news--2020-05-16--Who are the wealthiest women on The Sunday Times Rich List?

The Sunday Times has published its annual rich list , which includes a record 25 female billionaires .
More than £54bn has disappeared from the coffers of the UK 's most well-off in the past two months due to the coronavirus pandemic .
For the first time since the financial crash in 2008 , the combined net worth of the UK 's 1,000 wealthiest people has dropped - with some billionaires losing up to £6bn since last year .
Inventor Sir James Dyson , 72 , is the richest person in the UK for the first time , as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ £3.6bn over the past year , climbing to £16.2bn .
The list also reports that a number of billionaires are using the government 's emergency furlough scheme which sees staff paid 80 % of their wages - up to £2,500 a month - by the government .
Here are the top 10 ( and a few more ) .
Britain 's wealthiest woman owns a third of the holding company that has the rights to Tetra Pak , the folded paper cartons that a large amount of the world 's liquid foods are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the granddaughter of Ruben Rausing , the founder of Tetra Pak .
Exactly where she lives is n't common knowledge but she is described as being hands-on at the stud farm she owns in Newmarket , Suffolk .
The 65-year-old daughter of Freddy Heineken , the brewing magnate , now owns a quarter of the firm named after her great-grandfather .
She lives in London with her husband Michel de Carvalho , a financier , and her five children .
The other member of the Rausing family to appear in the female @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the late Hans Rausing , one of the son 's of Tetra Pak founder Ruben .
Hans left Sweden for the UK in the early 1980s and sold his share of what became the world 's largest food packaging company to his brother Gad in the 1990s .
At the time of Hans ' death in 2019 , she lived in Wadhurst , East Sussex .
The former Miss UK is the wife of Ernesto Bertarelli , an Italian-born Swiss businessman who until 2007 owned biotech giant Serono .
She and her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was raised in Stone , Staffordshire .
She maintains a music career , having co-written the UK No .
1 single Black Coffee for All Saints in 2000 .
The founder and joint CEO of Bet365 was paid salary and dividends of £323m in 2018 , making her the highest paid chief executive of any UK company .
She is the eldest daughter of Peter Coates , chairman of Stoke City FC , and lives near Sandbach , Cheshire .
The Mexico-born Hollywood actress has made a fortune acting in films such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Puss in Boots .
But it has been her marriage to French billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault , chairman of luxury goods firm Kering , that has pushed her into the top 10 of the rich list .
The couple spend some of the year in London , according to the Daily Mail .
Hazel Czernin , the 10th Baroness Howard de Walden , inherited the family 's central London estates from her father .
The daughter of the late Bruno Schroder inherited his wealth when he died last year .
The family own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ multinational asset management company , according to The Times .
The family estate is in Scotland .
The French businesswoman who was born in Singapore is the owner of oil group Perenco , which was founded by her late husband Hubert Perrodo .
She lives in London .
Ms Heyman is the wife of British venture capitalist Michael Moritz , a partner at Sequoia Capital , which has invested heavily in internet firms , including Google .
Daughter of Rupert Murdoch and founder of the Shine TV production firm .
Pop star and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the 32-year-old moved to London last year after launching an upmarket fashion label with Louis Vuitton owner LVMH in Paris .
Jacqueline is CEO of Ann Summers .
Both are daughters of David Gold , chairman of Gold Group , which includes Ann Summers .
Dame Margaret is chair of J Barbour and Sons , maker of waxed jackets among other clothing .
She was recently commended for making PPE during the COVID-19 crisis .
Helen is her daughter .
The former pop star with the Spice Girls is married to David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own fashion label .
The UK 's monarch and owner of a large estate .
The human rights lawyer is married to Hollywood actor George Clooney .
The couple have a home in Sonning , Berkshire .
The Welsh actress is married to Hollywood actor Michael Douglas .

The Sunday Times has published its annual rich list, which includes a record 25 female billionaires.
More than £54bn has disappeared from the coffers of the UK's most well-off in the past two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.
For the first time since the financial crash in 2008, the combined net worth of the UK's 1,000 wealthiest people has dropped - with some billionaires losing up to £6bn since last year.
Inventor Sir James Dyson, 72, is the richest person in the UK for the first time, as the Brexit-backing entrepreneur saw his wealth grow by £3.6bn over the past year, climbing to £16.2bn.
The list also reports that a number of billionaires are using the government's emergency furlough scheme which sees staff paid 80% of their wages - up to £2,500 a month - by the government.
Here are the top 10 (and a few more).
Image: Kirsten Rausing is Britain's richest woman
1. Kirsten Rausing - £12.1bn
Britain's wealthiest woman owns a third of the holding company that has the rights to Tetra Pak, the folded paper cartons that a large amount of the world's liquid foods are now sold in. The Swedish-born heiress is the granddaughter of Ruben Rausing, the founder of Tetra Pak. Exactly where she lives isn't common knowledge but she is described as being hands-on at the stud farm she owns in Newmarket, Suffolk.
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2. Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken - £10.3bn
The 65-year-old daughter of Freddy Heineken, the brewing magnate, now owns a quarter of the firm named after her great-grandfather. She lives in London with her husband Michel de Carvalho, a financier, and her five children.
3. Marit Rausing - £9.6bn
The other member of the Rausing family to appear in the female rich list top 10 is the wife of the late Hans Rausing, one of the son's of Tetra Pak founder Ruben. Hans left Sweden for the UK in the early 1980s and sold his share of what became the world's largest food packaging company to his brother Gad in the 1990s. At the time of Hans' death in 2019, she lived in Wadhurst, East Sussex.
Image: Kirsty Bertarelli (centre) has had a long-standing music career
4. Kirsty Bertarelli - £9.2bn
The former Miss UK is the wife of Ernesto Bertarelli, an Italian-born Swiss businessman who until 2007 owned biotech giant Serono. She and her husband live in Switzerland, but she was raised in Stone, Staffordshire. She maintains a music career, having co-written the UK No. 1 single Black Coffee for All Saints in 2000.
5. Denise Coates - £7.2bn
The founder and joint CEO of Bet365 was paid salary and dividends of £323m in 2018, making her the highest paid chief executive of any UK company. She is the eldest daughter of Peter Coates, chairman of Stoke City FC, and lives near Sandbach, Cheshire.
Image: Salma Hayek is married to CEO of Kering Francois-Henri Pinault
6. Salma Hayek - £6.6bn
The Mexico-born Hollywood actress has made a fortune acting in films such as Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn and Puss in Boots. But it has been her marriage to French billionaire businessman Francois-Henri Pinault, chairman of luxury goods firm Kering, that has pushed her into the top 10 of the rich list. The couple spend some of the year in London, according to the Daily Mail.
7. Baroness Howard de Walden - £4.3bn
Hazel Czernin, the 10th Baroness Howard de Walden, inherited the family's central London estates from her father.
8. Leonie Schroder - £4bn
The daughter of the late Bruno Schroder inherited his wealth when he died last year. The family own 48% of Schroders, the London-based multinational asset management company, according to The Times. The family estate is in Scotland.
9. Carrie Perrodo - £3.4bn
The French businesswoman who was born in Singapore is the owner of oil group Perenco, which was founded by her late husband Hubert Perrodo. She lives in London.
Image: Harriet Heyman attends a ceremony at a performing arts university in New York
10. Harriet Heyman - £3bn
Ms Heyman is the wife of British venture capitalist Michael Moritz, a partner at Sequoia Capital, which has invested heavily in internet firms, including Google.
Others include:
22. Elisabeth Murdoch - £1.2bn
Daughter of Rupert Murdoch and founder of the Shine TV production firm.
Image: J K Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series and other books
34. J K Rowling - £795m
Author of the Harry Potter books.
38= Slavica Ecclestone - £730m
Ex-wife of former Formula 1 owner Bernie Ecclestone.
Image: Pop star Rihanna moved to London last year
48. Rihanna - £468m
Pop star and owner of Fenty, the cosmetics company, the 32-year-old moved to London last year after launching an upmarket fashion label with Louis Vuitton owner LVMH in Paris.
49. Jacqueline and Vanessa Gold - £460m
Jacqueline is CEO of Ann Summers. Both are daughters of David Gold, chairman of Gold Group, which includes Ann Summers.
55. Dame Margaret and Helen Barbour - £430m
Dame Margaret is chair of J Barbour and Sons, maker of waxed jackets among other clothing. She was recently commended for making PPE during the COVID-19 crisis. Helen is her daughter.
Image: Victoria Beckham runs a successful fashion label
62. Victoria Beckham - £370m
The former pop star with the Spice Girls is married to David Beckham and is the founder of her own fashion label.
66. The Queen - £350m
The UK's monarch and owner of a large estate.
81. Amal Clooney - £275m
The human rights lawyer is married to Hollywood actor George Clooney. The couple have a home in Sonning, Berkshire.
Image: Welsh actress Catherine Zeta Jones
96. Catherine Zeta Jones - £210m
The Welsh actress is married to Hollywood actor Michael Douglas.


news--2020-05-16--Coronavirus: Winemakers consider socially-distant tours to tempt back customers

The English wine industry is facing an uncertain future , with a loss of income from tours combined with a loss of sales to the hospitality sector .
But many vineyards across the country have adapted and found other ways to find new customers and keep in touch with existing clients , while also enjoying an increase in sales as more of us are drinking at home .
Sparkling wine has fast become a valued English export , with vineyards decorating the countryside from Kent to Cornwall .
Nestled in the South Downs on the border of East and West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prized alcoholic asset .
For 25 years the Roberts family has been thriving on the success of English sparkling wine .
Ridgeview Wine Estate 's produce has been served at 10 Downing Street and presented before dignitaries at Buckingham Palace .
But the pandemic has led to a complete overhaul of its business .
In some ways it 's been business as usual , as food and drink manufacturers are classed as key workers .
The grapes have n't stopped growing , and the production line has n't stopped the bottling either , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the biggest difference has been the effect felt from the shutting down of the hospitality sector .
Many wineries in the UK have collapsed because of the freeze in sales on airlines , cruise ships , restaurants , bars and hotels .
At Ridgeview , it has lost revenue from cancelled events .
But its reputation is keeping them afloat .
Speaking to Sky News , Tamara Roberts , chief executive of Ridgeview , said she hopes it will be enough .
`` We 've got a broad customer base which has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the industry to have both the off and on trade , '' she said .
`` Obviously what COVID-19 has done is stopped any of our tourism and retail on site activities , coming into our 25th anniversary we 've had to cancel so many plans .
But online sales have gone up dramatically . ''
Online sales for the company are up nearly 2,000 % .
It 's a pleasant surprise for the team .
They 're relieved much of the Great British Public seem to be raising a glass at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ busy as ever .
He said : `` Sparkling wine is obviously associated with celebrating and I think even though people are n't celebrating , and might be working from home - on a Friday they 're still saying , let 's have a glass of wine , or their gifting it to people . ''
There might be an increase in home deliveries of wine to locked-down drinkers , but if English sparkling wine is to continue to compete against countries like France , then the industry must adapt .
One way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from our own front rooms .
Kent-based Chapel Down has found virtual wine tasting sessions to be a creative lifeline .
Their head brewer hosts weekly virtual live tastings on social media which many are joining to learn about and sample new tipples .
Ridegview will also soon be launching a virtual vineyard tour that will be sold alongside bottles online .
It is exploring the option of re-hosting small tours on the estate where numbers are kept low to allow for social distancing .
It could be the lift needed to raise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Ms Roberts .
`` We 're fortunate we 've got a lot of space outside , and we have a lot of activities that can be done outside like the tours , '' she said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' We also do picnic hampers that people can consume on site , so we 're looking at ways we can adapt .
We 're constantly looking at the guidelines and how they change , we 're definitely getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel confident to come back and you 've got to offer that reassurance to people that it 's safe . ''

The English wine industry is facing an uncertain future, with a loss of income from tours combined with a loss of sales to the hospitality sector.
But many vineyards across the country have adapted and found other ways to find new customers and keep in touch with existing clients, while also enjoying an increase in sales as more of us are drinking at home.
Image: Ridgeview Wine Estate reveals online sales for the company are up nearly 2,000%
Sparkling wine has fast become a valued English export, with vineyards decorating the countryside from Kent to Cornwall.
Nestled in the South Downs on the border of East and West Sussex lies acres of England's most prized alcoholic asset.
For 25 years the Roberts family has been thriving on the success of English sparkling wine.
Ridgeview Wine Estate's produce has been served at 10 Downing Street and presented before dignitaries at Buckingham Palace. But the pandemic has led to a complete overhaul of its business.
In some ways it's been business as usual, as food and drink manufacturers are classed as key workers.
The grapes haven't stopped growing, and the production line hasn't stopped the bottling either, albeit the team is much smaller. But the biggest difference has been the effect felt from the shutting down of the hospitality sector.
Many wineries in the UK have collapsed because of the freeze in sales on airlines, cruise ships, restaurants, bars and hotels.
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At Ridgeview, it has lost revenue from cancelled events. But its reputation is keeping them afloat.
Speaking to Sky News, Tamara Roberts, chief executive of Ridgeview, said she hopes it will be enough.
Image: Tamara Roberts, CEO of the winery at Ridgeview Wine Estate
"We've got a broad customer base which has made us more fortunate than some others in the industry to have both the off and on trade," she said.
"Obviously what COVID-19 has done is stopped any of our tourism and retail on site activities, coming into our 25th anniversary we've had to cancel so many plans. But online sales have gone up dramatically."
Online sales for the company are up nearly 2,000%. It's a pleasant surprise for the team. They're relieved much of the Great British Public seem to be raising a glass at home.
Image: Winemakers are considering socially distant tours to help business in the future
Head winemaker Simon is as busy as ever. He said: "Sparkling wine is obviously associated with celebrating and I think even though people aren't celebrating, and might be working from home - on a Friday they're still saying, let's have a glass of wine, or their gifting it to people."
There might be an increase in home deliveries of wine to locked-down drinkers, but if English sparkling wine is to continue to compete against countries like France, then the industry must adapt.
Image: For 25 years the Roberts family has been thriving on the success of English sparkling wine
One way is by turning us all into connoisseurs from our own front rooms.
Kent-based Chapel Down has found virtual wine tasting sessions to be a creative lifeline.
Their head brewer hosts weekly virtual live tastings on social media which many are joining to learn about and sample new tipples.
Ridegview will also soon be launching a virtual vineyard tour that will be sold alongside bottles online.
It is exploring the option of re-hosting small tours on the estate where numbers are kept low to allow for social distancing.
It could be the lift needed to raise public morale, but safety is paramount for Ms Roberts.
"We're fortunate we've got a lot of space outside, and we have a lot of activities that can be done outside like the tours," she said.
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"We also do picnic hampers that people can consume on site, so we're looking at ways we can adapt. We're constantly looking at the guidelines and how they change, we're definitely getting ourselves prepared.
"People have to feel confident to come back and you've got to offer that reassurance to people that it's safe."


news--2020-04-29--Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds announce birth of baby boy

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a `` healthy baby boy '' .
The couple are `` thrilled '' and both mother and baby are `` doing very well '' following the birth at a London hospital on Wednesday morning , their spokeswoman said .
It is understood Mr Johnson was present throughout the birth .
A photograph of him beaming on his return to Number 10 following the arrival of his son has been released by Downing Street .
`` The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Mr Johnson only returned to work on Monday after spending time in intensive care with coronavirus .
Ms Symonds also suffered symptoms of the disease .
The couple announced at the end of February that they were expecting a baby in `` early summer '' and they became engaged at the end of last year .
A Downing Street spokesman said the PM will take a short period of paternity leave later this year .
Mr Johnson returned to work in Number 10 following the birth , and spoke to Labour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the UK 's COVID-19 response .
The prime minister and his family are planning to live in their Downing Street flat along with their dog Dilyn , the Downing Street spokesman said .
The spokesman declined to say whether the baby was born prematurely , and did not provide details of the weight , timing , nature or location of the birth .
The PM 's father Stanley Johnson said he was `` absolutely delighted '' by the arrival of his grandson , while Buckingham Palace said the Queen sent a private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to congratulate them .
Messages of support also poured in from across the political spectrum following the news .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Health Secretary Matt Hancock posted on Twitter : `` So thrilled for Boris and Carrie .
Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy ! ''
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted : `` Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident .
Congratulations to @ BorisJohnson and @ carriesymonds on the birth of their son .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` Wonderful news .
Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds . ''
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote : `` Some good news - sending congratulations to Carrie and the PM .
And wishing health and happiness to the wee one . ''
Ms Symonds announced she was pregnant in February in a post on her Instagram account .
`` I would n't normally post this kind of thing on here , but I wanted my friends to find out from me , '' she wrote .
`` Many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my friends that still do n't , we got engaged at the end of last year , and we 've got a baby hatching early summer .
Feel incredibly blessed . ''
Earlier this month Ms Symonds told how life got `` very dark '' at times while her husband-to-be spent a week in St Thomas ' Hospital with coronavirus , including three nights in intensive care .
Mr Johnson , 55 , and 32-year-old Ms Symonds made history as the first unmarried couple to officially live together in Downing Street when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Ms Symonds ' first child , while Mr Johnson already has four grown-up children with his second wife Marina Wheeler ; Lara , Milo , Cassie and Theodore .
The PM also has a daughter with art consultant Helen Macintyre .
There has been speculation that Mr Johnson has fathered another extra-marital child .
Asked how many children he had during the general election in November , he told LBC : `` I love my children very much but they are not standing at this election .
I 'm therefore not going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new arrival is the third baby born to a serving prime minister in recent history .
Tony Blair 's wife Cherie gave birth to son Leo in May 2000 , three years after her husband 's first election victory , and David Cameron and wife Samantha welcomed daughter Florence in 2010 .
The last babies born to prime ministers before Leo and Florence arrived more than 150 years ago .

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a "healthy baby boy".
The couple are "thrilled" and both mother and baby are "doing very well" following the birth at a London hospital on Wednesday morning, their spokeswoman said.
It is understood Mr Johnson was present throughout the birth. A photograph of him beaming on his return to Number 10 following the arrival of his son has been released by Downing Street.
Image: Carrie Symonds announced she was pregnant in February in a post on her Instagram account
Image: Boris Johnson after the birth of his son with Carrie Symonds. Pic: Andrew Parsons / No 10 Downing St
"The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team," their spokeswoman said.
Mr Johnson only returned to work on Monday after spending time in intensive care with coronavirus.
Ms Symonds also suffered symptoms of the disease.
The couple announced at the end of February that they were expecting a baby in "early summer" and they became engaged at the end of last year.
Image: The couple had said they were expecting a baby in 'early summer'. Pic:Javier Garcia/BPI/Shutterstock
A Downing Street spokesman said the PM will take a short period of paternity leave later this year.
Mr Johnson returned to work in Number 10 following the birth, and spoke to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on Wednesday afternoon about the UK's COVID-19 response.
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The prime minister and his family are planning to live in their Downing Street flat along with their dog Dilyn, the Downing Street spokesman said.
The spokesman declined to say whether the baby was born prematurely, and did not provide details of the weight, timing, nature or location of the birth.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:19 March 3: Johnson 'almost certainly' will take paternity leave
The PM's father Stanley Johnson said he was "absolutely delighted" by the arrival of his grandson, while Buckingham Palace said the Queen sent a private message of good wishes to the couple to congratulate them.
Messages of support also poured in from across the political spectrum following the news.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock posted on Twitter: "So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!"
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: "Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident. Congratulations to @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds on the birth of their son."
Image: Mr Johnson only returned to work on Monday after contracting coronavirus
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Wonderful news. Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds."
And Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wrote: "Some good news - sending congratulations to Carrie and the PM. And wishing health and happiness to the wee one."
Ms Symonds announced she was pregnant in February in a post on her Instagram account.
"I wouldn't normally post this kind of thing on here, but I wanted my friends to find out from me," she wrote.
Image: Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds adopted a dog called Dilyn
"Many of you already know, but for my friends that still don't, we got engaged at the end of last year, and we've got a baby hatching early summer. Feel incredibly blessed."
Earlier this month Ms Symonds told how life got "very dark" at times while her husband-to-be spent a week in St Thomas' Hospital with coronavirus, including three nights in intensive care.
Mr Johnson, 55, and 32-year-old Ms Symonds made history as the first unmarried couple to officially live together in Downing Street when they moved in last July.
The baby is Ms Symonds' first child, while Mr Johnson already has four grown-up children with his second wife Marina Wheeler; Lara, Milo, Cassie and Theodore.
The PM also has a daughter with art consultant Helen Macintyre.
There has been speculation that Mr Johnson has fathered another extra-marital child.
Image: The couple's baby is Ms Symonds' first child
Asked how many children he had during the general election in November, he told LBC: "I love my children very much but they are not standing at this election. I'm therefore not going to comment on them."
The new arrival is the third baby born to a serving prime minister in recent history.
Tony Blair's wife Cherie gave birth to son Leo in May 2000, three years after her husband's first election victory, and David Cameron and wife Samantha welcomed daughter Florence in 2010.
The last babies born to prime ministers before Leo and Florence arrived more than 150 years ago.


news--2020-04-29--Coronavirus: BA union pledges to fight for every job as thousands face axe

Pilots ' union Balpa has pledged to fight for every job after the owner of British Airways announced a huge restructuring that could see up to 12,000 staff made redundant .
International Airlines Group ( IAG ) has already grounded the vast majority of BA 's fleet because of the coronavirus pandemic and warned that demand was expected to take `` several years '' to recover .
The group , which also owns Spain 's Iberia and Ireland 's Aer Lingus , reported a loss of €535m ( £458m ) for the first quarter of 2020 - mainly linked to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation to deteriorate in the current period .
Shares fell almost 6 % on the gloomy update .
IAG said in a statement that in the light of the slump in trading it was `` formally notifying its trade unions about a proposed restructuring and redundancy programme '' .
The group added : `` The proposals remain subject to consultation but it is likely that they will affect most of British Airways ' employees and may result in the redundancy of up to 12,000 of them .
`` As previously announced , British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's COVID-19 job retention scheme and furloughed 22,626 employees in April . ''
Brian Strutton of the pilots ' union , Balpa , said : `` BA pilots and all staff are devastated by the announcement of up to 12,000 possible job losses in British Airways .
`` This has come as a bolt out of the blue from an airline that said it was wealthy enough to weather the COVID storm and declined any government support .
`` Balpa does not accept that a case has been made for these job losses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every single one . ''
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey described the announcement as a `` stab in the back '' and a `` heartless decision in a time of national crisis '' .
`` With the majority of BA 's workers on furlough , we would have expected him [ BA chief executive Alex Cruz ] to work with both us and the government to honour the spirit of the government 's job retention scheme .
`` Governments across Europe , in Spain , Germany and France are working with trade unions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeping people in work while the sector recovers .
`` We simply can not understand as to why Alex Cruz is not doing the same . ''
: : Listen to the All Out Politics podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Mr McCluskey said the workforce had `` worked tirelessly , heroically and unnoticed throughout this crisis '' on repatriation flights for British citizens `` in dangerous circumstances on the global transport frontline '' '' They simply do not deserve to be treated as a commodity to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Airways is not alone in feeling the strain from the pandemic , with rivals seeking state aid to help keep them in the air beyond the freeze in flights .
Lufthansa is understood to be in talks over a €9bn loan from the German taxpayer while Virgin Atlantic has admitted it will collapse without extra help amid loan negotiations with the British government .
The scale of the crisis was underlined on Wednesday when aeroplane maker Airbus - which has itself furloughed 3,200 staff at its plant in north Wales - reported a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was facing `` the gravest crisis the aerospace industry has ever known '' .
In a letter to BA 's 42,000 workers , chief executive Alex Cruz said the airline had to `` take action now '' as there was `` no government bailout standing by for BA '' or loan that would resolve its long-term challenges .
He wrote : `` We do not know when countries will reopen their borders or when the lockdowns will lift , and so we have to reimagine and reshape our airline and create @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our customers and the destinations we serve . ''
Mr Cruz added : `` This has been a difficult message to write and one I never thought I would need to send .
`` I know how tight-knit the BA family is , and how concerned you will be , not just for yourself but for your colleagues , too .
`` We must act decisively now to ensure that British Airways has a strong future and continues connecting Britain with the world , and the world with Britain . ''
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the business were likely to bear the brunt of the expected cuts .
It has around 4,500 pilots and 16,000 cabin crew .

Pilots' union Balpa has pledged to fight for every job after the owner of British Airways announced a huge restructuring that could see up to 12,000 staff made redundant.
International Airlines Group (IAG) has already grounded the vast majority of BA's fleet because of the coronavirus pandemic and warned that demand was expected to take "several years" to recover.
The group, which also owns Spain's Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus, reported a loss of €535m (£458m) for the first quarter of 2020 - mainly linked to BA - and said it expected the situation to deteriorate in the current period.
Shares fell almost 6% on the gloomy update.
IAG said in a statement that in the light of the slump in trading it was "formally notifying its trade unions about a proposed restructuring and redundancy programme".
The group added: "The proposals remain subject to consultation but it is likely that they will affect most of British Airways' employees and may result in the redundancy of up to 12,000 of them.
"As previously announced, British Airways has availed itself of the UK's COVID-19 job retention scheme and furloughed 22,626 employees in April."
Image: British Airways' chief executive Alex Cruz: 'We must act decisively now'
Brian Strutton of the pilots' union, Balpa, said: "BA pilots and all staff are devastated by the announcement of up to 12,000 possible job losses in British Airways.
"This has come as a bolt out of the blue from an airline that said it was wealthy enough to weather the COVID storm and declined any government support.
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"Balpa does not accept that a case has been made for these job losses and we will be fighting to save every single one."
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey described the announcement as a "stab in the back" and a "heartless decision in a time of national crisis".
"With the majority of BA's workers on furlough, we would have expected him [BA chief executive Alex Cruz] to work with both us and the government to honour the spirit of the government's job retention scheme.
"Governments across Europe, in Spain, Germany and France are working with trade unions and airlines to rebuild back better, keeping people in work while the sector recovers.
"We simply cannot understand as to why Alex Cruz is not doing the same."
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Mr McCluskey said the workforce had "worked tirelessly, heroically and unnoticed throughout this crisis" on repatriation flights for British citizens "in dangerous circumstances on the global transport frontline"
"They simply do not deserve to be treated as a commodity to be disposed of in this way.
British Airways is not alone in feeling the strain from the pandemic, with rivals seeking state aid to help keep them in the air beyond the freeze in flights.
Lufthansa is understood to be in talks over a €9bn loan from the German taxpayer while Virgin Atlantic has admitted it will collapse without extra help amid loan negotiations with the British government.
The scale of the crisis was underlined on Wednesday when aeroplane maker Airbus - which has itself furloughed 3,200 staff at its plant in north Wales - reported a 49% fall in quarterly profits and said it was facing "the gravest crisis the aerospace industry has ever known".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 3:02 How can the economy get back to work?
In a letter to BA's 42,000 workers, chief executive Alex Cruz said the airline had to "take action now" as there was "no government bailout standing by for BA" or loan that would resolve its long-term challenges.
He wrote: "We do not know when countries will reopen their borders or when the lockdowns will lift, and so we have to reimagine and reshape our airline and create a new future for our people, our customers and the destinations we serve."
Mr Cruz added: "This has been a difficult message to write and one I never thought I would need to send.
"I know how tight-knit the BA family is, and how concerned you will be, not just for yourself but for your colleagues, too.
"We must act decisively now to ensure that British Airways has a strong future and continues connecting Britain with the world, and the world with Britain."
The company gave no details on which areas of the business were likely to bear the brunt of the expected cuts.
It has around 4,500 pilots and 16,000 cabin crew.


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus epidemic could lead to 18,000 more cancer deaths in a year, study suggests

Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England because of the impact of COVID-19 , new research suggests .
It has prompted NHS clinical director for cancer , Professor Peter Johnson , to declare that `` cancer treatment has n't stopped '' because of coronavirus and he is urging people with cancer symptoms not to delay in seeking medical help .
The study from University College London ( UCL ) and DATA-CAN , the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer , examined real-time weekly hospital data for urgent cancer referrals and chemotherapy attendances during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of patients with cancer or suspected cancer are not accessing health services .
Analysing figures from Leeds Teaching Hospitals ' NHS Trust , the Royal Free in London and University College London Hospitals and all five health trusts in Northern Ireland , it found an average reduction in attendance for chemotherapy of 60 % and a 76 % average drop in cancer referrals for early diagnosis .
Comparing the data from 3.5 million patients , the report 's authors estimated that pre-COVID-19 , about 31,354 newly diagnosed cancer patients would die within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a result of coronavirus , they found there could be at least 6,270 extra deaths in newly diagnosed cancer patients - a rise of a fifth .
When all people currently living with cancer are included , the figure jumps to 17,915 excess deaths .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker Professor Johnson told Sky News : `` Cancer treatment has n't stopped but we have seen a big reduction in the number of people coming forward and we 'd like to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for business . ''
He highlighted the new `` COVID-free cancer hubs '' , set up to provide surgery , while independent sector hospitals have signed a deal with the NHS to offer treatment .
Prof Johnson said : `` NHS staff have made huge efforts to deal with coronavirus but they are also working hard to ensure that patients can safely access essential services such as cancer checks and urgent surgery .
`` From online consultations to the roll-out of cancer treatment hubs , we are doing all we can to make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need . ''
The UK 's leading cancer hospital , the Royal Marsden , is co-ordinating one of the London cancer hubs .
The operating theatres are open and busy , and clinical teams from up to ten different hospitals are sharing facilities .
This means if intensive care units are full with COVID patients , cancer patients can still be operated on .
One of those to benefit from the cancer hub is John Philpot , who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February .
His surgeon initially told him his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was recently able to access treatment at another hospital .
Mr Philpot says he feels `` lucky '' the system could treat him .
`` If you know you 've got something growing away inside you , you want rid of it and you want to deal with it as fast as possible , '' he said .
Managing vulnerable cancer patients in the middle of a pandemic is n't easy , but there are concerns that if people do n't seek the care they need , there will be bigger problems in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , medical director at the Marsden , said : `` One of the worries we have is people sitting at home and they 're ignoring symptoms which otherwise they may have attended to .
We know if we catch cancer early in most cases we have much better outcomes . ''
The hospital has seen an increase in patients cancelling appointments and the breast clinic has reported a drop in referrals , even though its clinical services are still running .
If the trend continues it could mean thousands more early deaths from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoided .

Almost 18,000 more people could die from cancer over the next year in England because of the impact of COVID-19, new research suggests.
It has prompted NHS clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson, to declare that "cancer treatment hasn't stopped" because of coronavirus and he is urging people with cancer symptoms not to delay in seeking medical help.
The study from University College London (UCL) and DATA-CAN, the Health Data Research Hub for Cancer, examined real-time weekly hospital data for urgent cancer referrals and chemotherapy attendances during the epidemic.
It found that the majority of patients with cancer or suspected cancer are not accessing health services.
Image: The Royal Marsden is co-ordinating one of the London 'cancer hubs'
Analysing figures from Leeds Teaching Hospitals' NHS Trust, the Royal Free in London and University College London Hospitals and all five health trusts in Northern Ireland, it found an average reduction in attendance for chemotherapy of 60% and a 76% average drop in cancer referrals for early diagnosis.
Comparing the data from 3.5 million patients, the report's authors estimated that pre-COVID-19, about 31,354 newly diagnosed cancer patients would die within a year in England.
But as a result of coronavirus, they found there could be at least 6,270 extra deaths in newly diagnosed cancer patients - a rise of a fifth.
When all people currently living with cancer are included, the figure jumps to 17,915 excess deaths.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
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Professor Johnson told Sky News: "Cancer treatment hasn't stopped but we have seen a big reduction in the number of people coming forward and we'd like to reverse that because the system is open for business."
He highlighted the new "COVID-free cancer hubs", set up to provide surgery, while independent sector hospitals have signed a deal with the NHS to offer treatment.
Prof Johnson said: "NHS staff have made huge efforts to deal with coronavirus but they are also working hard to ensure that patients can safely access essential services such as cancer checks and urgent surgery.
"From online consultations to the roll-out of cancer treatment hubs, we are doing all we can to make sure patients receive the lifesaving care that they need."
The UK's leading cancer hospital, the Royal Marsden, is co-ordinating one of the London cancer hubs.
The operating theatres are open and busy, and clinical teams from up to ten different hospitals are sharing facilities.
This means if intensive care units are full with COVID patients, cancer patients can still be operated on.
One of those to benefit from the cancer hub is John Philpot, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February.
His surgeon initially told him his operation was being delayed, but he was recently able to access treatment at another hospital.
Mr Philpot says he feels "lucky" the system could treat him. "If you know you've got something growing away inside you, you want rid of it and you want to deal with it as fast as possible," he said.
Image: John Philpot was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February
Managing vulnerable cancer patients in the middle of a pandemic isn't easy, but there are concerns that if people don't seek the care they need, there will be bigger problems in the future.
Dr Nick van As, medical director at the Marsden, said: "One of the worries we have is people sitting at home and they're ignoring symptoms which otherwise they may have attended to. We know if we catch cancer early in most cases we have much better outcomes."
The hospital has seen an increase in patients cancelling appointments and the breast clinic has reported a drop in referrals, even though its clinical services are still running.
If the trend continues it could mean thousands more early deaths from cancer, that could otherwise have been avoided.


news--2020-04-29--Coronavirus: Man jailed for beating police dog with plank of wood when asked if his journey was esse

Coronavirus: Man jailed for beating police dog with plank of wood when asked if his journey was essential

A man who attacked police officers and beat a police dog with a plank of wood after being asked if his journey was essential has been jailed .
Nelson Nelson , from Birmingham , struck the canine several times with a plank of wood with nails in it during the `` violent rampage '' earlier this month .
The 29-year-old also assaulted three officers in the frenzied attack , punching two in the face after he was refused travel at Nottingham railway station .
He was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after previously admitting offences including two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with intent to resist arrest and assaulting an emergency worker , Nottinghamshire Police said .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The incident took place on 4 April during lockdown when Nelson was stopped by British Transport Police ( BTP ) .
They asked him if his journey was definitely needed and he then became abusive and threatened to `` knock them out '' , according to the force .
He was refused travel and taken out of the station where he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ escape .
Two of the officers were knocked to the ground in the scuffle , with one becoming unconscious .
Nelson was then chased by the other officer and Nottinghamshire Police officers managed to find him before the attacker charged at an officer and punched him .
He then ran away , jumping over two fences close to Station Street where an officer and police dog Quantum were standing .
Nelson picked up a plank of wood with a nail and charged them , repeatedly striking the dog and cutting its chin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It is not the first time Quantum , a four-year-old Belgian malinois-German shepherd cross , has been injured in the line of duty .
Two years ago , he needed stitches after being stabbed .
Nelson , from Birmingham , admitted the assaults at Nottingham Magistrates ' Court on 6 April , as well as possessing an offensive weapon , having a knife and causing unnecessary suffering to Quantum .
He was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday .
Following sentencing , Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Craig Guildford said : `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are working hard to engage with the public to ensure that 'stay at home ' guidance is being followed have been subjected to a vicious and sustained assault .
`` The officers acted swiftly , bravely and decisively in assisting their British Transport Police colleagues and I 'm convinced PD Quantum prevented further serious injury to them or the public . ''
Chief Inspector Gareth Davies , from BTP , described the attack as a `` truly horrifying incident '' , adding : `` There is never an excuse for this sort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more shocking to think this violent rampage began after Nelson was simply asked if his journey was essential .
`` Thankfully , no one was more seriously injured , and Nelson will now have the next few years to reflect on his actions in prison . ''

A man who attacked police officers and beat a police dog with a plank of wood after being asked if his journey was essential has been jailed.
Nelson Nelson, from Birmingham, struck the canine several times with a plank of wood with nails in it during the "violent rampage" earlier this month.
The 29-year-old also assaulted three officers in the frenzied attack, punching two in the face after he was refused travel at Nottingham railway station.
He was sentenced to four years in prison on Monday after previously admitting offences including two counts of actual bodily harm, assault with intent to resist arrest and assaulting an emergency worker, Nottinghamshire Police said.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
The incident took place on 4 April during lockdown when Nelson was stopped by British Transport Police (BTP).
They asked him if his journey was definitely needed and he then became abusive and threatened to "knock them out", according to the force.
He was refused travel and taken out of the station where he assaulted three officers in his bid to escape.
Two of the officers were knocked to the ground in the scuffle, with one becoming unconscious.
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Nelson was then chased by the other officer and Nottinghamshire Police officers managed to find him before the attacker charged at an officer and punched him.
He then ran away, jumping over two fences close to Station Street where an officer and police dog Quantum were standing.
Nelson picked up a plank of wood with a nail and charged them, repeatedly striking the dog and cutting its chin.
A flick-knife was recovered during the incident.
Image: The attacks took place at Nottingham police station. Pic: Google Maps
It is not the first time Quantum, a four-year-old Belgian malinois-German shepherd cross, has been injured in the line of duty.
Two years ago, he needed stitches after being stabbed.
Nelson, from Birmingham, admitted the assaults at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 6 April, as well as possessing an offensive weapon, having a knife and causing unnecessary suffering to Quantum.
He was jailed at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday.
Following sentencing, Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: "This is a particularly nasty case where officers who are working hard to engage with the public to ensure that 'stay at home' guidance is being followed have been subjected to a vicious and sustained assault.
"The officers acted swiftly, bravely and decisively in assisting their British Transport Police colleagues and I'm convinced PD Quantum prevented further serious injury to them or the public."
Chief Inspector Gareth Davies, from BTP, described the attack as a "truly horrifying incident", adding: "There is never an excuse for this sort of behaviour, but it's all the more shocking to think this violent rampage began after Nelson was simply asked if his journey was essential.
"Thankfully, no one was more seriously injured, and Nelson will now have the next few years to reflect on his actions in prison."


news--2020-04-28--Coronavirus: Volunteer 'army' 3D-printing PPE for Israeli medics

As governments grapple with unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for healthcare workers , it is grassroots initiatives that are increasingly providing the answers and filling the gaps .
Among the most remarkable stories of ingenuity and drive is that of Yonatan Doron , a 31-year-old web developer from Israel .
`` I thought to myself well I know what I am good at and what I am bad at and I am good in communicating with people and I know how to make things happen , '' he told Sky News .
In just two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people across Israel .
Together they have manufactured and delivered 25,000 items of PPE directly to hospitals across the country using 3D printers and extraordinary logistics .
They are now taking orders from abroad and are manufacturing 1,000 items every day from scratch with no previous experience .
They are even able to modify their designs to the specifications of doctors and nurses .
`` I found myself - like a whole lot of people across the world - at my home with a new reality to wake up to ; with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with no routine , and with a wife who is an essential key worker , '' he explains .
It was while scrolling through Facebook that he came across a post called `` World versus Covid '' .
`` It was a shout out for maker communities all over the world to share knowledge and models of 3D printing to make it a world effort , '' he says .
`` I do n't even own a 3D printer !
But I immediately called my friends who do and very fast we found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We started to build a few face shields that we saw in open source communities online across the world .
We modified it to our version that we thought would be good .
And we provided maybe 20 or 30 pieces to people that we know . ''
Then , he explained , things went crazy .
`` My phone number got shared in a whole lot of WhatsApp groups of nurses , doctors and medical staff in Israel .
`` I was bombarded with phone calls and messages that I could n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He quickly realised that the demand was so huge across Israel that he needed to expand with the help of volunteers .
`` After a day or two , we pretty much built a cross-country operation , '' says Yonatan .
`` We have co-ordinators in the north , the south , the Jerusalem area and the central part of Israel . ''
He recruited Arbell Tamarie , a 27-year-old fifth-year medical student as his head of logistics .
`` In one day , I received over 15,000 requests from doctors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In just one day ! ''
Ms Tamarie tells Sky News .
`` I feel very proud to contribute to this situation as much as I can , especially as a medical student .
I know how important it is , '' she says .
The team mass-printed face shields using approved specifications openly available on the internet .
But Mr Doron and his team also created a modified clip to make face masks more comfortable for doctors and nurses who wear them for long shifts , as well as a tiny clip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released from bottles .
`` You can save 50 % in each press and when sanitiser is in short supply this can really be valuable , '' he explains .
`` In a few hours you can produce hundreds of these clips in a single printer . ''
￼Using word-of-mouth via social media , he mobilised people across the county ; some with 3D printers and others with logistical know-how .
Coronavirus infection and death rates are much lower in Israel compared with other countries but the government has still struggled with PPE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think this is how governments are built .
They are structured with all kinds of hierarchy and departments and there are issues of budgets and all this complex structure ... it can take weeks or months , '' Mr Doron says .
`` And what we are doing is cutting directly to the field where things happen to the people who need it .
`` We have no hierarchy , no structure .
We have a direct connection to the field ; to the people in the frontline .
They give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and what is good for them . ''
It is all non-profit with the finance coming purely from donations .
`` So we do n't have any motivation to keep it to ourselves , '' he says .
`` Whoever takes it , we will share our knowledge .
Any community leaders that would like to discuss and get feedback on our knowledge , they can feel free to reach out to me . ''

As governments grapple with unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers, it is grassroots initiatives that are increasingly providing the answers and filling the gaps.
Among the most remarkable stories of ingenuity and drive is that of Yonatan Doron, a 31-year-old web developer from Israel.
"I thought to myself well I know what I am good at and what I am bad at and I am good in communicating with people and I know how to make things happen," he told Sky News.
Image: Yonatan Doron has mobilised a team of hundreds across Israel
In just two weeks, he has mobilised more than 300 people across Israel.
Together they have manufactured and delivered 25,000 items of PPE directly to hospitals across the country using 3D printers and extraordinary logistics.
They are now taking orders from abroad and are manufacturing 1,000 items every day from scratch with no previous experience.
They are even able to modify their designs to the specifications of doctors and nurses.
"I found myself - like a whole lot of people across the world - at my home with a new reality to wake up to; with a daughter that is in the house, with no routine, and with a wife who is an essential key worker," he explains.
It was while scrolling through Facebook that he came across a post called "World versus Covid".
Advertisement
Image: The project has so far sent around 25,000 items of PPE to hospitals
"It was a shout out for maker communities all over the world to share knowledge and models of 3D printing to make it a world effort," he says.
"I don't even own a 3D printer! But I immediately called my friends who do and very fast we found ourselves in a crazy situation...
"We started to build a few face shields that we saw in open source communities online across the world. We modified it to our version that we thought would be good. And we provided maybe 20 or 30 pieces to people that we know."
Then, he explained, things went crazy.
Image: Teams across Israel are making 1,000 items of PPE every day using parts that are 3D-printed
"My phone number got shared in a whole lot of WhatsApp groups of nurses, doctors and medical staff in Israel.
"I was bombarded with phone calls and messages that I couldn't possibly have time to respond to."
He quickly realised that the demand was so huge across Israel that he needed to expand with the help of volunteers.
"After a day or two, we pretty much built a cross-country operation," says Yonatan.
"We have co-ordinators in the north, the south, the Jerusalem area and the central part of Israel."
He recruited Arbell Tamarie, a 27-year-old fifth-year medical student as his head of logistics.
"In one day, I received over 15,000 requests from doctors and medical teams all around the country. In just one day!" Ms Tamarie tells Sky News.
Image: Arbell Tamarie says she had 15,000 requests from medics in just one day
"I feel very proud to contribute to this situation as much as I can, especially as a medical student. I know how important it is," she says.
The team mass-printed face shields using approved specifications openly available on the internet.
But Mr Doron and his team also created a modified clip to make face masks more comfortable for doctors and nurses who wear them for long shifts, as well as a tiny clip which reduces the amount of hand sanitiser released from bottles.
"You can save 50% in each press and when sanitiser is in short supply this can really be valuable," he explains.
Image: This simple clip save sanitiser by halving the amount that's dispensed
"In a few hours you can produce hundreds of these clips in a single printer."
￼Using word-of-mouth via social media, he mobilised people across the county; some with 3D printers and others with logistical know-how.
Coronavirus infection and death rates are much lower in Israel compared with other countries but the government has still struggled with PPE delivery because of the global shortage.
"I think this is how governments are built. They are structured with all kinds of hierarchy and departments and there are issues of budgets and all this complex structure... it can take weeks or months," Mr Doron says.
Image: Israel's infection rate is comparatively low but it has still struggled with PPE
"And what we are doing is cutting directly to the field where things happen to the people who need it.
"We have no hierarchy, no structure. We have a direct connection to the field; to the people in the frontline. They give us immediate feedback to what they want and what is good for them."
It is all non-profit with the finance coming purely from donations.
"So we don't have any motivation to keep it to ourselves," he says.
"Whoever takes it, we will share our knowledge. Any community leaders that would like to discuss and get feedback on our knowledge, they can feel free to reach out to me."


news--2020-04-29--Mile-wide asteroid skims past Earth at 19,000mph

A mile-wide asteroid officially classed as a `` potentially hazardous object '' has just skimmed past Earth .
Known as ( 52768 ) 1998 OR2 , the asteroid zoomed past at around 19,000mph , making its closest approach at approximately 10.56am this morning .
During this flypast it was just under four million miles away - 16 times the distance between the Earth and the moon .
Despite its official classification , scientists said the asteroid would n't actually put the planet at risk .
They explained that any asteroid larger than 500ft and within five million miles of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hazardous '' .
However , NASA has warned that it is time to take the threat of an Earth-destroying asteroid seriously .
A scientific study released last year poured cold water on the cinematic theory that humans could simply blow up an asteroid on a collision course with Earth , and found that blasted away fragments from the asteroid would be likely to reform with it because of gravity .
Fortunately for us , this has n't been the case with 1998 OR2 .
Dr Brad Tucker , an astrophysicist at the Australian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asteroid poses no danger to the Earth and will not hit - it is one catastrophe we wo n't have .
`` While it is big , it is still smaller than the asteroid that impacted the Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs . ''
Dr Anne Virkki , head of Planetary Radar at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico - which has also captured an image of the 1.2-mile wide space rock - has been tracking the asteroid .
Her team , which began observations of the the object on 13 April @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggested the asteroid was wearing a mask .
Dr Virkki said : `` The small-scale topographic features such as hills and ridges on one end of asteroid 1998 OR2 are fascinating scientifically .
`` But , since we are all thinking about COVID-19 , these features make it look like 1998 OR2 remembered to wear a mask . ''
The asteroid is not expected to approach Earth again for another 49 years , although scientists will continue to monitor it .
Flaviane Venditti , a research scientist at the Arecibo observatory , said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know more precisely where the asteroid will be in the future , including its future close approaches to Earth .
`` In 2079 , asteroid 1998 OR2 will pass Earth about 3.5 times closer than it will this year , so it is important to know its orbit precisely . ''

A mile-wide asteroid officially classed as a "potentially hazardous object" has just skimmed past Earth.
Known as (52768) 1998 OR2, the asteroid zoomed past at around 19,000mph, making its closest approach at approximately 10.56am this morning.
During this flypast it was just under four million miles away - 16 times the distance between the Earth and the moon.
Despite its official classification, scientists said the asteroid wouldn't actually put the planet at risk.
They explained that any asteroid larger than 500ft and within five million miles of the Earth's orbit is called "potentially hazardous".
However, NASA has warned that it is time to take the threat of an Earth-destroying asteroid seriously.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:12 Asteroid would reinform if we tried to destroy it
A scientific study released last year poured cold water on the cinematic theory that humans could simply blow up an asteroid on a collision course with Earth, and found that blasted away fragments from the asteroid would be likely to reform with it because of gravity.
Fortunately for us, this hasn't been the case with 1998 OR2.
Dr Brad Tucker, an astrophysicist at the Australian National University, said: "This asteroid poses no danger to the Earth and will not hit - it is one catastrophe we won't have.
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"While it is big, it is still smaller than the asteroid that impacted the Earth and wiped out the dinosaurs."
Dr Anne Virkki, head of Planetary Radar at the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico - which has also captured an image of the 1.2-mile wide space rock - has been tracking the asteroid.
Her team, which began observations of the the object on 13 April, joked that its most recent pictures suggested the asteroid was wearing a mask.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:26 Japanese probe lands on asteroid
Dr Virkki said: "The small-scale topographic features such as hills and ridges on one end of asteroid 1998 OR2 are fascinating scientifically.
"But, since we are all thinking about COVID-19, these features make it look like 1998 OR2 remembered to wear a mask."
The asteroid is not expected to approach Earth again for another 49 years, although scientists will continue to monitor it.
Flaviane Venditti, a research scientist at the Arecibo observatory, said: "The radar measurements allow us to know more precisely where the asteroid will be in the future, including its future close approaches to Earth.
"In 2079, asteroid 1998 OR2 will pass Earth about 3.5 times closer than it will this year, so it is important to know its orbit precisely."


news--2020-04-29--David Gomoh: Search for stolen car used by killers of NHS worker in east London

A stolen car used by the killers of an NHS worker seconds from his east London home is being hunted by police .
David Gomoh , 24 , was stabbed to death in what police called a `` totally unprovoked attack '' in Freemasons Road , Newham , just before 10.30pm on Sunday by masked attackers .
A key worker who was keeping NHS staff supplied with essential equipment , Mr Gomoh 's mother is a labour ward matron at Newham University Hospital and his father had died from cardiac arrest after contracting COVID-19 in early April .
Investigators are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silver Dodge Caliber found abandoned minutes after the stabbing , half a mile away in Lincoln Road , Plaistow .
It had cloned number plates and was seen being driven through a no entry sign from Cumberland Road .
The car was stolen in Dagenham on 16 April and was distinctive as it had a temporary front wheel on the passenger side .
Detectives said Mr Gomoh was not involved in any arguments and there is nothing in his background which gives any reason for why he was singled out .
He was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friend when he was stabbed .
Mr Gomoh 's father 's funeral had been due to take place today .
An appeal has been set up on GoFundMe to help the family with funeral costs .
Anyone with information should call police on 0208 345 3985 quoting CAD 8371/26APR or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online .

A stolen car used by the killers of an NHS worker seconds from his east London home is being hunted by police.
David Gomoh, 24, was stabbed to death in what police called a "totally unprovoked attack" in Freemasons Road, Newham, just before 10.30pm on Sunday by masked attackers.
A key worker who was keeping NHS staff supplied with essential equipment, Mr Gomoh's mother is a labour ward matron at Newham University Hospital and his father had died from cardiac arrest after contracting COVID-19 in early April.
Image: David Gomoh was murdered just days before his father's funeral. Pic: Met Police
Investigators are now looking for witnesses who saw a silver Dodge Caliber found abandoned minutes after the stabbing, half a mile away in Lincoln Road, Plaistow.
It had cloned number plates and was seen being driven through a no entry sign from Cumberland Road.
The car was stolen in Dagenham on 16 April and was distinctive as it had a temporary front wheel on the passenger side.
Detectives said Mr Gomoh was not involved in any arguments and there is nothing in his background which gives any reason for why he was singled out.
He was talking on the phone to a female friend when he was stabbed.
Mr Gomoh's father's funeral had been due to take place today.
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An appeal has been set up on GoFundMe to help the family with funeral costs.
Anyone with information should call police on 0208 345 3985 quoting CAD 8371/26APR or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online.


news--2020-06-01--After The Pandemic: Why COVID-19 has made me more optimistic we can tackle the climate crisis

Mary Robinson is a former President of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner .
She is chair of The Elders , an independent group of global leaders working together for peace , justice and human rights .
Here , she writes about how the coronavirus pandemic proves it is possible for human behaviour to change .
2020 was set to be a significant year for global climate action , but the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in all walks of life .
It has affected lives , livelihoods and it has exacerbated inequalities .
With the postponement of the pivotal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of so many other linchpin events in 2020 , at first it might seem as though there is no hope of achieving the kind of climate action needed .
Yet , the pandemic has also shown that the international community can come together when the need arises .
It has demonstrated that it is possible for human behaviour to change at pace on a global scale .
While COVID-19 has intensified prevailing inequalities , these issues are all parallel to those with which we must grapple to overcome the climate crisis too .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ dejected , we lacked any sign of the kind of leadership needed to meet the climate commitments .
Now , however , the response to the coronavirus by ordinary people - who have reflected with empathy on how their actions impact those on the front lines of the crisis - has given me more optimism for the future .
Government also matters .
I am encouraged by the way women who are leading countries - such as Germany , Norway , Denmark , Finland , Iceland , New Zealand and Taiwan - have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly , and then bring their people with them on the steps to be taken .
It is imperative that the recovery from COVID-19 is completely aligned with addressing the urgency of the climate crisis .
We need to listen to the young people , to climate-vulnerable states , to indigenous peoples , to women , to the scientists , to environmental defenders , and we need to ensure the global community is supportive of their needs , including action on the provision of climate finance .
Furthermore , a postponement of COP26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on climate action .
We must avoid at all costs returning to `` business as usual '' in our COVID-19 recovery , we must oppose any attempts to lock in high-carbon and unsustainable development through recovery packages .
Leaders must ensure that climate-positive policies and investments lie at the very heart of COVID-19 response measures and stimulus packages The pandemic has shown us how crucial international collaboration is to tackle global crises , it has also exemplified the inextricable links between public health and planetary health .
Health professionals and scientists are telling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to cope with the existential threat of the climate emergency .
Some individual country responses to the COVID pandemic have also demonstrated the dangers of sidelining the science - it has given us a glimpse of the human cost .
Scientific convergence of opinion on what is needed to fight climate change is so strong that any failure to urgently act now , even in the face of other crises , would be a grave injustice to our children and future generations .
Whilst we need to acknowledge that governments and people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this devastating health crisis , as we start looking to the future we must advocate for climate justice and resilience .
The only sustainable solutions to both the coronavirus pandemic and to the exigent global climate crisis are ones where the world works together .
With the multiple threats facing our world I 've learned from former Chair of The Elders , Archbishop Desmond Tutu , to be a `` prisoner of hope '' , a wonderful expression that he uses .
However , with this looming climate crisis hope is not enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now is the time to act .
This week Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Mary Robinson is a former President of Ireland and UN Human Rights Commissioner.
She is chair of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working together for peace, justice and human rights.
Here, she writes about how the coronavirus pandemic proves it is possible for human behaviour to change.
Image: Mary Robinson at the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 in Madrid in December 2019
2020 was set to be a significant year for global climate action, but the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruption in all walks of life.
It has affected lives, livelihoods and it has exacerbated inequalities.
With the postponement of the pivotal COP26 climate summit, and the derailment of so many other linchpin events in 2020, at first it might seem as though there is no hope of achieving the kind of climate action needed.
Yet, the pandemic has also shown that the international community can come together when the need arises.
It has demonstrated that it is possible for human behaviour to change at pace on a global scale.
While COVID-19 has intensified prevailing inequalities, these issues are all parallel to those with which we must grapple to overcome the climate crisis too.
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At the start of 2020 I was dejected, we lacked any sign of the kind of leadership needed to meet the climate commitments.
Now, however, the response to the coronavirus by ordinary people - who have reflected with empathy on how their actions impact those on the front lines of the crisis - has given me more optimism for the future.
Government also matters. I am encouraged by the way women who are leading countries - such as Germany, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, New Zealand and Taiwan - have been able to both take tough decisions quickly, and then bring their people with them on the steps to be taken.
It is imperative that the recovery from COVID-19 is completely aligned with addressing the urgency of the climate crisis.
We need to listen to the young people, to climate-vulnerable states, to indigenous peoples, to women, to the scientists, to environmental defenders, and we need to ensure the global community is supportive of their needs, including action on the provision of climate finance.
Furthermore, a postponement of COP26 cannot be reflected in a delay on climate action.
We must avoid at all costs returning to "business as usual" in our COVID-19 recovery, we must oppose any attempts to lock in high-carbon and unsustainable development through recovery packages.
Leaders must ensure that climate-positive policies and investments lie at the very heart of COVID-19 response measures and stimulus packages
Image: CO2 emissions at the peak of the global shutdown fell by 17%.
The pandemic has shown us how crucial international collaboration is to tackle global crises, it has also exemplified the inextricable links between public health and planetary health.
Health professionals and scientists are telling us that health systems are not resilient enough to cope with the existential threat of the climate emergency.
Some individual country responses to the COVID pandemic have also demonstrated the dangers of sidelining the science - it has given us a glimpse of the human cost.
Scientific convergence of opinion on what is needed to fight climate change is so strong that any failure to urgently act now, even in the face of other crises, would be a grave injustice to our children and future generations.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:29 Air pollution has plummeted over China and Italy due to the coronavirus lockdowns, the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service's computer models show
Whilst we need to acknowledge that governments and people around the world are still dealing with this devastating health crisis, as we start looking to the future we must advocate for climate justice and resilience.
The only sustainable solutions to both the coronavirus pandemic and to the exigent global climate crisis are ones where the world works together.
With the multiple threats facing our world I've learned from former Chair of The Elders, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, to be a "prisoner of hope", a wonderful expression that he uses.
However, with this looming climate crisis hope is not enough unless we accompany that hope with action.
Now is the time to act.
This week Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After the Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-06-01--Coronavirus: End of remote voting could see MPs form 1km-long queue in parliament

MPs have criticised the government 's decision to scrap parliament 's virtual proceedings on their return to Westminster - with suggestions it could force them to form a one kilometre-long queue when voting in the House of Commons .
On Tuesday , MPs are set to return to parliament after their Whitsun recess but will no longer use the `` hybrid '' system for debates they used prior to their break .
That system permitted only a maximum of 50 MPs to enter the Commons chamber in person , while up to 120 could join debates remotely via the Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to now end those arrangements and revert to the chamber 's traditional proceedings .
The government tabled a motion on Monday to lay out the requirements for a new voting system to replace the remote voting that was permitted last month .
Ministers want MPs to revert to voting in person , albeit in a way that is compliant with Public Health England ( PHE ) guidelines on social distancing .
MPs are expected to be asked to vote on the plans on Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Commons procedure committee predicted that if 400 out of 650 MPs took part in a vote , it could mean a socially distanced queue for a division as long as 800 metres if all those MPs wanting to vote joined at once .
It has been suggested such a queue could snake throughout the parliamentary estate .
Labour MP Chris Bryant , who unsuccessfully stood for election as Commons Speaker last year , predicted - if all 650 MPs were required to vote - then the socially distanced queue could be 1.3km @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is safe , '' he said .
`` It 's utterly , utterly preposterous .
Why are we so , so hidebound that we can not adapt to an international global pandemic and a national crisis ?
`` This parliament should be the best at adapting , not the worst . ''
Mr Bryant also expressed fears that those MPs who are still being advised to `` shield '' themselves during the coronavirus crisis will now no longer be able to take part in Commons proceedings .
`` That disenfranchises lots and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the land , '' he added .
Tory MP Robert Halfon , the chair of the Commons education committee , has previously warned of an `` apartheid parliament '' if virtual proceedings are ended .
Mr Halfon , who has a form of cerebral palsy and is currently shielding , told The House magazine : `` It is not a parliament for survival of the fittest , it 's a parliament for everybody . ''
Ellie Reeves , Labour 's shadow solicitor general , said she had obtained `` urgent legal advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classed as regular employees - the return of parliament 's normal proceedings `` would likely amount to discrimination on grounds of disability , age , sex and/or pregnancy under the Equality Act '' .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker In an article for PoliticsHome on Monday , Mr Rees-Mogg said the virtual parliament proceedings had `` brought us through the peak of the pandemic but it is no longer necessary to make the compromises it demanded '' .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
The cabinet minister continued : `` For those MPs with underlying health conditions who have been told to shield or are receiving specific government advice about their health , the government is working with the House authorities to see how they can continue to contribute to proceedings within the House .
`` This situation will remain under review while the views of others , including the procedure committee , will be sought . ''
Responding to Mr Rees-Mogg 's article , Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone told the Commons Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my wife .
You 're asking me to choose between the health of my family and abiding by your poxy stubbornness .
`` I choose to fulfill my duties as a husband and family man . ''
By contrast to the Commons , the House of Lords is developing a new online voting system for peers which is expected to be ready by the middle of the month .
`` We 're developing rapidly a brand new , secure online voting system for the House of Lords , '' a spokesman said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the touch of a smartphone screen or on a laptop or other device . ''
This week from today to Thursday , Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After The Pandemic : Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over .
We 'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture , politics , economics , science and technology .
And you can take part too .
If you 'd like to be in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home - and put questions to the experts , email afterthepandemic @ sky.uk

MPs have criticised the government's decision to scrap parliament's virtual proceedings on their return to Westminster - with suggestions it could force them to form a one kilometre-long queue when voting in the House of Commons.
On Tuesday, MPs are set to return to parliament after their Whitsun recess but will no longer use the "hybrid" system for debates they used prior to their break.
That system permitted only a maximum of 50 MPs to enter the Commons chamber in person, while up to 120 could join debates remotely via the Zoom video conferencing app.
Image: Parliaments 'hybrid' proceedings have been ended Pic: UK Parliament/ Jessica Taylor
However, Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg wants to now end those arrangements and revert to the chamber's traditional proceedings.
The government tabled a motion on Monday to lay out the requirements for a new voting system to replace the remote voting that was permitted last month.
Ministers want MPs to revert to voting in person, albeit in a way that is compliant with Public Health England (PHE) guidelines on social distancing.
MPs are expected to be asked to vote on the plans on Tuesday.
In a new report, the House of Commons procedure committee predicted that if 400 out of 650 MPs took part in a vote, it could mean a socially distanced queue for a division as long as 800 metres if all those MPs wanting to vote joined at once.
It has been suggested such a queue could snake throughout the parliamentary estate.
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Labour MP Chris Bryant, who unsuccessfully stood for election as Commons Speaker last year, predicted - if all 650 MPs were required to vote - then the socially distanced queue could be 1.3km long.
"There's no way that is safe," he said.
"It's utterly, utterly preposterous. Why are we so, so hidebound that we cannot adapt to an international global pandemic and a national crisis?
"This parliament should be the best at adapting, not the worst."
Image: Jacob Rees-Mogg said the Commons could 'do so much better' Pic: UK Parliament/ Jessica Taylor
Mr Bryant also expressed fears that those MPs who are still being advised to "shield" themselves during the coronavirus crisis will now no longer be able to take part in Commons proceedings.
"That disenfranchises lots and lots of constituencies and communities up and down the land," he added.
Tory MP Robert Halfon, the chair of the Commons education committee, has previously warned of an "apartheid parliament" if virtual proceedings are ended.
Mr Halfon, who has a form of cerebral palsy and is currently shielding, told The House magazine: "It is not a parliament for survival of the fittest, it's a parliament for everybody."
Ellie Reeves, Labour's shadow solicitor general, said she had obtained "urgent legal advice" that showed - if MPs were classed as regular employees - the return of parliament's normal proceedings "would likely amount to discrimination on grounds of disability, age, sex and/or pregnancy under the Equality Act".
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:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
In an article for PoliticsHome on Monday, Mr Rees-Mogg said the virtual parliament proceedings had "brought us through the peak of the pandemic but it is no longer necessary to make the compromises it demanded".
"We can do so much better," he added.
The cabinet minister continued: "For those MPs with underlying health conditions who have been told to shield or are receiving specific government advice about their health, the government is working with the House authorities to see how they can continue to contribute to proceedings within the House.
"This situation will remain under review while the views of others, including the procedure committee, will be sought."
Responding to Mr Rees-Mogg's article, Lib Dem MP Jamie Stone told the Commons Leader: "I'm a carer for my wife. You're asking me to choose between the health of my family and abiding by your poxy stubbornness.
"I choose to fulfill my duties as a husband and family man."
By contrast to the Commons, the House of Lords is developing a new online voting system for peers which is expected to be ready by the middle of the month.
"We're developing rapidly a brand new, secure online voting system for the House of Lords," a spokesman said.
"Peers will be able to vote at the touch of a smartphone screen or on a laptop or other device."
This week from today to Thursday, Dermot Murnaghan will be hosting After The Pandemic: Our New World - a series of special live programmes about what our world will be like once the pandemic is over.
We'll be joined by some of the biggest names from the worlds of culture, politics, economics, science and technology. And you can take part too.
If you'd like to be in our virtual audience - from your own home - and put questions to the experts, email afterthepandemic@sky.uk


news--2020-06-01--Heathrow investor in Glide towards £200m student broadband firm

A giant American infrastructure fund is placing a bet on growing demand for high-speed internet services among Britain 's student population by striking a deal to buy a leading player in the sector .
Sky News has learnt that Connecticut-based Alinda Capital Partners has agreed to buy Glide Group , which provides fibre broadband to approximately 700 student halls of residence around the country .
Sources said the deal , which is expected to be announced this week , was an early signal of international investors ' willingness to put money to work in the UK , even as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turbulence because of the coronavirus outbreak .
It is understood to value Glide at somewhere in the region of £200m .
Ares , the specialist lender , is understood to have agreed to help finance the takeover by Alinda , which counts a stake in London 's Heathrow Airport among its portfolio of investments .
Glide , which is run by chief executive Tim Pilcher , also supplies fast broadband to build-to-rent apartment buildings and about 600 business parks around the UK .
The company is a leader in the use of BT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services .
Glide , which previously traded as CableCom , was bought by Inflexion in 2013 .
It also operates in European countries including Ireland , Italy and Spain .
One source close to the lenders described it as `` a very good outcome '' for Inflexion in the current environment .
The deal comes at a time of significant corporate activity among fast-fibre broadband providers , with TalkTalk having sold its FibreNation arm to CityFibre Holdings and a number of other operators seeking investment .
Inflexion could not be reached for comment @ @ @ @

A giant American infrastructure fund is placing a bet on growing demand for high-speed internet services among Britain's student population by striking a deal to buy a leading player in the sector.
Sky News has learnt that Connecticut-based Alinda Capital Partners has agreed to buy Glide Group, which provides fibre broadband to approximately 700 student halls of residence around the country.
Sources said the deal, which is expected to be announced this week, was an early signal of international investors' willingness to put money to work in the UK, even as the economy braces for a protracted period of turbulence because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Image: Tim Pilcher is the chief executive of Glide
It is understood to value Glide at somewhere in the region of £200m.
Ares, the specialist lender, is understood to have agreed to help finance the takeover by Alinda, which counts a stake in London's Heathrow Airport among its portfolio of investments.
Glide, which is run by chief executive Tim Pilcher, also supplies fast broadband to build-to-rent apartment buildings and about 600 business parks around the UK.
The company is a leader in the use of BT Group's duct infrastructure to provide communications services.
Glide, which previously traded as CableCom, was bought by Inflexion in 2013.
It also operates in European countries including Ireland, Italy and Spain.
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One source close to the lenders described it as "a very good outcome" for Inflexion in the current environment.
The deal comes at a time of significant corporate activity among fast-fibre broadband providers, with TalkTalk having sold its FibreNation arm to CityFibre Holdings and a number of other operators seeking investment.
Inflexion could not be reached for comment on Monday morning.


news--2020-06-01--Metropolitan Police officer 'asked revenge porn victim to send him naked photos'

A Metropolitan Police officer is facing the sack over allegations he asked a revenge porn victim to send him naked pictures of herself .
PC Kevin Mohess is accused of going to the home of the woman while on duty on 30 October 2018 , so that she could report claims that nude and intimate photos of her were being shared on social media without her permission .
He is then alleged to have approached her on social media between 15 November and 18 December that year to suggest they meet for a drink - and asked her to send @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referred to as `` Mrs X '' - is said to have recognised PC Mohess as the officer she reported the crime to when he allegedly contacted her online .
PC Mohess , based at the Met 's north east command unit , is now facing a private hearing for accusations that he breached standards of professional behaviour - and of gross misconduct .
According to a notice published on Monday , the officer must answer allegations that he `` used confidential information obtained in his role as a police officer to encourage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pictures of herself '' .
It continues : `` It is alleged that in acting in this way , PC Mohess breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of 'authority , respect and courtesy , confidentiality and discreditable conduct ' . ''
PC Mohess faces the sack if the allegations are proven after the three-day hearing , which starts on Wednesday .
The Met said it will be held in private `` due to the current COVID-19 pandemic '' , but that a `` full outcome decision notice '' will be published @

A Metropolitan Police officer is facing the sack over allegations he asked a revenge porn victim to send him naked pictures of herself.
PC Kevin Mohess is accused of going to the home of the woman while on duty on 30 October 2018, so that she could report claims that nude and intimate photos of her were being shared on social media without her permission.
He is then alleged to have approached her on social media between 15 November and 18 December that year to suggest they meet for a drink - and asked her to send him explicit pictures.
Image: A three-day hearing will begin on Wednesday
The woman - referred to as "Mrs X" - is said to have recognised PC Mohess as the officer she reported the crime to when he allegedly contacted her online.
PC Mohess, based at the Met's north east command unit, is now facing a private hearing for accusations that he breached standards of professional behaviour - and of gross misconduct.
According to a notice published on Monday, the officer must answer allegations that he "used confidential information obtained in his role as a police officer to encourage the victim to send nude and intimate pictures of herself".
It continues: "It is alleged that in acting in this way, PC Mohess breached the standards of professional behaviour in respect of 'authority, respect and courtesy, confidentiality and discreditable conduct'."
PC Mohess faces the sack if the allegations are proven after the three-day hearing, which starts on Wednesday.
The Met said it will be held in private "due to the current COVID-19 pandemic", but that a "full outcome decision notice" will be published.