Mark Carney Says ‘Brexit Effect’ Has Stopped Economy From ‘Booming’
The “Brexit effect” is restricting business investment in the economy, the Governor of the Bank of England has said.

Mark Carney said on Sunday that while the economy was “growing” it really should be “booming”.

“Brexit uncertainty is reinforcing something that started in 2008. We actually think that productivity is going to pick up over the course of the next couple of years but not to the same degree as in the past and it is that Brexit effect,” he told ITV’s Peston on Sunday programme.

Carney said businesses were “waiting to see the nature of the deal with the European Union” that the Theresa May ended up striking.

“Since the Referendum what we have seen is that business investment has picked up but it has hasn’t picked up to any of the extent one would have expected given how strong the world, is how easy financial conditions are, how high profitability is and how little spare capacity they have so it should really be booming and it is just growing,” he said.

Carney’s comments came ahead of the next round of Brexit talks which are due to start this week.

On Monday, the head of the CBI will attack the negotiations as currently resembling “a prime-time soap opera”.

Paul Drechsler will tell the meeting of business leaders there needs to be a “a single, clear strategy” for Brexit.

“Brexit is only 508 days away. But for many businesses, their alarm clocks are set even earlier than that. They’re set to the moment they will actually enact their contingency plans,” he will say.

“For 10% of business the alarm has already rung, and they’ve begun moving staff or slowing recruitment. Without a transitional deal, when EU leaders gather in Brussels for the March summit, a total of 60% of businesses will have done the same2. The clock is ticking.”

Drechsler will add: “At the moment, I’m reminded of a prime-time soap opera, with a different episode each week. First Lancaster House, then article 50, the European Council, two dinners with Juncker – and no doubt many exciting instalments to follow.”

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/mark-carney-says-brexit-effect-has-stopped-economy-from-booming_uk_59ff19d9e4b0baea26324265

Damian Green Must Step Aside While Sexual Harassment Claims Are Investigated, Says Tory MP
Damian Green should stand aside form his job as first secretary of state while an investigation into his conduct is carried out, a Tory MP has said.

Heidi Allen told ITV’s Peston on Sunday it would be “completely normal” in any other industry for someone to be suspended. “If you are innocent you have nothing to worry about,” she said.

Green has strongly denied claims police found pornography on a computer in his office in Westminster during a raid in 2008.

He said the allegation made by ex-Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Bob Quick was “completely untrue” and “political smears”.

.@heidiallen75 says it’d be sensible for @DamianGreen to stand down from Cabinet role whilst there is an inquiry into his actions #Peston pic.twitter.com/5K1I9Rq7Yr — Peston on Sunday (@pestononsunday) November 5, 2017
Green, who is de factor deputy prime minister, is currently under investigation by the Cabinet Secretary after he was accused of making unwanted sexual advances towards a young female Tory activist. He denies the accusation.

Anna Soubry, another Tory backbencher, has already called for Green to step aside.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd told Sky News the Green should not have to stand aside from his job at the heart of government.

“He strongly denies the allegations. Let’s give him time and the inquiry time to put it straight,” she said. “I really look forward to him clearing his name.”

Rudd also suggested new rules should be put in place that would lead to MPs being kicked out of parliament if they were found guilty of sexual harassment.

“I think that is one of the things I would encourage the review to look at,” she said.

Both the Conservatives and Labour have been rocked by a series of sexual harassment claims over the last week.

Several MPs have been suspended by their parties and Sir Michael Fallon resigned as defence secretary over allegations he behaved inappropriately towards women.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/damian-green-must-step-aside-while-sexual-harassment-claims-are-investigated-says-tory-mp_uk_59fedbc0e4b04cdbeb33af6e

Uma Thurman Gives Powerful Response When Asked About Sexual Misconduct In Hollywood
Uma Thurman delivered an impassioned response when asked about corruption and sexual abuse in Hollywood.

In recent weeks, a number of prominent figures in the entertainment industry have been accused of varying levels of sexual misconduct, kickstarted when a number of women came forward with allegations about film mogul and former Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein.

On the red carpet for a new Broadway production of ‘The Parisian Woman’, Uma was asked if she had anything to say on the subject of “women speaking out about inappropriate behavior in the workplace”, to which she delivered a passionate, but controlled, response, insisting she would speak more fully when she “feels less angry”.

Speaking to Access Hollywood, Uma explained: “I think [women speaking out is] commendable.

“I don’t have a tidy soundbite for you, because I have learned… I am not a child. And I have learned that when I have spoken in anger, I usually regret the way I express myself.

“So I’ve been waiting to feel less angry. And when I’m ready, I’ll say what I have to say.”

The short video of Uma addressing the issue has since gone viral on social media, in the same way a similar clip of actress Emma Thompson did last month, when the accusations about Harvey Weinstein first came to light.

Weinstein has denied all accusations of “nonconsensual sex”.

Since then, a number of key figures from the world of film have faced their own allegations of sexual harassment, including directors Brett Ratner and James Toback, both of whom have denied the accusations levelled against them.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/uma-thurman-hollywood-sexual-harassment-misconduct_uk_59fee830e4b0c9652fffd22a

Must-See LGBTQ TV: ‘Shameless’ returns and don’t miss ‘Fresh Off the Boat’

www.glaad.org/blog/must-see-lgbtq-tv-shameless-returns-and-dont-miss-fresh-boat

Debbie McGee Makes ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ History With Tango Routine
It was a big night for Debbie McGee on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this weekend, after she became the first of this year’s famous contestants to be given a perfect score by the judges.

Debbie – best known for serving as the assistant to her late husband, the magician Paul Daniels – was awarded 40 points for her Tango routine on Saturday night (5 November).

She and partner Giovanni Pernice performed their dance to a remixed version of the Black Eyed Peas’ ‘I Gotta Feeling’, making ‘Strictly’ history by getting the first 40 this early on in the competition.

Even Craig Revel Horwood, a notoriously tough nut to crack, came out from behind the judges’ table to jokingly bow down at Debbie’s feet after her performance, before giving her 10 points, as did fellow judges Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell and Bruno Tonioli.

While Bruno told the pair their routine had been like watching a “Tango masterclass”, Darcey agreed: “That was extraordinary. You are on a par with your professional. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Tango like that from a celebrity. Amazing.”

Former ballet dancer Debbie said earlier in the series that ‘Strictly’ had made her “genuinely happy” for the first time since the loss of her husband last year.

She admitted: “Until now, there was still this knot in my stomach and… the fact I’ve lost him [was there].

“But these last three weeks on ‘Strictly’, everyone is so lovely, at every level, I love all the other contestants, everybody I’m working with… they all make you feel so good and so wanted. They make you feel like they really want you on the programme.”

Find out which contestants weren’t so lucky and wound up in the bottom two in Sunday’s (5 November) ‘Strictly’ results show, kicking off at 7.15pm on BBC One.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/strictly-come-dancing-debbie-mcgee-tango_uk_59fec95ce4b0c9652fffccf0

Ex-Gay Basketballer Says College Rescinded Coaching Job Because She’s Straight

Camille LeNoir is suing New Mexico State for rescinding a job offer after they saw an anti-LGBT video she’d recorded. 

www.advocate.com/sports/2017/11/04/ex-gay-basketball-player-says-college-rescinded-coaching-offer-because-shes-straight

Scottish Minister Mark McDonald Quits Over ‘Inappropriate Behaviour’
A Scottish minister has resigned over past actions he said were “considered to be inappropriate”, it was announced on Saturday.

Mark McDonald, the SNP minister for childcare and early years, apologised “to anyone I have upset” as he stepped down from the role, the Press Association reports.

The MSP for Aberdeen Donside said previous behaviour he had thought “humorous or attempting to be friendly” might have made others uncomfortable.

It is understood the complaint is one of two made to the SNP about inappropriate behaviour, the second of which does not relate to a parliamentarian.

Earlier in the week First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon had warned men in positions of power in the party to reflect on their behaviour as allegations of sexual harassment reached Holyrood.

In his resignation statement, McDonald, who was appointed a minister in May last year, said: “It has been brought to my attention that some of my previous actions have been considered to be inappropriate – where I have believed myself to have been merely humorous or attempting to be friendly, my behaviour might have made others uncomfortable or led them to question my intentions.

“My behaviour is entirely my responsibility and I apologise unreservedly to anyone I have upset or who might have found my behaviour inappropriate.

“In light of my position in government, I believe it would not be appropriate for me to continue to serve in my role in the Scottish Government at this time and I have tendered my resignation as a minister.

“I hope that in taking this step neither any particular woman or my family will be the focus of undue and unwarranted scrutiny.

“It has been an honour to serve in the Scottish Government and I will continue to serve my constituents in Aberdeen Donside to the best of my ability.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney also warned men to examine their behaviour in a statement to parliament earlier this week.

A spokesman for the First Minister said: “Mark has taken the right action in apologising and recognising that in his current role it would be inappropriate for him to remain in government.

“He will continue to make a valuable contribution to parliament as the MSP for Aberdeen Donside. As the Deputy First Minister told parliament earlier in the week it is right that men take responsibility for their behaviour and it is to Mark’s credit that he has done so.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said McDonald tendered his resignation to the First Minister on Saturday.

He said: “The Education Secretary is responsible for all aspects of the education portfolio including those led by the minister for childcare and early years. The First Minister will appoint a new minister in due course.”

The claims of harassment in Scottish politics first emerged after human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar said women ranging from MSPs to interns had raised concerns about behaviour across the Scottish Parliament.

A confidential phone line was launched and an anonymised survey will be carried out to determine the extent of the problem at Holyrood, which said it was not dealing with any current cases.

www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/scottish-minister-mark-mcdonald-quits_uk_59fe23d6e4b0baea26321017

Nyle DiMarco’s quickie, Derrick Gordon’s thighs, & Laith Ashley’s revealing hike
Instagram + studs = Instastuds

www.queerty.com/nyle-dimarcos-quickie-derrick-gordons-thighs-laith-ashleys-revealing-hike-20171104?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+queerty2+%28Queerty%29