theweekuk--2020-10-02--Quiz of The Week: 26 September - 2 October

Thousands of students remain in lockdown heading into the weekend , as coronavirus cases surge at UK universities and calls for refunds on tuition fees grow louder .
Over 40 higher education institutions have now reported cases , leading to accusations that the government and universities recruited students on false pretences due to a reliance on rental payments .
Pressure on the government further intensified after Boris Johnson ’ s admission that he “ misspoke ” during a government briefing , wrongly explaining that people in the North East could mix with other households .
And the EU added to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announcing that they will launch legal action against the government over plans to break international law through the passing of the Internal Market Bill .
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 ?
In the US , Donald Trump and Joe Biden went to head-to-head in the first US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many to be the worst presidential debate America has ever seen , CNN ’ s Jake Tapper summed up the showdown as a “ hot mess , inside a dumpster fire , inside a trainwreck ” .
Fighting broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over a long-disputed territory , with both countries defying calls from the international community and religious leaders for a truce .
And the world reached the grim milestone of one million Covid deaths on Tuesday as the World Health Organization warned that the death count will increase further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .


theweekuk--2020-10-02--Podcasts of the Week: ecstasy, disco and bunga bunga

Ecstasy : The Battle of Rave is “ not your usual hands-aloft-blow-yer-whistle-remember-the-good-times nostalgia-fest ” , said Miranda Sawyer in The Observer .
It ’ s much more interesting than that .
Available on BBC Sounds as a “ bingeable ” 12-parter , this exciting but “ even-handed ” series about late-1980s rave culture has an unusual format .
The first six episodes ( plus bonus ) are a documentary by 5 Live ’ s Chris Warburton .
The next five consist of dramatic monologues by Danny Brocklehurst , in which we hear from “ the raver , the dealer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policeman ” – as portrayed by actors including Ian Hart and Monica Dolan .
At first , I worried that Warburton was too obviously unfamiliar with the world of loved-up 1980s hedonism .
But I was won over by his warmth and by his excellent interviews .
And the dramas are “ authentic ” and believable .
This is an “ intense evocation of a short but massively influential time in UK youth culture ” .
But it did make me feel old .
If disco was more your thing , check out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producer Steve Greenberg , said Hannah Verdier in The Guardian .
The rise and fall of the genre has been well documented , but this terrific four-parter takes you well beyond Studio 54 into “ obscure clubs and the sweaty dancefloors of Fire Island ” – and is filled with glorious disco grooves .
Another American “ uber-producer ” , Rick Rubin , is one of the hosts of the interview-based podcast Broken Record , said Francesca Angelini in The Sunday Times .
He and fellow hosts Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam talk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and André 3000 .
One candid episode features Alicia Keys recalling auditioning for Prince .
“ Plus she sings a song she wrote at 14 .
It ’ s all very lovely.
” A new series from Wondery made by Benjamin Gray and Giulia Alagna , Bunga Bunga , tells the story of how a party-loving billionaire with no political experience hypnotised an entire nation , said Fiona Sturges in the FT .
The riveting saga of Italy ’ s roistering prime minister , Silvio Berlusconi , takes in underage “ sex scandals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organised crime and disgruntled wives ” , and it positively “ revels in lurid details of the infamous ‘ bunga bunga ’ parties at Berlusconi ’ s private villa ” outside Milan .
I enjoyed Bunga Bunga but have one big caveat .
While the narrator , comedian Whitney Cummings , does an impeccable job , I do prefer podcasts narrated by the producers who created them – allowing for a special kind of intimacy and authority that is lacking here .
Still , this is “ political history presented as a comedy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fun .
Will China save us from climate change ?
Are modern leaders immune to shame ?
And what can we learn from online party conferences ?
Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .

Ecstasy: The Battle of Rave is “not your usual hands-aloft-blow-yer-whistle-remember-the-good-times nostalgia-fest”, said Miranda Sawyer in The Observer. It’s much more interesting than that. Available on BBC Sounds as a “bingeable” 12-parter, this exciting but “even-handed” series about late-1980s rave culture has an unusual format. The first six episodes (plus bonus) are a documentary by 5 Live’s Chris Warburton. The next five consist of dramatic monologues by Danny Brocklehurst, in which we hear from “the raver, the dealer, the DJ, the entrepreneur and the policeman” – as portrayed by actors including Ian Hart and Monica Dolan. At first, I worried that Warburton was too obviously unfamiliar with the world of loved-up 1980s hedonism. But I was won over by his warmth and by his excellent interviews. And the dramas are “authentic” and believable. This is an “intense evocation of a short but massively influential time in UK youth culture”. But it did make me feel old.
If disco was more your thing, check out Speed of Sound from the US record producer Steve Greenberg, said Hannah Verdier in The Guardian. The rise and fall of the genre has been well documented, but this terrific four-parter takes you well beyond Studio 54 into “obscure clubs and the sweaty dancefloors of Fire Island” – and is filled with glorious disco grooves. Another American “uber-producer”, Rick Rubin, is one of the hosts of the interview-based podcast Broken Record, said Francesca Angelini in The Sunday Times. He and fellow hosts Malcolm Gladwell and Bruce Headlam talk to famous musos including Run the Jewels and André 3000. One candid episode features Alicia Keys recalling auditioning for Prince. “Plus she sings a song she wrote at 14. It’s all very lovely.”
A new series from Wondery made by Benjamin Gray and Giulia Alagna, Bunga Bunga, tells the story of how a party-loving billionaire with no political experience hypnotised an entire nation, said Fiona Sturges in the FT. The riveting saga of Italy’s roistering prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, takes in underage “sex scandals, political wheeler-dealing, financial skulduggery, organised crime and disgruntled wives”, and it positively “revels in lurid details of the infamous ‘bunga bunga’ parties at Berlusconi’s private villa” outside Milan. I enjoyed Bunga Bunga but have one big caveat. While the narrator, comedian Whitney Cummings, does an impeccable job, I do prefer podcasts narrated by the producers who created them – allowing for a special kind of intimacy and authority that is lacking here. Still, this is “political history presented as a comedy caper”, and it is great fun.
The Week Unwrapped: Green China, Amnesty and online politics
Will China save us from climate change? Are modern leaders immune to shame? And what can we learn from online party conferences? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.


theweekuk--2020-10-02--Albums of the Week: Re-Animator, Alicia, Unexpected Shadows

This week ’ s albums include the “ best yet ” from Everything Everything , “ intimate , evocative New York soul sound ” from Alicia Keys and Jamie Barton ’ s solo record dedicated to the songs of composer Jake Heggie .
This fifth album from English art rock band Everything Everything “ seems to have ... well , everything ” , said David Cheal in the FT.
It ’ s “ clever and literate , but listenable too ; fiercely energetic but also sophisticated ” ; and technically accomplished yet also “ warm and melodic ” .
Arch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funk tune ” .
In Birdsong has “ churchy grandeur ” .
And best of all is Violent Sun , a cracking tune that blends the personal with the apocalyptic : “ I wan na be there when the wild wave comes , and we ’ re swept away , ” sings frontman Jonathan Higgs .
“ It makes the end of the world sound like a glorious prospect.
” With lyrics full of wry humour and grotesque imagery it isn ’ t an “ easy listen ” , but it more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Connor in The Independent .
Re-Animator packs “ global anxiety and paranoia into exquisitely crafted songs ” – delivered by Higgs in his “ signature falsetto and stuttering half-raps ” , backed by bassist Jeremy Pritchard ’ s “ ominous grooves ” .
It ’ s a “ superb ” album – and the band ’ s best yet .
Alicia Keys ’ s seventh album was due for release in March , as her “ slick pop-R & B ” single Underdog became her biggest hit for years , said Nick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( due to the pandemic ) probably won ’ t have boosted the album ’ s commercial prospects .
But creatively it seems to make sense : Alicia “ shimmers with warmth and cautious optimism from start to finish ” , and its combination of “ positivity , empathy and self-knowledge feels pretty enriching right now ” .
Elevated to “ American music royalty ” , Keys has in recent years come to seem “ somewhat bland and unrelatable ” , said Will Hodgkinson in The Times .
But this excellent album has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soul sound ” that made the world fall for her in the first place .
It has topical themes such as valuing key workers and defeating racism – but it ’ s done with such heart that the earnestness never overwhelms .
“ United by a breezy , laid-back mood and the smooth but city-hardened cadences of Keys ’ s contralto ” , it ’ s “ classic soul for the modern age ” .
This solo album from the acclaimed American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton is dedicated to the songs of the composer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piano accompaniment , with Matt Haimovitz on the cello .
And it ’ s a tribute to the composer ’ s output , said Hugh Canning in The Sunday Times , that Barton “ sustains the interest for over an hour ” with a musical variety – across the 16 songs presented – that “ stands comparison with , say , Poulenc in the 20th century ” .
The opening track , Music , about a man on death row hearing music ( text by Sister Helen Prejean ) , sets the emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Observer , as Barton ’ s voice oscillates between “ rich , pure and raw ” .
Heggie ’ s style is “ melodic and immediate , now a touch of blues and scat , now exultant and climactic ” – and he is clearly a composer-pianist who knows exactly how to play his own music ( not a given ) .
Barton ’ s singing is “ versatile and big-hearted ” .
She catches “ any shred of wit or sorrow ” , and “ responds to the music ’ s every @ @ @ @ @ @ @

This week’s albums include the “best yet” from Everything Everything, “intimate, evocative New York soul sound” from Alicia Keys and Jamie Barton’s solo record dedicated to the songs of composer Jake Heggie.
Everything Everything: Re-Animator
This fifth album from English art rock band Everything Everything “seems to have... well, everything”, said David Cheal in the FT. It’s “clever and literate, but listenable too; fiercely energetic but also sophisticated”; and technically accomplished yet also “warm and melodic”. Arch Enemy is an “irresistible, glistening funk tune”. In Birdsong has “churchy grandeur”. And best of all is Violent Sun, a cracking tune that blends the personal with the apocalyptic: “I wanna be there when the wild wave comes, and we’re swept away,” sings frontman Jonathan Higgs. “It makes the end of the world sound like a glorious prospect.”
With lyrics full of wry humour and grotesque imagery it isn’t an “easy listen”, but it more than repays the effort, said Roisin O’Connor in The Independent. Re-Animator packs “global anxiety and paranoia into exquisitely crafted songs” – delivered by Higgs in his “signature falsetto and stuttering half-raps”, backed by bassist Jeremy Pritchard’s “ominous grooves”. It’s a “superb” album – and the band’s best yet.
AWAL £10
Alicia Keys: Alicia
Alicia Keys’s seventh album was due for release in March, as her “slick pop-R&B” single Underdog became her biggest hit for years, said Nick Levine in NME. The six-month delay (due to the pandemic) probably won’t have boosted the album’s commercial prospects. But creatively it seems to make sense: Alicia “shimmers with warmth and cautious optimism from start to finish”, and its combination of “positivity, empathy and self-knowledge feels pretty enriching right now”.
Elevated to “American music royalty”, Keys has in recent years come to seem “somewhat bland and unrelatable”, said Will Hodgkinson in The Times. But this excellent album has the “intimate, evocative New York soul sound” that made the world fall for her in the first place. It has topical themes such as valuing key workers and defeating racism – but it’s done with such heart that the earnestness never overwhelms. “United by a breezy, laid-back mood and the smooth but city-hardened cadences of Keys’s contralto”, it’s “classic soul for the modern age”.
RCA £11
Jamie Barton: Unexpected Shadows
This solo album from the acclaimed American mezzo-soprano Jamie Barton is dedicated to the songs of the composer Jake Heggie, who also provides the piano accompaniment, with Matt Haimovitz on the cello. And it’s a tribute to the composer’s output, said Hugh Canning in The Sunday Times, that Barton “sustains the interest for over an hour” with a musical variety – across the 16 songs presented – that “stands comparison with, say, Poulenc in the 20th century”.
The opening track, Music, about a man on death row hearing music (text by Sister Helen Prejean), sets the emotional tone, said Fiona Maddocks in The Observer, as Barton’s voice oscillates between “rich, pure and raw”. Heggie’s style is “melodic and immediate, now a touch of blues and scat, now exultant and climactic” – and he is clearly a composer-pianist who knows exactly how to play his own music (not a given). Barton’s singing is “versatile and big-hearted”. She catches “any shred of wit or sorrow”, and “responds to the music’s every need, each syllable crystal-clear”.
Pentatone £13


theweekuk--2020-10-02--How at risk is Donald Trump of a serious case of Covid-19?

Donald Trump has confirmed that he has entered quarantine with his wife , Melania , after testing positive for coronavirus .
One of his closest aides , 31-year-old adviser Hope Hicks , has also tested positive for the virus after travelling on Air Force One with Trump to the first presidential debate .
Trump , who has “ mostly spurned mask-wearing and has often been pictured not socially distanced with aides or others during official engagements ” , is 74-years-old and so is in a high risk group , the BBC says .
Hospitalisation rates for those between 65 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 329.3 per 100,000 in the 75 to 84 age group , The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) reports .
“ Eight out of ten Covid-19-related deaths reported in the United States have been among adults aged 65 years and older ” , the CDC says .
The chances of hospitalisation at Trump ’ s age is five times higher than in 18 to 29-year-olds , while the likelihood of death is 90 times higher , the agency adds .
Trump ’ s doctor , Dr Sean Conley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the first lady were “ both well at this time , and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence ” .
“ Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering , and I will keep you updated on any future developments , ” Conley ’ s statement added .
Trump ’ s most recent medical examination recorded his weight as 244lb ( 110.7kg ) , making him obese for a person of his height of 1.9m ( 6.3ft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitalisation threefold , the CDC says .
And a study by Columbia University in July found that people with coronavirus who are obese were 60 % more likely to require mechanical ventilation or die .

Donald Trump has confirmed that he has entered quarantine with his wife, Melania, after testing positive for coronavirus.
One of his closest aides, 31-year-old adviser Hope Hicks, has also tested positive for the virus after travelling on Air Force One with Trump to the first presidential debate.
Trump, who has “mostly spurned mask-wearing and has often been pictured not socially distanced with aides or others during official engagements”, is 74-years-old and so is in a high risk group, the BBC says.
Hospitalisation rates for those between 65 and 74-years-old are 198.7 per 100,000, rising to 329.3 per 100,000 in the 75 to 84 age group, The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.
“Eight out of ten Covid-19-related deaths reported in the United States have been among adults aged 65 years and older”, the CDC says. The chances of hospitalisation at Trump’s age is five times higher than in 18 to 29-year-olds, while the likelihood of death is 90 times higher, the agency adds.
Trump’s doctor, Dr Sean Conley, released a statement, saying the president and the first lady were “both well at this time, and they plan to remain at home within the White House during their convalescence”.
“Rest assured I expect the president to continue carrying out his duties without disruption while recovering, and I will keep you updated on any future developments,” Conley’s statement added.
Trump’s most recent medical examination recorded his weight as 244lb (110.7kg), making him obese for a person of his height of 1.9m (6.3ft). Obesity increases the chance of hospitalisation threefold, the CDC says.
And a study by Columbia University in July found that people with coronavirus who are obese were 60% more likely to require mechanical ventilation or die.


theweekuk--2020-10-02--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Green China, shameless states and virtual politics

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 : China has shocked observers by committing to go carbon neutral by 2060 .
But with much of its global influence founded on its economic might , experts have suggested that any move that slows its growth is unlikely to come to fruition .
So is the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go green '' ?
Or is it merely a tactical play by Chinese Communist Party ?
Amnesty International this week announced that it will no longer operate in India following what it calls a “ witch-hunt ” by authorities .
But with NGOs increasingly finding themselves the target of right-wing populists - and Amnesty facing criticism for losing sight of their core values - will India really miss them ?
This year ’ s Conservative party conference will take the form of a slightly surreal video game , with delegates encouraged to glide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works in practice is yet to be seen , but the party ’ s decision to experiment suggests that we ’ re all starting to tire of the straightforward video call .

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:
Green China
China has shocked observers by committing to go carbon neutral by 2060. But with much of its global influence founded on its economic might, experts have suggested that any move that slows its growth is unlikely to come to fruition. So is the world's largest carbon emitter about to "go green"? Or is it merely a tactical play by Chinese Communist Party?
Modi vs Amnesty
Amnesty International this week announced that it will no longer operate in India following what it calls a “witch-hunt” by authorities. But with NGOs increasingly finding themselves the target of right-wing populists - and Amnesty facing criticism for losing sight of their core values - will India really miss them?
Virtual party politics
This year’s Conservative party conference will take the form of a slightly surreal video game, with delegates encouraged to glide between virtual exhibition spaces. How it works in practice is yet to be seen, but the party’s decision to experiment suggests that we’re all starting to tire of the straightforward video call.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts


theweekuk--2020-10-02--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 2 Oct 2020

Donald Trump has announced on Twitter that he and his wife Melania have tested positive for coronavirus .
The US @ @ @ @ @ , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine @ @ @ @ @ We will get through this TOGETHER !
” He said earlier that he and the @ @ @ @ @ Hope Hicks , one of his top aides , tested positive .

Donald and Melania Trump test positive for coronavirus
Donald Trump has announced on Twitter that he and his wife Melania have tested positive for coronavirus. The US president tweeted: “Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” He said earlier that he and the first lady were self-isolating after Hope Hicks, one of his top aides, tested positive.


theweekuk--2020-10-02--Court rules that Subway bread is not bread

An Irish court has ruled that the bread served at Subway can not be defined as bread because of its high sugar content .
The ruling followed an appeal by the company ’ s Irish franchisee , which argued that the bread used in the sandwiches counted as a staple food and was therefore exempt from VAT .
However , the court ruled that it should be classed as confectionary .
A Florida man reported to the police by his neighbours for shouting “ Shoot !
Shoot !
” was just an excited hockey fan .
Devon Garnett says he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beloved Tampa Bay Lightning team .
“ I yelled out , really loud , ‘ Shoot !
Shoot !
’ ” he told Inside Edition .
When the neighbours realised what had happened they sent an apology note and a 12-pack of beer .
Woman arrested for using kids to steal Trump signs A woman in upstate New York was arrested for allegedly using six children to steal Donald Trump campaign signs from people ’ s homes .
The Montgomery County Sheriff ’ s Office says Deana Algarin , 45 , is charged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a child , criminal possession of stolen property , petit larceny , marijuana possession , as well as two citations for seatbelt violations involving children less than 15 years old .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

