theweekuk--2020-11-03--Coronavirus: inside the UK’s government plan to launch city-wide Covid testing

Up to 500,000 people in Liverpool are set to be tested for Covid-19 under a government plan aimed at avoiding future lockdown measures .
The city has one of the highest coronavirus rates in England and volunteered for the scheme after being placed under Tier 3 restrictions on 14 October .
Originally trailed under the name Operation Moonshot , the plan is is being hailed as the “ first glimpse of an exit strategy ” from the nationwide lockdown that begins this Thursday , says Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham .
The testing scheme begins on Friday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liverpool , which recorded Covid case rates of 366.4 per 100,000 people in the week to 29 October .
A variety of test types will be administered by NHS staff aided by 2,000 Armed Forces personnel .
“ Residents and workers will be tested using a combination of existing swab tests , as well as 500,000 new lateral flow tests , which can rapidly turn around results within an hour without the need to be processed in a lab , ” Sky News reports .
And everyone in the city will be offered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To be considered a success , however , the plan “ will need not only to find those who are infected regardless of symptoms , but convince them to self-isolate ” , says The Guardian .
“ Only 20 % to 25 % of people are estimated to quarantine fully when asked to do so by test and trace.
” Given this lack of compliance , the government is also understood to be considering plans to cut the period of self-isolation from 14 days to seven days .
Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month , said : “ We are seeing a slow reduction in figures in Liverpool which shows we are on the right path and residents and businesses are working together and following guidelines for the greater good .
“ We hope this new initiative boosts our efforts , and we will continue to see the numbers of positive cases drop across the city.
” The Liverpool plan is modelled on Slovakia , which has grabbed headlines worldwide by pulling off “ a feat that no other country has managed ” , says Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3.6 million Slovaks over the age of nine were given swab tests - a total that represents 95 % of the targeted population .
Of those tested , 38,359 got a positive result , but the remainder are being exempted from a curfew imposed this week , allowing them to go about their normal lives .
Prime Minister Igor Matovic said the nationwide testing programme was a “ significant step for all of Slovakia ” that means “ we don ’ t have to kill the economy ” .
Slovakia has fared comparatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest figures showing that the country had recorded 61,829 Covid-19 infections and just 219 deaths .
The Liverpool testing programme is intended to “ very quickly ” form a blueprint for mass testing for the rest of the UK , writes Politico ’ s Wickham .
Emphasising that goal , a Department of Health official told the new site that the “ Liverpool pilot will inform the rest of the rollout , but we want to move quickly to take advantage of this and are considering where to deploy it next ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a test in time for Christmas , a “ senior figure involved in the programme ” told The Times .
Experts say that weekly tests could “ halve the reproduction rate ” , adds The Telegraph , and allow “ the rest of the population to resume activities ” .

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theweekuk--2020-11-05--Penguin colony at risk as Somerset-sized iceberg bears down on British overseas territory

An iceberg as large as Somerset is on a collision course with a British overseas territory that is home to thousands of penguins and seals .
The A68a iceberg , thought to be the largest in the world , “ is now on a direct path to South Georgia ” , an island of around the same size in the South Atlantic , The Telegraph reports .
And “ there ’ s a strong possibility the berg could now ground and anchor itself offshore of the wildlife haven ” , posing a “ grave threat ” to local species , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will bounce back of course , but there ’ s a danger here that if this iceberg gets stuck , it could be there for ten years , ” Professor Geraint Tarling of the British Antarctic Survey ( BAS ) told the broadcaster .
That could prove disastrous for the island ’ s penguins and seals , because a “ close-in iceberg has massive implications for where land-based predators might be able to forage ” , he explained .
During pup- and chick-rearing , the distance that the animals have to travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fish and krill , is of paramount importance .
“ If they have to do a big detour , it means they ’ re not going to get back to their young in time to prevent them starving to death in the interim , ” Tarling added .
After South Georgia was hit by another iceberg back in 2004 , “ countless dead penguin chicks and seal pups were found on local beaches ” , the BBC reports .
Other species are affected by such collisions too .
Dr. Andrew Fleming , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Independent that “ it ’ s not just the impact on the animals that live on the island , but any iceberg grounding is scouring the seafloor ” .
“ You can see these massive scourings of the seafloor where the keel of the iceberg drags through , and of course , that ’ s not good news for any animals and the so-called benthos [ the flora and fauna of the sea floor ] .
” Experts tracking the A68a are hoping that sea currents may push the frozen giant away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ north where it would be likely to break up .

An iceberg as large as Somerset is on a collision course with a British overseas territory that is home to thousands of penguins and seals.
The A68a iceberg, thought to be the largest in the world, “is now on a direct path to South Georgia”, an island of around the same size in the South Atlantic, The Telegraph reports. And “there’s a strong possibility the berg could now ground and anchor itself offshore of the wildlife haven”, posing a “grave threat” to local species, adds the BBC.
“Ecosystems can and will bounce back of course, but there’s a danger here that if this iceberg gets stuck, it could be there for ten years,” Professor Geraint Tarling of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) told the broadcaster.
That could prove disastrous for the island’s penguins and seals, because a “close-in iceberg has massive implications for where land-based predators might be able to forage”, he explained. During pup- and chick-rearing, the distance that the animals have to travel to find food, in the form of fish and krill, is of paramount importance.
“If they have to do a big detour, it means they’re not going to get back to their young in time to prevent them starving to death in the interim,” Tarling added.
After South Georgia was hit by another iceberg back in 2004, “countless dead penguin chicks and seal pups were found on local beaches”, the BBC reports.
Other species are affected by such collisions too.
Dr. Andrew Fleming, also from the BAS, told The Independent that “it’s not just the impact on the animals that live on the island, but any iceberg grounding is scouring the seafloor”.
“You can see these massive scourings of the seafloor where the keel of the iceberg drags through, and of course, that’s not good news for any animals and the so-called benthos [the flora and fauna of the sea floor].”
Experts tracking the A68a are hoping that sea currents may push the frozen giant away from the island and into warmer waters further north where it would be likely to break up.


theweekuk--2020-11-05--US election: why did the polls get it wrong again after the shock of 2016?

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theweekuk--2020-11-06--Emmanuel Macron calls for EU to rethink free movement

The EU must strengthen its internal and external borders to counter the threat of extremism , Emmanuel Macron said yesterday during a visit to his country ’ s frontier with Spain .
The French president “ is calling for a rethink on free movement in the EU after a spate of suspected Islamist terror attacks ” , the BBC reports .
“ I am in favour of a deep overhaul of Schengen , ” Macron said , referring to the system of free movement between 26 European countries without passports , identity cards or border checks .
The EU must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strengthen our common border security with a proper border force ” , he added .
“ Europe is reeling from two attacks in the past week that involved assailants who moved freely between Schengen member states , ” Reuters reports .
On Monday , a gunman killed four people in Vienna , after travelling to Slovakia in July to buy ammunition .
And the man who killed three people in a church in Nice last Thursday had travelled from Tunisia to Italy via the island of Lampedusa before crossing into France a few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the recent attacks were a warning to Europe that ‘ the terrorist risk is everywhere ’ , ” the Daily Mail reports .
The French leader - who has spoken of a clash between radical Islam and the West - said he would unilaterally double the size of his country ’ s border force from 2,400 to 4,800 officers .
France reimposed border controls after the 2015 Bataclan attacks , under an exception from the Schengen Agreement .
Macron “ also wants the EU to have a single asylum policy to end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a years-long migrant crisis ” , Reuters adds .

The EU must strengthen its internal and external borders to counter the threat of extremism, Emmanuel Macron said yesterday during a visit to his country’s frontier with Spain.
The French president “is calling for a rethink on free movement in the EU after a spate of suspected Islamist terror attacks”, the BBC reports.
“I am in favour of a deep overhaul of Schengen,” Macron said, referring to the system of free movement between 26 European countries without passports, identity cards or border checks. The EU must “rethink its organisation” and “strengthen our common border security with a proper border force”, he added.
“Europe is reeling from two attacks in the past week that involved assailants who moved freely between Schengen member states,” Reuters reports.
On Monday, a gunman killed four people in Vienna, after travelling to Slovakia in July to buy ammunition. And the man who killed three people in a church in Nice last Thursday had travelled from Tunisia to Italy via the island of Lampedusa before crossing into France a few days before the attack.
“Macron said the recent attacks were a warning to Europe that ‘the terrorist risk is everywhere’,” the Daily Mail reports.
The French leader - who has spoken of a clash between radical Islam and the West - said he would unilaterally double the size of his country’s border force from 2,400 to 4,800 officers. France reimposed border controls after the 2015 Bataclan attacks, under an exception from the Schengen Agreement.
Macron “also wants the EU to have a single asylum policy to end the rows that have paralysed its policymaking during a years-long migrant crisis”, Reuters adds.


theweekuk--2020-11-06--Premier League to scrap unpopular pay-per-view scheme from late November

The Premier League is considering ending its highly unpopular pay-per-view system for televised matches , just weeks after the scheme was introduced .
Having been introduced after the October international break , it is likely to be brought to an end after the next international break in November .
“ Clubs will instead look to devise a new solution that will cover the Christmas period , ” the BBC reports .
“ A definitive decision was not taken at a shareholders ’ meeting on Thursday but discussions are said to be ongoing.
” The scheme , under which fans were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was masterminded by Sky and BT Sport , both of which are reportedly unhappy with having to show extra games at no additional cost following “ Project Restart ” - the operation to resume professional football after a break during the first wave of the pandemic .
The initiative “ was designed to give supporters , unable to attend stadiums because of the coronavirus pandemic , access to matches that had not been included in broadcast packages , ” the Daily Mail says .
And Premier League clubs voted 19-1 in favour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only club to vote against the move .
But the move led to widespread condemnation , with fans boycotting the matches and donating the fee to charity instead .
More than £300,000 has reportedly been raised for charity by fans refusing to watch the matches .
On Thursday a spokesperson for the Football Supporters ’ Association said that fans “ made clear their revulsion at the £15 cost to see their teams on Sky and BT Sport 's pay-per-view platforms last month , an emotion running so deep that fan protests across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League club owners ” .

