Category Archives: Diet And Food

Police are searching for a 3-year-old girl who was abducted from a birthday party on Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama. Kamille Cupcake McKinney vanished while outside with other kids. According to the children, a black male and white female in a dark SUV took McKinney. The vehicle was described as a dark blue or green Toyota Sequoia with damage to the rear bumper. According to an 11-year-old boy at the party, the man got out of the SUV, picked up McKinney, and put her in the vehicle. On Sunday night, police stopped a vehicle matching the description of the Sequoia in Birmingham and took a man into custody for questioning, AL.com reports.

Police do not believe the abduction is related to a custodial issue.

I just want my daughter back. Ill pay anything, Ill put up anything, Kamilles father, Dominic McKinney, said. Everybody knows Cupcake and Ill do anything to bring that baby back home. Her father said he has no idea why someone would take his daughter. Shes scared, shes lonely, she doesnt know whats going on. Shes just a baby, he said. She was reportedly wearing a pink shirt with a Minnie Mouse and leopard print design and leopard print shorts, and had yellow, white, and blue bows in her hair at the time she disappeared. Her shoes were found in the parking lot.

An abduction like this, a child just being taken off the street, is in no way common to the city of Birmingham, said Birmingham police Deputy Chief Scott Praytor. Were trying to make sure we get this child back to her family. Police on Sunday added a new tip line for the case. Anyone with information is urged to call 205-297-8413.

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Three-Year-Old Girl Abducted From Birthday Party in Alabama - The Daily Beast

The Justice Department filed a brief on Friday asking a federal appeals court to block the release of President Trump's tax returns to the Manhattan district attorney's office, claiming that local prosecutors needed to meet a high legal threshold before investigating Trump. According to The New York Times, the department appeared to side with the arguments made in Trumps lawsuit seeking to block the release of the tax returns, writing that the lawsuit had raised a number of significant constitutional issues that potentially implicate the interests of the United States. The department also argued against local prosecutors investigating a sitting president, and said avoiding state criminal procedures while Trump was in office would not place him above the law. Rather, it merely postpones initiation of any potential criminal prosecution until his term of office ends.

Earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Victor Marrero ruled that Trump's tax returns could be released to Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr., who subpoenaed accounting firm Mazars USA for Trump's personal and corporate financial documents dating back to 2011. Judge Marrero rejected Trump's legal argument, which posited that the Constitution prevented current presidents from being criminally investigated by local prosecutors like Vance.

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Justice Department Asks Appeals Court to Block Release of Trump Tax Returns - The Daily Beast

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More than three decades ago, my mom took me on my first camping trip. She was celebrating a year of sobriety and this excursion was completely uncharacteristic for my family. We hadnt spent a lot of time together during my childhood, so at eight years old, I was a little nervous about how this was going to go.

On the drive up, she told me that getting outside and being active had given her the space she needed to sort some things out. She explained that life was different in the woods, and that the rest of the world would just melt away. Skeptical, I helped her set up the tent silently pretending not to see all the spiders. Fighting back tears, I wondered what wed even eat while we were out there.

That first night, my mom unpacked what seemed like an entire kitchen. Relief washed over me as we sat by a fire roasting hot dogs, marshmallows and sipping on fresh water. Despite my initial trepidation, food tasted better, laughter felt deeper and sleep came easier than it had in a very long time. It was a pivotal moment in my life and Ill always be grateful for it.

The Benefits of Camping

We spend a lot of time hunched over smartphones and desks these days, so it shouldnt be surprising that stepping away is good for us. Being out in the fresh air, far from the hustle and bustle, can feel like a much-needed physical and mental detox. Along with that sense of wellness, here are some other benefits:

Theres just something about being out in the fresh air that can make you feel more alive. The weather can get a little brisk at night this time of year, but thats what flannel is for!

Food and Drinks Safety

Even if youre completely off the grid and unplugged from society, youve still got to eat. Of course, without modern amenities, food safety for campers can become a concern. You definitely want to make sure you pack the right gear to keep your food and drink safe, because who wants to get sick out in the wilderness?

Stanley

Its hard to imagine a more iconic brand than Stanley. When my mom unpacked the car all those years ago, it looked like she had raided the Stanley section of an outdoor camping store! Plus, weve all seen the Classic Legendary green vacuum bottle in films and television shows for decades.

You can easily set up base camp with your items stored safely in a cooler and then whip up your meals in some convenient camp cookware. Staying hydrated is easy with the Classic Trigger Action Mug, which is now available in two fall colors (Nightfall and Wine), or Ceramicvac bottle. You can even enjoy fresh brew on your hike with the Classic Travel Mug French Press. Im not a coffee drinker, but I do own the Adventure Happy Hour Cocktail Shaker Set; perfect for when a great day of adventuring calls for a nightcap!

Outdoor Cooking

While simple sandwiches are always a good option, you can use the unique opportunity to make fresh, delicious meals. Preparing something healthy doesnt require a gourmet kitchen you just need the right tools.

Camp Chef

Camp Chef specializes in portable, yet powerful, cooking gear for outdoor enthusiasts. They carry flat grills, camp stoves, fire pits, smokers, portable ovens and so much more. Cooking with cast iron even has health benefits, as I learned years ago after being encouraged to use it by my doctor following an anemia diagnosis.

Recently, a group of us headed to Jackson Hole for a few days and we used the Mini Dutch Oven to make our own chili a great option for people with individual preferences and dietary needs. At less than $25 its a great option because its affordable and versatile use it for stew, hot dogs and beans, or even a peach cobbler!

A Better Hot Dog

It takes a little more planning to prepare food while camping, so why not make it worth the effort? Ill admit that we keep things simple for breakfast when were on the go, but even if its just for one meal, well splurge on something extra special.

If youre a regular reader, youll know that I typically follow a keto diet. While its possible to be vegan or vegetarian on keto, most of us are heavy meat eaters. Whenever I can, I try to buy products that are as natural as possible, which is why Ive had KC Cattle Company on my radar for a while.

KC Cattle Company

This veteran-owned butcher shop carries incredible wagyu meat; from filet mignon and brisket to summer sausage and short ribs. People love to roast hot dogs while camping, and KC Cattle Companys uncured wagyu hot dogs can really elevate the experience. They contain no added nitrites and come fully cooked, making them an incredibly tasty and healthy choice for a weekend out in nature.

Ill always be grateful for that very first camping trip, but Ill readily admit that Im more of a glamping person and hypervigilant about food safety. When Im confident about my equipment and the food Ive packed, it helps me relax so I can focus on more important things like running from spiders in my tent. So gear up and hit the great outdoors one last time this camping season!

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Its Fall Camping Season. Make It Healthy and Delicious - Forbes

The maker of an underwear bomb that was worn by a terrorist on a Detroit-bound Christmas Day flight in 2009 has been killed, the White House confirmed Thursday. In a statement, the White House said senior al Qaeda bomb maker and terror coordinator Ibrahim al-Asiri was killed two years ago during a U.S. operation in Yemen. The Trump administration also said Al-Asiri was behind three other failed or foiled bombing attempts: a printer cartridge bomb plot in 2010, a 2012 bomb that was meant to be used against a passenger aircraft, and a device in the attempted assassination of the former crown prince of Saudi Arabia.

Al-Asiris death significantly handicapped al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, the statement read. The United States will continue to hunt down terrorists like al-Asiri until they no longer pose a threat to our great Nation. According to USA Today, al-Asiris device was worn in 23-year-old Umar Farouk Abdulmutallabs underwear and it was supposed to detonate over U.S. soil. Abdulmutallab is reportedly serving a life sentence in a maximum security Colorado prison after pleading guilty to terrorism charges.

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Al Qaeda Underwear Bomb Maker Died in US Operation Two Years Ago: White House - The Daily Beast

NHS guidelines recommend that pregnant women drink the equivalent of two cups of instant coffee a dayGETTY IMAGES

Women who are trying to conceive or are pregnant, particularly during the first eight weeks, should cut out caffeine entirely to minimise the risk of losing their baby, according to research to be presented this week.

Guidelines from the NHS and in the US recommend pregnant women limit the caffeine they drink to 200 milligrams a day, equivalent to two mugs of instant coffee.

Researchers at the US National Institutes of Health will present a study to the American Society for Reproductive Medicines (ASRM) congress in Philadelphia arguing that even this is too much and that caffeine should be eliminated entirely.

The team found: Any level of caffeine intake during pregnancy may increase risk of pregnancy loss, particularly in the first eight weeks gestation. Women

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Cut out coffee to minimise risk of losing baby, pregnant women told - The Times

Dear Nutritionist,I enjoy reading the articles in the Bradford newspaper. I have a question about snack ideas for the kids and also myself - I have a big sweet tooth! I was baking homemade cookies and rice krispie squares last year but these dont do anything for my figure and you suggest not to eat grains. Well what should I do then for snacks? Thank you!Samantha

Dear Samantha,Thank you for writing in! I highly suspect you arent going to like my answer, but I dont believe in sugar coating the truth (or anything), so Im going to give you my take straight up!

There is no reason for humans to be snacking unless they are athletes. Meals are enough. You do not need the extra calories and will actually shorten your life and increase your disease risk by snacking. I strongly feel fuller meals are a better solution for a few reasons. You might want to put this down now because its not the answer you were seeking, but dont stop reading yet! The meals can be really snacky and enjoyable. Read on and I will share!

First, I suggest more satisfying meals instead of snacks because often snacks are sweet while meals are savoury. People who become accustomed to sweet foods quickly lose their appetite for healthier, more savoury dishes. They will even get to a point where meat makes them gag and savoury dishes need to be followed by sweets immediately. I highly suspect this is because of a candida overgrowth in the gastrointestinal tract. I have come to believe it has a consciousness that somehow communicates to our bodies to create sweet cravings to the exclusion of other foods. Yes, this sounds like hocus pocus. But its actually not unheard of with parasitic organisms. There are other behaviour altering parasites known to infect insects and cause the insect to position itself such that it is likely to be eaten by a predator that the host wants/needs to infect. I am not making this up! I have been researching candida for about 22 years and that is my current theory on how it impacts our cravings. It needs sweets and starches to survive so it hijacks our brains somehow to elicit strong cravings for them. Whether it is the candida expressing its needs, as I suspect, or just our taste buds becoming acclimatized to sweets, once we start replacing savoury with sweet flavours our bodies start to want sweets to the exclusion of savoury dishes.

Second, people who snack tend to unconsciously skip meals because they arent hungry, only to later eat snack foods instead. This becomes a cycle: because they snacked just before meal time, when the next meal comes around they arent hungry again. So they skip that meal, too. That means they need something later, but dont want to cook because now its late. So they snack again. I see this all the time. Whats worse, I see parents allowing children to do it. When this is allowed in childhood the children do not learn healthy food habits for the foundation of good health in adulthood.

Third, we usually perceive meals as something we need to prepare and which should be well rounded. Snacks are not. There is no thought to what the snack should be paired with to be nutritionally complete. Snacks are often chosen not for their nutritional value, but for their mouth feel, crunch, or flavour profile. This is all referred to as the bliss point in food science. What it means is the exact texture, sweetness, saltiness, etc. that is going to make you want more and more of that product. Snack foods are actually manufactured to create addictive eating! Which brings me to my next point.

Fourth, snack foods are often consumed without awareness, out of the bag, or out of a package of some kind, with no portion control, and while doing something else. So we arent aware of when its time to stop. We are just mindlessly reaching into that bag, while driving, working, watching TV. With a meal we sit at the table, serve the food on plates or in bowls, eat with intention and, hopefully, gratitude. And, we know that it takes about 20 minutes after the body has enough food for leptin, the satiety hormone, to be signalled. So you can keep eating for 20 minutes after youre actually full and not even know it if youre not listening to your body. And if you eat too much junk food for too long, guess what happens to leptin? You become resistant to it and never feel satisfied. This is very closely tied to insulin resistance (read sugars and excess carbs). So youre starting to see why I really dont suggest snacking.

Snacking is quite simply a recipe for disaster in terms of health outcomes. It shouldnt need saying, but our public healthcare system was never meant to be a substitute for common sense. Replacing meals with convenience food (snacks) has many many repercussions on our health and our collective healthcare system. Its really in nobodys best interest. Except, of course, the processed food manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies.

Having said that, there are ways to enjoy nutritious munchie foods without detriment to your health. One is by making the snacks so healthy they can be a meal replacement and the other is by learning how to safely have one cheat night every week or two. This is something I teach all my clients after they have effectively stabilized their blood sugar response (insulin/ leptin).

If you are hungry between meals the real reason is not hunger, but insulin resistance, related to repeated blood sugar spikes. I call it gremlins. You know it: that growly, rumbly tummy feeling! Its a clear sign you have been running on sugar and your body wants another fix. Anyone who suffers this needs to see me or another professional who can guide them to get it under control because hunger between meals is not a normal or healthy metabolic state. Especially when we are fat, which the body should know how to break down for fuel. Thats the entire biological purpose of it, after all!

And these gremlins are not actually hunger pains, as we have been taught to believe. They are cravings and nothing more. They pass within 20-40 minutes of starting if you wait long enough to let them pass. I suggest clients have a coffee or tea or cup of bouillon/ bone broth and focus on something else. They are surprised how well this works.

In fact, snacking between meals is not something that even entices us once our bodies are fat adapted. This is why people talk about intermittent fasting as easy in this state - because skipping meals doesnt even cause hunger once we are burning ketones or able to switch into that state, and we have any excess adipose (fat) tissue to burn. So the first part of my answer is that its best for adults to keep snacking to one night per week and otherwise as part of a meal or an occasional meal replacement if the snack is in line with their diet, like fat bombs, for example. By doing this, the snack is at the same time the meal normally happens, which ensures it doesnt turn into a cycle that gets out of control. It should happen with clear boundaries and a plate or bowl and portion control and intentional eating, where you are at a table, focused on your food and not at a screen or activity of some kind.

Some healthy snack ideas I have are:Crudites and healthy dip or hummusGrain free crackers and hummus (bean or cashew) or guacamoleSalmon salad on celery sticksNut butter on celery sticksCucumber rounds with flavoured sour creamKale chips as part of a larger mealHomemade yogurt with fresh fruitOrganic popping corn with grass fed butter and nutritional yeastKombuchaSalted nutsToasted seeds (with or without a bit of honey and sea salt)Homemade sugar free granola (low in grains)Sweet potato flatbreads with dip, sliced boiled eggs, sproutsDevilled eggsPickled eggsPickles (sugar-free)Natural smoked / preserved meatsCheesesMeatballsMini quicheLow sugar omg organic haystacks (my recipe)And many many more!

Samantha, I hope this doesnt discourage you! Of course, one night a week if you feel you would like cheese puffs or something else you know is probably not very wholesome, like grandmas cookies, or sweet pumpkin pie and ice cream for example, try to eat it after a well rounded meal to make sure it doesnt spike your insulin too high. And serve it on a plate with portion control, instead of eating out of the bag. This even works for pizza to help us know how much weve had! Setting aside a day each weekend for that treat will also help you in making sure you dont slide. If you need help getting control over cravings, contact me directly. We should be able to choose our food with a clear head, and be able to say no when it serves us.

As always, if you have your own health questions, dont hesitate to send me an email.Namaste! Nonie Nutritionista

Nonie De Long is a registered orthomolecular nutritionist with a clinic in Bradford West Gwillimbury, where she offers holistic, integrative health care for physical and mental health issues. Check out her website here.

Do you have a question about health and wellness? Emailnonienutritionista@gmail.com

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Ask The Nutritionist: What are some healthy snack ideas? - BradfordToday

Nordstrom Racks massive clearance section can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of flash sales or ignored unless Clear the Rack is going on. But were here to say that when the retailer gets a big batch of new things added to the clearance section, its time to get to work. Hundreds of styles just got thrown into the mix and we thought itd be a good time to pick out the top styles for you to grab while theyre on sale.

Rebecca Minkoff Apolline Strappy Sandal, $60: Is it sandal season? No. Do you have weddings youll attend in the future or holiday parties that need a little shine? Probably. These are the shoes for that.

Madewell V-Neck Tiered Cover-Up Dress, $98: Theres nothing like a good dress you can just throw on and enjoy. This 100% cotton, sunshine yellow tiered dress keeps things light and breezy.

MODERN FICTION Prologue Suede Loafer, $70: Dress shoes can be boring, so get yourself a loafer that looks as good as it feels. The soft suede goes with anything from trousers to jeans.

Scotch & Soda Slim Chino Pants, $52: You cant go wrong with a good pair of chinos like these. With a touch of elastane for comfort, pick up a pair of these in any of the six colors (or all of them).

Via Spiga Double Breasted Faux Fur Lined Water Repellent Soft Shell Coat, $60: The weather is about to get pretty uncomfortable, so its a good idea to have the right outerwear. This is the coat that will get you through practically any precipitation.

Scouted is internet shopping with a pulse. Follow us on Twitter and sign up for our newsletter for even more recommendations and exclusive content. Dont forget to check out our coupon site to find great deals from your favorite brands. Please note that if you buy something featured in one of our posts, The Daily Beast may collect a share of sales.

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The Best New Things Added to Nordstrom Rack's Up to 70% Off Clearance Section - The Daily Beast

Danny Toffel is certainly a determined man.

After making a fortune in the computer industry he retired at just 29 and invested his money in the stock market.

But he lost everything in the space of just six months back in 2000 when he was declared bankrupt.

It was workaholic Danny's determination that led to him starting his new business, Watches2U .

The 49-year-old explained: "I set up the business so I could order a pizza over the phone. I couldn't get a debit card, I had to use a cash card."

With just 40 and operating out of a garden shed, Danny started selling watches on eBay to supplement his family's income.

That was in 2002 and the business has now grown to become Britain's biggest independent retailer of branded watches.

Last year it had a turnover of 12million.

However, with Danny's newfound success he was seriously risking his health.

He worked huge hours and didn't take a single day off for seven years straight.

His immense work ethic also meant his diet suffered, with him choosing quick and easy takeaway foods to satisfy his hunger.

Danny said: "I don't remember exactly what I ate but I used to have two steaks for dinner and if a ready meal was for two people, I would eat two of them, so I was eating enough for four.

"When I went out to eat I didn't care what I ate, I only cared about it being a large portion."

His weight ballooned to 25 stone and Danny had also developed a hobby that was making his eating patterns even more erratic - poker.

He said: "I was working 15 hours a day, every day and then playing poker until late into the night.

"I was a rubbish husband and father because it was all about work or poker."

Then, when his wife, Katrina, was desperately struggling with the demands of running the family home, Danny realised he needed to change.

He quit smoking five years ago but realised his weight was still a massive issue.

He said: "I've always done silly diets but as soon as I'd lose the weight I'd put it back on.

"I started to get liver disease because of my weight and I went on holiday determined to shed some pounds - but ended up putting even more on."

That's when Danny knew he wanted to take drastic action to deal with his weight and decided to have a gastric sleeve fitted to help him shed the pounds.

He admits he was nervous before the two and a half hour surgery but just an hour after he left the operating theatre, he was back at work.

The weight began to fall off and Danny also developed a love of the gym.

It took him six months to drop from 23 stone to just 16. He is now a svelte 14 stone with a medium top and a 34ins waist.

And Danny's diet could not be more different. Gone are the takeaways, which have been replaced with a fresh soup for lunch every day.

He said: "I eat a lot of fish, I can't eat steak any more or a lot of meat or bread."

Although it isn't just Danny's waistline that has seen the benefit of his new healthy lifestyle.

He says he is now a much better father, with his spare time now revolving around his family and not poker.

He spends more time with his two daughters Eleanor, 15, and 13-year-old Christina, who he named his succesful accessories website, ChrisElli after.

Danny added: "I'm now home every night with the kids and I have a great relationship with my wife. We go out and do a lot more stuff as a family.

"I play tennis four times a week and I go to the sauna in the gym evey day at 3.30pm to get away from everything for an hour.

"It's changed my whole mindset. I've thrown all my old clothes out because I won't be needing them again."

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Man who started 12m business with 40 in a shed is unrecognisable after weight loss - Mirror Online

Vanessa Percher, head chef at Chef Veganessa, with her vegan Thanksgiving dish, lentil and mushroom loaf with roasted walnuts, miso gravy, roasted butternut squash mash, string beans and orange cranberry sauce in Beaconsfield on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019.Dave Sidaway / jpg

This long weekend, you can give some turkeys something to be thankful for by trying a meat-free feast for Thanksgiving.

With the growth in popularity in veganism and vegetarian diets, it seems every family now has one or several members who have adopted meat-free eating, either for ethical reasons, health or environmental concerns.

Its not foreign anymore; were definitely in the age of plant-based food, said le-Perrot resident Vanessa Percher, the owner of Chef Veganessa.

Thanksgiving is a favourite time of year for Percher, and not only because she does brisk business selling vegan holiday meals, but because she loves preparing a traditional meal with all the trimmings.

Its my favourite dish, said Percher, who has been running the Beaconsfield-based meal delivery business for the last 10 years. Its a lentil loaf with nothing artificial. Its got brown rice, mushrooms and walnuts. Its a very savoury loaf, and it comes with roasted butternut squash mash. Its comfort food, whether youre (on a plant-based diet) or not.

Percher found out she had celiac disease about 10 years ago when working as a pastry chef at Bich restaurant, now known as Ristorante Beatrice. She adopted a vegan diet for health reasons around the same time and realized there was a need for healthy gluten-free and vegan meal options.

When I found out that I was not able to taste the food I was making, I had a problem, Percher said. I realized there was a rise in allergies, so I decided to focus on cooking for people who are limited in what they can eat.

Chef Veganessa delivers weekly gluten-free and vegan meals ready to reheat or freeze for later, it also has a small takeout counter at the storefront in Elm Plaza. Saturday was a busy day for Percher, delivering special holiday meals, as the store is closed Sundays and Mondays.

For those who are trying to cut back on meat, or hosting a vegetarian or vegan in their family for the first time, Percher recommends going to the organic section of a grocery store, or visiting a specialty grocery store to find plant-based alternatives to turkey. They include a Tofurky loaf, made with soy, or the Gardein Holiday Roast. Percher said cooking for vegetarians doesnt have to be overly complicated and can be as easy as buying vegetarian ground beef, which is available in most grocery stores and substituting that for the real thing.

The website of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also has recipes and suggestions for meat-free products. They include ordering a vegan loaf from Rosemont-based Caf Dei Campi.

If youre going out for dinner, some popular vegan restaurants are Lov andLola Rosa. At Westmount and Mile End-based Aux Vivres, you can either dine in or you take home their products either from take-put counters attached to the restaurants or at partner distributors like Metro, IGA, Rachelle Bery and Tau grocery stores. Montreal-based Gusta also offers plant-based sausages and seitan loaves. It has a counter at the Jean-Talon Market and products available at many grocery stores and retailers throughout the country. For dessert, Sophie Sucre on Pins Ave. at the corner of De Bullion St., is another option. Its products are also available at cafs and restaurants throughout the region. On its fall manu, the bakery features a brown sugar spice cake with pumpkin icing, among other treats.

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How to have a meat-free Thanksgiving: advice from vegans - Montreal Gazette

Jean-Claude Juncker has talked up the prospects of a Brexit extension beyond 31 October as EU officials downplayed the chances of a breakthrough in time for this weeks crunch summit.

As talks on Johnsons latest Brexit proposals continued in Brussels, the European commission president said he would back a prolongation of the UKs membership if it was sought.

Its up to the Brits to decide if they will ask for an extension, Juncker told the Austrian newspaper the Kurier on Sunday. But if Boris Johnson were to ask for extra time which probably he wont I would consider it unhistoric to refuse such a request.

Johnson updated his cabinet on Sunday lunchtime about the state of play in negotiations with Brussels before a make-or-break week for his premiership.

Counties and customs

Inside the EU, both Ireland and Northern Ireland are part of the single market and customs union so share the same regulations and standards, allowing a soft or invisible border between the two.

Britains exit from the EU taking Northern Ireland with it risks a return to a hard or policed border. The only way to avoid this post-Brexit is for regulations on both sides to remain more or less the same in key areas including food, animal welfare, medicines and product safety.

The 'backstop' in Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement was intended to address this - stating that if no future trade agreement could be reached between the EU and the UK, then rules and regulations would stay as they are. This has been rejected by Brexit supporters as a 'trap' to keep the UK in the EU's customs union, which would prevent the UK striking its own independent trade deals.

There are an estimated 72m road vehicle crossings a year between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, and about 14% of those crossings are consignments of goods, some of which may cross the border several times before they reach a consumer. Brexit supporters say this can be managed by doing checks on goods away from the border, but critics say it will be difficult to police this without any physical infrastructure like border posts or cameras, which could raise tensions in the divided communities of Ireland.

Interactive: A typical hour in the life of the Irish border

The prime minister is still hoping to make enough progress at a European council meeting on Thursday to be able to hold a Commons vote on his Brexit plans in a rare Saturday sitting next weekend.

After presenting what aides called a final offer to the EU27 in his party conference speech less than a fortnight ago, Johnson signalled to Dublin that he was ready to make significant concessions on the future status of Northern Ireland.

Since Johnson and the Irish taoiseach met on the Wirral last Thursday, officials have been working on an agreement that would in effect keep Northern Ireland in the UKs customs territory but apply EU tariff rates at its external border.

The proposal appears similar to Theresa Mays new customs partnership, but for Northern Ireland alone rather than the whole UK.

A dozen British officials led by Johnsons chief negotiator, David Frost, were in talks with the European commissions Brexit taskforce on Sunday but sources in Brussels downplayed the possibility of a major breakthrough.

A Northern Ireland-only backstop as proposed by the EU in February 2018 could be landed by the European council on Thursday anything else will not, said one diplomatic source.

EU officials have privately warned that at best a technical extension taking the UKs membership of the bloc beyond 31 October will be necessary to work through the details of Johnsons new approach to the issue of customs.

Speaking on Sunday, Ireland's agriculture minister Michael Creed, a senior member of Varadkars cabinet, said: There are very significant issues to be addressed here. We are not there yet.

Brexit is expected to be high on the agenda when the French president, Emmanuel Macron, hosts the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, at a dinner at the lyse Palace on Sunday evening.

Mays customs plan was vehemently rejected by Brexiters as impractical. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the then chair of the hardline European Research Group of Tory MPs, described it as completely cretinous, impractical, bureaucratic and a betrayal of common sense.

But Rees-Mogg, who is now leader of the House of Commons, made clear on Sunday he and other leavers were prepared to compromise.

Boris Johnson is somebody who even the most arch-Eurosceptic, even a member of the Brexit party, can trust and have confidence in, he said.

Asked by Sophy Ridge on Sky News if he might have to eat his words on the idea of a customs partnership, Rees-Mogg added: I dont know but theres a line from Churchill saying hed often had to eat his own words and he found it a very nourishing diet. That is something that happens in politics but it is ultimately a question of trust and about the direction in which we are going.

Nevertheless, government insiders remain cautious about the likelihood of securing an agreement that could be put to the Commons on Saturday and winning a majority for it.

One pointed out that Theresa Mays government believed it would win MPs support for her deal, when it was put to the Commons for a third time in March but it was rejected, by a majority of 58.

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EU ready to grant Brexit extension in build-up to key summit - The Guardian