theweekuk--2020-06-02--What are the UK’s quarantine rules - and why are they so controversial?

The government is considering scrapping its planned 14-day quarantine rule for people entering the UK , according to sources .
From Monday 8 June , arrivals to the UK via plane , ferry or train must self-isolate for two weeks , even if they are normally resident in Britain or are British citizens .
But a government insider told the BBC that ministers were examining ways around the coronavirus quarantine , amid warnings from MPs and businesses that the restrictions will damage the travel industry .
What are the quarantine rules ?
Brussels-based news site EUobserver reported backed in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borders entirely , while Germany has had quarantine measures in place since early April .
Now , the UK is set to follow suit , with government rules stating that new arrivals to the UK will “ not be allowed to leave the place you ’ re staying for the first 14 days you ’ re in the UK except in very limited situations ” .
The online advice says the only exceptions are if people arriving from overseas : • None • need food and medicine and can not get them delivered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring them • None • are going to the funeral of a close relative , or for other compassionate reasons • None • or in the event of an emergency such as a fire where the new arrival is staying .
Anyone caught breaking the rules may be fined £1,000 for refusing to self-isolate in England and Wales , and “ could face further action ” , says the government website .
However , people in some professions are exempt , including lorry drivers , police officers , seasonal farm workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rules will also not apply to people coming from the Irish Republic , the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man .
Why are the plans controversial ?
Junior housing minister Simon Clarke told BBC Breakfast that the quarantine policy was “ a proportionate step ” which would reduce the risk of new coronavirus cases being imported into the UK “ just at the time that we are getting a grip on it ” .
The mandatory quarantine is a “ temporary , time-limited measure ” , but its introduction is “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many other Tory MPs believe the move is not necessary and will further damage the UK travel and hospitality industries , the Financial Times reports .
Graham Brady , chair of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers , said : “ It would be senseless to introduce a blanket quarantine , including travel from countries with very low - or no - Covid-19 infection .
It would be wise to announce exemptions for such countries at the same time the quarantine is launched.
” Former cabinet minister David Davis said the quarantine plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of the world ” that the UK was still stuck under lockdown measures as other countries ease social distancing restrictions .
In response to such concerns , UK government officials are investigating whether transport corridors , or “ air bridges ” , could be allowed between the UK and other countries with similar or lower infection rates .
The plan was floated last month by senior Tory MP Huw Merriman and has won the backing of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps .

The government is considering scrapping its planned 14-day quarantine rule for people entering the UK, according to sources.
From Monday 8 June, arrivals to the UK via plane, ferry or train must self-isolate for two weeks, even if they are normally resident in Britain or are British citizens. But a government insider told the BBC that ministers were examining ways around the coronavirus quarantine, amid warnings from MPs and businesses that the restrictions will damage the travel industry.
What are the quarantine rules?
Brussels-based news site EUobserver reported backed in March that nine EU countries had closed their borders entirely, while Germany has had quarantine measures in place since early April.
Now, the UK is set to follow suit, with government rules stating that new arrivals to the UK will “not be allowed to leave the place you’re staying for the first 14 days you’re in the UK except in very limited situations”.
The online advice says the only exceptions are if people arriving from overseas:
• need urgent medical treatment
• need support from social services
• need food and medicine and cannot get them delivered or get a friend or family member to bring them
• are going to the funeral of a close relative, or for other compassionate reasons
• or in the event of an emergency such as a fire where the new arrival is staying.
Anyone caught breaking the rules may be fined £1,000 for refusing to self-isolate in England and Wales, and “could face further action”, says the government website.
However, people in some professions are exempt, including lorry drivers, police officers, seasonal farm workers and healthcare professionals, says the BBC.
The rules will also not apply to people coming from the Irish Republic, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.
Why are the plans controversial?
Junior housing minister Simon Clarke told BBC Breakfast that the quarantine policy was “a proportionate step” which would reduce the risk of new coronavirus cases being imported into the UK “just at the time that we are getting a grip on it”.
The mandatory quarantine is a “temporary, time-limited measure”, but its introduction is “vital”, he added.
But many other Tory MPs believe the move is not necessary and will further damage the UK travel and hospitality industries, the Financial Times reports.
Graham Brady, chair of the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers, said: “It would be senseless to introduce a blanket quarantine, including travel from countries with very low - or no - Covid-19 infection. It would be wise to announce exemptions for such countries at the same time the quarantine is launched.”
Former cabinet minister David Davis said the quarantine plan sent a “terrible signal to the rest of the world” that the UK was still stuck under lockdown measures as other countries ease social distancing restrictions.
In response to such concerns, UK government officials are investigating whether transport corridors, or “air bridges”, could be allowed between the UK and other countries with similar or lower infection rates.
The plan was floated last month by senior Tory MP Huw Merriman and has won the backing of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.


theweekuk--2020-06-02--Reaction:  Trump threatens George Floyd protesters with military force

Donald Trump has threatened to send in “ heavily armed ” military to “ dominate the streets ” following a week of nationwide violence and protests triggered by the killing of an unarmed black man by police in Minneapolis .
George Floyd died on 25 May after white police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest over an alleged fake $ 20 bill .
The death has triggered nationwide demonstrations and fuelled anger over racism and police brutality against black Americans .
Calling for calm in an address to the nation for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump said : “ I am mobilising all available federal resources , civilian and military , to stop the rioting and looting , to end the destruction and arson , and to protect the rights of law-abiding Americans.
” In what The Independent describes as a “ brazen move ” , he then walked across neighbouring Lafayette Park to St. John ’ s Church , after uniformed US secret service and police officers , backed by National Guard troops , fired tear gas at peaceful protesters near the White House .
Posing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump blamed the rioting in cities across the nation on “ professional anarchists ” and “ violent mobs ” whose actions were an “ offence to humanity and a crime against God ” .
“ There was no talk of police reforms or the root causes of the protests that began last week at any point in the evening ’ s proceedings , ” said the BBC ’ s North America reporter Anthony Zurcher .
“ Instead , he said he was the ‘ president of law and order ’ - a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ongoing crisis will be an escalation of force.
” “ You may think it ’ s only a small thing that the military used helicopters to intimidate American civilians in the nation 's capital , ” tweeted Walter Shaub , former director of the US Office of Government Ethics .
“ It ’ s not .
A line was crossed tonight .
There will be other lines .
This is Trump conditioning them to cross those lines.
” This fear was echoed by Steve Schmidt , a political strategist who has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schwarzenegger and John McCain .
“ Watching Trump preen in front of St. John ’ s , moments after he threatened to deploy the American military against the American people , with a Bible held above his head , I remembered this quote , ‘ when fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross ’ , ” Schmidt wrote in a Twitter post .
Or as California ’ s Democratic senator Kamala Harris put it , “ Donald Trump just tear-gassed peaceful protesters for a photo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite Trump ’ s warnings , two people were fatally shot in Chicago , taking the total number of people killed during the national unrest to 11 , reports the Daily Mail .
“ There is no obvious end point to the unfolding crisis .
After months of the coronavirus and days of civil unrest , Americans are bracing themselves for more chaos in the days and weeks ahead , ” says Edward Keenan , Washington bureau chief of the Toronto Star .
The “ George Floyd murder exposes rotten racism in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state-backed Global Times .
“ In a year of elections that are particularly important for Trump , votes from the black community do not matter that much , ” says the newspaper .
“ After all , Trump won just 8 % of African-American voters four years ago .
Black voters are always the base of the Democratic Party .
So as protests escalate across the country , Trump played the same old political games.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Over in Europe , an editorial in France ’ s Le Monde paints a picture structural racism and brutality by police and others against black Americans in the US .
“ The list is too long to give here of these black American men of all ages , who are too often victims of encounters with the police that turn out badly ; of the trigger-happy in a country where firearms are routinely carried as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” says the newspaper .

