news--2020-06-01--After The Pandemic: Why coronavirus 'new normal' could help us repair economic inequalities in socie

After The Pandemic: Why coronavirus 'new normal' could help us repair economic inequalities in society

Stephanie Kelton is an American economist and a former adviser to Bernie Sanders during his 2016 US presidential election campaign .
She is a professor of public policy and economics at Stony Brook University in New York and a world leader on Modern Monetary Theory .
Here , she writes about how we can use the coronavirus pandemic to tackle the long-standing economic inequalities and social injustices that have plagued our society for decades .
I do n't think we can go back to how it was before COVID-19 .
The fallout has already been too great .
The pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Experts are saying that as many as half of all small-to-medium businesses may not survive the coronavirus pandemic , 40 million people in the US have already lost their jobs and more than 30 million have lost their employer-sponsored health insurance .
In my case , at first we were postponing business conferences , but now we 're just cancelling them , going right into 2021 .
That has implications for air travel , hotels , restaurants and retail .
We are going to see whole industries permanently shrink .
Employers are now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work from home and that we do n't need many of the expensive leases on buildings in downtown Manhattan or London .
That 's going to have an effect on commercial real estate as well .
So what we have now is an opportunity , and we have two options of what we can do with it : one is to pick up the pieces and try to put them together as they were before .
This would mean trying to rebuild the economy as it was , with millions commuting long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , often without decent healthcare or paid sick leave .
But the other option is to assemble the pieces in a different and smarter way .
We do n't have to go back to what we had , because if we do , most scientists are saying this virus is likely to come back again , so the job losses and the food bank queues will happen again .
There will be another crisis and another crisis after that .
It took us just over six years after the last recession to claw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But we did n't restore good jobs .
The jobs that came back were overwhelmingly lower-quality jobs - with lower pay and fewer hours .
I do n't want to put the pieces back together that way .
I want restore good jobs going forward .
I want to build a more resilient economy , one without the stark inequities that have left so many people struggling to get by .
Let 's use our `` new normal '' to repair those long-standing inequalities and injustices .
If we do it right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy where so many people are working two or three jobs just so they can cobble enough money together to survive .
We could lift wages at the bottom and guarantee jobs for those who ca n't find employment in any other part of the economy .
We can create jobs , wages would go up and people would have the option of public healthcare and childcare .
But if we do it wrong , there will be even more jobs lost , people will miss out on higher education and access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this situation is like a game of musical chairs , where the chairs are the jobs , and everyone in the game needs to find a chair .
The maths is such that if one person manages to find a new job and sit on a chair , that takes that job away from someone else and eventually that will keep happening until all the jobs are gone .
Everyone left standing is unemployed .
We 're not going to fix the problem of unemployment with low interest rates and retraining , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jobs that do n't exist , and you ca n't force anyone to borrow and spend when their economic outlook is grim .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker So we are going to have to think more boldly .
The only way to solve the employment problem is to augment the availability of jobs .
If we do n't , an awful lot of people are going to be permanently locked out of employment .
This is where governments can play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK , the government can fully fund the NHS and help create new jobs .
They are not going to run out of pounds , they can fund whatever public services as generously as they want to fund them .
But if they choose not to , there will gratuitous suffering .
And I use gratuitous because we have the capacity to address the problem - and not doing so would be a deliberate policy choice .
People are seeing a role for governments that they never saw before .
Now everybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it can muster up firepower very quickly when there is a perception of a crisis .
So the new normal could be awful .
It could be a decade of double-digit unemployment , poverty and social unrest .
I do n't want to close my eyes and picture that world .
Or it could be a beautiful world , where we come together to safeguard communities , battle climate change and redress long-standing inequities in our economy .
This week from today to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Stephanie Kelton is an American economist and a former adviser to Bernie Sanders during his 2016 US presidential election campaign.
She is a professor of public policy and economics at Stony Brook University in New York and a world leader on Modern Monetary Theory.
Here, she writes about how we can use the coronavirus pandemic to tackle the long-standing economic inequalities and social injustices that have plagued our society for decades.
Image: Professor Stephanie Kelton is pictured in June 2019
I don't think we can go back to how it was before COVID-19. The fallout has already been too great. The pieces are already falling on the ground.
Experts are saying that as many as half of all small-to-medium businesses may not survive the coronavirus pandemic, 40 million people in the US have already lost their jobs and more than 30 million have lost their employer-sponsored health insurance.
In my case, at first we were postponing business conferences, but now we're just cancelling them, going right into 2021.
That has implications for air travel, hotels, restaurants and retail. We are going to see whole industries permanently shrink.
Employers are now realising it's possible for their employees to work from home and that we don't need many of the expensive leases on buildings in downtown Manhattan or London. That's going to have an effect on commercial real estate as well.
So what we have now is an opportunity, and we have two options of what we can do with it: one is to pick up the pieces and try to put them together as they were before.
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This would mean trying to rebuild the economy as it was, with millions commuting long distances to work precarious, low-wage jobs, often without decent healthcare or paid sick leave.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:50 Is an alternative economic future possible?
But the other option is to assemble the pieces in a different and smarter way.
We don't have to go back to what we had, because if we do, most scientists are saying this virus is likely to come back again, so the job losses and the food bank queues will happen again. There will be another crisis and another crisis after that.
It took us just over six years after the last recession to claw back all the jobs that we lost. But we didn't restore good jobs. The jobs that came back were overwhelmingly lower-quality jobs - with lower pay and fewer hours.
I don't want to put the pieces back together that way. I want restore good jobs going forward. I want to build a more resilient economy, one without the stark inequities that have left so many people struggling to get by.
Let's use our "new normal" to repair those long-standing inequalities and injustices.
If we do it right, then we won't have an economy where so many people are working two or three jobs just so they can cobble enough money together to survive.
We could lift wages at the bottom and guarantee jobs for those who can't find employment in any other part of the economy. We can create jobs, wages would go up and people would have the option of public healthcare and childcare.
But if we do it wrong, there will be even more jobs lost, people will miss out on higher education and access to public services.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 8:20 After The Pandemic: Will working life change?
The job market in this situation is like a game of musical chairs, where the chairs are the jobs, and everyone in the game needs to find a chair.
The maths is such that if one person manages to find a new job and sit on a chair, that takes that job away from someone else and eventually that will keep happening until all the jobs are gone. Everyone left standing is unemployed.
We're not going to fix the problem of unemployment with low interest rates and retraining, because you can't train people to take jobs that don't exist, and you can't force anyone to borrow and spend when their economic outlook is grim.
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
So we are going to have to think more boldly.
The only way to solve the employment problem is to augment the availability of jobs. If we don't, an awful lot of people are going to be permanently locked out of employment.
This is where governments can play a direct and active role.
In the UK, the government can fully fund the NHS and help create new jobs. They are not going to run out of pounds, they can fund whatever public services as generously as they want to fund them.
But if they choose not to, there will gratuitous suffering. And I use gratuitous because we have the capacity to address the problem - and not doing so would be a deliberate policy choice.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 57:17 After The Pandemic: How will society change?
People are seeing a role for governments that they never saw before. Now everybody can see that the government can act, it can muster up firepower very quickly when there is a perception of a crisis.
So the new normal could be awful. It could be a decade of double-digit unemployment, poverty and social unrest. I don't want to close my eyes and picture that world.
Or it could be a beautiful world, where we come together to safeguard communities, battle climate change and redress long-standing inequities in our economy.
This week from today to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-03-09--Tesco investors to share one-off £5bn windfall amid Asia exit

