theweekuk--2020-11-12--Why everybody’s talking about the public inquiry into undercover policing

A major inquiry into undercover policing in the UK has finally begun almost six years after being announced by then home secretary Theresa May .
The Undercover Policing Inquiry ( UCPI ) is “ one of the most complicated , expensive and delayed public inquiries in British legal history ” , the BBC reports .
The investigation centres on allegations of systematic abuses by so-called spycops that date back more than four decades .
Why was the inquiry launched ?
The UCPI was established in early 2015 in response to a series of allegations that May said amounted to evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policing units .
Among these allegations were that the parents of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence had been spied on while campaigning for justice - claims that the police admitted were true .
After finally getting under way in London last week , the jury-led inquiry is looking at how at least “ 139 undercover officers spied on more than 1,000 political groups ” over a period spanning back to 1968 , writes investigative reporter Rob Evans , author of Undercover : The True Story of Britain ’ s Secret Police .
Two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the inquiry : the Metropolitan Police ’ s Special Demonstration Squad ( SDS ) , which worked in London , and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit ( NPOIU ) which operated across the UK .
Both units have since been disbanded .
The inquiry , which is expected to continue for at least three years , is focusing first on the SDS .
The group was put together in the late 1960s amid protests over the Vietnam War , in response to “ official concerns that public anger over the issue and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , signalled that far-left groups in England and Wales were planning disorder on home soil ” , says The Independent .
“ At first , officers were deployed undercover for weeks or months , ” says the newspaper , but as the unit extended its investigations to infiltrate a long list organisations and trade unions , some of these assignments lasted for years .
The inquiry to expected to hear evidence from more than 200 witnesses , including politicians and Whitehall officials who oversaw the undercover operations .
Thousands of confidential documents that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of day ” are also due to be published , The Guardian reports .
“ However , one large tranche of documents , which may have shed light on operations since the 1990s , will not be released because it was recently destroyed by police.
” One of the most sensitive issues to be explored by the inquiry are allegations that multiple undercover police officers deceived women into sexual relationships while using fake identities .
One undercover officer , Bob Lambert , fathered a child with his unwitting partner , an animal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives when his deployment ended in the late 1980s .
The Independent ’ s home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden quotes a woman named only as Lisa , to protect her identity , describing how another spycop - Mark Kennedy - was “ put in my life deliberately to deceive me ” .
“ Over 30 women have found they were also in relationships with people who didn ’ t exist , ” Lisa added .
These cases date back to the 1970s and suggest that the “ targeting of women may have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embed themselves deep into the movements they were targeting ” , says the BBC .
In 2015 , the Metropolitan Police issued an “ unreserved apology ” and paid compensation to seven women who had been deceived into relationships .
But many more are still waiting for justice - and other women have also suffered .
Last week , a statement was made to the inquiry on behalf of three women who “ believed they were making personal sacrifices ” so their police officer husbands could go undercover to infiltrate political groups during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their role dutifully , towards both their husbands and the honourable causes they believed they were serving – the fight against crime , terror and violence , ” the statement read .
“ These sacrifices came with a heavy price for their own lives and their families , and they believed they were making them for all of us , the public.
” Another major issue being tackled by the inquiry is the police ’ s use of undercover officers to infiltrate political groups , as well as intensive surveillance of private citizens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how officers “ circled ” the family of murdered teenager Lawrence , “ looking to smear them instead of catching their son ’ s killers ” , the Daily Mail says .
The inquiry has heard that the family “ were not terrorists , criminals or any threat to public order ” and that there was “ no conceivable justification ” for the snooping .
A statement prepared by Imran Khan QC on behalf of Lawrence ’ s mother said that the family is “ losing confidence ” in “ this inquiry ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Another spying victim in the spotlight is left-wing writer and public intellectual Tariq Ali , who was monitored by at least 14 undercover police officers due to his anti-war campaigning .
“ Previously secret reports disclosed how police spied on Ali as he helped promote political campaigns against the Vietnam War , violent racist assaults , fascism and other progressive causes , ” investigative reporter Evans writes in The Guardian .
Ali told the inquiry that “ grotesque ” police reports detailing such operations showed the spying network was “ utterly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undercover operations still happening ?
The Metropolitan Police has “ repeatedly sought to paint the scandal as largely historical , and has never been drawn on whether such operations continue ” , Evans reports .
The retired judge leading the inquiry , John Mitting , last week demanded to know whether the force is currently infiltrating political groups or helping the MI5 to monitor people considered to be subversives .
But Met Police barrister Peter Skelton failed to answer the question , simply saying that his opening statement had not been intended to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Metropolitan Police ’ s present undercover work ” .
In response , Mitting warned that “ they are questions that in due course I will want to be answered ” .

A major inquiry into undercover policing in the UK has finally begun almost six years after being announced by then home secretary Theresa May.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry (UCPI) is “one of the most complicated, expensive and delayed public inquiries in British legal history”, the BBC reports. The investigation centres on allegations of systematic abuses by so-called spycops that date back more than four decades.
Why was the inquiry launched?
The UCPI was established in early 2015 in response to a series of allegations that May said amounted to evidence of “historical failings” by undercover policing units. Among these allegations were that the parents of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence had been spied on while campaigning for justice - claims that the police admitted were true.
After finally getting under way in London last week, the jury-led inquiry is looking at how at least “139 undercover officers spied on more than 1,000 political groups” over a period spanning back to 1968, writes investigative reporter Rob Evans, author of Undercover: The True Story of Britain’s Secret Police.
Two undercover units are at the heart of the inquiry: the Metropolitan Police’s Special Demonstration Squad (SDS), which worked in London, and the National Public Order Intelligence Unit (NPOIU) which operated across the UK. Both units have since been disbanded.
The inquiry, which is expected to continue for at least three years, is focusing first on the SDS.
The group was put together in the late 1960s amid protests over the Vietnam War, in response to “official concerns that public anger over the issue and unrest in Europe, particularly in Paris, signalled that far-left groups in England and Wales were planning disorder on home soil”, says The Independent.
“At first, officers were deployed undercover for weeks or months,” says the newspaper, but as the unit extended its investigations to infiltrate a long list organisations and trade unions, some of these assignments lasted for years.
The inquiry to expected to hear evidence from more than 200 witnesses, including politicians and Whitehall officials who oversaw the undercover operations.
Thousands of confidential documents that police “assumed would never see the light of day” are also due to be published, The Guardian reports. “However, one large tranche of documents, which may have shed light on operations since the 1990s, will not be released because it was recently destroyed by police.”
Policing the bedroom
One of the most sensitive issues to be explored by the inquiry are allegations that multiple undercover police officers deceived women into sexual relationships while using fake identities. One undercover officer, Bob Lambert, fathered a child with his unwitting partner, an animal rights campaigner, before disappearing from their lives when his deployment ended in the late 1980s.
The Independent’s home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden quotes a woman named only as Lisa, to protect her identity, describing how another spycop - Mark Kennedy - was “put in my life deliberately to deceive me”.


theweekuk--2020-11-12--Has Vote Leave lost control of Downing Street - and is it curtains for Dominic Cummings?

Boris Johnson ’ s closest adviser is considering quitting Downing Street position following the resignation last night of director of communications Lee Cain , according to insiders .
Dominic Cummings is said to be “ furious that Cain , a fellow Vote Leave campaigner who was partly credited with bringing him into No 10 , had in effect been forced out ” , The Guardian reports .
Cain ’ s decision to step down - announced as the UK became the first European country to pass 50,000 Covid deaths , and as Johnson ’ s Brexit deadline looms - has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at the heart of the prime minister ’ s top team , the paper adds .
The row that triggered Cain ’ s sudden departure stems from the new chief of staff role that Johnson is introducing to shore up his Downing Street operation .
Behind the scenes , relations between Johnson , Cummings , Cain and No .
10 aides have become “ fractious to the point of total breakdown ” in recent weeks , writes Politico London Playbook ’ s Alex Wickham .
And after an “ astonishing day of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of government ” , matters came to a head yesterday .
Tensions had been rising since Cain masterminded the plan for Downing Street to introduce US-style TV briefings .
Wickham says that while Johnson embraced the concept , Cain had pushed for the briefings to be fronted by a “ less prominent face ” than Allegra Stratton , who took up the post in early October .
Her appointment reportedly left Cain worried that he would be “ sidelined ” , leading him to offer his resignation to Johnson last week .
However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” both Cain and Stratton , The Times reports .
With Johnson still on the lookout for a chief of staff , reports emerged this week that Cain was to be promoted to the role , “ in a move that would have entrenched the influence of the Vote Leave faction in Downing Street ” .
Allies of Cain told the newspaper that he had been acting as “ de facto ” chief of staff for some time - but the alleged plan to formalise the arrangement caused dismay among many Tory MPs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Carrie Symonds - a former head of communications for the Conservative Party - also voiced concerns that he was “ not getting good advice ” , the plan appears to have been abandoned .
But by then , the damage was done .
Times Radio ’ s chief political commentator , Tom Newton Dunn , last night tweeted that Cain gave his boss an ultimatum : “ If you sideline me , you lose me.
” The gamble did not pay off , leading Cain to quit .
So why does it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic and Brexit negotiations dragging on , some commentators have dismissed Cain ’ s departure as just another tale of palace intrigue .
But as the BBC ’ s Laura Kuenssberg writes , it is “ much more than a random resignation ” .
“ This is about who is running the country , ” she adds .
“ It ’ s not just about whether a man , who you probably have n't heard of , has fallen out with a politician.
” Discontent has been simmering in Downing Street for some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MPs that Johnson is too beholden to his advisers , and growing frustration among No .
10 aides about the “ macho boys club ” led by Cummings , says Politico ’ s Wickham .
Cain ’ s departure has exposed this lack of unity to the world , with the “ anger about what has unfolded shared by key advisers ” including Cummings and chief Brexit negotiator David Frost , the BBC ’ s Kuenssberg reports .
The timing of this latest row is potentially disastrous , according to critics who have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hindered the country ’ s efforts to get on top of the [ Covid ] pandemic ” , adds The Guardian .
Labour leader Keir Starmer told LBC Radio this morning that the infighting was “ pathetic ” , adding : “ Millions of people will be waking up this morning , scratching their heads , saying what on Earth is going on ?
” And Starmer may well be right , with Cain ’ s public profile still far lower than that of his Vote Leave ally Cummings .
Yet the wider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reveal a “ a government united in trying to confront a pandemic ” , but rather a “ rival group vying for influence over the prime minister himself ” , Kuenssberg warns .

