theweekuk--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: behind the Chinese laboratory theory

The World Health Organization (WHO) has denied a growing number of allegations that the new coronavirus originated in a Chinese laboratory.
WHO spokesperson Fadela Chaib said that “it is probable, likely, that the virus is of animal origin”. The comment followed Donald Trump’s confirmation that his administration is investigating whether the new virus originated in a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Speculation that the new coronavirus, which causes Covid-19, may have escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) has circulated “among right-wing bloggers and conservative media pundits”, says USA Today.
So is it fact or fiction?
According to Deutsche Welle, the theory “began making the rounds on social media sites as early as January”.
DW adds that the first posts suggesting that the virus came from the Wuhan lab originated “in connection to conspiracy theories referencing secret Chinese military labs developing bioweapons”.
While there is no evidence for the link to bioweapons, the BBC reports that US State Department cables leaked to The Washington Post columnist Josh Rogin do show that US officials were in fact worried about biosecurity at a virus lab in Wuhan, China.
Rogin reports that in 2018 US science diplomats were sent on repeated visits to WIV, which had in 2015 become China’s first laboratory to achieve the highest level of international bioresearch safety.
One of the State Department cables reportedly said: “During interactions with scientists at the WIV laboratory, they noted the new lab has a serious shortage of appropriately trained technicians and investigators needed to safely operate this high-containment laboratory.”
Rogin says that the officials then sent two warnings to Washington about inadequate safety at the lab.
Chinese researchers at WIV were receiving financial assistance from the Galveston National Laboratory at the University of Texas Medical Branch and other US organisations, but the Chinese had requested additional help. “The cables argued that the United States should give the Wuhan lab further support, mainly because its research on bat coronaviruses was important but also dangerous,” Rogin says.
He concludes that “there is no evidence that the virus now plaguing the world was engineered” and that “scientists largely agree it came from animals”.


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Should China face sanctions over coronavirus?

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theweekuk--2020-04-22--Race for coronavirus vaccine: who will take part in the human trials?


theweekuk--2020-04-22--How the Ebola epidemic started

How the Ebola epidemic started

As countries across the globe battle the coronavirus pandemic , comparisons have been drawn with the Ebola outbreak that devastated West Africa between 2014 and 2016 .
Over a period of just two-and-a-half years , a total of 28,639 suspected , probable and confirmed cases of Ebola and 11,316 related deaths were recorded , according to the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) .
Those figures far exceed the combined total of 2,427 cases and 1,597 deaths reported in all previous known outbreaks of Ebola .
With the Covid-19 coronavirus now sweeping across Africa and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week takes a look at how this other virus took hold .
Ebola is a virus transmitted to people from wild animals that then spreads in the human population “ through direct contact with the blood , secretions , organs or other bodily fluids of infected people , and with surfaces and materials ( e.g .
bedding , clothing ) contaminated with these fluids ” , says the World Health Organization ( WHO ) website .
The average case fatality rate is around 50 % , although this rate has varied from 25 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that in 2014. WHO says that the incubation period is between two to 21 days and that a person infected with the virus can not spread the disease until they develop symptoms .
However , the onset of symptoms can be sudden , and include “ fever , fatigue , muscle , pain , headache , and sore throat ” , the UN health agency adds .
Subsequent symptoms may include vomiting , diarrhoea , rash , signs of impaired kidney and liver function , and in some cases , internal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemic begin ?
The CDC website says the outbreak began in the forested rural region of southeastern Guinea , on Africa ’ s west coast .
The first case was reported in December 2013 , with the patient identified as an 18-month-old boy from a small village who is believed to have been infected by a fruit bat .
Live Science names the boy as Emile Ouamouno and notes that “ the domino effect of his illness ... spiralled into the outbreak ” .
Following the deaths of five further people in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official medical alert was issued on 24 January 2014 .
As the virus continued to spread , Emile , his three-year-old sister , his mother and his grandmother were all dead by the end of the month .
The Ebola outbreak swiftly extended to Guinea ’ s capital , Conakry .
On 23 March , with 49 confirmed cases and 29 deaths in the city , WHO officially declared an outbreak of Ebola .
“ Weak surveillance systems and poor public health infrastructure ” contributed to the spread of the Ebola to Guinea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sierra Leone , says CDC .
Live Science adds that a study published in August 2014 found that the virus had probably been brought to Sierra Leone by a “ traditional healer ” who had treated Ebola patients across the border in Guinea .
The science news site adds that 14 of the mourners who attended this healer ’ s funeral were later confirmed to have become infected .
Weeks before the study was published , WHO had declared the situation in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern ( PHEIC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ events with a risk of potential international spread or that require a coordinated international response ” , CDC reports .
The new coronavirus was declared a PHEIC by WHO on 30 January this year .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– How did the outbreak end ?
CDC says that the rapid spread of Ebola through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unprecedented circulation of EVD into crowded urban areas ” and “ increased mobilisation across borders ” .
Just as the popularity of “ wet markets ” in Asia hindered initial efforts to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus , cultural and traditional practices also slowed the Ebola containment effort , the US national public health institute adds .
In a bid to prevent further cross-border contamination , travellers leaving West Africa were screened at airports .
CDC also trained 24,655 healthcare workers in West Africa on infection prevention and control practices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak spread to seven more countries : Italy , Mali , Nigeria , Senegal , Spain , the UK , and the US .
However , this spread was limited to a small number of cases .
Sierra Leone would finally be declared Ebola-free in March 2016 , followed by Liberia and Guinea months later , in June .
So is Ebola gone ?
Although the last major Ebola outbreak was the West Africa epidemic , the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC ) has reported a series of smaller breakouts since 2016 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight cases , with a 50 % mortality rate .
The following year it registered a further 54 cases , with 33 fatalities .
The Central African nation declared another outbreak on 1 August 2018 - which according to CDC , is considered to be ongoing .
On 11 June 2019 , the Ugandan government confirmed the first case of Ebola in the country related to the DRC outbreak , although no additional cases have been reported in Uganda in the months since then .


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Newcastle takeover: Amnesty warning over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record

The proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium of buyers including Saudi Arabia ’ s Public Investment Fund has been criticised by Amnesty International and one of the Premier League ’ s broadcast partners , beIN Sports .
Sky Sports reports that human rights organisation Amnesty has written to the Premier League to express its disquiet over the £300m purchase of the Magpies , and has asked chief executive Richard Masters to scrutinise Saudi Arabia ’ s human rights record as part of the Premier League ’ s owners and directors test .
In the letter to Masters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must act with probity and clarity , particularly given the controversy in recent weeks surrounding the furloughing of non-playing staff by some clubs .
Allen wrote : “ The coronavirus crisis has already thrown a spotlight on football and its need to treat players and staff fairly , and now there ’ s a danger that the pandemic could obscure the need for a cool , measured and genuinely ethical decision over this Newcastle deal .
“ All businesses need to safeguard against any possible links to human rights violations , and English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– News of the proposed takeover emerged earlier this month and it is understood that the relevant paperwork is now with the league ’ s governing body , which is conducting checks on PCP Capital Partners , the Saudi-backed consortium led by businesswoman Amanda Staveley .
According to Sky Sports , the bidders are “ confident of having their takeover ratified ” by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely not saying who should end up running Newcastle United , but unless the Premier League pauses and looks seriously at the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia it risks becoming a patsy - a willing dupe of those trying to sportswash their abysmal human rights records , ” said Amnesty .
“ At the very least , the Premier League should make a clear statement over how its owners and directors test has been applied in this case , and what assessment has been made of Saudi Arabia ’ s human rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership .
“ How can this be positive for the reputation and image of the Premier League ?
” BBC reports that Qatar-based beIN Sports is also upset at the likely takeover and the broadcaster ’ s CEO , Yousef al-Obaidly , has written to the chairpersons of all top-flight clubs expressing his concern at the deal .
In the letter Al-Obaidly accuses the Saudi Arabian government of the “ facilitation of the near three-year theft of the Premier League ’ s commercial rights - and in turn your club ’ s commercial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge-scale beoutQ pirate service ” .
He added : “ It is no exaggeration to say that the future economic model of football is at stake.
” Al-Obaidly has also written to Premier League chief Masters reminding him that top-flight matches have been illegally shown in Saudi Arabia for a while , despite the fact beIN own the broadcast rights for the region .
The BBC says that Saudi broadcaster Arabsat has always denied it is involved in the illegal broadcasts and has accused beIN of being behind “ defamation attempts and misleading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflection of the wider diplomatic tension between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East .
Spurs duo say sorry and Saudis line up Pochettino for Newcastle ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium of buyers including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been criticised by Amnesty International and one of the Premier League’s broadcast partners, beIN Sports.
Sky Sports reports that human rights organisation Amnesty has written to the Premier League to express its disquiet over the £300m purchase of the Magpies, and has asked chief executive Richard Masters to scrutinise Saudi Arabia’s human rights record as part of the Premier League’s owners and directors test.
In the letter to Masters, Amnesty UK director Kate Allen said football must act with probity and clarity, particularly given the controversy in recent weeks surrounding the furloughing of non-playing staff by some clubs.
Allen wrote: “The coronavirus crisis has already thrown a spotlight on football and its need to treat players and staff fairly, and now there’s a danger that the pandemic could obscure the need for a cool, measured and genuinely ethical decision over this Newcastle deal.
“All businesses need to safeguard against any possible links to human rights violations, and English football is no different.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Confident
News of the proposed takeover emerged earlier this month and it is understood that the relevant paperwork is now with the league’s governing body, which is conducting checks on PCP Capital Partners, the Saudi-backed consortium led by businesswoman Amanda Staveley.
According to Sky Sports, the bidders are “confident of having their takeover ratified” by the Premier League.
“We’re absolutely not saying who should end up running Newcastle United, but unless the Premier League pauses and looks seriously at the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia it risks becoming a patsy - a willing dupe of those trying to sportswash their abysmal human rights records,” said Amnesty.
“At the very least, the Premier League should make a clear statement over how its owners and directors test has been applied in this case, and what assessment has been made of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record under Mohammad bin Salman’s leadership.
“How can this be positive for the reputation and image of the Premier League?”
beIN outraged
BBC reports that Qatar-based beIN Sports is also upset at the likely takeover and the broadcaster’s CEO, Yousef al-Obaidly, has written to the chairpersons of all top-flight clubs expressing his concern at the deal.
In the letter Al-Obaidly accuses the Saudi Arabian government of the “facilitation of the near three-year theft of the Premier League’s commercial rights - and in turn your club’s commercial revenues - through its backing of the huge-scale beoutQ pirate service”. He added: “It is no exaggeration to say that the future economic model of football is at stake.”
Al-Obaidly has also written to Premier League chief Masters reminding him that top-flight matches have been illegally shown in Saudi Arabia for a while, despite the fact beIN own the broadcast rights for the region.
The BBC says that Saudi broadcaster Arabsat has always denied it is involved in the illegal broadcasts and has accused beIN of being behind “defamation attempts and misleading campaigns”.
The rift is a reflection of the wider diplomatic tension between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East.
Today’s back pages
Spurs duo say sorry and Saudis line up Pochettino for Newcastle
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theweekuk--2020-04-22--Today’s back pages: Spurs duo Aurier and Sissoko say sorry and Saudis line up Pochettino for Newcast

Today’s back pages: Spurs duo Aurier and Sissoko say sorry and Saudis line up Pochettino for Newcastle

“ You clowns ” is the headline on the back page of the Daily Mail as they take Tottenham ’ s Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko to task for what they call a flouting of the social distancing rules .
“ Will they never learn ?
” is the question posed by the Daily Express , which reminds its readers that earlier in the month Spurs were in hot water for a similar offence when manager Jose Mourinho took an informal fitness session for some of his players on north London parkland .
The Mail reports that Aurier and Sissoko @ @ @ @ @ @ @ runs before deleting the clip a short while later .
By then the damage had been done and the two players issued an apology : “ We wish to apologise for not setting the right example here .
“ We must all respect the government advice to minimise the number of lives lost during this pandemic .
“ We recognise that as professional footballers we have a responsibility to be role models , particularly during this uncertain period that everyone around the world is facing.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Some of the papers report that Amnesty International has written to the Premier League to express its concern about the proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi consortium , but the Daily Star and the Daily Mirror are more interested in the possibility that Mauricio Pochettino could be the Magpies ’ next boss .
Apparently the Saudis are “ confident ” that they will be given the go ahead to buy the Magpies from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man they want at the helm is the former Spurs gaffer .
Poch has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in November but he ’ s expected to jump at the chance to replace Steve Bruce at St James ’ Park .
The Sun claims a double header of Arsenal exclusives on its back page .
The first concerns the news carried by several other papers that the Gunners squad were pressured into accepting a 12.5 % pay cut .
Initially the club ’ s proposal was rejected but then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mikel Arteta personally intervened and the players “ reluctantly gave the green light to the plan ” .
Or at least 24 of the 27 players did .
Three didn ’ t , one of whom allegedly is Mesut Ozil , and it ’ s claimed that some of the Arsenal players are “ unhappy with the way Ozil has been vilified for refusing to agree to the proposal ” .
Perhaps they ’ ll be cheered up by the other exclusive in the Sun , which is the claim that the Gunners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next season , despite the fact they currently languish ninth in the Premier League .
Speculation is growing in Europe that it won ’ t be possible to finish this season because of the coronavirus pandemic and as a result relevant national associations “ could be instructed to to use Uefa coefficient scores ” to determine which teams qualify for which European tournament next season .
Describing the idea as “ ludicrous ” , the Sun says it would mean the Gunners joining Manchester City , Liverpool and Manchester United as the Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tottenham , Chelsea and Leicester City in the Europa League .
Coefficient scores are calculated on European performances over a rolling five-year period , with points for wins and draws and bonus points for knockout phase qualification .
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Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Spurs stars apologise
“You clowns” is the headline on the back page of the Daily Mail as they take Tottenham’s Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko to task for what they call a flouting of the social distancing rules.
“Will they never learn?” is the question posed by the Daily Express, which reminds its readers that earlier in the month Spurs were in hot water for a similar offence when manager Jose Mourinho took an informal fitness session for some of his players on north London parkland.
The Mail reports that Aurier and Sissoko uploaded footage of them doing some shuttle runs before deleting the clip a short while later.
By then the damage had been done and the two players issued an apology: “We wish to apologise for not setting the right example here.
“We must all respect the government advice to minimise the number of lives lost during this pandemic.
“We recognise that as professional footballers we have a responsibility to be role models, particularly during this uncertain period that everyone around the world is facing.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Magpies want Mauricio
Some of the papers report that Amnesty International has written to the Premier League to express its concern about the proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a Saudi consortium, but the Daily Star and the Daily Mirror are more interested in the possibility that Mauricio Pochettino could be the Magpies’ next boss.
Apparently the Saudis are “confident” that they will be given the go ahead to buy the Magpies from Mike Ashley for £300m, and the man they want at the helm is the former Spurs gaffer.
Poch has been out of work since being sacked by Spurs in November but he’s expected to jump at the chance to replace Steve Bruce at St James’ Park.
Newcastle takeover: Amnesty warning over Saudi Arabia’s human rights record
Arteta intervention
The Sun claims a double header of Arsenal exclusives on its back page. The first concerns the news carried by several other papers that the Gunners squad were pressured into accepting a 12.5% pay cut.
Initially the club’s proposal was rejected but then, claims the Sun, head coach Mikel Arteta personally intervened and the players “reluctantly gave the green light to the plan”.
Or at least 24 of the 27 players did. Three didn’t, one of whom allegedly is Mesut Ozil, and it’s claimed that some of the Arsenal players are “unhappy with the way Ozil has been vilified for refusing to agree to the proposal”.
UCL spot for Gunners?
Perhaps they’ll be cheered up by the other exclusive in the Sun, which is the claim that the Gunners could be heading for the Champions League next season, despite the fact they currently languish ninth in the Premier League.
Speculation is growing in Europe that it won’t be possible to finish this season because of the coronavirus pandemic and as a result relevant national associations “could be instructed to to use Uefa coefficient scores” to determine which teams qualify for which European tournament next season.
Describing the idea as “ludicrous”, the Sun says it would mean the Gunners joining Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United as the Premier League representatives in the Champions League with Tottenham, Chelsea and Leicester City in the Europa League.
Coefficient scores are calculated on European performances over a rolling five-year period, with points for wins and draws and bonus points for knockout phase qualification.
Today’s sport headlines
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theweekuk--2020-04-22--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 22 Apr 2020

A Manchester couple who set sail across the Atlantic in their yacht before the new coronavirus began spreading across the @ @ @ @ @ dock in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent after convincing the authorities that they have @ @ @ @ @ sea during the pandemic .
Elena Manighetti and Ryan Osborne , who quit their jobs @ @ @ @ @ world , sailed from the Canary Islands for 25 days before first trying to dock @ @ @ @ @ - when they then learned about the global outbreak .

Yachting couple ‘knew nothing of pandemic’
A Manchester couple who set sail across the Atlantic in their yacht before the new coronavirus began spreading across the world have been allowed to dock in the Caribbean island of Saint Vincent after convincing the authorities that they have been isolated togather out at sea during the pandemic. Elena Manighetti and Ryan Osborne, who quit their jobs in 2017 to travel the world, sailed from the Canary Islands for 25 days before first trying to dock in the Caribbean in mid-March - when they then learned about the global outbreak.


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Coronavirus pandemic threatens ‘biblical famine’

The coronavirus could lead to a famine “ of biblical proportions , ” the chief of the UN ’ s food relief agency has warned .
“ We are not talking about people going to bed hungry , ” David Beasley , executive director of the World Food Programme , told The Guardian .
“ We are talking about extreme conditions , emergency status – people literally marching to the brink of starvation .
If we don ’ t get food to people , people will die.
” More than 30 countries in the developing world could experience the famine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third of those countries there are already more than one million people on the brink of starvation .
The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises - compiled by the World Food Programme - focusses attention on Yemen , the Democratic Republic of the Congo , Afghanistan , Venezuela , Ethiopia , South Sudan , Sudan , Syria , Nigeria and Haiti .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “ This is truly more than just a pandemic – it is creating a hunger pandemic , ” said Beasley at the UN security council yesterday .
“ This is a humanitarian and food catastrophe.
” He urged world leaders to bring forward about $ 2bn ( £1.6bn ) of aid that has been pledged , so it can be sent to the frontline as swiftly as possible .
He had already been warning that 2020 would be a disastrous year even before the Covid-19 crisis , with conflict @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Now , my goodness , this is a perfect storm , ” he said .
“ We are looking at widespread famines of biblical proportions.
” He said disaster can be averted but it will cost a lot of money to stop it .
Referring to last year ’ s World Food Programme spending of $ 7.5bn ( £6bn ) , he said : “ I could easily see that need [ for budget ] doubling.
” A report has found that at least 265 million people are being pushed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is twice the number under threat before the crisis .

The coronavirus could lead to a famine “of biblical proportions,” the chief of the UN’s food relief agency has warned.
“We are not talking about people going to bed hungry,” David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme, told The Guardian.
“We are talking about extreme conditions, emergency status – people literally marching to the brink of starvation. If we don’t get food to people, people will die.”
More than 30 countries in the developing world could experience the famine, he said, and in one third of those countries there are already more than one million people on the brink of starvation.
The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises - compiled by the World Food Programme - focusses attention on Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced takeon the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“This is truly more than just a pandemic – it is creating a hunger pandemic,” said Beasley at the UN security council yesterday. “This is a humanitarian and food catastrophe.”
He urged world leaders to bring forward about $2bn (£1.6bn) of aid that has been pledged, so it can be sent to the frontline as swiftly as possible.
He had already been warning that 2020 would be a disastrous year even before the Covid-19 crisis, with conflict and natural disaster threatening food systems.
“Now, my goodness, this is a perfect storm,” he said. “We are looking at widespread famines of biblical proportions.”
He said disaster can be averted but it will cost a lot of money to stop it. Referring to last year’s World Food Programme spending of $7.5bn (£6bn), he said: “I could easily see that need [for budget] doubling.”
A report has found that at least 265 million people are being pushed to the brink of starvation by the coronavirus pandemic. This is twice the number under threat before the crisis.


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Which country has the most skilled gamers?

Finland has the most skilled gamers on the planet according to a new survey .
It was followed by Canada and Sweden , while the United States came in at sixth place .
England missed the top 10 coming in at 12th but there was good news for Scotland , which was found to be the best at driving games .
Fire fighters were surprised when a bear wandered into their station in Connecticut .
“ Yesterday was a bear of a day !
While doing our morning station cleaning and equipment checks one of our firefighters spotted a bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” said the station 's post on Facebook .
The animal was relocated to a more suitable habitat .
A woman ’ s life was saved by her breast implants when they deflected a bullet that was shot into her chest .
The lucky 30-year-old was walking in Canada when she was shot .
Later , medics discovered how she survived .
“ Indeed breast implants can save lives , ” said a doctor .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Finland has the most skilled gamers on the planet according to a new survey. It was followed by Canada and Sweden, while the United States came in at sixth place. England missed the top 10 coming in at 12th but there was good news for Scotland, which was found to be the best at driving games.
Bear wanders into a US fire station
Fire fighters were surprised when a bear wandered into their station in Connecticut. “Yesterday was a bear of a day! While doing our morning station cleaning and equipment checks one of our firefighters spotted a bear in the lot behind our fire station,” said the station's post on Facebook. The animal was relocated to a more suitable habitat.
Breast implants save a woman's life
A woman’s life was saved by her breast implants when they deflected a bullet that was shot into her chest. The lucky 30-year-old was walking in Canada when she was shot. Later, medics discovered how she survived. “Indeed breast implants can save lives,” said a doctor.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced takeon the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-04-21--ONS: deaths have nearly doubled to 20-year high

Deaths in England and Wales have nearly doubled above expected levels , reaching a 20-year high .
The Office for National Statistics said there were 18,500 deaths in the week up to 10 April - about 8,000 more than what would be expected at this time of year .
The data show that the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in England and Wales up to 10 April was 41 % higher than the government 's hospital-only figures for the same period .
However , the Department of Health said it was “ simply not valid ” to say there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of figures .
“ They count slightly different things and complement each other , ” a spokesperson claimed .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– One in three deaths in the UK were linked to the coronavirus but the BBC points out that but deaths from other causes have also increased , “ suggesting the lockdown may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nick Stripe , head of health analysis at ONS , said it could “ take years ” to understand why non-coronavirus deaths are rising .
He suggested that it could be that people with other conditions were avoiding going to hospital for treatment .
Visits to accident and emergency units have halved since the pandemic started .
It has further been suggested that an under-reporting of Covid-19 cases could be behind the deaths not linked to the virus .
The data showed that there were 4,927 deaths in care homes in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ending March 13 , when the first Covid-19 deaths were registered , there were 2,471 .
Stripe added that it was important to remember the human stories behind all of the figures .
He said : “ Each one is a person .
Each one has a family .
We must always remember this .
”


theweekuk--2020-04-21--How Primark went from £650m sales to nothing in one month

The impact of the coronavirus has seen Primark go from making £650m in sales a month to nothing , says the owner of the clothing chain .
As lockdown measures forced it to close stores , Associated British Foods ( ABF ) said Primark “ has been squarely in the path of this pandemic ” .
Announcing that the chain has written down the value of its clothing stock by £284m , boss George Weston said : “ From making sales of £650m each month , since the last of our stores closed on 22 March , we have sold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ love ” to be able to reopen Primark stores but added : “ I know that we must not do so until we have suppressed this disease.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ABF said it plans draw on government programmes to provide income for employees no longer working and is seeking discussions with landlords for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that internal cost-cutting measures , combined with business rates relief , should allow it to recover some 50 % of Primark ’ s total operating costs .
Commenting on the moves , Richard Hunter , head of markets at Interactive Investor , told City AM : “ AB Foods has produced a measured response to the effects of the pandemic , battening down the cost hatches wherever possible and consolidating those parts of its business where some sort of earnings visibility is still possible.
” The Daily Mail says a survey from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one in three British businesses has furloughed between 75 % and 100 % of its workforce .

The impact of the coronavirus has seen Primark go from making £650m in sales a month to nothing, says the owner of the clothing chain.
As lockdown measures forced it to close stores, Associated British Foods (ABF) said Primark “has been squarely in the path of this pandemic”.
Announcing that the chain has written down the value of its clothing stock by £284m, boss George Weston said: “From making sales of £650m each month, since the last of our stores closed on 22 March, we have sold nothing.”
He said that he would “love” to be able to reopen Primark stores but added: “I know that we must not do so until we have suppressed this disease.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced takeon the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
ABF said it plans draw on government programmes to provide income for employees no longer working and is seeking discussions with landlords for help with lease payments.
The owner said that internal cost-cutting measures, combined with business rates relief, should allow it to recover some 50% of Primark’s total operating costs.
Commenting on the moves, Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, told City AM: “AB Foods has produced a measured response to the effects of the pandemic, battening down the cost hatches wherever possible and consolidating those parts of its business where some sort of earnings visibility is still possible.”
The Daily Mail says a survey from the British Chambers of Commerce shows around one in three British businesses has furloughed between 75% and 100% of its workforce.


theweekuk--2020-04-21--What are the arguments to end the coronavirus lockdown?

Pressure is growing on the government to begin the process of lifting the coronavirus lockdown , as cabinet “ hawks ” argue that it ’ s time to act .
The Guardian says the “ hawks ” include Chancellor Rishi Sunak , Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove , and Trade Secretary Liz Truss .
All three are “ raising concerns about the impact of a lengthy shutdown on the economy , ” the paper says .
Economic concerns are the cornerstone of arguments for ending the lockdown sooner rather than later .
Sunak has presented to ministers projections for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the gravity of the recession .
Truss has argued that restoring global trade as quickly as possible is vital for the nation ’ s economic stability .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Other Tory MPs have joined the chorus .
Former environment secretary Theresa Villiers said that the economic damage of the lockdown could become “ catastrophic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's so vital that we do find a way to let the economy start to come out of what is effectively a medically induced coma.
” The hawks also argue that there are negative impacts on health from a prolonged lockdown .
A government adviser said the “ public health consequences ” of the restrictions include an uptick in domestic abuse and data showing that recessions cause an increase in deaths .
“ Remember that if we stay locked down , this is having vital real-life consequences as well and we can lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said the adviser .
Yesterday , the Office for National Statistics reported deaths from non-coronavirus causes has increased , suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health .
Another argument put forward is that the UK is already through the worst of the coronavirus .
Carl Heneghan , director of the centre for evidence-based medicine at Oxford University , argues that the restrictions are no longer necessary and that a continued lockdown is “ going to outweigh the damaging effect of coronavirus ” .
Speaking to the Daily Mail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 April , and that the rate of infection peaked 21 days before that .
He said that the government “ has failed to look at all the data and understand when the peak of infections actually occurred ” .
Finally , there is a civil liberties dimension .
Peter Hitchens , a longstanding sceptic of the measures , wrote in the Mail on Sunday that “ the government are trying to get us to accept a far higher level of state intrusion in our lives than we have ever endured ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unruly children ” .
This proposition was bolstered when the UK justice secretary Robert Buckland told the parliamentary select committee for human rights that the “ very nature of the measures ” needed to stop coronavirus was curtailing rights .
However , Buckland added that the measures also uphold the right to life .

Pressure is growing on the government to begin the process of lifting the coronavirus lockdown, as cabinet “hawks” argue that it’s time to act.
The Guardian says the “hawks” include Chancellor Rishi Sunak, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, and Trade Secretary Liz Truss. All three are “raising concerns about the impact of a lengthy shutdown on the economy,” the paper says.
Economic concerns are the cornerstone of arguments for ending the lockdown sooner rather than later.
Sunak has presented to ministers projections for the extent of business bankruptcies, unemployment and the gravity of the recession. Truss has argued that restoring global trade as quickly as possible is vital for the nation’s economic stability.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced takeon the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Other Tory MPs have joined the chorus. Former environment secretary Theresa Villiers said that the economic damage of the lockdown could become “catastrophic”.
She argued: “It's so vital that we do find a way to let the economy start to come out of what is effectively a medically induced coma.”
The hawks also argue that there are negative impacts on health from a prolonged lockdown. A government adviser said the “public health consequences” of the restrictions include an uptick in domestic abuse and data showing that recessions cause an increase in deaths.
“Remember that if we stay locked down, this is having vital real-life consequences as well and we can lose thousands of lives through recession too,” said the adviser.
Yesterday, the Office for National Statistics reported deaths from non-coronavirus causes has increased, suggesting the lockdown may be having an indirect impact on health.
Another argument put forward is that the UK is already through the worst of the coronavirus. Carl Heneghan, director of the centre for evidence-based medicine at Oxford University, argues that the restrictions are no longer necessary and that a continued lockdown is “going to outweigh the damaging effect of coronavirus”.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he claimed that deaths peaked on 8 April, and that the rate of infection peaked 21 days before that. He said that the government “has failed to look at all the data and understand when the peak of infections actually occurred”.
Finally, there is a civil liberties dimension. Peter Hitchens, a longstanding sceptic of the measures, wrote in the Mail on Sunday that “the government are trying to get us to accept a far higher level of state intrusion in our lives than we have ever endured” and “treating us as if we were unruly children”.
This proposition was bolstered when the UK justice secretary Robert Buckland told the parliamentary select committee for human rights that the “very nature of the measures” needed to stop coronavirus was curtailing rights. However, Buckland added that the measures also uphold the right to life.


theweekuk--2020-04-21--Green fingers and healthy: the benefits of gardening

Switch off the TV , shut down the laptop and mute the mobile - it ’ s time to get into the garden .
If you ’ re looking for healthy ways to spend your time at home , gardening is the perfect solution .
The mental health benefits of gardening , or ecotherapy , can be enormous .
It ’ s a tactile activity and demands a degree of mindfulness - the perfect activity to quiet an anxious mind .
If you are at home , you ’ ll want your garden to be looking its best so you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confinement .
Spring will keep showing its hopeful signs whatever happens , so get outside and enjoy them .
Watching the plants waking up is the perfect time to get outdoors and get growing .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 team at Vegepod shared their top tips for making the most of the garden during self-isolation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them about the plants in their garden and give them simple tasks they can do to help , like watering and planting seeds .
It ’ s the perfect way to spend time with them , while they ’ re learning and exploring the natural world .
With so much negative news and uncertainty , it ’ s easy to feel unsettled and anxious .
The garden can be a very sensory place and many plants have soothing properties .
Try growing some lavender , for its calming scent , or grow some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tea .
The fragrance of rosemary is said to be grounding too .
Self-sufficiency has never been so appealing .
With a Vegepod self-contained raised garden bed you can grow crops quickly – you could be harvesting salads and herbs in just a couple of weeks .
Planting edible crops and watching them grow will bring a huge sense of satisfaction and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labours .
Now is the time to embark on that garden project you ’ ve been thinking about for a while , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dig a bed and plant it with your favourite flowers .
Build a shed as a utility or a retreat .
Or start planning a pond or water feature to attract wildlife to your garden .
This period of time presents the perfect opportunity to make sure your garden is neat and tidy .
Get to work on that long list of garden jobs you ’ ve been putting off .
You could fix fences , tidy your borders , mow your lawn and tackle that dreaded weeding so you can sit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ How to create your own veg patch Having a vegetable patch in your garden won ’ t just provide nutritious food to eat but is another great way to improve your mental health .
Broadcaster , teacher and writer Sarah Raven runs her own gardening and cookery school at Perch Hill in East Sussex .
She said : “ The things I ’ d go for , for a quick and economical veg patch , are edible plants with a high cm square productivity - so you get the maximum crop out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Select mainly cut-and-come-again crops , things that you can sow and harvest within four to six weeks , and then go back to harvest again and again.
” Raven shared her top tips and recommendations for what should go in a vegetable patch .
“ Quick crops such as mizuna , any of the mustards , and salad rocket , which can be added to the quick-growing , cut-and-come-again lettuces , such as ‘ Black Seeded Simpson ’ , ‘ Merveille de Quatre Saisons ’ , and the oak-leaf ‘ Solix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
American/Land Cress is super speedy too.
” “ Flat-leaved parsley , coriander , chives , and soon it will be time for basils as well.
” “ For a quick crop , go for spinach ‘ Medania ’ or ‘ Toscane ’ .
Add Swiss Chard in there too , in any of its forms [ the white or green-stemmed taste cleaner than the earthier ‘ Rainbow ’ or ‘ Bright Lights ’ chard ] .
These will give you more meals per square metre than any other plant you can grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in salad with the green taken off the stem - and fantastic cooked , in so many different ways .
And then to sow now , to pick ( as a baby leaf ) in 8-10 weeks ’ time , go for super-healthy kales of any type.
” “ Sow these on a windowsill now for planting out once the frosts are over in your area .
As we all know , these are heavy croppers and the more you pick , the more they produce .
I love ‘ Romanesco ’ which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If you have a greenhouse or sheltered , sunny wall , add tomatoes such as ‘ Sungold ’ and the super-prolific ‘ Stupicke Pole Rane ’ to your must-sow list , with the cucumber ‘ La Diva ’ also good for growing inside or out.
” “ Any of the peas are good and quick , and you probably want to go for a heavy cropper such as ‘ Alderman ’ , plus of course Runner Beans are super prolific for sowing now , for cropping in the summer .
For right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beans straight outside.
” Healthy eating tips for home : how to get your five a day during the lockdown ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Switch off the TV, shut down the laptop and mute the mobile - it’s time to get into the garden.
If you’re looking for healthy ways to spend your time at home, gardening is the perfect solution.
The mental health benefits of gardening, or ecotherapy, can be enormous. It’s a tactile activity and demands a degree of mindfulness - the perfect activity to quiet an anxious mind.
If you are at home, you’ll want your garden to be looking its best so you can enjoy it during these times of confinement.
Spring will keep showing its hopeful signs whatever happens, so get outside and enjoy them. Watching the plants waking up is the perfect time to get outdoors and get growing.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Top tips for gardening in self-isolation
The team at Vegepod shared their top tips for making the most of the garden during self-isolation.
Spend time in nature’s classroom
Take your children outdoors and teach them about the plants in their garden and give them simple tasks they can do to help, like watering and planting seeds. It’s the perfect way to spend time with them, while they’re learning and exploring the natural world.
Soothing properties
With so much negative news and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel unsettled and anxious. The garden can be a very sensory place and many plants have soothing properties. Try growing some lavender, for its calming scent, or grow some chamomile, to make into a relaxing tea. The fragrance of rosemary is said to be grounding too.
Grow your own
Self-sufficiency has never been so appealing. With a Vegepod self-contained raised garden bed you can grow crops quickly – you could be harvesting salads and herbs in just a couple of weeks. Planting edible crops and watching them grow will bring a huge sense of satisfaction and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labours.
Start a new project
Now is the time to embark on that garden project you’ve been thinking about for a while, that you’ve never had time for. Dig a bed and plant it with your favourite flowers. Build a shed as a utility or a retreat. Or start planning a pond or water feature to attract wildlife to your garden.
Tidy up
This period of time presents the perfect opportunity to make sure your garden is neat and tidy. Get to work on that long list of garden jobs you’ve been putting off. You could fix fences, tidy your borders, mow your lawn and tackle that dreaded weeding so you can sit back and enjoy the great outdoors.
How to create your own veg patch
Having a vegetable patch in your garden won’t just provide nutritious food to eat but is another great way to improve your mental health.


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Sport shorts: National League clubs vote to end season and Roger Federer wants the ATP and WTA tours

Sport shorts: National League clubs vote to end season and Roger Federer wants the ATP and WTA tours to merge

Clubs in English football ’ s National League have voted to end the season immediately because of the coronavirus .
The three highest non-league divisions in England - the National League , National League North and National League South - were suspended on 16 March and following a vote almost 90 % of clubs have decided to end the campaign early .
National League CEO Michael Tattersall said : “ At a time when the entire country is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19 , the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus.
” The options concerning promotion and relegation “ remain under careful and timely consideration ” .
Michael O ’ Neill ’ s eight-year spell as Northern Ireland manager is over after announcing he is to solely focus on his role as Stoke City boss .
He took over at Stoke in November and was to continue managing Northern Ireland until the end of the Euro 2020 qualification process .
However , with the play-off against Bosnia & Herzegovina now likely to be pushed back until October , and the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stepped aside early .
O ’ Neill said : “ It was important to leave the association and team in the strongest possible shape in order to not only have the best chance of qualifying for Euro 2021 , but allow the new manager time to build upon the success that we have had during my eight-year tenure.
” The proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium of buyers including Saudi Arabia ’ s Public Investment Fund has been criticised by Amnesty International and one of the Premier League ’ s broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ director Kate Allen wrote in a letter to the Premier League : “ The coronavirus crisis has already thrown a spotlight on football and its need to treat players and staff fairly , and now there ’ s a danger that the pandemic could obscure the need for a cool , measured and genuinely ethical decision over this Newcastle deal .
All businesses need to safeguard against any possible links to human rights violations , and English football is no different.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– While Amnesty International has written to the Premier League to express its concern about the proposed takeover of Newcastle , the Daily Star and the Daily Mirror are more interested in the possibility that Mauricio Pochettino could be the Magpies ’ next boss .
Apparently the Saudis are “ confident ” that they will be given the go ahead to buy the Magpies from Mike Ashley for £300m , and the man they want at the helm is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” is the headline on the back page of the Daily Mail as the paper takes Tottenham ’ s Serge Aurier and Moussa Sissoko to task for what they call a flouting of the social distancing rules .
The Mail reports that Aurier and Sissoko uploaded footage of them doing some shuttle runs before deleting the clip a short while later .
By then the damage had been done and the two players issued an apology : “ We wish to apologise for not setting the right example here .
We recognise that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be role models , particularly during this uncertain period that everyone around the world is facing.
” Roger Federer wants to see a merger of the men ’ s Association of Tennis Professionals ( ATP ) and the Women ’ s Tennis Association ( WTA ) .
The Swiss , a 20-time grand slam champion , said on Twitter : “ I am picturing a merger between the WTA and ATP .
I am not talking about merging competition on the court , but merging the two governing bodies [ ATP and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s and women ’ s professional tours .
“ It probably should have happened a long time ago , but maybe now is really the time .
These are tough times in every sport and we can come out of this with two weakened bodies or one stronger body.
” Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo would support plans for the Formula 1 season to start with races held behind closed doors .
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Vodcast the Australian said : “ There ’ s obviously a push for a season to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that means some of it , or the start of it , is behind closed doors - from my side , so be it .
Of course , with a crowd it ’ s nice , but if we can still race without , I ’ ll take that any day.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8 .
Gronk to reunite with Brady in Tampa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rob Gronkowski will come out of retirement to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers .
NFL.com reports that the 30-year-old will reunite with quarterback Tom Brady after the Pats and Bucs made a trade .
Uefa is set to postpone the 2021 Women ’ s European Championships until 2022 .
With the men ’ s Euro 2020 now taking place in 2021 , this means the women ’ s tournament in England will also be rescheduled for 6-31 July 2022 .
Sky Sports reports that Barcelona have offered Chelsea the chance to sign Philippe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left Liverpool for Barcelona in a £145m deal but has been on loan at Bayern Munich this season .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. NL clubs vote to end season
Clubs in English football’s National League have voted to end the season immediately because of the coronavirus.
The three highest non-league divisions in England - the National League, National League North and National League South - were suspended on 16 March and following a vote almost 90% of clubs have decided to end the campaign early.
National League CEO Michael Tattersall said: “At a time when the entire country is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19, the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to our clubs coping with the business implications of the virus.”
The options concerning promotion and relegation “remain under careful and timely consideration”.
2. O’Neill leaves Northern Ireland role
Michael O’Neill’s eight-year spell as Northern Ireland manager is over after announcing he is to solely focus on his role as Stoke City boss.
He took over at Stoke in November and was to continue managing Northern Ireland until the end of the Euro 2020 qualification process. However, with the play-off against Bosnia & Herzegovina now likely to be pushed back until October, and the main tournament now next year, he has stepped aside early.
O’Neill said: “It was important to leave the association and team in the strongest possible shape in order to not only have the best chance of qualifying for Euro 2021, but allow the new manager time to build upon the success that we have had during my eight-year tenure.”
3. Amnesty warning over Saudi human rights
The proposed takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium of buyers including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been criticised by Amnesty International and one of the Premier League’s broadcast partners, beIN Sports.
Amnesty UK director Kate Allen wrote in a letter to the Premier League: “The coronavirus crisis has already thrown a spotlight on football and its need to treat players and staff fairly, and now there’s a danger that the pandemic could obscure the need for a cool, measured and genuinely ethical decision over this Newcastle deal. All businesses need to safeguard against any possible links to human rights violations, and English football is no different.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4. Magpies want Mauricio
While Amnesty International has written to the Premier League to express its concern about the proposed takeover of Newcastle, the Daily Star and the Daily Mirror are more interested in the possibility that Mauricio Pochettino could be the Magpies’ next boss.


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Keir Starmer’s first PMQs: ‘the opposition is back’

New Labour leader Keir Starmer today took on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a historic first “ virtual ” Prime Minister ’ s Questions .
Both Starmer and Raab , who was deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson , attended the House of Commons in person , with questions from MPs largely coming via Zoom as part of the newly launched “ virtual parliament ” .
Starmer ’ s first PMQs performance has garnered praise on Twitter , with Politics.co.uk editor Ian Dunt describing it as “ polite but punishing ” .
“ It was impressive .
And reassuring .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is finally an opposition leader who can do the job , ” Dunt said .
The Guardian ’ s sketch writer John Crace added : “ Keir Starmer absolutely nailing it in first PMQs .
Right tone , right questions.
” Shortly after PMQs came to an end , “ Leader of the Opposition ” began trending on Twitter , with editor of The Jewish Chronicle Stephen Pollard tweeting : “ Relief to have a serious Leader of the Opposition asking questions at # PMQs .
“ And with all respect to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective questions in 5 mins than the sum total of all the press conferences .
That ’ s why Parliamentary scrutiny matters.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ayesha Hazarika , editor of The Londoner diary in the Evening Standard and former Ed Miliband adviser , said it was a great first outing , with “ focussed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ He looked so comfortable , can clearly think on his feet & debate properly in an effective yet grown up , courteous manner .
Vital that he landed some blows .
What a change !
!
” , she added .
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell also tweeted praise for Starmer ’ s performance , saying that the Labour leader “ very effectively… exposed government ’ s real lack of understanding of the plight & fears of workers in the care sector ” .
On coronavirus testing , Starmer said that with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised target of 100,000 tests a day was due to be achieved , only 18,000 were completed in the past 24 hours .
Raab said : “ I have to correct him .
Our capacity is now 40,000 per day so I think that is an incredibly important milestone .
And of course he ’ s right to say that in the final week that will require a big increase.
” However , Starmer hit back , replying : “ I didn ’ t need correcting because I gave the figure for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secretary says there ’ s capacity for 40,000 a day .
“ That means that the day before yesterday 40,000 tests could have been carried out but only 18,000 tests were actually carried out .
Why isn ’ t the government using all the tests available , every day ?
” ConservativeHome founder and Downing Street social justice adviser Tim Montgomerie tweeted : “ This is an impressive debut from [ Keir Starmer ] : probing , relevant but courteous .
Her Majesty ’ s Opposition is back.
” Alastair Campbell , formerly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ echoed this , adding : “ Every question so far from [ Keir Starmer ] spot on .
Right issues , right tone , right mix of empathy and detail , and right balance of support for government objectives but determination to hold them to account.
” BBC political broadcaster Andrew Neil said : “ After today ’ s exchanges at PMQs it is clear that the United Kingdom now has a functioning , probing , measured , informed Official Opposition .
The government will need to raise its game.
” Referencing Starmer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Financial Times ’ s legal commentator , David Allen Green , described the debate as “ like watching a City solicitor trying to wing it against an experienced QC ” , adding : “ Which is , in fact , what it actually is.
” Patrick Maguire , political correspondent at the New Statesman , said Starmer was “ more forensic/clinical ” than his predecessor .
“ Also some flesh on the bones of ‘ constructive ’ opposition – which doesn ’ t equal toothless , ” Maguire added .

New Labour leader Keir Starmer today took on Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in a historic first “virtual” Prime Minister’s Questions.
Both Starmer and Raab, who was deputising for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, attended the House of Commons in person, with questions from MPs largely coming via Zoom as part of the newly launched “virtual parliament”.
Starmer’s first PMQs performance has garnered praise on Twitter, with Politics.co.uk editor Ian Dunt describing it as “polite but punishing”.
“It was impressive. And reassuring. Just when we really need it… there is finally an opposition leader who can do the job,” Dunt said.
The Guardian’s sketch writer John Crace added: “Keir Starmer absolutely nailing it in first PMQs. Right tone, right questions.”
Shortly after PMQs came to an end, “Leader of the Opposition” began trending on Twitter, with editor of The Jewish Chronicle Stephen Pollard tweeting: “Relief to have a serious Leader of the Opposition asking questions at #PMQs.
“And with all respect to my journalistic colleagues, Starmer has asked more effective questions in 5 mins than the sum total of all the press conferences. That’s why Parliamentary scrutiny matters.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Ayesha Hazarika, editor of The Londoner diary in the Evening Standard and former Ed Miliband adviser, said it was a great first outing, with “focussed, forensic, intelligent questions”.
“He looked so comfortable, can clearly think on his feet & debate properly in an effective yet grown up, courteous manner. Vital that he landed some blows. What a change!!”, she added.
Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell also tweeted praise for Starmer’s performance, saying that the Labour leader “very effectively… exposed government’s real lack of understanding of the plight & fears of workers in the care sector”.
On coronavirus testing, Starmer said that with just eight days to go until the promised target of 100,000 tests a day was due to be achieved, only 18,000 were completed in the past 24 hours.


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Instant Opinion: Earth Day 50 years on

Instant Opinion: Earth Day 50 years on

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Between ‘ Blade Runner ’ and utopia : Where we ’ re headed 50 years after the first Earth Day “ Global warming has been part of the national conversation for more than fifty years .
Fifty years !
It ’ s maddening that for all of the discussion , things have gotten far worse .
In those five decades , we ’ ve dumped trillions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , heat and fuel .
( More than half of all industrial CO2 emissions since the Industrial Revolution in 1850 have occurred since the late 1980s , according to the Union of Concerned Scientists . )
Industry has succeeded at maintaining something like the status quo for a half-century , despite overwhelming evidence that the status quo kills people ( via air pollution and dangerous warming , with its associated heat waves , fire , storms and so on ) and is pushing the natural world headlong into the Earth ’ s sixth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in it Harry and Meghan ’ s letter to the tabloids was tone-deaf and terribly timed “ We can draw only one conclusion from this week ’ s missive .
If they wanted to disengage from the tabloids , which is their entitlement , they could have done just that .
Not talk to them .
No one need know .
But in sending an open letter , dripping with pomposity and phoney portentousness , they made it clear that what they really wanted was that precious commodity for the young and ambitious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a global pandemic , too .
How tone deaf is it possible to be ?
As a result , Harry and Meghan have lost any call on my sympathy and the tabloid editors will have read their letter with weary insouciance .
The couple write in about being ‘ currency ’ for newspapers to exploit .
I ’ m not sure their presence shifts that many papers any longer and the newspaper industry is beset by so many existential threats that the absence of the ex-Royals from their pages will hardly register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Andrea M. Voyer and Jason J. Czarnezki in The Local ( Sweden ) on the legitimacy of criticism An American perspective on the Swedish coronavirus strategy “ To get it out of the way , the primary misconception is that Sweden is taking an experimental approach by doing nothing and letting the virus spread rapidly in the desire to build immunity .
Swedish officials have repeatedly stated that the country is not pursuing a herd immunity strategy .
Sweden ’ s goal now , like many other countries , is to flatten @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate of infection so that the need for hospital beds and ICU units does not overwhelm the healthcare system ) .
However , while the goal is the same ( again , to flatten the curve ) , the Swedish method of achieving this goal is clearly different from the countries that rely upon a ‘ lockdown ’ strategy enforced by police and the military , or that have limited movement to ‘ essential ’ workers.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Is civil disobedience enough or do we need a climate revolution ?
“ Social transformation is slow .
It takes decades to change hearts and minds .
It will take even longer to implement an alternative , post-carbon society which intrinsically wants less , consumes less and is based locally rather than globally .
This is a complex , ambitious , multigenerational goal .
A radical revolution , on the other hand , while initially polarising , can move fast and eventually gain widespread support .
The risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global citizens may reach a point where old moral imperatives no longer hold water .
As our situation becomes more dire , it may be a case of whatever gets the job done .
Defence of Earth and self-defence are two concepts which can not possibly be seen as controversial by even the most peace-loving and law-abiding among us.
” Keir Starmer is showing the hysterical Left how effective opposition is done “ The Left still doesn ’ t understand the nature or extent of its defeat in December .
It keeps on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tanker of public opinion in one go by deploying the political equivalent of the handbrake from an ancient Austin Metro .
Interestingly , though , there is one senior Leftist who does seem to appreciate the basic political facts of life .
And that is Sir Keir Starmer , Leader of the Opposition .
He hasn ’ t leapt aboard any ‘ resign ’ bandwagons .
He has contented himself with broad and carefully calibrated observations about the Government being ‘ too slow ’ to respond at various points in the crisis .
@

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 D. Sutter for CNN
on the planet’s troubling trajectory
Between ‘Blade Runner’ and utopia: Where we’re headed 50 years after the first Earth Day
“Global warming has been part of the national conversation for more than fifty years. Fifty years! It’s maddening that for all of the discussion, things have gotten far worse. In those five decades, we’ve dumped trillions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels for things like electricity, heat and fuel. (More than half of all industrial CO2 emissions since the Industrial Revolution in 1850 have occurred since the late 1980s, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists.) Industry has succeeded at maintaining something like the status quo for a half-century, despite overwhelming evidence that the status quo kills people (via air pollution and dangerous warming, with its associated heat waves, fire, storms and so on) and is pushing the natural world headlong into the Earth’s sixth mass extinction.”
2. Simon Kelner in The i
on putting your foot in it
Harry and Meghan’s letter to the tabloids was tone-deaf and terribly timed
“We can draw only one conclusion from this week’s missive. If they wanted to disengage from the tabloids, which is their entitlement, they could have done just that. Not talk to them. No one need know. But in sending an open letter, dripping with pomposity and phoney portentousness, they made it clear that what they really wanted was that precious commodity for the young and ambitious: publicity. And in the midst of a global pandemic, too. How tone deaf is it possible to be? As a result, Harry and Meghan have lost any call on my sympathy and the tabloid editors will have read their letter with weary insouciance. The couple write in about being ‘currency’ for newspapers to exploit. I’m not sure their presence shifts that many papers any longer and the newspaper industry is beset by so many existential threats that the absence of the ex-Royals from their pages will hardly register on their list of concerns.”
3. Andrea M. Voyer and Jason J. Czarnezki in The Local (Sweden)
on the legitimacy of criticism
An American perspective on the Swedish coronavirus strategy
“To get it out of the way, the primary misconception is that Sweden is taking an experimental approach by doing nothing and letting the virus spread rapidly in the desire to build immunity. Swedish officials have repeatedly stated that the country is not pursuing a herd immunity strategy. Sweden’s goal now, like many other countries, is to flatten the curve (i.e. lowering the rate of infection so that the need for hospital beds and ICU units does not overwhelm the healthcare system). However, while the goal is the same (again, to flatten the curve), the Swedish method of achieving this goal is clearly different from the countries that rely upon a ‘lockdown’ strategy enforced by police and the military, or that have limited movement to ‘essential’ workers.”


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Holiday coronavirus cancellations: what are your rights on refunds?

All of the UK ’ s major airlines and many large holiday companies are breaking the law by denying timely refunds to customers for cancellations during the coronavirus pandemic , according to new research .
Consumer association Which ?
has found that 20 of the UK ’ s largest travel operators are illegally withholding refunds that should be paid within 14 days , with many offering vouchers or credit notes instead .
The Guardian reports that according to the travel industry ’ s own estimates , up to £7bn could be owed for cancelled trips .
However , the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say firms would be bankrupted by repaying now during a period when they are receiving no booking revenue .
So what are your rights if your travel is disrupted ?
What is happening at the moment ?
Which ?
found 20 of the UK ’ s biggest travel operators and airlines were breaking the law by not repaying money promptly , adding that it has received “ thousands of complaints and requests for help ” from people trying to secure refunds .
Researchers at Which ?
found 10 of the UK ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Tui , are not offering full refunds within 14 days .
Passengers booking with airlines including easyJet , Ryanair and British Airways also told the Guardian they have been unable to obtain refunds .
However , the paper notes , Which ?
has backed travel industry calls for the government to intervene , reporting that firms are under “ unprecedented strain ” and could go out of business should they process refunds immediately .
Which ?
has suggested “ extending the processing deadline to 28 days ” and for any vouchers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redeemable for cash ” .
It also “ called for a definitive timescale for Foreign Office travel warnings , and transparent travel insurance terms and conditions ” , the Guardian reports .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– So can you get a refund ?
“ If your flight or package holiday was cancelled , you don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credit note , nor do you have to rebook .
You are legally entitled to a refund , ” Which ?
says in its advice for travellers .
“ Make this clear to the firm , in writing .
If it still won ’ t do the right thing , you could try to claim through your card provider.
” Which ?
says that the company that took your money is responsible for issuing your refund .
So if it is a flight , for example , you have to check whether you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third party travel agent .
This advice is echoed by MoneySavingExpert , which adds that if you choose to cancel your travel based on Foreign Office advice , it is slightly more complicated and requires you to have travel insurance .
“ If you ’ ve booked a future trip , then your right to cancel and get a refund depends very much on the latest UK Government travel advice… which is what insurers and airlines generally take their cue from , ” the site says .
“ In some ways though , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel ‘ indefinitely ’ makes things trickier.
” When the end date for that advice was 16 April , many firms were paying out for all travel booked before this date , MoneySavingExpert explains .
“ But as the warning is now effectively ‘ no travel until we say so ’ and we don ’ t know when they ’ ll say so , it ’ s likely you ’ ll need to wait until close to your travel date before airlines , hotels and travel insurers agree to refund you.
” Based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are unlikely to be refunded if you cancel a trip planned for the distant future .
However , “ some firms are now being more flexible and in particular letting customers rebook ” , the site adds , meaning that you may need to check if that is an option .


theweekuk--2020-04-22--The coronavirus-obesity link examined

The coronavirus-obesity link examined


theweekuk--2020-04-22--Mortality figures prompt calls for inquiry into Cheltenham festival decision

Public health experts are demanding an investigation into whether the decision to allow the Cheltenham racing festival to go ahead in March led to a rise in coronavirus cases .
According to data compiled by the Health Service Journal , Gloucestershire hospitals NHS trust , which covers Cheltenham , has recorded 125 deaths , around double that in two nearby trusts at Bristol ( 58 each ) , and those covering Swindon ( 67 ) and Bath ( 46 ) .
Professor John Ashton , a former director of public health for Cumbria , said the figures should be “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We know the festival went ahead and a lot of people will have attended and worked there .
It ’ s important we learn about what the potential is for coronavirus transmission at public events ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– However , senior officials at Gloucestershire council said there were “ many factors ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totals .
They argued that comparisons between trusts in the west of England were “ not possible ” .
The Cheltenham festival , which took place between 10 and 13 March , was attended , organisers say , by 125,000 people often in packed stands .
There was already awareness of the gravity of the coronavirus when the event was given the green light by the government .
The Times says “ more than 60,000 fans a day were packed into the stands , bars , toilets and queues for the food vans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apart from some hand sanitiser stations dotted around the racetrack ” .
The Guardian says there have been “ anecdotal reports ” of people who attended Cheltenham falling ill with coronavirus symptoms , including Andrew Parker Bowles , the former husband of the Duchess of Cornwall , comedian Lee Mack and footballer Charlie Austin .
David Hodgkiss , the Lancashire county cricket club chairman , died of the disease in early April .
A number of other people who had attended the festival wrote on social media in the following week that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have continued to defend the decision to let the festival go ahead .
On Monday , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said : “ The risk at mass gatherings was no greater or less than it would have been in pubs or restaurants , and the advice at that point was that we did not need to ban mass gatherings .
”


theweekuk--2020-04-23--Who are the Tories calling for an early end to lockdown?


theweekuk--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: what is the ‘R value’ and why does it matter?

The NHS will be unable to cope if the so-called R value for the Covid-19 coronavirus creeps above the current UK rate of one , health experts are warning .
Speaking at the government ’ s daily briefing on Wednesday , England ’ s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said that in order to keep this crucial figure down , some social distancing measures would have to remain in place until at least the end of this year as a vaccine is sought .
What is an R value ?
The R value - also known as R0 or R @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people that one infected person will go on to infect .
As such , it is a measure of how transmissible , or contagious , a disease is - but not how deadly .
Scientists use the R value to “ predict how far and how fast a disease will spread , and the number can also inform policy decisions about how to contain an outbreak ” , says the Daily Express .
As Business Insider notes , an R value of one means the “ average person who gets that disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” - or in other words , the disease is spreading at a stable rate .
But “ an R0 of more than one means the disease spreads exponentially ” , the news site adds .
Diseases with exceptionally high R values include measles , with an average estimated value of 18 , and mumps , with a value of ten , Healthline reports .
Although government advisers have suggested that the UK ’ s R value for the new coronavirus is stable or even dropping , modelling has shown that in most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the R value quickly rises above one .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 is the current situation in the UK ?
The government ’ s chief scientific adviser , Patrick Vallance , said last week that the UK ’ s lockdown measures had brought the coronavirus R value down to below one - which according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expect the slowing and the turn of the epidemic ” .
Vallance told a Downing Street press conference that “ across many regions the numbers are decreasing ... this is consistent with the idea that the R is below one , somewhere between 0.5 and one ” .
However , The Times says that there is “ not much leeway for R to increase without undoing the nation ’ s good work ” .
“ Keep R below one , and the outbreak will die ; allow it to nudge above and exponential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time before the NHS is overwhelmed , ” says the newspaper .
“ There is all the difference in the world between 0.99999 and 1.00001.
” This week , Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab cautioned that almost all methods of easing lockdown measures would be likely to raise the R value in the UK .
In an address alongside Chief Medical Officer Whitty on Wednesday , Raab said : “ There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel , there is a glimmer , but we ’ re not there yet @ @


theweekuk--2020-04-23--Why everybody’s talking about the EU medical scheme

Boris Johnson ’ s government is under fire for failing to explain why the UK did not take part in an EU scheme to source medical supplies urgently needed to tackle the coronavirus outbreak .
Ministers have been forced to deny that a “ political decision ” was taken to opt out of the programme to procure personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for front-line healthcare workers - but many questions remain unanswered .
What is the EU medical scheme ?
The scheme is designed to facilitate the purchase of medical equipment including masks , gloves , goggles , gowns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which are currently in dangerously short supply in the UK .
The purpose of having a joint scheme is to “ allow participants to act together as a big block purchaser , securing the best prices and forcing the way to the front of the queue at a time of shortage ” , says The Guardian .
Or as The Independent puts it , the programme uses the “ purchasing power of the 500-million-person single market to secure priority orders during a time of a global shortage ” .
According to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls for tender of PPE and ventilators since late February , of all of which “ have successfully found companies willing to supply the goods to the scale and quality required ” .
The UK signed the EU ’ s Joint Procurement Agreement in 2014 in the wake of the H1N1 pandemic , and under the terms of the Brexit withdrawal agreement , has the right to take part until 31 December 2020 .
Why didn ’ t the UK take part ?
Reports that the UK was not involved in the bloc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ventilators first emerged in March , when a government spokesperson said country was not taking part because it was “ not in the EU ” .
However , that line was changed within 24 hours following a backlash , with the government then claiming that the EU email inviting the UK to join the scheme had been sent to an out-of-date and defunct email address .
But earlier this week , the Foreign Office ’ s most senior official , permanent secretary Simon McDonald , said that the UK ’ s opt-out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice .
When quizzed by Labour MP Chris Bryant during a virtual appearance on Tuesday before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee , McDonald said : “ The UK declined to participate because we left the European Union on 31 January .
“ It was a political decision .
The UK mission in Brussels briefed ministers about what was available , what was on offer , and the decision is known.
” “ I have spoken to the foreign secretary , ” Hancock said an hour after McDonald made his statement .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was no political decision not to participate .
“ We did receive an invitation in the Department of Health and it was put up to me to be asked and we joined so we are now members of that scheme.
” Shortly afterwards , McDonald issued a formal correction in a letter to the select committee .
“ Ministers were not briefed by our mission in Brussels about the scheme and a political decision was not taken whether or not to participate , ” McDonald wrote , in a total U-turn on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Commission then confirmed that the UK was not taking part in the PPE and ventilator scheme , but added that “ they are most welcome to participate in future rounds ” .
Meanwhile , an EU official told The Independent : “ [ The UK is ] not participating in any of the existing schemes but they have indicated that they would be open to participating in any future schemes.
” Criticising the government for failing to take part this time around , select committee member Bryant said : “ It beggars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , intentionally , with forethought and against advice , decided not to take part .
And that they trotted out every excuse in the book when they realised they had messed up.
” He added : “ It seems that not content with refusing to take part in a mass EU purchase of desperately needed vital equipment out of a fit of Eurosceptic pique , the government has repeatedly told fibs in a sad attempt to cover its tracks .
”

Boris Johnson’s government is under fire for failing to explain why the UK did not take part in an EU scheme to source medical supplies urgently needed to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
Ministers have been forced to deny that a “political decision” was taken to opt out of the programme to procure personal protective equipment (PPE) for front-line healthcare workers - but many questions remain unanswered.
What is the EU medical scheme?
The scheme is designed to facilitate the purchase of medical equipment including masks, gloves, goggles, gowns, testing kits and ventilators - all of which are currently in dangerously short supply in the UK.
The purpose of having a joint scheme is to “allow participants to act together as a big block purchaser, securing the best prices and forcing the way to the front of the queue at a time of shortage”, says The Guardian.
Or as The Independent puts it, the programme uses the “purchasing power of the 500-million-person single market to secure priority orders during a time of a global shortage”.
According to The Guardian, the EU has made four calls for tender of PPE and ventilators since late February, of all of which “have successfully found companies willing to supply the goods to the scale and quality required”.
The UK signed the EU’s Joint Procurement Agreement in 2014 in the wake of the H1N1 pandemic, and under the terms of the Brexit withdrawal agreement, has the right to take part until 31 December 2020.
Why didn’t the UK take part?
Reports that the UK was not involved in the bloc’s bulk purchasing of PPE and ventilators first emerged in March, when a government spokesperson said country was not taking part because it was “not in the EU”.
However, that line was changed within 24 hours following a backlash, with the government then claiming that the EU email inviting the UK to join the scheme had been sent to an out-of-date and defunct email address.
But earlier this week, the Foreign Office’s most senior official, permanent secretary Simon McDonald, said that the UK’s opt-out of the EU scheme had been a deliberate choice.
When quizzed by Labour MP Chris Bryant during a virtual appearance on Tuesday before the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, McDonald said: “The UK declined to participate because we left the European Union on 31 January.


theweekuk--2020-04-23--Is Uefa in denial about the feasibility of finishing season?

Uefa is still striving to complete the Champions League and Europa League but increasingly it looks like it is in denial about the gravity of the situation.
According to The Guardian more and more Premier League clubs are “actively discussing the possibility of bringing the season to an early end, with concerns growing over the feasibility of a return even behind closed doors”.
At a meeting last week of the 20 clubs and officials from the Premier League there was a unanimous desire to try and finish the season, but nonetheless that ambition could not conceal the bitter truth that it may no longer be possible.
Attempts in France to reschedule the domestic rugby union season for July were abandoned on Wednesday on instructions from medical officials and that is an omen of what confronts football.
The Guardian says Premier League clubs are openly discussing the hurdles in the way of a return “with some asking whether the challenges will soon become too great”.
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Moyes has doubts
West Ham United’s David Moyes is the first Premier League manager to articulate the doubts, saying this week: “The deeper and deeper you look the harder you feel it is to get it up running again.”
The Guardian has spoken to clubs who have aired a number of concerns including finance and sporting integrity, but the most pressing one is medical safety.
“I think we’ve got to realise there are a lot of people whose lives we could be putting at risk,” said Moyes.
“We can’t let that happen. I think until we have the testing, which we need for the nurses and the doctors - I’m finding it really difficult to see where the conclusion is and how we can start [to play].”
Reality check
Uefa, however, continues to claim that it will be possible to complete the two showpiece competitions.
According to BBC Sport, at a video conference of its 55 associations on Tuesday Uefa said there was “still the possibility of the competitions being played throughout June, July and August”.
That would entail completing the domestic leagues by 31 July and then finishing the Champions League and Europa League in August.
The BBC says that Uefa’s plan is for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of both competitions to be played as two-legged ties between 11 and 22 August, although these could yet become one-off games.
Fixture jam
But the plan ignores the fact that the rescheduled matches would cut into the start of the 2020-21 season, creating further problems, and cluttering up a fixture list that is already crammed given that the 2020 European Championships have been pushed back to June 2021.
“We’ve got to be careful that we are not asking an incredible amount of the players,” said Moyes.
Today’s back pages
Phil Neville to leave Lionesses role next summer
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