theweekuk--2020-11-20--Instant Opinion: the coronavirus pandemic is putting ‘democracy at stake’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on the fear of corona-fascism “ Since March , the German government - like other governments all over the world - has been struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic .
It has introduced concrete measures to contain the virus , calling on people to wear face masks and banning gatherings in public spaces .
It has imposed restrictions on cultural life , on the food and catering industry , on hotels and also on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been annoying and painful for almost everyone - and some have also seen them as a violation of their fundamental rights .
On Wednesday , demonstrators - among them COVID-19 deniers and supporters of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany ( AfD ) - went so far as to compare the government 's proposed measures with the Enabling Act of 1933 which paved the way for Hitler 's dictatorship.
” on a coalition of the unwilling Only electoral reform will rid the Labour party of factionalism “ In a normal parliamentary democracy where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of votes received nationally , none of these people would be in the same party .
Corbyn would lead an explicitly socialist party , whose internal bureaucracy would not have spent the past five years trying to undermine him .
Starmer would be leading a moderate centre-left party .
The Liberal Democrat and Green parties would each have far more MPs , reflecting their actual levels of public support .
The Tories , with only 43 % of the popular vote , would only have 43 % of parliamentary seats .
In all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kind of centre-left coalition , from which Corbyn ’ s far-left party would try , and not always fail , to extract significant concessions.
” 3 .
Timothy Egan in The New York Times on the point of no return Donald Trump is leaving behind blueprints to end democracy “ ‘ American democracy cracked last night , but it didn ’ t break , ’ said Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit , on the morning after the certification back-and-forth .
‘ We are seeing a real threat to everything we believe in.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea that honorable people will put aside partisan passions to keep the machinery of democracy moving forward .
But it ’ s pretty hard to do that when the routine act of ballot counting has become a life-threatening job .
Arizona ’ s secretary of state , Katie Hobbs , described ‘ ongoing and escalating threats of violence ’ against her and her family for trying to perform her duty .
This is Trump ’ s legacy : an attempt to blow up an election , from Wayne County , Mich. , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed businessman , cheating and suing were a way of life .
For Trump the failed president , cheating and suing are a blueprint for his followers into the future .
And I fear there ’ s no going back.
” on the taboo of the extra chromosome The last children of Down Syndrome “ Denmark is unusual for the universality of its screening program and the comprehensiveness of its data , but the pattern of high abortion rates after a Down syndrome diagnosis holds true across Western Europe and , to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
In wealthy countries , it seems to be at once the best and the worst time for Down syndrome .
Better health care has more than doubled life expectancy .
Better access to education means most children with Down syndrome will learn to read and write .
Few people speak publicly about wanting to “ eliminate ” Down syndrome .
Yet individual choices are adding up to something very close to that.
” on the death of formality First names are for friends and family , not bosses and builders “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far too deferential for our egalitarian times .
From medical professionals to schoolteachers to salesmen , people now feel the need to address one another by first names .
It is as if calling someone by their surname risks an impression of arch formality , and insisting on being referred to by one ’ s surname feels like pomposity .
In the workplace and the legislature , even in hospitals and schools , the surname is as outmoded as wearing a tie or smoking a pipe .
In fact , you are only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more traditional quarters of the hospitality and retail industries , or in court .
In effect , the surname , as a spoken form of address , is all but dead .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Christoph Strack on Deutsche Welle
on the fear of corona-fascism
Amid coronavirus, democracy is at stake
“Since March, the German government - like other governments all over the world - has been struggling to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. It has introduced concrete measures to contain the virus, calling on people to wear face masks and banning gatherings in public spaces. It has imposed restrictions on cultural life, on the food and catering industry, on hotels and also on places of worship. These measures have been annoying and painful for almost everyone - and some have also seen them as a violation of their fundamental rights. On Wednesday, demonstrators - among them COVID-19 deniers and supporters of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) - went so far as to compare the government's proposed measures with the Enabling Act of 1933 which paved the way for Hitler's dictatorship.”
2. Jeremy Gilbert in The Guardian
on a coalition of the unwilling
Only electoral reform will rid the Labour party of factionalism
“In a normal parliamentary democracy where seats are allocated according to the proportion of votes received nationally, none of these people would be in the same party. Corbyn would lead an explicitly socialist party, whose internal bureaucracy would not have spent the past five years trying to undermine him. Starmer would be leading a moderate centre-left party. The Liberal Democrat and Green parties would each have far more MPs, reflecting their actual levels of public support. The Tories, with only 43% of the popular vote, would only have 43% of parliamentary seats. In all likelihood, we would be governed by some kind of centre-left coalition, from which Corbyn’s far-left party would try, and not always fail, to extract significant concessions.”
3. Timothy Egan in The New York Times
on the point of no return
Donald Trump is leaving behind blueprints to end democracy
“‘American democracy cracked last night, but it didn’t break,’ said Mayor Mike Duggan of Detroit, on the morning after the certification back-and-forth. ‘We are seeing a real threat to everything we believe in.’ One of those beliefs is the idea that honorable people will put aside partisan passions to keep the machinery of democracy moving forward. But it’s pretty hard to do that when the routine act of ballot counting has become a life-threatening job. Arizona’s secretary of state, Katie Hobbs, described ‘ongoing and escalating threats of violence’ against her and her family for trying to perform her duty. This is Trump’s legacy: an attempt to blow up an election, from Wayne County, Mich., to Maricopa County, Ariz. For Trump the failed businessman, cheating and suing were a way of life. For Trump the failed president, cheating and suing are a blueprint for his followers into the future. And I fear there’s no going back.”
4. Sarah Zhang in The Atlantic
on the taboo of the extra chromosome
The last children of Down Syndrome
“Denmark is unusual for the universality of its screening program and the comprehensiveness of its data, but the pattern of high abortion rates after a Down syndrome diagnosis holds true across Western Europe and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in the United States. In wealthy countries, it seems to be at once the best and the worst time for Down syndrome. Better health care has more than doubled life expectancy. Better access to education means most children with Down syndrome will learn to read and write. Few people speak publicly about wanting to “eliminate” Down syndrome. Yet individual choices are adding up to something very close to that.”
5. Guy Walters in The Spectator
on the death of formality
First names are for friends and family, not bosses and builders
“Using surnames is regarded as antiquated and far too deferential for our egalitarian times. From medical professionals to schoolteachers to salesmen, people now feel the need to address one another by first names. It is as if calling someone by their surname risks an impression of arch formality, and insisting on being referred to by one’s surname feels like pomposity. In the workplace and the legislature, even in hospitals and schools, the surname is as outmoded as wearing a tie or smoking a pipe. In fact, you are only likely to hear your surname in the more traditional quarters of the hospitality and retail industries, or in court. In effect, the surname, as a spoken form of address, is all but dead.”


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Four of the strangest claims from Rudy Giuliani’s ‘election fraud’ press conference

Senior Republicans have called on Donald Trump to drop his challenges to the US election result after his lawyer Rudy Giuliani followed up his appearance at a Pennsylvania landscaping centre with a second bizarre press conference .
As hair dye ran down the cheeks of the president ’ s closest legal aide , a sweating Giuliani ( pictured ) laid out another series of baseless accusations , including claims of an influx of “ communist money ” and a recreation of a scene from the film My Cousin Vinny .
The unsubstantiated claims saw Utah Senator Mitt Romney tweet that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the will of the people and overturn the election ” , while Tucker Carlson , the Fox News host and prominent supporter of the Trump administration , also “ criticised the claims ” , the Financial Times says .
After weeks of wild accusations , one might think that Giuliani and the remaining Trump loyalists may have run out of ways to attack the election .
But yesterday , the former mayor of New York “ gave it a damned good try ” , The Guardian says .
In a new addition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s legal team claimed to have identified “ massive influence of communist money through Venezuela , Cuba and likely China in the interference with our elections here in the United States ” .
They declined to provide evidence for the allegation .
Giuliani , in trying to convince reporters of his claims , evoked 1992 Oscar-winning comedy My Cousin Vinny .
“ Did you all watch My Cousin Vinny ?
You know the movie ?
It ’ s one of my favorite law movies , because he comes from Brooklyn , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Giuliani then claimed that Republican poll observers were “ further away than My Cousin Vinny was from the witness .
They couldn ’ t see a thing ” .
According to the Detroit Free Press ( DFP ) , more than 225 Republican poll watchers were “ roaming the room and observing the process ” in Michigan , a state the Trump campaign has complained extensively about .
The 225 figure is “ almost double the number of challengers who were supposed to be there ” , the DFP adds .
Making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the event , held at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington DC , kept on cutting out .
Heard in the background throughout was a series of voices asking “ can they hear us on the stream ?
” and “ you see fucking Rudy ’ s hair dye dripping down his face ?
” .
Team Trump has since claimed that “ hackers ” disrupted the stream , The Independent reports .
They have produced no evidence for this claim and YouTube removed the video shortly after the event ended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Four Seasons Total Landscaping for a hastily arranged briefing last week , there was perhaps an air of skepticism in the room before Giuliani had even opened his mouth this time .
Perhaps sensing that he was not in command of the event , he made an appeal to the assembled journalists , angrily saying : “ I don ’ t know what you need to wake you up , to do your job and inform the American people , whether you like it or not , of the things they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real !
It ’ s not made up !
There ’ s nobody here who engages in fantasies .
”

We will use the details you have shared to manage your registration. You agree to the processing, storage, sharing and use of this information for the purpose of managing your registration as described in our Privacy Policy.
Would you like to receive The WeekDay newsletter ?
The WeekDay newsletter provides you with a daily digest of news and analysis.
We will use the details you have shared to manage your newsletter subscription. You agree to the processing, storage, sharing and use of this information for the purpose of managing your subscription as described in our Privacy Policy.
We will use the information you have shared for carefully considered and specific purposes, where we believe we have a legitimate case to do so, for example to send you communications about similar products and services we offer. You can find out more about our legitimate interest activity in our Privacy Policy.
If you wish to object to the use of your data in this way, please tick here.
'We' includes The Week and other Future Publishing Limited brands as detailed here.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Coronavirus: why does London appear to be riding the second Covid wave?