Tesco is to hand its investors £5bn in a one-off dividend following the sale of its supermarket business in southeast Asia .
The UK 's biggest retailer said it had agreed an £8.2bn deal with CP Group for its 2,000 stores across Malaysia and Thailand .
It had announced last December that the business had attracted bid interest .
On completion , Tesco will no longer have interests outside of Europe as it exited China last month through the sale of its 20 % interest in a joint venture for £275m .
It said the latest disposal , once completed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value than could be generated from Tesco 's continued ownership and investment '' .
It will leave Tesco with 3,769 stores across the UK and Ireland and 895 sites in eastern Europe .
Tesco shares were in the red on Monday as the wider market came under renewed coronavirus-linked pressures but were outperforming rivals and just 0.3 % lower by mid-morning on Monday .
Chief executive Dave Lewis said : `` Following inbound interest and a detailed strategic review of all options , we are announcing today the proposed sale of Tesco Thailand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ releases material value and allows us to further simplify and focus the business , as well as to return significant value to shareholders .
`` I would like to thank all of our Tesco Thailand and Tesco Malaysia colleagues for their dedication , professionalism and service to our customers , which has resulted in the creation of such a strong business .
`` I am confident that the agreement we have reached with CP Group presents an exciting opportunity for their continued success . ''

Tesco is to hand its investors £5bn in a one-off dividend following the sale of its supermarket business in southeast Asia.
The UK's biggest retailer said it had agreed an £8.2bn deal with CP Group for its 2,000 stores across Malaysia and Thailand.
It had announced last December that the business had attracted bid interest.
On completion, Tesco will no longer have interests outside of Europe as it exited China last month through the sale of its 20% interest in a joint venture for £275m.
It said the latest disposal, once completed, "will realise a significantly higher value than could be generated from Tesco's continued ownership and investment".
It will leave Tesco with 3,769 stores across the UK and Ireland and 895 sites in eastern Europe.
Image: Tesco in the UK, like its rivals, is currently battling high customer demand for long-life food products and things like toilet rolls because of the coronavirus outbreak
Tesco shares were in the red on Monday as the wider market came under renewed coronavirus-linked pressures but were outperforming rivals and just 0.3% lower by mid-morning on Monday.
Chief executive Dave Lewis said: "Following inbound interest and a detailed strategic review of all options, we are announcing today the proposed sale of Tesco Thailand and Tesco Malaysia.
"This sale releases material value and allows us to further simplify and focus the business, as well as to return significant value to shareholders.
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"I would like to thank all of our Tesco Thailand and Tesco Malaysia colleagues for their dedication, professionalism and service to our customers, which has resulted in the creation of such a strong business.
"I am confident that the agreement we have reached with CP Group presents an exciting opportunity for their continued success."


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Supermarkets float competition waiver if crisis deepens

Britain 's biggest supermarkets will warn the government that competition law might need to be suspended to allow them to co-ordinate shopping deliveries if the coronavirus outbreak becomes a pandemic .
Sky News has learnt that at least one of the big four grocers - Asda , J Sainsbury , Tesco and Wm Morrison - plans to raise the issue of temporarily waiving rules prohibiting industry collaboration during a conference call with George Eustice , the environment secretary , on Monday afternoon .
Such a waiver would , according to a source close to one of the companies , enable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in local areas where , for example , one shop had been forced to close because of COVID-19 This need would be particularly pronounced in remote parts of the country where alternative options for shopping would be impossible for customers if they or family members were self-isolating .
Food industry executives are also expected to join Monday 's call .
One insider said that while the competition law issue would be raised , it was not of as immediate importance as relaxing restrictions on driver hours and delivery time-slots .
Some supermarkets are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are well ahead of the typical demand level for this time of year , although it has not yet reached the frenzy seen in the run-up to Christmas .
Discussions between the chains and Mr Eustice were hastily arranged last week after Matt Hancock , the health secretary , sparked a row about whether they were already liaising to ensure that deliveries would reach vulnerable customers .
Any decision to temporarily waive competition law would represent the first time that such a measure had been implemented for decades .
Last year , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food industry grappled with the potential consequences of a no-deal Brexit .
A temporary removal of competition restrictions would require the approval of the Competition and Markets Authority .
Lord Tyrie , the watchdog 's chairman , said last week that it would closely scrutinise retailers ' charging practices during the coronavirus outbreak .
He added that it would assess whether to advise the government to take action to regulate prices .
`` We will do whatever we can to act against rip-offs and misleading claims , using any or all of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ act , we 'll advise government on further steps they could take , if necessary , '' Lord Tyrie said .
It emerged at the weekend that Tesco had started restricting the number of household items that could be purchased by individual customers .
The UK 's biggest retailer has , for example , prevented shoppers from purchasing more than five anti-bacterial products , dried pasta and long-life milk .
Ministers and supermarkets have insisted that there is no need for consumers to `` panic buy '' items .
There may , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented if a substantial number of people are required to self-isolate by remaining at home , according to industry sources .
A Defra spokesperson said : `` The environment secretary will hold a further call with chief executives from the UK 's leading supermarkets and industry representatives on Monday 9 March to discuss their response to the coronavirus .
`` The meeting will discuss support for vulnerable groups who may be in isolation . ''
None of the supermarkets contacted on Monday would comment .

Britain's biggest supermarkets will warn the government that competition law might need to be suspended to allow them to co-ordinate shopping deliveries if the coronavirus outbreak becomes a pandemic.
Sky News has learnt that at least one of the big four grocers - Asda, J Sainsbury, Tesco and Wm Morrison - plans to raise the issue of temporarily waiving rules prohibiting industry collaboration during a conference call with George Eustice, the environment secretary, on Monday afternoon.
Such a waiver would, according to a source close to one of the companies, enable the supermarkets to work together on deliveries in local areas where, for example, one shop had been forced to close because of COVID-19
This need would be particularly pronounced in remote parts of the country where alternative options for shopping would be impossible for customers if they or family members were self-isolating.
Food industry executives are also expected to join Monday's call.
One insider said that while the competition law issue would be raised, it was not of as immediate importance as relaxing restrictions on driver hours and delivery time-slots.
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Some supermarkets are working to provide home delivery services that are well ahead of the typical demand level for this time of year, although it has not yet reached the frenzy seen in the run-up to Christmas.
Discussions between the chains and Mr Eustice were hastily arranged last week after Matt Hancock, the health secretary, sparked a row about whether they were already liaising to ensure that deliveries would reach vulnerable customers.
Any decision to temporarily waive competition law would represent the first time that such a measure had been implemented for decades.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:13 Health bosses call on shoppers to stop panic-buying
Last year, the idea was raised as supermarkets and the food industry grappled with the potential consequences of a no-deal Brexit.
A temporary removal of competition restrictions would require the approval of the Competition and Markets Authority.
Lord Tyrie, the watchdog's chairman, said last week that it would closely scrutinise retailers' charging practices during the coronavirus outbreak.
He added that it would assess whether to advise the government to take action to regulate prices.
"We will do whatever we can to act against rip-offs and misleading claims, using any or all of our tools; and where we can't act, we'll advise government on further steps they could take, if necessary," Lord Tyrie said.
It emerged at the weekend that Tesco had started restricting the number of household items that could be purchased by individual customers.
The UK's biggest retailer has, for example, prevented shoppers from purchasing more than five anti-bacterial products, dried pasta and long-life milk.
Ministers and supermarkets have insisted that there is no need for consumers to "panic buy" items.
There may, however, be changes to online shopping policies implemented if a substantial number of people are required to self-isolate by remaining at home, according to industry sources.
A Defra spokesperson said: "The environment secretary will hold a further call with chief executives from the UK's leading supermarkets and industry representatives on Monday 9 March to discuss their response to the coronavirus.
"The meeting will discuss support for vulnerable groups who may be in isolation."
None of the supermarkets contacted on Monday would comment.


news--2020-03-09--North Korea 'fires three missiles' after threat of 'momentous' action

North Korea has fired three short-range missiles from its east coast , South Korea 's military has said .
It is the second set of weapons testing by Pyongyang in the last 10 days , following a four-month hiatus .
The three launches were made from a town in the South Hamgyong province and flew as far as 125 miles , according to Seoul 's joint chiefs of staff .
In a statement , South Korea expressed `` strong regret '' over the launches , which it said violated an agreement aimed at lowering military animosities .
Japan 's chief @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the launches were likely ballistic .
None of the missiles landed inside Japan 's exclusive economic zone .
`` North Korea 's latest action , on top of its repeated firings of ballistic missiles , is a serious threat to the peace and safety of Japan and ... a grave problem for the entire international society , '' Mr Suga said .
North Korea previously warned other countries against `` reckless behaviour '' after its last round of testing was condemned by five European members of the UN Security Council as `` provocative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` The reckless behaviour of these countries instigated by the US will become a fuse that will trigger our yet another momentous reaction . ''
It insisted it had the right to conduct military drills as US and South Korean forces were on its doorstep .
The US has said sanctions on North Korea will remain in place unless it takes significant steps towards denuclearisation .
Nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington have not moved forward since an early 2019 summit between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump ended without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce much progress .
Some experts say North Korea is now attempting to catch South Korea off balance before seeking help to revive its economy .
Leif-Eric Easley , associate professor at Seoul 's Ewha Womans University , said : `` The coronavirus is likely exceeding North Korea 's public health capacity , so Kim Jong Un is playing a two-level game .
: : Listen to the Behind the Headline podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' At the domestic level , his regime claims to protect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military exercises against external threats .
`` Pyongyang may be seeking international assistance , but remains obsessed with not appearing in an inferior position to Seoul . ''

North Korea has fired three short-range missiles from its east coast, South Korea's military has said.
It is the second set of weapons testing by Pyongyang in the last 10 days, following a four-month hiatus.
The three launches were made from a town in the South Hamgyong province and flew as far as 125 miles, according to Seoul's joint chiefs of staff.
In a statement, South Korea expressed "strong regret" over the launches, which it said violated an agreement aimed at lowering military animosities.
Japan's chief cabinet secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said the launches were likely ballistic.
None of the missiles landed inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.
"North Korea's latest action, on top of its repeated firings of ballistic missiles, is a serious threat to the peace and safety of Japan and... a grave problem for the entire international society," Mr Suga said.
North Korea previously warned other countries against "reckless behaviour" after its last round of testing was condemned by five European members of the UN Security Council as "provocative".
The North's foreign ministry said: "The reckless behaviour of these countries instigated by the US will become a fuse that will trigger our yet another momentous reaction."
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Image: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a military drill
It insisted it had the right to conduct military drills as US and South Korean forces were on its doorstep.
The US has said sanctions on North Korea will remain in place unless it takes significant steps towards denuclearisation.
Nuclear talks between Pyongyang and Washington have not moved forward since an early 2019 summit between Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump ended without any agreement.
Further talks failed to produce much progress.
Image: US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
Some experts say North Korea is now attempting to catch South Korea off balance before seeking help to revive its economy.
Leif-Eric Easley, associate professor at Seoul's Ewha Womans University, said: "The coronavirus is likely exceeding North Korea's public health capacity, so Kim Jong Un is playing a two-level game.
:: Listen to the Behind the Headline podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"At the domestic level, his regime claims to protect the people with drastic quarantine measures and military exercises against external threats.
"Pyongyang may be seeking international assistance, but remains obsessed with not appearing in an inferior position to Seoul."


news--2020-05-27--Rachel Riley: Can you take on star's mammoth 100-question quiz?

The nation is turning to quizzing in lockdown - and who better to test our general knowledge than maths expert Rachel Riley ?
As Sky launches three factual TV channels - Sky Nature , Sky Documentaries and Sky HISTORY - the presenter is hosting a `` national general knowledge test '' to get our grey matter in gear during the coronavirus lockdown .
Made up of 100 questions people should know the answers to , according to the brains behind the test , there are sections on everything from geography and history to popular culture and arts and literature - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ round .
You can see how you get on with the 10 questions deemed the toughest below .
Currently in lockdown with her husband - Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev , their five-month-old daughter Maven , and her mother-in-law - who was visiting from Russia when flights were cancelled due to the pandemic - Riley tells Sky News she hopes one of the positives to come out of the COVID-19 lockdown is an increased thirst for learning .
`` I hope so .
I mean , this challenge [ coronavirus ] has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she says .
`` We 've needed experts the whole way through this to guide us through .
And as more knowledge has come through , advice has been changing and we 've been seeing the scientific method in action and it 's hopefully saved lives .
`` But more than that as well , in lockdown , I think loads of people have just turned to quizzes for having a bit of fun .
`` I mean , we ca n't get together , but a quiz is a great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Zoom , go on FaceTime or whatever and friends and family can have a good old quiz without being in the same room .
`` I think we 've seen across the country , loads of different quizzes have been happening , whether it 's just a private one or with some kind of organisation .
I think everyone 's fallen in love with quizzing again . ''
Quiz popularity is soaring , with more than a third of people saying it has now become a weekly routine while we are all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of more than 2,000 people commissioned by Sky .
As a maths graduate and the numbers star on Countdown , sums are clearly Riley 's area of expertise .
But are there any other subjects she 's quietly confident about ?
`` Well , I did Mastermind and I tried to stay away from anything mathsy because I did n't want my career to be at stake , '' she jokes .
`` I did Manchester United .
I love football , [ I 'm ] missing a bit of football at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` One of the reasons I wanted to be involved in this campaign is that I love wildlife shows , and there 's a new one coming out all about baby animals .
So anything to do with animals . ''
During her research , Riley has been learning about all sorts of things - including some interesting facts about octopuses .
`` How many hearts does an octopus have ?
( 3 ) I had no idea… I had a little Google and then I found out that they could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So , kind of interesting .
If we are ever allowed down the pub again it 's something to entertain your mates with over a pint . ''
Tonight , Riley will be hosting an Instagram Live with stars including comedian Russell Howard , magician Dynamo and diver Tom Daley , to put their general knowledge to the test .
Viewers can join in and also take the general knowledge test themselves online now .
While she helped curate the 100 questions , she admits she did n't know the answers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ definitely questions I did n't know the answer to .
If I knew [ all ] the answers that would just be a bit weird . ''
Sky Documentaries , Sky Nature and Sky HISTORY are available now , free for Sky customers

The nation is turning to quizzing in lockdown - and who better to test our general knowledge than maths expert Rachel Riley?
As Sky launches three factual TV channels - Sky Nature, Sky Documentaries and Sky HISTORY - the presenter is hosting a "national general knowledge test" to get our grey matter in gear during the coronavirus lockdown.
Made up of 100 questions people should know the answers to, according to the brains behind the test, there are sections on everything from geography and history to popular culture and arts and literature - although, sadly, no Countdown maths round.
Image: Wild Animal Babies is one of the shows airing on new factual channel Sky Nature
You can see how you get on with the 10 questions deemed the toughest below.
Currently in lockdown with her husband - Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev, their five-month-old daughter Maven, and her mother-in-law - who was visiting from Russia when flights were cancelled due to the pandemic - Riley tells Sky News she hopes one of the positives to come out of the COVID-19 lockdown is an increased thirst for learning.
"I hope so. I mean, this challenge [coronavirus] has certainly brought out our value in experts," she says. "We've needed experts the whole way through this to guide us through. And as more knowledge has come through, advice has been changing and we've been seeing the scientific method in action and it's hopefully saved lives.
"But more than that as well, in lockdown, I think loads of people have just turned to quizzes for having a bit of fun.
"I mean, we can't get together, but a quiz is a great way to... go online, go on Zoom, go on FaceTime or whatever and friends and family can have a good old quiz without being in the same room.
"I think we've seen across the country, loads of different quizzes have been happening, whether it's just a private one or with some kind of organisation. I think everyone's fallen in love with quizzing again."
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Quiz popularity is soaring, with more than a third of people saying it has now become a weekly routine while we are all stuck indoors, according to a study of more than 2,000 people commissioned by Sky.
As a maths graduate and the numbers star on Countdown, sums are clearly Riley's area of expertise. But are there any other subjects she's quietly confident about?
"Well, I did Mastermind and I tried to stay away from anything mathsy because I didn't want my career to be at stake," she jokes. "I did Manchester United. I love football, [I'm] missing a bit of football at the moment, but also wildlife and animals.
"One of the reasons I wanted to be involved in this campaign is that I love wildlife shows, and there's a new one coming out all about baby animals. So anything to do with animals."
During her research, Riley has been learning about all sorts of things - including some interesting facts about octopuses.
"How many hearts does an octopus have? (3) I had no idea… I had a little Google and then I found out that they could have up to nine brains as well.
"So, kind of interesting. If we are ever allowed down the pub again it's something to entertain your mates with over a pint."
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Tonight, Riley will be hosting an Instagram Live with stars including comedian Russell Howard, magician Dynamo and diver Tom Daley, to put their general knowledge to the test.
Viewers can join in and also take the general knowledge test themselves online now.
While she helped curate the 100 questions, she admits she didn't know the answers to all of them.
"There were definitely questions I didn't know the answer to. If I knew [all] the answers that would just be a bit weird."
Sky Documentaries, Sky Nature and Sky HISTORY are available now, free for Sky customers


news--2020-05-27--Chrissy Teigen announces breast implant removal after COVID-19 test

Chrissy Teigen says she is getting her breast implants removed - and she ca n't wait to get back to her natural size .
The 34-year-old model made the announcement to her fans on Instagram , after revealing on Twitter that she had undergone a coronavirus test .
Along with a black and white topless shot , with hearts carefully placed to hide her nipples , Teigen wrote : `` So I posted myself getting a covid test on the twitter , as I 'm getting surgery soon . ''
She added : `` A lot of people are understandably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'll just say it here : I 'm getting my boobs out ! ''
Teigen has said she had the original surgery in her early 20s to increase her confidence while on bikini shoots .
She explained her decision to take out the silicon in her post , saying : `` They 've been great to me for many years but I 'm just over it .
I 'd like to be able to zip a dress in my size , lay on my belly with pure comfort !
`` No biggie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
All good .
`` I 'll still have boobs , they 'll just be pure fat .
Which is all a tit is in the first place .
A dumb , miraculous bag of fat . ''
Celebrity pals among her 29.9m followers were quick to show support .
Naomi Campbell wrote `` be safe '' , while Michelle Pfeiffer replied with a folded hands emoji .
Singer Natasha Bedingfield wrote : `` I miss having big boobs from breast feeding but smaller is so so much easier to dress for sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mother of Bella and Gigi , wrote `` smart girl '' , adding a heart emoji .
Last year , Hadid - who suffers from Lyme Disease - revealed she had had all implants , fillers , and extensions removed from her body in a bid to improve her health .
While breast implants are still the most popular form of cosmetic surgery in both the UK and US , there has been a growing movement over recent years for women to revert to a more natural look .
Baywatch star Pamela @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a whim in 1999 as they `` just did n't feel right anymore '' .
Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham admitted to having had breast enhancement back in 1999 .
However , she 'd already had them removed by the time she confirmed the surgery , following years of denial .
Meanwhile British model Katie Price , who built her career on her 32F breasts , has had her implants taken out and then put back in several times .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posts , Teigen has previously shared photos of her breastfeeding her daughter Luna , in a bid to destigmatise and normalise natural nursing .
Teigen , who also has a son , Miles , with husband John Legend , has spoken openly about her battles with post-natal depression .

Chrissy Teigen says she is getting her breast implants removed - and she can't wait to get back to her natural size.
The 34-year-old model made the announcement to her fans on Instagram, after revealing on Twitter that she had undergone a coronavirus test.
Along with a black and white topless shot, with hearts carefully placed to hide her nipples, Teigen wrote: "So I posted myself getting a covid test on the twitter, as I'm getting surgery soon."
She added: "A lot of people are understandably curious (and nosey!) so I'll just say it here: I'm getting my boobs out!"
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Teigen has said she had the original surgery in her early 20s to increase her confidence while on bikini shoots.
She explained her decision to take out the silicon in her post, saying: "They've been great to me for many years but I'm just over it. I'd like to be able to zip a dress in my size, lay on my belly with pure comfort!
"No biggie! So don't worry about me! All good.
"I'll still have boobs, they'll just be pure fat. Which is all a tit is in the first place. A dumb, miraculous bag of fat."
Image: Teigen has said she had implants to boost her confidence. Pic: Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
Celebrity pals among her 29.9m followers were quick to show support.
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Naomi Campbell wrote "be safe", while Michelle Pfeiffer replied with a folded hands emoji.
Singer Natasha Bedingfield wrote: "I miss having big boobs from breast feeding but smaller is so so much easier to dress for sure."
Yolanda Hadid, who is the mother of Bella and Gigi, wrote "smart girl", adding a heart emoji.
Last year, Hadid - who suffers from Lyme Disease - revealed she had had all implants, fillers, and extensions removed from her body in a bid to improve her health.
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While breast implants are still the most popular form of cosmetic surgery in both the UK and US, there has been a growing movement over recent years for women to revert to a more natural look.
Baywatch star Pamela Anderson had her implants taken out on a whim in 1999 as they "just didn't feel right anymore".
Image: Teigen's celebrity pals were quick to comment. Pic: Jason Merritt/Radarpics/Shutterstock
Ex-Spice Girl Victoria Beckham admitted to having had breast enhancement back in 1999.
However, she'd already had them removed by the time she confirmed the surgery, following years of denial.
Meanwhile British model Katie Price, who built her career on her 32F breasts, has had her implants taken out and then put back in several times.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Known for her honest posts, Teigen has previously shared photos of her breastfeeding her daughter Luna, in a bid to destigmatise and normalise natural nursing.
Teigen, who also has a son, Miles, with husband John Legend, has spoken openly about her battles with post-natal depression.


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: McDonald's to reopen all drive-throughs and expand delivery

McDonald 's is set to reopen all of its drive-through locations and expand its delivery service from next week .
The fast-food chain reopened 33 of its drive-through sites last week , but some of them had to be closed again after it admitted the huge queues had `` impacted local communities or the safety of our people or customers '' .
McDonald 's originally shut down all of its branches in March when the coronavirus lockdown came into force , despite the firm being classed as an essential business .
But the company has now announced that all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland will finally start reopening next Tuesday , 2 June , with all of them being ready for customers by Thursday , 4 June .
To help manage demand , McDonald 's will only reveal the locations of branches that are resuming business on the morning of the store opening its doors , so as not to overwhelm services .
The company is also working with police and local authorities regarding the plans , which include 75 branches being reopened for delivery only .
Staff at every branch will wear face coverings and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screens - and there will be social distancing measures in place .
There will also be a temporary menu , limited to just a few items while the branches get going again .
Customers will not be able to spend any more than £25 .
`` This is only possible following the hard work of the teams in our 44 pilot restaurants , '' said a spokesman .
`` Over the last fortnight , our employees , franchisees and suppliers have worked tirelessly to implement new procedures to enable safe working so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK and Ireland to enjoy the return of the Big Mac .
`` With fewer employees working in our kitchens and service areas , our teams will still need your patience and support as they continue to adjust to the new ways of working . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker McDonald 's fans eager to get their hands on a Big Mac had criticised the company on social media when it revealed the initial stores that reopened last week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McDonald 's responded by saying those places that had opened were close to its distribution centres .
Other fast-food chains have also started reopening their branches across the UK , including KFC , Burger King and Subway , as businesses attempt to adjust to the new coronavirus restrictions .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

McDonald's is set to reopen all of its drive-through locations and expand its delivery service from next week.
The fast-food chain reopened 33 of its drive-through sites last week, but some of them had to be closed again after it admitted the huge queues had "impacted local communities or the safety of our people or customers".
McDonald's originally shut down all of its branches in March when the coronavirus lockdown came into force, despite the firm being classed as an essential business.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:44 Huge queue for McDonalds drive-thru
But the company has now announced that all of its drive-through branches in the UK and Ireland will finally start reopening next Tuesday, 2 June, with all of them being ready for customers by Thursday, 4 June.
To help manage demand, McDonald's will only reveal the locations of branches that are resuming business on the morning of the store opening its doors, so as not to overwhelm services.
The company is also working with police and local authorities regarding the plans, which include 75 branches being reopened for delivery only.
Staff at every branch will wear face coverings and be protected at the counter by perspex screens - and there will be social distancing measures in place.
There will also be a temporary menu, limited to just a few items while the branches get going again.
Customers will not be able to spend any more than £25.
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Image: Large queues were seen at the restaurant's drive-throughs
"This is only possible following the hard work of the teams in our 44 pilot restaurants," said a spokesman.
"Over the last fortnight, our employees, franchisees and suppliers have worked tirelessly to implement new procedures to enable safe working so that we can now help all parts of the UK and Ireland to enjoy the return of the Big Mac.
"With fewer employees working in our kitchens and service areas, our teams will still need your patience and support as they continue to adjust to the new ways of working."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
McDonald's fans eager to get their hands on a Big Mac had criticised the company on social media when it revealed the initial stores that reopened last week were all in the South East.
McDonald's responded by saying those places that had opened were close to its distribution centres.
Other fast-food chains have also started reopening their branches across the UK, including KFC, Burger King and Subway, as businesses attempt to adjust to the new coronavirus restrictions.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-26--NASA and SpaceX gear up for first US astronaut launch in almost a decade

For the first time since the space shuttle was retired in 2011 , NASA is set to again launch its own astronauts into space from US soil .
Working with billionaire Elon Musk 's private spaceflight company SpaceX - which is providing one of its Falcon 9 rockets and Crew Dragon spacecraft - NASA will be regaining a capability which it has n't held for almost a decade .
• You can watch the launch live at 9.33pm on Sky News • Crew will dock with space station at 4.39pm on Thursday The mission is not without its risks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that SpaceX is taking part in a manned spaceflight , although it has 85 successful launches of unmanned Falcon 9 rockets since 2010 .
During a test fire for the Crew Dragon capsule in 2018 , the spacecraft exploded on the launch pad .
A subsequent joint investigation between SpaceX and NASA revealed that a titanium fire was the probable cause of the explosion .
It was a terrifying moment for the engineers involved in designing the capsule , which is meant to safely carry human passengers in space , but the Crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also a risk that the launch could be called off due to poor weather .
The US Air Force has a special team which monitors the weather for air and space operations .
According to the most recent assessment by the 45th Weather Squadron , there is a 60 % probability that the weather will prevent the launch from taking place .
Donald Trump told reporters at the White House he was thinking about flying to Florida to watch the launch , although NASA has told the public to remain at home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , the president jokingly told journalists : `` I 'd like to put you all on the rocket and get rid of you for a while . ''
NASA 's administrator Jim Bridenstine has said : `` Under President Trump 's leadership , we are once again launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil . ''
However , he was rebuked by former astronaut Garrett Reisman , who tweeted : `` I am thankful for the continued support from you and the Administration but if there is a President to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barack Obama . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker • You can watch the launch , which is scheduled for 9.33pm ( British Summer Time ) , live on Sky News , and join us online to follow updates throughout the day .

For the first time since the space shuttle was retired in 2011, NASA is set to again launch its own astronauts into space from US soil.
Working with billionaire Elon Musk's private spaceflight company SpaceX - which is providing one of its Falcon 9 rockets and Crew Dragon spacecraft - NASA will be regaining a capability which it hasn't held for almost a decade.
You can watch the launch live at 9.33pm on Sky News
Countdown will begin at 5.15pm
Crew will dock with space station at 4.39pm on Thursday
Image: In 2018, SpaceX's Dragon capsule appeared to explode in a video. Pic: @Astronut099
The mission is not without its risks.
Wednesday's launch marks the first time that SpaceX is taking part in a manned spaceflight, although it has 85 successful launches of unmanned Falcon 9 rockets since 2010.
During a test fire for the Crew Dragon capsule in 2018, the spacecraft exploded on the launch pad.
A subsequent joint investigation between SpaceX and NASA revealed that a titanium fire was the probable cause of the explosion.
It was a terrifying moment for the engineers involved in designing the capsule, which is meant to safely carry human passengers in space, but the Crew Dragon was successfully tested afterwards.
There is also a risk that the launch could be called off due to poor weather.
The US Air Force has a special team which monitors the weather for air and space operations.
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According to the most recent assessment by the 45th Weather Squadron, there is a 60% probability that the weather will prevent the launch from taking place.
Donald Trump told reporters at the White House he was thinking about flying to Florida to watch the launch, although NASA has told the public to remain at home due to COVID-19 restrictions.
At the time, the president jokingly told journalists: "I'd like to put you all on the rocket and get rid of you for a while."
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NASA's administrator Jim Bridenstine has said: "Under President Trump's leadership, we are once again launching American astronauts on American rockets from American soil."
However, he was rebuked by former astronaut Garrett Reisman, who tweeted: "I am thankful for the continued support from you and the Administration but if there is a President to thank for this milestone, it's Barack Obama."
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:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: House-hunting rebound 'set to be short-lived' as recession bites

A surge in house hunting with the reopening of the market earlier this month is expected to be short-lived as the recession hits , a property website has warned .
Zoopla recorded a spike in traffic of 88 % across England during the week coronavirus restrictions for potential buyers were eased as the country 's housing market reopened .
But despite this , and overall demand being 20 % higher than at the start of March , the firm expected the rebound to be reined in as the economic slump bites and jobs are lost .
Zoopla believed a significant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the COVID-19 lockdown would continue , but said growing uncertainty over future household finances will test the market in the coming weeks .
Its research found around 40 % of would-be buyers surveyed had put their plans on hold , citing market uncertainty and cuts to income as deterrents .
Richard Donnell , director of research and insight at Zoopla , said : `` The scale of the rebound in demand for housing is welcome news for estate agents and developers , but it is also surprising given projections for a sharp @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in economic growth . ''
He added : `` Millions of UK households have spent a considerable amount of time in their homes over the lockdown period and missed out on hours of commuting .
`` Many households are likely to have re-evaluated what they want from their home .
`` This could well explain the scale of the demand returning to the market .
We need to see more supply come to the market to satisfy this demand . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donnell expected people to be more cautious in the coming weeks .
`` The majority of would-be movers plan to continue their search , encouraged by low mortgage rates and continued government support for the economy , '' he said .
`` However , we expect the latest rebound in demand to moderate in the coming weeks as buyers and sellers start to exert greater caution .
`` Further support from the government ca n't be discounted and would help limit the scale of the downside risks . ''

A surge in house hunting with the reopening of the market earlier this month is expected to be short-lived as the recession hits, a property website has warned.
Zoopla recorded a spike in traffic of 88% across England during the week coronavirus restrictions for potential buyers were eased as the country's housing market reopened.
But despite this, and overall demand being 20% higher than at the start of March, the firm expected the rebound to be reined in as the economic slump bites and jobs are lost.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 How you can move house during pandemic
Zoopla believed a significant proportion of sales that had been agreed before the COVID-19 lockdown would continue, but said growing uncertainty over future household finances will test the market in the coming weeks.
Its research found around 40% of would-be buyers surveyed had put their plans on hold, citing market uncertainty and cuts to income as deterrents.
Richard Donnell, director of research and insight at Zoopla, said: "The scale of the rebound in demand for housing is welcome news for estate agents and developers, but it is also surprising given projections for a sharp rise in unemployment and a major decline in economic growth."
He added: "Millions of UK households have spent a considerable amount of time in their homes over the lockdown period and missed out on hours of commuting.
"Many households are likely to have re-evaluated what they want from their home.
"This could well explain the scale of the demand returning to the market. We need to see more supply come to the market to satisfy this demand."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
But Mr Donnell expected people to be more cautious in the coming weeks.
"The majority of would-be movers plan to continue their search, encouraged by low mortgage rates and continued government support for the economy," he said.
"However, we expect the latest rebound in demand to moderate in the coming weeks as buyers and sellers start to exert greater caution.
"Further support from the government can't be discounted and would help limit the scale of the downside risks."


