news--2020-05-29--George Floyd death: Protesters across the US join call for justice

Protests in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd have spread to other US cities as people show their anger over how police treat black Americans .
Mr Floyd , who was handcuffed as he pleaded for air while white officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck , is the latest black person to die following a police altercation in the US .
The cry of `` I ca n't breathe '' dominated the protests by Black Lives Matter and other groups , recalling the final words of Eric Garner , a black man who died in New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2014 .
Here are some of the other demonstrations that have taken place around the US .
Around 200 protesters chanted `` black lives matter '' , `` we ca n't breathe '' , and `` hands up , do n't shoot '' - and TV station WSYX reported that windows were smashed in an attempt by some protesters to get inside the statehouse .
The city council 's president Shannon Hardin told the news outlet : `` As a young African American growing up in this city , it is real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last week are just representations of things that we felt for a long time . ''
Protests were focused on demanding justice for Breonna Taylor , a black woman who was fatally shot by police in her home in March .
The 26-year-old emergency medical technician was shot eight times after narcotics detectives knocked down her front door .
No drugs were found in her home .
Between 500 and 600 people protested on Thursday night , according to the Courier Journal .
Police appeared to fire rubber bullets and deploy tear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to film them .
At least seven people were shot , one who remains in a critical condition in hospital .
There were also `` some arrests '' , police said , without providing a number .
The Associated Press quoted police spokesman Sergeant Lamont Washington as saying the seven victims were all civilians and that `` no officers discharged their service weapons '' .
Hundreds of protesters gathered and witnesses told CBS Denver there were six or seven gunshots during a four-hour protest .
Police said there were no reports of injuries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wright as saying : `` I want to be part of the change .
I 'm tired of seeing black people die just because they 're black . ''
Denver 's police chief said the behaviour of his colleagues in Minneapolis had been `` inexcusable '' , adding that `` treating those we serve with respect is of the utmost importance to me as chief and those who make up the Denver Police Department '' .
Denver 's mayor Michael Hancock tweeted : `` You can be angry .
You can be outraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and to see it served , but please march in peace .
Responding to violence with violence will only lead to more violence . ''
In New York City , at least 70 people were arrested on Thursday as protesters clashed with police .
The protesters shouted `` no justice , no peace '' and `` f*** the police '' as they made their way to the steps of City Hall and then on to the World Trade Center , the New York Post reported .
Video showed scuffles between the two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people and holding them on the ground , the newspaper reported .
Around 70 Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in front of the Memphis Midtown Police precinct , according to local news outlets .
In comments reported by MPR News , mayor Jim Strickland said he shared their frustration but wished they had observed social distancing rules due to the coronavirus outbreak .
`` By not doing so , protesters and our officers were unnecessarily put at risk , '' he said .
Protesters were met by counter-protesters from a group called Confederate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The four-hour protest ended with five arrests , the news outlet said .
Protesters filled the streets for a second evening on Thursday , gathering outside police headquarters , which they had vandalised with anti-police graffiti the previous night .
Long Beach Police Department Chief Robert Luna criticised the actions of the police officers in Minneapolis as `` directly in conflict with the oath we have taken to protect and serve '' .

Protests in Minneapolis over the death of George Floyd have spread to other US cities as people show their anger over how police treat black Americans.
Mr Floyd, who was handcuffed as he pleaded for air while white officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, is the latest black person to die following a police altercation in the US.
The cry of "I can't breathe" dominated the protests by Black Lives Matter and other groups, recalling the final words of Eric Garner, a black man who died in New York City after police put him in a chokehold in 2014.
Here are some of the other demonstrations that have taken place around the US.
Image: Around 200 protesters chanted "we can't breathe" in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio:
Around 200 protesters chanted "black lives matter", "we can't breathe", and "hands up, don't shoot" - and TV station WSYX reported that windows were smashed in an attempt by some protesters to get inside the statehouse.
The city council's president Shannon Hardin told the news outlet: "As a young African American growing up in this city, it is real.
"What we have seen in the last week are just representations of things that we felt for a long time."
Image: Protests in Columbus turned violent after attempt to enter the statehouse
Louisville, Kentucky:
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Protests were focused on demanding justice for Breonna Taylor, a black woman who was fatally shot by police in her home in March.
The 26-year-old emergency medical technician was shot eight times after narcotics detectives knocked down her front door.
No drugs were found in her home.
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Between 500 and 600 people protested on Thursday night, according to the Courier Journal.
Police appeared to fire rubber bullets and deploy tear gas canisters, while protesters used phones to film them.
At least seven people were shot, one who remains in a critical condition in hospital. There were also "some arrests", police said, without providing a number.
The Associated Press quoted police spokesman Sergeant Lamont Washington as saying the seven victims were all civilians and that "no officers discharged their service weapons".
Image: A protester is seen on top of a vehicle speeding through a protest in Denver. Pic: Anabel Escobar/via REUTERS
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Denver, Colorado:
Hundreds of protesters gathered and witnesses told CBS Denver there were six or seven gunshots during a four-hour protest.
Police said there were no reports of injuries.
The TV station quoted protester Cedrick Wright as saying: "I want to be part of the change. I'm tired of seeing black people die just because they're black."
Denver's police chief said the behaviour of his colleagues in Minneapolis had been "inexcusable", adding that "treating those we serve with respect is of the utmost importance to me as chief and those who make up the Denver Police Department".
Denver's mayor Michael Hancock tweeted: "You can be angry. You can be outraged. I certainly am...March for justice and to see it served, but please march in peace. Responding to violence with violence will only lead to more violence."
Image: Protests in New York continued on Thursday
New York City:
In New York City, at least 70 people were arrested on Thursday as protesters clashed with police.
The protesters shouted "no justice, no peace" and "f*** the police" as they made their way to the steps of City Hall and then on to the World Trade Center, the New York Post reported.
Video showed scuffles between the two groups and also police using batons against people and holding them on the ground, the newspaper reported.
Image: Protesters in New York made their way to the steps of City Hall and then to the World Trade Center
Image: Seventy people were arrested during protests in New York City
Memphis, Tennessee:
Around 70 Black Lives Matter protesters gathered in front of the Memphis Midtown Police precinct, according to local news outlets.
In comments reported by MPR News, mayor Jim Strickland said he shared their frustration but wished they had observed social distancing rules due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"By not doing so, protesters and our officers were unnecessarily put at risk," he said.
Protesters were met by counter-protesters from a group called Confederate 901, according to WREG NewsChannel 3.
The four-hour protest ended with five arrests, the news outlet said.
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Image: People protested in Los Angeles, joining a wave of anger across the US. Pic: Etienne Laurent/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Los Angeles, California:
Protesters filled the streets for a second evening on Thursday, gathering outside police headquarters, which they had vandalised with anti-police graffiti the previous night.
Long Beach Police Department Chief Robert Luna criticised the actions of the police officers in Minneapolis as "directly in conflict with the oath we have taken to protect and serve".


