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  • CAR REVIEW | Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    CAR REVIEW | Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    ★★★☆☆ | Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    What Have We Got?

    I’m a lumberjack… and I’m OK, I cut down trees, I skip and jump”. We have the Jeep Renegade and these make me smile. There have been a few revisions carried out recently, most notably being the bumpers and change in headlights that add new aggression to the chunky monkey. New engines have also been added and for this, we have the 1.6 120hp turbo diesel. We tested the top of the range 4WD Trial hawk model in 2017 and it made my top 3 list. Does the new 2WD Limited model cut it? 

     

    Driving

    The first thing that strikes you with this 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine is the throttle lag when pulling away. It might have become the industry ‘norm’ for this type of engine to respond this way, but it doesn’t make it right. It isn’t a problem once you are moving in traffic. Pulling into traffic is when you really feel it. You then have to adapt your driving style. In that, I mean rev the engine to around 1600 rpm and then when you can, let out the clutch and pull away. 

    That’s a lot of effort and ruins an otherwise enjoyable vehicle. The ride is soft if a little floaty and road noise is quite subdued. The engine is vocal when really pushed and doesn’t encourage all-out performance. 

     

    Inside

    There haven’t been any major changes inside. The Jeep face and logos are still there in places around the windows and interior trim. It’s still put together well with no rattles. One thing that is noticeable was the appalling paint finish within the boot shut to an almost unacceptable finish. 

    As before with the inside, it is rather spacious and wide for what is a small SUV though still dark. The seats are comfortable and wide and the view out is good. Big screen pillars don’t obscure your forward view because they are so far forward. What isn’t, is the centre armrest. It’s too far back to be of any use to anyone.

    Living With It

    Throttle lag aside, it’s still a nice SUV that manages to break to visual mould in the crowded SUV market. It doesn’t bring anything new to the market or do anything different but what it does is do is make others think that you are in a car more capable of going anywhere when in actual fact, it’s 2WD so it won’t. Like wearing ladies high heels in secret, those outside won’t need to know this.

    The Verdict

    I still like the Jeep Renegade. There is just something about it that makes you pat it as a member of the family. Just when “retro” seems done, the Jeep still manages to invigorate this genre with it with cuddly looks.

    It’s got a full personality all of its own x2, like being a 2×2 instead of a 4×4. It’s now Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde in its cuddly looks and annoying engine. The throttle lag is my biggest gripe. If it was my money, I’d buy it with a petrol engine.  

    Love

    Looks

    Comfort

    Space

    Loathe

    Throttle lag

    Infotainment screen too low

    Alarm/door opening beep

    The Lowdown

    Car –  Jeep Renegade Limited 1.6 120hp TD

    Price – £29,350 (as tested)

    MPG – 57.6mpg (combined)

    Power – 120HP

    0-62mph –  10.2 seconds

    Top Speed – 110 mph

    Co2 – 129 (g/km)

  • Israel Folah’s contract is ending after ‘Gay Hell’ social posts

    Disgraced Rugby player Israel Folau’s contract has been terminated after a series of offensive social media posts.

    The Australian Rugby Union has served Israel Folau with a contract ending breech notice, following on from offensive social media posts, one of which said that “hell awaits” gay people.

    He can now accept the breach notice, in which case his contract is formerly ended or he can challenge it with a hearing.

    Last week he posted on Instagram that “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” should “repent” because “only Jesus saves”.

    “Israel was warned formally and repeatedly”

    Chief Executive of Rugby Australia, Raelene Castle said, “At its core, this is an issue of the responsibilities an employee owes to their employer and the commitments they make to their employer to abide by their employer’s policies and procedures and adhere to their employer’s values.

    “Following the events of last year, Israel was warned formally and repeatedly about the expectations of him as a player for the Wallabies and NSW Waratahs with regards to social media use and he has failed to meet those obligations.

    “It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.

    “All professional Rugby players in Australia are bound by the Code of Conduct and there is a process in place for any disciplinary matter. We appreciate that this particular matter will attract significant interest, but due process must be followed.”

    Embed from Getty Images

    In 2018 he received a backlash after another anti-gay tweet, in which said gay people would go to hell unless “they repent their sins and turn to God.”

  • FILM REVIEW | Yuli

    FILM REVIEW | Yuli

    ★★★★ | Yuli

    Famous Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta plays himself in a beautiful drama/documentary about his life as a ballet star as well as his life growing up poor in Cuba.

    ‘Yuli’ – the nickname given to him by his father Pedro – is very unique in its storytelling. It not only goes into detail about his struggle to become a ballet dancer, but the film also deals with his relationship with his family, his home country of Cuba, as well as the troubled relationship he had with his father. Scenes of the adult Acosta are interspersed with scenes of his childhood, with Edilson Manuel Olbera more than ably playing Acosta as a young boy in a poor area of Havana with his family and separated parents who still live together.

    Cuba is also a star of the film. There are beautiful shots of the Malecon (a broad road esplanade hugging the coastline in Havana), old yet beautiful architecture in Havana, long shots of the city streets, and a stunning finale shot of the famous Great Theatre of Havana, where a young Acosta learned ballet.

    Members of Acosta’s family ended up fleeing Cuba for the United States. Yet Yuli’s parents continued to urge him to dance, and they, along with ballet teachers, saw something special in him. He gets chances to go to the best ballet schools, ending up in both the U.S. and then in London, where he became a permanent member of The Royal Ballet for 17 years. Keyvin Martinez plays Acosta as a young man, a man who misses home and almost decides to give it up all just so he can return to his beloved Cuba (and mom).

    There are lots and lots of beautiful dance scenes that impact the viewer on what a beautiful, stunning and amazing are that ballet is. The dance scenes are transitional – these dance scenes guide us from one scene to the next, and this works beautifully. And Acosta, as an actor, is very good at playing himself.

    Yuli is such a beautiful film – it’s an event film that is beautifully directed by Icíar Bollaín, but this is Acosta’s film.  What Yuli doesn’t do is to convey how famous Acosta was during his heyday. Sure he is world-renowned for his dance work, but the film doesn’t really convey this, nor does it show much of Acosta interacting socially with fellow dancers, most of whom are gay (Acosta is straight). But these are just minor blips. ‘Yuli’ is a film that can be enjoyed whether you love ballet or not. 

    Yuli now playing at a cinema near you.

  • TV REVIEW | Drag Race Season 11 Episode 7 Back, Back, Back again!!

    TV REVIEW | Drag Race Season 11 Episode 7 Back, Back, Back again!!

    Yes!! There she was at last: the much quoted much mentioned Alyssa Edwards returned to Drag Race this week and breathed some much-needed life in this year’s slightly confusing season.

    The episode started with the queens feeling a bit low and irritated with each other. RuPaul seemed intent on changing this rut this week, staging a potato-sack race (with boobs) that put a bit of a smile on the queen’s faces (especially the winners as the best queens got rather a lot of money!!)

    The challenge itself, though, brought everyone back to earth: Farm to Runway. The queens got the almost impossible challenge of turning farm food and fabric into actual fashion worthy challenges.

    A lot of the queens seem happy with the challenge, ready to show their creative selves.

    This week the episode was very much Plastique Tiara’s chance to shine, and she did!! Her emotional talk with RuPaul about her upbringing and sad relationship with her family was heartbreaking, resulting in the first documented workroom hug from Ru. Then we were later introduced to her lighter more carefree side with the arrival of her drag-mother: Alyssa. The change in attitude from Plastique was amazing, and resulted in getting her first big win!! Well done.

    It seemed Alyssa had a positive influence on everyone with her catwalk training, fun motivational speeches and choreography. It was the first time all queens seemed at ease and smiling.
    The show is stressful and emotional, and having a person step in with a positive attitude who knows what you’ve been through helps a lot. Alyssa is a great teacher and it was clear she cares for her new drag sisters (and daughters) a lot.

    Sadly nothing could help poor Ra’Jah. The queen clearly felt undervalued in the show, longing for praise and help, but also pushing away everyone who reached out. Over the weeks it was sad to see a clearly talented artist fall victim to their (in Ru’s words) “Inner saboteur”.

    What was also sad was hearing her tell Akeria about knowing she was having a breakdown but no-one was helping her, no one had ever told her she was loved. The jealousy she displayed towards Plastique came from a place of hurt. It was good to see a young queen like Plastique sensing this and comforting the angry Ra’Jah instead of fighting.

    She explained this later:

    https://twitter.com/plastiquetiara/status/1116715770128498693

    https://twitter.com/plastiquetiara/status/1116715771382697984

    Hopefully Ra’Jah will find her inner peace so her true talent can shine one day. A lot of queens got the chance to redeem themselves during an All Star season, I hope she can have that too.

    Judging from her after show interviews she has already started working on her problems.
    But we’ll see at the reunion.

    With Ra’Jah gone focus is now shifting to the differences between Yvie Oddly, Silky and Miss Vanjie. This could be getting interesting!! Stay tuned!!

  • Jake Quickenden leaves nothing to the imagination in nothing but a bath towel

    Jake Quickenden leaves nothing to the imagination in nothing but a bath towel

    Sopping wet, Jake Quickenden excites his fans with a very revealing picture, with fans begging for him to drop the towel.

    Former X Factor and Dancing On Ice star Jake Quickenden is looking better than ever after 20 weeks of strict healthy living including no smoking and no boozing.

    Publishing the saucy snap Jake joked, “It’s all fun and games until the towel falls down!!” which of course led his fans begging the singer to drop the towel, with one exclaiming “flipping heck” while another quizzed, “You got a sock under your towel?”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BurWpgxH52A/

    The performer is currently performing a gruelling UK tour of Hair the musical, with eight shows a week leaving him “feeling fit”.

    His regime does have one side effect however, he says he’s now dreaming of beer and burgers every night.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BvMF2AugB0v/

     

     

  • Transport for London removes Brunei adverts

    Transport for London has removed adverts from Brunei across its network.

    Adverts which called Brunei an “Abode of Peace” have been removed from across the Transport for London network. The removal comes after numerous people complained about the advert’s messaging following on from Brunei’s decision to enact a law which introduces the death penalty for sex between men.

    Numerous travellers on the network implored TfL to removed the posters, with many saying that the slogan “an abode for peace” was not accurate, particularly for LGBT+ people in the region.

    A statement from TfL said that the advert when reviewed against their policy it is clear that “this is an issue of great public sensitively and controversy” and said that the poster would be removed from the network.

    It also said any future adverts would be “reviewed against the advertising policy, and information that has recently come to light would be considered in any decision”.

     

    Travel boycotts

    ©-anterovium-Depositphotos

    Set featured image

    At least one major travel firm has said it would no longer offer flights on the government-owned airline, Royal Brunei Airlines. STA Travel said, “We’re proud of our open and diverse culture and we expect our partners to demonstrate the same. We do not support in any way the laws being introduced in Brunei (including on Brunei-registered aircraft and vessels). Because of this, we have stopped selling Royal Brunei Airlines flights”.

  • India Willoughby suggests that only this city should vote in a second referendum

    India Willoughby suggests that only this city should vote in a second referendum

    With Brexit rocking the nation and talks of a second referendum never far from the discussion Celebrity Big Brother star India Willoughby has suggested a solution.

    With divisions running high on whether the UK should hold another Brexit referendum, the Celebrity Big Brother star India Willoughby thinks she has the answer to who should be able to vote.

    Taking to Twitter the CBB star suggested that as London is the most cosmopolitan place in the UK and has the widest representation of people, it should decide on the future of the UK.

    “London is the most cosmopolitan city in the world. It has representatives from North, South, East and West. A mix of diverse cultures and backgrounds. Why not just let London decide in a 2nd Referendum? Reflects all of us. We need a speedy resolution”.

    https://twitter.com/IndiaWilloughby/status/1116704743882219521

    Fans weren’t happy with India’s suggestion, with one saying, “What about the rest of us or don’t we count u taik [sic] diversity equality for everyone then u cum out with that bollocks what about us discusting [sic] thing to say” another added, “Girl, who stole your phone?”.

    In the 2016 EU referendum, London voted remain by almost 60 per cent. The highest remainer area outside Scotland, which voted Remain 62.0% to 38.0%

  • Former Eggheads star CJ de Mooi is facing homelessness and failing health

    Former Eggheads star CJ de Mooi is facing homelessness and failing health

    CJ de Mooi has released a desperate YouTube video saying that he’s facing homelessness as legal costs spiral out of control.

    Fighting a legal battle former Egghead’s star CJ de Mooi says he is bankrupt and he and his husband are facing homelessness.

    The star, who has been cleared of any wrongdoing following dropped sexual assault claims and false claims that he murdered a man in Amsterdam in 1988, is finding it hard to cover legal costs and is on the verge of losing his home.

    The star now says he is now unable to work and is surviving on just one disability benefit. He also says that lawyers, who he says are “pursuing him relentlessly”, are trying to take away his only asset, his home, meaning that he and his husband could be left homeless.

    In a desperate video, uploaded to YouTube, an emotional de Mooi said, “It looks like they are going to succeed. I had to declare bankruptcy because I had no money, nothing and was heavily in debt because of all the legal fees that amounted up over three years. Working with the system and the trustee it now looks like (they) can force sale of my house to get their hands on my equity in that house even though it still won’t even cover their costs”.

     

    EMOTIONAL: CJ made an emotional video saying that his focus was supporting his husband as they both face homelessness due to spiralling legal costs.

     

    Failing health

    Speaking about his health, de Mooi says that his health has deteriorated “severely” and he has had several cancer scares in recent years as well as living with HIV, with his doctor very concerned about his physical and mental health.

    He continued, “I hope you understand that I wanted to make this video – I’m not wanting to be overly dramatic but I don’t know how much time I’ve got left and I wanted the truth to get out there”.

    “Wonderful source of support”

    The quiz master went to admit that despite that he is sometimes trolled on social media, that it was a “wonderful source of support and friendship and love so I just want to say thank you for everybody who’s been kind who’s been supportive”.

  • London’s PrEP trial to be boosted by 60 per cent

     Places for London’s PrEP trial to be boosted by 60 per cent.

    PrEP pills
    (C) marcbruxel Depositphotos

    Today (Friday 12 April) London Councils has announced that an agreement has been reached to increase places on the PrEP trial by over 4,000 places.

    The news comes as over two-thirds of sites in London are now closed to gay and bisexual men. The boost still leaves the capital lagging behind many other parts of England which have agreed to double places on the trial.

    “Withholding access is simply not an option”

    Embed from Getty Images

    Debbie Laycock, Head of Policy at Terrence Higgins Trust, said, “Finally the stalemate on PrEP has been broken and some leadership is being shown. This is a welcome step in the right direction that will provide some relief to those in the capital who have been denied access to the trial. We welcome the acknowledgement by London Councils that PrEP must be available to everyone at high risk of HIV exposure and as such withholding access is simply not an option.

    “However this increase is still far short of the doubling of places we were promised by the Health Secretary Matt Hancock over 70 days ago and it won’t be long before we’re once again seeing gay and bisexual men being unable to access PrEP in the capital.

    “‘London continues to outstrip every other part of the UK in the number of new HIV diagnoses each year so it’s critical a sustainable solution for PrEP is found. Today’s news is progress but this remains a job only half complete as places must be doubled to address the high demand seen for PrEP. We need urgent leadership on this from NHS England, the Department for Health & Social Care and councils across the capital because no one at risk of HIV should be turned away.”

     

  • What is bottoming?

    What is bottoming?

    If you’ve ever talked about gay sex or been on a gay hook up app the likelihood of you hearing the term bottoming is going to be quite high, but what exactly is bottoming and who does it?

    What is bottoming

    What or who is a Bottom in terms of gay sex?

    Firstly, bottoming is all about anal sex. That is penetrative sex that happens with the ass usually penis or sex toy into the bumhole.

    The term bottom could mean a variety of things to different of people, but generally, the “bottom” is the partner who is the receptive partner in anal sex. Although it could be a label for someone who is more sub within sex.

    So the guy who’s underneath (or on top if you’re doing the cowboy) is known as the “bottom”. The giver is known as the “Top”. Not everybody likes the terms “top” or “bottom” for some, being a bottom is seen as less than, more subservient or more effeminate, but some people, like Big Brother US star Ragan Fox, have empowered the word and meaning by calling themselves, “power bottoms”.

    More recently, when Nurse Jackie star, Haaz Sleiman came out as gay he totally owned the bottom thing saying, “Not only am I a bottom, but I’m also a total bottom, which means I like it up you-know-where.”

    Otherwise, you could go with giver and givee, catcher and pitcher, postman or postbox or, you know, just their names… (no labels!)

    Is there a stigma to being a bottom?

    (C) BIGSTOCK

    Apparently, there’s quite a bit of stigma attached to being a bottom. A survey found sixty per cent of readers thought that there was or weren’t sure if there was a stigma attached to bottoming or being the receiving partner during penetrative sex. Only 40 per cent said no there wasn’t a stigma.

    So what is the label for someone who doesn’t like anal sex at all? Click here to find out.

     

  • Kettle One and The White Haus

    Kettle One and The White Haus

    For those of you (like me) who like their alcohol a bit on the soft side, swimming with aromatic flavours, then you can’t go wrong with Ketel One’s new Botanicals range.

    Flavours such as Grapefruit & Rose, Peach & Orange Blossom, and my favourite – the subtle Cucumber & Mint (oh so refreshing, mild, and not tasting alcoholic at all) will knock your socks off with a sophisticated and fresh taste.

    These drinks are crafted with natural botanicals & fruit essence, with no artificial flavours, and when mixed with soda, deliver a small blip of 82 calories per serving, unlike like other alcoholic drinks (Tequila can you hear me?).

    But after a recent promotional night at a Ketel One event, I am a true believer and will now be a follower of the brand. I am a huge fan of fruit-flavoured drinks, but this fruit flavoured vodka has the vibrancy and bounce like being a spirit, but it is a moderate and more natural and balanced choice. But most importantly, the drinks are so delicious you will want to try all three! Hopefully not at the same time.

    Grapefruit & Rose is freshly squeezed grapefruit with a touch of rose (just like it says on the tin); Cucumber & Mint is also exactly as stated, and Peach & Orange Blossom is fresh juicy ripe peach with a subtle orange blossom finish. You can drinks these drinks any way you want, but for a true taste of the flavour, I recommend drinking them right out of the bottle (from a glass of course) to get the true flavour into your mouth. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

    The event I attended for Ketel One was held at the centrally-located (and fabulous) three story The White Haus on Farringdon Street right near the Holborn Viaduct.

    The White Haus, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the week including Saturdays, is a cosy restaurant/bar similar in style to a chalet tucked away somewhere in the Swiss Alps. Its vibe and decor make you feel like you are no longer in London. With a roaring fireplace, cosy corners with sheepskin throws, a private dining room downstairs, and a bookable cable car for six (probably the only one in London!), The White Haus is a place that is both cool and comfortable. And the food is just what you would expect, comfort food, whether you are there for breakfast and brunch, or for a taste of their A La Carte menu (Sandwiches, Salads and Mains – Steak, Fish and Pizza), or perhaps their Saturday brunch menu or a separate Function Menu, any need you have The White Haus will cater for it. There is also, of course, drinks – Cocktails, and Hot Drinks – just like what you would want apres ski – should be enough to get you to go there. So whether you go to The White Haus for some fresh, healthy and great tasting Kettle One drinks, or for something totally different, either way, you are onto a winner.

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