theweekuk--2020-06-25--Coronavirus has brought the welfare state back and it might be here to stay

Jeevun Sandher , department of political economy at King ’ s College London ( KCL ) and Hanna Kleider , @ @ @ @ @ KCL , on the rise and rise of welfare policy .
Governments across the developed @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 crisis by making welfare states vastly more generous .
Historical parallels suggest that this @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic recedes .
Welfare states will only , however , become permanently more generous @ @ @ @ @ poses an enduring risk to their incomes and if they make common cause with the @ @ @ @ @ affected .
The most pertinent historical parallel to the current situation is the Second World @ @

The impact of the current economic crisis is much wider . Both the pandemic and the corresponding public health measures – the forced closures of businesses and schools - have taken their toll on people’s ability to work across the income distribution. The figure below shows that the increases in unemployment claims literally go off the old charts.
Later, the impact of the recession that followed the 2007-8 financial crash was concentrated among low-skilled workers. Governments did not increase the generosity of the welfare state in response. The total amount spent on social security payments did temporarily increase as unemployment rose, but the individual payment amounts did not.
In short, structural pressures were making the welfare state more expensive and governments faced little electoral incentive to be generous.
Alongside these structural pressures, automation and trade were also destroying mid-skill manufacturing occupations. Labour markets became segregated into high- and low-skilled jobs. And while high-skilled workers didn’t feel the need for an expanded welfare state , those working in low-skilled professions were too small a constituency to make a difference at the ballot box.
The late 1970s marked the end of this golden era. Technological advances, demographic change and globalisation led to increased fiscal pressures and cuts to the generosity of modern welfare states.
Social Spending includes the following: health, old age, incapacity-related benefits, family, active labour market programmes, unemployment, and housing.Our World in Data (2020), CC BY
Welfare states will only, however, become permanently more generous if voters believe this pandemic poses an enduring risk to their incomes and if they make common cause with the people who have been worst affected.
Governments across the developed world have responded to the Covid-19 crisis by making welfare states vastly more generous. Historical parallels suggest that this munificence may endure even as the pandemic recedes.
Jeevun Sandher, department of political economy at King’s College London (KCL) and Hanna Kleider, lecturer in public policy at KCL, on the rise and rise of welfare policy.
Just as with the Second World War, the universal impact of this crisis and the subsequently greater risks it poses has led to a correspondingly large increase in the generosity of the welfare state.
The particular hazards this pandemic poses has also led to changes to specific social insurance payments. The risks to people’s health have increased demand for sick pay among workers.
Everyone who could potentially be infected is advised to stay away from work for between one and two weeks, and governments have been stepping up and cover that cost. Even the US, which had no nationally mandated sick leave prior to this crisis, finally introduced some sick pay in response to the pandemic.
Canada figure includes both Employment Insurance and Canada Emergency Response Benefit. US figure takes average UI payment across states plus national Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Payment of $600. Average Wage in 2019 used for calculations across all countries. Australian Government, Government of Canada, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (US) & Department for Work and Pensions (UK).
A new consensus on welfare
This pandemic will only, however, lead to a permanently more generous welfare state if electorates believe it poses an enduring risk to the livelihoods of themselves or those they care about and subsequently vote for governments who will protect their incomes.
If enough voters now feel that this pandemic or a future crisis could suddenly and dramatically hit their incomes, then they will demand significantly higher social insurance payments as protection. Political parties will then feel pressure to deliver on these demands in order to win elections.
But here we sound a note of caution. This pandemic will not necessarily lead to a more generous welfare state. While its impact has been universal, the economic and health risks have been, and will continue to be, most severe for the poor.
It has been low-paid workers in sectors such as tourism, hospitality, retail and transport who have been the most likely to lose their jobs. High-skilled workers may still demand higher social insurance payments either because they are concerned for their own incomes or feel an affinity with the worst affected, but this is not guaranteed.
If it is only the low-skilled few who demand a more generous welfare state, then governments will feel little pressure to deliver it.
Unemployment Risk by Earnings in the UK and USA.Covid Inequality Project
Covid-19, by posing a universal risk and forcing us to engage in a common cause, has the potential to forge a new consensus on the welfare state. A majority of voters could now demand that political parties supply social insurance payments that are significantly more generous than before the crisis hit.
When this pandemic passes, electorates may not be content to reduce sickness-related social security payments knowing that they could have needed it, or may do, in the future. They may not be satisfied that social security payments to a now-essential grocery store worker are too low to allow them to escape poverty.
Just as with the Second World War, “one happy consequence of this otherwise desperately unhappy experience,” may be a more generous welfare state that insures us all against the risks posed by illness and poverty.
Jeevun Sandher, Department of Political Economy at KCL, and Hanna Kleider, lecturer in public policy at KCL.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


theweekuk--2020-06-25--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 25 Jun 2020

New York has asked people travelling from states where virus cases are rising to go into self-isolation for 14 days @ @ @ @ @ have made the same move , with the governor of the latter state saying people @ @ @ @ @ hell and back ” and did not want “ another round ” of virus infections @ @ @ @ @ more than 2.3m cases and more than 121,000 deaths .

New York imposes quarantine on arrivals from nine states
New York has asked people travelling from states where virus cases are rising to go into self-isolation for 14 days. Connecticut and New Jersey have made the same move, with the governor of the latter state saying people there had been “through hell and back” and did not want “another round” of virus infections. The US has recorded more than 2.3m cases and more than 121,000 deaths.


theweekuk--2020-06-25--Man nearly dies after inserting live eel ‘to cure constipation’

A man who had to have a 15-inch long eel removed from his innards said he had inserted it into his anus to try to cure his constipation .
It turned out that the unorthodox method wasn ’ t a winner : the live eel tore a hole through the man ’ s bowels , leaving him close to death .
Doctors at Dongguan Huangjiang Hospital in Guangdong in China were able to save the man ’ s life but the eel did not live to tell the tale .
A New York man embroiled in a local planning dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ penis-shaped statue on his lawn .
After local authorities told Jamie Gange his plans for a new workshop were not up to standard , he carved a 7ft log of pine wood into a phallus and placed it in his front garden .
He says : “ I just want to live in peace and finish my workshop.
” The Institute of Digital Archaeology is capturing smells from antique books dating back as far as the 13th century .
Odours emerging from the various tomes have been described as “ moist white bread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A researcher said reading is a multi-sensory process : “ The feel of the pages , the smell of the book , the sound of the pages turning , all of those things factor into the experience.
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A man who had to have a 15-inch long eel removed from his innards said he had inserted it into his anus to try to cure his constipation. It turned out that the unorthodox method wasn’t a winner: the live eel tore a hole through the man’s bowels, leaving him close to death. Doctors at Dongguan Huangjiang Hospital in Guangdong in China were able to save the man’s life but the eel did not live to tell the tale.
New Yorker in penis statue protest
A New York man embroiled in a local planning dispute has been arrested for erecting a huge penis-shaped statue on his lawn. After local authorities told Jamie Gange his plans for a new workshop were not up to standard, he carved a 7ft log of pine wood into a phallus and placed it in his front garden. He says: “I just want to live in peace and finish my workshop.”
Scientists bottle smells of books
The Institute of Digital Archaeology is capturing smells from antique books dating back as far as the 13th century. Odours emerging from the various tomes have been described as “moist white bread” and “white socks”. A researcher said reading is a multi-sensory process: “The feel of the pages, the smell of the book, the sound of the pages turning, all of those things factor into the experience.”
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theweekuk--2020-06-24--How the Conservatives became the party of Britain’s poor

When Boris Johnson demolished the Red Wall at last year ’ s election , it was clear that the usual political rules had been upended .
Six months after the Conservatives built a big majority from formerly safe Labour seats , a new analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals just how much has changed .
“ The Conservatives are now more popular among people on low incomes than they are among people on high incomes , ” says the social policy think-tank .
Meanwhile , Labour is “ just as popular among the wealthy as it is among those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues .
“ Both parties have inverted their traditional support base.
” A detailed analysis of December ’ s vote result by the British Election Study found that Labour was backed by 30.6 % of low-income voters , with 45.4 % supporting the Conservative Party .
“ Among high-income voters , the figures were 40 % for the Tories and 30.8 % for Labour , ” says the Daily Mail .
So just what has reversed traditional political allegiances of UK voters ?
Johnson ’ s pledge to “ get Brexit done ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversal of fortunes .
A 2018 study by Warwick University researchers confirmed that Brexit was more popular among poorer voters .
“ Recipients of income support are substantially more likely to be in favour of Leave ( by 20 % ) , ” the experts reported .
Regardless of their actual income , “ those who described themselves as ‘ finding it very difficult ’ financially were 13 % more likely to vote for Brexit compared to those who said they were ‘ living comfortably ’ ” , according to Metro .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Labour ’ s increasingly ambiguous Brexit policy resulted in a sense of betrayal among working-class Leave voters , who instead gave their support to Johnson and his clear pro-Brexit message .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jeremy Corbyn , who led Labour into the last election , has spent his career campaigning against poverty and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on low incomes .
His political support for the poor was not reciprocated , however , with the Conservatives building “ a 15-point lead over Jeremy Corbyn ’ s Labour among poorer Britons ” , says The Independent .
Part of the problem was his party ’ s “ conviction that people ’ s views reflected their class , and that the working classes were naturally left-wing ” , says Eric Shaw , a politics lecturer at Stirling University , in an article on The Conversation .
In fact , many working-class voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stand up for British interests ; hostile to treasured institutions like the military and the monarchy ; and too weak on terrorism ” , Shaw adds .
The Conservatives also appealed to lower-income voters with their “ levelling-up ” economic strategy , which focused on investing in infrastructure across the UK and particularly in poorer towns .
That seemed like an ambitious goal even before the economy was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic .
Now , says the Daily Mirror , “ coronavirus has wiped out any hope of ‘ levelling up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to hit the north hardest economically ” .
However , the government ’ s response to the pandemic has included a raft of policies - including widespread nationalisation and the state funding of private-sector salaries - that even Corbyn might once have considered too left-wing .
And there may be more to come .
A proposed rescue deal for Britain ’ s biggest steelmaker “ would mean the state could end up with a stake in the UK steel industry for the first time since British Steel Corporation was privatised more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times reports .
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Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

When Boris Johnson demolished the Red Wall at last year’s election, it was clear that the usual political rules had been upended.
Six months after the Conservatives built a big majority from formerly safe Labour seats, a new analysis from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation reveals just how much has changed.
“The Conservatives are now more popular among people on low incomes than they are among people on high incomes,” says the social policy think-tank.
Meanwhile, Labour is “just as popular among the wealthy as it is among those on low incomes”, the report continues. “Both parties have inverted their traditional support base.”
A detailed analysis of December’s vote result by the British Election Study found that Labour was backed by 30.6% of low-income voters, with 45.4% supporting the Conservative Party. “Among high-income voters, the figures were 40% for the Tories and 30.8% for Labour,” says the Daily Mail.
So just what has reversed traditional political allegiances of UK voters?
The Brexit effect
Johnson’s pledge to “get Brexit done” helped to accelerate his party’s reversal of fortunes.
A 2018 study by Warwick University researchers confirmed that Brexit was more popular among poorer voters. “Recipients of income support are substantially more likely to be in favour of Leave (by 20%),” the experts reported.
Regardless of their actual income, “those who described themselves as ‘finding it very difficult’ financially were 13% more likely to vote for Brexit compared to those who said they were ‘living comfortably’”, according to Metro.
In the years following the 2016 EU referendum, Labour’s increasingly ambiguous Brexit policy resulted in a sense of betrayal among working-class Leave voters, who instead gave their support to Johnson and his clear pro-Brexit message.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The Corbyn paradox
Jeremy Corbyn, who led Labour into the last election, has spent his career campaigning against poverty and in favour of more state support for people on low incomes.
His political support for the poor was not reciprocated, however, with the Conservatives building “a 15-point lead over Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour among poorer Britons”, says The Independent.
Part of the problem was his party’s “conviction that people’s views reflected their class, and that the working classes were naturally left-wing”, says Eric Shaw, a politics lecturer at Stirling University, in an article on The Conversation.
In fact, many working-class voters saw Corbyn as “unpatriotic; unwilling to stand up for British interests; hostile to treasured institutions like the military and the monarchy; and too weak on terrorism”, Shaw adds.
Red Tories
The Conservatives also appealed to lower-income voters with their “levelling-up” economic strategy, which focused on investing in infrastructure across the UK and particularly in poorer towns.
That seemed like an ambitious goal even before the economy was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, says the Daily Mirror, “coronavirus has wiped out any hope of ‘levelling up’ the UK, with the crisis set to hit the north hardest economically”.
However, the government’s response to the pandemic has included a raft of policies - including widespread nationalisation and the state funding of private-sector salaries - that even Corbyn might once have considered too left-wing.
And there may be more to come. A proposed rescue deal for Britain’s biggest steelmaker “would mean the state could end up with a stake in the UK steel industry for the first time since British Steel Corporation was privatised more than 30 years ago”, the Financial Times reports.
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theweekuk--2020-06-24--‘Privacy minefield’: can businesses adapt to new contact-tracing rules?

Businesses being asked to record the names and contact details of their customers to assist with coronavirus test-and-trace efforts are facing a “privacy minefield”, campaigners are warning.
Boris Johnson has announced that the hospitality sector will be allowed to reopen from 4 July, in the next stage of easing lockdown restrictions in England.
But many bosses at bars and other venues are worried after the prime minister requested their help in “collecting contact details from customers, as happens in other countries”.
What are the privacy concerns?
Businesses including pubs, restaurants, hotels and hairdressers will be asked to keep records of customers and visitors for 21 days in order to support the NHS test-and-trace system, says the BBC.
Announcing the plan on Tuesday, along with a raft of other lockdown changes, Johnson said the government “will work with the sector to make this manageable”.
But privacy groups say hospitality businesses have been offered little guidance on collecting and storing the sensitive contact-tracing data, while potential customers have been given no assurances that their information will be kept safely.
“This sounds like an excessive and intrusive move designed to paper over the cracks of a much bigger contact-tracing failure,” Silkie Carlo, director of the Big Brother Watch campaign group, told The Guardian.
“It also poses privacy risks. Asking pubs and restaurants to become data controllers overnight is unfair – and could see personal data hoarded, lost or misused – whether for marketing or unwanted personal contact.”
Responding to these concerns, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said it was “assessing the potential data protection implications of this proposed scheme and is monitoring developments”.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the instructions from the government do not exempt businesses from data protection rules, the regulator added.
“Key data protection principles must be considered so that people’s data is handled responsibly”, including “only collecting personal data that is necessary [and] making sure that it is not retained for longer than needed and keeping it secure”, an ICO spokesperson said.
Despite such regulatory measures, some other countries that have rolled out similar systems have reported privacy breaches. An Auckland woman told New Zealand’s Newshub last month that she felt “shaken and vulnerable” after a Subway worker misused her personal information to make unwanted personal contact.


theweekuk--2020-06-25--The luxury London neighbourhood that may be renamed over slavery links

One of London ’ s wealthiest neighbourhoods may be renamed as part of a review into the capital ’ s links to slavery .
Holland Park , in west London , was named after colonising courtier Henry Rich , 1st Earl of Holland , whose family owned hundreds of slaves .
What is happening in Holland Park ?
A local statue of Rich ’ s descendant Henry Vassall-Fox , 3rd Baron Holland , was targeted by protesters this week - the latest in a string of attacks on monuments by anti-racism activists in the wake of the Black Lives Matters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sign saying “ I owned 401 slaves ” , and “ 401 ” was daubed on the plinth in red paint along with handprints , reports The Telegraph .
Following the attack , the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea , where the statue stands , suggested that the monument ’ s placement could be reviewed as part of a “ conversation about the figures we see in our public realm ” .
The entire neighbourhood may also be investigated for links to slavery , alongside the park , tube station and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as part of London Mayor Sadiq Khan ’ s city-wide public realm review , according to the Daily Mail .
A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea said that Khan ’ s review was expected “ to consider station names , statues and street names ” .
“ Any decisions will need to take into account the views of local people and we are absolutely committed to representing the views of residents in our diverse communities in Kensington and Chelsea , ” the spokesperson continued , adding that London “ must oppose racism in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Whig politician and lord privy seal in Lord Grenville ’ s coalition government .
Encyclopaedia Britannica says that Vassall-Fox helped to “ secure the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies ” , in 1807 .
He was praised by key abolitionist William Wilberforce for being a “ most zealous partisan ” for the outlawing of slavery .
But Vassall-Fox technically owned slaves through his wife ’ s estate , and received compensation for 401 slaves after abolition .
Despite the recent attack on his statue , however , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” of monuments posted on a “ Topple the Racists ” website that was established in the wake of the BLM protests .
The first Lord Holland , Henry Rich , gives his name to the broader Holland Park area , the local underground station and Holland House .
Rich oversaw the colonial Providence Island Company , which was also linked to the slave trade .

One of London’s wealthiest neighbourhoods may be renamed as part of a review into the capital’s links to slavery.
Holland Park, in west London, was named after colonising courtier Henry Rich, 1st Earl of Holland, whose family owned hundreds of slaves.
What is happening in Holland Park?
A local statue of Rich’s descendant Henry Vassall-Fox, 3rd Baron Holland, was targeted by protesters this week - the latest in a string of attacks on monuments by anti-racism activists in the wake of the Black Lives Matters protests.
The statue was topped with a sign saying “I owned 401 slaves”, and “401” was daubed on the plinth in red paint along with handprints, reports The Telegraph.
Following the attack, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, where the statue stands, suggested that the monument’s placement could be reviewed as part of a “conversation about the figures we see in our public realm”.
The entire neighbourhood may also be investigated for links to slavery, alongside the park, tube station and electoral ward of the same name, as part of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s city-wide public realm review, according to the Daily Mail.
A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea said that Khan’s review was expected “to consider station names, statues and street names”.
“Any decisions will need to take into account the views of local people and we are absolutely committed to representing the views of residents in our diverse communities in Kensington and Chelsea,” the spokesperson continued, adding that London “must oppose racism in all its forms”.
Who was Henry Vassall-Fox?
Vassall-Fox was a Whig politician and lord privy seal in Lord Grenville’s coalition government.
Encyclopaedia Britannica says that Vassall-Fox helped to “secure the abolition of the slave trade in the British colonies”, in 1807. He was praised by key abolitionist William Wilberforce for being a “most zealous partisan” for the outlawing of slavery.
But Vassall-Fox technically owned slaves through his wife’s estate, and received compensation for 401 slaves after abolition.
Despite the recent attack on his statue, however, he was not on a “hit list” of monuments posted on a “Topple the Racists” website that was established in the wake of the BLM protests.
The first Lord Holland, Henry Rich, gives his name to the broader Holland Park area, the local underground station and Holland House. Rich oversaw the colonial Providence Island Company, which was also linked to the slave trade.


theweekuk--2020-06-23--Travelling in Europe: country-by-country holidaying restrictions explained

The UK is close to unveiling the first countries to be included in the planned “ air bridge ” scheme , according to government sources .
“ Low-risk ” destinations such as France , Greece and Spain are likely to be included in the first cluster of countries amid hopes of firing up “ the Mediterranean tourist industry from July 4 ” , sources told The Telegraph .
A slightly larger list of countries will then be released next week .
This is thought to include Norway , Finland and the Netherlands , as well as islands in the Caribbean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
The Government is currently looking into whether a long-haul air bridge between the UK and Australia is feasible .
However , “ there are difficulties over transiting in stop-over countries which could carry a risk of spreading coronavirus ” , the paper says .
Foreign holiday bookings have risen by more than 50 % in two weeks as “ Britons secure their breaks before the government eases travel restrictions ” , according to The Times .
So as speculation mounts over the finer detail of the plans , here is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As part of a significant lifting of coronavirus lockdown measures , France has fully opened its borders to travellers from other European countries since 15 June .
Cafes , hotels and restaurants have also reopened across the country , although social distancing measures remain in place , says the BBC .
Visitors from the UK currently have to submit to a 14-day quarantine when they return home from France and from all other overseas destinations apart from the Republic of Ireland .
However , reports suggest that London and Paris may agree a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The French government has also said it will begin relaxing restrictions on travel from countries outside the EU on 1 July .
Spain ’ s prime minister Pedro Sanchez opened his country ’ s borders to those from other EU countries on 21 June .
The only exception is Portugal , the border to which will remain closed until 1 July at Lisbon ’ s request .
Visitors can enter Spain without the need to quarantine on arrival .
The relaxed guidelines are part of the authorities ’ bid to boost the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more than 11 % of GDP , says Euronews .
Italy ’ s borders have been open since 3 June for everyone coming from the UK , EU and Schengen Area .
Arrivals do not have to quarantine unless they have visited a country outside the bloc in the two weeks prior to entering Italy , in which case they must self-isolate for 14 days .
Portugal ’ s land border with Spain remains closed until 1 July , but air travel is allowed from EU countries and there are no quarantine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including an 8pm curfew , are being reimposed in the capital , Lisbon , following a spike in new coronavirus cases , reports The Telegraph .
Restaurants are not allowed to serve drinks after the curfew , and drinking in public spaces outside of licensed esplanades is also prohibited .
Flights from 19 EU countries are allowed into Cyprus , while those from a second group of countries - currently comprising Israel , Poland and Romania - need a health certificate , says Politico .
People from Belgium , the UK , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , and travel from all other nations is allowed only in exceptional circumstances and after receiving official approval .
Germany ’ s borders are open to visitors from Europe , but not from outside , says the country ’ s Foreign Ministry .
No reason is required to enter from EU-countries , Schengen-associated countries ( Iceland , Liechtenstein , Norway and Switzerland ) and the UK .
However , Germany has reimposed lockdown measures in its most populous state , North Rhine Westphalia , after a surge in Covid-19 infections linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What about other European countries ?
Belgium , Croatia , Poland and Switzerland have all fully reopened their borders with EU countries .
The Czech Republic is allowing travel to and from 26 countries but is still banning people from Belgium , Portugal , Sweden and the UK , says the BBC .
Greece @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU countries and is also allowing visitors from Australia , New Zealand , Japan and South Korea to enter .
Visitors from the UK face mandatory tests and quarantines for the time being .
Austria lifted travel restrictions on 16 June , but has kept a ban in place on visitors from Portugal , Spain , Sweden and the UK .
Bulgaria is open to visitors from Europe , but those arriving from Belgium , Portugal , Sweden , the Netherlands and the UK face a 14-day quarantine .
Sweden and Luxembourg have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .

The UK is close to unveiling the first countries to be included in the planned “air bridge” scheme, according to government sources.
“Low-risk” destinations such as France, Greece and Spain are likely to be included in the first cluster of countries amid hopes of firing up “the Mediterranean tourist industry from July 4”, sources told The Telegraph.
A slightly larger list of countries will then be released next week. This is thought to include Norway, Finland and the Netherlands, as well as islands in the Caribbean considered safe for travel, the paper reports.
The Government is currently looking into whether a long-haul air bridge between the UK and Australia is feasible. However, “there are difficulties over transiting in stop-over countries which could carry a risk of spreading coronavirus”, the paper says.
Foreign holiday bookings have risen by more than 50% in two weeks as “Britons secure their breaks before the government eases travel restrictions”, according to The Times.
So as speculation mounts over the finer detail of the plans, here is a nation-by-nation guide to current travel restrictions.
France
As part of a significant lifting of coronavirus lockdown measures, France has fully opened its borders to travellers from other European countries since 15 June.
Cafes, hotels and restaurants have also reopened across the country, although social distancing measures remain in place, says the BBC.
Visitors from the UK currently have to submit to a 14-day quarantine when they return home from France and from all other overseas destinations apart from the Republic of Ireland.
However, reports suggest that London and Paris may agree a reciprocal deal to scrap quarantine measures.
The French government has also said it will begin relaxing restrictions on travel from countries outside the EU on 1 July.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez opened his country’s borders to those from other EU countries on 21 June. The only exception is Portugal, the border to which will remain closed until 1 July at Lisbon’s request.
Visitors can enter Spain without the need to quarantine on arrival.
The relaxed guidelines are part of the authorities’ bid to boost the nation’s tourism sector, which accounts for more than 11% of GDP, says Euronews.
Italy
Italy’s borders have been open since 3 June for everyone coming from the UK, EU and Schengen Area.


theweekuk--2020-06-26--Instant Opinion: Rebecca Long-Bailey sacking shows ‘weakness of the Corbynites’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on the changing of the guard in the Labour Party Rebecca Long-Bailey ’ s sacking has exposed the weakness of the Corbynites yet again “ It was Long-Bailey ’ s ideological refusal to compromise that doomed her .
If she had deleted her tweet and apologised , as Starmer asked , he could not have sacked her – which puts paid to another conspiracy theory : that Starmer was looking for an excuse to purge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do it , showing poor judgement not just of how others might interpret ‘ zero tolerance of antisemitism ’ , but of the strength of her position and of the faction that supports her .
Her defenders continue to insist that Starmer ’ s decision was an overreaction , but John McDonnell , Len McCluskey , Jon Lansman , Ian Lavery , Jon Trickett and Owen Jones have all exposed their impotence by calling for Long-Bailey to be reinstated .
They know it is pointless , but they can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Their group ran the Labour Party a few short months ago , with a supposed iron grip that prompted a lot of ill-informed commentary about how hard it would be to prise the apparatus out of their hands .
But all it took was the party democracy that they venerated while they were winning ... ” on the issue the PM ’ s divisive adviser gets spot on Dominic Cummings is right about civil service failings “ Mr Cummings is ready to have another go at the people Max Weber once called ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power ’ .
There is a lot of truth in the critique .
It is true that the polished generalist prevails , that risk-taking is discouraged and that promotion is too slow for the gifted and too fast for the dull .
The rewards for success are few and punishments for failure are rare .
Secrecy is an obsession .
There are legions of people who draft policy proposals and have little expertise in implementation .
Serious problems , such as obesity and social care , fall down the cracks between departmental responsibilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about any of this , then all power to him .
It has to be thought unlikely , though , because plenty have tried before him and failed .
The elixir of the civil service is its ability to roll with the punches and it will take more than the departure of the cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to alter that .
Mr Cummings ought not to have given advance warning of his intent .
He will be met with surface compliance and deep subterranean resistance.
” on signs that things could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to my life .
Is a different future now possible ?
“ I grew up in the world colonialism made , and I was taught to be ashamed of where we came from .
My father , brought up in British India , used to say : we were told by the white master what a lavish favour they were doing us by colonising us .
While they wouldn ’ t want to be colonised themselves , they were , in fact , civilising us – and more : bringing us education , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what a break this insurrection or uprising is .
After Brexit , Trump , Orban , Le Pen and the escalation of fatuous populism with its scapegoating and persecution of minorities , this celebration of new voices looks like being our # MeToo moment , a paradigm shift , with some significant acknowledgement of how unalike the experiences of black and white people are , and of how traumatic the infliction of racism is .
And of what a pleasure it is to inflict such a trauma on others.
” on how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How can we obey the rules if we do n't understand what they are ?
“ Is there anyone out there still following these rules ?
If so , I salute both your conscientiousness and your powers of deduction .
Lockdown was so much easier when it was harder .
With only one essential rule to follow ( avoid everyone ) , a person knew where she stood .
Since then , however , the Government ’ s policy of cautious relaxation has generated a succession of different guidelines , each layered over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of amendments and modifications .
You can see how it got like this .
Everything about our predicament is messy : the politics , the science , the economic fallout , the human cost .
Trying to give us back as much freedom as possible , while also keeping the R-rate down , was bound to be a knotty task .
Most of the new rules , such as the injunction against singing in church , make sense individually .
( Singing is a surefire way to blast saliva particles over your fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look byzantine , confusing and sometimes downright bizarre.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 .
Paul Krugman in The New York Times on how partisanship crippled the US pandemic response America Didn ’ t Give Up on Covid-19 .
Republicans Did .
“ It didn ’ t have to be this way .
The European Union @ @ @ @ @ @ @ larger population than the U.S. , has been far more successful at limiting the spread of Covid-19 than we have .
What went wrong ?
The immediate answer is that many U.S. states ignored warnings from health experts and rushed to reopen their economies , and far too many people failed to follow basic precautions like wearing face masks and avoiding large groups .
But why was there so much foolishness ?
Well , I keep seeing statements to the effect that Americans were too impatient to stay the course , too unwilling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deeply misleading , because it avoids confronting the essence of the problem .
Americans didn ’ t fail the Covid-19 test ; Republicans did ...
The really bad news is coming from Republican-controlled states , especially Arizona , Florida and Texas , which rushed to reopen and , while some are now pausing , haven ’ t reversed course .
If the Northeast looks like Europe , the South is starting to look like Brazil .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. John Rentoul in The Independent
on the changing of the guard in the Labour Party
Rebecca Long-Bailey’s sacking has exposed the weakness of the Corbynites yet again
“It was Long-Bailey’s ideological refusal to compromise that doomed her. If she had deleted her tweet and apologised, as Starmer asked, he could not have sacked her – which puts paid to another conspiracy theory: that Starmer was looking for an excuse to purge his leadership rival. But she wouldn’t do it, showing poor judgement not just of how others might interpret ‘zero tolerance of antisemitism’, but of the strength of her position and of the faction that supports her. Her defenders continue to insist that Starmer’s decision was an overreaction, but John McDonnell, Len McCluskey, Jon Lansman, Ian Lavery, Jon Trickett and Owen Jones have all exposed their impotence by calling for Long-Bailey to be reinstated. They know it is pointless, but they can’t think of what else to do. Their group ran the Labour Party a few short months ago, with a supposed iron grip that prompted a lot of ill-informed commentary about how hard it would be to prise the apparatus out of their hands. But all it took was the party democracy that they venerated while they were winning...”
2. Philip Collins in The Times
on the issue the PM’s divisive adviser gets spot on
Dominic Cummings is right about civil service failings
“Mr Cummings is ready to have another go at the people Max Weber once called ‘the permanent residents of the house of power’. There is a lot of truth in the critique. It is true that the polished generalist prevails, that risk-taking is discouraged and that promotion is too slow for the gifted and too fast for the dull. The rewards for success are few and punishments for failure are rare. Secrecy is an obsession. There are legions of people who draft policy proposals and have little expertise in implementation. Serious problems, such as obesity and social care, fall down the cracks between departmental responsibilities. If Mr Cummings can do anything about any of this, then all power to him. It has to be thought unlikely, though, because plenty have tried before him and failed. The elixir of the civil service is its ability to roll with the punches and it will take more than the departure of the cabinet secretary Sir Mark Sedwill to alter that. Mr Cummings ought not to have given advance warning of his intent. He will be met with surface compliance and deep subterranean resistance.”
3. Hanif Kureishi in The Guardian
on signs that things could be changing
Racism has been the grinding backdrop to my life. Is a different future now possible?
“I grew up in the world colonialism made, and I was taught to be ashamed of where we came from. My father, brought up in British India, used to say: we were told by the white master what a lavish favour they were doing us by colonising us. While they wouldn’t want to be colonised themselves, they were, in fact, civilising us – and more: bringing us education, democracy, trains! After so long, what a break this insurrection or uprising is. After Brexit, Trump, Orban, Le Pen and the escalation of fatuous populism with its scapegoating and persecution of minorities, this celebration of new voices looks like being our #MeToo moment, a paradigm shift, with some significant acknowledgement of how unalike the experiences of black and white people are, and of how traumatic the infliction of racism is. And of what a pleasure it is to inflict such a trauma on others.”
4. Jemima Lewis in The Daily Telegraph
on how lockdown was easier when it was hard
How can we obey the rules if we don't understand what they are?
“Is there anyone out there still following these rules? If so, I salute both your conscientiousness and your powers of deduction. Lockdown was so much easier when it was harder. With only one essential rule to follow (avoid everyone), a person knew where she stood. Since then, however, the Government’s policy of cautious relaxation has generated a succession of different guidelines, each layered over the last to form a bewildering palimpsest of amendments and modifications. You can see how it got like this. Everything about our predicament is messy: the politics, the science, the economic fallout, the human cost. Trying to give us back as much freedom as possible, while also keeping the R-rate down, was bound to be a knotty task. Most of the new rules, such as the injunction against singing in church, make sense individually. (Singing is a surefire way to blast saliva particles over your fellow congregants.) But put together they look byzantine, confusing and sometimes downright bizarre.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5. Paul Krugman in The New York Times
on how partisanship crippled the US pandemic response
America Didn’t Give Up on Covid-19. Republicans Did.
“It didn’t have to be this way. The European Union, a hugely diverse area with a larger population than the U.S., has been far more successful at limiting the spread of Covid-19 than we have. What went wrong? The immediate answer is that many U.S. states ignored warnings from health experts and rushed to reopen their economies, and far too many people failed to follow basic precautions like wearing face masks and avoiding large groups. But why was there so much foolishness? Well, I keep seeing statements to the effect that Americans were too impatient to stay the course, too unwilling to act responsibly. But this is deeply misleading, because it avoids confronting the essence of the problem. Americans didn’t fail the Covid-19 test; Republicans did... The really bad news is coming from Republican-controlled states, especially Arizona, Florida and Texas, which rushed to reopen and, while some are now pausing, haven’t reversed course. If the Northeast looks like Europe, the South is starting to look like Brazil.”


theweekuk--2020-06-26--Britain tops EU table for child asylum claims

The UK received a fifth of all the unaccompanied children who arrived in the European Union seeking asylum last year , newly published figures show .
The number of minors arriving in Britain without a parent or guardian rose by 19 % year-on-year to 3,650 - the highest total of any country in the bloc , according the European Asylum Support Office ( EASO ) .
Of the unaccompanied young people seeking asylum in the UK , 584 came from Eritrea .
The UK also received 92 % of the total 485 Vietnamese minors arriving in the EU , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Iran .
Kent County Council leader Roger Gough told The Times that “ the number of migrants crossing the Channel had increased significantly in the past year , putting pressure on council facilities ” .
The number of child migrants arriving in Kent has doubled in a year , he added , leaving the council in a “ critical situation ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Of a total 738,000 asylum seekers of all ages who arrived in the EU in 2019 , the UK received 44,835 - the fifth highest in the bloc .
Germany received the most asylum claims ( 165,615 ) , followed by France ( 128,940 ) and Spain ( 117,795 ) , and Greece ( 77,275 ) , according to the EASO data .
The Daily Mail reports that Europe as a whole saw an 11 % rise in asylum claims , “ although figures are still below the peak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The UK received a fifth of all the unaccompanied children who arrived in the European Union seeking asylum last year, newly published figures show.
The number of minors arriving in Britain without a parent or guardian rose by 19% year-on-year to 3,650 - the highest total of any country in the bloc, according the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).
Of the unaccompanied young people seeking asylum in the UK, 584 came from Eritrea. The UK also received 92% of the total 485 Vietnamese minors arriving in the EU, and 69% of 760 minors who travelled from Iran.
Kent County Council leader Roger Gough told The Times that “the number of migrants crossing the Channel had increased significantly in the past year, putting pressure on council facilities”.
The number of child migrants arriving in Kent has doubled in a year, he added, leaving the council in a “critical situation”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Of a total 738,000 asylum seekers of all ages who arrived in the EU in 2019, the UK received 44,835 - the fifth highest in the bloc. Germany received the most asylum claims (165,615), followed by France (128,940) and Spain (117,795), and Greece (77,275), according to the EASO data.
The Daily Mail reports that Europe as a whole saw an 11% rise in asylum claims, “although figures are still below the peak seen in the 2015 migrant crisis”.


theweekuk--2020-06-26--Keir Starmer clashes with Labour left over Rebecca Long-Bailey sacking

Keir Starmer is under fire from the left of the Labour Party after sacking shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey for sharing an article containing an “ anti-Semitic conspiracy theory ” .
In an interview with The Independent , actor Maxine Peake suggested that Israel ’ s “ secret service ” had taught US police the “ neck-kneeling ” technique used by a Minneapolis officer with fatal results while arresting George Floyd .
Peake later retracted the claim , and the newspaper has added a clarification to the interview , with a spokesperson for the Israeli police saying “ there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put pressure on the neck or airway ” .
However , the article triggered a furious row within Labour after Long-Bailey shared the article on Twitter on Thursday along with the caption , “ Maxine Peake is an absolute diamond ” .
The Salford and Eccles MP later clarified that her retweet was not “ an intention to endorse every part of that article ” .
But less than three hours later , Starmer ’ s office released a statement announcing that he had sacked his former leadership rival .
“ Keir has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish community is a number one priority , ” the statement said .
The Labour leader later told reporters : “ I didn ’ t do that because she is anti-Semitic , I did it because she shared the article which has got , in my view , anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in it.
” As The Guardian notes , the sacking has “ reignited the party ’ s internal turmoil over the issue of anti-Semitism ” .
The Daily Mail describes a “ civil war ” between Starmer and allies of Jeremy Corbyn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell , a member of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs , tweeted that he stood in “ solidarity ” with Long-Bailey , and also shared the controversial Independent article .
McDonnell later shared a petition calling for her reinstatement that had been signed by just under 10,000 people as of midday on Friday .
Meanwhile , Labour MP Jon Trickett , who also served in Corbyn ’ s shadow cabinet , tweeted : “ What has Sir Keir got against Northern socialists from working class backgrounds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Movement said the sacking “ should be welcomed ” .
And Labour MP Margret Hodge , an outspoken critic of anti-Semitism within Labour , tweeted : “ This is what a change in culture looks like .
This is what zero tolerance looks like.
” According to the BBC , Starmer spoke to members of the Socialist Campaign Group this morning , via Zoom , to discuss Long-Bailey ’ s sacking .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Keir Starmer is under fire from the left of the Labour Party after sacking shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey for sharing an article containing an “anti-Semitic conspiracy theory”.
In an interview with The Independent, actor Maxine Peake suggested that Israel’s “secret service” had taught US police the “neck-kneeling” technique used by a Minneapolis officer with fatal results while arresting George Floyd.
Peake later retracted the claim, and the newspaper has added a clarification to the interview, with a spokesperson for the Israeli police saying “there is no tactic or protocol that calls to put pressure on the neck or airway”.
However, the article triggered a furious row within Labour after Long-Bailey shared the article on Twitter on Thursday along with the caption, “Maxine Peake is an absolute diamond”. The Salford and Eccles MP later clarified that her retweet was not “an intention to endorse every part of that article”.
But less than three hours later, Starmer’s office released a statement announcing that he had sacked his former leadership rival. “Keir has been clear that restoring trust with the Jewish community is a number one priority,” the statement said.
The Labour leader later told reporters: “I didn’t do that because she is anti-Semitic, I did it because she shared the article which has got, in my view, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories in it.”
As The Guardian notes, the sacking has “reignited the party’s internal turmoil over the issue of anti-Semitism”. The Daily Mail describes a “civil war” between Starmer and allies of Jeremy Corbyn, who are rallying behind Corbynista Long-Bailey.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell, a member of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, tweeted that he stood in “solidarity” with Long-Bailey, and also shared the controversial Independent article.
McDonnell later shared a petition calling for her reinstatement that had been signed by just under 10,000 people as of midday on Friday.
Meanwhile, Labour MP Jon Trickett, who also served in Corbyn’s shadow cabinet, tweeted: “What has Sir Keir got against Northern socialists from working class backgrounds?”
However, the Jewish Labour Movement said the sacking “should be welcomed”. And Labour MP Margret Hodge, an outspoken critic of anti-Semitism within Labour, tweeted: “This is what a change in culture looks like. This is what zero tolerance looks like.”
According to the BBC, Starmer spoke to members of the Socialist Campaign Group this morning, via Zoom, to discuss Long-Bailey’s sacking.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-06-26--Lasting impact: how Covid damages the human brain

Doctors have repeatedly warned that coronavirus patients may be left with life-altering health problems - and now new research has @ @ @ @ @ threat posed to the body ’ s most vital organ .
Brain complications including stroke @ @ @ @ @ to Covid-19 in a study “ that raises concerns about the potentially extensive impact of @ @ @ @ @ ” , The Guardian reports .
Experts say the findings “ highlight the need to @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 in the brain and studies to explore potential treatments ” , the newspaper adds @ @ @ @ @ in The Lancet , looked in detail at 125 “ severe cases ” of Covid @ @ @ @

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theweekuk--2020-06-26--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 26 Jun 2020

Fears are growing that poor social distancing will lead to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases as hot weather leads crowds @ @ @ @ @ .
After police declared a major incident in Bournemouth , Chris Whitty , the chief @ @ @ @ @ said : “ If we do not follow social-distancing guidance then cases will rise again @ @ @ @ @ to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is @ @ @ @ @

Coronavirus warning as crowds flock to the beaches
Fears are growing that poor social distancing will lead to a resurgence in Covid-19 cases as hot weather leads crowds to flock to the seaside. After police declared a major incident in Bournemouth, Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said: “If we do not follow social-distancing guidance then cases will rise again. Naturally people will want to enjoy the sun but we need to do so in a way that is safe for all.”


theweekuk--2020-06-25--Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 June

Quiz of The Week: 20 - 26 June

A week that began with the coronavirus R rate rocketing in Germany is ending with hope that for Britons , the months of lockdown may be coming to an end .
An outbreak at a meat-processing plant in one of Germany ’ s most populous states has fuelled talk of a second wave of infections in countries worldwide .
But as temperatures soared in the UK , Boris Johnson was also in a sunny mood as he gave pubs , restaurants and hairdressers the green light to reopen from 4 July .
The announcement served as a partial distraction from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Secretary Robert Jenrick .
This week also marks the four-year anniversary of the UK voting to leave the European Union - a decision that experts say has heralded the change of “ everything and nothing ” for the nation .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest developments in the pandemic , and other global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ form an independent panel in the House of Commons to review harassment complaints against MPs .
In a move that has also been welcomed by many , MPs voted against a motion tabled by Jacob Rees-Mogg to publicly debate bullying allegations in the chamber .
Over in the US , presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has continued to rise in the polls , as some pundits question whether Donald Trump really wants to win a second term , in the wake of his latest seemingly self-sabotaging media interventions .
Back in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slander claims against fellow footballer ’ s wife Coleen Rooney in the High Court , in the latest instalment of their so-called Wagatha Christie row .
Meanwhile , in the world of art , conservationists are calling for greater regulation of restoration efforts after another painting was ruined by an overeager enthusiast .

A week that began with the coronavirus R rate rocketing in Germany is ending with hope that for Britons, the months of lockdown may be coming to an end.
An outbreak at a meat-processing plant in one of Germany’s most populous states has fuelled talk of a second wave of infections in countries worldwide. But as temperatures soared in the UK, Boris Johnson was also in a sunny mood as he gave pubs, restaurants and hairdressers the green light to reopen from 4 July.
The announcement served as a partial distraction from a growing row over planning disputes involving House Secretary Robert Jenrick.
This week also marks the four-year anniversary of the UK voting to leave the European Union - a decision that experts say has heralded the change of “everything and nothing” for the nation.
To find out how closely you’ve been paying attention to the latest developments in the pandemic, and other global events, put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week:
Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days?
Anti-bullying campaigners have applauded the decision to form an independent panel in the House of Commons to review harassment complaints against MPs. In a move that has also been welcomed by many, MPs voted against a motion tabled by Jacob Rees-Mogg to publicly debate bullying allegations in the chamber.
Over in the US, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden has continued to rise in the polls, as some pundits question whether Donald Trump really wants to win a second term, in the wake of his latest seemingly self-sabotaging media interventions.
Back in the UK, Rebekah Vardy filed libel and slander claims against fellow footballer’s wife Coleen Rooney in the High Court, in the latest instalment of their so-called Wagatha Christie row.
Meanwhile, in the world of art, conservationists are calling for greater regulation of restoration efforts after another painting was ruined by an overeager enthusiast.


theweekuk--2020-06-25--Four things we learned from Robert Jenrick’s property planning scandal texts

Housing minister Robert Jenrick is under pressure to resign after newly released text messages and emails indicate that he was “ insistent ” a planning application be allowed just in time to save its Tory donor backer up to £50m .
Jenrick ’ s decision allowed former Daily Express owner Richard Desmond to avoid paying the sum , overruling both Tower Hamlets Council and a planning inspector .
The minister later reversed the decision following legal action by Tower Hamlets Council .
Jenrick was forced to admit that what he did was “ unlawful by reason of apparent bias ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ documents reveal : The housing secretary approved the controversial housing development after receiving a text message from Desmond telling him that delays would “ cost £45m ” .
After the pair met at a Tory fundraising dinner on 18 November in which Desmond showed Jenrick pictures of the planned development on his phone , the two exchanged a number of texts , reports The Guardian .
On 20 November , Desmond texted Jenrick saying : “ Your efficient PA has arranged a meeting for 19 December at 10.30am for meet and site visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have gone to you today , we appreciate the speed as we don ’ t want to give Marxists loads of doe for nothing !
“ We all want to go with the scheme and the social housing we have proposed and spent a month at the Marxist town hall debating , thanks again , all my best , Richard.
” Desmond followed up with Jenrick on 23 December , but the minister didn ’ t reply : “ Morning Robert How does the advice look ?
We have to get the approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million pounds to tower hamlets meaning we have to stop and reduce social housing Thanks Robert look forward to speaking soon Best Richard ” On 9 January , an email from a Ministry of Housing , Communities and Local Government ( MHCLG ) official says : “ We have to provide reasoning…as to justify why the SoS [ Jenrick ] is going against the recc [ recommendation ] of inspector and officials .
That is what we have tried to do.
” “ On timing , my understanding is that SoS is/was insistent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – as next week the viability of the scheme is impacted by a change in the London CIL [ community investment levy ] regime.
” An email on 14 January appears to show that Jenrick was keen to get the decision passed quickly , says Sky News .
An MHCLG official writes that they needed confirmation “ by 5pm ” to “ avoid any criticism that the decision was not received within office hours ” .
Less than twenty minutes before the deadline , at 4.41pm , the decision was finally approved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telegraph .
Jenrick was worried about getting caught After Desmond ’ s text railing against the “ Marxists ” in Tower Hamlets council , Jenrick appears to change his tone .
He replies saying : “ Richard .
As secretary of state it is important not to give any appearance of being influenced by applicants of cases that I may have a role in or to have predetermined them and so I think it is best that we don ’ t meet until after the matter has been decided… ” On 22 January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Richard I hope you understood that I could not speak with you or have contact whilst I was making my decision with respect to the planning application at Westferry ‐ which was why I did not return your messages .
Best wishes Robert ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A letter written by civil service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s shadow communities secretary Steve Reed in reply to his questions on the Westferry planning decision , says Boris Johnson considers the matter “ closed ” .
Sedwill wrote that Jenrick had “ set out a full and factual account ” of his actions , adding : “ In light of this account , the prime minister considers that the matter is closed.
” When asked previously if Jenrick had done the right thing , the prime minister replied : “ As far as I know , of course he did.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling Sky News that the housing minister ’ s “ intention was to get more homes built in London and the rest of the country and that should be the focus , rightly so .
`` I think the matter is considered to be over .
This government has been more transparent on this than any previous government on any planning issue .
”

Housing minister Robert Jenrick is under pressure to resign after newly released text messages and emails indicate that he was “insistent” a planning application be allowed just in time to save its Tory donor backer up to £50m.
Jenrick’s decision allowed former Daily Express owner Richard Desmond to avoid paying the sum, overruling both Tower Hamlets Council and a planning inspector. The minister later reversed the decision following legal action by Tower Hamlets Council.
Jenrick was forced to admit that what he did was “unlawful by reason of apparent bias”. Here’s what the latest documents reveal:
Desmond pressured Jenrick to save him money
The housing secretary approved the controversial housing development after receiving a text message from Desmond telling him that delays would “cost £45m”.
After the pair met at a Tory fundraising dinner on 18 November in which Desmond showed Jenrick pictures of the planned development on his phone, the two exchanged a number of texts, reports The Guardian.
On 20 November, Desmond texted Jenrick saying: “Your efficient PA has arranged a meeting for 19 December at 10.30am for meet and site visit. Good news finally the inspectors reports have gone to you today, we appreciate the speed as we don’t want to give Marxists loads of doe for nothing!
“We all want to go with the scheme and the social housing we have proposed and spent a month at the Marxist town hall debating, thanks again, all my best, Richard.”
Desmond followed up with Jenrick on 23 December, but the minister didn’t reply: “Morning Robert How does the advice look? We have to get the approval before January 15 otherwise payment of 45 million pounds to tower hamlets meaning we have to stop and reduce social housing Thanks Robert look forward to speaking soon Best Richard”
Jenrick rushed the decision through
On 9 January, an email from a Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) official says: “We have to provide reasoning…as to justify why the SoS [Jenrick] is going against the recc [recommendation] of inspector and officials. That is what we have tried to do.”
“On timing, my understanding is that SoS is/was insistent that decision issued this week ie tomorrow – as next week the viability of the scheme is impacted by a change in the London CIL [community investment levy] regime.”


theweekuk--2020-06-24--How can the stock market rally when the economy is so weak?

After a massive sell-off following the Covid-19 lockdown, stock markets – and the US equity market in particular – have embarked on a spectacular rally, which Bloomberg columnist John Authers has rather wonderfully described as “The Most Hated Rally in History”.
This nicely sums up the bemused thoughts of many investors, who simply can’t understand why markets have turned aggressively bullish despite the state of the “real” economy – i.e. galloping unemployment, collapsing consumer confidence, crashing manufacturing sector output and growing concerns that massive central bank intervention might prompt future inflation. Why on earth would investors be bullish about this sorry state of affairs?
Greed and fear rule
This debate between the bears and the bulls highlights a little understood point. The stock market is not the “real” economy. Of course, there is a connection between the two. If high streets, factories and global trade are booming, then that should boost corporate sales. This, in turn, will lift profits, some of which will find their way back to investors as increased dividend payouts and share buybacks. But there is no simple equation which says that “better macro-economic news = higher share prices” (or vice versa).
Indeed, over the last few decades, research by many academic economists has suggested that the correlation between long-term GDP growth and long-term stock market returns can be negative, a finding backed up by a 2010 paper from analysts at index provider MSCI. In other words, there’s little clear link between economic growth and rising markets, to the extent that in some cases long-term growth can go hand in hand with weak returns.
The brutal reality of modern financial markets is that they are not an awards system for ranking economic growth. They are an unruly collection of investors with many different imperatives, outlooks, behavioural biases and requirements. They are also not purely rational. Investors get carried away. They sometimes become overly optimistic (greedy) and boost share prices to very high valuations, based merely on hope; or they become too pessimistic (fearful) and punish share prices disproportionately by over-weighting worst-case scenarios.
A moveable feast
If we can say anything about stock markets, it’s that they are a weighing machine powered by a guessing game. What do we mean by this? Investors are forward-looking – they obsess about expectations for profits and dividends. So a rough and ready rule is that markets tend to be priced at something equivalent to expectations for profits, sales and cashflows six months in the future. In other words, the current share price is a stab at guessing what the near-term future holds.


theweekuk--2020-06-24--Has British politics entered a post-scandal era?

Boris Johnson has thrown his support behind Robert Jenrick amid calls for the housing secretary to resign over his involvement in a “ cash for favours ” row .
The prime minister insists he continues to have “ full confidence ” in Jenrick , who is fighting for his job after newly released text messages and emails suggest he saved property developer and Tory donor Richard Desmond up to £50m by rushing through a planning application .
So just what does it take for a minister to resign in politics today ?
Are politicians now slower to resign ?
Recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians clinging on to office after becoming embroiled in controversy .
Johnson leads the country despite a facing a series of high-profile scandals , from his careless comments about jailed British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe , to claims that he ditched his security detail while serving as foreign secretary to attend an “ exotic ” party hosted by Russian-born media tycoon Evgeny Lebedev , as The Guardian reported last year .
The PM ’ s current cabinet has a fairly chequered record too .
In 2017 , Priti Patel refused to resign as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after repeatedly failing to disclose multiple unofficial meetings with Israeli ministers , business people and lobbyists .
The now home secretary was ultimately forced to quit after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials without UK government officials present or in the know .
But Patel has managed to hang on to her current role despite multiple bullying allegations , including reports in March that her former aide had received a £25,000 payout from the government after allegedly attempting suicide following “ unprovoked aggression ” by the Tory minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in retaining his place at Downing Street .
Although not a politician , the senior advisor is a political appointment , yet Johnson has refused to sack his right-hand man despite Cummings being caught caught breaking coronavirus lockdown rules .
The phenomenon of seeming unbudgeable political figures is by no means limited to the Tory party .
In 2016 , a motion of no confidence in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn passed by 172-40 .
But Corbyn held on as the party ’ s chief , while being dogged by allegations of anti-Semitism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eventually forced him out .
And Keith Vaz continued to serve as a Labour MP after reports emerged in 2016 that he had offered to buy cocaine for sex workers .
Vaz finally stood down at the election last December after the Commons Standards Committee recommended that he be slapped with a six-month ban from Parliament over the scandal .
What about the exceptions ?
Of course , some rows prove too damaging for even the most brazen political figures to survive .
Alun Cairns quit as Welsh secretary last November amid allegations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an aide ’ s alleged “ sabotage ” of a rape trial .
And Amber Rudd stepped down as home secretary in April 2018 over the Windrush scandal , after admitting that she had “ inadvertently misled ” MPs over deportation targets .
However , Rudd was soon back in government as work and pensions minister , before resigning again - alongside the PM ’ s brother , universities minister Jo Johnson - over the Tory leader ’ s controversial prorogation of Parliament and “ purge ” of party moderates .
But arguably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that of Theresa May in July 2019 , after failing three times to get her Brexit deal through Parliament .
What has changed in modern politics ?
“ It feels like ministers are allowed to get away with far more than they did even a few years ago , for example when immigration minister Mark Harper stood down in 2014 over the illegal status of his cleaner , ” Anoosh Chakelian wrote in the New Statesman in 2017 .
She suggested that one factor might be that then PM “ May is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away with the least politically-contentious sackings ” .
But digging deeper , it appears that political resignations or sackings due to scandal have never been all that common , according to Chakelian .
She pointed to research by Liam McLoughlin , a PhD politics researcher at the University of Salford , which found that between 1945 and 1997 , only 34 % of all scandals resulted in a ministerial resignation .
“ So it looks like errant ministers have generally been getting away with it for most of history , ” Chakelian concluded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extent to which voters are aware of such scandals , Richard Skinner argued in Vox last year .
“ There is more national attention to these scandals than there was a generation ago .
Cable news and social media can make a juicy story the topic of national conversation within hours , ” he wrote .
But “ on the other hand , partisans are more reluctant than ever to accept a ‘ loss ’ ” , Skinner added .
This refusal to accept blame , at least in public , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Credit is due to some , like Boris Johnson and David Davis , who have indeed resigned , ” James Bartholomew wrote in January 2019 article for The Telegraph calling for May to resign as PM after her Brexit deal was voted down in the Commons .
“ They have done the right thing .
But others have dishonoured themselves .
The resulting cabinet is both low on quality and deserving of little respect .
”

Boris Johnson has thrown his support behind Robert Jenrick amid calls for the housing secretary to resign over his involvement in a “cash for favours” row.
The prime minister insists he continues to have “full confidence” in Jenrick, who is fighting for his job after newly released text messages and emails suggest he saved property developer and Tory donor Richard Desmond up to £50m by rushing through a planning application.
So just what does it take for a minister to resign in politics today?
Are politicians now slower to resign?
Recent years have seen a number of high-profile politicians clinging on to office after becoming embroiled in controversy.
Johnson leads the country despite a facing a series of high-profile scandals, from his careless comments about jailed British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, to claims that he ditched his security detail while serving as foreign secretary to attend an “exotic” party hosted by Russian-born media tycoon Evgeny Lebedev, as The Guardian reported last year.
The PM’s current cabinet has a fairly chequered record too. In 2017, Priti Patel refused to resign as Theresa May’s international development secretary after repeatedly failing to disclose multiple unofficial meetings with Israeli ministers, business people and lobbyists.
The now home secretary was ultimately forced to quit after it emerged that she had two further meetings with Israeli officials without UK government officials present or in the know.
But Patel has managed to hang on to her current role despite multiple bullying allegations, including reports in March that her former aide had received a £25,000 payout from the government after allegedly attempting suicide following “unprovoked aggression” by the Tory minister.
Dominic Cummings has been equally tenacious in retaining his place at Downing Street. Although not a politician, the senior advisor is a political appointment, yet Johnson has refused to sack his right-hand man despite Cummings being caught caught breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.
The phenomenon of seeming unbudgeable political figures is by no means limited to the Tory party.
In 2016, a motion of no confidence in Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn passed by 172-40. But Corbyn held on as the party’s chief, while being dogged by allegations of anti-Semitism, until the disastrous 2019 general election result eventually forced him out.


theweekuk--2020-06-26--What is Wirecard and why has the scandal-hit firm collapsed?

Payments firm Wirecard has filed for insolvency days after disclosing a €1.9bn ( £1.7bn ) hole in its accounts .
The German company ’ s former boss Markus Braun has since been arrested and “ accused of inflating Wirecard ’ s finances to make them appear healthier to investors and customers ” , the BBC reports .
So what is Wirecard - and what went wrong ?
Wirecard was “ founded in a Munich suburb ” in 1999 and “ backed by venture capital in the late stages of the dotcom boom ” , the Financial Times says .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it helps sites collect credit card payments from customers .
According to the newspaper , former KPMG consultant Braun took over as chief executive in 2002 after the company almost went bust , and then led a merger with a rival firm .
Three years later , Wirecard joined the Frankfurt stock market , known as the Dax .
By 2006 , the company had 323 employees , with most of its business revolving around “ managing payments for online gambling and pornography ” , says the FT. Over the next decade , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spree ” , buying payment companies in Asia in a series of “ oddly structured deals ” .
By 2018 , the company was recording revenues of over €2bn ( £1.82bn ) , “ more than four times the figure from 2013 ” , according to CNN .
But then things began to go wrong .
In 2015 , the FT began publishing a series of stories about Wirecard that raised “ questions about inconsistencies in the group ’ s accounts ” .
The paper went on to report that there appeared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group ’ s balance sheet ” , prompting legal threats from the company .
But the FT was right about the company ’ s accounting .
Last week , auditors EY refused to sign off on the company ’ s accounts after being unable to locate a missing €1.9bn ( £1.7bn ) .
Initially , the firm claimed the cash was held in two banks in the Philippines , but on Monday admitted that “ the money may simply not exist ” , the BBC says .
Wirecard has filed for insolvency citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned last Friday , has been arrested on suspicion of inflating the company ’ s finances .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What happens next ?
Braun has been freed on bail of €5m ( £4.5m ) and remains a suspect in what German tabloid Bild has labelled “ one of the biggest accounting fraud scandals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Munich Public Prosecutor ’ s Office has expanded its investigation to look at other Wirecard bosses , including ex-chief operating officer Jan Marsalek , who was fired at the start of this week .
The collapse is also “ raising questions over how the company ’ s regulators and auditors could have missed accounting irregularities that are already drawing comparisons to Enron ” , the US energy giant that collapsed in 2001 , CNN says .

Payments firm Wirecard has filed for insolvency days after disclosing a €1.9bn (£1.7bn) hole in its accounts.
The German company’s former boss Markus Braun has since been arrested and “accused of inflating Wirecard’s finances to make them appear healthier to investors and customers”, the BBC reports.
So what is Wirecard - and what went wrong?
The growth years
Wirecard was “founded in a Munich suburb” in 1999 and “backed by venture capital in the late stages of the dotcom boom”, the Financial Times says. The company is a payment processor, meaning it helps sites collect credit card payments from customers.
According to the newspaper, former KPMG consultant Braun took over as chief executive in 2002 after the company almost went bust, and then led a merger with a rival firm. Three years later, Wirecard joined the Frankfurt stock market, known as the Dax.
By 2006, the company had 323 employees, with most of its business revolving around “managing payments for online gambling and pornography”, says the FT.
Over the next decade, the company went on a “shopping spree”, buying payment companies in Asia in a series of “oddly structured deals”.
By 2018, the company was recording revenues of over €2bn (£1.82bn), “more than four times the figure from 2013”, according to CNN. But then things began to go wrong.
Success turns sour
In 2015, the FT began publishing a series of stories about Wirecard that raised “questions about inconsistencies in the group’s accounts”. The paper went on to report that there appeared to be “a €250m hole in the group’s balance sheet”, prompting legal threats from the company.
But the FT was right about the company’s accounting.
Last week, auditors EY refused to sign off on the company’s accounts after being unable to locate a missing €1.9bn (£1.7bn). Initially, the firm claimed the cash was held in two banks in the Philippines, but on Monday admitted that “the money may simply not exist”, the BBC says.
Wirecard has filed for insolvency citing “over-indebtedness” and Braun, who resigned last Friday, has been arrested on suspicion of inflating the company’s finances.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What happens next?
Braun has been freed on bail of €5m (£4.5m) and remains a suspect in what German tabloid Bild has labelled “one of the biggest accounting fraud scandals in Germany’s economic history”.
The Munich Public Prosecutor’s Office has expanded its investigation to look at other Wirecard bosses, including ex-chief operating officer Jan Marsalek, who was fired at the start of this week.
The collapse is also “raising questions over how the company’s regulators and auditors could have missed accounting irregularities that are already drawing comparisons to Enron”, the US energy giant that collapsed in 2001, CNN says.


theweekuk--2020-06-26--Is Britain prepared for a second wave of coronavirus?

Packed parks and beaches and the prospect of an alcohol-fuelled “ super Saturday ” when pubs reopen next week have sparked predictions of an impending surge in coronavirus infections .
Although reports of new Covid-19 cases currently remain in decline , “ health leaders are calling for an urgent review to ensure Britain is properly prepared for the ‘ real risk ’ of a second wave ” , The Telegraph reports .
Second wave - or more of the first ?
While the term is widely used , “ the concept of a second wave is flawed ” , says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virology at Kent University .
“ We are not between waves , ” he explains in an article first published on The Conversation .
“ We have new cases in the UK every day .
We are in an ebb and flow of Covid-19 transmission that is continually affected by our precautionary actions.
” A true second wave is more likely to come in the winter , says England ’ s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty .
That ’ s when respiratory infections spread more easily - and also , unfortunately , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is entirely plausible for a second wave to actually be more severe than the first if it is not mitigated , ” Whitty said last month .
“ Every country has got an extremely difficult balancing act , and we all need to be honest about the fact there are no easy solutions here.
” However , says Rossman , “ we should not fear an inevitable second wave ” , but instead act now to prevent or contain it .
In an open letter to ministers published in the British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including the presidents of the royal colleges of surgeons and nursing called for an acceleration of planning to deal with a flare-up of Covid-19 cases .
“ Many elements of the infrastructure needed to contain the virus are beginning to be put in place , ” the letter said , “ but substantial challenges remain.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the contact-tracing app , which last week was shelved until autumn at the earliest .
The UK has implemented other systems for tracking new outbreaks , however .
A manual contact-tracing programme launched on 28 May has succeeded in contacting 113,925 people to warn them that they have come into contact with someone infected with the new coronavirus , according to the Department of Health .
This figure represents 89 % of a total 128,566 identified as recent close contacts of the 21,105 people who tested positive for Covid-19 .
But worryingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the virus have not been reached to provide details of their contacts .
Latest figures show that of 6,923 people who tested positive for coronavirus in England last week , the system failed to reach almost 30 % .
To put that another way , “ 2,054 people with the virus – and potentially thousands of their close contacts – could not be traced ” , says The Independent .
Scientists have described the statistics as “ worrying ” and said the problem “ could only be solved with better cooperation from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , reports the Daily Mail .
Nevertheless , even an imperfect system will disrupt chains of infection and limit the spread of Covid-19 .
“ Government experts believe with the testing-and-tracing system in place , the virus can continue to be suppressed , ” says BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle .
By the time the UK government launched public health campaigns to encourage frequent hand-washing and avoid shaking hands , in late February , the virus was already in widespread circulation .
If we now see another rise in infections , better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may slow the spread of the virus .
“ By keeping the importance of handwashing and cleaning surfaces in mind , we can help prevent the spread of infection as the country opens back up , and hopefully prevent a second wave of infections , ” says Dr Rodney Rohde , a virologist and clinical laboratory expert , in an article for Forbes .
Although the scientific debate about masks has yet to reach any definitive conclusions , a growing number of researchers are also advocating their use .
“ Wearing masks is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know why we ’ re not pushing it more , ” Professor Sian Griffiths of Staffordshire University told The Sun .
“ We need leaders out there wearing masks to encourage the public to do so.
” Face coverings are now mandatory on public transport in England , but Griffiths said people should be wearing them more widely “ as part of basic measures to get the virus down ” .
The most effective way to prevent a second wave of coronavirus infections would be to create , distribute and administer a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by researchers at Oxford University is “ considered one of the world ’ s best hopes for a lasting solution to the Covid-19 pandemic ” , says CBS News - but even if trials are successful , the drug is unlikely to go into widespread use before the end of the year .
Until then , doctors will focus on better treatments for Covid-19 .
Drugs such as remdesivir and dexamethasone will not prevent a second wave of cases , but are expected to reduce the death toll and speed the recovery of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the big fears at the start of the pandemic was that the NHS would be overwhelmed by coronavirus patients , but the Nightingale hospitals - combined with lower-than-expected demand for intensive care beds - kept the health service well within capacity .
The seven emergency facilities , which between them provide more than 10,000 beds , have now been mothballed , but they could be reactivated at short notice .
“ Ministers have already said that the temporary Nightingale Hospitals set up in case the NHS was overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” The Telegraph reports .
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theweekuk--2020-06-25--The Week Unwrapped: Floating cities, ADHD and £100,000 speeches

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
What is seasteading ?
Why are kids with short attention spans being prescribed video games ?
And what can we learn from a £100,000 speech ?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : pod25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : Seasteading - the movement to build stateless floating cities on the high sea - has been bolstered by the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of life away from the mainstream .
US doctors can now prescribe a video game to treat children with ADHD , following a landmark decision by the US Food and Drug Administration .
EndeavorRX has also been approved for marketing in Europe , in another milestone in digital medicine .
But amid widespread calls to cut kids ’ screen time , some parents may be wary .
Theresa May has already made a million pounds on the international lecture circuit since standing down as prime minister last year .
She 's in demand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but is it ok for our former leaders to cash in on their years of service ?
And is there a gender divide when it comes to public speaking ?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts .

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. What is seasteading? Why are kids with short attention spans being prescribed video games? And what can we learn from a £100,000 speech?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: pod25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Floating cities
Seasteading - the movement to build stateless floating cities on the high sea - has been bolstered by the coronavirus pandemic, as more people see the attraction of life away from the mainstream.
ADHD
US doctors can now prescribe a video game to treat children with ADHD, following a landmark decision by the US Food and Drug Administration. EndeavorRX has also been approved for marketing in Europe, in another milestone in digital medicine. But amid widespread calls to cut kids’ screen time, some parents may be wary.
£100,000 speeches
Theresa May has already made a million pounds on the international lecture circuit since standing down as prime minister last year. She's in demand from big banks and American universities – but is it ok for our former leaders to cash in on their years of service? And is there a gender divide when it comes to public speaking?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts.


theweekuk--2020-06-27--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 27 Jun 2020

Bernie Ecclestone says black people are “ more racist ” than white people .
The former chief executive of Formula @ @ @ @ @ him “ upset ” but the sport has been “ too busy ” to deal @ @ @ @ @ said he did not think Lewis Hamilton ’ s experiences of racism had affected the @ @ @ @ @ he had felt the “ stigma of racism ” throughout his career .

Merkel hardens tone in warning to UK over Brexit
Angela Merkel says the UK will have to “live with the consequences” of Boris Johnson ditching Theresa May’s plan to maintain close economic ties with the EU after Brexit. “If Britain does not want to have rules on the environment and the labour market or social standards that compare with those of the EU, our relations will be less close,” she said.


theweekuk--2020-06-28--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 28 Jun 2020

The Rolling Stones have warned Donald Trump that he could face legal action if he continues using their music at @ @ @ @ @ the Trump campaign used the song You Ca n't Always Get What You Want at @ @ @ @ @ Tulsa , Oklahoma , a statement from the band 's legal team said it was @ @ @ @ @ organisation , the BMI , to stop the unauthorised use of their music .

Rolling Stones warn Trump not to use their songs
The Rolling Stones have warned Donald Trump that he could face legal action if he continues using their music at his campaign rallies. After the Trump campaign used the song You Can't Always Get What You Want at last week's rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a statement from the band's legal team said it was working with the performing rights organisation, the BMI, to stop the unauthorised use of their music.