The Premier League is considering ending its highly unpopular pay-per-view system for televised matches, just weeks after the scheme was introduced.
Having been introduced after the October international break, it is likely to be brought to an end after the next international break in November.
“Clubs will instead look to devise a new solution that will cover the Christmas period,” the BBC reports. “A definitive decision was not taken at a shareholders’ meeting on Thursday but discussions are said to be ongoing.”
The scheme, under which fans were charged £14.95 to watch certain games, was masterminded by Sky and BT Sport, both of which are reportedly unhappy with having to show extra games at no additional cost following “Project Restart” - the operation to resume professional football after a break during the first wave of the pandemic.
The initiative “was designed to give supporters, unable to attend stadiums because of the coronavirus pandemic, access to matches that had not been included in broadcast packages,” the Daily Mail says. And Premier League clubs voted 19-1 in favour of the scheme, with Leicester City the only club to vote against the move.
But the move led to widespread condemnation, with fans boycotting the matches and donating the fee to charity instead. More than £300,000 has reportedly been raised for charity by fans refusing to watch the matches.
On Thursday a spokesperson for the Football Supporters’ Association said that fans “made clear their revulsion at the £15 cost to see their teams on Sky and BT Sport's pay-per-view platforms last month, an emotion running so deep that fan protests across the country even reached the ears of untouchable Premier League club owners”.


theweekuk--2020-11-06--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Afghanistan, the Mafia and military mindfulness

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : POD25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : An assault on Kabul University earlier this week went largely unreported , but it helps to shed light on more widely covered attacks in France and Austria .
What connects them - apart from the inspiration they take from the Islamic State group - is the weight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a limit to the extent to which Western countries can explain Islamic extremism by examining their own cultures .
With Italy heading back into lockdown , concerns are growing about struggling businesses and rising unemployment .
So where do you go when you need a favour ?
For a rising number of Italians , the mafia .
Calls to extortion hotlines have doubled during the pandemic , with reports of crime families orchestrating violent anti-lockdown rallies .
So are desperate Italians falling victim to offers they can not refuse ?
British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a Ministry of Defence push to use mindfulness to improve combat performance and manage stress in the military .
So does the so-called Op Smart programme mark a healthier approach to tackling mental health issues - or a new low in the West ’ s “ McMindfulness ” take on Buddhist teachings ?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Spotify , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: POD25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Afghan attack
An assault on Kabul University earlier this week went largely unreported, but it helps to shed light on more widely covered attacks in France and Austria. What connects them - apart from the inspiration they take from the Islamic State group - is the weight they add to the idea that there’s a limit to the extent to which Western countries can explain Islamic extremism by examining their own cultures.
Mafia vs. lockdown
With Italy heading back into lockdown, concerns are growing about struggling businesses and rising unemployment. So where do you go when you need a favour? For a rising number of Italians, the mafia. Calls to extortion hotlines have doubled during the pandemic, with reports of crime families orchestrating violent anti-lockdown rallies. So are desperate Italians falling victim to offers they cannot refuse?
Military mindfulness
British troops are being taught to meditate as part of a Ministry of Defence push to use mindfulness to improve combat performance and manage stress in the military. So does the so-called Op Smart programme mark a healthier approach to tackling mental health issues - or a new low in the West’s “McMindfulness” take on Buddhist teachings?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts


theweekuk--2020-11-06--Coronavirus: how much protection can we expect from a future vaccine?


theweekuk--2020-11-06--Coronavirus: government withdraws graphs showing Covid deaths surpassing first wave


theweekuk--2020-11-06--US election: Democrats’ Senate hopes boosted as races head to January run-offs

As the nervous wait continues for the few remaining swing states to announce the winner of the presidential election , @ @ @ @ @ have given the Democrats hope of wrenching control of the Senate from Republicans .
One @ @ @ @ @ is definitely heading to a run-off , while a second is too close to call @ @ @ @ @ further two races , in North Carolina and Alaska , also remain undecided .
No @ @ @ @ @ four races has hit the 50 % threshold required to take a Senate seat , @ @ @ @ @ deadlocked at 48-48 .
In Georgia , Republican senator Kelly Loeffler will face Democrat Raphael @ @ @ @ @ at the church where Martin Luther King preached , in a 5 January run-off after @ @ @ @ @ of the vote in the first round .


theweekuk--2020-11-06--Quiz of The Week: 31 October - 6 November

Headlines worldwide have been dominated by the US presidential election this week , with Donald Trump making fraud allegations , legal threats and premature declarations of victory as Joe Biden appeared to take the lead .
The Democrats ’ gains were nowhere near as great as those predicted by pollsters , however , with the so-called experts under fire after underestimating Trump ’ s support among the American electorate .
How that support will translate in the final result still remained to be seen on Friday , with the race hanging on pivotal results in key states including Nevada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , Boris Johnson has been facing his own political dramas .
Recent days have seen the prime minister staring down a Tory rebellion to implement the second national lockdown in England as Brexit talks rumble on amid warnings from EU officials that the UK ’ s brinkmanship could pave the way to no-deal .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest developments in global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days ?
In a good news/bad news scenario , two Covid-19 vaccines are reportedly on the verge of being certified as safe and effective - but production delays mean the first batches may reach no more than a fraction of the UK population .
Meanwhile , the BBC is launching an inquiry into Earl Charles Spencer ’ s claim that journalist Martin Bashir landed his infamous 1995 Panorama interview with Princess Diana through “ sheer dishonesty ” , the broadcaster has announced .
And Hollywood actor Johnny Depp was also in the firing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Court libel case that pundits are predicting will end his career .


theweekuk--2020-11-06--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 6 Nov 2020

The new boss of Sainsbury ’ s , Simon Roberts , is cutting 3,500 jobs despite bumper sales and a @ @ @ @ @ £238m to £301m in the last six months .
Retail sales have risen by 7.1 @ @ @ @ @ a 6.9 % improvement in like-for-like sales and online sales have rocketed by 117 % @ @ @ @ @ chain prepares to send out thousands of redundancy notices , the Daily Telegraph says “ @ @ @ @ @ up ” .
The store said it was closing meat , fish and deli counters @ @ @ @ @ demand .

Sainsbury’s axes 3,500 jobs despite soaring sales
The new boss of Sainsbury’s, Simon Roberts, is cutting 3,500 jobs despite bumper sales and a rise in underlying profit from £238m to £301m in the last six months. Retail sales have risen by 7.1%, there has been a 6.9% improvement in like-for-like sales and online sales have rocketed by 117% to £5.8bn. As the chain prepares to send out thousands of redundancy notices, the Daily Telegraph says “something doesn’t add up”. The store said it was closing meat, fish and deli counters due to a lack of demand.


