theweekuk--2020-06-29--Russia denies radiation increase is linked to its nuclear plants

Russia has denied claims that an increase in radiation over northern Europe is the result of a leak at one of its power stations .
Nuclear watchdogs in Finland , Norway and Sweden last week reported “ higher-than-usual ” quantities of radioactive isotopes in the atmosphere across Scandinavia and in some Arctic regions , the BBC says .
Dutch researchers who analysed data from their Nordic neighbours said that the radiation appeared to originate “ from the direction of western Russia ” and could indicate “ damage to a fuel element ” .
But Russian nuclear power operator Rosenergoatom insists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power plants in the country ’ s northwest .
Russian news agency Tass quoted a Rosenergoatom spokesperson who said that both plants - one near St Petersburg , and the other near the port city of Murmansk - were “ working in normal regime ” .
Radiation levels around the two power stations “ have remained unchanged in June ” , the spokesperson added .
The denial came after Lassina Zerbo , executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization ( CTBTO ) , tweeted on Friday that its Stockholm monitoring station had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Ru-103 - at higher than usual levels .
“ These isotopes are most likely from a civil source , ” he added .
The Independent reports that “ the low levels and particular isotopes detected in Scandinavia are not harmful either to humans or the environment ” .
All the same , Deutsche Welle ( DW ) notes that painful “ memories remain of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster ” .
The explosion of the fourth reactor at a Soviet plant north of Ukraine ’ s capital Kyiv “ polluted swathes of Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Soviet emergency personnel ” , many of whom suffered fatal long-term illness as a result of radiation explosure , says the German newspaper .
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Russia has denied claims that an increase in radiation over northern Europe is the result of a leak at one of its power stations.
Nuclear watchdogs in Finland, Norway and Sweden last week reported “higher-than-usual” quantities of radioactive isotopes in the atmosphere across Scandinavia and in some Arctic regions, the BBC says.
Dutch researchers who analysed data from their Nordic neighbours said that the radiation appeared to originate “from the direction of western Russia” and could indicate “damage to a fuel element”.
But Russian nuclear power operator Rosenergoatom insists there are no problems at its two power plants in the country’s northwest.
Russian news agency Tass quoted a Rosenergoatom spokesperson who said that both plants - one near St Petersburg, and the other near the port city of Murmansk - were “working in normal regime”.
Radiation levels around the two power stations “have remained unchanged in June”, the spokesperson added.
The denial came after Lassina Zerbo, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), tweeted on Friday that its Stockholm monitoring station had detected three isotopes - Cs-134, Cs-137 and Ru-103 - at higher than usual levels.
“These isotopes are most likely from a civil source,” he added.
22 /23 June 2020, RN #IMS station SEP63 #Sweden🇸🇪 detected 3isotopes; Cs-134, Cs-137 & Ru-103 associated w/Nuclear fission @ higher[ ] than usual levels (but not harmful for human health). The possible source region in the 72h preceding detection is shown in orange on the map. pic.twitter.com/ZeGsJa21TN — Lassina Zerbo (@SinaZerbo) June 26, 2020
The Independent reports that “the low levels and particular isotopes detected in Scandinavia are not harmful either to humans or the environment”.
All the same, Deutsche Welle (DW) notes that painful “memories remain of the 1986 Chernobyl disaster”.
The explosion of the fourth reactor at a Soviet plant north of Ukraine’s capital Kyiv “polluted swathes of Europe and prompted control attempts by thousands of Soviet emergency personnel”, many of whom suffered fatal long-term illness as a result of radiation explosure, says the German newspaper.
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theweekuk--2020-06-29--Explained: UK facing diplomatic backlash over ‘air bridge’ plans

The Portuguese government has criticised plans to exclude the popular holiday destination from the UK ’ s proposed “ air bridge ” scheme .
Calling for his country to be exempted from the mandatory 14-day quarantine for new arrivals to the UK , Home Affairs Minister Eduardo Cabrita said that Portugal was “ manifestly not where the risk is ” and that anyone who thinks otherwise should “ just compare the data ” .
“ Portugal has better public health indicators and better pandemic response indicators than the United Kingdom , ” he added .
Cabrita ’ s comments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downing Street prepares “ to announce up to 50 countries on Wednesday to which holidaymakers can fly from July 6 ” without being required to self-isolate on their return , The Telegraph reports .
Portugal is “ understood to be two of the nations in Europe currently judged by the UK ’ s Joint Biosecurity Centre to be potential ‘ red category ’ ” , along with Sweden , the newspaper adds .
“ While overall cases have remained relatively low in Portugal compared to its neighbour Spain - a comparison of 41,646 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s cases are still a cause for concern , ” says The Sun .
Portugal is currently battling to contain an outbreak of coronavirus in and around Lisbon that has led the authorities to re-impose a local lockdown in 19 neighbourhoods .
However , Portuguese health officials claim the outbreak is limited to poorer parts of the capital that rarely attract tourists .
And Francisco Calheiros , president of the Portuguese Tourism Confederation , has pointed out that popular holiday hotspots such as the Algarve have low infection rates .
“ Algarve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is with a low expression , so I could not believe [ reports of Portugal ’ s possible exclusion ] , ” Calheiros told The Telegraph .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The dispute comes as Scottish government sources told The Times that quarantine restrictions might be imposed on English holidaymakers if coronavirus infections begin to climb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland from overseas must currently enter quarantine for 14 days or face a £480 fine , and a Scottish government source “ said that if Covid-19 cases rise , ministers are considering an option to apply the same rules to visitors from England ” , the newspaper reports .

The Portuguese government has criticised plans to exclude the popular holiday destination from the UK’s proposed “air bridge” scheme.
Calling for his country to be exempted from the mandatory 14-day quarantine for new arrivals to the UK, Home Affairs Minister Eduardo Cabrita said that Portugal was “manifestly not where the risk is” and that anyone who thinks otherwise should “just compare the data”.
“Portugal has better public health indicators and better pandemic response indicators than the United Kingdom,” he added.
Cabrita’s comments to Portuguese newspaper Diario de Noticia come as Downing Street prepares “to announce up to 50 countries on Wednesday to which holidaymakers can fly from July 6” without being required to self-isolate on their return, The Telegraph reports.
Portugal is “understood to be two of the nations in Europe currently judged by the UK’s Joint Biosecurity Centre to be potential ‘red category’”, along with Sweden, the newspaper adds.
“While overall cases have remained relatively low in Portugal compared to its neighbour Spain - a comparison of 41,646 to 295,850, respectively - the country’s cases are still a cause for concern,” says The Sun.
Portugal is currently battling to contain an outbreak of coronavirus in and around Lisbon that has led the authorities to re-impose a local lockdown in 19 neighbourhoods.
However, Portuguese health officials claim the outbreak is limited to poorer parts of the capital that rarely attract tourists.
And Francisco Calheiros, president of the Portuguese Tourism Confederation, has pointed out that popular holiday hotspots such as the Algarve have low infection rates.
“Algarve and Madeira are two places that Covid-19 is with a low expression, so I could not believe [reports of Portugal’s possible exclusion],” Calheiros told The Telegraph.
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The dispute comes as Scottish government sources told The Times that quarantine restrictions might be imposed on English holidaymakers if coronavirus infections begin to climb south of the border.
Anyone entering Scotland from overseas must currently enter quarantine for 14 days or face a £480 fine, and a Scottish government source “said that if Covid-19 cases rise, ministers are considering an option to apply the same rules to visitors from England”, the newspaper reports.


theweekuk--2020-06-29--Is a second wave of rave sparking new Covid outbreaks across Europe?