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


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Instant Opinion: England had time to prepare for lifting lockdown - ‘our leaders wasted it’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Chris Ham , chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership and former chief executive of the King ’ s Fund , in The Guardian on the failure to prepare for the end of lockdown England had the chance to prepare for lifting lockdown , but our leaders wasted it “ Much more needs to be done to strengthen the testing regime before it is fit for purpose ...
These issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was relaxed .
Instead , the government wasted valuable time in understanding what needed to be done after the lockdown was imposed , and has been playing catch-up ever since .
Rather than bringing local authorities on board and consulting expertise already available in the NHS during the initial stages of the outbreak , the government chose to rely on the private sector , outsourcing testing facilities to Deloitte and contracting Serco to deliver a tracing system ...
Relaxing the lockdown in advance of having an effective and fully integrated system of testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public ’ s health.
” on eroding our faith in government ministers “ Public confidence is key but it has to be based on the government ’ s decisions and , crucially , on an understanding of why those decisions have been made .
Last month ministers argued that relaxing lockdown measures ‘ must be warranted by the alert level ’ .
No details of the criteria used to calculate the alert level have been released to the public — why would we be interested in such a thing ?
— @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown restrictions were eased , the prime minister could only say the level is “ moving towards 3 ” .
Which means it remains at 4 and the relaxation measures are not warranted by the alert level .
This being so , it becomes necessary to retrofit the reasoning to today ’ s shaky version of reality .
The government contradicts itself on a near-daily basis .
At a time when it sorely needs the benefit of the doubt , it continues to deplete its stocks of that precious commodity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ go along.
” 3 .
Paul Mason in the New Statesman on the president ’ s response to national uprising Donald Trump has declared war on US democracy .
Can he be stopped ?
“ Trump ’ s presidency , as I argued in Clear Bright Future , is a classic iteration of what Hannah Arendt called ‘ the temporary alliance of the elite and the mob ’ .
Its aim , as with the authoritarian governments that preceded Hitler , is to roll back history – in this case to roll back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minorities and the labour movement since 1968 .
In the face of this , especially when the elite/mob alliance controls the state , the only rational form of defence is an alliance of the centre and the left ; and in the US context , an alliance of all communities facing racism , poverty and repression .
But to achieve what ?
Having sunk all their energies into the Democratic primary process , both the centrists and the left now face an evolving emergency .
No matter how strong the need is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bail support , for food banks and self-help , as millions face unemployment , the strategy has to focus on government.
” 4 .
The editorial board of The New York Times on the US police ’ s approach to the George Floyd protests “ When George Floyd died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer , the scourge of police violence , festering for generations , became a rallying point for Americans yearning for the fulfillment of this country ’ s founding aspiration to promote life , liberty and happiness .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ their most basic rights as citizens , these Americans have often encountered only more contempt for those rights from the people who are supposed to protect them .
Some protesters crossed the line into violence .
Some people took advantage of the chaos to loot .
But all too often , facing peaceful demonstrations against police violence , the police responded with more violence — against protesters , journalists and bystanders.
” The images of MPs queuing are ridiculous .
But this is what the government wants you to think – that parliament @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those pictures of MPs queueing for hours to vote are as ridiculous as they look .
That is the point .
The government refusing to allow the continuation of remote voting while the coronavirus pandemic rubbles on is done only , to completely degrade parliament .
They want us to look silly and for people to look on in horror at the stupidity of the system .
The government want you , the general public to look at the queue which they devised and think that politics is broken .
They want you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of the establishment that puts them in their place .
The fact that they are the cream de la creme of establishment , do as I say not as I do , that bit they are fine with .
They did this to degrade parliament .
I don ’ t mind waiting in a long queue , I ’ ll do it all day long if I have to , I do mind an arrogant government wanting to degrade democracy .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Chris Ham, chair of the Coventry and Warwickshire Health and Care Partnership and former chief executive of the King’s Fund, in The Guardian
on the failure to prepare for the end of lockdown
England had the chance to prepare for lifting lockdown, but our leaders wasted it
“Much more needs to be done to strengthen the testing regime before it is fit for purpose... These issues should have been resolved before the lockdown was relaxed. Instead, the government wasted valuable time in understanding what needed to be done after the lockdown was imposed, and has been playing catch-up ever since. Rather than bringing local authorities on board and consulting expertise already available in the NHS during the initial stages of the outbreak, the government chose to rely on the private sector, outsourcing testing facilities to Deloitte and contracting Serco to deliver a tracing system... Relaxing the lockdown in advance of having an effective and fully integrated system of testing and tracing in place creates unacceptable risks to the public’s health.”
2. Alex Massie in The Times
on eroding our faith in government ministers
Boris Johnson’s team is squandering public trust
“Public confidence is key but it has to be based on the government’s decisions and, crucially, on an understanding of why those decisions have been made. Last month ministers argued that relaxing lockdown measures ‘must be warranted by the alert level’. No details of the criteria used to calculate the alert level have been released to the public — why would we be interested in such a thing? — and on Monday, even as some of the lockdown restrictions were eased, the prime minister could only say the level is “moving towards 3”. Which means it remains at 4 and the relaxation measures are not warranted by the alert level. This being so, it becomes necessary to retrofit the reasoning to today’s shaky version of reality. The government contradicts itself on a near-daily basis. At a time when it sorely needs the benefit of the doubt, it continues to deplete its stocks of that precious commodity. They are making it up as they go along.”
3. Paul Mason in the New Statesman
on the president’s response to national uprising
Donald Trump has declared war on US democracy. Can he be stopped?
“Trump’s presidency, as I argued in Clear Bright Future, is a classic iteration of what Hannah Arendt called ‘the temporary alliance of the elite and the mob’. Its aim, as with the authoritarian governments that preceded Hitler, is to roll back history – in this case to roll back all the gains achieved for women, minorities and the labour movement since 1968. In the face of this, especially when the elite/mob alliance controls the state, the only rational form of defence is an alliance of the centre and the left; and in the US context, an alliance of all communities facing racism, poverty and repression. But to achieve what? Having sunk all their energies into the Democratic primary process, both the centrists and the left now face an evolving emergency. No matter how strong the need is for community-level self-defence against police violence, for bail support, for food banks and self-help, as millions face unemployment, the strategy has to focus on government.”
4. The editorial board of The New York Times
on the US police’s approach to the George Floyd protests
In America, Protest Is Patriotic
“When George Floyd died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, the scourge of police violence, festering for generations, became a rallying point for Americans yearning for the fulfillment of this country’s founding aspiration to promote life, liberty and happiness. Yet as they turned out to exercise their most basic rights as citizens, these Americans have often encountered only more contempt for those rights from the people who are supposed to protect them. Some protesters crossed the line into violence. Some people took advantage of the chaos to loot. But all too often, facing peaceful demonstrations against police violence, the police responded with more violence — against protesters, journalists and bystanders.”
5. Jess Phillips in The Independent
on yesterday’s comical scenes in Westminster
The images of MPs queuing are ridiculous. But this is what the government wants you to think – that parliament is broken
“Make no mistake, those pictures of MPs queueing for hours to vote are as ridiculous as they look. That is the point. The government refusing to allow the continuation of remote voting while the coronavirus pandemic rubbles on is done only, to completely degrade parliament. They want us to look silly and for people to look on in horror at the stupidity of the system. The government want you, the general public to look at the queue which they devised and think that politics is broken. They want you to hate the establishment, well the bit of the establishment that puts them in their place. The fact that they are the cream de la creme of establishment, do as I say not as I do, that bit they are fine with. They did this to degrade parliament. I don’t mind waiting in a long queue, I’ll do it all day long if I have to, I do mind an arrogant government wanting to degrade democracy.”


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Coronavirus: Sweden’s chief health official ‘admits to flaws’ in relaxed pandemic response

Sweden ’ s chief epidemiologist has admitted that the country should have handled the coronavirus outbreak differently in a radio interview today .
Anders Tegnell , who Politico says “ long championed Sweden 's liberal lockdown policies ” , told broadcaster Sveriges Radio that too many Swedes have now died from Covid-19 for the loose pandemic approach to have been justified .
“ If we would encounter the same disease [ again ] , with exactly what we know about it today , I think we would land midway between what Sweden did and what the rest of the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's quite obviously a potential for improvement in what we have done in Sweden .
It would be good to know exactly what to close down to better prevent the spread of the virus.
” Politico says that Tegnell ’ s criticism “ came as a surprise , given his strong criticism of the harsh restrictions on public life imposed by other countries ” .
Though the site adds that he retained his “ scepticism ” regarding the approach taken elsewhere .
“ All other countries started with a lot of things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is that you do n't really know which of the measures you have taken has the best effect.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Sweden has one of the highest coronavirus death rates in Europe , with 4,468 deaths and more than 38,500 cases , according to latest figures .
The Guardian this week reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclude Sweden from a plan to drop border controls between the countries .
Danish prime minister , Mette Frederiksen , told reporters that there had been “ a strong desire to find a solution with our neighbour , Sweden ” , but that the countries “ are in different places when it comes to the coronavirus ” .


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Coronavirus: will protests trigger a second wave and can you march safely?

To keep reading The Week ’ s concise , refreshing and balanced take on the world , please register your @ @ @ @ @ use the details you have shared to manage your registration.You agree to the processing , @ @ @ @ @ of this information for the purpose of managing your registration as described in our Privacy @ @ @ @ @ the details you have shared to manage your newsletter subscription.You agree to the processing , @ @ @ @ @ of this information for the purpose of managing your subscription as described in our Privacy @ @ @ @ @ the information you have shared for carefully considered and specific purposes , where we believe @ @ @ @ @ to do so , for example to send you communications about similar products and services @ @ @ @ @ more about our legitimate interest activity in our privacy policy .
‘ We ’ includes @ @ @ @ @ Publishing ( UK ) Ltd brands as detailed here


theweekuk--2020-06-03--George Floyd protests: Labour calls on government to ban sale of riot gear to US

Labour is demanding that the government suspend the sale of riot control equipment to the US amid the ongoing protests triggered by the death of George Floyd in police custody .
Shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry has written to her Conservative counterpart , Liz Truss , to argue that it would “ be a disgrace ” if anti-riot gear from the UK is used against US citizens protesting over police brutality , The Guardian says .
“ If this were any other leader , in any other country in the world , the suspension of any such exports is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Thornberry , adding that the UK can not “ shirk that responsibility now ” .
Government records show that in the past year , the Department of International Trade has licensed exports of a variety of riot control weapons and equipment including anti-riot guns , so-called “ rubber bullets ” , tear gas and riot shields .
Although the value of the exports are believed to total many millions of pounds , no official figures are available , because sales to the US are covered by open licences where the worth of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specified , according to the Campaign Against the Arms Trade .
However , Labour has pointed out that the government ’ s own rules say such exports should not go ahead where they are likely to be used for “ internal repression ” .
Thornberry is calling for Downing Street to “ publish a comprehensive list of all current export licences to the USA of riot control projectiles and equipment ” , and to reveal “ who has purchased these items and for what declared purpose within the last five years ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how arms exported by this country are being used across the world and the American public deserve the right to protest peacefully without the threat of violent repression , ” she adds in her letter to Truss .
Meanwhile , Labour ’ s Dawn Butler has tweeted that she is seeking support from MPs from other parties to increase pressure on the government to halt the exports .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today Thousands of voters have also signed an online petition calling for an embargo .
Outrage is growing in countries worldwide over the response of the US authorities to the protests engulfing the nation .
As Sky News reports , video footage and photographs from the demonstrations have shown “ batons , tear gas and shields deployed against unarmed civilians ” and journalists .

Labour is demanding that the government suspend the sale of riot control equipment to the US amid the ongoing protests triggered by the death of George Floyd in police custody.
Shadow international trade secretary Emily Thornberry has written to her Conservative counterpart, Liz Truss, to argue that it would “be a disgrace” if anti-riot gear from the UK is used against US citizens protesting over police brutality, The Guardian says.
“If this were any other leader, in any other country in the world, the suspension of any such exports is the least we could expect,” says Thornberry, adding that the UK cannot “shirk that responsibility now”.
Government records show that in the past year, the Department of International Trade has licensed exports of a variety of riot control weapons and equipment including anti-riot guns, so-called “rubber bullets”, tear gas and riot shields.
Although the value of the exports are believed to total many millions of pounds, no official figures are available, because sales to the US are covered by open licences where the worth of goods exported does not have to be specified, according to the Campaign Against the Arms Trade.
However, Labour has pointed out that the government’s own rules say such exports should not go ahead where they are likely to be used for “internal repression”.
Thornberry is calling for Downing Street to “publish a comprehensive list of all current export licences to the USA of riot control projectiles and equipment”, and to reveal “who has purchased these items and for what declared purpose within the last five years”.
“The British public deserve to know how arms exported by this country are being used across the world and the American public deserve the right to protest peacefully without the threat of violent repression,” she adds in her letter to Truss.
Meanwhile, Labour’s Dawn Butler has tweeted that she is seeking support from MPs from other parties to increase pressure on the government to halt the exports.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Thousands of voters have also signed an online petition calling for an embargo.
Outrage is growing in countries worldwide over the response of the US authorities to the protests engulfing the nation. As Sky News reports, video footage and photographs from the demonstrations have shown “batons, tear gas and shields deployed against unarmed civilians” and journalists.


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Leading adviser accuses Boris Johnson of ‘failing to take coronavirus threat seriously’

Boris Johnson and senior ministers failed to take the threat posed by coronavirus seriously during the crucial weeks after the outbreak first reached the UK, a senior government scientific adviser has claimed.
The allegation comes after The Telegraph revealed yesterday that Johnson is taking back “direct control” of the government’s response to the pandemic in a “shake-up” at Downing Street.
Professor Graham Medley, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), says that he and colleagues became concerned back in February that their warnings about the great threat posed by Covid-19 were being disregarded, reports The Times.
“We already knew that this virus was going to cause an awful lot of death and disability and would require an awful lot of NHS resources,” Professor Medley, who also chairs the SPI-M pandemic modelling committee, tells Channel 4’s Dispatches team in a documentary being broadcast tonight.
“So it was with some dismay that we were watching senior politicians behaving in a way that suggested that this was not something that was too serious.”
Sage told the government on 26 February that restricting activities outside UK households could reduce overall infections by 50% to 60%. Yet large-scale events were still taking place a month later, before the UK finally entered lockdown on 23 March.
The government’s scientific advisers had also called in early March for a public warning against “greetings such as shaking hands and hugging”. But that same day the prime minister told a press conference that he had shaken hands with coronavirus patients during a hospital visit.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 new documentary also reveals that Johnson told his Italian counterpart, Giuseppe Conte, that he was aiming for “herd immunity” to overcome coronavirus, despite the government “denying that was ever the policy”, The Independent reports.
Conte’s health minister, Pierpaolo Sileri, told Dispatches about a conversation with his boss in which the Italian PM allegedly said that “he’d spoken with Boris Johnson and that they’d also talked about the situation in Italy”.
“I remember he said, ‘He told me that he wants herd immunity’,” Sileri claims.
Responding to the allegations, a Downing Street spokesperson said that concerned members of the public should read the Sage papers rather than accept the conclusions of a “rushed documentary”.
Emphasising that herd immunity has never been government policy, the spokesperson added that No. 10’s response has “ensured that the NHS has capacity for everyone who needs it and that it can provide the best possible care for people who become ill”.


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 3 Jun 2020

A 30-year-old man who was tasered in the throat in Birmingham says he was targeted by police because he is @ @ @ @ @ he had just arrived home from work when there was a car crash in the @ @ @ @ @ and that when he went out to see what had happened he was attacked by @ @ @ @ @ personally believe it was because I was black , ” he said .
“ There @ @ @ @ @ reason for it .
”

Birmingham man says he was tasered because he is black
A 30-year-old man who was tasered in the throat in Birmingham says he was targeted by police because he is black. Trevaile Wyse said he had just arrived home from work when there was a car crash in the street outside his house, and that when he went out to see what had happened he was attacked by police officers. “I personally believe it was because I was black,” he said. “There could have been no other reason for it.”


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Adolf Hitler’s home to be turned into police station

Authorities in Austria have announced that they will turn the house where Adolf Hitler was born into a police station .
A proposed design by Austrian architects Marte.Marte beat 11 competitors in an interior ministry tender .
The refurbishment is expected to be completed around the end of 2022 and will cost about €5m ( £4.5m ) .
An Australian influencer has live-streamed the birth of her son .
Emma Isaacs , an avid Instagrammer , announced on the social network that she expected “ some baby action tonight ” as her contractions were about seven minutes apart .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she wrote : “ Thank you for being there last night as we welcomed this baby into the world .
It was a really special time.
” When British Transport Police responded to reports of a dead body on train tracks in Essex they discovered a nude sunbather .
Railway workers called the emergency services when they spotted the protruding feet and no obvious signs of life .
However , officers found it was naked man in his late 30s sunbathing on the tracks .
Police have advised the public to not sunbathe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Authorities in Austria have announced that they will turn the house where Adolf Hitler was born into a police station. A proposed design by Austrian architects Marte.Marte beat 11 competitors in an interior ministry tender. The refurbishment is expected to be completed around the end of 2022 and will cost about €5m (£4.5m).
Instagrammer live streams birth of her son
An Australian influencer has live-streamed the birth of her son. Emma Isaacs, an avid Instagrammer, announced on the social network that she expected “some baby action tonight” as her contractions were about seven minutes apart. After the baby was successfully delivered online, she wrote: “Thank you for being there last night as we welcomed this baby into the world. It was a really special time.”
Police find ‘corpse’ is nude sunbather
When British Transport Police responded to reports of a dead body on train tracks in Essex they discovered a nude sunbather. Railway workers called the emergency services when they spotted the protruding feet and no obvious signs of life. However, officers found it was naked man in his late 30s sunbathing on the tracks. Police have advised the public to not sunbathe on railway tracks.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-03--‘Insider dealing’: how Poland’s coronavirus response triggered political scandal

Poland ’ s success in avoiding the worst health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic has been marred by a growing political corruption scandal .
As the nation continues to battle the Covid-19 outbreak , once popular Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski has been accused of shady practices and nepotism in the procurement of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
The allegations come at a bad time for President Andrzej Duda , an ally of the ruling Law and Justice party ( PiS ) , who is fighting to win a second term .
What are the accusations against Szumowski ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his role in his government ’ s attempts to obtain equipment to help curb the Covid-19 spread , reports Reuters .
And public anger has exploded after Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza reported that Szumowski bought masks with fake certificates from a skiing instructor who is friends with his businessman brother , Marcin .
Poland ’ s Health Ministry reportedly spent five million zloty ( £1m ) on 120,000 FFP-2 type face masks and 20,000 surgical masks that were later found not to meet safety standards , Politico says .
Polish media has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £7.90 ) per mask , up from a retail price of four zloty ( 81p ) at the start of the pandemic .
Critics have also questioned Szumowski ’ s previous dealings in government .
Polish news network tvn24 reports that while serving as deputy science minister in 2016-17 , he gave 300 million zloty ( £60m ) in grants from Poland ’ s National Centre for Research and Development ( NCBR ) to OncoArendi Therapeutics , a research company run by his brother .
Another company in which Szumowski was a shareholder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was reportedly given a 24 million zloty ( £5m ) NCBR grant just days after he took up the ministerial post .
Szumowski ’ s wife was later revealed to be a stakeholder in both OncoArendi Therapeutics and LSI .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Szumowski has denied the allegations , telling Polish broadcaster Polsat News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brother , nor my wife , have done anything wrong .
There is not a single fact that would indicate any irregularities .
It is evidently a game resulting from the election calendar and I have become a bit of a target to hit.
” In a statement to Politico , a Health Ministry spokesperson said : “ We will claim every zloty spent for equipment that turned out to be defective.
” Szumowski ’ s brother has also publicly denied the “ untrue insinuations ” .
And Poland ’ s governing party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister ” too , says Politico .
At a press conference on Tuesday , Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Szumowski had “ saved Poland before a cataclysm like we saw in Western Europe ” .
Despite the PPE scandal , Poland has reported fewer than 25,000 reported infections and just over 1,100 deaths , according to latest figures .
PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski told the state-owned Polish Press Agency that “ these are attacks on a man who has become an icon of tackling the coronavirus efficiently ” , adding : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parliament ’ s Health Committee this week rejected a motion put forward by opposition MPs to call a no-confidence vote in Szumowski .
However , Michal Szczerba of the centrist Civic Platform noted that the motion was defeated by a single vote .
But for now , “ all the questions about conflicts of interests remain without an answer ” , he said .

Poland’s success in avoiding the worst health impacts of the coronavirus pandemic has been marred by a growing political corruption scandal.
As the nation continues to battle the Covid-19 outbreak, once popular Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski has been accused of shady practices and nepotism in the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The allegations come at a bad time for President Andrzej Duda, an ally of the ruling Law and Justice party (PiS), who is fighting to win a second term.
What are the accusations against Szumowski?
The health chief has faced growing criticism for his role in his government’s attempts to obtain equipment to help curb the Covid-19 spread, reports Reuters.
And public anger has exploded after Polish newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza reported that Szumowski bought masks with fake certificates from a skiing instructor who is friends with his businessman brother, Marcin.
Poland’s Health Ministry reportedly spent five million zloty (£1m) on 120,000 FFP-2 type face masks and 20,000 surgical masks that were later found not to meet safety standards, Politico says.
Polish media has claimed that Szumowski paid 39 zloty (£7.90) per mask, up from a retail price of four zloty (81p) at the start of the pandemic.
Critics have also questioned Szumowski’s previous dealings in government. Polish news network tvn24 reports that while serving as deputy science minister in 2016-17, he gave 300 million zloty (£60m) in grants from Poland’s National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) to OncoArendi Therapeutics, a research company run by his brother.
Another company in which Szumowski was a shareholder, Life Science Innovation (LSI), was reportedly given a 24 million zloty (£5m) NCBR grant just days after he took up the ministerial post.
Szumowski’s wife was later revealed to be a stakeholder in both OncoArendi Therapeutics and LSI.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
And the reaction?
Szumowski has denied the allegations, telling Polish broadcaster Polsat News that “neither I, nor my brother, nor my wife, have done anything wrong. There is not a single fact that would indicate any irregularities. It is evidently a game resulting from the election calendar and I have become a bit of a target to hit.”
In a statement to Politico, a Health Ministry spokesperson said: “We will claim every zloty spent for equipment that turned out to be defective.”
Szumowski’s brother has also publicly denied the “untrue insinuations”.
And Poland’s governing party has “raced to support the embattled minister” too, says Politico.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said that Szumowski had “saved Poland before a cataclysm like we saw in Western Europe”.
Despite the PPE scandal, Poland has reported fewer than 25,000 reported infections and just over 1,100 deaths, according to latest figures.
PiS leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski told the state-owned Polish Press Agency that “these are attacks on a man who has become an icon of tackling the coronavirus efficiently”, adding: “The allegations are laughable.”
The Polish Parliament’s Health Committee this week rejected a motion put forward by opposition MPs to call a no-confidence vote in Szumowski.
However, Michal Szczerba of the centrist Civic Platform noted that the motion was defeated by a single vote. But for now, “all the questions about conflicts of interests remain without an answer”, he said.


theweekuk--2020-06-03--Reaction: Donald Trump and Joe Biden lay out ‘starkly different visions’ in response to US protests

The US president and the man who wants to replace him each spoke from the heart last night , setting out their responses to the police killing of George Floyd .
Their “ radically contrasting visions ” laid bare the “ existential choice facing America ” , says The Guardian , following a week of protests against racism and police brutality , some of which have led to looting and riots .
“ Is this who we are ?
Is this who we want to be ?
” asked presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden in a speech delivered at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Or do we want to be the America we know we can be , the America we know in our hearts we could be and should be ?
” Meanwhile , Donald Trump was on Twitter castigating the “ lowlifes and losers ” on the streets - and the “ weakness ” of Democratic governors who have declined to call in the National Guard .
He also turned directly on his challenger .
“ Sleepy Joe [ Biden ] has been in politics for 40 years , and did nothing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretends to have the answers .
He doesn ’ t even know the questions .
Weakness will never beat anarchists , looters or thugs , and Joe has been politically weak all of his life .
LAW & ORDER !
” The last phrase , along with another tweet reading “ SILENT MAJORITY !
” , invoked Richard Nixon ’ s successful 1968 presidential campaign , which also took place against a backdrop of racial injustice and sometimes violent protest .
It ’ s a risky strategy for a man who has “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and disruption ” , says Jamelle Bouie in The New York Times .
“ Whereas Nixon ’ s ‘ law and order ’ was a contrast with and rebuke to Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic Party , a Trump attempt to play the hits and recapitulate that campaign would only be an attack on his own tenure , ” Bouie writes .
“ You can ’ t promise ‘ law and order ’ when disorder is happening on your watch.
” Oh yes you can , says former House of Representatives speaker Newt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Every person will have to choose between defending America and defending those who would destroy America , ” Gingrich argues in an opinion piece for Fox News .
Trump ’ s “ serious , powerful ” speech outside a church near the White House on Monday night made it clear that the president will stand firm against “ enemies of American civilisation ” who must be “ defeated decisively and permanently ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– That uncompromising message worked well during the 2016 election , but may find fewer takers now , says Clare Malone of political analysis website FiveThirtyEight .
“ While many will still roundly condemn looting , it ’ s perhaps easier for a greater number of us to imagine the kind of jagged anger - grief , if we ’ re being concise about it - that causes it than it was four years ago , ” she writes .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the years .
Back in 1994 , he was a principal author of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act , which has “ long been criticised for unfairly impacting minorities for its ‘ three strikes ’ rule , which expanded the death penalty and increased incarcerations ” , says Fox News .
But now , Barack Obama ’ s former vice president is making it clear “ that the demonstrations are pushing him to rethink some parts of his agenda ” , says The Washington Post .
The bigger change , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Biden probably did just as much , if not more , sympathising with the protesters and their plight than even Obama did during Ferguson , ” Jon Favreau , a speechwriter for the former US leader , told the newspaper .
Trump , too , wants to change , according to Elizabeth Bruenig in The New York Times .
“ He seemed to know , as he positioned himself as the defender of the Christian faith , that he needed to imbue his presidency with some renewed moral purpose , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force against protesters seem to “ emphasise only that his legitimacy has shrunk to the point that he feels moved to dominate his own people with military power ” , Bruenig adds .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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--2020-06-03--Why is the UK offering Hong Kongers a path to citizenship?

Britain will change its immigration rules to allow millions of people from Hong Kong “ a route to citizenship ” if China passes controversial new national security laws , Boris Johnson has said .
In an article for The Times , the prime minister warns that the new controls would “ dramatically erode ” Hong Kong ’ s autonomy , which would breach the terms of China ’ s Joint Declaration treaty with the UK .
So exactly what is the UK offering ?
Johnson says he is willing to make one of the “ biggest changes in our visa @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing up to three million Hong Kong residents extended visa-free access to Britain and the opportunity to pursue citizenship .
“ If China imposes its national security law , the British government will change our immigration rules and allow any holder of [ British National Overseas passports ] from Hong Kong to come to the UK for a renewable period of 12 months , ” the PM says in his newspaper article .
Hong Kongers would also be extended further immigration rights , including the right to work , “ which could place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he adds .
What is Britain ’ s relationship with Hong Kong ?
Hong Kong was ceded to the British Empire in 1842 by the ailing Qing dynasty in the wake of the First Opium War , through the Treaty of Nanjing .
The terms of the treaty designated Hong Kong island as a British crown colony .
Britain went on to win the Second Opium War , taking control of the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860 .
Almost 40 years later , the New Territories - additions of land which came to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s land mass - were leased to Britain for 99 years .
The term of this lease “ was fixed almost casually ” , says The Independent .
“ Both sides believed the new lands would remain British forever , along with the original colonial possession of Hong Kong island , acquired in 1842 .
The British Empire would never die.
” The land was only leased rather than annexed because Britain “ was prepared to let China ’ s rulers save face by not insisting the territory should be ceded in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the late 1970s , however , the Chinese Communist government demanded Hong Kong back , and following lengthy negotiations , the return of the territory was agreed .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Which terms of the return agreement has China breached ?
According to the UK government , Beijing ’ s new security law is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two systems ” principle agreed as part of the Sino-British Joint Declaration , which was signed by Beijing and London in 1984 .
“ To be very clear and specific about this , the imposition of national security legislation on Hong Kong by the government in Beijing… lies in direct conflict with China ’ s international obligations freely assumed under the Joint Declaration , ” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Parliament earlier this week .
How has Johnson ’ s offer been received ?
The PM ’ s article in The Times represents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reconsider its actions ” , says The Guardian .
But should that appeal fail , the offer of a pathway for Hong Kong residents to achieve British citizenship represents a “ remarkable intervention ” , according to Johnny Patterson , director of the human rights NGO Hong Kong Watch .
He said : “ It is a watershed moment in Sino-British relations .
No sitting PM has made a statement as bold as this on Hong Kong since the handover.
” Patterson says the move is reflective of two things : “ First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ground .
“ And second , the fact that the British government genuinely , and rightly , feel a sense of duty to citizens of Hong Kong and are going to do all they can to stop them becoming the collateral damage of escalating geopolitical tensions .
”

Britain will change its immigration rules to allow millions of people from Hong Kong “a route to citizenship” if China passes controversial new national security laws, Boris Johnson has said.
In an article for The Times, the prime minister warns that the new controls would “dramatically erode” Hong Kong’s autonomy, which would breach the terms of China’s Joint Declaration treaty with the UK.
So exactly what is the UK offering?
Johnson says he is willing to make one of the “biggest changes in our visa system in British history”, by allowing up to three million Hong Kong residents extended visa-free access to Britain and the opportunity to pursue citizenship.
“If China imposes its national security law, the British government will change our immigration rules and allow any holder of [British National Overseas passports] from Hong Kong to come to the UK for a renewable period of 12 months,” the PM says in his newspaper article.
Hong Kongers would also be extended further immigration rights, including the right to work, “which could place them on a route to citizenship”, he adds.
What is Britain’s relationship with Hong Kong?
Hong Kong was ceded to the British Empire in 1842 by the ailing Qing dynasty in the wake of the First Opium War, through the Treaty of Nanjing. The terms of the treaty designated Hong Kong island as a British crown colony.
Britain went on to win the Second Opium War, taking control of the Kowloon Peninsula in 1860. Almost 40 years later, the New Territories - additions of land which came to make up 90% of Hong Kong’s land mass - were leased to Britain for 99 years.
The term of this lease “was fixed almost casually”, says The Independent. “Both sides believed the new lands would remain British forever, along with the original colonial possession of Hong Kong island, acquired in 1842. The British Empire would never die.”
The land was only leased rather than annexed because Britain “was prepared to let China’s rulers save face by not insisting the territory should be ceded in perpetuity”, the newspaper adds.
In the late 1970s, however, the Chinese Communist government demanded Hong Kong back, and following lengthy negotiations, the return of the territory was agreed.


theweekuk--2020-06-03--George Floyd: how the US race protests spread around the world

US protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd have inspired similar demonstrations in cities worldwide amid growing anger over police brutality and racism .
Images and video footage showing US police attacking peaceful protestors and journalists across the nation over the past week have caused international outrage .
Now , tens of thousands of people are taking to the streets on different continents to show solidarity with the US protesters and call for an end to injustice in their own countries .
Black Lives Matter protests in Paris have seen outbursts of violence between demonstrators and police .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Porte de Clichy , a sign caught my eye , ” reports Sky News Europe correspondent Adam Parsons .
“ It said ‘ Qui nous protege de la police ?
’ It translates , simply , as ‘ who protects us from the police ?
’ And it ’ s a question that is now resonating in Europe , just as it reverberates in the United States.
” Much of the anger against police in France is linked to the killing of Adama Traore , a 24-year-old black citizen who died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His family say he was asphyxiated when three arrested officers pinned him down with their combined bodyweight .
Official reports indicate that Traore died of heart failure , and the officers who detained him were exonerated last week following a police investigation , reports the BBC .
According to The Local , the country ’ s black and North African communities have made repeated “ accusations of bias and violence against French police ” , and “ racially mixed areas - in particular Paris ’ s northern suburbs - have seen regular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brutality ” .
A wave of protests in solidarity with US demonstrators have been staged in London , with protestors carried signs reading “ Justice for George Floyd , ” “ racism has no place ” , “ enough is enough ” , and “ black lives matter ” .
“ On Sunday , thousands of demonstrators broke social distancing regulations to gather in Trafalgar Square for a ‘ Kneel for Floyd ’ protest , while hundreds marched through Peckham and Brixton in south London on Monday , ” says the London Evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including a gathering at Hyde Park today .
In a Twitter video posted after Sunday ’ demonstration , an 18-year-old protest organiser named only as Aima said : “ You guys are saying that the corona pandemic will kill us , but police brutality will kill us first .
I ’ m already risking my life on a daily basis .
Corona ’ s not going to kill me before the police kill me.
” Crowds of protestors have gathered around the US embassy and popular tourist areas in Berlin .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sections of the former Berlin wall , a memorial to US police killing victim Floyd has been painted on the wall .
Meanwhile , Borussia Dortmund player Jadon Sancho lifted his shirt after scoring a goal in a Bundesliga match on Sunday to reveal a T-shirt reading : “ Justice for George Floyd.
” The US protests have also been backed by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas , who said on Tuesday that peaceful demonstrations against police brutality were “ more than legitimate ” .
Adressing reporters at a news conference , Maas called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unrest in the US , reports Deutsche Welle .
“ I can only express the hope that the peaceful protests don ’ t turn violent , and even more the hope that they will have an impact , ” he added .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last week that Canadians were watching the violence in the neighbouring US with “ shock and horror ” , but admitted : “ We have work to do as well in Canada.
” Thousands of anti-racism protesters have taken to the streets in cities including Toronto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death of a 29-year-old black Toronto resident .
Regis Korchinski-Paquet fell to her death from the balcony of her family ’ s 24th-floor apartment last Wednesday while police were there investigating a domestic incident .
Her family subsuquently claimed on social media that she was pushed off the balcony by police , state broadcaster CBC reports .
Korchinski-Paquet ’ s death came weeks after a 26-year-old black man , D ’ Andre Campbell , was shot dead by police at his home in the nearby city of Brampton , reports The Guardian .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered mental illness , had called 911 himself .
Addressing a press briefing on Friday , Trudeau said : “ Anti-black racism – racism – is real .
It ’ s in the United States but it ’ s also in Canada and we know people are facing systemic discrimination , unconscious bias and anti-black racism every single day.
” He continued : “ I call on all Canadians - whether it ’ s anti-black racism or anti-Asian racism or racism discrimination of any type , to stand together in solidarity.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Thousands of protestors marched on the US Embassy in Auckland , and in other cities across the country , on Monday .
As well as carrying anti-racism signs and chanting slogans , many demonstrators also performed a Haka , the traditional Maori ceremonial dance , in solidarity with US protestors .
THIS !
Literally just brought me to tears .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brothers and Sisters doing their traditional Haka for Black Lives Matter in New Zealand .
The world is coming together and it is so beautiful .
# blacklivesmatter # georgefloyd # breonnataylor # ahmadarbery pic.twitter.com/8zLNeQJCmr Time says that along with the police killing of Floyd in the US , the New Zealand protests have focused on “ the issue of what activist groups say is the disproportionate effect of armed policing on indigenous communities ” in their country .
In a statement to the magazine , a spokesperson for anti-gun protest group Arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that of these indigenous communities .
“ The thousands of Maori and Pasifika [ Pacific ] people marching today saw , in Floyd George ’ s dying gasps , the deaths of our own people at the hands of our own government , ” said the group .
“ We marched to defend Black Lives overseas and to fight for our own lives against our own racist police .
”

7. 9 June 2020: what would US police reform look like?
6. 8 June 2020: what does ‘defund the police’ mean?
5. 3 June 2020: how the US race protests spread around the world
3. 1 June 2020: US rocked by ‘worst race riots since the 1960s’
2. 28 May 2020: what we know about the death of George Floyd
1. Timeline: one year since the death of George Floyd
5. 3 June 2020: how the US race protests spread around the world
US protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd have inspired similar demonstrations in cities worldwide amid growing anger over police brutality and racism.
Images and video footage showing US police attacking peaceful protestors and journalists across the nation over the past week have caused international outrage.
Now, tens of thousands of people are taking to the streets on different continents to show solidarity with the US protesters and call for an end to injustice in their own countries.
France
Black Lives Matter protests in Paris have seen outbursts of violence between demonstrators and police.
“As we watched the aftermath of clashes in Porte de Clichy, a sign caught my eye,” reports Sky News Europe correspondent Adam Parsons.
“It said ‘Qui nous protege de la police?’ It translates, simply, as ‘who protects us from the police?’ And it’s a question that is now resonating in Europe, just as it reverberates in the United States.”
Much of the anger against police in France is linked to the killing of Adama Traore, a 24-year-old black citizen who died in police custody in the capital in 2016.
Déjà de nombreux soutiens devant le tribunal Porte de Clichy pour le rassemblement #JusticePourAdama. pic.twitter.com/vpVPK9f1NT — Remy Buisine (@RemyBuisine) June 2, 2020
His family say he was asphyxiated when three arrested officers pinned him down with their combined bodyweight. Official reports indicate that Traore died of heart failure, and the officers who detained him were exonerated last week following a police investigation, reports the BBC.
According to The Local, the country’s black and North African communities have made repeated “accusations of bias and violence against French police”, and “racially mixed areas - in particular Paris’s northern suburbs - have seen regular clashes with police and accusations of police brutality”.
UK
A wave of protests in solidarity with US demonstrators have been staged in London, with protestors carried signs reading “Justice for George Floyd,” “racism has no place”, “enough is enough”, and “black lives matter”.
“On Sunday, thousands of demonstrators broke social distancing regulations to gather in Trafalgar Square for a ‘Kneel for Floyd’ protest, while hundreds marched through Peckham and Brixton in south London on Monday,” says the London Evening Standard.
And further protests are planned, including a gathering at Hyde Park today.


theweekuk--2020-06-04--Madeleine McCann: German prosecutors says missing girl is ‘assumed dead’

German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007 have said that she is “ assumed dead ” .
A 43-year-old German man , revealed by police today as a new suspect in the case , is being investigated on suspicion of murder , the public prosecutor added .
The suspect , who has been named in the German media as Christian B , is currently serving a prison sentence for a separate offence .
Christian B is believed to have been in the area where McCann , aged three , was last seen while on holiday in Portugal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wolters , from the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor 's Office in northern Germany , said in an update on Thursday : “ We are assuming that the girl is dead .
“ With the suspect , we are talking about a sexual predator who has already been convicted of crimes against little girls and he 's already serving a long sentence.
” According to Sky News , the suspect had been living in Algarve between 1995 and 2007 and is thought to have financed his life by “ committing crimes including thefts in hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He worked odd jobs in Lagos , including catering , the public prosecutor said , and last had residence in Braunschweig , Germany before moving abroad .
Read more : Why everybody 's talking about the new Madeleine McCaan suspect The police are appealing for any member of the public with information about the suspect to come forward .
Before the German prosecutor spoke , McCann ’ s parents ( pictured ) issued a statement saying : “ All we have ever wanted is to find her , uncover the truth and bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but whatever the outcome may be , we need to know as we need to find peace.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

German police investigating the disappearance of Madeleine McCann in 2007 have said that she is “assumed dead”.
A 43-year-old German man, revealed by police today as a new suspect in the case, is being investigated on suspicion of murder, the public prosecutor added.
The suspect, who has been named in the German media as Christian B, is currently serving a prison sentence for a separate offence.
Christian B is believed to have been in the area where McCann, aged three, was last seen while on holiday in Portugal, the BBC says.
Hans Christian Wolters, from the Braunschweig Public Prosecutor's Office in northern Germany, said in an update on Thursday: “We are assuming that the girl is dead.
“With the suspect, we are talking about a sexual predator who has already been convicted of crimes against little girls and he's already serving a long sentence.”
According to Sky News, the suspect had been living in Algarve between 1995 and 2007 and is thought to have financed his life by “committing crimes including thefts in hotels, apartments and drug dealing”.
He worked odd jobs in Lagos, including catering, the public prosecutor said, and last had residence in Braunschweig, Germany before moving abroad.
Read more: Why everybody's talking about the new Madeleine McCaan suspect
The police are appealing for any member of the public with information about the suspect to come forward.
Before the German prosecutor spoke, McCann’s parents (pictured) issued a statement saying: “All we have ever wanted is to find her, uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice.
“We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive but whatever the outcome may be, we need to know as we need to find peace.”
Those with information relating to the case can contact the Met Police’s incident room on 020 7321 9251
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-04--Why everybody’s talking about the new Madeleine McCann suspect

Police are appealing for the public ’ s help to solve the Madeleine McCann case , after a German child sex offender was identified as a new suspect .
The 43-year-old suspect , currently in prison , is believed by investigators to have been in the area when the young girl disappeared during a holiday in Portugal 13 years ago , according to German state prosecutors .
Clarence Mitchell - who has represented the McCann family since Madeleine vanished , at the age of three - told the BBC that he could not “ recall an instance when the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
What do we know about the suspect ?
The name of the suspect has not yet been released , but he is described as white and about 6ft tall .
He had short blonde hair with a slim build at the time that Madeleine went missing .
The suspect has two previous convictions for “ sexual contact with girls ” , according to Germany ’ s federal criminal police office , which is leading this stage of the case .
Madeleine is “ assumed to be dead ” and he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the German public prosecutor added .
Police have released photos of a house in Portugal and two vehicles associated with the man - a VW camper van and a Jaguar car ( pictured below ) .
He transferred the Jaguar to someone else ’ s name on 4 May 2007 , the day after Madeleine disappeared .
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell , who is leading the Metropolitan Police ’ s investigation , said that the suspect frequented the Algarve between 1995 and 2007 , staying for “ days upon end ” in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transient lifestyle ” .
German police believe the man “ worked jobs including as a waiter , but also committed burglaries in hotels and holiday resorts and dealt drugs ” , says the BBC .
Christian Hoppe , director of Germany ’ s National Crime Agency , said the suspect may have broken into the McCaans ’ apartment before spontaneously kidnapping the child .
The suspect was in the Praia de Luz area where the McCanns were renting an apartment when Madeleine disappeared , and received a phone call on that day at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say .
Madeleine is believed to have disappeared between 9.10pm and 10pm , while her parents were with friends at a nearby restaurant .
Police have released the suspect ’ s phone number ( +351 912 730 680 ) at the time , and the number that dialled him ( +351 916 510 683 ) , and said any information about these numbers could be “ critical ” .
The Met ’ s Cranwell has urged the caller to get in touch , saying that they could be a “ key witness ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following years of investigation into Madeleine ’ s disappearance , the Portuguese attorney general shelved the case in July 2018 .
In May 2011 , Scotland Yard launched its own review of the case , known as Operation Grange .
“ By 2015 , they had taken 1,338 statements , collected 1,027 exhibits and investigated 60 persons of interest , as well as 650 sex offenders , ” The Sun reports .
The UK government has bankrolled the investigation , with police applying for more funds in February this year to continue their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Police in the UK , Portugal and Germany have appealed for anyone with information on the suspect or the case to come forward .
In a video appeal , DCI Cranwell said : “ Some people will know the man we are describing today , the suspect in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in you about the disappearance of Madeleine .
“ More than 13 years have passed and your loyalties may have changed .
This individual is in prison and we are conscious that some people may have been concerned about contacting police in the past .
Now is the time to come forward.
” Investigators say they are trying to “ prove or disprove ” the German suspect ’ s involvement in the case and keep an “ open mind ” .
Madeleine ’ s parents , Gerry and Kate , have released a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ All we have ever wanted is to find her , uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice , ” the couple said .
“ We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive , but whatever the outcome may be , we need to know as we need to find peace.
” Anyone with information relating to the case can contact the Met Police ’ s incident room on 020 7321 9251 .

Police are appealing for the public’s help to solve the Madeleine McCann case, after a German child sex offender was identified as a new suspect.
The 43-year-old suspect, currently in prison, is believed by investigators to have been in the area when the young girl disappeared during a holiday in Portugal 13 years ago, according to German state prosecutors.
Clarence Mitchell - who has represented the McCann family since Madeleine vanished, at the age of three - told the BBC that he could not “recall an instance when the police had been so specific about an individual”.
What do we know about the suspect?
The name of the suspect has not yet been released, but he is described as white and about 6ft tall. He had short blonde hair with a slim build at the time that Madeleine went missing.
The suspect has two previous convictions for “sexual contact with girls”, according to Germany’s federal criminal police office, which is leading this stage of the case.
Madeleine is “assumed to be dead” and he is being investigated on suspicion of murder, the German public prosecutor added.
Police have released photos of a house in Portugal and two vehicles associated with the man - a VW camper van and a Jaguar car (pictured below). He transferred the Jaguar to someone else’s name on 4 May 2007, the day after Madeleine disappeared.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell, who is leading the Metropolitan Police’s investigation, said that the suspect frequented the Algarve between 1995 and 2007, staying for “days upon end” in his camper van and living a “transient lifestyle”.
German police believe the man “worked jobs including as a waiter, but also committed burglaries in hotels and holiday resorts and dealt drugs”, says the BBC.
Christian Hoppe, director of Germany’s National Crime Agency, said the suspect may have broken into the McCaans’ apartment before spontaneously kidnapping the child.
The suspect was in the Praia de Luz area where the McCanns were renting an apartment when Madeleine disappeared, and received a phone call on that day at 7.32pm which lasted until 8.02pm, police say. Madeleine is believed to have disappeared between 9.10pm and 10pm, while her parents were with friends at a nearby restaurant.


theweekuk--2020-06-04--Coronavirus: UK records more daily deaths than entire European Union

The UK recorded more coronavirus deaths than every member state of the EU combined yesterday, as health experts warn that Downing Street is risking a second wave of infections by easing lockdown too soon.
A total of 359 deaths were recorded in the UK, compared with 332 across the 27 countries in the bloc in the same 24-hour period.
And the UK tally, “while among its lowest daily tolls, is still higher than Germany’s worst recorded day, which was 333 fatalities in early April”, says Yahoo! News.
France had the second-highest death toll on Wednesday, at 107, reports Newsweek.
BBC Newsnight’s political editor Nicholas Watt described the latest figures as “astonishing”, adding that “the UK, with a population of 66 million, has more deaths than the EU with a population of nearly 450 million”.
However, he cautioned that “you have to be careful” when comparing Covid-19 death figures, as “countries compile them in a different way”. The UK total, for example, is for deaths registered in the period, regardless of when the fatalities occurred.
This warning was echoed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which compiled the data. The UN health agency says that “stark differences” are to be expected, as most countries operate on different reporting timelines and use different criteria for data collection.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 total number of deaths involving Covid-19 recorded in the UK since the pandemic began has now passed 50,000, with only the US reporting a higher tally. However, the UK continues to ease lockdown restrictions, despite opposition from a number of government scientific advisors.
Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust and a member of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), last week said that the NHS test and trace system needed to be “fully working” before social distancing measures could be lifted safely.


theweekuk--2020-06-04--Reaction: what can Donald Trump legally do to quell the George Floyd protests?

Donald Trump has been denounced by his former defence secretary for threatening to deploy “ heavily armed ” military forces to “ dominate the streets ” and quell the ongoing race protests .
James Mattis , who quit the Trump administration in 2018 , said he was “ angry and appalled ” by the handling of the nationwide unrest triggered by the police killing of African-American George Floyd .
Mattis told The Atlantic that his former boss was guilty of an “ abuse of executive authority ” , adding : “ Never did I dream that troops ... would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional rights of their fellow citizens.
” What can Trump legally do ?
Trump is likly to face serious opposition from within the US security services if he tries to follow through on his threat to deploy troops to act against the citizens taking part in protests across the country .
Defence Secretary Mark Esper has already “ categorically opposed ” such a move , The Guardian reports .
In a televised address to the nation on Monday , the president warned that he would invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act if federal authorities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property of their residents ” .
But Esper - who “ has been supportive of Trump and has avoided contradicting him until now ” , notes the newspaper - told journalists in the Pentagon yesterday that “ the option to use active-duty forces in a law enforcement role should only be used as a matter of last resort ” .
“ We are not in one of those situations now .
I do not support invoking the Insurrection Act , ” he continued .
The act , which dates back to 1807 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deploy active duty military to maintain or restore peace in times of crisis ” , says the History channel website .
As CNN reports , the act was “ notably used in the 1950s to enforce desegregation ” , and in the following decade “ to address riots in Detroit ” .
However , “ there may be curbs on what Trump can do ” , owing to ambiguity in the act , says the broadcaster .
“ One section of the law suggests that states must first request help , but other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ require a governor or state legislature ’ s OK , such as when the president determines the situation in a state makes it impossible to enforce US laws or when citizens ’ rights are abridged ” .
Trump would be unlikely to deploy the military without governors ’ approval , according to Michael Brenner , a professor of international affairs at the University of Pittsburgh .
Brenner told the Financial Times that the legislation is “ manifestly unconstitutional ” and notes that it has “ never been tested in courts before ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of troops on the ground in their state .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In a livestreamed video message to the protesters yesterday , former president Barack Obama said that “ the young men and women of colour in this country ” , have “ witnessed too much violence and too much debt , and too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from folks who were supposed to be serving and protecting you ” .
While not directly referring to Trump ’ s handling of the crisis , Obama also “ urged mayors around the country to review their use-of-force policies ” .
That message was echoed by former defence chief Mattis , who said that “ militarising our response , as we witnessed in Washington D.C. , sets up a conflict ... between the military and civilian society ” , reports the BBC .
Mattis was referring to events earlier this week when peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rubber bullets so that Trump could walk across a park close to the White House in order to stage a photo op outside a historic church .
However , not everyone is opposed to the deployment of military force .
In a controversial opinion piece in The New York Times ( NYT ) , Republican Arkansas senator Tom Cotton has today called on the president to “ send in the troops ” .
“ One thing above all else will restore order to our streets : an overwhelming show of force to disperse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Cotton writes .
“ But local law enforcement in some cities desperately needs back-up , while delusional politicians in other cities refuse to do what ’ s necessary to uphold the rule of law.
” Cotton ’ s article has prompted a fierce backlash , with a number of NYT journalists tweeting that “ running this puts Black @ NYTimes staff in danger ” .
Critics have also pointed out that the publication of the piece coincides with the anniversary of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre , in which hundreds to thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded when troops were deployed to break up demonstrations in Beijing .


theweekuk--2020-06-04--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 4 Jun 2020

A 43-year-old German man has been identified as a key suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann .
The unnamed @ @ @ @ @ and about 6ft tall , with blond hair and a slim build , and is @ @ @ @ @ the area of Portugal ’ s Praia da Luz resort when the young girl vanished @ @ @ @ @ .
The authorities say he is currently serving a prison sentence for a sex crime @ @ @ @ @ for “ sexual contact with girls ” .

German man is key suspect in Madeleine McCann case
A 43-year-old German man has been identified as a key suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. The unnamed suspect is described as white and about 6ft tall, with blond hair and a slim build, and is known to have been in the area of Portugal’s Praia da Luz resort when the young girl vanished from there in May 2007. The authorities say he is currently serving a prison sentence for a sex crime and has two previous convictions for “sexual contact with girls”.


theweekuk--2020-06-04--Men think recycling ‘makes them look gay’

A new study claims that many men refuse to recycle because they worry that it makes them look feminine or gay .
The US research found that men eschew recycling and turning on their air conditioner to avoid looking womanly , and are also afraid of any woman who exhibits behaviours they consider to be manly .
Woman says her dogs love her sex toy A woman says her vibrator has turned into a pet toy because her dogs are enjoying it more than she is .
Chloe Jones , 23 , says she was crying tears of laughter when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room .
“ If people want to pay £40 for a dog toy they should , because they would love it , ” she says .
Isaac Newton suggested battling the plague by blending powdered toad with toad vomit to form “ lozenges , ” it has been revealed .
In previously unpublished notes , the polymath wrote that the toad should be “ suspended by the legs in a chimney for three days , ” adding that “ combining powdered toad with the excretions and serum made into lozenges and worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contagion and drew out the poison ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 new study claims that many men refuse to recycle because they worry that it makes them look feminine or gay. The US research found that men eschew recycling and turning on their air conditioner to avoid looking womanly, and are also afraid of any woman who exhibits behaviours they consider to be manly.
Woman says her dogs love her sex toy
A woman says her vibrator has turned into a pet toy because her dogs are enjoying it more than she is. Chloe Jones, 23, says she was crying tears of laughter when her dogs started chasing her vibrator around the room. “If people want to pay £40 for a dog toy they should, because they would love it,” she says.
Isaac Newton said toad vomit could fight plague
Isaac Newton suggested battling the plague by blending powdered toad with toad vomit to form “lozenges,” it has been revealed. In previously unpublished notes, the polymath wrote that the toad should be “suspended by the legs in a chimney for three days,” adding that “combining powdered toad with the excretions and serum made into lozenges and worn about the affected area drove away the contagion and drew out the poison”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-04--Instant Opinion: ‘loss of confidence in government’ could trigger second coronavirus wave

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Stephen Bush in the New Statesman On the fresh outbreak of sickness in parliament How the loss of confidence in the government could lead to a second wave of Covid-19 “ The growing perception that the government is doing the wrong things is dangerous itself .
The polling consistently shows most people think it is too early to ease the lockdown , then there ’ s the 76 per cent of people telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to vote online until the pandemic is over .
And there ’ s also the belief that Parliament 's return will cause lockdown to ‘ end ’ … The perception that the government has lost control of the disease , which a fresh outbreak in Parliament would surely trigger , might cause more damage than any other misstep the government may have made since the start of the lockdown.
” on the trouble brewing for Boris Johnson The government must act now or a triple Covid storm will destroy it “ Johnson should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which he accepts that bad mistakes have been made , where he states that the system he inherited turned out to be catastrophically unfit for purpose and where he vows to change it .
He must announce sweeping changes , high-profile sackings , greater accountability , a new policy to cocoon care homes , the abolition of PHE , the creation of British version of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , able and willing to work with the private sector , and an NHS that reports directly to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waits , the more toxic the errors of the past few months will become for him.
” on how ‘ horrible stuff ’ is not just an American problem The racism that killed George Floyd was built in Britain “ The British government could have had the humility to use this moment to acknowledge Britain ’ s experiences .
It could have discussed how Britain helped invent anti-black racism , how today ’ s US traces its racist heritage to British colonies in America , and how it was Britain that industrialised black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of apartheid all over the African continent , using the appropriation of black land , resources and labour to fight both world wars and using it again to reconstruct the peace.
” on the blue-failure to take on African-American inequality “ George Floyd .
Eric Garner .
Freddie Gray .
Rodney King .
The baleful list of the names of black men killed or brutalised by police in America is long and too familiar .
So too the list of cities where these and other acts occurred , cities now engulfed in protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Baltimore .
Los Angeles… These places have something else in common .
Every one of them is controlled by the Democratic Party .
Not just recently , or narrowly , or tenuously .
Like almost all big cities in America where most instances of racial tension have occurred of late , they are citadels of one-party rule.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how George Floyd ’ s death poured accelerant on centre-left radicalism “ Scenes of rioting , looting and the firebombing of a police station bring out the Rousseauean id of the liberal psyche and a righteous impatience to burn it all to the ground and start over .
( ‘ Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death/ The rape and rot of graft , and stealth , and lies/ We , the people , must redeem…/ And make America again !
’ ) The drift towards radicalism on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd .
Some American progressives are done with America , as the New York Times ’ s flawed , fervently defended and Pulitzer-winning 1619 Project illustrates .
The taking of another black life has poured accelerant on this process .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Stephen Bush in the New Statesman
On the fresh outbreak of sickness in parliament
How the loss of confidence in the government could lead to a second wave of Covid-19
“The growing perception that the government is doing the wrong things is dangerous itself. The polling consistently shows most people think it is too early to ease the lockdown, then there’s the 76 per cent of people telling YouGov that MPs should simply be able to vote online until the pandemic is over. And there’s also the belief that Parliament's return will cause lockdown to ‘end’… The perception that the government has lost control of the disease, which a fresh outbreak in Parliament would surely trigger, might cause more damage than any other misstep the government may have made since the start of the lockdown.”
2. Allister Heath in The Daily Telegraph
on the trouble brewing for Boris Johnson
The government must act now or a triple Covid storm will destroy it
“Johnson should give a televised address to the nation in which he accepts that bad mistakes have been made, where he states that the system he inherited turned out to be catastrophically unfit for purpose and where he vows to change it. He must announce sweeping changes, high-profile sackings, greater accountability, a new policy to cocoon care homes, the abolition of PHE, the creation of British version of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, able and willing to work with the private sector, and an NHS that reports directly to the secretary of state. The longer Johnson waits, the more toxic the errors of the past few months will become for him.”
3. Afua Hirsch in The Guardian
on how ‘horrible stuff’ is not just an American problem
The racism that killed George Floyd was built in Britain
“The British government could have had the humility to use this moment to acknowledge Britain’s experiences. It could have discussed how Britain helped invent anti-black racism, how today’s US traces its racist heritage to British colonies in America, and how it was Britain that industrialised black enslavement in the Caribbean, initiated systems of apartheid all over the African continent, using the appropriation of black land, resources and labour to fight both world wars and using it again to reconstruct the peace.”
4. Gerard Baker in The Times
on the blue-failure to take on African-American inequality
Democrats fail black voters and blame others
“George Floyd. Eric Garner. Freddie Gray. Rodney King. The baleful list of the names of black men killed or brutalised by police in America is long and too familiar. So too the list of cities where these and other acts occurred, cities now engulfed in protest and mayhem: Minneapolis. New York. Baltimore. Los Angeles… These places have something else in common. Every one of them is controlled by the Democratic Party. Not just recently, or narrowly, or tenuously. Like almost all big cities in America where most instances of racial tension have occurred of late, they are citadels of one-party rule.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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. Stephen Daisley in The Spectator
on how George Floyd’s death poured accelerant on centre-left radicalism
Liberals are wrong to defend George Floyd protest violence
“Scenes of rioting, looting and the firebombing of a police station bring out the Rousseauean id of the liberal psyche and a righteous impatience to burn it all to the ground and start over. (‘Out of the rack and ruin of our gangster death/ The rape and rot of graft, and stealth, and lies/ We, the people, must redeem…/ And make America again!’) The drift towards radicalism on the centre-left did not begin with the killing of George Floyd. Some American progressives are done with America, as the New York Times’s flawed, fervently defended and Pulitzer-winning 1619 Project illustrates. The taking of another black life has poured accelerant on this process.”


theweekuk--2020-06-04--‘Irresistins’: have scientists discovered a drug that defeats superbugs?

Scientists have discovered an antibiotic that can wipe out some of the most dangerous bacteria on Earth before they develop resistance .
The killer “ blow in the fight against superbugs ” follows a “ marathon 25-day experiment ” on so-called irresistin compounds , reports The Times .
The Princeton University researchers say the new antibiotic works like a “ poison arrow ” , piercing the outer wall of the bacteria and destroying a substance inside called folate .
Extensive laboratory testing found that irresistins work even against a strain of gonorrhoea that , according to the Daily Mail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgent threats to public health ” because it is resistant to all other antibiotics .
The scientists also managed to kill gram-negative bacteria , which The Times describes as having “ an outer layer that shrugs off most antibiotics ” .
No new classes of antibiotics to treat gram-negatives have been marketed for three decades , as the “ medicine has to be strong enough to kill the bacteria without being toxic to humans ” , adds the Mail .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Princeton team hope their discovery will lead “ to better antibiotics - and new types of antibiotics - in the future ” , says biology professor Zemer Gitai , who coauthored a paper outlining the research that has been published in the journal Cell .
Other scientists have also applauded the development .
Kerwyn Huang , a Stanford University professor of bioengineering who was not involved in the research , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibiotic development ” , The Times reports .
Antibiotic consumption in the UK peaked in 2014 but has fallen since amid fears about a global increase in antibiotic resistance .
However , usage dropped by just 6 % in the five years to 2018 , according to industry magazine The Pharmaceutical Journal .