Miscellaneous

In March, the rhinos, gorillas and other exotic animals at the Aspinall Foundation’s wildlife parks were looking forward to thousands of people visiting them during the Easter holidays and summer months. Instead, Covid-19 forced the parks to close, leaving the owners with more than 1,300 animals to feed and care for, but no income with which to do so. Fortunately, the Aspinall Foundation was able to turn to their Relationship Director at Barclays, who understood their business and approved a £2 million loan through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to help them through this very difficult period. Hundreds of thousands of UK businesses found themselves in similar situations,

As I write, the UK has spent more than six months battling a virus which has led to the greatest upheaval and disruption to our daily lives in modern times. Its course and longevity remains unpredictable, and ominously the full impact on our societies and economy is unknown. Managing extraordinary events does inevitably force new and innovative thinking, accelerates novel technologies and helps us realise our strengths. In this environment, decisions made now could set the path for the UK’s place in the world and our prosperity for decades to come. We need to think carefully about how best to future-proof and grow our economy for the long-term. As we

In June 2020, which 85 year-old woman became British Vogue magazine’s oldest-ever cover star? – Dame Judi Dench The first world leader Donald Trump spoke to after being elected US President was the President of Egypt. Trump informed Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi of his love of which pop group? – The Bangles. Trump said: ‘I love the Bangles – you know that song, “Walk Like An Egyptian”?’ Which name was given to 118 female babies in England and Wales in 2019, down from 301 the year before? The fall may have been due to technological reasons. – Alexa In January 2020, which footballer became the highest overseas (as opposed to British) goalscorer in the

As the UK government carefully considers measures to assist a programme of economic recovery from the impact of Covid-19, BAE Systems and companies across the UK’s combat air sector are continuing to recruit and train staff and develop leading-edge technologies in collaboration with our boldest and brightest minds across industry and universities. This is in support of Tempest – our vision to deliver the most ambitious combat air programme in living memory. The UK’s combat air sector is a vital element of our economy. It has a turnover in excess of £6 billion a year and accounts for more than 80 per cent of defence exports over the past decade.

Exclusively available to Spectator subscribers throughout June & July (or until stocks last) is this mixed box containing three bottles of Chapel Down Brut NV and three bottles of 2019 Chapel Down Sparkling Bacchus at £120 including delivery (usually retailing at £132).

Forman and Field are offering our subscribers an extra 10% discount on their two delightful Father’s Day Hampers – one includes beer, a Pork Pie, Picallili and dried snacks while the other is their ‘Triple Smoke Hamper’ and includes their London Cure Smoked Salmon, James Eadie Whisky and smoked water. Use the code spectator10 at checkout.

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This week, The Spectator proudly becomes the first magazine in history to produce its 10,000th issue. To celebrate, we’re offering readers the chance to win one of 50 commemorative Spectator tea towels.Enter now Winners will be notified on 20 May. Terms and Conditions.

The United States has long regarded itself as better prepared for a pandemic than any other country in the world, but it assumed the disease would be flu, rather than a coronavirus. This was a failure of imagination. The Sars epidemic showed the world that coronaviruses can lead to acute and fatal respiratory diseases. The Asian countries that suffered most from Sars updated their pandemic response kits accordingly, with mass testing and patient-tracing technology. Neither Britain nor America thought to do likewise. In Britain, we’re starting to admit to flaws in our pandemic response. Donald Trump is less inclined to do so, and is instead directing his fury at China

Before the government announced its Covid-19 economic safeguarding scheme to pay up to £2,500 a month to ‘furloughed’ or rested employees – the ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ – a number of business owners and managers talked to me about their creative ideas to continue operating and trading on a different model after lockdown. But as soon as they were told that they could in effect shut down and still pay something to their staff with government subsidies, they gave up on those imaginative routes to operating and went into hibernation. For example, the PM in a press-conference before he became ill, tried to encourage pubs, cafes and restaurants to convert into

This month, The Spectator becomes the first magazine in history to print 10,000 issues. At a time when the nation is in need of good cheer, we’d like to celebrate. Subscribers can claim 39% off our commemorative Spectator gin, produced by Foxdenton Estate Company, a family-run distillery in the home counties. Usually £40.95, subscribers can own a bottle for just £24.95, including free postage and packing*. Enter GIN39 at checkout to receive your discount.

I could list all manner of things I don’t try, because I know I won’t like them, like skydiving and revolting cocktails. But there’s another list of things I don’t try, knowing I might like them just a bit too much. ‘Puzzle Rush’ was, for some time, in the second category. Chess.com is one of the websites where people go seeking out internet games, and their release of ‘Puzzle Rush’ in late 2018 was an instant hit. The challenge is to solve as many chess puzzles as you can in five minutes. The puzzles get gradually harder, and after three strikes, you’re out. It goes to show that even games