theweekuk--2020-11-06--Kayakers escape after ending up in mouth of a whale

Two kayakers escaped unhurt after finding themselves in the mouth of a humpback whale that surfaced beneath them .
Julie McSorley and Liz Cottriel said they were kayaking and whale watching off the coast of Avila Beach , California , when one whale surfaced from underneath their boat .
“ I thought , 'Oh , no !
’ ” said one of them .
Luckily , the whale left them behind .
A man has bypassed lockdown in the Czech Republic by taking a stuffed toy dog for a walk .
The rules state that you are not allowed out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as walking a dog .
However , one man noticed that the ruling did not state which kind of dog , so he took the toy for a late-night stroll .
When police stopped him , he told them : “ I 'm walking a dog here , I 'm not doing anything illegal here.
” The officers described it as a “ really unusual case ” .
An Indian girl has secured the Guinness World Record for the longest hair on a teenager .
Nilanshi Patel ’ s hair was measured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length of 6 feet , 6.7 inches .
She said : “ I got my hair cut , a really bad haircut .
So , then I decided that I won ’ t cut my hair .
I decided that when I was six and have not cut it since.
” She is now considering growing her hair out to seek length records in the adult category .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Two kayakers escaped unhurt after finding themselves in the mouth of a humpback whale that surfaced beneath them. Julie McSorley and Liz Cottriel said they were kayaking and whale watching off the coast of Avila Beach, California, when one whale surfaced from underneath their boat. “I thought, 'Oh, no!’” said one of them. Luckily, the whale left them behind.
Man takes dog for a walk to dodge curfew rules
A man has bypassed lockdown in the Czech Republic by taking a stuffed toy dog for a walk. The rules state that you are not allowed out after 9pm without a good reason, such as walking a dog. However, one man noticed that the ruling did not state which kind of dog, so he took the toy for a late-night stroll. When police stopped him, he told them: “I'm walking a dog here, I'm not doing anything illegal here.” The officers described it as a “really unusual case”.
Indian teen wins longest hair world record
An Indian girl has secured the Guinness World Record for the longest hair on a teenager. Nilanshi Patel’s hair was measured days before her 18th birthday at a length of 6 feet, 6.7 inches. She said: “I got my hair cut, a really bad haircut. So, then I decided that I won’t cut my hair. I decided that when I was six and have not cut it since.” She is now considering growing her hair out to seek length records in the adult category.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-11-06--Instant Opinion: ‘is America becoming a failed state?’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Paul Krugman in the New York Times on obstruction in the Senate “ We are in big trouble .
Trump ’ s defeat would mean that we have , for the moment , avoided a plunge into authoritarianism — and yes , the stakes are that high , not just because of who Trump is , but also because the modern G.O.P .
is so extremist and anti-democratic .
But our skewed electoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still in a position to hobble , perhaps cripple , the next president ’ s ability to deal with the huge epidemiological , economic and environmental problems we face .
Put it this way : If we were looking at a foreign country with America ’ s level of political dysfunction , we would probably consider it on the edge of becoming a failed state — that is , a state whose government is no longer able to exert effective control.
” Our elections are a mess .
From far left to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fix them “ How about now ?
How about taking advantage of the unnecessary and agitating delay in learning who won the presidential race to begin the process of standardizing our patchwork system of elections ?
The craziness and absurdity of that system has been on full display this week as various states count ballots and report results from Tuesday ’ s election in various ways , prompting supporters of President Donald Trump to mass outside of government buildings chanting either ‘ Count the vote !
’ or ‘ Stop the count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tally is trending .
We ’ re the most technologically advanced nation in the world and a putative beacon of democracy , yet the way we elect our leaders is a rats ' orgy of weird and various rules , rituals and timetables that leads to the sort of prolonged uncertainty that sows distrust among the public .
It ’ s embarrassing .
It ’ s infuriating .
It ’ s scary .
And it ’ s fixable.
” Bounced into a second lockdown he didn ’ t want , is Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
“ Skullduggery is always part of politics .
But the power struggles within the Prime Minister ’ s inner circle this time led to a shambolic , twice-delayed Saturday press conference and perhaps the world ’ s most-watched PowerPoint presentation .
The most startling figure – of those 4,000 daily deaths – was shown .
But the figures fell apart after further scrutiny .
It was weeks out of date , already revised downwards twice – it should never have made it to No 10 , let alone been shown to 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how even a supposedly more reliable six-week projection for hospital use contained basic errors.
” Europe ’ s cities are becoming a refuge for Islamist extremists “ We must first of all be honest .
Our country and compatriots depend on us getting this right .
The threat we currently face is not about racism – which is why Christian Nigerians or Hindu Indians do not become terrorists in the West .
It is not about unemployment , either – which is why white , working-class men , a demographic with high levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bombers .
Instead , the threat from the menace of Islamist terror stems from a narrative – a dangerous cocktail of religion and politics – of the past , anger in the present , and a vision for the future .
It is that narrative that we must confront head on and destroy.
” Why the pope ’ s endorsement of same-sex unions matters “ In Argentina , as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio , Francis supported same-sex unions in a private meeting at a time when the extension of marriage seemed inevitable .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the lesser of two evils , a secular compromise to protect the Catholic Church ’ s view of marriage – a task he then described as ‘ God ’ s war ’ .
Whatever the reason , his willingness to endorse same-sex civil unions marked a significant break with Catholic orthodoxy .
Since Argentina embraced same-sex marriage a decade ago , the recognition of marriage equality has gained momentum , with 29 countries now on board .
Significantly , several Catholic-majority countries , including Colombia , Ireland and Malta , have taken this @ @ @

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Paul Krugman in the New York Times
on obstruction in the Senate
Is America becoming a failed state?
“We are in big trouble. Trump’s defeat would mean that we have, for the moment, avoided a plunge into authoritarianism — and yes, the stakes are that high, not just because of who Trump is, but also because the modern G.O.P. is so extremist and anti-democratic. But our skewed electoral system means that Trump’s party is still in a position to hobble, perhaps cripple, the next president’s ability to deal with the huge epidemiological, economic and environmental problems we face. Put it this way: If we were looking at a foreign country with America’s level of political dysfunction, we would probably consider it on the edge of becoming a failed state — that is, a state whose government is no longer able to exert effective control.”
2. Eric Zorn in the Chicago Tribune
on electoral reform
Our elections are a mess. From far left to hard right, we should all agree to fix them
“How about now? How about taking advantage of the unnecessary and agitating delay in learning who won the presidential race to begin the process of standardizing our patchwork system of elections? The craziness and absurdity of that system has been on full display this week as various states count ballots and report results from Tuesday’s election in various ways, prompting supporters of President Donald Trump to mass outside of government buildings chanting either ‘Count the vote!’ or ‘Stop the count!’ depending which way they think the tally is trending. We’re the most technologically advanced nation in the world and a putative beacon of democracy, yet the way we elect our leaders is a rats' orgy of weird and various rules, rituals and timetables that leads to the sort of prolonged uncertainty that sows distrust among the public. It’s embarrassing. It’s infuriating. It’s scary. And it’s fixable.”
3. Fraser Nelson in The Telegraph
on a government divided
Bounced into a second lockdown he didn’t want, is Boris Johnson still in charge of No 10?
“Skullduggery is always part of politics. But the power struggles within the Prime Minister’s inner circle this time led to a shambolic, twice-delayed Saturday press conference and perhaps the world’s most-watched PowerPoint presentation. The most startling figure – of those 4,000 daily deaths – was shown. But the figures fell apart after further scrutiny. It was weeks out of date, already revised downwards twice – it should never have made it to No 10, let alone been shown to 15 million viewers. This newspaper today reveals how even a supposedly more reliable six-week projection for hospital use contained basic errors.”
4. Ed Husain in The Spectator
on confronting extremism
Europe’s cities are becoming a refuge for Islamist extremists
“We must first of all be honest. Our country and compatriots depend on us getting this right. The threat we currently face is not about racism – which is why Christian Nigerians or Hindu Indians do not become terrorists in the West. It is not about unemployment, either – which is why white, working-class men, a demographic with high levels of unemployment, do not become suicide bombers. Instead, the threat from the menace of Islamist terror stems from a narrative – a dangerous cocktail of religion and politics – of the past, anger in the present, and a vision for the future. It is that narrative that we must confront head on and destroy.”
5. Graeme Reid on Al Jazeera
on breaking with orthodoxy
Why the pope’s endorsement of same-sex unions matters
“In Argentina, as Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Francis supported same-sex unions in a private meeting at a time when the extension of marriage seemed inevitable. Some say he saw civil unions as the lesser of two evils, a secular compromise to protect the Catholic Church’s view of marriage – a task he then described as ‘God’s war’. Whatever the reason, his willingness to endorse same-sex civil unions marked a significant break with Catholic orthodoxy. Since Argentina embraced same-sex marriage a decade ago, the recognition of marriage equality has gained momentum, with 29 countries now on board. Significantly, several Catholic-majority countries, including Colombia, Ireland and Malta, have taken this step.”


theweekuk--2020-11-04--Wine of the week: the most magical Douro white in existence

This wine is a genuine star of the small screen .
Amazon Prime last week aired the first episode of series three of The Wine Show , and Cedro Branco stole the show .
There was a cast of superstars , but I only had eyes for this epic white wine , which hit shop shelves at the end of October .
There is very limited stock in the UK , with the Secret Bottle Shop website among the selected suppliers , and Cambridge Wine Merchants , South Downs Cellars , Carruthers & Kent and Clarion Wines all said to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action .
Quinta do Noval is a legendary property that makes legendary wines , and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port is the finest I have ever tasted .
But this wine is not fortified and nor is it a wine that requires age to mellow its charms .
Made from 65 % viosinho and 35 % gouveio and fermented and matured in French oak , of which 20 % was new barrels , this is a thrillingly daring white wine .
At a refined 13.5 % alcohol , Cedro is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chablis in terms of flavour intensity and pristine freshness .
But under the bonnet , there is a very different engine , powered by wild herbs , waxy citrus pith and stone fruit .
Its flavour confounds the senses and tantalises your taste buds .
In short , this is arguably the most magical Douro white in existence .
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

2019 Cedro do Noval, Vinho Branco, Noval, Douro, Portugal – £19.95, secretbottleshop.co.uk
This wine is a genuine star of the small screen. Amazon Prime last week aired the first episode of series three of The Wine Show, and Cedro Branco stole the show. There was a cast of superstars, but I only had eyes for this epic white wine, which hit shop shelves at the end of October.
There is very limited stock in the UK, with the Secret Bottle Shop website among the selected suppliers, and Cambridge Wine Merchants, South Downs Cellars, Carruthers & Kent and Clarion Wines all said to be aiming to get in on the action.
Quinta do Noval is a legendary property that makes legendary wines, and the 1931 Quinta do Noval Nacional Vintage Port is the finest I have ever tasted. But this wine is not fortified and nor is it a wine that requires age to mellow its charms. Made from 65% viosinho and 35% gouveio and fermented and matured in French oak, of which 20% was new barrels, this is a thrillingly daring white wine.
At a refined 13.5% alcohol, Cedro is a cleverly balanced creation that echoes top-flight Chablis in terms of flavour intensity and pristine freshness. But under the bonnet, there is a very different engine, powered by wild herbs, waxy citrus pith and stone fruit. Its flavour confounds the senses and tantalises your taste buds.
In short, this is arguably the most magical Douro white in existence.
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-11-07--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 7 Nov 2020

Scientists have claimed that the peak of the second Covid wave is likely to have already passed .
The King @ @ @ @ @ found that the ‘ R ’ value across the UK is now one , with @ @ @ @ @ of England and in Scotland .
The study calculated that there were 42,049 daily new @ @ @ @ @ the fortnight to November 1 , compared to 43,569 new cases the previous week .

Kings College London says Covid second wave has peaked
Scientists have claimed that the peak of the second Covid wave is likely to have already passed. The King's College London symptom study found that the ‘R’ value across the UK is now one, with cases falling in the north of England and in Scotland. The study calculated that there were 42,049 daily new symptomatic cases across Britain over the fortnight to November 1, compared to 43,569 new cases the previous week.


theweekuk--2020-11-08--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 8 Nov 2020

China has launched what has been described as “ the world 's first 6G satellite ” into space .
The @ @ @ @ @ with 12 others from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the Shanxi Province .
The @ @ @ @ @ is still some years away from agreeing on 6G 's specifications , so it is @ @ @ @ @ being trialled will make it into the final standard .

China launches first test satellite for 6G
China has launched what has been described as “the world's first 6G satellite” into space. The satellite went into orbit along with 12 others from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in the Shanxi Province. The BBC says the telecoms industry is still some years away from agreeing on 6G's specifications, so it is not yet certain the tech being trialled will make it into the final standard.


theweekuk--2020-11-09--Brits keeping 21 million ‘money secrets’ from friends and family, survey reveals

People across the UK are hiding a total of 21 million “ money secrets ” about hidden debts , loans or savings , new research has found .
The survey of more than 5,200 adults reveals that four in ten are concealing the true state of their finances from their nearest and dearest .
The most common secrets were hidden credit cards ( 37 % ) , undisclosed personal loans ( 23 % ) and secret savings accounts ( 21 % ) .
“ Partners are the most likely to be left in the dark , ” The Times reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in relationships suspect that their spouse has kept a money secret , nearly half of those in relationships , or 45 % , admitted having an undisclosed money product.
” People aged 25 to 34 are the most secretive bunch , with nearly three in five hiding money products , “ particularly credit cards , personal loans and overdrafts ” , the newspaper adds .
By contrast , pensioners are the most open age group , with just 26 % keeping secrets , according to the research , from the government-backed Money and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the reasons given for staying quiet included feeling embarrassed or fearful of being judged .
But there are “ numerous ” other explanations for why people keep money secrets , says MaPS insights director Sarah Porretta .
A hidden savings account may act “ as a buffer for those who want to escape a difficult relationship ” , she explains .
Other reasons include “ an unpaid bill being kept under wraps in order to protect anxious family members ” , as well as wanting to avoid “ feeling of shame or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ control ” .
The survey was conducted to mark “ Talk Money Week ” , which is aimed at “ encouraging people who are struggling financially in the pandemic to talk it over with a friend , family member or expert ” , the BBC reports .
More information about Talk Money Week can be found here .

People across the UK are hiding a total of 21 million “money secrets” about hidden debts, loans or savings, new research has found.
The survey of more than 5,200 adults reveals that four in ten are concealing the true state of their finances from their nearest and dearest. The most common secrets were hidden credit cards (37%), undisclosed personal loans (23%) and secret savings accounts (21%).
“Partners are the most likely to be left in the dark,” The Times reports. “While 23% of people in relationships suspect that their spouse has kept a money secret, nearly half of those in relationships, or 45%, admitted having an undisclosed money product.”
People aged 25 to 34 are the most secretive bunch, with nearly three in five hiding money products, “particularly credit cards, personal loans and overdrafts”, the newspaper adds.
By contrast, pensioners are the most open age group, with just 26% keeping secrets, according to the research, from the government-backed Money and Pensions Service (MaPS).
Some of the reasons given for staying quiet included feeling embarrassed or fearful of being judged.
But there are “numerous” other explanations for why people keep money secrets, says MaPS insights director Sarah Porretta. A hidden savings account may act “as a buffer for those who want to escape a difficult relationship”, she explains.
Other reasons include “an unpaid bill being kept under wraps in order to protect anxious family members”, as well as wanting to avoid “feeling of shame or embarrassment that debts have spiralled out of control”.
The survey was conducted to mark “Talk Money Week”, which is aimed at “encouraging people who are struggling financially in the pandemic to talk it over with a friend, family member or expert”, the BBC reports.
More information about Talk Money Week can be found here.


theweekuk--2020-11-09--US election: what next for Donald Trump after leaving White House?

Donald Trump is doubling down on his refusal to accept defeat in the US election , tweeting further baseless allegations of voter fraud after being informed of the result while on the golf course .
The soon-to-be ousted US leader last night returned to his favourite platform , tweeting : “ Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be ?
” The Joe Biden campaign “ stole what [ votes ] they had to steal ” to claim victory , he wrote in another post that has been flagged up by Twitter for containing “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign has launched a slew of legal battles in a bid to cling on to power , but the tide has turned against the Republican , with many of his key advisers viewing the cases as “ futile ” , Bloomberg reports .
Team Trump will be devoting the coming weeks to fighting a litany of lawsuits related to alleged fraud during the election vote-counting , which has yet to be fully completed in some states .
Having initially led in many battleground states after the first night of counting , Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mail-in ballots were added to the tallies .
In response , the incumbent announced that he would be taking action against multiple states , including Michigan , Wisconsin , Nevada and Pennsylvania .
However , legal experts have suggested that the cases are merely a political ploy aimed at buying time , rather than legitimate challenges .
“ They all seem to have no merit whatsoever , ” Joshua Douglas , a law professor at the University of Kentucky , told The Guardian .
“ I think the goal is to sow discord @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the integrity of the election .
I think giving them additional airtime just plays into that theory.
” Biden is due to replace Trump on 20 January - meaning the Republican has two-and-a-half months left in the Oval Office .
And “ after his flimsy legal challenges fail ” , we are “ likely to see members of the Trump administration take as much as they can on the way out ” , says The Independent ’ s Ahmed Baba .
Expect “ last-minute pardons , government contracts approved for Trump allies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s businesses ” , predicts Baba , who adds that “ Trump could also replace career government officials with loyalists , engineering his own deep state before Biden takes office ” .
Indeed , the odds of a smooth transition of power appear to be very low .
Multiple sources told Vanity Fair that Trump may figuratively “ barricade himself in the Oval Office ” and refuse to concede the election .
The Biden campaign is clearly anticipating just such a scenario , warning in a statement on Friday - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election winner - that “ the US government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House ” .
“ Without some of the protections afforded him by the presidency ” , Trump will “ become vulnerable to multiple investigations looking into possible fraud in his financial business dealings as a private citizen - both as an individual and through his company ” , CNN reports .
These investigations may focus on accusations of tax evasion , defamation and even rape .
Writing prior to the election , The New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump had already “ survived one impeachment , 26 accusations of sexual misconduct , and an estimated 4,000 lawsuits ” .
But “ that run of good luck may well end , perhaps brutally , if Joe Biden wins ” , she added .
However , some lawyers have “ speculated that it ’ s possible Trump would attempt to pardon himself from federal crimes before he leaves office ” , adds CNN .
Trump may also be heading for the divorce courts .
Multiple former White House insiders have claimed that First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the minutes ” until she can go it alone .
According to the The Mail on Sunday , former aide Omarosa Manigault Newman says the couple ’ s 15-year marriage is effectively “ already over ” .
“ Melania is counting every minute until he is out of office and she can divorce , ” Newman told the paper .
“ If Melania were to try to pull the ultimate humiliation and leave while he ’ s in office , he would find a way to punish her.
” Similar claims have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who says that the first lady has had her eyes on the exit ever since Trump won the 2016 election .
Melania waited nearly five months before moving from New York City to join her then-newly elected husband in the White House , claiming that she wanted their son , Barron , to be able to finish out his school year .
But Wolkoff claims that the first lady refused to move because she was negotiating a post-nuptial agreement to give Barron an equal share of the Trump fortune .

Donald Trump is doubling down on his refusal to accept defeat in the US election, tweeting further baseless allegations of voter fraud after being informed of the result while on the golf course.
The soon-to-be ousted US leader last night returned to his favourite platform, tweeting: “Since when does the Lamestream Media call who our next president will be?” The Joe Biden campaign “stole what [votes] they had to steal” to claim victory, he wrote in another post that has been flagged up by Twitter for containing “disputed” claims.
Trump’s campaign has launched a slew of legal battles in a bid to cling on to power, but the tide has turned against the Republican, with many of his key advisers viewing the cases as “futile”, Bloomberg reports.
To the courts
Team Trump will be devoting the coming weeks to fighting a litany of lawsuits related to alleged fraud during the election vote-counting, which has yet to be fully completed in some states.
Having initially led in many battleground states after the first night of counting, Trump’s advantage over Biden shrunk dramatically as mail-in ballots were added to the tallies. In response, the incumbent announced that he would be taking action against multiple states, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
However, legal experts have suggested that the cases are merely a political ploy aimed at buying time, rather than legitimate challenges.
“They all seem to have no merit whatsoever,” Joshua Douglas, a law professor at the University of Kentucky, told The Guardian. “I think the goal is to sow discord and distrust and undermine the people and the integrity of the election. I think giving them additional airtime just plays into that theory.”
White House wipeout
Biden is due to replace Trump on 20 January - meaning the Republican has two-and-a-half months left in the Oval Office. And “after his flimsy legal challenges fail”, we are “likely to see members of the Trump administration take as much as they can on the way out”, says The Independent’s Ahmed Baba.
Expect “last-minute pardons, government contracts approved for Trump allies, and more siphoning of taxpayer dollars into Trump’s businesses”, predicts Baba, who adds that “Trump could also replace career government officials with loyalists, engineering his own deep state before Biden takes office”.


theweekuk--2020-11-09--Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump offers ‘stark lessons’ to Labour, Keir Starmer says

Keir Starmer is calling for Labour to learn from Joe Biden ’ s presidential election victory and for the UK to help the US Democrat build “ a better , more optimistic future ” .
In an article in The Guardian , the Labour Party leader writes that American voters have chosen “ unity over division , hope over fear and integrity over dishonesty ” , and that Britain should “ welcome ” the president-elect ’ s pledge “ to restore the US ’ s alliances and fill the void in global leadership ” .
In what Politico London Playbook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veiled “ nod to Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour left losing the red wall ” , Starmer continues : “ The Democrats ’ path to victory was paved by a broad coalition , including many of the states and communities that four years ago turned away from them .
“ This election also had stark lessons for those of us who want to see progressive values triumph over the forces of division and despair.
” The Tories reportedly fear that as well as offering a learning experience , the US election result may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Wickham , ministers are concerned that the new president will “ hit it off ” with Starmer , “ allowing the Labour leader to position himself as his British equivalent ” .
These concerns have been exacerbated by Boris Johnson ’ s past comments about Biden ’ s close friend and former boss Barack Obama .
Johnson and Biden have not met , but the latter is no doubt familiar with the prime minister ’ s 2016 suggestion that then president Obama harboured anti-British views because of his Kenyan ancestry .
Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election victory , but “ Johnson is braced for an early snub from the president-elect ” , who last year described the Tory leader as a “ physical and emotional clone ” of Donald Trump , the Daily Mail reports .
As the BBC ’ s diplomatic correspondent James Lansdale notes , Biden and his team also view Brexit as a “ historic mistake ” .
And those misgivings lie behind “ an expectation among many observers that when President Biden seeks to repair transatlantic relationships , he may focus more of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , says Lansdale .

Keir Starmer is calling for Labour to learn from Joe Biden’s presidential election victory and for the UK to help the US Democrat build “a better, more optimistic future”.
In an article in The Guardian, the Labour Party leader writes that American voters have chosen “unity over division, hope over fear and integrity over dishonesty”, and that Britain should “welcome” the president-elect’s pledge “to restore the US’s alliances and fill the void in global leadership”.
In what Politico London Playbook’s Alex Wickham suggests is a veiled “nod to Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour left losing the red wall”, Starmer continues: “The Democrats’ path to victory was paved by a broad coalition, including many of the states and communities that four years ago turned away from them.
“This election also had stark lessons for those of us who want to see progressive values triumph over the forces of division and despair.”
The Tories reportedly fear that as well as offering a learning experience, the US election result may have other benefits for Labour. According to Wickham, ministers are concerned that the new president will “hit it off” with Starmer, “allowing the Labour leader to position himself as his British equivalent”.
These concerns have been exacerbated by Boris Johnson’s past comments about Biden’s close friend and former boss Barack Obama. Johnson and Biden have not met, but the latter is no doubt familiar with the prime minister’s 2016 suggestion that then president Obama harboured anti-British views because of his Kenyan ancestry.
Biden has begun calling world leaders following his election victory, but “Johnson is braced for an early snub from the president-elect”, who last year described the Tory leader as a “physical and emotional clone” of Donald Trump, the Daily Mail reports.
As the BBC’s diplomatic correspondent James Lansdale notes, Biden and his team also view Brexit as a “historic mistake”.
And those misgivings lie behind “an expectation among many observers that when President Biden seeks to repair transatlantic relationships, he may focus more of his attention on Paris and Berlin than London”, says Lansdale.


theweekuk--2020-11-09--‘Complete lack of movement’ on fishing set to trigger no-deal Brexit, UK officials warn

The odds of no-deal Brexit are increasing as a result of a “ complete lack of movement ” from the EU in the ongoing row over fishing rights , UK officials have warned .
Progress has been made on issues including law enforcement , transport and social security , but a source told Politico ’ s London Playbook that if Brussels continues to demand free access to UK waters and continuity in fishing quotas , no agreement on post-Brexit trade can be reached .
“ Unfortunately , we haven ’ t achieved as much as we ’ d hoped during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the source , who claimed the EU is also continuing to demand that the UK does not diverge too far from the bloc ’ s approach to state aid .
“ We still need more realism from the EU , ” the insider continued .
“ They can ’ t expect us to agree to a treaty under which we can ’ t move away from EU norms in important areas .
“ And they don ’ t seem to have realized the scale of change in fishing rights they face if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Boris Johnson told Sky News that he has “ always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners ” , adding : “ The broad outlines are pretty clear , we just need to get on and do it if we can.
” UK and EU negotiators are resuming talks in London today , as the House of Lords debates the prime minister ’ s contentious Internal Market Bill .
The bill , which reneges on elements of the Withdrawal Agreement signed in January , has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and risks triggered a “ rift ” between the new White House administration and Downing Street , The Guardian reports .
As the paper notes , Biden “ has expressed negative views on the UK ’ s plans to override parts of the agreement if no deal is reached with the bloc ” .

The odds of no-deal Brexit are increasing as a result of a “complete lack of movement” from the EU in the ongoing row over fishing rights, UK officials have warned.
Progress has been made on issues including law enforcement, transport and social security, but a source told Politico’s London Playbook that if Brussels continues to demand free access to UK waters and continuity in fishing quotas, no agreement on post-Brexit trade can be reached.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t achieved as much as we’d hoped during these intensive talks so far,” said the source, who claimed the EU is also continuing to demand that the UK does not diverge too far from the bloc’s approach to state aid.
“We still need more realism from the EU,” the insider continued. “They can’t expect us to agree to a treaty under which we can’t move away from EU norms in important areas.
“And they don’t seem to have realized the scale of change in fishing rights they face if there is no agreement.”
On Sunday, Boris Johnson told Sky News that he has “always been a great enthusiast for a trade deal with our European friends and partners”, adding: “The broad outlines are pretty clear, we just need to get on and do it if we can.”
UK and EU negotiators are resuming talks in London today, as the House of Lords debates the prime minister’s contentious Internal Market Bill.
The bill, which reneges on elements of the Withdrawal Agreement signed in January, has been condemned by US president-elect Joe Biden, and risks triggered a “rift” between the new White House administration and Downing Street, The Guardian reports.
As the paper notes, Biden “has expressed negative views on the UK’s plans to override parts of the agreement if no deal is reached with the bloc”.


theweekuk--2020-11-09--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 9 Nov 2020

Britain ’ s economy is set for a pre-Christmas slump with further job losses and shop closures , according to @ @ @ @ @ in business activity .
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said : “ The @ @ @ @ @ is that the situation is getting worse more slowly .
Employment looks set to keep @ @ @ @ @ demand for labour means that it is going to be a long and hard winter @ @

Economy expected to suffer a slump before Christmas
Britain’s economy is set for a pre-Christmas slump with further job losses and shop closures, according to new surveys showing a decline in business activity. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development said: “The best that can be said is that the situation is getting worse more slowly. Employment looks set to keep falling and the relatively weak demand for labour means that it is going to be a long and hard winter.”


theweekuk--2020-11-09--Book shop releases unisex book fragrance

A bookstore in Oregon has released a unisex fragrance that smells of books .
With hints of violet , wood and biblichor , the $ 24.99 ( £19 ) perfume at Powell 's City of Books aims to replicate the smell of old paper that “ creates an atmosphere ripe with mood and possibility , invoking a labyrinth of books ; secret libraries ; ancient scrolls ; and cognac swilled by philosopher-kings ” .
A brawl broke out in the Tesco eggs aisle during yesterday ’ s two-minute silence .
“ We were all stood still , observing the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of screaming and shouting , ” said an onlooker at the branch in Middlesbrough .
“ There were smashed eggs all over the floor .
I only went in for a chicken.
” A fisherman in Florida broke a state record when he landed a non-native lionfish measuring 18.19 inches ( 46.2cm ) long in the Gulf of Mexico .
“ I saw a monster lionfish and immediately knew I wanted to measure it , ” said Donald Vautrinot .
`` I got really excited.
” Lionfish are regarded as an invasive species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish lasts all year long .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 bookstore in Oregon has released a unisex fragrance that smells of books. With hints of violet, wood and biblichor, the $24.99 (£19) perfume at Powell's City of Books aims to replicate the smell of old paper that “creates an atmosphere ripe with mood and possibility, invoking a labyrinth of books; secret libraries; ancient scrolls; and cognac swilled by philosopher-kings”.
Fight in eggs aisle during two-minute silence
A brawl broke out in the Tesco eggs aisle during yesterday’s two-minute silence. “We were all stood still, observing the two minutes’ silence when we heard lots of screaming and shouting,” said an onlooker at the branch in Middlesbrough. “There were smashed eggs all over the floor. I only went in for a chicken.”
Fisherman breaks lionfish record
A fisherman in Florida broke a state record when he landed a non-native lionfish measuring 18.19 inches (46.2cm) long in the Gulf of Mexico. “I saw a monster lionfish and immediately knew I wanted to measure it,” said Donald Vautrinot. "I got really excited.” Lionfish are regarded as an invasive species in Florida and open season for the fish lasts all year long.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-11-09--Instant Opinion: ‘stop treating us like a nation of prospective criminals’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
The government must stop treating us like a nation of prospective criminals “ A difficult period looms .
The new measures criminalise family meetings , deny individuals the freedom of assembly , prevent religious ceremonies from taking place , and give the police the power to impose hefty fines upon members of the public who are deemed to be in breach of the rules .
In an attempt to galvanise national unity , politicians throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made by the British people ’ .
But where a sacrifice would imply the undertaking of a voluntary act of selflessness , the reality is that the government ’ s whole approach to compliance with its coronavirus restrictions has been based around coercion.
” I ’ ll never trust white women again after this election “ You donned pink pussy hats , you wrote postcards , you made signs , you feverishly Facebooked and Instagrammed , you marched here , there , everywhere .
We could barely look left or right without seeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ megaphones on high .
You protested for science .
You decried misogyny .
You absolutely adored Black Lives Matter , blanketing your yard with signs , your wardrobe with T-shirts , your nightstands with so many anti-racism books , even Amazon had trouble satiating your voracious appetite .
You went so far as to use a black square as your social media profile pic for a day .
And then on election day , this past Tuesday , you hopped off your Peloton , dusted off all those unread books , pulled on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the polling station .
And you checked that box for Trump .
Again.
” Trump is gone , Netanyahu is next “ [ Joe ] Biden could deny the embattled Israeli premier any of the customary support and courtesy afforded to Israeli leaders .
And he may not tolerate any of the prime minister ’ s humiliating outbursts or hostile criticisms , which became his habit during the Obama era .
Likewise , Biden could reject Netanyahu ’ s unilateral moves in Palestine , or in the region , if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Washington .
So , in short , Biden could make the coming months debilitating , inhibiting , and outright humiliating for the Israeli prime minister .
He may even turn his back on Netanyahu and make him persona non grata at the White House.
” Will ‘ Coronnials ’ be scarred for life ?
“ I ’ ve definitely noticed little changes in my son ’ s behaviour over the past month .
Largely harmless , they reveal the imprint of this pandemic on his still-emerging character .
He puts on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scrubs his hands with a nail brush , talking about germs .
I once assumed it was impossible to impose hygiene standards and social distancing rules on toddlers , but as Natasha Rawdon-Rego , founder of Wimbledon ’ s Oak Nursery , attests , her children have adapted — perhaps too well .
‘ It is almost like they police each other , ’ she says .
The physical freedom of being a toddler is being restrained and they are becoming enthusiastic enforcers .
One friend ’ s toddler will protest when she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hugging ; another arranges her dolls into small groups so they are appropriately spaced .
When organisations like the Beavers issue Covid Codes of Conduct for children aged six to sign , it ’ s surely time to question the value and legitimacy of all this.
” Drink up — and help to foil Beijing ’ s bullying “ Twenty tonnes of live lobsters facing death at Shanghai airport are the first casualties .
But far more is at stake .
The Chinese Communist Party wants to punish resistance and quell criticism everywhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first target .
If the attack succeeds , others will be next .
The immediate cause of the row is Australia ’ s call in April for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic .
The thin-skinned Chinese leadership treats awkward questions and nosy outsiders as a national security threat .
It demanded that Australia back down , driving home the ultimatum with escalating difficulties for Australian exporters , such as the metal-content tests that have doomed the hapless lobsters this week .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Mark Johnson in City A.M.
on Covid coersion
The government must stop treating us like a nation of prospective criminals
“A difficult period looms. The new measures criminalise family meetings, deny individuals the freedom of assembly, prevent religious ceremonies from taking place, and give the police the power to impose hefty fines upon members of the public who are deemed to be in breach of the rules. In an attempt to galvanise national unity, politicians throughout the crisis have lauded the ‘sacrifices made by the British people’. But where a sacrifice would imply the undertaking of a voluntary act of selflessness, the reality is that the government’s whole approach to compliance with its coronavirus restrictions has been based around coercion.”
2. Saira Rao in HuffPost
on US voter demographics
I’ll never trust white women again after this election
“You donned pink pussy hats, you wrote postcards, you made signs, you feverishly Facebooked and Instagrammed, you marched here, there, everywhere. We could barely look left or right without seeing you fists pumped into the sky, megaphones on high. You protested for science. You decried misogyny. You absolutely adored Black Lives Matter, blanketing your yard with signs, your wardrobe with T-shirts, your nightstands with so many anti-racism books, even Amazon had trouble satiating your voracious appetite. You went so far as to use a black square as your social media profile pic for a day. And then on election day, this past Tuesday, you hopped off your Peloton, dusted off all those unread books, pulled on a well-worn social justice T-shirt and marched to the polling station. And you checked that box for Trump. Again.”
3. Marwan Bishara in Al Jazeera
on a prime minister without allies
Trump is gone, Netanyahu is next
“[Joe] Biden could deny the embattled Israeli premier any of the customary support and courtesy afforded to Israeli leaders. And he may not tolerate any of the prime minister’s humiliating outbursts or hostile criticisms, which became his habit during the Obama era. Likewise, Biden could reject Netanyahu’s unilateral moves in Palestine, or in the region, if they are illegal and are made without prior coordination with Washington. So, in short, Biden could make the coming months debilitating, inhibiting, and outright humiliating for the Israeli prime minister. He may even turn his back on Netanyahu and make him persona non grata at the White House.”
4. Eliza Filby in Unherd
on a germophobic generation
Will ‘Coronnials’ be scarred for life?
“I’ve definitely noticed little changes in my son’s behaviour over the past month. Largely harmless, they reveal the imprint of this pandemic on his still-emerging character. He puts on his mask when he plays shops and now scrubs his hands with a nail brush, talking about germs. I once assumed it was impossible to impose hygiene standards and social distancing rules on toddlers, but as Natasha Rawdon-Rego, founder of Wimbledon’s Oak Nursery, attests, her children have adapted — perhaps too well. ‘It is almost like they police each other,’ she says. The physical freedom of being a toddler is being restrained and they are becoming enthusiastic enforcers. One friend’s toddler will protest when she sees crowds on TV, or people hugging; another arranges her dolls into small groups so they are appropriately spaced. When organisations like the Beavers issue Covid Codes of Conduct for children aged six to sign, it’s surely time to question the value and legitimacy of all this.”
5. Edward Lucas in The Times
on thwarting China
Drink up — and help to foil Beijing’s bullying
“Twenty tonnes of live lobsters facing death at Shanghai airport are the first casualties. But far more is at stake. The Chinese Communist Party wants to punish resistance and quell criticism everywhere in the world. Australia is the first target. If the attack succeeds, others will be next. The immediate cause of the row is Australia’s call in April for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. The thin-skinned Chinese leadership treats awkward questions and nosy outsiders as a national security threat. It demanded that Australia back down, driving home the ultimatum with escalating difficulties for Australian exporters, such as the metal-content tests that have doomed the hapless lobsters this week.”


theweekuk--2020-11-09--US election: what is top of Joe Biden’s agenda as he prepares his transition team?

Americans across the nation ’ s blue states headed out into the streets to celebrate as Pennsylvania was called in favour of Joe Biden on Saturday , while red states mourned the end of four years of Donald Trump .
Acknowledging this national divide in his first speech after victory was declared , the Democratic challenger vowed not to “ divide but to unify ” and urged all US citizens to “ give each other a chance ” .
But this healing process will take time , and Biden will face many other challenges when he takes office in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be at the top of his Oval Office in-tray ?
Tackling the coronavirus pandemic is arguably the most urgent task facing Biden .
The US has struggled to contain the virus , reporting its ten millionth case on Sunday , with the latest million added over just ten days .
Covid-19 has claimed the lives of almost 240,000 Americans so far , according to latest figures - the highest tally in the world .
Biden has said that after taking office , he will immediately put a national strategy in place to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with measures including introducing a US-wide mask mandate , encouraging regional lockdowns , and green-lighting a plan for widespread testing .
The president-elect has also “ voiced support for a robust relief measure that includes another federal bonus to weekly unemployment benefits , more aid for struggling small businesses and financially distressed states , and another round of stimulus checks to most households ” , USA Today reports .
But as the paper notes , the passing of such measures is likely to hinge on which party has the majority in the Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in two run-off elections in Georgia in January .
In the meantime , Biden ’ s transition team has today named the public health experts who will make up his coronavirus advisory board .
The experts include Rick Bright , “ a whistle-blower from the Trump administration who alleged that his early warnings about the pandemic were ignored and ultimately led to his removal ” , says CNN .
As the election campaign hotted up back in July , Biden unveiled his “ Build Back Better ” strategy , a $ 700bn blueprint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amid rising unemployment triggered by the Covid pandemic .
According to the Economic Times , the scheme would be financed “ through tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans and on major corporations ” .
In the longer term , the Democrat “ wants bills like the union-backed Protecting the Right to Organize Act , as well as government assistance to help revitalise manufacturing and new infrastructure investments ” , NBC News says .
During his campaign to win the White House , Biden also “ backed plans to forgive student loans , increase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money for small businesses ” , adds the BBC .
One of the most difficult challenges facing the president-elect is enacting a plan to combat the climate crisis .
“ Democrats themselves are not fully unified on how to approach the issue , ” says NPR , which reports that “ divisions over how quickly and aggressively to move to limit carbon emissions have simmered ” since Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Edward Markey tabled a Green New Deal last year .
Biden has pledged a $ 2trn plan to fight climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wind energy , a network of electric vehicle charging stations and a plan to reach zero net-emissions by 2050 .
But “ many moderate Democrats are skeptical of those plans , and Republicans have mocked the proposal ” , the news site adds .
Biden came under fire from the left of his own party over his rejection of Medicare For All , the single-payer system championed by Democratic lawmakers including Biden ’ s presidential candidate rival Bernie Sanders .
Instead , Biden has proposed a reworked version of the Affordable Care Act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was passed during his tenure as vice president to Barack Obama .
The president-elect ’ s version , which he refers to as “ Bidencare ” , will include what he refers to as a “ public option ” to compete with private insurers in the marketplaces .

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theweekuk--2020-11-09--Coronavirus: GCHQ launches war against Russian anti-vaccine propaganda

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UK intelligence agents are reportedly using techniques developed to eliminate terrorist propaganda in a fresh push to prevent the spread of Russian anti-vaccine disinformation.
“It is the latest move by cyberagents to counter activity linked to Moscow whose aim is to exploit the pandemic in order to undermine the West and boost Russian interests,” The Times reports.
Last month, reports emerged that social media accounts run from Russia had been spreading fake news and images that suggested the Oxford University-developed Covid-19 vaccine could turn people into monkeys. “One state TV channel even ran images of a suit-clad prime minister Boris Johnson with the hirsute features of a chimp,” HuffPost reports.
The flimsy basis for the far-fetched claim was that the Oxford vaccine uses a harmless virus found in chimpanzees to carry its active ingredient into the human immune system.
The chief motive for the misinformation campaign is financial: Moscow is trying to persuade governments to buy two Russian vaccines, neither of which “has completed the kind of extensive and rigorous three-phase trials” required in Europe and the US, says Washington D.C.-based news site NPR.
The Times reports that GCHQ is pushing back by “taking down hostile state-linked content and disrupting the operations of the cyberactors responsible for it, including encrypting their data so they cannot access it and blocking their communications with each other”.
Downing Street “considers tackling false information about immunisation as a high priority”, adds Reuters.
But GCHQ’s countermeasures are directed only at state-sponsored disinformation. “You wouldn’t get authorisation to go after cranks,” a government source told The Times.
“People have a right to say batshit stuff online.”


theweekuk--2020-11-10--US election: how Donald Trump lost the backing of Rupert Murdoch

After winning the big prize of Florida in early results from the US presidential election , Donald Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ in predicting further victories across the remaining swing states .
But just hours later , @ @ @ @ @ Jared Kusher was embroiled in an argument with Trump ’ s favourite television channel Fox @ @ @ @ @ media outlet became the first to call Arizona in Joe Biden ’ s favour .
@ @ @ @ @ sparked “ major ire in President Trump ’ s re-election camp and resulted in a @ @ @ @ @ Murdoch ” , The Hill reports .
Yet as the dust settles following Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ battle for the White House , all the signs are pointing to a further devastating @ @ @ @ @ loss of his long-time support from Murdoch ’ s empire .


theweekuk--2020-11-10--Coronavirus: how the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine works

The experimental vaccine leading the race to provide coronavirus immunity depends on an entirely new approach to preventative medicine .
Indeed , if such a vaccine “ was approved for coronavirus , it would be the first of its type ” to deliver a successful immunisation , research magazine Horizon reported back in April .
Although the breakthrough injection - developed by the US drug company Pfizer and German research lab BioNTech - has not yet been approved , it has been shown to be 90 % effective in protecting people from Covid-19 .
How does it work ?
Most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus to provoke an immune response in their recipients , but the Pfizer version is synthetic .
The new vaccine - which is still undergoing Phase 3 trials - is made using messenger ribonucleic acid ( also known as messenger RNA or mRNA ) .
Whereas DNA is where we store our genetic information , mRNA - as its name suggests - transmits information and helps to determine how our genes are expressed .
To put that another way , mRNA “ essentially puts DNA instructions into action ” , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pfizer vaccine , the researchers synthesised a form of mRNA that will “ cause our own cells to make a viral protein ” from the Covid-19 coronavirus , says The New York Times .
The protein is harmless in isolation , but prompts the human immune system to “ make antibodies and immune cells that can recognise the protein quickly and deliver a swift attack ” , the newspaper adds .
Since the active ingredient in the vaccine - the mRNA - is “ made from a DNA template in a lab ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ a more rapid process than [ with ] conventional vaccines and a major advantage when it comes to sudden pandemics ” .


theweekuk--2020-11-10--Coronavirus: does vaccine breakthrough herald return to normal life?

A leading government scientist has claimed that a return to normal life may be imminent , following a major breakthrough @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 vaccine .
Oxford University professor John Bell , a member of the Scientific Advisory @ @ @ @ @ ) , told the BBC yesterday that he believes “ with some confidence ” that @ @ @ @ @ under control by next spring .
Bell offered his prediction following reports that a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ BioNTech has been found to be 90 % effective .
However , other researchers are @ @ @ @ @ that while the findings of the Phase 3 clinical trial mark an important milestone , @ @ @ @ @ may still be a long way off .

A leading government scientist has claimed that a return to normal life may be imminent, following a major breakthrough in the development of a Covid-19 vaccine.
Oxford University professor John Bell, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), told the BBC yesterday that he believes “with some confidence” that the coronavirus could be brought under control by next spring. Bell offered his prediction following reports that a vaccine being developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been found to be 90% effective.
However, other researchers are calling for caution, warning that while the findings of the Phase 3 clinical trial mark an important milestone, an end to the pandemic may still be a long way off.
Tempered celebrations
The UK’s deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, said yesterday that he and Boris Johnson consider the trial findings to be “a significant scientific breakthrough” - but added that many hurdles remain.
“I’m hopeful... but not yet certain that we could begin to see some vaccine by Christmas,” Van-Tam said. “This is like getting to the end of a play-off final, it’s gone to penalties. The first player goes up, scores the goal. You haven’t won the cup yet, but what it does is it tells you that the goalkeeper can be beaten.”
Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty also expressed optimism, tweeting: “Preliminary news that the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is effective demonstrates the power of science against Covid. We must see the final safety and efficacy data, but it is very encouraging.
“It is essential we continue to suppress Covid, but it is a reason for optimism for 2021.”
Back to normal?
Although the breakthrough is undoubtedly cause for celebration, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other public health experts have been warning for months that any hopes that a vaccine will quickly end the global pandemic are unrealistic.
The UN health agency’s regional director for Europe, Hans Kluge, told Bloomberg in September that while there has been an “unprecedented coordinated effort globally” to create a working vaccination against Covid-19, the drug is “not the issue”.
“The vaccine is not going to be the end of the pandemic,” Kluge said. “The end of the pandemic is going to be when we as people learn to live with the pandemic, and that can begin tomorrow.”
The number of people worldwide who are likely to get the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine this year is also relatively low. The developers say they will have enough safety data by the third week of November to take their vaccine to regulators, and then hope to supply 50 million doses by the end of 2020, followed by around 1.3 billion by the end of 2021.
“The UK should get ten million doses by the end of the year, with a further 30 million doses already ordered,” the BBC reports. But the success of the rollout will also hinge on the medical facilities available, with the vaccine needing to be stored at minus 70C until the day it is used, when it can be stored in a normal fridge.
“This temperature is far out of the reach of standard refrigerators,” says The Times. “The requirements may make holding vaccinations in GP clinics, care homes and other locations difficult.”
Despite those potential storage problems, the UK has begun to draw up an action plan for mass inoculation. Van-Tam told reporters yesterday that a strategy will be put in place to prioritise certain demographics once the vaccine rollout begins.
“Far and away, age is the biggest priority for patients who most need the vaccines and need to get those vaccines first,” he said. “You can expect a theme of increasing age being the highest priority to be a theme that stays with us as we go on this journey.”


theweekuk--2020-11-10--Ex-PMs lobbied Boris Johnson in summer to increase Covid testing, Osborne claims

Four former UK prime ministers wrote to their reigning counterpart months ago pleading for the “ full weight of the British state ” to be thrown behind efforts to increase coronavirus testing , George Osborne has revealed .
David Cameron ’ s ex-chancellor told Times Radio that his former boss , Gordon Brown , Tony Blair and John Major “ wrote privately to Boris Johnson in July , saying this was the priority ” , The Times reports .
Blair , an outspoken advocate for mass testing , enlisted his predecessor and two successors to join him in arguing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing his priority to help allow normal life to resume ” , the newspaper adds .
Echoing their message , Osborne said : “ It ’ s been too much something that has been given to the health department , given to the NHS , and the rest of the government has not thrown the full weight of the British state behind it.
” Last month , it was revealed that the government was advertising a £2,000-a-day job for a director of operations to fix the faltering test-and-trace system .
And the head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Kate Bingham , is to step down at the end of the year following a string of scandals .
The Sunday Times revealed earlier this month that Bingham - who is married to Conservative Treasury minister Jesse Norman - had disclosed “ sensitive ” government data about which vaccines the UK may invest in to a “ $ 200-a-head conference in America ” .
The paper then reported last weekend that she had spent £670,000 of UK taxpayers ’ money to pay a team of boutique relations consultants to oversee her media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to step down when her contract expires in January , according to a government source , who told The Guardian that it “ had always been clear ” this was her intention .

Four former UK prime ministers wrote to their reigning counterpart months ago pleading for the “full weight of the British state” to be thrown behind efforts to increase coronavirus testing, George Osborne has revealed.
David Cameron’s ex-chancellor told Times Radio that his former boss, Gordon Brown, Tony Blair and John Major “wrote privately to Boris Johnson in July, saying this was the priority”, The Times reports.
Blair, an outspoken advocate for mass testing, enlisted his predecessor and two successors to join him in arguing the case for Johnson to “make mass testing his priority to help allow normal life to resume”, the newspaper adds.
Echoing their message, Osborne said: “It’s been too much something that has been given to the health department, given to the NHS, and the rest of the government has not thrown the full weight of the British state behind it.”
Last month, it was revealed that the government was advertising a £2,000-a-day job for a director of operations to fix the faltering test-and-trace system. And the head of the government’s vaccine taskforce, Kate Bingham, is to step down at the end of the year following a string of scandals.
The Sunday Times revealed earlier this month that Bingham - who is married to Conservative Treasury minister Jesse Norman - had disclosed “sensitive” government data about which vaccines the UK may invest in to a “$200-a-head conference in America”.
The paper then reported last weekend that she had spent £670,000 of UK taxpayers’ money to pay a team of boutique relations consultants to oversee her media strategy.
The beleaguered chair is expected to step down when her contract expires in January, according to a government source, who told The Guardian that it “had always been clear” this was her intention.


theweekuk--2020-11-10--Why more data is needed before we pin our hopes on Pfizer’s Covid vaccine breakthrough

Harry Al-Wassiti , research fellow at Monash University , Colin Pouton , professor of pharmaceutical biology at Monash University , and Kylie Quinn , vice-chancellor ’ s research fellow at RMIT University , on what the Pfizer vaccine results mean for the pandemic .
German biotech company BioNTech and US pharmaceutical Pfizer announced on Monday promising early results from their phase 3 clinical trial for a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes Covid-19 .
These early results are what is known as an “ interim analysis ” .
It ’ s an early look at the data before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if there is any indication of whether the vaccine might work .
Currently , this trial has enrolled 43,538 volunteers , giving half the volunteers two doses of the vaccine and the other half two doses of a placebo .
These volunteers then continued their normal lives , but they were monitored for any symptoms that could be Covid-19 , with testing to confirm .
Analysis of 94 volunteers with confirmed Covid-19 suggests the vaccine has an efficacy of over 90 % .
This means that if you took ten people who were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinated them , only one out of ten would now get sick .
Can we get excited yet ?
There is more data to come .
This is a press release and the data have not undergone “ peer-review ” through scientific publication , although it has been assessed by an independent monitoring board .
The study also won ’ t be complete until 164 volunteers have confirmed Covid-19 , and the estimate of efficacy may therefore change .
Finally , the volunteers must be monitored for a defined period of time after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be completed .
Important questions also remain .
It ’ s unclear how long protection will last , as this study has only been underway for three months .
It ’ s unclear if this vaccine protects against severe disease or if this vaccine will work equally well in everyone .
For example , a phase 1 clinical trial with this vaccine showed that immune responses were lower in older people .
But 90 % efficacy is striking .
To give some context , the US Food and Drug Administration indicated they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % efficacy .
The flu vaccine often provides around 60 % efficacy and the mumps vaccine , which is currently the fastest vaccine ever made at four years , provides around 88 % efficacy .
The BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine could outstrip that , after just nine months of development .
This level of efficacy means virus transmission could be very effectively controlled .
That has the research community excited .
It bodes well for other vaccines currently being tested for SARS-CoV-2 and we could end up with multiple successful vaccines .
This would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain populations , like older people .
Multiple vaccines could also be manufactured using a broad range of established infrastructure , which would accelerate vaccine distribution .
The BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine is what ’ s called an mRNA vaccine .
As this article by associate professor Archa Fox , an expert on molecular cell biology from the University of Western Australia , explains : mRNA vaccines are coated molecules of mRNA , similar to DNA , that carry the instructions for making a viral protein .
After injection into muscle , the mRNA is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cell ’ s protein factories , read the mRNA instructions and make the viral protein .
These new proteins are exported from cells and the rest of the immunisation process is identical to other vaccines : our immune system mounts a response by recognising the proteins as foreign and developing antibodies against them .
A problem , for example in Australia , is that it can ’ t make mRNA vaccines onshore yet .
The Australian government has an agreement for ten million doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine .
Since this vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient for five million Australians .
It ’ s unclear how long it will take until any vaccine is widely available , but we may hear more about this in the coming weeks and months .
The vaccine requires storage at a temperature below -60℃ .
This will certainly be a challenge for shipping and local distribution , although not impossible .
One solution to this problem is to form vaccination centres to roll out the vaccine once it becomes available .
In a briefing by Pfizer , the company said it will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccine can then be distributed on “ dry-ice ” .
Currently , Australia has no capacity to produce mRNA on a commercial scale given the technology ’ s novelty .
But we ( the authors ) and others have been working to coordinate and build the manufacturing capacity in Australia for future mRNA vaccine and therapeutics .
With financial support aimed at private-public mRNA manufacturing collaboration , Australia can equip itself with this vital technological asset .
Harry Al-Wassiti , research fellow at Monash University , Colin Pouton , professor of pharmaceutical biology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , vice-chancellor ’ s research fellow at RMIT University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .


theweekuk--2020-11-10--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 10 Nov 2020

Peru ’ s congress has voted to oust President Martin Vizcarra from office .
Peruvians banged pots and pans in @ @ @ @ @ protest against the vote to impeach Vizcarra over corruption allegations .
However , Vizcarra said @ @ @ @ @ decision in the courts and would step down as head of state .
It is @ @ @ @ @ the president in the last two months .

Watchdog claims children forgetting how to use cutlery
Ofsted says that children hit by Covid-19 nursery and school closures are regressing in basic skills like using a knife and fork. Meanwhile, school leaders have reported a rise in older pupils self-harming. “The impact of school closures in the summer will be felt for some time to come - and not just in terms of education, but in all the ways they impact on the lives of young people,” said the watchdog.