theweekuk--2020-02-28--Sport shorts: Man Utd to face LASK in Europa League last 16 and swimming star Sun is banned for eigh

Sport shorts: Man Utd to face LASK in Europa League last 16 and swimming star Sun is banned for eight years

Manchester United , Wolves and Rangers have found out their Europa League last-16 opponents following today ’ s draw .
United will face Austrian side LASK Linz , Wolves will play Greek team Olympiacos and Rangers will take on German outfit Bayer Leverkusen .
Red Bull Salzburg and Eintracht Frankfurt play their round of 32 second leg today at 5pm .
Eintracht are 4-1 up after the first leg and will be heavy favourites to meet Basel in the next round .
First leg matches in the Europa League last 16 will be played on 12 March and the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Man Utd , Wolves and Rangers enjoyed progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League , it was a bad night for Arsenal who crashed out of the competition against Olympiacos .
Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a superb overhead kick in extra-time but later missed a sitter as the Greek side won 2-1 on the night to go through on away goals .
Scottish champions Celtic are also out after a 3-1 loss at home against FC Copenhagen .
The Danes went through 4-2 on aggregate .
3 .
City and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first footballing silverware of the English season is up for grabs this weekend as holders Manchester City take on Aston Villa in the final of the Carabao Cup .
Sunday ’ s final at Wembley Stadium in London kicks off at 4.30pm ( GMT ) and is live on Sky Sports Main Event .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Chinese swimmer Sun Yang , the three-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned for eight years for missing a doping test in September 2018 .
The BBC reports that the 28-year-old had initially been cleared of wrongdoing in January last year but the decision has been overturned following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency to the Court of Arbitration for Sport ( Cas ) .
Sky News sports correspondent Martha Kelner tweeted : “ Wow , Cas gives swimmer Sun Yang - China ’ s equivalent of David Beckham - maximum eight year ban after one of his entourage smashed his blood vial with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sun said : “ This is unfair .
I firmly believe in my innocence .
I will definitely appeal to let more people know the truth.
” In today ’ s matches at the ICC Women ’ s T20 World Cup South Africa beat Thailand by 113 runs and England beat Pakistan by 42 runs .
Tomorrow ’ s games see New Zealand play Bangladesh ( 12am GMT ) and India take on Sri Lanka ( 4am ) .
On Sunday South Africa are in action against Pakistan ( 4am ) and England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Video of David Beckham Hints at Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo Joining His Soccer Team 6 .
Becks wants Messi or Ronaldo in Miami Inter Miami owner David Beckham wants to bring Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to the new Major League Soccer franchise .
In an interview with US chat show host Jimmy Fallon , the former England captain said : “ If we have the opportunity to bring in big name players from Europe into our city , we will do that .
“ Every team in the world would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but we always talked about us being different from any other team , which I am sure every other owner says exactly the same thing.
” Messi vs. Ronaldo : it ’ s El Clasico and the Derby d ’ Italia this weekend The final two stages of the UAE Tour , Chris Froome ’ s comeback event , have been cancelled after two Italian cyclists tested positive for coronavirus .
Froome - who suffered serious injuries after a crash last summer - and the others riders at the UAE Tour , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will be tested for the virus .
What events may be cancelled due to coronavirus ?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– English darts player Michael Smith hit a nine-darter in his 7-5 win over Daryl Gurney in Dublin last night - the first in the Premier League since April 2017 .
After two maximum 180s and a 141 checkout the 29-year-old said : “ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t explain - it ’ s amazing .
I ’ ve never hit a nine-darter on TV before and this was special .
I ’ ve never felt my heart beat so fast in my life.
” Tottenham and England could be set for a huge boost with the news that star striker Harry Kane is targeting a return to action in early April .
The Three Lions captain has been out with a hamstring injury since New Year ’ s Day and there were fears he could miss the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , The Sun understands that Kane ’ s recovery is going better than expected and he could be back playing in just six weeks .
Manchester United ’ s easy ride to the last 16 of the Uefa Europa League makes the back page of the Daily Mirror under the headline “ Bruges cruise ” .
The Red Devils , who drew the first leg 1-1 in Belgium , put five unanswered goals past Club Bruges in a dominant performance at Old Trafford .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. Europa League draw is made
Manchester United, Wolves and Rangers have found out their Europa League last-16 opponents following today’s draw.
United will face Austrian side LASK Linz, Wolves will play Greek team Olympiacos and Rangers will take on German outfit Bayer Leverkusen.
Red Bull Salzburg and Eintracht Frankfurt play their round of 32 second leg today at 5pm.
Eintracht are 4-1 up after the first leg and will be heavy favourites to meet Basel in the next round.
First leg matches in the Europa League last 16 will be played on 12 March and the second legs are on 19 March.
Europa League last-16 draw
Istanbul Basaksehir vs. FC Copenhagen
Olympiacos vs. Wolves
Rangers vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Wolfsburg vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Inter Milan vs. Getafe
Sevilla vs. Roma
Red Bull Salzburg or Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Basel
LASK Linz vs. Manchester United
2. Arsenal’s Greek tragedy
While Man Utd, Wolves and Rangers enjoyed progressing to the last 16 of the Europa League, it was a bad night for Arsenal who crashed out of the competition against Olympiacos.
Gunners captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a superb overhead kick in extra-time but later missed a sitter as the Greek side won 2-1 on the night to go through on away goals.
Scottish champions Celtic are also out after a 3-1 loss at home against FC Copenhagen. The Danes went through 4-2 on aggregate.
Arsenal suffer a Greek tragedy in Europa League - reactions and highlights
3. City and Villa are up for the cup
The first footballing silverware of the English season is up for grabs this weekend as holders Manchester City take on Aston Villa in the final of the Carabao Cup. Sunday’s final at Wembley Stadium in London kicks off at 4.30pm (GMT) and is live on Sky Sports Main Event.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4. Swimmer Sun banned for eight years
Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, the three-time Olympic gold medal winner, has been banned for eight years for missing a doping test in September 2018.
The BBC reports that the 28-year-old had initially been cleared of wrongdoing in January last year but the decision has been overturned following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).


theweekuk--2020-02-28--Drugs as easy to buy online as pizza, says government report

More illegal drugs than ever before are coming into the UK - and buying them is almost as easy as ordering a pizza , according to a government-commissioned report .
The independent review by Professor Carol Black found that the country ’ s illicit drugs market is worth £9.4bn a year , but costs society an estimated £19bn .
And an “ unprecedented ” number of children and teenagers are being drawn into the drug trade through county lines gangs , Black warns .
Speaking at the UK Drugs Summit in Glasgow on Thursday , she said : “ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries from around the world , more than ever before .
It ’ s purer , it ’ s more available , you can buy whichever drug you want almost anywhere .
“ It wouldn ’ t be too far to go to say it ’ s almost for some drugs as easy as getting your pizza.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication of the review findings comes days after the BBC reported that an investigation by the broadcaster had found it took just 27 minutes to receive an order of cocaine from a drug dealer in Leeds .
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw writes : “ The key conclusion of Dame Carol Black ’ s report on illegal drugs - that a ‘ perfect storm ’ has developed that can be abated only through government intervention - is based on compelling evidence from an impressive array of statistics and information .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society of illicit drugs in England - is designed to act as a wake-up call.
” A 2017 report from Public Health England found that every £1 spent on drug treatment saved £2.50 in costs to society .
Black ’ s review found that drug-related deaths in the UK are now at an all-time high , while the market is becoming increasingly violent .
An estimated three million people took some form of illicit drug in England and Wales last year , with 300,000 in England using opiates or crack cocaine .
Crime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glasgow summit , said the findings were “ troubling and paint a stark picture of how illegal drugs are devastating lives and communities , and fuelling serious violence ” .
“ We are already taking tough action to combat county lines and violent crime and to disrupt and prosecute the organised gangs that bring so much misery .
But clearly we all need to do more , ” he concluded .

More illegal drugs than ever before are coming into the UK - and buying them is almost as easy as ordering a pizza, according to a government-commissioned report.
The independent review by Professor Carol Black found that the country’s illicit drugs market is worth £9.4bn a year, but costs society an estimated £19bn.
And an “unprecedented” number of children and teenagers are being drawn into the drug trade through county lines gangs, Black warns.
Speaking at the UK Drugs Summit in Glasgow on Thursday, she said: “We have an abundant supply coming into our countries from around the world, more than ever before. It’s purer, it’s more available, you can buy whichever drug you want almost anywhere.
“It wouldn’t be too far to go to say it’s almost for some drugs as easy as getting your pizza.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The publication of the review findings comes days after the BBC reported that an investigation by the broadcaster had found it took just 27 minutes to receive an order of cocaine from a drug dealer in Leeds.
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw writes: “The key conclusion of Dame Carol Black’s report on illegal drugs - that a ‘perfect storm’ has developed that can be abated only through government intervention - is based on compelling evidence from an impressive array of statistics and information.
“The headline figure - the £19bn cost to society of illicit drugs in England - is designed to act as a wake-up call.”
A 2017 report from Public Health England found that every £1 spent on drug treatment saved £2.50 in costs to society.
Black’s review found that drug-related deaths in the UK are now at an all-time high, while the market is becoming increasingly violent.
An estimated three million people took some form of illicit drug in England and Wales last year, with 300,000 in England using opiates or crack cocaine.
Crime Minister Kit Malthouse, who chaired the Glasgow summit, said the findings were “troubling and paint a stark picture of how illegal drugs are devastating lives and communities, and fuelling serious violence”.
“We are already taking tough action to combat county lines and violent crime and to disrupt and prosecute the organised gangs that bring so much misery. But clearly we all need to do more,” he concluded.


theweekuk--2020-02-28--Quiz of The Week: 22 - 28 January 2020

Quiz of The Week: 22 - 28 January 2020

This week ’ s headlines have been dominated by the rapid spread of the new coronavirus , with Italy reporting 655 cases and 17 deaths as the outbreak sweeps across Europe .
As of Friday morning , a total of 48 countries worldwide had reported cases of the Covid-19 disease - including more than a dozen in Europe - with more than 83,000 people infected .
Europe ’ s populists are blaming the spread of virus on open borders , with far-right leader Marine Le Pen warning the French government not to allow Italian football fans into the country to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the unfolding crisis and other global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week .
Need a reminder about the other big stories over the past seven days ?
Clashes between Muslims and Hindus in New Delhi has left dozens of people dead , in the deadliest violence the Indian capital has seen in decades .
Europe has also been hit by outbreaks of violence , with protests on the Greek islands of Lesbos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps .
Rioters broke into a hotel housing riot police sent over from mainland Greece to control crowds , attacking and injuring officers .
In financial news , Rupert Murdoch ’ s The Sun and Sun on Sunday newspapers have suffered losses totalling £68m amid falling sales and phone hacking payouts .
News Group Newspapers spent £54m on legal fees and damages related to the illegal interception of voicemails in the year to July 2019 .

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theweekuk--2020-02-28--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 28 Feb 2020

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not have personal security paid for by the Canadian government when they officially @ @ @ @ @ , officials have announced .
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been guarding the couple @ @ @ @ @ rented mansion on Vancouver Island in November , but the country ’ s government says @ @ @ @ @ in the coming weeks ” .
Harry is in the UK this week carrying out @ @ @ @ @

Canada to cut security for Harry and Meghan
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not have personal security paid for by the Canadian government when they officially step down as senior royals, officials have announced. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police have been guarding the couple since they moved to a rented mansion on Vancouver Island in November, but the country’s government says this “assistance will cease in the coming weeks”. Harry is in the UK this week carrying out his final royal duties.


theweekuk--2020-02-28--Arsenal and Aubameyang suffer a Greek tragedy in Europa League - reactions and highlights

Europa League round of 32 second leg Arsenal 1 Olympiacos 2 ( 2-2 on agg ; Olympiacos win on away goals ) Arsenal are out of the Uefa Europa League after losing 2-1 last night against Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium .
It was the Gunners ’ s first defeat of 2020 , but a costly one that reduces their chances of qualifying for next season ’ s Champions League .
Now , their only hope of reaching Europe ’ s showpiece competition is finishing in the top four of the Premier League , but on the evidence of last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospect .
The headlines this morning are about the last-minute miss of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang , but to single out the Arsenal captain is grossly unfair .
He had levelled for his side in extra-time with a stunning overhead kick after Pape Abou Cisse ’ s second-half goal had brought the tie level on aggregate .
Arsenal were on course for the last 16 but then familiar defensive failings allowed Youssef El Arabi to stab the ball home to send the raucous travelling fans wild .
This dramatic game had one twist in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ball fell to Aubameyang at point-blank range but this time he scuffed his shot wide before slumping to his knees in disbelief .
Video of 'It 's very hard , very tough . '
Aubameyang refelcts on the Gunners ' Europa League exit ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– But don ’ t blame Aubameyang .
Blame a defence that is institutionally incompetent , and blame Mesut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mattered , went missing .
As the Daily Mirror said : “ His nickname should be Simon Templar .
At times it ’ s as if he is The Invisible Man.
” For Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta it was a painful reminder of the work that needs to be done - his squad is mediocre technically and weak temperamentally .
“ It hurts big time , ” he admitted .
“ We had a lot of hope in this competition .
It was a great way for us to be able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a very beautiful competition to try to win .
“ I think we did a lot of positive things in the game , I think we created a lot of positive chances to win the game but if you concede two set pieces in a tie like this you put yourself in big trouble.
” Video of Arteta reflects on Arsenal crashing out of Europa League When the going gets tough Arteta must now lift his players before the Premier League campaign resumes .
The Gunners are ninth , seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still have an outside chance of qualifying for next season ’ s Champions League .
But only if they toughen up .
“ It ’ s part of this sport that a big disappointment can happen , ” reflected the Spaniard .
“ We have to learn and react as a team and as a club .
“ I just want to concentrate now on lifting those players and getting back the belief , and convince them that there is still a lot to play for.
” But some remain sceptical that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the challenge .
“ The commitment was n't there from the off , ” said former Gunner turned TV pundit Martin Keown .
“ It was there for the taking , they were complacent .
It was so disappointing .
“ It was the first time tonight that I felt the players weren ’ t responding to the manager and the manager didn ’ t have an answer.
” • Daily Mirror : “ Plum centre , a kind ricochet , and the goal gaping , he can have no excuses for missing.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Aubameyang could have rescued his side , but was narrowly off target .
Arsenal ’ s Greek tragedy was complete.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Europa League round of 32 second leg Arsenal 1 Olympiacos 2 (2-2 on agg; Olympiacos win on away goals)
Arsenal are out of the Uefa Europa League after losing 2-1 last night against Olympiacos at the Emirates Stadium.
It was the Gunners’s first defeat of 2020, but a costly one that reduces their chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Now, their only hope of reaching Europe’s showpiece competition is finishing in the top four of the Premier League, but on the evidence of last night's defeat that is a distant prospect.
Gutsy Greeks
The headlines this morning are about the last-minute miss of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, but to single out the Arsenal captain is grossly unfair.
He had levelled for his side in extra-time with a stunning overhead kick after Pape Abou Cisse’s second-half goal had brought the tie level on aggregate.
Arsenal were on course for the last 16 but then familiar defensive failings allowed Youssef El Arabi to stab the ball home to send the raucous travelling fans wild.
This dramatic game had one twist in the last seconds of extra time when the ball fell to Aubameyang at point-blank range but this time he scuffed his shot wide before slumping to his knees in disbelief.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Ozil: the invisible man
But don’t blame Aubameyang. Blame a defence that is institutionally incompetent, and blame Mesut Ozil who once again, when it mattered, went missing.
As the Daily Mirror said: “His nickname should be Simon Templar. At times it’s as if he is The Invisible Man.”
For Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta it was a painful reminder of the work that needs to be done - his squad is mediocre technically and weak temperamentally.
“It hurts big time,” he admitted. “We had a lot of hope in this competition. It was a great way for us to be able to go to Europe and as well, it’s a very beautiful competition to try to win.
“I think we did a lot of positive things in the game, I think we created a lot of positive chances to win the game but if you concede two set pieces in a tie like this you put yourself in big trouble.”
When the going gets tough
Arteta must now lift his players before the Premier League campaign resumes. The Gunners are ninth, seven points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, and they still have an outside chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League. But only if they toughen up.
“It’s part of this sport that a big disappointment can happen,” reflected the Spaniard. “We have to learn and react as a team and as a club.
“I just want to concentrate now on lifting those players and getting back the belief, and convince them that there is still a lot to play for.”
But some remain sceptical that this squad has the heart to rise to the challenge.
“The commitment wasn't there from the off,” said former Gunner turned TV pundit Martin Keown. “It was there for the taking, they were complacent. It was so disappointing.
“It was the first time tonight that I felt the players weren’t responding to the manager and the manager didn’t have an answer.”
Reactions to Aubameyang’s miss
The Sun: “Hero to Tear-O”
Gary Lineker: “Blimey. Absolute shocker.”
Daily Mirror: “Plum centre, a kind ricochet, and the goal gaping, he can have no excuses for missing.”
Henry Winter, The Times: “Aubameyang could have rescued his side, but was narrowly off target. Arsenal’s Greek tragedy was complete.”
Today’s newspaper back pages
Bruno Fernandes stars as Man Utd enjoy Bruges cruise
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-02-28--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Swearing, treason and a PM’s murder mystery

