theweekuk--2020-09-10--‘Operation Moonshot’: Boris Johnson’s mass testing plan to cost ‘almost entire NHS budget’

Boris Johnson believes that a mass testing programme costing £100bn is “ our only hope for avoiding a second national lockdown ” before a coronavirus vaccine is developed , according to leaked government documents .
Memos seen by the British Medical Journal say that the prime minister ’ s “ Operation Moonshot ” plan will “ support economic activity and a return to normal life ” by delivering up to ten million tests a day - albeit at enormous cost .
As the Daily Mail reports , “ the government currently spends £130bn on the NHS in England each year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ match the amount of funding pledged to the entire health service , which in itself represents some 20 % of all public spending ” .
That price tag does not seem to have deterred the PM , however .
Following his announcement yesterday of a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people , Johnson said the government was “ working hard ” to increase testing capacity to 500,000 a day by the end of October .
And he added that “ in the near future ” , testing might begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - who don ’ t have coronavirus and who are not infectious - so we can allow them to behave in a more normal way , in the knowledge they can not infect anyone else ” .
“ We believe that new types of test which are simple , quick and scalable will become available , ” the PM told press at Downing Street ’ s daily briefing .
The Guardian reports that “ if delivered , the Moonshot programme would be unprecedented in scale and , as reflected by its name , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the outer level of possibility ” .
Testing capacity currently stands at around 350,000 a day – 250,000 swabs and 100,000 antibody tests .
And as BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle points out , piloting of the new testing technologies has yet to be completed , and “ millions of tests would then need to be manufactured and distributed ” .
Dr Chaand Nagpaul , chair of the Council of the British Medical Association , said it was unclear how Operation Moonshot would work given the “ huge problems ” currently seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open up society on the basis of negative tests should be also “ approached with caution ” , he added , pointing to high rates of false negatives .
Those concerns were echoed by Dr David Strain , a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and chair of the BMA ’ s Medical Academic Staff Committee .
“ The mass-testing strategy is fundamentally flawed ” and is “ being based on technology that does not , as yet , exist ” , said Strain .
Those concerns were acknowledged by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrick Vallance , at the briefing yesterday .
“ There are , as always with technologies , unknowns , ” he admitted .
“ We would be completely wrong to assume this is a slam dunk that can definitely happen .
”

Boris Johnson believes that a mass testing programme costing £100bn is “our only hope for avoiding a second national lockdown” before a coronavirus vaccine is developed, according to leaked government documents.
Memos seen by the British Medical Journal say that the prime minister’s “Operation Moonshot” plan will “support economic activity and a return to normal life” by delivering up to ten million tests a day - albeit at enormous cost.
As the Daily Mail reports, “the government currently spends £130bn on the NHS in England each year, so such a move would almost match the amount of funding pledged to the entire health service, which in itself represents some 20% of all public spending”.
That price tag does not seem to have deterred the PM, however.
Following his announcement yesterday of a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people, Johnson said the government was “working hard” to increase testing capacity to 500,000 a day by the end of October.
And he added that “in the near future”, testing might begin “to identify people who are negative - who don’t have coronavirus and who are not infectious - so we can allow them to behave in a more normal way, in the knowledge they cannot infect anyone else”.
“We believe that new types of test which are simple, quick and scalable will become available,” the PM told press at Downing Street’s daily briefing.
The Guardian reports that “if delivered, the Moonshot programme would be unprecedented in scale and, as reflected by its name, is considered by some officials to be at the outer level of possibility”.
Testing capacity currently stands at around 350,000 a day – 250,000 swabs and 100,000 antibody tests.
And as BBC health correspondent Nick Triggle points out, piloting of the new testing technologies has yet to be completed, and “millions of tests would then need to be manufactured and distributed”.
Dr Chaand Nagpaul, chair of the Council of the British Medical Association, said it was unclear how Operation Moonshot would work given the “huge problems” currently seen with lab capacity.
The proposal to open up society on the basis of negative tests should be also “approached with caution”, he added, pointing to high rates of false negatives.
Those concerns were echoed by Dr David Strain, a clinical senior lecturer at the University of Exeter and chair of the BMA’s Medical Academic Staff Committee. “The mass-testing strategy is fundamentally flawed” and is “being based on technology that does not, as yet, exist”, said Strain.
Those concerns were acknowledged by the government’s chief scientific adviser, Patrick Vallance, at the briefing yesterday. “There are, as always with technologies, unknowns,” he admitted. “We would be completely wrong to assume this is a slam dunk that can definitely happen.”


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Sustainable cocktails: waste not, want lots

Did you know that today marks the final day of Zero Waste Week ?
The awareness campaign was launched to @ @ @ @ @ money and preserve resources .
It ’ s not just households that are getting involved @ @ @ @ @ but also many businesses such as restaurants and pubs .
Bacardi has a range of @ @ @ @ @ available exclusively at a host of the UK ’ s leading bars .
Here ’ @ @ @ @ @ “ conscious cocktail ” menu… Since it first opened in Shoreditch in 2017 , Scout @ @ @ @ @ zero waste ethos and focus on local British produce , as well as its adventurous @ @ @ @ @ making .

Did you know that today marks the final day of Zero Waste Week?
The awareness campaign was launched to help householders and organisations save money and preserve resources.
It’s not just households that are getting involved with Zero Waste Week, but also many businesses such as restaurants and pubs.
Bacardi has a range of sustainable cocktails which will be available exclusively at a host of the UK’s leading bars.
Here’s what is on the “conscious cocktail” menu…
GnT at Scout, London
Since it first opened in Shoreditch in 2017, Scout has become famous for its zero waste ethos and focus on local British produce, as well as its adventurous, creative approach to cocktail making. Matt Whiley has recently been joined by cocktail maestro Rich Woods, who was the brains behind the GnT (main picture). This serve is featured on Scout’s “Towns and Cities” menu, meaning all ingredients are sourced locally in London. They use and reuse what is at arm’s length and salvage ingredients that may have otherwise been thrown away. This fresh take on a gin and tonic combines Bombay Sapphire gin, cut grass, tomato vine, clarified tomato and tonic water and is one of many reasons to visit this East London bar making waves in the zero waste world. Price: £10.50.
224 Graham Road, London E8 1BP; scout.bar
The Super Sustainable at The Stratford Hotel, London
Tucked away within The Stratford Hotel, the Mezzanine Bar is a world-class, sustainable venue which strives to use leftover ingredients from the other restaurants on-site to create its delicious cocktails. On the menu is the Super Sustainable which repurposes ingredients left over from other cocktails. A refreshing take on a spritz, this sustainable serve combines Grey Goose La Poire, Matini Ambrato (infused with lemongrass by the Stratford Hotel), St. Germain elderflower liqueur and tonic water. Price: £12.50.
The Stratford Hotel, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, 20 International Way, London E20 1FD; thestratford.com
Problem Solved at Panda & Sons, Edinburgh
One for whisky lovers, this tasty tipple from Panda & Sons combines Aberfeldy 12 whisky, sherry and a homemade triple citrus cordial recipe which is created using grapefruit, orange and lemon peels that would otherwise go to waste. Price: £9.50.
79 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF; pandaandsons.com
Raspberry Rocky at Jake’s Bar, Leeds
Sustainability is a key focus for Jake’s Bar in Leeds. The bar reuses and repurposes products and that’s exactly how the Raspberry Rocky was born. This refreshing stirred-down drink is a firm favourite on the Jake’s Bar zero waste menu and really packs a punch. The cocktail uses the pulp wastage from Gingerita (a spicy Mexican fruit chaser available in its sister bar, Neon Cactus, also in Leeds) to make a syrup. Even better, the bar also uses red wine that has been previously opened to infuse the Bombay Sapphire gin, significantly reducing the red wine wastage. Price: £8.50.
29 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BT; jakesbar.co.uk
Waste Not, Want Not at Jake’s Bar, Leeds
Another winner from Jake’s Bar, the “Waste Not, Want Not” is a fruity tipple combining Grey Goose La Vanille vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, fruit jam and Kombucha. To reduce wastage, any fruit deemed unfit for garnish is used in either the Kombucha or the fruit jam; meaning flavours change weekly. Price: £9.50.
29 Call Lane, Leeds, LS1 7BT; jakesbar.co.uk
Clean Slate at Never Really Here, Bullard & Worth, Edinburgh
This cocktail combines Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, white chocolate and sustainable lime cordial which uses lime husks from neighbouring bars after they’ve been juiced. The team pick them up fresh, cut the pith out (this is used in other infusions), peels are dried out and then made into delicious clear lime juice-tasting cordial. Finally, the peels are taken home and made into a marmalade. Price: £9.
89 Rose Street North Lane, Edinburgh EH2 3DX
Figure It Out at Never Really Here, Bullard & Worth, Edinburgh
Another sustainable option on the menu at Never Really Here is Figure It Out - an exotic combination of Bombay Sapphire gin infused with balsamic figs, artichoke bitter, Martini Bianco vermouth and cacao husk bitters. The by-product of the gin infusion is repurposed as a gin-infused fig jam, which is sold in the bar and used on side serves and bar snacks. Price: £10.
89 Rose Street North Lane, Edinburgh EH2 3DX


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Instant Opinion: ‘nothing sticks to Donald Trump’ - until now

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Nothing sticks to Donald Trump .
But could this be an exception ?
“ ‘ Nothing sticks ’ has become the received wisdom about Trump , but amid the fallout from The Atlantic story last week , there were indications this might be an exception .
On social media , people reported Trump-loving relatives and neighbours , many of them veterans , being given pause about the president for the first time .
Trump himself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he sent out Melania to speak up for him – the Atlantic story ‘ is not true ’ , she tweeted , and called it ‘ activism , not journalism ’ – a rare intervention by the first lady .
And there was mild disturbance in the polls .
Trump should , last week , have received a boost from the Republican nominating convention , and all his ‘ law and order ’ rhetoric around social unrest in Kenosha and Portland .
Instead , he remained behind in every swing-state poll.
” Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more terrible than the first “ Britain ’ s brief period of semi-freedom has ended , and with it any hope of a return to cultural , social or economic normality .
We were out on parole , it turns out , and with a second wave of the virus seemingly starting to break , our liberties are being revoked .
The heady days of August , with their subsidised meals and makeshift staycations , were as good as it got – a passing , delusional moment .
We are entering another period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until spring , a partial Lockdown Mark II which starts with the six-person limit on gatherings .
It may be that the Government will keep the virus under control through luck ( if we are closer than thought to herd immunity ) or skill ( the authorities have greater information thanks to testing , and better tools than they had in March ) .
But if measured cases surge enough , as they have in France , Spain and Israel , and if the number of hospitalisations begins to rise , as they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panic will set in across officialdom.
” on the surfacing of an ugly trend “ Just as September 11 prompted a resurgence of Islamophobia , the pandemic has catalysed a new wave of Sinophobia .
Historians have chronicled American Sinophobia dating back to the 1850s and its government sanction in numerous laws including the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act .
While much has rightly been made of US President Donald Trump ’ s jingoistic emphasis on the origin of the coronavirus and the tepid response of the Justice Department to anti-Asian violence , focusing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uncomfortable truth .
Millions of liberals and conservatives across the country - consciously or unconsciously - harbour anti-Chinese sentiments .
They view those of Chinese ancestry and other Asian Americans , as competent and hard-working but also cunning , unidimensional and clannish .
After all , if the virus had originated in Sweden , would we be seeing the same kinds of attacks on Scandinavian Americans ?
” Why is the UK breaking international law now ?
“ If it turns out our reputation for upholding international rules isn ’ t actually important @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through with the pain of the last four years ?
If international law was of no concern , we could have defaulted on payments to the EU , we could have ignored Freedom of Movement and opened and closed our border at will .
We could have done what we liked as a nation state and dared the EU to throw us out .
This would have been win-win from a Eurosceptic perspective – either we get to stay in the EU with all of the benefits and none of the supposed downsides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brexit happens by default .
Put another way : why didn ’ t we try having our cake and eating it too ?
” The key to Shetland ’ s autonomy debate , and no it ’ s not about independence “ If Shetlanders feel the tide of centralisation and budget cuts continue unabated , support for autonomy will surely grow .
But if the Government makes real efforts to meet the Council ’ s concerns , including the long-running matter of internal ferry funding , some councillors may conclude this goes far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That one of Scotland ’ s peripheral Councils has emphatically rejected centralising policies by the Scottish Government certainly puts the SNP in an awkward position .
It may even undermine the SNP ’ s moral case for independence .
But the decision to explore self-determination is not fundamentally linked to the question of Scottish independence and should instead be understood as a manifestation of Shetland ’ s desire for greater local control on its own terms , in whichever form this ultimately takes .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Emma Brockes in The Guardian
on “suckers” and “losers”
Nothing sticks to Donald Trump. But could this be an exception?
“‘Nothing sticks’ has become the received wisdom about Trump, but amid the fallout from The Atlantic story last week, there were indications this might be an exception. On social media, people reported Trump-loving relatives and neighbours, many of them veterans, being given pause about the president for the first time. Trump himself seemed rattled, so much so that he sent out Melania to speak up for him – the Atlantic story ‘is not true’, she tweeted, and called it ‘activism, not journalism’ – a rare intervention by the first lady. And there was mild disturbance in the polls. Trump should, last week, have received a boost from the Republican nominating convention, and all his ‘law and order’ rhetoric around social unrest in Kenosha and Portland. Instead, he remained behind in every swing-state poll.”
2. Allister Heath in The Telegraph
on straining the British social fabric
Britain’s second lockdown will be even more terrible than the first
“Britain’s brief period of semi-freedom has ended, and with it any hope of a return to cultural, social or economic normality. We were out on parole, it turns out, and with a second wave of the virus seemingly starting to break, our liberties are being revoked. The heady days of August, with their subsidised meals and makeshift staycations, were as good as it got – a passing, delusional moment. We are entering another period of oppressive social control that could last until spring, a partial Lockdown Mark II which starts with the six-person limit on gatherings. It may be that the Government will keep the virus under control through luck (if we are closer than thought to herd immunity) or skill (the authorities have greater information thanks to testing, and better tools than they had in March). But if measured cases surge enough, as they have in France, Spain and Israel, and if the number of hospitalisations begins to rise, as they have in places such as Marseille, panic will set in across officialdom.”
3. Aly Kassam-Remtulla in Al Jazeera
on the surfacing of an ugly trend
Sinophobia, the new Islamophobia
“Just as September 11 prompted a resurgence of Islamophobia, the pandemic has catalysed a new wave of Sinophobia. Historians have chronicled American Sinophobia dating back to the 1850s and its government sanction in numerous laws including the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act. While much has rightly been made of US President Donald Trump’s jingoistic emphasis on the origin of the coronavirus and the tepid response of the Justice Department to anti-Asian violence, focusing solely on these actors detracts from an uncomfortable truth. Millions of liberals and conservatives across the country - consciously or unconsciously - harbour anti-Chinese sentiments. They view those of Chinese ancestry and other Asian Americans, as competent and hard-working but also cunning, unidimensional and clannish. After all, if the virus had originated in Sweden, would we be seeing the same kinds of attacks on Scandinavian Americans?”
4. Nick Tyrone in The Spectator
on ‘limited and specific’ diplomacy
Why is the UK breaking international law now?
“If it turns out our reputation for upholding international rules isn’t actually important, why did we bother to go through with the pain of the last four years? If international law was of no concern, we could have defaulted on payments to the EU, we could have ignored Freedom of Movement and opened and closed our border at will. We could have done what we liked as a nation state and dared the EU to throw us out. This would have been win-win from a Eurosceptic perspective – either we get to stay in the EU with all of the benefits and none of the supposed downsides, or they kick us out and Brexit happens by default. Put another way: why didn’t we try having our cake and eating it too?”
5. Mathew Nicholson in The National
on an aggrieved archipelago
The key to Shetland’s autonomy debate, and no it’s not about independence
“If Shetlanders feel the tide of centralisation and budget cuts continue unabated, support for autonomy will surely grow. But if the Government makes real efforts to meet the Council’s concerns, including the long-running matter of internal ferry funding, some councillors may conclude this goes far enough towards resolving Shetland’s grievances. That one of Scotland’s peripheral Councils has emphatically rejected centralising policies by the Scottish Government certainly puts the SNP in an awkward position. It may even undermine the SNP’s moral case for independence. But the decision to explore self-determination is not fundamentally linked to the question of Scottish independence and should instead be understood as a manifestation of Shetland’s desire for greater local control on its own terms, in whichever form this ultimately takes.”


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Shetlanders push for independence from Scotland

Local councillors on the Shetland Islands have backed a motion to explore the prospect of independence from Scotland by 18 votes to two .
The next step in what The Times describes as the “ drive towards autonomy ” will see the Shetland Islands Council explore options for “ achieving financial and political self-determination ” from Holyrood and Westminster .
The vote was prompted by frustration over how “ decision-making has become increasingly centralised and public funding for the islands has been cut under the SNP government ” , says The Scotsman .
The motion , signed by council leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are concerned that this ongoing situation is seriously threatening the prosperity and even basic sustainability of Shetland as a community.
” The UK ’ s northernmost archipelago has long had a fractious relationship with Edinburgh .
With enormous oil reserves and a population of just 23,000 , the islands have the “ ingredients to become an economic powerhouse ” , The Times suggests .
Yet many Shetlanders live in poverty and have been hostile to Scottish independence owing to their resentment of Holyrood ’ s governance .
The islands voted in favour of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scottish independence referendum , during which Scotland ’ s then first minister Alex Salmond pledged to use the Shetlands ’ large oil reserves to help his country prosper economically .
The passing of the motion by islanders this week “ was a mandate for exploring options rather than for any specific action , a point reiterated by many of the councillors present both in the chamber and remotely ” , says The Shetland Times .
But the result leaves Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon “ the dilemma of how to keep her country together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , adds the Daily Mail .
As the paper notes , if the Shetlands were to shake off Holyrood ’ s rule , “ they would keep the revenues from oil in their waters - dealing a blow to the finances of a would-be independent Scotland ” .

Local councillors on the Shetland Islands have backed a motion to explore the prospect of independence from Scotland by 18 votes to two.
The next step in what The Times describes as the “drive towards autonomy” will see the Shetland Islands Council explore options for “achieving financial and political self-determination” from Holyrood and Westminster.
The vote was prompted by frustration over how “decision-making has become increasingly centralised and public funding for the islands has been cut under the SNP government”, says The Scotsman.
The motion, signed by council leader Steven Coutts, states: “We are concerned that this ongoing situation is seriously threatening the prosperity and even basic sustainability of Shetland as a community.”
The UK’s northernmost archipelago has long had a fractious relationship with Edinburgh. With enormous oil reserves and a population of just 23,000, the islands have the “ingredients to become an economic powerhouse”, The Times suggests.
Yet many Shetlanders live in poverty and have been hostile to Scottish independence owing to their resentment of Holyrood’s governance.
The islands voted in favour of remaining in the UK in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, during which Scotland’s then first minister Alex Salmond pledged to use the Shetlands’ large oil reserves to help his country prosper economically.
The passing of the motion by islanders this week “was a mandate for exploring options rather than for any specific action, a point reiterated by many of the councillors present both in the chamber and remotely”, says The Shetland Times.
But the result leaves Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon “the dilemma of how to keep her country together while fighting to split the UK apart”, adds the Daily Mail.
As the paper notes, if the Shetlands were to shake off Holyrood’s rule, “they would keep the revenues from oil in their waters - dealing a blow to the finances of a would-be independent Scotland”.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Premier League 2020-21 predictions and odds: champions, top four, relegation

After just 48 days Premier League football is back this weekend.
A total of 380 matches will be played in the top-flight during the 2020-2021 season with clubs battling for the title, European qualification and trying to avoid relegation.
Liverpool start the campaign as reigning champions while Leeds United, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham have come up from the Championship.
With teams such as Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United hopeful of challenging at the top, can Liverpool hold on to the title? And can the newly-promoted trio retain their status in England’s top division?
Here we look at what the football journalists are predicting ahead of the 2020-21 Premier League season…
Phil McNulty, BBC Sport
Champions: Liverpool
“Tough task to maintain the sort of standards and momentum Liverpool have gathered in winning the Champions League and the title in the last two seasons, but this is a team without any obvious weaknesses and an array of world-class players in key positions. It is also tough to retain the Premier League but I reckon Liverpool have the mental strength and ability to do it. Champions again - but this season will be very close.”
Relegation: Fulham (20th), West Brom (19th), Crystal Palace (18th)
“This is said with a heavy heart as Fulham is a wonderful club back in the Premier League and it would be a real pleasure to eventually eat humble pie on this one. [West Brom boss Slaven] Bilic still has time to put together a squad to ensure safety but needs some good work to avoid struggles. Always an element of risk suggesting any team with Roy Hodgson in charge will go down - but they [Crystal Palace] had a dreadful end to last season. This is one where the crystal ball may be a bit cloudy but Hodgson needs a good start.”
BBC football pundits predict the top four
Chris Waddle: Man Utd (1st), Man City (2nd), Liverpool (3rd), Chelsea (4th) Alan Shearer: Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd Alex Scott: Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd Ian Wright: Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal Mark Lawrenson: Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea
Sam Wallace, The Daily Telegraph
Champions: Manchester City
“They never went away - they were just beaten by a better, more consistent team. 105 goals scored last season, just two more conceded than Liverpool and a run of five straight victories at the end of the season with a cumulative score of 21-1. Such a balanced, competitive squad.”
Relegation: West Ham (18th), Fulham (19th), West Brom (20th)
West Ham: “The outcry from players led by captain [Mark] Noble over the sale of [Grady] Diangana suggested a much deeper crisis of confidence in the owners than previously thought. The club have been in this crisis-spiral with their fans for some time but it has never before come so publically from the dressing room.”


theweekuk--2020-09-11--The Week Unwrapped: Border tension, office spirituality and Fed inflation

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : POD25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : The first bullets fired across the India-China frontier for almost half a century marks the latest spark in escalating tensions between the two nuclear-neighbours .
After a fist fight between soldiers saw 20 Indian troops killed back in June , both sides said they did not want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the mountains becoming inevitable ?
This week the British media reacted to a growing trend in American office culture : the rise of so-called spiritual consultants , hired to foster a spiritual environment in the workplace to boost employee morale .
But what exactly do these gurus do ?
And are they really necessary , or just a meaningless “ wellness ” perk used to make the office a bit more inviting ?
The Federal Reserve , the US central bank , has said that it will now focus more on getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It may not sound like a big deal , but it could signal one of the biggest power shifts in politics and economics of our lifetimes .
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Spotify , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts .

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: POD25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Himalayan drama
The first bullets fired across the India-China frontier for almost half a century marks the latest spark in escalating tensions between the two nuclear-neighbours. After a fist fight between soldiers saw 20 Indian troops killed back in June, both sides said they did not want a conflict. But is a clash in the mountains becoming inevitable?
Workplace spirituality
This week the British media reacted to a growing trend in American office culture: the rise of so-called spiritual consultants, hired to foster a spiritual environment in the workplace to boost employee morale. But what exactly do these gurus do? And are they really necessary, or just a meaningless “wellness” perk used to make the office a bit more inviting?
Fed inflation plans
The Federal Reserve, the US central bank, has said that it will now focus more on getting unemployment down than keeping inflation under control. It may not sound like a big deal, but it could signal one of the biggest power shifts in politics and economics of our lifetimes.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Bed by 11: how a strict curfew helped Belgium suppress a second coronavirus wave

Downing Street is reportedly considering plans to introduce nationwide curfews inspired by Belgium ’ s success in stemming a hike in coronavirus cases by shutting up shop early each evening .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has cited the European nation as a model for tackling the health crisis after a curfew “ was effective in quelling an aggressive flare-up of the virus in Antwerp ” , says The Telegraph .
But sceptics are pointing out that Belgium has recorded a 15 % week-on-week rise in the number of daily infections across the country .
Hancock and other ministers “ see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to save lives by tough early action to bring down cases ” , says The Times .
At the end of July , a curfew was introduced across the entire Belgian province of Antwerp to contain a steady rise in coronavirus cases .
All restaurants , bars , cafes and other public venues were ordered to close their doors at 11pm , and citizens were asked to remain at home from 11.30pm until 6am .
In mid-August , as infection numbers fell , the curfew period was eased to 1.30am to 5am .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Europe at the start of summer but has since brought it down while avoiding the surge in deaths and hospital cases seen in countries such as France and Spain ” , says The Times .
The Belgian authorities have recorded just over 90,500 Covid cases since the global pandemic began , according to latest figures .
Meanwhile , the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the country stands at more than 9,900 , which was reported by Channel 4 in June to be the “ highest mortality rate per capita from coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death rate is dropping , alongside the falling infection rate .
As The Guardian reports , Belgium had a “ sustained decrease in the number of people recorded as being newly infected in August ” - a drop that many experts credit to the curfew and other strict social distancing rules .
However , “ the most recent data suggests the country ’ s success may be short-lived as people return to work and school ” , says the newspaper .
The daily average of people testing positive for Covid has risen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 15 % increase on the previous week .
The authorities also recorded an average of 20.6 new hospital admissions per day from 3 to 9 September , up from 16.7 in the week before , according to The Brussels Times .
So is the UK likely to face curfews ?
Despite the recent rise in infections in Belgium , the UK government appears to remain impressed by for Brussel ’ s response to the virus .
During a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday , Jeremy Hunt , the Tory chair of the Health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health Secretary Matt Hancock if No .
10 would look to South Korea and Hong Kong as examples of effective governance for avoiding a second wave .
Hancock replied : “ In some countries , not only in the Far East but also closer to home , they have seen a rise in cases especially among younger people , taken action and that has turned the curve .
“ That ’ s particularly true , for instance , in Belgium , which we were very worried about a month ago but the case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put a curfew in place.
” This praise of Belgium has fuelled speculation that Britain may soon face a “ nationwide curfew as part of efforts to avoid a second wave ” , Metro says .
“ People may be banned from going out after 10pm or 11pm to try and keep a lid on the recent surge in cases , which has been attributed to younger people socialising , ” the paper reports .

Downing Street is reportedly considering plans to introduce nationwide curfews inspired by Belgium’s success in stemming a hike in coronavirus cases by shutting up shop early each evening.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock has cited the European nation as a model for tackling the health crisis after a curfew “was effective in quelling an aggressive flare-up of the virus in Antwerp”, says The Telegraph.
But sceptics are pointing out that Belgium has recorded a 15% week-on-week rise in the number of daily infections across the country.
What laws did Belgium enact?
Hancock and other ministers “see Belgium as a case study in how to save lives by tough early action to bring down cases”, says The Times.
At the end of July, a curfew was introduced across the entire Belgian province of Antwerp to contain a steady rise in coronavirus cases. All restaurants, bars, cafes and other public venues were ordered to close their doors at 11pm, and citizens were asked to remain at home from 11.30pm until 6am.
In mid-August, as infection numbers fell, the curfew period was eased to 1.30am to 5am.
And the result?
Belgium had the “highest infection rate in Europe at the start of summer but has since brought it down while avoiding the surge in deaths and hospital cases seen in countries such as France and Spain”, says The Times.
The Belgian authorities have recorded just over 90,500 Covid cases since the global pandemic began, according to latest figures.
Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the country stands at more than 9,900, which was reported by Channel 4 in June to be the “highest mortality rate per capita from coronavirus in the world”. But this death rate is dropping, alongside the falling infection rate.
As The Guardian reports, Belgium had a “sustained decrease in the number of people recorded as being newly infected in August” - a drop that many experts credit to the curfew and other strict social distancing rules.
However, “the most recent data suggests the country’s success may be short-lived as people return to work and school”, says the newspaper.
The daily average of people testing positive for Covid has risen to 509.7 over the past seven days, a 15% increase on the previous week.
The authorities also recorded an average of 20.6 new hospital admissions per day from 3 to 9 September, up from 16.7 in the week before, according to The Brussels Times.
So is the UK likely to face curfews?
Despite the recent rise in infections in Belgium, the UK government appears to remain impressed by for Brussel’s response to the virus.
During a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Jeremy Hunt, the Tory chair of the Health and Social Care Select Committee, asked Health Secretary Matt Hancock if No. 10 would look to South Korea and Hong Kong as examples of effective governance for avoiding a second wave.
Hancock replied: “In some countries, not only in the Far East but also closer to home, they have seen a rise in cases especially among younger people, taken action and that has turned the curve.
“That’s particularly true, for instance, in Belgium, which we were very worried about a month ago but the case rate has come right down when they put a curfew in place.”
This praise of Belgium has fuelled speculation that Britain may soon face a “nationwide curfew as part of efforts to avoid a second wave”, Metro says.
“People may be banned from going out after 10pm or 11pm to try and keep a lid on the recent surge in cases, which has been attributed to younger people socialising,” the paper reports.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Peloton: sales surge by 172% amid home workouts boom

Peloton is celebrating a 172 % year-on-year hike in sales following a surge in demand for exercise equipment and workout subscriptions during Covid-19 lockdowns .
The New York-based fitness technology company , “ which won an early celebrity fanbase for its exercise bikes and remote workout classes ” , has seen its total global membership base hit 3.1 million as of the end of June - more than double a year earlier , says the BBC .
And connected fitness subscriptions grew by 113 % to 1.09 million , while paid digital subscriptions grew by 210 % to 316,800 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ With revenues totalling $ 607m ( £474m ) , Peloton recorded its first quarterly profit ever , banking $ 89m ( £69.3m ) .
That compares with a loss of $ 47.4m ( £36.9m ) last year .
In a letter to shareholders , the company said that 2020 had been “ a transformative year for Peloton .
We made great progress in scaling our business , from manufacturing and logistics , to member support and field operations .
We launched operations in Germany , our first foreign language market , and continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , Canada , and the United Kingdom.
” New products - but also delays Peloton this week added two products to its line-up and also reduced the price of its original bike .
Available for UK order now , the new Peloton Bike+ costs £2,295 , while the original Peloton Bike now has a lower price tag of £1,750 , down from £2,000 .
The new Peloton Tread will be available in the UK from 26 December and will cost £2,295 , with the original that launched in the US to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at $ 4,295 ( £3,345 ) .
But fitness fans keen to try out the new kit may face a bit of a wait .
As Business Insider reports , the company has warned of delays for orders as overwhelming demand “ rattles ” the supply chain .
Peloton CEO John Foley said : “ While we had expected demand to moderate , the unexpected resurgence of Covid-19 cases in many states has perpetuated the imbalance of supply and demand in many geographies , causing continued elongated order-to-delivery windows for our customers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there remains much work to be done.
” Boss Foley has also been talking about the company ’ s plans for global expansion .
Following coronavirus-related delays , Peloton has resumed construction of new headquarters in New York City and a new London premises at 11 Floral Street Studio in Covent Garden .
Both are expected to be completed by spring next year .
The Floral Street Studio will have three production studios , “ allowing us to significantly increase production of floor content as well as foreign language classes for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the letter to shareholders explains .
A new manufacturing plant located in Shin Ji in Taiwan is also expected to be completed by the end of 2020 .
The additional factory will help the fitness tech firm “ scale over the next few years ” .
Peloton ’ s total revenue forecast for its next financial year is at least $ 3.5bn ( £2.72bn ) - a 96 % growth at midpoint .

Peloton is celebrating a 172% year-on-year hike in sales following a surge in demand for exercise equipment and workout subscriptions during Covid-19 lockdowns.
The New York-based fitness technology company, “which won an early celebrity fanbase for its exercise bikes and remote workout classes”, has seen its total global membership base hit 3.1 million as of the end of June - more than double a year earlier, says the BBC. And connected fitness subscriptions grew by 113% to 1.09 million, while paid digital subscriptions grew by 210% to 316,800, according to newly published quarterly results.
With revenues totalling $607m (£474m), Peloton recorded its first quarterly profit ever, banking $89m (£69.3m). That compares with a loss of $47.4m (£36.9m) last year.
In a letter to shareholders, the company said that 2020 had been “a transformative year for Peloton. We made great progress in scaling our business, from manufacturing and logistics, to member support and field operations. We launched operations in Germany, our first foreign language market, and continued to grow our footprint in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.”
New products - but also delays
Peloton this week added two products to its line-up and also reduced the price of its original bike.
Available for UK order now, the new Peloton Bike+ costs £2,295, while the original Peloton Bike now has a lower price tag of £1,750, down from £2,000.
The new Peloton Tread will be available in the UK from 26 December and will cost £2,295, with the original that launched in the US to be renamed the Tread+ but to remain priced at $4,295 (£3,345).
But fitness fans keen to try out the new kit may face a bit of a wait. As Business Insider reports, the company has warned of delays for orders as overwhelming demand “rattles” the supply chain.
Peloton CEO John Foley said: “While we had expected demand to moderate, the unexpected resurgence of Covid-19 cases in many states has perpetuated the imbalance of supply and demand in many geographies, causing continued elongated order-to-delivery windows for our customers. While we reduced wait times since May, there remains much work to be done.”
Construction resumes on HQ and studios
Boss Foley has also been talking about the company’s plans for global expansion.
Following coronavirus-related delays, Peloton has resumed construction of new headquarters in New York City and a new London premises at 11 Floral Street Studio in Covent Garden. Both are expected to be completed by spring next year.
The Floral Street Studio will have three production studios, “allowing us to significantly increase production of floor content as well as foreign language classes for our growing community of members in Europe,” the letter to shareholders explains.
A new manufacturing plant located in Shin Ji in Taiwan is also expected to be completed by the end of 2020. The additional factory will help the fitness tech firm “scale over the next few years”.
Peloton’s total revenue forecast for its next financial year is at least $3.5bn (£2.72bn) - a 96% growth at midpoint.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Brits more divided over lockdown rules than Brexit, poll finds

Social tensions in Britain over measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic are now deeper than those over the decision to leave the European Union , new polling suggests .
The nationwide survey of more than 10,000 people found that half of mask-wearers in the UK ( 58 % ) have “ severely negative attitudes towards non-mask wearers ” .
And most people ( 68 % ) who do not break lockdown rules have “ strong negative views ” about those who flout the regulations , according to the research by think tank Demos .
By contrast , only 33 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the 2016 EU referendum “ resent , hate , or think people who voted for Brexit are bad people ” , while 26 % either “ admire , respect or think they are good people ” , the survey found .
A sizeable minority of people who stick to the government guidance on Covid said they “ hate ” or “ resent ” people who do not , The Guardian reports .
A total of 12 % of mask-wearers said they hated those who did not wear face coverings , while 14 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We are still just as angry with each other , but about different things , ” said Polly Mackenzie , chief executive of Demos , which conducted the online poll between 31 July and 7 August .
“ People ’ s experience has been so divergent .
What has been good for one person has been awful for someone else .
“ Social trust is really important for economic growth , so even if you only care about growth , the country has to be able to get along with each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our recovery.
” The publication of the poll results comes just days after Boris Johnson announced new restrictions , including a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people , following a rise in Covid cases and related deaths .
The prime minister also revealed plans to introduce “ Covid-secure marshals ” , in order to “ increase the capacity of local bodies to enforce the restrictions ” , says the i news site .

Social tensions in Britain over measures to curb the coronavirus pandemic are now deeper than those over the decision to leave the European Union, new polling suggests.
The nationwide survey of more than 10,000 people found that half of mask-wearers in the UK (58%) have “severely negative attitudes towards non-mask wearers”. And most people (68%) who do not break lockdown rules have “strong negative views” about those who flout the regulations, according to the research by think tank Demos.
By contrast, only 33% of people who did not vote Leave in the 2016 EU referendum “resent, hate, or think people who voted for Brexit are bad people”, while 26% either “admire, respect or think they are good people”, the survey found.
A sizeable minority of people who stick to the government guidance on Covid said they “hate” or “resent” people who do not, The Guardian reports. A total of 12% of mask-wearers said they hated those who did not wear face coverings, while 14% of lockdown adherents hate rule breakers.
“We are still just as angry with each other, but about different things,” said Polly Mackenzie, chief executive of Demos, which conducted the online poll between 31 July and 7 August. “People’s experience has been so divergent. What has been good for one person has been awful for someone else.
“Social trust is really important for economic growth, so even if you only care about growth, the country has to be able to get along with each other. Being divided will impact on our recovery.”
The publication of the poll results comes just days after Boris Johnson announced new restrictions, including a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people, following a rise in Covid cases and related deaths.
The prime minister also revealed plans to introduce “Covid-secure marshals”, in order to “increase the capacity of local bodies to enforce the restrictions”, says the i news site.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 11 Sep 2020

Tributes have been paid to the actress Diana Rigg , who has died at the age of 82 .
Playwright @ @ @ @ @ as “ luminous ” , with actor Samuel West saying “ she generally lived the @ @ @ @ @ .
Game of Thrones co-star Nikolaj Coster Waldau said she “ always raised the bar @ @ @ @ @ .
Rigg is best known for roles in The Avengers and On Her Majesty ’ @ @ @ @

MPs back continuation of ‘targeted’ furlough scheme
MPs have said the government should consider a targeted extension of its furlough scheme. The Treasury Select Committee said that though the Covid-19 crisis risks mass long-term unemployment, a blanket retention of the scheme would not be good value for money. The committee instead said that “targeted extensions” should be considered as the scheme comes to an end on 31 October.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Wild mouse passes out after eating cannabis plant

A wild mouse has passed out after chewing on a Canadian man ’ s crop of cannabis .
“ I 've caught this little pot-head taking leaves off of my plant and eating them until he passes out , ” said Colin Sullivan from New Brunswick in Canada , where growing small amounts of cannabis is legal .
Sullivan cared for the stoned rodent and weaned him off the substance before releasing him back into the wild .
A former Extinction Rebellion spokesperson has left the group to campaign for nuclear power .
Writing for the Daily Mail , Zion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is “ steeped in an anti-nuclear mindset , ” any “ rational , evidence-based approach shows that a strategy including nuclear energy is the only realistic solution to driving down emissions at the scale and speed required ” .
Study finds that labradoodles are more poodle Researchers have examined the genetics of the Australian labradoodle and revealed that the dogs are mostly poodle .
The study of Australian labradoodle DNA also suggests more poodles have been introduced over the years .
“ We were surprised to see that it was really quite dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a co-author of the research paper .
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A wild mouse has passed out after chewing on a Canadian man’s crop of cannabis. “I've caught this little pot-head taking leaves off of my plant and eating them until he passes out,” said Colin Sullivan from New Brunswick in Canada, where growing small amounts of cannabis is legal. Sullivan cared for the stoned rodent and weaned him off the substance before releasing him back into the wild.
Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman now campaigns for nuclear power
A former Extinction Rebellion spokesperson has left the group to campaign for nuclear power. Writing for the Daily Mail, Zion Lights said that although the green movement is “steeped in an anti-nuclear mindset,” any “rational, evidence-based approach shows that a strategy including nuclear energy is the only realistic solution to driving down emissions at the scale and speed required”.
Study finds that labradoodles are more poodle
Researchers have examined the genetics of the Australian labradoodle and revealed that the dogs are mostly poodle. The study of Australian labradoodle DNA also suggests more poodles have been introduced over the years. “We were surprised to see that it was really quite dramatic,” said Dr Elaine Ostrander, a co-author of the research paper.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-09-10--Inside The Singer Suite at Chelsea Barracks: luxury design inspired by a Porsche icon

Norbert Singer is regarded as a legend in the world of cars and motorsport .
After graduating in both aerospace engineering and automotive engineering , he joined Porsche in 1970 and went on to work in many positions for the German auto giant .
But what makes Singer one of the most revered names in engineering is the instrumental role he played in all 16 overall victories won by both the Porsche works and customer teams at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans .
Now 80 years old , Singer retired in 2004 but continued to work for several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customer motorsport .
Singer ’ s work with Porsche has inspired many designers and products over the years .
One example is the classic Singer Porsche 911 , a “ sought-after collectors ’ item among car aficionados ” , says Mansion Global .
Another is a luxury property in London that also bears his name .
Called “ The Singer Suite ” , the interiors of this five-bedroom apartment at Chelsea Barracks are a tribute to “ Mister Le Mans ” and his all-encompassing approach to design .
Located adjacent to both Chelsea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barracks is described as the “ most coveted 12.8 acres in the world ” .
The residential development , which features apartments , penthouses and townhouses , was purchased for £1bn in 2007 by Qatari Diar , a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority .
One of the project ’ s most recent launches , The Singer Suite spans the entire fifth floor of 1 Mulberry Square and has a listing price of £33.5m .
Created by interior design house Lawson Robb , the 6,050 sq ft residence offers five en-suite bedrooms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ access to balconies and 360° views across London .
The interior architecture firm embraced Singer ’ s belief that “ everything is important ” in each aspect of the design .
Lawson Robb studio director Eva Leone said : “ The client ’ s brief was to transform a show apartment into a home .
With this in mind , we designed the apartment with a sense of personality and warmth .
“ The accessories and styling played an important role for creating a liveable and personable apartment as it made it feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features were inspired by a Porsche ’ s design .
The formal dining chandelier was selected because it reminded us of the vertical brass piston ’ s in the car engine .
“ In the family dining and lounge room , the bronze metal insert in the coffee table top was designed with the car ’ s fascia that cross the roof of the car in mind.
” With a focus on mental and physical well-being through impeccable design , Lawson Robb used earthy tones - including petrol blue , burgundy and bronze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout the residence , to create a serene and calm environment .
Combined with custom-built joinery , modern pendant lighting and abstract rugs , this colour palette pays homage to British and European mid-century design and the retro-modern features of vintage Porsche cars .
Leone added : “ The pieces we selected are a celebration of craftsmanship and luxurious comfort living .
We have used Minotti in the dining area , an iconic ‘ genius ’ chair from Giorgetti and lighting that varies from notable designers such as Lee Broom , Henge and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we used the likes of Rubelli , Pierre Frey , Jim Thompson and Altfield .
We have spent a lot of time on the different design stages , adding layers of textures and colour to make it more personal .
“ I believe the best part of the scheme is its use of colour , by combining multiple colours in a way that evokes harmony rather than jarring .
It was a very enjoyable challenge that worked really well for this scheme .
“ My favourite area is the open plan kitchen/dining/informal living @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joinery with a feeling of comfort and a mix of mid-century and contemporary design .
”

Norbert Singer is regarded as a legend in the world of cars and motorsport.
After graduating in both aerospace engineering and automotive engineering, he joined Porsche in 1970 and went on to work in many positions for the German auto giant.
But what makes Singer one of the most revered names in engineering is the instrumental role he played in all 16 overall victories won by both the Porsche works and customer teams at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Now 80 years old, Singer retired in 2004 but continued to work for several more years as an adviser for Porsche customer motorsport.
An inspirational figure
Singer’s work with Porsche has inspired many designers and products over the years.
One example is the classic Singer Porsche 911, a “sought-after collectors’ item among car aficionados”, says Mansion Global.
Another is a luxury property in London that also bears his name. Called “The Singer Suite”, the interiors of this five-bedroom apartment at Chelsea Barracks are a tribute to “Mister Le Mans” and his all-encompassing approach to design.
‘Everything is important’
Located adjacent to both Chelsea and Belgravia in west London, Chelsea Barracks is described as the “most coveted 12.8 acres in the world”.
The residential development, which features apartments, penthouses and townhouses, was purchased for £1bn in 2007 by Qatari Diar, a subsidiary of the Qatar Investment Authority.
One of the project’s most recent launches, The Singer Suite spans the entire fifth floor of 1 Mulberry Square and has a listing price of £33.5m.
Created by interior design house Lawson Robb, the 6,050 sq ft residence offers five en-suite bedrooms, a study, open living spaces, access to balconies and 360° views across London.
The interior architecture firm embraced Singer’s belief that “everything is important” in each aspect of the design.
Lawson Robb studio director Eva Leone said: “The client’s brief was to transform a show apartment into a home. With this in mind, we designed the apartment with a sense of personality and warmth.
“The accessories and styling played an important role for creating a liveable and personable apartment as it made it feel alive.
“Some of the key features were inspired by a Porsche’s design. The formal dining chandelier was selected because it reminded us of the vertical brass piston’s in the car engine.
“In the family dining and lounge room, the bronze metal insert in the coffee table top was designed with the car’s fascia that cross the roof of the car in mind.”
Celebration of craftsmanship
With a focus on mental and physical well-being through impeccable design, Lawson Robb used earthy tones - including petrol blue, burgundy and bronze - along with a bespoke woody scent throughout the residence, to create a serene and calm environment.
Combined with custom-built joinery, modern pendant lighting and abstract rugs, this colour palette pays homage to British and European mid-century design and the retro-modern features of vintage Porsche cars.
Leone added: “The pieces we selected are a celebration of craftsmanship and luxurious comfort living. We have used Minotti in the dining area, an iconic ‘genius’ chair from Giorgetti and lighting that varies from notable designers such as Lee Broom, Henge and Ochre.
“For soft furnishings, we used the likes of Rubelli, Pierre Frey, Jim Thompson and Altfield. We have spent a lot of time on the different design stages, adding layers of textures and colour to make it more personal.
“I believe the best part of the scheme is its use of colour, by combining multiple colours in a way that evokes harmony rather than jarring. It was a very enjoyable challenge that worked really well for this scheme.
“My favourite area is the open plan kitchen/dining/informal living area as it marries clean architecture and joinery with a feeling of comfort and a mix of mid-century and contemporary design.”
In pictures: The Singer Suite


theweekuk--2020-09-10--Quiz of The Week: 5 - 11 September

Quiz of The Week: 5 - 11 September

This week kicked off with the explosive revelation that Boris Johnson plans to row back on key elements of the Brexit withdrawal agreement - a move that Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis has admitted would break international law .
Amid anger in both Westminster and Brussels over the plan , EU lawyers are said to be reviewing the newly tabled UK Internal Market Bill , which contains clauses that effectively override parts of the Northern Ireland protocol laid out in the treaty .
And Brexit is by no means the only headache facing Johnson .
In a bid to stem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ UK , the prime minister has imposed a blanket ban on social gatherings of more than six people from Monday .
The new restriction has been met with widespread dismay , with Johnson unable to rule out disruptions to the fast-approaching festive season .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest developments in the pandemic , and other global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ’ s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen published a tell-all memoir about the US president .
Cohen accuses Trump of being a “ cheat , a liar , a fraud , a bully , a racist , a predator and a con man ” in the new book , which the White House has dismissed as “ fan fiction ” .
Back in Europe , the Swedish government claimed vindication of their decision to not impose a lockdown , after the Nordic nation recorded its lowest rate of positive coronavirus tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record surges in infections , Sweden is reporting positive test rates of just 1.3 % despite ramping up its testing regime to record levels .
Over in China , meanwhile , Xi Jinping ’ s government is constructing a “ Covid-Proof ” city .
Located about 60 miles southwest of Beijing , the flagship new metropolis of Xiong ’ an will feature “ pandemic-friendly ” residential areas that are self-sufficient , to make the implementation of lockdown measures easier in future outbreaks .

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theweekuk--2020-09-10--In pictures: ‘apocalyptic’ scenes in San Francisco as wildfires ravage California

The skies above San Francisco have turned orange as the city is engulfed in vast plumes of smoke from wildfires raging across California .
The BBC reports that around 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major blazes across California “ amid a historic heatwave ” that has seen temperatures reach record highs .
“ At least eight people have died and 2.5 million acres have been torched ” in the past month , says The Telegraph .
“ And it ’ s not even California ’ s fire season yet.
” The area of California burned so far this year is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ surpassing the annual state record of 1.96 million acres that went up in flames throughout 2018 ” , adds The Guardian .
According to the Daily Mail , climate scientists “ blame global warming for extreme wet and dry seasons in the US West that have caused grasses and scrub to flourish then dry out , leaving abundant fuel for fires ” .
In the coastal city of San Francisco , “ residents are largely protected from the fires but not from the toxic smoke , ash and fumes from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with clouds and fog to paint the sky a dark , terrifying orange ” , says The Telegraph .
Describing the “ apocalyptic ” scenes , local resident Catherine Geeslin told the San Francisco Chronicle that “ it feels like the end of the world ” .
“ It was alarming to see it ’ s still dark , ” she said .
“ And it will be strange to have lunch in the dark .
But you still have to get on with your day.
” Here are some of the images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been going viral online .
The Golden Gate Bridge , one of San Francisco ’ s most iconic sights , was shrouded in clouds and smoke on Wednesday morning .
( Harold Postic/Getty Images ) The view from Treasure Island , across the water from the downtown neighbourhood of the city , shows the San Francisco Bay Bridge obscured by the orange smoke .
( Brittany Hosea-Small/Getty Images ) A resident uses a smartphone to capture the eerie scenes from the Embarcadero waterfront under the Bay Bridge .
( Philip Pacheco/Getty Images @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wildfires , many citizens continued with their daily routines , including exercising and socialising in the city ’ s Dolores Park .
( Brittany Hosea-Small/Getty Images ) Driving west over the Bay Bridge away from the city , motorists were met with an even gloomier scene as the smoke mixed with the marine layer , a low-hanging sheet of cloud commonly seen in the Bay Area .
( Philip Pacheco/Getty Images ) Further north , golfers warmed up on the driving range during the preview day of the Safeway Open at Silverado Country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavily impacted by the fires .
( Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images ) Smoke has obscured many of California ’ s mountain ranges and forests , which usually attract millions of visitors each year and are home to some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth .
( Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images ) Some 30 miles east of San Francisco , closer to the fires , an even more intensely orange sky hung over hiking trails at the Limeridge Open Space near the town of Concord .
( Brittany Hosea-Small/Getty Images ) A firefighter battles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woods neighbourhood of Madera County , California .
( Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images )

The skies above San Francisco have turned orange as the city is engulfed in vast plumes of smoke from wildfires raging across California.
The BBC reports that around 14,000 firefighters are battling 28 major blazes across California “amid a historic heatwave” that has seen temperatures reach record highs.
“At least eight people have died and 2.5 million acres have been torched” in the past month, says The Telegraph. “And it’s not even California’s fire season yet.”
The area of California burned so far this year is now larger than the state of Delaware, “surpassing the annual state record of 1.96 million acres that went up in flames throughout 2018”, adds The Guardian.
According to the Daily Mail, climate scientists “blame global warming for extreme wet and dry seasons in the US West that have caused grasses and scrub to flourish then dry out, leaving abundant fuel for fires”.
In the coastal city of San Francisco, “residents are largely protected from the fires but not from the toxic smoke, ash and fumes from the flames”, which have “mixed with clouds and fog to paint the sky a dark, terrifying orange”, says The Telegraph.
Describing the “apocalyptic” scenes, local resident Catherine Geeslin told the San Francisco Chronicle that “it feels like the end of the world”.
“It was alarming to see it’s still dark,” she said. “And it will be strange to have lunch in the dark. But you still have to get on with your day.”
Here are some of the images captured by photographers across the city that have been going viral online.
The Golden Gate Bridge, one of San Francisco’s most iconic sights, was shrouded in clouds and smoke on Wednesday morning. (Harold Postic/Getty Images)
The view from Treasure Island, across the water from the downtown neighbourhood of the city, shows the San Francisco Bay Bridge obscured by the orange smoke. (Brittany Hosea-Small/Getty Images)
A resident uses a smartphone to capture the eerie scenes from the Embarcadero waterfront under the Bay Bridge. (Philip Pacheco/Getty Images)
Despite the chaos caused by the wildfires, many citizens continued with their daily routines, including exercising and socialising in the city’s Dolores Park. (Brittany Hosea-Small/Getty Images)
Driving west over the Bay Bridge away from the city, motorists were met with an even gloomier scene as the smoke mixed with the marine layer, a low-hanging sheet of cloud commonly seen in the Bay Area. (Philip Pacheco/Getty Images)
Further north, golfers warmed up on the driving range during the preview day of the Safeway Open at Silverado Country Club in Napa County, a region heavily impacted by the fires. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
Smoke has obscured many of California’s mountain ranges and forests, which usually attract millions of visitors each year and are home to some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth. (Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images)
Some 30 miles east of San Francisco, closer to the fires, an even more intensely orange sky hung over hiking trails at the Limeridge Open Space near the town of Concord. (Brittany Hosea-Small/Getty Images)
A firefighter battles flames pushing towards homes in the Cascadel Woods neighbourhood of Madera County, California. (Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)


theweekuk--2020-09-11--How Brexit conflict turned the clock back a year for Boris Johnson

MPs are divided over Brexit treaty changes , UK relations with the EU have reached a new low and the prime minister is facing a backbench rebellion .
It ’ s all beginning to feel a bit like October 2019 , with Boris Johnson confronted with the same challenges all over again .
If the return from recess has felt like stepping into a time machine for the PM , he is not alone , with Politico ’ s Alex Wickham describing the week in politics as “ a Brexit double take ” .
So is Johnson living in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU membership has become a “ funeral pyre ” for Tory leaders over the past four decades , bringing down the governments of Margaret Thatcher , John Major , David Cameron and Theresa May .
And with his plan to row back on elements of the EU withdrawal agreement triggering anger across Westminster , Johnson is battling to avoid becoming the next Conservative leader to fall on the European sword .
“ Up to 30 Tory MPs ” are planning a revolt over his bid to overrule parts of the Northern Ireland protocol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lords also planning to reject the legislation over fears that it “ would damage Britain ’ s global standing ” , The Times reports .
Former Tory leader Michael Howard , a vocal Brexiteer , told Times Radio that “ our reputation for probity and the rule of law ” is at threat .
“ To hear a minister say at the dispatch box you are passing legislation in breach of international law is a very sad day - I never dreamt I ’ d hear a minister , still less a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
Cabinet ministers have been deployed to defend the move , insisting the withdrawal agreement would be “ hugely harmful ” to the Irish peace process .
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio that “ in the unlikely scenario ” that Britain exits the bloc without a deal , “ we can ’ t allow existing provisions to harm Northern Ireland or the Good Friday Agreement ” .
But the intervention of Johnson ’ allies in the cabinet have done nothing to quell “ growing concern on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , says The Telegraph .
Tory MP Oliver Letwin was Johnson ’ s biggest headache last year , but this time around the anti-Johnson rebels have a new frontman : Justice Select Committee chair Bob Neill .
Back in October , Letwin put forward an amendment to withhold approval of Johnson ’ s Brexit deal until the legislation to enact it was passed .
The BBC ’ s parliamentary correspondent Mark D ’ Arcy wrote at the time that the “ cunningly-crafted ” add-on could be voted for “ by MPs who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t trust this one , and don ’ t trust the government ” .
Now , Johnson has another Letwin-style problem , after Neill tabled an amendment to the Internal Markets Bill “ in an effort to create a parliamentary veto on overriding the UK-EU divorce deal ” , The Guardian says .
Former immigration minister Damian Green and ex-solicitor general Oliver Heald are among those publically backing Neill in the Commons .
Tom Tugendhat , chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee , and Tobias Ellwood , chair of the Defence Select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan .
But as The Guardian notes , “ the initiative would need backing from dozens of MPs in a parliamentary party that has tilted heavily towards a firm pro-Brexit position since the general election ” .
However , just as Letwin had a backing band , Neill claims to have the wider support needed to pass the amendment , telling Times Radio : “ I wouldn ’ t be pressing this issue if it was only a hobby horse of mine.
” If the ghost of Letwin is haunting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with good reason .
Neill is “ proving a thorn in the government ’ s side ” with his amendment , which in the words of HuffPost ’ s executive editor Paul Waugh , “ looks for all the world like a wrecking ball ” .
But Waugh adds that “ looks can be deceptive ” .
“ It ’ s perfectly possible that this could be a clever way for the government to avoid the row about the UK ’ s reputation and integrity on the rule of law , giving ministers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Waugh writes .
In other words , Neill could have given Johnson an escape plan following the frosty reception to the withdrawal treaty backtracking .
This reading of events is hinted at by Sky News ’ deputy political editor , Sam Coates , who tweets that “ legal experts warn this amendment might be a Trojan horse : they believe it has flaws and loopholes the gvt [ government ] can exploit ” .
“ The problem is apparently the veto is voted on after the point when the government has annulled the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already achieved their goal , ” Coates writes .
“ So some believe only way to defeat the gvt is to vote down this bit of the bill.
” A government source told The Times that unlike MPs who voted against the Brexit deal last year , those who vote against the government over the Internal Market Bill would not have the whip removed - lending weight to the suggestion that a climbdown is on its way .
But after Johnson ’ s pledge to “ get Brexit done ” was underminded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street will be alert to the threat of another embarrassing U-turn .

MPs are divided over Brexit treaty changes, UK relations with the EU have reached a new low and the prime minister is facing a backbench rebellion.
It’s all beginning to feel a bit like October 2019, with Boris Johnson confronted with the same challenges all over again.
If the return from recess has felt like stepping into a time machine for the PM, he is not alone, with Politico’s Alex Wickham describing the week in politics as “a Brexit double take”. So is Johnson living in a Brexit Groundhog Day?
‘The funeral pyre’
The issue of EU membership has become a “funeral pyre” for Tory leaders over the past four decades, bringing down the governments of Margaret Thatcher, John Major, David Cameron and Theresa May.
And with his plan to row back on elements of the EU withdrawal agreement triggering anger across Westminster, Johnson is battling to avoid becoming the next Conservative leader to fall on the European sword.
“Up to 30 Tory MPs” are planning a revolt over his bid to overrule parts of the Northern Ireland protocol in the treaty, with peers in the Lords also planning to reject the legislation over fears that it “would damage Britain’s global standing”, The Times reports.
Former Tory leader Michael Howard, a vocal Brexiteer, told Times Radio that “our reputation for probity and the rule of law” is at threat.
“To hear a minister say at the dispatch box you are passing legislation in breach of international law is a very sad day - I never dreamt I’d hear a minister, still less a Conservative minister, say such a thing,” he added.
Cabinet ministers have been deployed to defend the move, insisting the withdrawal agreement would be “hugely harmful” to the Irish peace process.
Business Minister Nadhim Zahawi told Times Radio that “in the unlikely scenario” that Britain exits the bloc without a deal, “we can’t allow existing provisions to harm Northern Ireland or the Good Friday Agreement”.
But the intervention of Johnson’ allies in the cabinet have done nothing to quell “growing concern on the Conservative back benches over breaching the treaty”, says The Telegraph.
New faces, same problems
Tory MP Oliver Letwin was Johnson’s biggest headache last year, but this time around the anti-Johnson rebels have a new frontman: Justice Select Committee chair Bob Neill.
Back in October, Letwin put forward an amendment to withhold approval of Johnson’s Brexit deal until the legislation to enact it was passed. The BBC’s parliamentary correspondent Mark D’Arcy wrote at the time that the “cunningly-crafted” add-on could be voted for “by MPs who want a deal, but don’t trust this one, and don’t trust the government”.


theweekuk--2020-09-11--Russian hackers again targeting US election, Microsoft warns

Russian military hackers who leaked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 US presidential election are up to their old tricks ahead of this year ’ s vote , according to Microsoft .
The tech giant says that Strontium , a Kremlin-backed hacking group also known as Fancy Bear , “ has attacked more than 200 organisations including political campaigns , advocacy groups , parties and political consultants ” involved in the campaigns of Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden .
“ The majority of these attacks were detected and stopped , ” said Tom Burt , a Microsoft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust , in a blogpost that claims hackers from China and Iran are also attempting to derail the campaigns .
The Washington-based multinational made no mention of “ which foreign adversary poses the greater threat to the integrity of the November presidential election ” , says The Guardian , but “ the consensus among cybersecurity experts is that Russian interference is the gravest ” .
Burt ’ s blogpost says that “ similar to what we observed in 2016 , Strontium is launching campaigns to harvest people ’ s log-in credentials or compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intelligence gathering or disruption operations ” .
The Times reports that the Biden campaign was “ alerted to the threat when Microsoft contacted SKDKnickerbocker , a strategy company that advises the Democratic challenger , to say it had been under attack for the past two months ” .
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign said the cybersecurity threats were being taken “ very seriously ” , adding : “ We are a large target , so it is not surprising to see malicious activity directed at the campaign or our staff .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others , to mitigate these threats.
” Meanwhile , a Kremlin spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “ nonsense ” .
Moscow has repeatedly denied using hacking to interfere in elections in countries across the world .

Russian military hackers who leaked Democratic Party emails during the 2016 US presidential election are up to their old tricks ahead of this year’s vote, according to Microsoft.
The tech giant says that Strontium, a Kremlin-backed hacking group also known as Fancy Bear, “has attacked more than 200 organisations including political campaigns, advocacy groups, parties and political consultants” involved in the campaigns of Donald Trump and his Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
“The majority of these attacks were detected and stopped,” said Tom Burt, a Microsoft vice-president in charge of customer security and trust, in a blogpost that claims hackers from China and Iran are also attempting to derail the campaigns.
The Washington-based multinational made no mention of “which foreign adversary poses the greater threat to the integrity of the November presidential election”, says The Guardian, but “the consensus among cybersecurity experts is that Russian interference is the gravest”.
Burt’s blogpost says that “similar to what we observed in 2016, Strontium is launching campaigns to harvest people’s log-in credentials or compromise their accounts, presumably to aid in intelligence gathering or disruption operations”.
The Times reports that the Biden campaign was “alerted to the threat when Microsoft contacted SKDKnickerbocker, a strategy company that advises the Democratic challenger, to say it had been under attack for the past two months”.
A spokesperson for the Trump campaign said the cybersecurity threats were being taken “very seriously”, adding: “We are a large target, so it is not surprising to see malicious activity directed at the campaign or our staff. We work closely with our partners, Microsoft and others, to mitigate these threats.”
Meanwhile, a Kremlin spokesperson dismissed the allegations as “nonsense”. Moscow has repeatedly denied using hacking to interfere in elections in countries across the world.


theweekuk--2020-09-12--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 12 Sep 2020

At least 50 people died when a gold mine collapsed in the Democratic Republic of Congo , according to an @ @ @ @ @ on the Detroit mine site following heavy rains , said Emiliane Itongwa , president of @ @ @ @ @ Social Supervision of Women .
“ Several miners were in the shaft , which was @ @ @ @ @ get out .
We are talking about 50 young people , ” Itongwa said .

Dozens feared dead after gold mine collapses in Congo
At least 50 people died when a gold mine collapsed in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to an NGO. The cave-in occurred on the Detroit mine site following heavy rains, said Emiliane Itongwa, president of the Initiative of Support and Social Supervision of Women. “Several miners were in the shaft, which was covered and no one could get out. We are talking about 50 young people,” Itongwa said.


theweekuk--2020-09-13--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 13 Sep 2020

Sir Terence Conran , the designer who revolutionised retail and decor , has died at the age of 88 .
@ @ @ @ @ the late 1940s and became a household name as one of the key designers of @ @ @ @ @ best known as the founder of Habitat and later helped found the Design Museum .
@ @ @ @ @ said : “ He was one of my all time design heroes .
”

Tributes paid to design maestro Sir Terence Conran
Sir Terence Conran, the designer who revolutionised retail and decor, has died at the age of 88. He started his career in the late 1940s and became a household name as one of the key designers of the 1960s. He is best known as the founder of Habitat and later helped found the Design Museum. Designer and architect George Clarke said: “He was one of my all time design heroes.”


theweekuk--2020-09-14--London renters swap cramped flats for space in suburbia

Lockdown has driven a “ race to suburbia ” among renters , with tenants in a rush to upsize and move out of cities , new research has found .
Since lockdown eased , 34 % of tenants who have moved chose a property with at least one extra bedroom , compared with 25 % in the first three months of 2020 , according to the estate agency Hamptons International .
Across the country , the average rental bill increased by 23 % to add 1.4 bedrooms .
A quarter or rental moves between May and August were from a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 16 % in the first three months of the year .
Renters are also moving out of cities : in August , tenant applications in cities were down 23 % .
The trend for upsizing is most pronounced in the South East , probably “ driven by movers from the capital ” , says The Telegraph .
The number of Liverpool residents looking for a village lifestyle has also increased dramatically , rising by 275 % compared with a year earlier , according to Rightmove figures published by the BBC .
In Edinburgh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and in Birmingham 186 % .
Across the UK , inquiries in June and July about switching city life for a village home jumped 126 % on the same period last year .
The trend has meant average rents in London have also fallen during lockdown .
In July , The Guardian reported that rental prices in zone 2 of the capital were down by 8 % from February .
In the heart of the city , where more real estate is taken up by offices which have largely stood empty since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .

Lockdown has driven a “race to suburbia” among renters, with tenants in a rush to upsize and move out of cities, new research has found.
Since lockdown eased, 34% of tenants who have moved chose a property with at least one extra bedroom, compared with 25% in the first three months of 2020, according to the estate agency Hamptons International. Across the country, the average rental bill increased by 23% to add 1.4 bedrooms.
A quarter or rental moves between May and August were from a flat to a house, up from 16% in the first three months of the year.
Renters are also moving out of cities: in August, tenant applications in cities were down 23%.
The trend for upsizing is most pronounced in the South East, probably “driven by movers from the capital”, says The Telegraph.
The number of Liverpool residents looking for a village lifestyle has also increased dramatically, rising by 275% compared with a year earlier, according to Rightmove figures published by the BBC. In Edinburgh, village inquiries were up 205%, and in Birmingham 186%.
Across the UK, inquiries in June and July about switching city life for a village home jumped 126% on the same period last year.
The trend has meant average rents in London have also fallen during lockdown. In July, The Guardian reported that rental prices in zone 2 of the capital were down by 8% from February. In the heart of the city, where more real estate is taken up by offices which have largely stood empty since March, prices were down by 18%.


theweekuk--2020-09-14--Naomi Osaka: a true champion for tennis and human rights

What will this year ’ s US Open tennis grand slam be remembered for ?
Will it be the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that saw a number of top men and women players withdraw over health fears and fans miss out from attending the event in New York ?
Could it be Dominic Thiem finally breaking his major duck by coming back from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev in the men ’ s final ?
Or will it be how a 22-year-old from Japan became the women ’ s champion again , but also emerged as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personalities ?
Naomi Osaka may have won her third grand slam , and second US Open title , with a 1-6 , 6-3 , 6-3 victory over Victoria Azarenka in Saturday ’ s women ’ s final .
However , the triumph in New York will be remembered for much more than just her talent on the tennis court .
Osaka , who also won the US Open in 2018 , has made the headlines in New York these past few weeks by taking a stand in support of racial inequality protests .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” at the Western & Southern Open , The Guardian reported , by initially withdrawing from the semi-final to join the widespread boycott by stars from various American sports .
Then before each of her seven matches at the grand slam she wore face masks displaying the name of a different black victim of alleged police or racial violence in the US , CNN said .
The names highlighted were : Breonna Taylor , Elijah McClain , Ahmaud Arbery , Trayvon Martin , George Floyd , Philando Castile and Tamir Rice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd was the first sign Osaka began to “ find her voice ” .
In an op-ed for Esquire magazine , Osaka explained why she flew to Minneapolis days after Floyd ’ s death and how she felt a “ call to action ” .
She wrote : “ My heart ached .
Enough was finally enough.
” Born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father , coincidentally in the Japanese city of Osaka , she moved to New York with her family when she was three years old and spent her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
In the Esquire article she admits that for “ as long as I can remember , people have struggled to define me ” .
She said : “ I ’ ve never really fit into one description - but people are so fast to give me a label .
Is she Japanese ?
American ?
Haitian ?
Black ?
Asian ?
Well , I ’ m all of these things together at the same time .
“ I was born in Osaka , Japan to a Haitian father and Japanese mother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a sister , a friend , and a girlfriend .
I ’ m Asian , I ’ m Black , and I ’ m female .
I ’ m as normal a 22-year-old as anyone , except I happen to be good at tennis .
I ’ ve accepted myself as just me : Naomi Osaka.
” The world of sport often creates icons and this year at the US Open Osaka has emerged not only as one of the top tennis players , but also an activist and person with considerable influence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on and off the court ” , says The Guardian , and by wearing masks to highlight racial inequality it “ shows the type of mental strength that glues the US Open winner ’ s game together ” .
Meanwhile , Women ’ s Agenda magazine says she ’ s “ undoubtedly near the top of her game ” and is also “ growing into herself as a person , finding her voice on social issues like the Black Lives Matter movement ” .
Family members of victims sent messages to congratulate Osaka @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world of sport also saluted the Japanese star .
Tennis icon Martina Navratilova said “ social justice and sports do mix - and quite nicely ” while NBA star LeBron James praised Osaka for her “ great comeback ” .
The final word must go to the champion herself .
Speaking after the final against Azarenka , Osaka said the experiences of the past six months gave her the drive to win .
“ It made me stronger , ” she told ESPN .
“ Because I had more desire to win , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” When asked what message would be sent with the masks , she turned the question on her interviewer , Yahoo reports .
“ What was the message that you got ?
” she said .
“ The point is to make people start talking.
” Judging by the reactions of the media and the messages from fans , Osaka has achieved just that and more .

What will this year’s US Open tennis grand slam be remembered for?
Will it be the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic that saw a number of top men and women players withdraw over health fears and fans miss out from attending the event in New York?
Could it be Dominic Thiem finally breaking his major duck by coming back from two sets down to beat Alexander Zverev in the men’s final?
Or will it be how a 22-year-old from Japan became the women’s champion again, but also emerged as one of global sport’s most influential personalities?
Naomi Osaka may have won her third grand slam, and second US Open title, with a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Victoria Azarenka in Saturday’s women’s final. However, the triumph in New York will be remembered for much more than just her talent on the tennis court.
‘Enough was finally enough’
Osaka, who also won the US Open in 2018, has made the headlines in New York these past few weeks by taking a stand in support of racial inequality protests.
She forced a “pause in play” at the Western & Southern Open, The Guardian reported, by initially withdrawing from the semi-final to join the widespread boycott by stars from various American sports.
Then before each of her seven matches at the grand slam she wore face masks displaying the name of a different black victim of alleged police or racial violence in the US, CNN said. The names highlighted were: Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Philando Castile and Tamir Rice.
The BBC reports that the killing of George Floyd was the first sign Osaka began to “find her voice”.
In an op-ed for Esquire magazine, Osaka explained why she flew to Minneapolis days after Floyd’s death and how she felt a “call to action”. She wrote: “My heart ached. Enough was finally enough.”
Born to a Japanese mother and a Haitian father, coincidentally in the Japanese city of Osaka, she moved to New York with her family when she was three years old and spent her formative years growing up in the United States.


theweekuk--2020-09-14--Instant Opinion: ‘remember bad behaviour’ after Covid-19

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 imminent day of reckoning “ Tick the list , note the brands , remember bad behaviour .
Like that of Sports Direct , where workers were told that stores would remain open despite the order for non-essential businesses to close for everyone ’ s safety .
An outcry turned that round , in the same way that Britannia Hotels shuffled hastily back after being publicly outed for sending the staff at one site @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required ’ and ordering them to vacate their accommodation immediately .
It ’ s that first impulse that gets remembered , though .
And since a lot of callous behaviour is not actually illegal , why not check with anyone you meet — especially those on short or zero-hour contracts , or newly hired — how their employer behaved about redundancy , illness , safety and quarantine ?
Spot the graceless , grudging Scrooges , and support companies that treat workers with more respect in a crisis.
” It is time to ditch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am a big fan of TikTok – it gives young people the chance to be hilarious and creative and clever , and my friends and I would definitely have loved it when we were daft 13-year-olds , prancing around , lipsyncing to the Fame soundtrack .
But there is a huge issue surrounding what kids can stumble upon , even with restrictions and watchful parents in the background .
Is it really good enough to say that the sheer volume of stuff being uploaded to sites like TikTok and Facebook makes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” The teenage activists of Extinction Rebellion should leave the climate change debate to the grownups “ I do not dismiss as fools all those who see real dangers to the human species from rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide , the melting of glaciers , the dumping of plastic waste and the reckless and wasteful use of the resources of our planet .
What worries me is the reluctance to see , indeed a wilful blindness , to the root cause of these problems .
That is that there are simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out our fellow creatures and consuming more of the Earth ’ s resources than we can replace.
” “ It ’ s hard to remember a gloomier time in our public life .
So much of the analysis we read , the news we consume and the hot takes that fly by us on social media suggest that the exits from this dreadful era are blocked .
We ’ re led to believe that our country faces inexorable decline and that those who see the possibility of reform and redemption are deluded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the presidency of Donald Trump , and not just because of his blindingly obvious failures .
Unlike most incumbents in our history , he has bet his political survival on the proposition that the country is living through a dystopian nightmare that only he can dispel.
” on the destruction of California ’ s forests So much magnificence is gone “ While we are hardly the only people slammed by disaster on the planet , we who live here have lost so much .
We will have much to figure out as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , complicated landscape .
But for now , I am simply grieving over the enormity of what is lost .
I wo n't lie , it 's heavy .
I just learned that part of my most cherished nature spot , in the Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve , was wiped out by fire .
Now it lives only in my memories .
It 's the latest reminder of a hard truth : The climate crisis is unyielding in its ferocity and has already irreparably injured my home state , with much more @ @ @ @

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Libby Purves in The Times
on an imminent day of reckoning
We’ll remember Covid’s heroes and villains
“Tick the list, note the brands, remember bad behaviour. Like that of Sports Direct, where workers were told that stores would remain open despite the order for non-essential businesses to close for everyone’s safety. An outcry turned that round, in the same way that Britannia Hotels shuffled hastily back after being publicly outed for sending the staff at one site a letter headed ‘Services no longer required’ and ordering them to vacate their accommodation immediately. It’s that first impulse that gets remembered, though. And since a lot of callous behaviour is not actually illegal, why not check with anyone you meet — especially those on short or zero-hour contracts, or newly hired — how their employer behaved about redundancy, illness, safety and quarantine? Spot the graceless, grudging Scrooges, and support companies that treat workers with more respect in a crisis.”
2. Ann Fotheringham in The Herald Scotland
on a notorious video circulating social media
It is time to ditch livestreaming from platforms used by children
“I am a big fan of TikTok – it gives young people the chance to be hilarious and creative and clever, and my friends and I would definitely have loved it when we were daft 13-year-olds, prancing around, lipsyncing to the Fame soundtrack. But there is a huge issue surrounding what kids can stumble upon, even with restrictions and watchful parents in the background. Is it really good enough to say that the sheer volume of stuff being uploaded to sites like TikTok and Facebook makes it impossible to watch every one in advance?”
3. Norman Tebbitt in The Telegraph
on reductive protesting
The teenage activists of Extinction Rebellion should leave the climate change debate to the grownups
“I do not dismiss as fools all those who see real dangers to the human species from rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, the melting of glaciers, the dumping of plastic waste and the reckless and wasteful use of the resources of our planet. What worries me is the reluctance to see, indeed a wilful blindness, to the root cause of these problems. That is that there are simply too many of our species, crowding out our fellow creatures and consuming more of the Earth’s resources than we can replace.”
4. EJ Dionne Jr. in The Washington Post
on Trump fatigue
A realist’s case against despair
“It’s hard to remember a gloomier time in our public life. So much of the analysis we read, the news we consume and the hot takes that fly by us on social media suggest that the exits from this dreadful era are blocked. We’re led to believe that our country faces inexorable decline and that those who see the possibility of reform and redemption are deluded. We owe much of this pessimism to the presidency of Donald Trump, and not just because of his blindingly obvious failures. Unlike most incumbents in our history, he has bet his political survival on the proposition that the country is living through a dystopian nightmare that only he can dispel.”
5. Matthew Albracht in CNN
on the destruction of California’s forests
So much magnificence is gone
“While we are hardly the only people slammed by disaster on the planet, we who live here have lost so much. We will have much to figure out as we recover and move forward in this charred, complicated landscape. But for now, I am simply grieving over the enormity of what is lost. I won't lie, it's heavy. I just learned that part of my most cherished nature spot, in the Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve, was wiped out by fire. Now it lives only in my memories. It's the latest reminder of a hard truth: The climate crisis is unyielding in its ferocity and has already irreparably injured my home state, with much more to come.”