birminghammail--2020-04-27--The inside transfer story when Aston Villa cup winner walked away

Aston Villa cup winner Shaun Teale has revealed how Brian Little wanted to replace him with Chris Coleman - but never managed to sign him .
Teale spent four successful years at Villa Park alongside Paul McGrath but lost his place to Ugo Ehiogu a year after Little took over in B6 .
A painter and decorator in his non-league days , Teale has lifted the lid over his abrupt departure in the summer of 1995 .
`` Yes I was ( sad ) , '' Teale told The Derek Clark Sport podcast .
`` I spoke to my agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I had an agent !
`` My agent sorted a new contract with Brian and it was all sorted basically , all the bits and bobs of the finances .
`` They were at least going to give me another year and then everything changed because Brian decided to buy Chris Coleman from Crystal Palace .
`` Chris was going for a club-record £3million and Brian was 99 per cent sure he was going to get him .
It would have left me as the odd one out . ''
Centre-back Coleman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blackburn Rovers for £2.8million instead , with Villa moving in for Coleman 's teammate at Crystal Palace , Gareth Southgate .
Teale , though , added of his departure : `` Brian came to me and told me what we were looking at .
He said , 'You can stay , we 'll give you a new contract .
We 've got no qualms about keeping you - but you might not play much .
The shout is yours .
Do you want to stay ? '
.
`` I said , 'To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elsewhere .
I 'm at that age now .
I do n't want to be sat in the stands at 31 going on 32 , I want to be playing football. '
.
`` True to his word , Brian said I 'll get you out of this football club as cheap as I can . ''
Teale dropped down a division after receiving a money-spinning offer from Tranmere Rovers .
`` Ron Atkinson had me on the transfer list at £3million , '' explained Teale , who eventually went for £500k , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a month of Sundays I was going to go for that .
`` Brian came to me one day and said you probably wo n't be interested but Tranmere have been in touch .
I knew ( manager ) Johnny King at Tranmere and had known him a long time .
I said I 'll speak to them and he looked at me like , 'Are you for real ? '
I said yep , I 'll speak to them ' . '
`` My agent said to me a day later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , you wo n't believe it .
They 're putting a fortune on the table for you to leave Villa. '
.
`` They 're putting their hat on it really .
If you go , you wo n't have to worry about money again .
I was like , Oh !
I do n't really want to leave Villa but ...
I 've got nothing in my pension and this would overload it and support my family .
`` I had no choice and I decided to leave .
I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my family for the rest of my life . ''

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Aston Villa cup winner Shaun Teale has revealed how Brian Little wanted to replace him with Chris Coleman - but never managed to sign him.
Teale spent four successful years at Villa Park alongside Paul McGrath but lost his place to Ugo Ehiogu a year after Little took over in B6.
A painter and decorator in his non-league days, Teale has lifted the lid over his abrupt departure in the summer of 1995.
"Yes I was (sad)," Teale told The Derek Clark Sport podcast. "I spoke to my agent in London. I was big-time then, I had an agent!
"My agent sorted a new contract with Brian and it was all sorted basically, all the bits and bobs of the finances.
"They were at least going to give me another year and then everything changed because Brian decided to buy Chris Coleman from Crystal Palace.
"Chris was going for a club-record £3million and Brian was 99 per cent sure he was going to get him. It would have left me as the odd one out."
Centre-back Coleman was snapped up by Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers for £2.8million instead, with Villa moving in for Coleman's teammate at Crystal Palace, Gareth Southgate.
Teale, though, added of his departure: "Brian came to me and told me what we were looking at. He said, 'You can stay, we'll give you a new contract. We've got no qualms about keeping you - but you might not play much. The shout is yours. Do you want to stay?'.
"I said, 'To be honest Brian I'd rather look elsewhere. I'm at that age now. I don't want to be sat in the stands at 31 going on 32, I want to be playing football.'.
"True to his word, Brian said I'll get you out of this football club as cheap as I can."
Teale dropped down a division after receiving a money-spinning offer from Tranmere Rovers.
"Ron Atkinson had me on the transfer list at £3million," explained Teale, who eventually went for £500k, "and there wasn't a chance in a month of Sundays I was going to go for that.
"Brian came to me one day and said you probably won't be interested but Tranmere have been in touch. I knew (manager) Johnny King at Tranmere and had known him a long time. I said I'll speak to them and he looked at me like, 'Are you for real? 'I said yep, I'll speak to them'.'
"My agent said to me a day later, 'You've got to talk to them, you won't believe it. They're putting a fortune on the table for you to leave Villa.'.
"They're putting their hat on it really. If you go, you won't have to worry about money again. I was like, Oh! I don't really want to leave Villa but... I've got nothing in my pension and this would overload it and support my family.
"I had no choice and I decided to leave. I'm not disappointed I left because I secured my family for the rest of my life."


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Live updates: Armed police swoop on street

The photo - obtained by Black Country Live - shows a number of police cars at the junction of Holly @ @ @ @ @ Road this evening ( Monday , April 27 ) .
Eyewitnesses claim to have seen @ @ @ @ @ cordon .
It is not known what the incident is but West Midlands Police has @ @ @ @ @ .
This is a breaking news story and any updates will be posted below .
@ @ @ @ @ in your community , join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will @ @ @ @ @ or criminal behaviour happening in your area .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk ( birminghammail.co.uk, Kelly Ashmore)

This dramatic image shows a huge police presence in a Black Country street.
The photo - obtained by Black Country Live - shows a number of police cars at the junction of Holly Lane and St Paul's Road this evening (Monday, April 27).
Eyewitnesses claim to have seen armed officers standing inside a cordon.
It is not known what the incident is but West Midlands Police has been contacted for further information.
This is a breaking news story and any updates will be posted below.
To keep up-to-date with crime in your community, join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Morelos' teammate touts summer transfer amid Aston Villa interest

Alfredo Morelos has the talent to flourish in England if he moved away from Rangers , according to teammate Jermain Defoe .
Aston Villa are being linked with the Colombia striker who has who has scored 29 goals in 46 appearances this season .
He was heavily touted with a move to Villa Park in the build up to the January transfer window but nothing came of the rumours and Dean Smith brought in Mbwana Samatta and Borja Baston after the injury to Wesley Moraes .
But fresh claims of Villa 's interest emerged earlier this month , with goal.com @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and already lining up potential replacements .
Former England striker Defoe was asked about a transfer to England for the 23-year-old and said he would take any move in his stride .
Defoe told Sky Sports : `` I feel like he would need to be in the right team - a team that creates chances because I believe that if he gets chances at any level I believe he can score , '' he said .
`` He has got that arrogance that he believes that he can score in every game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training sometimes , he misses chances and then you think 'yeah , but you had no right to score from there ' but he still believes that he can go into every game and he can score .
`` Last season he scored 30 goals , this season he has scored 29 goals and he 's gone through a spell where he has n't scored for a bit .
You can see he gets frustrated because he has got that desire - he wants to score goals .
`` I believe that in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chances for him , he will score . ''
Rangers are believed to value Morelos at around £20m but their asking price could drop significantly due to the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis .

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Alfredo Morelos has the talent to flourish in England if he moved away from Rangers, according to teammate Jermain Defoe.
Aston Villa are being linked with the Colombia striker who has who has scored 29 goals in 46 appearances this season.
He was heavily touted with a move to Villa Park in the build up to the January transfer window but nothing came of the rumours and Dean Smith brought in Mbwana Samatta and Borja Baston after the injury to Wesley Moraes.
But fresh claims of Villa's interest emerged earlier this month, with goal.com reporting Rangers are resigned to losing him and already lining up potential replacements.
Former England striker Defoe was asked about a transfer to England for the 23-year-old and said he would take any move in his stride.
Defoe told Sky Sports: "I feel like he would need to be in the right team - a team that creates chances because I believe that if he gets chances at any level I believe he can score," he said. "He has got that arrogance that he believes that he can score in every game.
"You even see it in training sometimes, he misses chances and then you think 'yeah, but you had no right to score from there' but he still believes that he can go into every game and he can score.
"Last season he scored 30 goals, this season he has scored 29 goals and he's gone through a spell where he hasn't scored for a bit. You can see he gets frustrated because he has got that desire - he wants to score goals.
"I believe that in the right team, if you create chances for him, he will score."
Rangers are believed to value Morelos at around £20m but their asking price could drop significantly due to the financial impact of the coronavirus crisis.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Ofcom delivers ruling on Piers Morgan's explosive argument with minister

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has been cleared by TV watchdog Ofcom for his `` combative '' interviews with government ministers amid the coronavirus outbreak .
Morgan attracted more than 3,000 complaints from two interviews with care minister Helen Whately earlier this month .
Almost 600 viewers also complained about another interview with Health Secretary Matt Hancock on April 16 .
In a statement , Ofcom said Morgan is `` well-known for his combative interviewing style '' and viewers would expect him to challenge senior politicians .
An Ocom spokesman said : `` We assessed a number of complaints @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians about the UK 's response to the coronavirus public health crisis .
`` Piers Morgan is well-known for his combative interviewing style and viewers would expect him to challenge senior politicians and hold them to account .
His guests were given adequate opportunity to put their points across and counter the presenter 's criticisms .
`` In Ofcom 's view , in line with freedom of expression , it is clearly in the public interest that broadcasters are able to hold those making political decisions to account , particularly during a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic . ''
Responding to the news , Morgan wrote on Instagram : `` Thank you to everyone that supported me . ''
Ofcom said it received 1,981 complaints following Morgan 's interview with Ms Whately on April 15 .
A further 1,246 complaints were made following the minister 's Good Morning Britain appearance on April 22 .
Morgan defended the first interview , saying it was not as `` uncomfortable '' as the conditions for the carers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis .
During an animated interview , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health workers and care workers who had died from the illness .
She accused him of `` shouting at me and not giving me a chance to answer your questions '' and `` attempting to score points '' .
Some viewers accused Morgan of `` bullying '' the politician while others praised him for `` demanding answers '' .
During Mr Hancock 's appearance on Good Morning Britain , the minister accused Morgan of constantly interrupting him .
Ofcom said it received a further 266 complaints from seven of Morgan 's political interviews @ @ @

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Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan has been cleared by TV watchdog Ofcom for his "combative" interviews with government ministers amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Morgan attracted more than 3,000 complaints from two interviews with care minister Helen Whately earlier this month.
Almost 600 viewers also complained about another interview with Health Secretary Matt Hancock on April 16.
In a statement, Ofcom said Morgan is "well-known for his combative interviewing style" and viewers would expect him to challenge senior politicians.
An Ocom spokesman said: "We assessed a number of complaints about Piers Morgan's conduct while interviewing politicians about the UK's response to the coronavirus public health crisis.
"Piers Morgan is well-known for his combative interviewing style and viewers would expect him to challenge senior politicians and hold them to account. His guests were given adequate opportunity to put their points across and counter the presenter's criticisms.
"In Ofcom's view, in line with freedom of expression, it is clearly in the public interest that broadcasters are able to hold those making political decisions to account, particularly during a major national crisis, such as the coronavirus pandemic."
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Responding to the news, Morgan wrote on Instagram: "Thank you to everyone that supported me."
Ofcom said it received 1,981 complaints following Morgan's interview with Ms Whately on April 15.
A further 1,246 complaints were made following the minister's Good Morning Britain appearance on April 22.
(Image: ITV)
Morgan defended the first interview, saying it was not as "uncomfortable" as the conditions for the carers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis.
During an animated interview, he asked Ms Whately for the number of health workers and care workers who had died from the illness.
She accused him of "shouting at me and not giving me a chance to answer your questions" and "attempting to score points".
Some viewers accused Morgan of "bullying" the politician while others praised him for "demanding answers".
During Mr Hancock's appearance on Good Morning Britain, the minister accused Morgan of constantly interrupting him.
Ofcom said it received a further 266 complaints from seven of Morgan's political interviews during April.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Wolves handed transfer boost over Kosovo winger - reports

Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Kosovo winger Edon Zhegrova , according to reports .
According to the Daily Star , Wolves had been watching the Basel wideman before the coronavirus shutdown with a view to making a move in the next transfer window .
Zhegrova joined Swiss side Basel on a season-and-a-half long loan from Genk in Belgium in February 2019 and he has scored two goals and provided four assists in 27 outings .
Chelsea are also said to be interested in the 21-year-old , who is left-footed but can play on either flank .
In a boost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed they will not be able to make his stay permanent because of the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic .
Basel had a clause giving them the option to buy Zhegrova for around £2.9m , although Genk are likely to demand a higher price to sell to the Premier League .
Born in Germany , Zhegrova decided to represent Kosovo , the country of his parents ' birth , in 2018 and he 's earned 17 caps , scoring twice .
He played for Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden as a youth player @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago .

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Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Kosovo winger Edon Zhegrova, according to reports.
According to the Daily Star, Wolves had been watching the Basel wideman before the coronavirus shutdown with a view to making a move in the next transfer window.
Zhegrova joined Swiss side Basel on a season-and-a-half long loan from Genk in Belgium in February 2019 and he has scored two goals and provided four assists in 27 outings.
Chelsea are also said to be interested in the 21-year-old, who is left-footed but can play on either flank.
In a boost for his suitors, Basel have already confirmed they will not be able to make his stay permanent because of the financial impact of the ongoing pandemic.
Basel had a clause giving them the option to buy Zhegrova for around £2.9m, although Genk are likely to demand a higher price to sell to the Premier League.
Born in Germany, Zhegrova decided to represent Kosovo, the country of his parents' birth, in 2018 and he's earned 17 caps, scoring twice.
He played for Standard Liege and Sint-Truiden as a youth player in Belgium before joining Genk three years ago.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Lockdown around the world - when and where restrictions are being lifted

Some countries are now easing strict lockdown conditions as the world continues to tackle the coronavirus pandemic .
The global death toll stands at more than 200,000 , with close to three million people having been infected worldwide .
As countries weigh up the risk of a fresh wave of virus cases against the need to kick-start their economies , here is the lockdown status in several nations .
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his government is working on a detailed plan to ease restrictions , but warned that weekend lockdowns are likely to continue until after the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May .
In a televised address following a weekly cabinet meeting , he said this week 's curfew will start on Friday May 1 , which is Labour Day - a public holiday in Turkey .
The vice president will evaluate recommendations from the country 's Covid-19 advisory council to decide `` which steps will be taken in which fields and on which date '' , Mr Erdogan said .
Romania 's president says the country 's pre-schools , schools and universities will remain closed until the end of the school year .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ summer break .
Romania 's state of emergency because of the new coronavirus pandemic is currently scheduled to be in place until May 15 .
Public transport has resumed in the Croatian capital of Zagreb as authorities launched a phased easing of measures against the new coronavirus .
Loosening of some rules designed to curb the outbreak is accompanied by strict respect of social distancing measures and the use of protective gear and disinfectants .
Norwegian children returned to school on Monday while the country 's health and culture ministers went for haircuts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Solberg watched students return to classes at the Ellingsrudaasen school in Oslo .
Tattoo parlours and beauty salons through Norway also reopened on Monday .
Portugal 's prime minister says authorities are aiming to relax some of the measures devised to stem the spread of the coronavirus next month .
Prime Minister Antonio Costa said new rules on self-isolation and going back to work or school will be introduced every two weeks , as their impact is assessed .
The plan is due to be announced on Thursday .
Mr Costa warned the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normal and that will only happen once there is a vaccine .
Portugal was quick to enact a lockdown and has reported 903 deaths from Covid-19 , far fewer than neighbouring Spain 's more than 23,500 .
There were some encouraging signs for Italy as it recorded the lowest 24-hour number of deaths since mid-March , with 260 .
Seven weeks into a strict lockdown , Premier Giuseppe Conte has laid out a timetable for getting back to normal .
He announced that factories , construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures in place against the virus .
Mr Conte also said that starting from May 4 , parks and gardens will reopen , funerals will be allowed , athletes can resume training , and people will be able to visit relatives living in the same region .
If all goes well , stores and museums will reopen on May 18 , with restaurants , cafes and salons to follow on June 1 .
Greece will announce detailed plans to ease coronavirus-related restrictions on Tuesday but authorities have already promised haircuts will be among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and barbershops will be included in the first stage of reopening businesses when restrictions begin to ease on May 4 .
A recent opinion poll found that going to the hairdressers was top of Greeks ' post-lockdown wish list , followed by domestic travel , and buying clothes .
businesses such as hair salons , tattoo parlours , veterinarians ' offices and garden shops are reopening up across Switzerland .
It is part of a multi-tiered reopening as the country gradually eases restrictions .
Requirements from Swiss authorities say businesses must provide individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ square meters in their shops and offices , set up lines outside their buildings and regularly clean their equipment and surfaces .
Service-providers such as barbers and masseurs who come within two meters of customers were advised to wear masks and transparent-plastic face screens , and wash or disinfected hands before and after each client .
Pet-owners were expected to drop off their animals outside the vet offices , only to pick them up after the visits are over .
Schools and a wider array of businesses are to resume operations on May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening on June 8 .
No date has been set for the resumption of large gatherings such as sporting events and concerts .
Courts of law across Denmark reopened on Monday as the Scandinavian country continued phase one of what it has called a `` controlled reopening '' of society .
`` We are looking forward to coming back to the court rooms but it must be done in a health-responsible way , both for our users and employees , '' said Kristian Hertz , head of the Danish Court Administration .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judge can limit the number of people inside a court room if he or she gauges that there are too many people .
Denmark already has allowed some people back to work , including hairdressers , dentists , tattoo parlours , physiotherapists , among others , and some classes were allowed to return to school .
Children have been allowed to go outside for the first time in six weeks .
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is due to present a detailed plan for the `` de-escalation '' of Spain 's lockdown , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ From Friday on , people of all ages will be allowed to go on walks or practise sports outdoors , Mr Sanchez has announced .
Governors in states including hard-hit New York and Michigan are keeping stay-at-home restrictions in place until at least mid-May , while their counterparts in places such as Georgia , Oklahoma and Alaska are allowing certain businesses to reopen .
The split in approaches to reopening states has often been along partisan lines .
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt , a Republican , told Fox News that with hospital admissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopen churches and restaurant dining on Friday , with social-distancing guidelines in place .
However , Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer , a Democrat , told ABC that her state is not ready and needs more robust testing , community tracing and a plan for isolating people who get sick .
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is preparing to ease rules on a strict lockdown put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus .
The country reported five new Covid-19 cases on Monday but has not seen widespread community transmission , and will allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ms Ardern said the country has so far managed to avoid the worst scenarios for an outbreak , but would continue to hunt down the last few cases .
From midnight on Monday , certain businesses such as construction will be allowed to reopen , but social distancing rules will still apply .
The government is looking at reopening schools as the number of cases begins to tail off .
Authorities reported 10 new cases on Monday , the 26th straight day where this number has been in double figures .
Using an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so far managed to slow its outbreak without imposing lockdowns or business bans .
However , schools have been closed , with remote-learning programmes set up in their place .
Prime Minster Chung Sye-kyun has ordered education officials to prepare measures to ensure hygiene and enforce distancing between pupils in order for the government to announce a timeline for reopening schools no later than early May .
Restrictions are being relaxed , with stores with a surface of up to 2,500 square metres ( 26,900 square feet ) being allowed to open .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and driving schools are back to business .
Public gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed , up from two .
The government rules on social distancing and mandatory face masks remain in place .
The government is considering easing some restrictions .
State planning agencies said a proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet on Tuesday for easing restrictions .
Measures currently in place include a nationwide 10pm-4am curfew , the closure of malls , and restaurants being restricted to takeaway and home delivery services .
A ban on incoming international @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through to the end of May .
A state of emergency will be extended through to May , allowing the government to continue implementing measures outside the normal legal framework to combat Covid-19 .
More than a million people have downloaded a smartphone app designed to accelerate contact tracing for coronavirus , despite some privacy concerns .
Government officials intend to rush legislation through parliament to outlaw the use of collected data for purposes other than tracing people who might have Covid-19 .
Officials have also promised to release the app 's source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysts can better understand its privacy implications .
The government says at least 40 % of the Australian population needs to take up the technology , based on Singapore 's TraceTogether app , for it to be effective .
The government hopes the app will enable Australia to safely reopen the economy by enabling health officials to quickly identify and contain new outbreaks .
Australia will resume non-urgent surgeries this week for the first time since March 27 as confidence grows that hospitals will not be overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases .
Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14 more countries , including Russia , Peru and Saudi Arabia , to the entry ban list as the country steps up border controls , with infections continuing to spread .
Japan has already banned entry from more than 70 other countries , banning foreigners with records of visiting those countries in the past two weeks , while invalidating visas for the rest of the world .
The additional step regarding the 14 countries will take effect on Wednesday , Mr Abe said .
The entry ban and the visa restrictions , initially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are extended until the end of May .
Japan is under a month-long state of emergency due to last until May 6 .
Officials and experts are gauging its effect and considering whether to extend the measure .
Pakistan 's ban on international and domestic air travel has been extended until May 25 .
Even as the numbers of confirmed cases continue a steady upward climb , Pakistan 's Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to close mosques in the country during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan , leaving it to clerics @ @ @ @ @

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Some countries are now easing strict lockdown conditions as the world continues to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The global death toll stands at more than 200,000, with close to three million people having been infected worldwide.
As countries weigh up the risk of a fresh wave of virus cases against the need to kick-start their economies, here is the lockdown status in several nations.
(Image: Getty Images)
TURKEY
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his government is working on a detailed plan to ease restrictions, but warned that weekend lockdowns are likely to continue until after the end of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in May.
In a televised address following a weekly cabinet meeting, he said this week's curfew will start on Friday May 1, which is Labour Day - a public holiday in Turkey.
The vice president will evaluate recommendations from the country's Covid-19 advisory council to decide "which steps will be taken in which fields and on which date", Mr Erdogan said.
ROMANIA
Romania's president says the country's pre-schools, schools and universities will remain closed until the end of the school year. Distance learning will continue until the mid-June summer break.
Romania's state of emergency because of the new coronavirus pandemic is currently scheduled to be in place until May 15.
Romania has reported 11,339 coronavirus cases and 631 deaths.
CROATIA
Public transport has resumed in the Croatian capital of Zagreb as authorities launched a phased easing of measures against the new coronavirus.
Loosening of some rules designed to curb the outbreak is accompanied by strict respect of social distancing measures and the use of protective gear and disinfectants.
In previous weeks, public transport lines were restricted.
NORWAY
Norwegian children returned to school on Monday while the country's health and culture ministers went for haircuts as salons reopened.
Prime Minister Erna Solberg watched students return to classes at the Ellingsrudaasen school in Oslo.
Tattoo parlours and beauty salons through Norway also reopened on Monday.
PORTUGAL
Portugal's prime minister says authorities are aiming to relax some of the measures devised to stem the spread of the coronavirus next month.
Prime Minister Antonio Costa said new rules on self-isolation and going back to work or school will be introduced every two weeks, as their impact is assessed.
The plan is due to be announced on Thursday.
Mr Costa warned the changes do not mean a return to normal and that will only happen once there is a vaccine.
Portugal was quick to enact a lockdown and has reported 903 deaths from Covid-19, far fewer than neighbouring Spain's more than 23,500.
(Image: Getty Images)
ITALY
There were some encouraging signs for Italy as it recorded the lowest 24-hour number of deaths since mid-March, with 260.
Seven weeks into a strict lockdown, Premier Giuseppe Conte has laid out a timetable for getting back to normal.
He announced that factories, construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume activity as soon as they put safety measures in place against the virus.
Mr Conte also said that starting from May 4, parks and gardens will reopen, funerals will be allowed, athletes can resume training, and people will be able to visit relatives living in the same region.
If all goes well, stores and museums will reopen on May 18, with restaurants, cafes and salons to follow on June 1.
GREECE
Greece will announce detailed plans to ease coronavirus-related restrictions on Tuesday but authorities have already promised haircuts will be among the first services available.
Hair salons and barbershops will be included in the first stage of reopening businesses when restrictions begin to ease on May 4.
A recent opinion poll found that going to the hairdressers was top of Greeks' post-lockdown wish list, followed by domestic travel, and buying clothes.
SWITZERLAND
businesses such as hair salons, tattoo parlours, veterinarians' offices and garden shops are reopening up across Switzerland.
It is part of a multi-tiered reopening as the country gradually eases restrictions.
Requirements from Swiss authorities say businesses must provide individual clients an average of at least 10 square meters in their shops and offices, set up lines outside their buildings and regularly clean their equipment and surfaces.
Service-providers such as barbers and masseurs who come within two meters of customers were advised to wear masks and transparent-plastic face screens, and wash or disinfected hands before and after each client.
Pet-owners were expected to drop off their animals outside the vet offices, only to pick them up after the visits are over.
Schools and a wider array of businesses are to resume operations on May 11, followed by a vastly expanded reopening on June 8.
No date has been set for the resumption of large gatherings such as sporting events and concerts.
DENMARK
Courts of law across Denmark reopened on Monday as the Scandinavian country continued phase one of what it has called a "controlled reopening" of society.
"We are looking forward to coming back to the court rooms but it must be done in a health-responsible way, both for our users and employees," said Kristian Hertz, head of the Danish Court Administration.
According to the administration's guidelines, a judge can limit the number of people inside a court room if he or she gauges that there are too many people.
Denmark already has allowed some people back to work, including hairdressers, dentists, tattoo parlours, physiotherapists, among others, and some classes were allowed to return to school.
SPAIN
Children have been allowed to go outside for the first time in six weeks.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is due to present a detailed plan for the "de-escalation" of Spain's lockdown, but said the scheme would be cautious.
From Friday on, people of all ages will be allowed to go on walks or practise sports outdoors, Mr Sanchez has announced.
UNITED STATES
Governors in states including hard-hit New York and Michigan are keeping stay-at-home restrictions in place until at least mid-May, while their counterparts in places such as Georgia, Oklahoma and Alaska are allowing certain businesses to reopen.
The split in approaches to reopening states has often been along partisan lines.
Oklahoma governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, told Fox News that with hospital admissions dropping in his state, he will reopen churches and restaurant dining on Friday, with social-distancing guidelines in place.
However, Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, told ABC that her state is not ready and needs more robust testing, community tracing and a plan for isolating people who get sick.
NEW ZEALAND
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is preparing to ease rules on a strict lockdown put in place to limit the spread of coronavirus.
The country reported five new Covid-19 cases on Monday but has not seen widespread community transmission, and will allow a partial reopening of the economy.
Ms Ardern said the country has so far managed to avoid the worst scenarios for an outbreak, but would continue to hunt down the last few cases.
From midnight on Monday, certain businesses such as construction will be allowed to reopen, but social distancing rules will still apply.
SOUTH KOREA
The government is looking at reopening schools as the number of cases begins to tail off.
Authorities reported 10 new cases on Monday, the 26th straight day where this number has been in double figures.
Using an active test-and-quarantine programme, South Korea has so far managed to slow its outbreak without imposing lockdowns or business bans.
However, schools have been closed, with remote-learning programmes set up in their place.
Prime Minster Chung Sye-kyun has ordered education officials to prepare measures to ensure hygiene and enforce distancing between pupils in order for the government to announce a timeline for reopening schools no later than early May.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Restrictions are being relaxed, with stores with a surface of up to 2,500 square metres (26,900 square feet) being allowed to open.
Zoos and botanical parks, fitness centres and driving schools are back to business. Public gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, up from two.
The government rules on social distancing and mandatory face masks remain in place.
THAILAND
The government is considering easing some restrictions.
State planning agencies said a proposal will be submitted to the Cabinet on Tuesday for easing restrictions.
Measures currently in place include a nationwide 10pm-4am curfew, the closure of malls, and restaurants being restricted to takeaway and home delivery services. A ban on incoming international commercial passenger flights was extended on Monday through to the end of May.
A state of emergency will be extended through to May, allowing the government to continue implementing measures outside the normal legal framework to combat Covid-19.
AUSTRALIA
More than a million people have downloaded a smartphone app designed to accelerate contact tracing for coronavirus, despite some privacy concerns.
Government officials intend to rush legislation through parliament to outlaw the use of collected data for purposes other than tracing people who might have Covid-19.
Officials have also promised to release the app's source code within two weeks so that independent analysts can better understand its privacy implications.
The government says at least 40% of the Australian population needs to take up the technology, based on Singapore's TraceTogether app, for it to be effective.
The government hopes the app will enable Australia to safely reopen the economy by enabling health officials to quickly identify and contain new outbreaks.
Australia will resume non-urgent surgeries this week for the first time since March 27 as confidence grows that hospitals will not be overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases.
JAPAN
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his country is adding 14 more countries, including Russia, Peru and Saudi Arabia, to the entry ban list as the country steps up border controls, with infections continuing to spread.
Japan has already banned entry from more than 70 other countries, banning foreigners with records of visiting those countries in the past two weeks, while invalidating visas for the rest of the world.
The additional step regarding the 14 countries will take effect on Wednesday, Mr Abe said.
The entry ban and the visa restrictions, initially set to end on April 30, are extended until the end of May.
Japan is under a month-long state of emergency due to last until May 6. Officials and experts are gauging its effect and considering whether to extend the measure.
PAKISTAN
Pakistan's ban on international and domestic air travel has been extended until May 25.
Even as the numbers of confirmed cases continue a steady upward climb, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has refused to close mosques in the country during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, leaving it to clerics to enforce social distancing.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Tributes left at shopping centre where man stabbed to death

Tributes have been left at the spot where a man was stabbed to death in Smethwick .
Several bouquets of flowers were tied to a lamppost outside West Cross Shopping Centre in tribute to the 31-year-old who was killed on Sunday afternoon ( April 26 ) .
A heart-shaped candle was also placed nearby , as can be seen in the video above .
The victim - who has not been named - was knifed in the chest at around 4.40pm .
Despite the best efforts of medics , nothing could be done to save him and he was pronounced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet to make any arrests but detectives are `` working tirelessly '' to find those responsible .
An area of land near to the murder scene in Mallin Street has been cordoned off for most of the day while investigations continue .
Officers are also analysing horrifying videos posted online , which are believed to show the victim 's final moments .
A spokesman for the force said : `` We are continuing to investigate the fatal stabbing of a man in Smethwick yesterday afternoon .
`` We were called to West Cross @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , who has since been identified as a 31-year-old , suffered serious knife injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene .
`` Detectives are working tirelessly to piece together the moments leading to this attack and to identify those responsible .
`` We have obtained the footage circulating on social media as evidence , and we urge people not to share any videos of this nature .
`` If you have any information , or dash-cam or mobile footage , please contact us as soon as possible as this could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anyone with information can contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight .
People are asked to quote log number 2681 26/4 when passing on information .

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Tributes have been left at the spot where a man was stabbed to death in Smethwick.
Several bouquets of flowers were tied to a lamppost outside West Cross Shopping Centre in tribute to the 31-year-old who was killed on Sunday afternoon (April 26).
A heart-shaped candle was also placed nearby, as can be seen in the video above .
The victim - who has not been named - was knifed in the chest at around 4.40pm.
Despite the best efforts of medics, nothing could be done to save him and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are yet to make any arrests but detectives are "working tirelessly" to find those responsible.
An area of land near to the murder scene in Mallin Street has been cordoned off for most of the day while investigations continue.
Officers are also analysing horrifying videos posted online, which are believed to show the victim's final moments.
A spokesman for the force said: "We are continuing to investigate the fatal stabbing of a man in Smethwick yesterday afternoon.
"We were called to West Cross Shopping Centre at 4.40pm, where a man, who has since been identified as a 31-year-old, suffered serious knife injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
"Detectives are working tirelessly to piece together the moments leading to this attack and to identify those responsible.
"We have obtained the footage circulating on social media as evidence, and we urge people not to share any videos of this nature.
"If you have any information, or dash-cam or mobile footage, please contact us as soon as possible as this could assist us with our investigation."
Anyone with information can contact police via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight.
Alternatively, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
People are asked to quote log number 2681 26/4 when passing on information.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Government provides update on PL talks as Aston Villa await outcome

The Government have entered talks with the Premier League for football to resume `` as soon as possible . ''
@ @ @ @ @ and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden issued the update during a House of Commons parliamentary session @ @ @ @ @ 's battle for top-flight survival has been on hold for seven weeks after all elite @ @ @ @ @ suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic .
Dean Smith 's side are in the relegation @ @ @ @ @ to play , but have a game in hand on their relegation rivals .
Mr @ @ @ @ @ personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football @ @ @ @ @ as possible in order to support the whole football community.
” Villa are keen to @ @ @ @ @ an immediate return to the Championship .
The Premier League has reportedly pencilled in a @ @ @ @ @ with clubs resuming training in the middle of May .
Top-flight bosses are committed to @ @ @ @ @ are likely to be played behind-closed-doors if the season restarts .

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The Government have entered talks with the Premier League for football to resume "as soon as possible."
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden issued the update during a House of Commons parliamentary session on Monday.
Aston Villa's battle for top-flight survival has been on hold for seven weeks after all elite level football in England was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dean Smith's side are in the relegation zone with 10 matches left to play, but have a game in hand on their relegation rivals.
Mr Dowden said: "I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.”
Villa are keen to complete the campaign to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.
The Premier League has reportedly pencilled in a return date of early June with clubs resuming training in the middle of May.
Top-flight bosses are committed to completing the campaign and matches are likely to be played behind-closed-doors if the season restarts.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Ladywood robber jailed after attacking police officers and dog in lockdown

`` I 'll ******* knock you out '' - that was the threat from a convicted robber , who has been jailed after attacking cops .
Nelson Nelson , from Birmingham , has been jailed after attacking police officers amid the coronavirus crisis .
The 28-year-old , from Ladywood , was on licence from jail at the time the shocking incident unfolded in the East Midlands .
In Nottingham , he attacked police officers and a police dog during the ongoing nationwide lockdown .
The incident unfolded at Nottingham Rail Station , according to NottinghamshireLive .
Judge Gregory Dickinson QC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good reason to be there '' .
Nelson had been carrying a knife in his pocket and was on a bicycle on platform 6B at Nottingham when he was approached by uniformed officers tasked with monitoring compliance with Covid-19 regulations .
He was looking to board a train to Sheffield .
One officer said `` excuse me , sir '' and `` excuse me , I talking to you '' and Nelson replied `` why you people always got to bother me ? ''
Nelson said he was `` off to see his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Birmingham and , when asked `` where '' , he replied `` in a house '' .
The Covid-19 guidance was explained to Nelson and that he needed a valid reason to travel and `` going to see friends '' was not a valid reason , Nottingham Crown Court heard .
The conversation continued , with Nelson then saying he was travelling to see his sick cousin in hospital .
The officer asked which hospital and the nature of the cousin 's illness , and Nelson replied `` what the **** has it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nelson tried to press a button to open a train carriage door but one officer prevented him from doing so by standing in front of him .
Nelson cycled towards platform 5 and was told to get off his bike but he carried on .
This officer quickened his pace and tapped Nelson on the shoulder and said if Nelson did not get off his bike , he would be refused permission to travel entirely .
Nelson said `` I 'm not from Nottingham '' but the officer explained the situation was of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nelson told him `` I 'll ******* knock you out '' and called him `` a joke '' .
He asked them for directions , because he did not know where he was going , and he continued to argue about the reasons for the travel ban .
He was at an exit door of the station blocking it with his bike where a member of the public was trying to get out .
One officer reached for the bike to get it out of the way Nelson punched him with force to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he stumbled backwards dazed into a wall .
A second officer reached for Nelson 's arm and she was punched with considerable force to the right side of her face .
Nelson ran off and scaled a fence to a building site .
A third officer deployed his taser but Nelson punched him to the side of his body .
A fourth officer with police dog Quantum arrived .
By now Nelson had armed himself with a plank of wood with a nail sticking out .
The officer deployed the dog and Nelson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wood .
Three officers were injured .
Quantum had a cut to his chin .
Nelson was on licence from a 10-year prison sentence , imposed in 2012 , for offences of robbery , attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm .
It emerged afterwards he had a spring-loading lock knife in his pocket , which was not produced during the incident , and six months in prison was part of the total sentence .
He received various terms in prison which amounted to four years .
Nelson pleaded guilty to two offences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault with intent to resist arrest , having an offensive weapon - a piece of tiimber with a nail sticking out ; an assault on an emergency worker and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal .
His lawyer , Joe Harvey , said : `` The offences themselves really materialised out of nowhere .
He came to Nottingham to visit a friend who had been ill in hospital .
It is not a city he had any affinity with or been before .
He described to me he 'got lost ' in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't in anyway , through me , seek to turn and suggest that what happened was anyone 's fault other than his '' .

newsdesk@birminghamlive.co.uk (Rebecca Sherdley, James Rodger)

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"I'll ******* knock you out" - that was the threat from a convicted robber, who has been jailed after attacking cops.
Nelson Nelson, from Birmingham, has been jailed after attacking police officers amid the coronavirus crisis.
The 28-year-old, from Ladywood, was on licence from jail at the time the shocking incident unfolded in the East Midlands.
In Nottingham, he attacked police officers and a police dog during the ongoing nationwide lockdown.
The incident unfolded at Nottingham Rail Station, according to NottinghamshireLive.
Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, said: "You had no good reason to be there".
(Image: Nottingham Post)
Nelson had been carrying a knife in his pocket and was on a bicycle on platform 6B at Nottingham when he was approached by uniformed officers tasked with monitoring compliance with Covid-19 regulations. He was looking to board a train to Sheffield.
One officer said "excuse me, sir" and "excuse me, I talking to you" and Nelson replied "why you people always got to bother me?"
Nelson said he was "off to see his mates" and he had come from Birmingham and, when asked "where", he replied "in a house".
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
The Covid-19 guidance was explained to Nelson and that he needed a valid reason to travel and "going to see friends" was not a valid reason, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
The conversation continued, with Nelson then saying he was travelling to see his sick cousin in hospital. The officer asked which hospital and the nature of the cousin's illness, and Nelson replied "what the **** has it got to do with you".
Nelson tried to press a button to open a train carriage door but one officer prevented him from doing so by standing in front of him.
Nelson cycled towards platform 5 and was told to get off his bike but he carried on. This officer quickened his pace and tapped Nelson on the
shoulder and said if Nelson did not get off his bike, he would be refused permission to travel entirely.
Nelson said "I'm not from Nottingham" but the officer explained the situation was of the defendants "own making".
Nelson told him "I'll ******* knock you out" and called him "a joke". He asked them for directions, because he did not know where he was going, and he continued to argue about the reasons for the travel ban.
He was at an exit door of the station blocking it with his bike where a member of the public was trying to get out. One officer reached for the bike to get it out of the way
Nelson punched him with force to the right side of his face and he stumbled backwards dazed into a wall.
A second officer reached for Nelson's arm and she was punched with considerable force to the right side of her face.
Nelson ran off and scaled a fence to a building site. A third officer deployed his taser but Nelson punched him to the side of his body.
A fourth officer with police dog Quantum arrived. By now Nelson had armed himself with a plank of wood with a nail sticking out.
The officer deployed the dog and Nelson kicked it and struck him with the wood.
Three officers were injured. Quantum had a cut to his chin.
Nelson was on licence from a 10-year prison sentence, imposed in 2012, for offences of robbery, attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm.
It emerged afterwards he had a spring-loading lock knife in his pocket, which was not produced during the incident, and six months in prison was part of the total sentence.
He received various terms in prison which amounted to four years. Nelson pleaded guilty to two offences of assault, causing bodily harm; assault with intent to resist arrest, having an offensive weapon - a piece of tiimber with a nail sticking out; an assault on an emergency worker and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
His lawyer, Joe Harvey, said: "The offences themselves really materialised out of nowhere. He came to Nottingham to visit a friend who had been ill in hospital. It is not a city he had any affinity with or been before. He described to me he 'got lost' in the train station".
"He doesn't in anyway, through me, seek to turn and suggest that what happened was anyone's fault other than his".


birminghammail--2020-04-27--TikTok introduces brilliant new feature during the coronavirus crisis

TikTok is introducing donation stickers to the video sharing platform in a bid to support coronavirus fundraising efforts .
Users in the UK can choose between the British Red Cross or Help Musicians , as part of a new in-app donation feature that creators can include in their videos and livestreams .
TikTok has pledged to match every donation made through the app until May 27 .
The move comes as many charities struggle to generate funding from donations during lockdown , with many usual fundraising activities unable to go ahead .
Help Musicians has already received and processed 17,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks , to assist musicians hit by festival and gig cancellations , as well as the closure of recording and rehearsal spaces .
`` The coronavirus pandemic has had a monumental effect on musicians ' ability to earn a living , '' said James Ainscough , chief executive of Help Musicians .
`` The vast majority of musicians are self-employed and in our recent survey we found that 25 % said they would not be eligible for self-employed support . ''
Paul Amadi , chief supporter officer at the British Red Cross said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the first charities to include the new TikTok donation sticker .
This opportunity will help the British Red Cross raise vital funds to continue our work , supporting the most vulnerable people during this crisis . ''

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TikTok is introducing donation stickers to the video sharing platform in a bid to support coronavirus fundraising efforts.
Users in the UK can choose between the British Red Cross or Help Musicians, as part of a new in-app donation feature that creators can include in their videos and livestreams.
TikTok has pledged to match every donation made through the app until May 27.
The move comes as many charities struggle to generate funding from donations during lockdown, with many usual fundraising activities unable to go ahead.
Help Musicians has already received and processed 17,000 applications to its hardship fund in two weeks, to assist musicians hit by festival and gig cancellations, as well as the closure of recording and rehearsal spaces.
(Image: PA)
"The coronavirus pandemic has had a monumental effect on musicians' ability to earn a living," said James Ainscough, chief executive of Help Musicians.
"The vast majority of musicians are self-employed and in our recent survey we found that 25% said they would not be eligible for self-employed support."
Paul Amadi, chief supporter officer at the British Red Cross said: "We are excited to be one of the first charities to include the new TikTok donation sticker. This opportunity will help the British Red Cross raise vital funds to continue our work, supporting the most vulnerable people during this crisis."


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Has May Day moved in 2020? New date of Early May bank holiday and why it changed

Bank holidays do n't seem quite so conspicuous on the calendar now that many of us are at home on lockdown .
But for those who are still working , a bank holiday still gives a much-needed long weekend .
And thankfully there are more of them coming up in 2020 .
Two bank holidays normally take place on Mondays in May but it will be different this year .
May Day was once a holiday on May 1 , as a spring festival originating in ancient times .
In 1978 , the Government passed a law for the May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first Monday in May .
It 's also known as Early May bank holiday .
But in 2019 it was decided that will be changed for the 2020 bank holiday .
The May Day bank holiday is being moved to a Friday instead .
It will be on Friday , May 8 .
That creates a long weekend from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 10 .
The reason is to coincide with VE Day .
VE ( Victory in Europe ) marks the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ World War .
Originally , more than 20,000 pubs were going to encourage drinkers to raise a glass to the heroes of the war while churches were set to take part in a Ringing Out For Peace .
However , since that decision in June 2019 to move the holiday , the world has found itself in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic .
And with the UK in lockdown and large gatherings banned , the VE Day public celebrations set for May 8 will no longer be able to take place .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes instead , along with any official video events that observe social distancing and are shared on social media .
The decision to move the holiday last summer meant as many as 30 million diaries and calendars had already been printed with the wrong date .
The May Day bank holiday has only been moved once before , when it was shifted from May 1 to May 8 in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day .
This first May bank holiday is unusual in that it does not fall within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and colleges take the day off as a standalone one-day absence , whereas other bank holidays fall within extended half-term or end-of-term breaks .
The other public holiday in May - the Late May bank holiday or Spring bank holiday - is on its normal date of the last Monday in the month .
This year that will be May 25 .
Birmingham Pride would normally be taking place on the first two days of that weekend but , like every other big event in the immediate future , it has been cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitsun - a Christian observance of Pentecost on the seventh Sunday after Easter - was a holiday in Britain until 1972 when it was replaced with the Spring bank holiday on the last Monday in May .

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Bank holidays don't seem quite so conspicuous on the calendar now that many of us are at home on lockdown.
But for those who are still working, a bank holiday still gives a much-needed long weekend.
And thankfully there are more of them coming up in 2020.
Two bank holidays normally take place on Mondays in May but it will be different this year.
May Day was once a holiday on May 1, as a spring festival originating in ancient times.
In 1978, the Government passed a law for the May Day bank holiday to be on the first Monday in May. It's also known as Early May bank holiday.
But in 2019 it was decided that will be changed for the 2020 bank holiday.
The May Day bank holiday is being moved to a Friday instead. It will be on Friday, May 8.
(Image: PA)
That creates a long weekend from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 10.
The reason is to coincide with VE Day.
VE (Victory in Europe) marks the 75th anniversary of the surrender of Nazi Germany which brought a formal end to the Second World War.
Originally, more than 20,000 pubs were going to encourage drinkers to raise a glass to the heroes of the war while churches were set to take part in a Ringing Out For Peace.
However, since that decision in June 2019 to move the holiday, the world has found itself in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic.
And with the UK in lockdown and large gatherings banned, the VE Day public celebrations set for May 8 will no longer be able to take place.
Festivities will be confined to people's homes instead, along with any official video events that observe social distancing and are shared on social media.
The decision to move the holiday last summer meant as many as 30 million diaries and calendars had already been printed with the wrong date.
The May Day bank holiday has only been moved once before, when it was shifted from May 1 to May 8 in 1995 to mark the 50th anniversary of VE Day.
This first May bank holiday is unusual in that it does not fall within the school holidays calendar.
So schools and colleges take the day off as a standalone one-day absence, whereas other bank holidays fall within extended half-term or end-of-term breaks.
The other public holiday in May - the Late May bank holiday or Spring bank holiday - is on its normal date of the last Monday in the month. This year that will be May 25.
Birmingham Pride would normally be taking place on the first two days of that weekend but, like every other big event in the immediate future, it has been cancelled.
Whit Monday, the day after Whitsun - a Christian observance of Pentecost on the seventh Sunday after Easter - was a holiday in Britain until 1972 when it was replaced with the Spring bank holiday on the last Monday in May.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Netflix announce Michelle Obama documentary based on memoir Becoming

A new documentary will provide a `` rare and up-close look '' at the life of Michelle Obama as she embarked on a tour to promote her memoir , Netflix has said .
The former first lady launched Becoming in November 2018 , and a documentary of the same name follows her on a 34-city tour across the US .
The film , directed by Nadia Hallgren , will take viewers behind the scenes , according to Netflix , and highlight `` the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Becoming comes from the Obamas ' Higher Ground Productions company .
The couple signed a production deal with Netflix in 2018 .
In a statement , Ms Obama said that while it is `` hard these days to feel grounded or hopeful '' , she hopes `` like me , you 'll find joy and a bit of respite in what Nadia has made '' .
Addressing the pandemic and social distancing guidelines , she added : `` Even as we can no longer safely gather or feed off the energy of groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ living with grief , loneliness and fear , we need to stay open and able to put ourselves in other people 's shoes .
`` Empathy is our lifeline here .
It 's what will get us to the other side .
Let 's use it to redirect our attention toward what matters most , reconsider our priorities , and find ways to better remake the world in the image of our hopes . ''
Netflix also shared a trailer for the documentary , showing Ms Obama , whose husband Barack was president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community event in Philadelphia .
`` I crave some longer experiences with young people , '' she says in the teaser , which shows her hugging students and discussing her time in the White House .
Becoming arrives on Netflix on May 6 .

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A new documentary will provide a "rare and up-close look" at the life of Michelle Obama as she embarked on a tour to promote her memoir, Netflix has said.
The former first lady launched Becoming in November 2018, and a documentary of the same name follows her on a 34-city tour across the US.
The film, directed by Nadia Hallgren, will take viewers behind the scenes, according to Netflix, and highlight "the power of community to bridge our divides and the spirit of connection that comes when we openly and honestly share our stories".
Becoming comes from the Obamas' Higher Ground Productions company. The couple signed a production deal with Netflix in 2018.
(Image: Kirsty O'Connor/PA Wire)
In a statement, Ms Obama said that while it is "hard these days to feel grounded or hopeful", she hopes "like me, you'll find joy and a bit of respite in what Nadia has made".
Addressing the pandemic and social distancing guidelines, she added: "Even as we can no longer safely gather or feed off the energy of groups, even as many of us are living with grief, loneliness and fear, we need to stay open and able to put ourselves in other people's shoes.
"Empathy is our lifeline here. It's what will get us to the other side. Let's use it to redirect our attention toward what matters most, reconsider our priorities, and find ways to better remake the world in the image of our hopes."
Netflix also shared a trailer for the documentary, showing Ms Obama, whose husband Barack was president from 2009 to 2017, at a community event in Philadelphia.
"I crave some longer experiences with young people," she says in the teaser, which shows her hugging students and discussing her time in the White House.
Becoming arrives on Netflix on May 6.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Gran gets first question from public at government's press briefing

A grandmother has asked if hugging close family will be one of the first steps out of lockdown , in the first question from the public at the Downing Street coronavirus press conference .
The query from the woman from Skipton was chosen from more than 15,000 posed by members of the public on Monday .
One question a day from the public will be put to ministers , and the process of choosing will be managed independently by pollster YouGov .
The woman 's question , which was read out by Health Secretary Matt Hancock , was : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Please can you let me know if , after the five criteria are met , is being able to hug our closest family one of the first steps out of lockdown ? ''
Chief medical officer for England , Professor Chris Whitty , answered : `` Well , very clearly for most people , the ability to actually interact with families in the way that they have not been able to during this period is absolutely essential .
`` In terms of the direct answer to this lady 's question , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the situation that she finds herself in .
`` So if she is someone who has a significant medical problem in a way that means that she would have to be shielding , and she 's an older person - some grandparents are younger grandparents , some obviously are older - if she 's in a group which is vulnerable , then the answer is that it might well be prudent , and this will depend entirely on individual circumstances , for her not to get into a situation where she is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if she 's healthy and younger , that may well not be true , but the overall view that actually one of the things that clearly is important to everybody is the ability to get together with families remotely , but also physically , everyone fully accepts .
`` Nevertheless , it is important that people who are vulnerable continue to be protected even after whatever the next steps are occur . ''
Mr Hancock said he understands the impact of not being able to hug close family , adding : `` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the direct health impacts of the lockdown and bringing down the curve and trying to stop this terrible disease , and also the economic impacts , which are clearly very significant .
`` And there are also the direct emotional bonds , because it 's one of the most natural things in the world to want to hug a member of your family .
`` And we just hope we can get back to that as soon as possible .
And the best way we can get there fastest is for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get those five criteria met as soon as possible . ''
Mr Hancock said the move to take questions from the public came `` following significant demand '' , adding that ministers will not see the question in advance .
It will be a regular feature of the daily briefing .
The selected questioner will be informed by 3pm , two hours ahead of the usual press conference time .
They will then be given the choice of either filming themselves asking the question , with the footage played during the press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
Anyone over 18 can use an online form to submit their question for consideration .

A grandmother has asked if hugging close family will be one of the first steps out of lockdown, in the first question from the public at the Downing Street coronavirus press conference.
The query from the woman from Skipton was chosen from more than 15,000 posed by members of the public on Monday.
One question a day from the public will be put to ministers, and the process of choosing will be managed independently by pollster YouGov.
The woman's question, which was read out by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, was: "I'm missing my grandchildren so much. Please can you let me know if, after the five criteria are met, is being able to hug our closest family one of the first steps out of lockdown?"
Chief medical officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, answered: "Well, very clearly for most people, the ability to actually interact with families in the way that they have not been able to during this period is absolutely essential.
"In terms of the direct answer to this lady's question, it depends, if I'm honest, on the situation that she finds herself in.
"So if she is someone who has a significant medical problem in a way that means that she would have to be shielding, and she's an older person - some grandparents are younger grandparents, some obviously are older - if she's in a group which is vulnerable, then the answer is that it might well be prudent, and this will depend entirely on individual circumstances, for her not to get into a situation where she is putting herself at risk.
"Obviously if she's healthy and younger, that may well not be true, but the overall view that actually one of the things that clearly is important to everybody is the ability to get together with families remotely, but also physically, everyone fully accepts.
"Nevertheless, it is important that people who are vulnerable continue to be protected even after whatever the next steps are occur."
Mr Hancock said he understands the impact of not being able to hug close family, adding: "It affects all of us too, as well as the direct health impacts of the lockdown and bringing down the curve and trying to stop this terrible disease, and also the economic impacts, which are clearly very significant.
"And there are also the direct emotional bonds, because it's one of the most natural things in the world to want to hug a member of your family.
"And we just hope we can get back to that as soon as possible. And the best way we can get there fastest is for people to follow the rules so we can get those five criteria met as soon as possible."
Mr Hancock said the move to take questions from the public came "following significant demand", adding that ministers will not see the question in advance.
It will be a regular feature of the daily briefing.
The selected questioner will be informed by 3pm, two hours ahead of the usual press conference time.
They will then be given the choice of either filming themselves asking the question, with the footage played during the press conference, or having their question read out.
Anyone over 18 can use an online form to submit their question for consideration.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--The NHS services set to restart from tomorrow amid coronavirus crisis

The NHS will restart some vital services , including cancer care , from Tuesday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said , as he admitted the Government has a `` lot of work '' to do to hit its 100,000 a day testing target .
Speaking at the daily Downing Street press briefing , Mr Hancock also announced a life assurance scheme to pay £60,000 to the families of those frontline NHS and social care workers who have died in the course of their duties .
It comes as England 's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` very long way to run '' and there was `` no perfect solution '' to easing the lockdown , adding there were `` difficult choices '' to be made .
Some 29,058 tests had been carried out in England , Scotland and Wales in the 24 hours up to 9am on Saturday , according to the latest figures , suggesting the Government is way off its 100,000 a day target set for this Thursday .
Mr Hancock said the Government was `` broadly where we expected to be '' in terms of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of work to do to hit the 100,000 a day goal .
He added : `` It is important to note that we have already gone past the number of tests , per day , for instance , that they carry out in South Korea .
`` We are approaching the levels that Germany undertakes . ''
Mr Hancock said the number of patients attending A & E had fallen to 221,000 in the last week from 477,000 in the same week last year , as he urged people in need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases we know that the drop is due to people not coming forward and using the NHS for critical things that matter , '' he said .
`` Our message is that the NHS is open .
Help us to help you . ''
Some key NHS services which had been paused due to coronavirus will be restored from Tuesday , starting with the most urgent cases first , as 42 % of oxygen supported beds set aside for cornavirus are currently empty .
`` As the number of hospitalisations from coronavirus begins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , starting tomorrow , we will begin the restoration of other NHS services - starting with the most urgent , like cancer care and mental health support , '' he said .
He said the `` exact pace of the restoration '' will be determined by hospitals based on how many Covid-19 patients they still have .
Mr Hancock also told the Downing Street briefing that 82 NHS workers and 16 social care staff had died so far as he announced the £60,000 payment for families .
`` Of course , nothing replaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to do everything we can to support families who are dealing with this grief , '' he added .
The Government was also looking at other frontline professions who did not have access to a life assurance scheme , Mr Hancock said .
A total of 21,092 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday , Mr Hancock said , up by 360 from 20,732 the day before .
Meanwhile , more than 15,000 members of the public submitted questions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to answer one question a day from the public .
The first question , from a woman in Skipton , was : `` I 'm missing my grandchildren so much .
Please can you let me know if , after the five criteria are met , is being able to hug our closest family one of the first steps out of lockdown ? ''
Suggesting some reunions may be possible at some point , Prof Whitty said it would depend on whether the woman has a `` significant medical problem in a way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she 's an older person '' , adding that some grandparents are younger .
He added : `` If she 's in a group that 's vulnerable , then the answer is it might well be prudent - and this will depend entirely on individual circumstances - for her not to get into a situation where she 's putting herself at risk . ''
He said it was accepted that families wanted to get together but added : `` It is important that people who are vulnerable continue to be protected even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Earlier , Prime Minister Boris Johnson , on his first day back in Downing Street following his recovery from Covid-19 , said the UK is at the point of `` maximum risk '' in its battle with the virus .
He said he acknowledged frustrations over the continuing lockdown but insisted he would not risk a second peak in the disease by relaxing restrictions too quickly .
Comparing the disease to a mugger , he added : `` This is the moment when we have begun , together , to wrestle it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is also the moment of maximum risk because of the danger that people would look at the `` apparent success '' and `` go easy '' on social distancing measures .
Speaking from a podium in Downing Street , Mr Johnson acknowledged the pressure to lift some of the draconian restrictions imposed on British people and businesses .
He said : `` I want to get this economy moving as fast as I can '' but `` I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and huge loss of life '' .
Meanwhile , small businesses will be able to secure a loan worth up to £50,000 with the Government guaranteeing 100 % of the risk in the latest emergency scheme aimed at helping firms survive the coronavirus crisis .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the `` bounce back loans '' would have the interest paid by the Government for the first 12 months .

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The NHS will restart some vital services, including cancer care, from Tuesday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said, as he admitted the Government has a "lot of work" to do to hit its 100,000 a day testing target.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street press briefing, Mr Hancock also announced a life assurance scheme to pay £60,000 to the families of those frontline NHS and social care workers who have died in the course of their duties.
It comes as England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty said the coronavirus epidemic in the UK still has a "very long way to run" and there was "no perfect solution" to easing the lockdown, adding there were "difficult choices" to be made.
Some 29,058 tests had been carried out in England, Scotland and Wales in the 24 hours up to 9am on Saturday, according to the latest figures, suggesting the Government is way off its 100,000 a day target set for this Thursday.
Mr Hancock said the Government was "broadly where we expected to be" in terms of testing capacity but admitted there was a lot of work to do to hit the 100,000 a day goal.
He added: "It is important to note that we have already gone past the number of tests, per day, for instance, that they carry out in South Korea.
"We are approaching the levels that Germany undertakes."
Mr Hancock said the number of patients attending A&E had fallen to 221,000 in the last week from 477,000 in the same week last year, as he urged people in need to use the NHS.
"In some cases we know that the drop is due to people not coming forward and using the NHS for critical things that matter," he said.
"Our message is that the NHS is open. Help us to help you."
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Some key NHS services which had been paused due to coronavirus will be restored from Tuesday, starting with the most urgent cases first, as 42% of oxygen supported beds set aside for cornavirus are currently empty.
"As the number of hospitalisations from coronavirus begins to fall, I can announce that, starting tomorrow, we will begin the restoration of other NHS services - starting with the most urgent, like cancer care and mental health support," he said.
(Image: PA)
He said the "exact pace of the restoration" will be determined by hospitals based on how many Covid-19 patients they still have.
Mr Hancock also told the Downing Street briefing that 82 NHS workers and 16 social care staff had died so far as he announced the £60,000 payment for families.
"Of course, nothing replaces the loss of a loved one but we want to do everything we can to support families who are dealing with this grief," he added.
The Government was also looking at other frontline professions who did not have access to a life assurance scheme, Mr Hancock said.
A total of 21,092 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Sunday, Mr Hancock said, up by 360 from 20,732 the day before.
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now
Meanwhile, more than 15,000 members of the public submitted questions to Monday's press conference, with plans to answer one question a day from the public.
The first question, from a woman in Skipton, was: "I'm missing my grandchildren so much. Please can you let me know if, after the five criteria are met, is being able to hug our closest family one of the first steps out of lockdown?"
Suggesting some reunions may be possible at some point, Prof Whitty said it would depend on whether the woman has a "significant medical problem in a way that means she has to be shielding and she's an older person", adding that some grandparents are younger.
He added: "If she's in a group that's vulnerable, then the answer is it might well be prudent - and this will depend entirely on individual circumstances - for her not to get into a situation where she's putting herself at risk."
He said it was accepted that families wanted to get together but added: "It is important that people who are vulnerable continue to be protected even after whatever the next steps are."
Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on his first day back in Downing Street following his recovery from Covid-19, said the UK is at the point of "maximum risk" in its battle with the virus.
He said he acknowledged frustrations over the continuing lockdown but insisted he would not risk a second peak in the disease by relaxing restrictions too quickly.
Comparing the disease to a mugger, he added: "This is the moment when we have begun, together, to wrestle it to the floor."
He said it is also the moment of maximum risk because of the danger that people would look at the "apparent success" and "go easy" on social distancing measures.
Speaking from a podium in Downing Street, Mr Johnson acknowledged the pressure to lift some of the draconian restrictions imposed on British people and businesses.
He said: "I want to get this economy moving as fast as I can" but "I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and to risk a second major outbreak and huge loss of life".
Meanwhile, small businesses will be able to secure a loan worth up to £50,000 with the Government guaranteeing 100% of the risk in the latest emergency scheme aimed at helping firms survive the coronavirus crisis.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the "bounce back loans" would have the interest paid by the Government for the first 12 months.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--NHS nurse Shannon Napier, 24, dies after giving birth to baby daughter

A nurse has died shortly after giving birth to her daughter .
Shannon Napier , 24 , from Kirkcaldy , Fife , worked at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline , where she was described as `` an incredibly caring nurse '' .
Her death is not believed to be related to coronavirus .
Her fiance Jordan Burt posted on Facebook about his `` amazing £NHSHero '' and `` the most beautiful , intelligent and funny person I 've ever met '' .
A GoFundMe page has been set up by `` Shannons University Graduating Class 2018 '' with more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as creating a memorial for their former classmate , the page says they plan to `` raise money to set Abbie up with a hamper of gifts or whatever she may need '' .
Helen Buchanan , NHS Fife director of nursing , said : `` We are all shocked and deeply saddened by Shannon 's untimely death .
`` Our thoughts are very much with her fiance , her daughter and all of her family at this incredibly difficult time . ''
She added : `` Shannon has been an important part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hospital since she qualified as a nurse in 2018 , working first in our recovery room and later in our gynaecology theatre .
`` She was an incredibly caring nurse who wanted the very best for every patient she came into contact with .
`` Shannon was genuinely loved by all of her colleagues and was hugely popular due to her honesty and humour .
`` The team are understandably upset by her passing and we will do all that we can to support them over the coming days and weeks . ''

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A nurse has died shortly after giving birth to her daughter.
Shannon Napier, 24, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, worked at Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, where she was described as "an incredibly caring nurse".
Her death is not believed to be related to coronavirus.
Her fiance Jordan Burt posted on Facebook about his "amazing £NHSHero" and "the most beautiful, intelligent and funny person I've ever met".
A GoFundMe page has been set up by "Shannons University Graduating Class 2018" with more than £14,000 raised so far.
As well as creating a memorial for their former classmate, the page says they plan to "raise money to set Abbie up with a hamper of gifts or whatever she may need".
Helen Buchanan, NHS Fife director of nursing, said: "We are all shocked and deeply saddened by Shannon's untimely death.
"Our thoughts are very much with her fiance, her daughter and all of her family at this incredibly difficult time."
She added: "Shannon has been an important part of our theatre team at Queen Margaret Hospital since she qualified as a nurse in 2018, working first in our recovery room and later in our gynaecology theatre.
"She was an incredibly caring nurse who wanted the very best for every patient she came into contact with.
"Shannon was genuinely loved by all of her colleagues and was hugely popular due to her honesty and humour.
"The team are understandably upset by her passing and we will do all that we can to support them over the coming days and weeks."


birminghammail--2020-04-27--'Shut the f*** up' - Man broke NHS nurse's cheekbone in random attack

A man has been jailed for two years for fracturing the cheekbone of a hospital worker .
Daniel Shevlin , 28 , of no fixed address , pleaded guilty to section 20 assault and a public order offence after assaulting the NHS worker at Salford Royal Infirmary on March 29 , Greater Manchester Police said .
A police spokesman said Shevlin , who was sentenced over videolink at Manchester Crown Court on Monday , presented at the accident and emergency department claiming to have taken a drugs overdose .
Shelvin told another nurse : `` Shut the f*** up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the staff member , a man in his 50s , in the waiting area after becoming agitated that there was no juice available , and then shouted abuse at another NHS worker who challenged him .
Detective Inspector Thomas Willis said : `` This was an abhorrent and shocking assault that has absolutely no place in our society - especially at a time when we have a collective duty to protect our essential NHS workers .
`` While today 's verdict makes it abundantly clear that an assault on any person is unacceptable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who think they can show such gross disrespect and attack those on the front line of our emergency services recognise justice will be served .
`` As Shevlin spends his time behind bars reflecting on his actions , the victim has already returned to the front line to help save lives , which is testament to the incredible work that is being done by our emergency workers at this difficult time . ''

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A man has been jailed for two years for fracturing the cheekbone of a hospital worker.
Daniel Shevlin, 28, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to section 20 assault and a public order offence after assaulting the NHS worker at Salford Royal Infirmary on March 29, Greater Manchester Police said.
A police spokesman said Shevlin, who was sentenced over videolink at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, presented at the accident and emergency department claiming to have taken a drugs overdose.
Shelvin told another nurse: "Shut the f*** up, you little s***'.
He punched the staff member, a man in his 50s, in the waiting area after becoming agitated that there was no juice available, and then shouted abuse at another NHS worker who challenged him.
Detective Inspector Thomas Willis said: "This was an abhorrent and shocking assault that has absolutely no place in our society - especially at a time when we have a collective duty to protect our essential NHS workers.
"While today's verdict makes it abundantly clear that an assault on any person is unacceptable, I hope that the scant minority who think they can show such gross disrespect and attack those on the front line of our emergency services recognise justice will be served.
"As Shevlin spends his time behind bars reflecting on his actions, the victim has already returned to the front line to help save lives, which is testament to the incredible work that is being done by our emergency workers at this difficult time."


birminghammail--2020-04-27--Government provides significant update as West Brom eye promotion

The Government have entered talks with the Premier League for football to resume `` as soon as possible . ''
Digital , Culture , Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden issued the update during a House of Commons parliamentary session on Monday .
Elite level football in England has been suspended for seven weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic , with West Bromwich Albion 's bid for promotion placed on hold .
The Baggies are on course to return to the top-flight under Slaven Bilic , trailing Leeds United in first by just a point , and have nine Championship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.
” A return to action would come as a boost Albion and Leeds , who have held the top two spots since November .
The EFL is reportedly looking towards a return date of early June , with clubs potentially returning to training in mid-May .
Both the EFL and the Premier League are committed to completing the campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind-closed-doors if the season restarts .

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The Government have entered talks with the Premier League for football to resume "as soon as possible."
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden issued the update during a House of Commons parliamentary session on Monday.
Elite level football in England has been suspended for seven weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic, with West Bromwich Albion's bid for promotion placed on hold.
The Baggies are on course to return to the top-flight under Slaven Bilic, trailing Leeds United in first by just a point, and have nine Championship matches left to play.
Mr Dowden said: "I personally have been in talks with the Premier League with a view to getting football up and running as soon as possible in order to support the whole football community.”
A return to action would come as a boost Albion and Leeds, who have held the top two spots since November.
The EFL is reportedly looking towards a return date of early June, with clubs potentially returning to training in mid-May.
Both the EFL and the Premier League are committed to completing the campaign and matches are likely to be played behind-closed-doors if the season restarts.


birminghammail--2020-04-27--West Midlands Police reveal names of seven new puppies born during lockdown

Meet the new recruits to West Midlands Police 's four-legged crime fighting team - the NHS heroes !
The force has named its seven new police dog puppies in honour of the NHS workers who are going the extra mile to help the UK during the coronavirus pandemic .
They are : Royal , Doyle and Prayer - who are all boys .
Angel , Florence , Hope and Rainbow are girl puppies .
The force asked the public to help name the five-week-old German Shepherd puppies .
And on Monday , the winning names were revealed from the thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them have a link to the top West Midlands cop who nearly died from Covid-19 - Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby .
A force spokesman said each of the names had a link to the NHS .
Royal is in honour of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital where Chief Supt Dolby and another officer were successfully treated for coronavirus .
Prayer was also a suggestion made by Chief Supt Dolby , who said praying played a big part in his recovery .
Doyle was chosen because a nurse from New Cross Hospital lost her father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work for the NHS after a career with West Midlands Police .
The girl puppies were named Hope , Florence , Angel and Rainbow - which all have links to the NHS .
Dog instructor David Hibbert said : `` The names we 've chosen really capture the spirit of the NHS and the incredibly vital job they 're doing to help us through this pandemic .
`` We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who got involved to help us honour our carers and NHS staff .
`` A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby who suggested Royal after received tremendous care from the staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital while battling Covid-19 . ''
The puppies will soon go to the homes of their puppy walkers and will shortly begin their training , with a view to being fully operational next year .

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Meet the new recruits to West Midlands Police's four-legged crime fighting team - the NHS heroes!
The force has named its seven new police dog puppies in honour of the NHS workers who are going the extra mile to help the UK during the coronavirus pandemic.
They are: Royal, Doyle and Prayer - who are all boys. Angel, Florence, Hope and Rainbow are girl puppies.
(Image: WMP)
The force asked the public to help name the five-week-old German Shepherd puppies. And on Monday, the winning names were revealed from the thousands suggested by people.
And two of them have a link to the top West Midlands cop who nearly died from Covid-19 - Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby.
A force spokesman said each of the names had a link to the NHS.
Royal is in honour of the Worcestershire Royal Hospital where Chief Supt Dolby and another officer were successfully treated for coronavirus.
(Image: WMP)
Prayer was also a suggestion made by Chief Supt Dolby, who said praying played a big part in his recovery.
Doyle was chosen because a nurse from New Cross Hospital lost her father to the virus. He went to work for the NHS after a career with West Midlands Police.
The girl puppies were named Hope, Florence, Angel and Rainbow - which all have links to the NHS.
(Image: WMP)
Dog instructor David Hibbert said: "The names we've chosen really capture the spirit of the NHS and the incredibly vital job they're doing to help us through this pandemic.
"We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who got involved to help us honour our carers and NHS staff.
"A special mention has to go to our Chief Superintendent Phil Dolby who suggested Royal after received tremendous care from the staff at Worcestershire Royal Hospital while battling Covid-19."
The puppies will soon go to the homes of their puppy walkers and will shortly begin their training, with a view to being fully operational next year.