Boris Johnson’s closest adviser is considering quitting Downing Street position following the resignation last night of director of communications Lee Cain, according to insiders.
Dominic Cummings is said to be “furious that Cain, a fellow Vote Leave campaigner who was partly credited with bringing him into No 10, had in effect been forced out”, The Guardian reports.
Cain’s decision to step down - announced as the UK became the first European country to pass 50,000 Covid deaths, and as Johnson’s Brexit deadline looms - has laid bare “internal turmoil and dysfunction” at the heart of the prime minister’s top team, the paper adds.
Cain and unstable
The row that triggered Cain’s sudden departure stems from the new chief of staff role that Johnson is introducing to shore up his Downing Street operation.
Behind the scenes, relations between Johnson, Cummings, Cain and No. 10 aides have become “fractious to the point of total breakdown” in recent weeks, writes Politico London Playbook’s Alex Wickham. And after an “astonishing day of bitter and public infighting at the top of government”, matters came to a head yesterday.
Tensions had been rising since Cain masterminded the plan for Downing Street to introduce US-style TV briefings. Wickham says that while Johnson embraced the concept, Cain had pushed for the briefings to be fronted by a “less prominent face” than Allegra Stratton, who took up the post in early October. Her appointment reportedly left Cain worried that he would be “sidelined”, leading him to offer his resignation to Johnson last week.
However, the PM “wanted to keep” both Cain and Stratton, The Times reports. With Johnson still on the lookout for a chief of staff, reports emerged this week that Cain was to be promoted to the role, “in a move that would have entrenched the influence of the Vote Leave faction in Downing Street”.
Allies of Cain told the newspaper that he had been acting as “de facto” chief of staff for some time - but the alleged plan to formalise the arrangement caused dismay among many Tory MPs.
And after Johnson’s partner, Carrie Symonds - a former head of communications for the Conservative Party - also voiced concerns that he was “not getting good advice”, the plan appears to have been abandoned.


theweekuk--2020-11-12--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 12 Nov 2020

One of Boris Johnson ’ s closest aides has resigned amid reports of internal tensions in No .
10 .
@ @ @ @ @ Cain said he would step down as director of communications next month , despite Johnson @ @ @ @ @ No .
10 chief of staff .
The Times says he quit after Johnsons ’ @ @ @ @ @ advisers opposed plans to appoint the former Vote Leave staffer to the new role .

Chaos in Downing Street as senior Johnson aide quits
One of Boris Johnson’s closest aides has resigned amid reports of internal tensions in No. 10. In a statement, Lee Cain said he would step down as director of communications next month, despite Johnson offering him the role of No. 10 chief of staff. The Times says he quit after Johnsons’ fiancée and senior Downing Street advisers opposed plans to appoint the former Vote Leave staffer to the new role.


theweekuk--2020-11-12--Charity run to start at Four Seasons Total Landscaping

Following the hilarity over the Donald Trump campaign ’ s last-minute news conference last week , an unofficial charity run from Four Seasons Total Landscaping to the Four Seasons Hotel is to be held in Philadelphia .
The organisers say the Fraud Street Run is a “ 100 % unsanctioned run : no fees , no awards , no aid stations ” , but they are asking anyone who participates to donate $ 10 ( £7.58 ) or more to the hunger charity , Philabundance .
A Japanese town is using robot wolves to scare away bears .
After bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials on the northern island of Hokkaido purchased and installed a pair of the robots .
The robots , with a shaggy body on four legs , a blond mane and glowing-red eyes , move their head , flash lights and emit 60 different sounds ranging from wolfish howling to machinery noises .
Man 's lottery numbers come up after 35 years A man in the US has won a $ 3.2 ( £2.4m ) million lottery jackpot with the same numbers he has been using for 35 years .
Gregory McAllister of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ numbers on his 27th birthday and has never changed them .
He says he plans to continue his job as a bar manager but might “ drop a couple of shifts ” .

Following the hilarity over the Donald Trump campaign’s last-minute news conference last week, an unofficial charity run from Four Seasons Total Landscaping to the Four Seasons Hotel is to be held in Philadelphia. The organisers say the Fraud Street Run is a “100% unsanctioned run: no fees, no awards, no aid stations”, but they are asking anyone who participates to donate $10 (£7.58) or more to the hunger charity, Philabundance.
Japan uses robot wolves to scare bears
A Japanese town is using robot wolves to scare away bears. After bears were found roaming neighbourhoods in September, officials on the northern island of Hokkaido purchased and installed a pair of the robots. The robots, with a shaggy body on four legs, a blond mane and glowing-red eyes, move their head, flash lights and emit 60 different sounds ranging from wolfish howling to machinery noises.
Man's lottery numbers come up after 35 years
A man in the US has won a $3.2 (£2.4m) million lottery jackpot with the same numbers he has been using for 35 years. Gregory McAllister of Maine said he adopted his Tri-State Megabucks numbers on his 27th birthday and has never changed them. He says he plans to continue his job as a bar manager but might “drop a couple of shifts”.


theweekuk--2020-11-11--Cuffing season: Tiffany & Co. celebrates Peretti’s Bone cuff

Numbering a minimum total of eight million archived objects , the British Museum ’ s collections hold many surprises .
Along with Neolithic animal remains , a shaman ’ s amulet carved from an antler tine and a pet cat ’ s wooden sarcophagus , this historical treasure trove hides an anatomically-shaped find with a difference .
Crafted in Italy from polished silver , object number 2007,8006.18 is in fact a piece of contemporary jewellery produced by American brand Tiffany & Co. and dreamed up by Elsa Peretti .
The Italian designer ’ s Bone cuff forms part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London museum acquired in 2009 .
This collection includes a Japanese hardwood hairpin lacquered gold , a teardrop-shaped medallion pendant and a clear rock-crystal perfume flacon carved by Hong Kong artisans .
Peretti joined Tiffany & Co. in 1974 , and her Bone cuff - which the designer had finished four years earlier - featured in her debut collection for the luxury brand .
Its design and make-up proved revolutionary .
When it came to moulding her cuff , Peretti had championed the use of sterling silver , which was then a rarely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more affordable than gold .
Jewellery lovers embraced her pioneering approach , with Tiffany & Co. ringing up the till for customers including Liza Minnelli , who was guided by her friend , fashion designer Halston .
His advice was that “ you can ’ t afford gold , and men have to give you diamonds , so you ’ re going to wear silver ” .
Peretti had also rebelled against traditional with the Bone cuff ’ s pared-back finish , in a period dominated by gem-set , ornamental finery .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wearer ’ s wrists - separate versions are sculpted to fit either the left or right wrist - and a circular rise gives space for the nodule-like ending of the arm ’ s ulna bone .
To Peretti , the Bone cuff is highly personal : its inspirations stem from the Italian creative ’ s biography .
Peretti was born in Florence but was educated in Rome and Switzerland .
Memories of childhood visits to the crypt of a 17th-century Capuchin church in Rome that featured walls decorated with bones were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cuff .
Also on her moodboards were images of the undulating walls of Casa Milà , the last private residence that Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí mapped out for this hometown of Barcelona .
Peretti had lived in Barcelona in the early 1960s while working as a model , following previous stints as an Italian language teacher , ski instructor and trainee to a Milanese interior designer .
From Barcelona , she crossed the Atlantic to arrive in New York in 1968 .
Here , her career took off .
Peretti had begun making @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her early creations including vase-like pendants inspired by bud vases that she found at flea markets .
The design would later appear on the runway of Giorgio di Sant ’ Angelo .
For Halston , Peretti authored pale ivory amulets and horseshoe belt buckles .
Her work garnered the attention of many , including Tiffany & Co .
Her subsequent designs for the New York City-based brand are noted for their sensual interaction with the human form .
Her tactile second-skin Mesh necklaces are a joy to touch and drape harmoniously against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chain necklace of her best-selling Bean measure 18in , calculated to centre on clavicles .
Elsewhere , her approach is that of a sculptor , manipulating her materials - jade , lacquer and rattan count among Peretti ’ s favoured mediums , along with silver — to shape organic forms .
Her Bone cuff is viewed by many as her finest creation , however .
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the revolutionary design , Tiffany & Co. has issued new styles of Peretti ’ s anatomical gem .
In May , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ designs - green , red and blue - made from lightweight copper .
Cuffs finessed with hand-set carved stones , including white , black or green jade , golden-hued tiger ’ s eye and turquoise , followed this September .
When the British Museum added Peretti ’ s creations to its collection , it did so to highlight the many relationships between designers , brands - in this case , Tiffany & Co. - and specialist makers , and how these ties can extend across cultures and borders .
The institution ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag ; a bean-shaped accessory carved from hardwood by artisans working in the Japanese city of Wajima .
Japanese artisanship has long influenced Peretti ’ s work too , and in a nod to this inspiration , Tiffany & Co. has collaborated with experiential retailer Dover Street Market on a special-edition Bone cuff ( below ) fitted with densely-surfaced snowflake obsidian that will be available until January .
“ Dover Street Market ’ s curated style edit , and the iconic collaborations it is known for , makes it the ideal partner for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says Reed Krakoff , Tiffany & Co. ’ s chief artistic officer .
“ It ’ s a great way to expose the pieces to new consumers who value unique design and style .
”

