This week: Your guide to the next seven days

DEEPCUT REOPENED

Two decades after the unexplained deaths of two young trainees sounded alarm bells about the regime at Deepcut Barracks in Surrey, a new inquest that starts today will shine a light on the alleged culture of bullying, sexual assault and rape at the Army’s Royal Logistics Corps’ HQ.

The second inquest into the death of 18-year-old Pte Cheryl James, who died from a single gunshot wound to her head and was found in woods near her abandoned guard post, was ordered by the High Court after a campaign by her family. Two more died mysteriously from gunshot wounds at the barracks by the time Surrey Police were forced to investigate the tragedies in 2002. Yet the families of all four victims were left with unanswered questions.

RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE

The long race to the White House gathers momentum this week, with all eyes on tomorrow’s New Hampshire primary. Having told his supporters that “we’ll have so much winning, you’ll get bored with winning”, billionaire Donald Trump promptly lost the first primary in Iowa to rival Republican candidate Ted Cruz so this vote is a big test of his chances to run for the presidency.

The eventual winner is likely to face Hillary Clinton, who is expected to lose to Vermont senator Bernie Sanders afte winning in Iowa but remains favourite to secure the Democratic nomination.

Both Republican and Democratic parties will formally name their presidential candidates at conventions in July, with Americans finally going to the polls to choose the new occupant of the White House in November.

DOCTORS ON STRIKE

The second of three planned strikes by junior doctors is due to take place on Wednesday. It will be a 24-hour period of ‘emergency care only’ staffing, which essentially means Yorkshire’s 6,000 junior doctors will provide the same amount of cover as they would on Christmas Day.

It means consultants and other staff will likely have to cover gaps and a lot of routine operations and outpatient clinics are expected to be cancelled as a result. Every acute hospital in England will be affected. Meanwhile, a poll has shown that the majority of the public support the doctors and believe the deal offered by the Government for working weekends and evenings is unfair.

COUNTDOWN TO EASTER

In the Christian calendar, Lent is the 40 days leading up to Easter which is treated as a period of reflection and a time for fasting from food and festivities. Starting on Wednesday and finishing on March 24, it’s actually 46 days but Sundays are not included.

It symbolises the days which lead up to Jesus’ crucifixion and subsequent resurrection when Christ spent 40 days and nights alone in the desert.

Ash Wednesday is seen as the day to clean the soul before Lent begins. Traditionally ashes are used to mark churchgoers on the forehead with a cross, to symbolise repentance for sin.

FOOTBALLER ON TRIAL

The media pack will descend on Bradford this week for the high-profile trial of former England winger Adam Johnson.

The 28-year-old was arrested on child sex allegations last March and suspended by Sunderland before being reinstated and helping the club escape relegation.

His trial will start at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday, but his manager Sam Allardyce has said he will be available to play for Sunderland during the case.

The sexual offences are alleged to have taken place at two locations in County Durham on one night in January of last year. Johnson denies grooming and sexual activity with a girl aged 15.