theweekuk--2020-08-05--What we need to do to make track-and-trace work

Boris Johnson promised back in May that the UK would have a “ world-beating ” contact-tracing system , yet the scheme has been plagued by delays and setbacks .
Last night , Professor John Edmunds , who sits on the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) , said the system is still ineffective .
“ I honestly couldn ’ t care less whether it ’ s world-beating or not , ” he told BBC Newsnight .
“ I just wanted it to be virus beating and it is not .
The system is quite clunky , it takes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the information out of individual cases about their contacts.
” What numbers would add up to success ?
Another group of scientists published research yesterday in The Lancet that sets out the minimum standards that need to be met in order to avoid a second wave of Covid-19 infections .
The model - based on a London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine ( LSHTM ) analysis of infection rates and social interactions - suggest that the NHS would need to identify 75 % of people with symptomatic Covid-19 and then trace and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alternatively , if 87 % of symptomatic infections were identified , only 40 % of contacts would have to be traced .
The World Health Organization ( WHO ) defines a contact as anyone who has direct contact with a Covid-19 carrier or spends more than 15 minutes within one metre of them .
How many people are we testing and tracing ?
Based on latest infection figures , the Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) estimates that about 4,200 people are contracting Covid-19 in England each day , and that about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This equates to around 1,400 symptomatic infections per day .
However , positive tests are currently running at just over 700 per day in England , which implies that only about 50 % of people with the disease are being tested .
Of those who do test positive , about 81 % are reached by contact tracers , according to ONS data , and 75 % of their contacts have been contacted and asked to self-isolate - which implies that about 60 % of all contacts are traced .
Those figures - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - are significantly below the mimums implied by the LSHTM model .
It is also unclear how many people comply with requests to self-isolate .
“ NHS Test and Trace has no data on how many of those contacted follow rules as it does not carry out follow-up calls , ” the Daily Mirror reports .
That said , the failure of the system is not a certainty .
“ Like all models , it is a crude approximation of the real world , which is only as good as the assumptions it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Edmunds and the LSHTM team are not alone in identifying room for improvement .


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Instant Opinion: ‘Boris Johnson’s peers disgrace the House of Lords’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on an ex-Trotskyist and IRA backer in the chamber “ Some questions are easier to answer than others .
Like : what has the billionaire thrower of expensive parties and provider of luxury hospitality Evgeny Lebedev got that I haven ’ t got ?
Apart , that is , from a seat in the House of Lords ?
Mr Lebedev , the son of a former KGB man who managed to emerge from the ruins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bit of it , is , of course , a newspaper proprietor .
If my father had been a billionaire oligarch maybe I ’ d have owned a newspaper too .
Perhaps I would also have rebuilt a castle in Umbria and invited Boris Johnson and whoever was his spouse at the time for weekends along with other celebrities , and flown them home at my own expense ...
But the Lebedev peerage , and its contribution to inflating the second chamber , is a relatively minor hypocrisy compared with ennoblement of Claire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sect , the Revolutionary Communist Party ( RCP ) , from the early 1980s until its disbandment in the 1990s , Ms Fox took the most extreme line on endorsing the IRA ’ s ‘ armed struggle ’ .
The party and its front organisation , the Irish Freedom Movement ( IFM ) , stood in solidarity with republican terrorism.
” 2 .
Dr Rita Issa , a British doctor with family in Lebanon , in The Independent on a nation on its last legs Now is the time for action – not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devastated Beirut “ It is on this backdrop : refugee crisis , economic crisis , massive debt , electricity shortages , and years of corruption , that coronavirus hit .
Just five days ago , hospitals declared that they would be inundated within a fortnight , unable to care for the rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the context of scarce medical supplies , an inability to pay staff , and a lack of electricity .
A catastrophe like that which hit Beirut on Tuesday would be horrific for any country , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be worse .
The majority of grain supplies have been lost in the explosion and the port is destroyed .
300,000 people have been left homeless .
At least four hospitals were severely damaged by the blast .
This is now undoubtedly a humanitarian emergency .
Whilst prayers and platitudes may warm the heart , they do little to tangibly change the reality for those on the ground .
For those of us watching heartbroken from the UK , now seems an apt time to reflect on the merger of the Foreign Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The latter is internationally recognised for its aid effectiveness and humanitarian responsiveness - exactly what countries like Lebanon need.
” on getting children back in the classroom The Tories need Thatcher-like strength to crush the unions stopping our schools ’ return “ There is an old saying about never bringing a knife to a gun fight , yet so woefully under-prepared is Education Secretary Gavin Williamson in his battle to reopen all schools fully in September that he might as well be turning up with a feather duster .
Already humiliated once by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get schools up and running again before the long summer holidays , Williamson and his Schools Minister Nick Gibb are in acute danger of presiding over a re-run .
Political welterweight Williamson tells us that : ‘ Getting all children back into the classroom , full-time at the start of next month is a national priority , as this is the best place for them to be.
’ He will get no argument about that from millions of parents who have had to juggle their own work commitments alongside supervising their children ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 4 .
Ai Weiwei , an artist and activist , in The Guardian on taming China on the global stage Think ‘ sanctions ’ will trouble China ?
Then you 're stuck in the politics of the past “ Are sanctions the way to go ?
A foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing recently remarked words to the effect that the US and China are so economically interlocked that they would amount to self-sanctions .
The US , moreover , would be no match for China in its ability to endure suffering .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sacrifices are not borne by the rulers .
In the 1960s Mao said : ‘ Cut us off ?
Go ahead – eight years , 10 years , China has everything.
’ A few years later Mao had nuclear weapons and was not afraid of anyone .
The west needs to reconsider its systems , its political and cultural prospects , and rediscover its humanitarianism .
These challenges are not only political , they are intellectual .
It is time to abandon the old thinking and the vocabulary that controls it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not be born .
In the current struggle in Hong Kong , for example , the theory is simple and the faith is pure .
The new political generation in Hong Kong deserves careful respect from the west , and new vocabulary to talk about it .
‘ Sanctions ’ is a cold war term that names an old policy .
If the US can ’ t think beyond them , the primacy of its position in this changing world will disappear.
” Where Will the New Good Jobs Come From ?
Look @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II in large part because America made it easier for people who had been previously shut out of economic opportunity - women , minority groups , immigrants - to enter the work force and climb the economic ladder , to make better use of their talents and potential .
In 1960 , cutting-edge research from economists at the University of Chicago and Stanford University has documented , more than half of Black men in America worked as janitors , freight handlers or something similar .
Only 2 percent of women and Black @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-skill ’ jobs that pay high wages , like engineering or law .
Ninety-four percent of doctors in the United States were white men ... Women and nonwhite men gradually chipped away at those barriers , in fits and starts .
They seized opportunities , like a war effort creating a need for workers to replace the men being sent abroad to fight .
They protested and bled and died for civil rights .
And when they won victories , it wasn ’ t just for them , or even for people like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped everyone ... America ’ s ruling elites did not learn from that success .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. David Aaronovitch in The Times
on an ex-Trotskyist and IRA backer in the chamber
Boris Johnson’s peers disgrace the House of Lords
“Some questions are easier to answer than others. Like: what has the billionaire thrower of expensive parties and provider of luxury hospitality Evgeny Lebedev got that I haven’t got? Apart, that is, from a seat in the House of Lords? Mr Lebedev, the son of a former KGB man who managed to emerge from the ruins of the Soviet Union owning quite a bit of it, is, of course, a newspaper proprietor. If my father had been a billionaire oligarch maybe I’d have owned a newspaper too. Perhaps I would also have rebuilt a castle in Umbria and invited Boris Johnson and whoever was his spouse at the time for weekends along with other celebrities, and flown them home at my own expense... But the Lebedev peerage, and its contribution to inflating the second chamber, is a relatively minor hypocrisy compared with ennoblement of Claire Fox... A member of a Trotskyist sect, the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP), from the early 1980s until its disbandment in the 1990s, Ms Fox took the most extreme line on endorsing the IRA’s ‘armed struggle’. The party and its front organisation, the Irish Freedom Movement (IFM), stood in solidarity with republican terrorism.”
2. Dr Rita Issa, a British doctor with family in Lebanon, in The Independent
on a nation on its last legs
Now is the time for action – not just kind words – to help a devastated Beirut
“It is on this backdrop: refugee crisis, economic crisis, massive debt, electricity shortages, and years of corruption, that coronavirus hit. Just five days ago, hospitals declared that they would be inundated within a fortnight, unable to care for the rising numbers of coronavirus cases in the context of scarce medical supplies, an inability to pay staff, and a lack of electricity. A catastrophe like that which hit Beirut on Tuesday would be horrific for any country, but for Lebanon the timing couldn’t be worse. The majority of grain supplies have been lost in the explosion and the port is destroyed. 300,000 people have been left homeless. At least four hospitals were severely damaged by the blast. This is now undoubtedly a humanitarian emergency. Whilst prayers and platitudes may warm the heart, they do little to tangibly change the reality for those on the ground. For those of us watching heartbroken from the UK, now seems an apt time to reflect on the merger of the Foreign Office with the Department for International Development. The latter is internationally recognised for its aid effectiveness and humanitarian responsiveness - exactly what countries like Lebanon need.”
3. Patrick O’Flynn in The Daily Telegraph
on getting children back in the classroom
The Tories need Thatcher-like strength to crush the unions stopping our schools’ return
“There is an old saying about never bringing a knife to a gun fight, yet so woefully under-prepared is Education Secretary Gavin Williamson in his battle to reopen all schools fully in September that he might as well be turning up with a feather duster. Already humiliated once by teaching unions who crushed his plan to get schools up and running again before the long summer holidays, Williamson and his Schools Minister Nick Gibb are in acute danger of presiding over a re-run. Political welterweight Williamson tells us that: ‘Getting all children back into the classroom, full-time at the start of next month is a national priority, as this is the best place for them to be.’ He will get no argument about that from millions of parents who have had to juggle their own work commitments alongside supervising their children’s learning for several months now.”
4. Ai Weiwei, an artist and activist, in The Guardian
on taming China on the global stage
Think ‘sanctions’ will trouble China? Then you're stuck in the politics of the past
“Are sanctions the way to go? A foreign ministry spokesperson in Beijing recently remarked words to the effect that the US and China are so economically interlocked that they would amount to self-sanctions. The US, moreover, would be no match for China in its ability to endure suffering. And there he was correct: in dictatorships, sacrifices are not borne by the rulers. In the 1960s Mao said: ‘Cut us off? Go ahead – eight years, 10 years, China has everything.’ A few years later Mao had nuclear weapons and was not afraid of anyone. The west needs to reconsider its systems, its political and cultural prospects, and rediscover its humanitarianism. These challenges are not only political, they are intellectual. It is time to abandon the old thinking and the vocabulary that controls it. Without new vocabulary, new thinking cannot be born. In the current struggle in Hong Kong, for example, the theory is simple and the faith is pure. The new political generation in Hong Kong deserves careful respect from the west, and new vocabulary to talk about it. ‘Sanctions’ is a cold war term that names an old policy. If the US can’t think beyond them, the primacy of its position in this changing world will disappear.”
5. Jim Tankersley in The New York Times
on learning the lessons of World War Two
Where Will the New Good Jobs Come From? Look Here
“The economy thrived after World War II in large part because America made it easier for people who had been previously shut out of economic opportunity - women, minority groups, immigrants - to enter the work force and climb the economic ladder, to make better use of their talents and potential. In 1960, cutting-edge research from economists at the University of Chicago and Stanford University has documented, more than half of Black men in America worked as janitors, freight handlers or something similar. Only 2 percent of women and Black men worked in what economists call ‘high-skill’ jobs that pay high wages, like engineering or law. Ninety-four percent of doctors in the United States were white men... Women and nonwhite men gradually chipped away at those barriers, in fits and starts. They seized opportunities, like a war effort creating a need for workers to replace the men being sent abroad to fight. They protested and bled and died for civil rights. And when they won victories, it wasn’t just for them, or even for people like them. They generated economic gains that helped everyone... America’s ruling elites did not learn from that success.”


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Deutsche Bank handed Donald Trump’s financial records to New York investigators

Prosecutors investigating Donald Trump ’ s business dealings have received a trove of information about the US president ’ s finances from Deutsche Bank , it has been revealed .
The criminal investigation into the property mogul ’ s finances was previously thought to have been focused around hush-money payments to two women made in 2016 .
But revelations about Deutsche Bank ’ s involvement suggest the case is “ more wide-ranging than previously known ” , The New York Times reports .
Court filings published on Monday refer to “ possible criminal activity at plaintiff ’ s New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decade ” .
The US president has faced several allegations of tax-dodging since he took office and has fought tooth and nail to keep his financial records out of the public eye .
The resulting court battles have been a fixture of his White House tenure .
“ Deutsche ’ s cooperation contrasts with numerous other attempts to access Trump ’ s financial records ... that have been blocked by successful legal challenges , ” The Guardian reports .
The German bank , which has lent Trump companies more than $ 2bn ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , complied with a subpoena issued last year by the Manhattan district attorney ’ s office , handing over wads of financial information in the process .
Mazars , the global accountancy firm , was also subpoenaed last year as part of the attorney office ’ s six-year pursuit of the president ’ s tax returns .
Last week Trump ’ s legal team submitted an `` amended lawsuit ” , Fox Business reports , arguing that the “ request for his tax returns and other materials was ‘ overbroad ’ and issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , he labelled the entire investigation “ a continuation of a witch hunt ” .

Prosecutors investigating Donald Trump’s business dealings have received a trove of information about the US president’s finances from Deutsche Bank, it has been revealed.
The criminal investigation into the property mogul’s finances was previously thought to have been focused around hush-money payments to two women made in 2016.
But revelations about Deutsche Bank’s involvement suggest the case is “more wide-ranging than previously known”, The New York Times reports. Court filings published on Monday refer to “possible criminal activity at plaintiff’s New York county-based Trump Organization dating back over a decade”.
The US president has faced several allegations of tax-dodging since he took office and has fought tooth and nail to keep his financial records out of the public eye. The resulting court battles have been a fixture of his White House tenure.
“Deutsche’s cooperation contrasts with numerous other attempts to access Trump’s financial records... that have been blocked by successful legal challenges,” The Guardian reports.
The German bank, which has lent Trump companies more than $2bn (£1.5m) over the last 20 years, complied with a subpoena issued last year by the Manhattan district attorney’s office, handing over wads of financial information in the process.
Mazars, the global accountancy firm, was also subpoenaed last year as part of the attorney office’s six-year pursuit of the president’s tax returns.
Last week Trump’s legal team submitted an "amended lawsuit”, Fox Business reports, arguing that the “request for his tax returns and other materials was ‘overbroad’ and issued ‘in bad faith’.”
On Monday, he labelled the entire investigation “a continuation of a witch hunt”.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--2020 US Open: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are out - could Novak Djokovic be next?

Men ’ s tennis world No.1 Novak Djokovic will reportedly decide in the “ next few days ” if he will play in the 2020 US Open .
Defending champion Rafael Nadal has already withdrawn from the New York grand slam , which starts on 31 August , after citing concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic .
Sky Sports reports that Australian duo Nick Kyrgios and Ashleigh Barty , the women ’ s world No.1 , will also miss the event because of the coronavirus while Roger Federer is out as he recovers from knee surgery .
Djokovic , a three-time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the official entry list but the 17-time grand slam winner is yet to make a final call .
Serbian journalist Saša Ozmo tweeted : “ Novak Djokovic still hasn ’ t made a decision in regard to his participation at the # USOpen .
Decision in the next few days.
” Nadal needs one more grand slam title to equal Federer ’ s record of 20 , but the Spaniard says the current “ circumstances ” forced him to take the decision of opting against travelling to the United States .
He wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have decided not to play this year ’ s US Open .
The situation is very complicated worldwide , the Covid-19 cases are increasing , it looks like we still don ’ t have control of it .
“ We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play , I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen .
We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year .
“ All my respects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organisers and the ATP for trying to put the event together for the players and the fans around the world through TV .
“ This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel.
” Tennis365 ’ s Kevin Palmer says the US Open is “ rapidly developing into a farce ” and Nadal ’ s decision will “ send shock waves through the sport ” .
He wrote : “ Nadal should not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a country where the virus is increasing at a rapid rate and , while New York Governor Andrew Cuomo appears to have done all he can to halt the spread in his state , the prospect of travelling to America at this time can not be appealing to any of the game ’ s biggest stars in Europe .
“ With international travel still such a major headache at a time when the virus is bubbling up with menace once more , a sport that requires stars to converge from all corners of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might struggle to find a way to function .
”

Men’s world No.1 Novak Djokovic has confirmed he will play in the 2020 US Open grand slam in New York.
The Serbian, 33, will take his place in the main draw but his two great rivals - Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - will not feature at Flushing Meadows.
Defending champion Nadal has opted against travelling to the United States due to coronavirus fears while 20-time grand slam winner Federer is recovering from knee surgery.
After taking time to make his decision, Djokovic will compete in the Western & Southern Open from 22-28 August and the US Open which starts on 31 August. Both events will be held behind closed doors at Flushing Meadows.
The three-time US Open winner said: “I am happy to confirm that I will participate at the Western & Southern Open and US Open this year. It was not an easy decision to make with all the obstacles and challenges on many sides, but the prospect of competing again makes me really excited.
“During my career, I have played some of my best matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National tennis center. I am aware that this time around it will be very different with all the protocols and safety measures that are put in place to protect players and people of NY.
“Nevertheless, I have trained hard with my team and got my body in shape so I am ready to adapt to new conditions.
“Unfortunately for the players and the game itself, the current situation is not allowing everyone to travel and compete at the same level of risk, and I hope the situation will change soon and we will all be back to doing what we love and do best.”
‘Very complicated’
World No.2 Nadal needs one more grand slam title to equal Federer’s record of 20, but the Spaniard says the current “circumstances” forced him to take the decision of opting against travelling to the United States.
He wrote on Instagram: “After many thoughts I have decided not to play this year’s US Open. The situation is very complicated worldwide, the Covid-19 cases are increasing, it looks like we still don’t have control of it.
“We know that the reduced tennis calendar is barbaric this year after 4 months stopped with no play, I understand and thank for the efforts they are putting in to make it happen. We have just seen the announcement of Madrid not being played this year.
“All my respects to the USTA, the US Open organisers and the ATP for trying to put the event together for the players and the fans around the world through TV.
“This is a decision I never wanted to take but I have decided to follow my heart this time and for the time being I rather not travel.”


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Why British workers are the least keen in Europe to return to the office

Workers in the UK are returning to their offices at a far slower pace than those in other European countries , new research has revealed .
Only 34 % of UK employees have gone back to the office , lagging behind the rest of Europe which averages 68 % , AlphaWise , the research arm of US bank Morgan Stanley , has found .
In particular , Germany , Italy and Spain have seen return rates of around three-quarters , while France leads the way on 83 % .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally scrapped the government ’ s work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encouraging employers to begin bringing staff back .
So why , as the Daily Mail puts it , is the UK the “ scared man of Europe ” ?
What do the figures show ?
Of the major economies in Europe , French and Italian companies have “ led the charge in bringing their teams back to the workplace ” , with the figures revealing that 83 % of French office staff have returned , followed by 76 % in Italy , The Guardian reports .
Daily Mail polling found that across 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just 53,000 staff members plan on going back to the office soon , out of a pool of 320,000 .
However , Morgan Stanley ’ s analysis found that Britons who have returned to their offices are doing so for more days a week than continental rivals .
Almost half ( 46 % ) of UK workers who have returned are working at least five days a week from their office , compared to only 15 % of employees in France and 19 % of staff in Germany .
Why are most Brits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ will be a concern to the government ” , which has been trying to encourage workers to return to offices , in part to help struggling city centre economies .
On 1 August , the prime minister ended the government ’ s “ work from home ” guidance saying decisions should be made at the “ discretion ” of employers rather than employees .
However , some research has suggested that the coronavirus has changed the landscape of working life in the UK so dramatically that some workers believe it will never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by O2 Business and YouGov revealed that changes in commuting routines appear to be the biggest factor .
Almost half ( 45 % ) of Brits believe lockdown will change their company ’ s approach to flexible working long-term , with money saved on commuting topping the reasons why people would be hesitant to return to the office .
A third of employees ( 30 % ) said they wanted to reduce commute spending by working from home , 23 % chose to work flexibly as they find travelling a waste of time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commuting stressful .
Companies also cite “ uncertainty about asking their employees to use public transport and the need for childcare during school summer holidays ” as reasons to extend home working until September , The Guardian says .
On BBC Radio 4 ’ s Today programme , chief executive of British Land Chris Grigg claimed many businesses may not return to the office until next year , if at all .
“ I don ’ t think we are going to see an instantaneous return and I think we are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ We are talking to some people who want most , if not all of their people back but in September , which seems to be a key time .
“ But others are going to wait longer I think , throughout the rest of the year and in some cases into early next .
”

Workers in the UK are returning to their offices at a far slower pace than those in other European countries, new research has revealed.
Only 34% of UK employees have gone back to the office, lagging behind the rest of Europe which averages 68%, AlphaWise, the research arm of US bank Morgan Stanley, has found.
In particular, Germany, Italy and Spain have seen return rates of around three-quarters, while France leads the way on 83%.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally scrapped the government’s work from home advice last week and is encouraging employers to begin bringing staff back. So why, as the Daily Mail puts it, is the UK the “scared man of Europe”?
What do the figures show?
Of the major economies in Europe, French and Italian companies have “led the charge in bringing their teams back to the workplace”, with the figures revealing that 83% of French office staff have returned, followed by 76% in Italy, The Guardian reports.
Daily Mail polling found that across 30 of Britain’s biggest firms, just 53,000 staff members plan on going back to the office soon, out of a pool of 320,000. However, Morgan Stanley’s analysis found that Britons who have returned to their offices are doing so for more days a week than continental rivals.
Almost half (46%) of UK workers who have returned are working at least five days a week from their office, compared to only 15% of employees in France and 19% of staff in Germany.
Why are most Brits hesitant?
The Times says the figures “will be a concern to the government”, which has been trying to encourage workers to return to offices, in part to help struggling city centre economies.
On 1 August, the prime minister ended the government’s “work from home” guidance saying decisions should be made at the “discretion” of employers rather than employees.
However, some research has suggested that the coronavirus has changed the landscape of working life in the UK so dramatically that some workers believe it will never go back to normal.
A study by O2 Business and YouGov revealed that changes in commuting routines appear to be the biggest factor.
Almost half (45%) of Brits believe lockdown will change their company’s approach to flexible working long-term, with money saved on commuting topping the reasons why people would be hesitant to return to the office.
A third of employees (30%) said they wanted to reduce commute spending by working from home, 23% chose to work flexibly as they find travelling a waste of time, and 17% said they find commuting stressful.
Companies also cite “uncertainty about asking their employees to use public transport and the need for childcare during school summer holidays” as reasons to extend home working until September, The Guardian says.
On BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, chief executive of British Land Chris Grigg claimed many businesses may not return to the office until next year, if at all.
“I don’t think we are going to see an instantaneous return and I think we are going to see a big variety,” he said. “We are talking to some people who want most, if not all of their people back but in September, which seems to be a key time.
“But others are going to wait longer I think, throughout the rest of the year and in some cases into early next.”


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Beirut chemical blast: did officials know the risks of an explosion?

Investigators probing the deadly blast that levelled parts of Beirut , killing more than 130 people and injuring thousands , have honed in on potential negligence in the storage of explosive fertiliser .
Several port officials have been placed under house arrest , as anger mounts against a “ ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster ” , Associated Press ( AP ) says .
The financial loss from the blast , the largest in Beirut ’ s war-torn history , is estimated to be between $ 10bn and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marwan Abboud told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath .
Where did the fertiliser come from ?
Tuesday ’ s explosion was likely caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the dock since 2014 , according to Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi .
Preliminary investigations have suggested a fire started by a welding accident may have ignited nearby fireworks , causing the chemicals to explode and sending shockwaves across the city .
How such a large quantity of fertiliser came to be stored at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Igor Grechushkin , “ the Russian owner of the Rhosus ship , carrying the deadly cargo from Georgia to Mozambique ” , The Telegraph reports .
In 2014 , Grechushkin declared bankruptcy during an unscheduled stop in the city ’ s port , during which the “ cargo ship was prevented from leaving port due to its poor state ” , the paper adds .
Following his bankruptcy , the Russian abandoned the ship leaving the boat , the fertiliser and its crew stranded , according to a Lebanese law firm .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ammonium nitrate on board the vessel , the port authorities discharged the cargo onto the port ’ s warehouses , ” the firm Baroudi & Associates wrote in a 2015 article published on shiparrested.com .
“ The vessel and cargo remain to date in port awaiting auctioning and/or proper disposal.
” Were officials warned about the danger ?
Documents seen by Retuers show that Lebanese Customs asked the judiciary in both 2016 and 2017 to request that the “ concerned maritime agency ” either re-export or approve the sale of the ammonium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cited similar requests in 2014 and 2015 , the news agency adds .
“ It is negligence , ” an official source told Reuters , describing how the storage safety issue had been discussed in several committees and judges and “ nothing was done ” .
Lebanese port officials had “ for years ” called for the removal of the dangerous fertiliser , The Telegraph reports , citing “ preliminary investigations ” .
“ The head of Beirut port and the head of customs both said on Wednesday that letters were sent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ removal of the nitrates ” , the paper adds , “ but no action was taken ” .
Port general manager Hassan Koraytem told Indian cable news channel OTV the material had been “ put in a warehouse on a court order ” , adding that they were aware that the material was dangerous but “ not to this degree ” .
Badri Daher , director-general of Lebanese Customs , also told the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International ( LBCI ) that he too had requested it be “ re-exported but that did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts and those concerned to determine why ” .
A source close to a port employee told The Telegraph that a team had inspected the fertiliser six months ago , warning at the time that it could “ blow up all of Beirut ” if it was not removed .
While the origins of Tuesday ’ s apocalyptic scenes can be traced back to the abandonment of the ship in 2014 , “ it ’ s hard to pinpoint exactly where it all went wrong for Lebanon , ” writes The Telegraph ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Corruption and greed among its ruling class ... had helped bleed the country dry , ” Ensor says , with politicians not trying to hide it , but instead “ simply blaming one another ” .
“ Constant spats between the competing religious sects over who would be awarded the spoils had left them virtually incapable of governing.
” The country is run with a culture of “ negligence , incompetence , complacency , corruption [ and ] nepotism , ” tweeted Lebanese architect and statist Karl Sharro .
“ This immoral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the whole country.
” This was echoed by Lebanese national Dyab Abou Jahjah , who wrote that what exploded on Tuesday was “ not just ammonium nitrate ” , but “ corruption , mismanagement , incompetency and cynical disregard for the security and lives of people ” .
As aid ships begin to roll in to Lebanon , including a £5m aid package from the UK , the rebuilding process will begin again for Beirut ’ s inhabitants .
But with 300,000 people now homeless amid a grueling economic crisis , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a restless sleep in their dark , hot and windowless homes on Tuesday night , ” Ensor says .
“ The windows may have been knocked out by the blast , but the darkness was of the country ’ s own making , ” she adds .

Investigators probing the deadly blast that levelled parts of Beirut, killing more than 130 people and injuring thousands, have honed in on potential negligence in the storage of explosive fertiliser.
Several port officials have been placed under house arrest, as anger mounts against a “ruling elite that is being blamed for the chronic mismanagement and carelessness that led to the disaster”, Associated Press (AP) says.
The financial loss from the blast, the largest in Beirut’s war-torn history, is estimated to be between $10bn and $15bn, the city’s governor Marwan Abboud told Saudi-owned TV station Al-Hadath.
Where did the fertiliser come from?
Tuesday’s explosion was likely caused by the detonation of more than 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been stored at the dock since 2014, according to Lebanese Interior Minister Mohammed Fahmi.
Preliminary investigations have suggested a fire started by a welding accident may have ignited nearby fireworks, causing the chemicals to explode and sending shockwaves across the city.
How such a large quantity of fertiliser came to be stored at the port dates back to a businessman named Igor Grechushkin, “the Russian owner of the Rhosus ship, carrying the deadly cargo from Georgia to Mozambique”, The Telegraph reports.
In 2014, Grechushkin declared bankruptcy during an unscheduled stop in the city’s port, during which the “cargo ship was prevented from leaving port due to its poor state”, the paper adds.
Following his bankruptcy, the Russian abandoned the ship leaving the boat, the fertiliser and its crew stranded, according to a Lebanese law firm.
“Owing to the risks associated with retaining the ammonium nitrate on board the vessel, the port authorities discharged the cargo onto the port’s warehouses,” the firm Baroudi & Associates wrote in a 2015 article published on shiparrested.com.
“The vessel and cargo remain to date in port awaiting auctioning and/or proper disposal.”
Were officials warned about the danger?
Documents seen by Retuers show that Lebanese Customs asked the judiciary in both 2016 and 2017 to request that the “concerned maritime agency” either re-export or approve the sale of the ammonium nitrate.
One of the documents also cited similar requests in 2014 and 2015, the news agency adds.
“It is negligence,” an official source told Reuters, describing how the storage safety issue had been discussed in several committees and judges and “nothing was done”.
Lebanese port officials had “for years” called for the removal of the dangerous fertiliser, The Telegraph reports, citing “preliminary investigations”.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--135,000 jobs in Britain facing the axe amid ‘economic armageddon’

Hundreds of thousands of jobs face the chop at some of Britain ’ s biggest companies amid the continuing economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic .
Analysis by the Daily Mail has revealed that 135,000 positions are set to be slashed in the UK , as well as a further 95,000 at British firms abroad .
Breaking down the numbers , the Mail reports that 22,500 job cuts are in the retail sector , 21,600 in travel and airlines , and 18,100 in restaurants .
Retail stalwart WHSmith , which has been trading for more than 200 years , announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members , many of whom work in train stations and airports .
“ I regret that this will have an impact on a significant number of colleagues , ” said WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling .
“ We will do everything we can to support them at this challenging time.
” Other companies currently imposing layoffs include PizzaExpress , Currys PC World , Hays Travel and DW Sports , who are reportedly axing 4,470 jobs between them .
Last night it was also announced that around 1,500 staff at hotels managed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff at Crowne Plaza , Holiday Inn and Hallmark .
The job losses look set to “ intensify the pressure on the government to get Britain back to work and to toughen the message to employers and staff ” , the Mail says , with Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith warning of “ economic armageddon ” if employees do not head back to work .
“ With it will come swathes of unemployment leading to even more lives being lost , ” Duncan Smith added .
In response to the dire forecasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign for a targeted extension of the furlough scheme , which is currently supporting 9.6 million workers and is due to end in October , the Daily Mirror says .
“ We face a jobs crisis on a scale not seen for generations , ” the leader of the opposition admitted .
“ But it is not too late for the Government to act .
”

Hundreds of thousands of jobs face the chop at some of Britain’s biggest companies amid the continuing economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.
Analysis by the Daily Mail has revealed that 135,000 positions are set to be slashed in the UK, as well as a further 95,000 at British firms abroad.
Breaking down the numbers, the Mail reports that 22,500 job cuts are in the retail sector, 21,600 in travel and airlines, and 18,100 in restaurants.
Retail stalwart WHSmith, which has been trading for more than 200 years, announced yesterday that it would be cutting 1,500 staff members, many of whom work in train stations and airports.
“I regret that this will have an impact on a significant number of colleagues,” said WHSmith chief executive Carl Cowling. “We will do everything we can to support them at this challenging time.”
Other companies currently imposing layoffs include PizzaExpress, Currys PC World, Hays Travel and DW Sports, who are reportedly axing 4,470 jobs between them. Last night it was also announced that around 1,500 staff at hotels managed by LGH could lose their jobs, including staff at Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn and Hallmark.
The job losses look set to “intensify the pressure on the government to get Britain back to work and to toughen the message to employers and staff”, the Mail says, with Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith warning of “economic armageddon” if employees do not head back to work.
“With it will come swathes of unemployment leading to even more lives being lost,” Duncan Smith added.
In response to the dire forecasts, Labour leader Keir Starmer has ramped up his campaign for a targeted extension of the furlough scheme, which is currently supporting 9.6 million workers and is due to end in October, the Daily Mirror says.
“We face a jobs crisis on a scale not seen for generations,” the leader of the opposition admitted. “But it is not too late for the Government to act.”


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Four things we learnt from the secret Uighur detention centre footage

A collection of videos and photographs secretly sent by a Uighur prisoner to the outside world have provided a rare glimpse inside the Chinese government’s secretive detention camps.
The video, obtained by the BBC, shows former Uighur model Merdan Ghappar, 31, chained to a bed in a prison cell.
China has singled the Uighurs for mass detention, forced labour and torture, with as many as one to 1.8 million of the Muslim ethnic minority estimated to have “disappeared” into what Beijing describes as “re-education” camps.
The new footages reveals “chilling evidence of human rights violations” as “global scrutiny of the situation” in the Xinjiang region continues to grow, The Guardian says. So what does the footage show?
Detentions are arbitrary
Ghappar, a model and former dancer was arrested in 2018 for selling five grams of marijuana and served 16 months in prison. But he was arrested for a second time, allegedly without justification, in January 2020.
The police that detained him were dispatched from Xinjiang, where Ghappar is registered in the country’s household registry system, and brought him back to the region for “re-registration” and “study”, the BBC says.
According to Ghappar’s testimony, after arriving in the region he was kept in a jail where detainees were made to wear a “four-piece suit” consisting of a head sack, handcuffs, leg shackles and an iron chain connecting the shackles to the cuffs.
“When he complained about how tight the handcuffs were, he said one police officer threatened to beat him to death”, the Independent says. The texts and video footage were originally sent to his friends and family in February 2020. Ghappar has not been heard from since.
Inmates are inundated with propaganda
Ghappar testifies in one message that some of the inmates, including children as young as 13-years-old, are targeted by propaganda to suppress the group’s religion and culture. He also says they are given a document calling on them to “repent and surrender” to China and the Chinese Communist Party.
In the video, propaganda messages being played over loudspeakers can be heard repeating phrases such as “Xinjiang has never been ‘East Turkistan’” in both Mandarin Chinese and the Uighur language.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Pastures new: city dwellers seek out countryside properties

The UK ’ s coronavirus lockdown sparked a huge increase in countryside property searches from people living in cities .
@ @ @ @ @ , estate agents saw a 126 % rise in enquiries for village properties during June @ @ @ @ @ the same period in 2019 .
The property website said that city dwellers with flexibility @ @ @ @ @ keen on moving to rural areas and to have more outdoor space , BBC News @ @ @ @ @ of a new lifestyle , one that is quieter and has an abundance of beautiful @ @ @ @ @ , has led to more city dwellers choosing to become rural residents , ” said @ @ @ @ @

The UK’s coronavirus lockdown sparked a huge increase in countryside property searches from people living in cities.
According to a Rightmove study, estate agents saw a 126% rise in enquiries for village properties during June and July, compared to the same period in 2019.
The property website said that city dwellers with flexibility to work from home are keen on moving to rural areas and to have more outdoor space, BBC News reports.
“The lure of a new lifestyle, one that is quieter and has an abundance of beautiful countryside and more outdoor space, has led to more city dwellers choosing to become rural residents,” said Miles Shipside of Rightmove.
“The most popular village moves are still within the same region the home hunters are currently in, as it’s likely they’ll keep their current job but may have the flexibility to commute less often and set up their working space at home.”
At the end of June The Daily Telegraph reported that lockdown had created a wave of “panic movers”. Aneisha Beveridge, Hamptons International’s head of research, said: “Lockdown measures have definitely made people reassess the location and type of home they want to live in.”
The BBC adds that money does not appear to be the main reason for people wanting to swap the city for village life.
Mark Rimell, director in Strutt & Parker’s country house department, said: “A slower pace of life, outdoor space and tight knit communities come hand in hand with village living - something many have come to appreciate in recent months and have enduring appeal.”
Rightmove says that in cities such as Liverpool and Edinburgh, searches for countryside properties had more than doubled.
Its study found that the number of enquiries from Liverpool residents looking for a village lifestyle has almost tripled (+275%) compared to last year, versus a 63% increase in enquiries to towns. In Edinburgh village enquiries are up 205%, and Birmingham was up 186%.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Coronavirus: ministers blew £150m on unusable masks from British banker

At the peak of Britain ’ s coronavirus outbreak , the UK government spent £150m on 43.5 million unusable face masks delivered by a little-known investment company .
Officials have admitted that the masks , which had elastic ear-loops rather than straps which fasten behind the head , “ did not meet standards and could not be used in the NHS ” , The Times reports .
They were made in China and imported by Ayanda Capital in a deal “ brokered by a government adviser who also advises the company ’ s board ” , the paper adds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Ayanda describes itself as an investment firm specialising in “ currency trading , offshore property , private equity and trade financing ” .
“ In the early weeks of the pandemic the NHS experienced severe shortages of personal protective equipment [ PPE ] , ” the BBC reports .
“ The government says it had to find new suppliers quickly to meet demand and to compete with rising global competition.
” A month ago , the Financial Times said the government was “ facing mounting scrutiny over contracts totalling £5.5bn for personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies in the first months of the coronavirus crisis as it scrambled to tackle a shortage of kit ” .
The Ayanda contract was mentioned as a cause for concern , both because of its size and the company ’ s apparent inexperience in medical procurement .
At the time , Ayanda told the FT it was “ happy to confirm that the contract has been successfully fulfilled ” .
The eventual fate of the masks is “ not clear ” , says the BBC .

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theweekuk--2020-08-06--What is ammonium nitrate - the chemical that exploded in Beirut?

Gabriel da Silva , senior lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne , on what triggered the explosion in the Lebanese capital .
The Lebanese capital Beirut was rocked on Tuesday evening local time by an explosion that has killed at least 135 people and injured thousands more .
The country ’ s prime minister Hassan Diab said the blast was caused by around 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored near the city ’ s cargo port .
Video footage appears to show a fire burning nearby before the blast .
Ammonium nitrate has the chemical formula NH₄NO₃ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ prills ” , it ’ s one of the world ’ s most widely used fertilisers .
It is also the main component in many types of mining explosives , where it ’ s mixed with fuel oil and detonated by an explosive charge .
For an industrial ammonium nitrate disaster to occur , a lot needs to go wrong .
Tragically , this seems to have been the case in Beirut .
What could have caused the explosion ?
Ammonium nitrate does not burn on its own .
Instead , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can accelerate the combustion ( burning ) of other materials .
For combustion to occur , oxygen must be present .
Ammonium nitrate prills provide a much more concentrated supply of oxygen than the air around us .
This is why it is effective in mining explosives , where it ’ s mixed with oil and other fuels .
At high enough temperatures , however , ammonium nitrate can violently decompose on its own .
This process creates gases including nitrogen oxides and water vapour .
It is this rapid release of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nitrate decomposition can be set off if an explosion occurs where it ’ s stored , if there is an intense fire nearby .
The latter is what happened in the 2015 Tianjin explosion , which killed 173 people after flammable chemicals and ammonium nitrate were stored together at a chemicals factory in eastern China .
While we don ’ t know for sure what caused the explosion in Beirut , footage of the incident indicates it may have been set off by a fire – visible in a section of the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened .
It ’ s relatively difficult for a fire to trigger an ammonium nitrate explosion .
The fire would need to be sustained and confined within the same area as the ammonium nitrate prills .
Also , the prills themselves are not fuel for the fire , so they would need to be contaminated with , or packaged in , some other combustible material .
In Beirut , it has been reported 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored in a warehouse for six years without proper safety controls .
This will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances that resulted in a commonplace industrial fire causing such a devastating explosion .
An ammonium nitrate explosion produces massive amounts of nitrogen oxides .
Nitrogen dioxide ( NO₂ ) is a red , bad-smelling gas .
Images from Beirut reveal a distinct reddish colour to the plume of gases from the blast .
Nitrogen oxides are commonly present in urban air pollution , and can irritate the respiratory system .
Elevated levels of these pollutants are particularly concerning for people with respiratory conditions .
The fumes in Beirut will present a health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which could take several days depending on the local weather .
In Australia , we produce and import large amounts of ammonium nitrate , mostly for use in mining .
It is made by combining ammonia gas with liquid nitric acid , which itself is made from ammonia .
Ammonium nitrate is classified as dangerous goods and all aspects of its use are tightly regulated .
For decades , Australia has produced , stored and used ammonium nitrate without a major incident .
The explosion in Beirut shows us just how important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

Gabriel da Silva, senior lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, on what triggered the explosion in the Lebanese capital.
The Lebanese capital Beirut was rocked on Tuesday evening local time by an explosion that has killed at least 135 people and injured thousands more.
The country’s prime minister Hassan Diab said the blast was caused by around 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored near the city’s cargo port. Video footage appears to show a fire burning nearby before the blast.
Ammonium nitrate has the chemical formula NH₄NO₃. Produced as small porous pellets, or “prills”, it’s one of the world’s most widely used fertilisers. It is also the main component in many types of mining explosives, where it’s mixed with fuel oil and detonated by an explosive charge.
For an industrial ammonium nitrate disaster to occur, a lot needs to go wrong. Tragically, this seems to have been the case in Beirut.
What could have caused the explosion?
Ammonium nitrate does not burn on its own. Instead, it acts as a source of oxygen that can accelerate the combustion (burning) of other materials.
For combustion to occur, oxygen must be present. Ammonium nitrate prills provide a much more concentrated supply of oxygen than the air around us. This is why it is effective in mining explosives, where it’s mixed with oil and other fuels.
At high enough temperatures, however, ammonium nitrate can violently decompose on its own. This process creates gases including nitrogen oxides and water vapour. It is this rapid release of gases that causes an explosion.
Ammonium nitrate decomposition can be set off if an explosion occurs where it’s stored, if there is an intense fire nearby. The latter is what happened in the 2015 Tianjin explosion, which killed 173 people after flammable chemicals and ammonium nitrate were stored together at a chemicals factory in eastern China.
While we don’t know for sure what caused the explosion in Beirut, footage of the incident indicates it may have been set off by a fire – visible in a section of the city’s port area before the explosion happened.
It’s relatively difficult for a fire to trigger an ammonium nitrate explosion. The fire would need to be sustained and confined within the same area as the ammonium nitrate prills. Also, the prills themselves are not fuel for the fire, so they would need to be contaminated with, or packaged in, some other combustible material.
Residents’ health at risk
In Beirut, it has been reported 2,700 tonnes of ammonium nitrate were stored in a warehouse for six years without proper safety controls. This will almost certainly have contributed to the tragic circumstances that resulted in a commonplace industrial fire causing such a devastating explosion.
An ammonium nitrate explosion produces massive amounts of nitrogen oxides. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) is a red, bad-smelling gas. Images from Beirut reveal a distinct reddish colour to the plume of gases from the blast.
Nitrogen oxides are commonly present in urban air pollution, and can irritate the respiratory system. Elevated levels of these pollutants are particularly concerning for people with respiratory conditions.
The fumes in Beirut will present a health risk to residents until they naturally dissipate, which could take several days depending on the local weather.
An important reminder
In Australia, we produce and import large amounts of ammonium nitrate, mostly for use in mining. It is made by combining ammonia gas with liquid nitric acid, which itself is made from ammonia.
Ammonium nitrate is classified as dangerous goods and all aspects of its use are tightly regulated. For decades, Australia has produced, stored and used ammonium nitrate without a major incident. The explosion in Beirut shows us just how important these regulations are.
Gabriel da Silva, senior lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Melbourne.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Thursday 6 Aug 2020

Estate agents say there has been a surge in interest in moving to the country since the coronavirus outbreak .
@ @ @ @ @ UK , enquiries about buying a home in a village jumped by 126 % in @ @ @ @ @ the same period last year .
A spokesperson said the trend was driven by “ @ @ @ @ @ lifestyle , one that is quieter and has an abundance of beautiful countryside and more @ @ @ @

Estate agents report surge of interest in country villages
Estate agents say there has been a surge in interest in moving to the country since the coronavirus outbreak. Rightmove reports that across the UK, enquiries about buying a home in a village jumped by 126% in June and July compared with the same period last year. A spokesperson said the trend was driven by “the lure of a new lifestyle, one that is quieter and has an abundance of beautiful countryside and more outdoor space”.


theweekuk--2020-08-06--Man threatens service station workers with toilet brush

Workers at service station between Horsham and Crawley have been threatened with toilet brush during what they described as a “ slight misunderstanding ” over social distancing in the bathrooms .
Inspector Darren Taylor said : “ How the toilet brush became embroiled into it we really don ’ t know.
” The toilet brush has now been returned to its cubicle , he added .
Man buys 25 identical lottery tickets and his numbers come up A US man struck very lucky when he bought 25 identical lottery tickets for the same draw and won 25 times for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Raymond Harrington says he decided to buy 25 tickets for the July 17 draw when “ something just told me to play 25 times ” .
His hunch was a good one because Harrington 's number combination came up : 4-6-4-0 .
Judge sworn in in middle of ultramarathon The new Supreme Court Justice for Wisconsin was sworn into office mid-way through a 100-mile ultramarathon .
Jill Karofsky was sworn in on Saturday at the 35-mile marker of her route in south-central Wisconsin .
State Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet administered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Workers at service station between Horsham and Crawley have been threatened with toilet brush during what they described as a “slight misunderstanding” over social distancing in the bathrooms. Inspector Darren Taylor said: “How the toilet brush became embroiled into it we really don’t know.” The toilet brush has now been returned to its cubicle, he added.
Man buys 25 identical lottery tickets and his numbers come up
A US man struck very lucky when he bought 25 identical lottery tickets for the same draw and won 25 times for a total prize of $125,000 (£95,000). Raymond Harrington says he decided to buy 25 tickets for the July 17 draw when “something just told me to play 25 times”. His hunch was a good one because Harrington's number combination came up: 4-6-4-0.
Judge sworn in in middle of ultramarathon
The new Supreme Court Justice for Wisconsin was sworn into office mid-way through a 100-mile ultramarathon. Jill Karofsky was sworn in on Saturday at the 35-mile marker of her route in south-central Wisconsin. State Supreme Court Justice Rebecca Dallet administered the oath of office in Basco.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-08-05--SF90 Stradale: Ferrari’s stunning new hybrid

Ferrari flagships have always been special , and over the years increasingly potent and hard to top , says Richard Meaden in Auto Express .
But the Italian supercar manufacturer has outdone itself again with this 987bhp plug-in hybrid that “ melds old-school mid-engined drama with cutting-edge powertrain technology ” .
The SF90 Stradale is “ a brilliantly resolved driver ’ s car ” with “ dazzling technology and hypercar performance ” .
And in a straight line , that performance is nothing short of “ ballistic ” .
From rest , it reaches 62mph in just 2.5 seconds and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 211mph .
“ Driven on the legendary Fiorano test track , the SF90 shines , ” while remaining “ steadfast and sure-footed ” .
In Race mode , the car somehow makes almost 1,000bhp of power feel “ friendly and accessible ” and without needing the skills of a Formula 1 driver to keep control .
The SF90 is Ferrari ’ s first-ever plug-in hybrid and has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 backing up its three electric motors .
“ But don ’ t be fooled , ” says Driving Electric : “ electrification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mind , with only a token nod to lowering emissions ” .
Total power output is 987bhp , putting it above Ferrari ’ s V12-powered 812 Superfast model .
The resulting performance is “ mind-bending ” and “ intoxicating ” .
In eMode , ie , travelling by electric power alone , the car can travel up to 15 miles at speeds of up to 85mph .
In Hybrid mode , the petrol engine wakes up when you push harder on the throttle .
The car is not by a long stretch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ but it ’ s certainly the most fun ” .
There ’ s lots new on the inside too , says Top Gear .
There ’ s a 16-inch screen on the dashboard with three main screens to swipe through – media , navigation , and vehicle controls – and it ’ s operated by a steering-wheel-mounted touchpad .
The gadgetry and infotainment systems have seen a marked improvement and boast a premium JBL sound system .
Overall , the significance of the SF90 “ can not be overstated ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard with confidence , yet remains “ nimble , controllable and delicate in your hands ” .
It is a “ stunning machine ” .
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek

Ferrari flagships have always been special, and over the years increasingly potent and hard to top, says Richard Meaden in Auto Express. But the Italian supercar manufacturer has outdone itself again with this 987bhp plug-in hybrid that “melds old-school mid-engined drama with cutting-edge powertrain technology”. The SF90 Stradale is “a brilliantly resolved driver’s car” with “dazzling technology and hypercar performance”.
And in a straight line, that performance is nothing short of “ballistic”. From rest, it reaches 62mph in just 2.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 211mph. “Driven on the legendary Fiorano test track, the SF90 shines,” while remaining “steadfast and sure-footed”. In Race mode, the car somehow makes almost 1,000bhp of power feel “friendly and accessible” and without needing the skills of a Formula 1 driver to keep control.
The SF90 is Ferrari’s first-ever plug-in hybrid and has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 backing up its three electric motors. “But don’t be fooled,” says Driving Electric: “electrification has been employed almost entirely with performance in mind, with only a token nod to lowering emissions”.
Total power output is 987bhp, putting it above Ferrari’s V12-powered 812 Superfast model. The resulting performance is “mind-bending” and “intoxicating”. In eMode, ie, travelling by electric power alone, the car can travel up to 15 miles at speeds of up to 85mph. In Hybrid mode, the petrol engine wakes up when you push harder on the throttle. The car is not by a long stretch the most efficient hybrid you can buy, “but it’s certainly the most fun”.
There’s lots new on the inside too, says Top Gear. There’s a 16-inch screen on the dashboard with three main screens to swipe through – media, navigation, and vehicle controls – and it’s operated by a steering-wheel-mounted touchpad. The gadgetry and infotainment systems have seen a marked improvement and boast a premium JBL sound system.
Overall, the significance of the SF90 “cannot be overstated”. It is approachable enough to be driven hard with confidence, yet remains “nimble, controllable and delicate in your hands”. It is a “stunning machine”.
Price: £376,048. Engine: 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 plus electric motors. Top speed: 211mph. 0-62mph: 2.5 seconds.
This article was originally published in MoneyWeek


theweekuk--2020-08-05--Ten independent London cocktail bars now taking bookings

It ’ s been a long lockdown of making your own cocktails - and for some , getting them delivered - but now that the hospitality industry is reopening its doors it means you won ’ t have to smash another cocktail shaker against the kitchen sink for a while .
If you were wondering where ’ s open , you ’ re in luck .
DesignMyNight has rounded up the best independent cocktail bars in London now taking bookings for summer and beyond .
If you have a penchant for quirky and downright weird cocktails , The Gibson is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Closing its doors in March and spending lockdown sending out cocktail kits to raise money for the NHS , the Shoreditch watering hole has finally opened for service .
The team are taking bookings for Fridays and Saturdays and with a menu of cocktails coming served in anything from green Hulk fists to miniature light bulbs , it ’ s needless to say booking ahead is advisable .
Homeboy hasn ’ t been around long but it ’ s already made a big name for itself thanks to several accolades .
Promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Islington , this homely nook has a cocktail menu reflective of its roots and heritage .
The Taoiseach is a balanced mix leading with Redbreast 12 Potstill Irish Whiskey , but you can ’ t go wrong with the Tea And A Biscuit number .
It ’ s a bold and brave blend of Roe & Co Irish Whiskey , Benedictine , Barry ’ s Irish Tea , clarified milk and Hobnob syrup .
Taking the biscuit ?
Not this time .
West Hampstead has a few gems up its sleeve and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of them .
This gorgeous cocktail bar is split across two floors , the first floor ( Heads ) focussing on gin and vodka twists with the lower floor ( Tails ) placing an emphasis on darker spirits , like rum and whisky .
If you ’ d like to feel the searing sun on your skin while you sip your hand-crafted cocktail , that won ’ t be an issue .
This trendy bar has an alfresco suntrap where you can lap up the rays .
Swift has built up its reputation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of world-class awards , and a dedication to changing menus seasonally - each time carrying across its most successful creations .
With plenty of hand sanitiser in tow , Swift has opened up its doors for bookings , and this time it has the addition of outside seating .
Shaking everything from spritzes and summer cup specials to the ever-popular Sgroppino - that ’ s a refreshing mix of lemon sorbet , prosecco and Italicus - mark this spot as a Soho-must .
Inspired by Lewis Carroll ’ s Alice ’ s Adventures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to bring some nostalgia to your next night out in north London .
This Islington cocktail den is decked out with curious works of art and large comfy sofas but it ’ s the food and drink menu that make this neighbourhood joint so popular .
It has a brunch menu available every weekend with bottomless espresso martinis for £25 , an entire section dedicated to classic cocktails , alongside a few twists for adventurous types .
If you ’ re not entirely comfortable with jetting away just yet , not to worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay put and experience a slice of France in London .
Taking inspiration from Calvados in France , this cosy Bethnal Green hideaway is responsible for some of the capital ’ s best drinks ; the rhubarb white negroni and Champagne piña colada being two of them .
Now open for bookings , it ’ s the perfect excuse to ditch your couch and venture out for the evening .
Soho is packed with brilliant bars but if you ’ re looking for one that ’ s hidden off the beaten track , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go .
The discreet basement bar is tucked away behind a glossy red door and it ’ s the ideal place for a catch-up or a romantic date night .
Skip down its rickety staircase and you ’ ll find a bar that pairs quirky desserts that feature everything from tonka bean marshmallow to popping candy and a collection of cocktails muddled with the likes of Champagne syrup and mezcal smoked tea .
Boasting diamond chandeliers , vintage trinkets and private alcoves with plush leather seating , you ’ d swear Purl was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1920s novel .
This secret speakeasy in Marylebone is back open for bookings and thanks to its spacious booths , it ’ s the ideal destination for a boozy outing with your housemates .
It also has a new menu with lots of unusual drinks echoing the long lost prohibition era .
Will you find anywhere else like it ?
Not likely .
The Little Orange Door was set to open in March but - after what feels like ten years of lockdown - the ribbon has finally been cut , with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spot in Clapham Common is themed around a London flatshare , with a book-filled library , a cosy sitting room and a conservatory with a botanically-inspired gin bar .
Bottomless brunch is on the cards for its weekend shenanigans but the cocktails are just as impressive , with an entire section dedicated to iconic movies like Zoolander and Love Actually .
Keystone Crescent is one of the coolest bars in King ’ s Cross but you need to be a member to gain entry .
Thankfully , registering for membership is a doddle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s more than worth it .
Each month you ’ ll receive a special code to gain access to the basement bar and be invited to exclusive events .
It ’ s only open on Fridays and Saturdays for the time being but closing time isn ’ t until 4am .
Chin chin .
For more info on the best cocktail bars in London and across the UK , visit DesignMyNight.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook ; @ DesignMyNight .

It’s been a long lockdown of making your own cocktails - and for some, getting them delivered - but now that the hospitality industry is reopening its doors it means you won’t have to smash another cocktail shaker against the kitchen sink for a while.
If you were wondering where’s open, you’re in luck. DesignMyNight has rounded up the best independent cocktail bars in London now taking bookings for summer and beyond.
The Gibson
If you have a penchant for quirky and downright weird cocktails, The Gibson is about to become your new best friend. Closing its doors in March and spending lockdown sending out cocktail kits to raise money for the NHS, the Shoreditch watering hole has finally opened for service. The team are taking bookings for Fridays and Saturdays and with a menu of cocktails coming served in anything from green Hulk fists to miniature light bulbs, it’s needless to say booking ahead is advisable.
Homeboy
Homeboy hasn’t been around long but it’s already made a big name for itself thanks to several accolades. Promising modern day Irish hospitality in the heart of Islington, this homely nook has a cocktail menu reflective of its roots and heritage. The Taoiseach is a balanced mix leading with Redbreast 12 Potstill Irish Whiskey, but you can’t go wrong with the Tea And A Biscuit number. It’s a bold and brave blend of Roe & Co Irish Whiskey, Benedictine, Barry’s Irish Tea, clarified milk and Hobnob syrup. Taking the biscuit? Not this time.
Heads + Tails
West Hampstead has a few gems up its sleeve and Heads + Tails happens to be one of them. This gorgeous cocktail bar is split across two floors, the first floor (Heads) focussing on gin and vodka twists with the lower floor (Tails) placing an emphasis on darker spirits, like rum and whisky. If you’d like to feel the searing sun on your skin while you sip your hand-crafted cocktail, that won’t be an issue. This trendy bar has an alfresco suntrap where you can lap up the rays.
Swift
Swift has built up its reputation amongst imbibers thanks to an impressive collection of world-class awards, and a dedication to changing menus seasonally - each time carrying across its most successful creations. With plenty of hand sanitiser in tow, Swift has opened up its doors for bookings, and this time it has the addition of outside seating. Shaking everything from spritzes and summer cup specials to the ever-popular Sgroppino - that’s a refreshing mix of lemon sorbet, prosecco and Italicus - mark this spot as a Soho-must.
Little Bat
Inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Little Bat is sure to bring some nostalgia to your next night out in north London. This Islington cocktail den is decked out with curious works of art and large comfy sofas but it’s the food and drink menu that make this neighbourhood joint so popular. It has a brunch menu available every weekend with bottomless espresso martinis for £25, an entire section dedicated to classic cocktails, alongside a few twists for adventurous types.
Coupette
If you’re not entirely comfortable with jetting away just yet, not to worry - there’s a chance to stay put and experience a slice of France in London. Taking inspiration from Calvados in France, this cosy Bethnal Green hideaway is responsible for some of the capital’s best drinks; the rhubarb white negroni and Champagne piña colada being two of them. Now open for bookings, it’s the perfect excuse to ditch your couch and venture out for the evening.
Basement Sate
Soho is packed with brilliant bars but if you’re looking for one that’s hidden off the beaten track, Basement Sate is where you need to go. The discreet basement bar is tucked away behind a glossy red door and it’s the ideal place for a catch-up or a romantic date night. Skip down its rickety staircase and you’ll find a bar that pairs quirky desserts that feature everything from tonka bean marshmallow to popping candy and a collection of cocktails muddled with the likes of Champagne syrup and mezcal smoked tea.
Purl
Boasting diamond chandeliers, vintage trinkets and private alcoves with plush leather seating, you’d swear Purl was plucked right from the pages of a 1920s novel. This secret speakeasy in Marylebone is back open for bookings and thanks to its spacious booths, it’s the ideal destination for a boozy outing with your housemates. It also has a new menu with lots of unusual drinks echoing the long lost prohibition era. Will you find anywhere else like it? Not likely.
The Little Orange Door
The Little Orange Door was set to open in March but - after what feels like ten years of lockdown - the ribbon has finally been cut, with the team now taking bookings. This kooky spot in Clapham Common is themed around a London flatshare, with a book-filled library, a cosy sitting room and a conservatory with a botanically-inspired gin bar. Bottomless brunch is on the cards for its weekend shenanigans but the cocktails are just as impressive, with an entire section dedicated to iconic movies like Zoolander and Love Actually.
Keystone Crescent
Keystone Crescent is one of the coolest bars in King’s Cross but you need to be a member to gain entry. Thankfully, registering for membership is a doddle and for only £35 a year, it’s more than worth it. Each month you’ll receive a special code to gain access to the basement bar and be invited to exclusive events. It’s only open on Fridays and Saturdays for the time being but closing time isn’t until 4am. Chin chin.
For more info on the best cocktail bars in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight.com or follow on Instagram and Facebook; @DesignMyNight.


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Is Boris Johnson heading to war with Tory voters over housebuilding?

Boris Johnson has courted controversy within his own party after it was revealed that plans to expand government home building will remove powers from a number of Conservative-led councils .
Johnson ’ s reform of planning laws will take control over the rate of building out of the hands of local governments and hand these powers to No .
10 , which intends to “ distribute ” an annual target of 300,000 homes among the local authorities , The Times reports .
But critics of the reforms claim they could lead to an increase in the amount of so-called “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affluent areas of the country with more empty land .
What are the reforms ?
Johnson yesterday unveiled a large-scale reform of planning policy intended to support the government ’ s goal of building 300,000 new homes built per year - a target it has missed multiple times in recent years .
The scheme will allow commercial buildings to change to residential use without a planning application , as well as introducing a “ fast-track approval process ” to allow homeowners to build above their properties , subject to neighbour consultation , PBC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controversial part of the proposal is the imposition of housing requirements on local councils , with those in more affluent areas required to release the most land .
According to a consultation document published in The Times , the government believes that allowing local councils an element of discretion over their construction targets is “ judged to have failed , particularly in areas with chronic shortages ” .
The government now says it will distribute its national target , while “ leaving [ councils ] with only the discretion of which land to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the new system would be “ much simpler and faster ” than the existing model , which has been described by senior adviser Dominic Cummings as “ appalling ” .
Why will this upset Tory shires ?
The consultation document suggests that removing council powers on housing is “ likely to be one of the most controversial elements of the new system ” as it will “ require councils with the least affordable housing - typically in Conservative-controlled affluent areas - to release the most land @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is already receiving ominous warnings from Conservative MPs .
“ The plans will face a rough ride in parliament , ” says the Financial Times , as well as in loca ; government .
Tory councillors are likely to be the most “ vociferous critics of proposals that will remove some of their planning powers ” , it adds .
As Times Radio chief political commentator Tom Newton Dunn wrote on Twitter , “ the juiciest bit ” of the propsed reform is that “ councils will be ordered to build where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanding leafy market towns in largely Tory constituencies ” .
Tom Fyans , the deputy chief executive at the Campaign to Protect Rural England , told the Daily Express that “ the acid test for the planning reforms is community involvement ” .
He said he was unconvinced that the new proposals would prove sufficiently inclusive , and called for “ robust legal guarantees that the public are consulted regarding new development ” .
Will this fix the UK ’ s housing crisis ?
An estimated 8.4 million people in England are living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes , according to the BBC .
Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson of promising them “ a new deal , but there is not much that ’ s new , and , it ’ s not much of a deal ” .
Environmental groups have also expressed concerns that the new regulations will bulldoze through protections on English countryside .
In an open letter to The Observer , a group of wildlife organisations including the National Trust , the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds ( RSPB ) and the Wildlife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of deregulatory measures , including those that weaken laws to protect habitats and wildlife .
“ There is no public appetite for deregulation , with 93 % of Conservative voters wanting to maintain or strengthen protections for habitats and wildlife .
”

Boris Johnson has courted controversy within his own party after it was revealed that plans to expand government home building will remove powers from a number of Conservative-led councils.
Johnson’s reform of planning laws will take control over the rate of building out of the hands of local governments and hand these powers to No. 10, which intends to “distribute” an annual target of 300,000 homes among the local authorities, The Times reports.
But critics of the reforms claim they could lead to an increase in the amount of so-called “slum” housing, particularly in more affluent areas of the country with more empty land.
What are the reforms?
Johnson yesterday unveiled a large-scale reform of planning policy intended to support the government’s goal of building 300,000 new homes built per year - a target it has missed multiple times in recent years.
The scheme will allow commercial buildings to change to residential use without a planning application, as well as introducing a “fast-track approval process” to allow homeowners to build above their properties, subject to neighbour consultation, PBC Today reports.
However, the most controversial part of the proposal is the imposition of housing requirements on local councils, with those in more affluent areas required to release the most land.
According to a consultation document published in The Times, the government believes that allowing local councils an element of discretion over their construction targets is “judged to have failed, particularly in areas with chronic shortages”.
The government now says it will distribute its national target, while “leaving [councils] with only the discretion of which land to designate for building rather than how much”.
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said the new system would be “much simpler and faster” than the existing model, which has been described by senior adviser Dominic Cummings as “appalling”.
Why will this upset Tory shires?
The consultation document suggests that removing council powers on housing is “likely to be one of the most controversial elements of the new system” as it will “require councils with the least affordable housing - typically in Conservative-controlled affluent areas - to release the most land”, The Times says.
The government is already receiving ominous warnings from Conservative MPs. “The plans will face a rough ride in parliament,” says the Financial Times, as well as in loca; government. Tory councillors are likely to be the most “vociferous critics of proposals that will remove some of their planning powers”, it adds.
As Times Radio chief political commentator Tom Newton Dunn wrote on Twitter, “the juiciest bit” of the propsed reform is that “councils will be ordered to build where people want to live. That means expanding leafy market towns in largely Tory constituencies”.
Tom Fyans, the deputy chief executive at the Campaign to Protect Rural England, told the Daily Express that “the acid test for the planning reforms is community involvement”.
He said he was unconvinced that the new proposals would prove sufficiently inclusive, and called for “robust legal guarantees that the public are consulted regarding new development”.
Will this fix the UK’s housing crisis?
An estimated 8.4 million people in England are living in an unaffordable, insecure or unsuitable homes, according to the BBC.
Labour leader Keir Starmer accused Johnson of promising them “a new deal, but there is not much that’s new, and, it’s not much of a deal”.
Environmental groups have also expressed concerns that the new regulations will bulldoze through protections on English countryside.
In an open letter to The Observer, a group of wildlife organisations including the National Trust, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Wildlife Trusts wrote: “There are rumours of deregulatory measures, including those that weaken laws to protect habitats and wildlife.
“There is no public appetite for deregulation, with 93% of Conservative voters wanting to maintain or strengthen protections for habitats and wildlife.”


theweekuk--2020-08-07--Coronavirus: do Covid-19 tracking apps work?

As the government prepares to launch its ill-fated coronavirus app , other European countries are beginning to publish information about how their apps are performing .
They have “ achieved some early successes ” , says Reuters .
“ Millions of people have downloaded smartphone tracker apps and hundreds have uploaded the results of positive Covid-19 tests.
” Yet most countries “ lack solid evidence ” that their apps are helping to contain the virus .
Part of the problem is that neither governments nor the public can find out who is receiving alerts about potential infection .
In most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apps are generating remains unknown .
“ The privacy-conscious way in which they are designed could mean we will never know how effective they have been , ” the BBC reports .
In Germany , 16 million people have downloaded the country ’ s corona-tracking app , about 20 % of the population , but only 1,052 people have requested the code they need to tell the app they have tested positive .
That represents about 150 people per week since launch , at a time when Germany is recording more than 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Public health experts have “ limited expectations ” of the app , says the British Medical Journal , and are instead focusing their efforts on a manual contact-tracing system that has been widely praised .
Not everywhere is flying quite so blind .
In Ireland , which is a “ bit less privacy-obsessed ” , says The New York Times , the Covid app “ tallies how many people upload a positive test result and how many get notifications ” .
But only 58 users entered positive tests into the app - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive .
That ’ s well below the performance levels thought to be needed to contain the virus .
Even if everyone used the apps and all positive tests were recorded , doubts remain about whether phones can effectively record potentially infectious contacts .
“ We do not know whether the software is performing its key function , ” says the BBC .
“ Studies have indicated that Bluetooth is an unreliable way to determine the distance between two people in some common situations.
” This was one of the reasons the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in June .
A revised app - which may not even attempt to track contacts - is expected later this month .
Outside Europe , experience has been equally mixed .
In Australia , the app proved “ barely relevant ” , says The Guardian .
In its first month , “ just one person [ was ] reported to have been identified using data from it ” .
South Korea is the stand-out example of success , but its app is part of a far more comprehensive system that logs “ extraordinarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including their exact movements around the country ” , says Foreign Policy .
Instead of Bluetooth , it uses GPS and the mobile phone network to track people ’ s locations , cross-checking that data with credit card payments , face-recognition systems and CCTV - and then uploading it to a central database .
“ It ’ s hard to imagine many Western countries taking such a cavalier approach to patient privacy , ” says the magazine .
“ But the app seems to be popular in South Korea .
”