inews--2020-05-08--Coronavirus and dating: Casual sex is out as lockdown forces singletons to embrace emotional intimac

Coronavirus and dating: Casual sex is out as lockdown forces singletons to embrace emotional intimacy

Coronavirus and dating : Casual sex is out as lockdown forces singletons to embrace emotional intimacy On virtual dates , you have to really listen and really react On a smartphone screen Rob ( not his real name ) looked good .
Twenty-four years old , classically handsome , with a job on Wall Street , he was an attractive prospect on dating apps .
Shepherding women from bar to bedroom was easy .
Sex was on tap .
Then , in March , Covid-19 struck New York City and shut off the mains .
But many more are looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are trying to recreate old formats online .
In Lagos , professionals host virtual games nights for the unattached .
In China , people dance the night away at “ internet discos ” , before peeling off into message boards to chat privately .
Tinder 's looking to jump on the current trend for video chatting ( Photo : Getty ) Nearly 240 million people use dating apps and websites .
Even before the pandemic American couples were more likely to meet each other through online-dating services than through personal contacts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by sociologists from Stanford University and the University of New Mexico .
Such apps are increasingly popular in poor countries , too , especially where dating is frowned upon .
In Bangladesh and Egypt singletons have flocked to apps such as Tinder .
And would-be Romeos and Juliets are using them more intensely than they were before Covid-19 struck .
In April , the average number of messages sent daily across Match products , including OkCupid , Tinder , PlentyOfFish , Hinge and Match.com , was up by 27 per cent compared with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the worst week of China ’ s epidemic , in late February , the average user of Tantan , a Chinese app , spent 30 per cent longer on the app than normal .
Before the pandemic , online daters complained about the fickleness of their peers .
Many failed to initiate conversations with those they were matched with ; if they did , the other party soon disappeared , according to Dawoon Kang of the app Coffee Meets Bagel .
But Covid-19 has rendered users less flighty .
Between late February and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conversation on Tinder , one of the most popular apps , surged by 25 per cent .
“ People are taking the time to get to know each other , ” says Ms Kang , who has seen a similar shift on Coffee Meets Bagel .
Would-be Romeos and Juliets are using dating apps more intensely than they were before Covid-19 struck ( Photo : Mark Makela/Getty ) In Bangladesh , the daily video calls Shenaz has with her boyfriend , whom she met on Tinder five months ago , last for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drift apart during lockdown , but knowing that she can not meet someone new “ has made me commit to this relationship ” more than she did before .
( She is luckier than some .
Saeda Bani of brac , a Bangladeshi NGO , says men from poor families are commandeering the mobile phones of female relatives , younger ones in particular , to stop them from spending money on phone credit or talking to strange men . )
The pandemic has also made singletons more willing to show their faces .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the webcam .
Video-conferencing was “ a business thing ” , says Mike , a 28-year-old Bumble user from Perth ; using it for dating seemed creepy .
Just 6 per cent of American singles said they were likely to have used video to meet people before the pandemic , according to a poll of Match users conducted in mid-April .
But Zoom chats with friends and family have become routine in the age of Covid-19 .
Seventy per cent of American singles surveyed by Match said they would now use video .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ July , reported an 84 per cent increase in the number of video calls between the third and fourth weeks of March .
Hinge , The League and Match added video last month .
Facebook Dating and Tinder plan to do so , too .
And people are surprisingly willing to bare their souls on video dates .
At home there are fewer distractions to nudge along a dull conversation than there would be at a restaurant enlivened by a bickering couple .
Mike realised that the only way to avoid the dreaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dates was to “ really listen , really react and go deep into what we ’ re talking about.
” The result is that “ you end up really investing in each other ” .
Such dates weed out those unable to make conversation , points out Abigail Arunga , a journalist in Nairobi .
These shifts reveal a desire for companionship , argues Ms DeAlto .
They also highlight the unease felt by some with the rush of romance pre-Covid .
Merav Gur , a psychologist in Manhattan , says that before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure to have casual sex .
The more anxious shunned dating altogether .
More confident millennials like Rob , the banker , threw themselves headlong into hook-up culture but it left them dissatisfied.Isolation has improved their emotional lives , says Ms Gur .
Those who felt hurt by the casualness of dating apps say the people they are meeting now are kinder and more responsive than before the pandemic .
App users surveyed in March by the Kinsey Institute at the University of Indiana “ were more likely to say that they found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more willing to have video chats , and more willing to have deep conversations ” than before the pandemic , says Dr Justin Lehmiller , one of the study ’ s authors .
Where lockdowns lift , the old ways are returning .
In Beijing , which is slowly reopening , parks are filling up with strolling couples and restaurants are busy serving tables for two .
In Iran , which has allowed cars back on the streets , a teacher says that he has registered as a driver on one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping to meet women .
But Ms DeAlto predicts that until people need no longer worry about Covid-19 , most singletons will be wary of close contact with potential mates .
Almost all OkCupid users polled since March say they plan to continue using video .
The virtual date may outlast the pandemic .

