Bandolero -

"The moment of crisis has come" in efforts to tackle climate change, Sir David Attenborough has warned. According to the renowned naturalist and broadcaster, "we have been putting things off for year after year". "As I speak, south east Australia is on fire. Why? Because the temperatures of the Earth are increasing," he said. Sir David's comments came in a BBC News interview to launch a year of special coverage on the subject of climate change. He told me it was "palpable nonsense" for some politicians and commentators to suggest that the Australian fires were nothing to do with the world becoming warmer. "We know perfectly well," he said, that human activity is behind the heating of the planet. What does Sir David mean by 'the moment of crisis'? He's highlighting the fact that while climate scientists are becoming clearer about the need for a rapid response, the pace of international negotiations is grindingly slow. The most recent talks - in Madrid last month - were branded a disappointment by the UN Secretary-General, the British government and others. Decisions on key issues were put off and several countries including Australia and Brazil were accused of trying to dodge their commitments. The World Has been getting warmer "We have to realise that this is not playing games," Sir David said. "This is not just having a nice little debate, arguments and then coming away with a compromise. "This is an urgent problem that has to be solved and, what's more, we know how to do it - that's the paradoxical thing, that we're refusing to take steps that we know have to be taken." Whar are those steps ? Back in 2018, the UN climate science panel spelled out how the world could have a reasonable chance of avoiding the most dangerous temperature rises in future. It said that emissions of the gases heating the planet - from power stations and factories, vehicles and agriculture - should be almost halved by 2030. Instead the opposite is happening. The release of those gases is still increasing rather than falling and the key gas, carbon dioxide, is now in the atmosphere at a level far above anything experienced in human history. As Sir David put it: "Every year that passes makes those steps more and more difficult to achieve." Why does this matter right now ? This year is seen as a vital opportunity to turn the tide on climate change. The UK is hosting what's billed as a crucial UN summit, known as COP26, in Glasgow in November. Ahead of that gathering, governments worldwide are coming under pressure to toughen their targets for cutting emissions. That's because their current pledges do not go nearly far enough. How much worse will problem get ? Assuming they are delivered as promised (and there's no guarantee of that), there could still be a rise in the global average temperature of more than 3C by the end of the century, compared to pre-industrial levels. The latest assessment by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) lays bare the dangers of that. It suggests that a rise of anything above 1.5C would mean that coastal flooding, heatwaves and damage to coral reefs would become more severe. And the latest figures show that the world has already warmed by just over 1C.

Life with an E-Class Estate: Month 3 A toasty behind should be my choice - 8th January 2019 The best bum warmers I’ve encountered were in a Bentley Continental GTC. Those in the Benz are pretty good but sometimes stop working after a while. I’ve had this on other Mercs too. It’s almost like they decide to shut down to prevent excessive irradiation of the nether regions. If so, I think that should be my choice, not theirs. Milege: 9651 Last time I wrote about the 300de, I promised the next report would be about anything other than the hybrid system. Which is going to be really difficult because, for reasons both good and bad, it affects everything from handling and ride through to performance and economy. And purchase price, running costs and practicality. But a promise is a promise, and so long as you don’t conclude that me explaining why I am not going to write about the hybrid system is in fact just a slightly cute way of writing about the hybrid system, it’s a promise I’m going to keep. I hope. So here goes. The miles are piling onto the 300de, largely because it seems perfectly suited to both types of journey that characterise my life on the road. There’s the 20-mile school run round trip for one daughter, for which it’s perfectly suited because it can do it all very cheaply and in complete silence for reasons I’m not allowed to talk about. And then there’s the 500-mile return trip to Durham, where the other daughter is at university. Or the 1000-mile round trip to Spa-Francorchamps, where, as regulars may recall, a few family members (actual and honorary) and I try to coax an old Ford Falcon into surviving the Spa Six Hours, far and away the best and best-known long-distance classic race of them all. We also always go to the little Friterie in the middle of the Masta kink on the old circuit, possibly the most terrifying corner in all motorsport. We almost always fail to finish the race and usually do so in spectacular style. I crashed it one year, had a wheel fall off in another, grenaded an engine in a third and so on and on. A couple of years ago, Chris Harris brought it in with the back of the car impressively ablaze. But this was perhaps our most disappointing year: with just 20 minutes of the six hours remaining, and the old bus going better and running higher up the field than ever before, a wire came off the back of the alternator, forcing the car to coast to a gentle halt somewhere out on the circuit. We always say that if you’re going to retire from a race, at least do it with a little chutzpah by exploding or something, but if ever there was going out with a whimper rather than a roar, this was it. So it was with a sense of overwhelming anticlimax and perhaps with the smallest of hangovers that the next day I loaded up the Benz and headed for home. And on such journeys, it is outstanding. The air-sprung ride is terrific, the refinement beyond serious criticism and the seats among the best in the business. But it’s not perfect. Why, for instance, do you have to turn off the navigation prompts after every stop, however short? Why can’t it just accept I hate being talked at by a computer? And why do the seat heaters turn themselves down after a while? Also, I think I’d spend some money getting a better sound system, the existing stereo being the absolute definition of ‘adequate’. Other than that, all is well. I’d like to tell you how cold weather affects the electric range, but that would be talking about the hybrid system, so it will have to wait until next time. Love it: Long-haul comfort The effortless ease with which it’ll transport you great distances and the splendid seats which ensure you remain pain-free throughout. Loathe it: It keeps piping up Having to silence the voice guidance after every stop, even if it’s just to refuel. Rivals can be set to permanently off. Why not this one? Mileage: 7889 Back to the top Life with an E-Class Estate: Month 2 Long-distance touring a speciality - 27th November 2019 There are many cars that could have done the five-hour journey home from Britain’s Best Driver’s Car 2019 as well as the Benz but, I expect, very few that would have been significantly better. After all that insanity, when you climb aboard it’s as if you can feel your blood pressure subsiding. And cars that can do that are both rare and special. Mileage: 7117

Few brands have a history so steeped in controversy as Burberry. The British heritage fashion house has been trying to claw back its reputation ever since news broke in July this year that they had burnt £28.6m worth of unsold stock allegedly to prevent counterfeiting. CEO Marco Gobbetti denounced the practice this month, saying this would no longer happen and swiftly adding that the brand would also no longer be using fur. The words “band aid” and “bullet wound” came to mind. If ever there was a sure-fire way to reinvent a brand’s reputation, it is with a fresh design lead and, on Monday night, London Fashion Week saw the highly anticipated debut of new creative director Riccardo Tisci. But his first collection for the British heritage brand didn’t mark the stark departure from Burberry’s core values that many were expecting. Instead, it toed a respectful line that embraced the brand’s provenance, with a light peppering of what might be in store for future seasons. The spring/summer 2019 collection was presented to a captive audience that, unexpectedly to many, was a largely celebrity-free-zone (except for Marina Abramovic who slipped into in the front row) in the disused South London Mail Centre. It was the catwalk that boasted the big names, no doubt as a way of keeping people’s focus. Tisci sent a star-studded line-up of models including Kendall Jenner, Stella Tennant, Jourdan Dunn and Lily Donaldson down the runway. Founded by Thomas Burberry in 1856, the fashion house has long been famed for its gabardine trench coats (a fabric Burberry himself invented in 1879) that were designed in 1912 to shield officers from the inclement conditions of the front lines. Each detail lending itself practicality, including shoulder straps that enabled soldiers to add epaulettes denoting their rank and D-rings on which to attach maps and compasses. But more than the trench, it is the instantly recognisable nova check of camel, white and red that has become synonymous with Burberry. It became so po[CENSORED]r in the Nineties that, in another tone-deaf move, Burberry decided to rein in its production of accessories that bore the plaid, apparently for fear of the brand being devalued by the “wrong” wearers. Announced as creative director in March this year, 44-year-old Tisci joins the brand from Givenchy, where he led the house for 12 years. Tisci follows on from his predecessor Christopher Bailey, who joined the brand in 2001 as design director to reinvent its image and catapult it into the luxury sphere. Over his 17-year-tenure, Bailey made the trench coat the must-have item for every fashion-loving woman (who could afford one). Showing the coats in metallic and studded versions, and casting celebrities like Emma Watson in his campaigns, Bailey dramatically increased revenue and he brought Burberry into the digital age, trialling the “see-now-buy-now” model of catwalk shows which, as it sounds, allowed viewers to purchase items straight from the catwalks, as opposed to waiting the usual six months for a drop. Unfortunately, profit targets were not met towards the end of his occupancy and shareholders docked Bailey’s pay by 75 per cent. His swansong was a jubilant return to the nova check, which he plastered on hats, capes and shirts. It resulted in an immediate streetwear revival of the motif. Kept tightly under wraps until the day of the show, Tisci teased fans with hints of his vision for the brand. First there was the complete overhaul of the classic Burberry logo for the first time in two decades, which the creative director posted on Instagram. The interlocking initials TB, designed by Peter Saville, have since dominated cities across the globe, wrapping across buildings, billboards and black taxis. In an emulation of recently revived brands like Gucci and Fendi, the emblem signals a return to 1980s logomania. Soon after, Tisci dropped the first item of his collection on Instagram and Chinese platform WeChat: a black T-shirt with the logo in white. It went on sale for just 24 hours. Tisci’s track record at Givenchy saw him transform the brand from a Breakfast at Tiffany’s elegance to one that oozed sex appeal through gothic-inspired lace, leather and bondage. Subverting the expectations of the French fashion house in much a similar way that Alexander McQueen did in 1996, he offered diverse models in his shows, became the first creative director of a major house to cast a transgender model when he cast Lea T in his 2010 ad campaign and designed gender fluid clothing such as skirts over leggings for men. Always knowing the power that the streets have upon sales, Tisci’s gorilla and Bambi-print sweatshirts were an instant hit and his celebrity fan base is one other brands would kill for, including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian West. He left the brand when umbrella owner, LVMH, had hit record annual revenues. Today’s collection, heavy on homage, marked a careful transition into a new role for Tisci. Not throwing out the rulebook, he instead presented a vast collection that saw the brand’s military origins referenced in men’s suits (yes, there was lots of menswear), which were worn with umbrellas fastened to their backs like rifles. The trench featured heavily, with Tisci twists like edges pierced with brass rings, one covered in silver rivets, another with pearl and feather embellishment and some in a looser, edgier cut. The men’s included one yin-yang trench with a classic khaki bottom half and a black top half. And, of course, nova check made a proud appearance tweaked into stripes on pussy bow blouses worn with high-waisted trousers and inside trench linings. There were plenty of safe items: knife-pleated midi skirts and blazers and a palette of browns and beige. But elements of Tisci’s edgy predisposition shone through: fishnet, buckled Doc Martens-style shoes, slinky black evening dresses, writing scrawled on tops and sportswear stripes. There was a subtle injection of the new logo, seen in silk scarves worn tied into low buns, or hanging from belt hoops and as brass bag clasps. The gorilla and Bambi motifs from Givenchy snuck in, too, with one deer-print top reading “Did they kill Bambi?” An Italian designer in a British house, Tisci found it irresistible to sneak a few Brexit references into the collection, as several models walked the runway with red passports around their necks. Following the show, a number of items from the collection were available to buy on Instagram in further 24-hour-releases, creating a frenzy not dissimilar to that surrounding cult streetwear brand Supreme. Ultimately, it was a collection that marked a courteous transition into a new Burberry era. Tisci’s debut will have left the industry eagerly anticipating what’s to come, safe in the knowledge that the brand’s rich history has been spared the pyre.

On Wednesday, po[CENSORED]r American singer Justin Bieber reveal that he is suffering from Lyme Disease. Taking to the social media platform, Bieber wrote, “While a lot of people kept saying Justin Bieber looks like shit, on meth etc. they failed to realize I’ve been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my, skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.” A lot of people belittled the disease, while a lot others shown their concern to the singer. Therefore, it is important to know what Lyme disease is and what are the symptoms, causes and treatment. Symptoms Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness, caused by ticks in the United States. Some of the common symptoms of the disease are fever, chills, body aches, headache and fatigue. One can also suffer from swollen lymph nodes, neck stiffness, shortness of breath, and rashes on body. It typically starts with a small red bump. However, it may expand within three to 30 days, making the rash area look like a bull’s-eye. While these rashes are not itchy or painful, the area might feel a little warm. The infection can also spread to the joints, heart and nervous system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Causes Lyme disease is usually caused by four main species of bacteria. In the US, the main causes are Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii. An infected tick bites a person and transfers the bacteria into the human body. The most common period to get Lyme disease is the spring and summer months, as nymphs most actively feed during these times. First-Aid If you get bitten by a tick, get it removed within 24 hours to cut your risk of developing Lyme disease. Use tweezers to pull the tick off, grasping near its mouth or neck. Disinfect the affected area by putting antiseptic. If the tick has been attached to your body for more than 24 hours, call the doctor immediately. Treatment In early stages, oral antibiotics are suggested to cure Lyme disease. If the bacteria have spread to other body parts, like central nervous system, the patient is treated with intravenous antibiotics. Prevention Alike other parasite-borne disease, Lyme Disease can be prevented by applying insect repellent with at least a 20% DEET concentration. Avoid wooded areas with high grass, where ticks are most often found. Additionally, check for ticks daily if you tend to spend a lot of time outdoors. Take frequent showers and wash clothes regularly. If you have pets, make sure that they stay away from ticks

Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman, the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, has died aged 79. The sultan deposed his father in a bloodless coup with British support in 1970 and set Oman on a path to development, using its oil wealth. Widely regarded as po[CENSORED]r, he was also an absolute monarch and any dissenting voices were silenced. No cause of death has been confirmed. His cousin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has been sworn in as his successor. The former culture and heritage minister took the oath of office on Saturday after a meeting of the Royal Family Council, the government said. The sultan is the paramount decision-maker in Oman. He also holds the positions of prime minister, supreme commander of the armed forces, minister of defence, minister of finance and minister of foreign affairs. How Sultan Qaboos weathered the Arab Spring Last month Sultan Qaboos - who had no heir or designated successor - spent a week in Belgium for medical treatment, and there were reports he was suffering from cancer. "With great sorrow and deep sadness... the royal court mourns His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who passed away on Friday," a court statement said earlier, announcing three days of national mourning. Images showed a crowd of men gathered outside the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in the capital, Muscat, where the coffin had been taken and prayers were being held. Neutral policy For almost five decades, Sultan Qaboos completely dominated the political life of Oman, which is home to 4.6 million people, of whom about 43% are expatriates. At the age of 29 he overthrew his father, Said bin Taimur, a reclusive and ultra-conservative ruler who banned a range of things, including listening to the radio or wearing sunglasses, and decided who could get married, be educated or leave the country. Sultan Qaboos immediately declared that he intended to establish a modern government and use oil money to develop a country where at the time there were only 10km (six miles) of paved roads and three schools. In the first few years of his rule, with the help of British special forces, he suppressed an insurgency in the southern province of Dhofar by tribesmen backed by the Marxist People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. Described as charismatic and visionary, he pursued a neutral path in foreign affairs and was able to facilitate secret talks between the United States and Iran in 2013 that led to a landmark nuclear deal two years later. Absolute rule A degree of discontent surfaced in 2011 during the so-called Arab Spring. There was no major upheaval in Oman, but thousands of people took to the streets across the country to demand better wages, more jobs and an end to corruption. Security forces initially tolerated the protests, but later used tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition to disperse them. Two people were killed and dozens of people were injured. Hundreds were prosecuted under laws criminalising "illegal gatherings" and "insulting the sultan". The protests failed to produce anything in the way of major change. But Sultan Qaboos did remove several long-serving ministers perceived as corrupt, widened the powers of the Consultative Council, and promised to create more public sector jobs. Since then, the authorities have continued to block local independent newspapers and magazines critical of the government, confiscate books, and harass activists, according to Human Rights Watch.

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