thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The best restaurants in Havana, from cosy brunch spots to experimental gastropubs

If you thought that all you were going to eat were black beans and plantains on your trip to Havana , guess again and get ready for an epicurean adventure .
The restaurant scene is hopping with a burst of new paladares ( privately owned restaurants ) as well as the tried and true , which continue to captivate .
The Cubans cook with culture , with necessity and a know-how on how to treat produce to bring out maximum flavour and texture .
Havana is now a world city and all nationalities are represented here : think top-notch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revisited Cuban fare .
Don ’ t forget to make a reservation and buen provecho .
This café/boutique , owned by Cuban designer Loypa Izaguirre , is the stylish new kid on the block .
With high ceilings and two large open doorways to view the city marching by , this cosy hotspot is where you want to be .
Just a few years back Havana did not have a breakfast culture , but that has all changed and at Color Café you can find your quintessential morning meal ( think waffles and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ midnight ( try the entire baked red snapper with vegetables ) .
On the second floor , up a staircase of giant blocks , is a tiny clothing and jewellery shop with irresistible unique pieces .
The staff 's infectious enthusiasm about the space and concept makes coming here twice the fun .

If you thought that all you were going to eat were black beans and plantains on your trip to Havana, guess again and get ready for an epicurean adventure. The restaurant scene is hopping with a burst of new paladares (privately owned restaurants) as well as the tried and true, which continue to captivate. The Cubans cook with culture, with necessity and a know-how on how to treat produce to bring out maximum flavour and texture. Havana is now a world city and all nationalities are represented here: think top-notch, Italian, Japanese and Lebanese plus excellent revisited Cuban fare. Don’t forget to make a reservation and buen provecho.
Habana Vieja
Color Café
This café/boutique, owned by Cuban designer Loypa Izaguirre, is the stylish new kid on the block. With high ceilings and two large open doorways to view the city marching by, this cosy hotspot is where you want to be. Just a few years back Havana did not have a breakfast culture, but that has all changed and at Color Café you can find your quintessential morning meal (think waffles and seasonal fruit) plus excellent fare until midnight (try the entire baked red snapper with vegetables). On the second floor, up a staircase of giant blocks, is a tiny clothing and jewellery shop with irresistible unique pieces. The staff's infectious enthusiasm about the space and concept makes coming here twice the fun.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Brexit day: what happens after January 31?

Brexit day is fast approaching , with the UK on track to officially leave the European Union ( EU ) next week .
But how did we get to this stage , and what is in the Brexit deal ?
Here is everything you need to know about the UK 's departure , including what the deal means for UK citizens and the changes to travel , investments and savings we can expect to see post-Brexit .
Brexit - a portmanteau of Britain and exit - was coined following the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum .
The referendum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 , was to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the EU .
Leave won by 51.9 per cent to 48.1 per cent .
More than 30 million people voted meaning the turnout was 71.8 per cent .
What date is the UK due to leave the EU ?
The UK had been due to leave the EU on March 29 , 2019 , two years after Article 50 was invoked triggering the exit process , but the original withdrawal agreement was rejected several times by MPs .
The EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 2019 , before backing a six-month extension until October 31 , 2019 .
After failing to pass a revised Brexit deal into law , and with the Benn Act preventing a no-deal Brexit , Prime Minister Boris Johnson was legally required to ask for another extension .
EU leaders agreed to this and set a new departure date of January 31 , 2020 .

The UK left the European Union on Friday night, as Brexiteers celebrated the end of a winding three-year political process with parties across the country.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there may be "bumps in the road" but Brexit can "unleash the full potential" of the UK now it has left the bloc.
The Prime Minister addressed the country as a countdown clock projected onto Downing Street marked the final minutes before Brexit.
Parties congregated across the UK, with Mr Johnson hosting his own reception for senior Tories and hundreds gathering under Union flags in Parliament Square.
As the moment of the UK's departure from the European Union approached, the Prime Minister acknowledged mixed feelings in a still-divided nation about the end of 47 years of close links with Brussels.
But Nigel Farage said it was "the greatest moment in the modern history of our great nation'".
Read Boris Johnson's address in full here.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Roast chicken with pomegranate and squash, yogurt and herbs recipe

This dish is perfect for sharing , and you can use whatever vegetables you like .
I often eat it as it is , but some fat maftoul ( giant couscous ) would go very well with it .
• Spatchcock the chicken by using strong kitchen scissors to cut down either side of the back bone ( remove this and save for stock ) and flatten the chicken out like a knock-kneed sunbather ( your butcher can do this for you ) .
• Rub the chicken with the salt and cumin , and ideally leave it on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of hours , covered with an upturned bowl .
• Cut the squash in half and scoop out the seedy guts , spreading them on a baking sheet .
These can be cooked in the oven , as they are , for 15 or 20 minutes until dark golden , then eaten as a snack .
• Cut the squash into wedges – there ’ s no need to peel it .
• Peel the onions and cut them into eighths through the roots .
• Line a large roasting tin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Add the squash and onions , plus two tablespoons of oil .
Toss to coat .
• Arrange the tomatoes , cut-side up , amongst the other veg and pop the lemon halves in too .
• Drizzle with another tablespoon of oil and two tablespoons of the pomegranate molasses , rubbing it into the tomatoes and veg .
Sprinkle with salt .
• Nestle the chicken in the tin , skin-side up .
Rub this with another tablespoonful of pomegranate molasses .
• Roast for 40 minutes , until the chicken is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cook as it sits ) then lift the chicken on to a warm dish and allow to rest for 20 minutes .
If the vegetables need to brown up a bit more , put them back in the hot oven .
If not , turn the oven off and leave the veg to keep warm with the door ajar .
• Strip the leaves of mint and coriander from the stalks and chop them roughly .
Mix with the remaining oil , adding a bit extra if necessary to make a spooning consistency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pomegranate molasses and plenty of salt and pepper .
Taste and add more molasses if you like .
• Serve the chicken with the vegetables and juices piled around , and some of the yogurt and herbs spooned over , and the pomegranate seeds and hazelnuts tumbled on top .
I might even trickle a little more pomegranate molasses over .
• Put the rest of the yogurt and herb sauce in bowls to pass around , and encourage guests to squeeze over the caramelised lemon halves .

This dish is perfect for sharing, and you can use whatever vegetables you like. I often eat it as it is, but some fat maftoul (giant couscous) would go very well with it.
Prep time: 35 minutes, plus resting time | Cooking time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Serves
Four
Ingredients
1 chicken, weighing about 1.5kg
½ tsp fine salt
1 tsp ground cumin
700g butternut squash
500g small red onions
120ml olive oil, plus 3 tbsp for cooking
500g small tomatoes, halved
2 small lemons, halved
5 tbsp pomegranate molasses, or as needed
30g fresh mint
30g fresh coriander
200ml plain yogurt (goat’s, sheep’s or Greek)
Seeds from 1 small pomegranate
50g toasted hazelnuts, chopped
Method


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Coco Gauff, 15, stuns defending champion Naomi Osaka to reach Australian Open fourth round

The upsets continued as Coco Gauff stunned defending champion Naomi Osaka to reach the fourth round of a slam for the second time in her career .
The 15-year-old has already made headlines around the world but none of her achievements so far could compare to this as she took apart one of the best players in the world .
Gauff , who won just three games against Osaka when they met at the US Open last summer , was rock solid and took advantage of a error-strewn display from her opponent to win 6-3 6-4 .
Gauff was stunned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two years ago I lost first round in juniors , and now I 'm here .
This is crazy .
`` I was just telling myself one point at a time and keep fighting because you never know what happens on this court .
`` I 'm on Rod Laver Arena , I ca n't believe this . ''
Gauff said she had been too shy to speak to Laver when she had passed him in the corridor but hoped to set up a meeting .
Laver was quick to respond on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congratulations on your incredible victory tonight .
I would love to meet you too . ''
Gauff will play either China 's Zhang Shaui or American Sofia Kenin in the fourth round .

Is there a more electrifying athlete in world sport than 15-year-old Coco Gauff? After a pair of tennis giants had fallen at Melbourne Park on Friday, Gauff topped off a wild night with an almost casual demoliation of defending champion Naomi Osaka. We haven’t smelled teen spirit like this since Jennifer Capriati was wearing braces.
On any other day, the headlines from the Australian Open would have led with the untimely exit of Serena Williams – the runaway favourite – and the retirement of people’s champion Caroline Wozniacki. Surely that was enough to leave the tennis world agog?
But Gauff is already showing the sort of scene-stealing qualities we might associate with Olivia Colman. Her 6-3, 6-4 win over a psyched-out Osaka upstaged even Williams’s latest failure to land a record 24th major, as well as a poignant farewell speech from a tearful Wozniacki.
A peculiar vortex is created when an absurdly young player starts beating up on the tour. A kind of hysteria. Boris Becker alluded to it on Telegraph Sport, when he warned that “We should be careful of over-talking and over-hyping a 15-year-old American who has won a few matches.”
Yet it is hard to ignore a young woman who can serve at 119mph – a figure that a dozen men at this tournament are unable to match – and run like a gazelle. For all the hope and expectation that tennis fans are investing in Gauff, this is no sporting South Sea Bubble.
In a Eurosport briefing on Thursday, Becker had also suggested that “Naomi Osaka is great. [Bianca] Andreescu is great. I think Coco, tennis-wise, isn’t as good as these players yet.”
But it only took a few minutes for that argument to be exposed. From the off, Gauff’s groundstrokes were stronger and more accurate than Osaka’s. Her serve was more ferocious and her movement was twice as proactive.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Brexit deal: what does it mean for you?

Brexit deal: what does it mean for you?

Britain is set to leave the EU on Jan 31 after The Queen granted royal assent to Boris Johnson 's Brexit deal once it had cleared all stages in Parliament .
On Friday , the European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Charles Michel signed the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement in Brussels .
But what does it mean for you ?
Here , we try to answer the most pressing questions .
Are my savings going to suffer ?
The threat of a no-deal has reduced , giving savers certainty that between now and the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their financial situation much .
This is because a transition period between January 31 and December 31 means any agreements between Britain and Europe will stay the same .
How savers interact with European banks from December 31 onwards is not clear and will depend on the trade deals struck with the EU .
But between now and then , savers could benefit from interest rates rising .
These have been falling as banks worry their own finances will be squeezed by coming economic troubles , such as a hard Brexit .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could increase .
Savers should welcome the deal as it means business as usual for their money .
A Brexit deal also decreases the chance that expat savers will lose access to their accounts based in the UK .

Britain is set to leave the EU today - but what does it mean for you? Here, we try to answer the most pressing questions.
Are my savings going to suffer?
The threat of a no-deal has reduced, giving savers certainty that between now and the end of the year, Brexit will not change their financial situation much.
This is because a transition period between January 31 and December 31 means any agreements between Britain and Europe will stay the same. How savers interact with European banks from December 31 onwards is not clear and will depend on the trade deals struck with the EU.
But between now and then, savers could benefit from interest rates rising. These have been falling as banks worry their own finances will be squeezed by coming economic troubles, such as a hard Brexit. With this all but averted, savings rates could increase.
Savers should welcome the deal as it means business as usual for their money. A Brexit deal also decreases the chance that expat savers will lose access to their accounts based in the UK.
This was a risk in a no-deal scenario, because the FCA had offered European financial firms the ability to keep trading in the UK after a no-deal Brexit, but the same had not happened in reverse.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Haggis, neeps and tatties pie recipe

Haggis, neeps and tatties pie recipe

A glorious haggis pie starring swede and potatoes – not for the purists , granted , but for anyone who would like to try something a little different .
Six to eight • Take the pastry out of the fridge 15 minutes before rolling it out .
Lightly grease a 23cm loose-bottomed cake tin with sides that aren ’ t too deep .
Dust a worktop with flour and roll out the pastry to a circle ½cm thick , so the diameter is about 8cm wider than the tin .
Line the tin with the pastry , and press it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over with a fork , then chill it in the freezer for 30 minutes .
• Line the pastry with greaseproof paper and fill as high as you can with baking beans or rice .
This will help stop the pastry shrinking down during baking .
Bake for 15 minutes , then remove the beans and paper and bake for a further five minutes .
Remove from the oven and leave to cool .
• Now make the filling .
Peel the potatoes , cut into large chunks and place in a pan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boil , then cook for 10 minutes , or until the potatoes are cooked through .
When they are ready , drain and mash with the butter and a splash of milk until smooth .
Season well with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper .
• Peel and finely chop the onions and swede .
Place a pan on a medium-low heat , drizzle in a little olive oil and add the chopped veg .
Fry for five minutes , add the haggis and fry for a further five minutes .
Stir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and add the stock .
Bring to the boil , then cover and simmer for 15 minutes , until thickened .
Add the parsley and stir it through .
• When everything is ready , assemble the pie .
Spoon the haggis filling into the baked pastry case .
Evenly fork or pipe the mash on top .
Grate over the cheese and bake the pie for 30 minutes , until golden and bubbling .
Leave to rest for 10 minutes , then serve , with steamed greens and gravy , if @ @ @

A glorious haggis pie starring swede and potatoes – not for the purists, granted, but for anyone who would like to try something a little different.
Prep time: 30 minutes, plus 30 minutes chilling | Cooking time: 1 hour 25 minutes
SERVES
Six to eight
INGREDIENTS
500g shortcrust pastry, chilled
50g butter, plus extra for greasing
Plain flour, for dusting
750g potatoes, such as Maris Piper
About 75ml milk
2 onions
250g swede
Olive oil, for frying
454g haggis, crumbled
1 tbsp tomato purée
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
500ml beef stock
½ bunch of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
40g mature cheddar
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Romelu Lukaku: I was right to leave Manchester United

Romelu Lukaku believes he made the right decision to leave Manchester United and insists the move was best for both parties .
The Belgium striker joined United from Everton for £75 million in July 2017 , scoring 42 goals over his two seasons at the club before moving to Inter Milan last summer .
Lukaku has been in superb form for Antonio Conte 's side , scoring 18 goals to help the club launch a challenge for the Serie A title .
Those performances , and United 's reported interest in signing a striker this month after Marcus Rashford 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the wisdom of allowing Lukaku to leave Old Trafford .
But , in an interview with Sky Sports News , the 26 year-old says the decision was his and is convinced it was best for everyone .
`` I made my decision around March , and I went to the manager 's office and told him it was time for me to find something else , '' Lukaku said .
`` I was n't performing and I was n't playing .
I think it was better for both sides to go separate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right decision .

Romelu Lukaku believes he made the right decision to leave Manchester United and insists the move was best for both parties.
The Belgium striker joined United from Everton for £75 million in July 2017, scoring 42 goals over his two seasons at the club before moving to Inter Milan last summer.
Lukaku has been in superb form for Antonio Conte's side, scoring 18 goals to help the club launch a challenge for the Serie A title.
Those performances, and United's reported interest in signing a striker this month after Marcus Rashford's back injury, have raised questions as to the wisdom of allowing Lukaku to leave Old Trafford.
But, in an interview with Sky Sports News, the 26 year-old says the decision was his and is convinced it was best for everyone.
"I made my decision around March, and I went to the manager's office and told him it was time for me to find something else," Lukaku said.
"I wasn't performing and I wasn't playing. I think it was better for both sides to go separate ways. I think I made the right decision.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Bramble Tipsy Laird trifle recipe

Bramble Tipsy Laird trifle recipe

You can always use ready-made custard if time is not on your side , but the brown sugar in my home-made version complements the smoky alcohol beautifully .
Six to eight • 400g blackberries ( you can use a mixture of blackberries and raspberries if you like ) • Start by making the custard .
Pour the milk into a medium saucepan and place on a medium heat .
Do not let it boil .
• While the milk is warming , whisk together the egg yolks , brown sugar , cornflour and a pinch of salt in a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ milk is hot ( but not boiling ) , ladle a few spoonfuls into the egg mixture and whisk in quickly .
This will temper the eggs , preventing them from curdling when the mixture is introduced to the saucepan .
Continue with half of the hot milk , then add all of the egg mixture to the milk in the pan .
Reduce the heat a little and stir constantly until you have a thick , smooth custard that coats the back of a spoon .
As soon as it is ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cool , covering with a sheet of greaseproof paper to stop a film forming .
• Slice the cake into 1cm-thick slices and use them to line the bottom of a glass serving dish , about 28cm in diameter .
Pour the whisky evenly over the sponge , then spread over the jam .
Scatter over two thirds of the berries , then spoon over the cooled custard .
Chill for 30 minutes .
• When the custard has set , whisk the double cream to soft peaks and gently mix with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the custard .
Drizzle over the honey , and make swirls with the back of your spoon .
• Finish with the remaining berries and a sprinkle of toasted almonds , then leave in the fridge until ready to serve .

You can always use ready-made custard if time is not on your side, but the brown sugar in my home-made version complements the smoky alcohol beautifully.
Prep time: 40 minutes | Cooking time: 15 minutes
SERVES
Six to eight
INGREDIENTS
600ml milk
4 egg yolks
75g soft light-brown sugar
2 heaped tbsp cornflour
300g Madeira cake or Victoria sponge
100ml whisky
4 tbsp blackberry or raspberry jam
400g blackberries (you can use a mixture of blackberries and raspberries if you like)
400ml double cream
200g Greek yogurt
3 tbsp honey
25g toasted flaked almonds
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Monty Python's 10 funniest sketches

Monty Python's 10 funniest sketches

Best lines : `` It 's not pining , it 's passed on .
This parrot is no more .
@ @ @ @ @ .
It 's expired and gone to meet its maker .
This is a late @ @ @ @ @ stiff .
Bereft of life , it rests in peace .
If you had n't @ @ @ @ @ , it would be pushing up daisies .
It 's rung down the curtain and @ @ @ @ @ This is an ex-parrot . ''
A joke so funny , the man who wrote @ @ @ @ @ ; it then kills his mother .
After military tests confirm its ‘ devastating effectiveness @ @ @ @ @ to 50 yards ’ , the Allies eventually use the gag to win the war @ @ @ @ @ ’ re never told the actual joke apart from in a German translation – which @ @ @ @ @ .

Best lines: "It's not pining, it's passed on. This parrot is no more. It has ceased to be. It's expired and gone to meet its maker. This is a late parrot. It's a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. If you hadn't nailed it to the perch, it would be pushing up daisies. It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-parrot."
2. The Killer Joke
A joke so funny, the man who wrote it laughs himself to death; it then kills his mother. After military tests confirm its ‘devastating effectiveness at a range of up to 50 yards’, the Allies eventually use the gag to win the war. Of course, we’re never told the actual joke apart from in a German translation – which turns out to be gibberish.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Haggis at the ready! The best hotels in London for Burns Night celebrations

For more than 200 years , on or around January 25 , people have celebrated the life of Robert Burns – regarded as Scotland 's national poet , and a pioneer of British Romanticism .
Burns suppers , complete with impressive pomp and ceremony , have followed Scots around the world , and in London there are plenty of places to get your haggis fix ( `` We hae meat , and we can eat , '' according to Burns ' Selkirk Grace ) .
Don your tartan , expect 'water of life ' in your glass and party like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This first European property by New York hotelier Michael Achenbaum is right in the centre of Shoreditch revelry .
This month sees the return of The Curtain 's pop-up rooftop cinema , and to mark Burns Night they 're showing – and what else do you expect – Mel Gibson 's Braveheart , which follows Scottish rebel William Wallace and clan as they set out to battle England 's King Edward I .
Expect to be serenaded by a bagpiper with London ’ s glittering skyline in sight as you sip some fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the film .

For more than 200 years, on or around January 25, people have celebrated the life of Robert Burns – regarded as Scotland's national poet, and a pioneer of British Romanticism.
Burns suppers, complete with impressive pomp and ceremony, have followed Scots around the world, and in London there are plenty of places to get your haggis fix ("We hae meat, and we can eat," according to Burns' Selkirk Grace). Don your tartan, expect 'water of life' in your glass and party like it's Hogmanay all over again...
Follow Braveheart's epic battles at The Curtain
This first European property by New York hotelier Michael Achenbaum is right in the centre of Shoreditch revelry. This month sees the return of The Curtain's pop-up rooftop cinema, and to mark Burns Night they're showing – and what else do you expect – Mel Gibson's Braveheart, which follows Scottish rebel William Wallace and clan as they set out to battle England's King Edward I. Expect to be serenaded by a bagpiper with London’s glittering skyline in sight as you sip some fine Scottish whisky, and then settle down for the film.
Read the full review: The Curtain


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Best ski holiday deals for February half-term 2020, and top family resorts to avoid the crowds

Half-term week on the slopes is one of the busiest of the season , especially in big name European ski resorts .
The key week when most UK pupils will be on holiday in 2020 is from Saturday , February 15 .
A few areas have half term the following week , but the majority of school children will be off from February 17-21 .
UK half-term dates notoriously coincide with the French holidays , taken at different times over a four-week period depending on country zone .
The key zone , because it normally leads to the highest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is zone C , covering Paris .
In 2020 this is February 10-21 , so a week 's overlap with the main UK half term .
Also on holiday from February 17-28 will be zone B , which is northern France , so expect exceptionally busy slopes .
Families looking to book holidays from the weekend of February 22 should not feel too smug though , as this coincides with the bulk of Dutch school holidays as well as the French zone A , which is the south-west and central region .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a family-friendly resort without the masses ?
One of the best bets , if budget allows , is to go to North America .
As a general rule slopes are far less busy than in Europe and notably so in February , when there are no North American school holidays .
Facilities for children are excellent as is instruction and the snow tends to be plentiful .
However , there are still good options closer to home .
The over-riding advice is to avoid big-name , British favoured high-altitude French resorts such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and La Plagne .
Choosing a holiday in Italy or Austria has the benefit of resort prices tending to be lower than in comparative French destinations ; if price is not an issue then consider Switzerland .
If only France will do , lesser-known , lower altitude destinations will deliver lower prices and , reassuringly , at this time of year snow cover tends to be reliable .
Another option for families with the budget is Scandinavia .
Resorts here are less well-known internationally and so tend to be relatively crowd free .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as husky sled rides and snowmobiling .
Whether they ’ re underrated , high on value or simply less likely to attract crowds , even at peak time , these family-friendly resorts will help keep costs down during February half-term .
Unless stated otherwise , prices are per adult , based on two adults and two children aged two to 12 sharing a family room , half-board for seven nights , including flights and transfers .
Half-term 2020 is almost sold out , so consider thinking ahead to 2021 – some operators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden ’ s biggest downhill resort , with three separate ski areas strung out beside a frozen lake , and a ski season that goes on well into April thanks to the long hours of sunlight and warmer temperatures later in the season .
It ’ s popular with families who love the off‑slope activities including dog or reindeer sled rides , tobogganing , snowmobiling , skating , curling and ice fishing .
During the ski season EasyJet flies to Östersund , about an hour ’ s drive away , avoiding a change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach this far-northern resort .
In general , Åre ’ s slopes suit beginners and intermediates – most of the runs are green and blue , set among trees on the lower part of the mountain .
The main ski area is above town , while Björnen ( a dedicated ski area for kids ) and Duved are along the valley .
A special piste map highlights fun things and areas of slopes for children , and those aged seven and under get a free lift pass so long as they wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made up of pretty , coloured wooden buildings and some larger modern additions .
Families often take their children to the lively après sessions as the lifts close , so expect to be dancing next to six year olds – as well as resort mascot Valle the Snowman , who pops up all over Åre to keep children entertained .
While there are few piste challenges for experts , the terrain park in the main ski area has red and black lines of varied kickers , plus a mix of rails , boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s also open at night , illuminated with colourful LED lighting .
There ’ s another main park with beginner and intermediate features , and a couple of children ’ s parks in Björnen .
Availaibility is very limited for February 2021 's half term , so plan ahead and take advantage of Ski Safari 's early booking offer at the Copperhill Mountain Lodge , Åre 's only five-star hotel .
From £1,307 , with Ski Safari .
The 200km Monterosa ski area is one of the most underrated in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one small-scale resort in each : Champoluc in the west , Alagna in the east , Gressoney in the centre .
Champoluc is a charming village , with a typically Italian laid-back atmosphere and some decent bars .
The scenery is beautiful and there ’ s a general lack of crowds and traffic in the area .
From the village , a gondola goes up to Crest and the beginner slopes .
From the nearby hamlet of Frachey ( served by a free ski bus ) , a funicular gives direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unspoilt ski area .
Gressoney and Champoluc are suitable for intermediates , while runs out of Alagna hold more challenge for experts .
The slopes are tucked beneath the mighty Monterosa massif , which reaches 4,364m and divides Italy from Switzerland ( Zermatt is on the other side ) .
Child care tends to be limited in Italy because Italian families bring granny and grandpa along to look after the little ones .
A big plus point in Champoluc is the nursery with British nannies , run by tour operator Ski 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for over 20 years and has its own ski school with a mix of British and local English-speaking instructors teaching children from four years old .
The Italian Scuola Sci Champoluc also has a good reputation for teaching both adults and children .
Book one of Champoluc 's last remaining rooms for half term 2020 at the three-star Hotel Villa Anna Maria , in the centre of the village .
From £1,588 for adults and £1,388 for children , excluding flights , including six-day Monterosa lift pass , lunch at mountain restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under 12 , departing 15 February 2020 , with Ski 2 .
The largely car-free resort village at Panorama is very family friendly .
There are two levels linked by a free gondola , and the Upper Village is the best place to stay ; it ’ s close to the main slope lifts and has lots of accommodation with direct access to the snow .
It ’ s based around a skating rink and outdoor hot pool complex , with swimming pools , water slides , hot tubs and a sauna .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 18 months to five years , with a combination of child care and ski school available for kids aged three and up .
Daily activity programmes are offered and there ’ s a list of babysitters for out-of-hours care .
Panorama mountain has a 1,300m vertical , one of the biggest in North America , and there ’ s terrain to suit all levels .
Near the foot of the mountain , the Discovery Zone has easy-to-use lifts and gentle green runs , ideal for beginners and young families , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piste of the mid-mountain suit intermediates .
For experts , there are two black-run powder bowls accessible from the resort high point of 2,365m , and plenty of gladed tree areas .
A luxurious 12-seater snowca makes it easy to lap the highest terrain .
RK Heliski specialises in taking out first-timers and provides fat skis or snowboards to make powder easier .
A short walk from the slopes , the Upper Village Condos are comfortable , spacious , and residents have free access to the hot pools complex.From £2,247 on a room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest of five French resorts in the 265km Grand Massif ski area , Flaine is all about family-friendly convenience .
Its concrete apartment blocks were designed in the 1960s in Bauhaus style , with outdoor sculptures by Picasso , Vasarely and Dubuffet , so some find it hard to love – but everyone appreciates the ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes .
Flaine Forum is the main part of the resort , based around a big square with an ice rink , a children ’ s sledge run , and the main gondola to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowling , a driving simulator for ages seven and up , an airbag and tubing .
Above Forum is Flaine Forêt , and lifts run between the two 24/7 .
Both have bars and restaurants serving reasonable food to a largely family clientele .
Two more chalet-style bases , Hameau de Flaine and the Montsoleil apartments , sit just outside the main arena .
The Grand Massif ’ s ski area is nicely varied and big enough to keep even the keenest intermediate happy for a week .
Nearly all the pistes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediates best : a few easy cruising blues , but mostly reds with short steep sections .
For experts , there is off piste to be explored with a guide .
But Flaine is dominated by families and first-timers , and has two nursery areas , short green runs and a long gentle blue to move on to .
There are no terrain parks , but the Grand Massif has various fun areas , aimed mainly at children , with bumps , banked turns and trees to negotiate .
The ski-in/ski-out Residence Les @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main gondola in Flaine Forum has a indoor pool , hot tub and sauna .
From £739 for a one-bedroom self-catered apartment sleeping up to four , including ski passes , departing 15 February 2019 , with Sunweb .
Wengen might have been designed for families .
The village is essentially car-free ( with the exception of taxis ) , and at its heart there ’ s a snow-covered meadow that serves as a combined playground and gentle nursery slope .
It shares a ski area with Grindelwald , and most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lovely long red and blue runs under the towering north face of the Eiger .
The village sits on a sunny shelf and is made up of a mix of small chalets and bigger , more institutional-looking hotels .
The main way up the mountain is a cog railway that is easy to use , and also gives access to the village from Lauterbrunnen down in the valley .
The Jungfrau region lift pass covers the slopes of neighbouring Mürren as well as Wengen and Grindelwald .
While Switzerland is generally expensive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reduced for children aged up to 19 .
A six-day Wengen/Grindelwald pass costs 309CHF for adults in 2019/20 .
There are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer , including 50km of toboggan runs .
The most obvious of these is the 4.5km run from Wengernalp down to the train station in town , but there are also long runs from the top of the mountain going in the opposite direction towards Grindelwald .
In the middle of the village there ’ s indoor curling and outdoor skating .
The four-star Hotel Silberhorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cog railway station , with the nursery slopes not far away .
There are outstanding views from the south-facing rooms , a playroom and spa that ’ s open for children until 5pm .
From £2,299 , departing 15 February 2020 , with Inghams .
Best for little ’ uns If taking young children to the Alps a short transfer and low-risk environment is preferable .
Obergurgl ’ s traditional village is set around a fine church , there ’ s no through traffic , and the ambience is essentially family friendly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ families return every winter , for the low-key atmosphere , traditional hotels and scattering of chalets .
Set at 1,930m , Obergurgl happily obliges with guaranteed snow cover at village level .
The ski area is ideal for beginners and improving intermediates and is linked by lift to higher Hochgurgl .
The more advanced will find challenging runs in nearby Vent and Sölden , both of which are covered by an Obergurgl lift pass , and excellent off piste to explore .
There ’ s a small selection of ski schools in Obergurgl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English .
British family tour operator Esprit runs its own classes for children , and also provides child care for ages between 17 weeks and 12 years .
Weekly lesson packages are available for children aged three to 12 years , priced from £290 ; while six full days of child care costs from £349 .
Chalet Alpenblume is 200m from the nearest piste , and also close to the Festkogl gondola .
From £1,849 , departing 15 February 2020 , with Esprit .
It ’ s hard to believe there are any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ del Sol and Andaluçia ’ s sun-baked hills , but in fact the Sierra Nevada boasts some of Europe ’ s highest peaks .
The Penibético mountains are spectacular enough to rival Granada ’ s incredible Alhambra , in all its Moorish grandeur .
The resort base sits at a snow-sure 2,100m , with slopes going up to 3,330m .
The highest viewpoint on the slopes is Veleta at 3,398m .
From here , on a sunny day , the Mediterranean sparkles in the distance in one direction ; in the other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two gondola lifts rise from the base to Borreguiles at mid-mountain , the main hub for ski schools and from where a huge nursery area caters for beginners , and lifts fan out across the mountains .
A large self-service restaurant here offers excellent value , while the table-service Alcazaba above it serves high-quality , beautifully presented local fare , including barbecued meat dishes and teen-friendly burgers .
The après scene swaps tartiflette for tapas and paella , and typically doesn ’ t get going until very late .
When it does , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While a day out from Sierra Nevada to Granada is easy enough , it ’ s well worth topping or tailing a ski trip with a night staying in the ancient UNESCO-recognised city , where it ’ s easy to feel further from home than southern Spain .
The three-star GHM Hotel Monachil is located at the foot of the slopes in Sierra Nevada , and has a games room and spa , family rooms sleeping four , and family menus in its Cervino restaurant .
From £1,292 , departing 15 Feburary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for learning the ropes With 75km of slopes above two bases , Høyfjellssenter and Turistsenter , Trysil is the largest ski resort in Norway .
The slopes are less crowded than in the main Alpine resorts – worth knowing when holidays have to be taken at peak holiday times such as half-term .
The majority of hotels here are ski‑in/ski‑out , which is great news for beginners .
Trysil is so convinced of its snow reliability that it guarantees there will be white stuff in the village during high season .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountain ) offers the best part of 360 degrees of runs .
While the resort is definitely best suited to beginners and early intermediates , and has dedicated , closed-off children ’ s ski areas on the slopes , there is some challenging terrain in the Høgegga sector .
There are also four levels of terrain park , from an advanced black line , via red and blue , down to green for small children ( or nervous adults ) .
Trysil is fairly laid back , though there are several good spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain , and a decent selection of bars and restaurants at the two village bases .
At Turistsenter , Sindrestua is an unpretentious , friendly coffee shop-cum-bar that encourages après for the whole family ( in contrast with noisier places ) , while Sagbruket near the nursery slopes serves hot chocolate .
The ski-in/ski-out Radisson Blu Mountain Hotel in Høyfjellssenter sits below a network of green runs and has a children ’ s playroom and games room , two on-site restaurants , a bakery and a well-equipped spa .
From £1,167 , B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Crystal .
Les Menuires , with its prime location in the centre of the 600km Trois Vallées ( 3V ) ski area , has long had an ugly duckling reputation thanks to some monstrous 1960s architecture .
These days , while hardly a swan , it has matured into a pretty presentable drake , but remains underrated and easier on the pocket than 3V big hitters Courchevel , Méribel and Val Thorens .
The village is at 1,850m , and Les Menuires ’ local slopes are great for all standards .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediate runs , both on and off piste , in the entire 3V ski area .
The lifts go up to the 2,804m summit of Pointe de La Masse , with superb runs on and off piste that remain uncrowded , even during peak season .
The benign blue Bouquetin run allows enjoyment of the views from the top without the challenges of the more extreme descents on either side .
Lifts towards the rest of the 3V are fast and efficient .
The modern , largely ski-in/ski-out satellites of Reberty and Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ style , with their own shops and restaurants .
Most accommodation is in self-catering apartments , and nightlife tends to be sedate .
Restaurants such as La Ferme de Reberty do good-value grub for families who want a break from cooking .
Ski Amis has limited availability at its catered , ski-in/ski-out chalet Delfina , which serves three or four course meals on six of the seven nights .
From £929 , excluding travel , with Ski Amis .
Best for pounding pistes as a family It ’ s not difficult to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re prepared to compromise on either the quality or quantity of the slopes .
There are dozens of small villages with loads of charm , but limited terrain and lift systems .
However , Söll has plenty to offer – the extensive SkiWelt area of largely intermediate pistes , plus lots of budget places to stay .
The traditional Tirolean village with its onion-domed church is set in the middle of a wide valley .
The slopes are a kilometre away and best reached by ski bus .
If the SkiWelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for keen piste-bashing families , the region is directly linked ( by a short bus ride ) through Westendorf and Kirchberg to Kitzbühel .
This adds another 54 lifts and 179km to the tally , though on a separate lift pass .
In town , the Hochsöll gondola takes kids and adults up to the 4km Moon toboggan run , which is floodlit until 10.30pm Wednesday to Saturday evenings .
Söll was once known for its raucous nightlife , and best suits those who come to attack the slopes with gusto or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years the resort has started attracting families , too , with plenty of accommodation .
The Hotel Tyrol is one of Söll 's top hotels , a short walk from the village centre and opposite a bus stop .
From £1,440 , departing 15 February 2020 , with i-ski.co.uk .

With the Easter break starting this coming weekend, now is the time for skiers, in particular families, who have a holiday booked abroad to ensure they are familiar with all the last remaining Covid procedures for travel and in ski resorts.
While the UK government has scrapped all Covid travel restrictions for returning travellers, the rules remain, and continue to shift, in Europe and further afield. And not always in the right direction.
The good news is the majority of ski destinations have significantly eased requirements at the border and Covid passports have been largely scrapped, but the red tape is different in each destination and varies greatly if you have children in tow.
To avoid getting caught out by this, here is our country-by-country checklist of the Covid regulation requirements needed for your ski trip this Easter.
France
Entry requirements
A week before travel
▢ Ensure all over-16s have received final vaccine dose
72 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated 12-17 year olds must take a PCR test, or;
48 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated 12-17 year olds must take a lateral flow test
▢ All over-12s must complete ‘sworn statement’
▢ Download documents to prove full vaccination, booster or recovery
The rules in detail
Children under 12 years are exempt from all regulations. To holiday in France, anyone aged 12 years or over must be double-jabbed or show proof of recovery within 180 days of a positive PCR test. If you received your second dose more than 270 days (nine months) ago, you will also need to show evidence of a booster, received at least 14 days previously. Final vaccine doses must be administered seven days before travel. Unvaccinated adults are permitted under specific circumstances, but must quarantine on arrival. Unvaccinated children 12-17 can travel without isolating if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult, but must test before travel. All travellers over 12 must complete a ‘sworn statement’ that they are not suffering from any Covid symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed Covid cases in the preceding fortnight.
Covid passports
On March 14, France scrapped its health passport scheme, making life much easier in the nation's ski resorts.
In-resort rules for skiers
Masks
Despite France easing its rules on mask wearing in most settings, high grade FFP2-type masks are advised for everyone over the age of six in indoor lift queues and on enclosed lifts, such as gondolas, but not required while skiing or on open-air chairlifts or drag lifts, or in shops, restaurants or hotels.
Après ski
Nightclubs and bars have reopened and table service is no longer mandatory. Après ski is back in full swing.
Austria
Entry requirements
72 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated over-12s must take a Covid PCR test, or;
48 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated over-12s must take antigen test 48 hours before
▢ Download documents to prove full vaccination (including booster 180 days after second dose) or recovery
The rules in detail
All travellers must show either proof of full vaccination, recovery from Covid in the past 180 days or a negative test to enter Austria – referred to as 3G status. If showing proof of vaccination, you must demonstrate that you received your second dose or a booster no more than 270 days before arrival. A medical certificate including the date of recovery is needed if proving recovery. PCR test results are valid for 72 hours, antigen test results are valid for 48 hours. Travellers entering Austria with 3G proof do not need to fill in a pre-travel clearance form.Under 12s are exempt from all entry restrictions, all other children must follow the 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered or tested) to enter Austria.
Covid passports
On March 5 Austria lifted scrapped its health pass scheme, meaning you no longer need to provide proof of your Covid status to hit the slopes.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Think you don't have to file a tax return? Here are five reasons why you might need to

Think you don ’ t need to file a tax return for 2018/19 ?
Perhaps it ’ s time to double check .
Around 750,000 taxpayers miss the Jan 31 deadline each year , often simply because they are unaware they need to file a return .
It ’ s a common misconception that filing always leads to paying extra tax – sometimes it can trigger tax reliefs and refunds .
Have you claimed for your pension contributions ?
Tax relief is available on pension contributions at your highest rate of income tax .
Higher or additional rate taxpayers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relief respectively if they are not in a net-pay or salary-sacrifice pension arrangement through their employer but instead make direct pension contributions .
Venture capital schemes , for example the Enterprise Investment Scheme , Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and venture capital trusts , offer valuable income tax and capital gains tax relief to encourage you to invest .
If you have made eligible investments into these schemes you should claim income tax relief on your tax return for the year in which the shares are issued to you .
In some circumstances , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributions back to the previous tax year , which can be beneficial in tax terms .
Independent financial advice should be sought if this is relevant to you .

Think you don’t need to file a tax return for 2018/19? Perhaps it’s time to double check.
Around 750,000 taxpayers miss the Jan 31 deadline each year, often simply because they are unaware they need to file a return. It’s a common misconception that filing always leads to paying extra tax – sometimes it can trigger tax reliefs and refunds.
Have you claimed for your pension contributions?
Tax relief is available on pension contributions at your highest rate of income tax. Higher or additional rate taxpayers can claim an additional 20pc and 25pc tax relief respectively if they are not in a net-pay or salary-sacrifice pension arrangement through their employer but instead make direct pension contributions.
Investments into venture capital schemes
Venture capital schemes, for example the Enterprise Investment Scheme, Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme and venture capital trusts, offer valuable income tax and capital gains tax relief to encourage you to invest. If you have made eligible investments into these schemes you should claim income tax relief on your tax return for the year in which the shares are issued to you.
In some circumstances, you can also elect to carry the contributions back to the previous tax year, which can be beneficial in tax terms. Independent financial advice should be sought if this is relevant to you.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--China locks down 14 cities as Wuhan coronavirus spreads

China on Friday confirmed it has now imposed travel restrictions on 14 cities , home to tens of millions of people , and pledged to build a new hospital within six days in Wuhan , the epicentre of a deadly virus that is sweeping across the country and through Asia .
The number of cases of the new coronavirus , which causes respiratory problems , has jumped to 830 and the death toll risen to at least 26 , with two fatalities now reported outside of Wuhan , in Hubei province and the northeastern province of Heilongjiang , which borders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of 11 million , was suddenly quarantined on Thursday morning , with residents given a 10am deadline before road , rail and air transport links were severed indefinitely in an effort to contain the virus , which is a similar pathogen to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( SARS ) and can spread between humans .
A day later , a total of 18 cities in central Hubei province suspended some public transportation over the coronavirus outbreak , the Global Times reported on Friday .
Buses in cities of Chibi , Xiantao , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Enshi have suspended services .
Ezhou city has shut its train stations .
From 2pm on Friday , Yichang became the 14th city in Hubei province to impose public transport restrictions .

China on Friday confirmed it has now imposed travel restrictions on 14 cities, home to tens of millions of people, and pledged to build a new hospital within six days in Wuhan, the epicentre of a deadly virus that is sweeping across the country and through Asia.
The number of cases of the new coronavirus, which causes respiratory problems, has jumped to 830 and the death toll risen to at least 26, with two fatalities now reported outside of Wuhan, in Hubei province and the northeastern province of Heilongjiang, which borders Russia and Mongolia.
On Friday, the US confirmed its second case of the disease. The 60-year-old woman returned from Wuhan with the coronavirus, US health officials told local media. The first case was recorded earlier in the week in Washington State.
Wuhan, a city of 11 million, was suddenly quarantined on Thursday morning, with residents given a 10am deadline before road, rail and air transport links were severed indefinitely in an effort to contain the virus, which is a similar pathogen to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and can spread between humans.
A day later, a total of 18 cities in central Hubei province suspended some public transportation over the coronavirus outbreak, the Global Times reported on Friday.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--The evolution of the sports bra to a vital part of kit

When Bristol City goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley became a sports bra ambassador last summer , it did not occur to her that she might be one of the 80 per cent of women who wear the wrong size sports bra .
“ As a footballer , you might talk about your new boots , but you wouldn ’ t talk about your new sports bra , ” Baggaley said .
“ The facts are actually quite scary – most women don ’ t wear the right-sized bra , but it ’ s just as important as any other part of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because , as a goalkeeper , you ’ re diving , jumping and running , so there ’ s lots of different movement .
But maybe it ’ s something we should talk about more.
” More than two decades on from Brandi Chastain ’ s jersey-shredding celebration in the 1999 World Cup final – when the world trained its eyes on the first of a female footballer exposing her bra – why have sports bras still not become part of the changing room chit-chat ?
From its humble beginnings – two jock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sports bra has become a state-of-the-art piece of kit , boldly weaving hi-tech versions of the “ jock bra ” into the fabric of women ’ s sport .
The industry is big business , with the global market set to be worth an estimated £11.8 billion by 2025 .
Since 2005 , Prof Joanna Wakefield-Scurr , head of the research group in breast health at the University of Portsmouth , has helped shape the trajectory .
The department leads pioneering research into breast biomechanics after uncovering the “ figure of eight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

When Bristol City goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley became a sports bra ambassador last summer, it did not occur to her that she might be one of the 80 per cent of women who wear the wrong size sports bra.
“As a footballer, you might talk about your new boots, but you wouldn’t talk about your new sports bra,” Baggaley said. “The facts are actually quite scary – most women don’t wear the right-sized bra, but it’s just as important as any other part of your kit. I wear a high-impact bra because, as a goalkeeper, you’re diving, jumping and running, so there’s lots of different movement. But maybe it’s something we should talk about more.”
More than two decades on from Brandi Chastain’s jersey-shredding celebration in the 1999 World Cup final – when the world trained its eyes on the first of a female footballer exposing her bra – why have sports bras still not become part of the changing room chit-chat?
From its humble beginnings – two jock traps ingeniously sewn together in 1977 – the sports bra has become a state-of-the-art piece of kit, boldly weaving hi-tech versions of the “jock bra” into the fabric of women’s sport. The industry is big business, with the global market set to be worth an estimated £11.8 billion by 2025.
Since 2005, Prof Joanna Wakefield-Scurr, head of the research group in breast health at the University of Portsmouth, has helped shape the trajectory. The department leads pioneering research into breast biomechanics after uncovering the “figure of eight” pattern of breast movement during exercise.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Wales v Italy, Six Nations 2020: What time does the match start, what TV channel is it on and what i

Wales v Italy, Six Nations 2020: What time does the match start, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

What is it ?
The first match of the 2020 Six Nations , between Wales and Italy at the Principality @ @ @ @ @ is it ?
Kick-off is at 2.15pm , the first of the day 's games @ @ @ @ @ it on ?
Six Nations coverage is shared between BBC and ITV with this matching @ @ @ @ @ ( channel tbc ) .
You can also follow live coverage of match right here @ @ @ @ @ is the latest squad news ?
Saracens centre Nick Tompkins and 18-year-old Gloucester wing Louis @ @ @ @ @ in Wales ' squad .
They are joined by three more uncapped players in Sale @ @ @ @ @ Wasps lock Will Rowlands and Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl , and there is also a @ @ @ @ @ .
Webb last played Test rugby just over two years ago before joining French club @ @ @ @ @ of Wales contention because he did not meet the minimum 60-cap selection criteria for players @ @ @ @ @ country .

If Wayne Pivac had written out a wish-list before accepting the Wales job - and you never know with agents nowadays - then almost certainly he would have picked Italy, in the Principality, under the roof, for his first Six Nations game.
As a cheeky addendum, he might well have requested the first Welsh shut-out in the Championship for 46 years and, if he was being really greedy, for one of his players - Josh Adams - to score the first Championship hat-trick in Cardiff for 51 years.
Perhaps Pivac would have been pushing his luck to request a debutant - Nick Tompkins - to display his undoubted merit from the bench and for Wales to extend their home winning run to seven games and to equal their previous mark of eight successive Six Nations wins.
And, go on then, why not ask for Dan Biggar to do a thoroughly convincing impression of Carlos Spencer with a pass between the legs and then for his side to go where Warren Gatland’s Grand Slammers failed in 2019 and notch up a Six Nations bonus point.
All of these things came to pass for Pivac here, but what excited him the most was that his squad has a few more gears to go through. “It was a pretty good performance,” Pivac said, refusing to pop any corks. “But it was messy at times and there is plenty to work on. Which is pleasing.”
In truth, Wales will need to fix the faults quickly - particular in the set-piece - before next Saturday because a dogfight in Dublin will be as far removed a proposition as it is possible to imagine from this walk in the park. Until battles such as the one they will face against Ireland are taken on and won, the “Warren Who?” T-shirts will have to wait on the presses.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--France v England, Six Nations 2020: What date and time is Le Crunch, which TV channel is it on and w

France v England, Six Nations 2020: What date and time is Le Crunch, which TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

What is the team news ?
Jack Nowell has joined Billy Vunipola on the injured list for the Six Nations @ @ @ @ @ European match against La Rochelle on Saturday but faces an operation to repair a damaged @ @ @ @ @ from playing any part in the Championship .
It is the second hammer blow for @ @ @ @ @ Vunipola sustained a broken arm while on Champions Cup duty for Saracens on Sunday .
@ @ @ @ @ Vunipola has sustained a fracture to one of his arms , robbing England of one @ @ @ @ @ for the Six Nations .
Seven players from the Premiership and European champions are present @ @ @ @ @ for the Six Nations and they will head to a pre-tournament training camp in Portugal @ @ @ @ @ in uncertainty .

Jonny May's solo masterclass saved England from humiliation in Paris as one of the worst performances of the Eddie Jones era ended in a 24-17 defeat that puts a large dent in their Guinness Six Nations title ambitions.
Jones had promised France "brutal physicality" but instead it was his rattled World Cup runners-up who fell victim to a ferocious onslaught as words that had caused controversy on this side of The Channel came back to haunt him.
Les Bleus stormed 24-0 ahead when captain Charles Ollivon ran in the second of his two tries in the 55th minute and that was the cue for May to conjure a pair of devastating solo tries.
For the second he beat five defenders while plotting a diagonal line to the posts in a score made possible by his extraordinary pace.
May's brilliance provided temporary inspiration but England lacked the firepower to make further inroads into the deficit in an improved final quarter they controlled and that finished with Owen Farrell landing a penalty to claim the bonus point.
A rain-swept Stade de France noisily greeted the new era launched by their head coach Fabien Galthie and the influence of his assistant Shaun Edwards was stamped all over the defensive heroics.
England, meanwhile, will lick their wounds as they come to terms with the possibility their World Cup final rout by South Africa last autumn may have left deeper scars than initially expected.
For the first time since 1988 they were held scoreless at the interval in a Championship match and it is hard to imagine a worse start as they were breached in the sixth minute by Vincent Rattez.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--How will the Brexit transition period work?

Brexit will happen from Jan 31 at 11pm , no matter whether Big Ben bongs or not .
From that point , the United Kingdom will be legally outside of the European Union , but it may not feel much different from life as part of the club because it will be in a transition period for the rest of the year .
Here is everything you might want to know about how this period of Brexit limbo , officially known by the Government as an `` implementation period '' , will work .
How long is the transition period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transition period was originally agreed with the expectation that it would come into force for a punctual Brexit from March 29 2019 , lasting 21 months until the end of December 2020 .
The Withdrawal Agreement stipulates that the UK and EU can decide by July to extend it in a `` single decision '' for up to one or two years , but Boris Johnson 's Government has banned itself from requesting such an extension under the legislation it is passing implementing the Brexit deal .
That does not stop it ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could always amend the legislation or secure parliamentary approval to go around it , but that would be monumentally politically embarrassing .

Brexit will happen from Jan 31 at 11pm, no matter whether Big Ben bongs or not. From that point, the United Kingdom will be legally outside of the European Union, but it may not feel much different from life as part of the club because it will be in a transition period for the rest of the year.
Here is everything you might want to know about how this period of Brexit limbo, officially known by the Government as an "implementation period", will work.
How long is the transition period? Could it be extended?
The transition period was originally agreed with the expectation that it would come into force for a punctual Brexit from March 29 2019, lasting 21 months until the end of December 2020.
The Withdrawal Agreement stipulates that the UK and EU can decide by July to extend it in a "single decision" for up to one or two years, but Boris Johnson's Government has banned itself from requesting such an extension under the legislation it is passing implementing the Brexit deal.
That does not stop it ever requesting such a delay, as ministers could always amend the legislation or secure parliamentary approval to go around it, but that would be monumentally politically embarrassing.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Brit Awards nominations 2020: where are all the brilliant women?

It may not spell quite the same diversity disaster as the all-white , mostly-male BAFTA nominations , but this month 's announcement of the 2020 BRIT Awards shortlist still leaves much to be desired .
Across the four categories open to both male and female artists - Group of the Year , New Artist of the Year , Song of the Year and Mastercard Album of the Year - male artists account for 26 nominations , while female artists share just four .
Two of those four nominations are held by the same woman - pop-star Mabel , Neneh Cherry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Artist of the Year and Song of the Year - while the other two include Miley Cyrus ( for a feature with Mark Ronson ) , and Normani for her song Dancing with a Stranger , which she co-wrote with Sam Smith .
Not a single woman can be found in any of the five groups nominated ( Bastille , Bring Me the Horizon , Coldplay , D-Block Europe and Foals ) , nor in the BRIT Awards ’ most important category , Album of the Year ( Dave , Harry Styles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share that honour ) .
At last year ’ s BRITs , the Best Breakthrough Act , Best Group and Best Album were all awarded to men .

South London rappers Stormzy and Dave and pop star Mabel have won the three biggest gongs at the Brit Awards 2020.
Stormzy, who became the first black, British solo artist to headline Glastonbury last summer and won the 2018 Brit Award for Best Album with his debut Gang Signs & Prayer, took home Best Male Solo Artist, beating ex One-Directioner Harry Styles and singer songwriter Lewis Capaldi.
Dave, who has been compared to a UK Kendrick Lamar with his "socially conscious" lyricism, won Best Album of the Year for his debut Psychodrama, which, framed as a therapy session (Psychodrama is a particular form of active therapy given to prisoners), included the song Black, a meditation on what it is to be black and British, and Lesley, about a woman suffering from an abusive relationship.
The album debuted at number one when it was released last March, and won the 2019 Mercury Prize.
Mabel, daughter of Neneh Cherry, was the only UK female musician nominated in the gender neutral categories, and won Best Female Solo Artist, while losing Best New Artist to Lewis Capaldi. Highlighting the heavily male dominated UK charts, Mabel, who released her debut album High Expectations last sumer, was the only British female artist to feature in the top 40 singles in the UK last year.
Meanwhile 18-year-old musician of the moment Billie Eilish, who tonight performed her just-released Bond theme for No Time to Die, became this year's Best International Female, beating Lizzo and Ariana Grande.
Here is the list of nominees and winners in full:
The 2020 Female Solo Artist, in association with Amazon Music
Charli XCX
FKA Twigs
Freya Ridings
Mabel - WINNER
Mahalia
The 2020 Male Solo Artist, in association with Amazon Music
Dave
Harry Styles
Lewis Capaldi
Michael Kiwanuka
Stormzy - WINNER
The 2020 Mastercard Album Of The Year
Dave: Psychodrama - WINNER
Harry Styles: Fine Line
Lewis Capaldi: Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent
Michael Kiwanuka: Kiwanuka
Stormzy: Heavy Is The Head
The 2020 Best New Artist
Aitch
Dave
Lewis Capaldi - WINNER
Mabel
Sam Fender
The 2020 Best Group
Coldplay
Bastille
Bring Me The Horizon
D-Block Europe
Foals - WINNER
The 2020 International Female Solo Artist
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish - WINNER
Camila Cabello
Lana Del Rey
Lizzo
The 2020 International Male Solo Artist
Bruce Springsteen
Burna Boy
Post Malone
Tyler, the Creator - WINNER
Dermot Kennedy
The 2020 Song of the Year
AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove
Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man - Giant
Dave feat. Burna Boy - Location
Ed Sheeran feat. Justin Bieber - I Don't Care
Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved - WINNER
Mabel - Don't Call Me Up
Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
Sam Smith feat. Normani - Dancing With A Stranger
Stormzy - Vossi Bop
Tom Walker - Just You and I
Producer of The Year
Fred again... - WINNER
Rising Star


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Bafta nominations 2020: #BaftasSoWhite outcry after all-white acting nominees, and Joker leads with

Bafta nominations 2020: #BaftasSoWhite outcry after all-white acting nominees, and Joker leads with 11 nods

All-American films Once Upon A Time ... in Hollywood , Joker and The Irishman have triumphed in this year 's Bafta nominations , amid criticism that the 2020 British film awards have ignored diversity .
Joker , directed by Todd Phillips , is the frontrunner with 11 nominations , with The Irishman and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood both received 10 .
The most-nominated British film was Sam Mendes ' war epic 1917 , which received nine nominations , including nods for Best Film , Outstanding British Film and Director .
However , Bafta was swift to receive criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leading Actor , Leading Actress , Supporting Actor , Supporting Actress ) acknowledged the efforts of people of colour .
Australian Margot Robbie was even nominated twice in the Supporting Actress category , for Bombshell , in which she plays Kayla Pospisil , and Once Upon A Time ... in Hollywood , in which she has a limited speaking role as the Sixties actress Sharon Tate .
On Twitter , the # BaftasSoWhite hashtag appeared as the nominations were being announced , with people pointing out the snubs suffered by actresses Jennifer Lopez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , missed out for her critically acclaimed role in Hustlers , along with Awkwafina , the actress of Chinese heritage who picked up a Best Actress Golden Globe on Sunday , who was recognised in the publicly voted Rising Star category , and Lupita Nyong ' o , who starred in Us .

All-American films Once Upon A Time... in Hollywood, Joker and The Irishman have triumphed in this year's Bafta nominations, amid criticism that the 2020 British film awards have ignored diversity.
Joker, directed by Todd Phillips, is the frontrunner with 11 nominations, with The Irishman and Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood both received 10. The most-nominated British film was Sam Mendes' war epic 1917, which received nine nominations, including nods for Best Film, Outstanding British Film and Director.
However, Bafta was swift to receive criticism none of the four acting categories (Leading Actor, Leading Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress) acknowledged the efforts of people of colour. Australian Margot Robbie was even nominated twice in the Supporting Actress category, for Bombshell, in which she plays Kayla Pospisil, and Once Upon A Time... in Hollywood, in which she has a limited speaking role as the Sixties actress Sharon Tate.
On Twitter, the #BaftasSoWhite hashtag appeared as the nominations were being announced, with people pointing out the snubs suffered by actresses Jennifer Lopez, who is of Puerto Rican heritage, missed out for her critically acclaimed role in Hustlers, along with Awkwafina, the actress of Chinese heritage who picked up a Best Actress Golden Globe on Sunday, who was recognised in the publicly voted Rising Star category, and Lupita Nyong'o, who starred in Us.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Taylor Swift reveals past struggle with eating disorder

Taylor Swift revealed that she previously struggled with an eating disorder as she discussed her `` unhealthy '' relationship with food .
The singer said she would `` starve '' herself if she saw a photograph where she thought her stomach was too big , leaving her feeling as if she might pass out during or after shows on her 1989 tour in 2014 .
She addresses her issues with eating in her new Netflix documentary , Miss Americana , which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival .
She told US trade magazine Variety : `` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to feel comfortable with talking about body image and talking about the stuff I 've gone through in terms of how unhealthy that 's been for me – my relationship with food and all that over the years .
`` But the way that Lana ( Wilson , the film 's director ) tells the story , it really makes sense .
`` I 'm not as articulate as I should be about this topic because there are so many people who could talk about it in a better way .
But all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` And my relationship with food was exactly the same psychology that I applied to everything else in my life : If I was given a pat on the head , I registered that as good .
If I was given a punishment , I registered that as bad . ''

Taylor Swift has revealed she used to starve herself to the point of almost passing out during performances, opening up about her struggles with an eating disorder in a new documentary.
Swift has described how magazines speculating on whether she was pregnant while a teenager and compliments from helpers when she was underweight fuelled the problem.
The 30-year-old pop star addresses her past “unhealthy” relationship with food in a new Netflix documentary, Miss Americana, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
One moment Swift points to as an extreme was during the promotion for her album titled 1989, which came out in 2014.
During the film now-and-then photos are used of Swift during that tour, when she says she was severely undereating, compared to the one she did in 2018 for her Reputation album.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--What’s on TV tonight: Deadwater Fell, Star Trek: Picard and more

A treat for Trekkies , the latest spin-off sees Next Generation hero Jean-Luc Picard ( Patrick Stewart ) return to the franchise , persuaded out of retirement by a young woman , Dahj ( Isa Briones ) , seeking his help after the planet Romulus is destroyed .
GO “ Let ’ s go to Hell and get my boyfriend back , ” declared teenage half-witch Sabrina ( Kiernan Shipka ) in last season ’ s finale of the tongue-in-cheek teenage horror .
But distraction comes at the start of season three with handsome villain Prince Caliban ( Sam Corlett @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive in Johannesburg for the fourth and final game in the Test series .
Can they go out on a high against Faf Du Plessis ’ s side ?
More lovely and uniquely New World gardens as Don heads West to Arizona and Palm Springs , then to the primped estates of the famous in Los Angeles , before concluding his journey in temperate Seattle where gardening culture thrives .
GO A stress-busting trip to the cinema backfires for Will ( Tom Brittney ) when the projectionist is murdered during the screening ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his housekeeper , Mrs Chapman ( Tessa Peake-Jones ) , too , when a ghost from her husband ’ s past turns up .
GO

Wednesday 16 August
Colosseum
BBC Four, 9pm & 9.50pm
All roads lead to Rome as BBC Four celebrates a series devoted to one of the most famous architectural remnants of the ancient world. If eight episodes (boxsetted on iPlayer and previously shown on Sky History) seems too much to devote to a single building, even one as spectacular as the largest amphitheatre of its age, it’s really not. As one contributor says, the Colosseum “is the Roman Empire distilled to its essence… a symbol of conquest, dominance and imperial power”. As such, it enables the producers to dig deep into Roman culture’s wider obsession with violence, and to straddle the whole of the Roman empire at its height, exploring politics, society and power at the time of Vespasian, Domitian and Trajan.
Tonight’s double bill looks first at Roman society’s obsession with gladiators (via an enduringly famous contest between fan favourite Verus and the barbarian Priscus), before tracking back to the building’s construction through the eyes of its master Haterius. For context there’s a repeat of Meet the Romans with Mary Beard, 8pm, beforehand; plus a rerun of the enduringly wonderful I, Claudius, from 10.50pm, preceded by Sir Derek Jacobi Remembers… at 10.35pm. GO
At Home with the Furys
Netflix
Another celebrity-family reality series, this one is focused on Morecambe-based boxer Tyson Fury. With the former heavyweight champion struggling with retirement, his wife Paris, their six children and his Love Island-stars brother and sister-in-law, Tommy and Molly-Mae, are among those drawn into the chaos.
The Chosen One
Netflix
Adapted from Mark Millar’s comic American Jesus, a series blending superhero and Second Coming tropes. In Baja, California, 12-year-old Jodie (Bobby Luhnow) finds that he has Jesus-like powers after surviving a freak accident. He can turn water into wine and make the disabled walk – but can he help mankind defeat the antichrist?
Celebrity MasterChef
BBC One, 9pm
In the penultimate heats week, John Torode and Gregg Wallace welcome five more celebrities to the MasterChef kitchen. Putting their taste buds to the test are singers Jamelia and Sam Fox, drag artist Cheryl Hole, American rapper Locksmith and opera singer Wynne Evans.
Kate Garraway’s Life Stories
ITV1, 9pm
Concluding another short but headline-dominating run, Garraway interviews Iranian-British actor, comedian and writer Omid Djalili. During an enlightening chat she hears how his career flourished – from the Edinburgh Fringe and Hollywood films to the theatres of the West End – despite an unpromising start in life that saw him take his A-levels six times and get turned down by 16 drama schools.
The 1970s Supermarket
Channel 5, 9pm
A surprisingly engaging three-parter exploring how a revolution in how people shopped, cooked and ate transformed the British way of life in the Seventies. The entertainment factor gets ramped up through a recreation of trolley-must-haves from the past (Fray Bentos pies, Findus crispy pancakes), ready to be enjoyed (or not) by modern consumers.
Annika
Alibi, 9pm
A trip to Edinburgh beckons for DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker) and her Glasgow-based Marine Homicide Unit when a recently released prisoner is found dead in a cage in the Firth of Forth. A link to Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley holds the key to the investigation but only after Annika shares with Michael (Jamie Sives) something she’s been hiding for years.
The Godfather (1972) ★★★★★
Film4, 9pm
Endlessly quoted and copied, the first instalment of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic mob trilogy is an all-time high watermark of American cinema. Marlon Brando and Al Pacino play American-Italian mafia boss Don Vito and his son and reluctant heir, Michael Corleone, caught up in the struggle for power. The Godfather: Part II follows on Thursday at 9pm, with Part III on Friday at the same time.
Central Intelligence (2016) ★★★
ITV4, 10pm
This meat-and-potatoes buddy comedy about two estranged schoolmates who’ve ended up in jobs against their youthful type drifts into formulaic chaos. Nevertheless, there’s no denying how well the leads take to their task: Dwayne Johnson’s secret agent is ripely self-parodic, while Kevin Hart (as an accountant) makes for a surprisingly good straight man. Amy Ryan and Jason Bateman co-star.
King of New York (1990) ★★★★
Sky Cinema Greats, 10.20pm
Abel Ferrara’s neo-noir gangster film is a stone-cold classic. Ruthless mob boss Frank White (Christopher Walken) is released from prison after a long stint inside and looks to regain control of New York City by taking out rival gangs. When fellow leaders start turning up dead, however, a group of policemen headed by David Caruso’s DI Dennis decide to take the law into their own hands to bring him down.
Thursday 17 August


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Austria's out, Dubai's in – how your favourite holiday destinations have changed in the last 25 year

Austria's out, Dubai's in – how your favourite holiday destinations have changed in the last 25 years

This fact is illustrated by ONS data .
Since 1961 , the International Passenger Survey has collected information about those leaving and entering the UK to produce a snapshot of how many Britons are travelling abroad each year– and where they are going .
In 1979 , when the UK population was around 56 million ( 11 million less than now ) , only 15.47m outbound trips were recorded – that ’ s just one journey abroad for every 3.6 residents .
Fast forward to 2018 and the number of trips has soared to 71.7 million ; more than one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve never had it so good .
The boom can be traced back to the early Nineties , when air travel deregulation paved the way for the likes of Ryanair and easyJet to offer cheap flights to a wealth of cities , from Aarhus to Zagreb .
Annual overseas trips reached 41.3m by 1995 , 53.9m by 1999 , and 66.4m by 2005 , before the financial crisis temporarily put the upward trajectory on hold .
After 2012 , we enjoyed five consecutive years of growth – until 2018 saw a small dip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brexit uncertainty .

The following nations, however, should really impress. Barely any Britons call in on these places each year – just 2,000 or fewer make one of these nations the focus of their holiday each year, says ONS (which equates to only 0.003 per cent of us).
Malawi
What are we missing?
Lake Malawi is the main reason to visit Malawi. Partly because of its sheer size. It is 350 miles long from its northern to its southern tip. This measurement makes it the ninth largest lake in the world, and the third largest and second deepest in Africa (eclipsed by Lakes Victoria and Tanganyika). It is, according to Unesco, home to more species of fish than any other lake on the planet, including some 700 types of cichlid - the little, colourful, befinned creatures which flicker and flutter in its shallows. A beautiful, evocative place, in other words. Livingstone described it as a "Lake of Stars", referring to the thousands of fishing boats which drift across its surface at night, the lanterns on their prows visible from shore.
Kazakhstan
What are we missing?
Kazakhstan is the proud owner of a futuristic capital, Astana, and some immense countryside, including the nation’s answer to the Grand Canyon, in the form of the Charyn Canyon. There is also skiing at Shymbulak ski resort, 30 minutes from Almaty, while the hidden Lake Kaindy in the Tien Shan Mountains is a startling sight to behold.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--From bloomers to see-through skin suits: How women's sports kits have evolved since 1875

From Britain ’ s first known female football team sporting pantaloons tucked into shin pads , to figure skaters defying every last health and safety hazard on the ice in full length frocks , women faced an uphill battle to express themselves through sport , which threatened the conservative notions of femininity .
Victorian cricketers defied their ballooning skirts by bowling underarm , Lucy Smith and Pauline Ranken scaled the Salisbury Crags in full-length Victorian dresses and Marion Barone wore the first sleeveless leotard .
As perceptions changed , skirts became shorter - even sleeker - before graduating to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ’ s sport during the late 19th century and early 20th century was often considered problematic , and the clothes that women wore to participate in these activities were perceived as part of the problem , ” said Fiona Skillen , a senior lecturer in history at Glasgow Caledonian University .
“ By the end of the 20th century , many more women were playing sports and access to facilities had increased , in many ways the challenge of what to wear , and the debates over what was thought to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the story of modern women 's sport.
” Fiona Tomas explores how clothes have played a vital and intriguing role in the evolution of women ’ s sportswear .
Hooped skirts made it impossible for women cricketers to bowl underarm , which meant they delivered the ball from waist-high known as ‘ round-arm bowling ’ .
Legend has it the technique was pioneered by Kent player Christina Willes which led to the overarm bowling that exists today .

From Britain’s first known female football team sporting pantaloons tucked into shin pads, to figure skaters defying every last health and safety hazard on the ice in full length frocks, women faced an uphill battle to express themselves through sport, which threatened the conservative notions of femininity.
Victorian cricketers defied their ballooning skirts by bowling underarm, Lucy Smith and Pauline Ranken scaled the Salisbury Crags in full-length Victorian dresses and Marion Barone wore the first sleeveless leotard. As perceptions changed, skirts became shorter - even sleeker - before graduating to the triumphant trouser.
“The growth of women’s sport during the late 19th century and early 20th century was often considered problematic, and the clothes that women wore to participate in these activities were perceived as part of the problem,” said Fiona Skillen, a senior lecturer in history at Glasgow Caledonian University. “By the end of the 20th century, many more women were playing sports and access to facilities had increased, in many ways the challenge of what to wear, and the debates over what was thought to be appropriate, are very much part of the story of modern women's sport.”
Fiona Tomas explores how clothes have played a vital and intriguing role in the evolution of women’s sportswear.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Tour Down Under 2020, stage four – full results and standings: Caleb Ewan out-sprints Sam Bennett fo

Tour Down Under 2020, stage four – full results and standings: Caleb Ewan out-sprints Sam Bennett for victory but Richie Porte retains overall lead

Caleb Ewan out-sprinted Ireland 's Sam Bennett to win the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under , but Richie Porte retains the overall lead .
Ewan , who also won the second stage , had stronger legs than first stage-winner Bennett at the end of a testing 152.8km ( 95 mile ) ride from Norwood to Murray Bridge .
The stage featured a technical finish with a sudden narrowing of the road compressing the peloton and making it essential teams had their sprinters at the front of the bunch .
There was then a very tight left-hand bend 300 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sprinters could unleash their winning bids .
Bennett went first and broke away from the bunch but Ewan mowed him down to win by almost a bike length .
Jasper Philipsen was third and German veteran Andre Greipel , winner of a record 18 stages on the Tour Down Under , was fourth .
Porte managed to stay with the leading bunch to defend the tour leader 's jersey , though his overall lead over two-time defending champion Daryl Impey was halved from six to three seconds .
Impey picked up time bonuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lead with two stages remaining , including the famous climb to the top of Wilunga Hill .
The Tour Down Under continues on Saturday with the 149.1km fifth stage from Glenelg to Victor Harbor and concludes on Sunday on Willunga Hill .

Caleb Ewan out-sprinted Ireland's Sam Bennett to win the fourth stage of the Tour Down Under, but Richie Porte retains the overall lead.
Ewan, who also won the second stage, had stronger legs than first stage-winner Bennett at the end of a testing 152.8km (95 mile) ride from Norwood to Murray Bridge.
The stage featured a technical finish with a sudden narrowing of the road compressing the peloton and making it essential teams had their sprinters at the front of the bunch. There was then a very tight left-hand bend 300 metres from the finish, before the sprinters could unleash their winning bids.
Bennett went first and broke away from the bunch but Ewan mowed him down to win by almost a bike length. Jasper Philipsen was third and German veteran Andre Greipel, winner of a record 18 stages on the Tour Down Under, was fourth.
Porte managed to stay with the leading bunch to defend the tour leader's jersey, though his overall lead over two-time defending champion Daryl Impey was halved from six to three seconds. Impey picked up time bonuses on the course to cut into Porte's lead with two stages remaining, including the famous climb to the top of Wilunga Hill.
The Tour Down Under continues on Saturday with the 149.1km fifth stage from Glenelg to Victor Harbor and concludes on Sunday on Willunga Hill.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Friday morning news briefing: University coronavirus alert

If you want to receive twice-daily briefings like this by email , sign up to the Front Page newsletter here .
For two-minute audio updates , try The Briefing - on podcasts , smart speakers and WhatsApp .
Death toll rises as China battles to contain coronavirus British universities are on high alert for coronavirus today .
As the first suspected cases were reported in the UK , students returning from China are warned they face quarantine .
One in five international students in Britain are Chinese .
Public Health England revealed last night that 14 patients have been tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nine still awaiting results .
Among them were five patients isolated at hospitals in Scotland suffering from flu-like conditions after returning from the city of Wuhan in the past fortnight .
`` Many more '' cases are likely elsewhere in the UK .
It came as China effectively quarantined 20 million people in what could be the largest disease-control operation in history .
The death toll has now risen to at least 26 .
Crystal Reid made it out of Wuhan just before the lockdown .
Read her dispatch from the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's epidemic .
Is quarantining the answer ?
Professor Tom Solomon argues that it might already be too late .
What else can be done to stop the deadly virus ?
Sarah Newey answers your questions , including : do face masks really work ?
All the symptoms of coronavirus are listed here .
And this is the latest Foreign Office travel advice for anyone planning to visit China .

Police give up on thieves as offences 'decriminalised'
Police and prosecutors have been accused of undermining justice as it emerged some forces are not charging any thieves. New data shows that the chances of a theft resulting in a charge have halved to 5.4 per cent and to 1.3 per cent for personal theft. In the most dramatic example, four force areas brought no charges for personal theft in the three months to September 2019 - despite 300 crimes being recorded. As Charles Hymas reports, the Criminal Bar Association warned that effectively theft was being "decriminalised" as police were failing to pursue prosecutions.
Scientists help mummy to talk like an Egyptian
When Egyptian priest Nesyamun died more than 3,000 years ago, his last wish was that he be allowed to speak in the afterlife so he could address his gods and be granted entry into eternity. Now, with the help of science, the holy man has indeed found his voice after death. British academics scanned the mummy of Nesyamum, 3D-printed his vocal tract then played soundwaves through it to create an impression of how the priest might have sounded. Listen for yourself here.
News digest
Gallery: The big picture
Inspiring | A drone sent above Salisbury to picture the city shrouded in dense fog captured the 404ft cathedral spire poking through the clouds as the sun rose. View our picture editor's choice of more striking images.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Poem of the week: Making a Fist by Naomi Shihab Nye

There is a feeling of safety that comes with being a child in the back seat of the car .
There you are , in a small box with the people who love you most , contained and cared for .
At that age , your parents are all-knowing beings with the answer to every question – and , you genuinely believe , the power to pull over and leave you by the side of the road if you won ’ t stop your squabbling and be quiet .
In this poem by Naomi Shihab Nye , she remembers her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her mother ’ s certainty .
She was afraid , and ill , but none of that was enough to make her question her mother ’ s wisdom .
Now , as an adult , she smiles to think of that day .
So do I .
Because I know , as I ’ m sure she does , that her mother had no idea what she was talking about , but she would have said anything in that car to comfort her sick , despairing daughter .
Being an adult means coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never be the omniscient being you once believed your own parents to be , and reconciling yourself to the certainty that you will never truly stop bluffing .
Perhaps you now have children chattering in the back seat , asking you questions to which there are no answers .
Perhaps you pretend to know those answers anyway ; perhaps you even feel guilty about that .
But as this poem shows us , parenting isn ’ t about how much you know .
The precise medical answer to her question would have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naomi .
No , her mother ’ s triumph was not in the accuracy of her answer , but in making her frightened daughter feel better , and in giving her the illusion of control .
There are times when the right thing to say in the moment is not the most accurate .
For the first time , on the road north of Tampico , I felt the life sliding out of me , a drum in the desert , harder and harder to hear .
I was seven , I lay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ melon split wide inside my skin .
‘ How do you know if you are going to die ?
’ I begged my mother .
We had been travelling for days .
With strange confidence she answered , ‘ When you can no longer make a fist.
’ Years later I smile to think of that journey , the borders we must cross separately , I who did not die , who am still living , still lying in the backseat behind all my questions , The Poetry Pharmacy Returns is published by @ @ @ @

William Sieghart’s poetry pharmacy prescribes the perfect words to help you through your problems. This week: feelings of parental inadequacy
There is a feeling of safety that comes with being a child in the back seat of the car. There you are, in a small box with the people who love you most, contained and cared for. At that age, your parents are all-knowing beings with the answer to every question – and, you genuinely believe, the power to pull over and leave you by the side of the road if you won’t stop your squabbling and be quiet.
In this poem by Naomi Shihab Nye, she remembers her own absolute credulity in the face of her mother’s certainty. She was afraid, and ill, but none of that was enough to make her question her mother’s wisdom. Now, as an adult, she smiles to think of that day.
So do I. Because I know, as I’m sure she does, that her mother had no idea what she was talking about, but she would have said anything in that car to comfort her sick, despairing daughter.
Being an adult means coming to terms with the fact that you will never be the omniscient being you once believed your own parents to be, and reconciling yourself to the certainty that you will never truly stop bluffing. Perhaps you now have children chattering in the back seat, asking you questions to which there are no answers. Perhaps you pretend to know those answers anyway; perhaps you even feel guilty about that.


thetelegraph--2020-01-24--Exclusive: Ladies European Tour to offer record £18m prize money and seven new events for 2020 seaso

Exclusive: Ladies European Tour to offer record £18m prize money and seven new events for 2020 season

The Ladies European Tour will offer record prize money of £15.2 million for the 2020 season , an increase of almost £4 million on last year .
The cash injection comes thanks in part to having three new events all offering prize money breaking $ 1 million ( £761,692 ) including the inaugural Saudi Ladies Championship to be held in March .
There will be 24 events on the LET this year , an increase of four from last year .
Telegraph Sport understands that in addition to the tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia and the Scandinavian Mixed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pot of over $ 1 million will be a new event to be held in the UK in August , ahead of the Ladies Scottish Open and the Women ’ s British Open .
The LET has been beset with problems in recent years including a reduced schedule and the loss of sponsors .
As a result , the majority of top European female golfers - including the English trio of word no .
26 Charley Hull , world no .
32 Bronte Law and the 2018 Women ’ s British Open winner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LPGA events in the United States .
The LPGA has a prize pot in 2020 of $ 75.1 million ( £57.2 million ) .

The Ladies European Tour will offer record prize money of £15.2 million for the 2020 season, an increase of almost £4 million on last year. The cash injection comes thanks in part to having three new events all offering prize money breaking $1 million (£761,692) including the inaugural Saudi Ladies Championship to be held in March.
There will be 24 events on the LET this year, an increase of four from last year. Telegraph Sport understands that in addition to the tournament to be held in Saudi Arabia and the Scandinavian Mixed, the third event to have a pot of over $1 million will be a new event to be held in the UK in August, ahead of the Ladies Scottish Open and the Women’s British Open.
The LET has been beset with problems in recent years including a reduced schedule and the loss of sponsors. As a result, the majority of top European female golfers - including the English trio of word no. 26 Charley Hull, world no. 32 Bronte Law and the 2018 Women’s British Open winner Georgia Hall - focus their attention on LPGA events in the United States. The LPGA has a prize pot in 2020 of $75.1 million (£57.2 million).