theweekuk--2020-04-24--Coronavirus: Denmark’s ‘children experiment’ offers end to lockdowns

Denmark has become the first European country under lockdown to start reopening schools , triggering conflict between health officials and concerned parents .
Around 650,000 children have returned to daycare centres and primary schools in the first phase of the Danish government ’ s reopening strategy , as the authorities point to the success of the Nordic nation ’ s swift response to the pandemic .
Denmark imposed a nationwide lockdown on 11 March - “ before it had even reported its first death ” , says The Independent .
But while Denmark has been cited as an example to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is convinced , with many parents claiming on social media that their children are being used as “ Covid-19 guinea pigs ” .
What is the current situation in Denmark ?
Kindergartens and the first five forms in primary schools were reopened on 15 April across Denmark , which “ has not seen the same levels of coronavirus fatalities as has rocked the west of the continent ” , says The Independent .
A total of 8,210 infections and 403 Covid-19 deaths had been reported so far , according to latest figures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent back to classrooms , the Danish government says that children aged over 12 must remain at home for now .
Universities are also to stay closed until at least 10 May , along with churches , cinemas and shopping malls .
Meanwhile , kindergartens and primary schools have been issued with “ a list of government instructions designed to minimise the risk of children spreading the virus amongst each other ” , The Telegraph reports .
Parents are asked to drop their children off at the front gates in a staggered system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school buildings .
Children must wash their hands as soon as they arrive , and every two hours after , and must stay in small groups when playing outside .
In classes , pupils must sit at desks or tables at least two metres apart .
“ At the same time , they are not allowed to bring toys from home , and the nurseries or school ’ s own toys and equipment has to be disinfected twice a day , along with surfaces such as sinks , toilet seats and door handles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds : “ All this is putting a strain on the teachers who are required to make sure their charges follow the rules.
” “ Every time you look around , the kids are touching each other , ” said one teacher .
“ How many times can you tell them off for that ?
” Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen last week insisted that the school reopenings , undertaken on health authority recommendations , would allow many parents to return to work and “ get the economy going again ” .
But as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there has been some anxiety among parents being asked to take part in this experiment.
” “ A number of Facebook groups have been set up by worried parents , including one under the name ‘ my child will not be a Guinea pig for Covid-19 ’ , which already has over 39,000 members , ” adds The Independent .
“ I won ’ t be sending my children off no matter what , ” said the group ’ founder , mother-of-two Sandra Andersen .
All th same , attendance rates are back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicating that most parents trust the new system .
Speculation surrounding when and how UK schools can safely reopen has become “ increasingly fraught as the lockdown has persisted ” , as The Guardian notes .
But for now , at least , it looks it unlikely that the UK will follow Denmark ’ s lead .
The general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders ( ASCL ) said this week that the earliest schools might realistically reopen would be in June after half-term .
“ It can only happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will need to be a lead-in time of several weeks to ensure it is carefully planned , ” Geoff Barton said .
“ It is then going to be necessary to maintain social distancing in schools as much as possible .
It is likely that we will need to reintroduce certain year groups in the first instance , rather than fully reopening schools to all pupils.
” The Department for Education has refused to speculate about when such a process might begin .
“ They will remain closed , except for children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , until the scientific advice changes and we have met the five tests set out by government to beat this virus , ” a spokesperson said .
“ We will work in close consultation with the sector to consider how best to reopen schools , nurseries and colleges when the time is right so that parents , teachers and children have sufficient notice to plan and prepare .
”

Denmark has become the first European country under lockdown to start reopening schools, triggering conflict between health officials and concerned parents.
Around 650,000 children have returned to daycare centres and primary schools in the first phase of the Danish government’s reopening strategy, as the authorities point to the success of the Nordic nation’s swift response to the pandemic.
Denmark imposed a nationwide lockdown on 11 March - “before it had even reported its first death”, says The Independent.
But while Denmark has been cited as an example to emulate for other nations, not everyone is convinced, with many parents claiming on social media that their children are being used as “Covid-19 guinea pigs”.
What is the current situation in Denmark?
Kindergartens and the first five forms in primary schools were reopened on 15 April across Denmark, which “has not seen the same levels of coronavirus fatalities as has rocked the west of the continent”, says The Independent.
A total of 8,210 infections and 403 Covid-19 deaths had been reported so far, according to latest figures.
However, while younger children have been sent back to classrooms, the Danish government says that children aged over 12 must remain at home for now.
Universities are also to stay closed until at least 10 May, along with churches, cinemas and shopping malls.
Meanwhile, kindergartens and primary schools have been issued with “a list of government instructions designed to minimise the risk of children spreading the virus amongst each other”, The Telegraph reports.
Parents are asked to drop their children off at the front gates in a staggered system, and are not allowed to enter school buildings.
Children must wash their hands as soon as they arrive, and every two hours after, and must stay in small groups when playing outside. In classes, pupils must sit at desks or tables at least two metres apart.
“At the same time, they are not allowed to bring toys from home, and the nurseries or school’s own toys and equipment has to be disinfected twice a day, along with surfaces such as sinks, toilet seats and door handles,” says the newspaper, which adds: “All this is putting a strain on the teachers who are required to make sure their charges follow the rules.”


theweekuk--2020-04-24--Who are the ‘Assad torturers’ on trial in Germany?

Two Syrian men accused of working for the oppressive Bashar al-Assad regime have gone on trial in Germany accused of war crimes .
Anwar Raslan and Eyad al-Gharib deserted in 2012 and claimed political asylum in Germany , a process usually reserved for victims of oppression rather than those inflicting it .
However , The New York Times reports that Germany has taken the “ rare step ” of putting the men on trial , in a case that activists say is the “ first , limited step toward justice ” .
What are they alleged to have done ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ vicious Syrian intelligence service , which arrested , tortured and killed protesters and opposition figures , says The Guardian .
Raslan , 57 , is charged with crimes against humanity , 58 murders , rape and aggravated sexual assault while working at Branch 251 , a Syrian intelligence unit with its own prison in Damascus .
As a former colonel in Syria ’ s General Intelligence Directorate , the paper says that he allegedly oversaw the torture of at least 4,000 people at the notorious al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus between April 2011 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the court include evidence that claims Raslan was in charge while prisoners were hung from their wrists , electrocuted , beaten until unconscious and subjected to a method called dulab , or wheel , where victims were forced into a vehicle tyre and then hoisted up and beaten .
These “ brutal acts of psychological and physical abuse ” were intended to extract “ confessions and information about the opposition ” , The Times reports .
Raslan is thought to have deserted from the Assad regime in 2012 after the Syrian president ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his home town .
He sought asylum in Germany in 2014 , not changing his name or hiding his identity , and was identified by other refugees , including opposition supporters and a prominent human rights lawyer .
He brought himself to the attention of German authorities in February 2015 when he walked into a Berlin police station to request protection from Syrian and Russian intelligence officers he said had been following him .
“ He appeared to think there was nothing to it , ” Christian Ritscher , an investigator for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the Suddeutsche Zeitung .
Eyad al-Gharib , 42 , was a lower ranking official and is charged with 30 counts of assisting torture and murder .
When he was interviewed by German officials for his asylum application in 2018 , Gharib admitted rounding up protesters and transporting them to Branch 251 .
He claimed to have deserted in 2012 after three of his colleagues died in fighting around Damascus , and because he was asked to kill civilians .
His knowledge of Syrian intelligence processes led to him being taken in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , before being reclassified as a suspect .
The reclassification followed Gharib “ revealing extremely detailed knowledge of torture methods , including the use of kettles to burn victim ’ s backs and the breaking of detainees ’ legs with iron bars to stop them taking part in future demonstrations ” , says the Guardian .
What will happen next ?
Raslan and Gharib appeared at a regional court in Koblenz , in west Germany , on Thursday , facing the first trial for war crimes relating to state torture in Syria since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .
In 2002 , Germany introduced the legal principle of universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity , meaning that serious crimes that have happened anywhere in the world can be tried in Germany .
Germany ’ s federal war crimes unit received more than 2,800 tip-offs about crimes allegedly committed under the regime of Bashar al-Assad from the large number of Syrian refugees who arrived in the country between 2015 and 2017 .
The trial is a milestone , says the Times , because the “ International Criminal Court ( ICC ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Syria is not a signatory , and China and Russia have vetoed the UN ’ s attempts to allow the ICC or a special tribunal to proceed ” .
Wolfgang Kaleck , founder of the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights , a Berlin-based legal group supporting the plaintiffs , said the trial was crucial to those who had survived trauma at the hands of the Syrian regime .
“ This trial is the first occasion on which they are speaking out , not only in public , but before a court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is still happening in Syria .
But the trial is also important for the relatives of those who died in detention or have been ‘ disappeared ’ and for all those still in prison , ” said Kaleck .
The Berlin group supports 16 Syrian women and men in the Koblenz trial , some of whom are plaintiffs , and some who are witnesses .
One is Nouran al-Ghamian , a politics student who was arrested while demonstrating and taken to al-Khatib prison in Damascus in 2011 .
“ There were bodies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounds that were bleeding .
Every day corpses were taken away , people who died under torture or who asphyxiated in the overcrowded cells .
That wasn ’ t a prison .
It is a coffin , in which people are tortured and die each day , ” she told German public broadcaster ARD .
Michael Bocker , Raslan ’ s lawyer , said he would submit a written statement in the days ahead , though he remained silent in court on Thursday .
Gharib ’ s lawyer attempted to question whether his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police , in which he admitted his guilt , should be allowed to be heard in the trial .
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 60,000 people have been killed by torture or the appalling conditions in the Assad regime ’ s prisons , according to the Times .
Human Rights Watch said in a statement : “ The case in Koblenz should serve as a stark warning to those who are currently committing abuses in Syria that no one is beyond the reach of justice .
”

“He appeared to think there was nothing to it,” Christian Ritscher, an investigator for the German public prosecutor general in Karlsruhe, told the Suddeutsche Zeitung.
He brought himself to the attention of German authorities in February 2015 when he walked into a Berlin police station to request protection from Syrian and Russian intelligence officers he said had been following him.
Raslan is thought to have deserted from the Assad regime in 2012 after the Syrian president’s forces carried out a massacre in his home town. He sought asylum in Germany in 2014, not changing his name or hiding his identity, and was identified by other refugees, including opposition supporters and a prominent human rights lawyer.
These “brutal acts of psychological and physical abuse” were intended to extract “confessions and information about the opposition”, The Times reports.
Documents provided to the court include evidence that claims Raslan was in charge while prisoners were hung from their wrists, electrocuted, beaten until unconscious and subjected to a method called dulab, or wheel, where victims were forced into a vehicle tyre and then hoisted up and beaten.
As a former colonel in Syria’s General Intelligence Directorate, the paper says that he allegedly oversaw the torture of at least 4,000 people at the notorious al-Khatib detention centre in Damascus between April 2011 and September 2012.
Raslan, 57, is charged with crimes against humanity, 58 murders, rape and aggravated sexual assault while working at Branch 251, a Syrian intelligence unit with its own prison in Damascus.
Both men were members of the notoriously vicious Syrian intelligence service, which arrested, tortured and killed protesters and opposition figures, says The Guardian .
However, The New York Times reports that Germany has taken the “rare step” of putting the men on trial, in a case that activists say is the “first, limited step toward justice”.
Anwar Raslan and Eyad al-Gharib deserted in 2012 and claimed political asylum in Germany, a process usually reserved for victims of oppression rather than those inflicting it.
Two Syrian men accused of working for the oppressive Bashar al-Assad regime have gone on trial in Germany accused of war crimes.
Eyad al-Gharib, 42, was a lower ranking official and is charged with 30 counts of assisting torture and murder.
When he was interviewed by German officials for his asylum application in 2018, Gharib admitted rounding up protesters and transporting them to Branch 251. He claimed to have deserted in 2012 after three of his colleagues died in fighting around Damascus, and because he was asked to kill civilians.
His knowledge of Syrian intelligence processes led to him being taken in for further questioning, initially as a witness, before being reclassified as a suspect.
The reclassification followed Gharib “revealing extremely detailed knowledge of torture methods, including the use of kettles to burn victim’s backs and the breaking of detainees’ legs with iron bars to stop them taking part in future demonstrations”, says the Guardian.
What will happen next?
Raslan and Gharib appeared at a regional court in Koblenz, in west Germany, on Thursday, facing the first trial for war crimes relating to state torture in Syria since the start of the conflict nine years ago.
In 2002, Germany introduced the legal principle of universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity, meaning that serious crimes that have happened anywhere in the world can be tried in Germany.
Germany’s federal war crimes unit received more than 2,800 tip-offs about crimes allegedly committed under the regime of Bashar al-Assad from the large number of Syrian refugees who arrived in the country between 2015 and 2017.
The trial is a milestone, says the Times, because the “International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague cannot act because Syria is not a signatory, and China and Russia have vetoed the UN’s attempts to allow the ICC or a special tribunal to proceed”.
Wolfgang Kaleck, founder of the European Centre for Constitutional and Human Rights, a Berlin-based legal group supporting the plaintiffs, said the trial was crucial to those who had survived trauma at the hands of the Syrian regime.
“This trial is the first occasion on which they are speaking out, not only in public, but before a court, about what happened to them and what is still happening in Syria. But the trial is also important for the relatives of those who died in detention or have been ‘disappeared’ and for all those still in prison,” said Kaleck.
The Berlin group supports 16 Syrian women and men in the Koblenz trial, some of whom are plaintiffs, and some who are witnesses. One is Nouran al-Ghamian, a politics student who was arrested while demonstrating and taken to al-Khatib prison in Damascus in 2011.
“There were bodies lying in the corridors covered in torture wounds that were bleeding. Every day corpses were taken away, people who died under torture or who asphyxiated in the overcrowded cells. That wasn’t a prison. It is a coffin, in which people are tortured and die each day,” she told German public broadcaster ARD.
Michael Bocker, Raslan’s lawyer, said he would submit a written statement in the days ahead, though he remained silent in court on Thursday. Gharib’s lawyer attempted to question whether his client’s earlier statements to German police, in which he admitted his guilt, should be allowed to be heard in the trial.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says at least 60,000 people have been killed by torture or the appalling conditions in the Assad regime’s prisons, according to the Times.
Human Rights Watch said in a statement: “The case in Koblenz should serve as a stark warning to those who are currently committing abuses in Syria that no one is beyond the reach of justice.”


theweekuk--2020-04-25--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 25 Apr 2020

Joe Biden believes that Donald Trump will try to delay the November presidential election .
“ Mark my words , @ @ @ @ @ to try to kick back the election somehow , come up with some rationale why @ @ @ @ @ held , ” said the Democrat hopeful .
The Guardian says that Congress would have @ @ @ @ @ of the election to be changed .

Trump's bleach idea came after note from strange group
Donald Trump’s suggestion that bleach could be injected into bodies as a cure for the coronavirus came days after the leader of a prominent group in the US peddling that theory wrote to the White House. Mark Grenon told Trump that chlorine dioxide is “a wonderful detox that can kill 99% of the pathogens in the body”. He added that it “can rid the body of Covid-19”.


theweekuk--2020-04-26--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 26 Apr 2020

Sir Keir Starmer has signalled that he believes the government is treating the public like children .
The Labour leader @ @ @ @ @ to say : “ The public have made great sacrifices to make the lockdown work @ @ @ @ @ part of an adult conversation about what comes next .
Simply acting as if this @ @ @ @ @ not credible .
”

Starmer tells the government to treat the public like adults
Sir Keir Starmer has signalled that he believes the government is treating the public like children. The Labour leader has written to Boris Johnson to say: “The public have made great sacrifices to make the lockdown work. They deserve to be part of an adult conversation about what comes next. Simply acting as if this discussion is not happening is not credible.”


theweekuk--2020-04-27--How life under the bubonic plague reflected the coronavirus pandemic

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theweekuk--2020-04-27--Did EU cave in to Chinese demands to tone down fake news dossier?


theweekuk--2020-04-27--Instant Opinion: If Sweden succeeds, ‘lockdowns will all have been for nothing’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
If Sweden succeeds , lockdowns will all have been for nothing “ The resentment aimed at Sweden reflects an uneasy sense that the rest of us may be condemning ourselves to years of needless poverty .
Sweden is like the control in an experiment .
If it succeeds , the lockdown enthusiasts will never be able to claim that , but for their measures , things would have been even worse .
No wonder they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not the time ' to commit to a coronavirus inquiry , then when ?
“ In the end , the facts alone will not determine how this government is judged .
It is an axiom of liberal thinking that with enough debate and discussion , the truth will eventually win out – that in the marketplace of ideas , the truest arguments eventually prevail over the loudest or most popular .
But there is no discourse that is immune to the workings of power .
And for now , this is still a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its majority to the circulation of its loyal partisan press .
It has been the beneficiary of a stilted press briefing format that prevents follow-up questions , and it had the good luck to face a defeated opposition leader whose criticism of the government was largely ignored.
” 3 .
Albena Azmanova in the Financial Times Precarity , not inequality is what ails the 99 per cent “ ‘ Tax the rich ’ has become the progressive battle cry — and not merely on the fringe .
The scourge of economic inequality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and international policy chiefs alike .
Yet this slogan did not deliver the electoral victories the left hoped for .
The reason is that economic instability , not inequality , is what ails the 99 per cent .
Inequality is one symptom of instability , to be sure .
But to focus on inequality alone is a diagnostic error .
And the cure is not simply redistribution of purchasing power , but more radical : to build a more stable , secure and sustainable society .
The Covid-19 pandemic drives this point home.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Statesman The lack of global political order is making an unprecedented economic shock even greater “ Most governments want to end manufacturing supply chains in pharmaceuticals , antibiotics and medical equipment , and revert to national production .
This instinct is likely to spread to high-tech sectors , and it means taking away production from China .
But whatever Covid-19 has done to Xi Jinping ’ s world-view , it will not have convinced the Chinese leadership to abandon its long-term pursuit of ‘ the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent foreign manufacturing competition from disrupting its ambitions .
For all the newfound strength of Chinese consumer demand since the 2008 crash , China still has much to lose .
To negate the Made in China 2025 strategic plan will seem an intolerable sacrifice .
It will be easy for the Chinese leadership to presume that Western economies can not adapt quickly enough to renewing manufacturing competition or to higher prices .
That may well prove wrong .
But China ’ s political response to an external economic shock will accentuate the consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic interdependence can underpin geopolitical order.
” on doing nothing “ No one is saying that being a nurse is not a difficult and important job — now and at all times .
And I am more grateful than ever that the dustmen come and take away our rubbish .
But we can not ignore the people for whom the crisis has led to a questioning of what a good life is all about .
And a little less work all round would be good for key workers too .
It is instructive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that a few weeks ago , being very busy was considered morally good , and now we are being told to indulge in its precise opposite .
Do nothing , save lives.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Daniel Hannan in The Daily Telegraph
on outliers
If Sweden succeeds, lockdowns will all have been for nothing
“The resentment aimed at Sweden reflects an uneasy sense that the rest of us may be condemning ourselves to years of needless poverty. Sweden is like the control in an experiment. If it succeeds, the lockdown enthusiasts will never be able to claim that, but for their measures, things would have been even worse. No wonder they sound so tetchy.”
2. Nesrine Malik in The Guardian
on holding power to account
If 'now is not the time' to commit to a coronavirus inquiry, then when?
“In the end, the facts alone will not determine how this government is judged. It is an axiom of liberal thinking that with enough debate and discussion, the truth will eventually win out – that in the marketplace of ideas, the truest arguments eventually prevail over the loudest or most popular. But there is no discourse that is immune to the workings of power. And for now, this is still a powerful government: from the size of its majority to the circulation of its loyal partisan press. It has been the beneficiary of a stilted press briefing format that prevents follow-up questions, and it had the good luck to face a defeated opposition leader whose criticism of the government was largely ignored.”
3. Albena Azmanova in the Financial Times
on taxing the rich
Precarity, not inequality is what ails the 99 per cent
“‘Tax the rich’ has become the progressive battle cry — and not merely on the fringe. The scourge of economic inequality is celebrity politics, voiced by Nobel prizewinners and international policy chiefs alike. Yet this slogan did not deliver the electoral victories the left hoped for. The reason is that economic instability, not inequality, is what ails the 99 per cent. Inequality is one symptom of instability, to be sure. But to focus on inequality alone is a diagnostic error. And the cure is not simply redistribution of purchasing power, but more radical: to build a more stable, secure and sustainable society. The Covid-19 pandemic drives this point home.”
4. Helen Thompson in the New Statesman
on China
The lack of global political order is making an unprecedented economic shock even greater
“Most governments want to end manufacturing supply chains in pharmaceuticals, antibiotics and medical equipment, and revert to national production. This instinct is likely to spread to high-tech sectors, and it means taking away production from China. But whatever Covid-19 has done to Xi Jinping’s world-view, it will not have convinced the Chinese leadership to abandon its long-term pursuit of ‘the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation’. Its concern will be how to prevent foreign manufacturing competition from disrupting its ambitions. For all the newfound strength of Chinese consumer demand since the 2008 crash, China still has much to lose. To negate the Made in China 2025 strategic plan will seem an intolerable sacrifice. It will be easy for the Chinese leadership to presume that Western economies cannot adapt quickly enough to renewing manufacturing competition or to higher prices. That may well prove wrong. But China’s political response to an external economic shock will accentuate the consequences of discarding the post-Cold War assumption that economic interdependence can underpin geopolitical order.”
5. Tom Hodgkinson in UnHerd
on doing nothing
The joy of lockdown laziness
“No one is saying that being a nurse is not a difficult and important job — now and at all times. And I am more grateful than ever that the dustmen come and take away our rubbish. But we cannot ignore the people for whom the crisis has led to a questioning of what a good life is all about. And a little less work all round would be good for key workers too. It is instructive as to the mutable nature of morality, that a few weeks ago, being very busy was considered morally good, and now we are being told to indulge in its precise opposite. Do nothing, save lives.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––


theweekuk--2020-04-27--Will John Lewis close some stores permanently?

John Lewis bosses are considering plans to keep some of the company ’ s locked-down department stores closed for good , according to reports .
The 155-year-old retailer had to shut all 50 of its UK stores for the first time ever as part of the nationwide social distancing restrictions imposed on 23 March to curb the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak .
Johnlewis.com has continued to operate , alongside Waitrose supermarkets and Waitrose.com .
Now , The Times reports that the partnership is “ considering never reopening some of its less viable department stores after the national lockdown ends ” .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is understood to be part of “ radical plans ” by the partnership ’ s chair , Sharon White , to “ accelerate strategic changes in response to coronavirus ” , says The Times .
White has previously spoken about plans to increase the group ’ s services business “ as bricks-and-mortar retail continues to suffer from a shift in shopping habits to online ” , explains the newspaper .
One option is to bring in an outside investor to help finance a joint services venture to reduce the current reliance on retailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into financial services or technology-linked services .
A spokesperson said : “ A non-negotiable is that we remain an employee-owned business.
” What has happened since the coronavirus outbreak ?
John Lewis last week reported a 17 % year-on-year drop in sales since the outbreak took hold .
And although online orders were up 84 % year-on-year since mid-March , “ shoppers are buying small items such as Scrabble games that are far less profitable than a sofa , for example ” , according to The Telegraph .
The chain ’ s “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an 8 % increase in sales at Waitrose year-on-year since 26 January ” , the newspaper adds .
Partnership chair White has launched an assessment on whether to reopen all John Lewis stores after the lockdown .
The business is also reviewing whether its retail space could be reduced , with possible measures including handing back a floor to landlords in some of its larger stores , relocating shops or putting Waitrose food halls in John Lewis stores in order to increase footfall .
The Times ’ retail editor Ashley Armstrong says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is easier for White to make “ cold , hard decisions on how many John Lewis shops are needed , or what size they should be ” .
Armstrong confirms that “ well-placed sources say that some sites may not reopen after the lockdown is lifted ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– When will the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Lewis stores is expected to be staggered .
The partnership ’ s executive director of operations , Andrew Murphy , who has led the crisis strategy , told The Mail on Sunday that the group had a “ portable ” plan in place for when the government says restrictions can be lifted .
This would involve reopening stores in a minimum of three tranches .
“ Even in a scenario where we are theoretically able to open all our shops on the first day , we wouldn ’ t do that , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores that have large car parks - giving staff the option to drive to work and avoid public transport - might be first to open .
Murphy added : “ We ’ re also really mindful that public sentiment has changed and big business will need to prioritise health and safety above all else .
There will be no headlong rush to get our shops open just because we can .
”

John Lewis bosses are considering plans to keep some of the company’s locked-down department stores closed for good, according to reports.
The 155-year-old retailer had to shut all 50 of its UK stores for the first time ever as part of the nationwide social distancing restrictions imposed on 23 March to curb the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak. Johnlewis.com has continued to operate, alongside Waitrose supermarkets and Waitrose.com.
Now, The Times reports that the partnership is “considering never reopening some of its less viable department stores after the national lockdown ends”.
What is going on?
The proposal is understood to be part of “radical plans” by the partnership’s chair, Sharon White, to “accelerate strategic changes in response to coronavirus”, says The Times.
White has previously spoken about plans to increase the group’s services business “as bricks-and-mortar retail continues to suffer from a shift in shopping habits to online”, explains the newspaper.
One option is to bring in an outside investor to help finance a joint services venture to reduce the current reliance on retailing, with speculation about a possible move into financial services or technology-linked services.
A spokesperson said: “A non-negotiable is that we remain an employee-owned business.”
What has happened since the coronavirus outbreak?
John Lewis last week reported a 17% year-on-year drop in sales since the outbreak took hold. And although online orders were up 84% year-on-year since mid-March, “shoppers are buying small items such as Scrabble games that are far less profitable than a sofa, for example”, according to The Telegraph.
The chain’s “woes were too great to be offset by an 8% increase in sales at Waitrose year-on-year since 26 January”, the newspaper adds.
So will John Lewis stores close permanently?
Partnership chair White has launched an assessment on whether to reopen all John Lewis stores after the lockdown. The business is also reviewing whether its retail space could be reduced, with possible measures including handing back a floor to landlords in some of its larger stores, relocating shops or putting Waitrose food halls in John Lewis stores in order to increase footfall.
The Times’ retail editor Ashley Armstrong says that with the department stores closed, it is easier for White to make “cold, hard decisions on how many John Lewis shops are needed, or what size they should be”.
Armstrong confirms that “well-placed sources say that some sites may not reopen after the lockdown is lifted”.
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When will the other stores open?
The reopening of John Lewis stores is expected to be staggered.
The partnership’s executive director of operations, Andrew Murphy, who has led the crisis strategy, told The Mail on Sunday that the group had a “portable” plan in place for when the government says restrictions can be lifted.
This would involve reopening stores in a minimum of three tranches.
“Even in a scenario where we are theoretically able to open all our shops on the first day, we wouldn’t do that,” he said.
For example, stores that have large car parks - giving staff the option to drive to work and avoid public transport - might be first to open.
Murphy added: “We’re also really mindful that public sentiment has changed and big business will need to prioritise health and safety above all else. There will be no headlong rush to get our shops open just because we can.”


theweekuk--2020-04-27--Premier League launches ‘Project Restart’ with 8 June D-day

The English Premier League could be back in action by 8 June subject to government approval , claims The Times , and dependent on the containment of the coronavirus .
There are nine rounds of matches left to be played and despite rumours last week of despondency within some clubs that the season would be completed , fresh impetus has come from the government which recognises that the nation ’ s spirits need lifting .
Apparently “ ministers and staff recognise the need for some positivity during this lockdown ” , and sport is seen as one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistics and more importantly , the health requirements , needed to reassure participants are numerous , and the Times says that football will restart “ only when Covid-19 tests are readily available ” .
The Premier League has presented government officials with what it calls “ Project Restart ” , which has 8 June as the date to relaunch the season .
Matches will be played only at “ approved stadiums ” , while squads would stay at hotels that had also been carefully selected and screened by health officials .
These would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It may be that not all 20 Premier League grounds will be deemed suitable to stage matches and so matches will be played in a limited number .
This has the potential to create controversy and discussions will continue at the next shareholders ’ meeting on 1 May , “ with a decision reached based on guidance from the government , the police and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ” .
The Premier League believes that it is feasible to finish the season by 27 July and then launch the 2020-21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could prove problematic for clubs still involved in European competitions with Uefa mooting the idea last week of completing the Champions League and Europa League matches in August .
Talks will be “ ramped up ” this week between government officials , the clubs and the Premier League , and according to the Times the first of these will be hosted by Public Health England and the chief medical officer ’ s office .
If the league does restart on 8 June it will have been 13 weeks since the shutdown began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English football since the Second World War .
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The English Premier League could be back in action by 8 June subject to government approval, claims The Times, and dependent on the containment of the coronavirus.
There are nine rounds of matches left to be played and despite rumours last week of despondency within some clubs that the season would be completed, fresh impetus has come from the government which recognises that the nation’s spirits need lifting.
Apparently “ministers and staff recognise the need for some positivity during this lockdown”, and sport is seen as one of the most effective morale boosters.
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Tests needed
Nonetheless, the logistics and more importantly, the health requirements, needed to reassure participants are numerous, and the Times says that football will restart “only when Covid-19 tests are readily available”.
The Premier League has presented government officials with what it calls “Project Restart”, which has 8 June as the date to relaunch the season.
Matches will be played only at “approved stadiums”, while squads would stay at hotels that had also been carefully selected and screened by health officials. These would be deep cleaned after every check out.
It may be that not all 20 Premier League grounds will be deemed suitable to stage matches and so matches will be played in a limited number.
This has the potential to create controversy and discussions will continue at the next shareholders’ meeting on 1 May, “with a decision reached based on guidance from the government, the police and the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies”.
Ramped up
The Premier League believes that it is feasible to finish the season by 27 July and then launch the 2020-21 season on 22 August. However, that could prove problematic for clubs still involved in European competitions with Uefa mooting the idea last week of completing the Champions League and Europa League matches in August.
Talks will be “ramped up” this week between government officials, the clubs and the Premier League, and according to the Times the first of these will be hosted by Public Health England and the chief medical officer’s office.
If the league does restart on 8 June it will have been 13 weeks since the shutdown began, which is the longest hiatus in English football since the Second World War.
Today’s back pages
Premier League’s hotel lockdown plan to get season finished
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theweekuk--2020-04-27--Today’s back pages: Premier League’s hotel lockdown plan to get season finished

The Daily Mirror and Daily Star report that a hotel lockdown plan is being drafted with the aim of getting football up and running by 8 June .
There is a growing determination to finish the Premier League season , and although the 20 clubs recognise the remaining nine rounds of games are fraught with obstacles the will is there to overcome them .
The Mirror says that players will be put in lockdown in “ nominated hotels for up to six weeks while the fixture list is finished ” .
Apparently the aim is that the home team will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the away team will then check in to “ play their game and that section of the hotel will be deep cleaned after they check out ” .
The list of the hotels willing to participate in the plan has not been finalised and the proposal is still at an early stage .
The Times adds that matches will only take place in “ approved stadiums ” and so some clubs could be forced to play all their matches away .
Police and health officials will have the final say on which stadiums @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest sport stories - and a concise , balanced take on the week ’ s news - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– According to The Sun , Fifa is drawing up plans to allow clubs to field two more substitutes in order to protect stars from burn-out and injuries as football prepares to restart after what in most cases will be a three month lay-off .
With rumours that the Premier League is set to restart on 8 June and finish six weeks later , players will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ succession , as well as cup fixtures in many cases .
For most top-flight clubs , therefore , that will mean two games a week after the longest lay-off since the end of the Second World War .
With that in mind five subs will be allowed instead of the customary three .
The Daily Mail doesn ’ t beat around the bush in its “ Covidiot Kean ” headline .
The paper says there is “ fury ” within the Everton ranks at the antics of their striker Moise Kean , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwing a party in his flat .
As a result , says the Mail , he faces a “ fine of £100,000-plus and the wrath of manager Carlo Ancelotti ” .
Unable to conceal his delight at his party , the Italy striker uploaded footage of the shindig at his Cheshire apartment onto social media , which featured several young women described as “ models ” .
The Mail says Everton boss Ancelotti is “ bitterly disappointed ” at Kean ’ s behaviour and he will be fined £100,000 , which works out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Daily Mirror puts the likely fine figure at £160,000 .
Apparently Kean ’ s agent , Mino Raiola , couldn ’ t be contacted for comment , but it ’ s believed that the 20-year-old has apologised to the club for the “ embarrassment he had caused and vowed there would be no repeats ” .
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‘Premier in’
The Daily Mirror and Daily Star report that a hotel lockdown plan is being drafted with the aim of getting football up and running by 8 June.
There is a growing determination to finish the Premier League season, and although the 20 clubs recognise the remaining nine rounds of games are fraught with obstacles the will is there to overcome them.
The Mirror says that players will be put in lockdown in “nominated hotels for up to six weeks while the fixture list is finished”.
Apparently the aim is that the home team will occupy one half of the hotel and the away team will then check in to “play their game and that section of the hotel will be deep cleaned after they check out”.
The list of the hotels willing to participate in the plan has not been finalised and the proposal is still at an early stage.
The Times adds that matches will only take place in “approved stadiums” and so some clubs could be forced to play all their matches away. Police and health officials will have the final say on which stadiums are chosen.
Premier League launches ‘Project Restart’ with 8 June D-day
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Supplementary subs
According to The Sun, Fifa is drawing up plans to allow clubs to field two more substitutes in order to protect stars from burn-out and injuries as football prepares to restart after what in most cases will be a three month lay-off.
With rumours that the Premier League is set to restart on 8 June and finish six weeks later, players will have to play nine matches in quick succession, as well as cup fixtures in many cases.
For most top-flight clubs, therefore, that will mean two games a week after the longest lay-off since the end of the Second World War. With that in mind five subs will be allowed instead of the customary three.
Kean caned
The Daily Mail doesn’t beat around the bush in its “Covidiot Kean” headline. The paper says there is “fury” within the Everton ranks at the antics of their striker Moise Kean, who has been caught flouting lockdown rules by throwing a party in his flat.
As a result, says the Mail, he faces a “fine of £100,000-plus and the wrath of manager Carlo Ancelotti”.
Unable to conceal his delight at his party, the Italy striker uploaded footage of the shindig at his Cheshire apartment onto social media, which featured several young women described as “models”.
The Mail says Everton boss Ancelotti is “bitterly disappointed” at Kean’s behaviour and he will be fined £100,000, which works out at two weeks’ wages, although the Daily Mirror puts the likely fine figure at £160,000.
Apparently Kean’s agent, Mino Raiola, couldn’t be contacted for comment, but it’s believed that the 20-year-old has apologised to the club for the “embarrassment he had caused and vowed there would be no repeats”.
Today’s sport headlines
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theweekuk--2020-04-27--MPs demand action as domestic abuse helpline calls jump by half

Calls to a domestic abuse helpline rose by 49 % and killings have doubled amid a “ surge ” in violence , according to a new report .
Researchers at the Counting Dead Women Project have told that MPs 14 women and two children were killed in the first three weeks of lockdown - the largest number of killings in a three-week period for 11 years and more than double the average rate .
The home affairs select committee said urgent action is required to tackle a rise in domestic abuse that has been sparked by the stay-at-home advice under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home is an important part of the strategy to prevent coronavirus from spreading and save lives , but for some people home isn ’ t safe , ” said a spokeswoman .
She added : “ There are already alarming signs of the rise in domestic abuse .
Our cross-party committee is calling for an urgent action plan from government setting out practical measures to tackle domestic abuse as an integrated part of the fight against Covid-19.
” In particular , the committee said support services for domestic abuse and vulnerable children needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ otherwise victims would be put “ at much greater risk of harm ” .
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Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The committee is urging the government to set up an emergency funding package , ring-fenced within the £750m fund the government has promised for charities dealing with the coronavirus crisis .
The MPs have also said “ safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help , should be rolled out to supermarkets and other stores .
Yesterday , The Observer said that : “ the enforced social isolation of a lockdown is a particularly terrifying prospect for victims of domestic abuse and their offspring ” .
Those calling for the lockdown to be lifted have raised domestic violence as an argument .
Last week , a government adviser said the “ public health consequences ” of the restrictions include an uptick in domestic abuse .

Calls to a domestic abuse helpline rose by 49% and killings have doubled amid a “surge” in violence, according to a new report.
Researchers at the Counting Dead Women Project have told that MPs 14 women and two children were killed in the first three weeks of lockdown - the largest number of killings in a three-week period for 11 years and more than double the average rate.
The home affairs select committee said urgent action is required to tackle a rise in domestic abuse that has been sparked by the stay-at-home advice under the coronavirus lockdown.
“Staying at home is an important part of the strategy to prevent coronavirus from spreading and save lives, but for some people home isn’t safe,” said a spokeswoman.
She added: “There are already alarming signs of the rise in domestic abuse. Our cross-party committee is calling for an urgent action plan from government setting out practical measures to tackle domestic abuse as an integrated part of the fight against Covid-19.”
In particular, the committee said support services for domestic abuse and vulnerable children needed “urgent and direct funding”, otherwise victims would be put “at much greater risk of harm”.
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The committee is urging the government to set up an emergency funding package, ring-fenced within the £750m fund the government has promised for charities dealing with the coronavirus crisis.
The MPs have also said “safe spaces,” where victims can seek help, should be rolled out to supermarkets and other stores.
Yesterday, The Observer said that: “the enforced social isolation of a lockdown is a particularly terrifying prospect for victims of domestic abuse and their offspring”.
Those calling for the lockdown to be lifted have raised domestic violence as an argument. Last week, a government adviser said the “public health consequences” of the restrictions include an uptick in domestic abuse.


theweekuk--2020-04-27--FTSE 100 firms using furlough pay CEOs average of £3.6m

Large FTSE 100 companies claiming millions of pounds of government support for furloughed workers paid their chief executives an average of £3.6m last year .
According to the High Pay Centre , the 18 companies who have so far publicly revealed that they will use the scheme have spent a combined £321m on pay for their chief executives over the last five years .
The thinktank ’ s analyst suggests that £42bn profits made in the last five years by the 18 companies could have covered the expected cost to the government of the scheme .
This Is Money says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ super-rich fat cat executives ” to “ play a bigger part in shouldering the financial burden stemming from the crisis , which will end up hitting taxpayers hard in the pocket ” .
The Guardian says that “ blue-chip companies ” that planned to use the scheme included Primark owner Associated British Foods , easyJet , and British Airways owner IAG , as well as retailers Next and JD Sports .
Luke Hildyard , the High Pay Centre ’ s director , said the coronavirus job retention scheme is a “ vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs and incomes at this critical time ” , but added that “ it ’ s important to understand that it is a subsidy for businesses , as well as for workers ” .
He said : “ The companies that are effectively taking public money to sustain themselves through the shutdown will be under particular pressure to achieve a fairer balance between rewards for executives , investors and their wider workforce in future .
But hopefully the sense of solidarity forged in the crisis will raise ambitions for the social and environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled an “ unprecedented ” £330bn loan scheme to support businesses , alongside a raft of “ direct support ” measures including tax cuts , millions in grants and three-month “ mortgage holidays ” .
Addressing the media , Sunak said the UK has “ never in peacetime faced an emergency like this ” , adding that he would abandon “ orthodoxy ” and “ ideology ” in response .
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Large FTSE 100 companies claiming millions of pounds of government support for furloughed workers paid their chief executives an average of £3.6m last year.
According to the High Pay Centre, the 18 companies who have so far publicly revealed that they will use the scheme have spent a combined £321m on pay for their chief executives over the last five years.
The thinktank’s analyst suggests that £42bn profits made in the last five years by the 18 companies could have covered the expected cost to the government of the scheme.
This Is Money says there are “mounting calls” for “super-rich fat cat executives” to “play a bigger part in shouldering the financial burden stemming from the crisis, which will end up hitting taxpayers hard in the pocket”.
The Guardian says that “blue-chip companies” that planned to use the scheme included Primark owner Associated British Foods, easyJet, and British Airways owner IAG, as well as retailers Next and JD Sports.
Luke Hildyard, the High Pay Centre’s director, said the coronavirus job retention scheme is a “vital progressive measure to protect people’s jobs and incomes at this critical time”, but added that “it’s important to understand that it is a subsidy for businesses, as well as for workers”.
He said: “The companies that are effectively taking public money to sustain themselves through the shutdown will be under particular pressure to achieve a fairer balance between rewards for executives, investors and their wider workforce in future. But hopefully the sense of solidarity forged in the crisis will raise ambitions for the social and environmental contribution of all businesses.”
Last month, chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled an “unprecedented” £330bn loan scheme to support businesses, alongside a raft of “direct support” measures including tax cuts, millions in grants and three-month “mortgage holidays”.
Addressing the media, Sunak said the UK has “never in peacetime faced an emergency like this”, adding that he would abandon “orthodoxy” and “ideology” in response.
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theweekuk--2020-04-27--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 27 Apr 2020

Richard Branson is facing a race against time to secure a bailout for Virgin Atlantic amid reports the billionaire is @ @ @ @ @ save the airline from going into administration .
The Daily Telegraph says Branson has set @ @ @ @ @ the airline from collapse after a taxpayer bailout proved beyond his reach .

Boris Johnson back at work and “raring to go”
Boris Johnson is resuming his prime ministerial duties today, more than three weeks after being hospitalised with the Covid-19 coronavirus. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been deputising for him, said the PM was “raring to go”. Johnson returns to growing scrutiny over what critics deem a slow initial response by his government to the pandemic, and is under pressure to reveal a strategy to ease lockdown conditions. The Telegraph reports that he is expected to outline plans as early as this week for how the restrictions might be eased.


theweekuk--2020-04-27--Family reunited with sentimental blanket lost in tornado

A family in Tennessee was reunited with a much-loved quilt more than a week after it was carried off by a tornado .
When the storm wrecked Beulah Lockmiller 's home , a sentimental quilt was carried away by the twister .
It had belonged to her husband , Larry , who died 10 years ago .
After an appeal on Facebook it was returned .
The property market has slowed down during the coronavirus pandemic but house hunters can now buy a £40,000 home made from animal poo .
The units are clad with Kebony , a soft wood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also be mounted on wheels and used as a car trailer , so you can take them on the road .
A man in Oregon drove to 11 different Wendy 's restaurants twice in one day to take advantage of an offer of free nuggets .
Sharing his haul on social media , he wrote : “ Times is tough so when I heard Wendys was givin ' out free 4 piece nuggs today I knew I had to hustle .
I hit every damn Wendy ’ s twice within 17 miles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours but now we eatin ’ free 4 [ sic ] a week.
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A family in Tennessee was reunited with a much-loved quilt more than a week after it was carried off by a tornado. When the storm wrecked Beulah Lockmiller's home, a sentimental quilt was carried away by the twister. It had belonged to her husband, Larry, who died 10 years ago. After an appeal on Facebook it was returned.
Houses made from animal poo hit the market
The property market has slowed down during the coronavirus pandemic but house hunters can now buy a £40,000 home made from animal poo. The units are clad with Kebony, a soft wood product which includes animal dung. They can also be mounted on wheels and used as a car trailer, so you can take them on the road.
Man visits Wendy's 22 times in one day
A man in Oregon drove to 11 different Wendy's restaurants twice in one day to take advantage of an offer of free nuggets. Sharing his haul on social media, he wrote: “Times is tough so when I heard Wendys was givin' out free 4 piece nuggs today I knew I had to hustle. I hit every damn Wendy’s twice within 17 miles across 2 states, it took 5 hours but now we eatin’ free 4 [sic] a week.”
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theweekuk--2020-04-26--Richard Branson in race to save Virgin Atlantic

Richard Branson is facing a race against time to secure a bailout for Virgin Atlantic amid reports the billionaire is looking for a buyer to save the airline from going into administration .
The Daily Telegraph says Branson has set an end-of-May deadline to save the airline from collapse after a taxpayer bailout proved beyond his reach .
The paper “ has learnt that the pursuit of a £500m government package has been effectively shelved and that the airline is now focused on securing new private investment in the shadow of potential insolvency ” .
Those contacted over potential rescue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run by former chancellor George Osborne ’ s best man Peter Davies , Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek and Northill Capital , the fund that is backed by Italian-born Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli .
“ It ’ s hoped that the investors will inject cash to help write-off debts or provide equity or convertible loans , which could leave Branson 's 51 % stake in the business slashed , ” says The Sun .
However , the BBC cites sources at the airline as saying the firm had not set an end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that they were “ still in talks with the UK government about a coronavirus-related bailout ” .
The airline industry has been particularly badly hit by the global coronavirus pandemic .
Many struggling firms have been able to access the Treasury 's Covid Corporate Financing Facility loans , including easyJet and Wizz Air , “ but Virgin Atlantic has failed to meet the criteria for the emergency cash ” , says The Sun .
Virgin Atlantic is reportedly burning through cash at a rate of several million pounds per day without any new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ international aviation .
Last week , sister airline Virgin Australia filed for bankruptcy and US carrier Delta , which owns 49 % of Virgin Atlantic , ruled out financial assistance as it faced its own “ crisis in cash ” .
This prompted Branson in an open letter to staff on Tuesday , to write that he was asking the government for a commercial loan , believed to be £500m .
Despite offering to put up his $ 80 million private Caribbean island as collateral , the request for British taxpayers money from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ British Virgin Islands tax haven was met with an outcry from campaigners and politicians .
“ None of this detracts from a crucial point - that Virgin Atlantic has long been a fine achievement , an important company and a crucial component of the travel industry in the UK , ” writes The Telegraph ’ s Chris Leadbetter .
“ Familiarity with its brand has not bred contempt per se - but you can definitely argue that its successes have been taken for granted , ” he says .
Combined with the loss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go under , The Independent ’ s travel correspondent Simon Calder predicts “ that a compromise will be found , and that Virgin Atlantic will continue to provide British passengers with something no other European nation has : two excellent airlines locked in ferocious competition ” .
“ Some British Airways ‘ lifers ’ may now be scenting blood , ” he writes , but “ they should be careful of what they wish for : competition from the young , stylish upstart has done BA huge favours , and Virgin Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good airlines measure themselves ” .
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Richard Branson is facing a race against time to secure a bailout for Virgin Atlantic amid reports the billionaire is looking for a buyer to save the airline from going into administration.
The Daily Telegraph says Branson has set an end-of-May deadline to save the airline from collapse after a taxpayer bailout proved beyond his reach.
The paper “has learnt that the pursuit of a £500m government package has been effectively shelved and that the airline is now focused on securing new private investment in the shadow of potential insolvency”.
Those contacted over potential rescue include Lansdowne Partners, the hedge fund run by former chancellor George Osborne’s best man Peter Davies, Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek and Northill Capital, the fund that is backed by Italian-born Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.
“It’s hoped that the investors will inject cash to help write-off debts or provide equity or convertible loans, which could leave Branson's 51% stake in the business slashed,” says The Sun.
However, the BBC cites sources at the airline as saying the firm had not set an end of May deadline for finding a buyer and that they were “still in talks with the UK government about a coronavirus-related bailout”.
The airline industry has been particularly badly hit by the global coronavirus pandemic. Many struggling firms have been able to access the Treasury's Covid Corporate Financing Facility loans, including easyJet and Wizz Air, “but Virgin Atlantic has failed to meet the criteria for the emergency cash”, says The Sun.
Virgin Atlantic is reportedly burning through cash at a rate of several million pounds per day without any new revenue as the coronavirus pandemic closes down international aviation.
Last week, sister airline Virgin Australia filed for bankruptcy and US carrier Delta, which owns 49% of Virgin Atlantic, ruled out financial assistance as it faced its own “crisis in cash”.
This prompted Branson in an open letter to staff on Tuesday, to write that he was asking the government for a commercial loan, believed to be £500m.
Despite offering to put up his $80 million private Caribbean island as collateral, the request for British taxpayers money from a multi-billionaire who is based in the British Virgin Islands tax haven was met with an outcry from campaigners and politicians.
“None of this detracts from a crucial point - that Virgin Atlantic has long been a fine achievement, an important company and a crucial component of the travel industry in the UK,” writes The Telegraph’s Chris Leadbetter.
“Familiarity with its brand has not bred contempt per se - but you can definitely argue that its successes have been taken for granted,” he says.
Combined with the loss of some 10,000 jobs were the airline to go under, The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder predicts “that a compromise will be found, and that Virgin Atlantic will continue to provide British passengers with something no other European nation has: two excellent airlines locked in ferocious competition”.
“Some British Airways ‘lifers’ may now be scenting blood,” he writes, but “they should be careful of what they wish for: competition from the young, stylish upstart has done BA huge favours, and Virgin Atlantic continues to provide a benchmark by which good airlines measure themselves”.
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theweekuk--2020-04-26--Kim Jong Un: rumours persist North Korean leader is ‘dead’ or in ‘vegetative state’

China has sent a team of medical experts to advise on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ’ s health amid conflicting reports that he is in a vegetative state or has died following complications from heart surgery .
Reuters reports a delegation including medical experts and officials from a Chinese Communist party liaison office responsible for handling North Korean affairs left Beijing for North Korea on Thursday , “ according to three people familiar with the situation ” .
“ A third-generation hereditary leader who came to power after his father ’ s death in 2011 , Kim has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which could present major international risk , ” says the news agency .
Speculation something was amiss was first sparked after the 36-year-old leader failed to appear at ceremonies marking the birth of Kim Il Sung , his grandfather and the country ’ s revered founding leader .
He was also not present on Saturday as North Korea celebrated the 88th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces , the Korean People ’ s Revolutionary Army .
The Financial Times , which has not verified the Reuters report , says “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ events and past speculation over happenings inside the reclusive state had later been proven incorrect ” .
In 2014 , he vanished for more than a month and North Korean state TV later showed him walking with a limp .
“ Speculation about his health has been fanned by his heavy smoking , apparent weight gain since taking power and family history of cardiovascular problems , ” reports CNBC .
“ Still , the absence of the leader from a big event , while not unprecedented , raised questions about his whereabouts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to belong to Kim has been spotted near his compound at Wonsan on the country ’ s east coast , 38 North , a Washington think-tank that monitors North Korea via commercial satellite imagery has confirmed .
“ The train ’ s presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health , but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country ’ s eastern coast , ” analysts from the think-tank said .
Forbes says his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , “ has spurred speculation over his health , with reports ranging from that he is gravely ill after a cardiovascular operation to that he ’ s already dead ” .
The vice-director of Hong Kong Satellite Television ( HKSTV ) Shijian Xingzou , who the Daily Mail claims has “ 15 million followers on Chinese social media Weibo , and is also the niece of one of the country 's foreign ministers ” has said a “ very solid source ” has told her Kim is already dead .
Separately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in a “ vegetative state ” after he underwent heart surgery earlier in the month .
Other unconfirmed reports in The Times , which have been attributed to senior party sources in Beijing , “ said Kim had died after the Chinese medical team arrived too late to save him following failed heart surgery .
In one version , an operation to insert a stent went wrong because a North Korean doctor ’ s hands were shaking so badly ” .
However , a South Korean source told Reuters on Friday their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would likely make an appearance soon .
US Senator Lindsey Graham , who is a member of the US Foreign Relations Committee , has said although he has no direct information about Kim ’ s health , his lack of public appearances is telling .
“ It ’ s a closed society .
I haven ’ t heard anything directly , but I 'll be shocked if he ’ s not dead or in some incapacitated state because you don ’ t let rumors like this go forever or go unanswered in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News .
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China has sent a team of medical experts to advise on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s health amid conflicting reports that he is in a vegetative state or has died following complications from heart surgery.
Reuters reports a delegation including medical experts and officials from a Chinese Communist party liaison office responsible for handling North Korean affairs left Beijing for North Korea on Thursday, “according to three people familiar with the situation”.
“A third-generation hereditary leader who came to power after his father’s death in 2011, Kim has no clear successor in a nuclear-armed country, which could present major international risk,” says the news agency.
Speculation something was amiss was first sparked after the 36-year-old leader failed to appear at ceremonies marking the birth of Kim Il Sung, his grandfather and the country’s revered founding leader.
He was also not present on Saturday as North Korea celebrated the 88th anniversary of the founding of its armed forces, the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army.
The Financial Times, which has not verified the Reuters report, says “the dictator had previously missed important public events and past speculation over happenings inside the reclusive state had later been proven incorrect”.
In 2014, he vanished for more than a month and North Korean state TV later showed him walking with a limp. “Speculation about his health has been fanned by his heavy smoking, apparent weight gain since taking power and family history of cardiovascular problems,” reports CNBC.
“Still, the absence of the leader from a big event, while not unprecedented, raised questions about his whereabouts,” says the FT.
A train believed to belong to Kim has been spotted near his compound at Wonsan on the country’s east coast, 38 North, a Washington think-tank that monitors North Korea via commercial satellite imagery has confirmed.
“The train’s presence does not prove the whereabouts of the North Korean leader or indicate anything about his health, but it does lend weight to reports that Kim is staying at an elite area on the country’s eastern coast,” analysts from the think-tank said.
Forbes says his extended absence, coupled with no official statement, “has spurred speculation over his health, with reports ranging from that he is gravely ill after a cardiovascular operation to that he’s already dead”.


theweekuk--2020-04-26--Boris Johnson returns to work after brush with death

Boris Johnson returns to work today facing one of the hardest decisions of his premiership , deciding when and how to begin lifting the coronavirus lockdown that has brought the British economy to its knees .
The prime minister has been recuperating at his country residence Chequers for the past two weeks following a spell in intensive care , where he received regular oxygen treatment to help his breathing .
The Daily Mail reports he has been “ easing back into something closer to a normal workload , making calls to Ministers , working on official papers and holding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Zoom ” .
The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab , who has been standing in for Johnson during his absence , said he was “ raring to go ” despite the Metro reporting the prime minister is “ still feeling the ‘ debilitating ’ symptoms of coronavirus ” .
“ Johnson 's remarkably swift return to his full schedule will delight cabinet ministers and Tory MPs who fear there has been a power vacuum at the heart of government during his absence battling against his illness , ” says Sky News .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people with the coronavirus passing 20,000 on Saturday , Johnson will need to quickly re-assert control over decision-making at the top of government and reassure the country he has plan to end the lockdown .
“ The economic news has been equally dire , ” says Reuters , with data showing demand has slumped to an all-time low and government debt was surging “ adding to pressure on the government to give some indication of when and how people and businesses would be able to get to work ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Daily Mail reports that “ splits have opened up in the government over how to map a path out of the lockdown , and criticism of ministers for failing to introduce widespread testing and source adequate supplies of protective equipment for health workers ” .
“ The arguments boiling up within the cabinet about rival versions of an ‘ exit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed doors for any longer , ” writes Andrew Rawnsley in The Guardian .
“ The prime minister faces a host of complicated choices about when and how to ease the lockdown that all add up to one giant decision ” .
As well as splits in cabinet , Johnson is facing pressure from his backbenchers and “ a series of wealthy Tory backers who have donated millions of pounds to the party coffers [ who ] have urged the government to begin loosening the restrictions to controls to allow the economy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Metro .
While his brush with death and subsequent absence have insulated him personally from mounting criticism of the government ’ s handling of the crisis , Johnson ’ s return and renewed public appearances at both the daily press briefings and the dispatch box could begin to impact his high popularity ratings .
He will also face greater scrutiny from the opposition , with Labour ’ s new leader Keir Starmer promising a more forensic dissection of the government ’ s coronavirus strategy .
While wishing Johnson well on his return , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ said he urgently needs to give more detail about his approach to easing aspects of the current lockdown next month , if it is deemed safe to do so ” .
The Mail says that some ministers “ are urging the prime minister to ‘ bind Labour ’ into any decision on lifting the lockdown to avoid the opposition ‘ weaponising ’ any future increase in cases ” .

Boris Johnson returns to work today facing one of the hardest decisions of his premiership, deciding when and how to begin lifting the coronavirus lockdown that has brought the British economy to its knees.
The prime minister has been recuperating at his country residence Chequers for the past two weeks following a spell in intensive care, where he received regular oxygen treatment to help his breathing.
The Daily Mail reports he has been “easing back into something closer to a normal workload, making calls to Ministers, working on official papers and holding a series of – sometimes erratic – meetings on Zoom”.
The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who has been standing in for Johnson during his absence, said he was “raring to go” despite the Metro reporting the prime minister is “still feeling the ‘debilitating’ symptoms of coronavirus”.
“Johnson's remarkably swift return to his full schedule will delight cabinet ministers and Tory MPs who fear there has been a power vacuum at the heart of government during his absence battling against his illness,” says Sky News.
With the number of recorded UK hospital deaths of people with the coronavirus passing 20,000 on Saturday, Johnson will need to quickly re-assert control over decision-making at the top of government and reassure the country he has plan to end the lockdown.
“The economic news has been equally dire,” says Reuters, with data showing demand has slumped to an all-time low and government debt was surging “adding to pressure on the government to give some indication of when and how people and businesses would be able to get to work”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The Daily Mail reports that “splits have opened up in the government over how to map a path out of the lockdown, and criticism of ministers for failing to introduce widespread testing and source adequate supplies of protective equipment for health workers”.
“The arguments boiling up within the cabinet about rival versions of an ‘exit strategy’ cannot be contained behind closed doors for any longer,” writes Andrew Rawnsley in The Guardian. “The prime minister faces a host of complicated choices about when and how to ease the lockdown that all add up to one giant decision”.
As well as splits in cabinet, Johnson is facing pressure from his backbenchers and “a series of wealthy Tory backers who have donated millions of pounds to the party coffers [who] have urged the government to begin loosening the restrictions to controls to allow the economy to start up again”, reports the Metro.
While his brush with death and subsequent absence have insulated him personally from mounting criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis, Johnson’s return and renewed public appearances at both the daily press briefings and the dispatch box could begin to impact his high popularity ratings.
He will also face greater scrutiny from the opposition, with Labour’s new leader Keir Starmer promising a more forensic dissection of the government’s coronavirus strategy.
While wishing Johnson well on his return, the BBC reports that opposition parties have “said he urgently needs to give more detail about his approach to easing aspects of the current lockdown next month, if it is deemed safe to do so”.
The Mail says that some ministers “are urging the prime minister to ‘bind Labour’ into any decision on lifting the lockdown to avoid the opposition ‘weaponising’ any future increase in cases”.


theweekuk--2020-04-28--Instant Opinion: Covid-19 shows EU’s ‘lack of solidarity’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Shahin Vallee , former economic adviser to Emmanuel Macron , in The Guardian Coronavirus has revealed the EU ’ s fatal flaw : the lack of solidarity “ Behind a political debate that has turned somewhat hysterical in recent weeks lies a set of rather fundamental questions .
Are European countries prepared to truly share some of the burden of this crisis ?
Are they prepared to politically underwrite this burden-sharing or would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with technocrats at the European Central Bank purchasing each individual European government debt without an explicit political agreement to do so ?
...
The eurozone needs to move towards a true form of fiscal federalism under the democratic control of the European parliament with taxing , borrowing and spending powers , which the current EU budget doesn ’ t permit .
Short of that , the EU will carry on on its crutches , medically assisted by the drip-feed of a central bank that is forced to provide the vital energy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ soul.
” “ Those who have spoken to the prime minister in recent days say he has clearly been altered by his life-threatening struggle with Covid-19 .
‘ There ’ s no doubt it has changed him , ’ one member of the cabinet says .
‘ He now has an emotional connection to the NHS that you don ’ t get from anything except a near-death experience .
There ’ s also a real understanding of just how serious this is.
’ Mr Johnson ’ s statements since leaving hospital have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The clown who suggested only a few weeks ago that the search for ventilators should be called ‘ Operation Last Gasp ’ has not been making such jokes since he had to breathe through an oxygen mask .
After spending three nights in the intensive care unit of St Thomas ’ Hospital he will not return to the lackadaisical approach he showed at the start of the year when he did not attend five Cobra meetings that discussed the coronavirus.
” 3 .
Martin Fletcher in the New Statesman on the weakness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis has exposed Boris Johnson ’ s cabinet as the weakest in living memory “ There was a time when ordinary citizens could name most members of the cabinet , but no longer .
This lot are largely faceless .
It is the cabinet of a party that purged any number of decent , thoughtful , independent-minded MPs last year for challenging the party ’ s Brexit extremism – the likes of Rory Stewart , Dominic Grieve , Philip Hammond , Justine Greening , David Gauke , Oliver Letwin , Sam Gyimah , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wollaston and Philip Lee .
The last two , incidentally , were doctors whose insights would have been valuable in the present crisis ... At its first meeting Johnson conducted a bizarre call-and-response exercise in which cabinet members dutifully chanted the numbers of new hospitals , nurses , buses and police officers he planned to deliver .
The subliminal message was that they were not there to question policy or use their own judgement.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– “ If you haven ’ t been inside a newspaper or big broadcaster , you might not understand the role that political correspondents play .
They are very often Everything Correspondents , the people who get called on to cover every aspect of government policy , public services , politics , public opinion , diplomacy , the constitution ... everything .
And there aren ’ t very many of them either .
In a ‘ normal ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anywhere between 10 and 30 stories , often on the full range of topics I ’ ve listed above , and more besides .
This is one of the things that makes the job tough but fascinating .
But it doesn ’ t produce expertise .
Isaiah Berlin said there are foxes ( who know many things ) and hedgehogs , who know only one .
To survive as a Lobby correspondent you must be a fox not a hedgehog.
” 5 .
Elizabeth Bruenig in The New York Times on why parents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t have to be perfect “ When [ my daughter ] looks back on this strange interlude in our history , with the four of us locked up in our small apartment together for weeks on end , I want her to remember it fondly — or at least to see , with advancing age , that I tried to make it fun for her , in spite of everything , even myself .
Quarantine parenting is ordinary parenting at maximum intensity , with quadrupled stress ; but it doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think , only loving , only kind .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Shahin Vallee, former economic adviser to Emmanuel Macron, in The Guardian
on the European Union’s vital shortcoming
Coronavirus has revealed the EU’s fatal flaw: the lack of solidarity
“Behind a political debate that has turned somewhat hysterical in recent weeks lies a set of rather fundamental questions. Are European countries prepared to truly share some of the burden of this crisis? Are they prepared to politically underwrite this burden-sharing or would they rather have it happen by stealth, with technocrats at the European Central Bank purchasing each individual European government debt without an explicit political agreement to do so?... The eurozone needs to move towards a true form of fiscal federalism under the democratic control of the European parliament with taxing, borrowing and spending powers, which the current EU budget doesn’t permit. Short of that, the EU will carry on on its crutches, medically assisted by the drip-feed of a central bank that is forced to provide the vital energy to a political project that has lost its soul.”
2. Rachel Sylvester in The Times
on the PM’s transformative health scare
Reborn Johnson can make the hard choices
“Those who have spoken to the prime minister in recent days say he has clearly been altered by his life-threatening struggle with Covid-19. ‘There’s no doubt it has changed him,’ one member of the cabinet says. ‘He now has an emotional connection to the NHS that you don’t get from anything except a near-death experience. There’s also a real understanding of just how serious this is.’ Mr Johnson’s statements since leaving hospital have had a new, more sombre tone. The clown who suggested only a few weeks ago that the search for ventilators should be called ‘Operation Last Gasp’ has not been making such jokes since he had to breathe through an oxygen mask. After spending three nights in the intensive care unit of St Thomas’ Hospital he will not return to the lackadaisical approach he showed at the start of the year when he did not attend five Cobra meetings that discussed the coronavirus.”
3. Martin Fletcher in the New Statesman
on the weakness in the UK’s government
The coronavirus crisis has exposed Boris Johnson’s cabinet as the weakest in living memory
“There was a time when ordinary citizens could name most members of the cabinet, but no longer. This lot are largely faceless. It is the cabinet of a party that purged any number of decent, thoughtful, independent-minded MPs last year for challenging the party’s Brexit extremism – the likes of Rory Stewart, Dominic Grieve, Philip Hammond, Justine Greening, David Gauke, Oliver Letwin, Sam Gyimah, Anna Soubry, Heidi Allen, Sarah Wollaston and Philip Lee. The last two, incidentally, were doctors whose insights would have been valuable in the present crisis... At its first meeting Johnson conducted a bizarre call-and-response exercise in which cabinet members dutifully chanted the numbers of new hospitals, nurses, buses and police officers he planned to deliver. The subliminal message was that they were not there to question policy or use their own judgement.”


theweekuk--2020-04-28--When did coronavirus really reach the UK?

The new coronavirus was widespread in the UK at the very start of the pandemic , says one of the world ’ s leading human genetics experts .
Dr Kari Stefansson , who is overseeing a huge coronavirus sourcing project in Iceland , claims a lack of vigilance by authorities allowed the virus to take hold in the UK .
What does the Icelandic research tell us ?
Stefansson ’ s project genetically sequences every confirmed case of coronavirus in Iceland , to learn more about how the virus spreads and mutates .
By doing this , researchers can see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So the virus now has basically a barcode for every part of the world , ” Stefansson told Sky News .
“ There is a collection of mutation that is relatively characteristic for Austria , another for Italy as well as Great Britain and for the west coast of the United States etc.
” Almost all of the cases coming into Iceland at the beginning of the coronavirus ’ s arrival in the country came from Austria and Italy , where Icelanders had been away skiing .
But when authorities tried to contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they missed infected people coming in from apparently lower-risk countries .
“ As they were doing this , the virus was actually sneaking into the country with people from all kinds of other countries , ” said Stefansson .
What does this mean for the UK ?
One of the countries most highly represented in the Icelandic coronavirus data is the UK .
“ The most notable there is Great Britain .
So it looks like the virus had a fairly wide spread in Great Britain very , very early in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the professor , the UK wasn ’ t vigilant enough at the time of the initial outbreak , failing to test in high enough numbers .
Testing , says Stefansson , is the only way to track the virus ’ s progression through a community , allowing authorities to quickly identify and isolate those who could spread the disease .
Iceland has tested a higher percentage of the population than any other nation , says Sky News : around 45,000 tests have been carried out in a population of 360,000 – a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has carried out 719,910 tests , but this amounts to around 1 % of the population .
Responding to the suggestion that it was easier to test and trace in such a small nation , Stefansson said : “ Yes , there may be fewer of us but countries like the United Kingdom and the United States have much , much more resources than we do .
“ It is all just a question of using what you have .
They weren ’ t vigilant enough .
They didn ’ t react to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the countries that taught us the methods that we are using , in doing this in a place like Iceland , they didn ’ t use it themselves .
And that is tragic.
” The first cases of coronavirus in the UK were confirmed in late January , when two Chinese tourists became unwell in a York city centre hotel .
They were taken to an infectious disease unit in Newcastle , where their positive status was confirmed , reported The Times .
The first case of community transmission – people infecting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than contracting the disease abroad – happened in late February .
The Department of Health and Social Care said the original source of this case – a man from Surrey – was “ unclear ” , with no “ immediately identifiable link ” to overseas travel , said the BBC .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the virus ?
As well as testing for coronavirus , Stefansson ’ s lab , called deCODE , is taking blood from willing participants to test for antibodies against the virus .
And the company is examining the question of whether some people are genetically predisposed to suffer less or more with the virus .
“ There are those who describe this as a mild cold , ” said Stefansson .
“ There are those who end up in the intensive care unit on a respirator .
And there is everything in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have less tendency to get infected than men .
And if they get infected , they don ’ t get as sick as men .
What is it that generates this clinical diversity ?
” DeCODE has begun sharing its initial findings in the hope of finding an answer , says Stefansson .