theweekuk--2020-08-07--Instant Opinion: ‘Westminster is failing victims of sexual assault’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Charlie Elphicke ’ s conviction took three years .
Westminster is failing victims of sexual assault “ If you ’ re a woman , would you feel comfortable getting into a lift , alone , with a man accused of sexual assault ?
How about waiting for a taxi together late at night , or even discussing something personal in a meeting ?
If you ’ re a man , would you avoid friendly chitchat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be guilty , or go out of your way to show that everyone is innocent until proven otherwise ?
For more than two years , almost everyone in professional contact with the former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke must have wrestled with dilemmas like these , and this week ’ s revelation that a second unnamed Tory MP has been accused of rape means some will shortly be wrestling with them again ... Another week of ugly stories emanating from Westminster have rightly put its toxic working culture in the spotlight once again .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-examined scandal affecting victims of sexual violence everywhere , which is that justice delayed can all too easily become justice denied.
” on the PM ’ s plan to ‘ build , build , build ’ We need more than homes to level up Britain “ The problem with [ Johnson ’ s ] proposals is not their ambition , which is laudable , even though Tory nimbys in the southeast of England will do all they can to frustrate them .
It is that the government is over-selling their importance .
Levelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Johnson government , will not come through investment in bricks and mortar ; it will come through investment in people .
Ministers should study Labour ’ s Neighbourhood Renewal Unit , which disbursed a lot of public money during the late 1990s and early 2000s .
It aimed to regenerate those places in the Midlands and the north that are now known as the red wall .
If it had worked as it was intended to do , there would probably have been no Brexit and they would still be electing Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committed , plenty of buildings went up , but not may lives were changed.
” 3 .
David Brooks in The New York Times on intellectual ferment in the GOP Where Do Republicans Go From Here ?
“ During the 2016 presidential campaign , Trump and Bannon discarded the Republican orthodox — entitlement reform , fiscal restraint , free trade , comprehensive immigration reform .
They embraced a European-style blood-and-soil conservatism .
Close off immigration .
Close trade .
We have nothing to offer the world and should protect ourselves from its dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump had governed as a big-government populist .
But he tossed Bannon out and handed power to Jared Kushner and a bunch of old men locked in the Reagan paradigm .
We got bigotry , incompetence and tax cuts for the wealthy .
But by defeating the Reagan paradigm , Trump and Bannon gave permission to a lot of Republican politicians to make their own leaps .
Over the last three years , it ’ s been interesting to watch a series of Republican officeholders break free from old orthodoxies and begin to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes get wider : Suddenly I can think for myself .
The range of possibilities is wider than I thought it was.
” on whether the US is ready for a woman in the White House Welcome to the most misogynist US presidential election of all time - what woman would want to run ?
“ Not only did [ Hilary Clinton ’ s ] opponent , [ Donald ] Trump , physically intimidate her on the debate stage in a way he would never have done with a male rival , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both on social media and in real life , his supporters routinely referring to her as a ‘ bitch ’ and worse .
At one rally , the accomplished lawyer , New York senator , former Secretary of State and First Lady was confronted by a heckler shouting ‘ iron my shirt ’ .
In the post mortems which followed her defeat , it became clear that voters who told pollsters they would vote for Clinton balked at the prospect of electing a woman when it came to the moment they had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The candidate herself agrees with this analysis , saying a few months after her loss of the role sexism played : ‘ It is real .
It is very much a part of the landscape politically.
’ ” 5 .
Gabriel Gavin , a policy analyst with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe , in The Independent on a young country with a serious identity problem The presidential election in Belarus will be a choice between two very different futures for the country “ Although traces of Soviet history , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Lenin and even Stalin can be found in various states of disrepair across the former Eastern Bloc states , Belarus is virtually alone in not just leaving theirs intact , but actually maintaining them .
At the heart of this policy is an identity crisis – one which is now coming to the fore as the country prepares to go to the polls to elect its president .
Alexander Lukashenko , the incumbent , has been president since the country gained independence from the USSR .
His unexpected challenger is 37-year-old Svetlana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after her husband was barred from standing .
The campaign has brought thousands onto the streets , pitting liberals against conservatives and students against their grandparents .
It has exposed like never before the lack of consensus around what the future should look like in the country .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Gaby Hinsliff in The Guardian
on anonymity for rape suspects
Charlie Elphicke’s conviction took three years. Westminster is failing victims of sexual assault
“If you’re a woman, would you feel comfortable getting into a lift, alone, with a man accused of sexual assault? How about waiting for a taxi together late at night, or even discussing something personal in a meeting? If you’re a man, would you avoid friendly chitchat with someone who may or may not be guilty, or go out of your way to show that everyone is innocent until proven otherwise? For more than two years, almost everyone in professional contact with the former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke must have wrestled with dilemmas like these, and this week’s revelation that a second unnamed Tory MP has been accused of rape means some will shortly be wrestling with them again... Another week of ugly stories emanating from Westminster have rightly put its toxic working culture in the spotlight once again. Yet they also point to a less well-examined scandal affecting victims of sexual violence everywhere, which is that justice delayed can all too easily become justice denied.”
2. Philip Collins in The Times
on the PM’s plan to ‘build, build, build’
We need more than homes to level up Britain
“The problem with [Johnson’s] proposals is not their ambition, which is laudable, even though Tory nimbys in the southeast of England will do all they can to frustrate them. It is that the government is over-selling their importance. Levelling up, to cite the aim of the Johnson government, will not come through investment in bricks and mortar; it will come through investment in people. Ministers should study Labour’s Neighbourhood Renewal Unit, which disbursed a lot of public money during the late 1990s and early 2000s. It aimed to regenerate those places in the Midlands and the north that are now known as the red wall. If it had worked as it was intended to do, there would probably have been no Brexit and they would still be electing Labour MPs. A lot of money was committed, plenty of buildings went up, but not may lives were changed.”
3. David Brooks in The New York Times
on intellectual ferment in the GOP
Where Do Republicans Go From Here?
“During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump and Bannon discarded the Republican orthodox — entitlement reform, fiscal restraint, free trade, comprehensive immigration reform. They embraced a European-style blood-and-soil conservatism. Close off immigration. Close trade. We have nothing to offer the world and should protect ourselves from its dangers. It would have been interesting if Trump had governed as a big-government populist. But he tossed Bannon out and handed power to Jared Kushner and a bunch of old men locked in the Reagan paradigm. We got bigotry, incompetence and tax cuts for the wealthy. But by defeating the Reagan paradigm, Trump and Bannon gave permission to a lot of Republican politicians to make their own leaps. Over the last three years, it’s been interesting to watch a series of Republican officeholders break free from old orthodoxies and begin to think afresh. You could see their eyes get wider: Suddenly I can think for myself. The range of possibilities is wider than I thought it was.”
4. Rosa Prince in The Daily Telegraph
on whether the US is ready for a woman in the White House
Welcome to the most misogynist US presidential election of all time - what woman would want to run?
“Not only did [Hilary Clinton’s] opponent, [Donald] Trump, physically intimidate her on the debate stage in a way he would never have done with a male rival, he unleashed and facilitated a sexist onslaught, both on social media and in real life, his supporters routinely referring to her as a ‘bitch’ and worse. At one rally, the accomplished lawyer, New York senator, former Secretary of State and First Lady was confronted by a heckler shouting ‘iron my shirt’. In the post mortems which followed her defeat, it became clear that voters who told pollsters they would vote for Clinton balked at the prospect of electing a woman when it came to the moment they had to put a cross next to her name. The candidate herself agrees with this analysis, saying a few months after her loss of the role sexism played: ‘It is real. It is very much a part of the landscape politically.’”
5. Gabriel Gavin, a policy analyst with a focus on Central and Eastern Europe, in The Independent
on a young country with a serious identity problem
The presidential election in Belarus will be a choice between two very different futures for the country
“Although traces of Soviet history, the hammer and sickle, statues of Marx, Lenin and even Stalin can be found in various states of disrepair across the former Eastern Bloc states, Belarus is virtually alone in not just leaving theirs intact, but actually maintaining them. At the heart of this policy is an identity crisis – one which is now coming to the fore as the country prepares to go to the polls to elect its president. Alexander Lukashenko, the incumbent, has been president since the country gained independence from the USSR. His unexpected challenger is 37-year-old Svetlana Tikhanovskaya, who reluctantly entered the race after her husband was barred from standing. The campaign has brought thousands onto the streets, pitting liberals against conservatives and students against their grandparents. It has exposed like never before the lack of consensus around what the future should look like in the country.”


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Civil service bracing for coronavirus inquiry - here’s what could happen next

Whitehall is bracing for a public inquiry into the government ’ s coronavirus response , amid swirling rumours about the @ @ @ @ @ Johnson ’ s senior aide Dominic Cummings .
After it was revealed yesterday that the @ @ @ @ @ 50m unusable face masks from a little-known investment company , the National Audit Office has @ @ @ @ @ government contracts for protective equipment , The Times reports .
That investigation could serve as @ @ @ @ @ wider inquiry , promised by the prime minister to “ seek to learn the lessons @ @ @ @ @ The decision made during the pandemic response will be put under the microscope during any @ @ @ @ @ fight over whether officials gave the wrong advice or ministers took the wrong decisions has @ @ @ @ @ says .

Whitehall is bracing for a public inquiry into the government’s coronavirus response, amid swirling rumours about the oncoming restructuring long-championed by Boris Johnson’s senior aide Dominic Cummings.
After it was revealed yesterday that the government had spent £150m on 50m unusable face masks from a little-known investment company, the National Audit Office has said that it will investigate government contracts for protective equipment, The Times reports.
That investigation could serve as a dress rehearsal for a wider inquiry, promised by the prime minister to “seek to learn the lessons of this pandemic”.
‘Blame game’ begins
The decision made during the pandemic response will be put under the microscope during any inquiry, but the “fight over whether officials gave the wrong advice or ministers took the wrong decisions has already begun”, Politico says.
“A breakdown of trust between senior officials and Downing Street” has led to the belief among senior officials that “Whitehall could be thrown under the bus in an effort to save Boris Johnson and his top team”, the site adds.
“Obviously the blame game has been going on almost as long as the virus and has been gathering force,” one former official told Politico. “As the epidemic wanes, the blame game is going to get more intense. I think the civil service is absolutely expecting that.”
Critics of Downing Street’s outbreak response have claimed that departing Cabinet Secretary Mark Sedwill was made the “fall guy” for the slow response. While the prime minister was in hospital with coronavirus, Sedwill “played an important role in holding things together at the heart of government”, the Independent reports.
Sedwill “told ministers, bluntly, that they could not afford the luxury of petty squabbles while the team captain was off the pitch”, writes the paper’s political columnist Andrew Grice.
But in the fallout, Bob Kerslake, a former head of the civil service and civil servants’s union, accused Number 10 “or those around it” of working to “undermine” the ex-diplomat.
Speaking to The Guardian, Kerslake said that “from some of the press briefing that had obviously gone on that the civil service is being made the fall guy for mistakes made in the handling of the pandemic”.


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Why everyone’s talking about the Arsenal redundancies

Arsenal may have finished their season on a high with a superb 2-1 victory over Chelsea in last weekend ’ s FA Cup final , but any optimism for the team ’ s performances on the pitch has been quickly overshadowed by the club ’ s economic situation .
The Premier League side has this week announced that 55 staff redundancies are being proposed following a loss of revenues due to the Covid-19 pandemic .
The Athletic reports that this amounts to around 10 % of the club ’ s non-playing workforce .
News of the redundancies has angered current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pundits alike .
A statement issued on Wednesday by head of football Raúl Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham said : “ In line with other football clubs and many other businesses operating in the sport , leisure and entertainment arena , we have been impacted directly by Covid-19 .
“ Our main sources of income have all reduced significantly .
Revenue from broadcasters , matchday and commercial activities have all been hit severely and these impacts will continue into at least the forthcoming 2020/21 season .
“ Our aim has been to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our people for as long as we possibly can .
Unfortunately , we have now come to the point where we are proposing 55 redundancies .
“ We do not make these proposals lightly and have looked at every aspect of the club and our expenditure before reaching this point .
We are now entering the required 30-day consultation period on these proposals .
We know this is upsetting and difficult for our dedicated staff and our focus is on managing this as sensitively as possible.
” Arsenal ’ s scouting department is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be impacted by the restructuring .
The Guardian reports that head of recruitment Francis Cagigao - who discovered stars such as Cesc Fàbregas and Héctor Bellerín - is the highest-profile name to be released .
The Daily Mail adds that UK head of scouting Pete Clark and recruitment specialist Brian McDermott are also set to lose their jobs .
The club ’ s decision has left many Arsenal players feeling “ frustrated ” and “ disappointed ” , says The Athletic , and certain stars intend to speak to managers to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the first-team squad agreed to a voluntary 12.5 % pay cut to help the club through the financial turbulence caused by Covid-19 .
And it was done so on the understanding that it would preserve jobs for other staff .
According to the Daily Mail , Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka is reportedly leading the players ’ revolt against the cuts .
Wednesday ’ s announcement also cited that a “ key priority ” will be the continued investment in the team - and this has left a sour taste for many fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is close to signing a new three-year deal while Brazilian winger Willian could also be close to completing a free transfer from Chelsea .
With club owner Stan Kroenke worth an estimated £6.32bn and high-earning players such as Mesut Ozil on around £350,000-a-week , the redundancies have sparked anger among the fanbase , including several high-profile supporters .
Gunners legend Ian Wright , who scored 149 goals for the club , reacted on Twitter to the news of the redundancies .
Quoting his late friend and former team-mate David Rocastle , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , what you are and who you represent !
!
!
” TV presenter Piers Morgan also launched a stinging attack on the club ’ s board , the Daily Mirror says , calling the decision shameful .
Morgan tweeted : “ Arsenal firing 55 staff when we ’ re owned by a multi-billionaire , have just made £££ by winning the FA Cup & qualifying for Europe , & pay Mesut Ozil £350,000-a-week to sit on his a*** , is morally indefensible & not what I expect from a club with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happens next ?
The FA Cup victory brought the feel-good factor back to the club ’ s fanbase and saw Mikel Arteta win his first trophy since replacing Unai Emery as head coach in December .
However , FourFourTwo ’ s Seb Stafford-Bloor says the redundancies announcement undermines the club ’ s positive new identity under Arteta .
He wrote : “ It has created a duelling perception of Arsenal .
On the one hand , they are in the embryonic stages of an intriguing new epoch , full of ideas and differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also more the same than ever before , with their unfeeling corporatism more pronounced than at any other point during Stan Kroenke ’ s ownership.
” The decision to make 55 people redundant also doesn ’ t sit well with ArseBlog ’ s Andrew Mangan , who cites the potential free transfer of Willian and lucrative contract offer for star striker Aubameyang .
Mangan says : “ As fans we want the best for our club and for our team , but it ’ s hard to square the circle of 55 job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re about to drop a big signing on fee for a soon to be 32 year old player from Chelsea , as well as paying him north of £6m a year for three years .
“ I know it ’ s back of a match-book stuff , but if the average salary of those 55 people was £50,000 per year , the saving to KSE [ Kroenke Sports & Entertainment ] over the year is £2.75m .
“ We want to give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang a new contract of £300,000 a week , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £15.6m a year but 55 hard working people have to lose their jobs in a pandemic in order to do so ?
Does that sit right with everyone ?
It doesn ’ t with me .
”

Arsenal may have finished their season on a high with a superb 2-1 victory over Chelsea in last weekend’s FA Cup final, but any optimism for the team’s performances on the pitch has been quickly overshadowed by the club’s economic situation.
The Premier League side has this week announced that 55 staff redundancies are being proposed following a loss of revenues due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Athletic reports that this amounts to around 10% of the club’s non-playing workforce.
News of the redundancies has angered current players, fans, former stars and pundits alike.
An update from your club. — Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 5, 2020
What happened?
A statement issued on Wednesday by head of football Raúl Sanllehi and managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “In line with other football clubs and many other businesses operating in the sport, leisure and entertainment arena, we have been impacted directly by Covid-19.
“Our main sources of income have all reduced significantly. Revenue from broadcasters, matchday and commercial activities have all been hit severely and these impacts will continue into at least the forthcoming 2020/21 season.
“Our aim has been to protect the jobs and base salaries of our people for as long as we possibly can. Unfortunately, we have now come to the point where we are proposing 55 redundancies.
“We do not make these proposals lightly and have looked at every aspect of the club and our expenditure before reaching this point. We are now entering the required 30-day consultation period on these proposals. We know this is upsetting and difficult for our dedicated staff and our focus is on managing this as sensitively as possible.”
Arsenal’s scouting department is the main area of the club that will be impacted by the restructuring. The Guardian reports that head of recruitment Francis Cagigao - who discovered stars such as Cesc Fàbregas and Héctor Bellerín - is the highest-profile name to be released.
The Daily Mail adds that UK head of scouting Pete Clark and recruitment specialist Brian McDermott are also set to lose their jobs.
Players are furious
The club’s decision has left many Arsenal players feeling “frustrated” and “disappointed”, says The Athletic, and certain stars intend to speak to managers to discuss the situation.


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Dominic Cummings under pressure to explain second Durham trip as public lose trust

A couple who claim they witnessed Dominic Cummings during a second coronavirus lockdown trip have complained to the police watchdog saying the allegation was not properly investigated .
Dave and Clare Edwards filed an official complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct on Wednesday , claiming that the Durham Police investigation was “ below the standard we would expect from our local constabulary ” , the Daily Mirror reports .
The pair say they are “ 100 % certain ” they saw Cummings walking in Houghall Woods near Durham on the morning of 19 April , while a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson ’ s senior aide , adding : “ I would recognise him again.
” Another new witness , who wished to remain anonymous , also said “ they saw the No.10 aide and his wife walking between the local beauty spot and the family home the same morning ” , the paper adds .
Cummings previously dismissed the claims that he was seen on 19 April , describing the allegations as “ false ” when the Mirror and The Guardian revealed his first trip to Durham earlier this year .
The allegation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Durham coincides with the release of a survey by University College London ( UCL ) researchers which found a dip in public confidence in the government after the allegations first surfaced .
Labeled the “ Cummings effect ” by The Telegraph , the survey asked respondents to rank how much confidence they had in the government ’ s handling of the pandemic on a scale of one ( none ) to seven ( a lot ) , ITV News says .
Among participants in England , confidence fell by around 0.4 points between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the study published in The Lancet .
News of Cummings ’ s trip with his wife and child broke on 22 May .
Confidence “ never bounced back ” , The Telegraph reports , with lead author of the study Dr Daisy Fancourt adding that “ these data illustrate the negative and lasting consequences that political decisions can have for public trust and the risks to behaviours ” .

