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Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2020 UK review What is it? Four years have passed since a revitalised Alfa Romeo first unleashed its fantastic Giulia Quadrifoglio on the motoring masses. How excited we were: here was Alfa’s first rear-wheel-drive model in a quarter of a century. Not only did it turn out to be a bona fide driver’s car, but it was also quite simply the best car Alfa had launched in a generation. Despite all of this, things weren’t exactly rosy in Turin over the following years. Sales struggled in Europe and the US; the Stelvio SUV with which it shared its newly developed Giorgio platform didn’t perform as well as expected; and Alfa’s plans to field seven models by 2023 were significantly pared back. Considering the billions of pounds parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles had poured into the brand under charismatic former CEO Sergio Marchionne, that must have been concerning. Perhaps the forthcoming PSA Group merger will turn things around for the better. In the meantime, however, Alfa has treated the Giulia Quadrifoglio to a minor mid-life refresh. So there’s a new touchscreen infotainment system, and a full suite of advanced driver assistance systems has been introduced, too. The material quality of the cabin has also been lifted ever so slightly. An Akrapovic exhaust and exposed carbon roof are now both available as options - although our test car had neither. What's it like? Not that it mattered, as the Giulia Quadrifoglio remains as magnificent as ever. Its performance is ferocious, but not so outrageous that it feels like overkill on the public highway. With 3000rpm or so on the clock, turbo lag is all but non-existent, and an extended stomp on the throttle will keep acceleration impressively constant effectively all the way round to the rev limiter. Provided you’ve selected manual mode - as you should - you’ll then be invited to grab one of the beautifully milled, cold-to-the-touch metal shift paddles to slot the next gear home. This will almost immediately be followed by a whip crack from the exhaust, and a suitably forceful kick as the Alfa’s eight-speed gearbox slots the next ratio home. With the DNA drive mode selector set to ‘D’ for Dynamic, the Ferrari-derived V6 sounds pretty good, too, with a rich mechanical growl that’s highly suggestive of its abundant performance intent. And although that growl morphs into more of a bellow than a truly memorable operatic climax as the revs climb, it’s unlikely you’ll feel short-changed for aural drama. Nevertheless, the optional Akrapovic exhaust would probably still be an absolutely worthwhile investment. Throttle response is noticeably sharpened in D, too. That’s great when the road ahead is clear and you’re pushing it, but around town, it’s perhaps a shade too aggressive and urgent. That said, in Normal mode, that pointed response is blunted to a far more civilised level, and the gearbox remains nicely mannered, too. But really, it’s the chassis that remains the Giulia Quadrifoglio’s standout asset. With its dampers softened off (you can do this at the press of a button, even in Dynamic), the balance it strikes between ride comfort and body control is about as spot on as you can get in a 500bhp-plus sports saloon. Yes, it might trip over larger ruts and bumps pretty forcefully, but that aggression comes with the territory. The handling, meanwhile, is sublime. Our prescribed test route didn’t provide much scope to really probe the limits of its handling, but even at sensible speeds, this car feels alive in your hands. Its steering rack is exceptionally quick, with just over two full turns between locks, but it doesn’t feel nervous or overly twitchy. It just turns in with huge amounts of energy and precision, and with what feels like abundant grip, too. The tweaks to the interior are minor but combine to create a more convincing effect than they did before. Aside from the new touchscreen (which is still fairly unresponsive and lacks the graphical sophistication you find in the Alfa’s German rivals), it’s the centre console that’s changed the most. Previously, the area surrounding the gearlever and rotary dials was finished in a pretty ugly section of hard matt-effect plastic. That’s been done away with and these controls are now more cleanly integrated into the carbonfibre covering that sits on top of the transmission tunnel. It’s a subtle change, but one that was needed nonetheless. Should I buy one? Even with its lightly revamped interior, the Alfa still doesn’t quite live up to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S in terms of premium appeal. For some, its V6 soundtrack might pale in comparison to the C63's raucous V8, too. But as a driving tool, the Alfa Romeo remains an exceptional device. With a starting price of £67,195, it’s the best part of £10,000 cheaper than the Merc as well. Sure, there have been tales of classic Alfa unreliability, but even so, it’s hard to believe that the Giulia Quadrifoglio isn’t deserving of a far greater level of sales success than it currently achieves. Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Location Buckinghamshire On sale Now Price £67,195 Engine V6, 2891cc, twin-turbocharged, petrol Power 503bhp at 6500rpm Torque 443lb ft at 2500rpm Gearbox 8-spd automatic Kerb weight 1580kg 0-62mph 3.9sec Top speed 191mph Economy 27.2mpg CO2 236g/km Rivals Mercedes-AMG C63 S, BMW M3

New owner for David Brown Automotive David Brown Automotive, the Silverstone-based maker of the highly individualistic Speedback GT and Mini Remastered models, is promising “a period of growth and exciting new model launches” following the arrival of a new majority shareholder, UK Advanced Industrials Ltd. Two UKAI principals, Richard Westley and David Roberts, are joining the DBA board while founder and former boss David Brown, who launched the company in 2013, stays on as a director and the company’s official brand ambassador. Westley is already well known as the founder of Fablink, a supplier of metal pressings and vehicle structures to the UK motor industry. Roberts is a veteran entrepreneur with a portfolio of interests in industrial and luxury goods companies. The company will have a new CEO, Eddie Kembery, who has held senior positions at Ford, Honda and Aston Martin. The current sales and marketing director, Michelle Gay, stays on and the company will retain its recently acquired Silverstone HQ. Westley said he is “thrilled to have completed this deal in what is currently a challenging environment. We feel we can add significant value to DBA through our knowledge, experience and our established network of related businesses.” Roberts said DBA “epitomises style and luxury and we look forward to developing additional marques and platforms to meet the demands of a discerning clientele. Bespoke craftsmanship is core to the David Brown Automotive brand, as is a level of customer service that sets the standard for a luxury automotive business in the UK. As the company grows and expands, its dedication to these core values will be central to everything it does.” David Brown Automotive’s launch product was the super-exclusive £600,000-plus Speedback GT, unveiled in 2013. This was joined in 2017 by a range of £90,000 Mini Remastered models that have since been in great demand, especially in south-east Asia. Brown said he’s delighted with the new ownership deal. “We have fantastic products that appeal to a global audience,” he said, “but we also have aspirations for further growth and a desire to launch exciting new products. UKAI’s investment, experience and extended group capability will underpin that and be the key to our future success.

Coronavirus: Sarajevo’s landmark hotel faces hard times amid pandemic Cars drive by The Holiday Hotel, which opened as Holiday Inn, a luxurious accommodation for world's royalty, film stars and other dignitaries who came to watch the 1984 Winter Olympics, and less than a decade later, became ground zero of the bloody siege of Sarajevo in the 1990's, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. (AP) The bright yellow Hotel Holiday in downtown Sarajevo has seen good times and bad times in its 37-year history. Mostly, it has been a symbol of survival in the once-turbulent Bosnian capital. Now the boxy landmark is in danger once again, with the coronavirus pandemic leaving it with few guests. Bosnia, like the rest of the Balkans, has been hit hard by the virus. Cases have been rising in Bosnia since mid-May, when a strict lockdown was lifted and many people seemed to start disregarding social distancing rules and ditching masks. A window in one of the rooms of The Holiday Hotel, which opened as Holiday Inn, a luxurious accommodation for world's royalty, film stars and other dignitaries who came to watch the 1984 Winter Olympics, and less than a decade later, became ground zero of the bloody siege of Sarajevo in the 1990's, offers a view of Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. ( AP ) The country of 3.5 million has reported nearly 10,500 cases and 294 deaths, many since the restrictions were eased. Amid the pandemic, there are hardly any tourists or business travellers visiting the capital, leaving the hotel with many empty rooms. ALSO SEE | PHOTOS: Sarajevo’s landmark hotel faces hard times amid pandemic It originally opened as part of the Holiday Inn hotel chain and was luxurious accommodation for royalty, movie stars and other dignitaries who came to the 1984 Winter Olympics. FILE - In this Sunday, March 27, 1994, file photo, a Ukrainian U.N. soldier holds a weapon while protecting a tram diving through the so called Snipers Alley, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, backdropped by the Holiday Inn hotel. The Holiday Hotel, which opened as Holiday Inn, a luxurious accommodation for world's royalty, film stars and other dignitaries who came to watch the 1984 Winter Olympics, and less than a decade later, became ground zero of the bloody siege of Sarajevo in the 1990's. ( AP ) Less than a decade later, it was ground zero for the bloody siege of Sarajevo in the 1990s and an uneasy shelter for the many foreign journalists who arrived to cover the conflict. “The hotel was working all the time through the war,” said general manager Zahid Bukva, who has been employed there since it opened in 1983. “There was so much shelling and sniping aimed at our hotel, it was devastating,” he said. “There wasn’t a single window left intact here. But even then, we fought and we provided the service to these foreign journalists.” The hotel, controversial from the start because of its bright colour and Lego-like structure, was often targeted by Serbs in the nearby hills during their three-year siege of the capital that left thousands dead and injured in the capital. FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 15, 1994 file photo, three wounded Bosnian war veterans, walking with the aid of artificial limbs and pushing a legless comrade in a wheelchair, venture down one of Sarajevo's deadliest roads, called Sniper Alley, walking by the Holiday Inn hotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The Holiday Hotel, which opened as Holiday Inn, a luxurious accommodation for world's royalty, film stars and other dignitaries who came to watch the 1984 Winter Olympics, and less than a decade later, became ground zero of the bloody siege of Sarajevo in the 1990's. ( AP ) It survived several direct hits from grenades and shells, as well as constant sniper fire that prompted journalists and staff to use side doors instead of the main lobby entrance. Just before the start of the war in 1992, former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic — now a convicted war criminal — used the hotel as his headquarters, surrounded by armed men wearing masks to hide their identities. They were believed to be Serbian security officers who fired their sniper rifles from the hotel at peaceful protesters in April 1992 — the incident believed to have triggered the start of the civil war that left more than 100,000 dead and millions homeless. A man walks in the lobby of the Holiday Hotel, which opened as Holiday Inn, a luxurious accommodation for world's royalty, film stars and other dignitaries who came to watch the 1984 Winter Olympics, and less than a decade later, became ground zero of the bloody siege of Sarajevo in the 1990's, in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. ( AP ) As journalists rushed to Sarajevo to cover the escalating tensions, the Holiday Inn became the place to be. At the end of a dangerous day, they often swapped their front-line experiences and stories in a ground-floor restaurant. “This hotel became something as a front line for a period,” said Kenneth Morrison, a history professor at De Montfort University in Leicester, England, who wrote a book about it. “It was used exclusively by journalists, aid workers and some diplomats,” he said. “The courage and resourcefulness of the staff during those difficult times is an incredible story in itself.” He said the hotel “faced many challenges in its relatively short history.” “It’s only 37 years old, but in many ways, the challenges it’s facing now are far more significant,” Morrison said of the pandemic. A woman rides a bicycle passing the Holiday Hotel in Sarajevo, Bosnia, Wednesday, July 29, 2020. ( AP ) “One can only hope that this building, which survived all that’s been thrown at it, can survive this latest crisis,” he said. Hotel director Hajro Rovcanin believes it will. “The hotel survived through a lot, and I think that we will overcome this corona crisis,” he said. (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

