theweekuk--2020-05-21--Instant Opinion: pride in Britain’s past ‘not matched by vision for its future’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on a nation looking backwards in place of a plan for heading forwards Britain ’ s pride in its past is not matched by any vision for its future “ Britain ’ s muddled handling of the Covid-19 crisis has put another big dent into what used to be its reputation for good government .
Although Brits have come together across the Brexit divide , England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland have each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly by Scottish nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon .
The most striking thing , however , has been the way that Britain in general , and England in particular , has reverted to a nostalgic celebration of our shared past in the second world war , with no corresponding sense of a shared future ...
The main reason , however , for there being no shared vision of the future is that ... we have no shared vision of the future .
The Johnson government , in particular , represents an ultra-Brexity ‘ very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not shared even by many Conservatives .
In Spain ’ s transition to democracy in the 1970s , after a bitter civil war and a long night of dictatorship , it was felt that the price of national unity was amnesia .
In Britain after Brexit , the price of national unity is nostalgia.
” on a government cowering behind the scientists No 10 is hiding behind secretive Sage pseudo-science “ Downing Street ’ s use of Covid pseudo-science to justify lockdown could be the greatest scandal of our time .
Granted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country was taken in a gormless panic of bug-ridden modelling and media hysteria .
But since then , has the Government ’ s strategy become more sinister ?
There ’ s almost a whiff of superstition about No 10 ’ s secretive “ evidence-based ” approach to lifting lockdown .
Ministers are peddling an esoteric assortment of ‘ precautionary ’ measures , from a scientifically baseless two-metre rule to a pointless 14-day holiday quarantine .
They are obscure and enigmatic on risks and trade-offs .
And , in the daily press conferences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hyper-paranoid public with lurid graphs and charts that propagate bogus science ... And yet our Government refuses to publish in its entirety the scientific advice that informed this seismic decision , nor share with us the up-to-date recommendations that supposedly justify its ruinously slow lifting of lockdown.
” on how the government ’ s immigration policy confuses unskilled with unnecessary “ The government now promises a system which gives preference to skilled , English-speaking , higher-earning migrants ( the salary threshold will be £25,600 ) and excludes the others .
If we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Patel era its plaque would read : ‘ Give me your huddled Nobel prize-winners , your future tech billionaires yearning to breathe free.
’ Under such a regime my own illiterate grandparents would have been turned away from the Port of London when their ship docked in 1904 .
No doubt many readers share a similar family history .
It means that when we hear the word ‘ unskilled ’ , we don ’ t equate it with ‘ undesirable ’ or even ‘ expendable in view of public opinion ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s taught us that very often unskilled workers from abroad are as essential as skilled workers , and are not responsible for taking jobs from indigenous workers ... What is well-paid turns out to bear no relation to what is valuable .
What is deemed ‘ unskilled ’ is not the same as ‘ somehow optional ’ , whether it ’ s shop workers , refuse collectors or office cleaners.
” Don ’ t clap for our carers tonight – it means nothing when the government is failing them so badly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ donations for the NHS .
Still , not a single penny can be spared by the government to serve workers better conditions because , in practical terms , our rounds of applause won ’ t get them very much .
The Covid-19 pandemic is laying bare systemic failures outside the health sector too – in the lack of support for homelessness people , in the precarity of our work , and the disproportionate impact the health crisis is having on poorer communities and people from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ’ s far more we can do to show our appreciation than clap : lobby our MPs , throw up placards in our windows , thunderously demand better for the people we depend on so much .
Because putting our hands together this Thursday will feel more like a blow to our carers and NHS workers than a cheer .
It will feel like adulation for a shocking government response.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 .
Jonathan Safran Foer in The New York Times on how the pandemic shows the way to a different type of diet The End Of Meat Is Here “ When it comes to a subject as inconvenient as meat , it is tempting to pretend unambiguous science is advocacy , to find solace in exceptions that could never be scaled and to speak about our world as if it were theoretical .
Some of the most thoughtful people I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems of animal agriculture any thought , just as I find ways to avoid thinking about climate change and income inequality , not to mention the paradoxes in my own eating life .
One of the unexpected side effects of these months of sheltering in place is that it ’ s hard not to think about the things that are essential to who we are ... Perhaps more than any other food , meat inspires both comfort and discomfort .
That can make it difficult to act on what we know and want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the center of our plates ?
This is the question that brings us to the threshold of the impossible .
On the other side is the inevitable .
With the horror of pandemic pressing from behind , and the new questioning of what is essential , we can now see the door that was always there .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Timothy Garton Ash in The Guardian
on a nation looking backwards in place of a plan for heading forwards
Britain’s pride in its past is not matched by any vision for its future
“Britain’s muddled handling of the Covid-19 crisis has put another big dent into what used to be its reputation for good government. Although Brits have come together across the Brexit divide, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have each had different public health responses, highlighted particularly by Scottish nationalist leader Nicola Sturgeon. The most striking thing, however, has been the way that Britain in general, and England in particular, has reverted to a nostalgic celebration of our shared past in the second world war, with no corresponding sense of a shared future... The main reason, however, for there being no shared vision of the future is that ... we have no shared vision of the future. The Johnson government, in particular, represents an ultra-Brexity ‘very well, alone!’ fantasy which is not shared even by many Conservatives. In Spain’s transition to democracy in the 1970s, after a bitter civil war and a long night of dictatorship, it was felt that the price of national unity was amnesia. In Britain after Brexit, the price of national unity is nostalgia.”
2. Sherelle Jacobs in The Daily Telegraph
on a government cowering behind the scientists
No 10 is hiding behind secretive Sage pseudo-science
“Downing Street’s use of Covid pseudo-science to justify lockdown could be the greatest scandal of our time. Granted, the initial decision to shut down the country was taken in a gormless panic of bug-ridden modelling and media hysteria. But since then, has the Government’s strategy become more sinister? There’s almost a whiff of superstition about No 10’s secretive “evidence-based” approach to lifting lockdown. Ministers are peddling an esoteric assortment of ‘precautionary’ measures, from a scientifically baseless two-metre rule to a pointless 14-day holiday quarantine. They are obscure and enigmatic on risks and trade-offs. And, in the daily press conferences, they continue to bewitch an already hyper-paranoid public with lurid graphs and charts that propagate bogus science... And yet our Government refuses to publish in its entirety the scientific advice that informed this seismic decision, nor share with us the up-to-date recommendations that supposedly justify its ruinously slow lifting of lockdown.”
3. David Aaronovitch in The Times
on how the government’s immigration policy confuses unskilled with unnecessary
Britain won’t work without unskilled migrants
“The government now promises a system which gives preference to skilled, English-speaking, higher-earning migrants (the salary threshold will be £25,600) and excludes the others. If we were to erect a Statue of Liberty in the Patel era its plaque would read: ‘Give me your huddled Nobel prize-winners, your future tech billionaires yearning to breathe free.’ Under such a regime my own illiterate grandparents would have been turned away from the Port of London when their ship docked in 1904. No doubt many readers share a similar family history. It means that when we hear the word ‘unskilled’, we don’t equate it with ‘undesirable’ or even ‘expendable in view of public opinion’. Which brings us to the pandemic. It’s taught us that very often unskilled workers from abroad are as essential as skilled workers, and are not responsible for taking jobs from indigenous workers... What is well-paid turns out to bear no relation to what is valuable. What is deemed ‘unskilled’ is not the same as ‘somehow optional’, whether it’s shop workers, refuse collectors or office cleaners.”
4. Sophia Akram in The Independent
on cheering and applauding a broken system
Don’t clap for our carers tonight – it means nothing when the government is failing them so badly
“Millions have been raised in charity donations for the NHS. Still, not a single penny can be spared by the government to serve workers better conditions because, in practical terms, our rounds of applause won’t get them very much. The Covid-19 pandemic is laying bare systemic failures outside the health sector too – in the lack of support for homelessness people, in the precarity of our work, and the disproportionate impact the health crisis is having on poorer communities and people from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds. It’s clear to me now that there’s far more we can do to show our appreciation than clap: lobby our MPs, throw up placards in our windows, thunderously demand better for the people we depend on so much. Because putting our hands together this Thursday will feel more like a blow to our carers and NHS workers than a cheer. It will feel like adulation for a shocking government response.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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. Jonathan Safran Foer in The New York Times
on how the pandemic shows the way to a different type of diet
The End Of Meat Is Here
“When it comes to a subject as inconvenient as meat, it is tempting to pretend unambiguous science is advocacy, to find solace in exceptions that could never be scaled and to speak about our world as if it were theoretical. Some of the most thoughtful people I know find ways not to give the problems of animal agriculture any thought, just as I find ways to avoid thinking about climate change and income inequality, not to mention the paradoxes in my own eating life. One of the unexpected side effects of these months of sheltering in place is that it’s hard not to think about the things that are essential to who we are... Perhaps more than any other food, meat inspires both comfort and discomfort. That can make it difficult to act on what we know and want. Can we really displace meat from the center of our plates? This is the question that brings us to the threshold of the impossible. On the other side is the inevitable. With the horror of pandemic pressing from behind, and the new questioning of what is essential, we can now see the door that was always there.”


theweekuk--2020-05-21--Why Trump may well lose the 2020 US election

Donald Trump is set to suffer a “ historic ” trouncing in the 2020 US presidential election , according to a respected national election model .
The model by UK-based independent advisory firm Oxford Economics uses unemployment , disposable income and inflation to forecast results - and projects that the recession resulting from the coronavirus pandemic will see the sitting president secure just 35 % of the popular vote in November .
The model has predicted the winner of the popular vote in 16 of the past 18 elections - but will it prove correct this time around ?
Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Very bad indeed .
According to the new model , Trump “ will lose in a landslide ” that represents “ the worst performance for an incumbent in a century ” , CNN says .
Prior to the global pandemic , the model showed the Republican leader cruising to victory with 55 % of the vote , but from his current position , “ it would take nothing short of an economic miracle for pocketbooks to favour Trump ” , says Oxford Economics in a report on the new analysis .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ nearly insurmountable obstacle for Trump come November ” , the report adds .
The prediction aligns with several other major projections that also show Trump losing the upcoming presidential election to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
One such analysis , from The Economist , applied a statistical technique called “ multilevel regression and poststratification ” to determine the likely winner .
The researchers drew on data from nearly 9,000 voters surveyed by YouGov in March and April , and created “ predictions for over 380,000 types , one for each combination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
“ After all the fancy maths , six months before the election , Mr Biden is six points ahead of Mr Trump , ” the magazine concluded .
“ If the vote were held today , he would probably win.
” So is it all over for the sitting president ?
Not necessarily .
Models based on economic trends alone , such as the one put together by Oxford Economics , “ are not political crystal balls ” , and trying to apply traditional modelling during a pandemic is especially difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in normal times .
But we ’ re not in normal times right now , ” Greg Valliere , chief US policy strategist at AGF Investments , told the US broadcaster .
What ’ s more , while polls indicate that Biden has a solid national lead , “ as Hillary Clinton ’ s experience in 2016 shows ... winning the popular vote nationwide is no guarantee of claiming the White House ” , says The Times .
As well as a lingering hint of scandal linked to the Ukraine inquiry that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , an allegation of sexual assault in hanging over Biden , which could prove costly come November .
Tara Reade , a former staffer to Biden , says that the then-senator assaulted her in the US Senate in 1993 .
However , the public reaction to the allegations has been “ muted ” , says FiveThirtyEight .
“ A Morning Consult/Politico poll of Democratic voters found that half of respondents said the allegations would have no bearing on whether they ’ d decide to support Biden , and 32 % of Democrats said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at all , ” the news and analysis site reports .
In the end , it could be Biden 's “ penchant for blunders ” that could harm him most , says Business Insider opinion columnist Michael Gordon .
Republican-friendly media has questioned the would-be president ’ s mental capability , which makes his sporadic public fumbles all the more damaging .
“ Generally , gaffes and mistakes hurt a candidate when they play to a narrative already concerning voters , ” Gordon says .
“ A major or sustained verbal gaffe… raises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abilities.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Will there be an election at all ?
Jared Kushner , Trump ’ s son-in-law and adviser , recently said “ I ’ m not sure I can commit one way or the other [ to holding the election this November ] , but right now that ’ s the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the implication was that Kushner believes someone else in the administration - perhaps the president himself - could decide to postpone the election , and that the November 3 election date is not set in stone ” .
However , Vox says that the president isn ’ t able to change the date of an election - at least , not without the blessing of Congress .
The biggest danger to US democracy “ is not that our election will be postponed ” , says The Nation ’ s justice correspondent Elie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that election will be restricted only to the people who are likely to vote for Donald Trump ” .
State governors “ can restrict assembly ; they can restrict travel ; they can restrict the hours people are allowed outside of their homes .
And they can place these restrictions on a county-by-county basis , meaning that your ability to assemble in a long line to vote might be predicated on what community you live in , ” Mystal writes .
Regardless of such concerns , Biden ’ s solid national lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ edge over Trump going into the last six months of the campaign .
Yet the unprecedented backdrop of the election , as the world grapples with the coronavirus crisis , means correctly guessing the final outcome has never been more tricky .
“ There is no question that American politics has been turned on its head , ” says Australia ’ s ABC News .
“ The effects will be widespread , long-lasting , and utterly impossible to predict .
”

Joe Biden has said that he is “absolutely convinced” that the military will escort Donald Trump from the White House should the president lose in November’s election but refuse to leave office. Speaking to the Daily Show’s Trevor Noah, the Democrat presidential nominee said that his single greatest concern is that Trump will “try to steal this election”. Biden cited Trump’s “baseless linking of mail-in ballots to voter fraud... and his accusations, without evidence, that Democrats are trying to rig the election” as the driving factors behind his concerns, The Guardian says. Tim Murtaugh, communications director for the Trump campaign, hit back at Biden’s remarks, describing them as a “brainless conspiracy theory” that formed part of an effort to “undermine confidence in our elections”. “President Trump has been clear that he will accept the results of the 2020 election,” Murtaugh added. The Trump campaign is currently embroiled in a battle with CNN, demanding that the broadcaster retract a “stunt and phony” poll that found the incumbent is trailing Biden by 14 points. CNN has refused the request and said it stands by its polling data. The CNN figures will not be the first poll numbers to have given the Trump campaign cause for concern. So just how likely is Trump to extend his stay in the White House? Just how bad are things looking for Trump? Very bad indeed. According to one new model, Trump “will lose in a landslide” that represents “the worst performance for an incumbent in a century”, CNN says. He is set to suffer a “historic” trouncing in the 2020 US presidential election, according to a respected national election model that has predicted the winner of the popular vote in 16 of the past 18 elections. The model by UK-based independent advisory firm Oxford Economics uses unemployment, disposable income and inflation to forecast results - and projects that the recession resulting from the coronavirus pandemic will see the sitting president secure just 35% of the popular vote in November. Skip advert Prior to the global pandemic, the model showed the Republican leader cruising to victory with 55% of the vote, but from his current position, “it would take nothing short of an economic miracle for pocketbooks to favour Trump”, says Oxford Economics in a report on the new analysis.
The damage to the economy will be a “nearly insurmountable obstacle for Trump come November”, the report adds. The prediction aligns with several other major projections that also show Trump losing the upcoming presidential election to presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden. One such analysis, from The Economist, applied a statistical technique called “multilevel regression and poststratification” to determine the likely winner. The researchers drew on data from nearly 9,000 voters surveyed by YouGov in March and April, and created “predictions for over 380,000 types, one for each combination of nine different demographic and geographical factors”. “After all the fancy maths, six months before the election, Mr Biden is six points ahead of Mr Trump,” the magazine concluded. “If the vote were held today, he would probably win.” So is it all over for the sitting president? Not necessarily. Models based on economic trends alone, such as the one put together by Oxford Economics, “are not political crystal balls”, and trying to apply traditional modelling during a pandemic is especially difficult, CNN says. “Traditional models work in normal times. But we’re not in normal times right now,” Greg Valliere, chief US policy strategist at AGF Investments, told the US broadcaster. What’s more, while polls indicate that Biden has a solid national lead, “as Hillary Clinton’s experience in 2016 shows... winning the popular vote nationwide is no guarantee of claiming the White House”, says The Times. Could Biden’s fortunes change? As well as a lingering hint of scandal linked to the Ukraine inquiry that ultimately led to Trump’s impeachment, an allegation of sexual assault in hanging over Biden, which could prove costly come November. Tara Reade, a former staffer to Biden, says that the then-senator assaulted her in the US Senate in 1993. However, the public reaction to the allegations has been “muted”, says FiveThirtyEight. “A Morning Consult/Politico poll of Democratic voters found that half of respondents said the allegations would have no bearing on whether they’d decide to support Biden, and 32% of Democrats said that he hadn’t behaved inappropriately at all,” the news and analysis site reports. Skip advert In the end, it could be Biden's “penchant for blunders” that could harm him most, says Business Insider opinion columnist Michael Gordon. Republican-friendly media has questioned the would-be president’s mental capability, which makes his sporadic public fumbles all the more damaging. “Generally, gaffes and mistakes hurt a candidate when they play to a narrative already concerning voters,” Gordon says. “A major or sustained verbal gaffe… raises concerns about Biden’s alleged cognitive abilities.”


theweekuk--2020-05-21--Woman at centre of Roe v. Wade abortion case took bribe to switch sides

A woman who played a central part in the historic Roe v. Wade US court case confessed on her deathbed that she was paid to speak out against abortion in later life , a new documentary reveals .
Norma McCorvey - who used the pseudonym “ Jane Roe ” as the plaintiff in the landmark 1973 case - triggered widespread shock in the 1990s when she disavowed her role in legalising abortion and became a vocal pro-life campaigner .
But in a “ deathbed confession ” filmed shortly before her death , McCorvey revealed she accepted a series of payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £370,000 ) - from ultra-evangelical Christian groups to become an anti-abortion activist , The Times reports .
“ I was the big fish ...
I took their money and they ’ d put me out in front of the cameras and tell me what to say , ” McCorvey told the makers of AKA Jane Doe .
“ It was all an act.
” An anti-abortion group that McCorvey claimed made the payments , Operation Rescue , has denied the claims , reports The Independent .
“ There is no way her Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” the organisation ’ s president Troy Newman said in a statement .
The new documentary chronicles McCorvey ’ s life from her “ troubled , impoverished youth as a sexual abuse survivor ” and her marriage at the age of 16 , according to the BBC .
McCorvey was in her mid-20s and pregnant with her third child when she was referred to two lawyers , Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee , who “ were on the hunt for a plaintiff to help to overturn Texas ’ s strict laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother ’ s life ” , adds The Times .
McCorvey “ fitted the bill ” .
Henry Wade was the Texas attorney general who defended the anti-abortion law .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 case was taken to the Supreme Court , where justices ruled 7-2 that a woman ’ s right to terminate her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice in family matters , as protected by the US Constitution - a ruling that effectively legalised the procedure across the nation .
However , McCorvey - who died of heart failure in 2017 at the age of 69 - had long since had her baby and given it up for adoption by the time the court delivered its judgment .
AKA Jane Doe premieres at 9pm on Friday on FX , and is available on Hulu from Saturday .

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theweekuk--2020-05-22--Instant Opinion: NHS migrant dispute shows government is both ‘cruel and useless’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on the government ’ s U-turn on the migrant healthcare fee The NHS surcharge debacle reveals a government both cruel and useless “ Voters will occasionally forgive a government they deem heartless , if they reckon it has the steel to get the job done .
They might even , though rarely , forgive a government they deem incompetent , if they believe its heart is in the right place .
What they will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncaring and useless .
And yet that is precisely the judgment that now hovers over Boris Johnson and the administration he leads .
Johnson had surely intuited as much when he performed his rubber-burning U-turn late on Thursday , ditching his previous insistence , reiterated 24 hours earlier , that foreign-born NHS and care workers must pay an extra fee for the privilege of using a service that could not function without them .
The notion of such a surcharge reeked of meanness of spirit , the demand that it increase from £400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly pungent : even Scrooge didn ’ t clap on the doorstep for those from whom he was squeezing every penny.
” 2 .
Ed Conway , economics editor of Sky News , in The Times on Britain ’ s shift to a European , not US , economy Is Britain falling in love with big state again ?
“ Only a few months ago the fashionable theory was that having left the EU Britain would stake out a new identity as a low-tax , low-regulation haven a bit like the Asian city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Covid-19 we have done the opposite .
Britain , it turns out , is not Singapore - and not just when it comes to containing the virus .
We have adopted economic policies that have typically been considered German and French and implemented them with gusto .
The state is now paying the wages of ten million workers , offering guaranteed loans to small businesses , investing in start-ups and helping to finance multinationals ... Government taking permanent stakes in businesses ?
It doesn ’ t sound very British , but then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t necessarily fit the conventional wisdom .
The state is spending more and taxing more than for generations , yet the British people seem quite happy about it .
Having left the EU , we are in some senses drifting closer to Europe rather than further away.
” on the delayed decision to take travel precautions The UK ’ s travel quarantine plan is too little , too late “ For the incarcerated mum trying to home school , the pensioner facing another dreary day in self-isolation or the business choking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bustling Heathrow arrivals hall was a slap in the face for their own dedicated capitulation to the rules .
So why introduce quarantine now ?
Understandably , there will be those who simply don ’ t have the cash to even consider a foreign break this summer .
But I would wager that even the most hard-pressed would try to scramble funding together to attempt a getaway .
After all now , more than ever , holidays aren ’ t just an indulgence .
For many they could be a life-saver .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the nation ’ s mental health .
The prospect of planning an escape to somewhere warmer is vital to help drive away the black dog and bleak despair so many have succumbed to over the past few months ...
The British public shouldn ’ t have to pay the price for a dithering administration which failed to act when opportunity presented itself .
Going away this year ?
Might be a question those with long memories may ask the Government on polling day.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 4 .
Tom Mitchell in the Financial Times on a dictator forced to play the role of a distractor Xi distracts from own failings with Hong Kong security law “ In a single stroke on Thursday night , Mr Xi essentially asked the people of China : ‘ Are you with me or are you with Hong Kong ’ s protesters and Mr Trump ?
’ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simple question before he asked it .
If China had a real parliament , some delegates might now be asking Mr Xi some difficult questions .
Would not China ’ s economic prospects look much better if the president had not risked a new cycle of mass protests in Hong Kong and further deterioration in relations with the US and let the focus of this year ’ s parliament rest firmly on Mr Li and the state council ’ s economic recovery plans ?
The NPC is not a real parliament , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Its unintentional but most enduring image this year will be of the president , sitting without a mask , surrounded by thousands of delegates with their mouths covered.
” 5 .
Sonia Falerio in The New York Times on the disturbing trend in the UK ’ s Covid-19 death statistics Britain ’ s Ethnic Minorities Are Being Left for Dead “ The pandemic may affect us all , but its effects are not equal .
In Britain , which has the highest death toll from the coronavirus after the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequality .
As in America , ethnic minorities — exposed at work and subject to social neglect - are disproportionately falling victim .
And the government is doing little to stop it .
The ethnic divides in the data are stark .
In England and Wales , according to a recent report , black people are nearly twice as likely to die of the coronavirus as white people , while Indians , Bangladeshis and Pakistanis are also at a significantly higher risk .
Thirty-three percent of critically ill coronavirus patients are from ethnic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ethnic minorities make up only 19.5 percent of the population and are on average younger than white Britons , the figures are damning .
But not necessarily surprising .
As we know , underprivileged people are much more likely to contract the virus .
And in Britain , people of color have , on average , a lower standard of living than whites .
The pandemic ’ s disproportionate toll was foreseeable .
The government could have predicted , and perhaps prevented , many deaths .
It did not .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Jonathan Freedland in The Guardian
on the government’s U-turn on the migrant healthcare fee
The NHS surcharge debacle reveals a government both cruel and useless
“Voters will occasionally forgive a government they deem heartless, if they reckon it has the steel to get the job done. They might even, though rarely, forgive a government they deem incompetent, if they believe its heart is in the right place. What they will never forgive is a government that is both uncaring and useless. And yet that is precisely the judgment that now hovers over Boris Johnson and the administration he leads. Johnson had surely intuited as much when he performed his rubber-burning U-turn late on Thursday, ditching his previous insistence, reiterated 24 hours earlier, that foreign-born NHS and care workers must pay an extra fee for the privilege of using a service that could not function without them. The notion of such a surcharge reeked of meanness of spirit, the demand that it increase from £400 to £624 stank. The hypocrisy was particularly pungent: even Scrooge didn’t clap on the doorstep for those from whom he was squeezing every penny.”
2. Ed Conway, economics editor of Sky News, in The Times
on Britain’s shift to a European, not US, economy
Is Britain falling in love with big state again?
“Only a few months ago the fashionable theory was that having left the EU Britain would stake out a new identity as a low-tax, low-regulation haven a bit like the Asian city state. Except that in the face of Covid-19 we have done the opposite. Britain, it turns out, is not Singapore - and not just when it comes to containing the virus. We have adopted economic policies that have typically been considered German and French and implemented them with gusto. The state is now paying the wages of ten million workers, offering guaranteed loans to small businesses, investing in start-ups and helping to finance multinationals... Government taking permanent stakes in businesses? It doesn’t sound very British, but then it turns out the British economic model doesn’t necessarily fit the conventional wisdom. The state is spending more and taxing more than for generations, yet the British people seem quite happy about it. Having left the EU, we are in some senses drifting closer to Europe rather than further away.”
3. Angela Epstein in The Daily Telegraph
on the delayed decision to take travel precautions
The UK’s travel quarantine plan is too little, too late
“For the incarcerated mum trying to home school, the pensioner facing another dreary day in self-isolation or the business choking to survive, the frustrating sight of a bustling Heathrow arrivals hall was a slap in the face for their own dedicated capitulation to the rules. So why introduce quarantine now? Understandably, there will be those who simply don’t have the cash to even consider a foreign break this summer. But I would wager that even the most hard-pressed would try to scramble funding together to attempt a getaway. After all now, more than ever, holidays aren’t just an indulgence. For many they could be a life-saver. The price of lockdown has been incalculable for the nation’s mental health. The prospect of planning an escape to somewhere warmer is vital to help drive away the black dog and bleak despair so many have succumbed to over the past few months... The British public shouldn’t have to pay the price for a dithering administration which failed to act when opportunity presented itself. Going away this year? Might be a question those with long memories may ask the Government on polling day.”


theweekuk--2020-05-22--Quarter of Americans have ‘little or no interest’ in getting Covid-19 vaccine

Most of the world is desperately awaiting the emergence of a Covid-19 vaccine but not everybody is so keen , according to polling .
Indeed , a quarter of Americans have “ little or no interest ” in getting vaccinated against the new coronavirus , a newly published Reuters/Ipsos poll found .
Some respondents “ voiced concern that the record pace at which vaccine candidates are being developed could compromise safety ” , the news agency reports .
Senior health advisors fear that Donald Trump ’ s name for the US vaccine development project , Operation Warp Speed , further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antivaxers ’ that the medicine will be rushed out and therefore potentially dangerous ” , adds The Times .
The results also reveals a “ potential trust issue ” for the Trump administration , which is “ already under fire for its often contradictory safety guidance during the pandemic ” , says Reuters .
Of more than 4,400 adults questioned for the poll , 36 % said they would be even less willing to take a vaccine if their president claimed the drug was safe , compared with only 14 % who would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conducted in the week up to 19 May - during which time Trump revealed that he is taking daily doses of hydroxychloroquine to ward off the coronavirus , despite health officials repeatedly warning that the malaria drug may be unsafe .
Less than two-thirds of respondents said they were “ very ” or “ somewhat ” interested in a vaccine , while 14 % of respondents said they were “ not at all ” keen - much to the surprise of some health experts , as the US coronavirus death toll continues to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease and vaccine expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville , said the level of public support for a vaccine “ a little lower than I thought it would be with all the attention to Covid-19 ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Earlier this month , USA Today reported that a separate survey of more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third believed a vaccine for coronavirus already exists , but is being withheld from the public .
The paper said that the findings reveal a “ mistrust in institutions ” at just the time citizens need to “ rely on government , health and other leaders amid the outbreak ” .


theweekuk--2020-05-22--52 ideas that changed the world - 48. Fashion

In this series , The Week looks at the ideas and innovations that permanently changed the way we see the world .
This week , the spotlight is on fashion : Fashion is the expression of a specific aesthetic style that is popular in a particular time and context .
It usually refers to things worn by a person : clothing , accessories , footwear , make-up , hairstyles and tattoos and piercings .
“ Fashion ’ s sizeable social scope and requisite expiration date is what makes it so useful as a marker of time , ” says Henry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at Toronto ’ s Ryerson University , in an article on The Conversation .
The term “ fashion industry ” generally refers to the global business of selling clothes .
“ Some observers distinguish between the fashion industry ( which makes ‘ high fashion ’ ) and the apparel industry ( which makes ordinary clothes or ‘ mass fashion ’ ) ” , says Encyclopaedia Brittanica , although “ by the 1970s the boundaries between them had blurred ” .
How did it develop ?
Fashion by definition is ever changing but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first began wearing clothing around 170,000 years ago , according to a 2011 study published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution .
However , around 30,000 years ago , clothes became significantly more sophisticated .
In 2009 , researchers discovered coloured fibres believed to be from clothes in a cave near the site of Stone Age settlements in the foothills of the Caucasus in Georgia , according to a paper published in Science Magazine .
“ This suggests that clothes were becoming more than just useful .
They also served decorative purposes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ becoming symbolic , ” says the BBC .
“ When you look at contemporary hunter-gatherers who don ’ t use clothing , they decorate themselves brilliantly with body painting .
You don ’ t need clothing in order to do that , ” Ian Gilligan of the University of Sydney told the broadcaster .
But when clothes started to be worn for practical purposes such as warding off the cold , the decorative function was moved to these garments .
“ Once that happens , humans need clothing for that social purpose as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Gilligan .
This could explain how clothes became part of humans ’ identity , and how fashion naturally followed .
“ What ’ s more , by signalling that we belong to particular social or political groups , they can also set us apart from one another , ” says the BBC .
The concept of fashion as it is known today began in the late 18th century , when the idea of clothes as a form of self-expression became more popular , says the Fashion History Timeline site .
“ By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheaper copies of fashionable styles , allowing members of all classes to partake in fashionable dress .
Thus , fashion begins to represent an expression of individuality .
The constant change in dress mirrored political and social ideals of the time , ” the website adds .
Queen Marie Antoinette ’ s dressmaker , Marie Jeanne Bertin , known as Rose Bertin , had a “ significant impact on the fashion of the period and laid the foundations for the future of Parisian haute couture ” , says the Chateau de Versailles website @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , launching new clothing trends and hairstyles , made her a key ally of the French queen and she soon became regarded as the unofficial “ Minister of Fashion ” .
But Bertin was one of the first victims of the fickle nature of fashion : on returning to the capital in 1795 after fleeing during the French Revolution , she found Parisian fashion turned on its head .
“ Bertin 's style , identified so closely with the excesses of the monarchy , was utterly out of vogue .
Rose Bertin fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1813 , ” says the palace website .
Nevertheless , Paris had emerged as the fashion capital , and it was from the city that fashion explicitly and expressly designed for individuals continued to spread .
By the mid 20th century , fashion garments were being mass produced and people had never had more choice of what to wear .
“ Towards the end of the 20th century , fashion awareness among people increased , and they began choosing clothes for themselves based on comfort and their own style , instead of relying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says the Fibre2Fashion site .
How did it change the world ?
The symbiotic relationship between fashion and politics has had a significant impact on the world as we know it .
Fashion not only reflects ideological and political shifts but can also play a role in furthering the aims of political movements .
The suffragettes were one group who knew the importance of sartorial choices in gaining popular support .
“ The suffragettes took care to ‘ appeal to the eye ’ – particularly when in full glare of media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writes Cally Blackman , author of A Portrait of Fashion , in an article for The Guardian .
“ The avoidance of sartorial affront worked .
Membership numbers grew , and it became fashionable to identify with the struggle for the vote .
Suffragettes wore purple for loyalty and dignity , white for purity , and green for hope , ” Blackman continues , adding that campaigners tactics was “ an early triumph for fashion branding ” .
Decades later , in the US , the Black Panthers wore black bloc - “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence if necessary ” , says fashion professor Delgado on The Conversation .
Indeed , our choices of clothing often have some meaning behind them - even choosing not to put too much thought into our outfits is a choice in itself .
A 2012 study by researchers from Illinois ’ Northwestern University found that wearing specific articles of clothing had an effect on the wearer ’ s psychology and performance .
“ For example , a lab coat is associated with intelligence and scientific thinking .
When a person wears a lab @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coat seem to have positive effects on their performance of specific tasks , ” says Deutsche Welle .
“ What we wear , and the symbolic meaning we associate with specific fashion items , has measurable effects on our mental state , ” adds the German newspaper .
As well as allowing greater individual expression , fashion has become a major global industry that is now worth about £2tn ( $ 1.5tn ) , according to the BBC .
However , this commercialisation of clothes in the form of fast fashion - the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catwalk designs - has come at a steep environmental cost .
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) has calculated the fashion industry produces 10 % of global carbon dioxide emissions , reports The Guardian .

In this series, The Week looks at the ideas and innovations that permanently changed the way we see the world. This week, the spotlight is on fashion: Fashion in 60 seconds Fashion is the expression of a specific aesthetic style that is popular in a particular time and context. It usually refers to things worn by a person: clothing, accessories, footwear, make-up, hairstyles and tattoos and piercings. “Fashion’s sizeable social scope and requisite expiration date is what makes it so useful as a marker of time,” says Henry Navarro Delgado, assistant professor of fashion at Toronto’s Ryerson University, in an article on The Conversation. The term “fashion industry” generally refers to the global business of selling clothes. “Some observers distinguish between the fashion industry (which makes ‘high fashion’) and the apparel industry (which makes ordinary clothes or ‘mass fashion’)”, says Encyclopaedia Brittanica, although “by the 1970s the boundaries between them had blurred”. How did it develop? Fashion by definition is ever changing but it is not a new concept. Humans first began wearing clothing around 170,000 years ago, according to a 2011 study published in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution. However, around 30,000 years ago, clothes became significantly more sophisticated. In 2009, researchers discovered coloured fibres believed to be from clothes in a cave near the site of Stone Age settlements in the foothills of the Caucasus in Georgia, according to a paper published in Science Magazine. “This suggests that clothes were becoming more than just useful. They also served decorative purposes. In other words, clothes were becoming symbolic,” says the BBC. “When you look at contemporary hunter-gatherers who don’t use clothing, they decorate themselves brilliantly with body painting. You don’t need clothing in order to do that,” Ian Gilligan of the University of Sydney told the broadcaster. But when clothes started to be worn for practical purposes such as warding off the cold, the decorative function was moved to these garments. “Once that happens, humans need clothing for that social purpose as well as any thermal purpose,” says Gilligan. Skip advert This could explain how clothes became part of humans’ identity, and how fashion naturally followed.
“What’s more, by signalling that we belong to particular social or political groups, they can also set us apart from one another,” says the BBC. The concept of fashion as it is known today began in the late 18th century, when the idea of clothes as a form of self-expression became more popular, says the Fashion History Timeline site. “By 1750, the consumer revolution brought about cheaper copies of fashionable styles, allowing members of all classes to partake in fashionable dress. Thus, fashion begins to represent an expression of individuality. The constant change in dress mirrored political and social ideals of the time,” the website adds. Queen Marie Antoinette’s dressmaker, Marie Jeanne Bertin, known as Rose Bertin, had a “significant impact on the fashion of the period and laid the foundations for the future of Parisian haute couture”, says the Chateau de Versailles website. Bertin’s influence on fashion, launching new clothing trends and hairstyles, made her a key ally of the French queen and she soon became regarded as the unofficial “Minister of Fashion”. But Bertin was one of the first victims of the fickle nature of fashion: on returning to the capital in 1795 after fleeing during the French Revolution, she found Parisian fashion turned on its head. “Bertin's style, identified so closely with the excesses of the monarchy, was utterly out of vogue. Rose Bertin fell into anonymity and died on 22 September 1813,” says the palace website. Nevertheless, Paris had emerged as the fashion capital, and it was from the city that fashion explicitly and expressly designed for individuals continued to spread. By the mid 20th century, fashion garments were being mass produced and people had never had more choice of what to wear. “Towards the end of the 20th century, fashion awareness among people increased, and they began choosing clothes for themselves based on comfort and their own style, instead of relying on the trends prevailing in the market,” says the Fibre2Fashion site. How did it change the world? The symbiotic relationship between fashion and politics has had a significant impact on the world as we know it. Fashion not only reflects ideological and political shifts but can also play a role in furthering the aims of political movements. Skip advert The suffragettes were one group who knew the importance of sartorial choices in gaining popular support. “The suffragettes took care to ‘appeal to the eye’– particularly when in full glare of media attention on parade or demonstrating,” writes Cally Blackman, author of A Portrait of Fashion, in an article for The Guardian.


theweekuk--2020-05-22--Reaction: Boris Johnson U-turns on surcharge for NHS migrant workers

The government has axed the NHS surcharge for foreign health and care workers amid threats of a rebellion by Conservative MPs .
Boris Johnson has asked the Department for Health and the Home Office to exempt migrant staff from the levy - or as The Independent puts it , from paying “ to access the very health service they are supporting ” - “ as soon as possible ” , a Downing Street spokesperson said .
Keir Starmer labelled the U-turn “ a victory for common decency ” , adding : “ We can not clap our carers one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NHS the next.
” Johnson had faced “ escalating tension from within his own ranks ” after the Labour leader grilled him about the charge during Prime Minister ’ s Questions on Wednesday , says The Guardian .
The Tory leader “ bowed to massive pressure ” after senior Conservative MPs described the surcharge as “ immoral ” and “ mean-spirited ” , adds the Daily Mail .
The policy reversal , announced on Thursday evening , marked the PM ’ s second U-turn in 24 hours , after he also said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHS bereavement scheme .
Johnson had “ fuelled ” anger over the NHS surcharge during PMQs by suggesting that the policy “ raised £900m in essential funding for the health service ” , the newspaper reports .
“ That prompted the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies ( IFS ) to wade in , saying that in fact the 225,000 foreign NHS staff and care workers accounted for only around £90m a year.
” Workers from outside the European Economic Area who come to the UK currently have to pay an annual £400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NHS , and the charge is due to rise to £624 this October .
However , all migrant NHS staff have now been exempted , including health workers , porters , cleaners and social care staff .
Doctors , nurses and paramedics don ’ t have to pay either , having previously been granted a one-year exemption .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Morally indefensible in normal times , the surcharge became politically untenable at a time when these people are being asked to put their lives on the line , ” says The Independent in a scathing editorial .
The newspaper notes that many of the staff who would have had to pay the levy are from black , Asian and minority ethnic ( BAME ) backgrounds , “ for whom the mortality rate is distressingly higher than average ” and who “ should not be charged for the privilege of helping to save @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times says the U-turn is “ a victory for Sir Keir Starmer ” , a verdict echoed by The Daily Telegraph ’ s parliamentary sketch writer Michael Deacon .
“ First : a correction .
In [ Wednesday ’ s ] sketch I may have given the impression that PMQs was a draw .
I was wrong .
Sir Keir Starmer won , ” Deacon writes .
However , the change of heart “ shouldn ’ t necessarily be viewed as a setback ” for Johnson , he adds .
“ U-turns aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In fact , they can be a sign of strength .
Because a good leader listens .
“ And a good leader of the opposition forces him to do so.
” Johnson may also have been listening to what voters have to say .
A snap YouGov poll found of almost 2,000 people found that 48 % of Conservative voters thought that carers coming to Britain should not have to pay to use the NHS , versus 43 % who said they should .
Among Labour voters , the verdict was 68 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an overall total of 58 % of respondents opposed the NHS surcharge .

The government has axed the NHS surcharge for foreign health and care workers amid threats of a rebellion by Conservative MPs.
Boris Johnson has asked the Department for Health and the Home Office to exempt migrant staff from the levy - or as The Independent puts it, from paying “to access the very health service they are supporting” - “as soon as possible”, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
Keir Starmer labelled the U-turn “a victory for common decency”, adding: “We cannot clap our carers one day and then charge them to use our NHS the next.”
Johnson had faced “escalating tension from within his own ranks” after the Labour leader grilled him about the charge during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, says The Guardian.
The Tory leader “bowed to massive pressure” after senior Conservative MPs described the surcharge as “immoral” and “mean-spirited”, adds the Daily Mail.
The policy reversal, announced on Thursday evening, marked the PM’s second U-turn in 24 hours, after he also said that migrant workers will now be included in the NHS bereavement scheme.
Johnson had “fuelled” anger over the NHS surcharge during PMQs by suggesting that the policy “raised £900m in essential funding for the health service”, the newspaper reports. “That prompted the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) to wade in, saying that in fact the 225,000 foreign NHS staff and care workers accounted for only around £90m a year.”
Workers from outside the European Economic Area who come to the UK currently have to pay an annual £400 fee even if they do not use the NHS, and the charge is due to rise to £624 this October. However, all migrant NHS staff have now been exempted, including health workers, porters, cleaners and social care staff.
Doctors, nurses and paramedics don’t have to pay either, having previously been granted a one-year exemption.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
“Morally indefensible in normal times, the surcharge became politically untenable at a time when these people are being asked to put their lives on the line,” says The Independent in a scathing editorial.
The newspaper notes that many of the staff who would have had to pay the levy are from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, “for whom the mortality rate is distressingly higher than average” and who “should not be charged for the privilege of helping to save the lives of others”.
The Times says the U-turn is “a victory for Sir Keir Starmer”, a verdict echoed by The Daily Telegraph’s parliamentary sketch writer Michael Deacon.
“First: a correction. In [Wednesday’s] sketch I may have given the impression that PMQs was a draw. I was wrong. Sir Keir Starmer won,” Deacon writes.
However, the change of heart “shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a setback” for Johnson, he adds. “U-turns aren’t always a sign of weakness. In fact, they can be a sign of strength. Because a good leader listens.
“And a good leader of the opposition forces him to do so.”
Johnson may also have been listening to what voters have to say.
A snap YouGov poll found of almost 2,000 people found that 48% of Conservative voters thought that carers coming to Britain should not have to pay to use the NHS, versus 43% who said they should.
Among Labour voters, the verdict was 68% and 21% respectively, while an overall total of 58% of respondents opposed the NHS surcharge.


theweekuk--2020-05-22--The Week Unwrapped: Skin hunger, Taiwan and the University of Zoom

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : pod25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : Worldwide lockdowns have triggered an epidemic of “ skin hunger ” , or affection deprivation , with experts warning that lack of physical contact can harm both our minds and bodies .
So why is touch so important to humans and could coronavirus change how we interact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in for a second term as president of Taiwan this week , she gave a bullish speech warning Beijing not to interfere in Taiwanese politics .
China doesn ’ t recognise Taiwan as an independent nation , and has blocked its membership of the World Health Organization despite the coronavirus pandemic .
Taiwan , one of the countries which has successfully contained the virus , now feels it has the moral authority - and confidence - to make its case .
Cambridge has cancelled all traditional lectures from September , replacing large-group teaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next academic year .
Many other universities are considering similar moves , in what may turn out to be a tipping point for higher education .
Until now they have tended to be populated largely by young and comparatively affluent people , but more flexible online courses might draw from a wider pool of students .
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts .

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: pod25 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Skin hunger
Worldwide lockdowns have triggered an epidemic of “skin hunger”, or affection deprivation, with experts warning that lack of physical contact can harm both our minds and bodies. So why is touch so important to humans and could coronavirus change how we interact post-pandemic?
Taiwanese self-confidence
After Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in for a second term as president of Taiwan this week, she gave a bullish speech warning Beijing not to interfere in Taiwanese politics. China doesn’t recognise Taiwan as an independent nation, and has blocked its membership of the World Health Organization despite the coronavirus pandemic. Taiwan, one of the countries which has successfully contained the virus, now feels it has the moral authority - and confidence - to make its case.
Online education
Cambridge has cancelled all traditional lectures from September, replacing large-group teaching with online tuition for the whole of the next academic year. Many other universities are considering similar moves, in what may turn out to be a tipping point for higher education. Until now they have tended to be populated largely by young and comparatively affluent people, but more flexible online courses might draw from a wider pool of students.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts.


theweekuk--2020-05-22--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 22 May 2020

Keir Starmer says mental health services must be boosted to help the UK respond to “ the hidden cost ” @ @ @ @ @ Writing for The Independent , the Labour leader said “ long-term effects ” will be @ @ @ @ @ the frontline of the battle against Covid-19 in hospitals and care homes , the bereaved @ @ @ @ @ to live in isolation .

Starmer says mental health faces ‘hidden coronavirus cost’
Keir Starmer says mental health services must be boosted to help the UK respond to “the hidden cost” of the coronavirus pandemic. Writing for The Independent, the Labour leader said “long-term effects” will be felt by key workers on the frontline of the battle against Covid-19 in hospitals and care homes, the bereaved and those forced by lockdown to live in isolation.


theweekuk--2020-05-22--Penguin poo sends scientists ‘completely cuckoo’

Scientists say they have got high on the nitrous oxide released by penguin poo .
The levels of the laughing gas given off by the faeces of a colony on the Atlantic island of South Georgia was about 100 times higher than in a fertilised field .
Professor Bo Elberling , of the University of Copenhagen , said the “ truly intense ” amount of nitrous oxide inhaled was enough to send someone “ completely cuckoo ” .
A first edition of Harry Potter book which was found in a skip has sold for £33,000 at auction .
The rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Stone was discovered by a teacher outside a school while tidying its library before an Ofsted inspection .
After the auction , he said : “ To say I 'm pleased is an understatement.
” A herd of cows has trotted through the streets of a Welsh town .
A video shows one of the cows has a plastic chair stuck over its head .
Noah Williamson , 12 , filmed the footage in Southgate , Gower , after he and his brother darted out of the way of the oncoming animals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Scientists say they have got high on the nitrous oxide released by penguin poo. The levels of the laughing gas given off by the faeces of a colony on the Atlantic island of South Georgia was about 100 times higher than in a fertilised field. Professor Bo Elberling, of the University of Copenhagen, said the “truly intense” amount of nitrous oxide inhaled was enough to send someone “completely cuckoo”.
Harry Potter book found in skip auctions for £33,000
A first edition of Harry Potter book which was found in a skip has sold for £33,000 at auction. The rare hardback of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was discovered by a teacher outside a school while tidying its library before an Ofsted inspection. After the auction, he said: “To say I'm pleased is an understatement.”
Cows trot through Welsh town
A herd of cows has trotted through the streets of a Welsh town. A video shows one of the cows has a plastic chair stuck over its head. Noah Williamson, 12, filmed the footage in Southgate, Gower, after he and his brother darted out of the way of the oncoming animals.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-05-21--Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 May

Quiz of The Week: 16 - 22 May

This week saw the number of coronavirus cases recorded worldwide pass five million , just days after the UK followed many other European countries in launching the first phase of easing lockdown restrictions .
As Britons headed outdoors to enjoy a mini heatwave that saw temperatures soaring nationwide , the debate over when to reopen primary schools also grew increasingly heated .
Government ministers were sticking to the 1 June target , and the British Medical Association changed its guidance to back the plan , but many local councils and teaching unions remain unconvinced .
There was further debate as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bar “ low-skilled workers ” from entering Britain passed its first reading .
And the government triggered yet more controversy by tabling its long-promised bill to reform terrorism laws .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest political rows and developments in the coronavirus pandemic , as well as other global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days ?
Brits planning their summer holidays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head off abroad after all , following reports that so-called “ air bridges ” may be formed to allow travel between countries with low coronavirus infection rates .
In the US , President Donald Trump set eyes rolling once again by revealing that he is taking malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to fend off Covid-19 , despite public health officials warning that it may be unsafe .
But Trump seems willing to take a gamble to protect his health as he fights to retain his presidency - a challenge that he looks set to lose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is predicting the incumbent will suffer a “ historic ” defeat in the November election .
Over in East Asia , Taiwan ’ s President Tsai Ing-wen warned China that she would “ not accept ” any attempt to “ downgrade ” her country , as she was sworn in for a second term .
Her defiant stance reflects growing national self-belief in Taiwan , as the island ’ s push for independence is bolstered by global praise for its swift and effective response to the coronavirus pandemic .
By contrast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Sweden ’ s handling of the crisis , as the Nordic nation this week records the world ’ s highest death rate per capita .
On a lighter note , if you ’ re growing weary of lockdowns and health warnings , we may have the answer .
A luxury furniture brand is seeking a professional bed tester to review its products - meaning one lucky applicant will be paid to sleep through the pandemic .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

This week saw the number of coronavirus cases recorded worldwide pass five million, just days after the UK followed many other European countries in launching the first phase of easing lockdown restrictions.
As Britons headed outdoors to enjoy a mini heatwave that saw temperatures soaring nationwide, the debate over when to reopen primary schools also grew increasingly heated. Government ministers were sticking to the 1 June target, and the British Medical Association changed its guidance to back the plan, but many local councils and teaching unions remain unconvinced.
There was further debate as a divisive Tory immigration bill that would bar “low-skilled workers” from entering Britain passed its first reading. And the government triggered yet more controversy by tabling its long-promised bill to reform terrorism laws.
To find out how closely you’ve been paying attention to the latest political rows and developments in the coronavirus pandemic, as well as other global events, put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week:
Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days?
Brits planning their summer holidays are hoping they may be able to head off abroad after all, following reports that so-called “air bridges” may be formed to allow travel between countries with low coronavirus infection rates.
In the US, President Donald Trump set eyes rolling once again by revealing that he is taking malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to fend off Covid-19, despite public health officials warning that it may be unsafe. But Trump seems willing to take a gamble to protect his health as he fights to retain his presidency - a challenge that he looks set to lose, according to a respected vote model that is predicting the incumbent will suffer a “historic” defeat in the November election.
Over in East Asia, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen warned China that she would “not accept” any attempt to “downgrade” her country, as she was sworn in for a second term. Her defiant stance reflects growing national self-belief in Taiwan, as the island’s push for independence is bolstered by global praise for its swift and effective response to the coronavirus pandemic.
By contrast, a question mark remains over the wisdom of Sweden’s handling of the crisis, as the Nordic nation this week records the world’s highest death rate per capita.
On a lighter note, if you’re growing weary of lockdowns and health warnings, we may have the answer.
A luxury furniture brand is seeking a professional bed tester to review its products - meaning one lucky applicant will be paid to sleep through the pandemic.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-05-21--Four of the best new luxury watches

Four of the best new luxury watches

The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ( above ) “ feels like it took 26 years to get right ” , says Cole Pennington on Hodinkee .
Past designs teetered back and forth between luxury watch and utilitarian tool and if it weren ’ t for the on-screen endorsement by Pierce Brosnan , “ the suavest Bond of them all ” , would the watch have hung around in Omega ’ s lineup for as long as it has ?
It ’ s a good thing it did , says Pennington .
The changes Omega has made in this latest incarnation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The newest case is 13.5mm thick and 42mm wide .
The Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer ( pictured ) is water resistant to up to 300 metres and the dial has been changed to highly polished ceramic from enamel , which “ serves as a perfect canvas for a laser-etched wave pattern ” .
From £4,170 , omegawatches.com It is fitting that Breitling , whose brand extols derring-do and pioneering adventuring in the face of adversity , has continued to plough on despite the challenges coronavirus has caused for the watch industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Breitling Superocean Heritage ’ 57 Capsule Collection – based on the brand ’ s original dive watch , the 1957 SuperOcean – is “ a tribute to the laid-back lifestyle of the surfers of the 1950s and 1960s ” .
The 42mm watch is available with a classic black dial on a black vintage-inspired strap , but also in a colourful limited version – only 250 are being made .
It is the “ embodiment of pure bohemian chic ” and is “ surely one of 2020 ’ s most notable releases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re looking to stay away from mass-produced timepieces and instead want something unique , you ’ re not alone .
The demand for customisable luxury watches is on the rise and , “ when it comes to understanding the true meaning of luxury ” , the world ’ s oldest diamond company is “ a master ” , says Tracey Llewellyn in The Daily Telegraph .
For watch and jewellery maker Backes & Strauss , founded in 1789 , commissions from private clients are nothing new , but CEO Vartkess Knadjian has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pieces .
The client has the option to select the case material and gemstones , as well as their cuts and setting , and whether the dial is gem-set , enamelled or hand-painted .
Prices range from £50,000 to well over £1m , backesandstrauss.com The historic master of the thin watch , Piaget , had its record for the thinnest mechanical watch broken by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 2015 , says Tim Auld in the FT 's How To Spend It .
Jaeger LeCoultre ’ s Master Ultra-Thin Squelette ’ s case was just 3.6mm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alitplano Ultimate 900P had previously set the mark at 3.65mm .
“ For the sake of 0.05mm , you might have thought they ’ d call it quits , but the quest to design watches ever closer to the airy thinness of gold leaf remains a compulsion to the world ’ s leading makers.
” Piaget ’ s 2mm-thick hand-wound Altiplano Ultimate Concept ( pictured ) has restored its title , “ its 167 tiny parts , like a troupe of angels dancing on a pinhead , intricately whirring within a cobalt alloy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The collection comes in three finishes and a choice of ultra-thin alligator-skin or technical-textile straps .
Customisation is also possible .
Price on application , piaget.com This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