Despite warnings from public health experts that London would likely bear the brunt of a second coronavirus wave in the UK , the capital is faring better than expected as the virus makes a comeback across the country .
Data released this week by the Office for National Statistics showed 952 deaths registered in London in the week ending 6 November , which The Times notes is the “ same number as would be predicted based on the average for the past five years ” .
Health chiefs are even hoping this weekend could signal the “ first decline in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the second lockdown ” , the London Evening Standard says .
So as cases continue to rise in other UK cities , how has London bucked the trend ?
In the week ending 6 November , London was the only one of the nine regions of England used for official statistics not to register any excess deaths .
And “ by contrast , the 1,900 deaths registered in the north west were 496 higher than average , a difference of 35 % ” , The Times reports .
The current London rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compares with a rate of 145.2 on 1 November , a relatively shallow rise .
As a result of this relative containment of the virus , London has kept winter coronavirus hospitalisations lower than the rest of Britain .
Hospitalisations in London are currently at less than 150 per 100,000 people , compared to around 400 per 100,000 in the north west and Yorkshire and the Humber .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday said “ now more than ever it ’ s vital that we continue to follow the rules because we still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our fight against the virus ” .
He added : “ I ’ m pleased to say that the end is finally coming into sight.
” There are a number of theories behind London ’ s better-than-expected performance in handling a second wave .
Londoners “ moved and mixed less during crucial summer months ” , The Telegraph reports , adding that during July , August and early September , “ London ’ s bars , restaurants , non-essential shops and offices remained much quieter than those in other parts of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pubs , restaurants and non-essential shops during the summer months “ remained between 50 % and 30 % below normal levels in London ” , analysis by the paper found , while in other areas around the UK “ the same metric moved from 40 % to just 10 % ” between July and September .
The Times , meanwhile , suggests that the capital may now have “ some level of herd immunity ” after a study in September showed 9.4 % of Londoners testing positive for Covid-19 antibodies .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , clocked in at 6.5 % , while the city ’ s young population “ may also mean a higher level of asymptomatic cases that are not being picked up by national testing systems ” , the paper adds .
While London is faring better than other cities in the UK , the global picture is a little different .
The latest government figures show that in a 24-hour period on Thursday , London recorded 2,540 new Covid-19 cases .
In New York City , however , the latest figures on Thursday showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases over the past week .
In Italy , Milan is one of a number of cities that falls within a region put into a strict lockdown after cases spiked , while Madrid has also been hit hard , resulting in a second lockdown during early October as cases rose across Spain .
Japan reported just 2,201 new cases across the entire country on Wednesday , with fewer than 500 in the capital Tokyo , a city with 28 million more residents than London .

Despite warnings from public health experts that London was likely to bear the brunt of a second wave of coronavirus, the capital is faring better than expected.
Data released this week by the Office for National Statistics showed 952 deaths registered in London in the week ending 6 November, which The Times notes is the “same number as would be predicted based on the average for the past five years”.
Health chiefs are even hoping this weekend could signal the “first decline in Covid cases in London since the start of the second lockdown”, the London Evening Standard says.
Supressing the spike
In the week ending 6 November, London was the only one of the nine regions of England used for official statistics not to register any excess deaths. And “by contrast, the 1,900 deaths registered in the north west were 496 higher than average, a difference of 35%”, The Times reports.
The current London rate of almost 200 cases per 100,000 people compares with a rate of 145.2 on 1 November, a relatively shallow rise. As a result of this relative containment of the virus, London has kept winter coronavirus hospitalisations lower than the rest of Britain.
Hospitalisations in London are currently at less than 150 per 100,000 people, compared to around 400 per 100,000 in the north west and Yorkshire and the Humber.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday said “now more than ever it’s vital that we continue to follow the rules because we still have some very difficult months ahead in our fight against the virus”. He added: “I’m pleased to say that the end is finally coming into sight.”
Quieter summer
There are a number of theories behind London’s better-than-expected performance in handling a second wave.
Londoners “moved and mixed less during crucial summer months”, The Telegraph reports, adding that during July, August and early September, “London’s bars, restaurants, non-essential shops and offices remained much quieter than those in other parts of the country compared to pre-pandemic times”.
Visits to pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops during the summer months “remained between 50% and 30% below normal levels in London”, analysis by the paper found, while in other areas around the UK “the same metric moved from 40% to just 10%” between July and September.
The Times, meanwhile, suggests that the capital may now have “some level of herd immunity” after a study in September showed 9.4% of Londoners testing positive for Covid-19 antibodies.
The next highest region, the north east, clocked in at 6.5%, while the city’s young population “may also mean a higher level of asymptomatic cases that are not being picked up by national testing systems”, the paper adds.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Pacific trade, tracking and Europe’s gay paradox

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 : China and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries have signed the world ’ s largest trade agreement in a move that analysts said will further elevate China ’ s political and economic influence in the region .
This new deal has been in the works for eight years and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japan and South Korea .
It covers a market of 2.2 billion people and $ 26.2 trillion of global output , or around 30 % of the global economy .
Civil rights and privacy experts are warning that the spread of wearable devices that continuously report our location - such as Covid-tracking tags - could lead to new forms of surveillance that outlast the pandemic .
They also caution that some wearable sensors could enable employers , colleges or law enforcement agencies to reconstruct people ’ s locations or social networks , chilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The EU has launched its first strategy to protect the rights of LGBT people , a challenge to right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary that have become increasingly homophobic in recent years .
The Commission said LGBT people were facing growing discrimination in Europe , even as most people in the bloc were becoming more accepting of gay rights .
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:
Asian trade
China and 14 other Asia-Pacific countries have signed the world’s largest trade agreement in a move that analysts said will further elevate China’s political and economic influence in the region. This new deal has been in the works for eight years and its membership involves big economies such as Japan and South Korea. It covers a market of 2.2 billion people and $26.2 trillion of global output, or around 30% of the global economy.
Data tracking
Civil rights and privacy experts are warning that the spread of wearable devices that continuously report our location - such as Covid-tracking tags - could lead to new forms of surveillance that outlast the pandemic. They also caution that some wearable sensors could enable employers, colleges or law enforcement agencies to reconstruct people’s locations or social networks, chilling their ability to meet and speak freely.
The gay paradox
The EU has launched its first strategy to protect the rights of LGBT people, a challenge to right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary that have become increasingly homophobic in recent years. The Commission said LGBT people were facing growing discrimination in Europe, even as most people in the bloc were becoming more accepting of gay rights.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Podcasts of the Week: White Helmets, good science and great bands

The BBC ’ s Intrigue strand has already produced two superb podcasts , Tunnel 29 ( about Berlin Wall escapes ) and The Ratline ( Nazi hunting ) , said Miranda Sawyer in The Observer .
Now it has brought us Intrigue : Mayday – a “ brilliantly produced ” ten-parter about James Le Mesurier ( pictured ) , the ex-British Army officer who led the White Helmets volunteer civilian defence force in Syria .
A year ago , Le Mesurier was found dead in the street in Istanbul , having fallen to his death .
In Mayday , Chloe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , former comrades and other White Helmets to try to piece together what happened .
“ Possible Russian involvement ( Putin ’ s enemies often fall out of hotel windows ) , spy stories and misinformation make this a gripping listen about how much of modern war happens online.
” Also recommended : The Messenger ( Audible ) , in which investigative journalist Shiv Malik tells the complicated story of his relationship with a supposed “ al-Qa ’ eda insider ” , Hassan Butt .
How can parents help counteract the “ conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are exposed to online ?
By introducing them to Lindsay Patterson ’ s “ brilliant ” science podcast , Tumble , said Simon Ings in the New Scientist .
It began in 2015 , and recently kicked off its sixth series with an “ insightful and intermittently hilarious look at the human microbiome ” .
The episode features Lawrence David , a US academic expert in , bluntly , poo – a subject that can not fail to amuse young listeners .
He knows “ more than is healthy about how much it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ( buying it a plane ticket is cheaper , since you ask ) ” .
But gradually the “ sniggering ” dies away , and what ’ s left is a gripping lesson in human biology .
In an age of scientific illiteracy , we “ desperately need a citizenry that knows what science actually is ” .
Tumble – entertaining , informative , inspiring – is the place to start .
Transmissions : The Definitive Story is the tale of two “ mythologised bands ” – Joy Division and New Order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spawned them , said Patricia Nicol in The Sunday Times .
You may already be familiar with the tragic story of Joy Division ’ s Ian Curtis , who killed himself in 1980 .
Do not be deterred .
He is “ movingly ” remembered here , but the podcast as a whole is an “ inspiring story of reinvention and renewal ” ; of “ northern powerhouses and legendary nightclubs , all propelled by a thrilling soundtrack ” .
The enduring influence of these two bands is reflected by the calibre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Liam Gallagher , Damon Albarn and Anna Calvi , as well as Joy Division ’ s Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook .
Maxine Peake narrates .
Can a trade deal unite the Pacific rim ?
Is Covid making us too willing to hand over data ?
And why are gay rights under attack ?
Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .

The BBC’s Intrigue strand has already produced two superb podcasts, Tunnel 29 (about Berlin Wall escapes) and The Ratline (Nazi hunting), said Miranda Sawyer in The Observer. Now it has brought us Intrigue: Mayday – a “brilliantly produced” ten-parter about James Le Mesurier (pictured), the ex-British Army officer who led the White Helmets volunteer civilian defence force in Syria. A year ago, Le Mesurier was found dead in the street in Istanbul, having fallen to his death. In Mayday, Chloe Hadjimatheou talks to his widow, friends, former comrades and other White Helmets to try to piece together what happened. “Possible Russian involvement (Putin’s enemies often fall out of hotel windows), spy stories and misinformation make this a gripping listen about how much of modern war happens online.” Also recommended: The Messenger (Audible), in which investigative journalist Shiv Malik tells the complicated story of his relationship with a supposed “al-Qa’eda insider”, Hassan Butt.
How can parents help counteract the “conspiracy theories and total nonsense” their children are exposed to online? By introducing them to Lindsay Patterson’s “brilliant” science podcast, Tumble, said Simon Ings in the New Scientist. It began in 2015, and recently kicked off its sixth series with an “insightful and intermittently hilarious look at the human microbiome”. The episode features Lawrence David, a US academic expert in, bluntly, poo – a subject that cannot fail to amuse young listeners. He knows “more than is healthy about how much it costs to mail human faeces around the world (buying it a plane ticket is cheaper, since you ask)”. But gradually the “sniggering” dies away, and what’s left is a gripping lesson in human biology. In an age of scientific illiteracy, we “desperately need a citizenry that knows what science actually is”. Tumble – entertaining, informative, inspiring – is the place to start.
Transmissions: The Definitive Story is the tale of two “mythologised bands” – Joy Division and New Order – and of the Manchester scene that spawned them, said Patricia Nicol in The Sunday Times. You may already be familiar with the tragic story of Joy Division’s Ian Curtis, who killed himself in 1980. Do not be deterred. He is “movingly” remembered here, but the podcast as a whole is an “inspiring story of reinvention and renewal”; of “northern powerhouses and legendary nightclubs, all propelled by a thrilling soundtrack”. The enduring influence of these two bands is reflected by the calibre of the contributors, who include Bono, Liam Gallagher, Damon Albarn and Anna Calvi, as well as Joy Division’s Bernard Sumner and Peter Hook. Maxine Peake narrates.
The Week Unwrapped podcast: Pacific trade, tracking and Europe’s gay paradox
Can a trade deal unite the Pacific rim? Is Covid making us too willing to hand over data? And why are gay rights under attack? Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Mexico on the verge of becoming third country in world to legalise cannabis

Mexico ’ s senate has approved a landmark cannabis legalisation bill in a landslide vote that paves the way for it to become the third country in the world to market the drug .
Senators voted 82 to 18 to approve the measure , with seven abstentions , marking a “ major shift in a country where drug cartel violence in recent years has claimed over 100,000 lives ” , Reuters reports .
In 2018 , Mexico ’ s Supreme Court ruled that recreational marijuana should be permitted , however , the new legislation means that “ safe , regulated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Washington Post adds .
The country is the first with such a strong drug-related underworld to take the step , with advocates “ long arguing that legalisation would put a dent in the black market ” , the paper continues .
However , supporters of the move are unsure over some of the details of the legalisation plan , with concerns that the move could “ favour large corporations over small businesses and family-owned farms ” , as well as “ doing little to address the issues at the root of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , it adds .
As The Economist notes , fears that the “ jolt of legalisation could provoke gangs to behave even more violently than now ” have been raised , while there has also been warnings that cutting streams of income could see “ gangs diversify faster into such activities as kidnapping and cooking fentanyl ” .
“ I ’ m not sure if the initiative being pushed by Congress actually makes things better , ” Julio Salazar , a senior lawyer and legalisation advocate with the non-profit group Mexico United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It makes a cannabis market for the rich and continues to use criminal law to perpetuate a drug war that has damaged the poorest people with the least opportunities.
” Socially conservative President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has “ shied away from publicly backing the legalisation push , but neither has he opposed it ” , Reuters says .
However , Lopez Obrador ’ s left-of-centre Morena party backs the initiative and holds a majority in both chambers of Congress .
Having passed through Congress , the legislation will now go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning the creation of the largest legal cannabis market in the world could be just around the corner .

Mexico’s senate has approved a landmark cannabis legalisation bill in a landslide vote that paves the way for it to become the third country in the world to market the drug.
Senators voted 82 to 18 to approve the measure, with seven abstentions, marking a “major shift in a country where drug cartel violence in recent years has claimed over 100,000 lives”, Reuters reports.
In 2018, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that recreational marijuana should be permitted, however, the new legislation means that “safe, regulated consumption” could soon become a reality, The Washington Post adds.
The country is the first with such a strong drug-related underworld to take the step, with advocates “long arguing that legalisation would put a dent in the black market”, the paper continues.
However, supporters of the move are unsure over some of the details of the legalisation plan, with concerns that the move could “favour large corporations over small businesses and family-owned farms”, as well as “doing little to address the issues at the root of the country’s illegal drug trade”, it adds.
As The Economist notes, fears that the “jolt of legalisation could provoke gangs to behave even more violently than now” have been raised, while there has also been warnings that cutting streams of income could see “gangs diversify faster into such activities as kidnapping and cooking fentanyl”.
“I’m not sure if the initiative being pushed by Congress actually makes things better,” Julio Salazar, a senior lawyer and legalisation advocate with the non-profit group Mexico United Against Crime, told the Washington Post.
“It makes a cannabis market for the rich and continues to use criminal law to perpetuate a drug war that has damaged the poorest people with the least opportunities.”
Socially conservative President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has “shied away from publicly backing the legalisation push, but neither has he opposed it”, Reuters says. However, Lopez Obrador’s left-of-centre Morena party backs the initiative and holds a majority in both chambers of Congress.
Having passed through Congress, the legislation will now go to the lower house of Congress, meaning the creation of the largest legal cannabis market in the world could be just around the corner.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Bullying inquiry head quits as Boris Johnson backs Priti Patel

Boris Johnson ’ s adviser on ministerial standards has resigned after the prime minister backed Home Secretary Priti Patel over a bullying inquiry .
Alex Allan found that Patel ’ s behaviour had breached the code , but she looks set to hold on to her cabinet role after Johnson said she has his “ full confidence ” .
The home secretary today said that she was sorry “ that my behaviour in the past has upset people ” , after a Whitehall investigation found that she had “ not always met the high standards ” required of ministers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the ministerial code ” , he felt “ that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister 's independent adviser on the code ” .
Sources familiar with the probes told The Guardian that it had “ found evidence that civil servants were treated poorly by Patel , as well as compelling evidence of bullying ” .
The report concluded that her actions may have been “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ senior civil servants for not raising their concerns directly with her before they became public ” , The Times reports .
It is also understood that Johnson will not publish the report , which was launched after details were made public in February about Patel ’ s “ behaviour towards senior staff in the Home Office and previous departments in which she had worked ” , the paper adds .
Patel has denied allegations of bullying , with allies describing her as a “ demanding ” boss but not a “ bully ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over Patel ’ s behaviour was triggered in March , when Philip Rutnam , the former Home Office permanent secretary , resigned his role after what he described as a “ vicious and orchestrated campaign ” against him for raising concerns about her actions .
An employment tribunal has been launched into Rutnam ’ s departure , while reports have also described how a “ senior Home Office official collapsed after a fractious meeting with Patel ” , the paper adds .
It is also alleged that Patel “ humiliated civil servants in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a minister in the Department for International Development 2017 .
A civil servant in the Department for Work and Pensions also received a £25,000 payout after she claimed that she had been bullied by Patel in 2015 .
The timing of the inquiry leak is not ideal for the government .
As Politico ’ s Alex Wickham notes , “ it ’ s anti-bullying week ” .

