news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: China says it wants transparent investigation into COVID-19 origin – but is refusing on

Coronavirus: China says it wants transparent investigation into COVID-19 origin – but is refusing one

The Chinese government has long insisted that the investigations into the origins of COVID-19 should be led by scientists , not politicians .
Good news : the scientists say they are ready and willing to help those investigations .
For some reason , though , China is not taking them up on the offer .
Today , answering a question from Sky News , the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China remained `` open to close cooperation with the WHO to find out the root cause '' of the coronavirus pandemic .
More good news : the WHO is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open , in fact , that it has asked repeatedly to join China 's own investigations into the origin .
It has received no such invitation , as Dr Gauden Galea , the WHO representative in China , told Sky News in an exclusive interview last week .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker I asked him if there was any good reason why the WHO should n't be involved right now .
His reply : `` From our point of view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to square the circle here .
China says that briefings from the US - that COVID-19 escaped from a lab in Wuhan - are politically motivated .
And China undoubtedly has a very strong point .
But then it says the proper response should be transparent scientific investigation , all the while refusing to have a transparent investigation .
The best way of proving American claims are false would be to invite outside experts in .
That inconsistency means that China is also trying to distract .
Hua Chunying started her answer by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' , which is untrue .
You can watch it here and judge for yourself .
Later in the press conference , she said that China `` opposes the presumption of guilt on the pretext of investigation . ''
You ca n't have it both ways .
Either China is committed to transparently investigating the origins of COVID-19 , or it is not .
Its repeated refusals suggest the latter .
China 's ambassador to the UN today said that it would `` not prioritise inviting international experts in to investigate the source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beaten , '' according to the AFP news agency .
Hua Chunying herself said that China would support a look back at the pandemic `` at the appropriate time '' .
The `` appropriate time '' is clearly not now .
One wonders if it will ever come .

The Chinese government has long insisted that the investigations into the origins of COVID-19 should be led by scientists, not politicians.
Good news: the scientists say they are ready and willing to help those investigations. For some reason, though, China is not taking them up on the offer.
Today, answering a question from Sky News, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said China remained "open to close cooperation with the WHO to find out the root cause" of the coronavirus pandemic.
More good news: the WHO is also open to close cooperation. So open, in fact, that it has asked repeatedly to join China's own investigations into the origin. It has received no such invitation, as Dr Gauden Galea, the WHO representative in China, told Sky News in an exclusive interview last week.
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I asked him if there was any good reason why the WHO shouldn't be involved right now. His reply: "From our point of view, no."
It is impossible to square the circle here. China says that briefings from the US - that COVID-19 escaped from a lab in Wuhan - are politically motivated.
And China undoubtedly has a very strong point. But then it says the proper response should be transparent scientific investigation, all the while refusing to have a transparent investigation.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:49 WHO 'not invited' to join China investigation - Dr Gauden Galea
The best way of proving American claims are false would be to invite outside experts in. That inconsistency means that China is also trying to distract.
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Hua Chunying started her answer by saying our report was "not accurate", which is untrue. You can watch it here and judge for yourself.
Later in the press conference, she said that China "opposes the presumption of guilt on the pretext of investigation."
You can't have it both ways. Either China is committed to transparently investigating the origins of COVID-19, or it is not. Its repeated refusals suggest the latter.
China's ambassador to the UN today said that it would "not prioritise inviting international experts in to investigate the source of COVID-19 until after the pandemic is beaten," according to the AFP news agency.
Hua Chunying herself said that China would support a look back at the pandemic "at the appropriate time".
The "appropriate time" is clearly not now. One wonders if it will ever come.


news--2020-05-06--'My dad died from coronavirus and I might have brought it home to him'

Omar Islam , 25 , from Newham in east London , lost his father to COVID-19 two weeks ago .
Last Friday , his aunt died from the disease .
His father 's good friend also died from it , as did another man on Omar 's road and an elderly couple two streets away .
His uncle is currently battling the virus .
Omar describes plans to slowly lift lockdown restrictions as `` stupid '' , and it 's a view shared by many in the community in which he lives .
He told Sky News : `` Lifting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because we have n't done anything about it yet .
`` When it first happened , I thought - a couple of hundred have died - it 's not my dad , it 's not anyone I know .
Then all of a sudden it is someone you know .
And that 's when you realise this is real .
This is a serious thing . ''
Newham has recorded a mortality rate from COVID-19 of 144.3 deaths per 100,000 people - which is the worst in England and Wales , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those living in hard-hit areas like Newham are all too aware of how dangerous this virus is .
Until now the government 's consistent messaging has been to stay indoors .
This , and the shocking daily death toll on the news , has been enough to convince most people in the UK to adhere to the guidance .
Far from a lockdown fatigue feared by the government , there has actually been above expected compliance from the British public .
But with the government now considering the process of easing restrictions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will need some convincing that it is safe to come back out .
He died even though he 'd been self-isolating .
Omar lived with his father and worries that because he 'd continued working at a vehicle rental company , he might have brought the virus home .
He is currently furloughed and is in no hurry to return to work .
`` Where I work you have to interact with members of the public and it 's not just the illness you 've got to look out for , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would never know who is a carrier .
I was still going to work when my dad was at home and I do n't know if I brought it home .
`` I am scared .
I 've got an ill mother as well .
I do n't want to be the one who goes to work and then she catches it off me - and then I 've lost another parent . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker We often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus .
No small part of that is the behaviour of us humans , much of which is determined by what 's going on in our heads .
The government has used a rational fear to successfully convince society to lockdown .
But it is now turning to behavioural scientists to examine how to change that messaging when the time comes to ease measures and get the economy moving again .
`` It 's a big problem '' , says Professor Peter Ayton from the department of psychology at the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the messaging is all about how essential it is to stay at home , and if there is a change in that policy what people need to know is why has that changed ? ''
The government has set out five tests for lifting restrictions .
• A sustained and consistent fall in the death rate • Being confident adjustments would not provoke a second peak .
But what is the tipping point at which those tests are met ?
And will the public agree with the government 's assessment ?
At each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ messaging may become harder to convey .
Professor Ayton says : `` What we have now is a blanket measure where it is pretty simple to understand what you can and ca n't do - but if there is relaxation contingent and conditional on all sorts of things to do with age or whatever it might be - that 's going to be more difficult to get across .
People may not understand it - but also , they may not be particularly compliant with it , because they may feel there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been set out . ''
Much is also based on public faith and trust in the government .
In Newham we met families who would not send children back to school until the virus was completely gone .
One taxi driver said he would not return to work until a vaccine had been found .
Newham delivery driver James Fernandez told Sky News he was `` not happy in the slightest '' with any of the mooted plans to lift restrictions .
He said : `` I do n't trust them because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` The government said it was okay for the Cheltenham festival to go ahead - and it was okay for Spanish football fans to come to Liverpool when they were n't allowed to go to their own stadium in Madrid .
I would n't go back to work until I thought it was safe . ''
Behavioural scientists say a number of factors will feed into people 's confidence to emerge from their homes ranging from personal experience to an individual 's politics , with studies showing people with more right-wing views @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says it will be important to get the right messengers as well as the right messages in persuading people that it is safe to return to work and much will depend on the actions taken by the government in showing they have the situation under control .
He said : `` With testing and contacting tracing that 's going to change the game a little bit - and there is something that can be built out of that , in terms of garnering the trust of people that it is , to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out and about .
It ca n't be guesswork if it is going to carry people . ''
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also indicated that the use of masks may give people `` confidence '' to go to work , even though the government previously raised doubt about the effectiveness of masks used by the general public in stemming the spread of the virus .
Behavioural scientists say wearing a mask can be a `` social cue '' to others that you are behaving responsibly .
All this is signalling that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to change , perhaps subtly at first , as the government balances the threat of the virus against the threat of lockdown to the economy .
Policy makers are being forced to make high-stake decisions in an uncertain environment and not everyone will agree with them .
But while the lockdown has been a huge inconvenience to the public and economically damaging , it is the easing of these restrictions where big fault-lines may start to appear .