Police have arrested revellers at a series of illegal parties in London as health experts warn that similar illicit raves across Europe may trigger a surge in Covid-19 cases .
Seven people were arrested for offences including firearm and knife possession at “ unlicensed music events ” in Newham , Kensal Town and Maida Vale on Friday alone , says the BBC .
Police had been pelted with stones and other objects while trying to disperse a street party in Notting Hill on Thursday , and more than 20 officers were injured during clashes at an event in Brixton on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Europe have led to makeshift parties in streets , parks and households in lieu of nightclubs and bars .
In Paris , thousands gathered at the Canal Saint-Martin and Marais district last week for the annual Fete de la Musique , “ while in Berlin more than 100 officers broke up a demonstration that turned into a spontaneous , 3,000-person party earlier this month ” , The Guardian reports .
Police in the German capital have also warned of a spate of illicit raves in the city ’ s parks .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tightening of restrictions on several areas of Greater Lisbon following reports of parties attended by hundreds of people , The Telegraph says .
And in London , the Metropolitan Police were called to deal with further illegal gatherings over the weekend .
“ If it wasn ’ t for coronavirus and the killing of George Floyd , this wouldn ’ t have happened .
Coronavirus has got everyone depressed , ” Kensal Town resident Tanya Kabir told Sky News last week .
“ My mates went to the party to have a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of hand when the police arrived.
” Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the force had a “ duty ” to stop the “ illegal and reckless ” parties , adding : “ These events should not be happening.
” Even legal parties have caused problems in European countries where nightclubs have been given official permission to reopen .
In Switzerland , the authorities have ordered 300 people into quarantine after a “ superspreader ” was found to be at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak at a Zurich club , reports The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Could these parties spark new coronavirus outbreaks ?
Experts have warned of the potential infection risks posed by the so-called new wave of rave , as Covid-19 cases across Europe begin to creep back up .
On Thursday , the World Health Organization ( WHO ) said that around 30 European countries had reported surges in new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Announcing new social distancing restrictions in Lisbon last week after around 1,000 revellers descended on a beach party near the capital , Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa said : “ After doing everything right , we ’ re not going to ruin it now.
” Portugal was “ hailed as one of Europe ’ s success stories ” , but has reported hikes in Covid-19 infections in recent weeks .
The country now has “ a rate that ranks among the continent ’ s highest when it comes to new cases per 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elsewhere , the total number of cases in Germany had climbed by 37 % in the past week , while France has seen a 12 % rise in cases , according to the newspaper .
In Spain , health officials have been warning for weeks of the risks posed by social gatherings .
“ An outbreak brought on by a small , innocent party ... just one outbreak could be the start of a new , nationwide epidemic , ” epidemiologist Fernando Simon , who is heading the country ’ s response to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Simon spoke out after a cluster of cases in northeast Spain was linked to an illicit birthday party that saw four of the 20-odd attendees later testing positive for Covid-19 .
Days later , Spain fined Belgium ’ s Prince Joachim €10,400 ( £9,500 ) after the royal attended a party in the south of the country .
He subsequently tested positive for coronavirus .
The UK authorities are also ruling out parties for its citizens for the foreseeable future .
Government guidelines stress that even after the planned relaxation of lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should not gather indoors in groups of more than two households… [ or ] hold or attend celebrations ( such as parties ) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing ” .

Police have arrested revellers at a series of illegal parties in London as health experts warn that similar illicit raves across Europe may trigger a surge in Covid-19 cases.
Seven people were arrested for offences including firearm and knife possession at “unlicensed music events” in Newham, Kensal Town and Maida Vale on Friday alone, says the BBC.
Police had been pelted with stones and other objects while trying to disperse a street party in Notting Hill on Thursday, and more than 20 officers were injured during clashes at an event in Brixton on Wednesday.
Is rave culture back?
Months of lockdown and isolation across Europe have led to makeshift parties in streets, parks and households in lieu of nightclubs and bars.
In Paris, thousands gathered at the Canal Saint-Martin and Marais district last week for the annual Fete de la Musique, “while in Berlin more than 100 officers broke up a demonstration that turned into a spontaneous, 3,000-person party earlier this month”, The Guardian reports.
Police in the German capital have also warned of a spate of illicit raves in the city’s parks.
In Portugal, the government has announced a tightening of restrictions on several areas of Greater Lisbon following reports of parties attended by hundreds of people, The Telegraph says.
And in London, the Metropolitan Police were called to deal with further illegal gatherings over the weekend.
“If it wasn’t for coronavirus and the killing of George Floyd, this wouldn’t have happened. Coronavirus has got everyone depressed,” Kensal Town resident Tanya Kabir told Sky News last week. “My mates went to the party to have a good time, and it only got out of hand when the police arrived.”
Met Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said the force had a “duty” to stop the “illegal and reckless” parties, adding: “These events should not be happening.”
Even legal parties have caused problems in European countries where nightclubs have been given official permission to reopen. In Switzerland, the authorities have ordered 300 people into quarantine after a “superspreader” was found to be at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak at a Zurich club, reports The Independent.


theweekuk--2020-06-29--World reacts as global coronavirus deaths pass half a million

The global death toll from the global Covid-19 pandemic has passed 500,000 and more than ten million infections have been reported , according to latest figures .
Data from John Hopkins University shows that more than half of all the confirmed cases have been in the US and Europe , but the coronavirus crisis is “ rapidly growing in the Americas ” , the BBC says .
The outbreak “ is also affecting South Asia and Africa , where it is not expected to peak until the end of July ” , the broadcaster adds .
At the present “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4,700 people are losing their lives to coronavirus-linked illness every day - equivalent to 196 people per hour , or one person every 18 seconds , Reuters reports .
“ In just five months , the Covid-19 death toll has overtaken the number of people who die annually from malaria , ” says The New York Times ( NYT ) .
And “ while the overall death rate has flattened in recent weeks , health experts have expressed concerns about record numbers of new cases in countries including the US , India and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in parts of Asia ” , adds Sky News .
China has imposed a new lockdown on around 500,000 people in bid to curb a fresh outbreak near Beijing .
Meanwhile , India and Brazil have “ accounted for over a third of all new cases in the past week ” , and researchers have warned that the “ the death toll in Latin America could rise to over 380,000 by October ” , reports the South China Morning Post ( SCMP ) .
As the world passes the “ grim milestone ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US is also failing to contain the virus , and “ makes up approximately 25 % of the total fatalities ” , says USA Today .
Some experts predict the US death toll may hit nearly 180,000 by October , amid fears that “ the pandemic is still in its infancy ” .
“ The recent surge in cases has been most pronounced in a handful of Southern and Western states that reopened earlier and more aggressively , ” according to the NYT .
“ If the Northeast looks like Europe , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says the newspaper ’ s Paul Krugman .
Over in Australia , authorities in the state of Victoria have reported the “ highest daily jump in locally acquired Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began ” , with 75 people testing positive on Monday , The Guardian reports .
Officials say “ they expect numbers to get worse in coming days and are considering further lockdowns ” , the newspaper adds .
South Africa , which “ already has more than a third of the reported cases for all 54 countries in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spike in infections , Al Jazzera adds .
A total of 138,000 cases have beeen confirmed so far , with more than 4,300 people hospitalised , and Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has warned that these numbers are expected to rise significantly .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In Europe , authorities “ have been calling on people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and relaxations of lockdown rules see crowds flocking to beaches and other public spaces , Euronews reports .
Two districts in Germany ’ s most populous state , North Rhine-Westphalia , are back in lockdown following an outbreak at a meat-processing plant , while in the Balkans , Croatia has reimposed quarantine measures on new arrivals from Bosnia , Serbia , North Macedonia and Kosovo following a second wave of coronavirus in the region .
The World Health Organization has warned of a “ significant resurgence ” in Covid-19 cases in nearly a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Azerbaijan , Bosnia-Herzegovina , Kazakhstan , Kosovo , Kyrgyzstan , Moldova , North Macedonia , Sweden and Ukraine .
In a reminder that the UK has not defeated the virus either , Leicester looks set to become the first area forced into a local lockdown , after 658 new coronavirus cases were reported in the city in just two weeks , according to The Times .
Meanwhile , The Moscow Times says that the total number of cases in Russia has reached 641,156 , after 6,719 new infections were confirmed on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s one-day increases in new cases have fallen to their lowest levels since April ” , the paper adds .

The global death toll from the global Covid-19 pandemic has passed 500,000 and more than ten million infections have been reported, according to latest figures.
Data from John Hopkins University shows that more than half of all the confirmed cases have been in the US and Europe, but the coronavirus crisis is “rapidly growing in the Americas”, the BBC says. The outbreak “is also affecting South Asia and Africa, where it is not expected to peak until the end of July”, the broadcaster adds.
At the present “pace of death”, more than 4,700 people are losing their lives to coronavirus-linked illness every day - equivalent to 196 people per hour, or one person every 18 seconds, Reuters reports.
“In just five months, the Covid-19 death toll has overtaken the number of people who die annually from malaria,” says The New York Times (NYT).
And “while the overall death rate has flattened in recent weeks, health experts have expressed concerns about record numbers of new cases in countries including the US, India and Brazil, as well as new outbreaks in parts of Asia”, adds Sky News.
China has imposed a new lockdown on around 500,000 people in bid to curb a fresh outbreak near Beijing.
Meanwhile, India and Brazil have “accounted for over a third of all new cases in the past week”, and researchers have warned that the “the death toll in Latin America could rise to over 380,000 by October”, reports the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
As the world passes the “grim milestone” of half a million deaths, the US is also failing to contain the virus, and “makes up approximately 25% of the total fatalities”, says USA Today. Some experts predict the US death toll may hit nearly 180,000 by October, amid fears that “the pandemic is still in its infancy”.
“The recent surge in cases has been most pronounced in a handful of Southern and Western states that reopened earlier and more aggressively,” according to the NYT.
“If the Northeast looks like Europe, the South is starting to look like Brazil,” says the newspaper’s Paul Krugman.


theweekuk--2020-06-29--Who is Mark Sedwill and why is the top civil servant resigning?

