theweekuk--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: do face masks really work?

Coronavirus: do face masks really work?

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theweekuk--2020-03-31--F1: Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are the sport’s ‘only two stars’, says Flavio Briatore

Former Benetton and Renault team boss Flavio Briatore believes there are only two star drivers in Formula 1 right now - Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen .
Mercedes driver Hamilton has dominated the sport with six world titles while Red Bull ’ s Verstappen has emerged as a major contender at the front of the grid .
While Briatore picks out Hamilton and Verstappen for praise , he also tips Ferrari ’ s Charles Leclerc to have the potential to rival the star duo .
Speaking on F1 ’ s Beyond The Grid podcast , Briatore said : “ There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 - Hamilton and Verstappen .
“ Leclerc is young , big balls , which he ’ s demonstrating .
I believe , if I was Ferrari , I ’ d have put Leclerc two years ago into the place of [ Kimi ] Raikkonen , because you know , with Raikkonen you ’ re going nowhere , you ’ ll never win anything with him .
“ I ’ d [ have taken ] the risk to put Leclerc .
Leclerc is a really , really strong guy .
But Leclerc is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the more incredible driver .
He ’ s fantastic in the way of overtaking.
” Max Verstappen ’ s father Jos drove for Briatore ’ s Benetton team in 1994 .
When asked if Max was a better driver than Jos , Briatore added : “ No question .
The name is the same , but the driver is completely different… I tell the father , ‘ Jesus Christ , I wish I had your son in the car and not you !
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Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ‘ Ecclestone may just be right ’ Is it time for Formula 1 to finally start considering the unthinkable ?
That ’ s the question posed by GP Fans writer Ian Parkes .
The 2020 F1 season is in disarray with the opening eight races called off because of the coronavirus pandemic .
As things stand the first scheduled grand prix of the campaign will be Canada on 14 June , but the Montreal race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ F1 CEO Chase Carey said there ’ s hope that the 2020 championship would have “ 15 to 18 races ” , but former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was not so optimistic .
When asked what he would do with the schedule , the 89-year-old said : “ I think I ’ d have to say we ’ re going to close down talk of having any races this year .
“ That ’ s the only thing you could do safely for everybody so nobody starts making silly arrangements which may not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it ’ s Carey ’ s prediction that is correct in 2020 , but says Ecclestone could be proved right .
“ I sincerely hope Carey is correct , that somehow 15-18 races are crammed in over the second half of the year , even stretching into January/February of 2021 if necessary , ” Parkes writes .
“ But no matter your individual point of view of Ecclestone , you have to appreciate he may just be right , and that there is the distinct danger of there being no F1 at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope that is not the case.
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Former Benetton and Renault team boss Flavio Briatore believes there are only two star drivers in Formula 1 right now - Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
Mercedes driver Hamilton has dominated the sport with six world titles while Red Bull’s Verstappen has emerged as a major contender at the front of the grid.
While Briatore picks out Hamilton and Verstappen for praise, he also tips Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to have the potential to rival the star duo.
Speaking on F1’s Beyond The Grid podcast, Briatore said: “There’s only two stars in Formula 1 - Hamilton and Verstappen.
“Leclerc is young, big balls, which he’s demonstrating. I believe, if I was Ferrari, I’d have put Leclerc two years ago into the place of [Kimi] Raikkonen, because you know, with Raikkonen you’re going nowhere, you’ll never win anything with him.
“I’d [have taken] the risk to put Leclerc. Leclerc is a really, really strong guy. But Leclerc is not recognisable now. Verstappen for me is the more incredible driver. He’s fantastic in the way of overtaking.”
Max Verstappen’s father Jos drove for Briatore’s Benetton team in 1994. When asked if Max was a better driver than Jos, Briatore added: “No question. The name is the same, but the driver is completely different… I tell the father, ‘Jesus Christ, I wish I had your son in the car and not you!’”
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‘Ecclestone may just be right’
Is it time for Formula 1 to finally start considering the unthinkable? That’s the question posed by GP Fans writer Ian Parkes.
The 2020 F1 season is in disarray with the opening eight races called off because of the coronavirus pandemic. As things stand the first scheduled grand prix of the campaign will be Canada on 14 June, but the Montreal race is also under threat.
Last week F1 CEO Chase Carey said there’s hope that the 2020 championship would have “15 to 18 races”, but former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone was not so optimistic.
When asked what he would do with the schedule, the 89-year-old said: “I think I’d have to say we’re going to close down talk of having any races this year.
“That’s the only thing you could do safely for everybody so nobody starts making silly arrangements which may not be able to happen.”
Parkes hopes that it’s Carey’s prediction that is correct in 2020, but says Ecclestone could be proved right.
“I sincerely hope Carey is correct, that somehow 15-18 races are crammed in over the second half of the year, even stretching into January/February of 2021 if necessary,” Parkes writes.
“But no matter your individual point of view of Ecclestone, you have to appreciate he may just be right, and that there is the distinct danger of there being no F1 at all in 2020. Naturally, we hope that is not the case.”
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theweekuk--2020-03-31--Can cats really spread coronavirus?

Can cats really spread coronavirus?

Sarah L Caddy , Clinical Research Fellow in Viral Immunology and Veterinary Surgeon at University of Cambridge , looks at the evidence on Covid-19 and cats in an article originally written for The Conversation .
After reports of two dogs testing positive for the new coronavirus ( SARS-CoV-2 ) in Hong Kong , the most recent news to cause alarm among animal owners is that of a cat in Belgium with apparent symptoms of the virus that causes Covid-19 .
The owner of the cat had recently tested positive for the virus .
It is reported that the cat developed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Vets at the University of Liège , Belgium then tested the cat for SARS-CoV-2 and subsequently detected the viral genome in vomit and a stool sample .
Should we now be concerned about the virus spreading to cats ?
To be succinct – not yet .
Several key questions need to be answered before any conclusions can be drawn from this case .
Many people are asking if the coronavirus detected in the cat really is SARS-CoV-2 or whether it could be the completely different cat-only coronavirus , which has been infecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus exists in two forms : one causes mild gastrointestinal disease and the other causes a highly fatal disease known as feline infectious peritonitis ( FIP ) .
Feline coronaviruses look very different to SARS-CoV-2 at the genetic level .
This means that as long as the correct test was run for the cat in question , it should be easy to differentiate between the two viruses .
The standard test for SARS-CoV-2 only detects the viral genome .
It is very important to bear in mind that this test does not detect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so it is impossible to tell whether the viral genome found in the cat was from a particle that could replicate .
To demonstrate infectivity , many more tests are needed .
It is possible that the cat ate contaminated food and the virus simply passed through its gut .
This explanation is less likely if large quantities of genetic material were detected in the cat , but this data has not been released .
Whereas the two canine SARS-CoV-2 cases had no obvious clinical signs relating to Covid-9 , the cat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention did have respiratory symptoms .
But as every vet knows , cats can have breathing difficulties for many reasons , from feline asthma to heart disease .
Similarly , there is a long list of causes of diarrhoea in cats .
Without knowing any clinical details of this case , we can ’ t tell whether Covid-19 was responsible for the disease or if this was just an upsetting coincidence .
Thankfully , there is still zero evidence of pets transmitting the virus to humans .
It is also reassuring that a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have now tested thousands of cat and dog samples for SARS-CoV-2 with no positive cases .
Also , given that as of 30 March there are over 720,000 human cases worldwide , it is safe to assume that if this virus readily caused disease in pets , we would know by now .
Sarah L Caddy , Clinical Research Fellow in Viral Immunology and Veterinary Surgeon , University of Cambridge This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

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theweekuk--2020-03-31--Premier League has ‘ambitious’ plan to resume season in May

The English Premier League could restart as early as May in order to finish the season by 12 July .
In what it bills as an “ exclusive ” , the Daily Mail says that the EPL bosses have drawn up an “ ambitious plan to restart the season behind closed doors on the first weekend of May ” .
Their proposal will be examined in detail during a conference call of the 20 clubs on Friday .
Ultimately , however , it won ’ t be the Premier League that calls the shots but the government , who will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Given that the deputy chief medical officer warned on Sunday that it could be six months before the country is back to normal after the coronavirus crisis , the hopes of a May restart could turn out to be premature .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Mail says that the Premier League is desperate to resume action otherwise it will face a financial meltdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stipulate that the cut-off point to finish this season is 16 July .
If the campaign is not completed by that date , then “ Sky Sports , BT Sport and the international rights-holders could demand rebates totalling as much as £762m ” .
If clubs were forced to repay that money it would leave many struggling to pay their players ’ wages , and the Mail says that the bigger clubs would suffer the greatest financial losses because the terms of the overseas television deal means that more money is distributed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ table .
The broadcasters are apparently putting pressure on the Premier League to make a decision so that everyone knows where they stand .
In recent days there have been “ informal talks ” between clubs and the consensus is that the season could be completed by 12 July were matches to resume at the start of May .
Another controversial proposal that will be discussed at Friday ’ s meeting is whether the season , if it does resume in May , should be completed without relegation “ on the grounds that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
There is growing doubt whether the Championship will be concluded this season and that would obviously impact the clubs in the relegation zone .
But the Mail says that the clubs at the top of the Championship are allegedly “ making preparations to take legal action if they are denied promotion ” .
However , if their competition is abandoned it would be unlikely that they would win a legal battle .
Another obstacle that could thwart the Premier League ’ s ambition to resume matches is the willingness of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus as it is not listed as a critical illness .
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The English Premier League could restart as early as May in order to finish the season by 12 July.
In what it bills as an “exclusive”, the Daily Mail says that the EPL bosses have drawn up an “ambitious plan to restart the season behind closed doors on the first weekend of May”.
Their proposal will be examined in detail during a conference call of the 20 clubs on Friday.
Ultimately, however, it won’t be the Premier League that calls the shots but the government, who will take advice from public health bodies.
Given that the deputy chief medical officer warned on Sunday that it could be six months before the country is back to normal after the coronavirus crisis, the hopes of a May restart could turn out to be premature.
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Financial pressure
The Mail says that the Premier League is desperate to resume action otherwise it will face a financial meltdown.
According to the paper, broadcasting contracts stipulate that the cut-off point to finish this season is 16 July. If the campaign is not completed by that date, then “Sky Sports, BT Sport and the international rights-holders could demand rebates totalling as much as £762m”.
If clubs were forced to repay that money it would leave many struggling to pay their players’ wages, and the Mail says that the bigger clubs would suffer the greatest financial losses because the terms of the overseas television deal means that more money is distributed to the clubs at the top of the table.
The broadcasters are apparently putting pressure on the Premier League to make a decision so that everyone knows where they stand.
In recent days there have been “informal talks” between clubs and the consensus is that the season could be completed by 12 July were matches to resume at the start of May.
No relegation?
Another controversial proposal that will be discussed at Friday’s meeting is whether the season, if it does resume in May, should be completed without relegation “on the grounds that the integrity of the competition is threatened”.
There is growing doubt whether the Championship will be concluded this season and that would obviously impact the clubs in the relegation zone.
But the Mail says that the clubs at the top of the Championship are allegedly “making preparations to take legal action if they are denied promotion”. However, if their competition is abandoned it would be unlikely that they would win a legal battle.
Another obstacle that could thwart the Premier League’s ambition to resume matches is the willingness of the players as many are not insured for coronavirus as it is not listed as a critical illness.
Today’s back pages
‘Covidiot’ Jack Grealish is fined by Aston Villa
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theweekuk--2020-03-31--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 31 Mar 2020

President Donald Trump has insisted that the US will be in “ very good shape ” in terms of the @ @ @ @ @ the time the predicted peak in coronavirus cases in the country hits in two weeks @ @ @ @ @ who was criticised for initially downplaying the pandemic , has invoked presidential powers to instruct @ @ @ @ @ medical devices , and says that at least ten companies are on the job .
@ @ @ @ @ world in confirmed coronavirus cases , with almost 165,000 as of Tuesday morning .

Trump: US in good shape to meet epidemic peak
President Donald Trump has insisted that the US will be in “very good shape” in terms of the number of ventilators available by the time the predicted peak in coronavirus cases in the country hits in two weeks’ time. Trump, who was criticised for initially downplaying the pandemic, has invoked presidential powers to instruct car firms to make the medical devices, and says that at least ten companies are on the job. The US now leads the world in confirmed coronavirus cases, with almost 165,000 as of Tuesday morning.


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Today’s back pages: ‘Covidiot’ Jack Grealish is fined by Aston Villa, Olympics confirmed, cricket st

Today’s back pages: ‘Covidiot’ Jack Grealish is fined by Aston Villa, Olympics confirmed, cricket stars face cuts

A humbled Jack Grealish stares out on the back page of The Sun after the Aston Villa captain released a video in which he said he was “ deeply embarrassed ” after being filmed looking dishevelled at the scene of an accident on Sunday morning .
The tabloid , which broke the story of his car crash on its front page yesterday , says that despite his contrition Grealish ’ s action could have put the kibosh on his proposed £70m move to Manchester United .
The paper also says that “ furious ” Villa chiefs have slapped Grealish with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Times claims is actually £150,000 and which will be donated to the University Hospitals Charity in Birmingham .
The paper says that Villa are “ deeply disappointed ” in the fact their skipper ignored government guidelines on the coronavirus lockdown , but adds that the police will be taking no further action .
Another sports star who features on most of the back pages is WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders , who has had his boxing licence suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control after he uploaded a video online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about how to hit women .
The Sun calls Saunders an “ idiot ” while the Daily Mirror opts for “ brainless ” , both apt descriptions of a boxer who has also issued a grovelling apology for his stupidity .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Metro is one of several papers to report that the Tokyo Olympics - which had been scheduled to take place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 23 July to 8 August 2021 with the Paralympic Games slated for 24 August to 5 September .
The paper adds that as well as the Games being affected by the coronavirus pandemic , so has Wimbledon , with tennis chiefs set to announce the abandonment of this year ’ s tournament .
According to German Tennis Federation vice-president Dirk Hordorff , Wimbledon organisers are meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation , but in a TV interview he said : “ The necessary decisions have already been made there and Wimbledon will decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There is no doubt about it .
This is necessary in the current situation.
” Whether the event will be rescheduled is unclear but being a grass tournament the window of opportunity is very slim and the probability is that there will be no Wimbledon in 2020 .
Independent and Metro report that England cricket captain Joe Root is ready to take a pay cut as the sport faces up to a period of severe financial hardship .
A “ catastrophic reality ” is how the Indy describes a situation in which a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ June .
In normal circumstances , the county season would be starting next week but instead the England & Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) is working out “ how best to support their 18-team set-up along with other aspects of the professional and amateur game ” .
Root and England ’ s other international players are on Test central contracts worth as much as £600,000 a year .
While white ball deals are worth up to around £275,000 .
On the question of pay cuts , Root said : “ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming weeks there will be a discussion .
But I ’ m also aware they are discussions that will take place between the PCA [ Professional Cricketers ’ Association ] and the ECB .
That ’ s not my area of expertise .
“ I think we just have to concentrate on making sure we are as fit and as ready to go as we can be for whenever we get back to playing cricket.
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Grealish fined
A humbled Jack Grealish stares out on the back page of The Sun after the Aston Villa captain released a video in which he said he was “deeply embarrassed” after being filmed looking dishevelled at the scene of an accident on Sunday morning.
The tabloid, which broke the story of his car crash on its front page yesterday, says that despite his contrition Grealish’s action could have put the kibosh on his proposed £70m move to Manchester United.
The paper also says that “furious” Villa chiefs have slapped Grealish with a £100,000 fine, a figure that The Times claims is actually £150,000 and which will be donated to the University Hospitals Charity in Birmingham.
The paper says that Villa are “deeply disappointed” in the fact their skipper ignored government guidelines on the coronavirus lockdown, but adds that the police will be taking no further action.
Another sports star who features on most of the back pages is WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders, who has had his boxing licence suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control after he uploaded a video online in which he gave tips to men about how to hit women.
The Sun calls Saunders an “idiot” while the Daily Mirror opts for “brainless”, both apt descriptions of a boxer who has also issued a grovelling apology for his stupidity.
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Olympics confirmed, Wimbledon off?
Metro is one of several papers to report that the Tokyo Olympics - which had been scheduled to take place this summer - will now run from 23 July to 8 August 2021 with the Paralympic Games slated for 24 August to 5 September.
The paper adds that as well as the Games being affected by the coronavirus pandemic, so has Wimbledon, with tennis chiefs set to announce the abandonment of this year’s tournament.
According to German Tennis Federation vice-president Dirk Hordorff, Wimbledon organisers are meeting tomorrow to discuss the situation, but in a TV interview he said: “The necessary decisions have already been made there and Wimbledon will decide to cancel [on] Wednesday. There is no doubt about it. This is necessary in the current situation.”


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Coronavirus: Dominic Raab announces £75m airlift for stranded Brits


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Former judge warns of ‘police state’ during coronavirus lockdown

A former Supreme Court judge has described crackdowns on drivers and walkers during the coronavirus lockdown as “disgraceful”.
Calling on police to be “consistent” in enforcing the law, Lord Sumption said that the UK was in danger of mirroring a “police state” while under lockdown, if other police forces mirrored the approach taken in Derbyshire.
Sumption told the BBC that it was “frankly disgraceful” that Derbyshire police had attempted “to shame people from using their undoubted right to travel to take exercise in the country”.
Derbyshire police has deployed drones to monitor walkers and dyed the Blue Lagoon near Buxton black to make it less attractive.
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Sumption said: “This is what a police state is like, it is a state in which a government can issue orders or express preferences with no legal authority and the police will enforce ministers’ wishes.” He added that the force had “shamed our policing traditions”.
Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary, moved to defend the police, The Times reports. “I back the police doing a difficult job in unprecedented circumstances,” Raab said, adding that “there needs to be common sense in the way the [government] guidance is interpreted”.
According to the paper, the Humberside, Greater Manchester, Avon and Somerset and West Midlands forces are operating online portals for the public to to report those who “appear to be flouting the rules”.
The Guardian, meanwhile, says the National Police Chiefs Council and College of Policing are now “rushing through” guidance reminding officers that they cannot bar people from going for a run or a drive.
The guidance is expected to state that driving to exercise is not prohibited by the emergency powers and the law does not restrict people from exercising outside only once a day.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service, Neil Basu, said officers must preserve “the trust and confidence of the public” by maintaining the tradition of “policing by consent”.
“Everyone in policing is acutely aware that how we police this pandemic will be remembered for many years to come,” Basu said. “Preserving the trust and confidence of the public by policing by consent is our mantra, and has been since 1829.”
Britons breaking coronavirus lockdown rules can be arrested or fined £60 under new police powers to ensure people stay at home and avoid non-essential travel.
Last week, senior police figures warned that enforcing Britain’s coronavirus lockdown may be impossible due to a lack of officers and insufficient powers to enforce the government rules.
At the time, Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, warned that to do so would require a “paramilitary style of policing”.


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Rabbi says rampaging monkeys a sign of a plague

A rabbi says that rampaging monkeys in Thailand are a sign of a biblical plague .
Noting that the monkeys have gone wild due to the lack of people out and about during the coronavirus outbreak , Rabbi Yosef Mizrahi cited a verse in Deuteronomy which states : “ Hashem your God will dislodge those peoples before you little by little ; you will not be able to put an end to them at once , else the wild beasts would multiply to your hurt.
” Triangular UFO sited for third time this year A triangle-shaped UFO has reportedly been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above Texas .
The craft was first seen on January 1st in Houston , before being spotted again over Bogata last month .
In a new video , it is seen hovering over Seguin .
The man behind the camera can be heard exclaiming : “ What the f*** ?
” Bob Weighton has been officially confirmed as the oldest living man after celebrating his 112th birthday on 30 March 2020 .
The Englishman received the record title after Chitetsu Watanabe from Japan passed away at 112 years and 355 days .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pleased to hear that the previous holder has died but I am very pleased that I 've been able to live so long and make so many friends , ” said Weighton .
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A rabbi says that rampaging monkeys in Thailand are a sign of a biblical plague. Noting that the monkeys have gone wild due to the lack of people out and about during the coronavirus outbreak, Rabbi Yosef Mizrahi cited a verse in Deuteronomy which states: “Hashem your God will dislodge those peoples before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them at once, else the wild beasts would multiply to your hurt.”
Triangular UFO sited for third time this year
A triangle-shaped UFO has reportedly been spotted for the third time this year above Texas. The craft was first seen on January 1st in Houston, before being spotted again over Bogata last month. In a new video, it is seen hovering over Seguin. The man behind the camera can be heard exclaiming: “What the f***?”
Englishman is oldest living male
Bob Weighton has been officially confirmed as the oldest living man after celebrating his 112th birthday on 30 March 2020. The Englishman received the record title after Chitetsu Watanabe from Japan passed away at 112 years and 355 days. “I can’t say I am pleased to hear that the previous holder has died but I am very pleased that I've been able to live so long and make so many friends,” said Weighton.
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theweekuk--2020-03-30--Carluccio’s and BrightHouse collapse as coronavirus bites


theweekuk--2020-03-30--Is coronavirus showing signs of slowing in the UK?

The spread of the new coronavirus in the UK is showing early signs of slowing , according to leading government advisors .
Neil Ferguson , whose modelling influenced Boris Johnson ’ s decision to impose a nationwide lockdown , told the BBC : “ In the UK , we can see some early signs of slowing in some indicators .
Less so in deaths because deaths are lagged by a long time from when the measures come into force .
“ We look at the numbers of new hospital admissions today ... that does seem to be slowing down a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not yet plateaued as the numbers are increasing each day but the rate of that increase has slowed.
” The professor said one-third , or even 40 % of infected people , do not get any symptoms , adding that 2 % to 3 % of the UK population had likely been infected .
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Get your first six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments come as the UK ’ s chief scientific adviser said that people are now heeding the advice to stay at home to keep pressure off the NHS , and there are early signs that it is working .
Patrick Vallance yesterday said that social distancing measures are “ making a difference ” .
Transmission of coronavirus is thought to be decreasing , which could mean fewer infections , reports the BBC .
Vallance said the NHS was seeing around an additional 1,000 patients a day and described this daily rise as “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s going up not in an increasing amount but in a constant amount , which may suggest that we ’ re already beginning to see some effect , ” he said .
Vallance said that he expected the 1,000-a-day rise in hospital patients to continue for two to three weeks , after which “ you would expect that to stabilise and to start to go down a bit ” .
In an interview with The Times , Ferguson said he is increasingly hopeful that the outbreak can be contained .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the latest data was not good enough to make firm projections .
Ferguson also explained there are “ similar patterns in a number of European countries ” .
In Spain , the country ’ s foreign minister said another 6,400 cases were confirmed by authorities on Monday , the lowest increase in new cases for a week .
Sky News reports that 1,415 people have now died in the UK after contracting the coronavirus , following 180 more deaths .
The latest increase is down from yesterday ’ s rise of 207 @


theweekuk--2020-03-30--Virtual days out: best online experiences and tours from your home

With landmarks and attractions closing across the world to slow the spread of coronavirus , plans for the next holiday or family day out have been put on hold for the foreseeable future .
But thanks to modern technology , you can still explore many galleries , museums and historical sights from the comfort of your living room , with more and more tourist hotspots uploading images and videos online .
Here ’ s a look at some of the best virtual attractions to keep you occupied during these unusual times : Museums across the world have uploaded videos and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the pandemic , with London ’ s Natural History Musem and British Museum leading the way in the UK .
The Daily Mirror notes that the British Museum ’ s virtual tour allows you to “ check out the highlights at your own leisure ” , having teamed up with Google Earth for the tour .
Across the pond , the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is offering a tour , as well as online learning materials for science fans of all ages , while the Smithsonian National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Space Anywhere webpage provides virtual tours of the museum and educational podcasts .
Elsewhere , people can experience the “ soaring vaulted ceilings , intricate murals and tapestries ” of the Vatican ’ s museums , The Guardian says , which have been uploaded to the web in a series of seven 360-degree images , including the Sistine Chapel .
And art fans can head - virtually - to Bilbao ’ s iconic Guggenheim museum , where users can sift through its “ collection of postwar American and European painting and sculpture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kapoor – and even down between the weathered curves of Serra ’ s Matter of Time ” , the paper adds .
On Friday last week , hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world flocked to the Facebook page of Chester Zoo as it hosted its first ever live virtual tour .
The zoo is currently closed due to the pandemic , but the live video streams allowed would-be visitors to watch keepers provide interesting facts about their animals and showed them eating their meals , Cheshire Live reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ media team told the paper when asked about a potential second virtual tour of the zoo : “ Such is the demand , I don ’ t really think we have a choice !
Watch this space… ” YouTube channel Virtual Disney World is ideal for those seeking the thrill of Disney theme parks from indoors .
It allows viewers to see Walt Disney World attractions , shows and hotels within an interactive 360º video environment .
Although many of the world ’ s most iconic landmarks are closed , a number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ version for people to explore online .
The Guardian reports that Machu Picchu , Christ the Redeemer , the Pyramids of Giza and the Taj Mahal are among the many wonders of the world to have launched online tours , allowing the most restless among us to undertake virtual visits to these bucket list locations .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For more arts reviews - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on what really matters - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a more serene option , many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual tours of their grounds .
In the US , Google Earth has teamed up with the National Parks Service to offer visual experiences of some of America ’ s most iconic parks , such as Yosemite and Yellowstone - a programme which Mother Nature Network says is “ turning out to be a nice resource to have when you 're hunkering down at home during a pandemic ” .
However , the tours are also designed to deter people from visiting the parks in person during the pandemic ; The Hill reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the nation ’ s national parks following Donald Trump ’ s decision to waive entrance fees last week at parks that remained open , claiming said it would make it “ a little easier for the American public to enjoy the outdoors in our incredible National Parks ” .
Meanwhile , the Daily Mirror reports that in the UK , the Lake District has set up a network of webcams which have been “ strategically placed to overlook some of the prettiest scenery ” .

With landmarks and attractions closing across the world to slow the spread of coronavirus, plans for the next holiday or family day out have been put on hold for the foreseeable future.
But thanks to modern technology, you can still explore many galleries, museums and historical sights from the comfort of your living room, with more and more tourist hotspots uploading images and videos online.
Here’s a look at some of the best virtual attractions to keep you occupied during these unusual times:
Museums
Museums across the world have uploaded videos and virtual content to keep potential visitors entertained during the pandemic, with London’s Natural History Musem and British Museum leading the way in the UK.
The Daily Mirror notes that the British Museum’s virtual tour allows you to “check out the highlights at your own leisure”, having teamed up with Google Earth for the tour.
Across the pond, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is offering a tour, as well as online learning materials for science fans of all ages, while the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Air and Space Anywhere webpage provides virtual tours of the museum and educational podcasts.
Elsewhere, people can experience the “soaring vaulted ceilings, intricate murals and tapestries” of the Vatican’s museums, The Guardian says, which have been uploaded to the web in a series of seven 360-degree images, including the Sistine Chapel.
And art fans can head - virtually - to Bilbao’s iconic Guggenheim museum, where users can sift through its “collection of postwar American and European painting and sculpture – Rothko, Holzer, Koons, Kapoor – and even down between the weathered curves of Serra’s Matter of Time”, the paper adds.
Chester Zoo
On Friday last week, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world flocked to the Facebook page of Chester Zoo as it hosted its first ever live virtual tour.
The zoo is currently closed due to the pandemic, but the live video streams allowed would-be visitors to watch keepers provide interesting facts about their animals and showed them eating their meals, Cheshire Live reports.


theweekuk--2020-03-30--Why did Trump ditch his Easter coronavirus target?

Donald Trump has extended nationwide social distancing guidelines for another 30 days , ditching his previous plan for the US to return to normal by Easter .
The Guardian reports the U-turn came after the president was warned that up to 200,000 Americans could die of the new coronavirus if he followed through with his plan to start reopening the economy in the coming days .
Trump later claimed the warning figure he was given was 2.2 million , saying : “ If we can hold that number down ... to 100,000 , it 's a horrible number , maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ together have done a very good job.
” At a White House press briefing by the Coronavirus Task Force , the president said that measures such as social distancing were “ the way you win ” , adding that the US “ will be well on our way to recovery ” by June .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ peak ” of death rates in the US was likely to hit in two weeks , he declared : “ Nothing would be worse than declaring victory before victory is won , that would be the greatest loss of all.
” Trump is understood to have changed his mind following a warning from top public health officials , Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx .
Fauci told CNN : “ We showed him the data .
He looked at the data and he got it right away ” , adding that Trump “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ I guess we got to do it ’ ” .
However , the broadcaster adds that it was images from Trump ’ s own borough in New York City that “ seemed to drive home the still-worsening severity of the coronavirus pandemic ” .
The New York Times echoes this , reporting that “ stark predictions grew even more tangible and harrowing when paired with televised images of body bags lined up at a New York City hospital not far from where President Donald Trump grew up in Queens ” .
Elmhurst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apocalyptic illustration of a nation in crisis ” , CNN reports , with one doctors telling NBC News that the pandemic was ravaging a public hospital that was “ already underresourced and underfunded ” .
As of Monday morning , there were more than 36,000 known cases of coronavirus in New York City and 790 deaths .
Queens and Brooklyn remain the hardest hit boroughs , with nearly 12,000 cases and nearly 6,000 cases respectively .
Trump said : “ This is in my community in Queens , New York .
I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before.
” CNN notes that just a month ago Trump “ was predicting a miracle that would just make the virus go away ” , however , even the “ serial spinner of his own political realities accepted science 's dire truth in ditching an Easter target ” .
The ditching of the Easter target marks a second climb-down in 24 hours , after Trump also abandoned his plan to quarantine New York .
The state ’ s Democract governor , Andrew Cuomo , had dismissed the idea as “ preposterous ” and @ @ @ @


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Can Prince William return to his job as air ambulance pilot?

Prince William is reportedly hoping to return to work as a helicopter pilot for the Air Ambulance service in order to do his bit during the UK ’ s coronavirus outbreak .
According to Tatler magazine , the Queen ’ s eldest grandson “ hinted ” at the idea during a visit to an NHS Call Centre in Croydon earlier this month .
And a source told The Sun this week : “ William has been seriously considering returning as an air ambulance pilot to help in the current pandemic .
He knows the whole country is doing its bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Duke of Cambridge - whose father Prince Charles has tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus - flew as a medic for the East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years from 2015 .
However , his possible return to the job could prove “ complicated as he was originally grounded from the job so that he could become a senior working royal ” , said The Sun ’ s source .
“ That role is even more important now given that Charles has been ill , Harry has walked away with Meghan , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life , ” the insider explained .
“ But William is very keen to do anything he can to help.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The 37-year-old royal is currently self-isolating in his Norfolk country retreat Anmer Hall with the Duchess of Cambridge and their three children , Prince George , six , Princess Charlotte , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Anmer Hall was also his base during his original stint as an air ambulance pilot - and another source told Cosmopolitan that being there during the coronavirus outbreak could be convenient if he returns to the job .
“ There are all sorts of practicalities to overcome such as fitting in on shift patterns , ” the source said .
“ But he ’ s in the right place now if he wants to do it.
” When he began the piloting role back in 2015 , William felt it would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job as a search-and-rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force ” , The Guardian reported at the time .
His air ambulance pilot duties saw him clocking up 20 hours a week alongside doctors and paramedics as part of a team providing emergency medical cover across Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire , Norfolk and Suffolk , and also Essex and Hertfordshire at night .
William gave up the job in 2017 to take on more royal duties on behalf of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh .

Prince William is reportedly hoping to return to work as a helicopter pilot for the Air Ambulance service in order to do his bit during the UK’s coronavirus outbreak.
According to Tatler magazine, the Queen’s eldest grandson “hinted” at the idea during a visit to an NHS Call Centre in Croydon earlier this month.
And a source told The Sun this week: “William has been seriously considering returning as an air ambulance pilot to help in the current pandemic. He knows the whole country is doing its bit and he wants to help.”
The Duke of Cambridge - whose father Prince Charles has tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus - flew as a medic for the East Anglian Air Ambulance for two years from 2015.
However, his possible return to the job could prove “complicated as he was originally grounded from the job so that he could become a senior working royal”, said The Sun’s source.
“That role is even more important now given that Charles has been ill, Harry has walked away with Meghan, and Andrew has been effectively barred from public life,” the insider explained. “But William is very keen to do anything he can to help.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The 37-year-old royal is currently self-isolating in his Norfolk country retreat Anmer Hall with the Duchess of Cambridge and their three children, Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one.
Anmer Hall was also his base during his original stint as an air ambulance pilot - and another source told Cosmopolitan that being there during the coronavirus outbreak could be convenient if he returns to the job.
“There are all sorts of practicalities to overcome such as fitting in on shift patterns,” the source said. “But he’s in the right place now if he wants to do it.”
When he began the piloting role back in 2015, William felt it would be a “natural progression from his previous job as a search-and-rescue pilot with the Royal Air Force”, The Guardian reported at the time.
His air ambulance pilot duties saw him clocking up 20 hours a week alongside doctors and paramedics as part of a team providing emergency medical cover across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, and also Essex and Hertfordshire at night.
William gave up the job in 2017 to take on more royal duties on behalf of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Why coronavirus deaths are set to spike in the UK


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Tiger King stars: where are they now?

Tiger King stars: where are they now?

Netflix is captivating viewers worldwide with a true crime documentary series that offers an insight into the bizarre world of big cat breeding .
Tiger King : Murder , Mayhem and Madness tells the strange story of big cat breeder and zookeeper Joseph Maldonado-Passage , better known by his alias Joe Exotic , and his rivalry with conservationist Carole Baskin , who runs the Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary in Florida .
Exotic was arrested and subsequently convicted in 2019 over a plot to have Baskin murdered .
So what is he and the rest of the show ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alert ) ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Exotic , 57 , was convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of murder for hire in 2019 , and is serving a 22-year sentence in prison .
The big cat collector was found to have paid $ 3,000 ( £2,400 ) to a hitman to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as killing tigers to make room for more big cats at his exotic animal park in Oklahoma .
Since the release of the docuseries , Exotic has filed a $ 94m ( £75m ) federal lawsuit against various government agencies , as well as his former business partner , according to People magazine .
In the lawsuit , the former country singer claimed “ $ 73,840,000 is for loss of personal property ; 18 years of research ; and care of 200 generic tigers and cross-breeds for 365 days a year , at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animal ” , says the magazine .
“ The additional $ 15 million is for false arrest , false imprisonment , selective enforcement and the death of his mother , Shirley , ” it adds .
The owner of Big Cat Rescue was not happy with the result of the documentary , posting a 3,000-word blog titled “ Refuting Netflix Tiger King ” on her sanctuary ’ s website .
Baskin claims that the makers of the series “ came to us five years ago [ and ] said they wanted to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the documentary that exposed abusive practices at SeaWorld .
Instead , Baskin writes , the series was produced with “ the sole goal of being as salacious and sensational as possible to draw viewers ” .
The conservationist takes particular issue with the suggestion that she was involved in the disappearance of her ex-husband , self-made millionaire Don Lewis , in 1997 .
CNN reports that Baskin has “ long maintained she had nothing to do with the disappearance ” , writing in her blog that Tiger King “ has a segment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ innuendos from people who are not credible , that I had a role ” .
Baskin still runs Big Cat Rescue , alongside her new husband , Howard Baskin .
He has called the filmmakers “ con artists ” for their presentation of his wife , says the Daily Mail .
Entertainment site Popculture writes that “ Finlay ’ s many visible tattoos , missing teeth and relationship with ex-husband Joe Exotic made him a quintessential part ” of the show .
In later episodes of the documentary , Finlay reveals that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman who also worked for Exotic .
Finlay and wife Stormey Sanders have started a Facebook page titled “ The Truth about John Finlay ” , which has 25,000 followers .
He is currently working as a welder and has had a set of dentures fitted to replace his missing teeth .
According to TMZ , he had the new teeth fitted in 2019 , while the show was being shot , and is “ a little miffed at Netflix and the filmmakers because they never showed it ” .
Finlay was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how he came across in the show .
Antle , who runs The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species ( T.I.G.E.R.S ) became an object of fascination for viewers , partly because of his multiple wives .
“ We are very disappointed that our facility was mentioned in the new Netflix series , ” ABC St Louis reported a now-deleted statement on Antle ’ s verified Instagram account .
“ We can only assume it is because Doc Antle has been such a high profile wildlife personality for so many decades that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lowe , who in the show bought Exotic ’ s zoo after he filed for bankruptcy , later became an informant after learning of the plot to kill Baskin .
According to NBC ’ s Today , Lowe still runs the Greater Wynnewood Zoo and is still married to his wife , Lauren .
He plans to open a new zoo in Oklahoma later this year , according to his Instagram .
Dial , a former Walmart employee , was Exotic ’ s campaign manager when he ran for president in 2016 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not watched the series yet , you must be confused ) .
Dial also witnessed the death of Exotic ’ s 23-year-old husband , Travis Maldonado .
According to witnesses , Maldonado died after he removed the magazine from a pistol to show that it wouldn ’ t fire without it , despite having bullets in the chamber .
The death is detailed in the series .
People reports that Dial currently resides in Oklahoma , but no longer wants to work in politics .
Saffery , who lost part of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tiger cage when trying to close the door , still works at the zoo , according to Variety .
Referring to the incident on Lights Out With David Spade , Saffery said : “ It ’ s not the tiger ’ s fault… you don ’ t have to put it down .
It wasn ’ t put down .
We just moved it off of the park.
” The producer who was shooting Exotic ’ s reality TV web series started out as a crime reporter , according to Variety , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on American news programme , Inside Edition .
Kirkham received a degree in broadcast journalism from University of Central Oklahoma , according to his LinkedIn account , later becoming a crime reporter for NBC and ABC News .
He now works as a freelance reporter in Norway , where he lives with his wife , according to his Facebook page .

Baskin claims that the makers of the series “came to us five years ago [and] said they wanted to make the big cat version of Blackfish”, the documentary that exposed abusive practices at SeaWorld.
The owner of Big Cat Rescue was not happy with the result of the documentary, posting a 3,000-word blog titled “Refuting Netflix Tiger King” on her sanctuary’s website.
“The additional $15 million is for false arrest, false imprisonment, selective enforcement and the death of his mother, Shirley,” it adds.
In the lawsuit, the former country singer claimed “$73,840,000 is for loss of personal property; 18 years of research; and care of 200 generic tigers and cross-breeds for 365 days a year, at a boarding rate of $60/day per animal”, says the magazine.
Since the release of the docuseries, Exotic has filed a $94m (£75m) federal lawsuit against various government agencies, as well as his former business partner, according to People magazine.
The big cat collector was found to have paid $3,000 (£2,400) to a hitman to carry out the killing, as well as killing tigers to make room for more big cats at his exotic animal park in Oklahoma.
Exotic, 57, was convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of murder for hire in 2019, and is serving a 22-year sentence in prison.
Exotic was arrested and subsequently convicted in 2019 over a plot to have Baskin murdered. So what is he and the rest of the show’s colourful cast doing now? (Spoiler alert)
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness tells the strange story of big cat breeder and zookeeper Joseph Maldonado-Passage, better known by his alias Joe Exotic, and his rivalry with conservationist Carole Baskin, who runs the Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary in Florida.
Netflix is captivating viewers worldwide with a true crime documentary series that offers an insight into the bizarre world of big cat breeding.
Instead, Baskin writes, the series was produced with “the sole goal of being as salacious and sensational as possible to draw viewers”.
The conservationist takes particular issue with the suggestion that she was involved in the disappearance of her ex-husband, self-made millionaire Don Lewis, in 1997.
CNN reports that Baskin has “long maintained she had nothing to do with the disappearance”, writing in her blog that Tiger King “has a segment devoted to suggesting, with lies and innuendos from people who are not credible, that I had a role”.
Baskin still runs Big Cat Rescue, alongside her new husband, Howard Baskin. He has called the filmmakers “con artists” for their presentation of his wife, says the Daily Mail.
John Finlay
Entertainment site Popculture writes that “Finlay’s many visible tattoos, missing teeth and relationship with ex-husband Joe Exotic made him a quintessential part” of the show.
In later episodes of the documentary, Finlay reveals that he is straight and was involved with a woman who also worked for Exotic.
Finlay and wife Stormey Sanders have started a Facebook page titled “The Truth about John Finlay”, which has 25,000 followers.
He is currently working as a welder and has had a set of dentures fitted to replace his missing teeth.
According to TMZ, he had the new teeth fitted in 2019, while the show was being shot, and is “a little miffed at Netflix and the filmmakers because they never showed it”.
Bhagavan “Doc” Antle
Finlay was not the only cast member not happy with how he came across in the show. Antle, who runs The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S) became an object of fascination for viewers, partly because of his multiple wives.
“We are very disappointed that our facility was mentioned in the new Netflix series,” ABC St Louis reported a now-deleted statement on Antle’s verified Instagram account.
“We can only assume it is because Doc Antle has been such a high profile wildlife personality for so many decades that his association would create more buzz.”
Jeff Lowe
Lowe, who in the show bought Exotic’s zoo after he filed for bankruptcy, later became an informant after learning of the plot to kill Baskin.
According to NBC’s Today, Lowe still runs the Greater Wynnewood Zoo and is still married to his wife, Lauren.
He plans to open a new zoo in Oklahoma later this year, according to his Instagram.
Joshua Dial
Dial, a former Walmart employee, was Exotic’s campaign manager when he ran for president in 2016 and state governor in 2017 (if you have not watched the series yet, you must be confused).
Dial also witnessed the death of Exotic’s 23-year-old husband, Travis Maldonado.
According to witnesses, Maldonado died after he removed the magazine from a pistol to show that it wouldn’t fire without it, despite having bullets in the chamber. The death is detailed in the series.
People reports that Dial currently resides in Oklahoma, but no longer wants to work in politics.
Kelci “Saff” Saffery
Saffery, who lost part of his arm when he stuck his hand in a tiger cage when trying to close the door, still works at the zoo, according to Variety.
Referring to the incident on Lights Out With David Spade, Saffery said: “It’s not the tiger’s fault… you don’t have to put it down. It wasn’t put down. We just moved it off of the park.”
Rick Kirkham
The producer who was shooting Exotic’s reality TV web series started out as a crime reporter, according to Variety, and began smoking crack cocaine while appearing on American news programme, Inside Edition.
Kirkham received a degree in broadcast journalism from University of Central Oklahoma, according to his LinkedIn account, later becoming a crime reporter for NBC and ABC News.
He now works as a freelance reporter in Norway, where he lives with his wife, according to his Facebook page.


theweekuk--2020-03-31--Instant Opinion: ‘Our new dystopia’

Instant Opinion: ‘Our new dystopia’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
We will soon tire of Big Brother ’ s embrace “ This is our new dystopia .
Just occasionally , it ’ s bleakly comic how much it resembles the old ones .
Doing the YouTube Joe Wicks exercise class last week , it suddenly struck me that we were spending our early mornings much as Winston Smith spent his , doing physical jerks in front of the telescreen in Victory Mansions .
( ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Bend lower , please !
’ ) Our technology , at least , is not watching us back .
Or at least , not yet.
” 2 .
Elisabeth Rosenthal and Emmarie Huetteman in The New York Times on the hidden costs for hospital visits in the US He got tested for coronavirus .
Then came the flood of medical bills “ Even without an E.R .
visit , there are perilous billing risks .
Not all hospitals and labs are capable of performing the test .
And what if my in-network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out-of-network lab ?
Before the pandemic , the Kaiser Health News-NPR Bill of the Month Project produced a feature about Alexa Kasdan , a New Yorker with a head cold , whose throat swab was sent to an out-of-network lab that billed more than $ 28,000 for testing.
” 3 .
David Adler and Jerome Roos in The Guardian on the European opposition to a ‘ coronabond ’ Without solidarity between members , the eurozone wo n't survive coronavirus “ Solidarity is not charity .
It is the recognition that the struggle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a pandemic like Covid-19 , that logic is global .
But it becomes all the more urgent in the context of a currency union as thoroughly integrated as the eurozone .
If the frugal four continue to obstruct a common fiscal response to this crisis , the remaining eurozone countries will be right to ask if they are not better off going their own way.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad , try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But let ’ s not politicise expertise “ Only experts are allowed to speak at the moment , apparently .
The rest of us - us lowly , non-expert plebs - must simply sit at home and await our instructions from on high .
Those daily coronavirus news briefings feel , at times , like sermons from the mount .
It is there , often from the mouths of people none of us ever voted for , that we discover how we must conduct our everyday lives and how long we will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are hardly staging a coup : they ’ re being invited to that podium by politicians .
When asked , they admit doubt : the figures could be way out , they say .
But if the figures are open to question the policies , apparently , are not .
And that ’ s the danger.
” 5 .
Harry Lambert in the New Statesman “ A pandemic as lethal as coronavirus has , for the past 13 years , been deemed a ‘ level 5 ’ threat .
The only other level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nuclear attack , but this was deemed to have a less than one-in-200 chance of happening in the next five years .
The risk of a pandemic in that time was deemed to be between one-in-20 and one-in-two ...
The coronavirus closely resembles the threat anticipated in government planning documents , of a highly infectious respiratory disease that critically hospitalises between one and four per cent of those it infects .
And yet the government appears to have been unprepared .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Hugo Rifkind in The Times
on sacrificing liberties
We will soon tire of Big Brother’s embrace
“This is our new dystopia. Just occasionally, it’s bleakly comic how much it resembles the old ones. Doing the YouTube Joe Wicks exercise class last week, it suddenly struck me that we were spending our early mornings much as Winston Smith spent his, doing physical jerks in front of the telescreen in Victory Mansions. (‘6079 Rifkind H.! Yes, YOU! Bend lower, please!’) Our technology, at least, is not watching us back. Or at least, not yet.”
2. Elisabeth Rosenthal and Emmarie Huetteman in The New York Times
on the hidden costs for hospital visits in the US
He got tested for coronavirus. Then came the flood of medical bills
“Even without an E.R. visit, there are perilous billing risks. Not all hospitals and labs are capable of performing the test. And what if my in-network doctor sends my coronavirus test to an out-of-network lab? Before the pandemic, the Kaiser Health News-NPR Bill of the Month Project produced a feature about Alexa Kasdan, a New Yorker with a head cold, whose throat swab was sent to an out-of-network lab that billed more than $28,000 for testing.”
3. David Adler and Jerome Roos in The Guardian
on the European opposition to a ‘coronabond’
Without solidarity between members, the eurozone won't survive coronavirus
“Solidarity is not charity. It is the recognition that the struggle of one is the struggle of all. In a pandemic like Covid-19, that logic is global. But it becomes all the more urgent in the context of a currency union as thoroughly integrated as the eurozone. If the frugal four continue to obstruct a common fiscal response to this crisis, the remaining eurozone countries will be right to ask if they are not better off going their own way.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad, try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4. Brendan O’Neill in The Spectator
on questioning the experts
Yes, we need experts. But let’s not politicise expertise
“Only experts are allowed to speak at the moment, apparently. The rest of us - us lowly, non-expert plebs - must simply sit at home and await our instructions from on high. Those daily coronavirus news briefings feel, at times, like sermons from the mount. It is there, often from the mouths of people none of us ever voted for, that we discover how we must conduct our everyday lives and how long we will remain under house arrest. The experts are hardly staging a coup: they’re being invited to that podium by politicians. When asked, they admit doubt: the figures could be way out, they say. But if the figures are open to question the policies, apparently, are not. And that’s the danger.”
5. Harry Lambert in the New Statesman
on a lack of preparation
Why weren’t we ready?
“A pandemic as lethal as coronavirus has, for the past 13 years, been deemed a ‘level 5’ threat. The only other level 5 threat has been large-scale biological or nuclear attack, but this was deemed to have a less than one-in-200 chance of happening in the next five years. The risk of a pandemic in that time was deemed to be between one-in-20 and one-in-two... The coronavirus closely resembles the threat anticipated in government planning documents, of a highly infectious respiratory disease that critically hospitalises between one and four per cent of those it infects. And yet the government appears to have been unprepared.”


theweekuk--2020-03-31--How coronavirus is boosting global authoritarianism

Hungary ’ s prime minister Viktor Orban has won a parliamentary vote allowing his government to rule by decree indefinitely in what critics claim is a further step towards a dictatorship .
Ministers voted by 137 to 53 on Monday to pass a bill that extends a national state of emergency declared in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Orban ’ s sweeping new powers include a permanent provision for anyone deemed to be spreading “ fake news ” to be imprisoned for up to five years , while those found to be breaching coronavirus lockdown measures face up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader of the opposition Jobbik party , Peter Jakab , said that the law placed the whole of Hungarian democracy in quarantine , ” reports the BBC .
But Orban , a controversial figure championed by the far-right , is far from the only world leader to take advantage of the global health crisis and consolidate power into the hands of the few .
As The Times says : “ Leaders in even proudly liberal western democracies have amassed powers that could scarcely have been imagined a few weeks ago.
” What has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter of weeks , up to a third of the world has been placed under lockdown measures .
As Foreign Policy reports : “ Soldiers manoeuvre military vehicles through city centres , police cars broadcast calls for citizens to disperse from public spaces , public announcements are made via drones – and all of it has become normal.
” But not all government measures have been implemented purely for the benefit of the public .
The Guardian reports that Azerbaijan ’ s president , Ilham Aliyev , has “ stepped up the harassment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s beleaguered PM Benjamin Netanyahu used an “ emergency decree to delay the start of his trial on corruption charges , marginalised parliament and moved to enact unprecedented surveillance measures ” .
Furthermore , US President Donald Trump has begun to consider himself a “ wartime president ” , the paper adds .
The Times notes that journalists have been expelled or imprisoned for writing about the coronavirus outbreak in countries such as Egypt and Turkey .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Foreign Policy says that the “ soaring death rate and rapid spread of the disease ” suggest that this “ dramatic response is the correct approach ” .
And as the Times adds , polls suggest that , for the time being , we “ nearly all support their authoritarianism ” .
“ In this strange and febrile period , it is far from straightforward to pin down what truly counts as ‘ proportionate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an abuse of power , ” says the newspaper .
But The Independent reports that some observers are less accepting of this new wave of power consolidation .
“ On Monday , a group of United Nations-affiliated experts issued a stark warning that emergency measures over coronavirus should not be used by governments for political ends .
“ While we recognise the severity of the current health crisis and acknowledge that the use of emergency powers is allowed by international law in response to significant threats , we urgently remind states that any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportionate , necessary and non-discriminatory , ” the experts said .
“ Emergency declarations based on the Covid-19 outbreak should not be used as a basis to target particular groups , minorities , or individuals .
“ It should not function as a cover for repressive action under the guise of protecting health nor should it be used to silence the work of human rights defenders.
” What does it all mean ?
The Independent paints a grim picture of the future if coronavirus-fuelled authoritarianism is allowed to continue once the pandemic comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States , a White House staffed by xenophobes is using the coronavirus to strengthen border controls it has long wanted to embrace , ” the paper says .
“ In Israel and Singapore , governments are invoking the crisis over Covid-19 to track movements of people on cell phones .
“ In Iran , a government obsessed with control has used the epidemic to deploy security forces around the country to clear the streets.
” But Barry Eichengreen in The Guardian is more optimistic .
“ Authoritarian leaders don ’ t like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suppress , sometimes at cost to themselves .
“ One hears about rumblings of a backlash against [ Chinese president ] Xi [ Jinping ] and his minions for having clamped down on news of the virus , thereby putting China at risk .
Trump may similarly end up paying a price for having suppressed warnings from his own Department of Health and Human Services .
If ever there was a circumstance suited to rehabilitate experts and encourage respect for politicians who defer to them , this is it .
”


theweekuk--2020-03-30--Nikon Z50: an affordable, professional-quality camera

Until recently , if you wanted to buy a serious camera , you ’ d get a Nikon or a Canon , brands that dominated the market with a wide range of options for every budget .
Competition from Fuji and Sony , however , as well as the fact that many people are now abandoning dedicated cameras in favour of smartphones , has forced Nikon to revamp its lineup .
The result is its Z range of mirrorless cameras .
The first two models , the Z6 and Z7 , both released in 2018 , were aimed at professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priced to appeal to more casual users .
The Z50 has many advantages over the previous generation of models ( known as DSLRs ) .
The biggest is that you can now shoot silently , which is useful if you ’ re in an environment where you ’ re not allowed to make a noise .
Another is the autofocus system , which is much improved and can track moving objects and even automatically focus on the eyes of your subjects .
Video quality has also been improved and there are special settings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a professional-quality format that can be further tweaked .
Nikon cameras are well known for producing quality photographs , even in low-light conditions , and the Z50 is no exception .
I tested it in three different settings : the Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival , a Blackheath rugby match , and a comedy night .
In each case I was impressed with the quality of the images produced .
Even when I had to increase the ISO ( light sensitivity ) to compensate for the outside conditions , it still produced nice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nikon ’ s decision to use a new lens mount , rather than stick with the one that it used for its DSLRs .
At the moment there are only a handful of lenses that will work directly with the new system , though it will hopefully release more in the near future .
If you want to take advantage of the vast range of older Nikon lenses , which can be bought cheaply second hand , you ’ ll have to use a special FTZ adaptor .
This isn ’ t that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well , but it ’ s a bit fiddly to use and makes the whole system somewhat heavier .
If you are looking to buy an up-to-date camera that will enable you to take professional-quality photographs without spending too much money , then I ’ d definitely recommend the Z50 .
If there were more lenses in the range , and the video time limit were longer , then in the Z50 , Nikon would have an unbeatable camera .
Price : body only , £849 ; with FTZ adaptor , £989 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – nikon.co.uk This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

Until recently, if you wanted to buy a serious camera, you’d get a Nikon or a Canon, brands that dominated the market with a wide range of options for every budget. Competition from Fuji and Sony, however, as well as the fact that many people are now abandoning dedicated cameras in favour of smartphones, has forced Nikon to revamp its lineup.
The result is its Z range of mirrorless cameras. The first two models, the Z6 and Z7, both released in 2018, were aimed at professionals; this Z50 is a budget version priced to appeal to more casual users.
The Z50 has many advantages over the previous generation of models (known as DSLRs). The biggest is that you can now shoot silently, which is useful if you’re in an environment where you’re not allowed to make a noise.
Another is the autofocus system, which is much improved and can track moving objects and even automatically focus on the eyes of your subjects. Video quality has also been improved and there are special settings that allow you to make videos in a professional-quality format that can be further tweaked.
Nice pictures in all conditions
Nikon cameras are well known for producing quality photographs, even in low-light conditions, and the Z50 is no exception. I tested it in three different settings: the Canary Wharf Winter Lights festival, a Blackheath rugby match, and a comedy night. In each case I was impressed with the quality of the images produced. Even when I had to increase the ISO (light sensitivity) to compensate for the outside conditions, it still produced nice pictures.
The only major negative is Nikon’s decision to use a new lens mount, rather than stick with the one that it used for its DSLRs. At the moment there are only a handful of lenses that will work directly with the new system, though it will hopefully release more in the near future.
If you want to take advantage of the vast range of older Nikon lenses, which can be bought cheaply second hand, you’ll have to use a special FTZ adaptor. This isn’t that expensive and the adapted lenses work reasonably well, but it’s a bit fiddly to use and makes the whole system somewhat heavier.
If you are looking to buy an up-to-date camera that will enable you to take professional-quality photographs without spending too much money, then I’d definitely recommend the Z50. If there were more lenses in the range, and the video time limit were longer, then in the Z50, Nikon would have an unbeatable camera.
Price: body only, £849; with FTZ adaptor, £989, with 16-50 and 50-250 lenses, £1,199 – nikon.co.uk
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Not an April Fools’ joke... Cristiano Ronaldo is linked with a sensational return to Man Utd

It ’ s 11 years since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United but every so often - each transfer window - it ’ s rumoured that the Portuguese superstar may return to Old Trafford .
Despite it being April Fools ’ Day today , the rumour appears to have some legs with reports in Italy yesterday suggesting that the 35-year-old may leave Serie A champions Juventus at the end of the season .
Italian clubs are facing a financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic and according to Spanish newspaper Marca Ronaldo may have to leave Turin “ sooner than he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ goals in six years at Old Trafford Man Utd fans would welcome the return of a hero .
ESPN says Ronaldo is “ still idolised for his achievements ” and the Manchester Evening News adds that United have been alerted and could be tempted to make a move in the summer if he became available .
French champions Paris Saint-Germain could also rival United for his signature and are one European club who would have the money to sign a superstar .
However , for that to happen Marca says PSG may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Alan Shearer is taking charge of the Match of `` their '' day running order with three classic matches from the # MOTD archives .
But which matches will he pick ?
BBC One ’ s flagship football programme Match of the Day will return this weekend with highlights of classic Premier League games .
The show will have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - with pundits picking out three memorable encounters .
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer will select his three classics on Saturday night at 11pm .
In what seems like another April Fools ’ story Everton are being linked with Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey .
However , 90min ’ s exclusive was published yesterday and the website reports that the Toffees are looking to establish themselves as one of the Premier League ’ s elite by landing the Welsh duo .
With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next step towards finally achieving their long-term goals .
It ’ s believed that the Merseyside club need six or seven top-class players and a source has told 90min that officials have “ discussed trying to lure both Bale and Ramsey to Goodison Park ” .
Spurs chairman Levy wages war and Man Utd keep tabs on De Ligt ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Ronaldo to Man Utd or PSG?
It’s 11 years since Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United but every so often - each transfer window - it’s rumoured that the Portuguese superstar may return to Old Trafford.
Despite it being April Fools’ Day today, the rumour appears to have some legs with reports in Italy yesterday suggesting that the 35-year-old may leave Serie A champions Juventus at the end of the season.
Italian clubs are facing a financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic and according to Spanish newspaper Marca Ronaldo may have to leave Turin “sooner than he intended”.
After he scored 84 goals in six years at Old Trafford Man Utd fans would welcome the return of a hero.
ESPN says Ronaldo is “still idolised for his achievements” and the Manchester Evening News adds that United have been alerted and could be tempted to make a move in the summer if he became available.
French champions Paris Saint-Germain could also rival United for his signature and are one European club who would have the money to sign a superstar.
However, for that to happen Marca says PSG may have to lose Neymar or Kylian Mbappe first.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Alan Shearer is taking charge of the Match of "their" day running order with three classic matches from the #MOTD archives. But which matches will he pick? 👉 https://t.co/8gAlQXKvxT #bbcfootball #motd pic.twitter.com/jP9u0cMIqP — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) April 1, 2020
Match of ‘their’ day
BBC One’s flagship football programme Match of the Day will return this weekend with highlights of classic Premier League games.
The show will have a new name - Match of Their Day - with pundits picking out three memorable encounters. Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer will select his three classics on Saturday night at 11pm.
Everton eye Bale and Ramsey
In what seems like another April Fools’ story Everton are being linked with Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale and Juventus midfielder Aaron Ramsey.
However, 90min’s exclusive was published yesterday and the website reports that the Toffees are looking to establish themselves as one of the Premier League’s elite by landing the Welsh duo.
With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm at Goodison, Everton want to take the next step towards finally achieving their long-term goals.
It’s believed that the Merseyside club need six or seven top-class players and a source has told 90min that officials have “discussed trying to lure both Bale and Ramsey to Goodison Park”.
Today’s back pages
Spurs chairman Levy wages war and Man Utd keep tabs on De Ligt
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Coronavirus in the Middle East: ‘a perfect storm is gathering’

Middle East analysts are warning that the region could be devastated by the arrival of coronavirus.
The lives of more than 20 million vulnerable refugees and displaced people are in danger, and little is being done to address the problem.
Refugees at risk
People in the region are in “mortal peril”, says the Financial Times. “Millions of vulnerable refugees, packed into a chain of failing states with wrecked health systems and racked by proxy and sectarian conflicts, have the potential to combine and combust.”
In Syrian refugee camps, patients are dying from what appears to be coronavirus, but doctors cannot treat people because they don’t have the beds, protective gear or respiratory equipment.
“The one thing that everyone is stressing in combating the coronavirus is to create social distance but that is precisely what is impossible for refugees,” said Deepmala Mahla, the regional director for Asia for CARE, the humanitarian aid agency. “Where do you go to create space? There is no space,” The New York Times reports.
The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) has suspended some of its work in Libya, resulting in hundreds of refugees being forced out of UN-run centres.
“We are afraid about this disease, we are confined in our home,” an Eritrean man in Tripoli told The Guardian. “If the disease [comes to] Libya it will be very dangerous, especially for the refugees, because we live densely in one place.”
Refugees International, a humanitarian organisation that advocates for better support for refugees, has produced a report addressing the threat of coronavirus to displaced people.
Its vice-president for programmes and policy, Hardin Lang, said that “in this time of global pandemic, we must not lose sight of the world’s most vulnerable populations”, says the BBC.
“If we think this is a big issue in the US and Europe, we haven’t seen anything yet if Covid gets into the refugee population,” said Adam Coutts, a public health researcher at Cambridge University. “People can’t even wash their kids, let alone wash their hands.”
Limited healthcare systems
As far as the Middle East is concerned, “all bets are off”, says Jon Alterman, director of the Middle East Programme at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, in the Financial Times.


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Sadiq Khan asks London’s football clubs to assist the NHS in fight against Covid-19


theweekuk--2020-04-01--The UK coronavirus death toll in context


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Houseparty and Zoom: how safe are the video calling apps?

Boris Johnson is one of millions of people using video calling tools to stay connected with colleagues , family and friends during the coronavirus lockdown .
The prime minister has even tweeted a picture of himself chairing a cabinet meeting over video conferencing app Zoom .
Meanwhile , invites to rival app Houseparty have “ become the social call to action of an international society living through isolation ” , says The Drum .
But some are questioning the safety of these tools .
Johnson ’ s tweet last week about using Zoom has fuelled concern about whether the platform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government meetings .
This morning , I chaired the first ever video conference Cabinet meeting .
We must all do our bit to stop the spread of coronavirus , protect our NHS and save lives .
# StayHomeSaveLives https : //t.co/Eew4i0Wr5q pic.twitter.com/LkWYYnMXnq Reports subsequently emerged that the Ministry of Defence ( MoD ) had banned the use of the app for meetings , a claim that the department denied .
However , the MoD told the BBC that Zoom had never been used for high-security meetings , and was only employed for cross-government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clarified the government ’ s position , saying : “ In the current unprecedented circumstances , the need for effective channels of communication is vital .
National Cyber Security Centre guidance shows there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for conversations below a certain classification.
” Zoom has also issued a statement insisting that the platform is completely secure .
“ Zoom takes user security extremely seriously , ” the California-based company said .
“ Globally , 2,000 institutions ranging from the world ’ s largest financial services companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , universities , healthcare and telemedicine practices have done exhaustive security reviews of our user , network and data centre layers , confidently selecting Zoom for complete deployment .
“ We are in close communication with the UK Ministry of Defence and National Cyber Security Centre and are focused on providing the documentation they need.
” However , the online service has been hit by security flaws in the past .
Vulnerabilities “ allowed an attacker to remove attendees from meetings , spoof messages from users and hijack shared screens .
Another saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge , ” reports the BBC .
Although those issues were fixed , some experts think Zoom still doesn ’ t take security seriously enough .
“ Zoom has had a chequered history , security-wise , with a number of instances where one has had to question whether it really gets it when it comes to users ’ privacy and security , ” said cyberconsultant Graham Cluley .
“ Zoom and other video messaging apps provide a valuable service right now but folks should be careful in their choices as they rush to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a computer scientist at Surrey University , believes the UK government should be wary of using Zoom for more sensitive topics .
“ In some ways , for a public broadcast it doesn ’ t matter if anyone can listen in as was the case for the No .
10 briefing .
However , where I have taken part in government briefings where it is for the participants ’ ears only , we have used Microsoft Teams , ” said Woodward .
Houseparty is another video calling platform that is enjoying a surge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place in countries worldwide .
Downloads of the app - owned by the developers behind hit video game Fortnite - rose from an average of 130,000 a week in mid-February to two million a week in the middle of March , according to Apptopia .
Offering in-app games and the ability to drop in and out of people ’ s unlocked video calls without permission , Houseparty represents the less formal end of the video calling market .
The platform allows users to enjoy virtual house parties by sending push notifications when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let others know so a ‘ room ’ can be organised for friends to join ” , explains The Telegraph .
“ Rooms can be locked to limit conversations to people who know each other , or can be left open for strangers to join.
” But this option for any friends of users to join the “ party ” has led to warnings of unwanted gatecrashers .
Houseparty has also been hit by rumours that downloading the app can allow the user ’ s other accounts , such as Netflix and Spotify @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s owner , Epic Games , insists there is “ no evidence ” to back up the allegations , and has offered a $ 1m ( £810,000 ) reward for evidence that the company is the victim of a commercial smear campaign .
“ We ’ ve found no evidence to suggest a link between Houseparty and the compromises of other unrelated accounts , ” a spokesperson said .
“ As a general rule , we suggest all users choose strong passwords when creating online accounts on any platform .
”

Boris Johnson is one of millions of people using video calling tools to stay connected with colleagues, family and friends during the coronavirus lockdown.
The prime minister has even tweeted a picture of himself chairing a cabinet meeting over video conferencing app Zoom.
Meanwhile, invites to rival app Houseparty have “become the social call to action of an international society living through isolation”, says The Drum. But some are questioning the safety of these tools.
Is Zoom safe?
Johnson’s tweet last week about using Zoom has fuelled concern about whether the platform provides a secure space for hosting sensitive government meetings.
This morning, I chaired the first ever video conference Cabinet meeting. We must all do our bit to stop the spread of coronavirus, protect our NHS and save lives. #StayHomeSaveLives https://t.co/Eew4i0Wr5q pic.twitter.com/LkWYYnMXnq — Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) March 24, 2020
Reports subsequently emerged that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had banned the use of the app for meetings, a claim that the department denied.
However, the MoD told the BBC that Zoom had never been used for high-security meetings, and was only employed for cross-government chats.
A Cabinet Office spokesperson later clarified the government’s position, saying: “In the current unprecedented circumstances, the need for effective channels of communication is vital. National Cyber Security Centre guidance shows there is no security reason for Zoom not to be used for conversations below a certain classification.”
Zoom has also issued a statement insisting that the platform is completely secure.
“Zoom takes user security extremely seriously,” the California-based company said. “Globally, 2,000 institutions ranging from the world’s largest financial services companies to leading telecommunications providers, government agencies, universities, healthcare and telemedicine practices have done exhaustive security reviews of our user, network and data centre layers, confidently selecting Zoom for complete deployment.
“We are in close communication with the UK Ministry of Defence and National Cyber Security Centre and are focused on providing the documentation they need.”
However, the online service has been hit by security flaws in the past.
Vulnerabilities “allowed an attacker to remove attendees from meetings, spoof messages from users and hijack shared screens. Another saw Mac users forced into calls without their knowledge,” reports the BBC.
Although those issues were fixed, some experts think Zoom still doesn’t take security seriously enough.
“Zoom has had a chequered history, security-wise, with a number of instances where one has had to question whether it really gets it when it comes to users’ privacy and security,” said cyberconsultant Graham Cluley.


theweekuk--2020-04-01--Uefa conference call: what’s on the agenda for European football?

Uefa will host a video conference call today with Europe’s 55 national football associations in a bid to bring clarity to a chaotic situation.
Since sport went into shutdown at the start of last month, football has been in limbo with clubs, broadcasters and supporters uncertain of what the future holds.
According to The Guardian, Uefa is eyeing a resumption date of early June having concluded that the initial plan to start playing again in May is unrealistic given that coronavirus is continuing to spread across the continent.
The Times says a second idea that will be examined during today’s conference is to resume this season’s matches in August with next season (2020-21) “delayed and shortened”.
The situation is further complicated by the impact of the virus on different countries.
In Germany - where there have been far fewer deaths than in Italy - the Bundesliga is drafting a plan to recommence matches behind closed doors with players and coaches being tested for the virus.
Serie A, on the other hand, is unlikely to resume for several months given the gravity of the situation in Italy.
Uefa will also discuss the Champions League and Europa League during the conference call, which will be chaired by president Aleksander Ceferin.
Sky Sports reports that it’s Uefa ambition to finish the competitions, even if it involves “reducing quarter-final and semi-final ties to one game over a neutral venue”.
Other topics on the agenda include the summer transfer window and rearranged dates for the Women’s 2021 European Championship and Men’s 2021 Under-21 European Championship.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Doing their bit
As well as the Uefa conference, today will also see a resumption of talks between the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and Premier League clubs about possible salary reductions.
Yesterday Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy announced that the club’s non-playing staff have taken a wage cut, and he warned that the enormity of the situation in the sport must “result in players and coaches doing their bit for the football ecosystem”.
Avaricious agents?
While many players in Italy, Spain and Germany have accepted wage freezes or reductions to help their clubs, there is allegedly reluctance within the Premier League to do likewise.
The Times says that “some clubs have expressed concerns that agents will try to stop players accepting a pay cut”.
Pressed on the issue by the paper, the PFA’s chief executive Gordon Taylor explained that they were seeking a uniform response to the crisis.
“We want to hold things together and have a joint approach rather than have an ad hoc approach where each club does their own thing,” he said.
A decision about Premier League wage cuts is expected by the end of the week but the chief executive of one top-flight club, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Times: “We are facing a situation where we are likely to lose gate money by playing behind closed doors, our income has gone off a cliff edge and costs remain the same. Something has got to give.”
Today’s back pages
Spurs chairman Levy wages war and Man Utd keep tabs on De Ligt
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theweekuk--2020-04-01--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 1 Apr 2020

Changes in rules and services that disproportionately affect women and their bodies have been among the unforeseen consequences of the @ @ @ @ @ two sexes , men are proving more susceptible to Covid-19 , with higher mortality rates @ @ @ @ @ but some of the indirect effects for women are also significant and potentially life threatening @

NHS chief hails ‘green shoots’ in battle to contain outbreak
NHS England Medical Director Stephen Powis yesterday welcomed “green shoots” signs that the rate at which people in the UK are becoming infected with Covid-19 is starting to slow, as the government reported that the number of new cases seems to be holding steady at around 2,500 a day. However, the World Health Organization has been critical of the number of tests being carried out in the UK.