theweekuk--2020-09-09--How ‘limited and specific’ law-breaking could cost the UK’s reputation and trade hopes

As a former foreign secretary with a history of misspeaking at key moments , Boris Johnson should be more aware than most of how his actions are interpreted abroad .
But the prime minister appears to have been caught off guard by the hostile international reaction to his leaked plan to row back on elements of the Brexit withdrawal agreement - a strategy that Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis has admitted breaks the law in a “ specific but limited way ” .
Senior Democrats in the US have warned Johnson that reneging on the treaty could “ hobble bilateral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency in November , The Guardian reports .
So could Downing Street ’ s bid to bolsters its Brexit position end up costing both the UK ’ s reputation and hopes of securing future trade deals with nations worldwide ?
The Irish-American presidential candidate is a staunch defender of the Good Friday Agreement , which Downing Street says Johnson is seeking to preserve through “ limited clarifications ” to the withdrawal agreement .
Biden ’ s chief policy adviser , Antony Blinken , tweeted yesterday that the presidential hopeful is “ committed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland ” and that any arrangements between the UK and EU “ must protect the Good Friday Agreement and prevent the return of a hard border ” .
The Guardian reports that “ people close to ” Biden have warned that anything that puts the 1998 peace deal at risk “ would present a major impediment to a close relationship between London and Washington in the event of a Biden presidency ” .
Democratic Congressman Richard Neal - who as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee would have influence over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the newspaper that he “ can ’ t imagine that we could develop a bilateral trade relationship if there was any return to a hard border ” .
“ Joe Biden shares my position on this issue entirely , ” Neal added .
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ( pictured top with Johnson ) “ has threatened to not do business with Britain if ‘ trust ’ is broken by the UK reneging on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ” , The Telegraph reports .
Meanwhile , the EU ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that honouring the treaty was “ a precondition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected ” .
The comments are a warning shot to Johnson , but according to The Guardian , diplomatic sources in the US have suggested that “ the UK government might not have fully thought through the ramifications of its abrupt announcement ” .
Having been “ taken aback by the pushback in Washington ” , Downing Street may now be waking up to the full gravity of reneging on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In an article for The Spectator , political commentator Nick Tyrone argues that “ threatening to back out of an existing international treaty in the hopes of getting a further international treaty agreed is madness ” , and asks : “ Why would any possible trading partner in future trust what the UK government says if it breaks an international treaty with the EU ?
” “ This is precisely why countries don ’ t go around breaking international agreements - you would be announcing to the world that any treaty you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper it is written on , ” Tyrone adds .
Johnson ’ s decision could also weaken Britain ’ s hand when it comes to holding foreign powers accountable for their own wrongdoing .
New Statesman international editor Jeremy Cliffe tweets that the “ specific but limited ” law-breaking could increase the likelihood to future scenarios in which current US leader Donald Trump suggests “ NHS protections in trade deal never made sense ” , or with China arguing that “ ‘ One country , two systems ’ never made sense ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the international backlash to the treaty revisions as it appears to have been by the leaking of the Internal Markets Bill to the Financial Times , the government might now be reassessing its tactics .
As The Times ’ Rachel Sylvester warned yesterday , “ the prime minister ’ s no-deal brinkmanship is damaging Britain ’ s reputation abroad just when we need new allies ” .

As a former foreign secretary with a history of misspeaking at key moments, Boris Johnson should be more aware than most of how his actions are interpreted abroad.
But the prime minister appears to have been caught off guard by the hostile international reaction to his leaked plan to row back on elements of the Brexit withdrawal agreement - a strategy that Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis has admitted breaks the law in a “specific but limited way”.
Senior Democrats in the US have warned Johnson that reneging on the treaty could “hobble bilateral relations” should Joe Biden win the presidency in November, The Guardian reports. So could Downing Street’s bid to bolsters its Brexit position end up costing both the UK’s reputation and hopes of securing future trade deals with nations worldwide?
Biden our time
The Irish-American presidential candidate is a staunch defender of the Good Friday Agreement, which Downing Street says Johnson is seeking to preserve through “limited clarifications” to the withdrawal agreement.
Biden’s chief policy adviser, Antony Blinken, tweeted yesterday that the presidential hopeful is “committed to preserving the hard-earned peace & stability in Northern Ireland” and that any arrangements between the UK and EU “must protect the Good Friday Agreement and prevent the return of a hard border”.
The Guardian reports that “people close to” Biden have warned that anything that puts the 1998 peace deal at risk “would present a major impediment to a close relationship between London and Washington in the event of a Biden presidency”.
Democratic Congressman Richard Neal - who as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee would have influence over the ratification of any trade deal - told the newspaper that he “can’t imagine that we could develop a bilateral trade relationship if there was any return to a hard border”.
“Joe Biden shares my position on this issue entirely,” Neal added.
Matter of trust
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (pictured top with Johnson) “has threatened to not do business with Britain if ‘trust’ is broken by the UK reneging on the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement”, The Telegraph reports.
Meanwhile, the EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, said that honouring the treaty was “a precondition for confidence between us because everything that has been signed in the past must be respected”.


theweekuk--2020-09-09--Michael Cohen: four key revelations from new book by Donald Trump’s ex-lawyer

Donald Trump ’ s former personal lawyer accuses the president of being a “ cheat , a liar , a fraud , a bully , a racist , a predator and a con man ” in a scathing new book .
Michael Cohen ’ s “ tawdrily readable ” expose , Disloyal : A Memoir , offers a “ bile-filled take on Trump and his minions ” , The Guardian says .
The White House has denied a number of allegations made by Cohen , who was sentenced to three years in jail in 2018 after pleading guilty to tax @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finance violations .
Here are four key takeaways from his tell-all memoir .
“ As a rule , Trump expressed low opinions of all black folks , from music to culture and politics , ” according to the new book by Cohen , who was released from prison in May amid concerns over the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus .
During an interview with NBC News last week , Cohen described a trip to Chicago during which Trump allegedly said that “ only the blacks could live this way ” while driving through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In his memoir , released yesterday , Cohen claims that Trump has “ hatred and contempt ” for former Chicago resident Barack Obama .
And Trump is said to have disparaged late South African President Nelson Mandela following the civil rights hero ’ s death , in 2013 .
“ Mandela fucked the whole country up .
Now it ’ s a shithole .
Fuck Mandela .
He was no leader , ” the future president said , according to the book .
Trump also allegedly asked Cohen to “ tell me one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t a shithole .
They are all complete fucking toilets.
” Following a meeting with evangelical leaders at Trump Tower before his 2016 election win , Trump is alleged to have spent time “ ridiculing their faith in crude terms ” , The Independent reports .
Tearing into what the newspaper describes as “ one of his most loyal constituencies ” , the then presidential candidate is said to have asked : “ Can you believe that bullshit ?
Can you believe people believe that bullshit ?
” Pointing to Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Cohen writes : “ The cosmic joke was that Trump convinced a vast swathe of working-class white folks in the Midwest that he cared about their well-being .
“ The truth was that he couldn ’ t care less.
” Cohen alleges that Trump often makes inappropriate remarks about women , including minors , The Washington Post reports .
According to the memoir , during a trip to Trump ’ s New Jersey golf club in 2012 , the future US leader unknowingly commented on Cohen ’ s then 15-year-old daughter , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ass .
I would love some of that.
” On discovering that the girl was his lawyer ’ s child , Trump allegedly asked him : “ When did she get so hot ?
” The book “ also describes the married Trump ogling contestants at his Miss Universe pageant and boasting he could ‘ have all of them ’ if he wanted ” , The Associated Press reports .
In further allegations , Cohen claims to have seen his boss corner and forcibly kiss women in his office .
Trump frequently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Cohen .
As Business Insider notes , the ex-attorney speculates that there are two key reasons for this veneration of the Russian president : money and power .
Although the extent of Putin ’ s personal wealth is impossible to verify , Cohen claims that the US president considers his Russian counterpart to be “ the richest man in the world by a multiple ” .
Trump allegedly also said that he admired Putin ’ s ability “ to take over an entire nation and run it like it was his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in fact ” .
Cohen highlights a number of supposed similarities between Putin ’ s governance of Russia and Trump ’ s vision of his own leadership .
“ Locking up your political enemies , criminalising dissent , terrifying or bankrupting the free press through libel lawsuits , ” Cohen writes .
“ Trump ’ s all-encompassing vision wasn ’ t evident to me before he began to run for president .
”

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theweekuk--2020-09-09--Electric bike and scooter sales up 230% at Halfords as commuters swerve public transport

A boom in the popularity of cycling during the coronavirus crisis has seen summer sales surge at Halfords .
According to a newly released trading update , the car and bicycle parts company ’ s sales of bikes and cycling gear rose by 59.1 % in the 20-week period to 21 August .
And sales of electric bikes and scooters soared by 230 % year-on-year .
The boom came as many other retailers struggle to survive the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic , and is “ in sharp contrast ” to Halford ’ s motoring business , which retreated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Overall group revenue rose by 7.5 % during the period , with the retailer expecting pre-tax profit for the six months to the end of September to be between £35m and £40m , compared with £27.5m in the same period last year , the Financial Times reports .
As The Guardian notes , Halfords is enjoying a “ purple patch ” as shoppers buy new wheels and repair old bikes in order to avoid public transport or get out and about during “ staycations ” .
Company CEO Graham Stapleton said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with growth reaching 71 % in August , and that electric bikes were proving increasingly popular .
“ The electric bike growth has been significant , ” Stapleton said .
“ Nearly one in three of our adult bikes are electric against just 14 % last year , so the proportion we are selling has almost doubled .
“ I think that ’ s important because with electric bikes , it is not just leisure , it is for essential use in terms of getting around and getting to work .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 40 miles on one charge.
” However , while Halfords has benefited from the cycling boom during lockdown , profits are expected to fall over winter as bike demand wanes .
Stapleton said : “ There is still significant uncertainty around the impact of Covid-19 and the macro-economic environment in the coming months , and as a result we are cautious on the outlook for the remainder of this year .
”

