way to explain his interest in trains.

He’s also very keen on growing his own veg. “I always make time for my allotment. You like a dry summer because the weeds don’t grow.”

Image copyright Science Photo Library

Image caption Tim Farron gets a Buzz out of the Apollo space programme

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is fascinated by space, saying: “I love the Apollo programme… the immense risks that were taken”. He also likes fell running and walking in the Lake District.

When it comes to relaxing, you’ll often find the UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Paul Nuttall in a boozer – he describes himself as a “pub person”, with Guinness his tipple of choice.

Co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, “loves nothing more than walking on the Sussex Downs” with her family.

This walking theme among a few politicians raises the tantalising prospect of the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens having an impromptu Parliamentary debate out on a wind-swept hill somewhere.

Image caption The UK’s political leaders have a varied range of personal interests

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), says her favourite travel destinations are Skye and Portugal.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’s favourite past-time is bouncing around on a trampoline while naked. And often with his dog, who apparently can do back flips.

Mr Adams says he too can do tricks on the trampoline, but has declined to “discuss it publicly”.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) Arelene Foster has previously been a Girl Guide leader.

Screen time

Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite films are said to be Casablanca and The Great Gatsby – although which version of the latter is unclear, given there have been four cinema versions spanning a period from 1926 to 2013.

Nicola Sturgeon is a fan of Borgen, the Danish political drama about a woman who rises to become prime minister while having to maintain a fragile coalition.

She’d most like to get stuck in a lift with actor George Clooney, because he’s “really interesting”. The SNP leader also likes TV singing contests, being a fan of The X Factor and The Voice, while Arlene Foster is an EastEnders fan.

Tim Farron also watches The X Factor, with his children.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Don’t be distracted by that grin – George is actually great at conversation too

A university friend of Theresa May’s has said they both loved watching comedy sketch show The Goodies.

And Mrs May recently revealed she watches both Sherlock and Midsomer Murders, but not Broadchurch or Line of Duty.

If Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood spends any time in front of the TV, it’s usually watching political programmes, such as Newsnight and Question Time. She also says the programme Valleys Rebellion by actor Michael Sheen, about political disillusionment in Wales, has made her cry.

Political harmonies

Tim Farron spends his spare time “watching music on YouTube”, a legacy from the days when he fronted a New Romantic band called The Voyeurs in 1980s. At least, it was called that until they realised what it meant. Then they changed it to Fred the Girl.

The Lib Dem leader said the band, which had a recording session with Island Records, were described as a “fourth rate New Order – which I’m very proud of”.

And Mr Farron still hasn’t quite put his warbling days behind him, because his karaoke song of choice is the Waterboy’s The Whole of the Moon and he’s been known to be an enthusiastic singer at the Glee Club.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption “I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon…”

Jonathan Bartley, the co-leader of the Green Party, spends his free time gigging with his band, the Mustangs. He’s pretty good too, as he was nominated for Blues Drummer of the Year at the British Blues Awards in 2010.

His political partner Caroline Lucas cites Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond as her karaoke song of choice.

Arlene Foster also loves music and has sung at weddings.

Among those who just like to listen, Welsh pop band Catatonia are the favourite band of Leanne Wood.

In 2014, Theresa May’s picks were Abba’s Dancing Queen and Walk Like A Man – from the musical Jersey Boys – alongside Mozart and Elgar.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has revealed musical tastes that range from Joni Mitchell to Leonard Cohen to Luke Kelly on his Twitter feed. Nicola Sturgeon has expressed admiration for the Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit.

Novel ideas

Theresa May once told Desert Island Discs that a lifetime subscription to Vogue would be her luxury item on a desert island. Mrs May has also said that The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a “very, very cleverly written book and a very well-written book, and that it brings home is the absolute horror of the Holocaust”.

And she recently revealed she has read all of the Harry Potter books, although she declined to answer a query as to which of the characters she was most like.

Jeremy Corbyn likes reading the works of Irish poet WB Yeats, while his favourite novelist is said to be the late Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. A fluent Spanish speaker, the Labour leader also enjoys Latin American literature.

Image caption Arelene Foster (left) and Jonathan Bartley both enjoy music, while Caroline Lucas (right) loves animals

Caroline Lucas says she joined the Green Party in 1986 after being “utterly inspired” by Jonathon Porritt’s book Seeing Green.

She’s also mentioned reading The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life, by William Nicholson, which she described as “an incredibly compassionate novel”.

Leanne Wood’s politics are said to have been inspired by the novel Woman on the Edge of Time, a 1976 story by Marge Piercy that’s considered a feminist classic. It tells the story of a working class Mexican-American woman living in a rough area of New York. Ms Wood has said reading it was “as though someone had removed a blindfold”.

Nicola Sturgeon names Sunset Song, a story of a young woman’s struggles growing up in a dysfunctional family in a farming community in Scotland, published in 1932, as her favourite book of all time.

She also says James Kelman is one of her favourite authors, and suggested on Twitter that people should read his book Dirt Road.

Furry friends

Image copyright Jeremy Corbyn

Image caption El Gato has not revealed his thoughts on the Labour manifesto

Jeremy Corbyn currently owns a cat called El Gato – which is Spanish for “the cat”. He has described his pet as possibly being “a bit of a Tory” because of its “disappointing individualism and lack of concern for others”. Years ago, when married to his second wife, he owned a cat called Harold Wilson.

Nicola Sturgeon is afraid of dogs, and had to be coaxed into holding a cute little puppy during a visit to an animal charity.

No such fears for Gerry Adams, who has owned dogs since he was four or five years old. He also likes hanging out with his grandchildren’s dogs, and often goes hill walking with them.

Caroline Lucas has formalised her love of animals by becoming a vice-president of the RSPCA. She and her family also own a chocolate Labrador called Harry.

On the menu

During her later student years, Leanne Wood took a series of factory jobs, and one stands out in particular.

“At Ferrero Rocher in the early 1990s you were allowed to eat as many chocolates as you liked. It sounded like a dream job. I can’t look at them now though because I ate too many. I had so many on the first day that after day three I couldn’t stand them any more.”

But she is partial to a Sunday roast, which is “without question” her favourite meal, as well as her “guilty pleasure”.

Theresa May owns 100 recipe books and never buys takeaways. But she has described a bowl of crispy chips as her own “guilty pleasure”.

She’ll take a nip of whiskey or glass of wine, but didn’t express a preference of one over the other, saying it “depends on the circumstances”.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption The PM just can’t resist ’em…

Jeremy Corbyn became a vegetarian at 20 after working on a pig farm and isn’t keen on alcohol.

Asked what his favourite biscuit was during a Mumsnet Q&A, he replied: “I’m totally anti-sugar on health grounds, so eat very few biscuits, but if forced to accept one, it’s always a pleasure to have a shortbread.”

One of his favourite places to eat is Gaby’s Deli in London’s West End.

It’s been reported that he loves making jam with fruit grown on his allotment, and once belonged to an All Party Parliamentary Group for Cheese.

But his second wife, Jane Chapman, has said Mr Corbyn never once took her out for dinner during their five years together, preferring instead to “grab a can of beans and eat it straight from the can” to save time.

Tim Farron likes curry but is a vegetarian, and his strict eating habits have led some of his colleagues to describe his campaign trail as a “rubber tofu circuit”.

Caroline Lucas is also a vegetarian, while Nicola Sturgeon’s takeaway of choice is Indian.

Paul Nuttall is a fan of “proper milk”.

“Forget your Earth mother, lentil-loving, leftie alternatives like soya and almond milk. Give me the real stuff. I drink milk with almost every meal and have done since I was a kid,” he said.

A question of sport

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Jeremy Corbyn prefers pedal power to the combustion engine

Jeremy Corbyn is a fan of running, cycling, cricket and Arsenal football club.

Gerry Adams supports Antrim Gaelic football club, where his son Gearoid is one of the managers.

Arelene Foster is said to be at home in a rugby club.

Theresa May is a big fan of cricket, including Geoffrey Boycott and the West Indian fast bowler Tony Gray among her heroes. And she recently said she preferred rugby over football.

Tim Farron, a fan of the football team Blackburn Rovers, is also a keen player of the Beautiful Game himself.

Paul Nuttall played for Tranmere Rovers as a school boy and a youth team player. In 2016, he said he had “never claimed he was a professional player”.

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Election 2017: What do leaders do in their spare time? – BBC News

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Which political heavyweight likes to bounce around on a trampoline – naked?

Politicians are busy people. When they’re not running the country or their party, they’re trying to persuade the public to vote for them. But they also have families, hobbies and passions. So, when they do get a bit of spare time, what exactly do the party leaders do with it?

Leisure time

Image copyright PA

Image caption Theresa May often heads to the hills with her husband Philip

Prime Minister Theresa May likes to stretch her legs up and down hills and mountains, saying she decided to call the current election while walking in the Welsh mountains.

Mrs May has also said she and her husband Philip enjoy “quite strenuous walking up mountains in Switzerland”. It may be worth remembering that the prime minister studied Geography at Oxford University.

And while it’s not exactly a hobby, she’s also known for her love of shopping for shoes.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn has an interest in the design and history of manhole covers – a hobby which he himself has described as “zany”.

“My mother always said there’s history in drain covers. I take pictures of them. People think it’s a little odd, but there we are.”

He also likes to visit Cambridge. “One of my secret joys is to get a train up and ride around for the day.” He couldn’t drive there, because he doesn’t own a car, which perhaps goes some way to explain his interest in trains.

He’s also very keen on growing his own veg. “I always make time for my allotment. You like a dry summer because the weeds don’t grow.”

Image copyright Science Photo Library

Image caption Tim Farron gets a Buzz out of the Apollo space programme

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron is fascinated by space, saying: “I love the Apollo programme… the immense risks that were taken”. He also likes fell running and walking in the Lake District.

When it comes to relaxing, you’ll often find the UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Paul Nuttall in a boozer – he describes himself as a “pub person”, with Guinness his tipple of choice.

Co-leader of the Green Party, Caroline Lucas, “loves nothing more than walking on the Sussex Downs” with her family.

This walking theme among a few politicians raises the tantalising prospect of the Tories, Lib Dems and Greens having an impromptu Parliamentary debate out on a wind-swept hill somewhere.

Image caption The UK’s political leaders have a varied range of personal interests

Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s First Minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), says her favourite travel destinations are Skye and Portugal.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’s favourite past-time is bouncing around on a trampoline while naked. And often with his dog, who apparently can do back flips.

Mr Adams says he too can do tricks on the trampoline, but has declined to “discuss it publicly”.

The Democratic Unionist Party’s (DUP) Arelene Foster has previously been a Girl Guide leader.

Screen time

Jeremy Corbyn’s favourite films are said to be Casablanca and The Great Gatsby – although which version of the latter is unclear, given there have been four cinema versions spanning a period from 1926 to 2013.

Nicola Sturgeon is a fan of Borgen, the Danish political drama about a woman who rises to become prime minister while having to maintain a fragile coalition.

She’d most like to get stuck in a lift with actor George Clooney, because he’s “really interesting”. The SNP leader also likes TV singing contests, being a fan of The X Factor and The Voice, while Arlene Foster is an EastEnders fan.

Tim Farron also watches The X Factor, with his children.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Don’t be distracted by that grin – George is actually great at conversation too

A university friend of Theresa May’s has said they both loved watching comedy sketch show The Goodies.

And Mrs May recently revealed she watches both Sherlock and Midsomer Murders, but not Broadchurch or Line of Duty.

If Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood spends any time in front of the TV, it’s usually watching political programmes, such as Newsnight and Question Time. She also says the programme Valleys Rebellion by actor Michael Sheen, about political disillusionment in Wales, has made her cry.

Political harmonies

Tim Farron spends his spare time “watching music on YouTube”, a legacy from the days when he fronted a New Romantic band called The Voyeurs in 1980s. At least, it was called that until they realised what it meant. Then they changed it to Fred the Girl.

The Lib Dem leader said the band, which had a recording session with Island Records, were described as a “fourth rate New Order – which I’m very proud of”.

And Mr Farron still hasn’t quite put his warbling days behind him, because his karaoke song of choice is the Waterboy’s The Whole of the Moon and he’s been known to be an enthusiastic singer at the Glee Club.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption “I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon…”

Jonathan Bartley, the co-leader of the Green Party, spends his free time gigging with his band, the Mustangs. He’s pretty good too, as he was nominated for Blues Drummer of the Year at the British Blues Awards in 2010.

His political partner Caroline Lucas cites Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond as her karaoke song of choice.

Arlene Foster also loves music and has sung at weddings.

Among those who just like to listen, Welsh pop band Catatonia are the favourite band of Leanne Wood.

In 2014, Theresa May’s picks were Abba’s Dancing Queen and Walk Like A Man – from the musical Jersey Boys – alongside Mozart and Elgar.

Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams has revealed musical tastes that range from Joni Mitchell to Leonard Cohen to Luke Kelly on his Twitter feed. Nicola Sturgeon has expressed admiration for the Swedish folk duo First Aid Kit.

Novel ideas

Theresa May once told Desert Island Discs that a lifetime subscription to Vogue would be her luxury item on a desert island. Mrs May has also said that The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas is a “very, very cleverly written book and a very well-written book, and that it brings home is the absolute horror of the Holocaust”.

And she recently revealed she has read all of the Harry Potter books, although she declined to answer a query as to which of the characters she was most like.

Jeremy Corbyn likes reading the works of Irish poet WB Yeats, while his favourite novelist is said to be the late Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe. A fluent Spanish speaker, the Labour leader also enjoys Latin American literature.

Image caption Arelene Foster (left) and Jonathan Bartley both enjoy music, while Caroline Lucas (right) loves animals

Caroline Lucas says she joined the Green Party in 1986 after being “utterly inspired” by Jonathon Porritt’s book Seeing Green.

She’s also mentioned reading The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life, by William Nicholson, which she described as “an incredibly compassionate novel”.

Leanne Wood’s politics are said to have been inspired by the novel Woman on the Edge of Time, a 1976 story by Marge Piercy that’s considered a feminist classic. It tells the story of a working class Mexican-American woman living in a rough area of New York. Ms Wood has said reading it was “as though someone had removed a blindfold”.

Nicola Sturgeon names Sunset Song, a story of a young woman’s struggles growing up in a dysfunctional family in a farming community in Scotland, published in 1932, as her favourite book of all time.

She also says James Kelman is one of her favourite authors, and suggested on Twitter that people should read his book Dirt Road.

Furry friends

Image copyright Jeremy Corbyn

Image caption El Gato has not revealed his thoughts on the Labour manifesto

Jeremy Corbyn currently owns a cat called El Gato – which is Spanish for “the cat”. He has described his pet as possibly being “a bit of a Tory” because of its “disappointing individualism and lack of concern for others”. Years ago, when married to his second wife, he owned a cat called Harold Wilson.

Nicola Sturgeon is afraid of dogs, and had to be coaxed into holding a cute little puppy during a visit to an animal charity.

No such fears for Gerry Adams, who has owned dogs since he was four or five years old. He also likes hanging out with his grandchildren’s dogs, and often goes hill walking with them.

Caroline Lucas has formalised her love of animals by becoming a vice-president of the RSPCA. She and her family also own a chocolate Labrador called Harry.

On the menu

During her later student years, Leanne Wood took a series of factory jobs, and one stands out in particular.

“At Ferrero Rocher in the early 1990s you were allowed to eat as many chocolates as you liked. It sounded like a dream job. I can’t look at them now though because I ate too many. I had so many on the first day that after day three I couldn’t stand them any more.”

But she is partial to a Sunday roast, which is “without question” her favourite meal, as well as her “guilty pleasure”.

Theresa May owns 100 recipe books and never buys takeaways. But she has described a bowl of crispy chips as her own “guilty pleasure”.

She’ll take a nip of whiskey or glass of wine, but didn’t express a preference of one over the other, saying it “depends on the circumstances”.

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption The PM just can’t resist ’em…

Jeremy Corbyn became a vegetarian at 20 after working on a pig farm and isn’t keen on alcohol.

Asked what his favourite biscuit was during a Mumsnet Q&A, he replied: “I’m totally anti-sugar on health grounds, so eat very few biscuits, but if forced to accept one, it’s always a pleasure to have a shortbread.”

One of his favourite places to eat is Gaby’s Deli in London’s West End.

It’s been reported that he loves making jam with fruit grown on his allotment, and once belonged to an All Party Parliamentary Group for Cheese.

But his second wife, Jane Chapman, has said Mr Corbyn never once took her out for dinner during their five years together, preferring instead to “grab a can of beans and eat it straight from the can” to save time.

Tim Farron likes curry but is a vegetarian, and his strict eating habits have led some of his colleagues to describe his campaign trail as a “rubber tofu circuit”.

Caroline Lucas is also a vegetarian, while Nicola Sturgeon’s takeaway of choice is Indian.

Paul Nuttall is a fan of “proper milk”.

“Forget your Earth mother, lentil-loving, leftie alternatives like soya and almond milk. Give me the real stuff. I drink milk with almost every meal and have done since I was a kid,” he said.

A question of sport

Image copyright Getty Images

Image caption Jeremy Corbyn prefers pedal power to the combustion engine

Jeremy Corbyn is a fan of running, cycling, cricket and Arsenal football club.

Gerry Adams supports Antrim Gaelic football club, where his son Gearoid is one of the managers.

Arelene Foster is said to be at home in a rugby club.

Theresa May is a big fan of cricket, including Geoffrey Boycott and the West Indian fast bowler Tony Gray among her heroes. And she recently said she preferred rugby over football.

Tim Farron, a fan of the football team Blackburn Rovers, is also a keen player of the Beautiful Game himself.

Paul Nuttall played for Tranmere Rovers as a school boy and a youth team player. In 2016, he said he had “never claimed he was a professional player”.

Read more: http://ift.tt/2rRC4Fl

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