On a smartphone screen Rob (not his real name) looked good. Twenty-four years old, classically handsome, with a job on Wall Street, he was an attractive prospect on dating apps. Shepherding women from bar to bedroom was easy. Sex was on tap. Then, in March, Covid-19 struck New York City and shut off the mains.
It is a frustrating time to be single. Social distancing makes meeting in the flesh hard. Some people are still trying. In socially conservative Bangladesh, where cohabitation is rare, couples rushed to get married before lockdown started. In Italy, lovers rendezvous in supermarket queues.
But many more are looking for love on the internet. Some people are trying to recreate old formats online. In Lagos, professionals host virtual games nights for the unattached. In China, people dance the night away at “internet discos”, before peeling off into message boards to chat privately.
But others are embracing a new set-up: the virtual date. And the solitude of lockdown is making them reconsider what they want from romantic relationships.
Love takes time in age of Covid-19
Nearly 240 million people use dating apps and websites. Even before the pandemic American couples were more likely to meet each other through online-dating services than through personal contacts, according to a study published in 2019 by sociologists from Stanford University and the University of New Mexico. Such apps are increasingly popular in poor countries, too, especially where dating is frowned upon. In Bangladesh and Egypt singletons have flocked to apps such as Tinder.
Dating apps are designed to push users off their phones and into bars – a less-than-ideal model in the middle of a pandemic. But user numbers for the five most popular online dating services have held steady this year, according to App Annie, a market-research firm.
And would-be Romeos and Juliets are using them more intensely than they were before Covid-19 struck. In April, the average number of messages sent daily across Match products, including OkCupid, Tinder, PlentyOfFish, Hinge and Match.com, was up by 27 per cent compared with the last week of February. During the worst week of China’s epidemic, in late February, the average user of Tantan, a Chinese app, spent 30 per cent longer on the app than normal.
Before the pandemic, online daters complained about the fickleness of their peers. Many failed to initiate conversations with those they were matched with; if they did, the other party soon disappeared, according to Dawoon Kang of the app Coffee Meets Bagel.
The ease with which users could make connections encouraged them to treat matches as if they were “replaceable”, argues Rachel DeAlto, a relationships expert from Match, one of the first dating websites. This stoked frustration; last October, 45 per cent of American users told researchers Pew that online dating was vexing.
But Covid-19 has rendered users less flighty. Between late February and late March, the average length of a conversation on Tinder, one of the most popular apps, surged by 25 per cent. “People are taking the time to get to know each other,” says Ms Kang, who has seen a similar shift on Coffee Meets Bagel.
Zoom chat routine
In Bangladesh, the daily video calls Shenaz has with her boyfriend, whom she met on Tinder five months ago, last for hours. She was worried they would drift apart during lockdown, but knowing that she cannot meet someone new “has made me commit to this relationship” more than she did before. (She is luckier than some. Saeda Bani of brac, a Bangladeshi NGO, says men from poor families are commandeering the mobile phones of female relatives, younger ones in particular, to stop them from spending money on phone credit or talking to strange men.)
The pandemic has also made singletons more willing to show their faces. Before it, they rarely turned on the webcam. Video-conferencing was “a business thing”, says Mike, a 28-year-old Bumble user from Perth; using it for dating seemed creepy. Just 6 per cent of American singles said they were likely to have used video to meet people before the pandemic, according to a poll of Match users conducted in mid-April.
But Zoom chats with friends and family have become routine in the age of Covid-19. Seventy per cent of American singles surveyed by Match said they would now use video. Bumble, which introduced video chat last July, reported an 84 per cent increase in the number of video calls between the third and fourth weeks of March. Hinge, The League and Match added video last month. Facebook Dating and Tinder plan to do so, too.
And people are surprisingly willing to bare their souls on video dates. At home there are fewer distractions to nudge along a dull conversation than there would be at a restaurant enlivened by a bickering couple. Mike realised that the only way to avoid the dreaded “awkward pause” during his virtual dates was to “really listen, really react and go deep into what we’re talking about.” The result is that “you end up really investing in each other”. Such dates weed out those unable to make conversation, points out Abigail Arunga, a journalist in Nairobi.
These shifts reveal a desire for companionship, argues Ms DeAlto. They also highlight the unease felt by some with the rush of romance pre-Covid. Merav Gur, a psychologist in Manhattan, says that before the pandemic, her millennial patients felt pressure to have casual sex. The more anxious shunned dating altogether. More confident millennials like Rob, the banker, threw themselves headlong into hook-up culture but it left them dissatisfied.
Isolation has improved their emotional lives, says Ms Gur. Those who felt hurt by the casualness of dating apps say the people they are meeting now are kinder and more responsive than before the pandemic. App users surveyed in March by the Kinsey Institute at the University of Indiana “were more likely to say that they found other users to be friendlier than usual, more willing to have video chats, and more willing to have deep conversations” than before the pandemic, says Dr Justin Lehmiller, one of the study’s authors.
Where lockdowns lift, the old ways are returning. In Beijing, which is slowly reopening, parks are filling up with strolling couples and restaurants are busy serving tables for two. In Iran, which has allowed cars back on the streets, a teacher says that he has registered as a driver on one of the country’s ride-hailing apps, hoping to meet women. But Ms DeAlto predicts that until people need no longer worry about Covid-19, most singletons will be wary of close contact with potential mates. Almost all OkCupid users polled since March say they plan to continue using video. The virtual date may outlast the pandemic.
© THE ECONOMIST 2020


