news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus myths: The fake 'cures' officials are tackling

The UK government is trying to tackle fake news about the coronavirus outbreak by setting up an expert team to counter disinformation .
False claims about a coronavirus vaccine and bogus cures have circulated on social media , often attracting hundreds of shares .
It comes as French authorities have warned against the use of cocaine to prevent coronavirus , after fake news stories with the headline `` cocaine kills coronavirus '' were retweeted thousands of times .
Ministers hope the new team will help to limit the spread of disinformation , which refers to the deliberate creation and spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deceive and mislead audiences .
One such rumour is a Facebook post which claimed a vaccine exists for the new form of coronavirus , which is false .
The post has been shared more than 500 times .
Another claim is that a Chinese respiratory expert found saline solution can kill the virus , and that people should use it to rinse their mouths out .
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK : • Three deaths in patients who tested positive with the virus • Victims were in Berkshire , Milton Keynes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 72 cases to reach a total of 278 - the highest increase in cases in a 24-hour period • Supermarkets have placed restrictions on items including pasta , anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap in a bid to prevent shoppers from stockpiling • Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to northern Italy • People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms • The virus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board is due to dock in Oakland , California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claimed the quinine in tonic water will help to fight coronavirus - which has led to some people stockpiling the drink .
The special government unit will first try to assess the scope , impact and extent of the fake news.Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said defending the country from disinformation was a `` top priority '' .
`` As part of our ongoing work to tackle these threats we have brought together expert teams to make sure we can respond effectively should these threats be identified in relation to the spread of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work includes regular engagement with the social media companies , which are well placed to monitor interference and limit the spread of disinformation , and will make sure we are on the front foot to act if required . ''
In 2018 , then-prime minister Theresa May brought in a new unit to help Poland tackle Russian `` disinformation '' following the Salisbury nerve agent attack .
The UK is not the only country trying to dispel myths about the virus .
After several stories circulated online suggesting that cocaine can kill coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no , cocaine does NOT protect against # COVID19 .
It is an addictive drug causing serious adverse effects and harmful to the health of people . ''
The World Health Organisation also has a website dedicated to debunking falsehoods about the virus , with clarifications including : • Cold weather , snow , garlic and hairdryers can not kill it • Taking a hot bath does not prevent it • It can not be transmitted through mosquito bites • UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands as it can irritate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protect against the new coronavirus

The UK government is trying to tackle fake news about the coronavirus outbreak by setting up an expert team to counter disinformation.
False claims about a coronavirus vaccine and bogus cures have circulated on social media, often attracting hundreds of shares.
It comes as French authorities have warned against the use of cocaine to prevent coronavirus, after fake news stories with the headline "cocaine kills coronavirus" were retweeted thousands of times.
Ministers hope the new team will help to limit the spread of disinformation, which refers to the deliberate creation and spread of false or manipulated information intended to deceive and mislead audiences.
One such rumour is a Facebook post which claimed a vaccine exists for the new form of coronavirus, which is false.
The post has been shared more than 500 times.
Another claim is that a Chinese respiratory expert found saline solution can kill the virus, and that people should use it to rinse their mouths out.
Image: Shelves of tonic water were empty in a south London Sainsbury's. Pic: Rob Powell
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK:
Three deaths in patients who tested positive with the virus
Victims were in Berkshire, Milton Keynes and Manchester
Sunday saw a rise of 72 cases to reach a total of 278 - the highest increase in cases in a 24-hour period
Supermarkets have placed restrictions on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap in a bid to prevent shoppers from stockpiling
on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap in a bid to prevent shoppers from stockpiling Foreign Office advised against all but essential travel to northern Italy
People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms
The virus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board is due to dock in Oakland, California on Monday
It has also been falsely claimed the quinine in tonic water will help to fight coronavirus - which has led to some people stockpiling the drink.
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The special government unit will first try to assess the scope, impact and extent of the fake news.Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said defending the country from disinformation was a "top priority".
"As part of our ongoing work to tackle these threats we have brought together expert teams to make sure we can respond effectively should these threats be identified in relation to the spread of COVID-19," he said.
"This work includes regular engagement with the social media companies, which are well placed to monitor interference and limit the spread of disinformation, and will make sure we are on the front foot to act if required."
In 2018, then-prime minister Theresa May brought in a new unit to help Poland tackle Russian "disinformation" following the Salisbury nerve agent attack.
The UK is not the only country trying to dispel myths about the virus.
After several stories circulated online suggesting that cocaine can kill coronavirus, the French government tweeted that "no, cocaine does NOT protect against #COVID19. It is an addictive drug causing serious adverse effects and harmful to the health of people."
The World Health Organisation also has a website dedicated to debunking falsehoods about the virus, with clarifications including:
Cold weather, snow, garlic and hairdryers cannot kill it
Taking a hot bath does not prevent it
It cannot be transmitted through mosquito bites
UV lamps should not be used to sterilise hands as it can irritate skin
Vaccines against pneumonia do not protect against the new coronavirus
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: FTSE 100 in biggest fall since 2008 financial crisis on outbreak fears

The FTSE 100 leading index of shares in London has closed the day down 7.7 % - its biggest single-day fall since the 2008 financial crisis .
The fall , which wiped £125bn off the value of its constituent companies , was the fifth-biggest in history and came in a difficult day for markets around the world .
The UK markets closed just minutes before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Britain was making `` extensive preparations '' to move from trying to contain the virus to trying to delay it .
He said that the current strategy of just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on its own '' , adding : `` The more we can delay the peak of the spread to the summer , the better the NHS will be able to manage '' .
A few hours later , The Dow Jones , S & P 500 and Nasdaq in the US all suffered their biggest percentage drops since December 2008 .
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.79 % , the S & P 500 lost 7.6 % , and the Nasdaq Composite was down 7.29 % .
The dive in stock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fears that measures to contain the virus - such as factory shutdowns and restrictions on movement - will cripple global economic growth .
Neil Wilson , chief market analyst at Markets.com , said : `` This will be remembered as Black Monday .
If you thought it could n't get any worse than the last fortnight , think again .
`` The blood really is running in the streets , it 's utter carnage out there , '' he added .
`` The oil price shock has totally unnerved investors while Italy 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the north of the country has left markets feeling like the coronavirus outbreak is out of control - where next ?
The UK is preparing for the worst . ''
Another factor was an oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia , following their failure last week to agree a deal to curb output and stabilise prices , which have been hit by a fall in demand due to the virus outbreak .
BP , Shell , and British Gas owner Centrica were among the biggest fallers , with shares dropping between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
Norway 's stocks - heavily exposed to crude oil - fell by more than 9 % in their worst day in more than 30 years .
Sky 's business presenter Ian King said : `` This is n't the global financial crisis redone , because banks are in a much more stable position than they were in 2008 .
`` The flipside is that the monetary authorities - the US Federal Reserve , the Bank of England , the European Central Bank - they have nowhere near as much ammunition to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last time because interest rates right across the piece are very very low .
In some cases like the Eurozone and the Bank of Japan , they 're in negative territory .
`` So the central banks just do n't have the tools with which to deal with this and that means the onus is on the government with fiscal stimulus and , as it happens , we 've got a Budget on Wednesday . ''
Earlier , markets in the US had to be suspended after they fell by more than 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trading .
The threshold was one of three `` circuit breakers '' - trading must be suspended for 15 minutes if the S & P 500 drops 7 % ; for another 15 minutes if it falls more than 13 % ; and trading will stop for the day if it falls by 20 % .
In Europe , the pan-European STOXX 600 index closed down 7.4 % - its worst day since the 2008-09 financial crisis .
European firms have lost nearly £2.28trn in value since the outbreak came to the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of strategy at TS Lombard in London , said : `` The shock to oil compounds what the coronavirus is doing to the global economy .
`` In the short term , whoever feels the pain from the shock to prices - they act immediately , they cut their spending , cut their investment , and the winners , they react a lot more gradually . ''
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK : • Five people have died after catching the virus • Victims were in Berkshire , Milton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The number of confirmed infections in the UK jumps by 46 cases to 319 • Supermarkets have placed restrictions on items including pasta , anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap in a bid to prevent shoppers from stockpiling • Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy • People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms

The FTSE 100 leading index of shares in London has closed the day down 7.7% - its biggest single-day fall since the 2008 financial crisis.
The fall, which wiped £125bn off the value of its constituent companies, was the fifth-biggest in history and came in a difficult day for markets around the world.
The UK markets closed just minutes before Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Britain was making "extensive preparations" to move from trying to contain the virus to trying to delay it.
He said that the current strategy of just containing COVID-19 was "extremely unlikely to work on its own", adding: "The more we can delay the peak of the spread to the summer, the better the NHS will be able to manage".
Image: A UN body of economists has warned the world to brace for a recession
A few hours later, The Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq in the US all suffered their biggest percentage drops since December 2008.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 7.79%, the S&P 500 lost 7.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 7.29%.
The dive in stock market values over the past fortnight reflects fears that measures to contain the virus - such as factory shutdowns and restrictions on movement - will cripple global economic growth.
Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, said: "This will be remembered as Black Monday. If you thought it couldn't get any worse than the last fortnight, think again.
"The blood really is running in the streets, it's utter carnage out there," he added.
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Image: The oil price has suffered from a plunge in demand due to the virus and a row between Russia and Saudi Arabia
"The oil price shock has totally unnerved investors while Italy's decision to quarantine 16 million citizens in the north of the country has left markets feeling like the coronavirus outbreak is out of control - where next? The UK is preparing for the worst."
Another factor was an oil price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia, following their failure last week to agree a deal to curb output and stabilise prices, which have been hit by a fall in demand due to the virus outbreak.
BP, Shell, and British Gas owner Centrica were among the biggest fallers, with shares dropping between 15% and 20% through the day. Norway's stocks - heavily exposed to crude oil - fell by more than 9% in their worst day in more than 30 years.
Sky's business presenter Ian King said: "This isn't the global financial crisis redone, because banks are in a much more stable position than they were in 2008.
"The flipside is that the monetary authorities - the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank - they have nowhere near as much ammunition to throw at this crisis as they did last time because interest rates right across the piece are very very low. In some cases like the Eurozone and the Bank of Japan, they're in negative territory.
"So the central banks just don't have the tools with which to deal with this and that means the onus is on the government with fiscal stimulus and, as it happens, we've got a Budget on Wednesday."
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Earlier, markets in the US had to be suspended after they fell by more than 7% in the first few minutes of trading. The threshold was one of three "circuit breakers" - trading must be suspended for 15 minutes if the S&P 500 drops 7%; for another 15 minutes if it falls more than 13%; and trading will stop for the day if it falls by 20%.
In Europe, the pan-European STOXX 600 index closed down 7.4% - its worst day since the 2008-09 financial crisis.
European firms have lost nearly £2.28trn in value since the outbreak came to the world's attention in January.
Andrea Cicione, head of strategy at TS Lombard in London, said: "The shock to oil compounds what the coronavirus is doing to the global economy.
"In the short term, whoever feels the pain from the shock to prices - they act immediately, they cut their spending, cut their investment, and the winners, they react a lot more gradually."
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK:
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Indian Wells tennis tournament cancelled over outbreak concerns

The Indian Wells tennis tournament in California has become the largest sporting event to be called off in the US due to coronavirus fears .
The decision came after a case of coronavirus was confirmed in the Coachella Valley .
Many players were already on site practicing .
`` We are here and still deciding what 's next '' ; tweeted men 's world number two Rafael Nadal .
`` So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation .
Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities .
Stay all well and safe . ''
The NP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the `` fifth slam '' because of its stature .
This year 's field included Nadal , world number one Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams among other top players .
Its cancellation calls into questions future events in the packed tennis calendar as the world seals with the coronavirus outbreak .
The tournament was set to begin on Monday with qualifying matches , with the main draw starting on Wednesday .
Organisers said they wanted to protect the safety of players and attendees .
They add it is on the `` the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Disease Control ( CDC ) , and State of California '' .
California declared a state of emergency over the outbreak last week , after a flurry of cases in the state .
Tournament Director Tommy Haas said : `` We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place , but the health and safety of the local community , fans , players , volunteers , sponsors , employees , vendors , and everyone involved with the event is of paramount importance .
`` We are prepared to hold the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options . ''
The cancellation of the tournament comes off the back of a number of announcements about sporting events amid the coronavirus outbreak .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Formula One organisers have said that this month 's Bahrain Grand Prix will take place behind closed doors , while all Serie A matches in Italy are currently being played in empty stadiums .
In the UK , government ministers are meeting with sporting bodies to discuss how to tackle to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chief medical officer is so far to carry on with the events as normal .

The Indian Wells tennis tournament in California has become the largest sporting event to be called off in the US due to coronavirus fears.
The decision came after a case of coronavirus was confirmed in the Coachella Valley. Many players were already on site practicing.
"We are here and still deciding what's next"; tweeted men's world number two Rafael Nadal.
"So sad for all that is happening around the world with this situation. Hopefully soon solutions from the authorities. Stay all well and safe."
Twitter Twitter , 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 Twitter 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 Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The NP Paribas Open tournament is commonly referred to as the "fifth slam" because of its stature. This year's field included Nadal, world number one Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams among other top players.
Its cancellation calls into questions future events in the packed tennis calendar as the world seals with the coronavirus outbreak.
The tournament was set to begin on Monday with qualifying matches, with the main draw starting on Wednesday.
Organisers said they wanted to protect the safety of players and attendees.
They add it is on the "the guidance of medical professionals, the Centres for Disease Control (CDC), and State of California".
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California declared a state of emergency over the outbreak last week, after a flurry of cases in the state.
Tournament Director Tommy Haas said: "We are very disappointed that the tournament will not take place, but the health and safety of the local community, fans, players, volunteers, sponsors, employees, vendors, and everyone involved with the event is of paramount importance.
"We are prepared to hold the tournament on another date and will explore options."
The cancellation of the tournament comes off the back of a number of announcements about sporting events amid the coronavirus outbreak.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Formula One organisers have said that this month's Bahrain Grand Prix will take place behind closed doors, while all Serie A matches in Italy are currently being played in empty stadiums.
In the UK, government ministers are meeting with sporting bodies to discuss how to tackle to outbreak, but the advice from the chief medical officer is so far to carry on with the events as normal.


news--2020-03-08--Coronavirus: Five new cases in Scotland as London transport worker tests positive

