theweekuk--2020-12-15--Joseph Altuzarra interview: ‘The fashion landscape has changed so dramatically’

“ What I have really cherished , ” says Joseph Altuzarra , sat behind the desk of his white and bare-walled New York office , “ is that I feel really lucky to have been able to communicate with a lot of other designers and business owners who I wouldn ’ t normally have spoken with .
To be able to have conversations about the challenges that we ’ re going through and how they ’ re tackling it.
” Altuzarra is talking about how he ’ s been coping during the pandemic .
The designer only moved back into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having been residing in the Hamptons – he recently opened a new store on East Hampton ’ s Maine street – since March .
“ These last few months have really helped me focus on who we ’ re talking to and what the purpose of what we ’ re doing really is , ” he says .
It ’ s been 12 years since Altuzarra launched his namesake label , in 2008 , amid the recession .
The former first assistant to Riccardo Tisci - during his Givenchy days - says this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever since .
In that time , Altuzarra has scooped numerous industry accolades , winning the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund in 2011 and being named the Council of Fashion Designers of America ’ s Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2014 .
In 2013 , the luxury conglomerate Kering took a minority stake in the business .
And the brand swapped the runways of New York Fashion Week for Paris Fashion Week back in 2017 .
The following year , Meghan Markle , the Duchess of Sussex , would be applauded for wearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of his contemporaries , managed to weather fashion ’ s various storms along the way .
“ The fashion landscape has changed so dramatically , ” says Altuzarra who , from the Zoom lens up , is casually dressed in a sweater and jewelled with rings and a necklace .
He considers his own experience of launching a brand to be , in some ways , quite straightforward .
“ I ’ m not saying it was an easy entry into fashion but there were clear gatekeepers and there was a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved showing editors and buyers cyclically-based presentations or shows , staged in one of the world ’ s fashion capitals .
“ It ’ s been really interesting to see how that model basically exploded .
There ’ s been this opening-up of how talent is coming to the surface and I think that ’ s been a really wonderful thing to see - that you can post images on Instagram and build a business that way.
” He experienced it first hand in his role as a judge on Amazon Prime Video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Naomi Campbell , Carine Roitfeld and Nicole Richie .
In the show , which premiered earlier this year , hosts Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum lead 12 designers and entrepreneurs in a competition to win $ 1m ( £750,475 ) and the chance to turn their business into a real brand .
“ Seeing that Amazon Prime customers who were watching the show and watching these designers create these pieces would then also go on Amazon and buy the pieces because they felt so connected , ” he says .
“ [ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lightbulb moment for me.
” Both in terms of business strategy and in exploring entertainment as an avenue - he surprised himself at just how much he enjoyed the latter .
Being out of the fashion cycle during the pandemic has , he says , freed him up in terms of creativity , which is something he thinks is lacking in the way the fashion world works today .
“ I feel like when I started out a lot of the designers that were being lauded of my generation , were designers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Marc Jacobs , Nicolas Ghesquière to a certain degree .
And a lot of designers from season to season would change their aesthetic , change their points of view.
” Today , he feels like everything is branded .
“ I mean that in the literal sense , like everything has a brand name on it .
In 2008 , there was a lot more fluidity in fashion .
Designers , they were much more free to explore the boundaries of their creativity , whereas today if you ’ re streetwear , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the brand – known for its sensuality , femininity and dressed-up , polished sensibility – is definitely not .
“ We don ’ t do sweatshirts , ” he says , but has taken on board the current mood for a more relaxed way of dressing .
“ Really , for me , the brand is this Venn diagram : it ’ s multicultural in the sense that I ’ m multicultural.
” Altuzarra was born in Paris and had a French , American and Chinese upbringing .
“ It has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and also notes artisanal craft as an inspiration .
For spring/summer 2021 , like most designers , he chose to show via film format in lieu of a physical show .
A short documentary captured him designing in the studio and explaining his fascination with the season ’ s light plaid fabrics and voluminous silhouettes before models walked through a warehouse space .
“ I thought it was so fascinating to watch what everyone did , some of them were so clever , ” he says , namechecking Jeremy Scott ’ s Moschino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a little nostalgic for that , too .
Pre-social media , his first – and now favourite – show took place at a Manhattan gallery space , which he managed to wangle via someone he knew , who knew the owner , in exchange for jackets for all the staff .
“ I had to walk with my dad to an ATM to get $ 600 for the hair and makeup assistants and we had , I think 15 models and 20-something looks and we only had eight pairs of shoes.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , complete with notes on insole inserts , to be made backstage .
He found it surreal and thrilling .
“ I think I ’ m also looking at it through this lens now of fashion week will never look the same as it did in 2008 , and shows won ’ t look the same and so I think I have this nostalgia for what I knew and loved , which I know won ’ t probably exist again in that way.
” But he ’ s also excited for the future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a huge fan of Etsy , the e-commerce website that specialises in handmade crafts , and pitched them the idea to collaborate .
A home collection launched during lockdown .
“ That ’ s a space I ’ m also really interested in , ” he says .
And assures , teasingly , there ’ s more to come on the entertainment front .
“ I ’ ll keep you posted on what happens .
”

“What I have really cherished,” says Joseph Altuzarra, sat behind the desk of his white and bare-walled New York office, “is that I feel really lucky to have been able to communicate with a lot of other designers and business owners who I wouldn’t normally have spoken with. To be able to have conversations about the challenges that we’re going through and how they’re tackling it.” Altuzarra is talking about how he’s been coping during the pandemic. The designer only moved back into the city at the end of September having been residing in the Hamptons – he recently opened a new store on East Hampton’s Maine street – since March. “These last few months have really helped me focus on who we’re talking to and what the purpose of what we’re doing really is,” he says. It’s been 12 years since Altuzarra launched his namesake label, in 2008, amid the recession. The former first assistant to Riccardo Tisci - during his Givenchy days - says this has kept him “fiscally responsible” ever since. In that time, Altuzarra has scooped numerous industry accolades, winning the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund in 2011 and being named the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2014. In 2013, the luxury conglomerate Kering took a minority stake in the business. And the brand swapped the runways of New York Fashion Week for Paris Fashion Week back in 2017. The following year, Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, would be applauded for wearing looks from the designer who, unlike many of his contemporaries, managed to weather fashion’s various storms along the way. Making the cut “The fashion landscape has changed so dramatically,” says Altuzarra who, from the Zoom lens up, is casually dressed in a sweater and jewelled with rings and a necklace. Skip advert He considers his own experience of launching a brand to be, in some ways, quite straightforward. “I’m not saying it was an easy entry into fashion but there were clear gatekeepers and there was a clear way of entering the industry.” It involved showing editors and buyers cyclically-based presentations or shows, staged in one of the world’s fashion capitals. “It’s been really interesting to see how that model basically exploded. There’s been this opening-up of how talent is coming to the surface and I think that’s been a really wonderful thing to see - that you can post images on Instagram and build a business that way.”
He experienced it first hand in his role as a judge on Amazon Prime Video’s Making The Cut, alongside Naomi Campbell, Carine Roitfeld and Nicole Richie. In the show, which premiered earlier this year, hosts Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum lead 12 designers and entrepreneurs in a competition to win $1m (£750,475) and the chance to turn their business into a real brand. “Seeing that Amazon Prime customers who were watching the show and watching these designers create these pieces would then also go on Amazon and buy the pieces because they felt so connected,” he says. “[It] was really kind of like this lightbulb moment for me.” Both in terms of business strategy and in exploring entertainment as an avenue - he surprised himself at just how much he enjoyed the latter. Everything is branded Being out of the fashion cycle during the pandemic has, he says, freed him up in terms of creativity, which is something he thinks is lacking in the way the fashion world works today. “I feel like when I started out a lot of the designers that were being lauded of my generation, were designers who were chameleons in a lot of ways. Marc Jacobs, Nicolas Ghesquière to a certain degree. And a lot of designers from season to season would change their aesthetic, change their points of view.” Today, he feels like everything is branded. “I mean that in the literal sense, like everything has a brand name on it. In 2008, there was a lot more fluidity in fashion. Designers, they were much more free to explore the boundaries of their creativity, whereas today if you’re streetwear, you’re streetwear.” Notably Altuzarra, the brand – known for its sensuality, femininity and dressed-up, polished sensibility – is definitely not. “We don’t do sweatshirts,” he says, but has taken on board the current mood for a more relaxed way of dressing. Skip advert “Really, for me, the brand is this Venn diagram: it’s multicultural in the sense that I’m multicultural.” Altuzarra was born in Paris and had a French, American and Chinese upbringing. “It has a very curious outlook,” he says and also notes artisanal craft as an inspiration. For spring/summer 2021, like most designers, he chose to show via film format in lieu of a physical show. A short documentary captured him designing in the studio and explaining his fascination with the season’s light plaid fabrics and voluminous silhouettes before models walked through a warehouse space.


theweekuk--2020-12-16--ICC rules out investigation into China’s forced detention of Uighurs

The International Criminal Court ( ICC ) has decided against investigating China ’ s mass detention of the country ’ s Uighur population despite exiled Muslims providing evidence of the crackdown .
Prosecutors in The Hague said “ they would not , for the moment , investigate allegations that China had committed genocide and crimes against humanity ” because “ the alleged offences took place in China , which is not a party to the court ” , The New York Times ( NYT ) reports .
The ICC ’ s chief prosecutor , Fatou Bensouda , emphasises this reason @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the claimed abuses “ have been committed solely by nationals of China within the territory of China ” .
The decision is a blow to activists who accuse the Beijing regime of carrying out a campaign of torture , forced sterilisation and mass surveillance against the Muslim minority .
More than a million Uighurs are being held in vast indoctrination camps in the autonomous region of Xinjiang , in western China .
Beijing insists the camps are job training centres aimed at countering religious extremism and terrorism .
However , the NYT points @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Despite this week ’ s legal setback , lawyers representing the Uighur groups say they are hopeful that the ICC will eventually agree to open an investigation after considering new evidence .
“ The prosecutor needs further and concrete evidence from Cambodia and Tajikistan to establish jurisdiction , and we will be providing that early in the year , ” said Rodney Dixon , the lead lawyer in the case .
Campaigners are also calling on Western retailers to stop selling fabric from Xinjiang , after a BBC investigation found that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to pick cotton or work in textile factories linked to detention camps .