inews--2020-05-08--Coronavirus lockdown: 'There is not enough time in the day for lessons and work'

Coronavirus lockdown : 'There is not enough time in the day for lessons and work' For now , we are cherishing the fact that it ’ s a bank holiday , so there is no work for either of us 'One thing this homeschool lockdown has taught me is that lesson planning is an art ' ( Photo : Brendon Thorne/Getty ) After a shaky start getting used to balancing my work and her lessons , we might be getting into some sort of routine .
Both of my parents are retired teachers , but a natural ability to educate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is clearly not hereditary .
Last week one of her teachers called her to check on her progress , and I could hear the enthusiasm down the phone .
It made me realise that I need to up my game and make lessons more fun .
Sitting her down in front of a sheet of tasks while I work seems unfair .
One thing this homeschool lockdown has taught me is that lesson planning is an art .
Doing it the night before , with some structure , is the way forward .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on mountain climates , involving checking live temperatures on major summits around the world that I prepared well for the night before .
Maths , science and geography in one .
While I watch Boris Johnson ’ s first ever PMQs with Sir Keir Starmer , Amelia ’ s grandad gives her a poetry comprehension lesson via Zoom .
Why didn ’ t I think of this weeks ago ?
He used to teach English literature A-level , but has planned a discussion on her level , on Ted Hughes ’ s poem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Archive is a great resource , because they can hear the poem read aloud .
Next week we could do an English or art lesson with Grandma .
Despite a relatively productive week with homeschooling , I still find there are not enough hours in the day to fit in my work , her lessons , a walk outdoors , cooking every meal and keeping on top of cleaning and washing .
My goal for next week is more creative lessons , like art and craft , otherwise it will feel like we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a lot of speculation about schools going back for the second summer half term , possibly prioritising Year 6 , or even Year 5 to prepare them for next year ’ s SATs .
I am still concerned that social distancing would be impossible in primary schools , even with limited class sizes .
For now , we are cherishing the fact that it ’ s a bank holiday , so there is no work for either of us .

My nine-year-old daughter, Amelia, is spending her seventh week being homeschooled.
After a shaky start getting used to balancing my work and her lessons, we might be getting into some sort of routine.
Monday
Both of my parents are retired teachers, but a natural ability to educate – and in an entertaining way – is clearly not hereditary. Last week one of her teachers called her to check on her progress, and I could hear the enthusiasm down the phone. It made me realise that I need to up my game and make lessons more fun. Sitting her down in front of a sheet of tasks while I work seems unfair.
Tuesday
One thing this homeschool lockdown has taught me is that lesson planning is an art. Doing it the night before, with some structure, is the way forward. Today we cover a Year 5 lesson on mountain climates, involving checking live temperatures on major summits around the world that I prepared well for the night before. Maths, science and geography in one.
Wednesday
While I watch Boris Johnson’s first ever PMQs with Sir Keir Starmer, Amelia’s grandad gives her a poetry comprehension lesson via Zoom. Why didn’t I think of this weeks ago? He used to teach English literature A-level, but has planned a discussion on her level, on Ted Hughes’s poem Pike. The Children’s Poetry Archive is a great resource, because they can hear the poem read aloud. Next week we could do an English or art lesson with Grandma.
Thursday
Despite a relatively productive week with homeschooling, I still find there are not enough hours in the day to fit in my work, her lessons, a walk outdoors, cooking every meal and keeping on top of cleaning and washing. My goal for next week is more creative lessons, like art and craft, otherwise it will feel like we are on a treadmill.
Friday
There has been a lot of speculation about schools going back for the second summer half term, possibly prioritising Year 6, or even Year 5 to prepare them for next year’s SATs. I am still concerned that social distancing would be impossible in primary schools, even with limited class sizes. For now, we are cherishing the fact that it’s a bank holiday, so there is no work for either of us.


inews--2020-05-08--Coronavirus in the UK: Care homes given extra funds as minister says reducing death rate is a 'real