Five more coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Scotland , as a transport worker in London also tested positive .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there were now 23 cases in the country .
Wales also confirmed two new infections on Monday morning , both of whom had been to Italy recently , taking the total to six .
In the capital , Transport for London ( TfL ) said it was carrying out a `` deep clean '' of the Southwark office used by a staff member who had tested positive .
The organisation did not specify their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it monitors London 's roads and controls the Tube network .
It comes as Boris Johnson held an emergency COBRA meeting over the COVID-19 outbreak .
A Downing Street spokesperson said afterwards that the UK was still in the `` contain '' phase of dealing with the outbreak and was not yet moving to the `` delay '' stage .
Such a step would require agreement from England 's chief medical officer , Chris Whitty , and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance .
However , the spokesperson added that the government accepted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way .
On Sunday , a man in his 60s died at North Manchester General Hospital , making him the third person to die in the UK after contracting the virus .
He had underlying health conditions and had recently returned from Italy .
The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK now sits at 285 , a rise of 79 since Saturday .
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK : • More than £130bn wiped from FTSE 100 share index on Monday • Cancelling sports events and closing places like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culture secretary • Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy • People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms • Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board due to dock in Oakland , California • University Hospital Southampton closes surgical high dependency unit to new admissions after worker tests positive : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker All three people to die in the UK after contracting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first , a woman in 70s , lost her life in hospital in Reading , Berkshire , while the second , an 83-year-old man , died while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital .
In a statement on Saturday night , the family of the second victim paid tribute to a `` truly loving and wonderful '' husband , dad , granddad and great-granddad .
They also confirmed they could not yet begin making funeral arrangements for their relative as they had also been placed into isolation as a precaution .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ England .
London has at least 51 cases , the South East 41 and the South West 35 .
The region with the smallest number is the North East and Yorkshire with at least 18 .
British tourists were warned to avoid all but essential travel to a swathe of northern Italy where around 16 million people have been placed under lockdown .
The Foreign Office ( FCO ) has advised against all but essential travel to virus-stricken areas of northern Italy , but said British nationals are still able to leave Italy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Social Care has said those returning from the quarantine areas should self-isolate for 14 days at home - even if they have no symptoms .
Budget airline easyJet said it was cancelling some flights to Milan Malpensa , Milan Linate , Venice and Verona airports , with further flight reductions expected .
Meanwhile , the Department for Digital , Culture , Media and Sport will host a meeting with governing bodies and broadcasters on Monday to discuss how to handle the outbreak 's potential impact on the sporting calendar .
Culture Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been brought together to tackle the potential spread of `` misinformation and digital interference '' around coronavirus .
And the FCO has said it is `` working intensively '' with US authorities on arranging a flight for British nationals on the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship due to arrive in Oakland , California , on Monday .
Are you a British citizen stuck in northern Italy ?
Get in touch with your story :

Five more coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Scotland, as a transport worker in London also tested positive.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said there were now 23 cases in the country.
Wales also confirmed two new infections on Monday morning, both of whom had been to Italy recently, taking the total to six.
In the capital, Transport for London (TfL) said it was carrying out a "deep clean" of the Southwark office used by a staff member who had tested positive.
The organisation did not specify their job, but the building is where it monitors London's roads and controls the Tube network.
It comes as Boris Johnson held an emergency COBRA meeting over the COVID-19 outbreak.
A Downing Street spokesperson said afterwards that the UK was still in the "contain" phase of dealing with the outbreak and was not yet moving to the "delay" stage.
Such a step would require agreement from England's chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, and chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance.
However, the spokesperson added that the government accepted the virus would spread in a significant way.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:39 Coronavirus quarantine: What happens now?
On Sunday, a man in his 60s died at North Manchester General Hospital, making him the third person to die in the UK after contracting the virus.
He had underlying health conditions and had recently returned from Italy.
The total number of coronavirus cases in the UK now sits at 285, a rise of 79 since Saturday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:13 COVID-19 cases leap in Italy to 366 from 233
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK:
More than £130bn wiped from FTSE 100 share index on Monday
on Monday Cancelling sports events and closing places like museums would be "premature" - culture secretary
Supermarkets place restrictions on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap
on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy
People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms
Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board due to dock in Oakland, California
with more than 140 Britons on board due to dock in Oakland, California University Hospital Southampton closes surgical high dependency unit to new admissions after worker tests positive
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
All three people to die in the UK after contracting coronavirus had underlying health conditions.
The first, a woman in 70s, lost her life in hospital in Reading, Berkshire, while the second, an 83-year-old man, died while being treated at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
In a statement on Saturday night, the family of the second victim paid tribute to a "truly loving and wonderful" husband, dad, granddad and great-granddad.
They also confirmed they could not yet begin making funeral arrangements for their relative as they had also been placed into isolation as a precaution.
The vast majority of COVID-19 cases are in England.
London has at least 51 cases, the South East 41 and the South West 35. The region with the smallest number is the North East and Yorkshire with at least 18.
British tourists were warned to avoid all but essential travel to a swathe of northern Italy where around 16 million people have been placed under lockdown.
The Foreign Office (FCO) has advised against all but essential travel to virus-stricken areas of northern Italy, but said British nationals are still able to leave Italy without restriction.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:16 How to contain a global pandemic
The Department for Health and Social Care has said those returning from the quarantine areas should self-isolate for 14 days at home - even if they have no symptoms.
Budget airline easyJet said it was cancelling some flights to Milan Malpensa, Milan Linate, Venice and Verona airports, with further flight reductions expected.
Meanwhile, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport will host a meeting with governing bodies and broadcasters on Monday to discuss how to handle the outbreak's potential impact on the sporting calendar.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said expert teams have been brought together to tackle the potential spread of "misinformation and digital interference" around coronavirus.
And the FCO has said it is "working intensively" with US authorities on arranging a flight for British nationals on the coronavirus-hit Grand Princess cruise ship due to arrive in Oakland, California, on Monday.
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays
Are you a British citizen stuck in northern Italy? Get in touch with your story:
:: WhatsApp - 07583 000853
:: Email - news@sky.com
:: 'Your Report' on Sky News apps


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: No 10 prepares to tell Britons with mild illness to self-isolate

Britain is preparing to move to the next phase of its response to the coronavirus outbreak – when people will be told self-isolate for even a minor cough or cold .
Currently , the UK is in the `` containment phase '' of the government 's plan , meaning it is trying to stop COVID-19 being transmitted inside the country .
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that was `` extremely unlikely to work on its own '' and `` extensive preparations '' were underway to move to the `` delay '' phase to slow the virus ' spread .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitty warned `` we are now very close '' to instructing anyone who has `` even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever '' to self-isolate for a week .
Five people in the UK have died after catching the disease .
The latest announced on Monday was a patient in their 70s who passed away in St Helier Hospital in the London borough of Sutton .
Health Secretary Matt Hancock had declared `` we wo n't give up hope of containing this '' in parliament .
But hours later Mr Johnson told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak is soon going to get `` much more significant '' .
`` We 're preparing various actions to slow the spread of this disease in order to reduce the strain it places on the NHS , '' he said in a Downing Street news conference .
He added `` the best thing we can all do is wash our hands for 20 seconds with soap and water '' .
And he confirmed the cross-Whitehall emergency committee known as COBRA will meet to discuss the outbreak on Wednesday .
Professor Whitty said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fever should self-isolate would probably be issued in 10-14 days .
He explained timing was crucial to ensure people do n't get tired too quickly of more restrictive advice .
`` What we 're moving now to is a phase when we will ask general members of the public to do different things than they would normally do , '' he said .
`` Anything you do , you have to be able to sustain .
`` Because anything you do , you have to be able to do them for a period @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we go too early , people will understandably get fatigued and then it will be difficult to sustain this over time , so getting the timing right is absolutely critical to making this work . ''
He said this was the `` first step along a path towards trying to reduce firstly the delay the epidemic and then to pull down the peak of this epidemic so that it is smaller than it would have been if we do n't take these interventions '' .
Prof Whitty added that currently the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other illnesses common during winter was `` very , very low '' .
But that will change `` very significantly '' as Britain approaches the tail end of winter and coronavirus cases grow `` really quite fast '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Sir Patrick Vallance , the government 's chief scientific adviser , said the aim was to `` be in control of where you are in the epidemic - not in reaction mode '' .
On Monday morning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of confirmed infections in the UK was 319 - a rise of 46 in a single day .
More measures promised by the government include extending the hours supermarkets and other shops can take food deliveries to replenish shelves , after several retailers rationed products .