The UK ’ s most senior civil servant has announced that he is to step down as both cabinet secretary and national security adviser in September .
In a letter to Boris Johnson , Mark Sedwill said it was the right time to depart as the government moves to the next phase of its coronavirus recovery plan .
The resignation follows reports of tensions between Sedwill and “ senior members ” of the prime minister ’ s team , with the FDA civil servants ’ union claiming that Downing Street has undermined the career diplomat in a “ cowardly ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardian says that Sedwill ’ s departure will be seen as a “ victory for Dominic Cummings ” , in particular , and for Cabinet Minister Michael Gove , who “ is pushing through a restructuring of government departments ” .
Sedwill has served as national security adviser to the PM since 2017 and took over as cabinet secretary following the sudden death of Jeremy Heywood in November 2018 .
As cabinet secretary , Sedwill has advised the PM on “ implementing policy and the conduct of government ” , the BBC says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak , he was also “ supposed to coordinate the work of permanent secretaries as they grappled with the lockdown , supplies of personal protective equipment , food supplies , prison releases and coronavirus tests ” , The Guardian adds .
Previously , Sedwill served as ambassador to Afghanistan , before working alongside Theresa May as the most senior civil servant in the Home Office .
Why is he resigning ?
Johnson plans to launch a “ controversial overhaul of the centre of power in the wake of the coronavirus crisis ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ wider shake-up of the civil service ” will be overseen by Cummings , the PM ’ s most senior aide .
Sedwill is known to have a tense relationship with Cummings and has “ fallen out with Johnson and his aides over the response to Covid-19 ” , The Guardian says .
Unnamed Downing Street sources told journalists in March that Sedwill had failed to get a grip on the coronavirus crisis .
However , Cabinet Office insiders told The Guardian that the claims were “ shit-stirring ” and “ absolute crap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depart Downing Street , BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says that “ there has never been any mystery ” about Cummings ’ desire to change Whitehall .
Sedwill ’ s departure is a major step towards achieving that aim , because “ the cabinet secretary is the boss of thousands and thousands of civil servants , and holds the ultimate responsibility for making the government machine works ” , Kuenssberg adds .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What happens next ?
The “ resignation has been met with anger from former mandarins and comes weeks after other senior civil servants have either left their posts or are set to depart ” , The Guardian says .
Lord Kerslake , a former head of the civil service , told the paper that Sedwill ’ s announcement “ followed unfair hostile briefings that attempted to blame civil servants for mistakes over coronavirus ” .
David Frost , Britain ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been named as the new national security adviser .
“ A Brexiter who is trusted by the Vote Leave officials in Downing Street ” , Frost ’ s appointment has been “ greeted with dismay by some in the military and security services , who felt he was underqualified for the job ” , the FT reports .
No .
10 said Sedwill “ would be replaced as cabinet secretary by another mandarin ” , the newspaper adds .

The UK’s most senior civil servant has announced that he is to step down as both cabinet secretary and national security adviser in September.
In a letter to Boris Johnson, Mark Sedwill said it was the right time to depart as the government moves to the next phase of its coronavirus recovery plan.
The resignation follows reports of tensions between Sedwill and “senior members” of the prime minister’s team, with the FDA civil servants’ union claiming that Downing Street has undermined the career diplomat in a “cowardly” way, the BBC reports.
The Guardian says that Sedwill’s departure will be seen as a “victory for Dominic Cummings”, in particular, and for Cabinet Minister Michael Gove, who “is pushing through a restructuring of government departments”.
Who is Mark Sedwill?
Sedwill has served as national security adviser to the PM since 2017 and took over as cabinet secretary following the sudden death of Jeremy Heywood in November 2018.
As cabinet secretary, Sedwill has advised the PM on “implementing policy and the conduct of government”, the BBC says.
In the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak, he was also “supposed to coordinate the work of permanent secretaries as they grappled with the lockdown, supplies of personal protective equipment, food supplies, prison releases and coronavirus tests”, The Guardian adds.
Previously, Sedwill served as ambassador to Afghanistan, before working alongside Theresa May as the most senior civil servant in the Home Office.
Why is he resigning?
Johnson plans to launch a “controversial overhaul of the centre of power in the wake of the coronavirus crisis”, the Financial Times says. And this “wider shake-up of the civil service” will be overseen by Cummings, the PM’s most senior aide.
Sedwill is known to have a tense relationship with Cummings and has “fallen out with Johnson and his aides over the response to Covid-19”, The Guardian says.
Unnamed Downing Street sources told journalists in March that Sedwill had failed to get a grip on the coronavirus crisis. However, Cabinet Office insiders told The Guardian that the claims were “shit-stirring” and “absolute crap”.
As Sedwill now prepares to depart Downing Street, BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg says that “there has never been any mystery” about Cummings’ desire to change Whitehall.
Sedwill’s departure is a major step towards achieving that aim, because “the cabinet secretary is the boss of thousands and thousands of civil servants, and holds the ultimate responsibility for making the government machine works”, Kuenssberg adds.
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What happens next?
The “resignation has been met with anger from former mandarins and comes weeks after other senior civil servants have either left their posts or are set to depart”, The Guardian says. Lord Kerslake, a former head of the civil service, told the paper that Sedwill’s announcement “followed unfair hostile briefings that attempted to blame civil servants for mistakes over coronavirus”.
David Frost, Britain’s chief EU trade negotiator, has been named as the new national security adviser. “A Brexiter who is trusted by the Vote Leave officials in Downing Street”, Frost’s appointment has been “greeted with dismay by some in the military and security services, who felt he was underqualified for the job”, the FT reports.
No. 10 said Sedwill “would be replaced as cabinet secretary by another mandarin”, the newspaper adds.


theweekuk--2020-06-29--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 29 Jun 2020

The spread of the new coronavirus has taken a “ swift and very dangerous turn ” in the US state @ @ @ @ @ Abbott has warned .
Over the past few weeks , the daily number of cases @ @ @ @ @ of about 2,000 , to more than 5,000 , he said .
Meanwhile , China @ @ @ @ @ Beijing , affecting around 400,000 people , after a surge in cases there .

Concern as Covid-19 cases surge in Texas and China
The spread of the new coronavirus has taken a “swift and very dangerous turn” in the US state of Texas, governor Greg Abbott has warned. Over the past few weeks, the daily number of cases have gone from an average of about 2,000, to more than 5,000, he said. Meanwhile, China has reinstated a lockdown near Beijing, affecting around 400,000 people, after a surge in cases there.


theweekuk--2020-06-29--Opinion divided as Costa launches Coca-Cola coffee

Costa Coffee has teamed up with fizzy drink giant Coca-Cola to create a range of cola-flavoured coffees .
The new hot drinks launched in China last month and a cold brew version will be released there within weeks .
Although it has yet to launch here , Brits are already commenting on it on social media .
“ How disgusting is that !
Coca-Cola is disgusting enough without making it ruin good coffee , ” said one .
But another said : “ That sounds crazy .
I 'm in.
” The people who have n't heard of Covid-19 Thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard of Covid-19 , says the United Nations .
Monitors for the UN migration agency quiz ask all arrivals a set of questions , including whether any in their party has had the coronavirus .
In the week ending June 20 , just over half — 51 % — of the 3,471 people tracked said they had never heard of it .
The terrible odour of durian fruit coming from a package at a German post office put six workers in hospital and caused 60 others to be evacuated .
Police and firefighters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears the package contained a dangerous gas or a harmful substance .
However , it turned out to be the south-east Asian fruit , which smells because of high levels of sulphates .
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Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Costa Coffee has teamed up with fizzy drink giant Coca-Cola to create a range of cola-flavoured coffees. The new hot drinks launched in China last month and a cold brew version will be released there within weeks. Although it has yet to launch here, Brits are already commenting on it on social media. “How disgusting is that! Coca-Cola is disgusting enough without making it ruin good coffee,” said one. But another said: “That sounds crazy. I'm in.”
The people who haven't heard of Covid-19
Thousands of migrants arriving in Somalia have never heard of Covid-19, says the United Nations. Monitors for the UN migration agency quiz ask all arrivals a set of questions, including whether any in their party has had the coronavirus. In the week ending June 20, just over half — 51% — of the 3,471 people tracked said they had never heard of it.
Durian fruit pong hospitalises postal workers
The terrible odour of durian fruit coming from a package at a German post office put six workers in hospital and caused 60 others to be evacuated. Police and firefighters were dispatched to Schweinfurt in Germany after fears the package contained a dangerous gas or a harmful substance. However, it turned out to be the south-east Asian fruit, which smells because of high levels of sulphates.
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theweekuk--2020-07-01--Uighurs: how China began a ‘cultural genocide’ as the West looked on

Rights campaigners are calling for a United Nations investigation into China ’ s treatment of the country ’ s Uighur Muslims , following reports of forced sterilisations of women .
Beijing has also been accused of overseeing oppressive surveillance , brutal internment camps and physical and psychological torture of ethnic Uighurs , but has denied any wrongdoing .
What is happening in China ?
In August 2018 , a UN committee heard that a million Muslims were being detained in camps in China ’ s western Xinjiang region .
The claim by human rights groups followed years of allegations about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ a complete surveillance state ” in which Uighurs are made to give DNA and biometric samples , the BBC reports .
And recent reports from the country suggest the persecution is worsening .
Uighur women are being fitted with intrauterine contraceptives against their will and coerced into undergoing sterilisation surgeries , according to a newly published study by China scholar Adrian Zenz , an independent contractor with the nonprofit Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington D.C .
The German academic says that analysis of official regional data and policy documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detainees , shows that ethic minority women have also been made to have injections that stop their periods or cause unusual bleeding consistent with the effects of birth-control drugs , reports The Guardian .
“ These findings raise serious concerns as to whether Beijing ’ s policies in Xinjiang represent , in fundamental respects , what might be characterised as a demographic campaign of genocide ” under UN definitions , says Zenz in his study report .
“ It ’ s genocide , full stop , ” Uighur expert Joanne Smith Finley of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not immediate , shocking , mass-killing on the spot type genocide , but it ’ s slow , painful , creeping genocide .
The World Uyghur Congress agrees that Zenz ’ s report highlights evidence of a “ genocidal element of the CCP ’ s [ Chinese Communist party ] policies ” and has called for international action to confront China .
China ’ s Foreign Ministry said the allegations were “ baseless ” and showed “ ulterior motives ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– How has the West responded ?
In July last year , UN ambassadors from 22 states – including Australia , the UK , Canada , France , Germany and Japan – co-signed a letter to Human Rights Council President Coly Seck and the High Commissioner for Human Rights , Michelle Bachelet , condemning China ’ s treatment of Uighurs and other minorities , as The Guardian reported at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rarely led to action .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was asked by Labour ’ s Emily Thornberry last September what representations he had made to his Chinese counterpart on the detention of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang .
“ We will continue to ensure that these concerns are expressed directly with Chinese authorities , ” said Raab - a response that left critics calling for more concrete commitments to tackle the problem .
But while the UK has reacted to China ’ s newly introduced security powers over Hong Kong by offering Hong Kongers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more has been done about the persecution of Uighurs .
Peers in the House of Lords last week tabled a cross-party amendment to the Telecommunications Infrastructure ( Leasehold Property ) Bill to create a human rights threshold for companies that want to supply equipment for the UK ’ s broadband infrastructure .
The amendment ’ s supporters argue that the interconnected nature of global digital supply chains means that allowing technology from Chinese firm Huawei to be used “ could implicate Britain in human rights abuses against Uighurs ” , reports The Telegraph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criticised for their failure to help protect the minority group .
“ European heads of government…have ‘ addressed ’ the persecution of the Uighurs during their recent visits to China , but only as a side note and among other issues , ” wrote Germany newspaper Der Speigel ’ s Bernhard Zand last year .
“ In contrast to the protest movement in Hong Kong , whose representatives have traveled the world to drum up attention for their demands , and in contrast to Tibet , whose plight is never completely ignored because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Uighurs have few prominent supporters abroad .
”

Rights campaigners are calling for a United Nations investigation into China’s treatment of the country’s Uighur Muslims, following reports of forced sterilisations of women.
Beijing has also been accused of overseeing oppressive surveillance, brutal internment camps and physical and psychological torture of ethnic Uighurs, but has denied any wrongdoing.
What is happening in China?
In August 2018, a UN committee heard that a million Muslims were being detained in camps in China’s western Xinjiang region.
The claim by human rights groups followed years of allegations about torture, entire families being disappeared, and “a complete surveillance state” in which Uighurs are made to give DNA and biometric samples, the BBC reports.
And recent reports from the country suggest the persecution is worsening.
Uighur women are being fitted with intrauterine contraceptives against their will and coerced into undergoing sterilisation surgeries, according to a newly published study by China scholar Adrian Zenz, an independent contractor with the nonprofit Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington D.C.
The German academic says that analysis of official regional data and policy documents, and interviews with former internment camp detainees, shows that ethic minority women have also been made to have injections that stop their periods or cause unusual bleeding consistent with the effects of birth-control drugs, reports The Guardian.
“These findings raise serious concerns as to whether Beijing’s policies in Xinjiang represent, in fundamental respects, what might be characterised as a demographic campaign of genocide” under UN definitions, says Zenz in his study report.
“It’s genocide, full stop,” Uighur expert Joanne Smith Finley of Newcastle University told The Diplomat. “It’s not immediate, shocking, mass-killing on the spot type genocide, but it’s slow, painful, creeping genocide.
The World Uyghur Congress agrees that Zenz’s report highlights evidence of a “genocidal element of the CCP’s [Chinese Communist party] policies” and has called for international action to confront China.
China’s Foreign Ministry said the allegations were “baseless” and showed “ulterior motives”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
How has the West responded?
In July last year, UN ambassadors from 22 states – including Australia, the UK, Canada, France, Germany and Japan – co-signed a letter to Human Rights Council President Coly Seck and the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, condemning China’s treatment of Uighurs and other minorities, as The Guardian reported at the time.


theweekuk--2020-07-01--Why Covid herd immunity could be ‘twice as high as first thought’

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theweekuk--2020-07-01--Instant Opinion: is Donald Trump’s re-election campaign ‘toast’?