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 : Lawmakers in the US state of Virginia have voted to repeal a pre-Civil War law prohibiting profanity in public .
But across the pond , a growing number of British cities are introducing fines for using “ foul and abusive ” language .
So should swearing in “ polite society ” be banned - or can cuss words serve a positive purpose ?
The European Union has this month withdrawn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arms ” ( EBA ) trade agreement , citing human rights abuses in the country .
But , the country ’ s Prime Minister Hun Sen has vowed to continue the persecution of his enemies , notably the main opposition leader Kem Sokha , who is currently facing treason charges .
The EBA is vitally important to Cambodian trade , but with China ploughing billions of dollars into the country , Europe ’ s influence is waning .
Murder , lies , bitter rivalries and a political crisis - when it comes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Lesotho has been giving Netflix a run for its money following a sensational murder trial implicating Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his first lady .
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:
Swearing
Lawmakers in the US state of Virginia have voted to repeal a pre-Civil War law prohibiting profanity in public. But across the pond, a growing number of British cities are introducing fines for using “foul and abusive” language. So should swearing in “polite society” be banned - or can cuss words serve a positive purpose?
Treason
The European Union has this month withdrawn Cambodia’s preferential “Everything but Arms” (EBA) trade agreement, citing human rights abuses in the country. But, the country’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has vowed to continue the persecution of his enemies, notably the main opposition leader Kem Sokha, who is currently facing treason charges. The EBA is vitally important to Cambodian trade, but with China ploughing billions of dollars into the country, Europe’s influence is waning.
A prime ministerial murder mystery
Murder, lies, bitter rivalries and a political crisis - when it comes to riveting drama, the tiny African nation of Lesotho has been giving Netflix a run for its money following a sensational murder trial implicating Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his first lady.
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--2020-02-28--Today’s back pages: Fernandes stars as Man Utd enjoy Bruges cruise and coronavirus halts Froome’s co

Today’s back pages: Fernandes stars as Man Utd enjoy Bruges cruise and coronavirus halts Froome’s comeback

Manchester United ’ s easy ride to the last 16 of the Uefa Europa League makes the back page of the Daily Mirror under the headline “ Bruges cruise ” .
The Red Devils , who drew the first leg 1-1 in Belgium , put five unanswered goals past their visitors in a dominant performance .
The Times singles out one United player for particular praise on its back page .
“ Fernandes leads United romp ” it exclaims , alongside a picture of Portuguese ace Bruno Fernandes celebrating his first-half penalty .
The photo in The Guardian shows Scott @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s third goal , and the paper says he , Fred and Fernandes were outstanding in what it describes as a “ red juggernaut ” .
The Guardian also says that on the basis of their 5-0 demolition of Club Bruges , United are “ serious contenders for a second Europa League crown in three years ” .
In last night ’ s other Europa League games Wolves lost 3-2 against Espanyol in Spain but progressed to the last 16 , 6-3 on aggregate .
There was drama at the Emirates as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Olympiakos and crashed out on away goals .
Scottish champions Celtic are also out after a 3-1 loss at home against FC Copenhagen .
The Danes went through 4-2 on aggregate .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Times reports on its back page that the final two stages of Chris Froome ’ s comeback event have been cancelled after two Italian cyclists tested positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious injuries after a crash last summer - and the others riders at the UAE Tour , including Britons Mark Cavendish and Adam Yates , will be tested for the virus .
The race hotel , the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island , was “ sealed off late last night with riders , staff and journalists not allowed to leave pending health checks ” .
According to the Italian media , members of the CBRN , a unit of the local police specialised in the “ chemical , biological , radiological and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the virus .
The Guardian also covers the story on its back page , as well as the news that as things stand Uefa expect Rome to host the opening match of this summer ’ s European Championship on 12 June between Italy and Turkey .
That could of course change depending on how coronavirus evolves , and the news that an unnamed professional footballer in the Italian third tier has tested positive will send a chill through Uefa .
What events may be cancelled due to coronavirus ?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

United thrash Club Bruges 5-0
Manchester United’s easy ride to the last 16 of the Uefa Europa League makes the back page of the Daily Mirror under the headline “Bruges cruise”.
The Red Devils, who drew the first leg 1-1 in Belgium, put five unanswered goals past their visitors in a dominant performance.
The Times singles out one United player for particular praise on its back page. “Fernandes leads United romp” it exclaims, alongside a picture of Portuguese ace Bruno Fernandes celebrating his first-half penalty.
The photo in The Guardian shows Scott McTominay moments after he scored his side’s third goal, and the paper says he, Fred and Fernandes were outstanding in what it describes as a “red juggernaut”.
The Guardian also says that on the basis of their 5-0 demolition of Club Bruges, United are “serious contenders for a second Europa League crown in three years”.
In last night’s other Europa League games Wolves lost 3-2 against Espanyol in Spain but progressed to the last 16, 6-3 on aggregate.
There was drama at the Emirates as Arsenal were beaten 2-1 on the night by Olympiakos and crashed out on away goals.
Scottish champions Celtic are also out after a 3-1 loss at home against FC Copenhagen. The Danes went through 4-2 on aggregate.
Arsenal and Aubameyang suffer a Greek tragedy in Europa League
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Virus halts UAE Tour
The Times reports on its back page that the final two stages of Chris Froome’s comeback event have been cancelled after two Italian cyclists tested positive for coronavirus.
Froome - who suffered serious injuries after a crash last summer - and the others riders at the UAE Tour, including Britons Mark Cavendish and Adam Yates, will be tested for the virus.
The race hotel, the Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island, was “sealed off late last night with riders, staff and journalists not allowed to leave pending health checks”.
According to the Italian media, members of the CBRN, a unit of the local police specialised in the “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear”, arrived in a bid to contain the virus.
The Guardian also covers the story on its back page, as well as the news that as things stand Uefa expect Rome to host the opening match of this summer’s European Championship on 12 June between Italy and Turkey.
That could of course change depending on how coronavirus evolves, and the news that an unnamed professional footballer in the Italian third tier has tested positive will send a chill through Uefa.
What events may be cancelled due to coronavirus?
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--2020-02-28--Syria war: Idlib air strike kills 33 Turkish troops in fresh escalation

At least 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed in an air strike by “ [ Syian ] regime forces ” in north-western Syria , according to a Turkish official .
More were injured in the serious escalation of the conflict between Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces .
It is believed the deaths and injuries followed a precision strike on a two-storey building in the village of Balioun .
Turkey has retaliated against Syrian troops government targets .
“ All known targets of the regime have come and will continue to come under fire from the air and ground , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Fahrettin Altu .
“ We urge the international community to fulfill its responsibilities ” to stop the regime ’ s “ crimes against humanity ” , he said .
“ We can not stand by and watch as past events in Rwanda , and Bosnia and Herzegovina are repeated today in Idlib.
” Syrian forces , supported by Moscow , are trying to recapture Idlib from rebels who are backed by Turkish soldiers .
There is disagreement over who was responsible for the attack .
Turkish officials have blamed the Syrian regime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the strike suggested it had been carried out by the Russian air force .
Moscow has denied direct involvement .
The United Nations called for urgent action in north-west Syria , warning that “ the risk of greater escalation grows by the hour.
” Turkey and Russia agreed a de-escalation deal for Idlib in 2017 , but the agreement has been repeatedly violated .
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the last opposition-held territory in Syria in the last two months in the wake of an air campaign and ground offensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backers .
Meanwhile , Turkey says it will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe .
“ We have decided , effectively immediately , not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or sea , ” an unnamed official told Reuters .
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At least 33 Turkish soldiers have been killed in an air strike by “[Syian] regime forces” in north-western Syria, according to a Turkish official.
More were injured in the serious escalation of the conflict between Turkish and Russian-backed Syrian forces. It is believed the deaths and injuries followed a precision strike on a two-storey building in the village of Balioun.
Turkey has retaliated against Syrian troops government targets. “All known targets of the regime have come and will continue to come under fire from the air and ground,” said the country’s communications director, Fahrettin Altu.
“We urge the international community to fulfill its responsibilities” to stop the regime’s “crimes against humanity”, he said. “We cannot stand by and watch as past events in Rwanda, and Bosnia and Herzegovina are repeated today in Idlib.”
Syrian forces, supported by Moscow, are trying to recapture Idlib from rebels who are backed by Turkish soldiers.
There is disagreement over who was responsible for the attack. Turkish officials have blamed the Syrian regime but sources in Idlib and unverified footage of the strike suggested it had been carried out by the Russian air force. Moscow has denied direct involvement.
The United Nations called for urgent action in north-west Syria, warning that “the risk of greater escalation grows by the hour.”
Turkey and Russia agreed a de-escalation deal for Idlib in 2017, but the agreement has been repeatedly violated.
Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the last opposition-held territory in Syria in the last two months in the wake of an air campaign and ground offensive by the Syrian regime and its Russian backers.
Meanwhile, Turkey says it will no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe. “We have decided, effectively immediately, not to stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe by land or sea,” an unnamed official told Reuters.
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theweekuk--2020-02-28--Man who starved to death’s plea to welfare officials

A seriously ill man who died of starvation when his benefits were cut off wrote a moving letter begging welfare officials to “ judge me fairly ” .
Errol Graham ’ s handwritten letter was released by Graham ’ s family as they launched a legal attempt to prove that the Department for Work and Pensions acted unlawfully .
Graham describes how he turned from a keen footballer and doting grandfather , into a withdrawn and anxious person .
“ On a good day I open my curtains , but mostly they stay shut , ” he wrote .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ house on bad days .
I don ’ t want to see anyone or talk to anyone .
It ’ s not nice living this way .
“ Sometimes I can ’ t stand to even hear the washing machine , and I wish I knew why .
Being locked away in my flat I feel that I don ’ t have to face anyone , at the same time it drives me insane .
I think I feel more secure on my own with my own company , but wish it wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s note is thought to have been prepared for his DWP assessor .
It was never sent , but was discovered in his flat by his family after he died , aged 57 , in June 2018 .
His emaciated body , weighing just 28kg ( 62lb ) , was discovered by bailiffs sent to evict him eight months after all his benefits were stopped .
The Guardian says Graham ’ s family ’ s legal action “ piles fresh pressure on the government ” , which is “ already facing demands from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inquiry into benefit-related deaths amid concerns that hundreds of vulnerable people may have died in recent years after their payments were stopped ” .
A National Audit Office report found the DWP had investigated at least 69 suicides linked to benefits problems since 2014 although the true figure is likely to be much higher .
Austerity cuts were to blame for 130,000 preventable UK deaths , according to a study released last year .
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A seriously ill man who died of starvation when his benefits were cut off wrote a moving letter begging welfare officials to “judge me fairly”.
Errol Graham’s handwritten letter was released by Graham’s family as they launched a legal attempt to prove that the Department for Work and Pensions acted unlawfully.
Graham describes how he turned from a keen footballer and doting grandfather, into a withdrawn and anxious person. “On a good day I open my curtains, but mostly they stay shut,” he wrote. “I find it hard to leave the house on bad days. I don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone. It’s not nice living this way.
“Sometimes I can’t stand to even hear the washing machine, and I wish I knew why. Being locked away in my flat I feel that I don’t have to face anyone, at the same time it drives me insane. I think I feel more secure on my own with my own company, but wish it wasn’t like that.”
Graham’s note is thought to have been prepared for his DWP assessor. It was never sent, but was discovered in his flat by his family after he died, aged 57, in June 2018.
His emaciated body, weighing just 28kg (62lb), was discovered by bailiffs sent to evict him eight months after all his benefits were stopped.
The Guardian says Graham’s family’s legal action “piles fresh pressure on the government”, which is “already facing demands from MPs and campaigners to launch a public inquiry into benefit-related deaths amid concerns that hundreds of vulnerable people may have died in recent years after their payments were stopped”.
A National Audit Office report found the DWP had investigated at least 69 suicides linked to benefits problems since 2014 although the true figure is likely to be much higher.
Austerity cuts were to blame for 130,000 preventable UK deaths, according to a study released last year.
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theweekuk--2020-02-28--Count Binface wants to run for London mayor

Count Binface , a “ fearless space warrior ” who ran against Boris Johnson in last year 's general election , has announced his plans to run for mayor of London .
Vowing to “ take out the trash ” , Binface said he is throwing “ his bin into the ring ” because the race needs “ shaking up ” .
A Gofundme page set up for the prospective candidate has already raised £1,390 .
Ida Schuster is thought to be the world ’ s oldest podcaster .
The 101-year-old , who was born during the First World War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jewish girl who helped fight Hitler and as an actress on Old School .
“ It 's all terribly gratifying , you make an old woman very happy , ” she said .
More than 11 million people in Brazil – 7 % of the population - believe the Earth is flat , according to a polling firm .
Brazilians who believe the Earth is flat are mostly men and often Catholics or evangelical Christians , the study found .
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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Count Binface, a “fearless space warrior” who ran against Boris Johnson in last year's general election, has announced his plans to run for mayor of London. Vowing to “take out the trash”, Binface said he is throwing “his bin into the ring” because the race needs “shaking up”. A Gofundme page set up for the prospective candidate has already raised £1,390.
World's oldest podcaster finds it ‘gratifying’
Ida Schuster is thought to be the world’s oldest podcaster. The 101-year-old, who was born during the First World War, talks about her experiences as a Jewish girl who helped fight Hitler and as an actress on Old School. “It's all terribly gratifying, you make an old woman very happy,” she said.
Seven percent of Brazilians ‘are Flat-Earthers’
More than 11 million people in Brazil – 7% of the population - believe the Earth is flat, according to a polling firm. Brazilians who believe the Earth is flat are mostly men and often Catholics or evangelical Christians, the study found.
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theweekuk--2020-02-28--Coronavirus: where do things stand and where are they going?

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theweekuk--2020-02-28--Will Israel’s third election in a year produce a government?

Israelis will head to the polls for the third election in under a year on Monday , amid pessimism that this new vote will do anything to shift the deadlock .
The country is exhausted by a politics that has been running in almost constant campaign mode since December 2018 , when the first election of April last year was announced .
That election was a dead heat , and was followed by a second in September , but that too ended without a clear winner between the incumbent leader of Likud , Benjamin Netanyahu , the country ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retired general Benny Gantz , who fronts the new centrist party Blue and White .
Israelis now look with dread at polls that say the same indecisive result is likely again .
Last year ’ s electoral ties saw both candidates given a chance to form a ruling coalition , but neither could muster the necessary parliamentary support .
The parties that want to see Netanyahu gone amount to a majority in the Knesset - Israel ’ s parliament - but they are too divided on other issues to unite against him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is one substantial difference .
In November , Netanyahu was indicted for bribery , fraud , and breach of trust , becoming the first Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime while in office , and the trial is due to take place in three week ’ s time .
The possibility that Netanyahu might be charged hung over him in the previous two contests , but now the charges against his rival are real , Gantz has made them a cornerstone of his campaign , “ as if all he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'indictment ' to win support , ” says The New York Times .
Citing the charges on Wednesday , Gantz announced Blue and White would refuse to join in government with Likud , dashing hopes a coalition could be formed if , as the polls suggest , there is another electoral tie .
“ Because of your obsession with evading trial , you ’ re lying , attacking , dividing , mudslinging , spreading malicious rumours and inciting , ” said Gantz .
“ You ’ ve lost it , and you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even a single day longer .
I , with you , will not sit.
” Blue and White became the larger of the two parties in September , with 33 seats in the 120-seat Knesset , but polls say this time , despite Netanyahu ’ s impending trial , they have actually slipped behind Likud .
Their strategy had been to move to the right to capture Likud voters disaffected with Netanyahu ’ s indictment , but the move seems to have backfired and lost them voters on the left , while Netanyahu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by his hawkish promises to build settlements in the Palestinian-occupied West Bank .
Blue and White ’ s “ attempt to shift rightward isn ’ t really working , ” a source told Israeli publication Haaretz .
“ This could still be reversible , but the party is now preparing to cut its losses , garner as many seats as possible and readies for a fourth election round.
” The Jerusalem Post cites recent polls that say a large contingent of voters may vote for Likud simply to end the deadlock , calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , plus Likud ’ s impressive organisation on the ground , they say , could push the party to the 61 seats it needs to obtain a blocking majority in the Knesset .
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Get your first six issues free ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What will happen next ?
Even so , a fourth election seems the most likely outcome at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how that will shift anything or result in a functioning government .
No amount of political manoeuvering by either party seems to change the locked-in positions of a divided electorate .
“ The main issue is still Mr Netanyahu himself , ” says The Economist .
“ Israel ’ s longest-serving prime minister is a polarising figure .
He has kept Israel safe , forged closer ties to Arab states and overseen a flourishing economy , ” while Gantz , the man who would need to unite the anti-Netanyahu parties , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] has struggled to fire up voters - or bring the opposition together.
” Some argue the issue is structural .
“ Rather than political parties playing a role in mediating the conflicts between the groups , our electoral system instead creates an incentive to amplify those differences , ” said Yohanan Plesner , the president of the Israel Democracy Institute .
“ There are some inherent weaknesses in our democracy and election system that have been brought to the fore and need to be remedied.
” However , others disagree , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polarised politics of a divided nation .
“ If there are chickens coming home to roost , it ’ s not that there ’ s a political system that ’ s broken .
It ’ s a society that ’ s fractured , ” said writer and Israel analyst Bernard Avishai , who has written three books on Israel .

