theweekuk--2020-12-09--Coronavirus: French and Belgian ministers ‘mock’ UK rollout of world’s first Covid vaccine

Boris Johnson’s celebrations over Britain becoming the world’s first nation to roll out a vaccine for Covid-19 have been greeted with mockery from some other European leaders.
Amid widespread jubilation yesterday as the NHS began vaccinating patients against the coronavirus, Johnson tweeted a “thank you to our NHS, to all of the scientists who worked so hard to develop this vaccine”, adding: “We will beat this together.”
But in what The Brussels Times identifies as a “dig” at the British prime minister, his Belgian counterpart Alexander de Croo responded with a tweet showing an image of an EU flag and the words “Made in Europe” above Johnson’s post. In case de Croo failed to make his point, the newspaper clarifies that “a large part of the vaccine, which was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, was in fact produced in Belgium”.
France’s Europe minister, Clement Beaune, also weighed in to set the record straight, tweeting: “You don’t base a strategy on just one vaccine. Europe has contracts for at least six vaccines. It’s not just a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
Beaune has defended the bloc’s cautious approach to approving the vaccine candidates, telling French television channel RMC Decouverte last week that the 27 EU member states had “opted for the collective approach – for speed and for safety”. Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, added that the European approach was a “more comprehensive one” that would “strengthen citizens’ confidence in the vaccine”.
Belgium and France have also faced off against Britain by voicing skepticism about the possibility of achieving a Brexit trade deal. Addressing alongside de Croo last week, Emmanuel Macron warned that “France will not accept a Brexit deal that does not respect our long term interests”.


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 9 Dec 2020

The US president-elect Joe Biden , who takes office in January , has set a target of delivering 100 million @ @ @ @ @ 100 days in office .
“ My first 100 days won ’ t end the @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ca n't promise that .
We did not get into this mess @ @ @ @ @ going to get out of it quickly.
” A report has paved the way for @ @ @ @ @ approved and rolled out for Americans .

Biden pledges 100m vaccinations in first 100 days
The US president-elect Joe Biden, who takes office in January, has set a target of delivering 100 million Covid vaccinations in his first 100 days in office. “My first 100 days won’t end the Covid-19 virus” he said. “I can't promise that. We did not get into this mess quickly. We're not going to get out of it quickly.” A report has paved the way for a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be approved and rolled out for Americans.


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Bad sex award cancelled ‘because 2020 has been bad enough’

The Literary Review ’ s ‘ bad sex ’ award has been cancelled because , its organisers say , the public has already been exposed to “ too many bad things in 2020 ” .
The prize for “ unconvincing , perfunctory , embarrassing or redundant passages of a sexual nature in sound literary novels ” will resume next year .
In the meantime , the judges warned authors not to take the cancellation as a “ licence to write bad sex ” .
A humpback whale has been spotted in waters around the Statue of Liberty , One World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York harboir .
“ It ’ s a bit of a silver lining with COVID that there ’ s not much boat traffic out here , and the whale has a very good chance of getting out into the ocean , ” said an expert .
More than a dozen humpback whales have been detected in New York waters in recent years .
Bubbles , Michael Jackson ’ s famous monkey , disrupted the recording of Beat It with a dirty protest , reports the Daily Express .
A guitarist present at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Bubbles ] to the studio because he tore apart the vocal booth and threw s**t against the wall at Westlake Audio ” .
He added : “ Man , that monkey just ripped that f**king vocal booth to shreds.
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The Literary Review’s ‘bad sex’ award has been cancelled because, its organisers say, the public has already been exposed to “too many bad things in 2020”. The prize for “unconvincing, perfunctory, embarrassing or redundant passages of a sexual nature in sound literary novels” will resume next year. In the meantime, the judges warned authors not to take the cancellation as a “licence to write bad sex”.
Whale frolics near Statue of Liberty
A humpback whale has been spotted in waters around the Statue of Liberty, One World Trade Center and other iconic landmarks off New York harboir. “It’s a bit of a silver lining with COVID that there’s not much boat traffic out here, and the whale has a very good chance of getting out into the ocean,” said an expert. More than a dozen humpback whales have been detected in New York waters in recent years.
Michael Jackson’s monkey destroyed vocal booth
Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s famous monkey, disrupted the recording of Beat It with a dirty protest, reports the Daily Express. A guitarist present at the recording said Jackson “stopped bringing [Bubbles] to the studio because he tore apart the vocal booth and threw s**t against the wall at Westlake Audio”. He added: “Man, that monkey just ripped that f**king vocal booth to shreds.”


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Coastal cost: £86,000 price premium for homes with a sea view

Living in a property with sea views tops many homebuyers ’ wishlists - but achieving that dream means paying a hefty price premium .
New research by property website Rightmove shows that prices for coastal properties are £86,060 higher on average than those without - equating to a premium of 31 % across Britain .
And soaring demand has increased the typical premium to buy a home with a sea view by more than £19,000 over the past year .
The national average asking price of homes with a sea view is now £368,278 , compared with £282,218 for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average asking price of homes with a sea view was £319,645 , compared to £252,686 without , which equates to a premium of £66,959 .
Tim Bannister , director of property data at Rightmove , said : “ People who live in coastal areas are most content with where they live .
Whether it be weekend walks along the beach or catching a glimpse through the window of the shimmering water in the distance , people value that connection with the sea and enjoy life in the areas around it .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase this year and so it stands to reason that homes with a sea view command a substantial price premium.
” The Southwest of England has the highest sea view price premium , at 42 % , followed by the Northeast with 33 % , and Wales with 27 % .
The Southwest is also where homes with a sea view are most expensive , with average asking prices of £415,296 .
Cornwall is the county that has the most homes advertised with a sea view , while Brighton and Hove leads the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of listings for the sought-after properties .
What the agents say “ Being an island nation , the sea is really part of our culture and as a result , many aspire to buy by the sea for its beautiful scenery , unique lifestyle and plentiful leisure offerings .
Ordinarily , homes by the sea are popular , but this year we have seen the demand for a coastal lifestyle grow even more .
With the type of property available along the coast varied , ranging from fisherman ’ s cottages to beachfront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really is something for everyone .
Whether it ’ s for sailing , surfing , sea-fishing , wind-surfing , or even just a walk to take in the view , buyers are now more than ever eager to be close to the sea.
” “ There ’ s something about the sea which has always captivated the imagination and , when it comes to house buying , the wallet too .
Naturally , of course , there are premiums even within the exclusive bracket of homes with a sea view .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re buying a home with a glimpse of the sea , a direct panoramic sea view , or somewhere with direct sea frontage .
Each has its price , and the prices can be high .
You ’ ll pay a premium of at least 100 % for the very best sea views and vastly greater than that for direct water frontage.
” Price : offers of more than £550,000 This two-bedroom property offers superb views over St Ives Harbour to Smeatons Pier , and across St Ives Bay to the Atlantic ocean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale with Lillicrap Chilcott .
Price : offers of more than £3m A stunning contemporary beach house in the Welsh village of Abersoch that looks out over Cardigan Bay to St Tudwals Islands and the Welsh Mountains .
The property is listed for sale with Savills .

Living in a property with sea views tops many homebuyers’ wishlists - but achieving that dream means paying a hefty price premium.
New research by property website Rightmove shows that prices for coastal properties are £86,060 higher on average than those without - equating to a premium of 31% across Britain. And soaring demand has increased the typical premium to buy a home with a sea view by more than £19,000 over the past year.
The national average asking price of homes with a sea view is now £368,278, compared with £282,218 for those without. In 2019, the national average asking price of homes with a sea view was £319,645, compared to £252,686 without, which equates to a premium of £66,959.
Tim Bannister, director of property data at Rightmove, said: “People who live in coastal areas are most content with where they live. Whether it be weekend walks along the beach or catching a glimpse through the window of the shimmering water in the distance, people value that connection with the sea and enjoy life in the areas around it.
“We’ve seen demand for coastal homes increase this year and so it stands to reason that homes with a sea view command a substantial price premium.”
Popular regions
The Southwest of England has the highest sea view price premium, at 42%, followed by the Northeast with 33%, and Wales with 27%. The Southwest is also where homes with a sea view are most expensive, with average asking prices of £415,296.
Cornwall is the county that has the most homes advertised with a sea view, while Brighton and Hove leads the list of cities with the highest number of listings for the sought-after properties.
Regional breakdown via asking price premium
Region Average asking price (sea view) Average asking price (non-sea view) Asking price premium (%) Price difference South West £415,296 £291,915 42% £123,381 North East £209,370 £157,441 33% £51,929 Wales £323,800 £255,543 27% £68,257 East of England £331,153 £264,293 25% £66,860 North West £204,834 £165,645 24% £39,189 South East £371,385 £309,829 20% £61,556 Yorkshire and The Humber £185,542 £158,502 17% £27,040 Scotland £134,145 £112,253 21% £21,892 Britain £368,278 £282,218 31% £86,060
What the agents say
Fran Moynihan, head of Savills Waterfront
“Being an island nation, the sea is really part of our culture and as a result, many aspire to buy by the sea for its beautiful scenery, unique lifestyle and plentiful leisure offerings. Ordinarily, homes by the sea are popular, but this year we have seen the demand for a coastal lifestyle grow even more. With the type of property available along the coast varied, ranging from fisherman’s cottages to beachfront mansions and modern new-build developments, there really is something for everyone. Whether it’s for sailing, surfing, sea-fishing, wind-surfing, or even just a walk to take in the view, buyers are now more than ever eager to be close to the sea.”
Ian Lillicrap, director of Lillicrap Chilcott estate agent in Truro
“There’s something about the sea which has always captivated the imagination and, when it comes to house buying, the wallet too. Naturally, of course, there are premiums even within the exclusive bracket of homes with a sea view. For example, it depends on whether you’re buying a home with a glimpse of the sea, a direct panoramic sea view, or somewhere with direct sea frontage. Each has its price, and the prices can be high. You’ll pay a premium of at least 100% for the very best sea views and vastly greater than that for direct water frontage.”
Two coastal homes with superb sea views
The Studio, Central St Ives, West Cornwall
Price: offers of more than £550,000
This two-bedroom property offers superb views over St Ives Harbour to Smeatons Pier, and across St Ives Bay to the Atlantic ocean beyond. The property is listed for sale with Lillicrap Chilcott.
The Brink, Abersoch, Gwynedd
Price: offers of more than £3m
A stunning contemporary beach house in the Welsh village of Abersoch that looks out over Cardigan Bay to St Tudwals Islands and the Welsh Mountains. The property is listed for sale with Savills.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Home, cooked: the best food delivery in London