A couple who claim they witnessed Dominic Cummings during a second coronavirus lockdown trip have complained to the police watchdog saying the allegation was not properly investigated.
Dave and Clare Edwards filed an official complaint to the Independent Office for Police Conduct on Wednesday, claiming that the Durham Police investigation was “below the standard we would expect from our local constabulary”, the Daily Mirror reports.
The pair say they are “100% certain” they saw Cummings walking in Houghall Woods near Durham on the morning of 19 April, while a third witness also claims to have seen Boris Johnson’s senior aide, adding: “I would recognise him again.”
Another new witness, who wished to remain anonymous, also said “they saw the No.10 aide and his wife walking between the local beauty spot and the family home the same morning”, the paper adds.
Cummings previously dismissed the claims that he was seen on 19 April, describing the allegations as “false” when the Mirror and The Guardian revealed his first trip to Durham earlier this year.
The allegation that he took a second trip to Durham coincides with the release of a survey by University College London (UCL) researchers which found a dip in public confidence in the government after the allegations first surfaced.
Labeled the “Cummings effect” by The Telegraph, the survey asked respondents to rank how much confidence they had in the government’s handling of the pandemic on a scale of one (none) to seven (a lot), ITV News says.
Among participants in England, confidence fell by around 0.4 points between 21 and 25 May, according to the study published in The Lancet. News of Cummings’s trip with his wife and child broke on 22 May.
Confidence “never bounced back”, The Telegraph reports, with lead author of the study Dr Daisy Fancourt adding that “these data illustrate the negative and lasting consequences that political decisions can have for public trust and the risks to behaviours”.


theweekuk--2020-08-07--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Sovereign citizens, troops and suits

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : POD25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : In Australia and the US , the coronavirus pandemic and the regulations intended to counter it , have led to a rise in the phenomenon of the Sovereign Citizen .
Although the term covers a wide range of beliefs , most people who use it are convinced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of specific laws or even the entire legal system - and that they can do so by quoting an obscure statute .
With Trump hurtling toward a seismic election in November , his decision to suddenly withdraw 12,000 US troops from American bases in Germany has been described by some as a “ final gift to Russia ” .
But with German opinion turning against US presence on the continent , the geopolitical consequences may not be as simple as they seem .
Several prominent US retailers of men 's suits have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Men 's formalwear has long been in decline , but the pandemic – and for many of us , the new reality of working from home – is accelerating a change in workplace attire .
But is it just the pandemic that 's to blame ?
Would the end of the suit be such a bad thing ?
And are we stuck in a design rut more generally when it comes to style ?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Spotify , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: POD25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Sovereign citizens
In Australia and the US, the coronavirus pandemic and the regulations intended to counter it, have led to a rise in the phenomenon of the Sovereign Citizen. Although the term covers a wide range of beliefs, most people who use it are convinced that they have a right to opt out of specific laws or even the entire legal system - and that they can do so by quoting an obscure statute.
American withdrawal
With Trump hurtling toward a seismic election in November, his decision to suddenly withdraw 12,000 US troops from American bases in Germany has been described by some as a “final gift to Russia”. But with German opinion turning against US presence on the continent, the geopolitical consequences may not be as simple as they seem.
Dressing down
Several prominent US retailers of men's suits have filed for bankruptcy in recent weeks. Men's formalwear has long been in decline, but the pandemic – and for many of us, the new reality of working from home – is accelerating a change in workplace attire. But is it just the pandemic that's to blame? Would the end of the suit be such a bad thing? And are we stuck in a design rut more generally when it comes to style?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts.


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 7 Aug 2020

Schools will be able to challenge A-level and GCSE grades after all , following a change of heart by the @ @ @ @ @ headteachers .
In the absence of exams , grades are based on a combination of @ @ @ @ @ .
If schools believe students are incorrectly marked down by the model , they will @ @ @ @ @ make their case .
In Scotland , nearly 125,000 predicted grades were downgraded by the @ @ @ @

A-level appeals allowed in exam board U-turn
Schools will be able to challenge A-level and GCSE grades after all, following a change of heart by the exam regulator under pressure from headteachers. In the absence of exams, grades are based on a combination of teacher estimates and statistical modelling. If schools believe students are incorrectly marked down by the model, they will be given the chance to make their case. In Scotland, nearly 125,000 predicted grades were downgraded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Man wins lottery because girlfriend criticised his spelling

A man says he won nearly $ 75,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket he bought because his girlfriend said he needed to work on his spelling .
Explaining how he came to choose the winning Crossword ticket , Nikolaus Hamma from British Columbia , said : “ I have always played scratch-and-win tickets and my girlfriend told me to play Crossword to help with my spelling.
” Driver , 13 , hits five pedestrians and blames his gran A 13-year-old driver who crashed into five people on a Memphis street said his grandmother was giving him driving lessons at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to , but I ain ’ t had no choice , so she told me to sit in her lap , and I did , ” he said .
His grandmother , Ernestine Hollomon , faces a series of charges , including driving under the influence and child endangerment .
Another 13-year-old boy has become the youngest person to swim across California 's Lake Tahoe .
James Savage completed the 12-mile swim from Cave Rock to the Godfather Mansion in Homewood in under seven hours .
He now plans a new challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A man says he won nearly $75,000 from a scratch-off lottery ticket he bought because his girlfriend said he needed to work on his spelling. Explaining how he came to choose the winning Crossword ticket, Nikolaus Hamma from British Columbia, said: “I have always played scratch-and-win tickets and my girlfriend told me to play Crossword to help with my spelling.”
Driver, 13, hits five pedestrians and blames his gran
A 13-year-old driver who crashed into five people on a Memphis street said his grandmother was giving him driving lessons at the time. “I didn’t want to, but I ain’t had no choice, so she told me to sit in her lap, and I did,” he said. His grandmother, Ernestine Hollomon, faces a series of charges, including driving under the influence and child endangerment.
Swimmer, 13, becomes youngest to cross Lake Tahoe
Another 13-year-old boy has become the youngest person to swim across California's Lake Tahoe. James Savage completed the 12-mile swim from Cave Rock to the Godfather Mansion in Homewood in under seven hours. He now plans a new challenge: a 21-mile swim.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Camping equipment checklist: the essentials you need to pack

Staycation is the buzzword in UK travel this summer and camping is the hot activity for many people looking to take a break closer to home .
The revival of camping has also seen a surge in equipment sales , The Guardian reports , with many major retailers seeing growth in demand for staple items such as tents , chairs and airbeds .
A report by price comparison service PriceSpy says that between June and July tent sales increased by 126 % , sleeping mats 86 % and sleeping bags 25 % .
Meanwhile , John Lewis ’ s sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had risen by 58 % , compared to last year .
Since England ’ s lockdown measures were lifted in July Halfords has also seen the trend in camping gear sales .
Tent peg sales have increased by 45 % , airbeds by 130 % , gas stoves by 300 % , cool boxes by 180 % and camping chairs by 120 % .
A Tesco spokesman said : “ Camping chairs are by far the most popular item , with sales well ahead of this time last year , while tents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the past few weeks and ponchos and inflatable pillows also seeing strong growth.
” As everyone is heading to the countryside ( or back garden ) for a camping trip , here ’ s our list of the must-have items you need to pack .
The more adventurous types may decide to sleep out under the stars , but for many others , the camping experience needs a tent .
The Coleman Tent Octagon ( pictured ) can sleep between six and eight people and is priced at £219.99 on Amazon .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smaller , cheaper and easier to assemble then a two-man pop-up tent from Mountain Warehouse for £29.99 may also do the job .
If you already have a tent , a word of advice , check you have pegs or even some spares !
As this writer once found out , a missing bag of pegs can ruin a camping trip ... Also check you have a tent groundsheet , a mallet and in case of emergencies some tape or tent repair kit .
As Go Outdoors says on its website , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between a good and a bad night ’ s sleep while camping ” .
The company has a range of sleeping bags and pods on its website , with prices from £25 to around £250 .
Pack a pillow , blankets and warm clothes too ... You may choose to rough it in a sleeping bag on the tent groundsheet , but for those seeking a bit more comfort , an airbed might be needed .
Trespass has a number of blow-up and inflatable air beds and mattresses .
As the Tesco spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most popular camping item sold by the retailer this summer .
Perfect for sitting around the fire , for reading a book or just general relaxing , a decent camping chair is essential .
These Milestone Camping steel foldable chairs are lightweight and cost £8.99 each from Outdoor Camping Direct .
If you ’ re seeking something softer than a folding item , then Trespass has an inflatable camping chair ( £20 from Argos ) or even an inflatable double sofa ( £30 from Argos ) .
So you say that you really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wilderness .
But what about checking the latest tweets or listening to some tunes ?
A portable phone charger and maybe even a Bluetooth speaker should be on your packing list .
If your gadgets do require charging then use the power of the sun .
This waterproof ADDTOP Solar Charger is perfect for the outdoors ( Amazon , £38.99 ) .
Unless you ’ re hunting for your dinner then it ’ s probably expected you ’ ll be taking some grub with you to cook on site .
A decent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trip .
Winfields Outdoors stocks cool box brands such as Coleman , Igloo , Outwell and Kampa Dometic on its website .
If building a fire isn ’ t your thing then maybe you could bring your own fire pit .
This SUCHDECO outdoor camping fire pit is for sale on Amazon for £30.99 .
Go Outdoors , Argos and Amazon also stock many gas stoves for you to cook up a storm .
Don ’ t forget to pack cooking utensils , cutlery and plates .
Definitely pack a first aid box @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring some extra essentials such as antibacterial wipes , insect repellent and sunscreen .
It ’ s not just yourselves you need to look after though , but also the environment .
Remember to take some bin bags to keep your site clean and tidy before you leave .
Ethical Superstore sells compostable small bin bags ( £5.49 ) or compostable tall bin bags ( £5.35 ) .
You have all your camping equipment but where are you going to put it all in the car ?
If you need some extra space @ @ @ @ @ @ @ valuable addition .
Thule roof boxes start from £280 and Go Outdoors stocks roof bags and roofbars .

If you want to glamp in style, then Lotus Belle’s Outdoor Deluxe may be the tent for you. It resembles a kind of giant mushroom spaceship that has just landed on Earth. The Outdoor Deluxe has two doors and two windows with zip-open mesh layers for maximum airflow while keeping creepy-crawlies out. It is made of a waterproof, yet breathable, canvas to minimise condensation.


theweekuk--2020-08-05--Wine of the week: a perfect and thrilling tightrope routine

Winemaker Olga Fusari pulled off a perfect tightrope routine when she made this wonderful wine - the 2018 Poggio alle Gazze dell ’ Ornellaia .
Ornellaia is famous for making one of the most expensive and collectable of all Super-Tuscan reds , but this 2018 vintage of its unusual white blend is a thriller .
Made from 83 % sauvignon blanc , 11 % vermentino and 6 % viognier , this is a full-bodied white wine .
It not only tastes amazing , but also carries with it a sense of true vinous skill and innate balance .
The 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climatic conditions , a rather rainy vintage , at least for the first half of the year .
Rainy years often give rise to dilute crops , but the sun shone in the second half of the summer and cool nights ensued , so this wine has fleshiness , levity and also crucial acidity .
If you are trying to guess what this wine tastes like , you will not be able to do it from the grapes involved , let alone their percentage involvement in this blend !
Rather think of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sensual and provocative viognier , followed by herbal , saline vermentino and then powered on for minutes by part-oak-fermented and aged sauvignon blanc .
Half of this wine sees barriques and half again is new oak .
This component allows the palate and finish of this wine to puff out its chest and strut its stuff .
This is a delicious and well-thought-through wine with delicacy and considerable richness in perfect harmony .
It never oversteps the mark , while retaining its lush , citrus and tropical fruit allure , and that makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its Ornellaia label .
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition ’ s Communicator of the Year ( matthewjukes.com ) This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

Winemaker Olga Fusari pulled off a perfect tightrope routine when she made this wonderful wine - the 2018 Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia.
Ornellaia is famous for making one of the most expensive and collectable of all Super-Tuscan reds, but this 2018 vintage of its unusual white blend is a thriller. Made from 83% sauvignon blanc, 11% vermentino and 6% viognier, this is a full-bodied white wine.
It not only tastes amazing, but also carries with it a sense of true vinous skill and innate balance. The 2018 was, if you look at the climatic conditions, a rather rainy vintage, at least for the first half of the year. Rainy years often give rise to dilute crops, but the sun shone in the second half of the summer and cool nights ensued, so this wine has fleshiness, levity and also crucial acidity.
If you are trying to guess what this wine tastes like, you will not be able to do it from the grapes involved, let alone their percentage involvement in this blend! Rather think of them as a layer cake, led by sensual and provocative viognier, followed by herbal, saline vermentino and then powered on for minutes by part-oak-fermented and aged sauvignon blanc.
Half of this wine sees barriques and half again is new oak. This component allows the palate and finish of this wine to puff out its chest and strut its stuff. This is a delicious and well-thought-through wine with delicacy and considerable richness in perfect harmony. It never oversteps the mark, while retaining its lush, citrus and tropical fruit allure ,and that makes it ever so captivating and thoroughly worthy of its Ornellaia label.
2018 Poggio alle Gazze dell’Ornellaia, Tuscany, Italy – £41.68, armitwines.co.uk
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (matthewjukes.com)
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-08-05--The boom in second-hand pumps

The boom in second-hand pumps

Trainers , or “ sneakers ” as they ’ re called across the pond , have become prized collectable assets and the market is showing scant signs of slowing down .
If anything , it ’ s booming .
Arguably , the most coveted model is the distinctive red and white Nike Air Jordan 1 .
In May , a pair that had been worn and signed by basketball legend Michael Jordan , while still at the start of his long career , in 1985 , set an auction record when they sold for $ 560,000 ( £427,938 ) at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it broke had only been set the previous July at the auction house ’ s debut “ Ultimate Sneaker ” sale , in partnership with Stadium Goods , a leading online marketplace for collectable streetwear .
At that sale , a scruffy pair of 1972 Nike Moon Shoes fetched $ 437,500 ( £334,768 ) , far out-pacing its $ 160,000 ( £122,429 ) top estimate .
So it ’ s little wonder rival Christie ’ s is also keen to get in on the action – it has even taken to using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( release ) of highlights from its sale , which runs until 13 August , included a pair of Nike Air Ships ( pictured top and above ) , exclusively made for and worn by Jordan in 1984 .
A sort of precursor to the Air Jordan 1s of the following year , these Air Ships are “ extremely rare ” , says Christie ’ s .
It has given them an estimate of between $ 350,000 ( £267,814 ) and $ 550,000 ( £420,158 ) .
A pair of Nike Air Jordan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan when he played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as part of the US “ Dream Team ” , also forms part of the sale , valued at ( a probably conservative ) $ 70,000 ( £53,474 ) .
And a pair of bespoke Nike Air Jordan 14 “ Chicago ” practice trainers , as seen in The Last Dance , the recent television documentary that helped spark a craze in all things Jordan , is valued at up to $ 8,000 ( £6,111 ) .
Like Sotheby ’ s in its sale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has partnered with Stadium Goods to give the auction some authority , or in the parlance : “ street cred ” .
Again , small wonder .
“ In recent years , as sneakerhead culture ” has gone mainstream , “ a booming online resale market has emerged , attracting consumers more interested in trading the products than wearing them , ” says Adam Wray in the Financial Times .
“ Enterprising sellers have turned big profits by acquiring coveted styles in bulk and flipping them quickly – at mark-ups often many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either to peacock in the latest limited-edition designs or to speculate on further appreciation.
” Stadium Goods offers one such space to do this .
And so lucrative has it been that London-based digital fashion platform Farfetch bought the five-year-old US company for $ 250m ( £190.m ) in January 2019 .
After all , “ we ’ re the new luxury ” , Stadium Goods ’ s co-founder Jed Stiller tells The Wall Street Journal ’ s Howie Kahn .
StockX , Goat and Kent-based The Sole Supplier are other big names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speculating when you can do both ?
“ When you own a pair of sneakers which exist only in limited numbers , not only do you get ‘ street cred ’ as the owner , you also own a pair of shoes that many people would buy at a higher price just because they are so rare , ” George Sullivan , the boss of The Sole Supplier , tells Nicole Mowbray in The Daily Telegraph .
Investor-collectors can now be both savvy and fashionable .
At the beginning of July , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were invited to spend £1,800 on a pair of new Air Jordan 1 OG Dior trainers ( pictured above ) .
“ Even by the hype standards of the sneakerhead world , the buzz around the luxury take on basketball ’ s most iconic hi-top… [ broke ] pre-pandemic decibel records , ” says Jess Cartner-Morley in The Guardian .
Fans were obsessing over nothing less than the coming together of “ two blue-chip bloodlines of sportswear and luxury ” .
In terms of collectable fashion , this was “ a royal wedding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surprise that , come the big day , shoppers queued round the block in the early morning pouring rain in London to get their eager hands on one of 13,000 pairs available worldwide .
At the time of writing , one such pair was for sale on StockX , priced at £15,996 .
The less fortunate have been turning to the shadowy market of “ replicas ” .
“ In sneaker world , the term ‘ replicas ’ connotes the tippy-top class of ‘ fake ’ sneakers , copies of the original so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most fastidious collectors , ” says Jacob Gallagher in The Wall Street Journal .
These often Chinese-made “ careful clones ” can sell for $ 150 ( £114 ) , “ making them roughly as expensive as many authentic sneakers at retail ” .
The trade in these counterfeits is , of course , illegal .
But whole communities devoted to trading replicas have sprung up online .
Buyers after the genuine article should beware .
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

Trainers, or “sneakers” as they’re called across the pond, have become prized collectable assets and the market is showing scant signs of slowing down. If anything, it’s booming. Arguably, the most coveted model is the distinctive red and white Nike Air Jordan 1.
In May, a pair that had been worn and signed by basketball legend Michael Jordan, while still at the start of his long career, in 1985, set an auction record when they sold for $560,000 (£427,938) at Sotheby’s. The record that it broke had only been set the previous July at the auction house’s debut “Ultimate Sneaker” sale, in partnership with Stadium Goods, a leading online marketplace for collectable streetwear. At that sale, a scruffy pair of 1972 Nike Moon Shoes fetched $437,500 (£334,768), far out-pacing its $160,000 (£122,429) top estimate.
A sale with street cred
© Christie’s
So it’s little wonder rival Christie’s is also keen to get in on the action – it has even taken to using the lingo. Its first “drop” (release) of highlights from its sale, which runs until 13 August, included a pair of Nike Air Ships (pictured top and above), exclusively made for and worn by Jordan in 1984. A sort of precursor to the Air Jordan 1s of the following year, these Air Ships are “extremely rare”, says Christie’s. It has given them an estimate of between $350,000 (£267,814) and $550,000 (£420,158). A pair of Nike Air Jordan 7 “Olympics”, custom-made for Jordan when he played in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as part of the US “Dream Team”, also forms part of the sale, valued at (a probably conservative) $70,000 (£53,474).
And a pair of bespoke Nike Air Jordan 14 “Chicago” practice trainers, as seen in The Last Dance, the recent television documentary that helped spark a craze in all things Jordan, is valued at up to $8,000 (£6,111). Like Sotheby’s in its sale of last July, Christie’s has partnered with Stadium Goods to give the auction some authority, or in the parlance: “street cred”.
Again, small wonder. “In recent years, as sneakerhead culture” has gone mainstream, “a booming online resale market has emerged, attracting consumers more interested in trading the products than wearing them,” says Adam Wray in the Financial Times. “Enterprising sellers have turned big profits by acquiring coveted styles in bulk and flipping them quickly – at mark-ups often many times the retail price – to buyers eager either to peacock in the latest limited-edition designs or to speculate on further appreciation.”


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Energy bills: ‘big savings’ for millions of UK households this winter

Millions of households across the UK will pay lower energy bills this winter after Ofgem reduced the price cap starting from October .
The regulator has confirmed that due to lower wholesale energy costs following Covid-19 , the price cap from October to March has been lowered by £84 to £1,042 per year for 11 million households on default dual-fuel energy tariffs .
A further four million households who use pre-payment energy meters will see a decrease of around £94 per year , from £1,164 to £1,070 a year .
Jonathan Brearley , chief executive of Ofgem , said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom face financial hardship due to the Covid-19 crisis , will see big savings on their energy bills this winter when the level of the cap is reduced.
” Ed Dodman , director of regulatory affairs at the Energy Ombudsman , added : “ This reduction in the price cap represents a much-needed financial boost for millions of households , at a time when many people are struggling due to the economic impact of Covid-19 and lockdown.
” Ofgem has also recommended that the price cap is not lifted at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place in 2021 for households on default tariffs and prepayment meters .
However , BBC News reports that the cap is likely to rise in April .
This is because wholesale prices have started to recover after hitting 20-year lows in the spring .
Speaking to BBC Breakfast , Brearley advised customers to shop around for better deals .
He said : “ Phone up your supplier and ask them to put you on the best deal they can offer .
If you can go further and get into the market and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an even better deal than the regulated tariff .
”

Millions of households across the UK will pay lower energy bills this winter after Ofgem reduced the price cap which comes into force in October.
Due to lower wholesale energy costs following Covid-19, the regulator has cut the maximum cost for an average household on a dual-fuel energy tariff by £84 to £1,042 per year. The change will benefit 11 million households.
A further four million households who use pre-payment energy meters will see a decrease of around £94 per year, from £1,164 to £1,070 a year.
Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “Millions of households, many of whom face financial hardship due to the Covid-19 crisis, will see big savings on their energy bills this winter when the level of the cap is reduced.”
Ed Dodman, director of regulatory affairs at the Energy Ombudsman, added: “This reduction in the price cap represents a much-needed financial boost for millions of households, at a time when many people are struggling due to the economic impact of Covid-19 and lockdown.”
Shop around for deals
Ofgem has also recommended that the price cap is not lifted at the end of this year and that it should remain in place in 2021 for households on default tariffs and prepayment meters.
However, BBC News reports that the cap is likely to rise in April. This is because wholesale prices have started to recover after hitting 20-year lows in the spring.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Brearley advised customers to shop around for better deals.
He said: “Phone up your supplier and ask them to put you on the best deal they can offer. If you can go further and get into the market and switch supplier, that will get you an even better deal than the regulated tariff.”


theweekuk--2020-08-07--UK and Japan rush to secure trade deal: what is in it?

After weeks of high-speed online negotiations , the UK and Japan are seeking to conclude a post-Brexit free trade deal before the end of the weekend .
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss “ will hail this as the first major trade deal signed by Britain since Brexit ” , the Financial Times reports .
The negotiations , which began in June , “ have taken place remotely at breakneck speed ” , says The Times .
“ While the UK ’ s discussions with the US and EU have been taking place in rounds , talks with Japan have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The new agreement is largely based on Japan ’ s trade deal with the EU , “ which created the world ’ s largest free trade zone when it came into effect last year ” , says The Times .
Britain has benefited from the provisions of that agreement during the Brexit transition period , but that comes to an end on 31 December “ If Britain and the EU failed to secure a trade deal , it would mean Japanese companies based in the UK face tariffs for imported parts from continental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
One priority for negotiators has been to “ formulate trade rules to protect famous products on either side , including Scotch and Kobe beef ” , says The Brussels Times .
The goal is to “ prevent the sale of cheaper knock-off alternatives ” and preserve national pride .
A more significant point of contention , says the Express , is “ Tokyo ’ s demands for cuts in car export tariffs ” .
“ Japan would like to keep the same low export tariffs for cars and car parts it had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reports .
“ The UK , however , would like to install its own tariffs , which are higher.
” The UK also “ seeks the inclusion of extensive commitments on digital trade ” , says City AM .
British negotiators would like to see “ the free flow of data between Japan and the UK with a view to supporting the development of emerging technologies such as blockchain , driverless cars , and quantum computing ” , the website reports .
The negotiations “ are not only about trade ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been eager to “ discuss bilateral cooperation on security and defence , as Tokyo eyes the ever-increasing regional ambitions of China ” .
Another big UK goal has been to expand on the EU-Japan trade deal ’ s “ rather weak coverage of its vitally important services sector ” , says City AM .
“ But Japan has downplayed hopes for an ambitious trade deal with the UK , ” the Express reports , “ saying that the EU is a larger bloc and the UK is a smaller market.
” According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have conceded that the tight timeframe has curbed the ambition of the deal ” .

After weeks of high-speed online negotiations, the UK and Japan are seeking to conclude a post-Brexit free trade deal before the end of the weekend.
International Trade Secretary Liz Truss “will hail this as the first major trade deal signed by Britain since Brexit”, the Financial Times reports.
The negotiations, which began in June, “have taken place remotely at breakneck speed”, says The Times. “While the UK’s discussions with the US and EU have been taking place in rounds, talks with Japan have been constant”
What will it include?
The new agreement is largely based on Japan’s trade deal with the EU, “which created the world’s largest free trade zone when it came into effect last year”, says The Times.
Britain has benefited from the provisions of that agreement during the Brexit transition period, but that comes to an end on 31 December
“If Britain and the EU failed to secure a trade deal, it would mean Japanese companies based in the UK face tariffs for imported parts from continental Europe,” the Daily Express reports.
Flagship goods
One priority for negotiators has been to “formulate trade rules to protect famous products on either side, including Scotch and Kobe beef”, says The Brussels Times. The goal is to “prevent the sale of cheaper knock-off alternatives” and preserve national pride.
Cars
A more significant point of contention, says the Express, is “Tokyo’s demands for cuts in car export tariffs”.
“Japan would like to keep the same low export tariffs for cars and car parts it had with the EU,” the Brussels Times reports. “The UK, however, would like to install its own tariffs, which are higher.”
Data
The UK also “seeks the inclusion of extensive commitments on digital trade”, says City AM.
British negotiators would like to see “the free flow of data between Japan and the UK with a view to supporting the development of emerging technologies such as blockchain, driverless cars, and quantum computing”, the website reports.
Security and defence
The negotiations “are not only about trade”, says the Financial Times. Japan has also been eager to “discuss bilateral cooperation on security and defence, as Tokyo eyes the ever-increasing regional ambitions of China”.
Financial services
Another big UK goal has been to expand on the EU-Japan trade deal’s “rather weak coverage of its vitally important services sector”, says City AM.
“But Japan has downplayed hopes for an ambitious trade deal with the UK,” the Express reports, “saying that the EU is a larger bloc and the UK is a smaller market.”
According to The Times, “Whitehall officials have conceded that the tight timeframe has curbed the ambition of the deal”.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Quiz of The Week: 1 - 7 August

Quiz of The Week: 1 - 7 August

From waging war on teenagers to being accused of threatening the union , Donald Trump has had a busy week .
With coronavirus ravaging America and an investigation over his financial records now underway , it may seem like a rather inopportune time for Trump to start a protracted legal battle with a Chinese lip-syncing app , but the president is nothing if not unpredictable .
Elsewhere , thousands of Brits filled up restaurants , and their plates , following the launch of the government ’ s Eat Out to Help Out scheme , which runs Monday to Wednesday throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discount .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest developments in the pandemic , and other global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days ?
An investigation has begun into the devastating explosion which killed more than 100 people and injured thousands in Beirut ’ s port on Tuesday .
It was revealed that at the height Britain ’ s coronavirus outbreak , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with elastic ear-loops rather than straps which fasten behind the head .
New research suggests that even mild cases of coronavirus can have long lasting impacts on the lungs , brain and heart , and can cause psychosis , fatigue and loss of eyesight .
And a couple who claim they witnessed government adviser Dominic Cummings during a second coronavirus lockdown trip have complained to the police watchdog saying the allegation was not properly investigated .

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theweekuk--2020-08-08--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 8 Aug 2020

Covid-19 infections appear to be increasing only slightly in England and may be levelling off , according to the Office @ @ @ @ @ Times says new data suggests that , despite local spikes , England and Wales are @ @ @ @ @ on the virus .
However , the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies says that the @ @ @ @ @ will be responsible for more than 80,000 deaths .

Coronavirus infections may be levelling off in England
Covid-19 infections appear to be increasing only slightly in England and may be levelling off, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Times says new data suggests that, despite local spikes, England and Wales are managing to keep a lid on the virus. However, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies says that the indirect effects of the lockdown will be responsible for more than 80,000 deaths.


theweekuk--2020-08-09--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 9 Aug 2020

Boris Johnson says there is a “ moral duty ” to get all children back into schools in England next @ @ @ @ @ Mail on Sunday , the prime minister said it was the “ national priority ” @ @ @ @ @ BBC the PM believes the harm being done to children 's prospects and mental health @ @ @ @ @ more damaging than the risk posed to them by the Covid-19 pandemic .

‘Moral duty’ to get children back to school says PM
Boris Johnson says there is a “moral duty” to get all children back into schools in England next month. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, the prime minister said it was the “national priority”. A source told the BBC the PM believes the harm being done to children's prospects and mental health by not attending school is more damaging than the risk posed to them by the Covid-19 pandemic.


theweekuk--2020-08-10--‘Horrific’: 30% of sportswomen abused by social media trolls

A study by BBC Sport has revealed that almost a third of elite British sportswomen have received online abuse by trolls on social media channels .
Comments on appearance and sexist remarks were a regular theme in answers from respondents who participated in the BBC Elite British Sportswomen ’ s Survey .
One respondent said she considered quitting her sport after “ horrific ” online abuse following a poor performance while another was told she is “ not really British ” .
Following a fall , a female jockey was told by a man that he “ hoped the horse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darts player Deta Hedman revealed that she had suffered racial abuse and was told : “ hope you die of cancer ” .
The survey was sent out to 1,068 women in 39 different sports and received 537 responses .
It is the third time the BBC has conducted the study , after previous editions in 2013 and 2015 .
In response to the survey , BBC Sport has also announced a new policy to tackle hate speech across its platforms .
“ We have seen a lot of positive momentum in women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , but this is a stark reminder that there is still so much more to be done .
It ’ s crucial to see these results as symptoms of the wider system , understand what is creating this environment , and address the underlying causes.
” “ The past few years have seen fantastic progress with women 's sport starting to get the profile it deserves .
I was sent an image of a club crest full of ironing boards and told this was the team I should play for .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visibility has been matched by a rise in online abuse of our sports stars .
We have set out world-leading plans that will make online platforms safer for users , and we will continue to engage with providers to see what more can be done.
” • None 160 ( 30 % ) : have been trolled on social media ( up from 14 % in 2015 ) • 86 % ( 460 ) : earn less than £30,000 per year from sport • 36 % ( 191 ) : do not feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a baby and continue to compete • 20 % ( 109 ) : experienced or witnessed racism in their sport • 65 % ( 347 ) : experienced sexism in their sport but only 10 % ( 51 ) reported it • 78 % : are conscious of their body image

A study by BBC Sport has revealed that almost a third of elite British sportswomen have received online abuse by trolls on social media channels.
Comments on appearance and sexist remarks were a regular theme in answers from respondents who participated in the BBC Elite British Sportswomen’s Survey.
One respondent said she considered quitting her sport after “horrific” online abuse following a poor performance while another was told she is “not really British”. Following a fall, a female jockey was told by a man that he “hoped the horse was ok and not you”.
Darts player Deta Hedman revealed that she had suffered racial abuse and was told: “hope you die of cancer”.
The survey was sent out to 1,068 women in 39 different sports and received 537 responses. It is the third time the BBC has conducted the study, after previous editions in 2013 and 2015.
In response to the survey, BBC Sport has also announced a new policy to tackle hate speech across its platforms.
Reactions to the survey
Tammy Parlour, chief executive of the Women’s Sport Trust
“We have seen a lot of positive momentum in women’s sport over the last five years, but this is a stark reminder that there is still so much more to be done. It’s crucial to see these results as symptoms of the wider system, understand what is creating this environment, and address the underlying causes.”
Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport
“The past few years have seen fantastic progress with women's sport starting to get the profile it deserves. I was sent an image of a club crest full of ironing boards and told this was the team I should play for. However, it is absolutely unacceptable that this visibility has been matched by a rise in online abuse of our sports stars. We have set out world-leading plans that will make online platforms safer for users, and we will continue to engage with providers to see what more can be done.”
The survey in numbers


theweekuk--2020-08-10--How 2020 exam grades will be calculated

How 2020 exam grades will be calculated

The cancellation of exams due to the coronavirus lockdown has led to a makeshift system of exam grading for A-level and GCSE students .
Although final marks will be based on teachers ’ predictions , “ exam boards are expected to lower nearly 40 % of grades using a computerised marking scheme ” , says the Daily Mail .
For A-level students , that could mean missing out on a place at university .
How does the system work ?
In the absence of test scores , “ teachers were asked to supply predicted grades and pupil rankings ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on mock exams and coursework , were then “ moderated using a statistical model designed to ensure consistency ” and prevent teachers inflating predicted grades .
“ If the evidence suggests a school has been a little too generous in how it thinks pupils would have performed , ” says the BBC , “ the school ’ s results will be adjusted downwards.
” What is the problem ?
Since the number of top grades awarded will depend on schools ’ track records , critics of the system have said it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality .
“ Ofqual has admitted that ‘ high ability ’ students at poor schools stand to get worse-than-deserved results this year because ‘ they fall outside the pattern of results ’ the computer model relies on , ” says the Mail .
Can you appeal against a downgrade ?
Individual pupils can not challenge their grades .
“ If students believe their grades are too low and that they could have done better , then the only option is to take a new set of exams this autumn , ” says The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can appeal if they can show this year ’ s GCSE and A-level results do not reflect recent improvements ” , the BBC reports .
However , since exam boards “ have given themselves 42 days to resolve complaints ” , says the Mail , revised grades would come too late for university admissions offices .


theweekuk--2020-08-10--Torrid times for tourism: France ‘likely to be ditched’ from travel safe list

The UK ’ s tourism industry is already one of the economy ’ s hardest hit sectors due to the coronavirus pandemic , but latest reports indicate further bleak news .
Following Spain ’ s removal from the quarantine-free list , many British tourists have been looking at France and Greece as alternative options for summer holidays .
However , the two European nations have seen a recent rise in Covid-19 cases and there are fears they could also be removed from the travel corridors .
On Friday France recorded its highest increase in new cases ( 2,288 ) since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Telegraph , quoting senior sources within the government , reports that France is days away from being “ ditched ” .
The Foreign Office ( FCO ) is set to update its “ safe ” list this week and it ’ s understood that France along with Switzerland , Poland and the Netherlands , could be subject to fresh restrictions .
Paul Charles , spokesperson for campaign group Quash Quarantine and founder of travel consultancy The PC Agency , wrote in Telegraph Travel : “ I know from senior government sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a period of seven days or more is likely to lead to that country being added to the quarantine list .
“ On that basis , France has just two days to get its numbers below 20 – which is highly unlikely despite face masks now being mandatory in many outdoor public spaces , not just indoors in shops.
” The Telegraph also reports that British holidaymakers are “ gambling ” on Greece following Spain ’ s removal from the quarantine-free list .
Skyscanner says Greek destinations such as Crete , Corfu and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Barcelona , Ibiza and Malaga as travellers began to look elsewhere .
However , Greece has also seen a rise in cases and recorded its highest number since 22 April with 121 new cases last Tuesday .
Travelsupermarket.com ’ s Emma Coulthurst said : “ Those prospective holidaymakers , who are looking to holiday overseas , are turning their attention to Greece , followed by Turkey , Italy , Malta and Croatia .
“ My advice would be that if you ’ re looking for a holiday , packages give you that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advice was to change to non-essential travel , then you are entitled to your money back for the package within 14 days.
” It could be announced this week that Portugal is removed from the travel quarantine list , but the Telegraph says that it will not be enforced until the end of August .
The Daily Mail believes that the decision will come “ too late ” for the beleaguered tourism industry as it will miss the summer holidays .
Paul Charles , of The PC Agency , said : “ Portugal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is not looking like it will be until the end of August .
“ My understanding is that it would need a sustained reduction in the number of cases for them to do so .
This kills the summer season for Portugal , and there is no doubt that 2020 has been the worst season it has had.
” The aviation sector has also been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic measures and travel quarantine rules .
And on Friday the UK ’ s flagship carrier British Airways confirmed that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sky News understands that 6,000 redundancies are voluntary and according to trade union Unite a further 4,000 will be compulsory .
A British Airways spokesperson said : “ Our half-year results , published last week , clearly show the enormous financial impact of Covid-19 on our business .
“ We are having to make difficult decisions and take every possible action now to protect as many jobs as possible .
And , while we never could have anticipated being in a position of making redundancies , more than 6,000 of our colleagues have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voluntary redundancy from BA.
” Unite assistant general secretary Howard Beckett blamed “ naked company greed ” for more than 4,000 of its members “ being forced ” out by the airline .
Beckett said : “ This is a very bleak day for the incredible BA workforce and will go down in the history of the airline as the day that it put the interests of the boardroom ahead of its passengers and workforce.
” According to a report in the Daily Mail last week 21,600 jobs in the tourism and aviation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the impact of Covid-19 .

The UK’s tourism industry is already one of the economy’s hardest hit sectors due to the coronavirus pandemic, but latest reports indicate further bleak news.
Following Spain’s removal from the quarantine-free list, many British tourists have been looking at France and Greece as alternative options for summer holidays.
However, the two European nations have seen a recent rise in Covid-19 cases and there are fears they could also be removed from the travel corridors.
France to be ‘ditched’
On Friday France recorded its highest increase in new cases (2,288) since May, says The Guardian. And The Daily Telegraph, quoting senior sources within the government, reports that France is days away from being “ditched”.
The Foreign Office (FCO) is set to update its “safe” list this week and it’s understood that France along with Switzerland, Poland and the Netherlands, could be subject to fresh restrictions.
Paul Charles, spokesperson for campaign group Quash Quarantine and founder of travel consultancy The PC Agency, wrote in Telegraph Travel: “I know from senior government sources that anything above 20 per 100,000 for a period of seven days or more is likely to lead to that country being added to the quarantine list.
“On that basis, France has just two days to get its numbers below 20 – which is highly unlikely despite face masks now being mandatory in many outdoor public spaces, not just indoors in shops.”
Greek gamble
The Telegraph also reports that British holidaymakers are “gambling” on Greece following Spain’s removal from the quarantine-free list.
Skyscanner says Greek destinations such as Crete, Corfu and Santorini have overtaken popular Spanish hotspots such as Barcelona, Ibiza and Malaga as travellers began to look elsewhere.
However, Greece has also seen a rise in cases and recorded its highest number since 22 April with 121 new cases last Tuesday.
Travelsupermarket.com’s Emma Coulthurst said: “Those prospective holidaymakers, who are looking to holiday overseas, are turning their attention to Greece, followed by Turkey, Italy, Malta and Croatia.
“My advice would be that if you’re looking for a holiday, packages give you that gold plated protection. If the FCO advice was to change to non-essential travel, then you are entitled to your money back for the package within 14 days.”
Portugal decision ‘too late’
It could be announced this week that Portugal is removed from the travel quarantine list, but the Telegraph says that it will not be enforced until the end of August.


theweekuk--2020-08-10--The research: do schools spread coronavirus?

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Government ministers are launching a new plan to persuade parents that it will be safe for their children to return to the classroom when school restarts in September. According to the BBC, the government will launch the so-called #backtoschoolsafely campaign in the next few weeks in order to highlight the measures being put in place to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission in the classroom. The campaign will involve newspaper, digital, radio and billboard advertisements and will “emphasise the importance of organised learning to children’s development”, the London Economic says. “It will point to guidance, endorsed by Public Health England, to ensure schools are Covid-secure - including staggered break times, increased hygiene and hand-washing and keeping pupils in consistent groups,” the news site adds. “At the same time, staff and pupils are being encouraged to walk or cycle to school whenever possible.” Last week, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the decision to accelerate the reopening of schools across England in time for the new academic year in September had been guided by an unpublished study by Public Health England (PHE). He said that the PHE study found the virus is unlikely to spread in the classroom, findings that have failed to convince some experts. So what does the new data say? The new PHE study is due to be published within the next few months and is reportedly based on data from 100 schools across England. A total of about 20,000 pupils and teachers are understood to have been tested to monitor the spread of the disease up to the end of the summer term, after schools partially reopened in June following the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. At the weekend, Professor Russell Viner, president of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), said the new study would show that there was “very little evidence that the virus is transmitted” in schools. Skip advert “We know that children can and do transmit this virus, of course they do, but they’re very minor players in the transmission overall, particularly younger children,” Viner said. “It’s increasingly clear that older children - teenagers, probably - transmit as much as adults, but schools themselves play very little role.”
Repeating that message in the wake of the row over what the study says, Viner told The Guardian that we “should be reassured” by the findings so far from schools, rather than focusing on the “theoretical risks” highlighted in modelling studies. According to the newspaper, “the report is likely to show that most children are infected with coronavirus at home, not at school” - but “the unanswered question is to what extent children then transmit the infection to teachers, their families and the wider community”. What does this mean for UK schools? In a statement on Tuesday, chief nurse Bennett said: “Parents can be reassured that to maximise safety in schools, an extremely stringent system of controls has been advised by PHE.” All the same, the mixed messages about the new research are “likely to heighten concerns among teaching unions that a full return of pupils to school is not safe”, says Sky News. Experts had already warned that Boris Johnson’s plan for a full reopening of schools next month would depend on the UK having a functional track-and-trace system. A scientific modelling study published in The Lancet earlier this month concluded that “if schools and society reopened full time or in a part-time rota system on 1 September 2020, with sufficiently broad coverage of a test–trace–isolate programme, a second Covid-19 wave could be prevented in the UK”. But the paper authors added that “we also predict that in the absence of sufficiently broad test–trace–isolate coverage, reopening of schools combined with accompanied reopening of society across all scenarios might induce a second Covid-19 wave”. And while Professor Viner appears optimistic about low transmission rates in schools, he has also warned that if test-and-trace systems fail to curb a new surge of the virus, the government must close pubs, clubs, some shops or any businesses “not essential to the future of society”, as he put it, in order to allow schools, “which are essential to our future”, to reopen. Skip advert Anne Longfield, the children’s commissioner, has also said pubs must shut if necessary to keep schools open. Calling for “weekly” coronavirus testing in all schools, she told Times Radio: “It should become part and parcel of what a good system around school should look like.” Can we learn anything from what has happened abroad? On Monday, Viner told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the global consensus appears to be that schools are not significant vectors for coronavirus. “There are five studies from around the world - from New South Wales, from Australia, Singapore, from Ireland, from Germany, and from France - and in each of those there appears to be very, very little transmission in schools,” he said.


theweekuk--2020-08-10--‘Sombre autumn’: third of UK firms expect to make redundancies by October

A new survey has found that up to a third of UK companies expect to make redundancies by October , when the government ’ s job retention scheme ends .
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development ( CIPD ) and recruitment group Adecco , the poll of 2,000 companies , charities and public sector bodies revealed that 33 % could make job cuts in the third quarter of the year .
In the private sector , 38 % of firms plan to make redundancies , compared to 16 % in the public sector .
Personnel Today says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of employers expecting to cut jobs compared to three months ago , when 22 % of employers anticipated redundancies .
CIPD adviser Gerwyn Davies is predicting a “ sombre autumn for jobs ” , BBC News reports .
He said : “ This is the weakest set of data we ’ ve seen for several years .
Until now , redundancies have been low - no doubt due to the job retention scheme - but we expect to see more redundancies come through this autumn , especially in the private sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence is rising tentatively , but this probably won ’ t be enough to offset the rise in redundancies and the number of new graduates and school leavers entering the labour market over the next few months.
” Last week it was reported that 135,000 jobs in Britain were facing the axe amid an “ economic armageddon ” .
Analysis by the Daily Mail revealed that 22,500 job cuts are in the retail sector , 21,600 in travel and airlines , and 18,100 in restaurants .
Sky News says there has already been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses since the UK lockdown began on 23 March .
While 33 % of employers said they will reduce numbers , almost half ( 49 % ) expect to recruit new staff in the next three months , the CIPD-Adecco survey has found .
Alex Fleming , country head and president of staffing and solutions at Adecco Group UK and Ireland , said : “ Redundancy intentions have increased by 11 % compared to the previous quarter but , more positively , nearly half of UK employers are planning to recruit over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an indication that businesses are reshaping for the future .
“ As organisations continue transitioning into the new era of work , there will be ongoing shifts in working patterns not only for employees but also for those who are just starting out in their career .
“ Therefore , businesses must demonstrate resilience and adopt new approaches to closing the skills gap by investing in upskilling and reskilling workforces .
Creating a positive workplace culture is also integral to maintaining focus , engagement and motivation among existing employees.
” Chancellor Rishi Sunak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ahead ” for many people as the UK ’ s furlough scheme comes to an end .
In an interview with Sky News Sunak admitted that ending the job retention scheme was “ one of the most difficult decisions ” he ’ s had to make .
He said : “ If you look at it from start to finish , the government will have been stepping in to help pay people ’ s wages for almost eight months - an extraordinarily long period of time .
“ I think most reasonable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not something that ’ s obviously sustainable in the long run .
“ In common with many other countries around the world - their versions of this are all coming to the end towards the end of this year .
”

A new survey has found that up to a third of UK companies expect to make redundancies by October, when the government’s job retention scheme ends.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and recruitment group Adecco, the poll of 2,000 companies, charities and public sector bodies revealed that 33% could make job cuts in the third quarter of the year.
In the private sector, 38% of firms plan to make redundancies, compared to 16% in the public sector. Personnel Today says this is a 50% increase in the number of employers expecting to cut jobs compared to three months ago, when 22% of employers anticipated redundancies.
CIPD adviser Gerwyn Davies is predicting a “sombre autumn for jobs”, BBC News reports. He said: “This is the weakest set of data we’ve seen for several years. Until now, redundancies have been low - no doubt due to the job retention scheme - but we expect to see more redundancies come through this autumn, especially in the private sector once the scheme closes.
“Hiring confidence is rising tentatively, but this probably won’t be enough to offset the rise in redundancies and the number of new graduates and school leavers entering the labour market over the next few months.”
Last week it was reported that 135,000 jobs in Britain were facing the axe amid an “economic armageddon”. Analysis by the Daily Mail revealed that 22,500 job cuts are in the retail sector, 21,600 in travel and airlines, and 18,100 in restaurants.
Sky News says there has already been at least 106,000 job cuts at major businesses since the UK lockdown began on 23 March.
‘Reshaping for the future’
While 33% of employers said they will reduce numbers, almost half (49%) expect to recruit new staff in the next three months, the CIPD-Adecco survey has found.
Alex Fleming, country head and president of staffing and solutions at Adecco Group UK and Ireland, said: “Redundancy intentions have increased by 11% compared to the previous quarter but, more positively, nearly half of UK employers are planning to recruit over the next three months, which could be an indication that businesses are reshaping for the future.
“As organisations continue transitioning into the new era of work, there will be ongoing shifts in working patterns not only for employees but also for those who are just starting out in their career.
“Therefore, businesses must demonstrate resilience and adopt new approaches to closing the skills gap by investing in upskilling and reskilling workforces. Creating a positive workplace culture is also integral to maintaining focus, engagement and motivation among existing employees.”
Sunak: tough times ahead
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has warned there will be “hardship ahead” for many people as the UK’s furlough scheme comes to an end.
In an interview with Sky News Sunak admitted that ending the job retention scheme was “one of the most difficult decisions” he’s had to make.
He said: “If you look at it from start to finish, the government will have been stepping in to help pay people’s wages for almost eight months - an extraordinarily long period of time.
“I think most reasonable people would look at that and say that’s not something that’s obviously sustainable in the long run.
“In common with many other countries around the world - their versions of this are all coming to the end towards the end of this year.”


theweekuk--2020-08-10--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 10 Aug 2020

The official Covid-19 daily death toll may be scrapped following an investigation into how Public Health England calculateds it .
@ @ @ @ @ ordered by Matt Hancock after it was claimed that the official figure exaggerates deaths from @ @ @ @ @ stopping daily reporting altogether and shifting to a weekly official death toll instead , a @ @ @ @ @ .
Unusually , England ’ s Covid toll includes people who have died of other @ @ @ @ @ for the virus .

Daily coronavirus death toll announcement may end
The official Covid-19 daily death toll may be scrapped following an investigation into how Public Health England calculateds it. The review, which was ordered by Matt Hancock after it was claimed that the official figure exaggerates deaths from the virus, may recommend stopping daily reporting altogether and shifting to a weekly official death toll instead, a government source told The Telegraph. Unusually, England’s Covid toll includes people who have died of other causes months after testing positive for the virus.


theweekuk--2020-08-10--Missing the office? Have the sounds of the workplace in your home

Help is at hand for office workers who are feeling lonely as they work from home during the coronavirus pandemic : websites and apps offering the recorded sounds of busy offices .
So if you are missing the sound of keyboards , photocopiers and background chat , then head to soundofcolleagues.com or YouTube .
An Israeli jeweller is working on what he hopes will be the world ’ s most expensive coronavirus mask - a gold , diamond-encrusted face covering with a price tag of $ 1.5m .
Designer Isaac Levy says the 18-carat white gold mask will be decorated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fitted with top-rated N99 filters at the request of the buyer .
New Zealand wizard to retire at 87 A New Zealand man is hanging up his pointed had after decades as his city ’ s official wizard .
Since 1998 , Ian Brackenbury has been paid $ 10,400 a year for “ wizardry ” in Christchurch .
His successor is expected to be a 39-year-old man called Ari Freeman , who teaches guitar and fronts a psychedelic funk band .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Help is at hand for office workers who are feeling lonely as they work from home during the coronavirus pandemic: websites and apps offering the recorded sounds of busy offices. So if you are missing the sound of keyboards, photocopiers and background chat, then head to soundofcolleagues.com or YouTube.
Israeli jeweller produces $1.5m face mask
An Israeli jeweller is working on what he hopes will be the world’s most expensive coronavirus mask - a gold, diamond-encrusted face covering with a price tag of $1.5m. Designer Isaac Levy says the 18-carat white gold mask will be decorated with 3,600 white and black diamonds and fitted with top-rated N99 filters at the request of the buyer.
New Zealand wizard to retire at 87
A New Zealand man is hanging up his pointed had after decades as his city’s official wizard. Since 1998, Ian Brackenbury has been paid $10,400 a year for “wizardry” in Christchurch. His successor is expected to be a 39-year-old man called Ari Freeman, who teaches guitar and fronts a psychedelic funk band.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-08-10--What’s going on in Belarus?

What’s going on in Belarus?

The eastern European country of Belarus has been plunged into chaos following a highly controversial election in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud .
Riots broke out in the capital Minsk on Sunday night after the country ’ s election commission earlier announced that Lukashenko , who has run the country since 1994 , won an improbable 80 % of the vote , extending his authoritarian 26-year rule for another five years .
Police in the capital responded to protesters with violence , says the BBC , as eyewitnesses claimed authorities “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the crowd ” - reports that have drawn harsh criticism from international observers .
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has refused to recognise the results , describing the police response as “ unacceptable ” and indicating that her supporters are prepared for long-term protest .
“ We have already won , because we have overcome our fear , our apathy and our indifference , ” she said .
What is the political situation in Belarus ?
Belarus , a former republic of the Soviet Union which gained its independence in 1991 , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last dictatorship ” , aping many of the ultra-authoritarian policies used to surpress political dissent in the USSR .
“ Lukashenko came to power in 1994 and has remained in office ever since , ” Al Jazeera reports .
“ His government has seen human rights activists imprisoned , political dissidents silenced , and protests violently dispersed.
” European election monitors , including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe , have not recognised a single election as free and fair since the strongman , 65 , came to power .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced “ unprecedented anger over his handling of the economy and a bungled coronavirus response ” , The Guardian reports .
He has also angered Vladimir Putin - his staunchest ally - by accusing Moscow of sending mercenaries to destabilise the country .
Having initially replaced her anti-government blogger husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski upon his jailing early in 2020 , former English teacher Tikhanovskaya came to lead the opposition against Lukashenko heading into the 9 August election .
Despite being described by the president as a “ poor little girl ” and a product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has attracted tens of thousands of supporters to her rallies across the country , even in regions dominated by Lukashenko supporters .
The Guardian adds that Tikhanovskaya has said she does not want to remain in power if she wins , “ promising to hold free elections within six months , release political prisoners and return the country ’ s pre-1996 constitution that limited presidents to two terms in office ” .
What happened in the election ?
Independent and media opinion polling is illegal in Belarus ; only government-sanctioned polls can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed Lukashenko with an insurmountable lead .
However in the months prior to the election , Lukashenko appeared to be heading for a heavy defeat according to illegal online polls , all of which saw him trailing opposition candidates Tikhanovskaya and Viktar Babaryka , a banker who was jailed on tax evasion charges in June .
Amnesty International describes Babaryka and Syarhei Tsikhanouski as “ prisoners of conscience ” and alleges that their arrests were politically motivated .
Despite these hopeful signs for Tikhanovskaya , who went into hiding on the night of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Belarus Central Election Commission announced on Sunday night that President Lukashenko had received a scarcely believable 81 % of votes , with Tikhanovskaya racking up just 9 % .
The backlash was immediate , with Tikhanovskaya claiming she did not trust the figures .
“ I believe my eyes , and I see that the majority is with us , ” she said , while thousands of her supporters took to the streets of Minsk and other cities chanting “ victory ” and calling for Lukashenko ’ s resignation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tear gas and stun grenades in a crackdown on the protests , The Telegraph reports , and reports suggest at least one person was killed after being knocked over by a police van .
“ After breaking up the big crowds , police relentlessly chased smaller groups of protesters across downtown Minsk for the next several hours , ” the paper adds .
What will happen next ?
According to The Times , police have continued to patrol the streets in the wake of the protests , with some carrying machine guns while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cordoning government buildings off .
Tikhanovskaya has since called on the commanders of special forces units to refrain from violence .
“ Please stop the violence ... Officers , I know you can do this , ” she said .
Despite the controversy , Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have both reportedly congratulated Lukashenko on his victory , with the former calling for the “ expansion of integration processes ” between Russia and Belarus .
But a number of European countries have expressed deep concern over the incidents on Sunday , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historically strained relationship with Minsk - calling on European Union leaders to hold an unprecedented snap summit on the crisis .
The Polish foreign ministry condemned the violence and appealed to the Belarusian authorities “ to start respecting fundamental human rights ” .
“ Violence against protesters is not the answer , ” European Council President Charles Michel added in a tweet on Monday .
“ Freedom of speech , freedom of assembly , basic human rights must be upheld .
”

The eastern European country of Belarus has been plunged into chaos following a highly controversial election in which President Alexander Lukashenko claimed a landslide victory despite widespread allegations of electoral fraud.
Riots broke out in the capital Minsk on Sunday night after the country’s election commission earlier announced that Lukashenko, who has run the country since 1994, won an improbable 80% of the vote, extending his authoritarian 26-year rule for another five years.
Police in the capital responded to protesters with violence, says the BBC, as eyewitnesses claimed authorities “used stun grenades and fired rubber bullets into the crowd” - reports that have drawn harsh criticism from international observers.
Opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya has refused to recognise the results, describing the police response as “unacceptable” and indicating that her supporters are prepared for long-term protest. “We have already won, because we have overcome our fear, our apathy and our indifference,” she said.
What is the political situation in Belarus?
Belarus, a former republic of the Soviet Union which gained its independence in 1991, is frequently described as Europe’s “last dictatorship”, aping many of the ultra-authoritarian policies used to surpress political dissent in the USSR.
“Lukashenko came to power in 1994 and has remained in office ever since,” Al Jazeera reports. “His government has seen human rights activists imprisoned, political dissidents silenced, and protests violently dispersed.”
European election monitors, including the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, have not recognised a single election as free and fair since the strongman, 65, came to power.
In recent months, however, Lukashenko has faced “unprecedented anger over his handling of the economy and a bungled coronavirus response”, The Guardian reports. He has also angered Vladimir Putin - his staunchest ally - by accusing Moscow of sending mercenaries to destabilise the country.
Having initially replaced her anti-government blogger husband Siarhei Tsikhanouski upon his jailing early in 2020, former English teacher Tikhanovskaya came to lead the opposition against Lukashenko heading into the 9 August election. Despite being described by the president as a “poor little girl” and a product of foreign “puppet masters”, she has attracted tens of thousands of supporters to her rallies across the country, even in regions dominated by Lukashenko supporters.