news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Muslim Council of Britain warns UK mosques could close forever

There are fears that some mosques in the UK may close permanently after the coronavirus lockdown .
The Muslim Council of Britain suggested mosques , which are publicly funded when people visit , will be hit hard as they have been closed during the coronavirus lockdown .
It comes as 23 April marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan , where Muslims across the world will spend the next four weeks fasting , praying and reflecting on life in their communities .
Harun Khan , secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain , told Sky News : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Majority of the mosques are run as charitable organisations .
They rely heavily on the support they get from visitors and worshippers .
`` That 's almost disappeared overnight .
They are institutions that need to maintain themselves with staff that need to be paid .
It 's a really , really challenging time .
It will be a Ramadan like never before . ''
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic , Muslims across the UK are preparing for drastic changes during the 30 days of fasting .
Ramadan is usually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praying together and spending hours with family and friends , but with mosques shut and social distancing measures set to continue , the long lasting traditions will be scrapped .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Now many of the almost 2,000 mosques across the UK , which serve nearly three million Muslims , will be moving Ramadan into a virtual world .
As they adapt to the lockdown measures , they 're turning to social media and apps to keep in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , courses and prayers .
Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham is usually packed with around 3,000 worshippers a day during the holy month .
It has been left deserted .
The head of welfare services at the mosque , Salim Ahmed , said : `` It 's very strange .
Coming to the mosque is part of our social life as well as worship life .
But we have to follow the rules .
`` Normally outside of the lockdown you 'd have classes going on , women 's classes , educational classes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a day , now there 's none of that in here .
`` Ramadan is normally a time for gatherings and socialising , that has to stop now .
We need to take safety seriously .
We 're making clear messages about staying home and the importance of not going out during Ramadan . ''
Speaking about their shift to online services , Mr Ahmed added : `` A lot of what we 're doing is moving online , we 're going to have six hours of content , talks and reminders about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll also be live broadcasts of the call to prayer and Quran recitation for those who would usually enjoy coming to the mosque to read the holy book . ''
Haniya Adam , social media manager who also works at Green Lane Mosque , said she 's never seen the building so quiet .
She said : `` It feels quite sad walking in here .
There 's a hit of loneliness and it really summarised the whole COVID-19 situation .
`` Normal circumstances , this masjid ( mosque ) would be completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pray and preparing meals for Iftar ( the breaking of the fast ) .
Nobody I know has seen anything like this . ''
In the government 's daily briefing , Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke directly to the British Muslim community .
He said : `` This Ramadan , many Muslims who serve their country in the NHS and the armed forces and in so many other ways , will not be sharing the joy of this month as they normally do .
`` I want to say to all British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I know how important the daily Iftar is , how important communal prayers are at night and how important the Eid festival is .
`` Thank you for making changes to these vital parts of your practise .
I want to say to you all , Ramadan Mubarak .
Thank you for your service and citizenship and thank you for your sacrifice . ''

There are fears that some mosques in the UK may close permanently after the coronavirus lockdown.
The Muslim Council of Britain suggested mosques, which are publicly funded when people visit, will be hit hard as they have been closed during the coronavirus lockdown.
It comes as 23 April marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, where Muslims across the world will spend the next four weeks fasting, praying and reflecting on life in their communities.
Image: Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain
Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, told Sky News: "Mosques will be hit very substantially. Majority of the mosques are run as charitable organisations. They rely heavily on the support they get from visitors and worshippers.
"That's almost disappeared overnight. They are institutions that need to maintain themselves with staff that need to be paid. It's a really, really challenging time. It will be a Ramadan like never before."
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Muslims across the UK are preparing for drastic changes during the 30 days of fasting.
Ramadan is usually a time of breaking fast together, praying together and spending hours with family and friends, but with mosques shut and social distancing measures set to continue, the long lasting traditions will be scrapped.
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Now many of the almost 2,000 mosques across the UK, which serve nearly three million Muslims, will be moving Ramadan into a virtual world.
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As they adapt to the lockdown measures, they're turning to social media and apps to keep in touch with worshippers by livestreaming motivational lectures, courses and prayers.
Green Lane Mosque in Birmingham is usually packed with around 3,000 worshippers a day during the holy month. It has been left deserted.
Image: Green Lane mosque in Birmingham is seen empty on 23 April
The head of welfare services at the mosque, Salim Ahmed, said: "It's very strange. Coming to the mosque is part of our social life as well as worship life. But we have to follow the rules.
"Normally outside of the lockdown you'd have classes going on, women's classes, educational classes and the congregation coming in five times a day, now there's none of that in here.
"Ramadan is normally a time for gatherings and socialising, that has to stop now. We need to take safety seriously. We're making clear messages about staying home and the importance of not going out during Ramadan."
Speaking about their shift to online services, Mr Ahmed added: "A lot of what we're doing is moving online, we're going to have six hours of content, talks and reminders about Ramadan and Islamic reminders.
"There'll also be live broadcasts of the call to prayer and Quran recitation for those who would usually enjoy coming to the mosque to read the holy book."
Haniya Adam, social media manager who also works at Green Lane Mosque, said she's never seen the building so quiet.
Image: Copies of the Quran are seen stacked inside the Birmingham mosque
She said: "It feels quite sad walking in here. There's a hit of loneliness and it really summarised the whole COVID-19 situation.
"Normal circumstances, this masjid (mosque) would be completely packed out for Ramadan. People coming to pray and preparing meals for Iftar (the breaking of the fast). Nobody I know has seen anything like this."
Image: Head of welfare services at Green Lane mosque, Birmingham, Salim Ahmed
In the government's daily briefing, Health Secretary Matt Hancock spoke directly to the British Muslim community.
He said: "This Ramadan, many Muslims who serve their country in the NHS and the armed forces and in so many other ways, will not be sharing the joy of this month as they normally do.
"I want to say to all British Muslims thank you for staying at home, I know how important the daily Iftar is, how important communal prayers are at night and how important the Eid festival is.
"Thank you for making changes to these vital parts of your practise. I want to say to you all, Ramadan Mubarak. Thank you for your service and citizenship and thank you for your sacrifice."


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Instagram helps struggling businesses take food orders through its app

Instagram users can now order their lunch or dinner through the app after it created a special function to support local businesses during the coronavirus lockdown .
In March , the government ordered restaurants , pubs and hotels to close as it announced strict social distancing measures , but said that takeaway and delivery services could still continue .
The photo and video-sharing site says a new Action button can be added to the business 's profile , allowing anyone who taps on it , to make a purchase through its website .
A Food Order sticker can also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme was first launched in the US and Canada last week to help food outlets struggling during the pandemic , and it has now been expanded to the UK as part of a worldwide rollout .
The social media platform , owned by Facebook , says for many businesses right now , `` every sale helps '' .
`` We 'll continue to work on features that make it easier to support the small businesses you care about . ''
On Tuesday , WhatsApp , another Facebook-owned platform , released a new set @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the World Health Organisation - to help people communicate their feelings during the lockdown .
The `` Together at Home '' pack includes images of healthcare workers wearing superhero capes , an `` air high-five '' and a fist bump , with the caption `` we 'll do this together '' .
Tech giants have faced criticism during the outbreak , predominantly for their response to the spread of disinformation linked to the virus .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Culture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had spoken to firms about doing more to stop the spread of fake news .
On Wednesday he appeared before MPs on the House of Commons Digital , Culture , Media and Sport Committee .
He praised the companies for `` how they have stepped up to the plate '' , but said he had discussed how they could `` beef up '' their systems , as well as addressing the speed of action and working out of hours .

Instagram users can now order their lunch or dinner through the app after it created a special function to support local businesses during the coronavirus lockdown.
In March, the government ordered restaurants, pubs and hotels to close as it announced strict social distancing measures, but said that takeaway and delivery services could still continue.
The photo and video-sharing site says a new Action button can be added to the business's profile, allowing anyone who taps on it, to make a purchase through its website.
A Food Order sticker can also be added to its Instagram Stories.
The scheme was first launched in the US and Canada last week to help food outlets struggling during the pandemic, and it has now been expanded to the UK as part of a worldwide rollout.
The social media platform, owned by Facebook, says for many businesses right now, "every sale helps".
"We'll continue to work on features that make it easier to support the small businesses you care about."
Image: The 'Together at Home' stickers are part of a collaboration with the WHO. Pic: WhatsApp/Twitter
On Tuesday, WhatsApp, another Facebook-owned platform, released a new set of stickers - designed in partnership with the World Health Organisation - to help people communicate their feelings during the lockdown.
The "Together at Home" pack includes images of healthcare workers wearing superhero capes, an "air high-five" and a fist bump, with the caption "we'll do this together".
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Tech giants have faced criticism during the outbreak, predominantly for their response to the spread of disinformation linked to the virus.
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Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden revealed this week that he had spoken to firms about doing more to stop the spread of fake news.
On Wednesday he appeared before MPs on the House of Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee.
He praised the companies for "how they have stepped up to the plate", but said he had discussed how they could "beef up" their systems, as well as addressing the speed of action and working out of hours.


news--2020-04-21--Coronavirus: Cases, crimes and cars - how has the UK changed after a month in lockdown?

The lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak has now been in place for a month , ever since Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally declared the strong measures on 23 March .
Thousands of lives have been lost to COVID-19 .
The lockdown has forced an economic slowdown .
Social distancing measures have emptied our high streets and many of us have begun working from home .
Sky News has been tracking these changes across the UK and documenting the effort aimed at slowing down the spread of coronavirus .
Are the daily deaths with coronavirus reducing ?
More than 18,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The UK was seeing an exponential rise in deaths with coronavirus when the lockdown was announced on 23 March .
Since then , there are signs daily fatalities in the UK are starting to fall after the country recorded the smallest increase in nearly two weeks .
The Office for National Statistics , however , revealed that coronavirus-related deaths were 41 % higher in England and Wales than the government 's hospital figures in the week up to 10 April .
Has the spread of coronavirus infections slowed ?
Since the lockdown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK have risen but the number of new infections every day has stabilised .
However , detecting new infections depends on the level of testing .
How are A & E and 111 services coping with the demand ?
NHS England says its 111 service was affected by the surge in demand relating to COVID-19 from mid-February 2020 .
Data shows that for the first time in five years , the number of people visiting the A & E fell below the number of calls made to 111 in the month of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ school and colleges changed ?
Schools and colleges have been shut for most pupils , unless their parents are key workers .
Data released by the Department for Education shows only 0.9 % of the 9.3 million students across the UK are in school - the vast majority of whom are children of key workers .
The figures also reveal the proportion of pupils attending school and college since the lockdown has also more than halved .
Have people been using public transport during the lockdown ?
The use of public transport in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily commutes drop and working from home increases .
Data from the UK government reveals that Britons began to stay indoors well before the lockdown was announced .
Rail use has fallen further to low single digits while bus journeys around the country remain down by more than 80 % from their normal levels .
Fewer vehicles on the street means less congestion .
Location technology firm TomTom 's data shows that cars on the roads first started to disappear in mid-March , when the government announced that it would be closing schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced , congestion levels went down even further and have remained low ever since .
A typical 30-minute drive now takes less than 17 minutes to complete .
How has high street managed to cope ?
And restaurants ?
It 's not just car drivers who are staying at home .
Footfall on the high street is also significantly down as shops and businesses close their physical premises to abide by the social distancing measures .
In March , an unprecedented 41.3 % fewer people were on the streets , compared to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retail analytics provider Springboard .
The drop in footfall and the lockdown has been particularly devastating to the hospitality industry , especially restaurants .
Dine-in destinations have n't taken a single reservation since lockdown started , joining many countries around the world .
How many jobless claims have been made since the lockdown ?
What about vacancies ?
Since March , the coronavirus lockdown has put the labour market in a `` deep slowdown '' .
Restrictions on businesses means that hiring growth has come to a standstill .
Data from Institute for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest monthly change of 412 % in new claims for Universal Credit and Job Seekers Allowance .
The second biggest monthly increase in 1984 was a mere 78 % in comparison .
Similarly , analysis of vacancies on job portal Indeed shows that vacancies have fallen by 40 % across the whole economy with some sectors , including hospitality and tourism , witnessing 80 % of their roles vanish .
Crime appears to be falling too .
Serious assaults , rape , burglaries and vehicle crime have all come down by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council says there as an uptick in the number of domestic abuse cases .
Anti-social behaviour was up by 59 % , largely linked to people ignoring the lockdown measures .
Businesses have allowed their employees to work from home .
Day time internet use has consequently risen to levels never seen before .
Broadband providers says that the increased demand during the day is still less than what their networks deal with in the evenings .
Data from UBS Evidence Labs however suggests that on average internet users in London have seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lag since the lockdown was announced as more of us stay online for longer .
When will the lockdown be lifted ?
The lockdown measures have been extended for another three week period as new cases of the virus continue to be detected in all four nations and authorities fear overwhelming the healthcare system if the social distancing is relaxed .
The UK is n't alone in fighting off the pandemic with a lockdown .
More than 30 countries around the world , with half of the world 's population , have currently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only exception in the West to have never imposed a severe lockdown .
More than 15 countries have either announced or have already eased some restrictions .

The lockdown to combat the coronavirus outbreak has now been in place for a month, ever since Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally declared the strong measures on 23 March.
Thousands of lives have been lost to COVID-19. The lockdown has forced an economic slowdown. Social distancing measures have emptied our high streets and many of us have begun working from home.
Sky News has been tracking these changes across the UK and documenting the effort aimed at slowing down the spread of coronavirus.
Are the daily deaths with coronavirus reducing?
More than 18,000 COVID-19 patients have died in UK hospitals. The UK was seeing an exponential rise in deaths with coronavirus when the lockdown was announced on 23 March. Since then, there are signs daily fatalities in the UK are starting to fall after the country recorded the smallest increase in nearly two weeks.
The Office for National Statistics, however, revealed that coronavirus-related deaths were 41% higher in England and Wales than the government's hospital figures in the week up to 10 April.
Has the spread of coronavirus infections slowed?
Since the lockdown on 23 March, total cases in the UK have risen but the number of new infections every day has stabilised. However, detecting new infections depends on the level of testing.
How are A&E and 111 services coping with the demand?
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NHS England says its 111 service was affected by the surge in demand relating to COVID-19 from mid-February 2020. Data shows that for the first time in five years, the number of people visiting the A&E fell below the number of calls made to 111 in the month of March.
How much has attendance at school and colleges changed?
Schools and colleges have been shut for most pupils, unless their parents are key workers. Data released by the Department for Education shows only 0.9% of the 9.3 million students across the UK are in school - the vast majority of whom are children of key workers.
The figures also reveal the proportion of pupils attending school and college since the lockdown has also more than halved.
Have people been using public transport during the lockdown?
The use of public transport in large metros has dropped significantly, as daily commutes drop and working from home increases. Data from the UK government reveals that Britons began to stay indoors well before the lockdown was announced.
Rail use has fallen further to low single digits while bus journeys around the country remain down by more than 80% from their normal levels.
Fewer vehicles on the street means less congestion. Location technology firm TomTom's data shows that cars on the roads first started to disappear in mid-March, when the government announced that it would be closing schools.
The day after the lockdown was announced, congestion levels went down even further and have remained low ever since. A typical 30-minute drive now takes less than 17 minutes to complete.
How has high street managed to cope? And restaurants?
It's not just car drivers who are staying at home. Footfall on the high street is also significantly down as shops and businesses close their physical premises to abide by the social distancing measures.
In March, an unprecedented 41.3% fewer people were on the streets, compared to the same period in 2019, according to retail analytics provider Springboard.
The drop in footfall and the lockdown has been particularly devastating to the hospitality industry, especially restaurants. Dine-in destinations haven't taken a single reservation since lockdown started, joining many countries around the world.
How many jobless claims have been made since the lockdown? What about vacancies?
Since March, the coronavirus lockdown has put the labour market in a "deep slowdown". Restrictions on businesses means that hiring growth has come to a standstill.
Data from Institute for Employment Studies shows that March 2020 recorded the biggest monthly change of 412% in new claims for Universal Credit and Job Seekers Allowance. The second biggest monthly increase in 1984 was a mere 78% in comparison.
Similarly, analysis of vacancies on job portal Indeed shows that vacancies have fallen by 40% across the whole economy with some sectors, including hospitality and tourism, witnessing 80% of their roles vanish.
Crime
Crime appears to be falling too. Serious assaults, rape, burglaries and vehicle crime have all come down by a third. However National Police Chiefs' Council says there as an uptick in the number of domestic abuse cases.
Anti-social behaviour was up by 59%, largely linked to people ignoring the lockdown measures.
How has broadband usage changed?
Businesses have allowed their employees to work from home. Day time internet use has consequently risen to levels never seen before. Broadband providers says that the increased demand during the day is still less than what their networks deal with in the evenings.
Data from UBS Evidence Labs however suggests that on average internet users in London have seen lower download speeds and an increase in lag since the lockdown was announced as more of us stay online for longer.
When will the lockdown be lifted?
The lockdown measures have been extended for another three week period as new cases of the virus continue to be detected in all four nations and authorities fear overwhelming the healthcare system if the social distancing is relaxed.
The UK isn't alone in fighting off the pandemic with a lockdown. More than 30 countries around the world, with half of the world's population, have currently imposed severe mobility restrictions. Sweden remains the only exception in the West to have never imposed a severe lockdown.
More than 15 countries have either announced or have already eased some restrictions.


