theweekuk--2020-06-19--The Week Unwrapped: Hibernation, Instagram MPs and the house of Assad

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days .
Will humans soon be able to hibernate ?
Has social media given rise to a new type of politics ?
And has war arrived inside the Assad family ?
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code : pod25 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In this week ’ s episode , we discuss : Scientists have found the biological mechanism that triggers hibernation in mice , and say the discovery paves the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ induce hibernation in humans .
What could be the applications — and moral consequences — of such a finding ?
And is human hibernation a good idea ?
Peter Amthor is a “ rising star ” of Angela Merkel ’ s Christian Democratic Union in Germany .
Young , flamboyant and with flair for social media , Amthor was tipped for big things until a lobbying scandal this week threw a spanner in the works .
Amthor is one of a new generation of politicians that cultivated their image online , but what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t match their online persona ?
Protesters have returned to the streets in southern Syria , where the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad started in 2011 .
They are smaller now than back then , but the slogans are the same .
Meanwhile president Bashar al-Assad has also had a very public falling out with his cousin , leading some analysts to suggest war has finally arrived inside the Assad family .
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player , Apple podcasts , SoundCloud or wherever you get you @ @ @ @

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days. Will humans soon be able to hibernate? Has social media given rise to a new type of politics? And has war arrived inside the Assad family?
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––To get six free issues of The Week magazine and a moleskine notebook visit theweek.co.uk/offer and enter promo code: pod25–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In this week’s episode, we discuss:
Hibernation
Scientists have found the biological mechanism that triggers hibernation in mice, and say the discovery paves the way for better understanding how we could induce hibernation in humans. What could be the applications — and moral consequences — of such a finding? And is human hibernation a good idea?
Instagram politicians
Peter Amthor is a “rising star” of Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union in Germany. Young, flamboyant and with flair for social media, Amthor was tipped for big things until a lobbying scandal this week threw a spanner in the works. Amthor is one of a new generation of politicians that cultivated their image online, but what happens when the politician underneath doesn’t match their online persona?
The house of Assad
Protesters have returned to the streets in southern Syria, where the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad started in 2011. They are smaller now than back then, but the slogans are the same. Meanwhile president Bashar al-Assad has also had a very public falling out with his cousin, leading some analysts to suggest war has finally arrived inside the Assad family.
You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on the Global Player, Apple podcasts, SoundCloud or wherever you get you get your podcasts.


theweekuk--2020-06-19--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Friday 19 Jun 2020

Two in five adults in the UK feel lonelier under lockdown , new research has revealed .
The study by @ @ @ @ @ that 28 % worried that no one would notice if something happened to them while @ @ @ @ @ that their feelings of loneliness would get worse in the years ahead .
Some 31 @ @ @ @ @ one to turn to when they are confronting a problem .

Study finds UK is lonely and desperate due to lockdown
Two in five adults in the UK feel lonelier under lockdown, new research has revealed. The study by the British Red Cross found that 28% worried that no one would notice if something happened to them while 33% said they feared that their feelings of loneliness would get worse in the years ahead. Some 31% felt they have no one to turn to when they are confronting a problem.


theweekuk--2020-06-19--Could flying robots with bubble guns save us all?

Japanese scientists say that flying robots with bubble guns could save the planet .
Endangered bees are critical to all of our existences , but Eijiro Miyako , of the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Nomi , says the small robots could do their pollination job for them .
He says : “ It sounds somewhat like fantasy but the… soap bubble allows effective pollination.
” A 66 million-year-old football-sized egg has been discovered In Antarctica .
“ It is from an animal the size of a large dinosaur , but it is completely unlike a dinosaur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is most similar to the eggs of lizards and snakes , but it is from a truly giant relative of these animals.
” Researchers have detected strange , repeating rhythms in blasts of energy coming from outer space .
Researchers still do not know the source of those bursts , which are known as fast radio bursts , or what is causing them .
However , they believe they must come from a very extreme , intense part of the universe .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Japanese scientists say that flying robots with bubble guns could save the planet. Endangered bees are critical to all of our existences, but Eijiro Miyako, of the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Nomi, says the small robots could do their pollination job for them. He says: “It sounds somewhat like fantasy but the… soap bubble allows effective pollination.”
Giant egg from 66m years ago found
A 66 million-year-old football-sized egg has been discovered In Antarctica. “It is from an animal the size of a large dinosaur, but it is completely unlike a dinosaur egg,” said an expert. “It is most similar to the eggs of lizards and snakes, but it is from a truly giant relative of these animals.”
Strange rhythms heard from space
Researchers have detected strange, repeating rhythms in blasts of energy coming from outer space. Researchers still do not know the source of those bursts, which are known as fast radio bursts, or what is causing them. However, they believe they must come from a very extreme, intense part of the universe.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-18--Quiz of The Week: 13 - 19 June

Quiz of The Week: 13 - 19 June

Another week , another few tentative steps towards a new normal .
Non-essential shops in England have been allowed to reopen since Monday , with Primark and other stores swamped by shoppers desperate to update their wardrobes .
Many peoples ’ love lives have also had a refresh , thanks to the lifting of the so-called “ sex ban ” .
Single people living alone are now allowed to form “ support bubbles ” with other households and stay overnight with their bubble buddies .
Premier League football is back too , albeit with strange adaptations including fake crowd noise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stadiums .
But some things never change : Arsenal suffered a number of injuries and defender David Luiz gifted Manchester City two goals in a clash at the Etihad on Wednesday night .
To find out how closely you ’ ve been paying attention to the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic , and other global events , put your knowledge to the test with our Quiz of The Week : Need a reminder of some of the other headlines over the past seven days ?
Oxford University ’ s Oriel College voted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following a public backlash against monuments of slave traders and imperialists .
The decision came after a series of protests outside the college by supporters of the Rhodes Must Fall campaign , started by students four years ago .
Further afield , there was talk of “ World War III ” as Indian and Chinese soldiers clashed in the Himalayas , resulting in at least 20 deaths .
Meanwhile , Donald Trump was at the centre of an internal conflict in the US , as his administration launched a last-ditch legal bid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by former national security advisor John Bolton .
Leaked excerpts from the book , titled The Room Where It Happened , include a series of damaging allegations about the president - including one that could have affected the outcome of Trump ’ s impeachment .
And the US leader is facing further embarrassment as a result of a separate memoir being published by a member of his own family .
Mary Trump ’ s book is packed with “ harrowing and salacious ” stories about her controversial uncle , according to insiders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

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


theweekuk--2020-06-17--Growing global debt: what does it mean for investors?

After the global financial crisis of 2008/9, a new consensus emerged that debt was bad. Consumers started to cut back on debt – a process known as “deleveraging” – and companies were supposed to clean up their balance sheets. Yet within just a few years, it was obvious that deleveraging wasn’t quite going according to plan.
In 2015, for instance, consulting firm McKinsey brought out a paper titled Debt and (not much) deleveraging. The firm’s researchers found that global debt had “grown by $57 trillion... no major economy has decreased its debt-to-GDP ratio since 2007. High government debt in advanced economies, mounting household debt, and the rapid rise of China’s debt are areas of potential concern”.
The debt pile just keeps growing
Flash forward to 2019, and even cautious central banks were hitting the alarm bells. In its annual report, the BIS – the main organisation representing central banks – warned that one of the clearest signs of overheating in the global economy was the level of outstanding loans made to risky companies. “The overall landscape is one of a global economy that has been unable to jettison its debt-dependent growth model,” the report states. “Indeed, aggregate debt (public plus private) in relation to GDP, while it plateaued in the past year, is much higher than pre-crisis... should the global economy slow down at some point, it is hard not to imagine that the debt burden would increase further.”
The McKinsey consultants returned to the fray, observing in another paper – Is a leverage reckoning coming? – that overall corporate debt in the US had grown from $2.3 trillion in 2008 to $5.2 trillion in 2018, while companies were more highly-indebted relative to their profitability than at any point since 2008.
Then, in the early months of 2020, coronavirus emerged. As a result, we’ve taken on even more debt, with central banks around the world – the US in particular – unleashing extraordinary lending packages, with even more radical intervention than we saw in 2009.
London-based research group Cross Border Capital tracks global liquidity, with a focus on central bank monetary policies. By early April, it was already reporting a huge expansion in central bank balance sheets – pledges of emergency central bank funding added up to “injections of $6.5tn, increasing global central bank balance sheets by 32% and representing 8.2% of world GDP”.
Governments are writing themselves cheques
The Federal Reserve in the US, the Bank of England, and even the European Central Bank are now engaging in huge government bond-buying programmes to help finance soaring state spending. In mid-May, for instance, the BBC reported that coronavirus-related measures could cost as much as £298bn for this financial year alone. Last year in total, the government borrowed £55bn, but in April 2020 alone it borrowed £62.1bn.


theweekuk--2020-06-19--How coronavirus has devastated war-torn Yemen

The UK has called for “ drastic action ” in response to the rapid rise of coronavirus cases in war-torn @ @ @ @ @ past five years has been ravaged by civil war , disease and famine .
The @ @ @ @ @ the country - which officially stands at 909 cases and 248 deaths - may have @ @ @ @ @ and 85,000 deaths , according to UK aid-funded research by the London School of Hygiene @ @ @ @ @ , diplomats and aid workers all predicted the coronavirus would hit Yemen hard , but @ @ @ @ @ more devastating than their initial projections , says The Times .
The

The UK has called for “drastic action” in response to the rapid rise of coronavirus cases in war-torn Yemen, which for the past five years has been ravaged by civil war, disease and famine.
The spread of the virus in the country - which officially stands at 909 cases and 248 deaths - may have already hit one million cases and 85,000 deaths, according to UK aid-funded research by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Doctors, diplomats and aid workers all predicted the coronavirus would hit Yemen hard, but the reality has been even more devastating than their initial projections, says The Times. The country has been “shattered already by war, disease, starvation and death, the apocalypse’s full four horsemen,” the newspaper says.
The UN has warned that the virus is currently spreading swiftly throughout the country, largely due to inadequate testing capabilities and a health system in crisis.
Rather than expanding its operations, the World Health Organization has been forced to close down clinics across the country due to falling funds. It says that half of Yemen’s health facilities are no longer functioning and 18% of district authorities have no doctors at all.
The UK’s minister for the Middle East, James Cleverly, paid a “virtual visit” to the country this week through a series of video calls, expressing deep concern at what he saw.
“This [virtual] visit has allowed me to hear about the devastating impact coronavirus is already having in Yemen, and I was deeply concerned to hear that there have been over a million cases,” he said. “All parties to the conflict must work with the UN so there is safe access for food and medicine supplies.”
Cleverly urged further support from the UN, which fell short of its target by $1 billion earlier this month at a pledging conference hosted by Saudi Arabia.
International donors agreed to provide $1.35bn at the conference held on 2 June - “but that was well below a $2.4bn fundraising target needed to prevent severe cutbacks in the UN's aid operation”, Al Jazeera says.
“More than 30 of the 41 UN-supported programmes in Yemen will close in the coming weeks if additional funds are not secured,” UN human rights spokesman Rupert Colville told a briefing in Geneva.
"Now, more than ever, the country needs the outside world’s help, and it's not really getting it," he said.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
A six-week ceasefire intended to curtail the spread of the virus expired last month, since when “violence has surged between the Western-backed alliance and the Houthi group,” says the Sydney Morning Herald.
According to The Times, rebels have also refused to report infection figures accurately and are waging an active disinformation campaign over the spread of the virus.
“In the north, the rebels who control the capital Sanaa and surrounding provinces have reacted with paranoia to the virus, denying its spread and jailing doctors and journalists who draw attention to it,” the paper says.
“They now refuse to publish information about the numbers infected. The rebel health ministry said that countries which published mortality figures ‘created a state of fear and anxiety.’”
There are also fears seasonal outbreaks of cholera, diphtheria and dengue, which occur regularly in the country, and could further tax the country’s creaking medical infrastructure.
According to David Miliband, president of the International Rescue Committee, a “global response” is crucial to beating the pandemic.
“We are in a race against time,” he said. “This pandemic will not come to an end [in Yemen] until it is under control everywhere.”


theweekuk--2020-06-19--Tired of winning? - Donald Trump’s chequered Supreme Court record

The US Supreme Court has dealt another blow to Donald Trump , ruling that it was illegal for the president to end the Obama-era programme allowing undocumented child immigrants to enter the country .
The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals act , commonly known as Daca or the Dreamers act , protects about 700,000 young immigrants from deportation , says The New York Times .
In response to the court ’ s decision , Trump headed to his favourite social media site , tweeting that “ horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proud to call themselves Republicans or Conservatives ” .
“ We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd Amendment & everything else , ” he added .
“ Vote Trump 2020 !
” The loss is the latest legal blow in a presidency marred by unsuccessful court battles .
Trump ’ s administration has lost 79 out of 85 cases involving federal agencies on deregulatory or policy issues , reports Reuters .
“ In key instances Trump ’ s administration has been unable to craft high-profile policies that will stand up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is why we have had so many victories against this administration in court , ” said Xavier Becerra , California ’ s Democratic attorney general .
“ They just refuse to follow the rules .
They seem to be very impatient and they don ’ t believe the rules apply to them.
” Examples include a June 2019 Supreme Court ruling in which the ruled against the administration ’ s plan to add a question on citizenship to the 2020 US census .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week ’ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– But it has not been all bad for Trump , who has also won some big cases .
These include the infamous 2017 travel ban .
Having rejected Trump ’ s initial approach , the Supreme Court upheld a range of travel restrictions against five majority-Muslim countries .
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on major cases involving abortion rights and attempts to force Trump to release @ @ @ @


theweekuk--2020-06-19--Coronavirus: why has the UK abandoned its contact-tracing app?


theweekuk--2020-06-20--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Saturday 20 Jun 2020

Pubs will be patrolled , hotels will leave room service orders at the door and restaurant tables will not be @ @ @ @ @ leaked plans to reopen the hospitality sector .
In gyms , treadmills and weightlifting machines @ @ @ @ @ one another .
The Times says that the guidance drawn up by the government and @ @ @ @ @ published next week .

Distancing guidelines for pubs, hotels and gyms are leaked
Pubs will be patrolled, hotels will leave room service orders at the door and restaurant tables will not be set in advance according to leaked plans to reopen the hospitality sector. In gyms, treadmills and weightlifting machines will be spaced out from one another. The Times says that the guidance drawn up by the government and the hospitality industry will be published next week.


theweekuk--2020-06-21--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Sunday 21 Jun 2020

Sir David Attenborough has stepped in after London Zoo warned that it is “ at risk of extinction ” .
@ @ @ @ @ intervene as the face of a fundraising campaign to raise £12m as part of a @ @ @ @ @ What happens if you can ’ t raise the money to keep the animals ?
@ @ @ @ @ ’ t afford the food ?
Are we supposed to put them down ?
” @ @ @ @

David Attenborough steps in to save London Zoo
Sir David Attenborough has stepped in after London Zoo warned that it is “at risk of extinction”. The broadcaster has agreed to intervene as the face of a fundraising campaign to raise £12m as part of a £25m rescue package. “What happens if you can’t raise the money to keep the animals? What happens if you can’t afford the food? Are we supposed to put them down?” said the 94-year-old.


theweekuk--2020-06-22--Instant Opinion: ‘For a few weeks, black lives mattered. Now what?’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
on what comes after the protests For a few weeks , black lives mattered .
Now what ?
“ So black people have your solidarity , your concessions that things need to change , your pledges , your retrospective apologies and , in some instances , your resignations .
These are gestures , even big gestures , and they do go some way – a long way , in fact – to making some people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will no longer put up statues to those who would have enslaved them .
That is not nothing .
But the establishment that shapes knowledge and attitudes towards black people remains hostile .
The levers that could pull the country towards a deeper reckoning with race are broken , or in the hands of those who have no interest in pulling them .
The fish of state is rotting from the head down ; instead of real change , we will get exercises in corporate face-saving and a ( long overdue ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will end up as an awkward PR pitfall to avoid , rather than a community empowered to shape governments and policies.
” on a generation betrayed by the British government Thanking The Windrush Generation Isn ’ t Enough .
We Must Make Sure A Scandal Like This Can Never Happen Again “ Addressing unfairness and injustice begins at the door of the Home Office , with the appalling mistreatment of the Windrush Generation .
The Windrush scandal is a national cause of shame – and the recently published Wendy Williams Lessons Learned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposes the callousness and incompetence that caused such deep injustice , whilst making clear the impact of ‘ jobs lost , lives uprooted and untold damage done to so many individuals and families ’ .
The families – who have given so much to this country – deserve so much more .
The review sets out a wide range of recommendations , a large number which are hard-hitting and urgent .
They include the need for the Home Office to set a clear purpose , mission and values statement rooted in fairness , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They call for vital action on issues related to race and the need for better community outreach and engagement .
It ’ s shocking that it would take a scandal on this scale to bring those core failings to light.
” on the PM ’ s pledge to remodel Whitehall Boris Johnson ’ s mantra must still be reform “ One of the unnoticed things that Johnson got right when he became prime minister is that , unlike his recent predecessors , he refrained from the urge to shrink Downing Street ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That reflects the big idea of Johnson ’ s government , at least before the pandemic : Whitehall reform .
Remodelling the institutions of the state is one of the central preoccupations of Johnson ’ s most high-profile adviser , Dominic Cummings , and something that animates the wider circle of policy thinkers both in and around Downing Street .
For some , it is because the civil service is supposedly the home of committed Remainers and only serious reform will allow a pro-Leave government to get its agenda through .
For others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vital prerequisite to everything else is the scale of the challenge Johnson set himself at the last election .
The government is , don ’ t forget , committed to increasing funding for the NHS , schools and the police , to closing the gap between the nations and regions of the United Kingdom , and do it all while keeping income tax , corporation tax and VAT flat or falling .
The only way to square the circle ( supposedly ) is to reform how the government operates.
” on the legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t win the culture wars while Blair and Brown ’ s legacy remains intact “ So why , when Tories have been in government for more than a decade , does it seem that cultural liberals and Left-wingers are in the ascendancy ?
In part , it is because a culture war is precisely what its name suggests : it is about culture as much as what governments do with the levers of power .
There is little ministers can do when celebrities , or businesses , use their platform to make arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we no longer have unitary government in Britain : ministers in Whitehall might be Conservatives , but there is , for example , a Labour mayor in London , and if he wants to weigh in on debates about old statues , he can do so .
It is also because some Conservative politicians have little appetite for fighting a culture war ...
But there is a better explanation .
Tories are right to complain about the ways in which the public sector , quangos and the so-called ‘ deep state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the reasons they normally give .
It is not simply down to Left-wingers occupying positions of power .
Even when conservatives run public bodies , the problem often continues.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 .
Jennifer Senior in The New York Times America ’ s Wannabe Autocrat Is in the Home Stretch .
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s precisely because Trump feels overwhelmed and outmatched that I fear we ’ ve reached a far scarier juncture : he seems to be attempting , however clumsily , to transition from president to autocrat , using any means necessary to mow down those who threaten his re-election .
Whether he has the competence to pull this off is anyone ’ s guess .
As we know , Trump is surpassingly incapable of governing .
But he has also shown authoritarian tendencies from the very beginning .
For over three years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politic , institution by institution , norm by norm .
What has largely spared us from total evisceration were honorable civil servants and appointees .
Trump has torn through almost all of them and replaced them with loyalists .
He now has a clear runway .
What we have left is an army of pliant flunkies and toadies at the agencies , combined with the always-enabling Mitch McConnell and an increasingly emboldened attorney general , William Barr .
”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Nesrine Malik in The Guardian
on what comes after the protests
For a few weeks, black lives mattered. Now what?
“So black people have your solidarity, your concessions that things need to change, your pledges, your retrospective apologies and, in some instances, your resignations. These are gestures, even big gestures, and they do go some way – a long way, in fact – to making some people feel like they belong in a country that will no longer put up statues to those who would have enslaved them. That is not nothing. But the establishment that shapes knowledge and attitudes towards black people remains hostile. The levers that could pull the country towards a deeper reckoning with race are broken, or in the hands of those who have no interest in pulling them. The fish of state is rotting from the head down; instead of real change, we will get exercises in corporate face-saving and a (long overdue) scrubbing of public statuary. And black people will end up as an awkward PR pitfall to avoid, rather than a community empowered to shape governments and policies.”
2. Nick Thomas-Symonds, shadow home secretary, on HuffPost
on a generation betrayed by the British government
Thanking The Windrush Generation Isn’t Enough. We Must Make Sure A Scandal Like This Can Never Happen Again
“Addressing unfairness and injustice begins at the door of the Home Office, with the appalling mistreatment of the Windrush Generation. The Windrush scandal is a national cause of shame – and the recently published Wendy Williams Lessons Learned Review is a damning indictment. It exposes the callousness and incompetence that caused such deep injustice, whilst making clear the impact of ‘jobs lost, lives uprooted and untold damage done to so many individuals and families’. The families – who have given so much to this country – deserve so much more. The review sets out a wide range of recommendations, a large number which are hard-hitting and urgent. They include the need for the Home Office to set a clear purpose, mission and values statement rooted in fairness, humanity, openness, diversity and inclusion. They call for vital action on issues related to race and the need for better community outreach and engagement. It’s shocking that it would take a scandal on this scale to bring those core failings to light.”
3. Stephen Bush in The Times
on the PM’s pledge to remodel Whitehall
Boris Johnson’s mantra must still be reform
“One of the unnoticed things that Johnson got right when he became prime minister is that, unlike his recent predecessors, he refrained from the urge to shrink Downing Street’s capabilities when he took office. That reflects the big idea of Johnson’s government, at least before the pandemic: Whitehall reform. Remodelling the institutions of the state is one of the central preoccupations of Johnson’s most high-profile adviser, Dominic Cummings, and something that animates the wider circle of policy thinkers both in and around Downing Street. For some, it is because the civil service is supposedly the home of committed Remainers and only serious reform will allow a pro-Leave government to get its agenda through. For others, the reason Whitehall reform is a vital prerequisite to everything else is the scale of the challenge Johnson set himself at the last election. The government is, don’t forget, committed to increasing funding for the NHS, schools and the police, to closing the gap between the nations and regions of the United Kingdom, and do it all while keeping income tax, corporation tax and VAT flat or falling. The only way to square the circle (supposedly) is to reform how the government operates.”
4. Nick Timothy in The Daily Telegraph
on the legal remnants of New Labour
Conservatives can’t win the culture wars while Blair and Brown’s legacy remains intact
“So why, when Tories have been in government for more than a decade, does it seem that cultural liberals and Left-wingers are in the ascendancy? In part, it is because a culture war is precisely what its name suggests: it is about culture as much as what governments do with the levers of power. There is little ministers can do when celebrities, or businesses, use their platform to make arguments that conservatives reject. It is partly because we no longer have unitary government in Britain: ministers in Whitehall might be Conservatives, but there is, for example, a Labour mayor in London, and if he wants to weigh in on debates about old statues, he can do so. It is also because some Conservative politicians have little appetite for fighting a culture war... But there is a better explanation. Tories are right to complain about the ways in which the public sector, quangos and the so-called ‘deep state’ perpetuate a Left-wing agenda, but not for the reasons they normally give. It is not simply down to Left-wingers occupying positions of power. Even when conservatives run public bodies, the problem often continues.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5. Jennifer Senior in The New York Times
on a ‘despot’ cornered
America’s Wannabe Autocrat Is in the Home Stretch. How Worried Should We Be?
“It’s precisely because Trump feels overwhelmed and outmatched that I fear we’ve reached a far scarier juncture: he seems to be attempting, however clumsily, to transition from president to autocrat, using any means necessary to mow down those who threaten his re-election. Whether he has the competence to pull this off is anyone’s guess. As we know, Trump is surpassingly incapable of governing. But he has also shown authoritarian tendencies from the very beginning. For over three years, he’s been dismembering the body politic, institution by institution, norm by norm. What has largely spared us from total evisceration were honorable civil servants and appointees. Trump has torn through almost all of them and replaced them with loyalists. He now has a clear runway. What we have left is an army of pliant flunkies and toadies at the agencies, combined with the always-enabling Mitch McConnell and an increasingly emboldened attorney general, William Barr.”


theweekuk--2020-06-22--How the Isle of Man ‘eradicated’ coronavirus

As the UK slowly eases lockdown measures , one British island is back to near normal after all but “ eradicating ” the virus .
The Isle of Man is the first place in the British Isles to scrap social distancing restrictions , after recording no new cases for 28 days .
Pubs , restaurants , shops and gyms on the self-governing British Crown dependency all reopened last Monday , the BBC reports .
And schools are welcoming back all children from today , The Times adds .
How the island defeated the virus The island has reported just 336 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among a population of about 85,000 .
Although “ some have pointed out the differences in controlling a virus on a small island with a limited population , tough decisions have been made ” , says The Times , which argues that the island ’ s success in containing the Covid-19 outbreak is down to how the authorities “ pulled up the drawbridge ” .
The Isle of Man closed its border to non-residents less than a week after recording its first coronavirus case .
Widespread testing for the virus quickly followed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Residents also faced tougher punishments than Brits on the mainland for ignoring social distancing rules , “ with hefty fines and jail sentences , typically of around four weeks ” , the paper says .
During the lockdown , 21 people were jailed , 108 were arrested and 27 were given on-the-spot fines for breaking the regulations , according to the newspaper .
In addition , a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone travelling to the island remains in place , with police checks to ensure compliance .
Explaining how the authorities came up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quayle , chief minister for the Isle of Man , says that his team “ looked at the best advice that was going around the world and ‘ Manxified ’ them ” .
“ We tested and tested and didn ’ t stop , ” Quayle said , adding : “ By getting it under control quickly , we knew we would be able to get out of people ’ s lives quickly.
” But residents still aren ’ t taking any chances .
In the island ’ s 50-odd reopened pubs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the tills are a reminder that we are not quite living in normal times ” , says the BBC ’ s Isle of Man correspondent Sadhbh O ’ Shea .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

As the UK slowly eases lockdown measures, one British island is back to near normal after all but “eradicating” the virus.
The Isle of Man is the first place in the British Isles to scrap social distancing restrictions, after recording no new cases for 28 days. Pubs, restaurants, shops and gyms on the self-governing British Crown dependency all reopened last Monday, the BBC reports.
And schools are welcoming back all children from today, The Times adds.
How the island defeated the virus
The island has reported just 336 coronavirus infections and 24 related deaths, among a population of about 85,000.
Although “some have pointed out the differences in controlling a virus on a small island with a limited population, tough decisions have been made”, says The Times, which argues that the island’s success in containing the Covid-19 outbreak is down to how the authorities “pulled up the drawbridge”.
The Isle of Man closed its border to non-residents less than a week after recording its first coronavirus case. Widespread testing for the virus quickly followed, along with a contact tracing push.
Residents also faced tougher punishments than Brits on the mainland for ignoring social distancing rules, “with hefty fines and jail sentences, typically of around four weeks”, the paper says.
During the lockdown, 21 people were jailed, 108 were arrested and 27 were given on-the-spot fines for breaking the regulations, according to the newspaper.
In addition, a mandatory 14-day quarantine for anyone travelling to the island remains in place, with police checks to ensure compliance.
Explaining how the authorities came up with their seemingly winning formula, Howard Quayle, chief minister for the Isle of Man, says that his team “looked at the best advice that was going around the world and ‘Manxified’ them”.
“We tested and tested and didn’t stop,” Quayle said, adding: “By getting it under control quickly, we knew we would be able to get out of people’s lives quickly.”
But residents still aren’t taking any chances. In the island’s 50-odd reopened pubs, “hand sanitiser everywhere and protective glass by the tills are a reminder that we are not quite living in normal times”, says the BBC’s Isle of Man correspondent Sadhbh O’Shea.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-22--Reading terror attack: what we know so far

A man being held of suspicion of fatally stabbing three people in a Reading park had been investigated by MI5 last year , according to security sources .
Libyan refugee Khairi Saadallah was arrested shortly after the stabbing spree on Saturday evening , and has now been re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 , the BBC reports .
Saadallah , 25 , had left jail just 16 days before the attack in the Berkshire ’ s town Forbury Gardens , after serving less than half of a 28-month sentence for non-terror-related offences , adds The Sun .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a group of friends in the popular town-centre park shortly before 7pm on Saturday , reports The Telegraph .
Lawrence Wort , 20 , a personal trainer from Chippenham , said : “ The park was pretty full , a lot of people sat around drinking with friends when one lone person walked through , suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around ten , trying to stab them .
“ He stabbed three of them , severely in the neck , and under the arms , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we turned and started running .
“ When he realised that he couldn ’ t catch us , he tried to stab another group sat down , he got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run , he ran out the park.
” Another witness described how he realised something was wrong after seeing “ a gentleman who I believe was stabbed in the eye , his right eye ” .
Software developer Brendan Healy , 55 , told The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CPR on one victim after seeing three people lying injured on the grass .
The knifeman was reportedly rugby-tackled to the ground by a police officer near the park within minutes of the first emergency call .
Saadallah remains in custody , and his flat , around a mile from the park , is under a police cordon .
Who is the suspect ?
Saadallah is a Libyan refugee who was granted asylum in the UK after coming to Britain several years ago as a refugee following the civil war in his home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security services last year after MI5 “ received information that he had aspirations to travel abroad - potentially for terrorism ” , says the BBC .
The Sun reports that Saadallah was added to the security agency ’ s “ long list ” of around 40,000 suspects after expressing a desire to join Islamic State in Syria .
However , the investigation into his activities is said to have been dropped after no genuine threat or immediate risk was identified .
Saadallah is also understood to have served prison sentences for non-terror-related offences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assaulting a police officer , breaching a suspended jail term , racially aggravated assault , criminal damage and affray , according to the newspaper .
A source told The Sun that Saadallah “ had a history of violence and serious mental health problems ” , while neighbours claimed that he peddled drugs .
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust declined to comment on reports that the suspect was being treated for mental health conditions .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s news agenda - try The Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– What will happen next ?
The head of counterterrorism policing , Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Bas , said yesterday that “ officers have found nothing to suggest that there was anyone else involved in this attack ” .
“ Although the motivation for this horrific act is far from certain , counterterrorism policing have taken responsibility for leading the investigation , ” Bas added .
If confirmed as a terrorist offence , the attack would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Detectives are interviewing Saadallah today “ and a huge operation will have swung into operation ” , says the BBC ’ s home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani .
“ Electronic analysts will delve into any social media accounts linked to the suspect ; they ’ ll trawl every call and text message going back years , looking for contacts with extremists .
Intelligence officers at MI5 will review both their open and closed case files on so-called ‘ subjects of interest ’ , ” adds Casciani .
In the wake of the attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is prepared to make changes to the law in order to prevent suspected terrorists from slipping through the net .
“ If there are lessons that we need to learn about how we handle such cases , how we handle the events leading up to such cases , we will learn those lessons , and we will not hesitate to take action where necessary , ” the prime minister said in a statement .
Meanwhile , Home Secretary Priti Patel stayed “ up with officials into the early hours of Sunday morning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ status and criminal background ” , says The Guardian .
“ The event will embolden our plans to reform the asylum system and speed up deportations for foreign national offenders through legislation , which will likely be opposed by the opposition , ” a Whitehall source told the newspaper .

A man being held of suspicion of fatally stabbing three people in a Reading park had been investigated by MI5 last year, according to security sources.
Libyan refugee Khairi Saadallah was arrested shortly after the stabbing spree on Saturday evening, and has now been re-arrested under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000, the BBC reports.
Saadallah, 25, had left jail just 16 days before the attack in the Berkshire’s town Forbury Gardens, after serving less than half of a 28-month sentence for non-terror-related offences, adds The Sun.
What happened?
Witnesses say that a knife-wielding man approached a group of friends in the popular town-centre park shortly before 7pm on Saturday, reports The Telegraph.
Lawrence Wort, 20, a personal trainer from Chippenham, said: “The park was pretty full, a lot of people sat around drinking with friends when one lone person walked through, suddenly shouted some unintelligible words and went around a large group of around ten, trying to stab them.
“He stabbed three of them, severely in the neck, and under the arms, and then turned and started running towards me, and we turned and started running.
“When he realised that he couldn’t catch us, he tried to stab another group sat down, he got one person in the back of the neck and then when he realised everyone was starting to run, he ran out the park.”
Another witness described how he realised something was wrong after seeing “a gentleman who I believe was stabbed in the eye, his right eye”.
Software developer Brendan Healy, 55, told The Guardian that he had tried to perform CPR on one victim after seeing three people lying injured on the grass.
The knifeman was reportedly rugby-tackled to the ground by a police officer near the park within minutes of the first emergency call.
Saadallah remains in custody, and his flat, around a mile from the park, is under a police cordon.
Who is the suspect?
Saadallah is a Libyan refugee who was granted asylum in the UK after coming to Britain several years ago as a refugee following the civil war in his home land.
He was investigated by the security services last year after MI5 “received information that he had aspirations to travel abroad - potentially for terrorism”, says the BBC.


theweekuk--2020-06-22--Coronavirus R rate rockets in Germany after factory outbreak

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

Germany’s coronavirus reproduction rate has soared to 2.88 following a mass outbreak at a meat-processing plant, official figures show.
The R rate has climbed from 1.79 on Saturday and 1.06 on Friday, reports the country’s Robert Koch Institute for public health (RKI), which bases the numbers on a four-day average.
A reproduction rate of 2.88 “means that out of 100 people who contract the virus, another 288 others will get infected”, explains The Times, and “a rate of less than one is needed to contain the disease”.
The new spike comes after up to a third of the 6,500 workers at an abattoir in the northern town of Rheda-Wiedenbruck tested positive for Covid-19 last week, “prompting the closure of local schools and an urgent investigation”, Sky News reports.
Officials in North Rhine Westphalia have ordered around 6,500 employees at the abattoir, owned by meat-processing giant Toennies, and their families to go into quarantine. The Times says that it is “unclear to what extent the virus has spread outwards into the wider community”.
However, separate outbreaks have been reported in “a variety of locations” across the country, including “hospitals and nursing homes”, and in “centres for asylum seekers and refugees, among those harvesting crops and at religious and family gatherings”, adds Sky News.
In total, 191,657 cases of Covid-19 had been confirmed in Germany, with 8,897 deaths, according to latest data.
Germany had been easing its lockdown restrictions, as well as relaxing the rules around travel to European countries, although the authorities have advised against visiting the UK while quarantine rules are in place.


theweekuk--2020-06-22--Ten Things You Need to Know Today: Monday 22 Jun 2020

Less well-off households are using savings and borrowing more during the coronavirus pandemic , while better-off families are saving more @ @ @ @ @ abroad are off the table .
The Resolution Foundation found that lower-income households are twice @ @ @ @ @ to have increased their debts during the past three months .
A spokesman said “ @ @ @ @ @ by the crisis ” .

Lower-income households increasing debt during pandemic
Less well-off households are using savings and borrowing more during the coronavirus pandemic, while better-off families are saving more as eating out and holidays abroad are off the table. The Resolution Foundation found that lower-income households are twice as likely as richer ones to have increased their debts during the past three months. A spokesman said “wealth divides have been exposed by the crisis”.


theweekuk--2020-06-22--Lloyd Webber says government suggested musicals without singing

Andrew Lloyd Webber says the government has suggested that UK theatres could reopen if performers at musicals were not allowed to sing .
The composer , who has spoken to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden , said of the government : “ I would love to say that I think that they understood a little more.
” He said ministerial advice included a suggestion “ that was a brilliant one for musicals – that you ’ re not allowed to sing ” .
A millionaire is preparing to host Britain 's first socially distanced “ alfresco sex party ” .
Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says will be “ Covid 19-compatible ” .
He told the Sunday People : “ It will be a voyeurs and monogamists alfresco sex party .
I have to follow guidelines to the letter as [ my partner ] is a practice nurse .
If we get the go-ahead it ’ s going to be an amazing night.
” Donald Trump says he has heard “ interesting things ” about Roswell , the crash site of an alleged UFO in 1947 .
When the topic came up during an interview , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people asked me that , and it sounds like a cute question .
I wo n't talk to you about what I know about it , but it 's very interesting.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Andrew Lloyd Webber says the government has suggested that UK theatres could reopen if performers at musicals were not allowed to sing. The composer, who has spoken to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden, said of the government: “I would love to say that I think that they understood a little more.” He said ministerial advice included a suggestion “that was a brilliant one for musicals – that you’re not allowed to sing”.
Man to host ‘Covid-19 compatible’ sex party
A millionaire is preparing to host Britain's first socially distanced “alfresco sex party”. Richard Stanley is organising the bash, which he says will be “Covid 19-compatible”. He told the Sunday People: “It will be a voyeurs and monogamists alfresco sex party. I have to follow guidelines to the letter as [my partner] is a practice nurse. If we get the go-ahead it’s going to be an amazing night.”
Trump has heard ‘interesting’ things about Roswell
Donald Trump says he has heard “interesting things” about Roswell, the crash site of an alleged UFO in 1947. When the topic came up during an interview, the US president said: “So many people asked me that, and it sounds like a cute question. I won't talk to you about what I know about it, but it's very interesting.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-22--Why everybody’s talking about the sexual assault allegations against Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has been forced to deny sexual assault allegations after two Twitter users claimed the singer raped them in separate assaults .
A post detailing an alleged assault in Texas in 2014 has now been deleted , but the Canadian singer is threatening to take legal action over the claims .
Bieber has not responded to a second allegation about an alleged incident in a New York hotel in 2015 .
What are the allegations ?
The first set of claims came from the Twitter account of a woman identified only as Danielle that since appears to have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surprise performance in front of a small crowd at a bar , Bieber invited her and two friends to a Four Seasons hotel in Austin , reports the BBC .
Bieber then took her to a private room where the sexual assault happened , she wrote .
The alleged victim said she was 21 at the time and kept the alleged assault secret for years , but had decided to go public after having “ multiple therapy sessions ” and spoken to close friends and family .
A second person known as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was assaulted by Bieber in a New York hotel in May 2015 .
In a detailed account of the alleged assault on Twitter , she claimed to have spoken out previously in light of the # MeToo movement , but said abuse from Bieber ’ s fans had caused her to retract her claims .
The singer has responded to the first allegation with a series of strong denials , and threats of legal action , reports Sky News .
In a tweet on Monday morning , Bieber insisted there was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In the past 24 hours a new Twitter appeared that told a story of myself involved with sexual abuse on March 9 , 2014 in Austin Texas at the Four seasons hotel .
I want to be clear .
There is no truth to this story .
“ In fact as I will soon show I was never present at that location , ” wrote the star , has been married to model Hailey Baldwin for the last two years .
“ I don ’ t normally address things as I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but after talking with my wife and team I have decided to speak up on an issue tonight , ” he added .
“ Rumors are rumors but sexual abuse is something I do n't take lightly .
I wanted to speak out right away but out of respect to so many victims who deal with these issues daily I wanted to make sure I gathered the facts before I made any statement.
” Bieber went on to post screenshots and articles from the night of the alleged 2014 assault that show him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also said they did not stay at the Four Seasons hotel , but at an AirBnB with some friends , and has posted screenshots of emails and receipts for the venue for the dates in question .
In the final post in the stream of tweets , Bieber says he will be taking further action : “ Every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed .
However this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with Twitter and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not yet responded to the second set of allegations .


theweekuk--2020-06-22--Coronavirus: how do ‘spit tests’ work?

Coronavirus: how do ‘spit tests’ work?

The UK is moving a step closer to nationwide mass testing for Covid-19 , as thousands of NHS workers and their families sign up to trial a new weekly saliva test .
Announcing the pilot scheme , which begins next week , Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that “ saliva testing could potentially make it easier for people to take coronavirus tests at home ” , with no need for swabs .
“ The trial will also help us learn if routine , at-home testing could pick up cases of the virus earlier , ” he added .
More than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first four-week phase of trials , growing to around 40,000 by the end of July .
And if successful , the programme will be extended across the country .
Why does it matter ?
Regular testing of the whole population , regardless of whether or not they feel unwell , would provide a much more detailed picture of how many people have the new coronavirus and whether it is retreating or spreading .
“ It could potentially spot people who are infected but have no symptoms , yet still risk passing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says the BBC .
So-called asymptomatic transmission is otherwise all but impossible to detect , even with effective contact tracing .
According to random tests carried out by the Office for National Statistics , up to 70 % of people carrying Covid-19 may be unaware that they are infected .
Early reports of new infection clusters “ could be used to deal with local ‘ flare-ups ’ without the need for extensive lockdowns ” , according to The Times .
Keith Godfrey , a Southampton University epidemiology professor working on the trial , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safely restoring economic activity within the city and region ” .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Health officials also hope that the new saliva tests will replace the “ invasive , and sometimes painful , deep nasal and throat swab ” , reports ITV News .
Inserting the swab “ provokes coughing and spluttering , putting health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the testee - at even greater risk of the droplet-borne infection ” , the broadcaster says .
The existing tests are also “ believed to return false negative results in up to 30 % of cases ” , adds The Times .
How do the tests work ?
“ Saliva tests have looked promising for a while ” but until now have not been widely used , says The Guardian .
The new test , made by West Sussex-based biomedical firm OptiGene , “ looks for genetic material of the virus using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” , explains the BBC .
Swab tests rely on a different testing system , which requires expensive lab equipment to raise and lower the temperature of the sample , encouraging the virus to grow to detectable levels .
By contrast , saliva test samples can be kept at a constant temperature throughout the assessment process , which is relatively simple , quick and cheap .
The new system has “ an added advantage because saliva preserves the virus , so there is less urgency than with swabs , which have to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guardian .
How will the Southampton trial work ?
Participants will spit into a plastic tube , “ which they will either send off or have collected by Southampton University staff running the trial ” , The Guardian reports .
“ They should get a result within 48 hours.
” Details of those who test positive will be sent to NHS contact tracers , who will notify anyone else who may have been infected .
“ Ultimately , it might be possible to do the testing as well as the sampling at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hour , ” says the BBC .
During the trial , the saliva tests “ will be validated by comparing the results with traditional swab tests ” , says The Times .
“ It will eventually include 40,000 people and provide the first concrete evidence of whether mass testing can be effective at scale in reducing infection rates.
” Who is eligible to enrol ?
The first people invited to join will be staff in GP surgeries and their families , who will start weekly testing next week .
Over the following four @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , university employees and their families ” will also be invited to sign up , says The Guardian .
Swab tests will still be used in routine testing for NHS staff and anyone with symptoms who requests a test .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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--2020-06-22--Daughter of suspected Covid victim launches legal action against Matt Hancock

A woman whose father died in an Oxfordshire care home of suspected Covid-19 has launched a High Court action against the health secretary , NHS England and Public Health England .
Dr Cathy Gardner is seeking an acknowledgement that “ the treatment of care homes up to and during the pandemic was unlawful ” , Sky News reports .
Her 88-year-old father , Michael Gibson , died of “ probable ” Covid-19 on 3 April , after a patient who tested positive for the virus was discharged from hospital into his care home .
The Guardian reports that 35 councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus “ on discharges with hospital patients sent to homes that did not have sufficient protective equipment and/or facilities to isolate infected residents ” .
The government has advised since 15 May that all patients discharged from hospitals should be tested for coronavirus .
But “ by the time the government said they were going to introduce testing , people had already died ” , says Gardner , a microbiologist with a PhD in virology .
She initially wrote to Hancock and the heads of the NHS at the beginning of June asking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect people ’ s human rights , reports the BBC .
However , according to Gardner and her solicitors , the government and health bosses have failed to take responsibility or to provide evidence of the health secretary ’ s claim that policies were implemented to put a “ protective ring ” around care homes “ right from the start ” .
`` I am bringing this case now so that the plight of residents and staff at care homes is not allowed to be given low priority again , ” said Gardner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fees .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

A woman whose father died in an Oxfordshire care home of suspected Covid-19 has launched a High Court action against the health secretary, NHS England and Public Health England.
Dr Cathy Gardner is seeking an acknowledgement that “the treatment of care homes up to and during the pandemic was unlawful”, Sky News reports.
Her 88-year-old father, Michael Gibson, died of “probable” Covid-19 on 3 April, after a patient who tested positive for the virus was discharged from hospital into his care home.
The Guardian reports that 35 councils have also blamed the spread of the virus “on discharges with hospital patients sent to homes that did not have sufficient protective equipment and/or facilities to isolate infected residents”.
The government has advised since 15 May that all patients discharged from hospitals should be tested for coronavirus. But “by the time the government said they were going to introduce testing, people had already died”, says Gardner, a microbiologist with a PhD in virology.
She initially wrote to Hancock and the heads of the NHS at the beginning of June asking that they accept they had failed to protect people’s human rights, reports the BBC.
However, according to Gardner and her solicitors, the government and health bosses have failed to take responsibility or to provide evidence of the health secretary’s claim that policies were implemented to put a “protective ring” around care homes “right from the start”.
"I am bringing this case now so that the plight of residents and staff at care homes is not allowed to be given low priority again,” said Gardner, who is crowdfunding for her legal fees.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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--2020-06-22--Why the FBI is investigating a spate of hangings

A sudden spate of hanging deaths involving African-American and Hispanic people is being investigated by the US authorities as racial tensions continue to simmer across the country .
Activists have voiced lynching fears following six hangings in public places over the past month , with campaigners warning of “ a backlash by white supremacists against the Black Lives Matter movement ” , The New York Times reports .
Since 27 May , one woman , four men and a teenage boy have been found dead in separate hangings in Southern California , New York City , Portland and Houston .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hispanic .
Officials ruled all of the cases to be suicides , “ but each of the incidents have fuelled fears and suspicions about the possibility of lynchings ” amid the ongoing unrest triggered by George Floyd ’ s death in Minnesota last month , says the Daily Mail .
US federal authorities opened reviews into two of the deaths , of 38-year-old Malcolm Harsch and 24-year-old Robert Fuller , who were found hanging from trees in California ten days and 50 miles ( 80 km ) apart .
The investigations were prompted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 530,000 people sign an online petition demanding a full investigation into Fuller ’ s death .
Separately , authorities in Oakland , California , are investigating the discovery last week of nooses strung up on at least five separate trees .
Two days later , a “ fake body hanging from a noose ” was found in the same part of the Lake Merritt area , according to CNN .
Were any of the six deaths definitely suicides ?
Over the weekend , a spokesperson for Harsch ’ s family said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of suicide and not a lynching , after they were shown ‘ video evidence ’ of the lead-up to his death ” , the Daily Mail reports .
However , the other five cases are still under review .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 is the significance of lynchings in the US ?
“ The image @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree is seared into the American psyche as the embodiment of racism in all its ugliness and cruelty , ” says the Los Angeles Times .
“ Lynchings of African-Americans through the civil rights era of the 1960s challenged the nation ’ s perception of itself as the land of liberty , justice , equality and rule of law , and we have seen to our horror that even today , racial hatred can still descend to murder.
” Even if homicide is ruled out in all of the outstanding cases , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community should not be ignored , the paper adds .
“ If we conclude that it could not have been murder but must have been suicide , we must recognise that our work is not done .
We will have to ask ourselves : Why would a young black man in the 21st century United States kill himself ?
“ Suicide in the black community was historically low but is on the rise , especially among teenagers and young adults .
Where did we go wrong ?
And , whether it be murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a thing from happening again ?
”


theweekuk--2020-06-23--Holidaying in Europe: country-by-country travel restrictions explained

UK hotels , holiday homes and bed-and-breakfasts have been given the green light to reopen from 4 July , in the next stage of lockdown easing .
But for holidaymakers hoping to head further afield , the government is also expected this week to announce a list of ten countries that Britons can visit without having to go into quarantine for two weeks on their return , reports The Times .
Amid mounting speculation over which governments will agree to form so-called air bridges with the UK , here is a nation-by-nation guide to current travel restrictions .
As part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures , France has fully opened its borders to travellers from other European countries since 15 June .
Cafes , hotels and restaurants have also reopened across the country , although social distancing measures remain in place , says the BBC .
Visitors from the UK currently have to submit to a 14-day quarantine when they return home from France and from all other overseas destinations apart from the Republic of Ireland .
However , reports suggest that London and Paris may agree a reciprocal deal to scrap quarantine measures .
The French @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relaxing restrictions on travel from countries outside the EU on 1 July .
Spain ’ s prime minister Pedro Sanchez opened his country ’ s borders to those from other EU countries on 21 June .
The only exception is Portugal , the border to which will remain closed until 1 July at Lisbon ’ s request .
Visitors can enter Spain without the need to quarantine on arrival .
The relaxed guidelines are part of the authorities ’ bid to boost the nation ’ s tourism sector , which accounts for more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Euronews .
Italy ’ s borders have been open since 3 June for everyone coming from the UK , EU and Schengen Area .
Arrivals do not have to quarantine unless they have visited a country outside the bloc in the two weeks prior to entering Italy , in which case they must self-isolate for 14 days .
Portugal ’ s land border with Spain remains closed until 1 July , but air travel is allowed from EU countries and there are no quarantine rules .
However , some lockdown measures , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the capital , Lisbon , following a spike in new coronavirus cases , reports The Telegraph .
Restaurants are not allowed to serve drinks after the curfew , and drinking in public spaces outside of licensed esplanades is also prohibited .
Flights from 19 EU countries are allowed into Cyprus , while those from a second group of countries - currently comprising Israel , Poland and Romania - need a health certificate , says Politico .
People from Belgium , the UK , Sweden and the Netherlands are not allowed in , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed only in exceptional circumstances and after receiving official approval .
Germany ’ s borders are open to visitors from Europe , but not from outside , says the country ’ s Foreign Ministry .
No reason is required to enter from EU-countries , Schengen-associated countries ( Iceland , Liechtenstein , Norway and Switzerland ) and the UK .
However , Germany has reimposed lockdown measures in its most populous state , North Rhine Westphalia , after a surge in Covid-19 infections linked to a local meat-processing plant .
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 other European countries ?
Belgium , Croatia , Poland and Switzerland have all fully reopened their borders with EU countries .
The Czech Republic is allowing travel to and from 26 countries but is still banning people from Belgium , Portugal , Sweden and the UK , says the BBC .
Greece has reopened its borders to people from EU countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New Zealand , Japan and South Korea to enter .
Visitors from the UK face mandatory tests and quarantines for the time being .
Austria lifted travel restrictions on 16 June , but has kept a ban in place on visitors from Portugal , Spain , Sweden and the UK .
Bulgaria is open to visitors from Europe , but those arriving from Belgium , Portugal , Sweden , the Netherlands and the UK face a 14-day quarantine .
Sweden and Luxembourg have not closed their borders during the coronavirus pandemic .

The UK is close to unveiling the first countries to be included in the planned “air bridge” scheme, according to government sources.
“Low-risk” destinations such as France, Greece and Spain are likely to be included in the first cluster of countries amid hopes of firing up “the Mediterranean tourist industry from July 4”, sources told The Telegraph.
A slightly larger list of countries will then be released next week. This is thought to include Norway, Finland and the Netherlands, as well as islands in the Caribbean considered safe for travel, the paper reports.
The Government is currently looking into whether a long-haul air bridge between the UK and Australia is feasible. However, “there are difficulties over transiting in stop-over countries which could carry a risk of spreading coronavirus”, the paper says.
Foreign holiday bookings have risen by more than 50% in two weeks as “Britons secure their breaks before the government eases travel restrictions”, according to The Times.
So as speculation mounts over the finer detail of the plans, here is a nation-by-nation guide to current travel restrictions.
France
As part of a significant lifting of coronavirus lockdown measures, France has fully opened its borders to travellers from other European countries since 15 June.
Cafes, hotels and restaurants have also reopened across the country, although social distancing measures remain in place, says the BBC.
Visitors from the UK currently have to submit to a 14-day quarantine when they return home from France and from all other overseas destinations apart from the Republic of Ireland.
However, reports suggest that London and Paris may agree a reciprocal deal to scrap quarantine measures.
The French government has also said it will begin relaxing restrictions on travel from countries outside the EU on 1 July.
Spain
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez opened his country’s borders to those from other EU countries on 21 June. The only exception is Portugal, the border to which will remain closed until 1 July at Lisbon’s request.
Visitors can enter Spain without the need to quarantine on arrival.
The relaxed guidelines are part of the authorities’ bid to boost the nation’s tourism sector, which accounts for more than 11% of GDP, says Euronews.
Italy
Italy’s borders have been open since 3 June for everyone coming from the UK, EU and Schengen Area.


theweekuk--2020-06-23--Reaction: coronavirus damage ‘could last for life’


theweekuk--2020-06-23--Why Europe may face an oil shortage within a decade

Europe may face an oil shortage within the next ten years as supplies from Russia and Africa rapidly decline , new research has found .
The study suggests that the speed of the decline in oil production may outstrip that of the European Union ’ s transition to cleaner energy sources , “ raising the risk of a looming oil supply crisis and severe market price shock ” , says The Guardian .
This danger of reaching “ peak oil supply ” is “ an additional compelling reason for designing a world without oil ” , argues French climate think-tank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the findings .
The analysis is based on data from Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy that shows oil production from Russia and former USSR countries , which provide more than 40 % of the EU ’ s supply , has already entered “ a systematic decline ” .
African oil production , which accounts for more than 10 % of the bloc ’ s oil supplies , is also expected to drop rapidly over the next decade .
The potential supply crisis has been compounded by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their spending plans for the coming year by almost 25 % .
Per Magnus Nysveen , head of analysis at Rystad Energy , said : “ The impact on society from an undersupplied oil market is largely under-communicated , so a rapid energy transition is crucial not only for the climate but also to avoid enduring recessions in emerging markets triggered by undersupply of oil and energy.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise , refreshing and balanced take on the week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Week magazine .
Start your trial subscription today ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– American magazine Foreign Affairs has described the threat to Europe ’ s oil and coal supplies from Russia as “ the worst fuel crisis in its history ” .
Europe ’ s reliance on Russian energy sources has long been a cause for concern , with former US ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland warning in an article in the Financial Times that the bloc should pursue “ alternatives to putting its energy future in Moscow ’ s hands ” .

Europe may face an oil shortage within the next ten years as supplies from Russia and Africa rapidly decline, new research has found.
The study suggests that the speed of the decline in oil production may outstrip that of the European Union’s transition to cleaner energy sources, “raising the risk of a looming oil supply crisis and severe market price shock”, says The Guardian.
This danger of reaching “peak oil supply” is “an additional compelling reason for designing a world without oil”, argues French climate think-tank the Shift Project in a report outlining the findings.
The analysis is based on data from Norwegian consultancy Rystad Energy that shows oil production from Russia and former USSR countries, which provide more than 40% of the EU’s supply, has already entered “a systematic decline”.
African oil production, which accounts for more than 10% of the bloc’s oil supplies, is also expected to drop rapidly over the next decade.
The potential supply crisis has been compounded by the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with major oil companies expected to cut their spending plans for the coming year by almost 25%.
Per Magnus Nysveen, head of analysis at Rystad Energy, said:“The impact on society from an undersupplied oil market is largely under-communicated, so a rapid energy transition is crucial not only for the climate but also to avoid enduring recessions in emerging markets triggered by undersupply of oil and energy.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
American magazine Foreign Affairs has described the threat to Europe’s oil and coal supplies from Russia as “the worst fuel crisis in its history”.
Europe’s reliance on Russian energy sources has long been a cause for concern, with former US ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland warning in an article in the Financial Times that the bloc should pursue “alternatives to putting its energy future in Moscow’s hands”.


theweekuk--2020-06-23--Transgender row: is J.K. Rowling destroying her legacy?

Four authors signed to the same literary agency as J.K. Rowling have resigned over the company ’ s failure to publicly support transgender rights .
Drew Davies , Fox Fisher and Ugla Stefania Kristjonudottir Jonsdottir say that they asked The Blair Partnership to speak out after the Harry Potter author aired her views on transgenderism earlier this month , but that the agency had not committed “ to any action that we thought was appropriate and meaningful ” .
Announcing their resignations along with that of a fourth author who wished to remain anonymous , the group said they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this ” .
The decision comes after staff at Rowling ’ s publisher , Hachette UK , threatened to refuse to work on her latest book in protest at her comments on trans issues .
What did the authors say ?
In a statement published online , Davies , Fisher and Jonsdottir say : “ Freedom of speech can only be upheld if the structural inequalities that hinder equal opportunities for underrepresented groups are challenged and changed .
“ Affirmations to support LGBTQIA people as a whole need to be followed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internally and publicly .
As LGBTQIA writers ourselves we feel strongly about having an agency that supports our rights at all avenues , and does not endorse views that go against our values and principles.
” By airing her views on trans issues , Rowling is “ upending her legacy piece by piece ” , says The Washington Post ’ s Molly Roberts .
As her readers have grown older , they have discovered that the real world is more nuanced than the wizarding world built by Rowling , argues Roberts .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t only Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws and Slytherins ; that life is complicated in all sorts of ways , and not so conducive to archetyping ...
Gender doesn ’ t reduce so easily to the binary Rowling raised an era ’ s worth of children on , ” she continues .
For Vogue writer Raven Smith , the row has triggered nothing short of the “ erosion of the Harry Potter franchise ” .
“ It ’ s not the loss of readers , nor commerce ( J.K. can take the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world she built for us suddenly feel unsteady , ” says Smith , who adds that “ at its heart , Potter is a saga of equality ” .
“ J.K .
took on the systemic oppression of minorities - the racism against Mudbloods - and pioneered tolerance , regardless of where you were born and who your parents are .
We suspended disbelief in the dragons and headless ghosts and Horcruxes , but the message simmering at the bottom of the caldron was unifying because it was love.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– There is no evidence to suggest that the row has damaged Rowling ’ s book sales so far .
But according to Variety magazine , Rowling ’ s tweets on trans issues make the future of the Fantastic Beasts spin-off film series “ as precarious as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teaching position at Hogwarts ” .
Even before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in danger owing to waning box-office receipts , according to an article published on The Conversation in March by marketing experts from Australian universities .
The first Fantastic Beasts film performed solidly , grossing $ 814m ( £653m ) worldwide , but the sequel made just $ 654m ( £524m ) - the worst box-office take of all the movies set in the Harry Potter universe .
“ Subsequent questions have been raised about how the third planned film will perform , let alone the rest of the five-film series that had previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And ticket sales at Harry Potter theme parks and for the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatre production have also dropped , they added .
With an estimated net worth of £795m , according to the latest Sunday Times Rich List , Rowling should be able to withstand a drop in income .
However , a question mark remains over whether parents will still want to read her stories to their children .
For The Telegraph ’ s Alice Vincent , the answer is simple : Rowling ’ s “ joyous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ magic of Harry Potter will endure ” .

Four authors signed to the same literary agency as J.K. Rowling have resigned over the company’s failure to publicly support transgender rights.
Drew Davies, Fox Fisher and Ugla Stefania Kristjonudottir Jonsdottir say that they asked The Blair Partnership to speak out after the Harry Potter author aired her views on transgenderism earlier this month, but that the agency had not committed “to any action that we thought was appropriate and meaningful”.
Announcing their resignations along with that of a fourth author who wished to remain anonymous, the group said they were “saddened and disappointed it has come to this”.
The decision comes after staff at Rowling’s publisher, Hachette UK, threatened to refuse to work on her latest book in protest at her comments on trans issues.
What did the authors say?
In a statement published online, Davies, Fisher and Jonsdottir say: “Freedom of speech can only be upheld if the structural inequalities that hinder equal opportunities for underrepresented groups are challenged and changed.
“Affirmations to support LGBTQIA people as a whole need to be followed up by meaningful and impactful action, both internally and publicly. As LGBTQIA writers ourselves we feel strongly about having an agency that supports our rights at all avenues, and does not endorse views that go against our values and principles.”
Has Rowling’s legacy been tarnished?
By airing her views on trans issues, Rowling is “upending her legacy piece by piece”, says The Washington Post’s Molly Roberts.
As her readers have grown older, they have discovered that the real world is more nuanced than the wizarding world built by Rowling, argues Roberts.
“They’ve discovered that there aren’t only Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws and Slytherins; that life is complicated in all sorts of ways, and not so conducive to archetyping... Gender doesn’t reduce so easily to the binary Rowling raised an era’s worth of children on,” she continues.
For Vogue writer Raven Smith, the row has triggered nothing short of the “erosion of the Harry Potter franchise”.
“It’s not the loss of readers, nor commerce (J.K. can take the financial hit), but the foundations of the world she built for us suddenly feel unsteady,” says Smith, who adds that “at its heart, Potter is a saga of equality”.


theweekuk--2020-06-23--Instant Opinion: four years since Brexit ‘everything and nothing has changed’

The Week ’ s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media , with excerpts from each .
1 .
Anand Menon , The UK in a Changing Europe , in The Guardian on the four year anniversary of the EU referendum It ’ s been four years since the Brexit vote : everything and nothing has changed “ While leaving has proven harder than leavers were willing to admit , the process has underlined the validity of the longstanding Eurosceptic claim that the EU , as Douglas Hurd once put it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and crannies of national life .
And like an invasive creeper , its removal is causing damage .
In both Northern Ireland and Scotland , Brexit is undermining devolution settlements that were designed with EU membership in mind .
Shifts in the constitutional status quo may be occurring slowly , but there has been nothing slow about the transformation of politics .
The post-referendum period has witnessed , among other things , a reassertion of the dominance of the two large parties ; a shift in their electoral base ; changes in leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former Labour strongholds.
” on changing one 's mind about Brexit Four years ago , I voted for Brexit .
If only I ’ d known then what we all know now “ I did not vote for - or desire at any rate - a so-called ‘ hard Brexit ’ that will have a hugely damaging effect on the economy and jobs .
We don ’ t have free trade deals with anyone else , and even we did they would not - can not - make up for the loss of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , four years on , we don ’ t know our terms of exit .
When they become knowable , they will still lack democratic legitimacy ; we really should have that second referendum - the ‘ final say ’ on Brexit .
If I knew then what I know now , I ’ d never have voted Leave ... On the media , our political discourse is still entirely national ; we don ’ t watch a EU finance minister , say a French centrist , arguing with a Spanish leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The customs union , single market , the euro , the flag , the anthem and direct elections and powers for the European Parliament have all failed to create a European political identity that commands wider respect , let alone loyalty or respect .
And that is what went wrong four years ago.
” 3 .
Paul Goodman , editor of ConservativeHome , in The Times on the PM ’ s ‘ rough and ready ’ approach “ To be clear , the present bottlenecks in the system aren ’ t a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Mr Cummings , with his proven record as a campaigner , unproven as an administrator , dominant at the centre for as long as the prime minister wishes him to be , is ultimately an expression of the latter ’ s will to power .
Mock or knock Mr Johnson ’ s way of doing business if you like .
In its rough and ready , breeze-sniffing , finger-to-the-wind way , it often gets him to where he needs to be , though slowly and not always surely .
Take his response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of statues , in which he has gradually fleshed out an initially hesitant response .
With his Commons majority of 80 , Labour still re-forming , and the best part of four years until the next election , the prime minister ought to be able to muddle on without terminal difficulty , despite the horrendous economic downturn ahead , and perhaps a coronavirus-ravaged winter too.
” The U.S. is falling behind its peers .
Americans - if not their leaders - are starting to notice “ Americans ’ belief in American exceptionalism is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good thing .
National narcissism has rendered us complacent , even impotent , in the face of multiple crises .
On our biggest societal problems , the United States seems to have given up .
Not because we can ’ t do better - but because many political leaders , particularly Republicans , apparently don ’ t think we need to .
Their faith that America is already Living Its Best Life means there ’ s no need to learn from peer countries , or even gauge our relative performance ...
Faith in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We got so accustomed to resting on our laurels that we fell asleep.
” ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 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 ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 5 .
Charlie Warzel in The New York Times on how the kids are not alright Gen Z Will Not Save Us “ Generation Z is disillusioned by a country and its myriad institutions whose moral arc @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is also , like any generation , not monolithic .
And the way that its justified disillusion will play politically , culturally and socially is unknown ...
Indeed , Gen Z activism so far skews both idealist and dystopian .
A common thread between that idealism and dystopianism is most likely a deep feeling of alienation , which Joe Bernstein at BuzzFeed News argued last year was one of the definitive effects of technology throughout the 2010s : ‘ Feelings of powerlessness , estrangement , loneliness , and anger created or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ general it can be easy to think they are just a state of nature , like an ache that persists until you forget it ’ s there .
’ ”

The Week’s daily round-up highlights the five best opinion pieces from across the British and international media, with excerpts from each.
1. Anand Menon, director of The UK in a Changing Europe, in The Guardian
on the four year anniversary of the EU referendum
It’s been four years since the Brexit vote: everything and nothing has changed
“While leaving has proven harder than leavers were willing to admit, the process has underlined the validity of the longstanding Eurosceptic claim that the EU, as Douglas Hurd once put it, had inveigled its way into the nooks and crannies of national life. And like an invasive creeper, its removal is causing damage. In both Northern Ireland and Scotland, Brexit is undermining devolution settlements that were designed with EU membership in mind. Shifts in the constitutional status quo may be occurring slowly, but there has been nothing slow about the transformation of politics. The post-referendum period has witnessed, among other things, a reassertion of the dominance of the two large parties; a shift in their electoral base; changes in leadership; numerous expulsions and Conservative victories in former Labour strongholds.”
2. Sean O’Grady in The Independent
on changing one's mind about Brexit
Four years ago, I voted for Brexit. If only I’d known then what we all know now
“I did not vote for - or desire at any rate - a so-called ‘hard Brexit’ that will have a hugely damaging effect on the economy and jobs. We don’t have free trade deals with anyone else, and even we did they would not - cannot - make up for the loss of trade with the single market. Even now, four years on, we don’t know our terms of exit. When they become knowable, they will still lack democratic legitimacy; we really should have that second referendum - the ‘final say’ on Brexit. If I knew then what I know now, I’d never have voted Leave... On the media, our political discourse is still entirely national; we don’t watch a EU finance minister, say a French centrist, arguing with a Spanish leader of the EU opposition about cutting taxes. The customs union, single market, the euro, the flag, the anthem and direct elections and powers for the European Parliament have all failed to create a European political identity that commands wider respect, let alone loyalty or respect. And that is what went wrong four years ago.”
3. Paul Goodman, editor of ConservativeHome, in The Times
on the PM’s ‘rough and ready’ approach
There’s method in Boris Johnson’s madness
“To be clear, the present bottlenecks in the system aren’t a design flaw, they are the design. Mr Cummings, with his proven record as a campaigner, unproven as an administrator, dominant at the centre for as long as the prime minister wishes him to be, is ultimately an expression of the latter’s will to power. Mock or knock Mr Johnson’s way of doing business if you like. In its rough and ready, breeze-sniffing, finger-to-the-wind way, it often gets him to where he needs to be, though slowly and not always surely. Take his response to Black Lives Matter and the vandalising of statues, in which he has gradually fleshed out an initially hesitant response. With his Commons majority of 80, Labour still re-forming, and the best part of four years until the next election, the prime minister ought to be able to muddle on without terminal difficulty, despite the horrendous economic downturn ahead, and perhaps a coronavirus-ravaged winter too.”
4. Catherine Rampall in The Washington Post
on a world leader stumbling, not running
The U.S. is falling behind its peers. Americans - if not their leaders - are starting to notice
“Americans’ belief in American exceptionalism is declining - and that could be a good thing. National narcissism has rendered us complacent, even impotent, in the face of multiple crises. On our biggest societal problems, the United States seems to have given up. Not because we can’t do better - but because many political leaders, particularly Republicans, apparently don’t think we need to. Their faith that America is already Living Its Best Life means there’s no need to learn from peer countries, or even gauge our relative performance... Faith in American exceptionalism has curdled into resigned acceptance. We got so accustomed to resting on our laurels that we fell asleep.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––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 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
5. Charlie Warzel in The New York Times
on how the kids are not alright
Gen Z Will Not Save Us
“Generation Z is disillusioned by a country and its myriad institutions whose moral arc seems to bend toward corruption and stagnation. It is also, like any generation, not monolithic. And the way that its justified disillusion will play politically, culturally and socially is unknown... Indeed, Gen Z activism so far skews both idealist and dystopian. A common thread between that idealism and dystopianism is most likely a deep feeling of alienation, which Joe Bernstein at BuzzFeed News argued last year was one of the definitive effects of technology throughout the 2010s: ‘Feelings of powerlessness, estrangement, loneliness, and anger created or exacerbated by the information age are so general it can be easy to think they are just a state of nature, like an ache that persists until you forget it’s there.’”