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Is it hay fever or COVID-19? How to tell the difference

With Britain firmly in hay fever season , some people may be worried about confusing its symptoms with those of coronavirus .
A cough can be associated with both conditions , and hay fever can lead to a loss of smell - something that can affect those with COVID-19 too .
We have just entered the most difficult period for sufferers - the grass pollen season , which lasts from mid-May until July .
Asthma UK said the main difference between the two is that `` hay fever does n't usually come with a high temperature '' .
Hay fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new , continuous and dry cough is associated with coronavirus .
An allergy to pollen may cause a loss of smell , according to the NHS .
And loss of taste and smell - or anosmia - were also recently added to the UK 's official list of symptoms for COVID-19 .
However , common hay fever symptoms such as sneezing , a runny or blocked nose , and itchy or watery eyes are not normally associated with coronavirus .
Royal College of GPs chair Professor Martin Marshall has also highlighted some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Allergy symptoms tend to be milder and fluctuate depending on the time of day as pollen levels are often higher in the afternoon and evening , '' he said .
`` Patients who regularly suffer from hay fever will be familiar with the symptoms they usually get and the severity of them .
`` In instances where a patient experiences a significant deviation from this , or have specific symptoms of COVID-19 - a new , persistent cough and a high temperature - we urge them to follow government advice and self-isolate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hay fever symptoms `` are persistent and relatively predictable depending on the pollen count '' .
`` Symptoms of runny , itchy nose and sneezing which are typical of hay fever are not typical of coronavirus , '' it says .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

With Britain firmly in hay fever season, some people may be worried about confusing its symptoms with those of coronavirus.
A cough can be associated with both conditions, and hay fever can lead to a loss of smell - something that can affect those with COVID-19 too.
We have just entered the most difficult period for sufferers - the grass pollen season, which lasts from mid-May until July.
Asthma UK said the main difference between the two is that "hay fever doesn't usually come with a high temperature".
Hay fever symptoms may include a cough; but a new, continuous and dry cough is associated with coronavirus.
An allergy to pollen may cause a loss of smell, according to the NHS.
And loss of taste and smell - or anosmia - were also recently added to the UK's official list of symptoms for COVID-19.
However, common hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, and itchy or watery eyes are not normally associated with coronavirus.
Royal College of GPs chair Professor Martin Marshall has also highlighted some of hay fever's distinctive traits.
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"Allergy symptoms tend to be milder and fluctuate depending on the time of day as pollen levels are often higher in the afternoon and evening," he said.
"Similarly, wet weather may lead to patients experiencing milder symptoms.
"Patients who regularly suffer from hay fever will be familiar with the symptoms they usually get and the severity of them.
Image: Inviting summer fields can be a nightmare for some have fever sufferers
"In instances where a patient experiences a significant deviation from this, or have specific symptoms of COVID-19 - a new, persistent cough and a high temperature - we urge them to follow government advice and self-isolate."
The charity Allergy UK says hay fever symptoms "are persistent and relatively predictable depending on the pollen count".
"Symptoms of runny, itchy nose and sneezing which are typical of hay fever are not typical of coronavirus," it says.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Test and trace programme 'hit by more problems' on day two

Contact tracers say they are still encountering technical difficulties and other problems , including delayed pay , on the second day of the track and trace scheme .
The government 's coronavirus programme launched on Thursday but was immediately hit by IT problems .
NHS workers in the scheme reported being unable to log into the new website , with staff saying they received a message saying a `` critical incident '' has been reported with the system designed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
Fiona , not her real name , is a semi-retired GP nurse from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tier two contact tracer .
She was one of a number of tracers who told Sky News there were problems logging on during the launch day .
Fiona was hit by more problems trying to log on at 8am on Thursday morning , with an error message saying she was unable to connect to the site .
Once she had logged in , she found she had no cases assigned to her .
When she called the helpline she said there was a recorded message saying `` we are aware of some technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she gave up and sought out the online chat support .
She was eventually able to get help after another long wait by trying again on the phone , telling Sky News : `` I do n't think the chat is working . ''
She 's been speaking to another contact tracer experiencing the same problems .
`` The other contact tracer says she is close to giving up .
We are here as nurses to use our skills to help and advise the public and try to beat out the fire of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do best .
We are not IT specialists .
`` Most of us seem to be fairly senior clinicians .
There are so many skills and public money being wasted '' .
She added : `` They ’ ve recruited all these people and there ’ s not enough work , I do n't think it will get busy until the app is rolled out .
`` It tells you that launching this early was purely to try and dominate the news . ''
The tracer said she can see there are hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , given there are no cases assigned to her , `` I could book every day if I was that inclined and get money for sitting painting my nails ! ''
Screenshots show there are 143 `` available shifts '' today and 81 tomorrow .
One area of progress is that she now has been provided a number to talk to the team leaders but still has not been assigned a specific one for her .
Another issue that contact tracers have told Sky News about is delayed pay .
Fiona told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been paid for my training shifts but they currently owe me for five shifts .
`` The timesheets say they are 'not authorised ' , although I was told I would be paid . ''
Fiona added later in the afternoon she had not been given a case all day .
A second contact tracer that Sky News has spoken to said this issue of pay appears to be widespread and is a hot topic in the forum where they are able to speak .
The tracer , who does not wish to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' in the chat are people complaining to the moderators they 've not been paid , or been paid incorrectly .
`` Many in our chat group have not been paid , '' she said , suggesting she has seen up to 20 people say they 've had problems with payment - including many who started earlier from 14 May .
People are `` very frustrated '' , she said .
Another tracer who spoke about pay problems also said : `` We received a message last night saying confidentiality was required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which sounds a bit like if you speak out , you are responsible for the failure of the programme .
Which is so wrong . ''
Workers are paid on Fridays with payslips available from Thursdays .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A Department of Health spokesperson told Sky News : `` Any member of staff with concerns about salary payment should raise those with their line manager . ''
On Thursday they talked down issues with the website .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the department said .
`` Anyone in the country can log on and book a test if they have symptoms and we have tracers logged on to do their vital work to help stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives .
`` As with all large scale operations of this kind , some staff did initially encounter issues logging on to their systems and these are rapidly being resolved . ''
Doubts in the scheme have been cited by Sheffield City Council , which has called for schools in its district not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requested by the government .
Councillor Abtisam Mohamed , cabinet member for education and skills , said : `` We have been advised by the Sheffield director of public health , Greg Fell , who has reviewed the local position and he does not feel assured that the recently announced 'test and trace ' programme will be sufficiently well established and robust enough to be in place for 1 June .
`` He has advised that the test and trace system should be in place and working effectively for 14 days before schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

Contact tracers say they are still encountering technical difficulties and other problems, including delayed pay, on the second day of the track and trace scheme.
The government's coronavirus programme launched on Thursday but was immediately hit by IT problems.
NHS workers in the scheme reported being unable to log into the new website, with staff saying they received a message saying a "critical incident" has been reported with the system designed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Fiona, not her real name, is a semi-retired GP nurse from Yorkshire and is now working as a tier two contact tracer. She was one of a number of tracers who told Sky News there were problems logging on during the launch day.
Fiona was hit by more problems trying to log on at 8am on Thursday morning, with an error message saying she was unable to connect to the site.
Once she had logged in, she found she had no cases assigned to her.
When she called the helpline she said there was a recorded message saying "we are aware of some technical issues and are working hard…" before she gave up and sought out the online chat support.
She was eventually able to get help after another long wait by trying again on the phone, telling Sky News: "I don't think the chat is working."
She's been speaking to another contact tracer experiencing the same problems.
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Fiona said: "I feel frustrated.
"The other contact tracer says she is close to giving up. We are here as nurses to use our skills to help and advise the public and try to beat out the fire of this pandemic. That's what we do best. We are not IT specialists.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:48 Test and trace system launches in England
"Most of us seem to be fairly senior clinicians. There are so many skills and public money being wasted".
She added: "They’ve recruited all these people and there’s not enough work, I don't think it will get busy until the app is rolled out.
"It tells you that launching this early was purely to try and dominate the news."
The tracer said she can see there are hundreds of contact tracer shifts available, commenting that, given there are no cases assigned to her, "I could book every day if I was that inclined and get money for sitting painting my nails!"
Screenshots show there are 143 "available shifts" today and 81 tomorrow.
Image: Despite the contact tracer having no cases assigned, a number of shifts were available for other tracers to book paid work
One area of progress is that she now has been provided a number to talk to the team leaders but still has not been assigned a specific one for her.
Another issue that contact tracers have told Sky News about is delayed pay.
Fiona told Sky News: "I've finally been paid for my training shifts but they currently owe me for five shifts.
"The timesheets say they are 'not authorised', although I was told I would be paid."
Fiona added later in the afternoon she had not been given a case all day.
A second contact tracer that Sky News has spoken to said this issue of pay appears to be widespread and is a hot topic in the forum where they are able to speak.
The tracer, who does not wish to be identified, said "most conversations" in the chat are people complaining to the moderators they've not been paid, or been paid incorrectly.
"Many in our chat group have not been paid," she said, suggesting she has seen up to 20 people say they've had problems with payment - including many who started earlier from 14 May.
People are "very frustrated", she said.
Another tracer who spoke about pay problems also said: "We received a message last night saying confidentiality was required to ensure the success of the programme - which sounds a bit like if you speak out, you are responsible for the failure of the programme. Which is so wrong."
Workers are paid on Fridays with payslips available from Thursdays.
Podcast Podcast , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Podcast cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Podcast cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Podcast cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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A Department of Health spokesperson told Sky News: "Any member of staff with concerns about salary payment should raise those with their line manager."
On Thursday they talked down issues with the website.
"The system has not crashed," the department said. "Anyone in the country can log on and book a test if they have symptoms and we have tracers logged on to do their vital work to help stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives.
"As with all large scale operations of this kind, some staff did initially encounter issues logging on to their systems and these are rapidly being resolved."
Doubts in the scheme have been cited by Sheffield City Council, which has called for schools in its district not to open on 1 June, as requested by the government.
Councillor Abtisam Mohamed, cabinet member for education and skills, said: "We have been advised by the Sheffield director of public health, Greg Fell, who has reviewed the local position and he does not feel assured that the recently announced 'test and trace' programme will be sufficiently well established and robust enough to be in place for 1 June.
"He has advised that the test and trace system should be in place and working effectively for 14 days before schools and nurseries begin increasing their numbers."