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus prompts a destruction of US jobs without parallel

New York is one of the worst hit parts of the country Day by day , pieces of numerical evidence and data are emerging that spell out the extent to which the global economy is being crushed by the coronavirus lockdown .
Today brought several particularly compelling examples of the pandemic 's impact .
The US Labor Department revealed that , during the seven days to last Saturday , a further 4.427 million Americans registered as jobless .
That brings the total number during the last five weeks to a scarcely-believable 26.5 million - about one million more than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a proportion of the total US labour force , it means that one in six Americans of working age and still fit for work have filed claims for unemployment benefits during the last month .
Or , put an alternative way , it means that the equivalent of all of the US jobs created since the end of the global financial crisis in 2009 - the longest period of job creation in American history - have been wiped out .
The figures also highlighted the truly shocking rates of unemployment in some individual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest city , Detroit , is traditionally the heart of US car-making , the jobless rate now stands at 17.4 % .
In Rhode Island , another traditional manufacturing base but also home to healthcare giant CVS , the unemployment rate is now 15 % .
In Nevada , home to America 's most famous casinos , the jobless rate is now 13.7 % .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker And in Georgia , where household names such as Coca-Cola , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the unemployment rate is now 13.6 % .
Over the five weeks , in absolute terms , the most jobs have been lost in California , Pennsylvania and New York .
Expressed in terms of the proportion of the local labour force , Pennsylvania and Georgia have been worst hit .
The destruction of American jobs during the last month is without parallel .
To put it in context , during the financial crisis from 2007 to 2009 , around nine million Americans were made unemployed .
And the numbers may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The extent to which increases in joblessness are being recorded depends on the efficiency with which individual states are able to process jobless claims .
For example , a big increase in the jobless rate in Washington State has been put down to a systems upgrade that allowed claims to be dealt with more quickly .
What is particularly worrying - and which will no doubt concern President Trump as he prepares for this November 's elections - is that the increase in US joblessness appears to be even greater than in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , senior global economist at fund manager Aberdeen Standard Investments , put it : `` This is another terrible week for layoffs .
`` One of the concerns is that the government support does n't seem to be stemming the tide here .
`` The scale of joblessness in the US is clearly larger than other economies .
`` This is partly due to the flexibility of the labour market , but also indicative of the problems the US has had ensuring that firms hold on to their workers in the way other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ An increase in joblessness is perhaps the most obvious way of illustrating the extent to which an economy is slowing down and certainly in terms of spelling out the human suffering that an economic downturn can cause .
Another way of measuring a downturn - and , to economists , just as important - comes in the form of the Purchasing Managers Index survey data .
These are a monthly snapshot of activity in three specific sectors of the economy : services , manufacturing and construction .
IHS Markit , the financial data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out questionnaires to thousands of company managers each month asking them questions about what they are seeing in parts of their business , such as new orders , hiring levels , prices and so on .
These responses are then boiled down to one number .
Anything above 50 represents growth and anything below 50 represents contraction - and the numbers are usually a very accurate guide to how the official GDP figures , which are published later , are going to look .
Today IHS Markit published the `` flash '' PMIs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first 85 % of responses , for a number of economies .
These , too , were truly dreadful .
The `` flash '' composite number - which combines both services and manufacturing - for the US came in at 27.4 .
That was down from 40.9 in March .
The figures in Europe , meanwhile , were even worse .
The composite number for the Eurozone was 13.5 , again the lowest on record , down from 29.7 in March .
Within that , some of the figures were worse still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France - which has seen the fourth-highest total of coronavirus deaths by country - coming in at just 11.2 .
In the UK , meanwhile , the figure came in at 12.9 - down from 36 for the whole of March .
Again , this is a figure without parallel , consistent with - according to IHS Markit - a quarterly contraction in GDP of 7 % .
The overall health of the economy may actually be even worse than implied by the PMI figures because , as IHS Markit pointed out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the self-employed and parts of the heavily-hit retail sector .
Cathal Kennedy , European economist at RBC Capital Markets , said : `` Even given the record falls in the PMI survey over the past two months , the surveys are still not picking up the true extent of the collapse in activity that is occurring at present .
`` The problem with the PMIs in a situation like the one we are currently experiencing is that they only report the balance of firms saying whether activity is higher or lower .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is by how much activity has increased or decreased .
`` And in this current episode , a large number of firms will be experiencing a total halt in activity , which the PMIs ca n't account for and is why the fall in Q2 GDP will be much larger than they are pointing to . ''
There are not too many crumbs of comfort that can be taken from the latest figures but one , perhaps , is that the UK manufacturing sector appears to be holding up comparatively well compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , with pubs , bars , hotels and restaurants all closed , activity in many parts of the services sector has completely frozen while in some parts of manufacturing , notably for healthcare and medical equipment , production has been stepped up in some cases .
Another is that , according to Chris Williamson of IHS Markit , business optimism about the year ahead has actually picked up from the all-time low in March .
In the US , meanwhile , although the number of new claims reported today is monstrous , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million claims seen the previous week , which was itself down on the week before .
It suggests that the rate at which American jobs are being destroyed has at least peaked .
The bigger question - and this depends strongly on when the lockdown ends - is when those jobs can be replaced .

The increase in US unemployment caused by the pandemic appears to be even greater than in other comparable economies.
New York is one of the worst hit parts of the country
Day by day, pieces of numerical evidence and data are emerging that spell out the extent to which the global economy is being crushed by the coronavirus lockdown.
Today brought several particularly compelling examples of the pandemic's impact.
The US Labor Department revealed that, during the seven days to last Saturday, a further 4.427 million Americans registered as jobless.
That brings the total number during the last five weeks to a scarcely-believable 26.5 million - about one million more than the entire population of Australia.
Expressed as a proportion of the total US labour force, it means that one in six Americans of working age and still fit for work have filed claims for unemployment benefits during the last month.
Or, put an alternative way, it means that the equivalent of all of the US jobs created since the end of the global financial crisis in 2009 - the longest period of job creation in American history - have been wiped out.
Image: The jobless figures are a worry for Donald Trump ahead of November's election
The figures also highlighted the truly shocking rates of unemployment in some individual US states.
In Michigan, whose biggest city, Detroit, is traditionally the heart of US car-making, the jobless rate now stands at 17.4%.
In Rhode Island, another traditional manufacturing base but also home to healthcare giant CVS, the unemployment rate is now 15%.
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In Nevada, home to America's most famous casinos, the jobless rate is now 13.7%.
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And in Georgia, where household names such as Coca-Cola, Honeywell and UPS have their global headquarters, the unemployment rate is now 13.6%.
Over the five weeks, in absolute terms, the most jobs have been lost in California, Pennsylvania and New York.
Expressed in terms of the proportion of the local labour force, Pennsylvania and Georgia have been worst hit.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:42 US workers feel the impact of COVID -19
The destruction of American jobs during the last month is without parallel.
To put it in context, during the financial crisis from 2007 to 2009, around nine million Americans were made unemployed.
And the numbers may be even worse than suggested by these figures.
The extent to which increases in joblessness are being recorded depends on the efficiency with which individual states are able to process jobless claims.
For example, a big increase in the jobless rate in Washington State has been put down to a systems upgrade that allowed claims to be dealt with more quickly.
What is particularly worrying - and which will no doubt concern President Trump as he prepares for this November's elections - is that the increase in US joblessness appears to be even greater than in some comparable economies.
As James McCann, senior global economist at fund manager Aberdeen Standard Investments, put it: "This is another terrible week for layoffs.
"One of the concerns is that the government support doesn't seem to be stemming the tide here.
"The scale of joblessness in the US is clearly larger than other economies.
"This is partly due to the flexibility of the labour market, but also indicative of the problems the US has had ensuring that firms hold on to their workers in the way other countries have through wage subsidies."
An increase in joblessness is perhaps the most obvious way of illustrating the extent to which an economy is slowing down and certainly in terms of spelling out the human suffering that an economic downturn can cause.
Another way of measuring a downturn - and, to economists, just as important - comes in the form of the Purchasing Managers Index survey data.
These are a monthly snapshot of activity in three specific sectors of the economy: services, manufacturing and construction.
IHS Markit, the financial data providers, compile the numbers by sending out questionnaires to thousands of company managers each month asking them questions about what they are seeing in parts of their business, such as new orders, hiring levels, prices and so on.
These responses are then boiled down to one number.
Anything above 50 represents growth and anything below 50 represents contraction - and the numbers are usually a very accurate guide to how the official GDP figures, which are published later, are going to look.
Today IHS Markit published the "flash" PMIs for April, which are compiled from the first 85% of responses, for a number of economies.
These, too, were truly dreadful.
The "flash" composite number - which combines both services and manufacturing - for the US came in at 27.4.
That was down from 40.9 in March.
The figures in Europe, meanwhile, were even worse.
The composite number for the Eurozone was 13.5, again the lowest on record, down from 29.7 in March.
Within that, some of the figures were worse still, with the composite PMI figure for France - which has seen the fourth-highest total of coronavirus deaths by country - coming in at just 11.2.
In the UK, meanwhile, the figure came in at 12.9 - down from 36 for the whole of March.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:21 It's going to be bad. But just how bad?
Again, this is a figure without parallel, consistent with - according to IHS Markit - a quarterly contraction in GDP of 7%.
The overall health of the economy may actually be even worse than implied by the PMI figures because, as IHS Markit pointed out, the PMI survey excludes the vast majority of the self-employed and parts of the heavily-hit retail sector.
Cathal Kennedy, European economist at RBC Capital Markets, said: "Even given the record falls in the PMI survey over the past two months, the surveys are still not picking up the true extent of the collapse in activity that is occurring at present.
"The problem with the PMIs in a situation like the one we are currently experiencing is that they only report the balance of firms saying whether activity is higher or lower.
"What they don't tell us is by how much activity has increased or decreased.
"And in this current episode, a large number of firms will be experiencing a total halt in activity, which the PMIs can't account for and is why the fall in Q2 GDP will be much larger than they are pointing to."
There are not too many crumbs of comfort that can be taken from the latest figures but one, perhaps, is that the UK manufacturing sector appears to be holding up comparatively well compared with the services sector.
That may reflect that, with pubs, bars, hotels and restaurants all closed, activity in many parts of the services sector has completely frozen while in some parts of manufacturing, notably for healthcare and medical equipment, production has been stepped up in some cases.
Another is that, according to Chris Williamson of IHS Markit, business optimism about the year ahead has actually picked up from the all-time low in March.
In the US, meanwhile, although the number of new claims reported today is monstrous, it represents a slowdown from the 5.2 million claims seen the previous week, which was itself down on the week before.
It suggests that the rate at which American jobs are being destroyed has at least peaked.
The bigger question - and this depends strongly on when the lockdown ends - is when those jobs can be replaced.


news--2020-04-23--Just Eat merger with Takeaway.com cleared by competition regulator

Just Eat 's £6.2bn merger with Takeaway.com has been cleared by a UK regulator following an inquiry into whether it would harm competition .
Just Eat shareholders backed the offer by the Dutch online food delivery rival in January following a bidding war to create Just Eat Takeaway.com .
But the pair were forced to operate as two independent businesses when the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) launched an investigation - to the fury of some investors who accused the watchdog of failing to grasp the market .
The CMA confirmed on Thursday that the inquiry had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Colin Raftery , said : `` After interrogating how this deal is likely to affect the UK market , we are satisfied that there are no competition concerns . ''
He added : `` In this case , we carefully considered whether Takeaway.com could have re-entered the UK market in future , giving people more choice .
`` It was important we investigated this properly , but after gathering additional evidence which indicates this deal will not reduce competition , it is also the right decision to now clear the merger .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ but operates across 11 countries overseas , including the Netherlands and Germany .
Uber Eats and Deliveroo are among the competitors in the UK market .
The latter received a boost last week when the CMA cleared a £400m investment in Deliveroo by Amazon after the food delivery firm warned it would go bust because of the coronavirus lockdown , which has forced many restaurants to close .
The CMA had previously outlined similar fears that Amazon could seek to enter the UK market by itself - potentially strangling the competitive landscape .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that it had `` taken note of the decision '' by the CMA .

Just Eat's £6.2bn merger with Takeaway.com has been cleared by a UK regulator following an inquiry into whether it would harm competition.
Just Eat shareholders backed the offer by the Dutch online food delivery rival in January following a bidding war to create Just Eat Takeaway.com.
But the pair were forced to operate as two independent businesses when the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) launched an investigation - to the fury of some investors who accused the watchdog of failing to grasp the market.
The CMA confirmed on Thursday that the inquiry had been completed.
Its senior director of mergers, Colin Raftery, said: "After interrogating how this deal is likely to affect the UK market, we are satisfied that there are no competition concerns."
He added: "In this case, we carefully considered whether Takeaway.com could have re-entered the UK market in future, giving people more choice.
Image: Rival Deliveroo was boosted last week when the CMA cleared an investment by Amazon
"It was important we investigated this properly, but after gathering additional evidence which indicates this deal will not reduce competition, it is also the right decision to now clear the merger."
Takeaway.com left the UK in 2016 but operates across 11 countries overseas, including the Netherlands and Germany.
Uber Eats and Deliveroo are among the competitors in the UK market.
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The latter received a boost last week when the CMA cleared a £400m investment in Deliveroo by Amazon after the food delivery firm warned it would go bust because of the coronavirus lockdown, which has forced many restaurants to close.
The CMA had previously outlined similar fears that Amazon could seek to enter the UK market by itself - potentially strangling the competitive landscape.
Just Eat Takeaway said in a statement that it had "taken note of the decision" by the CMA.


news--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: The 'safe rave' helping Manchester cope with life in lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has done something rare - it 's taken something from everybody .
For some , it 's their livelihoods .
Others , their loved ones .
But , from us all , it 's taken our freedom .
And perhaps that 's why filming a `` safe rave '' as part of Sky News ' Life in Lockdown series felt so special .
On paper , it was just a DJ playing music on a balcony to his neighbours in central Manchester .
But , during these strange , difficult times , it felt frivolous , spontaneous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , deeply moving .
Nkosi Inniss is a DJ .
He 's played nightclubs for years but switched to weddings and corporate events when he and his wife had a baby , 18 months ago .
`` This is only the second year I 've been doing weddings , '' he tells me , `` and I thought it was going to be a good season . ''
`` I had about 60 bookings , so I got loads of new equipment and then almost as soon as it all arrived , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a few days , all of Inniss ' bookings were either cancelled or postponed .
`` It 's been hard , '' he says .
`` You do get down about it . ''
But , along with a neighbour , he came up with a plan .
Inniss lives in Ancoats , an area of Manchester where old warehouses and factories have been converted into flats .
There are plenty of roof terraces and lots of balconies .
`` My neighbour Rich Salisbury knew I was n't working and said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up onto the roof terrace and do a set ?
Just to cheer everyone up ? '
'' `` We did it once and all the feedback from neighbours has been amazing . ''
The pair carefully planned the set-time - 6.45pm - so it 's not too late for families living nearby .
And at 15 minutes long , the gig is short but sweet .
`` It 's also the time when NHS workers have a shift change , '' Rich tells me , `` so it 's something to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for people to look forward to when they come home . ''
The night we film , it 's the pair 's second rooftop session .
We watch Inniss as he sets up , prepares his lights , mixer and smoke machine .
You can see he 's nervous .
He wants to make this 15 minutes count .
`` I 've changed the set about 10 times already , '' he says , making last-minute tweaks to sound levels .
`` This is n't about being best DJ in the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone dancing . ''
And then , it 's time .
`` Ancoats , are you ready ?
`` , Inniss calls into the microphone .
`` This is for the key workers !
This is for everyone that 's feeling alone ! ''
What follows is a medley of classic House tunes , some Manchester stalwarts ( Oasis , of course ) , and a finale of Bill Withers ' Lovely Day .
Remember : this is the city that birthed the Hacienda nightclub , UK rave culture and Bez , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on balconies , rooftops and out of windows , neighbours are dancing , waving their arms , calling out in response to Inniss ' shouts to `` say yeah ! ''
.
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker You can take the Mancunians out of the clubs , but you ca n't take the club out of the Mancunians .
Tonight , there are people alone ; people in pairs .
Most have a drink in hand ; some have put up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is dancing with her young son in her arms .
I 'm trying to concentrate on what 's happening , but I 'm punching the air .
My colleague , filming , is grinning through it all .
It 's utterly joyful , at a time when that 's exactly what we miss .
At street-level , people have stopped for an impromptu dance .
There 's a young couple out walking their dog ; a man on a bike ride ; people coming home with shopping - all now looking up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the music is coming from .
An older couple in the middle of the road , swaying to the music , are holding hands .
Everyone keeps their distance but , for a brief moment , everyone feels united .
And that 's the point .
`` People are going to be isolated right now , and feeling really alone , '' Inniss says .
`` And I think playing this kind of music , where everybody is jumping up and down together , you feel the energy .
`` And even without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you feel like you 're not on your own .