Boris Johnson’s adviser on ministerial standards has resigned after the prime minister backed Home Secretary Priti Patel over a bullying inquiry.
Alex Allan found that Patel’s behaviour had breached the code, but she looks set to hold on to her cabinet role after Johnson said she has his “full confidence”.
The home secretary today said that she was sorry “that my behaviour in the past has upset people”, after a Whitehall investigation found that she had “not always met the high standards” required of ministers.
Allan said that while “it is for the prime minister to make a judgement on whether actions by a minister amount to a breach of the ministerial code”, he felt “that it is right that I should now resign from my position as the prime minister's independent adviser on the code”.
Sources familiar with the probes told The Guardian that it had “found evidence that civil servants were treated poorly by Patel, as well as compelling evidence of bullying”.
The report concluded that her actions may have been “unintentional” and “its criticism of senior civil servants for not raising their concerns directly with her before they became public”, The Times reports.
It is also understood that Johnson will not publish the report, which was launched after details were made public in February about Patel’s “behaviour towards senior staff in the Home Office and previous departments in which she had worked”, the paper adds.
Patel has denied allegations of bullying, with allies describing her as a “demanding” boss but not a “bully”, The Guardian reports.
The dispute over Patel’s behaviour was triggered in March, when Philip Rutnam, the former Home Office permanent secretary, resigned his role after what he described as a “vicious and orchestrated campaign” against him for raising concerns about her actions.
An employment tribunal has been launched into Rutnam’s departure, while reports have also described how a “senior Home Office official collapsed after a fractious meeting with Patel”, the paper adds.
It is also alleged that Patel “humiliated civil servants in front of others” while she was a minister in the Department for International Development 2017. A civil servant in the Department for Work and Pensions also received a £25,000 payout after she claimed that she had been bullied by Patel in 2015.
The timing of the inquiry leak is not ideal for the government. As Politico’s Alex Wickham notes, “it’s anti-bullying week”.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Books of the Week: The Weirdest People in the World, Sybille Bedford, Love

In The Weirdest People in the World Joseph Henrich explores the “ psychological strangeness ” of the populations of Western societies .
Selina Hastings offers a “ heroically ” researched biography of the German-born English writer Sybille Bedford .
And Roddy Doyle ’ s novel Love follows two old friends on a night-long Dublin pub crawl .
The Weirdest People in the World by Joseph Henrich “ For obvious reasons , sweeping theories of Western civilisational dominance aren ’ t the trendy publishing proposition they once were , ” said James Marriott in The Times .
Yet the Harvard anthropologist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good one ” .
His new book proposes that one factor above all others explains the success of Western societies : the “ psychological strangeness of their populations ” .
Westerners , he argues , are “ WEIRD ” , meaning : “ Western , Educated , Industrialised , Rich and Democratic ” ; but they are also highly unusual in their thinking .
Asked to complete the sentence “ I am ... ” ten times , Westerners will typically focus on their personality and accomplishments : “ I am smart , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at crosswords ” .
Non-Westerners , set the same task , will , on the contrary , emphasise family connections and other allegiances .
And this , Henrich claims , points to an all-important difference : the Western mindset is “ individualistic , self-obsessed , control-orientated ” , whereas the non-Western ones are group-orientated and “ holistic ” .
What caused Western psychology to take this path ?
According to Henrich , the decisive shift occurred about 1,500 years ago , when “ some unknown early church fathers ” outlawed marriage between cousins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times .
This simple rule undermined the foundations of kin-based society , triggering a “ cascade of changes ” .
It caused nuclear families to replace extended ones , science and law to replace lore and custom , and gave rise to such quintessentially Western concepts as rationality and guilt .
The Weirdest People in the World is a work of dazzling ambition , comparable in scope to Jared Diamond ’ s Guns , Germs and Steel .
What makes it particularly impressive is that rather than just asserting his arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back them up with a huge variety of “ data points ” and statistics .
Actually , Henrich ’ s thesis can feel a bit too sweeping , said Judith Shulevitz in The Atlantic .
In his hurry to explain Western psychology , he gives a “ rushed ” account of early Christianity .
Nor do the broad abstractions he applies to the opposed “ WEIRD and non-WEIRD peoples ” always seem justified by the evidence .
Nonetheless , in its desire to “ account for Western distinctiveness while undercutting Western arrogance ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the triumphalism of previous accounts of the subject .
Henrich offers a “ capacious new perspective ” on the “ wildly problematic legacy of Western domination ” .
This biography of the German-born English writer Sybille Bedford is “ total heaven ” , said India Knight in The Sunday Times .
It is beautifully written and packed with the sort of people “ who don ’ t seem to exist any more ” .
Two such were Bedford ’ s parents : a “ charming , impoverished Bavarian aristocrat ” who collected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raving beauty ” who had “ affairs all over the place ” before descending into morphine addiction .
Bedford was born in 1911 , and spent her early days at the family schloss near the Black Forest , before joining her mother on the French Riviera , where she fell under the spell of Aldous Huxley .
It was during this time that Bedford discovered she was a lesbian : Huxley ’ s wife , Maria , was one of her first lovers .
Over her long , peripatetic life ( she died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ wonderful ” novels ( including A Legacy , her most famous work ) , while packing in a great deal of “ sexual bondings ” .
Towards the end of her life she confessed : “ I wish I ’ d written more books and spent less time being in love.
” Readers of this biography may well agree , said Julian Evans in The Daily Telegraph .
Hastings , quite rightly , is a “ punctilious chronicler ” of Bedford ’ s love life – but the endless affairs become “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an altogether appealing character , said Sara Wheeler in The Spectator .
An appalling snob , she referred to editors as “ hirelings ” and , though supported financially for many years by the war correspondent Martha Gellhorn , was contemptuous of the American ’ s low-born ways ( “ I am sorry to say [ Martha ] calls it a trat ” , she wrote after her friend took her to a Roman trattoria ) .
None of this , though , detracts from the quality of Hastings ’ s biography .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a work that is likely to “ stand the brutal test of time ” .
Novel of the week Love by Roddy Doyle Roddy Doyle ’ s “ boldly titled ” 12th novel is “ structured around a night-long Dublin pub crawl ” , said Hephzibah Anderson in The Observer .
Joe and Davy are old friends , both pushing 60 .
When Davy ( who now lives in England ) returns to the city to visit his “ ailing father ” , he meets up with Joe and is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his friend has left his wife for one of their “ long-ago shared crushes , a cellist named Jessica ” .
The novel has little plot , but makes up for it in “ lushly expletive ” banter and “ generosity of feeling ” .
At times , Doyle seems to be setting himself a “ perverse ” writing challenge , said Barney Norris in The Guardian : “ Can I make a good novel out of a pub bore ?
” As we watch the two men fall “ down the rabbit-hole @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be a negative one .
But then , near the end , “ something changes ” , and Doyle throws in a “ beautifully handled and powerful reveal ” .
A novel that had until then often been quite “ infuriating ” suddenly becomes extraordinarily moving .
I closed it “ sitting silently ” , thinking back “ over losses of my own ” .
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 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Actually, Henrich’s thesis can feel a bit too sweeping, said Judith Shulevitz in The Atlantic . In his hurry to explain Western psychology, he gives a “rushed” account of early Christianity. Nor do the broad abstractions he applies to the opposed “WEIRD and non-WEIRD peoples” always seem justified by the evidence. Nonetheless, in its desire to “account for Western distinctiveness while undercutting Western arrogance”, this book marks an important break from the triumphalism of previous accounts of the subject. Henrich offers a “capacious new perspective” on the “wildly problematic legacy of Western domination”.
What caused Western psychology to take this path? According to Henrich, the decisive shift occurred about 1,500 years ago, when “some unknown early church fathers” outlawed marriage between cousins, said Daniel C. Dennett in The New York Times . This simple rule undermined the foundations of kin-based society, triggering a “cascade of changes”. It caused nuclear families to replace extended ones, science and law to replace lore and custom, and gave rise to such quintessentially Western concepts as rationality and guilt. The Weirdest People in the World is a work of dazzling ambition, comparable in scope to Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs and Steel. What makes it particularly impressive is that rather than just asserting his arguments, Henrich goes to great pains to back them up with a huge variety of “data points” and statistics.
“For obvious reasons, sweeping theories of Western civilisational dominance aren’t the trendy publishing proposition they once were,” said James Marriott in The Times . Yet the Harvard anthropologist Joseph Henrich has written a very “good one”. His new book proposes that one factor above all others explains the success of Western societies: the “psychological strangeness of their populations”. Westerners, he argues, are “WEIRD”, meaning: “Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich and Democratic”; but they are also highly unusual in their thinking. Asked to complete the sentence “I am...” ten times, Westerners will typically focus on their personality and accomplishments: “I am smart, I am a lawyer, I am good at crosswords”. Non-Westerners, set the same task, will, on the contrary, emphasise family connections and other allegiances. And this, Henrich claims, points to an all-important difference: the Western mindset is “individualistic, self-obsessed, control-orientated”, whereas the non-Western ones are group-orientated and “holistic”.
In The Weirdest People in the World Joseph Henrich explores the “psychological strangeness” of the populations of Western societies. Selina Hastings offers a “heroically” researched biography of the German-born English writer Sybille Bedford. And Roddy Doyle’s novel Love follows two old friends on a night-long Dublin pub crawl.
Allen Lane 704pp £30; The Week Bookshop £23.99 (incl. p&p)
Sybille Bedford by Selina Hastings
This biography of the German-born English writer Sybille Bedford is “total heaven”, said India Knight in The Sunday Times. It is beautifully written and packed with the sort of people “who don’t seem to exist any more”. Two such were Bedford’s parents: a “charming, impoverished Bavarian aristocrat” who collected porcelain and lemurs; and a “raving beauty” who had “affairs all over the place” before descending into morphine addiction. Bedford was born in 1911, and spent her early days at the family schloss near the Black Forest, before joining her mother on the French Riviera, where she fell under the spell of Aldous Huxley. It was during this time that Bedford discovered she was a lesbian: Huxley’s wife, Maria, was one of her first lovers. Over her long, peripatetic life (she died in 2006), Bedford wrote four “wonderful” novels (including A Legacy, her most famous work), while packing in a great deal of “sexual bondings”. Towards the end of her life she confessed: “I wish I’d written more books and spent less time being in love.”
Readers of this biography may well agree, said Julian Evans in The Daily Telegraph. Hastings, quite rightly, is a “punctilious chronicler” of Bedford’s love life – but the endless affairs become “frankly exhausting”. She was not an altogether appealing character, said Sara Wheeler in The Spectator. An appalling snob, she referred to editors as “hirelings” and, though supported financially for many years by the war correspondent Martha Gellhorn, was contemptuous of the American’s low-born ways (“I am sorry to say [Martha] calls it a trat”, she wrote after her friend took her to a Roman trattoria). None of this, though, detracts from the quality of Hastings’s biography. Deft and “heroically” researched, it’s a work that is likely to “stand the brutal test of time”.
Chatto & Windus 432pp £25; The Week Bookshop £19.99
Novel of the week Love by Roddy Doyle
Roddy Doyle’s “boldly titled” 12th novel is “structured around a night-long Dublin pub crawl”, said Hephzibah Anderson in The Observer. Joe and Davy are old friends, both pushing 60. When Davy (who now lives in England) returns to the city to visit his “ailing father”, he meets up with Joe and is “unmoored” by the revelation that his friend has left his wife for one of their “long-ago shared crushes, a cellist named Jessica”. The novel has little plot, but makes up for it in “lushly expletive” banter and “generosity of feeling”.
At times, Doyle seems to be setting himself a “perverse” writing challenge, said Barney Norris in The Guardian: “Can I make a good novel out of a pub bore?” As we watch the two men fall “down the rabbit-hole of drink”, the answer seems likely to be a negative one. But then, near the end, “something changes”, and Doyle throws in a “beautifully handled and powerful reveal”. A novel that had until then often been quite “infuriating” suddenly becomes extraordinarily moving. I closed it “sitting silently”, thinking back “over losses of my own”.
Jonathan Cape 336pp £18.99; The Week Bookshop £14.99
The Week Bookshop
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.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Albums of the Week: Disco, Power Up, Art of the Mandolin

Pop diva Kylie Minogue is back in her “ natural habitat ” with a triumphant return to her disco roots .
“ Gnarly heavy rockers ” AC/DC make a blistering comeback with Power Up and Avi Avital , the world ’ s leading classical player , offers a “ very enjoyable ” introduction to the delights of the mandolin .
Two years ago , the world ’ s favourite Aussie soap star turned pop diva made an “ unconvincing detour ” into Nashville-style country , said Will Hodgkinson in The Times .
Understandably , Kylie fans were worried that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new exploratory phase ” in her career .
“ What if she ended up on a jazz odyssey ?
” Or worse ?
So it ’ s a great relief to report that , in a year when “ unexpected directions from beloved pop stars have been about as welcome as a second lockdown ” , Kylie has returned in triumph to her disco roots .
Kylie ’ s “ natural habitat ” is the dancefloor , agreed David Cheal in the FT – and this “ terrific ” album is a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encourage dancing and singing to a degree that is almost irresponsible in a pandemic ” .
Traditional disco elements are here : “ slap bass , snappy hi-hats and swooping Chic-like strings ” .
But they ’ ve been “ steroidally boosted ” by the synths and electronic beats of contemporary EDM ( electronic dance music ) .
The result is a “ very , very danceable album ” .
Since AC/DC ’ s last album in 2014 , the band has lost a fair few of its members : one has died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of making death threats ; a third retired and a fourth was forced to quit , mid-tour , after bursting an eardrum .
It ’ s fair to say that fans never expected to hear from the “ gnarly heavy rockers ” again , said Neil McCormick in The Daily Telegraph .
Yet here they are for one “ last stand ” , in the form of 41 minutes of “ riotous noise-making ” that is as “ exultantly fierce , furious and – let ’ s be honest – belligerently dumb ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is “ headbanging , fist-waving , foot-stomping , raw-throated , hard-screaming ” maximum rock ‘ n ’ roll .
For this blistering comeback , lead guitarist Angus Young has dug out some song ideas he and his late brother Malcolm worked on back in 2008 , and fleshed them out into new tracks , said Helen Brown in The Independent .
They rock as heavily as anything in AC/DC ’ s back catalogue ( 200 million sales and counting ) , and the band “ consistently sound like they ’ re having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 17th century Italy , the mandolin was a salon instrument played by “ educated young maidens of noble birth ” , said Michael Church in The Independent .
Since then , it has broadened its appeal and spread around the world : it infuses the sound of bluegrass in the US , and is vastly popular with amateur musicians in Japan ( Tokyo boasts no fewer than 130 mandolin clubs ) .
This collection of mandolin music from Avi Avital , the world ’ s leading classical player , reflects that reach – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduction to its delights .
If you ever need “ a shot of sunshine this winter , I prescribe Art of the Mandolin ” , said Geoff Brown in The Times .
Every sound plucked by Avital ’ s fingers – variously joined by a harpsichord , guitar , harp and the Venice Baroque Orchestra – “ radiates warmth and dazzling light ” .
The “ tactile subtleties ” , “ flamboyant dexterity ” and colour range on display in Vivaldi ’ s G-major concerto for two mandolins are a marvel .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Henze ’ s Carillon , Récitatif , Masque of 1974 “ couldn ’ t be more playful if it tried ” .

Pop diva Kylie Minogue is back in her “natural habitat” with a triumphant return to her disco roots. “Gnarly heavy rockers” AC/DC make a blistering comeback with Power Up and Avi Avital, the world’s leading classical player, offers a “very enjoyable” introduction to the delights of the mandolin.
Kylie: Disco
Two years ago, the world’s favourite Aussie soap star turned pop diva made an “unconvincing detour” into Nashville-style country, said Will Hodgkinson in The Times. Understandably, Kylie fans were worried that the album, Golden, signalled a “new exploratory phase” in her career. “What if she ended up on a jazz odyssey?” Or worse? So it’s a great relief to report that, in a year when “unexpected directions from beloved pop stars have been about as welcome as a second lockdown”, Kylie has returned in triumph to her disco roots.
Kylie’s “natural habitat” is the dancefloor, agreed David Cheal in the FT – and this “terrific” album is a “remorselessly upbeat succession of catchy tunes which encourage dancing and singing to a degree that is almost irresponsible in a pandemic”. Traditional disco elements are here: “slap bass, snappy hi-hats and swooping Chic-like strings”. But they’ve been “steroidally boosted” by the synths and electronic beats of contemporary EDM (electronic dance music). The result is a “very, very danceable album”.
BMG £11
AC/DC: Power Up
Since AC/DC’s last album in 2014, the band has lost a fair few of its members: one has died; another was sacked after being accused of making death threats; a third retired and a fourth was forced to quit, mid-tour, after bursting an eardrum. It’s fair to say that fans never expected to hear from the “gnarly heavy rockers” again, said Neil McCormick in The Daily Telegraph. Yet here they are for one “last stand”, in the form of 41 minutes of “riotous noise-making” that is as “exultantly fierce, furious and – let’s be honest – belligerently dumb” as anything they’ve done. It is “headbanging, fist-waving, foot-stomping, raw-throated, hard-screaming” maximum rock ‘n’ roll.
For this blistering comeback, lead guitarist Angus Young has dug out some song ideas he and his late brother Malcolm worked on back in 2008, and fleshed them out into new tracks, said Helen Brown in The Independent. They rock as heavily as anything in AC/DC’s back catalogue (200 million sales and counting), and the band “consistently sound like they’re having good-hearted, OTT fun”.
Columbia £12
Avi Avital: Art of the Mandolin
In 17th century Italy, the mandolin was a salon instrument played by “educated young maidens of noble birth”, said Michael Church in The Independent. Since then, it has broadened its appeal and spread around the world: it infuses the sound of bluegrass in the US, and is vastly popular with amateur musicians in Japan (Tokyo boasts no fewer than 130 mandolin clubs). This collection of mandolin music from Avi Avital, the world’s leading classical player, reflects that reach – and is a “very enjoyable” introduction to its delights.
If you ever need “a shot of sunshine this winter, I prescribe Art of the Mandolin”, said Geoff Brown in The Times. Every sound plucked by Avital’s fingers – variously joined by a harpsichord, guitar, harp and the Venice Baroque Orchestra – “radiates warmth and dazzling light”. The “tactile subtleties”, “flamboyant dexterity” and colour range on display in Vivaldi’s G-major concerto for two mandolins are a marvel. And there are many modern joys, too: Henze’s Carillon, Récitatif, Masque of 1974 “couldn’t be more playful if it tried”.
Deutsche Grammophon £13


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 20 Nov 2020

A criminal justice system in which crown court cases have been delayed until 2023 is leading to the innocent being @ @ @ @ @ , according to the chair of the Criminal Bar Association in England and Wales .
@ @ @ @ @ to the Ministry of Justice since 2010 and the Covid crisis has left the system @ @ @ @ @ , says James Mulholland QC .
“ Very vulnerable people who have to go through @ @ @ @ @ down , ” he added .

Vulnerable being let down by legal system ‘on its knees’
A criminal justice system in which crown court cases have been delayed until 2023 is leading to the innocent being penalised more than the guilty, according to the chair of the Criminal Bar Association in England and Wales. A combination of deep cuts to the Ministry of Justice since 2010 and the Covid crisis has left the system “on its knees”, says James Mulholland QC. “Very vulnerable people who have to go through the system are being let down,” he added.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Grow-your-own human steaks is ‘not cannibalism’

A “ DIY meal kit ” for growing steaks made from human cells has been nominated for “ design of the year ” by the Design Museum .
The ( currently hypothetical ) kit would allow customers to use their own cells to grow miniature human meat steaks .
“ People think that eating oneself is cannibalism , which technically this is not , ” insisted one of the designers .
Woman gives birth to twins while in Covid coma A coronavirus patient whose twins were delivered while she was in an induced coma said it ’ s “ amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rheumatology consultant at Birmingham City Hospital , fell ill in March .
She was rushed to the city ’ s Queen Elizabeth Hospital and ended up on a ventilator , in an induced coma , and her babies were born by caesarean section .
Officials at a library in Ontario said a book recently dropped into its return bin is as much as 100 years overdue .
The Fergus Library said they don ’ t have records of the copy of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens but it bears a Fergus Library @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it might have been from the facility 's original collection when it opened in the 1900s .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A “DIY meal kit” for growing steaks made from human cells has been nominated for “design of the year” by the Design Museum. The (currently hypothetical) kit would allow customers to use their own cells to grow miniature human meat steaks. “People think that eating oneself is cannibalism, which technically this is not,” insisted one of the designers.
Woman gives birth to twins while in Covid coma
A coronavirus patient whose twins were delivered while she was in an induced coma said it’s “amazing” they survived. Perpetual Uke, a rheumatology consultant at Birmingham City Hospital, fell ill in March. She was rushed to the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital and ended up on a ventilator, in an induced coma, and her babies were born by caesarean section.
Returned library book is 100 years late
Officials at a library in Ontario said a book recently dropped into its return bin is as much as 100 years overdue. The Fergus Library said they don’t have records of the copy of Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens but it bears a Fergus Library name plate inside the cover, indicating it might have been from the facility's original collection when it opened in the 1900s.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-11-19--Instant Opinion: ‘how to save the United Kingdom’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Gordon Brown in the New Statesman How to save the United Kingdom “ On one level , this is a story about governmental failure .
To control a pandemic you need public buy-in .
A company chief executive may be able , at least for a time , to send down diktats that have to be obeyed .
But when implementing lockdown and quarantines , ‘ command and control ’ only takes you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ persuaded to follow the rules .
A prime minister has to consult , communicate and coordinate , and build consent , for if trust breaks down and if , as the antics of Dominic Cummings demonstrated , there are doubts about the credibility , legitimacy and even-handedness of the rules , then any hope of unity disappears.
” Been injured in an election ?
Call Rudy Giuliani now !
“ Have other law firms withdrawn from your litigation on the grounds that an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the election is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of ?
I won ’ t !
Call me !
My cellphone number is readily available !
Maybe TOO available , and I DO text back , even if I don ’ t know who you ARE !
I have almost THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE since the last time I was in a courtroom !
But my skills remain just as sharp as my understanding of the law !
Please pay me $ 2,000 an hour , unless you want to pay me a different amount ; I ’ m going to leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your corner , judges will be wowed .
Most judges who have had to deal with me so far have been rendered TEMPORARILY SPEECHLESS and also MADE FACES !
” “ During a 2012 excursion to the region to reiterate US satisfaction with the panorama of right-wing , corporate-friendly brutality , Biden affirmed that there was no possibility for drug legalisation in the eyes of him and his boss , despite the horrific levels of violence generated by the drug war itself .
The perils of existence in Honduras have only been compounded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ development ’ projects entailing land grabs and environmental despoliation , and other US-backed neoliberal experiments in mass impoverishment and communal displacement .
Given this reality , it is only logical that a whole lot of Hondurans – as well as other Latin Americans in a similar boat – would attempt to migrate in the direction of potential physical and economic safety.
” “ If European leaders want to escape this autocracy trap , they must begin by standing up forcefully to regimes that try to hold the EU hostage .
They must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and press ahead with the rule-of-law conditionality regulation .
After forcing these rogue regimes to climb down , the EPP must show that there is a political price to pay for such blatant defiance of EU norms by finally expelling the Orban regime from their party - and by denouncing the autocratic practices of the Hungarian and Polish regimes .
Only once the EU demonstrates the resolve to defend democracy and the rule of law can it begin to escape the trap that its years of appeasement have created.
” “ Millions rely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From outdoor workers , travelling nurses , drivers , women , people with medical conditions , young families , or those who are older – it is not a minority .
And local authorities just do not seem to get it .
Many now operate toilets on a ‘ pay-to-pee ’ basis and generally treat them like businesses – seeing what return on investment they can have .
Lavatories are not something to be haggled , they are a human right .
And when there are none available , it can have a @ @ @ @ @

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Gordon Brown in the New Statesman
How to save the United Kingdom
“On one level, this is a story about governmental failure. To control a pandemic you need public buy-in. A company chief executive may be able, at least for a time, to send down diktats that have to be obeyed. But when implementing lockdown and quarantines, ‘command and control’ only takes you so far. Citizens have to be persuaded to follow the rules. A prime minister has to consult, communicate and coordinate, and build consent, for if trust breaks down and if, as the antics of Dominic Cummings demonstrated, there are doubts about the credibility, legitimacy and even-handedness of the rules, then any hope of unity disappears.”
2. Alexandra Petri in The Washington Post
Been injured in an election? Call Rudy Giuliani now!
“Have other law firms withdrawn from your litigation on the grounds that an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the election is not something they want to be a part of? I won’t! Call me! My cellphone number is readily available! Maybe TOO available, and I DO text back, even if I don’t know who you ARE! I have almost THREE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE since the last time I was in a courtroom! But my skills remain just as sharp as my understanding of the law! Please pay me $2,000 an hour, unless you want to pay me a different amount; I’m going to leave it up to you With me in your corner, judges will be wowed. Most judges who have had to deal with me so far have been rendered TEMPORARILY SPEECHLESS and also MADE FACES!”
3. Belen Fernandez on Al Jazeera
The Biden plan for Central America: Militarised neoliberal hell
“During a 2012 excursion to the region to reiterate US satisfaction with the panorama of right-wing, corporate-friendly brutality, Biden affirmed that there was no possibility for drug legalisation in the eyes of him and his boss, despite the horrific levels of violence generated by the drug war itself. The perils of existence in Honduras have only been compounded by the post-coup privatisation binge, mega ‘development’ projects entailing land grabs and environmental despoliation, and other US-backed neoliberal experiments in mass impoverishment and communal displacement. Given this reality, it is only logical that a whole lot of Hondurans – as well as other Latin Americans in a similar boat – would attempt to migrate in the direction of potential physical and economic safety.”
4. R. Daniel Kelemen on Politico
Time to call Hungary and Poland’s bluff
“If European leaders want to escape this autocracy trap, they must begin by standing up forcefully to regimes that try to hold the EU hostage. They must call Orbán and Morawiecki’s bluff and press ahead with the rule-of-law conditionality regulation. After forcing these rogue regimes to climb down, the EPP must show that there is a political price to pay for such blatant defiance of EU norms by finally expelling the Orban regime from their party - and by denouncing the autocratic practices of the Hungarian and Polish regimes. Only once the EU demonstrates the resolve to defend democracy and the rule of law can it begin to escape the trap that its years of appeasement have created.”
5. Thomas Riley in The Daily Telegraph
A lack of public loos is leaving Britain caught short
“Millions rely on free and accessible toilets daily. From outdoor workers, travelling nurses, drivers, women, people with medical conditions, young families, or those who are older – it is not a minority. And local authorities just do not seem to get it. Many now operate toilets on a ‘pay-to-pee’ basis and generally treat them like businesses – seeing what return on investment they can have. Lavatories are not something to be haggled, they are a human right. And when there are none available, it can have a huge societal impact.”


theweekuk--2020-11-19--£300m winter survival package confirmed for spectator sports in England

Major spectator sports in England have been given a winter lifeline after the government pledged £300m in funding .
With fans not allowed in stadiums or venues , many leagues , clubs and associations had feared for their futures due to the loss in revenues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic .
The “ Sports Winter Survival Package ” will support sports - from national governing bodies through to clubs - affected by coronavirus restrictions .
In an announcement today the government confirmed that £300m will be given to 11 spectator sports in England , including rugby union ( £135m ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ league ( £12m ) .
Football also gets £28m , but not clubs in the Premier League or the English Football League , BBC Sport reports .
The National League ( steps 1-2 ) receives £11m on top of £10m National Lottery funding , steps 3-6 get £14m , and women ’ s football has been allocated £3m .
A statement on the Gov.uk website said the funding will be “ largely composed of loans ” and is the “ most generous of any government for its domestic sport sector in the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities , and this £300m boost will help them survive this difficult winter period .
“ We promised to stand by sports when we had to postpone fans returning .
We are doing just that by delivering another £300m on top of existing business support schemes .
“ Britain is a sports powerhouse , and this government will do everything we can to help our precious sports and clubs make it through Covid.
” Earlier this year the government stepped in to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in October announced that £100m would be provided to support council-run leisure centres most in need .
Sport England announced a £220m emergency fund for grassroots clubs in April .
Tim Hollingsworth , chief executive of Sport England , said : “ These are unprecedented times for our sector , and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic .
“ The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National League ( steps 1-2 ) : £11m .
This follows the announcement that National League clubs at steps 1-2 would receive £10m National Lottery funding to keep them afloat up to the end of 2020 , following a deal brokered by the government • None Rugby Football League : £12m .
This will be delivered as a top-up to the existing £16m government loan scheme announced in May

Major spectator sports in England have been given a winter lifeline after the government pledged £300m in funding.
With fans not allowed in stadiums or venues, many leagues, clubs and associations had feared for their futures due to the loss in revenues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The “Sports Winter Survival Package” will support sports - from national governing bodies through to clubs - affected by coronavirus restrictions.
In an announcement today the government confirmed that £300m will be given to 11 spectator sports in England, including rugby union (£135m), horseracing (£40m) and rugby league (£12m).
Football also gets £28m, but not clubs in the Premier League or the English Football League, BBC Sport reports. The National League (steps 1-2) receives £11m on top of £10m National Lottery funding, steps 3-6 get £14m, and women’s football has been allocated £3m.
A statement on the Gov.uk website said the funding will be “largely composed of loans” and is the “most generous of any government for its domestic sport sector in the world”.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Sports clubs are the beating hearts of their communities, and this £300m boost will help them survive this difficult winter period.
“We promised to stand by sports when we had to postpone fans returning. We are doing just that by delivering another £300m on top of existing business support schemes.
“Britain is a sports powerhouse, and this government will do everything we can to help our precious sports and clubs make it through Covid.”
Earlier this year the government stepped in to protect rugby league with £16m in emergency loans, and in October announced that £100m would be provided to support council-run leisure centres most in need. Sport England announced a £220m emergency fund for grassroots clubs in April.
Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of Sport England, said: “These are unprecedented times for our sector, and those sports and leagues that rely so heavily on spectators for their income that have been especially impacted by the pandemic.
“The role they play in their local communities is vital and this package of support from government will be hugely welcomed.”
Breakdown of funding by sport
Rugby union: £135m
Rugby Football Union: £44m
Premiership Rugby clubs: £59m
Championship Rugby clubs: £9m
Rugby clubs below Championship: £23m
Horseracing: £40m
Racecourses: £40m
Football: £28m
National League (steps 1-2): £11m. This follows the announcement that National League clubs at steps 1-2 would receive £10m National Lottery funding to keep them afloat up to the end of 2020, following a deal brokered by the government
National League (steps 3-6): £14m
Women’s football (Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship): £3m
Rugby league: £12m
Rugby Football League: £12m. This will be delivered as a top-up to the existing £16m government loan scheme announced in May
Motorsport: £6m
Owners/operators of major circuits (Silverstone, Goodwood, The British Automobile Racing Club, MotorSport Vision): £6m
Tennis: £5m
Lawn Tennis Association: £5m
Netball: £4m
England Netball: £2m
Super League Netball: £2m
Basketball: £4m
Basketball England: £1m
British Basketball League clubs (including Women’s British Basketball League clubs): £3m
Ice Hockey: £4m
Elite League: £4m
Badminton: £2m
Badminton England: £2m
Greyhound racing: £1m


theweekuk--2020-11-19--Is it time the EU took on Hungary and Poland over ‘illiberal democracy’?

Calls for the European Union to clip the wings of Hungary and Poland have reemerged after the two countries vetoed approval of a Brussels budget and Covid-19 recovery package worth £1.8 trillion .
In a meeting on Monday , Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki announced that they would block the package citing the EU ’ s “ woke ” agenda and perceived interference in domestic politics .
The bloc has repeatedly criticised the countries ’ slide towards right-wing authoritarianism over the past decade , during which both have restricted civil liberties and curtailed political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socially conservative leanings of both Poland and Hungary have long been a thorn in the side of the more liberal-minded EU , but 2020 has seen the tensions veer into something of a crisis .
Over the course of his ten years in power , Orban has “ chipped away at the foundations of Hungarian democracy ” , replacing it with an “ authoritarian regime that wields a cynical interpretation of the law as a weapon ” , Vox reports .
“ Hungary ’ s civil society looks free and vibrant on paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but a patchwork of nonsensical regulations makes it nearly impossible for pro-democracy organisations to do their work ” .
Meanwhile , while the economy seems to be growing at a healthy pace , “ a significant number of corporations are controlled by Orban ’ s cronies , ” the site adds .
Under his rule , Hungary has been described as “ the EU ’ s first dictatorship ” by Euractiv , and in April passed a law that handed the prime minister the right to rule by decree indefinitely .
Poland , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argumnets to defend socially conservative legislation , while the ruling Law and Order party recently set of alarm bells in Brussels by attempting to restrict the independence of Polish judges .
Writing in The Atlantic ahead of the country ’ s election earlier this year , Yascha Mounk said that the country ’ s state television networks have become “ reliable purveyors of government propaganda ” , free speech has been restricted and “ control of the country ’ s court system ” has been achieved .
While the democratic backslide in both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies targeting LGBT communities , immigrants and women ’ s autonomy have more recently pushed the EU to consider taking action .
Ahead of his re-election earlier this year , Duda campaigned against an “ LGBT ideology ” he said was “ more destructive than communism ” and pledged to ban teaching of gay rights in schools .
Poland also “ has some of the most draconian abortion laws in Europe ” , The Guardian says , and in October ruled that one of the few exceptions to a nationwide ban - cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be made illegal , effectively outlawing all abortion .
Just last week Hungary ’ s far-right government used the passing of emergency measures for tackling coronavirus to ram through a constitutional amendment that requires children to be brought up with a “ Christian ” interpretation of gender roles .
The legislation introduces the phrase “ the mother is female , the father is male ” to the constitution and outlaws same-sex adoption , gay pride parades and legal recognition of transgender and intersex citizens .
The EU Council on Foreign Relations ’ Coalition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collectively they regard Poland as the second “ most disappointing country in the bloc ” , beaten to the top spot by Hungary .
What could the EU do about it ?
Hungary has so far faced little pushback for what Orban calls “ illiberal democracy ” .
However , his party is currently facing expulsion from the European People ’ s Party - the largest group in the European Parliament - after former President of the European Council Donald Tusk took over its leadership and vowed to purge it of populists .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU ’ s wrath , and is currently facing economic sanctions for its decision to restriction the freedom of the Polish judiciary .
But what if the EU wished to make a real statement over the countries ’ decision to block a coronavirus recovery package ?
At the “ worst possible time during a worldwide pandemic ” , Poland and Hungary are “ taking the 25 other EU member states hostage in their ongoing attempt to crush democracy ” , Deutsche Welle says .
Since “ the money from the Covid-19 relief fund @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the website argues , the EU “ needs to draft another clause - one that deals with kicking out member states ” .
This view is also held by former US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice , who tweeted earlier this year that Hungary should be ejected from the bloc .
However , Euronews notes that while Article 50 allows for a country to leave the EU voluntarily , there is “ no such mechanism for forcing a member state out ” .
“ The Article 7 process , which suspends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to go anywhere , ” it adds , as “ another member state can simply veto it ” .
In this worst case scenario for Europe ’ s populist pair , Poland and Hungary would certainly have each others ’ backs .

Calls for the European Union to clip the wings of Hungary and Poland have reemerged after the two countries vetoed approval of a Brussels budget and Covid-19 recovery package worth €1.8trn (£1.6trn).
In a meeting on Monday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Polish counterpart Mateusz Morawiecki announced that they would block the package citing the EU’s “woke” agenda and perceived interference in domestic politics.
The bloc has repeatedly criticised the countries’ slide towards right-wing authoritarianism over the past decade, during which both have restricted civil liberties and curtailed political dissent.
Step to the right
The socially conservative leanings of both Poland and Hungary have long been a thorn in the side of the more liberal-minded EU, but 2020 has seen the tensions veer into something of a crisis.
Over the course of his ten years in power, Orban has “chipped away at the foundations of Hungarian democracy”, replacing it with an “authoritarian regime that wields a cynical interpretation of the law as a weapon”, Vox reports.
“Hungary’s civil society looks free and vibrant on paper”, the site says, “but a patchwork of nonsensical regulations makes it nearly impossible for pro-democracy organisations to do their work”.
Meanwhile, while the economy seems to be growing at a healthy pace, “a significant number of corporations are controlled by Orban’s cronies,” the site adds.
Under his rule, Hungary has been described as “the EU’s first dictatorship” by Euractiv, and in April passed a law that handed the prime minister the right to rule by decree indefinitely.
Poland, meanwhile, has long relied on religious argumnets to defend socially conservative legislation, while the ruling Law and Order party recently set of alarm bells in Brussels by attempting to restrict the independence of Polish judges.
Writing in The Atlantic ahead of the country’s election earlier this year, Yascha Mounk said that the country’s state television networks have become “reliable purveyors of government propaganda”, free speech has been restricted and “control of the country’s court system” has been achieved.
European frenemies
While the democratic backslide in both countries has been long festering, overt policies targeting LGBT communities, immigrants and women’s autonomy have more recently pushed the EU to consider taking action.


