theweekuk--2020-12-02--Five signs that Brexit agreement is about to be agreed - and a couple that point to no-deal

Leaders from both the UK and EU have hinted that a Brexit deal may be struck within days , following months of negotiation stalemates that have threatened to send Britain crashing out of the bloc without a trade treaty in place .
EU officials have “ flagged this week as the one to watch ” , says Politico , which reports that “ numerous signs ” of an impending agreement have created a “ feeling among observers that things are finally getting serious ” .
So just what are those signs ?
Negotiators on both sides of the talks are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Brexit transition period approaches , any hope of coming to an agreement will be all but snuffed out unless a compromise is reached this week .
London and Brussels “ need to seal an arrangement by Saturday to have time to get it through their respective parliaments by the end of the year ” , The Sun reports .
Boris Johnson was said to be “ lining up a call with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen after she put pressure on her negotiator Michel Barnier to get it tied up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Raab told reporters that if EU leaders “ show the pragmatism , the goodwill and good faith that has surrounded the last leg of the talks ...
I think there is a deal to be done ” .
Raab has argued that with the deadline looming , striking a deal will be mutually beneficial for both the EU and UK .
“ We want to adopt the same precedents that the EU has with other third countries , ” he said .
“ The mutual interest in a deal is very strong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the EU is as reasonable as the UK has been.
” A Whitehall source told the Daily Express that the bloc “ appeared to be close to some form of breaking point ” and that many in London are anticipating a “ compromise ” from Europe by the end of the week .
Fishing rights have long been a major sticking point in the Brexit talks .
But experts “ doubt that the trade talks will fail over the fish industry ” when push comes to shove , says the London Evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around 0.1 % of the UK ’ s GDP , a fraction of that of financial services , which is understood to not be part of the proposed deal ” , the paper reports .
Hope is also growing that the EU is becoming more flexible on the issue , with the bloc reportedly offering to restore to Britain up to 18 % of the fish quota in UK waters currently allocated to EU27 fleets .
Barrie Deas , chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen ’ s Organisations , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a movement away from the very inflexible negotiating mandate they set for themselves ” .
Johnson and his cabinet are facing significant pressure from both the private and public sector to finalise a deal .
Businesses across the continent are “ getting extra nervous and piling the pressure on politicians to come up with solutions ” , Politico reports .
Lobby group BusinessEurope has warned that “ we can not afford another major disruption caused by a no-deal situation ” .
Echoing that message , Carolyn Fairbairn , director general of the Confederation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now must be the time for political leadership and the spirit of compromise to shine through on both sides .
A deal can and must be made.
” The UK ’ s border with Ireland is once again proving to be a sticking point in the latest round of talks .
However , Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said this week that a deal is “ possible ... because the consequences of no deal are so costly and so disruptive , particularly for the UK and for Northern Ireland , but for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the rising optimism that a Brexit deal can be struck , other signs indicate that the negotiations are doomed to fail .
While some observers are taking the EU ’ s offer on fishing as a sign of further compromise to come , not everyone is impressed by what critics claim is an insultingly small concession .
A government source told The Telegraph that the offer put forward by Brussels on fishing rights was “ risible ” , adding : “ The EU side know full well that we would never accept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failure from the Commission to internalise the scale of change needed as we become an independent nation.
” Tempers also appear to be fraying over in Europe .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned this week the EU was losing patience and that while she “ hope [ s ] that the negotiations will have a good end ” , Europe ’ s leaders “ don ’ t need a deal at any price and we have made this clear ” .
Both sides are waiting for “ the other to cave first - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to walk away from the table ” , says Politico .
The result may be “ a no-deal exit almost by accident ” .
“ We might end up sleepwalking toward the end of the transition period , ” an EU official told the site .
Some commentators have also suggested that Brussels may be angling for a no-deal exit as a means of forcing the UK ’ s hand further down the line .
“ If the two sides fail to reach a deal , World Trade Organization rules kick in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Politico reports .
“ Some on the Brussels side think a rupture might focus minds in London.
” The EU source added : “ When they gather the size of the disruption , they will start knocking on our door soon enough .
The logic of international trade negotiations is relatively simple : size matters .
”

Leaders from both the UK and EU have hinted that a Brexit deal may be struck within days, following months of negotiation stalemates that have threatened to send Britain crashing out of the bloc without a trade treaty in place.
EU officials have “flagged this week as the one to watch”, says Politico, which reports that “numerous signs” of an impending agreement have created a “feeling among observers that things are finally getting serious”.
So just what are those signs?
Timing is everything
Negotiators on both sides of the talks are keenly aware that as the end of the Brexit transition period approaches, any hope of coming to an agreement will be all but snuffed out unless a compromise is reached this week.
London and Brussels “need to seal an arrangement by Saturday to have time to get it through their respective parliaments by the end of the year”, The Sun reports.
Boris Johnson was said to be “lining up a call with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen after she put pressure on her negotiator Michel Barnier to get it tied up”.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told reporters that if EU leaders “show the pragmatism, the goodwill and good faith that has surrounded the last leg of the talks... I think there is a deal to be done”.
Mutual need
Raab has argued that with the deadline looming, striking a deal will be mutually beneficial for both the EU and UK. “We want to adopt the same precedents that the EU has with other third countries,” he said. “The mutual interest in a deal is very strong. I think there is a landing zone if the EU is as reasonable as the UK has been.”
A Whitehall source told the Daily Express that the bloc “appeared to be close to some form of breaking point” and that many in London are anticipating a “compromise” from Europe by the end of the week.
Fishing flexibility
Fishing rights have long been a major sticking point in the Brexit talks.
But experts “doubt that the trade talks will fail over the fish industry” when push comes to shove, says the London Evening Standard. Fishing “accounts for only around 0.1% of the UK’s GDP, a fraction of that of financial services, which is understood to not be part of the proposed deal”, the paper reports.


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Dream homes of 2020: take a peek inside these luxury mansions

If you ’ re in the market for a property , what would be on the list of must-have essentials for your dream home ?
For us it would definitely be loads of space and features such as a swimming pool , wine cellar , tennis court and maybe even an indoor bowling alley .
While we may not be able to afford the price tags of a home with these luxury additions , there ’ s no harm in taking a look to see what ’ s available out there .
Rightmove has revealed the five properties that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 - and they all include a luxury item or two .
Tim Bannister , Rightmove ’ s director of property data , said : “ We ’ ve seen many new trends unfold this year as home-movers have reassessed their housing needs and reprioritised what ’ s important to them .
However , one thing that ’ s remained constant is the nation ’ s curiosity to look inside the most amazing homes currently on the market and there ’ s no mistaking that these five properties are the crème de la @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s really interesting about this year ’ s annual round-up is that there aren ’ t any penthouse apartments in the list , which reflects a national trend of people wanting more space - both when they ’ re browsing dream homes as well as when they ’ re searching Rightmove for something a little more affordable.
” Here we take a sneak peek inside the five properties ...
Asking price : offers in excess of £30m Set in an enormous 30 acres of beautiful parkland , this sprawling ten-bedroom mega-mansion ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoor two-lane bowling alley , complete with disco lighting .
On the market for a cool £30m , the property is approached via a sweeping drive to reveal a colonnade entrance and an iconic Georgian style façade .
If that isn ’ t enough to dazzle your guests , you can entertain friends and family ( local tiers permitting ) by showing them around your very own wine cellar , tennis court , stables or either one of the indoor or outdoor swimming pools ( above ) .
This extravagant new home has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three opulently decked out floors and is up for sale for a whopping £40m .
The ten-bedroom property boasts panoramic views over Hampstead Heath and beyond , with its two acres of land incorporating a tennis court and a phenomenal indoor swimming pool .
The home also comes with a self-contained staff lodge , a home gym and spa , a billiards room and a garage for four of your super cars .
This beautiful five-bedroom home , found deep in the Essex countryside , is set in a whopping 52 acres of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre .
The enormous mansion also boasts an impressive underground car port – big enough to accommodate a fleet of ten supercars – and is like something out of a Bond film .
The luxurious property is also home to an incredibly swanky indoor swimming pool , complete with a waterfall and jacuzzi , as well as a sauna , steam room , cinema room , and a home gym .
Nestled in almost four acres of perfectly manicured lawns , this incredible country home is found in the internationally renowned St George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woodlawn in Surrey is a stunning seven-bedroom mansion designed by the revered period architect Julian Bicknell and it ’ s on the market for £22.49m .
Inside , the property has been luxuriously furnished , and some of the eye-catching features include a domed and galleried entrance hall , a cinema room , a beautiful semi-circular orangery that links seamlessly with the swimming pool , a sauna , a spa , and a gym .
Tucked away in one of the trendiest postcodes in London , this glorious eight-bedroom mansion is nestled in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a short stroll from the iconic Lord ’ s Cricket Ground and Abbey Road studios , this ultra-modern property comes complete with a host of incredible features .
To name just a few , the impressive home boasts a wine cellar , a cosy private movie theatre , a games room , a gym as well as its very own private bar .

If you’re in the market for a property, what would be on the list of must-have essentials for your dream home?
For us it would definitely be loads of space and features such as a swimming pool, wine cellar, tennis court and maybe even an indoor bowling alley.
While we may not be able to afford the price tags of a home with these luxury additions, there’s no harm in taking a look to see what’s available out there.
Rightmove has revealed the five properties that are the most viewed on its website in 2020 - and they all include a luxury item or two.
Tim Bannister, Rightmove’s director of property data, said: “We’ve seen many new trends unfold this year as home-movers have reassessed their housing needs and reprioritised what’s important to them. However, one thing that’s remained constant is the nation’s curiosity to look inside the most amazing homes currently on the market and there’s no mistaking that these five properties are the crème de la crème this year.
“Although what’s really interesting about this year’s annual round-up is that there aren’t any penthouse apartments in the list, which reflects a national trend of people wanting more space - both when they’re browsing dream homes as well as when they’re searching Rightmove for something a little more affordable.”
Here we take a sneak peek inside the five properties...
Mill Lane, Chiddingfold, Godalming
Asking price: offers in excess of £30m
Set in an enormous 30 acres of beautiful parkland, this sprawling ten-bedroom mega-mansion (above) has its own private, indoor two-lane bowling alley, complete with disco lighting. On the market for a cool £30m, the property is approached via a sweeping drive to reveal a colonnade entrance and an iconic Georgian style façade. If that isn’t enough to dazzle your guests, you can entertain friends and family (local tiers permitting) by showing them around your very own wine cellar, tennis court, stables or either one of the indoor or outdoor swimming pools (above).
Merton Lane, London
Asking price: £40m
This extravagant new home has a glass lift to each of its three opulently decked out floors and is up for sale for a whopping £40m. The ten-bedroom property boasts panoramic views over Hampstead Heath and beyond, with its two acres of land incorporating a tennis court and a phenomenal indoor swimming pool. The home also comes with a self-contained staff lodge, a home gym and spa, a billiards room and a garage for four of your super cars.
Aspen House, Chigwell, Essex
Asking price: on application


theweekuk--2020-12-03--‘An emotional night’: fans applauded on return to English football stadiums

A lap of honour and applause at a football match are usually reserved for triumphant players and managers. However, at Adams Park in Wycombe the roles were reversed as it was the fans who also received the adulation.
After 266 days fans have returned to English football stadiums and on Wednesday night more than 10,000 were welcomed across six games in the Championship, League One and League Two, Sky Sports reports. Only clubs located in Tier 1 and Tier 2 can allow a limited number of fans inside their grounds.
Speaking ahead of this week’s fixtures EFL chair Rick Parry said it was an “important first step”. He told Sky Sports: “We’re all delighted and frankly excited. It’s been a very, very long time coming, we’ve had many challenges along the way and there was a time when we were all thinking it might not happen this side of Christmas, but it’s a very welcome and a very important first step.
Choirboys celebrate - despite losing 1-0
Wycombe were promoted to the Championship having won last season’s League One play-off final against Oxford United. But due to Covid-19 restrictions fans were unable to enjoy the big match at Wembley Stadium.
Wednesday’s game against Stoke was the first time that the Choirboys and their fans were able to celebrate the promotion. There was 1,000 in attendance and even though his side were beaten by a single goal, Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth “beamed broadly even in defeat”, the BBC reports.
Ainsworth did his lap of the pitch before the game to applaud the club’s fans - and they responded with a standing ovation for their gaffer.
“This was fantastic,” he said. “It was great to see them back home and the players were fantastic as well. We won a throw-in in the first minute and they cheered like it was a goal. It was eight months of frustration, desire and need coming out in that moment.
“It was an emotional night because we’ve been away so long. There has been a promotion in there so it was fantastic to share this night even though we lost. It was an emotional moment for me walking around the pitch at the start.
“It was a joy to see supporters back here with us. They were outstanding before, during and after the game and we can’t wait to have more of them here with us.”


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Coronavirus: how the deep-freezed Pfizer vaccine will be rolled out across Britain

The world ’ s first approved coronavirus vaccine is also , unfortunately , one of the most complex to distribute @ @ @ @ @ the drug at a temperature of minus 70C has led its manufacturers , Pfizer and @ @ @ @ @ “ innovative way to transport the vials ” , says The Telegraph - but one @ @ @ @ @ .
After rolling off the production line in the Belgium town of Puurs , near @ @ @ @ @ will be packed into special cool boxes the size of a suitcase , packed with @ @ @ @ @ ” , the paper explains .

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theweekuk--2020-12-03--Has Britain’s Covid response finally become ‘world beating’ - and did Brexit boost vaccine rollout?

With the highest Covid death toll in Europe and the botched launch of the NHS Track and Trace app , Britain ’ s promised “ world-beating ” response to the pandemic has failed to live up to that billing since Boris Johnson made the pledge back in May .
But the UK has finally scored a major victory by becoming the first Western nation to approve the use of a Covid-19 vaccine , with the first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab to be administered next week .
“ For once , the UK really was world-beating , ” says Politico @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead - and what does Brexit have to do with it all ?
How the vaccine was delivered The vaccine was authorised for emergency use by the UK ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority ( MHRA ) this week , under special powers granted to the executive agency .
The vaccine will be free but not compulsory , and will be delivered in three ways , the BBC reports .
Patients will receive the jab at either a hospital , at GPs or pharmacists , or at vaccination centres that Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bit like ” the Nightingales hospitals set up to add capacity to the NHS during the first wave of coronavirus .
About 50 hospitals are on stand-by , and vaccination centres in venues including conference centres or sports stadiums are being prepared .
The prime minister has hailed the vaccine approval as “ unquestionably good news ” , but also warned that the Covid immunisation rollout is “ by no means the end of the story ” .
Is jab victory thanks to Brexit ?
Hancock and some other politicians have claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the vaccine faster than any other country .
The health secretary told Times Radio yesterday that the UK was doing “ all the same safety checks and the same processes , but we have been able to speed up how they ’ re done because of Brexit ” .
Meanwhile , leader of the House of Commons and arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg , tweeted : “ We could only approve this vaccine so quickly because we have left the EU.
” However , “ both Downing Street and the UK ’ s medicines regulator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian .
The goverment announcement of the vaccine approval “ said it had taken place under a provision of the Human Medicines Regulations , passed in 2012 , which permits the rapid licensing of medicines in the event of an emergency such as a pandemic ” , the paper reports .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has also dismissed the notion that the UK won the vaccine race because of Brexit - but still struck a jingoistic note .
“ I just reckon we ’ ve got the very best people in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best medical regulators ... much better than the French , much better than the Belgians have , much better than the Americans have , ” Williamson told LBC radio .
“ That doesn ’ t surprise me at all because we ’ re a much better country than every single one of them.
” Who will grant approval next ?
The Telegraph reports that EU authorities have “ set out a rough timeline for a decision ” on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine , with the European Medicines Agency ’ s scientific committee for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conclude its assessment by 29 December , at the latest ” .
The US , meanwhile , is a little further behind .
“ Unlike many of its counterparts ” , the US Food and Drug Administration has rules that “ require the agency to complete an internal assessment and to consult an external advisory board prior to making a decision ” , causing significant delays , says the newspaper .
China and Russia are developing and distributing their own vaccines , with Russia ’ s Sputnik V jab thought to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

With the highest Covid death toll in Europe and the botched launch of the NHS Track and Trace app, Britain’s promised “world-beating” response to the pandemic has failed to live up to that billing since Boris Johnson made the pledge back in May.
“For once, the UK really was world-beating,” says Politico. But can the country maintain its lead - and what does Brexit have to do with it all?
How the vaccine was delivered
The vaccine was authorised for emergency use by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) this week, under special powers granted to the executive agency.
The vaccine will be free but not compulsory, and will be delivered in three ways, the BBC reports. Patients will receive the jab at either a hospital, at GPs or pharmacists, or at vaccination centres that Health Secretary Matt Hancock says will be “a bit like” the Nightingales hospitals set up to add capacity to the NHS during the first wave of coronavirus.
About 50 hospitals are on stand-by, and vaccination centres in venues including conference centres or sports stadiums are being prepared.
The prime minister has hailed the vaccine approval as “unquestionably good news”, but also warned that the Covid immunisation rollout is “by no means the end of the story”.
Is jab victory thanks to Brexit?
Hancock and some other politicians have claimed that Brexit allowed the UK to approve the vaccine faster than any other country.
The health secretary told Times Radio yesterday that the UK was doing “all the same safety checks and the same processes, but we have been able to speed up how they’re done because of Brexit”.
Meanwhile, leader of the House of Commons and arch-Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, tweeted: “We could only approve this vaccine so quickly because we have left the EU.”
However, “both Downing Street and the UK’s medicines regulator have contradicted” that claim, says The Guardian. The goverment announcement of the vaccine approval “said it had taken place under a provision of the Human Medicines Regulations, passed in 2012, which permits the rapid licensing of medicines in the event of an emergency such as a pandemic”, the paper reports.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has also dismissed the notion that the UK won the vaccine race because of Brexit - but still struck a jingoistic note.
“I just reckon we’ve got the very best people in this country and we’ve obviously got the best medical regulators... much better than the French, much better than the Belgians have, much better than the Americans have,” Williamson told LBC radio.
“That doesn’t surprise me at all because we’re a much better country than every single one of them.”
Who will grant approval next?
The Telegraph reports that EU authorities have “set out a rough timeline for a decision” on the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with the European Medicines Agency’s scientific committee for human medicines due to meet “to conclude its assessment by 29 December, at the latest”.
The US, meanwhile, is a little further behind. “Unlike many of its counterparts”, the US Food and Drug Administration has rules that “require the agency to complete an internal assessment and to consult an external advisory board prior to making a decision”, causing significant delays, says the newspaper.
China and Russia are developing and distributing their own vaccines, with Russia’s Sputnik V jab thought to be the most promising for either country so far.


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Thousands of Britain’s busiest bridges ‘at risk of failure’, official data show

Key sections of almost half of the bridges on England ’ s most used roads are in a “ poor ” or “ very poor ” condition , an investigation has found .
A total of 4,000 of the UK ’ s 9,000 bridges on motorways or A-roads show signs of “ defects or damage that may significantly affect their capacity ” , The Times reports .
Figures obtained from Highways England by the newspaper following a freedom of information ( FOI ) request reveal that 858 structures had at least one load-bearing section in “ very poor condition ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bridges and culverts “ were given the worst possible score of zero ” .
A total of 141 bridges rated “ very poor ” are on parts of the M6 motorway , and a further 90 given the lowest rating were on the M1 , 51 on the M62 and 50 on the M5 .
Highways England has insisted that a rating of “ poor ” or “ very poor ” does not mean a structure is unsafe .
But “ according to official guidance , sections deemed to be in a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , says The Times .
The road agency “ attempted to keep the data secret and released it only after an 18-month freedom of information battle ” , adds the paper , which suggests that figures will trigger “ concerns about traffic chaos while vital repairs are carried out ” .
Separate data released by Transport for London shows that about 200 of the capital ’ s 500 bridges have sections in poor or very poor repair .
Hammersmith Bridge was closed to motorists in April 2019 when cracks were detected .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ southern part of Hammersmith to Barnes - remained open to pedestrians and cyclists until mid-August last year , but was fully closed after cracks were found to have become worse during a heatwave .
Responding to the newly published data , shadow roads minister Matt Rodda said that the condition of England ’ s bridges was “ a major safety concern ” .
The Labour MP added : “ Bridges are a critical part of the functioning of any country and it is alarming that so many have fallen into disrepair in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have serious doubts about this government ’ s ability to fulfil new projects that have been promised if they can not maintain existing infrastructure to even minimum levels.
” Downing Street confirmed in February that 32 local authorities would receive a share of a £93m fund to improve the condition of some of England 's most damaged local roads .
The Daily Mail reported that 3,061 bridges under the responsibility of local councils had been “ deemed substandard , though this is an improvement compared to last year ” .

Key sections of almost half of the bridges on England’s most used roads are in a “poor” or “very poor” condition, an investigation has found.
A total of 4,000 of the country’s estimated 9,000 bridges - about 45% - on motorways or A-roads show signs of “defects or damage that may significantly affect their capacity”, The Times reports.
A total of 141 bridges rated “very poor” are on parts of the M6 motorway, and a further 90 given the lowest rating were on the M1, 51 on the M62 and 50 on the M5.
Highways England has insisted that a rating of “poor” or “very poor” does not mean a structure is unsafe. But “according to official guidance, sections deemed to be in a very poor condition are at risk of failure”, says The Times.
The road agency “attempted to keep the data secret and released it only after an 18-month freedom of information battle”, adds the paper, which suggests that figures will trigger “concerns about traffic chaos while vital repairs are carried out”.
Separate data released by Transport for London shows that about 200 of the capital’s 500 bridges have sections in poor or very poor repair.
Hammersmith Bridge was closed to motorists in April 2019 when cracks were detected. The suspension bridge - which links the southern part of Hammersmith to Barnes - remained open to pedestrians and cyclists until mid-August last year, but was fully closed after cracks were found to have become worse during a heatwave.
Responding to the newly published data, shadow roads minister Matt Rodda said that the condition of England’s bridges was “a major safety concern”.
The Labour MP added: “Bridges are a critical part of the functioning of any country and it is alarming that so many have fallen into disrepair in the UK.
“The public will rightly have serious doubts about this government’s ability to fulfil new projects that have been promised if they cannot maintain existing infrastructure to even minimum levels.”
Downing Street confirmed in February that 32 local authorities would receive a share of a £93m fund to improve the condition of some of England's most damaged local roads.
The Daily Mail reported that 3,061 bridges under the responsibility of local councils had been “deemed substandard, though this is an improvement compared to last year”.


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Bentley prepares for no-deal Brexit by booking cargo planes to fly in car parts

Bentley Motors will take to the skies to transport car parts to the UK in the event of any disruption caused by a no-deal Brexit , the Cheshire-based company has announced .
The luxury car manufacturer , owned by Volkswagen , currently buys 90 % of its components from continental Europe - posing the threat of “ potential supply bottlenecks ” if the UK crashes out of the EU without a future trade agreement on 31 December , says Reuters .
But Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark told an industry conference yesterday that the marque , which sells around 24 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spent “ millions on preparations for Brexit ” , The Guardian reports .
Speaking at the Financial Times ’ Future of the Car digital summit , Hallmark said : “ We have spent two years planning .
We have five Antonovs that we have on reserve to fly [ car ] bodies to Manchester .
“ We used to run just-in-time with two days ’ stock .
Now we have 14 days ’ stock .
That ’ s 14 working days , so that ’ s three weeks of stock.
” He added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the end of the Brexit transition period , “ we ’ re ready to jump off a cliff with a parachute that hasn ’ t been tested .
We ’ d rather not be jumping off the cliff with a parachute at all.
” As well as putting the cargo planes on standby , Bentley has also booked additional warehouses and planned new logistics routes .
Carmakers “ typically try to avoid using air transport because it is much more expensive than land or sea ” , says The Guardian .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ urgent requirements ” .
The UK ’ s largest carmaker , Jaguar Land Rover , flew in “ some vital key fobs from China in suitcases when the start of the coronavirus pandemic caused shortages ” back in February , the paper reports .

Bentley Motors will take to the skies to transport car parts to the UK in the event of any disruption caused by a no-deal Brexit, the Cheshire-based company has announced.
The luxury car manufacturer, owned by Volkswagen, currently buys 90% of its components from continental Europe - posing the threat of “potential supply bottlenecks” if the UK crashes out of the EU without a future trade agreement on 31 December, says Reuters.
But Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark told an industry conference yesterday that the marque, which sells around 24% of its cars into Europe, has spent “millions on preparations for Brexit”, The Guardian reports.
Speaking at the Financial Times’ Future of the Car digital summit, Hallmark said: “We have spent two years planning. We have five Antonovs that we have on reserve to fly [car] bodies to Manchester.
“We used to run just-in-time with two days’ stock. Now we have 14 days’ stock. That’s 14 working days, so that’s three weeks of stock.”
He added that as the clock ticks down to the end of the Brexit transition period, “we’re ready to jump off a cliff with a parachute that hasn’t been tested. We’d rather not be jumping off the cliff with a parachute at all.”
As well as putting the cargo planes on standby, Bentley has also booked additional warehouses and planned new logistics routes.
Carmakers “typically try to avoid using air transport because it is much more expensive than land or sea”, says The Guardian. However, planes are sometimes used when there are “urgent requirements”.
The UK’s largest carmaker, Jaguar Land Rover, flew in “some vital key fobs from China in suitcases when the start of the coronavirus pandemic caused shortages” back in February, the paper reports.


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Ivanka Trump questioned under oath in misuse of inauguration funds lawsuit

Ivanka Trump has been questioned by attorneys who allege that Donald Trump ’ s 2017 Presidential Inauguration Committee misused donor funds , court filings reveal .
The Washington D.C. attorney general ’ s office filed a lawsuit in January alleging that the committee and the Trump family business , The Trump Organization , “ abused ” more than $ 1m ( £746,000 ) in donated cash by “ grossly overpaying ” for event space at the Trump hotel in the capital , CNN reports .
The committee “ raised an unprecedented $ 107m to host events celebrating Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spending has drawn continued scrutiny ” , adds The Independent .
Depositions of witnesses in the lawsuit kicked off last month , with committee chair Tom Barrack quizzed on 17 November , while Ivanka was grilled by attorneys on Tuesday this week .
The attorney general ’ s office has also subpoenaed records from Ivanka , first lady Melania Trump , and the committee ’ s former deputy chair Rick Gates , the court documents show .
“ District law requires nonprofits to use their funds for their stated public purpose , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said the District of Columbia ’ s attorney general Karl Racine .
“ In this case , we are seeking to recover the nonprofit funds that were improperly funnelled directly to the Trump family business.
” Alan Garten , chief legal officer at The Trump Organization , told CNN this week that Ivanka ’ s “ only involvement was connecting the parties and instructing the hotel to charge a ‘ fair market rate ’ , which the hotel did ” .
As the lawsuit continues , sources are claiming that the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pardons for his children , his son-in-law and his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani .
Two people “ briefed on the matter ” told The New York Times that Trump “ talked with Mr Giuliani about pardoning him as recently as last week ” , as the US leader prepares to hand over power to Joe Biden .
Trump “ has told others that he is concerned that a Biden Justice Department might seek retribution against the president by targeting the oldest three of his five children ” , the paper adds .


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Is Emmanuel Macron set to sink Brexit deal with French veto?

France is poised to veto a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU if Paris is unhappy with the terms of the agreement , according to a leaked diplomatic note .
Bloomberg reports that the internal document reveals how the French ambassador to the EU yesterday “ warned chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier of how bad it would look if he brokered a deal only to see it vetoed by EU leaders ” .
The veiled threat , at a meeting in Brussels of the bloc ’ s 27 ambassadors , piles pressure on the EU negotiating team “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ build to a climax ” , says the news site .
French President Emannuel Macron is reportedly “ leading a group of countries ” who are concerned that Barnier may give up greater access to British fishing waters and back down over a level-playing field for business .
The French position was backed by Belgium , the Netherlands and Denmark , while “ several ambassadors pressed to see draft text so that they could have enough time to scrutinise it properly ” .
An EU diplomat told The Times that “ as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , some member states are becoming a bit jittery .
So this was mostly an exercise to calm nerves in Paris and elsewhere , and to reassure member states that Team Barnier will continue to defend core EU interests.
” Another source close to the talks told the Daily Mail that avoiding a veto by a bloc of EU member states meant finding “ a compromise where the UK can say they have won , and the EU can say they haven ’ t lost ” .
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pizza ” were being delivered to the Brexit negotiators , “ fuelling a late night session ... a sign of things getting seriously close ?
” Meanwhile , a UK official told Politico ’ s London Playbook that the talks were “ still going ” , but cautioned that it was “ still not clear if we are going to get there ” .

France is poised to veto a post-Brexit trade deal between the UK and EU if Paris is unhappy with the terms of the agreement, according to a leaked diplomatic note.
Bloomberg reports that the internal document reveals how the French ambassador to the EU yesterday “warned chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier of how bad it would look if he brokered a deal only to see it vetoed by EU leaders”. The veiled threat, at a meeting in Brussels of the bloc’s 27 ambassadors, piles pressure on the EU negotiating team “not to make further concessions as talks build to a climax”, says the news site.
The French position was backed by Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark, while “several ambassadors pressed to see draft text so that they could have enough time to scrutinise it properly”.
An EU diplomat told The Times that “as we are entering the endgame of Brexit negotiations, some member states are becoming a bit jittery. So this was mostly an exercise to calm nerves in Paris and elsewhere, and to reassure member states that Team Barnier will continue to defend core EU interests.”
Another source close to the talks told the Daily Mail that avoiding a veto by a bloc of EU member states meant finding “a compromise where the UK can say they have won, and the EU can say they haven’t lost”.
BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg last night tweeted that “boxes and boxes of pizza” were being delivered to the Brexit negotiators, “fuelling a late night session ... a sign of things getting seriously close?”
Meanwhile, a UK official told Politico’s London Playbook that the talks were “still going”, but cautioned that it was “still not clear if we are going to get there”.


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 3 Dec 2020

Backbench Labour MPs have warned that up to 60 could rebel if Keir Starmer insists they support any Brexit deal @ @ @ @ @ vote .
The shadow cabinet is also split over whether to back a deal , @ @ @ @ @ a frontbench reshuffle has been discussed as a way of containing the uprising .
Shadow @ @ @ @ @ there were unlikely to be top table resignations .

Starmer faces Labour split over Brexit deal
Backbench Labour MPs have warned that up to 60 could rebel if Keir Starmer insists they support any Brexit deal rather than allowing a free vote. The shadow cabinet is also split over whether to back a deal, with two MPs claiming that a frontbench reshuffle has been discussed as a way of containing the uprising. Shadow cabinet sources told The Guardian there were unlikely to be top table resignations.


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Five-day old sushi leaves woman with months of hallucinations

A woman lived to regret eating five-day-old sushi after it left her suffering from hallucinations , insomnia and incontinence .
Doctors treating the 34-year-old woman discovered a giant tapeworm had been lurking in her stomach for nine months .
She was given a single dose of praziquantel , an anti-worm medication , and went on to make a full recovery .
A pub in Nottingham is posing as a church to get around local Tier 3 restrictions .
In a tongue-in-cheek move , the newly re-named Church of 400 Rabbits tequila bar has filed an application to certify a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 measures rule that hospitality venues must remain closed except for delivery and takeout .
Last month , Poland ’ s Atlantic Squash and Fitness Club rebranded itself as the Church of the Healthy Body in a similar gimmick .
A woman from Brooklyn , New York , has officially broken the record for the largest afro .
Simone Williams ’ magnificent mane is 20.5 cm ( 8.07 in ) tall , 22.5 cm ( 8.85 in ) wide and 1.48 m ( 4 ft 10 in ) in circumference .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she always gets comments about her the size of her “ voluminous natural afro ” .
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A woman lived to regret eating five-day-old sushi after it left her suffering from hallucinations, insomnia and incontinence. Doctors treating the 34-year-old woman discovered a giant tapeworm had been lurking in her stomach for nine months. She was given a single dose of praziquantel, an anti-worm medication, and went on to make a full recovery.
Nottingham pub rebrands as church
A pub in Nottingham is posing as a church to get around local Tier 3 restrictions. In a tongue-in-cheek move, the newly re-named Church of 400 Rabbits tequila bar has filed an application to certify a place of meeting for religious worship. Tier 3 measures rule that hospitality venues must remain closed except for delivery and takeout. Last month, Poland’s Atlantic Squash and Fitness Club rebranded itself as the Church of the Healthy Body in a similar gimmick.
Woman wins world afro record
A woman from Brooklyn, New York, has officially broken the record for the largest afro. Simone Williams’ magnificent mane is 20.5 cm (8.07 in) tall, 22.5 cm (8.85 in) wide and 1.48 m (4 ft 10 in) in circumference. She said she bid to break the record because she always gets comments about her the size of her “voluminous natural afro”.
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theweekuk--2020-12-02--Just for show, not to race: Ferrari SF1000 goes to auction

Not many people get the chance to own a Formula 1 car , but that ’ s about to change for one lucky auction bidder .
The F1 collector ’ s club could soon welcome a new member when a full-scale replica Ferrari SF1000 goes under the hammer this month .
In September Scuderia Ferrari raced in its 1,000 grand prix , an event that was held at its home track of Mugello in Italy .
To celebrate the milestone the Italian team and auction house RM Sotheby ’ s are putting together what is described as a “ once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ memorabilia .
Offered entirely without reserve , the online-only auction from 7-14 December will feature 16 exceptional motorsport lots , including the full-scale SF1000 wearing unique livery designed specifically for Scuderia Ferrari ’ s 1,000th GP .
Personally signed by Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel , the SF1000 is expected to attract bids of between €150,000 ( £136,111 ) and €200,000 ( £181,482 ) .
Fans will note that the car boasts two sets of driver numbers : Leclerc ’ s No.16 on the nose and Vettel ’ s No.5 on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replica of the SF1000 , this car is one of two built by Ferrari and was used as the centrepiece for the 1,000th grand prix celebrations .
However , bidders should be aware that this lot is a “ show car created for display purposes only ” .
It is not a running car and has never been raced .
Other lots in the online auction include three sets of 1,000th GP racing gloves and racing suits signed by Leclerc , Vettel and Mick Schumacher ; two replica 1,000th GP signed racing helmets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end plates .
Fans will also be able to bid on a behind-the-scenes experience at an F1 grand prix in the 2021 season .
Maarten ten Holder , head of Europe , RM Sotheby ’ s , said : “ The lots in this motorsport auction offer Ferraristi and Formula 1 enthusiasts a chance to acquire their very own piece of motorsport and automotive history , or , in the case of the packages on offer , experience it for themselves first-hand .
”

Not many people get the chance to own a Formula 1 car, but that’s about to change for one lucky auction bidder.
The F1 collector’s club could soon welcome a new member when a full-scale replica Ferrari SF1000 goes under the hammer this month.
In September Scuderia Ferrari raced in its 1,000 grand prix, an event that was held at its home track of Mugello in Italy. To celebrate the milestone the Italian team and auction house RM Sotheby’s are putting together what is described as a “once in a millennium” sale of F1 memorabilia.
Offered entirely without reserve, the online-only auction from 7-14 December will feature 16 exceptional motorsport lots, including the full-scale SF1000 wearing unique livery designed specifically for Scuderia Ferrari’s 1,000th GP.
Personally signed by Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, the SF1000 is expected to attract bids of between €150,000 (£136,111) and €200,000 (£181,482). Fans will note that the car boasts two sets of driver numbers: Leclerc’s No.16 on the nose and Vettel’s No.5 on the rear tailfin.
An exact 1:1 replica of the SF1000, this car is one of two built by Ferrari and was used as the centrepiece for the 1,000th grand prix celebrations. However, bidders should be aware that this lot is a “show car created for display purposes only”. It is not a running car and has never been raced.
Other lots in the online auction include three sets of 1,000th GP racing gloves and racing suits signed by Leclerc, Vettel and Mick Schumacher; two replica 1,000th GP signed racing helmets; and two signed SF1000 rear wing end plates. Fans will also be able to bid on a behind-the-scenes experience at an F1 grand prix in the 2021 season.
Maarten ten Holder, head of Europe, RM Sotheby’s, said: “The lots in this motorsport auction offer Ferraristi and Formula 1 enthusiasts a chance to acquire their very own piece of motorsport and automotive history, or, in the case of the packages on offer, experience it for themselves first-hand.”


theweekuk--2020-12-02--Where to buy jewellery gifts this Christmas

Searching for a special jewellery gift doesn ’ t have to be scary - you just have to know where to look .
Here we pick out five of the best websites offering unique pieces this Christmas .
For more gift inspiration see our guides for the best gadgets and tech and some arty and unusual presents for him .
Alice Made This is a British jewellery house known for its artisanal approach to fusionist design .
For example , many of its minimalist pieces for both men and women are precision turned by aerospace engineers in Hertford and hand-finished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The brand has just released its Water collection , a delicate but eye-catching series of necklaces , chokers , bracelets and earrings .
The name not only alludes to the shape of the beads , which look like giant rain drops , but to the making process itself : a zero-waste method using salvaged silver from the age-old process of lost wax casting .
In essence , the residual silver is collected , melted down and dropped into water to create the beads that you see here .
The ethical aspect is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or share : you would never know there ’ s anything “ reconditoned ” about these jewels - they simply speak of luxury .
Interested in personalised gifts ?
Avoid the unimaginative monogram and go for something a bit more special this year .
Rachel Jackson is a London-based jeweller who specialises in affordable pieces with a spiritual slant .
Her zodiac coins ( available on earrings , necklaces and bracelets from £45 ) are both talismanic and stylish , while lockets in either sterling silver or 22ct gold vermeil can be filled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indeed , the Birthstone Amulet holds a special place in the designer ’ s heart .
She said : “ It was inspired by a gift I received from a friend whilst travelling many years ago in Brazil .
In Brazil the amulets are filled with salt and used as a protective talisman ; we fill ours with birthstones , and you can choose up to four [ stones ] for different loved ones in your life , so you can keep them close to you , always.
” Loquet make beautiful gold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mini charms - everything from diamond alphabet letters and shooting stars to ruby watermelon slices to enamel painted avocados .
A Christmas special has to be a brand new locket designed in partnership with two creative talents : the author/illustrator Charlie Mackesy best known for his thought-provoking and internationally acclaimed book , The Boy , the Mole , the Fox and the Horse and the innovative jewellery designer Chantal Conrad whose latest Lumiere concept involves artfully embedding miniature lenses within pendants .
The Charlie Mackesy x Lumiere for Loquet London locket is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : look through a tiny aperture at the top of the pendant and you will see one of five of Mackesy ’ s illustrations extracted from his book - we ’ re not sure how it ’ s done but it ’ s truly magical .
Each pendant is engraved with Charlie ’ s signature kiss “ X ” and will be sold with a 9ct heart link chain .
Only 50 of these pieces are being made with 50 % of sales profits going to Harley Jae South Charity for children with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How about some twinkly stars this Christmas ?
Istanbul-based designer Melis Goral draws inspiration from her culture as well as from the Art Deco movement throwing precious gems including diamonds , emeralds , sapphires and rubies into the mix .
There ’ s a personal touch to every collection : for example , “ Guardian ” is her rendition of the apotropaic “ evil eye ” , a layered almond-shaped gold pendant with an iris of diamonds and a pupil formed of turquoise .
Stars like those seen in her Luna collection pictured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designer : “ I love using the five pointed star Sirius in my designs because it is the brightest star in heavens and symbolises luck.
” New to the jewellery scene is Once , the world ’ s first dedicated platform for fine jewellery .
The e-commerce site has set the bar high with an impressive line-up of iconic design houses and coveted jewellery-makers , among them Boodles , Dauphin , Jade Jagger , Loquet London and Bibi van der Velden .
The team has also cherrypicked some delightful rising stars including Paris-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sound as appealing as they look - see her wonderfully knobbly Luminous Heart/Vision/Water rings , above .
Shop by category , price or designer - or , if you prefer a more personalised approach , enlist the help of an online concierge .
The site ’ s online magazine is well worth a read .
Here you ’ ll find interviews with jewellery pioneers and innovators including British maximalists Theo Fennell and Elizabeth Gage , as well as informative articles dedicated to the art of understanding diamonds and gold .

Searching for a special jewellery gift doesn’t have to be scary - you just have to know where to look.
Here we pick out five of the best websites offering unique pieces this Christmas.
For more gift inspiration see our guides for the best gadgets and tech and some arty and unusual presents for him.
Alice Made This
Alice Made This is a British jewellery house known for its artisanal approach to fusionist design. For example, many of its minimalist pieces for both men and women are precision turned by aerospace engineers in Hertford and hand-finished in the company’s London-based studio. The brand has just released its Water collection, a delicate but eye-catching series of necklaces, chokers, bracelets and earrings. The name not only alludes to the shape of the beads, which look like giant rain drops, but to the making process itself: a zero-waste method using salvaged silver from the age-old process of lost wax casting. In essence, the residual silver is collected, melted down and dropped into water to create the beads that you see here. The ethical aspect is a secret that is yours to keep or share: you would never know there’s anything “reconditoned” about these jewels - they simply speak of luxury.
£80-£475; alicemadethis.com
Rachel Jackson
Interested in personalised gifts? Avoid the unimaginative monogram and go for something a bit more special this year. Rachel Jackson is a London-based jeweller who specialises in affordable pieces with a spiritual slant. Her zodiac coins (available on earrings, necklaces and bracelets from £45) are both talismanic and stylish, while lockets in either sterling silver or 22ct gold vermeil can be filled with a scoop of tiny birthstones. Indeed, the Birthstone Amulet holds a special place in the designer’s heart. She said: “It was inspired by a gift I received from a friend whilst travelling many years ago in Brazil. In Brazil the amulets are filled with salt and used as a protective talisman; we fill ours with birthstones, and you can choose up to four [stones] for different loved ones in your life, so you can keep them close to you, always.”


theweekuk--2020-12-03--Instant Opinion: ‘Covid Liberation Day is coming’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Covid Liberation Day is coming , and Britain should be the first to declare it “ Britain lost the human battle , suffering more deaths per capita than most Western nations ; we also lost the economic battle , with our commercial sector disproportionately trashed ; yet now our nimble handling of the vaccine could allow us to emerge from restrictions earlier than any other major Western nation .
It would represent a remarkable , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tale , and it would reboot Johnson ’ s premiership .
For that , we need the Prime Minister to start gambling again , just like the old Boris used to relish .
He must bet the state ’ s resources on an inoculation race , and plan for the earliest possible , Big Bang reopening , once all vulnerable people who want to be have been vaccinated .
On that day , all social distancing and restrictive measures would be lifted in one fell swoop , and all emergency rules ended .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times on not jumping the gun Why prosecuting Trump is a very bad idea “ The president is the prosecutor ’ s boss , and while his authority is not limitless , there is no recognized legal standard for distinguishing ‘ obstruction ’ of a case by a president that is legitimate ( like President Barack Obama ’ s refusal to allow investigations of George W. Bush-era torturers ) from that which is illegal .
So if Mr. Trump is prosecuted for obstruction of justice , a judge will be required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s constitutional authority supersedes a statute that is not even clearly directed at the president ( as opposed to private citizens ) .
In such cases , courts would normally duck this question by interpreting the statute narrowly so as not to apply to a president.
” Should you explain to an expert why their professional opinion is wrong ?
“ Sometimes , of course , even the best experts are mistaken .
Sometimes , the best evidence points to one conclusion , but then new evidence comes along that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sometimes , a brilliant outsider or newcomer can emerge in a field , showing a new and superior path forward in our understanding of whatever we ’ re investigating .
But most of the time — practically all of the time — there are serious gaps and fundamental misunderstandings at work in the knowledge and mindset of the non-expert , not an oversight or an error on the part of the expert.
” “ To put things in perspective , for months Canadians have looked on at the US in horror as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to become the world 's number one hotspot .
Until recently , we 'd managed to keep our numbers relatively low .
While the US has had over 4,000 cases per 100,000 people , Canada has had just over 1,000 .
At the same time , we were being assured by a confident Prime Minister that we will soon see the ‘ light at the end of the tunnel ’ .
We 've been led to believe we were lucky and well-positioned to emerge from the pandemic early .
Although Canada expects around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first quarter of 2021 , they will quickly be consumed by ‘ high priority groups ’ such as frontline health workers and the most vulnerable .
How did this delay happen ?
” on musicians in the time of Covid Music streaming makes major labels rich , while musicians like me go broke “ The pandemic obliterated festivals and gigs , meaning we were forced to survive on streaming income alone .
As a cocky northern lass , I thought I ’ d be OK : ‘ C ’ mon Nadine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ ve been nominated for a bloody Mercury prize , you ’ ve over 100,000 monthly Spotify listeners .
You ’ ll make the rent.
’ I was foolish .
The situation was such that I temporarily had to move back in with my parents over the summer .
Not the worst thing to happen , but still not a great look for a thirtysomething pop star .
Like most of my musician friends who rely on gigs , I found myself in dire straits .
( If only I actually were @ @ @ @ @ @

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Allister Heath in The Telegraph
on bouncing back
Covid Liberation Day is coming, and Britain should be the first to declare it
“Britain lost the human battle, suffering more deaths per capita than most Western nations; we also lost the economic battle, with our commercial sector disproportionately trashed; yet now our nimble handling of the vaccine could allow us to emerge from restrictions earlier than any other major Western nation. It would represent a remarkable, unexpectedly triumphant conclusion to an otherwise desperate tale, and it would reboot Johnson’s premiership. For that, we need the Prime Minister to start gambling again, just like the old Boris used to relish. He must bet the state’s resources on an inoculation race, and plan for the earliest possible, Big Bang reopening, once all vulnerable people who want to be have been vaccinated. On that day, all social distancing and restrictive measures would be lifted in one fell swoop, and all emergency rules ended.
2. Eric Posner in the New York Times
on not jumping the gun
Why prosecuting Trump is a very bad idea
“The president is the prosecutor’s boss, and while his authority is not limitless, there is no recognized legal standard for distinguishing ‘obstruction’ of a case by a president that is legitimate (like President Barack Obama’s refusal to allow investigations of George W. Bush-era torturers) from that which is illegal. So if Mr. Trump is prosecuted for obstruction of justice, a judge will be required to decide for the first time ever whether the president’s constitutional authority supersedes a statute that is not even clearly directed at the president (as opposed to private citizens). In such cases, courts would normally duck this question by interpreting the statute narrowly so as not to apply to a president.”
3. Ethan Siegel in Forbes
on experts
Should you explain to an expert why their professional opinion is wrong?
“Sometimes, of course, even the best experts are mistaken. Sometimes, the best evidence points to one conclusion, but then new evidence comes along that throws that conclusion into doubt. And sometimes, a brilliant outsider or newcomer can emerge in a field, showing a new and superior path forward in our understanding of whatever we’re investigating. But most of the time — practically all of the time — there are serious gaps and fundamental misunderstandings at work in the knowledge and mindset of the non-expert, not an oversight or an error on the part of the expert.”
4. Michael Bociurkiw in CNN
on Canada’s delay
Justin Trudeau didn't foresee this potentially catastrophic political crisis
“To put things in perspective, for months Canadians have looked on at the US in horror as the Trump administration fumbled the initial pandemic response to become the world's number one hotspot. Until recently, we'd managed to keep our numbers relatively low. While the US has had over 4,000 cases per 100,000 people, Canada has had just over 1,000. At the same time, we were being assured by a confident Prime Minister that we will soon see the ‘light at the end of the tunnel’. We've been led to believe we were lucky and well-positioned to emerge from the pandemic early. Although Canada expects around 6 million vaccines by the end of the first quarter of 2021, they will quickly be consumed by ‘high priority groups’ such as frontline health workers and the most vulnerable. How did this delay happen?”
5. Nadine Shah in The Guardian
on musicians in the time of Covid
Music streaming makes major labels rich, while musicians like me go broke
“The pandemic obliterated festivals and gigs, meaning we were forced to survive on streaming income alone. As a cocky northern lass, I thought I’d be OK: ‘C’mon Nadine, you’ll be all right, you’ve been nominated for a bloody Mercury prize, you’ve over 100,000 monthly Spotify listeners. You’ll make the rent.’ I was foolish. The situation was such that I temporarily had to move back in with my parents over the summer. Not the worst thing to happen, but still not a great look for a thirtysomething pop star. Like most of my musician friends who rely on gigs, I found myself in dire straits. (If only I actually were in Dire Straits.)”


theweekuk--2020-12-03--How can Keir Starmer avoid another Labour civil war over Brexit?

As Boris Johnson faces a series of Tory revolts , Labour leader Keir Starmer is battling to prevent a civil war within his own cabinet over whether the party should vote in support of any Brexit deal tabled by the prime minister .
With pressure mounting on the UK and EU negotiating teams to reach an agreement before current trading rules expire at the end of December , a compromise must be reached in the coming days to avoid a no-deal exit .
Starmer has indicated that if an agreement can be reached , the Labour leadership will whip MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ win back the Red Wall ” , the Financial Times reports .
But he faces a revolt from shadow ministers who believe the party should abstain from voting to avoid being blamed for what they view as the inevitable economic fallout of Brexit .
Who ’ s who in the dispute ?
With the negotiations now down to the wire following months of stalemates and delays , some Labour shadow cabinet members would rather support any agreement than risk a no-deal Brexit .
The Labour leadership has “ rejected the idea of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fearing it would suggest Labour has failed to absorb the lessons of the pasting it took in last December ’ s general election ” , says The Guardian .
Those reportedly in favour of supporting a deal include Starmer , deputy leader Angela Rayner , shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy , shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds and shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth .
On the other side of the argument , shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson , shadow equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova , shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to be in favour of abstaining .
Meanwhile , shadow justice secretary David Lammy is torn “ between his heart and his head ” , a source told the newspaper .
Johnson ’ s 80-strong majority means that a deal is likely to go through - barring a unprecedented Tory rebellion - even if Labour does abstain .
But the fallout from such a split in Labour ’ s vote would deal a blow to Starmer ’ s credibility as leader .
In an article for The Independent , former Labour spin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already has one problem with a section of the party membership , namely Corbyn ’ s suspension ” .
But “ I suspect he could end up with an even bigger one if he decides to co-own the Brexit deal ” , Campbell continues .
Amid the growing tensions within the party , as many as 60 Labour MPs are gearing up to defy their leader if he insists they back a deal , according to the Daily Express .
Starmer “ is wary failure to support a deal could have a devastating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to win back former Labour voters who backed the Tories ” at the last election , says the Express .
But the paper suggests he may now be “ considering whether to tell his party to abstain in any upcoming Commons vote on a deal ” , in what would be a major U-turn , in a bid to avoid all-out war between his MPs .
The Labour leader is keeping his cards close to his chest , telling Sky News today : “ Labour is absolutely united .
We ’ ve pulled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through difficult decision and we ’ ll do so on this decision again .
“ Of course , there are different opinions as you would expect , but we ’ ll pull together , discuss it as a team and be united.
” Despite all the speculation , says The Guardian , figures at the top of the party are “ convinced voting through a deal is the only realistic option ” - especially if Labour wants to avoid the charge the it has failed to learn the lessons of December ’ s @ @ @

As Boris Johnson faces a series of Tory revolts, Labour leader Keir Starmer is battling to prevent a civil war within his own cabinet over whether the party should vote in support of any Brexit deal tabled by the prime minister.
With pressure mounting on the UK and EU negotiating teams to reach an agreement before current trading rules expire at the end of December, a compromise must be reached in the coming days to avoid a no-deal exit.
Starmer has indicated that if an agreement can be reached, the Labour leadership will whip MPs to back the treaty in order to “win back the Red Wall”, the Financial Times reports. But he faces a revolt from shadow ministers who believe the party should abstain from voting to avoid being blamed for what they view as the inevitable economic fallout of Brexit.
Who’s who in the dispute?
With the negotiations now down to the wire following months of stalemates and delays, some Labour shadow cabinet members would rather support any agreement than risk a no-deal Brexit.
Those reportedly in favour of supporting a deal include Starmer, deputy leader Angela Rayner, shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy, shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds and shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth.
On the other side of the argument, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Bridget Phillipson, shadow equalities secretary Marsha de Cordova, shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds and shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry are said to be in favour of abstaining.
Meanwhile, shadow justice secretary David Lammy is torn “between his heart and his head”, a source told the newspaper.
Avoiding a civil war
Johnson’s 80-strong majority means that a deal is likely to go through - barring a unprecedented Tory rebellion - even if Labour does abstain. But the fallout from such a split in Labour’s vote would deal a blow to Starmer’s credibility as leader.
In an article for The Independent, former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell writes that Starmer “already has one problem with a section of the party membership, namely Corbyn’s suspension”. But “I suspect he could end up with an even bigger one if he decides to co-own the Brexit deal”, Campbell continues.
Amid the growing tensions within the party, as many as 60 Labour MPs are gearing up to defy their leader if he insists they back a deal, according to the Daily Express.
Labour's best hope
Starmer “is wary failure to support a deal could have a devastating impact on the party’s attempts to win back former Labour voters who backed the Tories” at the last election, says the Express. But the paper suggests he may now be “considering whether to tell his party to abstain in any upcoming Commons vote on a deal”, in what would be a major U-turn, in a bid to avoid all-out war between his MPs.
The Labour leader is keeping his cards close to his chest, telling Sky News today: “Labour is absolutely united. We’ve pulled together incredibly over the last few months through difficult decision and we’ll do so on this decision again.
“Of course, there are different opinions as you would expect, but we’ll pull together, discuss it as a team and be united.”
Despite all the speculation, says The Guardian, figures at the top of the party are “convinced voting through a deal is the only realistic option” - especially if Labour wants to avoid the charge the it has failed to learn the lessons of December’s election defeat.


theweekuk--2020-12-04--Instant Opinion: Brexit deal is ‘likely by Monday’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on an end to negotiations A Brexit deal is looking likely by Monday “ In the coming days , Michel Barnier and Ursula von der Leyen have a more difficult job than David Frost and Boris Johnson .
If Barnier and Von der Leyen bring back a compromise for pre-approval it will be picked apart by the member states .
They would demand that this or that delicate balance be shifted , and rapidly the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they will have to take a judgment call on what deal the EU 27 will accept .
This will obviously be one informed by contact with national capitals .
But ultimately Barnier and Von der Leyen will have to decide .
As one European diplomat points out , the danger for them is that they ‘ do a Theresa May ’ — make a deal they think is acceptable , only for their own side to turn round and reject it.
” Tyson Fury is far from de facto BBC Sports Personality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company of the gruesome political twosome .
In interviews , he ’ s indulged in ugly bouts of homophobia , sexism and antisemitism .
Johnson has done the same in his columns and/or books , but claims his comments have been taken out of context .
Ditto Tump with his public statements and twitterings .
It ’ s tiresome , and frankly depressing , to have to list examples so I ’ ll refer you to Google if you can bear it .
They aren ’ t at all hard to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a couple of key differences between Fury and them .
Fury has previously offered one of those limp non-apology apologies – ‘ I ’ m sorry if anyone was offended by ’ rather than ‘ I ’ m sorry , what I said was wrong ’ – in the wake of his comments .
Doing even that is anathema to the transatlantic twins , who typically respond to the controversy and anger generated by their past and/or present outbursts by brushing them aside or even doubling down.
” Elliot Page being transgender is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ declaring our truth “ Before Elliot ’ s statement came out , I had been at work , assessing the consequences of a devastating ruling against trans rights out of a United Kingdom high court yesterday , one which immediately jeopardized health care access for trans youth across that country .
There , the court effectively held that trans youth under 16 can never consent to any medical treatment related to gender affirmation , including puberty blockers , thereby preventing tens of thousands of young people across the U.K. from getting the chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ their ] authentic sel [ ves ] ’ .
Though the clinic providing the care will appeal , young people across the U.K. are already having their ongoing care terminated and appointments canceled.
” on the prestige of the presidency What Biden gets about being president -- and Trump doesn't “ We 've had a year of divisive bombast and boasting with Trump claiming the virus would vanish ; that he accepted no responsibility for the failed national response ; and finally threw up his hands at the over 276,000 deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it is ’ .
In 2016 , Trump memorably listed national challenges during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention and thundered : ‘ I alone can fix it.
’ Biden and Harris , by contrast , are consistently talking about sharing responsibility with other actors - Congress , Republicans , governors , and allied nations overseas.
” The British government is still hiding the truth about my father ’ s murder “ Despite the efforts of successive British governments to cover up the truth , a great deal is known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the murder of Pat Finucane and others .
We have learned that several British state agencies ran extensive , complex intelligence networks that were fed by a significant number of informants .
These agencies included the Royal Ulster Constabulary ( RUC ) , the security service ( MI5 ) , British army intelligence , and a specialist covert army unit , the Force Research Unit ( FRU ) .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. James Forsyth in The Times
on an end to negotiations
A Brexit deal is looking likely by Monday
2. James Moore in The Independent
on the ‘people’s champion’
Tyson Fury is far from de facto BBC Sports Personality of the Year
“Fury sits well in the company of the gruesome political twosome. In interviews, he’s indulged in ugly bouts of homophobia, sexism and antisemitism. Johnson has done the same in his columns and/or books, but claims his comments have been taken out of context. Ditto Tump with his public statements and twitterings. It’s tiresome, and frankly depressing, to have to list examples so I’ll refer you to Google if you can bear it. They aren’t at all hard to find. There are, of course, a couple of key differences between Fury and them. Fury has previously offered one of those limp non-apology apologies – ‘I’m sorry if anyone was offended by’ rather than ‘I’m sorry, what I said was wrong’ – in the wake of his comments. Doing even that is anathema to the transatlantic twins, who typically respond to the controversy and anger generated by their past and/or present outbursts by brushing them aside or even doubling down.”
3. Chase Strangio on CBS News
on a ray of hope
Elliot Page being transgender is a necessary reminder of the beauty of declaring our truth
“Before Elliot’s statement came out, I had been at work, assessing the consequences of a devastating ruling against trans rights out of a United Kingdom high court yesterday, one which immediately jeopardized health care access for trans youth across that country. There, the court effectively held that trans youth under 16 can never consent to any medical treatment related to gender affirmation, including puberty blockers, thereby preventing tens of thousands of young people across the U.K. from getting the chance that Elliot celebrated today to ‘pursue [their] authentic sel[ves]’. Though the clinic providing the care will appeal, young people across the U.K. are already having their ongoing care terminated and appointments canceled.”
4. Errol Louis on CNN
on the prestige of the presidency
What Biden gets about being president -- and Trump doesn't
“We've had a year of divisive bombast and boasting with Trump claiming the virus would vanish; that he accepted no responsibility for the failed national response; and finally threw up his hands at the over 276,000 deaths from the virus, saying ‘it is what it is’. In 2016, Trump memorably listed national challenges during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention and thundered: ‘I alone can fix it.’ Biden and Harris, by contrast, are consistently talking about sharing responsibility with other actors - Congress, Republicans, governors, and allied nations overseas.”
5. John Finucane in The Guardian
on a brutal killing
The British government is still hiding the truth about my father’s murder
“Despite the efforts of successive British governments to cover up the truth, a great deal is known about the extent of state collusion in the murder of Pat Finucane and others. We have learned that several British state agencies ran extensive, complex intelligence networks that were fed by a significant number of informants. These agencies included the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC), the security service (MI5), British army intelligence, and a specialist covert army unit, the Force Research Unit (FRU).”


theweekuk--2020-12-04--France launches raids on radical mosques in crackdown on ‘political Islam’

French police have launched a series of raids on mosques and prayer halls across the country as part of what Emmanuel Macron has called a crackdown on “ political Islam ” .
The drastic action follows a series of terror attacks and will see all of France ’ s 2,600 places of Muslim worship inspected , with plans already in place to close dozens .
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the first wave of raids , beginning today in Paris , were part of “ a massive and unprecedented action against separatism ” .
“ Seventy-six mosques suspected of separatism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming days and those that should be closed will be closed , ” he told French radio station RTL .
The right-wing minister , appointed by Macron in July , has been tasked with leading “ an offensive against what Macron calls the separatist doctrines that incite terrorism and hostility towards the French nation and its values ” , says The Times .
In a leaked note sent to regional security chiefs , Darmanin cited 16 specific addresses in the Paris region and 60 others around the country that are of concern to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Darmanin told RTL radio that only a small number of France ’ s Muslim places of worship were suspected of spreading extremism , adding : “ We are far from a situation of widespread radicalisation .
Nearly all Muslims in France respect the laws of the Republic and are hurt by that [ radicalisation ] .
” Macron ’ s crackdown began in September but was accelerated following the beheading of French schoolteacher Samuel Paty in Paris and the murder of three people in an attack in Nice in October .
The French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islam ” to describe “ ultraconservative Muslims closing themselves off from French society by , for example , enrolling their children in underground Islamic schools or forcing young girls to wear the Muslim headscarf ” , says France 24 .
In a speech in early October , Macron told a Paris audience that Islam was “ a religion that is in crisis today all over the world ” .
He spoke of a need to “ free Islam in France from foreign influences ” and build an “ Islam des Lumières ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

French police have launched a series of raids on mosques and prayer halls across the country as part of what Emmanuel Macron has called a crackdown on “political Islam”.
The drastic action follows a series of terror attacks and will see all of France’s 2,600 places of Muslim worship inspected, with plans already in place to close dozens. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the first wave of raids, beginning today in Paris, were part of “a massive and unprecedented action against separatism”.
“Seventy-six mosques suspected of separatism are going to be inspected in the coming days and those that should be closed will be closed,” he told French radio station RTL.
The right-wing minister, appointed by Macron in July, has been tasked with leading “an offensive against what Macron calls the separatist doctrines that incite terrorism and hostility towards the French nation and its values”, says The Times.
In a leaked note sent to regional security chiefs, Darmanin cited 16 specific addresses in the Paris region and 60 others around the country that are of concern to the ministry, France 24 reports.
Darmanin told RTL radio that only a small number of France’s Muslim places of worship were suspected of spreading extremism, adding: “We are far from a situation of widespread radicalisation. Nearly all Muslims in France respect the laws of the Republic and are hurt by that [radicalisation].”
Macron’s crackdown began in September but was accelerated following the beheading of French schoolteacher Samuel Paty in Paris and the murder of three people in an attack in Nice in October.
The French president has used the term “political Islam” to describe “ultraconservative Muslims closing themselves off from French society by, for example, enrolling their children in underground Islamic schools or forcing young girls to wear the Muslim headscarf”, says France 24.
In a speech in early October, Macron told a Paris audience that Islam was “a religion that is in crisis today all over the world”.
He spoke of a need to “free Islam in France from foreign influences” and build an “Islam des Lumières”, meaning “Islam of Light”.


theweekuk--2020-12-04--Why the UK was faster than US is race to approve Pfizer vaccine

America ’ s top infectious diseases expert has apologised after apparently criticising the speed with which the UK approved the Pfizer vaccine to become the world ’ s first country to green-light the Covid immunity jab .
Dr Anthony Fauci , who heads the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told CBS News yesterday that Britain ’ s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ( MHRA ) had “ really rushed through that approval ” .
But following an outcry over his remarks , he later told the BBC that “ there really has been a misunderstanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sorry , and I apologise for that ” .
“ I do have great faith in both the scientific community and the regulatory community in the UK , ” Fauci continued .
“ I have a great deal of confidence in what the UK does both scientifically and from a regulatory standpoint.
” The US medical chief held out the olive branch after the MHRA issued a statement insisting that it “ rigorously assessed the data in the shortest time possible , without compromising the thoroughness of our review ” .
The medicines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jab on Wednesday - said its experts had reviewed preliminary data on the vaccine trials dating back to June and had been running a “ rolling review ” since October , helping to speed up the process .
The race to roll out a vaccine has generated “ an extraordinary bout of global sniping ” , with critics in both the US and European “ taking aim at the MHRA for the speed with which it granted the vaccine an emergency authorisation ” , The Times reports .
Experts say that the differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US , EU and UK regulators [ having ] different styles ” , the paper continues .
“ While the Americans rerun the safety and efficacy analyses performed by drugmakers , the EU and UK check the analyses , which can be quicker.
” Fauci claims another reason for the US lagging behind is the strength of the opposition from anti-vaccination activists in the country .
He told CBS : “ If we had jumped over the hurdle here quickly and inappropriately to gain an extra week or a week and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our regulatory process would have been damaged .
”

America’s top infectious diseases expert has apologised after apparently criticising the speed with which the UK approved the Pfizer vaccine to become the world’s first country to green-light the Covid immunity jab.
Dr Anthony Fauci, who heads the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CBS News yesterday that Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) had “really rushed through that approval”.
“I do have great faith in both the scientific community and the regulatory community in the UK,” Fauci continued. “I have a great deal of confidence in what the UK does both scientifically and from a regulatory standpoint.”
The US medical chief held out the olive branch after the MHRA issued a statement insisting that it “rigorously assessed the data in the shortest time possible, without compromising the thoroughness of our review”.
The medicines regulator - which formally approved the Pfizer/BioNTech-developed jab on Wednesday - said its experts had reviewed preliminary data on the vaccine trials dating back to June and had been running a “rolling review” since October, helping to speed up the process.
The race to roll out a vaccine has generated “an extraordinary bout of global sniping”, with critics in both the US and European “taking aim at the MHRA for the speed with which it granted the vaccine an emergency authorisation”, The Times reports.
Experts say that the differences in approval timescales is down to “the US, EU and UK regulators [having] different styles”, the paper continues.
“While the Americans rerun the safety and efficacy analyses performed by drugmakers, the EU and UK check the analyses, which can be quicker.”
Fauci claims another reason for the US lagging behind is the strength of the opposition from anti-vaccination activists in the country. He told CBS: “If we had jumped over the hurdle here quickly and inappropriately to gain an extra week or a week and a half, I think that the credibility of our regulatory process would have been damaged.”


theweekuk--2020-12-04--Will Boris Johnson face leadership challenge if he fails to deliver a Tory-friendly Brexit?

As negotiations with the EU go down to the wire , Boris Johnson has been warned his job may be at stake if he tables a withdrawal agreement that does not satisfy Conservative MPs eager to “ get Brexit done ” .
An unnamed MP told political journalist James Forsyth that if Johnson “ lets us down , I ’ ll send my letter in ” .
And a key figure in the European Research Group ( ERG ) - which led the charge against Theresa May ’ s Brexit deal - told Forsyth that the arch-Brexiteers will oppose any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that fails to live up to their expectations .
Officials from both the UK and EU have said that a Brexit deal could be tabled “ within days ” , but amid reports of last-minute “ curveball ” from the bloc ’ s negotiators , a no-deal exit continues to loom .
While many Tory MPs would back the PM no matter what he tables , a number of factions within the Conservative Party are vying for their own , more specific vision of Brexit .
And these factions are in no mood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the ERG arguably pose the biggest threat , following their threat to vote down any deal that does not protect “ UK sovereignty ” - in effect , the hardest Brexit possible .
For the ERG , leaving the EU and reverting to World Trade Organization ( WHO ) rules “ would be just fine ” , Politico says .
In other words : “ No deal , no sweat.
” Former Tory leadership candidate Rory Stewart told ITV News last week that Johnson “ can not afford to lose ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If he loses those people , if they decide he has signed a Brexit deal which doesn ’ t respect sovereignty , for example , he ’ s really toast , ” Stewart said .
An unnamed ERG member told The Telegraph ’ s chief political correspondent Christopher Hope this week that if UK sovereignty is not preserved in the final agreement , “ I have no doubt we will vote against the treaty in whatever vote is called ” .
Another source added : “ Our side has made it clear we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like sovereignty etc .
Nevertheless , as a research group , we will read it before deciding .
In the unlikely event it does not respect sovereignty , MPs would vote against.
” Any and all of the potential outcomes to the Brexit talks are likely to leave vast swathes of the party unhappy .
Former minister for higher education George Walden warned back in September that a no-deal exit would be “ lunacy ” in the midst of the Covid pandemic , as The New European reported at the time .
Whatever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald ] Trump , Johnson is going to say it ’ s the greatest deal ever ” , Walden told Good Morning Britain .
“ We have to go through with this and suffer the consequences .
My hope is that he will perhaps fade away himself quite soon and we get a proper leader and a proper cabinet.
” On the other hand , should Johnson make considerable concessions to get a deal over the line , he could wind up upsetting his party ’ s hard-line Eurosceptics .
President of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week that the EU was willing to be “ creative ” in order to seal the deal .
But The Telegraph ’ s Hope suggests that if this “ creativity ” means Eurosceptics view the deal as “ BRINO ” - ERG code for “ Brexit in name only ” - the PM “ might be seeing more of his young son Wilfred than he currently already does ” .
Echoing Stewart ’ s recent warning , a “ Eurosceptic source ” told Hope that if a “ large body of Tory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the party , “ Boris is toast ” , adding : “ They know that and so presumably will avoid it.
” Johnson has already faced down revolts within his party without facing a direct leadership challenge .
But his strategy for dealing with the coronavirus pandemic , and the restrictions that have come with it , have been hugely controversial within the party .
Johnson this week faced the largest revolt of his premiership when as the Daily Mirror reports , “ more than one in four of his MPs ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England .
The simmering tension over the Covid restrictions are “ a leadership challenge waiting to happen ” , the paper adds .
Who are the challengers ?
Political pundits believe that any leadership challenge is unlikely to be spearheaded by members of the ERG , despite their talk of rebellion .
Instead , the i news site suggests , MPs who “ combine a high public profile with a willingness to needle the government ” pose the biggest threat to Johnson .
Leading contenders to take over the top job would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Javid , Greg Clark , Tobias Ellwood , Julian Smith , Robert Halfon and Tom Tugendhat , says the site .
Many of these runners and riders chair select committees , though most have not gone so far as to vote against the government yet .
Any leadership contest is likely to be led by Johnson ’ s popular Downing Street neighbour , however .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak stands out among his fellow cabinet members as one of the few viewed as having waged an effective battle in the ongoing war against Covid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ definitely ” does not want the keys to No .
10 , some leading Tories are having none of it after being “ charmed by the man next door ” , says Bloomberg .

As negotiations with the EU go down to the wire, Boris Johnson has been warned his job may be at stake if he tables a withdrawal agreement that does not satisfy Conservative MPs eager to “get Brexit done”.
An unnamed MP told political journalist James Forsyth that if Johnson “lets us down, I’ll send my letter in”. And a key figure in the European Research Group (ERG) - which led the charge against Theresa May’s Brexit deal - told Forsyth that the arch-Brexiteers will oppose any agreement struck by the current prime minister that fails to live up to their expectations.
Officials from both the UK and EU have said that a Brexit deal could be tabled “within days”, but amid reports of last-minute “curveball” from the bloc’s negotiators, a no-deal exit continues to loom.
Tory-friendly deal
While many Tory MPs would back the PM no matter what he tables, a number of factions within the Conservative Party are vying for their own, more specific vision of Brexit.
And these factions are in no mood to compromise.
The 60-odd Eurosceptic MPs in the ERG arguably pose the biggest threat, following their threat to vote down any deal that does not protect “UK sovereignty” - in effect, the hardest Brexit possible.
For the ERG, leaving the EU and reverting to World Trade Organization (WHO) rules “would be just fine”, Politico says. In other words: “No deal, no sweat.”
Former Tory leadership candidate Rory Stewart told ITV News last week that Johnson “cannot afford to lose” the support of the influential group.
“If he loses those people, if they decide he has signed a Brexit deal which doesn’t respect sovereignty, for example, he’s really toast,” Stewart said.
An unnamed ERG member told The Telegraph’s chief political correspondent Christopher Hope this week that if UK sovereignty is not preserved in the final agreement, “I have no doubt we will vote against the treaty in whatever vote is called”.
Another source added: “Our side has made it clear we trust the PM on his red lines like sovereignty etc. Nevertheless, as a research group, we will read it before deciding. In the unlikely event it does not respect sovereignty, MPs would vote against.”
Can Johnson deliver the required goods?
Any and all of the potential outcomes to the Brexit talks are likely to leave vast swathes of the party unhappy.


theweekuk--2020-12-04--Is last-minute ‘curveball’ from the EU about to trigger a no-deal Brexit?

Brexit negotiators are attempting to get the talks back on track today amid a flurry of claims about last-minute demands that could scupper the negotiations .
UK officials told Politico ’ s London Playbook that the talks had descended into chaos yesterday as a result of “ curveballs thrown in ” by Brussels .
The talk of new demands has triggered suggestions that France has “ launched a push to drive a harder bargain with Britain on the so-called level playing field rules ” , says the news site .
According to the British side , the latest spanner in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age-old dispute of whether Britain signs up to specific rules on state aid ” .
However , three EU officials told the site that no new demands had been made .
Turning the finger of blame in the other direction , the European negotiators say that the UK has moved “ significantly ” over the level playing field .
With both sides accusing the other of potentially scuppering the bid to secure a future trade deal , Politico ’ s Emilio Casalicchio concludes that “ the spanner is either a confected row dreamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has changed tack but is keeping quiet about it ” .
Emmanuel Macron is in the frame for allegedly pushing the EU to drive a harder bargain following his threat earlier this week to use his country ’ s veto in the European Parliament to block any deal that was not acceptable to Paris .
Bloomberg reported that the French president was “ leading a group of countries ” concerned that chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier may give up greater access to British fishing waters and back down over a level-playing field for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spectator ’ s political editor James Forsyth predicts that a deal is likely to struck “ by Monday ” .
In an article for The Times , Forsyth writes that while “ Brexit deadlines have come and gone with such frequency ( and hype ) that it is hard to take them seriously ” , both sides know that “ this Sunday night really is it ” .
“ No-deal would be an acrimonious affair .
The two sides would blame each other for the failure , ” he adds .
“ A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU to have good neighbourly relations , something which is in the interests of both sides and the wider Western alliance .
”

Brexit negotiators are attempting to get the talks back on track today amid a flurry of claims about last-minute demands that could scupper the negotiations.
UK officials told Politico’s London Playbook that the talks had descended into chaos yesterday as a result of “curveballs thrown in” by Brussels. The talk of new demands has triggered suggestions that France has “launched a push to drive a harder bargain with Britain on the so-called level playing field rules”, says the news site.
Turning the finger of blame in the other direction, the European negotiators say that the UK has moved “significantly” over the level playing field.
With both sides accusing the other of potentially scuppering the bid to secure a future trade deal, Politico’s Emilio Casalicchio concludes that “the spanner is either a confected row dreamed up in Downing Street or the EU has changed tack but is keeping quiet about it”.
Emmanuel Macron is in the frame for allegedly pushing the EU to drive a harder bargain following his threat earlier this week to use his country’s veto in the European Parliament to block any deal that was not acceptable to Paris.
Bloomberg reported that the French president was “leading a group of countries” concerned that chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier may give up greater access to British fishing waters and back down over a level-playing field for business.
Despite the blip, The Spectator’s political editor James Forsyth predicts that a deal is likely to struck “by Monday”. In an article for The Times, Forsyth writes that while “Brexit deadlines have come and gone with such frequency (and hype) that it is hard to take them seriously”, both sides know that “this Sunday night really is it”.
“No-deal would be an acrimonious affair. The two sides would blame each other for the failure,” he adds. “A sensible deal would allow Britain and the EU to have good neighbourly relations, something which is in the interests of both sides and the wider Western alliance.”