thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Friday evening news briefing: Bill for Big Ben to bong 35 times more than cost of it ringing on New

Friday evening news briefing: Bill for Big Ben to bong 35 times more than cost of it ringing on New Year's Eve

Two players ' agents and a senior club football manager have been sentenced for their part in a football corruption scandal which shocked the game .
The three had been convicted of bribery charges last month , following an investigation by The Telegraph exposing their activities .
Giuseppe 'Pino ' Pagliara , Dax Price and Tommy Wright were found guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes in order to gain influencein the selection , management and ownership of players .
Read on for details .
Actor Laurence Fox has described criticism of his Question Time appearance as `` water off a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with an audience member over the Duchess of Sussex .
A row erupted as he responded to a claim from a woman that the media 's treatment of Meghan amounted to `` racism '' , with the audience member then describing Fox as a `` white , privileged male '' .
You can watch their exchange here .
It comes as it emerges the Duchess of Sussex has been joined at her Canadian hideaway by a Pilates instructor and fitness entrepreneur who she once described as a `` little blonde guru '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran 's Supreme Leader led a sermon in Tehran for the first time in eight years saying Britain and other European states who were party to the country 's nuclear pact were `` American pawns '' who `` can not be trusted '' .
Thousands listened to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei , occasionally interrupting the prayers with chants of `` God is the greatest '' and `` death to America '' .

Football for sale: Agents and manager sentenced
Two players' agents and a senior club football manager have been sentenced for their part in a football corruption scandal which shocked the game. The three had been convicted of bribery charges last month, following an investigation by The Telegraph exposing their activities. Giuseppe 'Pino' Pagliara, Dax Price and Tommy Wright were found guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes in order to gain influencein the selection, management and ownership of players. Read on for details.
Question Time row over 'racist' Meghan coverage
Actor Laurence Fox has described criticism of his Question Time appearance as "water off a duck's back" after he argued with an audience member over the Duchess of Sussex. A row erupted as he responded to a claim from a woman that the media's treatment of Meghan amounted to "racism", with the audience member then describing Fox as a "white, privileged male". You can watch their exchange here. It comes as it emerges the Duchess of Sussex has been joined at her Canadian hideaway by a Pilates instructor and fitness entrepreneur who she once described as a "little blonde guru". Read on for details and pictures.
News digest
Video: Iran's Supreme Leader attacks UK in sermon
Iran's Supreme Leader led a sermon in Tehran for the first time in eight years saying Britain and other European states who were party to the country's nuclear pact were "American pawns" who "cannot be trusted". Thousands listened to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, occasionally interrupting the prayers with chants of "God is the greatest" and "death to America".


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Ollie Pope and Ben Stokes post centuries to put England in charge at Port Elizabeth

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport 's live coverage of the second day of the third Test between South Africa and England , from St George 's Park , Port Elizabeth .
England will look to capitalise on good work from Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope when play resumes today .
Stokes and Pope combined in an unbroken stand of 76 in the evening session , guiding the tourists away from a potentially tricky position to a promising stumps score of 224 for four on day one .
Stokes ' ability to take command of a match , with bat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pope looked in wonderful touch as he cashed in against a tiring attack .
Together they will look to push England towards 400 , leaving their bowlers the safety net they might need on a sluggish pitch in Port Elizabeth .
South Africa , meanwhile , may once again lean on the twin pillars of Keshav Maharaj 's spin and Kagiso Rabada 's pace as they look to find a foothold in the game .
Stokes has the technique and the muscle to disrupt the rhythm Maharaj built-up on day one , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge of hitting him out of the attack .
But there is risk as well as reward in that strategy , with the left-arm spinner already subjecting Stokes to a couple of close shaves .
Watch this space .
Zak Crawley has so far posted a new Test best score in each of his four innings for England .
He started with a low base of one against New Zealand , then made four in his second knock .
Things have slowly started to head in a more promising direction , with efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort with life at the highest level .
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis must have forgotten what it feels like to choose between batting and bowling , having lost six consecutive tosses in a row .
He still has a little way to go before he matches compatriot Graeme Smith 's worst run of eight successive losses between 2008-09 .
Former England skipper Nasser Hussain still holds the unwanted record , though , with 10 in a row from 2000-01 .
Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior had a high-profile falling out after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autobiography .
The pair were both rostered on as part of talkSPORT 's commentary team for this match and rather than keep away from each other , they met in the middle ahead of play for a long chat and a handshake .
Tweets from both proved that ill feelings have finally been left in the past .

Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport's live coverage of the second day of the third Test between South Africa and England, from St George's Park, Port Elizabeth.
England will look to capitalise on good work from Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope when play resumes today.
Stokes and Pope combined in an unbroken stand of 76 in the evening session, guiding the tourists away from a potentially tricky position to a promising stumps score of 224 for four on day one.
Stokes' ability to take command of a match, with bat or ball, needs no re-stating and Pope looked in wonderful touch as he cashed in against a tiring attack. Together they will look to push England towards 400, leaving their bowlers the safety net they might need on a sluggish pitch in Port Elizabeth.
South Africa, meanwhile, may once again lean on the twin pillars of Keshav Maharaj's spin and Kagiso Rabada's pace as they look to find a foothold in the game.
Stokes has the technique and the muscle to disrupt the rhythm Maharaj built-up on day one, however, and might be tempted by the challenge of hitting him out of the attack. But there is risk as well as reward in that strategy, with the left-arm spinner already subjecting Stokes to a couple of close shaves. Watch this space.
Zak Crawley has so far posted a new Test best score in each of his four innings for England. He started with a low base of one against New Zealand, then made four in his second knock. Things have slowly started to head in a more promising direction, with efforts of 25 and 44 suggesting a growing comfort with life at the highest level.
South Africa captain Faf du Plessis must have forgotten what it feels like to choose between batting and bowling, having lost six consecutive tosses in a row. He still has a little way to go before he matches compatriot Graeme Smith's worst run of eight successive losses between 2008-09. Former England skipper Nasser Hussain still holds the unwanted record, though, with 10 in a row from 2000-01.
Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior had a high-profile falling out after some incendiary comments in the former's autobiography. The pair were both rostered on as part of talkSPORT's commentary team for this match and rather than keep away from each other, they met in the middle ahead of play for a long chat and a handshake. Tweets from both proved that ill feelings have finally been left in the past.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Jurgen Klopp: Too many tournaments causes injuries and rescheduling of African Cup of Nations is 'ca

Jurgen Klopp: Too many tournaments causes injuries and rescheduling of African Cup of Nations is 'catastrophic'

Jürgen Klopp , the Liverpool manager , has said the 'catastrophic ' rescheduling of the African Cup of Nations will deter major clubs from targeting players from the continent in future as they know they will lose them in mid-season .
The 2021 tournament has been moved to January having been originally been arranged for the following summer .
It means Liverpool could lose Mohamed Salah , Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta for at least a month during a busy part of next season .
Klopp has often spoken out on the demands on players – he says Tottenham Hotspur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is due to the punishing schedule – so he is not impressed by the latest intervention by football ’ s administrators .
`` I could n't respect the African Cup of Nations more than I do because I like the competition , '' he said .
“ I watched it a lot in the past in my life – a very interesting tournament , sensational players .
It 's not the last time you see the players as they turn up in Europe , they turn up everywhere .
`` But it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tournament in the middle of the season .
Although it makes more sense for Africa to play it in our winter when the weather is better for them – I get that – a couple of things are not okay .
One thing is Fifa plans a [ club World Cup ] tournament in the summer of 2021 .
A week later the actual African Cup of Nations would have started – another tournament for a lot of world-class players .
I am not sure if that was part of the decision when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no sense to play it after that tournament , it makes sense to play it in the winter ' .
It ’ s still too many tournaments .

Jürgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has said the 'catastrophic' rescheduling of the African Cup of Nations will deter major clubs from targeting players from the continent in future as they know they will lose them in mid-season.
The 2021 tournament has been moved to January having been originally been arranged for the following summer. It means Liverpool could lose Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta for at least a month during a busy part of next season.
Klopp has often spoken out on the demands on players – he says Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane’s hamstring injury is due to the punishing schedule – so he is not impressed by the latest intervention by football’s administrators.
"I couldn't respect the African Cup of Nations more than I do because I like the competition," he said. “I watched it a lot in the past in my life – a very interesting tournament, sensational players. It's not the last time you see the players as they turn up in Europe, they turn up everywhere.
"But it is an obvious problem that you play a tournament in the middle of the season. Although it makes more sense for Africa to play it in our winter when the weather is better for them – I get that – a couple of things are not okay. One thing is Fifa plans a [club World Cup] tournament in the summer of 2021. A week later the actual African Cup of Nations would have started – another tournament for a lot of world-class players. I am not sure if that was part of the decision when they thought, 'Okay, it makes no sense to play it after that tournament, it makes sense to play it in the winter'. It’s still too many tournaments.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--UFC 246 Conor McGregor vs 'Cowboy' Cerrone: What time is the fight, how can I watch and what is our

UFC 246 Conor McGregor vs 'Cowboy' Cerrone: What time is the fight, how can I watch and what is our prediction?

What is it ?
Conor McGregor headlines UFC 246 as he makes his eagerly anticipated return to the octagon against American Donald 'Cowboy ' Cerrone .
When is it ?
The official date is Saturday , January 18 but due to the time difference it could be the early hours of Sunday , January 19 before fight fans in the UK and Ireland see McGregor in action .
Where is it ?
The T-Mobile Arena on the Las Vegas strip .
What time will it start ?
There are 12 fights on the undercard so the main section of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , meaning an early alarm call if you want to watch live .
How can I watch the fight ?
BT Sport are broadcasting the event via their pay-per-view box office channel and it is expected to set UK viewers back £20 ( price to be confirmed ) .
The fight can be purchased by viewers who have a Sky , Virgin or BT TV subscription .
If that does not apply to you , there is the option to set up a BT Sport Box Office online to watch on mobile @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Conor McGregor answered his critics with a blistering knockout of Donald Cerrone - brushing aside 'The Cowboy' in under 40 seconds at UFC 246.
In only his second bout since 2016 - a gap filled by outside-the-cage troubles - the Irishman returned to the Octagon with a bang.
The former two-division champion busted the nose of Cerrone in the fight's first skirmish before finishing him in a first-round TKO.
McGregor had not won since November 2016 when he stopped Eddie Alvarez, the lightweight, to become the first fighter in UFC history to hold two championship belts at the same time. McGregor then fought only his boxing match with Floyd Mayweather in 2017 before losing a one-sided UFC bout to lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2018.
But last night he leapt on top of the cage wall to celebrate with the thousands of fans in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Rain douses some Australian bush fires but flash floods now threaten wildlife

Heavy rains in fire-ravaged eastern Australia have brought welcome relief for firefighters and farmers , but sparked flash floods that have led to fresh scrambles to save native animals .
As the rain hit on Thursday the New South Wales State Emergency Services department warned that the sudden heavy downpours in some areas would bring flash flooding , falling trees and landslides where the fires have wiped out vegetation .
On Friday , the warnings were realised when flash floods hit the Australia Reptile Park on the NSW east coast , and the state 's koalas - having lost thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their habitat - needed to be rescued again as floods thundered down fire-blasted hills empty of vegetation .
Park director Tim Faulkner told local media that the sudden floods on Friday morning were “ incredible ” .
“ Just last week we were having daily meetings to discuss the imminent threat of bushfires , ” he said .
“ Today , we 've had the whole team out there , drenched , acting fast to secure the safety of our animals and defend the park from the onslaught of water… We have n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for over 15 years.
” And while the rains have doused fires in some areas , blazes continue to rage across many other parts of the country where the weather stayed dry , including in other parts of New South Wales where 82 fires were still burning , with 30 out of control , and in the state of Victoria , to the south .
Parts of the state ’ s Alpine region were evacuated again as erratic winds caused spot fires around a large blaze at Mount Buffalo .

Heavy rains in fire-ravaged eastern Australia have brought welcome relief for firefighters and farmers, but sparked flash floods that have led to fresh scrambles to save native animals.
As the rain hit on Thursday the New South Wales State Emergency Services department warned that the sudden heavy downpours in some areas would bring flash flooding, falling trees and landslides where the fires have wiped out vegetation.
On Friday, the warnings were realised when flash floods hit the Australia Reptile Park on the NSW east coast, and the state's koalas - having lost thousands of their number and huge swathes of their habitat - needed to be rescued again as floods thundered down fire-blasted hills empty of vegetation.
Park director Tim Faulkner told local media that the sudden floods on Friday morning were “incredible”.
“Just last week we were having daily meetings to discuss the imminent threat of bushfires,” he said.
“Today, we've had the whole team out there, drenched, acting fast to secure the safety of our animals and defend the park from the onslaught of water… We haven't seen flooding like this at the park for over 15 years.”
And while the rains have doused fires in some areas, blazes continue to rage across many other parts of the country where the weather stayed dry, including in other parts of New South Wales where 82 fires were still burning, with 30 out of control, and in the state of Victoria, to the south. Parts of the state’s Alpine region were evacuated again as erratic winds caused spot fires around a large blaze at Mount Buffalo.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Pitchside monitors to be used for VAR red card offences in Premier League – potentially by this week

Pitchside monitors to be used for VAR red card offences in Premier League – potentially by this weekend

Referees are finally set to start using pitchside monitors in Premier League matches – potentially as soon as this weekend @ @ @ @ @ to review their own decisions when it comes to possible sending-off offences amid a growing @ @ @ @ @ use the monitors once since Video Assistant Referees were introduced into the world ’ s @ @ @ @ @ during Arsenal ’ s draw at Crystal Palace last Saturday when Paul Tierney upgraded Pierre-Emerick @ @ @ @ @ to a red after consulting the VAR but without checking the monitor for himself .
@ @ @ @ @ tie a week earlier , Michael Oliver did utilise the pitchside monitor before upgrading Palace @ @ @ @ @ yellow card in their defeat against Derby County , something that merely raised further questions @ @ @ @ @ reviews in the Premier League .
But a referees summit this week saw officials encouraged @ @ @ @ @ themselves , with it felt Tierney should probably have made the final call last weekend @ @ @ @ @ make the decision more likely to be accepted by both players and fans .

Referees are finally set to start using pitchside monitors in Premier League matches – potentially as soon as this weekend.
Officials have been encouraged to review their own decisions when it comes to possible sending-off offences amid a growing outcry over their failure to use the monitors once since Video Assistant Referees were introduced into the world’s richest league.
That included during Arsenal’s draw at Crystal Palace last Saturday when Paul Tierney upgraded Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s yellow card to a red after consulting the VAR but without checking the monitor for himself.
In an FA Cup third-round tie a week earlier, Michael Oliver did utilise the pitchside monitor before upgrading Palace captain Luka Milivojevic’s yellow card in their defeat against Derby County, something that merely raised further questions about the lack of such reviews in the Premier League.
But a referees summit this week saw officials encouraged to review potential red-card incidents themselves, with it felt Tierney should probably have made the final call last weekend to confirm his authority and make the decision more likely to be accepted by both players and fans.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Can you ever stop your cat absconding and moving in with another family?

Cats are independent minded creatures : they do what they want to do .
Unless we take physical measures to restrict their activities ( and many people do , indeed , keep their cats indoors all the time ) , they are free to go where they wish .
And it can be argued that if they choose to spend time in someone else ’ s house , perhaps sometimes we should respect that wish .
Studies that analyse the provenance of pet cats show that a surprisingly high percentage have just turned up in people ’ s gardens .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a cat ; a cat just appears .
And in many cases , perhaps he/she had been someone else ’ s cat beforehand .
It ’ s only now , in an era of microchip identification and GPS tracking , that we are better able to monitor our cats ’ whereabouts .
The fact that the cat in the current saga was a pure-bred Maine Coon cat , with a tangible monetary value , adds another tweak to the story .
So what can cat owners ( or cat carers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do to ensure that their faithless felines stay at home ?
It helps to have a cat microchipped with a clear ID tag on their collar : Cats Protection figures show that 73 % of cats in England are now microchipped and many people take wandering cats to the vet to have them checked for a chip .
If you don ’ t want to keep your cat indoors all the time , consider cat containment systems such as specialised fencing ( e.g .
Protectapet.com ) designed to keep your cat safely in @ @ @ @

Cats are independent minded creatures: they do what they want to do. Unless we take physical measures to restrict their activities (and many people do, indeed, keep their cats indoors all the time), they are free to go where they wish. And it can be argued that if they choose to spend time in someone else’s house, perhaps sometimes we should respect that wish.
Studies that analyse the provenance of pet cats show that a surprisingly high percentage have just turned up in people’s gardens. People often don’t go out to get a cat; a cat just appears. And in many cases, perhaps he/she had been someone else’s cat beforehand. It’s only now, in an era of microchip identification and GPS tracking, that we are better able to monitor our cats’ whereabouts.
The fact that the cat in the current saga was a pure-bred Maine Coon cat, with a tangible monetary value, adds another tweak to the story.
So what can cat owners (or cat carers, as perhaps they should be called) do to ensure that their faithless felines stay at home?
It helps to have a cat microchipped with a clear ID tag on their collar: Cats Protection figures show that 73% of cats in England are now microchipped and many people take wandering cats to the vet to have them checked for a chip. If you don’t want to keep your cat indoors all the time, consider cat containment systems such as specialised fencing (e.g. Protectapet.com) designed to keep your cat safely in your own garden.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--American pancakes with honey-roasted pear, walnut, and vanilla ice cream recipe

This recipe makes a mouth-watering stack of American pancakes , served with honey-roasted pear , walnuts and scoops of vanilla ice cream .
The king of breakfasts .
• This pancake batter will keep for one or two days in the fridge .
Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and make a well in the middle .
Add the egg yolks and milk in the centre then , using a whisk , whisk the flour into them until you have a smooth batter .
• In a separate bowl , whisk the egg whites until they form @ @ @ @ @ @ @ egg and flour mixture and you ’ re good to go .
• Cut the pear into quarters and remove the core .
Cut each quarter lengthways into slices about 5mm thick .
Set aside .
• Heat a small frying pan and add the walnuts .
Toast gently over a low heat , taking care not to let them colour too much .
• Transfer to a plate and leave to cool .
When cool enough to handle , break each walnut into two to three pieces and set aside .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over a medium heat , then add the cinnamon .
When the butter starts to foam , add the pears and allow to sizzle for a minute .
• Add the honey and turn up the heat to high so the pears start to caramelise until they soften but still retain their shape – this should take no more than four to five minutes .
Turn off the heat and leave the pears in the pan .
• To cook the pancakes , heat a large frying pan over a medium heat .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s foaming , add two 50ml ladlefuls of pancake batter ( leaving a gap between them ) and cook for two minutes , or until they are light brown on the bottom and starting to set on the top .
• Flip over the pancakes and cook for a further minute or so , until brown on the undersides .
• Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining butter and batter to cook two more pancakes .
• Quickly reheat the pear caramel if necessary and spoon over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vanilla ice cream and sprinkle over the toasted walnuts .

This recipe makes a mouth-watering stack of American pancakes, served with honey-roasted pear, walnuts and scoops of vanilla ice cream. The king of breakfasts.
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 20 minutes
SERVES
Two
INGREDIENTS
For the pancakes:
125g self-raising flour
A pinch of sea salt flakes
2 eggs, separated
120ml milk
10g butter
For the pear:
1 pear
50g walnuts
20g butter
A pinch of ground cinnamon
50ml runny honey
Vanilla ice cream, to serve
METHOD
This pancake batter will keep for one or two days in the fridge. Sift the flour and salt into a mixing bowl and make a well in the middle. Add the egg yolks and milk in the centre then, using a whisk, whisk the flour into them until you have a smooth batter. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold them into the egg and flour mixture and you’re good to go. Cut the pear into quarters and remove the core. Cut each quarter lengthways into slices about 5mm thick. Set aside. Heat a small frying pan and add the walnuts. Toast gently over a low heat, taking care not to let them colour too much. Transfer to a plate and leave to cool. When cool enough to handle, break each walnut into two to three pieces and set aside. Melt the butter in the same pan over a medium heat, then add the cinnamon. When the butter starts to foam, add the pears and allow to sizzle for a minute. Add the honey and turn up the heat to high so the pears start to caramelise until they soften but still retain their shape – this should take no more than four to five minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the pears in the pan. To cook the pancakes, heat a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add half the butter and, when it’s foaming, add two 50ml ladlefuls of pancake batter (leaving a gap between them) and cook for two minutes, or until they are light brown on the bottom and starting to set on the top. Flip over the pancakes and cook for a further minute or so, until brown on the undersides. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining butter and batter to cook two more pancakes. Quickly reheat the pear caramel if necessary and spoon over the pancakes. Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkle over the toasted walnuts.
Recipe from Toast Hash Roast Mash by Dan Doherty (£20, Mitchell Beazley)


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Join Telegraph Rugby WhatsApp for news, analysis and talking points during the 2020 Six Nations

Stay up to date with all the action from the 2020 Six Nations with insights and talking points for all matches , plus alerts guiding you to the pick of The Telegraph ’ s rugby content .
Signing up is easy , just follow the steps below .
Your phone number will only be used to receive rugby alerts from The Telegraph .
Your phone number will not be exposed to people who use the service and will not be used for marketing purposes .
I have WhatsApp installed on my mobile • Tap here from your mobile .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you want to open WhatsApp .
Tap ‘ Open ’ .
• You will be taken through to WhatsApp and will see ‘ Start ’ in the message field .
Tap ‘ send ’ .
• You will receive a welcome message asking you to add our WhatsApp phone number to the contacts on your mobile .
You will need to do this in order to continue receiving updates from us .
• The process is now complete - we hope you enjoy our Rugby updates .
I do not have WhatsApp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for free from your mobile app store .

Stay up to date with all the action from the 2020 Six Nations with insights and talking points for all matches, plus alerts guiding you to the pick of The Telegraph’s rugby content. Signing up is easy, just follow the steps below.
Your phone number will only be used to receive rugby alerts from The Telegraph. Your phone number will not be exposed to people who use the service and will not be used for marketing purposes.
I have WhatsApp installed on my mobile
Tap here from your mobile. You will see a service message asking if you want to open WhatsApp. Tap ‘Open’. You will be taken through to WhatsApp and will see ‘Start’ in the message field. Tap ‘send’. You will receive a welcome message asking you to add our WhatsApp phone number to the contacts on your mobile. You will need to do this in order to continue receiving updates from us. The process is now complete - we hope you enjoy our Rugby updates.
I do not have WhatsApp installed on my mobile


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--The Age of Turmoil, Hastings Contemporary, review: staring into a cloudy, smoke-filled abyss

While lunching with friends on a fine Madrid day in 1936 , the British painter Edward Burra enquired about palls @ @ @ @ @ past .
“ Oh it ’ s nothing .
It ’ s only a church @ @ @ @ @ companions responded dismissively .
Burra later recalled , “ Everybody knew that something appalling was @ @ @ @ @ clouds brew across a number of the paintings in this small , intriguing exhibition of @ @ @ @ @ during the turbulent period between the depression and the post-war years of austerity .
It @ @ @ @ @ the worst of times , with global conflict , rising populism and economic stagnation accompanied @ @ @ @ @ In Graham Sutherland ’ s Welsh landscape with yellow lane ( 1939-1940 ) , a @ @ @ @ @ obscure the sun , while portentous plumes of smoke rise beyond the horizon .
The @ @ @ @ @ .

While lunching with friends on a fine Madrid day in 1936, the British painter Edward Burra enquired about palls of smoke he saw drifting past. “Oh it’s nothing. It’s only a church being burnt,” his companions responded dismissively. Burra later recalled, “Everybody knew that something appalling was about to happen.”
Ominous clouds brew across a number of the paintings in this small, intriguing exhibition of three British artists who worked during the turbulent period between the depression and the post-war years of austerity. It was, of course, the worst of times, with global conflict, rising populism and economic stagnation accompanied by fear and pessimism. In Graham Sutherland’s Welsh landscape with yellow lane (1939-1940), a gathering black mass threatens to obscure the sun, while portentous plumes of smoke rise beyond the horizon. The sense of anxiety is palpable.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Rare Edward VIII coin with monarch facing 'wrong' direction becomes most valuable British coin ever

Rare Edward VIII coin with monarch facing 'wrong' direction becomes most valuable British coin ever sold

A rare Edward VIII coin with the monarch facing the 'wrong ' direction has become the most valuable British coin ever sold .
The rare coin featuring the Queen 's uncle before he abdicated has been bought for £1 million , setting a new record .
The sovereign was snapped up by a private buyer in the UK , having been located by the Royal Mint from a collector in the US .
Detectives from the Royal Mint searched high and low for the owner of the elusive piece of currency after being asked by the secretive collector .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small collection of trial sets that were created when Edward ascended the throne , but they were never released to the public as he abdicated in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson .
The coin is also unique in that the former king broke with the tradition of the monarch 's heads facing in opposite directions , because he preferred his left profile , the Royal Mint said .
Rebecca Morgan , head of collector services , said : `` The Edward VIII sovereign is one of the rarest and most collectable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's no surprise that it has set a new record for British coinage .
`` We were delighted to be able to locate such a special coin for our customer , and bring it back to the UK to make history once more . ''

A rare Edward VIII coin with the monarch facing the 'wrong' direction has become the most valuable British coin ever sold.
The rare coin featuring the Queen's uncle before he abdicated has been bought for £1 million, setting a new record.
The sovereign was snapped up by a private buyer in the UK, having been located by the Royal Mint from a collector in the US.
Detectives from the Royal Mint searched high and low for the owner of the elusive piece of currency after being asked by the secretive collector.
The 22-carat gold coin was one of a small collection of trial sets that were created when Edward ascended the throne, but they were never released to the public as he abdicated in 1936 to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.
The coin is also unique in that the former king broke with the tradition of the monarch's heads facing in opposite directions, because he preferred his left profile, the Royal Mint said.
Rebecca Morgan, head of collector services, said: "The Edward VIII sovereign is one of the rarest and most collectable coins in the world, so it's no surprise that it has set a new record for British coinage.
"We were delighted to be able to locate such a special coin for our customer, and bring it back to the UK to make history once more."


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Sergio Garcia shoots 69 to move within two of Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship lead

The last time Sergio Garcia participated in a full-field event in the Arabian Desert , he gained infamy for being disqualified after digging up the greens in anger .
Here at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship , the Spaniard is back to doing what he does best - tearing up the course with a smile on his face .
A 69 took Garcia to eight-under and two of the halfway lead set by Italian Francesco Laporta .
On a day when the breezes were strong enough to kick up the sand , Garcia put on the type of ball-striking display @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game .
And , just as pertinently , there were none of the childish tantrums that have besmirched his reputation .
Indeed , it was difficult to equate this positive figure with the spoilt brat who took his frustrations out by damaging several putting surfaces with his club at last year ’ s Saudi International .
Garcia turned 40 over the Christmas break and he arrived here at the start of the week promising that golf “ would once again see the real Sergio ” .
These are early days in 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world No 41 , who is desperate to reclaim the form that so memorably featured him breaking his major duck at the 2017 Masters .

The last time Sergio Garcia participated in a full-field event in the Arabian Desert, he gained infamy for being disqualified after digging up the greens in anger. Here at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, the Spaniard is back to doing what he does best - tearing up the course with a smile on his face.
A 69 took Garcia to eight-under and two of the halfway lead set by Italian Francesco Laporta. On a day when the breezes were strong enough to kick up the sand, Garcia put on the type of ball-striking display that made him so admired across the game. And, just as pertinently, there were none of the childish tantrums that have besmirched his reputation.
Indeed, it was difficult to equate this positive figure with the spoilt brat who took his frustrations out by damaging several putting surfaces with his club at last year’s Saudi International. Garcia turned 40 over the Christmas break and he arrived here at the start of the week promising that golf “would once again see the real Sergio”.
These are early days in 2020, but so far it is positive for the world No 41, who is desperate to reclaim the form that so memorably featured him breaking his major duck at the 2017 Masters.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Sex Education, season 2 review: sweet, funny, admirable – but not very sexy

According to Netflix , Sex Education was one of the streamer ’ s most viewed shows of 2019 .
I ’ m not among its devoted fans , but what do I know ?
I ’ m way too old .
Old enough to remember the John Hughes films which apparently inspired the writer , Laurie Nunn , to set the series in a weird fictional universe that is ostensibly British ( the accents , the cynicism , the lead existing in a near-constant state of extreme social embarrassment ) , yet looks American ( the varsity jackets , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rains ) .
In common with those films , the cast are playing teenagers but all look 27 .
It is back for a second series .
Otis ( Asa Butterfield ) is no longer the unofficial school sex therapist .
Mortifyingly , his mother – an actual sex therapist , dismayed by the school ’ s sex and relationships education – installs herself in a classroom to offer advice .
She is played by Gillian Anderson , who brings a touch of class to proceedings by dint of being Gillian Anderson .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric ( Ncuti Gatwa , the best thing in it ) , is smitten by a hot French student .
And the sullen but vulnerable Maeve ( Emma Mackey ) returns , coping with a nightmare mother ( Anne-Marie Duff ) .

According to Netflix, Sex Education was one of the streamer’s most viewed shows of 2019. I’m not among its devoted fans, but what do I know? I’m way too old.
Old enough to remember the John Hughes films which apparently inspired the writer, Laurie Nunn, to set the series in a weird fictional universe that is ostensibly British (the accents, the cynicism, the lead existing in a near-constant state of extreme social embarrassment), yet looks American (the varsity jackets, the jocks, the campus where it never rains). In common with those films, the cast are playing teenagers but all look 27.
It is back for a second series. Otis (Asa Butterfield) is no longer the unofficial school sex therapist. Mortifyingly, his mother – an actual sex therapist, dismayed by the school’s sex and relationships education – installs herself in a classroom to offer advice. She is played by Gillian Anderson, who brings a touch of class to proceedings by dint of being Gillian Anderson. Otis’s exuberant best friend, Eric (Ncuti Gatwa, the best thing in it), is smitten by a hot French student. And the sullen but vulnerable Maeve (Emma Mackey) returns, coping with a nightmare mother (Anne-Marie Duff).


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Chinese New Year 2020: Rats, luck and why you should avoid medicine, laundry and crying children

Chinese New Year is fast approaching – and with it comes a host of superstitions that will apparently dictate how the next 12 months will play out for each of us .
Washing clothes , using scissors and sweeping floors are some of the easier omens to sidestep .
However , parents might find it difficult to dodge crying children and – on the more extreme end of the scale – women might find it difficult to avoid leaving the house all day .
According to Chinese superstition , doing any of these on January 25th – the day Chinese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead to bad luck for the entire coming year .
But it isn ’ t all doom and gloom : 2020 is the Year of the Rat , an animal that symbolises wealth and the beginning of a new day .
Here is everything you need to know about the annual celebration , as well as recipes to cook for a delicious family feast and why the Year of the Rat will be more lucky for some than others .
When is Chinese New Year ?
The annual celebration begins on the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb 20 .
The Chinese year will start on 25 Jan 2020 and end on 11 Feb 2021 , when the Year of the Ox begins .

Chinese New Year starts today – and with it comes a host of superstitions that will apparently dictate how the next 12 months will play out for each of us.
Washing clothes, using scissors and sweeping floors are some of the easier omens to sidestep. However, parents might find it difficult to dodge crying children and – on the more extreme end of the scale – women might find it difficult to avoid leaving the house all day.
According to Chinese superstition, doing any of these on Feb 1 – the day Chinese New Year falls in 2022 – will lead to bad luck for the entire coming year. But it isn’t all doom and gloom as 2022 is the Year of the Tiger, an animal that symbolises strength and being brave.
Here is everything you need to know about the annual celebration, as well as recipes to cook for a delicious family feast.
When is Chinese New Year 2022?
The Chinese year starts on Feb 1 2022 and ends on January 31 2023, when the Year of the Water Rabbit begins.
The new year, also known in China as the Spring Festival, is marked by the lunisolar Chinese calendar; this means the date changes from year to year.
The festivities usually start the day before the new year and continue until the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new year.
The Chinese zodiac is divided into 12 blocks (or houses) just like its western counterpart, but with the major difference that each house has a time-length of one year instead of one month.
Each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac – last year was the Year of the Ox.
Year of the Tiger
People born in the Year of the Tiger are characterised as being brave, competitive and confident. But, on the other hand, they can sometimes be unpredictable, irritable, and overindulgent.
Lucky numbers for people born in the Year of the Tiger are one, three and four, and their lucky colours are blue, grey and orange. Their lucky flowers are cinerarias and anthuriums.
Which Chinese zodiac sign are you?
Your sign is derived from the year you were born in the Chinese lunar calendar.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--'I just want to actually be good at rugby again' – former player of year Harriet Millar-Mills contin

'I just want to actually be good at rugby again' – former player of year Harriet Millar-Mills continues rehabilitation

Injury nightmare does not quite do justice to the ordeal that Harriet Millar-Mills has faced to get back on the pitch .
Three knee surgeries and a total of 22 months out of rugby have been endured , but Millar-Mills is back and performing impressively for Wasps .
The back rower ’ s injury saga began just two months after playing for England in their 2017 Rugby World Cup final defeat to New Zealand .
“ I did not know if I was going to come back at all , ” says Millar-Mills .
“ I could have come back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too much for me .
“ It has been difficult .
I ’ m nowhere near as good as when I got injured , just because my instincts aren ’ t quite there yet .
I just want to actually be good at rugby again.
” Although Millar-Mills had concerns about her ability to reproduce her pre-injury form , her experience and leadership has been an added bonus to a Wasps side that is starting to compete with the league ’ s best .
The Stockport-born No 8 first played rugby at nine-years-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edgeley Park , and never looked back .
Millar-Mills was first capped by England in 2011 , amassing 51 caps while also winning the Women ’ s Premiership Players ’ Player of the Year award twice .

Injury nightmare does not quite do justice to the ordeal that Harriet Millar-Mills has faced to get back on the pitch. Three knee surgeries and a total of 22 months out of rugby have been endured, but Millar-Mills is back and performing impressively for Wasps.
The back rower’s injury saga began just two months after playing for England in their 2017 Rugby World Cup final defeat to New Zealand.
“I did not know if I was going to come back at all,” says Millar-Mills. “I could have come back and the game could have moved on too much for me.
“It has been difficult. I’m nowhere near as good as when I got injured, just because my instincts aren’t quite there yet. I just want to actually be good at rugby again.”
Although Millar-Mills had concerns about her ability to reproduce her pre-injury form, her experience and leadership has been an added bonus to a Wasps side that is starting to compete with the league’s best.
The Stockport-born No 8 first played rugby at nine-years-old, inspired by watching Sale play at Edgeley Park, and never looked back. Millar-Mills was first capped by England in 2011, amassing 51 caps while also winning the Women’s Premiership Players’ Player of the Year award twice.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Drinkers in City pub being charged more after 10pm as they pass council late night levy' on to custo

Drinkers in City pub being charged more after 10pm as they pass council late night levy' on to customers

Drinkers in a City of London pub are being charged more after 10pm as they are accused of passing a council `` late night levy '' onto customers .
The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields , which has been in place since the 18th century , is known for allegedly being a haunt of victims of Jack the Ripper .
It has also appeared in Jamie Oliver television shows ; the celebrity cook 's great-great-grandfather was a landlord of the pub during the 1880s .
Customers visiting the pub have noticed that after a certain time of night , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their beers .
Matt Broad was shocked to see , when looking at his receipt , that he had been charged extra money for ordering a pint after 10pm .
His receipt shows that a normal pint is £6.40 , but that `` late night pricing '' adds 65p to the beverage , pushing the price to £7.15 .
This practice is not advertised on the pub 's website , and Mr Broad claimed it was not made clear in the pub before he paid .
Mr Broad labelled this `` disgusting behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pub : `` Charging an additional cost for “ late night ” at 10pm .
Are you for real ?
Where is that advertised in the pub ? ''

Drinkers in a City of London pub are being charged more after 10pm as they are accused of passing a council "late night levy" onto customers.
The Ten Bells pub in Spitalfields, which has been in place since the 18th century, is known for allegedly being a haunt of victims of Jack the Ripper.
It has also appeared in Jamie Oliver television shows; the celebrity cook's great-great-grandfather was a landlord of the pub during the 1880s.
Customers visiting the pub have noticed that after a certain time of night, they are charged 10 per cent more for their beers.
Matt Broad was shocked to see, when looking at his receipt, that he had been charged extra money for ordering a pint after 10pm.
His receipt shows that a normal pint is £6.40, but that "late night pricing" adds 65p to the beverage, pushing the price to £7.15. This practice is not advertised on the pub's website, and Mr Broad claimed it was not made clear in the pub before he paid.
Mr Broad labelled this "disgusting behaviour", adding in a tweet to the pub: "Charging an additional cost for “late night” at 10pm. Are you for real? Where is that advertised in the pub?"