Numbering a minimum total of eight million archived objects, the British Museum’s collections hold many surprises. Along with Neolithic animal remains, a shaman’s amulet carved from an antler tine and a pet cat’s wooden sarcophagus, this historical treasure trove hides an anatomically-shaped find with a difference. Crafted in Italy from polished silver, object number 2007,8006.18 is in fact a piece of contemporary jewellery produced by American brand Tiffany & Co. and dreamed up by Elsa Peretti.
The Italian designer’s Bone cuff forms part of a group of 30 Peretti creations that the London museum acquired in 2009. This collection includes a Japanese hardwood hairpin lacquered gold, a teardrop-shaped medallion pendant and a clear rock-crystal perfume flacon carved by Hong Kong artisans.
Peretti joined Tiffany & Co. in 1974, and her Bone cuff - which the designer had finished four years earlier - featured in her debut collection for the luxury brand. Its design and make-up proved revolutionary. When it came to moulding her cuff, Peretti had championed the use of sterling silver, which was then a rarely used alloy in fine jewellery despite being more affordable than gold. Jewellery lovers embraced her pioneering approach, with Tiffany & Co. ringing up the till for customers including Liza Minnelli, who was guided by her friend, fashion designer Halston. His advice was that “you can’t afford gold, and men have to give you diamonds, so you’re going to wear silver”.
Peretti had also rebelled against traditional with the Bone cuff’s pared-back finish, in a period dominated by gem-set, ornamental finery. The cuff’s anatomical curved outline encases the wearer’s wrists - separate versions are sculpted to fit either the left or right wrist - and a circular rise gives space for the nodule-like ending of the arm’s ulna bone.
To Peretti, the Bone cuff is highly personal: its inspirations stem from the Italian creative’s biography. Peretti was born in Florence but was educated in Rome and Switzerland. Memories of childhood visits to the crypt of a 17th-century Capuchin church in Rome that featured walls decorated with bones were a key source of inspiration when sketching the cuff. Also on her moodboards were images of the undulating walls of Casa Milà, the last private residence that Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí mapped out for this hometown of Barcelona.
Peretti had lived in Barcelona in the early 1960s while working as a model, following previous stints as an Italian language teacher, ski instructor and trainee to a Milanese interior designer. From Barcelona, she crossed the Atlantic to arrive in New York in 1968. Here, her career took off.


theweekuk--2020-11-12--Panic as British Army boss gets lost during training in Wiltshire

The British Army ’ s chief of the general staff was declared “ missing in action ” yesterday after a helicopter delivered him to the wrong field on Salisbury Plain .
General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith had hitched a lift on a Wildcat Helicopter to observe an MoD field exercise .
But rather than the pre-agreed spot in the 150-square-mile training area , he was dropped off in a field about 600 metres away - triggering a “ manhunt ” for the “ lost ” ex-special forces commander , who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan , The Telegraph reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ soldiers tried to reach Carleton-Smith and his aides by mobile phone , “ but they were stuck in a mobile blackspot ” .
“ There was an ‘ Oh shit moment ’ when they realised they had lost the head of the army , ” a defence source told the Forces Compare website .
“ His visit was a really big deal , and they had everything planned out.
” According to The Times , “ frantic Whatsapp messages ” were exchanged between the 56-year-old general ’ s staff and aides in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unravel ” .
The mishap quickly became the talk of the barracks , with some soldiers creating memes inspired by their lost boss .
The newspaper ’ s defence editor , Lucy Fisher , tweeted some of their efforts , including a poster for the TV show Lost with Carleton-Smith ’ s face superimposed onto that of one of the lead characters .
Others compared his disappearance to the events in Blackadder Goes Forth , the final series of Rowan Atkinson ’ s hit BBC comedy .
After Carleton-Smith was finally tracked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fellow general , who “ asked not to be named ” , told The Sun that “ these things happen more than you might realise ” .
“ Mark is a highly accomplished Special Forces operator , ” the general added .
“ He can just look at the stars and navigate to where he needs to be .
He is steeped in escape and evasion skills .
I am sure he will see the funny side .
”

The British Army’s chief of the general staff was declared “missing in action” yesterday after a helicopter delivered him to the wrong field on Salisbury Plain.
General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith had hitched a lift on a Wildcat Helicopter to observe an MoD field exercise. But rather than the pre-agreed spot in the 150-square-mile training area, he was dropped off in a field about 600 metres away - triggering a “manhunt” for the “lost” ex-special forces commander, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, The Telegraph reports.
The Sun reports that “desperate” soldiers tried to reach Carleton-Smith and his aides by mobile phone, “but they were stuck in a mobile blackspot”.
“There was an ‘Oh shit moment’ when they realised they had lost the head of the army,” a defence source told the Forces Compare website. “His visit was a really big deal, and they had everything planned out.”
According to The Times, “frantic Whatsapp messages” were exchanged between the 56-year-old general’s staff and aides in the welcoming party “as the visit threatened to unravel”.
The mishap quickly became the talk of the barracks, with some soldiers creating memes inspired by their lost boss. The newspaper’s defence editor, Lucy Fisher, tweeted some of their efforts, including a poster for the TV show Lost with Carleton-Smith’s face superimposed onto that of one of the lead characters.
Others compared his disappearance to the events in Blackadder Goes Forth, the final series of Rowan Atkinson’s hit BBC comedy.
After Carleton-Smith was finally tracked down by the welcoming party, a fellow general, who “asked not to be named”, told The Sun that “these things happen more than you might realise”.
“Mark is a highly accomplished Special Forces operator,” the general added. “He can just look at the stars and navigate to where he needs to be. He is steeped in escape and evasion skills. I am sure he will see the funny side.”


theweekuk--2020-11-12--US election: what next for Ivanka Trump after leaving the White House?

With Donald Trump just months away from leaving the White House , talk has turned to what will become of his favourite child .
Daughter Ivanka is currently serving as an adviser to her presidential pop , but is seeking to distance herself from the fallout that has resulted from his administration ’ s refusal to recognise Joe Biden ’ s election victory .
According to the Daily Mail , sources claim that Ivanka “ has been quietly urging her father to throw in the towel and concede the election to Biden , as she sets her sights on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Washington insider told the paper : “ Ivanka has her own agenda .
She ’ s had her eyes on the desk behind the Oval Office since day one and she ’ s not about to burn any bridges by mouthing off like [ her brother ] Don Jr , who keeps lashing out on Twitter .
“ Everything she puts out is calculated and well thought out , because she ’ s always looking at the big picture.
” In the meantime , Ivanka may return to The Trump Organization , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House team in 2017 .
But the family business “ may not be the most stable workplace when her father leaves office ” , with the Manhattan district attorney ’ s office seeking Trump ’ s tax returns in a “ complex financial investigation ” , says The Guardian .
“ The New York state attorney general ’ s office is also investigating whether The Trump Organization and its agents wrongly inflated the value of Seven Springs estate , a property north of New York City , ” the paper reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ivanka is returning to her fashion line , which was shut down in 2018 .
At the time , she characterised the move as being “ driven by a commitment to the work she is doing as part of her father ’ s administration ” , The New York Times reported .
But as The Guardian notes , the circumstances preceding the announcement “ weren ’ t promising ” .
Luxury department store chains “ Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom dropped her line in 2017 , claiming poor performance ” , says the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online retailers “ to drop the brand in protest of Trump administration policies ” had also been launched .

With Donald Trump just months away from leaving the White House, talk has turned to what will become of his favourite child.
Daughter Ivanka is currently serving as an adviser to her presidential pop, but is seeking to distance herself from the fallout that has resulted from his administration’s refusal to recognise Joe Biden’s election victory.
According to the Daily Mail, sources claim that Ivanka “has been quietly urging her father to throw in the towel and concede the election to Biden, as she sets her sights on her own future White House run”.
A Washington insider told the paper: “Ivanka has her own agenda. She’s had her eyes on the desk behind the Oval Office since day one and she’s not about to burn any bridges by mouthing off like [her brother] Don Jr, who keeps lashing out on Twitter.
“Everything she puts out is calculated and well thought out, because she’s always looking at the big picture.”
In the meantime, Ivanka may return to The Trump Organization, where she worked prior to officially joining the White House team in 2017.
But the family business “may not be the most stable workplace when her father leaves office”, with the Manhattan district attorney’s office seeking Trump’s tax returns in a “complex financial investigation”, says The Guardian.
“The New York state attorney general’s office is also investigating whether The Trump Organization and its agents wrongly inflated the value of Seven Springs estate, a property north of New York City,” the paper reports.
One option that is definitely out for Ivanka is returning to her fashion line, which was shut down in 2018.
At the time, she characterised the move as being “driven by a commitment to the work she is doing as part of her father’s administration”, The New York Times reported.
But as The Guardian notes, the circumstances preceding the announcement “weren’t promising”.
Luxury department store chains “Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom dropped her line in 2017, claiming poor performance”, says the paper, and a campaign calling on online retailers “to drop the brand in protest of Trump administration policies” had also been launched.


theweekuk--2020-11-13--The Week Unwrapped podcast: Viral faith, Armenia and legendary prejudice

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : POD25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : Earlier this week , thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered in Israel for the funeral of Rabbi Dovid Feinstein .
Police descended on the procession , which breached lockdown rules , leading to scuffles and arrests .
The event is not the first time ultra-Orthodox communities have run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in New York also refusing to shut during the pandemic .
So how far should religious views be respected ?
Or is this a case of clamping down for the greater good ?
This week , Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace deal , bringing to an end a short war that has received little attention in Western media .
Partly a conflict about land , it also has a religious element - and its consequences extend to Russia , Turkey and Syria , where members of the Armenian diaspora have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A compendium of fairy tales which reverses the gender of the protagonists provoked discussion about the level of stereotyping in classic children ’ s tales - and led to more fundamental questions about unsettling aspects of the behaviour they depict and even celebrate .
It coincided with the unveiling of a statue inspired by the Medusa legend outside the court in which Harvey Weinstein was convicted .
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Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: POD25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Faith vs. lockdown
Earlier this week, thousands of ultra-Orthodox Jews gathered in Israel for the funeral of Rabbi Dovid Feinstein. Police descended on the procession, which breached lockdown rules, leading to scuffles and arrests. The event is not the first time ultra-Orthodox communities have run into trouble over lockdown, with Haredi schools in New York also refusing to shut during the pandemic. So how far should religious views be respected? Or is this a case of clamping down for the greater good?
Armenia and Azerbaijan
This week, Armenia and Azerbaijan signed a peace deal, bringing to an end a short war that has received little attention in Western media. Partly a conflict about land, it also has a religious element - and its consequences extend to Russia, Turkey and Syria, where members of the Armenian diaspora have been protesting in the streets of Aleppo.
Legendary gender
A compendium of fairy tales which reverses the gender of the protagonists provoked discussion about the level of stereotyping in classic children’s tales - and led to more fundamental questions about unsettling aspects of the behaviour they depict and even celebrate. It coincided with the unveiling of a statue inspired by the Medusa legend outside the court in which Harvey Weinstein was convicted.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts


theweekuk--2020-11-13--Premier League footballer at centre of rape and false imprisonment investigation

A Premier League star has been arrested on suspicion of rape and false imprisonment following an alleged attack at his home.
The player, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested at his home on Wednesday morning “before being released as the police investigation continues”, according to the Daily Mail. The alleged attack is said to have occurred last month.
The publication claims to be “aware of the player's identity”, and to have had confirmation from police about the suspect's age.
A police statement yesterday confirmed that “a man was arrested on suspicion of rape and false imprisonment”.
The statement added: “He has since been released under investigation pending further enquiries.”
Police said that “two people, a woman and a man, who were present at the address at the time of the warrant were also issued with fixed penalty notices for Covid-19 breaches”.
Media outlets often withhold from publishing the names of police suspects until this information is formally released by police, the CPS, or until a prosecution has taken place.
Police will rarely officially release names, unless under specified circumstances, such as threat to life, the prevention of crime, or to preserve public confidence.
Naming practices have shifted since the 2013 Leveson Inquiry, which investigated the practices of the press. In the resulting report, Lord Levenson stated that arrested suspects should not be named "save in exceptional and clearly identified circumstances".


theweekuk--2020-11-13--How cash-strapped councils are struggling to cope with Covid

Eight in ten of England ’ s local councils say they will have to make “ damaging ” cuts to services in order to avoid insolvency , as Covid-19 wreaks havoc with their finances .
The publication of the findings of a new survey by the County Councils Network came a day after south London ’ s Croydon Council “ declared effective bankruptcy ” , The Guardian reports .
Croydon is “ only the second council in 20 years to issue a section 114 notice - meaning it is in effect insolvent ” , the newspaper adds .
Croydon South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the funds crisis “ long predates coronavirus ” , but the pandemic has helped to push local authorities nationwide into the red .
In the Midlands , the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council “ has not hidden the fact that Covid-19 has hit it hard ” , says Coventry Live .
“ At one point , it was expected to cost the town Hall £3.6m.
” Like many other councils , the authority has announced job losses and cuts to services .
And more cuts are expected despite “ grant funding from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which adds that “ it is unclear what impact the second lockdown will have on council services , especially its income stream ” .
As a result of the pandemic , councils across the country are bringing in less money from leisure centres and car parks , and more people are defaulting on council tax and business rates .
At the same time , councils are spending more to protect vulnerable people in their care .
The problem is exacerbated because “ unlike central government , local authorities can not borrow to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC .
“ They either have to run balanced budgets or draw on their financial reserves - money built up by underspending in earlier years - to ensure their annual spending does not exceed their annual revenue.
” When those reserves have been exhausted , as in Croydon , councils have no choice but to make deep cuts .
“ We will need to make decisions that will be very difficult , very challenging , and will have implications [ for staff and services ] , no question , ” Croydon Council ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ali , told The Guardian .
“ We are looking at everything .
”

Eight in ten of England’s local councils say they will have to make “damaging” cuts to services in order to avoid insolvency, as Covid-19 wreaks havoc with their finances.
The publication of the findings of a new survey by the County Councils Network came a day after south London’s Croydon Council “declared effective bankruptcy”, The Guardian reports. Croydon is “only the second council in 20 years to issue a section 114 notice - meaning it is in effect insolvent”, the newspaper adds.
Croydon South MP Chris Philp told City A.M. that the funds crisis “long predates coronavirus”, but the pandemic has helped to push local authorities nationwide into the red.
In the Midlands, the Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council “has not hidden the fact that Covid-19 has hit it hard”, says Coventry Live. “At one point, it was expected to cost the town Hall £3.6m.”
Like many other councils, the authority has announced job losses and cuts to services. And more cuts are expected despite “grant funding from the government”, reports the news site, which adds that “it is unclear what impact the second lockdown will have on council services, especially its income stream”.
As a result of the pandemic, councils across the country are bringing in less money from leisure centres and car parks, and more people are defaulting on council tax and business rates. At the same time, councils are spending more to protect vulnerable people in their care.
The problem is exacerbated because “unlike central government, local authorities cannot borrow to finance day-to-day spending”, says the BBC. “They either have to run balanced budgets or draw on their financial reserves - money built up by underspending in earlier years - to ensure their annual spending does not exceed their annual revenue.”
When those reserves have been exhausted, as in Croydon, councils have no choice but to make deep cuts.
“We will need to make decisions that will be very difficult, very challenging, and will have implications [for staff and services], no question,” Croydon Council’s recently appointed leader, Councillor Hamida Ali, told The Guardian. “We are looking at everything.”


theweekuk--2020-11-13--Instant Opinion: Dominic Cummings ‘failed on his own terms’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Stephen Bush in the New Statesman Why Dominic Cummings failed on his own terms “ The truth – whatever Cummings may say now , and whatever overlong blogs may be coming our way in the next few days , weeks and months – is that his combative style damaged any prospect he had of being part of a radical government .
A parliament majority of 86 has been eroded by a culture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which made the prospect of any serious legislation passing much smaller .
A reset in terms of tone and approach towards Tory MPs means that the government may become more radical , and more Conservative , than it could have been , even as it talks in a warmer tone and makes advances on climate change.
” No-deal Brexit would be bad for the West “ Perhaps the biggest problem in the negotiations is that the two sides risk misreading each other .
There is a view in several EU member states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Johnson will have to make concessions and do a deal .
After all , they think , he can ’ t afford to clash with Joe Biden on the issue of the Irish border as soon as the new president is sworn in .
This is emphatically not the view in Downing Street .
The US election hasn ’ t changed their calculations on the European question .
On the British side , there is , perhaps , too much of a sense that the EU is under greater pressure because their ratification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need a deal sooner .
The danger is that both sides think the other will have to move first , with the result that neither does , and the talks run out of time.
” McCain 's revenge ?
Biden 's win in Arizona is more than that “ When McCain lost to Obama in 2008 , he gave a graceful concession speech .
By contrast , Trump had no words of rebuke for his supporters - some armed - massing and chanting outside the elections department in Phoenix as vote counters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make matters worse , as election numbers started to turn against him , Trump made incendiary remarks from the White House last Thursday falsely claiming there has been an electoral fraud .
It was a stunning and virtually unprecedented act by a president .
Was his defeat McCain ’ s revenge ?
Maybe in some cosmic sense , if not in a way that can be directly attributed in our world.
” For Facebook , South and Southeast Asia is only a market “ This social media platform ends up playing a decisive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of US citizens are driven out of the country .
Or , an alternative scenario : there are deadly riots where minorities in the US are targeted , dozens die and fear ripples through the country .
Or you see a series of lynchings targeting minorities .
You feel the subsequent investigations are a sham because you do not see a single employee of the company being held sufficiently responsible .
Moreover , top officials of the government and the company seem to be working together and protecting one another from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality of Facebook in South and Southeast Asia .
Facebook views the region as a market – not as a society , community , and home.
” on a battle in the gaming world PlayStation dominates Xbox and will for years to come “ As incredible it may seem that Microsoft had no new games ready for its first console launch in seven years , it now looks like the disparity for 2021 will be just as bad .
On Monday , Sony revealed more details about the timing of its lineup for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one way to describe it and that ’ s stacked .
In a marketing video , the Japanese company said the eagerly-anticipated racing game ‘ Gran Turismo 7 ’ is now slated for the first half of next year as is ‘ Ratchet & Clank : Rift Apart ’ , with ‘ Horizon : Forbidden West ’ coming in the second half .
Microsoft , by comparison , only has ‘ Halo Infinite ’ scheduled for 2021 in the big exclusive title category .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Stephen Bush in the New Statesman
on the maverick’s departure
Why Dominic Cummings failed on his own terms
“The truth – whatever Cummings may say now, and whatever overlong blogs may be coming our way in the next few days, weeks and months – is that his combative style damaged any prospect he had of being part of a radical government. A parliament majority of 86 has been eroded by a culture of pointless and destructive rudeness towards MPs, which made the prospect of any serious legislation passing much smaller. A reset in terms of tone and approach towards Tory MPs means that the government may become more radical, and more Conservative, than it could have been, even as it talks in a warmer tone and makes advances on climate change.”
2. James Forsyth in The Times
on the impending Brexit deadline
No-deal Brexit would be bad for the West
“Perhaps the biggest problem in the negotiations is that the two sides risk misreading each other. There is a view in several EU member states that the US election result means that Boris Johnson will have to make concessions and do a deal. After all, they think, he can’t afford to clash with Joe Biden on the issue of the Irish border as soon as the new president is sworn in. This is emphatically not the view in Downing Street. The US election hasn’t changed their calculations on the European question. On the British side, there is, perhaps, too much of a sense that the EU is under greater pressure because their ratification process takes much longer than ours so they need a deal sooner. The danger is that both sides think the other will have to move first, with the result that neither does, and the talks run out of time.”
3. Jon Talton on CNN
on Trump’s late-nemesis
McCain's revenge? Biden's win in Arizona is more than that
“When McCain lost to Obama in 2008, he gave a graceful concession speech. By contrast, Trump had no words of rebuke for his supporters - some armed - massing and chanting outside the elections department in Phoenix as vote counters worked inside last week. And to make matters worse, as election numbers started to turn against him, Trump made incendiary remarks from the White House last Thursday falsely claiming there has been an electoral fraud. It was a stunning and virtually unprecedented act by a president. Was his defeat McCain’s revenge? Maybe in some cosmic sense, if not in a way that can be directly attributed in our world.”
4. Aman Abhishek on Al Jazeera
on social media failings
For Facebook, South and Southeast Asia is only a market
“This social media platform ends up playing a decisive role in a genocide, where hundreds of thousands of US citizens are driven out of the country. Or, an alternative scenario: there are deadly riots where minorities in the US are targeted, dozens die and fear ripples through the country. Or you see a series of lynchings targeting minorities. You feel the subsequent investigations are a sham because you do not see a single employee of the company being held sufficiently responsible. Moreover, top officials of the government and the company seem to be working together and protecting one another from being held accountable. This is the reality of Facebook in South and Southeast Asia. Facebook views the region as a market – not as a society, community, and home.”
5. Tae Kim in The Japan Times
on a battle in the gaming world
PlayStation dominates Xbox and will for years to come
“As incredible it may seem that Microsoft had no new games ready for its first console launch in seven years, it now looks like the disparity for 2021 will be just as bad. On Monday, Sony revealed more details about the timing of its lineup for next year; there’s only one way to describe it and that’s stacked. In a marketing video, the Japanese company said the eagerly-anticipated racing game ‘Gran Turismo 7’ is now slated for the first half of next year as is ‘Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart’, with ‘Horizon: Forbidden West’ coming in the second half. Microsoft, by comparison, only has ‘Halo Infinite’ scheduled for 2021 in the big exclusive title category.”


theweekuk--2020-11-13--PHE never believed Covid-19 would ‘travel this far’, says ex-chief medical officer

Public Health England ( PHE ) never believed that Covid-19 would “ travel this far ” from Asia and prepared for the “ wrong pandemic ” , according to England ’ s former chief medical officer .
In an upcoming address to a public inquiry into the UK ’ s response to the virus , Sally Davies “ will say the scientific advice to focus on the threat from influenza meant the UK never put plans in place for mass testing and contact tracing ” , reports The Telegraph .
This meant that “ unlike other countries who managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingency plans had not been prepared when the pandemic arrived in the UK , the paper adds .
Davies - who handed over the advisory role to Professor Chris Whitty last year - says that she asked PHE in 2015 whether the government should rehearse for an outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ( Sars ) , another type of coronavirus .
She claims to have been told by the health body that a coronavirus would “ die out ” before it reached the UK , and would “ never travel this far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving the chief medical officer post , she told The Telegraph : “ We were not as well prepared as we should have been ...
I think the public deserves to know everything.
” Last year , the Global Health Security Index rated the UK as one of the countries best prepared for a pandemic , along with the US , France and Australia .
Yet all four nations have been hit hard by the Covid pandemic , with the UK and US reporting some of the worst outcomes .
The number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives to Covid passed 50,000 this week , according to government figures - the first country in Europe to reach the grim milestone .
A further 595 deaths were announced on Wednesday , the highest figure since 12 May .
The government is also concerned by a steep rise in daily confirmed coronavirus cases , just over a week after the UK began its second national lockdown .
Cases increased by 46 % yesterday to 33,470 , “ with officials fearing the jump a result of pre-lockdown partying ” , The Times reports @

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theweekuk--2020-11-13--Will Dominic Cummings’ departure reboot Boris Johnson’s premiership?

Dominic Cummings has capped off a turbulent week at Downing Street by suggesting that he is set to leave his role by Christmas .
Amid growing speculation about Cummings ’ future following the resignation this week of a key ally - No .
10 ’ s head of communications Lee Cain - Boris Johnson ’ s right-hand man told the BBC that his “ position hasn ’ t changed since my January blog ” .
The enigmatic chief aide appears to have been referring to a post in which he wrote about wanting to make himself “ largely redundant ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Why is Cummings going ?
Cummings took matters into his own hands “ after a brutal reckoning that saw his closest ally Cain fall on his sword , having failed to secure the key role of Johnson ’ s chief of staff ” , the Daily Mail reports .
His “ exit date is not set ” but is expected to fall after “ Brexit is delivered and his work on mass testing is completed ” , the newspaper adds .
While Cummings is suggesting that his imminent departure is part of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the former Vote Leave campaign director has little choice in the matter .
The Times reports that Times Radio ’ s chief political correspondent Tom Newton Dunn has discovered that Cummings ’ departure was finalised during a meeting with Johnson yesterday , after the prime minister grew “ tired ” of the constant infighting at No 10 .
And an insider told the BBC ’ s Laura Kuenssberg that Cummings “ jumped because otherwise he would be pushed soon ” .
Johnson had recently come to see that Cummings ’ band of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in it for themselves ” , the source claimed .
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has told Sky News said that Cummings will “ be missed ” , but added that “ advisers come and go ” .
“ As he wrote right at the beginning of the year in his own words , he planned to make himself largely redundant this year with the big thing that he worked on , of course , which was Brexit , coming to an end at the end of the transition period , ” Shapps added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tone , the reaction from Cummings ’ detractors within the party has mainly consisted of thinly veiled jubilation .
An unnamed member of the Cabinet told Kuenssberg that Cummings ’ exit was a “ blessing ” .
Meanwhile , a “ senior Tory ” told The Times that Cummings and Cain had caused frustration by operating “ in stupid ways ” .
Another added : “ There is an acknowledgement that we need to reset relationships.
” Not everyone is happy to see Cummings go , however .
A government aide told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Cummings “ is not everyone ’ s cup of tea , but he ’ s a winner .
I worry that without him we will regress to being a party for rich southerners .
He genuinely cares about working-class communities.
” Unsurprisingly , there are no such concerns about the Conservatives ’ Cummings-free future among their opposite numbers .
In a tweet referencing Cummings ’ lockdown breach during the first nationwide shutdown , Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner wrote : “ I have no interest in Dominic Cummings ’ apparent ‘ legacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic he shattered public trust and undermined lockdown & our fight against Covid .
His cross-country road trip , long distance eye test , dishonesty & arrogance was an insult to the British people.
” Shadow Justice Secretary David Lammy added that Cummings “ has been one of the most malign influences on the British government in modern history .
His legacy is one of bullying , deception , hypocrisy and hubris.
” The going of Cummings and Cain “ mark the end of the Vote Leave clique ’ s iron grip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
Senior Conservatives have become increasingly “ frustrated at their aggressive approach , ‘ incompetent ’ handling of the coronavirus crisis , and clumsy U-turns on issues such as free school meals during the holidays ” , the paper continues .
Roger Gale , the Tory MP for North Thanet , told The Times that Cummings ’ departure was an opportunity for a fresh start , adding : “ We need a good chief of staff in Downing Street .
Someone [ Johnson ] can trust and see as a friend.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , vice chair of the influential 1922 Committee , who told BBC Two ’ s Newsnight that if “ the prime minister , gets the chief of staff position right ... he will plant his standard firmly back in the middle of the Conservative parliamentary party ” .
“ We feel we ’ ve lost him for the last year , ” Walker added .
“ We want him back – he belongs to us , he doesn ’ t belong to the advisers , he belongs to the parliamentary party that elected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last general election.
” Media commentators have also speculated that the departure of such a key adviser could change the trajectory of Johnson ’ s premiership .
“ If what emerges from Cummings drama is government that works better ( due to less ‘ punch in the face ’ approach to everyone ) , agenda appealing to soft Tories wooed by Starmer ( more green stuff , less culture war ) then it ’ s got huge electoral implications , ” The Guardian ’ s Gaby Hinsliff tweeted .
The Independent ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeting that Johnson is “ safer now Cummings and Cain , geniuses who waged war on journalists , civil servants , remainers and Tories , are going ” .

A turbulent week in Downing Street has ended with the apparent departure of Dominic Cummings, the prime minister's right-hand man.
He “was seen leaving No. 10 a short while ago carrying a box”, reports the BBC, which says he has left his post “with immediate effect”.
Speculation had been growing about Cummings’ future following the resignation this week of a key ally - No. 10’s head of communications Lee Cain - but he was expected to remain until after Christmas.
His exit will give Boris Johnson the opportunity to reshape his senior team after a period of turmoil at the top of government.
Why is Cummings going?
Cummings took matters into his own hands “after a brutal reckoning that saw his closest ally Cain fall on his sword, having failed to secure the key role of Johnson’s chief of staff”, the Daily Mail reports.
His “exit date is not set” but is expected to fall after “Brexit is delivered and his work on mass testing is completed”, the newspaper adds.
While Cummings is suggesting that his imminent departure is part of a long-term masterplan, some political pundits believe that the former Vote Leave campaign director has little choice in the matter.
The Times reports that Times Radio’s chief political correspondent Tom Newton Dunn has discovered that Cummings’ departure was finalised during a meeting with Johnson yesterday, after the prime minister grew “tired” of the constant infighting at No 10.
And an insider told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg that Cummings “jumped because otherwise he would be pushed soon”. Johnson had recently come to see that Cummings’ band of “Brexit Boys” was just “in it for themselves”, the source claimed.
And the reaction?
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has told Sky News said that Cummings will “be missed”, but added that “advisers come and go”.
“As he wrote right at the beginning of the year in his own words, he planned to make himself largely redundant this year with the big thing that he worked on, of course, which was Brexit, coming to an end at the end of the transition period,” Shapps added.
In contrast to Shapps’ muted tone, the reaction from Cummings’ detractors within the party has mainly consisted of thinly veiled jubilation.
An unnamed member of the Cabinet told Kuenssberg that Cummings’ exit was a “blessing”. Meanwhile, a “senior Tory” told The Times that Cummings and Cain had caused frustration by operating “in stupid ways”. Another added: “There is an acknowledgement that we need to reset relationships.”


theweekuk--2020-11-13--Does Carrie Symonds have too much influence over Boris Johnson?

“ In the building behind me , Carrie hates Lee , Lee can ’ t work with Allegra , Allegra is worried about Dom , and Dom doesn ’ t seem to be in charge like he used to be.
” So said Sky News ’ deputy political editor Sam Coates during a report from Downing Street this week that presented a chaotic picture of Boris Johnson ’ s top team .
And one of the key figures in the latest governmental drama is Carrie Symonds , the prime minister ’ s fiancee .
The Times reports that “ Symonds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cain ” , Johnson ’ s director of communication and a key ally of Dominic Cummings .
Symonds - a former director of communications for the Conservative Party - is said to count Cain among what her allies refer to as the PM ’ s “ mad mullahs ” , who she blames for “ isolating [ Johnson ] from his own MPs , turning the media against the government and for overseeing a series of missteps on the pandemic ” , the paper adds .
Symonds is reported to have been pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clashes with Cummings ’ crew of “ Brexit Boys ” , who had taken to calling her “ Princess Nut Nuts ” behind her back , sources told The Telegraph .
But she has “ had the last laugh ” , says the paper .
Downing Street insiders claim Symonds has grown weary of Downing Street ’ s “ macho culture , which has sidelined female special advisers ” , The Guardian reports .
Her supporters among the ranks of Tory MPs “ say that , unlike Cummings , she has wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
10 ” , the paper adds .
With that aim , she reportedly voiced objections to the tipped appointment of Cain to the newly created chief of staff role , with this intervention backed by Allegra Straton , the face of Downing Street ’ s televised briefings , and Munira Mizra , head of No .
10 ’ s policy unit .
In other words , Cain ’ s resignation is the culmination of the “ Carrie Crew ” seeing off Cummings and Co. , says The Telegraph .
“ Few if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ openly politically active and apparently powerful ” as Symonds , and “ her role in the power drama has raised eyebrows ” , writes the Daily Mail ’ s Whitehall correspondent David Wilcock .
Symonds , however , appears unlikely to let those concerns stop her from wielding her influence over the man she is set to marry .

Carrie Johnson is the target of a “brutal briefing campaign” by her husband’s “enemies”, her spokesperson has said. The rare statement was issued to Sky News following allegations made by Conservative peer Lord Ashcroft in a new, unauthorised biography called First Lady: Intrigue at the Court of Carrie and Boris Johnson. Ashcroft has accused the PM’s wife of meddling in his decisions from as early as 2019 before he was elected Tory leader. She allegedly pushed her then boyfriend to withdraw a request to the former Conservative minister James Wharton to stand as his chief of staff in his bid for the party leadership. “Boris told him that Carrie didn’t trust him, and she wanted someone different in that post,” a source who worked on the campaign told Ashcroft, whose book was serialised in the Mail on Sunday. Her supporters have rushed to rubbish claims that she has too much say in key decisions in Downing Street. Her spokesperson said Ashcroft’s allegations are “just the latest attempt by bitter ex-officials” to discredit her, and described the UK’s “first lady” as “a private individual who plays no role in government”. What is Carrie Johnson’s background? Daughter of The Independent co-founder Matthew Symonds and Josephine McAffee, one of the newspaper’s lawyers, Johnson (née Symonds) grew up in southwest London and attended the private Godolphin and Latymer School. In 2007, at the age of 19, Johnson was targeted by serial rapist John Worboys, who used his job as a black cab driver to offer his victims spiked drinks and then assault them while they were passed out or semi-conscious. She later found out about Worboys’ other victims and was among those who expressed outrage when a parole board ordered his release, eventually forcing a High Court ruling in 2018 to keep him behind bars, reported The Times. Skip advert She studied at Warwick University and graduated with a first-class honours degree in art history and theatre studies. She joined Conservative HQ as a press officer in 2009, where the “gregarious, intelligent, ambitious, strong-minded and attractive” Johnson “quickly made a name for herself”, said the Daily Mail.
Johnson spent six months working in a maternity cover role as Sajid Javid’s adviser in the Department for Communities and Local Government. According to the same paper, a source told Ashcroft that Johnson “spent the whole time trying to get the department to buy her a gold-coloured iPad” even though Apple products were “understood to have been incompatible with the department’s computer network”. The request was eventually approved at the public’s expense. However, Johnson’s spokesman said the book is full of “vile fabrications”. In 2017, she was made head of the Conservative “spin machine” following Theresa May’s botched general election, said the Mail. However, she quit in August 2018. How did she meet the PM? Johnson first met the PM in 2012 when she was seconded to work on his London mayor re-election campaign, later becoming director of communications at the Conservative campaign headquarters. “Eyebrows were raised” in March 2018 when social media posts revealed that Boris Johnson, and his colleagues Michael Gove and Javid, had attended her “alcohol-fuelled 30th birthday bash”, reported The Telegraph at the time. The article described her as a “flirty favourite of Tory big hitters with a canny feel for being in the right place at the right time”. When Boris Johnson, then the foreign secretary, announced in September 2018 that he was divorcing his second wife, barrister Marina Wheeler, his “intimate relationship with Symonds” was swiftly thrust “into the spotlight”, said The Sunday Times. She dominated the headlines in the summer of 2019 amid reports that police were called to her house following an alleged bust-up with Johnson shortly before he became PM. Neither of them commented on the incident and police said no action was taken as all occupants of the address were “safe and well”. On 29 April 2020, the couple’s son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born, just two weeks after the prime minister left hospital after falling seriously ill with Covid-19. When did they make it official? The pair married in a secretly planned wedding at Westminster Cathedral on 29 May last year. According to the Mail on Sunday, 30 guests attended, which was the limit under Covid rules at the time. Skip advert Their marriage was the third for the prime minister, who split with his first wife, Allegra Mostyn-Owen, in 1993 and agreed a divorce settlement with second wife, Marina Wheeler, in February 2020. His May 2021 nuptials made him the first PM to get married while in office in nearly 200 years.


theweekuk--2020-11-13--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 13 Nov 2020

Boris Johnson ’ s senior adviser Dominic Cummings has added to speculation that he will leave his position by the @ @ @ @ @ A Downing Street source said that the aide would be “ out of government ” @ @ @ @ @ said that “ rumours of me threatening to resign are invented ” , he added @ @ @ @ @ ’ t changed since my January blog ” when he wrote that he wanted to @ @ @ @ @ ” by the end of 2020 .

Dominic Cummings ‘to leave No. 10 by Christmas’
Boris Johnson’s senior adviser Dominic Cummings has added to speculation that he will leave his position by the end of the year. A Downing Street source said that the aide would be “out of government” by Christmas. Although Cummings said that “rumours of me threatening to resign are invented”, he added that his “position hasn’t changed since my January blog” when he wrote that he wanted to make himself “largely redundant” by the end of 2020.


theweekuk--2020-11-13--Strands of Elvis Presley’s hair set to fetch £6,000 at auction

A lock of Elvis Presley ’ s hair , once swept up and collected by his barber , is expected to fetch up to £6,000 at auction .
The strands are being sold by life-long British fan Tom Unwin , who had snapped up the hair in 2010 .
“ I ’ m selling now because I ’ ve had so much enjoyment from showing my Elvis memorabilia to friends over the years , ” he said .
“ I would like others to experience that same enjoyment.
” A damp patch found in the car park of a Bogata @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection from Covid-19 .
The stain , in the shape of the Virgin Mary , has become a place of worship .
A local resident said : “ Every day , between 50 and 60 people come here .
They visit the spot and pray , and somehow it is really important for them and us.
” The president of Turkmenistan has celebrated his favourite breed of dog with a giant golden statue .
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov unveiled the 19ft statue of the alabay , or central Asian shephed dog , in the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time the breed has been honoured by the president - last year he published a book devoted to the alabay .
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Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A lock of Elvis Presley’s hair, once swept up and collected by his barber, is expected to fetch up to £6,000 at auction. The strands are being sold by life-long British fan Tom Unwin, who had snapped up the hair in 2010. “I’m selling now because I’ve had so much enjoyment from showing my Elvis memorabilia to friends over the years,” he said. “I would like others to experience that same enjoyment.”
Water stain shaped like Virgin Mary ‘protects from Covid’
A damp patch found in the car park of a Bogata bakery has gained the reputation of offering protection from Covid-19. The stain, in the shape of the Virgin Mary, has become a place of worship. A local resident said: “Every day, between 50 and 60 people come here. They visit the spot and pray, and somehow it is really important for them and us.”
Turkmen president honours favourite dog
The president of Turkmenistan has celebrated his favourite breed of dog with a giant golden statue. Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov unveiled the 19ft statue of the alabay, or central Asian shephed dog, in the capital Ashgabat. This is not the first time the breed has been honoured by the president - last year he published a book devoted to the alabay.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-11-12--Quiz of The Week: 7 - 13 November

Quiz of The Week: 7 - 13 November

The sun has finally begun to set on Donald Trump ’ s chaotic reign at the White House following the announcement on Saturday that he had lost the presidential election to his Democratic rival Joe Biden .
But in a not entirely unexpected turn of events , the Trump administration has refused to admit defeat and launched dozens of flimsy lawsuits calling for recounts in multiple states that went to Biden .
As the row rages on , Covid-19 cases continue to rise across the globe , with the UK becoming the first European nation to pass 50,000 deaths .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ BioNTech , after the pharmaceutical giants announced on Monday that their jointly developed vaccine against the coronavirus has proved 90 % effective in ongoing Phase 3 trials .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest developments in global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days ?
Downing Street has been embroiled in internal dramas , with many senior Tories dismayed by reports that Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of chief of staff to his director of communications Lee Cain , a disciple of controversial adviser Dominic Cummings .
But Cain then announced that he was quitting Downing Street entirely , and Cummings has indicated that he will also be leaving within weeks .
Johnson has faced further headaches as a result of the ongoing Brexit negotiations , as hopes faded of reaching a post-Brexit trade agreement before this weekend ’ s deadlines .
Disputes over fishing , workers ’ rights , environmental protection and “ level-playing field ” rules continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major inquiry into undercover policing in the UK has finally begun almost six years after being announced by then-home secretary Theresa May .
The Undercover Policing Inquiry ( UCPI ) centres on allegations of systematic abuses by so-called spycops that date back more than four decades .


theweekuk--2020-11-11--The many inspirations of Sophie Bille Brahe

A list of some of the things Sophie Bille Brahe likes : curlicue-leafed ferns ; her Border collie Snoop ; and grilled lobster followed by citrus Granita served in hollowed-out lemons , both prepared by her chef brother Frederik .
A list of inspirations that have influenced Bille Brahe ’ s jewellery designs : starry night skies ; flower arrangements by Danish author and Out of Africa memoirist Karen Blixen ; Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli ; and The Four Elements , a 1961 mobile sculpture by Alexander Calder that rises 30ft high outside the Moderna Museet , Stockholm ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bille Brahe ’ s hands , such esoteric inspirations are never taken literally , instead setting the scene for her creations rather than dictating them .
“ For me , working is my way of expressing thoughts , of organising life around me , ” she explains on the phone from Copenhagen , mentioning notebooks and mementos that she has kept since childhood .
“ Sometimes , I think the best pieces I have done are pieces I knew I would do my whole life .
Somehow , they have always been there.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn , Bille Brahe looked to Sun Water Maine , a 1922 artwork by “ Mother of Modernism ” Georgia O ’ Keeffe that captures the cyclical beauty of a morning sunrise above open waters in cloudy pastels .
This led Bille Brahe to ponder ideas of rhythm , repetition and constancy .
The result was her Soleil designs – earrings , a pendant necklace – which encircle a large freshwater pearl with a frame of small drop-like pearls .
Another source of inspiration came in the form of a portrait of O @ @ @ @ @ @ @ artist ’ s photographer husband , Alfred Stieglitz .
Bille Brahe homed in on the inverts palms of O ’ Keeffe ’ s hands and the interlocking lines of the portrait , inspiring the jeweller ’ s new Georgia earrings : drops of interlocked diamond pavé-set chains , each graduating in size .
When we speak , Bille Brahe tells me that another of her favourite pieces is the Collier de Tennis , a delicate row of white diamonds , innovative for the artful matching-up of stones that decrease in size .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she says .
“ I think that ’ s when my jewellery is at its best.
” Bille Brahe , who grew up in the Copenhagen suburb of Hellerup , established her namesake enterprise in 2011 , after graduating from London ’ s Royal College of Art .
Before enrolling at the revered art and design university , Bille Brahe had completed hands-on schooling as a goldsmith .
“ I always knew I wanted to do this .
That is why I trained as a traditional goldsmith – if people didn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then at least I had a craft to depend on .
I didn ’ t have confidence in my designs at the beginning.
” Her fears proved unfounded : Bille Brahe ’ s debut Croissant de Lune earring were are still are irresistible to many .
Sold as a single gem , the design features eight sparkling round-cut diamonds in a curving line , its outline suggesting a crescent moon .
In name and theme , the earring also nod to Bille Brahe ’ s family : Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe counts among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then bezel-set to extend across the lower ear , there ’ s a naturality and ease of wear to the Croissant de Lune that has underscored Bille Brahe jewellery ever since .
“ I did the Croissant de Lune because I always have found the ear such an amazing thing , a little bit like giraffe – weird , but so beautiful , ” she says .
“ Here , diamonds play a role in marking something that is already beautiful instead of just showing off status.
” From the outset , white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Diamonds were the reason I started .
I have always been extremely fascinated with the sky and with stars .
To me , diamonds are like this straight line , something that comes from the ground but looks like a little star.
” There is aristocratic restraint to the short list of prestige materials Bille Brahe uses to realise her designs : to date , she has worked with pearls , diamonds , yellow gold and clear Murano glass .
“ That ’ s one of the things I feel most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with these super-precious materials .
I love the magic of pearls .
In a way , it feels like they are alive.
” Manipulating gold also holds a special allure to Bille Brahe .
“ I love gold , ” she enthuses .
“ It is so special to work with .
It is such a pleasure heating up gold and soldering it together – the glow and controlling that material , for me is the best thing I know.
” In addition to releasing her Sky Above Clouds collection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brahe ’ s first zine .
Entitled Weekend , the magazine stars the designer ’ s friends and family ( Border collie included ) , with recipes , interviews and vignettes of days spent together .
The zine ’ s intimate tone strikes a bitter-sweet chord in 2020 .
Like most of us , Bille Brahe , whose company is based in central Copenhagen , has been spending a lot more time at home .
But her creative flow continues unabated , with the designer busy formulating and polishing new concepts , far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning , I am quite shy about what I [ plan to ] do , ” she tells me .
“ But it ’ s not about having ideas , it ’ s about believing in your ideas.
” For Bille Brahe , that belief will undoubtedly prove justified .

When we speak, Bille Brahe tells me that another of her favourite pieces is the Collier de Tennis, a delicate row of white diamonds, innovative for the artful matching-up of stones that decrease in size. “It’s very classic but modern,” she says. “I think that’s when my jewellery is at its best.”
Another source of inspiration came in the form of a portrait of O’Keeffe shot by the late US artist’s photographer husband, Alfred Stieglitz. Bille Brahe homed in on the inverts palms of O’Keeffe’s hands and the interlocking lines of the portrait, inspiring the jeweller’s new Georgia earrings: drops of interlocked diamond pavé-set chains, each graduating in size.
When mapping out her collection this autumn, Bille Brahe looked to Sun Water Maine, a 1922 artwork by “Mother of Modernism” Georgia O’Keeffe that captures the cyclical beauty of a morning sunrise above open waters in cloudy pastels. This led Bille Brahe to ponder ideas of rhythm, repetition and constancy. The result was her Soleil designs – earrings, a pendant necklace – which encircle a large freshwater pearl with a frame of small drop-like pearls.
In Bille Brahe ’s hands, such esoteric inspirations are never taken literally, instead setting the scene for her creations rather than dictating them. “For me, working is my way of expressing thoughts, of organising life around me,” she explains on the phone from Copenhagen, mentioning notebooks and mementos that she has kept since childhood. “Sometimes, I think the best pieces I have done are pieces I knew I would do my whole life. Somehow, they have always been there.”
A list of some of the things Sophie Bille Brahe likes: curlicue-leafed ferns; her Border collie Snoop; and grilled lobster followed by citrus Granita served in hollowed-out lemons, both prepared by her chef brother Frederik. A list of inspirations that have influenced Bille Brahe’s jewellery designs: starry night skies; flower arrangements by Danish author and Out of Africa memoirist Karen Blixen; Italian Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli; and The Four Elements, a 1961 mobile sculpture by Alexander Calder that rises 30ft high outside the Moderna Museet, Stockholm’s museum of contemporary art.
Bille Brahe, who grew up in the Copenhagen suburb of Hellerup, established her namesake enterprise in 2011, after graduating from London’s Royal College of Art. Before enrolling at the revered art and design university, Bille Brahe had completed hands-on schooling as a goldsmith. “I always knew I wanted to do this. That is why I trained as a traditional goldsmith – if people didn’t like what I do, then at least I had a craft to depend on. I didn’t have confidence in my designs at the beginning.”
Bille Brahe with her Border collie Snoop
Her fears proved unfounded: Bille Brahe’s debut Croissant de Lune earring were are still are irresistible to many. Sold as a single gem, the design features eight sparkling round-cut diamonds in a curving line, its outline suggesting a crescent moon. In name and theme, the earring also nod to Bille Brahe’s family: Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe counts among her ancestors. Sketched, cast and then bezel-set to extend across the lower ear, there’s a naturality and ease of wear to the Croissant de Lune that has underscored Bille Brahe jewellery ever since. “I did the Croissant de Lune because I always have found the ear such an amazing thing, a little bit like giraffe – weird, but so beautiful,” she says. “Here, diamonds play a role in marking something that is already beautiful instead of just showing off status.”
From the outset, white diamonds have been a Bille Brahe speciality. “Diamonds were the reason I started. I have always been extremely fascinated with the sky and with stars. To me, diamonds are like this straight line, something that comes from the ground but looks like a little star.”
There is aristocratic restraint to the short list of prestige materials Bille Brahe uses to realise her designs: to date, she has worked with pearls, diamonds, yellow gold and clear Murano glass. “That’s one of the things I feel most privileged about, that I am allowed to work with these super-precious materials. I love the magic of pearls. In a way, it feels like they are alive.”
Manipulating gold also holds a special allure to Bille Brahe. “I love gold,” she enthuses. “It is so special to work with. It is such a pleasure heating up gold and soldering it together – the glow and controlling that material, for me is the best thing I know.”
In addition to releasing her Sky Above Clouds collection, this autumn sees the publication of Bille Brahe’s first zine. Entitled Weekend, the magazine stars the designer’s friends and family (Border collie included), with recipes, interviews and vignettes of days spent together. The zine’s intimate tone strikes a bitter-sweet chord in 2020.
Like most of us, Bille Brahe, whose company is based in central Copenhagen, has been spending a lot more time at home. But her creative flow continues unabated, with the designer busy formulating and polishing new concepts, far from prying eyes. “In the beginning, I am quite shy about what I [plan to] do,” she tells me. “But it’s not about having ideas, it’s about believing in your ideas.”
For Bille Brahe, that belief will undoubtedly prove justified.


theweekuk--2020-11-14--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 14 Nov 2020

Donald Trump appears to have come close to admitting that he lost the US presidential election .
The Guardian says @ @ @ @ @ last night , the US president “ appeared to catch himself making a slip of @ @ @ @ @ discussed the possibility of a Biden administration imposing a national lockdown to combat the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ will tell ” which administration will be in power next .

Did Donald Trump almost concede defeat last night?
Donald Trump appears to have come close to admitting that he lost the US presidential election. The Guardian says that during a press conference last night, the US president “appeared to catch himself making a slip of the tongue” as he discussed the possibility of a Biden administration imposing a national lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic, suggesting “time will tell” which administration will be in power next.


theweekuk--2020-11-15--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 15 Nov 2020

Elon Musk says he “ most likely ” has a “ moderate case ” of Covid-19 but has been “ @ @ @ @ @ different labs ” .
The entrepreneur , 49 , tweeted that his symptoms were those @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Earlier , the boss of Tesla and SpaceX said he had been tested @ @ @ @ @ positive and two negative results .

Elon Musk reveals that he ‘most likely’ has Covid-19
Elon Musk says he “most likely” has a “moderate case” of Covid-19 but has been “getting wildly different results from different labs”. The entrepreneur, 49, tweeted that his symptoms were those of a “minor cold”. Earlier, the boss of Tesla and SpaceX said he had been tested four times, with two positive and two negative results.


theweekuk--2020-11-16--Covid-19 circulating in Italy as early as September 2019, study reveals

Coronavirus arrived in Italy five months earlier than previously thought , according to researchers who have found Covid-19 antibodies in blood samples taken from Italian people in October last year .
The country ’ s first official case of the virus “ was detected on 21 February in a small town near Milan , in the northern region of Lombardy ” says Reuters .
But new tests by the National Cancer Institute in Milan on blood samples given by subjects in a cancer trial imply that a significant number of people had already been infected before that date .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week of October were positive for antibodies , meaning they had got infected in September , ” institute director Giovanni Apolone , who co-authored the study , told the news agency .
The new research - outlined in a paper in the institute ’ s scientific magazine Tumori Journal - provides confirmation of what many had already suspected .
“ Previously , Italian researchers have said that they reported a higher than usual number of cases of severe pneumonia and flu in Lombardy in the last quarter of 2019 - a sign the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Sky News reports .
The Covid-19 virus was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late December , but US researchers say that internet searches and satellite data showing hospital traffic suggest the epidemic may have started in late summer or early autumn .
Until now , Europe ’ s earliest case confirmed by blood test appeared to be a French patient who fell ill in December last year .
However , the man had not travelled to China , which suggests the virus was already circulating in France by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French athletes who competed at the World Athletic Games in Wuhan last October may have contracted Covid .