theweekuk--2020-10-22--Would handing No. 10’s powers to local leaders have improved the UK’s Covid response?

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic , England ’ s regional mayors rarely made headlines outside of their local newspapers .
But as The Guardian ’ s Simon Jenkins writes , “ suddenly mayors matter ” , as northern leaders clash with Downing Street over local lockdown measures and financial support for struggling businesses .
While many other countries have handed more power to regional officials , Boris Johnson ’ s government has been “ doing its best to ignore local expertise on Covid ” , says Jenkins .
But could stripping No .
10 of some of its decision-making powers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to respond quickly after the virus hit British shores ?
As British Foreign Policy Group director Sophia Gaston tweets , “ many of the nations that have performed ‘ best ’ in the pandemic have strong regional governance frameworks ” , while the UK is very much “ in the infancy of its devolution story ” .
Devolution in England kicked up a notch under George Osborne , who in 2015 invited big cities to join Manchester in bidding for more devolved powers , on the precondition that they agreed to be governed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then-chancellor also announced plans to deliver Greater Manchester ’ s first mayor through the Cities Devolution Bill , which granted the local authority influence over transport , housing , planning , policing and public health .
But further devolution efforts stalled when Osborne returned to the backbenches in 2016 following Theresa May ’ s appointment as prime minister .
And as Gaston notes , “ efforts to pivot mid-crisis from a national to regional approach [ to the pandemic ] highlight how far we have to go ” .
The New Statesman ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ British devolution isn ’ t built for a crisis like Covid-19 ” .
Pointing to the different measures being imposed across the four nations of the UK , Bush writes that “ it ’ s hard to see how… devolved governments can successfully pursue lockdown strategies when they don ’ t control the necessary financial levers to make them survivable or bearable ” .
In the UK , these levers are still controlled by Westminster , prompting rows such as that between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and No .
10 this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial impact of tougher coronavirus restrictions in the region .
The problem facing the UK in its pandemic response is that devolution is currently “ not designed for a novel pandemic such as Covid-19 ” , where “ your ability to fund financial support packages during lockdown is inextricably linked to your ability to deliver lockdown restrictions ” dictated by Downing Street , Bush says .
Given this lack of control over funding to support their cities , some regional mayors have concluded that Tier 2 measures - in which Covid-safe businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , mayors including Liverpool ’ s Steve Rotheram have asked for Tier 3 measures with the maximum financial support for shuttered businesses .
The general consensus among experts is that Germany stands head and shoulders above other European nations in its Covid planning .
Latest figures show that the country has reported 397,922 coronavirus cases , but just 9,911 related deaths .
“ Germany has gone from cursing its lead-footed , decentralised political system to wondering if federalism ’ s tortoise versus hare logic puts it in a better position to brave the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Berlin bureau chief Philip Oltermann wrote in April , as governments worldwide struggled to tackle the growing health crisis .
German federalism gives its 16 states - lander in German - power over policy areas such as health , education and cultural affairs .
And while this approach can make it difficult to move the country as one , it may also explain why Germany has achieved comparatively high Covid testing rates .
Public health is not dominated “ by one central authority but by approximately 400 public health offices , run by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oltermann explains .
This allowed for the quick launch of hundreds of autonomous testing labs , many of which existed before health insurers were offering tests .
That said , the federal system is not perfect .
As Deutsche Welle reports , efforts to introduce face masks in German secondary schools were hampered by “ Germany 's two most populous and influential states… moving in opposite directions ” on the issue .
But nowhere has the federal system been put under more strain than in the US , where “ two nations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ashish Jha on Foreign Affairs .
States that “ embrace science and the advice of health experts ” are containing outbreaks , “ while infection rates have spiralled out of control in those that do not ” .
Jha suggests that the pandemic has shown up “ the weaknesses of the US federal system in the midst of the deadliest disease outbreak in a century ” .
While America ’ s response to the pandemic does little to support the argument that localised governments were better equipped to deal with the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little to bolster the defence of central power .
As Jessie Lau wrote in the New Statesman in late-January , China ’ s system of concentrating power at the top meant “ local officials [ were ] not incentivised to take decisive action ” in the early weeks of the pandemic .
The first case in Wuhan , the epicentre of the outbreak , was identified on 8 December , but officials waited more than a month to introduce screening measures .
Dr Jie Yu , a senior research at think tank Chatham @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” China ’ s immediate response , which “ sheds light on the way the Chinese bureaucracy approaches crises ” .
“ For decades , local governments have made things happen in China , ” Yu wrote in February .
“ But with tighter regulation of lower-level bureaucrats , civil servants across the system now seem less ready , and able , to provide their input , making ineffective and even mistaken policy more likely.
” While clearly less centralised than the Communist Party of China ’ s governance , a similar criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Centralised policy-making , diktats from the centre , and refusals over recent months by the Johnson government to devolve authority to local leaders ” has fuelled anger across the country , says The Guardian .
That anger would probably be less fierce had the government response given more cause for confidence .

In the UK, these levers are still controlled by Westminster, prompting rows such as that between Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and No. 10 this week over a cash injection to offset the financial impact of tougher coronavirus restrictions in the region.
The New Statesman ’s political editor Stephen Bush says that “British devolution isn’t built for a crisis like Covid-19”. Pointing to the different measures being imposed across the four nations of the UK, Bush writes that “it’s hard to see how… devolved governments can successfully pursue lockdown strategies when they don’t control the necessary financial levers to make them survivable or bearable”.
But further devolution efforts stalled when Osborne returned to the backbenches in 2016 following Theresa May’s appointment as prime minister. And as Gaston notes, “efforts to pivot mid-crisis from a national to regional approach [to the pandemic] highlight how far we have to go”.
The then-chancellor also announced plans to deliver Greater Manchester’s first mayor through the Cities Devolution Bill, which granted the local authority influence over transport, housing, planning, policing and public health.
Devolution in England kicked up a notch under George Osborne, who in 2015 invited big cities to join Manchester in bidding for more devolved powers, on the precondition that they agreed to be governed by a directly elected mayor.
As British Foreign Policy Group director Sophia Gaston tweets , “many of the nations that have performed ‘best’ in the pandemic have strong regional governance frameworks”, while the UK is very much “in the infancy of its devolution story”.
But could stripping No. 10 of some of its decision-making powers have boosted the UK’s ability to respond quickly after the virus hit British shores?
While many other countries have handed more power to regional officials, Boris Johnson’s government has been “doing its best to ignore local expertise on Covid”, says Jenkins.
But as The Guardian ’s Simon Jenkins writes, “suddenly mayors matter”, as northern leaders clash with Downing Street over local lockdown measures and financial support for struggling businesses.
The problem facing the UK in its pandemic response is that devolution is currently “not designed for a novel pandemic such as Covid-19”, where “your ability to fund financial support packages during lockdown is inextricably linked to your ability to deliver lockdown restrictions” dictated by Downing Street, Bush says.
Given this lack of control over funding to support their cities, some regional mayors have concluded that Tier 2 measures - in which Covid-safe businesses remain open - are unsustainable. Instead, mayors including Liverpool’s Steve Rotheram have asked for Tier 3 measures with the maximum financial support for shuttered businesses.
Federal gains
The general consensus among experts is that Germany stands head and shoulders above other European nations in its Covid planning. Latest figures show that the country has reported 397,922 coronavirus cases, but just 9,911 related deaths.
“Germany has gone from cursing its lead-footed, decentralised political system to wondering if federalism’s tortoise versus hare logic puts it in a better position to brave the pandemic”, The Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief Philip Oltermann wrote in April, as governments worldwide struggled to tackle the growing health crisis.
German federalism gives its 16 states - lander in German - power over policy areas such as health, education and cultural affairs. And while this approach can make it difficult to move the country as one, it may also explain why Germany has achieved comparatively high Covid testing rates.
Public health is not dominated “by one central authority but by approximately 400 public health offices, run by municipality and rural district administrations”, Oltermann explains. This allowed for the quick launch of hundreds of autonomous testing labs, many of which existed before health insurers were offering tests.
That said, the federal system is not perfect. As Deutsche Welle reports, efforts to introduce face masks in German secondary schools were hampered by “Germany's two most populous and influential states… moving in opposite directions” on the issue.
But nowhere has the federal system been put under more strain than in the US, where “two nations are responding to one virus”, says Ashish Jha on Foreign Affairs. States that “embrace science and the advice of health experts” are containing outbreaks, “while infection rates have spiralled out of control in those that do not”.
Jha suggests that the pandemic has shown up “the weaknesses of the US federal system in the midst of the deadliest disease outbreak in a century”.
Centre cannot hold
While America’s response to the pandemic does little to support the argument that localised governments were better equipped to deal with the pandemic, China’s slow early response does little to bolster the defence of central power.
As Jessie Lau wrote in the New Statesman in late-January, China’s system of concentrating power at the top meant “local officials [were] not incentivised to take decisive action” in the early weeks of the pandemic. The first case in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, was identified on 8 December, but officials waited more than a month to introduce screening measures.
Dr Jie Yu, a senior research at think tank Chatham House, argues that centralisation “hobbled” China’s immediate response, which “sheds light on the way the Chinese bureaucracy approaches crises”.
“For decades, local governments have made things happen in China,” Yu wrote in February. “But with tighter regulation of lower-level bureaucrats, civil servants across the system now seem less ready, and able, to provide their input, making ineffective and even mistaken policy more likely.”
While clearly less centralised than the Communist Party of China’s governance, a similar criticism is now being levelled at Downing Street.
“Centralised policy-making, diktats from the centre, and refusals over recent months by the Johnson government to devolve authority to local leaders” has fuelled anger across the country, says The Guardian. That anger would probably be less fierce had the government response given more cause for confidence.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Fish, chips and bubbles: pairing champagne with classic takeaway food

It ’ s Champagne Day today so why not pop the cork on a bottle and enjoy a glass of bubbly with your evening meal .
Champagne can be paired with all sorts of cuisines , but did you know that it ’ s an ideal accompaniment for classic takeaway food ?
You can pair champagne with burgers , pizza and even fish and chips .
Francoise Peretti , director of the UK ’ s Champagne Bureau , shares some top tips on how to elevate your takeaways with the perfect style of champagne .
Pair this British classic takeaway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blancs champagne , a 100 % chardonnay style with citrus notes will match seafood and cut right through that naughty batter , making the whole meal feel much lighter .
Whether you ’ re craving Honest Burger or Five Guys , for meaty meals with bold flavours like cheese , choose a Blanc de Noirs champagne .
Literally meaning “ white of black ” , it ’ s made from 100 % black grapes ( Pinot Noir , Meunier ) , which means the structure and body of the wine has the strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Pairing perfectly with sushi , sashimi or Poké bowls , Extra Brut or Zero Dosage champagne is the purists choice – a no-frills style that is extra fresh with ultra-low sugar , meaning it ’ s only 60 calories a glass .
As pizza can quite often have multiple toppings , the best partner would be a vintage , or a Blanc de Noirs , champagne .
Like a Blanc de Noirs , vintage has more body and complexity , as it is aged for a minimum of three years , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more complex flavours .
For sweet snacks like doughnuts or cookies , it is best to pair with a demi sec champagne – anything dryer could be jarring .
With champagne , you will find that the sweeter styles are not cloying , but maintain the wine ’ s signature freshness that shines through .

It’s Champagne Day today so why not pop the cork on a bottle and enjoy a glass of bubbly with your evening meal.
Champagne can be paired with all sorts of cuisines, but did you know that it’s an ideal accompaniment for classic takeaway food? You can pair champagne with burgers, pizza and even fish and chips.
Francoise Peretti, director of the UK’s Champagne Bureau, shares some top tips on how to elevate your takeaways with the perfect style of champagne.
Fish and chips
Pair this British classic takeaway with a vibrant and zingy Blanc de Blancs champagne, a 100% chardonnay style with citrus notes will match seafood and cut right through that naughty batter, making the whole meal feel much lighter.
Burgers
Whether you’re craving Honest Burger or Five Guys, for meaty meals with bold flavours like cheese, choose a Blanc de Noirs champagne. Literally meaning “white of black”, it’s made from 100% black grapes (Pinot Noir, Meunier), which means the structure and body of the wine has the strength to enhance this tasty, complex dish.
Sushi
Pairing perfectly with sushi, sashimi or Poké bowls, Extra Brut or Zero Dosage champagne is the purists choice – a no-frills style that is extra fresh with ultra-low sugar, meaning it’s only 60 calories a glass.
Pizza
As pizza can quite often have multiple toppings, the best partner would be a vintage, or a Blanc de Noirs, champagne. Like a Blanc de Noirs, vintage has more body and complexity, as it is aged for a minimum of three years, and is strong enough to balance stronger, more complex flavours.
Sweets and desserts
For sweet snacks like doughnuts or cookies, it is best to pair with a demi sec champagne – anything dryer could be jarring. With champagne, you will find that the sweeter styles are not cloying, but maintain the wine’s signature freshness that shines through.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Google wars, golden passports and Wuhan tours

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : POD25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : In the US courts , Google stands accused of having a monopoly over web search , in what looks set to be the biggest antitrust battle in decades .
The case may hinge on whether consumers genuinely prefer Google ’ s search engine , or they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ default because competitors have been unfairly sidelined .
The EU has threatened to take legal action against Malta and Cyprus after a string of corruption allegations linked to their `` golden passport '' schemes .
The highly profitable `` citizenship for investment '' programmes are offered by 20 of the EU27 , but have been long-criticised for facilitating money laundering and criminal activity .
So is the crackdown too little too late ?
Once the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic , the Chinese city of Wuhan is now largely free of the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tourist destination .
As Europe succumbs to a second wave , China seems to have found a way to keep the virus under control while returning to something like normality .
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Spotify , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: POD25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Google wars
In the US courts, Google stands accused of having a monopoly over web search, in what looks set to be the biggest antitrust battle in decades. The case may hinge on whether consumers genuinely prefer Google’s search engine, or they’ve been forced into using it by default because competitors have been unfairly sidelined.
Golden passports
The EU has threatened to take legal action against Malta and Cyprus after a string of corruption allegations linked to their "golden passport" schemes. The highly profitable "citizenship for investment" programmes are offered by 20 of the EU27, but have been long-criticised for facilitating money laundering and criminal activity. So is the crackdown too little too late?
Wuhan tourism
Once the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chinese city of Wuhan is now largely free of the virus - and is turning into a popular tourist destination. As Europe succumbs to a second wave, China seems to have found a way to keep the virus under control while returning to something like normality.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts


theweekuk--2020-10-23--What was in the deposition Ghislaine Maxwell fought to keep sealed?

Hundreds of pages of documents relating to Ghislaine Maxwell ’ s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released following a protracted legal battle .
A 2016 deposition given by Maxwell during a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit involving one of Epstein ’ s accusers , Virginia Roberts Giuffre , was unsealed on Thursday , moments before a court-imposed deadline .
In the transcript , the socialite claims she never witnessed “ inappropriate underage activities ” by the billionaire financier , who was found hanging in his Manhattan cell last year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his private island of Little St James , according to Maxwell , who is also now in prison in New York after being arrested this summer for alleged sex crimes , conspiracy and perjury linked to Epstein .
Asked if Epstein had a “ sexual preference for underage minors ” , she replied : “ I can not tell you what Jeffrey ’ s story is .
I ’ m not able to.
” The socialite was also asked why she continued to maintain contact with Epstein after he was convicted of solicitation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She said she thought it was a “ nice thing ” to do and described herself as a “ very loyal person ” .
Maxwell had tried to block the unsealing of the deposition by arging that the move would violate her “ due process right to a fair trial by an impartial jury ” .
She denies all the charges against her and will go on trial next year .
In the documents from the previous case , she claimed “ never to have asked Giuffre to have had sex with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the record I have never at any time , at any place , in any moment ever asked [ her ] to have sex with anybody.
” Maxwell is said to have “ pounded the table in an inappropriate manner ” as she discussed Giuffre ’ s allegations , the Daily Mirror reports .
Asked about claims that she had given a man - reportedly Prince Andrew - a puppet that he then used to grope girls , Maxwell responded : “ I never gave him a gift of a puppet.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epstein was friends with Bill Clinton , responding : “ I wouldn ’ t be able to characterise it like that , no .
”

Hundreds of pages of documents relating to Ghislaine Maxwell’s relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been released following a protracted legal battle.
A 2016 deposition given by Maxwell during a now-settled civil defamation lawsuit involving one of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, was unsealed on Thursday, moments before a court-imposed deadline.
In the transcript, the socialite claims she never witnessed “inappropriate underage activities” by the billionaire financier, who was found hanging in his Manhattan cell last year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
And there were no underage girls on his private island of Little St James, according to Maxwell, who is also now in prison in New York after being arrested this summer for alleged sex crimes, conspiracy and perjury linked to Epstein.
Asked if Epstein had a “sexual preference for underage minors”, she replied: “I cannot tell you what Jeffrey’s story is. I’m not able to.”
The socialite was also asked why she continued to maintain contact with Epstein after he was convicted of solicitation of prostitution involving a minor in 2008. She said she thought it was a “nice thing” to do and described herself as a “very loyal person”.
Maxwell had tried to block the unsealing of the deposition by arging that the move would violate her “due process right to a fair trial by an impartial jury”. She denies all the charges against her and will go on trial next year.
In the documents from the previous case, she claimed “never to have asked Giuffre to have had sex with anyone”, saying: “Just for the record I have never at any time, at any place, in any moment ever asked [her] to have sex with anybody.”
Maxwell is said to have “pounded the table in an inappropriate manner” as she discussed Giuffre’s allegations, the Daily Mirror reports.
Asked about claims that she had given a man - reportedly Prince Andrew - a puppet that he then used to grope girls, Maxwell responded: “I never gave him a gift of a puppet.” She was non-committal when asked repeatedly if Epstein was friends with Bill Clinton, responding: “I wouldn’t be able to characterise it like that, no.”


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Podcasts of the Week: sexed-up dossiers and yuppie con men

As the world of podcasting becomes “ ever more saturated ” and ever more commercial , I “ can ’ t help but feel that things are becoming a little formulaic ” , said Max Sanderson in The Guardian .
Which is why Where is George Gibney ?
, the latest podcast from the production company Second Captains ( via BBC Sounds ) is such a “ welcome breath of fresh air ” .
Gibney was a coach with Ireland ’ s Olympic swimming team , who was charged with 27 counts of sexual assault of young swimmers – but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial .
The podcast , from reporter Mark Horgan and producer Ciarán Cassidy , tries to track him down , “ effortlessly ” flitting between past and present .
And , unlike much in the true crime genre , it is not “ gore-centric ” : the focus is on the survivors and their stories .
“ It ’ s hard not to be hooked.
” Last year , many of us were riveted by The Sun King , David Dimbleby ’ s podcast on the rise of Rupert Murdoch , said Miranda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran broadcaster is back with another excellent series , about UK-US relations and the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war .
The podcast is called The Fault Line : Bush , Blair and Iraq .
An alternative title might be “ How Tony Blair and George W. Bush fell in love ” .
Dimbleby has an “ exemplary presenting style : honest without being trashy , measured without being boring ” .
And he has bagged big-name interviewees , including Blair and Alastair Campbell .
It is well-trodden ground , of course – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get bored .
Not a bit of it .
This “ clear and classy ” show takes you back to that uneasy period between 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq .
But it also “ gives context , unpicks relationships ” and “ underpins everything with insider info ” .
Leon Neyfakh , the journalist behind the acclaimed Fiasco podcast , has a knack for revisiting American scandals , from Watergate to Bill Clinton ’ s impeachment , which feel “ uncannily relevant ” today , said Francesca Angelini in The Sunday Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Boston is a seven-part account of the US city ’ s efforts to desegregate its schools in the 1970s – a story of endemic racism and violent confrontations that “ speaks to the present all too directly ” .
A more straightforwardly entertaining listen – albeit one that involves “ cold-blooded murder ” – is Billionaire Boys Club .
This rollicking documentary is a “ brash and bold true-crime caper ” about Joe Hunt , the leader of a “ gilded ” group of Ponzi scheme “ yuppie ” con men , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a murder investigation .
Set in 1980s Hollywood , it features “ masked men holding guns to precious dogs ’ heads ” and “ makes The Wolf of Wall Street look tame ” .
Should courts break up Google ’ s monopoly ?
Why do some countries sell citizenship ?
And would you visit Covid ground zero on holiday ?
Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .

As the world of podcasting becomes “ever more saturated” and ever more commercial, I “can’t help but feel that things are becoming a little formulaic”, said Max Sanderson in The Guardian. Which is why Where is George Gibney?, the latest podcast from the production company Second Captains (via BBC Sounds) is such a “welcome breath of fresh air”. Gibney was a coach with Ireland’s Olympic swimming team, who was charged with 27 counts of sexual assault of young swimmers – but vanished to America without being brought to trial. The podcast, from reporter Mark Horgan and producer Ciarán Cassidy, tries to track him down, “effortlessly” flitting between past and present. And, unlike much in the true crime genre, it is not “gore-centric”: the focus is on the survivors and their stories. “It’s hard not to be hooked.”
Last year, many of us were riveted by The Sun King, David Dimbleby’s podcast on the rise of Rupert Murdoch, said Miranda Sawyer in The Observer. Now the veteran broadcaster is back with another excellent series, about UK-US relations and the run-up to the 2003 Iraq war. The podcast is called The Fault Line: Bush, Blair and Iraq. An alternative title might be “How Tony Blair and George W. Bush fell in love”. Dimbleby has an “exemplary presenting style: honest without being trashy, measured without being boring”. And he has bagged big-name interviewees, including Blair and Alastair Campbell. It is well-trodden ground, of course – so much that I suspected I might get bored. Not a bit of it. This “clear and classy” show takes you back to that uneasy period between 9/11 and the invasion of Iraq. But it also “gives context, unpicks relationships” and “underpins everything with insider info”.
Leon Neyfakh, the journalist behind the acclaimed Fiasco podcast, has a knack for revisiting American scandals, from Watergate to Bill Clinton’s impeachment, which feel “uncannily relevant” today, said Francesca Angelini in The Sunday Times. Fiasco Season Three: The Battle for Boston is a seven-part account of the US city’s efforts to desegregate its schools in the 1970s – a story of endemic racism and violent confrontations that “speaks to the present all too directly”. A more straightforwardly entertaining listen – albeit one that involves “cold-blooded murder” – is Billionaire Boys Club. This rollicking documentary is a “brash and bold true-crime caper” about Joe Hunt, the leader of a “gilded” group of Ponzi scheme “yuppie” con men, who winds up at the centre of a murder investigation. Set in 1980s Hollywood, it features “masked men holding guns to precious dogs’ heads” and “makes The Wolf of Wall Street look tame”.
The Week Unwrapped podcast: Google wars, golden passports and Wuhan tours
Should courts break up Google’s monopoly? Why do some countries sell citizenship? And would you visit Covid ground zero on holiday? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Books of the Week: Tom Stoppard: A Life, Munkey Diaries: 1957-1982, Trio

Hermione Lee ’ s biography of Tom Stoppard is an “ astute and unfailingly clear ” commentary on the playwright ’ s life and work .
Jane Birkin ’ s diaries , addressed to her toy “ Munkey ” , reveal a troubled icon given to “ self-loathing ” .
And William Boyd ’ s new novel set in Brighton in 1968 has a mood that ’ s a “ mix of frolicsome and melancholy ” .
Despite being our most famous living playwright , Tom Stoppard is a writer who divides opinion , said Stefan Collini in The Guardian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laugh , but there ’ s often that “ lingering reservation ” .
People say : “ it ’ s all very clever , but ... ” .
Yet whatever your view , Hermione Lee ’ s “ perceptive , knowledgeable , stylish and very long ” biography is unlikely to be bettered , either as a chronicle of an eventful life or as an “ astute and unfailingly clear ” commentary on his plays .
Having disdained previous attempts to tell his life story , Stoppard handed Lee a “ backstage ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letters , diaries and friends .
With this “ sympathetic ” portrait , full of “ unmatchable detail ” , she has repaid him handsomely .
Stoppard was born Tomáš Straussler in 1937 , in the Czech town of Zlín , said John Carey in The Sunday Times .
His parents , Marta and Eugen , who were Jewish , fled to Singapore when the Nazis invaded .
His mother took them to Darjeeling before the Japanese invasion ; Eugen was killed trying to escape .
In 1945 , Marta married an English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family moved to England , and Stoppard was sent to boarding school .
“ He was keen on cricket , joined the Boy Scouts and read voraciously.
” After leaving school at 17 , he worked in journalism before , aged 23 , deciding to become a playwright .
His first play , Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead , an absurdist fantasy about two minor characters from Hamlet , was accepted by Kenneth Tynan at the National Theatre and premiered in 1967 to “ ecstatic ” reviews .
At its equally successful New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was “ about ” , Stoppard reportedly replied : “ It is about to make me a lot of money.
” It certainly did , said Clive Davis in The Times : Stoppard ’ s wealth is truly awe-inspiring .
Unfortunately , Lee dwells rather too much on it , offering “ endless ” descriptions of his country houses and the seven-figure sums he earned for script-doctoring Steven Spielberg movies .
It rather overwhelms the more interesting story of how a “ Jewish boy escaped the Holocaust and adopted a new , very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Jeremy Treglown in the Literary Review .
This is a superbly rounded book , “ wonderful ” on people and places , and good , too , on Stoppard ’ s “ half-dozen most important love affairs ” ( including one with Sinéad Cusack , Jeremy Irons ’ s wife ) .
As if being “ handsome , funny and a dazzling writer ” weren ’ t enough , Stoppard , now 83 , has the “ good luck ” of being alive to enjoy this “ terrific ” biography .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gap-toothed smile , Jane Birkin was regarded as the epitome of 1960s chic , said Katie Rosseinsky in the London Evening Standard .
Yet the figure who emerges from these diaries is “ strikingly at odds ” with that playful image : she is introspective and given to “ self-loathing ” .
This “ icon of French style ” was in fact raised in a patrician English family and attended a “ Blyton-esque boarding school ” , where she was teased for being flat-chested ( “ I must , I must improve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Leaving school , she became an actress , and met her first husband , “ Bond maestro ” John Barry , in a London nightclub .
But the marriage with the composer was a disaster , and when it broke down , she moved to Paris .
There , on a film set , she met her “ Svengali ” , the French singer and actor Serge Gainsbourg , said Melanie Reid in The Times .
Together , they recorded the “ orgasmic ” Je t ’ aime ... moi non @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film offers .
The couple lived a lifestyle “ straight out of the Peter Sarstedt song Where Do You Go To ( My Lovely ) ?
even down to being friends with Zizi Jeanmaire ” .
But beneath the gloss , it was “ sordid ” : they “ got horribly drunk , slapped and punched each other in nightclubs , vomited in bed ” .
Gainsbourg emerges as a “ breathtaking pig ” , who showered rarely – “ his feet stank ” – and was horribly “ coercive ” .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is her solipsism and lack of self-awareness .
That ’ s unfair , said Craig Brown in The Mail on Sunday : I found these diaries – addressed to her toy “ Munkey ” – “ wonderfully funny and poignant ” .
While the journey they chart is rather sad – from innocent schoolgirl lamenting her “ disobedience marks ” to exploited global sex icon – she remains delightful company throughout , and never loses her “ endearing ” quality .
Novel of the week Trio by William Boyd William Boyd ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set in Brighton in 1968 , said Francesca Carington in The Daily Telegraph .
Three characters are involved in making a film , the “ jauntily titled ” Emily Bracegirdle ’ s Extremely Useful Ladder to the Moon .
Producer Talbot Kydd is “ buffeted ” with professional problems while struggling to keep his homosexuality in the closet .
Elfrida Wing , the director ’ s wife , is a once-famous novelist , now blocked and alcoholic .
The third is the glamorous but “ world-weary ” lead actress , Anny Viklund .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ frolicsome and melancholy ” – just the thing for “ troubling times ” .
When Boyd is good , he is very , very good , but when he ’ s bad , he ’ s “ downright dispiriting ” , said Claire Allfree in the London Evening Standard .
And here , sadly , it ’ s the latter : this novel is “ scrappy , unsatisfactory ” and “ un-atmospheric ” for one set in the 1960s .
Yes , some of the characters may be a bit stereotyped , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but this is still an entertaining book .
Full of neat phrases and quirkily funny scenes , Trio is a jaunty , “ elating read ” .
To order these titles or any other book in print , visit theweekbookshop.co.uk , or speak to a bookseller on 020 3176 3835 .
Opening times : Monday to Saturday 9am-5.30pm and Sunday 10am-4pm .

Hermione Lee’s biography of Tom Stoppard is an “astute and unfailingly clear” commentary on the playwright’s life and work. Jane Birkin’s diaries, addressed to her toy “Munkey”, reveal a troubled icon given to “self-loathing”. And William Boyd’s new novel set in Brighton in 1968 has a mood that’s a “mix of frolicsome and melancholy”.
Book of the week Tom Stoppard: A Life by Hermione Lee
Despite being our most famous living playwright, Tom Stoppard is a writer who divides opinion, said Stefan Collini in The Guardian. His plays make you think and laugh, but there’s often that “lingering reservation”. People say: “it’s all very clever, but...”. Yet whatever your view, Hermione Lee’s “perceptive, knowledgeable, stylish and very long” biography is unlikely to be bettered, either as a chronicle of an eventful life or as an “astute and unfailingly clear” commentary on his plays. Having disdained previous attempts to tell his life story, Stoppard handed Lee a “backstage” pass, granting her access to his letters, diaries and friends. With this “sympathetic” portrait, full of “unmatchable detail”, she has repaid him handsomely.
Stoppard was born Tomáš Straussler in 1937, in the Czech town of Zlín, said John Carey in The Sunday Times. His parents, Marta and Eugen, who were Jewish, fled to Singapore when the Nazis invaded. His mother took them to Darjeeling before the Japanese invasion; Eugen was killed trying to escape. In 1945, Marta married an English army major named Kenneth Stoppard: the family moved to England, and Stoppard was sent to boarding school. “He was keen on cricket, joined the Boy Scouts and read voraciously.” After leaving school at 17, he worked in journalism before, aged 23, deciding to become a playwright. His first play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, an absurdist fantasy about two minor characters from Hamlet, was accepted by Kenneth Tynan at the National Theatre and premiered in 1967 to “ecstatic” reviews. At its equally successful New York premiere, when asked what it was “about”, Stoppard reportedly replied: “It is about to make me a lot of money.”
It certainly did, said Clive Davis in The Times: Stoppard’s wealth is truly awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, Lee dwells rather too much on it, offering “endless” descriptions of his country houses and the seven-figure sums he earned for script-doctoring Steven Spielberg movies. It rather overwhelms the more interesting story of how a “Jewish boy escaped the Holocaust and adopted a new, very English identity”. I disagree, said Jeremy Treglown in the Literary Review. This is a superbly rounded book, “wonderful” on people and places, and good, too, on Stoppard’s “half-dozen most important love affairs” (including one with Sinéad Cusack, Jeremy Irons’s wife). As if being “handsome, funny and a dazzling writer” weren’t enough, Stoppard, now 83, has the “good luck” of being alive to enjoy this “terrific” biography.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--US election: four of the best lines from the second presidential debate

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Donald Trump and Joe Biden have clashed over coronavirus, racism and sleaze allegations during their second and final live TV debate before next month’s White House election.
The head-to-head yesterday in the Tennessee city of Nashville was a “less acrimonious and more substantive affair than the pair’s previous showdown”, says the BBC. Trump gave a “much more restrained performance”, adds CNN, and the organisers minimised the disruption that marred the first debate by muting microphones during both candidates’ opening statements.
Snap polls show that viewers favoured Biden’s performance, with the Democrat ahead by ten to 15 percentage points, The Guardian reports. But The Telegraph’s Tim Stanley argues that Trump’s performance shows that “he can also win this election”.
Covid response criticism
Reminding viewers of how many lives have been lost to the coronavirus pandemic in the US - a tally that stands at more than 223,000, according to latest figures - Biden said that “anyone who is responsible for that many deaths should not remain as president of the United States”.
“This is the same fellow who told you that, don’t worry, we’re going to end this by the summer. We’re about to go into a dark winter, a dark winter, and he has no clear plan,” the Democrat added.
The former vice-president “came across as genuinely caring for the well-being of American families, not someone obsessed with personal grievances”, says USA Today.
Railing against racism
Biden went on the attack again after Trump claimed to be “the least racist person in this room”.
Describing the incumbent as “one of the most racist presidents we’ve had in modern history”, Biden argued: “He pours fuel on every single racist fire. This guy is a dog whistle about as big as a fog horn.”
Caged migrants blame game
The two candidates also locked horns on Trump’s policy of separating undocumented immigrant children and their parents at the southern US border. The president pointed out that migrant children were also detained under the Barack Obama administration, adding: “Who built the cages, Joe? Talk about who built the cages.”
Fox News’ Dan Gainor says the president mounted an effective attack on Biden, with Trump managing “to drive the debate” despite moderator Kristen Welker’s interruptions.
Blast at the past
The president struck another blow by accusing Biden of failing to follow through on his promises during his reign in the White House alongside Obama. Trump told Biden that “I ran because of you. I ran because of Barack Obama, because you did a poor job.”
“You keep talking about all these things you’re going to do... but you were there just a short time ago and you guys did nothing,” Trump continued.
“His attacks on Biden's long tenure in politics were effective, as were his repeated reminder that Biden has been vice-president for eight years and hadn’t done, in Trump’s estimation, all that much,” concludes CNN’s Chris Cillizza.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Quiz of The Week: 17 - 23 October

Quiz of The Week: 17 - 23 October

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theweekuk--2020-10-23--Albums of the Week: As Long As You Are, April Bella, Anima Rara

This week ’ s three releases include Future Islands ’ s “ excellent ” sixth album , an “ ambitious and adventurous ” record by Emmy the Great and “ spine-tingling ” work by Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho .
Future Islands : As Long As You Are “ The synthesiser is a curious instrument , ” said David Cheal in the FT. From the alienated soundscapes of David Bowie ’ s Berlin albums to the bouncy synthpop of Erasure or Vangelis ’ s Blade Runner soundtrack , the synth always seems to carry “ a strain or a hint of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nostalgia , yearning , longing ” .
That ’ s certainly the case with this excellent sixth album from the US band Future Islands .
Over all 11 tracks , their synthesisers “ float , grumble and groove , they make little pleading noises like hungry kittens , but , above all , they haunt ” .
If their last LP , The Far Field , was the Baltimore band ’ s driving album , this one sees them “ spinning thrillingly off the tracks ” and “ reaching for the bottle ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Gone are the instant anthems doused in Samuel Herring ’ s familiar growl ; in come broken ballads racked with haunting memories.
” But for all its anguish , the album does feature “ both joy and bangers ” .
Waking , for instance , offers “ pulsing basslines and widescreen 1980s synths ” .
Born and raised in Hong Kong , with an English father and Hongkonger mother , Emma-Lee Moss ( aka Emmy the Great ) found fame in Britain before moving to the US in 2014 .
This fourth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York and Hong Kong , is a “ sweet ” , almost “ childlike ” tribute to the city of her birth , said Will Hodgkinson in The Times .
It ’ s a celebration of its chaotic mix of the old and the new , and combines touches of East and West in a way that mirrors the city – “ from the elegant Cantonese pop of Mid-Autumn to the prayer bells on Okinawa/Ubud and the rusty Americana of A Window/O ’ Keefe ” .
The “ lush and exploratory ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ samples of Hong Kong traffic lights into Moss ’ s folk-pop , said Emily Mackay in The Observer .
Dandelions/Liminal , for example , deploys jaunty , bubblegum-pop to explore “ American protest seen through the lens of Chinese Buddhism ” .
It ’ s an ambitious , adventurous album that is “ all the more stirring for never really finding a safe resting place ” .
Opera lovers are well used to the “ blazing intensity , fruity but well-managed vibrato and rounded , copper-coloured tone colour ” of the Albanian soprano @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Times .
Yet the “ Jaho effect ” continues to “ thrill and startle ” throughout all 14 tracks on this “ spine-tingling album ” .
Anima Rara is a passionately rendered exploration of the repertoire of the Italian soprano Rosina Storchio ( Puccini ’ s choice as his Butterfly at its premiere in 1904 ) , and it is magnificently played , with Andrea Battistoni conducting .
Storchio also created four famous roles by three of Puccini ’ s contemporaries , said Hugh Canning in The Sunday Times : Leoncavallo ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ title parts in his Zazà and Mascagni ’ s Lodoletta , and Stephana in Giordano ’ s Siberia .
Here , Jaho also adds extracts from several other roles : Mascagni ’ s Iris , Boito ’ s Margherita in Mefistofele , Catalani ’ s Wally , Verdi ’ s Violetta and Massenet ’ s Manon and Sapho .
For me , the scene from Lodoletta stands out , but Jaho ’ s “ alliance of music and text ” is always compelling .

This week’s three releases include Future Islands’s “excellent” sixth album, an “ambitious and adventurous” record by Emmy the Great and “spine-tingling” work by Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho.
Future Islands: As Long As You Are
“The synthesiser is a curious instrument,” said David Cheal in the FT. From the alienated soundscapes of David Bowie’s Berlin albums to the bouncy synthpop of Erasure or Vangelis’s Blade Runner soundtrack, the synth always seems to carry “a strain or a hint of sadness, remorse, regret, wistful nostalgia, yearning, longing”. That’s certainly the case with this excellent sixth album from the US band Future Islands. Over all 11 tracks, their synthesisers “float, grumble and groove, they make little pleading noises like hungry kittens, but, above all, they haunt”.
If their last LP, The Far Field, was the Baltimore band’s driving album, this one sees them “spinning thrillingly off the tracks” and “reaching for the bottle”, said Damian Jones on NME. “Gone are the instant anthems doused in Samuel Herring’s familiar growl; in come broken ballads racked with haunting memories.” But for all its anguish, the album does feature “both joy and bangers”. Waking, for instance, offers “pulsing basslines and widescreen 1980s synths”.
4AD £10
Emmy the Great: April Bella
Born and raised in Hong Kong, with an English father and Hongkonger mother, Emma-Lee Moss (aka Emmy the Great) found fame in Britain before moving to the US in 2014. This fourth album, written during periods in both New York and Hong Kong, is a “sweet”, almost “childlike” tribute to the city of her birth, said Will Hodgkinson in The Times. It’s a celebration of its chaotic mix of the old and the new, and combines touches of East and West in a way that mirrors the city – “from the elegant Cantonese pop of Mid-Autumn to the prayer bells on Okinawa/Ubud and the rusty Americana of A Window/O’Keefe”.
The “lush and exploratory” music on April incorporates Cantonese vocals and samples of Hong Kong traffic lights into Moss’s folk-pop, said Emily Mackay in The Observer. Dandelions/Liminal, for example, deploys jaunty, bubblegum-pop to explore “American protest seen through the lens of Chinese Buddhism”. It’s an ambitious, adventurous album that is “all the more stirring for never really finding a safe resting place”.
Union £10
Ermonela Jaho: Anima Rara
Opera lovers are well used to the “blazing intensity, fruity but well-managed vibrato and rounded, copper-coloured tone colour” of the Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho, said Geoff Brown in The Times. Yet the “Jaho effect” continues to “thrill and startle” throughout all 14 tracks on this “spine-tingling album”. Anima Rara is a passionately rendered exploration of the repertoire of the Italian soprano Rosina Storchio (Puccini’s choice as his Butterfly at its premiere in 1904), and it is magnificently played, with Andrea Battistoni conducting.
Storchio also created four famous roles by three of Puccini’s contemporaries, said Hugh Canning in The Sunday Times: Leoncavallo’s Mimì in La bohème, the title parts in his Zazà and Mascagni’s Lodoletta, and Stephana in Giordano’s Siberia. Here, Jaho also adds extracts from several other roles: Mascagni’s Iris, Boito’s Margherita in Mefistofele, Catalani’s Wally, Verdi’s Violetta and Massenet’s Manon and Sapho. For me, the scene from Lodoletta stands out, but Jaho’s “alliance of music and text” is always compelling.
Opera Rara £12


theweekuk--2020-10-23--UK government advertises £2,000-a-day job to fix ‘failing’ test and trace

The government has advertised for a director of operations to “ implement improvements ” to the coronavirus test-and-trace service that Boris Johnson yesterday admitted is failing to hit turnaround targets .
The recruitment ad says that the Department of Health and Social Care ( DHSC ) is seeking a temporary “ VP of operations ” with experience “ in running call centres of 18,000 ” .
The successful candidate will have “ experience ( and evidence ) of turning around failing call centres ” and “ examples of quick wins ” , says the listing , which offers pay of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advert was posted on the website of recruitment company Quast but has since been taken down .
An employee at Quast told The Guardian that they had only realised the “ nature and sensitivity of the role ” after getting inquiries about the job , the application deadline for which was today .
The DHSC “ confirmed that it was actively recruiting for the role , but added that the advert would be redrafted ” , the newspaper reports .
As latest data reveals the worst performance yet by NHS Test and Trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he shares “ people ’ s frustrations ” with the £12bn system .
Speaking during a Downing Street briefing , Johnson said that service was “ helping a bit ” but that the government must “ improve it ” .
When NHS Test and Trace was launched , at the end of May , the PM promised that by the end of the following month , the results of all in-person tests would be back within 24 hours .
But “ the system is continuing to fail on two key measures ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending 14 October show that just 15 % of people who were tested for Covid received their results within 24 hours , down from 33 % the week before .
And crucially for any candidate who snags the role advertised by the DHSC , the proportion of close contacts of positive cases who were reached also hit an all-time low , at 59.6 % , down from 63 % in the previous week .


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 23 Oct 2020

With fears of mass unemployment growing , Rishi Sunak has announced a multibillion-pound package for business and workers .
Just @ @ @ @ @ furlough scheme ends , the chancellor said he would expand the new support system to @ @ @ @ @ .
He said he was responding to the changing epidemiological picture as he delivered the @ @ @ @ @ as many months .
The UK recorded 21,242 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 189 @ @

Sunak announces last-ditch economic support package
With fears of mass unemployment growing, Rishi Sunak has announced a multibillion-pound package for business and workers. Just over a week before the furlough scheme ends, the chancellor said he would expand the new support system to protect jobs through the winter. He said he was responding to the changing epidemiological picture as he delivered the fourth major economic update in as many months. The UK recorded 21,242 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and 189 deaths.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Coronavirus: does cold weather have an impact on Covid-19?

As Covid-19 spread through Europe last spring , there were hopes that warm summer temperatures would see off the virus @ @ @ @ @ winter might bring .
But in fact , the relationship between the weather and infection @ @ @ @ @ complex : chilly Norway and Finland fared well in February , and Spain ’ s @ @ @ @ @ August .
So what should we expect as the weather turns ?
The bad news @ @ @ @ @ that causes Covid seems to be better adapted to wintry conditions than we are .
@ @ @ @ @ the body better when it is cold , ” says the BBC .

As Covid-19 spread through Europe last spring, there were hopes that warm summer temperatures would see off the virus - and fears about what winter might bring.
But in fact, the relationship between the weather and infection rates appears to be more complex: chilly Norway and Finland fared well in February, and Spain’s second wave took hold in August.
So what should we expect as the weather turns?
A cold-loving virus
The bad news is that the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid seems to be better adapted to wintry conditions than we are.
“All viruses survive outside the body better when it is cold,” says the BBC. “The UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) says a temperature of 4C is a particular sweet spot for coronavirus.”
According to the Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) at Oxford University, a 1C drop in temperature raises the R number - a measure of the spread of the epidemic - by about 0.04.
So if an outbreak was stable at 27C, with ten infectious people infecting ten others, lowering the temperature to 5C would mean those ten people would infect about 20 more, and the epidemic would grow exponentially.
The virus is also hindered by humidity and UV light - both in short supply on winter days.
“When the weather turns cold, air gets drier,” says the medical news site STAT. “Turning on the heat dries both the air and the tissues lining the airways, impairing how well mucus removes debris and invaders like Sars-CoV-2.”
The human factor
Our own responses to cold weather also makes life easier for the virus. “We gather indoors once the weather turns and beer gardens and BBQs are less appealing,” says the BBC. “We also slam the windows shut so there is little ventilation.”
The human immune system performs less well during the winter too, which may mean people who catch Covid-19 get more seriously ill.
During the spring, scientists recorded “a roughly 15% drop in mortality for every one degree Celsius rise in temperature”, the Covid Symptom Study reports. But as temperatures drop this autumn, the trend may be reversed.
However, says the CEBM, “weather alone cannot explain the variability” in the spread or seriousness of the virus. “Confounding” factors such as social distancing and other public health measures may be far more significant.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Wine of the week: an opinionated shiraz from the Clare Valley

Tim Adams and his wife Pam set up their eponymous winery in the idyllic Clare Valley in 1987 .
This is the year I started working in the wine business and I remember selling ( and loving ) an Adams & Wray shiraz , from Tim ’ s previous wine venture .
I have known “ Bonecrusher Adams ” ( he has a mighty handshake ) and his amazing wines for every day of my life in the wine trade .
You might have come across Tim and Pam ’ s iconic and affordable wines in Tesco – they have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adams ’ s wine has been championed in the UK by mercurial wine agent Craig Smith , who has masterminded the fortunes of a good few Aussie wine heroes over the decades by placing them on all of the right wine lists .
Last year Craig and Tim set up a UK arm to sell directly to his adoring British public and two amazing wines have just been launched on this website .
Schaefer Shiraz is the personification of Tim ’ s irascible , magnetic and steadfast character , in vinous form .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ months spent in new French oak , this is a focused and opinionated wine with the most affordable price tags I have ever seen for a wine of this build-quality .
In addition , 2018 Tim Adams Skilly Ridge Riesling ( £16 ) will remind you of Tim ’ s magical touch with this sensational variety , too .
Open , layered , violet and lime blossom scented and enchanting , this magnificent white is the perfect counterpoint to the heady , luxurious shiraz .
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Year ( matthewjukes.com ) This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

Tim Adams and his wife Pam set up their eponymous winery in the idyllic Clare Valley in 1987. This is the year I started working in the wine business and I remember selling (and loving) an Adams & Wray shiraz, from Tim’s previous wine venture. I have known “Bonecrusher Adams” (he has a mighty handshake) and his amazing wines for every day of my life in the wine trade.
You might have come across Tim and Pam’s iconic and affordable wines in Tesco – they have been a mainstay on its shelves. Adams’s wine has been championed in the UK by mercurial wine agent Craig Smith, who has masterminded the fortunes of a good few Aussie wine heroes over the decades by placing them on all of the right wine lists.
Last year Craig and Tim set up a UK arm to sell directly to his adoring British public and two amazing wines have just been launched on this website. Schaefer Shiraz is the personification of Tim’s irascible, magnetic and steadfast character, in vinous form. Inky, powerful and blessed with 12 months spent in new French oak, this is a focused and opinionated wine with the most affordable price tags I have ever seen for a wine of this build-quality.
In addition, 2018 Tim Adams Skilly Ridge Riesling (£16) will remind you of Tim’s magical touch with this sensational variety, too. Open, layered, violet and lime blossom scented and enchanting, this magnificent white is the perfect counterpoint to the heady, luxurious shiraz.
2014 Tim Adams, Schaefer Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia – £20; timadamswines.co.uk
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (matthewjukes.com)
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Instant Opinion: ‘elderly paying a terrible price’ for Covid-19 protection

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on restrictions on the over-70s The elderly are paying a terrible price for being protected from Covid “ The basic point is that it ’ s not just about the number of years you live , but the quality of those years .
Someone aged 60 may be more inclined to go for a lockdown than those in their 80s , many of whom would be quite happy to run the risk , see their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Those living alone ( as almost half of over-70s do ) may really struggle this winter : they ’ re allowed to form one ‘ support bubble ’ with one other household , but that ’ s their lot .
Polls show that pensioners are keen on lockdowns , but we seldom hear from those opposed .
We did this week when one octogenarian was stopped outside M & S in Barnsley and asked about the coming restrictions .
Two million people have now watched Maureen Eames ’ answer on social media , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ herself not overly worried about the virus ( ‘ I ’ m 83 , I don ’ t give a sod ’ ) and unpersuaded of the merits of Tier 3 lockdowns.
” on the dying embers of a movement This is a moment of truth for rightwing populists – but do n't celebrate yet “ Yet even if the movement stays strong in Britain and the US , its best days may be over .
Many voters and journalists are now familiar with its tricks and limitations , such as supposedly tough-talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audiences .
Meanwhile , orthodox politicians such as Biden and Keir Starmer seem less flustered by populism than their predecessors were .
They have not been drawn into its culture wars .
By sounding measured instead , they ’ ve made the movement seem shrill .
If British and American populism does lose its hold on power , it may discover an uncomfortable truth about being a supposedly radical movement in opposition .
It ’ s much harder if you ’ ve just been in office : your rebel aura has gone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” A new Yorkshire Ripper series shows our appetite for true crime — but is it unhealthy ?
“ The appetite for the genre is gargantuan .
It ’ s too basic to assume it ’ s all just cheap voyeurism .
Instead it strikes me that there might be a deep human need to understand what would drive another person to commit these acts .
We want to see the machinations of minds compelled to carry out unfathomable crimes to try to make some kind of sense out of them .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more misguided this seems .
The hidden secret is nothing more than this : murderers are boring .
They are not complicated , misunderstood , romantic masterminds .
They are unpleasant , uninteresting people who take and ruin lives.
” Angela Rayner was right to give scummy behaviour the name it deserves “ The spectacle of watching backbenchers contort themselves to defend the indefensible warrants nothing but disdain .
There ’ s nothing wrong with giving scummy behaviour the name it deserves , and I do hope that Angela Rayner had her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her apology .
Why should somebody who argues against financial support for struggling small businesses in lockdown , or feeding hungry kids during a pandemic , be entitled to politeness ?
No amount of decorum can civilise our politics while the policy is barbarism .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Fraser Nelson in The Daily Telegraph
on restrictions on the over-70s
The elderly are paying a terrible price for being protected from Covid
“The basic point is that it’s not just about the number of years you live, but the quality of those years. Someone aged 60 may be more inclined to go for a lockdown than those in their 80s, many of whom would be quite happy to run the risk, see their friends and go about their life. Those living alone (as almost half of over-70s do) may really struggle this winter: they’re allowed to form one ‘support bubble’ with one other household, but that’s their lot. Polls show that pensioners are keen on lockdowns, but we seldom hear from those opposed. We did this week when one octogenarian was stopped outside M&S in Barnsley and asked about the coming restrictions. Two million people have now watched Maureen Eames’ answer on social media, such was her eloquence. She declared herself not overly worried about the virus (‘I’m 83, I don’t give a sod’) and unpersuaded of the merits of Tier 3 lockdowns.”
2. Andy Beckett in The Guardian
on the dying embers of a movement
This is a moment of truth for rightwing populists – but don't celebrate yet
“Yet even if the movement stays strong in Britain and the US, its best days may be over. Many voters and journalists are now familiar with its tricks and limitations, such as supposedly tough-talking leaders who can only cope with friendly audiences. Meanwhile, orthodox politicians such as Biden and Keir Starmer seem less flustered by populism than their predecessors were. They have not been drawn into its culture wars. By sounding measured instead, they’ve made the movement seem shrill. If British and American populism does lose its hold on power, it may discover an uncomfortable truth about being a supposedly radical movement in opposition. It’s much harder if you’ve just been in office: your rebel aura has gone. Populism has never had that much else.”
3. Jessie Thompson in the London Evening Standard
on a much-loved genre
A new Yorkshire Ripper series shows our appetite for true crime — but is it unhealthy?
“The appetite for the genre is gargantuan. It’s too basic to assume it’s all just cheap voyeurism. Instead it strikes me that there might be a deep human need to understand what would drive another person to commit these acts. We want to see the machinations of minds compelled to carry out unfathomable crimes to try to make some kind of sense out of them. But the more true crime I watch, the more misguided this seems. The hidden secret is nothing more than this: murderers are boring. They are not complicated, misunderstood, romantic masterminds. They are unpleasant, uninteresting people who take and ruin lives.”
4. Ash Sarkar on HuffPost
on disdain for MPs behaviour
Angela Rayner was right to give scummy behaviour the name it deserves
“The spectacle of watching backbenchers contort themselves to defend the indefensible warrants nothing but disdain. There’s nothing wrong with giving scummy behaviour the name it deserves, and I do hope that Angela Rayner had her fingers crossed behind her back when issuing her apology. Why should somebody who argues against financial support for struggling small businesses in lockdown, or feeding hungry kids during a pandemic, be entitled to politeness? No amount of decorum can civilise our politics while the policy is barbarism.”
5. The editorial board of USA Today
on the president’s ‘convenient solution’
COVID-19 herd immunity strategy fits Donald Trump's failures in coronavirus war
“Research shows that less than 10% of the population has developed antibodies from coronavirus infection and is potentially immunized, where roughly 60% is necessary to achieve herd immunity. Allowing that many people to be infected, given the COVID-19 fatality rate, would lead to hundreds of thousands of additional deaths. Even then, it remains unclear whether immunity from infection lasts very long. Reinfection cases, though rare, have emerged.”


theweekuk--2020-10-23--Hunter Biden profile: could Joe Biden’s ‘problem child’ scupper his election hopes?

The second and final US presidential debate featured a surprise guest last night , after Donald Trump invited a former @ @ @ @ @ s son Hunter to the political showdown .
Navy veteran Tony Bobulinsk “ held an @ @ @ @ @ of the televised clash in Tennessee in order to lay out “ a string of @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign business dealings ” , The Telegraph reports .
Bobulinsk described how he @ @ @ @ @ s son ( pictured above , right ) had “ attempted to form an investment @ @ @ @ @ company in 2017 ” , and “ suggested he was coming forward because the senior @ @ @ @ @ gain from the business deal ” , says the newspaper .


theweekuk--2020-10-24--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 24 Oct 2020

More than 50m Americans have cast ballots in the US presidential election with 11 days to go in the campaign @ @ @ @ @ 2020 polling could have the highest rate of voter turnout since 1908 .
Analysts say @ @ @ @ @ sign of the intensity of this year ’ s polling and of voters ’ desire @ @ @ @ @ exposure to Covid-19 .

White House election could see highest turnout since 1908
More than 50m Americans have cast ballots in the US presidential election with 11 days to go in the campaign, signalling that the US 2020 polling could have the highest rate of voter turnout since 1908. Analysts say the trend is both a sign of the intensity of this year’s polling and of voters’ desire to reduce their risk of exposure to Covid-19.


theweekuk--2020-10-25--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 25 Oct 2020

Michel Barnier may extend post-Brexit talks in London for a further three days , as optimism grows on both sides @ @ @ @ @ EU 's chief negotiator , who was due to return to Brussels today , is @ @ @ @ @ remain in the UK until Wednesday .
The Sunday Telegraph says sources have effectively set @ @ @ @ @ decide whether there will be a deal .

Barnier extends London stay as hopes of deal grow
Michel Barnier may extend post-Brexit talks in London for a further three days, as optimism grows on both sides during revived negotiations. The EU's chief negotiator, who was due to return to Brussels today, is understood to have decided to remain in the UK until Wednesday. The Sunday Telegraph says sources have effectively set Halloween as a deadline to decide whether there will be a deal.


theweekuk--2020-10-26--Everything you need to know about the ‘hijacked’ Isle of Wight tanker

Seven people have been detained after special forces commandos stormed a tanker off the Isle of Wight following a suspected hijacking by stowaways.
The nine-minute operation, by members of the Special Boat Service (SBS), ended a ten-hour stand-off that reportedly began when stowaways on board the Liberian-registered Nave Andromeda became violent.
Navios Tanker Management, operator of the crude oil tanker, said the master of the vessel became concerned about the “increasingly hostile behaviour of the stowaways”, who had “illegally boarded” in Lagos, Nigeria, earlier this month.
Adhering to a maritime drill, the crew locked themselves inside the ship’s strong room, known as “the citadel”, before calling for assistance. According to the Daily Mail, the captain sent a “panicked” mayday message that read: “I’m trying to keep them calm but please send help.”
In response to what the Ministry of Defence has described as the “suspected hijacking”, a total of 16 SBS commandos boarded the vessel by either “fast-roping down from Merlin and Wildcat helicopters hovering above the deck of the tanker” or “rappelling up the side from inflatable ribs bobbing on the black waters below”, Sky News reports.
The stowaways, believed to be Nigerians seeking UK asylum, were handed over to Hampshire Police on Sunday evening. The ship later docked in Southampton, with all 22 crew members found safe.
The raid “was authorised by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Home Secretary Priti Patel”, ITV News reports.
The SBS is Britain’s “elite military unit tasked with tackling terrorist and other localised, violent incidents at sea”, says The Guardian. “Its origins date back to the second world war, and the Ministry of Defence refuses to say how many fighters it comprises or give any detail of its operations.”


theweekuk--2020-10-26--US election: will Boris Johnson fall out with Joe Biden if the Democrat wins the White House?

As the self-styled “Mr Brexit”, Donald Trump’s residence in the White House seemed perfectly aligned with Boris Johnson’s aims of striking a lucrative US trade deal as Britain quits the EU.
But Trump’s opponent in the imminent US presidential election is a different prospect entirely. Having vocally opposed the Brexit project, Joe Biden may prove less eager to strengthen ties with Downing Street if he secures the White House.
And with polls pointing towards victory at the polls for the Democrat, concerns are growing inside Downing Street about a changing of the guard in Washington that could “leave Johnson scrambling to rebuild the ‘special relationship’”, according to the Financial Times (FT).
Let’s face the music
Johnson has worked hard on his relationship with the Trump administration, becoming particularly close to the president’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
But “some in London are concerned they have not been able to foster such close links with his opponent”, says the FT. British officials have not met with a single member of Biden’s foreign policy team in recent weeks, “hampering Downing Street’s preparations” for the Democratic victory that polls are predicting, the newspaper reports.
The most pressing issue is the much-touted UK-US trade deal, which is seen as a key touchstone in making a success of Brexit.
Johnson’s advisers are said to be worried that “momentum towards a trade agreement could soon be lost”, with time already running short as the clock ticks down on the EU transition period. The US law that would allow the trade deal to be fast-tracked through Congress also expires in July, and an agreement would need to be in place by April - four months after the new president takes office - to be covered.
According to a former UK ambassador to the EU, “senior figures in European governments” believe that Johnson is “waiting for the result of the US presidential election before finally deciding whether to risk plunging the UK into a no-deal Brexit”, reports The Observer.
Ivan Rogers told the paper that “a view shared by ministers and officials he has talked to in recent weeks in several European capitals is that Johnson is biding his time – and is much more likely to opt for no deal if his friend and Brexit supporter Donald Trump prevails over the Democratic challenger”.


theweekuk--2020-10-26--‘Attenborough Effect’: the growth in sustainable investing

David Attenborough ’ s documentaries have educated generations of TV viewers about the natural world - and the veteran broadcaster is also changing our attitudes to the world of business , research suggests .
The so-called “ Attenborough Effect ” has “ prompted an increasing number of people to care about how they make their money as well as how much money they make ” , says The Mail on Sunday .
The veteran broadcaster ’ s newest show A Life on Our Planet , released on Netflix at the start of October , provides a “ terrifying look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of resources and the devastating impact on the natural world ” , says the newspaper .
At the age of 94 and after more than six decades of film-making , Attenborough “ still has the power to shock ” - and many of his countless fans “ want to do something to help , whether by being more ‘ green ’ in their daily lives or by making sure their money supports companies doing their best to help and sustain , rather than harm , the planet ” .
Recent research by asset @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private investors cite sustainability as important in their everyday life .
And with only 43 % of these people currently investing sustainably , demand is expected to continue to grow .
Liontrust has already seen the assets in its range of sustainable funds grow from £2.5bn in April 2017 to £7.5bn - an increase that the experts attribute in part to the Attenborough Effect .
Peter Michaelis , the company ’ s head of sustainable investment , said : “ We believe sustainable companies have better growth prospects and are more resilient than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governance issues .
These advantages remain underappreciated by the wider market.
” Emma Wall , head of investment analysis at wealth manager Hargreaves Lansdown , also believes that Attenborough ’ s films have been instrumental in persuading consumers to change their habits in order to protect the environment .
“ The David Attenborough effect is real , ” she said .
“ When we surveyed consumers after the release of Blue Planet , we found the majority changed their lifestyle habits after watching it .
“ Putting your money where your morals are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wide range of offerings ; some investment funds work on an exclusionary basis - refusing to invest in companies involved in weapons , alcohol or oil - while others look to invest in businesses that are making a positive impact on society.
” The financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has rocked economies worldwide , with governments , businesses and organisations seeking ways to fuel recovery .
Last month , the Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) urged UK leaders to seize the opportunity of creating green jobs and boosting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in the fight to tackle climate change .
CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said : “ For so many , this feels like a time of fiercely competing goals .
The world faces two seemingly separate yet fundamental problems .
Covid-19 , the biggest health crisis in living memory , and climate change , the defining challenge of the modern era .
“ But they are not separate .
The response to one affects success on the other .
And the defining question is , how does the UK use this moment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stronger world we want to return to ?
” Darius McDermott , managing director of fund scrutineer FundCalibre , agrees that the environment and climate change are key to the economy ’ s recovery .
He told the Mail that it was “ increasingly likely that an important part of the global recovery from the pandemic will be green ” .

David Attenborough’s documentaries have educated generations of TV viewers about the natural world - and the veteran broadcaster is also changing our attitudes to the world of business, research suggests.
The so-called “Attenborough Effect” has “prompted an increasing number of people to care about how they make their money as well as how much money they make”, says The Mail on Sunday.
The veteran broadcaster’s newest show A Life on Our Planet, released on Netflix at the start of October, provides a “terrifying look at how quickly the Earth has been stripped of resources and the devastating impact on the natural world”, says the newspaper.
At the age of 94 and after more than six decades of film-making, Attenborough “still has the power to shock” - and many of his countless fans “want to do something to help, whether by being more ‘green’ in their daily lives or by making sure their money supports companies doing their best to help and sustain, rather than harm, the planet”.
Growth prospects
Recent research by asset manager Liontrust found that 74% of private investors cite sustainability as important in their everyday life. And with only 43% of these people currently investing sustainably, demand is expected to continue to grow.
Liontrust has already seen the assets in its range of sustainable funds grow from £2.5bn in April 2017 to £7.5bn - an increase that the experts attribute in part to the Attenborough Effect.
Peter Michaelis, the company’s head of sustainable investment, said: “We believe sustainable companies have better growth prospects and are more resilient than businesses not prioritising environmental, social and governance issues. These advantages remain underappreciated by the wider market.”
A ‘real’ effect
Emma Wall, head of investment analysis at wealth manager Hargreaves Lansdown, also believes that Attenborough’s films have been instrumental in persuading consumers to change their habits in order to protect the environment.
“The David Attenborough effect is real,” she said. “When we surveyed consumers after the release of Blue Planet, we found the majority changed their lifestyle habits after watching it.
“Putting your money where your morals are is easier than ever. There are a wide range of offerings; some investment funds work on an exclusionary basis - refusing to invest in companies involved in weapons, alcohol or oil - while others look to invest in businesses that are making a positive impact on society.”
Green opportunities
The financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has rocked economies worldwide, with governments, businesses and organisations seeking ways to fuel recovery.
Last month, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) urged UK leaders to seize the opportunity of creating green jobs and boosting the economy by becoming a “global leader” in the fight to tackle climate change.
CBI director-general Carolyn Fairbairn said: “For so many, this feels like a time of fiercely competing goals. The world faces two seemingly separate yet fundamental problems. Covid-19, the biggest health crisis in living memory, and climate change, the defining challenge of the modern era.
“But they are not separate. The response to one affects success on the other. And the defining question is, how does the UK use this moment to rebuild our economy and the greener and stronger world we want to return to?”
Darius McDermott, managing director of fund scrutineer FundCalibre, agrees that the environment and climate change are key to the economy’s recovery. He told the Mail that it was “increasingly likely that an important part of the global recovery from the pandemic will be green”.


theweekuk--2020-10-26--Coronavirus: circuit-breaker lockdown ‘not worth’ damage to economy, Sage expert claims

Imposing a national circuit-breaker lockdown in England “ doesn ’ t make sense ” financially , a former member of the government ’ s advisory group has concluded .
In an article for The Times Red Box political newsletter , expert Barry McCormick writes that an assessment of the policy ’ s impact , calculated using data reported by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) , signals that such a move would “ fail the net benefit test ” standardly used by the civil service .
Documents released by Sage earlier this month show that the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ circuit breaker ” lockdown in September in order to curb rising Covid-19 case rates .
And Labour backed subsequent calls for a two-week shutdown , to run over the current half-term holiday , before the government announced its three-tier system for local lockdowns .
But according to the cost/benefit analysis by McCormick , a former chief economist at the Department of Health ( DH ) , “ the cost of lives saved by a circuit-breaker lockdown may not be worth the hit to the economy ” , The Times reports .
Using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ at the usual maximum price paid by DH for a year of life - £30,000 ” , the economic benefit of the lives saved by a lockdown would be £2.11bn .
But the costs of lockdown is predicted to total £7.3bn in lost GDP .
As the BBC ’ s economics editor Faisal Islam notes , the first national lockdown “ hit the economy incredibly hard ” .
The economy shrank by 20 % , and a two-week circuit-breaker could slash off a further 5 % , says Islam .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of shrinking growth , just as the technical recession from the first wave officially ended , ” he adds .
However , other experts have argued that the circuit breaker is a necessary evil given the economic impact of further Covid deaths .
Writing in The Guardian , the director of public health and wellbeing for Blackburn , Dominic Harrison , argues that a circuit breaker is vital if the North is to be saved from economic disaster .
He claims that “ a national circuit breaker lockdown is both necessary and inevitable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear it may only be triggered when London gets to the same confirmed case numbers as the North ” .
“ By that time , ” Harrison warns , “ the region will have more deaths , a longer trajectory to exit , higher economic costs , higher unemployment and greater educational disadvantage .
”

Imposing a national circuit-breaker lockdown in England “doesn’t make sense” financially, a former member of the government’s advisory group has concluded.
In an article for The Times Red Box political newsletter, expert Barry McCormick writes that an assessment of the policy’s impact, calculated using data reported by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), signals that such a move would “fail the net benefit test” standardly used by the civil service.
Documents released by Sage earlier this month show that the group advised the government to implement an immediate “circuit breaker” lockdown in September in order to curb rising Covid-19 case rates. And Labour backed subsequent calls for a two-week shutdown, to run over the current half-term holiday, before the government announced its three-tier system for local lockdowns.
But according to the cost/benefit analysis by McCormick, a former chief economist at the Department of Health (DH), “the cost of lives saved by a circuit-breaker lockdown may not be worth the hit to the economy”, The Times reports.
Using a variety of data, he concludes that “at the usual maximum price paid by DH for a year of life - £30,000”, the economic benefit of the lives saved by a lockdown would be £2.11bn. But the costs of lockdown is predicted to total £7.3bn in lost GDP.
As the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam notes, the first national lockdown “hit the economy incredibly hard”. The economy shrank by 20%, and a two-week circuit-breaker could slash off a further 5%, says Islam.
“It would probably lead to another quarter of shrinking growth, just as the technical recession from the first wave officially ended,” he adds.
However, other experts have argued that the circuit breaker is a necessary evil given the economic impact of further Covid deaths.
Writing in The Guardian, the director of public health and wellbeing for Blackburn, Dominic Harrison, argues that a circuit breaker is vital if the North is to be saved from economic disaster. He claims that “a national circuit breaker lockdown is both necessary and inevitable”, but notes that “many fear it may only be triggered when London gets to the same confirmed case numbers as the North”.
“By that time,” Harrison warns, “the region will have more deaths, a longer trajectory to exit, higher economic costs, higher unemployment and greater educational disadvantage.”


theweekuk--2020-10-26--Boris Johnson ‘planning partial climbdown’ over Christmas free school meals

Boris Johnson is planning to increase funding for England ’ s poorest families over Christmas in a bid to avoid a damaging Tory revolt over free school meals , according to insiders .
Downing Street sources told The Times that additional support for eligible pupils is to be provided outside term time , in what the newspaper describes as a “ partial climbdown ” .
The prime minister is facing growing criticism of his handling of footballer Marcus Rashford ’ s campaign for the government to continue providing the free meals over school holidays , with senior Conservatives accusing Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hinting at a new policy , Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told Sky News ’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that “ what we are looking to do is put in place the structure that means even in the school holidays children can get access to the food they need ” .
However , an unnamed minister said that the PM is “ standing firm on the principle that there are broader and bigger reforms of child poverty required rather than another sticking plaster ” , The Sun reports .
Labour has said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no U-turn , as three senior Tory MPs “ warned they would vote with Labour on giving vouchers to parents of the poorest kids during school holidays ” , adds the newspaper .
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said he was wrong to vote with the government against a free school meals extension last week , with fellow Conservative Tim Loughton warning that Downing Street is making “ a mistake ” .
Bernard Jenkin added : “ I think we have to admit that we have misunderstood the mood of the country here.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by many other Tories .
The Telegraph says that up to 100 Conservative MPs are sharing “ furious texts ” over the government ’ s handling of the issue , “ and the way it handed a political coup to Labour ” .
The angry MPs say the “ shockingly inept ” response and “ hopeless communication ” has created a “ political disaster ” , the paper reports .

Boris Johnson is planning to increase funding for England’s poorest families over Christmas in a bid to avoid a damaging Tory revolt over free school meals, according to insiders.
Downing Street sources told The Times that additional support for eligible pupils is to be provided outside term time, in what the newspaper describes as a “partial climbdown”. The prime minister is facing growing criticism of his handling of footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign for the government to continue providing the free meals over school holidays, with senior Conservatives accusing Johnson of “misunderstanding” the public mood.
Hinting at a new policy, Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge on Sunday that “what we are looking to do is put in place the structure that means even in the school holidays children can get access to the food they need”.
However, an unnamed minister said that the PM is “standing firm on the principle that there are broader and bigger reforms of child poverty required rather than another sticking plaster”, The Sun reports.
Labour has said it will table another motion if there is no U-turn, as three senior Tory MPs “warned they would vote with Labour on giving vouchers to parents of the poorest kids during school holidays”, adds the newspaper.
Tory MP Tobias Ellwood said he was wrong to vote with the government against a free school meals extension last week, with fellow Conservative Tim Loughton warning that Downing Street is making “a mistake”. Bernard Jenkin added: “I think we have to admit that we have misunderstood the mood of the country here.”
And those sentiments are reportedly shared by many other Tories.
The Telegraph says that up to 100 Conservative MPs are sharing “furious texts” over the government’s handling of the issue, “and the way it handed a political coup to Labour”. The angry MPs say the “shockingly inept” response and “hopeless communication” has created a “political disaster”, the paper reports.


theweekuk--2020-10-26--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 26 Oct 2020

An Australian woman said she was “ terrified ” when she was taken off a Qatar Airways flight and strip-searched @ @ @ @ @ identify the mother of a child found in Doha airport .
Nine women were taken @ @ @ @ @ Sydney and led to a dark area where three ambulances were waiting to perform medical @ @ @ @ @ of the women had recently given birth .

Women taken off Qatar Airways flight and strip-searched
An Australian woman said she was “terrified” when she was taken off a Qatar Airways flight and strip-searched as the authorities tried to identify the mother of a child found in Doha airport. Nine women were taken off the flight bound for Sydney and led to a dark area where three ambulances were waiting to perform medical examinations to determine if any of the women had recently given birth.


theweekuk--2020-10-23--McLaren’s 765LT is its spiciest model yet

The Carolina Reaper has been named the hottest chilli in the world , 200 times spicier than a jalapeno , and far too hot to use in normal cooking .
Think of the McLaren 765LT as the Carolina Reaper in car form , says Adam Binnie in Car magazine .
The McLaren 720S already provided more power and grip than you could ever realistically need .
The new 765LT is “ even hotter ” – “ faster , lighter and more powerful than any previous car with the LT badge ” .
The numbers “ don ’ t really do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shockingly fast ” at road legal speeds and from there , “ it just doesn ’ t let up ” .
The engine “ rips through its revs ” alarmingly , the power delivery is “ immediate and urgent , willing you on with gearshifts that are seamless on the way up and back-thumpingly fierce on the way back down ” .
To top it off , it “ sounds furious… angry , raw and metallic regardless of engine or road speed ” .
It feels like “ something of an explosive celebration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says Matt Saunders on Autocar – “ a yardstick… by which we might measure just how far it has developed in its first decade of continuous car production ” , taking the McLaren driving experience to “ spectacular ” new heights .
It is , depending on which options you choose , up to 80kg lighter than the car it ’ s based on .
In fact , “ every external panel and functioning aerodynamic feature on this car can be made out of carbon fibre ” , if you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s practically standing there in crêpe paper underpants.
” The weight saving makes it “ startlingly quick ” , but it ’ s also stable with powerful brakes .
The result is “ probably the most entertaining car that McLaren has built ” .
The 4.0-litre , twin turbo V8 engine makes 756bhp , and goes from 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds , says Sean Carson on Auto Express .
“ The more impressive statistic is that it will streak from 0-124mph in seven seconds dead .
Forget supercar rivals , that ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steers and turns effortlessly , yet is not intimidating to drive .
“ The sensations it feeds back… inspire confidence.
” This is a serious machine “ that indulges you ” .
The driving position is superb too , says Top Gear .
The low position allows you to feel the vibrations and hear the car roar over every inch of the road ; the dashboard is lean , the steering wheel firm in your hands .
The car is even a relatively practical proposition – perfect for a weekend away , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In short , it looks fantastic , the ride is wild and it will keep you on your toes .
“ Take your brave pills and strap in.
” This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

The Carolina Reaper has been named the hottest chilli in the world, 200 times spicier than a jalapeno, and far too hot to use in normal cooking. Think of the McLaren 765LT as the Carolina Reaper in car form, says Adam Binnie in Car magazine. The McLaren 720S already provided more power and grip than you could ever realistically need. The new 765LT is “even hotter” – “faster, lighter and more powerful than any previous car with the LT badge”.
The numbers “don’t really do it justice” – it is “shockingly fast” at road legal speeds and from there, “it just doesn’t let up”. The engine “rips through its revs” alarmingly, the power delivery is “immediate and urgent, willing you on with gearshifts that are seamless on the way up and back-thumpingly fierce on the way back down”. To top it off, it “sounds furious… angry, raw and metallic regardless of engine or road speed”.
It feels like “something of an explosive celebration” of McLaren’s current era, says Matt Saunders on Autocar – “a yardstick… by which we might measure just how far it has developed in its first decade of continuous car production”, taking the McLaren driving experience to “spectacular” new heights. It is, depending on which options you choose, up to 80kg lighter than the car it’s based on.
In fact, “every external panel and functioning aerodynamic feature on this car can be made out of carbon fibre”, if you’re prepared to pay extra. “It’s practically standing there in crêpe paper underpants.” The weight saving makes it “startlingly quick”, but it’s also stable with powerful brakes. The result is “probably the most entertaining car that McLaren has built”.
The 4.0-litre, twin turbo V8 engine makes 756bhp, and goes from 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds, says Sean Carson on Auto Express. “The more impressive statistic is that it will streak from 0-124mph in seven seconds dead. Forget supercar rivals, that’s superbike-fast.” It also brakes, steers and turns effortlessly, yet is not intimidating to drive. “The sensations it feeds back… inspire confidence.” This is a serious machine “that indulges you”.
The driving position is superb too, says Top Gear. The low position allows you to feel the vibrations and hear the car roar over every inch of the road; the dashboard is lean, the steering wheel firm in your hands. The car is even a relatively practical proposition – perfect for a weekend away, with a 150-litre boot and 210-litre back deck. In short, it looks fantastic, the ride is wild and it will keep you on your toes. “Take your brave pills and strap in.”
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek