theweekuk--2020-03-17--Mother’s Day: alternative ways to celebrate indoors

With countries across the world on lockdown over coronavirus , Mother ’ s Day 2020 looks set to be one of the most low-key in decades .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged all Brits to avoid gatherings with friends and family , as well as visiting pubs , restaurants and theatres , meaning many plans for Sunday are being scrapped .
Here are some alternative ideas for Mothering Sunday to show your mum you care .
Royal Mail has reassured Brits it is safe to send gifts and cards for Mother ’ s Day , despite the outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ postal service “ insists there is no risk of transmitting the disease through deliveries as the virus can not survive for long on objects such as letters and parcels ” , and thus “ posting home presents is a safe way to celebrate Mother ’ s Day ” .
Shane O ’ Riordain , managing director of marketing at Royal Mail , told the paper : “ It is business as usual at Royal Mail .
“ We are delivering Mother ’ s Day gifts as well as important documents like hospital appointments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part.
” Florists are also still offering deliveries .
“ Why not have a virtual Mother ’ s Day and spend time chatting over a group video call ?
” suggests HuffPost UK .
“ With stricter social-distancing measures due to come into place , now ’ s a good time to make sure relatives know how to utilise technology to stay connected.
” The website says planning a Skype , FaceTime or other video call conversation is “ particularly important if you usually visit parents or grandparents in care homes on Mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers have been instructed to encourage virtual visits ” .
Going one step beyond a call , those with more time on their hands could sit down to a video-call dinner “ Fire up the laptop and dial in for some one-on-one time with the mothership using Skype , ” The i recommends , suggesting what it calls a “ synchronised family dinner ” at which you can “ make believe that all is well in the world ” .
Vogue has some suggestions to make the meal particularly special .
“ Just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put some thought into your lighting and table setting , ” it says .
“ If you ’ re going to be having a Skype supper club , you ’ re going to need a lot more light so that people can see what ’ s going on .
“ Set the tone and the mood that suits you .
If you ’ re in a calm and quiet space , embrace it .
If you ’ re listening to loud music and dancing around like a maniac , that will definitely shine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still operating in the midst of the crisis , meaning that you can easily order a fancy take-out meal to your mother for the big day .
But as Time notes , precautions still need to be taken .
“ Just have the delivery person leave the food at the door and go , ” the magazine writes .
“ That ’ s the protocol now .
Don ’ t exchange paper money , don ’ t have any physical contact .
This is one reason it ’ s good to order online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or otherwise electronically.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– A pamper package in place of a spa day or nail appointment is the perfect Mother 's Day gift .
“ Ok , so you may have had to scupper your spa plans .
Don ’ t let that result in no pampering for your mum whatsoever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , deliver the pampering to her - literally .
John Lewis has heaps of lovely goodies on their website and a whole section dedicated to helping you find the right bits for your mum .
”

With countries across the world on lockdown over coronavirus, Mother’s Day 2020 looks set to be one of the most low-key in decades.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged all Brits to avoid gatherings with friends and family, as well as visiting pubs, restaurants and theatres, meaning many plans for Sunday are being scrapped.
Here are some alternative ideas for Mothering Sunday to show your mum you care.
Send a gift or card
Royal Mail has reassured Brits it is safe to send gifts and cards for Mother’s Day, despite the outbreak.
According to the Daily Mirror, the postal service “insists there is no risk of transmitting the disease through deliveries as the virus cannot survive for long on objects such as letters and parcels”, and thus “posting home presents is a safe way to celebrate Mother’s Day”.
Shane O’Riordain, managing director of marketing at Royal Mail, told the paper: “It is business as usual at Royal Mail.
“We are delivering Mother’s Day gifts as well as important documents like hospital appointments. We will continue to play our part.”
Florists are also still offering deliveries.
Face-to-face calls
“Why not have a virtual Mother’s Day and spend time chatting over a group video call?” suggests HuffPost UK. “With stricter social-distancing measures due to come into place, now’s a good time to make sure relatives know how to utilise technology to stay connected.”
The website says planning a Skype, FaceTime or other video call conversation is “particularly important if you usually visit parents or grandparents in care homes on Mother’s Day, as residential care workers have been instructed to encourage virtual visits”.
Virtual dinner
Going one step beyond a call, those with more time on their hands could sit down to a video-call dinner
“Fire up the laptop and dial in for some one-on-one time with the mothership using Skype,” The i recommends, suggesting what it calls a “synchronised family dinner” at which you can “make believe that all is well in the world”.
Vogue has some suggestions to make the meal particularly special. “Just as with a regular dinner party, put some thought into your lighting and table setting,” it says. “If you’re going to be having a Skype supper club, you’re going to need a lot more light so that people can see what’s going on.
“Set the tone and the mood that suits you. If you’re in a calm and quiet space, embrace it. If you’re listening to loud music and dancing around like a maniac, that will definitely shine through.”
Dinner delivery
Many restaurants and takeaways are still operating in the midst of the crisis, meaning that you can easily order a fancy take-out meal to your mother for the big day.
But as Time notes, precautions still need to be taken.
“Just have the delivery person leave the food at the door and go,” the magazine writes. “That’s the protocol now. Don’t exchange paper money, don’t have any physical contact. This is one reason it’s good to order online and have everything paid by credit card or otherwise electronically.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Indoor spa
A pamper package in place of a spa day or nail appointment is the perfect Mother's Day gift.
“Ok, so you may have had to scupper your spa plans. Don’t let that result in no pampering for your mum whatsoever,” says Good Housekeeping.
“Instead, deliver the pampering to her - literally. John Lewis has heaps of lovely goodies on their website and a whole section dedicated to helping you find the right bits for your mum.”


theweekuk--2020-03-19--English football suspended until 30 April - but the season is extended indefinitely

Professional football in England will remain suspended until 30 April at the earliest because of the coronavirus pandemic - but authorities confirmed that rules have been amended to extend the season indefinitely.
Last week the Premier League and English Football League (EFL) were suspended until 3 April. However, it has been announced today that the suspension will remain in place until the end of next month.
Under the current regulations the season was scheduled to end on 1 June, but The Football Association (FA) says the campaign will be extended in order to complete the fixtures.
The postponement of Euro 2020 means there could be a chance to finish the season if football authorities are given the go-ahead to resume matches.
Before this morning’s meeting it was reported that the Premier League would aim to complete the season by 30 June.
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‘Unprecedented times’
The FA, Premier League and EFL issued a joint statement about the “unprecedented times” for sport and society.
The statement said: “The FA, Premier League, EFL and women’s professional game, together with the PFA and LMA, understand we are in unprecedented times and our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.
“We’re united in our commitment to finding ways of resuming the 2019-20 football season and ensuring all domestic and European club league and cup matches are played as soon as it is safe and possible to do so.
“We’ve collectively supported Uefa in postponing Euro 2020 to create space in the calendar to ensure domestic and European club league and cup matches have an increased opportunity to be played and, in doing so, maintain the integrity of each competition.
“The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that ‘the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June’ and ‘each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season’.
“However, our Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019-20 season in relation to professional football.
“Additionally, we’ve collectively agreed that the professional game in England will be further postponed until no earlier than Thursday 30 April.
“The progress of COVID-19 remains unclear and we can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.
“We will continue to follow Government advice and work collaboratively to keep the situation under review and explore all options available to find ways of resuming the season when the conditions allow. We would all like to re-emphasise that our thoughts are with everyone affected by COVID-19.”
Today’s back pages
Football unites against virus as Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to NHS staff
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theweekuk--2020-03-19--Instant Opinion: ‘The worst thing about having coronavirus’

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The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. James Kirkup in The Spectator
on catching the coronavirus
The worst thing about having coronavirus
“Be honest: when you first heard about self isolation, did you think, just for a second: ‘that sounds good’? Many of us made the same mordant jokes about how we’d watch TV, catch up on reading books, generally enjoy some quiet and peace away from the constant noise of normal life. I certainly made those jokes, usually about reading. I always wish I could read more, but the constant churn of working, writing, life, everything just seems to absorb my mental bandwidth to the point where there are some days when I manage three pages before falling asleep. I’ve been stuck in the foothills of Dan Jackson’s wonderful The Northumbrians since it arrived as a birthday present in February. So I was one of those people who made those jokes. And now the joke is on me, because I’ve got coronavirus.”
2. Jenni Russell in The Times
on how the welfare system is failing millions in the face of coronavirus
Our mean welfare system is failing to deliver
“The collapse of so many independent jobs and careers at once, as the coronavirus closes much of Britain down, is infinitely more than a series of individual disasters. We risk a depression. It threatens all of us if the economy implodes because demand has collapsed and public life is on hold while we must stay at home. It reveals how mean and punitive our welfare state has become, as I have written here before, with benefits deliberately frozen for the past five years. The self-employed and low-paid have even fewer rights to sick pay and out-of-work payments than everyone else. Radical action is needed, immediately. A benefits system cruelly structured to discourage claims and encourage work has to be re-engineered within days to give much more generous support to millions who are now forced to be inactive, whether sick or not.”
3. Martin Kettle in The Guardian
on how the pandemic shows the need for a different type of politics
Defeating the Covid-19 crisis could need a wartime coalition government
“Politics and the nation are still adjusting to a systemic shock. Johnson is not a unifying figure, though he is trying hard to be one. Nor are many of his ministers or advisers. Who trusts Priti Patel with our liberties? Trust in all politicians is low. The country has been deeply divided by austerity and Brexit. That’s why, just as in 1915 and 1940, it may eventually feel inevitable for Labour and even the SNP to be brought into a governing coalition in some way. This may be a wartime government but, as Asquith and Churchill found out and Johnson may learn, the politics that emerged from the war may be very different from the politics that preceded it.”


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Why is Canada’s black-market cannabis market booming?

North America ’ s licensed marijuana companies are reporting major losses as users continue to buy from black-market dealers despite the legalisation of the drug .
Recreational cannabis use has been allowed under Canadian law since October 2018 , but it remains illegal for any unlicensed person to be a seller .
Yet up to 42.7 % of users still buy at least some of their stash from illegal sources , according to a survey last year by the country ’ s national statistics agency .
In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation ( CBC ) in October , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Association of Chiefs of Police , said : “ We haven ’ t disrupted the black market significantly .
If there is a strong , vibrant , dark market out there selling illegal drugs , people will go to that and we need to direct them to the legal market.
” Why are so many Canadians buying illegal cannabis ?
The black market offers a cheaper and more varied range of marijuana than legal providers , reports Business Insider .
A scarcity of licensed stores is another reason why many buyers turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Omar Yar Khan of public relations consulting firm Hill & Knowlton , which advises several cannabis companies , said : “ There just aren ’ t enough legal licensed points of sale across the country .
If it ’ s not convenient for consumers to access the product through the legal system , why would they ever leave the legacy illicit market ?
” Users have posted messages on forum website Reddit complaining about quality , too .
One post on Vancouver ’ s cannabis-focused Reddit feeds said : “ The government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government doesn ’ t show you a picture of what you ’ re buying before you buy it , so you can not be informed as a consumer .
The government weed has been full of bugs , mouldy or too dry in some cases , and often takes too long to get there.
” As the black market continues to flourish , “ billions of dollars have been wiped off the market values of the industry ’ s largest companies ” , reports the newspaper .
But three of Canada ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tilray and Aurora - are fighting back .
In a bid to “ draw consumers from the illicit market and into legal channels ” , the firms are set to introduce lower-cost cannabis options , Canopy ’ s business development head Adam Greenblatt told Newsweek .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What does this mean for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recreational cannabis use is already legal in 11 states .
And a survey by the Pew Research Center think-tank last November found that 91 % of Americans were in favour of legal marijuana for medical or recreational use , with 59 % supporting both .
Only 32 % opposed the legalisation of marijuana , down from 52 % in 2010 .
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has stated his support for legalisation , saying : “ We ’ re going to provide help to the African-American , Latino , and Native American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sell legal marijuana , so that a few corporations don ’ t control the legal marijuana market.
” After Canada legalised recreational cannabis use in 2018 , Steve Rolles , a drug policy expert at the Bristol-based Transform think-tank , predicted that the UK would also eventualy change its drug laws , as The Independent reported at the time .
“ The tide has turned , ” he said .
“ Canada is a G7 nation and one of the largest Commonwealth countries .
We expect the UK and many others to follow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so that they can put government , not gangsters , in control of the production and supply of cannabis.
” Luxembourg is now set to decriminalise the recreational use of cannabis , New Zealand is to hold a referendum later this year on the issue , and Bermuda has draft legislation tabled for May .

North America’s licensed marijuana companies are reporting major losses as users continue to buy from black-market dealers despite the legalisation of the drug.
Recreational cannabis use has been allowed under Canadian law since October 2018, but it remains illegal for any unlicensed person to be a seller.
Yet up to 42.7% of users still buy at least some of their stash from illegal sources, according to a survey last year by the country’s national statistics agency.
In an interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in October, Mike Serr, head of Canada’s Association of Chiefs of Police, said: “We haven’t disrupted the black market significantly. If there is a strong, vibrant, dark market out there selling illegal drugs, people will go to that and we need to direct them to the legal market.”
Why are so many Canadians buying illegal cannabis?
The black market offers a cheaper and more varied range of marijuana than legal providers, reports Business Insider.
A scarcity of licensed stores is another reason why many buyers turn to illegal dealers, adds The Guardian.
Omar Yar Khan of public relations consulting firm Hill & Knowlton, which advises several cannabis companies, said: “There just aren’t enough legal licensed points of sale across the country. If it’s not convenient for consumers to access the product through the legal system, why would they ever leave the legacy illicit market?”
Users have posted messages on forum website Reddit complaining about quality, too.
One post on Vancouver’s cannabis-focused Reddit feeds said: “The government’s pot is too expensive. The government doesn’t show you a picture of what you’re buying before you buy it, so you cannot be informed as a consumer. The government weed has been full of bugs, mouldy or too dry in some cases, and often takes too long to get there.”
As the black market continues to flourish, “billions of dollars have been wiped off the market values of the industry’s largest companies”, reports the newspaper.
But three of Canada’s biggest licensed producers - Canopy Growth, Tilray and Aurora - are fighting back.
In a bid to “draw consumers from the illicit market and into legal channels”, the firms are set to introduce lower-cost cannabis options, Canopy’s business development head Adam Greenblatt told Newsweek.


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Amir al-Mawli: who is the new Isis leader?

The US government has placed the new leader of Islamic State ( Isis ) on its official blacklist of terrorists and offered a $ 5m reward for information leading to his capture .
After the assassination of the terror group ’ s founder and former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last October , US intelligence has struggled to obtain information relating to his successor .
It initially named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as the new caliph of Isis .
But according to The Times , recent investigations by Washington officials have revealed that this was a nom de guerre for Amir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now been confirmed as the new leader of the ultra-violent group .
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has categorised al-Mawli as a specially designated global terrorist , putting him on an infamous government blacklist .
Pompeo claimed the new leader “ was previously active in al-Qa ’ eda in Iraq and is known for torturing innocent Yazidi religious minorities ” .
But what else do we know about the new leader of the world ’ s most feared terrorist group ?
After previously admitting that they had struggled to paint a clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his use of pseudonyms – US intelligence personnel have managed to piece together a profile of the new Isis leader .
They have stated that he was born into an Iraqi Turkmen family in the town of Tal Afar , and holds a degree in sharia law from the University of Mosul .
The Counter Extremism Project reports that upon the completion of his studying , he served as an officer in Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ’ s army .
But following the US-led occupation of Iraq and the capture of Hussein in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extremism and eventually took on the role of religious commissary and a general Sharia jurist for al-Qa ’ eda ” .
In 2004 he was detained by US forces in Camp Bucca prison in southern Iraq , which is where he is understood to have met al-Baghdadi .
Upon his release , he is thought to have rejoined al-Qa ’ eda before breaking away and pledging loyalty to Isis in 2014 .
The Guardian reports that al-Mawli “ rose through the ranks helped by his background as an Islamic scholar ” , fast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures in the regime ” .
The paper also notes that he is one of the few non-Arabs among the leadership of the group .
Following Isis ’ s rise to prominence in the mid-2010s , it perpetrated a brutal genocide against the Yazidi religious minority group in northern Iraq in 2014 , of which al-Mawli is understood to have been the mastermind .
The Times reports that “ an estimated 5,000 Yazidis were killed and hundreds of women and girls captured , enslaved and raped as militants rampaged across the Sinjar region @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to have led the attacks and later produced Islamic edicts that attempted to justify the massacre .
CNN reports that in 2019 , a former Isis “ amni ” ( member of the security apparatus ) calling himself Abu Muslim al-Iraqi gave a testimony to controversial independent journalist and researcher Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi .
In it , al-Iraqi states that the genocide of the Yazidis – in which he had taken part – was organised and sanctioned by al-Mawla , referring to him using the alias “ al-Hajj Abdullah ” .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city of Sinjar and it was conquered and the Yazidis were brought together , and it was said to them : ‘ All the men who convert to Islam will be spared from killing , and the women will spared from being taken captive ’ , ” al-Iraqi said .
“ And the one who gave them the pact is al-Hajj Abdullah.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What will happen now ?
Before al-Baghdadi ’ s death in a US military raid in northwest Syria on 27 October , the US State Department had already put a $ 5m bounty on al-Mawli ’ s head and on two other senior members of the group .
But this week , Washington put him on a list created after the 2001 terror attacks that makes any support of him a crime in the US .
In the wake of a significant Kurdish-led offensive against Isis in 2018 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and is all but wiped out in Iraq and Syria .
Al-Mawli is now understood to be “ trying to consolidate the new Isis leadership , nearly all of whom apart from Salbi [ al-Mawli ] himself are drawn from a new generation who were too young to play roles in Isis ’ s founding battles against US forces from 2004 or in the Iraqi civil war that followed ” , says the Guardian .
Middle East Monitor reports that currently there is “ little knowledge of the new leader ’ s whereabouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he “ most likely did not follow al-Baghdadi to Syria ’ s Idlib province where he was killed , but is possibly in the surrounding countryside around the Iraqi city of Mosul ” .
The news site adds that the search for him has also extended to Turkey , where his brother Adel al-Salbi heads and represents a political party called the Turkmen Iraqi Front .
But the waning fortunes of Isis does not mean that the US is taking is taking the threat any less seriously .
Pompeo this week stated : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we remain committed to Isis ’ s enduring defeat no matter who they designate as their leader .
”

The US government has placed the new leader of Islamic State (Isis) on its official blacklist of terrorists and offered a $5m reward for information leading to his capture.
After the assassination of the terror group’s founder and former leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi last October, US intelligence has struggled to obtain information relating to his successor. It initially named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi as the new caliph of Isis.
But according to The Times, recent investigations by Washington officials have revealed that this was a nom de guerre for Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli, who has now been confirmed as the new leader of the ultra-violent group.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has categorised al-Mawli as a specially designated global terrorist, putting him on an infamous government blacklist.
Pompeo claimed the new leader “was previously active in al-Qa’eda in Iraq and is known for torturing innocent Yazidi religious minorities”. But what else do we know about the new leader of the world’s most feared terrorist group?
Who is al-Mawli?
After previously admitting that they had struggled to paint a clear picture of al-Mawli – chiefly because of his use of pseudonyms – US intelligence personnel have managed to piece together a profile of the new Isis leader.
They have stated that he was born into an Iraqi Turkmen family in the town of Tal Afar, and holds a degree in sharia law from the University of Mosul.
The Counter Extremism Project reports that upon the completion of his studying, he served as an officer in Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s army. But following the US-led occupation of Iraq and the capture of Hussein in 2003, he “turned to violent extremism and eventually took on the role of religious commissary and a general Sharia jurist for al-Qa’eda”.
In 2004 he was detained by US forces in Camp Bucca prison in southern Iraq, which is where he is understood to have met al-Baghdadi. Upon his release, he is thought to have rejoined al-Qa’eda before breaking away and pledging loyalty to Isis in 2014.
The Guardian reports that al-Mawli “rose through the ranks helped by his background as an Islamic scholar”, fast becoming “one of the most influential figures in the regime”. The paper also notes that he is one of the few non-Arabs among the leadership of the group.
Genocide of the Yazidis
Following Isis’s rise to prominence in the mid-2010s, it perpetrated a brutal genocide against the Yazidi religious minority group in northern Iraq in 2014, of which al-Mawli is understood to have been the mastermind.


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Life inside the Italian coronavirus lockdown

Italy’s nationwide lockdown is to be extended beyond the current end date of 3 April, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced, after the country recorded its highest number of deaths from coronavirus in a day.
Italian health authorities reported 475 new fatalities from the virus on Wednesday, taking the death toll to almost 3,000. It remains the country with the highest number of coronavirus cases outside China, at more than 35,000 according to latest figures.
Italy has introduced a host of draconian measures aimed at curbing the outbreak. Many other countries and cities – including London – expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.
What are Italy’s restrictions on movement?
Millions of Italians have been forced to stay at home since 9 March, when PM Conte introduced a national quarantine policy.
“There won’t be just a red zone,” he said. “There will be Italy.”
The government decree also ordered the closing of shops, bars, restaurants, gyms and swimming pools. All public events have been cancelled, and cultural centres, museums and ski resorts have all been shut down.
Since then, citizens have been able to leave their homes only for “essential” purposes such as work, health-related reasons or to do food shopping. Only pharmacies and grocery stores remain open, all other shops have been closed.
Anyone with symptoms must not leave the house under any circumstances. Those wishing to travel must obtain a permit, citing a valid work or family reason.
Permits are granted only for “urgent, verifiable work situations and emergencies or health reasons”.
Those accompanying the sick to hospital will no longer be able to use hospital waiting rooms without permission.
Italy has also suspended prisoners’ right to visits from family and friends, causing riots to break out in jails across the country.
How is it policed?
Police stopped and checked 700,000 citizens between 11 and 17 March, 43,000 of whom were found to have violated the decree, says The Guardian.
In Sicily, one man who had tested positive for coronavirus was encountered by police while out shopping, despite the order to stay at home. Prosecutors accuse him of “aiding the epidemic”. If convicted, he faces up to 12 years in prison.
On 10 March, a 30-year-old man was discovered by police in Turin at 2.30am attempting to solicit a sex worker.
Numerous priests and families of the dead have been charged for officiating at and attending funerals, which are currently banned.
In Aosta, in northwest Italy, a man is being investigated for “aggravated attempt to spread the epidemic” after he failed to inform his doctors of suspected coronavirus symptoms before undergoing plastic surgery on his nose. He subsequently tested positive.


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Paul Pogba’s Man Utd career is ‘over’ and Chelsea are keen on Philippe Coutinho

Paul Pogba ’ s second spell as a Manchester United player looks likely to come to an end this summer .
Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently dismissed speculation that the midfielder could leave at the end of the season , but today the Daily Mail reports that his time at Old Trafford is “ over ” .
French World Cup winner Pogba returned to Old Trafford from Juventus four years ago in a club-record £89.3m deal and reports suggest that both parties are ready to cut ties .
The Mail says that United are “ willing to listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for Pogba .
The Sun adds that £80m has been “ slashed ” off his asking price .
In the past 12 months former club Juventus and Spanish giants Real Madrid have regularly been linked with a potential move for the 27-year-old .
Bruno Fernandes : Man Utd ’ s star has the X factor to become a legend The Daily Star reports that Manchester United are ready to table a £30m bid “ to beat off rivals ” for the hand of Jude Bellingham .
The 16-year-old wonderkid has been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Championship this season and the Star says that United are “ obsessed with coming out on top in the race for him ” .
Apparently Borussia Dortmund , Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also “ keen ” on the teenage sensation but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bring the youngster to Old Trafford .
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Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Spanish newspapers Sport and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coutinho could return to the Premier League .
The Brazilian formerly played at Liverpool before making a £142m move to Barcelona in January 2018 .
However , he struggled to impress at the Camp Nou and is currently on loan at German giants Bayern Munich .
Metro says that Chelsea have already contacted Coutinho ’ s representatives and have held talks with Barcelona over a loan deal .
It ’ s believed that the player would like a return to the Premier League but Chelsea could face competition from his former club Inter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to NHS staff ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Pogba’s United career ‘over’
Paul Pogba’s second spell as a Manchester United player looks likely to come to an end this summer.
Man Utd manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer recently dismissed speculation that the midfielder could leave at the end of the season, but today the Daily Mail reports that his time at Old Trafford is “over”.
French World Cup winner Pogba returned to Old Trafford from Juventus four years ago in a club-record £89.3m deal and reports suggest that both parties are ready to cut ties.
The Mail says that United are “willing to listen to offers in the region of £100m” for Pogba. The Sun adds that £80m has been “slashed” off his asking price.
In the past 12 months former club Juventus and Spanish giants Real Madrid have regularly been linked with a potential move for the 27-year-old.
Bruno Fernandes: Man Utd’s star has the X factor to become a legend
Ole ready to make Jude bid
The Daily Star reports that Manchester United are ready to table a £30m bid “to beat off rivals” for the hand of Jude Bellingham.
The 16-year-old wonderkid has been in blistering form for Birmingham City in the Championship this season and the Star says that United are “obsessed with coming out on top in the race for him”.
Apparently Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also “keen” on the teenage sensation but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bring the youngster to Old Trafford.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Chelsea keen on Coutinho
Spanish newspapers Sport and AS both report that Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho could return to the Premier League.
The Brazilian formerly played at Liverpool before making a £142m move to Barcelona in January 2018. However, he struggled to impress at the Camp Nou and is currently on loan at German giants Bayern Munich.
Metro says that Chelsea have already contacted Coutinho’s representatives and have held talks with Barcelona over a loan deal.
It’s believed that the player would like a return to the Premier League but Chelsea could face competition from his former club Inter Milan.
Today’s back pages
Football unites against virus as Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to NHS staff
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theweekuk--2020-03-19--Fact check: should you be worried about taking ibuprofen for coronavirus?

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theweekuk--2020-03-19--Eviction ban: what are renters’ rights under new coronavirus law?

New emergency legislation is being introduced to protect UK tenants struggling to pay rent as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Under the new laws, landlords in England and Wales will not be able to start proceedings to evict tenants for at least three months, reports Sky News.
Announcing the planned measures to safeguard private renters - who account for 20% of households in England - Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “No renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord face unmanageable debts.”
How will renters’ rights change?
Under existing laws, a tenant with an assured-shorthold tenancy who has eight weeks’ rent arrears can be forced to leave their accommodation with just 14 days’ notice.
Landlords can also serve a section 21 notice giving tenants two months to leave, without a reason being given.
The new legislation will give renters three months of breathing space before they can be kicked out, and “the government is expecting landlords and tenants to work together to establish affordable repayment plans, taking into consideration tenants’ individual circumstance, at the end of the period”, reports Sky News.
Housing associations in England this week “issued an assurance that their six million-plus tenants will not face eviction” during the coronavirus outbreak, reports The Independent.
Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF) representative body, said: “No one should be evicted because of the coronavirus. We are confident that no housing association will do this, and want anyone affected by the outbreak to be reassured they will not be evicted.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
And the reaction?
Critics of the emergency legislation point out that it does not go as far as the newly announced three-month mortgage payment holiday being offered to homeowners.
The London Renters Union (LRU) is calling for renters to be offered a similar payment suspension, The Guardian reports.
LRU spokesperson Amina Gichinga asked: “If landlords can get a payment holiday, why won’t the government also implement a suspension of rent payments?
“We must suspend rents, not defer them. Otherwise the end of the coronavirus crisis could mean the beginning of an evictions crisis.”
However, Polly Neate, chief executive of housing advice charity Shelter, has welcomed the emergency measures to suspend new evictions.
In a statement on the charity’s website, Neate said: “Without this decisive action, tens of thousands of renters would have been faced with eviction in the coming months, while potentially trying to isolate and protect themselves and others.”


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Sport shorts: Jimmy Anderson fears a ball won’t be bowled and English football is suspended until 30

Sport shorts: Jimmy Anderson fears a ball won’t be bowled and English football is suspended until 30 April

The photo on the back page of The Guardian is of veteran England pace bowler Jimmy Anderson above the headline : “ We might not bowl a ball this summer ” .
England ’ s tour to Sri Lanka was abandoned last week and today cricket chiefs meet to plan the way forward .
“ Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood , it ’ s all I know , ” said the 37-year-old Anderson .
“ There ’ s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin on 12 April , while England ’ s three-Test series against the West Indies starts on 4 June .
According to BBC Sport the England and Wales Cricket Board will examine all options , “ including postponements and playing games behind closed doors ” .
English professional football will remain suspended until 30 April at the earliest because of the coronavirus pandemic - but authorities confirmed that rules have been amended to extend the season indefinitely .
Under the current regulations the season was scheduled to end on 1 June , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the campaign will be extended in order to complete the fixtures .
English football suspended until 30 April - but the season is extended indefinitely Formula 1 has brought forward its summer break following the postponement of the opening four races of the 2020 season .
The mid-season shutdown usually takes place for two weeks in August but F1 bosses have confirmed that this year ’ s revised break will be in March and April and extended to 21 days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The BBC reports that the ATP and WTA professional tennis tours will now be suspended until 7 June , meaning that the entire clay-court season has been ruled out .
The French Open grand slam at Roland Garros was due to take place from 24 May to 7 June but will now start on 20 September .
A joint statement by the ATP and WTA said : “ Now is not a time to act unilaterally , but in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 pandemic to professional tennis demand greater collaboration than ever from everyone in the tennis community in order for the sport to move forward collectively in the best interest of players , tournaments and fans.
” British four-time Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent says the Tokyo 2020 games should be called off and has accused International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach of being “ tone deaf ” over the coronavirus crisis .
Quoted by The Daily Telegraph , Pinsent said : “ I ’ m sorry Mr Bach but this is tone deaf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to mention obey govt instructions to lock down ] is not compatible with athlete training , travel and focus that a looming Olympics demands of athletes , spectators organisers etc Keep them safe .
Call it off.
” Ryder Cup organisers and Team Europe captain Padraig Harrington have dismissed “ inaccurate ” reports that this year ’ s big golf event could be postponed until 2021 .
Irishman Harrington said : “ September is a long way off so there ’ s no change to the situation at all at this stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some rumours and they had to put out a statement to say there ’ s been no change , but there ’ s definitely no change .
“ I ’ m on the inside of these things .
Normally you ’ re looking at ‘ anonymous source says this… ’ but now that I ’ m on the inside you go ‘ wow , it really is made-up stuff ’ .
” The 2020 Ryder Cup between Team USA and holders Team Europe is set to take place from 22-27 September at Whistling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 Europe beat the Americans 17½-10½ at Le Golf National in France .
Snooker icon Willie Thorne has announced that he has been diagnosed with leukaemia and will undergo chemotherapy treatment .
The 66-year-old said : “ I realise everybody is having a tough time .
Mine ’ s just got worse - I ’ ve been diagnosed with leukaemia .
I ’ m devastated .
Start chemotherapy tomorrow .
I ’ m in Spain where the health care is hopefully second to none - love to you all .
Willie.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In a sign that football will one day return to normal , the Daily Star reports that Manchester United are ready to table a £30m bid “ to beat off rivals ” for the hand of Jude Bellingham .
The 16-year-old wonderkid has been in blistering form for Birmingham City and the Star says that United are “ obsessed with coming out on top in the race for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bayern Munich are also “ keen ” on the teenage sensation but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bring the youngster to Old Trafford .
The Daily Mail reports that Paul Pogba ’ s Manchester United career is “ over ” and the Red Devils are willing to listen to offers of £100m for the midfielder .
Pogba ’ s contract expires in the summer of 2021 and the French World Cup winner has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid and a return to former club Juventus .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chelsea have offered their Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge to NHS staff as they battle coronavirus .
Under the headline “ Football United ” , the Daily Mirror says a similar initiative has been taken by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville .
Sky Sports pundit Neville and former United team-mates Ryan Giggs , Paul Scholes , Nicky Butt and brother Phil Neville co-own the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre and Hotel Football at Old Trafford .
Football unites against virus as Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. Cricket cancelled?
The photo on the back page of The Guardian is of veteran England pace bowler Jimmy Anderson above the headline: “We might not bowl a ball this summer”.
England’s tour to Sri Lanka was abandoned last week and today cricket chiefs meet to plan the way forward.
“Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood, it’s all I know,” said the 37-year-old Anderson. “There’s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.”
The 2020 County Championship is scheduled to begin on 12 April, while England’s three-Test series against the West Indies starts on 4 June.
According to BBC Sport the England and Wales Cricket Board will examine all options, “including postponements and playing games behind closed doors”.
2. English football suspended until 30 April
English professional football will remain suspended until 30 April at the earliest because of the coronavirus pandemic - but authorities confirmed that rules have been amended to extend the season indefinitely.
Under the current regulations the season was scheduled to end on 1 June, but The Football Association (FA) says the campaign will be extended in order to complete the fixtures.
English football suspended until 30 April - but the season is extended indefinitely
3. F1 moves dates of mid-season break
Formula 1 has brought forward its summer break following the postponement of the opening four races of the 2020 season.
The mid-season shutdown usually takes place for two weeks in August but F1 bosses have confirmed that this year’s revised break will be in March and April and extended to 21 days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4. Clay-court season is off
The BBC reports that the ATP and WTA professional tennis tours will now be suspended until 7 June, meaning that the entire clay-court season has been ruled out.
The French Open grand slam at Roland Garros was due to take place from 24 May to 7 June but will now start on 20 September.
A joint statement by the ATP and WTA said: “Now is not a time to act unilaterally, but in unison. The challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic to professional tennis demand greater collaboration than ever from everyone in the tennis community in order for the sport to move forward collectively in the best interest of players, tournaments and fans.”
5. Pinsent hits out at ‘tone deaf’ IOC chief Bach
British four-time Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent says the Tokyo 2020 games should be called off and has accused International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach of being “tone deaf” over the coronavirus crisis.


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: what a London lockdown would look like

London is facing a potential lockdown as Boris Johnson warns that he is prepared to take “ further and faster measures ” to curb the spread of the new coronavirus .
The Cabinet Office has written to Whitehall departments asking for their recommendations on stricter measures for the English capital , in a “ shielding plan for London ” , according to The Guardian .
The prime minister said on Wednesday that he will not hesitate to roll out tougher action to protect people ’ s health and NHS services , “ as officials reiterated the capital was ahead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus ’ s spread ” , the newspaper adds .
What steps has London already taken ?
A partial lockdown of London has already begun , with Transport for London ( TfL ) announcing that services are ceasing cease on parts of the city ’ s travel network from Thursday morning .
Up to 40 London Underground stations are closing , bus services are being reduced and the night tube will be suspended , says the BBC .
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has echoed the PM ’ s call for Londoners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Londoners should be avoiding social interaction unless absolutely necessary , and that means they should be avoiding using the transport network unless absolutely necessary , ” Khan said .
“ London will get through these extraordinarily challenging times , and ensuring the capital ’ s critical workers can move around the city will be crucial .
We owe it to them to do whatever we can to help them do their jobs effectively.
” TfL said these stations “ could be closed ” from Thursday , and is advising passengers to check live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a further lockdown look like ?
At his daily coronavirus briefing yesterday , Johnson said that “ in a land of liberty , we don ’ t tend to impose those sort of restriction ” .
“ But I have to tell you - we will rule nothing out , ” he continued .
“ We will bring forward further and faster measures where necessary.
” Under the 1984 Public Health ( Control of Disease ) Act , people can “ be kept in isolation for their own safety ” , said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries , including Italy and France , people are facing fines for leaving their homes for reasons other than buying food or medicine or going to work if they can ’ t work from home .
Government sources told CNN that the measures being considered for London would mirror those taken in some other European countries .
So will it happen ?
The situation is “ under continuous review ” , Johnson said on Wednesday , when the number of confirmed coronavirus infections in London stood at 953 - more than a third @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capital is expected to suffer a quarter of the eventual total number of fatalities , The Independent reports .
Repeating his warning that more stringent measures were on the table , the PM said : “ Absolutely , we do not rule out… because it would be quite wrong to do so… we do not rule out taking further and faster measures in due course.
” However , a City Hall told The Guardian that there had been no word from Downing Street on enforcing stricter measures on London residents for the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been told anything at all about this yet , which would indicate there ’ s nothing due immediately .
But we are ready to take what action is needed to protect the health of Londoners , ” the source told the newpaper .


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Coronavirus: pound plummets amid pandemic crisis

The value of the pound has plunged as fears about the coronavirus pandemic trigger a mass sell-off and shake global financial markets .
Investors offloaded assets ranging from equities and oil to government bonds and gold in the rout on Wednesday .
The Times says the falls in the latter two assets , “ which are usually in demand during periods of chaos ” , suggest that investors were scrambling to raise cash by selling positions .
The sell-off sent sterling below $ 1.15 , its worst level since 1985 , while the FTSE 100 ended the day down 214.32 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the lowest point since October 2011 .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 pound is now at a 31-year low against the US dollar , after dropping by more than 12 % since the beginning of the year , and by more than 9 % against the euro .
Several other currencies have also collapsed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Australian dollar falling to its lowest level since January 2003 .
Sky News business presenter Ian King says these drops could be down to the relative attractiveness of the US dollar and the euro for investors looking for “ safe haven-buying ” - investments that are expected to retain or increase in value during times of market turbulence .
All the same , the Dow Jones yesterday lost “ almost all the gains it had previously enjoyed under Donald Trump ” , says The Times .
Wall Street also joined the rout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breakers designed to give investors breathing space were tripped for the fourth time in recent days .
Jim Reid , a strategist at Deutsche Bank , said : “ Investors are trying to calibrate to what the new world looks like .
No one ’ s got certainty about when the economy is going to be anything vaguely like normal again.
” This lack of certainty has been underlined by UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak ’ s announcement earlier this week of a £350bn economic stimulus package .
Sunak is offering £330bn of government-backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ direct cash support - with the new injection of money coming less than a week after an initial £7bn package was announced in the Budget .
The chancellor is also giving all retail , hospitality and leisure businesses a one-year holiday from their business rates bill .

The value of the pound has plunged as fears about the coronavirus pandemic trigger a mass sell-off and shake global financial markets.
Investors offloaded assets ranging from equities and oil to government bonds and gold in the rout on Wednesday.
The Times says the falls in the latter two assets, “which are usually in demand during periods of chaos”, suggest that investors were scrambling to raise cash by selling positions.
The sell-off sent sterling below $1.15, its worst level since 1985, while the FTSE 100 ended the day down 214.32 points, or 4.05% - falling to the lowest point since October 2011.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 pound is now at a 31-year low against the US dollar, after dropping by more than 12% since the beginning of the year, and by more than 9% against the euro.
Several other currencies have also collapsed in value against the US dollar, with the Australian dollar falling to its lowest level since January 2003.
Sky News business presenter Ian King says these drops could be down to the relative attractiveness of the US dollar and the euro for investors looking for “safe haven-buying” - investments that are expected to retain or increase in value during times of market turbulence.
All the same, the Dow Jones yesterday lost “almost all the gains it had previously enjoyed under Donald Trump”, says The Times.
Wall Street also joined the rout, with trading temporarily halted after circuit breakers designed to give investors breathing space were tripped for the fourth time in recent days.
Jim Reid, a strategist at Deutsche Bank, said: “Investors are trying to calibrate to what the new world looks like. No one’s got certainty about when the economy is going to be anything vaguely like normal again.”
This lack of certainty has been underlined by UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement earlier this week of a £350bn economic stimulus package.
Sunak is offering £330bn of government-backed loans for businesses and another £20bn in direct cash support - with the new injection of money coming less than a week after an initial £7bn package was announced in the Budget.
The chancellor is also giving all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses a one-year holiday from their business rates bill.


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Premier League will aim to complete season by 30 June

Representatives of the 20 Premier League clubs will share a conference call today to discuss how to proceed in the face of the coronavirus pandemic .
It ’ s expected that the clubs will agree to try and complete the season by 30 June , in line with other European domestic leagues which , like the Premier League , have gone into temporary lockdown .
Uefa ’ s decision earlier this week to postpone this summer ’ s European Championship until 2021 has made it possible for domestic leagues to reschedule their competitions , and there is a growing determination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
According to The Guardian the decision last week to suspend all football in England until 3 April “ prompted an immediate feeling among clubs that the season will not be finished ” .
Since then , however , and tapping into the determination shown by the likes of Serie A in Italy , there is a mounting resolve to finish the campaign .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Premier League clubs have nine games remaining , and no club is more anxious to complete the season than Liverpool , who could clinch their first league title in 30 years with just two more victories .
The Guardian says that Premier League sources have told them that when the decision was taken last week to suspend the competition , “ the clubs did not discuss the thorny question of how to decide finishing places if the season is not completed ” .
That encouraged speculation - exploited by a newspaper column by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - that the season should be considered null and void .
But having recovered from the gravity of the situation the clubs are more bullish about the chances of completing the season , particularly as they have until the end of June .
The Premier League ’ s football department has been testing scenarios for scheduling games once it is deemed safe to resume sport .
It ’ s expected that today ’ s meeting will push back the 3 April deadline until the end of the month , and pencil in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for all fixtures , allowing the Premier League and the FA Cup to be played in May and June .
Also on the agenda at today ’ s video conference will be the looming financial crisis for the lower leagues .
While the Premier League ’ s TV and commercial deals will cushion them from adverse effects , the same does not apply for the English Football League ( EFL ) .
The EFL is said to be in discussions with Sky and BT Sport about ways to help them survive the unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to NHS staff ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Representatives of the 20 Premier League clubs will share a conference call today to discuss how to proceed in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s expected that the clubs will agree to try and complete the season by 30 June, in line with other European domestic leagues which, like the Premier League, have gone into temporary lockdown.
Uefa’s decision earlier this week to postpone this summer’s European Championship until 2021 has made it possible for domestic leagues to reschedule their competitions, and there is a growing determination among Premier League clubs to complete the season.
According to The Guardian the decision last week to suspend all football in England until 3 April “prompted an immediate feeling among clubs that the season will not be finished”.
Since then, however, and tapping into the determination shown by the likes of Serie A in Italy, there is a mounting resolve to finish the campaign.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Reds on the brink
Sixteen of the Premier League clubs have nine games remaining, and no club is more anxious to complete the season than Liverpool, who could clinch their first league title in 30 years with just two more victories.
The Guardian says that Premier League sources have told them that when the decision was taken last week to suspend the competition, “the clubs did not discuss the thorny question of how to decide finishing places if the season is not completed”.
That encouraged speculation - exploited by a newspaper column by West Ham’s vice-chairman Karren Brady - that the season should be considered null and void.
But having recovered from the gravity of the situation the clubs are more bullish about the chances of completing the season, particularly as they have until the end of June.
May day
The Premier League’s football department has been testing scenarios for scheduling games once it is deemed safe to resume sport.
It’s expected that today’s meeting will push back the 3 April deadline until the end of the month, and pencil in the start of May as a resumption date for all fixtures, allowing the Premier League and the FA Cup to be played in May and June.
Also on the agenda at today’s video conference will be the looming financial crisis for the lower leagues.
While the Premier League’s TV and commercial deals will cushion them from adverse effects, the same does not apply for the English Football League (EFL).
The EFL is said to be in discussions with Sky and BT Sport about ways to help them survive the unprecedented crisis.
Today’s back pages
Football unites against virus as Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to NHS staff
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theweekuk--2020-03-19--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 19 Mar 2020

Scottish beer firm BrewDog has begun making hand sanitiser gel at its distillery in Aberdeenshire as part of a push @ @ @ @ @ during the coronavirus outbreak .
BrewDog says it will give the gel away for free @ @ @ @ @ .
Psychopomp Microdistillery in Bristol , 58 Gin in London and Verdant Spirits in Dundee @ @ @ @ @ make hand sanitiser , while luxury goods group LVMH is doing likewise at three of @ @ @ @ @ in France .

Beer company BrewDog making hand sanitiser gel
Scottish beer firm BrewDog has begun making hand sanitiser gel at its distillery in Aberdeenshire as part of a push to help people stay safe during the coronavirus outbreak. BrewDog says it will give the gel away for free to local charities and communities. Psychopomp Microdistillery in Bristol, 58 Gin in London and Verdant Spirits in Dundee have also switched production to make hand sanitiser, while luxury goods group LVMH is doing likewise at three of its perfume and cosmetics factories in France.


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Today’s back pages: football unites against virus as Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels o

Today’s back pages: football unites against virus as Gary Neville and Roman Abramovich hand hotels over to NHS staff

The Daily Express and the Independent report that Chelsea have offered their Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge to NHS staff as they battle coronavirus .
The offer - suggested by owner Roman Abramovich - has been accepted and the costs will be met by the Blues ’ s Russian owner .
“ This will be for a two-month period , and then reconsidered in light of circumstances at the time , ” Chelsea said in a statement .
“ NHS staff will be those working in hospitals in the North-West London region , but that may extend to hospitals in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the headline “ Football United ” , says a similar initiative has been taken by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville .
Sky Sports pundit Neville and former United team-mates Ryan Giggs , Paul Scholes , Nicky Butt and brother Phil Neville co-own the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre and Hotel Football at Old Trafford .
“ It is something we are delighted to have been able to come to an agreement with , ” said Neville .
“ It is at this moment in time that the whole of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not just for our staff in these uncertain times , but for the people who need the accommodation most in the coming months.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The photo on the back page of The Guardian is of veteran England pace bowler Jimmy Anderson above the headline : “ We might not bowl a ball this summer ” .
England ’ s tour to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today cricket chiefs meet to plan the way forward .
“ Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood , it ’ s all I know , ” said the 37-year-old Anderson .
“ There ’ s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.
” The 2020 County Championship is scheduled to begin on 12 April , while England ’ s three-Test series against the West Indies starts on 4 June .
According to BBC Sport the England and Wales Cricket @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including postponements and playing games behind closed doors ” .
In a sign that football will one day return to normal , the Daily Star leads on its back page with a claim that Manchester United are ready to table a £30m bid “ to beat off rivals ” for the hand of Jude Bellingham .
The 16-year-old wonderkid has been in blistering form for Birmingham City and the Star says that United are “ obsessed with coming out on top in the race for him ” .
Apparently Borussia Dortmund , Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on the teenage sensation but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bring the youngster to Old Trafford .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Hotels of hope
The Daily Express and the Independent report that Chelsea have offered their Millennium Hotel at Stamford Bridge to NHS staff as they battle coronavirus.
The offer - suggested by owner Roman Abramovich - has been accepted and the costs will be met by the Blues’s Russian owner.
“This will be for a two-month period, and then reconsidered in light of circumstances at the time,” Chelsea said in a statement. “NHS staff will be those working in hospitals in the North-West London region, but that may extend to hospitals in other districts.”
The Daily Mirror, under the headline “Football United”, says a similar initiative has been taken by former Manchester United defender Gary Neville.
Sky Sports pundit Neville and former United team-mates Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and brother Phil Neville co-own the Stock Exchange Hotel in Manchester city centre and Hotel Football at Old Trafford.
“It is something we are delighted to have been able to come to an agreement with,” said Neville.
“It is at this moment in time that the whole of our industry needs to show solidarity, not just for our staff in these uncertain times, but for the people who need the accommodation most in the coming months.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Cricket cancelled?
The photo on the back page of The Guardian is of veteran England pace bowler Jimmy Anderson above the headline: “We might not bowl a ball this summer”.
England’s tour to Sri Lanka was abandoned last week and today cricket chiefs meet to plan the way forward.
“Cricket and sport is not the be all and end all but it is my livelihood, it’s all I know,” said the 37-year-old Anderson. “There’s a chance we might not even bowl a ball this summer.”
The 2020 County Championship is scheduled to begin on 12 April, while England’s three-Test series against the West Indies starts on 4 June.
According to BBC Sport the England and Wales Cricket Board will examine all options, “including postponements and playing games behind closed doors”.
Hey Jude
In a sign that football will one day return to normal, the Daily Star leads on its back page with a claim that Manchester United are ready to table a £30m bid “to beat off rivals” for the hand of Jude Bellingham.
The 16-year-old wonderkid has been in blistering form for Birmingham City and the Star says that United are “obsessed with coming out on top in the race for him”.
Apparently Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and Bayern Munich are also “keen” on the teenage sensation but United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is determined to bring the youngster to Old Trafford.
Today’s sport headlines
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theweekuk--2020-03-19--‘Major milestone’: China reports no new domestic coronavirus cases

China reported no new domestic cases of coronavirus on Wednesday for the first time since the crisis began .
The country ’ s national health commission said it recorded only 34 cases yesterday , and all of them were people who had arrived from overseas .
In Hubei province , where the outbreak began , there were no new infections at all .
CNN describes it as “ a pivotal moment in the battle to contain Covid-19 ” , while The Guardian calls it a “ major milestone ” .
Of the 80,928 confirmed cases across China , 87 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while 4 % ( 3,245 ) have died .
The lack of infections in Hubei suggests the “ large-scale transmissions have been suppressed at the epidemic ground zero ” , says Global Times .
However , experts say there needs to be 14 consecutive days without new cases for the outbreak to be considered over .
The good news from China came as the number of global cases neared 220,000 and Italy - the country with the worst outbreak outside of China - recorded its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus patients to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were first affected appeared to have come through the worst of it , there are now concerns about a second wave of infections , driven by people returning from overseas , ” says The Guardian .
As countries around the world close borders and declare mandatory isolation periods , thousands are rushing home to places such as China , Singapore , Taiwan and Hong Kong , says the newspaper .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six issues for £6 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The authorities in China were initially accused of covering up the truth about the virus .
International efforts to contain the outbreak rely on accurate information sharing , but Beijing was among a number of regimes facing claims of underreporting the extent of the outbreak , contributing to its spread .
Now , China is hailing its success as “ evidence of what can be achieved when a vast , top-down bureaucracy that brooks no dissent is mobilized in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says The New York Times .
Ben Cowling , the head of the division of epidemiology and biostatistics at Hong Kong University ’ s School of Public Health , told the newspaper : “ It ’ s very clear that the actions taken in China have almost brought to an end their first wave of infections .
The question is what will happen if there ’ s a second wave because the kind of measures that China has implemented are not necessarily sustainable in the long term .
”


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Taking Control: The Dominic Cummings Story - what the critics said

BBC 2 ’ s new documentary on Boris Johnson ’ s chief adviser Dominic Cummings promised to “ shed light on a man whose ambitions may now direct Britain ’ s journey for years to come ” .
Presented by Emily Maitlis , who won awards for her interview with Prince Andrew last year , Taking Control : The Dominic Cummings Story aired last night at 9pm .
“ The film charts his arrival in Downing Street as a senior adviser with significant and perhaps unprecedented power .
Now , at the apex of the largest Conservative majority since 1987 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ role in reshaping the nation , our economy and government , ” said the makers .
However , it had a tepid response from most critics .
Anita Singh at The Telegraph said it “ failed to crack politics ’ moodiest maverick ” , and awarded the programme just two out of five stars .
“ There was little attempt at psychology , and no information about his early life , ” she complains .
Singh adds : “ The view from all sides seems to be that Cummings is awful .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he ’ s brilliant , and so put up with him being awful.
” In a separate article for the same newspaper , Lebby Eyres said the documentary “ seems to confirm what I ’ ve thought all along : it ’ s not really our Prime Minister Boris Johnson who ’ s in charge , but Dom ” .
The programme features an interview with Colin Perry , formerly of the Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) , who claimed Cummings tried to push him down steps after a tense radio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to come down a rather narrow flight of steps from the studio , ” said Perry .
“ I led the way down and suddenly felt that he ’ d grabbed my shoulders from behind and was trying to push me down the steps.
” Cummings declined to respond to the BBC ’ s request for comment , although claimed at the time that the two men had “ stumbled into each other ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six issues for £6 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– But , writing for GQ , Tony Blair ’ s former right-hand man Alastair Campbell said the format of the documentary was “ fairly standard , trotting through key phases in Cummings ’ up-and-down career , alongside interviews with talking heads , nearly all male , white and middle-aged , saying what you might expect them to ” .
Rupert Hawksley at The i newspaper adds “ there was almost nothing here about Boris Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t have known already if you picked up a newspaper from time to time ” .
He concludes : “ Sadly , one couldn ’ t help conclude that the BBC was also too afraid to ask the tricky questions , for fear of irritating Cummings , a man people very much seem to want on side – especially political journalists , who need to be privy to his legendary off-the-record briefings .
All a bit pathetic , really .
”


theweekuk--2020-03-19--SoftBank’s WeWork bailout in doubt

SoftBank’s WeWork bailout in doubt

Japanese investment behemoth SoftBank has warned that it might back away from its $ 3bn share purchase of WeWork , reneging on the tender offer it agreed in autumn last year , according to reports .
The deal , which was due for completion on 1 April , secured the ousting of WeWork ’ s then-chief executive Adam Neumann , who pioneered the company .
As part of the deal , Neumann was permitted to sell up to $ 970m in stock .
WeWork , which takes long leases on buildings in major cities and adorns them with contemporary design @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to tenants on short-term contracts , is under regulatory investigation in the US over its representation of its financials and valuation .
Its shareholders were notified by SoftBank that this could mean the Japanese holding company was not compelled to complete the deal , according to multiple sources .
“ The Japanese investment giant didn ’ t explicitly cancel the deal , ” says The Wall Street Journal , “ and its notice to WeWork could be a negotiating tactic , or a way to delay the investment as markets remain volatile.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could lead to WeWork ’ s collapse , late on Wednesday Axios reported that WeWork told employees in an internal company memo “ that the company has plenty of access to capital and that it will keep its co-working buildings open so that its members can keep their own businesses running ” .
“ The press is mischaracterizing SoftBank ’ s commitment to WeWork , ” the memo said .
“ The tender offer is to WeWork shareholders – not to fund the WeWork business.
” Nevertheless , global quarantines enforcing , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are straining commercial real estate companies .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 global economic shock triggered by the coronavirus pandemic has raised stark questions about the outlook for all commercial property companies , in particular for co-working providers such as WeWork , ” says the Financial Times .
In January last year , SoftBank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WeWork with a sum that valued the company at $ 47bn .
His trust , however , proved misplaced , and what Neumann described as the “ largest physical social network in the world ” was revealed as a loss-making exaggeration .
SoftBank ’ s October rescue deal instead valued the company at $ 8bn .
“ My investment judgment was poor in many ways , ” said Son to his shareholders , after WeWork ’ s real valuation became apparent .
“ I overestimated Neumann ’ s good side .
I turned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad side on things like corporate governance .
I have learned a harsh lesson .
”

Japanese investment behemoth SoftBank has warned that it might back away from its $3bn share purchase of WeWork, reneging on the tender offer it agreed in autumn last year, according to reports.
The deal, which was due for completion on 1 April, secured the ousting of WeWork’s then-chief executive Adam Neumann, who pioneered the company. As part of the deal, Neumann was permitted to sell up to $970m in stock.
WeWork, which takes long leases on buildings in major cities and adorns them with contemporary design and modish perks before renting them out to tenants on short-term contracts, is under regulatory investigation in the US over its representation of its financials and valuation.
Its shareholders were notified by SoftBank that this could mean the Japanese holding company was not compelled to complete the deal, according to multiple sources.
“The Japanese investment giant didn’t explicitly cancel the deal,” says The Wall Street Journal, “and its notice to WeWork could be a negotiating tactic, or a way to delay the investment as markets remain volatile.”
Indeed, despite predictions that the news could lead to WeWork’s collapse, late on Wednesday Axios reported that WeWork told employees in an internal company memo “that the company has plenty of access to capital and that it will keep its co-working buildings open so that its members can keep their own businesses running”.
“The press is mischaracterizing SoftBank’s commitment to WeWork,” the memo said. “The tender offer is to WeWork shareholders – not to fund the WeWork business.”
Nevertheless, global quarantines enforcing, or at least recommending, working from home, are straining commercial real estate companies.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 global economic shock triggered by the coronavirus pandemic has raised stark questions about the outlook for all commercial property companies, in particular for co-working providers such as WeWork,” says the Financial Times.
In January last year, SoftBank’s CEO Masayoshi Son invested in WeWork with a sum that valued the company at $47bn. His trust, however, proved misplaced, and what Neumann described as the “largest physical social network in the world” was revealed as a loss-making exaggeration.
SoftBank’s October rescue deal instead valued the company at $8bn. “My investment judgment was poor in many ways,” said Son to his shareholders, after WeWork’s real valuation became apparent. “I overestimated Neumann’s good side. I turned a blind eye to [his] bad side on things like corporate governance. I have learned a harsh lesson.”


theweekuk--2020-03-19--Should Iran still be sanctioned during the pandemic?


theweekuk--2020-03-19--UK schools to close until further notice over coronavirus

After Friday UK schools will close indefinitely to all but the most vulnerable and the children of key workers , with end-of-year exams cancelled , due to the coronavirus outbreak .
Wednesday saw the UK death toll reach 104 , and known infections rise by 676 to 2,626 .
“ We think now we must apply downward pressure on that upward curve by closing the schools , ” said Boris Johnson in a Downing Street press conference .
However , he said children “ should not be left ” with grandparents or other elderly people to whom Covid-19 is particularly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced simultaneously by the prime minister and , in the Commons , Education Secretary Gavin Williamson , apply to state schools , and the government urged private schools , sixth form colleges and nurseries to follow suit .
The coronavirus spike is “ increasing at a faster pace than anticipated ” , Williamson said .
“ I ’ ve said before that if the science and the advice changed , such that keeping schools open would no longer be in the interests of children and teachers , that we would act.
” Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable .
Williamson said : “ The scientific advice shows that these settings are safe for this small number of children to continue attending – but asking others to stay away will help us to slow the spread.
” Which workers are deemed key has yet to be fully clarified , but on top of NHS staff Johnson referenced police officers , supermarket delivery drivers and social care workers who look after the elderly .
The children who will continue to attend may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has held back closing schools because it feared important parts of the workforce would be forced to remain home in the event of full closures .
Wednesday ’ s announcement attempts to address this dilemma .
Many had also raised concerns over how some of the most disadvantaged children would eat without free school meals .
Williamson said schools would be provided with vouchers for shops and supermarkets that could be posted out to poorer families .
England ’ s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the decision was not so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the novel coronavirus is “ not dangerous ” , but rather designed to slow the rate of infections .
Internationally , governments are aiming to slow the rate of infection not to reduce the number of people infected over time , but rather to ensure at any one time their respective healthcare systems have capacity to treat the sick .
That capacity has been exceeded in Italy .
Another 475 people lost their lives from Covid-19 there yesterday - the biggest single-day death toll in any country since the outbreak began .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six issues free ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “ We are very keen that in addition to closing schools we also made it possible for NHS staff to have their children go to school , ” Whitty said , while also offering guidelines for those who must now care for their children during the outbreak .
“ Being outside in the park is a very good thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good thing to do - the thing we are trying to avoid is people meeting up unnecessarily or having unnecessary social contact , ” he said .
GCSEs , A-levels and Sats are now cancelled in England and Wales , although that decision has yet to be made in other parts of the UK .
Asked how this will affect childrens ’ progress towards qualifications , Johnson offered reassurance .
“ We will make sure that their progress is not impeded as a result of this decision we have to make now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had become “ inevitable ” , says Hannah Richardson , for the BBC .
“ Heads and teachers are just as at risk as anyone else , and as more and more staff called in sick - increasing numbers of schools started to fall like dominoes under the weight of this pandemic.
” However , Paul Whiteman , general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers , said there were “ many complicated issues to address ” and “ we have more questions than answers at the moment ” .

After Friday UK schools will close indefinitely to all but the most vulnerable and the children of key workers, with end-of-year exams cancelled, due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Wednesday saw the UK death toll reach 104, and known infections rise by 676 to 2,626. “We think now we must apply downward pressure on that upward curve by closing the schools,” said Boris Johnson in a Downing Street press conference.
However, he said children “should not be left” with grandparents or other elderly people to whom Covid-19 is particularly threatening.
The measures, which were announced simultaneously by the prime minister and, in the Commons, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, apply to state schools, and the government urged private schools, sixth form colleges and nurseries to follow suit.
The coronavirus spike is “increasing at a faster pace than anticipated”, Williamson said. “I’ve said before that if the science and the advice changed, such that keeping schools open would no longer be in the interests of children and teachers, that we would act.”
Schools will be required to make provision to care for the children of key workers and the most vulnerable.
Williamson said: “The scientific advice shows that these settings are safe for this small number of children to continue attending – but asking others to stay away will help us to slow the spread.”
Which workers are deemed key has yet to be fully clarified, but on top of NHS staff Johnson referenced police officers, supermarket delivery drivers and social care workers who look after the elderly.
The children who will continue to attend may have to temporarily change school.
The government has held back closing schools because it feared important parts of the workforce would be forced to remain home in the event of full closures. Wednesday’s announcement attempts to address this dilemma.
Many had also raised concerns over how some of the most disadvantaged children would eat without free school meals. Williamson said schools would be provided with vouchers for shops and supermarkets that could be posted out to poorer families.
England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the decision was not so much about protecting children, for whom the novel coronavirus is “not dangerous”, but rather designed to slow the rate of infections.


theweekuk--2020-03-18--‘No cosy consensus’ on coronavirus: what will the government do next?

Scientists and health experts all agree that coronavirus presents an unprecedented challenge to the world.
But Patrick Vallance, the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, says there is no agreement on what steps should be taken next to curb the outbreak.
Vallance told the parliamentary Health and Social Care Select Committee that those working for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage), which he chairs, had different opinions.
“If you think Sage and the way Sage works is a cosy consensus of agreeing scientists you would be very mistaken. It is a lively and robust discussion with multiple inputs,” he said.
“We don’t try to get everybody saying exactly the same thing. The idea is to look at the evidence and come up with the answers as best we can,” The Times reports.
Ministers had taken scientific advice, prioritising stopping the virus without considering the economy, said Vallance.
“The advice that we’ve given from Sage which is based on modelling virology, clinical behavioural science… has been really carefully listened to and hasn’t been in any way from our perspective overlain with economic considerations as a reason to change the advice.”
What steps are the government considering next?
Emergency powers
The government is likely to introduce sweeping emergency powers this week to combat coronavirus.
The measures, unprecedented in peacetime, could see airports shut and people detained on public health grounds, says the BBC. Border Force could suspend operations at all transport hubs if there are insufficient resources to maintain border security.
Police and immigration officials will be given powers to arrest and test people suspected of carrying coronavirus.
Court hearings could take place via phone or video call, while recently retired medical staff could return to work without any negative effect on their entitlements.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the measures were “proportionate to the threat we face”, and stressed they would only be used “when strictly necessary”. The powers would remain in place only for as long as the government needed them to respond to the crisis.
“By planning for the worst and working for the best we will get through this, but this is a national effort and we must all work together,” he said. “Crucially they give the government the powers it needs to protect lives.”
Financial measures
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said yesterday that the government will do “whatever it takes” to support the UK economy through the coronavirus crisis.