Donald Trump suggests delay to 2020 US presidential election Donald Trump has called for November's presidential election to be postponed, saying increased postal voting could lead to fraud and inaccurate results. He suggested a delay until people can "properly, securely and safely" vote. There is little evidence to support Mr Trump's claims but he has long railed against mail-in voting which he has said would be susceptible to fraud. US states want to make postal voting easier due to public health concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. In a series of tweets, Mr Trump said "universal mail-in voting" would make November's vote the "most inaccurate and fraudulent election in history" and a "great embarrassment to the USA". He suggested - without providing evidence - that mail-in voting, as it is known in the US, would be susceptible to foreign interference. "The Dems talk of foreign influence in voting, but they know that Mail-In Voting is an easy way for foreign countries to enter the race," he said. Mr Trump also said postal voting was "already proving to be a catastrophic disaster" in areas where it was being tried out. Earlier this month, six US states were planning to hold "all-mail" ballot elections this November: California, Utah, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon and Washington. These states will automatically send postal ballots to all registered voters, which then have to be sent back or dropped off on election day - although some in-person voting is still available in certain limited circumstances. Does US postal voting lead to ‘tremendous fraud’? Could Donald Trump delay the presidential election? About half of US states allow any registered voter to vote by post on request. Critics of postal voting argue that people could vote more than once via absentee ballots and in person. Mr Trump has in the past said there was a risk of "thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody's living room, signing ballots all over the place". However, there is no evidence of widespread fraud, according to numerous nationwide and state-level studies over the years.

Audi Sport: No choice of powertrains in future RS models Audi Sport will only offer one powertrain on individual cars in future, rather than giving buyers the option of pure combustion-engined or electrified powertrains when choosing an RS model. While sibling brand Volkswagen offers GTI and GTE performance versions of its Golf, both delivering 242bhp, Audi Sport sales and marketing boss Rolf Michl has confirmed this won’t be the case for upcoming RS models. Currently, the only electrified model in the line-up is the RS6 which features a 48v mild hybrid, but plug-in hybrids and electric RS models will arrive in the next couple of years, and will become a crucial part of Audi Sport’s overall range. The first models to arrive will be a plug-in hybrid RS4 and the electric E-tron GT, both due before 2023. Michl said: “We are well-known for precise portfolio planning and we want to keep it easy for the customer. We will have one car with one engine. It doesn’t make sense to have different variants. He added: “Maybe there will be different variants for different concepts, whether they are electrified, internal combustion-engined or otherwise, but every model will have a single drivetrain.” Michl described Audi Sport’s approach to electrification as “step-by-step”. “Audi AG is positioning itself as consistently electric. The first step of electrification is already done with RS6 and there will be fully electric versions with E-tron GT. “Our main focus is performance and everyday useability. There are brilliant aspects [of electrification] for performance cars such as torque vectoring and amazing cornering speeds. Electrified performance can absolutely be emotional.”

Heart inflammation observed in recently recovered COVID-19 patients: Study The results of our study provide important insights into the prevalence of cardiovascular involvement in the early convalescent stage,” the scientists wrote in the study. (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock) An analysis of 100 patients who recently recovered from novel coronavirus infection has revealed that nearly 80 per cent of them have cardiac manifestations of the disease, a finding which indicates the need for further research to understand the long-term consequences of COVID-19. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, assessed 100 patients who recently recovered from COVID-19 illness from Germany’s University Hospital Frankfurt between April and June 2020. According to the researchers, including those from the hospital, cardiac involvement was observed in 78 patients, and ongoing heart inflammation in 60 individuals. They said the reported symptoms were independent of preexisting conditions, severity and overall course of the acute illness, and time from the original diagnosis. In the study, the scientists assessed recent recovery from the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infection as determined by RT-PCR assays which check for the presence of the virus from swab tests of patients’ upper respiratory tract. The researchers assessed the patients’ demographic characteristics, blood markers of heart health, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) scans. They said 53 of the patients were male, and the average age was 49 years. According to the study, 67 patients recovered at home, while 33 required hospitalisation. At the time of the heart scan, the scientists said the molecule high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) was detectable in the blood samples of 71 of the 100 patients recently recovered from COVID-19, and significantly elevated in five of them. They said a total of 78 patients recently recovered from COVID-19 had abnormal CMR scan findings. The researchers also noted that heart tissue sample analysis in the patients with severe findings showed active inflammation caused by the immune system. “The results of our study provide important insights into the prevalence of cardiovascular involvement in the early convalescent stage,” the scientists wrote in the study. Citing the limitations of the study, the researchers said the findings are not validated for the use in pediatric patients 18 years and younger. They added that the research also does not represent patients during acute COVID-19 infection, or those who are completely asymptomatic with the disease.

Coronavirus: German officials 'very concerned' by rising cases Lothar Wieler warned this could be the start of a "second wave" The head of Germany's public health agency has said he is "very concerned" by rising infections in the country. "We are in the middle of a rapidly developing pandemic," Lothar Wieler, head of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), told reporters. Mr Wieler said Germans had become "negligent" and urged people to wear masks and respect social distancing and hygiene rules. In the past week the country has recorded 3,611 new infections. The warning comes as countries across Europe grapple with new infections and the problem of travellers moving across the continent for the summer holidays. On Tuesday Germany issued a travel warning for three regions in Spain - Aragón, Catalonia and Navarra - which have seen a recent spike in infections. UK changes travel advice for Spanish islands Spain races to save tourism as cases surge It comes after the UK imposed a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from Spain - a move Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called "unjust". Germany announced on Monday a programme of free, mandatory coronavirus testing for travellers returning from a list of high-risk countries. The list currently includes Brazil, Turkey and the US, and officials said it will be updated daily. What did Mr Wieler say? At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr Wieler asked people for the first time to wear a mask outdoors if they cannot maintain a physical distance of at least 1.5 metres (5ft). Previously the guidance had been to wear masks indoors in public. The head of the RKI said Germans must stop the virus once again spreading "rapidly and uncontrollably" by following hygiene and distancing measures. "We don't know yet if this is the beginning of a second wave but of course it could be," Mr Wieler said. "But I am optimistic that if we follow the hygiene rules we can prevent it, it's up to us." How is the virus spreading in Germany? Overall, Germany has recorded 206,242 cases and 9,122 deaths. These numbers - in particular the death toll - are lower than many other European states, and Germany has won praise domestically and internationally for its rapid response to the pandemic and its mass testing programme. Germany divided as states lift lockdown Court overrules lockdown near German meat plant But in recent days cases have jumped. New recorded infections increased by 633 on Tuesday, nearly double Monday's rise of 340. Over the last week the country has reported an average of 557 new infections daily, compared with about 350 in early June. Moreover, the rise is widespread, with counties across the country reporting new cases. An RKI official said that only a few weeks ago nearly 150 counties were reporting no new infections, compared with only 95 counties now. How are other European countries doing? On Monday, Belgium reduced the size of its social bubbles to five people after a rise in cases. Authorities in the city of Antwerp have imposed a night-time curfew on all but essential workers and have mandated that everyone aged over 12 must wear a mask in public. Spanish officials are still hoping to get the UK to reverse or amend its quarantine order in a bid to save its embattled tourism industry. New infections remain high in the north-east, although nationally the outbreak remains under control, with few new cases emerging in other regions. Where can I now go on holiday in the UK? What are the quarantine rules for Spain and its islands? Nations in southeastern Europe are the continent's worst-affected. Kosovo reported a record rise of almost 300 new infections on Tuesday, and its public health officials have warned that hospitals and health workers are overwhelmed by the number of cases. Romania meanwhile has recorded more than 1,000 new cases for the seventh day in a row. The country now has more than 47,000 infections. Serbia, Albania and North Macedonia are also struggling to contain outbreaks. But Slovenia and Croatia have reported few infections compared to neighbouring states, and from Tuesday UK travellers can head to Slovenia without having to quarantine when they return. Meanwhile, in Malta, more than two thirds of a group of 94 migrants rescued in the Mediterranean by the country's coastguard have now tested positive for the virus. The migrants - thought to be from Eritrea, Morocco and Sudan - will remain in quarantine at a reception centre.

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Robert O'Brien, key Trump adviser, tests positive for Covid-19 President Trump named O'Brien his adviser in September last year President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Robert O'Brien, has tested positive for coronavirus, the White House has confirmed. Mr O'Brien, 54, has been self-isolating and working from home. The aide has mild symptoms and there was no risk of exposure to Mr Trump or Vice-President Mike Pence, a statement said. Mr O'Brien is the highest-ranking official in Mr Trump's administration known to have tested positive. It is not clear when he and the president last met, but one administration official said it had not been for "several days". The pair appeared together two weeks ago on a trip to Miami. Coronavirus: The week when everything changed for Trump The millions of Americans 'hanging by a thread' The White House statement read: "He has mild symptoms and has been self-isolating and working from a secure location off site. There is no risk of exposure to the president or the vice-president. The work of the National Security Council continues uninterrupted." Some staff members told CNN they had only learned of the infection on Monday from the media. One source told Bloomberg that Mr O'Brien had been out of his office for a week and that the adviser had contracted the virus after a family event. Anyone near the president is tested regularly for Covid-19. A number of people in and around the administration have tested positive, including a military member who works as a White House valet, Mr Pence's press secretary Katie Miller, and a helicopter squadron Marine. Who is Robert O'Brien? Trained as a lawyer, he has had a long diplomatic career working for both Republicans and Democrats. He is believed to be the highest-ranking Mormon member of the Trump administration. He was picked to replace John Bolton as national security adviser last September, after Mr Bolton left amid a rancorous fallout with President Trump. Mr O'Brien shares similar views to Mr Trump on a number of issues, including criticism of the UN and opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. Mr O'Brien travelled to Paris this month to discuss foreign policy issues with European counterparts, and gave a speech in Arizona in June comparing Chinese President Xi Jinping with Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

Confirmed: former Seat design boss heads to Renault Seat design director Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos will follow his former colleague Luca De Meo to join Renault, the French brand has now confirmed. Following earlier reports, Renault has now issued a statement confirming his appointment, although no specific job title is listed. He will report to Groupe Renault's design director Laurens van den Acker, who commented on the appointment: "I am delighted to welcome Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos to the Group’s Design Department. His excellent work is widely recognised in the automotive industry and his experience, built up with several manufacturers, will strengthen our team. I am convinced that Alejandro, who already knows Groupe Renault, will be of great help in meeting the future challenges facing our brands." Seat confirmed Mesonero-Romanos' departure earlier today in a statement, saying he had "left the company at his own request" and thanking him for nine years of service. R&D boss Dr Werner Tietz will now lead the design until a new appointment is made. Former Seat president De Meo left the Spanish company back in January but has started his tenure as Renault Group CEO only this month. He was in charge of the Volkswagen Group brand’s operations for five years. Mesonero-Romanos first joined Seat's design department in 1995, where he worked on the Bolero concept car of 1998. He joined the Volkswagen Group's European design centre in 1996 to work on Audi, Seat and Volkswagen models before moving to Renault in 2001. At Renault, he worked on designs such as the Laguna Coupé. His final move before rejoining Seat in 2011 was to South Korea as the design director of Renault Samsung Motors.

This no-bake banana cheesecake will satiate your sweet cravings n love with cheesecake? Try this easy recipe. (Source: Ranveer Brar/Instagram; designed by Gargi Singh) It is always a good idea to whip up something quick and easy whenever those midnight sweet cravings strike. And what better than ending the day on a sweet note. So if you been wanting to make something delicious to satiate your sweet cravings, how about a cheesecake? And what better than a no-bake cheesecake. Weekend or not, try out this recipe for a quick treat. Chef Ranveer Brar recently shared this no-bake recipe. Take a look. Banana Cheesecake Preparation Time: 40 minutes Serves: 4 Category: Dessert Ingredients For the base 1 cup – Graham Crackers/Marie Biscuit, powdered ¼ cup – Caster sugar 1/2 cup – Butter, melted For cheese layer 1 cup – Cream cheese ½ cup – Caster sugar ½ cup – Whipped cream, stiffly beaten 2 – Bananas, sliced For pudding layer 2 cups – Milk ¼ cup – Vanilla custard powder ½ cup – Whipped cream, stiffly beaten 2 no – Bananas, mashed ALSO READ | Bring out the baker in you with this seasoned carrot cake Method *For the base, combine all the ingredients and mix well. *Take a detachable round cake tin. *Spread crumb mixture on the bottom of the tin and refrigerate till other layers are prepared. *For the cheese layer, blend cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Fold in whipped cream and keep in a cool place. *For the pudding layer, heat milk in a pot. Add custard powder and whisk till lump-free and thick. Let it cool. *Fold in whipped cream and mashed bananas. *Now take out the cake tin. Layer sliced bananas, then add cream cheese filling, then again a layer of sliced bananas and lastly the pudding. *Refrigerate for minimum two hours, and maximum overnight. *Remove and detach. Cut and serve. When are you going to make it?

Peter Green: Fleetwood Mac co-founder dies aged 73 Fleetwood Mac co-founder and influential blues rock guitarist Peter Green has died aged 73. Solicitors acting on behalf of his family said in a statement: "It is with great sadness that the family of Peter Green announce his death this weekend, peacefully in his sleep. "A further statement will be provided in the coming days." Green, from Bethnal Green in east London, formed Fleetwood Mac with drummer Mick Fleetwood in 1967. They came together after Green's stint filling in for Eric Clapton in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Green and Fleetwood then convinced John McVie to join the band as bass guitarist, in part by naming the band Fleetwood Mac. He wrote the instantly recognisable instrumental track Albatross, which remains the band's only number one hit, plus two other early hits, Black Magic Woman and Oh Well. And it was under Green's direction that they produced their first three albums. The band's debut album was released in 1968. Simply called Fleetwood Mac, but also known as Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, it gained widespread acclaim and reached number four in the charts. Obituary: From humble beginnings to Blues fame Green left the band after a last performance in 1970 as he struggled with his mental health. He was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent time in hospital in the mid-70s. He married Jane Samuels in January 1978. They divorced in 1979 and share a daughter. Green was among the eight members of the band - along with Fleetwood, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie, Christine McVie, Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer - who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. The news of his death comes days after Fleetwood Mac announced they would release a retrospective box set documenting the band's early years between 1969 and 1974. 'One of the greats' Musicians have led tributes to Green. David Coverdale, the lead singer of Whitesnake, said he was an artist he "truly loved and admired". In a tweet, he said: "I supported the original Fleetwood Mac at Redcar Jazz Club when I was in a local band... he was a breathtaking singer, guitarist and composer. I know who I will be listening to today. RIP" Mumford and Sons guitarist Winston Marshall tweeted: "RIP Peter Green. #GOAT. Man of the world, oh well, albatross, need your love so bad. Some of my favourites songs and performances of all time. Thank you for the music." Actor David Morrissey praised Green's "fantastic soulful voice" while Black Sabbath's Geezer Butler described Green as "one of the greats". And Scottish musician Midge Ure tweeted: "One of the great ones gone. You taught me well." Peter Green was one of the greatest Blues guitarists Britain ever produced. His shape-shifting riffs and long, improvisational excursions made Fleetwood Mac one of the most exciting live bands of the 1960s Blues explosion. He first picked up a hand-me-down guitar at the age of 10 and, like many of his peers, began to devour the import vinyl that trickled into the UK from the US. He studied the greats - Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy and BB King - combining their tensely coiled playing style with the shimmering vibrato of The Shadows' Hank Marvin. But he actually started his professional career as a bassist, until an encounter with Eric Clapton persuaded him to ditch the instrument. "I decided to go back on lead guitar after seeing him with the Bluesbreakers. He had a Les Paul, his fingers were marvellous. The guy knew how to do a bit of evil, I guess." He later had the seemingly impossible task of taking over from Clapton in John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Fans were unconvinced at first, but after a handful of incendiary performances, he won them over, earning the nickname "The Green God". Read more here. The singer-songwriter Cat Stevens, also known as Yusuf Islam, tweeted: "God bless the ineffable Peter Green, one of the unsung heroes of musical integrity, innovation and spirit. When I heard he left Fleetwood Mac in 1970 to get a real life and donate his wealth to charity, he became something of a model for me." In February this year, artists including Fleetwood, Pink Floyd's David Gilmour, ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and guitarists Jonny Lang and Andy Fairweather Low performed at the London Palladium in a gig celebrating the early years of Fleetwood Mac. Rolling Stone magazine ranked Green at number 58 in its all-time list of the 100 greatest guitarists, describing him as "Britain's most progressive blues guitarist" in his heyday.

Sophie Choudry makes salted caramel sauce makhana; try the simple recipe Sophie Choudry just whipped up a delicious salted caramel sauce. (Source: sophiechoudry/Instagram) Sophie Choudry has been whipping up delicacies of late; her food posts on Instagram are proof. This time, the actor and former VJ made dairy-free salted caramel sauce-flavoured makhana. She gave us a sneak peek into the preparation on Instagram. Take a look: Try makhana with salted caramel sauce. (Source: sophiechoudry/Instagram) If you would also like to add a twist to your regular makhana snack, why not try making the sauce at home like Sophie? Here’s a simple recipe, courtesy food blogger Lisa Bryan’s website downshiftology.com. Bryan shows how you can make the sauce with coconut milk and coconut sugar, which makes for a delicious vegan treat. Ingredients 400 ml – Coconut milk, full fat 1/2 cup – Coconut sugar 1/2 tsp – Sea salt 1 tsp – Coconut oil 1 tsp – Vanilla extract Method * In a saucepan, add coconut milk, coconut sugar and salt, and combine over medium-high flame. * Bring the sauce to boil and then lower the flame intensity immediately, keeping the sauce at a light simmer. * Let the sauce simmer for about 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally. * Once the sauce turns darker and thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, remove the saucepan from the gas stove. Now stir in coconut oil and vanilla extract. * Serve the sauce warm or refrigerate. How about trying the sauce during the weekend?

Guilty pleasures: Cars we love but perhaps shouldn't Sometimes a car isn’t great, or even particularly good, but you can’t help liking it. Time for the Autocar team to reveal their irrational objects of desire. Kia Soul - James Attwood There’s nothing irrational about liking the new Kia Soul EV. But before an all-electric makeover infused with Kia’s new-found sense of style, in its first two generations the Soul was an odd-looking, weirdly shaped compact crossover. It was pitched as ‘urban cool’ but mostly looked a bit odd. It wasn’t even all that spacious: while the boxy shape offered plenty of head room, it had limited leg room and a deceptively small boot. It didn’t ride very well, either. Despite that, it somehow worked. It was compact, with wheel-on-each-corner handling that was amusing if not dynamic. Perhaps that ‘funky’ styling worked: I wanted to like it and was prepared to look past its flaws. Happily, the new Soul doesn’t require such blinkered thinking: it’s become the great car I always knew it could be. Rover Streetwise - Matt Prior Embarrassing Dad is an enduring television trope. “What’s this? It’s got a good beat,” says Hugh Dennis, trying to still be down with the kids. In a motoring context, Embarrassing Dad would call a car ‘Streetwise’. The 2003 Streetwise, based on the likeable but dated Rover 25, was MG Rover squeezing the remaining juices from the lemons BMW left behind when it sold the company. And it was good to drive, retaining the inherent character of the 25, a fun, nimble hatchback. So spare a thought for the Streetwise. It’s got a good beat. Ford S-Max 2.5T - Matt Saunders There were some utterly daft family cars around when I first started out reviewing. A Ford S-Max with a warbling five-cylinder Focus ST hot-hatch engine sounded pretty daft even back in the mid-noughties, but I was totally sold on the idea before I’d got near one. That Volvo engine had the accessible torque to move a heavy car, after all – and the S-Max had a chassis that deserved the compliment. Today, you could pick one up for well under £5000 and ferry the kids around in it over distances that make 25mpg seem easy to swallow. And at that price, you wouldn’t think twice about getting the engine remapped, either. I’m told you can get close to 300bhp and more than 300lb ft from it without a major mechanical overhaul.] Suzuki Jimny - Rachel Burgess Objectively, the Jimny is quite terrible. If you were to consider key desirability factors of a modern-day car, the Jimny may be one of the worst cars currently on sale: loud, inefficient and let’s not get started on the steering. Yet the day my long-term Jimny departed, I was truly sorry to see it go. Once you adjust, the Jimny is an utterly charming companion – perfect for driving around town (and, crucially, parking) and for bumbling around country roads. Its superb visibility and compactness won me over. I was happy every time I stepped into the car, although over time I learned to avoid motorways. (If you stick to 60mph in the slow lane on a still day, it’s doable but never enjoyable.) But the Jimny excels off road. That’s the reason for its existence. Driving it in a quarry was the most fun I’ve had off-roading. For that reason alone, I sincerely hope Suzuki can justify producing the Jimny for a long time to come. Aston Martin Rapide - Steve Cropley Okay, it’s at the end of its life, but I still have a soft spot for the Rapide, because of the brilliance of its styling-versus-packaging. A car so low and voluptuous shouldn’t have viable rear room, yet I (not known for either compactness or agility) can fit into one of its rear bucket seats in reasonable comfort. Better still, the car looks great. To me, it’s more identifiable than some of Aston’s more recent creations. And it certainly drives well. Sure, it’s no Nürburgring record-breaker, but it’s fast, it’s comfortable and it has lots of road presence. Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid - Kris Culmer Yes, it’s the South Korean version of the Toyota Prius that in recent years has, largely thanks to private hire drivers, become just as ubiquitous as the original hybrid hatchback. It’s very comfortable to ride in, with an impressive deal of head and leg room for what is essentially a family car, but I enjoy driving it even more. I once spent a few weeks tooling around in an early Hybrid model and thoroughly enjoyed the initial burst of acceleration from its electric motor and its relaxed demeanour thereafter, especially in hellish central London. Oddly, though, my standout memory is of how comfortable I found the driving position. Fiat Punto Evo - Mark Tisshaw For much of its long, 13-year life, any mention of the last-generation Punto was met by the words: ‘Is that still on sale?’. And it’s remarkable that it was, given how frankly unremarkable it was even when new. Ford had three different class-leading Fiesta generations on sale in that time. Yet the Punto had one saving grace. In 2010, it was renamed the Punto Evo for its first facelift, which brought with it the 1.4-litre Multiair engine (a motor I’m fond of, as you can tell from my homage to the 124 Spider). Even 10 years on, I still remember just how brilliant that engine was. It had a fantastic wide spread of torque and loved being revved to the redline. It sounded good yet always felt smooth at the same time, and no matter how much of the 133bhp and 152lb ft you used, you’d still get more than 40mpg. The rest of the car was guff, mind – but my, that engine… Volvo 360 - Richard Lane When I was very young, the Lanes were a two-Volvo household. Wild times. Dad mostly drove a 240 GL estate, and I spent much of my time being carted about in the 360, which is about as uniconic as they come. But it’s the 360 that’s the more interesting car. Consider the ingredients: only three doors, a radically sloping hatch and a rear-driven chassis complete with transaxle. All things considered, it actually was wild, and today you’d need to look at the Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T to find something, er, similar in concept. While Volvo is now shifting its reputation for stolid design values, that reputation was unjust anyway. Audi A1 Citycarver - Felix Page Some will see the A1 Citycarver as nothing more than a cynical marketing ploy – a blatant attempt on Audi’s part to tap into the public’s unquenchable thirst for SUVs and convince us that its supermini has off-road ability. It doesn’t, of course. Not really. But let’s look at this oddity for what it really is: a bit of fun, and how often does Ingolstadt offer that? Save for the Ford Fiesta Active, you can’t really get this close to the sky without stepping up to a proper compact SUV. It’s hard to say how successful the Citycarver concept will be, but you don’t see many Volkswagen Polo Dunes around these days… Vauxhall Combo Life - Lawrence Allan Enthusiasts will find it easy to dismiss the Combo Life – and its fellow PSA van-with-windows siblings – as undesirable, unattractive boxes for people who have no interest in cars. They couldn’t be more wrong (although I’m not going to argue that these things are design classics). What they are is the thinking person’s family SUV. With more versatility than any jacked-up hatchback, a compact footprint and an affordable price, they’re perfect for kid carriers and lifestyle types alike. Plus, they’re easy to drive, thanks to huge mirrors, flat sides, deep windows and an innate sense that they’ve been designed to take whatever punishment you throw at them.

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Hagia Sophia: Former Istanbul museum welcomes Muslim worshippers Crowds gathered in Istanbul as the historic Hagia Sophia site opened for Friday prayers for the first time since Turkish authorities ruled it could be converted into a mosque. "Muslims are excited, everyone wants to be at the opening," Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Thursday. The 1,500-year-old Unesco World Heritage site became a museum in 1934. But a Turkish court annulled its status, saying any use other than as a mosque was "not possible legally". The decision to turn it back into a mosque was criticised by religious and political leaders worldwide. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded quickly to the July ruling, vowing that the world-famous site would be ready for Friday prayers from 24 July, and he was seen joining worshippers at around midday (09:00 GMT). About 1,000 people were allowed in through security checkpoints, while others laid out prayer mats outside. Hagia Sophia was built as an Orthodox Christian cathedral and first converted into a mosque after the Ottoman conquest nine centuries later. While there was considerable excitement as crowds headed to the Unesco site, not everyone was happy. The secular opposition party that runs Istanbul has described the move to turn it back into a mosque after 86 years as political rather than religious. In pictures: Hagia Sophia opens for Muslim worship In neighbouring Greece, which was marking the anniversary of the restoration of democracy in 1974, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis conveyed a message of sorrow to millions of Greek Orthodox Christians. Hagia Sophia's change of status by Turkey was not a show of power, but evidence of weakness, he declared. Outside Hagia Sophia By Neyran Elden, BBC Turkish Tens of thousands of men and women waited for the call to prayer - many had travelled from cities across Turkey. Worshippers took their places on the grass or on the pavement. The lucky ones found shade under a tree. Security was tight across the historic peninsula of Istanbul, and at one point dozens of worshippers broke through a police checkpoint. A group of men waved Turkish flags and chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest). There was only space inside Hagia Sophia for 1,000 people at a time While a significant section of Turkish society has criticised the change to a mosque, the emotion and enthusiasm outside it was palpable. A 45-year-old woman said she had always liked Hagia Sophia as a museum, but "always thought it was a cold building". Now was the moment for Turkey to reinforce its independence, she added. "We have been waiting for this moment since our childhood." What was it like inside? In a televised address on Thursday, Governor Yerlikaya urged those attending prayers on Friday to bring "[face] masks, a prayer rug, patience and understanding" to help prevent the spread of Covid-19. He added that healthcare workers would be made available at the site. Inside, a turquoise carpet had been laid on the floor to prepare for prayers and Christian relics were covered up with white drapes or obscured by lighting. Scaffolding was erected inside the dome as builders scrambled to convert the interior of the ancient building. By Friday the scaffolding was largely covered by red panelling. Among the Christian mosaics expected to be obscured during Muslim prayer was the 9th-Century mosaic of the Virgin Mary and Jesus inside the apse. Why was Erdogan's move controversial? Islamist groups and devout Muslims in Turkey had long called for Hagia Sophia to become a mosque again, but secular opposition members opposed the move. When President Erdogan announced the decision on 10 July, it was met with widespread criticism. Pope Francis responded by saying that his "thoughts go to Istanbul", adding: "I think of Santa Sophia and I am very pained." The head of the Eastern Orthodox Church, Patriarch Bartholomew I, warned that the conversion of the building would "disappoint millions of Christians" and fracture two worlds. The World Council of Churches, a worldwide Christian organisation, warned the decision would sow division. Unesco said it regretted the move, which further enflamed tensions with neighbouring Greece, home to millions of Orthodox followers. Why tensions have flared between Turkey and Greece Erdogan: Turkey's pugnacious president But Mr Erdogan stressed that the country had exercised its sovereign right. "After 86 years, Hagia Sophia will serve as a mosque again, in the way Fatih the conqueror of Istanbul had indicated in his deed," he said. He added that the building would remain open to all Muslims, non-Muslims and foreign visitors. Many Turks were sceptical. A former Erdogan ally, Ali Babacan, said Hagia Sophia had "come to the agenda now only to cover up other problems". Novelist Orhan Pamuk told the BBC earlier this month that converting it back to a mosque was a statement to the world that Turks did not want to be secular any more, even though millions of Turks had been happy with its status as a museum. Kemal Ataturk changed... Hagia Sophia from a mosque to a museum, honouring all previous Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic history, making it as a sign of Turkish modern secularism The head of the secular Republican People's Party (CHP), Kemal Kilicdaroglu, said that all the president was concerned with was domestic politics. And a July opinion poll suggested 43% of Turks saw the move as a way of avoiding discussion of the country's economic difficulties. What's the history? The iconic, domed building sits in Istanbul's Fatih district, on the west bank of the Bosporus, overlooking the Golden Horn harbour. Hagia Sophia's complex history began almost 1,500 years ago, when Byzantine emperor Justinian built the huge church in the year 537. In 1453, in a devastating blow to the Byzantines, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed II captured Istanbul (formerly known as Constantinople) and Hagia Sophia - an Orthodox Christian cathedral - was converted into a mosque for Friday prayers. Four minarets were added to the exterior, while ornate Christian icons and gold mosaics were covered with panels of Arabic religious calligraphy. After centuries at the heart of the Muslim Ottoman empire, it was turned into a museum in 1934 in a drive to make Turkey more secular. It has since become one of its most po[CENSORED]r tourist sites, receiving more than 3.7 million visitors last year. Although it has had a small prayer room since 1991, and calls to the faithful have been heard before, Friday's event is the first mass prayers inside the site since the 1930s.

Coronavirus: Amsterdam wants nothing to do with Europe’s tourism revival, asks visitors to keep away Europeans are free to travel again, but Amsterdam’s mayor is anxiously telling visitors to stay away. The return of crowds meandering through the city’s narrow streets could spark a new wave of infections, putting local officials in the unusual position of actively trying to keep people from visiting. “If you want to come, then think twice about it,” Femke Halsema said in an interview in the garden of her 17th century mayor’s office on Thursday. “The tourists who are coming to Amsterdam at the moment I want to say quite urgently: avoid the busy places, avoid the weekend.” Amsterdam has been struggling with crowds since cheaper flights made the city’s historic center a po[CENSORED]r weekend destination. Before coronavirus lockdowns, its renowned red-light district, marijuana shops and picturesque canals attracted over 1 million visitors a month -- more than its permanent po[CENSORED]tion. The reputation as Europe’s party town strained resources and pushed locals out of the center. The pandemic adds a public-health element to Amsterdam’s tourism backlash. “Corona and mass tourism just don’t go together -- certainly not in a historic city center like in Amsterdam,” said Halsema. “There is a risk of contamination,” as a large increase in tourists means that it’s no longer possible to maintain social-distancing rules. A recent influx of visitors prompted the Amsterdam government last Saturday to close several streets in the narrow alleys where scantily-clad prostitutes pose in brothel windows. It put up signs on the po[CENSORED]r Dam square to warn people of the danger of spreading the disease, advising them to maintain a distance of at least 1.5 meters (5 feet). In an effort to limit risky behavior, one-way walking lanes have been implemented and parts of the red-light district can be closed. Shops in the dense 500-year-old center will be banned from selling alcohol from Thursdays to Sundays starting this weekend and until at least Sept. 1. While new infections remain low compared to the height of the pandemic, cases doubled last week, Dutch health agency RIVM said on Tuesday, warning that the disease is spreading again. Halsema pointed the finger at young people from neighboring countries looking for a cheap thrill without adding much to the local economy. More broadly, the backsliding on rules designed to thwart infections is cause for concern. “In general, you see all over Europe that people are increasingly not caring about social distancing,” Amsterdam’s first female mayor said. “That is really very worrying.” (This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)

Friday Fix: Autocar's best of the week As the working week draws to a close, you no doubt want to catch up with everything that has happened in the world of motoring over the past few days. So we’re bringing you our favourite videos, stories, photos and quotes of the week all in one place. Here are today’s picks: After several setbacks and a series of false starts, it looks like the team reviving Britain's lost TVR brand now has a hope of bringing the V8-powered Griffith sports car to market. We met with bosses Les Edgar and Jim Berriman to hear their 18-month plan to get off the ground for good, and to find out what could follow the long-awaited flagship. "They don't make 'em like they used to", or so the saying goes. But can that really be true of Renault's feisty Nurburgring-attacking Megane RS hot hatch flagships? We pit the new Megane RS 300 Trophy R against its R26R and 275 Trophy R to see how exceptionally they perform on the road, and which does it best. PHOTO OF THE WEEK The new, third-generation Bentley Flying Spur certainly looks the part, but with more to prove than ever before, can the four-door sibling to the brilliant Continental GT prove itself worthy of a five-star road test verdict? We put the £170,000 luxury cruiser through its paces to see if it can sustain one of Britain's best-loved car brands through one of its most difficult periods yet. Bentley Flying Spur road test QUOTE OF THE WEEK "There was a perception that much of what we planned was aesthetic, but the way the car drives, feels, goes, stops and sounds is actually where a lot of our efforts have been focused." The Vanquish 25, the debut model from ex-Jaguar designer Ian Callum's new Callum design group, might look near-identical to the original Vanquish, but its developers are confident its worth the extra £400,000 outlay. Beyond the altered styling, tweaks include a lowered ride, widened track and bespoke tyres in the name of 'fixing' Callum's original design for the car. Ian Callum's Vanquish 25: production version revealed FROM THE ARCHIVE As well as being one of the most visually stunning cars on the market, the Cosmo coupé was the first model Mazda sold in the UK. And what's more, it was also propelled by a revolutionary type of powertrain that's now become inexorably linked with the Japanese manufacturer: the rotary wankel. We look back to 1968, when we got behind the wheel of the two-seater that "handled like a Porsche". Back to top Throwback Thursday: 1968 Mazda 110S first drive PO[CENSORED]R OPINION Why has Renault re-signed F1 legend Fernando Alonso over the up-and-coming Formula 2 talent already on its books? The 39-year-old, having spent two years away from the grid and not won a GP since 2013, will take Daniel Ricciardo's vacant seat next year, which seems like a controversial choice, but at the end of the day, Renault really has to start winning again.

@myCro ? I have thought a lot and at this time I have one idea and it may be almost related to the GOG project and the idea is to make patrols or tournaments for different games, for example for cs1.6 or CSGO or Call Of duty or other game and of course to coordinate that is a vote for any game that the person wants to participate in with Knowing that voting will take place every week or two until the end of the game championship that occurs at that time, and the teams will be formed based on the number of participants, they may be: - 1 vs 1 or 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3 .........etc. Several games such as the quarter-finals or semi-finals and the final will be filmed only and will be shared on YouTube, which will make fans of challenges for several games enter our forum and participate in these tournaments and of course when new users come to our forum and the prizes that may be offered by VIP free with the help of Administour or give DC or some The beautiful medals will be composed of three mattresses. What developed this idea in my mind is the idea of this project :- With the help of our designers and the team of this project, great videos will be made with attractive effects and uploaded to a channel that is dedicated to the forum, and ads will be made before the start of the tournament, which will allow YouTube followers to register and enter these battles. The first tournament will be held if this idea is done lightly inside the forum, meaning that the participants are our comrades on the forum, and then we will raise the tournament to YouTube and announce the tournament that will come later with the date for registration, when the registration ends and when the tournament begins and all related matters. I know that it is almost a crazy idea and it looks like the impossible idea, but if we all cooperate, that is, if two projects cooperate together and be a joint project, the work will be wonderful and amazing, and there is no harm in trying always, so the basis for success is trying.