Britain is preparing to move to the next phase of its response to the coronavirus outbreak – when people will be told self-isolate for even a minor cough or cold.
Currently, the UK is in the "containment phase" of the government's plan, meaning it is trying to stop COVID-19 being transmitted inside the country.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that was "extremely unlikely to work on its own" and "extensive preparations" were underway to move to the "delay" phase to slow the virus' spread.
England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty warned "we are now very close" to instructing anyone who has "even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever" to self-isolate for a week.
Five people in the UK have died after catching the disease. The latest announced on Monday was a patient in their 70s who passed away in St Helier Hospital in the London borough of Sutton.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock had declared "we won't give up hope of containing this" in parliament.
But hours later Mr Johnson told Sky News it was "obvious" the outbreak is soon going to get "much more significant".
"We're preparing various actions to slow the spread of this disease in order to reduce the strain it places on the NHS," he said in a Downing Street news conference.
He added "the best thing we can all do is wash our hands for 20 seconds with soap and water".
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And he confirmed the cross-Whitehall emergency committee known as COBRA will meet to discuss the outbreak on Wednesday.
Professor Whitty said the advice that anyone with a mild fever should self-isolate would probably be issued in 10-14 days.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:16 How do you make a misinformation vaccine?
He explained timing was crucial to ensure people don't get tired too quickly of more restrictive advice.
"What we're moving now to is a phase when we will ask general members of the public to do different things than they would normally do," he said.
"Anything you do, you have to be able to sustain.
"Because anything you do, you have to be able to do them for a period of time and there's a risk if we go too early, people will understandably get fatigued and then it will be difficult to sustain this over time, so getting the timing right is absolutely critical to making this work."
He said this was the "first step along a path towards trying to reduce firstly the delay the epidemic and then to pull down the peak of this epidemic so that it is smaller than it would have been if we don't take these interventions".
Prof Whitty added that currently the number of coronavirus cases compared to those with other illnesses common during winter was "very, very low".
But that will change "very significantly" as Britain approaches the tail end of winter and coronavirus cases grow "really quite fast".
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Sir Patrick Vallance, the government's chief scientific adviser, said the aim was to "be in control of where you are in the epidemic - not in reaction mode".
On Monday morning, the latest government figures said the number of confirmed infections in the UK was 319 - a rise of 46 in a single day.
More measures promised by the government include extending the hours supermarkets and other shops can take food deliveries to replenish shelves, after several retailers rationed products.


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus markets 'shock' may cost $1trn and spark global recession, UN economists warn

Households and businesses must brace themselves for a global recession , the United Nations ' economic body has warned .
In a report which will spark memories of 2008 , the UN Conference on Trade and Development warned that the COVID-19 economic `` shock '' could end up costing the world $ 1trn ( £760bn ) of lost income .
It also said the virus `` will cause a recession in some countries and depress global annual growth this year to below 2.5 % - the recessionary threshold for the world economy '' .
It is the first time an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a global slump .
UNCTAD said it expects that global growth to drop to 1.7 % this year - compared with the IMF 's forecast for this year of 2.7 % .
A swathe of countries , including Italy and Japan , will face recessions , it said , with the UK within a hair of one as its economic growth slows to 0.5 % this year .
The new projections on gross domestic product were produced before the oil shock over the weekend , so may not reflect the full impact of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ falls in stock markets .
But UNCTAD 's director of Globalization and Development Strategies , Richard Kozul-Wright , said the eventual outcome could be worse still .
`` Back in September we were anxiously scanning the horizon for possible shocks given the financial fragilities left unaddressed since the 2008 crisis and the persistent weakness in demand , '' he said .
`` No one saw this coming - but the bigger story is a decade of debt , delusion and policy drift . ''
He added that there was a prospect that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consumer demand trigger a `` more vicious downward spiral '' .
`` Widespread insolvency and possibly another 'Minsky moment ' - a sudden , big collapse of asset values which would mark the end of the growth phase of this cycle can not be ruled out , '' he said .
This worse-case scenario could see global economic growth drop to 0.7 % in 2020 , costing a total of $ 2trn ( £1.52bn ) in foregone income .
That would still be stronger than in 2008 , but would nonetheless be among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in modern history .
As the scale of the economic slowdown associated with COVID-19 and the oil price war becomes clearer , economic bodies worldwide are scrambling to assess the eventual toll .
The International Monetary Fund has signalled that it is preparing to revise down its economic forecasts and Bank of England governor Mark Carney told Sky News the disease would impact the UK , given it is an open economy .

Households and businesses must brace themselves for a global recession, the United Nations' economic body has warned.
In a report which will spark memories of 2008, the UN Conference on Trade and Development warned that the COVID-19 economic "shock" could end up costing the world $1trn (£760bn) of lost income.
It also said the virus "will cause a recession in some countries and depress global annual growth this year to below 2.5% - the recessionary threshold for the world economy".
It is the first time an international institution has raised the spectre of a global slump. UNCTAD said it expects that global growth to drop to 1.7% this year - compared with the IMF's forecast for this year of 2.7%.
A swathe of countries, including Italy and Japan, will face recessions, it said, with the UK within a hair of one as its economic growth slows to 0.5% this year.
Image: The coronavirus has also infected the UK economy
The new projections on gross domestic product were produced before the oil shock over the weekend, so may not reflect the full impact of that development, which has caused further falls in stock markets.
But UNCTAD's director of Globalization and Development Strategies, Richard Kozul-Wright, said the eventual outcome could be worse still.
Image: Is this the pathway to a recession?
"Back in September we were anxiously scanning the horizon for possible shocks given the financial fragilities left unaddressed since the 2008 crisis and the persistent weakness in demand," he said. "No one saw this coming - but the bigger story is a decade of debt, delusion and policy drift."
He added that there was a prospect that the falls in share prices and drops in consumer demand trigger a "more vicious downward spiral".
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"Widespread insolvency and possibly another 'Minsky moment' - a sudden, big collapse of asset values which would mark the end of the growth phase of this cycle cannot be ruled out," he said.
Image: Coronavirus has led to a drop in demand for travel in particular, which has affected the oil price
This worse-case scenario could see global economic growth drop to 0.7% in 2020, costing a total of $2trn (£1.52bn) in foregone income.
That would still be stronger than in 2008, but would nonetheless be among the worst years for the global economy in modern history.
As the scale of the economic slowdown associated with COVID-19 and the oil price war becomes clearer, economic bodies worldwide are scrambling to assess the eventual toll.
The International Monetary Fund has signalled that it is preparing to revise down its economic forecasts and Bank of England governor Mark Carney told Sky News the disease would impact the UK, given it is an open economy.


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Six inmates killed during prison riots across Italy over measures to tackle virus

Six inmates have died and several others have climbed onto the roof of a jail following protests across various prisons in Italy over measures to contain the coronavirus .
The country is the worst hit in Europe following the COVID-19 outbreak , with more than 7,300 confirmed cases and 366 deaths .
Italy 's government has locked down much of its wealthy northern regions , and in an emergency decree on Sunday , it imposed limits on direct contact between inmates and their families .
Under the measures , prisoners are only allowed to contact visitors by phone or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inmates died inside a jail in the northern town of Modena .
Justice ministry sources said two of the deaths were caused by an overdose from drugs found in the jail infirmaries , while the third was found blue in the face , and the cause of the death was still unclear .
It is understood three others died after being transferred away from the facility .
`` There have been a series of rebellions across the country '' , said Francesco Basentini , the head of Italy 's prison administration .
Fires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prisons , causing severe damage , and video shown on Italian television showed police and fire trucks outside the jail as black smoke swirled into the sky .
The justice ministry said guards union Sappe claim two guards had been taken hostage in the northern city of Pavia and were released after a police raid .
Modena and Pavia are within the red zone that the government has established to limit the spread of the deadly disease .
On Monday , inmates climbed onto the roof of the San Vittore prison in Milan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` freedom '' - and held up signs that read `` Indulto , '' - Italian for pardon .
The Italian government has been accused of abandoning the prison system , refusing to provide sufficient measures to prevent the spread of the virus among inmates and leaving guards on their own to deal with prisoners who could now only speak to relatives by phone or Skype .
Donato Capece , secretary general of the penitentiary police union , told The Associated Press : `` The administration is completely absent .
`` They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' : : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added that six inmates at the Modena prison had died from overdoses , and claimed protests were taking place at two dozens of prisons , including in Foggia , a southern Italian town , where some had escaped .
Several inmates there reportedly managed to get out after tearing up a gate at the block house and entered the road outside , where they have been blocked by police .
Italy 's overburdened court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of virus containment measures , increasing tensions among inmates already forced to endure long delays in justice .

Six inmates have died and several others have climbed onto the roof of a jail following protests across various prisons in Italy over measures to contain the coronavirus.
The country is the worst hit in Europe following the COVID-19 outbreak, with more than 7,300 confirmed cases and 366 deaths.
Italy's government has locked down much of its wealthy northern regions, and in an emergency decree on Sunday, it imposed limits on direct contact between inmates and their families.
Image: Inmates protest at San Vittore Prison, Milan
Under the measures, prisoners are only allowed to contact visitors by phone or other remote methods until 22 March.
Three inmates died inside a jail in the northern town of Modena.
Justice ministry sources said two of the deaths were caused by an overdose from drugs found in the jail infirmaries, while the third was found blue in the face, and the cause of the death was still unclear.
It is understood three others died after being transferred away from the facility.
"There have been a series of rebellions across the country", said Francesco Basentini, the head of Italy's prison administration.
Fires have been set at a number of prisons, causing severe damage, and video shown on Italian television showed police and fire trucks outside the jail as black smoke swirled into the sky.
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Image: Fires have been set at a number of prisons
The justice ministry said guards union Sappe claim two guards had been taken hostage in the northern city of Pavia and were released after a police raid.
Modena and Pavia are within the red zone that the government has established to limit the spread of the deadly disease.
On Monday, inmates climbed onto the roof of the San Vittore prison in Milan and shouted "Liberta" - meaning "freedom" - and held up signs that read "Indulto," - Italian for pardon.
The Italian government has been accused of abandoning the prison system, refusing to provide sufficient measures to prevent the spread of the virus among inmates and leaving guards on their own to deal with prisoners who could now only speak to relatives by phone or Skype.
Donato Capece, secretary general of the penitentiary police union, told The Associated Press: "The administration is completely absent.
"They have left the penitentiary police in jeopardy."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He added that six inmates at the Modena prison had died from overdoses, and claimed protests were taking place at two dozens of prisons, including in Foggia, a southern Italian town, where some had escaped.
Several inmates there reportedly managed to get out after tearing up a gate at the block house and entered the road outside, where they have been blocked by police.
Italy's overburdened court system has ground to a near halt because of virus containment measures, increasing tensions among inmates already forced to endure long delays in justice.


news--2020-03-09--Coronavirus: Talk of cancelling sports matches due to COVID-19 'very premature', says culture secret

Coronavirus: Talk of cancelling sports matches due to COVID-19 'very premature', says culture secretary

Talk of cancelling sports matches due to the coronavirus outbreak is `` very premature '' , the culture secretary has told Sky News .
Ahead of his talks with sporting bodies on Monday , Oliver Dowden stressed the government has yet to see any evidence to justify banning mass gatherings .
In Italy , which has seen more than 350 deaths from COVID-19 , major football matches have been played behind closed doors after supporters were told to stay away to help prevent the further spread of the disease .
France has also banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Mr Dowden suggested there was no immediate prospect of similar action being taken in the UK .
`` We 'll take evidence from the experts and base our decisions on the facts that we receive from them , particularly the chief medical officer [ Professor Chris Whitty ] , '' the culture secretary told Sky News ' Kay Burley @ Breakfast show .
`` I think in terms of postponing mass sporting events or cancelling them , I think it 's very premature to talk about that sort of thing .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there is no evidence at the moment to justify such cancellation . ''
Mr Dowden added he was in `` constant dialogue '' with sporting chiefs and , if the advice from the government 's medical advisers was to change , then ministers ' stance on sporting events would also likely change .
`` If we get to the point where we think that needs to happen , we would take that decision , '' he said .
`` But we 're taking our decisions based on the facts and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that at the moment .
`` I put the caveat round it that , if that changes , then of course our advice would change . ''
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK : • Three deaths in patients who tested positive with the virus • Victims were in Berkshire , Milton Keynes and Manchester • Sunday saw a rise of 72 cases to reach a total of 278 - the highest increase in cases in a 24-hour period • Supermarkets have placed restrictions on items including pasta , anti-bacterial wipes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prevent shoppers from stockpiling • Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy • People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms • The virus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board is due to dock in Oakland , California on Monday Despite the government not following the action of other countries such as Italy or France , the chair of the British Medical Association representative body , Dr Helena McKeown , said large indoor events should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keen , in medicine , to reduce unnecessary risk , '' she told the same programme .
`` I think very large events undercover are perhaps now becoming an unnecessary risk . ''
She added : `` Certainly where we can see hotspots developing , I do expect to hear clear advice that they should not go ahead .
`` I think people organising these concerts etc .
really do need clear advice . ''
Dr McKeown also said shaking hands with others was an `` unnecessary risk '' .
The Premier League @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and officials due to the coronavirus .
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will not stop greeting people with a handshake .
Prof Whitty has said transmission of coronavirus through handshaking is `` unlikely '' if people wash their hands because the disease `` does n't get in through the skin '' .

Talk of cancelling sports matches due to the coronavirus outbreak is "very premature", the culture secretary has told Sky News.
Ahead of his talks with sporting bodies on Monday, Oliver Dowden stressed the government has yet to see any evidence to justify banning mass gatherings.
In Italy, which has seen more than 350 deaths from COVID-19, major football matches have been played behind closed doors after supporters were told to stay away to help prevent the further spread of the disease.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:51 How coronavirus has spread
France has also banned public gatherings of more than 1,000 people and postponed football matches.
But, Mr Dowden suggested there was no immediate prospect of similar action being taken in the UK.
"We'll take evidence from the experts and base our decisions on the facts that we receive from them, particularly the chief medical officer [Professor Chris Whitty]," the culture secretary told Sky News' Kay Burley@Breakfast show.
"I think in terms of postponing mass sporting events or cancelling them, I think it's very premature to talk about that sort of thing.
"We'll be driven by the evidence, but there is no evidence at the moment to justify such cancellation."
Mr Dowden added he was in "constant dialogue" with sporting chiefs and, if the advice from the government's medical advisers was to change, then ministers' stance on sporting events would also likely change.
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"If we get to the point where we think that needs to happen, we would take that decision," he said.
"But we're taking our decisions based on the facts and the evidence and it's really not pointing to that at the moment.
"I put the caveat round it that, if that changes, then of course our advice would change."
Most recent coronavirus developments in the UK:
Three deaths in patients who tested positive with the virus
Victims were in Berkshire, Milton Keynes and Manchester
Sunday saw a rise of 72 cases to reach a total of 278 - the highest increase in cases in a 24-hour period
Supermarkets have placed restrictions on items including pasta, anti-bacterial wipes and hand soap in a bid to prevent shoppers from stockpiling
Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to northern Italy
People returning from affected areas in Italy told to self-isolate regardless of whether they have symptoms
The virus-stricken Grand Princess cruise ship with more than 140 Britons on board is due to dock in Oakland, California on Monday
Despite the government not following the action of other countries such as Italy or France, the chair of the British Medical Association representative body, Dr Helena McKeown, said large indoor events should be cancelled.
"I think we are keen, in medicine, to reduce unnecessary risk," she told the same programme.
"I think very large events undercover are perhaps now becoming an unnecessary risk."
She added: "Certainly where we can see hotspots developing, I do expect to hear clear advice that they should not go ahead.
"I think people organising these concerts etc. really do need clear advice."
Dr McKeown also said shaking hands with others was an "unnecessary risk".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:25 Chief medical officer coughs during cough advice
The Premier League have ditched pre-match handshakes between both teams and officials due to the coronavirus.
But Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will not stop greeting people with a handshake.
Prof Whitty has said transmission of coronavirus through handshaking is "unlikely" if people wash their hands because the disease "doesn't get in through the skin".
Virus Outbreak: Global Emergency - Watch a special Sky News programme on coronavirus at 6pm weekdays
Virus Outbreak: Your questions answered #AskSkyNews at 12.30pm weekdays


news--2020-03-09--Daniel Craig reveals struggle with anxiety and explains five-year wait for new Bond film No Time To

Daniel Craig reveals struggle with anxiety and explains five-year wait for new Bond film No Time To Die

Daniel Craig has explained the long wait for the new James Bond film , saying he suffered anxiety over the role and felt he physically was n't up to playing 007 again .
No Time To Die comes five years after the actor 's last outing as the British agent in Spectre , and has now faced further delays due to coronavirus .
In an interview with GQ magazine , Craig , who returns for his fifth and final outing as the spy , said he struggled with the physicality of preparing for the films .
`` I was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the star said .
`` I was like , 'Is this work really genuinely worth this , to go through this , this whole thing ? '
And I did n't feel ...
I felt physically really low .
`` So the prospect of doing another movie was just , like , off the cards .
And that 's why it has been five years . ''
Spectre , released in 2015 , was reported to be Craig 's last time playing Bond , with the star saying at the time that `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slash my wrists '' than play the character again .
In his new interview , the 52-year-old said preparing to play one of the most famous characters in modern cinema without seeing scripts beforehand caused him to have anxiety .
`` I have suffered from it in the past , '' he said .
`` I have suffered because it 's been like , ' I ca n't cope .
I ca n't deal with this . '
'' Another reason for the delay with No Time To Die was the change in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in after the departure of Danny Boyle .
Fleabag creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge was also brought in to work on the script .
Craig said he had regrets about not speaking up about the scripts for the previous four Bond films he starred in .
`` I 've kept my mouth shut before and I 've stayed out of it and I 've respected it and I 've regretted that I did , '' he told GQ .
Looking ahead to life after the spy , Craig , who is married to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may involve `` having another kid , maybe just being older '' .
On future acting roles , he said : `` I 'm pretty sure I can play just about anything .
`` Yeah .
I 'm pretty sure I can , or at least I can make a f****** good fist of it . ''
Craig also said No Time To Die will have references to Donald Trump .
`` We struggled to keep Trump out of this film , but of course it is there , '' Craig said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's Trump , or whether it 's Brexit , or whether it 's Russian influence on elections or whatever ... '' No Time To Die stars Lea Seydoux , Rami Malek , Lashana Lynch and Ana De Armas , alongside Craig , and finds Bond after he has left active service and is enjoying a more peaceful life in Jamaica .
But that does n't last long , of course , with 007 's old CIA friend Felix Leiter , played by Jeffrey Wright , turning up asking for help with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Fukunaga says the film - which is the 25th in the legacy - will be `` a culmination of all that Bond has become '' over the years .
Teenage star Billie Eilish performs the theme tune , and showcased the song for the first time at the Brit Awards in February .
Originally due to hit UK cinemas in April , the release of No Time To Die has been pushed back to 12 November due to concerns about coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entertainment event to be called off , with Disney axing a European launch event in London for its new Disney+ streaming service last week and several music stars cancelling gigs .

Daniel Craig has explained the long wait for the new James Bond film, saying he suffered anxiety over the role and felt he physically wasn't up to playing 007 again.
No Time To Die comes five years after the actor's last outing as the British agent in Spectre, and has now faced further delays due to coronavirus.
In an interview with GQ magazine, Craig, who returns for his fifth and final outing as the spy, said he struggled with the physicality of preparing for the films.
Image: Daniel Craig appears on the cover of the April issue of British GQ. Pic: Lachlan Bailey/GQ magazine
"I was never going to do one again," the star said.
"I was like, 'Is this work really genuinely worth this, to go through this, this whole thing?' And I didn't feel... I felt physically really low.
"So the prospect of doing another movie was just, like, off the cards. And that's why it has been five years."
Spectre, released in 2015, was reported to be Craig's last time playing Bond, with the star saying at the time that "I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists" than play the character again.
In his new interview, the 52-year-old said preparing to play one of the most famous characters in modern cinema without seeing scripts beforehand caused him to have anxiety.
"I have suffered from it in the past," he said. "I have suffered because it's been like, 'I can't cope. I can't deal with this.'"
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Image: Safin (Rami Malek) in James Bond: No Time To Die
Another reason for the delay with No Time To Die was the change in directors, with Cary Joji Fukunaga stepping in after the departure of Danny Boyle.
Fleabag creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge was also brought in to work on the script.
Craig said he had regrets about not speaking up about the scripts for the previous four Bond films he starred in.
"I've kept my mouth shut before and I've stayed out of it and I've respected it and I've regretted that I did," he told GQ.
Looking ahead to life after the spy, Craig, who is married to actress Rachel Weisz, said his future may involve "having another kid, maybe just being older".
On future acting roles, he said: "I'm pretty sure I can play just about anything.
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure I can, or at least I can make a f****** good fist of it."
Craig also said No Time To Die will have references to Donald Trump.
"We struggled to keep Trump out of this film, but of course it is there," Craig said.
"It's always there, whether it's Trump, or whether it's Brexit, or whether it's Russian influence on elections or whatever..."
No Time To Die stars Lea Seydoux, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch and Ana De Armas, alongside Craig, and finds Bond after he has left active service and is enjoying a more peaceful life in Jamaica.
But that doesn't last long, of course, with 007's old CIA friend Felix Leiter, played by Jeffrey Wright, turning up asking for help with a mission.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Fukunaga says the film - which is the 25th in the legacy - will be "a culmination of all that Bond has become" over the years.
Teenage star Billie Eilish performs the theme tune, and showcased the song for the first time at the Brit Awards in February.
Originally due to hit UK cinemas in April, the release of No Time To Die has been pushed back to 12 November due to concerns about coronavirus.
It is not the only major entertainment event to be called off, with Disney axing a European launch event in London for its new Disney+ streaming service last week and several music stars cancelling gigs.


news--2020-06-06--George Floyd death: Black Lives Matter protests 'absolutely need to go ahead', says Shaun Bailey

Breaking up protests over the death of George Floyd to maintain social distancing guidance risk `` bottling up '' tension that may lead to violence , London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has said .
Thousands of Black Lives Matter activists have gathered in the capital this week to demonstrate , and many are expected to defy pleas from Health Secretary Matt Hancock with more mass gatherings across the weekend .
Speaking at Friday 's Downing Street coronavirus briefing , Mr Hancock said that while he was `` appalled '' about the death of Mr Floyd , people should avoid large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
But Shaun Bailey , the Conservatives ' choice to take on Sadiq Khan in next year 's delayed London mayoral election , has said stopping people from demonstrating would only `` store up trouble for the summer '' .
`` If we do not allow this tension to be answered , if it is bottled up , then it will just spill out into the summer and be very tough for the police , '' the Tory hopeful told Sky News .
`` So in some sense , they absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be done with social distancing and must be done as safely as possible .
`` People must wear masks - and if you have already been on a protest , please think of it as having already had your go and stay away , and let people express themselves so we can move past this point .
`` This is a very , very tough situation for us all , but there are a few things we all have to take into account .
`` If this very real tension and fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ release , we 'll be storing up trouble for summer . ''
Mr Hancock used Friday 's news briefing to reiterate government rules that only groups of up to six can meet outdoors , and that everyone must observe social distancing of two metres .
Pressed on whether he was contradicting that advice , Mr Bailey said : `` Let 's be clear - if you are protesting , then you 're taking a risk with your own health and your community 's health .
`` Nobody 's saying this is simple or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but there has to be some way of releasing this pressure in the community .
`` People want to get this issue out there and talked about . ''
He added : `` Although we live in a much better situation ( than in the US ) from a race-relations point of view , it is still not perfect and people have grievances . ''
The demonstrations that have already taken part in London this week have been largely peaceful , only marred by scuffles outside Downing Street .
Among those to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wars actor John Boyega , who spoke out over high-profile cases of violence against black people in the US and the UK during a passionate address in Hyde Park .
The death of Mr Floyd while in custody was the latest incident to highlight the issue of police brutality against black people in America , and it sparked protests across the US and in other countries around the world .
Mr Floyd , 46 , died after white officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground knelt on his neck for more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Minnesota , on 25 May .
Chauvin has since been sacked and charged with second-degree murder , while other officers present have also been fired and are now facing charges .

Breaking up protests over the death of George Floyd to maintain social distancing guidance risk "bottling up" tension that may lead to violence, London mayoral candidate Shaun Bailey has said.
Thousands of Black Lives Matter activists have gathered in the capital this week to demonstrate, and many are expected to defy pleas from Health Secretary Matt Hancock with more mass gatherings across the weekend.
Speaking at Friday's Downing Street coronavirus briefing, Mr Hancock said that while he was "appalled" about the death of Mr Floyd, people should avoid large protests so that they can adhere to social distancing.
But Shaun Bailey, the Conservatives' choice to take on Sadiq Khan in next year's delayed London mayoral election, has said stopping people from demonstrating would only "store up trouble for the summer".
Image: Protesters and police officers in Whitehall earlier this week
"If we do not allow this tension to be answered, if it is bottled up, then it will just spill out into the summer and be very tough for the police," the Tory hopeful told Sky News.
"So in some sense, they absolutely need to go ahead, but it must be done with social distancing and must be done as safely as possible.
"People must wear masks - and if you have already been on a protest, please think of it as having already had your go and stay away, and let people express themselves so we can move past this point.
"This is a very, very tough situation for us all, but there are a few things we all have to take into account.
"If this very real tension and fear is not allowed a pressure valve to release, we'll be storing up trouble for summer."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:09 Black Lives Matter: In their own words
Mr Hancock used Friday's news briefing to reiterate government rules that only groups of up to six can meet outdoors, and that everyone must observe social distancing of two metres.
Pressed on whether he was contradicting that advice, Mr Bailey said: "Let's be clear - if you are protesting, then you're taking a risk with your own health and your community's health.
"Nobody's saying this is simple or desirable from a health point of view, but there has to be some way of releasing this pressure in the community.
"People want to get this issue out there and talked about."
He added: "Although we live in a much better situation (than in the US) from a race-relations point of view, it is still not perfect and people have grievances."
Image: Hundreds of Black Lives Matter protesters marching at Trafalgar Square
Image: Protestors take a knee in front of police vans in Parliament Square
The demonstrations that have already taken part in London this week have been largely peaceful, only marred by scuffles outside Downing Street.
Among those to take part in the protests was Star Wars actor John Boyega, who spoke out over high-profile cases of violence against black people in the US and the UK during a passionate address in Hyde Park.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:41 Boyega's impassioned Hyde Park speech
The death of Mr Floyd while in custody was the latest incident to highlight the issue of police brutality against black people in America, and it sparked protests across the US and in other countries around the world.
Mr Floyd, 46, died after white officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes during an arrest in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 25 May.
Chauvin has since been sacked and charged with second-degree murder, while other officers present have also been fired and are now facing charges.


news--2020-06-04--Backstage with... The Wretched: The low-budget horror unexpectedly breaking box office records

There 's no doubt the film industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak , but away from the production shut-downs and postponed release dates one unlikely movie has been having its Hollywood moment .
Low-budget indie horror The Wretched has become one of just five films in more than 20 years to top the US box office for five weeks - the others being Titanic , Avatar , The Sixth Sense and Black Panther , to put it into context .
While it sounds like an impressive achievement , it has to be said that due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of competition out there at the moment , with most studios choosing to hold their films back or release them straight to on demand .
But indie company IFC Films has bucked that trend by sticking to its release schedule and rolling out films as planned at the few movie-going venues that are still open for business - mainly drive-in theatres .
The Wretched 's writers and directors , brothers Drew and Brett Pierce , admit they never expected their horror to have the impact it has .
`` It felt like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told Sky News ' Backstage podcast .
`` We had our first week and we only opened up in 12 theatres , but we 'd done really well… and then they obviously rolled out into more theatres and we thought it might die off , but the audience I think embraced the movie and loved the movie so much that word of mouth spread , coupled with obviously how weird times are and that drive-ins are sort of this great escape , and it just kept growing .
`` It 's been like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... We were shocked at first and now it 's just so exciting . ''
Brett says it has been hard to get his head around the film 's reach during lockdown .
`` It 's weird because we 're locked up in our apartments and it 's just like we keep hearing all of this stuff and seeing it online , and then part of it does n't feel like it 's actually happening because we 're cooped up , '' he said .
`` But I guess there is an outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Wretched , which is available on Sky Store , tells the story of a teenager , struggling with his parents ' divorce , who takes on a 1,000-year-old witch posing as the woman next door .
It pays homage to classics of the genre including Fright Night and Rear Window , and the brothers may have always been fated to have successful careers in horror , as their father , Bart Pierce , created the special effects on cult classic The Evil Dead .
Drew says growing up around film-makers definitely influenced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dad making shorts with [ Evil Dead director ] Sam Raimi and that whole crew on and off as we grew up , even past Evil Dead .
`` They were shooting these little stop-motion shorts and stuff outside in the back yard and we 'd be around , so film-making is sort of part of life .
I think most people see it as sort of this untouchable thing , but I mean , the truth is we kind of embraced that .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spreaker '' Like even our movie , The Wretched , and our previous movie Deadheads , our mom did the craft service , we put everybody to work .
Our dad , who was the special effects guy , he 's like our super PA , we send him on runs and he picks up actors . ''
Here in the UK , we do n't tend to have space for drive-in theatres and the film has gone straight to on demand , but some other countries are now attempting to emulate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite the film 's release in such specialised theatres being something of an experiment , it was ultimately a blessing in disguise .
`` We were like , of course it makes sense we 're not going to be in theatres because of the pandemic and we 're okay with it .
We 're disappointed as film-makers but realise it 's just not possible .
`` And I think even IFC was putting their toes in the water , like we 're going to try it at a couple of drive-ins where we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it just took over . ''
The Wretched is available to rent in the UK from Sky Store , iTunes & Prime Video .
Hear more from the interview and a review of the film on this week 's episode of Backstage - Sky News ' entertainment podcast .

There's no doubt the film industry has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, but away from the production shut-downs and postponed release dates one unlikely movie has been having its Hollywood moment.
Low-budget indie horror The Wretched has become one of just five films in more than 20 years to top the US box office for five weeks - the others being Titanic, Avatar, The Sixth Sense and Black Panther, to put it into context.
While it sounds like an impressive achievement, it has to be said that due to the COVID-19 lockdown there's not exactly a lot of competition out there at the moment, with most studios choosing to hold their films back or release them straight to on demand.
Image: The film tells the story of a teenager and a 1,000-year-old witch
But indie company IFC Films has bucked that trend by sticking to its release schedule and rolling out films as planned at the few movie-going venues that are still open for business - mainly drive-in theatres.
The Wretched's writers and directors, brothers Drew and Brett Pierce, admit they never expected their horror to have the impact it has.
"It felt like a joke at first," Drew told Sky News' Backstage podcast.
"We had our first week and we only opened up in 12 theatres, but we'd done really well… and then they obviously rolled out into more theatres and we thought it might die off, but the audience I think embraced the movie and loved the movie so much that word of mouth spread, coupled with obviously how weird times are and that drive-ins are sort of this great escape, and it just kept growing.
"It's been like this snowball rolling downhill, you know... We were shocked at first and now it's just so exciting."
Brett says it has been hard to get his head around the film's reach during lockdown.
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"It's weird because we're locked up in our apartments and it's just like we keep hearing all of this stuff and seeing it online, and then part of it doesn't feel like it's actually happening because we're cooped up," he said. "But I guess there is an outside world that's moving forward."
Image: The film is directed by brothers Brett and Drew Pierce
The Wretched, which is available on Sky Store, tells the story of a teenager, struggling with his parents' divorce, who takes on a 1,000-year-old witch posing as the woman next door.
It pays homage to classics of the genre including Fright Night and Rear Window, and the brothers may have always been fated to have successful careers in horror, as their father, Bart Pierce, created the special effects on cult classic The Evil Dead.
Drew says growing up around film-makers definitely influenced the siblings.
"We witnessed our dad making shorts with [Evil Dead director] Sam Raimi and that whole crew on and off as we grew up, even past Evil Dead.
"They were shooting these little stop-motion shorts and stuff outside in the back yard and we'd be around, so film-making is sort of part of life. I think most people see it as sort of this untouchable thing, but I mean, the truth is we kind of embraced that.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"Like even our movie, The Wretched, and our previous movie Deadheads, our mom did the craft service, we put everybody to work. Our dad, who was the special effects guy, he's like our super PA, we send him on runs and he picks up actors."
Here in the UK, we don't tend to have space for drive-in theatres and the film has gone straight to on demand, but some other countries are now attempting to emulate the US's drive-in effect.
Brett says despite the film's release in such specialised theatres being something of an experiment, it was ultimately a blessing in disguise.
"We were like, of course it makes sense we're not going to be in theatres because of the pandemic and we're okay with it. We're disappointed as film-makers but realise it's just not possible.
"And I think even IFC was putting their toes in the water, like we're going to try it at a couple of drive-ins where we think people might like this movie, and it just took over."
The Wretched is available to rent in the UK from Sky Store, iTunes & Prime Video.
Hear more from the interview and a review of the film on this week's episode of Backstage - Sky News' entertainment podcast.


news--2020-06-05--Coronavirus: Is the science about rising R numbers just too politically inconvenient?

Coronavirus : Is the science about rising R numbers just too politically inconvenient ?
Coronavirus : Is the science about rising R numbers just too politically inconvenient ?
Scientists said the R rate is rising in the UK Somewhere , under the cover of anonymity , government scientists appear to be muttering about the reliability of some of the more politically inconvenient coronavirus data coming out at the moment .
This outburst of incognito pontification just so happens to have occurred on the day that no scientist appeared to have a free slot in their diary to take part in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the clear utility of having a simple scientific explanation of the confusing picture the nation faces .
Curious .
More on that later .
First , some context .
Earlier , a study by Cambridge University , in conjunction with Public Health England ( PHE ) , revealed that the R number - the number of secondary infections caused by a single infected individual - appears to be rising in England .
In the North West , it was likely to be above one , while in a second study it could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meaning transmission is increasing in these communities .
It is hard to overstate the political significance of this moment .
Politicians have made the R number the benchmark .
On 24 May , Boris Johnson told the nation `` we must keep that R below one '' , health secretary Matt Hancock has pledged `` at each step we 'll closely monitor the impact on R '' .
And education secretary Gavin Williamson declared : `` We can control coronavirus by ensuring the R does not go above one . ''
Yet now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 0.7 and 1 , and in parts of the country PHE and Britain 's top government scientists appear to acknowledge in private it appears to be above one .
Despite this , no lockdown easing measures have been reversed .
No sign the government is slowing on its initial timetable for getting the economy going again .
The Cambridge study goes further , attributing the rising R to lifting of lockdown measures , having traced on a timeline the date of the various relaxations with the increase in the infection levels .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mixing between households and in public and workplace settings , '' says the study .
How worried should we be ?
Well PHE , which co-authored the Cambridge University study revealing regional R value was above 1 in some areas , appeared intensely relaxed .
Dr Yvonne Doyle , medical director for PHE , said in a statement : `` Our estimates show that the regional R numbers have increased although they remain below 1 for most of England - this is to be expected as we gradually move out of lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Firstly , it shows the government has abandoned the precautionary approach - the determination to play down the fact that some areas have infection rates increasing is apparent .
Secondly , it concedes the R rate is rising perilously close to 1 - something that politicians appeared to intimate was a bad thing - and says this is only to be expected .
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker PHE , which is facing much of the blame from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , is part of Mr Hancock 's health department .
So what of the government scientists ' mutterings ?
In public statements , officials imply this is nothing to worry about .
They now prefer to concentrate on dropping infection levels , even though there is huge discrepancy between the Office for National Statistics infection rate and that estimated by the Cambridge University modelling .
But now in briefings , they appear to go further .
One BBC journalist said in a Zoom call with Cambridge scientists that SAGE scientists were saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unreliable , and that they should not pay too much attention to them .
Apparently , effectively rubbishing an inconvenient study on the day of its release , but not saying so in public standing in front of the TV cameras .
The Cambridge team responded openly , saying they acknowledged the levels of uncertainty around their data but a consistent rise in the infection rates across the regions gave them confidence the data had validity .
How much does this matter ?
It is too early to say if this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists or something more harmless .
But , it is a trend worth keeping an eye on .

Scientists are saying the R number is rising in places, yet the government is going ahead with easing lockdown measures.
Coronavirus: Is the science about rising R numbers just too politically inconvenient?
Scientists said the R rate is rising in the UK
Somewhere, under the cover of anonymity, government scientists appear to be muttering about the reliability of some of the more politically inconvenient coronavirus data coming out at the moment.
This outburst of incognito pontification just so happens to have occurred on the day that no scientist appeared to have a free slot in their diary to take part in the daily coronavirus press conference, despite the clear utility of having a simple scientific explanation of the confusing picture the nation faces.
Curious. More on that later. First, some context.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:46 Is government cherry-picking positive data?
Earlier, a study by Cambridge University, in conjunction with Public Health England (PHE), revealed that the R number - the number of secondary infections caused by a single infected individual - appears to be rising in England.
In the North West, it was likely to be above one, while in a second study it could be above one in the South West, meaning transmission is increasing in these communities.
It is hard to overstate the political significance of this moment. Politicians have made the R number the benchmark.
On 24 May, Boris Johnson told the nation "we must keep that R below one", health secretary Matt Hancock has pledged "at each step we'll closely monitor the impact on R".
And education secretary Gavin Williamson declared: "We can control coronavirus by ensuring the R does not go above one."
Yet now the R rate in England is between 0.7 and 1, and in parts of the country PHE and Britain's top government scientists appear to acknowledge in private it appears to be above one.
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Despite this, no lockdown easing measures have been reversed. No sign the government is slowing on its initial timetable for getting the economy going again.
The Cambridge study goes further, attributing the rising R to lifting of lockdown measures, having traced on a timeline the date of the various relaxations with the increase in the infection levels.
Image: The government is hoping that making antibody tests widely available lockdown restrictions can be further eased
"This is probably due to increasing mobility and mixing between households and in public and workplace settings," says the study.
How worried should we be?
Well PHE, which co-authored the Cambridge University study revealing regional R value was above 1 in some areas, appeared intensely relaxed.
Dr Yvonne Doyle, medical director for PHE, said in a statement: "Our estimates show that the regional R numbers have increased although they remain below 1 for most of England - this is to be expected as we gradually move out of lockdown."
This is a significant statement. Firstly, it shows the government has abandoned the precautionary approach - the determination to play down the fact that some areas have infection rates increasing is apparent.
Secondly, it concedes the R rate is rising perilously close to 1 - something that politicians appeared to intimate was a bad thing - and says this is only to be expected.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
PHE, which is facing much of the blame from senior Conservatives for mistakes during the coronavirus pandemic, is part of Mr Hancock's health department.
So what of the government scientists' mutterings?
In public statements, officials imply this is nothing to worry about.
They now prefer to concentrate on dropping infection levels, even though there is huge discrepancy between the Office for National Statistics infection rate and that estimated by the Cambridge University modelling.
But now in briefings, they appear to go further. One BBC journalist said in a Zoom call with Cambridge scientists that SAGE scientists were saying the entire concept of regional R values was unreliable, and that they should not pay too much attention to them.
Image: The government is continuing to ease lockdown rules
Apparently, effectively rubbishing an inconvenient study on the day of its release, but not saying so in public standing in front of the TV cameras.
The Cambridge team responded openly, saying they acknowledged the levels of uncertainty around their data but a consistent rise in the infection rates across the regions gave them confidence the data had validity.
How much does this matter? It is too early to say if this is part of a worrying politicisation of government scientists or something more harmless.
But, it is a trend worth keeping an eye on.