theweekuk--2020-02-19--Camp Hill: police investigate ‘horrific’ car fire that killed family

A family including three young children were killed in what police have called a “ horrific ” car fire in Brisbane ’ s eastern suburbs on Wednesday .
Rowan Baxter , an ex-rugby league player , his wife Hannah and their children aged three , four and six died after the car they were travelling in caught alight , according to police .
Hannah Baxter , who was driving , reportedly jumped from the vehicle .
She was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women ’ s Hospital in a critical condition but died from her injuries .
Her husband @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paramedics also treated a passer-by who had “ tried his best to get to the car ” and suffered some “ facial burning ” in the process , the BBC reports .
The Guardian reports that a major crime scene has been established around the area , adding that while police have yet to comment on the cause of the blaze , multiple news sources have reported witness accounts stating that Hannah Baxter had jumped from the car shouting : “ He ’ s poured petrol on me ” .
Hannah and Rowan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Brisbane gym named Integr8 Fitness , The Independent reports .
The newspaper adds that one employee at Integr8 said the gym was “ closed down before December with Mr and Ms Baxter undergoing a marriage separation ” .
In recent months Rowan Baxter , who was a winger with rugby league team New Zealand Warriors , had regularly posted photos and videos of his three children , with one post published on 30 December containing the caption “ I miss you all ” .
On Wednesday morning , Det Insp Mark Thompson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was currently unclear , but refused to confirm that police had ruled out a possible murder-suicide .
“ How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment , ” he said .
“ For us to call it a murder-suicide or an accident is not appropriate at the moment.
” Thompson said it was one of the most disturbing scenes he had attended .
“ It 's a horrific scene , ” he told reporters .
“ It will be a horrific thing for police and emergency services to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 .
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A family including three young children were killed in what police have called a “horrific” car fire in Brisbane’s eastern suburbs on Wednesday.
Rowan Baxter, an ex-rugby league player, his wife Hannah and their children aged three, four and six died after the car they were travelling in caught alight, according to police.
Hannah Baxter, who was driving, reportedly jumped from the vehicle. She was taken to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a critical condition but died from her injuries. Her husband and children died at the scene.
Paramedics also treated a passer-by who had “tried his best to get to the car” and suffered some “facial burning” in the process, the BBC reports.
The Guardian reports that a major crime scene has been established around the area, adding that while police have yet to comment on the cause of the blaze, multiple news sources have reported witness accounts stating that Hannah Baxter had jumped from the car shouting: “He’s poured petrol on me”.
Hannah and Rowan Baxter worked as fitness instructors and ran a Brisbane gym named Integr8 Fitness, The Independent reports. The newspaper adds that one employee at Integr8 said the gym was “closed down before December with Mr and Ms Baxter undergoing a marriage separation”.
In recent months Rowan Baxter, who was a winger with rugby league team New Zealand Warriors, had regularly posted photos and videos of his three children, with one post published on 30 December containing the caption “I miss you all”.
On Wednesday morning, Det Insp Mark Thompson stated that the cause of the fire was currently unclear, but refused to confirm that police had ruled out a possible murder-suicide.
“How the fire actually occurred has not been ascertained at the moment,” he said. “For us to call it a murder-suicide or an accident is not appropriate at the moment.”
Thompson said it was one of the most disturbing scenes he had attended.
“It's a horrific scene,” he told reporters. “It will be a horrific thing for police and emergency services to deal with in the coming days.”
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theweekuk--2020-02-19--Chalet Artemis: luxury on another level in St Anton am Arlberg

There ’ s an almost unearthly tranquility here .
Wrapped in a pile of still-warm bedding , fresh cup of tea in hand , watching the snow drop silently outside the window , I ’ m surrounded by complete , delightful quiet .
If I really try , I can just hear the soft padding feet of Rob , my daily tea-bringer , heading to the third floor to ready Chalet Artemis for another busy day of cheffing , chauffeuring and whatever else a group of skiers can throw at them .
Rob ’ s morning tea round is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head out from this emperor-sized cocoon , a bed so big I can ’ t reach any sides no matter how hard I starfish and stretch across it .
The bed , like the tea , has exceeded all expectations .
Chalet Artemis prides itself on providing an exceptional level of luxury , but while I had visions of haute cuisine , masseuses and hot tubs in my head , the idea of a homely cuppa brought to my mammoth bedside never occurred to me .
It ’ s these considered , warm-hearted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really sets Artemis apart .
This dream team , brought together by Scott Dunn travel operator owner Andrew Dunn , consists of host Rob , chef Rosie and Becky who sees to our every whim ( usually before we ’ re even aware we have one ) .
Both Rosie and Rob come from a culinary background , with Rob having spent a decade as an executive chef and Rosie as the former head forager at Noma – a job title that easily out-cools all others .
Rob and Rosie ’ s talents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chalet Artemis experience and it ’ s exceptional .
I ’ ve simply never experienced a ski chalet like it .
Each stay is prefaced by a catering questionnaire to find out your desires and dislikes and the menu produced has remarkable scope .
Whatever you care for is catered to , whether it ’ s burgers and fries for a family film night in the home cinema or the famous cheesecake from the La Viña bakery in San Sebastian .
I can particularly recommend the latter – so insatiable was our hunger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given one to take home with us .
It didn ’ t make it out of Innsbruck airport .
Four meals a day and several snacks in-between are served up in the bright dining room decorated with reclaimed wood – part of the Chalet ’ s newly refurbished alpine interior .
With an entire wall taken up by a floor-to-ceiling wine cooler , an outside balcony area complete with statue , furnace and fur-lined chairs , and a panoramic view over St Anton am Arlberg , the dining room serves up a feast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redecoration continues through into an elegant lounge .
A statement Paul Smith rug in swirling colours sets the tone while plush Rolf Benz sofas create two open nooks for family and friends to crowd into for canapés and a crisp glass of champagne .
It ’ s warm , colourful , inviting – as if the chalet ’ s renovations were designed to match its excellent team .
The little touches continue with designer lamps , cushions and a roaring fire : the result is a remarkable blend of domesticity and decadence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lift from the top floor communal area , past two bedroom levels , to the basement brings you to the wellness centre .
The sizeable 8m pool is a fantastic addition , giving sore ski and snowboard legs somewhere to warm down after a day storming the slopes .
Of course if you ’ d rather warm up , you have your pick of the steam room , sauna and hot tub , which is nestled outside under a canopy of LED stars .
Lounging in here with bubbles in hand and under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but wonder if Chalet Artemis doesn ’ t actually want you to go skiing at all .
It would be far too easy to spend an entire week within these walls .
Before I can continue that thought however , I ’ m called to my massage appointment in the room next door , where ski-sore calves and back are taken in firm , Norwegian hands .
Feeling spoiled doesn ’ t even begin to cover it .
The snow , of course , is why people from all over the world come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the birthplace of alpine skiing , St Anton am Arlberg is where celebrities , professionals and even film crews come to pit themselves against the Austrian alpine powder .
There are myriad aspects that set St Anton apart from other resorts , one of which is the extent of its pistes .
St Anton is actually one town of many in these valleys , all of which are connected by chairlifts , gondolas and in one case , a short bus .
This accessibility – recently made even easier with the addition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend a week here and not ski or board the same area twice .
It ’ s a snow-lover ’ s playground , both on and off piste , with some of Europe ’ s best powder to boot .
St Anton first soared to fame back in 1931 , when Arnold Fanck chose to film Der Weiße Rausch – ‘ The White Ecstasy ’ – here , starring Leni Riefenstahl and Hannes Schneider , a skiing legend born just over the mountain in Stuben .
The film follows a downhill hunting race @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as foxes and a group of 40 skiers have to hunt them over the mountains .
It ’ s not just a film fantasy : this race is done today each year in St Anton , though without the foxes , drinking and high-jinks .
As soon as the ski season is over , 555 participants join the ‘ White Rush ’ race : a 37m ascent on foot followed by a 9km downhill sprint on skis , boards or telemarks .
It ’ s a wild event – the fastest athletes make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finish line in under nine minutes .
Der Weiße Rausch is available to watch in Chalet Artemis ’ s private cinema , where you can also have dinner , drinks and popcorn from the traditional old machine .
The film is in German , though slapstick enough for non-speakers to get the gist , and is well worth the 70-minute run time – not only for views of old St Anton but for its ahead-of-its-time cinematography , including cameras strapped to plank skis and incredible stunts .
Understandably , if over an hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your niche , the cinema is stocked with films , a console , games and the great generational bridge , karaoke .
Whether you ’ re amusing a group of children , enjoying a knees-up with friends , or charming clients on a business trip , Artemis has your entertainment covered .
Every skier and boarder knows that what comes after the slopes is almost as important as the sport itself .
If you manage to wrench yourself away from the sweet smells of Rosie ’ s afternoon baking , St Anton has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some snow bunnies going straight from piste to party and back to piste .
The MooserWirt and the Krazy Kangaruh are the places to be once the afternoon sets in , though sometimes it doesn ’ t even take that long .
Having hit the slopes early to make the most of our final day , we bumped into someone asking directions to the Krazy Kangaruh bar – at a sprightly 8.30am .
For some , the St Anton party never stops .
Getting to and from the pistes is a doddle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the east of St Anton and the nearest lift is a short , seven-minute stroll away .
Of course there ’ s no need to walk ; you can use the chalet ’ s private taxi or go green and take the free bus that stops just outside .
On your way back , if the snowfall is heavy enough you can even take a back-country route that brings you right to the chalet ’ s road , ready to dump your stuff in the boot room .
It ’ s worth paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before you head out , even if your gear is stashed elsewhere .
Keen skier Rob knows all to well the hazards of piste hunger and has provided bottles of water and chocolate bars for you to take – just in case the muffins , hot daily special , smoothies , breads , yoghurt and fruit from breakfast aren ’ t enough to tide you over till lunch .
By the time you ’ ve skied , boarded , boozed and stuffed your body into a sleepy state , those emperor beds start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chalet itself , each of its 12 bedrooms are named for a greek god – a whim of Dunn – and Helios is luring me in with its sunny warmth .
The bathroom , complete with bath , shower , toilet , two sinks and the softest towels known to man , really isn ’ t given the due it deserves as I ’ m far too fatigued and filled up with sticky toffee pudding and Sauternes .
After the quickest ritual possible , I ’ m more than happy to fall into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Queen ’ s own provider Heirloom , and consider that Hypnos would have been a far better name for my room .
I have a passing thought of whether I could manage a hot chocolate in bed before sleep and the next thing I know , there ’ s a soft knock at my door .
It ’ s Rob , it ’ s tea , it ’ s morning , and the snow is still falling silently outside , ready for another day , Luxury retreats at Chalet Artemis start from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £2,800 in low , based on 7 nights including flights .
To find out more or book , go to chaletartemis.com .
For ski passes and equipment hire , head to the St Anton am Arlberg website .

There’s an almost unearthly tranquility here. Wrapped in a pile of still-warm bedding, fresh cup of tea in hand, watching the snow drop silently outside the window, I’m surrounded by complete, delightful quiet. If I really try, I can just hear the soft padding feet of Rob, my daily tea-bringer, heading to the third floor to ready Chalet Artemis for another busy day of cheffing, chauffeuring and whatever else a group of skiers can throw at them. Rob’s morning tea round is the only thing encouraging me to poke my head out from this emperor-sized cocoon, a bed so big I can’t reach any sides no matter how hard I starfish and stretch across it. The bed, like the tea, has exceeded all expectations. Chalet Artemis prides itself on providing an exceptional level of luxury, but while I had visions of haute cuisine, masseuses and hot tubs in my head, the idea of a homely cuppa brought to my mammoth bedside never occurred to me. It’s these considered, warm-hearted touches from a genuinely lovely team that really sets Artemis apart. This dream team, brought together by Scott Dunn travel operator owner Andrew Dunn, consists of host Rob, chef Rosie and Becky who sees to our every whim (usually before we’re even aware we have one). Both Rosie and Rob come from a culinary background, with Rob having spent a decade as an executive chef and Rosie as the former head forager at Noma – a job title that easily out-cools all others. Rob and Rosie’s talents put food at the forefront of the Chalet Artemis experience and it’s exceptional. I’ve simply never experienced a ski chalet like it. Each stay is prefaced by a catering questionnaire to find out your desires and dislikes and the menu produced has remarkable scope. Whatever you care for is catered to, whether it’s burgers and fries for a family film night in the home cinema or the famous cheesecake from the La Viña bakery in San Sebastian. I can particularly recommend the latter – so insatiable was our hunger for it that we ended up being given one to take home with us. It didn’t make it out of Innsbruck airport. Skip advert
Four meals a day and several snacks in-between are served up in the bright dining room decorated with reclaimed wood – part of the Chalet’s newly refurbished alpine interior. With an entire wall taken up by a floor-to-ceiling wine cooler, an outside balcony area complete with statue, furnace and fur-lined chairs, and a panoramic view over St Anton am Arlberg, the dining room serves up a feast for the eyes too. This rustic redecoration continues through into an elegant lounge. A statement Paul Smith rug in swirling colours sets the tone while plush Rolf Benz sofas create two open nooks for family and friends to crowd into for canapés and a crisp glass of champagne. It’s warm, colourful, inviting – as if the chalet’s renovations were designed to match its excellent team. The little touches continue with designer lamps, cushions and a roaring fire: the result is a remarkable blend of domesticity and decadence. Taking the near-obscene, quilted red leather lift from the top floor communal area, past two bedroom levels, to the basement brings you to the wellness centre. The sizeable 8m pool is a fantastic addition, giving sore ski and snowboard legs somewhere to warm down after a day storming the slopes. Of course if you’d rather warm up, you have your pick of the steam room, sauna and hot tub, which is nestled outside under a canopy of LED stars. Lounging in here with bubbles in hand and under foot, I can’t help but wonder if Chalet Artemis doesn’t actually want you to go skiing at all. It would be far too easy to spend an entire week within these walls. Before I can continue that thought however, I’m called to my massage appointment in the room next door, where ski-sore calves and back are taken in firm, Norwegian hands. Feeling spoiled doesn’t even begin to cover it. The snow, of course, is why people from all over the world come to St Anton each year. Considered the birthplace of alpine skiing, St Anton am Arlberg is where celebrities, professionals and even film crews come to pit themselves against the Austrian alpine powder. There are myriad aspects that set St Anton apart from other resorts, one of which is the extent of its pistes. St Anton is actually one town of many in these valleys, all of which are connected by chairlifts, gondolas and in one case, a short bus. This accessibility – recently made even easier with the addition of a new ropeway – means you can spend a week here and not ski or board the same area twice. It’s a snow-lover’s playground, both on and off piste, with some of Europe’s best powder to boot. Skip advert


theweekuk--2020-02-19--What is ‘cancel culture’?

What is ‘cancel culture’?

The death of Caroline Flack has reignited debate about the relatively new phenomenon of “ cancel culture ” .
The reality TV presenter has been described as “ the latest casualty ” of the “ epidemic ” after she was found dead in her London home on Saturday , a few weeks before she was due to face trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend , Lewis Burton .
Flack had denied the allegations and Burton called for the charge to be dropped , but the 40-year-old was forced to quit ITV ’ s Love Island , which she had hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barrage of scrutiny on social media and in the tabloids .
So where does cancel culture come in ?
Anjana Susarla , associate professor of information systems at Michigan State University , offers a quick primer on The Conversation : “ An individual or an organisation says , supports or promotes something that other people find offensive .
They swarm , piling on the criticism via social media channels .
Then that person or company is largely shunned , or ‘ cancelled ’ .
” There are numerous examples : comedian and actor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year after it emerged that he had posted a series of homophobic tweets dating back to 2009 ; ABC abruptly cancelled Roseanne Barr ’ s TV show in 2018 after she posted a racist tweet ; and Shane Gillis was dropped from Saturday Night Live last year after podcast footage showed him making a series of offensive comments .
Gemma Bath , from Australian women ’ s lifestyle website Mamamia , describes cancel culture as “ an epidemic ” and says “ Caroline Flack was the latest casualty ” .
“ Caroline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an archaic town square stoning in the months before she died , ” says Bath .
Paul Blanchard , at City AM , agrees that her death shows that cancel culture “ has to stop ” .
“ Beneath the glamorous facade , people forget that celebrities are human too .
Caroline , like others before her , became almost dehumanised by the Twitter lynch mobs who took so much pleasure from attacking her , ” he says .
Where does the term come from ?
Vox traces the phrase back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jack City , in which Wesley Snipes ’ s character dumps his girlfriend , saying “ Cancel that bitch .
I ’ ll buy another one.
” Lil Wayne references the quote in his 2010 song I ’ m Single , but Vox thinks the idea had its “ first big boost into the zeitgeist ” when a cast member on VH1 ’ s reality show Love and Hip-Hop : New York tells his love interest : “ You ’ re cancelled.
” It spread on Twitter and soon evolved into a disparaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contained the seeds of what cancel culture would become : a trend of communal calls to boycott a celebrity whose offensive behaviour is perceived as going too far ” , says Vox .
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Anne Charity Hudley , chair of linguistics of African America at the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the term has its roots in black culture and shouldn ’ t be dismissed .
“ Cancelling is a way to acknowledge that you don ’ t have to have the power to change structural inequality , ” she says .
“ You don ’ t even have to have the power to change all of public sentiment .
But as an individual , you can still have power beyond measure.
” Last year , former US president Barack Obama appeared to weigh in , saying that being as “ judgmental as possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activism ” .
“ If all you ’ re doing is casting stones , you ’ re probably not going to get that far , ” he said , reports The Guardian .
In The New York Times , Ernest Owens responded that many millennials like himself use social media to “ critique powerful people for promoting bigotry or harming others ” as they don ’ t want them to have a “ no-questions-asked platform to do this ” .
“ What members of older generations now dismiss as ‘ cancel culture ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ‘ being judgmental ’ – is actually one of many modern-day iterations of protests they took part in when they were younger , ” he says .
But , in the same newspaper , Loretta Ross says “ there are better ways of doing social justice work ” .
“ Most public shaming is horizontal and done by those who believe they have greater integrity or more sophisticated analyses , ” says Ross , adding that “ call-outs are often louder and more vicious on the internet , amplified by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for awful behaviour ” .
She suggests replacing “ calling-out ” with what she coins “ calling-in ” , meaning engaging in debate “ with words and actions of healing and restoration , and without the self-indulgence of drama ” .

JK Rowling, Margaret Atwood and Salman Rushdie are among more than 150 writers to sign an open letter denouncing “cancel culture”.
The term “cancel culture” refers to the phenomenon in which a person - usually a public figure - is boycotted because they have expressed an opinion that is perceived to be offensive.
The writer and academics who signed the letter say that it is a symptom of a society suffering from a weakened tolerance of different opinions in favour of “ideological conformity”.
The signatories, who include Noam Chomsky, Malcolm Gladwell and Martin Amis, say that while figures like Donald Trump pose “a real threat to democracy”, resistance to that threat “must not be allowed to harden into its own brand of dogma or coercion”, reports Sky News.
What else does the letter say?
The letter, which was published on the website of Harper’s Magazine, says: “The free exchange of information and ideas, the lifeblood of a liberal society, is daily becoming more constricted.
“While we have come to expect this on the radical right, censoriousness is also spreading more widely in our culture: an intolerance of opposing views, a vogue for public shaming and ostracism, and the tendency to dissolve complex policy issues in a blinding moral certainty.
“We uphold the value of robust and even caustic counter-speech from all quarters. But it is now all too common to hear calls for swift and severe retribution in response to perceived transgressions of speech and thought.
“This stifling atmosphere will ultimately harm the most vital causes of our time.
“The restriction of debate, whether by a repressive government or an intolerant society, invariably hurts those who lack power and makes everyone less capable of democratic participation.
“The way to defeat bad ideas is by exposure, argument, and persuasion, not by trying to silence or wish them away.”
What is cancel culture?
Anjana Susarla, associate professor of information systems at Michigan State University, offers a quick primer on The Conversation: “An individual or an organisation says, supports or promotes something that other people find offensive. They swarm, piling on the criticism via social media channels. Then that person or company is largely shunned, or ‘cancelled’.”


theweekuk--2020-02-19--Queen bans ‘Sussex Royal’: what now for Harry and Meghan?

The Queen has banned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from using the “ Sussex Royal ” brand as they step down from royal duties .
Following lengthy talks , the Queen and senior royal officials have reportedly decided that the couple can no longer keep the word “ royal ” in any of their branding .
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step down as “ senior ” royals in early January , and have since moved to Canada to start a life of “ financial independence ” .
Where is the title currently used ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” on their Instagram page , which has more than 11 million followers .
The handle was originally used by a Sussex driving instructor who supports Reading FC , who are nicknamed “ the Royals ” .
The handle was taken off him and given to Harry and Meghan without him being notified .
Kevin Keiley said the first he knew of the change was when he got a text : “ I got a jokey text from my son which said ‘ Ha ha , I see your handle has gone then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 .
And the couple have spent “ tens of thousands of pounds on a new Sussex Royal website to complement their hugely popular Instagram feed ” , reports Mail Online .
Harry and Meghan have also taken steps to set up a new charitable organisation : Sussex Royal , The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex .
The Duke and Duchess had planned to trademark the Sussex Royal brand , but multiple formal objections were raised when they applied to trademark the term with the Intellectual Property Office .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ items including clothing , stationery , books and teaching materials .
Ben Evans , senior associate and chartered trademark attorney at Blake Morgan , told the BBC someone could formally oppose a trademark registration if they objected to the description – for example , objecting to “ royal ” because the couple are no longer royals .
The Sussex Royal brand could make the couple “ an absolute fortune ” and make them bigger than the Beckhams and Obamas , according to experts .
Retail expert Andy Barr told Sky News : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influencers in their own right .
“ They ’ re going to be the most famous brand in the world – the Beckhams , Obamas , Bill Gates – they ’ re going to far surpass them , they ’ re such a major brand already.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Will the couple need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has been made clear that the couple will need to re-brand , though the “ fine detail ” is still being thrashed out .
A source told the paper : “ In many ways this is inevitable given their decision to step down , but it must surely come as a blow to the couple as they have invested everything into the Sussex Royal brand .
The Queen would have had little choice , however .
“ The Sussexes ’ original plan – of being half-in , half-out working royals – was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the Queen has made clear , they are still much-loved members of her family .
“ But if they aren ’ t carrying out official duties and are now seeking other commercial opportunities , they simply can not be allowed to market themselves as royals.
” A leading PR agent said last month that the pair should fight to keep the brand : “ They have to fight for it .
What else are they going to be ?
Harry and Meghan Windsor ?
” said Mark Borkowski .
Changing it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .
“ There will be a lot of entrepreneurs out there who have been looking at variations of that name and who have been creating land grabs for it.
” A possible solution would be to use the Sussex Royal name for charitable business only , David Haigh , chief executive of Brand Finance , a brand valuation consultancy , told The Guardian .
“ Personally , I think they would be well advised to do that .
They could have different trademarks for their commercial activities and that would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not trying to trade on their royal heritage , at least not so obviously.
” Buckingham Palace has said that the couple ’ s new life away from royal duties will begin in the spring of this year .

The Queen has banned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle from using the “Sussex Royal” brand as they step down from royal duties.
Following lengthy talks, the Queen and senior royal officials have reportedly decided that the couple can no longer keep the word “royal” in any of their branding.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their decision to step down as “senior” royals in early January, and have since moved to Canada to start a life of “financial independence”.
Where is the title currently used?
The couple use the handle “sussexroyal” on their Instagram page, which has more than 11 million followers.
The handle was originally used by a Sussex driving instructor who supports Reading FC, who are nicknamed “the Royals”. The handle was taken off him and given to Harry and Meghan without him being notified.
Kevin Keiley said the first he knew of the change was when he got a text: “I got a jokey text from my son which said ‘Ha ha, I see your handle has gone then’,” he told BBC Radio 1.
And the couple have spent “tens of thousands of pounds on a new Sussex Royal website to complement their hugely popular Instagram feed”, reports Mail Online.
Harry and Meghan have also taken steps to set up a new charitable organisation: Sussex Royal, The Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
The Duke and Duchess had planned to trademark the Sussex Royal brand, but multiple formal objections were raised when they applied to trademark the term with the Intellectual Property Office.
They had hoped for an international trademark on items including clothing, stationery, books and teaching materials.
Ben Evans, senior associate and chartered trademark attorney at Blake Morgan, told the BBC someone could formally oppose a trademark registration if they objected to the description – for example, objecting to “royal” because the couple are no longer royals.
The Sussex Royal brand could make the couple “an absolute fortune” and make them bigger than the Beckhams and Obamas, according to experts.
Retail expert Andy Barr told Sky News: “They’re a huge brand and influencers in their own right.


theweekuk--2020-02-19--Brexit battle: is it time to return the Elgin Marbles?

The EU has reportedly added an “ Elgin Marbles clause ” to its draft mandate for post-Brexit trade negotiations .
According to The Times , the document circulated among European governments in Brussels has “ hardened EU demands in key traditional trade areas ” , particularly fishing .
But it also included an unexpected “ return and restitution ” clause that would facilitate the transportation of the controversial fifth-century BC marble artefacts back to Greece , where they originated .
“ The parties should address issues relating to the return or restitution of unlawfully removed cultural objects to their country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Elgin Marbles have been a point of tension between London and Athens for more than 200 years , with Greece insisting that British diplomat Lord Elgin stole them from the Parthenon in Athens in the early 19th century when it was under Ottoman Turkish rule .
But should the UK finally return them ?
What are the Elgin Marbles ?
The Elgin Marbles are a collection of Ancient Greek sculptures and architectural details originally housed in the Parthenon in Athens .
They are understood to date back to the fifth century @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been the subject of controversy after Scottish nobleman Thomas Bruce , the 7th Earl of Elgin , British ambassador to the Ottoman Empire , removed half of the marble sculptures from the temple in 1803 , before shipping them back to the UK where they are now on display at the British Museum in London .
According to Time magazine , Lord Elgin “ claimed his imprimatur from an Ottoman sultan , who said he could remove anything from the Parthenon that did not interfere with the ancient citadel ’ s walls ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a significant risk that conflicts within the Ottoman Empire could lead to the destruction of the Parthenon and other Ancient Greek cultural sites .
However , Greece considers the marbles stolen goods , and has frequently demanded their return .
Encyclopaedia Britannica notes that “ the British Museum – claiming among other reasons that it has saved the marbles from certain damage and deterioration – has not acceded ” .
Metro reports that the Acropolis Museum in Athens , which has the remaining sculptures that were left in Greece , “ has left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its current display ” .
Should the UK return them ?
A leaked draft of Brussels ’ negotiation mandate has , according to reports , included a stipulation that the UK should “ return unlawfully removed cultural objects to their countries of origin ” .
Sky News notes that the EU ’ s demand for the return of such objects “ did not specify any specific items ” , but adds that an EU official has said a “ request for the clause was made by Greece ” , indicating that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The clause was reportedly supported by Italy , and comes the month after Greek culture minister Lina Mendoni branded the taking of the marbles a “ blatant act of serial theft ” that was “ motivated by financial gain ” .
However , the issue looks to be heading for a stalemate in the wake of comments made in Athens and London this week .
The Telegraph reports that Greek authorities have “ denied reports that their return was a condition of the trade deal ” and have “ claimed the clause @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , a UK government spokesperson firmly ruled out the return of the artefacts , claiming : “ The UK ’ s position on the Parthenon sculptures remains unchanged – they are the legal responsibility of the British Museum .
That is not up for discussion as part of our trade negotiations.
” Furthermore , a British Museum spokesperson said it was clear from Greece that this was not about the marbles but the illicit trade in antiquities .
“ The Museum is very active in combating illicit trade so would welcome this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but added : “ The Parthenon Sculptures were legally acquired.
” As a result , despite one EU ambassador who helped draw up the draft telling the Times that Greece ’ s extraordinary request was “ a measure of how Brexit has changed the game ” , to some , now would be a poor time to organise the return of the marbles .
The Scotsman says that the future of the sculptures “ should not be linked to trade talks about UK banks ’ access to financial markets in the EU , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car imports from Germany ” , and instead the two parties should “ enter into separate talks about returning the sculptures to Athens as a no-strings-attached gift ” .
“ Amid the over-heated talk about the ‘ theft ’ of the sculptures… doing so would be an extraordinary and disarming demonstration of friendship at a time when this is clearly in the UK ’ s national interest .
”

The British Museum is in “constructive discussions” with the Greek government regarding the return of the Parthenon Sculptures, also known as the Elgin Marbles.
The ancient artefacts, which date back over 2,500 years, were removed from the Parthenon temple in Athens in the early 19th century by British diplomat Lord Elgin, who was serving as ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, which controlled Greece, at the time. The Greek government has long called for the permanent repatriation of the sculptures.
Last week, The Telegraph reported that an agreement had been reached between the museum’s chairman, former chancellor George Osborne, and Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which will allow the antiquities to be repatriated as part of a “cultural exchange”.
What deal has been struck?
According to the Telegraph’s sources, the agreement reached with Greek officials is effectively a loan agreement that would allow the Elgin Marbles to be transferred from London to Athens. And this could happen “sooner rather than later”.
The deal discussed between Osborne and Greece would allow some of the marbles to be sent to Athens on a “long-term loan” in exchange for Ancient Greek treasures to be loaned to the British Museum. This, however, would not be a permanent exchange as UK law prevents the permanent removal of the marbles.
The British Museum is currently the custodian of around half of the 160-metre (525-foot) frieze that adorned the Parthenon, but any exchange is “unlikely to entail the full complement of marble frieze scenes, metopes (carved plaques), and statues”, said The Telegraph, and will most likely start with a “small token loan”.
Why are the marbles so controversial?
The sculptures’ presence in the UK rather than their original homeland of Greece has been an ongoing subject of debate for decades. The UK government and the British Museum maintain that the acquisition of the marbles was legal, but supporters of their return and successive Greek governments have challenged this claim and do not recognise the British Museum’s ownership of the treasures.
According to the British Museum, it first received a formal request for the return of the marbles in 1983. It also argues that while “media coverage has referred to Greek government requests to borrow the sculptures” it has “never” received a loan request from Greece.
What has changed now?
The deadlock now seems likely to loosen thanks to the efforts of Osborne and Mitsotakis, hastened by changes in “the public mood” and the “role of museums in society”, argued The Guardian.


theweekuk--2020-02-20--Did Donald Trump offer Julian Assange a pardon deal?

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has claimed Donald Trump offered him a pardon in exchange for denying that Russia was involved in the leak of Democratic Party emails in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election .
In 2018 , following an investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller , Russian intelligence operatives were blamed for the hack , which revealed embarrassing messages between Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) officials about the Hillary Clinton presidental campaign .
But Assange ’ s lawyers are now alleging that then Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher visited him in 2017 to say that “ on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering a pardon or some other way out ” if the WikiLeaks boss publically denied Kremlin involvement .
Both Rohrabacher and the White House deny the allegation .
Why was the hack significant ?
In 2016 , a massive collection of DNC emails were stolen by one or more hackers operating under the pseudonym Guccifer 2.0 .
The emails were passed on to WikiLeaks , which initially published around 20,000 of the messages on the controversial website that July .
The emails included correspondence between senior officials in the Democratic Party ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidate nominee Hillary Clinton , at the expense of her rival Bernie Sanders .
A second batch of incriminating emails were released by WikiLeaks in November the same year .
As tech news site The Register notes , the emails “ were credited with helping to turn public opinion in key US states ” against Clinton and are believed to have “ allowed Trump to claim an upset victory in the presidential election ” .
Following a lengthy investigation , in 2018 the US Department of Justice charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alleged bid to interfere with the presidential election outcome .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– After claiming sanctuary and living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years , Assange was arrested by the Metropolitan Police last year , and now faces extradition to the US , where he currently faces 18 charges .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over the publication of US cables a decade ago .
This week , ahead of his extradition hearing , Assange appeared at Westminster Magistrates ’ Court , where his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald claimed that former congressman Rohrabacher had spoken to Assange at the embassy in August 2017 on behalf of Trump .
According to Fitzgerald , the Republican politician offered to arrange a presidential pardon if Assange would “ play ball ” by publicly stating the Russians were not involved in the DNC hack .
Rohrabacher has previously admitted to speaking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement released on Wednesday , stated that he has never spoken to the US president about the WikiLeaks founder and that the visit was his own “ fact-finding mission ” .
“ When speaking with Julian Assange , I told him that if he could provide me information and evidence about who actually gave him the DNC emails , I would then call on President Trump to pardon him , ” he said .
“ At no time did I offer a deal made by the president , nor did I say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House has called the pardon deal claim “ a complete fabrication and a total lie ” , the BBC reports .
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said : “ The president barely knows Dana Rohrabacher other than he ’ s an ex-congressman .
He ’ s never spoken to him on this subject or almost any subject .
”

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has claimed Donald Trump offered him a pardon in exchange for denying that Russia was involved in the leak of Democratic Party emails in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election.
In 2018, following an investigation led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, Russian intelligence operatives were blamed for the hack, which revealed embarrassing messages between Democratic National Committee (DNC) officials about the Hillary Clinton presidental campaign.
But Assange’s lawyers are now alleging that then Republican congressman Dana Rohrabacher visited him in 2017 to say that “on instructions from the president, he was offering a pardon or some other way out” if the WikiLeaks boss publically denied Kremlin involvement.
Both Rohrabacher and the White House deny the allegation.
Why was the hack significant?
In 2016, a massive collection of DNC emails were stolen by one or more hackers operating under the pseudonym Guccifer 2.0. The emails were passed on to WikiLeaks, which initially published around 20,000 of the messages on the controversial website that July.
The emails included correspondence between senior officials in the Democratic Party’s governing body that revealed bias towards then-presidential candidate nominee Hillary Clinton, at the expense of her rival Bernie Sanders. A second batch of incriminating emails were released by WikiLeaks in November the same year.
As tech news site The Register notes, the emails “were credited with helping to turn public opinion in key US states” against Clinton and are believed to have “allowed Trump to claim an upset victory in the presidential election”.
Following a lengthy investigation, in 2018 the US Department of Justice charged 12 Russian intelligence officers with hacking Democratic officials, as part of an alleged bid to interfere with the presidential election outcome.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What does Assange allege?
After claiming sanctuary and living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London for seven years, Assange was arrested by the Metropolitan Police last year, and now faces extradition to the US, where he currently faces 18 charges.
These charges include conspiring to commit computer intrusion, over the publication of US cables a decade ago.
This week, ahead of his extradition hearing, Assange appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where his lawyer Edward Fitzgerald claimed that former congressman Rohrabacher had spoken to Assange at the embassy in August 2017 on behalf of Trump.
According to Fitzgerald, the Republican politician offered to arrange a presidential pardon if Assange would “play ball” by publicly stating the Russians were not involved in the DNC hack.
Rohrabacher has previously admitted to speaking to Assange at the embassy, but in a statement released on Wednesday, stated that he has never spoken to the US president about the WikiLeaks founder and that the visit was his own “fact-finding mission”.
“When speaking with Julian Assange, I told him that if he could provide me information and evidence about who actually gave him the DNC emails, I would then call on President Trump to pardon him,” he said. “At no time did I offer a deal made by the president, nor did I say I was representing the president.”
The White House has called the pardon deal claim “a complete fabrication and a total lie”, the BBC reports.
White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said: “The president barely knows Dana Rohrabacher other than he’s an ex-congressman. He’s never spoken to him on this subject or almost any subject.”


theweekuk--2020-02-21--What Google moving UK data means for you

Google is moving the data it holds on tens of millions of UK web users from its European headquarters in Ireland to the US in preparation for Brexit .
The shift will mean the sensitive personal information of users is no longer covered by Europe ’ s world-leading General Data Protection Regulation ( GDPR ) .
Google will soon require its British users to acknowledge changing terms of service including the new jurisdiction , a source familiar with the plans told Reuters .
The company has amassed one of the largest collections of information about people in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and target advertising .
Why is Google moving the data ?
The technology giant is making the move to ensure ownership of the data returns to California , enabling it to avoid any legal disputes between the UK and EU if they fail to reach a Brexit deal that covers data sharing .
If the UK can not secure a deal with the EU , it would be illegal to transfer data between the UK and EU countries .
Google ’ s former lead for global privacy technology , Lea Kissner , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company had kept British account data in an EU country once the UK had left the bloc .
“ There ’ s a bunch of noise about the UK government possibly trading away enough data protection to lose adequacy under GDPR , at which point having them in Google Ireland ’ s scope sounds super-messy , ” Kissner said .
“ Never discount the desire of tech companies not to be caught in between two different governments.
” What does the move mean for users ?
Privacy campaigners and the Labour Party have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not benefit from the same protections under US law as under the EU ’ s strict privacy laws .
Chi Onwurah , Labour ’ s shadow digital minister , said : “ With this announcement , Google will be moving swathes of private information out of the UK without , apparently , consulting British people or their representatives.
” Moving the data out of the EU means it will therefore have less protection and sit within easier reach of British law enforcement , says The Guardian .
If British Google users ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities would find it harder to recover it in criminal investigations .
The recent Cloud Act in the US is expected to make it easier for British authorities to obtain data from US companies , and this could get easier still if the UK and US negotiate a trade agreement .
Data privacy protections in the US are among the weakest of any major economy , despite years of advocacy by consumer protection groups .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Jim Killock , executive director of the digital rights organisation Open Rights Group , said : “ Moving people ’ s personal information to the USA makes it easier for mass surveillance programmes to access it .
There is nearly no privacy protection for non-US citizens .
“ Google ’ s decision should worry everyone who thinks tech companies are too powerful and know too much about us .
The UK must commit to European data protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our rights being swiftly undermined by ‘ anything goes ’ US privacy practices.
” But data protection lawyers say there will be little change in how Google ’ s UK user data is protected , if the UK continues to implement GDPR , says The Times .
The UK took GDPR into its own law when the EU brought it in , meaning GDPR protections may not be affected by Brexit .
Google has denied that its approach to privacy will change .
A spokesperson said : “ Nothing about our services or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including how we collect or process data , and how we respond to law enforcement demands for users ’ information .
The protections of the UK GDPR will still apply to these users .
”

Google is moving the data it holds on tens of millions of UK web users from its European headquarters in Ireland to the US in preparation for Brexit.
The shift will mean the sensitive personal information of users is no longer covered by Europe’s world-leading General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Google will soon require its British users to acknowledge changing terms of service including the new jurisdiction, a source familiar with the plans told Reuters.
The company has amassed one of the largest collections of information about people in the world, and uses this data to tailor services and target advertising.
Why is Google moving the data?
The technology giant is making the move to ensure ownership of the data returns to California, enabling it to avoid any legal disputes between the UK and EU if they fail to reach a Brexit deal that covers data sharing.
If the UK cannot secure a deal with the EU, it would be illegal to transfer data between the UK and EU countries.
Google’s former lead for global privacy technology, Lea Kissner, said it would have been surprising if the company had kept British account data in an EU country once the UK had left the bloc.
“There’s a bunch of noise about the UK government possibly trading away enough data protection to lose adequacy under GDPR, at which point having them in Google Ireland’s scope sounds super-messy,” Kissner said.
“Never discount the desire of tech companies not to be caught in between two different governments.”
What does the move mean for users?
Privacy campaigners and the Labour Party have expressed concern that UK users’ data may not benefit from the same protections under US law as under the EU’s strict privacy laws.
Chi Onwurah, Labour’s shadow digital minister, said: “With this announcement, Google will be moving swathes of private information out of the UK without, apparently, consulting British people or their representatives.”
Moving the data out of the EU means it will therefore have less protection and sit within easier reach of British law enforcement, says The Guardian. If British Google users’ data is kept in Ireland, British authorities would find it harder to recover it in criminal investigations.


theweekuk--2020-02-21--Will your heating get more expensive under new fuel ban?

The sale of coal and “ wet ” wood is to be banned in England under new government plans to cut air pollution .
The move is part of an effort to tackle tiny pollutants known as PM2.5 , which can penetrate into the lungs and blood , causing serious health problems .
The Government says the public should move to “ cleaner alternatives ” - but some critics claim the ban will result in higher heating bills for thousands of households .
According to the Department for Environment , Food and Rural Affairs ( Defra ) , wood burning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest source of PM2.5 , contributing three times as much of the pollution as road transport .
A PM measurement calculates the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air .
The government department says “ there is understood to be no safe threshold below which no adverse effects would be anticipated ” as a result of inhaling PM2.5 .
PM2.5 “ can exacerbate lung and heart conditions , significantly affecting quality of life and increase deaths and hospital admissions ” , with the highest risk posed to “ children , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cardiovascular disease ” , Defra warns .
What do the changes mean ?
Under the new legislation , sales of bagged house coal will be phased out by February 2021 , and the sale of loose coal direct to customers will end by 2023 , the BBC reports .
Sales of wet wood in single units totalling under under two cubic metres will also be phased out from February next year , and “ wet wood sold over these volumes will be required to come with advice on how to dry it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Drying the wood reduces the amount of smoke and pollution produced when it is burnt , but bags of logs currently sold in DIY stores , garden centres and petrol stations often contain wet wood .
The new rules will also require manufacturers of solid fuels to show their products have a very low sulphur content and only emit a small amount of smoke .
Environment Secretary George Eustice said : “ Cosy open fires and wood-burning stoves are at the heart of many homes up and down the country , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are also the biggest source of the most harmful pollutant that is affecting people in the UK .
“ By moving towards the use of cleaner fuels such as dry wood , we can all play a part in improving the health of millions of people .
This is the latest step in delivering on the challenge we set ourselves in our world-leading clean air strategy.
” What do critics say ?
Ian Gregory , an independent lobbyist for the fuel industry , claims that some of England ’ s poorest households @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of the ban , which will affect an estimated 2.5 million homes .
“ This is appalling news for the rural poor , ” he told the Daily Express .
“ Nearly four million people are off the gas grid in the UK .
Many of them keep their homes warm with coal because they can ’ t afford briquettes , which cost twice as much.
” Briquettes are dry , compressed blocks of coal dust or other inflammable materials such as recycled wood waste , and are also more expensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also posted angry messages online criticising the move , with one user tweeting : “ So as coal & wood fires are to be banned from next February & coal deliveries are to be phased out ... can you please tell me how I am supposed to heat my home… answers on a postcard please .
”

The sale of coal and “wet” wood is to be banned in England under new government plans to cut air pollution.
The move is part of an effort to tackle tiny pollutants known as PM2.5, which can penetrate into the lungs and blood, causing serious health problems.
The Government says the public should move to “cleaner alternatives” - but some critics claim the ban will result in higher heating bills for thousands of households.
What is PM2.5?
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), wood burning stoves and coal fires are the single largest source of PM2.5, contributing three times as much of the pollution as road transport.
A PM measurement calculates the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air.
The government department says “there is understood to be no safe threshold below which no adverse effects would be anticipated” as a result of inhaling PM2.5.
PM2.5 “can exacerbate lung and heart conditions, significantly affecting quality of life and increase deaths and hospital admissions”, with the highest risk posed to “children, the elderly and those with predisposed respiratory and cardiovascular disease”, Defra warns.
What do the changes mean?
Under the new legislation, sales of bagged house coal will be phased out by February 2021, and the sale of loose coal direct to customers will end by 2023, the BBC reports.
Sales of wet wood in single units totalling under under two cubic metres will also be phased out from February next year, and “wet wood sold over these volumes will be required to come with advice on how to dry it ready for burning”, Defra advises.
Drying the wood reduces the amount of smoke and pollution produced when it is burnt, but bags of logs currently sold in DIY stores, garden centres and petrol stations often contain wet wood.
The new rules will also require manufacturers of solid fuels to show their products have a very low sulphur content and only emit a small amount of smoke.
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Cosy open fires and wood-burning stoves are at the heart of many homes up and down the country, but the use of certain fuels means that they are also the biggest source of the most harmful pollutant that is affecting people in the UK.
“By moving towards the use of cleaner fuels such as dry wood, we can all play a part in improving the health of millions of people. This is the latest step in delivering on the challenge we set ourselves in our world-leading clean air strategy.”
What do critics say?
Ian Gregory, an independent lobbyist for the fuel industry, claims that some of England’s poorest households may be left out of pocket as a result of the ban, which will affect an estimated 2.5 million homes.
“This is appalling news for the rural poor,” he told the Daily Express. “Nearly four million people are off the gas grid in the UK. Many of them keep their homes warm with coal because they can’t afford briquettes, which cost twice as much.”
Briquettes are dry, compressed blocks of coal dust or other inflammable materials such as recycled wood waste, and are also more expensive than standard firewood.
Many homeowners have also posted angry messages online criticising the move, with one user tweeting: “So as coal & wood fires are to be banned from next February & coal deliveries are to be phased out... can you please tell me how I am supposed to heat my home… answers on a postcard please.”


theweekuk--2020-02-21--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 21 Feb 2020

The evacuation of 74 British citizens trapped on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan as a result of @ @ @ @ @ by a day .
British ministers had said the passengers - who have been stuck @ @ @ @ @ coast Yokohama for more than two weeks - would be flown home this evening .
@ @ @ @ @ Japan has now announced that the “ logistically complicated ” flight will leave on Saturday @

Coronavirus: cruise ship Britons’ flight delayed
The evacuation of 74 British citizens trapped on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan as a result of the coronavirus has been delayed by a day. British ministers had said the passengers - who have been stuck on the ship off the coast Yokohama for more than two weeks - would be flown home this evening. But the British embassy in Japan has now announced that the “logistically complicated” flight will leave on Saturday.


theweekuk--2020-02-21--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Cyborg insects, pacifist gamers and satellite overload

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : Barani Raman , a researcher at Washington Uni in Missouri , published research this week describing the creation of a bomb-sniffing cyborg locust .
His team embedded wireless electrodes into the insects ’ brains and then exposed them to traces of TNT and other explosives , as well as non-explosives such as hot air and bitter almond oil vapour .
Since the scientists could see clear differences between reactions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ became bionic bomb detectors .
SpaceX launched 60 satellites into orbit this week , aiming to bring low cost broadband to the entire world via a `` constellation '' of tens of thousands of satellites surrounding Earth .
But astronomers say this could hinder their ability to monitor deep space .
Is global internet connection worth sacrificing our view of the universe ?
As the video games industry has started to become more diverse , games developers no longer fall into the cliché of being white , male , beardy and with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some believe is why video games are becoming less violent .
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts .
It is produced by Sarah Myles and the music is by Tom Mawby .

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Cyborg insects
Barani Raman, a researcher at Washington Uni in Missouri, published research this week describing the creation of a bomb-sniffing cyborg locust. His team embedded wireless electrodes into the insects’ brains and then exposed them to traces of TNT and other explosives, as well as non-explosives such as hot air and bitter almond oil vapour. Since the scientists could see clear differences between reactions to explosives and non-explosives, the grasshoppers effectively became bionic bomb detectors.
Satellite overload
SpaceX launched 60 satellites into orbit this week, aiming to bring low cost broadband to the entire world via a "constellation" of tens of thousands of satellites surrounding Earth. But astronomers say this could hinder their ability to monitor deep space. Is global internet connection worth sacrificing our view of the universe?
Pacifist gamers
As the video games industry has started to become more diverse, games developers no longer fall into the cliché of being white, male, beardy and with a fondness for sci-fi – a change that some believe is why video games are becoming less violent.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Sarah Myles and the music is by Tom Mawby.


theweekuk--2020-02-21--Today’s back pages: Martial spares Man Utd’s blushes in Bruges and Tyson Fury hits the jackpot

Despite Wolves ’ s 4-0 thumping of Espanyol and Arsenal ’ s 1-0 win at Olympiakos , the Europa League tie that gets the most coverage on the back pages is Manchester United ’ s lacklustre 1-1 draw at Club Bruges .
“ Blush goalie ” screams The Sun , a reference to the underwhelming performance of United keeper Sergio Romero , who was exposed for the Belgian club ’ s goal .
The Red Devils levelled through Anthony Martial , hence The Daily Telegraph ’ s “ Martial law ” headline , while the Daily Mirror says the French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Most papers agree with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who said that United were “ sloppy ” in the first leg of their last-32 encounter Not so Wolves , who ran riot at Molineux with Diogo Jota scoring a stunning hat-trick as they put their Spanish visitors to the sword , nor Arsenal , who secured a precious advantage in their first leg in Athens thanks to a late goal from Alexandre Lacazette .
The Guardian is the only paper to make the Gunners the lead on their back page with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ handled the heat ” of Olympiakos .
The Times reports that England will “ shun ” any attempt by the International Cricket Council to introduce mandatory four-day Test matches with the England and Wales Cricket Board ( ECB ) chief executive Tom Harrison declaring that he is opposed to the idea of a shortened format .
The proposition of reducing Tests from five to four days was first mooted at the end of last year , and it was claimed that the ECB were “ cautiously supportive of the move ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine , Harrison said that is not the case .
“ I ’ ve been positioned as the champion of four-day Test cricket , ” he explained .
“ I am not… We will protect international cricket .
Four-day Tests answer some questions , some of the time , but it ’ s not the answer to all of our problems.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fury will “ pocket a career-best purse of at least £31m ” for his rematch with Deontay Wilder this weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas .
The paper says that the British heavyweight has “ hit the jackpot ” and will rake in millions from a sell-out 17,000 crowd not to mention pay-per-view sales on both sides of the pond .
The Mirror says that the unbeaten challenger is guaranteed around £19m with the rest coming from pay-per-view figures which are “ doing better than anyone anticipated ” .
In another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up with Roger Federer , the Swiss tennis star has announced that he won ’ t be competing at the French Open in May .
The Guardian reports that the 38-year-old ’ s disclosure that “ minor surgery on his right knee will sideline him until Wimbledon at the end of June shook the tennis community ” .
Having undergone surgery on his left knee in 2016 , Federer ’ s body will once again require the surgeon ’ s knife and the Guardian says it “ casts doubt ” on whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ total of 20 majors .
Federer will ‘ see you on the grass ’ - but is this the beginning of the end ?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Bruised in Bruges
Despite Wolves’s 4-0 thumping of Espanyol and Arsenal’s 1-0 win at Olympiakos, the Europa League tie that gets the most coverage on the back pages is Manchester United’s lacklustre 1-1 draw at Club Bruges.
“Blush goalie” screams The Sun, a reference to the underwhelming performance of United keeper Sergio Romero, who was exposed for the Belgian club’s goal.
The Red Devils levelled through Anthony Martial, hence The Daily Telegraph’s “Martial law” headline, while the Daily Mirror says the French striker “spared United’s blushes”.
Most papers agree with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who said that United were “sloppy” in the first leg of their last-32 encounter
Not so Wolves, who ran riot at Molineux with Diogo Jota scoring a stunning hat-trick as they put their Spanish visitors to the sword, nor Arsenal, who secured a precious advantage in their first leg in Athens thanks to a late goal from Alexandre Lacazette.
The Guardian is the only paper to make the Gunners the lead on their back page with the paper hailing the way a young side “handled the heat” of Olympiakos.
ECB ‘shun’ four-day Tests
The Times reports that England will “shun” any attempt by the International Cricket Council to introduce mandatory four-day Test matches with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Tom Harrison declaring that he is opposed to the idea of a shortened format.
The proposition of reducing Tests from five to four days was first mooted at the end of last year, and it was claimed that the ECB were “cautiously supportive of the move”. But in an interview with The Cricketer magazine, Harrison said that is not the case.
“I’ve been positioned as the champion of four-day Test cricket,” he explained. “I am not… We will protect international cricket. Four-day Tests answer some questions, some of the time, but it’s not the answer to all of our problems.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Fury hits the jackpot
The Daily Mirror reports that Tyson Fury will “pocket a career-best purse of at least £31m” for his rematch with Deontay Wilder this weekend at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
The paper says that the British heavyweight has “hit the jackpot” and will rake in millions from a sell-out 17,000 crowd not to mention pay-per-view sales on both sides of the pond.
The Mirror says that the unbeaten challenger is guaranteed around £19m with the rest coming from pay-per-view figures which are “doing better than anyone anticipated”.
Fed injury blow
In another sign that Old Father Time is catching up with Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis star has announced that he won’t be competing at the French Open in May.
The Guardian reports that the 38-year-old’s disclosure that “minor surgery on his right knee will sideline him until Wimbledon at the end of June shook the tennis community”.
Having undergone surgery on his left knee in 2016, Federer’s body will once again require the surgeon’s knife and the Guardian says it “casts doubt” on whether the living legend will add to his record total of 20 majors.
Federer will ‘see you on the grass’- but is this the beginning of the end?
Today’s sport headlines
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-02-21--Man arrested after London mosque attack

Man arrested after London mosque attack

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing inside a London mosque yesterday .
The victim , in his 70s , was injured in what The Sun describes as a “ chilling attack ” at London Central Mosque , near Regent 's Park .
He was taken to hospital where his condition has been assessed as non-life threatening .
A 29-year-old man was apprehended by worshippers who restrained him until officers arrived .
The Daily Mail says the man is of east European origin .
Police are not treating the incident as terror-related .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ muezzin , the person who makes the call to prayer , and he had been stabbed shortly after 3pm during afternoon prayer .
An eyewitness , Abi Watik , said : “ [ The guy ] got a knife for no reason .
I have seen him many times .
We heard the Muezzin , he was screaming .
We did not know what was going on .
“ He had lots of blood .
He stabbed him one time .
It was like a small kitchen knife , about five inches .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ person kicked him in the back then he put him on the floor.
” A photograph of the victim smiling in hospital with a bandage on his wound has been published this morning .
The Archbishop of Canterbury said : “ My sympathy is with those in shock after the stabbing at the London Central Mosque .
Please join me in praying for healing for the victim and for peace across our communities.
” Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted : “ I 'm deeply saddened to hear of the attack at the London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Khan said he was “ deeply concerned by the incident ” .
British Muslims have been the target of past attacks by far-right extremists in recent years .
In June 2017 , an attacker drove a van into a crowd of people leaving evening prayers at another London mosque .
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A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a stabbing inside a London mosque yesterday.
The victim, in his 70s, was injured in what The Sun describes as a “chilling attack” at London Central Mosque, near Regent's Park.
He was taken to hospital where his condition has been assessed as non-life threatening.
A 29-year-old man was apprehended by worshippers who restrained him until officers arrived. The Daily Mail says the man is of east European origin. Police are not treating the incident as terror-related.
The mosque said the injured man was the muezzin, the person who makes the call to prayer, and he had been stabbed shortly after 3pm during afternoon prayer.
An eyewitness, Abi Watik, said: “[The guy] got a knife for no reason. I have seen him many times. We heard the Muezzin, he was screaming. We did not know what was going on.
“He had lots of blood. He stabbed him one time. It was like a small kitchen knife, about five inches. Twenty people jumped on him. One person kicked him in the back then he put him on the floor.”
A photograph of the victim smiling in hospital with a bandage on his wound has been published this morning.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “My sympathy is with those in shock after the stabbing at the London Central Mosque. Please join me in praying for healing for the victim and for peace across our communities.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted: “I'm deeply saddened to hear of the attack at the London Central Mosque.” Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said he was “deeply concerned by the incident”.
British Muslims have been the target of past attacks by far-right extremists in recent years. In June 2017, an attacker drove a van into a crowd of people leaving evening prayers at another London mosque.
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theweekuk--2020-02-21--Home Office ‘institutionally racist’ said report into Windrush scandal

An official report that ruled that the Home Office was “ institutionally racist ” over its policy towards migrants has been toned down .
The Windrush review , commissioned after Caribbean migrants were detained or deported despite having the right to live in Britain , was meant to report in March 2019 , but publication has been repeatedly delayed .
The Times reports that the phrase “ institutionally racist ” , which was included in an early draft of the report , does not appear in more recent versions .
Previous leaked extracts found that the Home Office was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defensive culture ” over immigration policy .
An earlier version also recommended that the government consider ending the removal of foreign-born offenders who had come to Britain as children but this recommendation has also disappeared from the latest version .
Government figures now fear that members of the advisory panel that helped to write the review will go public and criticise the government if the report is subjected to significant changes .
Trevor Philips , a former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission , claims that the term institutional racism was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to hurl at the Home Office without actually specifying what the Home Office ’ s failure — which is unarguable — really is ” .
The Windrush scandal saw Commonwealth nationals living in the UK wrongly threatened with deportation and deprived of medical care because they lacked the correct documentation .
The group comprises British citizens who came to the UK from the Commonwealth as children following the Second World War , and whose rights were guaranteed in the Immigration Act of 1971 .
Named the Windrush generation after British ship the Empire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Essex carrying 492 Caribbean passengers in 1948 - an estimated 500,000 people now live in the UK who came here from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971 .
A large number arrived as children , and “ many have made the UK their home for their entire lives ” , says Channel 4 News .
However , under changes to the immigration law in 2012 , these people were forced to prove continuous residence in the UK since 1973 , which proved almost impossible for those who had not kept up detailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were denied access to state healthcare , made redundant from their jobs and even threatened with deportation .
A Home Office review of 11,800 Caribbean cases identified 164 people who were removed or detained who might have been resident in the UK before 1973 .
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An official report that ruled that the Home Office was “institutionally racist” over its policy towards migrants has been toned down.
The Windrush review, commissioned after Caribbean migrants were detained or deported despite having the right to live in Britain, was meant to report in March 2019, but publication has been repeatedly delayed.
The Times reports that the phrase “institutionally racist”, which was included in an early draft of the report, does not appear in more recent versions. Previous leaked extracts found that the Home Office was “reckless” and had developed a “defensive culture” over immigration policy.
An earlier version also recommended that the government consider ending the removal of foreign-born offenders who had come to Britain as children but this recommendation has also disappeared from the latest version.
Government figures now fear that members of the advisory panel that helped to write the review will go public and criticise the government if the report is subjected to significant changes.
Trevor Philips, a former chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, claims that the term institutional racism was “being used as a combat weapon to hurl at the Home Office without actually specifying what the Home Office’s failure — which is unarguable — really is”.
The Windrush scandal saw Commonwealth nationals living in the UK wrongly threatened with deportation and deprived of medical care because they lacked the correct documentation.
The group comprises British citizens who came to the UK from the Commonwealth as children following the Second World War, and whose rights were guaranteed in the Immigration Act of 1971.
Named the Windrush generation after British ship the Empire Windrush - which arrived at Tilbury Docks in Essex carrying 492 Caribbean passengers in 1948 - an estimated 500,000 people now live in the UK who came here from Caribbean countries between 1948 and 1971.
A large number arrived as children, and “many have made the UK their home for their entire lives”, says Channel 4 News.
However, under changes to the immigration law in 2012, these people were forced to prove continuous residence in the UK since 1973, which proved almost impossible for those who had not kept up detailed records.
As a result, some were denied access to state healthcare, made redundant from their jobs and even threatened with deportation.
A Home Office review of 11,800 Caribbean cases identified 164 people who were removed or detained who might have been resident in the UK before 1973.
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theweekuk--2020-02-21--Man with ‘crime pays’ tattoo is arrested again

A man with “ CRIME PAYS ” tattooed across his forehead is back behind bars after being arrested for the @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Murray of Indiana was charged with resisting law enforcement , reckless driving , @ @ @ @ @ a common nuisance and auto theft .
Daredevil to walk on tightrope over volcano A @ @ @ @ @ on a tightrope over an active volcano .
Nik Wallenda , who has previously tightrope-walked @ @ @ @ @ Niagara Falls , is planning to cross the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua during a live @ @ @ @ @ has previously been described as a “ ticking time bomb ” .
A man in @ @ @ @ @ for allegedly urinating in an office coffee maker .
The man reportedly violated two office @ @ @ @ @ duty , “ for failure to refrain from urinating in the office coffee maker ” @ @ @ @ @ tales and news to make you smile , sign up for our new Tall Tales @ @ @ @ @

A man with “CRIME PAYS” tattooed across his forehead is back behind bars after being arrested for the second time in three months. Donald Murray of Indiana was charged with resisting law enforcement, reckless driving, possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance and auto theft.
Daredevil to walk on tightrope over volcano
A man is planning to walk on a tightrope over an active volcano. Nik Wallenda, who has previously tightrope-walked over the churning waters of Niagara Falls, is planning to cross the Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua during a live television broadcast. The volcano has previously been described as a “ticking time bomb”.
Alaska man punished for urinating in coffee maker
A man in Alaska was punished last week for allegedly urinating in an office coffee maker. The man reportedly violated two office rules, including dereliction of duty, “for failure to refrain from urinating in the office coffee maker”.
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theweekuk--2020-02-21--Morgan Stanley agrees $13bn deal to acquire ETrade

Morgan Stanley , the renowned Wall Street investment bank , has turned to digital discount brokerage platform ETrade in a $ 13 billion all-stock acquisition designed to capture a share of the growing online stock-trading market .
Talks have been ongoing since December for what will be the biggest takeover by any global bank since the 2008 financial crisis , and Morgan Stanley ’ s second biggest of all time .
ETrade offers the storied Wall Street giant access to 5.2 million new customers , younger and with shallower pockets than their traditional clients , but nevertheless representing what the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wealth ” , with a total $ 360 billion of assets on the platform .
In contrast , Morgan Stanley ’ s current wealth management business looks after the funds of 3 million wealthy investors , whose collective assets reach a staggering $ 2.7 trillion .
As such , Morgan Stanley chief executive James Gorman was quick to point out the merger is “ not about being bigger , it ’ s about strategy ” .
Indeed , the firm believes that earnings per share would take a modest hit in 2021 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The break-even period is long , but that ’ s not really the way we looked on it , ” said chief financial officer Jon Pruzan .
The deal “ highlights the increasing convergence of Wall Street and Main Street , ” says The New York Times .
“ Elite bastions of corporate finance are seeking to cater to customers with smaller pocketbooks , and online brokerage firms that once hoped to overthrow traditional trading houses are instead suffering from a price war that has slashed their profits.
” The Financial Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consolidation in financial services , so that institutions can achieve economies of scale and diversify.
” Gorman said the move would not result in any changes for either companies ’ clients .
ETrade will retain its CEO , Michael Pizzi , and will “ keep its brand , its handful of retail storefronts and its buzzy and well-funded ad campaigns , ” reports The Wall Street Journal .
“ Since we created the digital brokerage category nearly 40 years ago , ETrade has consistently disrupted the status quo and delivered cutting-edge tools and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock plan administrators , ” Pizzi said in a news release .
“ By joining Morgan Stanley , we will be able to take our combined offering to the next level and deliver an even more comprehensive suite of wealth management capabilities.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important business stories and tips for the week ’ s best shares - try The Week magazine .
Get your first six issues free ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The acquisition follows on the heels of November ’ s $ 26 billion merger of Charles Schwab and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who played a major part in the industry ’ s scaling , using technology to open up low-volume stock trading to the general public .
Morgan Stanley ’ s rival Goldman Sachs is also pursuing mass-market customers online , as elite investment lenders seek to modernise and diversify , increasingly looking for lower risk , consistent income as opposed to high-risk , high-reward gambits .
Goldman , however , was apparently not competing for ETrade , which Gorman insisted “ was our preferred partner always , ” and in whom he had had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while he was at Merrill Lynch .
“ Thursday ’ s merger will probably come under intense scrutiny from Washington regulators and congressional Democrats already skeptical of large banks such as Morgan Stanley growing any bigger , ” The Washington Post warns .
Analysts contended that the deal could spill into 2021 as the Federal Reserve looks at the systemic risk of large lenders consolidating further .

Morgan Stanley, the renowned Wall Street investment bank, has turned to digital discount brokerage platform ETrade in a $13 billion all-stock acquisition designed to capture a share of the growing online stock-trading market.
Talks have been ongoing since December for what will be the biggest takeover by any global bank since the 2008 financial crisis, and Morgan Stanley’s second biggest of all time.
ETrade offers the storied Wall Street giant access to 5.2 million new customers, younger and with shallower pockets than their traditional clients, but nevertheless representing what the firm called a “pipeline of emerging wealth”, with a total $360 billion of assets on the platform.
In contrast, Morgan Stanley’s current wealth management business looks after the funds of 3 million wealthy investors, whose collective assets reach a staggering $2.7 trillion.
As such, Morgan Stanley chief executive James Gorman was quick to point out the merger is “not about being bigger, it’s about strategy”.
Indeed, the firm believes that earnings per share would take a modest hit in 2021, perhaps not improving earnings until 2023. “The break-even period is long, but that’s not really the way we looked on it,” said chief financial officer Jon Pruzan.
The deal “highlights the increasing convergence of Wall Street and Main Street,” says The New York Times. “Elite bastions of corporate finance are seeking to cater to customers with smaller pocketbooks, and online brokerage firms that once hoped to overthrow traditional trading houses are instead suffering from a price war that has slashed their profits.”
The Financial Times says there is a need for “consolidation in financial services, so that institutions can achieve economies of scale and diversify.”
Gorman said the move would not result in any changes for either companies’ clients. ETrade will retain its CEO, Michael Pizzi, and will “keep its brand, its handful of retail storefronts and its buzzy and well-funded ad campaigns,” reports The Wall Street Journal.
“Since we created the digital brokerage category nearly 40 years ago, ETrade has consistently disrupted the status quo and delivered cutting-edge tools and services to investors, traders, and stock plan administrators,” Pizzi said in a news release.
“By joining Morgan Stanley, we will be able to take our combined offering to the next level and deliver an even more comprehensive suite of wealth management capabilities.”
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The acquisition follows on the heels of November’s $26 billion merger of Charles Schwab and TD Ameritrade, two discount brokerage firms who played a major part in the industry’s scaling, using technology to open up low-volume stock trading to the general public.
Morgan Stanley’s rival Goldman Sachs is also pursuing mass-market customers online, as elite investment lenders seek to modernise and diversify, increasingly looking for lower risk, consistent income as opposed to high-risk, high-reward gambits.
Goldman, however, was apparently not competing for ETrade, which Gorman insisted “was our preferred partner always,” and in whom he had had a personal interest in acquiring since 2002 while he was at Merrill Lynch.
“Thursday’s merger will probably come under intense scrutiny from Washington regulators and congressional Democrats already skeptical of large banks such as Morgan Stanley growing any bigger,” The Washington Post warns.
Analysts contended that the deal could spill into 2021 as the Federal Reserve looks at the systemic risk of large lenders consolidating further.


theweekuk--2020-02-21--A million trapped Syrians face pitiless government onslaught

Even after an eviscerating nine-year conflict that has left almost 400,000 people dead , according to lower estimates , and fuelled the refugee crisis that has destabilised Europe , what is unfolding now could be the greatest tragedy yet of the Syrian civil war , the UN has warned .
Since the war ’ s outset , military momentum has built up steadily for the government forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad , and as he drove his opponents from their strongholds around the country , Idlib province on the Turkish border became their last redoubt in Syria ’ s northwest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including what The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights calls the Syrian “ regime and Russia ’ s systematic policy of forcing more people to abandon their areas , ” has led to 1.1 million people being displaced in the region since December last year .
Half the national population of 22 million has been displaced , roughly 6m of them abroad , since the outset of violence .
The internal refugees face appalling conditions .
Not only are they the subject of shelling and air strikes from Syrian and Russian forces - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps , schools , residential areas , mosques , and markets - but they must suffer a brutal winter that claimed the lives of twelve civilians last week alone .
Most of them were children .
Erdogan warned on Wednesday that it could be “ a matter of time ” before Turkey launched a military operation to push back the Syrian government offensive .
That time seemed to arrive yesterday , as violence flared after “ Turkish forces and Syrian rebels fought government troops… and Russian warplanes struck back in an sharp escalation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last rebel bastions , ” Reuters reports .
Refugees are blocked from retreating to safety across the border , as Turkey , alarmed by the number of displaced people , has closed the border .
Their options : set up makeshift , under-resourced camps at risk of attack , or keep on moving .
“ When you ask people on the road where they are going , nobody knows .
They just know that there are no safe places anymore , so it is better to keep moving , ” a refugee told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly operating from across the border in Turkey , say they are overwhelmed and warn of a dire shortage of tents , ” reports The Washington Post .
“ Potable water is in short supply and sanitation facilities are mostly nonexistent as fleeing civilians set up ramshackle camps in the depths of the Syrian winter.
” “ Hostilities are now approaching densely populated areas such as Idlib city and Bab al-Hawa border crossing , which has among the highest concentration of displaced civilians in northwest Syria and also serves as a humanitarian lifeline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria Geir Pedersen on Wednesday .
Pedersen warned , “ The potential for further mass displacement and even more catastrophic human suffering is apparent , as an increasing number of people are hemmed into an ever-shrinking space.
” In a statement issued on Tuesday , the UN warned of the “ biggest humanitarian horror story of the 21st Century.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Their fate is further complicated by the presence of around 15,000 Turkish armed forces in the area , whose purpose is not fully defined , and the bellicose rhetoric of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
The Syrian rebels will surely be glad for Turkish military aid , but the civilians are trapped between a conflict prolonged by Turkish “ protection ” or a terrifying fate at the hands of a vindictive Damascus regime which has been committing war crimes against them since the beginning of the war , when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Arab Spring .
As far as Assad and his Russian backers see it , when it comes to achieving victory , the ends justifies the means .
Once the rebels are gone , they say , stability will be achieved .
“ On the whole , the situation in Syria has stabilised considerably .
Peaceful life is returning to the country .
Its economy and social life is being restored , ” the foreign ministry in Moscow said .
Earlier this week , regime forces captured the vital Damascus-Aleppo M5 motorway , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in , and thus control of , Syria , leading some to think the civil war could be approaching a violent crescendo .
Assad revelled in his latest military achievement .
“ We know this liberation does not mean the end of the war or the crushing of all plots or the end of terror or the surrender of the enemy , but it definitely rubs their noses in the dirt , ” he said during a speech on Monday in Aleppo .
“ This is a prelude to [ the rebels ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The international community is reluctant to throw their weight behind a Syrian opposition that is now dominated by the al Qaeda-affiliated group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham .
A political solution has been made harder as Turkish and Russian talks are derailed by ever-increasing violence between them .
“ If there is an international community out there , this is the time to show its face , '' a refugee told Al Jazeera .
`` The regime and the Russians believe they can take the whole of Syria back because the world will stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's indifference is the regime 's strongest weapon .
”

Even after an eviscerating nine-year conflict that has left almost 400,000 people dead, according to lower estimates, and fuelled the refugee crisis that has destabilised Europe, what is unfolding now could be the greatest tragedy yet of the Syrian civil war, the UN has warned.
Since the war’s outset, military momentum has built up steadily for the government forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad, and as he drove his opponents from their strongholds around the country, Idlib province on the Turkish border became their last redoubt in Syria’s northwest.
The fighting and the vengeful tactics, including what The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights calls the Syrian “regime and Russia’s systematic policy of forcing more people to abandon their areas,” has led to 1.1 million people being displaced in the region since December last year.
Half the national population of 22 million has been displaced, roughly 6m of them abroad, since the outset of violence.
The internal refugees face appalling conditions. Not only are they the subject of shelling and air strikes from Syrian and Russian forces - attacks that have hit hospitals, refugee camps, schools, residential areas, mosques, and markets - but they must suffer a brutal winter that claimed the lives of twelve civilians last week alone. Most of them were children.
Erdogan warned on Wednesday that it could be “a matter of time” before Turkey launched a military operation to push back the Syrian government offensive.
That time seemed to arrive yesterday, as violence flared after “Turkish forces and Syrian rebels fought government troops… and Russian warplanes struck back in an sharp escalation of an already intense battle over the last rebel bastions,” Reuters reports.
Refugees are blocked from retreating to safety across the border, as Turkey, alarmed by the number of displaced people, has closed the border. Their options: set up makeshift, under-resourced camps at risk of attack, or keep on moving.
“When you ask people on the road where they are going, nobody knows. They just know that there are no safe places anymore, so it is better to keep moving,” a refugee told Al Jazeera.