Omar Islam, 25, from Newham in east London, lost his father to COVID-19 two weeks ago. Last Friday, his aunt died from the disease.
His father's good friend also died from it, as did another man on Omar's road and an elderly couple two streets away. His uncle is currently battling the virus.
Omar describes plans to slowly lift lockdown restrictions as "stupid", and it's a view shared by many in the community in which he lives.
He told Sky News: "Lifting the restrictions will make it worse, because we haven't done anything about it yet.
"When it first happened, I thought - a couple of hundred have died - it's not my dad, it's not anyone I know. Then all of a sudden it is someone you know. And that's when you realise this is real. This is a serious thing."
Newham has recorded a mortality rate from COVID-19 of 144.3 deaths per 100,000 people - which is the worst in England and Wales, according to the Office of National Statistics. And those living in hard-hit areas like Newham are all too aware of how dangerous this virus is.
Image: Omar fears continuing his job at a car rental company might have brought the virus home
Until now the government's consistent messaging has been to stay indoors.
This, and the shocking daily death toll on the news, has been enough to convince most people in the UK to adhere to the guidance.
Far from a lockdown fatigue feared by the government, there has actually been above expected compliance from the British public.
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But with the government now considering the process of easing restrictions, Newham is an example of a community that will need some convincing that it is safe to come back out.
Omar's father, Rouful, was a fit and healthy 65-year-old.
He died even though he'd been self-isolating.
Omar lived with his father and worries that because he'd continued working at a vehicle rental company, he might have brought the virus home.
He is currently furloughed and is in no hurry to return to work.
"Where I work you have to interact with members of the public and it's not just the illness you've got to look out for, it's the carriers as well. You would never know who is a carrier. I was still going to work when my dad was at home and I don't know if I brought it home.
"I am scared. I've got an ill mother as well. I don't want to be the one who goes to work and then she catches it off me - and then I've lost another parent."
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We often hear about the science behind the spread of the virus. No small part of that is the behaviour of us humans, much of which is determined by what's going on in our heads.
The government has used a rational fear to successfully convince society to lockdown. But it is now turning to behavioural scientists to examine how to change that messaging when the time comes to ease measures and get the economy moving again.
"It's a big problem", says Professor Peter Ayton from the department of psychology at the University of London.
"At the moment the messaging is all about how essential it is to stay at home, and if there is a change in that policy what people need to know is why has that changed?"
The government has set out five tests for lifting restrictions.
Image: Omar is pictured with his father Rouful
Ensuring the NHS can cope A sustained and consistent fall in the death rate Rate of infection falling to manageable levels Ensuring tests and PPE meet demand Being confident adjustments would not provoke a second peak.
But what is the tipping point at which those tests are met? And will the public agree with the government's assessment?
At each phase in which restrictions are eased the messaging may become harder to convey.
Professor Ayton says: "What we have now is a blanket measure where it is pretty simple to understand what you can and can't do - but if there is relaxation contingent and conditional on all sorts of things to do with age or whatever it might be - that's going to be more difficult to get across. People may not understand it - but also, they may not be particularly compliant with it, because they may feel there is injustice in the way the variability has been set out."
Much is also based on public faith and trust in the government.
In Newham we met families who would not send children back to school until the virus was completely gone.
One taxi driver said he would not return to work until a vaccine had been found.
Image: Rouful Islam died despite the fact he was self-isolating and was in good health
Newham delivery driver James Fernandez told Sky News he was "not happy in the slightest" with any of the mooted plans to lift restrictions.
He said: "I don't trust them because they mismanaged the whole policy from the beginning.
"The government said it was okay for the Cheltenham festival to go ahead - and it was okay for Spanish football fans to come to Liverpool when they weren't allowed to go to their own stadium in Madrid. I wouldn't go back to work until I thought it was safe."
Behavioural scientists say a number of factors will feed into people's confidence to emerge from their homes ranging from personal experience to an individual's politics, with studies showing people with more right-wing views being less risk averse.
Professor Ayton says it will be important to get the right messengers as well as the right messages in persuading people that it is safe to return to work and much will depend on the actions taken by the government in showing they have the situation under control.
He said: "With testing and contacting tracing that's going to change the game a little bit - and there is something that can be built out of that, in terms of garnering the trust of people that it is, to a degree, safe for them to proceed out and about. It can't be guesswork if it is going to carry people."
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also indicated that the use of masks may give people "confidence" to go to work, even though the government previously raised doubt about the effectiveness of masks used by the general public in stemming the spread of the virus.
Behavioural scientists say wearing a mask can be a "social cue" to others that you are behaving responsibly.
All this is signalling that at some point soon the messaging is going to change, perhaps subtly at first, as the government balances the threat of the virus against the threat of lockdown to the economy.
Policy makers are being forced to make high-stake decisions in an uncertain environment and not everyone will agree with them.
But while the lockdown has been a huge inconvenience to the public and economically damaging, it is the easing of these restrictions where big fault-lines may start to appear.


news--2020-05-06--Kraftwerk co-founder Florian Schneider dies aged 73

Florian Schneider , co-founder and keyboardist of seminal German electro group Kraftwerk , has died aged 73 .
His death was confirmed by record label Sony .
Schneider co-founded Kraftwerk alongside fellow German Ralf Hutter in 1970 after meeting as students in Dusseldorf .
The band 's pioneering use of drum machines and synthesizers influenced countless musicians who came after them .
In a statement to Rolling Stone , Kraftwerk said Schneider had died after a `` short cancer disease just a few days after his 73rd birthday '' .
Born in Ohningen in southwest Germany , Schneider 's original @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working with Hutter in 1968 after they met as students in Dusseldorf .
Kraftwerk started their electronic odyssey two years later when the two men founded the Kling Klang studio .
Schneider was involved in albums including Autobahn , Radio-Activity , Trans-Europe Express , The Man-Machine and Tour de France .
He left the group in 2008 and Kraftwerk went on to win a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2016 .
Hutter and bandmates Fritz Hilpert , Henning Schmitz and Falk Grieffenhagen continue to take their famous live blend of music and visuals around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were scheduled for a 50th anniversary tour of North America .
Tributes have been paid by the likes of The Human League and Heaven 17 founder Martyn Ware , who tweeted that his bands `` would never have existed without Florian Schneider and Kraftwerk '' .
: : Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Spandau Ballet singer Gary Kemp wrote : `` Such an important influence upon so much of the music we know , from Bowie , to electronica , much of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rap , Florian Schneider was forging a new Metropolis of music for us all to live in . ''
French electro pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre referenced Kraftwerk 's famous 1974 album when he posted : `` My dear Florian Your Autobahn will never end..
Le Tour de France ne sera plus jamais le meme.. '' Meanwhile , Scottish musician Edwyn Collins said of Schneider : `` He 's God - fact . ''

Florian Schneider, co-founder and keyboardist of seminal German electro group Kraftwerk, has died aged 73.
His death was confirmed by record label Sony.
Schneider co-founded Kraftwerk alongside fellow German Ralf Hutter in 1970 after meeting as students in Dusseldorf.
Image: Florian Schneider was described by one musician as 'God'. Pic: Jaakonaho/Shutterstock
Image: Kraftwerk, pictured in 2005, became known for their distinctive live visuals as well as the music
The band's pioneering use of drum machines and synthesizers influenced countless musicians who came after them.
In a statement to Rolling Stone, Kraftwerk said Schneider had died after a "short cancer disease just a few days after his 73rd birthday".
Born in Ohningen in southwest Germany, Schneider's original instrument was the flute and he began working with Hutter in 1968 after they met as students in Dusseldorf.
Kraftwerk started their electronic odyssey two years later when the two men founded the Kling Klang studio.
Image: The band performing in Brussels in 1981
Schneider was involved in albums including Autobahn, Radio-Activity, Trans-Europe Express, The Man-Machine and Tour de France.
He left the group in 2008 and Kraftwerk went on to win a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2016.
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Hutter and bandmates Fritz Hilpert, Henning Schmitz and Falk Grieffenhagen continue to take their famous live blend of music and visuals around the world
Image: The group continue to perform and were due to play North America this summer
Before the coronavirus pandemic they were scheduled for a 50th anniversary tour of North America.
Tributes have been paid by the likes of The Human League and Heaven 17 founder Martyn Ware, who tweeted that his bands "would never have existed without Florian Schneider and Kraftwerk".
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Spandau Ballet singer Gary Kemp wrote: "Such an important influence upon so much of the music we know, from Bowie, to electronica, much of the 80s and beyond into modern techno and rap, Florian Schneider was forging a new Metropolis of music for us all to live in."
French electro pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre referenced Kraftwerk's famous 1974 album when he posted: "My dear Florian Your Autobahn will never end.. Le Tour de France ne sera plus jamais le meme.."
Meanwhile, Scottish musician Edwyn Collins said of Schneider: "He's God - fact."


news--2020-05-06--Tom Cruise preparing to shoot a movie in space

Tom Cruise has a reputation for action-packed movies , even doing his own stunts .
But he could soon be taking things to the next level - teaming up with NASA to film a movie in space .
Cruise , 57 , is set to board the International Space Station to film the first narrative feature outside Earth .
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed the news earlier this week , tweeting that the administration was `` excited '' about the prospect .
He added : `` We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
In a report by US outlet Deadline , it was revealed that Cruise and Elon Musk 's SpaceX were in the early stages of collaborating with NASA on the action adventure film .
The plot has not been disclosed but it is understood it will not be another Mission : Impossible film .
Meanwhile , Cruise 's next film is Top Gun : Maverick , which was delayed from its original June release due to the coronavirus pandemic .
It will now hit cinemas in December .
: : Listen to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker

Tom Cruise has a reputation for action-packed movies, even doing his own stunts.
But he could soon be taking things to the next level - teaming up with NASA to film a movie in space.
Cruise, 57, is set to board the International Space Station to film the first narrative feature outside Earth.
Image: Top Gun: Maverick is delayed until later this year
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NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine confirmed the news earlier this week, tweeting that the administration was "excited" about the prospect.
He added: "We need popular media to inspire a new generation of engineers and scientists to make NASA's ambitious plans a reality."
Image: Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in Top Gun (1986). Pic: Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock
In a report by US outlet Deadline, it was revealed that Cruise and Elon Musk's SpaceX were in the early stages of collaborating with NASA on the action adventure film.
The plot has not been disclosed but it is understood it will not be another Mission: Impossible film.
Meanwhile, Cruise's next film is Top Gun: Maverick, which was delayed from its original June release due to the coronavirus pandemic.
It will now hit cinemas in December.
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news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Ocado reveals sales surge as it faces pay revolt

Ocado has reported a 40 % surge in retail sales since the beginning of March when demand for online grocery deliveries rose sharply due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The company used a trading update ahead of its AGM - which saw it face a backlash over executive awards - to say it had ramped up capacity `` significantly '' to deal with the sudden rush for essentials as the COVID-19 crisis accelerated .
Ocado said the record demand meant it was now delivering to more households than ever before but cautioned that `` more normal shopping patterns '' had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result , the company said it was suspending its guidance on retail revenue for the financial year as a whole .
Shares rose by nearly 6 % - extending gains in the year to date to nearly 39 % .
Much of that growth has been attributed to its robotic technology for warehousing that has been rolled out in a series of partnerships globally .
Ocado said it expected the COVID-19 crisis to accelerate the growth in demand for online retail .
Chief executive Tim Steiner told investors : `` We are facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as we scale up Ocado.com to play its part in feeding the nation , and as we help our clients launch and roll out their online businesses more rapidly against a backdrop of a likely long-term increase in demand for online .
`` Ocado remains in a strong position and , while we should be grateful that our current challenges are around growth , expansion and increased demand , we have great empathy for all who are facing different challenges at this time .
`` In retail , we are working with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them earlier than normal and we will work closely with any who are struggling . ''
Mr Steiner 's pay was in firm focus at the company 's AGM as a number of institutional investors baulk at his package for 2019 of £58.7m .
The bulk of that sum was in share awards .
The meeting saw 29.8 % of shareholders vote against its pay report .
Ashley Hamilton Claxton , head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management which has a 0.3 % stake , said : `` Ocado 's latest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how poorly designed incentive plans can lead to excessive awards for management .
`` The CEO received a share award worth nearly £50m last year , the result of a historic pay scheme that was uncapped .
`` While we recognise the significant returns for shareholders which Ocado has delivered since the end of 2017 , we are concerned that the Remuneration Committee did not apply any discretion , particularly as this scheme ran alongside Ocado 's regular variable pay plans . ''
Commenting on the company 's trading update , Sophie Lund-Yates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Ocado was ideally placed to capture market share online as it prepares to begin its delivery partnership with M & S - a partner in its retail business .
She wrote : `` Demand is outstripping supply for online groceries and as a digital only supermarket Ocado is in prime position to benefit . ''

Ocado has reported a 40% surge in retail sales since the beginning of March when demand for online grocery deliveries rose sharply due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The company used a trading update ahead of its AGM - which saw it face a backlash over executive awards - to say it had ramped up capacity "significantly" to deal with the sudden rush for essentials as the COVID-19 crisis accelerated.
Ocado said the record demand meant it was now delivering to more households than ever before but cautioned that "more normal shopping patterns" had returned in recent weeks.
Image: Customers were placed in a virtual queue as Ocado ramped up its services to meet demand in March
As a result, the company said it was suspending its guidance on retail revenue for the financial year as a whole.
Shares rose by nearly 6% - extending gains in the year to date to nearly 39%.
Much of that growth has been attributed to its robotic technology for warehousing that has been rolled out in a series of partnerships globally.
Ocado said it expected the COVID-19 crisis to accelerate the growth in demand for online retail.
Chief executive Tim Steiner told investors: "We are facing quite a different challenge to many, as we scale up Ocado.com to play its part in feeding the nation, and as we help our clients launch and roll out their online businesses more rapidly against a backdrop of a likely long-term increase in demand for online.
"Ocado remains in a strong position and, while we should be grateful that our current challenges are around growth, expansion and increased demand, we have great empathy for all who are facing different challenges at this time.
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Image: Tim Steiner took home almost £60m in pay and bonuses last year
"In retail, we are working with our small suppliers to make sure we pay them earlier than normal and we will work closely with any who are struggling."
Mr Steiner's pay was in firm focus at the company's AGM as a number of institutional investors baulk at his package for 2019 of £58.7m.
The bulk of that sum was in share awards.
The meeting saw 29.8% of shareholders vote against its pay report.
Ashley Hamilton Claxton, head of responsible investment at Royal London Asset Management which has a 0.3% stake, said: "Ocado's latest pay report is a classic example of how poorly designed incentive plans can lead to excessive awards for management.
"The CEO received a share award worth nearly £50m last year, the result of a historic pay scheme that was uncapped.
"While we recognise the significant returns for shareholders which Ocado has delivered since the end of 2017, we are concerned that the Remuneration Committee did not apply any discretion, particularly as this scheme ran alongside Ocado's regular variable pay plans."
Commenting on the company's trading update, Sophie Lund-Yates, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Ocado was ideally placed to capture market share online as it prepares to begin its delivery partnership with M&S - a partner in its retail business.
She wrote: "Demand is outstripping supply for online groceries and as a digital only supermarket Ocado is in prime position to benefit."


news--2020-05-06--Rory Stewart: Former Tory minister quits London mayoral race

Former Tory minister Rory Stewart has quit the race to be London 's mayor , calling it an `` agonising decision '' .
He said the `` considerable challenges '' of running as an independent candidate had become `` forbidding '' in an extended contest .
`` I have decided that I will not be standing again for Mayor in the now delayed 2021 election , '' he tweeted .
`` It has been a great privilege to work with so many amazing people with such passion and vision for London .
Thank you very much again from the bottom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayoral elections in England had been due to take place on 7 May but it was decided in March to postpone them for 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic .
The former Conservative leadership candidate said it had been an `` agonising decision '' to quit the mayoral race but said he could not ask his unpaid campaign volunteers to continue for another year .
He said : `` I firmly believe London is the greatest city on earth - and it 's courageous response to COVID-19 proves that more than ever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honour of my life to serve the city as mayor , but while the considerable challenges of running as an independent were manageable for a normal race they are forbidding for an extended and delayed election . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr Stewart told the Evening Standard : `` We were on our way to a great battle this time round , I thought .
One of the team just said : 'It 's like one of those drag @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we never really got to race it properly . '
`` It 's been a very difficult decision .
It 's a job I really , really dreamed of .
I do n't think I will ever find another role in the world which would be as exciting or satisfying as that .
It would have been a great , great privilege .
There is no city like it in the world .
`` If I had been lucky enough to be elected I would much rather have done [ this ] than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had pledged to quit if he failed to cut crime as mayor , and a Come Kip With Me initiative of sleeping on Londoners ' floors to understand their problems attracted widespread coverage .
Asked why he had not delayed taking a decision until the lockdown ended , he said : `` I think it would have been dishonest .
I have taken a few weeks to get my head straight .
`` Yes , I could have left things open and I could have teased people a bit , but I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or my supporters .
`` A lot of our donations were very small donations .
I ca n't let people continue to donate on false pretences . ''
The most recent opinion poll from Queen Mary University of London put him in third place on 13 % , behind current mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey .
Mr Stewart , a former international development minister , quit as an MP in October to run in the mayoral contest in the capital .
A month earlier , the prominent Remainer had the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Brexit .

Former Tory minister Rory Stewart has quit the race to be London's mayor, calling it an "agonising decision".
He said the "considerable challenges" of running as an independent candidate had become "forbidding" in an extended contest.
"I have decided that I will not be standing again for Mayor in the now delayed 2021 election," he tweeted.
"It has been a great privilege to work with so many amazing people with such passion and vision for London. Thank you very much again from the bottom of my heart."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:32 11 February: Ex-MP wants to stay with Londoners in their homes to learn about their concerns
Local and mayoral elections in England had been due to take place on 7 May but it was decided in March to postpone them for 12 months because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The former Conservative leadership candidate said it had been an "agonising decision" to quit the mayoral race but said he could not ask his unpaid campaign volunteers to continue for another year.
He said: "I firmly believe London is the greatest city on earth - and it's courageous response to COVID-19 proves that more than ever.
"It would have been the honour of my life to serve the city as mayor, but while the considerable challenges of running as an independent were manageable for a normal race they are forbidding for an extended and delayed election."
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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Mr Stewart told the Evening Standard: "We were on our way to a great battle this time round, I thought. One of the team just said: 'It's like one of those drag races - we built our car but we never really got to race it properly.'
"It's been a very difficult decision. It's a job I really, really dreamed of. I don't think I will ever find another role in the world which would be as exciting or satisfying as that. It would have been a great, great privilege. There is no city like it in the world.
"If I had been lucky enough to be elected I would much rather have done [this] than being prime minister."
Mr Stewart had pledged to quit if he failed to cut crime as mayor, and a Come Kip With Me initiative of sleeping on Londoners' floors to understand their problems attracted widespread coverage.
Asked why he had not delayed taking a decision until the lockdown ended, he said: "I think it would have been dishonest. I have taken a few weeks to get my head straight.
"Yes, I could have left things open and I could have teased people a bit, but I think it would have been unfair to myself or my supporters.
"A lot of our donations were very small donations. I can't let people continue to donate on false pretences."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 10:00 26 January: Mr Stewart says he finds solving people's problems up close exciting
The most recent opinion poll from Queen Mary University of London put him in third place on 13%, behind current mayor Sadiq Khan and Conservative candidate Shaun Bailey.
Mr Stewart, a former international development minister, quit as an MP in October to run in the mayoral contest in the capital.
A month earlier, the prominent Remainer had the whip withdrawn after voting against the government on Brexit.


news--2020-05-06--New Banksy work appears at hospital - as note is left by artist

A new Banksy artwork paying tribute to NHS workers has appeared in a hospital corridor .
The piece , called Game Changer , is on view at Southampton General Hospital and was left with a note for hospital workers .
It read : `` Thanks for all you 're doing .
I hope this brightens the place up a bit , even if it 's only black and white . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The artwork shows a young boy playing with a nurse superhero toy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lie untouched in a waste paper basket on the floor .
The nurse wears a cape , face mask and white apron and has her arm raised as if she is flying .
The piece will eventually be put on public display and later auctioned to raise money for NHS charities , a spokeswoman for Banksy confirmed .
Paula Head , chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust , said the piece would help `` boost morale '' of hospital staff .
`` Here at Southampton , our hospital family has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of much loved and respected members of staff and friends , '' she said .
`` The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making , in unprecedented times , is a huge honour .
`` It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause , reflect and appreciate this piece of art . ''
The hospital has previously paid tribute to two of its workers , Mike Brown , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who both died after contracting coronavirus .
Mr Brown was a linen porter who had worked at the trust for 20 years , and was described as a popular member of staff with a good sense of humour .
He died on 29 April in the hospital 's critical care unit .
Ms Davis worked in child health and was described by Ms Head as a `` nurse people would aspire to be like '' .
She had been unwell for some time before she was admitted to hospital and died on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face mask was placed over one of Banksy 's world-famous pieces in Bristol - The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum .

A new Banksy artwork paying tribute to NHS workers has appeared in a hospital corridor.
The piece, called Game Changer, is on view at Southampton General Hospital and was left with a note for hospital workers.
It read: "Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it's only black and white."
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
The artwork shows a young boy playing with a nurse superhero toy, while figures of Batman and Spider-Man lie untouched in a waste paper basket on the floor.
The nurse wears a cape, face mask and white apron and has her arm raised as if she is flying.
The piece will eventually be put on public display and later auctioned to raise money for NHS charities, a spokeswoman for Banksy confirmed.
Paula Head, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, said the piece would help "boost morale" of hospital staff.
"Here at Southampton, our hospital family has been directly impacted with the tragic loss of much loved and respected members of staff and friends," she said.
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"The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making, in unprecedented times, is a huge honour.
Image: Banksy's Girl with a Pierced Eardrum mural in Bristol has been given a face mask
"It will be really valued by everyone in the hospital as people get a moment in their busy lives to pause, reflect and appreciate this piece of art."
The hospital has previously paid tribute to two of its workers, Mike Brown, 61, and Katy Davis, 38, who both died after contracting coronavirus.
Mr Brown was a linen porter who had worked at the trust for 20 years, and was described as a popular member of staff with a good sense of humour.
He died on 29 April in the hospital's critical care unit.
Image: Katy Davis died on 21 April after contracting COVID-19
Ms Davis worked in child health and was described by Ms Head as a "nurse people would aspire to be like".
She had been unwell for some time before she was admitted to hospital and died on 21 April.
In April, a face mask was placed over one of Banksy's world-famous pieces in Bristol - The Girl with the Pierced Eardrum.


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Employment prospects bleak for the 'corona class of 2020'

Youth unemployment in Britain could rise by 600,000 this year due to the coronavirus crisis and scar work prospects for young people for years , according to a new report .
The study by the Resolution Foundation also warns that the employment rates of graduates entering the labour market will be 13 % lower in three years ' time .
It paints an even bleaker picture for low-skilled workers , predicting their employment rates could fall by as much as 37 % .
`` The 'corona class of 2020 ' could face years of reduced pay and limited job prospects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has passed , unless additional support is provided fast , '' said report author Kathleen Henehan .
`` The government must therefore work with education providers and businesses to do everything they can to limit these long-term scarring effects . ''
For students like Matthew Lofthouse , hoping to work as a sports photographer , 2020 is turning into a perfect storm .
`` I have always had a dream of going to cover an Olympic Games , so for me to see sport just stopped in its tracks has been a huge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photojournalism student at the University of South Wales .
`` I handed in my final piece of coursework yesterday but I do n't feel like celebrating .
I worked so hard over the last three years in Cardiff , five years if you include college before that , getting work experience and building up a portfolio .
`` What can I do about a global pandemic ?
It 's a once-in-a-century event , I 'm just trying my best to stay positive . ''
Student leaders have called on the government to take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus will have on this year 's graduates .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Robert Murtagh from the National Union of Students said : `` There needs to be something in place to make sure this crisis does n't happen , that there is n't an upsurge in unemployment .
`` We know that students are worried about the economy .
We are calling for a grant to be made available for education leavers , so they can stay in education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are working are likely to face reduced pay too .
The report finds that , one year after leaving education , the pay of graduates is projected to be seven per cent lower , and nine per cent and 19 % lower for mid and low-skilled workers .

Youth unemployment in Britain could rise by 600,000 this year due to the coronavirus crisis and scar work prospects for young people for years, according to a new report.
The study by the Resolution Foundation also warns that the employment rates of graduates entering the labour market will be 13% lower in three years' time.
It paints an even bleaker picture for low-skilled workers, predicting their employment rates could fall by as much as 37%.
"The 'corona class of 2020' could face years of reduced pay and limited job prospects, long after the current economic storm has passed, unless additional support is provided fast," said report author Kathleen Henehan.
"The government must therefore work with education providers and businesses to do everything they can to limit these long-term scarring effects."
Image: Matthew Lofthouse wants to work as a sports photographer
For students like Matthew Lofthouse, hoping to work as a sports photographer, 2020 is turning into a perfect storm.
"I have always had a dream of going to cover an Olympic Games, so for me to see sport just stopped in its tracks has been a huge setback," said Matthew, a photojournalism student at the University of South Wales.
"I handed in my final piece of coursework yesterday but I don't feel like celebrating. I worked so hard over the last three years in Cardiff, five years if you include college before that, getting work experience and building up a portfolio.
"What can I do about a global pandemic? It's a once-in-a-century event, I'm just trying my best to stay positive."
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Image: Matthew has spent years building up his portfolio
Student leaders have called on the government to take immediate action to address the impact the virus will have on this year's graduates.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Robert Murtagh from the National Union of Students said: "There needs to be something in place to make sure this crisis doesn't happen, that there isn't an upsurge in unemployment.
"We know that students are worried about the economy. We are calling for a grant to be made available for education leavers, so they can stay in education and upskill themselves."
Those who are working are likely to face reduced pay too. The report finds that, one year after leaving education, the pay of graduates is projected to be seven per cent lower, and nine per cent and 19% lower for mid and low-skilled workers.


news--2020-05-06--JD Sports ordered to sell Footasylum as takeover is blocked

The competition regulator has blocked the JD Sports takeover of Footasylum , saying the only way to address its concerns is for a sale to an approved buyer .
JD Sports reacted with fury after the Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) delivered its final decision on the £90m deal , 14 months after the takeover was first agreed .
The watchdog ruled that a `` substantial lessening of competition '' would `` leave shoppers with fewer discounts or receiving lower quality customer service '' .
Kip Meek , who chaired the inquiry group , said : `` Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that shows JD Sports and Footasylum are close competitors .
`` This deal would mean the removal of a direct competitor from the market , leaving customers worse off .
`` Based on the evidence we have seen , blocking the deal is the only way to ensure they are protected . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker JD shares - down 40 % in the year to date as many retailers feel pain connected to the COVID-19 crisis - opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largely expected and priced in .
JD maintained its position throughout the investigation that the CMA did not understand the market .
It confirmed that it was considering an application for a review .
The company claimed that competitors , such as Mike Ashley 's Sports Direct , had used the investigation process `` for their own commercial interests '' while moving to `` compete more closely '' at the same time .
Peter Cowgill , JD 's executive chairman , said : `` We fundamentally disagree with the CMA 's decision , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and outdated analysis of the UK sports retail competitive landscape , and is underpinned by outdated and flawed customer surveys .
`` At the same time , incredibly , the CMA has been taken in by the self-serving testimony of one notoriously vocal competitor , who has made numerous public announcements confirming their ongoing investment in their elevation strategy and who has blatantly participated in the process for their own commercial interests rather than for the benefit of consumers . ''
Footasylum has more than 50 premises in the UK and employs 2,500 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was bought it was among a clutch of chains struggling amid high costs and weak consumer confidence on the high street - before coronavirus was even known about .
It was operating as a separate entity ahead of the CMA 's ruling .
All group stores were closed when the UK lockdown began and Mr Cowgill took a voluntary 75 % cut in his salary as part of wider efforts to save cash .

The competition regulator has blocked the JD Sports takeover of Footasylum, saying the only way to address its concerns is for a sale to an approved buyer.
JD Sports reacted with fury after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) delivered its final decision on the £90m deal, 14 months after the takeover was first agreed.
The watchdog ruled that a "substantial lessening of competition" would "leave shoppers with fewer discounts or
receiving lower quality customer service".
Image: FootAsylum has 55 UK stores in addition to its digital operation
Kip Meek, who chaired the inquiry group, said: "Our investigation analysed a large body of evidence that shows JD Sports and Footasylum are close competitors.
"This deal would mean the removal of a direct competitor from the market, leaving customers worse off.
"Based on the evidence we have seen, blocking the deal is the only way to ensure they are protected."
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
JD shares - down 40% in the year to date as many retailers feel pain connected to the COVID-19 crisis - opened 1.4% down as the ruling was largely expected and priced in.
JD maintained its position throughout the investigation that the CMA did not understand the market.
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It confirmed that it was considering an application for a review.
The company claimed that competitors, such as Mike Ashley's Sports Direct, had used the investigation process "for their own commercial interests" while moving to "compete more closely" at the same time.
Peter Cowgill, JD's executive chairman, said: "We fundamentally disagree with the CMA's decision, which continues to rely on an inaccurate and outdated analysis of the UK sports retail competitive landscape, and is underpinned by outdated and flawed customer surveys.
"At the same time, incredibly, the CMA has been taken in by the self-serving testimony of one notoriously vocal competitor, who has made numerous public announcements confirming their ongoing investment in their elevation strategy and who has blatantly participated in the process for their own commercial interests rather than for the benefit of consumers."
Footasylum has more than 50 premises in the UK and employs 2,500 staff.
At the time the company was bought it was among a clutch of chains struggling amid high costs and weak consumer confidence on the high street - before coronavirus was even known about.
It was operating as a separate entity ahead of the CMA's ruling.
All group stores were closed when the UK lockdown began and Mr Cowgill took a voluntary 75% cut in his salary as part of wider efforts to save cash.


news--2020-05-06--Coronavirus: Disney's $1.4bn hit highlights challenges for media companies

Disney took a major hit on the closure of its theme parks It is one of America 's biggest and most famous companies and , to nobody 's great surprise , one of the biggest corporate casualties of COVID-19 .
Apart from being the world 's biggest entertainment company , Walt Disney is also the world 's biggest operator of theme parks , a sector in which activity has been hammered by coronavirus .
That was borne out in quarterly results published by the Mouse House , as it is referred to on Wall Street , for the three months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in at $ 475m ( £379m ) , down 91 % on the same period a year ago , with Bob Chapek , the chief executive , telling analysts that coronavirus had cost the company around $ 1.4bn ( £1.1bn ) in lost profits so far .
Of that , around $ 1bn ( £800m ) alone came from the parks , experiences and products division , which includes the famous Disneyland resorts and the company 's cruise line .
The restrictions put in place around social distancing mean that , when resorts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be as profitable as they were before the crisis .
As an example , Mr Chapek cited Disneyland in Shanghai , which closed on 25 January .
Before the crisis , he said , the resort typically welcomed 80,000 visitors a day but , when it reopens on Monday next week , visitor numbers will be restricted for at least a few weeks to just 24,000 a day .
There will also be other precautions , such as temperature checks , put in place .
Worse may be yet to come in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paris and Disneyland California only closed on 14 March - meaning that the impact of their closure only affected a couple of weeks on the most recent three monthly reporting period .
There were also other headwinds for the company due to coronavirus .
Film releases were cancelled , cinemas were closed and plays staged on Broadway , such as The Lion King , were also disrupted .
So , too , was production of TV shows and films for future release while the company 's sports network , ESPN , suffered a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were cancelled .
Ad revenues were also lower at the ABC television network .
Yet it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good and Disney could also point to one conspicuous success in its results .
Its streaming service , Disney+ , launched in November and has already signed up 54.5 million subscribers .
By any stretch of the imagination , that represents a huge achievement , since Disney said at the time of the launch it expected to take five years to reach between 60-90 million subscribers .
To put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months , Disney has signed up as many subscribers as Netflix did in its first seven years .
Disney , which in 2018 completed the acquisition of 20th Century Fox 's film and television assets , is not the only media company to have updated investors during the last 24 hours .
The New York Times Company , publisher of one of America 's most famous newspapers , exemplified an issue UK newspaper publishers have also noted .
Demand for news during the crisis has been strong and is driving growth in readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ advertising revenues are lower .
The company reported a 21 % drop in operating profits , to $ 27.3m ( £21.8m ) , for the first three months of the year .
That was despite winning 587,000 new digital subscriptions during the quarter , most of them for the core news product as opposed to apps such as the crossword puzzle , which was a record .
But Mark Thompson , the chairman and chief executive , admitted the gains in subscription revenues had partly been offset by a 15 % drop in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former director-general of the BBC , added : `` We saw advertising fall rapidly towards the end of the quarter and believe that advertising in the second quarter will fall between 50 % and 55 % compared to a year ago with limited visibility beyond that . ''
On this side of the Atlantic , meanwhile , one of the UK 's best known media companies was highlighting a similar phenomenon .
ITV , the UK 's leading terrestrial commercial broadcaster , reported a 2 % rise in total viewing hours - comprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand , recordings or on the online ITV Hub service - during the first three months of the year .
However , as the UK entered lockdown towards the end of March , advertising began to fall away .
ITV said total advertising , which had been down by 1 % in January and up by 8 % in February , was flat in March and , in April , down by a thumping 42 % .
It meant an overall decline of 9 % for the four months to the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The situation remains uncertain and therefore we are not in a position today to give guidance for May and June . ''
ITV also faces formidable headwinds as production of some of its most popular shows , such as Coronation Street and Love Island , has been hit by the lockdown .
The company said on Tuesday that the next series of Love Island has been pushed back to 2021 while Coronation Street , which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this December , has gone down from six to three episodes a week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kevin Lygo , ITV 's director of television , warning last week that , unless production resumes quickly , ITV will run out of new episodes to screen by the end of May and with Coronation Street reaching that position in June .
Emmerdale has reportedly asked its scriptwriters to prepare `` two hander '' episodes in which just two characters appear - something regarded as revolutionary when the BBC 's EastEnders first tried it in 1986 - so they can be filmed quickly and in full observation of social distancing rules .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ also point to some positives on the streaming front .
Britbox , the digital video subscription service launched last November in partnership with the BBC , was said to have enjoyed good take-up .
These are challenging times for media companies on both sides of the Atlantic .
Locked-down audiences are hungrier than ever for news and entertainment just as it has become harder , due to social distancing protocols , to produce and just as advertising revenues have lurched downwards .
Sky , the owner of Sky News , and its US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last week reporting a revenue hit blamed on the pandemic .
Paradoxically , though , there has never been a better time for news and entertainment providers to showcase their work and build their brands for the future .

Theme park closures have hammered profits but the entertainment giant's new streaming service has enjoyed strong take-up.
Disney took a major hit on the closure of its theme parks
It is one of America's biggest and most famous companies and, to nobody's great surprise, one of the biggest corporate casualties of COVID-19.
Apart from being the world's biggest entertainment company, Walt Disney is also the world's biggest operator of theme parks, a sector in which activity has been hammered by coronavirus.
That was borne out in quarterly results published by the Mouse House, as it is referred to on Wall Street, for the three months to 28 March.
Net profits came in at $475m (£379m), down 91% on the same period a year ago, with Bob Chapek, the chief executive, telling analysts that coronavirus had cost the company around $1.4bn (£1.1bn) in lost profits so far.
Of that, around $1bn (£800m) alone came from the parks, experiences and products division, which includes the famous Disneyland resorts and the company's cruise line.
The restrictions put in place around social distancing mean that, when resorts can be reopened, they will not be as profitable as they were before the crisis.
As an example, Mr Chapek cited Disneyland in Shanghai, which closed on 25 January.
Image: Disneyland in Shanghai will reopen next week
Before the crisis, he said, the resort typically welcomed 80,000 visitors a day but, when it reopens on Monday next week, visitor numbers will be restricted for at least a few weeks to just 24,000 a day.
There will also be other precautions, such as temperature checks, put in place.
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Worse may be yet to come in the division during the current quarter as Disneyland Paris and Disneyland California only closed on 14 March - meaning that the impact of their closure only affected a couple of weeks on the most recent three monthly reporting period.
There were also other headwinds for the company due to coronavirus.
Film releases were cancelled, cinemas were closed and plays staged on Broadway, such as The Lion King, were also disrupted.
So, too, was production of TV shows and films for future release while the company's sports network, ESPN, suffered a drop in advertising revenues as sports events were cancelled.
Image: New York Times ad revenues have fallen by 15%
Ad revenues were also lower at the ABC television network.
Yet it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good and Disney could also point to one conspicuous success in its results.
Its streaming service, Disney+, launched in November and has already signed up 54.5 million subscribers.
By any stretch of the imagination, that represents a huge achievement, since Disney said at the time of the launch it expected to take five years to reach between 60-90 million subscribers.
To put it in context, in just four months, Disney has signed up as many subscribers as Netflix did in its first seven years.
Disney, which in 2018 completed the acquisition of 20th Century Fox's film and television assets, is not the only media company to have updated investors during the last 24 hours.
The New York Times Company, publisher of one of America's most famous newspapers, exemplified an issue UK newspaper publishers have also noted.
Demand for news during the crisis has been strong and is driving growth in readers but, at the same time, advertising revenues are lower.
The company reported a 21% drop in operating profits, to $27.3m (£21.8m), for the first three months of the year.
That was despite winning 587,000 new digital subscriptions during the quarter, most of them for the core news product as opposed to apps such as the crossword puzzle, which was a record.
But Mark Thompson, the chairman and chief executive, admitted the gains in subscription revenues had partly been offset by a 15% drop in advertising revenues.
Mr Thompson, a former director-general of the BBC, added: "We saw advertising fall rapidly towards the end of the quarter and believe that advertising in the second quarter will fall between 50% and 55% compared to a year ago with limited visibility beyond that."
Image: ITV's next series of Love Island has been pushed back to 2021. Pic: ITV PLC
On this side of the Atlantic, meanwhile, one of the UK's best known media companies was highlighting a similar phenomenon.
ITV, the UK's leading terrestrial commercial broadcaster, reported a 2% rise in total viewing hours - comprising viewing on live television, video on demand, recordings or on the online ITV Hub service - during the first three months of the year.
However, as the UK entered lockdown towards the end of March, advertising began to fall away.
ITV said total advertising, which had been down by 1% in January and up by 8% in February, was flat in March and, in April, down by a thumping 42%.
It meant an overall decline of 9% for the four months to the end of April.
The company added: "The situation remains uncertain and therefore we are not in a position today to give guidance for May and June."
ITV also faces formidable headwinds as production of some of its most popular shows, such as Coronation Street and Love Island, has been hit by the lockdown.
The company said on Tuesday that the next series of Love Island has been pushed back to 2021 while Coronation Street, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary this December, has gone down from six to three episodes a week.
Image: Coronation Street has gone down from six episodes a week to three
So too has Emmerdale, with Kevin Lygo, ITV's director of television, warning last week that, unless production resumes quickly, ITV will run out of new episodes to screen by the end of May and with Coronation Street reaching that position in June.
Emmerdale has reportedly asked its scriptwriters to prepare "two hander" episodes in which just two characters appear - something regarded as revolutionary when the BBC's EastEnders first tried it in 1986 - so they can be filmed quickly and in full observation of social distancing rules.
However, like Disney, ITV could also point to some positives on the streaming front. Britbox, the digital video subscription service launched last November in partnership with the BBC, was said to have enjoyed good take-up.
These are challenging times for media companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
Locked-down audiences are hungrier than ever for news and entertainment just as it has become harder, due to social distancing protocols, to produce and just as advertising revenues have lurched downwards.
Sky, the owner of Sky News, and its US parent Comcast have not been immune - last week reporting a revenue hit blamed on the pandemic.
Paradoxically, though, there has never been a better time for news and entertainment providers to showcase their work and build their brands for the future.


news--2020-06-18--Does this photoshopped image show what the PM's plane will look like after its £900,000 paint job?

A photoshopped image of what Boris Johnson 's VIP jet might look like after a £900,000 paint job shows the once-grey aircraft now in white , with a giant Union Jack flag across the rear .
The words `` United Kingdom '' are painted in yellow capital letters along the side .
The mock-up was posted on social media on Thursday by Andrew Evans , an aviation enthusiast and photographer .
Mr Evans accompanied the picture with an explanation that it was based on a diagram allegedly showing the real design that had been `` doing the rounds '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the revamped Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft is broadly in line with the real thing .
A military source gave the new look a thumbs-up for VIP travel , but warned it would be almost impossible to keep deploying the jet on military operations as it would stick out .
`` I think it looks awesome and will totally fit in on the flight line at world leaders ' meetings next to Air Force One , '' he said , referring to the US president 's aircraft .
By contrast , core @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to conflict zones would be `` totally off the cards in my opinion '' , the source said .
He added that the only time it could safely be deployed would be if there is no danger of enemy fire .
`` Well that 's going to be nice and low-profile in a war zone if it has to go back to being a military refuelling tanker , '' he wrote on Twitter , commenting on the photoshopped image of the VIP jet .
`` That was the role it was bought for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the jets used by eg [ for example , President Emmanuel ] Macron which were bought to be VIP transports . ''
Mr Johnson was heavily criticised this week after it emerged the government is spending almost £1m on transforming the look of the RAF 's VIP Voyager , which is used by the prime minister , other ministers , and members of the Royal Family .
There was particular anger at the cost at a time when the country is in a deep financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic .
: @ @ @ @ @ @ @ podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defended the move on Wednesday , saying `` we have always spent money on promoting the UK round the world '' .
One source said the paint job sounded like something `` from Austin Powers '' .
The revelation triggered a barrage of aircraft-linked jokes on social media about the hit comedy starring Mike Myers as a British spy and his arch enemy Dr Evil .
The Voyager is receiving its makeover at a secure hangar at an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aerospace and Defence is in charge of the work .
The paint job is expected to be finished later this month .

A photoshopped image of what Boris Johnson's VIP jet might look like after a £900,000 paint job shows the once-grey aircraft now in white, with a giant Union Jack flag across the rear.
The words "United Kingdom" are painted in yellow capital letters along the side.
The mock-up was posted on social media on Thursday by Andrew Evans, an aviation enthusiast and photographer.
Image: The RAF Voyager, pictured in 2018, is getting a paint job
Mr Evans accompanied the picture with an explanation that it was based on a diagram allegedly showing the real design that had been "doing the rounds".
It is understood that the unofficial image of the revamped Royal Air Force Voyager aircraft is broadly in line with the real thing.
A military source gave the new look a thumbs-up for VIP travel, but warned it would be almost impossible to keep deploying the jet on military operations as it would stick out.
"I think it looks awesome and will totally fit in on the flight line at world leaders' meetings next to Air Force One," he said, referring to the US president's aircraft.
By contrast, core tasks such as refuelling fast jets close to conflict zones would be "totally off the cards in my opinion", the source said. He added that the only time it could safely be deployed would be if there is no danger of enemy fire.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:00 Raab defends £900,000 makeover for VIP jet
Lord Ricketts, a former national security adviser, echoed this concern.
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"Well that's going to be nice and low-profile in a war zone if it has to go back to being a military refuelling tanker," he wrote on Twitter, commenting on the photoshopped image of the VIP jet.
"That was the role it was bought for with all the necessary plumbing - unlike the jets used by eg [for example, President Emmanuel] Macron which were bought to be VIP transports."
Mr Johnson was heavily criticised this week after it emerged the government is spending almost £1m on transforming the look of the RAF's VIP Voyager, which is used by the prime minister, other ministers, and members of the Royal Family.
There was particular anger at the cost at a time when the country is in a deep financial crisis because of the coronavirus pandemic.
:: Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defended the move on Wednesday, saying "we have always spent money on promoting the UK round the world".
Sky News revealed the Union Jack-themed makeover on Tuesday.
One source said the paint job sounded like something "from Austin Powers".
The revelation triggered a barrage of aircraft-linked jokes on social media about the hit comedy starring Mike Myers as a British spy and his arch enemy Dr Evil.
The Voyager is receiving its makeover at a secure hangar at an airfield in Cambridge.
The company Marshall Aerospace and Defence is in charge of the work. The paint job is expected to be finished later this month.


news--2020-06-18--Coronavirus: How PM plans to help children who have missed months of school

A £1bn catch-up programme for children who have missed out on months of school during the lockdown has been unveiled by the prime minister .
One-on-one or small group tuition will be targeted at up to two million of the most disadvantaged pupils at state schools in England from the start of the autumn term .
The tutoring will be funded up to £350m , and another £650m will be shared among primary and secondary schools to tackle the consequences of coronavirus for all pupils .
This pot , which is a one-off payment for the next academic year , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spend .
It can be used for summer schools , any other educational or mental health programmes , as well as extra teachers or computers .
Boris Johnson said : `` I want to once again thank teachers , childcare workers and support staff for the brilliant work they have been doing throughout the pandemic .
`` This £1bn catch-up package will help headteachers to provide extra support to children who have fallen behind while out of school .
`` I am determined to do everything I can to get all children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we will bring forward plans on how this will happen as soon as possible . ''
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the measures would `` bring long-term reform to the educational sector that will protect a generation from the effects of this pandemic '' .
He added : `` We can not afford for any of our children to lose out as a result of COVID-19 .
The scale of our response must match the scale of the challenge .
`` This package will make sure that every young person , no matter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets the education , opportunities and outcomes they deserve , by spending it on measures proven to be effective , particularly for those who are most disadvantaged . ''
Some primary school children have now returned to classrooms , but plans for all of them to return before the summer have been dropped in a government U-turn .
Meanwhile , secondary schools are unclear as to whether they can fully open even in September , as they have been told to enforce two-metre social distancing .
Schools minister Nick Gibb told Sky News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` clear intention '' to have kids back in the classroom by the start of the new academic year , the government is `` working on other contingency plans '' .
The Department for Education says its ambition is for companies that currently run clubs and activities for children over the summer holiday to operate - if the science allows it .
How the announcement is going down at a school in Macclesfield Emmanuel Botwe , headteacher at Tytherington High School , welcomed the additional funding but said `` it will be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
`` We need to see the detail of this funding but I anticipate that I 'll be looking very closely at staffing and at providing additional resources and materials , for example , making sure that all of our disadvantages students have access to a laptop and have broadband at home . ''
Mr Botwe 's school has been open for children of key workers throughout the pandemic but this week started to welcome back some year 10 and year 12 pupils .
`` What has been revealed by their return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning but there are also mental health issues that have arisen during this period , '' he told Sky News .
`` Students are delighted to be back but clearly this has been a process where they have missed social interaction for weeks on end and obviously there will be a certain amount of uncovering what has gone on during that period in the next few weeks . ''
Campaigners have been calling for a one-on-one tuition for many months , as research suggests having sessions three times a week for 12 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of lost learning .
Gabby Cunningham , 17 , a sixth former at the King 's Church of England School in Kidsgrove , Staffordshire , told Sky News how four months of tutoring for her GCSE chemistry exam last year saw her secure a top grade .
Her school referred 20 pupils to have after-school lessons online through the private company MyTutor .
She was tutored by medical student Matt Pickering .
She told Sky News : `` It made such a big difference not only to my education but to me personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ myself .
`` It 's not as formal and strict as in the classroom , so I could open up about what I was struggling with .
When we started in January and I was on a grade 3 or 4 which is a D/C and by GSCEs I was at a 7 which is an A . ''
Headteacher Will Wilson is already planning to enrol more students in one-on-one tutoring to try , but says it 's only part of the solution .
`` We 're talking six months of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` It 's a huge headache because you do n't know at this stage what gaps you are trying to fill .
`` There 's a whole range of engagement going on with students at home right now between those who are fully engaged , doing all the work , sending it through , to those who have not even picked up their email accounts and looked at the amount of work they 've got there . ''
Sir Peter Lampl , chairman of the Sutton Trust charity , which has worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` We are delighted that the government is announcing a large sum today to benefit those pupils who need it the most . ''
Geoff Barton , general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders , welcomed the investment .
But he said the school leaders ' union had concerns about ensuring the £300m National Tutoring Programme provides `` high-quality provision '' .
Mr Barton added : `` It remains frustrating that we have n't had the opportunity to discuss any of this with the government ahead of this announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having to guess the detail .
`` We really do need a much more collaborative approach so that the government and profession can together work on developing a really effective , joined-up national plan . ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Labour 's shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said the funding `` needs to be backed with a detailed national education plan to get children 's education and health back on track '' .
She added : `` The present plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tiny fraction of the support our pupils need at this critical time .
`` The government must take its responsibility to support children 's learning and their safe return to school seriously and demonstrate leadership in making this happen . ''
Lib Dem education spokesperson Layla Moran said the measures `` need to form part of a wider national plan '' agreed in conjunction with teachers , experts , unions and others .
`` Top-down initiatives with funding tied to them wo n't make a big enough difference if schools are unable to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

A £1bn catch-up programme for children who have missed out on months of school during the lockdown has been unveiled by the prime minister.
One-on-one or small group tuition will be targeted at up to two million of the most disadvantaged pupils at state schools in England from the start of the autumn term.
The tutoring will be funded up to £350m, and another £650m will be shared among primary and secondary schools to tackle the consequences of coronavirus for all pupils.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 5:02 Starmer attacks PM over school reopening plan
This pot, which is a one-off payment for the next academic year, will be entirely at headteachers' discretion to spend.
It can be used for summer schools, any other educational or mental health programmes, as well as extra teachers or computers.
Boris Johnson said: "I want to once again thank teachers, childcare workers and support staff for the brilliant work they have been doing throughout the pandemic.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:37 Government's 'clear intention' is September school opening
"This £1bn catch-up package will help headteachers to provide extra support to children who have fallen behind while out of school.
"I am determined to do everything I can to get all children back in school from September, and we will bring forward plans on how this will happen as soon as possible."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:14 Plans shelved for all primary pupils' return
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said the measures would "bring long-term reform to the educational sector that will protect a generation from the effects of this pandemic".
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He added: "We cannot afford for any of our children to lose out as a result of COVID-19. The scale of our response must match the scale of the challenge.
"This package will make sure that every young person, no matter their age or where they live, gets the education, opportunities and outcomes they deserve, by spending it on measures proven to be effective, particularly for those who are most disadvantaged."
Some primary school children have now returned to classrooms, but plans for all of them to return before the summer have been dropped in a government U-turn.
Meanwhile, secondary schools are unclear as to whether they can fully open even in September, as they have been told to enforce two-metre social distancing.
Schools minister Nick Gibb told Sky News @ Breakfast that while it remains a "clear intention" to have kids back in the classroom by the start of the new academic year, the government is "working on other contingency plans".
The Department for Education says its ambition is for companies that currently run clubs and activities for children over the summer holiday to operate - if the science allows it.
How the announcement is going down at a school in Macclesfield
Image: Mr Botwe said many students have 'missed social interaction'
Emmanuel Botwe, headteacher at Tytherington High School, welcomed the additional funding but said "it will be a Herculean task" to help students catch up.
"We need to see the detail of this funding but I anticipate that I'll be looking very closely at staffing and at providing additional resources and materials, for example, making sure that all of our disadvantages students have access to a laptop and have broadband at home."
Mr Botwe's school has been open for children of key workers throughout the pandemic but this week started to welcome back some year 10 and year 12 pupils.
"What has been revealed by their return is that there is gaps in their learning but there are also mental health issues that have arisen during this period," he told Sky News.
"Students are delighted to be back but clearly this has been a process where they have missed social interaction for weeks on end and obviously there will be a certain amount of uncovering what has gone on during that period in the next few weeks."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:32 Schools struggling with social distancing
Campaigners have been calling for a one-on-one tuition for many months, as research suggests having sessions three times a week for 12 weeks can help children make up five months of lost learning.
Gabby Cunningham, 17, a sixth former at the King's Church of England School in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire, told Sky News how four months of tutoring for her GCSE chemistry exam last year saw her secure a top grade.
Her school referred 20 pupils to have after-school lessons online through the private company MyTutor. She was tutored by medical student Matt Pickering.
She told Sky News: "It made such a big difference not only to my education but to me personally because I started to develop self-belief in myself.
"It's not as formal and strict as in the classroom, so I could open up about what I was struggling with. When we started in January and I was on a grade 3 or 4 which is a D/C and by GSCEs I was at a 7 which is an A."
Headteacher Will Wilson is already planning to enrol more students in one-on-one tutoring to try, but says it's only part of the solution.
"We're talking six months of their education gone," he said.
"It's a huge headache because you don't know at this stage what gaps you are trying to fill.
"There's a whole range of engagement going on with students at home right now between those who are fully engaged, doing all the work, sending it through, to those who have not even picked up their email accounts and looked at the amount of work they've got there."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:34 Schools reopen, but many children stay home
Sir Peter Lampl, chairman of the Sutton Trust charity, which has worked with the government on the plan, said: "We are delighted that the government is announcing a large sum today to benefit those pupils who need it the most."
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, welcomed the investment.
But he said the school leaders' union had concerns about ensuring the £300m National Tutoring Programme provides "high-quality provision".
Mr Barton added: "It remains frustrating that we haven't had the opportunity to discuss any of this with the government ahead of this announcement and that we once again find ourselves having to guess the detail.
"We really do need a much more collaborative approach so that the government and profession can together work on developing a really effective, joined-up national plan."
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Labour's shadow education secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey said the funding "needs to be backed with a detailed national education plan to get children's education and health back on track".
She added: "The present plans lack detail and appear to be a tiny fraction of the support our pupils need at this critical time.
"The government must take its responsibility to support children's learning and their safe return to school seriously and demonstrate leadership in making this happen."
Lib Dem education spokesperson Layla Moran said the measures "need to form part of a wider national plan" agreed in conjunction with teachers, experts, unions and others.
"Top-down initiatives with funding tied to them won't make a big enough difference if schools are unable to fully reopen safely," she added.