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has decided against investigating China’s mass detention of the country’s Uighur population despite exiled Muslims providing evidence of the crackdown.
Prosecutors in The Hague said “they would not, for the moment, investigate allegations that China had committed genocide and crimes against humanity” because “the alleged offences took place in China, which is not a party to the court”, The New York Times (NYT) reports.
The ICC’s chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, emphasises this reason in a newly published report that states the claimed abuses “have been committed solely by nationals of China within the territory of China”.
The decision is a blow to activists who accuse the Beijing regime of carrying out a campaign of torture, forced sterilisation and mass surveillance against the Muslim minority.
More than a million Uighurs are being held in vast indoctrination camps in the autonomous region of Xinjiang, in western China.
Beijing insists the camps are job training centres aimed at countering religious extremism and terrorism. However, the NYT points to the “preponderance of contradictory evidence”.
Despite this week’s legal setback, lawyers representing the Uighur groups say they are hopeful that the ICC will eventually agree to open an investigation after considering new evidence.
“The prosecutor needs further and concrete evidence from Cambodia and Tajikistan to establish jurisdiction, and we will be providing that early in the year,” said Rodney Dixon, the lead lawyer in the case.
Campaigners are also calling on Western retailers to stop selling fabric from Xinjiang, after a BBC investigation found that hundreds of thousands of Uighurs are being forced to pick cotton or work in textile factories linked to detention camps.


theweekuk--2020-12-16--Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa review: luxury, lakes and lemurs

Little did I know , as I walked through the grand trappings of the reception area at Armathwaite Hall , that we were just weeks away from a nationwide lockdown and unimaginably life-changing year .
It was early spring , frost glittering in the grass , and after a long journey from London , I was ready to dive into the comfort offered by this countryside retreat .
The moment I entered Armathwaite Hall , I knew things were special .
The ornate surroundings had barely been taken in before I was being offered a glass of sherry - a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remaining chill .
You often find with beautiful hotels that the beauty is a blanket of defence for imperfectness elsewhere : shoddy service , disappointing meals , basic amenities .
Not so here , with each element of my stay meeting the expectations set before it .
The room , a deluxe , was well-sized and decorated , matched by a glorious bathroom and dressing room .
While my partner and I unpacked , a note popped through the door apologising that the freeview wasn ’ t working - a considerate thought that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to search for anything to criticise with the room would lead to just one possible shortcoming .
That is the front door ’ s location on a long , thin corridor - a scenario that required careful timing to avoid being blocked by other patrons .
Perhaps this was the earliest sign I had yet noticed of the virtues of social distancing .
Into the spa - and the wild Still , these were pre-Covid times , and so there was no hesitation in darting down the hallway in order to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy : a hubbub of visitors flitting from sauna to steam room , aroma room to pool , indoor hot tub to outdoor hot tub .
It would be easy to while away hours there , and we did , enjoying the thrill of racing through the cold air to submerge ourselves in the bubbling hot waters , and then steaming off in the dry heat of the sauna .
Indeed , the following morning , we realised that we must have resembled gibbons , sidestepping at speed and looking rather ridiculous .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gibbons .
Not the most expected of neighbours at a countryside manor hotel , I know , yet their presence was rather pleasing the following day as we slipped and slid on a muddy track that connects Armathwaite to its nearest attraction : the Lake District Wildlife Park .
Situated barely five minutes ’ walk away , it feels like an extension of the hall ’ s grounds , and is well worth the visit .
We were off to visit some of the other furry residents , and in one of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever experienced at a luxury hotel , we went from relaxing in a jacuzzi to hand feeding a troop of lemurs overnight .
This is the most ego-puncturing yet hilarity-inducing of animal encounters imaginable , as the cast of DreamWorks ’ Madagascar make themselves well and truly at home on your shoulders , head , lap and hands , grasping for fresh fruit and chomping lazily , mouths wide open , breath fogging as they exhale .
Our host , a zookeeper from the park , was incredibly well-informed about the different members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rivalries , and the whole experience was unexpectedly memorable .
The partnership between Armathwaite and the Lake District Wildlife Park is a savvy one – the two go together like a mismatched couple , combining luxury with quirk , relaxation with entertainment .
A good night ’ s sleep peps you up for a morning in the wickedly cold sunshine ; the few hours spent outside with the animals only makes the hot waters of the spa seem all the more enticing .
Indeed , for all of its luxury , relaxing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Armathwaite Hall will best be remembered as the home of the lemurs .
This experience alone makes a trip to the hotel and the Lake District a memorable one .
Room rates at Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa start at £230 with offers regularly posted on social media or via the hotel ’ s mailing list ; armathwaite-hall.com

Little did I know, as I walked through the grand trappings of the reception area at Armathwaite Hall, that we were just weeks away from a nationwide lockdown and unimaginably life-changing year. It was early spring, frost glittering in the grass, and after a long journey from London, I was ready to dive into the comfort offered by this countryside retreat.
The moment I entered Armathwaite Hall, I knew things were special. The ornate surroundings had barely been taken in before I was being offered a glass of sherry - a warm measure to chase off the last remaining chill. You often find with beautiful hotels that the beauty is a blanket of defence for imperfectness elsewhere: shoddy service, disappointing meals, basic amenities. Not so here, with each element of my stay meeting the expectations set before it.
The room, a deluxe, was well-sized and decorated, matched by a glorious bathroom and dressing room. While my partner and I unpacked, a note popped through the door apologising that the freeview wasn’t working - a considerate thought that would be overlooked elsewhere. In truth, to search for anything to criticise with the room would lead to just one possible shortcoming. That is the front door’s location on a long, thin corridor - a scenario that required careful timing to avoid being blocked by other patrons. Perhaps this was the earliest sign I had yet noticed of the virtues of social distancing.
Into the spa - and the wild
Still, these were pre-Covid times, and so there was no hesitation in darting down the hallway in order to visit the spa. Already, it felt busy: a hubbub of visitors flitting from sauna to steam room, aroma room to pool, indoor hot tub to outdoor hot tub. It would be easy to while away hours there, and we did, enjoying the thrill of racing through the cold air to submerge ourselves in the bubbling hot waters, and then steaming off in the dry heat of the sauna. Indeed, the following morning, we realised that we must have resembled gibbons, sidestepping at speed and looking rather ridiculous.
Yes, you read that right, gibbons. Not the most expected of neighbours at a countryside manor hotel, I know, yet their presence was rather pleasing the following day as we slipped and slid on a muddy track that connects Armathwaite to its nearest attraction: the Lake District Wildlife Park. Situated barely five minutes’ walk away, it feels like an extension of the hall’s grounds, and is well worth the visit. We were off to visit some of the other furry residents, and in one of the most severe handbrake turns I’ve ever experienced at a luxury hotel, we went from relaxing in a jacuzzi to hand feeding a troop of lemurs overnight.
Relaxation and entertainment
This is the most ego-puncturing yet hilarity-inducing of animal encounters imaginable, as the cast of DreamWorks’ Madagascar make themselves well and truly at home on your shoulders, head, lap and hands, grasping for fresh fruit and chomping lazily, mouths wide open, breath fogging as they exhale. Our host, a zookeeper from the park, was incredibly well-informed about the different members of the troops and their various friendships and rivalries, and the whole experience was unexpectedly memorable. The partnership between Armathwaite and the Lake District Wildlife Park is a savvy one – the two go together like a mismatched couple, combining luxury with quirk, relaxation with entertainment. A good night’s sleep peps you up for a morning in the wickedly cold sunshine; the few hours spent outside with the animals only makes the hot waters of the spa seem all the more enticing.
Indeed, for all of its luxury, relaxing surroundings and sumptuous offerings, for me Armathwaite Hall will best be remembered as the home of the lemurs. This experience alone makes a trip to the hotel and the Lake District a memorable one.
Room rates at Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa start at £230 with offers regularly posted on social media or via the hotel’s mailing list; armathwaite-hall.com


theweekuk--2020-12-16--The last supper: what happens to food that Tier 3 restaurants can’t dish out?