A boom in the popularity of cycling during the coronavirus crisis has seen summer sales surge at Halfords.
According to a newly released trading update, the car and bicycle parts company’s sales of bikes and cycling gear rose by 59.1% in the 20-week period to 21 August. And sales of electric bikes and scooters soared by 230% year-on-year.
The boom came as many other retailers struggle to survive the economic upheaval caused by the pandemic, and is “in sharp contrast” to Halford’s motoring business, which retreated 28.6%, says Cycling Industry News.
Overall group revenue rose by 7.5% during the period, with the retailer expecting pre-tax profit for the six months to the end of September to be between £35m and £40m, compared with £27.5m in the same period last year, the Financial Times reports.
As The Guardian notes, Halfords is enjoying a “purple patch” as shoppers buy new wheels and repair old bikes in order to avoid public transport or get out and about during “staycations”.
Company CEO Graham Stapleton said that bike sales had accelerated over the summer, with growth reaching 71% in August, and that electric bikes were proving increasingly popular.
“The electric bike growth has been significant,” Stapleton said. “Nearly one in three of our adult bikes are electric against just 14% last year, so the proportion we are selling has almost doubled.
“I think that’s important because with electric bikes, it is not just leisure, it is for essential use in terms of getting around and getting to work. On some of these bikes you can travel from 40 miles on one charge.”
However, while Halfords has benefited from the cycling boom during lockdown, profits are expected to fall over winter as bike demand wanes.
Stapleton said: “There is still significant uncertainty around the impact of Covid-19 and the macro-economic environment in the coming months, and as a result we are cautious on the outlook for the remainder of this year.”


theweekuk--2020-09-09--‘Festival of Brexit’ to cost £120m - but will justify bill, claims director

The brains behind a £120m national festival to be staged in 2022 have put out a call for “ daring , new and popular ” ideas to unite the UK following Brexit .
Modelled on the 1951 Festival of Britain , the project was announced by Theresa May in 2018 and was immediately dubbed the “ Festival of Brexit ” .
The organisers are now using the working title “ Festival UK * 2022 ” , although “ as the asterisk suggests , the event ’ s final title is yet to be decided ” , says The Guardian .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downing Street that the government is “ intent on ploughing £120m into the event ” has triggered an angry response , The Times reports .
Even before the coronavirus pandemic , “ arts leaders questioned whether it was the best use ” of the public money , says the newspaper .
And the criticisms “ have grown given the dire financial straits Britain ’ s cultural institutions now find themselves in ” .
But the festival ’ s director , Martin Green , insists the event “ is absolutely blended into the Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s research and development stage , in which 30 creative teams will be given £100,000 grants to develop “ big ideas ” , would allow Britain ’ s “ creatives to make work ” , said Green , who was head of ceremonies at the London 2012 Olympic Games and director of Hull ’ s year as UK City of Culture in 2017 .
He told the BBC that the “ project was conceived to happen after our exit from the EU and acknowledges that we have been going through , and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Coming together and bringing people together is n't about asking people all to think and believe the same thing , ” he added .
“ It ’ s about understanding each other and appreciating each other 's differences and commonalities.
” Individuals and organisations are being invited to put together teams that will pitch to be commissioned to come up with ideas for the festival .
The deadline for submissions is 16 October .

The brains behind a £120m national festival to be staged in 2022 have put out a call for “daring, new and popular” ideas to unite the UK following Brexit.
Modelled on the 1951 Festival of Britain, the project was announced by Theresa May in 2018 and was immediately dubbed the “Festival of Brexit”. The organisers are now using the working title “Festival UK * 2022”, although “as the asterisk suggests, the event’s final title is yet to be decided”, says The Guardian.
Regardless of the branding, confirmation from Downing Street that the government is “intent on ploughing £120m into the event” has triggered an angry response, The Times reports.
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, “arts leaders questioned whether it was the best use” of the public money, says the newspaper. And the criticisms “have grown given the dire financial straits Britain’s cultural institutions now find themselves in”.
But the festival’s director, Martin Green, insists the event “is absolutely blended into the Covid recovery narrative”.
The festival’s research and development stage, in which 30 creative teams will be given £100,000 grants to develop “big ideas”, would allow Britain’s “creatives to make work”, said Green, who was head of ceremonies at the London 2012 Olympic Games and director of Hull’s year as UK City of Culture in 2017.
He told the BBC that the “project was conceived to happen after our exit from the EU and acknowledges that we have been going through, and are going through, a divisive time”.
“Coming together and bringing people together isn't about asking people all to think and believe the same thing,” he added. “It’s about understanding each other and appreciating each other's differences and commonalities.”
Individuals and organisations are being invited to put together teams that will pitch to be commissioned to come up with ideas for the festival. The deadline for submissions is 16 October.


theweekuk--2020-09-09--Uber vehicle fleet to be fully electric by 2040

Uber has pledged to go fully electric in a push to “ aggressively tackle the challenge of climate change ” .
The ride-hailing app is to invest $ 800m ( £614m ) to help all of the platform ’ s millions of drivers worldwide switch to electric vehicles ( EVs ) by 2040 - with an earlier target date of 2030 in US , Canadian and European cities .
In a blog post announcing the plans , Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the world was “ at a critical juncture , and we all have a role to play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the first to set ambitious goals in transitioning to EVs , we intend to be the first to make it happen , ” he continued , adding : “ It ’ s the right thing to do for our customers , our cities , our shareholders , and the planet we all share.
” As the BBC reports , “ Uber and smaller rival Lyft have faced ongoing criticism for their role contributing to traffic and air pollution , with research showing many of their rides replace less polluting alternatives , like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transport ” .
Uber ’ s pledge to go green has been welcomed by environmentalists in countries across the globe , including the UK , where the government is set to ban the sale of new petrol , diesel and hybrid vehicles by 2035 .
Transport Minister Grant Shapps said the move would benefit Uber drivers and users and “ improve the quality of air we breathe ” , reports Sky News .
William Todts , executive director of the Transport & Environment campaign group , also praised Uber ’ s commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK Investor Magazine reports .
Todts said : “ Now it ’ s time for Europe ’ s city mayors to show leadership .
We need all big cities in Europe to introduce zero-emission zones , new pop-up bike lanes and cycle-only corridors , while also providing easy access to charging at home , at work and wherever people park .
”

Uber has pledged to go fully electric in a push to “aggressively tackle the challenge of climate change”.
The ride-hailing app is to invest $800m (£614m) to help all of the platform’s millions of drivers worldwide switch to electric vehicles (EVs) by 2040 - with an earlier target date of 2030 in US, Canadian and European cities.
In a blog post announcing the plans, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said that the world was “at a critical juncture, and we all have a role to play”.
“While we’re not the first to set ambitious goals in transitioning to EVs, we intend to be the first to make it happen,” he continued, adding: “It’s the right thing to do for our customers, our cities, our shareholders, and the planet we all share.”
As the BBC reports, “Uber and smaller rival Lyft have faced ongoing criticism for their role contributing to traffic and air pollution, with research showing many of their rides replace less polluting alternatives, like walking, biking, or taking public transport”.
Uber’s pledge to go green has been welcomed by environmentalists in countries across the globe, including the UK, where the government is set to ban the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles by 2035.
Transport Minister Grant Shapps said the move would benefit Uber drivers and users and “improve the quality of air we breathe”, reports Sky News.
William Todts, executive director of the Transport & Environment campaign group, also praised Uber’s commitment to “rapidly electrify its fleet”, UK Investor Magazine reports.
Todts said: “Now it’s time for Europe’s city mayors to show leadership. We need all big cities in Europe to introduce zero-emission zones, new pop-up bike lanes and cycle-only corridors, while also providing easy access to charging at home, at work and wherever people park.”


theweekuk--2020-09-09--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 9 Sep 2020

The final phase of clinical trials for the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca has been paused after @ @ @ @ @ have been an adverse reaction in the UK .
AstraZeneca described it as a “ @ @ @ @ @ case of “ an unexplained illness ” .
The BBC says there had been high @ @ @ @ @ be one of the first to come on the market , following successful phase one @ @ @ @

Oxford vaccine trials paused as participant falls ill
The final phase of clinical trials for the coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca has been paused after a participant suffered what may have been an adverse reaction in the UK. AstraZeneca described it as a “routine” step in the case of “an unexplained illness”. The BBC says there had been high hopes that the vaccine might be one of the first to come on the market, following successful phase one and two testing.


theweekuk--2020-09-09--Seventh ‘official’ sighting of Loch Ness Monster this year

