theweekuk--2020-09-08--Why everyone’s talking about Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood

Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood have been sent home after breaking Covid-19 rules while on international duty with the England senior team in Iceland .
It has been confirmed that Manchester City attacking midfielder Foden and Manchester United striker Greenwood will now miss England ’ s Uefa Nations League clash in Denmark tonight and the Football Association ( FA ) has launched an investigation .
Both players were also fined £1,360 by Reykjavik police .
After making their Three Lions debuts in Saturday ’ s 1-0 victory against Iceland , 20-year-old Foden and 18-year-old Greenwood were axed from the England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ queen and her cousin in the team hotel in Reykjavik on Sunday night .
England head coach Gareth Southgate confirmed that the duo had breached Icelandic Covid-19 guidelines .
TalkSPORT understands that the quarantine protocols at the team hotel were so strict , players were not even allowed to meet their own family members .
In a statement the FA said : “ Whilst in Iceland , both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area , which was a breach of our Covid-19 rules .
“ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol .
They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement .
“ The FA will be launching a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to this breach .
We have spoken to the Football Association of Iceland to offer our apologies for this incident and to ensure them that we are taking the appropriate steps .
“ We have also assured the Danish Football Union that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ team for the match against Denmark.
” Man City star Foden issued a “ grovelling apology ” for the unacceptable breach , The Sun reports .
In a social media post , he said : “ I apologise to Gareth Southgate , to my England team-mates , to the staff , supporters and also to my club and my family .
“ On this occasion I made a poor decision and my behaviour didn ’ t meet the standards expected of me .
I will learn a valuable lesson from this error in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team good luck this week.
” In response to the incident Man City said : “ It is clear that Phil ’ s actions were totally inappropriate .
His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to Covid-19 , but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international .
The club supports the FA regarding this incident , and officials from the club are now in touch in relation to Phil ’ s enforced early return to the UK.
” The Daily Mail says Greenwood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ axed from the England squad .
“ It was irresponsible of me to break the Covid-19 protocols which are in place to protect players , staff and the public , ” the teenager admitted .
“ In particular , I want to apologise to Gareth Southgate , for letting him down , when he had shown great trust in me .
“ Playing for England was one of the proudest moments in my life and I only have myself to blame for this huge mistake .
I promise my family , the fans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a lesson I will learn from.
” His club ’ s statement read : “ Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation.
” The dropping of Foden and Greenwood from the squad ’ s biosecure bubble and the suspension of Kyle Walker means Southgate will only have 21 players to choose from for tonight ’ s match against the Danes ( 7.45pm , live on Sky Sports ) .
When asked about the incident the England boss described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think at the moment I ’ m trying to take a lot of information in , ” he said .
“ Obviously they have been naive , we have dealt with it appropriately .
I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic .
“ I ’ m a father with children , young adults , I know people get things wrong .
I ’ m not excusing that in this instance .
“ These are two boys I don ’ t know particularly well at the moment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ depth .
I have got to try and speak with them later in the appropriate way .
They have got responsibilities and they have apologised.
” Sky Sports says European football ’ s governing body Uefa has “ accepted ” the version of events provided by Southgate and FA officials , and that the rest of the squad remains bio-secure .
It ’ s also been concluded that there is no reason for tonight ’ s Nations League game to be compromised .
What happens next ?
Have Foden and Greenwood damaged their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southgate said it was too early to say , The Guardian ’ s David Hytner reports .
However , according to The Sun the pair won ’ t just miss the match in Denmark but could also face a further three England games on the sidelines after their behaviour .
Next month the Three Lions will play a triple header at Wembley Stadium in London .
They take on Wales in a friendly on 8 October followed by Nations League fixtures against Belgium and Denmark , on 11 and 14 October respectively .

Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood have been sent home after breaking Covid-19 rules while on international duty with the England senior team in Iceland.
It has been confirmed that Manchester City attacking midfielder Foden and Manchester United striker Greenwood will now miss England’s Uefa Nations League clash in Denmark tonight and the Football Association (FA) has launched an investigation.
Both players were also fined £1,360 by Reykjavik police.
What happened?
After making their Three Lions debuts in Saturday’s 1-0 victory against Iceland, 20-year-old Foden and 18-year-old Greenwood were axed from the England squad after meeting with an Icelandic beauty queen and her cousin in the team hotel in Reykjavik on Sunday night.
England head coach Gareth Southgate confirmed that the duo had breached Icelandic Covid-19 guidelines. TalkSPORT understands that the quarantine protocols at the team hotel were so strict, players were not even allowed to meet their own family members.
In a statement the FA said: “Whilst in Iceland, both Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood spent time outside of our private team area, which was a breach of our Covid-19 rules.
“While they did not leave the team hotel, it was an unacceptable breach of our protocol. They have both apologised for their serious lack of judgement.
“The FA will be launching a full investigation into the circumstances leading up to this breach. We have spoken to the Football Association of Iceland to offer our apologies for this incident and to ensure them that we are taking the appropriate steps.
“We have also assured the Danish Football Union that all other players and staff members have been isolated within our group throughout this period. Our immediate priority now is preparing the team for the match against Denmark.”
Foden’s grovelling apology
Man City star Foden issued a “grovelling apology” for the unacceptable breach, The Sun reports.
In a social media post, he said: “I apologise to Gareth Southgate, to my England team-mates, to the staff, supporters and also to my club and my family.
“On this occasion I made a poor decision and my behaviour didn’t meet the standards expected of me. I will learn a valuable lesson from this error in judgement and I wish Gareth and the team good luck this week.”


theweekuk--2020-09-08--Does Boris Johnson’s Brexit treaty backtracking make no-deal more likely?

Britain “ can now move forward as one country ” , putting an end to years of “ argument and division ” while “ building a strong new relationship with the EU as friends and sovereign equals ” .
Back in January , Boris Johnson was all smiles as he put pen to paper on the Brexit withdrawal agreement .
But fast-forward nine months and that optimistic tone has aged like a glass of milk .
Following shock reports that the prime minister plans to row back on elements of the divorce deal , Johnson will tell EU leaders today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But senior Tory MPs are warning that the likely outcome of reneging on the agreement is a no-deal exit from the bloc .
The withdrawal agreement signed in January was largely brokered by Theresa May , but was not voted through the House of Commons until Johnson won further concessions from the EU following the Conservatives ’ landslide victory in the December election .
However , Johnson now believes the agreement is “ legally ambiguous and would leave Northern Ireland isolated from the rest of the UK ” , The Telegraph reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his plans to backtrack on the deal is understood to have caught Downing Street on the backfoot .
Sources told the Financial Times that the UK Internal Markets Bill , due to be tabled tomorrow , would “ eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement ” .
The government has launched an internal inquiry to track down the source of the leak , as Johnson scrambles to get ahead of the news .
The reports have “ triggered a major row between London and Brussels ” , says The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ von der Leyen threatened to refuse to do business with Britain if “ trust ” is broken over the agreement .
With friends like these ...
Leaked EU cables seen by The Guardian reveal that trust in the UK has already “ plummeted ” following the disclosure of Johnson ’ s plan .
According to messages sent to European capitals from Brussels in recent days , “ Johnson is suspected of holding back on finding a compromise on the key outstanding issues ” surrounding Brexit , in the hope of winning a last-minute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The revelations provide the worst possible backdrop to the latest round of negotiations ” , The Guardian adds , after the UK ’ s chief negotiator David Frost said on Monday that the two sides “ must make progress this week if we are to reach an agreement in time ” .
Amid “ growing unease ” on the Tory backbenches over Johnson ’ s approach , senior party figures have warned the PM that his plans to “ water down Britain ’ s obligations under the EU withdrawal agreement ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a no-deal Brexit more likely , says The Times .
The One Nation group of moderate Tory MPs met last night and reportedly remain “ alarmed by the strategy ” .
One of moderates told the newspaper that rowing back on the treaty “ would clearly have some real issues in terms of our status as a country ” .
“ If we breach an international agreement it will affect our ability to do deals with others .
The ramifications of doing this are serious , ” the unnamed MP added .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , manufacturers and businesses are also worried about the potential fallout from Johnson ’ s blueprint .
Confederation of British Industry ( CBI ) deputy director general Josh Hardie yesterday reminded ministers that “ amid all the noise and negotiations , businesses in the UK and EU remain clear – a good deal is essential ” .
That message was echoed by Andrew Opie , director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium ( BRC ) , who said a “ no deal would be the worst outcome for consumers ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pounds in tariffs to the cost of the food in British supermarkets ” .
With the leaked EU cables revealing the extent of the diplomatic damage caused , concerns are also growing that the bloc might mount a legal challenge over a breach of the agreement .
A dispute “ would trigger a specific legal process ” ending in the European Court of Justice , says The Guardian ’ s Brexit correspondent Lisa O ’ Carroll .
“ And if the UK was found to have breached the international treaty it signed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to punish the country.
” “ Because the agreement is an international treaty , the EU could bring proceedings against the UK , under the dispute resolution mechanism of the agreement , ” adds Catherine Barnard , a European law professor at Cambridge University .
Meanwhile , The Times ’ Rachel Sylvester warns that Johnson ’ s “ no-deal brinkmanship ” is “ damaging Britain ’ s reputation abroad just when we need new allies ” .
“ Ministers were yesterday downplaying the significance of new clauses in the Internal Market Bill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the very least provocative , ” Syvlester says .
“ Perhaps the prime minister will swoop in with a last-minute concession , as he did last year , but in terms of the country ’ s reputation abroad it may be too late.
” We see through EU Allies of the PM are more optimistic about the plan , with government insiders remaining “ bullish ” even as no-deal looks like the most likely outcome , according to The Telegraph ’ s associate editor Camilla Tominey .
One “ well-placed source ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may damage Britain ’ s reputation , “ our international standing will be even more reduced if we can not govern ourselves ” .
Former Brexit Secretary David Davis predicts that negotiations “ will get tenser and tenser , and suddenly there will be a last-minute breakthrough in the middle of the night ” .
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has sounded a note of caution , however .
Jenrick told Times Radio today that the government was willing to leave without a deal , but urged EU negotiators to show “ flexibility ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to ditch elements of the withdrawal agreement ahead of the negotiation ’ s conclusion , Jenrick added that “ it wouldn ’ t be responsible for us not to prepare ” for no-deal .

Britain “can now move forward as one country”, putting an end to years of “argument and division” while “building a strong new relationship with the EU as friends and sovereign equals”.
Back in January, Boris Johnson was all smiles as he put pen to paper on the Brexit withdrawal agreement. But fast-forward nine months and that optimistic tone has aged like a glass of milk.
Following shock reports that the prime minister plans to row back on elements of the divorce deal, Johnson will tell EU leaders today that the protocol is “contradictory”. But senior Tory MPs are warning that the likely outcome of reneging on the agreement is a no-deal exit from the bloc.
‘Never made sense’
The withdrawal agreement signed in January was largely brokered by Theresa May, but was not voted through the House of Commons until Johnson won further concessions from the EU following the Conservatives’ landslide victory in the December election.
However, Johnson now believes the agreement is “legally ambiguous and would leave Northern Ireland isolated from the rest of the UK”, The Telegraph reports.
All the same, the leaking of his plans to backtrack on the deal is understood to have caught Downing Street on the backfoot. Sources told the Financial Times that the UK Internal Markets Bill, due to be tabled tomorrow, would “eliminate the legal force of parts of the withdrawal agreement”.
The government has launched an internal inquiry to track down the source of the leak, as Johnson scrambles to get ahead of the news.
The reports have “triggered a major row between London and Brussels”, says The Telegraph, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen threatened to refuse to do business with Britain if “trust” is broken over the agreement.
With friends like these...
Leaked EU cables seen by The Guardian reveal that trust in the UK has already “plummeted” following the disclosure of Johnson’s plan.
According to messages sent to European capitals from Brussels in recent days, “Johnson is suspected of holding back on finding a compromise on the key outstanding issues” surrounding Brexit, in the hope of winning a last-minute “trade-off”, the newspaper reports.
“The revelations provide the worst possible backdrop to the latest round of negotiations”, The Guardian adds, after the UK’s chief negotiator David Frost said on Monday that the two sides “must make progress this week if we are to reach an agreement in time”.


theweekuk--2020-09-08--Coronavirus: what are the chances of catching Covid-19 on a plane?

Coronavirus transmission between air passengers is relatively rare , according to a series of scientific studies - and careful preventative measures can reduce the risk still further .
That may seem counterintuitive .
“ Sitting squeezed between a number of strangers on board an aircraft might feel like a risky position during these uncertain times , ” says CNN .
But fear of flying in a pandemic “ could be unfounded ” , the broadcaster adds .
“ The Covid-19 coronavirus is still relatively new , so accurate data on how it can spread between aircraft passengers is in short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June .
Yet while scientists are still cautious , recent data has been reassuring .
“ In one case , about 328 passengers and crew members were tested for coronavirus after it was learned that a 31 March flight from the US to Taiwan had been carrying 12 passengers who were symptomatic at the time , ” CNN reports .
“ However , all the other passengers tested negative , as did the crew members.
” Other research has found that even if a flight is carrying a “ patient zero ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chances of picking up an infection are between 0 % and 1 % “ for the vast majority of all passengers , apart from those sitting on the same row or across the aisle ” , says The Independent .
If everyone is wearing a mask , as most airlines now require , the risk is reduced still further .
Other PPE , including plastic visors or face shields , may be even more effective .
“ The science is changing every day , ” Massachusetts Institute of Technology ( MIT ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but my understanding is , if you wear a mask , it greatly reduces the chance of you infecting others , but it does n't protect you all that much .
Whereas a shield will protect you.
” Barnett put the chance of catching Covid-19 on a full short-haul flight at one in 4,300 .
So is it safe to fly ?
Not completely .
Mixing with a large number of people is certain to increase the risk of infection - and there are confirmed cases of people contracting Covid-19 on aircraft .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Control study looked at data on 310 passengers and crew who were on an evacuation flight from Italy to Korea in late March .
Social distancing was maintained before boarding , and “ 11 symptomatic passengers were removed from the flight ” .
Yet despite these measures , and the use of protective equipment , one women contracted the disease while aboard .
Although this woman “ wore an N95 mask ” for most of the flight , the study says , she removed it while using a “ toilet [ that ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including an asymptomatic patient ” .
The “ most plausible explanation ” for her contracting Covid is that she inhaled droplets containing the virus while in the confined space of the aircraft toilet , the researchers conclude .

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theweekuk--2020-09-08--Debate on the high street: are UK city centres dead?

Latest sales data shows that British shoppers are returning to the high street - but opinion is divided on whether @ @ @ @ @ struggling retailers .
While some outlets are reporting strong sales growth , industry experts say @ @ @ @ @ steep drop in commuters is having a devastating effect on many shops .
With the @ @ @ @ @ loss of thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of lost revenue , can town @ @ @ @ @ one of the toughest years ever in retail ?
Shoppers have returned to the high @ @ @ @ @ ” , The Daily Telegraph reports .

Latest sales data shows that British shoppers are returning to the high street - but opinion is divided on whether the post-lockdown surge can save struggling retailers.
While some outlets are reporting strong sales growth, industry experts say that empty offices and the steep drop in commuters is having a devastating effect on many shops.
With the ongoing coronavirus crisis triggering the loss of thousands of jobs and millions of pounds of lost revenue, can town and city centres recover from one of the toughest years ever in retail?
Sales hike
Shoppers have returned to the high street “with a vengeance”, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) shows that sales last month were up by 3.9% year-on-year. August was the “third consecutive month in which sales have been more than 3% higher than in the same period of 2019, and represents the strongest rate of growth since May 2018, once distortions for the timing of Easter are accounted for,” says the newspaper.
Many shoppers have been splashing their cash on new furnishings and appliances, as families and people working from home look to upgrade their properties.
Although clothing sales are “struggling” despite children returning to school, computers and TVs are in high demand, The Telegraph adds.
Major job losses
Newly published figures obtained by the BBC under a freedom of information (FOI) reveal that British employers including retail giants Boots, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer planned a total of 300,000 redundancies in June and July.
In early August, an analysis by the Daily Mail found that at least 22,500 retail workers were facing the chop.
Return to work is ‘too late’
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) director-general Carolyn Fairbairn recently urged the government to help bring the UK’s offices “back to life” in order to prevent commercial centres from becoming “ghost towns”.
However, the BRC is warning that “the slow return of UK workers to their normal place of work will come too late to save hard-pressed city centre stores from going under”, The Guardian reports.
The retailer representative body’s chief executive, Helen Dickinson, says that a change in spending patterns, the rise in online shopping and September rent payments has left many outlets struggling to survive.
“With rents accumulating and the September quarter payment date fast approaching, many retailers are hanging on by a thread,” she said.
“Unless businesses and government can successfully persuade office workers back into city and town centres, some high-street retailers will be unable to afford their fixed costs. Government will need to act fast or September will see more shops close and more job losses realised.”
Primark bucking trend
While many firms are struggling to stay afloat, Primark is proving to be an exception.
After reopening its stores in June, the fashion chain is expecting to rake in £2bn worth of sales by the end of the year. And Primark’s owner, Associated British Foods, says the chain’s operating profits will be “at least at the top end” of previous forecasts of £300m to £350m.
Primark does not operate an online shop, and its biggest stores have seen a “significant slump in footfall amid lower numbers of tourists”, the Daily Mail’s This is Money reports. But Primark’s sales in the last quarter “have been driven by larger customer baskets, with transaction sizes initially ‘significantly higher’ than last year due to ‘pent-up demand’”, the news site adds.
John Bason, finance director at Associated British Foods, says he believes shoppers will return to city centres, although not in the same numbers as before the pandemic.
“I think society wants a number of things to become more normal and we are all working on that,” Bason said. “The city is in transition, it’s not remotely dead.”


theweekuk--2020-09-08--Suspected Covid cases ‘three times higher’ than official figures at pandemic peak

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theweekuk--2020-09-08--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 8 Sep 2020

Donald Trump has launched a public attack on the leadership of the US military , accusing them of waging wars @ @ @ @ @ arms companies .
The US president said “ the top people in the Pentagon… want @ @ @ @ @ wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the @ @ @ @ @ stay happy ” .