Lockdown two may be over , but the ongoing pandemic plus the logistical complexity of Tier 2 restrictions mean that many people may still prefer to eat at home rather than going out .
If you prefer to have your food couriered to you , then there are many great options to choose from in London .
To help you decide , here are some of the best restaurant deliveries .
One of the joys of eating at Park Chinois is the restaurant ’ s retro chic French/Asian Chinoiserie , not to mention on weekends the live music and stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finer spot in London for people watching ?
Last time The Week visited we were seated next to the UK ’ s then foreign secretary and a tableful of what we can only assume were Instagram influencers .
And while the lavish decor and human traffic can ’ t be enjoyed at home , the spectacular dumplings certainly can .
Available via Supper and Deliveroo seven days a week , the expansive menu by chef Lee Che Liang offers everything from wasabi prawns and kimchi to vegetable spring rolls and the restaurant ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you can ’ t choose , just pick from one of the four set menus on offer , which range from £45 for one to a massive family-style spread for four to share at £440 .
For a high-end restaurant that has only recently begun delivering , Benares ’ takeaway menu is surprisingly extensive , including a wide range of tandoor dishes , curries , and biryanis as well as a selection of the restaurant ’ s exquisite signatures .
Add to that a rotating list of specials of the day and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from .
The Week tried the tasting menu for two , which offered a host of highlights , including a superb prawn kasundi - a marinated tandoor grilled prawn which travels surprisingly well - and an unctuous rogan josh , perfect for a cold winter ’ s night .
The black dahl was also superb , as were the pair of soft , milky Gulab Jamun which finished the meal .
It isn ’ t cheap , as you might expect from a top-notch restaurant located in Mayfair , but the quality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the home delivery experience flawless .
From the team behind Michelin-starred east end restaurant Lyle ’ s and spin-off wine bar Flor , ASAP Pizza offers New York-style pies made with heritage British wheats and topped with exceptional produce .
Now that lockdown is over , ASAP only delivers on Sundays ( when Flor ’ s kitchen is otherwise closed ) but it is worth putting a date in your diary and ending the weekend right .
The menu includes Flor head chef Pamela Yung ’ s much-loved signatures including the Porco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stracciatella and guindillas ; Spice Grrl , with tomato and ’ nduja sauce , caciocavallo , honey , sicilian oregano ; and the Marg & Rita with tomato sauce , mozzarella , basil , and spenwood .
Lyle ’ s and Flor can do no wrong , and their classy pizzas are no exception .
There was a time when eating burgers meant a choice between McDonald ’ s or Burger King .
Then everything changed and the “ dude food ” revolution dragged the humble burger into the mid- to upper-echelons of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the revolution was Honest Burger which has quickly become a contemporary classic due to its high-quality meats and of course its scrumptious rosemary chips .
Now , the chain ’ s burgers can be delivered right to your door - a small upside of the pandemic .
It is hard to go past the eponymous Honest burger with its red onion relish and smoked bacon , but the veggie alternatives are also exceptional .
The coleslaw is also a must .
On the face of it , pasta is one of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is readily available , light on the wallet , and easy to prepare .
And yet the gulf between good pasta and the merely adequate stuff you might whip up at home on a bog-standard Wednesday night can be vast .
This is where Officina 00 comes in .
Not only can they deliver fresh pasta straight to your door that you can then finish yourself , they also now offer their superb menu as takeaway , so all you need to do is open and eat .
We tried the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , both of which were cheesy appetite boosters , then a corzetti ( a kind of flying saucer-shaped pasta ) with sausage , mushroom and port and a pumpkin gnocchi , rich with gorgonzola .
The portion sizes are not massive , but the flavours are spectacular .
If you are hungry/greedy , like us , you might want to order a bit too much .

Sometimes you don’t want the faff and fiddle of intricate food that has been broken down into its constituent parts and put into a box to be reassembled, with some difficulty, at your end. Sometimes all you really want is a good steak, some chips, a crisp salad and an artery-clogging dessert. That is what Spanish chef José Pizarro has done with this dinner box, which on one level is very simple, but offers a solid interpretation of the national cuisine it represents.
Spanish food often thrives due to the quality of its ingredients: a seafood paella is at its best when the prawns are juicy and fresh; the best jamon comes from pigs that have been painstakingly reared. The same is true of this meal box which has in it the elements listed above, though the steak isn’t just any steak, it is a 30-day dry-aged “Txuleton” cut, and the chips are triple-cooked. And that rich dessert – well that is a chocolate ganache, served with olive oil and shortbread.
For some people this may feel as though the price is unwarranted, but what you are paying for is Pizarro’s eye for good ingredients. And it is hard to beat an easy-to-prepare meal that tastes great.


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Coronavirus: is Germany’s Covid response stuttering as Bavaria shuts borders?

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theweekuk--2020-12-10--Rugby union lawsuits: impact could be ‘astronomical’ for governing bodies

Rugby union ’ s governing bodies could face lawsuits from up to 70 more former players over head injuries sustained during their careers .
This week it was reported that England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and seven other ex-players are in the process of starting a negligence claim against authorities after being left with permanent brain damage .
All eight have recently been diagnosed with the early signs of dementia , and they say repeated blows to the head are to blame , the BBC reports .
When asked about the 2003 World Cup Thompson , 42 , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any of those games .
It ’ s frightening.
” The concussion lawsuit has been a “ bombshell ” for the Rugby Football Union , the Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby , says the Daily Mail .
It ’ s understood that a British law firm has been instructed to act on behalf of around 70 ex-players who want to sue for damages over head injuries , claiming they have suffered amnesia , depression , migraines and dementia .
Leading brain injury lawyer Ipek Tugcu of Bolt Burdon Kemp said immediate safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reduce the risk of lawsuits from current and future players , The Guardian reports .
If governing bodies are found guilty of a breach of their duty of care , the impact would be “ astronomical ” .
Tugcu said : “ The financial pay-outs per athlete could easily reach six-figure sums or more as they will need to cover all injuries and financial losses due to the injury.
” This week ’ s news has been “ very distressing for everyone ” , said Rugby Players ’ Association ( RPA ) chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sport that the way players train needs to be addressed by governing bodies “ very quickly ” and more education was needed .
“ A big percentage of injuries occur during training so I think that has to be part of the opportunity to address these things and look at what can we do to make the game safer , as has been talked about , ” he said .
“ Perhaps training protocols is something we need to address very quickly .
”

Rugby union’s governing bodies could face lawsuits from up to 70 more former players over head injuries sustained during their careers.
This week it was reported that England World Cup winner Steve Thompson and seven other ex-players are in the process of starting a negligence claim against authorities after being left with permanent brain damage.
All eight have recently been diagnosed with the early signs of dementia, and they say repeated blows to the head are to blame, the BBC reports. When asked about the 2003 World Cup Thompson, 42, said: “I can’t remember any of those games. It’s frightening.”
The concussion lawsuit has been a “bombshell” for the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union and World Rugby, says the Daily Mail.
It’s understood that a British law firm has been instructed to act on behalf of around 70 ex-players who want to sue for damages over head injuries, claiming they have suffered amnesia, depression, migraines and dementia.
Safety measures
Leading brain injury lawyer Ipek Tugcu of Bolt Burdon Kemp said immediate safety measures could be taken by authorities to reduce the risk of lawsuits from current and future players, The Guardian reports.
If governing bodies are found guilty of a breach of their duty of care, the impact would be “astronomical”. Tugcu said: “The financial pay-outs per athlete could easily reach six-figure sums or more as they will need to cover all injuries and financial losses due to the injury.”
This week’s news has been “very distressing for everyone”, said Rugby Players’ Association (RPA) chief executive Damian Hopley. He told BBC Sport that the way players train needs to be addressed by governing bodies “very quickly” and more education was needed.
“A big percentage of injuries occur during training so I think that has to be part of the opportunity to address these things and look at what can we do to make the game safer, as has been talked about,” he said. “Perhaps training protocols is something we need to address very quickly.”


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Thieves steal equipment from Russia’s ‘doomsday’ nuclear war plane

Mystery shrouds Russia ’ s so-called “ doomsday ” planes - military aircraft intended for use by the president and top officials as an airborne command centre in the event of nuclear war .
But despite the secrecy and security surrounding Russia ’ s fleet of four of the Ilyushin-80 planes , thieves have managed to break into one of them and make off with valuable equipment .
According to police , one million rubles ( £10,225 ) worth of radio kit was plundered in the raid , at an airfield in the southwestern port city of Taganrog .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s cargo hatch , “ and shoe and fingerprints were found inside ” by investigators , The Moscow Times reports .
The newspaper adds that according to insider sources , “ officials with access to the airfield could be behind the high-profile theft ” , which was made public yesterday .
A total of 12 people have reportedly been questioned as part of the government ’ s probe .
The Interior Ministry has declined to comment on the theft beyond saying that police had been made aware of the crime .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the breach as an “ emergency situation ” , adding : “ Measures will be taken to prevent this from happening in the future.
” Vasily Kashin , a military expert at Moscow ’ s Higher School of Economics , told reporters that “ heads will roll ” over the break-in .
Kashin played down the potential national security implications , however .
“ We don ’ t know the condition of that plane , ” he said , adding that the loss of equipment may amount to the “ theft of old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same , “ the incident raises questions about the security of Russian military facilities in a period of renewed tensions with the West ” , says Bloomberg .
The importance of such security has been underlined by reports that the Kremlin is developing a third-generation version of its “ doomsday ” planes that is expected to enter service by 2025 .

Mystery shrouds Russia’s so-called “doomsday” planes - military aircraft intended for use by the president and top officials as an airborne command centre in the event of nuclear war.
But despite the secrecy and security surrounding Russia’s fleet of four of the Ilyushin-80 planes, thieves have managed to break into one of them and make off with valuable equipment.
According to police, one million rubles (£10,225) worth of radio kit was plundered in the raid, at an airfield in the southwestern port city of Taganrog.
The thieves got in through the aircraft’s cargo hatch, “and shoe and fingerprints were found inside” by investigators, The Moscow Times reports. The newspaper adds that according to insider sources, “officials with access to the airfield could be behind the high-profile theft”, which was made public yesterday.
A total of 12 people have reportedly been questioned as part of the government’s probe.
The Interior Ministry has declined to comment on the theft beyond saying that police had been made aware of the crime. However, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson described the breach as an “emergency situation”, adding: “Measures will be taken to prevent this from happening in the future.”
Vasily Kashin, a military expert at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics, told reporters that “heads will roll” over the break-in.
Kashin played down the potential national security implications, however. “We don’t know the condition of that plane,” he said, adding that the loss of equipment may amount to the “theft of old Soviet-era metal scrap”.
All the same, “the incident raises questions about the security of Russian military facilities in a period of renewed tensions with the West”, says Bloomberg.
The importance of such security has been underlined by reports that the Kremlin is developing a third-generation version of its “doomsday” planes that is expected to enter service by 2025.


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Boris Johnson facing legal challenge for backing Priti Patel in bullying scandal

Boris Johnson is being sued over his decision not to sack Priti Patel after the home secretary was accused of bullying senior civil servants .
Lawyers acting for the FDA union - which represents more than 500 senior officials working in the Home Office - have issued a “ pre-action notice ” to Downing Street of the unprecedented legal challenge .
The prime minister is accused “ of acting unlawfully by overruling the findings of his own independent adviser and exonerating the home secretary of misconduct ” , The Times reports .
The notice is the first step towards a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is alleged to set a “ damaging precedent ” that would exempt ministers from being bound by standard employment practices .
According to the newspaper , a letter sent to government lawyers says that Johnson ’ s ruling “ gives carte blanche to the kind of unacceptable conduct which the home secretary was found to have committed ” .
If successful , the challenge may trigger significant changes relating to ministerial accountability .
The government could also be forced to make public the full Cabinet Office investigation into Patel ’ s behaviour that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministerial standards , Alex Allan , to conclude that bullying had occurred .
Allan quit last month after Johnson backed Patel .
In a statement announcing his resignation , the adviser said : “ “ I recognise that it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the Ministerial Code .
But I feel that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister ’ s independent adviser on the code.
” As lawyers now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson , FDA general secretary Dave Penman said : “ Forgotten in all of this sorry saga have been the civil servants who were found to have been bullied by one of the most powerful people in the country .
“ Let down by the conduct of their minister , they have now been abandoned by the prime minister , who is also , ironically , the minister for the civil service.
” Patel said last month that she was sorry that her “ behaviour in the past has upset people ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had “ not always met the high standards ” required of ministers .

Boris Johnson is being sued over his decision not to sack Priti Patel after the home secretary was accused of bullying senior civil servants.
Lawyers acting for the FDA union - which represents more than 500 senior officials working in the Home Office - have issued a “pre-action notice” to Downing Street of the unprecedented legal challenge. The prime minister is accused “of acting unlawfully by overruling the findings of his own independent adviser and exonerating the home secretary of misconduct”, The Times reports.
The notice is the first step towards a judicial review of the decision, which is alleged to set a “damaging precedent” that would exempt ministers from being bound by standard employment practices.
According to the newspaper, a letter sent to government lawyers says that Johnson’s ruling “gives carte blanche to the kind of unacceptable conduct which the home secretary was found to have committed”.
If successful, the challenge may trigger significant changes relating to ministerial accountability.
The government could also be forced to make public the full Cabinet Office investigation into Patel’s behaviour that led the PM’s adviser on ministerial standards, Alex Allan, to conclude that bullying had occurred. Allan quit last month after Johnson backed Patel.
In a statement announcing his resignation, the adviser said: ““I recognise that it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the Ministerial Code. But I feel that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister’s independent adviser on the code.”
As lawyers now prepare to launch the legal action against Johnson, FDA general secretary Dave Penman said: “Forgotten in all of this sorry saga have been the civil servants who were found to have been bullied by one of the most powerful people in the country.
“Let down by the conduct of their minister, they have now been abandoned by the prime minister, who is also, ironically, the minister for the civil service.”
Patel said last month that she was sorry that her “behaviour in the past has upset people”, after a Whitehall investigation found that she had “not always met the high standards” required of ministers.


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Brits facing EU travel ban from January as Covid rules kick in post-Brexit

Millions of British holidaymakers eager to pack their bags for new year trips may have to look beyond Europe thanks to Covid restrictions that apply to non-EU member states .
Most Brits will be “ barred ” from visiting EU countries from 1 January , after the Brexit transition ends , as “ pandemic safety rules that allow free travel within the bloc stop applying to the UK ” , the Financial Times reports .
The European Commission says that the EU system “ only allows non-essential travel from a handful of non-EU countries with low coronavirus infection rates ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control , 18 of the 27 states in the bloc have a higher rate of coronavirus infection than the UK .
But under the EU rules , the UK ’ s coronavirus case rate is too high for Brits to be allowed into the member countries .
Travel will only be allowed to EU countries if the bloc “ relaxes its pandemic travel curbs or individual member states choose to override the rules ” , the FT adds .
Exemptions only apply for diplomats , some “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling for “ imperative family reasons ” , The Daily Telegraph reports .
And only eight non-EU countries - including Singapore , Australia and New Zealand - are on the list of “ safe ” third nations .
Asked if the exemption would be extended to include the UK , a European Commission spokesperson said : “ This is a decision for the [ European ] Council to make.
” Meanwhile , a Downing Street spokesperson said : “ We can not comment on decisions that could be taken by other states on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a scientific , risk-based approach to health measures at the border , and it is of course in the interests of all countries to allow safe international travel as we emerge from the pandemic.
” The non-EU nation of Norway has also confirmed that Britons will not be allowed to enter the Nordic country from 1 January unless they are a resident .

Millions of British holidaymakers eager to pack their bags for new year trips may have to look beyond Europe thanks to Covid restrictions that apply to non-EU member states.
Most Brits will be “barred” from visiting EU countries from 1 January, after the Brexit transition ends, as “pandemic safety rules that allow free travel within the bloc stop applying to the UK”, the Financial Times reports.
The European Commission says that the EU system “only allows non-essential travel from a handful of non-EU countries with low coronavirus infection rates”.
According to latest data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 18 of the 27 states in the bloc have a higher rate of coronavirus infection than the UK.
But under the EU rules, the UK’s coronavirus case rate is too high for Brits to be allowed into the member countries. Travel will only be allowed to EU countries if the bloc “relaxes its pandemic travel curbs or individual member states choose to override the rules”, the FT adds.
Exemptions only apply for diplomats, some “highly qualified workers” and for people travelling for “imperative family reasons”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
And only eight non-EU countries - including Singapore, Australia and New Zealand - are on the list of “safe” third nations.
Asked if the exemption would be extended to include the UK, a European Commission spokesperson said: “This is a decision for the [European] Council to make.”
Meanwhile, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on decisions that could be taken by other states on public health matters.
“We take a scientific, risk-based approach to health measures at the border, and it is of course in the interests of all countries to allow safe international travel as we emerge from the pandemic.”
The non-EU nation of Norway has also confirmed that Britons will not be allowed to enter the Nordic country from 1 January unless they are a resident.