news--2020-05-28--'Coronavirus almost killed me, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy'

Khaled Ahmed spent nearly three months in hospital - two of which were in intensive care - fighting coronavirus .
The self-described healthy and `` very sporty '' 42-year-old has since been discharged from hospital but has faced a long road to recovery .
Here , for Sky News , he writes about his hospital experience and recuperation from the severe effects of COVID-19 - and ultimately what it 's like to beat the odds .
Hindsight .
I have come by this word on many occasions , but now it resonates with a deeper meaning .
I never thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifetime , let alone nearly die from it .
I practically knocked at death 's door and lived to tell the tale .
I hope when people read this they can walk away taking this illness seriously .
After experiencing a sore throat and a very high temperature , I visited A & E and was admitted to hospital with pneumonia in March .
Once I was in hospital , the doctors confirmed I had tested positive for COVID-19 .
My world was spiralling out of control .
I was thinking : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to make it .
I 'm not going to see my family again . ''
I was moved to ICU because my oxygen level dropped so low .
I had only just spoken to my wife and was asking if she could come to see me at the hospital - but she never got to see or speak to me as I was then sedated and intubated .
I was in an induced coma through intubation for 41 days , and during my time in ICU , doctors carried out a procedure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be awake .
Eventually my family and I were allowed to Skype and I responded well to the voices of my wife and children .
Once the tracheostomy was removed , I was transferred to a normal ward - and my long road to recovery began .
At first , I was only fed intravenously before moving to fluids by mouth .
This then led to yogurt and soups - all in the hospital .
I continued this when I got home and was eventually able to eat soft rice .
I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but am trying as much as possible .
My current go-to food is banana as it is soft but still strengthens my jaw muscles .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker I have been given excellent physiotherapy .
The physio has meant relearning all the basics .
I had to be taught how to sit .
I had to learn how to pour myself some tea and even switch on the kettle !
During all this I would become breathless and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can feel as though I have just run a marathon .
I am also improving the strength of my leg muscles .
I needed to go upstairs to go to bed but at the beginning I could only manage one step and could n't go any further , which forced me to sleep downstairs .
Now I can get to the top - but I have to have a 10-minute rest as I feel as though I 'll pass out .
I came home on 18 May .
I was so lucky coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 % of people make it out alive from the condition I was in .
But the journey has not ended yet .
I still have the community physiotherapy team and community district nurses coming once a week to help me and are available if I need them anytime .
I am exhausted physically and mentally but am determined to get through this .
I am alive and I get to see another day with my family after 63 days spent in a situation I would not wish on my worst enemy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ underlying health issues and very sporty .
I was under the illusion that I would never be one of the statistics , yet here I am .
I knocked at death 's door and lived to tell the tale !
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Khaled Ahmed spent nearly three months in hospital - two of which were in intensive care - fighting coronavirus.
The self-described healthy and "very sporty" 42-year-old has since been discharged from hospital but has faced a long road to recovery.
Here, for Sky News, he writes about his hospital experience and recuperation from the severe effects of COVID-19 - and ultimately what it's like to beat the odds.
Image: Khaled spent two months in intensive care with COVID-19
Hindsight. I have come by this word on many occasions, but now it resonates with a deeper meaning. I never thought I would experience a pandemic in my lifetime, let alone nearly die from it. I practically knocked at death's door and lived to tell the tale.
I hope when people read this they can walk away taking this illness seriously.
After experiencing a sore throat and a very high temperature, I visited A&E and was admitted to hospital with pneumonia in March. Once I was in hospital, the doctors confirmed I had tested positive for COVID-19. My world was spiralling out of control.
I was thinking: "This is it, I'm not going to make it. I'm not going to see my family again."
I was moved to ICU because my oxygen level dropped so low. I had only just spoken to my wife and was asking if she could come to see me at the hospital - but she never got to see or speak to me as I was then sedated and intubated.
I was in an induced coma through intubation for 41 days, and during my time in ICU, doctors carried out a procedure called a tracheostomy to enable me to be awake.
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Image: Khaled says he has been taught again how to sit
Eventually my family and I were allowed to Skype and I responded well to the voices of my wife and children.
Once the tracheostomy was removed, I was transferred to a normal ward - and my long road to recovery began.
At first, I was only fed intravenously before moving to fluids by mouth. This then led to yogurt and soups - all in the hospital. I continued this when I got home and was eventually able to eat soft rice.
I am still finding it difficult to eat solids but am trying as much as possible. My current go-to food is banana as it is soft but still strengthens my jaw muscles.
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
I have been given excellent physiotherapy. The physio has meant relearning all the basics. I had to be taught how to sit. I had to learn how to pour myself some tea and even switch on the kettle! During all this I would become breathless and would have to rest in intervals. It can feel as though I have just run a marathon.
I am also improving the strength of my leg muscles. I needed to go upstairs to go to bed but at the beginning I could only manage one step and couldn't go any further, which forced me to sleep downstairs.
Now I can get to the top - but I have to have a 10-minute rest as I feel as though I'll pass out.
Image: Khaled had to sleep downstairs when he first left hospital
I came home on 18 May. I was so lucky coming out alive as the doctors said only 3% of people make it out alive from the condition I was in.
But the journey has not ended yet. I still have the community physiotherapy team and community district nurses coming once a week to help me and are available if I need them anytime.
I am exhausted physically and mentally but am determined to get through this.
I am alive and I get to see another day with my family after 63 days spent in a situation I would not wish on my worst enemy. I am a 42-year-old male with no underlying health issues and very sporty. I was under the illusion that I would never be one of the statistics, yet here I am.
I knocked at death's door and lived to tell the tale!
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus lockdown demand for DIY and gardening goods boosts B&M sales

