news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: UK oil price could follow US lead if demand destruction persists

WTI oil is usually cheaper than Brent , the international benchmark The sight of a key oil price benchmark going negative is truly flabbergasting .
This movement , though , that saw West Texas Intermediate ( WTI ) , the US benchmark , fall below - $ 40 a barrel on Monday is as much about the vagaries of the futures market as it is about oil itself .
A futures contract is where a market participant - a trader , an investor , a refiner - agrees to take delivery of a certain asset or security at a pre-determined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particular instance , the buyer of a WTI May futures contract is agreeing to take delivery of 1,000 barrels in May .
The seller of that contract agrees to deliver the crude to a storage facility at the town of Cushing in Oklahoma .
The May futures contract in WTI expires at 2.30pm Eastern Standard Time ( 7.30pm BST ) on Tuesday .
At that point , anyone still holding a May contract at expiry will be obliged to take delivery of 1,000 barrels of crude .
: : Listen to Divided States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spotify , and Spreaker Unfortunately , due to the oil glut caused by the coronavirus lockdown , storage capacity at Cushing is running close to its limits - while no refineries want to take delivery of that crude either .
Accordingly , with the holders of the May contracts potentially facing exorbitant storage costs , there has been a rush to offload these contracts - even to the extent of paying people to take those contracts off their hands .
Hence the negative price of the May contract .
It is important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WTI contract is still trading above $ 14 a barrel today , while the July contract is trading at $ 21 a barrel and the August contract at $ 23 a barrel .
So this movement in the May contract , while extraordinary , does not mean oil is valueless .
That 's also why the share price of oil companies has not collapsed in sympathy - for example , shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron , America 's two largest quoted oil companies , fell by only around 4 % yesterday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower petrol prices at the pump for American consumers .
It is also important to differentiate between WTI , the US benchmark and Brent , the international benchmark .
Brent is more readily transported by sea and , accordingly , can be more easily delivered to parts of the world where it is in demand .
As a result , Brent , despite having fallen in price , is still comfortably in positive territory .
The June contract for Brent crude was down 28 % at $ 18.36 a barrel on Tuesday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storage space elsewhere around the world and big oil importers like China , India and South Korea , are still happy to buy and stockpile Brent .
That said , if the supply and demand imbalances in oil persist , they too will quickly run out of storage capacity if they end up being the buyer of last resort .
It is perfectly possible that Brent will follow WTI sharply lower .
And that is likely at least in the near term .
Some will wonder why , when it was obvious that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have wanted to own the May WTI contract .
The likeliest explanation is that some of them may have been betting on a recovery in crude prices in May .
That seemed possible when the OPEC cartel of oil producing nations , along with other producers such as Russia , agreed to production cuts on a scale never seen before .
They agreed earlier this month to cut production by nearly 10 million barrels per day in May .
To put that in context , global daily oil consumption prior to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
However , in recent days , it has become obvious that demand has collapsed by a good deal more .
The International Energy Agency said last week that it believes demand in May will be around 29 million barrels a day lower than before the coronavirus crisis .
Accordingly , the production cuts by OPEC and others will not be enough to bring supply back into balance with demand .
And the extent of that 'demand destruction ' , in the jargon , means that there will continue to be downward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short term .

Sky's Ian King says the imbalance between supply and demand seen in the US oil market could yet be reflected more widely.
The sight of a key oil price benchmark going negative is truly flabbergasting.
This movement, though, that saw West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US benchmark, fall below -$40 a barrel on Monday is as much about the vagaries of the futures market as it is about oil itself.
A futures contract is where a market participant - a trader, an investor, a refiner - agrees to take delivery of a certain asset or security at a pre-determined point in the future.
Image: The US has been producing vast quantities of shale oil and gas - pushing prices down even before the virus crisis
In this particular instance, the buyer of a WTI May futures contract is agreeing to take delivery of 1,000 barrels in May.
The seller of that contract agrees to deliver the crude to a storage facility at the town of Cushing in Oklahoma.
The May futures contract in WTI expires at 2.30pm Eastern Standard Time (7.30pm BST) on Tuesday.
At that point, anyone still holding a May contract at expiry will be obliged to take delivery of 1,000 barrels of crude.
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Unfortunately, due to the oil glut caused by the coronavirus lockdown, storage capacity at Cushing is running close to its limits - while no refineries want to take delivery of that crude either.
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Accordingly, with the holders of the May contracts potentially facing exorbitant storage costs, there has been a rush to offload these contracts - even to the extent of paying people to take those contracts off their hands. Hence the negative price of the May contract.
It is important to stress that the price of the June WTI contract is still trading above $14 a barrel today, while the July contract is trading at $21 a barrel and the August contract at $23 a barrel.
So this movement in the May contract, while extraordinary, does not mean oil is valueless.
Image: The price of WTI oil went negative for the first time in history
That's also why the share price of oil companies has not collapsed in sympathy - for example, shares of Exxon Mobil and Chevron, America's two largest quoted oil companies, fell by only around 4% yesterday.
And it certainly will not translate into lower petrol prices at the pump for American consumers.
It is also important to differentiate between WTI, the US benchmark and Brent, the international benchmark.
Brent is more readily transported by sea and, accordingly, can be more easily delivered to parts of the world where it is in demand.
As a result, Brent, despite having fallen in price, is still comfortably in positive territory.
The June contract for Brent crude was down 28% at $18.36 a barrel on Tuesday morning, reflecting the fact that there is storage space elsewhere around the world and big oil importers like China, India and South Korea, are still happy to buy and stockpile Brent.
That said, if the supply and demand imbalances in oil persist, they too will quickly run out of storage capacity if they end up being the buyer of last resort. It is perfectly possible that Brent will follow WTI sharply lower.
And that is likely at least in the near term.
Some will wonder why, when it was obvious that the oil price was falling, investors would have wanted to own the May WTI contract.
The likeliest explanation is that some of them may have been betting on a recovery in crude prices in May.
That seemed possible when the OPEC cartel of oil producing nations, along with other producers such as Russia, agreed to production cuts on a scale never seen before.
They agreed earlier this month to cut production by nearly 10 million barrels per day in May. To put that in context, global daily oil consumption prior to the crisis was around 100 million barrels per day.
However, in recent days, it has become obvious that demand has collapsed by a good deal more.
The International Energy Agency said last week that it believes demand in May will be around 29 million barrels a day lower than before the coronavirus crisis.
Accordingly, the production cuts by OPEC and others will not be enough to bring supply back into balance with demand.
And the extent of that 'demand destruction', in the jargon, means that there will continue to be downward pressure on prices at least in the short term.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Virgin Australia in voluntary administration after government rejects $1.4bn loan

Virgin Australia has entered voluntary administration in the hope of emerging from the COVID-19 crisis in a `` stronger financial position '' .
Australia 's second-largest airline made the announcement on Tuesday in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange .
It confirmed the appointment of a team of administrators from Deloitte and said it wanted to `` recapitalise the business and help ensure it emerges in a stronger financial position on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis '' .
Chief executive Paul Scurrah added that the move was aimed at `` securing the future of Virgin Australia Group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Branson offered his luxury island home as security in the hope of a UK government bailout for his airline Virgin Atlantic .
Sir Richard 's Virgin Group also owns around 10 % of Virgin Australia .
Other owners include Etihad Airways ( 21 % ) and Singapore Airlines , China 's Nanshan Group and HNA with approximately 20 % each .
In an open letter , Sir Richard said his group would work with administrators to bring about a `` new beginning '' for Virgin Australia .
He wrote to staff : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be to you all .
`` In most countries federal government have stepped in , in this unprecedented crisis for aviation , to help their airlines .
Sadly , that has not happened in Australia . ''
Earlier , the Australian government had turned down Virgin Australia 's request for a AUS $ 1.4bn ( £771m ) loan .
Rival Qantas had lobbied for a larger loan for itself , saying that the smaller airline could otherwise gain an unfair advantage .
Qantas could be left with a monopoly over the domestic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia was struggling with debt even before the coronavirus pandemic brought travel restrictions and forced the airline to ground most of its fleet and put most staff on leave .
The airline had AUS $ 5bn ( £2.54bn ) of debt at the end of last year , following seven consecutive annual losses .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said the aim is to restructure and refinance Virgin Australia and `` bring it out of administration as soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties had expressed interest in recapitalising the airline .
It will , meanwhile , continue to operate international and domestic flights for essential workers , freight , and to repatriate Australians .
Virgin Australia is one of a number of airlines to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
Global airline losses are estimated at around US $ 314bn ( £252bn ) and many have warned they will collapse without government help .

Virgin Australia has entered voluntary administration in the hope of emerging from the COVID-19 crisis in a "stronger financial position".
Australia's second-largest airline made the announcement on Tuesday in a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange.
It confirmed the appointment of a team of administrators from Deloitte and said it wanted to "recapitalise the business and help ensure it emerges in a stronger financial position on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:18 Walking through deserted Sydney airport
Chief executive Paul Scurrah added that the move was aimed at "securing the future of Virgin Australia Group".
The move puts 16,000 jobs at risk.
It comes after Sir Richard Branson offered his luxury island home as security in the hope of a UK government bailout for his airline Virgin Atlantic.
Sir Richard's Virgin Group also owns around 10% of Virgin Australia. Other owners include Etihad Airways (21%) and Singapore Airlines, China's Nanshan Group and HNA with approximately 20% each.
In an open letter, Sir Richard said his group would work with administrators to bring about a "new beginning" for Virgin Australia.
He wrote to staff: "I know how devastating the news today will be to you all.
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"In most countries federal government have stepped in, in this unprecedented crisis for aviation, to help their airlines. Sadly, that has not happened in Australia."
Image: Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group owns 10% of Virgin Australia
Earlier, the Australian government had turned down Virgin Australia's request for a AUS$1.4bn (£771m) loan.
Rival Qantas had lobbied for a larger loan for itself, saying that the smaller airline could otherwise gain an unfair advantage.
Qantas could be left with a monopoly over the domestic market if Virgin Australia collapses.
Virgin Australia was struggling with debt even before the coronavirus pandemic brought travel restrictions and forced the airline to ground most of its fleet and put most staff on leave.
The airline had AUS$5bn (£2.54bn) of debt at the end of last year, following seven consecutive annual losses.
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Administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said the aim is to restructure and refinance Virgin Australia and "bring it out of administration as soon as possible".
He said several parties had expressed interest in recapitalising the airline.
It will, meanwhile, continue to operate international and domestic flights for essential workers, freight, and to repatriate Australians.
Virgin Australia is one of a number of airlines to be hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Global airline losses are estimated at around US$314bn (£252bn) and many have warned they will collapse without government help.


news--2020-04-21--UK weather: Temperatures could hit 24C this week as COVID-19 lockdown continues

Parts of the UK are expected to be hotter than Lanzarote and Corfu towards the end of the week , with temperatures predicted to hit 24C ( 75F ) .
The country is set to experience its warmest April in almost a decade , as people continue to be told by the government to stay at home in the coronavirus lockdown and only go out for essential food , medicine , exercise and work travel .
Temperatures are due to be highest on Thursday and Friday where they are predicted to reach 24C in London .
The rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temperatures reaching up to 23C in Wales and south-west England , 18C in Scotland and 19C in Northern Ireland .
In April , the UK normally experiences an average temperature of 12C .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker If temperatures rise as high as they are predicted to this week , it will be the warmest April in the UK since 2011 .
Another extended spell of sunshine could cause problems for authorities as they try to persuade people to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 .
The number of people in parks has fallen since the lockdown measures were introduced on 23 March , but the numbers spiked on Easter Saturday due to the warm weather .
Early on in the lockdown , Brockwell Park in London was temporarily closed by local authorities after 3,000 people turned up in a single day .
Forecasters said the expected sunshine is due to a large area of high pressure to the north of England , which will make both days clear and bright .
Bookmakers have cut odds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day of the year so far .

Parts of the UK are expected to be hotter than Lanzarote and Corfu towards the end of the week, with temperatures predicted to hit 24C (75F).
The country is set to experience its warmest April in almost a decade, as people continue to be told by the government to stay at home in the coronavirus lockdown and only go out for essential food, medicine, exercise and work travel.
Temperatures are due to be highest on Thursday and Friday where they are predicted to reach 24C in London.
Image: People exercise by the beach in Northumberland.
The rest of the country will also be warm, with temperatures reaching up to 23C in Wales and south-west England, 18C in Scotland and 19C in Northern Ireland.
In April, the UK normally experiences an average temperature of 12C.
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If temperatures rise as high as they are predicted to this week, it will be the warmest April in the UK since 2011.
Another extended spell of sunshine could cause problems for authorities as they try to persuade people to remain at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The number of people in parks has fallen since the lockdown measures were introduced on 23 March, but the numbers spiked on Easter Saturday due to the warm weather.
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Early on in the lockdown, Brockwell Park in London was temporarily closed by local authorities after 3,000 people turned up in a single day.
Image: A cyclist stops to photograph wisteria in bloom in Kensington, London
Forecasters said the expected sunshine is due to a large area of high pressure to the north of England, which will make both days clear and bright.
Bookmakers have cut odds to 4/5 on this week being the hottest day of the year so far.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Insurer to give £25 back to drivers as claims fall during lockdown

Insurance company Admiral is handing back £25 each to millions of car and van insurance customers as claims fall during the lockdown - putting pressure on rivals to follow suit .
The refunds , totalling £110m , are to be paid out by the end of May and will go to each of the 4.4 million vehicle policies covered at 20 April .
Admiral said it was able to give the cash back to customers as there were fewer drivers on the road since restrictions designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 were imposed .
The company also pledged a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reflect the drop in claims , as well as further initiatives .
That includes waiving motoring claim excess fees for NHS or emergency service workers .
The £190m total committed was equivalent to a third of its 2019 profits .
Unlike some other insurers , Admiral has not scrapped dividends in the face of the coronavirus crisis .
Cristina Nestares , chief executive of UK insurance at Admiral , said : `` This is an unprecedented time when people across the country are driving significantly less than before the lockdown , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall on the number of claims we are seeing .
`` We want to give the money we would have used to pay these claims back to our loyal customers in this difficult time .
`` We have also already reflected this change in driving behaviour in our pricing for customers and will continue to do so . ''
Consumer group Which ?
called for other insurers to follow suit .
Gareth Shaw , head of money at Which ?
, said : `` Admiral 's decision to provide partial refunds to all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly be welcomed by customers experiencing unforeseen pressure on their finances .
`` Firms that act fairly now may see that they are rewarded in the future and we encourage all other car insurers to follow Admiral 's lead . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The Association of British Insurers ( ABI ) said the industry was being `` as flexible as possible '' , with free cover for key workers who need to start using their cars to commute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their vehicles when working as NHS volunteers .
It added that insurers were facing `` continuing cost pressures , arising from increasing repair bills and higher theft claim payout '' .
The ABI said : `` Pricing decisions will be a matter for individual firms .
`` However , in a competitive market any reduction in cost pressures over the course of 2020 can clearly benefit consumers . ''

Insurance company Admiral is handing back £25 each to millions of car and van insurance customers as claims fall during the lockdown - putting pressure on rivals to follow suit.
The refunds, totalling £110m, are to be paid out by the end of May and will go to each of the 4.4 million vehicle policies covered at 20 April.
Admiral said it was able to give the cash back to customers as there were fewer drivers on the road since restrictions designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 were imposed.
The company also pledged a further £80m towards lowering prices for cover to reflect the drop in claims, as well as further initiatives.
That includes waiving motoring claim excess fees for NHS or emergency service workers.
The £190m total committed was equivalent to a third of its 2019 profits.
Unlike some other insurers, Admiral has not scrapped dividends in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Weston-Super-Mare tourism is taking a hit
Cristina Nestares, chief executive of UK insurance at Admiral, said: "This is an unprecedented time when people across the country are driving significantly less than before the lockdown, and we expect this to lead to a fall on the number of claims we are seeing.
"We want to give the money we would have used to pay these claims back to our loyal customers in this difficult time.
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"We have also already reflected this change in driving behaviour in our pricing for customers and will continue to do so."
Consumer group Which? called for other insurers to follow suit.
Gareth Shaw, head of money at Which?, said: "Admiral's decision to provide partial refunds to all of its car and van policyholders will certainly be welcomed by customers experiencing unforeseen pressure on their finances.
"Firms that act fairly now may see that they are rewarded in the future and we encourage all other car insurers to follow Admiral's lead."
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The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said the industry was being "as flexible as possible", with free cover for key workers who need to start using their cars to commute and cover being extended for those using their vehicles when working as NHS volunteers.
It added that insurers were facing "continuing cost pressures, arising from increasing repair bills and higher theft claim payout".
The ABI said: "Pricing decisions will be a matter for individual firms.
"However, in a competitive market any reduction in cost pressures over the course of 2020 can clearly benefit consumers."


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: 'More Scrabble and fewer sofas' - Why lockdown is hurting John Lewis

John Lewis has suffered a steep fall in revenues after shoppers opted to buy `` more Scrabble but fewer sofas '' during the lockdown .
Sales are down 17 % since coronavirus restrictions were imposed - and the retailer will now accelerate a shake-up which it has previously warned could see permanent store closures .
John Lewis - which has temporarily closed all 50 of its department stores during the lockdown but is still operating online - expects a slump of up to 35 % for the full year in a `` worst case scenario '' .
By contrast its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seen sales rise strongly , helped by demand for pasta , rice , long-life milk , home baking ingredients , frozen foods and cleaning products .
Its stores remain open .
John Lewis Partnership ( JLP ) , the employee-owned business behind both brands , has furloughed more than 14,000 partners as a result of the lockdown .
It has also slashed about £300m from investment and marketing spending for the year and asked for flexibility from landlords and lenders as it seeks to preserve cash .
JLP will also benefit to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business rates holiday , while its top executives are taking a 20 % pay cut from April - initially for three months .
But it has still found the money for nearly £2m worth of payouts to recently departed bosses .
Paula Nickolds - ousted in January as managing director of the department store business - received £939,773 , while Rob Collins , who was in charge of Waitrose until October , was given £892,362 .
The details were disclosed as JLP published its annual report and trading update .
It revealed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % since 26 January - though its operating costs have also risen as it expands online delivery .
Sales were down by 7 % at John Lewis over the same period , weighed down by the 17 % fall since the start of the lockdown in March .
That latter period has also seen a spike in online demand - up 84 % , but not enough to make up for the loss in shop trade .
`` The highest demand has been in areas linked to working and living at home like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking after and entertaining our children and keeping fit , '' said Dame Sharon White , JLP 's chairman .
`` However , these are some of our less profitable lines .
`` We are buying more Scrabble but fewer sofas . ''
Dame Sharon added that the partnership review announced in March `` will now be accelerated and will be substantially complete by the summer '' .
`` It will seek to take account of changes in consumer behaviour to come out of the pandemic , such as a more pronounced shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in more sustainable ways , '' she said .
The update comes after JLP last month slashed its annual staff bonus for the seventh year in a row - taking it to 3 % , its lowest level since 1953 - as it reported a 23 % fall in annual profits .

John Lewis has suffered a steep fall in revenues after shoppers opted to buy "more Scrabble but fewer sofas" during the lockdown.
Sales are down 17% since coronavirus restrictions were imposed - and the retailer will now accelerate a shake-up which it has previously warned could see permanent store closures.
John Lewis - which has temporarily closed all 50 of its department stores during the lockdown but is still operating online - expects a slump of up to 35% for the full year in a "worst case scenario".
Image: Waitrose has seen sales rise
By contrast its sister company, supermarket Waitrose, has seen sales rise strongly, helped by demand for pasta, rice, long-life milk, home baking ingredients, frozen foods and cleaning products. Its stores remain open.
John Lewis Partnership (JLP), the employee-owned business behind both brands, has furloughed more than 14,000 partners as a result of the lockdown.
It has also slashed about £300m from investment and marketing spending for the year and asked for flexibility from landlords and lenders as it seeks to preserve cash.
JLP will also benefit to the tune of £135m from the government's business rates holiday, while its top executives are taking a 20% pay cut from April - initially for three months.
But it has still found the money for nearly £2m worth of payouts to recently departed bosses.
Paula Nickolds - ousted in January as managing director of the department store business - received £939,773, while Rob Collins, who was in charge of Waitrose until October, was given £892,362.
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The details were disclosed as JLP published its annual report and trading update.
It revealed that sales at Waitrose were up by 8% since 26 January - though its operating costs have also risen as it expands online delivery.
Image: Dame Sharon White and other bosses are taking a pay cut. Pic: JLP
Sales were down by 7% at John Lewis over the same period, weighed down by the 17% fall since the start of the lockdown in March.
That latter period has also seen a spike in online demand - up 84%, but not enough to make up for the loss in shop trade.
"The highest demand has been in areas linked to working and living at home like technology and food preparation but also in looking after and entertaining our children and keeping fit," said Dame Sharon White, JLP's chairman.
"However, these are some of our less profitable lines.
"We are buying more Scrabble but fewer sofas."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 6 April: BrightHouse workers laid off despite furlough scheme
Dame Sharon added that the partnership review announced in March "will now be accelerated and will be substantially complete by the summer".
"It will seek to take account of changes in consumer behaviour to come out of the pandemic, such as a more pronounced shift to online and a desire to shop in more sustainable ways," she said.
The update comes after JLP last month slashed its annual staff bonus for the seventh year in a row - taking it to 3%, its lowest level since 1953 - as it reported a 23% fall in annual profits.


news--2020-04-19--Coronavirus: Spain seeks to extend lockdown but will ease restrictions for children

Children in Spain are to be allowed out of their homes for the first time in more than a month as the Madrid government moved to extend - but also ease - its coronavirus lockdown .
The country 's prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he would seek to continue the state of emergency , aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic , until 9 May - but added the total confinement of youngsters will be relaxed slightly from 27 April .
Referring to the change to the coronavirus rules , Mr Sanchez said children will be permitted `` to get out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a daily basis '' , although the details still need to be agreed with experts .
The move follows pressure from regional governments , parents and some teachers to ease the restrictions .
Spain imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe in mid-March , with people only allowed to go out if it was essential .
Unlike many countries , such as the UK , outdoor exercise has not been permitted .
Mr Sanchez said rolling back the national lockdown will only come when the country 's embattled health system can handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said : `` We have left behind the most extreme moments . ''
But he added : `` These achievements are still insufficient and above all fragile .
We can not put them at risk with hasty solutions '' .
It came as Spain 's death rate from the outbreak slowed , rising by 410 on Sunday , down from 565 on Saturday .
It brings the total number of fatalities linked to the pandemic to 20,453 in one of the world 's hardest-hit countries .
The overall number of coronavirus cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday .
The state of emergency extension needs to be approved by the Spanish parliament .
Meanwhile in Brazil , hundreds of people have taken part in demonstrations against the pandemic lockdown measures opposed by far-right president Jair Bolsonaro .
Protesters in lorries , cars and on motorbikes honked horns on the streets of Rio de Janeiro , Sao Paulo and the capital of Brasilia , calling for governors to resign over the restrictions which have forced most businesses to close .
Mr Bolsonaro has been a fierce critic of the states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic harm could be more damaging than the disease , which he has previously dismissed as the flu .
The protests came just a day after he fired his health minister , who had been promoting the isolation measures .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker And in Pakistan , despite the number of confirmed cases continuing to rise , the government led by Imran Khan bowed to pressure from religious clerics and agreed to let mosques throughout the country remain open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In allowing the mosques to remain open , the authorities have requested worshippers practice safe social distancing .
However , this has been put in doubt after several prominent religious leaders called for followers to pack the mosques .
Elsewhere , Japan 's prime minister Shinzo Abe has expanded a state of emergency - which was limited to Tokyo and six other urban areas - to the whole country in a bid to prevent further spread of the virus nationwide , with concerns that hospitals are already under strain with patients .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases in Japan to reach 1,000 since the first incident was detected in mid-January .
However , the spread of infections has accelerated in recent weeks with the number doubling from around 5,000 in just 10 days .
And in France , health officials say the country 's lockdown is `` stopping the viral spread '' .
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care dropped for the tenth day in a row , while the number of overall virus cases in hospitals has fallen for three consecutive days .
The total number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19,323 , with care home deaths accounting for more than one third of the total .

Children in Spain are to be allowed out of their homes for the first time in more than a month as the Madrid government moved to extend - but also ease - its coronavirus lockdown.
The country's prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he would seek to continue the state of emergency, aimed at containing the COVID-19 pandemic, until 9 May - but added the total confinement of youngsters will be relaxed slightly from 27 April.
Referring to the change to the coronavirus rules, Mr Sanchez said children will be permitted "to get out of their houses for a period on a daily basis", although the details still need to be agreed with experts.
Image: In Brazil, protesters took to the streets to oppose lockdown
The move follows pressure from regional governments, parents and some teachers to ease the restrictions.
Spain imposed one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe in mid-March, with people only allowed to go out if it was essential.
Unlike many countries, such as the UK, outdoor exercise has not been permitted.
Mr Sanchez said rolling back the national lockdown will only come when the country's embattled health system can handle any future return of the virus.
He said: "We have left behind the most extreme moments."
But he added: "These achievements are still insufficient and above all fragile. We cannot put them at risk with hasty solutions".
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It came as Spain's death rate from the outbreak slowed, rising by 410 on Sunday, down from 565 on Saturday.
It brings the total number of fatalities linked to the pandemic to 20,453 in one of the world's hardest-hit countries.
The overall number of coronavirus cases rose to 195,944, up from 191,726 on Saturday.
The state of emergency extension needs to be approved by the Spanish parliament.
Meanwhile in Brazil, hundreds of people have taken part in demonstrations against the pandemic lockdown measures opposed by far-right president Jair Bolsonaro.
Protesters in lorries, cars and on motorbikes honked horns on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the capital of Brasilia, calling for governors to resign over the restrictions which have forced most businesses to close.
Mr Bolsonaro has been a fierce critic of the states' stay-at-home rules, arguing that the economic harm could be more damaging than the disease, which he has previously dismissed as the flu.
The protests came just a day after he fired his health minister, who had been promoting the isolation measures.
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And in Pakistan, despite the number of confirmed cases continuing to rise, the government led by Imran Khan bowed to pressure from religious clerics and agreed to let mosques throughout the country remain open during the holy month of Ramadan.
In allowing the mosques to remain open, the authorities have requested worshippers practice safe social distancing.
However, this has been put in doubt after several prominent religious leaders called for followers to pack the mosques.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 11:53 This is what life on Earth looks like, April 2020
Elsewhere, Japan's prime minister Shinzo Abe has expanded a state of emergency - which was limited to Tokyo and six other urban areas - to the whole country in a bid to prevent further spread of the virus nationwide, with concerns that hospitals are already under strain with patients.
It took two months for the number of cases in Japan to reach 1,000 since the first incident was detected in mid-January.
However, the spread of infections has accelerated in recent weeks with the number doubling from around 5,000 in just 10 days.
And in France, health officials say the country's lockdown is "stopping the viral spread".
The number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care dropped for the tenth day in a row, while the number of overall virus cases in hospitals has fallen for three consecutive days.
The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in France stands at 19,323, with care home deaths accounting for more than one third of the total.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: 'Bored' family tried to go for day out in Brighton. They didn't make it

Police have stopped a family on their way to Brighton for a day out because they were `` bored of being in and wanted some fresh air '' during the coronavirus lockdown .
Kent Police said the vehicle was stopped at Clacket Lane services on the M25 amid the sweeping restrictions designed to halt the spread of COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus .
The force 's roads policing unit tweeted that the driver was on the phone and had three children in the car who were not wearing a seatbelt .
The driver also had no insurance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet included a picture of the vehicle being loaded onto the back of a lorry , along with the hashtags # NotReallyAppropriate and # StayHomeSaveLives .
A spokesperson for the force said : `` At around 1pm on Monday 20 April , officers from Kent Police 's Roads Policing Unit stopped a vehicle after they spotted the driver using a mobile phone on the westbound carriageway of the M25 prior to the Clacket Lane motorway service area .
`` The driver , a man in his 30s from the Romford area , was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ driving , driving while three child passengers were not wearing seatbelts and driving without insurance .
`` As the occupants were not from the area they were reminded of their personal responsibilities in relation to the government 's instructions around essential travel .
`` The uninsured vehicle was seized and the group made their own arrangements to return home . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The lockdown was introduced in the UK last month and will run until at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ review the measures once more .

Police have stopped a family on their way to Brighton for a day out because they were "bored of being in and wanted some fresh air" during the coronavirus lockdown.
Kent Police said the vehicle was stopped at Clacket Lane services on the M25 amid the sweeping restrictions designed to halt the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
The force's roads policing unit tweeted that the driver was on the phone and had three children in the car who were not wearing a seatbelt.
Image: The family were hoping to enjoy some fresh air in Brighton
The driver also had no insurance, police said.
Kent Police's tweet included a picture of the vehicle being loaded onto the back of a lorry, along with the hashtags #NotReallyAppropriate and #StayHomeSaveLives.
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A spokesperson for the force said: "At around 1pm on Monday 20 April, officers from Kent Police's Roads Policing Unit stopped a vehicle after they spotted the driver using a mobile phone on the westbound carriageway of the M25 prior to the Clacket Lane motorway service area.
"The driver, a man in his 30s from the Romford area, was reported for using a mobile phone whilst driving, driving while three child passengers were not wearing seatbelts and driving without insurance.
"As the occupants were not from the area they were reminded of their personal responsibilities in relation to the government's instructions around essential travel.
"The uninsured vehicle was seized and the group made their own arrangements to return home."
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The lockdown was introduced in the UK last month and will run until at least 7 May, when the government will review the measures once more.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: 'Country trips should be banned' after police lockdown guidance changes

Campaigners have written to the Justice Secretary Robert Buckland asking him to urgently review police guidance on visits to the countryside during lockdown .
Their letter follows new advice , published last week by the National Police Chiefs ' Council and College of Police , which suggested travelling to the countryside to exercise could sometimes be lawful .
The guidance was published after reports of police officers being heavy-handed in their enforcement of lockdown restrictions , designed to stop the spread of COVID-19 .
The new advice says that police officers should allow people to visit the countryside to exercise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than driving to the starting point .
It says people should be allowed to stop to rest or eat lunch while on a long walk .
However , the advice has angered rural campaigners who say they have received hundreds of messages from concerned residents .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The National Rural Crime Network , National Farmers ' Union , Countryside Alliance and the Country Land and Business Association all want restrictions tightened .
Together the groups said trips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to manage the spread of COVID-19 and were causing `` untold anxieties '' among rural communities .
In their open letter to Robert Buckland , they said : `` There are great concerns that the new policing guidance will encourage even more people to carry out unnecessarily long journeys to exercise in rural areas , which will in turn put increased pressures on rural police forces and communities .
`` It is specifically the guidance on length of travel versus length of exercise that is likely to cause problems in the battle against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rural communities we represent .
`` The key message needs to remain : stay home , save lives .
Anything which complicates that message is unhelpful . ''
The letter comes as the UK is set to bask in more warm weather , which could cause more people to consider spending time outside .
The groups said they had received hundreds of reports every day of people breaking the law .

Campaigners have written to the Justice Secretary Robert Buckland asking him to urgently review police guidance on visits to the countryside during lockdown.
Their letter follows new advice, published last week by the National Police Chiefs' Council and College of Police, which suggested travelling to the countryside to exercise could sometimes be lawful.
The guidance was published after reports of police officers being heavy-handed in their enforcement of lockdown restrictions, designed to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 Police tell family not to go in garden
The new advice says that police officers should allow people to visit the countryside to exercise, if more time is spent walking than driving to the starting point.
It says people should be allowed to stop to rest or eat lunch while on a long walk.
However, the advice has angered rural campaigners who say they have received hundreds of messages from concerned residents.
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
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The National Rural Crime Network, National Farmers' Union, Countryside Alliance and the Country Land and Business Association all want restrictions tightened.
Together the groups said trips to the countryside were making it harder to manage the spread of COVID-19 and were causing "untold anxieties" among rural communities.
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In their open letter to Robert Buckland, they said: "There are great concerns that the new policing guidance will encourage even more people to carry out unnecessarily long journeys to exercise in rural areas, which will in turn put increased pressures on rural police forces and communities.
"It is specifically the guidance on length of travel versus length of exercise that is likely to cause problems in the battle against COVID-19 and has a particular impact on the rural communities we represent.
"The key message needs to remain: stay home, save lives. Anything which complicates that message is unhelpful."
The letter comes as the UK is set to bask in more warm weather, which could cause more people to consider spending time outside.
The groups said they had received hundreds of reports every day of people breaking the law.


news--2020-04-21--Heavy drinking can affect ability to make decisions at work the next day, says study

Having a hangover often fills people with dread - especially when they have to go to work the day after a heavy drinking session the night before .
And now scientists have revealed why going to work with a hangover can make doing a job such a slog .
According to researchers , those suffering from a hangover have a reduced ability to make decisions - making it more difficult to switch between tasks and retain information .
The team at the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath has said drinking heavy in the evening affects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make decisions the following morning .
The research , published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine , follows up from a report from the same team that claimed hangovers cost the UK economy £1.4bn per year in wasted productivity .
The new study involved 35 people aged 18 to 30 , who were asked to carry out a series of tasks while on a hangover .
Researchers assessed their ability to change tasks , update and process information , and guide and plan their behaviour .
They found that when the test subjects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to retain information in their short-term memory was reduced , as was their ability to switch between tasks and focus on goals .
Craig Gunn , of the University of Bath 's Department of Psychology , said : `` We know that hangovers can have a big economic cost , but we did not know how hangover affects our ability to switch attention from one task to another , update information in our mind , and maintain focus on set goals .
`` Our study asked participants to complete tasks measuring these processes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they had not consumed alcohol .
`` The results suggest that all of these processes are impaired by a hangover , which could have consequences for other aspects of our lives . ''
According to the authors of the research , the findings could have important implications during the lockdown , after Alcohol Change UK estimated that 8.6 million more UK adults were drinking more frequently .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker Dr Sally Adams , from the Addiction and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` Anecdotally , we may experience reduced performance of daily tasks when we are hungover , such as planning activities and dividing our attention between several tasks .
`` Our data shows that this impairment is likely the result of reduced capability in several core executive functions , which are important for tasks such as workplace performance and driving . ''
The article , The Effects of Alcohol Hangover on Executive Functions , is published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine .

Having a hangover often fills people with dread - especially when they have to go to work the day after a heavy drinking session the night before.
And now scientists have revealed why going to work with a hangover can make doing a job such a slog.
According to researchers, those suffering from a hangover have a reduced ability to make decisions - making it more difficult to switch between tasks and retain information.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:57 Rooftop drinkers 'surrounded' by police and fined in Australia
The team at the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the University of Bath has said drinking heavy in the evening affects how people plan, set goals and make decisions the following morning.
The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, follows up from a report from the same team that claimed hangovers cost the UK economy £1.4bn per year in wasted productivity.
The new study involved 35 people aged 18 to 30, who were asked to carry out a series of tasks while on a hangover.
Researchers assessed their ability to change tasks, update and process information, and guide and plan their behaviour.
They found that when the test subjects were experiencing a hangover, their ability to retain information in their short-term memory was reduced, as was their ability to switch between tasks and focus on goals.
Craig Gunn, of the University of Bath's Department of Psychology, said: "We know that hangovers can have a big economic cost, but we did not know how hangover affects our ability to switch attention from one task to another, update information in our mind, and maintain focus on set goals.
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"Our study asked participants to complete tasks measuring these processes when they had a hangover and again when they had not consumed alcohol.
"The results suggest that all of these processes are impaired by a hangover, which could have consequences for other aspects of our lives."
According to the authors of the research, the findings could have important implications during the lockdown, after Alcohol Change UK estimated that 8.6 million more UK adults were drinking more frequently.
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:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
Dr Sally Adams, from the Addiction and Mental Health Group at the university, said: "Anecdotally, we may experience reduced performance of daily tasks when we are hungover, such as planning activities and dividing our attention between several tasks.
"Our data shows that this impairment is likely the result of reduced capability in several core executive functions, which are important for tasks such as workplace performance and driving."
The article, The Effects of Alcohol Hangover on Executive Functions, is published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Compulsory face masks to lift lockdown could 'jeopardise' NHS supply

Telling everyone to wear face masks in public could put the supply to frontline staff at risk , hospital leaders have said .
Wearing masks is compulsory on public transport and in shops in Austria , Czech Republic , Slovakia and New York .
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said the capital should follow suit .
The government is carrying out a review into the usefulness of masks in preventing the spread of infection , despite the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) saying there is no evidence to support their use by the general population .
Chris Hopson , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked the government to make sure the impact on hospitals of any change in advice is fully assessed .
In a statement , he said : `` Fluid repellent masks for health and care staff are key to safety and to avoid the spread of coronavirus .
`` Securing the supply of masks , when there is huge global demand , is crucial .
This must be a key consideration for government .
`` There needs to be clear evidence that wearing masks , along with other measures , will deliver significant enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to potentially jeopardise NHS mask supply . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The government has faced repeated questioning over the quality and supply of masks and other personal protective equipment ( PPE ) to frontline medical staff and care workers .
Last week Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he and his colleagues `` wo n't rest '' until all health and care workers have got adequate supplies of kit like masks , gloves and aprons .
The Royal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical union to suggest its members should not treat patients without proper equipment .
The Royal College of Nursing had previously told its members that as a last resort they should refuse to treat patients with COVID-19 if they are n't given the right PPE .
WHO guidance issued earlier this month acknowledged that the virus could be passed on by people who are not yet symptomatic , but it said : `` Current evidence suggests that most disease is transmitted by symptomatic , laboratory confirmed cases .
`` There is currently no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical or other types ] by healthy persons in the wider community setting , including universal community masking , can prevent them from infection with respiratory viruses . ''
It warned that the use of masks by the public can create a `` false sense of security '' and lead to people ignoring other protective measures , such as hand hygiene and physical distancing .
Masks can even be a source of infection when not used correctly , the WHO added .

Telling everyone to wear face masks in public could put the supply to frontline staff at risk, hospital leaders have said.
Wearing masks is compulsory on public transport and in shops in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia and New York.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has said the capital should follow suit.
The government is carrying out a review into the usefulness of masks in preventing the spread of infection, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) saying there is no evidence to support their use by the general population.
Chris Hopson, chief executive of NHS Providers, has asked the government to make sure the impact on hospitals of any change in advice is fully assessed.
In a statement, he said: "Fluid repellent masks for health and care staff are key to safety and to avoid the spread of coronavirus.
"Securing the supply of masks, when there is huge global demand, is crucial. This must be a key consideration for government.
"There needs to be clear evidence that wearing masks, along with other measures, will deliver significant enough benefits to take us out of lockdown to potentially jeopardise NHS mask supply."
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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The government has faced repeated questioning over the quality and supply of masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline medical staff and care workers.
Last week Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he and his colleagues "won't rest" until all health and care workers have got adequate supplies of kit like masks, gloves and aprons.
The Royal College of Anaesthetists has become the latest medical union to suggest its members should not treat patients without proper equipment.
The Royal College of Nursing had previously told its members that as a last resort they should refuse to treat patients with COVID-19 if they aren't given the right PPE.
WHO guidance issued earlier this month acknowledged that the virus could be passed on by people who are not yet symptomatic, but it said: "Current evidence suggests that most disease is transmitted by symptomatic, laboratory confirmed cases.
"There is currently no evidence that wearing a mask [whether medical or other types] by healthy persons in the wider community setting, including universal community masking, can prevent them from infection with respiratory viruses."
It warned that the use of masks by the public can create a "false sense of security" and lead to people ignoring other protective measures, such as hand hygiene and physical distancing.
Masks can even be a source of infection when not used correctly, the WHO added.


news--2020-04-20--Coronavirus: Campaign launched to tackle online fraudsters and scam artists

People are being urged to report coronavirus scam emails to the government as part of a new campaign .
The National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC ) says criminals are increasingly using the COVID-19 outbreak as a way to scam people .
It comes after a recent survey by TSB suggested that 42 % of people believe they have been targeted by a scam email during the virus pandemic .
A Cyber Aware campaign has been launched offering advice and tips on how to protect passwords , accounts and devices .
A suspicious email reporting service will also allow people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre for analysis .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The emails can be forwarded to report @ phishing.gov.uk and the NCSC 's automated programme will test the validity of any links and further action could be taken against the fraudsters .
The centre 's existing service removed more than 2,000 scams related to coronavirus in the past month , including more than 450 fake online shops selling fraudulent items .
NCSC chief executive Ciaran Martin said : `` Technology is helping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will play a role helping us out of it - but that means cyber security is more important than ever .
`` With greater use of technology , there are different ways attackers can harm all of us .
But everyone can help to stop them by following the guidance campaign we have launched today .
`` But even with the best security in place , some attacks will still get through .
`` That 's why we have created a new national reporting service for suspicious emails - and if they link @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken down or blocked .
By forwarding messages to us , you will be protecting the UK from email scams and cyber crime . ''
Tips on how to securely use video-calling apps such as Zoom are also included .
Zoom has been the subject of security concerns after reports that some video calls were being hijacked by strangers .
The platform 's managers have said they are trying to improve security settings .
The NCSC 's tips for using apps such as Zoom are : • Always track who is joining a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your contacts or address book Security Minister James Brokenshire said : `` Criminals are seeking to exploit our greater use of emails , video conferencing and other technologies for their advantage .
`` It 's despicable that they are using the coronavirus outbreak as cover to try to scam and steal from people in their homes .
We all have a part to play in seeing they do n't succeed . ''

People are being urged to report coronavirus scam emails to the government as part of a new campaign.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) says criminals are increasingly using the COVID-19 outbreak as a way to scam people.
It comes after a recent survey by TSB suggested that 42% of people believe they have been targeted by a scam email during the virus pandemic.
A Cyber Aware campaign has been launched offering advice and tips on how to protect passwords, accounts and devices.
A suspicious email reporting service will also allow people to forward possible scam emails to the centre for analysis.
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The emails can be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk and the NCSC's automated programme will test the validity of any links and further action could be taken against the fraudsters.
The centre's existing service removed more than 2,000 scams related to coronavirus in the past month, including more than 450 fake online shops selling fraudulent items.
NCSC chief executive Ciaran Martin said: "Technology is helping us cope with the coronavirus crisis and will play a role helping us out of it - but that means cyber security is more important than ever.
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"With greater use of technology, there are different ways attackers can harm all of us. But everyone can help to stop them by following the guidance campaign we have launched today.
"But even with the best security in place, some attacks will still get through.
"That's why we have created a new national reporting service for suspicious emails - and if they link to malicious content, it will be taken down or blocked. By forwarding messages to us, you will be protecting the UK from email scams and cyber crime."
Tips on how to securely use video-calling apps such as Zoom are also included.
Zoom has been the subject of security concerns after reports that some video calls were being hijacked by strangers.
The platform's managers have said they are trying to improve security settings.
The NCSC's tips for using apps such as Zoom are:
Use a strong, unique password
Always track who is joining a call
Don't make meetings public - never post a call link or password publicly
Only connect to people through your contacts or address book
Security Minister James Brokenshire said: "Criminals are seeking to exploit our greater use of emails, video conferencing and other technologies for their advantage.
"It's despicable that they are using the coronavirus outbreak as cover to try to scam and steal from people in their homes. We all have a part to play in seeing they don't succeed."


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: UK vaccine to be trialled on people from Thursday

Clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine will begin on people from Thursday , Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said .
The COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by scientists at the University of Oxford , who have said it has an 80 % chance of success .
Mr Hancock told the government 's daily briefing that the Oxford trial and another at Imperial College London would each get at least another £20m of public money .
The Jenner Institute team at Oxford is starting production before the trial is complete and wants about a million doses ready to be sent out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine is an `` uncertain science '' but that the two teams were making `` rapid progress '' and would be backed `` to the hilt '' .
He said : `` At the same time we 'll invest in manufacturing capability so if either of these vaccines safely works then we can make it available for the British people as soon as humanely possible . ''
However , he cautioned that `` nothing about this process is certain '' .
The Oxford vaccine , called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 , is made from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genetically engineered to carry part of the coronavirus .
The technique has already been shown to generate strong immune responses in other diseases .
Deals have already been done with three UK manufacturers , and several more abroad , to make the vaccine .
Professor Sarah Gilbert , from the Jenner Institute team , told Sky News that she hoped `` up to 500 people '' would be part of the trial by the middle of May .
She said it would be a `` randomised control trial '' and half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We will be monitoring them asking them to contact us if they have any symptoms of coronavirus and then we will find out who is getting infected , '' she said .
The trial will involve healthy volunteers and take place in Oxford and Southampton , with three other sites to be added later .
Meanwhile , the Imperial College London team has been testing its vaccine on animals since February and clinical trials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 70 vaccines are in development around the world but - alongside the US and China - the UK will become one of the few doing human trials .
The health secretary also used Tuesday 's press conference to try to offer reassurance over stocks of PPE ( personal protective equipment ) .
Many frontline health workers have complained they do n't have enough of items such as surgical gowns .
Mr Hancock said the government had shipped `` over a billion items '' and was `` replenishing stocks on a 24/7 basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 400,000 gowns - remains in Turkey despite an RAF plane on stand-by to bring it to the UK .
Around 140,000 gowns have arrived from Myanmar but the NHS is using 150,000 a day , the government said .
Coronavirus-related deaths in UK hospitals were up 823 in the latest Department of Health figures published on Tuesday .
Total recorded hospital deaths are now 17,337 , but latest Office for National Statistics figures have highlighted many more deaths elsewhere .
In the week to 10 April , there were 1,662 deaths outside hospitals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in care homes .

Clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine will begin on people from Thursday, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
The COVID-19 vaccine is being developed by scientists at the University of Oxford, who have said it has an 80% chance of success.
Mr Hancock told the government's daily briefing that the Oxford trial and another at Imperial College London would each get at least another £20m of public money.
The Jenner Institute team at Oxford is starting production before the trial is complete and wants about a million doses ready to be sent out by September.
Mr Hancock said developing a vaccine is an "uncertain science" but that the two teams were making "rapid progress" and would be backed "to the hilt".
He said: "At the same time we'll invest in manufacturing capability so if either of these vaccines safely works then we can make it available for the British people as soon as humanely possible."
However, he cautioned that "nothing about this process is certain".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:34 'I am throwing everything at it' - Matt Hancock
The Oxford vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, is made from a harmless chimpanzee virus that has been genetically engineered to carry part of the coronavirus.
The technique has already been shown to generate strong immune responses in other diseases.
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Deals have already been done with three UK manufacturers, and several more abroad, to make the vaccine.
Professor Sarah Gilbert, from the Jenner Institute team, told Sky News that she hoped "up to 500 people" would be part of the trial by the middle of May.
She said it would be a "randomised control trial" and half of the people would get a different vaccine.
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
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"We will be monitoring them asking them to contact us if they have any symptoms of coronavirus and then we will find out who is getting infected," she said.
The trial will involve healthy volunteers and take place in Oxford and Southampton, with three other sites to be added later.
Meanwhile, the Imperial College London team has been testing its vaccine on animals since February and clinical trials are expected to start in June.
More than 70 vaccines are in development around the world but - alongside the US and China - the UK will become one of the few doing human trials.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:34 Lockdown Road: Carrot cake and quarantine
The health secretary also used Tuesday's press conference to try to offer reassurance over stocks of PPE (personal protective equipment).
Many frontline health workers have complained they don't have enough of items such as surgical gowns.
Mr Hancock said the government had shipped "over a billion items" and was "replenishing stocks on a 24/7 basis".
A PPE shipment - including 400,000 gowns - remains in Turkey despite an RAF plane on stand-by to bring it to the UK.
Around 140,000 gowns have arrived from Myanmar but the NHS is using 150,000 a day, the government said.
Coronavirus-related deaths in UK hospitals were up 823 in the latest Department of Health figures published on Tuesday.
Total recorded hospital deaths are now 17,337, but latest Office for National Statistics figures have highlighted many more deaths elsewhere.
In the week to 10 April, there were 1,662 deaths outside hospitals in England and Wales - including 1,043 in care homes.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: All 60 Cath Kidston stores to close after collapse blamed on coronavirus

Retailer Cath Kidston is to shut its 60 UK stores with the loss of more than 900 jobs after a deal was agreed to save its online business but not its shop network .
The announcement , confirming a move first reported by Sky News , means the company 's owners are buying back its brand and website operations after its fall into administration .
Baring Private Equity Asia ( BPEA ) , which has held a stake in the modern vintage fashion retailer since 2014 , said it would result in the `` cessation of the retail store network @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its 940 staff would see their jobs secured as part of the deal .
The deal is likely to anger landlords and other creditors which face losing significant sums of money as a result of the pre-pack process .
The business , known for its floral and polka dot designs , becomes the latest prominent high street name to fall into insolvency proceedings since the outbreak of COVID-19 with BrightHouse , Debenhams and Laura Ashley having preceded it by calling in administrators .
Cath Kidston chief executive Melinda Paraie said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cath Kidston has been secured , this is obviously an extremely difficult day as we say goodbye to many colleagues .
`` Despite our very best efforts , against the backdrop of COVID-19 , we were unable to secure a solvent sale of the business which would have allowed us to avoid administration and carry on trading in our current form . ''
Cath Kidston was launched by its eponymous former boss in 1993 , and rapidly became an internationally recognised brand , with stores in Asia generating substantial sales .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London selling car boot finds and vintage fabric into a business offering fashion , homewares and accessories .
The chain made a fortune for its founder when she sold a stake to private equity firm TA Associates 10 years ago in a deal reportedly worth £100m .
In 2014 , Baring Private Equity Asia became a substantial shareholder , before taking full control two years later .
However , it has lost more than £27m in the last two financial years , and made a further £11m loss before interest , tax , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to December .

Retailer Cath Kidston is to shut its 60 UK stores with the loss of more than 900 jobs after a deal was agreed to save its online business but not its shop network.
The announcement, confirming a move first reported by Sky News, means the company's owners are buying back its brand and website operations after its fall into administration.
Baring Private Equity Asia (BPEA), which has held a stake in the modern vintage fashion retailer since 2014, said it would result in the "cessation of the retail store network".
It confirmed that only 32 of its 940 staff would see their jobs secured as part of the deal.
The deal is likely to anger landlords and other creditors which face losing significant sums of money as a result of the pre-pack process.
The business, known for its floral and polka dot designs, becomes the latest prominent high street name to fall into insolvency proceedings since the outbreak of COVID-19 with BrightHouse, Debenhams and Laura Ashley having preceded it by calling in administrators.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 Workers laid off despite furlough scheme
Cath Kidston chief executive Melinda Paraie said: "While we are pleased that the future of Cath Kidston has been secured, this is obviously an extremely difficult day as we say goodbye to many colleagues.
"Despite our very best efforts, against the backdrop of COVID-19, we were unable to secure a solvent sale of the business which would have allowed us to avoid administration and carry on trading in our current form."
Cath Kidston was launched by its eponymous former boss in 1993, and rapidly became an internationally recognised brand, with stores in Asia generating substantial sales.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 It's going to be bad. But just how bad?
It expanded from a single shop in west London selling car boot finds and vintage fabric into a business offering fashion, homewares and accessories.
The chain made a fortune for its founder when she sold a stake to private equity firm TA Associates 10 years ago in a deal reportedly worth £100m.
In 2014, Baring Private Equity Asia became a substantial shareholder, before taking full control two years later.
However, it has lost more than £27m in the last two financial years, and made a further £11m loss before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation in the nine months to December.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: 'We will not run out' of PPE, vows government minister in face of calls for inquiry

A government minister has vowed the NHS will not run out of personal protective equipment ( PPE ) in the face of calls for an inquiry into a `` grotesque lack of preparation '' for the coronavirus crisis .
Simon Clarke , the minister for regional growth and local government , told Sky News the country was `` not going to run out '' of PPE for healthcare workers despite continued concerns about shortages in hospitals and care homes .
A Royal Air Force transport plane is currently waiting in Turkey to bring 84 tonnes of PPE to the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 140,000 gowns had recently arrived from Burma .
He said ministers were `` doing everything '' to source new supplies of PPE `` from wherever we can obtain it '' .
`` The short answer is we will not run out , '' Mr Clarke added .
`` We 've already deployed almost one billion pieces of PPE across the UK since this crisis began .
`` That 's a formidable amount - it testifies , obviously , to the resources we had in hand but also to our ability to produce more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easy to source , and countries all across the world are finding this is a time when it 's in huge demand .
`` But we 're not going to run out , we 're making sure that it gets to the front line .
`` We recognise that the margins can get tight , but we are confident that we can keep supplying everybody with what they need . ''
However , trade union leaders kept up their pressure on the government and promised to support any worker who refuses to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE .
Frances O'Grady , general secretary of the Trade Unions Congress , warned front-line staff are `` being forced to put their health and their lives on the line '' every day , as she pointed to reports that at least 100 health and social care workers have died with coronavirus .
She called for the government to `` get a grip '' in the immediate term and deliver `` fewer empty promises and less PR and more action '' .
But she also told Sky News an independent public inquiry should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the year `` to get to the root of the answer as to why there was this grotesque lack of preparation on protective equipment and how we make sure that never happens again '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Nurses have already been told by their union they can , as a last resort , refuse to treat coronavirus patients if they are not given adequate PPE .
And Ms O'Grady pledged to support anyone taking such action .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those workers and if they say they ca n't or wo n't work without adequate protection , then of course we will watch their backs and stand by them , '' she said .
Labour 's Rachel Reeves , the shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster , told Sky News that NHS staff are being put in `` an invidious position where they have to choose between their vocation in caring for the sick and the ill and the vulnerable , and protecting their own health '' .

A government minister has vowed the NHS will not run out of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the face of calls for an inquiry into a "grotesque lack of preparation" for the coronavirus crisis.
Simon Clarke, the minister for regional growth and local government, told Sky News the country was "not going to run out" of PPE for healthcare workers despite continued concerns about shortages in hospitals and care homes.
A Royal Air Force transport plane is currently waiting in Turkey to bring 84 tonnes of PPE to the UK, while Mr Clarke also highlighted how 140,000 gowns had recently arrived from Burma.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Minister admits PPE supply is 'hard'
He said ministers were "doing everything" to source new supplies of PPE "from wherever we can obtain it".
"The short answer is we will not run out," Mr Clarke added.
"We've already deployed almost one billion pieces of PPE across the UK since this crisis began.
"That's a formidable amount - it testifies, obviously, to the resources we had in hand but also to our ability to produce more.
"Nobody is saying this is easy to source, and countries all across the world are finding this is a time when it's in huge demand.
"But we're not going to run out, we're making sure that it gets to the front line.
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"We recognise that the margins can get tight, but we are confident that we can keep supplying everybody with what they need."
However, trade union leaders kept up their pressure on the government and promised to support any worker who refuses to continue their duties due to a lack of PPE.
Frances O'Grady, general secretary of the Trade Unions Congress, warned front-line staff are "being forced to put their health and their lives on the line" every day, as she pointed to reports that at least 100 health and social care workers have died with coronavirus.
She called for the government to "get a grip" in the immediate term and deliver "fewer empty promises and less PR and more action".
But she also told Sky News an independent public inquiry should be set up before the end of the year "to get to the root of the answer as to why there was this grotesque lack of preparation on protective equipment and how we make sure that never happens again".
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Nurses have already been told by their union they can, as a last resort, refuse to treat coronavirus patients if they are not given adequate PPE.
And Ms O'Grady pledged to support anyone taking such action.
"As unions we're here to support those workers and if they say they can't or won't work without adequate protection, then of course we will watch their backs and stand by them," she said.
Labour's Rachel Reeves, the shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told Sky News that NHS staff are being put in "an invidious position where they have to choose between their vocation in caring for the sick and the ill and the vulnerable, and protecting their own health".


news--2020-05-13--Police visit violent criminals' homes to persuade them not to reoffend

Police are visiting 1,000 violent criminals in their homes - twice - to try to persuade them not to return to their bad old ways after the coronavirus lockdown .
They hope such persistent offenders may use renewed family interaction to reconsider their lifestyle .
The Metropolitan Police says a huge fall in crime in London since the pandemic has let officers concentrate on initiatives to head off a possible resurgence of violence as lockdown restrictions are eased .
Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said : `` All of us in society are rethinking our lives and it 's the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the positives of family interaction .
`` We are visiting each of them and offering them a chance to get involved in diversion activities .
`` It 's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them , but if they resist we will crack down hard .
We are determined not to get back to where we were . ''
London has one of the country 's highest levels of knife crime - it rose 7 % last year which also saw a 10-year high in homicides in the capital .
Commissioner Cressida Dick said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one priority .
We hope people are using the quiet time at home to think about the way they want to live their lives . ''
She said she could not predict violent crime would surge after lockdown , but `` we do recognise it 's more likely more people will be made homeless , there might be greater disparity in society , people will feel angry , but we stand ready to deal with it '' .
And she said there was evidence that street gang rivalry had not gone away just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone else .
The force has also identified 250 violent hotspots where high-visibility officers will patrol at random times to reassure communities their streets are safe .
Ms Dick echoed other English police chiefs in insisting that it was not her officers ' job to enforce the government 's two-metre social distancing advice .
`` A police officer can only advise , ignoring social distancing is not unlawful .
All of us have a responsibility to be sensible . ''
She said it was for others to monitor queues at supermarkets or train @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Officers would still enforce large groups and gatherings which were still illegal .
New guidance to police specifically says the two-metre advice is not legally enforceable in England , but it is in Wales .
Police have also been told they can not stop people using public transport or not wearing face masks in enclosed spaces .
Since lockdown the force has handed out 900 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the new coronavirus rules and 10 people have been jailed for COVID-19 related assaults , such as spitting or coughing , @ @ @

Police are visiting 1,000 violent criminals in their homes - twice - to try to persuade them not to return to their bad old ways after the coronavirus lockdown.
They hope such persistent offenders may use renewed family interaction to reconsider their lifestyle.
The Metropolitan Police says a huge fall in crime in London since the pandemic has let officers concentrate on initiatives to head off a possible resurgence of violence as lockdown restrictions are eased.
Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said: "All of us in society are rethinking our lives and it's the same for criminals who we hope are appreciating the positives of family interaction.
"We are visiting each of them and offering them a chance to get involved in diversion activities.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, but if they resist we will crack down hard. We are determined not to get back to where we were."
Image: Police have also been enforcing lockdown rules: Pic: Ben Cawthra/Shutterstock
London has one of the country's highest levels of knife crime - it rose 7% last year which also saw a 10-year high in homicides in the capital.
Commissioner Cressida Dick said: "Violent crime is still our number one priority. We hope people are using the quiet time at home to think about the way they want to live their lives."
She said she could not predict violent crime would surge after lockdown, but "we do recognise it's more likely more people will be made homeless, there might be greater disparity in society, people will feel angry, but we stand ready to deal with it".
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And she said there was evidence that street gang rivalry had not gone away just because gang members were locked down like everyone else.
The force has also identified 250 violent hotspots where high-visibility officers will patrol at random times to reassure communities their streets are safe.
Ms Dick echoed other English police chiefs in insisting that it was not her officers' job to enforce the government's two-metre social distancing advice.
"A police officer can only advise, ignoring social distancing is not unlawful. All of us have a responsibility to be sensible."
Image: Cressida Dick has said violent crime is the Met Police's 'number one priority'
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 People defy lockdown rules on Good Friday
She said it was for others to monitor queues at supermarkets or train stations, it wasn't police responsibility.
Officers would still enforce large groups and gatherings which were still illegal.
New guidance to police specifically says the two-metre advice is not legally enforceable in England, but it is in Wales.
Police have also been told they cannot stop people using public transport or not wearing face masks in enclosed spaces.
Since lockdown the force has handed out 900 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the new coronavirus rules and 10 people have been jailed for COVID-19 related assaults, such as spitting or coughing, on officers.
Another 50 are awaiting trial.