This Week's Struggles

Big News

Well, it’s not really big news but that hasn’t stopped the media pundits and commentators trying to read into this week's cabinet reshuffle like it was a new instalment of the 50 Shades novels.

If you're bored already scroll down, go. Go now, I’m not offended, you won't be missing much.

Cameron’s first major reshuffle as Prime minister threw up five key points; firstly everyone thinks the government has jolted to the right because of the appointment of Andrew Mitchell as Chief Whip. Although it is a coalition government, I am pretty sure that the Prime Minister is a Tory, which would mean we already lean to the right.

Secondly, Ken Clarke was thrown out because he is too lenient as Justice Secretary and Chris Grayling, whom you may remember from the comments he made about hotel owners having the right to turn away gay couples in 2010, is seen as tough on crime. He even went as far as to compare part of Britain to the television series The Wire, talk about trying to sex-up your day job!

Thirdly, Justine Greening’s departure as transport minister is seen as a definite nod towards a green light for the third runway at Heathrow. As her replacement, Patrick McLoughlin, doesn’t seem to have an opinion on any matters of transport, let alone the government's manifesto promises that tie it to a ‘no’ decision on the third runway.

Fourthly, Jeremy Hunt’s (close friend of the Murdock's and Wenlock and Mandeville) shock move to health minister. Given that NHS doctors hated Lansley for his ‘reforms’ he simply had to go, but many feel that this is one of those out-of-the-frying-pan-into-the-fire moments. In 2005, Hunt co wrote a pamphlet calling to “break down the barriers between private and public provision, in effect denationalising the provision of health care in Britain”.

Lastly, nothing has really changed, the voters won’t notice and they don’t care. The big guns are still there (Osborne, May, Hague, Gove and Duncan Smith) so, if you’re still with me, let's move on. If you want more on the ins and outs in the shuffle you can find it here.

US News

The Democrat convention kicked off this week with speeches from Michelle Obama (who 'energized delegates' and brought a halt to journalists complaints of a 'lacklustre campaign') and Bill Clinton (who threw all "...his prestige and popularity unequivocally" behind Obama). While yesterday Obama asked voters to 'let him finish the job'in his keynote speech. 

Everything seems to be going well in the Obama camp after Mitt Romney's speech last week at the Republican Convention was the worst received of any presidential candidate since 1996, according to a Gallup poll.

Despite 3 million more people being out of work since 2008, $5trn more debt, his effort to tackle global warming melting away and Guantanamo Bay still open for business, Obama is still marginally ahead in opinion polls.

But elections are big in the US and this year it is expected to cost $2.5bn. This could be difficult for Obama facing the runaway money train that is Mitt. Apparently Obama doesn't like 'chatting up' billionaires. That is something I would vote for.

Fashion

With New York Fashion Week looming as I type, questions rise, again, about the measurements of a fashion model's thigh. 

Kira Dikhtyar

It didn't help that Russian model Kira Dikhtyar gave an interview to Fox News, in which she told of the shocking techniques used by models to stave off hunger and stay sample size, you can read it here, cotton buds and all.

This comes at a bad time, as this year the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) released guidelines for designers to encourage those with eating disorders to seek help and offer healthy snacks at shoots.

Also in June fashion magazine editors, including the queen of glossy fashion, Vogue, signed up to 'The Health Initiative', which sets out to encourage a healthier approach to body image in the industry, whatever that means.

But don't worry this week wasn't all size-zero-model-bashing. German fashion magazine, Brigitte, finally relented its two year ban on professional models because real, normal, average, women make its readers feel 'inferior' and 'distracted'. (Honestly, I have no idea.)

Sports

Currently second on the leader board with an impressive 32 gold medals (113 in total) we have officially reached the British medal target of 103. Congratulations GB.

The competition hasn't gone as well for Oscar 'Blade Runner' Pistorius, who after taking an unexpected silver in the men's 200m T44 final, instead of gold, seemingly lashed out at Brazillian Alan Fonteles Cardoso Oliveira. 

In an interview with Channel 4 straight after the race Pistorius of South Africa, who also competed in the Olympics, said "We are not running in a fair race here", "We have spoken to the IPC about the length of these blades but it has fallen on deaf ears.", "I can't compete with Alan's stride length".

Jonnie Peacock

Although cheat testing at the Paras can be difficult, with around 500 medal holders needing to be tested, Pistorius was criticised for his 'outburst' and he later apologised for the ill-timing.

Up for a rematch in the men's 100m T44 Oliveira and Pistorius were ready to battle it out only to be out shone by GB's golden boy Jonnie Peacock, who is the fastest single amputee in history.

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

The 54 year old, Oscar nominated actor died due to complication from a heart attack earlier this year. Bodyguard to the stars, he quit his security work after the Notorious B.I.G was killed (he was a former client) to pursue acting full time and has since become a much loved face in Hollywood films.

Director of The Green Mile, Frank Darabont, tweeted "Michael was the greatest of souls - an exemplar of decency, integrity and kindness".

This Week Everyone is Watching;

Anna Karenina. Yes, I am aware that it is only just out today but Keira Knightley's pointy jaw has been on television all week, and being fair, the film does look amazing. 

I will be reviewing it next week.

This Week Everyone is Reading;

'50 Shades of Grey' and its sisters. Will the tyranny never end?

Good News Everyone

Everyone's favourite Olympian, Mo Farah, graced the cover of Hello! magazine with his new 'golden girls', twins, Aisha and Amani. 

During the Olympics Farah stated how his unborn daughters where the inspiration for his two gold medals.

It makes a nice change from Katie Price and Kerry Katona, congratulations all round.