theweekuk--2020-12-07--Brexit: what are the odds of a deal and what remains to be agreed?

The unofficial deadline set by both UK and EU officials for agreeing a Brexit deal by the end of last week has come and gone , but negotiators are ploughing on in a last-ditch bid to secure a future trade agreement .
The EU “ backed down over post-Brexit fishing arrangements ” on Sunday night , in what may be a significant victory for Britain , The Telegraph reports .
But the chances of securing a trade deal remain “ on a knife edge ” as talks continue with “ other key issues unresolved ” , the newspaper adds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Officials on both sides had wanted the talks to be resolved by Sunday in order to push the resulting deal through the UK and EU ’ s respective parliaments .
Bu despite the failure to achieve that aim , the British government is maintaining a bullish tone .
Foreign Minister James Cleverly told Times Radio this morning that the UK would not “ roll over ” for the sake of securing a treaty .
“ Yes , time is tight , yes it might go right to the wire and , indeed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t get the deal , ” he said .
“ But I think a deal is possible and we ’ ll keep working towards it until we get it.
” According to bookmakers , a deal is more likely than the UK crashing out of the bloc without one - but only just .
As of early Monday afternoon , William Hill had odds of 8/13 on a deal being signed before the Brexit transition period ends , while SBK had 13/19 and Smarkets had 4/6 .
The odds for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were 5/4 , 32/21 and 7/5 respectively .
What remains to be agreed ?
Despite marking the “ final stages of talks ” , this week will not necessarily be the make-or-break moment given the various issues still to be resolved , says Sky News ’ political editor Beth Rigby .
However , officials in Brussels told Rigby that progress had been made over the weekend towards resolving the disagreements over fishing rights that have continued to hobble the negotiations .
No details have been released about the alleged breakthrough as yet , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested that the UK , which had “ already offered a three-year transition period on fishing arrangements ” , may have offered “ an even longer transition of around five years ” , says The Telegraph .
“ In return , the EU would have to hand back at least 50 % of its fish quotas from January 1 instead of the 18 % it is currently offering , ” the paper reports .
But British sources “ stressed late on Sunday night that a final agreement on fishing was yet to emerge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ level playing field ” ( LPF ) for business .
EU countries were “ united on LPF - unlike over fish - meaning Brussels can hold a united front for the rest of the talks ” , potentially weakening UK negotiating power , according to Politico ’ s London Playbook .
Failure to resolve this sticking point could have catastrophic implications , according to the Daily Mail , which says the negotiations “ are on the verge of meltdown today ” amid “ little sign of a breakthrough ” in efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if a future trade agreement is agreed , further hurdles remain .
As The Guardian notes , Boris Johnson “ will have to sell the deal to the Brexit hardliners of the European Research Group ” .
ERG deputy chair David Jones yesterday insisted that the group had “ huge confidence ” in the UK ’ s chief negotiator David Frost and his team - but described the outstanding sticking points as “ an internal matter for the EU ” to resolve .

The unofficial deadline set by both UK and EU officials for agreeing a Brexit deal by the end of last week has come and gone, but negotiators are ploughing on in a last-ditch bid to secure a future trade agreement.
The EU “backed down over post-Brexit fishing arrangements” on Sunday night, in what may be a significant victory for Britain, The Telegraph reports. But the chances of securing a trade deal remain “on a knife edge” as talks continue with “other key issues unresolved”, the newspaper adds.
What are the odds of a deal?
Officials on both sides had wanted the talks to be resolved by Sunday in order to push the resulting deal through the UK and EU’s respective parliaments.
Bu despite the failure to achieve that aim, the British government is maintaining a bullish tone. Foreign Minister James Cleverly told Times Radio this morning that the UK would not “roll over” for the sake of securing a treaty.
“Yes, time is tight, yes it might go right to the wire and, indeed, it may well be that we don’t get the deal,” he said. “But I think a deal is possible and we’ll keep working towards it until we get it.”
According to bookmakers, a deal is more likely than the UK crashing out of the bloc without one - but only just.
As of early Monday afternoon, William Hill had odds of 8/13 on a deal being signed before the Brexit transition period ends, while SBK had 13/19 and Smarkets had 4/6. The odds for the negotiators failing to come to an agreement were 5/4, 32/21 and 7/5 respectively.
What remains to be agreed?
Despite marking the “final stages of talks”, this week will not necessarily be the make-or-break moment given the various issues still to be resolved, says Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby.
However, officials in Brussels told Rigby that progress had been made over the weekend towards resolving the disagreements over fishing rights that have continued to hobble the negotiations.
No details have been released about the alleged breakthrough as yet, but sources close to the talks have suggested that the UK, which had “already offered a three-year transition period on fishing arrangements”, may have offered “an even longer transition of around five years”, says The Telegraph.
“In return, the EU would have to hand back at least 50% of its fish quotas from January 1 instead of the 18% it is currently offering,” the paper reports. But British sources “stressed late on Sunday night that a final agreement on fishing was yet to emerge”.
Another question mark remains over the “level playing field” (LPF) for business. EU countries were “united on LPF - unlike over fish - meaning Brussels can hold a united front for the rest of the talks”, potentially weakening UK negotiating power, according to Politico’s London Playbook.
Failure to resolve this sticking point could have catastrophic implications, according to the Daily Mail, which says the negotiations “are on the verge of meltdown today” amid “little sign of a breakthrough” in efforts to break the LPF deadlock.
Even if a future trade agreement is agreed, further hurdles remain.
As The Guardian notes, Boris Johnson “will have to sell the deal to the Brexit hardliners of the European Research Group”.
ERG deputy chair David Jones yesterday insisted that the group had “huge confidence” in the UK’s chief negotiator David Frost and his team - but described the outstanding sticking points as “an internal matter for the EU” to resolve.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Instant Opinion: ‘Who’ll want to do a deal with us after this?’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
Who ’ ll want to do a deal with us after this ?
“ Instead of playing to Britain ’ s strengths - reliability , stability , respect for the rule of law - Mr Johnson has undermined the qualities that are most admired around the world .
The prime minister threatened to break international law and tear up an agreement that he struck with the EU only a year ago , putting at risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That will surely worry others who are considering entering into a free trade deal with Britain .
British institutions that are respected across the globe , such as parliament and the judiciary , have been trashed by the revolutionaries in No 10 .
The government even appears prepared to sacrifice the Union in the pursuit of ideological purity .
The Department for International Development has been scrapped , and the aid budget , which has done so much to boost Britain ’ s ‘ soft power ’ abroad , cut .
To potential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Johnson seems untrustworthy , petty , confused and inward-looking.
” 2 .
Philip Ball in the New Statesman The UK government ’ s vaccine nationalism is not only distasteful – it ’ s dangerous “ [ Health Secretary Matt Hancock ] and his colleagues have only soured what should have been a celebratory moment with more of the petty divisiveness that has curdled public discourse over the past few years .
As with Dominic Cummings ’ s flouting of lockdown rules earlier this year , this might look superficially like a political @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for public health .
For that reason , the government ’ s chief scientists must intervene .
The deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam already did a sterling job , in the government press briefing on 2 December , of restoring the international perspective on vaccine development .
But the scientists also have a duty to warn the government that its cheap and deceitful nationalism could do real harm to the already challenging vaccination programme .
It has to stop.
” 3 .
Paul Krugman in The New York Times “ There ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact between refusing to accept evidence that contradicts your policy preconceptions and refusing to accept the results of an election .
But the mind-set is the same .
The point is that once a party gets into the habit of rejecting facts it doesn ’ t want to hear , one fact it ’ s bound to reject sooner or later is the fact that it lost an election .
In that sense there ’ s a straight line from , say , the Republican embrace of climate denial to the party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s attempts to retain power .
And the G.O.P.
’ s previous history of dealing with inconvenient reality gives us a pretty good idea about when the party will accept Joe Biden as the legitimate winner of the 2020 election — namely , never.
” “ [ Israeli PM Benjamin ] Netanyahu ’ s smug phoniness must have been especially irritating and embarrassing to the monarchy , which reportedly moved to cancel an upcoming secret visit by the Israeli intelligence chief .
Make no mistake , Saudi Arabia remains keen on improving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but without openly normalising relations , as such a move could cause a backlash within the kingdom and part of the Islamic world .
Unlike its smaller neighbours , the kingdom has much to lose from openly betraying the Palestinian cause .
With President Donald Trump ’ s defeat in the US elections , Riyadh lost its staunchest ally at the White House .
The monarchy is now obliged to tread carefully , walk back some of its mistakes and avoid any new risky moves before a less friendly administration takes over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Bao Huaying in the South China Morning Post In Australia ’ s Twitter row with China , no surprise who the West sides with “ In the past , Australia had been the one to stand on the moral high ground to criticise China on alleged human rights violations .
Now , however , it is Australian soldiers who stand accused of gross violations of humanitarian laws .
Given the facts of the war crimes committed by Australian soldiers , it is strange to see the rest of the Western world teaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China of being biased and unprofessional in targeting Australia .
Countries including the US , France and Britain , to name just a few , have showed their support for Australia in one way or another .
Such teaming up can not be fully explained by the fact that condemnation of Australia ’ s behaviour during the Afghan war is to some extent equivalent to condemnation of those other countries , since many were also involved in the Afghan operation as Nato allies .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Rachel Sylvester in The Times
on an embarrassing saga
Who’ll want to do a deal with us after this?
“Instead of playing to Britain’s strengths - reliability, stability, respect for the rule of law - Mr Johnson has undermined the qualities that are most admired around the world. The prime minister threatened to break international law and tear up an agreement that he struck with the EU only a year ago, putting at risk the fragile peace in Northern Ireland. That will surely worry others who are considering entering into a free trade deal with Britain. British institutions that are respected across the globe, such as parliament and the judiciary, have been trashed by the revolutionaries in No 10. The government even appears prepared to sacrifice the Union in the pursuit of ideological purity. The Department for International Development has been scrapped, and the aid budget, which has done so much to boost Britain’s ‘soft power’ abroad, cut. To potential allies around the world, Britain under Mr Johnson seems untrustworthy, petty, confused and inward-looking.”
2. Philip Ball in the New Statesman
on pointless jingoism
The UK government’s vaccine nationalism is not only distasteful – it’s dangerous
“[Health Secretary Matt Hancock] and his colleagues have only soured what should have been a celebratory moment with more of the petty divisiveness that has curdled public discourse over the past few years. As with Dominic Cummings’s flouting of lockdown rules earlier this year, this might look superficially like a political spat – but it has serious implications for public health. For that reason, the government’s chief scientists must intervene. The deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam already did a sterling job, in the government press briefing on 2 December, of restoring the international perspective on vaccine development. But the scientists also have a duty to warn the government that its cheap and deceitful nationalism could do real harm to the already challenging vaccination programme. It has to stop.”
3. Paul Krugman in The New York Times
on denial in Congress
Republicans can’t handle the truth
“There’s obviously a big difference in immediate impact between refusing to accept evidence that contradicts your policy preconceptions and refusing to accept the results of an election. But the mind-set is the same. The point is that once a party gets into the habit of rejecting facts it doesn’t want to hear, one fact it’s bound to reject sooner or later is the fact that it lost an election. In that sense there’s a straight line from, say, the Republican embrace of climate denial to the party’s willingness to go along with Trump’s attempts to retain power. And the G.O.P.’s previous history of dealing with inconvenient reality gives us a pretty good idea about when the party will accept Joe Biden as the legitimate winner of the 2020 election — namely, never.”
4. Marwan Bishara in Al Jazeera
on an ugly alliance
Saudi Arabia: Time to face the music
“[Israeli PM Benjamin] Netanyahu’s smug phoniness must have been especially irritating and embarrassing to the monarchy, which reportedly moved to cancel an upcoming secret visit by the Israeli intelligence chief. Make no mistake, Saudi Arabia remains keen on improving security ties with Israel to contain Iran, but without openly normalising relations, as such a move could cause a backlash within the kingdom and part of the Islamic world. Unlike its smaller neighbours, the kingdom has much to lose from openly betraying the Palestinian cause. With President Donald Trump’s defeat in the US elections, Riyadh lost its staunchest ally at the White House. The monarchy is now obliged to tread carefully, walk back some of its mistakes and avoid any new risky moves before a less friendly administration takes over next month.”
5. Tian Shichen and Bao Huaying in the South China Morning Post
on diplomatic hypocrisy
In Australia’s Twitter row with China, no surprise who the West sides with
“In the past, Australia had been the one to stand on the moral high ground to criticise China on alleged human rights violations. Now, however, it is Australian soldiers who stand accused of gross violations of humanitarian laws. Given the facts of the war crimes committed by Australian soldiers, it is strange to see the rest of the Western world teaming up and siding with Canberra by accusing China of being biased and unprofessional in targeting Australia. Countries including the US, France and Britain, to name just a few, have showed their support for Australia in one way or another. Such teaming up cannot be fully explained by the fact that condemnation of Australia’s behaviour during the Afghan war is to some extent equivalent to condemnation of those other countries, since many were also involved in the Afghan operation as Nato allies.”


theweekuk--2020-12-08--What does Boris Johnson’s trip to Brussels mean for the Brexit negotiations?

Boris Johnson is in Brussels today to meet EU leaders in a last-ditch attempt to hammer out the details of a post-Brexit trade agreement .
Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement on Monday that “ remaining differences on critical issues ” still stood in the way of agreeing a deal , despite lengthy phone negotiations between the two stretching late into the evening .
A time and date for an in-person meeting between Johnson and his EU counterparts has yet to be confirmed , but with European leaders gathering for a summit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has reportedly told MEPs that the deadline for finalising a deal is Wednesday .
What is the state of play ?
The ongoing stalement between the two sides after months of negotations is causing frustration and despair among politicians desperate to prevent the UK crashing out of the bloc without a trade treaty in place .
Johnson and von der Leyen said yesterday that “ the conditions for finalising an agreement are not there due to the remaining significant differences on three critical issues ” : the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fisheries .
The warning came even though the UK government had just “ offered an olive branch in the form of a route to removing controversial clauses from domestic legislation , including its draft Internal Market Bill ” , according to Politico .
These clauses would “ give the UK power to unilaterally override the divorce deal struck with Brussels last year ” , says the news site , but would be “ unnecessary if the two sides could implement a solution to concerns the British had about how Brexit would be implemented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to a deal ?
The face-to-face meeting between Johnson and von der Leyen is a “ sign that eight months of technical negotiations have gone as far they can ” and that if there is to be a deal , “ political leaders will now need to step in and broker a compromise ” , says Bloomberg .
“ Equally , it suggests both sides still think they have time before the ultimate deadline at the end of the year and aim to use it to extract last-minute concessions , ” the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not hinge entirely on Johnson ’ s trip to the Belgian capital .
“ Whatever happens , some in the EU insist they will keep negotiating , even if a deal isn ’ t struck this week , ” Politico reports .
Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok has hinted that negotiations could drag into Christmas , with the EU “ even willing to continue negotiating after the end of the transition period ” , says the site .
The Independent ’ s political editor Andrew Grice predicts that around 25 hardcore Eurosceptics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” any concessions made by Johnson as “ BRINO ” , meaning Brexit in name only .
The prime minister has attempted to assuage these fears , telling reporters today that he is near the “ limits ” on Brexit and could “ draw stumps ” .
“ Our friends have just got to understand the UK has left the EU in order to be able to exercise democratic control over the way we do things , ” Johnson said .
“ There is also the issue of fisheries where we are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope springs eternal , I will do my best to sort it out if we can.
” Market analysts have suggested that no agreement would be “ preferable for Johnson as that would leave all the economic damage blamed on the EU with Brexiteers on his side ” , reports Business Insider .
Barnier reportedly told MEPs in a closed meeting on Monday morning that talks were now in their “ endgame ” and would need to be wrapped up within days .
Any deal must be unanimously backed by the EU27 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushed through the UK parliament before the transition period expires on 31 December .
Indeed , “ even if a deal is reached ” , the chances of formally completing the process before the end of the year “ already seem slim ” , says Deutsche Welle .
But Johnson is refusing to admit defeat , with a spokesperson for the PM insisting that the UK is prepared to continue for “ as long as we have time available ” .

Boris Johnson is in Brussels today to meet EU leaders in a last-ditch attempt to hammer out the details of a post-Brexit trade agreement.
Johnson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a joint statement on Monday that “remaining differences on critical issues” still stood in the way of agreeing a deal, despite lengthy phone negotiations between the two stretching late into the evening.
A time and date for an in-person meeting between Johnson and his EU counterparts has yet to be confirmed, but with European leaders gathering for a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has reportedly told MEPs that the deadline for finalising a deal is Wednesday.
What is the state of play?
The ongoing stalement between the two sides after months of negotations is causing frustration and despair among politicians desperate to prevent the UK crashing out of the bloc without a trade treaty in place.
Johnson and von der Leyen said yesterday that “the conditions for finalising an agreement are not there due to the remaining significant differences on three critical issues”: the “level playing field”, governance and fisheries.
The warning came even though the UK government had just “offered an olive branch in the form of a route to removing controversial clauses from domestic legislation, including its draft Internal Market Bill”, according to Politico.
These clauses would “give the UK power to unilaterally override the divorce deal struck with Brussels last year”, says the news site, but would be “unnecessary if the two sides could implement a solution to concerns the British had about how Brexit would be implemented in Northern Ireland”.
Paving the way to a deal?
The face-to-face meeting between Johnson and von der Leyen is a “sign that eight months of technical negotiations have gone as far they can” and that if there is to be a deal, “political leaders will now need to step in and broker a compromise”, says Bloomberg.
“Equally, it suggests both sides still think they have time before the ultimate deadline at the end of the year and aim to use it to extract last-minute concessions,” the site adds.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Breakdancing at the Olympics: a winning move or a mockery?

Breakdancers across the world will be busting a move in celebration after it was confirmed that breaking will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris .
In February last year the Paris 2024 Organising Committee said the addition of skateboarding , sport climbing , surfing and breaking would “ revolutionise the history of the Games ” .
And yesterday the proposals were approved by the executive board of the International Olympic Committee ( IOC ) .
Surfing , skateboarding and sport climbing will be retained after debuts at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 .
Three years later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success of the sport at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018 .
The summer games in Paris will have a focus on gender equality and youth .
The IOC believes the decision to include the new disciplines will help make Paris 2024 “ fit for a post-corona world ” .
• None Exactly 50 % male and female participation , following on from the gender equality already achieved for Tokyo 2020 , which will have 48.8 % female participation • None Growth of mixed gender events , from 18 to 22 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , sport climbing , surfing and breaking confirmed as additional sports based on a proposal by Paris 2024 .
Breaking makes its Olympic debut in Paris after surfing , skateboarding and climbing feature in Tokyo • None Reduction in the overall athlete quota ( including all new sports ) to exactly 10,500 • None Reduction in the overall number of events , with a final programme of 329 events IOC president Thomas Bach said : “ We are further reducing the cost and complexity of hosting the Games .
While we will achieve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Games Tokyo 2020 , we will see for the first time in Olympic history the participation of the exact same number of female athletes as male athletes .
There is also a strong focus on youth.
” ‘ The Olympics has lost what it was ’ The inclusion of breaking - a competitive form of breakdancing - will give the sport “ more recognition ” , British breakdancer Karam Singh told BBC Sport .
“ And for the Olympics , it will attract young people who may not follow some of the traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , parkour , billiard sports and chess campaigned unsuccessfully to be part of the programme for Paris 2024 .
Australian squash great Michelle Martin says the decision to include breaking has made a “ mockery ” of the Olympics .
Speaking to the Australian Associated Press , Martin said : “ You just look at the whole thing and you just go ‘ where ’ s the Olympics going ?
’ I know some people say breakdancing ’ s a sport but ...
I don ’ t understand .
“ The Olympics was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a running race .
There was a definitive answer and results to sports .
You bring in all these judging things and it just gets so corrupt and so out of control .
I just don ’ t get it anymore.
” Martin , a three-time world champion , has lobbied for years for squash to be included .
But the 53-year-old has lost all hope of squash ever gaining Olympic status , the AAP reports .
“ It ’ s sort of making a mockery of what the Olympics is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at what it all used to stand for , the Olympics , it [ squash ] definitely fits in the category .
The Olympics has lost what it was .
Yes they ’ re trying to move with the times but it ’ s creating a mockery of the thing .
”

Breakdancers across the world will be busting a move in celebration after it was confirmed that breaking will make its debut as an Olympic sport in Paris.
In February last year the Paris 2024 Organising Committee said the addition of skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking would “revolutionise the history of the Games”. And yesterday the proposals were approved by the executive board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Surfing, skateboarding and sport climbing will be retained after debuts at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021. Three years later breaking will feature, building on the success of the sport at the Youth Olympic Games Buenos Aires 2018.
The summer games in Paris will have a focus on gender equality and youth. The IOC believes the decision to include the new disciplines will help make Paris 2024 “fit for a post-corona world”.
The main features of Paris 2024’s Olympic programme include:
Exactly 50% male and female participation, following on from the gender equality already achieved for Tokyo 2020, which will have 48.8% female participation
Growth of mixed gender events, from 18 to 22, compared to Tokyo 2020
Skateboarding, sport climbing, surfing and breaking confirmed as additional sports based on a proposal by Paris 2024. Breaking makes its Olympic debut in Paris after surfing, skateboarding and climbing feature in Tokyo
Reduction in the overall athlete quota (including all new sports) to exactly 10,500
Reduction in the overall number of events, with a final programme of 329 events
IOC president Thomas Bach said: “We are further reducing the cost and complexity of hosting the Games. While we will achieve gender equality already at the upcoming Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, we will see for the first time in Olympic history the participation of the exact same number of female athletes as male athletes. There is also a strong focus on youth.”
‘The Olympics has lost what it was’
The inclusion of breaking - a competitive form of breakdancing - will give the sport “more recognition”, British breakdancer Karam Singh told BBC Sport. “And for the Olympics, it will attract young people who may not follow some of the traditional sports,” he added.
Squash, parkour, billiard sports and chess campaigned unsuccessfully to be part of the programme for Paris 2024. Australian squash great Michelle Martin says the decision to include breaking has made a “mockery” of the Olympics.
Speaking to the Australian Associated Press, Martin said: “You just look at the whole thing and you just go ‘where’s the Olympics going?’ I know some people say breakdancing’s a sport but... I don’t understand.
“The Olympics was all about a score, or it was a running race. There was a definitive answer and results to sports. You bring in all these judging things and it just gets so corrupt and so out of control. I just don’t get it anymore.”
Martin, a three-time world champion, has lobbied for years for squash to be included. But the 53-year-old has lost all hope of squash ever gaining Olympic status, the AAP reports.
“It’s sort of making a mockery of what the Olympics is,” she added. “When you look at what it all used to stand for, the Olympics, it [squash] definitely fits in the category. The Olympics has lost what it was. Yes they’re trying to move with the times but it’s creating a mockery of the thing.”


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Coronavirus: can ‘mixing and matching’ Covid vaccines boost protection?

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theweekuk--2020-12-08--Brexit-hobbled Britain ‘still tech powerhouse of Europe’

UK-based tech firms have attracted capital funding worth a total of almost $ 50bn ( £37.4bn ) in the past five years , including $ 12.5bn in the past 12 months alone , newly published figures show .
The UK ’ s “ impressive ” tally since 2016 represents 36 % of all European tech investment in the period , according to venture capital firm Atomico ’ s The State of European Tech report .
And despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic , the amount of money pumped into tech start-ups in Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Germany and France combined .
Celebrating the findings , Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said : “ The UK is the tech powerhouse of Europe .
We want to make sure that UK tech comes out of the Covid-19 crisis stronger than ever - supporting the sector through the recovery just as tech supported all of us through the pandemic .
“ Our forthcoming digital strategy will unleash the full potential of tech innovators and entrepreneurs across the country , driving a new era of growth .
The UK has long been one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tech business and we intend to keep it that way by taking an unashamedly pro-tech approach.
” London remains the “ undisputed ” tech hub in terms of capital invested , attracting $ 9.59bn in 2020 , says Atomico ’ s report .
That takes the total won by firms in London since 2016 to $ 34bn .
Paris has attracted the second-greatest amount of cash , at $ 3.4bn in 2020 , and $ 11.7bn cumulatively since 2016 .
Meanwhile , Stockholm replaces Berlin in the final slot in the list @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claiming $ 2.7bn in capital investment .
Although London remains Europe ’ s tech capital , this “ continued success could yet be hampered by a lack of a large British technology business floating in the City ” , says The Telegraph .
“ The only missing piece of the jigsaw for London tech is to have a true giant technology company go public in the UK , ” according to Tommy Stadlen , an investor at Giant Ventures who sold his start-up Swing to Microsoft in 2017 .
He told the paper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ creates huge numbers of tech-savvy millionaires who go on to become angel investors .
“ Until we get those companies , we ’ re never going to put together a Silicon Valley.
” Capital invested ( $ m ) in the UK , cumulative since 2016 and per year Capital invested ( $ m ) by country and by year

UK-based tech firms have attracted capital funding worth a total of almost $50bn (£37.4bn) in the past five years, including $12.5bn in the past 12 months alone, newly published figures show.
The UK’s “impressive” tally since 2016 represents 36% of all European tech investment in the period, according to venture capital firm Atomico’s The State of European Tech report.
And despite the uncertainty surrounding Brexit and the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the amount of money pumped into tech start-ups in Britain in 2020 is double that raised by Germany and France combined.
Celebrating the findings, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “The UK is the tech powerhouse of Europe. We want to make sure that UK tech comes out of the Covid-19 crisis stronger than ever - supporting the sector through the recovery just as tech supported all of us through the pandemic.
“Our forthcoming digital strategy will unleash the full potential of tech innovators and entrepreneurs across the country, driving a new era of growth. The UK has long been one of the best places to start and grow a tech business and we intend to keep it that way by taking an unashamedly pro-tech approach.”
London: Europe’s tech capital
London remains the “undisputed” tech hub in terms of capital invested, attracting $9.59bn in 2020, says Atomico’s report. That takes the total won by firms in London since 2016 to $34bn.
Paris has attracted the second-greatest amount of cash, at $3.4bn in 2020, and $11.7bn cumulatively since 2016. Meanwhile, Stockholm replaces Berlin in the final slot in the list of top three hubs in 2020, claiming $2.7bn in capital investment.
Time to go public?
Although London remains Europe’s tech capital, this “continued success could yet be hampered by a lack of a large British technology business floating in the City”, says The Telegraph.
“The only missing piece of the jigsaw for London tech is to have a true giant technology company go public in the UK,” according to Tommy Stadlen, an investor at Giant Ventures who sold his start-up Swing to Microsoft in 2017.
He told the paper “the impact of that is it creates huge numbers of tech-savvy millionaires who go on to become angel investors. “Until we get those companies, we’re never going to put together a Silicon Valley.”
Capital invested ($m) in the UK, cumulative since 2016 and per year
Capital invested ($m) by country and by year
Graphics: dealroom.co / stateofeuropeantech.com


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Coronavirus: does ‘V-Day’ mark the end of the pandemic?

A 90-year-old woman has become the the first person in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside of a clinical trial , as the largest mass vaccination drive in NHS history kicks off on what Health Secretary Matt Hancock has dubbed “ V-Day ” .
Grandmother-of-four Margaret Keenan received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at 6.31am today at her local hospital in Coventry , after the UK government last week became the first to approve the jab for public use .
Keenan , who turns 91 next week , said it was “ the best early birthday present I could wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year after being on my own for most of the year , ” she added .
But does the vaccine launch herald imminent victory in the UK ’ s war against the coronavirus - or do more challenges lie ahead ?
The UK government has so far received 800,000 of a total order for 40 million doses - enough for 20 million people - of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine , which needs to be stored at minus 70C .
A total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be delivered by the end of December , NHS Providers has told Sky News .
The vaccine is administered in two doses spaced 21 days apart , and will be offered first to people aged over 80 , care home staff and some front-line NHS workers , at hospital hubs across the country .
Britain has also ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candidate and seven million doses of the jab developed by Moderna - both of which are awaiting regulatory approval in the UK and other countries worldwide .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployment of the Pfizer vaccine “ marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic ” .
The vaccinations push will continue “ at least until next spring ” , he added , and unvaccinated people will need to be “ very careful ” in the meantime .
The rollout has also been welcomed by Keir Starmer , who this morning tweeted : “ Today is a momentous day in our fight against Covid-19 .
There is light at the end of the tunnel.
” But like Stevens , the Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adding that “ it is crucial we all continue to stay safe by following public health advice ” .
The government has today published a report highlighting the work and achievements of its Vaccines Taskforce ( VTF ) , as Boris Johnson offers his thanks to NHS workers , the scientists who helped develop the vaccine , and the volunteers in the clinical trials .
“ The approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in the UK marks a momentous step in our fight against Covid-19 , ” the prime minister said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go and everyone needs to keep following the rules to keep the virus under control.
” The coronavirus has claimed more than 61,000 lives in the UK to date , and more than 1.5 million worldwide .

A 90-year-old woman has become the the first person in the world to be vaccinated against Covid-19 outside of a clinical trial, as the largest mass vaccination drive in NHS history kicks off on what Health Secretary Matt Hancock has dubbed “V-Day”.
Grandmother-of-four Margaret Keenan received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at 6.31am today at her local hospital in Coventry, after the UK government last week became the first to approve the jab for public use. Keenan, who turns 91 next week, said it was “the best early birthday present I could wish for” .
“I can finally look forward to spending time with my family and friends in the new year after being on my own for most of the year,” she added.
But does the vaccine launch herald imminent victory in the UK’s war against the coronavirus - or do more challenges lie ahead?
Vaccine rollout schedule
The UK government has so far received 800,000 of a total order for 40 million doses - enough for 20 million people - of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, which needs to be stored at minus 70C.
A total of four million doses are on track to be delivered by the end of December, NHS Providers has told Sky News.
The vaccine is administered in two doses spaced 21 days apart, and will be offered first to people aged over 80, care home staff and some front-line NHS workers, at hospital hubs across the country.
Britain has also ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine candidate and seven million doses of the jab developed by Moderna - both of which are awaiting regulatory approval in the UK and other countries worldwide.
End in sight?
NHS England boss Simon Stevens says the deployment of the Pfizer vaccine “marks a decisive turning point in the battle with the pandemic”.
The vaccinations push will continue “at least until next spring”, he added, and unvaccinated people will need to be “very careful” in the meantime.
The rollout has also been welcomed by Keir Starmer, who this morning tweeted: “Today is a momentous day in our fight against Covid-19. There is light at the end of the tunnel.”
But like Stevens, the Labour leader sounded a note of caution, adding that “it is crucial we all continue to stay safe by following public health advice”.
Meanwhile, Health Secretary Hancock told BBC Breakfast: “We will look back on today, V-Day, as a key moment in our fight back against this terrible disease, and I am proud our health services across the United Kingdom are about to embark on our largest ever vaccination programme.”
However, there is a “long march ahead of us”, he said, adding: “This virus is deadly. We’ve got to stick by the rules.”
Danger remains
The government has today published a report highlighting the work and achievements of its Vaccines Taskforce (VTF), as Boris Johnson offers his thanks to NHS workers, the scientists who helped develop the vaccine, and the volunteers in the clinical trials.
“The approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for use in the UK marks a momentous step in our fight against Covid-19,” the prime minister said. “But we still have some way to go and everyone needs to keep following the rules to keep the virus under control.”
The coronavirus has claimed more than 61,000 lives in the UK to date, and more than 1.5 million worldwide.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Coronavirus: Moderna has had effective Covid-19 vaccine since January

The world celebrated last month after Moderna ’ s long-awaited coronavirus vaccine candidate was found to be 94.5 % effective in early clinical results .
But according to New York Magazine , the US pharmaceutical giant finished designing that very same vaccine back on 13 January - just two days after the genetic sequence of the virus had been made public and more than a week before the first confirmed coronavirus case in the US .
The vaccine design reportedly “ took all of one weekend ” to develop and “ was completed before China had even acknowledged that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human ” .
And by the time the US reported its first Covid-related death , in February , the Moderna vaccine had “ already been manufactured and shipped to the National Institutes of Health for the beginning of its Phase I clinical trial ” , the mag continues .
Although the speed of the development effort means that “ for the entire span of the pandemic… the US had the tools needed to prevent it ” , experts agree that completing intensive trials is vital for the safe rollout of any vaccine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Emilio Casalicchio notes , “ if we had taken a punt and started handing it out ( unthinkable , of course ) , we could be in a different world now ” .
Since posting the trial results in November , Moderna has submitted its vaccine candidate for regulatory approval in the US and the EU , “ making it the second Western vaccine maker on track to start distribution in December ” , the Financial Times reports .
The company says the trial data has also been sent to “ regulators where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including in the UK ” , the paper adds .

The world celebrated last month after Moderna’s long-awaited coronavirus vaccine candidate was found to be 94.5% effective in early clinical results.
But according to New York Magazine, the US pharmaceutical giant finished designing that very same vaccine back on 13 January - just two days after the genetic sequence of the virus had been made public and more than a week before the first confirmed coronavirus case in the US.
The vaccine design reportedly “took all of one weekend” to develop and “was completed before China had even acknowledged that the disease could be transmitted from human to human”.
And by the time the US reported its first Covid-related death, in February, the Moderna vaccine had “already been manufactured and shipped to the National Institutes of Health for the beginning of its Phase I clinical trial”, the mag continues.
Although the speed of the development effort means that “for the entire span of the pandemic… the US had the tools needed to prevent it”, experts agree that completing intensive trials is vital for the safe rollout of any vaccine.
But as Politico’s London Playbook Emilio Casalicchio notes, “if we had taken a punt and started handing it out (unthinkable, of course), we could be in a different world now”.
Since posting the trial results in November, Moderna has submitted its vaccine candidate for regulatory approval in the US and the EU, “making it the second Western vaccine maker on track to start distribution in December”, the Financial Times reports.
The company says the trial data has also been sent to “regulators where it is already under rolling review, including in the UK”, the paper adds.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--France vs. Germany rift revealed as row over Brexit deal concessions intensifies

The Brexit talks suffered a serious setback after France and Germany clashed over concessions offered by the EU to the UK during negotiations conducted by a stand-in for the bloc ’ s chief negotiator Michel Barnier , it has emerged .
After Barnier was forced to self-isolate after being exposed to Covid-19 , European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen “ tightened her grip on the negotiations ” by sending Stephanie Riso , her deputy chief of staff , to run the talks , according to The Times .
Riso and the UK team reportedly then “ began to make real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bells rang in Paris and some other capitals ” .
An EU official told the newspaper that Barnier was so unhappy with the direction the talks were talking that he contacted EU ambassadors to “ guide ” member states to issues on which he thought too many concessions had been made .
“ He raised flags , ” the source said .
“ It was masterful and subtle but everyone was aware that Barnier himself was not happy with the Von der Leyen and Riso approach of getting a deal ‘ whatever ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set the scene for a confrontation between two of the bloc ’ s most powerful players .
Philippe Leglise-Costa , the French permanent representative to the EU , “ led the charge with claims that Germany was working hand-in-glove ” with Von der Leyen and making too many concessions on unresolved issues such as fishing and the “ level playing field ” in order to secure a future trade deal .
In response , Germany ’ s ambassador , Michael Clauss , hit back at France and its allies for being “ too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly bullish in recent weeks , saying he will veto a deal if it does not satisfy Paris .
But the newly revealed dispute with Germany exposes disagreements at the heart of the bloc as negotiators enter the final days and weeks of talks .
Boris Johnson is meeting with von der Leyen in Brussels today “ in an 11th-hour attempt to break the impasse in the Brexit negotiations ” , The Guardian reports .
However , “ both EU and UK officials said there was no certainly there was no certainty that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be secured when the leaders meet ” , the paper adds .

"The Brexit talks suffered a serious setback after France and Germany clashed over concessions offered by the EU to the UK during negotiations conducted by a stand-in for the bloc’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier, it has emerged."
After Barnier was forced to self-isolate after being exposed to Covid-19, European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen “tightened her grip on the negotiations” by sending Stephanie Riso, her deputy chief of staff, to run the talks, according to The Times.
Riso and the UK team reportedly then “began to make real progress - so much so that alarm bells rang in Paris and some other capitals”.
An EU official told the newspaper that Barnier was so unhappy with the direction the talks were talking that he contacted EU ambassadors to “guide” member states to issues on which he thought too many concessions had been made.
“He raised flags,” the source said. “It was masterful and subtle but everyone was aware that Barnier himself was not happy with the Von der Leyen and Riso approach of getting a deal ‘whatever’ it takes.”
Indeed, his intervention set the scene for a confrontation between two of the bloc’s most powerful players.
Philippe Leglise-Costa, the French permanent representative to the EU, “led the charge with claims that Germany was working hand-in-glove” with Von der Leyen and making too many concessions on unresolved issues such as fishing and the “level playing field” in order to secure a future trade deal.
In response, Germany’s ambassador, Michael Clauss, hit back at France and its allies for being “too jittery”.
Emmanuel Macron has been increasingly bullish in recent weeks, saying he will veto a deal if it does not satisfy Paris. But the newly revealed dispute with Germany exposes disagreements at the heart of the bloc as negotiators enter the final days and weeks of talks.
Boris Johnson is meeting with von der Leyen in Brussels today “in an 11th-hour attempt to break the impasse in the Brexit negotiations”, The Guardian reports. However, “both EU and UK officials said there was no certainly there was no certainty that a historic trade and security deal would be secured when the leaders meet”, the paper adds.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Tuesday 8 Dec 2020

At risk patients in the UK will begin receiving the coronavirus jab today , on what has been dubbed “ @ @ @ @ @ About 70 hospital hubs across the UK are preparing to give the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to @ @ @ @ @ some health and care staff .
Among the first to receive the jab wil be @ @ @ @ @ Newcastle , both in their 80s .
Hari said he was “ excited ” to @ @ @ @

Covid-19 vaccinations begin on UK’s ‘V-Day’
At risk patients in the UK will begin receiving the coronavirus jab today, on what has been dubbed “V-Day” by newspapers. About 70 hospital hubs across the UK are preparing to give the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to over-80s, as well as some health and care staff. Among the first to receive the jab wil be Hari and Ranjan Shukla from Newcastle, both in their 80s. Hari said he was “excited” to get the vaccination.


theweekuk--2020-12-08--Loud snow in Edinburgh sparks bomb fears

Terrified locals phoned the police during a rare thundersnow event in Edinburgh this week .
The occurrence , which happens when thunder and lightning mix with a heavy snowstorm , caused so much noise that some locals thought there were bombs going off .
One person said it sounded like “ a sonic boom ” and another said “ it was very loud like an explosion ” .
Man has coin removed from nose after 53 years A Russian man has had a coin removed from his nose after more than half a century .
The 59-year-old was six-years-old when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right nostril .
He was “ too scared ” to tell his mother and then forgot it had happened until he recently had trouble breathing .
A surgeon said the man “ regained full nasal breathing ” .
A man in the US has recaptured a Guinness World Record by using a samurai sword to slice through 68 grapes while standing on a balance board .
David Rush of Idaho , who previously set the record at 57 grapes , was helped by his neighbour Jonathan Hannon .
Rush has broken more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology , engineering and maths education .
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Terrified locals phoned the police during a rare thundersnow event in Edinburgh this week. The occurrence, which happens when thunder and lightning mix with a heavy snowstorm, caused so much noise that some locals thought there were bombs going off. One person said it sounded like “a sonic boom” and another said “it was very loud like an explosion”.
Man has coin removed from nose after 53 years
A Russian man has had a coin removed from his nose after more than half a century. The 59-year-old was six-years-old when he got the cash stuck in his right nostril. He was “too scared” to tell his mother and then forgot it had happened until he recently had trouble breathing. A surgeon said the man “regained full nasal breathing”.
Serial record breaker slices grapes with samurai
A man in the US has recaptured a Guinness World Record by using a samurai sword to slice through 68 grapes while standing on a balance board. David Rush of Idaho, who previously set the record at 57 grapes, was helped by his neighbour Jonathan Hannon. Rush has broken more than 150 Guinness records to promote science, technology, engineering and maths education.


theweekuk--2020-12-07--Nine great Christmas gifts for adults

Nine great Christmas gifts for adults

With Christmas just around the corner the rush is now on to get those last-minute presents .
The kids ’ stockings may already be full but if you ’ re struggling to buy something for an adult , we can be of help .
Featuring a chess set , pyjamas and a coffee machine , here ’ s nine great gifts you should add to your shopping list .
Coming in four colour schemes , this plant pot raised on three small feet has a faded reactive glaze which gives each pot an individual , artisanal look .
This 1970s-inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coloured acrylic .
It might be a bit tricky to play with , but it should win you points for style .
House-proud cat owners might be grateful for this cactus-shaped scratcher , as an alternative to the dreary brown towers usually found in pet shops .
These intricately illustrated playing cards have a surreal design and make a good gift for people facing long nights in .
The Tate ’ s mismatched 22-carat gold earrings feature Andy Warhol ’ s Campbell ’ s soup can and the banana he designed for The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ debut album .
For those who have not been converted to espresso , Smeg ’ s colourful filter coffee machines , which have a 1.4-litre tank , make a great gift .
These chunky and very cosy slippers are just the thing for slopping about at home this winter .
They have a suede exterior and a shearling lining , making them deliciously soft .
A striking lion print sets these pyjamas apart .
The top is tailored but loose and comfortable , and the set is made from 100 % organic cotton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ always impressive , and this velvet model is no exception .

With Christmas just around the corner the rush is now on to get those last-minute presents.
The kids’ stockings may already be full but if you’re struggling to buy something for an adult, we can be of help.
Featuring a chess set, pyjamas and a coffee machine, here’s nine great gifts you should add to your shopping list.
Suelo Pink & Blue Ceramic Plant Pot
Coming in four colour schemes, this plant pot raised on three small feet has a faded reactive glaze which gives each pot an individual, artisanal look.
£12.50; oliverbonas.com
Jonathan Adler Acrylic Chess Set
This 1970s-inspired chess set has pieces made from brightly coloured acrylic. It might be a bit tricky to play with, but it should win you points for style.
£595; jonathanadler.com
Cactus Cat Scratcher Tree
House-proud cat owners might be grateful for this cactus-shaped scratcher, as an alternative to the dreary brown towers usually found in pet shops.
£65; redcandy.co.uk
Poker Face Playing Cards by Christian Lacroix
These intricately illustrated playing cards have a surreal design and make a good gift for people facing long nights in.
£32; amara.com
Pop Art Earrings
The Tate’s mismatched 22-carat gold earrings feature Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s soup can and the banana he designed for The Velvet Underground & Nico’s 1967 debut album.
£18; tate.org.uk
Smeg 50s Retro Filter Coffee Machine
For those who have not been converted to espresso, Smeg’s colourful filter coffee machines, which have a 1.4-litre tank, make a great gift.
£179; currys.co.uk
Hush Sheepskin Snug Slippers
These chunky and very cosy slippers are just the thing for slopping about at home this winter. They have a suede exterior and a shearling lining, making them deliciously soft.
£69; hush-uk.com
Circe Lion Print Signature Pyjama Set
A striking lion print sets these pyjamas apart. The top is tailored but loose and comfortable, and the set is made from 100% organic cotton.
£120; desmondanddempsey.com
Crosley Topaz Velvet Voyager Bluetooth Record Player
Crosley’s vintage-inspired turntables are always impressive, and this velvet model is no exception.
£100; urbanoutfitters.com
Main image: jonathanadler.com


theweekuk--2020-12-07--Culture Unwrapped - 2020: vintage year for books or literary dud?

Olly Mann and The Week ’ s Holden Frith are joined by writer and critic Laura Freeman .
This week : a look through the literary highs and lows of 2020 and our predictions for the year ahead .
After you have listened to the podcast you can keep up to date with the best things to see and do with The Culture List , in association with The Platinum Card® from American Express .
If you 're looking for some diverting ways to spend your time in the rundown to Christmas , we 've got you covered with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the country and treats that can be delivered straight to your door , from world-class opera to the best of Italian fashion .
Click here to see the list .
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Spotify , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts Though many of our plans have been curtailed by Covid-19 , you can still get the most out of life with the help of The Platinum Card® from American Express and its great benefits .
Book @ @ @ @ @ @ @ town – whether those are virtual today or back at your favourite venues in the near future – and earn a Membership Rewards® point for every £1 you spend .
You can redeem your points quickly and easily on any device , from using them to pay for almost any item on your Card Statement or on your next Amazon order .
What 's more , Membership Rewards points never expire , so you can save them up and spend them on something you love when the time is right .
When we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , American Express holds specially reserved tables for Platinum Cardmembers at some of the best-known restaurants as part of its exclusive Global Dining Collection .
Reserve a table at your favourite restaurant ahead of time by booking directly through the American Express® App for something to look forward to .
And when you 're ready to travel again , the Platinum Concierge service offers expert , 24/7 travel and lifestyle advice wherever you are , day or night , as well as helping with booking for any kind of experience , whether in-person @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to apply for The Platinum Card , click here .
If you ’ d prefer a Card with no annual fee , rewards or other features , an alternative option is available – the Basic Card .
Applicants must be 18 or over .
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Olly Mann and The Week’s Holden Frith are joined by writer and critic Laura Freeman. This week: a look through the literary highs and lows of 2020 and our predictions for the year ahead.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Spotify, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts


theweekuk--2020-12-08--How Peru ended up with three different presidents in a week

Even by the standards of a region of the world famed for political instability , Peru is facing extreme levels of chaos that have seen the South American nation ruled by three different presidents in the space of just over a week .
The constitutional crisis kicked off on 9 November - as Peru ’ s leaders continued to wage a losing battle against Covid-19 - when the country ’ s congress voted to impeach President Martin Vizcarra on the grounds of “ moral unfitness ” .
“ Over unproven allegations of corruption and in a move spearheaded by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers ousted Vizcarra from office , ” The Washington Post reports .
Merino had already led a previous effort to remove Vizcarra , but this time “ the public reacted ” , the newspaper adds .
“ The protests in Lima and other major cities throughout Peru were the largest the country has seen in years , drawing tens of thousands to the streets ” , says Slate .
Two people were killed and dozens more injured in clashes with police .
But the protesters succeeded in their aim , with Meino resigning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days after he was sworn in as president .
The country ’ s current president , Francisco Sagasti , took office on 17 November .
Sagasti subsequently “ announced an overhaul of the police force , appointing a new police chief and sacking more than a dozen top brass officers ” over the violence meted out during the protests , The Guardian reports .
As Slate notes , “ even for the fast-moving world of South American politics , it ’ s all a lot to process ” .
But some commentators believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more democratic society .
The protests set “ a powerful warning sign against the abuse of congressional impeachment powers , which lies at the heart of the current crisis ” , Kenneth Roberts , a professor of Latin American politics at Cornell University , told The Guardian .
“ Like legislatures in Brazil and Paraguay , Peru ’ s congress ‘ weaponised ’ the impeachment tool for transparently self-interested political goals – and Peruvian society has risen up to hold the ringleaders accountable.
” However , Cynthia McClintock , a professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington University , told Slate that the timing of the crisis could spell trouble for many Peruvians .
“ This is going to mean a lot of pain and suffering , for millions of people .
To overcome the economic crisis and Covid , well , it ’ s not going to happen if you ’ re changing presidents every other day , ” she said .
“ Not until there ’ s a modicum of stability , and ministers who are trying to do the right thing .
”

Even by the standards of a region of the world famed for political instability, Peru is facing extreme levels of chaos that have seen the South American nation ruled by three different presidents in the space of just over a week.
The constitutional crisis kicked off on 9 November - as Peru’s leaders continued to wage a losing battle against Covid-19 - when the country’s congress voted to impeach President Martin Vizcarra on the grounds of “moral unfitness”.
“Over unproven allegations of corruption and in a move spearheaded by the speaker of Congress, Manuel Merino, lawmakers ousted Vizcarra from office,” The Washington Post reports.
Merino had already led a previous effort to remove Vizcarra, but this time “the public reacted”, the newspaper adds.
“The protests in Lima and other major cities throughout Peru were the largest the country has seen in years, drawing tens of thousands to the streets”, says Slate. Two people were killed and dozens more injured in clashes with police.
But the protesters succeeded in their aim, with Meino resigning “under massive pressure” just six days after he was sworn in as president. The country’s current president, Francisco Sagasti, took office on 17 November.
Sagasti subsequently “announced an overhaul of the police force, appointing a new police chief and sacking more than a dozen top brass officers” over the violence meted out during the protests, The Guardian reports.
As Slate notes, “even for the fast-moving world of South American politics, it’s all a lot to process”.
But some commentators believe the crisis has paved the way for a more democratic society.
The protests set “a powerful warning sign against the abuse of congressional impeachment powers, which lies at the heart of the current crisis”, Kenneth Roberts, a professor of Latin American politics at Cornell University, told The Guardian.
“Like legislatures in Brazil and Paraguay, Peru’s congress ‘weaponised’ the impeachment tool for transparently self-interested political goals – and Peruvian society has risen up to hold the ringleaders accountable.”
However, Cynthia McClintock, a professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University, told Slate that the timing of the crisis could spell trouble for many Peruvians.
“This is going to mean a lot of pain and suffering, for millions of people. To overcome the economic crisis and Covid, well, it’s not going to happen if you’re changing presidents every other day,” she said.
“Not until there’s a modicum of stability, and ministers who are trying to do the right thing.”


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Man Utd: Ole’s ‘at the wheel’ but for how much longer?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’ s future as Manchester United manager is once again in question after his side crashed out of the Uefa Champions League .
United travelled to RB Leipzig on Tuesday needing just a draw to seal their place in the last 16 of the competition .
However , a 3-2 loss means the Red Devils failed to qualify from the group and now have to settle for Europa League football .
The Champions League exit , and the comments from Paul Pogba ’ s agent claiming the midfielder is “ unhappy ” , have not helped Solskjaer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t get any easier for the under-fire United boss as his team host rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday .
Solskjaer ’ s lack of “ champion-manager edge ” was “ brutally exposed ” by Julian Nagelsmann ’ s Leipzig , says The Guardian ’ s Barney Roney .
The opening 20 minutes showed Nagelsmann ’ s “ tactical supremacy ” and this period ultimately decided the match .
It also “ flagged up the lack of clarity , of real champion-manager drive that separates Solskjaer in this company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the moment “ United ’ s nice guy met a genuine cutting edge ” .
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson also believes that the United boss got it “ horribly , horribly wrong ” at the start of the game .
“ That result didn ’ t show well for Solskjaer , ” said Merson .
“ You can not give these teams in Europe a two or three-goal head-start .
You are going to get caught out and they got caught out in a big game .
“ This is Manchester United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Champions League , not Thursday night football .
The biggest team in the world , in my opinion , are out of the Champions League.
” One of the favourite chants sung by United supporters is Ole ’ s at the wheel , Tell me how does it feel ?
.
Judging by the events of the past few days - and the reaction by some fans on social media - the Norwegian ’ s time in charge could soon be over .
The Daily Mail , citing odds from Betfair , reports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first Premier League manager to get the sack this season .
He ’ s 2/1 to get fired and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is the 4/9 favourite to take over at Old Trafford .
If Solskjaer is relieved of his duties , then Pochettino could be joined on the shortlist by Nagelsmann , ex-Juventus head coach Max Allegri and Southampton ’ s Ralph Hasenhuttl , says iNews .
Former Tottenham manager Pochettino could be the man to “ repair ” broken Man Utd , says The Telegraph ’ s Matt Law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for more than a year since being sacked by Spurs and is “ more than ready ” to return .
With Pochettino also linked with Real Madrid , United “ should act now before they miss out on the injection of energy they so desperately need ” , says Law .
For the time being though , Ole remains “ at the wheel ” and has the small matter of a Manchester derby to prepare for .
Speaking in Germany after the Leipzig defeat , the United boss told BT Sport : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for yourself .
We have to focus on Saturday .
”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future as Manchester United manager is once again in question after his side crashed out of the Uefa Champions League.
United travelled to RB Leipzig on Tuesday needing just a draw to seal their place in the last 16 of the competition. However, a 3-2 loss means the Red Devils failed to qualify from the group and now have to settle for Europa League football.
The Champions League exit, and the comments from Paul Pogba’s agent claiming the midfielder is “unhappy”, have not helped Solskjaer’s cause. And things won’t get any easier for the under-fire United boss as his team host rivals Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
‘Tactically inadequate’
Solskjaer’s lack of “champion-manager edge” was “brutally exposed” by Julian Nagelsmann’s Leipzig, says The Guardian’s Barney Roney. The opening 20 minutes, in which Leipzig went 2-0 up, showed Nagelsmann’s “tactical supremacy” and this period ultimately decided the match.
It also “flagged up the lack of clarity, of real champion-manager drive that separates Solskjaer in this company”, Roney adds. It was the moment “United’s nice guy met a genuine cutting edge”.
Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson also believes that the United boss got it “horribly, horribly wrong” at the start of the game.
“That result didn’t show well for Solskjaer,” said Merson. “You cannot give these teams in Europe a two or three-goal head-start. You are going to get caught out and they got caught out in a big game.
“This is Manchester United. They need to be in the Champions League, not Thursday night football. The biggest team in the world, in my opinion, are out of the Champions League.”
Leading the sack race
One of the favourite chants sung by United supporters is Ole’s at the wheel, Tell me how does it feel?. Judging by the events of the past few days - and the reaction by some fans on social media - the Norwegian’s time in charge could soon be over.
The Daily Mail, citing odds from Betfair, reports that Solskjaer is now favourite to be the first Premier League manager to get the sack this season. He’s 2/1 to get fired and former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino is the 4/9 favourite to take over at Old Trafford.
If Solskjaer is relieved of his duties, then Pochettino could be joined on the shortlist by Nagelsmann, ex-Juventus head coach Max Allegri and Southampton’s Ralph Hasenhuttl, says iNews.
‘United must act now’
Former Tottenham manager Pochettino could be the man to “repair” broken Man Utd, says The Telegraph’s Matt Law. The Argentine has been out of work for more than a year since being sacked by Spurs and is “more than ready” to return.
With Pochettino also linked with Real Madrid, United “should act now before they miss out on the injection of energy they so desperately need”, says Law.
For the time being though, Ole remains “at the wheel” and has the small matter of a Manchester derby to prepare for. Speaking in Germany after the Leipzig defeat, the United boss told BT Sport: “You can’t feel sorry for yourself. We have to focus on Saturday.”


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Instant Opinion: British business has ‘lost the Brexit battle’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
“ July 2016 .
The captains of British industry have congregated in a glass-walled City conference room .
The meeting is so oversubscribed that FTSE chairmen huddle by the complimentary brownies and turf out the note-takers in the observer chairs ringing the room .
It ’ s a bruised company .
Overwhelmingly pro-European , many sit at the helm of international business , focused on the market of 500 million people the U.K. has long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ German voices among the chatter , Italian , Irish and the odd , bemused , American .
They employ millions of people between them and generate billions in tax revenue for the government .
Just a week before , the U.K. voted to leave the EU .
For most , it is a personal as well as a financial loss.
” Beware the Left ’ s new craze for wealth taxes “ Argentina – a country well versed in financial crises – has introduced a one-off levy on those with assets worth more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fiscal hole left by Covid .
Legislation put forward in California for a new tax on net worth failed to pass this year , but voters in San Francisco have brought in a local levy targeting Silicon Valley CEOs .
In the UK , the idea of a one-off or annual percentage tax on the value of an individual ’ s assets is gaining currency on the Left , even Labour ‘ moderates ’ , who are keen on proposals that undermine private property and expand the state .
But more worrying is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the idea when they should know better.
” 3 .
Jennifer Finney Boylan in The New York Times Time won ’ t let me wait that long “ As I head toward the clock shop , I am thinking about the things we have lost this year : over a quarter of a million dead in this country , lives upended and destroyed .
And the small things too : the closeness of friends , a pint in a pub , a stranger ’ s handshake .
I think about some of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prine , our national treasure .
Who sang , ‘ When I get to heaven , I ’ m going to shake God ’ s hand .
And thank him for more blessings than one man can stand.
’ And Ruth Bader Ginsburg , one of the justices who ruled five years ago that my marriage was legal .
And who joined the majority just this summer in ruling that I can not be fired from my job simply because of who I am.
” Protesters spent nearly an hour outside my home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s what I learned “ For all of us , our job is simple : to defend and protect every voter , their choice and their vote .
And each of us will continue to proudly , defiantly , guard every citizen ’ s vote , undeterred , because no matter how one voted or who they voted for , where they live , or what they look like , their vote is the lifeblood of our democracy .
And the misguided efforts to spread lies designed to undermine people ’ s faith @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , fair and accurate election , need to stop .
It ’ s gone on too long , and it ’ s gone too far.
” Urgency to add teeth to enforcement of human rights “ It might be said that never have so many human rights been proclaimed yet been so routinely violated .
Think of the ongoing human rights atrocities that are going unsanctioned .
Myanmar , where the Muslim civilian population is routinely driven out from homes and cities are consistently destroyed .
Tragic genocide in Syria .
Death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Palestinian demand to exercise the right to self-determination .
Kashmiris brutalized by 900,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces .
The list goes on and on .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Nicola Sykes in Politico
on a bleak saga
How business lost the Brexit battle
“July 2016. The captains of British industry have congregated in a glass-walled City conference room. The meeting is so oversubscribed that FTSE chairmen huddle by the complimentary brownies and turf out the note-takers in the observer chairs ringing the room. It’s a bruised company. Overwhelmingly pro-European, many sit at the helm of international business, focused on the market of 500 million people the U.K. has long been a part of. There are German voices among the chatter, Italian, Irish and the odd, bemused, American. They employ millions of people between them and generate billions in tax revenue for the government. Just a week before, the U.K. voted to leave the EU. For most, it is a personal as well as a financial loss.”
2. Kate Andrews in The Daily Telegraph
on a lack of perspective
Beware the Left’s new craze for wealth taxes
“Argentina – a country well versed in financial crises – has introduced a one-off levy on those with assets worth more than £1.8 million to help fix a fiscal hole left by Covid. Legislation put forward in California for a new tax on net worth failed to pass this year, but voters in San Francisco have brought in a local levy targeting Silicon Valley CEOs. In the UK, the idea of a one-off or annual percentage tax on the value of an individual’s assets is gaining currency on the Left, even Labour ‘moderates’, who are keen on proposals that undermine private property and expand the state. But more worrying is the number of establishment economists warming to the idea when they should know better.”
3. Jennifer Finney Boylan in The New York Times
on reflecting on 2020
Time won’t let me wait that long
“As I head toward the clock shop, I am thinking about the things we have lost this year: over a quarter of a million dead in this country, lives upended and destroyed. And the small things too: the closeness of friends, a pint in a pub, a stranger’s handshake. I think about some of the people who’ve died. John Prine, our national treasure. Who sang, ‘When I get to heaven, I’m going to shake God’s hand. And thank him for more blessings than one man can stand.’ And Ruth Bader Ginsburg, one of the justices who ruled five years ago that my marriage was legal. And who joined the majority just this summer in ruling that I cannot be fired from my job simply because of who I am.”
4. Jocelyn Benson on CNN
on fear and division
Protesters spent nearly an hour outside my home chanting about conspiracy theories. Here’s what I learned
“For all of us, our job is simple: to defend and protect every voter, their choice and their vote. And each of us will continue to proudly, defiantly, guard every citizen’s vote, undeterred, because no matter how one voted or who they voted for, where they live, or what they look like, their vote is the lifeblood of our democracy. And the misguided efforts to spread lies designed to undermine people’s faith in hat was a well-run, secure, fair and accurate election, need to stop. It’s gone on too long, and it’s gone too far.”
5. Ghulam Nabi Fai on Anadolu Agency
on ignoring treaties
Urgency to add teeth to enforcement of human rights
“It might be said that never have so many human rights been proclaimed yet been so routinely violated. Think of the ongoing human rights atrocities that are going unsanctioned. Myanmar, where the Muslim civilian population is routinely driven out from homes and cities are consistently destroyed. Tragic genocide in Syria. Death and destruction in Yemen. Denial of the Palestinian demand to exercise the right to self-determination. Kashmiris brutalized by 900,000 Indian military and paramilitary forces. The list goes on and on.”


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Brexit: what’s the mood in Westminster ahead of Boris Johnson’s 11th-hour showdown with EU?

As Boris Johnson gears up for a make-or-break dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tonight , speculation abounds over whether either side will be willing to swallow concessions to secure a future trade deal .
With time running out before the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December , the UK and the EU are still wrangling over fishing rights , the level playing field ( LPF ) and the governance of any treaty agreed .
So will the prime minister walk if the bloc refuses to budge ?
Or could he , as an unnamed cabinet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced to dine on a “ menu of climbdowns ” ?
Eurosceptic members of the Conservative Party have drawn red lines on a series of issues surrounding the UK ’ s sovereinty , including the three that threaten to sink negotiations .
But with just weeks to go until Britain crashes out of the EU , some members of the hard-line European Research Group ( ERG ) have hinted that they may be willing to accept a deal if Johnson can secure certain concessions at today ’ s talks .
In comments that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , some of the arch-Brexiteers have said they are willing to be flexible on the level playing field if the two sides agree a “ commitment not to lower standards below the current baseline ” , The Telegraph reports .
Yet despite this apparent offer of wriggle room , Ben Harris-Quinney , chair of the right-wing Bow Group think tank , insists the position of Brexiteers “ hasn ’ t really changed throughout ” the negotiations and is unlikely to shift now .
“ The ERG Brexiteers will absolutely round on Boris @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and are very happy to push for a no-deal Brexit , ” he told the Daily Express .
The PM can still count on having plenty of backers , however , after cabinet ministers from both sides of the Brexit divide “ last night insisted Johnson had their full support and latitude to make a call , deal or no deal ” , according to Politico ’ s London Playbook Emilio Casalicchio .
But some senior figures have remained bullish ahead of the crunch talks .
Michael Gove told BBC Radio 4 ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a compromise on fishing rights , but insisted that the UK could not back down from being an “ independent coastal state ” .
“ I think there can be scope for compromise but the compromise exists on the way in which European boats can continue to access UK waters , ” he said .
“ But what is not up for compromise is the principle that the UK will be an independent coastal state , and it will be a matter for negotiation between the UK and the EU.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mood in Westminster among those hoping for a deal is bleak .
A UK official told reporters last night that “ it ’ s clear that some political impetus will be required for the talks to make any more progress ” .
“ We must be realistic that an agreement may not be possible as we will not compromise on reclaiming UK sovereignty , ” the government source added .
The EU ’ s chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , has also struck a pessimistic tone , after reportedly telling MEPs that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to sources , Barnier warned EU ministers at a private meeting yesterday that “ we are close to the moment of needing urgent measures which means a contingency plan for no deal ” , The Guardian reports .
“ The basis of our future cooperation with the UK is more important than rushing now , ” the negotiating chief continued .
“ We can not sacrifice our long-term interests for short-term political goals.
” In the wake of Barnier ’ s warning , a UK government source “ said the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal to be struck tonight ” , reports the Daily Mail .
“ If they strike out and make no progress then that is going to be it , ” the insider predicted .
“ There is no point carrying on for the sake of it .
”

As Boris Johnson gears up for a make-or-break dinner with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tonight, speculation abounds over whether either side will be willing to swallow concessions to secure a future trade deal.
With time running out before the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December, the UK and the EU are still wrangling over fishing rights, the level playing field (LPF) and the governance of any treaty agreed.
So will the prime minister walk if the bloc refuses to budge? Or could he, as an unnamed cabinet minister suggested to The Sun, be forced to dine on a “menu of climbdowns”?
Red lines
Eurosceptic members of the Conservative Party have drawn red lines on a series of issues surrounding the UK’s sovereinty, including the three that threaten to sink negotiations.
But with just weeks to go until Britain crashes out of the EU, some members of the hard-line European Research Group (ERG) have hinted that they may be willing to accept a deal if Johnson can secure certain concessions at today’s talks.
In comments that will be “welcomed by Downing Street”, some of the arch-Brexiteers have said they are willing to be flexible on the level playing field if the two sides agree a “commitment not to lower standards below the current baseline”, The Telegraph reports.
Yet despite this apparent offer of wriggle room, Ben Harris-Quinney, chair of the right-wing Bow Group think tank, insists the position of Brexiteers “hasn’t really changed throughout” the negotiations and is unlikely to shift now.
“The ERG Brexiteers will absolutely round on Boris if he breaches the red lines, and are very happy to push for a no-deal Brexit,” he told the Daily Express.
United front
The PM can still count on having plenty of backers, however, after cabinet ministers from both sides of the Brexit divide “last night insisted Johnson had their full support and latitude to make a call, deal or no deal”, according to Politico’s London Playbook Emilio Casalicchio.
But some senior figures have remained bullish ahead of the crunch talks.
Michael Gove told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme this morning that there could be a compromise on fishing rights, but insisted that the UK could not back down from being an “independent coastal state”.


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Why Donald Trump supporters are being urged to buy his $3m childhood home

The owner of Donald Trump ’ s childhood home in Queens has launched an online campaign that may see the president and his family reclaim the five-bedroom property .
Trump ’ s supporters are being urged to contribute to a crowdfunding drive aimed at giving him the Tudor-style house in Jamaica Estates “ as a gift - once the $ 3m price tag is met ” , The New York Times reports .
The “ unusual ” real estate manoeuvre is a clear bid to “ capitalise on the devotion of some of Mr Trump ’ s supporters ” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitment that has driven them to attend his large rallies in the middle of a pandemic will also induce them to open their wallets ” , says the newspaper .
The fundraiser , hosted on the GoFundMe platform , is called : “ Love Trump ?
Thank President Trump by contributing to this campaign to buy his childhood home in his honour !
” The house - built by Trump ’ s father , Fred C. Trump , in 1940 - was put up for auction last autumn , but failed to meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous sold for about $ 1.4m in 2016 , before being snapped for $ 2.14m at an auction the following year by the current owner , whose identity reportedly “ remains obscured behind a limited liability corporation called Trump Birth House ” .
The home was then offered as an Airbnb rental for a few years , during which Oxfam booked in for a night and invited four refugees over to talk to journalists .
The international aid charity staged the publicity stunt after “ the Republican president ’ s administration issued travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and all refugees ” , as The Independent reported at the time .
In more recent years , the Queens property has stood empty , however .
The White House has yet to comment on the newly launched fundraiser .
But Misha Haghani of Paramount Realty USA , which has represented the property in three past auctions , said : “ I believe if the president were to accept the property , he would do something with it in honour of his presidency .
“ It ’ s either that or he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

The owner of Donald Trump’s childhood home in Queens has launched an online campaign that may see the president and his family reclaim the five-bedroom property.
Trump’s supporters are being urged to contribute to a crowdfunding drive aimed at giving him the Tudor-style house in Jamaica Estates “as a gift - once the $3m price tag is met”, The New York Times reports.
The “unusual” real estate manoeuvre is a clear bid to“capitalise on the devotion of some of Mr Trump’s supporters”, with the hope that “the same commitment that has driven them to attend his large rallies in the middle of a pandemic will also induce them to open their wallets”, says the newspaper.
The fundraiser, hosted on the GoFundMe platform, is called: “Love Trump? Thank President Trump by contributing to this campaign to buy his childhood home in his honour!”
The house - built by Trump’s father, Fred C. Trump, in 1940 - was put up for auction last autumn, but failed to meet the reserve price.
The property had previous sold for about $1.4m in 2016, before being snapped for $2.14m at an auction the following year by the current owner, whose identity reportedly “remains obscured behind a limited liability corporation called Trump Birth House”.
The home was then offered as an Airbnb rental for a few years, during which Oxfam booked in for a night and invited four refugees over to talk to journalists. The international aid charity staged the publicity stunt after “the Republican president’s administration issued travel bans on people from six Muslim-majority countries and all refugees”, as The Independent reported at the time.
In more recent years, the Queens property has stood empty, however.
The White House has yet to comment on the newly launched fundraiser. But Misha Haghani of Paramount Realty USA, which has represented the property in three past auctions, said: “I believe if the president were to accept the property, he would do something with it in honour of his presidency.
“It’s either that or he’ll just donate it to some charity.”


theweekuk--2020-12-09--What Boris Johnson’s no-deal ‘nightmare scenario’ squad portends for post-Brexit Britain

Boris Johnson has quietly assembled a Downing Street unit to organise the government ’ s response to a “ nightmare scenario ” of a no-deal Brexit , a surge in Covid-19 cases and winter flooding , Whitehall sources have revealed .
The “ winter control and coordination cell ” will be based in No .
10 and will provide daily confidential briefings to the prime minister on the trio of feared threats in the months ahead , The Times reports .
“ Winter is always one of the most challenging times for the government , with pressures on the NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather events , ” a Whitehall source told the paper .
“ The question is what happens when you combine all that with Covid and a no-deal Brexit.
” Ministers are reportedly worried that the EU will try to make life “ difficult ” for Britain , which may face more stringent checks at the border in Calais and tougher rules on handing out permits for UK lorries seeking to enter the bloc .
The unit ’ s existence has raised questions about the state of the ongoing Brexit negotiations , with Downing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secure a future trade deal with the EU is likely to result in widespread disruption .
Boris Johnson is preparing for last-ditch talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over dinner tonight in Brussels .
EU sources told the BBC that their chief negotiator , Michel Barnier , has briefed the bloc ’ s Europe ministers that talks were “ tilting towards no deal being reached before the deadline ” .
A failure to achieve a breakthrough during the face-to-face meeting between Johnson and von der Leyen would make a no-deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some European leaders believed to be running out of patience ” , adds Sky News .

Boris Johnson has quietly assembled a Downing Street unit to organise the government’s response to a “nightmare scenario” of a no-deal Brexit, a surge in Covid-19 cases and winter flooding, Whitehall sources have revealed.
The “winter control and coordination cell” will be based in No. 10 and will provide daily confidential briefings to the prime minister on the trio of feared threats in the months ahead, The Times reports.
“Winter is always one of the most challenging times for the government, with pressures on the NHS alongside the risk of things like adverse weather events,” a Whitehall source told the paper. “The question is what happens when you combine all that with Covid and a no-deal Brexit.”
Ministers are reportedly worried that the EU will try to make life “difficult” for Britain, which may face more stringent checks at the border in Calais and tougher rules on handing out permits for UK lorries seeking to enter the bloc.
The unit’s existence has raised questions about the state of the ongoing Brexit negotiations, with Downing Street officials privately conceding that failure to secure a future trade deal with the EU is likely to result in widespread disruption.
Boris Johnson is preparing for last-ditch talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen over dinner tonight in Brussels. EU sources told the BBC that their chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, has briefed the bloc’s Europe ministers that talks were “tilting towards no deal being reached before the deadline”.
A failure to achieve a breakthrough during the face-to-face meeting between Johnson and von der Leyen would make a no-deal exit “much more likely, with some European leaders believed to be running out of patience”, adds Sky News.


theweekuk--2020-12-09--Coronavirus: three things you need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine

Tracy Hussell , professor of inflammatory disease at the University of Manchester , answers the questions you need to know about the rollout of the coronavirus vaccine .
If we are ever to return to some semblance of normality , then the world ’ s population needs to be immune to SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes Covid-19 .
But with so many different vaccines in production , questions are undoubtedly going to be raised , such as can I still have a vaccine if I have been involved in a trial testing other versions ?
And , what if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do I still need a vaccine ?
A basic understanding of immunology can answer all these questions .
All Covid vaccines try to generate an immune response to proteins the virus needs to enter your cells .
Whether this is by using a harmless virus carrying the protein that mimics SARS-CoV-2 but doesn ’ t replicate , or by using the genetic code for those proteins ( a messenger RNA ) , the outcome is the same .
The protein critical to stopping SARS-CoV-2 is displayed , recognised by the immune system , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cells that are then ready to stop future infection .
Is it OK to have a different second dose ?
A booster vaccination enhances the quality of the immune response and sends a reminder about the virus .
It doesn ’ t matter if the vaccine used to prime the immune system is different from the one used to boost , as long as they both contain the critical viral protein .
Booster vaccinations are common , and the time interval between them varies .
For example , a booster for tetanus is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hepatitis A or measles are one-shot wonders – a booster is not needed .
Only by studying the immune response in people who have been vaccinated , will we be able to tell when and if further booster vaccinations are needed .
This will be determined by measuring SARS-CoV-2 specific antibody and T cell responses in a sample of blood .
It is possible that certain groups , such as older people , might need a different booster strategy – and this will take time to work out .
What if I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you ’ ve taken part in a Covid vaccine trial , it could give you a head start on the prime/boost approach , and you could reach the required immunity threshold quicker .
Alternatively , your trial vaccination may have been so effective that the non-trial version of the vaccine isn ’ t necessary .
It is important for vaccine developers to follow up people who have had the vaccine to see how their immune system has reacted and whether or not the vaccine gave them immunity .
This follow up should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encompass different sections of the population : young , old , different ethnic groups , and patients on drugs that dampen the immune system ( such as chemotherapy ) .
What if I ’ ve had Covid ?
Even if you have recovered from Covid-19 , you can still benefit from vaccination .
There is evidence in hospitalised patients that the infection was so overwhelming that the immune response became exhausted and so immune memory to the virus was not created efficiently .
Also , if you had a very mild infection , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the point of laying down immune memory .
So vaccination could be beneficial , regardless of whether you experienced severe or mild disease .
Though vaccination is a choice , don ’ t forget that vaccines have been around a long time and have saved more lives than any other medicine .
The risk of getting Covid and its awful and often long-term side-effects outweigh any theoretical risk of a vaccine .
Tracy Hussell , professor of inflammatory disease at the University of Manchester .
This article is republished from The Conversation under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ original article .