theweekuk--2020-03-12--Sport shorts: Wales and Scotland name Six Nations squads and three Leicester City players are in sel

Sport shorts: Wales and Scotland name Six Nations squads and three Leicester City players are in self-isolation

Two Six Nations matches may be off this weekend because of the coronavirus outbreak , but Wales against Scotland goes ahead on Saturday at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff .
Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones is set to make history by winning a record-equalling 148th Test cap .
He will draw level with former All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw .
After losing 33-30 last weekend to England , Wales head coach Wayne Pivac makes four changes to his team .
Scrum-half Rhys Webb makes his first start since November 2017 and prop WillGriff John makes his debut .
Wyn Jones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ front and second rows respectively .
Meanwhile , Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his starting XV with hooker Stuart McInally , lock Sam Skinner and No.8 Magnus Bradbury coming into the pack .
Wales vs. Scotland starts at 2.15pm on Saturday and is live on BBC and S4C .
Northern Ireland ’ s Rory McIlroy is this weekend aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of The Players Championship , PGA Tour ’ s flagship event .
World No.1 McIlroy , who plays in today ’ s first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and American Brooks Koepka , said : “ If there ’ s been no one to defend [ since Jack Nicklaus first had the chance in 1975 ] , it would be a nice time to start and have someone do that .
“ It is an opportunity , for sure .
I don ’ t think you ever need an extra motivation when you come to this golf tournament , but to be the first one to defend here would be very cool.
” The Uefa Europa League resumes this evening with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Manchester United are away in Austria against LASK in a fixture that will be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak .
Wolves play in Greece against Olympiakos and Rangers are at home against Bayer Leverkusen .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– McLaren Racing have withdrawn from the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix after a member of their team tested positive for coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : “ The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners , but also to the team ’ s competitors , Formula 1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders.
” According to the BBC and Sky Sports the season-opening grand prix will be called off .
The National Basketball Association ( NBA ) has announced that the 2019-20 season has been suspended “ until further notice ” due to coronavirus .
Sky Sports reports that a Utah Jazz player had tested positive for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to suspend the campaign .
The league said : “ The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic .
A player on the Utah Jazz preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19 .
The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off .
At that time , [ Wednesday ’ s ] game was cancelled .
The affected player was not in the arena.
” Brendan Rodgers : `` We 've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs ( of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ procedures and ( as a precaution ) they have been kept away from the squad . ''
pic.twitter.com/KZDXeRgzhT Premier League club Leicester City have confirmed that three players are self-isolating after displaying coronavirus symptoms .
The Foxes are due to play Watford on Saturday and manager Brendan Rodgers said : “ We ’ ve had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs [ of coronavirus ] .
We ’ ve followed procedures and [ as a precaution ] they have been kept away from the squad .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll see how that develops in the next couple of days .
“ This is about health , this is more than football .
This is about players and their families , so any risks that are there for their health and everyone else ’ s , we have to mitigate against that.
” Spanish football ’ s top division La Liga has been suspended for at least the next two rounds of fixtures .
Meanwhile , Real Madrid footballers have been placed in quarantine after a basketball player from the club @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s football and basketball teams share the same training ground so it was decided to send all players home to self-isolate .
Marca reports that the Real players from both sports will train at home and be given a personalised training plan .
8 .
ATP Tour shuts down for six weeks The men ’ s tennis ATP Tour has been suspended for six weeks due to coronavirus .
All ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour events scheduled up to and inclusive of the week of 20 April will not take place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is not a decision that was taken lightly .
It represents a great loss for our tournaments , players , and fans worldwide .
“ However , we believe this is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our players , staff , the wider tennis community and general public health in the face of this global pandemic.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 9 .
Tiger to be inducted into hall of fame American golf star Tiger Woods will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2021 .
The 44-year-old is a 15-time major winner and current defending champion of the Masters .
Jay Monahan , PGA Tour commissioner and World Golf Foundation Board member , said : “ Tiger has done more for the game than anyone ever thought possible.
” Holders Liverpool are out of the Uefa Champions League and their dramatic 3-2 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the headlines will make easy reading for Reds keeper Adrian , whose mistake led to Marcos Llorente scoring for the Spaniards .
“ Choker ” is how the Daily Mirror describes the 4-2 aggregate loss , above a photo of a distraught Adrian after what the paper calls a “ another howler ” .
The Daily Telegraph has a picture of the gloveman on one knee alongside the headline “ Adrian agony ” .
Klopp backs Adrian : ‘ We will not blame him for a second ’ Llor out !
Adrian agony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s crisis plan is revealed ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. Wales and Scotland name squads Two Six Nations matches may be off this weekend because of the coronavirus outbreak, but Wales against Scotland goes ahead on Saturday at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Wales skipper Alun Wyn Jones is set to make history by winning a record-equalling 148th Test cap. He will draw level with former All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw. After losing 33-30 last weekend to England, Wales head coach Wayne Pivac makes four changes to his team. Scrum-half Rhys Webb makes his first start since November 2017 and prop WillGriff John makes his debut. Wyn Jones and Cory Hill are brought into the front and second rows respectively. Meanwhile, Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his starting XV with hooker Stuart McInally, lock Sam Skinner and No.8 Magnus Bradbury coming into the pack. Wales vs. Scotland starts at 2.15pm on Saturday and is live on BBC and S4C. Wales starting XV 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. George North, 13. Nick Tompkins, 12. Hadleigh Parkes, 11. Liam Williams, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Rhys Webb; 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. WillGriff John, 4. Cory Hill, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (captain), 6. Ross Moriarty, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Josh Navidi
Replacements: 16. Ryan Elias, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Leon Brown, 19. Will Rowlands, 20. Taulupe Faletau, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Jarrod Evans, 23. Johnny McNicholl Scotland starting XV 15. Stuart Hogg (captain), 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sam Johnson, 11. Blair Kinghorn, 10. Adam Hastings, 9. Ali Price; 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. Stuart McInally, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Sam Skinner, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Magnus Bradbury
Replacements: 16. Fraser Brown, 17. Allan Dell, 18. Willem Nel, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Matt Fagerson, 21. George Horne, 22. Duncan Weir, 23. Kyle Steyn 2. McIlroy eyes history at The Players Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is this weekend aiming to become the first back-to-back winner of The Players Championship, PGA Tour’s flagship event. Skip advert World No.1 McIlroy, who plays in today’s first round with Spain’s Jon Rahm and American Brooks Koepka, said: “If there’s been no one to defend [since Jack Nicklaus first had the chance in 1975], it would be a nice time to start and have someone do that.
“It is an opportunity, for sure. I don’t think you ever need an extra motivation when you come to this golf tournament, but to be the first one to defend here would be very cool.” The Players: a big opportunity awaits defending champion Rory McIlroy 3. Tonight’s Europa League fixtures The Uefa Europa League resumes this evening with first-round matches in the round of 16. Manchester United are away in Austria against LASK in a fixture that will be played behind closed doors because of the coronavirus outbreak. Wolves play in Greece against Olympiakos and Rangers are at home against Bayer Leverkusen. Round of 16 first leg fixtures Matches are live on BT Sport Eintracht Frankfurt vs. FC Basel (5.55pm)
Istanbul Basaksehir vs. FC Copenhagen (5.55pm)
LASK vs. Manchester United (5.55pm)
Sevilla vs. Roma - postponed
Inter Milan vs. Getafe - postponed
Olympiakos vs. Wolves (8pm)
Rangers vs. Bayer 04 Leverkusen (8pm)
VfL Wolfsburg vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (8pm) –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 4. McLaren withdraw from Australian GP McLaren Racing have withdrawn from the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix after a member of their team tested positive for coronavirus. In a statement the Woking team said: “The decision has been taken based on a duty of care not only to McLaren F1 employees and partners, but also to the team’s competitors, Formula 1 fans and wider F1 stakeholders.” According to the BBC and Sky Sports the season-opening grand prix will be called off. 5. NBA season suspended The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced that the 2019-20 season has been suspended “until further notice” due to coronavirus. Sky Sports reports that a Utah Jazz player had tested positive for the virus and the decision was taken to suspend the campaign. The league said: “The NBA will use this hiatus to determine next steps for moving forward in regard to the coronavirus pandemic. A player on the Utah Jazz preliminarily tested positive for COVID-19. The test result was reported shortly prior to the tip-off. At that time, [Wednesday’s] game was cancelled. The affected player was not in the arena.” Brendan Rodgers: "We've had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs (of coronavirus). We’ve followed procedures and (as a precaution) they have been kept away from the squad." pic.twitter.com/KZDXeRgzhT — Leicester City (@LCFC) March 12, 2020 6. Three Leicester players in self-isolation Premier League club Leicester City have confirmed that three players are self-isolating after displaying coronavirus symptoms. Skip advert The Foxes are due to play Watford on Saturday and manager Brendan Rodgers said: “We’ve had a few players that have shown symptoms and signs [of coronavirus]. We’ve followed procedures and [as a precaution] they have been kept away from the squad.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: the advice on mental health

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The advice for Brits to remain at home and avoid unnecessary social contact has prompted fears about how the country will cope with being cooped up.
This combined with the potentially stressful daily news agenda could cause mental health issues, as well as having a draining effect on your energy and motivation.
As the number of infections continues to soar, the virus is having a damaging effect on the mental wellbeing of people worldwide, according to experts at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This has been echoed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which has issued guidelines for protecting mental health during what the UN agency describes as “this time of crisis”.
Here are some of the potential issues that people may face - and advice on how to combat cabin fever.
Worry and stress
Many people are feeling increasing stress as the situation continues to escalate. The WHO this week formally declared a pandemic over Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and a growing number of governments have introduced lockdown measures.
And as CNet says: “You can hardly be blamed for feeling anxious about the novel coronavirus when news about Covid-19 is as widespread as the disease itself.”
The CDC suggests that people who may be worst affected include those “who have pre-existing mental health conditions including problems with substance use”. Children and “people who are helping with the response to Covid-19, like doctors and other health care providers, or first responders”, may also struggle to cope, says the US public health institute.
The WHO guidelines advise that in order to minimise stress, “avoid watching, reading or listening to news that cause you to feel anxious or distressed” and “seek information updates at specific times during the day once or twice”.
The general public should also refrain from referring to infected people as “Covid-19 cases”, “victims”, “Covid-19 families” or the “diseased”, says the agency, which instead recommends describing them as “people who have Covid-19”, “people who are being treated for Covid-19” or “people who are recovering from Covid-19”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Quarantine
Millions of people worldwide have been isolated from the rest of the population in order to stem the spread of the disease.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--St Patrick’s Day 2020: where to celebrate across the UK

St Patrick ’ s Day is celebrated in all corners of the world .
Rivers are dyed green , parades dominate famous streets and every second person takes claim of their Irish ancestry .
While parades have been cancelled in Ireland and the US over coronavirus this year , there are still smaller celebrations going ahead .
If you ’ re looking for a unique way to celebrate Ireland in the UK this March , DesignMyNight have got you covered .
From whiskey tastings led by industry experts to traditional music sessions and a five-course Guinness-inspired supper club , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toast to the Emerald Isle .
Balthazar originally opened in NYC in 1997 and its sister restaurant in Covent Garden has the same Parisian suave as its counterpart , boasting skyward ceilings and royal red embellishments .
Never ones to miss out on celebrating St Patrick 's Day , the bar team have created a limited edition menu with three bespoke drinks : black velvet , emerald highball and a traditional Irish coffee .
Irish-inspired seafood will make an appearance too with a platter of six Carlingford oysters setting you back £17.50 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fitz ’ s Bar in London for one night only this March to celebrate St Patrick 's Day .
Make your way to the velvet enveloped bar on 17 March and you ’ ll be presented with poitin cocktails ( a spirit that was banned in Ireland until 1997 ) and its signature sip , Belfast Coffee .
Black Rock is one of the jewels in Shoreditch ’ s cocktail crown , dispensing a specialist whiskey from an 185-year-old oak tree that ’ s slap bang in the middle of the venue .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is offering a line-up of drams from Ireland ’ s favourite distillery , with the evening itself hosted by industry legend , Claire Best .
The intimate session will last two hours and many different whiskies will step into the spotlight ; think Redbreast 12 Year Old , Midleton Very Rare , Yellow Spot , Method and Madness and Powers John Lane .
The Jugged Hare is celebrating the man who banished snakes from Ireland with a feast for the senses this March .
Collaborating with Guinness , it has five courses on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paired with a wine chosen by the venue ’ s sommelier .
Opening with potato stew and chive soda bread , it ’ s a serving of Irish stew with Boxty before guests move onto the main event : beef fillet with all the trimmings .
Cashel blue with Guinness and pear chutney will follow , alongside an indulgent Guinness cake with Bailey ’ s cream .
Known for its large Irish community and being home to the London Irish Centre , it comes as no surprise that Camden is going all out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The market ’ s street food vendors will give its iconic dishes with an Irish twist ; Young Vegans is serving a homely steak and Guinness pie complete with boozy gravy and Oh My Dog 's is serving its signature hot dog topped with crispy Tayto flakes .
Not in it for the food ?
Go for the live Irish music and sips from the Muff Liquor Company ’ s pop-up cocktail bar .
A secret roof garden near Rotherhithe isn ’ t your stereotypical spot to celebrate St Patrick ’ s Day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of living in London .
This alternative way to raise a toast to the patron saint of Ireland will see you sipping hot toddies in what was voted one of the world 's most sustainable bars .
A jazz band will strum Irish songs throughout the evening and in between belting out Celtic classics you can fill up on toasted marshmallows at the rooftop ’ s roaring fire pit .
With folklore-like interiors and a friendly atmosphere , it goes without saying that Waxy O ’ Connors is one of Manchester ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before and on St Patrick ’ s Day , it ’ s regarded amongst locals and diaspora as the place to be for a proper knees-up .
Promising live music and DJs sets and plenty of the black stuff , book a table before it ’ s too late .
Lu Ban hasn ’ t wasted any time in making a great name for itself .
The Liverpool restaurant opened late last year , specialising in regional Chinese food , plucking recipes and techniques from the Tianjin region .
To mark St Patrick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bottomless Sunday brunch , dialling things up with endless Bushmills whiskey cocktails .
Arrive hungry as you ’ ll be chomping your way through the likes of spring rolls , Downing Street vegetable dumplings and Master Wang ’ s noodles for 90 minutes .
The Sun Tavern is home to London ’ s largest Irish whiskey collection but that ’ s only one reason to visit it on 17 March .
This year it has teamed up with award-winning cocktail bar Three Sheets and Slane Irish Whiskey for an unforgettable St Patrick ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be live music ( alongside an appearance from a special guest Irish DJ ) and you can wet your whistle with limited edition cocktails and draft Guinness before filling up on free oysters between 7pm and 9pm from Oyster Boy .
To celebrate St Patrick ’ s Day , Dead Rabbit Irish Whiskey is taking over one of the private dining rooms at Manchester ’ s 20 Stories .
You ’ ll get to learn all about the humble beginnings of the whiskey brand to the backdrop of an incredible view as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , aged lamb with sweet onion tatin and colcannon , before finishing with an Irish coffee and Feeney ’ s ice cream .
In the spirit of Irish hospitality , you ’ ll not only leave with a belly full of food but a complimentary gift bag .
For more info on the best places to celebrate St Patrick ’ s Day in London and across the UK , visit DesignMyNight.com and follow us on Instagram and Facebook ; @ DesignMyNight .

St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is celebrated every year on 17 March. Millions of people around the world will wear green and many more will enjoy an Irish stout, beer or whiskey.
According to estimates, on St Patrick’s Day the world will “gulp 13 million pints” of Guinness, the “dark, creamy concoction” created centuries ago by Arthur Guinness, said USA Today.
Here we look at some of the other ways St Patrick is celebrated and some of the traditions associated with the day.
‘Drowning the shamrock’
Ireland’s long-standing affiliation with the shamrock is said to have originated from the teachings of Saint Patrick, who used its three leaves as a metaphor for the holy trinity – the father, son and holy spirit. To celebrate, it has become customary to “drown the shamrock” on St Patrick’s Day. This sees revellers bid the night farewell by taking their national plant and dropping it into their final drink.
It used to be a dry holiday
If you’re a purist who wants to experience an authentic St Patrick’s Day as it was celebrated hundreds of years ago, you may need to put that pint of Guinness down. Irish law between 1903 and 1970 designated St Patrick’s Day a religious holiday, which meant pubs across the country were closed for the day, Catholic Online reported. “The law was overturned in 1970, when St Patrick’s was reclassified as a national holiday – allowing the taps to flow freely once again.”
Today, however, St Patrick’s Day is “arguably one of the largest drinking holidays” in the world and in 2020 it was expected that Americans would spend more $6bn celebrating the holiday, according to Mental Floss. More than 13 million pints of Guinness are expected to be purchased around the globe on the day, which is almost double the amount of Guinness consumed on a normal day worldwide.
The most popular dog show ever?
Despite the volumes of alcohol now consumed on St Patrick’s Day, drinking was once frowned on, largely due to its religious connotations. Pubs were not allowed to open on the day until the 1970s, even though it became a public holiday in Ireland in 1903. According to The Daily Telegraph, there was just one exception: beer vendors could operate at Dublin’s annual dog show, which always coincided with the holiday.
Eirinn go Brach
Take part in any parade and you’re bound to hear this much-loved Gaelic expression. Roughly translated, it means “Ireland forever”.
A huge tradition in the US
Contrary to popular belief, the St Patrick’s Day parade is largely a US invention. The tradition began in 1792, when Irish expatriate soldiers, serving in the British army, marked the day by marching through the streets of New York. Now an annual event, the New York procession attracts more than 150,000 participants.
Pub crawl
On the other end of the scale, the Irish village of Dripsey in County Cork is known for hosting one of the world’s shortest processions at just 25 yards – the distance between its two pubs.
Island Ireland
The Irish diaspora may be one reason why St Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the globe, with official parades organised in more than 30 countries, The Guardian reported. Arguably one of the most surprising party-throwers is the Caribbean island of Montserrat, dubbed the “Emerald Isle” in memory of the Irish Catholic community which took refuge there in the 17th century. It is the only country outside Ireland to declare 17 March a public holiday.
Anything but green
Before cladding yourself in shades of green, it may be worthwhile remembering that the knights of St Patrick actually wore blue, said Time magazine. And according to descriptions by leading Irish poets and novelists, leprechauns actually sported red jackets.
Patrick is losing appeal
While St Patrick’s Day remains a cause for celebration across the globe, it appears that the name Patrick is losing popularity among parents. It was the second most popular name for newborn boys in 1965, but only just scraped into the top 20 in 2021, according to Ireland’s Central Statistics Office.
Where are the women leprechauns?
The Daily Mirror said that according to the ancient book, A History Of Irish Fairies, there is only evidence of the existence of male leprechauns. This caused the newspaper to ponder the feasibility of procreation.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: will the UK end up on lockdown?

Boris Johnson is set to step up the UK ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak , moving the country to the “ delay ” phase .
The next stage in the government ’ s four-part emergency response plan concentrates on measures aimed at delaying , rather than containing , the spread of infection .
The expected shift in tactics comes as the World Health Organization officially labels the outbreak a “ pandemic ” - meaning the virus is spreading in multiple countries at once .
Donald Trump has banned all travel to the US from 26 European countries , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempt .
And the Italian government has extended its nationwide lockdown by forcing all shops to close other than supermarkets , food stores and pharmacies .
So could the UK follow suit with a countrywide quarantine ?
“ Lockdown ” refers to the implementation of a “ cordon sanitaire ” , a geographical barrier put in place to stall the spread of disease .
China , Hong Kong , Singapore and South Korea are among a number of countries that have introduced forms of lockdown in response to the coronavirus outbreak , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In Europe , the whole of Italy has been declared a “ red zone ” .
“ Public gatherings are banned and people can travel to , from and within Italy only if such movement is deemed necessary for work or to deal with emergencies , ” reports The Washington Post .
Meanwhile , the US travel ban has fuelled speculation about what other steps President Trump should be taking to curb the spread of the virus there .
Actions such as “ suspending public transport , limiting public gatherings , preparing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those are all things we should be doing in the United States ” , says Thomas Bollyky , director of the New York-based Council on Foreign Relations ’ Global Health Program .
A full lockdown in the UK would probably include school and university closures , all workers encouraged or even mandated to work from home , the cancellation of all public events , and the closure of many shops and other public spaces .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Expert opinion suggests that the effectiveness of lockdown measures depends on how and when they are implemented .
A new study outlined in a paper in the journal Science applied disease transmission modelling to China ’ s travel ban in and out of Wuhan city , the epicentre of the outbreak .
The researchers discovered that the restrictions delayed the spread of the virus by only three to five days - but pointed out that by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had already been confirmed in other areas of mainland China .
However , the study also found that the ban slowed the international spread of the virus by a matter of weeks , giving other countries a chance to prepare .
Despite such benefits , some experts believe the Chinese lockdown has had too great a cost .
“ Real questions need to be asked about what impact the lockdown had on limiting supplies and healthcare workers , inciting panic , overburdening hospitals , [ and ] increasing transmissions by concentrating people into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global health lawyer at Georgetown University ’ s Center for Global Health Science and Security , told The Washington Post .
Some alternatives to lockdowns have been shown to be as - or more - effective .
Singapore has opted instead to use sophisticated virus tracking and surveillance methods to follow the virus and see who has come into contact with infected people .
But most other countries are bigger than Singapore and have less developed surveillance and tracking infrastructure .
A Harvard University study published last month found that the world ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only 38 % of that in Singapore .
If other nations had the testing and tracing capacity of Singapore , around 2.8 times more cases would be diagnosed , the researchers estimated .
On the other hand , while the authorities in Singapore are ready to robustly enforce their measures to tackle the outbreak - including prosecuting an infected Chinese couple for lying about their travel history - other countries may prefer to rely on other methods .
What may happen in the UK ?
The UK is currently in the first phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which sets out a strategy to “ contain , delay , research and mitigate ” .
If or when the UK moves to the “ delay ” phase , “ social distancing ” measures will be introduced , such as restrictions on large public gatherings .
Anyone who shows even mild symptoms of a possible coronavirus infection will be asked to self-isolate .
But the “ most drastic ” measures are likely be held back for deployment just before the peak of the UK ’ s cases , according to the BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who says the focus of the “ delay ” stage “ is expected to be how the vulnerable can be protected - the elderly and those with underlying health conditions ” .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the BBC ’ s Today programme this morning that the government was “ looking at interventions that provide very high clinical benefit and minimise the social impact ” .
The government ’ s official coronavirus response plan notes that “ in the 2009 ‘ swine flu ’ pandemic , school holidays significantly slowed transmission of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered could include population distancing strategies ( such as school closures , encouraging greater home working , reducing the number of large scale gatherings ) to slow the spread of the disease throughout the population , ” says the government .

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theweekuk--2020-03-12--Instant Opinion: ‘Neglect of science left us exposed to pandemics’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
The West ’ s neglect of science has left us chillingly exposed to deadly pandemics “ The only way to defend ourselves from the ravages of unfettered globalism is massive science innovation .
There is one vital insight about the scale of this world crisis , which elites are being very careful not to broadcast : it was categorically avoidable .
After the SARS outbreak in 2002 , research funding for investigating SARS-like viruses exploded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We lost 15 years , and because we didn ’ t do the groundwork , precious time is now being wasted testing drugs we use for other viruses and piloting experimental vaccines and combinations .
As it stands , it will take until mid next year to find a vaccine .
This timetable is ( through no fault of the scientists ) disgraceful in its slowness ; all the more so if you consider that another virus variation or mutation could prove more deadly.
” Harvey Weinstein sentencing allows victims like me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So when the guilty verdict came in on that fateful Monday morning , I was wholly unprepared to hear the news .
I was astounded — in shock and full of emotion all at the same time .
All of a sudden it was real .
This man who hurt me and so many others was actually going to jail .
As tears began streaming down my face , I was immediately flooded with phone calls and texts .
I did my best to stay focused , because I very much wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was listening know how important this verdict was for me , for the many other women Harvey had harmed and for survivors everywhere.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad , try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– on the dying embers of an era “ How the near future will impact you , young democratic socialist Berniecrats , remains to be seen .
Maybe President Joe Biden would find a way to pass progressive legislation with bipartisan Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you think about compromises .
Or maybe he runs into a brick wall of Republican obstruction , further deepening your conviction that only congressional rule changes and a mobilized grassroots can change the system .
Or maybe Donald Trump beats Biden , bolstering your argument that Washington insiders peddling bipartisan gruel can ’ t win elections.
” “ When I was a teenager a lot of the world was run by people who governed till they dropped .
Franco in Spain , Tito in Yugoslavia , Marcos in the Philippines , Castro in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve forgotten .
Then the Berlin Wall fell and the consequent democratic tide washed away the era of strongmen , leaving only relicts , mostly in Africa and the Middle East .
Thirty years on , however , and the president-for-life is making a comeback .
In country after country populist rulers , faced with constitutional limitations on their periods in office , are responding to spontaneous calls from the masses demanding that they find some way of staying on.
” “ I first met Claudia in 2003 shortly after she had sought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the way police officers had dealt with her report of a serious sexual assault .
Claudia had been the victim of an attempted rape , but when she reported it , police undermined and ridiculed her because she was a trans woman .
I wanted to write an article about the archaic , sexist diagnosis of ‘ transsexual ’ , with the notion that it is possible to be ‘ trapped in the wrong body ’ .
I was not expecting Claudia to tell me , alongside the horrific story of her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regretted undergoing a sex change all those years ago .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Sherelle Jacobs in The Telegraph
on science funding
The West’s neglect of science has left us chillingly exposed to deadly pandemics
“The only way to defend ourselves from the ravages of unfettered globalism is massive science innovation. There is one vital insight about the scale of this world crisis, which elites are being very careful not to broadcast: it was categorically avoidable. After the SARS outbreak in 2002, research funding for investigating SARS-like viruses exploded; within three years it fizzled out. We lost 15 years, and because we didn’t do the groundwork, precious time is now being wasted testing drugs we use for other viruses and piloting experimental vaccines and combinations. As it stands, it will take until mid next year to find a vaccine. This timetable is (through no fault of the scientists) disgraceful in its slowness; all the more so if you consider that another virus variation or mutation could prove more deadly.”
2. Caitlin Dulany in NBC Think
on restoring faith in humanity
Harvey Weinstein sentencing allows victims like me to believe the world has changed
“So when the guilty verdict came in on that fateful Monday morning, I was wholly unprepared to hear the news. I was astounded — in shock and full of emotion all at the same time. All of a sudden it was real. This man who hurt me and so many others was actually going to jail. As tears began streaming down my face, I was immediately flooded with phone calls and texts. I did my best to stay focused, because I very much wanted to use my voice to let anyone who was listening know how important this verdict was for me, for the many other women Harvey had harmed and for survivors everywhere.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad, try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3. Bill Scher in Politico
on the dying embers of an era
Reflections on a failed Democratic revolution
“How the near future will impact you, young democratic socialist Berniecrats, remains to be seen. Maybe President Joe Biden would find a way to pass progressive legislation with bipartisan Senate supermajorities, which might change the way you think about compromises. Or maybe he runs into a brick wall of Republican obstruction, further deepening your conviction that only congressional rule changes and a mobilized grassroots can change the system. Or maybe Donald Trump beats Biden, bolstering your argument that Washington insiders peddling bipartisan gruel can’t win elections.”
4. David Aaronovitch in The Times
on strongmen getting stronger
Populism has revived the president-for-life
“When I was a teenager a lot of the world was run by people who governed till they dropped. Franco in Spain, Tito in Yugoslavia, Marcos in the Philippines, Castro in Cuba and probably some Paraguayan I’ve forgotten. Then the Berlin Wall fell and the consequent democratic tide washed away the era of strongmen, leaving only relicts, mostly in Africa and the Middle East. Thirty years on, however, and the president-for-life is making a comeback. In country after country populist rulers, faced with constitutional limitations on their periods in office, are responding to spontaneous calls from the masses demanding that they find some way of staying on.”
5. Julie Bindel in The Spectator
on inner turmoil
Why a trans woman thinks self-ID is a mistake
“I first met Claudia in 2003 shortly after she had sought legal advice to make a formal complaint about the way police officers had dealt with her report of a serious sexual assault. Claudia had been the victim of an attempted rape, but when she reported it, police undermined and ridiculed her because she was a trans woman. I wanted to write an article about the archaic, sexist diagnosis of ‘transsexual’, with the notion that it is possible to be ‘trapped in the wrong body’. I was not expecting Claudia to tell me, alongside the horrific story of her attack and police negligence, that she regretted undergoing a sex change all those years ago.”


theweekuk--2020-03-12--The Players: a big opportunity awaits defending champion Rory McIlroy

If the daunting history of The Players Championship was intended to unsettle Rory McIlroy , he seriously deflected those fears this week .
No one has ever defended the championship in all 45 chances at the PGA Tour ’ s flagship event , but that does not worry the Northern Irishman , who last year birdied two of the final four holes to finally win a title that had eluded him .
World No.1 McIlroy said : “ If there ’ s been no one to defend [ since Jack Nicklaus first had the chance in 1975 ] , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have someone do that .
“ It is an opportunity , for sure .
I don ’ t think you ever need an extra motivation when you come to this golf tournament , but to be the first one to defend here would be very cool.
” There are emphatic , and rich , changes since McIlroy won a year ago – the purse is now $ 15m ( £11.7m ) and the winner ’ s share is $ 2.7m ( £2.1m ) .
But for the most part , this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the annual crown jewels on the professional golf landscape .
For starters , there is a 144-player field that is the deepest and best of the year .
Adding more shine is a stage - TPC Sawgrass - that offers fans a recognisable set of holes , including the island-green , par-three 17th , that is arguably the most iconic in all of golf .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McIlroy ’ s best shots at THE PLAYERS 2019 Last year McIlroy took advantage , with birdies at the par-four 15th and par-five 16th propelling him to a one-stroke victory .
But it ’ s not as if he hasn ’ t experienced the pitfalls at TPC Sawgrass .
He missed the cut in each of his first three starts and was an early departure in 2018 , too , so McIlroy concedes the comfort factor has come slowly at this iconic Pete Dye-designed course .
This year the 30-year-old returns to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered , along with Tiger Woods , as the face of the PGA Tour .
Victory at the WGC HSBC Champions last year was the 18th of his PGA Tour career , and since that effort there have been five straight finishes in the top five .
What ’ s more , there are positive vibes to this year ’ s event at TPC Sawgrass , given what happened 12 months ago when McIlroy hit rounds of 67 , 65 , 70 and 70 to hold off Jim Furyk by one shot .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was huge for me in terms of sort of getting the monkey off my back , ” said McIlroy , who then added two more wins to become the FedExCup champion and PGA Tour player of the year .
“ It ’ s nice to be back .
Obviously , it would be wonderful to replicate what happened last year.
” Amid concerns of the coronavirus outbreak the PGA Tour has announced that The Players will go ahead as scheduled .
However , regular updates will be provided as the PGA Tour works @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement the tour said : “ The PGA Tour is aware of rapidly changing developments regarding COVID-19 .
With the information currently available , The Players Championship will continue as scheduled , although we will absolutely continue to review recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control , World Health Organization and local health administrations .
“ This is obviously a very fluid situation that requires constant review , communication and transparency , and we are dedicated to all three aspects.
” Coronavirus impact on sport events : what ’ s postponed , cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The opening round of The Players Championship gets underway today at 11.40am ( GMT ) .
Live coverage from all four rounds at TPC Sawgrass will be broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports .
McIlroy will start his title defence at 5.51pm and he is grouped with Spain ’ s Jon Rahm and American Brooks Koepka .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

If the daunting history of The Players Championship was intended to unsettle Rory McIlroy, he seriously deflected those fears this week.
No one has ever defended the championship in all 45 chances at the PGA Tour’s flagship event, but that does not worry the Northern Irishman, who last year birdied two of the final four holes to finally win a title that had eluded him.
World No.1 McIlroy said: “If there’s been no one to defend [since Jack Nicklaus first had the chance in 1975], it would be a nice time to start and have someone do that.
“It is an opportunity, for sure. I don’t think you ever need an extra motivation when you come to this golf tournament, but to be the first one to defend here would be very cool.”
There are emphatic, and rich, changes since McIlroy won a year ago – the purse is now $15m (£11.7m) and the winner’s share is $2.7m (£2.1m). But for the most part, this is a stop that has become one of the annual crown jewels on the professional golf landscape.
For starters, there is a 144-player field that is the deepest and best of the year. Adding more shine is a stage - TPC Sawgrass - that offers fans a recognisable set of holes, including the island-green, par-three 17th, that is arguably the most iconic in all of golf.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Returning as world No.1
Last year McIlroy took advantage, with birdies at the par-four 15th and par-five 16th propelling him to a one-stroke victory.
But it’s not as if he hasn’t experienced the pitfalls at TPC Sawgrass. He missed the cut in each of his first three starts and was an early departure in 2018, too, so McIlroy concedes the comfort factor has come slowly at this iconic Pete Dye-designed course.
This year the 30-year-old returns to the tournament as the world No.1 and is considered, along with Tiger Woods, as the face of the PGA Tour.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--British soldier killed in Iraq: what happened?

A British soldier is among three people who have died in a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq - the first British serviceperson killed by enemy fire since the UK joined the operation against Islamic State in 2014 .
An American soldier and an American contractor were also killed , and at least 12 people were injured , in the attack on Wednesday on Camp Taji , north of Baghdad .
Coalition and Iraqi officials say 18 Katyusha rockets struck the base , with a “ rocket-rigged truck ” later discovered a few miles away , reports Sky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the attack as “ deplorable ” , while Defence Secretary Ben Wallace condemned the “ cowardly and retrograde act ” .
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said that an investigation was under way .
CNN reports that the US will also “ go after the perpetrators ” , citing an unnamed defence official who said that Iranian-backed fighters or Iran ’ s Revolutionary Guard Corp were believed to be responsible .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six issues for £6 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– There here have been multiple rocket attacks in Iraq in recent weeks , but Wednesday ’ s incident was the first to result in a coalition death since December , when a US contractor was killed .
However , tension has been high since the US killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in January .
A retaliatory Iranian strike on a base hosting US troops left more than 100 soldiers injured .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have now died while taking part in Operation Shader , the UK ’ s military operation against Isis in Iraq and Syria .
The previous three fatalities - in Iraq , at a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus , and in Syria - were the results of an accidental shooting , a traffic accident and so-called friendly fire respectively .

A British soldier is among three people who have died in a rocket attack on a military base in Iraq - the first British serviceperson killed by enemy fire since the UK joined the operation against Islamic State in 2014.
An American soldier and an American contractor were also killed, and at least 12 people were injured, in the attack on Wednesday on Camp Taji, north of Baghdad.
Coalition and Iraqi officials say 18 Katyusha rockets struck the base, with a “rocket-rigged truck” later discovered a few miles away, reports Sky News.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has described the attack as “deplorable”, while Defence Secretary Ben Wallace condemned the “cowardly and retrograde act”.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said that an investigation was under way.
CNN reports that the US will also “go after the perpetrators”, citing an unnamed defence official who said that Iranian-backed fighters or Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corp were believed to be responsible.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
There here have been multiple rocket attacks in Iraq in recent weeks, but Wednesday’s incident was the first to result in a coalition death since December, when a US contractor was killed.
However, tension has been high since the US killed senior Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a drone strike in January.
A retaliatory Iranian strike on a base hosting US troops left more than 100 soldiers injured.
A total of four British service personnel have now died while taking part in Operation Shader, the UK’s military operation against Isis in Iraq and Syria.
The previous three fatalities - in Iraq, at a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus, and in Syria - were the results of an accidental shooting, a traffic accident and so-called friendly fire respectively.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--‘Cash is king’: Lewis Hamilton shocked that the F1 Australian GP is going ahead

“Cash is king”. That was Lewis Hamilton’s blunt reply when the Formula 1 world champion was asked why the Australian Grand Prix was still going ahead despite global concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
Ahead of Sunday’s season-opening race in Melbourne it’s reported by the BBC that team members from Haas and McLaren are in self-isolation after being tested for coronavirus.
It was then confirmed on Thursday that the McLaren official had tested positive for the virus and the team had withdrawn from the race.
Speaking before the McLaren announcement, Mercedes driver Hamilton did not hold back when asked for his thoughts on the race taking place.
At a packed media conference, the Briton said: “I am really very, very surprised that we’re here. I don’t think it’s great that we have races but it really is shocking that we’re all sitting in this room.
“It seems that the rest of the world is already reacting a little bit late, but you have seen this morning with [President Donald] Trump shutting down the border to Europe to the [United] States, the NBA suspended, yet Formula 1 continues to go on.
“It’s a concern I think for the people here. It’s quite a big circus that’s come here, it’s definitely concerning for me.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
McLaren withdraw - will the GP be off?
McLaren announced on Thursday that they had withdrawn from the Australian GP after a member of their team tested positive for coronavirus.
In a statement the Woking team said: “McLaren Racing has confirmed this evening in Melbourne that it has withdrawn from the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, following the positive test of a team member for the coronavirus.
“The team member was tested and self-isolated as soon as they started to show symptoms and will now be treated by local healthcare authorities. The team has prepared for this eventuality and has ongoing support in place for its employee who will now enter a period of quarantine. The team is cooperating with the relevant local authorities to assist their investigations and analysis.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--What is Keynesian economics?

What is Keynesian economics?

Chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s newly unveiled national spending plan is the biggest “ Budget giveaway ” since 1992 , according to the Office for Budget Responsibility ( OBR ) .
The fiscal watchdog says Sunak ’ s £30bn stimulus package will add around £100bn to public borrowing by 2024 - leaving Britain “ vulnerable ” .
The government ’ s new spending plans mark an end to a decade of austerity that has seen the Tories slashing funding for public services in a bid to balance the books .
Indeed , Johnson ’ s new chancellor has been accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term refers to John Maynard Keynes ’ theory that economic intervention by governments results in optimal economic performance - and helps to avoid or moderate economic slumps .
Keynes believed that “ aggregate demand - measured as the sum of spending by households , businesses and the government - is the most important driving force in an economy ” , says the International Monetary Fund website .
Keynesian economists measure a country ’ s economic output by consumption , investment , government purchases and net exports , and say that any increase in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these four components .
When economic uncertainty or downturns reduce household spending and stall business investment , it is down to the government to create more demand through public spending and investment - fiscal stimulus .
Sunak plans to spend and invest a total of £30bn , of which at least £12bn is dedicated to easing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the UK economy .
Experts have been quick to point out that this bid to stimulate the economy in order to avert a critical economic downturn is classic Keynesian economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s grander strategic vision that will be felt long after the panic buying of hand sanitisers has eased .
For even without coronavirus , this was the most Keynesian budget for decades , ” says The Critic magazine ’ s political editor Graham Stewart .
He continues : “ Sunak ’ s intent is predicated upon Keynesian faith in the long-term benefits of focused pump-priming and that this is investment with an expected return rather than just more spending across the board.
” The Guardian agrees that Sunak ’ s Budget is unashamedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required to keep the economy expanding , not least because Brexit shrunk it by 2 % .
What once was seen as heresy is now a tenet of the Johnsonian faith .
The impression , left by Mr Sunak , is that we are all Keynesians now , ” says the newspaper .
The newly unveiled Budget has come as something as a surprise to many , who note that Sunak ’ s spending splurge appears to go against fundamental Tory doctrine .
“ Investors , absorbing the nasty party ’ s conversion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ Is he for real ?
’ One day , perhaps , Mr Sunak will make history rhyme , leaving a Labour successor a note lamenting , ‘ I ’ m afraid there is no money , ’ ” says the Australian Financial Review .
Free market think-tank the Adam Smith Institute ( ASI ) has accused the chancellor of “ spending like a drunken sailor ” .
ASI head of research Matthew Lesh said : “ It is seriously concerning that the government is looking at ripping up the fiscal rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debunked Keynesian stimulus theories.
” But The Guardian ’ s Martin Kettle argues that “ it would be a mistake to pretend that the Johnson Tory party is somehow finding its way back to… a centrist Keynesian era in British public policy in the 1950s and 1960s ” .
However , he adds : “ This feels , even so , to be a significant turn of the tiller in the Tory party ’ s slow and uncertain journey away from Thatcherism.
” Meanwhile , Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called the Budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that austerity has been a failed experiment .
It didn ’ t solve the economy , it made it worse .
”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s newly unveiled national spending plan is the biggest “Budget giveaway” since 1992, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR).
The fiscal watchdog says Sunak’s £30bn stimulus package will add around £100bn to public borrowing by 2024 - leaving Britain “vulnerable”.
The government’s new spending plans mark an end to a decade of austerity that has seen the Tories slashing funding for public services in a bid to balance the books.
Indeed, Johnson’s new chancellor has been accused of implementing Keynesian stimulus theories.
What is Keynesian economics?
The term refers to John Maynard Keynes’ theory that economic intervention by governments results in optimal economic performance - and helps to avoid or moderate economic slumps.
Keynes believed that “aggregate demand - measured as the sum of spending by households, businesses and the government - is the most important driving force in an economy”, says the International Monetary Fund website.
Keynesian economists measure a country’s economic output by consumption, investment, government purchases and net exports, and say that any increase in aggregate demand must come from one of these four components.
When economic uncertainty or downturns reduce household spending and stall business investment, it is down to the government to create more demand through public spending and investment - fiscal stimulus.
Is Sunak delivering Keynesian economics?
Sunak plans to spend and invest a total of £30bn, of which at least £12bn is dedicated to easing the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the UK economy.
Experts have been quick to point out that this bid to stimulate the economy in order to avert a critical economic downturn is classic Keynesian economics.
“It is the Budget’s grander strategic vision that will be felt long after the panic buying of hand sanitisers has eased. For even without coronavirus, this was the most Keynesian budget for decades,” says The Critic magazine’s political editor Graham Stewart.
He continues: “Sunak’s intent is predicated upon Keynesian faith in the long-term benefits of focused pump-priming and that this is investment with an expected return rather than just more spending across the board.”
The Guardian agrees that Sunak’s Budget is unashamedly Keynesian. “The cash injection is required to keep the economy expanding, not least because Brexit shrunk it by 2%. What once was seen as heresy is now a tenet of the Johnsonian faith. The impression, left by Mr Sunak, is that we are all Keynesians now,” says the newspaper.
The newly unveiled Budget has come as something as a surprise to many, who note that Sunak’s spending splurge appears to go against fundamental Tory doctrine.
“Investors, absorbing the nasty party’s conversion to Keynesianism, were probably also wondering, ’Is he for real?’ One day, perhaps, Mr Sunak will make history rhyme, leaving a Labour successor a note lamenting, ‘I’m afraid there is no money,’” says the Australian Financial Review.
Free market think-tank the Adam Smith Institute (ASI) has accused the chancellor of “spending like a drunken sailor”.
ASI head of research Matthew Lesh said: “It is seriously concerning that the government is looking at ripping up the fiscal rules. A Conservative government should not implement debunked Keynesian stimulus theories.”
But The Guardian’s Martin Kettle argues that “it would be a mistake to pretend that the Johnson Tory party is somehow finding its way back to… a centrist Keynesian era in British public policy in the 1950s and 1960s”.
However, he adds: “This feels, even so, to be a significant turn of the tiller in the Tory party’s slow and uncertain journey away from Thatcherism.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has called the Budget “an admission of failure… an admission that austerity has been a failed experiment. It didn’t solve the economy, it made it worse.”


theweekuk--2020-03-12--Why The Hunt is so controversial

Why The Hunt is so controversial

Gory politicial satire The Hunt has been savaged by critics including Donald Trump ahead of the film ’ s US release on Friday .
The movie - which hit UK cinemas on Wednesday - focuses on a group of liberal “ elites ” , played by actors including Hilary Swank , who hunt down conservative “ deplorables ” , including Glow ’ s Betty Gilpin , for sport .
The controversial flick was supposed to come out last September , but the release was postponed by Universal Pictures weeks earlier following two mass shootings in the US .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accusing the makers of promoting “ Anger and Hate ” .
Without directly naming The Hunt , he tweeted that “ the movie coming out is made in order to inflame and cause chaos ” .
“ Liberal Hollywood ” create “ their own violence , and then try to blame others ” , he added .
“ They are the true Racists , and are very bad for our Country !
” The film follows a dozen strangers who are drugged , kidnapped , and dropped off in remote woodland , along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a dressed-up piglet .
According to the Financial Times , the “ deadly weapons ” include “ crossbows , stiletto heels , an estate car , a kitchen blowtorch of the kind used for finishing creme brulee , assorted booby traps and a Second Amendment fantasia of semi-automatic firearms ” .
The disorientated strangers are then hunted by a group of coastal elites , one of whom boasts of “ slaughtering a dozen deplorables ” .
Fox News claims the film “ glamorises the killing of Trump supporters ” and that the underlying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your political adversaries ” .
But other critics have accused the movie of being all hype and no substance .
Time magazine says the premise is “ less provocative ” than its writers might believe , while The Independent argues : “ No one could possibly be offended by The Hunt , because that would require it to contain at least one comprehensible idea.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Get your first six issues for £6 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “ Is it really as provocative as it sounds ?
” asks Slate .
“ The short answer , unsurprisingly , is no.
” The Guardian agrees , saying that that if you “ set aside the noise , you ’ re left with a boilerplate B-movie that doesn ’ t say nearly as much as it thinks it does ” .
So could Trump have less to fear from The Hunt than might appear to be the case - and possibly even find the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance ?
“ I think the president might like the movie , ” director Craig Zobel told The Guardian ’ s Benjamin Lee .
“ I ’ m proud of the action scenes in the movie .
If he wants to just watch the action scenes , I ’ m fine with that.
” Speaking to USA Today , Zobel denied that his latest big-screen release is specifically anti-Trump .
“ I consider it an anti-everybody movie , ” he said .
“ The goal is to try to poke fun at everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Gory politicial satire The Hunt has been savaged by critics including Donald Trump ahead of the film’s US release on Friday.
The movie - which hit UK cinemas on Wednesday - focuses on a group of liberal “elites”, played by actors including Hilary Swank, who hunt down conservative “deplorables”, including Glow’s Betty Gilpin, for sport.
The controversial flick was supposed to come out last September, but the release was postponed by Universal Pictures weeks earlier following two mass shootings in the US.
President Trump criticised the film at the time, accusing the makers of promoting “Anger and Hate”.
Without directly naming The Hunt, he tweeted that “the movie coming out is made in order to inflame and cause chaos”.
“Liberal Hollywood” create “their own violence, and then try to blame others”, he added. “They are the true Racists, and are very bad for our Country!”
The film follows a dozen strangers who are drugged, kidnapped, and dropped off in remote woodland, along with a crate full of weapons and a dressed-up piglet.
According to the Financial Times, the “deadly weapons” include “crossbows, stiletto heels, an estate car, a kitchen blowtorch of the kind used for finishing creme brulee, assorted booby traps and a Second Amendment fantasia of semi-automatic firearms”.
The disorientated strangers are then hunted by a group of coastal elites, one of whom boasts of “slaughtering a dozen deplorables”.
Fox News claims the film “glamorises the killing of Trump supporters” and that the underlying message is that “you should kill your political adversaries”.
But other critics have accused the movie of being all hype and no substance.
Time magazine says the premise is “less provocative” than its writers might believe, while The Independent argues: “No one could possibly be offended by The Hunt, because that would require it to contain at least one comprehensible idea.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“Is it really as provocative as it sounds?” asks Slate. “The short answer, unsurprisingly, is no.”
The Guardian agrees, saying that that if you “set aside the noise, you’re left with a boilerplate B-movie that doesn’t say nearly as much as it thinks it does”.
So could Trump have less to fear from The Hunt than might appear to be the case - and possibly even find the film entertaining if he gives it a chance?
“I think the president might like the movie,” director Craig Zobel told The Guardian’s Benjamin Lee. “I’m proud of the action scenes in the movie. If he wants to just watch the action scenes, I’m fine with that.”
Speaking to USA Today, Zobel denied that his latest big-screen release is specifically anti-Trump.
“I consider it an anti-everybody movie,” he said. “The goal is to try to poke fun at everybody that we could think of.”


theweekuk--2020-03-12--Liverpool boss Klopp backs Adrian: ‘We will not blame him for a second’

Champions League last-16 second leg Liverpool 2 Atletico Madrid 3 ( after extra-time ; 2-4 on aggregate ) Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he was a “ bad loser ” as he sucked up the sight of his side being dumped out of the Uefa Champions League by Atletico Madrid .
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Spain , holders Liverpool knew it was always going to be a tough assignment against the crafty and committed La Liga outfit and so it proved as they suffered a 3-2 loss at the end of 120 enthralling minutes .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ side like this , ” Klopp said in the aftermath of the Anfield agony .
“ I don ’ t understand with the quality they have the football they play .
They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter-attacks .
“ We accept it , of course , but it doesn ’ t feel right tonight .
I realise I am a really bad loser , especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however , Klopp will realise that this defeat was a further sign that Liverpool have lost their edge in recent weeks .
This was their fourth loss in six matches , a slump that has seen them exit the FA Cup and suffer a 3-0 hammering at the hands of lowly Watford .
The momentum that took them on an unbeaten 44-match Premier League run has gone , and with it their dream of back-to-back Champions League titles .
Video of Jurgen Klopp : `` With their quality , Atleti could play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Video of `` We 've got to react in the right way '' Jordan Henderson calls for response to Atletico loss ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To blame Atletico for their game plan is indeed the sign of a bad loser .
The world knew how they would approach the second leg , and , alas , the world wasn ’ t that surprised when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another blunder from Adrian .
The Brazilian goalkeeper was at fault last week when his blunders made life easy for Chelsea in their FA Cup fifth-round tie , and last night his poor clearance fell into the path of Marcos Llorente .
Liverpool were leading 2-0 at the time - thanks to goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino , the second four minutes into extra-time - but Llorente ’ s effort gave the visitors the priceless away goal .
As the belief drained from the Reds , Atletico closed in for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then Alvaro Morata , as Liverpool suffered their first defeat at Anfield in the Champions League since 2014 .
In other words it was the first time Klopp has lost in front of the Kop in the competition .
That perhaps accounts for his uncharacteristically snarky reaction to Atletico ’ s victory ; or perhaps he was trying to deflect attention from Adrian , who has almost single-handedly led his side through the exit of two competitions in the space of seven days .
“ We will not blame him for a second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What you do , I don ’ t know , but stay respectful , that would be really nice because he didn ’ t want to do that .
“ He saved us in so many moments when he played… he ’ s a man , a grown man , and he will deal with that .
We will help him with that.
” In the evening ’ s other tie , Paris Saint-Germain beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ share in their delight with the match played behind closed doors as part of the French attempt to contain coronavirus , but that didn ’ t put PSG off their stride .
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Germany , Neymar headed PSG in front on 26 minutes and Juan Bernat added a second while Dortmund ’ s frustration was seen in the second-half dismissal of Emre Can .
Llor out !
Adrian agony as Atletico stun Liverpool and football ’ s crisis plan is revealed ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
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Champions League last-16 second leg Liverpool 2 Atletico Madrid 3 (after extra-time; 2-4 on aggregate)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted he was a “bad loser” as he sucked up the sight of his side being dumped out of the Uefa Champions League by Atletico Madrid.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Spain, holders Liverpool knew it was always going to be a tough assignment against the crafty and committed La Liga outfit and so it proved as they suffered a 3-2 loss at the end of 120 enthralling minutes.
“It’s so difficult to play a side like this,” Klopp said in the aftermath of the Anfield agony. “I don’t understand with the quality they have the football they play. They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter-attacks.
“We accept it, of course, but it doesn’t feel right tonight. I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.”
In the cold light of day, however, Klopp will realise that this defeat was a further sign that Liverpool have lost their edge in recent weeks.
This was their fourth loss in six matches, a slump that has seen them exit the FA Cup and suffer a 3-0 hammering at the hands of lowly Watford.
The momentum that took them on an unbeaten 44-match Premier League run has gone, and with it their dream of back-to-back Champions League titles.
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Adrian agony
To blame Atletico for their game plan is indeed the sign of a bad loser. The world knew how they would approach the second leg, and, alas, the world wasn’t that surprised when the Spaniards were given a helping hand by another blunder from Adrian.
The Brazilian goalkeeper was at fault last week when his blunders made life easy for Chelsea in their FA Cup fifth-round tie, and last night his poor clearance fell into the path of Marcos Llorente.
Liverpool were leading 2-0 at the time - thanks to goals from Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino, the second four minutes into extra-time - but Llorente’s effort gave the visitors the priceless away goal.
Blame game
As the belief drained from the Reds, Atletico closed in for the kill, scoring again through Llorente and then Alvaro Morata, as Liverpool suffered their first defeat at Anfield in the Champions League since 2014. In other words it was the first time Klopp has lost in front of the Kop in the competition.
That perhaps accounts for his uncharacteristically snarky reaction to Atletico’s victory; or perhaps he was trying to deflect attention from Adrian, who has almost single-handedly led his side through the exit of two competitions in the space of seven days.
“We will not blame him for a second,” Klopp told reporters. “What you do, I don’t know, but stay respectful, that would be really nice because he didn’t want to do that.
“He saved us in so many moments when he played… he’s a man, a grown man, and he will deal with that. We will help him with that.”
PSG progress
In the evening’s other tie, Paris Saint-Germain beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in four years.
There were no fans to share in their delight with the match played behind closed doors as part of the French attempt to contain coronavirus, but that didn’t put PSG off their stride.
Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Germany, Neymar headed PSG in front on 26 minutes and Juan Bernat added a second while Dortmund’s frustration was seen in the second-half dismissal of Emre Can.
Today’s back pages
Llor out! Adrian agony as Atletico stun Liverpool and football’s crisis plan is revealed
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theweekuk--2020-03-12--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 12 Mar 2020

US President Donald Trump has announced a 30-day ban on passenger flights from Europe to the US in an attempt @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus .
However , the UK is not included in the restriction , @ @ @ @ @ Friday , with a presidential proclamation issued after Trump ’ s televised address specifying that @ @ @ @ @ countries in the Schengen border-free travel area were barred .

Trump suspends travel from Europe to US
US President Donald Trump has announced a 30-day ban on passenger flights from Europe to the US in an attempt to curb the spread of the new coronavirus. However, the UK is not included in the restriction, which starts at midnight on Friday, with a presidential proclamation issued after Trump’s televised address specifying that only travellers from the 26 countries in the Schengen border-free travel area were barred.


theweekuk--2020-03-12--Today’s back pages: Llor out! Adrian agony as Atletico stun Liverpool and football’s crisis plan is

Today’s back pages: Llor out! Adrian agony as Atletico stun Liverpool and football’s crisis plan is revealed

Reds crash out of Europe
Holders Liverpool are out of the Uefa Champions League and their dramatic 3-2 defeat at home to Atletico Madrid dominates the back pages.
None of the headlines will make easy reading for Reds keeper Adrian who would be best advised to stay under the duvet this morning.
“Choker” is how the Daily Mirror describes the 4-2 aggregate loss, above a photo of a distraught Adrian after what the paper calls a “another howler”.
The Daily Telegraph has a picture of the gloveman on one knee alongside the headline “Adrian agony”.
The paper explains how his sloppy clearance seven minutes into extra-time gifted the tie to Atletico, allowing Marcos Llorente to score a priceless away goal after Georginio Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino had put the Reds in control.
The Daily Star emblazons its back page with “Llor out”, describing Adrian’s blunder but also highlighting the clinical finishing of Llorente, who scored a second in extra-time as Liverpool’s morale collapsed in the closing stages.
Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata completed Atletico’s triumph with a third goal in the final minute of extra-time.
In last night’s other Champions League last-16 second leg match Paris Saint-Germain beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on the night to qualify 3-2 on aggregate.
Klopp backs Adrian: ‘We will not blame him for a second’
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Three Lions roar on... for now
The other story that features on most of the back pages is the news that England’s friendlies later this month against Italy (27 March) and Denmark (31 March) will go ahead - for now at least.
The defiant message is a rare beacon of hope on the continent as more and more countries cancel sporting events because of coronavirus.
Gareth Southgate will name his England squad next week and the Daily Mirror says that “plans still in place for the games even though players have been expecting them to be called off”.
The FA tweeted to fans that: “At present, and in line with current government advice, nothing has changed regarding the status of our games against Italy and Denmark later this month. We will be sure to inform fans should there be an update.”


theweekuk--2020-03-12--Was Lockerbie conviction a miscarriage of justice?

The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing may have been the victim of a miscarriage of justice , the Scottish criminal cases review commission has found .
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi , a former Libyan intelligence officer , was convicted of the attack in 2001 .
He was sentenced to 27 years in prison but died aged 60 of prostate cancer in 2012 after being released on compassionate grounds .
The commission has approved an application to refer Megrahi ’ s conviction back to the appeal court following an application by Megrahi ’ s family .
The Guardian says the application was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in the 1988 disaster .
Their lawyer , Aamer Anwar , said : “ A reversal of the verdict would have meant that the government of the United States and the United Kingdom stand exposed as having lived a monumental lie for 31 years , imprisoning a man they knew to be innocent and punishing the Libyan people for a crime which they did not commit.
” Anwar said Megrahi “ went to his grave still with the wish for justice on his lips – those were his final words.
” His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the High Court in 2002 .
A total of 270 people from 21 countries were killed when Pan Am flight 103 , on its way from London to New York , exploded above Lockerbie on 21 December 1988 .
Of those , 243 were passengers , 16 were crew and 11 Lockerbie residents were killed by falling debris .
Anwar ’ s legal team submitted a number of allegations about the failure of the prosecution to disclose evidence , which could have been key to the defence .
They say Iran could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government ordered a Syrian-Palestinian group to carry out a revenge attack for the downing of an Iranian Airbus by the US Vincennes in 1988 , which killed all 290 on board .
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The man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing may have been the victim of a miscarriage of justice, the Scottish criminal cases review commission has found.
Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, a former Libyan intelligence officer, was convicted of the attack in 2001. He was sentenced to 27 years in prison but died aged 60 of prostate cancer in 2012 after being released on compassionate grounds.
The commission has approved an application to refer Megrahi’s conviction back to the appeal court following an application by Megrahi’s family. The Guardian says the application was supported by some families of those who died in the 1988 disaster.
Their lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said: “A reversal of the verdict would have meant that the government of the United States and the United Kingdom stand exposed as having lived a monumental lie for 31 years, imprisoning a man they knew to be innocent and punishing the Libyan people for a crime which they did not commit.”
Anwar said Megrahi “went to his grave still with the wish for justice on his lips – those were his final words.”
His first appeal against his conviction was refused by the High Court in 2002.
A total of 270 people from 21 countries were killed when Pan Am flight 103, on its way from London to New York, exploded above Lockerbie on 21 December 1988. Of those, 243 were passengers, 16 were crew and 11 Lockerbie residents were killed by falling debris.
Anwar’s legal team submitted a number of allegations about the failure of the prosecution to disclose evidence, which could have been key to the defence.
They say Iran could be behind the attack, suggeting its government ordered a Syrian-Palestinian group to carry out a revenge attack for the downing of an Iranian Airbus by the US Vincennes in 1988, which killed all 290 on board.
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theweekuk--2020-03-12--Coronavirus: Donald Trump bans travel from mainland Europe to US

Donald Trump has announced a travel ban for travellers from 26 European countries - though not the UK - in a bid to combat the spread of coronavirus .
Ireland is also exempt .
In a televised address , the US president said the EU had not acted quickly enough to address the outbreak of the virus and claimed that US clusters were “ seeded ” by European travellers .
“ We made a lifesaving move with early action on China , ” he said .
“ Now we must take the same action with Europe.
” The “ extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will last for 30 days from midnight on Friday .
A European diplomat told Reuters that the White House did not notify European officials before the televised address .
The reason for the UK exemption was also unclear .
Although Trump “ set out to steady a rattled nation and a diving economy ” , said CNN , his address “ instead sowed more confusion and doubts that he is up to handling the fast-worsening coronavirus crisis ” .
Susan Glasser , a writer from The New Yorker , tweeted : “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s speech tonight is striking : a ‘ foreign virus , ’ keeping out China and Europe.
” USA Today said “ the UK exemption opens a lot of possibilities for connecting flights to the continent ” , but the US Department of Homeland Security said the order would bar most foreign nationals who had been in the 26 European countries during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival .
The countries are : Austria , Belgium , Czech Republic , Denmark , Estonia , Finland , France , Germany , Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Latvia , Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg , Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Poland , Portugal , Slovakia , Slovenia , Spain , Sweden and Switzerland .
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theweekuk--2020-03-12--Pepsi enters energy drink market with $3.85bn Rockstar deal

Drinks giant PepsiCo has its sights on the growing energy drink market , acquiring Rockstar Energy Beverages for $ 3.85 billion .
Neither Pepsi nor its main rival Coca-Cola own a major brand in the energy drinks market - although Coke has a stake in Monster .
Pepsi ’ s move for Rockstar could be the first major move in a battle for dominance in the category , as soft drinks companies diversify away from their traditional offerings .
For Rockstar founder Russ Weiner , the deal represents a huge reward for the $ 50,000 investment he made to launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fox Business that the deal with Pepsi “ is going to make this a global powerhouse brand , and my legacy will be safe with them.
” The companies have been affiliated for some time .
“ Pepsi has had a distribution agreement with privately held Rockstar in North America since 2009 , ” reports CNBC .
Coca-Cola ’ s similar distribution deal with Monster had prevented them from selling their own energy drinks in the US until last year , but Pepsi ’ s deal with Rockstar should “ enable the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one that ensnared Coca-Cola , ” says The Wall Street journal .
“ PepsiCo shares were down 3.8 per cent in pre-market trading on Wednesday , ” The Financial Times reports , “ slightly worse off than the 3.4 per cent drop for the S & P 500 that was implied by futures as investors continue to grapple with volatility amid the coronavirus outbreak and following Monday ’ s oil price plunge.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important business stories and tips for the week ’ s best shares - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first six issues free –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Drinks giant PepsiCo has its sights on the growing energy drink market, acquiring Rockstar Energy Beverages for $3.85 billion.
Neither Pepsi nor its main rival Coca-Cola own a major brand in the energy drinks market - although Coke has a stake in Monster. Pepsi’s move for Rockstar could be the first major move in a battle for dominance in the category, as soft drinks companies diversify away from their traditional offerings.
For Rockstar founder Russ Weiner, the deal represents a huge reward for the $50,000 investment he made to launch the company in 2001.
He told Fox Business that the deal with Pepsi “is going to make this a global powerhouse brand, and my legacy will be safe with them.”
The companies have been affiliated for some time. “Pepsi has had a distribution agreement with privately held Rockstar in North America since 2009,” reports CNBC.
Coca-Cola’s similar distribution deal with Monster had prevented them from selling their own energy drinks in the US until last year, but Pepsi’s deal with Rockstar should “enable the company to sidestep any legal tussle like the one that ensnared Coca-Cola,” says The Wall Street journal.
“PepsiCo shares were down 3.8 per cent in pre-market trading on Wednesday,” The Financial Times reports, “slightly worse off than the 3.4 per cent drop for the S&P 500 that was implied by futures as investors continue to grapple with volatility amid the coronavirus outbreak and following Monday’s oil price plunge.”
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theweekuk--2020-03-12--Harvey Weinstein sentenced to 23 years in jail

Harvey Weinstein , the once-mighty Hollywood film producer , has been sentenced to 23 years in prison by a judge in New York for rape and sexual assault .
The decision concludes his meteoric downfall and represents a milestone for his victims and the wider # MeToo movement , which began when the movie mogul ’ s chronic abuse was made public in late 2017 .
The six accusers who had testified against Weinstein , 67 , at his trial - which concluded with a guilty verdict on February 24 - sat beside each other in the front row of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was handed down .
“ He violated my trust and my body and my personal right to deny sexual advances , ” said Miriam Haley , one of Weinstein ’ s victims , reading a statement in court , who went on to describe how the abuse had a crushing long-term effect on her spirit .
Weinstein maintained that he was innocent and that his sexual exploits had been consensual .
“ Thousands of men are losing due process , ” he said .
“ I ’ m worried about this country.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wonderful times ” with his accusers and was “ genuinely confused ” about why they had turned against him .
But Justice James Burke , who presided over the trial in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan , delivered a more severe sentence than many had been expecting - 23 years , compared with a maximum of 29 .
Weinstein ’ s lawyers had asked for leniency , citing the brutal social and professional repercussions - exacerbated in the era of social media - and his poor health .
“ After sentencing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the New York state department of corrections , ” says The Guardian .
“ He will be taken to a reception center in Fishkill , New York , for ‘ processing ’ , and then transported to a prison in upstate New York.
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theweekuk--2020-03-12--Putin’s plan to rule for longer than Stalin

Both houses of the Duma - Russia ’ s parliament - have given their approval to constitutional changes that would allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in power for the next 16 years .
Only one of the 620 lawmakers in the lower and upper houses voted against the sweeping amendments , which do not extend presidential term limits but reset the clock so Putin can serve another two terms .
The legislation would let the president remain in office until 2036 , surpassing Stalin to become the second-longest-serving Russian leader after Peter the Great .
It was proposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also the first woman in space .
“ Given his enormous authority , this would be a stabilising factor for our society , ” she said .
In its current form , the country ’ s constitution demands that Putin will leave the presidency in 2024 , when his current term ends , but few Russia-watching analysts had expected him to relinquish power .
In January , he announced that he planned to instigate constitutional changes , and many commentators speculated that he would shift power from the presidency to politburos such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to remain as de-facto ruler while giving up the title of president .
Some guessed he would go so far as to unite Russia and Belarus , taking up the reins in Minsk and ruling as leader of both nations .
The last time his term limit was approaching , Putin opted to become prime minister , pulling the real strings of power while Dmitri Medvedev served as president from 2008 to 2012 , before returning to the office he has inhabited since then .
This time he has opted for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of China and Turkey ’ s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - both of whom have changed their countries ’ constitutions to allow them to hold power beyond what was previously allowed .
What exactly is Putin proposing ?
“ The amendments grant the president near-absolute power , further reduce the authority of elected mayors and scrap the primacy of international norms over Russian laws , ” say The Economist .
“ The power-grab is shrouded in the language of God , ancestral traditions , heterosexual families and sacred victory in the second world war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will mark on May 9th ) .
” The legislation must be approved by Russia ’ s constitutional court and a nationwide referendum , which is set for April 22 .
Neither are expected to oppose the move .
“ Putin remains popular among many Russians , ” says Radio Free Europe , “ even though the country experienced some of its largest pro-democracy demonstrations last summer over the barring of opposition candidates in some municipal elections.
” The changes to limits on Putin ’ s term as president are embedded in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as , says the Financial Times , “ pledges to increase wages each year and a ban on gay marriage.
” These changes are calibrated to increase the likelihood of the legislation being accepted by the public in April .
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Get your first six issues free ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Russia and its neighbours have long leaned towards strong individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 , only Baltic states have seen relatively stable transitions of power .
Ukraine , Georgia , Armenia , and Kyrgyzstan have all experienced dysfunctional changes of administration .
In his speech to the Duma on Tuesday , Putin acknowledged this perception .
“ I ’ m sure the time will come when the highest , presidential authority in Russia will not be , as they say , so personified - not so bound up in a single person , ” he said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history came together and we can not , of course , disregard this.
” The president , he continued , is the guarantor “ of the security of our state , of its internal stability - its internal , evolutionary stability - and I mean evolutionary .
We ’ ve had enough revolutions.
” “ Mr .
Putin ’ s declaration in 2011 that he ’ d return to the presidency helped precipitate large-scale street protests , ” says The New York Times .
“ But despite a burst of anger online , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ similar would play out this time .
”

Both houses of the Duma - Russia’s parliament - have given their approval to constitutional changes that would allow President Vladimir Putin to remain in power for the next 16 years.
Only one of the 620 lawmakers in the lower and upper houses voted against the sweeping amendments, which do not extend presidential term limits but reset the clock so Putin can serve another two terms.
The legislation would let the president remain in office until 2036, surpassing Stalin to become the second-longest-serving Russian leader after Peter the Great.
It was proposed by Valentina Tereshkova - a parliamentarian, but also the first woman in space. “Given his enormous authority, this would be a stabilising factor for our society,” she said.
In its current form, the country’s constitution demands that Putin will leave the presidency in 2024, when his current term ends, but few Russia-watching analysts had expected him to relinquish power.
In January, he announced that he planned to instigate constitutional changes, and many commentators speculated that he would shift power from the presidency to politburos such as the state or security council, allowing him to remain as de-facto ruler while giving up the title of president.
Some guessed he would go so far as to unite Russia and Belarus, taking up the reins in Minsk and ruling as leader of both nations.
The last time his term limit was approaching, Putin opted to become prime minister, pulling the real strings of power while Dmitri Medvedev served as president from 2008 to 2012, before returning to the office he has inhabited since then.
This time he has opted for the blunter methods employed by both Xi Xinping of China and Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan - both of whom have changed their countries’ constitutions to allow them to hold power beyond what was previously allowed.
What exactly is Putin proposing?
“The amendments grant the president near-absolute power, further reduce the authority of elected mayors and scrap the primacy of international norms over Russian laws,” say The Economist. “The power-grab is shrouded in the language of God, ancestral traditions, heterosexual families and sacred victory in the second world war (the 75th anniversary of which Russia will mark on May 9th).”