James Bond’s timepiece transformed
The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M (above) “feels like it took 26 years to get right”, says Cole Pennington on Hodinkee. Past designs teetered back and forth between luxury watch and utilitarian tool and if it weren’t for the on-screen endorsement by Pierce Brosnan, “the suavest Bond of them all”, would the watch have hung around in Omega’s lineup for as long as it has? It’s a good thing it did, says Pennington.
The changes Omega has made in this latest incarnation have “truly transformed the watch”. The newest case is 13.5mm thick and 42mm wide. The Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer (pictured) is water resistant to up to 300 metres and the dial has been changed to highly polished ceramic from enamel, which “serves as a perfect canvas for a laser-etched wave pattern”. From £4,170, omegawatches.com
Breitling’s bohemian chic
It is fitting that Breitling, whose brand extols derring-do and pioneering adventuring in the face of adversity, has continued to plough on despite the challenges coronavirus has caused for the watch industry, says Johnny Davis in Esquire. The Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 Capsule Collection – based on the brand’s original dive watch, the 1957 SuperOcean – is “a tribute to the laid-back lifestyle of the surfers of the 1950s and 1960s”.
The 42mm watch is available with a classic black dial on a black vintage-inspired strap, but also in a colourful limited version – only 250 are being made. It is the “embodiment of pure bohemian chic” and is “surely one of 2020’s most notable releases”. £3,990, breitling.com
A bespoke masterpiece
If you’re looking to stay away from mass-produced timepieces and instead want something unique, you’re not alone. The demand for customisable luxury watches is on the rise and, “when it comes to understanding the true meaning of luxury”, the world’s oldest diamond company is “a master”, says Tracey Llewellyn in The Daily Telegraph.
For watch and jewellery maker Backes & Strauss, founded in 1789, commissions from private clients are nothing new, but CEO Vartkess Knadjian has noticed an increase in demand for bespoke pieces. The client has the option to select the case material and gemstones, as well as their cuts and setting, and whether the dial is gem-set, enamelled or hand-painted. Prices range from £50,000 to well over £1m, backesandstrauss.com
The world’s thinnest mechanical watch
The historic master of the thin watch, Piaget, had its record for the thinnest mechanical watch broken by Jaeger-LeCoultre in 2015, says Tim Auld in the FT's How To Spend It. Jaeger LeCoultre’s Master Ultra-Thin Squelette’s case was just 3.6mm in depth, while Piaget’s Alitplano Ultimate 900P had previously set the mark at 3.65mm. “For the sake of 0.05mm, you might have thought they’d call it quits, but the quest to design watches ever closer to the airy thinness of gold leaf remains a compulsion to the world’s leading makers.”
Piaget’s 2mm-thick hand-wound Altiplano Ultimate Concept (pictured) has restored its title, “its 167 tiny parts, like a troupe of angels dancing on a pinhead, intricately whirring within a cobalt alloy case 2.3 times stronger than gold”. The collection comes in three finishes and a choice of ultra-thin alligator-skin or technical-textile straps. Customisation is also possible. Price on application, piaget.com
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-05-20--Wine of the week: a pulse-quickening sherry

There are fewer “ anniversary moments ” in the wine trade these days .
I remember , 30 or so years ago , when we used to get very excited about the arrival of the new vintage of Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc .
A few vintage Port declarations have been announced in the last week or so , but I doubt you heard any fanfare .
The Champagne houses make it up as they go along , tooting their horns every so often to try and drum up business for their ubiquitous prestige cuvée releases .
There are also a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ generic bodies try to hitch a ride on in order to bathe their wines in the spotlight for a moment or so .
None of these “ celebrations ” is as pulse-quickening as the moment that La Gitana ’ s En Rama Manzanilla hits the shelves .
You will be familiar with the regular La Gitana – the finest value , aperitif-style dry sherry on the planet ( £11.19 , Waitrose ; £10 , virginwines.co.uk ; £8 , 75cl bottle , Sainsbury ’ s ) .
The En Rama version is the fresh-as-daisies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ style of Manzanilla .
This is a bone dry , palate-invigorating , sharply tangy sherry and it is bottled without filtration or fining .
It is literally taken from the barrel and is the untainted juice directly harvested from palomino grapes grown in the famous Albariza soils of Sanlúcar de Barrameda .
The four merchants listed have just this second received their stock so make that call today !
La Gitana , Manzanilla En Rama , Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana , Sanlúcar de Barrameda , Spain – £16.99 , virginwines.co.uk ; £16.95 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a mixed case , leaandsandeman.co.uk ; £65 per case of six bottles in bond ( not including duty and VAT ) , clarionwines.co.uk ; £130 per case of 12 bottles in bond ( duty and VAT will be added and the minimum order is £500 ) , farrvintners.com Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition ’ s Communicator of the Year ( matthewjukes.com ) This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

There are fewer “anniversary moments” in the wine trade these days. I remember, 30 or so years ago, when we used to get very excited about the arrival of the new vintage of Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc. A few vintage Port declarations have been announced in the last week or so, but I doubt you heard any fanfare.
The Champagne houses make it up as they go along, tooting their horns every so often to try and drum up business for their ubiquitous prestige cuvée releases. There are also a few “National Days”, which generic bodies try to hitch a ride on in order to bathe their wines in the spotlight for a moment or so.
None of these “celebrations” is as pulse-quickening as the moment that La Gitana’s En Rama Manzanilla hits the shelves. You will be familiar with the regular La Gitana – the finest value, aperitif-style dry sherry on the planet (£11.19, Waitrose; £10, virginwines.co.uk; £8, 75cl bottle, Sainsbury’s). The En Rama version is the fresh-as-daisies, natural yeasts, honest and elemental style of Manzanilla.
This is a bone dry, palate-invigorating, sharply tangy sherry and it is bottled without filtration or fining. It is literally taken from the barrel and is the untainted juice directly harvested from palomino grapes grown in the famous Albariza soils of Sanlúcar de Barrameda. The four merchants listed have just this second received their stock so make that call today!
La Gitana, Manzanilla En Rama, Bodegas Hidalgo La Gitana, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain – £16.99, virginwines.co.uk; £16.95, reduced to £15.95 each as part of a mixed case, leaandsandeman.co.uk; £65 per case of six bottles in bond (not including duty and VAT), clarionwines.co.uk; £130 per case of 12 bottles in bond (duty and VAT will be added and the minimum order is £500), farrvintners.com
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (matthewjukes.com)
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-05-22--More than 30,000 pubs and restaurants to stay shut post-coronavirus

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More than 30,000 UK pubs and restaurants will remain closed after the coronavirus lockdown is lifted, a new hospitality industry survey suggests.
The sector has been one of the hardest hit by the outbreak, with pubs throwing away beer and restaurants forced to shut their doors or transition into takeaways in order maintain an income.
And “experts predict a high proportion of restaurants won’t make it through to the other side of the Covid-19 crisis”, says The Telegraph.
Many were already “having a tough time” before the pandemic, with “about 2,800 bars and restaurants closed down in the 12 months before the lockdown began”, reports The Guardian.
“The 2.4% fall in the number of licensed premises in the year to the end of March was recorded by the CGA AlixPartners market recovery monitor, which now expects the decline to worsen once the hospitality sector begins to reopen at the start of July,” the newspaper continues.
The grim prediction comes after a third of hospitality business owners told CGA’s latest business confidence survey that they anticipated permanently closing sites.
Phil Tate, group chief executive at the research consultancy, said: “Industry estimates of the scale of closures vary widely, from below 10% to as high as 30% of total sites.”
A separate recent survey of British Beer and Pub Association members found that almost 19,000 out of the UK’s 47,000 boozers may not reopen.
Pubs and restaurants are among the so-called “higher-risk businesses and public places” that must remain closed until the beginning of July at the earliest, under the government’s latest guidance.
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Casual Dining Group (CDG), owner of restaurant brands including Cafe Rouge, Bella Italia and Las Iguanas, this week announced that the company has filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators at the High Court, “putting the future of 6,000 workers in doubt”, reports the Daily Mirror.
A CDG spokesperson said: “This is an unprecedented situation for our industry and, like many other companies across the UK, the directors of Casual Dining Group are working closely with our advisers as we consider our next steps.”


theweekuk--2020-05-22--How coronavirus broke Britain’s universities

Coronavirus has triggered a financial crisis in universities that will upend student life , change the face of education , distort priorities for scientific research and damage local economies , according to economists and education experts .
Tuition fees - currently capped at £9,250 a year in England - are universities ’ primary source of income , yet “ they have no idea how many of the class of 2020 will show up in September ” , says The Times .
Reflecting the widespread mood , one 18-year-old told the newspaper that he would “ prefer to have a gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at university ” .
Indeed , “ a fifth of prospective students say they may defer their studies for a year ” , creating a “ potential £760m funding black hole ” , the Daily Mail reports .
And the financial hit will be even greater if British universities are also shunned by foreign students , collectively worth £7bn in income .
“ Survey evidence suggests only 39 % of Chinese students , the biggest group from overseas by far , are likely to come to the UK as planned , ” according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enroll next academic year are unlikely to receive a traditional university education - or to enjoy the typical social experience .
Half of the 24 elite Russell Group universities “ said they had either already moved online or were planning for a ‘ blended ’ approach mixing online and face-to-face tuition next year ” when quizzed by the i news site about their response to the pandemic .
Cambridge and Oxford are among the institutions planning to replace lectures with online courses , although both will continue to offer small-group tuition in person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extensive .
At the University of Bolton , “ students will walk through airport-style temperature scanners to get into all university buildings , where hand sanitiser stations will await them ” , the i reports .
Bicycles will also be provided so that students can avoid public transport .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– But despite such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Union of Students , has questioned whether students will be getting value for money .
This year ’ s students have already been sold short , she claims , with a recent NUS survey revealing that many felt the “ quality of education has gone down massively ” .
Ibrahim is calling on universities to “ allow students to resit the year or reimburse their tuition fees to compensate for the disruption caused by the pandemic ” , The Telegraph reports .
Refunds appear to be an unlikely prospect , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis ” , writes Glen O ’ Mara , a history professor at Oxford Brookes University , in an article for The Guardian .
“ If they don ’ t get more help , some of them could well fold in the near future.
” So far , the government has resisted calls for financial aid , which leaves “ a lot of jobs at risk , both in universities and in the wider local and regional economies where universities are based ” , Gavan Conlon of London Economics told the newspaper ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more profound consequence could be direct state influence over how universities are run .
“ It ’ s a case of not letting a good crisis go to waste , ” an unnamed senior university figure told The Times .
“ The government has grown weary of a sector refusing to reform itself .
Now it has the chance to speed it up and orchestrate it from the centre.
” Ministers have already established a task force to decide which research projects , courses and universities could receive additional state funding , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be contributing most to society and the economy .
But that , says The Times , is “ code for ditching arts and other courses ministers consider to be poor value for money and refocusing on degrees to serve the local jobs market or post-coronavirus recovery ” .
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Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-05-22--‘This is the end of Hong Kong’: behind China’s security crackdown

China has launched an aggressive new challenge to Hong Kong’s autonomy by proposing national security laws that would bar subversion, separatism or acts of foreign interference against the central government.
The move is one of the most overt breaches yet of an agreement with the UK to preserve the territory’s autonomy until 2047, and appears to be aimed at quashing anti-government protests in Hong Kong that began last June.
Pro-democracy activists have accused the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) of exploiting the coronavirus pandemic to clamp down on future activism while the rest of the world is distracted.
What are the new laws?
The draft leglisation was presented to lawmakers at a meeting of Beijing’s top political advisory body, ahead of the opening today of the National People’s Congress - China’s annual rubber-stamp session of parliament, which has been delayed this year by the global health crisis.
The proposed laws would “prevent, stop and punish any act to split the country, subvert state power, organise and carry out terrorist activities and other behaviours that seriously endanger national security”, reports China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The legislation would also ban “activities of foreign and external forces to interfere” in the affairs of Hong Kong.
Once enacted, the new controls “could effectively subvert Hong Kong’s remaining freedoms and bring it under full Chinese control”, says The New York Times.
And the reaction?
Hong Kong’s stock market has had its worst day in almost five years following the unveiling of the controversial national security law bill.
The financial hub’s Hang Seng index had tumbled by 5.56% by the close of trading today, its biggest decline since July 2015, while the territory’s property sector sub-index slumped by 8%, the largest such drop since 2008.
News of China’s plan has also “prompted broad international condemnation and raised the prospect of further unrest”, says The Guardian.
Donald Trump told White House reporters on Thursday that the US would react “very strongly” against the move, while the last British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, described the new laws as a “comprehensive assault on the city’s autonomy, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms”.


theweekuk--2020-05-22--Boris Johnson facing ethics inquiry over ‘intimate’ relationship with Jennifer Arcuri

Boris Johnson may have breached anti-corruption guidelines in his dealings with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri during his tenure as London mayor , a police watchdog has found .
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said that Johnson will not face a criminal investigation over his links to Acuri , who was given £126,000 in public funding and privileged access to foreign trade missions while he was in City Hall , between 2008 and 2016 , ITV News reports .
But “ a probe by the London Assembly will resume ” , the news site says .
The police review found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ intimate relationship ” between Acuri and the now prime minister , and says Johnson may have breached the ethical standards expected of public officials , The Times adds .
The watchdog ’ s newly published 112-page report says that the married politician and Arcuri became friends in 2012 and had allegedly started a sexual relationship by November 2014 .
A friend of Arcuri , known as Witness A , confirmed that the businesswoman “ disclosed to the investigation that she and Mr Johnson were in a sexual relationship ” , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the newspaper .
However , the police review does note that “ Arcuri ’ s press interviews have been ambiguous ” about the issue , adds The Independent .
“ Johnson has not publicly accepted there was a sexual relationship with Ms Arcuri , nor has he expressly denied that there was one , ” the report says .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The prime minister now faces a separate inquiry by the Greater London Authority ( GLA ) into allegations of conflict of interest during his time as mayor .
The investigation by City Hall was paused in October to allow the police watchdog to take over , but will now continue .
The PM could be summoned by the GLA to answer questions in public , and “ asked to apologise if found to have broken its code of conduct ” , says The Times .

Boris Johnson may have breached anti-corruption guidelines in his dealings with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri during his tenure as London mayor, a police watchdog has found.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct said that Johnson will not face a criminal investigation over his links to Acuri, who was given £126,000 in public funding and privileged access to foreign trade missions while he was in City Hall, between 2008 and 2016, ITV News reports.
But “a probe by the London Assembly will resume”, the news site says.
The police review found evidence of a “close association” and “intimate relationship” between Acuri and the now prime minister, and says Johnson may have breached the ethical standards expected of public officials, The Times adds.
The watchdog’s newly published 112-page report says that the married politician and Arcuri became friends in 2012 and had allegedly started a sexual relationship by November 2014.
A friend of Arcuri, known as Witness A, confirmed that the businesswoman “disclosed to the investigation that she and Mr Johnson were in a sexual relationship”, but the details are redacted in the report, according to the newspaper.
However, the police review does note that “Arcuri’s press interviews have been ambiguous” about the issue, adds The Independent.
“Johnson has not publicly accepted there was a sexual relationship with Ms Arcuri, nor has he expressly denied that there was one,” the report says.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 prime minister now faces a separate inquiry by the Greater London Authority (GLA) into allegations of conflict of interest during his time as mayor.
The investigation by City Hall was paused in October to allow the police watchdog to take over, but will now continue.
The PM could be summoned by the GLA to answer questions in public, and “asked to apologise if found to have broken its code of conduct”, says The Times.


theweekuk--2020-05-23--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 23 May 2020

The government has been told that children are half as likely as adults to catch the coronavirus but the risk @ @ @ @ @ they return to schools remains unclear .
Members of the government ’ s Scientific Advisory @ @ @ @ @ is no evidence that teachers are at a greater risk from the virus than people @ @ @ @

Children half as likely to catch the coronavirus
The government has been told that children are half as likely as adults to catch the coronavirus but the risk of them spreading it when they return to schools remains unclear. Members of the government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies said there is no evidence that teachers are at a greater risk from the virus than people in other professions.


theweekuk--2020-05-24--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 24 May 2020

The new Brexit border in the Irish Sea will not be ready by Boris Johnson ’ s end-of-year deadline , @ @ @ @ @ .
The Institute for Government is calling for the transition period to be extended .
@ @ @ @ @ a global pandemic , it is very difficult to see how preparations to implement the @ @ @ @ @ the end of the year , ” it said .

Thinktank calls for Brexit extension over border question
The new Brexit border in the Irish Sea will not be ready by Boris Johnson’s end-of-year deadline, according to an influential thinktank. The Institute for Government is calling for the transition period to be extended. “Against the background of a global pandemic, it is very difficult to see how preparations to implement the protocol can be completed before the end of the year,” it said.


theweekuk--2020-05-25--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 25 May 2020

Sir David Attenborough says that climate change has been “ swept off the front pages ” by the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ “ The trouble is that right now the climate issue is also seen as being @ @ @ @ @ because we ’ ve got the virus to think about.
” He warned : “ @ @ @ @ @ and the Antarctic warming is becoming greater day by day .
”

US imposes new restrictions on travellers from Brazil
The US has suspended entry for anyone who has been to Brazil in the previous 14 days. Brazil has recorded more than 360,000 cases, the country's health ministry has announced, while over 22,000 people have died with the virus. A White House spokeswoman said: “Today's action will help ensure foreign nationals who have been in Brazil do not become a source of additional infections in our country.”