A tourist who inadvertently photographed the Loch Ness Monster has recorded the seventh “ official ” sighting of the year .
The man says he took the photo while on holiday with his family on 29 August , but did n't realise he had captured the mythical beast until he looked back at his holiday snaps .
His photo of a dark object in the distance near Point Clair has now been accepted by the Official Loch Ness Sightings Register .
A couple have been barred from a gastro pub for having a bondage session on the terrace in full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evening at The Mill , in Ulverston , Cumbria , the dominatrix tied her “ slave ” to a roof beam with a dog lead and began spanking him with a paddle .
Eyewitnesses say the slapping sound of the spanking could be heard above the soundtrack of Lovely Day by Bill Withers .
A man in Kentucky was pulled over after police officers noticed that his licence plate had been drawn by hand .
The officers then discovered that the driver had no insurance and was driving on a suspended licence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pro tip ” for drivers thinking of drawing their own plates : “ Don ’ t forget to draw the registration sticker.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A tourist who inadvertently photographed the Loch Ness Monster has recorded the seventh “official” sighting of the year. The man says he took the photo while on holiday with his family on 29 August, but didn't realise he had captured the mythical beast until he looked back at his holiday snaps. His photo of a dark object in the distance near Point Clair has now been accepted by the Official Loch Ness Sightings Register.
Couple barred from pub for bondage session
A couple have been barred from a gastro pub for having a bondage session on the terrace in full view of other diners. On Sunday evening at The Mill, in Ulverston, Cumbria, the dominatrix tied her “slave” to a roof beam with a dog lead and began spanking him with a paddle. Eyewitnesses say the slapping sound of the spanking could be heard above the soundtrack of Lovely Day by Bill Withers.
Kentucky driver draws his own licence plate
A man in Kentucky was pulled over after police officers noticed that his licence plate had been drawn by hand. The officers then discovered that the driver had no insurance and was driving on a suspended licence. The Millersburg Police Department offered a “pro tip” for drivers thinking of drawing their own plates: “Don’t forget to draw the registration sticker.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-09-09--Why the government’s most senior lawyer resigned

When Sir Jonathan Jones announced his resignation as head of the Government Legal Department yesterday , he gave no reason for his abrupt departure .
But there was little doubt about what led to his decision .
The “ baby-faced former barrister ” had long questioned the legality of the government ’ s Brexit strategy , The Telegraph reports .
Increasingly unhappy , he “ had made that clear to his inner circle in recent days ” .
In the end , he “ quit over Boris Johnson ’ s proposal to row back on parts of last year ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , says the Financial Times .
Hours later , Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded that Johnson ’ s plan “ does break international law in a very specific and limited way ” .
The admission “ led to a torrent of criticism ” , says The Guardian , “ including from the former prime minister Theresa May , who questioned whether Boris Johnson was risking the UK ’ s international reputation as a trustworthy nation ” .
According to the Financial Times , Jones had previously made a private request for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government might be “ in breach of the ministerial code that obliges ministers to follow the law ” .
And in February , he had publicly reiterated the importance of respecting international obligations .
“ Fundamentally , international law is the law , ” he told the Institute for Government .
“ It derives from obligations the government has entered into through treaty .
The government is subject to the rule of law and will comply with those obligations.
” By then , he had “ come close to resigning ” once already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government said it might ignore the Benn Act , which would have forced Johnson to ask Brussels for a Brexit extension if no deal could be agreed .
“ One source said he had decided against it after concluding that despite briefings to the media , the government did not in fact intend to break the law , ” the paper reports .
This time , he seems to have reached the opposite conclusion .

When Sir Jonathan Jones announced his resignation as head of the Government Legal Department yesterday, he gave no reason for his abrupt departure. But there was little doubt about what led to his decision.
The “baby-faced former barrister” had long questioned the legality of the government’s Brexit strategy, The Telegraph reports. Increasingly unhappy, he “had made that clear to his inner circle in recent days”.
In the end, he “quit over Boris Johnson’s proposal to row back on parts of last year’s Brexit deal relating to Northern Ireland”, says the Financial Times.
Hours later, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis conceded that Johnson’s plan “does break international law in a very specific and limited way”.
The admission “led to a torrent of criticism”, says The Guardian, “including from the former prime minister Theresa May, who questioned whether Boris Johnson was risking the UK’s international reputation as a trustworthy nation”.
According to the Financial Times, Jones had previously made a private request for independent legal advice to establish whether the government might be “in breach of the ministerial code that obliges ministers to follow the law”.
And in February, he had publicly reiterated the importance of respecting international obligations.
“Fundamentally, international law is the law,” he told the Institute for Government. “It derives from obligations the government has entered into through treaty. The government is subject to the rule of law and will comply with those obligations.”
By then, he had “come close to resigning” once already, says The Telegraph, when the government said it might ignore the Benn Act, which would have forced Johnson to ask Brussels for a Brexit extension if no deal could be agreed.
“One source said he had decided against it after concluding that despite briefings to the media, the government did not in fact intend to break the law,” the paper reports.
This time, he seems to have reached the opposite conclusion.


theweekuk--2020-09-09--How China’s new ‘Covid-proof’ city paves the way for easier lockdowns

The Chinese government is constructing a “ Covid-proof ” city designed to make the implementation of lockdown measures easier in future pandemics .
Located about 60 miles southwest of Beijing , the flagship new metropolis of Xiong ’ an was first announced by President Xi Jinping in 2017 as an innovative smart city project and potential business hub for firms unable to find space in the overcrowded capital .
But the coronavirus pandemic has shifted the focus of the project , with architects commissioned to create “ blocks of apartments that are equipped to allow residents to continue to function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
The new city , in the northern province of Hebei , is expected to cost Beijing around $ 500bn ( £385bn ) , with the basic infrastructure scheduled to be completed by 2022 .
Xiong ’ an will serve as a major smart hub for “ cutting-edge technology firms , making the future city a would-be rival to California ’ s Silicon Valley ” , says The Telegraph .
Originally proposed as a means “ to relieve pressure on Beijing ” , the urban enclave “ will enjoy high-speed rail links @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds .
Xiong ’ an is intended “ to be innovative , helping China shift to high value-added industries and escape the ‘ middle-income trap ’ , especially in the ‘ rust belt ’ of northern China ” , according to the Brookings Institute .
And “ just as Shenzhen and Pudong are considered gems of the Deng era , Xi aspires to see his name associated with a new urban miracle ” , says the Washington D.C.-based research group .
The coronavirus outbreak has seen Beijing reframing the project to accommodate pandemic-friendly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ style during lockdowns ” , The Sun says .
Barcelona-based Guallart Architects won a competition to draft new plans for the city ’ s living quarters that was held when Spain was in lockdown , and says that working under these restrictions influenced the design “ completely ” .
The result will be blocks of flats with large balconies “ to allow access to the outdoors and huge communal work areas to allow social distancing ” , the newspaper reports .
And “ vegetable gardens , greenhouses and solar power will help families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to food supplies ” .
State-owned news channel China Global Television Network ( CGTN ) says the development ’ s various buildings will be “ mixed-use , including apartments , residences for young and old people , offices , swimming pools , shops , food markets , kindergartens , and administrative centres , meaning there will be limited necessity to commute ” .
The broadcaster adds that the enclave will “ essentially contain an internal metabolic system that integrates energy production , recycled water , food production and material reuse , making it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vicente Guallart says that his firm “ wanted to make a manifesto of those things that we thought were important during lockdown and in the future ” .
“ If homes allow tele-work and tele-education , have flexible spaces on large terraces , and cities can grow food on the roofs or print objects in their neighbourhoods , we will be more prepared for the crises of the future , ” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation .
The project is being championed by President Xi as “ a new standard in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes , past pandemics have also “ played a major role in urban design .
The cholera outbreaks of the 1800s , for example , where infected water lay in haphazard , umpaved alleyways , influenced the grid-design system of modern American cities , whose neat , simple layout also made water piping simpler.
” Tony Matthews , a senior lecturer in urban and environmental planning at Australia ’ s Griffith University , predicts that panic over a future contagion may create “ elitist enclaves that are somewhat self-sufficient ” .
“ People @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to insulate themselves , ” Matthews told Reuters .
“ Post-Covid enclaves with security , private medical facilities and on-site food production may emerge .
”

The Chinese government is constructing a “Covid-proof” city designed to make the implementation of lockdown measures easier in future pandemics.
Located about 60 miles southwest of Beijing, the flagship new metropolis of Xiong’an was first announced by President Xi Jinping in 2017 as an innovative smart city project and potential business hub for firms unable to find space in the overcrowded capital.
But the coronavirus pandemic has shifted the focus of the project, with architects commissioned to create “blocks of apartments that are equipped to allow residents to continue to function under lockdown conditions”, The Telegraph reports.
What is Xiong’an?
The new city, in the northern province of Hebei, is expected to cost Beijing around $500bn (£385bn), with the basic infrastructure scheduled to be completed by 2022.
Xiong’an will serve as a major smart hub for “cutting-edge technology firms, making the future city a would-be rival to California’s Silicon Valley”, says The Telegraph.
Originally proposed as a means “to relieve pressure on Beijing”, the urban enclave “will enjoy high-speed rail links and 5G broadband”, the newspaper adds.
Xiong’an is intended “to be innovative, helping China shift to high value-added industries and escape the ‘middle-income trap’, especially in the ‘rust belt’ of northern China”, according to the Brookings Institute.
And “just as Shenzhen and Pudong are considered gems of the Deng era, Xi aspires to see his name associated with a new urban miracle”, says the Washington D.C.-based research group.
How Covid changed the plan
The coronavirus outbreak has seen Beijing reframing the project to accommodate pandemic-friendly apartments where residents can “live in style during lockdowns”, The Sun says.
Barcelona-based Guallart Architects won a competition to draft new plans for the city’s living quarters that was held when Spain was in lockdown, and says that working under these restrictions influenced the design “completely”. The result will be blocks of flats with large balconies “to allow access to the outdoors and huge communal work areas to allow social distancing”, the newspaper reports.
And “vegetable gardens, greenhouses and solar power will help families stay self-sufficient in the event of disruptions to food supplies”.
State-owned news channel China Global Television Network (CGTN) says the development’s various buildings will be “mixed-use, including apartments, residences for young and old people, offices, swimming pools, shops, food markets, kindergartens, and administrative centres, meaning there will be limited necessity to commute”.
The broadcaster adds that the enclave will “essentially contain an internal metabolic system that integrates energy production, recycled water, food production and material reuse, making it highly self-sustainable”.
Is this a good idea?
Guallart Architects founder Vicente Guallart says that his firm “wanted to make a manifesto of those things that we thought were important during lockdown and in the future”.
“If homes allow tele-work and tele-education, have flexible spaces on large terraces, and cities can grow food on the roofs or print objects in their neighbourhoods, we will be more prepared for the crises of the future,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
The project is being championed by President Xi as “a new standard in the post-COVID era”.
As The Telegraph notes, past pandemics have also “played a major role in urban design. The cholera outbreaks of the 1800s, for example, where infected water lay in haphazard, umpaved alleyways, influenced the grid-design system of modern American cities, whose neat, simple layout also made water piping simpler.”
Tony Matthews, a senior lecturer in urban and environmental planning at Australia’s Griffith University, predicts that panic over a future contagion may create “elitist enclaves that are somewhat self-sufficient”.
“People who can afford it will often pay to insulate themselves,” Matthews told Reuters. “Post-Covid enclaves with security, private medical facilities and on-site food production may emerge.”