An Irish court has ruled that the bread served at Subway cannot be defined as bread because of its high sugar content. The ruling followed an appeal by the company’s Irish franchisee, which argued that the bread used in the sandwiches counted as a staple food and was therefore exempt from VAT. However, the court ruled that it should be classed as confectionary.
Neighbours call cops after sports fan shouts ‘Shoot!’
A Florida man reported to the police by his neighbours for shouting “Shoot! Shoot!” was just an excited hockey fan. Devon Garnett says he was animated as he cheered on his beloved Tampa Bay Lightning team. “I yelled out, really loud, ‘Shoot! Shoot!’” he told Inside Edition. When the neighbours realised what had happened they sent an apology note and a 12-pack of beer.
Woman arrested for using kids to steal Trump signs
A woman in upstate New York was arrested for allegedly using six children to steal Donald Trump campaign signs from people’s homes. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says Deana Algarin, 45, is charged with six counts of endangering the welfare of a child, criminal possession of stolen property, petit larceny, marijuana possession, as well as two citations for seatbelt violations involving children less than 15 years old.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-10-01--Alicia Keys wants you to have more soul

Alicia Keys wants you to have more soul

Perhaps Alicia Keys should have called her latest album Gold .
Released on 18 September , the singer-songwriter ’ s seventh album - the eponymous Alicia - has snagged the No.1 spot on Billboard ’ s top R & B album chart .
She certainly has the Midas touch when it comes to making music but now she ’ s also unleashed her germinal creativity on the beauty world , with the launch of her brand new self care and skin care platform keyssoulcare.com in collaboration with e.l.f .
Beauty , producer of popular e.l.f .
Cosmetics since 2004 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist hasn ’ t unveiled any products - a full collection of cruelty-free , dermatologist-developed items are slated for early 2021 - but the site has been populated with editorial that emphasises self-nurturing as its calling card with articles filed under “ body ” , “ spirit ” , “ mind ” and “ connection ” .
You can currently watch a video of Keys discussing the power of words as a means of harnessing your fears , albeit in a pretty abstract manner .
Kitted out in a “ New York ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ along with extra large hoop earrings , Keys discusses her emotive interpretation of the animated series The Legend of Korra .
Rest assured , this is better than it sounds mainly because Keys ’ s utterances are always so impassioned and immersive , even if she hasn ’ t scripted the video ( again , a good thing in this overly edited age ) .
In another video , the star discusses what beauty means to her : “ the soul , the heart , the spirit , and more than just the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but Keys Soulcare feels more home-made and earnest than sites like Goop and Poosh .
It ’ s already embracing a more honest approach and while its advice is not exactly breakthrough - “ choose a quiet space .
A sunny window .
A corner of your bedroom covered in images that speak to your present dreams or future goals ” - it makes for a pleasantly gentle distraction .
Plus , there is the promise of more insights from her burgeoning community of “ lightworkers ” , a compelling group of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ light and positivity ” , among them healer/creative Emilia Ortiz , Orenda Tribe founder Amy Yeung , and Mama Medicine founder Deborah Hanekamp .
The skincare line will be introduced with a small holiday drop over Christmas .
But if you want to know more , here ’ s what the company says about the products .
A statement reads : “ Based on Alicia ’ s own skincare experiences and desire for truly efficacious formulas and soul-nourishing rituals , the products have been carefully developed in partnership with Dr. Renée Snyder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pioneer W3LL People , part of the e.l.f .
Beauty family of brands .
Based in Austin , TX , Dr. Snyder is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology as well as skin rejuvenation and care to help people achieving their best skin .
”

Perhaps Alicia Keys should have called her latest album Gold. Released on 18 September, the singer-songwriter’s seventh album - the eponymous Alicia - has snagged the No.1 spot on Billboard’s top R&B album chart.
She certainly has the Midas touch when it comes to making music but now she’s also unleashed her germinal creativity on the beauty world, with the launch of her brand new self care and skin care platform keyssoulcare.com in collaboration with e.l.f. Beauty, producer of popular e.l.f. Cosmetics since 2004.
So far, the 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist hasn’t unveiled any products - a full collection of cruelty-free, dermatologist-developed items are slated for early 2021 - but the site has been populated with editorial that emphasises self-nurturing as its calling card with articles filed under “body”, “spirit”, “mind” and “connection”.
You can currently watch a video of Keys discussing the power of words as a means of harnessing your fears, albeit in a pretty abstract manner. Kitted out in a “New York” graphic print T-shirt and wearing futuristic shades along with extra large hoop earrings, Keys discusses her emotive interpretation of the animated series The Legend of Korra. Rest assured, this is better than it sounds mainly because Keys’s utterances are always so impassioned and immersive, even if she hasn’t scripted the video (again, a good thing in this overly edited age). In another video, the star discusses what beauty means to her: “the soul, the heart, the spirit, and more than just the surface.”
Cynics may roll their eyes, but Keys Soulcare feels more home-made and earnest than sites like Goop and Poosh. It’s already embracing a more honest approach and while its advice is not exactly breakthrough - “choose a quiet space. A sunny window. A corner of your bedroom covered in images that speak to your present dreams or future goals” - it makes for a pleasantly gentle distraction. Plus, there is the promise of more insights from her burgeoning community of “lightworkers”, a compelling group of mentors who use their voices to spread “light and positivity”, among them healer/creative Emilia Ortiz, Orenda Tribe founder Amy Yeung, and Mama Medicine founder Deborah Hanekamp.
The skincare line will be introduced with a small holiday drop over Christmas. But if you want to know more, here’s what the company says about the products.
A statement reads: “Based on Alicia’s own skincare experiences and desire for truly efficacious formulas and soul-nourishing rituals, the products have been carefully developed in partnership with Dr. Renée Snyder, M.D., co-founder of clean beauty pioneer W3LL People, part of the e.l.f. Beauty family of brands. Based in Austin, TX, Dr. Snyder is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical dermatology as well as skin rejuvenation and care to help people achieving their best skin.”


theweekuk--2020-10-02--Why everyone’s talking about Honda leaving F1 in 2021

In a major change of business direction the Honda Motor Company has announced it will depart Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season to shift its focus towards “ environmental initiatives ” and accelerate its goal of achieving “ carbon neutrality by 2050 ” .
The Japanese auto giant ’ s withdrawal from the motorsport means that F1 teams Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri will be looking for a new power unit supplier .
After returning to the F1 championship with McLaren in 2015 , Honda switched to Red Bull ’ s junior team Toro Rosso ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before adding Red Bull as a works team the following year .
Described as a “ shock announcement ” by Formula1.com , Honda ’ s two-and-a-half-year partnership with the Red Bull family has achieved five race victories and 15 podiums so far .
In explaining its reasons for leaving F1 , Honda has cited environmental initiatives as one of the “ top priorities ” for the company and has made the decision to strive for the “ realisation of carbon neutrality by 2050 ” .
In a statement Takahiro Hachigo , CEO of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We see the automobile industry is undergoing a once-in-one-hundred-years period of great transformation .
It has been a while since we started communicating Honda ’ s intention to focus on the creation of new mobility products and new value for the future .
“ To this end , our current goal of electrifying two-thirds of our global automobile unit sales in 2030 will become a checkpoint we must pass before we get to the 2050 goal , and therefore we must further accelerate the introduction of our carbon-free technologies .
“ To realise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthening our research and development in the areas of future power unit and energy technologies.
” What happens next ?
Red Bull and AlphaTauri ’ s search for a new power unit supplier comes just a few years after splitting from Renault .
Despite Honda ’ s decision the teams “ remain committed ” to F1 , Autosport reports .
While admitting he was “ disappointed ” , Red Bull team principal Christian Horner understands how “ difficult it has been for Honda to reach the decision ” .
Horner added : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has led to Honda ’ s decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this .
“ Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team but we have been here before and with our strength in depth we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively , as we have proven in the past .
“ Whilst we are disappointed not to continue our partnership with Honda , we are enormously proud of our joint success , delivering five wins and 15 podiums for both Red @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Honda for their extraordinary efforts and commitment .
“ Our joint focus for the remainder of the 2020 and 2021 seasons are unchanged , to fight for victories and challenge for the championship .
“ As a signatory to Formula One ’ s latest Concorde Agreement , Red Bull Racing remains committed to the sport in the long term and we look forward to embarking on a new era of innovation , development and success .
As a group , we will now take the time afforded to us to further evaluate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solution for 2022 and beyond.
” Max Verstappen has won four races in the Red Bull-Honda era , including their first at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix ( pictured above ) .
He ’ s also secured 13 podiums in just 31 race starts .
Pierre Gasly ’ s victory at this year ’ s Italian GP for AlphaTauri saw Honda become the only power unit manufacturer to win with two different teams since the start of F1 ’ s hybrid era in 2014 .