The COVID-19 pandemic has done something rare - it's taken something from everybody.
For some, it's their livelihoods. Others, their loved ones. But, from us all, it's taken our freedom.
And perhaps that's why filming a "safe rave" as part of Sky News' Life in Lockdown series felt so special.
Image: All of Inniss' regular bookings have been cancelled or postponed
On paper, it was just a DJ playing music on a balcony to his neighbours in central Manchester.
But, during these strange, difficult times, it felt frivolous, spontaneous, communal.
And, because of that, deeply moving.
Nkosi Inniss is a DJ. He's played nightclubs for years but switched to weddings and corporate events when he and his wife had a baby, 18 months ago.
"This is only the second year I've been doing weddings," he tells me, "and I thought it was going to be a good season."
"I had about 60 bookings, so I got loads of new equipment and then almost as soon as it all arrived, they said lockdown was coming."
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In a few days, all of Inniss' bookings were either cancelled or postponed.
Image: A couple take in the early-evening music
"It's been hard," he says. "You do get down about it."
But, along with a neighbour, he came up with a plan.
Inniss lives in Ancoats, an area of Manchester where old warehouses and factories have been converted into flats.
There are plenty of roof terraces and lots of balconies.
"My neighbour Rich Salisbury knew I wasn't working and said: 'Why don't you get your speakers up onto the roof terrace and do a set? Just to cheer everyone up?'"
"We did it once and all the feedback from neighbours has been amazing."
The pair carefully planned the set-time - 6.45pm - so it's not too late for families living nearby.
And at 15 minutes long, the gig is short but sweet.
"It's also the time when NHS workers have a shift change," Rich tells me, "so it's something to send them off to work with, or for people to look forward to when they come home."
The night we film, it's the pair's second rooftop session.
Image: The set is 15 minutes long
We watch Inniss as he sets up, prepares his lights, mixer and smoke machine.
You can see he's nervous. He wants to make this 15 minutes count.
"I've changed the set about 10 times already," he says, making last-minute tweaks to sound levels.
"This isn't about being best DJ in the world, but about playing uplifting tunes that gets everyone dancing."
And then, it's time.
Image: A man watches from his window
"Ancoats, are you ready?", Inniss calls into the microphone. "This is for the key workers! This is for everyone that's feeling alone!"
What follows is a medley of classic House tunes, some Manchester stalwarts (Oasis, of course), and a finale of Bill Withers' Lovely Day.
Remember: this is the city that birthed the Hacienda nightclub, UK rave culture and Bez, with his tambourine.
And all around, on balconies, rooftops and out of windows, neighbours are dancing, waving their arms, calling out in response to Inniss' shouts to "say yeah!".
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 Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
You can take the Mancunians out of the clubs, but you can't take the club out of the Mancunians.
Tonight, there are people alone; people in pairs. Most have a drink in hand; some have put up their own disco lights.
One woman is dancing with her young son in her arms.
I'm trying to concentrate on what's happening, but I'm punching the air.
My colleague, filming, is grinning through it all. It's utterly joyful, at a time when that's exactly what we miss.
At street-level, people have stopped for an impromptu dance.
There's a young couple out walking their dog; a man on a bike ride; people coming home with shopping - all now looking up to the rooftop to try and see where the music is coming from.
An older couple in the middle of the road, swaying to the music, are holding hands.
Image: People watch from the street
Everyone keeps their distance but, for a brief moment, everyone feels united.
And that's the point.
"People are going to be isolated right now, and feeling really alone," Inniss says.
"And I think playing this kind of music, where everybody is jumping up and down together, you feel the energy.
"And even without seeing people, all of a sudden you feel like you're not on your own.
"It feels really nice."


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Banksy's Girl With A Pierced Eardrum gets a COVID-19 face mask

A Banksy mural in his home city of Bristol has been updated to reference the COVID-19 pandemic .
The graffiti artist 's Girl With A Pierced Eardrum in Hanover Place now features a surgical face mask , similar to those NHS staff are wearing while treating patients with coronavirus .
A parody of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer 's Girl With A Pearl Earring , Banksy 's artwork appeared in the street near Albion Docks in 2014 , and replaces the jewellery featured in the original painting with a security alarm .
It is not known if the anonymous artist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far , the image does not appear on his official Instagram page .
His last post gave a rare insight into his personal life after he created some home art during lockdown earlier this month .
It featured rats in his bathroom and a caption that read : `` My wife hates it when I work from home . ''
The five images depict nine rodents climbing on to shelves , swinging from towel hooks , hanging from a light pull , unravelling a toilet roll and marking out the number of days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The artist , whose identity has been rumoured to be several different people throughout the years but never confirmed , first rose to fame for his graffiti work in the 1990s .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker His work is often political and contains messages portraying his thoughts on current events .

A Banksy mural in his home city of Bristol has been updated to reference the COVID-19 pandemic.
The graffiti artist's Girl With A Pierced Eardrum in Hanover Place now features a surgical face mask, similar to those NHS staff are wearing while treating patients with coronavirus.
Image: It is not yet know whether it is Banksy or someone else who has updated the mural
Image: The updated artwork has created new interest
A parody of the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer's Girl With A Pearl Earring, Banksy's artwork appeared in the street near Albion Docks in 2014, and replaces the jewellery featured in the original painting with a security alarm.
It is not known if the anonymous artist himself added the face mask; so far, the image does not appear on his official Instagram page.
His last post gave a rare insight into his personal life after he created some home art during lockdown earlier this month.
It featured rats in his bathroom and a caption that read: "My wife hates it when I work from home."
The five images depict nine rodents climbing on to shelves, swinging from towel hooks, hanging from a light pull, unravelling a toilet roll and marking out the number of days spent inside during the strict measures.
Image: Banksy unveiled this lockdown art earlier this month
The artist, whose identity has been rumoured to be several different people throughout the years but never confirmed, first rose to fame for his graffiti work in the 1990s.
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
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His work is often political and contains messages portraying his thoughts on current events.


news--2020-04-23--TV's Big Night In: The Vicar Of Dibley and Little Britain reboot for charity

It 's been years since Geraldine Granger or Lou and Andy appeared on our screens , but they 're making a comeback .
As a world in lockdown seeks solace in nostalgia , the much-loved characters will be taking part in Big Night In to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus outbreak .
The televised event will bring together BBC Children In Need and Comic Relief for the first time .
It 's been 22 years since the final episode of The Vicar Of Dibley aired on TV , and five years since its last charity special .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ her dog collar and cross to revive the down-to-earth female vicar for the show .
Her sketch is rumoured to include a Zoom parish meeting , which will no doubt be doomed to technical failure .
Little Britain will return to TV for the first time in more than 10 years , with David Walliams and Matt Lucas performing a new sketch .
The final series aired in 2008 and included characters such as Vicky Pollard , Emily Howard , Marjorie Dawes , Dafydd , Mr Mann , and Lou and Andy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ appearance , after largely disappearing from the stage and screen .
He 's expected to recreate his famous music video for Tony Christie 's ( Is This the Way to ) Amarillo .
In 2005 , the song spent seven weeks at number one , raising money for Comic Relief in the process .
The famous video featured Kay march towards the camera on a treadmill joined by celebrities including Brian May , Michael Parkinson , Ronnie Corbett and Mr Blobby .
Catherine Tate will resurrect her `` not bovvered '' schoolgirl Lauren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the current lockdown situation .
And ten Doctor Who actors from the last 50 years will also unite to share their appreciation for NHS and frontline workers .
Tom Baker , Peter Davison , Colin Baker , Sylvester McCoy , Paul McGann , Jo Martin , Jodie Whittaker , Peter Capaldi , Matt Smith and David Tennant are all taking part .
Gary Barlow , Chris Martin and Liam Payne will also offer some musical refreshment on the night .
The three-hour show aims to raise millions of pounds for vulnerable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the pandemic .
The government has pledged to match all public donations , with a minimum of £20m .
The majority of the guests will film at home or from a remote location , in order to adhere to strict social distancing rules .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker However , hosts including Sir Lenny Henry , Davina McCall and Matt Baker will present from the studio for the first hour of the show , but always staying at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In is on BBC One on Thursday 23 April from 7pm .

It's been years since Geraldine Granger or Lou and Andy appeared on our screens, but they're making a comeback.
As a world in lockdown seeks solace in nostalgia, the much-loved characters will be taking part in Big Night In to raise money for those affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
Image: The Vicar Of Dibley finished on TV 22 years ago. Pic: Dan Towers/Shutterstock
The televised event will bring together BBC Children In Need and Comic Relief for the first time.
It's been 22 years since the final episode of The Vicar Of Dibley aired on TV, and five years since its last charity special.
But Dawn French will be pulling on her dog collar and cross to revive the down-to-earth female vicar for the show.
Her sketch is rumoured to include a Zoom parish meeting, which will no doubt be doomed to technical failure.
Little Britain will return to TV for the first time in more than 10 years, with David Walliams and Matt Lucas performing a new sketch.
Image: Matt Lucas and David Walliams as Lou and Andy
The final series aired in 2008 and included characters such as Vicky Pollard, Emily Howard, Marjorie Dawes, Dafydd, Mr Mann, and Lou and Andy.
Peter Kay will also make a rare appearance, after largely disappearing from the stage and screen.
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He's expected to recreate his famous music video for Tony Christie's (Is This the Way to) Amarillo.
Image: Peter Kay has been largely absent from our screen for years
In 2005, the song spent seven weeks at number one, raising money for Comic Relief in the process.
The famous video featured Kay march towards the camera on a treadmill joined by celebrities including Brian May, Michael Parkinson, Ronnie Corbett and Mr Blobby.
Catherine Tate will resurrect her "not bovvered" schoolgirl Lauren, who is struggling with home schooling in the current lockdown situation.
Image: Catherine Tate will bring back belligerent school girl Lauren
And ten Doctor Who actors from the last 50 years will also unite to share their appreciation for NHS and frontline workers.
Tom Baker, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, Jo Martin, Jodie Whittaker, Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith and David Tennant are all taking part.
Gary Barlow, Chris Martin and Liam Payne will also offer some musical refreshment on the night.
Image: Doctor Who's past and present will unite, we don't know if there'll be Daleks
The three-hour show aims to raise millions of pounds for vulnerable people around the UK who have been affected by the pandemic.
The government has pledged to match all public donations, with a minimum of £20m.
The majority of the guests will film at home or from a remote location, in order to adhere to strict social distancing rules.
:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
However, hosts including Sir Lenny Henry, Davina McCall and Matt Baker will present from the studio for the first hour of the show, but always staying at least two metres apart.
The Big Night In is on BBC One on Thursday 23 April from 7pm.


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Experts offer advice about what habits we should keep after lockdown

In the last four weeks , the day-to-day lives of everyone in the UK have been changed due to the coronavirus lockdown .
Our usual habits have been replaced with new ones , as we all try to adapt to these extraordinary and unusual times .
But what have we picked up in the last few weeks that we should continue with when we exit lockdown ?
Sky News has spoken to seven experts , covering mental wellbeing , education , employment , food , entertainment and the environment to see what we should take forward .
Judi says contextualising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should take forward .
`` We might be isolated , but we are much more aware of the global society and able to empathise .
`` One thing that people leading enclosed lives for any length of time seem to agree on is the need to create some daily structure to help feelings of mental wellbeing .
`` When we lose all structure , it can be very hard to self-motivate . ''
Meanwhile , Mica Montana Gray says we should think about limiting the amount of information we take in , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be a great for self care .
`` I think that 's a really good practice to take out of lockdown so that our minds and our brains are not overwhelmed with the amount of information that we have access to a lot of the time .
`` Journaling especially - people have started doing this because they 've had so much time with their thoughts .
It 's a great way to monitor your health post-lockdown ! ''
Chris recommends we continue activities that bond families together .
`` Making up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your own joke show , fingerprint art . ''
He currently has fewer than 20 children who currently still need to be in school .
`` They 're doing planting , they 're doing gardening , they 're doing painting , they 're doing art .
They 're really being nurtured and doing fun , practical , lifeskill activities . ''
`` The key thing would be flexible working , '' Beth says .
`` I think we have seen a lot of resistance to home working historically in some industries , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go 'You know what ?
It can be done . '
'' Beth says she thinks employers will also begin to recognise the daily juggle that many experience .
: : Listen to Coronavirus : In This Together on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , or Spreaker '' This has forced everyone to go ' I 'm with my kids , there might be some noise in the background , I might have to drop off to deal with an unwell child ' .
`` You do n't have , frankly , just working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it - everyone is having to deal with that issue . ''
Baking , Claire says , is an obvious habit we 've picked up that we should continue .
`` I 've been baking daily bread , either scalded rye or sourdough .
Sometimes the odd cake - I 've made an oat and carrot cake , '' she says .
`` Being less wasteful of produce , less mindful of silly things like hardcore use by dates .
`` Also , more thrifty use of store cupboard staples , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resourceful cooks ! ''
`` I 'm more concerned that people will have got so used to consuming entertainment at home they will be reluctant to spend money on going to the cinema to catch the latest releases , '' Hanna says .
`` What about the 'less ' exciting films that already struggle to get time on the theatrical release schedules ? ''
She hopes we 'll carry on using streaming sites that host more independent films , like Curzon Home Cinema and Mubi .
`` People will hopefully realise how vital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been during this time - supporting the arts has never been more important . ''
Amy says she 's enjoyed `` cleaner air , quieter streets , bold wildlife taking advantage of our absence '' - but that this should n't be a time to celebrate .
`` Tackling the climate crisis should improve our physical and economic wellbeing , not destroy it .
`` Post-pandemic , could we reclaim some of our streets for people rather than cars ?
`` Could more of us swap commutes for time with families ?
Could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that 's giving us so much solace ? ''
she asks .
`` I think we 're learning just how much change is possible .
I 'd love if we could carry that forward into the world we rebuild . ''

In the last four weeks, the day-to-day lives of everyone in the UK have been changed due to the coronavirus lockdown.
Our usual habits have been replaced with new ones, as we all try to adapt to these extraordinary and unusual times.
But what have we picked up in the last few weeks that we should continue with when we exit lockdown?
Sky News has spoken to seven experts, covering mental wellbeing, education, employment, food, entertainment and the environment to see what we should take forward.
Mental Wellbeing - Judi James, psychologist, and Mica Montana Gray, poet and assistant psychologist
Image: Judi James is a body language expert and psychologist. Pic: Anthony Woods
Judi says contextualising our situation and structure are things we should take forward.
"We might be isolated, but we are much more aware of the global society and able to empathise.
"One thing that people leading enclosed lives for any length of time seem to agree on is the need to create some daily structure to help feelings of mental wellbeing.
"When we lose all structure, it can be very hard to self-motivate."
Image: Mica Montana Gray is a research psychologist and poet
Meanwhile, Mica Montana Gray says we should think about limiting the amount of information we take in, to lessen anxieties, and that getting creative can be a great for self care.
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"I think that's a really good practice to take out of lockdown so that our minds and our brains are not overwhelmed with the amount of information that we have access to a lot of the time.
"Journaling especially - people have started doing this because they've had so much time with their thoughts. It's a great way to monitor your health post-lockdown!"
Education - Chris Dyson, headteacher at Parklands Primary School, Leeds
Chris recommends we continue activities that bond families together.
"Making up five-minute exercise routines, creating and performing your own joke show, fingerprint art."
He currently has fewer than 20 children who currently still need to be in school.
"They're doing planting, they're doing gardening, they're doing painting, they're doing art. They're really being nurtured and doing fun, practical, lifeskill activities."
Employment - Beth Hale, partner at employment law firm CM Murray
"The key thing would be flexible working," Beth says.
"I think we have seen a lot of resistance to home working historically in some industries, and I think this is forcing everyone to go 'You know what? It can be done.'"
Beth says she thinks employers will also begin to recognise the daily juggle that many experience.
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:: Listen to Coronavirus: In This Together on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Spreaker
"This has forced everyone to go 'I'm with my kids, there might be some noise in the background, I might have to drop off to deal with an unwell child'.
"You don't have, frankly, just working mothers pretending that they're not dealing with it - everyone is having to deal with that issue."
Food - 5 O'Clock Apron aka Claire Thomson, blogger, chef and author
Baking, Claire says, is an obvious habit we've picked up that we should continue.
"I've been baking daily bread, either scalded rye or sourdough. Sometimes the odd cake - I've made an oat and carrot cake," she says.
"Being less wasteful of produce, less mindful of silly things like hardcore use by dates.
"Also, more thrifty use of store cupboard staples," she adds, "basically being more resourceful cooks!"
Entertainment - Hanna Flint, film and TV critic and writer
"I'm more concerned that people will have got so used to consuming entertainment at home they will be reluctant to spend money on going to the cinema to catch the latest releases," Hanna says.
"What about the 'less' exciting films that already struggle to get time on the theatrical release schedules?"
She hopes we'll carry on using streaming sites that host more independent films, like Curzon Home Cinema and Mubi.
"People will hopefully realise how vital entertainment is to our culture and has been during this time - supporting the arts has never been more important."
Environment - Amy Cameron, Campaigner
Amy says she's enjoyed "cleaner air, quieter streets, bold wildlife taking advantage of our absence" - but that this shouldn't be a time to celebrate.
"Tackling the climate crisis should improve our physical and economic wellbeing, not destroy it.
"Post-pandemic, could we reclaim some of our streets for people rather than cars?
"Could more of us swap commutes for time with families? Could we protect more of the green space that's giving us so much solace?" she asks.
"I think we're learning just how much change is possible. I'd love if we could carry that forward into the world we rebuild."


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: Rolling Stones release lockdown-inspired new song Living In A Ghost Town

The Rolling Stones have released their first new single in eight years , a tune that reflects life in the coronavirus lockdown .
Living In A Ghost Town , a bluesy composition which was `` finished in isolation '' , according to the band 's Twitter page , includes lyrics such as `` life was so beautiful , then we all got locked down '' .
Singer Sir Mick Jagger said that they started working on the track before the pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown and decided to release it because it would `` resonate with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a video posted on social media , Sir Mick , 76 , said : `` So we were in the studio , the Stones recorded some new material before the lockdown and there was one song I thought would resonate with the times we 're living in which is called Living In A Ghost Town .
`` So , hope you like it . ''
Guitarist Keith Richards , 76 , said : `` So let 's cut a long story short , we cut this track well over a year ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a new album , you know , an ongoing thing . ''
`` Then the s*** hit the fan , '' he added and it was decided `` this one really needed to get moving right now '' .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Living In A Ghost Town is the first original song the band have released since two new tracks - Doom and Gloom and One More Shot - featured on their 2012 Greatest Hits album Grrr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of new material was 2005 's A Bigger Bang .

The Rolling Stones have released their first new single in eight years, a tune that reflects life in the coronavirus lockdown.
Living In A Ghost Town, a bluesy composition which was "finished in isolation", according to the band's Twitter page, includes lyrics such as "life was so beautiful, then we all got locked down".
Singer Sir Mick Jagger said that they started working on the track before the pandemic forced much of the world into lockdown and decided to release it because it would "resonate with the times we're living in".
Image: The Rolling Stones - (clockwise from top left) Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood - take part in One World: Together At Home. Pic: Global Citizen
In a video posted on social media, Sir Mick, 76, said: "So we were in the studio, the Stones recorded some new material before the lockdown and there was one song I thought would resonate with the times we're living in which is called Living In A Ghost Town.
"So, hope you like it."
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Guitarist Keith Richards, 76, said: "So let's cut a long story short, we cut this track well over a year ago in L.A., I believe, for part of a new album, you know, an ongoing thing."
"Then the s*** hit the fan," he added and it was decided "this one really needed to get moving right now".
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:: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Living In A Ghost Town is the first original song the band have released since two new tracks - Doom and Gloom and One More Shot - featured on their 2012 Greatest Hits album Grrr!
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Before that, their last album of new material was 2005's A Bigger Bang.


news--2020-04-23--Prince Charles releases photo of him hugging Prince Louis to mark grandson's birthday

The Prince of Wales has released a photograph of him hugging Prince Louis as he marked his grandson 's second birthday .
The black and white image , taken by the child 's mother the Duchess of Cambridge , was posted on Prince Charles ' official Twitter account with the message : `` A very Happy Birthday to Prince Louis , who turns two today . ''
`` The young Prince enjoys a hug from his Grandfather , The Prince of Wales . ''
It is not known when and where the picture was taken .
Charles has been staying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of the coronavirus lockdown , where he has recovered from COVID-19 .
And the framed image was among several photos that could be seen behind him when earlier this month he opened London 's NHS Nightingale Hospital via video link .
A series of pictures have also been released by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark their son 's birthday , showing the young prince making a rainbow tribute poster and the couple joking about `` Instagram v Reality '' .
Children across the UK have been creating rainbow pictures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown to put in their windows .
Louis has joined the trend and was photographed by his mother Kate at their Norfolk home with his rainbow-coloured hands on show .
The young prince celebrated his second birthday on Thursday , and his rainbow handprint picture is one of six photos released to mark the milestone .
Kate is a keen photographer and patron of the Royal Photographic Society , who has regularly released birthday pictures she has taken of her other children , Prince George and Princess Charlotte .
The duchess earlier said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home during the Easter holidays , with schools closed due to the pandemic .
In a recent interview , she said she found teaching her children at home `` challenging '' , and added with a laugh : `` Do n't tell the children we 've actually kept it going through the holidays , I feel very mean . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' It 's just having that bit of structure , actually .
It 's great , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fun activities that you can do with the children , so it has n't been all hardcore . ''
Kate also revealed her surprise at her children 's awareness about the coronavirus outbreak , and has tackled the subject with them in `` age appropriate '' ways .
Louis has rarely been seen in public .

The Prince of Wales has released a photograph of him hugging Prince Louis as he marked his grandson's second birthday.
The black and white image, taken by the child's mother the Duchess of Cambridge, was posted on Prince Charles' official Twitter account with the message: "A very Happy Birthday to Prince Louis, who turns two today."
"The young Prince enjoys a hug from his Grandfather, The Prince of Wales."
It is not known when and where the picture was taken.
Charles has been staying at his Scottish home of Birkhall for much of the coronavirus lockdown, where he has recovered from COVID-19.
Image: The photo of Charles and Louis was seen behind him when he opened the first Nightingale Hospital from his home in Scotland. Pic: Clarence House
And the framed image was among several photos that could be seen behind him when earlier this month he opened London's NHS Nightingale Hospital via video link.
A series of pictures have also been released by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to mark their son's birthday, showing the young prince making a rainbow tribute poster and the couple joking about "Instagram v Reality".
Image: An 'Instagram v Reality' photo of Prince Louis. Pic:@KensingtonRoyal
Children across the UK have been creating rainbow pictures as a symbol of hope during the lockdown to put in their windows.
Louis has joined the trend and was photographed by his mother Kate at their Norfolk home with his rainbow-coloured hands on show.
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The young prince celebrated his second birthday on Thursday, and his rainbow handprint picture is one of six photos released to mark the milestone.
Kate is a keen photographer and patron of the Royal Photographic Society, who has regularly released birthday pictures she has taken of her other children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Image: Louis celebrated his second birthday on Thursday. Pic: The Duchess of Cambridge
The duchess earlier said she had a makeshift classroom in her home during the Easter holidays, with schools closed due to the pandemic.
In a recent interview, she said she found teaching her children at home "challenging", and added with a laugh: "Don't tell the children we've actually kept it going through the holidays, I feel very mean."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"It's just having that bit of structure, actually. It's great, there are so many great tips online and fun activities that you can do with the children, so it hasn't been all hardcore."
Kate also revealed her surprise at her children's awareness about the coronavirus outbreak, and has tackled the subject with them in "age appropriate" ways.
Louis has rarely been seen in public.


news--2020-04-23--Coronavirus: More than 430,000 firms apply for government scheme to pay 3.2m furloughed workers

More than 430,000 businesses have applied for a government scheme to pay the wages of 3.2 million furloughed workers .
Firms impacted by the COVID-19 crisis are able to claim for government cash to pay 80 % of each employee 's wages , up to £2,500 per month .
Appearing before a House of Commons committee on Thursday , Mr Sharma told MPs that - as of 4pm on Wednesday - the coronavirus job retention scheme had received 387,000 applications covering 2.8 million employees .
In updated figures , HMRC later said 435,000 firms had made claims valuing £3.75bn and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also disclosed that , as of 19 April , nearly 500,000 firms had received grants of £10,000 or £25,000 - distributed by local councils - totalling just over £6bn .
The government is also guaranteeing 80 % of each loan from lenders to small and medium-sized businesses .
Mr Sharma told the business , energy and industrial strategy committee that , so far , 16,600 firms had secured such a loan - totalling £2.8bn .
There have been around 36,000 completed applications to date to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme ( CBILS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ More than half the total number of loans have been approved in the past eight days alone .
The government has faced criticism for the slow roll-out of the loans scheme for smaller businesses .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It has previously been estimated that 300,000 CBILS enquiries have been made , with Labour 's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband highlighting how there are a total of nearly six million small and medium-sized firms in the UK .
Commenting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they showed the scheme was `` in no way equal to the scale of economic distress facing our firms '' .
`` Providing 16,000 loans in four weeks in a country of nearly six million SMEs is not good enough , '' he added .
`` In an average week last year there was more than £1bn of new SME lending .
`` The fact that CBILS are now only at that level at a time of the worst economic emergency in our lifetimes is a clear sign that they are inadequate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scheme is not working adequately and change it urgently .
`` The future of many of our small firms depends on its decisions . ''
Meanwhile , at a separate Commons committee , it was confirmed there had been 1.5 million new claimants for Universal Credit welfare payments in the six weeks to 12 April .
Department for Work and Pensions minister Will Quince revealed that , in one single day , there had been 110,000 claims when the department usually receives 55,000 per week .
However , he said there had since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the number of claims .
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research , an independent think tank , is to publish new findings that claim UK unemployment could reach more than six million by the end of next month - a rise of around five million workers .

More than 430,000 businesses have applied for a government scheme to pay the wages of 3.2 million furloughed workers.
Firms impacted by the COVID-19 crisis are able to claim for government cash to pay 80% of each employee's wages, up to £2,500 per month.
Appearing before a House of Commons committee on Thursday, Mr Sharma told MPs that - as of 4pm on Wednesday - the coronavirus job retention scheme had received 387,000 applications covering 2.8 million employees.
In updated figures, HMRC later said 435,000 firms had made claims valuing £3.75bn and covering 3.2 million employees.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 Economy faces 'unprecedented' jolt
Mr Sharma also disclosed that, as of 19 April, nearly 500,000 firms had received grants of £10,000 or £25,000 - distributed by local councils - totalling just over £6bn.
The government is also guaranteeing 80% of each loan from lenders to small and medium-sized businesses.
Mr Sharma told the business, energy and industrial strategy committee that, so far, 16,600 firms had secured such a loan - totalling £2.8bn.
There have been around 36,000 completed applications to date to the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS), according to UK Finance.
More than half the total number of loans have been approved in the past eight days alone.
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The government has faced criticism for the slow roll-out of the loans scheme for smaller businesses.
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
It has previously been estimated that 300,000 CBILS enquiries have been made, with Labour's shadow business secretary Ed Miliband highlighting how there are a total of nearly six million small and medium-sized firms in the UK.
Commenting on the latest CBILS figures, Mr Miliband said they showed the scheme was "in no way equal to the scale of economic distress facing our firms".
"Providing 16,000 loans in four weeks in a country of nearly six million SMEs is not good enough," he added.
"In an average week last year there was more than £1bn of new SME lending.
"The fact that CBILS are now only at that level at a time of the worst economic emergency in our lifetimes is a clear sign that they are inadequate.
"The government must recognise the scheme is not working adequately and change it urgently.
"The future of many of our small firms depends on its decisions."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 6:36 Life in Lockdown: North of England
Meanwhile, at a separate Commons committee, it was confirmed there had been 1.5 million new claimants for Universal Credit welfare payments in the six weeks to 12 April.
Department for Work and Pensions minister Will Quince revealed that, in one single day, there had been 110,000 claims when the department usually receives 55,000 per week.
However, he said there had since been a "significant slowdown" in the number of claims.
The National Institute of Economic and Social Research, an independent think tank, is to publish new findings that claim UK unemployment could reach more than six million by the end of next month - a rise of around five million workers.


news--2020-04-23--HMS Trenchant: Nuclear submarine commander holds BBQ for crew during lockdown

The Royal Navy has launched an investigation after the captain of a submarine held a barbeque with dance music for his crew during the coronavirus lockdown .
Video posted on social media apparently shows submariners watching what looks to be a makeshift DJ set while sat at tables or standing on the dockside at a naval base in Devonport , Plymouth .
HMS Trenchant , a nuclear-powered submarine , can be seen alongside , with cooks in white overalls standing on its casing - the top of the boat - with a barbecue .
The commanding officer had allegedly been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on land given the lockdown , so apparently decided to have it physically onboard the submarine .
`` It was within the letter but not the spirit '' of the advice , a defence source said .
The source said the barbeque alone - for a crew that was back for a short period of maintenance on the submarine before heading back out to sea - would not have triggered an investigation , but that it followed a number of other alleged `` errors of judgement '' .
They were also being looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commanding officer has been sent home while the investigation takes place but remains in command of the submarine - one of the most elite and difficult-to-obtain roles in the Royal Navy .
The exact date of the barbeque is not clear but the defence source said it happened early on in the coronavirus lockdown , when the significant effort by the government to tell people to stay at home and not to socialise was just beginning .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first posted on a Facebook page called Fill Your Boots .
The sight of a few dozen submariners - even though none of them could have COVID-19 because they had been together at sea in their submarine when the pandemic hit the UK - was not thought to be a good idea by more senior officers .
At the time , HMS Trenchant was only at the base for a number of days before it was due to head back out to sea .
The commanding officer remains in command of the boat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ action , only the risk of administrative action if the investigation finds that he did anything wrong .
A Royal Navy spokesperson said : `` An investigation is under way .
It would be inappropriate to comment further . ''

The Royal Navy has launched an investigation after the captain of a submarine held a barbeque with dance music for his crew during the coronavirus lockdown.
Video posted on social media apparently shows submariners watching what looks to be a makeshift DJ set while sat at tables or standing on the dockside at a naval base in Devonport, Plymouth.
HMS Trenchant, a nuclear-powered submarine, can be seen alongside, with cooks in white overalls standing on its casing - the top of the boat - with a barbecue.
Image: HMS Trenchant in the Suez near the port city of Ismailia in Egypt in 2009
The commanding officer had allegedly been told he could not have a barbecue on land given the lockdown, so apparently decided to have it physically onboard the submarine.
"It was within the letter but not the spirit" of the advice, a defence source said.
The source said the barbeque alone - for a crew that was back for a short period of maintenance on the submarine before heading back out to sea - would not have triggered an investigation, but that it followed a number of other alleged "errors of judgement".
They were also being looked into, the source added.
The commanding officer has been sent home while the investigation takes place but remains in command of the submarine - one of the most elite and difficult-to-obtain roles in the Royal Navy.
The exact date of the barbeque is not clear but the defence source said it happened early on in the coronavirus lockdown, when the significant effort by the government to tell people to stay at home and not to socialise was just beginning.
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Video of the dockside party was first posted on a Facebook page called Fill Your Boots.
The sight of a few dozen submariners - even though none of them could have COVID-19 because they had been together at sea in their submarine when the pandemic hit the UK - was not thought to be a good idea by more senior officers.
At the time, HMS Trenchant was only at the base for a number of days before it was due to head back out to sea.
The commanding officer remains in command of the boat. He is not facing any disciplinary action, only the risk of administrative action if the investigation finds that he did anything wrong.
A Royal Navy spokesperson said: "An investigation is under way. It would be inappropriate to comment further."