Israelis will head to the polls for the third election in under a year on Monday, amid pessimism that this new vote will do anything to shift the deadlock.
The country is exhausted by a politics that has been running in almost constant campaign mode since December 2018, when the first election of April last year was announced.
That election was a dead heat, and was followed by a second in September, but that too ended without a clear winner between the incumbent leader of Likud, Benjamin Netanyahu, the country’s longest serving prime minister, and the retired general Benny Gantz, who fronts the new centrist party Blue and White.
Israelis now look with dread at polls that say the same indecisive result is likely again.
Last year’s electoral ties saw both candidates given a chance to form a ruling coalition, but neither could muster the necessary parliamentary support. The parties that want to see Netanyahu gone amount to a majority in the Knesset - Israel’s parliament - but they are too divided on other issues to unite against him.
Will charged against Netanyahu make a difference?
For this election, however, there is one substantial difference. In November, Netanyahu was indicted for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, becoming the first Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime while in office, and the trial is due to take place in three week’s time.
The possibility that Netanyahu might be charged hung over him in the previous two contests, but now the charges against his rival are real, Gantz has made them a cornerstone of his campaign, “as if all he needs to say is 'Netanyahu' and 'indictment' to win support,” says The New York Times.
Citing the charges on Wednesday, Gantz announced Blue and White would refuse to join in government with Likud, dashing hopes a coalition could be formed if, as the polls suggest, there is another electoral tie.
“Because of your obsession with evading trial, you’re lying, attacking, dividing, mudslinging, spreading malicious rumours and inciting,” said Gantz. “You’ve lost it, and you’re unworthy of being prime minister for even a single day longer. I, with you, will not sit.”
Why is Netanyahu edging ahead?
Blue and White became the larger of the two parties in September, with 33 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, but polls say this time, despite Netanyahu’s impending trial, they have actually slipped behind Likud.


theweekuk--2020-02-28--Troubled Aston Martin loses over £100m in 2019

Aston Martin revealed yesterday that it lost over £100 million in 2019 , news that saw its shares drop to their lowest value since its 2018 floatation , as the storied carmaker continues to struggle amid disappointing sales .
The company had planned to sell 7,300 cars last year , but managed only 5,862 , underlining why the the company had been in such dire need of rescue when Canadian Formula 1 billionaire Lawrence Stroll led an equity injection of £182 million last month in exchange for a 16.7 % stake .
The deal - under which Stroll becomes executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further £318 million from existing investors - a total of £500 million - and was necessary to prevent Aston declaring bankruptcy for the eighth time in its 108-year history .
`` The rescue aims to ease Aston ’ s near-£900m debt pile , '' reports The Telegraph .
The company also said yesterday that Mark Wilson , the chief financial officer , will be leaving by the end of April by mutual consent .
Aston ’ s pre-tax losses totalled £104 million , an increase on the £68 million the year before , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £997 million .
The James Bond car builder floated on the stock market in October 2018 , and its shares have been on a steady decline since , but yesterday ’ s announcement saw them plunge 14 % to 328 pence - 80 % lower than their initial flotation price .
Despite the bad news , Chief Executive Andy Palmer was keen to assure investors that the January rescue had brought some stability .
“ The big difference between last year and this year is the strength of the balance sheet , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a very different place and have therefore an ability to properly ... destock and that means get the balance right between supply and demand.
” Nevertheless , 2020 was expected to be another tough year , as the company “ expects sales to dealers to be ‘ materially lower ’ again as it refocuses sales efforts on the level of customers and lowers dealership inventories , ” The Financial Times reports .
“ I ’ m not expecting 2020 to be an easy ride , ” said Palmer .
“ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medicine.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 company also cautioned that the coronavirus outbreak could add to its troubles , as consumer demand from China - which grew 28 % in 2019 - drops , and supply chains are affected , although it hopes for a boost in sales from the release of the new Bond film , “ No Time to Die ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the supply chain and customer demand in China and other markets .
China was the company ’ s fastest-growing market in 2019 and represented 9 % of total wholesales , ” the company said .
The drop in demand is particularly worrying to Aston , says The Guardian , “ particularly as it launches its new , make-or-break SUV , the DBX.
” The company is building a new factory to produce the DBX .
Component supply was secure for now , Palmer said .
“ Bizarrely the planning for Brexit has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It will be at least until the end of March before we see any kind of impact on the supply chain .
”

Aston Martin revealed yesterday that it lost over £100 million in 2019, news that saw its shares drop to their lowest value since its 2018 floatation, as the storied carmaker continues to struggle amid disappointing sales.
The company had planned to sell 7,300 cars last year, but managed only 5,862, underlining why the the company had been in such dire need of rescue when Canadian Formula 1 billionaire Lawrence Stroll led an equity injection of £182 million last month in exchange for a 16.7% stake.
The deal - under which Stroll becomes executive chairman - included plans to raise a further £318 million from existing investors - a total of £500 million - and was necessary to prevent Aston declaring bankruptcy for the eighth time in its 108-year history.
"The rescue aims to ease Aston’s near-£900m debt pile," reports The Telegraph.
The company also said yesterday that Mark Wilson, the chief financial officer, will be leaving by the end of April by mutual consent.
Aston’s pre-tax losses totalled £104 million, an increase on the £68 million the year before, while its revenues plunged 9% to £997 million.
The James Bond car builder floated on the stock market in October 2018, and its shares have been on a steady decline since, but yesterday’s announcement saw them plunge 14% to 328 pence - 80% lower than their initial flotation price.
Despite the bad news, Chief Executive Andy Palmer was keen to assure investors that the January rescue had brought some stability. “The big difference between last year and this year is the strength of the balance sheet,” he said. “We’re in a very different place and have therefore an ability to properly... destock and that means get the balance right between supply and demand.”
Nevertheless, 2020 was expected to be another tough year, as the company “expects sales to dealers to be ‘materially lower’ again as it refocuses sales efforts on the level of customers and lowers dealership inventories,” The Financial Times reports.
“I’m not expecting 2020 to be an easy ride,” said Palmer. “We’re going to be taking some heavy medicine.”
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The company also cautioned that the coronavirus outbreak could add to its troubles, as consumer demand from China - which grew 28% in 2019 - drops, and supply chains are affected, although it hopes for a boost in sales from the release of the new Bond film, “No Time to Die”.
“Covid-19 has the potential to impact both the supply chain and customer demand in China and other markets. China was the company’s fastest-growing market in 2019 and represented 9% of total wholesales,” the company said.
The drop in demand is particularly worrying to Aston, says The Guardian, “particularly as it launches its new, make-or-break SUV, the DBX.” The company is building a new factory to produce the DBX.
Component supply was secure for now, Palmer said. “Bizarrely the planning for Brexit has allowed us to keep stock around us. It will be at least until the end of March before we see any kind of impact on the supply chain.”


theweekuk--2020-02-27--Instant Opinion: US primaries are ‘just dumb’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
The Editorial Board at The New York Times on a better way to do democracy The primaries are just dumb “ As the country learned in 2016 with Republicans , the primaries and caucuses are a mess , giving the illusion of a choice in a situation where in fact voters have just the opposite — no clear choice .
This year , Bernie Sanders won close to a majority in Nevada , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa and New Hampshire , no candidate won more than 26 percent of the vote .
This fragmentation helps those candidates with passionate followings , like Mr. Sanders , as it helped Donald Trump in 2016 , but it produces nothing like a consensus candidate… This is no way to pick the person who will challenge a president — one who was himself nominated first by a minority within his party , then elected by a minority nationwide.
” on the Court of Appeal finding third runway plans ‘ unlawful ’ Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The repercussions of this judgment will be felt well beyond the suburbs and villages surrounding Heathrow .
The Court of Appeal justices have not just lifted the immediate threat of demolition from homes in the path of the third runway .
By finding against the government on environmental grounds they have raised the bar for all infrastructure projects , public and private , and prioritised consideration of the impact of carbon emissions.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad , try The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– on Keir Starmer ’ s bid to be Bernie Sanders Long-Bailey ’ s shift to attack mode shows what awaits Starmer if he wins “ Which Labour leadership candidate has most in common with Bernie Sanders ?
Few of the Democratic presidential candidate ’ s admirers on the British left would say the answer was Keir Starmer .
Yet that is precisely the comparison the favourite for the Labour leadership wants 580,000 members and supporters to make as they begin to cast their ballots this week .
In an implicit rebuke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starmer says he is not just in the business of uniting a fractured party at Westminster , but broadening its base in the country .
Cultivating new support across class and ethnic divides has put Sanders on the road to the Democratic nomination , and Starmer believes that the same approach can put Labour back on the path to power : keep left , rebuild a diverse coalition of voters , and look beyond the red wall.
” on grappling with words and identity after rape I ’ ve been told I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But what ’ s wrong with being a victim ?
“ The question that first struck me at 17 and continues to haunt me at 43 is this : What ’ s wrong with being a victim ?
Obviously , becoming a victim is undesirable .
We don ’ t wish for bad things beyond our control to come along and interfere with our plans .
But once the bad thing has happened , why are we so allergic to using the simplest , most accurate language to describe the condition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated without being in fear for my life , ergo I was far more accurately termed a ‘ victim ’ than a ‘ survivor.
’ That part was simple enough .
The complicated part was that many other people who had been raped preferred survivor and found victim actively insulting.
” 5 .
The Editorial Board at The Independent on the UK response to coronavirus Matt Hancock ’ s worries about the coronavirus don ’ t go far enough – now is the time for action “ Although Matt Hancock , the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ by the situation – understandably – it seems to be under control .
In the commons , when Mr Hancock gave an update on the position , the mood was calm , and the opposition spokesperson , Jonathan Ashworth , was broadly supportive .
Covid-19 has not yet , so to speak , gone viral as a political issue .
But is that right ?
Are the government and the NHS well prepared to deal with this virus ?
As The Independent reports , the NHS is already suffering from intense pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ difficult to believe that the NHS will indeed be able to deal with a rapid escalation in cases .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. The Editorial Board at The New York Times
on a better way to do democracy
The primaries are just dumb
“As the country learned in 2016 with Republicans, the primaries and caucuses are a mess, giving the illusion of a choice in a situation where in fact voters have just the opposite — no clear choice. This year, Bernie Sanders won close to a majority in Nevada, but in the two earlier contests, in Iowa and New Hampshire, no candidate won more than 26 percent of the vote. This fragmentation helps those candidates with passionate followings, like Mr. Sanders, as it helped Donald Trump in 2016, but it produces nothing like a consensus candidate… This is no way to pick the person who will challenge a president — one who was himself nominated first by a minority within his party, then elected by a minority nationwide.”
2. Paul Kelso at Sky News
on the Court of Appeal finding third runway plans ‘unlawful’
Why the Heathrow ruling is a landmark moment
“The repercussions of this judgment will be felt well beyond the suburbs and villages surrounding Heathrow. The Court of Appeal justices have not just lifted the immediate threat of demolition from homes in the path of the third runway. By finding against the government on environmental grounds they have raised the bar for all infrastructure projects, public and private, and prioritised consideration of the impact of carbon emissions.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad, try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3. Patrick Maguire in The Guardian
on Keir Starmer’s bid to be Bernie Sanders
Long-Bailey’s shift to attack mode shows what awaits Starmer if he wins
“Which Labour leadership candidate has most in common with Bernie Sanders? Few of the Democratic presidential candidate’s admirers on the British left would say the answer was Keir Starmer. Yet that is precisely the comparison the favourite for the Labour leadership wants 580,000 members and supporters to make as they begin to cast their ballots this week. In an implicit rebuke to Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey, Starmer says he is not just in the business of uniting a fractured party at Westminster, but broadening its base in the country. Cultivating new support across class and ethnic divides has put Sanders on the road to the Democratic nomination, and Starmer believes that the same approach can put Labour back on the path to power: keep left, rebuild a diverse coalition of voters, and look beyond the red wall.”
4. Kate Harding in Time
on grappling with words and identity after rape
I’ve been told I’m a survivor, not a victim. But what’s wrong with being a victim?
“The question that first struck me at 17 and continues to haunt me at 43 is this: What’s wrong with being a victim? Obviously, becoming a victim is undesirable. We don’t wish for bad things beyond our control to come along and interfere with our plans. But once the bad thing has happened, why are we so allergic to using the simplest, most accurate language to describe the condition of being post-bad thing? I had been violated without being in fear for my life, ergo I was far more accurately termed a ‘victim’ than a ‘survivor.’ That part was simple enough. The complicated part was that many other people who had been raped preferred survivor and found victim actively insulting.”
5. The Editorial Board at The Independent
on the UK response to coronavirus
Matt Hancock’s worries about the coronavirus don’t go far enough – now is the time for action
“Although Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has professed himself ‘worried’ by the situation – understandably – it seems to be under control. In the commons, when Mr Hancock gave an update on the position, the mood was calm, and the opposition spokesperson, Jonathan Ashworth, was broadly supportive. Covid-19 has not yet, so to speak, gone viral as a political issue. But is that right? Are the government and the NHS well prepared to deal with this virus? As The Independent reports, the NHS is already suffering from intense pressure on bed space, and it is difficult to believe that the NHS will indeed be able to deal with a rapid escalation in cases.”


theweekuk--2020-02-27--Premier League Hall of Fame: leading candidates, betting odds, fan reactions, best tweets

The English Premier League has revealed plans to launch an official “Hall of Fame” to celebrate the players who have starred since its inception in 1992.
On Thursday 19 March the first two inductees will be revealed and a shortlist of nominees will also be announced. Fans will be invited to vote on which players should be in the hall of fame.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: “Since 1992, the Premier League has been home to world-class players who have defined generations and provided us with compelling football season after season.
“A place in the Premier League hall of fame is reserved for the very best. It will be an occasion for our fans around the world to look back over the years and help us celebrate some truly exceptional playing careers.”
How it works
The league said in a statement: “To be eligible for the Premier League Hall of Fame, players must be retired, and only a player’s Premier League career is considered in their candidacy. Each inductee will receive a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction.”
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Who will be the first two picks?
The Premier League’s announcement on Thursday created a social media storm with the topic providing many of the trends on Twitter.
Former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer, the Premier League’s record scorer with 260 goals, and Ryan Giggs, a 13-time title winner with Manchester United, are two of the leading candidates to be inducted.
With a record 653 appearances Gareth Barry is also mentioned by fans on social media while Sheffield United icon Brian Deane, scorer of the EPL’s first ever goal, was trending on Twitter.
Other icons who fans have put forward as their picks include Thierry Henry, Roy Keane, Didier Drogba, Eric Cantona, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.
The hall of fame is only for players, but many fans have nominated legendary managers Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger to be inducted.
Ahead of the 19 March announcement it promises to be quite a lively debate between football supporters and pundits.
Here we take a look at the betting odds and best tweets...
Premier League Hall of Fame ⏳ pic.twitter.com/99dF7bOEeU — B/R Football (@brfootball) February 27, 2020
POLL: The Premier League has revealed plans to launch its official Hall of Fame, with the first two players to be inducted in March. Candidates must have retired and only a player's Premier League career is considered. We have selected four strikers, which one would you choose? — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) February 27, 2020
First two players inducted: betting odds
Prices according to Sky Bet
Alan Shearer: 1/8
Ryan Giggs: 1/5
Thierry Henry: 4/1
Paul Scholes: 14/1
Roy Keane: 14/1
Patrick Vieira: 16/1
Dennis Bergkamp: 20/1
Frank Lampard: 20/1
David Beckham: 25/1
John Terry: 25/1
#PLHallOfFame: how Twitter reacted
The first two people added to the Premier League hall of fame have to be either Ferguson and Wenger OR Shearer and Giggs. Anything else is wrong — Aidan Walsh 🔰 (@AidanWalshMUFC) February 27, 2020
Can you name it “The Sir Alex Ferguson hall of fame” pic.twitter.com/WGmdviXl2s — AAB (@aab_mufc) February 27, 2020
Alan Shearer as record goal scorer and Brian Deane as first goal scorer #shearer #deane — Alan G Pinder (@AlanGPinder1) February 27, 2020
First names on the list pic.twitter.com/ExC0dhukJH — P™ (@SemperFiArsenal) February 27, 2020
Rival fans saying that Gerrard shouldn’t be included in the Premier League Hall of Fame. Just a reminder that he’s the best midfielder in Premier League history 🔴 #LFC https://t.co/pi4clzNbB7 — TheKop.com (@TheKop_com) February 27, 2020
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theweekuk--2020-02-27--What events may be cancelled due to coronavirus?

The scheduled Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin next week has become the first major sporting event in Europe to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak .
The Telegraph reports that the clash , due to take place on Saturday 7 March at the Aviva Stadium , was “ put back after meetings between Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive Philip Browne and Irish Health Minister Simon Harris ” .
The decision comes as the number of Covid-19 cases in Italy surges to more than 520 , with 14 deaths as of Thursday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
More than 80,000 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported worldwide , disrupting a long list of other planned high-profile events .
Next week ’ s rugby match in Dublin was postponed following an intervention by Health Minister Harris , who said : “ The clear view of the [ National ] Public Health Emergency Team was that this game would constitute a significant risk because a very large number of people will be travelling from what is now an affected region.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– As the BBC notes , the Six Nations tournament may be further disrupted , with officials confirming that they are “ monitoring ” the situation in Italy , where the national side are due to play the England team in Rome on 14 March .
But the highest-profile event under threat is the Summer Olympics , due to be held in the Japanese capital in July and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pound , now a senior member of the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) , told the Associated Press news agency that preparations for Tokyo 2020 are “ business as usual ” and that any decision relating to its cancellation need not be taken until May .
Pound said : “ In and around that time , I ’ d say folks are going to have to ask : ‘ Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not ?
’ ” However , he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too great a threat , the IOC would cancel , rather than postpone or relocate , the Games .
A series of other sporting events have already been called off across Japan , which has reported more than 200 cases of the new coronavirus .
All J-League football has been postponed until 15 March , the “ biggest disruption of the professional game in Japan since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami ” , says The Guardian .
And only a few hundred elite athletes will take part in the Tokyo Marathon this weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they can not run .
In China , the epicentre of the outbreak , the World Athletics Indoor Championships , which was to take place in the eastern city of Nanjing from 13 to 15 March , has been postponed until next year .
Meanwhile , the English Football Association ( FA ) is discussing whether England ’ s friendly with Italy at Wembley on 27 March can go ahead following the outbreak in Italy , which has already led to four Serie A fixtures being postponed and Inter Milan ’ s home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind-closed-doors fixture .
England ’ s participation at Euro 2020 is also under review by the FA .
As new site Quartz notes , British grime star Stormzy is postponing the Asian leg of his upcoming 2020 world tour as a result of the outbreak .
Apologising for the decision to cancel gigs in Japan , China and South Korea , the artist said : “ Due to the ongoing health and travel concerns surrounding the coronavirus , I ’ m regrettably having to reschedule.
” Pop star Mabel , who was named @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Awards earlier this month , has cancelled the Italian leg of her tour , tweeting that she was “ hoping to reschedule soon ” , reports Metro .
Other cultural events that have been postponed or cancelled include Milan ’ s Salone del Mobile , the largest furniture fair in the world , which was to take place between 21 and 26 April .
Fashion weeks in Beijing and Shanghai that were scheduled for March have been called off for the time being , and carnivals in citires including Nice in France and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or cancelled .
The Mobile World Congress ( MWC ) , the world ’ s biggest mobile phone trade show , was set to take place in the Spanish city of Barcelona this week but was cancelled .
Facebook ’ s Global Marketing Summit , scheduled to be held in San Francisco on 9 March , has also been axed - a decision made in “ an abundance of caution ” , according to the tech giant .
China ’ s upcoming National People ’ s Congress , the country ’ s key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ postponed too , as the number of cases of Covid-19 in the Asian nation exceeds 78,500 , with almost 2,750 deaths .

The scheduled Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin next week has become the first major sporting event in Europe to be cancelled as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The Telegraph reports that the clash, due to take place on Saturday 7 March at the Aviva Stadium, was “put back after meetings between Irish Rugby Football Union chief executive Philip Browne and Irish Health Minister Simon Harris”. The decision comes as the number of Covid-19 cases in Italy surges to more than 520, with 14 deaths as of Thursday afternoon, according to real-time statistics website Worldometer.
More than 80,000 confirmed cases of the virus have been reported worldwide, disrupting a long list of other planned high-profile events.
Sport
Next week’s rugby match in Dublin was postponed following an intervention by Health Minister Harris, who said: “The clear view of the [National] Public Health Emergency Team was that this game would constitute a significant risk because a very large number of people will be travelling from what is now an affected region.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
As the BBC notes, the Six Nations tournament may be further disrupted, with officials confirming that they are “monitoring” the situation in Italy, where the national side are due to play the England team in Rome on 14 March.
But the highest-profile event under threat is the Summer Olympics, due to be held in the Japanese capital in July and August.
Former Canadian swimming champion Dick Pound, now a senior member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), told the Associated Press news agency that preparations for Tokyo 2020 are “business as usual” and that any decision relating to its cancellation need not be taken until May.
Pound said: “In and around that time, I’d say folks are going to have to ask: ‘Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not?’”
However, he added that if coronavirus is deemed to pose too great a threat, the IOC would cancel, rather than postpone or relocate, the Games.


theweekuk--2020-02-27--Dozens injured in Greek protests over new migrant centres

More than 60 people have been hurt in clashes between riot police and anti-migrant protesters on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios .
More than 1,000 people attended a protest in Lesbos , while around 2,000 people took to the streets on Chios .
What are the protests about ?
Greek authorities have pledged to build new migrant camps to replace overcrowded facilities on Lesbos , Samos , Chios , Leros and Kos .
The five islands lie off the coast of Turkey , on a route used by hundreds of thousands of migrants to cross to Europe in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with local people – who generally oppose the new centres – the government secretly shipped construction machinery and hundreds of riot police officers to Lesbos and Chios , reports the BBC .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Large crowds gathered on Tuesday and Wednesday , attempting to approach a site earmarked for a migrant centre .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the construction site with rubbish trucks and cars .
Among them were regional governor Kostas Moutzouris and West Lesbos ’ s mayor Taxiarchis Verros , say local reports .
On Wednesday , 43 police and 10 protesters were hurt .
Local police said more than 1,000 people gathered at the site , throwing stones at officers .
Police attempted to disperse demonstrators with tear gas and stun grenades .
“ It is a day of shame for all , and mostly for those who ordered these actions , ” governor Moutzouris said of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a shame for the islanders to be beaten and to suffer from tear gas .
Not even the military junta did these things , ” Al Jazeera reports .
“ Our great fear when passions are so high is that blood will be spilt , ” said Efstratios Tzimis , the deputy mayor of Mytilene , Lesbos ’ s main town .
“ It ’ s a very bad turn of events when Greeks turn against Greeks , ” says The Guardian .
On Wednesday , the situation escalated , with around 2,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to voice their opposition to the new centre .
A police spokesman said that one group broke into a hotel where riot officers from mainland Greece were staying , attacking and injuring eight of them .
Video footage posted online shows a group of people bursting into the hotel , beating police and throwing objects from windows .
At least 52 riot police officers and 10 protesters were hurt in Wednesday ’ s protests , according to local media .
What will happen next ?
The Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the regional governor and local mayors of the islands to discuss the ongoing protests .
Despite the chaos , Mitsotakis has vowed to press ahead with the plans for new migrant camps .
Authorities on the Greek islands want refugees to be transported to the mainland and dispersed among other EU countries .
But the Greek migration minister , Notis Mitarachi , said that moving asylum seekers to the mainland would only be “ a pull factor ” for those making the journey and the traffickers exploiting them .
Dimitra Kalogeropoulou , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the demonstrations were the result of overcrowding , which “ is good for no one ; local communities feel their islands have been transformed into giant prisons , while asylum seekers are forced to live in dangerous conditions ” .
Around 19,000 people are currently at the Moria refugee camp on Lesbos , which was originally designed to accommodate fewer than 3,000 .
Manos Logothetis , the general secretary of the Greek ministry of migration and asylum , said of Moria : “ It is not an honour for any state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical that these [ new ] centres happen.
” Filippo Grandi , UN high commissioner for refugees , recently called for an end to the “ shocking and shameful ” conditions at the camps .
Meanwhile , the Greek government has reportedly dispatched more riot police to Lesbos in anticipation of further unrest , reports Al Jazeera .
Michael Trammer , a German journalist present at the protests in Lesbos , told the broadcaster he expected troubles to intensify .
“ There are more police coming to the island , but also this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be more resistance by locals – because they feel like the central Athens government is overriding their decision on how this should be dealt with , ” he said .
“ So I would expect more resistance and more police and an increasingly tense situation .
”

More than 60 people have been hurt in clashes between riot police and anti-migrant protesters on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios.
More than 1,000 people attended a protest in Lesbos, while around 2,000 people took to the streets on Chios.
What are the protests about?
Greek authorities have pledged to build new migrant camps to replace overcrowded facilities on Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Leros and Kos.
The five islands lie off the coast of Turkey, on a route used by hundreds of thousands of migrants to cross to Europe in recent years.
Following weeks of talks with local people – who generally oppose the new centres – the government secretly shipped construction machinery and hundreds of riot police officers to Lesbos and Chios, reports the BBC.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 happened in Lesbos?
Large crowds gathered on Tuesday and Wednesday, attempting to approach a site earmarked for a migrant centre.
On Tuesday, protesters blocked roads leading to the construction site with rubbish trucks and cars. Among them were regional governor Kostas Moutzouris and West Lesbos’s mayor Taxiarchis Verros, say local reports.
On Wednesday, 43 police and 10 protesters were hurt. Local police said more than 1,000 people gathered at the site, throwing stones at officers.
Police attempted to disperse demonstrators with tear gas and stun grenades.
“It is a day of shame for all, and mostly for those who ordered these actions,” governor Moutzouris said of the police response. “It is a shame for the islanders to be beaten and to suffer from tear gas. Not even the military junta did these things,” Al Jazeera reports.
“Our great fear when passions are so high is that blood will be spilt,” said Efstratios Tzimis, the deputy mayor of Mytilene, Lesbos’s main town. “It’s a very bad turn of events when Greeks turn against Greeks,” says The Guardian.
What happened in Chios?
On Tuesday, hooded protesters pelted riot police with rocks.
On Wednesday, the situation escalated, with around 2,000 people taking to the streets in Chios to voice their opposition to the new centre.


theweekuk--2020-02-27--Sport shorts: Ferrari to start season ‘behind’ F1 rivals Mercedes and the Premier League is launchin

Sport shorts: Ferrari to start season ‘behind’ F1 rivals Mercedes and the Premier League is launching a hall of fame

1 .
Binotto : Mercedes still the best team Ferrari go into the 2020 Formula 1 season hoping to end Mercedes ’ s domination at the front of the grid , but team principal Mattia Binotto admits that the Silver Arrows are still out in front .
Mercedes have won six successive constructors ’ championships and during pre-season testing in Barcelona Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have impressed in the W11 .
Speaking in Spain Ferrari boss Binotto said his team will start the campaign behind Mercedes , BBC reports .
“ We believe we are not the fastest car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lap times we will be behind at the start of the season , ” said Binotto .
“ They [ Mercedes ] remain the best team so far.
” Pre-season testing continues at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya .
Sebastian Vettel is at the wheel of the Ferrari SF1000 today and Charles Leclerc will test tomorrow .
Most of today ’ s newspapers carry the latest on how the spread of coronavirus could affect the sporting world after the announcement that Ireland ’ s Six Nations match with Italy has been postponed .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the tournament into chaos and “ there are also escalating doubts over England ’ s trip to Italy [ on 14 March ] amid concerns the tournament may not be completed for the first time in almost 50 years ” .
Meanwhile , it ’ s also reported that the Formula 1 Australian , Bahrain and Vietnam grands prix may have to be cancelled while there are growing fears for this summer ’ s Olympic Games in Tokyo .
Coronavirus : three-month window to save the Olympics in Tokyo Frank Lampard is set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Chelsea manager is planning to make major changes to his squad .
The Blues were beaten 3-0 at home by Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek and the result - and gulf in quality - could force Lampard to wield the axe .
The Sun reports that Lampard is preparing to sell eight first-team players as part of a major overhaul at Stamford Bridge .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Former Manchester United and England captain David Beckham has praised current Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer .
Beckham , who played alongside Solskjaer at Old Trafford , told Sky Sports : “ I think he ’ s doing a good job .
All of the fans will be behind him because he ’ s a great person and because of what he ’ s done for Manchester United over the years.
” India and host nation Australia both secured victories in today ’ s group A matches at the ICC Women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melbourne India beat New Zealand by three runs while in Canberra Australia enjoyed an 86-run win over Bangladesh .
Tomorrow ’ s group B matches see South Africa take on Thailand ( 4am GMT ) and England face Pakistan ( 8am GMT ) .
Both games in Canberra are live on Sky Sports .
The English Premier League has revealed plans to launch an official “ Hall of Fame ” to celebrate the players who have starred since its inception in 1992 .
On Thursday 19 March the first two inductees will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be announced .
Fans will be invited to vote on which players should be in the hall of fame .
The league said in a statement : “ To be eligible for the Premier League Hall of Fame , players must be retired , and only a player ’ s Premier League career is considered in their candidacy.
” Fans on Twitter are backing Alan Shearer and Ryan Giggs to be the first two players inducted in the hall of fame .
Premier League Hall of Fame : leading candidates , betting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Lyon star Lucy Bronze has been forced to withdraw from the England squad for next month ’ s SheBelieves Cup .
The 28-year-old right-back has a calf injury and will stay in France for treatment .
She said on Twitter : “ Haven ’ t missed a single camp and been present at every single game for the past 5 years .
Gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lionesses , the SheBelieves Cup holders , start their defence against world champions United States on 5 March .
Spain and Japan also play in the four-team tournament being held in the US .
England rugby head coach Eddie Jones has named Anthony Watson and Mark Wilson in a 25-man training squad for the Six Nations match against Wales .
However , prop Mako Vunipola and hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie are unavailable because of family reasons .
On Saturday 7 March England take on Wales at Twickenham ( 4.45pm , live on ITV and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scotland face France at Murrayfield ( 3pm , live on BBC ) .
The Six Nations match between Ireland and Italy in Dublin has been postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy .
Five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharipova yesterday called time on her tennis career after a struggle with shoulder injuries .
In an essay written for Vogue and Vanity Fair , the 32-year-old said : “ Tennis - I ’ m saying goodbye .
Looking back now , I realise that tennis has been my mountain .
My path @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the views from its peak were incredible.
” The Russian , who announced herself on the world stage by stunning Serena Williams to win Wimbledon as a raw 17-year-old in 2004 , was suspended for 15 months in 2016 after testing positive for meldonium .
“ Bernablue ” is the headline emblazoned on the back page of the Manchester Evening News , and the delight of the newspaper is shared by the national press after Manchester City ’ s superb 2-1 victory last night against 13-time European champions Real Madrid .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his team ’ s performance but warned that the Champions League last-16 tie is “ not over ” .
‘ It ’ s not over yet ’ : delight for City but Pep warns of a Real fightback Man City are the Real deal with ‘ Bernablue ’ win ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. Binotto: Mercedes still the best team
Ferrari go into the 2020 Formula 1 season hoping to end Mercedes’s domination at the front of the grid, but team principal Mattia Binotto admits that the Silver Arrows are still out in front.
Mercedes have won six successive constructors’ championships and during pre-season testing in Barcelona Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have impressed in the W11.
Speaking in Spain Ferrari boss Binotto said his team will start the campaign behind Mercedes, BBC reports.
“We believe we are not the fastest car at the moment and we believe in lap times we will be behind at the start of the season,” said Binotto. “They [Mercedes] remain the best team so far.”
Pre-season testing continues at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Sebastian Vettel is at the wheel of the Ferrari SF1000 today and Charles Leclerc will test tomorrow.
2. Coronavirus chaos
Most of today’s newspapers carry the latest on how the spread of coronavirus could affect the sporting world after the announcement that Ireland’s Six Nations match with Italy has been postponed.
The Guardian says that the decision has plunged the tournament into chaos and “there are also escalating doubts over England’s trip to Italy [on 14 March] amid concerns the tournament may not be completed for the first time in almost 50 years”.
Meanwhile, it’s also reported that the Formula 1 Australian, Bahrain and Vietnam grands prix may have to be cancelled while there are growing fears for this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Coronavirus: three-month window to save the Olympics in Tokyo
3. Big summer for Lampard
Frank Lampard is set for a busy summer with reports suggesting that the Chelsea manager is planning to make major changes to his squad.
The Blues were beaten 3-0 at home by Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek and the result - and gulf in quality - could force Lampard to wield the axe.
The Sun reports that Lampard is preparing to sell eight first-team players as part of a major overhaul at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard’s Chelsea cull: major squad overhaul planned at Stamford Bridge
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4. Beckham: Solskjaer’s doing a good job
Former Manchester United and England captain David Beckham has praised current Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.


theweekuk--2020-02-28--Instant Opinion: to beat coronavirus we must ‘go medieval’

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Donald G. McNeil Jr. in The New York Times
on looking to the past to defeat future disease threats
To Take On the Coronavirus, Go Medieval on It
“There are two ways to fight epidemics: the medieval and the modern. The modern way is to surrender to the power of the pathogens: acknowledge that they are unstoppable and to try to soften the blow with 20th century inventions, including new vaccines, antibiotics, hospital ventilators, and thermal cameras searching for people with fevers. The medieval way, inherited from the era of the Black Death, is brutal: Close the borders, quarantine the ships, pen terrified citizens up inside their poisoned cities. For the first time in more than a century, the world has chosen to confront a new and terrifying virus with the iron fist instead of the latex glove.At least for a while, it worked, and it might still serve a purpose.”
2. France’s secretary of state for European affairs, Amelie de Montchalin, in The Guardian
on the future British-European trade negotiations
The EU will respect British sovereignty, and Britain must respect ours
“Our 47-year proximity is, and will remain, de facto, a ‘special relationship’. The UK may seek to develop such ties elsewhere, but the bottom line is that our mutual relationship is irreplaceable. The UK companies I meet tell me just that. They do not want to sever their ties with the EU internal market and its 450 million consumers. How do we meet the expectations of our citizens and industries? In choosing Brexit, the UK unilaterally decided to withdraw from the single market and from many European Union policies. Again it is your choice, but this choice comes with consequences.”
3. Iain Martin in The Times
on Britain’s potential outside of the European Union
Free of EU rules, we could be a high-tech hub
“The government does not want to be subservient to Brussels in the coming decades because it has decided to take a gamble. It rests on a risky but justifiable assumption that the economy is about to change, a lot — that it is about to be reforged, as it tends to be every three or four decades, this time in the furnace of digital innovation. And EU rules, the thinking goes, will hold us back... The vision is of much more tech investment coming to Britain, a sector in which the country is already growing fast. The US and China are giants. But according to a report by entrepreneurs’ network Tech Nation published this year, technology investment in Britain surged by 44% to £10.1 billion in 2019, despite Brexit.”
4. Mary Wakefield in The Spectator
on the dispute between Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard
Why did no one believe Johnny Depp?
“It’s worse for a man to hit a woman than the other way around. You might think you disagree — most millennials are bound to disagree - but think of Hollywood, that mirror of all our souls. Think of the hundreds of jolly romcoms in which the girl gets to swat the guy - he’s come on too strong maybe, or there’s a misunderstanding. No big deal. Now just imagine a romcom in which the male protagonist loses his rag and smacks his love interest. A week after the recording was leaked, another window opened up into the Heard/Depp love nest; another demented recording found its way to the Mail, and after this one, the affair can be seen in a very different light. My whole gung-ho approach to women slapping men looks different and I’m having to rethink my prejudices, which is uncomfortable.”
5. Ozgur Ozvatan on Al Jazzera
on the mainstreaming of racism in Germany
In Germany, racism is becoming more mainstream
“Since the rise of the far-right, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim Alternative for Germany (AfD) party to prominence in the 2017 general election, the racist claim that Germany is facing a ”Muslim invasion“ and that political elites are refusing to take action to stop this has moved from far-right fringes to the political mainstream. Seemingly centre-right politicians who felt threatened by the increasing popularity of the AfD started to pander to these anti-immigrant, Islamophobic views for political gain, allowing far-right narratives to dominate political discussions. This empowered racist individuals to become more vocal and take action to facilitate the rebirth of Germany as an ethnically homogenous, ‘white’ nation.”