theweekuk--2020-11-20--A beginner’s guide to buying whisky

A beginner’s guide to buying whisky

Although whisky can be enjoyed all year round , there ’ s nothing better than drinking a dram on a cold winter ’ s night in front of a roaring fire .
From Scotch to bourbon , there are many styles of the popular spirit , which makes it an incredibly diverse category which appeals to all ages , both male and female .
Whisky is also a very popular gift for Christmas .
If you ’ re a non-whisky drinker and looking to buy a bottle for a loved one - but not sure where to start - then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this beginner ’ s guide , the team from the award-winning Cotswolds Distillery explain how whisky is made and the differences between the styles .
What is whisky and how is it made ?
In a nutshell , whisky is a spirit distilled from grain ( generally corn , rye , wheat or malted barley ) and typically aged in oak barrels .
At the Cotswolds Distillery , all of our single malt whiskies are made from 100 % locally grown barley from the Cotswolds , which is traditionally floor-malted by hand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with water before yeast is added to convert the sugars into alcohol - our fermentation process is longer than most as it means our spirit will have lots of fruity flavours .
We then carry out double distillation in our beautiful copper pot stills , during which we only select the purest spirit and discard any impurities , and finally the spirit is left to mature in cask for a minimum of three years .
Not all of the spirit ends up in the bottle , however ; some is lost in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known as the “ Angel ’ s Share ” .
We bottle all of our whisky onsite and do not add any artificial colouring - the colour of our whisky is completely natural .
What is the difference between a single malt and blended whisky ?
Single malt whisky is always produced from one single distillery and the whisky must be made using 100 % malted barley ( barley that has been allowed to germinate and then dried ) .
Typically , a combination of cask types and ages of whisky are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create a specific flavour profile , but this does not mean it is a “ blended whisky ” .
Blended whisky uses spirit from more than one distillery which is blended together to make the final product .
These whiskies can be made using more than one grain , for example corn , rye and wheat .
If labelled “ blended malt whisky ” then the whisky has been produced using exclusively malted barley from more than one distillery .
What are the different effects barley/water/ageing can have on the flavour/smell/taste of whisky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ methods are built around extracting flavour from the barley to give the new make spirit its flavour ; this flavour is more well known as the “ distillery character ” found in the whisky .
Water is used in the production of whisky to break down starches within barley and convert these to sugars that can be converted into alcohol by yeast in the fermentation phase .
When making our single malt whiskies , we use local water which is filtered , softened and demineralised .
Ageing the spirit has a great impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factors , the spirit over time will interact with the wood that is used whether it is chestnut , French oak or , more commonly , American oak , and also with whatever has been previously aged in the cask , from the common bourbon and sherry casks to more unique wine casks like sauternes and even peated whisky .
Peated whisky has a distinct smokey flavour and is made by adding peat ( partially decomposed organic matter ) to the fire during the drying process of the malted barley .
The peat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the barley grain .
There are also other ways , however , to obtain a peated flavour without adding peat to the fire .
Peat bogs are not found here in the Cotswolds , and so we use maturation to add a peated flavour to our spirit .
When making our Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky , we take our un-peated spirit and age it in a cask that previously held a peated whisky , resulting in a wonderfully-balanced rich and fruity whisky with a subtle smoked peat flavour - perfect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland is famous for producing whisky , there are many countries now producing whisky across the globe , from Iceland to Australia .
English whisky is produced by distilleries south of the Scottish border and is now a very exciting , rapidly-expanding category worth exploring .
A few years ago there were only a handful of English distilleries producing whisky ; there are now more than 20 .
Why do some whiskies state age on a bottle ?
In the UK , all whiskies legally have to be matured for a minimum of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bottlings typically by age or by what cask/combination of casks it has matured in .
An age statement on a bottle , for example 12 years old , simply means the youngest whisky in the bottle has aged for a minimum of 12 years in cask .
Age definitely influences the whisky ’ s flavour , but this doesn ’ t mean it ’ s the most important factor to consider when buying a whisky .
In fact , not all whiskies will have an age on the label .
As previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can vary drastically depending on the type of cask used , or the quality of the cask and the conditions in which the cask is stored , amongst many other things .
Why does the price of whisky vary so greatly ?
The price of whisky can vary enormously due to a number of different factors .
More expensive whiskies are likely to have been produced in very small quantities , been matured in rare casks or have been aged for a longer period of time .
Our Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our barley locally and traditionally floor-malting it by hand for several days , to carefully ensuring our spirit is smooth , pure and free from any impurities , we don ’ t cut any corners and believe in taking our time to lovingly craft each and every batch of our single malt whisky .
As a result , our Cotswolds Single Malt is rich and fruity with notes of honey , Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits .
It has won more than 25 awards since its launch just three years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whiskies Awards and IWSC , and two stars from the Great Taste Awards .
How should you drink whisky ?
However you like !
Whether you like to drink it neat , over ice or with a few drops of water , we don ’ t believe in rules when it comes to enjoying whisky .
Our Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is delicious topped up with ginger ale and a slice of orange , or mixed with soda water for a longer , refreshing serve .
For something a little different , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cocktail , such as an Old Fashioned or a Whisky Sour if you ’ re feeling adventurous !

Single malt whisky is always produced from one single distillery and the whisky must be made using 100% malted barley (barley that has been allowed to germinate and then dried). Typically, a combination of cask types and ages of whisky are blended together from a single distillery to create a specific flavour profile, but this does not mean it is a “blended whisky”.
Not all of the spirit ends up in the bottle, however; some is lost in the ageing process due to evaporation - this is known as the “Angel’s Share”. We bottle all of our whisky onsite and do not add any artificial colouring - the colour of our whisky is completely natural.
We then carry out double distillation in our beautiful copper pot stills, during which we only select the purest spirit and discard any impurities, and finally the spirit is left to mature in cask for a minimum of three years.
It is then combined with water before yeast is added to convert the sugars into alcohol - our fermentation process is longer than most as it means our spirit will have lots of fruity flavours.
At the Cotswolds Distillery, all of our single malt whiskies are made from 100% locally grown barley from the Cotswolds, which is traditionally floor-malted by hand for several days.
In this beginner’s guide, the team from the award-winning Cotswolds Distillery explain how whisky is made and the differences between the styles.
Whisky is also a very popular gift for Christmas . If you’re a non-whisky drinker and looking to buy a bottle for a loved one - but not sure where to start - then you’re in luck.
From Scotch to bourbon, there are many styles of the popular spirit, which makes it an incredibly diverse category which appeals to all ages, both male and female.
Although whisky can be enjoyed all year round, there’s nothing better than drinking a dram on a cold winter’s night in front of a roaring fire.
Blended whisky uses spirit from more than one distillery which is blended together to make the final product. These whiskies can be made using more than one grain, for example corn, rye and wheat. If labelled “blended malt whisky” then the whisky has been produced using exclusively malted barley from more than one distillery.
What are the different effects barley/water/ageing can have on the flavour/smell/taste of whisky?
Every whisky distillery’s production methods are built around extracting flavour from the barley to give the new make spirit its flavour; this flavour is more well known as the “distillery character” found in the whisky.
Water is used in the production of whisky to break down starches within barley and convert these to sugars that can be converted into alcohol by yeast in the fermentation phase. When making our single malt whiskies, we use local water which is filtered, softened and demineralised.
Ageing the spirit has a great impact on the flavour due to many different factors, the spirit over time will interact with the wood that is used whether it is chestnut, French oak or, more commonly, American oak, and also with whatever has been previously aged in the cask, from the common bourbon and sherry casks to more unique wine casks like sauternes and even peated whisky.
What is peated whisky?
Peated whisky has a distinct smokey flavour and is made by adding peat (partially decomposed organic matter) to the fire during the drying process of the malted barley. The peat smoke produces flavour compounds which are absorbed by the barley grain. There are also other ways, however, to obtain a peated flavour without adding peat to the fire.
Peat bogs are not found here in the Cotswolds, and so we use maturation to add a peated flavour to our spirit. When making our Cotswolds Peated Cask Single Malt Whisky, we take our un-peated spirit and age it in a cask that previously held a peated whisky, resulting in a wonderfully-balanced rich and fruity whisky with a subtle smoked peat flavour - perfect for a novice whisky drinker.
Where is whisky made?
Whilst Scotland is famous for producing whisky, there are many countries now producing whisky across the globe, from Iceland to Australia.
English whisky is produced by distilleries south of the Scottish border and is now a very exciting, rapidly-expanding category worth exploring. A few years ago there were only a handful of English distilleries producing whisky; there are now more than 20.
Why do some whiskies state age on a bottle?
In the UK, all whiskies legally have to be matured for a minimum of three years. Distilleries will sometimes differentiate their bottlings typically by age or by what cask/combination of casks it has matured in. An age statement on a bottle, for example 12 years old, simply means the youngest whisky in the bottle has aged for a minimum of 12 years in cask.
Does age matter?
Age definitely influences the whisky’s flavour, but this doesn’t mean it’s the most important factor to consider when buying a whisky. In fact, not all whiskies will have an age on the label. As previously mentioned, the flavour of a whisky can vary drastically depending on the type of cask used, or the quality of the cask and the conditions in which the cask is stored, amongst many other things.
Why does the price of whisky vary so greatly?
The price of whisky can vary enormously due to a number of different factors. More expensive whiskies are likely to have been produced in very small quantities, been matured in rare casks or have been aged for a longer period of time.
Our Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is sold for around £39. From sourcing our barley locally and traditionally floor-malting it by hand for several days, to carefully ensuring our spirit is smooth, pure and free from any impurities, we don’t cut any corners and believe in taking our time to lovingly craft each and every batch of our single malt whisky.
As a result, our Cotswolds Single Malt is rich and fruity with notes of honey, Seville orange marmalade and dark red fruits. It has won more than 25 awards since its launch just three years ago, including gold medals at the World Whiskies Awards and IWSC, and two stars from the Great Taste Awards.
How should you drink whisky?
However you like! Whether you like to drink it neat, over ice or with a few drops of water, we don’t believe in rules when it comes to enjoying whisky. Our Cotswolds Single Malt Whisky is delicious topped up with ginger ale and a slice of orange, or mixed with soda water for a longer, refreshing serve. For something a little different, you could always try making a classic whisky cocktail, such as an Old Fashioned or a Whisky Sour if you’re feeling adventurous!
cotswoldsdistillery.com


theweekuk--2020-11-20--Mexico gambles on legalising cannabis

Mexico gambles on legalising cannabis