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Eminem, Music to be Murdered By, review: ‘so lethally brilliant it should be a crime’

More than two decades have passed since Eminem ’ s breakout single My Name Is… arrived , announcing him as the most outrageously skillful rapper of his time .
At 47 , Marshall Mathers Jr shows no signs of slowing down – if anything , he ’ s speeding up .
At the frenetic conclusion of monster new track Godzilla , he knocks out 229 words ( containing 339 syllables ) in 30 seconds ; some rap websites are already claiming the average of 7.6 words per second a world record .
What is more impressive is that he makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m unfadable / You wan na battle , I ’ m available , I ’ m blowin ’ up like an inflatable / I ’ m undebatable , I ’ m unavoidable , I ’ m unevadable.
” I am not sure the latter is actually a word but you know exactly what he means : every rapper who wants to lay claim to the hip hop crown is going to have to get past Eminem first .
The grandstanding champion has pugnaciously inserted himself into the new decade by dropping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ melodramatic and brilliant as anything he has ever done .
The lugubrious tones of Alfred Hitchcock provide spoken interludes and thematic context , sampled from a 1958 orchestral compilation from which Eminem has also borrowed the title , Music to Be Murdered By .
Homicide is a repeated subject ( as it has been throughout Eminem ’ s career ) , although the angle shifts from lurid first person fictional narratives of violence to jokey threats and musical metaphors , with Eminem rapping about poisonous pens and threatening to “ murder this beat @ @ @ @ @ @ @

More than two decades have passed since Eminem’s breakout single My Name Is… arrived, announcing him as the most outrageously skillful rapper of his time. At 47, Marshall Mathers III shows no signs of slowing down – if anything, he’s speeding up. At the frenetic conclusion of monster new track Godzilla, he knocks out 229 words (containing 339 syllables) in 30 seconds; some rap websites are already claiming the average of 7.6 words per second a world record.
What is more impressive is that he makes every word count. He declares “I’m unfadable / You wanna battle, I’m available, I’m blowin’ up like an inflatable / I’m undebatable, I’m unavoidable, I’m unevadable.” I am not sure the latter is actually a word but you know exactly what he means: every rapper who wants to lay claim to the hip hop crown is going to have to get past Eminem first. The grandstanding champion has pugnaciously inserted himself into the new decade by dropping an unannounced double album as punchy, melodramatic and brilliant as anything he has ever done.
The lugubrious tones of Alfred Hitchcock provide spoken interludes and thematic context, sampled from a 1958 orchestral compilation from which Eminem has also borrowed the title, Music to Be Murdered By. Homicide is a repeated subject (as it has been throughout Eminem’s career), although the angle shifts from lurid first person fictional narratives of violence to jokey threats and musical metaphors, with Eminem rapping about poisonous pens and threatening to “murder this beat” on closing track I Will.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Poor knights of Windsor (French toast) recipe

This French toast-style dish makes a luxurious breakfast treat or a lovely addition to a brunch spread .
You can use white bread or brioche , raspberries or strawberries — the final result is guaranteed to be delicious .
Just be sure to leave your bread out the night before so that it gets slightly stale .
• Leave the four slices of bread or brioche on a wire rack to dry out overnight .
• The next day , beat together the egg yolks , sugar , milk and sherry .
• Pour this into a shallow , flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bread in the mixture , leaving it in for about 30 seconds so that the bread soaks up the liquid but doesn ’ t break up , and can still be fried .
• Gently melt a knob of butter in a large non-stick frying pan and fry two slices of soaked bread at a time , turning them once they are browned underneath so that both sides turn golden .
Lift them out on to a wire rack to drain and repeat with the rest of the bread .
• Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pan , just enough to bring out the flavour .
Use a fork to break the berries down a bit .
• Whip the chilled cream and icing sugar together until thick .
• To assemble , put each slice of bread on a plate and top with the warm fruit .
Put a spoonful of the whipped cream over the fruit and serve .

This French toast-style dish makes a luxurious breakfast treat or a lovely addition to a brunch spread. You can use white bread or brioche, raspberries or strawberries — the final result is guaranteed to be delicious.
Just be sure to leave your bread out the night before so that it gets slightly stale.
Prep time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes
SERVES
Four
INGREDIENTS
4 slices of white bread or brioche
4 egg yolks
1 tbsp sugar
150ml milk
50ml sherry
Butter to fry with
200g raspberries or strawberries
200ml chilled double cream
1 level tbsp icing sugar
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Football for sale: Agents and manager sentenced over corruption scandal

Two players ’ agents and a club manager have been condemned by a judge for their willingness to use bribery and corruption for financial gain as he handed them a total of four and a half years suspended sentences for their part in a scandal which shocked the game .
The three had been convicted of bribery charges last month , after an investigation by The Daily Telegraph exposed their activities .
Giuseppe ‘ Pino ’ Pagliara , Dax Price and Tommy Wright were found guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes in order to gain influence in the selection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three men had their sentences suspended and will not spend any time behind bars only because of what His Honour Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC described as a set of “ wholly exceptional set ” of personal circumstance and family responsibilities .
Pagliara , 64 , of Bury , Greater Manchester , who the judge said played a “ leading role ” in the offences , was sentenced to two years concurrently for each of two counts of paying and facilitating a bribe .
The sentence was suspended for two years , with Pagliara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in the community and subjected to a 7pm to 7am curfew .

Two players’ agents and a club manager have been condemned by a judge for their willingness to use bribery and corruption for financial gain as he handed them a total of four and a half years suspended sentences for their part in a scandal which shocked the game.
The three had been convicted of bribery charges last month, after an investigation by The Daily Telegraph exposed their activities.
Giuseppe ‘Pino’ Pagliara, Dax Price and Tommy Wright were found guilty of soliciting and accepting bribes in order to gain influence in the selection, management and ownership of players.
The three men had their sentences suspended and will not spend any time behind bars only because of what His Honour Judge Jeffrey Pegden QC described as a set of “wholly exceptional set” of personal circumstance and family responsibilities.
Pagliara, 64, of Bury, Greater Manchester, who the judge said played a “leading role” in the offences, was sentenced to two years concurrently for each of two counts of paying and facilitating a bribe.
The sentence was suspended for two years, with Pagliara having to undertake 300 hours of unpaid work in the community and subjected to a 7pm to 7am curfew.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Hotel Hit Squad: Great Scotland Yard isn’t as arresting as it should be for the price – except for R

Hotel Hit Squad: Great Scotland Yard isn’t as arresting as it should be for the price – except for Robin Gill's rustic, honest food

Contrived .
That ’ s the first word that bubbles into my mind about this spanking new luxury hotel just @ @ @ @ @ s not the only word – there are others more flattering , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ so many new places these days .
Springing up from nowhere , appropriating buildings that @ @ @ @ @ of hospitality , these newcomers don ’ t have the time-worn confidence to simply 'be @ @ @ @ @ with teams of mood board-wielding designers and consultants and specially commissioned art installations , they @ @ @ @ @ seem – to me at least – too carefully constructed to resonate and have soul @ @ @ @ @ t looking for soul , or don ’ t think you are .
If it @ @ @ @ @ bolt-hole you are after , one with the cachet of a famous name , then @ @ @ @ @ do very nicely .
That you will fall in love with it , I doubt @

f it’s a slick new bolt-hole you are after, one with the cachet of a famous name, then Great Scotland Yard will probably do very nicely


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Spinach and parsley soda bread recipe

Spinach and parsley soda bread recipe

Soda bread is beautifully quick and simple to make , and provides instant gratification .
Toasted and slathered in salted butter , soda bread is comforting and wholesome , particularly when served with a warming bowl of soup .
Think of this recipe as a template : the ingredients can be easily swapped and substituted .
Try rocket , watercress or wild garlic to replace spinach and parsley .
• 150ml whole milk , plus extra for brushing • Place all of the ingredients , except for the garlic , spinach , parsley and cheese , into a large bowl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• Chop the garlic finely then place in a food processor with the spinach and parsley .
Blitz on a high speed until finely chopped , about 45 seconds .
• Tip into the bowl and add 50g of the Parmesan .
Roughly knead to combine .
• Lightly flour your work surface and a baking tray .
Tip the dough out onto the surface and knead a little more or until just combined .
This won ’ t take much longer than a minute .
• Shape however you fancy ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slash the dough with a sharp knife – or oval loaf ) , then transfer to the baking tray .
Brush a little milk all over the top then sprinkle with the remaining grated cheese .
This will give it a lovely golden crust .
• Bake for roughly 30 minutes , or until the bread sounds hollow when tapped underneath .
Allow to cool fully before slicing .

Soda bread is beautifully quick and simple to make, and provides instant gratification. Toasted and slathered in salted butter, soda bread is comforting and wholesome, particularly when served with a warming bowl of soup.
Think of this recipe as a template: the ingredients can be easily swapped and substituted. Try rocket, watercress or wild garlic to replace spinach and parsley.
Prep time: 8 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes
MAKES
One loaf
INGREDIENTS
450g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
150ml whole milk, plus extra for brushing
150g yogurt
2 cloves garlic
50g spinach
50g bunch parsley
70g Parmesan, finely grated
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Fig and fennel soda bread recipe

Fig and fennel soda bread recipe

Soda bread is beautifully quick and simple to make , and provides instant gratification .
Toasted and slathered in salted @ @ @ @ @ comforting and wholesome .
Think of this recipe as a template : the ingredients can @ @ @ @ @ .
Try other dried fruits and seeds such as apricots , caraway seeds , dates @ @ @ @ @ fig and fennel .
• Place all of the ingredients , except the figs , @ @ @ @ @ with a big pinch of salt .
Chop the figs into smallish chunks then add @ @ @ @ @ knead to combine .
• Lightly flour your work surface and a baking tray .
@ @ @ @ @ the surface and knead a little more or until just combined .
This won ’ @ @ @ @ @ a minute .
• Shape however you fancy , whether in a round or oval @ @ @ @ @ the baking tray .
• Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the bread @ @ @ @ @ .
Allow to cool fully before slicing .

Soda bread is beautifully quick and simple to make, and provides instant gratification. Toasted and slathered in salted butter, soda bread is comforting and wholesome.
Think of this recipe as a template: the ingredients can be easily swapped and substituted. Try other dried fruits and seeds such as apricots, caraway seeds, dates and sesame in place of fig and fennel.
Prep time: 8 minutes | Cooking time: 30 minutes
MAKES
One loaf
INGREDIENTS
350g self-raising flour, plus extra for dusting
100g rye flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
200ml whole milk
150g yogurt
2 tsp fennel seeds
150g dried figs
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Soda bread and apple jelly recipe

Soda bread and apple jelly recipe

We juice our own apples at The Sportsman , but I would recommend Duskin ’ s Bramley apple juice , available from goodnessdirect.co.uk .
Prep time : 15 minutes plus 8 hours chilling time for the jelly | Cooking time : 40 minutes • Start the apple jelly in advance .
Soak the gelatin leaves in a bowl of cold water for a few minutes until they are soft , then gently squeeze them with your hands to drain out the water .
• Pour 100ml of the apple juice in a saucepan and heat to just below boiling point @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cool for a minute , then add the gelatin to the pan and stir to dissolve .
• Add this mixture to the rest of the apple juice and pour into a plastic container .
Cover with cling film and put in the fridge to set for at least eight hours .
This is delicious with any game dish or with cold meats .
• Mix all dry ingredients together in an electric mixer , then add the treacle , yogurt and milk .
Mix gently to combine , then turn out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surface .
• Shape the dough with your hands into a loaf , a bit like a flattened rugby ball .
Make three diagonal shallow slashes across the top of the dough with a knife .
• Carefully transfer the loaf to a floured tray and bake for 10 minutes , then reduce the temperature to 160C/140C Fan/Gas 3 .
• Bake for another 30 minutes .
Tap the underside of the loaf – the bread is done when it sounds hollow .
• To serve , slice the bread and spread the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the jelly on top , then top with a little smoked fish and shredded sorrel .

We juice our own apples at The Sportsman, but I would recommend Duskin’s Bramley apple juice, available from goodnessdirect.co.uk.
Prep time: 15 minutes plus 8 hours chilling time for the jelly | Cooking time: 40 minutes
MAKES
One loaf
INGREDIENTS
For the apple jelly:
10g gelatin leaves
500ml good-quality, clear apple juice
For the soda bread:
220g wholemeal flour
110g self-raising flour
110g medium oatmeal
50g bran
30g wheatgerm
20g salt
10g bicarbonate of soda
4 tbsp black treacle
2 tbsp natural yogurt
300g milk
To serve:
Cream cheese
Smoked eel, smoked mackerel, smoked salmon or gravlax
Sorrel, chopped
METHOD


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Exclusive: MPs' £500,000 bill to sound 'Brexit bongs' is 35 times more  than chiming Big Ben on New

Exclusive: MPs' £500,000 bill to sound 'Brexit bongs' is 35 times more  than chiming Big Ben on New Year's Eve

The MPs ' £500,000 estimate of allowing Big Ben to bong on Brexit night is more than 30 times more @ @ @ @ @ Parliament 's Great Bell on New Year 's Eve , The Daily Telegraph can disclose @ @ @ @ @ the House of Commons 's Commission decision not to allow Big Ben to chime at @ @ @ @ @ grounds of cost .
It will put further pressure on Parliament to allow the bongs @ @ @ @ @ today £220,000 had been raised by members of the public to cover the cost of @ @ @ @ @ The Commission formally rejected a request to allow the Great Bell to chime on Monday @ @ @ @ @ it would cost £500,000 .
This covered the cost of reinstating a floor underneath Big @ @ @ @ @ New Year ’ s Day , as well as reinstalling the temporary equipment needed to @ @ @ @ @ that figure has been called into question after Sir Paul Beresford , a senior Tory @ @ @ @ @ that the bell cost just £14,200 to sound on other occasions .

The MPs' £500,000 estimate of allowing Big Ben to bong on Brexit night is more than 30 times more than the bill for sounding Parliament's Great Bell on New Year's Eve, The Daily Telegraph can disclose.
The news risks undermining the House of Commons's Commission decision not to allow Big Ben to chime at 11pm on Jan 31 on grounds of cost.
It will put further pressure on Parliament to allow the bongs to sound. By lunchtime today £220,000 had been raised by members of the public to cover the cost of the Brexit night bongs.
The Commission formally rejected a request to allow the Great Bell to chime on Monday saying that contractors had said it would cost £500,000.
This covered the cost of reinstating a floor underneath Big Ben that was removed after New Year’s Day, as well as reinstalling the temporary equipment needed to make the bell sound
However that figure has been called into question after Sir Paul Beresford, a senior Tory MP, told MPs today that the bell cost just £14,200 to sound on other occasions.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--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?

The post-World Cup reboot is a glorious thing - tearing down the mediocrity of the previous cycle , looking to @ @ @ @ @ supporters and then , ideally , actually win a game or two .
Stuart Lancaster @ @ @ @ @ that process in the 2010s with England , naming nine and eight uncapped players respectively @ @ @ @ @ charge .
Both of those overhauls look remarkably tentative compared to what France are now @ @

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--2020-01-17--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--2020-01-17--Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury 2: What date is the fight, what TV channel is it on and what is our pre

Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury 2: What date is the fight, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

What are they saying ?
`` I tell people all the time my intellect is very high in the ring so I know exactly what I 'm doing , '' Wilder , 34 , told Sky Sports .
`` I had to calculate Ortiz perfectly , he 's very dangerous in that ring as you can see , that 's why no other heavyweight wanted to give him the opportunity .
He 's very smart '' Once I got him I set him up and that was the shot .
I always say these guys have to be perfect for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be perfect for two seconds and each and every time I 've proved that .
`` Tyson Fury is definitely next and then after that I want a unification bout with whoever wins between ( Anthony ) Joshua and ( Andy ) Ruiz Jr. '' Right now we 're ready for Tyson Fury .
Hopefully he 's ready for me , I know his trainer 's here so I hope he got some notes down .
I 'm ready to go at any give time and any given moment and February is looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest news ?
Attentions will turn to Wilder v Fury 2 after this week 's fight between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr .
The winner will likely take on Wilder or Fury later in 2020 .
Details of Wilder and Fury 's rematch could be announced in the days to come .
What is our prediction ?
Somewhat hypothetical with the fight yet to be announced , but Fury will feel he was unfortunate not to get the judges ' verdict 12 months ago and will be out to win this @ @ @

The world knew that Tyson Fury was special, but the performance to brutally dominate Deontay Wilder with a blend of boxing nous combined with power and poise raises the 31-year-old pugilist of the traveller race to the level of extraordinary.
The 'Gypsy King' compelled the dangerous knockout artist Wilder to a forlorn figure, beaten up, bleeding from the ear, bullied to the level that the Alabaman's corner threw in the towel in the seventh round after an unabated beating.
It was offensively brilliant, and defensively savvy. It was so one-sided, it is doubtful whether Wilder will activate the trilogy rematch clause. It is hard to see how Wilder ever beats Fury.
Worth recalling, too, that Fury was seemingly a clear winner in the first fight 14 months ago. Fury claimed the World Boxing Council belt - the only belt he had not won from Wladimir Klitschko when he became the world No 1 five years ago - to complete the clean sweep.
Those in boxing, those who know their boxing, have always held Fury as the best boxer of the generation, and on current form, Fury would be too hard a puzzle, moreover, for Anthony Joshua, who now holds the other three world title belts. This was one of the great performances by a British boxer abroad, just like his display against Klitschko, and Lennox Lewis, the last undisputed heavyweight champion, working ringside on the television broadcast, nodded approvingly at Fury's every move.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Liverpool vs Manchester United: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our pred

Liverpool vs Manchester United: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

What is it ?
Why , it 's only the Premier League meeting between the European and world club champions and the most successful league team in English football .
One of the fiercest and , traditionally bitterest , rivalries and most watched game in world football : Liverpool vs Manchester United .
When is it ?
Referee Craig Pawson will get the match at Anfield under way at 4.30pm ( GMT ) .
Assistants Richard West and Scott Ledger will run the lines , while Jonathan Moss will act as fourth official .
The VAR is Paul Tierney , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the assistant .
What TV channel is it on ?
The big match will be broadcast on Sky Sports , but you can follow all the action from Anfield right here in our live blog .
Simply bookmark this page and return on Sunday afternoon for all the build-up , team news , live minute-by-minute commentary , on-the-whistle quotes and post-match analysis .
Yes folks , we really do have this one covered .
What is the team news ?
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is still without James Milner , who picked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cup tie with Everton , while Naby Keïta is still not 100 cer cent fit .
Dejan Lovren , Joel Matip and Fabinho , however , are nearing their comebacks and are understood to be back in training .
The biggest concern for Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is the fitness of the in-form Marcus Rashford who managed to get injured after coming off the bench in the mid-week Cup replay against Wolves .
Rashford remains a huge doubt for the United manager who has admitted his Cup risk backfired massively just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest matches of the season for United supporters .
What are we saying about the match ?
Jamie Carragher , the former Liverpool centre-back and Telegraph Sport columnist , has likened the Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp to Sir Alex Ferguson , the great Scot that forged a dynasty while at Manchester United in the late 1990s through to his Old Trafford exit .
Jürgen Klopp has moved Liverpool so far ahead because rather than buy a team of superstars , he has made a team of superstars .
Klopp did not rebuild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means , or because he had financial backing his predecessors or title-challenging managers at other clubs were denied .
Read the full Carragher column right here .
.
.

The moment came at 6.22pm on January 19. It was not when Mohamed Salah sent the ball low into the net to end any doubt that Liverpool would beat Manchester United or when Alisson sprinted from his goal to knee-slide into the celebrations and enjoy his rare assist.
Instead it came a few seconds later when referee Craig Pawson blew the final whistle – Salah’s strike proving to be the last kick of the game – with the Liverpool fans raucously chanting: “We’re going to win the league. We’re going to win the league. And now you are going to believe us, we’re going to win the league.” It was the first time it had been sung.
Of course they are going to win the Premier League. The wait will soon be over, the clock will soon stop, after 30 years, but this was the first time that the Liverpool supporters have allowed themselves to say that publically. The first time they could not contain themselves any more and told the rest of the world what it already knew.
Inevitably and understandably Jurgen Klopp played it down. “Everyone should celebrate the situation apart from us,” the Liverpool manager said. “Nothing has changed, we have the same situation plus three points.” But the basic mathematics reveals it all. Liverpool are 16 points clear at the top, with a game in hand, and can afford to lose six of their final 16 games which is almost unthinkable for a side who have collected their seventh successive clean sheet and are marshalled so dominantly by the peerless Virgil Van Dijk.
Liverpool are also a stunning 30 points ahead of fifth-place United who, remarkably, have lost nine of their last 16 away league games and who are going to have to cope without Marcus Rashford for up to three months after he has suffered a double stress fracture to his back - presumably from carrying the team for so long.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--China's Xi Jinping visits Burma in boost for Aung San Suu Kyi ahead of genocide ruling

Chinese president Xi Jinping is visiting Myanmar to finalise billions of dollars in investment projects , and to shore up Beijing ’ s influence over the pariah South East Asian nation shunned by the West over its brutal policies toward ethnic Rohingya Muslims .
The two-day trip is Mr Xi ’ s inaugural state visit this year , and the first by a Chinese president in 20 years .
Mr Xi is expected to meet with top leaders including Myanmar president U Win Myint and state councillor Aung San Suu Kyi , the de facto government leader .
Deals on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deep-sea port in western Rakhine state , the centre of the Rohingya conflict .
Related projects are also planned , including a high-speed rail link connecting the port to southern China , along with a vast industrial park .
Together , these infrastructure investments are seen as China ’ s gateway to the Indian Ocean .
Both nations have hailed the trip as bringing them closer than ever after seven decades – Myanmar was the first non-Communist country to recognise China after the Chinese Communist Party took power in 1949 .
And China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partner .
But experts say it ’ s a fraught bilateral relationship that has , at least for now , reached a convenient time for the two sides to cosy up .

Chinese president Xi Jinping is visiting Myanmar to finalise billions of dollars in investment projects, and to shore up Beijing’s influence over the pariah South East Asian nation shunned by the West over its brutal policies toward ethnic Rohingya Muslims.
The two-day trip is Mr Xi’s inaugural state visit this year, and the first by a Chinese president in 20 years.
Mr Xi is expected to meet with top leaders including Myanmar president U Win Myint and state councillor Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto government leader.
Deals on the table include a landmark £1 billion deep-sea port in western Rakhine state, the centre of the Rohingya conflict. Related projects are also planned, including a high-speed rail link connecting the port to southern China, along with a vast industrial park.
Together, these infrastructure investments are seen as China’s gateway to the Indian Ocean.
Both nations have hailed the trip as bringing them closer than ever after seven decades – Myanmar was the first non-Communist country to recognise China after the Chinese Communist Party took power in 1949. And China is now Myanmar’s top trading partner.
But experts say it’s a fraught bilateral relationship that has, at least for now, reached a convenient time for the two sides to cosy up.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--China's birthrate falls to lowest level under Communism despite push for more babies

China ’ s birth rate fell to its lowest last year since the Communist Party took power 70 years ago @ @ @ @ @ challenges will drag growth in the world ’ s second-largest economy .
Despite abolishing the @ @ @ @ @ posted 10.48 births per thousand people last year , the lowest since 1949 , according @ @ @ @ @ bureau of statistics .
That amounted to 580,000 fewer babies in 2019 , compared to @ @ @ @ @ is battling a shrinking labour force , squeezed on both ends by a fast-aging population @ @ @ @ @ trajectory that will impact growth at a time the economy is already suffering .
On @ @ @ @ @ GDP growth of 6.1 per cent , the lowest rate in three decades .
The @ @ @ @ @ has been on the decline since 2012 , and is expected to fall roughly 23 @ @ @ @ @ according to official data .
To mitigate the demographics challenge , Chinese authorities abolished the @ @ @ @ @ in 2015 , allowing couples to have two children .

China’s birth rate fell to its lowest last year since the Communist Party took power 70 years ago, exacerbating concerns that population challenges will drag growth in the world’s second-largest economy.
Despite abolishing the one-child policy, the country posted 10.48 births per thousand people last year, the lowest since 1949, according to China’s national bureau of statistics. That amounted to 580,000 fewer babies in 2019, compared to the previous year.
China is battling a shrinking labour force, squeezed on both ends by a fast-aging population and waning births, a trajectory that will impact growth at a time the economy is already suffering. On Friday, China posted annual GDP growth of 6.1 per cent, the lowest rate in three decades.
The country’s working-age population has been on the decline since 2012, and is expected to fall roughly 23 per cent by 2050, according to official data.
To mitigate the demographics challenge, Chinese authorities abolished the controversial “one-child” policy in 2015, allowing couples to have two children.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Put rotting logs in your garden to help bugs whose habitats are being destroyed by patios and deckin

Put rotting logs in your garden to help bugs whose habitats are being destroyed by patios and decking, nature organisations say

Put rotting logs in your garden to help the bugs who face extinction in a `` sea of tarmac drives and concrete patios '' , nature organisations have said .
The Woodland Trust said that rotting wood is usually looked at with suspicion as British people are afraid it is dirty and carries diseases .
The organisation explained : `` Dead and decaying wood can have negative connotations .
When walking through a wood , people may see rotting logs or broken branches and think that the woodland is unhealthy or dangerous .
In actual fact , the risks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small , yet the value to ecosystem health is enormous .
`` We would advise leaving deadwood in gardens as it provides a valuable habitat for wildlife . ''
Leaving a pile of decaying wood at the bottom of the garden provides food and home to a plethora of fungi , thousands of invertebrate species , and even birds and mammals , the organisation added .
The Wildlife Trusts agreed , adding that many British gardens are `` part of a sea of tarmac drives and concrete patios '' , so space for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logs from a firewood dealer and leaving them to rot , which provides habitat for birds , hedgehogs and frogs who will feed on the bugs attracted to the decaying matter .

Put rotting logs in your garden to help the bugs who face extinction in a "sea of tarmac drives and concrete patios", nature organisations have said.
The Woodland Trust said that rotting wood is usually looked at with suspicion as British people are afraid it is dirty and carries diseases.
The organisation explained: "Dead and decaying wood can have negative connotations. When walking through a wood, people may see rotting logs or broken branches and think that the woodland is unhealthy or dangerous. In actual fact, the risks to people posed by decaying wood are usually small, yet the value to ecosystem health is enormous.
"We would advise leaving deadwood in gardens as it provides a valuable habitat for wildlife."
Leaving a pile of decaying wood at the bottom of the garden provides food and home to a plethora of fungi, thousands of invertebrate species, and even birds and mammals, the organisation added.
The Wildlife Trusts agreed, adding that many British gardens are "part of a sea of tarmac drives and concrete patios", so space for nature is crucial.
They recommend sourcing logs from a firewood dealer and leaving them to rot, which provides habitat for birds, hedgehogs and frogs who will feed on the bugs attracted to the decaying matter.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--The parents' guide to choosing new-style GCSEs: from STEM and coding crazes to the most prestigious

The parents' guide to choosing new-style GCSEs: from STEM and coding crazes to the most prestigious subjects

Don ’ t know much about history ?
Don ’ t know much biology ?
Parents across the country are puzzling over the merits of different combinations of school subjects over the next few weeks , as they help their teenage children pick which subjects to keep and which to drop for GCSE .
The GCSE system was completely revised in 2015 , which means that even if you ’ re a younger parent who took GCSEs instead of O-levels yourself , your experience won ’ t be relevant when it comes to helping your teens .
The new curriculum @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a greater emphasis on learning by rote - and a new system of grades ranging from 1 to 9 , rather than G to A* .
Head teachers and education experts acknowledge that the changes have made picking options stressful for parents and students alike .
The new curriculum has led to most teenagers taking fewer qualifications than in the past , while decisions are made far earlier than previously , often in Year 8 when children are 12 or 13 .
“ The biggest anxiety for parents and pupils is that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have been the wrong choice .
Then , their unknown futures are going to be cut off because they made this choice in Year 9 , ” says Jo Sharrock , head teacher of independent girls school Shrewsbury High .
She describes the process as a “ delicate balance ” , narrowing down the curriculum to preserve teen mental health without closing any doors for a child ’ s future .

The parents' guide to new-style GCSE selection: from the STEM and coding crazes to the new most prestigious subjects that may actually help your child succeed in life
Don’t know much about history? Don’t know much biology? Parents across the country are puzzling over the merits of different combinations of school subjects over the next few weeks, as they help their teenage children pick which subjects to keep and which to drop for GCSE.
The GCSE system was completely revised in 2015, which means that even if you’re a younger parent who took GCSEs instead of O-levels yourself, your experience won’t be relevant when it comes to helping your teens. The new curriculum is harder and more intense - with a greater emphasis on learning by rote - and a new system of grades ranging from 1 to 9, rather than G to A*.
Head teachers and education experts acknowledge that the changes have made picking options stressful for parents and students alike. The new curriculum has led to most teenagers taking fewer qualifications than in the past, while decisions are made far earlier than previously, often in Year 8 when children are 12 or 13.
“The biggest anxiety for parents and pupils is that they will make these choices and somehow it will have been the wrong choice. Then, their unknown futures are going to be cut off because they made this choice in Year 9,” says Jo Sharrock, head teacher of independent girls school Shrewsbury High. She describes the process as a “delicate balance”, narrowing down the curriculum to preserve teen mental health without closing any doors for a child’s future.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Tennis Podcast: Will an eventful build-up set the tone for a dramatic Australian Open?

Every year , before travelling to Melbourne , British tennis journalists wonder whether this will be the year of a @ @ @ @ @ 2020 edition has not even started yet and already they have their answer : a @ @ @ @ @ ATP Cup providing a new-look prelude and the bushfires a devastating backdrop , the build-up @ @ @ @ @ event has been as eventful as ever .
Telegraph Sport tennis correspondent Simon Briggs joined @ @ @ @ @ David Law ( BBC 5 Live ) and Matt Roberts to talk it all through @

Every year, before travelling to Melbourne, British tennis journalists wonder whether this will be the year of a quiet Australian Open. The 2020 edition has not even started yet and already they have their answer: a resounding no.
With the ATP Cup providing a new-look prelude and the bushfires a devastating backdrop, the build-up to next week’s event has been as eventful as ever.
Telegraph Sport tennis correspondent Simon Briggs joined The Tennis Podcast team of David Law (BBC 5 Live) and Matt Roberts to talk it all through.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Watford v Tottenham Hotspur: what time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our predict

Watford v Tottenham Hotspur: what time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction?

What is it ?
A match that pits form against former glories .
A team who have hauled themselves out of the Premier League relegation zone since appointing Nigel Pearson and taking four wins and a draw in their past five matches ( that 's Watford ) take on a team that have lost their way since reaching the Champions League final little more than six months ago ( that 's Spurs ) .
When is it ?
Action gets under way at 12.30pm at Vicarage Road .
Michael Oliver is the referee in charge , with Kevin Friend on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it on ?
This is a BT Sport 1 affair .
Standard definition on channel 408 or high definition on channel 430 .
We 're live blogging it at The Telegraph too , with tactics wonk JJ Bull .
Expect average position maps .
And arrows .
Lots of arrows .
What is the team news ?
For the hosts , new signing Ignacio Pussetto is available up front , after his £7m transfer from Udinese and Christian Kabasele is back after a ban .
Possible injury returnees include Will Hughes and Kiko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( possibly for the rest of the season ) as well as Ben Davies , Hugo Lloris and Moussa Sissoko .
Toby Alderweireld is likely to get a recall , after being rested for the FA Cup replay .
He says he stays at Spurs because he loves the club , not for the dosh .
What are Telegraph writers saying ?
Chief Football writer Sam Wallace wrote his column this week about Christian Eriksen , who is running down his contract at Spurs .
`` In this winding-down of one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ era , a complicated story of opportunities missed on and off the pitch by both sides , Eriksen must accept his own part too .
His formidable numbers are down this season – just two goals and two assists in 10 league starts , and 18 appearances overall – an average that compares unfavourably with the high standards set in previous years .
It is a stand-off that has damaged both parties . ''
As for Watford , Rob Sills took a look at some of the players transformed remarkably quickly since Nigel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watford have only conceded only four goals in the six games of Pearson ’ s reign so far , including keeping two clean sheets - a record only bettered by Premier League leaders Liverpool in that time .
In terms of points won over their each team 's last six matches , Watford are the third most in-form team in the top flight .
These are still the early stages of Pearson ’ s time at Watford , but the early signs suggest he can get far more out of the squad than @ @ @ @ @

Jose Mourinho refused to discuss the performance of the officials, and he was equally reticent when it came to the injuries to players of his better suited to match the challenges of a tough team like Watford, but as ever the message was there if you looked hard enough.
Another result that sees Tottenham Hotspur slide further from the top four, a game that they needed to win, and yet a draw that Mourinho could just about explain away. They were up against Nigel Pearson-era Watford, who play every minute of every game as if it were their last and were one Paulo Gazzaniga penalty save away from winning. There are not the kinds of players at Mourinho’s disposal who might go toe-to-toe with the likes of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue and that seems to be a source of regret.
“If you imagine our team with [Moussa] Sissoko and Harry Kane, you would find two physical players – one who holds the ball up front and another who is powerful from midfield,” the Spurs manager would reflect later. Earlier he had said: “It is not easy to come here and play with a team that is not physical and a team that is just technical.” Two wins in his last seven league games would suggest that Mourinho has not found the solution to either his team’s technical or physical challenges, and one assumes that he found it frustrating to pick a side that had so much possession and so little goal-threat.
There were times when you wonder whether he might rather have Watford’s squad profile, where the ethos of physically-imposing, hard-running underdog types with a point to prove suits him much better. Pearson’s side let Spurs punch themselves out in the first half, drowning in possession without ever creating the chances one might expect, before Watford came back at them after the break and won a penalty Troy Deeney failed to convert.
In the minutes added on at the end of the game, the Watford substitute Ignacio Pussetto, an Argentine winger making his debut for the club, cleared one off the line that Erik Lamela had managed to steer past Ben Foster. The goal decision system later revealed that it was the breadth of an orange peel away from being the winner, which meant that Watford could also consider one point a good return.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Great Britain handed Fed Cup blow as Johanna Konta rules herself out

Great Britain ’ s hopes of reaching April ’ s inaugural Fed Cup finals week suffered a double blow on Friday .
Johanna Konta told reporters that she will not participate in the competition at all this year , while Katie Boulter also expressed doubts over the upcoming tie in Bratislava .
Konta and Boulter both performed brilliantly in the team event last season .
Should neither be available , British captain Anne Keothavong will face some tricky selectorial decisions ahead of the Slovakia match in three weeks ’ time .
Speaking in Melbourne on Friday , Konta explained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee pain that has restricted her to just a single competitive match in the last four-and-a-half months .
“ It [ the knee ] is definitely part of it , ” said Konta , who will open her Australian Open campaign on Monday against Tunisia ’ s Ons Jabeur .
“ It ’ s an Olympic year .
I ’ m looking to schedule things for the longevity of my body and to be able to come back in following years and hopefully play more Fed Cup.
” As for Boulter , she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain ’ s last Fed Cup outing , which came against Kazakhstan at London ’ s Copper Box Arena .
It was then , in late April , that she braved back pain to face Zarina Dyas in what proved to be the decisive rubber .
Yet this decision looked highly questionable when she developed a spinal stress fracture that kept her off the match court for the next seven months .

Great Britain’s hopes of reaching April’s inaugural Fed Cup finals week suffered a double blow on Friday. Johanna Konta told reporters that she will not participate in the competition at all this year, while Katie Boulter also expressed doubts over the upcoming tie in Bratislava.
Konta and Boulter both performed brilliantly in the team event last season. Should neither be available, British captain Anne Keothavong will face some tricky selectorial decisions ahead of the Slovakia match in three weeks’ time.
Speaking in Melbourne on Friday, Konta explained that her decision is connected to the chronic knee pain that has restricted her to just a single competitive match in the last four-and-a-half months.
“It [the knee] is definitely part of it,” said Konta, who will open her Australian Open campaign on Monday against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur. “It’s an Olympic year. I’m looking to schedule things for the longevity of my body and to be able to come back in following years and hopefully play more Fed Cup.”
As for Boulter, she has not played top-tier tennis since Great Britain’s last Fed Cup outing, which came against Kazakhstan at London’s Copper Box Arena. It was then, in late April, that she braved back pain to face Zarina Dyas in what proved to be the decisive rubber. Yet this decision looked highly questionable when she developed a spinal stress fracture that kept her off the match court for the next seven months.


thetelegraph--2020-01-17--Help us find The Telegraph Pub of the Year – and win a £250 break

The night air is bright and flinty .
My daughter ’ s Christmas Spotify playlist is still on heavy rotation .
As we slide easefully into the season of maximum cosiness , it ’ s my happy task to report that we have teamed up for a second year with the expert pub-hounds at Sawday ’ s .
The second edition of the expanded and enhanced Sawday ’ s Great British Pub Guide will once again feature the Telegraph Pub of the Year – the People ’ s Pub , if you will – chosen by none other than you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an email some time before midnight on Feb 9 .
We ’ ll read all your emails after that , and visit as many of the pubs that leap out at us as we can .
Our criteria are a little intangible , to tell the truth .
We ’ re on the hunt for something over and above good beer , food , horse-brasses and the whole caboodle of publy desiderata .
There are as many “ people ’ s pubs ” as there are people , after all .
We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a sense of place , a feeling of somewhere people come together and things happen – be they music , skittles , life classes , low ’ n ’ slow barbecues or whatever .
Our 2019 winner , the Fleece Inn , near Evesham , Worcestershire ( pictured above ) , is a building of tremendous historic interest , but what swung our verdict was a boozy fiddle festival on the night our judge visited .

As we slide easefully into the season of maximum cosiness, it’s my happy task to report that we have teamed up for a second year with the expert pub-hounds at Sawday’s.
The second edition of the expanded and enhanced Sawday’s Great British Pub Guide will once again feature the Telegraph Pub of the Year – the People’s Pub, if you will – chosen by none other than you, dear reader.
Simply send us an email before midnight on Feb 9. We’ll read all your emails, and visit as many of the pubs that leap out at us as we can. Our criteria are a little intangible, to tell the truth. We’re on the hunt for something over and above good beer, food, horse-brasses and the whole caboodle of publy desiderata.
There are as many “people’s pubs” as there are people, after all. We will be looking for atmosphere, community spirit, a sense of place, a feeling of somewhere people come together and things happen – be they music, skittles, life classes, low ’n’ slow barbecues or whatever. Our 2019 winner, the Fleece Inn, near Evesham, Worcestershire (pictured above), is a building of tremendous historic interest, but what swung our verdict was a boozy fiddle festival on the night our judge visited.