In a major change of business direction the Honda Motor Company has announced it will depart Formula 1 at the end of the 2021 season to shift its focus towards “environmental initiatives” and accelerate its goal of achieving “carbon neutrality by 2050”.
The Japanese auto giant’s withdrawal from the motorsport means that F1 teams Red Bull Racing and Scuderia AlphaTauri will be looking for a new power unit supplier.
After returning to the F1 championship with McLaren in 2015, Honda switched to Red Bull’s junior team Toro Rosso (who were renamed AlphaTauri) in 2018 before adding Red Bull as a works team the following year.
Described as a “shock announcement” by Formula1.com, Honda’s two-and-a-half-year partnership with the Red Bull family has achieved five race victories and 15 podiums so far.
What happened?
In explaining its reasons for leaving F1, Honda has cited environmental initiatives as one of the “top priorities” for the company and has made the decision to strive for the “realisation of carbon neutrality by 2050”.
In a statement Takahiro Hachigo, CEO of Honda Motor Company, said: “We see the automobile industry is undergoing a once-in-one-hundred-years period of great transformation. It has been a while since we started communicating Honda’s intention to focus on the creation of new mobility products and new value for the future.
“To this end, our current goal of electrifying two-thirds of our global automobile unit sales in 2030 will become a checkpoint we must pass before we get to the 2050 goal, and therefore we must further accelerate the introduction of our carbon-free technologies.
“To realise our goals, we will focus on strengthening our research and development in the areas of future power unit and energy technologies.”
What happens next?
Red Bull and AlphaTauri’s search for a new power unit supplier comes just a few years after splitting from Renault. Despite Honda’s decision the teams “remain committed” to F1, Autosport reports.
While admitting he was “disappointed”, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner understands how “difficult it has been for Honda to reach the decision”.
Horner added: “The shifting focus within the automotive industry has led to Honda’s decision to re-deploy their resources and we understand and respect the reasoning behind this.
“Their decision presents obvious challenges for us as a team but we have been here before and with our strength in depth we are well prepared and equipped to respond effectively, as we have proven in the past.
“Whilst we are disappointed not to continue our partnership with Honda, we are enormously proud of our joint success, delivering five wins and 15 podiums for both Red Bull owned teams and we thank everyone at Honda for their extraordinary efforts and commitment.
“Our joint focus for the remainder of the 2020 and 2021 seasons are unchanged, to fight for victories and challenge for the championship.
“As a signatory to Formula One’s latest Concorde Agreement, Red Bull Racing remains committed to the sport in the long term and we look forward to embarking on a new era of innovation, development and success. As a group, we will now take the time afforded to us to further evaluate and find the most competitive power unit solution for 2022 and beyond.”
Max Verstappen has won four races in the Red Bull-Honda era, including their first at the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix (pictured above). He’s also secured 13 podiums in just 31 race starts.
Pierre Gasly’s victory at this year’s Italian GP for AlphaTauri saw Honda become the only power unit manufacturer to win with two different teams since the start of F1’s hybrid era in 2014.


theweekuk--2020-10-03--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 3 Oct 2020

Police have launched an investigation into Margaret Ferrier MP who travelled hundreds of miles across the UK after she tested @ @ @ @ @ MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West has been suspended by the SNP but has so @ @ @ @ @ to resign as an MP .
Her own party leader Nicola Sturgeon was among those @ @ @ @ @ to stand down .

Police probe MP who travelled with Covid-19 symptoms
Police have launched an investigation into Margaret Ferrier MP who travelled hundreds of miles across the UK after she tested positive for Covid-19. The MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West has been suspended by the SNP but has so far ignored calls for her to resign as an MP. Her own party leader Nicola Sturgeon was among those who led calls for her to stand down.


theweekuk--2020-10-04--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 4 Oct 2020

The Queen said Princess Diana 's 1995 interview with Panorama was a “ frightful thing ” to do , according @ @ @ @ @ Sir Richard Eyre , former director of the National Theatre , said : “ I @ @ @ @ @ not long after and she said to me unprompted , ‘ How are things at @ @ @ @ @ I said , ‘ Oh well , fine ’ .
And she said , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ frightful thing that my daughter-in-law did ’ .
”

Trump says next few days will be the ‘real test’
Donald Trump says he is doing well but the next few days will be the “real test”. In a video message posted from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center close to Washington DC, the US president said he was looking forward to resuming the election campaign. However, the White House chief of staff said earlier that Trump’s vital signs had been “very concerning”.


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Instant Opinion: ‘next year should spell new leader for the Tories’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on a PM running out of steam Next year should spell new leader for the Tories “ ‘ In my beginning is my end… ’ Ten months on from its victory the government already has the fag-end feel of one that has been going for ten years .
The people have stopped listening to its pronouncements , the prime minister looks exhausted , the backbenchers are rebellious , the civil servants leaky , the ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) or far out ( building a floating wall in the Channel ) .
It can seem we have reached something approaching the nadir of John Major ’ s government when , as Norman Lamont put it , they appeared to be ‘ in office but not in power ’ ...
While Major ’ s government was doomed by the drumbeat of sleaze , Boris Johnson ’ s is doomed by something worse : the drumbeat of incompetence.
” on being sent to the social media Naughty Step I got locked out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opinion on Covid “ I woke yesterday morning to find that I had been locked out of Twitter for ‘ violating our rules against abuse and harassment ’ .
I was dumbfounded .
Which of my recent tweets had been abusive or harassed anyone ?
I glanced down the email to see something I had posted last week in response to yet another We ’ re All Doomed !
report on the BBC news .
‘ How hard is it for people to understand ?
We WANT students to get the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It may not be very far off.
’ Whether you agree with my tweet or not , it accurately represents the opinion of a number of distinguished scientists , including Oxford ’ s Prof Sunetra Gupta… You may get locked out of Twitter for saying it , but I won ’ t stop .
Censorship be damned .
The truth will out.
” America has a super-spreader president .
He put us all – and himself – at risk “ Donald the Super-Spreader is an insult to those Americans who have altered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight the coronavirus .
As lockdowns began in March , the Americans who retreated to their homes were told that the extreme measures were temporary ways to slow the speed of the disease and buy time for the government to come up with a viable response… Meanwhile , nothing about national Republicans lives seem to have changed .
They go on hugging and gathering in close together , wiping their noses on their hands and then shaking them , yelling wide-mouthed about the ineffectiveness of masks… Trump and the national Republicans have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of America .
Now that the virus has reached them , maybe they will have to know what our world feels like.
” on Catalans ’ right to decide their future Why the fight for Catalan independence isn ’ t over yet “ Three years after Catalonia held a historic referendum on self-determination , we are still a long way from resolving a conflict that continues to deny Catalonians the right to determine their future .
The Spanish state , immersed in an institutional crisis of a depth not seen since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been unable to come up with political proposals to solve the dispute… We are determined to achieve the necessary support for carrying out the project that began three years ago - in the same civic , democratic and peaceful way as we did back then .
Having seen first-hand the sinister consequences of not being able to freely decide our future , we can not afford to be complacent.
” As foreign reserves are drained , a bitter and worrying winter lies ahead for Lebanon “ As we hurtle into autumn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unfathomably bleak winter , where many will starve and struggle to warm themselves .
Battered by financial collapse , an uncontrolled outbreak of Covid-19 , one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in modern history , and sectarian violence , the tiny Mediterranean nation has barely dragged itself forward this year .
More than half the country now lives below the poverty line , a rate which is rising .
In Beirut , many are still living in the bombed-out shells of their homes .
But there is a new disaster on the horizon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subsidy cuts .
When that happens , the cost of food and many medicines , as well as electricity , internet and fuel , will quadruple or quintuple , according to experts .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Clare Foges in The Times
on a PM running out of steam
Next year should spell new leader for the Tories
“‘In my beginning is my end…’ Ten months on from its victory the government already has the fag-end feel of one that has been going for ten years. The people have stopped listening to its pronouncements, the prime minister looks exhausted, the backbenchers are rebellious, the civil servants leaky, the ideas either flat (‘levelling up’) or far out (building a floating wall in the Channel). It can seem we have reached something approaching the nadir of John Major’s government when, as Norman Lamont put it, they appeared to be ‘in office but not in power’... While Major’s government was doomed by the drumbeat of sleaze, Boris Johnson’s is doomed by something worse: the drumbeat of incompetence.”
2. Allison Pearson in The Daily Telegraph
on being sent to the social media Naughty Step
I got locked out of Twitter for having the ‘wrong’ opinion on Covid
“I woke yesterday morning to find that I had been locked out of Twitter for ‘violating our rules against abuse and harassment’. I was dumbfounded. Which of my recent tweets had been abusive or harassed anyone? I glanced down the email to see something I had posted last week in response to yet another We’re All Doomed! report on the BBC news. ‘How hard is it for people to understand? We WANT students to get the virus. They will speed us towards community immunity. It may not be very far off.’ Whether you agree with my tweet or not, it accurately represents the opinion of a number of distinguished scientists, including Oxford’s Prof Sunetra Gupta… You may get locked out of Twitter for saying it, but I won’t stop. Censorship be damned. The truth will out.”
3. Moira Donegan in The Guardian
on Donald Trump’s October Surprise
America has a super-spreader president. He put us all – and himself – at risk
“Donald the Super-Spreader is an insult to those Americans who have altered their own lives beyond recognition in order to fight the coronavirus. As lockdowns began in March, the Americans who retreated to their homes were told that the extreme measures were temporary ways to slow the speed of the disease and buy time for the government to come up with a viable response… Meanwhile, nothing about national Republicans lives seem to have changed. They go on hugging and gathering in close together, wiping their noses on their hands and then shaking them, yelling wide-mouthed about the ineffectiveness of masks… Trump and the national Republicans have been living in a different world from the rest of America. Now that the virus has reached them, maybe they will have to know what our world feels like.”
4. Carles Puigdemont on Politico
on Catalans’ right to decide their future
Why the fight for Catalan independence isn’t over yet
“Three years after Catalonia held a historic referendum on self-determination, we are still a long way from resolving a conflict that continues to deny Catalonians the right to determine their future. The Spanish state, immersed in an institutional crisis of a depth not seen since the death of dictator Francisco Franco, has been unable to come up with political proposals to solve the dispute… We are determined to achieve the necessary support for carrying out the project that began three years ago - in the same civic, democratic and peaceful way as we did back then. Having seen first-hand the sinister consequences of not being able to freely decide our future, we cannot afford to be complacent.”
5. Bel Trew in The Independent
on Lebanon’s bleak future
As foreign reserves are drained, a bitter and worrying winter lies ahead for Lebanon
“As we hurtle into autumn, families across Lebanon are bracing for an unfathomably bleak winter, where many will starve and struggle to warm themselves. Battered by financial collapse, an uncontrolled outbreak of Covid-19, one of the largest non-nuclear explosions in modern history, and sectarian violence, the tiny Mediterranean nation has barely dragged itself forward this year. More than half the country now lives below the poverty line, a rate which is rising. In Beirut, many are still living in the bombed-out shells of their homes. But there is a new disaster on the horizon that will only tighten the noose: subsidy cuts. When that happens, the cost of food and many medicines, as well as electricity, internet and fuel, will quadruple or quintuple, according to experts.”


theweekuk--2020-10-05--How Donald Trump’s battle with coronavirus may impact the US election

Given his tendency to eschew masks and social distancing measures , Donald Trump ’ s infection with the Covid-19 coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ a case of when rather than if .
The president is being treated at Walter @ @ @ @ @ D.C. after being transferred from the White House on Saturday , but made a surprise @ @ @ @ @ went on a brief drive to thank supporters .
In a video released on Twitter @ @ @ @ @ , Trump thanked the “ great patriots ” gathering outside the medical facility , adding @ @ @ @ @ a lot about Covid ” after testing positive last week .

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theweekuk--2020-10-05--Who will be first to get the coronavirus vaccine - and who will be last?

Less than half of the UK population will be inoculated against the Covid-19 coronavirus when an effective vaccine becomes available @ @ @ @ @ of the government ’ s vaccine task force .
Kate Bingham , the task force @ @ @ @ @ the Financial Times that vaccinating everyone in Britain is “ not going to happen ” @ @ @ @ @ just need to vaccinate everyone at risk.
” So who will be among the group @ @ @ @ @ who will not receive the jab ?
“ There ’ s going to be no @ @ @ @ @ , ” Bingham told the newspaper , adding : “ It ’ s an adult-only @ @ @ @ @ 50 , focusing on health workers and care home workers and the vulnerable .
”


theweekuk--2020-10-05--‘Working from home is here to stay’, new study reveals

Leave the office clothes in the wardrobe , crank up the heating and slip back into your pyjamas , because working from home is “ here to stay ” , new research suggests .
A survey of 958 company directors by the Institute of Directors ( IoD ) has found that nearly three-quarters ( 74 % ) intend to continue with increased home-working post-coronavirus .
More than half said their organisation intended to reduce their long-term use of workplaces .
And more than four in ten of the bosses quizzed for the survey , conducted between 11 and 30 September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was proving more effective than their previous set-up ” , the IoD reports .
Roger Barker , director of policy at the business lobby group , said : “ Remote working has been one of the most tangible impacts of coronavirus on the economy .
For many , it could be here to stay.
” But although there are many positives to working from home , managing teams remotely can prove “ far from straightforward ” and directors “ must be alive to the downsides ” , he warned .
Conversely , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t gone away ” , Barker continued .
“ For many companies , bringing teams together in person proves more productive and enjoyable .
Shared workspace often provides employees the opportunity for informal development and networking that is so crucial , particularly early on in a career .
“ Looking ahead , it seems more and more companies will take a blended approach to where they work.
” The new survey findings chime with those of a BBC poll in August which revealed that 50 of the biggest UK employers had “ no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office full-time in the near future ” .
A total of 24 firms quizzed by the broadcaster did not have any plans to return workers to the office , but a further 20 had opened their offices for staff unable to work from home .
Meanwhile , research by Cardiff University and the University of Southampton into the effect of homeworking on productivity has found that the results are “ largely positive ” .
During lockdown , the team conducted three surveys that each included more than 6,000 people across the UK .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ten workers wanted to continue with some degree of home-working long-term , while almost half wanted to work from home all the time .
According to Cardiff University student paper Gair Rhydd , “ the surveys showed 41 % of workers said that they felt as productive working at home in June 2020 as normal .
The other 29 % reported getting more done at home and the final 30 % doing less.
” Professor Alan Felstead of the university ’ s School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University , said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who have worked at home during lockdown would like to continue to work in this way , even when social distancing rules do not require them to .
“ These people are among the most productive , so preventing them from choosing how they work in the future does not make economic sense .
Giving employees flexibility on where they work could be extremely beneficial for companies as they attempt to recover from the impact of Covid-19 .
”

Leave the office clothes in the wardrobe, crank up the heating and slip back into your pyjamas, because working from home is “here to stay”, new research suggests.
A survey of 958 company directors by the Institute of Directors (IoD) has found that nearly three-quarters (74%) intend to continue with increased home-working post-coronavirus.
More than half said their organisation intended to reduce their long-term use of workplaces. And more than four in ten of the bosses quizzed for the survey, conducted between 11 and 30 September, “said that working from home was proving more effective than their previous set-up”, the IoD reports.
Roger Barker, director of policy at the business lobby group, said: “Remote working has been one of the most tangible impacts of coronavirus on the economy. For many, it could be here to stay.”
But although there are many positives to working from home, managing teams remotely can prove “far from straightforward” and directors “must be alive to the downsides”, he warned.
Conversely, “the benefits of the office haven’t gone away”, Barker continued. “For many companies, bringing teams together in person proves more productive and enjoyable. Shared workspace often provides employees the opportunity for informal development and networking that is so crucial, particularly early on in a career.
“Looking ahead, it seems more and more companies will take a blended approach to where they work.”
The new survey findings chime with those of a BBC poll in August which revealed that 50 of the biggest UK employers had “no plans to return all staff to the office full-time in the near future”.
A total of 24 firms quizzed by the broadcaster did not have any plans to return workers to the office, but a further 20 had opened their offices for staff unable to work from home.
‘Positive effect’
Meanwhile, research by Cardiff University and the University of Southampton into the effect of homeworking on productivity has found that the results are “largely positive”.
During lockdown, the team conducted three surveys that each included more than 6,000 people across the UK. The research found that almost nine in ten workers wanted to continue with some degree of home-working long-term, while almost half wanted to work from home all the time.
According to Cardiff University student paper Gair Rhydd, “the surveys showed 41% of workers said that they felt as productive working at home in June 2020 as normal. The other 29% reported getting more done at home and the final 30% doing less.”
Professor Alan Felstead of the university’s School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University, said: “What is particularly striking is that many of those who have worked at home during lockdown would like to continue to work in this way, even when social distancing rules do not require them to.
“These people are among the most productive, so preventing them from choosing how they work in the future does not make economic sense. Giving employees flexibility on where they work could be extremely beneficial for companies as they attempt to recover from the impact of Covid-19.”


theweekuk--2020-10-05--‘All at sixes and sevens’: a mad day in Premier League history

For the neutral football fan the English Premier League has been box office viewing so far this season.
In the first three match weeks there were goals galore, shock results and many controversial VAR decisions. However, this past weekend’s matches were on another level.
After Saturday’s four fixtures saw 16 goals scored, there were a further 25 goals in the six Sunday games. It was just three off the record for goals in a single game week, which was set last month, says Reuters.
West Ham kicked off yesterday’s matches with a superb 3-0 away win at Leicester City. It was an impressive performance by the Hammers considering Leicester had previously won all their games and beat Manchester City 5-2 away last time out.
Victories for Southampton, Wolves and Arsenal followed, but it was the final two matches of the day that really took the headlines. Tottenham Hotspur won 6-1 away at Manchester United and Aston Villa beat champions Liverpool 7-2.
All in all, it was the “maddest day in Prem history”, the Daily Mirror says on its back page this morning.
Joy for Jose, woe for Ole
Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho returned to his old stomping ground and saw his current team hit former club Man Utd for six at Old Trafford.
United had taken a second-minute lead with a penalty from Bruno Fernandes, but Mourinho’s side hit back with four goals before the interval and two more in the second half.
Anthony Martial’s first-half sending off did not help United’s cause, but the red card did not make a huge difference. Spurs tore holes through the United defence and their attacking display should have resulted in more than six goals.
For Mourinho it was pure joy to get one over his former employers and he hailed his players for the magnificent victory at the Theatre of Dreams. He said: “It is history for Tottenham, history for my boys and I cannot deny it is also history for me. I won many times in this stadium, mostly with Manchester United but also with Chelsea, Real Madrid and now Tottenham.”
While Mourinho basked in the glory of a 6-1 win, Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was left to reflect on a woeful day.


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Are Tory constituencies dodging lockdowns as poorer regions are hit with restrictions?

The government is exempting staunchly Conservative regions of the country from localised lockdowns , according to leaked emails from a leading health expert to the Department of Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) .
No .
10 is “ under growing pressure ” to explain the decision to place “ large parts of the North and Midlands under local lockdowns while overlooking constituencies with similar infection rates ” that are represented by Tories including Boris Johnson , Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick , The Sunday Times reports .
Johnson told MPs on Friday that “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iron consistency applied across the whole country ” .
But the current restrictions have prompted a director of public health to accuse the prime minister of handing an “ economic ‘ double whammy ’ to more challenged areas ” , the emails reveal .
What do the emails say ?
Professor Dominic Harrison , director of public health for Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire , wrote to DHSC officials last Thursday to warn that local lockdown measures were “ avoidably increasing economic inequality ” , The Sunday Times reports .
“ There is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied across local authorities , with some of the more economically challenged boroughs being placed into more restrictive control measures at an earlier point in their case rate trajectory , ” Harrison wrote .
This ” has the effect of exacerbating the economic inequality impacts of the virus in those areas ” , Harrison said , adding : “ We urgently need consistency in the national strategy if the control system itself is not to add to inequality.
” Opposition politicians have also pointed to disparities in the implementation of lockdowns .
Shadow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC ’ s The Andrew Marr Show that a lack of clear guidelines over local lockdowns means “ there is a suspicion that there is political interference - I hope there isn ’ t ” .
But “ until the government publish clear guidelines , that suspicion will always linger ” , Ashworth said .
Which areas have been locked down ?
When officials first imposed regional lockdowns back in late June , they “ intervened in wards where the weekly rate exceeded 60 new cases per 100,000 ” , The Sunday Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harrison says that this benchmark has not been used in some wealthier , Conservative-voting areas of the country .
Richmondshire in North Yorkshire , which includes Chancellor Sunak ’ s Richmond constituency , last week had 73 new cases for every 100,000 people , while fellow cabinet member Jenrick ’ s constituency of Newark and Sherwood is currently at 84 .
Yet neither area has been subjected to new lockdown measures .
Meanwhile , Greater Manchester , which is home to a number of Labour seats , had an average infection rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduced there in early August .
A number of constituencies in former so-called “ red wall ” areas that switched from Labour to Tory in the December election have also escaped new measures despite having high case numbers .
These constituencies include Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria , which is currently recording a rate of 112 new cases per 100,000 people .
A spokesperson from the DHSC told The Independent that the new cases rate was “ only one of a set of considerations regarding when it is appropriate to impose and release restrictions ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consultation with local leaders and public health experts , informed by the latest evidence from the JBC ( Joint Biosecurity Centre ) and NHS Test and Trace , PHE and the Chief Medical Officer for England , ” the spokesperson said .
“ While we recognise how much of an imposition these measures are , they are based on the latest scientific evidence in order to suppress the virus and protect us all while doing everything possible to support the economy .
”

The government is exempting staunchly Conservative regions of the country from localised lockdowns, according to leaked emails from a leading health expert to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
No. 10 is “under growing pressure” to explain the decision to place “large parts of the North and Midlands under local lockdowns while overlooking constituencies with similar infection rates” that are represented by Tories including Boris Johnson, Chancellor Rishi Sunak and Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick, The Sunday Times reports.
Johnson told MPs on Friday that “I appreciate... people want to see an iron consistency applied across the whole country”. But the current restrictions have prompted a director of public health to accuse the prime minister of handing an “economic ‘double whammy’ to more challenged areas”, the emails reveal.
What do the emails say?
Professor Dominic Harrison, director of public health for Blackburn with Darwen in Lancashire, wrote to DHSC officials last Thursday to warn that local lockdown measures were “avoidably increasing economic inequality”, The Sunday Times reports.
“There is now a different level of central control applied across local authorities, with some of the more economically challenged boroughs being placed into more restrictive control measures at an earlier point in their case rate trajectory,” Harrison wrote.
This ”has the effect of exacerbating the economic inequality impacts of the virus in those areas”, Harrison said, adding: “We urgently need consistency in the national strategy if the control system itself is not to add to inequality.”
Opposition politicians have also pointed to disparities in the implementation of lockdowns. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth yesterday told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show that a lack of clear guidelines over local lockdowns means “there is a suspicion that there is political interference - I hope there isn’t”.
But “until the government publish clear guidelines, that suspicion will always linger”, Ashworth said.
Which areas have been locked down?
When officials first imposed regional lockdowns back in late June, they “intervened in wards where the weekly rate exceeded 60 new cases per 100,000”, The Sunday Times notes. However, public health director Harrison says that this benchmark has not been used in some wealthier, Conservative-voting areas of the country.
Richmondshire in North Yorkshire, which includes Chancellor Sunak’s Richmond constituency, last week had 73 new cases for every 100,000 people, while fellow cabinet member Jenrick’s constituency of Newark and Sherwood is currently at 84. Yet neither area has been subjected to new lockdown measures.
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester, which is home to a number of Labour seats, had an average infection rate of around 24 per 100,000 when lockdown was introduced there in early August.
A number of constituencies in former so-called “red wall” areas that switched from Labour to Tory in the December election have also escaped new measures despite having high case numbers. These constituencies include Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, which is currently recording a rate of 112 new cases per 100,000 people.
A spokesperson from the DHSC told The Independent that the new cases rate was “only one of a set of considerations regarding when it is appropriate to impose and release restrictions”.
“Decisions are made in close consultation with local leaders and public health experts, informed by the latest evidence from the JBC (Joint Biosecurity Centre) and NHS Test and Trace, PHE and the Chief Medical Officer for England,” the spokesperson said.
“While we recognise how much of an imposition these measures are, they are based on the latest scientific evidence in order to suppress the virus and protect us all while doing everything possible to support the economy.”


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Leaked file reveals government plans for new three-tier local lockdown system

A three-tier lockdown system that could see England hit by tougher restrictions is being planned as coronavirus infection rates soar across the country , a leaked government document reveals .
The proposed new framework is intended to “ simplify the current patchwork of localised restrictions ” and could include tough measures such as “ the closure of pubs and a ban on all social contact outside of household groups ” , The Guardian reports .
The leaked document is dated 30 September and titled “ Covid-19 Proposed Social Distancing Framework ” , according to the newspaper , which says that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signed off by No .
10 and measures could still be watered down ” .
Schools are not mentioned in the plan , with a government source reportedly sayng that closing classrooms would be a last resort .
But under “ Alert Level Three ” - the most serious - the following restrictions could be imposed locally or nationally : • None no social contact outside households inside or outside • None reintroduction of restrictions on overnight stays away from home • None no non-professional sports or other group activities .
Measures in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , include restricting social gatherings to people within a household or support bubble , and limiting travel in all but essential purposes .
“ Alert Level One ” includes the restrictions currently in place across England , including the “ rule of six ” and mandatory wearing of face masks in shops .
The leaking of the plan comes after Boris Johnson yesterday warned Britons of “ bumpy ” months ahead and a “ tough winter ” - a message that as the Daily Mail notes , marks the extent to which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on his previous optimism about Christmas ” .
As the Tories ’ virtual party conference got under way this weekend , Johnson told the BBC ’ s Andrew Marr Show that the public should be “ fearless but use common sense ” to curb the outbreak .

A three-tier lockdown system that could see England hit by tougher restrictions is being planned as coronavirus infection rates soar across the country, a leaked government document reveals.
The proposed new framework is intended to “simplify the current patchwork of localised restrictions” and could include tough measures such as “the closure of pubs and a ban on all social contact outside of household groups”, The Guardian reports.
The leaked document is dated 30 September and titled “Covid-19 Proposed Social Distancing Framework”, according to the newspaper, which says that the plan has “not yet been signed off by No. 10 and measures could still be watered down”.
Schools are not mentioned in the plan, with a government source reportedly sayng that closing classrooms would be a last resort. But under “Alert Level Three” - the most serious - the following restrictions could be imposed locally or nationally:
closure of hospitality and leisure businesses
no social contact outside households inside or outside
reintroduction of restrictions on overnight stays away from home
no non-professional sports or other group activities.
Measures in “Alert Level Two”, meanwhile, include restricting social gatherings to people within a household or support bubble, and limiting travel in all but essential purposes. “Alert Level One” includes the restrictions currently in place across England, including the “rule of six” and mandatory wearing of face masks in shops.
The leaking of the plan comes after Boris Johnson yesterday warned Britons of “bumpy” months ahead and a “tough winter” - a message that as the Daily Mail notes, marks the extent to which the prime minister has “dramatically rowed back on his previous optimism about Christmas”.
As the Tories’ virtual party conference got under way this weekend, Johnson told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show that the public should be “fearless but use common sense” to curb the outbreak.


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 5 Oct 2020

Burglars released from prison will be fitted with GPS tags so they can be tracked 24/7 , says the policing @ @ @ @ @ : “ In simple terms , it can tell all police forces whether a former @ @ @ @ @ area and they can match it up with burglary data .
Fifty per cent of @ @ @ @ @ burglars .
It should be a major deterrent to them going out and plying their @ @ @ @

Burglars to be tagged day and night under new plans
Burglars released from prison will be fitted with GPS tags so they can be tracked 24/7, says the policing minister. Kit Malthouse said: “In simple terms, it can tell all police forces whether a former burglar has been in their area and they can match it up with burglary data. Fifty per cent of burglaries are done by former burglars. It should be a major deterrent to them going out and plying their previous trade.”


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Blind mystic ‘foresaw Donald Trump’s illness’

A blind Bulgarian mystic who foresaw 9/11 also predicted Donald Trump ’ s illness .
As reported in Odd News in December 2019 , Baba Vanga forecast that the US president would fall seriously ill during 2020 .
The mystic also said that during 2020 Vladimir Putin would face an assassination attempt and a meteorite would fall on Russia , so strap in for the months ahead .
A ghost hunter says demons could be unleashed and “ all hell could break loose ” if the general public uses the £1 Ouija boards on sale at Poundland .
Paul Marsters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , said he was “ gobsmacked ” when he saw the spirit board on sale in the budget store .
“ Ouija boards are most certainly not a toy , ” he said .
A baby girl completed this year 's London Marathon after finishing the distance with her father pushing her in a buggy .
Elsie and her father Jimmy Dale were some of the 45,000 people who ran or walked their own 26.2-mile route .
She was born on the original April date for the 40th London Marathon , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
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A blind Bulgarian mystic who foresaw 9/11 also predicted Donald Trump’s illness. As reported in Odd News in December 2019, Baba Vanga forecast that the US president would fall seriously ill during 2020. The mystic also said that during 2020 Vladimir Putin would face an assassination attempt and a meteorite would fall on Russia, so strap in for the months ahead.
Ghost hunter livid at Poundland's Ouija boards
A ghost hunter says demons could be unleashed and “all hell could break loose” if the general public uses the £1 Ouija boards on sale at Poundland. Paul Marsters, a member of True Paranormal Events UK, said he was “gobsmacked” when he saw the spirit board on sale in the budget store. “Ouija boards are most certainly not a toy,” he said.
Baby girl completes London Marathon
A baby girl completed this year's London Marathon after finishing the distance with her father pushing her in a buggy. Elsie and her father Jimmy Dale were some of the 45,000 people who ran or walked their own 26.2-mile route. She was born on the original April date for the 40th London Marathon, which was postponed due to coronavirus.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-10-03--Watches with a James Bond twist

Watches with a James Bond twist

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Omega
The delay of No Time to Die, the 25th instalment of the film franchise, didn’t stop Omega from pushing forward with its new Bond edition timepieces - which score high on style even if you aren’t a massive 007 fan. It helps if you are though, because these special editions make cool nods to the movie franchise.
The first of the family was the 42mm vintage look Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition (above) with “tropical” brown aluminium dial and bezel ring with blackened hands and indexes, nicely finessed with a retro looking mesh titanium bracelet. The case back bears a pleasing “spy” touch too: a series of engraved numbers styled on old military-issue watches, with the code for Navy personnel (0552) and the letter “A” to indicate the watch has a screw-in crown. Look closely and you’ll also see the number “62”, which signifies the year of the first Bond film.
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition with titanium strap; £7,880
Fast forward a little and you have the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond Numbered Edition (above), an ultra-luxe sleek black watch with a platinum-gold case. Its handsome “Bond” look is enhanced with a classic 007 symbol: the dial has a spiraling gun barrel design in 18K white gold.
Heightening this sense of fandom are some fun design details. Switch the lights low, and this Bond turns on the charm, much like the protagonist himself. You’ll see the glow of a number 50 within the Super-LumiNova of the 10 o’clock index, a reference to the 50th anniversary of the James Bond film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Furthermore, the 007 sits at 7 o’clock and the Bond family coat-of-arms at 12 o’clock (there’s a second coat of arms on the case back).
Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond Numbered Edition; £44,480
Breitling
Brietling’s Top Time limited edition is a reworking of a secret agent special. In the 1965 Bond film Thunderball, it graces the wrist of Sean Connery who uses its sneaky gadgetry to locate underwater missiles and avert a nuclear disaster. This iteration sadly doesn’t have a Geiger counter for measuring radiation, which is probably a good thing because imagine how many conspiracy theorists would be queuing outside Breitling to get one.
The watchmaker has, however, sprinkled some magic. It is the first model to be offered with a blockchain-based “passport”: a digital certificate of authenticity which can easily be exchanged between owners. In essence, this is a solid stamp of security to compliment Breitling’s existing digital warranty program. As for its looks, the Top Time is pure retro, emphasised by the stitched brown leather strap and distinctive two-toned face, known affectionately as the “Zorro” dial.
A limited edition of 2000; £4,100.
Where to wear it
Sölden in Austria is a high altitude resort with pristine slopes and excellent spy credentials: the chase sequence in Spectre was filmed on the area’s longest run. If you remember, it’s not a pursuit performed on skis: Villain Hinx, played by the pleasingly menacing Christoph Waltz, and his henchmen kidnap Madeleine and drive down the mountain whilst Bond pursues them in a plane.
You can follow the route yourself by skiing down on Piste no.30 leading from Rettenbach Glacier to the valley floor. Head to the ice Q restaurant for the après-ski. This futuristic cube perched on a cliff is a gourmet haven and features as Hinx’s lair in the film.
central-soelden.com


theweekuk--2020-10-02--Wine of the week: one of the greatest grenaches

I recently published an in-depth review of the inaugural releases of Matt Swinney and Rob Mann ’ s astonishing new Farvie duo on my website , so do have a look if you fancy learning the whole story .
This grape-growing and winemaking project has given rise to one of the greatest grenaches I have ever tasted and it is my featured wine this week .
In addition to this wine , there is a sibling syrah , which is simply awesome , and also a riesling ( both the 2019 and 2020 are amazing ) , grenache , syrah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019s are all insanely delicious ) , which are priced around the £24 mark .
These are all epic too .
But back to the 2018 Farvie grenache .
I gave this wine a score of 19.5/20 , the highest I have ever given a debut vintage release of any wine .
This is a very serious red indeed - in fact , it gives me more pleasure than almost anything I can think of this year .
I have tasted nothing like it , at least made from grenache .
The mineral-soaked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visceral , elemental pinot noir , majestic baga and other red grapes that celebrate mouth-watering bitterness !
Insane vibrations emanate from the soil here , making this fruit so toned .
The flavour silhouette is slender , athletic and immensely powerful , yet the flavour is gentle , caressing , magical and life-fulfilling .
In summary , a near-perfect wine .
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

2018 Swinney, Farvie Frankland River grenache, WA – £89, greatwine.co.uk
I recently published an in-depth review of the inaugural releases of Matt Swinney and Rob Mann’s astonishing new Farvie duo on my website, so do have a look if you fancy learning the whole story. This grape-growing and winemaking project has given rise to one of the greatest grenaches I have ever tasted and it is my featured wine this week.
In addition to this wine, there is a sibling syrah, which is simply awesome, and also a riesling (both the 2019 and 2020 are amazing), grenache, syrah and grenache/syrah/mourvèdre blend (the 2018s and 2019s are all insanely delicious), which are priced around the £24 mark. These are all epic too.
But back to the 2018 Farvie grenache. I gave this wine a score of 19.5/20, the highest I have ever given a debut vintage release of any wine.
This is a very serious red indeed - in fact, it gives me more pleasure than almost anything I can think of this year. I have tasted nothing like it, at least made from grenache. The mineral-soaked palate reminds me of elite nebbiolo, visceral, elemental pinot noir, majestic baga and other red grapes that celebrate mouth-watering bitterness!
Insane vibrations emanate from the soil here, making this fruit so toned. The flavour silhouette is slender, athletic and immensely powerful, yet the flavour is gentle, caressing, magical and life-fulfilling. In summary, a near-perfect wine.
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--2020-10-02--Art investors are banking on Banksy

Art investors are banking on Banksy

Judging by how quickly If You Don ’ t Mask , You Don ’ t Get , a mural of disinfectant-wielding rats , was scrubbed off the inside of a Tube train in July , you might suppose Transport for London is not a fan of Banksy .
If so , that would put the government body in a minority .
Auction houses Christie ’ s and Sotheby ’ s have both held online sales of the anonymous artist ’ s prints this month .
Every lot in the Sotheby ’ s sale smashed its estimate , including the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , which sold for £438,500 .
Meanwhile , Christie ’ s raised a total of £2.1m from the sale of 21 Banksy lots .
Again , Girl with Balloon ( this time with a purple instead of a red balloon ) fetched the highest price , at £791,250 .
But the real show-stopper is yet to come .
On 21 October , Show me the Monet will go under the hammer at Sotheby ’ s in London .
“ Banksy has taken Monet ’ s iconic depiction of the Japanese bridge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Giverny and transformed it into a modern-day fly-tipping spot , ” explains Alex Branczik , Sotheby ’ s head of contemporary art , Europe .
“ More canal than idyllic lily pond , Banksy litters Monet ’ s composition with discarded shopping trollies and a fluorescent orange traffic cone.
” The result , Branczik continues , is a comment on “ society ’ s disregard for the environment in favour of the wasteful excesses of consumerism ” .
Speaking of wasteful consumerism , the painting comes with a high estimate of £5m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current record for a Banksy work of £9.9m ( including fees ) that was set last October by Devolved Parliament ( 2009 ) , a painting of chimpanzees sitting on the famous green benches .
Pop star and art collector Robbie Williams is “ a major player in a syndicate ” hoping to buy the Monet-inspired piece , according to The Sun .
“ The irony that the Establishment has embraced his anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian art is not lost on Banksy , ” says James Baskerville , a prints and multiples specialist at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morons ( 2007 ) , two sepia versions of which sold for £60,000 this month at Christie ’ s and Sotheby ’ s , Banksy parodies a photograph from 1987 of an auctioneer selling Vincent van Gogh ’ s Sunflowers .
But instead of the flowers , the artist has written “ I can ’ t believe you morons actually buy this shit ” .
That the price of this sepia version has almost doubled since an edition fetched £32,500 just last September is a pretty good reason to believe it .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would seem .
As Artsy ’ s Benjamin Sutton notes , “ Banksy ’ s public image as an irreverent , globetrotting trickster is sometimes at odds with his very concerted efforts to control the market for his work ” ( see below ) .
In any case , the market “ shows no signs of slowing ” .
That is saying something when you consider that auction sales have been forced online and have been suffering since lockdown .
But Covid-19 restrictions cramped neither Banksy ’ s creativity on the London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Perhaps nothing can .
Banksy has been creating artworks for sale since the 1990s .
“ In the beginning , Banksy didn ’ t create prints to make money and they were sold for such low prices ” , says Christie ’ s specialist Baskerville .
“ People were buying the art on their credit cards as if it was a poster , with no awareness of its future value.
” He cites the example of Avon and Somerset Constabulary ( Red and White ) from 2000 ( pictured above ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exhibition at Severnshed restaurant in Bristol that year .
“ Works in the show cost less than £1,000.
” The work is now for private sale at Christie ’ s – for presumably a lot more .
Importantly , it also comes with a certificate of authenticity .
As Banksy ’ s fame grew , fakes began to appear in the market .
So , in 2008 , Banksy set up Pest Control to authenticate his works .
“ If you ’ re unsure about your certificate , show it to a specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baskerville .
“ Or contact Pest Control directly.
” But , time ( and success ) makes fools of us all .
Despite Banksy having once stated ( on a wall ) that “ copyright is for losers ” , Pest Control successfully applied for a European Union trademark on Banksy ’ s mural of the “ flower thrower ” ( Love is in the Air ) in Bethlehem .
But then last month , after a two-year dispute involving a greeting-card company , the European Union Intellectual Property Office ( EUIPO ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be identified as the unquestionable owner of such works , as The Guardian reported at the time .
Anonymity comes at a price .
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

Judging by how quickly If You Don’t Mask, You Don’t Get, a mural of disinfectant-wielding rats, was scrubbed off the inside of a Tube train in July, you might suppose Transport for London is not a fan of Banksy. If so, that would put the government body in a minority.
Auction houses Christie’s and Sotheby’s have both held online sales of the anonymous artist’s prints this month. Every lot in the Sotheby’s sale smashed its estimate, including the most expensive, Girl with Balloon (2004), which sold for £438,500.
Meanwhile, Christie’s raised a total of £2.1m from the sale of 21 Banksy lots. Again, Girl with Balloon (this time with a purple instead of a red balloon) fetched the highest price, at £791,250. But the real show-stopper is yet to come.
Updating Monet
On 21 October, Show me the Monet will go under the hammer at Sotheby’s in London. “Banksy has taken Monet’s iconic depiction of the Japanese bridge in the Impressionist master’s famous garden at Giverny and transformed it into a modern-day fly-tipping spot,” explains Alex Branczik, Sotheby’s head of contemporary art, Europe. “More canal than idyllic lily pond, Banksy litters Monet’s composition with discarded shopping trollies and a fluorescent orange traffic cone.”
The result, Branczik continues, is a comment on “society’s disregard for the environment in favour of the wasteful excesses of consumerism”.
Speaking of wasteful consumerism, the painting comes with a high estimate of £5m but has been tipped to break the current record for a Banksy work of £9.9m (including fees) that was set last October by Devolved Parliament (2009), a painting of chimpanzees sitting on the famous green benches.
Pop star and art collector Robbie Williams is “a major player in a syndicate” hoping to buy the Monet-inspired piece, according to The Sun.
“The irony that the Establishment has embraced his anti-capitalist and anti-authoritarian art is not lost on Banksy,” says James Baskerville, a prints and multiples specialist at Christie’s. In his screenprint Morons (2007), two sepia versions of which sold for £60,000 this month at Christie’s and Sotheby’s, Banksy parodies a photograph from 1987 of an auctioneer selling Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers. But instead of the flowers, the artist has written “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit”.


theweekuk--2020-10-05--Prince William ‘angered Harry by asking Diana’s brother to halt marriage to Meghan’

The once-close relationship between princes William and Harry was fractured when the former asked their uncle to stop his younger brother rushing into marriage with Meghan Markle , a new book claims .
According to Battle of the Brothers : William and Harry by historian Robert Lacey , the Duke of Cambridge called in Princess Diana ’ s brother Earl Charles Spencer after getting “ brusque ” and “ peppery reactions ” to his own attempts to convince Harry not to rush the relationship .
“ For his part , William was worried that his brother was going too fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t shrink from saying so when Harry started talking about getting hitched , ” Lacey writes in an extract published in the Daily Mail .
“ William couldn ’ t understand how Harry could contemplate marrying this still unknown and untested quantity less than two years after their first meeting , ” the book continues .
But “ the result of the Spencer intervention was an even more bitter explosion ” , according to Lacey , although Harry “ understood why Diana ’ s brother should want to help ” and “ didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who walked with the princes and their father behind Diana ’ s coffin at her funeral , in 1997 .
“ Yet he was furious with his elder brother for dragging other family members into the row , ” the author claims .
In a press release about the book , to be published on 15 October , Lacey says that “ these two brothers - once inseparable and now separated by much more than mere distance - have been acting out the contradictions that go back into their childhoods and even before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marriage ” , People magazine reports .
“ We have seen conflicts between heir and spare in every recent generation of the Royal Family - but nothing so profound as this , ” he adds .

The once-close relationship between princes William and Harry was fractured when the former asked their uncle to stop his younger brother rushing into marriage with Meghan Markle, a new book claims.
According to Battle of the Brothers: William and Harry by historian Robert Lacey, the Duke of Cambridge called in Princess Diana’s brother Earl Charles Spencer after getting “brusque” and “peppery reactions” to his own attempts to convince Harry not to rush the relationship.
“For his part, William was worried that his brother was going too fast in his courtship and he didn’t shrink from saying so when Harry started talking about getting hitched,” Lacey writes in an extract published in the Daily Mail.
“William couldn’t understand how Harry could contemplate marrying this still unknown and untested quantity less than two years after their first meeting,” the book continues.
But “the result of the Spencer intervention was an even more bitter explosion”, according to Lacey, although Harry “understood why Diana’s brother should want to help” and “didn’t blame his uncle”, who walked with the princes and their father behind Diana’s coffin at her funeral, in 1997.
“Yet he was furious with his elder brother for dragging other family members into the row,” the author claims.
In a press release about the book, to be published on 15 October, Lacey says that “these two brothers - once inseparable and now separated by much more than mere distance - have been acting out the contradictions that go back into their childhoods and even before that: into their parents’ ill-fated marriage”, People magazine reports.
“We have seen conflicts between heir and spare in every recent generation of the Royal Family - but nothing so profound as this,” he adds.


theweekuk--2020-10-05--No Time to Die..? Tell that to the cinema industry

The next instalment in the James Bond series may be called No Time to Die , but the delays to the film ’ s release could prove to be fatal for the UK ’ s struggling cinema industry .
The 25th entry in the 007 movie franchise was originally scheduled to premiere in April , but was then pushed back to November as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
And last week , the movie ’ s makers - MGM , Universal and Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli - released a statement announcing that the release @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience ” .
“ We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans , ” they added - but viewers aren ’ t the only ones set to suffer .
Starring Daniel Craig in his final outing as the British super-spy , No Time To Die had been slated as one of the big new movies of 2020 .
But after the 007 delay announcement , Cineworld has confirmed that its operations in the UK and the US are being suspended from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blockbuster movie to lure in customers ” leaves the cinema chain struggling for survival , the BBC reports .
The closures put up to 45,000 jobs at risk , including 5,500 in the UK .
The company did not give a date for reopening its 663 cinemas , which include 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse theatres across Britain .
Cineworld chief executive Mooky Greidinger said : “ We did everything in our power to support safe and sustainable reopenings in all of our markets .
“ Cineworld will continue to monitor the situation closely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume operations in these markets at the appropriate time , when key markets have more concrete guidance on their reopening status and , in turn , studios are able to bring their pipeline of major releases back to the big screen.
” With no major films released since Christopher Nolan ’ s Tenet in August , the No Time To Die delay is “ the straw that broke the camel ’ s back ” for Cineworld , according to Robert Mitchell , director of theatrical insights at Gower Street Analytics .
Speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mitchell said : “ A lot of films have been moving for some time now and ultimately , the cinemas need a pipeline of regular content to draw cinema goers in .
Bond was really the one that UK exhibitors were really relying on more than any.
” “ James Bond ’ s latest act could be the death knell for many British cinemas , ” agrees The Guardian , which says that many venues are facing “ financial obliteration because of the absence of other forthcoming blockbuster films ” .
The industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , the newspaper adds .
Studios are “ reluctant to release blockbuster films until they are sure that audiences will return ” , but cinema owners are “ unable to prove they can lure back audiences given the absence of blockbusters ” .
Philippa Childs , head of arts union Bectu , said : “ The stark reality is that without new releases it is unlikely that footfall will increase to a level that makes opening financially viable .
”

Could the end credits be set to roll for the UK’s beleaguered cinema industry?
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in delays to a number of major blockbuster films, leaving cinema companies facing a dark future.
Movie theatres were forced to close their doors during worldwide lockdowns, and after reopening many film-goers continue to stay away.
Industry bosses had hoped that one of the year’s biggest scheduled releases, James Bond: No Time to Die, would attract movie fans back into cinemas after hitting big screens in November. However, the next instalment of the 007 series - starring Daniel Craig in his final outing as the British super-spy - will now not be shown in cinemas until April next year.
No Time to Die’s makers - MGM, Universal and Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli - issued a statement earlier this month announcing that the release “will be delayed until 2 April 2021 in order to be seen by a worldwide theatrical audience”.
“We understand the delay will be disappointing to our fans,” they added - but viewers aren’t the only ones set to suffer.
Lights out for Cineworld
The delay to the release of the new Bond film has major implications for UK cinema operators.
On 4 October, Cineworld confirmed that it was suspending its operations in the UK and the US after “an absence of blockbuster movies to lure in customers” left the cinema chain struggling for survival, as the BBC reported at the time.
The closures put up to 45,000 jobs at risk, including 5,500 in the UK. The company did not give a date for reopening its 663 cinemas, which include 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse theatres across Britain.
Odeon and Vue also affected
A day after Cineworld’s announcement, Odeon announced that the opening hours for some of its cinemas in the UK and Ireland would be reduced to weekends only. The decision to open between Friday and Sunday will affect a quarter of Odeon cinemas.
And this week, Vue has said that it is also switching to a weekend-only model for around a quarter of its 87 sites.
A Vue spokesperson said: “We remain committed to ensuring that Vue has a long-term future, to protecting the livelihoods of our staff and keeping our doors open to ensure our cinemas continue to serve the communities they operate in.