theweekuk--2020-04-15--Sport shorts: Liverpool pay tribute to the 96 Hillsborough victims and F1 2020 game trailer is revea

Sport shorts: Liverpool pay tribute to the 96 Hillsborough victims and F1 2020 game trailer is revealed

Liverpool Football Club have today paid tribute to the 96 people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster 31 years ago .
Although a memorial service couldn ’ t take place to honour the 96 , their families and survivors , club captain Jordan Henderson said everyone is “ together in spirit ” .
“ Today was a day when as a club we were all supposed to be together at Anfield , to honour the lives of 96 people who went to a football match and never came home , ” said the England midfielder .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so will make this anniversary especially hard for the families and survivors of Hillsborough .
“ I ’ m not one for making speeches but on behalf of all the players at Liverpool , I just want to let everyone affected know that you are in our thoughts today .
“ As ever , we are together in spirit even if we can ’ t be together in person .
You ’ ll Never Walk Alone.
” The 2020 Tour de France has been postponed and will now take place from Saturday 29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s premier event was due to start on 27 June but the coronavirus pandemic saw president Emmanuel Macron extend France ’ s lockdown to 11 May .
This year ’ s planned route , from Nice to Paris , will remain the same .
Deontay Wilder admits he was a “ zombie ” in his defeat against Tyson Fury in February .
The American boxer lost his WBC belt in Las Vegas , but he has warned the British heavyweight that he is gunning for him when they go head to head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be in October .
Wilder told the Premier Boxing Champions podcast : “ In my eyes I don ’ t see Fury as a champion .
He ain ’ t the champion yet because we ’ ve still got one more fight left.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– One story dominates the back pages and that is the news that Newcastle United owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ club for £300m to Amanda Staveley , a financier fronting a bid which involves Saudi Arabia ’ s sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers .
5 .
Greaves is out of hospital Tottenham and England legend Jimmy Greaves has been released from hospital .
The 80-year-old was treated for an unspecified illness but is back home recuperating with his wife Irene .
A statement on his Facebook page said : “ He has been very ill and we are hoping he will be fine going forward.
” The line-ups and fixtures have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the PDC Home Tour % uD83C % uDFE1 % uD83C % uDFAF Reigning World Champion @ snakebitewright will headline Group One on Friday - the first of 32 consecutive nights of live darts action !
The Professional Darts Corporation ( PDC ) will launch the PDC Home Tour on Friday .
From their living rooms the world ’ s top players will compete in 32 consecutive nights of live darts action .
PDC chairman Barry Hearn said : “ It gives me great excitement that we are able to deliver live darts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve spent the last few weeks planning and looking at what is possible , and I ’ m delighted to be able to present a concept which gives all Tour Card Holders the opportunity to take part .
“ The PDC Home Tour will provide a regular supply of live sport to fans , showcasing the talent and unique characters of our players to both existing and new audiences .
The event will also give players a chance to play competitive darts in this down period in preparation for the return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be.
” Reuters reports that the 2020 Indian Premier League ( IPL ) is postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic .
An official , requesting anonymity , said : “ We have been informed about it being postponed indefinitely , but we ’ re still waiting for an email from the board with details.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 8 .
Two GPs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Telegraph says Silverstone could host two Formula 1 grands prix in a single weekend as part of a restructured 2020 race calendar .
Nine F1 GPs have already been cancelled or postponed and according to the Telegraph the British GP circuit could host races on successive days to facilitate a viable world championship .
“ If Formula 1 want to use the circuit for more than one round , I ’ m sure that something ’ s we can accommodate , ” said Stuart Pringle , Silverstone ’ s managing director .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody wants to propose .
We ’ re open-minded and we want to try to help navigate a way through this .
But it ’ s desperately difficult.
” Spanish newspaper Marca reports that Inter Milan want Barcelona striker Antoine Griezmann in exchange for Lautaro Martinez .
Barca have been linked with Argentine 22-year-old Martinez and Inter are considering French World Cup winner Griezmann as a possible replacement .
Formula 1 has released the trailer for its F1 2020 video game .
The new edition of the game will be out on 10 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

1. Hillsborough: 31 years on
Liverpool Football Club have today paid tribute to the 96 people who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster 31 years ago.
Although a memorial service couldn’t take place to honour the 96, their families and survivors, club captain Jordan Henderson said everyone is “together in spirit”.
“Today was a day when as a club we were all supposed to be together at Anfield, to honour the lives of 96 people who went to a football match and never came home,” said the England midfielder.
“The fact that we are unable to do so will make this anniversary especially hard for the families and survivors of Hillsborough.
“I’m not one for making speeches but on behalf of all the players at Liverpool, I just want to let everyone affected know that you are in our thoughts today.
“As ever, we are together in spirit even if we can’t be together in person. You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
2. Tour postponed to August
The 2020 Tour de France has been postponed and will now take place from Saturday 29 August to Sunday 20 September.
Cycling’s premier event was due to start on 27 June but the coronavirus pandemic saw president Emmanuel Macron extend France’s lockdown to 11 May. This year’s planned route, from Nice to Paris, will remain the same.
3. Wilder: Fury ain’t the champion yet
Deontay Wilder admits he was a “zombie” in his defeat against Tyson Fury in February.
The American boxer lost his WBC belt in Las Vegas, but he has warned the British heavyweight that he is gunning for him when they go head to head for a third time, which is likely to be in October.
Wilder told the Premier Boxing Champions podcast: “In my eyes I don’t see Fury as a champion. He ain’t the champion yet because we’ve still got one more fight left.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
4. Saudis set to buy Magpies
One story dominates the back pages and that is the news that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is close to selling the club for £300m to Amanda Staveley, a financier fronting a bid which involves Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers.
5. Greaves is out of hospital
Tottenham and England legend Jimmy Greaves has been released from hospital. The 80-year-old was treated for an unspecified illness but is back home recuperating with his wife Irene.


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Why HS2 construction is going ahead despite coronavirus lockdown

To keep reading The Week ’ s concise , refreshing and balanced take on the world , please register your @ @ @ @ @ use the details you have shared to manage your registration.You agree to the processing , @ @ @ @ @ of this information for the purpose of managing your registration as described in our Privacy @ @ @ @ @ the details you have shared to manage your newsletter subscription.You agree to the processing , @ @ @ @ @ of this information for the purpose of managing your subscription as described in our Privacy @ @ @ @ @ the information you have shared for carefully considered and specific purposes , where we believe @ @ @ @ @ to do so , for example to send you communications about similar products and services @ @ @ @ @ more about our legitimate interest activity in our privacy policy .
‘ We ’ includes @ @ @ @ @ Publishing ( UK ) Ltd brands as detailed here

The government has given formal approval for construction to begin on the controversial HS2 rail project, despite the UK remaining under lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
On Wednesday, HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson gave the green light to construction firms involved in phase one of the high-speed rail project, but insisted that those involved will need to continue to follow social distancing rules.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson approved the decision to build the rail link in February after a review into its cost, which has gone far above initial estimates.
But for some, the decision to restart construction is poorly timed, with one think tank describing the move as “tone-deaf”.
What has the government said?
The government on Wednesday issued formal notification to the companies tasked with construction of the first phase of HS2, a high-speed rail link connecting London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. The first phase comprises the London to Birmingham section of the line.
The project, which was first approved almost a decade ago, has repeatedly come under fire for going considerably over budget – an initial estimate by the Department for Transport in 2010 predicted an overall spend of up to £17.4bn for the first phase. But an official review led by Doug Oakervee, the former HS2 Ltd chairman, published in February this year suggested that the line could ultimately cost up to £106 billion.
On Wednesday, the government gave the green light for companies to start breaking ground for the line, saying work could proceed in accordance with coronavirus safety guidelines despite the national lockdown.
The “notice to proceed” was confirmed by the Department for Transport early on Wednesday morning, allowing the project’s main civil works contractors to begin. Companies with HS2 contracts, according to The Guardian, include Skanska Construction UK, Costain, Sir Robert McAlpine, Eiffage Genie Civil, Kier, Balfour Beatty and Vinci. The contracts total £12bn.
HS2 minister Andrew Stephenson said: “We cannot delay work on our long-term plan to level up the country.”
“This next step provides thousands of construction workers and businesses across the country with certainty at a time when they need it, and means that work can truly begin.”


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Best ways to exercise at home

Best ways to exercise at home

Keeping fit is a challenge at the best of times , but being locked down most of the day can make it even harder .
It ’ s never been more important to stay healthy , with the value of keeping yourself fit and away from hospital there for all to see .
The Week has assembled some top tips , with help from Jonathan Shannon , editor of health and fitness website Coach .
Going for a run is one of the best ways to get your mind and body fit , and it is totally accessible for most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throw yourself in at the deep end by aiming for a marathon straight off the mark .
Ease your way in to running by starting with short distances at a comfortable pace , and work your way up slowly to higher mileages .
Pay attention to any niggles and pains .
You will need to work out what is ordinary running pain ( being out of breath and a bit of muscle soreness is to be expected ) and what is your body telling you to stop .
If you ’ re new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it after a few years serious carb-loading , follow Coach ’ s straightforward plan for beginners , which will get you running 5K without stopping within eight weeks .
Each week the first session is a mix of running and walking in repeated intervals .
For example in week one you run for 30 seconds then walk for 30 seconds , with the pattern repeated 15 times .
The most important piece of equipment you ’ ll need is a decent pair of trainers .
The Hoka EVO Mafate 2 Trail Running Shoes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paths , while the ASICS Gel-Kayano 26 Lite-Show do a great job on roads and treadmills .
If you ’ re in need of some headphones , try the Aftershokz Aeropex .
With nothing inside or over your ears , you have total awareness while you run which is great if you ’ re running near cars or bicycles , or just want to keep your wits about you in quieter areas .
Planking is an exercise that looks incredibly easy to everybody who has never tried it , but requires more strength @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Coach gives some tips on how you should plan , and what you should aim for in terms of structuring your efforts : “ Lying on your front , brace your abs and lift your body off the floor , supporting yourself on your forearms and the balls of your feet , with your elbows under your shoulders and hands together .
Keep your back and hips aligned so you form a straight line from your shoulders to your ankles.
” A “ high plank ” is similar , but you support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ press up position ) rather than forearms .
A walking plank involves switching between the two , one arm at a time .
A superman plank , an ever harder variation , requires you to be in a plank position .
Then “ slowly lift and extend one arm and the opposite leg until they are parallel to the ground .
Hold for the specified time , then repeat on the other side.
” Once you have a killer core and are ready to sculpt a pair of meaty quads , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s 30-day squat challenge .
“ The unweighted squat is a strong contender for the finest bodyweight exercise in town .
It works almost every muscle in your lower body , hitting big muscle groups like the quads , hamstrings and glutes especially hard , ” says Coach mag ’ s Joel Snape .
“ The squat also improves your core strength by strengthening the muscles around your stomach and lower back , and if perchance you ’ re dreaming of owning a six-pack one day , firming up these other muscles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ towards helping the exterior abs shine.
” The best thing about the bodyweight squat is that , like the plan , there is no gym or flashy home workout equipment required .
To do the perfect squat : • None Your starting position should see you standing with your feet hip-with apart , core brace , head up , and toes pointing forwards • None Lower yourself down while keeping your back straight , and keep going until your thighs are parallel with the ground - “ the best way to describe it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair ” says Snape .
Your arms can be out in front of you , by your sides , or crossed .
Just don ’ t rest them on your legs .
• None Use your legs to push yourself back up to the starting position .
High-intensity interval training gets a lot of press and has been adopted by gym-goers all over the world as a way of getting hearts pumping in a short space of time .
But Nick Harris-Fry at Coach says low-intensity steady state ( LISS ) is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who haven ’ t done too much exercise in recent times .
But steady state isn ’ t just for those uninitiated in the ways of working out .
Olympics rowers race over a 2km distance in around six minutes , pushing their bodies to the absolute limits of human endurance and capacity .
But the vast majority of their training is steady state .
Huge volumes of less intense work - but still hard work - can build an aerobic engine , shed fat and not exhaust you so much you never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ benefits are clear , says Harris-Fry : “ Lower-intensity exercise allows you to build your base fitness .
This would be a foundational attribute that is highly recommended before high-intensity exercise .
It is much safer and develops your ability to control your breathing , strengthens your heart and improves your overall fitness .
For people who are highly stressed , this method of training may be more valuable because it could reduce stress.
” It ’ s easy to do - just exercise at an intensity you can maintain comfortably for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little harder than a simple stroll would be .
Cycling , jogging , and a spell on the indoor rower all work , but so would a brisk walk or pilates .
You can keep track of your heart-rate using the built-in sensors on machines , or using a watch with a built-in heart rate reader .
One of the best multi-purpose sports and lifestyle trackers out there is the Fitbit Versa 2 , which which gives you 24/7 heart rate readings so you can see how hard you ’ re working during @ @

Keeping fit is a challenge at the best of times, but being locked down most of the day can make it even harder.
It’s never been more important to stay healthy, with the value of keeping yourself fit and away from hospital there for all to see.
The Week has assembled some top tips, with help from Jonathan Shannon, editor of health and fitness website Coach.
Running
Going for a run is one of the best ways to get your mind and body fit, and it is totally accessible for most people.
Don’t try and throw yourself in at the deep end by aiming for a marathon straight off the mark. Ease your way in to running by starting with short distances at a comfortable pace, and work your way up slowly to higher mileages.
Pay attention to any niggles and pains. You will need to work out what is ordinary running pain (being out of breath and a bit of muscle soreness is to be expected) and what is your body telling you to stop.
If you’re new to running, or coming back to it after a few years serious carb-loading, follow Coach’s straightforward plan for beginners, which will get you running 5K without stopping within eight weeks.
Each week the first session is a mix of running and walking in repeated intervals. For example in week one you run for 30 seconds then walk for 30 seconds, with the pattern repeated 15 times.
The most important piece of equipment you’ll need is a decent pair of trainers. The Hoka EVO Mafate 2 Trail Running Shoes are perfect for riverside runs along muddy paths, while the ASICS Gel-Kayano 26 Lite-Show do a great job on roads and treadmills.
If you’re in need of some headphones, try the Aftershokz Aeropex. With nothing inside or over your ears, you have total awareness while you run which is great if you’re running near cars or bicycles, or just want to keep your wits about you in quieter areas.
30-day plank challenge
Planking is an exercise that looks incredibly easy to everybody who has never tried it, but requires more strength and determination that you’d imagine.


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Great British lockdown bake off: homemade bread and cake recipes

Brits are staying home and they ’ re cooking up a storm in the kitchen .
With restaurants closed and many not offering delivery , millions of people across the UK are getting creative when making their own food .
Thanks to the popularity of TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off it seems that breads , cakes and sweet treats are on the menu .
According to a report by Reuters a baking frenzy has taken hold across Britain to such an extent that online recipe searches have hit all-time highs and flour is running low .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Tap Warehouse , found that searches for “ how to cook ” on Google have increased 3,600 % in Britain since the coronavirus outbreak .
With baking on the rise for the stay-at-home lockdown , here ’ s a few recipes to get you started ... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Video of Homemade Bread | @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver As part of his Keep Cooking and Carry On series on Channel 4 , the popular chef bakes a simple homemade loaf .
He also makes a mean banana bread too ... • Add the yeast and mix with a fork for a couple of minutes .
• Pour in most of the flour and half a teaspoon of sea salt , then use a fork to mix together until you can ’ t move it anymore .
• Now get your clean hands in there and bring it together as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as you need to stop your hands and the dough sticking .
• Transfer the dough to a flour-dusted surface and keep it moving , kneading , pushing and stretching it for 5 minutes , or until you have a silky and elastic dough .
• Use your floured hands to shape the dough into a rough ball , put it in a bowl , flour the top and cover with a clean , damp tea towel .
Allow it to prove for about an hour or an hour and 30 minutes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a warm , draught-free place .
• Once the dough has doubled in size , knock the air out by punching it with your fist , then kneading for 30 seconds .
• You can now shape it or flavour it as required – folded , filled , traybaked , whatever – and leave it to prove for a second time , for 30 minutes to an hour , or until it has doubled in size once more .
• Carefully transfer your bread dough to the oven and gently close the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or until golden .
You can tell if it ’ s cooked by tapping its bottom – if it sounds hollow it ’ s done ; if it doesn ’ t then pop it back in for a little longer .
• Once cooked , place your loaf on a cooling rack and allow to cool .
The supermarket chain ’ s in-house chefs have got creative with this treat .
• None Break up the chocolate eggs and chop up half the marshmallows .
• Put the broken-up chocolate , chopped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ovenproof bowl .
• Put the bowl over a pan of boiling water – make sure the bottom of bowl doesn ’ t touch the water and melt the chocolate and marshmallow mix .
• Put all the bourbon biscuits and half the cookies in a food processor and blitz to crumbs .
Add the biscuit crumbs to the melted chocolate mixture and mix well .
• Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin .
• Cut the remaining cookies and marshmallows in half .
• Whilst still warm - decorate the tray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dolly mixtures and chocolate eggs .
• Allow to cool and serve .
The internet has been going wild after Reddit user trixietravisbrown made Peanut Butter Bread using a recipe from the 1932 Five Roses Flour cookbook via Glen & Friends Cooking .
Hot cross buns are not just for Easter , they can be enjoyed any day of the year .
Subway is famous for its meatball marinaras but the chain has stepped up its baking game for this favourite .
Some of our favourite video recipes from YouTube ... ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Brits are staying home and they’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen.
With restaurants closed and many not offering delivery, millions of people across the UK are getting creative when making their own food.
Thanks to the popularity of TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off it seems that breads, cakes and sweet treats are on the menu.
According to a report by Reuters a baking frenzy has taken hold across Britain to such an extent that online recipe searches have hit all-time highs and flour is running low.
The Derby Telegraph, citing a study by Tap Warehouse, found that searches for “how to cook” on Google have increased 3,600% in Britain since the coronavirus outbreak.
With baking on the rise for the stay-at-home lockdown, here’s a few recipes to get you started...
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Jamie Oliver’s homemade bread
As part of his Keep Cooking and Carry On series on Channel 4, the popular chef bakes a simple homemade loaf. He also makes a mean banana bread too...
Ingredients
650ml tepid water
1 x 7g sachet of dried yeast
1kg strong bread flour, plus extra for dusting
Method
Pour 650ml of tepid water into a large bowl.
Add the yeast and mix with a fork for a couple of minutes.
Pour in most of the flour and half a teaspoon of sea salt, then use a fork to mix together until you can’t move it anymore.
Now get your clean hands in there and bring it together as a ball of dough, adding more flour as you need to stop your hands and the dough sticking.
Transfer the dough to a flour-dusted surface and keep it moving, kneading, pushing and stretching it for 5 minutes, or until you have a silky and elastic dough.
Use your floured hands to shape the dough into a rough ball, put it in a bowl, flour the top and cover with a clean, damp tea towel. Allow it to prove for about an hour or an hour and 30 minutes, or until doubled in size – ideally in a warm, draught-free place.
Once the dough has doubled in size, knock the air out by punching it with your fist, then kneading for 30 seconds.
You can now shape it or flavour it as required – folded, filled, traybaked, whatever – and leave it to prove for a second time, for 30 minutes to an hour, or until it has doubled in size once more.
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4.
Carefully transfer your bread dough to the oven and gently close the door. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until golden. You can tell if it’s cooked by tapping its bottom – if it sounds hollow it’s done; if it doesn’t then pop it back in for a little longer.
Once cooked, place your loaf on a cooling rack and allow to cool.
Aldi’s Rocky Road Chocolate Tray Bake
The supermarket chain’s in-house chefs have got creative with this treat.
Ingredients
500g leftover easter eggs
1 x 200g pack bourbon cream biscuits
1 x 154g pack cookies ’n’ cream biscuits
1 x 200g bag large marshmallows
1 x 75g bag dominion dolly mixture
1 x 80g bag mini chocolate eggs
100ml maple syrup
1 x 25 x 20x 3cm tin – lined with non-stick baking parchment
Method
Break up the chocolate eggs and chop up half the marshmallows.
Put the broken-up chocolate, chopped marshmallows and the maple syrup in an ovenproof bowl.
Put the bowl over a pan of boiling water – make sure the bottom of bowl doesn’t touch the water and melt the chocolate and marshmallow mix.
Put all the bourbon biscuits and half the cookies in a food processor and blitz to crumbs. Add the biscuit crumbs to the melted chocolate mixture and mix well.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin.
Cut the remaining cookies and marshmallows in half.
Whilst still warm - decorate the tray bake with the biscuits, marshmallows, dolly mixtures and chocolate eggs.
Allow to cool and serve.
1932 Peanut Butter Bread
The internet has been going wild after Reddit user trixietravisbrown made Peanut Butter Bread using a recipe from the 1932 Five Roses Flour cookbook via Glen & Friends Cooking.
Subway footlong hot cross buns
Hot cross buns are not just for Easter, they can be enjoyed any day of the year. Subway is famous for its meatball marinaras but the chain has stepped up its baking game for this favourite.
Some of our favourite video recipes from YouTube...
RecipeTin Eats: World’s Easiest Homemade Bread recipe
The Domestic Geek: Homemade Bread recipe
Yummy: Lock-Down Birthday Cake recipe
Emma’s Goodies: Three ingredient Lock Down Chocolate Cake recipe
Main image: PXhere.com
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-04-15--Instant Opinion: ‘Corbyn’s supporters were right. So what?’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on claims that anti-Corbyn sentiment hindered anti-Semitism action within Labour Jeremy Corbyn ’ s supporters were right .
So what ?
Vindication means nothing if they walk away now “ For many left-wing commentators and activists who follow Labour politics closely , myself included , the report ’ s revelations were decidedly unsurprising .
Much of the party establishment had been almost open about preferring a Conservative government to a left-wing one .
Even if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour government , their actions spoke louder : from the attempted leadership coup of summer 2016 to the constant , endless briefings against the party throughout Corbyn ’ s tenure , this was a faction that constantly prioritised power in the party over power in the country.
” Eamonn Holmes under the hammer as daytime TV ’ s fiercest sleuth goes rogue “ ‘ Just before we go on , ’ said a desperate-to-go-on Eamonn Holmes at the start of [ Tuesday ’ s ] edition of This Morning , ‘ I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you may have misinterpreted from me yesterday morning.
’ Classy of Eamonn to blame the viewers , but I ’ m afraid the mistake – suggesting that a link between 5G rollout and coronavirus ought to be considered – was all his , and this quarter-arsed ‘ clarification ’ is faintly insufficient in the circumstances .
Though arguably the biggest Holmes triumph since he concluded an interview with a rape victim with the words : ‘ I hope you take taxis now.
’ ” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a weekly round-up of the best articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 3 .
Ahmad Massoud , a politician in Afghanistan , in The New York Times What is missing from Afghan peace talks “ My father , Ahmad Shah Massoud , the national hero of Afghanistan , was one of the few leaders in our history who was able to unite the ethnic groups under one banner .
He brought together important Pashtun , Tajik , Uzbek and Hazara leaders .
Two days before the Sept. 11 attacks , two Al Qaeda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ father .
The two events were intertwined and forever changed the fate of both Afghans and Americans .
In the 19 years since his killing , Afghanistan has lost that sense of solidarity among its ethnic groups that he was able to forge .
Last year , after realizing that Afghanistan is on the verge of disintegration again and might experience a brutal internal war , I decided to enter politics to continue my father ’ s path of bringing genuine peace to this country and to revive the unity and solidarity that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus Boris Johnson didn ’ t beat coronavirus because he ’ s a ‘ fighter ’ – he beat it thanks to the NHS “ It ’ s a recurring narrative in Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson ’ s life that he has always been a robust , no-nonsense character with the ‘ keep calm and carry on mentality ’ that every good leader needs .
But in the case of Covid-19 , it perhaps nearly killed him .
For it transpires that , despite doctors at London ’ s St Thomas ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , April 2 , the PM decided to soldier on because he didn ’ t want it to look like he was getting preferential treatment .
Nice sentiment but , as we now know , he was eventually admitted on Sunday , April 5 , his condition worsened and , ultimately , he was admitted to intensive care with a ‘ 50-50 ’ chance of survival.
” on healthcare and coronavirus across demographics “ The contagion by now is known to wipe out whole families , as happened with Sandy Brown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suburb of the black-majority working-class town of Flint , Michigan , who lost her husband and son .
Inequality is ingrained in America and the latest statistics concerning this are damning .
Unfortunately , the US government so far has not taken adequate action ; instead , it has put the responsibility entirely on minority communities to protect themselves against health inequities they are not responsible for .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Michael Chessum in The Independent
on claims that anti-Corbyn sentiment hindered anti-Semitism action within Labour
Jeremy Corbyn’s supporters were right. So what? Vindication means nothing if they walk away now
“For many left-wing commentators and activists who follow Labour politics closely, myself included, the report’s revelations were decidedly unsurprising. Much of the party establishment had been almost open about preferring a Conservative government to a left-wing one. Even if they spoke about how they wanted a Labour government, their actions spoke louder: from the attempted leadership coup of summer 2016 to the constant, endless briefings against the party throughout Corbyn’s tenure, this was a faction that constantly prioritised power in the party over power in the country.”
2. Marina Hyde in The Guardian
on confounding clarifications
Eamonn Holmes under the hammer as daytime TV’s fiercest sleuth goes rogue
“‘Just before we go on,’ said a desperate-to-go-on Eamonn Holmes at the start of [Tuesday’s] edition of This Morning, ‘I want to clarify some comments that some of you may have misinterpreted from me yesterday morning.’ Classy of Eamonn to blame the viewers, but I’m afraid the mistake – suggesting that a link between 5G rollout and coronavirus ought to be considered – was all his, and this quarter-arsed ‘clarification’ is faintly insufficient in the circumstances. Though arguably the biggest Holmes triumph since he concluded an interview with a rape victim with the words: ‘I hope you take taxis now.’”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a weekly round-up of the best articles and columns from the UK and abroad, try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
3. Ahmad Massoud, a politician in Afghanistan, in The New York Times
on decentralising power
What is missing from Afghan peace talks
“My father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, the national hero of Afghanistan, was one of the few leaders in our history who was able to unite the ethnic groups under one banner. He brought together important Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbek and Hazara leaders. Two days before the Sept. 11 attacks, two Al Qaeda suicide bombers posing as journalists assassinated my father. The two events were intertwined and forever changed the fate of both Afghans and Americans. In the 19 years since his killing, Afghanistan has lost that sense of solidarity among its ethnic groups that he was able to forge. Last year, after realizing that Afghanistan is on the verge of disintegration again and might experience a brutal internal war, I decided to enter politics to continue my father’s path of bringing genuine peace to this country and to revive the unity and solidarity that he achieved.”
4. Jane Moore in The Sun
on the reality of coronavirus
Boris Johnson didn’t beat coronavirus because he’s a ‘fighter’ – he beat it thanks to the NHS
“It’s a recurring narrative in Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson’s life that he has always been a robust, no-nonsense character with the ‘keep calm and carry on mentality’ that every good leader needs. But in the case of Covid-19, it perhaps nearly killed him. For it transpires that, despite doctors at London’s St Thomas’ Hospital being told to expect him on Thursday, April 2, the PM decided to soldier on because he didn’t want it to look like he was getting preferential treatment. Nice sentiment but, as we now know, he was eventually admitted on Sunday, April 5, his condition worsened and, ultimately, he was admitted to intensive care with a ‘50-50’ chance of survival.”
5. Edna Bonhomme in Al Jazeera
on healthcare and coronavirus across demographics
Racism: The most dangerous ‘pre-existing condition’
“The contagion by now is known to wipe out whole families, as happened with Sandy Brown, an African American woman living in a suburb of the black-majority working-class town of Flint, Michigan, who lost her husband and son. Inequality is ingrained in America and the latest statistics concerning this are damning. Unfortunately, the US government so far has not taken adequate action; instead, it has put the responsibility entirely on minority communities to protect themselves against health inequities they are not responsible for.”


theweekuk--2020-04-15--How much will your house be worth after coronavirus?

The number of new mortgages approved in the UK has fallen by 90% since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, leading to speculation that house prices will drop too.
Just 9,300 mortgages were approved in May, the lowest number of approvals recorded since the Bank of England began collecting data in 1993.
It is 90% lower than the 140,429 approvals completed in February, before the impact of Covid-19 hit the property market, says Mortgage Solutions.
What does fewer mortgages mean?
Fewer approvals reflects the “devastating impact” that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the mortgage and property markets, says Mark Harris, chief executive of SPF Private Clients.
“With lockdown meaning that lenders were unable to send valuers out to physically view properties, the number of mortgages approved fell considerably,” says Harris. “With the backlog of valuations clearing now that surveyors can once again carry out valuations, we expect mortgage approvals to pick up.”
Andrew Montlake, managing director of Coreco, told the site that “a 90% drop-off in mortgage approvals for house purchase in May is a jaw-dropping but thoroughly understandable number given the extraordinary events of the second quarter”.
“Along with the ongoing supply deficit, there remain certain fundamental supports for the property and mortgage markets despite the uncertain environment,” he said.
Hansen Lu, a property analyst at Capital Economics, told The Guardian that lending was likely to pick up again in June after reports of a surge in demand for property and agreed sales.
Will fewer mortgages mean lower prices?
Not necessarily, at least in the long term. Knight Frank says prices will fall slightly this year as the number of sales drops by a third, then rebound by 5% next year, reports The Guardian.
The consultancy based its calculations on the assumption that the British economy will shrink by 4% in 2020 before growing by 4.5% next year as the pandemic comes to an end.
Liam Bailey, the global head of research at Knight Frank, said: “We have to expect weaker economic activity in the first half of 2020, the dislocation in the jobs market and weakened consumer sentiment will impact on prices – however, the relatively finite timespan of the crisis means declines will be limited.”


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Why everyone’s talking about Tom Moore

Why everyone’s talking about Tom Moore

A 99-year-old World War Two veteran has raised more than £5m to help the NHS in the fight against coronavirus by doing a sponsored walk in his back garden .
Tom Moore , originally from Keighley in North Yorkshire , aimed to complete 100 laps of his 25-metre Bedfordshire garden by his 100th birthday , the BBC reports , with the initial goal of raising £1,000 for the NHS .
The nonagenarian , who uses a walking frame , said he began raising funds to thank the “ magnificent ” NHS staff who treated him for cancer and a broken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign on 8 April and raising £70,000 in just 24 hours , he extended his fundraiser and hit £1m on Tuesday morning .
By 3.30pm he reached £2m , and passed £3m early in the evening .
As of Wednesday , Moore has passed the £5.5m mark – more than 1,100 % of his original goal – with donations flooding in from all over the world .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– He told The Guardian this week : “ I think that ’ s absolutely enormous .
At no time when we started off with this exercise did we anticipate we ’ d get anything near that sort of money .
“ It just shows that people have such high regard for matters of our National Health Service and it ’ s really amazing that people have paid so much money .
It ’ s almost unbelievable , isn ’ t it ?
” He later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ started this journey last Monday , my target was £1,000 for our incredible NHS .
No words left ... just thank you .
“ Thanks each and every one of you – we are in awe of you , but especially our frontline staff who need this now more than ever.
” As his fundraising campaign has been so successful , Moore has said he will not stop and hopes to do another 100 laps of his garden .
NHS Charities Together , which will benefit from the funds , told the BBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” by Moore ’ s efforts and the donations .
The organisation ’ s chief Ellie Orton said : “ I think I absolutely join the rest of the country in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved.
” Moore trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the army for the Second World War , rising to captain and serving in India and Burma , Sky News says .

A 99-year-old World War Two veteran has raised more than £5m to help the NHS in the fight against coronavirus by doing a sponsored walk in his back garden.
Tom Moore, originally from Keighley in North Yorkshire, aimed to complete 100 laps of his 25-metre Bedfordshire garden by his 100th birthday, the BBC reports, with the initial goal of raising £1,000 for the NHS.
The nonagenarian, who uses a walking frame, said he began raising funds to thank the “magnificent” NHS staff who treated him for cancer and a broken hip.
However, after launching his campaign on 8 April and raising £70,000 in just 24 hours, he extended his fundraiser and hit £1m on Tuesday morning. By 3.30pm he reached £2m, and passed £3m early in the evening.
As of Wednesday, Moore has passed the £5.5m mark – more than 1,100% of his original goal – with donations flooding in from all over the world.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
He told The Guardian this week: “I think that’s absolutely enormous. At no time when we started off with this exercise did we anticipate we’d get anything near that sort of money.
“It just shows that people have such high regard for matters of our National Health Service and it’s really amazing that people have paid so much money. It’s almost unbelievable, isn’t it?”
He later added on Twitter: “When I started this journey last Monday, my target was £1,000 for our incredible NHS. No words left... just thank you.
“Thanks each and every one of you – we are in awe of you, but especially our frontline staff who need this now more than ever.”
5 MILLION! Huge thank you to @JustGiving who had over 90,000 people on Tom's page at one time, and had to try ensure that the site didn't crash. WOW - just speechless. #walkwithtom #tomorrowwillbeagoodday — Captain Sir Tom Moore (@captaintommoore) April 15, 2020
As his fundraising campaign has been so successful, Moore has said he will not stop and hopes to do another 100 laps of his garden.
NHS Charities Together, which will benefit from the funds, told the BBC it was “truly inspired and humbled” by Moore’s efforts and the donations. The organisation’s chief Ellie Orton said: “I think I absolutely join the rest of the country in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved.”
Moore trained as a civil engineer before enlisting in the army for the Second World War, rising to captain and serving in India and Burma, Sky News says.


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Best stage shows and musicals for children to stream online

Even though the curtains are currently down for theatres in London ’ s West End and New York ’ s Broadway some of the shows are still going on… in the digital world .
Parents can keep the kids entertained during the lockdown with a number of family-friendly stage shows and musicals which are available to be streamed online .
Here we pick out some of the best ones to watch ... Where to watch : rent for £2.49 or buy for £5.99 on YouTube Shrek , Princess Fiona and Donkey hit the stage in this award-winning Broadway musical based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all-new songs for the family to enjoy .
Where to watch : free on YouTube Through its # CirqueConnect platform , Cirque du Soleil is publishing a weekly 60-minute special production during the lockdown .
Spectacular moments feature from shows such as Alegria , Kooza and Kà .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Where to watch : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Theatre in Colchester shared a recording of this classic panto that kids will love .
The Wind in the Willows the Musical Where to watch : £2.99 at willowsmusical.com Rufus Hound stars as Mr Toad in this production captured live from the London Palladium .
The cast also includes Denise Welch as Mrs Otter and Gary Wilmot as Badger .
Where to watch : free on Vimeo Wrap up warm ( on the sofa ) and get cosy for 30 minutes of mousey bliss .
Join two new friends on an adventure in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puppetry and music .
Where to watch : free on YouTube Jon Klassen ’ s beautiful picture book is adapted with puppetry by Ian Nicholson and Samuel Wilde .
Where to watch : free on YouTube Co-produced by PolkaTheatre and Little Angel Theatre , The Paper Dolls stars Jane Crawshaw as Rosie and Samantha Sutherland as Mum and Tommy .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Even though the curtains are currently down for theatres in London’s West End and New York’s Broadway some of the shows are still going on… in the digital world.
Parents can keep the kids entertained during the lockdown with a number of family-friendly stage shows and musicals which are available to be streamed online.
Here we pick out some of the best ones to watch...
Shrek The Musical
Where to watch: rent for £2.49 or buy for £5.99 on YouTube Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey hit the stage in this award-winning Broadway musical based on the movie. There are 17 all-new songs for the family to enjoy.
#CirqueConnect: Cirque du Soleil
Where to watch: free on YouTube Through its #CirqueConnect platform, Cirque du Soleil is publishing a weekly 60-minute special production during the lockdown. Spectacular moments feature from shows such as Alegria, Kooza and Kà.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Cinderella
Where to watch: free on YouTube At Easter the Mercury Theatre in Colchester shared a recording of this classic panto that kids will love.
The Wind in the Willows the Musical
Where to watch: £2.99 at willowsmusical.com Rufus Hound stars as Mr Toad in this production captured live from the London Palladium. The cast also includes Denise Welch as Mrs Otter and Gary Wilmot as Badger.
SNOW MOUSE from lindsay baker on Vimeo.
Snow Mouse
Where to watch: free on Vimeo Wrap up warm (on the sofa) and get cosy for 30 minutes of mousey bliss. Join two new friends on an adventure in a magical forest full of play, puppetry and music.
I Want My Hat Back
Where to watch: free on YouTube Jon Klassen’s beautiful picture book is adapted with puppetry by Ian Nicholson and Samuel Wilde.
The Paper Dolls
Where to watch: free on YouTube Co-produced by PolkaTheatre and Little Angel Theatre, The Paper Dolls stars Jane Crawshaw as Rosie and Samantha Sutherland as Mum and Tommy.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-04-15--The politics of naming Covid-19

The politics of naming Covid-19

Syphilis was once known as the “ French disease ” in Italy , the “ Italian disease ” in France , the “ Spanish disease ” by the Dutch , the “ Polish disease ” by Russians and the “ Christian disease ” by Turks .
These different names reflected contemporary political wranglings between nations , an issue raising its head again with the naming of the new coronavirus .
Covid-19 has impacted every corner of the globe , with confirmed cases on every continent .
But how it is referred to depends on where you are – and your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Technically speaking , the virus is called “ severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ” ( SARS-CoV-2 ) , while the disease it causes is named “ coronavirus disease ( Covid-19 ) ” .
As the World Health Organization ( WHO ) explains , viruses and the diseases they cause often have different names .
For example , HIV is the virus that causes Aids .
Despite the virus ’ s name lending itself to the acronym Sars , WHO has avoided using this term from the beginning because “ from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sars can have unintended consequences in terms of creating unnecessary fear for some populations ” .
This is especially true across Asia , which bore the brunt of the 2003 Sars outbreak that killed 774 people in a dozen countries .
“ For that reason and others , ” WHO explains that it “ has begun referring to the virus as ‘ the virus responsible for Covid-19 ’ or ‘ the Covid-19 virus ’ when communicating with the public ” .
So what ’ s in a name ?
Outside scientific and medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus and the disease becomes more complicated – and deliberately conflated – by politics .
President Donald Trump , for example , in the early days of the pandemic repeatedly referred to the coronavirus as the “ Chinese virus ” or the “ Wuhan virus ” .
After consulting with medical experts , and receiving guidance from the WHO , CNN determined that that name is both “ inaccurate and is considered stigmatising ” .
“ Having a name matters to prevent the use of other names that can be inaccurate or stigmatising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
“ It also gives us a standard format to use for any future coronavirus outbreaks.
” The WHO guidelines , set in 2015 , say that virus names should not refer to a geographical location , an animal , an individual or group of people , while still being pronounceable and related to the disease .
Trump has denied that the name is “ stigmatising ” , telling Fox News : “ Look , everyone knows it came out of China.
” Asked if he thought that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk to Asian-Americans , he added : “ No , not at all .
I think they probably would agree with it 100 % .
It comes from China.
” He also claimed that he began using the term after “ Chinese media accused American soldiers of spreading the virus ” , according to CNN .
Despite this , Al Jazeera reports that experts on the region claim that the name “ will only increase tensions between the two countries and encourage xenophobia ” .
Wendy Parmet , a law professor at Northeastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time that naming the virus after its epicentre , Wuhan , would put a “ tremendous stigmatisation on the people of Wuhan who are the victims ” of the disease too .
Parmet added : “ People tend to think of the disease as belonging to , as being a characteristic of some group of people associated with the place name , which can be really stigmatising .
“ To be thought of as a hole of disease is not going to be productive .
It encourages the next city not to come @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if your city is labelled as the disease.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Is this just a US-China issue ?
According to Sky News , the British government has refused to confirm or deny reports that it made assurances to China about the way it refers to the coronavirus pandemic and its cause .
Diplomatic editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in London claimed Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab promised Beijing it will not “ politicise ” the outbreak .
The embassy also said that Raab “ fully agrees with China that the source of the virus is a scientific issue that requires professional and science-based assessment ” .
As Waghorn notes , if that claim is true , the UK would be “ seen as siding with China ” in a growing international dispute over its handling of the fallout of the pandemic which began there .
The Foreign Office confirmed to Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ambassador and its foreign minister .
It would not be drawn on the content of those talks .

We will use the details you have shared to manage your registration. You agree to the processing, storage, sharing and use of this information for the purpose of managing your registration as described in our Privacy Policy.
Would you like to receive The WeekDay newsletter ?
The WeekDay newsletter provides you with a daily digest of news and analysis.
We will use the details you have shared to manage your newsletter subscription. You agree to the processing, storage, sharing and use of this information for the purpose of managing your subscription as described in our Privacy Policy.
We will use the information you have shared for carefully considered and specific purposes, where we believe we have a legitimate case to do so, for example to send you communications about similar products and services we offer. You can find out more about our legitimate interest activity in our Privacy Policy.
If you wish to object to the use of your data in this way, please tick here.
'We' includes The Week and other Future Publishing Limited brands as detailed here.


theweekuk--2020-04-15--The coronavirus scams to avoid

The coronavirus scams to avoid

Scammers exploiting public worries over the coronavirus pandemic have stolen millions from unsuspecting victims since the outbreak began , reports suggest .
This week , Al Jazeera reported that fraudsters in the UK had racked up at least £2m through scams connected to the virus , while the US Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ) revealed that Americans have so far lost almost $ 13m ( £10.3m ) in Covid-19-related scams .
Most of the scams take place online , but some involve more insidious methods , such as criminals posing as health inspectors in order to gain entry to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extort cash from them .
Here ’ s a look at the scams to be on your guard against during the coronavirus pandemic .
Many coronavirus scams occur over email , often involving fraudsters posing as trustworthy firms such as banks , telecommunications companies , broadcasters or even the government .
Consumer magazine Which ?
adds that another frequently observed scam involves emails “ purporting to be from organisations including the US Centers for Disease Control and the WHO [ World Health Organization ] being sent with the aim of tricking you into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passwords ” .
According to The Guardian , more than 80 % of reports to authorities in the UK relate to a recent scam involving an email asking for donations to buy “ medical preparations and supplies ” for the NHS to deal with coronavirus .
Fraudulent texts are also commonly used by scammers , the BBC reports , noting that “ many text messages impersonate the authorities and use links to fake sites ” , or aim to install malware on computers and mobile phones .
Al Jazeera notes one common scam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to unsuspecting victims , claiming to be from the government and demanding fines for leaving the house too often .
“ We would like to inform you that you have been recorded as leaving your home on 3 occasions yesterday , ” reads one such text .
“ A fine of £35 has been added to your gov.uk account.
” The text then provides a seemingly official gov.uk link – where the target 's card details are stolen .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take on the week ’ s news agenda – try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Which ?
adds that another common scam involves an email “ full of doom-laden warnings ” such as claims that “ there is no vaccine for coronavirus ” and that “ the US government , like the Chinese government , isn ’ t telling us the truth about how many are infected ” .
The Guardian reports that these scams often involve “ the hawking of fake Covid treatments , cures and protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if people receive an email of this ilk they should “ question possibly true things , like emails and online ads offering hard-to-find hand sanitizer , sterile gloves and masks ” .
“ Many people have reported ordering via credit card , but never received the items and the seller vanished , ” the broadcaster says .
Some more brazen scams involve criminals knocking on doors claiming to be inspectors – sometimes wearing lab coats – and forcing entry into people ’ s homes in order to extort money from them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ case this week saw a conman barge into the home of an 83-year-old woman claiming he was “ from health and safety ” and needed to check her property .
“ The potential thief demanded £220 from the lady , who has dementia and was following guidance to stay at home amid the outbreak , ” the broadcaster says .
Al Jazeera says that these scams are currently more effective than usual , as “ in a time of crisis , people are less likely to be sceptical ” , adding : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is effective or necessary , they are more likely to simply agree.
” “ Those that are feeling deprived of social interactions are more likely to trust people over the phone or on their doorstep.
” UK broadcast regulator Ofcom says it has “ received reports of scam calls and texts relating to the coronavirus ” , reporting that “ scammers are calling home phones and sending text messages to mobile phones , which contain misinformation or could leave you out of pocket if you fall victim ” .
The regulator says calls @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , your GP ’ s surgery , the NHS , or even the WHO , and many of them contain a recorded message offering a test for the virus , a treatment or a cure .
If you receive a suspicious call or text , the regulator 's advice is to “ hang up or delete it , and report it to Action Fraud , including the number that was used to contact you ” .


theweekuk--2020-04-15--UK coronavirus response: would Labour do things differently?

Keir Starmer has called on the government to reveal its coronavirus lockdown exit strategy this week.
In a letter to Boris Johnson’s deputy Dominic Raab, shared on Twitter, the Labour leader said British people needed to know “what comes next” as they continue to abide by lockdown rules.
What did Starmer write in his letter?
Starmer supports the existing lockdown and says that there is no question it should be extended. But, he says, questions on “how and when it can be eased in due course and on what criteria that decision will be taken” need to be answered.
“Ministers have argued that now is not the time to talk about this. I profoundly disagree. Overcoming this crisis requires taking the British public with you.”
He called for the government to share an exit plan and be “open and transparent”, arguing such an approach would “maintain morale and hope” among the public.
In the letter, Starmer notes that the lockdown has “exacerbated existing inequalities”, warning that some people are struggling with their mental health, some with job insecurity, and loneliness.
I urge the government to publish their exit strategy. Millions of people are playing their part. In return, the government needs to be open and transparent with the public about how it believes the lockdown will ease and eventually end. My letter to @DominicRaab: pic.twitter.com/u6PLQK5m4w — Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 15, 2020
Black and minority ethnic Britons are being hit twice as hard financially by the coronavirus outbreak, while the first ten doctors to die from the new coronavirus were all from these backgrounds, reports the Daily Mirror.
A government source told Sky News: “Talk of an exit strategy before we have reached the peak risks confusing the critical message that people need to stay at home in order to protect our NHS and save lives.”
What else would Labour do?
The Labour leadership election was unfortunately timed for the party, with the conference announcing Starmer as the new leader being cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.
A recently leaked internal Labour report showed intense factional infighting within the party, with party headquarters staffers accused of deliberately undermining the election chances of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, says the BBC.
But, with a new leader installed, many groups that had abandoned Labour are finding a way home. Jewish community leaders have said Starmer “achieved more in four days” than Jeremy Corbyn did “in four years” on tackling anti-Semitism.
He apologised to the community and took actions to set up a complaints mechanism in his first week.


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Coronavirus: the best-case scenarios - and the worst

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the world in ways that were unimaginable just a few months ago – and has made it difficult to predict what the world will look like in a few months ’ time .
Scientists , economists and politicians have been busy trying to map out the future in order to make the best decisions in the present , leading to several so-called best-case and worst-case scenarios for how the outbreak will pan out .
Experts in disease patterns have offered a number of different outlooks , the most famous of which was a report published @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemiologists at Imperial College , London , led by Professor Neil Ferguson .
It warned that , unchecked , the new coronavirus could kill up to 510,000 people in the UK .
However , Professor Azra Ghani , a member of the Imperial team , said that strictly observed measures , such as social distancing across the country and household quarantine for suspected cases , could bring this down to around 20,000 .
The official government death toll currently stands at just over 12,000 .
The report “ sent a shockwave through the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announce the country ’ s lockdown , reports the Financial Times .
However , Zeynep Tufekci , an associate professor at the University of North Carolina , warns that the models put forward by epidemiologists “ aren ’ t crystal balls ” .
Writing in The Atlantic , she says that epidemics are “ especially sensitive to initial inputs and timing , and because epidemics grow exponentially ” , but epidemiology still offers something important : “ agency to identify and calibrate our actions with the goal of shaping our future ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ debates around the validity of such models are resurfacing as the government contemplates lockdown exit strategies .
In an ideal scenario , an effective vaccine or treatment would be made available quickly .
However , the UK ’ s chief scientific adviser , Sir Patrick Vallance , has said a mass vaccine is likely to take around 12 to 18 months to produce .
Testing and contact tracing could also play an important role in lifting the lockdown , but this will require “ a commitment to ramp up testing to levels where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes the FT. Raising NHS capacity , with new intensive care units , for example , could also be key to returning to normality .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– David Wallace-Wells at New York Magazine says the best-case scenario for the new coronavirus is that it is way more infectious than we think .
While each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horror ” , he says , it is “ also a numerator ” .
“ The denominator is made up of how many people out there contracted the disease .
And the fraction tells you , in theory , roughly how bad the outlook will be when the disease has finally passed through the entire population ( which , barring the arrival of a vaccine , may take longer than the achieving of ‘ herd immunity ’ , which is our clearest path back to ‘ normal ’ life ) , ” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of academics at Oxford University appeared to contradict the Imperial report , suggesting that the coronavirus had already infected a larger proportion of the UK population without leading to a substantial number of deaths .
This idea of natural immunity will also depend on whether it is possible to test positive again for Covid-19 after apparently recovering from the disease – something scientists are racing to find out .
The Times notes that South Korea reported 124 “ relapsed ” cases of Covid-19 on Tuesday , with doctors “ urgently investigating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients from acquiring an immunity ” .
Like scientists , economists are also trying to predict what effect the virus will have on the world .
Yesterday , the International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) warned that even in its best-case scenario , the world is likely to lose a cumulative $ 9trn in output over two years – greater than the combined gross domestic product of Germany and Japan , reports Reuters .
“ It is very likely that this year the global economy will experience its worst recession since the Great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global financial crisis a decade ago , ” the IMF said in its report .
“ The Great Lockdown , as one might call it , is projected to shrink global growth dramatically.
” Meanwhile , in the UK , the Office for Budget Responsibility forecast an unprecedented 35 % drop in output in the second quarter from the first .
“ These forecasts may still turn out to be too optimistic .
A longer-lasting lockdown or a second wave of infections would plunge the global economy into an even deeper contraction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concludes : “ The best policy for the world economy , as well as for humanity , would be to get health policies right and make the recession as shallow as possible .
”


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Tour de France postponed: organisers confirm 29 August start

The 2020 Tour de France won ’ t take place in June and July as originally planned and it has been confirmed that cycling ’ s premier event will now start in August .
When president Emmanuel Macron extended France ’ s coronavirus lockdown to 11 May he effectively ended the faint hopes that the Tour could still go ahead between 27 June and 19 July .
The Tour ’ s organisers announced that the 2020 event would now start on Saturday 29 August and finish on Sunday 20 September .
This year ’ s planned route , from Nice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The statement said : “ Following the president ’ s address on Monday evening , where large-scale events were banned in France until mid-July as a part of the fight against the spread of Covid-19 , the organisers of the Tour de France , in agreement with the Union Cycliste Internationale [ UCI ] , have decided to postpone the Tour de France to Saturday 29 August to Sunday 20 September 2020 .
“ Over the last few weeks , there has been constant communication between riders , teams , the organisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all with the support of the UCI , who are responsible for arranging a new global cycling schedule , in which the Tour de France takes pride of place .
“ The organisers of the Tour de France are in regular contact with and have reached agreement with all of the different parties involved , from the local communities to the public authorities .
“ We would like to thank all of cycling ’ s stakeholders , the Tour de France ’ s partners , its broadcasters as well as all of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support .
“ We all hope that the 2020 Tour de France will help to turn the page on the difficult period that we are currently experiencing.
” The women ’ s event , La Course by le Tour de France avec FDJ , will also be postponed to a later date .
But it will take place during the 2020 Tour .
The 30th edition of the Etape du Tour cyclosportive , originally scheduled to take place on 5 July , will be postponed to a date yet to be determined .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The 2020 Tour de France won’t take place in June and July as originally planned and it has been confirmed that cycling’s premier event will now start in August.
When president Emmanuel Macron extended France’s coronavirus lockdown to 11 May he effectively ended the faint hopes that the Tour could still go ahead between 27 June and 19 July.
The Tour’s organisers announced that the 2020 event would now start on Saturday 29 August and finish on Sunday 20 September. This year’s planned route, from Nice to Paris, will remain the same.
The statement said: “Following the president’s address on Monday evening, where large-scale events were banned in France until mid-July as a part of the fight against the spread of Covid-19, the organisers of the Tour de France, in agreement with the Union Cycliste Internationale [UCI], have decided to postpone the Tour de France to Saturday 29 August to Sunday 20 September 2020.
“Over the last few weeks, there has been constant communication between riders, teams, the organisers as well as other relevant third parties all with the support of the UCI, who are responsible for arranging a new global cycling schedule, in which the Tour de France takes pride of place.
“The organisers of the Tour de France are in regular contact with and have reached agreement with all of the different parties involved, from the local communities to the public authorities.
“We would like to thank all of cycling’s stakeholders, the Tour de France’s partners, its broadcasters as well as all of the local authorities for their reactivity and their support.
“We all hope that the 2020 Tour de France will help to turn the page on the difficult period that we are currently experiencing.”
The women’s event, La Course by le Tour de France avec FDJ, will also be postponed to a later date. But it will take place during the 2020 Tour.
The 30th edition of the Etape du Tour cyclosportive, originally scheduled to take place on 5 July, will be postponed to a date yet to be determined.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Today’s back pages: Mike Ashley cashes out of Newcastle as Saudis close in on £300m deal

One story dominates the back pages and that is the news that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is close to selling the club for £300m to Amanda Staveley , a financier fronting a bid which involves Saudi Arabia ’ s sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers .
“ Ashley cashes out ” is the headline on the Daily Express , while the Daily Star ’ s “ Flog on the Tyne ” is almost identical to the Daily Mirror ’ s “ Flog of the Tyne ” .
Describing Ashley ’ s 13-year spell as owner of the Magpies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weighs up what the takeover will mean for long-suffering Newcastle supporters .
“ Is this the start of a journey to turn Newcastle United into contenders again or the triggering of an even more controversial chapter in the Tyneside club ’ s history ?
” declares the paper .
“ Newcastle United no longer a vehicle to promote Sports Direct .
But instead used as a trophy purchase to ‘ sportswash ’ one of the most evil regimes in the world - hiding behind the more acceptable face of consortium head Amanda Staveley.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Daily Telegraph and The Sun are two papers reporting that the English Football League ( EFL ) and Professional Footballers ’ Association ( PFA ) have advised that clubs defer up to 25 % of players ’ wages in April in response to the coronavirus pandemic .
The proposal is applicable to Leagues One and Two , with Championship clubs expected to make their own decisions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the lower leagues of English football face a period of severe financial turbulence , and in a joint statement they said the advice amounted to a “ recommendation and not a directive as there are clubs who have stated no requirement to take immediate action at this time ” .
“ Sou are you ?
” is the headline in the Daily Express as the paper reports on the bizarre feud that has erupted between Paul Pogba and Graeme Souness .
Fiery former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Souness has never been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him “ selfish ” .
TV pundit Souness renewed his criticism in a recent newspaper interview , saying : “ Pogba has absolutely everything to be a top player - great athleticism , super technique - but his attitude to the game is the polar opposite of mine.
” As The Guardian reports , Pogba ’ s response was a withering putdown when he told the Man Utd Podcast : “ I didn ’ t even know who he was , really… I ’ m not someone who watches a lot of [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of football but I don ’ t stay after the game to listen to what they say about why they did this , or why they did that .
I like to focus on football.
” The barb clearly rankled with Souness , who in conversation with Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports ’ s The Football Show , said : “ You know the oldest saying in football comes to mind : Put your medals on the table .
I ’ ve got a big table.
” True , Souness did win five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and three European Cups gongs , but Pogba - still only 27 - has four Serie A winners ’ medals plus the little matter of a Fifa World Cup winner ’ s bauble .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Saudis to buy Magpies
One story dominates the back pages and that is the news that Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is close to selling the club for £300m to Amanda Staveley, a financier fronting a bid which involves Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund and the Reuben Brothers.
“Ashley cashes out” is the headline on the Daily Express, while the Daily Star’s “Flog on the Tyne” is almost identical to the Daily Mirror’s “Flog of the Tyne”.
Describing Ashley’s 13-year spell as owner of the Magpies as “controversial”, the Mirror weighs up what the takeover will mean for long-suffering Newcastle supporters.
“Is this the start of a journey to turn Newcastle United into contenders again or the triggering of an even more controversial chapter in the Tyneside club’s history?” declares the paper.
“Newcastle United no longer a vehicle to promote Sports Direct. But instead used as a trophy purchase to ‘sportswash’ one of the most evil regimes in the world - hiding behind the more acceptable face of consortium head Amanda Staveley.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Deferral decision
The Daily Telegraph and The Sun are two papers reporting that the English Football League (EFL) and Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) have advised that clubs defer up to 25% of players’ wages in April in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The proposal is applicable to Leagues One and Two, with Championship clubs expected to make their own decisions.
With no football likely before June, the lower leagues of English football face a period of severe financial turbulence, and in a joint statement they said the advice amounted to a “recommendation and not a directive as there are clubs who have stated no requirement to take immediate action at this time”.
Pogba’s war of words with Souness
“Sou are you?” is the headline in the Daily Express as the paper reports on the bizarre feud that has erupted between Paul Pogba and Graeme Souness.
Fiery former Liverpool and Scotland midfielder Souness has never been a fan of French playmaker Pogba, labelling him “selfish”.
TV pundit Souness renewed his criticism in a recent newspaper interview, saying: “Pogba has absolutely everything to be a top player - great athleticism, super technique - but his attitude to the game is the polar opposite of mine.”
As The Guardian reports, Pogba’s response was a withering putdown when he told the Man Utd Podcast: “I didn’t even know who he was, really… I’m not someone who watches a lot of [punditry]. I watch a lot of football but I don’t stay after the game to listen to what they say about why they did this, or why they did that. I like to focus on football.”
The barb clearly rankled with Souness, who in conversation with Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports’s The Football Show, said: “You know the oldest saying in football comes to mind: Put your medals on the table. I’ve got a big table.”
True, Souness did win five English First Division titles with Liverpool, and three European Cups gongs, but Pogba - still only 27 - has four Serie A winners’ medals plus the little matter of a Fifa World Cup winner’s bauble.
Today’s sport headlines
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Wednesday 15 Apr 2020

MPs are expected to approve plans for a partly virtual Parliament next week in an effort to adhere to physical @ @ @ @ @ Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle has called on the government to allow a virtual Parliament so @ @ @ @ @ when the current recess ends this week .

UK economy ‘could shrink by 35% and 2m jobs’
The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is warning that the UK economy could contract by 35% in the next quarter – and 13% for 2020 as a whole – because of the coronavirus lockdown. It says unemployment could soar by two million jobs to hit 10% by the end of June, with government borrowing increasing at a vertiginous pace.


theweekuk--2020-04-15--UK drug giant teams up with French rival for Covid-19 vaccine

A leading British drug company is joining forces with a French rival to develop a coronavirus vaccine and manufacture hundreds of millions of doses .
GlaxoSmithKline is to team up with Sanofi on a treatment that they hope to test on humans during the second half of 2020 and make available a year later if regulators grant approval .
The Times says the tie-up is “ significant ” because it “ raises the prospect that a Covid-19 treatment could be manufactured quickly on the large scale required to tackle the pandemic ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The chief executive of GSK , Emma Walmsley , said : “ We ’ re committed to making any vaccine that ’ s developed through the collaboration affordable to the public.
” She said the company does not intend to profit from the intiative and plans to donate the therapy to the world ’ s poorest countries .
Sanofi is offering a Covid-19 antigen — the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ antibodies — it is developing , while GSK brings to the table its adjuvant technology , which boosts an antigen ’ s potency and makes smaller doses more effective .
As the BBC reports , vaccines work by introducing a small amount of a virus or bacteria to the immune system .
This means that when the body comes into contact with the illness for real , it recognises it as an “ invader ” and knows how to fight it .
Although the timescale of a Covid-19 vaccine only being available in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ painfully slow , most vaccines take a decade or more to get regulatory approval .
The World Health Organization said there are 70 separate Covid-19 vaccines in development .
Among those scrambling to produce one is a team led by Sarah Gilbert , professor of vaccinology at Oxford University , who told The Times last week that she was “ 80 % confident ” that their treatment would work , possibly by September .


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Why is Donald Trump halting funding to the WHO?

Donald Trump says he has instructed his administration to halt funding to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) .
The US president , who is under fire at home over his handling of the outbreak , said the WHO had “ failed in its basic duty ” in its response to the coronavirus outbreak .
Trump , who has previously accused the WHO of being biased towards China , accused the UN body of mismanaging and covering up the spread of the virus and said it must be held accountable .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Guardian says Trump ’ s move is “ confirmation – if any were needed – that he is in search of scapegoats for his administration ’ s much delayed and chaotic response to the crisis ” .
Meanwhile , the usually pro-Trump news outlet Fox News argues that the US president is “ right ” to halt funding to the WHO , a move that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Announcing his move at a news conference at the White House , Trump said : “ I am directing my administration to halt funding while a review is conducted to assess the World Health Organization 's role in severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus .
“ Had the WHO done its job to get medical experts into China to objectively assess the situation on the ground and to call out China 's lack of transparency , the outbreak could have been contained at its source with very little death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the WHO 's biggest single funder , providing $ 400m ( £316m ) last year - just under 15 % of its total budget .
“ With the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic , we have deep concerns whether America 's generosity has been put to the best use possible , ” said Trump .
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said now was “ not the time ” to be cutting resources for the WHO but CNN points out that Trump ’ s decision “ follows a pattern of scepticism of world organizations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and has seen him criticise the United Nations and withdraw from global climate agreements .


theweekuk--2020-04-15--Woman in relationship with chandelier claims discrimination

A woman who says she is in a relationship with a 92-year-old chandelier has lost a discrimination case against The Sun newspaper .
Amanda Liberty , who says her sexual preference is an attraction to inanimate objects , had complained than an article in the tabloid was “ pejorative to her sexual orientation ” .
World Wrestling Entertainment has been deemed an “ essential business ” in Florida , authorities have announced .
This means the company can continue to operate during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said WWE , welcoming the move .
Demand for computers games related to global epidemics has soared during the coronavirus lockdown , according to an online store .
G2A.com says “ morbid curiosity ” has seen a 200 % increase in demand for games related to global epidemics and a 75 % increase for survival games such as State of Decay and The Division 2 , during the first months of 2020 .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A woman who says she is in a relationship with a 92-year-old chandelier has lost a discrimination case against The Sun newspaper. Amanda Liberty, who says her sexual preference is an attraction to inanimate objects, had complained than an article in the tabloid was “pejorative to her sexual orientation”.
WWE deemed an ‘essential business’ in Florida
World Wrestling Entertainment has been deemed an “essential business” in Florida, authorities have announced. This means the company can continue to operate during the coronavirus pandemic. “We believe it is now more important than ever to provide people with a diversion from these hard times,” said WWE, welcoming the move.
Demand for epidemic computer games soars
Demand for computers games related to global epidemics has soared during the coronavirus lockdown, according to an online store. G2A.com says “morbid curiosity” has seen a 200% increase in demand for games related to global epidemics and a 75% increase for survival games such as State of Decay and The Division 2, during the first months of 2020.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-04-14--Starmer orders review into leaked anti-Semitism report

Keir Starmer has ordered a review into a leaked internal report of the party ’ s handing of anti-Semitism claims .
Sky News says the leaking “ has sent shockwaves through the party , ” while the Evening Standard says the issue is Starmer ’ s “ first test ” as leader .
Under mounting pressure to act , Starmer said that an independent investigation would examine the leaking of the 860-page document , as well as its contents including the “ wider culture and practices ” it refers to and the “ background and circumstances in which the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The dossier , which includes 10,000 separate emails and thousands of private WhatsApp communications , is a draft drawn up to help inform the party ’ s responses to an investigation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission .
It concluded that “ factional hostility ” to Starmer ’ s predecessor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with allegations of antisemitism in the Labour party .
The report says there was an “ abundant evidence of a hyper-factional atmosphere prevailing in party HQ… which appears to have affected the expeditious and resolute handling of disciplinary complaints ” .
It claimed to have found “ no evidence ” of anti-Semitism complaints being treated differently to other forms of complaint , or of current or former staff being “ motivated by anti-Semitic intent ” .
However , writes the BBC ’ s political correspondent Helen Catt , another claim in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the 2017 general election , the report says , “ some key staff even appeared to work against the party 's core objective of winning elections ” .
“ It ’ s the allegation that Labour staff worked against a win for Mr Corbyn in the 2017 election that is likely to be most incendiary , if proven , ” says Catt .
Richard Burgon , who was shadow justice secretary under Corbyn , said the revelations had prompted many party members to consider leaving .


theweekuk--2020-04-14--Reaction: UK economy ‘could shrink by 35%’ by June due to coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic could cause the UK economy to shrink by a record 35 % by June , according to the independent tax and spending watchdog .
The Office for Budget Responsibility said that its projection was based on an assumption that the current lockdown would last for three months .
The Guardian described the forecast as “ extremely grim ” but several commentators felt that it was not pessimistic enough .
Chris Giles of the Financial Times tweeted that the OBR ’ s scenario “ assumes no scarring at all ” and argued that this “ assumption ” will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Reuters ’ Andy Bruce was also sceptical , arguing that the OBR is “ assuming the economy returns to normal next year ” .
He added that he can “ think of a few economists who are sceptical about that !
” Torsten Bell of the Resolution Foundation think tank also warned that things could get even worse .
“ Policymakers should recognise that these forecasts represent just one scenario for a three month lockdown .
History shows that measures to control a pandemic can in fact last much longer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Responding to the data , Labour ’ s shadow chancellor , Anneliese Dodds , said : “ It is absolutely critical that government now does all it can to minimise the depth and length of the economic impact from necessary anti-Coronavirus measures.
” Paul Johnson , director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decisions will have to be made which are likely to involve tax rises and higher debt for some time to come .
The only other alternative would be another period of austerity on the spending side .
That looks unlikely.
” The OBR has resurrected debate over how soon to lift the lockdown restrictions by forecasting that each additional month of tight controls on economic and social activity would cost the Treasury up to £45bn of additional borrowing .
However , points out the BBC ’ s economics editor Faisal Islam , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the health system could fall over , workers might just refuse to go to work anyway , and none of that would be positive for the economy ” .

The coronavirus pandemic could cause the UK economy to shrink by a record 35% by June, according to the independent tax and spending watchdog.
The Office for Budget Responsibility said that its projection was based on an assumption that the current lockdown would last for three months.
The Guardian described the forecast as “extremely grim” but several commentators felt that it was not pessimistic enough.
Chris Giles of the Financial Times tweeted that the OBR’s scenario “assumes no scarring at all” and argued that this “assumption” will not “last the test of time”.
Reuters’ Andy Bruce was also sceptical, arguing that the OBR is “assuming the economy returns to normal next year”. He added that he can “think of a few economists who are sceptical about that!”
Torsten Bell of the Resolution Foundation think tank also warned that things could get even worse.
“Policymakers should recognise that these forecasts represent just one scenario for a three month lockdown. History shows that measures to control a pandemic can in fact last much longer,” he told The Independent.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Responding to the data, Labour’s shadow chancellor, Anneliese Dodds, said: “It is absolutely critical that government now does all it can to minimise the depth and length of the economic impact from necessary anti-Coronavirus measures.”
Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies, told Sky News: “Tough decisions will have to be made which are likely to involve tax rises and higher debt for some time to come. The only other alternative would be another period of austerity on the spending side. That looks unlikely.”
The OBR has resurrected debate over how soon to lift the lockdown restrictions by forecasting that each additional month of tight controls on economic and social activity would cost the Treasury up to £45bn of additional borrowing.
However, points out the BBC’s economics editor Faisal Islam, “if the lockdown is lifted prematurely, the health system could fall over, workers might just refuse to go to work anyway, and none of that would be positive for the economy”.


theweekuk--2020-04-14--Why is the coronavirus death toll ‘50% higher’ than government figures?

Deaths from the coronavirus in England and Wales are running over 50 % higher than the total announced by the government , according to data from the Office for National Statistics .
The death toll revealed at the daily Downing Street briefings is the number of those that have died in hospital having tested positive for Covid-19 .
The Office for National Statistics figure , on the other hand , includes all deaths in which Covid-19 appears on the death certificate .
This takes in deaths outside hospitals , such as those in care homes .
The Times explains that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ on the grounds that it is as close as possible to giving a real-time picture of the epidemic ’ s mortality rate ” .
However , ministers are now coming under mounting pressure to include deaths that happen in places such as care homes .
Yesterday , the NHS Confederation , which represents organisations across the healthcare sector , told the BBC that the spread of coronavirus in care homes has “ largely gone under the radar ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Liz Kendall , Labour ’ s shadow minister for social care , said : “ We urgently need these figures on a daily basis to help deal with the emerging crisis in social care and ensure everything possible is being done to protect more than 400,000 elderly and disabled people who live in nursing and residential care homes.
” Data from several other European countries has shown that around half the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes .
Sky News reports that figures from five continental nations show that residents in care homes account for between 42 % and 57 % of all deaths related to the new coronavirus .
Last week , The Guardian reported that Care England , the industry body , estimated that the death toll in care homes is more likely to be close to 1,000 .
“ We are seeing underreporting of the number of deaths , ” Martin Green , chief executive of Care UK , told the paper .