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Boeing cuts 12,000 jobs as COVID-19 crisis savages plane industry

Boeing is cutting more than 12,000 jobs in the US , with thousands more under threat .
America 's largest plane manufacturer announced the losses as part of a restructure forced by the coronavirus pandemic .
The crisis has seen demand for air travel plummet and many countries have closed borders and enforced quarantines in an effort to limit the spread of the virus .
This , in turn , has led to a fall in demand for new planes from Boeing , its rival Airbus , and other manufacturers around the world .
Boeing 's chief executive , Dave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` I wish there were some other way '' .
He said the `` pandemic 's devastating impact on the airline industry means a deep cut in the number of commercial jets and services our customers will need over the next few years , which in turn means fewer jobs on our lines and in our offices '' .
Boeing said it had approved 5,520 US employees for voluntary redundancy and they would leave the company in the coming weeks .
A further 6,770 workers will be told this week that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those affected are expected to be in the Seattle area , where Boeing 's commercial plane business is based .
Boeing said more job cuts will be made in international locations , but did not give further details .
The stability of the company 's defence and space division will help soften the blow from the fall in commercial demand .
The manufacturer said `` several thousand remaining layoffs '' would take place in the next few months but it did not say where .
Boeing already announced in April that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workforce , as it tries to cut costs to survive the huge fall in demand for air travel .
Boeing received no orders in April - the second month this year it has happened .
Another 108 orders were cancelled for the 737 MAX , which was grounded due to concerns following two fatal crashes .
In January , before the virus became widespread , Boeing posted its first annual loss in more than two decades .
In April , French rival Airbus warned that it was `` bleeding cash at an unprecedented @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under threat without immediate action .
In an internal letter , chief executive Guillaume Faury warned the company 's 135,000 staff to brace for potentially deeper cuts .
Airbus had already slashed production by a third , but the letter warned there could be further reductions .
: : Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Boeing is cutting more than 12,000 jobs in the US, with thousands more under threat.
America's largest plane manufacturer announced the losses as part of a restructure forced by the coronavirus pandemic.
The crisis has seen demand for air travel plummet and many countries have closed borders and enforced quarantines in an effort to limit the spread of the virus.
This, in turn, has led to a fall in demand for new planes from Boeing, its rival Airbus, and other manufacturers around the world.
Boeing's chief executive, Dave Calhoun, told employees in an email: "I wish there were some other way".
He said the "pandemic's devastating impact on the airline industry means a deep cut in the number of commercial jets and services our customers will need over the next few years, which in turn means fewer jobs on our lines and in our offices".
Boeing said it had approved 5,520 US employees for voluntary redundancy and they would leave the company in the coming weeks.
A further 6,770 workers will be told this week that they will also lose their jobs.
Most of those affected are expected to be in the Seattle area, where Boeing's commercial plane business is based.
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Boeing said more job cuts will be made in international locations, but did not give further details.
The stability of the company's defence and space division will help soften the blow from the fall in commercial demand.
The manufacturer said "several thousand remaining layoffs" would take place in the next few months but it did not say where.
Boeing already announced in April that it intended to cut 10% of its workforce, as it tries to cut costs to survive the huge fall in demand for air travel.
Image: Boeing boss David Calhoun said he wished there were 'some other way'
Boeing received no orders in April - the second month this year it has happened.
Another 108 orders were cancelled for the 737 MAX, which was grounded due to concerns following two fatal crashes.
In January, before the virus became widespread, Boeing posted its first annual loss in more than two decades.
In April, French rival Airbus warned that it was "bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed" and that its survival was under threat without immediate action.
In an internal letter, chief executive Guillaume Faury warned the company's 135,000 staff to brace for potentially deeper cuts.
Airbus had already slashed production by a third, but the letter warned there could be further reductions.
:: Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-27--Mike Ashley fails in court bid to trigger investigation into struggling Debenhams

Businessman and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has failed in a bid to trigger an investigation into the financial affairs of struggling department store chain Debenhams .
Lawyers representing Mr Ashley 's Frasers Group , which owns nearly a third of Debenhams ' shares , asked a judge to appoint a `` provisional liquidator '' to begin inquiries .
But Judge Mark Mullen , who considered the application at a remote hearing in the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court on Wednesday , refused .
The judge said neither other Debenhams ' shareholders nor creditors were aware of the application .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issue at another hearing in the near future , but said he wanted the application to be `` known about '' .
Debenhams has been in administration since April , for the second time in about 12 months .
Judge Mullen said Frasers Group had issued a winding up petition .
No decision has been made about whether that winding up petition should be granted .
The judge said the appointment of any `` provisional liquidator '' was not urgent as there was no evidence to suggest that Debenhams ' assets or documents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in any danger .
A barrister representing Frasers Group had argued that a provisional liquidator should be appointed .
Barry Isaacs QC told the judge how Debenhams had last year borrowed around £40m - but Frasers Group loan offers had been rebuffed .
The judge said Frasers Group had identified those `` bridging facilities '' as `` suspicious '' .
Frasers Group was known as Sports Direct International and bosses announced a re-brand late in 2019 .
In late March , Mr Ashley found himself apologising for a series of mistakes in his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was roundly criticised by MPs for emails to the government , as the country was placed on lockdown , in which the company claimed Sports Direct was essential for keeping the nation active .
It later moved to defend its stance in further correspondence before backing down and closing stores .
Mr Ashley published an open letter expressing regrets , but also offered use of the company 's truck fleet to the NHS for the delivery of supplies to fight COVID-19 .

Businessman and Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley has failed in a bid to trigger an investigation into the financial affairs of struggling department store chain Debenhams.
Lawyers representing Mr Ashley's Frasers Group, which owns nearly a third of Debenhams' shares, asked a judge to appoint a "provisional liquidator" to begin inquiries.
But Judge Mark Mullen, who considered the application at a remote hearing in the specialist Insolvency and Companies Court on Wednesday, refused.
Image: Debenhams is in administration for the second time in about 12 months
The judge said neither other Debenhams' shareholders nor creditors were aware of the application.
He indicated that he would reconsider the issue at another hearing in the near future, but said he wanted the application to be "known about".
Debenhams has been in administration since April, for the second time in about 12 months.
Judge Mullen said Frasers Group had issued a winding up petition.
No decision has been made about whether that winding up petition should be granted.
The judge said the appointment of any "provisional liquidator" was not urgent as there was no evidence to suggest that Debenhams' assets or documents needed to be secured because they were in any danger.
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A barrister representing Frasers Group had argued that a provisional liquidator should be appointed.
Image: Mr Ashley was recently forced to apologise over his company's actions during the coronavirus outbreak
Barry Isaacs QC told the judge how Debenhams had last year borrowed around £40m - but Frasers Group loan offers had been rebuffed.
The judge said Frasers Group had identified those "bridging facilities" as "suspicious".
Frasers Group was known as Sports Direct International and bosses announced a re-brand late in 2019.
In late March, Mr Ashley found himself apologising for a series of mistakes in his company's handling of the coronavirus outbreak.
He was roundly criticised by MPs for emails to the government, as the country was placed on lockdown, in which the company claimed Sports Direct was essential for keeping the nation active.
It later moved to defend its stance in further correspondence before backing down and closing stores.
Mr Ashley published an open letter expressing regrets, but also offered use of the company's truck fleet to the NHS for the delivery of supplies to fight COVID-19.


news--2020-05-27--Coronavirus: Food sales soar at fastest rate in 26 years - but what are we eating?

Supermarket food shops soared faster during the coronavirus pandemic than at any time in at least 26 years as households stockpiled and hunkered down , fresh data shows .
With families in COVID-19 lockdown , online grocery shopping rocketed by 75 % over the past three months , compared with the same period last year , according to market researchers at Kantar .
With people unable to go to restaurants , takeaway deliveries have also experienced a boom , up by 250 % year-on-year .
The warm sunny weather has seen more people enjoying picnics , helping boost sales of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 28 % and fizzy drinks by 25 % , during the past four weeks .
Ice cream sales were up 40 % over the period , and with pubs still shut alcohol sales were 50 % higher than last year .
Barbecue weather for many may have encouraged shoppers to spend £17m more on burgers and £24m more on sausages year-on-year .
The VE Day bank holiday on 8 May helped make the previous day the biggest shopping day of the month with £488m spent on groceries .
Kantar found supermarket sales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 17 May , the fastest rate since 1994 .
Over the same period online shopping hit a new peak , accounting for 11.5 % of all grocery sales as families were encouraged to get home deliveries .
And in more recent weeks , customers are heading back into stores but are sticking with bigger weekly shops .
Fraser McKevitt , head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar , said : `` People have been working their way through their store cupboards over the past couple of months and some will now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit to the supermarket to replenish supplies . ''
He added : `` While these are bumper figures , it remains true that the overall picture for some grocers will be less positive , as supermarkets continue to feel the impact of a considerable reduction in on-the-go spend on meals , drinks and snacks .
`` Those categories usually add up to £1bn over the course of 12 weeks and they are n't included in these numbers . ''
He also said with shoppers visiting supermarkets 3.5 times a week on average , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ although spending per trip increased 50 % to £27.41 on average .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Families with adult children have seen the greatest increase in spending , with an average monthly spend of £618 compared with £545 last May .
Mr McKevitt added : `` While the gains made by online shopping are unlikely to be sustained at these levels , the crisis has certainly accelerated the move towards online .
`` The grocers have attracted a new group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we expect some of them may continue using online services and enjoying the convenience that home delivery provides . ''
All 10 major supermarkets and the combined group of independent retailers increased sales in the 12 weeks to 17 May .
However , some of these gains will have been offset by a decline in so-called `` on-the-go '' purchasing , including breakfasts , lunches and snacks as well as any sales to businesses or schools .
Online food retailer Ocado saw sales rise by 32.5 % , with its market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.6 % , up from 1.3 % last year .
Shoppers staying closer to home and avoiding queues at large supermarkets benefited both Co-op , up by 30.8 % , and independent retailers , up by 63.1 % .

Supermarket food shops soared faster during the coronavirus pandemic than at any time in at least 26 years as households stockpiled and hunkered down, fresh data shows.
With families in COVID-19 lockdown, online grocery shopping rocketed by 75% over the past three months, compared with the same period last year, according to market researchers at Kantar.
With people unable to go to restaurants, takeaway deliveries have also experienced a boom, up by 250% year-on-year.
The warm sunny weather has seen more people enjoying picnics, helping boost sales of chilled dips by 22%, crisps by 28% and fizzy drinks by 25%, during the past four weeks.
Ice cream sales were up 40% over the period, and with pubs still shut alcohol sales were 50% higher than last year.
Barbecue weather for many may have encouraged shoppers to spend £17m more on burgers and £24m more on sausages year-on-year.
Image: People spent £488m ahead of the VE Day bank holiday
The VE Day bank holiday on 8 May helped make the previous day the biggest shopping day of the month with £488m spent on groceries.
Kantar found supermarket sales leapt 14.3% in the 12 weeks to 17 May, the fastest rate since 1994.
Over the same period online shopping hit a new peak, accounting for 11.5% of all grocery sales as families were encouraged to get home deliveries.
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And in more recent weeks, customers are heading back into stores but are sticking with bigger weekly shops.
Image: With the pubs still shut, alcohol sales are 50% higher than last year
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: "People have been working their way through their store cupboards over the past couple of months and some will now be spending a bit more on each visit to the supermarket to replenish supplies."
He added: "While these are bumper figures, it remains true that the overall picture for some grocers will be less positive, as supermarkets continue to feel the impact of a considerable reduction in on-the-go spend on meals, drinks and snacks.
"Those categories usually add up to £1bn over the course of 12 weeks and they aren't included in these numbers."
He also said with shoppers visiting supermarkets 3.5 times a week on average, 100 million fewer trips were made - although spending per trip increased 50% to £27.41 on average.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Families with adult children have seen the greatest increase in spending, with an average monthly spend of £618 compared with £545 last May.
Mr McKevitt added: "While the gains made by online shopping are unlikely to be sustained at these levels, the crisis has certainly accelerated the move towards online.
"The grocers have attracted a new group of customers, in particular older demographics, and we expect some of them may continue using online services and enjoying the convenience that home delivery provides."
Image: Online food retailer Ocado saw sales surge 32.5%
All 10 major supermarkets and the combined group of independent retailers increased sales in the 12 weeks to 17 May.
However, some of these gains will have been offset by a decline in so-called "on-the-go" purchasing, including breakfasts, lunches and snacks as well as any sales to businesses or schools.
Online food retailer Ocado saw sales rise by 32.5%, with its market share increasing to a new high of 1.6%, up from 1.3% last year.
Shoppers staying closer to home and avoiding queues at large supermarkets benefited both Co-op, up by 30.8%, and independent retailers, up by 63.1%.
Co-op reached 7.0% market share, a level last achieved in 2011.


news--2020-05-27--More Tory MPs call for Dominic Cummings to go - as minister warns public health messages 'undermined

More Tory MPs call for Dominic Cummings to go - as minister warns public health messages 'undermined'

Boris Johnson has failed to quell anger from Conservative MPs - including from government ministers - over his chief adviser Dominic Cummings 's actions during lockdown .
The prime minister appeared before a committee of senior MPs on Wednesday to insist it was time to `` move on '' from the row over alleged lockdown breaches by his senior aide .
However , despite Mr Johnson reiterating his support for Mr Cummings , the stream of Tory MPs calling for the adviser 's resignation continued .
At the same time as the prime minister was being grilled by the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's lockdown trip to Durham , Tory backbenchers Pauline Latham and Giles Watling joined those calling for the Number 10 aide to quit his role .
Fellow backbencher George Freeman also later called for Mr Cummings to resign , with more than 40 Conservative MPs now wanting the prime minister 's chief adviser to go .
It also emerged on Wednesday that Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt , who is Paymaster General , told her constituents in an email that it was clear the row over Mr Cummings had `` undermined key public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some inconsistencies in his account of events and the reasons behind it , '' Ms Mordaunt wrote , adding that she was `` personally still not clear of the facts '' despite Mr Cummings 's news conference on Monday .
Meanwhile , former chancellor Sajid Javid said in a letter to his constituents that Mr Cummings 's 260-mile trip from London to Durham was not `` necessary or justified '' .
`` I do not believe Mr Cummings ' journey to County Durham to isolate on his family 's estate was necessary or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as reported by his local Bromsgrove Standard newspaper .
`` I remain unconvinced his visit to Barnard Castle could be considered reasonable .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' I was also deeply concerned by his decision to return to Downing Street directly after coming into contact with a family member who was ill , potentially with coronavirus . ''
Mr Javid quit as chancellor in February this year following widespread reports of tension between his Treasury team and Mr Cummings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Boris Johnson has failed to quell anger from Conservative MPs - including from government ministers - over his chief adviser Dominic Cummings's actions during lockdown.
The prime minister appeared before a committee of senior MPs on Wednesday to insist it was time to "move on" from the row over alleged lockdown breaches by his senior aide.
However, despite Mr Johnson reiterating his support for Mr Cummings, the stream of Tory MPs calling for the adviser's resignation continued.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:26 PM suggests inquiry into Cummings 'not a good use of time'
At the same time as the prime minister was being grilled by the House of Commons liaison committee over Mr Cummings's lockdown trip to Durham, Tory backbenchers Pauline Latham and Giles Watling joined those calling for the Number 10 aide to quit his role.
Fellow backbencher George Freeman also later called for Mr Cummings to resign, with more than 40 Conservative MPs now wanting the prime minister's chief adviser to go.
It also emerged on Wednesday that Cabinet Office minister Penny Mordaunt, who is Paymaster General, told her constituents in an email that it was clear the row over Mr Cummings had "undermined key public health messages".
Image: Penny Mordaunt said the row over Dominic Cummings had 'undermined key public health messages'
"There are some inconsistencies in his account of events and the reasons behind it," Ms Mordaunt wrote, adding that she was "personally still not clear of the facts" despite Mr Cummings's news conference on Monday.
Meanwhile, former chancellor Sajid Javid said in a letter to his constituents that Mr Cummings's 260-mile trip from London to Durham was not "necessary or justified".
"I do not believe Mr Cummings' journey to County Durham to isolate on his family's estate was necessary or justified," Mr Javid said, as reported by his local Bromsgrove Standard newspaper.
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"I remain unconvinced his visit to Barnard Castle could be considered reasonable.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"I was also deeply concerned by his decision to return to Downing Street directly after coming into contact with a family member who was ill, potentially with coronavirus."
Mr Javid quit as chancellor in February this year following widespread reports of tension between his Treasury team and Mr Cummings.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too. If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-27--99 minutes of answers – but it was what the PM didn't say that was most interesting

Boris Johnson turned up to meet senior MPs today with one clever argument about Dominic Cummings .
If the furore over the prime minister 's top adviser was such a distraction , Mr Johnson suggested , why then keep returning to it and ask questions .
The facts in the media had been false , he asserted .
He had seen the evidence confirming Mr Cummings 's version of events but refused to share them or sanction an official inquiry .
It has been a `` frustrating episode '' , he said , but not one he wanted to discuss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ choice is the choice of the British people to lay aside party political point-scoring and put national interest first , '' he told home affairs select committee chair Yvette Cooper .
No doubt to the quiet satisfaction of Downing Street , it was the other topics in the 99-minute session that provoke more curiosity , often because of what the prime minister did not say as much as what he did .
The test and trace scheme is n't fully up and running .
Mr Johnson is launching the system on Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He said it would be `` useful '' from its launch tomorrow `` but it will be getting steadily better '' .
Scientific advisers from SAGE told Sky News last week it needed to be fully functioning before any further easing took place , including schools reopening .
The government does n't yet know how it will enforce quarantine for those contacted by tracers .
Initially , people who have come into contact with coronavirus sufferers will be `` asked '' to stay at home .
Mr Johnson does not seem to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though the scheme is meant to be up and running tomorrow .
He told the committee : `` We will consider what sanctions - financial or whatever appropriate .
If people do n't , we will consider bringing in financial sanctions . ''
He said he does not know if this will be done by the police or anyone else .
There is no date by which coronavirus test results must be returned in 24 hours .
Mr Johnson said that he has asked Dido Harding , who is running the track and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time it takes to analyse and return test results .
However , he added : `` I 'm not going to give you a deadline because I 've been forbidden from announcing more targets . ''
Mr Johnson is prepared to admit some mistakes , but Public Health England seems to be the culprit .
He admitted that mass testing was abandoned in April because `` we did n't have enzymes , test volume or experienced trackers in Asian countries '' - Public Health England 's responsibilities .
`` The brutal reality is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of SARS or MERS and did n't have a test operation to go , '' he told Jeremy Hunt , who for many years was health secretary .
The PM is unaware that some migrants can not access public funds .
Some 100,000 children are in families with migrant parents whose visas stipulate they have no recourse to public money and are stuck .
Mr Johnson appeared not to know about this category of individual , and said he would write to the committee about it .
: : Listen to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Spotify , Spreaker There 's confusion over whether taxes will rise .
Mr Johnson said that he wants to keep taxes low while funding public services .
He has also previously said he does not want austerity .
He also said today : `` We will deliver of all of the manifesto commitments '' .
The 2019 manifesto says : `` We promise not to raise the rates of income tax , National Insurance or VAT . ''
It is unclear how the government will balance the books .
The PM does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he reads the summaries by SAGE , the scientific advisory group , rather than scientific advice .
This may or may not be sensible .
However , Mr Johnson admitted that he opposed some of the advice provided , such as the need to maintain two-metre distance at all times , when other countries and the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) say this could be smaller .
He could not explain to the committees their reasoning for different guidance in other countries .
: : Next week from Monday to Thursday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pandemic : Our New World -- a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Boris Johnson turned up to meet senior MPs today with one clever argument about Dominic Cummings.
If the furore over the prime minister's top adviser was such a distraction, Mr Johnson suggested, why then keep returning to it and ask questions.
The facts in the media had been false, he asserted.
Image: The PM said the Cummings controversy had been a 'frustrating episode'
He had seen the evidence confirming Mr Cummings's version of events but refused to share them or sanction an official inquiry.
It has been a "frustrating episode", he said, but not one he wanted to discuss if at all possible.
"My choice is the choice of the British people to lay aside party political point-scoring and put national interest first," he told home affairs select committee chair Yvette Cooper.
No doubt to the quiet satisfaction of Downing Street, it was the other topics in the 99-minute session that provoke more curiosity, often because of what the prime minister did not say as much as what he did.
The test and trace scheme isn't fully up and running.
Mr Johnson is launching the system on Thursday, but admitted it is not fully operational.
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He said it would be "useful" from its launch tomorrow "but it will be getting steadily better".
Scientific advisers from SAGE told Sky News last week it needed to be fully functioning before any further easing took place, including schools reopening.
The government doesn't yet know how it will enforce quarantine for those contacted by tracers.
Initially, people who have come into contact with coronavirus sufferers will be "asked" to stay at home.
Mr Johnson does not seem to know what will happen next, even though the scheme is meant to be up and running tomorrow.
He told the committee: "We will consider what sanctions - financial or whatever appropriate. If people don't, we will consider bringing in financial sanctions."
He said he does not know if this will be done by the police or anyone else.
There is no date by which coronavirus test results must be returned in 24 hours.
Mr Johnson said that he has asked Dido Harding, who is running the track and trace system, to speed up the time it takes to analyse and return test results.
However, he added: "I'm not going to give you a deadline because I've been forbidden from announcing more targets."
Mr Johnson is prepared to admit some mistakes, but Public Health England seems to be the culprit.
He admitted that mass testing was abandoned in April because "we didn't have enzymes, test volume or experienced trackers in Asian countries" - Public Health England's responsibilities.
"The brutal reality is that this country didn't learn lessons of SARS or MERS and didn't have a test operation to go," he told Jeremy Hunt, who for many years was health secretary.
The PM is unaware that some migrants cannot access public funds.
Some 100,000 children are in families with migrant parents whose visas stipulate they have no recourse to public money and are stuck.
Mr Johnson appeared not to know about this category of individual, and said he would write to the committee about it.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
There's confusion over whether taxes will rise.
Mr Johnson said that he wants to keep taxes low while funding public services. He has also previously said he does not want austerity.
He also said today: "We will deliver of all of the manifesto commitments".
The 2019 manifesto says: "We promise not to raise the rates of income tax, National Insurance or VAT."
It is unclear how the government will balance the books.
The PM does not read scientific papers.
He said he reads the summaries by SAGE, the scientific advisory group, rather than scientific advice. This may or may not be sensible.
However, Mr Johnson admitted that he opposed some of the advice provided, such as the need to maintain two-metre distance at all times, when other countries and the World Health Organisation (WHO) say this could be smaller.
He could not explain to the committees their reasoning for different guidance in other countries.
:: Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World -- a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too. If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk