news--2020-04-04--Coronavirus: Putin seeks political point-scoring in COVID-19 world crisis

Why does n't Vladimir Putin stop sending medical aid abroad and start worrying about his own health workers ?
Hardly a week goes by without another Russian dispatch of medical supplies to a country in need .
Serbia is the latest recipient .
On Saturday they welcomed eleven military cargo planes loaded with supplies and medical staff .
Last month , it was Italy .
China and Iran before that .
`` From Russia with love '' is now the slogan for the Kremlin 's apparent munificence .
Beyond promising Russians a week 's paid leave , and then extending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vladimir Putin has shown little sign of rising to the challenge COVID-19 poses his country .
He seems more interested in political point-scoring than he does the public health implications of the virus 's spread through almost every Russian region , with community transmission in half of those .
He has delegated responsibility to regional governors , granting them more autonomy in their decision-making on how to fight COVID-19 .
That leaves him to focus on what is more within his comfort zone , Russia on the world stage .
Imagine the delight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a subsidiary of Russian state defence giant Rostec were unloaded onto the tarmac at New York 's JFK airport this week .
They were part of a 60 ton delivery of medical supplies - masks and ventilators - to the United States .
Rostec is on the US sanctions list .
Any US purchase of Rostec 's products is a breach of Washington 's own sanctions .
There must be a delicious irony for President Putin that sanctioned Russian products can serve as a temporary salve to a US in crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US sums it up perhaps best .
`` Goodnight America '' it says over a photo of a city subsumed by water .
Kremlin trolling par excellence .
`` The Russians had excess supplies , '' the US president said .
`` This was a very nice gesture . ''
Was he worried about Russian propaganda ?
`` No , not even a little bit . ''
Speak to Russian healthcare workers though and they 'll tell you there is no excess of medical supplies .
Anastasia Vasilyeva from the Alliance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin out for allegedly downplaying the number of cases in Russia .
On Thursday , she was arrested as she tried to deliver masks and PPE to hospitals in the Novgorod region .
`` The medicine in the country is terrible .
We do n't have hospitals , we do n't have the staff , we do n't have a medical industry , '' she told Sky News two weeks ago .
`` Of course it 's not good for the government to say we have coronavirus and these are the real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prove the fact that they , the government , President Putin , caused all this to happen .
`` We 'll have a death toll a few times higher than in developed countries because medicine here is so bad . ''
In the city of Syktyvkar in Russia 's Komi Republic , 53 people , patients and medical staff , caught the virus inside one hospital .
The patient zero was reportedly one of the doctors .
Two have died , one of them a nurse .
`` I do think that Russian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome ( ARDS ) .
I think the main challenge is infection control and lack of nurses and other staff .
`` There are not enough nurses in ICU and in general care , usually we need a nurse to patient ratio of one to one and I do not know many hospitals with that .
`` Many doctors and nurses are in their 50s or 60s , which means they are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 , '' Dr Shtabnitsky added .
On Friday a group of medical staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospitals posted an online video message begging for more PPE so that they can treat patients with COVID-19 .
As President Putin mulls his next international aid delivery , he would do well to listen to the growing alarm of his own healthcare workers and make sure they are catered for first .

Why doesn't Vladimir Putin stop sending medical aid abroad and start worrying about his own health workers?
Hardly a week goes by without another Russian dispatch of medical supplies to a country in need.
Serbia is the latest recipient. On Saturday they welcomed eleven military cargo planes loaded with supplies and medical staff.
Last month, it was Italy. China and Iran before that. "From Russia with love" is now the slogan for the Kremlin's apparent munificence.
Beyond promising Russians a week's paid leave, and then extending it to the whole of April, Vladimir Putin has shown little sign of rising to the challenge COVID-19 poses his country.
He seems more interested in political point-scoring than he does the public health implications of the virus's spread through almost every Russian region, with community transmission in half of those.
He has delegated responsibility to regional governors, granting them more autonomy in their decision-making on how to fight COVID-19. That leaves him to focus on what is more within his comfort zone, Russia on the world stage.
Imagine the delight then inside the Kremlin as ventilators made by a subsidiary of Russian state defence giant Rostec were unloaded onto the tarmac at New York's JFK airport this week.
They were part of a 60 ton delivery of medical supplies - masks and ventilators - to the United States.
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:24 Trump on masks: 'I don't think I'll be doing it'
Rostec is on the US sanctions list. Any US purchase of Rostec's products is a breach of Washington's own sanctions.
There must be a delicious irony for President Putin that sanctioned Russian products can serve as a temporary salve to a US in crisis. A tweet from the Russian Embassy in the US sums it up perhaps best. "Goodnight America" it says over a photo of a city subsumed by water. Kremlin trolling par excellence.
"The Russians had excess supplies," the US president said. "This was a very nice gesture." Was he worried about Russian propaganda? "No, not even a little bit."
Image: Supplies developed by a company on Washington's sanctions list were sent to the US
Speak to Russian healthcare workers though and they'll tell you there is no excess of medical supplies.
Anastasia Vasilyeva from the Alliance of Doctors union has consistently and publicly called the Kremlin out for allegedly downplaying the number of cases in Russia. On Thursday, she was arrested as she tried to deliver masks and PPE to hospitals in the Novgorod region.
"The medicine in the country is terrible. We don't have hospitals, we don't have the staff, we don't have a medical industry," she told Sky News two weeks ago.
"Of course it's not good for the government to say we have coronavirus and these are the real numbers of deaths. It will just prove the fact that they, the government, President Putin, caused all this to happen.
"We'll have a death toll a few times higher than in developed countries because medicine here is so bad."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:03 Moscow streets deserted
In the city of Syktyvkar in Russia's Komi Republic, 53 people, patients and medical staff, caught the virus inside one hospital. The patient zero was reportedly one of the doctors. Two have died, one of them a nurse.
Vasily Shtabnitsky, a Moscow based pulmonologist, says infection control is a huge problem.
"I do think that Russian doctors have expertise in managing severe pneumonia or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). I think the main challenge is infection control and lack of nurses and other staff.
"There are not enough nurses in ICU and in general care, usually we need a nurse to patient ratio of one to one and I do not know many hospitals with that.
"Many doctors and nurses are in their 50s or 60s, which means they are extremely vulnerable to COVID-19," Dr Shtabnitsky added.
Image: Russia's death toll could be even higher than in other developed countries
On Friday a group of medical staff at one of St Petersburg's top hospitals posted an online video message begging for more PPE so that they can treat patients with COVID-19.
As President Putin mulls his next international aid delivery, he would do well to listen to the growing alarm of his own healthcare workers and make sure they are catered for first.


news--2020-04-03--Coronavirus: Trump urges Americans to wear masks but says he 'doesn't want to'

Donald Trump has urged Americans to wear face masks in public to help fight the spread of coronavirus - but insisted he will not follow suit because `` he does n't want to '' .
Despite the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , the president said he had no intention of following the advice himself , adding : `` I 'm choosing not to do it . ''
Mr Trump said he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders .
`` It 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` I just do n't want to wear one myself . ''
The new guidance has raised fears that it could cause a sudden run on masks if Americans turn to private industry to meet the expected surge in demand during the COVID-19 crisis .
Mr Trump and other administration officials sought to minimise any burden by stressing the recommendations did not amount to requirements and a variety of homemade coverings were perfectly acceptable .
Federal officials stressed that surgical masks and N95 respirators should be left for those on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the infection .
Friday 's announcement capped an evolution in messaging from the White House that officials acknowledged has at times been confusing .
: : Listen to Divided States on Apple podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , and Spreaker This was evident as first lady Melania Trump tweeted : `` As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing & wearing a mask/face covering seriously . ''
The administration has said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies , but it is not clear if anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could ensue if people try to obtain medical masks for themselves .
It is believed the recommendations are a bid to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy , which could infect areas that so far have been mostly spared .
Under previous guidance , only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks .
Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people should `` STOP BUYING MASKS '' and said they were not effective in protecting the general public .
On Monday , he noted that the World Health Organisation does not recommend masks for healthy members of the population .
Three days later , he tweeted that though there remains `` scant '' evidence that wearing a mask , especially improperly , can protect the wearer , `` emerging data suggests facial coverings may prevent asymptomatic disease transmission to others '' .

Donald Trump has urged Americans to wear face masks in public to help fight the spread of coronavirus - but insisted he will not follow suit because "he doesn't want to".
Despite the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the president said he had no intention of following the advice himself, adding: "I'm choosing not to do it."
Mr Trump said he could not envision himself covering his face while sitting in the Oval Office greeting world leaders.
"It's a recommendation, they recommend it," he said.
"I just don't want to wear one myself."
Image: New guidance says Americans should wear face masks in public
The new guidance has raised fears that it could cause a sudden run on masks if Americans turn to private industry to meet the expected surge in demand during the COVID-19 crisis.
Mr Trump and other administration officials sought to minimise any burden by stressing the recommendations did not amount to requirements and a variety of homemade coverings were perfectly acceptable.
Federal officials stressed that surgical masks and N95 respirators should be left for those on the front lines of fighting the spread of the infection.
Friday's announcement capped an evolution in messaging from the White House that officials acknowledged has at times been confusing.
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This was evident as first lady Melania Trump tweeted: "As the weekend approaches I ask that everyone take social distancing & wearing a mask/face covering seriously."
The administration has said states should have done more to stockpile medical supplies, but it is not clear if anyone is prepared for the potential rush that could ensue if people try to obtain medical masks for themselves.
It is believed the recommendations are a bid to balance political concerns about wanting to preserve as much normalcy as possible with public health concerns that some infections are being spread by people who seem to be healthy, which could infect areas that so far have been mostly spared.
Under previous guidance, only the sick or those at high risk of complications from the respiratory illness were advised to wear masks.
Surgeon General Jerome Adams wrote on Twitter at the end of February that people should "STOP BUYING MASKS" and said they were not effective in protecting the general public.
On Monday, he noted that the World Health Organisation does not recommend masks for healthy members of the population.
Three days later, he tweeted that though there remains "scant" evidence that wearing a mask, especially improperly, can protect the wearer, "emerging data suggests facial coverings may prevent asymptomatic disease transmission to others".


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: UK believes disease behind pandemic was passed from animals naturally

The UK believes it is highly likely the strain of coronavirus behind the global pandemic first passed from animals to humans naturally unconnected to a laboratory , Sky News understands .
The possibility that SARS-CoV-2 - the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19 - might have leaked accidentally from a Chinese laboratory can not be disproved , but it is considered unlikely , according to informed Whitehall sources .
The UK position contrasts with a claim by US President Donald Trump , who said he had seen evidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the source of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ further , alleging there was a significant amount of evidence to support this theory .
The US administration has heaped blame on China for the pandemic in a standoff that has made the question about the origin of the virus increasingly political .
A statement released by US spy agencies last week was more balanced when considering whether the virus first infected humans naturally from an interaction with an animal or whether transmission happened by accident in a laboratory .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Office of the Director of National Intelligence , which oversees all US intelligence and security agencies , did not place weight on either theory , in contrast with the UK .
The intelligence community `` will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan , '' its statement said .
Neither the US nor the UK believe that the virus was man-made .
The Wuhan Institute of Virology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ origin of the pandemic .
Liu Xiaoming , China 's ambassador to the UK , also rejected President Trump 's claims as `` disinformation '' .
The UK position on the origin of the novel coronavirus is more in line with Australia 's - a fellow member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing community along with the United States , Canada and New Zealand .
Scott Morrison , the Australian prime minister , has said the most likely scenario is that it started at a wildlife wet market in the city of Wuhan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into what happened .
The UK believes that the precise location where the first animal to human transmission happened might never be known .
In Washington on Tuesday , the top US general said the origin of the virus remained a mystery .
`` Did it come out of the virology lab in Wuhan ?
Did it occur in a wet market there in Wuhan ?
Did it occur somewhere else ?
And the answer to that is : We do n't know , '' General Mark Milley , chairman of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news conference .

The UK believes it is highly likely the strain of coronavirus behind the global pandemic first passed from animals to humans naturally unconnected to a laboratory, Sky News understands.
The possibility that SARS-CoV-2 - the coronavirus strain that causes COVID-19 - might have leaked accidentally from a Chinese laboratory cannot be disproved, but it is considered unlikely, according to informed Whitehall sources.
The UK position contrasts with a claim by US President Donald Trump, who said he had seen evidence that the Wuhan Institute of Virology was the source of the pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:42 Trump confident COVID-19 originated in Wuhan lab
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went further, alleging there was a significant amount of evidence to support this theory.
The US administration has heaped blame on China for the pandemic in a standoff that has made the question about the origin of the virus increasingly political.
A statement released by US spy agencies last week was more balanced when considering whether the virus first infected humans naturally from an interaction with an animal or whether transmission happened by accident in a laboratory.
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However, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees all US intelligence and security agencies, did not place weight on either theory, in contrast with the UK.
The intelligence community "will continue to rigorously examine emerging information and intelligence to determine whether the outbreak began through contact with infected animals or if it was the result of an accident at a laboratory in Wuhan," its statement said.
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Neither the US nor the UK believe that the virus was man-made.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35 UK probes Wuhan lab coronavirus link
The Wuhan Institute of Virology has dismissed any suggestion it was the origin of the pandemic.
Liu Xiaoming, China's ambassador to the UK, also rejected President Trump's claims as "disinformation".
The UK position on the origin of the novel coronavirus is more in line with Australia's - a fellow member of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing community along with the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, has said the most likely scenario is that it started at a wildlife wet market in the city of Wuhan. He is leading calls for an international investigation into what happened.
The UK believes that the precise location where the first animal to human transmission happened might never be known.
In Washington on Tuesday, the top US general said the origin of the virus remained a mystery.
"Did it come out of the virology lab in Wuhan? Did it occur in a wet market there in Wuhan? Did it occur somewhere else? And the answer to that is: We don't know," General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a news conference.


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus will reach Coronation Street but will not 'dominate' it, producer says

The coronavirus pandemic will be included in future episodes of Coronation Street but will be `` handled with a light touch '' , the soap 's producer has said .
Iain MacLeod said viewers like the show because it `` reflects modern Britain '' and so ignoring the pandemic when filming resumes would turn the street into `` a parallel fantasy land '' .
`` We took the view that it has to exist in our world , '' he said .
`` However , I am also aware that people tune into Coronation Street for escapism , to some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories that they would never normally experience in their own lives , and stuff they would normally never see in their own living rooms played out on screen .
`` While the virus will exist in Coronation Street , we were also keen that it would n't dominate every single story and every single scene .
`` If your lives are anything like mine , certainly coronavirus is pretty much the only topic of conversation in my house , but people would n't want to tune into Coronation Street and see every scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' It will be there .
You will be able to see evidence of it in the way people behave - hand-washing protocols and things like that .
`` The way our businesses are run will be tweaked to do more takeaways and the like , as food outlets are doing in the real world .
`` But we will still continue telling the same brilliant , dramatic stories with the healthy dollop of comedy that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be , again , to turn the show into something the viewers do n't recognise .
`` It will be there .
It will be handled with a light touch .
Other than that , our storytelling will be business as usual . ''
MacLeod added : `` People want to watch drama and they want to watch the same hard-hitting stories that Corrie does so well .
They do n't want suddenly to be watching a different programme . ''
The ITV show was paused , along with fellow soap Emmerdale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the social-distancing measures .
The channel is running fewer episodes than usual to make the supply last longer .
Last week , Sky News revealed how Australian soap Neighbours is working within social-distancing restrictions .
The soap seems to be leading the way , with various productions from around the world getting in touch for details on how it is operating , executive producer Jason Herbison said .

The coronavirus pandemic will be included in future episodes of Coronation Street but will be "handled with a light touch", the soap's producer has said.
Iain MacLeod said viewers like the show because it "reflects modern Britain" and so ignoring the pandemic when filming resumes would turn the street into "a parallel fantasy land".
"We took the view that it has to exist in our world," he said.
"However, I am also aware that people tune into Coronation Street for escapism, to some degree, and to see drama and stories that they would never normally experience in their own lives, and stuff they would normally never see in their own living rooms played out on screen.
"While the virus will exist in Coronation Street, we were also keen that it wouldn't dominate every single story and every single scene.
"If your lives are anything like mine, certainly coronavirus is pretty much the only topic of conversation in my house, but people wouldn't want to tune into Coronation Street and see every scene was people talking about coronavirus.
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"It will be there. You will be able to see evidence of it in the way people behave - hand-washing protocols and things like that.
"The way our businesses are run will be tweaked to do more takeaways and the like, as food outlets are doing in the real world.
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"But we will still continue telling the same brilliant, dramatic stories with the healthy dollop of comedy that we always do, because to do otherwise would be, again, to turn the show into something the viewers don't recognise.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 13:51 Lockdown Road: Bringing neighbours together
"It will be there. It will be handled with a light touch. Other than that, our storytelling will be business as usual."
MacLeod added: "People want to watch drama and they want to watch the same hard-hitting stories that Corrie does so well. They don't want suddenly to be watching a different programme."
The ITV show was paused, along with fellow soap Emmerdale, due to the coronavirus pandemic and the social-distancing measures.
The channel is running fewer episodes than usual to make the supply last longer.
Last week, Sky News revealed how Australian soap Neighbours is working within social-distancing restrictions.
The soap seems to be leading the way, with various productions from around the world getting in touch for details on how it is operating, executive producer Jason Herbison said.


news--2020-05-05--Coronavirus: Home secretary urged to act on 'unacceptable' rise in anti-Chinese hate crimes

The rise in hate crimes against Chinese people in the UK is `` totally unacceptable '' and offenders should face `` the strongest possible consequences '' , the shadow home secretary has said .
Nick Thomas-Symonds said he had written to Home Secretary Priti Patel after a Sky News investigation found offences against the UK 's Chinese community have soared during the coronavirus outbreak .
The Liberal Democrats claim the government has admitted it does not know the true number of anti-Chinese hate crimes in the UK because `` information is not routinely collected on the ethnicity of victims '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate crimes were recorded against Chinese people between January and March during the COVID-19 crisis , with victims being punched , spat at and coughed on in the street .
The rate of offences in the first three months of 2020 was nearly three times that of the previous two years , according to data released by UK police forces .
Mr Thomas-Symonds said : `` Any hate crime is one too many .
It 's awful to see these incidents targeting Chinese people .
`` I 've already written to the home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ totally unacceptable and those responsible should face the strongest possible consequences . ''
Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott called on ministers to condemn hate crimes against the UK 's Chinese community `` unreservedly '' .
`` 'Racism is not stupidity - racism is hate ' , '' she tweeted .
`` All forms of racism are unacceptable .
[ I ] would like to hear ministers condemn it unreservedly . ''
In response to a parliamentary question , policing minister Kit Malthouse said the government does not know how many anti-Chinese hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` information is not routinely collected on the ethnicity of victims '' , according to the Lib Dems .
The party has now urged the home secretary to `` condemn this pernicious new form of racism '' .
Liberal Democrats ' home affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said : `` The home secretary must step up and tackle this appalling trend head-on .
`` That work can not be effectively undertaken unless the government records and tracks these crimes , so I urge the home secretary to enact that change today . ''
Suresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monitoring Group , also reported a `` worrying spike of race hate crimes against Chinese communities '' since the COVID-19 crisis .
The coronavirus outbreak started in China , with the first case reported in Wuhan in Hubei province in December .
The first documented cases in the UK came in February , and the virus has now been linked to more than 29,000 deaths across the country .
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton , the national policing lead for hate crime , told Sky News that `` no one is responsible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be protected from targeted abuse '' .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker He added : `` We know that some forces have unfortunately had reports about a small number of offenders who have committed hate crimes against those from Chinese and South East Asian communities and linked to the COVID-19 outbreak .
`` The police , prosecutors and the courts have all made it clear that they will take such crimes very seriously .
`` We will continue to monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support affected communities , including with translated information on how they can report issues to the police and get the appropriate support . ''

The rise in hate crimes against Chinese people in the UK is "totally unacceptable" and offenders should face "the strongest possible consequences", the shadow home secretary has said.
Nick Thomas-Symonds said he had written to Home Secretary Priti Patel after a Sky News investigation found offences against the UK's Chinese community have soared during the coronavirus outbreak.
The Liberal Democrats claim the government has admitted it does not know the true number of anti-Chinese hate crimes in the UK because "information is not routinely collected on the ethnicity of victims".
Image: Jonathan Mok, a student from Singapore, was attacked by people who allegedly said: 'I don't want your coronavirus'
Sky News revealed at least 267 hate crimes were recorded against Chinese people between January and March during the COVID-19 crisis, with victims being punched, spat at and coughed on in the street.
The rate of offences in the first three months of 2020 was nearly three times that of the previous two years, according to data released by UK police forces.
Mr Thomas-Symonds said: "Any hate crime is one too many. It's awful to see these incidents targeting Chinese people.
"I've already written to the home secretary on this - hate crime is totally unacceptable and those responsible should face the strongest possible consequences."
Image: Hate crimes against Chinese people have soared between January and March
Former shadow home secretary Diane Abbott called on ministers to condemn hate crimes against the UK's Chinese community "unreservedly".
"'Racism is not stupidity - racism is hate'," she tweeted.
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"All forms of racism are unacceptable. [I] would like to hear ministers condemn it unreservedly."
In response to a parliamentary question, policing minister Kit Malthouse said the government does not know how many anti-Chinese hate crimes are committed in the UK because "information is not routinely collected on the ethnicity of victims", according to the Lib Dems.
The party has now urged the home secretary to "condemn this pernicious new form of racism".
Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said: "The home secretary must step up and tackle this appalling trend head-on.
"That work cannot be effectively undertaken unless the government records and tracks these crimes, so I urge the home secretary to enact that change today."
Image: Priti Patel has been urged to 'condemn this pernicious new form of racism'
Suresh Grover, director of anti-racism charity The Monitoring Group, also reported a "worrying spike of race hate crimes against Chinese communities" since the COVID-19 crisis.
The coronavirus outbreak started in China, with the first case reported in Wuhan in Hubei province in December.
The first documented cases in the UK came in February, and the virus has now been linked to more than 29,000 deaths across the country.
Deputy Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, the national policing lead for hate crime, told Sky News that "no one is responsible for the outbreak and everyone has a right to be protected from targeted abuse".
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He added: "We know that some forces have unfortunately had reports about a small number of offenders who have committed hate crimes against those from Chinese and South East Asian communities and linked to the COVID-19 outbreak.
"The police, prosecutors and the courts have all made it clear that they will take such crimes very seriously.
"We will continue to monitor any trends that arise, and to support affected communities, including with translated information on how they can report issues to the police and get the appropriate support."


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Advisers in step with Clarks as restructuring looms

Three of the big four accountancy firms have been drafted in to work on a potential restructuring of Clarks , the 195-year-old shoe retailer , as it tries to weather the coronavirus outbreak ’ s impact on the high street .
Sky News has learnt that Clarks ' family shareholders have drafted in KPMG to advise them , while Deloitte has been hired by the company 's management team .
City sources said on Wednesday that PricewaterhouseCoopers had been engaged by a syndicate of the footwear chain 's lenders as they assess the COVID-19 crisis 's impact on its prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a difficult period for Clarks , which was founded in 1825 and has become synonymous with generations of parents buying the first pairs of shoes for their children .
It remains largely owned by descendants of Cyrus and James Clark , who founded the business in Somerset nearly 200 years ago .
Last year , it was reported that the retailer had asked McKinsey , the management consultant , to undertake a review of its strategy .
It has since engaged Rothschild , the investment bank , as an adviser , as it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loss-making stores as their leases expire .
Sources said the involvement of Deloitte , KPMG and PwC signalled that a more far-reaching restructuring was now likely , including much larger numbers of store closures in some of the countries in which Clarks operates .
A spokesperson for the retailer said : `` Like all businesses , Clarks continues to face the fast-changing challenges of operating in today 's environment of rising economic and political uncertainty .
`` Our leadership team is currently reviewing all options to protect our business , our people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` It is our policy not to comment on specific commercial appointments . ''
Clarks trades from about 345 stores in the UK , employing thousands of people , and denied last month that it would be exploring a Company Voluntary Arrangement - a widely used insolvency mechanism that would - if approved by creditors - pave the way for a radical restructuring .
The company has furloughed thousands of its store staff under the government 's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme , and has been assessing options for the remainder of its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Presca , Clarks is expected to outline its plans in the coming months , according to insiders .
In the last year for which figures are available , Clarks reported a post-tax loss of more than £80m .

Three of the big four accountancy firms have been drafted in to work on a potential restructuring of Clarks, the 195-year-old shoe retailer, as it tries to weather the coronavirus outbreak’s impact on the high street.
Sky News has learnt that Clarks' family shareholders have drafted in KPMG to advise them, while Deloitte has been hired by the company's management team.
City sources said on Wednesday that PricewaterhouseCoopers had been engaged by a syndicate of the footwear chain's lenders as they assess the COVID-19 crisis's impact on its prospects.
The string of appointments come after a difficult period for Clarks, which was founded in 1825 and has become synonymous with generations of parents buying the first pairs of shoes for their children.
It remains largely owned by descendants of Cyrus and James Clark, who founded the business in Somerset nearly 200 years ago.
Last year, it was reported that the retailer had asked McKinsey, the management consultant, to undertake a review of its strategy.
It has since engaged Rothschild, the investment bank, as an adviser, as it prepares to close a small number of loss-making stores as their leases expire.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:24 The York high street adapting to lockdown
Sources said the involvement of Deloitte, KPMG and PwC signalled that a more far-reaching restructuring was now likely, including much larger numbers of store closures in some of the countries in which Clarks operates.
A spokesperson for the retailer said: "Like all businesses, Clarks continues to face the fast-changing challenges of operating in today's environment of rising economic and political uncertainty.
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"Our leadership team is currently reviewing all options to protect our business, our people and the Clarks brand for future long-term growth.
"It is our policy not to comment on specific commercial appointments."
Clarks trades from about 345 stores in the UK, employing thousands of people, and denied last month that it would be exploring a Company Voluntary Arrangement - a widely used insolvency mechanism that would - if approved by creditors - pave the way for a radical restructuring.
The company has furloughed thousands of its store staff under the government's Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, and has been assessing options for the remainder of its workforce.
Under new chief executive Giorgio Presca, Clarks is expected to outline its plans in the coming months, according to insiders.
In the last year for which figures are available, Clarks reported a post-tax loss of more than £80m.


news--2020-05-11--Social distancing between monkeys prevents microbe spread

Social distancing among eight separate groups of monkeys in Ghana has been found to have a profound impact on the spread of disease , according to new research .
There are millions of microorganisms living inside of and on our bodies that play a crucial role in our health , especially the microbes in our guts .
`` Social microbial transmission among monkeys can help inform us about how diseases spread , '' said Eva Wikberg , an assistant professor at the University of Texas , San Antonio .
`` This has parallels to our current situation in which we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the COVID-19 pandemic and future disease outbreaks may influence disease transmission . ''
The microorganisms which live in the digestive tract , from the stomach through to the colon , are known as the gut microbiome .
Scientists are increasingly focusing on the gut microbiome which researchers believe can be a driving factor behind obesity , immune function and even behavioural changes .
But researching microbiomes is difficult because of the variation in microbial composition between individuals , according to the university .
One of the longest standing questions about this variation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differences or if it is a product of social environments .
Ms Wikberg and her colleagues studied the faeces of 45 female colobus monkeys which congregated in eight different social groups in a small forest in Ghana - and they found the distinct groups indeed had distinct microbiomes .
But crucially , some individuals from different groups which were more closely connected in those groups ' social network had more similar microbiomes , according to the research published in the journal Animal Behaviour .
`` This discovery indicates that microbes may be transmitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social groups , '' the researchers noted .
`` A similar setting may be when people come into one-metre proximity of each other at a store .
Being in close proximity or accidentally brushing up against someone else may be all it takes to transmit certain microbes , '' they added .
But even if social distancing is directly correlated to the microbes shared between individuals , it is n't clear why the social groups have n't evolved to completely avoid outsiders .
`` Further research is needed to investigate whether this type @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could explain why different social groups occasionally have friendly between-group encounters , '' the researchers added .
`` Studies of wild animals can teach us a lot about the importance of using interventions , such as social distancing , to ensure a safer community during this pandemic , '' said Dr Wikberg .

Social distancing among eight separate groups of monkeys in Ghana has been found to have a profound impact on the spread of disease, according to new research.
There are millions of microorganisms living inside of and on our bodies that play a crucial role in our health, especially the microbes in our guts.
"Social microbial transmission among monkeys can help inform us about how diseases spread," said Eva Wikberg, an assistant professor at the University of Texas, San Antonio.
"This has parallels to our current situation in which we are trying to understand how social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and future disease outbreaks may influence disease transmission."
The microorganisms which live in the digestive tract, from the stomach through to the colon, are known as the gut microbiome.
Scientists are increasingly focusing on the gut microbiome which researchers believe can be a driving factor behind obesity, immune function and even behavioural changes.
But researching microbiomes is difficult because of the variation in microbial composition between individuals, according to the university.
One of the longest standing questions about this variation is whether it is down to genetic differences or if it is a product of social environments.
Ms Wikberg and her colleagues studied the faeces of 45 female colobus monkeys which congregated in eight different social groups in a small forest in Ghana - and they found the distinct groups indeed had distinct microbiomes.
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But crucially, some individuals from different groups which were more closely connected in those groups' social network had more similar microbiomes, according to the research published in the journal Animal Behaviour.
"This discovery indicates that microbes may be transmitted during occasional encounters with members of other social groups," the researchers noted.
"A similar setting may be when people come into one-metre proximity of each other at a store. Being in close proximity or accidentally brushing up against someone else may be all it takes to transmit certain microbes," they added.
But even if social distancing is directly correlated to the microbes shared between individuals, it isn't clear why the social groups haven't evolved to completely avoid outsiders.
"Further research is needed to investigate whether this type of transmission yields health benefits, which could explain why different social groups occasionally have friendly between-group encounters," the researchers added.
"Studies of wild animals can teach us a lot about the importance of using interventions, such as social distancing, to ensure a safer community during this pandemic," said Dr Wikberg.


news--2020-05-10--Coronavirus: Leaders unite against PM's 'stay alert' slogan

Boris Johnson has revealed the first details of the government 's revised coronavirus rules - as the leaders of Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland united in opposition to the prime minister 's new slogan .
The longstanding official guidance to `` stay at home , protect the NHS , save lives '' has been amended to `` stay alert , control the virus , save lives '' .
The UK government 's guidance is now : • Stay at home as much as possible • Work at home if you can • Keep your distance if you go out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you or anyone in your household has symptoms , you all need to self-isolate In a pre-recorded address to the nation on Sunday , the prime minister unveiled the new `` stay alert '' slogan instead of the `` stay at home '' message .
Mr Johnson 's decision to change the slogan was criticised by other leaders including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who said the new message lacked clarity .
He told Sky News : `` Stay alert is n't clear , most people have been saying what does that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very , you know , basic issue here about communications .
`` That clarity is n't there and the consensus is n't there .
There 's a gap tonight between what we needed and what we got .
`` Some of the detail in what is being said tonight will cause real concern .
`` This statement raises more questions than it answers , and we see the prospect of England , Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions . ''
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland would not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet .
She said : `` We must n't squander progress by easing up too soon or sending mixed messages , '' she said in her daily COVID-19 briefing .
`` People will die unnecessarily .
We must not take that risk .
My basic message remains the same : please stay at home . ''
She also announced that , from Wednesday , people in Scotland will no longer be limited to exercising outdoors once a day .
Ms Sturgeon had previously said she first learned of `` the PM 's new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to Sky News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday , Wales ' First Minister Mark Drakeford also stressed the stay at home slogan had not `` gone away '' in his nation .
`` The message I will be giving to people in Wales is while they must be alert to the continuing danger of coronavirus ... staying at home remains the best way that you can protect yourself and others , '' he said .
`` The fewer contacts you have with other people , the more you suppress your own risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So being alert is important , but staying at home has not gone away . ''
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster said her region would also not be deviating from the `` stay at home '' message .
And SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has told Boris Johnson that his new slogan is `` a nonsense '' .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Professor Susan Michie , a behavioural expert who is a member of the government 's scientific advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the new slogan is `` a long way '' from being clear and consistent .
She added : `` Dropping the 'stay at home ' message from the main slogan in favour of generalised alertness may be taken as a green light by many to not stay at home and begin socialising with friends and other activities that increase the risk of transmission .
`` This could potentially undermine the good work over the last few weeks that has seen impressively sustained high levels of adherence by the public in what for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said government briefings to newspapers had left the public confused .
`` I think the problem with the slogan that has been briefed to some newspapers is that people will be looking at it slightly puzzled , questioning what does it mean to stay alert and what are the government saying with that , '' he said .
`` I think some of those briefings to newspapers has led to the situation yesterday and on Friday of lots of people going to parks , enjoying the sunshine .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Greater Manchester , tweeted that it `` feels to me like a mistake to me to drop the clear '' stay at home message .
Dave Ward , general secretary of the Communication Workers Union , said : `` The messaging from this government throughout this crisis has been a total joke , but their new slogan takes it to a new level . ''
He added : `` Stay alert ?
It 's a deadly virus , not a zebra crossing . ''
Junior doctor Julia Simons tweeted : `` Please @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a physical assailant ?
You ca n't stay alert to single-stranded RNA . ''
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News a `` broader '' slogan was needed as the government looked to restart the economy .
`` I think that 's what the public want and that they will be able to understand this message , which is that we should be staying home as much as possible but when we do go to work and go about our business we need to remain vigilant , we need to stay alert , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News ' Sophy Ridge On Sunday if there was a danger the message was too woolly , Mr Jenrick said : `` Well I hope not .
`` We need to have a broader message because we want to slowly and cautiously restart the economy and the country . ''
Mr Johnson urged workers who can not work from home to begin returning to their workplaces while following social distancing rules .
More than 31,000 people have died in the UK after testing positive for the coronavirus .

Boris Johnson has revealed the first details of the government's revised coronavirus rules - as the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland united in opposition to the prime minister's new slogan.
The longstanding official guidance to "stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives" has been amended to "stay alert, control the virus, save lives".
The UK government's guidance is now:
Stay at home as much as possible
Work at home if you can
Limit contact with other people
Keep your distance if you go out (2m apart where possible)
Wash your hands regularly
If you or anyone in your household has symptoms, you all need to self-isolate
Image: The new coronavirus slogans unveiled by Boris Johnson
In a pre-recorded address to the nation on Sunday, the prime minister unveiled the new "stay alert" slogan instead of the "stay at home" message.
Mr Johnson's decision to change the slogan was criticised by other leaders including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer who said the new message lacked clarity.
He told Sky News: "Stay alert isn't clear, most people have been saying what does that mean? So, there's a very, you know, basic issue here about communications.
"That clarity isn't there and the consensus isn't there. There's a gap tonight between what we needed and what we got.
"Some of the detail in what is being said tonight will cause real concern.
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"This statement raises more questions than it answers, and we see the prospect of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland pulling in different directions."
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Scotland would not be adopting the prime minister's new policy yet.
She said: "We mustn't squander progress by easing up too soon or sending mixed messages," she said in her daily COVID-19 briefing.
"People will die unnecessarily. We must not take that risk. My basic message remains the same: please stay at home."
She also announced that, from Wednesday, people in Scotland will no longer be limited to exercising outdoors once a day.
Ms Sturgeon had previously said she first learned of "the PM's new slogan" in Sunday newspaper reports.
Image: The government's new coronavirus advice
Speaking to Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday, Wales' First Minister Mark Drakeford also stressed the stay at home slogan had not "gone away" in his nation.
"The message I will be giving to people in Wales is while they must be alert to the continuing danger of coronavirus... staying at home remains the best way that you can protect yourself and others," he said.
"The fewer contacts you have with other people, the more you suppress your own risk and the risk to others.
"So being alert is important, but staying at home has not gone away."
Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster said her region would also not be deviating from the "stay at home" message.
And SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has told Boris Johnson that his new slogan is "a nonsense".
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Professor Susan Michie, a behavioural expert who is a member of the government's scientific advisory group for emergencies (SAGE), said the new slogan is "a long way" from being clear and consistent.
She added: "Dropping the 'stay at home' message from the main slogan in favour of generalised alertness may be taken as a green light by many to not stay at home and begin socialising with friends and other activities that increase the risk of transmission.
"This could potentially undermine the good work over the last few weeks that has seen impressively sustained high levels of adherence by the public in what for many are very challenging situations."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Nicola Sturgeon: 'Please stay at home'
Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said government briefings to newspapers had left the public confused.
"I think the problem with the slogan that has been briefed to some newspapers is that people will be looking at it slightly puzzled, questioning what does it mean to stay alert and what are the government saying with that," he said.
"I think some of those briefings to newspapers has led to the situation yesterday and on Friday of lots of people going to parks, enjoying the sunshine."
Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester, tweeted that it "feels to me like a mistake to me to drop the clear" stay at home message.
Dave Ward, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: "The messaging from this government throughout this crisis has been a total joke, but their new slogan takes it to a new level."
He added: "Stay alert? It's a deadly virus, not a zebra crossing."
Junior doctor Julia Simons tweeted: "Please can someone tell Boris coronavirus is not a physical assailant? You can't stay alert to single-stranded RNA."
Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick told Sky News a "broader" slogan was needed as the government looked to restart the economy.
"I think that's what the public want and that they will be able to understand this message, which is that we should be staying home as much as possible but when we do go to work and go about our business we need to remain vigilant, we need to stay alert," he said.
Asked on Sky News' Sophy Ridge On Sunday if there was a danger the message was too woolly, Mr Jenrick said: "Well I hope not.
"We need to have a broader message because we want to slowly and cautiously restart the economy and the country."
Mr Johnson urged workers who cannot work from home to begin returning to their workplaces while following social distancing rules.
More than 31,000 people have died in the UK after testing positive for the coronavirus.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: When and how could hair salons reopen in the UK?

Britons desperate to tame their lockdown hairstyles may have to carry on reaching for the scissors themselves , as it appears hair salons will not be opening any time soon .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky 's Kay Burley @ Breakfast that salons will not be opening until 4 July `` at the very earliest '' .
`` Obviously the proximity [ within salons ] ... is something where we just do n't think we are ready yet , given where we are with the virus , '' he said .
According to the government 's 50-page plan for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be back in business in the `` late summer '' .
The government clarified the rules for hairdressers after many expressed confusion following the prime minister 's speech on Sunday , where he declared that anyone who can not work from home should go into work .
One person wrote on Twitter : `` So hairdressers can be 'actively encouraged ' to go back to work ?
You did say ANYONE who ca n't work from home . ''
But it seems many will not be able to fix their lockdown cuts for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under phase three in the government 's three-phase plan to easing lockdown .
Phase one says that people can return to work from Wednesday if they ca n't work from home , however , those people would include builders and those who work in manufacturing , and not hairdressers .
A full list of who is being asked to go back to work this week will be published later today , but hair salons come under phase three , along with pubs and restaurants .
Phase three is n't expected until at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is when children may be allowed back to school .
Sky 's political editor Beth Rigby said hairdressing and beauty are `` challenging sectors because of the level of contact required between the client and the hairdresser '' .
A number of European countries have begun reopening salons as part of the first stages of easing lockdown restrictions - but they have strict rules in place .
In France , salons will not accept walk-in clients and everyone will be asked to wear masks and gowns and use hydraulic gel , disinfectants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ served as quickly as possible and they will be charged a separate fee to cover the costs of disposable equipment .
Germany is also allowing its citizens to visit hair salons , but hairdressers will only be allowed to dry cut hair and every other salon chair must be left empty .
Customers must fill out forms with personal information before booking an appointment , and there must be no talking face to face - only through the mirror .
Other countries including Turkey , Spain and Norway have also allowed salons to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remained shut since 23 March , hairdressers have been warned not to offer home visits .
The National Hair and Beauty Federation ( NHBF ) said hairdressers and barbers should not be providing haircuts until the government gives the go-ahead .
In a letter to members last week , it said : `` This would be against the government 's strict social distancing instructions which say you must stay at home apart from essential travel .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus .
Also - please bear in mind that your insurance will probably not cover you if you normally work in a salon or barbershop . ''
NHBF 's chief executive Hilary Hall told Sky News that hairdressers had been `` inundated '' with requests to provide at-home services .
Responding to the government 's latest announcement , Ms Hall said the NHBF supported the decision but there were concerns about `` the challenges of working in close proximity with clients in a job where physical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urgently need clarification about what kind of PPE is required .
We are working with the government to provide clear guidelines so salons can return to work safely when the time is right , '' she said .

Britons desperate to tame their lockdown hairstyles may have to carry on reaching for the scissors themselves, as it appears hair salons will not be opening any time soon.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky's Kay Burley @ Breakfast that salons will not be opening until 4 July "at the very earliest".
"Obviously the proximity [within salons]... is something where we just don't think we are ready yet, given where we are with the virus," he said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 No pubs or hair cuts until 4 July at the earliest, says Raab
According to the government's 50-page plan for easing the lockdown, hair salons will be back in business in the "late summer".
The government clarified the rules for hairdressers after many expressed confusion following the prime minister's speech on Sunday, where he declared that anyone who cannot work from home should go into work.
One person wrote on Twitter: "So hairdressers can be 'actively encouraged' to go back to work? You did say ANYONE who can't work from home."
But it seems many will not be able to fix their lockdown cuts for some time, because hair salons come under phase three in the government's three-phase plan to easing lockdown.
Phase one says that people can return to work from Wednesday if they can't work from home, however, those people would include builders and those who work in manufacturing, and not hairdressers.
A full list of who is being asked to go back to work this week will be published later today, but hair salons come under phase three, along with pubs and restaurants.
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Phase three isn't expected until at least 4 July, after phase two, which is when children may be allowed back to school.
Sky's political editor Beth Rigby said hairdressing and beauty are "challenging sectors because of the level of contact required between the client and the hairdresser".
A number of European countries have begun reopening salons as part of the first stages of easing lockdown restrictions - but they have strict rules in place.
In France, salons will not accept walk-in clients and everyone will be asked to wear masks and gowns and use hydraulic gel, disinfectants and disposable gloves.
Image: French salons have reopened but will not allow walk-in clients
Image: Salon staff and customers in France must wear protective equipment
Clients will be served as quickly as possible and they will be charged a separate fee to cover the costs of disposable equipment.
Germany is also allowing its citizens to visit hair salons, but hairdressers will only be allowed to dry cut hair and every other salon chair must be left empty.
Customers must fill out forms with personal information before booking an appointment, and there must be no talking face to face - only through the mirror.
Other countries including Turkey, Spain and Norway have also allowed salons to open.
Image: Hair salons in Spain have reopened
While Britain's salons have remained shut since 23 March, hairdressers have been warned not to offer home visits.
The National Hair and Beauty Federation (NHBF) said hairdressers and barbers should not be providing haircuts until the government gives the go-ahead.
In a letter to members last week, it said: "This would be against the government's strict social distancing instructions which say you must stay at home apart from essential travel.
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 Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"We need to do all we can to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Also - please bear in mind that your insurance will probably not cover you if you normally work in a salon or barbershop."
NHBF's chief executive Hilary Hall told Sky News that hairdressers had been "inundated" with requests to provide at-home services.
Responding to the government's latest announcement, Ms Hall said the NHBF supported the decision but there were concerns about "the challenges of working in close proximity with clients in a job where physical contact is inevitable".
"We urgently need clarification about what kind of PPE is required. We are working with the government to provide clear guidelines so salons can return to work safely when the time is right," she said.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Bosses given detail of emergency insolvency reforms

The business secretary will gain powers to extend deadlines for company filings to enable directors to focus on dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis , under a package of new government measures to be unveiled this week .
Sky News has obtained a summary of the eight measures to be included in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill , which is due to begin its emergency passage through parliament in the coming days .
The majority of them are focused on giving company bosses additional breathing space `` to maximise their chances of survival , protect jobs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a document circulated by the Department for Business , Energy and Industrial Strategy .
So far during the crisis , companies including Carluccio 's and Debenhams have collapsed into administration , putting thousands of jobs at risk .
Among the measures aimed at boosting companies ' survival hopes , some of which were outlined last month , is a moratorium preventing legal action being taken against them without the permission of a court .
The bill will also prevent suppliers to a stricken company terminating their agreements unless it causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes a so-called 'cram down ' requirement on dissenting creditors that forces them to accept a restructuring plan .
As Sky News reported several weeks ago , the emergency legislation will also remove the threat to directors of being held personally liable for wrongful trading if it finds itself unable to avoid insolvency as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
A further two measures in the bill will remove the threat of winding-up petitions against companies with unpaid debts as a result of the pandemic , while statutory demands issued against companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is enacted .
Many restaurant operators and other high street tenants have been hit by winding-up petitions since March despite the looming reforms .
Sources said the bill would also allow companies to hold shareholder meetings outside the remit of their own constitutions , meaning that `` directors will not be exposed to liability for measures that need shareholder endorsement , and shareholders rights are preserved '' , according to the BEIS document .
That change would be applied retrospectively to meetings held since March 26 , reflecting the number of AGMs whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of COVID-19 .
The other principal measure in the bill will cover the legal requirement for companies to make various filings at Companies House by fixed deadlines each year - with a failure to do so triggering a fixed financial penalty .
`` Companies House has already done all it can under existing law to offer extensions to those deadlines , '' the BEIS document said .
`` Over 50,000 companies have taken advantage of this flexibility already , but they may need more .
`` The bill allows the Secretary of State @ @ @ @ @ @ @ struggling businesses to focus on the things that matter most while they have reduced resources and restrictions . ''
Previous guidance from BEIS had indicated only that appeals against late filing penalties would be `` treated sympathetically '' .
Companies House has also temporarily suspended the process under which companies are dissolved for serial failures to meet deadlines .
A spokesman for the Insolvency Service declined to comment on Monday .

The business secretary will gain powers to extend deadlines for company filings to enable directors to focus on dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, under a package of new government measures to be unveiled this week.
Sky News has obtained a summary of the eight measures to be included in the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Bill, which is due to begin its emergency passage through parliament in the coming days.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:01 No pubs or hair cuts until 4 July at the earliest, says Raab
The majority of them are focused on giving company bosses additional breathing space "to maximise their chances of survival, protect jobs and support the country's economic recovery", according to a document circulated by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
So far during the crisis, companies including Carluccio's and Debenhams have collapsed into administration, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Among the measures aimed at boosting companies' survival hopes, some of which were outlined last month, is a moratorium preventing legal action being taken against them without the permission of a court.
The bill will also prevent suppliers to a stricken company terminating their agreements unless it causes hardship to their own business, and includes a so-called 'cram down' requirement on dissenting creditors that forces them to accept a restructuring plan.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 'Go to work if you can't work from home'
As Sky News reported several weeks ago, the emergency legislation will also remove the threat to directors of being held personally liable for wrongful trading if it finds itself unable to avoid insolvency as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
A further two measures in the bill will remove the threat of winding-up petitions against companies with unpaid debts as a result of the pandemic, while statutory demands issued against companies will be temporarily voided once the legislation is enacted.
Many restaurant operators and other high street tenants have been hit by winding-up petitions since March despite the looming reforms.
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Sources said the bill would also allow companies to hold shareholder meetings outside the remit of their own constitutions, meaning that "directors will not be exposed to liability for measures that need shareholder endorsement, and shareholders rights are preserved", according to the BEIS document.
That change would be applied retrospectively to meetings held since March 26, reflecting the number of AGMs whose format has had to be amended because of COVID-19.
The other principal measure in the bill will cover the legal requirement for companies to make various filings at Companies House by fixed deadlines each year - with a failure to do so triggering a fixed financial penalty.
"Companies House has already done all it can under existing law to offer extensions to those deadlines," the BEIS document said.
"Over 50,000 companies have taken advantage of this flexibility already, but they may need more.
"The bill allows the Secretary of State temporarily to make further extensions, enabling struggling businesses to focus on the things that matter most while they have reduced resources and restrictions."
Previous guidance from BEIS had indicated only that appeals against late filing penalties would be "treated sympathetically".
Companies House has also temporarily suspended the process under which companies are dissolved for serial failures to meet deadlines.
A spokesman for the Insolvency Service declined to comment on Monday.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: P&O Ferries to cut 1,100 jobs to enable 'viable' future

P & O Ferries says it is to cut around 1,100 jobs to give the business a `` viable and sustainable '' future beyond the coronavirus crisis .
The company , which is owned by Dubai-based DP World , said the proposed redundancies would take place across all levels of the business .
The number of people affected represents over a quarter of its workforce .
The development follows the apparent failure of the company to secure a £150m bailout from the government as passenger numbers collapsed amid COVID-19 lockdowns in its operating markets .
P & O Ferries has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , France , Belgium and the Netherlands - including Dover to Calais and Hull to Rotterdam .
It is understood only 15 of its 21 vessels are operating as P & O , the PA news agency reported , continues to seek government aid on securing critical supply routes .
It has used the UK Job Retention Scheme to furlough 1,400 workers .
A spokesman for P & O Ferries said : `` Since the beginning of the crisis , P & O Ferries has been working with its stakeholders to address the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business .
`` It is now clear that right-sizing the business is necessary to create a viable and sustainable P & O Ferries to get through COVID-19 .
`` Regrettably , therefore , due to the reduced number of vessels we are operating and the ongoing downturn in business , we are beginning consultation proceedings with a proposal to make around 1,100 of our colleagues redundant . ''
It remains unclear where the positions are to be cut on a country-by-country basis .
The announcement adds to the jobs gloom that has so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and freight markets as British Airways , Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair all cut staff .
Union criticism of the latest job losses is to be expected given DP World recently paid out a $ 330m ( £267m ) dividend to investors covering its last financial year .

P&O Ferries says it is to cut around 1,100 jobs to give the business a "viable and sustainable" future beyond the coronavirus crisis.
The company, which is owned by Dubai-based DP World, said the proposed redundancies would take place across all levels of the business.
The number of people affected represents over a quarter of its workforce.
Image: P&O's various route competitors include Irish Ferries, Stena and the Channel Tunnel. Pic: Stena Line
The development follows the apparent failure of the company to secure a £150m bailout from the government as passenger numbers collapsed amid COVID-19 lockdowns in its operating markets.
P&O Ferries has five routes involving the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands - including Dover to Calais and Hull to Rotterdam.
It is understood only 15 of its 21 vessels are operating as P&O, the PA news agency reported, continues to seek government aid on securing critical supply routes.
It has used the UK Job Retention Scheme to furlough 1,400 workers.
A spokesman for P&O Ferries said: "Since the beginning of the crisis, P&O Ferries has been working with its stakeholders to address the impact of the loss of the passenger business.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:08 Men in low-skilled jobs most likely to die of COVID
"It is now clear that right-sizing the business is necessary to create a viable and sustainable P&O Ferries to get through COVID-19.
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"Regrettably, therefore, due to the reduced number of vessels we are operating and the ongoing downturn in business, we are beginning consultation proceedings with a proposal to make around 1,100 of our colleagues redundant."
It remains unclear where the positions are to be cut on a country-by-country basis.
The announcement adds to the jobs gloom that has so far hit airlines worst in the travel and freight markets as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair all cut staff.
Union criticism of the latest job losses is to be expected given DP World recently paid out a $330m (£267m) dividend to investors covering its last financial year.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Pregnant women not at greater risk from COVID-19, study says

Pregnant women are not at greater risk of suffering severe coronavirus symptoms , a study suggests .
However , the majority of expectant mothers who did fall severely ill with COVID-19 between 1 March and 14 April were in the later stages of pregnancy , or the third trimester , according to the data .
This means heavily pregnant women should continue to practise social distancing as much as possible , researchers warn .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The research was led by the University of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - but has not yet been peer reviewed .
As Britain headed for lockdown in March , pregnant women were told to stay indoors as far as they could for 12 weeks .
But the NHS said they were only included on the list of vulnerable people `` as a precaution '' , because `` viruses like flu '' can be more of a risk during pregnancy .
On Monday , Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated that pregnant women should still `` avoid any contact with others '' as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the House of Commons .
But the study of 427 pregnant women showed that only a `` very small number '' required critical care after contracting coronavirus .
Five of the women who took part in the study have since died , researchers added .
Expectant mothers from black , Asian or minority ethnic ( BAME ) backgrounds were more likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus , in line with recent findings on the UK population as a whole .
Those who were older , overweight , obese or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high blood pressure and diabetes were also more likely to need hospital treatment , the study said .
Outcomes for babies were also better than first anticipated .
One in five newborns whose mothers tested positive were premature or transferred to a neonatal unit .
But only one in 20 babies born to mothers with the virus had it too , which suggests the transmission from mother to baby is low .
Of those who took part in the study , around 60 % have been discharged .
Study lead Marian Knight , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Oxford , said : `` A very small number of pregnant women do become severely ill with COVID-19 and sadly some women have died .
Our thoughts must remain with their families .
`` Most pregnant women who were admitted to hospital were more than six months pregnant , which emphasises the importance of continued social distancing measures in the later stages of pregnancy .
`` Following the current guidance about careful social distancing will help prevent infection . ''
Chief executive of the Royal Collge of Midwives , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carry on attending antenatal appointments .
It comes after the death of pregnant nurse Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong , who worked at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital , last month .
She died on 12 April , but her baby , also named Mary , was safely delivered by emergency caesarean .
The 28-year-old had been working at the hospital well into her third trimester , Channel 4 News reported .
This is the period when the study claims women are most vulnerable to the disease .

Pregnant women are not at greater risk of suffering severe coronavirus symptoms, a study suggests.
However, the majority of expectant mothers who did fall severely ill with COVID-19 between 1 March and 14 April were in the later stages of pregnancy, or the third trimester, according to the data.
This means heavily pregnant women should continue to practise social distancing as much as possible, researchers warn.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The research was led by the University of Oxford and Britain's Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - but has not yet been peer reviewed.
As Britain headed for lockdown in March, pregnant women were told to stay indoors as far as they could for 12 weeks.
But the NHS said they were only included on the list of vulnerable people "as a precaution", because "viruses like flu" can be more of a risk during pregnancy.
On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson reiterated that pregnant women should still "avoid any contact with others" as he laid out a roadmap out of lockdown in the House of Commons.
But the study of 427 pregnant women showed that only a "very small number" required critical care after contracting coronavirus. Five of the women who took part in the study have since died, researchers added.
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Expectant mothers from black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds were more likely to be admitted to hospital with the virus, in line with recent findings on the UK population as a whole.
Those who were older, overweight, obese or suffering from pre-existing health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes were also more likely to need hospital treatment, the study said.
Outcomes for babies were also better than first anticipated. One in five newborns whose mothers tested positive were premature or transferred to a neonatal unit.
But only one in 20 babies born to mothers with the virus had it too, which suggests the transmission from mother to baby is low.
Of those who took part in the study, around 60% have been discharged.
Study lead Marian Knight, professor of maternal and child population health at the University of Oxford, said: "A very small number of pregnant women do become severely ill with COVID-19 and sadly some women have died. Our thoughts must remain with their families.
"Most pregnant women who were admitted to hospital were more than six months pregnant, which emphasises the importance of continued social distancing measures in the later stages of pregnancy.
"Following the current guidance about careful social distancing will help prevent infection."
Chief executive of the Royal Collge of Midwives, Gill Walton, urged pregnant women to carry on attending antenatal appointments.
It comes after the death of pregnant nurse Mary Agyeiwaa Agyapong, who worked at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, last month.
She died on 12 April, but her baby, also named Mary, was safely delivered by emergency caesarean.
The 28-year-old had been working at the hospital well into her third trimester, Channel 4 News reported. This is the period when the study claims women are most vulnerable to the disease.


news--2020-05-11--Coronavirus: Scotland and Wales remain more cautious over easing lockdown

The leaders of Scotland and Wales have criticised Boris Johnson 's plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown and provided some of their own advice to citizens .
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Sky News it was `` perfectly justifiable '' that Scotland could end up with different lockdown measures to England and other parts of the UK .
Last night , Mr Johnson said people who can not work from home would be `` actively encouraged to go to work '' and that the public will be able to drive to parks and other areas to exercise .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's right for Scotland , '' Ms Sturgeon said .
`` I , at this stage , think it would be too risky to ease restrictions because the virus - while we 've made progress against it - is not sufficiently under control yet .
`` That progress we 've made is fragile and I think it 's really important to err on the side of caution . ''
She reiterated that the slightly looser restrictions in England do not yet apply to Scotland , but said it was not for any `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there should not be more people going to work , getting public transport or going to school in Scotland .
The only change that has been made is the removal of the once-a-day limit on exercising .
But the Scottish Conservative leader , Jackson Carlaw , urged Ms Sturgeon to publish the evidence she was using as the basis for a different approach .
`` We ca n't have weeks go by where she asserts a position without the detailed reasons for it being revealed , '' he wrote on Twitter .
All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Ireland have decided to stick with the `` stay at home '' message , which was scrapped in favour of a `` stay alert '' message for English citizens .
Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething told Sky News the original message was `` simple , clear and well-understood '' .
`` And , with respect , we do n't think the 'stay alert ' messaging is , '' he said .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The ministers all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was speaking in a UK capacity and when he was speaking for England only in his Sunday address , according to Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford .
`` My own view is that more could have been done and it would have been helpful to us all if there had been a greater emphasis and a greater degree of clarity on a separation between when the prime minister is speaking for his UK-wide responsibilities and when he was making announcements that applied only for England , '' he said .
Mr Drakeford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wales from other parts of the UK .
`` In Wales , it is Welsh law that applies , '' he said .
`` Travelling to Wales to exercise is not to exercise locally . ''
Meanwhile , ministers in Northern Ireland will aim to publish their plan for exiting lockdown on Tuesday , with outdoor activities expected to be eased before indoor ones .

The leaders of Scotland and Wales have criticised Boris Johnson's plans to ease the coronavirus lockdown and provided some of their own advice to citizens.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Sky News it was "perfectly justifiable" that Scotland could end up with different lockdown measures to England and other parts of the UK.
Last night, Mr Johnson said people who cannot work from home would be "actively encouraged to go to work" and that the public will be able to drive to parks and other areas to exercise.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:28 'Go to work if you can't work from home'
"I have to make judgements about what's right for Scotland," Ms Sturgeon said.
"I, at this stage, think it would be too risky to ease restrictions because the virus - while we've made progress against it - is not sufficiently under control yet.
"That progress we've made is fragile and I think it's really important to err on the side of caution."
She reiterated that the slightly looser restrictions in England do not yet apply to Scotland, but said it was not for any "political reason".
Ms Sturgeon said there should not be more people going to work, getting public transport or going to school in Scotland.
The only change that has been made is the removal of the once-a-day limit on exercising.
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But the Scottish Conservative leader, Jackson Carlaw, urged Ms Sturgeon to publish the evidence she was using as the basis for a different approach.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Nicola Sturgeon: 'Please stay at home'
"We can't have weeks go by where she asserts a position without the detailed reasons for it being revealed," he wrote on Twitter.
All the leaders of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have decided to stick with the "stay at home" message, which was scrapped in favour of a "stay alert" message for English citizens.
Welsh health minister Vaughan Gething told Sky News the original message was "simple, clear and well-understood".
"And, with respect, we don't think the 'stay alert' messaging is," he said.
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The ministers all asked Mr Johnson to be clear when he was speaking in a UK capacity and when he was speaking for England only in his Sunday address, according to Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford.
"My own view is that more could have been done and it would have been helpful to us all if there had been a greater emphasis and a greater degree of clarity on a separation between when the prime minister is speaking for his UK-wide responsibilities and when he was making announcements that applied only for England," he said.
Mr Drakeford also warned people not to travel to Wales from other parts of the UK.
Image: Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford said the 'stay at home' message still applies in Wales
"In Wales, it is Welsh law that applies," he said. "Travelling to Wales to exercise is not to exercise locally."
Meanwhile, ministers in Northern Ireland will aim to publish their plan for exiting lockdown on Tuesday, with outdoor activities expected to be eased before indoor ones.