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Coronavirus: richest countries ‘hoarding’ Covid vaccines from world’s poorest, watchdog says

Many of the world ’ s poorest nations will be forced to go without Covid-19 vaccines as richer countries are hoarding enough doses to immunise their populations three times over , an international vaccine watchdog has claimed .
The People ’ s Vaccine Alliance , a coalition campaigning for universal access to the jabs , said that “ in nearly 70 of the poorest nations , only one in ten people can hope to get a vaccine by the end of next year ” , The Times reports .
Five of the 67 nations - Kenya , Myanmar , Nigeria @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1.5 million cases between them .
Shortages are being caused by the world ’ s developed nations , which represent just 14 % of the population , buying up “ more than half of the most promising vaccines ” , the paper adds .
The campaign , which includes Oxfam and Amnesty International , found that “ all doses of the Moderna vaccine have been bought by rich countries , as have 96 % of Pfizer ’ s doses ” , Sky News says .
Canada was singled out as having bought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every citizen five times .
Promising results from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine , which will be provided to low- and middle-income countries at not-for-profit prices “ in perpetuity ” , had been hoped to be a potential fix to vaccine hoarding .
But the campaign said that “ even a promise from those behind the vaccine to allocate 64 % of doses to people in developing nations may not be enough ” , Sky News adds .
“ The hoarding of vaccines actively undermines global efforts to ensure that everyone , everywhere can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cockburn , head of economic and social justice at Amnesty International .
“ By buying up the vast majority of the world ’ s vaccine supply , rich countries are in breach of their human rights obligations .
”

Many of the world’s poorest nations will be forced to go without Covid-19 vaccines as richer countries are hoarding enough doses to immunise their populations three times over, an international vaccine watchdog has claimed.
The People’s Vaccine Alliance, a coalition campaigning for universal access to the jabs, said that “in nearly 70 of the poorest nations, only one in ten people can hope to get a vaccine by the end of next year”, The Times reports. Five of the 67 nations - Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan and Ukraine - have reported nearly 1.5 million cases between them.
Shortages are being caused by the world’s developed nations, which represent just 14% of the population, buying up “more than half of the most promising vaccines”, the paper adds.
The campaign, which includes Oxfam and Amnesty International, found that “all doses of the Moderna vaccine have been bought by rich countries, as have 96% of Pfizer’s doses”, Sky News says. Canada was singled out as having bought enough vaccines to give the jab to every citizen five times.
Promising results from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, which will be provided to low- and middle-income countries at not-for-profit prices “in perpetuity”, had been hoped to be a potential fix to vaccine hoarding.
But the campaign said that “even a promise from those behind the vaccine to allocate 64% of doses to people in developing nations may not be enough”, Sky News adds.
“The hoarding of vaccines actively undermines global efforts to ensure that everyone, everywhere can be protected from Covid-19,” said Steve Cockburn, head of economic and social justice at Amnesty International.
“By buying up the vast majority of the world’s vaccine supply, rich countries are in breach of their human rights obligations.”


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Which issues were on the menu at Johnson-von der Leyen dinner?

Boris Johnson ’ s dinner meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ended without agreement last night , raising the chances of a no-deal Brexit .
After the leaders outlined their respective positions over a three-course meal of scallops , turbot and pavlova , von der Leyen said the two sides were still “ far apart ” , while Downing Street said “ very large gaps remain ” .
A key sticking point is that Johnson insists he can not accept terms in a treaty that would tie Britain to EU rules - a “ hugely sensitive ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the BBC .
Another hurdle is the EU ’ s demand for an “ evolution ” or “ ratchet ” clause to ensure that as one side upgrades its standards , the other is not able to enjoy a competitive advantage .
Other issues such as fishing rights and dispute resolution also remain barriers to progress .
Talks will now continue , with Sunday set as a “ point of finality ” for the negotiations , according to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab .
Downing Street said the meeting in Brussels had been “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a “ diplomatic expression for a heated conversation ” .
The Daily Mail , meanwhile , says a “ dramatic night over fish supper ” ended in “ deadlock ” , as significant differences seem no closer to being resolved .
The Telegraph suggests that Johnson cut a “ downbeat ” figure after the summit , while The Times echoes suggestions that the prime minister “ refuses to back down in face of Brexit deadlock ” .
Bookies SBK is now offering odds of 11/9 for the UK and the EU signing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year , with odds of 5/4 against .
Financial News says the odds of a deal have now fallen from 64.5 % on Monday to 43.4 % today .

Boris Johnson’s dinner meeting with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ended without agreement last night, raising the chances of a no-deal Brexit.
After the leaders outlined their respective positions over a three-course meal of scallops, turbot and pavlova, von der Leyen said the two sides were still “far apart”, while Downing Street said “very large gaps remain”.
A key sticking point is that Johnson insists he cannot accept terms in a treaty that would tie Britain to EU rules - a “hugely sensitive” issue that has plagued negotiations, notes the BBC.
Another hurdle is the EU’s demand for an “evolution” or “ratchet” clause to ensure that as one side upgrades its standards, the other is not able to enjoy a competitive advantage. Other issues such as fishing rights and dispute resolution also remain barriers to progress.
Talks will now continue, with Sunday set as a “point of finality” for the negotiations, according to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
Downing Street said the meeting in Brussels had been “frank”, which The Guardian interprets as a “diplomatic expression for a heated conversation”. The Daily Mail, meanwhile, says a “dramatic night over fish supper” ended in “deadlock”, as significant differences seem no closer to being resolved.
The Telegraph suggests that Johnson cut a “downbeat” figure after the summit, while The Times echoes suggestions that the prime minister “refuses to back down in face of Brexit deadlock”.
Bookies SBK is now offering odds of 11/9 for the UK and the EU signing a trade deal by the end of the year, with odds of 5/4 against. Financial News says the odds of a deal have now fallen from 64.5% on Monday to 43.4% today.


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 10 Dec 2020

More than 10,000 people caught Covid-19 when they were being treated in hospital for other illnesses , The Telegraph reports @ @ @ @ @ than 16 % of patients treated for coronavirus in hospital acquired it there .
Hampshire @ @ @ @ @ that 139 out of 357 Covid-19 patients they had treated had caught the virus there @ @ @ @ @ five died with Covid-19 .

Melania Trump ‘just wants to go home’
As Donald Trump strives to hang on for another term in the White House, his wife is not so keen to stay in Washington, CNN reports. “She just wants to go home,” a source close to Melania told the broadcaster. Asked how the first lady feels about speculation that her husband might announce a second bid ahead of the 2024 US election, the source added: “That might not go over well.”


theweekuk--2020-12-10--Instant Opinion: can Boris Johnson avoid being the seventh Tory PM ‘brought down’ by Europe?

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on the curse of the EU Europe brought down six Tory PMs .
Can Boris avoid being the seventh ?
“ One of the political dark arts is how to sell a half-baked deal as though it is an unmitigated triumph .
If anyone can do that it is Boris .
The European side needs to identify the line that he can not cross while recognising the scope that exists for a mutually beneficial agreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Macron is determined to push the UK out with no deal , hoping that France can exploit the uncertainties that such an outcome will entail , certainly in the short term .
If that is the case then Mr Johnson will at least be able to blame the French , which has never been a bad look for a British prime minister .
But walking away with no deal will be much harder to sell than an agreement , even one which the keepers of the Brexit flame denounce as a betrayal.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keeping Hungary and Poland could be worse “ In effect , what the Hungarian and Polish leaders are saying to German and Dutch taxpayers is : we won ’ t let you make those badly needed transfers to southern eurozone countries like Italy and Spain , both of them hard-hit by Covid , unless you allow us to go on using large amounts of your money without any significant constraints .
In Hungary , that means EU funds being distributed to prop up Orbán ’ s increasingly undemocratic regime , not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If this shameless blackmail succeeds , the populist , xenophobic , nationalist ruling parties in Hungary and Poland will be able to go on doing pretty much what they please , being paid for it generously and , for good measure , biting the German and Dutch hands that feed them .
Fast forward to Hungexit or Polexit ?
Why would they be so stupid ?
Johnson can talk of having his cake and eating it ; Orbán actually does it.
” 3 .
Jess Phillips , Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson claim to love the country ?
What he has done over Brexit is reckless and dangerous “ The Conservatives can not credibly claim to have any interest in the UK ’ s economy , its future and prosperity , if they fail to get a deal that protects these people and these families .
It shouldn ’ t need saying – it should be at the forefront of Boris Johnson ’ s mind with every move he makes – but these are people ’ s lives he is playing with .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to pay their mortgage , to give their kids presents at Christmas or to plan a holiday for when this awful pandemic is finally over .
On the line is the security of knowing you can fix the car , or pay the monthly bills ...
It is unbelievable ( although , frankly , I am no longer shocked at the level of incompetence of Johnson and his ministers ) that the government has left the people in my constituency and the UK trapped by this uncertainty about the future.
” When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far ?
“ British football has long been an arena for sentimental piety .
In my time as a Spurs supporter one-minute silences and black armbands to mark the deaths of long-forgotten club officials or events utterly extraneous to football have proliferated .
Fortunately the precarious mass silences , which were always in danger of being broken by some rowdy non-conformist , have now largely been replaced by one minute ’ s applause .
Much more realistic .
What most of us do most of the time we ’ re confronted with these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If my dinner host toasts the Queen , I stand and sip .
I have not yet interrupted a school carol concert by shouting , ‘ Offspring of a virgin ’ s womb !
What are you teaching these children ?
’ I see what others get out of it , and I respect that .
So it ’ s a big decision to interrupt the ritual and show your contempt for it .
And this is where I fall out with the booing Millwall fans last Saturday.
” 5 .
Tim Wu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in The New York Times What Really Saved the Republic From Trump ?
“ The survival of our Republic depends as much , if not more , on the virtue of those in government , particularly the upholding of norms by civil servants , prosecutors and military officials .
We have grown too jaded about things like professionalism and institutions , and the idea of men and women who take their duties seriously .
But as every major moral tradition teaches , no external constraint can fully substitute for the personal compulsion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may sound naïve in our untrusting age to hope that people will care about ethics and professional duties .
But [ James ] Madison saw the need for this trust .
‘ There is a degree of depravity in mankind , ’ he wrote , but also ‘ qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence.
’ A working republican government , he argued , ‘ presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form .
’ ”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Philip Johnston in The Daily Telegraph
on the curse of the EU
Europe brought down six Tory PMs. Can Boris avoid being the seventh?
“One of the political dark arts is how to sell a half-baked deal as though it is an unmitigated triumph. If anyone can do that it is Boris. The European side needs to identify the line that he cannot cross while recognising the scope that exists for a mutually beneficial agreement. It is always possible that Mr Macron is determined to push the UK out with no deal, hoping that France can exploit the uncertainties that such an outcome will entail, certainly in the short term. If that is the case then Mr Johnson will at least be able to blame the French, which has never been a bad look for a British prime minister. But walking away with no deal will be much harder to sell than an agreement, even one which the keepers of the Brexit flame denounce as a betrayal.”
2. Timothy Garton Ash in The Guardian
on European rule of law
For Europe, losing Britain is bad. Keeping Hungary and Poland could be worse
“In effect, what the Hungarian and Polish leaders are saying to German and Dutch taxpayers is: we won’t let you make those badly needed transfers to southern eurozone countries like Italy and Spain, both of them hard-hit by Covid, unless you allow us to go on using large amounts of your money without any significant constraints. In Hungary, that means EU funds being distributed to prop up Orbán’s increasingly undemocratic regime, not to mention it benefiting his family and friends. If this shameless blackmail succeeds, the populist, xenophobic, nationalist ruling parties in Hungary and Poland will be able to go on doing pretty much what they please, being paid for it generously and, for good measure, biting the German and Dutch hands that feed them. Fast forward to Hungexit or Polexit? Why would they be so stupid? Johnson can talk of having his cake and eating it; Orbán actually does it.”
3. Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, in The Independent
on a nation in limbo
How can Boris Johnson claim to love the country? What he has done over Brexit is reckless and dangerous
“The Conservatives cannot credibly claim to have any interest in the UK’s economy, its future and prosperity, if they fail to get a deal that protects these people and these families. It shouldn’t need saying – it should be at the forefront of Boris Johnson’s mind with every move he makes – but these are people’s lives he is playing with. On the line is a family’s ability to pay their mortgage, to give their kids presents at Christmas or to plan a holiday for when this awful pandemic is finally over. On the line is the security of knowing you can fix the car, or pay the monthly bills... It is unbelievable (although, frankly, I am no longer shocked at the level of incompetence of Johnson and his ministers) that the government has left the people in my constituency and the UK trapped by this uncertainty about the future.”
4. David Aaronovitch in The Times
on pressure to support views
When do public displays of piety go too far?
“British football has long been an arena for sentimental piety. In my time as a Spurs supporter one-minute silences and black armbands to mark the deaths of long-forgotten club officials or events utterly extraneous to football have proliferated. Fortunately the precarious mass silences, which were always in danger of being broken by some rowdy non-conformist, have now largely been replaced by one minute’s applause. Much more realistic. What most of us do most of the time we’re confronted with these demands is go along with it. If my dinner host toasts the Queen, I stand and sip. I have not yet interrupted a school carol concert by shouting, ‘Offspring of a virgin’s womb! What are you teaching these children?’ I see what others get out of it, and I respect that. So it’s a big decision to interrupt the ritual and show your contempt for it. And this is where I fall out with the booing Millwall fans last Saturday.”
5. Tim Wu, professor of law at Yale University, in The New York Times
on checks and balances
What Really Saved the Republic From Trump?
“The survival of our Republic depends as much, if not more, on the virtue of those in government, particularly the upholding of norms by civil servants, prosecutors and military officials. We have grown too jaded about things like professionalism and institutions, and the idea of men and women who take their duties seriously. But as every major moral tradition teaches, no external constraint can fully substitute for the personal compulsion to do what is right. It may sound naïve in our untrusting age to hope that people will care about ethics and professional duties. But [James] Madison saw the need for this trust. ‘There is a degree of depravity in mankind,’ he wrote, but also ‘qualities in human nature which justify a certain portion of esteem and confidence.’ A working republican government, he argued, ‘presupposes the existence of these qualities in a higher degree than any other form.’”


theweekuk--2020-12-10--What EU leaders are saying about getting a Brexit deal over the line

The future of a post-Brexit trade deal is back in the hands of negotiation officials after a face-to-face meeting between Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed to break the deadlock .
The two leader talked for three hours last night over a seafood dinner that followed months of wrangling about issues including fishing rights .
But the crunch dinner date in Brussels ended with a big helping of disappointment , as the two sides announced that they were still “ far apart ” and that “ very large gaps remain ” .
Johnson and von @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new deadline for reaching a deal , however , with Sunday now set as the cut-off point .
But with just 72 hours remaining , what is the mood among Europe ’ s other leaders ?
The most vocal EU27 leader in recent months has been Emmanuel Macron , who put his head above the parapet last week to say that he would veto any deal that did not satisfy French interests .
The French leader has the backing of his counterparts in Belgium , Italy , Spain and the Netherlands , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full text of any agreement before Michel Barnier , the EU ’ s chief negotiator , announces there is a deal ” , the Financial Times reports .
As talks drag on about the unresolved issues of fishing , level playing field rules and the enforcement process for any deal agreed , a senior EU diplomat told the paper that the bloc ’ s leaders are worried about having a treaty shoved “ down our throat ” .
The president of Belgium ’ s Wallonia region , Elio Di Rupo , tweeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ask my parliament to use its veto power… if the future trade agreements with the United Kingdom cross the red lines set by my government ” .
The mood music emanating from Italy also points to trouble for the UK , with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte telling his parliament on Wednesday that “ a deal remains in the interests of all , but not at any cost ” .
Referring to the issue of a level playing field for business , Conte added : “ The EU must not give a millimeter.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Merkel , though in characteristically more diplomatic terms .
The German chancellor told the Bundestag that while a deal is still possible , “ we are also prepared , if there are conditions on the British side that we can not accept , to go down a path that is without an agreement ” .
Alarm bells are likely to be sounding at Downing Street over the warning from Germany - which had previously clashed with France over the level of acceptable compromise to get a deal over the line .
And ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be further dismayed by the EU ’ s decision to lay out the bloc ’ s no-deal planning .
The move follows calls from member states to make public the “ targeted contingency measures ” .
Von der Leyen posted a press release outlining the plans on Twitter earlier today , and wrote that while negotiations were “ still ongoing ... the end of the transition is near ” .
“ There is no guarantee that if & when an agreement is found it can enter into force on time , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prepared , including for not having a deal in place on 1 January .
Today we present contingency measures.
” Eurosceptics will be heartened by the move , with the Daily Express arguing that the publication of the bloc ’ s no-deal plan suggests the “ EU finally gets it ” .
But the EU ’ s decision may be driven more by time constraints than by a desire to see the UK leave without an agreement in place .
The European Council is meeting today at a summit at which the bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal .
But as Politico ’ s Brussels Playbook reports , without no such deal on the table , “ there will be no debate on the matter , let alone a vote to approve any potential pact ” .
Summing up the atmosphere in Brussels , an official told the site that “ there is not the intention to have a decision or a debate on the item ” today .
“ There is no decision or milestone at this stage , ” the official added .
Negotiators are now racing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , although as BBC political correspondent Jessice Parker notes , “ Brexit deadlines have been missed before ” .
“ But the ticking clock of the transition period tells us this can ’ t go on much longer , ” she adds .

The future of a post-Brexit trade deal is back in the hands of negotiation officials after a face-to-face meeting between Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen failed to break the deadlock.
The two leaders talked for three hours last night over a seafood dinner that followed months of wrangling about issues including fishing rights. But the crunch dinner date in Brussels ended with a big helping of disappointment, as the two sides announced that they were still “far apart” and that “very large gaps remain”.
Johnson and von der Leyen did manage to agree a new deadline for reaching a deal, however, with Sunday now set as the cut-off point. But with just 72 hours remaining, what is the mood among Europe’s other leaders?
Tempers fraying
The most vocal EU27 leader in recent months has been Emmanuel Macron, who put his head above the parapet last week to say that he would veto any deal that did not satisfy French interests.
The French leader has the backing of his counterparts in Belgium, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, all of whom have “demanded to see the full text of any agreement before Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, announces there is a deal”, the Financial Times reports.
As talks drag on about the unresolved issues of fishing, level playing field rules and the enforcement process for any deal agreed, a senior EU diplomat told the paper that the bloc’s leaders are worried about having a treaty shoved “down our throat”.
The president of Belgium’s Wallonia region, Elio Di Rupo, tweeted yesterday that he would “not hesitate to ask my parliament to use its veto power… if the future trade agreements with the United Kingdom cross the red lines set by my government”.
The mood music emanating from Italy also points to trouble for the UK, with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte telling his parliament on Wednesday that “a deal remains in the interests of all, but not at any cost”. Referring to the issue of a level playing field for business, Conte added: “The EU must not give a millimeter.”


theweekuk--2020-12-11--Coronavirus: test-and-trace callers worked just 1% of paid hours, watchdog finds

Call handlers for the £22bn NHS Test and Trace scheme worked just 1 % of their paid hours during the failed push to avert a second lockdown , according to the government ’ s spending watchdog .
In a newly published report , the National Audit Office ( NAO ) says that the low “ utilisation rates ” of 18,000 call handlers employed in May saw just 32 % of people infected with Covid reached by the service over the ensuing months - well below the government ’ s target of 44 % .
“ Auditors found that clinical workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used in the programme ’ s early months ” , working only 4 % of their paid hours , says The Telegraph .
Workers told the paper back in August that they were effectively being “ paid to watch Netflix ” , with one employee claiming to have received £4,500 in wages without getting a single call .
The government “ has now reduced the number of call handlers , but rates of use remained below a 50 % target throughout September and much of October ” , says an article on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the case for spending more on test-and-trace services was framed as a means by which to avoid another lockdown - an effort that proved unsuccessful .
The watchdog concludes that there was “ unclear accountability ” in relation to both who was responsible for running the system and the awarding of contracts .
Presenting the findings , NAO chief Gareth Davies said : “ Test and Trace is core to the UK ’ s pandemic response .
It must improve its performance with a focus on effective engagement.
” Labour MP Meg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Public Accounts , has also called on Test and Trace bosses to up their game .
“ The government needs to urgently work out what ’ s going wrong at every step of the process , ” she said .
“ Throwing more money at the problem clearly isn ’ t the answer .
“ The good news about vaccines doesn ’ t mean we don ’ t need a match-fit test-and-trace system now – and one ready for the planned step-up to mass testing .
”


theweekuk--2020-12-11--Why everyone’s talking about the EU’s plan for a no-deal Brexit

The EU has published its no-deal planning as negotiators head into the final 48-hour window before the new deadline for reaching an agreement .
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared the “ targeted contingency measures ” yesterday , after failing to break to the deadlock during one-on-one crisis talks with Boris Johnson over dinner on Wednesday .
Negotiations between the two sides “ are still ongoing but the end of the transition is near ” , von der Leyen tweeted .
“ There is no guarantee that if and when an agreement is found it can enter into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingency measures.
” The bloc ’ s plan includes legislation to “ prevent a cliff-edge scenario in case no EU-UK trade deal is agreed by the end of the Brexit transition period ” , Politico reports .
According to the European Commission planning document , the measures will “ cater for the period during which there is no agreement in place .
If no agreement enters into application , they will end after a fixed period.
” The measures are designed to mitigate “ significant disruptions ” , ensuring “ basic reciprocal air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , as well as allowing for the possibility of reciprocal fishing access by EU and UK vessels to each other ’ s waters ” , the Commission adds .
A spokesperson for Boris Johnson said Downing Street would “ look closely ” at the proposals , but suggested that some elements of the plan might be rejected - including the bloc ’ s suggestion for maintaining fishing rights .
“ As we ’ ve said throughout the negotiations , once we leave the end of the transition period , we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the spokesperson said .
“ We would never accept arrangements and access to UK fishing waters which are incompatible with our status as an independent coastal state.
” EU countries “ have been preparing for a no-deal Brexit since 2018 ” , the BBC reports .
The resulting proposals include “ extending the deadline to reach an agreement on fishing until the end of December 2021 ” , the broadcaster continues .
This extension would mean that EU fishing vessels would “ continue fishing in British waters and vice-versa for another year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
The EU planning document says the measure is needed “ to guarantee the sustainability of fisheries and in light of the importance of fisheries for the economic livelihood of many communities ” .
But Eurosceptics in the UK remain unconvinced .
Tory MP David Jones , a senior member of the hard-line European Research Group , told Sky News : “ They seem to want access to our fish without giving anything in return .
That is not a deal , that is appropriation.
” The EU ’ s plan also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure the provision of certain air services between the UK and the EU ” for six months , and a new law to ensure “ various safety certificates for products can continue to be used in EU aircraft without disruption ” , to avoid the grounding of planes .
Amid growing concerns about potential tailbacks on UK motorways in early January , Brussels has also proposed legislation aimed at minimising disruptions to road freight and road passenger transport .
Like the other proposed measures , however , the roads regulation offer comes with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same ” to the EU .

The EU has published its no-deal planning as negotiators head into the final 48-hour window before the new deadline for reaching an agreement.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen shared the “targeted contingency measures” yesterday, after failing to break to the deadlock during one-on-one crisis talks with Boris Johnson over dinner on Wednesday.
Negotiations between the two sides “are still ongoing but the end of the transition is near”, von der Leyen tweeted. “There is no guarantee that if and when an agreement is found it can enter into force on time... Today we present contingency measures.”
Fail to prepare…
The bloc’s plan includes legislation to “prevent a cliff-edge scenario in case no EU-UK trade deal is agreed by the end of the Brexit transition period”, Politico reports.
According to the European Commission planning document, the measures will “cater for the period during which there is no agreement in place. If no agreement enters into application, they will end after a fixed period.”
The measures are designed to mitigate “significant disruptions”, ensuring “basic reciprocal air and road connectivity between the EU and the UK, as well as allowing for the possibility of reciprocal fishing access by EU and UK vessels to each other’s waters”, the Commission adds.
A spokesperson for Boris Johnson said Downing Street would “look closely” at the proposals, but suggested that some elements of the plan might be rejected - including the bloc’s suggestion for maintaining fishing rights.
“As we’ve said throughout the negotiations, once we leave the end of the transition period, we will take back control of our waters,” the spokesperson said.
“We would never accept arrangements and access to UK fishing waters which are incompatible with our status as an independent coastal state.”
Prepare to fail
EU countries “have been preparing for a no-deal Brexit since 2018”, the BBC reports.
The resulting proposals include “extending the deadline to reach an agreement on fishing until the end of December 2021”, the broadcaster continues.
This extension would mean that EU fishing vessels would “continue fishing in British waters and vice-versa for another year, or until an agreement is reached”.
The EU planning document says the measure is needed “to guarantee the sustainability of fisheries and in light of the importance of fisheries for the economic livelihood of many communities”.
But Eurosceptics in the UK remain unconvinced. Tory MP David Jones, a senior member of the hard-line European Research Group, told Sky News: “They seem to want access to our fish without giving anything in return. That is not a deal, that is appropriation.”
The EU’s plan also includes proposals for new regulations to “ensure the provision of certain air services between the UK and the EU” for six months, and a new law to ensure “various safety certificates for products can continue to be used in EU aircraft without disruption”, to avoid the grounding of planes.
Amid growing concerns about potential tailbacks on UK motorways in early January, Brussels has also proposed legislation aimed at minimising disruptions to road freight and road passenger transport.
Like the other proposed measures, however, the roads regulation offer comes with the proviso that “the UK assures the same” to the EU.


theweekuk--2020-12-11--Coronavirus: Tier 3 fears for London as capital tops England’s infection rate table

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Coronavirus case numbers in London have soared to the highest rates recorded in all of England according to latest data that has triggered calls for the city to be placed under the most restrictive Covid rules.
The Public Health England (PHE) figures show that the capital had an highest average infection rate of 191.8 per 100,000 people in the week to 6 December - up from 158.1 per 100,00 in the previous seven days. Cases have increased in 24 of London’s 32 boroughs.
Public Health England is now urging the government to move the city’s nine million residents to the strictest measures when the tiers are reassessed on 16 December. But some Tory MPs have opposed the move, after reportedly being warned by the Treasury that putting London into Tier 3 would cost 550,000 jobs.
Mayor Sadiq Khan is urging Londoners to stick to the current guidelines in a bid to bring down infection rates, tweeting: “We still have a long winter. None of us want London to move into Tier 3.”
However, such a move may prove to be unavoidable. An MP who was present at a meeting of London MPs with Health Minister Helen Whately on Tuesday told Sky News that “it was a very clear preparation for Tier 3. I think the decision is pretty much made.”
Another MP noted that similar meetings are called “every time the tier changes - so that’s probably a clue”.
On a more positive note, the PHE data shows that coronavirus case rates across most of the rest of the country remained at a similar level for the week ending 6 December.
And case rates in the West Midlands have fallen significantly, from 196.8 per 100,000 the previous week to 158.4, with declines also recorded in Yorkshire and the Humber.


theweekuk--2020-12-11--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 11 Dec 2020

London now has the highest coronavirus rates in England , the latest data from Public Health England shows .
The @ @ @ @ @ results per 100,000 people for the week of 30 November to 6 December , a @ @ @ @ @ the previous week .
An MP told Sky News that the capital is set to @ @ @ @ @ three of restrictions .
“ I think the decision is pretty much made , ” @ @ @ @ @

London ‘faces tier three within days’
London now has the highest coronavirus rates in England, the latest data from Public Health England shows. The capital had 191.8 positive test results per 100,000 people for the week of 30 November to 6 December, a rise of 20% on the previous week. An MP told Sky News that the capital is set to go into the strictest tier three of restrictions. “I think the decision is pretty much made,” he or she said.


theweekuk--2020-12-11--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Cut-price music, Brexit fur and a presidential trio

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 : Figures released this week revealed that 82 % of musicians earn less than £200 a year from streaming , prompting many - including some very successful artists - to share tales of hardship .
As Covid closes off live performances and technology cuts of radio and sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of musicians respond ?
The government is poised to ban all fur sales in Britain once freed from import obligations under EU law .
But while the plan is being welcomed by animal rights activists , others are warning that restricting any form of legitimate trade would send an “ entirely wrong signal ” to UK trading partners .
So could ditching fur hamstring post-Brexit efforts to secure valuable treaties ?
Peru is going through unprecedented turmoil , as a political crisis exacerbates one of the world ’ s worst coronavirus outbreaks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidents in a week , after the man elected to tackle endemic corruption was forced out by a congress in which more than half of members have been granted immunity from prosecution for crimes ranging from money-laundering to murder .

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Cut-price music
Figures released this week revealed that 82% of musicians earn less than £200 a year from streaming, prompting many - including some very successful artists - to share tales of hardship. As Covid closes off live performances and technology cuts of radio and sales revenues, how will the next generation of musicians respond?
Post-Brexit fur
The government is poised to ban all fur sales in Britain once freed from import obligations under EU law. But while the plan is being welcomed by animal rights activists, others are warning that restricting any form of legitimate trade would send an “entirely wrong signal” to UK trading partners. So could ditching fur hamstring post-Brexit efforts to secure valuable treaties?
Peruvian presidents
Peru is going through unprecedented turmoil, as a political crisis exacerbates one of the world’s worst coronavirus outbreaks. The country was recently ruled by three presidents in a week, after the man elected to tackle endemic corruption was forced out by a congress in which more than half of members have been granted immunity from prosecution for crimes ranging from money-laundering to murder.


theweekuk--2020-12-12--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 12 Dec 2020

The US Supreme Court has rejected an unprecedented attempt to throw out election results in four battleground states .
The @ @ @ @ @ , brought by Texas and backed by the President Donald Trump , did not have @ @ @ @ @ ruling comes three days before the Electoral College will meet to cast votes for the @ @ @ @ @ .

Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn election
The US Supreme Court has rejected an unprecedented attempt to throw out election results in four battleground states. The justices said the long-shot case, brought by Texas and backed by the President Donald Trump, did not have any legal standing. The ruling comes three days before the Electoral College will meet to cast votes for the winner of the November election.


theweekuk--2020-12-13--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 13 Dec 2020

A UK minister has warned that the world is still not on track to fulfil the 2015 Paris climate agreement @ @ @ @ @ more than 70 world leaders on the climate crisis ended with few new commitments , @ @ @ @ @ secretary Alok Sharma said : “ [ People ] will ask ‘ Have we done @ @ @ @ @ on track to limit warming to 1.5C and protect people and nature from the effects @ @ @ @ @ The answer to that is currently no .
”

World on track to miss Paris targets
A UK minister has warned that the world is still not on track to fulfil the 2015 Paris climate agreement. After a summit of more than 70 world leaders on the climate crisis ended with few new commitments, the UK’s business secretary Alok Sharma said: “[People] will ask ‘Have we done enough to put the world on track to limit warming to 1.5C and protect people and nature from the effects of climate change?’ The answer to that is currently no.”


theweekuk--2020-09-23--Christmas and New Year’s Eve cocktail recipes you can make at home

Have yourself a merry Christmas and a happy New Year by creating some delicious cocktails at home .
• Bubbly for your bubble : a guide to Christmas champagne pairing Drink brands and experts have put together their favourite cocktail recipes for the festive season , plus other classics that can be enjoyed all year round .
Coole Swan Irish cream liqueur features only three ingredients - single malt Irish whiskey , Belgian white chocolate and fresh Irish cream .
It can be used in many different cocktails recipes , including the Santa ’ s Little Helper which was created @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Put the cream , Coole Swan , vodka , and amaretto in a cocktail shaker .
Add a good handful of crushed ice and shake until thoroughly combined .
Strain into martini glasses and give each one a light dusting of cinnamon and nutmeg to serve .
Boë Gin has created a Christmas cocktail combining the flavours of Boë Violet and classic mint candy-cane .
It ’ s all spruced up by the festive flavours of a Christmas tree cutting .
To make the syrup , add all ingredients ( apart from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat on hob until candy-canes are dissolved .
Once dissolved , add fir cutting and allow to cool for approximately an hour .
Using tape , tape your desired pattern onto the glass , leaving gaps where you want your icing sugar “ snow ” pattern to go .
Place glass in the freezer and leave for ten minutes .
Using a sieve , shake the icing sugar over the chilled glass .
Carefully remove the tape to reveal the snow pattern .
Add measured ingredients to a shaker and shake for 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Skylight Christmas at Tobacco Dock This deliciously creamy concoction can be made at home or sipped at Skylight Christmas at Tobacco Dock .
Shake well over ice , then fine strain into a martini glass ( also delicious over ice in a rocks glass ) .
Garnish with grated dark chocolate .
Ross Painter , head of drink development at The Umbrella Project , has put together this mulled wine recipe for The Sun Tavern in east London .
He says : “ Making a mulled wine at home can be fairly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spices and a bit of sugar .
But making a truly delicious one can be a little more challenging.
” Add all the ingredients into a 6lt / 200oz pot and put on the lid .
Turn hob on to the lowest temperature .
After ten minutes , check the temperature , it should be between 50C and 60C ( 122 to 140F ) .
After one hour remove the spices by carefully transferring the liquid through a sieve to another pot .
Return to heat , when serving , replacing the lid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat , if you are using gas the lowest setting on the smallest burner may still be too hot .
Simply have the pot half on half and off the heat to reach the correct temperature .
To garnish simply grate some nutmeg over the top and serve .
Honey have you seen my Ruby !
by The King of Soho This cocktail recipe is made using Variorum gin - a pink berry edition of the original King of Soho London Dry Gin .
• 25ml honey water ( mix two parts honey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gin , honey and lime juice with plenty of ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass .
Finish with a ruby port float by pouring slowly over a teaspoon at the side of the glass .
Created using Mr Black Coffee Amaro , this cocktail has all the flavours of a Christmas treat .
In a cocktail shaker add all ingredients , as well as a fresh orange peel , add ice , hard shake , strain into a coupe , garnish with grated chocolate .
This method of shaking with fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shake ” .
Russian Standard Vodka has mixed up a range of new cocktail serves this festive season , including the Christmas Blossom .
In a blender , mix the vodka , peach slices , sugar and schnapps until smooth .
Add ice cubes to the mixture ( to five cup level ) and process until smooth .
Pour into a coupe glass and garnish with fresh mint .
Old Pulteney , The Maritime Malt , presents the Prawn Cocktail - the mixologist ’ s twist on the Christmas classic .
Featuring a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ northerly shores and tasting notes of salted honey , anise , baking spice and herbaceous backnotes , it has been designed to pair perfectly with the starter too .
Make a 25 % saline solution by combining 25g of sea salt with 100g boiling water and leave to cool .
Place two coupes in the freezer to chill .
Add liquid ingredients to a mixing glass and fill with ice .
Stir for 30 seconds to allow the ice to dilute and strain into chilled coupe .
Garnish with a grilled prawn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great way to usher in the new year and the perfect balance for anyone who is maybe a little tired of sweet Christmas drinks .
• Add a sugar cube and a splash of water to a glass • A dash of bitters and give it a good stir • Next go in with a cube or two of ice , followed by a good slug of Deanston Kentucky Cask Finish Single Malt Scotch Whisky • Finish with a squeeze of orange and garnish with orange rind To celebrate the season , BAR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London reopens on 3 December with a selection of newly-created “ Festive Negronis ” .
The cocktail menu includes Mulled Negroni , Gingerbread Negroni , Mince Pie Negroni , Christmas Pudding Negroni and a Panettone Sbagliato .
Christmas Cake Negroni is also on the menu and Francesco Orefici , bar manager at BAR 45 , has provided the recipe here .
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add all of your cocktail ingredients .
Close and shake well for six to eight seconds .
Using a strainer , pour the cocktail into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peel on top of the drink , twist it and drop it into the glass .
Your cocktail is ready to serve .
The Greatest Gift by the Cotswolds Distillery Change your guests ’ perceptions of single malt whisky and impress them with this delicious sour style cocktail from the Cotswolds Distillery .
It has herbal complexities , berry sweetness and looks wonderfully festive .
• 15ml egg white or aquafaba and a bar spoon of honey Dissolve the honey in Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky , add all the ingredients into a shaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Add ice , shake and strain into a rocks glass .
Garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel .
Diablesse Rum , an independent female-owned British rum brand , comprises two distinct , small-batch expressions : Diablesse Caribbean Rum and Diablesse Clementine Spiced Rum .
The rum brand has created a number of winter warmers , including the Hot Hot Chocolate and Winter Spiced .
Shake with ice and strain into a martini glass .
A flaming tipple featuring Metaxa 12 Stars , Cointreau , amaretto and walnut bitter .
This twist on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delicious hints of sweet liqueur and citrus making it a true showstopper to celebrate the season .
Add Metaxa , amaretto and bitters to a shaker and roll , add water and syrup .
Garnish with orange zest and a burned cinnamon stick on the side .
Complete with Cointreau , tequila , fresh lime juice and aromatic bitters , the Cointreau Christmas Margarita makes for the perfect cocktail to enjoy this season and is balanced with a hint of cinnamon and citrus freshness .
Make a cinnamon-sugar rim on your glass .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shake vigorously before serving in a chilled martini glass .
Garnish with a rosemary sprig and enjoy .
A guaranteed festive favourite , The Botanist Gin Bramble is complete with The Botanist Gin , lemon and honey water , drizzled with Aelder Elixir and beautifully garnished with bramble and rosemary .
This tipple is filled with festive fruits and hints of sweet honey .
Add all ingredients , shake and strain .
Drizzle with Aelder Elixir and garnish with bramble and rosemary .
An ideal drink for the festive season , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blend of vodka , coffee and chocolate .
Stir all the ingredients in a mug and garnish with a toasted marshmallow .
The Caramel Apple Crumble by The King of Soho This sweet cocktail recipe is made using The King of Soho ’ s London Dry Gin .
Shake all ingredients well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass .
Garnish with apple .
For a modern twist to your G & T , try it with Bulldog London Dry Gin , which is blended with 12 carefully selected botanicals including white poppy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warming liquorice .
The aromatic tonic and cassis brings a fresh fruity balance to the traditional G & T , making this the perfect sundowner .
Pour the Bulldog Gin , Fever Tree Aromatic Tonic and cassis into a highball or copa glass over ice .
Garnish with a blackberry and mint sprig .
No Old Fashioned recipe would be complete without using Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon , a bold and versatile spirit .
There should be an explosion of vanilla and caramel flavours that progress to bitter orange and leave you with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process .
A fantastic choice for a real unwind .
Put the ice into a lowball glass filled with a large ice cube .
Measure out the bourbon and pour in a mixing glass with the syrup and bitters .
Strain into the lowball glass over the ice Garnish with an orange peel .
Guaranteed to impress , this beautiful aperitif comes with its own slice of history and guests will be charmed in its re-telling .
It was invented in 1969 by Joe Gilmore , head bartender of The American Bar at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 mission .
Unable to serve the astronauts himself , Gilmore sent a flask over to Houston and it was the first cocktail Neil Armstrong tasted on his return .
Stir Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge with orange blossom and grapefruit bitters in a mixing glass .
Place the sugar cube at the bottom of a chilled Champagne flute .
Pour the mixing glass mixture over the sugar and top-up with Champagne .
Aged for more than 14 months in single malt Scotch whisky casks , Storywood Añejo is an adventurous tequila which embodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every deep amber dram are notes of toasted oak , roasted nuts and treacle toffee .
Stir half the tequila with three cubes of ice in a glass .
Add agave syrup , bitters and two more ice cubes , before stirring again .
Add the rest of the tequila before stirring once more .
Add more ice cubes if room and garnish with a dehydrated orange wheel .
At the heart of the Cazcabel tequila range is Blanco .
A spirit fashioned from sun-baked Blue Weber Agave from the heart of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a rustic hit of earthy agave , this tequila is truly one to be sipped and savoured .
Heat up both the juices .
Add cinnamon and agave syrup and let it mull for 20 minutes .
Pour into a glass and add the Cazcabel Blanco Tequila .
Add an orange slice and serve .
Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin is triple distilled in traditional copper pot stills and handcrafted in the foothills of the Himalayas at one of India ’ s oldest distilleries .
Jaisalmer has 11 botanicals , seven of which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India .
Stir all the ingredients over ice in a rocks glass for around 20 seconds , until chilled .
Top with ice and garnish with an orange peel twist .
Cotswolds Dry Gin is distilled with a blend of nine carefully-considered botanicals .
The head distiller uses more than ten times the average amount of botanicals used by most premium gins .
Place all ingredients into an ice-filled cocktail shaker , shake and strain into a chilled Martini glass .
Garnish with dehydrated pink grapefruit .
J & B Rare Blended Scotch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in one smooth yet subtle blend .
Add all the ingredients to an ice-filled cocktail shaker .
Shake and fine strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a black cherry , preferably a Maraschino cherry .
Pinkster Gin is made with “ real raspberries that grow on bushes ” close to the company ’ s rural base outside Cambridge .
Given it ’ s a crying shame to let anything booze related go to waste , Pinkster recycles the leftover inebriated fruit to make the mildly alcoholic gin jam .
Shake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled with ice .
Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with crushed ice .
Garnish with fresh blackberries .
Limited Edition Single Origin Ethiopia coffee liquor , which launches on 1 October , works perfectly in a Cold Fashioned , a signature cocktail created by Mr Black .
Combine ingredients , add ice and stir .
Garnish with an orange twist .
Select Aperitivo is the essential ingredient for the Original Venetian Spritz , a simple yet delicious cocktail traditionally served with a large green olive .
Pour cold prosecco into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Select , a splash of soda water and gently stir together .
Garnish with a large green olive .
All five of the luxury ships in the Regent Seven Seas Cruises fleet offer a range of distinctive cocktails .
Among the pick of the bunch is the “ Regent Seven Seas ” , a tasty apricot brandy cocktail .
Smash the grapes in a shaker glass and then add the other ingredients .
Shake and strain into the glass .
This drink was originally created to quench the thirst of visitors who flocked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Olympics .
Called the Lonkero , the mix of gin and , most commonly , grapefruit soda has stood the test of time and is still popular with both locals and tourists today .
Build over ice and stir gently to combine .
The bar staff at Glenapp Castle in Scotland mix up an array of cocktails , including the Glenapp1870 , which is served in a champagne flute .
Add all ingredients except for the champagne to the shaker .
Shake and strain into the glass and then top up with champagne @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnish with a lemon twist and thyme .
Lady Ellenborough was a dazzling character who took English society by storm in the 19th century .
Not only did she inspire the individuality of Ellenborough Park in the Cotswolds , but also the hotel ’ s signature cocktail , which takes her name too .
Smash cucumber in a shaker glass .
Add all ingredients to the glass and shake over ice .
Fine strain into a chilled , garnished champagne flute and top up with champagne .
Finish with cucumber ribbon .
Boutique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Henrietta Bar last December , when this delicious cocktail was created by resident mixologist Christiana Kiose as the perfect winter warmer .
Dry shake the egg white .
Combine all the ingredients in a shaker .
Pour into a glass and garnish with a star anise .
For its signature serve , Nc ’ nean breaks the perceived “ rule ” that whisky from Scotland should be drunk neat .
The Morvern-based distillery ’ s refreshing whisky soda is called the Whisky Six , in a nod to both the recipe and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drink .
Fill a glass with cubed ice and add all the ingredients .
Gently stir then garnish with a fresh sprig of mint .
Bacardi has partnered with artisan florists Floom to create a range of “ Grow-Your-Own Garnish ” kits .
With two different kinds of mints - Moroccan and spearmint - you can pick a mojito recipe that best suits your tastes .
If you ’ re in the mood for something fresh , use the super cool spearmint to complement your cocktail .
Alternatively , or if you fancy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , try the Moroccan mint as your base .
Cut a whole lime into wedges and then squeeze all the juice into the glass .
Add sugar and gently press together .
Drop in the mint leaves .
Half-fill the glass with crushed ice , add Bacardi Carta Blanca rum and churn .
Top with crushed ice and soda .
Garnish with a mint sprig .
45 Park Lane ’ s BAR 45 has its own Negroni Trolley , featuring the hotel ’ s barrel-aged Negroni .
Head bartender Francesco Orefici has added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to create his Golden Negroni .
Pour the Botanist Gin , Italicus , Suze Liqueur and Martini Ambrato into a mixing glass filled up with ice cubes , and stir for eight to ten seconds with a long bar spoon ( mixing spoon ) .
Using a cocktail strainer , pour the chilled liquid into a stemless burgundy wine glass over a large ice chunk , or a few cubes of ice depending on what you have .
Squeeze the lemon peel over the cocktail , twist and let it drop into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sure-fire way to bring those Caribbean summer vibes to your home this winter .
Add the apple juice , ginger beer and cinnamon to a saucepan and heat gently for approximately 45 minutes , or until the cinnamon has infused .
Divide between eight heatproof glasses or mugs .
Add 25ml RedLeg and a squeeze of lime to each , give it a stir and serve .
Shake the ingredients with plenty of ice , then strain into a cocktail glass .
Add a touch of orange to your Halloween celebrations with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refreshing , full-bodied and vibrant .
Fill a large wine glass with ice and add one part Starlino Arancione .
Top up with one part sparkling wine and one part sparkling water and garnish with an orange slice .

Baileys has taken hot chocolate to the next level using simple ingredients already in your cupboards. This Christmas choctail is a perfect serve for the festive season.
Ingredients
25ml Baileys Original Irish Cream
25ml whole milk
25ml single cream
25g dark chocolate
15ml Smirnoff Vodka
To garnish
Chocolate sauce
Chocolate sprinkles
Method
Squeeze the chocolate sauce onto a small plate. Place your martini glass upside down and dip the rim in the chocolate sauce. On another plate, pour on some chocolate sprinkles and place the martini glass upside down to coat the chocolate rim. Chop/grate your 25g of dark chocolate into super small pieces. Add 25ml of whole milk and 25ml of single cream into a mug, mix together, and microwave for around 30 seconds until boiling. Make sure you watch over this so it doesn’t spill over. To the hot milk, add the chopped dark chocolate and stir until melted. Then add 15ml vodka and 25ml Baileys into your chocolate milk. Stir until fully combined. It doesn’t matter if your cocktail is still a little warm. Pour into your decorated martini glass and serve. If you have spare chocolate feel free to grate this over the top of the drink at the end for an extra treat.


theweekuk--2020-12-14--Deradicalisation programmes not working on jailed jihadists, watchdog warns

The public should be under “ no illusion ” that initiatives aimed at deradicalising jihadis in prison are getting results , the head of the UK terrorism watchdog has warned .
According to Jonathan Hall QC , the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation , many terrorists are “ deceptive ” and simply say what they think probation staff and other authorities want to hear .
Hall told The Times that there was no harm in offering programmes such as theological mentoring , but “ said that it was essential to run them alongside heavy supervision regimes ” .
The counterterrorism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make released terrorists undergo lie detector tests .
Hall has spoken out as debate rages over how to deal with Britons seeking to return after joining Isis in Syria and Iraq , such as London schoolgirl Shamima Begum , who has been stripped of her British citizenship .
The UK ’ s official deradicalisation schemes include the Prevent programme , aimed at preventing individuals from being drawn into extremism , and the Channel programme , which is designed to divert extremists away from terrorism .
A “ record number of extremists have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past year , driven by surging numbers of far-right sympathisers ” , the Daily Mail reports .
The project took on 697 new cases in the year to the end of March 2020 - up from 566 in the previous 12 months , and the highest annual tally since 2015 .
According to the Home Office , 302 of last year ’ s cases were “ referred due to concerns regarding right-wing radicalisation ” .
However , the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the number of suspected terrorists arrested in the UK fall to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Official figures published last week show that in the year to October 2020 , 215 arrests were made - down by 18 % on the previous year .

The public should be under “no illusion” that initiatives aimed at deradicalising jihadis in prison are getting results, the head of the UK terrorism watchdog has warned.
According to Jonathan Hall QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, many terrorists are “deceptive” and simply say what they think probation staff and other authorities want to hear.
Hall told The Times that there was no harm in offering programmes such as theological mentoring, but “said that it was essential to run them alongside heavy supervision regimes”. The counterterrorism expert is also backing government plans to make released terrorists undergo lie detector tests.
Hall has spoken out as debate rages over how to deal with Britons seeking to return after joining Isis in Syria and Iraq, such as London schoolgirl Shamima Begum, who has been stripped of her British citizenship.
The UK’s official deradicalisation schemes include the Prevent programme, aimed at preventing individuals from being drawn into extremism, and the Channel programme, which is designed to divert extremists away from terrorism.
A “record number of extremists have been sent on the Channel programme in the past year, driven by surging numbers of far-right sympathisers”, the Daily Mail reports.
The project took on 697 new cases in the year to the end of March 2020 - up from 566 in the previous 12 months, and the highest annual tally since 2015. According to the Home Office, 302 of last year’s cases were “referred due to concerns regarding right-wing radicalisation”.
However, the Covid-19 pandemic has seen the number of suspected terrorists arrested in the UK fall to the lowest level in almost a decade. Official figures published last week show that in the year to October 2020, 215 arrests were made - down by 18% on the previous year.