10 things you need to know today: July 20, 2020 – The Week Magazine

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NIH director says COVID-19 testing too slow in U.S. to be effective

Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, said COVID-19 tests are taking too long to be processed in the U.S., "and that really undercuts the value of the testing, because you do the testing to find out who's carrying the virus and then quickly get them isolated so they don't spread it around." Collins told NBC's Meet the Press that the federal government needs to "invest a lot of money" in promising new technologies that allow for quicker turnaround. Currently it takes an average of four to six days for test results to come back, and up to three weeks in states like Arizona. "If we'd had really strong guidance from local, state, and national leaders, maybe we could have sustained the determination to get the curve all the way down to zero," Collins told The Washington Post. "Now, we're on the upswing, and I don't quite see the top of the upswing yet." [CNN, The Washington Post]

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10 things you need to know today: July 20, 2020 - The Week Magazine

What does Britain want from Brexit? – TheArticle

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The Brexit saga is back with a vengeance. Michel Barnier, the European Unions chief negotiator says his negotiations with Britain are going nowhere. He and David Frost, the UK negotiator, agree that the transition phase could end in December without a deal. The prospect of breakdown is real, even if we are witnessing the kind of public sabre-rattling that tends to accompany the diplomatic end-game in tough negotiations. Either way, the drama of the next few months will be real.

If news editors groan that more Brexit stories will bore their readers and viewers, I can offer reassurance. Voters switched off from Brexit in the spring, but are switching back on again. Twelve months ago, when Boris Johnson became Prime Minister, 71 per cent of the public told YouGov that it was one of the most important issues facing Britain. Three months ago, when the Covid-19 crisis was at its peak, the number had fallen to 25 per cent. Its now back up to 45 per cent, not far behind health (56 per cent) and the economy (55 per cent). The salience of Brexit has oscillated, but what about public views on the issue itself?

A recent report, first published by Business Insider, caused a stir, when its headline proclaimed: Support for Brexit is collapsing as poll finds big majority of British people want to be in the EU. Sadly for pro-Europeans, its figures show no such thing. The data, from the biennial European Social Survey project, is eighteen months old. It tells us nothing about public attitudes since the UK left the European Union.

The truth is far less dramatic (as truth tends to be, to the frustration of journalists, politicians, campaigners and anyone who relies on excitement to generate attention). Since August 2016, two months after the Brexit referendum, YouGov has regularly asked the same question: In hindsight, do you think Britain was right or wrong to vote to leave the EU? Until May 2017, they tended to show slightly more people saying right than wrong.

Following Theresa Mays catastrophic election campaign, the public mood shifted: not much, but enough for voters to move, first to level-pegging and, from October 2017, a modest lead for wrong over right. And there it has remained. Four YouGov polls since Easter have shown an average of wrong 45 per cent, right 42 per cent. Their latest survey reports a 47-40 per cent lead for wrong. There might have been a slight shift; then again, recent polling movements might simply reflect sampling fluctuations.

So: a clear, if small, majority of us think Brexit was a mistake that means we would now vote to rejoin the EU, right? Wrong. YouGovs tracking question looks back, not forward. There may be people who think that, on balance, we were wrong to leave the EU but, now we are out, would prefer us to make the best of Brexit rather than embark on the arduous process of applying to return.

The polling evidence suggests that is, indeed, the case. Three recent polls have asked people how they would vote in a referendum held now on whether to rejoin the EU. Excluding dont knows, these are the results:

So, one poll shows a tiny shift to in, one a slight shift to out, and one no change. Taking account, again, of sampling fluctuations, the chances are that a referendum held now would produce much the same result as in 2016.

Of course, no referendum will be held anytime soon. If one were held in a few years time, it will be in circumstances that are very different and which, indeed, we cannot predict with any certainty. Public opinion then may have moved, very possibly a lot. The best way to view recent YouGov, Kantar and Panelbase polls is to say there is a modest amount of buyers remorse for leaving the EU, but not at least not yet enough remorse to undo Brexit.

The stability of recent times may not last. The outcome of the current negotiations could change the public mood. Or, rather, the experience of life next year, once the transition phase is over, could change the mood. A YouGov survey last month found that, by 63-15 per cent, we would prefer to end transition with a trade deal rather than without a deal. Even people who voted Leave four years ago would prefer a deal by a margin of almost two-to-one.

We should be cautious about interpreting these numbers. A deal would certainly boost the pro-Brexit poll numbers in the short run, while a breakdown in talks would probably dent those numbers. The real test, however, will be next year. Will the news show lorries delayed at Dover and Calais, or will trade continue to flow freely? Will imported food be dearer and harder to find in the shops, or as cheap and plentiful as it is today? What will happen to jobs and investment? Will the voters verdict be that Boris Johnson has redeemed or betrayed his promise to deliver a freer, fairer and more prosperous future?

Those questions could have a special potency in Scotland. Recent surveys have shown, for the first time, a modest but steady majority for voting yes in a new referendum on Scottish independence; and, as that Panelbase survey shows, a big majority of Scottish voters still want to be in the EU. Next May, if Scottish voters decide that Johnson has made a mess of Brexit, the elections to Scotlands Parliament could produce a thumping victory for the Scottish National Party and its likely demand for a fresh vote on whether to leave the UK.

The Westminster Parliament, with its big Conservative majority, has the power and the numbers to deny a new referendum on Scottish independence. Politically, however, would Johnson be wise in those circumstances to deny Scotlands voters the right to decide their destiny? Might that provoke a dangerous crisis in relations between London and Edinburgh?

One way and another and views will vary as to whether this as a blessing or a curse the Brexit saga has many more chapters to go.

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What does Britain want from Brexit? - TheArticle

Brexit LIVE: ‘How dare they!’ Brexiteer furious at EU whining as UK refuses to capitulate – Daily Express

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The former Labour MP insisted it was quite right the UK does not give an inch on the two issues, which are proving to be major stumbling blocks in post-Brexit trade talks between Britain and Brussels. Ms Hoey tweeted: The Brexiteer said on Twitter: Quite right that our Government will not give an inch on a Level Playing Field and fishing. This blog is no longer live, follow here for live updates.

How dare the EU complain about us wanting to take back control of our fishing waters?

Fishing communities devastated over years by the CFP @DavidGHFrost doing a splendid job.

It comes after the fifth round of negotiations ended in stalemate.

The EUs chief negotiator Michel Barnier said the UKs position on fisheries is "simply unacceptable.

Mr Barnier also warned of gaps between the two sides on the so-called level playing field.

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3am update:Brexit trade deal 'deadlocked'

TheEU's chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier said a Brexit trade deal is not likely because of a dispute over thefishing rights and a level playing field.

UK's chief negotiator with the EU,David Frost,said discussions were ongoing.

1am update: Cost ofbaby food and formula milkset to rise after Brexit

TheGovernment is planning to impose higher tariffsof up to 17 percent on baby food and formula milk after Brexit.

Pureed food used for tube feeding for cancer and intensive care patients are other products facing increasedtariffs.

The plans to up tariffs were revealed byby theBritish Specialist Nutrition Association, which is pleading with the Government to avoid making life more costly for young families.

10pm update: Former MEP points out why UK is right to resist EU pressure

Ex-Conservative MEP and Brexiteer Daniel Hannan tweeted: Suppose the UK were to demand access to EU fishing grounds, a say over EU state aid and competition law and a role for British judges on the continent.

Would anyone expect the EU to agree? Would anyone call it unreasonable for holding out?

9pm update: Frost told to keep up the good work

A Brexiteer has told Boris Johnsons Europe adviser David Frost to keep up the good work following the fifth round of trade talks between the UK and the EU.

Former Brexit Party MEP Rupert Lowe tweeted: Latest round of Brexit talks have just finished.

Sounds like Frost is standing firm on fishing and the level playing field. 'Considerable gaps remain.'

@DavidGHFrost - keep up the good work. All brexiteers will raise a glass to you on December 31st if you can deliver!

7.30pm update: Truss insists UK will not sacrifice a good deal for speed in US negotiations

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has insisted the UK will not sacrifice a good deal for speed in trade negotiations on a post-Brexit deal with the US.

She refused to set a deadline because it could be used to put pressure on the UK to sign an agreement.

Ms Truss told a House of Lords comittee: "We are commencing round three of the talks next week and we are making good progress.

"But we are very clear that we are not going to sacrifice a good deal for speed.

"We have expert negotiators who are tabling UK-specific texts across the whole agreement to ensure that it reflects our interests.

"We are not just going to accept photocopies of the US-Mexico-Canada agreement.

"We are also not going to budge from our red lines: the NHS remains off the table, our food standards must not be undermined and British farming must benefit from the deal.

"We also want to make sure that every region and nation of the UK benefits from the deal."

6.30pm update: Brexiteer blasts Barnier over fishing and level playing field demands

Former Brexit Party MEP Ben Habib has hit out at Michel Barnier after the EUs chief negotiator said a deal was unlikely due to the UKs refusal to bow to Brussels demands on fishing and the so-called level playing field.

Mr Habib tweeted: Pls simply listen to what @MichelBarnier says.

Do not over interpret it. Take his requirements at face value.

His demands require we give up our sovereignty and remain a vassal state.

@DavidGHFrost @michaelgove @BorisJohnson Where is our no-deal planning? WTO now.

5pm update: German MEP celebrates Brexit as he lays into EU spending plans

Leading eurosceptic Gunnar Beck has celebrated Brexit as a move that has saved Britain sending billions of pounds to the European Union's coronavirus recovery fund.

The Alternative for Germany MEP said the EU had used the global pandemic to launch a coup d'etat to seize more powers for Brussels.

Speaking in the European Parliament, he said: Good news! Brexit has saved Britain 80 billion roughly the sum the recovery fund would have cost Britain.

4.15pm update: Former MEP warns UK's 'only option is to walk away

Ex-Brexit Party MEP Belinda de Lucy said on Twitter: Here we are again its No Deal or a bad deal.

The has EU refused to give the UK a fair FTA as it has with other nations, so our only option is to walk away or its MAYS DEAL re-wrapped in new ribbons and no Brexit.

3.10pm update: Tice predicts partial deal could be struck late on

Brexit Party chairman Richard Tice tweeted: No deal is always better than a bad deal..... I detect a partial deal will emerge, late on, possibly using the WTOs Article 24 mechanism to buy time to document the detail.

We are watching closely for betrayal or unnecessary compromise.

2.43pm update: Boris stuns Barnier with demand for 'near total' BAN on EU vessels

Michel Barier was left stunned by Boris Johnson's refusal to back down on Britain's fishing demands, after he revealed that the UK wanted "near total exclusion of EU vessels" from its waters.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has revealed the UK will not back down from demands on fisheries. He said that David Frost has asked for a "near total exclusion of EU fishing vessels" which is "unacceptable" to the EU.

In his press conference today, Mr Barnier said that the United Kingdom had shown no willingness to break deadlock on the level playing field and fisheries issues, making reaching a new trade agreement "unlikely".

2.08pm update: 'A deal can be done' UK official

A senior UK Government official involved in the talks, when asked about whether the talks were closer to breakdown or breakthrough, said: "I think we are potentially closer to both, to be honest - I think it is hard to quantify.

"I can quite see how we can make a breakthrough relatively quickly if they do adjust their position in the most important areas and, if they don't, we won't.

"It really is in their hands to a large extent and it is related to the fundamental principles in these few areas."

On the prospect of a deal, they added: "I think it can be done, there is a way to do it, I can see how it can be done (but) you cannot be sure we will get there."

1.58pm update: ECJ remains 'sticking point'

No agreement has been reached over a dispute mechanism but the EU has recognised that the European Court of Justice is a sticking point for the UK, said a Government source.

Speaking to reporters, the senior source involved in the talks said: "No... we are in the talks process and we're both exploring where we are.

"But what I think is clear is that they have understood that the presence of the Court of Justice in an agreement between us is essentially a non-starter for us for all the obvious reasons.

"They have indicated flexibility on this - we don't know exactly what that means but they have obviously heard and understood that point of concern to us."

They added that there was "a lot of precedents" in free trade deals for the "kind of dispute resolutions we could have".

12.50pm update: EU and UK have until October to strike deal

Michel Barnier said the EU and UK have until "October at the latest" to strike a deal or risk the imposition of quotas and tariffs.

He said: "If we do not reach an agreement on our future partnership there will be far more friction. For instance, on trading goods, in addition to new customs formalities there will be tariffs and quotas.

"This is the truth of Brexit... and I will continue to tell the truth. If we want to avoid this additional friction we must come to an agreement in October at the latest so that our new treaty can enter into force on January 1 next year.

"This means that we only a few weeks left and that we should not waste it."

12.26pm update: Barnier hits out at UK

The European Union's chief Brexit negotiator said on Thursday that the United Kingdom had shown no willingness to break the deadlock on level playing field and fisheries, making sealing a new trade agreement "unlikely".

Michel Barnier said:"By its current refusal to committ to conditions of open and fair competition and to a balanced agreement on fisheries, the UK makes a trade agreement - at this point - unlikely."

Speaking after this week's round of negotiations in London, Barnier said there been no progress at all on the question of ensuring fairness on state aid.

He said: "The time for answers is quickly running out," he told a news conference, referring to the five months left before the end of Britain's transition period since it formally left the EU at the end of January

He added: "If we do not reach an agreement on our future partnership there will be more friction.

"We have tried to understand how these three red lines can be squared with our commitment to a comprehensive new partnership as set out in the Political Deceleration signed by Prime Minister Johnson on 17 of October last year."

He said the EU had engaged "sincerely", adding: "Over the past few weeks the UK has not shown the same level of engagement and readiness to find solutions respecting the EU fundamental principles and interests."

12.04Pm update: Brexit talks - 'considerable gaps' remain

The UK's chief EU negotiator David Frost said "considerable gaps remain in the most difficult areas" following the latest round of talks in London.

He said the UK and EU would not reach an agreement in July.

In a statement, he said: "It is unfortunately clear that we will not reach in July the 'early understanding on the principles underlying any agreement' that was set as an aim at the High-Level Meeting on June 15.

"We have also had constructive discussions on trade in goods and services, and in some of the sectoral agreements, notably on transport, social security cooperation, and participation in EU programmes. We have also continued to deepen our understanding of each other's constraints on law enforcement.

"But considerable gaps remain in the most difficult areas, that is, the so-called level playing field and on fisheries.

"We have always been clear that our principles in these areas are not simple negotiating positions but expressions of the reality that we will be a fully independent country at the end of the transition period."

11.07am update:Leading MEP names SEVEN nations heading for EU exits as they 'poison' Brussels bloc

MEP Phillipe Lamberts named and shamed the seven EU countries that are tearing Brussels apart from the inside and heading down the same path as the UK before the Brexit referendum.

He launched a scathing outburst against the seven countries he claims are ruining the EU from the inside.

The leader of the Greens in the European Parliament named and shamed the so-called "frugals" - the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Finland and Denmark - as well as the "pseudo-democratics" - Hungary and Poland. He claimed that their tactics during the European Union recovery fund talks last weekend resembled those from the British Conservative Party before the Brexit referendum.

10.40am update:Boris Johnson COUP: Tory MPs plot to oust PM before next election

Boris Johnson is facing a coup after it emerged some Tory MPs are already considering ousting their leader, with the Prime Ministers honeymoon period well and truly over ahead of his year anniversary in office.

Tory MPs are understood to be looking to get rid of Prime Minister Boris Johnson before the next General Election in 2024 as they grow increasingly frustrated at his approach to the coronavirus crisis, which has left behind a crippled UK economy.

Critics have accused Mr Johnson of being obsessed with Brexit and therefore not well equipped to deal with coronavirus as he reaches his 12-month milestone on Friday.

One Tory MP told The Guardian: If the economic downturn and the fallout from an inquiry into the pandemic put the party into freefall, some have even begun to think Johnson may need to be replaced before the next election.

The party has no emotional attachment to Boris because he does not give us something to believe in, apart from as a vehicle for power.

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Brexit LIVE: 'How dare they!' Brexiteer furious at EU whining as UK refuses to capitulate - Daily Express

Brexit Britain has ‘greater liberty’ to fight China than EU as row with Beijing escalates – Daily Express

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Brexit will allow the UK to have "greater liberties" when it comes to its relations with China as the EU remains divided on how and whether to combat Beijing's threats against the West, claimed Professor Adrain Pabst, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Economics and Social Research. Speaking to Express.co.uk, the political scientist admitted it is difficult to say whether a future Brexit deal with the EU or a free trade deal with the US will materialise in the next few months and how they will help the UK thrive economically. But he argued being out of the European Union will undoubtedly allow Britain to make its own decisions on China more freely and to side with the US when necessary.

He said: "I think there's a certain trade off here, it's true. The UK has now greater liberty to decide in relation to the 27.

"However, it's also the case that the UK is as a result more dependent on the US politically and economically.

"So in that sense, you may be trading one form of dependency on the EU in the past for another one.

"Again, it's very, very early days. Because there isn't yet a deal with the EU for what comes after the transition period. So we'll have to wait and see what sort of deal if any, emerges in the next few weeks and months, there isn't yet a comprehensive free trade deal with the US.

"So we don't yet know what the concrete benefits of Brexit in that respect will be. But yeah, essentially, the UK is moving closer to the US and a little bit further away from the EU, in in political terms, and perhaps economically in future as well though, the EU being on the doorstep, it will always remain an important trading partner.

READ MORE:Patel vows to face down UKs enemies with tough laws

"And yes, the US is crucially important, but we also know that both politically and economically it is quite a different system.

"And of course, we don't know what will happen. I mean, for the moment, the US takes a very hawkish approach to China. We don't know what might happen in case Donald Trump is not reelected, and what a President Biden might or might not do vis-a-vis China.

"So the politics are very much in flux and everywhere, including in the US.

"The EU is itself divided over over China, some countries have very close relations with China economic and political like Germany in Italy.

"Other countries, including France are keen to take a tougher approach with Beijing.

"So, you know, the EU isn't one monolithic bloc. And of course, they're always rival interests in each country in China."

He added: "There are obviously different factions as well in the US there are those who want to take a very tough line on China and then others don't, you know.

"Wall Street and Silicon Valley has got close economic ties with China and want to develop them. In the UK as we know that there's a section of politics and the media that wants good ties with China and others who are much more critical.

"So, you know, it's just to say that there are many, many dividing lines here. But for the moment, yes, it's fair to say that the UK is moving closer to the US and a little bit further away from the EU on the China question."

European shares fell on Friday as global sentiment soured after Beijing ordered United States to close its consulate in a Chinese city in retaliation to similar action from Washington.

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The pan-European STOXX 600 index fell 1.5 percent, on track for its biggest one-day drop in a month, pushing it into losses for the week.

Technology stocks led losses following a sell-off in US peers overnight, while the China-sensitive basic materials sector lost 1.9 percent Investors will be on the lookout for euro zone manufacturing and service PMIs due at 0800 GMT.

After last month's rise, the numbers are expected to cross above the 50 point mark which separates contraction and growth, as businesses reopened after closures to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

This comes after data on Thursday showed euro zone consumer confidence fell in July.

British Gas owner Centrica surged 30% to top the STOXX 600, despite posting lower first-half earnings as it announced plans to sell its North American business Direct Energy to NRG Energy for $3.63 billion.

Norwegian energy company Equinor ASA rose 0.5 percent after reporting an 89 percent drop in operating profit, while analysts had expected a loss.

The world's biggest lighting maker, Signify NV jumped 4.5 percent after a 62 percent jump in second-quarter net profit, and on plans to pay down 350 milllion euros ($406 million) in debt this year.

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Brexit Britain has 'greater liberty' to fight China than EU as row with Beijing escalates - Daily Express

Brexit will unleash Britain’s potential vows Patel as she hints at new immigration reform – Daily Express

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The Home Secretary said the UK is absolutely about to enter a glorious new era. Brexit transition rules will end in December allowing the country to finally take back control. Ms Patel told the Daily Express: January 1 is going to be one of those totemic moments in the history of this country, a landmark moment.

We are ending free movement. We are a government thats all about delivery.

The points-based system is just the first step to big immigration changes, changes to border control.

Ms Patel said the government is boosting economic investment in all parts of the UK.

We want to get Britain moving again but we actually want to get Britain motoring, she said.

We want to see the renaissance of our regions, we want to level up.

We have levers to do all that so this is just the start.

Ms Patel was speaking during a visit to Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, to meet local police on the first anniversary of being made Home Secretary.

The Cabinet minister said the Conservatives are unapologetically the party of law and order.

We have a first-class working relationship with the police, she said. I am absolutely shoulder to shoulder with them.

We dont stand behind them, we stand beside them. It is a journey for both of us in terms of the support we give and my commitment to them, but also through resourcing.

Ms Patel revealed 90,000 people have applied to be police officers since last October and the government is well ahead of its police recruitment targets.

READ MORE: Barnier warned public 'growing impatient' as no deal Brexit 'likely'

Police forces have received that largest uplift in funding in a decade at 1.1 billion.

That is moving the needle on law enforcement, Ms Patel said. We love the police, we respect the police, we are here for the police, we are the party of law and order.

Ms Patel, who visited the Blue Glove Boxing Academy, a gym for emergency services personnel, hailed police officers for their exceptional service during the coronavirus crisis.

She said there had been a spirit of national unity during the COVID lockdown and the police have been at the forefront of it.

Police have warned they will not be able to carry out widespread enforcement of new rules coming into force on Friday ordering the public to wear facemasks in shops.

Ms Patel said she did not believe that heavy-handed tactics would be necessary because people have been very conscientious about following the rules.

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She insisted enforcement is always a last resort.

People will apply their common sense, she said. We dont need police officers to go round in a pernicious way to act in an enforcement way.

The Home Secretary said she did not expect there to be widespread flouting of the rules over the summer, despite recent problems such as overcrowding on Bournemouth beach.

She said people have had pent up frustrations in the last few weeks after lockdown.

She added: Thats inevitable. Thats human instinct.

But she insisted Britons are sensible people.

Ms Patel said she has used her first year to empower and equip police officers, including making stop and search easier.

Although some campaigners claim the measures leave young black boys and men disproportionately targeted, Ms Patel insisted it is not a divisive tactic.

She said: Ive spent plenty of hours, too many sadly, with parents that have lost their children to street violence. The parents have said to me repeatedly we need more stop and search.

Officers have been actively using stop and search even during the COVID crisis over concerns about weapons on the streets, she said.

When it comes to saving lives, we should be unapologetic, Ms Patel added. If we are saving lives then these are the types of measures we should be using.

Ms Patel said tackling knife crime is a priority and told how machetes half my height are being pulled off the street.

We need to stop that, she said.

Hard cash is going into police forces in a targeted way to keep the public safe.

Crime is coming down, she said. We are serious about getting violent crime down.

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Brexit will unleash Britain's potential vows Patel as she hints at new immigration reform - Daily Express

Brexit blackhole: EU’s seven-year budget still contains gaping hole left by UK exit – Daily Express

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EU governments were forced to slash its spending plans during marathon talks to negotiate the blocs next seven-year budget and a recovery fund for coronavirus-ravaged economies. Despite reaching an agreement on a 1.8 trillion financial package, leaders were unable to completely fix the shortfalls of Brexit. The recovery fund would see the Commission borrow 750 billion on the international markets.

Eurocrats would then distribute 390 billion as grants and 360 billion as low-cost loans through the blocs 1.074 trillion budget.

To broker the deal they had to agree to a number of projects being cut in size to please the so-called frugal states.

While the package was meant to tackle the fallout of the pandemic, the only mechanism included to support the health sector was scrapped and Horizon Europe, designed to boost innovation, was also subjected to cuts.

Funding for neighbourhood policy and a solvency support tool for private firms were also cut.

A European Commission official said: At the same time we do have to keep in mind with the UK leaving the Union we had a pay gap of about 70 billion.

Weve managed to reduce this gap but its not fill filled, so the overall size of the Multiannual Financial Framework is smaller than the previous one.

Brussels managed to limit the size of its Brexit blackhole to 10 billion, another official added.

The source said: The current MFF included the United Kingdom, which was contributing 10 billion net per year.

So we have 70 billion less from this year onwards with 27 member states, and overall weve only got a reduction of 10 billion.

The official suggested the bloc had done quite well to plug the gap left after Brexit, adding: We had a very difficult situation going into this MFF.

MUST READ:How EU founders spoke of 'multispeed' future after Brexit

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the cuts were regrettable but still a big step towards recovery.

But the budget faces a challenge from the European Parliament because of its lack of ambition.

Johan Van Overtveldt, chairman of its budget committee, said: Parliament cannot accept the proposed record low ceilings as they mean renouncing to the EUs long-term objectives and strategic autonomy, while citizens ask for more.

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More European solidarity, more European action in public health, in research and digitalisation, youth, and in the historical fight against climate change. Key programmes to reach these objectives have been considerably shrunk, and lost most of their top-ups under Next Generation EU.

The compromise is also a flagrant missed opportunity when it comes to modernising the revenue side, making it fairer and more transparent, he added, with the support of five other MEPs.

The EU is now allowed to borrow funds but there is no certainty on how the debt will be repaid. Parliament has been clear: the recovery should not reduce investment capacities nor harm the national taxpayer. This is why new genuine own resources are the solution to repay the common debt, but the plastic-based contribution will not do the trick alone!

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Brexit blackhole: EU's seven-year budget still contains gaping hole left by UK exit - Daily Express

Brexit and slow pandemic response will impact UK IT spend, says Forrester – ComputerWeekly.com

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The UKs delayed pandemic response, problematic testing programme and uncertainties related to Brexit are set to have a major negative impact on IT spending, analyst Forrester has warned.

The most likely scenario will see computer equipment sales drop by 9%, communications equipment by 11% and software spending by 10%, said Forrester principal analyst Andrew Bartels in a blog post.

The EU has projected that the UKs real GDP will fall by 8.3% in 2020, while the Bank of England has forecast a 14% decline.

According to Forresters Tech budget outlooks for France, Germany and the UK in a Covid-19 recession report, because of the coronavirus and resulting recessions, tech spending in Germany, France and the UK will decline by 5% to 7% in 2020 from 2019 levels in the best-case scenario.

The report predicted that UK companies will cut new projects deeper, causing software spending to fall by 10% and tech consulting and systems integration services by 11%. UK firms will also start to renegotiate their tech outsourcing and telecom contracts, causing spending to fall by 7% in both categories, said the analyst firm.

These spending cuts will continue in the first half of 2021, which will have an impact on new project activity early in the new year. Forrester said that for 2021, it expects full-year spending on software and tech consulting services to be 2% to 3% lower than in 2020. However, it said it expects pickups in business will lead to small but positive growth in communications equipment and telecom services.

Forrester said it expects the unresolved issues of Brexit will return to the fore as lockdown measures relax in the UK. Open issues about trade and labour policies are unlikely to be resolved in 2020, as had been the goal at the start of the year, it warned. Uncertainties about Brexit as well as the potential resurgence of the virus will make businesses extremely cautious in their rehiring and their investments.

In its best-case scenario, the analyst firm predicted that the UK unemployment rate would almost double from 3.8% in 2019 to 6.7% in 2021, while UK exports would fall more than imports. But it said an aggressive fiscal expansion (government spending will increase by 4% in 2020) could help counter the decline, setting the stage for a 6% economic recovery in 2021.

Bartels said Frances economy is likely to recover sooner than the UKs because of its aggressive response to the coronavirus and the financial support its government has given businesses and professionals, its strong social safety net and business balance sheets pre-coronavirus.

He also said Forrester expects IT spending in Germany to decline less compared to the UK and France in 2020, with a 5.2% drop in tech spending, and would experience a mild rebound of 4.1% in 2021. In the blog post, Bartels wrote: Germanys recovery will be helped by its extensive Covid-19 testing, strengthened employment support programmes, and strong business balance sheets pre-Covid-19.

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Brexit and slow pandemic response will impact UK IT spend, says Forrester - ComputerWeekly.com

Shetland worse hit by Brexit than most other UK areas research suggests – Shetland News

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LEAVING the European Union is already costing every Shetlander more than 6,600 in lost economic activity, new research from the University of Warwick suggests.

The study, which is based on assumptions on how the economy may have behaved with and without the Brexit vote, identifies 168 UK districts that have lost economic activity since the vote in June 2016.

Shetland is the second worst hit area in Scotland, and the tenth worst in the UK, costing the local economy an estimated 154 million and resulting in a drop of GDP of 18.7 per cent compared to how the economy would have developed without Brexit.

In comparison, Orkneys GDP appears to be 13.6 per cent lower, equivalent to a loss of economic activity of around 3,800 per resident.

And while Aberdonians have lost as much as 9,000 per resident, the people of the local authority area of Westminster, in London, gained 12,747, or 4.69 per cent.

Thiemo Fetzer and Shizhuo Wang of Warwick University said their research was based on well established academic methods and had uncovered significant geographical disparities of the economic impact of Brexit.

They found that just 78 districts in the UK have benefited from Brexit so far while they also suggested that the Covid-19 pandemic will have a greater negative impact on areas already hit hard by the Brexit process.

The findings were highlighted by SNP Highlands and Islands MSP Maree Todd who said the report was further evidence that Shetland will be absolutely hammered by Brexit.

Todays analysis has made clear that any form of Brexit will inflict major harm on Scotlands economy people in Shetland are already over 6,600 less well off thanks to these Tory Brexiteers, she said.

The very last thing our economy needs on the back of the Covid-19 crisis is to be dragged out of the EU single market and customs union.

The research, published last week, coincides with the announcement of a 100 million islands growth deal, which is expected to result in government funded investments in Shetland of around 33 million over the next 10 to 15 years.

Shetland Islands Council (SIC) chief executive Maggie Sandison said the council was well aware of the significant economic damage the Brexit process was having long before the end of the transition period at the end of December this year.

The lack of clarity on Brexit and what the economy will look like in 2021 is having an impact on day to day business decisions, she said.

The SIC is in the process of compiling an input/output report which is expected to become available in October, and which is likely to give a clearer picture of the impact of Brexit as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.

Sandison said the figures suggested by the University of Warwick did sound credible to her.

She added: Economic uncertainty has an impact on business investment and consumer confidence and that is what is coming through in terms of those figures.

Associate professor at Warwick University Dr Thiemo Fetzer said the methodology used in his research was used around the world to establish what would have happened to an economy had history or policy scenarios been different.

It is sound thing to do because we know that the economy in much of the rest of the world did grow whereas there was a significant slowdown in growth in the UK post 2016, he said.

And this paper shows that there is a distinct regional signature to that slowdown in growth where some areas are hit much more than others.

The research finds that the costs of the Brexit vote to date may already exacerbate the very same regional inequalities that became all too apparent during the 2016 referendum vote. Much of the employment growth since 2016 is not supported by productivity growth, leaving those jobs on a shaky foundation.

During the EU referendum four years ago, 56.5 per cent of Shetlanders voted in favour of remaining part of the European Union despite huge dissatisfaction locally with the shortcomings of the Common Fisheries Policy.

The study from the University of Warwick can be found here.

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Shetland worse hit by Brexit than most other UK areas research suggests - Shetland News

EDPB Clarifies Brexit Obligations for Holders of Binding Corporate Rules Which Have the UK ICO as Their Lead Authority – JD Supra

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[co-author: Yung Shin Van Der Sype]

On July 22, 2020, the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) released an information note on Binding Corporate Rules (BCRs), which provides guidance for groups of undertakings/enterprises which have the UK ICO as their competent supervisory authority (BCR Lead SA) [1]. Binding Corporate Rules are a means of legitimizing transfers of personal data outside of the EEA under the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

As a consequence of Brexit, BCR holders having the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) as their BCR Lead SA need to identify a new BCR Lead SA in the EEA (in accordance with existing regulatory guidance [2]) and must amend their BCRs before the end of the Brexit transition period. For BCRs already approved under the GDPR, the new BCR Lead SA in the EEA will have to issue a new approval decision following an opinion from the EDPB. Such approval by the new BCR Lead SA is not required for BCRs for which the UK ICO acted as BCR Lead SA under Directive 95/46/EC, the GDPRs predecessor. It is important to note that current BCR holders will not be able to rely on their BCRs as a valid transfer mechanism for transfers of personal data outside the EEA in the absence of the required changes and/or a new approval before the end of the transition period.

Also, groups of undertakings/enterprises for which BCRs are at the review stage by the ICO need to identify their new BCR Lead SA before the end of the transition period. The new BCR Lead SA will take over the application and formally initiate an approval procedure subject to an opinion of the EDPB.

In order to assist such controllers and processors, the information note contains a checklist of elements that need to be amended for the BCR Lead SA change in the context of Brexit.

The checklist primarily consists of an overview of BCR criteria which are relevant in the context of a BCR Lead SA change, and for each specific criterion, the EDPB provides practical comments, indicating which elements of the BCRs are most likely to be amended due to the BCR Lead SA change.

Some key comments provided by the EDPB in the checklist include that:

Following this months Schrems II case (which we cover here), BCRs may hold increasing importance as a means of legitimizing data transfers from the EEA to the rest of the world.

[1] EDPB, Information note on BCRs for Groups of undertakings / enterprises which have ICO as BCR Lead SA, adopted on 22 July 2020, https://edpb.europa.eu/our-work-tools/our-documents/otros/information-note-bcrs-companies-which-have-ico-bcr-lead_en.

[2] Specifically, Article 29 Working Party, Document Setting Forth a Co-Operation Procedure for the approval of Binding Corporate Rules for controllers and processors under the GDPR, WP263 rev.01, adopted on 11 April 2018 endorsed by the EDPB.

[View source.]

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EDPB Clarifies Brexit Obligations for Holders of Binding Corporate Rules Which Have the UK ICO as Their Lead Authority - JD Supra

What Brexit Means For Intellectual Property In The UK; Five Key Things You Need To Know – Intellectual Property – UK – Mondaq News Alerts

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It has been almost two months since the UK officially left theEU on Friday, 31 January 2020, yet it remains in a period oftransition. For intellectual property professionals, rights holdersand applicants alike, this has represented a time of uncertainty asthey seek clarity around important questions concerning process andregulation.

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The UK's relationship with the EU is currently governed bythe Withdrawal Agreement, which provides for a stand-still periodin relation to the application of EU law in the UK. Changes to thecurrent regime are due to take effect from 31 December 2020. Whatthese changes will be will depend on the terms of any agreement(s)reached (or not reached) between the UK and the EU addressing theirlegal relationship from 31 December 2020. In a document released atthe end of February, the UK Government stated it is seeking anagreement that "secures mutual assurances to provide highstandards of protection for IP rights, including registered IPrights such as patents, trademarks or designs."

So what does this currently mean in practice for intellectualproperty? Well, for now, not a lot, but here are five keythings to be aware of in the areas of patents, trademarksand designs as we wait for the Brexit dust to finally settle:

The European patent system is governed by the European PatentConvention and is entirely independent of the EU. It has always hadnon-EU members such as Switzerland, Norway and Turkey, and there isno current reason why the UK could not continue to be a part ofthis regime post-Brexit.

The UK patent system comprises the national system (applicationsmade to the UK IPO) and the European system (applications made tothe EPO). As both systems largely fall outside the remit of EU law,and questions of infringement and validity of each nationaldesignation are a matter for the courts of each relevant country,the impact of Brexit for the existing patent systems is likely tobe minimal.

However, the European patent system is developing with theintroduction of the Unified Patent Court (UPC). While the previousUK government had expressed their intention to remain invested inthe UPC project, the current administration confirmed that the UK"will not agree to any obligations for our laws to be alignedwith the EU's, or for the EU's institutions, including theCourt of Justice, to have any jurisdiction in the UK." Ittherefore seems highly unlikely that the UK would become part ofthe UPC system upon its entry into force.

Companies concerned about having to re-register EUTMs in the UKin the event of a no-deal Brexit need not worry. All EUTMsregistered as at 31 December 2020 will automatically be protectedas "cloned" UK trademarks without any loss of priority,filing or seniority dates at no additional cost. The new UK TMrights will have a prefix to indicate that it is cloned and willrequire its own separate renewal.

For EUTM applications that are still pending at the end of thetransition period, proprietors will have nine months to file a UKapplication for the same trademark or design maintaining thebenefit of the same filing, priority and seniority date.

Where oppositions or proceedings against EU trademarkapplications or registrations are based on prior UK rights, theproceedings will automatically be dismissed once the transitionperiod ends. UK rights will cease to be "earlier rights".We have already seen some adversarial proceedings based on UKrights stayed by the EUIPO. UK rights holders should be reviewingtheir involvement in any EU trademark proceedings with theirattorneys in order to determine whether they will be affected andto identify alternative options at their disposal.

Similarly, existing EU design rights will be automatically"cloned" into UK national rights to ensure that no rightssimply cease to exist.

EU registered design rights in place before Brexit day willbecome "Re-registered Design" rights, and will act as ifit was a UK registered design.

EU's unregistered design rights will become "ContinuingUnregistered Community Designs" to give protection in the UK.It will be possible to obtain the same protection following Brexitby way of the newly formed "Supplementary UnregisteredDesign" right.

At present, the UK operates within a regional exhaustion systemin the European Economic Area (EEA). Post transition period shouldthe UK be moving to national exhaustion or internationalexhaustion? While IP owners would undoubtedly like to see theirnational markets protected, others believe that an internationalexhaustion system would see greater competition and a reduction inprices for consumers.

It is a controversial issue and it is no surprise that theIntellectual Property (Exhaustion of Rights) (EU Exit) Regulations2019 provides that the current system of EEA exhaustion willcontinue as far as possible. This means that at the end of thetransition period, rights in goods put on the market in the EEAwill be exhausted in the UK. However, it is unclear whether the EUwill take the same approach. If it does not, putting goods on themarket in the UK would not exhaust IP rights in the EEA. This meansthat UK rights owners would not be able to prevent parallel importsfrom the EEA but owners of rights in the EEA would be able toprevent UK exports from the UK into the EEA. Importers from the UKinto the EEA would therefore need to consider whether they requirespecific permissions from rights holders. It remains to be seen howthis issue will be approached in the trade negotiations.

Given the UK's current hard Brexit stance in relation to thenegotiation of a future trade agreement with the EU, in which thereappears to be no role for the CJEU and no dynamic legislativealignment, it is likely that the future may see divergence betweenUK and EU patent, trademark and design jurisprudence. Where exactlythey will diverge is yet to be seen. It is also possible that thetimetable for Brexit will change in light of the impact ofCOVID-19.

Read the original article on GowlingWLG.com

The content of this article is intended to provide a generalguide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be soughtabout your specific circumstances.

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The continued impact of COVID-19 and the uncertainty around Brexit is – Aluminium Today

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According to reports, ALVANCE British Aluminium announced on Tuesday this week that it will be scaling back its workforce on a permanent basis.

An ALVANCE British Aluminium spokesman said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded an already difficult commercial environment for aluminium. Given the continued impact of the virus and uncertainty around post-Brexit trade talks, the market is likely to remain challenging for up to 18 months.

"With regret, we therefore have made the difficult decision to begin a consultation on reducing the workforce at the Lochaber smelter. We will be proposing a reduction of around 15 to 18 jobs.

"As a responsible employer, we need to balance the welfare of our people with the need to protect the long-term sustainability of the Lochaber smelter, which is a vital piece of Scotlands industrial infrastructure and valuable contributor to the regional economy.

We will provide appropriate support to those affected including looking at employment opportunities elsewhere through GFG Workforce Solutions, a redeployment vehicle operated by our parent organisation, GFG Alliance."

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The continued impact of COVID-19 and the uncertainty around Brexit is - Aluminium Today

COVID-19 joins Brexit and CoDA as key risks – Derry Journal

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Belfast couple Margaret and Elise, who are getting married in December next pictured during a visit to the Tower Museum yesterday afternoon. DER2029GS - 011

According to the Annual Audit Opinion for DC&SDC for 2019/2020 that was laid before the July Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee meeting, the council was already facing a number of strategic risks, including the financial viability of City of Derry Airport and Brexit, when COVID-19 hit.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic there was a significant review of the Corporate Risk Register in May 2020, the document states.

The emergency has disrupted the work of the councils internal audit section as it has all departments.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Council is operating in a much more difficult and challenging set of circumstances both financially and operationally. As a result, the 2020/2021 Internal Audit Strategy and Plan which was to be presented to Members of the Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee in March 2020 has had to be reviewed. The updated Internal Audit Strategy and Plan takes into consideration the new risks facing the Council in order to provide a service which is relevant to the current needs and objectives of senior management and to provide the necessary assurances to the Assurance, Audit and Risk Committee, the report further advises.

A new sub-section has been added to the risk register warning against a risk of an inability to ensure the future financial stability of Council in relation to implications arising from COVID-19. This risk, the report states, has been reviewed by the councils senior management but while allocations from Stormont have helped mitigate losses incurred as a result of COVID-19 the report warns that the financial position remains critical.

Despite extension of non-business rates relief, critical risk relates to rate-base impact. Council lobbying Government to ensure that rates paid are based on estimated figure agreed during 19/20 rate setting process, it says.

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COVID-19 joins Brexit and CoDA as key risks - Derry Journal

Opinions Address U.S. WHO Withdrawal, Women’s Health, AIDS 2020 Highlights, Other Topics – Kaiser Family Foundation

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Al Jazeera: Why pro-life activists wont protect women during childbirthClaire Provost, global investigations editor at openDemocracy, and Inge Snip, health journalism fellow at openDemocracys Tracking the Backlash project (7/22).

The Conversation: AIDS conference: COVID-19, big breakthroughs and missed targetsLinda-Gail Bekker, professor of medicine and deputy director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine at the University of Cape Town (7/22).

Forbes: Burnout, A Silent Crisis In Global HealthMadhukar Pai, Canada research chair of epidemiology and global health at McGill University and director of the McGill International Tuberculosis Centre (7/20).

The Guardian: Donald Trumps assault on the WHO is deeply worrying for global healthPeter Beaumont, senior reporter on The Guardians Global Development desk (7/22).

The Hill: Africa is on the 2020 political agenda now make it countK. Riva Levinson, president and CEO of KRL International LLC (7/20).

Financial Times: Why medicines must be tested in the developing worldDavid Pilling, Africa editor of the Financial Times (7/23).

IPS: Involve Marginalized Groups to Make Food Systems More Climate-ResilientNout van der Vaart, advocacy officer for Hivos Sustainable Diets for All (7/23).

The Lancet Global Health: Headway and hindrances for sexual and reproductive health and rightsEditorial Board (August 2020).

Ms. Magazine: Progress Towards Contraceptive Access in the PhilippinesSusan M. Blaustein, founder and executive director of WomenStrong International (7/20).

Vox: Why the next president should establish a Department of ClimateAllison Crimmins, climate scientist in Washington, D.C. (7/21).

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Opinions Address U.S. WHO Withdrawal, Women's Health, AIDS 2020 Highlights, Other Topics - Kaiser Family Foundation

First half of the year with 1%1 growth at constant exchange rates, significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic – GlobeNewswire

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Roches contributions to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the second quarter:

Commenting on the Groups performance in the first half of the year, Roche CEO Severin Schwan said: The corona pandemic continues to pose an enormous challenge worldwide. I am grateful that, in close collaboration with health authorities, we have been able to make a number of SARS-CoV-2 tests available and start several global Actemra/RoActemra phase III studies in COVID-19 pneumonia. At the same time, Roches regular business was significantly impacted by the pandemic in the second quarter. But we now see clear signs of recovery. Furthermore, the uptake of our recently introduced medicines and diagnostic tests continues to be strong. Based on our current assessment of the impact of the pandemic, we can confirm the outlook for the full year.

Outlook confirmed for 2020Based on the current assessment of the COVID-19 impact, sales are expected to grow in the low- to mid-single digit range, at constant exchange rates. Core earnings per share are targeted to grow broadly in line with sales, at constant exchange rates. Roche expects to increase its dividend in Swiss francs further.

Group resultsIn the first half of 2020, Group sales rose 1% to CHF 29.3 billion and core EPS grew 2%, ahead of sales. IFRS net income increased 3% at constant exchange rates, due to the strong underlying core results. As a result of the continued appreciation of the Swiss franc against most currencies, the IFRS net income expressed in Swiss francs decreased 5% to CHF 8.5 billion.

Sales in the Pharmaceuticals Division increased 1% to CHF 23.2 billion. The COVID-19 pandemic had an overall negative impact on the divisions sales, especially in May. Hospitalisations and out-patient visits decreased, which particularly impacted sales of Ocrevus, Hemlibra, Lucentis and MabThera/Rituxan. Key growth drivers were the cancer medicine Tecentriq, the haemophilia medicine Hemlibra, the multiple sclerosis medicine Ocrevus, Actemra/RoActemra in immunology and Perjeta in breast cancer. The new medicines (+37%) generated sales of CHF 8.9 billion and grew by CHF 2.5 billion at constant exchange rates over 2019, more than offsetting the impact of the competition from biosimilars (CHF 2.1 billion at constant exchange rates).3

Within the Roche Groups sales growth of 1% in the first half of 2020, there was 7% year-on-year growth in the first quarter and 4% decline in the second quarter. Especially in May, Roches business was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the US, overall sales decreased 4%. While sales of Hemlibra, Ocrevus, Tecentriq and Actemra/RoActemra increased, competition from biosimilars for Herceptin, Avastin and MabThera/Rituxan impacted this growth as expected. Hemlibra sales increased 80%, resulting from the ongoing rollout in the US. Ocrevus sales increased by 19% and were driven by both new and returning patient demand. Sales of both Hemlibra and Ocrevus were partly impacted by COVID-19 effects. Tecentriq sales increased by 52%, driven by the growth in the new indications ES-SCLC and triple-negative breast cancer. In the US, as well as in other countries, an increased use of Actemra/RoActemra in patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia can be observed as countries included it in their treatment guidelines. Actemra/RoActemra is not currently approved for this use; Roche is conducting several phase III clinical studies in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Results from the Covacta study are expected soon.

In Europe, sales increased (+5%) as the strong demand for Tecentriq, Ocrevus, Hemlibra, Kadcyla, Perjeta and Actemra/RoActemra was able to offset the impact of lower sales of Herceptin (-33%) and MabThera/Rituxan (-34%). The first biosimilar versions of Avastin could come to market in Europe in the second half of 2020.

In the International region (+11%), growth was mostly driven by Russia and China. Growth in China resulted from a strong uptake of Perjeta and Alecensa, partially offset by the National Reimbursement Drug List price cut and COVID-19 impact for Herceptin, MabThera/Rituxan and Avastin.

Sales decreased in Japan 2%, resulting from considerable competition from biosimilars, generics and government price cuts. This decline was partially compensated by recently launched products including Tecentriq, Hemlibra and Perjeta.

Diagnostics Division sales increased 3% to CHF 6.1 billion. The business area Molecular Diagnostics (+61%) was the main growth contributor. Sales of the recently developed cobas SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests could offset the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on products for routine diagnosis. Growth was reported in North America (+13%), EMEA4 (+5%), Latin America (+6%) and Japan (+1%). In the Asia-Pacific region (-9%), sales were strongly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown in China. Overall, demand was impacted by COVID-19 in all regions in the second quarter. Routine testing decreased significantly due to a decline in regular health checks while emergency and SARS-Co-V-2 testing increased significantly.

The core operating profit increased 2% in the Pharmaceuticals Division and 9% in the Diagnostics Division.

Roches response to the COVID-19 pandemicEver since the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been partnering with healthcare providers, laboratories, authorities and organisations to provide patients with the tests, treatments and care they need.

The portfolio of our recently developed SARS-Co-V-2 tests as well as our existing diagnostics menu for critical care have become a significant factor in supporting patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic. Roche is working closely with healthcare providers around the world, and has significantly increased production to provide tests globally.

To date no major manufacturing supply chain issues have been identified and the Groups planned drug launches, filings, pivotal phase III trial readouts and pivotal trial starts are largely on track. The Group is continuously monitoring the situation.

Overview of Roche Diagnostics COVID-19 products launched in the first six months 2020

Covacta, a global phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous Actemra/RoActemra plus standard of care in hospitalised adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia compared to placebo plus standard of care. The first patients were enrolled in early April; the results of this study are expected soon.

Remdacta, a global phase III, randomised, double-blind, multicentre study, was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Actemra/RoActemra plus the antiviral remdesivir, versus placebo plus remdesivir in hospitalised patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia, in collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc. The study began enrolment in June. Data from the Remdacta trial are designed to supplement the phase III Covacta trial; results are expected later this year.

Empacta is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III multicentre study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Actemra/RoActemra in the treatment of COVID-19 associated hospitalised pneumonia in patients that are often underrepresented in clinical trials. Started in the US in May 2020, the study was expanded to sites in other countries, including Brazil, Kenya, Mexico, South Africa and Peru. Results are expected later this year.

Mariposa, a global phase III randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, was initiated to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 8 mg/kg vs 4 mg/kg intravenous Actemra/RoActemra plus standard of care in hospitalised adult patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia. The results of this study are expected later this year.

Roche has also initiated an internal early research programme focused on the discovery of medicines for COVID-19 and is evaluating a large number of potential collaborations. Currently, a total of six Roche medicines, including Actemra/RoActemra, Esbriet, Avastin and Pulmozyme, already approved for other diseases, are being studied in 28 Roche or Roche supported clinical trials in COVID-19 infection. Additionally, several new compounds are being investigated in pre-clinical research.

Regulatory achievements in the second quarterRegulators around the globe granted approvals for new Roche medicines, line extensions of existing medicines and new tests.

The FDA approved Tecentriq in combination with Avastin for the treatment of people with unresectable or metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have not received prior systemic therapy. The application was reviewed under the FDAs Real-Time Oncology Review pilot and Project Orbis initiative, helping to bring this new treatment option rapidly to patients in the US and around the world.

The FDA also approved Tecentriq as a first-line (initial) treatment for adults with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumours have high PD-L1 expression (PD-L1 stained 50% of tumour cells [TC 50%] or PD-L1 stained tumour-infiltrating covering 10% of the tumour area [IC 10]), as determined by an FDA-approved test), with no EGFR or ALK genomic tumour aberrations.

The FDA approved Phesgo, a fixed-dose combination of Perjeta and Herceptin with hyaluronidase, administered by subcutaneous injection (SC) in combination with intravenous chemotherapy, for the treatment of early and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer. This is the first time that Roche has combined two monoclonal antibodies that can be administered by a single SC injection.The European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved a new, shorter two-hour Ocrevus infusion time, dosed twice yearly, for relapsing or primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). The approval will further improve the treatment experience for patients while increasing capacity in healthcare systems.

Enspryng (satralizumab) was approved in Japan for the prevention of relapses of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), including NMO, for aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-IgG) seropositive adults and children. Enspryng demonstrated robust efficacy and significantly reduced the risk of relapse across a broad NMOSD patient population in two pivotal phase III studies, as a monotherapy and as an add-on therapy to baseline immunosuppressant therapy (IST), and is dosed subcutaneously every four weeks. Enspryng is also approved in Canada and Switzerland.

Additional regulatory achievements in the second quarter of 2020:

Diagnostics key launches in the second quarter In addition to the new COVID-19 portfolio, Roche launched the cobas prime Pre-analytical System, a first-of-its kind solution designed to automate all common pre-analytical manual steps in molecular diagnostics labs. The system accommodates multiple sample types, simplifies workflow and reduces manual errors. Roche is now the first company to offer molecular labs with complete end-to-end automation for testing consolidation on current and future platforms.

Roche also launched its automated digital pathology CE-marked algorithms, the uPath PD-L1 (SP263) image analysis for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the uPath HER2 Dual ISH image analysis for breast cancer. The algorithms provide pathologists with automated assessments of scanned slide images that are objective and reproducible and have the potential to aid diagnosis and, ultimately, targeted treatment options for patients.

The new whole exome and custom KAPA Target Enrichment portfolio was launched for translational and clinical research applications in sequencing. The portfolio empowers clinical researchers to process more samples successfully and with greater efficiency.

Key development milestones in the second quarter of 2020Regulatory filings and product launches for 2020 as well as pivotal trial read outs and pivotal starts in 2020 are largely on track. We are making significant efforts to protect all studies with continued support from health authorities, but the ultimate outcome will depend on the length and severity of the pandemic.

The phase III IMpassion031 study met its primary endpoint by demonstrating a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in pathological complete response (pCR) for the treatment of people with early triple-negative breast cancer (eTNBC), regardless of PD-L1 expression. The study evaluates Tecentriq in combination with chemotherapy (Abraxane, albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel; followed by doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) in comparison with placebo plus chemotherapy (including Abraxane).

In spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), data of an exploratory efficacy analysis from part 1 of the pivotal Sunfish trial in people aged 2-25 years with type 2 or 3 SMA show that risdiplam significantly improved motor function after 24 months of treatment compared to natural history data. In addition, preliminary 12-month data from Jewelfish, a trial in people with all types of SMA aged 6 months to 60 years previously treated with other SMA therapies, showed that treatment with risdiplam led to rapid and sustained increases in SMN protein levels.

One-year data from the study Firefish part 2 show that the study met its primary endpoint with 29% of infants (12/41; p<0.0001) sitting without support for five seconds by month 12, as assessed by the Gross Motor Scale of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Third Edition (BSID-III). This pivotal global study evaluates risdiplam in infants aged 17 months with symptomatic Type 1 SMA.

Post-hoc analysis from six years of phase III open-label extension studies showed that Ocrevus treatment reduced the risk of needing a walking aid by 49% in relapsing multiple sclerosis patients compared with patients who switched from interferon beta-1a two years later. Separate analysis showed that Ocrevus slowed thalamic volume loss in patients with RMS and primary progressive MS (PPMS) versus interferon beta-1a and placebo, respectively.

Updated data from the pivotal phase III Alex study show an increased five-year survival rate with Alecensa, compared with crizotinib, in people living with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These data confirm the longer-term efficacy of Alecensa already demonstrated across three phase III clinical trials.

Roche announced positive topline results from the phase III Archway study, evaluating its Port Delivery System with ranibizumab (PDS) in people living with neovascular or wet age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). PDS is a permanent refillable eye implant, approximately the size of a grain of rice, which continuously delivers a customised formulation of ranibizumab over a period of months. The Archway trial met its primary endpoint, demonstrating that patients with PDS who received refills every six months achieved visual acuity outcomes equivalent to those receiving monthly ranibizumab 0.5 mg injections.

Results from the phase III Viale-A study showed that the Venclexta/Venclyxto combination reduced the risk of death (overall survival) by 34% compared to azacitidine alone in people with previously untreated AML. The Venclexta/Venclyxto plus azacitidine combination also led to higher rates of composite complete remission (CR + CR with incomplete blood count recovery [CR + CRi]) at 66.4% compared to 28.3% with azacitidine alone.

The phase III IPATential150 study in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and whose tumours had PTEN loss met its co-primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). In this patient group, ipatasertib in combination with abiraterone and prednisone/prednisolone provided a statistically significant reduction in the risk of disease worsening or death, compared to current standard of care (abiraterone and prednisone/ prednisolone) plus placebo. The other co-primary endpoint of rPFS in the overall study population (ITT) was not met.

Roche announced the first clinical data for the anti-TIGIT cancer immunotherapy tiragolumab. The randomised phase II Cityscape met both its primary endpoints of ORR and PFS in PD-L1-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and showed clinically meaningful results in the PD-L1-high population. Spark Therapeutics announced updated data on SPK-8011 from Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial in Hemophilia A at ISTH 2020 Virtual Congress, showing an acceptable safety profile, stable and durable factor VIII expression and substantial improvement in annualised bleed rate (ABR) after a follow-up of between two and 3.3 years.

Pharmaceuticals Division

Key pharmaceutical productsAvastin (-18%). For advanced colorectal, breast, lung, kidney, cervical and ovarian cancer, and relapsed glioblastoma (a type of brain tumour). Sales were impacted by the biosimilar competition in the US and Japan.

MabThera/Rituxan (-23%). For forms of blood cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of vasculitis. The sales decline was driven by all regions, due to the launch of biosimilars in the US and most EU markets and in Japan and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Herceptin (-28%). For HER2-positive breast cancer and HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer. Sales were impacted by biosimilars in the US, Europe and Japan. In the US, the switch to Kadcyla in the adjuvant setting also impacted sales.

Actemra/RoActemra (+36%). For rheumatoid arthritis, forms of juvenile idiopathic arthritis and giant cell arteritis as well as CAR T cell-induced severe or life-threatening cytokine release syndrome. A number of countries included Actemra/RoActemra in their treatment guidelines for severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Actemra/RoActemra is not currently approved for this use; Roche is conducting three phase III clinical studies. The US and the International region were the major contributors to the sales increase.

Xolair (+2%, US only). For chronic idiopathic urticaria and allergic asthma. The sales increase was driven by the demand in both indications. Xolair remains the market leader in the larger allergic asthma indication.

Lucentis (-19%, US only). For eye conditions, including neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration, macular oedema following retinal vein occlusion, diabetic macular oedema, and diabetic retinopathy. Sales decreased in all approved indications and were especially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic due to disruptions in hospitals and ophthalmology practices and many patients were delaying treatment during restrictions.

Highlights for medicines launched since 2012Ocrevus (first approved in 2017; CHF 2.1 billion, +25%). For the treatment of both the relapsing (RMS) and primary progressive (PPMS) forms of multiple sclerosis (MS). The strong demand for this treatment in both indications has continued, while the COVID-19 pandemic has had a certain negative impact. In the US, growth was driven both by new and returning patients, with a higher proportion of sales coming from returning patients. In Europe and the International region Ocrevus continues to show strong initial uptake where launched.

Perjeta (first approved in 2012; CHF 1.9 billion, +17%). As therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer. Sales grew strongly in the International region, mostly driven by China. The increased patient demand for Perjeta for adjuvant early breast cancer therapy supports its continued strong growth.

Tecentriq (first approved in 2016; CHF 1.3 billion, +74%). Approved either alone or in combination with targeted therapies and/or chemotherapies in various forms of NSCLC, small cell lung cancer (SCLC), certain types of metastatic urothelial cancer, and in PD-L1-positive metastatic TNBC. In the US and several other countries, Tecentriq in combination with Avastin is approved for people with unresectable or metastatic HCC. Strong sales growth was reported by all regions, driven mainly by the indications in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) and TNBC. Sales in Japan increased due to robust uptake in first-line NSCLC and first-line ES-SCLC.

Hemlibra (first approved in 2017; CHF 1.0 billion, +94%). For treating people with haemophilia A with factor VIII inhibitors. It is also approved to treat people with haemophilia A without factor VIII inhibitors. Hemlibra is the only prophylactic treatment that can be administered subcutaneously and with multiple dosing options (once weekly, once every two weeks or once every four weeks). Sales continued to show a strong uptake in all regions, despite COVID-19 restrictions having some impact on potential new patients.

Kadcyla (first approved in 2013; CHF 837 million, +39%). For treating HER2-positive breast cancer. The increased demand for Kadcyla was driven by its usage in the early breast cancer setting, and benefited from the positive read-out from the Katherine study and patients switching to the new standard of treatment.

Esbriet (first approved in 2014; CHF 566 million, +11%). For idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Sales continued to expand, driven by growth in the US and Europe.

Alecensa (first approved in 2015; CHF 540 million, +34%). To treat ALK-positive lung cancer. Alecensa showed continued sales growth across all regions.

Gazyva/Gazyvaro (first approved in 2013; CHF 310 million, +35%). For chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), rituximab-refractory follicular lymphoma and previously untreated advanced follicular lymphoma. Sales increased in all regions.

Polivy (first approved in 2019; CHF 83 million). Part of combination therapy for the treatment of adults with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.Xofluza (first approved in 2018; CHF 28 million). For the treatment of acute, uncomplicated influenza, or flu, in people 12 years of age and older and people with high risk of developing flu-related complications.

Rozlytrek (first approved in 2019; CHF 8 million). For lung cancer with a specific gene mutation and solid tumours carrying a certain gene fusion. In Japan, Rozlytrek was approved for treatment of RSO1 fusion- positive NSCLC.

Diagnostics Division

In the first half 2020, sales of all business units were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In general terms, COVID-19 and emergency testing strongly increased while routine testing decreased as a result of declining or delayed regular health checks. Roches broad, diversified test portfolio and its large number of instruments installed worldwide could balance out these effects.

During the first half 2020, Roche increased its production capacity (reagents and consumables) for COVID-19 testing massively. This includes all our products used in fighting COVID-19 infections.

Centralised and Point of Care Solutions sales declined by 10%, its immunodiagnostics business (-12%) was strongly impacted by the COVID-19 shutdown in key markets. The Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 and the Elecsys IL-6 tests were launched in May and June, respectively, in the US. The Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 was launched in countries accepting the CE mark in May (the Elecsys IL-6 test was launched earlier). Shipment to leading laboratories globally started immediately and market demand for the Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test is fully met.

Sales in Molecular Diagnostics increased 61%, with 69% growth in the underlying molecular business. Growth was driven by virology (predominantly corona viruses), Molecular Point-of-Care (influenza viruses), Quantitative PCR (to detect molecular/genetic targets) and Nucleic Acid Purification (to isolate and purify genetic material).

Diabetes Care sales decreased 6%, with the continued contraction of the Blood Glucose Monitoring (BGM) market due to patients switching to Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems. The COVID-19 pandemic also had an impact. The decrease was reflected mainly in the EMEA region with a 10% decline, notably in Germany, UK and Italy.

Tissue Diagnostics sales increased 2%, supported by companion diagnostics business and instrument sales. However, overall sales were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About RocheRoche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve peoples lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible.

Roche is the worlds largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system. Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a frontrunner in diabetes management.Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. More than thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines. Moreover, for the eleventh consecutive year, Roche has been recognised as one of the most sustainable companies in the Pharmaceuticals Industry by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).

The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2019 employed about 98,000 people worldwide. In 2019, Roche invested CHF 11.7 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 61.5 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan. For more information, please visit http://www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.

References[1] Unless otherwise stated, all growth rates in this document are at constant exchange rates (CER: average 2019).[2] Launched since 2012: Alecensa, Cotellic, Erivedge, Esbriet, Gazyva, Hemlibra, Kadcyla, Ocrevus, Perjeta, Polivy, Rozlytrek, Tecentriq and Xofluza [3] In Europe: MabThera/Rituxan and Herceptin; in Japan: MabThera/Rituxan, Herceptin and Avastin; in the US: Herceptin, Avastin and MabThera/Rituxan[4] EMEA = Europe, Middle East and AfricaCautionary statement regarding forward-looking statementsThis Annual Report contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as believes, expects, anticipates, projects, intends, should, seeks, estimates, future or similar expressions or by discussion of, among other things, strategy, goals, plans or intentions. Various factors may cause actual results to differ materially in the future from those reflected in forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report, such as: (1) pricing and product initiatives of competitors; (2) legislative and regulatory developments and economic conditions; (3) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market; (4) fluctuations in currency exchange rates and general financial market conditions; (5) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of new products or new uses of existing products, including without limitation negative results of clinical trials or research projects, unexpected side effects of pipeline or marketed products; (6) increased government pricing pressures; (7) interruptions in production; (8) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights; (9) litigation; (10) loss of key executives or other employees; and (11) adverse publicity and news coverage.

The statement regarding earnings per share growth is not a profit forecast and should not be interpreted to mean that Roches earnings or earnings per share for 2020 or any subsequent period will necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share of Roche.Roche Group Media RelationsPhone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com- Nicolas Dunant (Head)- Patrick Barth- Daniel Grotzky- Karsten Kleine- Nina Mhlitz- Nathalie Meetz- Barbara von Schnurbein

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First half of the year with 1%1 growth at constant exchange rates, significant impact of COVID-19 pandemic - GlobeNewswire

Looking at nature, death, and immortality with a famous poet – McDonough Voice

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In the nineteenth century, poetry was immensely popular, a deeply revered art form, and one of the most highly regarded American poets was William Cullen Bryant. Among other things, school children across America read and recited his poems "Thanatopsis" and "To a Waterfowl"widely regarded as classics. Although he was from Massachusetts and lived most of his adult life in New York, he was also familiar with central Illinois and had family members that he visited in Jacksonville and, later, Princeton. So, a few of his poems relate to our state.

But I have also noted, over the years, that poems by him appeared now and again in the "Macomb Journal." His focus on coping with death was clearly one theme that engaged many readers, but in fact, there was controversy over whether he accepted the traditional Christian belief in immortalityand that provides a glimpse into the mindset of people during his era.

Bryant was born in 1794 at Cummington, Massachusetts, and he started publishing poetry in periodicals while in his early teens. His first small book, titled "Poems" (1821), appeared two centuries ago, when he was 17. He eventually moved to New York, where he edited the "New York Evening Post" from 1829 until his death in 1878and became a revered American poet.

In 1832 he came west to visit brothers who lived in Jacksonville, and with one of them he rode to Springfield and then north along the Illinois River. That experience provided inspiration for "The Prairies," a poem that celebrated our states most famous topographical characteristic and was often reprinted in newspapers and books. In it, he not only views the Illinois wilderness in mythic terms, as an Edenic garden of dazzling beauty, but also meditates on the mysterious "mound builders"who had lived here centuries earlier but had "vanished from the earth."

Bryant visited on other occasions and wrote Illinois-inspired poems called "The Painted Cup" and "The Hunter of the Prairies." The latter associates freedom with the prairie landscape and presents the white hunter as a kind of American Adam, united with the unspoiled wilderness.

Later, after Lincolns assassination, Bryant wrote a notable tribute poem, "Abraham Lincoln," which was read to the throng of mourners in New York City on April 24, 1865. He declares that the great mans "proudest monument shall be/ The broken fetters of the slave."

But his most famous poem was, and still is, "Thanatopsis" (which means, "meditation on death"). It appeared in the "North American Review" in 1817, when the poet was in his early 20s. As that reveals, the theme of death was already important to young Bryant, and it remained so throughout his life. Influenced by British Romantic poets, he often wrote to commune with nature and the divine spirit that lay beneath it all. In a poem called "The Death of the Flowers," for example, he links human mortality to the cycles of the natural year, and in yet another often-reprinted poem, "A Forest Hymn," he declares that wooded areas were "Gods first temples," and they are still a "Fit shrine for a humble worshipper to hold/ Communion with his maker."

Raised in an old New England family, Bryant was aware of the frightening Calvinistic view of death taught by the Pilgrims, which emphasized the Judgment and everlasting punishment for sinners, so he sought a more positive relationship to God by appreciating His creation and understanding humanitys relationship to it. Thats why he says, in "Thanatopsis,"

"When thoughts

Of the last bitter hour come like a blight

Over thy spirit, and sad [death] images

Of stern agony, and shroud, and pall,

And breathless darkness, and the narrow house

[i.e., the dark, narrow grave]

Make thee shudder, and grow sick at heart,

Go forth under the open sky, and listen

To Natures teachings. . . ."

And he asserts that death is a reaffirmation of our interconnection with everything else, not a condition of ultimate separation. For after all, at death each of us will "mix forever with the elements," and beyond that, we will join with all other past humans, who now lay within the earth, "the great tomb of man." And remember, he says, that all who are living "will share thy destiny," for the old and the young "Shall one by one be gathered to thy side." So, death should not be approached with fear, as he indicates at the close of his famous poem:

"So live, that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan, that moves

To the pale realms of shade, where each shall take

His chamber in the silent halls of death,

Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,

Scourged to his dungeon; but sustained and soothed

By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave. . . ."

Bryant does not specifically refer to God in the poem, but after all, the creator of everything is the one who inspires the "trust" that he mentions. Nevertheless, some Christian readers felt that the noted poem did not affirm immortality like it should have. For that reason, someone wrote a poem called "Vision of Immortality," labeling it as a "sequel to Thanatopsis," and signed Bryants name to it, and that was printed in a great many American newspapers. Of course, it is a kind of "Hymn to Immortality," talking about how the dead shall awaken to "the dawn of the immortal day." Among the periodicals that carried it, in 1852, not realizing that Bryant never actually wrote it, was Macombs first newspaper, the "McDonough Independent."

Of course, that reveals how much the 19th-century mind was focused on affirming the afterlife. And in a sense, while "Thanatopsis" remained very popular, that issue continued. In fact, after Bryant died on June 12, 1878, the "Macomb Journal" carried a front-page article in which noted preacher Henry Ward Beecher criticized "Thanatopsis" as "pagan poetry." But on June 27 the "Journal" editors also printed a little-known poem of Bryants titled "The Two Travelers," in which a person who is heading toward death affirms that he "Shall sleep, to rise, refreshed and strong/ In the bright day that yet will dawn." So, the editors wanted to reassure Macomb readers that the great poet, who had a lasting impact, did affirm immortality.

And it was such a huge public concern that, on July 4, 1878, the "Journal" reprinted an article from "Harpers Weekly" titled "He Believed in Immortality." It quotes an 1876 letter from Bryant to one of his readers, which declares, "I believe in the everlasting life of the soul." And he also affirms "the life to come of those who are dear to us here." So, it was reassuring.

It would be impossible today for any American poet to create such a stir, but in the death-haunted, poetry-loving, overwhelmingly Christian 19th century, whatever a beloved poet thought about such a key aspect of religious belief was obviously a matter of deep concern.

Writer and speaker John Hallwas is a columnist for the "McDonough County Voice." Research assistance was provided by WIU archivist Kathy Nichols.

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Looking at nature, death, and immortality with a famous poet - McDonough Voice

The Demons and the Angel: Chess in Art – TheArticle

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Wyrd oft nereth unfaegne eorl, thonne his ellen deah.These words from the Old English epic Beowulf constitute valuable advice for any aspiring chess player: Fortune tends to favour those who keep their nerve, unless they are already doomed.

The narrative of Beowulf is predicated on heroism, the achievement of immortality through undying fame. There are no magic potions or Philosophers Stones. There is no all-embracing tutelage of a semi-divinity, such as the nymph Calypso inThe Odyssey, who promises the eponymous hero enduring life, if only he will remain on her island refuge. Predictably, Odysseus declines the temptation, escapes to Ithaca from his gilded confinement and attains immortality by virtue of his heroic deeds, resourceful cunning and intelligence. The theme echoes the reputation of Achilles in HomersIliad, the favourite inspirational text of Alexander the Great. As Petrarch (1304-74) wrote:

Giunto Alessandro alla famosa tomba Del fero Achille, sospirando disse: O fortunato, che si chiara tromba Trovasti, e chi di te si alto scrisse!

When Alexander reached the famous tomb of fierce Achilles, sighing he said: O happy man, who found one so illustrious to trumpet your name, and write so nobly of you for posterity!

Beowulfs fame derives from his victories over the demon Grendel, who terrorises the Norse warriors of the Royal Hall of Heorot, and Grendels equally demonic mother, who engages in frightful conflict with the hero at the bottom of a lake guarded by hideous reptiles and strange serpents.

These dark battles of Beowulf always remind me of the troubled, brooding mien of the carved pieces of the celebratedIsle of Lewis chess pieces, the oldest complete chess set in existence. From the frowning Kings down to thetense pawns, there is an atmosphere of danger and defeat emanating from these miniature warriors, to my mind reflecting the inevitable defeat of the Nordic gods, when the time comes for the ultimate losing conflagration of Ragnarok.

The Lewis chess pieces, most of which are in the British Museum, with a selection retained in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, are crafted from walrus ivory, a material known as morse (which I strongly suspect as being the inspiration for the Inspector Morse, Sergeant Lewis pairing.)

Opinions, of course, might vary on this speculation, but one thing is clear: the Lewis chess pieces can be described as significant works of art in their own right. Earlier Islamic pieces, which do exist in isolation, eschew depiction of the real. Their strictly abstract form makes it difficult to describe them as transcending their functional role as gaming pieces. A 2018 publication on the topic,Chess and other Games Pieces from Islamic Lands, by Deborah Freeman Fahid (Thames and Hudson) indicates that, far from being differentiated in representational fashion, Islamic pieces were distinguished by size, from the more valuable and larger major pieces, down to the diminutive and humble low value pawn. In sharp contradistinction, even seen simply as works of art, the Lewis pieces are immensely valuable. In July 2019 a single newly discovered piece in the same style, a Warder or Rook, sold in auction for a staggering 735,000.

In a similar vein to the Lewis hoard, though in my opinion even more refined and elegant, are the so-called Charlemagnechess pieces, preserved (after various disappearances of individual items during the French Revolution) in the Bibliotheque Nationale de Paris. Fashioned from elephant ivory, rather than walrus, these pieces of a slightly more cosmopolitan south Italian provenance, are similar to the Lewis chessmen, especially in the design of the foot soldier pawns. Viking/ Norman influence is to be detected in both the Lewis and Charlemagne artefacts. However, in general the southern execution is more intricate, involving complex palace-like housing for the superior pieces and impressively lifelike depictions of war elephants. Needless to say, the Charlemagne connection is merely myth and legend, since these miniature works of art date from Sicily in theeleventh century, not to ninth century Aachen, the Carolingian capital further north. Hence the fable that they were gifts to The Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne from The Caliph Haroun Al Rashid in Baghdad, can be discarded as inflated ex post facto romanticisation.

A new book,Chess in Art,1100-1900, compiled by Peter Herel Raabenstein (published by HereLove, Prague) takes the reader on a journey through almost a thousand years of portrayals of chess in works of art, from the chess book of the Spanish monarch Alfonso el Sabio (Alfonso the Wise) to Daumiers chess players of the late 19th century. A second volume is promised for the twentieth century and beyond, which will surely feature the chess related artistic exploits of Marcel Duchamp,along perhaps with work from my good friends Barry Martin and Patrick Hughes, the most accomplished living artists also to be recognised as noted chess players.

Each artist covered in the book is furnished with a thumbnail biography. Despite an absence of more detailed critical apparatus, a theme which emerges strongly from the collection is the powerful representation of women in both aristocratic and bourgeois society as chess protagonists. A striking example is the portrayal by Sofonisba Anguissolaof herself and her sisters playing chess, dating from 1555.

This social presence is significant, and is accentuated by the allegorical use of chess as a flash point between the sexes. It seems that the regrettable, if hopefully temporary, pivot towards chess as being a primarily masculine pursuit, arose from the professionalisation of the game, which commenced in earnest from the mid 19th century with the London International Tournament of 1851. Before the 19th century the chess landscape, according to the artistic record, appeared to be populated equally by both sexes.

In the context of female representation in chess, an aspect which invites more thorough exploration is the work of Angelica Kauffman, whose painting Composition, employing a female figure contemplating a chess situation, adorns the ceiling of the lobby of The Royal Academy in Londons Piccadilly.

This allegorical figure symbolises one of the four vital elements of art. She reposes her head on her hand as if plunged into profound thought, and leans on the base of a column that supports a chessboard. The chess presence is overtly intended as a metaphor for intellectual and strategic cerebration, while the compass she holds in her hand alludes to the precision and accuracy required in the initial stages of creating an artwork. The female figure inhabits the frontier separating nature and human architecture, sinceCompositiondraws inspiration from both fields.

Angelica Kauffmans tetralogy of roundel paintings collectively represents the four essential Elements of Fine Art:Invention,Composition,Design, andColour. Together they clearly allude to Sir Joshua Reynoldss theories from hisDiscourses on Artpropoundedin his lectures at the Royal Academy and published in 1788. Sir Joshua was a close friend of Kauffman, often referring to her in his notebooks as Miss Angel. She was a forceful personality in her own right, who once obliged a painting to be withdrawn from the Royal Academy on the grounds that it disrespected Reynolds. In 1787 she painted a portrait of Goethe, the main topic of a previous column in these pages.

Kauffman, herself, the most famous female artist of the Enlightenment, exhibited a penchant forrepresenting powerful female figures, inspired by examples from the Italian Renaissance, such as Sofonisba Anguissola, who appears so prominently in the book Chessin Art. According to Professor Anna Lena Lindberg of Lund University, Sweden, in her 1995 article Touching the Rainbow, inThe Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research, Kauffmans women radiate both spiritual and physical vitality, in a way that, at least on the face of it, has a resemblance to, for example, Michelangelos athletic sibyl in the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, which Angelica Kauffman must have seen and studied, or to Artemisia Gentileschis history painting. Kauffman was certainly attracted to Rome and passed away there at the age of sixty-six in 1807.

An 18th century audience would have been adroit in deciphering iconography and Kauffmans works involve numerous symbols based on classical iconographic precedent. Interestingly, although such tradition may have resulted in some of the figures becoming male, Kauffman converted them all to female.

Her quartet of allegorical roundels, originally commissioned for the Royal Academys Council Room in the institutions first purpose-built location in Somerset House,was later transferred to the ceiling of the entrance hall of the Royal Academy at Burlington House.

Kauffmans chess painting is now one of the first items the visitor encounters when entering this Temple to Art, a fitting tribute to one of the only two female founding members of the RA.

Kauffmans co-female founder was Mary Moser, coincidentally also of Swiss extraction. Johan Zoffany celebrated the launch of the RA with hisAcademicians of the Royal Academy where members are gathered around a nude male model, and this when prevailing mores excluded women from such gatherings in order to protect their modesty. With great ingenuity Zoffany honoured the contraband female contribution by including wall portraits of both Kauffman and Moser.

In a curious echo of the decline of female presence in chess, as the 19th dawned, no further female academicians were admitted until 1936!

An exhibition dedicated to Kauffmans work had been planned for the RAthis year fromJune 27 to September 20.Sadly, due to the ravages of the Coronavirus, her exhibition was cancelled. I hope that it can be restored at a later date. Interestingly, another near contemporary, Mary Delany, produced chess related silhouettes, and was the subject of a British Museum Womens History Month blog in March of last year.

Chess itself can aspire to be an art form, not just in terms of the appearance of the game in paintings and in the artistic design of pieces, but also in the creation of beauty on the chessboard. Since chess is a struggle in which the opponent is constantly seeking to block, neutralise and frustrate your own plans, it might seem anomalous that artistic beauty can result from such a tangled combative maelstrom.

However, it is so.

This weeks gamecomes as close to being a work of art in itself, as it is possible to be. Characteristic features of beauty in chess are usually associated with heavy sacrifices of material and very long moves. In that respect, Petrosians final long diagonal queen move in this weeks game is archetypally aesthetic, geometrically stunning and visually powerful. The fact that it was enacted at the highest level of skill, in a game for the championship of the world, only enhances its lustre.

Beowulf and Achilles achieved immortal fame through their heroism, Odysseus by his intelligence and resourcefulness, Petrarch through his poetry, and Kauffman through her art. I like to think that such titans of chess, as Tigran Petrosian, Boris Spassky, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Judit Polgr and Magnus Carlsen, to name but a few, will also do so, as long as chess continues to be played. In the case of the Grandest Masters of chess, through the cerebral battles of their miniature wars, just as heroic Achilles did on the martial battlefields of Troy and indefatigable Beowulf, slaying demons for eternal fame, according to the valorous Norse Code of the Scandinavian elite, etched forever in the grim visages of the Lewis chess warriors.

More aboutChess in Art: History of Chess in Paintings 1100-1900can be found atwww.chessinart.com.

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The Demons and the Angel: Chess in Art - TheArticle

Aviation Week Network Wins Five Distinguished Aerospace Media Awards – GlobeNewswire

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Photographer Mark Wagner wins Best Image

Chinese J-10 fighter team in Show News magazine

NEW YORK, July 23, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aviation Week Network, serving the global aviation, aerospace and defense industries, has won five 2020 Aerospace Media Awards. The annual awards honor individuals who have made a significant contribution to aerospace journalism and publishing. The winners were announced in an online presentation from London on July 21.

The recognized work includes:

John Morris, Editor-in-Chief of ShowNews, was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career in journalism that spans 50 years, John has edited 560 issues of the onsite show daily since 1994.

Greg Hamilton, President, Aviation Week Network said, Helping the aviation and aerospace community make critical decisions and grow requires above-and-beyond journalistic achievement. Our editors are committed to serving the essential and complex community with the trusted and actionable information it needs to succeed. Its an honor to receive these prestigious awards."

The Aerospace Media Awards are an annual event that celebrates excellence in aerospace journalism and publishing. Founded in 2012 the awards take place in London or Paris on the eve of the Farnborough or Paris air shows.

ABOUT AVIATION WEEK NETWORK Aviation Week Network is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world. Industry professionals rely on Aviation Week Network to help them understand the market, make decisions, predict trends, and connect with people and business opportunities. Customers include the worlds leading aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, airlines, airports, business aviation operators, militaries, governments and other organizations that serve this worldwide marketplace. Aviation Week Networks portfolio delivers award-winning journalism, data, intelligence and analytical resources, world-class tradeshows and conferences, and results-driven marketing services and advertising.

Aviation Week Network is part of Informa Markets, a division of Informa PLC.

ABOUT INFORMA MARKETSInforma Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Aviation, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology and Infrastructure. As the worlds leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit http://www.informamarkets.com.

Media ContactElizabeth SiskDirector, Marketing CommunicationsAviation Week Network860.495.5498elizabeth.sisk@aviationweek.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e1cb84d-5a19-47fc-9348-d10647dae290

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Aviation Week Network Wins Five Distinguished Aerospace Media Awards - GlobeNewswire

Parker Aerospace Named Highest-Rated Mechanical or Electrical Supplier Providing Customer Service to the Aerospace MRO Market – AviationPros.com

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CLEVELAND--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Parker Aerospace, a business segment of Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH), the global leader in motion and control technologies, today announced that it hasreceived the top scorein airline customer satisfaction among maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) mechanical and electrical suppliers worldwide. The findings come from the third annual Air Transport Aftermarket Customer Satisfaction Survey conducted byInside MRO,Air Transport World, andAeroDynamic Advisory

Of the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) ranked, only seven logged strong satisfaction scores. On a scale of 0-10, with 10 being the highest, those OEMs are:

This survey was conducted from mid-February to mid-May, with 185 qualified responses, including 62 unique airlines from around the world. OEMs were ranked in the following categories: ease of doing business, product reliability, technical support, parts cost, parts availability, aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support, OEM repair cost, OEM service center performance, overall satisfaction, and likelihood of recommending them to a peer or colleague.

Parker Aerospace improved year-over-year scores in ease of doing business, technical support, OEM repair cost, and OEM service center performance while also receiving the highest overall satisfaction score for mechanical/electrical suppliers in 2020. Most of the industry continues to show low net promoter scores (NPS) scores, like overall satisfaction, and Parkers NPS score has remained high among peers.

Lee Ann Shay, chief editor MRO, Aviation Week Network, reports in the July issueofInside MROthat, Parker Hannifin has been putting a premium on customer service in the last several years, which seems to resonate with its customer base. It has expanded its in-region supportincluding inventory pooling centers in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia as well as repair capabilities. It also opened 24/7customer response centersin Irvine, California, and Singapore.

The survey report also explains thatParker HannifinChairman and CEO Tom Williams established a net promoter score index called likelihood to recommend (LTR).

Customers are asked about their experience after every significant business transaction, says Austin Major,Parker Aerospacegroup vice president for business development & customer support. Customers who have good experiences hold a greater appreciation for the overall value offered by Parker and actively promote our brand. They are more likely to have a strong interest in new product offerings and product improvements, and to consider broadening their business with Parker.

Parkers leaders and business units are measured on the LTR scores, which Major says have steadily increased every year since the programs inception. Parker Aerospace has a division dedicated to serving aftermarket customers, calledCustomer Support Operations(CSO), which represents all of the aerospace technologies across Parkers Aerospace Group. Customers are surveyed with transactions that are manual and digital, plus an overall relationship survey, so that issues can be quickly identified and resolved.

The complete survey results and winners can be found in a recent webinar, Aviation Reset: Flight Path Forward, featuring MRO Top Performers: Strategies for Leading Customer Satisfaction. The panelists will discuss the increasing importance of customer engagement, how that is changing as airlines prioritize cost savings and efficiency, and maintaining excellent customer relations through mergers, acquisitions, and industry consolidation.Register hereto view the on-demand webinar.

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Parker Aerospace Named Highest-Rated Mechanical or Electrical Supplier Providing Customer Service to the Aerospace MRO Market - AviationPros.com

What Type Of Returns Would Magellan Aerospace’s(TSE:MAL) Shareholders Have Earned If They Purchased Their SharesThree Years Ago? – Yahoo Finance

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If you are building a properly diversified stock portfolio, the chances are some of your picks will perform badly. But the long term shareholders of Magellan Aerospace Corporation (TSE:MAL) have had an unfortunate run in the last three years. Regrettably, they have had to cope with a 67% drop in the share price over that period. The more recent news is of little comfort, with the share price down 61% in a year. More recently, the share price has dropped a further 9.7% in a month.

Check out our latest analysis for Magellan Aerospace

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One flawed but reasonable way to assess how sentiment around a company has changed is to compare the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price.

Magellan Aerospace saw its EPS decline at a compound rate of 14% per year, over the last three years. The share price decline of 31% is actually steeper than the EPS slippage. So it's likely that the EPS decline has disappointed the market, leaving investors hesitant to buy. This increased caution is also evident in the rather low P/E ratio, which is sitting at 5.72.

The image below shows how EPS has tracked over time (if you click on the image you can see greater detail).

earnings-per-share-growth

Dive deeper into Magellan Aerospace's key metrics by checking this interactive graph of Magellan Aerospace's earnings, revenue and cash flow.

It is important to consider the total shareholder return, as well as the share price return, for any given stock. The TSR incorporates the value of any spin-offs or discounted capital raisings, along with any dividends, based on the assumption that the dividends are reinvested. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. In the case of Magellan Aerospace, it has a TSR of -64% for the last 3 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. The dividends paid by the company have thusly boosted the total shareholder return.

While the broader market lost about 5.0% in the twelve months, Magellan Aerospace shareholders did even worse, losing 59% (even including dividends) . Having said that, it's inevitable that some stocks will be oversold in a falling market. The key is to keep your eyes on the fundamental developments. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 10.0% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Magellan Aerospace (1 makes us a bit uncomfortable) that you should be aware of.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies we expect will grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on CA exchanges.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com.

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What Type Of Returns Would Magellan Aerospace's(TSE:MAL) Shareholders Have Earned If They Purchased Their SharesThree Years Ago? - Yahoo Finance

TE Connectivity brings single pair ethernet to the skies Aerospace Manufacturing – Aerospace Manufacturing

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TE Connectivity (TE) is unveiling its new Mini-ETH single pair ethernet system for commercial aircraft that is said to offer substantial weight savings, more bandwidth and simpler installation and maintenance by using proven technologies from other markets.

As designers search for greater efficiency onboard aircraft, TEs new Mini-ETH system offers them up to 73% weight savings in cables and up to 41% weight savings in connectors compared to standard eight-wire cables and rectangular connectors.

Using ethernet over single pair protocols derived from the automotive market, the Mini-ETH system delivers its weight savings by employing a two-wire cable design, which was recently standardized under the ARINC 854 cabin equipment network bus standard. Two-wire cables and corresponding 369 connectors help reduce termination time by up to 50% compared to standard quadrax connectors. The reduction in wires within TEs Mini-ETH system can also simplify maintenance when compared to quadrax connectors.

These efficiencies come in a versatile package that is qualified to 100Mb/s with the ability to support up to 1Gb/s in future applications. The Mini-ETH system is currently designed for use in In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) systems, seat power and lighting controls.

The Mini-ETH single pair ethernet system adapts to what customers need from it, so they can retrofit an existing aircraft with Mini-ETH products to achieve savings or design it in to a future system as some customers are doing, said Russell Graves, global aerospace business development manager for TEs Aerospace, Defence and Marine division. TE is pleased to be one of the first manufacturers to offer an ethernet over single pair solution for the commercial aerospace market.

TEs Mini-ETH system consists of a range of time-tested TE products, including:

For more information on TEs Mini-ETH single pair ethernet system, visit the Mini-ETH landing page.

http://www.te.com

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TE Connectivity brings single pair ethernet to the skies Aerospace Manufacturing - Aerospace Manufacturing