theweekuk--2020-05-26--The best lockdown workout equipment

The best lockdown workout equipment

Being trapped at home all day can make your mind and body feel sluggish , and lockdown seem gloomier .
One of the best ways to avoid cabin fever is to exercise , but with gyms closed , you ’ re limited to using equipment that you can set up easily and quickly in and around home .
Here , The Week looks at some of the best bits of kit : TRX suspension training will already be familiar to the fitness fanatics , and it is rapidly gaining popularity with regular people who just happen to want a core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires almost no set-up time .
It ’ s just a case of fixing it in place by shutting a door on the anchoring strap , then you ’ re good to go .
Once in place , the TRX Home can be used to improve performance , flexibility and strength through suspension training , using seven key movements - push , pull , plank , rotate , hinge , lunge and squat - to get fitter and leaner from anywhere .
There ’ s a TRX app which is free to download @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and video workouts from world-class coaches to use alongside the suspension trainer and your own body weight .
London-based boutique fitness studio The Fore has put together a series of at home workouts using your TRX - including a home based video version of its NOGA classes .
The Fore ’ s NOGA series is a selection of 8-25 minute classes that combine the power of movement and breath work to aid flexibility mobility and core strength deepening .
You can try them out using a TRX or just your bodyweight , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on The Fore website .
My home cycling set up was made up of the Wahoo Fitness KICKR power trainer and the Canyon Roadlite .
Individually , they ’ re two impressive bits of kit , and together they ’ re top of the range .
They ’ re both incredibly easy to set up , with short videos from Canyon and Wahoo guiding you through the few simple steps to get going .
And unlike some turbo trainers , the kit runs quietly , so you won ’ t make enemies of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wahoo app works smoothly , giving live information and storing data on workouts .
I was also able to connect my MyZone MZ-3 heart rate monitor to the same app , which meant I had live and accurate data on how much effort I was putting in during a session .
After a stint on the bike , you can export your workout to popular apps like Strava , and it will send data from all the various trackers used in one neat package - so Strava gets your heart rate data along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other metrics .
The best thing about cycling at home is that you can walk the fine line between laziness and efficiency by pointing your bike at the television and catching up on the best lockdown TV while getting fit .
Canyon is encouraging people to Stay Fit , Stay Healthy while gyms are closed , and is helping people to stick to their fitness goals , or set new ones , despite the current situation .
Along with Coach Watto , Canyon have put together the following workout for home fitness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike : Repeat the above 4 more times Off the bike , Canyon recommend doing the occasional body weight session for all important strength training to accompany the fitness gained on the bike .
The following session , repeated at least three times , will complement the cardio workout : If you can ’ t skate but have been meaning to give it a try , you won ’ t find a better time than now .
Microskaters have built a range of high-performing inline and slalom skates for children and adults that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smooth roll .
The MT Plus are the perfect bit of kit for someone who is new to the world of skating , or is a more accomplished skater on the lookout for a durable and dapper pair of wheels .
They ’ re sturdy and adjustable , with a fitted liner that means they feel snug but not tight around your feet , and a strap system which means they can be customised to the taste of each user .
The high resistant polypropylene shell and cuff offer good support for people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on wheels for the first time , and will handle more advanced skaters pushing them to the limit .
Available from £109.99 at Slick Willie's The Peloton Bike combines the best of fitness and tech , offering indoor riders the chance to take part in classes , monitor performance and compete against others with a real-time leaderboard .
“ In a nutshell Peloton is a high-quality exercise bike with a tablet attached to the handlebars , ” says The Week ’ s editor , Arion McNicoll .
“ But the device is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and pre-recorded spinning classes .
This means you get a personal trainer in your own home – which makes it that much harder to make excuses for not working out.
” Available to order from £1,990 APEX bikes have a stylish and ergonomic design , and come with state-of-the-art technology and gamified software so you can compete while you work out .
Riders can connect Apex to their iPhone or iPad via Bluetooth or cast to their TV screens , and from there can follow unlimited high-energy classes with a £30pcm subscription .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that measure and track RPM and resistance , and reward each rider with Apex points based on how much effort they ’ re putting in , so you ’ re encouraged to keep going when the going gets tough .

Being trapped at home all day can make your mind and body feel sluggish, and lockdown seem gloomier.
One of the best ways to avoid cabin fever is to exercise, but with gyms closed, you’re limited to using equipment that you can set up easily and quickly in and around home.
Here, The Week looks at some of the best bits of kit:
TRX Home
TRX suspension training will already be familiar to the fitness fanatics, and it is rapidly gaining popularity with regular people who just happen to want a core of steel.
The TRX Home 2 requires almost no set-up time. It’s just a case of fixing it in place by shutting a door on the anchoring strap, then you’re good to go.
Once in place, the TRX Home can be used to improve performance, flexibility and strength through suspension training, using seven key movements - push, pull, plank, rotate, hinge, lunge and squat - to get fitter and leaner from anywhere.
There’s a TRX app which is free to download, and features a variety of audio and video workouts from world-class coaches to use alongside the suspension trainer and your own body weight.
London-based boutique fitness studio The Fore has put together a series of at home workouts using your TRX - including a home based video version of its NOGA classes.
The Fore’s NOGA series is a selection of 8-25 minute classes that combine the power of movement and breath work to aid flexibility mobility and core strength deepening.
You can try them out using a TRX or just your bodyweight, and they’re currently free to view on The Fore website.
TRX Home 2: £169.95
Wahoo KICKR + Canyon Roadlite
My home cycling set up was made up of the Wahoo Fitness KICKR power trainer and the Canyon Roadlite. Individually, they’re two impressive bits of kit, and together they’re top of the range.
They’re both incredibly easy to set up, with short videos from Canyon and Wahoo guiding you through the few simple steps to get going. And unlike some turbo trainers, the kit runs quietly, so you won’t make enemies of your neighbours during lockdown.


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Boris Johnson hints Britain’s pubs could open ‘sooner than July’

The reopening of UK pubs may be pushed forward to next month under new plans aimed at helping struggling hospitality businesses by easing social distancing rules .
Pubs , hotels and restaurants are scheduled to remain closed until at least 4 July under the government ’ s roadmap to ending the coronavirus lockdown .
But Boris Johnson has raised hopes that , as The Sun puts it , “ thirsty Brits could be back boozing ” in beer gardens much sooner .
Addressing the Commons Liaison Committee on Wednesday , the prime minister revealed that he has asked the Scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to review whether the two-metre social distancing rule could be cut to one metre .
“ On hospitality… we are really trying to go as fast as we can , ” he told MPs .
“ It is very difficult to bring forward hospitality measures in a way that involves social distancing .
But I 'm much more optimistic about that than I was .
We may be able to do things faster than I had previously thought.
” Johnson noted that the current Sage advice says there is “ a very considerable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he added : “ My own hope is that as we make progress in getting the virus down , in reducing the incidence , that we will be able to reduce that distance , which I think will be particularly valuable in transport and clearly the hospitality sector.
” The PM announced the policy review after being pressed by former business secretary Greg Clark about rethinking the distance .
Clark has previously “ pointed out that the UK is an outlier at sticking to two metres , as many countries - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and China - now say one metre apart is enough ” , reports Politics Home .
There is “ no internationally agreed position on the safe distance ” , although the World Health Organization recommends one metre , says The Times .
A change to UK guidelines would require “ an overhaul of the test-and-trace operation ” , the newspaper adds .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Despite such potential complications , the medical director of Public Health England , Professor Yvonne Doyle , has also suggested that the UK guidance could change .
She told the Science and Technology Select Committee last week that the UK had taken a “ cautionary ” approach when introducing the rule but that “ we are aware of the requirements of the economy and business ” .
The proposed change has been welcomed by Emma McClarkin , chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association ( BBPA ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions are cut to one metre , two-thirds of pub jobs could be lost .
“ It is vital that the government allows pubs to re-open under those safe conditions in July , so that they can operate at a sustainable level and become pillars of the community once more , ” McClarkin said .

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theweekuk--2020-05-28--Norway health chief claims coronavirus could have been controlled without lockdown

One of Norway ’ s most senior public health officials has claimed the Nordic country could have controlled the coronavirus outbreak without a lockdown .
Camille Stoltenberg , head of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health ( NIPH ) , says that analysis suggests less restrictive measures would have been sufficient - and has urged the authorities to avoid taking such a heavy-handed approach in the event of a second wave of infections .
In an interview with state broadcaster NRK , Stoltenberg said that Norway “ could possibly have achieved the same effects and avoided some of the unfortunate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown .
Instead , the reproductive number , or R value , of the virus could have been kept low by “ keeping open , but with infection control measures ” , she argued .
Latest figures show that as of Thursday morning , Norway had recorded 8,401 cases and just 235 deaths in a population of 5.4 million people .
But according to The Local , the NIPH published a report at the start of May stating that the country ’ s outbreak was already slowing when the nationwide lockdown was announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effective reproduction rate had already dropped to around 1.1 when the most comprehensive measures were implemented on 12 March , and that there would not be much to push it down below 1 ... We have seen in retrospect that the infection was on its way down , ” the report says .
Reflecting on the decision to shut Norway ’ s schools , which began reopening last month , Stoltenberg has concluded that “ the scientific backing was not good enough ” .
The Spectator ’ s Fraser Nelson notes that Norway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first in the world to calculate the permanent damage inflicted by school closures ” .
“ Every week of classroom education denied to students , it found , stymies life chances and permanently lowers earnings potential , ” Nelson writes .
Stoltenberg told NRK that if her country is hit by a second wave of the virus , “ what is needed is a commitment from the entire population to follow the infection prevention advice ” .
In neighbouring Sweden , where no lockdown measures were implemented , the death toll was last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per capita .
However , the country ’ s state epidemiologist , Anders Tegnell , said that it is misleading to focus on the death toll over a single week .

One of Norway’s most senior public health officials has claimed the Nordic country could have controlled the coronavirus outbreak without a lockdown.
Camille Stoltenberg, head of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH), says that analysis suggests less restrictive measures would have been sufficient - and has urged the authorities to avoid taking such a heavy-handed approach in the event of a second wave of infections.
In an interview with state broadcaster NRK, Stoltenberg said that Norway “could possibly have achieved the same effects and avoided some of the unfortunate impacts” by not pursuing a full lockdown.
Instead, the reproductive number, or R value, of the virus could have been kept low by “keeping open, but with infection control measures”, she argued.
Latest figures show that as of Thursday morning, Norway had recorded 8,401 cases and just 235 deaths in a population of 5.4 million people.
But according to The Local, the NIPH published a report at the start of May stating that the country’s outbreak was already slowing when the nationwide lockdown was announced.
“It looks as if the effective reproduction rate had already dropped to around 1.1 when the most comprehensive measures were implemented on 12 March, and that there would not be much to push it down below 1... We have seen in retrospect that the infection was on its way down,” the report says.
Reflecting on the decision to shut Norway’s schools, which began reopening last month, Stoltenberg has concluded that “the scientific backing was not good enough”.
The Spectator’s Fraser Nelson notes that Norway’s statistics agency was “the first in the world to calculate the permanent damage inflicted by school closures”.
“Every week of classroom education denied to students, it found, stymies life chances and permanently lowers earnings potential,” Nelson writes.
Stoltenberg told NRK that if her country is hit by a second wave of the virus, “what is needed is a commitment from the entire population to follow the infection prevention advice”.
In neighbouring Sweden, where no lockdown measures were implemented, the death toll was last week briefly the world’s highest per capita. However, the country’s state epidemiologist, Anders Tegnell, said that it is misleading to focus on the death toll over a single week.


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Reaction: 61 Tory MPs defy Boris Johnson’s call to ‘move on’ from Cummings scandal

Boris Johnson is facing a Tory rebellion as a growing number of MPs ignore his call for the country to “ move on ” from the lockdown scandal surrounding No .
10 adviser Dominic Cummings .
Appearing in front of the cross-party Liaison Select Committee yesterday , the prime minister declined to answer questions about Cummings ’ conduct .
But interventions by a string of senior Conservative MPs including ex-chancellor Sajid Javid and former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt have fuelled nationwide anger over Johnson ’ s refusal to sack his most powerful aide .
Mordaunt , who now serves as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inconsistencies ” in his account of his decision to drive from London to Durham after his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms , reports The Guardian , which adds that “ fury among Conservative MPs has grown by the day ” .
Javid has insisted that the 260-mile journey was not “ necessary or justified ” , and in a letter to a local constituent also said he was “ deeply concerned ” by Cummings ’ decision “ to return to Downing Street directly after coming into contact with a family member who was ill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of Tory MPs wading in to criticise the top aide has now reached 61 , of whom 44 - more than half of Johnson ’ s parliamentary majority - are explicitly calling for Cummings to get the boot .
The rebels include two government whips .
Yet despite the “ political ding-dong ” , the PM yesterday “ brushed aside ” demands for an inquiry into Cummings ’ movements , says the Financial Times .
The paper notes that while Johnson told MPs that “ a lot of what was written @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he declined to comment on what exactly was wrongly reported , while also “ fail [ ing ] to apologise ” for Cummings ’ actions .
Indeed , Johnson attempted to dodge questions by “ practically spray [ ing ] the room with non-Cummings gobbets ” , writes The Times ’ political reporter Esther Webber .
Amber Rudd last night added her name to the list of Tory MPs calling for Cummings ’ resignation , arguing that he was “ making things worse ” by remaining in post .
“ Dominic has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these campaigns but he ’ s not instrumental to good government , ” Rudd told ITV ’ s Peston programme .
Describing Cummings as the PM ’ s “ talisman , a lucky charm ” , she added : “ He is a public servant , it should be about service , and at the moment he is not helping this country.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The theme of public service runs across the front page of the Daily Mirror today , which asks Johnson : “ Why don ’ t YOU do YOUR duty ?
” .
The paper also carries a comment piece by Keir Starmer , in which the Labour leader writes : “ Let ’ s begin with something Boris Johnson can ’ t bring himself to say but the rest of us know : Dominic Cummings broke the rules.
” The scandal has delivered “ a very simple message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , another rule for everybody else ” , says Starmer , adding that Johnson ’ s “ unwillingness or inability to do the right thing has left the government looking untrustworthy , unprincipled ” .
The Telegraph reports that a “ furious ” Emily Maitlis last night “ asked for a night off ” after the BBC ruled that she had broken impartiality guidelines with a monologue about the row .
Maitlis “ caused a politic storm ” when she opened Tuesday night ’ s episode of Newsnight by saying : “ Dominic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can see that and it ’ s shocked the government can not .
” She went on to criticise Johnson ’ s “ blind loyalty ” to his special adviser , in an introduction that the BBC said “ had fallen short of required standards ” .

Boris Johnson is facing a Tory rebellion as a growing number of MPs ignore his call for the country to “move on” from the lockdown scandal surrounding No. 10 adviser Dominic Cummings.
Appearing in front of the cross-party Liaison Select Committee yesterday, the prime minister declined to answer questions about Cummings’ conduct. But interventions by a string of senior Conservative MPs including ex-chancellor Sajid Javid and former defence secretary Penny Mordaunt have fuelled nationwide anger over Johnson’s refusal to sack his most powerful aide.
Mordaunt, who now serves as paymaster general, accused Cummings of “inconsistencies” in his account of his decision to drive from London to Durham after his wife developed Covid-19 symptoms, reports The Guardian, which adds that “fury among Conservative MPs has grown by the day”.
Javid has insisted that the 260-mile journey was not “necessary or justified”, and in a letter to a local constituent also said he was “deeply concerned” by Cummings’ decision “to return to Downing Street directly after coming into contact with a family member who was ill”.
According to the newspaper, the number of Tory MPs wading in to criticise the top aide has now reached 61, of whom 44 - more than half of Johnson’s parliamentary majority - are explicitly calling for Cummings to get the boot. The rebels include two government whips.
Yet despite the “political ding-dong”, the PM yesterday “brushed aside” demands for an inquiry into Cummings’ movements, says the Financial Times.
The paper notes that while Johnson told MPs that “a lot of what was written... about my adviser was false”, he declined to comment on what exactly was wrongly reported, while also “fail[ing] to apologise” for Cummings’ actions.
Indeed, Johnson attempted to dodge questions by “practically spray[ing] the room with non-Cummings gobbets”, writes The Times’ political reporter Esther Webber.
Amber Rudd last night added her name to the list of Tory MPs calling for Cummings’ resignation, arguing that he was “making things worse” by remaining in post. “Dominic has been a winner for [Johnson] on these campaigns but he’s not instrumental to good government,” Rudd told ITV’s Peston programme.


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 28 May 2020

Prince William says that his poor eyesight has made public speaking much easier for him because the faces of his @ @ @ @ @ The royal told the BBC he has suffered from anxiety during public appearances but his @ @ @ @ @ now sees “ just a blur of faces and because you can ’ t see @ @ @ @ @ that really helped with my anxiety .
”

Prince William says poor eyesight eased speaking nerves
Prince William says that his poor eyesight has made public speaking much easier for him because the faces of his audiences become a blur. The royal told the BBC he has suffered from anxiety during public appearances but his failing eyesight helped because he now sees “just a blur of faces and because you can’t see anyone looking at you… actually that really helped with my anxiety.”


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Man ‘stole 126 pairs of flip-flops to have sex with them’

A man in Thailand has been accused of stealing his neighbours ’ flip-flops in order to have sex with them .
Police says that Theerapat Klaiya , 24 , has a fetish for flip-flops and pinched 126 pairs from locals in Nonthaburi , central Thailand .
He allegedly told officers that he would wear the flip-flops , cuddle and kiss them , rub them on his naked body , and then “ have sex with them ” .
A Dublin statue , thought to be a representation of Mary , turned out to be a statue of Jesus following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statue outside Leo Fitzgerald House in Dublin revealed its true identity .
As one resident put it : “ It ’ s not Mary at all - it ’ s actually her son Jesus .
We had a good laugh at it .
For years everyone thought it was Mary , even the older folks who ’ ve been here for generations.
” A fox was rescued after getting its head stuck in a car wheel .
The animal , in Croydon , had peered inside the alloy wheel and then found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joined forces to rescue him using special equipment to cut through the metal .
Although it had a swollen neck , the fox emerged fine .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A man in Thailand has been accused of stealing his neighbours’ flip-flops in order to have sex with them. Police says that Theerapat Klaiya, 24, has a fetish for flip-flops and pinched 126 pairs from locals in Nonthaburi, central Thailand. He allegedly told officers that he would wear the flip-flops, cuddle and kiss them, rub them on his naked body, and then “have sex with them”.
Statue clean reveals true holy identity
A Dublin statue, thought to be a representation of Mary, turned out to be a statue of Jesus following a deep clean. The chemical cleaning of the statue outside Leo Fitzgerald House in Dublin revealed its true identity. As one resident put it: “It’s not Mary at all - it’s actually her son Jesus. We had a good laugh at it. For years everyone thought it was Mary, even the older folks who’ve been here for generations.”
Fox rescued after trapping head in wheel
A fox was rescued after getting its head stuck in a car wheel. The animal, in Croydon, had peered inside the alloy wheel and then found itself stuck. The RSPCA and firefighters joined forces to rescue him using special equipment to cut through the metal. Although it had a swollen neck, the fox emerged fine.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-05-28--What will life in Hong Kong be like under China’s new security law?

Hong Kong is facing a fresh wave of street protests after China ’ s parliament today approved new national security laws that will make it a crime to undermine Beijing ’ s authority in the territory .
Delegates at China ’ s National People ’ s Congress broke into applause after backing the bill by a vote of 2,878 to one , with six abstentions .
But pro-democracy activists had warned that the crackdown could spell “ the end of Hong Kong ” .
What do the new laws say ?
The legislation is aimed at stamping out the protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last year , by banning “ any acts or activities ” that endanger China ’ s national security .
Such alleged threats to security “ are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents ” , says The Guardian .
The BBC says the new Hong Kong laws are expected to criminalise “ secession ” , meaning breaking away from the country , and “ subversion ” , defined as “ undermining the power or authority of the central government ” .
China ’ s ruling Communist Party is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ terrorism ” , a charge that critics fear might be levelled against protesters , as well as criminalising “ activities by foreign forces that interfere in Hong Kong ” .
In addition , the resolution would allow Chinese “ national security agencies ” - potentially including police , security and intelligence forces - to operate in Hong Kong .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Beijing has insisted that the “ vast majority of Hong Kong residents would not be affected by the new measures ” , says The Guardian .
But opponents claim that the new laws may be used not only to target protesters , but also to permanently undermine the “ one country two systems ” system that gives Hong Kong autonomy from the Chinese mainland .
These fears triggered street demonstrations across Hong Kong on Sunday , with riot police arresting at least 180 protesters , says the South China Morning Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used and volleys of tear gas were fired in a series of confrontations as some radicals among the protesters defying the government ’ s coronavirus crowd restrictions blocked multiple roads , smashed traffic lights , lit small fires and hurled bricks dug up from pavements at police , ” says the news site .
“ It is definitely the start of a new but sad chapter for Hong Kong , ” said pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo .
“ Hong Kong as we knew it is finally dead.
” US Secretary of State Mike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean Hong Kong can no longer be thought of as having “ a high degree of autonomy ” from mainland China .
“ While the United States once hoped that free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China , it is now clear that China is modelling Hong Kong after itself , ” he said in a statement released on Wednesday .
China ’ s Foreign Ministry office in Hong Kong dismissed Pompeo ’ s remarks as “ smears and distortion ” that “ prove the great urgency for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decide on enacting national security legislation for Hong Kong ” .

Hong Kong is facing a fresh wave of street protests after China’s parliament today approved new national security laws that will make it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in the territory.
Delegates at China’s National People’s Congress broke into applause after backing the bill by a vote of 2,878 to one, with six abstentions.
But pro-democracy activists had warned that the crackdown could spell “the end of Hong Kong”.
What do the new laws say?
The legislation is aimed at stamping out the protests that have swept the city over the last year, by banning “any acts or activities” that endanger China’s national security.
Such alleged threats to security “are often used in mainland China to silence dissidents and other political opponents”, says The Guardian.
The BBC says the new Hong Kong laws are expected to criminalise “secession”, meaning breaking away from the country, and “subversion”, defined as “undermining the power or authority of the central government”.
China’s ruling Communist Party is also planning to introduce harsh new punishments for “terrorism”, a charge that critics fear might be levelled against protesters, as well as criminalising “activities by foreign forces that interfere in Hong Kong”.
In addition, the resolution would allow Chinese “national security agencies” - potentially including police, security and intelligence forces - to operate in Hong Kong.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
And the reaction?
Beijing has insisted that the “vast majority of Hong Kong residents would not be affected by the new measures”, says The Guardian.
But opponents claim that the new laws may be used not only to target protesters, but also to permanently undermine the “one country two systems” system that gives Hong Kong autonomy from the Chinese mainland.
These fears triggered street demonstrations across Hong Kong on Sunday, with riot police arresting at least 180 protesters, says the South China Morning Post.
“A water cannon truck was used and volleys of tear gas were fired in a series of confrontations as some radicals among the protesters defying the government’s coronavirus crowd restrictions blocked multiple roads, smashed traffic lights, lit small fires and hurled bricks dug up from pavements at police,” says the news site.
“It is definitely the start of a new but sad chapter for Hong Kong,” said pro-democracy legislator Claudia Mo. “Hong Kong as we knew it is finally dead.”
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also warned that the developments mean Hong Kong can no longer be thought of as having “a high degree of autonomy” from mainland China.
“While the United States once hoped that free and prosperous Hong Kong would provide a model for authoritarian China, it is now clear that China is modelling Hong Kong after itself,” he said in a statement released on Wednesday.
China’s Foreign Ministry office in Hong Kong dismissed Pompeo’s remarks as “smears and distortion” that “prove the great urgency for the National People’s Congress to decide on enacting national security legislation for Hong Kong”.


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Instant Opinion: under questioning Boris Johnson is a ‘blundering schoolboy’

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The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Martin Kettle in The Guardian
on the PM’s performance under scrutiny
Faced with questions from MPs, Boris Johnson was like a blundering schoolboy
“Boris Johnson signed off this afternoon by telling the Commons liaison committee how much he had enjoyed his first meeting with them. If that’s true, then either I’m a Dutchman or Johnson has a weird way of having fun. No wonder he has managed to go almost a year before attending Westminster’s most prestigious committee. He came determined to say nothing new about Dominic Cummings and more or less managed it, though it came at a cost. On the wider issues of his government’s response to the pandemic, he mostly flannelled. Some of the questioners, notably Greg Clark, Stephen Timms, Robert Halfon and Darren Jones, beat him all ends up. Yvette Cooper delivered some icy remarks that should send shivers down his spine. Leadership Winston Churchill style it most definitely was not. Billy Bunter in the headmaster’s study kept coming to mind. Johnson said he had spent a lot of time preparing for the meeting. It felt like a wasted effort. To expect the grasp of detail normally expected of a modern leader was and is hopeless.”
2. Max Hastings in The Times
on how political spin took hold in British politics
I should never have fallen for Peter Mandelson’s lies
“Donald Trump is the first US president of the post-truth era, in which reality is deemed to be not a matter of fact, but instead whatever he asserts it to be. Other world leaders — Putin, Bolsonaro, Erdogan, Xi — govern from the same assumption. It would be extravagant to suggest that Britain is yet in their league, but in our modest way we seem to be working at it. Neither the prime minister, however, nor even Dominic Cummings, can claim credit for launching this brand of politics. Some of us recall Tony Blair’s advisers, Alastair Campbell, he of the 2002 Iraq dodgy dossier, and the ‘prince of darkness’, Peter Mandelson. Both, like Cummings, were clever, ruthless men who believed that ends justified means, and made themselves almost indispensable to a prime minister. Campbell is today a darling of chat shows, but his complicity with Blair in taking Britain to war under false pretences had incomparably graver consequences than Cummings’s defiance of lockdown rules.”
3. Ed Davey, acting co-leader of the Liberal Democrats, in The Independent
on how Dominic Cummings has bound the nation together
Dominic Cummings was tearing this country apart. Now he has united us in anger
“You have to give Dominic Cummings credit for one thing. After years of wrenching the country apart with his deliberately divisive campaign tactics, Boris Johnson’s chief adviser has suddenly succeeded in uniting us again. Rarely have I ever seen such a unanimous outpouring of fury from people of all walks of life and all political persuasions. From the grandparents who haven’t seen their grandkids for weeks. From the families who live apart, able to see each other only via video call. From the couples who had been planning their weddings for months, only to be forced to postpone them. From the new dads separated from mother and baby for the first days of their child’s life. From the family members unable to be at their loved one’s side at the end, and unable to mourn together afterwards. Even from a handful of brave Tory MPs. Millions of people across the UK have made heart-breaking sacrifices to comply with the lockdown and help keep others safe from coronavirus. They are rightly outraged.”
4. Russell Hobby, chief executive of Teach First, in The Daily Telegraph
on planning for children post-coronavirus
We need a recovery plan now to stop lockdown from permanently damaging young people's futures
“For the next three years, we need a national recovery plan for young people – and it must begin by recognising the vast differences in experience during this period. Some spent lockdown learning online, some even had tutors. But millions without access to the internet or devices didn’t. We need to make sure that those who couldn’t learn during the lockdown are given the chance to recover. Some young people had a happy time, others didn’t. We need to reach those whose home lives have been troubled. Additional pastoral and academic support over the summer and into autumn, if social distancing rules allow, has a strong evidence base. It should ideally continue well beyond 2020: there are no quick fixes for this. The plan should also ensure that those schools and colleges serving the most disadvantaged communities get enduring extra investment to rebuild. They need more, because their communities have suffered more during the pandemic. Catch-up provision may help restart school life, but it is consistent, high quality teaching over the course of a young person’s entire education that helps them to forge their own future and prevents them becoming NEET. Successful schools and confident teachers are the ideal foundation for our country’s recovery.”


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Should the mortgage holiday scheme have been extended?

Up to 70 % of homeowners who have taken mortgage holidays do not need to extend their payment breaks and are racking up unnoticed debt , Britain ’ s banking industry has warned .
UK Finance , which represents more than 250 firms in the sector , has written to the Financial Conduct Authority ( FCA ) warning that plans to extend payment pauses for another three months are not in the “ best interests ” of customers , says The Times .
Interest on mortgages continues to accrue during mortgage holidays and “ there are concerns that borrowers could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bigger interest bills ” , the newspaper adds .
The approved mortage-breaks period was due to end in June but was extended earlier this week to allow borrowers to defer payments for up to six months , after the Treasury voiced concerns that an “ abrupt end to the scheme could produce a cliff-edge effect ” , according to the BBC .
Christopher Woolard , interim chief executive at the FCA , said that if customers could afford to restart mortgage payments “ it is in their best interests to do so ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t , a range of further support will be available ” .
However , as YourMoney.com warns , “ it ’ s not free money and many people may not realise the true cost of taking a break from their monthly payments ” .
According to the financial information site , homeowners looking for help with their mortgage payments have an outstanding loan of £136,000 on average .
And “ while a three-month mortgage holiday only adds an average of £11.21 per month to a mortgage , the debt builds up over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amount repaid in total ” .
Salman Haqqi , a personal finance expert at money.co.uk , said that although mortgage holidays have “ proved to be a lifeline for millions of homeowners ” , it was “ important to remember that you will still owe the money and interest will continue to accrue while the deferred payments remain unpaid ” .

Up to 70% of homeowners who have taken mortgage holidays do not need to extend their payment breaks and are racking up unnoticed debt, Britain’s banking industry has warned.
UK Finance, which represents more than 250 firms in the sector, has written to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) warning that plans to extend payment pauses for another three months are not in the “best interests” of customers, says The Times.
Interest on mortgages continues to accrue during mortgage holidays and “there are concerns that borrowers could run into difficulties when faced with the bigger interest bills”, the newspaper adds.
The approved mortage-breaks period was due to end in June but was extended earlier this week to allow borrowers to defer payments for up to six months, after the Treasury voiced concerns that an “abrupt end to the scheme could produce a cliff-edge effect”, according to the BBC.
Christopher Woolard, interim chief executive at the FCA, said that if customers could afford to restart mortgage payments “it is in their best interests to do so”, but that “where they can’t, a range of further support will be available”.
However, as YourMoney.com warns, “it’s not free money and many people may not realise the true cost of taking a break from their monthly payments”.
According to the financial information site, homeowners looking for help with their mortgage payments have an outstanding loan of £136,000 on average.
And “while a three-month mortgage holiday only adds an average of £11.21 per month to a mortgage, the debt builds up over time and could add £665.08 to the amount repaid in total”.
Salman Haqqi, a personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said that although mortgage holidays have “proved to be a lifeline for millions of homeowners”, it was “important to remember that you will still owe the money and interest will continue to accrue while the deferred payments remain unpaid”.


theweekuk--2020-05-28--The country that burned masks: inside France’s coronavirus response

When Boris Johnson was riding high in the polls back in April and even Donald Trump was a little more @ @ @ @ @ Macron ’ s approval rating hit rock bottom .
Two-thirds of French voters said their @ @ @ @ @ job - a damning result that Politico attributes to a combination of “ French exceptionalism @ @ @ @ @ the state to meet high expectations .
“ The French are seldom satisfied with anything @ @ @ @ @ ” says the news site .
“ And given the volatility of the coronavirus crisis @ @ @ @ @ to criticise.
” Macron himself admitted as much .
“ This moment , let ’ @ @ @ @ @ revealed cracks , shortages , ” he said in a TV address on 13 April @


theweekuk--2020-05-28--Race riots: what we know about the death of George Floyd

Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Minneapolis to protest against the killing of an unarmed black man by a police officer who was filmed kneeling on his neck for at least eight minutes .
The now-viral footage shows George Floyd - described as a “ gentle giant ” who “ took care of people ” , according to local newspaper Star Tribune - begging for help as bystanders plead with the officer to stop .
Floyd ’ s death is the latest in a string of similar killings , with research suggesting that about one in 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can expect to die at the hands of police .
Police in the Minnesota city were called to a “ forgery in progress ” after Floyd allegedly tried to use a counterfeit $ 20 bill at a store .
After arriving at the scene , the law enforcers ordered Floyd away from his vehicle and handcuffed him .
He was then pinned to the ground and surrounded by four officers , one of whom - named as Derek Chauvin - placed his knee on th back of Floyd ’ s neck .
Police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physically resisted officers ” , but witnesses dispute that claim , reports CBS News .
Footage of the arrest , streamed on Facebook Live by bystander Darnella Frazier , shows Floyd groaning and repeatedly saying “ I can ’ t breathe ” to Chauvin .
Floyd repeatedly begs the officer “ please ” while moaning and sobbing , as a bystander says : “ You got him down .
Let him breathe.
” Floyd can be heard telling Chauvin : “ I ’ m about to die .
I can ’ t breathe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neck , I ca n't breathe.
” As Floyd pleads for release , bystanders tell the officers that “ he ’ s not even resisting arrest right now ” .
When the police respond that Floyd is fine , another says that he “ ain ’ t fine ” .
One passer-by tells the officers to “ get him off the ground… You could have put him in the car by now .
He ’ s not resisting arrest or nothing .
You ’ re enjoying it .
Look at you .
Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and stops moving , but Chauvin does not remove his knee from the motionless man ’ s neck until the emergency services arrive .
The four officers involved in Floyd ’ s killing have all been dismissed , with Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo describing them as “ former employees ” , reports the BBC .
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed in a tweet on Tuesday that the officers “ have been terminated ” , writing : “ This is the right call.
” At an earlier press conference , Frey described the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up ” .
“ I believe what I saw and what I saw is wrong on every level ...
Being black in America should not be a death sentence , ” he said , adding : “ This officer failed in the most basic human sense.
” Amid growing public anger over Floyd ’ s death , protesters carrying signs reading “ Jail killer KKKops ” and chanting “ prosecute the police ” gathered in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening to demand justice , reports The Guardian .
According to The Times , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a police station , throwing bottles at the officers , shouting ‘ pigs ’ and ‘ how could you ?
’ ” Tear gas , stun grenades and rubber bullets were reportedly used to disperse the demonstrators .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Ben Crump , a prominent civil rights and personal injury attorney , announced this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd ’ s family to get justice .
“ We all watched the horrific death of George Floyd on video as witnesses begged the police officer to take him into the police car and get off his neck , ” Crump said in a statement .
“ This abusive , excessive and inhumane use of force cost the life of a man who was being detained by the police for questioning about a non-violent charge.
” The FBI and a state agency have opened investigations into Floyd ’ s death , and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expedited review ” .
A spokesperson for the FBI Minneapolis division said the bureau ’ s investigation would look at whether the officers involved “ wilfully deprived the individual of a right or privilege protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States ” .
But Floyd ’ s sister Bridget told US television that the police officers who killed George should face murder charges .
Appearing on breakfast show Good Morning America , she said : “ They murdered my brother ...
They killed him .
They don ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @

7. 9 June 2020: what would US police reform look like?
5. 3 June 2020: how the US race protests spread around the world
2. 28 May 2020: what we know about the death of George Floyd
2. 28 May 2020: what we know about the death of George Floyd
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Minneapolis to protest against the killing of an unarmed black man by a police officer who was filmed kneeling on his neck for at least eight minutes.
The now-viral footage shows George Floyd - described as a “gentle giant” who “took care of people”, according to local newspaper Star Tribune - begging for help as bystanders plead with the officer to stop.
Floyd’s death is the latest in a string of similar killings, with research suggesting that about one in 1,000 black men and boys in the US can expect to die at the hands of police.
What happened to George Floyd?
Police in the Minnesota city were called to a “forgery in progress” after Floyd allegedly tried to use a counterfeit $20 bill at a store.
After arriving at the scene, the law enforcers ordered Floyd away from his vehicle and handcuffed him. He was then pinned to the ground and surrounded by four officers, one of whom - named as Derek Chauvin - placed his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck.
Police said in a statement that Floyd “physically resisted officers”, but witnesses dispute that claim, reports CBS News.
Footage of the arrest, streamed on Facebook Live by bystander Darnella Frazier, shows Floyd groaning and repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe” to Chauvin.
Floyd repeatedly begs the officer “please” while moaning and sobbing, as a bystander says: “You got him down. Let him breathe.”
Floyd can be heard telling Chauvin: “I’m about to die. I can’t breathe. Please, the knee in my neck, I can't breathe.”
As Floyd pleads for release, bystanders tell the officers that “he’s not even resisting arrest right now”. When the police respond that Floyd is fine, another says that he “ain’t fine”.
One passer-by tells the officers to “get him off the ground… You could have put him in the car by now. He’s not resisting arrest or nothing. You’re enjoying it. Look at you. Your body language.”
Floyd eventually falls silent and stops moving, but Chauvin does not remove his knee from the motionless man’s neck until the emergency services arrive.
And the reaction?
The four officers involved in Floyd’s killing have all been dismissed, with Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo describing them as “former employees”, reports the BBC.


theweekuk--2020-05-29--UK offers Hong Kong residents ‘escape’ from Chinese aggression

The UK government could offer British National Overseas ( BNO ) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship if China continues to impose itself on the state .
Up to 300,000 BNOs could see their rights to visit the UK without a visa extended if China does not suspend plans for an oppressive new security law in the former British colony , says The Guardian .
China ’ s parliament yesterday approved new national security legislation that will make it a crime to undermine Beijing ’ s authority in the territory .
Opponents claim that the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ one country two systems ” structure that gives Hong Kong autonomy from the Chinese mainland .
Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter she was “ deeply concerned at China ’ s proposals ” and would “ explore options for a path to citizenship for BNO passport holders ” with the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab .
The “ UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong ” , Patel wrote .
Raab later added that , if China ’ s security proposals were confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ limit on BNO visitors and “ provide a pathway to future citizenship ” .
China has rejected foreign criticism of the proposed law , and says it could take “ countermeasures ” against the UK , reports the BBC .
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said : “ All such BNO passport holders are Chinese nationals and if the UK insists on changing this practice it will not only violate its own stance but also international law.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The UK government could offer British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship if China continues to impose itself on the state.
Up to 300,000 BNOs could see their rights to visit the UK without a visa extended if China does not suspend plans for an oppressive new security law in the former British colony, says The Guardian.
China’s parliament yesterday approved new national security legislation that will make it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in the territory. Opponents claim that the new laws may be used to permanently undermine the “one country two systems” structure that gives Hong Kong autonomy from the Chinese mainland.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter she was “deeply concerned at China’s proposals” and would “explore options for a path to citizenship for BNO passport holders” with the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
The “UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong”, Patel wrote. Raab later added that, if China’s security proposals were confirmed, the UK would extend the six-month limit on BNO visitors and “provide a pathway to future citizenship”.
China has rejected foreign criticism of the proposed law, and says it could take “countermeasures” against the UK, reports the BBC.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: “All such BNO passport holders are Chinese nationals and if the UK insists on changing this practice it will not only violate its own stance but also international law.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-05-29--UK’s second biggest police force facing inquiry over tasering of black men

The police watchdog has promised an investigation into allegations of “ racially motivated brutality ” by England ’ s second largest police force .
The Independent Office for Police Conduct ( IOPC ) has confirmed that it is currently in the process of nine “ full , fair and thorough ” inquiries into officers at West Midlands police over use of force on black men , The Times says .
The investigations relate to six incidents in Birmingham and include allegations that black men were wrongly tasered by a “ rogue officer ” , the paper adds .
The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footage emerged of an officer appearing to knock a 15-year-old boy down with a punch .
Video later emerged of the same officer tasering a man in Handsworth , Birmingham after a pursuit on 27 February .
Trevaile Wyse , 30 , said that he had been a “ bystander to a car crash but was ordered to get on the floor and tasered when he did not ” , The Times reports .
“ I was hit in the stomach and in the throat , ” Wyse said .
“ I passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ten times worse .
It ’ s disgraceful , there was no reason to do that whatsoever.
” IOPC is also investigating other officers after a man was tasered following a chase on foot .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Derrick Campbell , the IOPC ’ s director in the region , said that the investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and proportionate in each of these instances ” .
Earlier this month , The Guardian reported that a police officer in London had been placed under criminal investigation after a man was shot with a Taser and left paralysed from the waist down .

The police watchdog has promised an investigation into allegations of “racially motivated brutality” by England’s second largest police force.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has confirmed that it is currently in the process of nine “full, fair and thorough” inquiries into officers at West Midlands police over use of force on black men, The Times says.
The investigations relate to six incidents in Birmingham and include allegations that black men were wrongly tasered by a “rogue officer”, the paper adds.
The Times reports that investigations began in April after footage emerged of an officer appearing to knock a 15-year-old boy down with a punch. Video later emerged of the same officer tasering a man in Handsworth, Birmingham after a pursuit on 27 February.
Trevaile Wyse, 30, said that he had been a “bystander to a car crash but was ordered to get on the floor and tasered when he did not”, The Times reports.
“I was hit in the stomach and in the throat,” Wyse said. “I passed out... Being tasered in the throat is ten times worse. It’s disgraceful, there was no reason to do that whatsoever.”
IOPC is also investigating other officers after a man was tasered following a chase on foot.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Derrick Campbell, the IOPC’s director in the region, said that the investigation would establish whether force was “justified and proportionate in each of these instances”.
Earlier this month, The Guardian reported that a police officer in London had been placed under criminal investigation after a man was shot with a Taser and left paralysed from the waist down.


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Donald Trump: should social media companies fact check the president?

Donald Trump and Twitter have a long-standing love-hate relationship that , though fractious , has long seemed to work for both of them .
The US president exploits the social media platform to broadcast his opinions to millions of people worldwide , while Twitter has exclusive rights to publish the inner monologue of the most powerful person in the world .
Now though , their relationship may be coming to an end , after Trump yesterday signed an executive order limiting protections for social media giants .
The US president stepped up his attack on big tech companies after promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter announcing that they would begin fact-checking his tweets .
Why Trump fell out with Twitter Twitter updated its policy on “ misleading information ” earlier this month , in an attempt to limit potentially harmful and false news spreading on its platform .
The new system allows Twitter to put a warning notice on tweets to make it clear they could contain false information .
When Donald Trump tweeted this week the false claim that “ There is NO WAY ( ZERO ! )
that Mail-In Ballots will be anything less than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The social media site put a warning label on two tweets , linking to a page that described the claims as “ unsubstantiated ” .
On a page titled “ what you need to know ” , Twitter says that Trump “ falsely claimed mail-in ballots would lead to ‘ a Rigged Election ’ ... Fact-checkers say there is no evidence that mail-in ballots are linked to voter fraud ” .
Trump fired back by accusing Twitter of interfering in the US presidential election scheduled for November .
He said the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and I , as president , will not allow it to happen ” , warning the platform to “ clean up your act now ” .
Adding fuel to the flames of their dispute , Twitter then said that Trump had “ violated rules about glorifying violence ” in another tweet by posting “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts ” in relation to the unrest in Minneapolis following the death of George Floyd .
What does the executive order mean ?
The order clarifies the Communications Decency Act ( CDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ online social media platforms legal protections in some situations .
Before the CDA , US communications firms had two options , says The Guardian .
They could act as “ mere conduits ” , passing on all content submitted to their platforms without editing or filtering - like a phone service - and avoid legal liability .
Alternatively , they could moderate their platforms and take legal responsibility for all content contained on it .
A later amendment - section 230 of the CDA - created a legal exception that allowed platforms to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the content that they allowed ( or that slipped ) through the net .
It says : “ No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.
” The Electronic Frontier Foundation calls it “ the most important law protecting internet speech.
” But Trump ’ s new executive order says that this legal immunity does not apply if a social network edits content posted by its user , says the BBC .
Twitter called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approach to a landmark law , ” adding that Section 230 “ protects American innovation and freedom of expression , and it 's underpinned by democratic values ” .
Google said that undermining Section 230 would “ hurt America ’ s economy and its global leadership on internet freedom.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Twitter ’ s argument for fact checking content on its site is that misleading content can be “ harmful ” , especially when it risks undermining important messages like expert public health advice .
In a world where false information can get you killed , “ accuracy is key for many facing life-or-death situations ” , says digital activism group Exposing the Invisible .
“ In the face of all of this , verification becomes crucial and a key tool for many , from human rights organisations to media outlets to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers behind Twitter ’ s plan to introduce fact checking was concern over posts sharing false information to do with the coronavirus outbreak .
Fact checking “ could help slow the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus , ” says The Poynter Institute for Media Studies .
“ Research shows that , when people correct misinformation on their social media feeds , misperceptions decrease.
” What are the cons ?
Fact checking , labelling and removing content from political figures is akin to limiting their free speech , argue some - including Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t think that Facebook or internet platforms in general should be arbiters of truth , ” Zuckerberg has said .
“ Political speech is one of the most sensitive parts in a democracy , and people should be able to see what politicians say.
” Facebook followed its founder ’ s comments by announcing in October that it would allow politicians to run ads on its platforms , even if they include misinformation , says CNBC .
But in December , Instagram - owned by Facebook - expanded its fact-checking process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all posts , globally , which share false information , as determined by third-party experts ” , says Social Media Today .
The social media giants are also not in agreement on this issue .
Twitter ’ s CEO Jack Dorsey hit back at Zuckerberg ’ s latest comments , saying : “ We ’ ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally .
And we will admit to and own any mistakes we make .
“ This does not make us an ‘ arbiter of truth ’ .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of conflicting statements and show the information in dispute so people can judge for themselves .
More transparency from us is critical so folks can clearly see the why behind our actions.
” One problem with fact checking is that there are often grey areas - especially in politics .
Social media giants could be put “ in the difficult position of playing political referee ” , says Social Media Today .
But , it adds , “ saying that those outliers are an impediment to implementing such process at all seems like @ @ @ @


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: what we know and what we need to learn as we exit lockdown

Zania Stamataki , senior lecturer in viral immunology at the University of Birmingham , on what we know and do not know about coronavirus as the lockdown is eased .
As lockdowns ease , scientists worldwide are engaged in an unprecedented search for new therapies and a race for vaccine development .
Every day we learn more about the virus that causes Covid-19 , known as SARS-CoV-2 , but as many of us venture back out into the world , there is still much that we don ’ t know about immunity to infection .
Here are some key questions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priority , and what we have learned so far .
Who is most at risk of severe disease ?
The first data following several thousand infections from China identified certain vulnerable groups at risk of severe symptoms leading to fatality : older people and those with underlying medical conditions are most at risk .
But now we have a clearer picture that shows more people than that are being affected .
We have seen in numerous countries that younger people with no pre-existing conditions can die from Covid-19 , which can cause symptoms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ body , from the brain to the toes .
The good news : not everyone is displaying all these symptoms and most infected people will recover well .
But it is important to understand why some otherwise healthy people succumb to infection .
To achieve this , scientists are looking for clues in the blood of patients with severe symptoms to use them as biomarkers of high risk .
To fully appreciate who is most at risk , we need a better understanding of both the virus and the host .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strains , but early sequencing data identify mutations that help us build a picture of virus distribution in different parts of the world .
We can also use antibody testing to map who has been infected within our population .
A study in over 500 healthcare workers in the UK showed that housekeeping staff had a higher incidence of previous infection compared to clinicians working in intensive care and emergency medicine .
These studies help us understand who is most at risk of infection at work .
Children are the least affected by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mild or severe symptoms .
Fatalities in children have been extremely rare , but those severely affected show hallmarks of hyper-immune activation similar to that found in Kawasaki disease .
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a rapid risk assessment that highlighted uncertainties in paediatric Covid-19 : we don ’ t know yet how many children may be infected and asymptomatic , and due to the delayed onset of the disease , there are sparse data connecting it to the virus .
Emerging studies using antibody tests are beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the rarity of symptoms in children , it is important to find out if they have become infected and whether they can transmit the virus .
This information will help us safeguard vulnerable groups .
It is practically difficult to document child-to-adult transmission because children with mild or asymptomatic infections are not routinely tested for Covid-19 .
However , a study from Germany showed that infected children carried a similar viral load to adults .
If this translates to infectious virus , then children could be as contagious as adults .
Are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question of immunity is a crucial one that will drive policy on antiviral precautions .
Previous exposure to a pathogen usually leads to resistance to reinfection , but this is not always the case .
Immune memory is when our body remembers a previous infection and acts faster to control it during later encounters , and this is the idea behind vaccination .
Some viral infections are cleared before the immune system manages to develop memory responses .
Others induce antibodies that make future reinfections from similar viruses more dangerous .
Most infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and most develop antibodies recognising the virus .
So how can we find out if this is evidence for immune protection ?
A major clue came from a study from New York where scientists found potent neutralising antibodies in people who had recovered from coronavirus without severe symptoms .
Neutralising antibodies are those that block the virus from infecting our cells .
Although the amounts of antibodies varied , the fact that we are able to produce them holds hope for vaccination .
Cell-based immunity can also offer protection from reinfection .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ infected cells to limit virus production , and they are able to generate memory cells after first exposure to a virus .
We now appreciate that most patients have detectable virus-specific T cells , and that some healthy people also have T cells specific for the virus , which could be remnants of infection with other coronaviruses .
We now need to establish whether the antibodies and the T cells that we can make after infection are of sufficient quantity and quality to protect us from reinfection .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– There is a lot we still don ’ t know about this coronavirus , but we have nonetheless learned enough to help us make some firm conclusions : 1 ) We recognise vulnerable groups that need most shielding to preserve life , but we still need biomarkers that predict risk for those outside these groups .
2 ) We have the tests to detect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we can use this information to understand what happens to our immune systems after infection with the virus .
3 ) We can detect the hallmarks of immune memory in people who recovered , and this bodes well for vaccine development .
Based on this , there are actions we can take in the short term .
We know how coronavirus transmits from person to person so we can take necessary precautions to feel safe .
We may inhale virus expelled in droplets from an infected carrier directly , or transfer the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faces .
Strategies to avoid this are possible , including physical distancing and washing our hands with soap .
If we wear face coverings when outside , we can limit shedding droplets that risk infecting other people even if we show no symptoms of the disease .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .


theweekuk--2020-05-29--The Week Unwrapped: Seasonless fashion, sacred land and Saudi Magpies

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 : Italian fashion brand Gucci has announced that , in a push toward cutting waste , it will reduce the number of fashion shows it does in a year , and that its new lines will be “ seasonless.
” Will we see these changes reflected in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thing of the past ?
Earlier this week , mining company Rio Tinto detonated explosives in the Juurkan Gorge in Western Australia , destroying two culturally significant sites that show Aboriginal occupation of the land dating back more than 46,000 years .
The timing of the blasts is particularly questionable coinciding with National Reconciliation Week , which promotes efforts to reconcile indigenous and non-indigenous Australians .
The £300m takeover of Newcastle United football club by Saudi Arabia is in serious jeopardy after the state was ruled to be involved in illegal streaming of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ copyright infringements a step too far , when human rights abuses were not considered a line in the sand ?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts .

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:
Seasonless fashion
Italian fashion brand Gucci has announced that, in a push toward cutting waste, it will reduce the number of fashion shows it does in a year, and that its new lines will be “seasonless.” Will we see these changes reflected in our wardrobes? And are fashion shows a thing of the past?
Sacred land
Earlier this week, mining company Rio Tinto detonated explosives in the Juurkan Gorge in Western Australia, destroying two culturally significant sites that show Aboriginal occupation of the land dating back more than 46,000 years. The timing of the blasts is particularly questionable coinciding with National Reconciliation Week, which promotes efforts to reconcile indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
Saudi Magpies
The £300m takeover of Newcastle United football club by Saudi Arabia is in serious jeopardy after the state was ruled to be involved in illegal streaming of Premier League matches. But why are copyright infringements a step too far, when human rights abuses were not considered a line in the sand?
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts.


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 29 May 2020

Seven in 10 of those who tested positive for coronavirus had no symptoms , according to the first nationally representative @ @ @ @ @ also found that only one in 15 people had antibodies , denting hopes that herd @ @ @ @ @ without the need for a vaccine or treatments .
Weekly figures from the Office for @ @ @ @ @ under 8,000 people a day are becoming infected with coronavirus .

Study finds majority of those with coronavirus are asymptomatic
Seven in 10 of those who tested positive for coronavirus had no symptoms, according to the first nationally representative sample. The same study also found that only one in 15 people had antibodies, denting hopes that herd immunity would halt the epidemic without the need for a vaccine or treatments. Weekly figures from the Office for National Statistics show that just under 8,000 people a day are becoming infected with coronavirus.


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Spanish flu survivor, 106, also survives coronavirus

A 106-year-old woman has become the UK ’ s oldest coronavirus survivor .
Freda Hodgson also survived the Spanish flu as a child and has no fewer than 52 great-grandchildren .
Since surviving Covid-19 , she is back to drinking her much loved brandy and ginger .
She credits her long life to being “ stubborn ” .
Men paid to fulfil sexual fantasy go to wrong house Two men hired to fulfil a man ’ s peculiar sexual fantasy broke into a bedroom at the wrong address .
A man , who lives in the town of Griffith in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 to realise his fantasy of being tied up in his underwear and stroked with a broom .
When the hired pair realised they had arrived at the wrong house , they said “ sorry mate ” and left .
Corpse in the road turns out to be mannequin New Zealand police responded to a report of a body in the road , but arrived to find the purported corpse was actually a mannequin .
“ This was a report of a body on the road , however it appears it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Otago Daily Times .
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Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A 106-year-old woman has become the UK’s oldest coronavirus survivor. Freda Hodgson also survived the Spanish flu as a child and has no fewer than 52 great-grandchildren. Since surviving Covid-19, she is back to drinking her much loved brandy and ginger. She credits her long life to being “stubborn”.
Men paid to fulfil sexual fantasy go to wrong house
Two men hired to fulfil a man’s peculiar sexual fantasy broke into a bedroom at the wrong address. A man, who lives in the town of Griffith in Australia, had offered to pay $5,000 to realise his fantasy of being tied up in his underwear and stroked with a broom. When the hired pair realised they had arrived at the wrong house, they said “sorry mate” and left.
Corpse in the road turns out to be mannequin
New Zealand police responded to a report of a body in the road, but arrived to find the purported corpse was actually a mannequin. “This was a report of a body on the road, however it appears it was a mannequin,” a Dunedin police spokeswoman told the Otago Daily Times.
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theweekuk--2020-05-28--Quiz of The Week: 23 - 29 May

Quiz of The Week: 23 - 29 May

A week that began with controversy looks set to end on equally divisive terms after a Durham police force investigation found that Dominic Cummings did break lockdown regulations by driving to Barnard Castle , but will not face punishment .
More than 60 Conservative MPs , including two whips and a string of ex-cabinet ministers , have now called on the prime minister to take action against Cummings .
But , despite huge damage to his polling numbers , Boris Johnson has so far remained loyal to his chief Downing Street adviser .
If the PM is keeping his head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be because of his new exercise regime - boosted by the Queen giving him permission to run in the grounds of Buckingham Palace .
For the rest of us , Johnson this week hinted that pubs may open “ sooner than July ” , so it ’ s not all bad .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days ?
Elsewhere in the UK , controversy is also brewing over the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United Football Club , while the banking industry issued a warning that extending the mortgage holiday scheme is not in the “ best interests ” of the public .
Tensions are growing between India and China after a number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between the two nations .
According to Foreign Policy , while incidents between the two rising superpowers are not uncommon , “ we should be worried ” about these latest skirmishes .
Rioting broke out in the US following the death of an unarmed black man while he was being forcefully detained by police .
The story sparked widespread condemnation after footage showing George Floyd begging for help went viral .
Research revealed a link between dementia and “ severe Covid-19 ” , while in the animal kingdom , scientists made a breakthrough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human speech .
And , in a story that will leave you speechless , a Bolivian pan flute orchestra remains stranded in the grounds of a “ haunted ” German castle .
The musicians have been holed up in the Renaissance-style estate since the start of the coronavirus crisis and , making matters worse , the castle is surrounded by wolves .


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Will 2020 see the resurgence of the UK summer holiday?

Greece has announced that visitors from the UK will remain excluded when it opens up for tourists in the near future , raising concerns that holidays abroad my be off the agenda for Brits this year .
The UK ’ s high infection rate and number of coronavirus cases has forced a number of countries to consider pushing back the date that Britons can visit , says the Daily Mirror .
But holidays within the UK could return as early as the start of July , according to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden .
“ I would love to get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possibly can , ” Dowden told the Downing Street press conference last week .
“ You won ’ t get a bigger champion of the great British break than me.
” Since 11 May , the government has allowed people to spend time sitting outdoors , enjoying the fresh air , picnicking or sunbathing in one-to-one groups , says Good Housekeeping .
While that will be expanded to include larger groups from Monday , no overnight stays are allowed for now - meaning the hospitality industry remains shut down .
UK holiday accommodation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and will only be permitted to do so then if the government is satisfied the infection rate of the coronavirus is low enough , adds Which ?
If the UK holiday industry can get back on its feet for a few months this summer , then the normal British holiday spots are expected to be busy .
Visitors are expected to flock to everywhere from the Lake District to Cornwall to Barnard Castle .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Earlier this month , the Financial Times reported that the government is planning to “ call on Britons to holiday at home ” .
Industry body Visit Britain has asked ministers to “ unlock the great British holiday ” , says The Telegraph .
The paper notes that in France , regional tourism leaders have “ called on their government to introduce a holiday voucher scheme to encourage domestic travel once the lockdown eases further ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower incomes being eligible to receive a state-funded chèques vacances which can be used to “ kickstart local tourism ” .

Greece has announced that visitors from the UK will remain excluded when it opens up for tourists in the near future, raising concerns that holidays abroad my be off the agenda for Brits this year.
The UK’s high infection rate and number of coronavirus cases has forced a number of countries to consider pushing back the date that Britons can visit, says the Daily Mirror. But holidays within the UK could return as early as the start of July, according to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden.
“I would love to get the tourism sector up as quickly as we possibly can,” Dowden told the Downing Street press conference last week. “You won’t get a bigger champion of the great British break than me.”
Since 11 May, the government has allowed people to spend time sitting outdoors, enjoying the fresh air, picnicking or sunbathing in one-to-one groups, says Good Housekeeping.
While that will be expanded to include larger groups from Monday, no overnight stays are allowed for now - meaning the hospitality industry remains shut down.
UK holiday accommodation will reopen no earlier than 4 July, and will only be permitted to do so then if the government is satisfied the infection rate of the coronavirus is low enough, adds Which?
If the UK holiday industry can get back on its feet for a few months this summer, then the normal British holiday spots are expected to be busy. Visitors are expected to flock to everywhere from the Lake District to Cornwall to Barnard Castle.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that the government is planning to “call on Britons to holiday at home”. Industry body Visit Britain has asked ministers to “unlock the great British holiday”, says The Telegraph.
The paper notes that in France, regional tourism leaders have “called on their government to introduce a holiday voucher scheme to encourage domestic travel once the lockdown eases further”.
The proposed scheme would see those on lower incomes being eligible to receive a state-funded chèques vacances which can be used to “kickstart local tourism”.


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Instant Opinion: Boris Johnson ‘sacrificed too much’ for Dominic Cummings

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Philip Collins in The Times
on what the PM lost by sticking with his senior aide
PM has sacrificed too much for Cummings
“The prime minister has clearly decided that it is a passing storm. He refuses to countenance that Mr Cummings might have done anything wrong, even when the Durham constabulary politely disagrees. A rare insight into Boris Johnson’s thinking was supplied by Danny Kruger, MP for Devizes and, until the 2019 election, Mr Johnson’s political secretary, in a letter to new Conservative MPs. Mr Kruger’s case was that the combination of Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings is the only way the Tory party can complete Brexit, the reason they won the general election and their route to winning the next one. Mr Cummings is, he was in effect saying, indispensable to Tory fortunes. It cannot be done without the consigliere. The fallacy in this analysis is the vast, awestruck over-statement of Mr Cummings’s powers as if he won the 2016 referendum by himself and as if election victories were won in a few weeks of campaigning at the end. Around Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings, lots of male Tories gather like the nerdy boys briefly allowed to fraternise with the cool kids. The man who claims to be a disciple of the data is now the subject of a personality cult.”
2. Andy Beckett in The Guardian
on half-life of the Cummings scandal
For years, the Tories have banked on impunity. Is their luck finally running out?
“Wll the Tories get away with it? In many ways, it’s been the central question in our politics since they squeaked back into government in 2010. Ever since they used the power vacuum after that year’s hung-parliament election to quickly cobble together a coalition with the Lib Dems, the Tories have been careering from one narrow scrape to the next. Calling and losing the Brexit referendum, conducting a failed austerity experiment, constructing a Brexit deal out of U-turns and procrastination, and now trying to bluff their way through coronavirus, the Conservatives have taken huge, often disastrous risks, and yet have remained in office throughout. They have maintained that ascendancy, in large part, by ignoring the usual rules of political accountability. They’ve succeeded by being shameless... This week, this contempt for accountability reached its logical conclusion, in a way, with Johnson’s refusal to sack the unelected Dominic Cummings for clearly breaking their own government’s lockdown rules, or even to respond to many of the allegations against him.”
3. Leo McKinstry in The Daily Telegraph
on the futher relaxtion of the UK’s pandemic response
These new lockdown rules will fast become a bureaucratic irrelevance
“Battered by public disdain, undermined by hypocrisy, the Government is in no position to deliver nuanced lectures about how many people are allowed in a garden or how private barbecue should operate. Few are inclined to listen any more. Trust, that vital ingredient in upholding the lockdown, has evaporated. Boris Johnson is like an Anglican bishop in an empty cathedral, delivering a sermon on the importance of sexual restraint after the Dean has been caught at a drug-fuelled orgy. Indeed, there is an academic, almost theological air about the latest pronouncement on outdoor reunions. At least the original lockdown had clarity. Now, confusion reigns as the strategy unravels... Even worse, its advice is effectively meaningless because the rules are completely impractical and unenforceable. Not only will it be impossible for the police to monitor compliance without huge numbers and a brutal invasion of privacy, but, post-Cummings, officers will be reluctant to impose fines for any breaches. This weekend, before the new freedom has even taken effect, millions will flock to beaches, beauty spots, parks and each others’ gardens. By Monday, the changed rules will look redundant, a bureaucratic irrelevance.”
4. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor in The New York Times
on the death of George Floyd at the hands of a US police officer
Of Course There Are Protests. The State Is Failing Black People.
“Ready or not, life is returning to some sort of normal in the United States, and normal inevitably includes police officers killing an unarmed black man in their custody, followed by street protests. The country is working its way back into its familiar groove. This time it’s Minneapolis. Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest the killing of George Floyd by a police officer who pressed his knee into Mr. Floyd’s neck for a breathtaking seven minutes as he lay pinned on the ground in handcuffs. Mr. Floyd’s pleas for help — repeating that he couldn’t breathe, calling out for his dead mother — were ignored. The three other police officers who watched seemed uninterested in the life they were violently snuffing out in front of a crowd gathered in disgust... In a rare rebuke, the four officers involved have been fired. But the fact that Mr. Floyd was even arrested, let alone killed, for the inconsequential ‘crime’ of forgery amid a pandemic that has taken the life of one out of every 2,000 African-Americans is a chilling affirmation that black lives still do not matter in the United States.”
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5. Chris Stevenson in The Independent
on the president’s spat with his favourite website
Twitter is right to finally take a stand
“Donald Trump always enjoys a fight that will fire up his supporter base – and Twitter has just handed him one. In response to protests in Minneapolis, Trump tweeted that he would send in the National Guard, and added, ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts’. Twitter hid the second tweet, claiming it ‘glorifies violence’. For almost the entirety of Trump's time in the White House there have been calls for social media companies to moderate the language used by the president. If another user had tweeted content similar to Trump, they would have likely faced the prospect of having their account suspended, at the very least... However, Trump is the establishment and is a man with incredible reach via his various platforms. Twitter is right to take a stand, in fact it should have done so years earlier. Some will want them to go further in reducing Trump’s platform, but flagging content like they have will at least give the reader pause to think. The president's supporters will think the same way they always have, but if Twitter’s move can make someone deliberate about Trump's words and assess them critically, then that is better than what we had before.”


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Barbers to pubs: as lockdown eases what’s allowed - and what isn’t?


theweekuk--2020-05-29--Reaction: Dominic Cummings to keep job as police say he did break lockdown rules

Boris Johnson has resisted calls from MPs , the media and the public to dismiss Dominic Cummings , despite police concluding that his senior adviser probably broke the law .
After an investigation , Durham police concluded Cummings might have broken lockdown rules , but it would have been a “ minor breach ” and would result in no further action .
Following the police statement , Johnson said he intended to “ draw a line under the matter ” .
According to the Daily Mail ’ s Henry Deedes , that means the danger for Cummings has probably now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend newspapers that Mr Cummings breakfasts on marinated puppy dogs ’ tails , the PM ’ s aide seems now to have ridden the storm , ” he says .
The Guardian columnist James Butler agrees , saying : “ There is a moment in all British political scandals when a prickly sensation creeps up the spine : ‘ He ’ s going to get away with it , isn ’ t he ?
’ ” The decision to keep Cummings on despite the public outcry reveals that a calculation has been made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soon dissipate , says The Times ’ s Philip Collins .
“ The prime minister has clearly decided that it is a passing storm , ” Collins writes .
“ He refuses to countenance that Mr. Cummings might have done anything wrong , even when the Durham constabulary politely disagrees.
” Yet the cost to the prime minister has been immense , Collins says .
“ Even if you kid yourself that Mr. Cummings won the last election , you have to see that he is helping to lose the next one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in trust and support for the government , which is unlikely to come back.
” Indeed , polling numbers out this week reflect a broad loss of confidence in the government .
By Tuesday , the Conservatives ’ polling lead over Labour had dropped by nine points in a week .
Separate polling showed that Boris Johnson ’ s personal approval rating had plunged 20 points in the same period .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The decision to stand by Cummings has damaged not just the Conservative Party , but the country as a whole , says The Independent ’ s editorial board in a leading article .
“ Messages , already muddled by a botched comms strategy , are being rendered irrelevant when the man who invents the slogans makes a mockery of them , ” it says .
The concern was shared this week by cabinet ministers .
In an email to constituents earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mordaunt said the row “ undermined key public health messages ” .
Scotland 's Health Secretary Jeane Freeman agreed , saying : “ My worry about the situation that is developing and emerging elsewhere in the United Kingdom is that that public health message , that really important message becomes confused in peoples ' minds.
” If nothing else , the episode has blown a hole in Cummings ’ mystique , says The Spectator ’ s Katy Balls , citing mutinous murmurings from within the cabinet .
“ Whether or not Cummings stays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest drama an opportunity to change the power balance to their advantage .
‘ He will struggle to command the same respect as before or even to give orders , ’ argues one .
Others agree : ‘ We need to stop treating him as some high prophet rather than an adviser.
’ ” The only mystery here is how the Conservative Party , which “ prides itself on realism and ruthlessness ... has squandered so much political capital on an overrated adviser ” , says Philip Collins .
“ They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an insecure prime minister and his flawed svengali .
They have stood idly by while Mr Cummings drives the government into a wall because he can not see where he is going , ” he concludes .