Restaurant chefs who expected to feed countless guests over Christmas are facing the prospect of binning their food stocks instead as Tier 3 restrictions come into force in London and much of the Southeast .
Tuesday night saw venues across the capital serving up what has been dubbed “ the last supper ” , before the new coronavirus regulations took effect at midnight , The Guardian reports .
But with restaurant doors now closed - and Christmas bookings cancelled - millions of pounds of unused festive food is set to go to waste .
Restaurant owners and staff were given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move into Tier 3 , in what industry insiders describe as a “ kick in the teeth ” by the government , says The Guardian .
With hundreds of thousands of hospitality jobs already lost as a result of the Covid pandemic , and more than 70 % of venue owners fearing permanent closure in 2021 , the prospect of throwing away valuable stock is a heavy blow to an already struggling industry .
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said : “ As with previous short-notice lockdowns , this is going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drink .
It ’ s not possible to just turn on and off a hospitality business .
“ Beer will go down the drain , fresh food will have to be thrown away and there will be impacts throughout the supply chain of cancelled orders .
This stop-start approach to hospitality is disastrous.
” According to the Daily Mail , “ one London restaurant owner revealed the move into Tier 3 had already cost him £42,000 in lost bookings , in addition to a week 's worth of wasted stock , and The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to £50,000 of fresh food and drink ” .
Not all of the unused food will be thrown away , with many restaurants offering delivery and takeaway services while Tier 3 restrictions are in place .
Some produce can also be frozen , albeit for limited amounts of time .
Following yesterday ’ s “ last supper ” , restaurants have been busy “ vacuum-packing fresh food and scouring their freezers for space ” , says The Guardian .
“ We were due to have full restaurants this week , including booked-out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered a load of produce in , ” Ben Tish , culinary director of Norma in Fitzrovia and the Game Bird at The Stafford hotel in Green Park , told the paper .
“ We were also booked up on Christmas Day at The Stafford - with about 100 guests due - and had already ordered and received 100 lobster tails costing about £25 each .
Those will freeze but not for long .
“ We have also got a lot of special ingredients which we love to serve during the festive period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t freeze , so that ’ s another financial loss.
” Many restaurants have announced that surplus food that can ’ t be frozen will be given to staff to take home or donated to charities , food banks and other good causes .
Middle Eastern restaurant Le Bab , in London ’ s Carnaby Street , told that Mail yesterday that “ the company will be doing the same thing we did during the first lockdown .
Everything left over in this restaurant and our sister restaurant in Covent Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS staff.
” Meanwhile , the UK ’ s largest food redistribution charity , FareShare , is diverting resources to cope with the “ torrent of donations from the hospitality and food service sectors ” , The Guardian reports .
Lindsay Boswell , FareShare ’ s chief executive , said : “ We have a robust infrastructure and more capacity than ever before , and as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 crisis we were ready to work immediately with the food industry and charities… to ensure that no good food goes to waste .
@

Restaurant chefs who expected to feed countless guests over Christmas are facing the prospect of binning their food stocks instead as Tier 3 restrictions come into force in London and much of the Southeast.
Tuesday night saw venues across the capital serving up what has been dubbed “the last supper”, before the new coronavirus regulations took effect at midnight, The Guardian reports.
But with restaurant doors now closed - and Christmas bookings cancelled - millions of pounds of unused festive food is set to go to waste.
‘Disastrous’ blow
Restaurant owners and staff were given less than 48 hours’ notice of the move into Tier 3, in what industry insiders describe as a “kick in the teeth” by the government, says The Guardian.
With hundreds of thousands of hospitality jobs already lost as a result of the Covid pandemic, and more than 70% of venue owners fearing permanent closure in 2021, the prospect of throwing away valuable stock is a heavy blow to an already struggling industry.
UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “As with previous short-notice lockdowns, this is going to cause a glut of wasted food and drink. It’s not possible to just turn on and off a hospitality business.
“Beer will go down the drain, fresh food will have to be thrown away and there will be impacts throughout the supply chain of cancelled orders. This stop-start approach to hospitality is disastrous.”
According to the Daily Mail, “one London restaurant owner revealed the move into Tier 3 had already cost him £42,000 in lost bookings, in addition to a week's worth of wasted stock, and The Breakfast Group chain said it would lose up to £50,000 of fresh food and drink”.
Freezing assets
Not all of the unused food will be thrown away, with many restaurants offering delivery and takeaway services while Tier 3 restrictions are in place.
Some produce can also be frozen, albeit for limited amounts of time.
Following yesterday’s “last supper”, restaurants have been busy “vacuum-packing fresh food and scouring their freezers for space”, says The Guardian.
“We were due to have full restaurants this week, including booked-out private dining rooms, and we had ordered a load of produce in,” Ben Tish, culinary director of Norma in Fitzrovia and the Game Bird at The Stafford hotel in Green Park, told the paper.
“We were also booked up on Christmas Day at The Stafford - with about 100 guests due - and had already ordered and received 100 lobster tails costing about £25 each. Those will freeze but not for long.
“We have also got a lot of special ingredients which we love to serve during the festive period – truffles, for example. These don’t freeze, so that’s another financial loss.”
Redistribution and donations
Many restaurants have announced that surplus food that can’t be frozen will be given to staff to take home or donated to charities, food banks and other good causes.
Middle Eastern restaurant Le Bab, in London’s Carnaby Street, told that Mail yesterday that “the company will be doing the same thing we did during the first lockdown. Everything left over in this restaurant and our sister restaurant in Covent Garden tonight will be cooked and donated to NHS staff.”
Meanwhile, the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, FareShare, is diverting resources to cope with the “torrent of donations from the hospitality and food service sectors ”, The Guardian reports.
Lindsay Boswell, FareShare’s chief executive, said: “We have a robust infrastructure and more capacity than ever before, and as demonstrated throughout the Covid-19 crisis we were ready to work immediately with the food industry and charities… to ensure that no good food goes to waste.”


theweekuk--2020-12-16--Christmas not cancelled despite scientists’ pleas to Boris Johnson

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Boris Johnson looks set to shrug off warnings from scientists that his “Christmas gift” of a let-up in Covid restrictions for the country may come at too high a price.
The growing opposition to the plan culminated yesterday with the publication of a joint editorial by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and Health Service Journal (HSJ) urging the prime minister to think again about easing rules in England over the festive season.
But “after a few jitters over the past 24 hours”, No. 10 is now “strongly ruling out the prospect of any change to the Christmas regulations in England”, Politico’s London Playbook reports.
Following the science
In only their second joint editorial in more than a century, the BMJ and HSJ call on the government to “reverse its rash decision” to allow bubbles of three households to get together indoors over the holiday - or face a likely third wave of infections.
The government “is about to blunder into another major error that will cost many lives”, say the journals’ experts, who add that “if our political leaders fail to take swift and decisive action, they can no longer claim to be protecting the NHS”.
Easing coronavirus rules over Christmas “could wipe out almost all the reductions in waiting times for elective procedures achieved in the past 20 years”, they predict.
The editorial warns that unless the plan is axed, current projections are that “hospitals in England will have just short of 19,000 Covid patients on New Year’s Eve. This figure, derived by extrapolating a straight line from 5 December to 14 December through to 31 December, would be almost exactly the same as the 18,974 peak of the first wave on 12 April.”
Scientists from other organisations have reached similar verdicts - and delivered similar warnings to the PM.
The Independent Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has “called for the government to scrap Christmas and instead introduce a midsummer holiday next year for Brits to celebrate”, The Sun reports.
The group - a “shadow” scientific advisory organisation working in tandem with No. 10’s official Sage group - said this week that “if everybody chooses to take advantage of the three-household rule, there is a very serious danger of a third wave of the pandemic”.


theweekuk--2020-12-16--Government’s £2.7m bill for payouts to sacked advisers triggers fury

Downing Street has paid out £2.7m to get rid of government advisors over the past year , newly published figures reveal .
The hefty bill for severance payouts between April 2019 and March 2020 is buried in a report from the Cabinet Office and represents a massive increase from equivalent costs the previous year of just £208,000 .
The report says that the turnover of staff in 2019 was unusually high because of the general election and the change of administrations when Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May as prime minister .
Despite that justification , the massive payouts bill has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been fuelled by the revelation that Dominic Cummings was given a pay hike of at least 40 % in the year before he quit No .
10 .
The new report shows that Boris Johnson ’ s controversial former chief adviser , who officially leaves government this month , saw his salary rise from the £95,000-£100,000 pay bracket to £140,000-£145,000 in 2019-20 .
New of Cummings ’ “ inflation-busting pay increase ” comes “ just weeks after Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak told around two million teachers , police officers , firefighters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have kept the country running through the pandemic their pay would be frozen ” , says the Daily Mirror .
Dave Penman , head of the FDA union for senior civil servants , told the Financial Times that the decision to give Cummings a pay rise “ displayed breathtaking hypocrisy ” by the Johnson government .
“ Only a few months ago , ministers were on their doorsteps applauding key workers , now they ’ re lecturing them about targeting resources at those who need it most whilst hiking the pay of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some of Cummings former colleagues are equally disgusted , with one telling The Times that the pay rise “ makes me want to throw myself in literally any ocean ” .

Downing Street has paid out £2.7m to get rid of government advisors over the past year, newly published figures reveal.
The hefty bill for severance payouts between April 2019 and March 2020 is buried in a report from the Cabinet Office and represents a massive increase from equivalent costs the previous year of just £208,000.
The report says that the turnover of staff in 2019 was unusually high because of the general election and the change of administrations when Boris Johnson replaced Theresa May as prime minister.
Despite that justification, the massive payouts bill has triggered widespread outrage.
And this anger has been fuelled by the revelation that Dominic Cummings was given a pay hike of at least 40% in the year before he quit No. 10. The new report shows that Boris Johnson’s controversial former chief adviser, who officially leaves government this month, saw his salary rise from the £95,000-£100,000 pay bracket to £140,000-£145,000 in 2019-20.
New of Cummings’ “inflation-busting pay increase” comes “just weeks after Tory Chancellor Rishi Sunak told around two million teachers, police officers, firefighters, social workers and other public sector staff who have kept the country running through the pandemic their pay would be frozen”, says the Daily Mirror.
Dave Penman, head of the FDA union for senior civil servants, told the Financial Times that the decision to give Cummings a pay rise “displayed breathtaking hypocrisy” by the Johnson government.
“Only a few months ago, ministers were on their doorsteps applauding key workers, now they’re lecturing them about targeting resources at those who need it most whilst hiking the pay of their own advisers,” he said.
Some of Cummings former colleagues are equally disgusted, with one telling The Times that the pay rise “makes me want to throw myself in literally any ocean”.


theweekuk--2020-12-16--Brexit buzz: are MPs preparing to vote on a UK-EU trade deal next week?

MPs are being readied to vote on a possible Brexit trade deal at the beginning of next week , according to senior government sources .
The Telegraph reports that amid renewed hopes of a breakthrough in Brussels , Boris Johnson is planning to “ push back the Christmas recess ” if he ties up an agreement with the EU by this weekend .
The Conservative leader in the House of Commons , Jacob Rees-Mogg , is said to be overseeing preparations for MPs and peers to sit on Monday , Tuesday and Wednesday .
And while ministers have ruled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament , they may be required to sit on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day .
Both EU and UK officials have warned that time is running out to push through an agreement , but Rees-Mogg “ has suggested that Parliament could ratify any Brexit deal in as little as 24 hours ” , says The Times .
The arch-Brexiteer told a podcast for the Conservative Home website that “ Parliament can act very quickly when necessary ” , pointing to the Abdication Act of 1936 - passed in one day to recognise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother , George VI .
Speculation that a deal is on the verge of being struck rose further this morning when European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered what The Independent describes as her “ most optimistic assessment of negotiations yet ” .
Von der Leyen told MEPs that there was now a “ path to an agreement ” in the negotiations , with a “ way forward ” being found on most of the outstanding issues .
Downing Street continues to strike a more downbeat tone , however .
Johnson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ post-Brexit trade deal with the EU but not “ at any cost ” .
His official spokesperson confirmed at a Westminster briefing that “ the prime minister made clear that not being able to reach an agreement and ending the transition period on Australian-style terms remained the most likely outcome ” .

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theweekuk--2020-12-16--McCartney says ‘Paul is dead’ theory was ‘great publicity’

Sir Paul McCartney says the conspiracy theory that he died and was replaced by a body double on the cover of Abbey Road was “ great publicity ” .
The former Beatle says although the theory “ didn ’ t make sense ” it did not trouble him .
“ People said : ‘ what do you want to do about this ?
’ ” he remembers .
“ I said : ‘ Just leave it .
It ’ s great publicity for the album .
I put a statement out saying : ‘ I ’ m not dead.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,400 years ago died of extreme constipation after eating only grasshoppers for several months .
Scientists who have been experimenting on the mummified remains of the man say he probably embarked on the diet after an infection made his colon swell up to six times its normal size .
One of the researchers said grasshoppers are “ high in protein ” and “ pretty high in moisture ” .
Police in Peru dressed up as Santa Claus and an elf to capture a suspected cocaine dealer .
Reuters says the tactic of launching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a common and successful tactic of Peruvian police to bring an element of surprise .
Police say they found hundreds of small bags that appeared to contain drugs , a revolver and a balaclava .

Sir Paul McCartney says the conspiracy theory that he died and was replaced by a body double on the cover of Abbey Road was “great publicity”. The former Beatle says although the theory “didn’t make sense” it did not trouble him. “People said: ‘what do you want to do about this?’” he remembers. “I said: ‘Just leave it. It’s great publicity for the album. I put a statement out saying: ‘I’m not dead.”
Mummified man died after eating only grasshoppers
A mummified man who lived in Texas 1,400 years ago died of extreme constipation after eating only grasshoppers for several months. Scientists who have been experimenting on the mummified remains of the man say he probably embarked on the diet after an infection made his colon swell up to six times its normal size. One of the researchers said grasshoppers are “high in protein” and “pretty high in moisture”.
Peruvian cops adopt Santa disguise for drug raid
Police in Peru dressed up as Santa Claus and an elf to capture a suspected cocaine dealer. Reuters says the tactic of launching drug raids using operatives in costumes is a common and successful tactic of Peruvian police to bring an element of surprise. Police say they found hundreds of small bags that appeared to contain drugs, a revolver and a balaclava.


theweekuk--2020-12-16--Coronavirus: how many people need to be vaccinated to get life back to normal?

After almost nine months of Covid restrictions , the rollout of a vaccine in the UK appears to herald a light at the end of the tunnel .
A total of 137,000 people were given the Pfizer/BioNTech jab in the first week of Britain 's mass vaccination programme , which kicked off on 8 December .
And that figure is expected to increase rapidly “ as the jab is rolled out in GPs ' surgeries , with the promise of it following in care homes too ” , says Sky News .
All the same , vaccinating the entire population @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Jeremy Farrar , director of the Wellcome Trust and a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) .
In a co-authored article in the journal Anaesthesia , Farrar and Professor Tim Cook , a consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care , write : “ The scale of the vaccination programme should not be underestimated : 1,000 vaccination centres each vaccinating 500 people a day for five days a week , without interruptions of supply or delivery , would take almost a year to provide two doses to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ population may not be necessary , however , with some experts suggesting that concentrating on giving the jab to the most at-risk groups could mean a speedier return to normal life .
In an article published last month in the Journal of Medical Ethics , University of Oxford professor Julian Savulescu writes that “ the exact percentage of the population that would need to be immune for herd immunity to be reached depends on various factors , but current estimates range up to 82 % ” .
But a recent report from actuaries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 Actuaries Response Group says analysis of Covid mortality data suggests that “ two priority groups alone cover two-thirds of the deaths ” .
Vaccinating these two groups - “ residents of care homes for older adults and their carers ” and “ all those 80 years of age and over and front-line health and social care workers ” - could have “ prevented about two-thirds of total Covid deaths we have seen to date ” , the authors argue .
Or as i news editor Luke Bailey puts it , “ four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by vaccinating a targeted 14 % of the population ” .


theweekuk--2020-12-17--Manu Atelier: meet the sisters behind the cult handbag brand

“ When we launched , we felt there wasn ’ t a middle ground for luxury handbags , only very high end or high street , ” Beste explains .
“ We wanted to offer women a quality product with a design aspect as well as a more accessible price point .
We worked behind the scenes for a year-and-a-half before we properly launched the brand.
” Bags and shoes are distinctly minimalist with a touch irreverence .
As such , neat compact designs bring a cool kind of charm into focus , one that ’ s neither too serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ signature Mini Pristine bag - shaped like a binocular case and available in a myriad of colours - and this season 's square-toed Duck Face Boot , which has a devoted following on social media ( see # manuspeople on Instagram ) .
All products are crafted from vegetable tanned calfskin in the family-run workshop in Istanbul , following artisanal techniques .
Manu Atelier handbags are instantly recognisable by their insignia , an arrow-like emblem , which is both abstract and discrete .
“ It is actually a combination of M and A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original logo , ” says Beste , who has dialed in with her sister to talk to me about their ever-expanding business , which now sells around the world online and in cities including Melbourne and Doha .
The sisters - both still in their twenties - are the ideal ambassadors for their own label .
Beautiful , stylish , creatively bold and digitally alert , they bring a sense of authenticity to their products .
Another value-creating factor is the company ’ s manufacturing ethos which is steeped in tradition : their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goods manufacturer in Istanbul who set up his accessories business more than 40 years ago .
So here ’ s the perfect case study : Manu Atelier is a handbag and footwear success story for the modern age .
Founded in Istanbul , Turkey , by sisters Merve and Beste Manastir in 2014 , the young brand specialises in contemporary silhouettes that strike the perfect balance between everyday practicality and stylish flair .
How do you build a successful accessories label ?
These days , it ’ s not just a question of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding your customer base and creating an emotional impact through social media .
This language of desirability has to be sincere and aesthetically strong , tailored to young consumers who expect transparency in a brand , as well as a narrative they can identify with .
The girls ’ father is still very much involved in the business , supporting his daughters from both a production and design perspective .
“ Our father has a very strong reputation for craftsmanship and his input has been crucial in setting up our business , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a small amount of capital [ to launch with ] , the ability to work with the best suppliers is a blessing .
Most people have to compromise , but for us , high quality has always been our foundation.
” Mr Manastir also did some straight talking about the viability of a new accessories brand in an already competitive market place .
Merve added : “ He told us that if we wanted to turn our idea into a real business , we would have to sell at least 500 pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem fulfilling this goal : they sold this many first edition bags at their local market back in 2014 .
Now their handbags are worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Kate Middleton , the Duchess of Cambridge .
The pair have also followed a sustainable model of production from the get-go .
Merve says : “ Until we built a production house of our own , we would place restrictions on orders to meet demand ; this allowed us to grow slowly and efficiently .
We worked with vegetable tanned leather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Turkish leather industry , this is not an easy thing to do as it ’ s more time-consuming and expensive for the factories .
We use machines [ to stitch bags and shoes ] but we encourage a great deal of hand-cutting , as a way of minimising leather waste.
” Manu Atelier also makes use of leftover fabric .
In the past , the designers have used deadstock suede for linings and leather off-cuts for a patchwork collection of bags .
The sisters refer to their label as a “ borderless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cross-cultural aesthetic .
“ There are no direct eastern references in our designs , though we do love colour - reds and greens especially - and you could say that comes from our heritage , ” says Beste .
And what is it like working so closely with your sibling all day long ?
Surely it ’ s not all smooth sailing .
“ Actually we used to not get on , ” laughs Beste .
“ In our culture , the family bond is very strong .
It was definitely intense at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ characters , but now we know our individual strengths .
Merve is super detail-orientated , nothing gets past her , while I ’ m more results driven .
Merve also attended a French school , while I attended a German language one .
I love rock music , and Merve prefers lounge music , so our tastes can be very different .
All these little differences show when it comes to design which is a good thing.
” Social media has played a huge part in establishing Manu Atelier ’ s brand identity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is adaptive , open-minded and versatile .
“ Social media is not just a ‘ channel ’ for us , it is part of our design story .
Right from the beginning it became part of our vision and aesthetic because it brings us real customers , ” says Beste .
“ Actually , I am really strict with it .
I still do it all myself .
Most of the pictures on Instagram are taken by me !
” It just goes to show that honesty is a powerful force in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ luxury design should be outward-looking if it is to flourish .
Manu Atelier ’ s core philosophy is one of agility built around the feisty determination and hands-on approach of its founders whose focus is sharply fixed on building a rapport with consumers by listening to them as well as surprising them with creative verve .
So watch this space .
Famous royals and supermodels may be swinging their Manu bags around town , but these sisters are already working on cooler and cleverer things .

“When we launched, we felt there wasn’t a middle ground for luxury handbags, only very high end or high street,” Beste explains. “We wanted to offer women a quality product with a design aspect as well as a more accessible price point. We worked behind the scenes for a year-and-a-half before we properly launched the brand.”
Bags and shoes are distinctly minimalist with a touch irreverence. As such, neat compact designs bring a cool kind of charm into focus, one that’s neither too serious nor too cute. Sell-outs include their signature Mini Pristine bag - shaped like a binocular case and available in a myriad of colours - and this season's square-toed Duck Face Boot, which has a devoted following on social media (see #manuspeople on Instagram ). All products are crafted from vegetable tanned calfskin in the family-run workshop in Istanbul, following artisanal techniques.
Manu Atelier handbags are instantly recognisable by their insignia, an arrow-like emblem, which is both abstract and discrete. “It is actually a combination of M and A, inspired by our father’s original logo,” says Beste, who has dialed in with her sister to talk to me about their ever-expanding business, which now sells around the world online and in cities including Melbourne and Doha.
The sisters - both in their early 30s - are the ideal ambassadors for their own label. Beautiful, stylish, creatively bold and digitally alert, they bring a sense of authenticity to their products. Another value-creating factor is the company’s manufacturing ethos which is steeped in tradition: their father is a celebrated craftsman and leather goods manufacturer in Istanbul who set up his accessories business more than 40 years ago.
So here’s the perfect case study: Manu Atelier is a handbag and footwear success story for the modern age. Founded in Istanbul, Turkey, by sisters Merve and Beste Manastir in 2014, the young brand specialises in contemporary silhouettes that strike the perfect balance between everyday practicality and stylish flair.
How do you build a successful accessories label? These days, it’s not just a question of innovative design. It’s about understanding your customer base and creating an emotional impact through social media. This language of desirability has to be sincere and aesthetically strong, tailored to young consumers who expect transparency in a brand, as well as a narrative they can identify with.
The girls’ father is still very much involved in the business, supporting his daughters from both a production and design perspective. “Our father has a very strong reputation for craftsmanship and his input has been crucial in setting up our business,” says Merve. “When you have only a small amount of capital [to launch with], the ability to work with the best suppliers is a blessing. Most people have to compromise, but for us, high quality has always been our foundation.”
Mr Manastir also did some straight talking about the viability of a new accessories brand in an already competitive market place. Merve added: “He told us that if we wanted to turn our idea into a real business, we would have to sell at least 500 pieces a month.”
The sisters had no problem fulfilling this goal: they sold this many first edition bags at their local market back in 2014. Now their handbags are worn by the likes of Gigi Hadid and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
The pair have also followed a sustainable model of production from the get-go. Merve says: “Until we built a production house of our own, we would place restrictions on orders to meet demand; this allowed us to grow slowly and efficiently. We worked with vegetable tanned leather from the very start too. In the Turkish leather industry, this is not an easy thing to do as it’s more time-consuming and expensive for the factories. We use machines [to stitch bags and shoes] but we encourage a great deal of hand-cutting, as a way of minimising leather waste.”
Manu Atelier also makes use of leftover fabric. In the past, the designers have used deadstock suede for linings and leather off-cuts for a patchwork collection of bags.
The sisters refer to their label as a “borderless company”, one that embraces a cross-cultural aesthetic. “There are no direct eastern references in our designs, though we do love colour - reds and greens especially - and you could say that comes from our heritage,” says Beste.
And what is it like working so closely with your sibling all day long? Surely it’s not all smooth sailing. “Actually we used to not get on,” laughs Beste. “In our culture, the family bond is very strong. It was definitely intense at the beginning because we are both strong characters, but now we know our individual strengths. Merve is super detail-orientated, nothing gets past her, while I’m more results driven. Merve also attended a French school, while I attended a German language one. I love rock music, and Merve prefers lounge music, so our tastes can be very different. All these little differences show when it comes to design which is a good thing.”
Social media has played a huge part in establishing Manu Atelier’s brand identity and the girls believe in digital marketing that is adaptive, open-minded and versatile. “Social media is not just a ‘channel’ for us, it is part of our design story. Right from the beginning it became part of our vision and aesthetic because it brings us real customers,” says Beste. “Actually, I am really strict with it. I still do it all myself. Most of the pictures on Instagram are taken by me!”
It just goes to show that honesty is a powerful force in the science of brand building and that luxury design should be outward-looking if it is to flourish. Manu Atelier’s core philosophy is one of agility built around the feisty determination and hands-on approach of its founders whose focus is sharply fixed on building a rapport with consumers by listening to them as well as surprising them with creative verve. So watch this space. Famous royals and supermodels may be swinging their Manu bags around town, but these sisters are already working on cooler and cleverer things.


theweekuk--2020-12-17--City of Paris fined for employing ‘too many women’

Being slapped with a fine is rarely a cause for celebration , but the mayor of Paris has described her “ joy ” after the city ’ s authorities were fined for employing too many women in senior positions .
France ’ s Public Service Ministry has ordered the Paris city hall to pay €90,000 ( £81,000 ) for appointing 11 women but just five men to management roles in 2018 - a breach of a law passed to maintain a gender balance .
After being informed about the hefty penalty this week , Mayor Anne Hidalgo told a city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to announce that we have been fined.
” France 24 reports that city hall “ violated a rule dating to 2013 ” stipulating that one sex can not account for more than 60 % of nominations to senior positions .
The law “ was aimed at getting women better access to top jobs in the civil service ” , adds German newspaper Deutsche Welle .
But the Parisian authorities overshot the mark back in 2018 , with women accounting for 69 % of the top posts .
“ The management of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , become far too feminist , ” Hidalgo quipped after being fined for the breach .
She added that she would hand over the cheque to the government in person , accompanied by her deputy mayors and all of the other women working for her .
Adopting a more serious tone , Hidalgo described the fine as “ obviously absurd , unfair , irresponsible and dangerous ” .
Women in France should be promoted with “ vigour ” , she said , because “ the lag everywhere in France is still very great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently , about 47 % of all civil servants in senior positions at the Paris city hall are women ” .
Amid widespread mockery of the fine , France ’ s public service minister , Amelie de Montchalin , tweeted that while the penalty had been retrospectively levied for 2018 , the “ absurd ” rule had since been repealed .

Being slapped with a fine is rarely a cause for celebration, but the mayor of Paris has described her “joy” after the city’s authorities were fined for employing too many women in senior positions.
France’s Public Service Ministry has ordered the Paris city hall to pay €90,000 (£81,000) for appointing 11 women but just five men to management roles in 2018 - a breach of a law passed to maintain a gender balance.
After being informed about the hefty penalty this week, Mayor Anne Hidalgo told a city council meeting: “I am happy to announce that we have been fined.”
France 24 reports that city hall “violated a rule dating to 2013” stipulating that one sex cannot account for more than 60% of nominations to senior positions.
The law “was aimed at getting women better access to top jobs in the civil service”, adds German newspaper Deutsche Welle.
But the Parisian authorities overshot the mark back in 2018, with women accounting for 69% of the top posts. “The management of the city hall has, all of a sudden, become far too feminist,” Hidalgo quipped after being fined for the breach.
She added that she would hand over the cheque to the government in person, accompanied by her deputy mayors and all of the other women working for her.
Adopting a more serious tone, Hidalgo described the fine as “obviously absurd, unfair, irresponsible and dangerous”. Women in France should be promoted with “vigour”, she said, because “the lag everywhere in France is still very great”.
Deutsche Welle reports that “currently, about 47% of all civil servants in senior positions at the Paris city hall are women”.
Amid widespread mockery of the fine, France’s public service minister, Amelie de Montchalin, tweeted that while the penalty had been retrospectively levied for 2018, the “absurd” rule had since been repealed.


theweekuk--2020-12-17--Coronavirus: will Christmas travel lead to ‘super-spreader’ event?


theweekuk--2020-12-17--Art of fusion: Hublot Big Bang Unico Berluti Cold Brown

Hublot is a newcomer to watchmaking when compared to a number of other Swiss luxury brands .
While many of Hublot ’ s peers celebrate at least one century of manufacture , 2020 marks just four decades of production for the young brand .
Alas , at Hublot ’ s nerve centre , its manufacture in Nyon , a short drive from the heart of Geneva , 40 years of creation have sufficed to master revolutionary solutions to a centuries-old craft .
Carlo Crocco established Hublot in 1980 .
A maverick watch entrepreneur , Crocco based his wristwatch ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ship ’ s “ hublot ” , the French term for “ porthole ” .
Crocco also pioneered what would be become known as the “ Art of Fusion ” , an innovative approach to materials and their combinations .
Crocco , for instance , was the first to combine Malaysian rubber with precious gold sourced in South Africa .
It was when Luxembourgish watchmaker Jean-Claude Biver joined Hublot in 2004 that the brand ’ s sales started to skyrocket .
In the world of watches , Biver is yet to be surpassed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hublot , he spotted a gap in the market for a supersized luxury sports watch , and so he tasked the company ’ s designers to create one .
This new watch , confidently christened Big Bang , celebrated the make ’ s modern ethos .
There ’ s its design – at Hublot , sporty , forward- thinking and iconic are keywords – and the brand ’ s Art of Fusion , which makes for some surprising combinations .
It proved a winning recipe and gave Hublot a competitive edge against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In little over ten years , sales figures soared , quadrupling during the period that Biver ran the company .
Biver himself describes the brand ’ s ethos – modern design , material ingenuity – as being what makes Hublot so special .
“ It ’ s the fact that connects yesterday with tomorrow , tradition and innovation.
” The Art of Fusion has been realised in many of the unique case materials that Hublot has showcased over the last 40 years , such as its Magic Gold , a unique combination of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another gold and platinum composite ; and Red Ceramic , a red alloy unique to Hublot ’ s manufacture .
Hublot also raised its presence in the market by launching partnerships that proved both daring and unique .

Hublot is a newcomer to watchmaking when compared to a number of other Swiss luxury brands. While many of Hublot’s peers celebrate at least one century of manufacture, 2020 marks just four decades of production for the young brand. Alas, at Hublot’s nerve centre, its manufacture in Nyon, a short drive from the heart of Geneva, 40 years of creation have sufficed to master revolutionary solutions to a centuries-old craft. Carlo Crocco established Hublot in 1980. A maverick watch entrepreneur, Crocco based his wristwatch’s simple outline on the shape of a ship’s “hublot”, the French term for “porthole”.
Crocco also pioneered what would be become known as the “Art of Fusion”, an innovative approach to materials and their combinations. Crocco, for instance, was the first to combine Malaysian rubber with precious gold sourced in South Africa. It was when Luxembourgish watchmaker Jean-Claude Biver joined Hublot in 2004 that the brand’s sales started to skyrocket.
In the world of watches, Biver is yet to be surpassed as a brand-builder; when taking on Hublot, he spotted a gap in the market for a supersized luxury sports watch, and so he tasked the company’s designers to create one. This new watch, confidently christened Big Bang, celebrated the make’s modern ethos. There’s its design – at Hublot, sporty, forward- thinking and iconic are keywords – and the brand’s Art of Fusion, which makes for some surprising combinations. It proved a winning recipe and gave Hublot a competitive edge against the most successful brands in the space. In little over ten years, sales figures soared, quadrupling during the period that Biver ran the company.
Biver himself describes the brand’s ethos – modern design, material ingenuity – as being what makes Hublot so special. “It’s the fact that connects yesterday with tomorrow, tradition and innovation.” The Art of Fusion has been realised in many of the unique case materials that Hublot has showcased over the last 40 years, such as its Magic Gold, a unique combination of gold and ceramic; King Gold, another gold and platinum composite; and Red Ceramic, a red alloy unique to Hublot’s manufacture. Hublot also raised its presence in the market by launching partnerships that proved both daring and unique.


theweekuk--2020-12-17--EU leaders argue about vaccine approval delays

The EU is launching a push to approve the Pfizer/ BioNTech coronavirus vaccine next week , after European leaders demanded to know why the approval process on the continent is taking longer than that in the UK .
Bloomberg says countries ’ leaders have “ struggled to explain ” to their respective nations why they ’ re still waiting for shots that are already being rolled out in the US and UK - a “ particular sore spot ” given that the Pfizer vaccine was pioneered in Germany .
German newspaper Bild has complained in an editorial that “ Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vaccinating - and we are standing and gawping ” .
With European leaders pressing for a compressed approval timeline for the vaccine , the European Drugs Agency has announced that a key advisory committee meeting , originally planned for after Christmas , will be brought forward to Monday .
The European Commission hopes to clear the way for shipping of the first shots to vaccine centres to begin as early as next Wednesday .
According to reports , discussions over the timing of the approval became “ heated ” during an EU summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of being slow in responding to the European Medicines Agency .
Politico says the UK managed to green-light the Pfizer jab so quickly by exploiting “ an EU mechanism that allows member countries to temporarily approve a drug during an emergency ” .
Although EU countries would be able to approve the vaccine under the same regulations , they wouldn ’ t be able to receive doses of the jab as these have been negotiated at EU level .


theweekuk--2020-12-17--Bitcoin price soars past $20,000 to all-time high

The price of bitcoin has hit a record high after breaking the $ 20,000 ( £14,725 ) mark on Wednesday .
Amid “ increased institutional and corporate interest ” , the volatile cryptocurrency - also known as BTC - has gained more than 170 % this year , “ buoyed by demand from larger investors attracted to its potential for quick gains ” , Reuters reports .
Scott Freeman , co-founder and partner at trading firm JST Capital , said : “ Many of our clients have been expecting bitcoin to surpass its all-time high of $ 20,000 given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SGX and MassMutual openly endorsing bitcoin .
“ While this is a major milestone for this nascent asset class , as retail , institutional , and blue-chip investors alike allocate more capital to this space , it would not be surprising to see other coins follow in BTC ’ s footsteps and for this upward trajectory to be sustained into 2021.
” Smaller coins ethereum and XRP gained 5.4 % and 8.1 % respectively yesterday .
Meanwhile , bitcoin ’ s value has continued to increase , with one coin worth $ 22,730 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s rise has coincided with a recent drop in gold price , a traditional “ safe haven in times of volatility ” , says Sky News .
“ But it has been a bumpy ride for investors , with the cryptocurrency passing $ 19,000 in November before dropping sharply , ” the broadcaster adds .
Following last month ’ s short-lived surge , crypto investor Anthony Pompliano predicted that bitcoin , the most valuable and popular digital currency , could climb to $ 100,000 by the end of 2021 , as Business Insider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed such predictions as “ outlandish ” , says Sky News .

The price of bitcoin has hit a record high after breaking the $20,000 (£14,725) mark on Wednesday.
Amid “increased institutional and corporate interest”, the volatile cryptocurrency - also known as BTC - has gained more than 170% this year, “buoyed by demand from larger investors attracted to its potential for quick gains”, Reuters reports.
Scott Freeman, co-founder and partner at trading firm JST Capital, said: “Many of our clients have been expecting bitcoin to surpass its all-time high of $20,000 given the recent news from major institutional players like SGX and MassMutual openly endorsing bitcoin.
“While this is a major milestone for this nascent asset class, as retail, institutional, and blue-chip investors alike allocate more capital to this space, it would not be surprising to see other coins follow in BTC’s footsteps and for this upward trajectory to be sustained into 2021.”
Smaller coins ethereum and XRP gained 5.4% and 8.1% respectively yesterday. Meanwhile, bitcoin’s value has continued to increase, with one coin worth $22,730 as of Thursday morning.
Bitcoin’s rise has coincided with a recent drop in gold price, a traditional “safe haven in times of volatility”, says Sky News.
“But it has been a bumpy ride for investors, with the cryptocurrency passing $19,000 in November before dropping sharply,” the broadcaster adds.
Following last month’s short-lived surge, crypto investor Anthony Pompliano predicted that bitcoin, the most valuable and popular digital currency, could climb to $100,000 by the end of 2021, as Business Insider reported.
However, other analysts have dismissed such predictions as “outlandish”, says Sky News.


theweekuk--2020-05-13--Winter warmers: best whiskies for Christmas

With varieties such as Scotch , bourbon , single malt or blends , there ’ s a whisky ( or whiskey ) out there to suit everyone ’ s taste .
The choice of which tipple to buy could be a difficult one this Christmas , so we ’ ve rounded up some of our favourite whiskies to help you pick out the perfect gift .
For more present ideas and unique bottles see our Christmas alcohol gift guide… Combining dark fruity flavours with nutty undertones , this single malt is a good bet for pleasing the whisky aficionado in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chilly evening tipple , the Cotswolds sherry cask is a brilliantly smooth winter warmer , aged in American and Spanish oak barrels for a full-bodied palette .
£64.95 ; cotswoldsdistillery.com Launched in November , Waterford Distillery ’ s Gaia 1.1 is Ireland ’ s first organic single malt whisky .
Part of the Arcadian Series , it is distilled from 100 % organic Irish barley grown on six small farms .
From the striking design of the bottle to the taste of the spirit itself , everything about this whisky is unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a fruit finish .
A nice touch from the distillery is a TÉIREOIR code on every bottle giving drinkers access to an online portal which provides details of the whisky .
£77 ; thewhiskyexchange.com Danish whisky brand Stauning has recently launched its products in the UK and on the menu are three expressions : Rye , Peat and Kaos .
Taking its name from Danish history - Thorvald Stauning used the phrase “ Stauning or Chaos ” to win re-election as prime minister in 1935 - Kaos is a mash-up of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-smoked single malts .
It has a full , sweet flavour to start with and a spicy , peppery finish .
With its striking bottle design , this triple malt whisky not only looks great , but tastes great as well .
£59.95 ( 70cl ) ; masterofmalt.com Crafted by malt master David Stewart , the latest release from the Balvenie Tun range is an expert marriage of 21 casks - four ex-bourbon American oak refill barrels , ten doublewood refill sherry butts and seven sherry hogsheads .
On first taste this limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly the fruity and sugary notes come through .
The sweet finish is clean with hints of spices and vanilla .
£299 ( 70cl ) ; thewhiskyexchange.com Crowned “ best in show whisky ” and awarded a double gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition , The GlenDronach 15 Years Old Revival is an exceptional Highland single malt .
Matured in the distillery ’ s signature Spanish sherry casks , the dark fruit flavours really shine before a chocolate finish .
£61.95 ; masterofmalt.com Creating a whisky takes years , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to wait decades .
Just ask the makers of The Singleton 38-Year-Old why having patience is so key to the process .
This rare single malt was drawn from just eight casks after undergoing a 26-year secondary maturation - the longest in The Singleton ’ s history .
The result is a whisky that on first taste was strong , intense then sweet , but on the finish it was rich and warm .
The lengthy ageing process can at first be noticed in the full flavour of The Singleton 38-Year-Old , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it became much more mellow .
Only 1,689 bottles of this superb whisky are available globally .
70cl bottle £2,100 ; malts.com Described as an “ experiment in oak and smoke ” , this limited edition from Compass Box is a result of the cask strength version of The Peat Monster being further matured in three French oak custom casks for more than two years .
It was then blended with malt whiskies from the Talisker , Miltonduff and Ardbeg distilleries .
If peat whisky is your preferred choice , then this should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We tested the Peat Monster Arcana alongside a range of cured meats and the flavours compliment each other perfectly .
The Compass Box team recommended any smokey meats ( for example ribs and BBQ ) , but if you really want to treat yourself ( like we did ) then pair Peat Monster Arcana with chocolate .
Delicious .
70cl bottle £74.95 ; masterofmalt.com The first whisky ever distilled in the Cotswold countryside , this stunning option makes use of 100 % locally grown barley and is matured in ex-Bourbon barrels , before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boasting spicy cereal and sweet , nutty notes , combined with an orange peel infused kick , this delightful whisky is a perfect choice for anyone with a taste for almond or marzipan .
Very drinkable , the vanilla custard finish makes this a perfect evening sipper after a slightly too large dinner .
£39 ; cotswoldsdistillery.com A limited edition single malt , this whisky is the first European Oak Cask expression from the Cotswold distillery and was inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement .
Like the single malt above , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combine perfectly with hints of white fruits such as peach and pear .
Clove spices and zesty citrus also feature , rounded off by a honeyed finish .
Best enjoyed straight - no ice , no water .
£74.95 ; cotswoldsdistillery.com A back bar classic , J & B Rare is a cheap , but reliable go-to for whisky fans across the globe .
Like the Johnny Walker Black , this is not a whisky that is going to let you down any time soon .
Following the end of Prohibition in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created by Justerini & Brooks , landing on shelves in 1933 .
Medium-bodied with hints of apple , pear , oak and cinnamon , it is often suggested that this whisky is a little sharp to be drunk straight .
We have no such problem , but those who do should add their favourite mixer for a classic highball .
£20.45 ; thewhiskyexchange.com Straight .
Always straight .
This classic island dram from the Isle of Skye should not be mixed because it is just so perfect as it is .
A fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flavours to provide a bonfire like palate , with a touch of toasted malt .
Very rich and fruity , this is a really explosive whisky , packing the perfect punch for a more seasoned drinker .
An Editor 's Choice at Whisky Magazine and gold medal winner at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017 , this Talisker sweeps the board come award season for good reason .
And , at under £40 , it is not too harsh on your bank balance either .
£37.95 ; thewhiskyexchange.com This is the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khaitan distillery ( previously the Rampur distillery - hence the name ) , in Uttar Pradesh in the north of India .
Despite the distillery dating back to the 1940s , this is their first single malt to make it to the UK and we can only say that we wish it had made the journey sooner .
Rich on top with a thick , toffee background , the Rampur carries a balanced taste with plenty of malt and creamy vanilla .
A great gift for someone who is not yet a whisky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to start , this is eminently drinkable with a lighter , amber taste .
£44.95 ; thewhiskyexchange.com An absolute classic that every whisky fan should have in their cabinet , this award-winning Kentucky whiskey is inspired by the small batch technique used over 150 years ago .
A stunning bourbon that won a Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012 , this evokes the tradition of smooth , spiced flavours and hints of tobacco leaf that is as southern American as bluegrass , horse racing and fried chicken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one to file in the showstopper whisky category .
Matured for 23 years in hand-picked American and European oak casks , before being transferred to rare French Cuvee wine casks for up to six months , this whisky artfully combines the finest Scottish and French flavours for a truly special experience .
In terms of its nose , think malty baked bread and citrusy lemon , while its palette combines rich vanilla , sandalwood and white fruits .
Definitely not one to splash out on for a beginner , but for the aficionados @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something .
£220 ; thewhiskyworld.com A common theme across all of Ardberg ’ s whiskies is a confidence in peaty , smokey flavours .
In fact , so confident is the distillery , that it brags on its website that its Ardbeg Ten Years Old single malt ( RRP £47 ) is “ revered around the world as the peatiest , smokiest , most complex single malt of them all ” .
This limited edition whisky certainly supports that self-confidence in big , bold flavours .
Knitting velvety summer fruit pudding and bitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buds with a sooty , peaty palette .
The whisky is rounded up in New Zealand Pinot Noir casks , lending some of the wine ’ s body to this very special whisky .
£94 ; ardbeg.com A blend of whiskies from around the globe that , according to its producer , “ celebrates a truly global flavour and the way the world really drinks whisky ” .
World Whisky Blend combines samples from 14 different countries - including Scotland and the US - to produce a light , fresh drink with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This whisky is a good one for new drinkers to try straight or with a single ice cube , in part due to its light flavour .
However , 50ml mixed with around 150ml of either soda or tonic water also makes for a mean highball that would please even more seasoned drinkers .
£32.95 ; masterofmalt.com Slightly darker than the World Whisky Blend , the Teeling is aged initially in bourbon casks for up to six years , before spending a further six months in Central American rum barrels .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character , which when combined with a caramel-like smooth finish makes for an excellent whisky .
Another that we best enjoyed straight , the Teeling ’ s creamy vanilla palette combines nicely with ginger ale for those looking for a suitable mixer .
£35.99 ; amazon.co.uk Starward has quickly established itself as one of Australia ’ s leading whisky distillers , aided by a series of exceptional limited edition releases , which have ranked highly in international competitions .
Its Wine Cask whisky , which was finished in Australian red wine casks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 2017 World Whiskies Awards , while Solera - a twice-distilled single malt whisky - won a gold medal last year in the same competition .
This year ’ s limited edition is the Starward Tawny , so named because it is fully matured in Tawny fortified wine barrels .
The flavour , as you would expect , has taken on plenty of fruit from the Port casks , including dried apricots and figs , as well as spice and nuts .
The result : a spectacular dram , perfect for after-dinner sipping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the heart of the American whisky trail , Balcones is a real treat .
Warm and woody , this is a heavier whisky than the World Whisky Blend , the Staward , or the Teeling , more suited to a regular whisky drinker or perhaps a newcomer that is a fan of tannin-heavy red wines .
Undertones of honey and vanilla make for a smooth experience , which we would wholeheartedly recommend trying straight or wish a tiny dash of water rather than opting for a more elaborate mixer .
£79.95 ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are a pretty well-travelled bunch .
The job requires frequent trips ( in normal circumstances ) and if there is one thing we have learnt , it is that you can get this whisky anywhere in the world .
Whether you are in Cambodia , Kansas , Botswana or Berlin , Johnny Walker Black is always behind the bar .
It ’ s not the flashiest or best whisky in the world , but like an old friend , it never fails to pick you up .
It ’ s affordable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12-year statement is a huge step up from other whiskies in the same price bracket .
£26.95 ; masterofmalt.com From the same maker as the World Whisky Blend , The Boutique-y Whisky Company ’ s 10-year-old Säntis is the first batch of Swiss single malt from the Säntis distillery in Appenzell .
The distillery sits on top of a Swiss ski slope and has produced a fine whisky artfully combining a nose of toasted brown sugar and sticky treacle with an earthy , but sweet , palette .
We tried this one straight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it came to life when combined with a little maple syrup and some bitters for a perfect Smoked and Salted .
At more than £100 a bottle , it is at the pricier end of our recommendations , but this delightful Swisskey is well worth the price tag .
It also features the best label we have seen for a while , on which Santis distillery owner , Karl Locher , appears dressed as Bond villain Blofeld and screaming : “ Let your hangovers be particularly unpleasant and humiliating !
” With your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ best .
£117.95 ; masterofmalt.com Yes , Jack Daniel ’ s is an obvious choice .
And yes , JD and coke is disgusting and only drunk by students and metalheads .
But put your prejudice aside for a moment , because JD ’ s signature single barrel offering is not the drink of horrible early-20s hangovers .
With a sweet , simple flavour profile , the whisky is built on the bones of the standard Jack Daniel ’ s Old No .
7 offering .
But the Single Barrel Select boasts a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rounded and balanced palette , combining toasted oak and banana chip flavours .
This one we tried both with straight , with a dash of water and as what Jack Daniel ’ s describes as a “ Gentleman and Ginger ” .
All worked well , though if you are following the JD recipe , increasing the measure of whisky ever so slightly is recommended .
£43.95 ; masterofmalt.com A personal favourite , as well as something pretty special that won ’ t break the bank , this sought-after single malt is famed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ palette .
Typically for an Islay whisky , this Lagavulin has a richness and a dryness that may be a little too much for some , but is a treat for those that like that sort of thing .
Pairing perfectly with a salty blue cheese , this mouthful of malt and Sherry provides truckfuls of fruity sweetness .
Striking too is its incredible aroma , “ it smells like gasoline ” was one friend ’ s review , that fills the nose just as the flavours dominate the palette .
£57.95 ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ special .
The year this Glenrothes single malt was distilled , the Beatles broke up , the Boeing 747 made its first commercial flight to London and Apollo 13 launched on its ill-fated journey into space .
That year is 1970 , the release of this whisky completing a trilogy of Glenrothes Single Malts .
The first , from 1968 , was released in 2018 , and the second from 1969 in 2019 .
Silky smooth and seriously spicy , this whisky is not one for beginners , but is a real treat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bottle .
With a thick vanilla finish and smoky palette , the Glenrothes is real whisky royalty .
We can only imagine it would go well with a mixer , but couldn ’ t bring ourselves to dilute this one .
No ice or water was involved in the tasting of this show-stopping tipple .
£5,400 ; lastdropdistillers.com Other whiskies you may like ...
Smooth , elegant and organic , Nc ’ nean Single Malt Whisky is produced in small batches for an easy-going and delicious tipple .
Packaged in the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ glass bottle and made in the 100 % renewable energy distillery , Nc ’ nean is a pioneer of sustainable production .
It has tasting notes of lemon posset , peach and apricot , and spiced rye bread .
From £47.95 ; ncnean.com Award-winning bourbon with a great heritage and a rich taste , it was America ’ s first bottled bourbon and its classic taste is still very popular today .
In 2020 Old Forester celebrates 150 years of producing flavoursome bourbon .
£18 ; amazon.co.uk Old Forester Statesman is inspired by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Golden Circle .
Old Forester Statesman offers bold flavour blended from hand-selected casks of the famed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whisky .
Because true character is only revealed after a little heat , the Statesman product offers an exceptional balance of heat and spice .
£58.95 ; thewhiskyexchange.com

For more than 240 years whisky has been produced by the Bowmore Distillery on the Isle of Islay in Scotland. Although this legendary distillery has a couple of centuries’ experience in producing outstanding drams, it’s certainly not resting on its laurels. Partnerships have been a key strategy in taking Bowmore to new markets, and such collaborations include the Black Bowmore DB5 1964 whisky with Aston Martin and an al-fresco pop-up restaurant, Solas, at The Savoy hotel in London.
Bowmore’s newest limited-edition whisky is “The Changeling”, a duo of single malts (22-years-old and 33-years-old) which have been created by master blender Ron Welsh in collaboration with acclaimed graphic artist Frank Quitely, who has illustrated for Marvel and DC Comics. Through Quitely’s “inspiring creative lens”, the whisky tells the story of the “most thrilling and captivating myths and legends” from Bowmore’s Islay home.
Quitely’s striking illustrations and the inspiration behind the collaboration certainly tell a unique story. But what about the whisky itself? We tested The Changeling 22-years-old which was nurtured in American Oak hogsheads for 20 years and matured in white port casks for a further two. The result is an intense whisky which has an incredible nose, with floral and sweet flavours followed by peat smoke and spice. A warming – but not too overpowering – finish adds to the richness.
With this new spectacular collaboration, the magical character of Islay has come alive once again – and Bowmore has a new chapter in its long storied history. It may just become the stuff of legend...
The Changeling is available exclusively in select global travel retail outlets at an RRP of $440 for the 22-years-old and $3,300 for the 33-years-old.


theweekuk--2020-12-17--Pastor says world will end next week

Pastor says world will end next week

A conspiracy theorist has predicted that the world will end next week , when two planets align .
Evangelical pastor and Youtuber Paul Begley said Jupiter and Saturn ’ s respective orbits will mean they form a deadly “ double planet ” phenomenon in the sky on 21 December - the first “ conjunction ” of the two since 1623 .
However , he previously predicted the world would end in 2012 .
A professor has argued that older people should use sex robots .
Professor Nancy Jecker of the University of Washington School of Medicine believes the dishy droids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fight “ impaired sexual functioning ” .
Speaking to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business , she said : “ I 'm calling on industry to market themselves to an older clientele , a clientele that has age-related impairment of sexual function.
” Couple find message in bottle from 1,000 miles away A couple in North Carolina say they found a message in a bottle that traveled over 1,000 miles from Prince Edward Island , Canada .
Ann and Roy Huntley said they were walking on the beach in Ocracoke when they found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Earlier this month , another message in a bottle launched from Canada was found on a beach in Ireland .

A conspiracy theorist has predicted that the world will end next week, when two planets align. Evangelical pastor and Youtuber Paul Begley said Jupiter and Saturn’s respective orbits will mean they form a deadly “double planet” phenomenon in the sky on 21 December - the first “conjunction” of the two since 1623. However, he previously predicted the world would end in 2012.
Sex robots ‘should be marketed at elderly’
A professor has argued that older people should use sex robots. Professor Nancy Jecker of the University of Washington School of Medicine believes the dishy droids could be used by the elderly to fight “impaired sexual functioning”. Speaking to the Tri-Cities Area Journal of Business, she said: “I'm calling on industry to market themselves to an older clientele, a clientele that has age-related impairment of sexual function.”
Couple find message in bottle from 1,000 miles away
A couple in North Carolina say they found a message in a bottle that traveled over 1,000 miles from Prince Edward Island, Canada. Ann and Roy Huntley said they were walking on the beach in Ocracoke when they found a glass bottle with a note inside. Earlier this month, another message in a bottle launched from Canada was found on a beach in Ireland.


theweekuk--2020-12-17--How the world responded to Britain’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout

The phrase “ world beating ” has been bandied about in countless debates about the UK ’ s Covid response , but rarely in the complimentary way that Boris Johnson may have envisaged .
The unbeatable system to test , track and trace the coronavirus that the prime minister promised back in May is still beset by glitches .
But in becoming the first nation to roll out a Covid vaccine , the UK can finally claim to be an international leader in fighting the pandemic .
A total of almost 138,000 people received the Pfizer-BioNTech jab in the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 8 December , dubbed “ V-Day ” by jubilant ministers .
So how has the rest of the world responded to the vaccine triumph ?
Johnson ’ s public celebrations at becoming the first nation to approve the use of a coronavirus vaccine was mocked by some European leaders last week .
Belgian PM Alexander de Croo led the jibes , tweeting an image of an EU flag and the words “ Made in Europe ” above a post by his British counterpart .
In recent days , however , European papers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s slowness is green-lighting any of the vaccine candidates .
An editorial in German tabloid Bild said it was “ beyond belief ” that Berlin was simply “ standing and gawping ” as a German-developed jab was rolled out in the UK .
Professor Paul Welfens , an economist at the University of Wuppertal , told the paper that Angela Merkel ’ s government had been “ strangely arrogant ” in refusing to approve the vaccine co-created by German firm BioNTech .
Spanish newspaper El Pais said the EU had responded with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK “ launched the vaccine challenge in Europe ” .
Meanwhile , Bloomberg notes that the bloc ’ s leaders have “ struggled to explain ” why their citizens are still waiting for shots that are already being rolled out in the UK and the US .
Following a reportedly “ heated ” summit yesterday , EU chiefs have now committed to speeding up their regulatory processes .
EU Commission President Urusla von der Leyen had tweeted on Tuesday that the bloc was working “ at full speed to authorise # COVID19 vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Likely that the first Europeans will be vaccinated before end 2020 !
, ” she added - prompting a flurry of replies noting that the first Europeans had already been vaccinated , in Britain .
Acknowledging that the UK has stolen the march on its European neighbours , Slovakian newspaper Pravda said last week that “ the British are on fire ” .
Not all of the European media coverage has been so complimentary , however .
In an apparent dig at Britain ’ s decision to go ahead under its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cartoon of the Queen receiving the vaccine captioned “ Britain First ” .
A mass vaccination campaign in the US kicked off yesterday , after regulatory approval of the Pfizer jab was confirmed last week .
“ Front-line health workers and elderly patients will get the first three million doses , ” Sky News reports .
Hundreds of millions more doses have been ordered for arrival in the coming months .
The rollout comes amid widespread applause from US commentators for the UK effort .
The Washington Post says that “ Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coronavirus vaccine ” .
The New York Times offers a slightly more backhanded compliment , noting that “ experts are cautiously optimistic that the [ UK ] vaccine rollout will go better than the government ’ s earlier , fumbling efforts to address the pandemic ” .
Outbreaks in “ Britain left hospitals short of masks and gowns , and stumbled on testing and tracing ” , the paper continues , but thanks to “ extensive experience with organising mass immunisations ” , the NHS should be “ up to the task @ @


theweekuk--2020-12-17--The new evidence about schools spreading Covid-19

Widespread claims that schools are primary drivers of Covid outbreaks have been undermined by a new study that suggests children aged under 15 are about half as likely as adults to catch and spread the coronavirus .
Researchers in Iceland monitored every child and adult in the country who was quarantined after possible exposure to the virus .
Using contact tracing and genetic sequencing to identify links between outbreak clusters , the study of 40,000 people found that children “ can and do get infected and transmit to others , but they do both less frequently than adults ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The analysis - by teams from Iceland ’ s Directorate of Health and Reykjavik-based firm deCODE genetics - is “ one in a recent flurry of large-scale studies that support the conclusion that infected adults pose a greater danger to children than kids do to adults ” , says National Geographic .
The findings are expected to influence the ongoing debate about whether schools worldwide should be shut to prevent further outbreaks .
In the UK , the pandemic has led to low attendance , staff shortages and rising infection rates among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has used “ emergency powers to threaten legal action against headteachers in England ” who wanted to allow students to learn remotely in the run-up to the Christmas break , even though Covid restrictions are set to be relaxed between 23 and 27 December , The Guardian reports .
The veto on remote learning has been criticised by experts including Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) member Stephen Reicher , a professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews .
Reicher told the newspaper that the government was taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Christmas after having denied families the right to withdraw their children from school beforehand so that they can isolate in order to minimise infection risks .
Looking to next year , the BBC reports that mass Covid testing of secondary-school pupils in England is to be greatly increased in January , in an attempt to reduce the numbers being sent home .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the “ huge expansion ” of testing would be a “ milestone moment ” in keeping schools open .

Concerns that schools may struggle to put mass testing facilities in place before reopening their doors in just over a week’s time have increased fears that they could become a vector of transmission.
The worry that schools could help to rapidly spread infections had been eased by a study that suggests children aged under 15 are about half as likely as adults to catch and spread the coronavirus.
Researchers in Iceland monitored every child and adult in the country who had been quarantined after possible exposure to the virus. Using contact tracing and genetic sequencing to identify links between outbreak clusters, the study of 40,000 people found that children “can and do get infected and transmit to others, but they do both less frequently than adults”, according to a spokesperson for the experts.
The analysis - by teams from Iceland’s Directorate of Health and Reykjavik-based firm deCODE genetics - is “one in a recent flurry of large-scale studies that support the conclusion that infected adults pose a greater danger to children than kids do to adults”, says National Geographic.
A study published this week in the BMJ also raised hopes that schools will sidestep mass transmission, finding that “in-person learning increases teachers’ exposure”, but “teachers and school staff are not at higher risk of hospital admission or death from Covid-19 compared with other workers”.
Researchers compared data from Australia, Norway, Switzerland, Italy and Germany, where schools have remained open for longer periods during the pandemic, and discovered that “school closures had no discernible effect on SARS-CoV-2 transmission”.
“In the absence of strong evidence for benefits of school closures, the precautionary principle would be to keep schools open to prevent catastrophic harms to children,” the study added.
Writing on The Conversation, Andrew Lee, reader in global public health at the University of Sheffield, and Sunil Bhopal, lecturer in paediatrics at Newcastle University, argue that “school closures reduce educational opportunities for children”, while “investigations from Norway and other countries found no or very little transmission within schools”.
The evidence collected on infections within schools suggest they “can be made relatively safe with appropriate infection control measures such as face coverings, physical distancing, good hygiene and ventilation”, the pair say.
While school closures “might reduce overall community infections by a small amount”, they add, “they should only really be implemented as a last resort as part of wider pandemic control measures and should not be undertaken lightly”.