Trump says military chiefs start wars to boost profits
Donald Trump has launched a public attack on the leadership of the US military, accusing them of waging wars to boost the profits of arms companies. The US president said “the top people in the Pentagon… want to do nothing but fight wars so that all of those wonderful companies that make the bombs and make the planes and make everything else stay happy”.


theweekuk--2020-09-08--Museum exhibits whale testicle beer and prison toilet wine

A beer made with whale testicle and a wine fermented in a prison toilet are among the delights on show at the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmo , Sweden .
The niche institution also boasts an ancient Korean beverage fermented from children ’ s faeces and rice , together with a Scottish brew served from the mouth of a dead squirrel .
“ So much of what we drink is an acquired taste , ” said museum director Andreas Ahrens .
A sex educator and life coach in Australia is charging men £28 to rate their manhood .
Lahnee Pavlovich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers $ 50 ( £28 ) for her “ Rate Your Rooster Report ” .
“ I ’ ve always had a fascination with both how the mind works and with sex , ” Pavlovich explained .
An Austrian man has spent two hours , 30 minutes and 57 seconds inside a custom-made glass box filled up to his shoulders with ice cubes – clad only in swim trunks .
“ I ’ m fighting the pain by visualising and drawing on positive emotions so I can dampen this wave of pain , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beat his own record from 2019 by 30 minutes .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 beer made with whale testicle and a wine fermented in a prison toilet are among the delights on show at the Disgusting Food Museum in Malmo, Sweden. The niche institution also boasts an ancient Korean beverage fermented from children’s faeces and rice, together with a Scottish brew served from the mouth of a dead squirrel. “So much of what we drink is an acquired taste,” said museum director Andreas Ahrens.
Woman charges men $50 to rate their rooster
A sex educator and life coach in Australia is charging men £28 to rate their manhood. Lahnee Pavlovich, from Queensland, Australia, charges customers $50 (£28) for her “Rate Your Rooster Report”. “I’ve always had a fascination with both how the mind works and with sex,” Pavlovich explained.
Man breaks ice immersion record
An Austrian man has spent two hours, 30 minutes and 57 seconds inside a custom-made glass box filled up to his shoulders with ice cubes – clad only in swim trunks. “I’m fighting the pain by visualising and drawing on positive emotions so I can dampen this wave of pain,” Josef Koeberl told reporters. He beat his own record from 2019 by 30 minutes.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-09-07--Dress to impress: top tips for selling your home

Amid the financial chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic , one area of the UK economy is booming : the property market .
Recently published Rightmove data shows that home sales in Britain hit £37bn in July , in the sector ’ s busiest month in a decade , while property portal Zoopla reports that demand is continuing to outpace supply .
If you ’ re putting your home on the market , you can further boost your odds of selling success by make sure the property is dressed to impress - because first impressions count .
Here , interior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ top tips on how to make your home stand out from the rest .
Set out furniture in a way that allows for maximum space in the room .
Shift each piece away from the walls slightly , to create more space to move around , and remove what furniture you can to make rooms look bigger - anything from those extra side tables that you rarely use to large children ’ s toys .
Potential buyers also like to see practical positionings , such as a sofa opposite the TV .
Perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tidy , clean and declutter all spaces .
Put away excess decorative items such as ornaments , tableware and books , so that viewers can get a true sense of how much space is on offer .
It ’ s probably worth putting your collection of holiday fridge magnets away for a short while too… Indeed , the kitchen is a key room for many buyers , so declutter the worktops and store any large appliances out of sight .
You want viewers to imagine themselves cooking and relaxing in your kitchen , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxes and toaster .
We ’ re not talking total redecorating , but if your home includes an eclectic mix of colours or a particularly bold room , it can be beneficial to add some neutral tones in order to speak to the masses .
Make the colour palette as pleasing and neutral as possible : add colour through a few scatter cushions , throws and accessories , and try to keep key rooms neutral to allow viewers to better imagine their own style and decor taking shape .
In addition , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and scuffed then it may be worth refreshing the paintwork .
Let there be light Viewings will always , where possible , be booked for the daytime in order to let viewers see the property in good light .
But you can add a little extra through statement lighting in key rooms .
The glow created by table or floor lamps , for example , can create a warm atmosphere that helps to make people feel more relaxed .
A top tip for smaller or tricky areas such as tight hallways or small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mirror there to add more light and create the illusion of more space .
Buyers will be making a mental note of where they would keep their own things , so show off storage as much as possible .
From space for cabinets and dressers to built-in storage , showcase whatever is available .
Even if storage areas are at a minimum , you can add more through the clever use of wall-mounted shelves , baskets and boxes , and dual-purpose furniture .
Have a think about the styling of your home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on clutter , little touches such as a few books stacked neatly on a coffee table along with a candle and some fresh flowers add instant appeal .
And you can ’ t go wrong with a few new house plants !
Smell can be used as a selling tool too : retailers have been doing it for years .
Add scents with diffusers , candles and room sprays to create a welcoming atmosphere , plus mask any less pleasant odours .
The sense of smell is also closely linked with memory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure buyers remember your home as well .
It ’ s not just what ’ s inside that counts ... Don ’ t neglect the outside of your home either .
Since lockdown , many home buyers have been keen to get more outdoor space , so making the most of any garden or patio areas is important .
To improve kerb appeal , make sure any front garden or driveway is neat and tidy too .
Adding a few potted plants , if possible , and keeping bins out of sight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property look more appealing .

Amid the financial chaos caused by the coronavirus pandemic, one area of the UK economy is booming: the property market.
Recently published Rightmove data shows that home sales in Britain hit £37bn in July, in the sector’s busiest month in a decade, while property portal Zoopla reports that demand is continuing to outpace supply.
If you’re putting your home on the market, you can further boost your odds of selling success by make sure the property is dressed to impress - because first impressions count.
Here, interior design experts from Vesta London give their top tips on how to make your home stand out from the rest.
Make room to move
Set out furniture in a way that allows for maximum space in the room. Shift each piece away from the walls slightly, to create more space to move around, and remove what furniture you can to make rooms look bigger - anything from those extra side tables that you rarely use to large children’s toys.
Potential buyers also like to see practical positionings, such as a sofa opposite the TV.
Clean and tidy
Perhaps an obvious one but be sure to tidy, clean and declutter all spaces. Put away excess decorative items such as ornaments, tableware and books, so that viewers can get a true sense of how much space is on offer. It’s probably worth putting your collection of holiday fridge magnets away for a short while too…
Indeed, the kitchen is a key room for many buyers, so declutter the worktops and store any large appliances out of sight. You want viewers to imagine themselves cooking and relaxing in your kitchen, not trying to see past your cereal boxes and toaster.
A lick of paint
We’re not talking total redecorating, but if your home includes an eclectic mix of colours or a particularly bold room, it can be beneficial to add some neutral tones in order to speak to the masses.
Make the colour palette as pleasing and neutral as possible: add colour through a few scatter cushions, throws and accessories, and try to keep key rooms neutral to allow viewers to better imagine their own style and decor taking shape.


theweekuk--2020-09-08--UK records biggest jump in transport use since pandemic began

Public transport use at some of the largest railway stations the UK has surged to its highest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic , following the reopening of schools and workplaces across the country .
According to footfall data published by Network Rail for the 20 busiest stations in Britain , more people joined the Monday morning rush hour than on any other day since lockdown measures were implemented in March .
According to The Guardian , footfall at major stations including Manchester Piccadilly , Birmingham New Street , Edinburgh Waverley and a number of London stations “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Friday ” after trains in England , Wales and Scotland restored up to 90 % of their normal service levels this week .
However , Sky News reports that the latest government figures show rail use is still only at 31 % of pre-pandemic levels , and worker footfall in cities was only 17 % of normal levels in the first two weeks of August .
And , says the BBC , if too many people use the network , rail companies will have to “ manage passenger flows by warning people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some modern trains , like those running on Southeastern and Govia Thameslink , are able to “ monitor the weight load in carriages , allowing them to estimate the number of people on board ” .
However , Sky News reports , data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board recently revealed that the “ risk of contracting Covid-19 on an average journey is below 0.01 % ” .
Trains were not the only mode of transport in demand on Monday morning .
Transport for London ( TFL ) said bus travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared with last Tuesday , the first day of the working week after the bank holiday .
The number of passengers passing through ticket barriers on the London Underground rose by 15 % .
Anthony Smith , chief executive of passenger watchdog Transport Focus , said the rail industry “ must focus on maintaining good performance so that passengers can travel with confidence ” .
Crowding will lead to disruption and “ has the potential to damage trust in the railway ” , he added .

Public transport use at some of the largest railway stations the UK has surged to its highest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, following the reopening of schools and workplaces across the country.
According to footfall data published by Network Rail for the 20 busiest stations in Britain, more people joined the Monday morning rush hour than on any other day since lockdown measures were implemented in March.
According to The Guardian, footfall at major stations including Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street, Edinburgh Waverley and a number of London stations “increased by 12% on Monday compared with Friday” after trains in England, Wales and Scotland restored up to 90% of their normal service levels this week.
However, Sky News reports that the latest government figures show rail use is still only at 31% of pre-pandemic levels, and worker footfall in cities was only 17% of normal levels in the first two weeks of August.
And, says the BBC, if too many people use the network, rail companies will have to “manage passenger flows by warning people if a particular service is busy”. Some modern trains, like those running on Southeastern and Govia Thameslink, are able to “monitor the weight load in carriages, allowing them to estimate the number of people on board”.
However, Sky News reports, data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board recently revealed that the “risk of contracting Covid-19 on an average journey is below 0.01%”.
Trains were not the only mode of transport in demand on Monday morning. Transport for London (TFL) said bus travel across the city increased by 39% compared with last Tuesday, the first day of the working week after the bank holiday.
The number of passengers passing through ticket barriers on the London Underground rose by 15%.
Anthony Smith, chief executive of passenger watchdog Transport Focus, said the rail industry “must focus on maintaining good performance so that passengers can travel with confidence”. Crowding will lead to disruption and “has the potential to damage trust in the railway”, he added.


theweekuk--2020-09-08--Best Netflix films of 2020

Best Netflix films of 2020

With millions of people staying at home because of Covid-19 , it ’ s been the year of sitting down in front of the box… or laptop .
A study released by Ofcom in August revealed that UK viewers spent 40 % of their waking hours watching TV at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and 12m Brits had signed up to a subscription streaming service during lockdown .
Netflix leads the way as the most popular streaming service in the UK .
With originals like The Old Guard to classics such as Clueless , there ’ s so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick out ten of the best movies available to stream right now on the platform .
This is one of the streaming service ’ s most watched original films ever , Wired reports .
The Old Guard is breaking records fast and reached 72 million households worldwide in its first four weeks .
Starring Charlize Theron , KiKi Layne and Marwan Kenzari , the story follows four undying warriors who ’ ve secretly protected humanity for centuries .
They become a target for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Dan Stevens leading an all-star cast , Eurovision is a story of two small-town singers chasing their pop star dreams at a global music competition .
While The Guardian says Eurovision “ hit all the wrong notes ” and was given “ nul points ” , Esquire ’ s writers are most definitely fans of the film .
Describing it as “ frivolous and fun and escapist and stupid ” , the magazine adds : “ Do you want weird European singalongs ?
Do you want murderous elves ?
Do you want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bad Scandinavian accent making fun of Americans ?
Right now , you absolutely do.
” Chris Hemsworth stars as a hardened mercenary whose mission becomes a soul-searching race to survive when he ’ s sent into Bangladesh to rescue a drug lord ’ s kidnapped son .
Released in April , this Netflix action film proved so popular that a second instalment is already in the works , Radio Times reports .
“ It ’ s tense , well paced , a solid star vehicle for Hemsworth.
” Legendary director Martin Scorsese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gangster drama with an even more epic cast .
Robert De Niro , Al Pacino , Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel star in a film that has a running time of 3hrs 29 minutes .
Although The Irishman may not have the instant electricity of Goodfellas or even Casino , it ’ s a “ throwback to Scorsese ’ s golden age ” , says the Independent .
Viggo Mortensen leads an “ outstanding ” cast as a grizzled , eccentric single father attempting to raise his six children off the grid , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woods , his brood hunts for food and scales rocky cliffs by day , and reads The Brothers Karamazov and discusses Noam Chomsky by night .
Matt Ross ’ s unusual film deals with what happens when the family ’ s lifestyle starts to come apart and they have to be introduced to the world the rest of us inhabit .
George MacKay , who later starred in 1917 , gives a striking performance as the eldest of the children in what is a “ thrilling and poignant ” film .
Noah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for six Academy Awards , including Best Picture , Best Actor and Best Actress .
The powerful film explores the “ protracted and heartbreaking ” divorce of a theatre director ( Adam Driver ) and his actor wife ( Scarlett Johansson ) as they try to care for their son , said Wired .
Driver and Johansson put on “ a masterclass in emotionally honest acting ” , but it was Laura Dern who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Johansson ’ s indefatigable lawyer .
“ More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all rolled into one ” , Clueless is a snapshot of another time that kick-started the teen movie revival .
Loosely based on Jane Austen ’ s Emma , but set in a Los Angeles high school , it ’ s a “ smart take on wealth and privilege in the US ” , said the London Evening Standard .
Alicia Silverstone is spot on as Cher , the matchmaking teen , and the film remains witty and relevant today .
It definitely “ deserves its reputation as one of the most-loved cult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a remake of the 1932 original , Scarface is considered “ one of the best crime films ever made ” , said The Daily Telegraph .
The 1983 classic starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer tells the story of Tony Montana who arrived in Miami from Cuba as a child , and climbed his way to the top of a drugs empire .
However , “ as Tony ’ s power grows , so does his ego and his paranoia ” – a Mafia tale as old as time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ brothers were at their best since Fargo in this tense and violent thriller with a “ dusty Texan ambience and a melancholy tone ” , said The Sunday Times .
Faithfully adapted from a Cormac McCarthy novel , the story involves the theft of a large amount of money and the violent consequences that ensue .
Javier Bardem gives a “ menacing ” and particularly memorable performance as the villain who carries a terrifying weapon – a device designed to kill cattle that uses high-pressure air to blast a steel bolt into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliver “ some of the most convincing chemistry in move history ” in this “ perfect romcom ” penned by Nora Ephron , says the London Evening Standard .
Over the course of 12 years , the pair come in and out of each others ’ lives as they try to answer the question : “ can men and women ever truly be friends ?
” Filled with razor-sharp wit and great performances , When Harry Met Sally is “ light-hearted ” , but has “ something honest to say about the messiness @ @ @ @ @ @

With millions of people staying at home because of Covid-19, it’s been the year of sitting down in front of the box… or laptop.
A study released by Ofcom in August revealed that UK viewers spent 40% of their waking hours watching TV at the height of the coronavirus pandemic and 12m Brits had signed up to a subscription streaming service during lockdown.
Netflix leads the way as the most popular streaming service in the UK. With originals like The Old Guard to classics such as Clueless, there’s so many films and series to binge-watch.
We pick out ten of the best movies available to stream right now on the platform.
The Old Guard
This is one of the streaming service’s most watched original films ever, Wired reports. The Old Guard is breaking records fast and reached 72 million households worldwide in its first four weeks. Starring Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne and Marwan Kenzari, the story follows four undying warriors who’ve secretly protected humanity for centuries. They become a target for their mysterious powers just as they discover a new immortal.
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
With Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams and Dan Stevens leading an all-star cast, Eurovision is a story of two small-town singers chasing their pop star dreams at a global music competition. While The Guardian says Eurovision “hit all the wrong notes” and was given “nul points”, Esquire’s writers are most definitely fans of the film. Describing it as “frivolous and fun and escapist and stupid”, the magazine adds: “Do you want weird European singalongs? Do you want murderous elves? Do you want Ferrell in a flowing blonde wig with a bad Scandinavian accent making fun of Americans? Right now, you absolutely do.”
Extraction
Chris Hemsworth stars as a hardened mercenary whose mission becomes a soul-searching race to survive when he’s sent into Bangladesh to rescue a drug lord’s kidnapped son. Released in April, this Netflix action film proved so popular that a second instalment is already in the works, Radio Times reports. “It’s tense, well paced, a solid star vehicle for Hemsworth.”
The Irishman
Legendary director Martin Scorsese teams up with Netflix for an epic gangster drama with an even more epic cast. Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Harvey Keitel star in a film that has a running time of 3hrs 29 minutes. Although The Irishman may not have the instant electricity of Goodfellas or even Casino, it’s a “throwback to Scorsese’s golden age”, says the Independent.
Captain Fantastic
Viggo Mortensen leads an “outstanding” cast as a grizzled, eccentric single father attempting to raise his six children off the grid, says The Guardian. Living self-sufficiently in the woods, his brood hunts for food and scales rocky cliffs by day, and reads The Brothers Karamazov and discusses Noam Chomsky by night. Matt Ross’s unusual film deals with what happens when the family’s lifestyle starts to come apart and they have to be introduced to the world the rest of us inhabit. George MacKay, who later starred in 1917, gives a striking performance as the eldest of the children in what is a “thrilling and poignant” film.
Marriage Story
Noah Baumbach’s latest hit was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress. The powerful film explores the “protracted and heartbreaking” divorce of a theatre director (Adam Driver) and his actor wife (Scarlett Johansson) as they try to care for their son, said Wired. Driver and Johansson put on “a masterclass in emotionally honest acting”, but it was Laura Dern who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Johansson’s indefatigable lawyer.
Clueless
“More 90s than tamagotchis, Sunny-D and pogs all rolled into one”, Clueless is a snapshot of another time that kick-started the teen movie revival. Loosely based on Jane Austen’s Emma, but set in a Los Angeles high school, it’s a “smart take on wealth and privilege in the US”, said the London Evening Standard. Alicia Silverstone is spot on as Cher, the matchmaking teen, and the film remains witty and relevant today. It definitely “deserves its reputation as one of the most-loved cult favourites of the decade”.
Scarface
Although it’s a remake of the 1932 original, Scarface is considered “one of the best crime films ever made”, said The Daily Telegraph. The 1983 classic starring Al Pacino and Michelle Pfeiffer tells the story of Tony Montana who arrived in Miami from Cuba as a child, and climbed his way to the top of a drugs empire. However, “as Tony’s power grows, so does his ego and his paranoia” – a Mafia tale as old as time.
No Country for Old Men
The Coen brothers were at their best since Fargo in this tense and violent thriller with a “dusty Texan ambience and a melancholy tone”, said The Sunday Times. Faithfully adapted from a Cormac McCarthy novel, the story involves the theft of a large amount of money and the violent consequences that ensue. Javier Bardem gives a “menacing” and particularly memorable performance as the villain who carries a terrifying weapon – a device designed to kill cattle that uses high-pressure air to blast a steel bolt into the skull.[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"content_original","fid":"150531","attributes":{"class":"media-image"}}]]
When Harry Met Sally
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal deliver “some of the most convincing chemistry in move history” in this “perfect romcom” penned by Nora Ephron, says the London Evening Standard. Over the course of 12 years, the pair come in and out of each others’ lives as they try to answer the question: “can men and women ever truly be friends?” Filled with razor-sharp wit and great performances, When Harry Met Sally is “light-hearted”, but has “something honest to say about the messiness of love and relationships”.


theweekuk--2020-09-08--What can British universities learn from Covid outbreaks on US campuses?

US towns with universities are seeing a dramatic spike in coronavirus cases since students began returning three weeks ago , according to a newly published analysis .
More than 51,000 cases have been reported at more than 1,000 campuses across the US during the pandemic .
And around half of the 203 counties in which students make up at least 10 % of the population are now reporting their worst figures since the start of August , a review by The New York Times ( NYT ) found .
With universities in Britain also preparing to welcome back students for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can the UK learn from the US ?
The NYT analysis found that university towns across America have become coronavirus hotspots since campuses began reopening following coronavirus lockdowns and the summer break .
“ In the two rural counties abutting Washington State University and the University of Idaho , which are about eight miles apart , weekly coronavirus cases have risen from single digits in the first few months of the pandemic , to double digits in July , to more than 300 cases per week by the end of last month , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And “ while there has not generally been a rise in deaths from coronavirus in areas with universities , some public health experts fear that young people , who usually have milder effects , will then spread it more widely ” .
A student group at the University of Kansas , where there are nearly 500 cases , is planning a “ strike ” to push the university to move to remote learning , according to regional paper The Kansas City Star .
Students at the University of Iowa staged a similar “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have warned that it is already too late to contain the outbreaks .
Appearing on NBC ’ s Today show last week , Dr Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said : “ When you send them home , particularly when you ’ re dealing with a university where people come from multiple different locations , you could be seeding the different places with infection.
” What can the UK learn ?
As the NYT notes , it ’ s unclear “ how many infections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitively tied to campus outbreaks ” .
But epidemiologists have warned that even with strong contact-tracing systems , “ it would be difficult to completely contain the virus on a campus when students shop , eat and drink in town , and local residents work at the college ” , says the paper .
The UK government ’ s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) agrees that the return of students to universities may increase the spread of Covid-19 both locally and nationwide .
Experts have also “ highlighted the dangers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home during the Christmas holidays and infecting their extended families ” , says The Independent .
Sage warns in a report released last week that adding that “ a critical risk is a large number of infected students seeding outbreaks across the UK , influencing national transmission ” .
In response , the Department for Education said that “ the safety and well-being of university students and staff is always a priority ” and that advice will “ underpin the protective measures being taken to open universities safely for students , staff and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if the return to UK colleges coincides with an increase in infections , the hike could cause tension between students and local residents .
In the US , officials in three Connecticut towns – Mansfield , West Hartford and Windham – last month wrote a letter to state authorities to “ urging them to enforce strict social distancing measures for college students coming from areas with higher infection rates ” , according to Reuters .
“ As host communities for large numbers of students , we believe it is absolutely necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings to protect the health of both our permanent residents and our student residents , ” the letter said .

US towns with universities are seeing a dramatic spike in coronavirus cases since students began returning three weeks ago, according to a newly published analysis.
More than 51,000 cases have been reported at more than 1,000 campuses across the US during the pandemic. And around half of the 203 counties in which students make up at least 10% of the population are now reporting their worst figures since the start of August, a review by The New York Times (NYT) found.
With universities in Britain also preparing to welcome back students for the new academic year, what lessons can the UK learn from the US?
What is happening?
The NYT analysis found that university towns across America have become coronavirus hotspots since campuses began reopening following coronavirus lockdowns and the summer break.
“In the two rural counties abutting Washington State University and the University of Idaho, which are about eight miles apart, weekly coronavirus cases have risen from single digits in the first few months of the pandemic, to double digits in July, to more than 300 cases per week by the end of last month,” reports London-based newspaper The Times.
And “while there has not generally been a rise in deaths from coronavirus in areas with universities, some public health experts fear that young people, who usually have milder effects, will then spread it more widely”.
A student group at the University of Kansas, where there are nearly 500 cases, is planning a “strike” to push the university to move to remote learning, according to regional paper The Kansas City Star.
Students at the University of Iowa staged a similar “sickout” last week.
But experts have warned that it is already too late to contain the outbreaks.
Appearing on NBC’s Today show last week, Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said: “When you send them home, particularly when you’re dealing with a university where people come from multiple different locations, you could be seeding the different places with infection.”
What can the UK learn?
As the NYT notes, it’s unclear “how many infections in a community outside of campus are definitively tied to campus outbreaks”.
But epidemiologists have warned that even with strong contact-tracing systems, “it would be difficult to completely contain the virus on a campus when students shop, eat and drink in town, and local residents work at the college”, says the paper.
The UK government’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) agrees that the return of students to universities may increase the spread of Covid-19 both locally and nationwide.
Experts have also “highlighted the dangers of an outbreak coinciding with students going home during the Christmas holidays and infecting their extended families”, says The Independent.
Sage warns in a report released last week that adding that “a critical risk is a large number of infected students seeding outbreaks across the UK, influencing national transmission”.
In response, the Department for Education said that “the safety and well-being of university students and staff is always a priority” and that advice will “underpin the protective measures being taken to open universities safely for students, staff and local communities”.
All the same, if the return to UK colleges coincides with an increase in infections, the hike could cause tension between students and local residents.
In the US, officials in three Connecticut towns – Mansfield, West Hartford and Windham – last month wrote a letter to state authorities to “urging them to enforce strict social distancing measures for college students coming from areas with higher infection rates”, according to Reuters.
“As host communities for large numbers of students, we believe it is absolutely necessary to have further restrictions on outdoor and indoor gatherings to protect the health of both our permanent residents and our student residents,” the letter said.


theweekuk--2020-09-08--Julian Assange: everything you need to know about his hacking court battle

Julian Assange is planning the next move in his legal battle against extradition to the US after suffering a crushing defeat at the Old Bailey yesterday .
“ Hundreds of protesters gathered ” outside the London court to support the WikiLeaks founder , including his father John Shipton and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood , who said Assange was “ shining the light on all the corruption in the world ” , Sky News reports .
But after Assange failed to get 18 new charges against him thrown out , what next as the extradition hearing continues ?
What are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the US over the publication of classified documents in 2010 and 2011 .
And as he prepared to appear before the Old Bailey on Monday at the beginning of a four-week hearing , he was re-arrested in the court ’ s cells over new charges contained in a US indictment .
The 18 new charges including plotting to hack computers and conspiring to obtain and disclose national defence information .
The indictment alleges “ that he conspired with army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to crack a scrambled password , known as ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defence department computer ” , Sky News says .
The charges also offer “ further details of alleged hacking plotters that Assange and his WikiLeaks colleagues are said to have recruited ” , the broadcaster adds .
Assange “ repeatedly sought , obtained , and disseminated information that the United States classified due to the serious risk that unauthorised disclosure could harm the national security of the United States ” , according to the indictment .
The charges carry a maximum of 175 years in prison in the US .
What is his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued that the new indictment came too late for them to adequately prepare a response .
Edward Fitzgerald QC , who is representing Assange , “ said he had not seen his client in person for six months , in part due to the [ coronavirus ] pandemic ” , the BBC reports .
Fellow defence lawyer Mark Summers QC said the fresh allegations had been brought “ at the 11th hour ” without warning or explanation , adding : “ What is happening is abnormal , unfair and liable to create injustice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vanessa Baraitser rejected the bid to have the allegations dropped , saying the issues “ must take place in the context of considering the extradition request and not before it ” .
Assange , who has been in Belmarsh Prison for 16 months , has claimed that a US court is likely to convict and slap him with a life sentence , which would be “ inhuman and degrading ” for someone “ with his mental vulnerabilities ” .
His legal team have warned of “ a risk Assange would take his own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Daily Mail .
In addition , “ the lawyers say that if he loses , the case will set a precedent for the US government to prosecute foreign journalists and will be seized upon by repressive regimes around the world ” , The Times reports .
What happens next ?
Dozens of witnesses are due to be called to give evidence during the Old Bailey hearing .
The judge “ is expected to take weeks or even months to consider her verdict , with the losing side likely to appeallikely to appeal ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court approves extradition to the US , the UK government will still have the final say on the matter .
Ahead of the hearing , human rights group Amnesty International said that prosecuting Assange could have “ a chilling effect on media freedom ” .
Michelle Stanistreet , general secretary for the National Union of Journalists , has also spoken out in favour of the high-profile whistle-blower , arguing that extradition “ will send a clear signal that journalists and publishers are at risk whenever their work discomforts the United States government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over will take a significant backward step if Assange is forced to face these charges at the behest of a US president , ” she said .

Julian Assange is planning the next move in his legal battle against extradition to the US after suffering a crushing defeat at the Old Bailey yesterday.
“Hundreds of protesters gathered” outside the London court to support the WikiLeaks founder, including his father John Shipton and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, who said Assange was “shining the light on all the corruption in the world”, Sky News reports.
But after Assange failed to get 18 new charges against him thrown out, what next as the extradition hearing continues?
What are the charges?
Australian national Assange is wanted by the US over the publication of classified documents in 2010 and 2011. And as he prepared to appear before the Old Bailey on Monday at the beginning of a four-week hearing, he was re-arrested in the court’s cells over new charges contained in a US indictment.
The 18 new charges including plotting to hack computers and conspiring to obtain and disclose national defence information.
The indictment alleges “that he conspired with army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to crack a scrambled password, known as ‘hash’, to a classified US defence department computer”, Sky News says.
The charges also offer “further details of alleged hacking plotters that Assange and his WikiLeaks colleagues are said to have recruited”, the broadcaster adds.
Assange “repeatedly sought, obtained, and disseminated information that the United States classified due to the serious risk that unauthorised disclosure could harm the national security of the United States”, according to the indictment.
The charges carry a maximum of 175 years in prison in the US.
What is his defence?
Assange’s legal team argued that the new indictment came too late for them to adequately prepare a response. Edward Fitzgerald QC, who is representing Assange, “said he had not seen his client in person for six months, in part due to the [coronavirus] pandemic”, the BBC reports.
Fellow defence lawyer Mark Summers QC said the fresh allegations had been brought “at the 11th hour” without warning or explanation, adding: “What is happening is abnormal, unfair and liable to create injustice if allowed to continue.”
But Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected the bid to have the allegations dropped, saying the issues “must take place in the context of considering the extradition request and not before it”.


theweekuk--2020-09-09--Instant Opinion: ‘Tories should hope that Donald Trump loses’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Why Tories should hope that Trump loses “ Donald Trump is not — he can not be — the Conservative candidate in November ’ s presidential election .
British Tories should not be hoping for his re-election or sending the slightest signal that they do .
The first reason for this is not one of political calculation .
It ’ s simply this : four more years of Donald Trump is not in our national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thatcher was rooted in their common view of world affairs and acceptance of a responsibility to defend western Europe and political democracy , particularly against communism .
Donald Trump has no interest in our view of world affairs , or anyone else ’ s apart from his own .
And his own view is primarily shaped by whoever happens to be nice about him , or looks to him like a strong man , or who might help his chain of hotels and branded goods .
He is neither interested in providing international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he were.
” on selective amnesia in the 24-hour news cycle Boris Johnson ’ s memory trick tactics are straight out of the Trump playbook “ Selective amnesia has always conferred an evolutionary advantage .
Until now .
Because in a 24-hour news cycle , recency bias makes every day a good day to bury bad news and our populist political leaders know it .
It ’ s why Donald Trump tweets .
He ’ s mastered the art of dealing out an incendiary new ‘ line ’ whenever he feels threatened because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to coalesce around a coherent counter narrative .
For Trump it ’ s proving to be an effective short-term survival tactic at the expense of long-term strategy .
That ’ s why weekend reports that Boris Johnson is ‘ fascinated ’ by Donald Trump are so disturbing because it looks like the prime minister intends to follow his lead by lurching ... Recency bias means that when populists normalise confusion they ’ re using the media to erase their past failures .
Trump only has such contempt for the ‘ lamestream ’ media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has made it lose its bite .
He thinks it ’ s his lapdog and he might be right .
The cognitive quirk that evolved to keep us sane is being used to induce amnesia and the media is inadvertently complicit .
And that way madness lies.
” 3 .
Alan Finlayson , professor of political and social theory at the University of East Anglia , in The Guardian on the future of the British left The era-defining question facing Labour : is there such a thing as Starmerism ?
“ The issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Keir ] Starmer ’ s cautious competence has given him approval ratings higher than those of a particularly poor prime minister .
But can Labour look further ahead than next week ’ s poll ?
If so , what does it think it sees ?
We know that Starmer is in charge , but will there be a Starmerism lighting a path to the future and defining the party ’ s agenda ?
Political ‘ isms ’ give movements a sense of direction and purpose .
They redraw the lines of disagreement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is happening and how we got here ... Starmer ’ s commitment to human rights and democratic reform , and Ainsley ’ s strong advocacy of the ’ self-organisation of the new working class ’ and original ideas about economic ownership could yet be the foundations of a persuasive political ideology .
If that is to happen , Labour needs be less risk averse .
It needs to share in the growing recognition that we have wrecked our politics by centralising power in the hands of a few whose only qualification for office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
Thomas B. Edsall in The New York Times Can the ‘ Instigator-in-Chief ’ Win on ‘ Law and Order ’ ?
“ Trump ’ s political specialty is provoking and exacerbating subliminal or latent anxiety — and this probing is especially disruptive in the context of racial tensions that have surfaced in the aftermath of recent police killings of unarmed Black men ...
The May 25 killing of George Floyd — captured on video — prompted a surge of support for Black Lives Matter .
Polling conducted by Civiqs shows that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supported the organization from April 2017 to the start of May 2020 .
But by early June , a week after the Floyd killing , white opinion shifted strongly , to 44 percent approval of the movement and 34 percent disapproval .
In the weeks since then , as the media and the Trump campaign have focused on the violent conflict in Washington D.C. , Portland , Seattle and , more recently , Kenosha , Wis. , white attitudes toward Black Lives Matter have returned to pre-Floyd levels , according to the Civiqs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent in support .
From that perspective , the trends would appear to be moving in a direction favorable to Trump.
” on the language of gender If offensive inclusivity dictates that women are now ‘ womxn ’ - then men must be ‘ mxn ’ “ Tedx London recently tweeted to explain why it is using ‘ womxn ’ to promote its so-say female-orientated event TedxLondonWomxn this year .
The organisation said : ‘ No , that ’ s not a typo : ‘ womxn ’ is a spelling of ‘ women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progressive .
The term sheds light on the prejudice , discrimination and institutional barriers womxn have faced , and explicitly includes non-cis gender women.
’ So , they seems to be saying if one is trans then one is a woman , but actual women are ‘ womxn ’ .
You couldn ’ t make it up .
Why is it that the so-called ‘ inclusion ’ of trans-identified women seems to always involve the attempted erasure of actual women ?
How much more ” inclusive “ can the word woman be when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over half of the world ’ s population .
Are they calling men ‘ mxn ’ ?
Apparently not - or if they are , TedxLondon are yet to say so , despite being asked on Twitter repeatedly .
Presumably , the word men will remain intact , because being “ more inclusive ” means asking nothing of men , and demanding that only women make sacrifices to accommodate the feelings of a tiny group .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Daniel Finkelstein in The Times
on a bad ally for Britain
Why Tories should hope that Trump loses
“Donald Trump is not — he cannot be — the Conservative candidate in November’s presidential election. British Tories should not be hoping for his re-election or sending the slightest signal that they do. The first reason for this is not one of political calculation. It’s simply this: four more years of Donald Trump is not in our national interest. The relationship between Reagan and Thatcher was rooted in their common view of world affairs and acceptance of a responsibility to defend western Europe and political democracy, particularly against communism. Donald Trump has no interest in our view of world affairs, or anyone else’s apart from his own. And his own view is primarily shaped by whoever happens to be nice about him, or looks to him like a strong man, or who might help his chain of hotels and branded goods. He is neither interested in providing international leadership nor capable of providing even if he were.”
2. Sean Smith in The Independent
on selective amnesia in the 24-hour news cycle
Boris Johnson’s memory trick tactics are straight out of the Trump playbook
“Selective amnesia has always conferred an evolutionary advantage. Until now. Because in a 24-hour news cycle, recency bias makes every day a good day to bury bad news and our populist political leaders know it. It’s why Donald Trump tweets. He’s mastered the art of dealing out an incendiary new ‘line’ whenever he feels threatened because it makes it impossible for his opponents to coalesce around a coherent counter narrative. For Trump it’s proving to be an effective short-term survival tactic at the expense of long-term strategy. That’s why weekend reports that Boris Johnson is ‘fascinated’ by Donald Trump are so disturbing because it looks like the prime minister intends to follow his lead by lurching... Recency bias means that when populists normalise confusion they’re using the media to erase their past failures. Trump only has such contempt for the ‘lamestream’ media because by making it bark incessantly he has made it lose its bite. He thinks it’s his lapdog and he might be right. The cognitive quirk that evolved to keep us sane is being used to induce amnesia and the media is inadvertently complicit. And that way madness lies.”
3. Alan Finlayson, professor of political and social theory at the University of East Anglia, in The Guardian
on the future of the British left
The era-defining question facing Labour: is there such a thing as Starmerism?
“The issue here is the question of vision. [Keir] Starmer’s cautious competence has given him approval ratings higher than those of a particularly poor prime minister. But can Labour look further ahead than next week’s poll? If so, what does it think it sees? We know that Starmer is in charge, but will there be a Starmerism lighting a path to the future and defining the party’s agenda? Political ‘isms’ give movements a sense of direction and purpose. They redraw the lines of disagreement and provide a compelling explanation of what is happening and how we got here... Starmer’s commitment to human rights and democratic reform, and Ainsley’s strong advocacy of the ’self-organisation of the new working class’ and original ideas about economic ownership could yet be the foundations of a persuasive political ideology. If that is to happen, Labour needs be less risk averse. It needs to share in the growing recognition that we have wrecked our politics by centralising power in the hands of a few whose only qualification for office is that they want it most.”
4. Thomas B. Edsall in The New York Times
on the president’s Trump card
Can the ‘Instigator-in-Chief’ Win on ‘Law and Order’?
“Trump’s political specialty is provoking and exacerbating subliminal or latent anxiety — and this probing is especially disruptive in the context of racial tensions that have surfaced in the aftermath of recent police killings of unarmed Black men... The May 25 killing of George Floyd — captured on video — prompted a surge of support for Black Lives Matter. Polling conducted by Civiqs shows that more whites opposed Black Lives Matter than supported the organization from April 2017 to the start of May 2020. But by early June, a week after the Floyd killing, white opinion shifted strongly, to 44 percent approval of the movement and 34 percent disapproval. In the weeks since then, as the media and the Trump campaign have focused on the violent conflict in Washington D.C., Portland, Seattle and, more recently, Kenosha, Wis., white attitudes toward Black Lives Matter have returned to pre-Floyd levels, according to the Civiqs data, 46 percent opposed, 40 percent in support. From that perspective, the trends would appear to be moving in a direction favorable to Trump.”
5. Julie Bindel in The Daily Telegraph
on the language of gender
If offensive inclusivity dictates that women are now ‘womxn’ - then men must be ‘mxn’
“Tedx London recently tweeted to explain why it is using ‘womxn’ to promote its so-say female-orientated event TedxLondonWomxn this year. The organisation said: ‘No, that’s not a typo: ‘womxn’ is a spelling of ‘women’ that’s more inclusive and progressive. The term sheds light on the prejudice, discrimination and institutional barriers womxn have faced, and explicitly includes non-cis gender women.’ So, they seems to be saying if one is trans then one is a woman, but actual women are ‘womxn’. You couldn’t make it up. Why is it that the so-called ‘inclusion’ of trans-identified women seems to always involve the attempted erasure of actual women? How much more ”inclusive“ can the word woman be when it represents 3.5 billion humans: just over half of the world’s population. Are they calling men ‘mxn’? Apparently not - or if they are, TedxLondon are yet to say so, despite being asked on Twitter repeatedly. Presumably, the word men will remain intact, because being “more inclusive” means asking nothing of men, and demanding that only women make sacrifices to accommodate the feelings of a tiny group.”


theweekuk--2020-09-09--A 4,500-star experience: best places for stargazing

How many stars are there in the universe ?
It ’ s a question asked regularly by professional and amateur astronomers alike .
According to USBC Scienceline there are about ten billion galaxies and assuming there ’ s an average of 100 billion stars in each that means there ’ s about 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 ( one billion trillion ) stars in the “ observable universe ” .
Sky & Telescope magazine says the number of stars you see in the night sky depends on several variables : your location ’ s light pollution and your own vision .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars which are visible to the unaided eye and since you can only see half the sky at any time , that means there are as many as 4,500 stars visible .
With 4,500 sparkling attractions to see in the night sky , we pick out some of the best stargazing spots in the UK and across the world .
Visitors can enjoy the beauty of Northern Ireland from the comfort of a bespoke Stargazing Forest Dome at Finn Lough Resort in Enniskillen , a two-hour drive from Belfast .
The unique back-to-nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within the woods on the banks of Lough Erne - the second biggest lake system in the country .
Offering a complete digital detox – there is no wifi or TV - the domes feature a four-poster bed , waterfall shower , vintage record player , under-floor heating and telescope .
With Finn Lough ’ s new food delivery service , guests can make the most of total seclusion by enjoying a meal in their own private bubble dome under the stars .
Starting from £245 per night , the price includes one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and complimentary bike hire ; finnlough.com This unique site is situated at the foothills of the Sperrin Mountains , only metres away from Beaghmore Stone Circles .
The pods are located in prime locations which have been recognised as one of Northern Ireland ’ s recommended Dark Sky Sites , making this the perfect place to stay for a stargazing break .
Each pod has its own “ viewing window ” so guests can lie back and gaze up at the starry night sky from the comfort of their own pod .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shower room and sleep up to five people .
Sperrinview Glamping offers a night ’ s stay in one of the stargazing pods from £100 per night ; sperrinviewglamping.com This 17-bedroom luxurious Relais & Chateaux hotel is tucked away on the breathtaking Ayrshire coast in Scotland .
The local Galloway Forest Park is one of the only four Dark Skies Parks in Europe , where clean air and lack of light pollution results in amazing clear nights perfect for stargazing .
Guests are fortunate to experience the same expansive skies from the comfort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With a local astronomer on hand to guide you through the constellations , residents can use the castle ’ s telescopes to immerse themselves in some spectacular stargazing .
A two-night stay includes accommodation in a castle bedroom suite ; three-course gourmet dinner ; full Scottish breakfast ; stargazing experience on one evening with an expert dark sky ranger ; “ Tiddly ” hot chocolate ; blankets ; night binoculars and hand warmers .
Available between 1 October 2020 and 31 March 2021 from £229 per person per night ; glenappcastle.com Admire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Hide which stands on stilts in total seclusion overlooking a 70-acre lake .
The lodge is an elegant modernist steel-and-glass structure and has one bedroom with a super-king bed , an ensuite bathroom and separate kitchen .
From the large outdoor terrace or through the floor to ceiling glazing , couples can watch the sun set over the reed beds , spend a romantic evening stargazing through the Hide ’ s telescope and wake up to see birds flying low over the lake , all from the cosy comfort of this unique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay in The Hide from £600 , available on special request .
The property sleeps two guests ; habitatescapes.com Admire the breathtaking night sky and Northern Lights from within the comfort of a warm Aurora Dome while on a five-night adventure through the winter wilderness of Finnish Lapland with Aurora Zone .
Situated along the bank of Lake Jeris , the igloo-shaped tents have a large north-facing window , providing guests with the best possible views of the Nordic sky as they cosy up to the open fire .
Guests will enjoy three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the wilds for optimum viewing conditions : on a reindeer-pulled sleigh Northern Lights experience , an Aurora Hunt on horseback and a visit to a prime lookout spot with an expert guide .
The Aurora Zone offers a five-night Torassieppi Eco Glamping and Aurora Horse riding package from £1,475 per person .
This includes return flights from London Heathrow to Kittilä , transfers , accommodation , meals and activities ; theaurorazone.com Sleep under the night sky surrounded by wildlife in the peaceful Etosha National Park in Namibia .
In the centre of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a waterhole where they can watch as black rhinoceros , elephants and lions congregate in the evenings before moving their attention to the incredible stars overhead .
Namibia is filled with geological wonders , spectacular landscapes , diverse game and plenty of unexplored regions .
On this tour guests will also head up to the famous red sand dunes of the Namib Desert to enjoy the sunrise , visit quirky coastal towns , meet with members of the Himba tribe and admire the Epupa Falls in the Angolan borderlands .
Wild Frontiers ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time ” tour starts from £3,295 ( land only price ) which includes the overnight stay in Etosha National Park ; wildfrontierstravel.com Although many visitors to Dubai opt for a daytime desert safari , The Week recommends a private night safari which includes an astronomy experience .
Booked through Platinum Heritage , the safari features a night drive through the desert in a vintage Land Rover and a fantastic three-course dinner at a camp .
The most memorable part of the safari , though , was a private lesson in stargazing with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safari and cosmic journey takes place in the heart of a private royal desert retreat .
The Platinum Heritage Private Night Safari and Astronomy tour starts from Dhs2,280 ( £463 ) for two people and includes pick-up and drop-off from your hotel in Dubai , desert night drive in a Land Rover and a three-course dinner ; platinum-heritage.com

When you “gaze up at the night sky”, you “can’t help but feel small” before the “grand abyss of the universe that lies beyond”, said Ethan Siegel on Big Think. While nearly all of them are “invisible to our eyes”, our “observable” universe, extending “tens of billions of light years in all directions”, contains a “fantastically large number of galaxies within it”. The number of stars you can see in the night sky “depends on several variables”, said Sky & Telescope magazine, including your location’s light pollution and “your own vision”. In large, light-polluted cities “only a few dozen of the brightest stars” may be seen, but in a clear, dark sky, a “couple thousand stars become visible”. It’s believed the entire sky contains some “9,000 stars which are visible to the unaided eye”. And since you can “only see half the sky at any time”, that means there are “as many as 4,500 stars visible in your sky tonight”. Astro tourism and “any activities related to space and astronomy”, including visits to observatories and planetariums, have become the “perfect travel trend”, said The Travel Magazine, and the appeal of stargazing “puts our own lives in perspective”. With 4,500 sparkling attractions to see, we pick out some of the best stargazing spots across the UK, plus some of the top places to stay for a memorable night under the cosmos. Official dark sky places in the UK The International Dark-Sky Association has five types of dark sky places, which are certified according to different standards and criteria: dark sky sanctuaries; dark sky reserves; dark sky parks; dark sky communities; and urban night sky places. In the UK, there are many dark sky reserves, parks and communities which make an ideal location for a stargazing trip. One of Scotland’s “top astronomy destinations”, Galloway Forest became the UK’s first dark sky park in 2009, said Sarah Gibbons on RedBull.com. Exmoor National Park was designated as Europe’s first international dark sky reserve in 2011. Reserves Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons), Wales
Cranborne Chase, England
Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), Wales
Exmoor National Park, England
Moore’s Reserve, South Downs, England
North York Moors National Park, England
Yorkshire Dales National Park, England Parks Bodmin Moor Dark Sky Landscape, England
Elan Valley Estate, Wales
Galloway Forest Park, Scotland
Northumberland National Park and Kielder Water & Forest Park, England
OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory, Northern Ireland
Tomintoul and Glenlivet – Cairngorms, Scotland
West Penwith, Parks Communities Coll, Scotland
Moffat, Scotland
North Ronaldsay Dark Sky Island, Scotland Ynys Enlli: Europe’s first dark sky sanctuary In February it was announced that Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island) in north Wales had received international dark sky sanctuary certification from the International Dark-Sky Association. This certification makes Ynys Enlli the “first site in Europe to achieve certification under this category”. Skip advert
Known for its “ancient monastery” and “celebrated for its wildlife”, said BBC Sky at Night Magazine, Ynys Enlli’s recognition as a protected dark sky sanctuary means its “unspoiled view of the night sky is protected for current and future generations”. The island joins just 16 other dark sky sanctuaries worldwide. South Downs: the UK’s best stargazing spot? One of the world’s “top stargazing spots” is just 90 minutes from London, said Time Out. Since it was appointed a dark sky reserve in 2016, the South Downs National Park has welcomed “would-be astronomers” who “come a-calling to gawk at those big skies”. To ensure “cosmic views”, plan a trip “before a full moon”. With 66% of the park having “bronze-level skies”, said The Guardian, this means the Milky Way and Andromeda galaxy can be seen. Its seven “stargazing hotspots” are Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium, Old Winchester Hill, Butser Hill, Iping Common, Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling Beacon and Birling Gap. The South Downs dark sky reserve is officially called “Moore’s Reserve” in honour of astronomer Sir Patrick Moore, who presented “The Sky at Night” on the BBC from 1957 to 2012. Dark sky festivals and events At National Parks across the UK there are various dark sky festivals in 2023 and 2024. Highlights include England’s “first and largest” international dark sky park, Northumberland, celebrating its 10th anniversary from September to March, while in Wales, Welsh Dark Skies Week will take place in February next year. Northumberland 10th anniversary – September 2023 to March 2024
Exmoor Dark Skies Festival – 13-29 October 2023
North York Moors Dark Skies Fringe Festival – 27 October to 5 November 2023
Cumbria Dark Skies Festival – 28 October to 18 November 2023
South Downs – February 2024
North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales Dark Skies Festival – February 2024
Welsh Dark Skies Week – February 2024 On the Isles of Scilly, the third Scilly Dark Skies Week will be held from 30 September to 6 October 2023. Hosted by COSMOS, the islands’ community observatory on St. Martin’s, the theme this year is “stories from our sky” and highlights include talks and a night walk. Observatories and planetariums “From northern Scotland to the Isles of Scilly”, astronomical observatories are “dotted all over the UK”, said Katrin Raynor in BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Not only are these “dome-shaped buildings” a place to use some “seriously large telescopes”, they are a location to “enjoy talks, tours and even some astrophotography”. Skip advert


theweekuk--2020-09-09--‘Cities should avoid hosting the Olympics’: is it time to scrap the Games?

Having been forced to delay the Olympics for 12 months because of Covid-19 , officials in Tokyo have said that next year ’ s Games must be held “ at any cost ” .
Speaking at a news conference this week , Japan ’ s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto insists that the Games will happen in 2021 regardless of the state of the global pandemic , Reuters reports .
“ Everyone involved with the Games is working together to prepare , and the athletes are also making considerable efforts towards next year , ” Hashimoto said .
“ I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any cost .
I want to concentrate all our efforts on measures against the coronavirus.
” International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) vice-president John Coates also stressed that the event will start on its revised date in 2021 and he believes it will be the “ Games that conquered Covid ” .
Coates told Agence France-Presse : “ It will take place with or without Covid .
The Games will start on 23 July next year .
The Games were going to be , their theme , the Reconstruction Games after the devastation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Japan ] .
Now very much these will be the Games that conquered Covid , the light at the end of the tunnel.
” Despite the IOC ’ s confidence , The Guardian says public support is “ waning ” in Japan .
A recent poll found that two-thirds of respondents would prefer the Olympics to be postponed a second time or cancelled .
In 2013 Japan had originally estimated that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would cost in the region of $ 7.3bn ( £5.6bn ) , Front Office Sports reports , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have caused the spending bill to soar .
At $ 14.95bn ( £11.5bn ) the London 2012 Games are the most expensive Olympics to date , but a new study by the University of Oxford ’ s Saïd Business School claims that Tokyo has already surpassed that amount .
Titled Regression to the Tail : Why the Olympics Blow Up , the study ’ s lead author Bent Flyvbjerg told the Associated Press that Tokyo ’ s cost overrun already exceeds 200 % .
According to the study , Tokyo ’ s spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Flyvbjerg expects several billion dollars more from the cost of the delay .
The IOC disputed the numbers in the study and said : “ This gives the completely wrong impression that these infrastructure budgets serve only the four weeks of Olympic Games competition and must be ‘ written off ’ immediately afterwards .
This is simply not true .
It also seems like the legacy of the Olympic Games is completely left out of the picture.
” Is it time to scrap the Olympics ?
That ’ s the question asked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the consistent spiralling cost overruns associated with the summer and winter Olympic Games , the research team at Oxford concluded that “ cities should avoid hosting them altogether ” .
“ The Olympics offer the highest level of risk a city can take on , ” Flyvbjerg told AP .
“ The trend can not continue .
No city will want to do this because it ’ s just too expensive , putting themselves into a debt that most cities can not afford.
” Oxford ’ s researchers say the risk for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study has established that all Olympic Games experienced high cost overrun , averaging 172 % , ” they said .
“ Our new findings suggest that for the Games , there is a ‘ regression to the tail ’ - with overruns for individual Games so variable that the expected overspend for host nations stretch into infinity .
Deep disasters such as earthquakes , tsunamis , pandemics , and wars tend to follow this type of risk distribution .
“ The Olympics are a megaproject like no other .
For hosts , there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no chance to control costs by trading budget against schedule or scope and a legal obligation to cover all costs .
“ The International Olympics Committee , the governing body for the games , is in deep trouble .
Its brand and product - the world ’ s biggest sporting event - are deeply damaged.
” The Tokyo Olympics take place in 2021 from 23 July to 8 August .
Paris will host the 2024 summer Games and Los Angeles will be host city in 2028 .
The next Winter Olympics will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Having been forced to delay the Olympics for 12 months because of Covid-19, officials in Tokyo have said that next year’s Games must be held “at any cost”.
Speaking at a news conference this week, Japan’s Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto insists that the Games will happen in 2021 regardless of the state of the global pandemic, Reuters reports.
“Everyone involved with the Games is working together to prepare, and the athletes are also making considerable efforts towards next year,” Hashimoto said. “I think we have to hold the Games at any cost. I want to concentrate all our efforts on measures against the coronavirus.”
International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president John Coates also stressed that the event will start on its revised date in 2021 and he believes it will be the “Games that conquered Covid”.
Coates told Agence France-Presse: “It will take place with or without Covid. The Games will start on 23 July next year. The Games were going to be, their theme, the Reconstruction Games after the devastation of the [2011] tsunami [in Japan]. Now very much these will be the Games that conquered Covid, the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Despite the IOC’s confidence, The Guardian says public support is “waning” in Japan. A recent poll found that two-thirds of respondents would prefer the Olympics to be postponed a second time or cancelled.
Mega events cost mega money
In 2013 Japan had originally estimated that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics would cost in the region of $7.3bn (£5.6bn), Front Office Sports reports, but the year-long postponement and infrastructure upgrades have caused the spending bill to soar.
At $14.95bn (£11.5bn) the London 2012 Games are the most expensive Olympics to date, but a new study by the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School claims that Tokyo has already surpassed that amount.
Titled Regression to the Tail: Why the Olympics Blow Up, the study’s lead author Bent Flyvbjerg told the Associated Press that Tokyo’s cost overrun already exceeds 200%.
According to the study, Tokyo’s spending has hit $15.84bn (£12.2bn) and Flyvbjerg expects several billion dollars more from the cost of the delay.