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
“ According to some abstruse algorithm that The Economist regularly updates , he has only a one in 10 chance of winning the Electoral College and thus the presidency .
According to a historical averaging of election-year polls by the website FiveThirtyEight , Biden ’ s lead over Trump right now is the biggest at this stage of the contest since Bill Clinton ’ s over Bob Dole in 1996 , when Clinton won his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
To set himself on fire .
His gratuitously touted instincts are nowhere to be found , supplanted by self-defeating provocations , kamikaze tantrums and an itchy Twitter finger .
There ’ s a culture war for him to exploit , but instead of simply pillorying monument destroyers , he created his own living monuments : a white supremacist astride a golf cart in a Florida retirement community and a pistol-toting Karen shouting at peaceful Black protesters from the stoop of her St. Louis manse .
As a statement of values , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategy , it ’ s deranged.
” on the journey from leadership rival to de facto deputy “ ‘ Michael is the mystery cat , he hides behind the door , for he ’ s the silent minister , who can decide the law , he ’ s the bafflement of the lobby , the backbenchers ’ despair , for when they reach the scene of crime , the Govey ’ s never there.
’ It ’ s easy to think that Michael Gove has been sidelined as minister for the Cabinet Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man who stabbed Boris Johnson in the front in the 2016 Tory leadership contest sits at home eating Mrs Gove ’ s roast chicken and going on surreptitious runs while his daughter rules TikTok .
But it ’ s not true .
The double act has never been Boris and Dom , it ’ s Johnson and Gove .
He is the chief executive to the prime minister ’ s chairman .
He is also the link to Dominic Cummings , who was his adviser before he became Mr Johnson ’ s consiglieri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Tory cabinet minister says , ‘ Boris Johnson knows there is a Venn diagram of people who support Brexit and competent cabinet ministers and there ’ s only one person in the middle : Michael Gove.
’ ” on the dangers of ending lockdown Boris Johnson is gambling with shielders ’ lives by ending support on 1 August “ In the coming months , there is going to have to be an acknowledgment that there will be a number of ‘ extremely vulnerable ’ people who will feel the need to shield @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and for ministers to not cut these people off as if the problem is somehow over .
To protect your life in a pandemic is not silly or paranoid but a difficult personal choice based on anything from medical history and childcare to job security .
This is a time of incredible stress , where people already coping with disabilities and chronic illness are being asked to deal with the pressure of long-term isolation and daily decisions as to how to stay safe .
Johnson ’ s government has a duty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long as coronavirus is a threat .
No matter what ministers say , this is not over yet.
” on the prime minister ’ s promise of a 'Rooseveltian ' spending spree We have nothing to fear but the certainty of tax rises “ In repeating his opposition to austerity , the Prime Minister , whatever else he is doing , is therefore recognising the fiscal reality that you can not cut spending .
The corollary , which he also nodded towards , is that over time you therefore need to raise taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Prime Minister did not deny this - and , in fact , arguably went further by refusing to back the Conservative manifesto ’ s ‘ tax lock ’ under which we would have seen no rises in the main rates of Income Tax , VAT and National Insurance for the duration of the Parliament .
Instead , Boris Johnson simply said that he wanted to ensure the tax burden remained ‘ reasonable ’ - a much more elastic and relative measure .
However the Prime Minister tries to soften the blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would rather the Chancellor conveyed - remains that tax rises are inevitable.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 .
Cristina Ariza , extremism research analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change , in The Independent on the pandemic providing conditions for the far right to thrive The far right knows exactly how to capitalise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have we seen such a combination of what experts in extremism call “ push factors ” at play : rising unemployment ; fears over economic stability ; mental health issues ; personal loss ; divisive political rhetoric .
And worryingly , some of the key demographics of recruiters – including young people – will be on the receiving end of this .
It does not help that far-right groups have already framed this crisis as a side effect of globalisation , which might sound appealing to those who feel ‘ left behind ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not paint the far right as a winner , far right parties will nevertheless try to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the pandemic to demand border closures and crackdowns on immigration .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Frank Bruni in The New York Times
on whether the 2020 election is already over
Is Trump Toast?
“According to some abstruse algorithm that The Economist regularly updates, he has only a one in 10 chance of winning the Electoral College and thus the presidency. According to a historical averaging of election-year polls by the website FiveThirtyEight, Biden’s lead over Trump right now is the biggest at this stage of the contest since Bill Clinton’s over Bob Dole in 1996, when Clinton won his second term. Trump’s response? To set himself on fire. His gratuitously touted instincts are nowhere to be found, supplanted by self-defeating provocations, kamikaze tantrums and an itchy Twitter finger. There’s a culture war for him to exploit, but instead of simply pillorying monument destroyers, he created his own living monuments: a white supremacist astride a golf cart in a Florida retirement community and a pistol-toting Karen shouting at peaceful Black protesters from the stoop of her St. Louis manse. As a statement of values, it’s grotesque. As a re-election strategy, it’s deranged.”
2. Alice Thomson in The Times
on the journey from leadership rival to de facto deputy
Gove is chief executive to Johnson’s chairman
“‘Michael is the mystery cat, he hides behind the door, for he’s the silent minister, who can decide the law, he’s the bafflement of the lobby, the backbenchers’ despair, for when they reach the scene of crime, the Govey’s never there.’ It’s easy to think that Michael Gove has been sidelined as minister for the Cabinet Office. According to this view, the man who stabbed Boris Johnson in the front in the 2016 Tory leadership contest sits at home eating Mrs Gove’s roast chicken and going on surreptitious runs while his daughter rules TikTok. But it’s not true. The double act has never been Boris and Dom, it’s Johnson and Gove. He is the chief executive to the prime minister’s chairman. He is also the link to Dominic Cummings, who was his adviser before he became Mr Johnson’s consiglieri and right-hand man. As one senior former Tory cabinet minister says, ‘Boris Johnson knows there is a Venn diagram of people who support Brexit and competent cabinet ministers and there’s only one person in the middle: Michael Gove.’”
3. Frances Ryan in The Guardian
on the dangers of ending lockdown
Boris Johnson is gambling with shielders’ lives by ending support on 1 August
“In the coming months, there is going to have to be an acknowledgment that there will be a number of ‘extremely vulnerable’ people who will feel the need to shield past the government’s end date, and for ministers to not cut these people off as if the problem is somehow over. To protect your life in a pandemic is not silly or paranoid but a difficult personal choice based on anything from medical history and childcare to job security. This is a time of incredible stress, where people already coping with disabilities and chronic illness are being asked to deal with the pressure of long-term isolation and daily decisions as to how to stay safe. Johnson’s government has a duty to protect those at highest risk for as long as coronavirus is a threat. No matter what ministers say, this is not over yet.”
4. James Dowling in The Daily Telegraph
on the prime minister’s promise of a 'Rooseveltian' spending spree
We have nothing to fear but the certainty of tax rises
“In repeating his opposition to austerity, the Prime Minister, whatever else he is doing, is therefore recognising the fiscal reality that you cannot cut spending. The corollary, which he also nodded towards, is that over time you therefore need to raise taxes if you want to balance the books. The Prime Minister did not deny this - and, in fact, arguably went further by refusing to back the Conservative manifesto’s ‘tax lock’ under which we would have seen no rises in the main rates of Income Tax, VAT and National Insurance for the duration of the Parliament. Instead, Boris Johnson simply said that he wanted to ensure the tax burden remained ‘reasonable’ - a much more elastic and relative measure. However the Prime Minister tries to soften the blow, the reality - which presumably he would rather the Chancellor conveyed - remains that tax rises are inevitable.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5. Cristina Ariza, extremism research analyst at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, in The Independent
on the pandemic providing conditions for the far right to thrive
The far right knows exactly how to capitalise on a crisis like coronavirus
“Seldom have we seen such a combination of what experts in extremism call “push factors” at play: rising unemployment; fears over economic stability; mental health issues; personal loss; divisive political rhetoric. And worryingly, some of the key demographics of recruiters – including young people – will be on the receiving end of this. It does not help that far-right groups have already framed this crisis as a side effect of globalisation, which might sound appealing to those who feel ‘left behind’. While recent polls in Europe do not paint the far right as a winner, far right parties will nevertheless try to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the pandemic to demand border closures and crackdowns on immigration.”


theweekuk--2020-07-01--Prince Charles claims £1m from Cornish people who died without wills

Centuries-old rules have allowed Prince Charles to collect more than £1m of intestate wealth left by Cornish people in the past year , newly published accounts show .
Between April 2019 and the end of last year , the heir to the throne received a total of £868,000 from Cornwall residents who died without a will , or from dissolved but unclaimed companies , according to the latest Duchy of Cornwall revenues report .
A further £201,000 was collected between January and the end of the last financial year , in March - boosting the Prince ’ s total annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £22m .
Money from residents of Cornwall who die without leaving a will and who have no known surviving relatives goes to Charles thanks to “ laws that govern unclaimed assets – or ‘ bona vacantia ’ – dating back to the reign of King William IV ” , says The Telegraph .
Although unclaimed estates across most of England and Wales eventually become the property of the Crown , “ Prince Charles , as Duke of Cornwall , retains some of this money in order to pass it back to any previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to claim their inheritance ” , the newspaper explains .
“ However , all of the money generated from unclaimed estates is ultimately passed onto a benevolent endowment fund , which invests and grows the money , which is then used to pay out to charitable causes and institutions in Cornwall and the Southwest.
” And while the Prince makes most of his money from his Duchy of Cornwall land and property empire , he faces a “ whopping cut ” to his income next year as the coronavirus crisis takes a heavy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The financial blow “ could even affect his ability to prop up Prince Harry and Meghan ’ s luxury life in Los Angeles ” , the paper adds .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Centuries-old rules have allowed Prince Charles to collect more than £1m of intestate wealth left by Cornish people in the past year, newly published accounts show.
Between April 2019 and the end of last year, the heir to the throne received a total of £868,000 from Cornwall residents who died without a will, or from dissolved but unclaimed companies, according to the latest Duchy of Cornwall revenues report.
A further £201,000 was collected between January and the end of the last financial year, in March - boosting the Prince’s total annual income from the Duchy to more than £22m.
Money from residents of Cornwall who die without leaving a will and who have no known surviving relatives goes to Charles thanks to “laws that govern unclaimed assets – or ‘bona vacantia’ – dating back to the reign of King William IV”, says The Telegraph.
Although unclaimed estates across most of England and Wales eventually become the property of the Crown, “Prince Charles, as Duke of Cornwall, retains some of this money in order to pass it back to any previously unidentified relatives who may later come forward to claim their inheritance”, the newspaper explains.
“However, all of the money generated from unclaimed estates is ultimately passed onto a benevolent endowment fund, which invests and grows the money, which is then used to pay out to charitable causes and institutions in Cornwall and the Southwest.”
And while the Prince makes most of his money from his Duchy of Cornwall land and property empire, he faces a “whopping cut” to his income next year as the coronavirus crisis takes a heavy economic toll, according to The Sun.
The financial blow “could even affect his ability to prop up Prince Harry and Meghan’s luxury life in Los Angeles”, the paper adds.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-07-01--Reaction: how China’s new security law ‘crushes Hong Kong dissent’

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has signed a controversial national security law for Hong Kong , almost exactly a year after students first flooded onto the city ’ s streets to protest against Beijing ’ s tightening grip over the territory .
The stringent new legislation is designed to “ quash any hint ” of a resurgence of last year ’ s mass anti-government protests , with activists who challenge the authorities facing punishments including life imprisonment , says CNN .
Just hours after the bill was passed , Hong Kong police posted an image on Twitter showing the first person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man detained for holding a flag emblazoned with the message “ Hong Kong independence ” .
What is in the new law ?
Early assessments of the law suggest that “ some elements are stronger than many feared , both in scope and penalties ” , says Australia ’ s ABC News .
Under the new law : • • Four new offences have been established : secession , subversion , terrorism , and collusion with foreign powers .
Each carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment .
• • China is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hong Kong called the “ Office for Safeguarding National Security ” .
• • Activities such as damaging public transport and public services “ in order to pursue political agenda ” can be considered terrorism , as can “ dangerous activities which seriously jeopardise public health , safety or security ” .
• • Anyone who “ steals , spies , obtains with payment , or unlawfully provides state secrets or intelligence ” to a foreign country , organisation or individual may be deemed guilty of collusion with foreign powers .
• • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the law may also be applied to non-permanent residents in Hong Kong and even non-residents overseas who violate the law while abroad - meaning foreign nationals could be convicted of crimes they committed while overseas if they pass through the territory .
• • Anyone convicted of a national security crime can no longer stand for elections or hold public office .
• • Cases will be heard in Hong Kong , but in certain circumstances Beijing can extradite defendants to the mainland .
Cases involving “ state secrets or public order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sessions .
• • The law compels the Hong Kong government to more closely control foreign news agencies and non-government organisations .
• • In cases where the law conflicts with existing Hong Kong legislation , the national security law takes precedence .
What has the reaction been ?
“ Conceived in secrecy and passed with intimidating speed , ” the national security law “ has ignited uncertainty about the future of Hong Kong ” , says The New York Times .
“ It marks the end of Hong Kong that the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joshua Wong .
The legislation , which has been welcomed Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam , also “ pushes Beijing further along a collision course with the United States , Britain and other Western governments ” , says Reuters .
The US - which as the news agency notes , is “ already in dispute with China over trade , the South China Sea and the coronavirus ” - has now put in place trade sanctions on Hong Kong and announced plans to begin eliminating the territory ’ s special status under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limiting technology access .
Beijing has warned that China will retaliate to the measures .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Meanwhile , the citizens of Hong Kong are bracing for further unrest .
“ Hong Kong could be a simmering center of revolt for years , ” says Washington D.C.-based news magazine Foreign Policy .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hands of the police , but some by protesters - on a scale that dwarfs last year ’ s protests.
” As demonstrators begin to return to the streets in defiance of the new rules , the main Chinese government office today issued a stark warning : “ Nobody should underestimate the determination of the central authorities to defend national security in Hong Kong .
”

Chinese leader Xi Jinping has signed a controversial national security law for Hong Kong, almost exactly a year after students first flooded onto the city’s streets to protest against Beijing’s tightening grip over the territory.
The stringent new legislation is designed to “quash any hint” of a resurgence of last year’s mass anti-government protests, with activists who challenge the authorities facing punishments including life imprisonment, says CNN.
Just hours after the bill was passed, Hong Kong police posted an image on Twitter showing the first person arrested under the new laws - a man detained for holding a flag emblazoned with the message “Hong Kong independence”.
What is in the new law?
Early assessments of the law suggest that “some elements are stronger than many feared, both in scope and penalties”, says Australia’s ABC News. Under the new law:
• Four new offences have been established: secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign powers. Each carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
• China is to set up a new law-enforcement presence in Hong Kong called the “Office for Safeguarding National Security”.
• Activities such as damaging public transport and public services “in order to pursue political agenda” can be considered terrorism, as can “dangerous activities which seriously jeopardise public health, safety or security”.
• Anyone who “steals, spies, obtains with payment, or unlawfully provides state secrets or intelligence” to a foreign country, organisation or individual may be deemed guilty of collusion with foreign powers.
• As well as targeting Hong Kong citizens, the law may also be applied to non-permanent residents in Hong Kong and even non-residents overseas who violate the law while abroad - meaning foreign nationals could be convicted of crimes they committed while overseas if they pass through the territory.
• Anyone convicted of a national security crime can no longer stand for elections or hold public office.
• Cases will be heard in Hong Kong, but in certain circumstances Beijing can extradite defendants to the mainland. Cases involving “state secrets or public order” may be heard in private court sessions.
• The law compels the Hong Kong government to more closely control foreign news agencies and non-government organisations.
• In cases where the law conflicts with existing Hong Kong legislation, the national security law takes precedence.
What has the reaction been?
“Conceived in secrecy and passed with intimidating speed,” the national security law “has ignited uncertainty about the future of Hong Kong”, says The New York Times.
“It marks the end of Hong Kong that the world knew before,” tweeted pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong.
The legislation, which has been welcomed Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, also “pushes Beijing further along a collision course with the United States, Britain and other Western governments”, says Reuters.
The US - which as the news agency notes, is “already in dispute with China over trade, the South China Sea and the coronavirus” - has now put in place trade sanctions on Hong Kong and announced plans to begin eliminating the territory’s special status under US law, halting defence exports and limiting technology access.
Beijing has warned that China will retaliate to the measures.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Meanwhile, the citizens of Hong Kong are bracing for further unrest.
“Hong Kong could be a simmering center of revolt for years,” says Washington D.C.-based news magazine Foreign Policy. “This summer could see violence - mostly at the hands of the police, but some by protesters - on a scale that dwarfs last year’s protests.”
As demonstrators begin to return to the streets in defiance of the new rules, the main Chinese government office today issued a stark warning: “Nobody should underestimate the determination of the central authorities to defend national security in Hong Kong.”


theweekuk--2020-07-01--Why everybody’s talking about Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust

Police have launched an investigation into a hospital trust where at least 42 babies and three mothers may have died unnecessarily in what has been described as the worst maternity scandal in NHS history .
West Mercia Police confirmed it was looking into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust after an independent inquiry identified a total of almost 1,200 cases over a 40-year period that warrant investigation .
What happened at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust ?
An initial inquiry into failings in maternity care at the trust was ordered by the government in 2017 following a campaign led by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Griffiths , who lost their newborn daughters in 2009 and 2016 respectively , the British Medical Journal reports .
The review looked into 23 cases , but hundreds more subsequently came to light .
An independent inquiry , commissioned by health watchdog NHS Improvement , is now examining 1,170 cases dating back at far as 1979 where babies died or suffered brain damage , allegedly as a result of failures in the trust ’ s maternity department , reports The Guardian .
An interim report prepared last year by midwife and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to The Independent described a “ toxic culture ” at the trust ’ s maternity unit .
Investigators found that bereaved families were treated with “ a distinct lack of kindness and respect ” , and dead babies were referred to as “ it ” .
One family was not told that their child ’ s body had been brought back after a post-mortem examination , The Times reports .
“ This meant that the body was left to decompose and the family could not say a final goodbye , ” according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said she had written to 400 families about potential failures identified by the review .
Of these cases , 333 involved either stillbirths , neonatal deaths or baby brain damage , “ as well as a small number of maternal deaths ” , says The Guardian .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What will the criminal investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified by the inquiry will be passed to police , including cases involving deaths of babies and mothers .
Police have confirmed that they met Ockenden and officials from the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS Improvement on Tuesday .
The assistant chief constable of West Mercia Police , Geoff Wessell , said the criminal investigation would establish whether there was enough evidence to support a criminal case “ against the trust or any individuals involved ” .
“ We have met with NHS Improvement , the Department of Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust in relation to maternity services and provision .
The independent review is ongoing , ” Wessell said in a statement .
Inquiry lead Ockenden has written to families to reassure them that her review will not be hampered by the police investigation and “ that families ’ voices continue to be heard ” .
“ We will be in continued discussions with West Mercia Police with a view to identifying cases that may be relevant to the police investigation , ” she said .
Police have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scandal to contact them , regardless of whether they have been involved in Ockenden ’ s review .
Louise Barnett , chief executive at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust , said the health care provider would cooperate fully with the investigation .

Police have launched an investigation into a hospital trust where at least 42 babies and three mothers may have died unnecessarily in what has been described as the worst maternity scandal in NHS history.
West Mercia Police confirmed it was looking into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust after an independent inquiry identified a total of almost 1,200 cases over a 40-year period that warrant investigation.
What happened at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust?
An initial inquiry into failings in maternity care at the trust was ordered by the government in 2017 following a campaign led by two sets of parents: the Stanton-Davies and the Griffiths, who lost their newborn daughters in 2009 and 2016 respectively, the British Medical Journal reports.
The review looked into 23 cases, but hundreds more subsequently came to light.
An independent inquiry, commissioned by health watchdog NHS Improvement, is now examining 1,170 cases dating back at far as 1979 where babies died or suffered brain damage, allegedly as a result of failures in the trust’s maternity department, reports The Guardian.
An interim report prepared last year by midwife and lead reviewer Donna Ockenden that was leaked to The Independent described a “toxic culture” at the trust’s maternity unit. Investigators found that bereaved families were treated with “a distinct lack of kindness and respect”, and dead babies were referred to as “it”.
One family was not told that their child’s body had been brought back after a post-mortem examination, The Times reports. “This meant that the body was left to decompose and the family could not say a final goodbye,” according to the newspaper.
In April, Ockenden said she had written to 400 families about potential failures identified by the review. Of these cases, 333 involved either stillbirths, neonatal deaths or baby brain damage, “as well as a small number of maternal deaths”, says The Guardian.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What will the criminal investigation examine?
The details of some cases identified by the inquiry will be passed to police, including cases involving deaths of babies and mothers. Police have confirmed that they met Ockenden and officials from the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS Improvement on Tuesday.
The assistant chief constable of West Mercia Police, Geoff Wessell, said the criminal investigation would establish whether there was enough evidence to support a criminal case “against the trust or any individuals involved”.
“We have met with NHS Improvement, the Department of Health and the independent reviewer to discuss complaints made against Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust in relation to maternity services and provision. The independent review is ongoing,” Wessell said in a statement.
Inquiry lead Ockenden has written to families to reassure them that her review will not be hampered by the police investigation and “that families’ voices continue to be heard”.
“We will be in continued discussions with West Mercia Police with a view to identifying cases that may be relevant to the police investigation,” she said.
Police have urged anyone with information about the maternity scandal to contact them, regardless of whether they have been involved in Ockenden’s review.
Louise Barnett, chief executive at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Hospital Trust, said the health care provider would cooperate fully with the investigation.


theweekuk--2020-07-01--What are the books Dominic Cummings told aides to read?

Dominic Cummings has ordered government advisers to prepare for an upcoming weekend bootcamp by reading two books that teach how to predict the future - and warn that “ only the paranoid survive ” .
The prime minister ’ s closest aide told staff attending an away day on a Saturday next month that they must read Philip Tetlock ’ s Superforecasting , “ a 350-page book about how historical patterns can be used to make accurate predictions about the future ” , says The Times .
Cummings has also instructed the advisers to read High Output Management by Andrew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer-chip manufacturer Intel , who “ warns that success breeds complacency ” and claims being paranoid is necessary to endure and prosper .
According to the Daily Mail , Cummings believes that reading the books will enable the aides “ to make better decisions ” in high-pressure situations .
Superforecasting was published in 2015 and details findings from the Good Judgement Project , which was co-created by Tetlock .
“ The study employed several thousand ordinary people as volunteer world event forecasters , who were pitted against each other in contests to create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the newspaper .
In February , Cummings told journalists to read Tetlock ’ s book “ instead of political pundits who don ’ t know what they ’ re talking about ” .
His comments followed the resignation of Andrew Sabisky , a Downing Street adviser hired by Cummings who described himself as a superforecaster but got the boot after making controversial remarks about pregnancies , eugenics and race.
, as the BBC reported at the time .
Superforecasting pioneer Tetlock told the broadcaster that the practice should not be linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Most people would want their leaders to be “ informed by the most accurate possible estimates of the consequences of the options on the table ” , he said .
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Dominic Cummings has ordered government advisers to prepare for an upcoming weekend bootcamp by reading two books that teach how to predict the future - and warn that “only the paranoid survive”.
The prime minister’s closest aide told staff attending an away day on a Saturday next month that they must read Philip Tetlock’s Superforecasting, “a 350-page book about how historical patterns can be used to make accurate predictions about the future”, says The Times.
Cummings has also instructed the advisers to read High Output Management by Andrew Grove, the former chief executive of computer-chip manufacturer Intel, who “warns that success breeds complacency” and claims being paranoid is necessary to endure and prosper.
According to the Daily Mail, Cummings believes that reading the books will enable the aides “to make better decisions” in high-pressure situations.
Superforecasting was published in 2015 and details findings from the Good Judgement Project, which was co-created by Tetlock. “The study employed several thousand ordinary people as volunteer world event forecasters, who were pitted against each other in contests to create the most accurate forecast,” according to the newspaper.
In February, Cummings told journalists to read Tetlock’s book “instead of political pundits who don’t know what they’re talking about”.
His comments followed the resignation of Andrew Sabisky, a Downing Street adviser hired by Cummings who described himself as a superforecaster but got the boot after making controversial remarks about pregnancies, eugenics and race., as the BBC reported at the time.
Superforecasting pioneer Tetlock told the broadcaster that the practice should not be linked to a particular political point of view. Most people would want their leaders to be “informed by the most accurate possible estimates of the consequences of the options on the table”, he said.
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theweekuk--2020-07-01--Explained: Bank of England predicts V-shaped economic recovery

The UK economy is on track for a faster recovery from the coronavirus crisis than previous predictions suggested, the Bank of England’s chief economist has said.
“Issuing an upbeat assessment”, Andy Haldane said there were signs of a V-shaped economic recovery - when “growth rapidly snaps back from a steep downturn in activity”, says The Guardian.
Data on payments, traffic flow, energy use and business surveys suggested that “the recovery has come somewhat sooner, and has been materially faster” than was forecast in May, Haldane said during a Bank webinar on Tuesday.
“Policymakers and economists have grown increasingly gloomy in the past few months”, warning of “a slow U-shaped recovery, a ‘W’ caused by a second rise in cases, or even an ‘L’, where the recession is prolonged”, The Times reports.
But Haldane said that while it was “early days”, his “reading of the evidence is so far, so V”.
“Both the UK and the global economies are already well into the recovery phase,” he continued. “The UK’s recovery is more than two months old.”
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However, the BoE expert “emphasised that the economy was still facing an unprecedented collapse and that a steep rise in unemployment posed a threat to a swift rebound”, says the newspaper.
Either consumer spending would ease unemployment or unemployment would cut household spending, Haldane added.
As the BBC notes, both scenarios “create virtuous or vicious cycles”, but Haldane “said that he could not tell which one would prevail” as yet.
The economy is currently “benefiting from robust strength in consumer spending”, boosted by workers working from home or receiving the government’s furlough payments, the broadcaster adds.
But Haldane said that “as the furlough scheme tapers from August”, there would be “a risk this greater number of furloughed workers are not hired back by employers, adding to the unemployment pool”.


theweekuk--2020-07-01--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 1 Jul 2020

A campaign is underway to build a statue of a footballer dropped by England when selectors found out he was @ @ @ @ @ have been the first black player to play for England when he was selected in @ @ @ @ @ dropped after selectors watched him .
“ They were looking at the colour of his @ @ @ @ @ granddaughter .
“ And because of that , he was denied the chance of playing @ @ @ @ @

Bank of England chief says UK set for V-shaped recovery
The UK is set for a V-shaped recovery as the economy rebounds from the lockdown much faster than expected, according to the Bank of England’s chief economist. Andy Haldane said the lowpoint of the recession was likely to be less than half as bad as the Bank had feared in May. “Early evidence is so far, so V,” he said.


theweekuk--2020-07-01--Police chase a peacock through Brooklyn

Police chase a peacock through Brooklyn

Police in New York had to chase a peacock that had escaped from the Prospect Park Zoo and gone on the run in Brooklyn .
The NYPD said it received a 911 call on Monday morning that reported a peacock running loose near Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard .
The chase ended when the bird took flight and vaulted a fence back into the zoo .
Heinz has conjured ice cream flavours based on their sauce products .
The options in the Heinz Creamz range include : Heinz Ketchup Creamz , Heinz Salad Creamz and Heinz Mayo Creamz .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you will have to buy DIY kits to make them .
The kits are available on the company ’ s Heinz To Home website .
A man has filmed a cigar-shaped UFO flying across the sky over the city of Detroit in Michigan .
In the footage shot by local resident Proimos Paul the object appears elongated and moving at speed , like ones seen across the US in recent months .
“ I 've seen the same thing over my hometown last summer , ” said one viewer .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forth , back and forth.
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Police in New York had to chase a peacock that had escaped from the Prospect Park Zoo and gone on the run in Brooklyn. The NYPD said it received a 911 call on Monday morning that reported a peacock running loose near Flatbush Avenue and Empire Boulevard. The chase ended when the bird took flight and vaulted a fence back into the zoo.
Heinz launches ice cream range
Heinz has conjured ice cream flavours based on their sauce products. The options in the Heinz Creamz range include: Heinz Ketchup Creamz, Heinz Salad Creamz and Heinz Mayo Creamz. If you are interested in trying them out, you will have to buy DIY kits to make them. The kits are available on the company’s Heinz To Home website.
Another cigar-shaped UFO spotted
A man has filmed a cigar-shaped UFO flying across the sky over the city of Detroit in Michigan. In the footage shot by local resident Proimos Paul the object appears elongated and moving at speed, like ones seen across the US in recent months. “I've seen the same thing over my hometown last summer,” said one viewer. “It stayed stationary and it moved back and forth, back and forth.”
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theweekuk--2020-06-30--Reaction: how Boris Johnson’s ‘new deal’ compares to FDR’s

Boris Johnson sought to co-opt a hero of left-wing politics today as he presented his vision for post-coronavirus Britain .
He “ is far from the first UK prime minister to claim the mantle of Franklin D Roosevelt ’ s New Deal ” , says the New Statesman ’ s George Eaton .
But most of those who have invoked the reforming - and free-spending - Democratic president have come from Labour rather than Conservative benches .
After all , FDR ( pictured above ) “ used the full power of the state to restore American fortunes after the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is a government that is wholly committed not just to defeating coronavirus but to using this crisis finally to tackle this country ’ s great unresolved challenges of the last three decades , ” the prime minister said this morning in Dudley .
The plan is built around a “ £5bn programme of accelerated capital spending on hospitals , roads , rail , prisons , courts , schools and high streets ” , says The Times .
A national infrastructure plan for transport , power generation , flood defences and waste @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investments include “ £1.5bn for hospital maintenance ” , says The Guardian , and “ £40m to boost local conservation projects and create 3,000 jobs ” .
Johnson said that if it sounded “ positively Rooseveltian ” that ’ s because it was meant to .
“ That is what the times demand , ” he said .
“ A government that is powerful and determined and that puts its arms around people at a time of crisis ” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What did FDR ’ s new deal do ?
Having come to power in 1933 , shortly after the Great Depression , “ Roosevelt faced the enormous task of restoring confidence in a shattered economy , ” says the BBC .
He did this first by “ building infrastructure across the US and creating millions of jobs ” , says The Times .
“ The later stages of the New Deal established the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and improved workers ’ rights.
” All of this involved huge investment , and marked “ the largest , most expensive government programme in the history of the American presidency ” , says the BBC .
However , The Atlantic adds , it was not only “ a series of big-spending government programmes ” .
A series of loans and guarantees also encouraged private investment .
Roosevelt did not overturn capitalism , says the magazine .
Instead his “ genius was that he knew he had to get capitalism moving again ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ rolling their eyes at the appropriation of FDR by figures such as Michael Gove and Boris Johnson , ” says The Times , “ given their response to the global financial crash.
” John McDonnell , the left-wing former shadow chancellor , needed no invitation , tweeting that “ Roosevelt must be turning in his grave at this pathetic damp squib ” .
“ In certain ways the two recovery plans are comparable , ” The Sun argues , pointing out that “ both aim to help an economy out of a recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But after taking office in 1939 Roosevelt rewrote economic rules for the United States , something which the PM is not expected to do , ” the paper adds .
In fact , says George Eaton , “ Johnson ’ s spending plan is 200 times less ambitious than the New Deal ” .
The total investment announced by the PM adds up to just 0.2 % of last year ’ s GDP , he says , where FDR ’ s economic stimulus amounted to 40 % of his country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Robert Shrimsley in the Financial Times , the FDR line at least “ points to a readiness to abandon old nostrums ; to borrow and spend , invest in schools and hospitals , put funds into industry ” .
“ For all the cultural divides , ” he adds , “ there is almost an economic new consensus and it is not Thatcherite.
” Did the original new deal work ?
“ Historians do not necessarily agree as to whether the New Deal was a success or a failure , ” says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ was not conquered ” and many of the new jobs created “ were only temporary ” .
But although it was “ no magic bullet ” , says The Atlantic , it did bring about rapid change .
“ As late as 1935 , 90 % of rural homes had no electricity , ” it says .
But thanks to government support for local electric companies , that figure was reduced to 40 % five years later and 10 % after another ten years .
By then , however , there were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It was the Second World War that finally put the US economy back on track as government spending soared , ” says The Times .
“ The teensy flaw is that all the speeches in the world will not make the virus go away ” , says Shrimsley .
And that Johnson ’ s speech coincided with a new lockdown in Leicester - and threat of more to come - underlines the scale of the challenge .
In any case , says Sherelle Jacobs in The Telegraph , Johnson ’ s diagnosis is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ is coming to Britain , one would be forgiven for expecting a Conservative government to try and douse its flames with authentically conservative policies , ” she says .
“ It should be slashing employment red tape , particularly around the hiring of agency workers , and freezing the minimum wage to encourage employers to keep on staff .
It should be driving a tank through planning regulations , and aggressively pursuing tax cuts.
” But for Shrimsley , the true struggle “ is less over ideas than whether this New Deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
If it does , then Britain will be a better place , ” he says .
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All of this involved huge investment, and marked “the largest, most expensive government programme in the history of the American presidency”, says the BBC.
He did this first by “building infrastructure across the US and creating millions of jobs”, says The Times. “The later stages of the New Deal established the basis for the US social security system and improved workers’ rights.”
Having come to power in 1933, shortly after the Great Depression, “Roosevelt faced the enormous task of restoring confidence in a shattered economy,” says the BBC .
Johnson said that if it sounded “positively Rooseveltian” that’s because it was meant to. “That is what the times demand,” he said. “A government that is powerful and determined and that puts its arms around people at a time of crisis”
Other investments include “£1.5bn for hospital maintenance”, says The Guardian , and “£40m to boost local conservation projects and create 3,000 jobs”.
The plan is built around a “£5bn programme of accelerated capital spending on hospitals, roads, rail, prisons, courts, schools and high streets”, says The Times. A national infrastructure plan for transport, power generation, flood defences and waste will follow in the autumn.
“This is a government that is wholly committed not just to defeating coronavirus but to using this crisis finally to tackle this country’s great unresolved challenges of the last three decades,” the prime minister said this morning in Dudley.
After all, FDR (pictured above) “used the full power of the state to restore American fortunes after the Great Depression”, The Times reports .
He “is far from the first UK prime minister to claim the mantle of Franklin D Roosevelt’s New Deal”, says the New Statesman ’s George Eaton. But most of those who have invoked the reforming - and free-spending - Democratic president have come from Labour rather than Conservative benches.
Boris Johnson sought to co-opt a hero of left-wing politics today as he presented his vision for post-coronavirus Britain.
However, The Atlantic adds, it was not only “a series of big-spending government programmes”. A series of loans and guarantees also encouraged private investment. Roosevelt did not overturn capitalism, says the magazine. Instead his “genius was that he knew he had to get capitalism moving again”.
How does Johnson’s plan compare?
“Labour politicians can be forgiven for rolling their eyes at the appropriation of FDR by figures such as Michael Gove and Boris Johnson,” says The Times, “given their response to the global financial crash.”
John McDonnell, the left-wing former shadow chancellor, needed no invitation, tweeting that “Roosevelt must be turning in his grave at this pathetic damp squib”.
“In certain ways the two recovery plans are comparable,” The Sun argues, pointing out that “both aim to help an economy out of a recession and both focus on increasing employment.
“But after taking office in 1939 Roosevelt rewrote economic rules for the United States, something which the PM is not expected to do,” the paper adds.
In fact, says George Eaton, “Johnson’s spending plan is 200 times less ambitious than the New Deal”. The total investment announced by the PM adds up to just 0.2% of last year’s GDP, he says, where FDR’s economic stimulus amounted to 40% of his country’s pre-depression annual GDP.
However, says Robert Shrimsley in the Financial Times, the FDR line at least “points to a readiness to abandon old nostrums; to borrow and spend, invest in schools and hospitals, put funds into industry”.
“For all the cultural divides,” he adds, “there is almost an economic new consensus and it is not Thatcherite.”
Did the original new deal work?
“Historians do not necessarily agree as to whether the New Deal was a success or a failure,” says the BBC. Unemployment fell, but it “was not conquered” and many of the new jobs created “were only temporary”.
But although it was “no magic bullet”, says The Atlantic, it did bring about rapid change.
“As late as 1935, 90% of rural homes had no electricity,” it says. But thanks to government support for local electric companies, that figure was reduced to 40% five years later and 10% after another ten years.
By then, however, there were other reasons for state intervention. “It was the Second World War that finally put the US economy back on track as government spending soared,” says The Times.
Will Johnson’s new deal work?
“The teensy flaw is that all the speeches in the world will not make the virus go away”, says Shrimsley. And that Johnson’s speech coincided with a new lockdown in Leicester - and threat of more to come - underlines the scale of the challenge.
In any case, says Sherelle Jacobs in The Telegraph, Johnson’s diagnosis is all wrong.
“If ‘Jobsageddon’ is coming to Britain, one would be forgiven for expecting a Conservative government to try and douse its flames with authentically conservative policies,” she says.
“It should be slashing employment red tape, particularly around the hiring of agency workers, and freezing the minimum wage to encourage employers to keep on staff. It should be driving a tank through planning regulations, and aggressively pursuing tax cuts.”
But for Shrimsley, the true struggle “is less over ideas than whether this New Deal rhetoric leads to better lives for those voters. If it does, then Britain will be a better place,” he says.
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