theweekuk--2020-12-01--Should pubs, cinemas and airlines require Covid ‘vaccine passports’?

Pubs , restaurants and cinemas will begin to reopen across the UK this week following the end of lockdown as the government steps up plans for the mass rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations .
But the minister in charge of overseeing the vaccine programme has triggered controversy by suggesting that while having the jabs will not be compulsary , leisure venues including sports stadiums may turn away customers who haven ’ t been innoculated against the coronavirus .
What has been proposed ?
In his first interview since being appointed as minister for Covid vaccine deployment , Nadhim Zahawi said yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get immunised , the government would send a “ strong message ” that “ this is the way we return the whole country to normal , and so it ’ s good for your family , it ’ s good for your community , it ’ s good for your country ” .
Asked whether “ vaccine passports ” might be used as a means to get people back into shops and hospitality venues after a vaccine is licensed , Zahawi told the BBC that “ we are looking at the technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way of people being able to inform their GP that they have been vaccinated ” .
Referring to the NHS Track and Trace app , he added : “ I think you ’ ll probably find that restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues , sports venues , will probably also use that system as they have done with the app .
“ I think that in many ways , the pressure will come from both ways .
From service providers who ’ ll say : ‘ Look , demonstrate to us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Zahawi ’ s comments came days after Test and Trace boss Dido Harding proposed similar plans to introduce immunity passports in a bid to return to normality .
Harding told an event organised by the Health Service Journal that her hope “ in the future to be able to have a single record as a citizen of your test results and whether you ’ ve been vaccinated ” .
However , following Zahawi ’ s interview , Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove attempted to distance the government from the proposal .
“ I certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passports , and I don ’ t know anyone else in government who is , ” he told Sky News .
How would the system work ?
Businesses and football stadiums could ask customers for proof that they have been vaccinated on entry , in the same way that people are being asked to check in using QR codes .
Similar systems are “ already used by some countries to see whether people have protection against yellow fever or polio ” , The Guardian reports .
Non-governmental bodies in both the UK and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine passports .
The International Air Transport Association ( IATA ) announced last week that “ it is in the final phase of development for what it hopes will be universally accepted documentation that in turn could boost confidence among wary travellers ” , says Washington D.C.-based news site The Hill .
In a statement yesterday about the digital health pass , IATA boss Alexandre de Juniac said : “ Testing is the first key to enable international travel without quarantine measures .
The second key is the global information infrastructure needed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data matched with traveller identities in compliance with border control requirements.
” Australian national airline Qantas has already said that once a Covid-19 vaccine is a readily available , proof that international travellers have received the jab will be a non-negotiable condition of flight - and other carriers are expected to follow suit .
What are the arguments for and against a ‘ no jab , no entry ’ policy ?
Professor Julian Savulescu , director of the Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities at Oxford University , argues that “ it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Daily Mirror reports .
“ The sole ground for restricting liberty in a liberal society is when a person represents a threat to others , ” Savulescu said .
“ That is the justification for quarantine , isolation and lockdown.
” But government adviser Professor Robert Dingwall , of Nottingham Trent University told the Daily Mail that the “ idea of vaccine passports generally has been condemned by bioethicists , and there are concerns about medical privacy and a long history of abuse of these kinds of measures ” .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to discuss the possibility of businesses asking for vaccination status before vaccines are even available to those who want them , ” he added .
“ This may end up fuelling anti-vaxxers.
” That view was echoed by Dr Ana Beduschi of the University of Exeter Law School , who says that health passports pose “ essential questions for the protection of data privacy and human rights ” .
Sam Grant , head of policy and campaigns at human rights group Liberty , has also warned that “ immunity passports raise more questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know how our privacy would be protected , who will have access to our data , or how it could be used in conjunction with other information , ” says Grant .
He adds : “ Once immunity passports have been created their use could be expanded , resulting in people who don ’ t have immunity potentially being blocked from essential public services , work or housing – setting a dangerous precedent , with the most marginalised among us hardest hit.
” Critics have also pointed out that scientists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will last .
But not all of the sceptics appear to be completely ruling out the proposal .
Law professor Beduschi concludes : “ Ministers must strike an adequate balance between protecting the rights and freedoms of all individuals and safeguarding public interests while managing the effects of the pandemic .
”

Pubs, restaurants and cinemas will begin to reopen across the UK this week following the end of lockdown as the government steps up plans for the mass rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations.
But the minister in charge of overseeing the vaccine programme has triggered controversy by suggesting that while having the jabs will not be compulsary, leisure venues including sports stadiums may turn away customers who haven’t been innoculated against the coronavirus.
What has been proposed?
In his first interview since being appointed as minister for Covid vaccine deployment, Nadhim Zahawi said yesterday that while no one will be forced to get immunised, the government would send a “strong message” that “this is the way we return the whole country to normal, and so it’s good for your family, it’s good for your community, it’s good for your country”.
Asked whether “vaccine passports” might be used as a means to get people back into shops and hospitality venues after a vaccine is licensed, Zahawi told the BBC that “we are looking at the technology, and, of course, a way of people being able to inform their GP that they have been vaccinated”.
Referring to the NHS Track and Trace app, he added: “I think you’ll probably find that restaurants and bars and cinemas and other venues, sports venues, will probably also use that system as they have done with the app.
“I think that in many ways, the pressure will come from both ways. From service providers who’ll say: ‘Look, demonstrate to us that you have been vaccinated.’”
Zahawi’s comments came days after Test and Trace boss Dido Harding proposed similar plans to introduce immunity passports in a bid to return to normality.
Harding told an event organised by the Health Service Journal that her hope “in the future to be able to have a single record as a citizen of your test results and whether you’ve been vaccinated”.
However, following Zahawi’s interview, Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove attempted to distance the government from the proposal.
“I certainly am not planning to introduce any vaccine passports, and I don’t know anyone else in government who is,” he told Sky News.
How would the system work?
Businesses and football stadiums could ask customers for proof that they have been vaccinated on entry, in the same way that people are being asked to check in using QR codes.


theweekuk--2020-12-01--Mysterious monolith pops up in Romania as Utah version vanishes

Conspiracy theorists have been handed an early Christmas present in the form of the mysterious appearance of metal monolith on a hillside in Romania as a similar unexplained structure vanishes from the Utah desert .
The giant triangular pillar in Romania was found on Batca Doamnei Hill , facing Mount Ceahlau - known locally as the Holy Mountain - in the northern city of Piatra Neamt last Thursday .
The 13ft-tall structure “ is covered in a looping scrawl ” and “ bears a resemblance to the Utah monolith which was spotted in a remote cove ” by a passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ leading people to wonder if the monuments are linked ” , says Sky News .
“ In a bizarre twist ” , the Utah Bureau of Land Management says the desert pillar was removed by “ an unknown party ” last Friday , the broadcaster adds .
The authorities in Romania are equally baffled by their “ peculiar find ” , which stands on protected land just metres from the site of a famous ancient fortress , says the Daily Mail .
So as the newspaper asks , “ who ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some armchair-sleuths have suggested that the metal slab may be “ the work of aliens ” , while others believe it was probably created by a prankster inspired by science fiction novel 2001 : A Space Odyssey .
In Arthur C. Clarke ’ s classic book , a monolith appears on Earth and seems to accelerate the learning of a tribe of ape-men .
Some eagle-eyed observers have also compared the unexplained structures to works by American minimalist sculpture John McCracken , who died in 2011 .
Whatever the explanation , “ it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unorthodox , mystery monuments ” , says The Guardian .
Police in Germany are investigating the disappearance of “ a large wooden sculpture of a phallus ” from a mountainside in southern Bavaria that “ appeared without explanation several years ago ” , the newspaper reports .
The giant penis is not believed to be linked to the metal monoliths , however .

Conspiracy theorists have been handed an early Christmas present in the form of the mysterious appearance of metal monolith on a hillside in Romania as a similar unexplained structure vanishes from the Utah desert.
The giant triangular pillar in Romania was found on Batca Doamnei Hill, facing Mount Ceahlau - known locally as the Holy Mountain - in the northern city of Piatra Neamt last Thursday.
The 13ft-tall structure “is covered in a looping scrawl” and “bears a resemblance to the Utah monolith which was spotted in a remote cove” by a passing helicopter a couple of weeks ago - “leading people to wonder if the monuments are linked”, says Sky News.
“In a bizarre twist”, the Utah Bureau of Land Management says the desert pillar was removed by “an unknown party” last Friday, the broadcaster adds.
The authorities in Romania are equally baffled by their “peculiar find”, which stands on protected land just metres from the site of a famous ancient fortress, says the Daily Mail.
So as the newspaper asks, “who (or what) put it there?”
Some armchair-sleuths have suggested that the metal slab may be “the work of aliens”, while others believe it was probably created by a prankster inspired by science fiction novel 2001: A Space Odyssey. In Arthur C. Clarke’s classic book, a monolith appears on Earth and seems to accelerate the learning of a tribe of ape-men.
Some eagle-eyed observers have also compared the unexplained structures to works by American minimalist sculpture John McCracken, who died in 2011.
Whatever the explanation, “it has been a tough few days for unorthodox, mystery monuments”, says The Guardian.
Police in Germany are investigating the disappearance of “a large wooden sculpture of a phallus” from a mountainside in southern Bavaria that “appeared without explanation several years ago”, the newspaper reports.
The giant penis is not believed to be linked to the metal monoliths, however.


theweekuk--2020-12-01--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 1 Dec 2020

MPs are preparing to vote on the government 's proposals for stricter tiers of coronavirus restrictions across England .
Although @ @ @ @ @ are expected to rebel , the vote is still expected to pass .
Labour will @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic that Keir Starmer will not support the government in a key vote @ @ @ @ @ people will enter the two toughest tiers from on Wednesday if the plans are approved @

Commons expected to approve tiers despite Tory uprising
MPs are preparing to vote on the government's proposals for stricter tiers of coronavirus restrictions across England. Although up to 50 Tory MPs are expected to rebel, the vote is still expected to pass. Labour will abstain - the first time during the pandemic that Keir Starmer will not support the government in a key vote. More than 55 million people will enter the two toughest tiers from on Wednesday if the plans are approved.


theweekuk--2020-12-01--Thai fisherman finds whale vomit worth £2.4m

A fisherman who earns £500 a month has discovered what is believed to be the world ’ s biggest blob of whale vomit - worth £2.4m .
The mammalian spew - known as ambergris - is expensive because of an odourless alcohol that is extracted to make a perfume ’ s scent last longer .
Naris Suwannasang , 60 , said : “ I plan to go to the police and have them record my discovery as I fear [ it ] might be stolen from my house.
” A metal monolith has mysteriously appeared in Romania after a similar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 4m ( 13ft ) monolith was discovered on Batca Doamnei Hill in the city of Piatra Neamt .
It resembles the Utah monolith that was spotted in a remote cove last month .
It has been speculated that the monoliths could have been the work of aliens - or a prankster inspired by science fiction novel 2001 : A Space Odyssey .
A French chef landed a Guinness World Record by preparing a pizza with 254 varieties of cheese .
Benoit Bruel created the record-breaker in the city of Lyon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was important that the cheese-based record be held by France .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A fisherman who earns £500 a month has discovered what is believed to be the world’s biggest blob of whale vomit - worth £2.4m. The mammalian spew - known as ambergris - is expensive because of an odourless alcohol that is extracted to make a perfume’s scent last longer. Naris Suwannasang, 60, said: “I plan to go to the police and have them record my discovery as I fear [it] might be stolen from my house.”
Second monolith appears in Romania
A metal monolith has mysteriously appeared in Romania after a similar structure disappeared from a desert in Utah. The 4m (13ft) monolith was discovered on Batca Doamnei Hill in the city of Piatra Neamt. It resembles the Utah monolith that was spotted in a remote cove last month. It has been speculated that the monoliths could have been the work of aliens - or a prankster inspired by science fiction novel 2001: A Space Odyssey.
World record pizza has 254 varieties of cheese
A French chef landed a Guinness World Record by preparing a pizza with 254 varieties of cheese. Benoit Bruel created the record-breaker in the city of Lyon, and told Guinness officials he felt it was important that the cheese-based record be held by France.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-11-30--Bubbly for your bubble: a guide to Christmas champagne pairing

As the ultimate drink of celebration , champagne quite rightly goes hand in hand with the festive season .
Whether you ’ re planning to buy one special bottle , or to treat your family and friends to a wonderful selection , there ’ s a style of champagne to choose for each moment of the big day .
Françoise Peretti , director of the UK ’ s Champagne Bureau , shares her top tips on how to entertain loved ones with champagne this Christmas .
When the family is gathered around the tree opening presents , excitement is high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a lovely , refreshing Blanc de Blancs .
Meaning “ White of Whites ” , this style is made from 100 % white grapes and its lively nature will start everyone ’ s day on an upwards-note .
Typically chardonnay , Blanc de Blancs are usually a bright , white gold and exhibit beautiful notes of white flowers ( think hawthorn , honey-suckle , jasmine and orange blossom ) , citrus and exotic fruits ( like lychee and pineapple ) .
As dinner roasts slowly in the oven , I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tasty canapes and nibbles to tide everyone over .
Think smoked salmon or trout blinis , daubed with crème fraiche , basil and lemon ; devilled quails eggs , macadamias or Marcona almonds .
Nothing produces a wow-factor more than unveiling a beautifully aged vintage champagne to serve alongside a glorious , golden roasted bird .
Whether you ’ re having a Goodman ’ s goose , bronze turkey or Poulet de Bresse , ageing brings complexity to a champagne that gives it the ability to pair happily with all poultry ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of dishes that come with Christmas dinner ) .
Vintage champagne is made from grapes collected from a single harvest and will have the year of that harvest mentioned on the bottle .
It is often described as “ the expression of a year ” .
In Champagne , a vintage must be aged by law for at least three years , but usually we leave it in the cellar for six to eight years to enable it to reach its full potential before releasing it to the market .
Typically , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pastry to have developed ; ripe , stewed fruits , or even hazelnuts and almonds .
Depending on the size of your gathering , I would recommend choosing a magnum , which adds magnificent theatre and drama to your dining table .
There are a great array of current vintages to look out for at the moment , including 2008 , 2009 , 2010 and 2012 .
On what other day is it acceptable to consume one ’ s own body weight in cheese ?
Would we even recognise Christmas if we didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the chutneys to match ?
My advice to you this year is to experiment and pair it with rosé champagne .
At the cheesemonger my rule for cow ’ s milk-based cheese is : “ don ’ t think blue – think ewe !
” .
Or , select goat ’ s cheese .
To curate your tower of cheese , British options include Perroche , Ragston , Spenwood and Berkeswell , among many fabulous others .
These delicate , yet flavourful cheeses pair beautifully with the round fruitiness of rosé champagne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of berries – such as strawberries , raspberries – and soft fruits like cherries .
Not to mention , the stunning array of pink hues look exquisite in a candle-lit glass… Demi-sec and Sec are two terms scarcely whispered in the UK , but I implore you to try something new .
Try a sweeter style with a lavish chocolate Yule log , or with a dark chocolate Pavlova smothered with fresh cream and raspberries .
With champagne , you will find that the sweeter styles are not cloying , but maintain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through .
This makes it a delightful evening treat and pick-me-up after a generous meal .
The beauty of keeping to champagne throughout the celebrations also means that you can avoid mixing your drinks , while having an immense variety of styles to choose from – so it ’ s likely that your head will be thanking you on Boxing Day .
Christmas is a great time to experiment , so don ’ t be afraid – be in the know !
The Week Portfolio picks out some champagne gifts for Christmas Maison @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vineyards located in the heart of the Champagne region .
The Première Cuvée , the brand ’ s flagship , is an assemblage of crus , grape varieties and vintages .
It is a very personal interpretation of the region , through the selection of diverse terroirs from 35 different crus .
Other options from Bruno Paillard include : Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru MV ; Dosage Zero “ D : Z ” ; and MV Vintage - ” Assemblage ” 2009 .
Maison Lanson has unveiled two new cuvées within its core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blancs de Blancs .
A non-vintage brut champagne , combining freshness , complexity and fullness , Le Black Réserve is a descendant of the Black Label .
Le Blancs de Blancs , a 100 % chardonnay cuvée , is golden in colour with very fine bubbles and is a great champagne for an aperitif and for gastronomy .
Treat your loved ones to a case of the Queen ’ s choice , Bollinger , the first champagne to receive the royal stamp of approval .
The 2004 vintage , which is produced exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , pairs well with duck , white meat , seafood and shellfish .
Dom Pérignon is vintage champagne only and each year is unique .
Described as “ fruit of intuition and mastery ” , Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010 was produced in a challenging year and was quite literally “ saved from the waters ” .
Vincent Chaperon , chef de cave , says : “ The creation of Dom Pérignon Vintage 2010 took equal parts mastery and humility .
I hope it never ceases to inspire you.
” This collection features six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marques champagne houses and champagne growers .
The case contains the following 75cl bottles : Vilmart et Cie Grand Cellier d ’ Or 2015 ; Charles Heidsieck Brut Millesime 2006 ; Pol Roger Brut 2012 ; Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage 2012 ; and Drappier Millesime Exception 2013 .
Champagne Laurent-Perrier has unveiled two Christmas crackers for 2020 : a Cuvée Rosé gift set and a La Cuvée gift set .
Both sets are presented inside a luxury gift box with two Laurent-Perrier branded flutes .
For this collectable limited-edition set , Armand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lacquered gift box “ Harrods green ” .
It is the first time that the prestige brand has changed the outer colour of its box and the first time Harrods has collaborated on a special edition champagne .
Just 300 of the Harrods Édition Spéciale Brut Gold sets have been created and each gift box is inscribed with its unique number emblazoned on a special pewter label .

As the ultimate drink of celebration, champagne quite rightly goes hand in hand with the festive season.
Whether you’re planning to buy one special bottle, or to treat your family and friends to a wonderful selection, there’s a style of champagne to choose for each moment of the big day.
Françoise Peretti, director of the UK’s Champagne Bureau, shares her top champagne style tips to ensure you pick the right one for your festivities. Plus, we pick out some of the best champagne bottles, hampers and gifts to buy.
Champagne for Christmas day Blanc de Blancs: a perfect beginning When the family is gathered around the tree opening presents, excitement is high and the day is young, opt for a lovely, refreshing Blanc de Blancs. Meaning “White of Whites”, this style is made from 100% white grapes and its lively nature will start everyone’s day on an upwards-note. Typically chardonnay, Blanc de Blancs are usually a bright, white gold and exhibit beautiful notes of white flowers (think hawthorn, honey-suckle, jasmine and orange blossom), citrus and exotic fruits (like lychee and pineapple). As dinner roasts slowly in the oven, I’d recommend serving this as an apéritif with tasty canapes and nibbles to tide everyone over. Think smoked salmon or trout blinis, daubed with crème fraiche, basil and lemon; devilled quails eggs, macadamias or Marcona almonds.
Vintage: the main event Nothing produces a wow-factor more than unveiling a beautifully aged vintage champagne to serve alongside a glorious, golden roasted bird. Whether you’re having a Goodman’s goose, bronze turkey or Poulet de Bresse, ageing brings complexity to a champagne that gives it the ability to pair happily with all poultry (and to hold its own among the plethora of dishes that come with Christmas dinner). Vintage champagne is made from grapes collected from a single harvest and will have the year of that harvest mentioned on the bottle. It is often described as “the expression of a year”. In Champagne, a vintage must be aged by law for at least three years, but usually we leave it in the cellar for six to eight years to enable it to reach its full potential before releasing it to the market. Typically, you can expect notes of brioche and Danish pastry to have developed; ripe, stewed fruits, or even hazelnuts and almonds. Depending on the size of your gathering, I would recommend choosing a magnum, which adds magnificent theatre and drama to your dining table. There are a great array of current vintages to look out for at the moment, including 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.
Rosé: enhance your cheese course On what other day is it acceptable to consume one’s own body weight in cheese? Would we even recognise Christmas if we didn’t have 30 types of cheese and the chutneys to match? My advice to you this year is to experiment and pair it with rosé champagne. At the cheesemonger my rule for cow’s milk-based cheese is: “don’t think blue – think ewe!”. Or, select goat’s cheese. To curate your tower of cheese, British options include Perroche, Ragston, Spenwood and Berkeswell, among many fabulous others. These delicate, yet flavourful cheeses pair beautifully with the round fruitiness of rosé champagne, which often releases the delicious aromas of berries – such as strawberries, raspberries – and soft fruits like cherries. Not to mention, the stunning array of pink hues look exquisite in a candle-lit glass…
Demi-Sec: delicious with dessert Demi-sec and Sec are two terms scarcely whispered in the UK, but I implore you to try something new. Try a sweeter style with a lavish chocolate Yule log, or with a dark chocolate Pavlova smothered with fresh cream and raspberries. With champagne, you will find that the sweeter styles are not cloying, but maintain the wine’s signature freshness that shines through. This makes it a delightful evening treat and pick-me-up after a generous meal. The beauty of keeping to champagne throughout the celebrations also means that you can avoid mixing your drinks, while having an immense variety of styles to choose from – so it’s likely that your head will be thanking you on Boxing Day. Christmas is a great time to experiment, so don’t be afraid – be in the know!
Champagne for special occasions Best champagne for the office party The Christmas office party brings all personality types together, so it may seem like a tricky task to choose a style that will please everyone. Brut NV is a fail safe. The “flagship” cuvée of each champagne house, Brut NV is the ultimate “party style” and can be served throughout the evening. Easy if you are the party planner!
Best champagne with Boxing Day leftovers The day after the big feast, bubble and squeak and cold meat will likely make their appearance on your table. In true hair-of-the-dog style, pair these with a lovely Blanc de Noirs, which is white champagne made exclusively from black grapes – Pinot Noir and Meunier. The use of black grapes means that Blanc de Noirs is full-bodied and complements poultry, pork and other rich foods well.
Best champagne for New Year’s Eve New Year’s Eve is the perfect time to put on a show and up the ante. To really impress your guests, I recommend choosing a bigger bottle size. A vintage champagne in magnums (equivalent to two 75cl bottles), or jeroboams (equivalent to four bottles) are ideal to create some drama and make this a night to remember, particularly if the party is quite large and you will be providing that quantity of wine in smaller bottles anyway.
Champagne gifts and bottles Regency indulgence hamper with Bollinger champagne Go all out this Christmas with a luxury treat from Regency Hampers. Regency’s indulgence hamper with Bollinger champagne is an extravagant collection of spirits and fine wines plus a wide selection of seasonal foods, snacks and confectionery. To raise your Christmas spirits bottles of Hennessy Fine de Cognac, Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky and Cotswold Gin from The Cotswolds Distillery are included with the Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut Champagne. The hamper also features wines – a Zonin 1821 Prosecco Doc Spumante sparkling Italian white wine, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Griottes Pouilly Fumé, and Laroche Chablis La Collegiale – two traditional Christmas puddings and a pack of six golden “touch of sparkle” Christmas crackers. £860.80; regencyhampers.com
Bubbleshop festive champagne case Bubbleshop by Sandia Chang has launched a festive collection featuring six exciting bottles like George Laval Garennes; Mottes 2011, Olivier Horiot Solera; and Françoise Bedel Entre Ciel et Terre. These six champagnes have been handpicked by Chang and are designed to enjoy at different parts of the festive feast. The Dhondt-Grellet makes for a great aperitif, the Hautes Mottes will go perfectly with roasted meat, and the Tarlant Rosé Zero is ideal as a dessert pairing. Available for nationwide delivery every Friday. £300; bubbleshoplondon.com


theweekuk--2020-11-30--Built for adventure: TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition

“ It symbolises energy and adventure , ” says George Bamford , describing the bright , flame-like orange tone that has become a signature flourish of the Bamford Watch Department , his London-based personalisation business .
It was when working on his second team-up with Swiss heritage make TAG Heuer that Bamford singled out the colour as a symbol of energetic exploration and a certain “ go forth ” spirit .
Issued this winter as a limited edition of just 1,500 models , the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition with 43mm case is crafted from matt-finish grade 2 titanium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , corrosion-resistant properties , grade 2 titanium is a hard wearing metal ; in addition to watchmaking , it ’ s use can be traced in aeronautics and the production of sports equipment .
A jet-black dial – emblazoned with both brand 's insignias – is matched with orange lacquered , black-gold-plated hands ; both hands and indexes are treated with white Super-LumiNova® , a practical finish that allows for optimum legibility .
“ [ This ] is the ultimate tool watch and from diving equipment to climbing carabiners and rope , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed the perfect choice for this go-anywhere , do-anything watch.
” There are nods to TAG Heuer ’ s heritage too : Bamford researched the brand ’ s biography in its company archives and his modern take on one of its emblematic creations borrows choice details from historic models .
There ’ s the shape of the indexes , which nod to a 1979 TAG Heuer stopwatch and the orange tone , too has TAG Heuer lineage : it can be spotted in museum pieces such as the Heuer calculator .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reminiscent of TAG Heuer pieces that were launched between 1979 and 1994 such as the first racing stopwatch which has orange minute markers and the calculator which has orange elements , ” he explains .
“ All paved the way for the Aquaracer collection and it is this history which inspired me .
”

“It symbolises energy and adventure,” says George Bamford, describing the bright, flame-like orange tone that has become a signature flourish of the Bamford Watch Department, his London-based personalisation business. It was when working on his second team-up with Swiss heritage make TAG Heuer that Bamford singled out the colour as a symbol of energetic exploration and a certain “go forth” spirit.
Issued this winter as a limited edition of just 1,500 models, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Bamford Limited Edition with 43mm case is crafted from matt-finish grade 2 titanium. Favoured for its lightweight and robust, corrosion-resistant properties, grade 2 titanium is a hard wearing metal; in addition to watchmaking, it’s use can be traced in aeronautics and the production of sports equipment. A jet-black dial – emblazoned with both brand's insignias – is matched with orange lacquered, black-gold-plated hands; both hands and indexes are treated with white Super-LumiNova®, a practical finish that allows for optimum legibility.
“[This] is the ultimate tool watch and from diving equipment to climbing carabiners and rope, the colour orange always pops up so it seemed the perfect choice for this go-anywhere, do-anything watch.”
There are nods to TAG Heuer’s heritage too: Bamford researched the brand’s biography in its company archives and his modern take on one of its emblematic creations borrows choice details from historic models. There’s the shape of the indexes, which nod to a 1979 TAG Heuer stopwatch and the orange tone, too has TAG Heuer lineage: it can be spotted in museum pieces such as the Heuer calculator.
“The orange design elements and sporty bezel are reminiscent of TAG Heuer pieces that were launched between 1979 and 1994 such as the first racing stopwatch which has orange minute markers and the calculator which has orange elements,” he explains. “All paved the way for the Aquaracer collection and it is this history which inspired me.”
£3,250; bamfordwatchdepartment.com


theweekuk--2020-12-01--Instant Opinion: ‘Brexit’s snake-oil salesmen rediscover expertise’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Who cares about jobs and experts ?
Suddenly , Brexit 's snake-oil salesmen do “ Oh dear .
I see Michael Gove now gives a toss about experts .
And I see Steve Baker now gives a toss about economic impact statements .
The Cabinet Office minister spent Tuesday blitzing the airwaves to explain why the government ’ s imminent tier system is done for your own good , for reasons you ’ re too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand .
Meanwhile , Baker , Jacob Rees-Mogg ’ s former robot sidekick , is leading the rebellion against the tier system , on the basis that it will cause huge economic damage .
Presumably Brexit ironies are cheaper by the dozen .
For the past four years , political analysis has been honed , refined and reduced to a single immutable truth .
And that is that all these guys should be made to fight each other in a Wetherspoon ’ s car park.
” on the other pandemic We must not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress in HIV prevention “ HIV prevention is in crisis too , and governments need to be brave on this issue as well , and to face up to the things which need changing – criminalisation of LGBT people , drug use and sex work for example , stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings , harmful gender norms and comprehensive sexuality education .
Without addressing these difficult subjects , and without renewed commitment to the Aids response in the face of Covid-19 , the next set of targets are likely to fail too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever , we need governments to remember the HIV challenge and to commit to a future which is free from Aids for everyone , everywhere.
” “ Von der Leyen has struggled most in moments when she couldn ’ t be found .
At the start of the year , the president was silent for days as crisis engulfed the Middle East .
And her team stirred unnecessary controversy by not being forthright when von der Leyen left Brussels to self-isolate because of a coronavirus risk .
At the start of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a crisis on the Greek-Turkish border .
And last spring , a dismissive reference to so-called “ coronabonds ” in an interview with German news agency DPA caused a furor in Italy with even European Parliament President David Sassoli demanding a clarification .
Current and former EU officials have accused von der Leyen and her cabinet chief , Björn Seibert , of creating a huge backlog of senior job vacancies by insisting on personal control over appointments — an allegation the Commission denied.
” How to defuse the human waste time bomb in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities , the sanitation service chain also offers environmental benefits .
For example , Sulabh International has pioneered public toilets connected to bio-digesters in India .
This has created a simple , affordable technology to treat faecal matter in the absence of a sewerage network , or to reduce the load on the existing sewerage , while also contributing to the circular economy .
Dignified sanitation is a basic human need that does not end with a toilet , and in fact , delivered in full , can offer opportunities for sustainability through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can only be delivered if sanitation is treated as an entire chain , with its own market opportunities , regulatory needs and an infrastructure that supports sustainable services to grow , whether sewered or non-sewered.
” The ethics and politics of the vaccine are still perilous for the Government “ One of the biggest issues is that without any net zero roadmap or guidance from the government , businesses have been left to interpret it for themselves .
Businesses told us net zero involved carbon offsetting , carbon reduction or carbon elimination – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact on an organisation ’ s footprint .
( Carbon offsetting involves taking action to compensate for emissions in other areas , compared to bringing emissions down or getting rid of them entirely ) .
None of the definitions are ‘ wrong ’ – put simply , net zero means achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere – but without an overarching framework to follow , businesses are left with room to interpret it as they choose .
In fact , almost two thirds of businesses feared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greenwashing and 86 per cent believe net zero is in danger of becoming a meaningless statement without consistency in approach and measurement amongst businesses .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Marina Hyde in The Guardian
on new rules
Who cares about jobs and experts? Suddenly, Brexit's snake-oil salesmen do
“Oh dear. I see Michael Gove now gives a toss about experts. And I see Steve Baker now gives a toss about economic impact statements. The Cabinet Office minister spent Tuesday blitzing the airwaves to explain why the government’s imminent tier system is done for your own good, for reasons you’re too dim to be given the data to understand. Meanwhile, Baker, Jacob Rees-Mogg’s former robot sidekick, is leading the rebellion against the tier system, on the basis that it will cause huge economic damage. Presumably Brexit ironies are cheaper by the dozen. For the past four years, political analysis has been honed, refined and reduced to a single immutable truth. And that is that all these guys should be made to fight each other in a Wetherspoon’s car park.”
2. Christine Stegling in The Independent
on the other pandemic
We must not allow coronavirus to undo a decade of progress in HIV prevention
“HIV prevention is in crisis too, and governments need to be brave on this issue as well, and to face up to the things which need changing – criminalisation of LGBT people, drug use and sex work for example, stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, harmful gender norms and comprehensive sexuality education. Without addressing these difficult subjects, and without renewed commitment to the Aids response in the face of Covid-19, the next set of targets are likely to fail too. This World Aids Day more than ever, we need governments to remember the HIV challenge and to commit to a future which is free from Aids for everyone, everywhere.”
3. Various writers in Politico
on room for improvement
The von der Leyen Commission end-of-year report card
“Von der Leyen has struggled most in moments when she couldn’t be found. At the start of the year, the president was silent for days as crisis engulfed the Middle East. And her team stirred unnecessary controversy by not being forthright when von der Leyen left Brussels to self-isolate because of a coronavirus risk. At the start of the pandemic, she was slow to pivot from a crisis on the Greek-Turkish border. And last spring, a dismissive reference to so-called “coronabonds” in an interview with German news agency DPA caused a furor in Italy with even European Parliament President David Sassoli demanding a clarification. Current and former EU officials have accused von der Leyen and her cabinet chief, Björn Seibert, of creating a huge backlog of senior job vacancies by insisting on personal control over appointments — an allegation the Commission denied.”
4. Izabella Koziell in Al Jazeera
on dirty business
How to defuse the human waste time bomb in low-income countries
“In addition to market opportunities, the sanitation service chain also offers environmental benefits. For example, Sulabh International has pioneered public toilets connected to bio-digesters in India. This has created a simple, affordable technology to treat faecal matter in the absence of a sewerage network, or to reduce the load on the existing sewerage, while also contributing to the circular economy. Dignified sanitation is a basic human need that does not end with a toilet, and in fact, delivered in full, can offer opportunities for sustainability through nutrient and energy recovery. But this can only be delivered if sanitation is treated as an entire chain, with its own market opportunities, regulatory needs and an infrastructure that supports sustainable services to grow, whether sewered or non-sewered.”
5. Nick Timothy in The Telegraph
on walking a fine line
The ethics and politics of the vaccine are still perilous for the Government
“One of the biggest issues is that without any net zero roadmap or guidance from the government, businesses have been left to interpret it for themselves. Businesses told us net zero involved carbon offsetting, carbon reduction or carbon elimination – similar-sounding phrases that vary wildly in their impact on an organisation’s footprint. (Carbon offsetting involves taking action to compensate for emissions in other areas, compared to bringing emissions down or getting rid of them entirely). None of the definitions are ‘wrong’ – put simply, net zero means achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and taken out of the atmosphere – but without an overarching framework to follow, businesses are left with room to interpret it as they choose. In fact, almost two thirds of businesses feared their own targets could be seen as greenwashing and 86 per cent believe net zero is in danger of becoming a meaningless statement without consistency in approach and measurement amongst businesses.”


theweekuk--2020-12-01--Why Labour is abstaining on coronavirus tier vote

Labour MPs will withhold their support when the Commons votes on Boris Johnson ’ s new , stricter system of tiered coronavirus restrictions later this evening - the first time that the opposition has not backed government proposals for tackling the pandemic .
Party leader Keir Starmer says he can no longer support the prime minister in the absence of “ a functioning testing system ” and “ effective economic support ” for businesses , even though he wants the new rules to become law .
“ Labour accepts the need for continued restrictions , ” Starmer tweeted last night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned that Boris Johnson ’ s government has failed to use this latest lockdown to put a credible health and economic plan in place.
” A government spokesperson accused the Labour chief of “ playing politics in the middle of a pandemic ” .
Starmer ’ s decision “ will prompt fears in Downing Street that Johnson can no longer count on the opposition ’ s support for coronavirus measures that have become deeply unpopular with his own MPs ” , The Guardian reports .
There is little doubt that the new rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conservative MPs will vote for them .
“ What probably ends up mattering - not so much today but in the weeks ahead - is whether the Tory rebellion is larger than the government ’ s majority , ” says Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham .
That could spell defeat for future Covid rules - although the maths would be complicated by a smaller rebellion on the Labour backbenches .
Several MPs “ want to break ranks and vote against the reintroduction of Tiers 1 , 2 and 3 ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , says HuffPost .
By ending his support for the government , Starmer has dodged “ a full-on showdown with a 20-strong contingent of northern Labour MPs who want to vote against the tiers ” , adds Politico ’ s Wickham .
The tactical abstention could therefore serve two purposes , says the Daily Mail : to “ quieten ” the rebellion on his own backbenches and “ expose Tory fault-lines on the divisive issue ” .

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theweekuk--2020-12-01--How the UK could end HIV transmission by 2030

As the world grapples with the effects of Covid-19 , a more protracted battle against a pandemic that has claimed far more lives continues to be fought .
To mark World Aids Day , campaigners are renewing calls for the government to honour an existing commitment to eliminate HIV transmission in the UK by 2030 .
Medical science has already made massive headway in tackling the virus .
As Deutsche Welle notes , “ for most people , an HIV diagnosis in the 1980s was an automatic death sentence ” .
Four decades later , the NHS says life expectancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal ” .
But is eradication really in reach ?
Where are we now ?
The rate of HIV transmission in the UK steadily declined from a peak in the 1980s before spiking again in the 2000s .
But since then , the drop in transmission has accelerated .
According to the most recent report from Public Health England , “ the total number of people newly diagnosed with HIV continued to decrease in 2019 to 4,139 ” - a 10 % fall from 4,580 in 2018 , and down by 34 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The decline in new HIV diagnoses in recent years is largely driven by a steep fall in diagnoses among gay and bisexual men ” , among whom confirmed cases have almost halved in the past five years to reach 1,700 in 2019 , the report says .
Mortality rates among people with HIV have “ remained stable , with 622 deaths ” in 2019 - which equates to an average mortality rate of 631 per 100,000 people diagnosed with the virus .
A total of 105,200 people were estimated to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Can we stop transmission by 2030 - and how might we do it ?
The drastic declines in the number of people testing positive for HIV “ in most populations and in most settings ” over the last few years “ shows that , if progress is maintained , the UK could be a very low-incidence country by 2030 ” , says information site AidsMap .
According to the government , “ the goal of eliminating transmission by 2030 depends upon sustaining prevention efforts and further expanding them to reach all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has suggested that measures necessary to tackle the virus include an increase in testing in non-traditional settings such as A & E departments , prisons and via self-testing ; more consistent testing of people who come to clinics with symptomatic STIs ; and instituting routine commissioning of pre-exposure prophylaxis , a preventative drug which helps reduce the risk of transmission in high-risk individuals .
Dr Noel Gill , Head of STIs and HIV at Public Health England , said earlier this year that “ we are well on our way ” to wiping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next decade .
“ Testing is a key part of the UK ’ s success - if you have HIV you can benefit from life-saving treatments that also prevent further transmission of the virus , ” he continued .
“ Certain groups of people are at higher HIV risk and are advised to have regular tests , including men and women who have had unprotected sex with new or casual partners from countries where HIV is common , who should test every year , and men who have sex with men.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the UK , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that “ HIV has brought untold hurt and suffering to so many ” .
“ We should be rightly proud of the incredible progress we have already made ” in reducing infection levels , he added .
What else is being done ?
To mark Worlds Aids Day on 1 December , England ’ s first HIV Commission - established by the Terrence Higgins Trust , National Aids Trust and Elton John Aids Foundation - is publishing “ 20 recommendations ” to help halt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next ten years , Reuters reports .
The campaigners are calling for “ HIV testing to be standard practice for patients registering with a new doctor , undergoing routine smear tests or being admitted to hospitals ’ emergency departments ” , the news agency reports .
Under the plans , “ tests would also be available at pharmacies in areas with a high prevalence of HIV ” .
The UK ’ s 2030 goal mirrors that of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/Aids ( UNAIDS ) , which is following a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
The so-called 90:90:90 targets are for 90 % of people with HIV to be diagnosed , 90 % of diagnosed people to be receiving treatment , and 90 % of people on treatment to have an undetectable viral load by 2030 .
“ To reach this visionary goal after three decades of the most serious epidemic in living memory , countries will need to use the powerful tools available , hold one another accountable for results and make sure that no one is left behind , ” the organisation says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ one of the few countries in the world to have reached and exceeded all UNAIDS 90:90:90 targets ” .
Of the 103,800 people living with HIV in the UK in 2018 , 93 % were diagnosed , 97 % of people diagnosed were receiving treatment and 97 % of people receiving treatment were virally suppressed .

As the world grapples with the effects of Covid-19, a more protracted battle against a pandemic that has claimed far more lives continues to be fought.
To mark World Aids Day, campaigners are renewing calls for the government to honour an existing commitment to eliminate HIV transmission in the UK by 2030.
Medical science has already made massive headway in tackling the virus. As Deutsche Welle notes, “for most people, an HIV diagnosis in the 1980s was an automatic death sentence”. Four decades later, the NHS says life expectancy averages for HIV-positive patients are “near normal”.
But is eradication really in reach?
Where are we now?
The rate of HIV transmission in the UK steadily declined from a peak in the 1980s before spiking again in the 2000s. But since then, the drop in transmission has accelerated.
According to the most recent report from Public Health England, “the total number of people newly diagnosed with HIV continued to decrease in 2019 to 4,139” - a 10% fall from 4,580 in 2018, and down by 34% from 6,312 new diagnoses reported in 2014.
“The decline in new HIV diagnoses in recent years is largely driven by a steep fall in diagnoses among gay and bisexual men”, among whom confirmed cases have almost halved in the past five years to reach 1,700 in 2019, the report says.
Mortality rates among people with HIV have “remained stable, with 622 deaths” in 2019 - which equates to an average mortality rate of 631 per 100,000 people diagnosed with the virus.
A total of 105,200 people were estimated to be living with HIV in the UK last year.
Can we stop transmission by 2030 - and how might we do it?
The drastic declines in the number of people testing positive for HIV “in most populations and in most settings” over the last few years “shows that, if progress is maintained, the UK could be a very low-incidence country by 2030”, says information site AidsMap.
According to the government, “the goal of eliminating HIV transmission by 2030 depends upon sustaining prevention efforts and further expanding them to reach all at risk”.
Public Health England has suggested that measures necessary to tackle the virus include an increase in testing in non-traditional settings such as A&E departments, prisons and via self-testing; more consistent testing of people who come to clinics with symptomatic STIs; and instituting routine commissioning of pre-exposure prophylaxis, a preventative drug which helps reduce the risk of transmission in high-risk individuals.


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Instant Opinion: ‘The emperor runs out of clothes’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Will Dunn in the New Statesman on the embodiment of a problem Philip Green : the emperor runs out of clothes “ To talk about forcing Green to sell his boat or stripping him of his knighthood is to indulge an easy portrayal of one bad person in an otherwise blameless system .
Green has certainly taken what he can get from Arcadia ’ s brands .
But it is the internet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a world that shops from home , all stores are the same size .
The new department stores are websites such as ASOS , and the most valuable real estate is not on Oxford Street but on Instagram .
Arcadia ’ s demise may also have been the decision , ultimately , not of Green but of his bank , and the government .
Arcadia went into administration hours before the reintroduction of ‘ crown preference ’ , which means HMRC gets paid before the bank if the company is liquidated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ’ s support for businesses , many companies have been pushed into administration by lenders who consider doing so a safer way to recoup their investments.
” Sage has got one thing right about Christmas – women are the ones who make it work “ Frankly , I ’ m surprised that a document about this Covid Christmas , released by Sage , the Government ’ s deeply weird Scientific Advisory Group , has been criticised for being sexist .
‘ Women carry the burden of creating and maintaining family traditions and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Tweeting the document , Sky News anchor Sophy Ridge demanded : ‘ What century are we in ?
’ I hate to say this , Sophy , but when it comes to the sexes at Christmas we ’ re still roughly in about 1839 .
It is women , not Santa , who shoulder the sack of gifts ; instead of a crack team of elves , at least we now have Mr Amazon to help .
‘ Do I have to do EVERYTHING ?
’ Yes , obviously you do , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women would have it any other way .
Christmas unites the female rage for perfection with our heartfelt wish to make our families happy.
” “ When individual train operators , such as Northern or KeolisAmey in Wales , have failed , national or devolved governments have stepped in to run trains as ‘ operator of last resort ’ .
And in March , the system of franchises that has held sway for nearly a quarter of a century was suspended , before finally being put out of its misery in September .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or , indeed , anyone a very good thing .
It ’ s natural to assume that it was the collapse in passenger numbers brought about by Covid that rendered the existing franchise system untenable .
Actually , it was already on its last legs , and seemed almost certain to be unwound over the next few years when the rail review , chaired by Keith Williams and launched in September 2018 after a summer of rail chaos , finally gets round to reporting .
The pandemic simply finished it off.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a capital crime hasn ’ t deterred many perpetrators until now .
While the new law provides some measures to ensure the safety of rape survivors , it fails to address the root cause of many crimes against women in Pakistan : the perversely patriarchal notion of ‘ honour ’ , and the Islamist inertia upholding it .
The notion that a male , family or tribe ’ s honour is encapsulated in the female anatomy is entrenched in society .
Another widely-held view is that a woman dressing , behaving or existing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she is attacked .
It isn ’ t hard to see where such views come from .
Lahore ’ s chief police officer appeared to repeatedly blame the victim of a gang rape earlier this year , suggesting that the woman should not have been travelling late at night without her husband.
” Tanzania : Magufuli ’ s growing authoritarianism is not an exception “ At independence , most African governments inherited states that were more or less large empty spaces , of course with variation across the continent .
Population densities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lowest in the world .
Many African states had few concentrated urban centres , and the vast majority of Africans in the middle of the 20th century lived in small settlements in so-called hinterlands .
Threats to the power of the newly independent governments primarily arose from fellow government members and the military , or the urban population .
Maintaining control , therefore , involved a number of strategies .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Will Dunn in the New Statesman
on the embodiment of a problem
Philip Green: the emperor runs out of clothes
2. Allison Pearson in The Daily Telegraph
on festive gender roles
Sage has got one thing right about Christmas – women are the ones who make it work
“Frankly, I’m surprised that a document about this Covid Christmas, released by Sage, the Government’s deeply weird Scientific Advisory Group, has been criticised for being sexist. ‘Women carry the burden of creating and maintaining family traditions and activities at Christmas,’ it said. Tweeting the document, Sky News anchor Sophy Ridge demanded: ‘What century are we in?’ I hate to say this, Sophy, but when it comes to the sexes at Christmas we’re still roughly in about 1839. It is women, not Santa, who shoulder the sack of gifts; instead of a crack team of elves, at least we now have Mr Amazon to help. ‘Do I have to do EVERYTHING?’ Yes, obviously you do, but I’m not sure most women would have it any other way. Christmas unites the female rage for perfection with our heartfelt wish to make our families happy.”
3. Jonn Elledge in The Guardian
on privatised rail
Good riddance to Britain’s franchised railway system
“When individual train operators, such as Northern or KeolisAmey in Wales, have failed, national or devolved governments have stepped in to run trains as ‘operator of last resort’. And in March, the system of franchises that has held sway for nearly a quarter of a century was suspended, before finally being put out of its misery in September. This is, for passengers, taxpayers, or, indeed, anyone a very good thing. It’s natural to assume that it was the collapse in passenger numbers brought about by Covid that rendered the existing franchise system untenable. Actually, it was already on its last legs, and seemed almost certain to be unwound over the next few years when the rail review, chaired by Keith Williams and launched in September 2018 after a summer of rail chaos, finally gets round to reporting. The pandemic simply finished it off.”
4. Kunwar Khuldune Shahid in The Spectator
on closing the stable door
Imran Khan’s rape crackdown won’t make Pakistan safer for women
“The fact that rape is already a capital crime hasn’t deterred many perpetrators until now. While the new law provides some measures to ensure the safety of rape survivors, it fails to address the root cause of many crimes against women in Pakistan: the perversely patriarchal notion of ‘honour’, and the Islamist inertia upholding it. The notion that a male, family or tribe’s honour is encapsulated in the female anatomy is entrenched in society. Another widely-held view is that a woman dressing, behaving or existing in a certain way is somehow culpable if she is attacked. It isn’t hard to see where such views come from. Lahore’s chief police officer appeared to repeatedly blame the victim of a gang rape earlier this year, suggesting that the woman should not have been travelling late at night without her husband.”
5. Manu Lekunze in Al Jazeera
on decolonisation
Tanzania: Magufuli’s growing authoritarianism is not an exception
“At independence, most African governments inherited states that were more or less large empty spaces, of course with variation across the continent. Population densities, in Africa, were among the lowest in the world. Many African states had few concentrated urban centres, and the vast majority of Africans in the middle of the 20th century lived in small settlements in so-called hinterlands. Threats to the power of the newly independent governments primarily arose from fellow government members and the military, or the urban population. Maintaining control, therefore, involved a number of strategies.”


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Naked MEP leaps from window after ‘all-male orgy’ bust

A leading member of Hungary ’ s ruling right-wing Fidesz party has resigned as an MEP after being busted in a police raid on what he has described as a “ private party ” in Brussels - along with 24 naked men .
Jozsef Szajer has provided no other details about the get-together , which has been called a “ house party violating lockdown rules ” by the BBC , a “ sex party ” by The Guardian , and an “ all-male orgy in the heart of the city ’ s gay-bar district ” by The New York Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repressive anti-gay legislation under the leadership of Viktor Orban - is said to have jumped from a window and shinned down a drainpipe after police arrived to investigate an alleged breach of Belgium ’ s Covid-19 curfew .
The cops reportedly found “ 25 naked men , including an MEP and a number of diplomats ” , says Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham .
Prosecutors “ said in a statement that a passer-by saw a man ‘ fleeing along the gutter ’ with bloody hands ” as the raid unfolded on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After being apprehended , “ narcotics were found in his backpack ” , the statement continued , but the man was “ unable to produce any identity documents ” .
According to the prosecutor , police subsequently escorted the man “ to his place of residence , where he identified himself as S J ( 1961 ) by means of a diplomatic passport ” .
Szajer , whose wife is a justice on Hungary ’ s Constitutional Court , has denied using drugs , saying : “ Police said an ecstasy pill was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I don ’ t know who placed it and how.
” Despite his denials , his resignation will be “ a serious blow for Fidesz , which has governed Hungary for the past decade ” , says the BBC .
The party “ has cast itself increasingly as a defender of conservative Christian values and has used anti-gay rhetoric at home in Hungary ” , adds The New York Times .
Szajer ’ s contrition appears limited , however .
“ I am sorry that I have broken the rules of gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This was irresponsible on my part , and I will take the sanctions that come with it .
”

A leading member of Hungary’s ruling right-wing Fidesz party has resigned as an MEP after being busted in a police raid on what he has described as a “private party” in Brussels - along with 24 naked men.
Jozsef Szajer has provided no other details about the get-together, which has been called a “house party violating lockdown rules” by the BBC, a “sex party” by The Guardian, and an “all-male orgy in the heart of the city’s gay-bar district” by The New York Times.
Szajer - whose party has enacted repressive anti-gay legislation under the leadership of Viktor Orban - is said to have jumped from a window and shinned down a drainpipe after police arrived to investigate an alleged breach of Belgium’s Covid-19 curfew. The cops reportedly found “25 naked men, including an MEP and a number of diplomats”, says Politico London Playbook’s Alex Wickham.
Prosecutors “said in a statement that a passer-by saw a man ‘fleeing along the gutter’ with bloody hands” as the raid unfolded on Friday night, The Times reports. After being apprehended, “narcotics were found in his backpack”, the statement continued, but the man was “unable to produce any identity documents”.
According to the prosecutor, police subsequently escorted the man “to his place of residence, where he identified himself as S J (1961) by means of a diplomatic passport”.
Szajer, whose wife is a justice on Hungary’s Constitutional Court, has denied using drugs, saying: “Police said an ecstasy pill was found. It’s not mine, I don’t know who placed it and how.”
Despite his denials, his resignation will be “a serious blow for Fidesz, which has governed Hungary for the past decade”, says the BBC. The party “has cast itself increasingly as a defender of conservative Christian values and has used anti-gay rhetoric at home in Hungary”, adds The New York Times.
Szajer’s contrition appears limited, however. “I am sorry that I have broken the rules of gatherings,” he said yesterday. “This was irresponsible on my part, and I will take the sanctions that come with it.”


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Coronavirus: four things we learned from the leaked Wuhan Covid-19 files

Leaked documents outlining China ’ s emergency response to the Covid-19 outbreak have laid bare failures in the early efforts to contain the virus - and lies about the number of lives lost .
The “ Wuhan Files ” are the “ most significant leak from inside China since the beginning of the pandemic ” , providing “ the first clear window into what local authorities knew internally and when ” , CNN reports .
The documents “ reveal numerous inconsistencies in what authorities believed to be happening and what was revealed to the public ” , adds the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ verified by “ six independent experts ” .
The documents show that the number of infections being reported to officials were not accurately communicated to international health officials .
Analysts believe “ this discrepancy was likely due to a combination of a highly dysfunctional reporting system and a recurrent instinct to suppress bad news ” , says CNN .
On 10 February , China officially confirmed a nationwide tally of 2,478 new Covid cases , as Reuters reported at the time .
However , the newly revealed files show that on this date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , Hubei province , reported 5,918 new cases .
The significant discrepancy will add to suspicions that China deliberately misled the World Health Organization ( WHO ) and wider international community as to the scale of the problem during the early days of the pandemic .
“ One of the more striking data points concerns the slowness with which local Covid-19 patients were diagnosed , ” CNN says .
A report in the Wuhan Files that dates from early March states that the average time between the onset of symptoms to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delay which “ experts have told CNN would have significantly hampered steps to both monitor and combat the disease ” .
A WHO directive released in late March warned that the availability of “ timely and accurate results ” was threatened when diagnosis can not take place during a “ 24- to 48-hour ” window .
The leaked files also reveal that “ Hubei was dealing with a significant influenza outbreak ” when the Covid pandemic began , CNN reports .
The flu crisis - which still has not been made public - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the level recorded the previous year… placing enormous levels of additional stress on an already stretched health care system ” , the broadcaster continues .
“ It remains unclear what impact or connection the influenza spike had on the Covid-19 outbreak.
” But the flu epidemic affected Wuhan and also the neighbouring cities Yichang and Xianning , all of which were hit hard by Covid too .
The lack of transparency exposed will put additional pressure on China to cooperate with a WHO fact-finding mission to identify the origin of the coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives worldwide , according to latest figures .
“ A lack of preparedness is reflected throughout the documents , sections of which are highly critical in their internal assessment of the government ’ s support for the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) operations in Hubei , ” says CNN .
Audits conducted of the facilities and staff at Hubei CDC found the centre to be “ underfunded , lacking the right testing equipment , and with unmotivated staff who were often felt ignored in China ’ s vast bureaucracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China ’ s apparent preparedness for the outbreak , having previously battled the Sars virus in 2003 .
The internal documents reveal a very different story , however .

Leaked documents outlining China’s emergency response to the Covid-19 outbreak have laid bare failures in the early efforts to contain the virus - and lies about the number of lives lost.
The “Wuhan Files” are the “most significant leak from inside China since the beginning of the pandemic”, providing “the first clear window into what local authorities knew internally and when”, CNN reports.
The documents “reveal numerous inconsistencies in what authorities believed to be happening and what was revealed to the public”, adds the US broadcaster, which has had the files verified by “six independent experts”.
Suppressed severity
The documents show that the number of infections being reported to officials were not accurately communicated to international health officials. Analysts believe “this discrepancy was likely due to a combination of a highly dysfunctional reporting system and a recurrent instinct to suppress bad news”, says CNN.
On 10 February, China officially confirmed a nationwide tally of 2,478 new Covid cases, as Reuters reported at the time. However, the newly revealed files show that on this date, officials in the epicentre of the outbreak, Hubei province, reported 5,918 new cases.
The significant discrepancy will add to suspicions that China deliberately misled the World Health Organization (WHO) and wider international community as to the scale of the problem during the early days of the pandemic.
Testing failures
“One of the more striking data points concerns the slowness with which local Covid-19 patients were diagnosed,” CNN says. A report in the Wuhan Files that dates from early March states that the average time between the onset of symptoms to a confirmed diagnosis was 23.3 days - a delay which “experts have told CNN would have significantly hampered steps to both monitor and combat the disease”.
A WHO directive released in late March warned that the availability of “timely and accurate results” was threatened when diagnosis cannot take place during a “24- to 48-hour” window.
Second viral outbreak
The leaked files also reveal that “Hubei was dealing with a significant influenza outbreak” when the Covid pandemic began, CNN reports.
The flu crisis - which still has not been made public - saw cases “rise to 20 times the level recorded the previous year… placing enormous levels of additional stress on an already stretched health care system”, the broadcaster continues.
“It remains unclear what impact or connection the influenza spike had on the Covid-19 outbreak.” But the flu epidemic affected Wuhan and also the neighbouring cities Yichang and Xianning, all of which were hit hard by Covid too.
The lack of transparency exposed will put additional pressure on China to cooperate with a WHO fact-finding mission to identify the origin of the coronavirus, which has now claimed almost 1.5 million lives worldwide, according to latest figures.
Bureaucratic breakdown
“A lack of preparedness is reflected throughout the documents, sections of which are highly critical in their internal assessment of the government’s support for the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) operations in Hubei,” says CNN.
Audits conducted of the facilities and staff at Hubei CDC found the centre to be “underfunded, lacking the right testing equipment, and with unmotivated staff who were often felt ignored in China’s vast bureaucracy”.
Beijing has repeatedly pointed to China’s apparent preparedness for the outbreak, having previously battled the Sars virus in 2003.
The internal documents reveal a very different story, however.


theweekuk--2020-12-02--F1: Mick Schumacher joins Nikita Mazepin in all-new driver line-up at Haas

Mick Schumacher admits he was “ simply speechless ” after getting the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver .
The son of seven-time champion Michael will drive for Haas in 2021 , joining Nikita Mazepin in an all-new line-up .
The rookies replace Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen at the American team .
German Schumacher is currently top of the drivers ’ standings in Formula 2 with a 14-point lead after 11 rounds .
Russian racer Mazepin sits third in the F2 table .
The 22-year-old Schumacher , who was appointed to the Ferrari Driver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I ’ m simply speechless .
“ I would like to thank Haas F1 Team , Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me .
I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents - I know that I owe them everything .
I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1 .
“ A huge thank you must also go to all the great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me throughout my career .
I will give it my all , as I always do , and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.
” Haas team principal Guenther Steiner added : “ I firmly believe he ’ s earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances .
We have an opportunity ahead of us , as a team , to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our race package heading into 2021 .
“ We are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the continued long-term growth of the team and I look forward to Mick ’ s contributions both on and off the track in that process.
” Russell to drive for Mercedes at Sakhir GP Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend ’ s F1 Sakhir Grand Prix after the Mercedes driver tested positive for Covid-19 .
With Hamilton absent , Mercedes have announced that George Russell will drive for the team in Bahrain after being released from Williams .
Russell becomes just the fifth driver to race for Mercedes since 2010 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mercedes-Benz in F1 after Sir Stirling Moss and Hamilton .
Russell , a member of the Mercedes-Benz Junior Programme since 2017 , said : “ I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend , but I ’ m a Williams driver and I ’ ll be cheering my team on every step of the way .
“ I see this as a great chance to learn from the best outfit on the grid right now and to come back as an improved driver , with even more energy and experience to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me .
Obviously , nobody can replace Lewis , but I ’ ll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car .
Most importantly , I wish him a speedy recovery.
” Williams Racing have confirmed that Jack Aitken will replace Russell and race alongside Nicholas Latifi at the Sakhir GP .

Mick Schumacher admits he was “simply speechless” after getting the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming a Formula 1 driver.
German Schumacher is currently top of the drivers’ standings in Formula 2 with a 14-point lead after 11 rounds. Russian racer Mazepin sits third in the F2 table.
The 22-year-old Schumacher, who was appointed to the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2019, said: “The prospect of being on the Formula 1 grid next year makes me incredibly happy and I’m simply speechless.
“I would like to thank Haas F1 Team, Scuderia Ferrari and the Ferrari Driver Academy for placing their trust in me. I also want to acknowledge and extend my love to my parents - I know that I owe them everything. I have always believed that I would realise my dream of Formula 1.
“A huge thank you must also go to all the great motorsport fans out there who have supported me throughout my career. I will give it my all, as I always do, and I look forward to going on this journey together with Haas F1 and them.”
Haas team principal Guenther Steiner added: “I firmly believe he’s earned the opportunity to graduate into Formula 1 based on his performances. We have an opportunity ahead of us, as a team, to evaluate and nurture a new driver given our familiarity with our race package heading into 2021.
Russell to drive for Mercedes at Sakhir GP
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton will miss this weekend’s F1 Sakhir Grand Prix after the Mercedes driver tested positive for Covid-19.
With Hamilton absent, Mercedes have announced that George Russell will drive for the team in Bahrain after being released from Williams. Russell becomes just the fifth driver to race for Mercedes since 2010, and the third Briton to represent Mercedes-Benz in F1 after Sir Stirling Moss and Hamilton.
Russell, a member of the Mercedes-Benz Junior Programme since 2017, said: “I might be wearing a different race suit this weekend, but I’m a Williams driver and I’ll be cheering my team on every step of the way.
“I see this as a great chance to learn from the best outfit on the grid right now and to come back as an improved driver, with even more energy and experience to help push Williams further up the grid.
“A big thank you also to Mercedes for putting their faith in me. Obviously, nobody can replace Lewis, but I’ll give my all for the team in his absence from the moment I step in the car. Most importantly, I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Williams Racing have confirmed that Jack Aitken will replace Russell and race alongside Nicholas Latifi at the Sakhir GP.


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Can Boris Johnson recover from wounds of Tory Covid rebellion?

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Boris Johnson suffered the biggest backbench revolt of his leadership last night, when more than 50 Tory MPs voted against the prime minister’s post-lockdown tier system.
With the Keir Starmer whipping Labour to abstain on the vote, there was “no hiding the haemorrhaging taking place on the Tory benches” as the three-tier system was signed off by a margin of 291 to 78, The Telegraph reports.
While Johnson has got his tier scheme over the line, the size of the Conservative rebellion “demonstrates that the prime minister has a job on his hands to maintain support for the regional restrictions”, Sky News adds.
Jeers for tiers
The tier system came into force for England at 00:01 GMT on Wednesday after the Commons backed the plan. But the “nay” voters included 55 Tories, along with all eight DUP MPs, two independents, including Jeremy Corbyn, and 15 Labour MPs who defied the whip.
And although the abstention of the majority of Labour’s MPs “guaranteed No. 10 victory” despite the Tory revolt, it also left Johnson “exposed to the anger of his own benches”, the Daily Mail says.
Sky News’ chief political correspondent Jon Craig reported that MPs in the chamber had told him Johnson was keenly aware of the damage a significant rebellion would cause. The PM was said to have stood at the door of the “aye” lobby “begging” his MPs to vote with the government.
Walking wounded
Johnson’s hefty 80-seat majority should theoretically have given him “the kind of comfortable cushion in the Commons that no prime minister had had since the days of Tony Blair”, writes the BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg. Yet events have “hardly gone according to plan”.
The rebellion comes amid growing “suspicions that MPs are not only being taken for fools by Downing Street but also actively undermined”, The Telegraph reports.
Johnson’s decision to back the tiered post-lockdown plan “reinforced the widely-held notion that the PM has been taken prisoner by Sage scientists at the expense of the livelihoods of those who propelled him to power” almost a year ago, the paper adds.
Johnson has already been hit by a series of backbench rebellions, although the latest stand-off is the most damaging by some margin.
Just last month, he faced down a significant revolt over the implementation of a second nationwide lockdown, with 42 Tory MPs voting against a curfew on pubs. The PM also suffered a smaller revolt in September over his controversial Internal Market Bill, with two Tory MPs voting against and a further 30 abstaining.
Trouble ahead
While “no one in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast could claim that handling coronavirus is easy”, last night’s rebellion was a “strong signal that we cannot carry on like this”, says Keunssberg.
A senior Conservative reportedly told her that “the mood is toxic” in the party - fuelling claims that “relations between the backbenches and Downing Street are getting worse, not better”, Keunssberg adds.
The Covid tiers vote was meant to be the start of a reboot of Johnson’s premiership following the departure of controversial senior adviser Dominic Cummings and No. 10 communications director Lee Cain.
But as Christmas approaches, the immediate outlook “appears to offer little cheer” for the PM, says The Telegraph.
The scale of the Tory uprising is a “clear warning that the prime minister’s authority has been badly damaged”, agrees Bloomberg. And “it may also be a sign that four years of Brexit turmoil have left British politics permanently scarred”.


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Total ban on imports of rubbish to China piles pressure on Asian neighbours

China is halting all waste imports from overseas to its shores from next month , in a move expected to see foreign countries instead dumping tonnes of rubbish on poorer Asian nations .
Beijing has confirmed that as of 1 January , China will no longer accept “ waste plastic , scrap paper , textiles and some other products ” , ending exemptions to a partial ban enacted in 2017 , The Times reports .
The policy is part of an effort to “ reduce pollution and encourage recyclers to treat the country ’ s own huge volumes of domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Since the 1980s , China has accepted vast quantities of waste products from foreign nations , with the US , Japan and Germany among the biggest exporters .
Indeed , China has been the “ world ’ s largest importer of rubbish ” for years , France 24 reports .
Some of this waste has been cleaned , crushed and developed into raw materials for the Asian superpower ’ s exploding industrialist industry .
But the vast amounts of rubbish deposited on Chinese shores has “ often lead to pollution when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of properly ” , the news site continues .
Fed up with being “ the world ’ s rubbish bin ” , the government began to “ close China ’ s doors to foreign waste ” in January 2018 .
Three years later , Beijing is poised to implement a total ban on dumping , storage and disposal of waste products from overseas on Chinese territory .
The importation of recycled materials processed outside China will still be permitted , however , “ so that manufacturers still have access to resources ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solid waste imports have already decreased significantly as a result of the reduction policy .
The country imported 13.48 million tonnes of junk last year - a 40 % decrease on 2018 .
Most of the surplus junk is going to countries in southeast Asia , “ where many of the recycling facilities are owned by Chinese companies ” , the paper reports .
And following the implementation of the total ban , the flow of rubbish is expected to intensify to poorer nations within China ’ s immediate orbit , including India @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thailand , Indonesia and the Philippines .

China is halting all waste imports from overseas to its shores from next month, in a move expected to see foreign countries instead dumping tonnes of rubbish on poorer Asian nations.
Beijing has confirmed that as of 1 January, China will no longer accept “waste plastic, scrap paper, textiles and some other products”, ending exemptions to a partial ban enacted in 2017, The Times reports.
Since the 1980s, China has accepted vast quantities of waste products from foreign nations, with the US, Japan and Germany among the biggest exporters.
Indeed, China has been the “world’s largest importer of rubbish” for years, France 24 reports. Some of this waste has been cleaned, crushed and developed into raw materials for the Asian superpower’s exploding industrialist industry.
But the vast amounts of rubbish deposited on Chinese shores has “often lead to pollution when the materials cannot be recycled or disposed of properly”, the news site continues. Fed up with being “the world’s rubbish bin”, the government began to “close China’s doors to foreign waste” in January 2018.
Three years later, Beijing is poised to implement a total ban on dumping, storage and disposal of waste products from overseas on Chinese territory. The importation of recycled materials processed outside China will still be permitted, however, “so that manufacturers still have access to resources”, says The Times.
China’s solid waste imports have already decreased significantly as a result of the reduction policy. The country imported 13.48 million tonnes of junk last year - a 40% decrease on 2018.
Most of the surplus junk is going to countries in southeast Asia, “where many of the recycling facilities are owned by Chinese companies”, the paper reports.
And following the implementation of the total ban, the flow of rubbish is expected to intensify to poorer nations within China’s immediate orbit, including India, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Debenhams ‘fire sale’ sparks online shopping frenzy

The Debenhams website has been overwhelmed by customers rushing to bag pre-Christmas bargains following the collapse of the department store chain .
In what Sky News describes as a “ horror week for UK retail ” , hopes of a last-ditch deal to rescue the 242-year-old firm evaporated yesterday when the last remaining bidder , JD Sports , withdrew its offer just hours after retail rival Arcadia went into administration .
Following the collapse of the talks , Debenhams - which had been in administration since April - has launched “ a 70 % off pre-Christmas clearance in what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale across its remaining 124 stores ” , says the Daily Mirror .
Shoppers eager to make the most of the discounts have flocked to the chain ’ s website , forcing the retailer to implement a queuing system due to “ exceptional demand ” .
And according to the newspaper , the number of bargain hunters stuck in that “ virtual queue ” reached more than a million yesterday .
“ We have been seeing unprecedented levels of visits , ” a Debenhams spokesperson confirmed .
Social media users also provided updates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one tweeting : “ Figured I might as well go on the Debenhams website for the first time in ten years , and I ’ m 310,657 in the queue.
” Shoppers are snapping up discounted buys at Debenhams stores too , which like other UK retailers reopened today following the end of the four-week lockdown .
Dubbed “ Wild Wednesday ” , today “ is set to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year as retailers return from lockdown with new 24-hour trading times in a bid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day as a result of Covid-19 restrictions ” , says the Daily Mirror .

The Debenhams website has been overwhelmed by customers rushing to bag pre-Christmas bargains following the collapse of the department store chain.
In what Sky News describes as a “horror week for UK retail”, hopes of a last-ditch deal to rescue the 242-year-old firm evaporated yesterday when the last remaining bidder, JD Sports, withdrew its offer just hours after retail rival Arcadia went into administration.
Following the collapse of the talks, Debenhams - which had been in administration since April - has launched “a 70% off pre-Christmas clearance in what’s expected to be the last ever sale across its remaining 124 stores”, says the Daily Mirror.
Shoppers eager to make the most of the discounts have flocked to the chain’s website, forcing the retailer to implement a queuing system due to “exceptional demand”.
And according to the newspaper, the number of bargain hunters stuck in that “virtual queue” reached more than a million yesterday.
ITV News just mentioned Debenhams is planning to hold a fire sale tomorrow to sell off its stock so I went to check the website and... pic.twitter.com/6wWKDWM8zq — Nicola Oakley (@nicolajoakley) December 1, 2020
“We have been seeing unprecedented levels of visits,” a Debenhams spokesperson confirmed.
Social media users also provided updates after joining the line on the site, with one tweeting: “Figured I might as well go on the Debenhams website for the first time in ten years, and I’m 310,657 in the queue.”
Shoppers are snapping up discounted buys at Debenhams stores too, which like other UK retailers reopened today following the end of the four-week lockdown.
Dubbed “Wild Wednesday”, today “is set to be one of the busiest shopping days of the year as retailers return from lockdown with new 24-hour trading times in a bid to claw back the £900m lost a day as a result of Covid-19 restrictions”, says the Daily Mirror.


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Michel Barnier facing EU scrutiny over Brexit deal compromises

Michel Barnier is being quizzed by EU leaders over concerns that the negotiator is planning to concede too much to the UK in the final days of Brexit negotiations .
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday said that his country “ will not accept an agreement that does not respect our long-term interests ” , as a French diplomat told the Financial Times that the EU27 are becoming “ nervous ” over the terms of the potential trade deal .
EU leaders were pushing Barnier “ to include them before agreeing to anything ” , the unnamed diplomat said , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and competition conditions for business .
Another EU diplomat told The Guardian that while the bloc has faith in Barnier ’ s abilities as a negotiator , anxiety was sparked last week when he told ambassadors of his “ flexibility ” over some aspects of customs and border controls .
Barnier is currently in London but is briefing Brussels via video link this morning .
He “ will be asked to relay the message to the Commission that the member states would like to have prior scrutiny of a possible agreement before closing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding : “ Being in the dark makes people nervous.
” Today ’ s meeting was called after the EU was urged by key member states to “ hold firm to their red lines in the endgame of trade negotiations ” , The Telegraph reports .
Another unnamed EU diplomat told the paper that the European Commission received a “ serious warning ” from Macron that concessions on key negotiating lines “ risked dividing member states ” .
Speaking at a press conference in Paris yesterday alongside Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were “ among the most impacted ” by Brexit .
The French leader added : “ We will be particularly vigilant about the conditions of fair competition , today and for the long term , and the question of fish .
”

Michel Barnier is being quizzed by EU leaders over concerns that the negotiator is planning to concede too much to the UK in the final days of Brexit negotiations.
French President Emmanuel Macron yesterday said that his country “will not accept an agreement that does not respect our long-term interests”, as a French diplomat told the Financial Times that the EU27 are becoming “nervous” over the terms of the potential trade deal.
EU leaders were pushing Barnier “to include them before agreeing to anything”, the unnamed diplomat said, as negotiators continued to wrangle over fishing rights and competition conditions for business.
Another EU diplomat told The Guardian that while the bloc has faith in Barnier’s abilities as a negotiator, anxiety was sparked last week when he told ambassadors of his “flexibility” over some aspects of customs and border controls.
Barnier is currently in London but is briefing Brussels via video link this morning. He “will be asked to relay the message to the Commission that the member states would like to have prior scrutiny of a possible agreement before closing it”, the insider said, adding: “Being in the dark makes people nervous.”
Today’s meeting was called after the EU was urged by key member states to “hold firm to their red lines in the endgame of trade negotiations”, The Telegraph reports.
Another unnamed EU diplomat told the paper that the European Commission received a “serious warning” from Macron that concessions on key negotiating lines “risked dividing member states”.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris yesterday alongside Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Macron said that their two countries were “among the most impacted” by Brexit.
The French leader added: “We will be particularly vigilant about the conditions of fair competition, today and for the long term, and the question of fish.”


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 2 Dec 2020

The Army and the NHS have begun urgent preparations for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine within the next few @ @ @ @ @ Daily Telegraph report published before this morning ’ s confirmation that the Pfizer injection has @ @ @ @ @ the UK .
A major hospital trust in London expects Britain ’ s first coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ early as Monday after NHS bosses appealed for volunteers to administer the jab from 7am @ @ @ @ @ source said : “ If one vaccine is found to be safe and effective , @ @ @ @ @ .
”

Jabs could start on Monday as Pfizer wins UK approval
The Army and the NHS have begun urgent preparations for the distribution of a coronavirus vaccine within the next few days, according to a Daily Telegraph report published before this morning’s confirmation that the Pfizer injection has been approved for use in the UK. A major hospital trust in London expects Britain’s first coronavirus vaccinations to take place as early as Monday after NHS bosses appealed for volunteers to administer the jab from 7am that day. A government source said: “If one vaccine is found to be safe and effective, we can move ahead quickly.”