A surge in demand for DIY and gardening products during lockdown saw the tills ringing at discounter B & M Bargains .
The company said in the eight weeks to 23 May , like-for-like sales in stores , which have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic as an `` essential '' retailer , were up 22.7 % compared with a year earlier .
However , the firm points out that costs have also risen due to implementing COVID-19 social distancing measures and protections for customers and staff .
Chief executive Simon Arora said : `` We have encountered exceptionally strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
`` Customers have been coming to our stores much less frequently through the lockdown but their average spend has been much higher than normal . ''
The growth in gardening and DIY products was particularly strong , as government guidelines kept garden centres shut and rival home improvement chain B & Q closed to allow for new social distancing measures to be introduced .
Mr Arora added : `` We have seen a significant bring-forward of demand in some key categories and the remarkably warm spring weather in the UK has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent weeks .
`` We are not expecting this current level of trading to continue as normal shopping patterns resume .
`` Clearly , there is also considerable uncertainty in relation to both the progression of COVID-19 and the economic outlook and it is therefore hard to predict future trading levels . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The retailer has also benefited from a 100 % business rates holiday this year on all commercial premises in England , although it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saving from the measure aimed at helping retailers whose doors were forced to close .
B & M has also donated £1m to UK food banks and provided a £2m discount to NHS workers .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

A surge in demand for DIY and gardening products during lockdown saw the tills ringing at discounter B&M Bargains.
The company said in the eight weeks to 23 May, like-for-like sales in stores, which have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic as an "essential" retailer, were up 22.7% compared with a year earlier.
However, the firm points out that costs have also risen due to implementing COVID-19 social distancing measures and protections for customers and staff.
Chief executive Simon Arora said: "We have encountered exceptionally strong demand in our UK business over recent weeks.
"Customers have been coming to our stores much less frequently through the lockdown but their average spend has been much higher than normal."
The growth in gardening and DIY products was particularly strong, as government guidelines kept garden centres shut and rival home improvement chain B&Q closed to allow for new social distancing measures to be introduced.
Mr Arora added: "We have seen a significant bring-forward of demand in some key categories and the remarkably warm spring weather in the UK has been a major factor behind this during recent weeks.
"We are not expecting this current level of trading to continue as normal shopping patterns resume.
"Clearly, there is also considerable uncertainty in relation to both the progression of COVID-19 and the economic outlook and it is therefore hard to predict future trading levels."
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The retailer has also benefited from a 100% business rates holiday this year on all commercial premises in England, although it did not reveal how much it was saving from the measure aimed at helping retailers whose doors were forced to close.
B&M has also donated £1m to UK food banks and provided a £2m discount to NHS workers.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Robbie Williams reunites with Take That for virtual concert during lockdown

Take That fans will be hoping he 's back for good after Robbie Williams reunited with the band for a virtual charity concert .
Williams , who famously left the group in 1995 , joined Gary Barlow , Mark Owen and Howard Donald as they each performed from their own homes during the coronavirus lockdown .
Take That - without Jason Orange who left the band in 2014 - opened with singles Greatest Day and Shine , before being joined by Williams for the rest of the set , which included Back For Good , The Flood , Pray and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Performing with the group for the first time in two years , Williams said the show was `` less weird than standing in front of 80,000 people '' .
Frontman Barlow led the lockdown concert from his home studio , which he had kitted out with keyboards and microphones , while Owen appeared to be in the midst of decorating and sang from his garage .
For the band 's 90s track Pray , which involves a famed choreographed dance routine , the group were backed by green screens with projections of glitter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald wore a crown for Never Forget .
In between tracks , the group talked about new skills they had learnt during the lockdown , with former X Factor judge Barlow saying he had picked up the guitar , while Donald said he had been reading more than ever before .
The charity stream was hosted by the animated character Aleksandr Orlov , voiced by Alan Partridge actor Simon Greenall , from comparethemeerkat.com - the site which was hosting the concert on its YouTube page .
While the performance was available to everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to access two more songs - Everything Changes and Rule The World .
Orlov ribbed Donald during the concert , telling him he had the `` least rock and roll name in the history of music '' .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Money raised from the performance will donated to Nordoff Robbins , a music therapy charity , and Crew Nation , an organisation for crew workers .
The last time the group sang together was in 2018 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Shine at the X Factor live final , where Williams was a judge .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Take That fans will be hoping he's back for good after Robbie Williams reunited with the band for a virtual charity concert.
Williams, who famously left the group in 1995, joined Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald as they each performed from their own homes during the coronavirus lockdown.
Take That - without Jason Orange who left the band in 2014 - opened with singles Greatest Day and Shine, before being joined by Williams for the rest of the set, which included Back For Good, The Flood, Pray and Never Forget for their rousing finale.
Image: Mark Owen (L) Gary Barlow (C) and Howard Donald (R) kicked off the concert. Pic: Youtube/ Comparethemeerkat
Image: Each band member performed in their own home. Pic: Youtube/ Comparethemeerkat
Performing with the group for the first time in two years, Williams said the show was "less weird than standing in front of 80,000 people".
Frontman Barlow led the lockdown concert from his home studio, which he had kitted out with keyboards and microphones, while Owen appeared to be in the midst of decorating and sang from his garage.
For the band's 90s track Pray, which involves a famed choreographed dance routine, the group were backed by green screens with projections of glitter balls, animals and crowds, while Donald wore a crown for Never Forget.
In between tracks, the group talked about new skills they had learnt during the lockdown, with former X Factor judge Barlow saying he had picked up the guitar, while Donald said he had been reading more than ever before.
The charity stream was hosted by the animated character Aleksandr Orlov, voiced by Alan Partridge actor Simon Greenall, from comparethemeerkat.com - the site which was hosting the concert on its YouTube page.
Image: Robbie Williams performed with Take That for the first time in two years. Pic: Youtube/ Comparethemeerkat
Image: The group were backed by fireworks for part of the concert. Pic: Youtube/ Comparethemeerkat
While the performance was available to everyone, customers of Compare The Market were able to access two more songs - Everything Changes and Rule The World.
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Orlov ribbed Donald during the concert, telling him he had the "least rock and roll name in the history of music".
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
Money raised from the performance will donated to Nordoff Robbins, a music therapy charity, and Crew Nation, an organisation for crew workers.
The last time the group sang together was in 2018, when the boys reunited for a performance of Shine at the X Factor live final, where Williams was a judge.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Donald Trump terminates US relationship with World Health Organisation

Donald Trump has announced that the US will be `` terminating its relationship '' with the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) .
Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House , the US president said he wanted to redirect funds to other organisations in an anti-China address over the coronavirus pandemic .
He accused the WHO of failing to adequately respond to COVID-19 because China has `` total control '' over the global organisation .
He said Chinese officials `` ignored '' their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured the group to mislead the world when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after weeks of criticism of the WHO by Mr Trump who has accused the organisation of not acting fast enough on the coronavirus outbreak .
The US is the biggest single contributor to the WHO , paying in around $ 450m ( £360m ) a year , with Mr Trump saying that China only contributed around $ 40m ( £32m ) .
His move to cut ties with the organisation is expected to significantly weaken it while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic .
In his address , Mr Trump again blamed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it the `` Wuhan virus '' , and said the country is responsible for more than 100,000 US deaths .
The move has prompted criticism from a number of health and science experts .
Dr Stephen Griffin , associate professor in the School of Medicine , University of Leeds , said there was `` no logic '' in severing links during the middle of a global pandemic .
`` Pandemics are , by definition , a global crisis .
To not face COVID-19 with a united front seems futile , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak in the US , this action appears nothing short of an attempt to refocus attention away from how this has been handled . ''
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker Dr Gail Carson , a consultant in infectious diseases at the University of Oxford , said : `` Now is the time for solidarity and to stand together to end the pandemic as soon as we can and to save lives .
`` WHO stands for the health of all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by any country in the middle of a pandemic because of an opinion , certainly not before any action review process has taken place .
`` Now is not the time to weaken the world 's leading health agency , who has shown strong leadership with strong technical messages throughout this pandemic . ''
During his address Mr Trump also criticised China over its stance on Hong Kong , saying the city is no longer sufficiently autonomous to warrant special treatment from the US .
He said he will revise US travel advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of surveillance .
The US will also take steps to sanction officials from Hong Kong who have been involved in `` eroding '' the autonomy of the region .
China is set to introduce legislation in Hong Kong that would crack down on the anti-government protests in the city .
It has prompted concerns that Beijing is chipping away at the `` one country , two systems '' principle , that outlines the region 's autonomy .
It was expected that Mr Trump would also use his news conference to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in police custody has sparked widespread protests in the US .
Mr Trump had quipped that `` when the looting starts , the shooting starts '' following riots in Minneapolis where Mr Floyd died .
However , the president left the stage before taking any questions from the press .

Donald Trump has announced that the US will be "terminating its relationship" with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Speaking in the Rose Garden at the White House, the US president said he wanted to redirect funds to other organisations in an anti-China address over the coronavirus pandemic.
He accused the WHO of failing to adequately respond to COVID-19 because China has "total control" over the global organisation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:17 Trump: Hong Kong is no longer autonomous
He said Chinese officials "ignored" their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured the group to mislead the world when the virus was first discovered.
It comes after weeks of criticism of the WHO by Mr Trump who has accused the organisation of not acting fast enough on the coronavirus outbreak.
The US is the biggest single contributor to the WHO, paying in around $450m (£360m) a year, with Mr Trump saying that China only contributed around $40m (£32m).
His move to cut ties with the organisation is expected to significantly weaken it while in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his address, Mr Trump again blamed China for the COVID-19 outbreak, calling it the "Wuhan virus", and said the country is responsible for more than 100,000 US deaths.
The move has prompted criticism from a number of health and science experts.
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Dr Stephen Griffin, associate professor in the School of Medicine, University of Leeds, said there was "no logic" in severing links during the middle of a global pandemic.
"Pandemics are, by definition, a global crisis. To not face COVID-19 with a united front seems futile," he said.
"Given the scale of the outbreak in the US, this action appears nothing short of an attempt to refocus attention away from how this has been handled."
:: Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and Spreaker
Dr Gail Carson, a consultant in infectious diseases at the University of Oxford, said: "Now is the time for solidarity and to stand together to end the pandemic as soon as we can and to save lives.
"WHO stands for the health of all of us and should not be 'punished' by any country in the middle of a pandemic because of an opinion, certainly not before any action review process has taken place.
"Now is not the time to weaken the world's leading health agency, who has shown strong leadership with strong technical messages throughout this pandemic."
During his address Mr Trump also criticised China over its stance on Hong Kong, saying the city is no longer sufficiently autonomous to warrant special treatment from the US.
He said he will revise US travel advice to the region, warning of increased risk of surveillance.
The US will also take steps to sanction officials from Hong Kong who have been involved in "eroding" the autonomy of the region.
China is set to introduce legislation in Hong Kong that would crack down on the anti-government protests in the city.
It has prompted concerns that Beijing is chipping away at the "one country, two systems" principle, that outlines the region's autonomy.
It was expected that Mr Trump would also use his news conference to address the death of George Floyd, whose death in police custody has sparked widespread protests in the US.
Mr Trump had quipped that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts" following riots in Minneapolis where Mr Floyd died.
However, the president left the stage before taking any questions from the press.


news--2020-05-28--Billy Bragg says Taylor Swift is a 'kindred spirit' as he prepares to cover her song

Singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg has praised Taylor Swift for standing up for artists ' rights and against sexism in the music industry , telling Sky News the star is something of a `` kindred spirit '' .
The pair struck up a friendship after presenting a prize together at the NME Awards in February , and Bragg , 62 , says he has since watched her Miss Americana documentary and has a lot of respect for the singer .
He chose the 30-year-old 's song Only The Young as one of his five options for Covers For Others , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RCN ( Royal College of Nursing ) Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund , which sees fans donating to vote for a track they would like to see reinvented .
Artists including Declan McKenna , Lapsley , Frank Turner and Lauran Hibberd have taken part so far , and Bragg is now set to play Swift 's song after fans chose it over his other selected tracks .
Bragg says learning a Swift song for the cause , which has raised more than £13,000 in total so far , `` is no bad thing '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ icon might seem worlds away from the global superstar , Bragg says they `` got on like a house on fire '' at the awards and have more in common than people might think .
`` I have a lot of respect for her , trying to stand up as an independent woman in the music industry , '' he tells Sky News .
`` Not just because of the amount of sexism and misogyny in our industry , but also because she is trying to keep hold of her own catalogue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do . ''
He adds : `` Unfortunately , you know , it is still , sadly , a sexist , racist industry .
And for someone like Taylor Swift to stand up and make that point , I think it 's very powerful . ''
Swift has been involved in a public dispute with music mogul Scooter Braun , who bought the rights to the singer 's first six albums in 2019 , through a private equity deal reportedly worth around $ 300m ( £222m ) .
`` [ Taylor 's ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights back , '' says Bragg .
`` Watching the Miss Americana documentary , I realised that she was quite a kindred spirit .
`` I do it on a small scale , but she does it on a huge scale .
And that 's what she said to me , she said ' I really respect what you do about politics ' .
And I went , 'it 's much harder for you .
The fact that you take a stand , you know , it has much bigger implications .
Everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from you it makes a lot more of a difference ' .
`` So it was really , really nice to meet her .
And [ Only The Young ] is a cool song as well . ''
Like many artists , the coronavirus lockdown has meant Bragg has had to cancel tour shows ; at the minute , he should be in New Zealand playing to fans there .
`` That 's gone , as has the rest of the summer , '' he says .
`` Glastonbury , which I play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of my summer , I run a stage there called Left Field .
That 's all disappeared , as have the other festivals . ''
He says he does n't expect to return to gigging until next year .
`` I doubt really now I 'll do a gig this year .
Particularly my audience who are around my age - I mean , I 'm 62 now - so , you know , people around my age in a room with 500 other people , it 's gon na be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that .
`` I think sport will have to come back before music comes back , and people can see that large crowds gathering together , it 's okay .
So we 're gon na have to wait a while . ''
However , despite fears for the industry due to the prolonged closures of venues , Bragg remains optimistic and says people will always want live music .
`` I think one of the things that seems to have been revealed since the digitisation of music is that despite music @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can get it for nothing online , people still want to go to gigs , '' he says .
`` There 's something you can get at a concert that you ca n't get off your phone or off your iPad .
`` It 's a sense of being part of something bigger than yourself .
We need that , it 's why people go to church , it 's why they go and watch sport .
They need to have that sense of ...
I suppose it 's a form of emotional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that online .
So I think people will want to come back to gigs . ''
He is also getting used to performing from his home in West Dorset .
`` The secret is to dress the room , or the background , so it looks like a stage , '' he says .
`` Because when you 're looking at the camera , which is often your iPhone back to front , you know , you can see you 're in your living room .
It kind of destroys your sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 've got a backdrop , you can see that you 're doing a gig so you 're kind of much more in the moment .
[ It 's ] getting yourself in that gig headspace .
`` It is a bit weird , when you finish a song and it 's just silence ... but I do n't know , maybe at the end of this , people will be kind of into online gigs and we 'll do them more often .
It 'll be something else that we do on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have discovered a new way to connect with people .
It 's interesting .
I do n't think it 's something I would 've gone and done anyway , it would have seemed a bit artificial .
But in the situation we 've found ourselves in for the past couple of months , it 's made a lot of sense . ''
Bragg says he has been heartened by the renewed sense of community brought about by the crisis .
`` I 'm hoping that perspective , the understanding that we now know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society : the people who keep us healthy , the people who keep us safe , the people who keep us connected , the people who keep , you know , our bins emptied and all that kind of stuff .
`` They 're absolutely crucial to us being able to do what we want to do .
And so I 'm hoping that we wo n't just suddenly snap back to how it was before , where we were all just looking at our phones all the time and not thinking about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been impressed by the government 's handling of the pandemic - Dominic Cummings 's trip to Durham in particular .
`` Throughout it all , I 'm afraid I 've never felt convinced that the government is ahead of the curve , '' he says .
`` I 've never felt convinced the government is on top of this .
And I fear the roll-out of test and trace has been brought forward before it 's ready in order to cover for the Dominic Cummings story .
I really worry about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the absolute centre of our response to coronavirus does n't do the right thing , thinks that the rules do n't apply to him , it undermines public trust .
`` Trust is very , very hard to build and it 's so easy to lose .
And I fear this government has lost the trust of the public for its handling of this .
`` People talk about freedom and how important freedom is , but not all kinds of freedom are positive .
There is a dangerous kind of freedom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm afraid our prime minister 's acted with impunity all his life .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' He 's never really been held accountable for anything in his private life , his public life or his professional life .
And Dominic Cummings is cut from the same cloth , I 'm afraid .
`` [ Boris Johnson ] does n't seem to have any grasp of what it takes to be a prime minister .
It 's more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 and waving .
You know , it 's about taking responsibility .
And he 's never been able to do that .
`` His entire career has been built on getting away with things .
And up until now , that has n't been a life and death situation .
But it is now . ''
Watch Billy Bragg perform Taylor Swift 's Only The Young for Covers For Others live on his Facebook page on Saturday - and watch out for the announcement of the next act to take part on @

Singer-songwriter and activist Billy Bragg has praised Taylor Swift for standing up for artists' rights and against sexism in the music industry, telling Sky News the star is something of a "kindred spirit".
The pair struck up a friendship after presenting a prize together at the NME Awards in February, and Bragg, 62, says he has since watched her Miss Americana documentary and has a lot of respect for the singer.
He chose the 30-year-old's song Only The Young as one of his five options for Covers For Others, a charity initiative in aid of the RCN (Royal College of Nursing) Foundation COVID-19 Support Fund, which sees fans donating to vote for a track they would like to see reinvented.
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
Artists including Declan McKenna, Lapsley, Frank Turner and Lauran Hibberd have taken part so far, and Bragg is now set to play Swift's song after fans chose it over his other selected tracks.
Bragg says learning a Swift song for the cause, which has raised more than £13,000 in total so far, "is no bad thing".
While the British folk and protest icon might seem worlds away from the global superstar, Bragg says they "got on like a house on fire" at the awards and have more in common than people might think.
"I have a lot of respect for her, trying to stand up as an independent woman in the music industry," he tells Sky News.
"Not just because of the amount of sexism and misogyny in our industry, but also because she is trying to keep hold of her own catalogue, which is a really important thing to do."
Image: Billy Bragg will perform Swift's track Only The Young
He adds: "Unfortunately, you know, it is still, sadly, a sexist, racist industry. And for someone like Taylor Swift to stand up and make that point, I think it's very powerful."
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Swift has been involved in a public dispute with music mogul Scooter Braun, who bought the rights to the singer's first six albums in 2019, through a private equity deal reportedly worth around $300m (£222m).
"[Taylor's] tried to go back and get her rights back," says Bragg. "Watching the Miss Americana documentary, I realised that she was quite a kindred spirit.
"I do it on a small scale, but she does it on a huge scale. And that's what she said to me, she said 'I really respect what you do about politics'. And I went, 'it's much harder for you. The fact that you take a stand, you know, it has much bigger implications. Everyone expects me to do it... but from you it makes a lot more of a difference'.
"So it was really, really nice to meet her. And [Only The Young] is a cool song as well."
Image: The singer says he respects Swift for standing up for artists' rights
Like many artists, the coronavirus lockdown has meant Bragg has had to cancel tour shows; at the minute, he should be in New Zealand playing to fans there.
"That's gone, as has the rest of the summer," he says. "Glastonbury, which I play a large part in, takes up a lot of my summer, I run a stage there called Left Field. That's all disappeared, as have the other festivals."
He says he doesn't expect to return to gigging until next year.
"I doubt really now I'll do a gig this year. Particularly my audience who are around my age - I mean, I'm 62 now - so, you know, people around my age in a room with 500 other people, it's gonna be a while before they have the confidence to do that.
"I think sport will have to come back before music comes back, and people can see that large crowds gathering together, it's okay. So we're gonna have to wait a while."
Image: Bragg is usually involved with Glastonbury's political Left Field stage
However, despite fears for the industry due to the prolonged closures of venues, Bragg remains optimistic and says people will always want live music.
"I think one of the things that seems to have been revealed since the digitisation of music is that despite music being cheap as chips, now you can get it for nothing online, people still want to go to gigs," he says.
"There's something you can get at a concert that you can't get off your phone or off your iPad.
"It's a sense of being part of something bigger than yourself. We need that, it's why people go to church, it's why they go and watch sport. They need to have that sense of... I suppose it's a form of emotional solidarity.
"You can't get that online. So I think people will want to come back to gigs."
He is also getting used to performing from his home in West Dorset.
"The secret is to dress the room, or the background, so it looks like a stage," he says. "Because when you're looking at the camera, which is often your iPhone back to front, you know, you can see you're in your living room. It kind of destroys your sense of what you're doing.
"If you've got a backdrop, you can see that you're doing a gig so you're kind of much more in the moment. [It's] getting yourself in that gig headspace.
"It is a bit weird, when you finish a song and it's just silence... but I don't know, maybe at the end of this, people will be kind of into online gigs and we'll do them more often. It'll be something else that we do on top of touring.
"We may have discovered a new way to connect with people. It's interesting. I don't think it's something I would've gone and done anyway, it would have seemed a bit artificial. But in the situation we've found ourselves in for the past couple of months, it's made a lot of sense."
Bragg says he has been heartened by the renewed sense of community brought about by the crisis.
"I'm hoping that perspective, the understanding that we now know who the important people are in our society: the people who keep us healthy, the people who keep us safe, the people who keep us connected, the people who keep, you know, our bins emptied and all that kind of stuff.
"They're absolutely crucial to us being able to do what we want to do. And so I'm hoping that we won't just suddenly snap back to how it was before, where we were all just looking at our phones all the time and not thinking about each other."
Unsurprisingly, he has not been impressed by the government's handling of the pandemic - Dominic Cummings's trip to Durham in particular.
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"Throughout it all, I'm afraid I've never felt convinced that the government is ahead of the curve," he says. "I've never felt convinced the government is on top of this. And I fear the roll-out of test and trace has been brought forward before it's ready in order to cover for the Dominic Cummings story. I really worry about that.
"When a figure at the absolute centre of our response to coronavirus doesn't do the right thing, thinks that the rules don't apply to him, it undermines public trust.
"Trust is very, very hard to build and it's so easy to lose. And I fear this government has lost the trust of the public for its handling of this.
"People talk about freedom and how important freedom is, but not all kinds of freedom are positive. There is a dangerous kind of freedom, and that is impunity. And I'm afraid our prime minister's acted with impunity all his life.
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"He's never really been held accountable for anything in his private life, his public life or his professional life. And Dominic Cummings is cut from the same cloth, I'm afraid.
"[Boris Johnson] doesn't seem to have any grasp of what it takes to be a prime minister. It's more than just standing on the doorstep of Number 10 and waving. You know, it's about taking responsibility. And he's never been able to do that.
"His entire career has been built on getting away with things. And up until now, that hasn't been a life and death situation. But it is now."
Watch Billy Bragg perform Taylor Swift's Only The Young for Covers For Others live on his Facebook page on Saturday - and watch out for the announcement of the next act to take part on Monday


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus deaths: Another 324 people with COVID-19 die in UK as total passes 38,000

More than 38,000 people in the UK have died with coronavirus after another 324 deaths were recorded in the latest daily figures .
The figures from the Department of Health cover coronavirus-related deaths in all settings , including hospitals , care homes and the community .
They were reported in a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Thursday and take the total to 38,161 .
NHS England announced 149 new deaths of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals , taking the total to 26,383 .
Another 10 coronavirus deaths were confirmed in Wales , bringing the country 's overall number to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland to take its total to 521 .
Weekly figures from the National Records of Scotland have also been published , with the latest revealing some 3,779 fatalities with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate have now been registered .
Between 18 to 24 May , 230 deaths were registered - a decrease of 105 from the previous week , marking the fourth consecutive week the numbers have fallen in Scotland .
On testing , the Department for Health said 131,458 coronavirus tests had been carried out or sent out in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and 2,095 of those came back positive .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The UK has also now surpassed four million tests , carrying out a total of 4,043,686 tests .
The only country with more coronavirus-related deaths than the UK is the US , where 101,963 people have died , according to official figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University .
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

More than 38,000 people in the UK have died with coronavirus after another 324 deaths were recorded in the latest daily figures.
The figures from the Department of Health cover coronavirus-related deaths in all settings, including hospitals, care homes and the community.
They were reported in a 24-hour period up to 5pm on Thursday and take the total to 38,161.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:12 Sunak outlines when furlough scheme will end
NHS England announced 149 new deaths of COVID-19 patients in its hospitals, taking the total to 26,383.
Another 10 coronavirus deaths were confirmed in Wales, bringing the country's overall number to 1,317.
Three more were recorded in Northern Ireland to take its total to 521.
Weekly figures from the National Records of Scotland have also been published, with the latest revealing some 3,779 fatalities with COVID-19 mentioned on the death certificate have now been registered.
Between 18 to 24 May, 230 deaths were registered - a decrease of 105 from the previous week, marking the fourth consecutive week the numbers have fallen in Scotland.
On testing, the Department for Health said 131,458 coronavirus tests had been carried out or sent out in the 24-hour period up to 9am on Thursday - and 2,095 of those came back positive.
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The UK has also now surpassed four million tests, carrying out a total of 4,043,686 tests.
The only country with more coronavirus-related deaths than the UK is the US, where 101,963 people have died, according to official figures being tracked by Johns Hopkins University.
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-05-29--Coronavirus: Business confidence sinks to 2008 financial crash low, Lloyds survey shows

Business confidence fell to its lowest level since the 2008 financial crash in May , according to a survey for Lloyds Bank .
The High Street lender said its monthly business barometer dropped to -33 , matching the record set in December 2008 , reflecting reduced optimism about the economic outlook amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
It comes as the UK remains on course for a historic recession , caused by the coronavirus crisis and resulting lockdown .
The government is now seeking to restart the economy by encouraging businesses to return to work and next month a wider range @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the public .
Lloyds economist Hann-Ju Ho said : `` Despite the results partly capturing the period since the government 's announcement of an initial easing of restrictions , trading conditions remain difficult for most firms . ''
Meanwhile , a separate study has suggested a quarter of manufacturing firms plan to make redundancies in the next six months after orders nose-dived because of the outbreak .
Industry body Make UK , which canvassed the companies , said businesses are bracing themselves to have to make `` substantial '' job cuts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pessimism about a return to normal trading .
The group is calling for the creation of a national skills task force to retain skills by redeploying workers who have lost their jobs to other companies as well as enabling them to be retrained .
Of the firms planning redundancies , more than a quarter involve up to half their staff , according to Make UK .
Almost a third of the 224 companies surveyed said they have seen their orders decline by up to 50 % during the COVID-19 crisis .
The study @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take more than a year for trading to return to normal .
It comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce changes to the furlough scheme , with reports suggesting employers will be asked to pay 20 % of workers ' wages as well as national insurance and pension contributions .
Make UK chief executive Stephen Phipson said : `` There is no disguising the fact these figures make for awful reading with the impact on jobs and livelihoods across the UK .
`` Industry and government must now leave no stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible within the sector to ensure it is in a position to effectively recover when growth eventually returns , which at some point it will . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` The job retention scheme has been very effective in allowing employers to retain as many of their staff as possible , but industry accepts that it can not continue indefinitely and will understand the plans to reduce the cost to the taxpayer and ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` In doing so , however , the chancellor should provide as much clarity and certainty for companies as possible whilst , at the same time , introducing an element of real flexibility into the scheme which allows for part-time work . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Business confidence fell to its lowest level since the 2008 financial crash in May, according to a survey for Lloyds Bank.
The High Street lender said its monthly business barometer dropped to -33, matching the record set in December 2008, reflecting reduced optimism about the economic outlook amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Image: The UK remains on course for a historic recession due to the coronavirus
It comes as the UK remains on course for a historic recession, caused by the coronavirus crisis and resulting lockdown.
The government is now seeking to restart the economy by encouraging businesses to return to work and next month a wider range of shops will be able to reopen to the public.
Lloyds economist Hann-Ju Ho said: "Despite the results partly capturing the period since the government's announcement of an initial easing of restrictions, trading conditions remain difficult for most firms."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:54 PM sets date for non-essential retail to reopen
Meanwhile, a separate study has suggested a quarter of manufacturing firms plan to make redundancies in the next six months after orders nose-dived because of the outbreak.
Industry body Make UK, which canvassed the companies, said businesses are bracing themselves to have to make "substantial" job cuts in the face of plunging demand and growing pessimism about a return to normal trading.
The group is calling for the creation of a national skills task force to retain skills by redeploying workers who have lost their jobs to other companies as well as enabling them to be retrained.
Of the firms planning redundancies, more than a quarter involve up to half their staff, according to Make UK.
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Almost a third of the 224 companies surveyed said they have seen their orders decline by up to 50% during the COVID-19 crisis.
The study also found increased expectations that it will take more than a year for trading to return to normal.
It comes as Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to announce changes to the furlough scheme, with reports suggesting employers will be asked to pay 20% of workers' wages as well as national insurance and pension contributions.
Make UK chief executive Stephen Phipson said: "There is no disguising the fact these figures make for awful reading with the impact on jobs and livelihoods across the UK.
"Industry and government must now leave no stone unturned to retain as many key skills as possible within the sector to ensure it is in a position to effectively recover when growth eventually returns, which at some point it will."
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
He added: "The job retention scheme has been very effective in allowing employers to retain as many of their staff as possible, but industry accepts that it cannot continue indefinitely and will understand the plans to reduce the cost to the taxpayer and ask companies to make a greater contribution.
"In doing so, however, the chancellor should provide as much clarity and certainty for companies as possible whilst, at the same time, introducing an element of real flexibility into the scheme which allows for part-time work."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-02-18--'Chemsex' being live-streamed on Zoom, police warn after rise in crimes involving drug GHB

Police have warned of the deadly risk of taking GHB after a rise in reported crimes involving the drug which was used by Britain 's worst ever rapist Reynhard Sinaga to target his victims .
And despite lockdown measures to tackle coronavirus , a senior officer told Sky News that the `` chemsex '' drug is still coming into the country .
The illegal Class C substance and the similar drug GBL - which converts to GHB in the body - were involved in at least 112 alleged offences between 2017 and 2019 including rape , sexual assault on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police data released under the Freedom of Information Act .
A Sky News investigation found the number of reported crimes involving GHB or GBL rose from 31 in 2017 to 37 in 2018 and 44 in 2019 .
The liquid drug is often used during `` chemsex '' , a term which describes sex under the influence of illegal substances , mainly mephedrone , crystal meth , GHB or GBL .
The Metropolitan Police 's senior officer in charge of tackling chemsex-related crimes warned there was an increased risk of the offences being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live-streaming chemsex in `` Zoom Rooms '' and some offenders sharing indecent images of children .
`` There 's a distinct element online and obviously that 's something we 're concerned about at the moment .
`` You 've got people involved in chemsex live-streaming what they are doing , and then lots of people joining in a Zoom call .
`` We 're not in a position to say with any certainty the prevalence [ of chemsex-related crimes during lockdown ] , although we do know it has continued .
The risks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said GHB was `` an integral part of the chemsex scene '' and warned the drug - which along with GBL is commonly known as `` G '' - is still being imported into the UK during lockdown .
`` Because it has alternative uses , a lot of it will be imported on the pretext of being an industrial alloy cleaner , '' he added .
`` The key thing around G is the very real risk of fatal overdoses . ''
There were 120 deaths in England and Wales between 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Office for National Statistics .
But the total number could be much higher as GHB is not part of routine toxicology tests after sudden deaths .
The risks of the drug include unconsciousness , coma and death , with less than one millilitre between a dose that gets a person high and a dose that leaves them unresponsive .
The number of reported crimes involving GHB or GBL is likely to be much higher than the figure revealed by police as just 20 UK forces provided details of the alleged offences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Sky News to the UK 's 45 territorial forces and British Transport Police .
Forces which did not provide the information included the Met Police , which investigated murderers Stephen Port and Gerald Matovu - who poisoned men with GHB - and Greater Manchester Police , which led the inquiry into the UK 's most prolific rapist Reynhard Sinaga , who was jailed earlier this year for 159 sex offences .
Police believe Sinaga used drinks laced with GHB to make his victims unconscious before he attacked them .
Among the alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 2019 : • West Mercia Police said a sexual assault on a child under 13 involving GHB was reported in 2019 • Warwickshire Police said alleged crimes involving GHB included an attempted murder in 2018 and a sexual assault on a female • Merseyside Police said a female aged 13 or over reported that she was `` rendered unconscious '' after being given GHB by a family member in 2019 and `` felt soreness to her vagina '' after regaining consciousness • A man in Merseyside also alleged that he was given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by group of men in a private residence in 2019 , the force said • Cambridgeshire Police said it received a report of an alleged rape involving GHB in 2019 when a man believed the drug may have been put in his tea causing him to be `` very drowsy and potentially black out '' • Devon and Cornwall Police received a report of an alleged assault in which the suspect had an `` adverse effect '' after taking GHB and started to strangle the victim • Hertfordshire Police said it received a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GHB and raped in 2017 • West Midlands Police said crime reports mentioning GHB or GBL included a reported rape of a woman in 2019 Dr Graham Bloor , whose 21-year-old son Paddy died after overdosing on GHB at a Brighton house party in March 2018 , urged the government to reclassify it as a Class A drug .
He told Sky News : `` There is likely a public health crisis happening that , due to the nature of GHB toxicity and lack of testing , is invisible .
`` Those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of what is happening .
`` As long as they remain ignorant , nothing will change except that more young people will die . ''
A Home Office spokesman told Sky News : `` The home secretary is deeply concerned by the use of illegal drugs like GHB to perpetrate crime and has asked the Independent Advisory Council on the misuse of drugs to expedite a review looking at whether our controls for these drugs are tough enough . ''
Next week from Monday to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

Police have warned of the deadly risk of taking GHB after a rise in reported crimes involving the drug which was used by Britain's worst ever rapist Reynhard Sinaga to target his victims.
And despite lockdown measures to tackle coronavirus, a senior officer told Sky News that the "chemsex" drug is still coming into the country.
The illegal Class C substance and the similar drug GBL - which converts to GHB in the body - were involved in at least 112 alleged offences between 2017 and 2019 including rape, sexual assault on a child and attempted murder, according to police data released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Image: Police believe serial rapist Reynhard Sinaga used GHB to incapacitate his victims
A Sky News investigation found the number of reported crimes involving GHB or GBL rose from 31 in 2017 to 37 in 2018 and 44 in 2019.
The liquid drug is often used during "chemsex", a term which describes sex under the influence of illegal substances, mainly mephedrone, crystal meth, GHB or GBL.
The Metropolitan Police's senior officer in charge of tackling chemsex-related crimes warned there was an increased risk of the offences being committed online during lockdown - including people live-streaming chemsex in "Zoom Rooms" and some offenders sharing indecent images of children.
Inspector Allen Davis told Sky News: "The chemsex scene continues throughout lockdown.
"There's a distinct element online and obviously that's something we're concerned about at the moment.
"You've got people involved in chemsex live-streaming what they are doing, and then lots of people joining in a Zoom call.
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"We're not in a position to say with any certainty the prevalence [of chemsex-related crimes during lockdown], although we do know it has continued. The risks may have increased."
Mr Davis said GHB was "an integral part of the chemsex scene" and warned the drug - which along with GBL is commonly known as "G" - is still being imported into the UK during lockdown.
"Because it has alternative uses, a lot of it will be imported on the pretext of being an industrial alloy cleaner," he added.
"The key thing around G is the very real risk of fatal overdoses."
There were 120 deaths in England and Wales between 2014 and 2018 that involved GHB, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Image: GHB is often measured out with a syringe and then mixed into a drink
But the total number could be much higher as GHB is not part of routine toxicology tests after sudden deaths.
The risks of the drug include unconsciousness, coma and death, with less than one millilitre between a dose that gets a person high and a dose that leaves them unresponsive.
The number of reported crimes involving GHB or GBL is likely to be much higher than the figure revealed by police as just 20 UK forces provided details of the alleged offences. It followed freedom of information requests by Sky News to the UK's 45 territorial forces and British Transport Police.
Image: Stephen Port was given a whole life term after giving fatal doses of GHB to four men
Forces which did not provide the information included the Met Police, which investigated murderers Stephen Port and Gerald Matovu - who poisoned men with GHB - and Greater Manchester Police, which led the inquiry into the UK's most prolific rapist Reynhard Sinaga, who was jailed earlier this year for 159 sex offences.
Police believe Sinaga used drinks laced with GHB to make his victims unconscious before he attacked them.
Image: Gerald Matovu was jailed in 2019 for at least 31 years after murdering a man he plied with GHB
Among the alleged crimes involving GHB or GBL between 2017 and 2019:
West Mercia Police said a sexual assault on a child under 13 involving GHB was reported in 2019
Warwickshire Police said alleged crimes involving GHB included an attempted murder in 2018 and a sexual assault on a female
Merseyside Police said a female aged 13 or over reported that she was "rendered unconscious" after being given GHB by a family member in 2019 and "felt soreness to her vagina" after regaining consciousness
A man in Merseyside also alleged that he was given GHB to drink and was then raped by group of men in a private residence in 2019, the force said
Cambridgeshire Police said it received a report of an alleged rape involving GHB in 2019 when a man believed the drug may have been put in his tea causing him to be "very drowsy and potentially black out"
Devon and Cornwall Police received a report of an alleged assault in which the suspect had an "adverse effect" after taking GHB and started to strangle the victim
Hertfordshire Police said it received a report that a man was drugged with GHB and raped in 2017
West Midlands Police said crime reports mentioning GHB or GBL included a reported rape of a woman in 2019
Dr Graham Bloor, whose 21-year-old son Paddy died after overdosing on GHB at a Brighton house party in March 2018, urged the government to reclassify it as a Class A drug.
Image: Paddy Bloor, 21, died after an overdose of GHB
He told Sky News: "There is likely a public health crisis happening that, due to the nature of GHB toxicity and lack of testing, is invisible.
"Those who make decisions about resource allocation are unaware of what is happening.
"As long as they remain ignorant, nothing will change except that more young people will die."
A Home Office spokesman told Sky News: "The home secretary is deeply concerned by the use of illegal drugs like GHB to perpetrate crime and has asked the Independent Advisory Council on the misuse of drugs to expedite a review looking at whether our controls for these drugs are tough enough."
Next week from Monday to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk