news--2020-05-24--New Zealand: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unrattled as earthquake hits during live TV interview

An earthquake that struck near New Zealand 's capital had people diving for cover - but not prime minister Jacinda Ardern who continued with a live TV interview .
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday morning was 23 miles ( 37km ) deep and the epicentre was 18.6m ( 30km ) northwest of Levin , a city in the country 's North Island close to the capital Wellington , according to GeoNet .
It lasted for more than 30 seconds and no damage was reported but it caused panic in Wellington as people in offices and homes rushed for cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was being interviewed live on TV from the parliament building , called the beehive , when the tremors started .
The camera could be seen shaking as the PM looked to the ceiling and said : `` We 're just having an earthquake here , Ryan .
`` Quite a decent shake here if you see things moving behind me .
`` The beehive moves a little more than most . ''
When asked whether she was safe and if she was alright to carry on , Ms Ardern said : `` Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` No , we 're fine , I 'm not under any hanging lights and I look like I 'm in a structurally sound place . ''
After finding out the strength of the earthquake , she later said it was `` not an unreasonable shake '' .
More than 36,800 people reported feeling the tremor to GeoNet , New Zealand 's geological hazard information unit .
The unit said there were 40 aftershocks to Monday 's quake , ranging from 1.7 to 4 magnitude .
Wellington 's emergency services said there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while all trains in the city were suspended as engineers assessed the impact .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker New Zealanders are fairly used to tremors as the country 's islands lie on the `` Ring of Fire '' , a 24,855m ( 40,000km ) series of volcanoes and ocean trenches in the Pacific Ocean .
The city of Christchurch is still recovering from a 6.3 magnitude quake in 2011 that killed 185 people .
In 2016 , the South Island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7.8 magnitude tremor , killing two and causing billions of dollars worth of damage , including in Wellington .

An earthquake that struck near New Zealand's capital had people diving for cover - but not prime minister Jacinda Ardern who continued with a live TV interview.
The 5.8 magnitude earthquake on Monday morning was 23 miles (37km) deep and the epicentre was 18.6m (30km) northwest of Levin, a city in the country's North Island close to the capital Wellington, according to GeoNet.
It lasted for more than 30 seconds and no damage was reported but it caused panic in Wellington as people in offices and homes rushed for cover under tables.
Image: Ms Ardern said it was a 'decent' tremor
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was being interviewed live on TV from the parliament building, called the beehive, when the tremors started.
The camera could be seen shaking as the PM looked to the ceiling and said: "We're just having an earthquake here, Ryan.
"Quite a decent shake here if you see things moving behind me.
"The beehive moves a little more than most."
When asked whether she was safe and if she was alright to carry on, Ms Ardern said: "Yes, no, it's just stopped.
"No, we're fine, I'm not under any hanging lights and I look like I'm in a structurally sound place."
Advertisement
Image: Ms Ardern said she was safe although she could feel the room moving
After finding out the strength of the earthquake, she later said it was "not an unreasonable shake".
More than 36,800 people reported feeling the tremor to GeoNet, New Zealand's geological hazard information unit.
The unit said there were 40 aftershocks to Monday's quake, ranging from 1.7 to 4 magnitude.
Wellington's emergency services said there were no immediate reports of damage, while all trains in the city were suspended as engineers assessed the impact.
:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
New Zealanders are fairly used to tremors as the country's islands lie on the "Ring of Fire", a 24,855m (40,000km) series of volcanoes and ocean trenches in the Pacific Ocean.
The city of Christchurch is still recovering from a 6.3 magnitude quake in 2011 that killed 185 people.
In 2016, the South Island town of Kaikoura was hit by a 7.8 magnitude tremor, killing two and causing billions of dollars worth of damage, including in Wellington.


news--2020-05-25--British AI drug developer Exscientia to unveil £50m injection

A British company which uses artificial intelligence to discover new drug molecules has turned to one of the world ’ s top life sciences investors to lead a near-£50m capital injection .
Sky News has learnt that Exscientia , which is based in Oxford , will announce on Tuesday a $ 60m ( £49m ) funding round aimed at accelerating its international expansion during a period of enormous investor interest in AI-driven drug discovery .
The fundraising is being led by Novo Holdings , a Danish-based company that is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation - a prominent global pharmaceuticals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equity-raise comes amid a string of collaborative ventures between companies in the pharmaceuticals and biotech industries in the race to develop a vaccine and treatments for coronavirus .
In March , Exscientia announced a joint initiative with Diamond Light Source , a science facility in Oxfordshire , and Calibr , a drug developer , to produce COVID-19 antiviral treatments .
Exscientia applies AI to small molecule drug discovery , and claims to be the world 's leading company of its type .
Its Series C funding round comes almost 18 months after it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Myers Squibb , the pharmaceutical giant , and Evotec , a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company Exscientia is chaired by Alex Snow , a respected figure in the City from stints running the stockbroker Evolution Securities and Lansdowne Partners , a hedge fund .
The founder of Oxford Sciences Innovation , Mr Snow helped to raise more than £600m during his time there to commercialise scientific discoveries made at the University of Oxford .
He also played rugby union professionally for Harlequins and England .
The valuation attributed to Exscientia by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but sources said it was at a `` very significant '' premium to that of its Series B round .
The company already has the first-ever precision-engineered drug designed by AI in phase one of human clinical trials - a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder .
Industry sources say the drug was developed in less than one-quarter of the time that would have been taken using conventional techniques , underlining the huge appetite in AI drug development applications .
Since its last fundraising , the company has grown revenues by roughly six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and taken a number of existing projects to the clinical development phase .
The new capital will allow Exscientia to bring more drugs to clinical testing , as well as speeding up its international expansion , particularly in the US .
As part of the financing round , Robert Ghenchev , senior partner and head of Novo Growth - the growth equity arm of Novo Holdings - is joining Exscientia 's board .
`` This investment highlights the increasing commitment to the potential of AI to transform drug discovery and the excitement that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are doing at Exscientia , '' Professor Andrew Hopkins , Exscientia founder and chief executive , said .
`` We have now demonstrated multiple times that our platform can accelerate the time between the start of an idea and a viable new drug candidate for patients in need of treatments , fast tracking the entire R & D process . ''
Mr Ghenchev said Exscientia had `` demonstrated the value of combining deep scientific expertise with cutting-edge technology capabilities to significantly accelerate drug discovery '' .
He added : `` We see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grow its participation in the drug discovery ecosystem and are excited to work with the Exscientia team in realising this vision . ''

A British company which uses artificial intelligence to discover new drug molecules has turned to one of the world’s top life sciences investors to lead a near-£50m capital injection.
Sky News has learnt that Exscientia, which is based in Oxford, will announce on Tuesday a $60m (£49m) funding round aimed at accelerating its international expansion during a period of enormous investor interest in AI-driven drug discovery.
The fundraising is being led by Novo Holdings, a Danish-based company that is part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation - a prominent global pharmaceuticals investor.
The announcement of Exscientia's equity-raise comes amid a string of collaborative ventures between companies in the pharmaceuticals and biotech industries in the race to develop a vaccine and treatments for coronavirus.
In March, Exscientia announced a joint initiative with Diamond Light Source, a science facility in Oxfordshire, and Calibr, a drug developer, to produce COVID-19 antiviral treatments.
Exscientia applies AI to small molecule drug discovery, and claims to be the world's leading company of its type.
Its Series C funding round comes almost 18 months after it raised $26m from investors including Bristol Myers Squibb, the pharmaceutical giant, and Evotec, a drug discovery alliance and development partnership company
Exscientia is chaired by Alex Snow, a respected figure in the City from stints running the stockbroker Evolution Securities and Lansdowne Partners, a hedge fund.
The founder of Oxford Sciences Innovation, Mr Snow helped to raise more than £600m during his time there to commercialise scientific discoveries made at the University of Oxford.
Advertisement
He also played rugby union professionally for Harlequins and England.
The valuation attributed to Exscientia by its latest fundraising was unclear on Monday, but sources said it was at a "very significant" premium to that of its Series B round.
The company already has the first-ever precision-engineered drug designed by AI in phase one of human clinical trials - a treatment for obsessive compulsive disorder.
Industry sources say the drug was developed in less than one-quarter of the time that would have been taken using conventional techniques, underlining the huge appetite in AI drug development applications.
Since its last fundraising, the company has grown revenues by roughly six times, expanded in the US, and taken a number of existing projects to the clinical development phase.
The new capital will allow Exscientia to bring more drugs to clinical testing, as well as speeding up its international expansion, particularly in the US.
As part of the financing round, Robert Ghenchev, senior partner and head of Novo Growth - the growth equity arm of Novo Holdings - is joining Exscientia's board.
"This investment highlights the increasing commitment to the potential of AI to transform drug discovery and the excitement that we have garnered around the innovative work we are doing at Exscientia," Professor Andrew Hopkins, Exscientia founder and chief executive, said.
"We have now demonstrated multiple times that our platform can accelerate the time between the start of an idea and a viable new drug candidate for patients in need of treatments, fast tracking the entire R&D process."
Mr Ghenchev said Exscientia had "demonstrated the value of combining deep scientific expertise with cutting-edge technology capabilities to significantly accelerate drug discovery".
He added: "We see significant opportunity for the company to further grow its participation in the drug discovery ecosystem and are excited to work with the Exscientia team in realising this vision."


news--2020-05-25--Celebrity MasterChef to feature its first-ever blind contestant Amar Latif

This year 's Celebrity MasterChef will feature its first-ever blind contestant - travel presenter Amar Latif .
The Scottish entrepreneur has explored the world , despite losing the majority of his sight due to a genetic eye condition .
In April , Latif was treated in hospital for coronavirus - and said afterwards he did n't think he was going to make it .
The 45-year-old is among 20 contestants going head-to-head in the kitchen in a bid to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace .
MasterChef , which is filmed in a studio in east London , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stars stepping up to the plate include tennis coach Judy Murray , footballer John Barnes and Olympians Sam Quek and Sir Matthew Pinsent .
Quadrophenia actor Phil Daniels , RuPaul 's Drag Race UK star Baga Chipz , and Rak-Su singer Myles Stephenson - who recently recovered from a serious snowboarding accident - will also take part .
The 16th series of the show will run over five weeks , after which one celebrity will be take home the trophy and coveted Celebrity MasterChef title .
TV presenters Gethin Jones , Jeff Brazier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Is Essex star Pete Wicks , broadcaster Riyadh Khalaf and The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner will also be cooking up a storm .
After four weeks of heats , the semi-final and final week stages will see the celebrities tasked with mass catering from tents for 100 people for a special anniversary lunch .
Other challenges include a takeaway themed `` invention test '' and cooking for celebrity chef Aldo Zilli .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Carla-Maria Lawson , commissioning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year 's contestants `` an exciting , ambitious and brave bunch '' .
Katie Attwood , series editor at production company Shine TV , confirmed the heats kick off with the `` market test '' - and said this will throw up some `` unusual creations for John and Gregg to say the least '' .
Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC One in the summer .

This year's Celebrity MasterChef will feature its first-ever blind contestant - travel presenter Amar Latif.
The Scottish entrepreneur has explored the world, despite losing the majority of his sight due to a genetic eye condition.
In April, Latif was treated in hospital for coronavirus - and said afterwards he didn't think he was going to make it.
Image: John Torode and Gregg Wallace (L-R) will judge the stars on their skills
The 45-year-old is among 20 contestants going head-to-head in the kitchen in a bid to impress judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
MasterChef, which is filmed in a studio in east London, was filmed before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sporting stars stepping up to the plate include tennis coach Judy Murray, footballer John Barnes and Olympians Sam Quek and Sir Matthew Pinsent.
Quadrophenia actor Phil Daniels, RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Baga Chipz, and Rak-Su singer Myles Stephenson - who recently recovered from a serious snowboarding accident - will also take part.
The 16th series of the show will run over five weeks, after which one celebrity will be take home the trophy and coveted Celebrity MasterChef title.
Instagram Instagram , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Instagram cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Instagram cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Instagram cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
TV presenters Gethin Jones, Jeff Brazier and Dom Littlewood, The Only Way Is Essex star Pete Wicks, broadcaster Riyadh Khalaf and The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner will also be cooking up a storm.
Advertisement
After four weeks of heats, the semi-final and final week stages will see the celebrities tasked with mass catering from tents for 100 people for a special anniversary lunch.
Other challenges include a takeaway themed "invention test" and cooking for celebrity chef Aldo Zilli.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Carla-Maria Lawson, commissioning editor for the BBC, called this year's contestants "an exciting, ambitious and brave bunch".
Katie Attwood, series editor at production company Shine TV, confirmed the heats kick off with the "market test" - and said this will throw up some "unusual creations for John and Gregg to say the least".
Celebrity MasterChef returns to BBC One in the summer.


news--2020-05-25--Coronavirus: Barnard Castle's TripAdvisor page flooded with spoof Dominic Cummings reviews

People pretending to be Dominic Cummings have flooded Barnard Castle 's TripAdvisor page with spoof reviews after the senior Downing Street aide confirmed he had travelled to the market town during lockdown .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson 's adviser gave an unprecedented news conference on Monday following reports he had travelled from London to Durham with his wife and young child , despite government advice to `` stay at home '' .
His account of what happened included a `` test drive '' from his parents ' farm to Barnard Castle - 15 days after he developed COVID-19 symptoms - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive home .
Reviews have since been posted on the beauty spot 's TripAdvisor page in droves , with one saying : `` Whizzed up on a whim from London with the family .
Was exhilarating to feel the wind in my scalp .
`` My wife fancied a cream tea and a packet of locketts but for some reason the cafe had been closed down .
Another reviewer , who identified themselves as `` Dom C '' , praised the `` great childcare facilities '' .
One said Barnard Castle was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( where Mr Cummings lives ) and well worth a visit , especially when one feels the need to get away from it all '' .
The reviewer continued : `` Upon arrival , the quiet in those ancient streets was broken only by the hack of my cough ; droplets of my spittle drifting on the wind providing the nearest thing we saw to rain in the entire 10 to 14 days spent in the glorious North East . ''
Another described their visit to the market town as `` a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get away from work '' .
`` Lots of fresh air , even with my persistent cough , '' they said .
One reviewer said they had left London `` to escape the crowds '' and would `` do it again in a heartbeat '' - but `` the rest of you should stay at home though '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The spoof write-ups are reminiscent of those that appeared on the TripAdvisor page for Pizza Express in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .
He told the BBC programme that an allegation he had sex with an underage teenage girl could not have been true because he was at the restaurant for a children 's birthday party on the night it was said to have happened .
The Barnard Castle page that has been hit is for the town 's ruined castle of the same name , and Mr Cummings is believed to have been walking with his family along the River Tees nearby .
Mr Cummings said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` test drive '' to the market town , half an hour from where he had been staying in Durham .
He said he had been spotted by a passer-by , but that he and his family had followed social distancing measures .
`` I do n't regret what I did , '' he insisted , saying his journey from London to seek childcare constituted `` exceptional circumstances '' .
`` I was trying to balance all of these very complicated things . ''

People pretending to be Dominic Cummings have flooded Barnard Castle's TripAdvisor page with spoof reviews after the senior Downing Street aide confirmed he had travelled to the market town during lockdown.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson's adviser gave an unprecedented news conference on Monday following reports he had travelled from London to Durham with his wife and young child, despite government advice to "stay at home".
His account of what happened included a "test drive" from his parents' farm to Barnard Castle - 15 days after he developed COVID-19 symptoms - to check he was well enough to drive home.
Image: Barnard Castle has received fake reviews on its page
Reviews have since been posted on the beauty spot's TripAdvisor page in droves, with one saying: "Whizzed up on a whim from London with the family. Was exhilarating to feel the wind in my scalp.
"My wife fancied a cream tea and a packet of locketts but for some reason the cafe had been closed down.
"Easy parking."
Another reviewer, who identified themselves as "Dom C", praised the "great childcare facilities".
One said Barnard Castle was a "mere 5 hour drive from Islington (where Mr Cummings lives) and well worth a visit, especially when one feels the need to get away from it all".
The reviewer continued: "Upon arrival, the quiet in those ancient streets was broken only by the hack of my cough; droplets of my spittle drifting on the wind providing the nearest thing we saw to rain in the entire 10 to 14 days spent in the glorious North East."
Advertisement
Image: Fake reviews have been left on Barnard Castle's TripAdvisor page
Another described their visit to the market town as "a chance to really let my hair down and get away from work".
"Lots of fresh air, even with my persistent cough," they said.
One reviewer said they had left London "to escape the crowds" and would "do it again in a heartbeat" - but "the rest of you should stay at home though".
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The spoof write-ups are reminiscent of those that appeared on the TripAdvisor page for Pizza Express in Woking following Prince Andrew's Newsnight interview over his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He told the BBC programme that an allegation he had sex with an underage teenage girl could not have been true because he was at the restaurant for a children's birthday party on the night it was said to have happened.
Image: The town of Barnard Castle
The Barnard Castle page that has been hit is for the town's ruined castle of the same name, and Mr Cummings is believed to have been walking with his family along the River Tees nearby.
Mr Cummings said on Monday he had gone on a "test drive" to the market town, half an hour from where he had been staying in Durham.
He said he had been spotted by a passer-by, but that he and his family had followed social distancing measures.
"I don't regret what I did," he insisted, saying his journey from London to seek childcare constituted "exceptional circumstances".
"I was trying to balance all of these very complicated things."


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Military veterans helping at mortuaries

Military veterans are offering support at mortuaries as death rates rise because of the coronavirus crisis , the head of a charity providing the personnel has revealed .
Team Rubicon UK usually sends groups of mainly ex-servicemen and women on relief missions around the world , but it is now focusing on the growing need at home .
Dozens of its volunteers are deployed across the country on a range of tasks , from particularly sensitive roles such as mortuary work to assisting with food deliveries and welfare visits to households that are shielding because of the pandemic .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built round getting highly trained veterans into the hardest-to-reach corners of disaster zones , that 's our sweet spot , '' said Richard Sharp , the chief executive and a former Royal Marines Commando .
`` We get in , we rapidly understand the situation , we build situational awareness , which we share with all our partners ... we then turn to where the areas of greatest need are and we help get what is needed to those areas of greatest need , '' he told Sky News .
`` In Mozambique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field for 27 days at a time .
Here it means we are working with our partners in local communities . ''
He was talking at a sports hall in Guildford , which has been turned into a logistics hub to package emergency food parcels .
They are sent to people in the community who have been identified by the government as particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and needing to stay at home , but who have not yet registered for official government food supplies or been able to source their own .
Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council cope with a jump in the number of deaths each week because of coronavirus .
Up to 10 volunteers are assisting at one of three temporary mortuaries being set up in Surrey .
It is a service they are also preparing to deliver in other parts of the country .
`` There was a need to backfill the mortuaries with people who could deal with mortuary admin , the sensitive moving of bodies , making sure they are properly tagged and making sure they go to their places of rest in correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible , '' Mr Sharp said .
`` That is obviously a difficult task ... That is people 's families who have been devastated by that loss .
`` Our people have lived a life that [ means they ] have dealt with that before .
While no one enjoys it they can deal with it , they can compartmentalise and they can handle those things properly , that takes a resilient kind of person .
You do n't have to have served in the military but we do know there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oliver , leader of Surrey County Council , said the number of deaths across the county had more than doubled to over 400 people a week because of coronavirus .
It is placing a strain on mortuary services and the support from Team Rubicon UK is very welcome , he said .
`` It is a hugely sensitive time for families and a hugely distressing time for families when you lose a loved one irrespective of whether it 's from COVID-19 or not , '' he said .
`` But actually with this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so there is little time for families to plan .
`` In terms of mortuary capacity , we have now set up three temporary mortuaries around the county to look after those bodies and to keep them safe in preparation for cremation and funeral . ''
He said the sites were at the University of Surrey , which is where the Team Rubicon UK volunteers are deployed , at a fire station in Reigate , and a third facility is due to be opened at Headley Court , a former military rehabilitation centre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no strangers to death , particularly those who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during the past two decades .
It is an example of how volunteers with a military background can assist with particularly challenging tasks that perhaps would not be suited to most regular civilian volunteers .
Another plus factor , according to Team Rubicon UK , is the ability to deploy to a new situation quickly , follow instructions and work to a chain of command - skills drummed into soldiers , sailors and airmen during their time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former engineer in the Royal Air Force .
He now works on Bloodhound , a straight-line racing car powered by a jet engine that is building up to try to break the land speed record of 763mph .
With work temporarily paused because of coronavirus , he called up Team Rubicon UK , where he is already on the books as a volunteer , to ask whether he could help .
Within days , Mr Edmondson was sent to Surrey to assist the local resilience forum , where he offers advice and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his military experience working with warplanes helped prepare him for the demands he faces now .
`` I have been deployed on many operations around the world and training exercises , '' Mr Edmondson said .
This included the 2011 Libya campaign against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi .
The RAF deployed to an air base in southern Italy for missions over Libya .
`` Very quickly you are dealing with people you have never met before , you 've got logistics challenges that you 've never faced before and through experience you know how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems and issues , '' Mr Edmondson said .
`` To be fair , whilst that might be abroad and you 've got the complication of language , the problems are exactly the same as we are facing here - setting up a huge capability in such a small amount of time . ''
He was referring to the food distribution effort at the Spectrum sports hall .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Team Rubicon volunteers are also making welfare visits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been able to reach by phone to check they are all right and whether they need support .
The charity , which is working with the Ministry of Defence and with the charity sector , believes demand for its services will grow .
It has put out a call for 40,000 former military personnel to sign up as rapid volunteers on Team Rubicon UK 's website .
Thousands have already responded .

Military veterans are offering support at mortuaries as death rates rise because of the coronavirus crisis, the head of a charity providing the personnel has revealed.
Team Rubicon UK usually sends groups of mainly ex-servicemen and women on relief missions around the world, but it is now focusing on the growing need at home.
Dozens of its volunteers are deployed across the country on a range of tasks, from particularly sensitive roles such as mortuary work to assisting with food deliveries and welfare visits to households that are shielding because of the pandemic.
Image: Military veterans take delivery of essential items to be distributed in the community
"Team Rubicon UK's mission is all built round getting highly trained veterans into the hardest-to-reach corners of disaster zones, that's our sweet spot," said Richard Sharp, the chief executive and a former Royal Marines Commando.
"We get in, we rapidly understand the situation, we build situational awareness, which we share with all our partners... we then turn to where the areas of greatest need are and we help get what is needed to those areas of greatest need," he told Sky News.
"In Mozambique that means we are out in the field for 27 days at a time. Here it means we are working with our partners in local communities."
He was talking at a sports hall in Guildford, which has been turned into a logistics hub to package emergency food parcels.
Image: Military veterans arrange food parcels for the vulnerable
They are sent to people in the community who have been identified by the government as particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and needing to stay at home, but who have not yet registered for official government food supplies or been able to source their own.
Team Rubicon UK is also helping Surrey County Council cope with a jump in the number of deaths each week because of coronavirus.
Advertisement
Up to 10 volunteers are assisting at one of three temporary mortuaries being set up in Surrey. It is a service they are also preparing to deliver in other parts of the country.
"There was a need to backfill the mortuaries with people who could deal with mortuary admin, the sensitive moving of bodies, making sure they are properly tagged and making sure they go to their places of rest in correct order ready for burial as soon as possible," Mr Sharp said.
"That is obviously a difficult task... That is people's families who have been devastated by that loss.
"Our people have lived a life that [means they] have dealt with that before. While no one enjoys it they can deal with it, they can compartmentalise and they can handle those things properly, that takes a resilient kind of person. You don't have to have served in the military but we do know there is a dearth of that experience."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 Masks for public 'could put NHS at risk'
Tim Oliver, leader of Surrey County Council, said the number of deaths across the county had more than doubled to over 400 people a week because of coronavirus.
It is placing a strain on mortuary services and the support from Team Rubicon UK is very welcome, he said.
"It is a hugely sensitive time for families and a hugely distressing time for families when you lose a loved one irrespective of whether it's from COVID-19 or not," he said.
"But actually with this disease the death often happens very quickly so there is little time for families to plan.
"In terms of mortuary capacity, we have now set up three temporary mortuaries around the county to look after those bodies and to keep them safe in preparation for cremation and funeral."
He said the sites were at the University of Surrey, which is where the Team Rubicon UK volunteers are deployed, at a fire station in Reigate, and a third facility is due to be opened at Headley Court, a former military rehabilitation centre.
Members of the armed forces are no strangers to death, particularly those who have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan during the past two decades.
It is an example of how volunteers with a military background can assist with particularly challenging tasks that perhaps would not be suited to most regular civilian volunteers.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:58 London hotel opens doors to healthcare heroes
Another plus factor, according to Team Rubicon UK, is the ability to deploy to a new situation quickly, follow instructions and work to a chain of command - skills drummed into soldiers, sailors and airmen during their time in the armed forces.
Stuart Edmondson is a former engineer in the Royal Air Force.
He now works on Bloodhound, a straight-line racing car powered by a jet engine that is building up to try to break the land speed record of 763mph.
With work temporarily paused because of coronavirus, he called up Team Rubicon UK, where he is already on the books as a volunteer, to ask whether he could help.
Within days, Mr Edmondson was sent to Surrey to assist the local resilience forum, where he offers advice and guidance to the council.
He said his military experience working with warplanes helped prepare him for the demands he faces now.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:49 How firefighters are delivering vital meds
"I have been deployed on many operations around the world and training exercises," Mr Edmondson said.
This included the 2011 Libya campaign against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. The RAF deployed to an air base in southern Italy for missions over Libya.
"Very quickly you are dealing with people you have never met before, you've got logistics challenges that you've never faced before and through experience you know how to tackle those and get through those problems and issues," Mr Edmondson said.
"To be fair, whilst that might be abroad and you've got the complication of language, the problems are exactly the same as we are facing here - setting up a huge capability in such a small amount of time."
He was referring to the food distribution effort at the Spectrum sports hall.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Team Rubicon volunteers are also making welfare visits to shielded households that Surrey County Council has not been able to reach by phone to check they are all right and whether they need support.
The charity, which is working with the Ministry of Defence and with the charity sector, believes demand for its services will grow.
It has put out a call for 40,000 former military personnel to sign up as rapid volunteers on Team Rubicon UK's website. Thousands have already responded.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Moulton-backed office supplier races to find buyer

The private equity veteran Jon Moulton is in talks to sell one of Britain 's biggest office supplies wholesalers as it grapples with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic .
Sky News understands that Better Capital , Mr Moulton 's listed investment vehicle , is working with advisers to sell Spicers-Office Team ( SPOT ) .
AlixPartners , which is handling the process , is understood to have set a deadline for offers last Friday .
SPOT employs about 1200 people , and has been owned by the firm set up by Mr Moulton for nearly a decade .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contingency plans for a possible pre-pack administration or other form of insolvency if a solvent sale of SPOT proves to be unachievable .
Sources said the office supplies market had been `` hammered '' by the COVID-19 outbreak , with sales `` decimated '' by the sudden closure of many corporate offices .
In an update to the London Stock Exchange last month , Better Capital said SPOT was `` in a difficult period with its business affected by the widespread and unprecedented effects of the pandemic '' .
`` The recent performance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely restored , protective equipment demand very strong and issues affecting smaller market participants all positives . ''
It added , though , that `` bad debt , actual and potential and deeply uncertain demand are considerable negatives '' .
`` In common with many other businesses at this time the future for SPOT is uncertain .
`` Much effort is being applied seeking to ensure a satisfactory future for the business . ''
Better Capital declined to comment on the sale process .

The private equity veteran Jon Moulton is in talks to sell one of Britain's biggest office supplies wholesalers as it grapples with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Sky News understands that Better Capital, Mr Moulton's listed investment vehicle, is working with advisers to sell Spicers-Office Team (SPOT).
AlixPartners, which is handling the process, is understood to have set a deadline for offers last Friday.
SPOT employs about 1200 people, and has been owned by the firm set up by Mr Moulton for nearly a decade.
The company is said to be drawing up contingency plans for a possible pre-pack administration or other form of insolvency if a solvent sale of SPOT proves to be unachievable.
Sources said the office supplies market had been "hammered" by the COVID-19 outbreak, with sales "decimated" by the sudden closure of many corporate offices.
In an update to the London Stock Exchange last month, Better Capital said SPOT was "in a difficult period with its business affected by the widespread and unprecedented effects of the pandemic".
"The recent performance has been quite mixed with Chinese supply largely restored, protective equipment demand very strong and issues affecting smaller market participants all positives."
It added, though, that "bad debt, actual and potential and deeply uncertain demand are considerable negatives".
Advertisement
"In common with many other businesses at this time the future for SPOT is uncertain.
"Much effort is being applied seeking to ensure a satisfactory future for the business."
Better Capital declined to comment on the sale process.


news--2020-04-18--Coronavirus: Why is Belgium a Europe hotspot for COVID-19 deaths?

This week Belgium recorded the highest death rate from COVID-19 cases in Europe .
In Flanders - the region worst hit by the virus - many are asking `` why is it so bad here ? ''
A large elderly population ?
Some densely populated cities ?
( although you would n't know that during the lockdown ) .
Was it the fact many from here went skiing in Italy at the start of the outbreak and picked up the virus .
Or were mistakes made from the start ?
That is certainly a question many have been asking in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor , Veerle Heeren .
She has faced questions and criticism after allowing a large carnival to go ahead at the end of February .
Thousands attended and doctors told us the virus will have been allowed to spread .
But the mayor insists no one could have known what was to come back then .
She said : `` Nobody spoke about corona at that time .
`` You know , it started with us on 9 March , the beginning of March .
`` And the first measures from our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The mayor , who has been applauded for her handling of the crisis since , knows what it is to face the nightmare of COVID-19 .
Her husband spent weeks in a coma with the virus and remains in hospital .
She says it has been tough personally but she felt the need to keep on working , to help the community .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sint-Truiden is in Limburg - the worst affected of Flanders ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homes and families have been feeling the pressure of tackling the virus .
Dr Raf De Keersmaecker , chairman of the Limburg Province Association of GPs , knows of many colleagues who have caught COVID , some ending up in hospital .
We meet him outside a surgery where patients not showing virus symptoms are taken to one building and those who are taken to another .
Doctors in full protective suits and masks accompany the latter .
He has a firm theory on why Belgium 's death rate is so high compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said : `` We record everything .
Deaths everywhere , not just in hospitals . ''
And that includes deaths suspected to be from COVID but not actually tested .
More of those deaths are in care homes .
Dr De Keersmaecker said : `` If we think the people are dying of COVID , we count it .
`` Of course , that ( accounts for ) the higher level of dead people in our country .
`` In most countries they do n't do that .
They only take deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people dying at home . ''
The differences in recording COVID deaths make it hard to compare statistics between nations and could mean Belgium 's figure is more realistic or even lower than data now suggests .
It could also mean the number of deaths from COVID in other nations is higher than thought .
Health ministry spokesman Emmanuel Andre recognises Belgium 's way of recording deaths pushes the country to the top of the rankings but is unapologetic .
He argues it is the best way to get a true picture of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` So the point of including suspected cases is to get the best picture of the level of this outbreak in our community , including outside the hospitals .
`` And if we know this then we can better act on controlling this outbreak at the source of infection . ''
The aim in Belgium now is to test everyone with COVID symptoms whether in hospital , care homes and the wider community .
That will be a costly and lengthy process , but will tell the story of what is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do the same comparisons between nations may be meaningless .

This week Belgium recorded the highest death rate from COVID-19 cases in Europe.
In Flanders - the region worst hit by the virus - many are asking "why is it so bad here?"
A large elderly population? Some densely populated cities? (although you wouldn't know that during the lockdown).
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:58 Inside one of the worst hit cities in Europe
Was it the fact many from here went skiing in Italy at the start of the outbreak and picked up the virus. Or were mistakes made from the start?
That is certainly a question many have been asking in the city of Sint-Truiden where we met the mayor, Veerle Heeren.
She has faced questions and criticism after allowing a large carnival to go ahead at the end of February.
Thousands attended and doctors told us the virus will have been allowed to spread.
But the mayor insists no one could have known what was to come back then.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:32 Coronavirus: Lockdown lessons from Italy
She said: "Nobody spoke about corona at that time.
Advertisement
"You know, it started with us on 9 March, the beginning of March.
"And the first measures from our national government were taken on 13 March."
The mayor, who has been applauded for her handling of the crisis since, knows what it is to face the nightmare of COVID-19.
Her husband spent weeks in a coma with the virus and remains in hospital.
She says it has been tough personally but she felt the need to keep on working, to help the community.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sint-Truiden is in Limburg - the worst affected of Flanders' five provinces - where hospitals, care homes and families have been feeling the pressure of tackling the virus.
Dr Raf De Keersmaecker, chairman of the Limburg Province Association of GPs, knows of many colleagues who have caught COVID, some ending up in hospital.
We meet him outside a surgery where patients not showing virus symptoms are taken to one building and those who are taken to another.
Doctors in full protective suits and masks accompany the latter.
He has a firm theory on why Belgium's death rate is so high compared to other countries - greater transparency.
He said: "We record everything. Deaths everywhere, not just in hospitals."
And that includes deaths suspected to be from COVID but not actually tested. More of those deaths are in care homes.
Dr De Keersmaecker said: "If we think the people are dying of COVID, we count it.
"Of course, that (accounts for) the higher level of dead people in our country.
"In most countries they don't do that. They only take deaths from the hospitals. We even have people dying at home."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:53 This is what life on Earth looks like, April 2020
The differences in recording COVID deaths make it hard to compare statistics between nations and could mean Belgium's figure is more realistic or even lower than data now suggests.
It could also mean the number of deaths from COVID in other nations is higher than thought.
Health ministry spokesman Emmanuel Andre recognises Belgium's way of recording deaths pushes the country to the top of the rankings but is unapologetic.
He argues it is the best way to get a true picture of what is really going on.
He said: "So the point of including suspected cases is to get the best picture of the level of this outbreak in our community, including outside the hospitals.
"And if we know this then we can better act on controlling this outbreak at the source of infection."
The aim in Belgium now is to test everyone with COVID symptoms whether in hospital, care homes and the wider community.
That will be a costly and lengthy process, but will tell the story of what is really happening.
But until other countries do the same comparisons between nations may be meaningless.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: 823 more people die with COVID-19 in UK hospitals

There have been a further 823 coronavirus-related deaths in UK hospitals , the Department of Health has said .
It takes the total number of COVID-19 patients to have died in UK hospitals to 17,337 .
Some 778 new deaths were reported by NHS England - the biggest rise in just under two weeks - as the total reached 15,607 .
The English region which recorded the biggest increase was the North West , with 172 deaths .
Monday 's fatality figure for UK hospitals was 449 - almost 400 lower than Tuesday 's .
There can sometimes be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the people who collect the data may not be working .
It comes after the Office for National Statistics revealed that coronavirus-related deaths were 41 % higher in England and Wales than the government 's hospital figures in the week up to 10 April .
As concern over care homes remains high , the ONS said there were 1,662 coronavirus-related outside hospitals .
The number in care homes ( 1,043 ) is a dramatic increase on the 217 recorded the week before .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some 466 of the deaths were in private homes .
The numbers are based on where the coronavirus is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate , including in combination with other health conditions .
On Tuesday , Nicola Sturgeon also reported another 70 coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in Scotland , taking the country 's total to 985 .
The Scottish First Minister said hospital figures there appeared to be stabilising and the number in intensive care reducing .
Wales reported another 25 deaths , taking its figure to 609 .
Health authorities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily figures , which may not tally with the government 's overall UK total as they collate their numbers at different times throughout the day .
The Department of Health said there were now 129,044 recorded cases of the virus in the UK after another 4,301 positive results .
The number of reported coronavirus deaths in hospitals in the last few days had shown a significant drop on a week and a half ago , when more than 900 were reported on two consecutive days .
But today 's figure again approaches that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easing the current lockdown too quickly could lead to a second peak in the outbreak .

There have been a further 823 coronavirus-related deaths in UK hospitals, the Department of Health has said.
It takes the total number of COVID-19 patients to have died in UK hospitals to 17,337.
Some 778 new deaths were reported by NHS England - the biggest rise in just under two weeks - as the total reached 15,607.
The English region which recorded the biggest increase was the North West, with 172 deaths.
Monday's fatality figure for UK hospitals was 449 - almost 400 lower than Tuesday's. There can sometimes be a lag from the weekend because some of the people who collect the data may not be working.
It comes after the Office for National Statistics revealed that coronavirus-related deaths were 41% higher in England and Wales than the government's hospital figures in the week up to 10 April.
As concern over care homes remains high, the ONS said there were 1,662 coronavirus-related outside hospitals.
The number in care homes (1,043) is a dramatic increase on the 217 recorded the week before.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Advertisement
Some 466 of the deaths were in private homes.
The numbers are based on where the coronavirus is mentioned anywhere on the death certificate, including in combination with other health conditions.
On Tuesday, Nicola Sturgeon also reported another 70 coronavirus-related deaths in hospitals in Scotland, taking the country's total to 985.
The Scottish First Minister said hospital figures there appeared to be stabilising and the number in intensive care reducing.
Wales reported another 25 deaths, taking its figure to 609.
Health authorities in the four UK nations record their own daily figures, which may not tally with the government's overall UK total as they collate their numbers at different times throughout the day.
The Department of Health said there were now 129,044 recorded cases of the virus in the UK after another 4,301 positive results.
The number of reported coronavirus deaths in hospitals in the last few days had shown a significant drop on a week and a half ago, when more than 900 were reported on two consecutive days.
But today's figure again approaches that mark.
Downing Street has said that easing the current lockdown too quickly could lead to a second peak in the outbreak.


news--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Coventry's cathedral is a symbol of hope and defiance once more

In the traditional heart of England , there is a city where resilience and community spirit resonate strongly .
It is my first time back in Coventry for probably 30 years .
I recall visiting the city as a child and my memories are vivid .
Concrete buildings of the 1950s and 60s and at its heart , an extraordinary memorial of a dark time .
The skeleton of the old cathedral stands , still , as a reminder the Blitz .
On one night of bombing on 14 November 1940 , the city of Coventry was flattened .
Where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lives were lost .
The scars are now filled with the architecture of the 50s .
In the centre , the people 's cathedral burned with their city .
The onslaught was a devastation so great and so concentrated that the expectation was it would break the spirit of the people .
Instead the opposite happened .
The very next morning , the cathedral 's provost , Richard Howard , vowed that a new cathedral would rise from the ruins .
It would not be an act of defiance but a message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hope for the city and beyond .
As we navigate a new crisis , I am back in the city to see if that spirit of help and of hope on which the people of Coventry pride themselves has risen again .
Many aspects of this coronavirus struggle have moved fast ; views have changed ; our perception of the seriousness of it all has shifted as time has past .
Rather in the same way , I wondered for a while , in the earlier days , how apt a comparison it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two and the COVID-19 challenges we are facing today .
But a few hours in Coventry and the surrounding countryside and it 's clear that communities , some of whom remember the war , feel deeply about the comparisons .
The struggles are similar - in some ways worse - and that wartime resilience and community spirit is here again , in abundance .
The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth is the Bishop of Coventry .
He is in no doubt about the comparisons .
`` I think in wartime you have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today : a deep desire for connectedness , for togetherness ; a spirit of help , I would put it , rising in the city and also a spirit of hope , '' the bishop tells me from his garden where he is in lockdown .
`` And I think in this crisis , and it happened so quickly - wartime built over a number of years - this has suddenly hit us , but even in the short time we had exactly the same thing rising up , a spirit of help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out to other people .
And also , within it , the spirit of hope .
We will come out on the other side and we will be stronger for it . ''
On the edge of the city , on an industrial estate that is otherwise deserted , one warehouse is a hive of activity .
Inside , is a food bank where two organisations have come together and pooled their resources in just a matter of days .
The Trussell Trust is used to getting food out to those who ca @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , they must get it out to those too vulnerable to leave their homes .
I watch as donations are sorted , boxed , loaded and away to a destination across the city .
The Good Neighbours project is the initiative of an organisation called simply , Hope .
The volunteers inside the centre are in full swing making meals and sorting food bags .
It 's not far from the old cathedral and outside more volunteers are waiting to deliver the food to the vulnerable around the city .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the normal world , he is a fork-lift truck driver .
Now he 's a food sorter in the Hope Centre .
`` I thought why not ?
I give my time up to help people , '' he tells me .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker With a system they call hub and spoke , the volunteers fan out into the city .
We meet Jackie , on her way to deliver a food parcel to a man called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's clear he 's partially sighted .
He does have some sight thankfully but it makes me think .
Imagine being totally blind and reliant on touch but in an environment , all around us , where touch could be lethal .
`` To everybody around the country , thanks so much for helping people like myself and other vulnerable people during this difficult time , '' Ali says , standing , appreciative , on his doorstep .
Up the road , we pass a unit of police on foot checking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to keep moving .
What a sign of these corona times it is .
We meet a shopkeeper called Nadarasa .
He looks pretty exhausted .
A few moments with him and it 's clear why .
His mind is heavy with burden .
He has a wife and three children to support in lockdown at home .
And he has three employees to support at his shop which must remain open because he has a community to provide for and a living to make .
These are the multi-layered conundrums of this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear and comforting to see that , wherever possible , here and right across the country , help is on hand .
`` They 've been an extraordinary few weeks with devastating things happening of course and yet in a remarkable way beautiful things happening as well , '' the bishop tells me .
`` This upsurge of help that we 've sensed right across the city .
People coming together in a quite extraordinary way to meet the demands of the current crisis . ''
It 's occurred to me many times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown has brought out not only a drive for community spirit , but it 's also encouraged many of us to reconnect with old friends and check in more often with family .
The bishop agrees : `` The human desire for company , for being together , for supporting each other , for being supported by others is so deep and so powerful that it 's finding a way of overcoming the distance which has been enforced upon us by this virus . ''
`` And so even though people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are finding all sorts of ways to be together virtually , spiritually , in deeply beautiful ... the human ingenuity for togetherness , I think is quite amazing and we 're seeing evidence of the true nature , I would say , of human life . ''

In the traditional heart of England, there is a city where resilience and community spirit resonate strongly.
It is my first time back in Coventry for probably 30 years.
I recall visiting the city as a child and my memories are vivid. Concrete buildings of the 1950s and 60s and at its heart, an extraordinary memorial of a dark time.
The skeleton of the old cathedral stands, still, as a reminder the Blitz.
On one night of bombing on 14 November 1940, the city of Coventry was flattened. Where the Luftwaffe's incendiary bombs fell hundreds of lives were lost. The scars are now filled with the architecture of the 50s.
In the centre, the people's cathedral burned with their city. The onslaught was a devastation so great and so concentrated that the expectation was it would break the spirit of the people.
Instead the opposite happened. The very next morning, the cathedral's provost, Richard Howard, vowed that a new cathedral would rise from the ruins.
It would not be an act of defiance but a message of faith, of trust and of hope for the city and beyond.
Image: Churchill visiting the ruins of Coventry Cathedral
As we navigate a new crisis, I am back in the city to see if that spirit of help and of hope on which the people of Coventry pride themselves has risen again.
Advertisement
Many aspects of this coronavirus struggle have moved fast; views have changed; our perception of the seriousness of it all has shifted as time has past.
Rather in the same way, I wondered for a while, in the earlier days, how apt a comparison it was to draw parallels between World War Two and the COVID-19 challenges we are facing today.
But a few hours in Coventry and the surrounding countryside and it's clear that communities, some of whom remember the war, feel deeply about the comparisons.
The struggles are similar - in some ways worse - and that wartime resilience and community spirit is here again, in abundance.
Image: The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth says there is a spirit of hope in the city
The Right Reverend Dr Christopher Cocksworth is the Bishop of Coventry. He is in no doubt about the comparisons.
"I think in wartime you have the same sort of experience we're having today: a deep desire for connectedness, for togetherness; a spirit of help, I would put it, rising in the city and also a spirit of hope," the bishop tells me from his garden where he is in lockdown.
"And I think in this crisis, and it happened so quickly - wartime built over a number of years - this has suddenly hit us, but even in the short time we had exactly the same thing rising up, a spirit of help, kindness to each other, reaching out to other people. And also, within it, the spirit of hope. We will come out on the other side and we will be stronger for it."
On the edge of the city, on an industrial estate that is otherwise deserted, one warehouse is a hive of activity.
Inside, is a food bank where two organisations have come together and pooled their resources in just a matter of days.
Image: Workers at the food distribution warehouse
The Trussell Trust is used to getting food out to those who can't afford it. But now, as well, they must get it out to those too vulnerable to leave their homes.
I watch as donations are sorted, boxed, loaded and away to a destination across the city.
The Good Neighbours project is the initiative of an organisation called simply, Hope.
Image: Volunteers at the hope centre in Coventry
The volunteers inside the centre are in full swing making meals and sorting food bags. It's not far from the old cathedral and outside more volunteers are waiting to deliver the food to the vulnerable around the city.
Among them, I meet Dave Taylor. In the normal world, he is a fork-lift truck driver. Now he's a food sorter in the Hope Centre.
"I thought why not? I give my time up to help people," he tells me.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
With a system they call hub and spoke, the volunteers fan out into the city. We meet Jackie, on her way to deliver a food parcel to a man called Ali.
As Ali's door opens, it's clear he's partially sighted. He does have some sight thankfully but it makes me think. Imagine being totally blind and reliant on touch but in an environment, all around us, where touch could be lethal.
"To everybody around the country, thanks so much for helping people like myself and other vulnerable people during this difficult time," Ali says, standing, appreciative, on his doorstep.
Up the road, we pass a unit of police on foot checking why people are out and telling them to keep moving. What a sign of these corona times it is.
Image: Nadarasa has a family, employees and a community to try to support
We meet a shopkeeper called Nadarasa. He looks pretty exhausted. A few moments with him and it's clear why. His mind is heavy with burden.
He has a wife and three children to support in lockdown at home. And he has three employees to support at his shop which must remain open because he has a community to provide for and a living to make.
These are the multi-layered conundrums of this challenging time.
But it's so clear and comforting to see that, wherever possible, here and right across the country, help is on hand.
"They've been an extraordinary few weeks with devastating things happening of course and yet in a remarkable way beautiful things happening as well," the bishop tells me.
"This upsurge of help that we've sensed right across the city. People coming together in a quite extraordinary way to meet the demands of the current crisis."
It's occurred to me many times these past few weeks that the separation of the lockdown has brought out not only a drive for community spirit, but it's also encouraged many of us to reconnect with old friends and check in more often with family.
The bishop agrees: "The human desire for company, for being together, for supporting each other, for being supported by others is so deep and so powerful that it's finding a way of overcoming the distance which has been enforced upon us by this virus."
"And so even though people cannot be together physically, they are finding all sorts of ways to be together virtually, spiritually, in deeply beautiful... the human ingenuity for togetherness, I think is quite amazing and we're seeing evidence of the true nature, I would say, of human life."


news--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Frontline workers should get federal 'hazard pay' says New York governor

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says frontline workers should be given federal `` hazard pay '' during the coronavirus outbreak .
Speaking at his daily press briefing , Governor Cuomo said healthcare staff and police officers were among workers who he thought should be given additional money by the US government .
He went on to praise cleaning staff and delivery drivers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker '' 'Thanks ' is nice , but also recognition of their efforts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` They 're the ones who are carrying us through the crisis and this crisis is not over . ''
Mr Cuomo said that 40 % of frontline workers in New York are people of colour and deserve to be paid more .
`` If you look at who they are and the equity and fairness of what has happened , I think any reasonable person would say we should right this wrong , '' he said .
The United States currently has over 750,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Johns Hopkins University .
Stay-at-home orders have been imposed by leaders in 42 states , including New York , which has seen the highest number of cases , as political leaders try to prevent the virus spreading further .
Earlier on Monday the Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio said all non-essential events in the city would be cancelled until the end of June .
The lockdowns have not met with universal support however , with protests taking place in several states against the strict new measures .
President Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ break the rules , calling on his supporters to `` liberate '' states from lockdown .
Speaking at the briefing , Governor Cuomo said he understood why people were angry about the situation .
`` You do n't need protests to convince anyone in this country that we have get back to work and we have to get the economy going and we have to get out of our homes .
Nobody , '' he said .
But , he added , lifting the restrictions had to be done carefully in order to @ @ @ @

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says frontline workers should be given federal "hazard pay" during the coronavirus outbreak.
Speaking at his daily press briefing, Governor Cuomo said healthcare staff and police officers were among workers who he thought should be given additional money by the US government.
He went on to praise cleaning staff and delivery drivers for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
"'Thanks' is nice, but also recognition of their efforts and they're sacrifice is also appropriate," he said.
"They're the ones who are carrying us through the crisis and this crisis is not over."
Image: Mr Cuomo says lifting the restrictions has to be done carefully
Mr Cuomo said that 40% of frontline workers in New York are people of colour and deserve to be paid more.
"If you look at who they are and the equity and fairness of what has happened, I think any reasonable person would say we should right this wrong," he said.
The United States currently has over 750,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 40,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Advertisement
Stay-at-home orders have been imposed by leaders in 42 states, including New York, which has seen the highest number of cases, as political leaders try to prevent the virus spreading further.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Hundreds of people gathered outside the governor's residence in Minnesota, to protest the state's coronavirus-related lockdown measures.
Earlier on Monday the Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio said all non-essential events in the city would be cancelled until the end of June.
The lockdowns have not met with universal support however, with protests taking place in several states against the strict new measures.
President Trump has even appeared to encourage people to break the rules, calling on his supporters to "liberate" states from lockdown.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 Robert De Niro has shared a message thanking NY healthcare workers
Speaking at the briefing, Governor Cuomo said he understood why people were angry about the situation.
"You don't need protests to convince anyone in this country that we have get back to work and we have to get the economy going and we have to get out of our homes. Nobody," he said.
But, he added, lifting the restrictions had to be done carefully in order to prevent further outbreaks.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Brent crude hits 21-year low after rout for US prices

Oil prices have fallen sharply after an unprecedented collapse in the value of US oil that saw costs fall into negative territory for the first time .
Brent crude , the international benchmark , fell below $ 20 a barrel on Tuesday - a drop of more than 20 % - as concerns grew that global storage space was running out .
Demand has collapsed because the disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis means there is a massive supply glut .
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) futures contracts for May were priced at - $ 40 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually being paid at least $ 40 to buy a barrel of oil .
It reflected the fact that holders of the contracts could be left with a load of oil and nowhere to store it .
Analysts said Brent turned sharply lower on Tuesday as the market realised that even sharp production cuts - ordered by the so-called Opec+ group of oil-producing nations from next month - would still mean far more oil would be pumped than is needed for a saturated market .
Contracts for June delivery Brent crude hit $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since July 1999 .
It but later recovered a little but was still below $ 20 by the time markets closed .
Lord Browne , the former BP chief executive , told Sky 's Ian King Live that given the `` huge '' levels of oil stockpiles he would expect prices `` to remain sluggish for quite some time '' .
He acknowledged that a potentially lengthy period of weakness in the market could have major geopolitical consequences as countries which are dependent on it have to `` cut their cloth '' Pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one such example , he added : `` There may be some real tensions around the world . ''
As oil prices slumped on Tuesday , there was contagion on stock markets with the FTSE 100 closing 3 % lower and New York 's Dow Jones seeing a similar fall .
On the FTSE , UK-listed energy giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell closed more than 3 % and 4 % lower respectively .
Emma Wall , head of investment analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown , said : `` Coronavirus , as with so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past two months , is at the bottom of the rout .
`` Without a fully-functioning economy - industry , agriculture and services - there is a reduced demand for oil , and a heightened risk of recession . ''
Despite the dive in oil costs , there may be little change to prices on UK forecourts for motorists - the few using their vehicles .
The RAC said there was scope for unleaded costs to fall to levels not seen since 2015 .
The motoring group 's fuel spokesman , Simon Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that retailers charge a fair price for fuel that reflects the price of the raw product , and in theory petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps .
`` But at the same time people are driving very few miles so they 're selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment .
This means many will be at pains to trim their prices any further .
`` We also continue to be concerned about smaller forecourts that provide a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't have a foothold as many are already finding conditions tough with sales having fallen off a cliff since lockdown .
`` It would be bad news all round if these forecourts shut up shop for good . ''

Oil prices have fallen sharply after an unprecedented collapse in the value of US oil that saw costs fall into negative territory for the first time.
Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell below $20 a barrel on Tuesday - a drop of more than 20% - as concerns grew that global storage space was running out.
Demand has collapsed because the disruption caused by the coronavirus crisis means there is a massive supply glut.
Image: The RAC says petrol could fall below £1 a litre
US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures contracts for May were priced at -$40 a barrel on Monday, meaning traders were actually being paid at least $40 to buy a barrel of oil.
It reflected the fact that holders of the contracts could be left with a load of oil and nowhere to store it.
Analysts said Brent turned sharply lower on Tuesday as the market realised that even sharp production cuts - ordered by the so-called Opec+ group of oil-producing nations from next month - would still mean far more oil would be pumped than is needed for a saturated market.
Contracts for June delivery Brent crude hit $18.10 on Tuesday - the lowest level since July 1999. It but later recovered a little but was still below $20 by the time markets closed.
Lord Browne, the former BP chief executive, told Sky's Ian King Live that given the "huge" levels of oil stockpiles he would expect prices "to remain sluggish for quite some time".
He acknowledged that a potentially lengthy period of weakness in the market could have major geopolitical consequences as countries which are dependent on it have to "cut their cloth"
Advertisement
Pointing to the Maduro regime in Venezuela as one such example, he added: "There may be some real tensions around the world."
As oil prices slumped on Tuesday, there was contagion on stock markets with the FTSE 100 closing 3% lower and New York's Dow Jones seeing a similar fall.
On the FTSE, UK-listed energy giants BP and Royal Dutch Shell closed more than 3% and 4% lower respectively.
Emma Wall, head of investment analysis at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: "Coronavirus, as with so much of the market movement over the past two months, is at the bottom of the rout.
"Without a fully-functioning economy - industry, agriculture and services - there is a reduced demand for oil, and a heightened risk of recession."
Despite the dive in oil costs, there may be little change to prices on UK forecourts for motorists - the few using their vehicles.
The RAC said there was scope for unleaded costs to fall to levels not seen since 2015.
Image: The lockdown means few drivers will benefit from falling fuel costs
The motoring group's fuel spokesman, Simon Williams, added: "It's right that retailers charge a fair price for fuel that reflects the price of the raw product, and in theory petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if the lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps.
"But at the same time people are driving very few miles so they're selling vastly lower quantities of petrol and diesel at the moment. This means many will be at pains to trim their prices any further.
"We also continue to be concerned about smaller forecourts that provide a vital service in areas where the supermarkets don't have a foothold as many are already finding conditions tough with sales having fallen off a cliff since lockdown.
"It would be bad news all round if these forecourts shut up shop for good."


news--2020-06-20--Coronavirus: The West's focus on COVID-19 is being used by governments to further crises

Trauma in Afghanistan , turmoil in the Gulf and tension in Hong Kong - security crises have not stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Instead , some powers are accused of using the COVID-19 distraction to their own advantage .
`` Anyone who wants to get on with things without the West noticing will be exploiting this opportunity , '' said Lord Ricketts of Shortland , a former UK national security adviser .
Here are some of the crises that have been going on during the pandemic : The United States signed a peace deal with arch-foe the Taliban @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world .
It should have been a historic moment for Afghanistan after almost two decades of war .
But the ink had barely dried before attacks on US-backed Afghan forces ramped up again .
The problems are political as well .
A contested presidential election delayed attempts to begin crucial talks between Afghan officials and the Taliban .
Hopes for a breakthrough remain low but US forces are still reducing in numbers .
Expect violence in Afghanistan to do the opposite .
Before coronavirus , a conflict between Iran and the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 2020 .
The relationship has been hostile since President Donald Trump tore up a nuclear deal with Tehran two years earlier .
But the standoff nearly triggered a regional war after an Iranian-backed militia targeted US-led coalition forces in Iraq .
The US responded by killing top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in January .
Cue an outpouring of grief , rage and then an Iranian missile strike against US troops .
No soldier was killed .
Instead Iran accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet as its air defences braced for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new flashpoint remains likely .
Another part of the world to watch is China .
There is mounting friction with the United Kingdom over Hong Kong .
London accuses Beijing of imposing a new security law that undermines the freedoms enjoyed by residents in the former British territory .
China disagrees .
Regional disagreements are mounting too , including Taiwan and the ownership of islands in the South China Sea ; and - most recently - between China and next door India .
Twenty Indian soldiers died and 76 were injured when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disputed Himalayan border region in June .
It was the worst violence between the two nuclear powers in more than four decades .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Coronavirus is of course a crisis for everyone .
But world leaders ignore these other major challenges at their peril .

Trauma in Afghanistan, turmoil in the Gulf and tension in Hong Kong - security crises have not stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Instead, some powers are accused of using the COVID-19 distraction to their own advantage.
"Anyone who wants to get on with things without the West noticing will be exploiting this opportunity," said Lord Ricketts of Shortland, a former UK national security adviser.
Here are some of the crises that have been going on during the pandemic:
Afghanistan
The United States signed a peace deal with arch-foe the Taliban in February just as coronavirus was infecting the world.
It should have been a historic moment for Afghanistan after almost two decades of war.
Image: Attacks by the Taliban in Afghanistan have continued despite a peace agreement with the US being signed in February
But the ink had barely dried before attacks on US-backed Afghan forces ramped up again.
The problems are political as well. A contested presidential election delayed attempts to begin crucial talks between Afghan officials and the Taliban.
Advertisement
Hopes for a breakthrough remain low but US forces are still reducing in numbers.
Expect violence in Afghanistan to do the opposite.
Iran
Before coronavirus, a conflict between Iran and the United States threatened to be the defining crisis of 2020.
The relationship has been hostile since President Donald Trump tore up a nuclear deal with Tehran two years earlier. But the standoff nearly triggered a regional war after an Iranian-backed militia targeted US-led coalition forces in Iraq.
Image: Iran accidentally shot down a Ukraine International Airlines flight in January as it prepared for a US attack
The US responded by killing top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in January. Cue an outpouring of grief, rage and then an Iranian missile strike against US troops.
No soldier was killed. Instead Iran accidentally shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet as its air defences braced for a US counter-attack.
That never came but a new flashpoint remains likely.
Hong Kong and the South China Sea
Another part of the world to watch is China.
There is mounting friction with the United Kingdom over Hong Kong. London accuses Beijing of imposing a new security law that undermines the freedoms enjoyed by residents in the former British territory. China disagrees.
Image: Clashes on the disputed China-India border killed 20 Indian soldiers in June in the worst violence there for more than four decades
Regional disagreements are mounting too, including Taiwan and the ownership of islands in the South China Sea; and - most recently - between China and next door India.
Twenty Indian soldiers died and 76 were injured when they clashed with Chinese troops in the disputed Himalayan border region in June.
It was the worst violence between the two nuclear powers in more than four decades.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Coronavirus is of course a crisis for everyone.
But world leaders ignore these other major challenges at their peril.