theweekuk--2020-02-16--Tabloids face backlash over Caroline Flack death

British tabloids have faced a barrage of criticism following the death of former Love Island presenter Caroline Flack , who took her own life on Saturday following months of press intrusion .
The 40-year-old had been the victim of intense media scrutiny after being charged with assaulting her partner Lewis Burton last year .
She was due in court in several weeks to stand trial .
The Sun , which led the blanket coverage of the assault allegations against her , has deleted at least one article about the TV host since her death was announced .
The tabloid posted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a Valentine ’ s Day card mocking the presenter ’ s alleged assault of her boyfriend , “ but that article is no longer available on its website ” says Variety .
Channel 4 News says the news of her death “ prompted questions about the pressures TV celebrities face from social and traditional media and her management company criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for pursuing assault charges against her ” .
“ In the raw , shocked aftermath of the news , many on Twitter - high-profile comedians and entertainers such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , media types with dozens of thousands of followers - are pointing their fingers at the trolls and the tabloids .
The people , one imagines , Flack was imagining in January when she posted on Instagram that her and her family ’ s life were ‘ no longer up for entertainment or gossip , ” writes Alice Vincent in The Daily Telegraph .
She says “ it all feels strangely reminiscent of what happened after Amy Winehouse died ; how we all flocked to celebrate the woman we had merrily read denigrations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months before ” .
Flack ’ s successor as host of Love Island , Laura Whitmore , hit back at the “ paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell ” and “ trolls hiding behind a keyboard ” .
“ To the press , the newspapers , who create clickbait , who demonise and tear down success , we ’ ve had enough , ” she said in an impassioned speech on her weekly BBC Radio 5 live show .
Labour leadership frontrunner Keir Starmer criticised mainstream media outlets for “ amplifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and signalled he would take action to “ diversify ” the press if he won the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn .
Fellow leadership contender Lisa Nandy said social media companies could not be left to police themselves , suggesting the current situation was like the “ Wild West ” .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 38 Degrees , dubbed “ Caroline 's Law ” , which calls for new laws around media regulation in the wake of the presenter 's death , attracted more than 428,000 signatures over the weekend .
Addressed to newly installed Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden , the petition urges the government to investigate the press following “ the maltreatment of those in the public eye including Caroline Flack , ( Prince Harry ) and Meghan Markle , to name a few.
” “ The headlines , harassment and trial by media has to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” it reads .
But despite the backlash , “ there is little sign that change is on the cards ” , says The Guardian .
“ Individuals who work at leading British tabloids privately pointed out on Sunday that many of the people now criticising press intrusion into Flack ’ s life were likely to have been among the millions of readers who had previously rushed to click on articles about the presenter ’ s arrest in December for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend .
The attitude of many is that it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s private life that drove the scale of the coverage , with articles about her death topping the ‘ most-read ’ lists , ” adds the paper .
ITV cancelled the scheduled broadcasts of Love Island on Saturday and Sunday but said that the show would return on Monday night with a tribute to its former presenter .
While it remains a wildly popular show , Love Island “ has raised issues about mental health ” , says the New York Times .
Two previous contestants died by suicide , Sophie Gradon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Their deaths stirred a debate in Britain over the ethics of reality television and the duty that broadcasters have to care for contestants ” says the paper .
If you or a person you ’ re worried about expresses suicidal feelings , you or they should contact a GP or NHS 111 .
You can also call the Samaritans free on 116 123 for confidential , 24-hour support , or Mind , the mental health charity , on 0300 123 3393 .

The suicide of TV presenter Caroline Flack has seen questions raised about the role of the tabloid media, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and reality TV in her demise. British tabloids have faced a barrage of criticism following the death of the former Love Island presenter, who took her own life on Saturday following months of press intrusion. The 40-year-old had been the victim of intense scrutiny after being charged with assaulting her partner Lewis Burton last year. She was due to stand trial in three weeks. The CPS has also been criticised for its “dogged” pursuit of Flack, while her death is the third suicide linked to the controversial ITV reality show she previously fronted. The media Since allegations of domestic abuse were levelled at Flack in December 2019, she has been the subject of intense media coverage. The Sun, which led the blanket coverage of the assault allegations against her, has deleted at least one article about the TV host since her death was announced. The tabloid posted a news article as recently as Friday about a Valentine’s Day card mocking the presenter’s alleged assault of her boyfriend, “but that article is no longer available on its website” says Variety. Channel 4 News says the news of her death “prompted questions about the pressures TV celebrities face from social and traditional media and her management company criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for pursuing assault charges against her”. “In the raw, shocked aftermath of the news, many on Twitter – high-profile comedians and entertainers such as Jack Whitehall and Carrie Hope Fletcher, media types with dozens of thousands of followers – are pointing their fingers at the trolls and the tabloids,” writes Alice Vincent in The Daily Telegraph. “It all feels strangely reminiscent of what happened after Amy Winehouse died,” Vincent adds. “How we all flocked to celebrate the woman we had merrily read denigrations of in the press just days and months before.” Skip advert Flack’s successor as host of Love Island, Laura Whitmore, hit back at the “paparazzi and tabloids looking for a cheap sell” and “trolls hiding behind a keyboard”.
“To the press, the newspapers, who create clickbait, who demonise and tear down success, we’ve had enough,” she said in an impassioned speech on her weekly BBC Radio 5 live show. Labour leadership frontrunner Keir Starmer criticised mainstream media outlets for “amplifying” damaging social media posts about Flack, and signalled he would take action to “diversify” the press if he won the race to succeed Jeremy Corbyn. Fellow leadership contender Lisa Nandy said social media companies could not be left to police themselves, suggesting the current situation was like the “Wild West”. A petition on the online campaigning site 38 Degrees, dubbed “Caroline’s Law”, which calls for new laws around media regulation in the wake of the presenter's death, has attracted over 500,000 signatures. Despite the backlash, “there is little sign that change is on the cards”, says The Guardian. “Individuals who work at leading British tabloids privately pointed out on Sunday that many of the people now criticising press intrusion into Flack’s life were likely to have been among the millions of readers who had previously rushed to click on articles about the presenter’s arrest in December for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend.” Reality TV and Love Island ITV cancelled the scheduled broadcasts of Love Island on Saturday and Sunday but said that the show would return on Monday night with a tribute to its former presenter. While it remains a wildly popular show, Love Island “has raised issues about mental health”, says The New York Times. Two previous contestants died by suicide, Sophie Gradon in 2018 and Mike Thalassitis in 2019. “Their deaths stirred a debate in Britain over the ethics of reality television and the duty that broadcasters have to care for contestants,” says the paper. As the Daily Mail notes, “the hugely popular money-spinner had already been under intense scrutiny… prompting calls for producers to take more care of its stars”. Amid growing criticism of the show, and following increased scrutiny after the cancellation of the same network’s The Jeremy Kyle Show, ITV released an updated set of “duty of care” guidelines last May. Skip advert This included a minimum of eight therapy sessions for each Islander on their return home, as well as “proactive contact” from the team for 14 months afterwards. Contestants were also offered “training on dealing with social media” and “advice on finance and adjusting to life back home”. However, according to the Daily Mail, a source close to Flack said that there was “little to no support” after she was axed from her presenting role on the show.


theweekuk--2020-02-16--Budget ‘could be delayed’ following reshuffle

Next month 's budget could be delayed , a cabinet minister has said , amid reports some Tory MPs could rebel against it in protest at last week ’ s reshuffle which saw Number 10 effectively take control of the Treasury .
The government ’ s hotly anticipated plans for tax and spending for the coming financial year had been set for 11 March but the timetable was thrown into doubt after the surprise resignation of former Chancellor Sajid Javid on Thursday .
Javid stepped down after refusing the prime minister ’ s demand to replace his closest advisors with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It followed reports the chancellor had clashed with Boris Johnson over maintaining strict fiscal rules set out in the manifesto which would have limited spending .
“ At issue was who is in charge and profound questions about how a Conservative Party with its first decent majority in three decades can appeal to its base in the moneyed south and keep its new-found poorer voters in the north , ” says Tim Shipman in The Sunday Times .
“ Johnson ’ s team want to rethink the rule that means day-to-day departmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three-year cycle so they can put more into social care and the NHS , ” he writes .
While the rule allowing governments to borrow up to 3 % of GDP to invest in capital spending gives the government £100bn to spend on infrastructure projects over the next five years “ Johnson wants to spend even more ” , Shipman says .
Javid ’ s sudden resignation just four weeks before he was due to deliver the budget has sparked speculation it could be delayed .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps did little to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC ’ s Andrew Marr the government could not confirm the budget would “ definitely go ahead on the same date as mentioned before ” .
Plans for a so-called “ mansion tax ” on owners of expensive houses , which Politico describes as “ one way of raising revenue to pay for all of the PM ’ s plans ” , appears to have been vetoed by Johnson , “ following a major backlash among Conservative MPs and grassroots ” , says The Daily Telegraph .
The paper reports that the Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revaluation of homes , which would have left millions of families with higher council tax bills , but “ both policies are now ‘ highly unlikely ’ to feature in the budget amid concern about a backlash from MPs who warned of a tide of fury in their constituencies ” .
Nevertheless , the Daily Mail reports some Tories will still oppose the government and vote against the budget when it finally comes before the Commons .
The paper says Boris Johnson is facing an “ extraordinary ” rebellion by Tory MPs “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-powerful adviser Dominic Cummings ” .
With a majority of 80 , the prime minister “ does not need to fear losing the votes – but the rebels say they are determined to remind him that he is not an ‘ absolute monarch ’ ” , reports the Mail .
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Next month's budget could be delayed, a cabinet minister has said, amid reports some Tory MPs could rebel against it in protest at last week’s reshuffle which saw Number 10 effectively take control of the Treasury.
The government’s hotly anticipated plans for tax and spending for the coming financial year had been set for 11 March but the timetable was thrown into doubt after the surprise resignation of former Chancellor Sajid Javid on Thursday.
Javid stepped down after refusing the prime minister’s demand to replace his closest advisors with a joint team answering to Number 10. It followed reports the chancellor had clashed with Boris Johnson over maintaining strict fiscal rules set out in the manifesto which would have limited spending.
“At issue was who is in charge and profound questions about how a Conservative Party with its first decent majority in three decades can appeal to its base in the moneyed south and keep its new-found poorer voters in the north,” says Tim Shipman in The Sunday Times.
“Johnson’s team want to rethink the rule that means day-to-day departmental spending has to be balanced over a three-year cycle so they can put more into social care and the NHS,” he writes. While the rule allowing governments to borrow up to 3% of GDP to invest in capital spending gives the government £100bn to spend on infrastructure projects over the next five years “Johnson wants to spend even more”, Shipman says.
Javid’s sudden resignation just four weeks before he was due to deliver the budget has sparked speculation it could be delayed. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps did little to dispel these fears when he told the BBC’s Andrew Marr the government could not confirm the budget would “definitely go ahead on the same date as mentioned before”.
Plans for a so-called “mansion tax” on owners of expensive houses, which Politico describes as “one way of raising revenue to pay for all of the PM’s plans”, appears to have been vetoed by Johnson, “following a major backlash among Conservative MPs and grassroots”, says The Daily Telegraph.
The paper reports that the Treasury had also wanted to announce a nationwide revaluation of homes, which would have left millions of families with higher council tax bills, but “both policies are now ‘highly unlikely’ to feature in the budget amid concern about a backlash from MPs who warned of a tide of fury in their constituencies”.
Nevertheless, the Daily Mail reports some Tories will still oppose the government and vote against the budget when it finally comes before the Commons.
The paper says Boris Johnson is facing an “extraordinary” rebellion by Tory MPs “angered by the ruthless behaviour of his all-powerful adviser Dominic Cummings”.
With a majority of 80, the prime minister “does not need to fear losing the votes – but the rebels say they are determined to remind him that he is not an ‘absolute monarch’”, reports the Mail.
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theweekuk--2020-02-16--Paris mayoral candidate quits after sex tape scandal

Emmanuel Macron has chosen his health minister to run for mayor of Paris after his first choice was forced to step down following the release of a sex tape.
Agnes Buzyn will contest the race next month after Benjamin Griveaux's hopes of becoming mayor of the capital were dashed following the release of a video of him in what the BBC calls “a compromising position” last week.
Russian performance artist Petr Pavlensky and his girlfriend have been questioned by police over accusations of invasion of privacy and “broadcasting images of a sexual nature without the permission of the person involved”.
Pavlensky, who gained notoriety in 2013 for nailing his scrotum to Red Square in protest at the Putin regime, was granted political asylum in France in 2017. He has admitted publishing the videos on a pornographic political website, saying he did so to highlight Griveaux’s “hypocrisy”.
The Guardian says that Griveaux, a married father of three, “had made family values a major part of his election campaign”.
The videos of him performing a sexual act on himself were made in May 2018 and sent to a woman, reported by French media to be 29-year-old lawyer De Taddeo, along with a series of text messages
CNN says “his resignation enraged many in France - including his political rivals - who decried what they feared was an assault on France's liberal attitude to sex”.
Incumbent Mayor Anne Hidalgo appealed for respect for people's private lives, while far-left leader Jean-Luc Mélenchon condemned the attack as “odious”. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen suggested that for the sake of democracy Griveaux should perhaps not have resigned.
Yet “his decision to bow out marked a turning point in French public life, with senior politicians hit by sex scandals in the past brushing them off as purely private matters” says France24.
The scandal could also have political implications for Macron and his party.
Bloomberg says the last-minute change of candidate “is the latest setback for the French president, whose approval rating dropped to a national poll average of 32% in January”.
Griveaux was not favourite to win the mayoral race in March, “but he has been a very close ally of the president and his political demise is inevitably an embarrassment for the president”, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports.
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theweekuk--2020-02-16--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 16 Feb 2020

Lisa Nandy , one of the three candidates in the race for the Labour leadership , once queried the right @ @ @ @ @ their own society at her university .
In an article , Nandy had cited the @ @ @ @ @ Newcastle as an example of a “ controversial ” group with “ views some might @ @ @ @ @ asked whether the group should be stripped of its funding .

Lisa Nandy once questioned existence of a gay society
Lisa Nandy, one of the three candidates in the race for the Labour leadership, once queried the right of gay students to have their own society at her university. In an article, Nandy had cited the gay students’ club at Newcastle as an example of a “controversial” group with “views some might find offensive”. She asked whether the group should be stripped of its funding.


theweekuk--2020-02-15--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 15 Feb 2020

A pioneering police scheme in the north-east of England has slashed reoffending rates and could lead to a transformation in @ @ @ @ @ with violent crime .
Thousands of offenders took part in an experiment in which they @ @ @ @ @ part in a rehabilitation programme .
There was a 15-percentage point drop in reoffending after @ @ @ @ @ took part compared with those who did not .

Pioneering new police scheme cuts reoffending rates
A pioneering police scheme in the north-east of England has slashed reoffending rates and could lead to a transformation in how the justice system deals with violent crime. Thousands of offenders took part in an experiment in which they avoided prosecution if they took part in a rehabilitation programme. There was a 15-percentage point drop in reoffending after two years among those who took part compared with those who did not.


theweekuk--2020-02-14--52 ideas that changed the world: 35. Trial by jury

In this series , The Week looks at the ideas and innovations that permanently changed the way we see the world .
This week , the spotlight is on trial by jury : In the middle of the afternoon of 29 December 2019 , Carlos Ghosn was seen on CCTV walking from his house in Tokyo to a nearby hotel .
There the former Nissan CEO met two men , thought to be Americans .
The meeting set in motion a chain of events in which the high-profile businessman rebelled against the entire system of trial by jury with an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beirut .
While jury trials are popular across the West , they are not used for all cases , and are less popular in other parts of the world .
The majority of common law jurisdictions in Asia ( such as Singapore , Pakistan , India and Malaysia ) have abolished jury trials on the grounds that juries are susceptible to bias .
In the US , investigative website Mother Jones has reported extensively on racial bias in jury selection , while in the UK legal researcher LexisNexis has asked whether an unbiased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 99.9 % conviction rate in criminal trials , something that Ghosn argues is evidence for him being right to flee .
He claims he had “ zero chance ” of having a fair trial , an allegation Japan ’ s justice minister , Masako Mori , has refuted in a letter to the Nikkei Asian Review .
The number of wrongful convictions is hard to quantify , mainly because the mistake is often never rectified .
However , figures compiled by the US National Registry of Exonerations suggest that since 1989 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years behind bars .
Meanwhile , research carried out by University College London in 2010 found juries to be a “ fair , effective and efficient ” means of carrying out justice .
How did it develop ?
According to the British historian G.M .
Trevelyan , when the Scandinavians were not “ on the Viking warpath ” they were a “ litigious people and loved to get together… to hear legal argument ” .
Prior to this , the notion of a person ’ s peers deciding their fate grew out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Ancient Greece , a mechanism called dikastai existed to ensure that no individual could choose their own jurors .
For cases that involved death , loss of liberty , exile , loss of civil rights , or seizure of property , the size of the dikastai could swell to between 1,001 and 1,501 who ruled on the case by majority .
Likewise , in Ancient Rome , the majority of civil cases were settled using characteristics of a jury system .
In the early British-Scandinavian jury trials , warriors like the 10th-century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be decided on by a panel of peers .
Trevelyan notes that they were “ learned in folk custom and in its intricate judicial procedure ” , creating a fertile breeding ground for jury-based justice in Britain during their occupation of the country .
In the 12th century , Henry II took the step of formalising the role of juries in deciding on land disputes , lighting the path for Magna Carta to set into law the right of British people to a jury trial before being imprisoned in the 13th century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trial by jury saw it spread around the globe with the march of the British Empire .
India conducted its first jury trial in Madras in 1665 , for which a woman thought to be British , named Ascentia Dawes , was charged by a grand jury with the murder of her slave girl .
The US was also an early adopter .
However , its legal system split with the UK ’ s at the time of the American Revolution in the 1700s .
This means that across America today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by juries is based on how English common law worked in the 1700s .
One distinctive feature in the US is that jury verdicts in criminal cases must be unanimous , which is not the case in the UK .
Advocates of trial by jury argue that they are “ the most democratic aspects of the constitution ” .
Writing in The Guardian , criminal barrister Paul Mendelle QC says that jury trials are “ democracy in action every day of the week , not just once every four or five years ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the constitution that is so open to the public , where ordinary people participate in decisions of such immediate importance and wield real power , ” Mendelle writes .
As the right-wing think-tank the Cato Institute highlights , the American founding fathers considered juries to act as “ the conscience of the community ” , and relied on juries “ to hold the government to the principles of the Constitution ” .
Rule of law has a tendency to deteriorate precisely because it stops being “ open ” and instead is conducted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the countries mentioned earlier in this piece that have scrapped trial by jury , only Pakistan is a democracy , while many have noted that India is on the path to dictatorship .
Trial by jury also has its critics , who attack its lack of fairness .
Ghosn is certainly among those critics .
Others have claimed that jury selections are often influenced by race , with professor of law Ronald Wright writing in The New York Times that “ anyone with a bit of common sense and a view from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal isn ’ t true in practice ” .
However , in the UK , a 2017 review into criminal justice led by Labour MP David Lammy found that it was juries , rather than judges , that are consistent in their judgements “ irrespective of the ethnicity of the defendant ” .
Jurors are also human and thus fallible .
While Mendelle notes that the evidence points towards juries making the right decisions most of the time , they are also open to influence or , in some cases , bribery .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were spending millions of pounds protecting jurors from threats and bribes .
The Association of Chief Police Officers said police forces had problems with “ nobbled ” juries , in which members were offered bribes or made to feel they were obliged to deliver a “ not guilty ” verdict .
Cases such as that of American trade union leader Jimmy Hoffa , who appears in Martin Scorsese ’ s latest film The Irishman , underscores this fallibility .
Hoffa was convicted in 1964 for jury tampering following allegations of his links to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ influence over the justice system heightened when Hoffa disappeared in 1974 after reportedly meeting with a Detroit gang .
When it comes to how to convict and punish individuals , juries fit the same model that is often applied to democracy .
While it is by no means perfect , it is the best solution to an impossible task .
The right to a fair trial is an inalienable human right , and judgment by a person ’ s peers offers exactly that – a fair trial .
As the 18th-century British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the “ keenest spur to exertion and the surest of all guards against improbity ” .
Judgment by one ’ s peers is a vital part of that openness .
How did it change the world ?
The right to trial by a jury ensured the protection of all citizens under the law , and , in the example of Magna Carta , replaced an arbitrary justice system based on the whims of the powerful .
Throughout history , from the dictatorships of Adolf Hitler ’ s Germany , Pol Pot ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chile , where the right to open judgment by a jury has failed , so too has the state ’ s commitment to justice .
A trial by jury is by no means perfect .
Human beings make errors , as in the wrongful life imprisonment of the Birmingham Six in 1975 .
However , the alternative , justice carried out behind closed doors , is far more disconcerting .
The likelihood is that Ghosn will remain a fugitive from the Japanese justice system for a while longer , possibly for ever .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian , many millions will face trial by jury in a process that is “ vital for the health of the criminal justice system [ and ] vital for democracy ” .

In this series, The Week looks at the ideas and innovations that permanently changed the way we see the world. This week, the spotlight is on trial by jury: Trial by jury in 60 seconds In the middle of the afternoon of 29 December 2019, Carlos Ghosn was seen on CCTV walking from his house in Tokyo to a nearby hotel. There the former Nissan CEO met two men, thought to be Americans. The meeting set in motion a chain of events in which the high-profile businessman rebelled against the entire system of trial by jury with an audacious escape from Japan via Istanbul to Beirut. While jury trials are popular across the West, they are not used for all cases, and are less popular in other parts of the world. The majority of common law jurisdictions in Asia (such as Singapore, Pakistan, India and Malaysia) have abolished jury trials on the grounds that juries are susceptible to bias. In the US, investigative website Mother Jones has reported extensively on racial bias in jury selection, while in the UK legal researcher LexisNexis has asked whether an unbiased jury can really exist. Japan has a 99.9% conviction rate in criminal trials, something that Ghosn argues is evidence for him being right to flee. He claims he had “zero chance” of having a fair trial, an allegation Japan’s justice minister, Masako Mori, has refuted in a letter to the Nikkei Asian Review. The number of wrongful convictions is hard to quantify, mainly because the mistake is often never rectified. However, figures compiled by the US National Registry of Exonerations suggest that since 1989, 2,265 innocent defendants served a combined 20,080 years behind bars. Meanwhile, research carried out by University College London in 2010 found juries to be a “fair, effective and efficient” means of carrying out justice. How did it develop? According to the British historian G.M. Trevelyan, when the Scandinavians were not “on the Viking warpath” they were a “litigious people and loved to get together… to hear legal argument”. Skip advert Prior to this, the notion of a person’s peers deciding their fate grew out of the Ancient Greek and Roman tradition. In Ancient Greece, a mechanism called dikastai existed to ensure that no individual could choose their own jurors.
For cases that involved death, loss of liberty, exile, loss of civil rights, or seizure of property, the size of the dikastai could swell to between 1,001 and 1,501 who ruled on the case by majority. Likewise, in Ancient Rome, the majority of civil cases were settled using characteristics of a jury system. In the early British-Scandinavian jury trials, warriors like the 10th-century Nordic lawyer Njall would present legal arguments to be decided on by a panel of peers. Trevelyan notes that they were “learned in folk custom and in its intricate judicial procedure”, creating a fertile breeding ground for jury-based justice in Britain during their occupation of the country. In the 12th century, Henry II took the step of formalising the role of juries in deciding on land disputes, lighting the path for Magna Carta to set into law the right of British people to a jury trial before being imprisoned in the 13th century. Britain’s Nordic-inspired early adoption of trial by jury saw it spread around the globe with the march of the British Empire. India conducted its first jury trial in Madras in 1665, for which a woman thought to be British, named Ascentia Dawes, was charged by a grand jury with the murder of her slave girl. The US was also an early adopter. However, its legal system split with the UK’s at the time of the American Revolution in the 1700s. This means that across America today, the type of cases that are decided by juries is based on how English common law worked in the 1700s. One distinctive feature in the US is that jury verdicts in criminal cases must be unanimous, which is not the case in the UK. Advocates of trial by jury argue that they are “the most democratic aspects of the constitution”. Writing in The Guardian, criminal barrister Paul Mendelle QC says that jury trials are “democracy in action every day of the week, not just once every four or five years”. Skip advert “There is no other part of the constitution that is so open to the public, where ordinary people participate in decisions of such immediate importance and wield real power,” Mendelle writes. As the right-wing think-tank the Cato Institute highlights, the American founding fathers considered juries to act as “the conscience of the community”, and relied on juries “to hold the government to the principles of the Constitution”.


theweekuk--2020-02-14--F1: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas shake down the Mercedes W11 - pictures and video

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is ready to take his performances to “ another level ” as he bids to equal Michael Schumacher ’ s record of seven Formula 1 world titles .
The Silver Arrows , who are also aiming for a seventh successive constructors ’ championship , today fully unveiled their challenger for the 2020 season .
W11 for short , the new car is officially known as the Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance .
Along with team-mate Valtteri Bottas , six-time world champion Hamilton drove the W11 for the first time in a shakedown at the Silverstone International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s ambitions for the new season , British driver Hamilton said : “ I ’ ve had the best winter training yet .
Over the winter , I ’ ve really been trying to analyse where we were last year and how I can grow and improve as a driver and as a human being .
“ Having great consistency is going to be key for all of us - not just in terms of our reliability , but also for us as drivers .
“ This team works so hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we put a foot wrong out there , it costs all of us , so that ’ s something I ’ ve really been trying to focus on - how can I take it to another level as a driver , how can I extract more from myself and from the team , and trying to deliver something really great this year .
“ This is my eighth year with this team and this year ’ s challenge is super exciting .
I have no doubt every single team member will try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ll be trying to do the same.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Finnish star Bottas , who finished second in the 2019 drivers ’ standings , was first to give the W11 a whirl round the track at Silverstone .
“ The first time I came to the factory was quite a few weeks ago for a number of meetings with the engineers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since then , ” said Bottas .
“ It ’ s been really interesting for me to get more and more involved , learning about all the new features of our weapon for this year ’ s fight .
“ Developing and building a new car is never straight-forward , it ’ s a huge effort by every single team member to deliver this year on year .
“ Now things really kick off and I ’ m very excited to finally get the chance to drive the new car .
I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wheel.
” Despite Mercedes ’ s dominance in recent years , team principal Toto Wolff knows that the new season will be a huge challenge as they battle against Ferrari and Red Bull in the two championships .
Wolff said : “ 2020 will be particularly challenging because there will be teams that will put a lot of focus on 2020 and there will be teams that will start to shift their resources into 2021 .
Getting that balance right will be very important , but that ’ s not an easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear : we want to be competitive in both 2020 and 2021 .
That is a great challenge , but the greater the challenge , the more we like it.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is ready to take his performances to “another level” as he bids to equal Michael Schumacher’s record of seven Formula 1 world titles.
The Silver Arrows, who are also aiming for a seventh successive constructors’ championship, today fully unveiled their challenger for the 2020 season.
W11 for short, the new car is officially known as the Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance.
Along with team-mate Valtteri Bottas, six-time world champion Hamilton drove the W11 for the first time in a shakedown at the Silverstone International Circuit.
On his and the team’s ambitions for the new season, British driver Hamilton said: “I’ve had the best winter training yet. Over the winter, I’ve really been trying to analyse where we were last year and how I can grow and improve as a driver and as a human being.
“Having great consistency is going to be key for all of us - not just in terms of our reliability, but also for us as drivers.
“This team works so hard to give us this incredible machine, but if we put a foot wrong out there, it costs all of us, so that’s something I’ve really been trying to focus on - how can I take it to another level as a driver, how can I extract more from myself and from the team, and trying to deliver something really great this year.
“This is my eighth year with this team and this year’s challenge is super exciting. I have no doubt every single team member will try to raise the bar within themselves and I’ll be trying to do the same.”
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Treat your loved ones to the ultimate #PETRONASmotorsports Valentine’s Day! 🥰 Combine in equal parts: - 1 x @ValtteriBottas- 1 x @MercedesAMGF1 #W11- 1 x Open @SilverstoneUK Circuit That’s one sweet recipe 👌 pic.twitter.com/7Xc4AzJpcR — PETRONAS Motorsports (@PET_Motorsports) February 14, 2020
Huge effort
Finnish star Bottas, who finished second in the 2019 drivers’ standings, was first to give the W11 a whirl round the track at Silverstone.
“The first time I came to the factory was quite a few weeks ago for a number of meetings with the engineers and we’ve been in touch since then,” said Bottas.
“It’s been really interesting for me to get more and more involved, learning about all the new features of our weapon for this year’s fight.
“Developing and building a new car is never straight-forward, it’s a huge effort by every single team member to deliver this year on year.
“Now things really kick off and I’m very excited to finally get the chance to drive the new car. I’ve been waiting to get back behind the wheel.”
Taking it to the track 👊 @ValtteriBottas and W11 have hit it off nicely! It is #ValentinesDay after all... 😉 pic.twitter.com/SlTUZ2jfTV — Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 14, 2020
Wolff likes a challenge
Despite Mercedes’s dominance in recent years, team principal Toto Wolff knows that the new season will be a huge challenge as they battle against Ferrari and Red Bull in the two championships.
Wolff said: “2020 will be particularly challenging because there will be teams that will put a lot of focus on 2020 and there will be teams that will start to shift their resources into 2021. Getting that balance right will be very important, but that’s not an easy thing to do
“Our ambition is clear: we want to be competitive in both 2020 and 2021. That is a great challenge, but the greater the challenge, the more we like it.”
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theweekuk--2020-02-14--Instant Opinion: Would you take the test to detect cancer years in advance?

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
why an ounce of early diagnosis is worth a pound of cure There could soon be a test to detect cancer years in advance .
Would you take it ?
“ As science enables us to make the shift from treatment to prevention and earlier diagnosis , we need to be careful .
The power to prevent cancer , or detect it in advance , sounds like an unalloyed good .
We have to think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking people to do if we tell them they harbour a subtle mutation in their cells .
Information about risk does not in itself prevent disease or death .
It is what happens next that matters…This could be revolutionary .
It ’ s just important that , along the way , we don ’ t forget the people who are going to have to grapple with these decisions , and hopefully have their lives improved as a result.
” how Boris Johnson has removed anyone who might challenge his authority Reshuffle shows weakness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a government that seems addicted to running at breakneck speed .
Boris Johnson sacked 15 people when he took over from Theresa May .
Now , a few months later , he has decided that Sajid Javid , Andrea Leadsom , Theresa Villiers , Julian Smith , Esther McVey and Geoffrey Cox are no good after all .
At this rate of attrition there will be nobody left to appoint by this time next year .
The entrants to the team around the cabinet table — Oliver Dowden , Anne-Marie Trevelyan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not exactly indicative of a Tory party flush with talent.
” Why Johnson is right to have a Napoleonic model of government This is Boris ’ s show – and he wants to pull all the levers of power “ To Javid , it boiled down to a simple question : was he trusted as Chancellor ?
If so , he ’ d carry on – and use his own team .
If not , he ’ d resign .
There could , he said , be no middle way .
Other ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he could have played along .
As one Cabinet member puts it , there is a secret to happiness in Team Boris : just dress up your ideas as his ideas .
Stay out of the news .
Don ’ t talk too much in Cabinet meetings .
And accept that we ’ re in extraordinary times with Brexit talks not yet complete , so we may still need a Napoleonic model of command-and-control government . ''
4 .
Sarah Green for The New Statesman why are boys still growing into men who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of women and girls are soaring – are we dismissing the danger of controlling men ?
“ So , we already know a lot about who is killed , who knew about them , and how controlling behaviour is the driver .
We know the primary answer is not policing , which is why this increase in the murder rate should not be simplistically attributed to police cuts .
Murders of women are arguably increasing because we are not really trying to prevent them .
We need to stop minimising controlling behaviour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inequality .
And we need public services which believe women when they say they feel threatened or afraid , and understand that this does not look the same for all women .
We need to redesign our response with women at the centre and accountability rather than invisibility of perpetrators .
And for all of this we need leaders and champions across every part of public life .
Without this , women will continue to be murdered at these alarming rates.
” why ideological latitude and tolerance is at odds with becoming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become an MP “ Every now and then someone asks me if I have ever thought of becoming an MP .
My response tends to be a laugh so deranged that the question answers itself…I reckon it would be less than a day before I was hauled into the whip ’ s office , made to stand in front of the desk , a pre-written confession before me and a pen forced into my hand .
Found guilty of drawing lessons from the mass-rape of children , or consorting with people from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left .
There I would be , signing a statement agreeing that orthodox Jews are anti-Semites , that I have consorted with homophobes , that elected prime ministers are fringe nobodies and that while up is down , right is far-right .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Saskia Sanderson in The Guardian
why an ounce of early diagnosis is worth a pound of cure
There could soon be a test to detect cancer years in advance. Would you take it?
“As science enables us to make the shift from treatment to prevention and earlier diagnosis, we need to be careful. The power to prevent cancer, or detect it in advance, sounds like an unalloyed good. We have to think, however, about what we are asking people to do if we tell them they harbour a subtle mutation in their cells. Information about risk does not in itself prevent disease or death. It is what happens next that matters…This could be revolutionary. It’s just important that, along the way, we don’t forget the people who are going to have to grapple with these decisions, and hopefully have their lives improved as a result.”
2. Philip Collins in The Times
how Boris Johnson has removed anyone who might challenge his authority
Reshuffle shows weakness at heart of No 10
“This is a government that seems addicted to running at breakneck speed. Boris Johnson sacked 15 people when he took over from Theresa May. Now, a few months later, he has decided that Sajid Javid, Andrea Leadsom, Theresa Villiers, Julian Smith, Esther McVey and Geoffrey Cox are no good after all. At this rate of attrition there will be nobody left to appoint by this time next year. The entrants to the team around the cabinet table — Oliver Dowden, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, Alok Sharma and Suella Braverman — are not exactly indicative of a Tory party flush with talent.”
3. Fraser Nelson in The Telegraph
Why Johnson is right to have a Napoleonic model of government
This is Boris’s show – and he wants to pull all the levers of power
“To Javid, it boiled down to a simple question: was he trusted as Chancellor? If so, he’d carry on – and use his own team. If not, he’d resign. There could, he said, be no middle way. Other ministers think he was too hasty, that he could have played along. As one Cabinet member puts it, there is a secret to happiness in Team Boris: just dress up your ideas as his ideas. Stay out of the news. Don’t talk too much in Cabinet meetings. And accept that we’re in extraordinary times with Brexit talks not yet complete, so we may still need a Napoleonic model of command-and-control government."
4. Sarah Green for The New Statesman
why are boys still growing into men who feel entitled to control women?


theweekuk--2020-02-14--James Bond theme: critics rate Billie Eilish’s title track for No Time To Die

Billie Eilish ’ s new James Bond theme has been released to great critical acclaim today .
The 18-year-old American singer-songwriter is the youngest artist ever to record a 007 title track .
No Time To Die , which hits cinemas in April , is the 25th film in the franchise .
In Daniel Craig ’ s fifth and final appearance as Bond , the veteran MI6 spy is recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist , only to find himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain .
The release of Eilish ’ s track coincides with a new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theme song .
Video of NO TIME TO DIE | Official Theme Song by Billie Eilish [ Preview ] Eilish wrote and produced the song with her elder brother Finneas O ’ Connell , with whom she made her Grammy-winning debut album , When We All Fall Asleep , Where Do We Go ?
“ Subconsciously and consciously , we ’ ve been trying to write a Bond theme for our whole lives , ” she told E !
News .
What has the reaction been ?
The BBC says the track is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hints the plot will centre around the secret agent ’ s betrayal ” .
“ Shrewdly , the duo retain their dark , off-kilter style throughout the song , while incorporating several of the film series ’ musical touchstones – swelling strings , discordant brass , and , best of all , it finishes with the distinctive minor 9th chord that closes out Monty Norman ’ s original Bond theme , ” the broadcaster writes .
The Independent said Eilish ’ s Bond theme is “ one of the best we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The flourish of violins , electronic guitar and faint brass all pay tribute to classic Bond theme tropes , but Eilish 's subtle synth motif makes this song her own , ” it says .
The Guardian describes the track “ a Bond theme befitting the Craig era… The pop sensation sidelines her trademarks for a tasteful track that matches the haunted solitude of its leading man ” .
The BBC ’ s entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson said he thought the track was the “ first serious Oscar contender for next year ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US also asks whether Eilish ’ s track could score her an Academy Award : “ At the very least , does every other artist debuting an original song in a 2020 movie have some competition on their hands ?
To quote Eilish , duh , ” says Brendan Morrow .
The Telegraph ’ s headline above its review by Neil McCormick says : “ downbeat noir is spine-tingling ” .
“ A brooding ballad about betrayal , Eilish sings throughout in her trademark soft murmur , as if she was recording in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her parents up .
Which , to be fair , she probably was , ” writes McCormick as he ranks all Bond themes over the years .

Billie Eilish’s new James Bond theme has been released to great critical acclaim today.
The 18-year-old American singer-songwriter is the youngest artist ever to record a 007 title track. No Time To Die, which hits cinemas in April, is the 25th film in the franchise.
In Daniel Craig’s fifth and final appearance as Bond, the veteran MI6 spy is recruited to rescue a kidnapped scientist, only to find himself hot on the trail of a mysterious villain.
The release of Eilish’s track coincides with a new teaser trailer for the movie featuring the theme song.
Eilish wrote and produced the song with her elder brother Finneas O’Connell, with whom she made her Grammy-winning debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
“Subconsciously and consciously, we’ve been trying to write a Bond theme for our whole lives,” she told E! News.
What has the reaction been?
The BBC says the track is a “dramatic, unsettling ballad that hints the plot will centre around the secret agent’s betrayal”.
“Shrewdly, the duo retain their dark, off-kilter style throughout the song, while incorporating several of the film series’ musical touchstones – swelling strings, discordant brass, and, best of all, it finishes with the distinctive minor 9th chord that closes out Monty Norman’s original Bond theme,” the broadcaster writes.
The Independent said Eilish’s Bond theme is “one of the best we’ve had in some time”. “The flourish of violins, electronic guitar and faint brass all pay tribute to classic Bond theme tropes, but Eilish's subtle synth motif makes this song her own,” it says.
The Guardian describes the track “a Bond theme befitting the Craig era… The pop sensation sidelines her trademarks for a tasteful track that matches the haunted solitude of its leading man”.
The BBC’s entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson said he thought the track was the “first serious Oscar contender for next year”.
Across the Atlantic, The Week US also asks whether Eilish’s track could score her an Academy Award: “At the very least, does every other artist debuting an original song in a 2020 movie have some competition on their hands? To quote Eilish, duh,” says Brendan Morrow.
The Telegraph’s headline above its review by Neil McCormick says: “downbeat noir is spine-tingling”.
“A brooding ballad about betrayal, Eilish sings throughout in her trademark soft murmur, as if she was recording in her bedroom at night afraid to wake her parents up. Which, to be fair, she probably was,” writes McCormick as he ranks all Bond themes over the years.


theweekuk--2020-02-14--Is China telling the truth about coronavirus?

A senior White House official has criticised China for a “ lack of transparency ” over its handling of the coronavirus outbreak .
The virus has killed nearly 1,400 people , with all but three of the deaths recorded in mainland China .
More than 5,000 new cases were reported in the country on Friday , extinguishing hopes that the virus will soon be contained .
The Guardian reports that senior government leaders in Beijing have called for other areas in China to “ adopt quarantine and rescue measures equal to that of Wuhan ” , the city at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been under lockdown since 23 January .
But not everyone is convinced What did the White House say ?
Larry Kudlow , the director of the US National Economic Council , told White House reporters on Thursday that he was “ disappointed ” by China ’ s apparent opaqueness around its handling of the outbreak .
“ We are a little disappointed that we haven ’ t been invited in and we ’ re a little disappointed in the lack of transparency coming from the Chinese , ” Kudlow said .
He claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump that Beijing would accept US help , but had yet to do so , reports the South China Morning Post .
Kudlow said that Washington was “ more than willing ” to work with the United Nations and World Health Organization ( WHO ) to tackle the crisis , but that Beijing “ won ’ t let us ” .
I don ’ t know what their motives are .
I do know that apparently more and more people are suffering over there , ” he continued .
Referring to the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Communist Party , he added : “ Is the Politburo really being honest with us ?
” China today revised down the number of deaths from coronavirus in the country to 1,380 , following a reported spike in cases in previous days .
China ’ s National Health Commission eliminated 108 deaths from the total after apparently discovering “ duplicate statistics ” in Hubei province , of which Wuhan is the capital , but did not provide more details .
“ These numbers are jumping around… there was some surprise , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus , known as Covid-19 , officials in Wuhan “ thought they had everything under control ” , says Wired .
“ Two days before Wuhan went into quarantine , provincial leaders watched dance troupes in the city ’ s auditorium , ” says the science and tech news site .
“ While officials likely reported the virus to higher-ups , they also seemingly underplayed its severity – likely scared of reprimands and being seen as incapable of handling a situation .
Their default setting ?
Keep quiet and suppress.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days , leaving Wuhan medical teams understaffed and short on supplies .
Now , the state ’ s desperation to declare victory in containing the coronavirus is putting pressure on local governments to keep the number of reported cases as low as possible .
Meanwhile , investigative news outlet Southern Weekend has reported that tests in China to determine whether patients carry the coronavirus have produced incorrect results in some cases .
Those given the all clear by hospitals as non-infectious could , in fact , be infected yet are carrying on with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk .
According to Human Rights Watch ( HRW ) researcher Yaqiu Wang , Chinese authorities are currently “ equally , if not more , concerned with silencing criticism as with containing the spread of the virus ” , the BBC reports .
“ The authoritarian Chinese government has a history of harassing and detaining citizens for speaking the truth or for criticising the authorities during public emergencies , for example , during Sars in 2003 , Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 , Wenzhou train crash in 2011 and Tianjin chemical explosion in 2015 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Chinese censorship machine has been busy deleting online posts related to the death of Li Wenliang , the doctor who first warned friends on popular social media app WeChat of a coming Sars-like illness .
He was reprimanded by Chinese police and told not to spread “ false comments ” for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as rumours .
The 34-year-old , an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital , subsequently became infected with the virus .
Days before his death on 6 February , Dr Li told reporters that silencing truth-tellers can make a country sick .
“ I think there should be more than one voice in a healthy society , ” he said .
In the hours following his death , nearly two million Chinese social media users shared or viewed a hashtag translated as “ I want freedom of speech ” , before it was deleted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Human rights lawyer-turned-video journalist Chen Qiushi travelled to Wuhan to report on the outbreak , sharing videos of corpses lying in Wuhan ’ s hospital corridors at the outset of the epidemic .
“ I will use my camera to document what is really happening .
I promise I won ’ t… cover up the truth , ” he said in his first YouTube video .
Chen knew that his reporting put him at risk , telling the BBC earlier this month that he was unsure how long he would be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strict and people ’ s accounts are being closed down if they share my content , ” he said .
On 7 February , a video was shared on his Twitter account - which is being run by a friend - featuring his mother , who said Chen had gone missing the day before .
The friend later alleged in a YouTube video that Chen had been forcibly quarantined .
The journalist has not been heard from since .
Another whistle-blower , Wuhan businessman Fang Bin , also posted videos about the outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ” .
He uploaded his videos to YouTube , using a VPN to get around Chinese censorship laws that ban the website .
A clip uploaded on 1 February appears to show eight corpses piled in a minibus outside a hospital in Wuhan .
On 9 February , he posted a 13-second video with the title “ all people revolt - hand the power of the government back to the people ” .
“ After that , the account went silent , ” says the BBC .
Patrick Poon , a researcher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was still unclear whether Chen or Fang “ were taken away by police or placed under ‘ forced quarantine ’ ” .
China needs to “ understand that freedom of information , transparency and the respect for human rights facilitate disease control , not hinder it , ” said HRW ’ s Wang .
“ Authorities are doing themselves a disservice by [ allegedly ] disappearing Fang and Chen.
” Chinese authorities have failed to issue any statements about the whereabouts of either of the two men .

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theweekuk--2020-02-14--Why mumps cases have hit a decade high

Why mumps cases have hit a decade high

Health officials are urging members of the public to ensure they have had the MMR vaccine , as new figures show cases of mumps have soared to a ten-year high in England .
A total of 5,042 recorded cases of the viral illness were recorded in 2019 , up from 1,066 cases the previous year and the highest total since 2009 , according to data from Public Health England ( PHE ) .
And the “ steep surge ” looks set to continue in 2020 , with 546 confirmed cases last month compared with 191 in January 2019 , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in cases of mumps - which like colds and flu is spread via droplets of saliva or mucus - are mainly down to outbreaks in universities and colleges .
Many of last year ’ s cases were in people born in the late 1990s and early 2000s who missed out on the measles , mumps and rubella ( MMR ) vaccine as children .
Experts say that two full doses are needed to maximise protection - the first one just after the first birthday and the second at around three years and four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parents shunned the jabs after now-discredited doctor Andrew Wakefield made headlines worldwide in 1998 with claims of a link between the vaccine and autism .
His controversial findings were published in medical journal The Lancet , which retracted the article in 2010 after the General Medical Council found that Wakefield had been “ dishonest ” in his research .
He was subsequently struck off the medical register after being found guilty of serious professional misconduct .
Last year , scientists confirmed that there is no link between autism and the MMR vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its kind .
Yet some parents are still wary about vaccinating their children .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The NHS website says : “ MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against three separate illnesses – measles , mumps and rubella ( German measles ) – in a single injection.
” Urging people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ families are protected , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said : “ The rise in mumps cases is alarming and yet another example of the long-term damage caused by anti-vax information.
” The BBC suggests that an additional “ possible ” reason for the recent spike in mumps cases is that the MMR vaccine ’ s protection may have “ worn off ” .
The NHS says that after two doses of the vaccine , “ virtually everyone ( more than 99 % ) will be protected against measles and rubella ” , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appears to gradually decline over several years ” .
However , “ mumps in vaccinated people is much less likely to lead to complications such as meningitis or painful swelling of the testes ( orchitis ) , and vaccinated people are less likely to require admission to hospital ” , the health service adds .
Symptoms of mumps include fever , headache , muscle aches , tiredness and loss of appetite , followed by swelling of the salivary glands .


theweekuk--2020-02-14--Why Boris Johnson’s reshuffle is being called a ‘power grab’

Boris Johnson has been accused of a power grab after promoting loyalists in a cabinet reshuffle that saw Sajid Javid quit his role as chancellor .
Javid resigned yesterday after the prime minister demanded that he fire his team of aides and replace them with advisers chosen by No .
10 - a condition that the outgoing chancellor argued “ no self-respecting minister ” could accept .
The BBC ’ s Laura Kuenssberg says the cabinet rejig reshuffle saw Johnson “ choose power over personnel ” , while the Daily Mirror ’ s front page today depicts the PM ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ master behind the “ brutal ” cull .
Why is it being seen as a power grab ?
The Treasury has long been regarded as independent of the PM , so Johnson ’ s demand that Javid sack his advisors has raised eyebrows .
“ A strong Treasury really matters because it asks different questions and has to be able to say ‘ no ’ to government departments and No .
10 , ” reports the Financial Times , which describes this week ’ s cabinet reshuffle as “ a blatant power grab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johnson ’ s proposal , it set up a “ remarkable power play in which the prime minister had to choose between Mr Cummings , who wants to run the entire government from a control centre in No .
10 , and his chancellor ” , the newspaper says .
After apparently opting for Cummings , the PM chose the inexperienced Rishi Sunek to replace Javid in the senior role .
The drama about Javid grabbed the headlines , but there were additional signs of a centralisation of power in Downing Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin moves to merge the Department for International Development and the Foreign Office , as well as promoting loyalist Suella Braverman to attorney general .
Indeed , The Telegraph describes the reshuffle as “ the biggest political power grab of modern times ” .
The Daily Express agrees that “ iron man ” Johnson has “ consolidated his grip on government ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The new cabinet line-up represents a significant victory for Cummings following signs that the man dubbed a “ career psychopath ” by David Cameron was falling out of favour in Downing Street .
But Johnson may prove to have less cause for celebration , warn some commentators .
The Spectator ’ s Stephen Daisley says : “ I ’ m not so sure [ Johnson ] hasn ’ t done his government some longer-term structural mischief .
Chancellors are very useful to a prime minister , and very useful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daniel Finkelstein predicts that the bid to centralise power in Downing Street may face further opposition , as “ the Treasury has shown repeatedly that it is not easily brought to heel ” .
“ Even if the new chancellor does not have his own special advisers , he will have his own department , his own departmental position , his own department ’ s interests and his own status , ” notes Finklestein , a Conservative member of the House of Lords .
Fellow Times writer Philip Collins argues that the reshuffle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart of No .
10 ” .
“ It is always telling when a prime minister goes out of his way to appoint the C-team , ” Collins writes .
“ One of the temperamental traits that will make Mr Johnson a weak premier is that , like many people prone to displays of bravura , he is tormented by the fear that he is not up to the job.
” Meanwhile , Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has defended his boss ’ s push for greater control of the Treasury .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coordinated economic function between the Treasury and No .
10 which will enable them to work together as closely as possible to deliver the promises made in the general election , ” he told the BBC ’ s Breakfast show .

Boris Johnson has been accused of a power grab after promoting loyalists in a cabinet reshuffle that saw Sajid Javid quit his role as chancellor.
Javid resigned yesterday after the prime minister demanded that he fire his team of aides and replace them with advisers chosen by No. 10 - a condition that the outgoing chancellor argued “no self-respecting minister” could accept.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg says the cabinet rejig reshuffle saw Johnson “choose power over personnel”, while the Daily Mirror’s front page today depicts the PM’s advisor Dominic Cummings as the puppet master behind the “brutal” cull.
Why is it being seen as a power grab?
The Treasury has long been regarded as independent of the PM, so Johnson’s demand that Javid sack his advisors has raised eyebrows.
“A strong Treasury really matters because it asks different questions and has to be able to say ‘no’ to government departments and No. 10,” reports the Financial Times, which describes this week’s cabinet reshuffle as “a blatant power grab”.
When Javid refused to accede to Johnson’s proposal, it set up a “remarkable power play in which the prime minister had to choose between Mr Cummings, who wants to run the entire government from a control centre in No. 10, and his chancellor”, the newspaper says.
After apparently opting for Cummings, the PM chose the inexperienced Rishi Sunek to replace Javid in the senior role.
The drama about Javid grabbed the headlines, but there were additional signs of a centralisation of power in Downing Street. Johson also used the reshuffle to begin moves to merge the Department for International Development and the Foreign Office, as well as promoting loyalist Suella Braverman to attorney general.
Indeed, The Telegraph describes the reshuffle as “the biggest political power grab of modern times”. The Daily Express agrees that “iron man” Johnson has “consolidated his grip on government”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What next?
The new cabinet line-up represents a significant victory for Cummings following signs that the man dubbed a “career psychopath” by David Cameron was falling out of favour in Downing Street.
But Johnson may prove to have less cause for celebration, warn some commentators.
The Spectator’s Stephen Daisley says: “I’m not so sure [Johnson] hasn’t done his government some longer-term structural mischief. Chancellors are very useful to a prime minister, and very useful to good governance.”
The Times columnist Daniel Finkelstein predicts that the bid to centralise power in Downing Street may face further opposition, as “the Treasury has shown repeatedly that it is not easily brought to heel”.
“Even if the new chancellor does not have his own special advisers, he will have his own department, his own departmental position, his own department’s interests and his own status,” notes Finklestein, a Conservative member of the House of Lords.
Fellow Times writer Philip Collins argues that the reshuffle “shows weakness” at the “heart of No. 10”.
“It is always telling when a prime minister goes out of his way to appoint the C-team,” Collins writes. “One of the temperamental traits that will make Mr Johnson a weak premier is that, like many people prone to displays of bravura, he is tormented by the fear that he is not up to the job.”
Meanwhile, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has defended his boss’s push for greater control of the Treasury.
“It is right that there’s a coordinated economic function between the Treasury and No. 10 which will enable them to work together as closely as possible to deliver the promises made in the general election,” he told the BBC’s Breakfast show.


theweekuk--2020-02-14--Quiz of The Week: 8 - 14 February 2020

Quiz of The Week: 8 - 14 February 2020

The past week has seen Boris Johnson accused of a power grab following his cabinet reshuffle , a de-escalation in @ @ @ @ @ the Taliban , and oil giant BP pledging to become carbon neutral by 2050 .
@ @ @ @ @ you been paying attention to the latest global events ?
Put your knowledge to the @ @ @ @ @ The Week :


theweekuk--2020-02-14--Inside Jeff Bezos’s new $165m Beverly Hills mansion

Jeff Bezos has broken property price records in Los Angeles by buying a $ 165m Beverly Hills mansion .
The Amazon founder ’ s purchase is “ the largest amount paid for a single-family Los Angeles-area home ” , says The Guardian .
What ’ s the history of the house ?
The nine-acre estate originally belonged to Jack Warner , the late president of Warner Bros Studios .
Warner built the estate ’ s 13,600-sq-ft Georgian-style mansion in the 1930s , with materials reportedly including the wooden floor that Napoleon stood on when he proposed to Josephine in 1796 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for stars in the golden age of Hollywood .
As Olivia de Havilland said in Architectural Digest : “ I remember one New Year ’ s Eve party in 1939 or 1940 , all the men were glorious in white tie .
Errol Flynn was behind the bar , Howard Hughes was my date , and Jimmy Stewart was seated on a stool.
” Ann Warner , Jack ’ s widow , declined a $ 25m offer for the estate after his death in 1978 , saying she would live there until her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national records when he purchased the estate for $ 47.5m in 1990 .
He auctioned off around $ 11m of the mansion ’ s furnishings but kept the famous wooden floor .
The ongoing work he did on the estate made it one of the city ’ s longest-running construction projects of the 1990s , says the Guardian .
“ This is really an act of grandiosity on my part , but the fact of the matter is that I own it , ” Geffen told the Los Angeles Times in 1993 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be able to live there.
” What ’ s features does the estate have ?
It is “ the archetypal studio mogul ’ s estate ” , says Architectural Digest , with its “ expansive terraces and gardens , two guesthouses , nursery and three hothouses , tennis court , swimming pool , nine-hole golf course and motor court complete with its own service garage and gas pumps ” .
“ Outside , the property holds a golf course , a series of fern gardens , fountains and sculptures .
A 300-foot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motor court .
Elsewhere on the grounds are a pool and tennis court , ” says the Los Angeles Times .
“ It looks like Versailles , ” Geffen said when he bought the estate and its mansion , which at the time featured eight bedrooms , a card room , a screening room and a domed bar .
The mansion was originally designed in Spanish Colonial Revival style , says the LA Times , before Warner had it reimagined as a grand Georgian mansion by architect Roland Coate in the 1930s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rich enough to afford the estate , thanks to his $ 131bn net worth .
“ David has the best taste of anybody , so you have the richest guy in the world buying the best of the best , ” Stephen Shapiro , of Westside Estate Agency , told the LA Times .
“ Why would he settle for anything less ?
” Bezos had been house-hunting in Bel Air and Beverly Hills with his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez , with “ price no object ” , says the New York Post .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Bel Air estate that set the previous record when it was bought by Lachlan Murdoch , son of Rupert Murdoch , for $ 150m last year , reports the Guardian .
The 2019 Land Report , which lists the country ’ s 100 largest landowners , ranked Bezos in 25th place .
Bezos ’ s purchase comes amid concern from leading US Democrats over how Amazon treats its employees .
In a recent letter to Bezos , the senators wrote : “ Amazon ’ s dismal safety record indicates a greater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers.
” Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders tweeted about Bezos ’ s purchase on Wednesday , noting the billionaire had added $ 13bn to his wealth in 15 minutes two weeks earlier .
“ $ 13 billion in 15 minutes , ” Sanders wrote .
“ Think about that compared to the pain and struggle of millions of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck .
We have a rigged economy and that has got to change.
” Two weeks ago Jeff Bezos added $ 13 billion to his wealth in 15 minutes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and struggle of millions of Americans who are living paycheck to paycheck .
We have a rigged economy and that has got to change .
https : //t.co/aGHgKye3tD

Jeff Bezos has broken property price records in Los Angeles by buying a $165m Beverly Hills mansion.
The Amazon founder’s purchase is “the largest amount paid for a single-family Los Angeles-area home”, says The Guardian.
What’s the history of the house?
The nine-acre estate originally belonged to Jack Warner, the late president of Warner Bros Studios.
Warner built the estate’s 13,600-sq-ft Georgian-style mansion in the 1930s, with materials reportedly including the wooden floor that Napoleon stood on when he proposed to Josephine in 1796.
The estate was a popular hangout for stars in the golden age of Hollywood. As Olivia de Havilland said in Architectural Digest: “I remember one New Year’s Eve party in 1939 or 1940, all the men were glorious in white tie. Errol Flynn was behind the bar, Howard Hughes was my date, and Jimmy Stewart was seated on a stool.”
Ann Warner, Jack’s widow, declined a $25m offer for the estate after his death in 1978, saying she would live there until her death.
Media mogul David Geffen broke national records when he purchased the estate for $47.5m in 1990. He auctioned off around $11m of the mansion’s furnishings but kept the famous wooden floor. The ongoing work he did on the estate made it one of the city’s longest-running construction projects of the 1990s, says the Guardian.
“This is really an act of grandiosity on my part, but the fact of the matter is that I own it,” Geffen told the Los Angeles Times in 1993. “And it’s a privilege to be able to live there.”
What’s features does the estate have?
It is “the archetypal studio mogul’s estate”, says Architectural Digest, with its “expansive terraces and gardens, two guesthouses, nursery and three hothouses, tennis court, swimming pool, nine-hole golf course and motor court complete with its own service garage and gas pumps”.
“Outside, the property holds a golf course, a series of fern gardens, fountains and sculptures. A 300-foot, tree-lined drive ends at a circular motor court. Elsewhere on the grounds are a pool and tennis court,” says the Los Angeles Times.
“It looks like Versailles,” Geffen said when he bought the estate and its mansion, which at the time featured eight bedrooms, a card room, a screening room and a domed bar.


theweekuk--2020-02-20--Instant Opinion: Bloomberg ‘busts’ in Democratic debate

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Frank Bruni in The New York Times on a disastrous night for the newcomer “ Making his first appearance alongside other contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination , Bloomberg knew that he would be under furious attack and had clearly resolved not to show any negative emotion .
But that meant that he often showed no emotion at all .
Or he looked vaguely bemused , and that didn ’ t communicate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an aloofness that he very much needed to avoid .
He made a groaner of a joke about his wealth , saying that he could hardly use a plebeian instrument like TurboTax to ready his tax returns for public consumption .
He made light of past harassment-related complaints from female employees.
” on the perils of instrument flight rules To understand the Kobe Bryant crash , it helps to know what it ’ s like to fly in iffy weather “ Pilots tend to move along , imperceptibly accustoming themselves to worsening conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a little farther .
They want to reach the destination .
And they hope the weather is going to get better somewhere ahead .
Gradually , they may begin to accept downward visibility in place of forward visibility .
Flying low , as helicopters often do , they can see the ground below even when they can barely make out what ’ s straight ahead .
People watching from below see them pass overhead and vanish into cloud ; but the pilots can still see the ground , and they think to themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Then they start to lose sight of the ground , and they realize that this is not going to work .
What now ?
” My sister died during her pregnancy .
Stop asking me when I ’ ll have kids “ A decade has gone by and I ’ ll never know why my sister was adamant about having kids even though she was told it could cost her life .
But I always wonder if it was society ’ s obsession with motherhood that made my sister feel like she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doctors told her .
I fear I lost my sister to this idea that women ’ s lives are incomplete until they ’ ve been through childbirth .
Until they ’ ve become mothers .
Why does society tell us that having children and being mothers is what completes a woman ’ s life ?
” on the agony of budget air travel Airplane seat recline rage misses the point : the airlines , not passengers , are at fault “ The fact is , airline seats are ( mostly ) made with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rude to take advantage of that built-in feature , then perhaps airlines should stop offering reclining seats , or give passengers more instruction on the proper way to use them ?
Or , here ’ s a really novel concept : Maybe airlines can work to create an atmosphere in which people are just a little less aggravated and pissed-off from the get-go .
I don ’ t think most people mean to be rude ; I think we ’ re usually just confused and trying to get through a flight with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunately , being shuffled through a dehumanizing security line , nickel-and-dimed over every baseline ‘ perk ’ and crammed into tiny spaces with complete strangers doesn ’ t do much to create a sense of community and cooperation.
” COVID-19 ’ s economic hit is all in your mind “ Hindsight can be an asset during an epidemic : Lessons from the past help steer public decision-making and avoid repeating mistakes .
Unfortunately , rearview mirrors appear to be in short supply these days .
For all the stimulus measures that officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the coronavirus , lower interest rates and bigger budgets are unlikely to make people feel immune .
And it is consumer behavior that will influence the magnitude of any hit .
The gap between how people perceive the risk of becoming ill and the likelihood of actually contracting the virus can be vast , driven wider by feelings from past experiences , vivid images or simply fright .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Frank Bruni in The New York Times
on a disastrous night for the newcomer
Despite his billions, Bloomberg busts
“Making his first appearance alongside other contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, Bloomberg knew that he would be under furious attack and had clearly resolved not to show any negative emotion. But that meant that he often showed no emotion at all. Or he looked vaguely bemused, and that didn’t communicate the coolness that he intended. It signaled an aloofness that he very much needed to avoid. He made a groaner of a joke about his wealth, saying that he could hardly use a plebeian instrument like TurboTax to ready his tax returns for public consumption. He made light of past harassment-related complaints from female employees.”
2. Peter Garrison in the Los Angeles Times
on the perils of instrument flight rules
To understand the Kobe Bryant crash, it helps to know what it’s like to fly in iffy weather
“Pilots tend to move along, imperceptibly accustoming themselves to worsening conditions. Their impulse is always to go a little farther. They want to reach the destination. And they hope the weather is going to get better somewhere ahead. Gradually, they may begin to accept downward visibility in place of forward visibility. Flying low, as helicopters often do, they can see the ground below even when they can barely make out what’s straight ahead. People watching from below see them pass overhead and vanish into cloud; but the pilots can still see the ground, and they think to themselves, ‘So far, so good.’ Then they start to lose sight of the ground, and they realize that this is not going to work. What now?”
3. Natasha Amar on HuffPost
on what makes a woman
My sister died during her pregnancy. Stop asking me when I’ll have kids
“A decade has gone by and I’ll never know why my sister was adamant about having kids even though she was told it could cost her life. But I always wonder if it was society’s obsession with motherhood that made my sister feel like she had to have a child despite what doctors told her. I fear I lost my sister to this idea that women’s lives are incomplete until they’ve been through childbirth. Until they’ve become mothers. Why does society tell us that having children and being mothers is what completes a woman’s life?”
4. Meagan Francis on NBC Think
on the agony of budget air travel
Airplane seat recline rage misses the point: the airlines, not passengers, are at fault
“The fact is, airline seats are (mostly) made with a recline function. If it’s rude to take advantage of that built-in feature, then perhaps airlines should stop offering reclining seats, or give passengers more instruction on the proper way to use them? Or, here’s a really novel concept: Maybe airlines can work to create an atmosphere in which people are just a little less aggravated and pissed-off from the get-go. I don’t think most people mean to be rude; I think we’re usually just confused and trying to get through a flight with the least possible damage to ourselves. Unfortunately, being shuffled through a dehumanizing security line, nickel-and-dimed over every baseline ‘perk’ and crammed into tiny spaces with complete strangers doesn’t do much to create a sense of community and cooperation.”
5. Daniel Moss in the Japan Times
on self-fulfilling fearmongering
COVID-19’s economic hit is all in your mind
“Hindsight can be an asset during an epidemic: Lessons from the past help steer public decision-making and avoid repeating mistakes. Unfortunately, rearview mirrors appear to be in short supply these days. For all the stimulus measures that officials are rolling out to combat the economic impact of the coronavirus, lower interest rates and bigger budgets are unlikely to make people feel immune. And it is consumer behavior that will influence the magnitude of any hit. The gap between how people perceive the risk of becoming ill and the likelihood of actually contracting the virus can be vast, driven wider by feelings from past experiences, vivid images or simply fright.”


theweekuk--2020-02-20--Mystery illness kills 14 in Pakistan - but what caused it?

Authorities in Pakistan are working to determine the cause of 14 deaths in Karachi , with officials so far giving differing explanations .
At least 500 people have reported falling sick , with symptoms such as chest pains , breathing difficulties and burning eyes .
Many are hospitalised and in a critical condition .
Some officials have cited a gas leak in Keamari , close to Karachi ’ s main port , as a possible cause of the deaths and illness .
But Pakistan ’ s federal minister for maritime affairs , Ali Haider Zaidi , said on Monday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usual .
But the conflicting explanations given by local and national authorities have fuelled speculation of a cover-up , and led to criticism of officials .
I took a tour of the whole Harbour today at KPT .
It was business as usual with ships docked and cargo loading/unloading .
Nothing unusual .
pic.twitter.com/UJTj6oyWHy “ The whole episode goes to show that Pakistan has still a long way to go in disaster and crisis management , ” Omar R. Quraishi , a Karachi-based journalist , told The New York Times .
“ Three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t been officially identified , the source not officially disclosed , let alone plugged.
” Residents and traders staged a protest on Tuesday over the authorities ’ failure to detect the cause of the problem .
So what are the possible explanations ?
The most widely touted explanation is that the illnesses and deaths were caused by a gas leak that started on Sunday evening in Keamari , a coastal neighbourhood near the port of Karachi .
Officials at both the province ’ s chemical science laboratory and Karachi Port Trust believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a release of methyl bromide , the chemical used in the fumigation of large vessels at the port , says the NYT .
But Jamil Akhtar , the chairman of the Karachi Port Trust , then denied the problem originated at the port .
Speaking to local media outlets , Akhtar said : “ All terminals and berths have been checked .
Even private terminals , the oil piers , oil installation areas have been checked .
No gas or chemical leakage .
If there was a gas leak at the port @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people who work near the court , ” CNN reports .
Some officials said they believed the deaths and illnesses were caused by soya bean dust , spread during its unloading from a docked ship , causing allergic reactions .
A health advisory issued by the provincial government said : “ As per observations of experts and ICCBS [ International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences ] report it is a form of severe allergy which causes severe asthma attack in persons who come into direct contact with soya dust.
” Unloading of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday morning after the ICCBS report said that an aeroallergen from soya bean dust was found in the blood samples collected from the deceased , reports Geo Pakistan .
`` Preliminary report has been submitted by experts at Khi Uni which suggests that Keamari incident happened due to overexposure of soybean dust which is known to have also caused similar incidents in other parts of the world , ” said Senator Murtaza Wahab .
“ This soybean is in a shipment docked at Khi Port , ” he said .
The Environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspects residents ’ reactions were caused by hydrogen sulphide gas emissions from the oil installation at the port .
Officials had suspected the poisonings were down to hydrogen sulphide – a highly poisonous gas that is a byproduct of crude oil and also generated in the sewerage system , says Pakistan ’ s The News .

Authorities in Pakistan are working to determine the cause of 14 deaths in Karachi, with officials so far giving differing explanations.
At least 500 people have reported falling sick, with symptoms such as chest pains, breathing difficulties and burning eyes. Many are hospitalised and in a critical condition.
Some officials have cited a gas leak in Keamari, close to Karachi’s main port, as a possible cause of the deaths and illness. But Pakistan’s federal minister for maritime affairs, Ali Haider Zaidi, said on Monday that business at the port was continuing as usual.
But the conflicting explanations given by local and national authorities have fuelled speculation of a cover-up, and led to criticism of officials.
I took a tour of the whole Harbour today at KPT. It was business as usual with ships docked and cargo loading/unloading. Nothing unusual. pic.twitter.com/UJTj6oyWHy — Ali Haider Zaidi (@AliHZaidiPTI) February 17, 2020
“The whole episode goes to show that Pakistan has still a long way to go in disaster and crisis management,” Omar R. Quraishi, a Karachi-based journalist, told The New York Times. “Three days have passed and the gas hasn’t been officially identified, the source not officially disclosed, let alone plugged.”
Residents and traders staged a protest on Tuesday over the authorities’ failure to detect the cause of the problem.
So what are the possible explanations?
A gas leak
The most widely touted explanation is that the illnesses and deaths were caused by a gas leak that started on Sunday evening in Keamari, a coastal neighbourhood near the port of Karachi.
Officials at both the province’s chemical science laboratory and Karachi Port Trust believe the widespread illnesses could be the result of a release of methyl bromide, the chemical used in the fumigation of large vessels at the port, says the NYT.
But Jamil Akhtar, the chairman of the Karachi Port Trust, then denied the problem originated at the port. Speaking to local media outlets, Akhtar said: “All terminals and berths have been checked. Even private terminals, the oil piers, oil installation areas have been checked. No gas or chemical leakage. If there was a gas leak at the port the first affected would have been the people who work near the court,” CNN reports.
Soybean dust
Some officials said they believed the deaths and illnesses were caused by soybean dust, spread during its unloading from a docked ship, causing allergic reactions.
A health advisory issued by the provincial government said: “As per observations of experts and ICCBS [International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences] report it is a form of severe allergy which causes severe asthma attack in persons who come into direct contact with soya dust.”
Unloading of soybeans at Karachi port was stopped on Wednesday morning after the ICCBS report said that an aeroallergen from soybean dust was found in the blood samples collected from the deceased, reports Geo Pakistan.
"Preliminary report has been submitted by experts at Khi Uni which suggests that Keamari incident happened due to overexposure of soybean dust which is known to have also caused similar incidents in other parts of the world,” said Senator Murtaza Wahab. “This soybean is in a shipment docked at Khi Port,” he said.
Oil installation
The Environmental Protection Agency of Sindh Province said it suspects residents’ reactions were caused by hydrogen sulphide gas emissions from the oil installation at the port.
Officials had suspected the poisonings were down to hydrogen sulphide – a highly poisonous gas that is a byproduct of crude oil and also generated in the sewerage system, says Pakistan’s The News.


theweekuk--2020-02-20--Prince Harry and Meghan to shutter Buckingham Palace office

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to close their office in Buckingham Palace ahead of their impending withdrawal from royal duties .
The office will cease operating at the end of March in what The Times describes as a “ dismantling ” of the links between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family , as a year-long review into the new relationship begins .
A royal spokesperson said that as the couple will no longer be undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen , which are funded by the Sovereign Grant , an office at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , reports Town & Country magazine .
The majority of the 15 people who work for the Sussexes are believed to be negotiating redundancy deals , although some could be found other positions within the royal household .
Harry and Meghan will officially cease to be senior royals and stop representing the Queen from 31 March .
Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter told The Times that by instigating the twelve-month review , the Palace was “ leaving the door ajar for a year .
The door is not slammed but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– After officially stepping down , the Sussexes be represented by a new non-profit foundation .
However , the foundation will not be called Sussex Royal , the brand already established by the couple , after reported objections by the Queen over the use of the word “ royal ” .
Harry ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ supporting the welfare of servicemen and women , conservation , sport for social development , HIV and Travalyst which works to mobilise the tourism and travel industry for social good ” , according to the Daily Mail .
Meanwhile , Meghan will focus on “ women ’ s empowerment , gender equality and education ” .
The paper reports that , as well as giving up his HRH titles , Harry ’ s honorary military titles of major , lieutenant-commander and squadron leader will not be used during the year-long review period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Day service at Westminster Abbey on 9 March , in what is expected to be their last official appearance as working members of the monarchy .

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are to close their office in Buckingham Palace ahead of their impending withdrawal from royal duties.
The office will cease operating at the end of March in what The Times describes as a “dismantling” of the links between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Royal Family, as a year-long review into the new relationship begins.
A royal spokesperson said that as the couple will no longer be undertaking official engagements in support of the Queen, which are funded by the Sovereign Grant, an office at Buckingham Palace is “no longer needed”, reports Town & Country magazine.
The majority of the 15 people who work for the Sussexes are believed to be negotiating redundancy deals, although some could be found other positions within the royal household.
Harry and Meghan will officially cease to be senior royals and stop representing the Queen from 31 March.
Former royal press secretary Dickie Arbiter told The Times that by instigating the twelve-month review, the Palace was “leaving the door ajar for a year. The door is not slammed but it’s not wide open either.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
After officially stepping down, the Sussexes be represented by a new non-profit foundation. However, the foundation will not be called Sussex Royal, the brand already established by the couple, after reported objections by the Queen over the use of the word “royal”.
Harry’s priorities for the foundation will be “supporting the welfare of servicemen and women, conservation, sport for social development, HIV and Travalyst which works to mobilise the tourism and travel industry for social good”, according to the Daily Mail.
Meanwhile, Meghan will focus on “women’s empowerment, gender equality and education”.
The paper reports that, as well as giving up his HRH titles, Harry’s honorary military titles of major, lieutenant-commander and squadron leader will not be used during the year-long review period.
The Sussexes will attend the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on 9 March, in what is expected to be their last official appearance as working members of the monarchy.