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Maserati MC20: new era is launched with a super sports car ‘100% made in Italy’

Maserati has finally unveiled its first supercar for 15 years : the MC20 .
Launched to mark a “ new era ” for the Italian luxury brand , the Maserati MC20 is the successor to the MC12 and was “ 100 % made in Italy ” .
The MC20 ( MC for Maserati Corse and 20 for 2020 ) is available to order now with production scheduled to launch at the end of the year .
CNN reports that Maserati also plans to introduce a fully electric version of the MC20 in 2022 .
Expected to cost £187,230 on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ £20k more than the McLaren GT , which Maserati has set its sights on ” .
The flagship MC20 launches Maserati ’ s “ latest rebirth strategy ” , Car and Driver says , and the Italian company is planning for “ ten new or heavily revised models by 2023 ” .
The MC20 will be powered by the “ Nettuno ” ( Italian for Neptune ) , the first engine in this new chapter of the Trident ’ s history .
The twin turbo 3.0-liter V6 will produce a “ whopping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the MC20 will boast a top speed of 202mph .
According to Maserati the MC20 will be able to do 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and 0-124mph in 8.8 seconds .
Described as “ beautiful and functional ” , the butterfly doors will improve the car ’ s ergonomics and enable optimal access to and from the cabin .
And with a kerb weight of less than 1,500kg , the MC20 is an extremely lightweight car .
Once inside the cabin , every component has a purpose , and is completely driver-oriented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one for the cockpit and the other for the Maserati Multimedia System ( MIA ) .
The carbon fibre-clad central console features a wireless smartphone charger , driving mode selector ( GT , Wet , Sport , Corsa and ESC Off ) , two speed selection buttons , the power window controls , the multimedia system controls , and a storage compartment underneath the armrest .
All the other controls are on the steering wheel , with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right .
The MC20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Maserati Connect program and the full range of services include navigation , Alexa and a wifi hotspot which can be managed through the Maserati Connect smartphone or smartwatch app .
For the launch , Maserati has developed six new colours for the MC20 : Bianco Audace , Giallo Genio , Rosso Vincente , Blu Infinito , Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero .
Each of them has been conceived , designed and developed exclusively for this car .
They all convey important themes : a strong reference to Made in Italy , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as one linked to Maserati tradition .
Engine layout : V6 90° MTC twin turbo Top speed : 202mph Performance : 0-62mph in 2.9secs ; 0-124mph in 8.8secs Brake horsepower : 621 Gearbox : 8-speed dual-clutch automatic Transmission : rear-wheel drive with rear limited slip self-locking mechanical differential

Maserati has finally unveiled its first supercar for 15 years: the MC20.
Launched to mark a “new era” for the Italian luxury brand, the Maserati MC20 is the successor to the MC12 and was “100% made in Italy”.
The MC20 (MC for Maserati Corse and 20 for 2020) is available to order now with production scheduled to launch at the end of the year. CNN reports that Maserati also plans to introduce a fully electric version of the MC20 in 2022.
Expected to cost £187,230 on the road, Goodwood.com says this will be “£20k more than the McLaren GT, which Maserati has set its sights on”.
The flagship MC20 launches Maserati’s “latest rebirth strategy”, Car and Driver says, and the Italian company is planning for “ten new or heavily revised models by 2023”.
Engine and design
The MC20 will be powered by the “Nettuno” (Italian for Neptune), the first engine in this new chapter of the Trident’s history. The twin turbo 3.0-liter V6 will produce a “whopping” 621 brake horsepower, says Motor1.com, and the MC20 will boast a top speed of 202mph.
According to Maserati the MC20 will be able to do 0-62mph in 2.9 seconds and 0-124mph in 8.8 seconds.
Described as “beautiful and functional”, the butterfly doors will improve the car’s ergonomics and enable optimal access to and from the cabin. And with a kerb weight of less than 1,500kg, the MC20 is an extremely lightweight car.
What’s inside?
Once inside the cabin, every component has a purpose, and is completely driver-oriented.
There are two 10-inch screens - one for the cockpit and the other for the Maserati Multimedia System (MIA). The carbon fibre-clad central console features a wireless smartphone charger, driving mode selector (GT, Wet, Sport, Corsa and ESC Off), two speed selection buttons, the power window controls, the multimedia system controls, and a storage compartment underneath the armrest.
All the other controls are on the steering wheel, with the ignition button on the left and the launch control on the right.
The MC20 will be connected at all times with the Maserati Connect program and the full range of services include navigation, Alexa and a wifi hotspot which can be managed through the Maserati Connect smartphone or smartwatch app.
Colours
For the launch, Maserati has developed six new colours for the MC20: Bianco Audace, Giallo Genio, Rosso Vincente, Blu Infinito, Nero Enigma and Grigio Mistero. Each of them has been conceived, designed and developed exclusively for this car. They all convey important themes: a strong reference to Made in Italy, to Italian identity and to the land, as well as one linked to Maserati tradition.
Technical specifications
Engine layout: V6 90° MTC twin turbo Top speed: 202mph Performance: 0-62mph in 2.9secs; 0-124mph in 8.8secs Brake horsepower: 621 Gearbox: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic Transmission: rear-wheel drive with rear limited slip self-locking mechanical differential
In pictures: Maserati MC20


theweekuk--2020-09-10--F1 2021 driver grid: reactions as Sebastian Vettel signs with Aston Martin

Just 12 hours after Sergio Perez announced he is to leave Racing Point it was confirmed that Sebastian Vettel will next year drive for the Formula 1 team that will be rebranded as Aston Martin .
Vettel , a four-time world champion , is departing Ferrari after five years and signs a deal with the Aston Martin F1 Team for “ 2021 and beyond ” .
The German will be joined on the grid next season by current Racing Point driver Lance Stroll , the son of Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll .
Confirming the team ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and principal Otmar Szafnauer said : “ Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news .
Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team .
“ On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon , Sebastian is one of the best in the world , and I can ’ t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era .
He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future .
I ’ m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021 .
It ’ s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company .
“ I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter .
The energy and commitment of Lawrence [ Stroll ] to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid .
To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.
” “ Initially , there didn ’ t appear to be a place for Vettel , given Sergio Perez had a multi-year deal which ran until the end of 2022 while [ Lawrence ] Stroll ’ s son Lance is in the other seat .
But on the eve of the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello – Ferrari ’ s 1000th race – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will leave the team at the end of the year and has no ‘ Plan B ’ in terms of a drive .
That paved the way for Racing Point to announce Vettel – who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 - would be joining them , alongside Stroll , for their first season under the Aston Martin brand.
” “ It marks a big change of pace for Vettel after a decade racing with F1 powerhouses , in the form of Red Bull and Ferrari .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of finding any landing spot to prolong his F1 career .
Aston Martin could offer Vettel the perfect next step to write the next chapter of his F1 story.
” “ The arrival of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari last year rocked Vettel somewhat , and ultimately the Ferrari relationship , but he was still a race-winner in 2019 and was only just beaten in the points , and qualifying battles by his team-mate .
He now gets a chance to prove himself as one of F1 ’ s elite again , and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Merc-powered car.
” “ While Vettel joining Aston Martin is a huge coup for a team that was originally established as Jordan in 1991 , it is also a chance for Vettel to rebuild his reputation in a new environment.
” “ The decision to go after Vettel was a no-brainer for Aston Martin .
Although Vettel has suffered something of a reputation hit following three mistake-ridden campaigns at Ferrari , he remains a four-time world champion and winner of 53 grands prix , making him statistically at least , the fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a competitive car , and with the right team support network around him under effective leadership , there is no doubting Vettel ’ s abilities behind the wheel of F1 machinery.
” F1 2021 driver grid : who is confirmed so far ?
Charles Leclerc ( contract until end of 2024 ) Carlos Sainz ( contract until end of 2022 ) Esteban Ocon ( contracted until end of 2021 ) Fernando Alonso ( contracted at least until the end of 2021 ) George Russell ( contracted until the end of 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of 2021 )

Just 12 hours after Sergio Perez announced he is to leave Racing Point it was confirmed that Sebastian Vettel will next year drive for the Formula 1 team that will be rebranded as Aston Martin.
Vettel, a four-time world champion, is departing Ferrari after five years and signs a deal with the Aston Martin F1 Team for “2021 and beyond”.
The German will be joined on the grid next season by current Racing Point driver Lance Stroll, the son of Aston Martin executive chairman Lawrence Stroll.
Confirming the team’s “new era”, Racing Point CEO and principal Otmar Szafnauer said: “Everybody at Silverstone is hugely excited by this news. Sebastian is a proven champion and brings a winning mentality that matches our own ambitions for the future as Aston Martin F1 Team.
“On a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, Sebastian is one of the best in the world, and I can’t think of a better driver to help take us into this new era. He will play a significant role in taking this team to the next level.”
Vettel, 33, added: “I am pleased to finally share this exciting news about my future. I’m extremely proud to say that I will become an Aston Martin driver in 2021. It’s a new adventure for me with a truly legendary car company.
“I have been impressed with the results the team has achieved this year and I believe the future looks even brighter. The energy and commitment of Lawrence [Stroll] to the sport is inspiring and I believe we can build something very special together.
“I still have so much love for Formula 1 and my only motivation is to race at the front of the grid. To do so with Aston Martin will be a huge privilege.”
How F1 media reacted to Vettel’s move
Formula1.com
“Initially, there didn’t appear to be a place for Vettel, given Sergio Perez had a multi-year deal which ran until the end of 2022 while [Lawrence] Stroll’s son Lance is in the other seat. But on the eve of the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello – Ferrari’s 1000th race – Perez shocked the F1 world by revealing he will leave the team at the end of the year and has no ‘Plan B’ in terms of a drive. That paved the way for Racing Point to announce Vettel – who won four consecutive championships with Red Bull between 2010 and 2013 - would be joining them, alongside Stroll, for their first season under the Aston Martin brand.”
Luke Smith, Motorsport.com
“It marks a big change of pace for Vettel after a decade racing with F1 powerhouses, in the form of Red Bull and Ferrari. But this is not simply a case of finding any landing spot to prolong his F1 career. Aston Martin could offer Vettel the perfect next step to write the next chapter of his F1 story.”
James Galloway, Sky Sports
“The arrival of Charles Leclerc at Ferrari last year rocked Vettel somewhat, and ultimately the Ferrari relationship, but he was still a race-winner in 2019 and was only just beaten in the points, and qualifying battles by his team-mate. He now gets a chance to prove himself as one of F1’s elite again, and for the first time in his career driving a Merc-powered car.”
Andrew Benson, BBC Sport
“While Vettel joining Aston Martin is a huge coup for a team that was originally established as Jordan in 1991, it is also a chance for Vettel to rebuild his reputation in a new environment.”
Lewis Larkam, Crash.net
“The decision to go after Vettel was a no-brainer for Aston Martin. Although Vettel has suffered something of a reputation hit following three mistake-ridden campaigns at Ferrari, he remains a four-time world champion and winner of 53 grands prix, making him statistically at least, the fourth most successful F1 driver of all time. In a competitive car, and with the right team support network around him under effective leadership, there is no doubting Vettel’s abilities behind the wheel of F1 machinery.”
F1 2021 driver grid: who is confirmed so far?
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Valtteri Bottas (contract until end of 2021)
Scuderia Ferrari Mission Winnow
Charles Leclerc (contract until end of 2024) Carlos Sainz (contract until end of 2022)
Aston Martin Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen (contracted until end of 2023)
McLaren F1 Team
Daniel Ricciardo (multi-year contract) Lando Norris (multi-year contract)
Alpine F1 Team (Renault)
Esteban Ocon (contracted until end of 2021) Fernando Alonso (contracted at least until the end of 2021)
Scuderia AlphaTauri
Drivers to be confirmed
Aston Martin F1 Team
Sebastian Vettel (multi year contract) Lance Stroll
Alfa Romeo Racing Orlen
Drivers to be confirmed
Haas F1 Team
Drivers to be confirmed
Williams Racing
George Russell (contracted until the end of 2021) Nicholas Latifi (contracted until the end of 2021)


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Sweden claims ‘vindication’ over anti-lockdown policy as Covid cases hit new low

Sweden is claiming a major victory in the battle against Covid-19 after recording its lowest rate of positive coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ country ’ s testing regime to record levels .
The Swedish Health Ministry says that @ @ @ @ @ over the last week , of which just 1.3 % came back positive .
This @ @ @ @ @ as 19 % at the peak of the pandemic , fuelling international criticism of Sweden @ @ @ @ @ impose a lockdown and instead rely on citizens to observe social distancing and good hygiene @ @ @ @ @ across Europe now seeing surges in infections , the authorities in Stockholm are celebrating “ @ @ @ @ @ was a vindication of its relatively non-intrusive Covid-19 strategy ” , reports


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Why everyone’s talking about a ‘Covid Christmas’

The coronavirus pandemic has left Brits with little to celebrate this year , and now Christmas may be “ cancelled ” too , after Downing Street confirmed a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people .
Announcing the new rule yesterday , Boris Johnson said he was “ still hopeful ” that “ some aspects ” of life could be back to normal by the festive season through a mass testing regime .
But the prime minister added the caveat that it is “ too early to say ” for sure .
So how long might the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families and friends be able to gather together this Christmas ?
Why is the ban being introduced ?
The decision to limit social gatherings across England from Monday follows a steep spike in Covid cases in the UK , with 2,659 new infections recorded on Wednesday .
On Sunday , the total was 2,988 , the highest daily tally since 22 May .
In a bid to limit the spread of the virus , larger groups will no longer be allowed to meet , both indoors and outdoors , with the exceptions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , funerals and organised team sports .
Earlier this week , Professor John Edmunds , a member of the government ’ s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) , had warned that the UK was entering a “ risky period ” .
In an interview with Robert Peston for ITV News , Edmunds said : “ The epidemic continues to increase and then we have Christmas .
And that is very difficult .
What is Christmas ?
Well , it ’ s meeting with your family very close .
Restaurants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s all high risk .
And it ’ s all indoors.
” So is Christmas at risk ?
Johnson has refused to speculate about when the ban might be lifted , leading to fears that Britain could face what The Telegraph dubs a “ Covid Christmas ” .
After confirming the new rule at the government ’ s daily briefing on Wednesday , the PM said that he wanted to implement a new widespread testing system that may make it “ possible even for challenging sectors like theatres to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 1′s Newsbeat programme that the ban on large gatherings would be in place “ for the foreseeable future ” and possibly beyond the festive season .
“ I ’ d like to be able to relax them before Christmas , obviously , ” Hancock said .
But when asked whether families would be able to celebrate together during the winter break , he responded : “ Not necessarily.
” Experts are even less optimistic .
Hinting that , as HuffPost puts it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grinch that stole Christmas ” , England′s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty said the new rule would probably be in place for “ the next block of time ” , adding that “ it is very unlikely to be over in just two or three weeks ” .
Sally Bloomfield , honorary professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , predicted that “ Christmas will not be the same – of that I am absolutely sure ” .
And government insiders say that the restrictions could be in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What would the festive season look like under Covid ?
If the new rule on gatherings is still in place over Christmas , people across the UK will face a “ festive season unlike any other ” , says The Telegraph .
But while big families may be unable to meet on the big day , the most noticeable changes are likely to be in the run-up , according to Dr Julian Tang , a consultant virologist and honorary associate professor at the University of Leicester .
“ In the UK – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open and people go out a lot – Christmas is mostly a home and family affair , almost like a voluntary , self-imposed lockdown for a few days , ” he says .
“ However , the main risk is likely the pre-Christmas shopping days and the festive spirit that this creates .
Shopping online for Christmas is safer but much less atmospheric and festive , so may not be so popular.
” Infectious diseases expert Paul Hunter , a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia , agrees that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year .
“ The big office work parties and things like that almost certainly won ’ t be happening in my view , ” he told HuffPost .
And “ the typical school nativity play probably won ’ t happen ” either , he adds , as schools “ won ’ t be getting loads of parents into a hall to watch their children pretend to be shepherds ” .

The coronavirus pandemic has left Brits with little to celebrate this year, and now Christmas may be “cancelled” too, after Downing Street confirmed a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people.
Announcing the new rule yesterday, Boris Johnson said he was “still hopeful” that “some aspects” of life could be back to normal by the festive season through a mass testing regime.
But the prime minister added the caveat that it is “too early to say” for sure. So how long might the ban remain in place - and will families and friends be able to gather together this Christmas?
Why is the ban being introduced?
The decision to limit social gatherings across England from Monday follows a steep spike in Covid cases in the UK, with 2,659 new infections recorded on Wednesday. On Sunday, the total was 2,988, the highest daily tally since 22 May.
In a bid to limit the spread of the virus, larger groups will no longer be allowed to meet, both indoors and outdoors, with the exceptions of schools, workplaces, “Covid-secure weddings”, funerals and organised team sports.
Earlier this week, Professor John Edmunds, a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), had warned that the UK was entering a “risky period”.
In an interview with Robert Peston for ITV News, Edmunds said: “The epidemic continues to increase and then we have Christmas. And that is very difficult. What is Christmas? Well, it’s meeting with your family very close. Restaurants and pubs and stuff like that.
“It’s all high risk. And it’s all indoors.”
So is Christmas at risk?
Johnson has refused to speculate about when the ban might be lifted, leading to fears that Britain could face what The Telegraph dubs a “Covid Christmas”.
After confirming the new rule at the government’s daily briefing on Wednesday, the PM said that he wanted to implement a new widespread testing system that may make it “possible even for challenging sectors like theatres to have life much closer to normal before Christmas”.
But Health Secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Radio 1′s Newsbeat programme that the ban on large gatherings would be in place “for the foreseeable future” and possibly beyond the festive season.


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Luxury giants at war: Tiffany sues LVMH for ditching $16bn takeover

Two major luxury goods companies are at war in a row over a stalled multibillion-dollar deal .
US jeweller Tiffany @ @ @ @ @ VMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton ( LVMH ) after the French conglomerate pulled out of @ @ @ @ @ ) takeover .
LVMH “ said it no longer wanted to buy Tiffany because the @ @ @ @ @ the middle of trade disputes between Paris and the Donald Trump administration ” , The @ @ @ @ @ The French firm “ also claimed that Covid chaos and violent protests across America have @ @ @ @ @ The Telegraph adds .
In a statement released yesterday , LVMH said : “ The @ @ @ @ @ from the French European and foreign affairs minister which , in reaction to the threat @ @ @ @ @ by the US , directed the group to defer the acquisition of Tiffany until after @ @ @ @ @

Two major luxury goods companies are at war in a row over a stalled multibillion-dollar deal.
US jeweller Tiffany has filed a lawsuit against VMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH) after the French conglomerate pulled out of a $16bn (£12.3bn) takeover. LVMH “said it no longer wanted to buy Tiffany because the deal was being dragged into the middle of trade disputes between Paris and the Donald Trump administration”, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The French firm “also claimed that Covid chaos and violent protests across America have changed the situation”, The Telegraph adds.
In a statement released yesterday, LVMH said: “The board learned of a letter from the French European and foreign affairs minister which, in reaction to the threat of taxes on French products by the US, directed the group to defer the acquisition of Tiffany until after 6 January 2021.”
The French firm said Tiffany had also pushed for the deal’s completion date to be pushed back to 31 December - after the US elections take place.
But LVMH claims the requested delays rule out a deal, because of a previous agreement stating that the purchase must be completed no later than 24 November.
Tiffany & Co has refuted that claim, however, and “added that LVMH is not required to follow French state diktat in Paris’s squabble with Washington”, says The Telegraph.
Tiffany chair Roger Farah said: “We regret having to take this action but LVMH has left us no choice but to commence litigation to protect our company and our shareholders.
“Tiffany is confident it has complied with all of its obligations under the merger agreement and is committed to completing the transaction on the terms agreed to last year. Tiffany expects the same of LVMH.
“We believe that LVMH will seek to use any available means in an attempt to avoid closing the transaction on the agreed terms. But the simple facts are that there is no basis under French law for the foreign affairs minister to order a company to breach a valid and binding agreement.”


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Oxford scientists: ‘here’s what we are doing to develop our coronavirus vaccine’

Rebecca Ashfield , senior project manager at the University of Oxford , and Pedro Folegatti , clinical research fellow at @ @ @ @ @ on the effort to develop the first Covid-19 vaccine .
Of the hundreds of potential @ @ @ @ @ six are in the final stages of testing , known as phase three clinical trials @ @ @ @ @ ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 - is the vaccine we ’ re developing at the University of Oxford @ @ @ @ @ vaccines need to go through multiple rounds of testing to show that they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ combined phase one and phase two trial of the Oxford vaccine has demonstrated that it @ @ @ @ @ short-term side-effects and no serious unexpected events reported – and that it elicits an immune @ @


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Best knives for carving, chopping and paring

A good set of knives is a necessary investment for the ambitious home cook , and will give years of service if well cared for and regularly sharpened .
While price is not always an indicator of quality , the best blades rarely come cheap .
But opting for inferior versions is a false economy , with such knives likely to squash or tear food rather than cutting cleanly through it .
The knives listed here , by contrast , would enhance any kitchen .
Arguably the most important tool in the home cook ’ s arsenal , the chef @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorts of chopping and slicing , whether you ’ re working with fine herbs , tough root vegetables or tender cooked meat .
Most cooks use this type of knife more than any other , so it ’ s worth investing in a good one .
The Zwilling Pro Santoku represents a fusion of Eastern and Western knife-making traditions .
Produced by a German company , it has a comfortable European-style handle with a Japanese-inspired blade that you can roll back and forth , finely dicing chillies , garlic and other aromatics or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharp , but less brittle than authentically Japanese knives .
And the scalloped sides are not just for show : they also help to prevent freshly sliced food from sticking to the metal .
Parers come in a range of shapes and sizes , but the most useful resemble scaled-down chef ’ s knives .
This model from Florentine Kitchen ( pictured above with the company ’ s chef ’ s knife ) is both aesthetically pleasing and highly effective , with a super-sharp 10cm blade that is light and easily wielded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is used for peeling and other fine detail .
The F4 is highly customisable , with a choice of carbon or stainless steel blades and an almost limitless variety of handle designs , from classic scaled wood to “ stacked ” bands of Micarta thermoplastic and black leather .
You can even design your own handle stack and add engraving to the blade for the ultimate in personalisation .
Blenheim Forge , based in the south London district of Peckham , has a cult following for its hand-crafted range of timber-and-steel knives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indeed , the stout wooden handles and glimmering blades wouldn ’ t look out of place on the Game of Thrones set .
Nor are they cheap , but they are a masterpiece of form and function .
If you ’ re going to invest in just one , make it the 22.5cm carving knife , with an oak handle and a blade of Blue Super Steel clad in a stainless veneer .
It will earn its keep in the dining room as well as the kitchen .
There are two schools of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serrations can ’ t easily be sharpened , they are sometimes treated as disposable items to be replaced as soon as the edge begins to dull .
But a blunt bread knife will destroy your carefully baked loaves by failing to cut clean , even slices .
Which leads to the second approach , which is to buy the best bread knife you possibly can , on the basis that a well made blade will last much longer than a poor one .
Pro Cook ’ s Elite Ice X50 ( £44 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the best of the best is the Miyabi 6000MCT , an expensive but beautiful knife with an exceptionally durable blade made from micro-carbide Cryodur steel .
It slices effortlessly through the crustiest sourdough and the ripest tomatoes .
The Miyabi looks the part , too , with a dark wooden handle and a hammered finish to the highly polished blade .

A good set of knives is a necessary investment for the ambitious home cook, and will give years of service if well cared for and regularly sharpened.
While price is not always an indicator of quality, the best blades rarely come cheap. But opting for inferior versions is a false economy, with such knives likely to squash or tear food rather than cutting cleanly through it.
The knives listed here, by contrast, would enhance any kitchen.
Best chef’s knife: Zwilling Pro Santoku
Arguably the most important tool in the home cook’s arsenal, the chef’s knife is used for all sorts of chopping and slicing, whether you’re working with fine herbs, tough root vegetables or tender cooked meat. Most cooks use this type of knife more than any other, so it’s worth investing in a good one.
The Zwilling Pro Santoku represents a fusion of Eastern and Western knife-making traditions. Produced by a German company, it has a comfortable European-style handle with a Japanese-inspired blade that you can roll back and forth, finely dicing chillies, garlic and other aromatics or herbs.
The 18cm blade is razor sharp, but less brittle than authentically Japanese knives. And the scalloped sides are not just for show: they also help to prevent freshly sliced food from sticking to the metal.
Zwilling Pro Santoku, £68
Best parer: Florentine Kitchen F4 Paring Knife
Parers come in a range of shapes and sizes, but the most useful resemble scaled-down chef’s knives. This model from Florentine Kitchen (pictured above with the company’s chef’s knife) is both aesthetically pleasing and highly effective, with a super-sharp 10cm blade that is light and easily wielded. Deftness is key with a parer, which is used for peeling and other fine detail.
The F4 is highly customisable, with a choice of carbon or stainless steel blades and an almost limitless variety of handle designs, from classic scaled wood to “stacked” bands of Micarta thermoplastic and black leather. You can even design your own handle stack and add engraving to the blade for the ultimate in personalisation.
Florentine Kitchen F4 Paring Knife, from £100
Best carving knife: Blenheim Stainless-clad Slicer
Blenheim Forge, based in the south London district of Peckham, has a cult following for its hand-crafted range of timber-and-steel knives. The design is ostentatiously classic: indeed, the stout wooden handles and glimmering blades wouldn’t look out of place on the Game of Thrones set. Nor are they cheap, but they are a masterpiece of form and function.
If you’re going to invest in just one, make it the 22.5cm carving knife, with an oak handle and a blade of Blue Super Steel clad in a stainless veneer. It will earn its keep in the dining room as well as the kitchen.
Blenheim Stainless-clad Slicer, £315
Best bread knife: Miyabi 6000MCT bread knife
There are two schools of thoughts about bread knives. Since the serrations can’t easily be sharpened, they are sometimes treated as disposable items to be replaced as soon as the edge begins to dull.
But a blunt bread knife will destroy your carefully baked loaves by failing to cut clean, even slices. Which leads to the second approach, which is to buy the best bread knife you possibly can, on the basis that a well made blade will last much longer than a poor one.
Pro Cook’s Elite Ice X50 (£44) is an excellent mid-range bread knife, but the best of the best is the Miyabi 6000MCT, an expensive but beautiful knife with an exceptionally durable blade made from micro-carbide Cryodur steel. It slices effortlessly through the crustiest sourdough and the ripest tomatoes.
The Miyabi looks the part, too, with a dark wooden handle and a hammered finish to the highly polished blade.
Miyabi 6000MCT bread knife, £177


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 10 Sep 2020

The US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said there is a “ substantial chance ” that the poisoning of @ @ @ @ @ was ordered by senior officials in Moscow .
After Nato and Germany said there is @ @ @ @ @ that he was attacked with a Novichok nerve agent , Pompeo said the US was @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Trump has so far not condemned Moscow .

Climate assembly backs taxes for frequent flyers
People who fly the most should be taxed more, according to recommendations from UK’s first citizens’ assembly on climate change. Some 80% of participants in the group said they agreed or strongly agreed with the proposal. Assembly members also said they would like to see the airline industry invest in greenhouse gas removals, with 75% backing or strongly backing the policy.


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Scientists find no sign of alien life in 10m solar systems

Scientists in Australia have discovered no signs of alien life after searching more than 10 million solar systems .
The research team used a gigantic telescope in the Western Australian outback to perform the vast search , which they dubbed “ looking for ET ” .
“ We found no technosignatures - no sign of intelligent life , ” one of the scientists said .
Teen bitten by a snake as he sat on the loo A teenage boy has been hospitalised after being bitten on the penis by a snake as he sat on the toilet .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snake hanging in the toilet , ” said Siraphop Masukarat , 18 , who lives near Bangkok , Thailand .
Back in January , a Thai woman was also hospitalised after a snake bit her thigh while she answered the call of nature .
Woman goes topless as she votes in New Hampshire A woman in New Hampshire went topless in a polling station after officials complained about her political T-shirt .
The woman arrived at the polling station with a shirt mocking President Trump and the late US senator John McCain .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wear it as she voted , so she removed it and voted topless .
An eye witness said : “ With everything going on in the world , it ’ s like , who cares ?
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Scientists in Australia have discovered no signs of alien life after searching more than 10 million solar systems. The research team used a gigantic telescope in the Western Australian outback to perform the vast search, which they dubbed “looking for ET”. “We found no technosignatures - no sign of intelligent life,” one of the scientists said.
Teen bitten by a snake as he sat on the loo
A teenage boy has been hospitalised after being bitten on the penis by a snake as he sat on the toilet. “I looked down and saw there was a snake hanging in the toilet,” said Siraphop Masukarat, 18, who lives near Bangkok, Thailand. Back in January, a Thai woman was also hospitalised after a snake bit her thigh while she answered the call of nature.
Woman goes topless as she votes in New Hampshire
A woman in New Hampshire went topless in a polling station after officials complained about her political T-shirt. The woman arrived at the polling station with a shirt mocking President Trump and the late US senator John McCain. A moderator told her she could not wear it as she voted, so she removed it and voted topless. An eye witness said: “With everything going on in the world, it’s like, who cares?”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-09-09--Google Maps blurs graffiti attacking Chinese President Xi Jinping in Hong Kong

Google is facing criticism for blurring out graffiti sprayed by pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong in the most recent update of Google Maps .
China ’ s imposition of of draconian security laws in the city state sparked a wave of unrest earlier this year , with activists spray-painting a series of slogans in the streets .
But while much of the graffiti is still visible at the sites , the Hong Kong Free Press ( HKFP ) reports that at least two slogans have been blurred out on Google Maps Street View .
One of the obscured messages says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jinping must die for the sake of the world ” , while the other reads : “ Liberate Hong Kong , revolution of our time ” - a protest slogan that the authorities have since banned under the controversial new national security laws .
The banned line is from the protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong , which schools in the city are also barred from playing , singing or broadcasting .
Quartz reports that both of the slogans blurred out on Street Views “ are revealed if viewed from a distance ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims that the blurring of the images was not intentional , but rather the result of an algorithmic issue .
“ Our automatic blurring technology aims to blur faces and licence plates so they can ’ t be identified , but it looks like we didn ’ t get it right in this instance , ” the multinational told HKFP in an email .
The Next Web says that “ in Google ‘ s defence , the vast majority of protest graffiti in Hong Kong remains visible on Street View , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street signs ” .
“ But the reports of it obfuscating political slogans will further fears that Western tech firms are bowing to Beijing ’ s censorship demands , ” the tech news site adds .

Google is facing criticism for blurring out graffiti sprayed by pro-democracy demonstrators in Hong Kong in the most recent update of Google Maps.
China’s imposition of of draconian security laws in the city state sparked a wave of unrest earlier this year, with activists spray-painting a series of slogans in the streets.
But while much of the graffiti is still visible at the sites, the Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP) reports that at least two slogans have been blurred out on Google Maps Street View.
One of the obscured messages says that China’s President “Xi Jinping must die for the sake of the world”, while the other reads: “Liberate Hong Kong, revolution of our time” - a protest slogan that the authorities have since banned under the controversial new national security laws.
The banned line is from the protest anthem Glory to Hong Kong, which schools in the city are also barred from playing, singing or broadcasting.
Quartz reports that both of the slogans blurred out on Street Views “are revealed if viewed from a distance” further away on the map.
Google claims that the blurring of the images was not intentional, but rather the result of an algorithmic issue.
“Our automatic blurring technology aims to blur faces and licence plates so they can’t be identified, but it looks like we didn’t get it right in this instance,” the multinational told HKFP in an email.
The Next Web says that “in Google‘s defence, the vast majority of protest graffiti in Hong Kong remains visible on Street View, and the service’s algorithm often inadvertently blurs street signs”.
“But the reports of it obfuscating political slogans will further fears that Western tech firms are bowing to Beijing’s censorship demands,” the tech news site adds.


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Instant Opinion: Britain has no right to be independent ‘if we can’t handle the EU’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
David Henig , former UK trade negotiator , in The Daily Telegraph on getting out of negotiations with dignity If we can ’ t handle the EU , then we have no business trying to be an independent country “ So we now threaten EU talks , threaten the rule of international law , and even threaten a US trade deal , because the EU annoyed us .
With various justifications offered , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked for several years on their trade talks , the EU is an extremely annoying trade bloc to deal with as an outsider .
That ’ s why I received almost weekly calls from US negotiators complaining about them .
If we can ’ t deal with that then we really have no business trying to being an independent trading country .
If you want to sing Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory don ’ t get petulant when the EU says no - find other ways .
The Government then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hole on the Irish protocol , that has only delighted countries such as China which can ’ t wait to lecture us on the rule of law .
Now we have to find the skill to get out , with as much dignity as we can muster , and learn to become that independent country that was promised .
Learn to live with the irritants the EU will present to us , and learn to find our own way .
We failed a test , and it would be wise to recognise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others.
” 2 .
The Editorial Board of The New York Times on what the president knew about the pandemic Mr. Trump Knew It Was Deadly and Airborne “ Despite his apparent understanding of the severity of the disease and its method of transmission , over the next month , in five cities around the country , Mr. Trump held large indoor rallies , which were attended by thousands of his supporters .
Mr. Trump spent weeks insisting in public that the coronavirus was no worse than a seasonal flu .
It would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he promised in late February .
‘ We ’ re doing a great job , ’ he said in early March .
Why lie to the American people ?
Why — as the administration accuses the Chinese government of doing — lie to the world about the severity of what was declared a pandemic only days later ?
.. Much of the responsibility for the fatal mishandling of the pandemic lies with the president .
But with every public lie out of Mr. Trump ’ s mouth , or on his Twitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration who knew better stayed silent ?
The president has repeatedly tried to muzzle and sideline scientists and health officials who disagree with his sunny assessments , often replacing them with less qualified people willing to sing his praises.
” on how ‘ sidestepping ’ the Brexit trap is the only option Brexit is back – and Labour ’ s dilemma has not changed “ The latest Tory ruse on Brexit is tediously straightforward .
By talking up no deal and expressing a willingness to flout international law , the Conservatives intend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ torturing their Labour opponents .
It is the Tories who have relitigated Britain ’ s rupture with the EU – despite coasting to victory with a commitment to ‘ Get Brexit done ’ .
They know that if the airwaves are flooded with Labour ’ s angry reactions , their opponents can be easily portrayed , once again , as blocking Brexit altogether .
They believe that their electoral coalition has little interest in international law .
They want to toxify Keir Starmer in so-called red wall seats by portraying him as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyer .
Starmer ’ s team has noted the trap and sidestepped it .
‘ Get on , negotiate , get the deal that was promised , ’ declares the Labour leader , while his team blames Boris Johnson for reopening the supposedly done Brexit .
This seems like sound politics : Labour knows that while most of its voters are remainers , any path to victory includes winning over leave supporters in English and Welsh towns.
” on recapturing the president ’ s first election campaign Trump is planning an October surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redo 2016 ’ “ In defense policy circles , it ’ s said that an often-made mistake by both civilian and military leaders is to get caught ‘ fighting the last war ’ .
The same is frequently true in politics , but it ’ s unclear whether Donald Trump has gotten that memo .
With fewer than eight weeks remaining until Americans go to the polls on election day — and even less time until Americans in most states can begin voting early — the President ’ s re-election campaign has spent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lightning-in-a-bottle circumstances that handed him the presidency 1,401 days ago .
The circumstances under which Americans will choose who will lead the country for the next four years could not be more different from those under which they voted in 2016 .
Nearly 200,000 Americans have lost their lives to a novel virus that has frequently spread unchecked while the sitting President mocks those who take precautions advised by the government he heads.
” on predictions of an urban exodus City life and office jobs are here to stay “ It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , society and work that became so fashionable in the early days of lockdown that are already ripe for substantial revision .
All those “ new normals ” we were told to get used to that would reorder lives well beyond the virus ’ s immediate impact : the transformation of life into a post-pandemic model of human organisation , a permanently distanced , technology-enabled , atomised human existence .
Take the future of work .
It was widely claimed that , with so many people discovering the relative expediency of working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undergo the most radical change since men began leaving farms for the cities at the dawn of the factory age .
But it seems workers and bosses alike are not so keen on this new industrial revolution .
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week , Reed Hastings , chief executive of Netflix , was asked whether he saw any positives from the experience of having almost all his staff working from home for the past six months ...
But Mr Hastings thinks what ’ s good for Netflix ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its creativity or productivity ...
Some revolution .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. David Henig, former UK trade negotiator, in The Daily Telegraph
on getting out of negotiations with dignity
If we can’t handle the EU, then we have no business trying to be an independent country
“So we now threaten EU talks, threaten the rule of international law, and even threaten a US trade deal, because the EU annoyed us. With various justifications offered, but I can say with certainty having worked for several years on their trade talks, the EU is an extremely annoying trade bloc to deal with as an outsider. That’s why I received almost weekly calls from US negotiators complaining about them. If we can’t deal with that then we really have no business trying to being an independent trading country. If you want to sing Rule Britannia and Land of Hope and Glory don’t get petulant when the EU says no - find other ways. The Government then has dug itself a bit of a hole on the Irish protocol, that has only delighted countries such as China which can’t wait to lecture us on the rule of law. Now we have to find the skill to get out, with as much dignity as we can muster, and learn to become that independent country that was promised. Learn to live with the irritants the EU will present to us, and learn to find our own way. We failed a test, and it would be wise to recognise that rather that dig in and keep blaming others.”
2. The Editorial Board of The New York Times
on what the president knew about the pandemic
Mr. Trump Knew It Was Deadly and Airborne
“Despite his apparent understanding of the severity of the disease and its method of transmission, over the next month, in five cities around the country, Mr. Trump held large indoor rallies, which were attended by thousands of his supporters. Mr. Trump spent weeks insisting in public that the coronavirus was no worse than a seasonal flu. It would ‘disappear’ when the seasons changed, he promised in late February. ‘We’re doing a great job,’ he said in early March. Why lie to the American people? Why — as the administration accuses the Chinese government of doing — lie to the world about the severity of what was declared a pandemic only days later?.. Much of the responsibility for the fatal mishandling of the pandemic lies with the president. But with every public lie out of Mr. Trump’s mouth, or on his Twitter feed, how many members of his administration who knew better stayed silent? The president has repeatedly tried to muzzle and sideline scientists and health officials who disagree with his sunny assessments, often replacing them with less qualified people willing to sing his praises.”
3. Owen Jones in The Guardian
on how ‘sidestepping’ the Brexit trap is the only option
Brexit is back – and Labour’s dilemma has not changed
“The latest Tory ruse on Brexit is tediously straightforward. By talking up no deal and expressing a willingness to flout international law, the Conservatives intend to bounce Brussels into a favourable agreement while torturing their Labour opponents. It is the Tories who have relitigated Britain’s rupture with the EU – despite coasting to victory with a commitment to ‘Get Brexit done’. They know that if the airwaves are flooded with Labour’s angry reactions, their opponents can be easily portrayed, once again, as blocking Brexit altogether. They believe that their electoral coalition has little interest in international law. They want to toxify Keir Starmer in so-called red wall seats by portraying him as an aloof, establishment, metropolitan, remainer lawyer. Starmer’s team has noted the trap and sidestepped it. ‘Get on, negotiate, get the deal that was promised,’ declares the Labour leader, while his team blames Boris Johnson for reopening the supposedly done Brexit. This seems like sound politics: Labour knows that while most of its voters are remainers, any path to victory includes winning over leave supporters in English and Welsh towns.”
4. Andrew Feinberg in The Independent
on recapturing the president’s first election campaign
Trump is planning an October surprise — insiders say he wants to ‘redo 2016’
“In defense policy circles, it’s said that an often-made mistake by both civilian and military leaders is to get caught ‘fighting the last war’. The same is frequently true in politics, but it’s unclear whether Donald Trump has gotten that memo. With fewer than eight weeks remaining until Americans go to the polls on election day — and even less time until Americans in most states can begin voting early — the President’s re-election campaign has spent countless dollars and person-hours trying to recapture the lightning-in-a-bottle circumstances that handed him the presidency 1,401 days ago. The circumstances under which Americans will choose who will lead the country for the next four years could not be more different from those under which they voted in 2016. Nearly 200,000 Americans have lost their lives to a novel virus that has frequently spread unchecked while the sitting President mocks those who take precautions advised by the government he heads.”
5. Gerard Baker in The Times
on predictions of an urban exodus
City life and office jobs are here to stay
“It is the bold predictions about irreversible changes to life, society and work that became so fashionable in the early days of lockdown that are already ripe for substantial revision. All those “new normals” we were told to get used to that would reorder lives well beyond the virus’s immediate impact: the transformation of life into a post-pandemic model of human organisation, a permanently distanced, technology-enabled, atomised human existence. Take the future of work. It was widely claimed that, with so many people discovering the relative expediency of working from home, our labour force would undergo the most radical change since men began leaving farms for the cities at the dawn of the factory age. But it seems workers and bosses alike are not so keen on this new industrial revolution. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal this week, Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, was asked whether he saw any positives from the experience of having almost all his staff working from home for the past six months... But Mr Hastings thinks what’s good for Netflix’s revenue is not necessarily good for its creativity or productivity... Some revolution.”


theweekuk--2020-09-10--How the EU’s lawyers could hit back at Boris Johnson’s ‘carpet-bombing’ of Brexit plans

The EU is considering legal action against the UK over Boris Johnson ’ s bid to override parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement , a leaked Brussels document reveals .
European Commission lawyers write that the bloc may seek legal recourse that could result in fines or potential trade sanctions against Britain if emergency talks fail to quell fears that the Internal Market Bill will break previous commitments .
As Bloomberg reports , “ the controversy is fuelling concern there may be no agreement by the year-end deadline ” for a Brexit deal .
What legal action can the EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of clauses that effectively override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol found in the original withdrawal agreement signed last year .
The backtracking on the Brexit treaty has provoked anger in both Westminster and Brussels , with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen saying she was “ very concerned ” by the bill , which “ breaks international law and undermines trust ” .
According to the leaked document , which has been seen by news outlets including Bloomberg , the EU is “ studying the possibility of legal action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaches .
The site ’ s European correspondent-at-large , Alberto Nardelli , says the the EU may have a case to “ seek legal remedies under the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement ” even before the Internal Market Bill is passed , and would have “ clear justification once the bill becomes law ” .
Lawyers for the bloc write that EU courts have the potential to “ impose a lump sum or penalty payment ” on the UK .
Brussels could also use the dispute settlement mechanism under the withdrawal agreement , “ which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of financial sanctions by the arbitration panel ” , the document says .
The lawyers “ say it is unlikely a case could be launched before the end of the year ” , the BBC reports .
But legal action could be taken at the European Court of Justice or through the dispute settlement mechanism after the transition period ends on 31 December , the lawyers suggest .
And this could lead to “ significant financial penalties ” , as the EU believes the bill represents a “ clear breach ” of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Brussels ?
Johnson ’ s decision to upend the withdrawal agreement has further soured the already fractious relationship between the UK and the EU .
MEP Manfred Weber , head of the main center-right group in the European Parliament , has warned that “ no-deal is becoming more likely every day ” .
Emergency talks were taking place today between EU official Maros Sefcovic and UK Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove , with the former expected to reiterate that the withdrawal agreement is not up for renegotiation .
Meanwhile , an EU @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s recent conduct was “ shocking ” and a “ carpet-bombing ” .
“ It ’ s always hard to make a rational analysis of the moves of a populist government , ” the official said .
“ But this can no longer be seen as a political strategy to build up to a compromise .
It ’ s a clear intention to pave the way toward a no-deal.
” A senior EU diplomat added that “ in four years of negotiations , this is the absolute low ” .
Attacking UK ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international but also national law ” , the diplomat said : “ This is certainly not cricket .
We still strive to come to an agreement within the limited time that remains as the basis for future relations but the chances of a successful outcome are now small.
” Politicians from other parts of the globe have also condemned Johnson ’ s plans to renege on the treaty .
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi has warned that there is “ absolutely no chance ” of the US signing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Northern Ireland peace process is jeopardised .

The European Union has launched legal action against the UK over Boris Johnson’s bid to override parts of the Brexit withdrawal agreement.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed today that a letter would be sent to Britain to kick-start the EU’s pre-litigation process.
The announcement came after the Internal Market Bill, which will unilaterally alter elements of the Brexit withdrawal agreement breaking international law, passed through the House of Commons on yesterday.
What legal action can the EU take?
The Internal Market Bill contains a number of clauses that effectively override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol found in the original withdrawal agreement signed last year.
The backtracking on the Brexit treaty provoked anger in both Westminster and Brussels, with von der Leyen saying previously that she was “very concerned” by the bill, which “breaks international law and undermines trust”.
Despite the proposed legislation gaining assent to the Lords, von der Leyen has confirmed that the EU will uphold its side of the deal, saying “the Commission will continue to work hard towards a full and timely implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. We stand by our commitments”.
Lawyers for the bloc have suggested that EU courts have the potential to “impose a lump sum or penalty payment” on the UK.
Brussels could also use the dispute settlement mechanism under the withdrawal agreement, “which may ultimately also result in the imposition of financial sanctions by the arbitration panel”, the document says.
The lawyers “say it is unlikely a case could be launched before the end of the year”, the BBC reports. But legal action could be taken at the European Court of Justice or through the dispute settlement mechanism after the transition period ends on 31 December, the lawyers suggest.
And this could lead to “significant financial penalties”, as the EU believes the bill represents a “clear breach” of the withdrawal agreement.
However, Politico says out that the legal road is “long and uncertain”, with it being “far more likely that the two sides would reach a political agreement before any process could be completed in the courts.”
With the bill unlikely to pass through parliament until December, if both sides show willing, there is still time to reach a compromise.
What is the mood in Brussels?
Johnson’s decision to upend the withdrawal agreement has further soured the already fractious relationship between the UK and the EU.