Coronavirus in the UK: Care homes given extra funds as minister says reducing death rate is a 'real priority'

Coronavirus in the UK : Care homes given extra funds as minister says reducing death rate is a 'real priority' National statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond confirmed on Thursday that care homes had driven up the UK ’ s overall rate of transmission Care homes are being given extra funds to help them through the crisis and reduce their number of deaths , a Government minister has said .
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden admitted there had been “ challenges ” when it came to tackling Covid 19 in care homes but said reducing the death rate was a “ real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are getting more testing into care homes , ” the Cabinet minister told the BBC .
“ We are getting tens of thousands of both people who are in care homes who are residents and people working in care homes , tested .
“ We are getting more money into care homes .
So for example , we have £2.7bn going to local authorities , a lot of that will go to those care homes.
” The Government has been criticised for its handling of coronavirus in care homes , in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Dowden said protective equipment was also being supplied and that the collected effort was starting to have an effect .
“ So while the death rate remains too high , we have seen in the latest figures the number of deaths in care homes start to fall , ” he said .
“ This is a real priority for the Government.
” Earlier this week Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab admitted that a “ very significant issue ” remains in care homes and said officials were examining how to stem their levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Diamond confirmed on Thursday that care homes had driven up the UK ’ s overall rate of transmission , or R value .
Latest estimates put it between 0.75 and 1.0 , compared with 0.6 or 0.7 a few weeks ago .
In Northern Ireland , Stormont ’ s deputy first minister Michelle O ’ Neill has called for universal testing across all its care homes after data showed almost half its coronavirus deaths occurred in this setting .

Care homes are being given extra funds to help them through the crisis and reduce their number of deaths, a Government minister has said.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden admitted there had been “challenges” when it came to tackling Covid 19 in care homes but said reducing the death rate was a “real priority”.
“That is why we are getting more testing into care homes,” the Cabinet minister told the BBC.
“We are getting tens of thousands of both people who are in care homes who are residents and people working in care homes, tested.
“We are getting more money into care homes. So for example, we have £2.7bn going to local authorities, a lot of that will go to those care homes.”
Collected effort
The Government has been criticised for its handling of coronavirus in care homes, in which the epidemic remains significant.
However, Mr Dowden said protective equipment was also being supplied and that the collected effort was starting to have an effect.
“So while the death rate remains too high, we have seen in the latest figures the number of deaths in care homes start to fall,” he said. “This is a real priority for the Government.”
Earlier this week Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab admitted that a “very significant issue” remains in care homes and said officials were examining how to stem their levels of infection.
National statistician Professor Sir Ian Diamond confirmed on Thursday that care homes had driven up the UK’s overall rate of transmission, or R value. Latest estimates put it between 0.75 and 1.0, compared with 0.6 or 0.7 a few weeks ago.
In Northern Ireland, Stormont’s deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill has called for universal testing across all its care homes after data showed almost half its coronavirus deaths occurred in this setting.


inews--2020-05-08--Coronavirus lockdown acts of kindness: From neighbours who do the shopping to a Pilates teacher on Z

Coronavirus lockdown acts of kindness: From neighbours who do the shopping to a Pilates teacher on Zoom, readers share thank yous

Coronavirus lockdown acts of kindness : From neighbours who do the shopping to a Pilates teacher on Zoom , readers share thank yous As part of a new series , we share poignant letters from people who wish to express their gratitude to our unsung lockdown heroes I would like to thank all of our amazing colleagues for going above and beyond to ensure their communities continue to be supported and thank our members and customers for working with us during this uncertain time.
” Although small in size , it stocks a remarkably wide range of goods , mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elderly or have special needs for whom ‘ our shop ’ is a vital support and it has risen to the challenge of this crisis .
If we send in a list of our needs by email or telephone , they will deliver to our doorstep .
We offer our heartfelt gratitude .
A special shout out to Graham at the newsagents , who also delivers croissants , cakes and pies baked by Fokel Thanks so much for the adaptability and cheerful hard work of the owners and staff of small businesses in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sandbagged by the loss of tourist trade over Easter ( and it ’ s only a few years since Storm Desmond swept away our bridge and left them without passing trade ) .
A special shout out to Graham at the newsagents , who also delivers croissants , cakes and pies baked by Fokel , plus bedding plants and stamps if we need them .
It ’ s a privilege to live here .
I would like to say a huge thank you to my milkman , Mr West , for delivering my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weathers .
Both he , and the nation ’ s milkmen and women , are working tirelessly to make sure we get our doorstep delivery in time for the early morning cuppa .
Keeping us going in Honington We would like to say a big thank you to Martin and Eve Crosby who run our local shop The Jackdaw in Honington and have kept the shop , petrol station and newspaper deliveries going .
Equally , our dustbinmen , postie and milkman , all of whom have never missed a round .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work in keeping its 450 acres of heathland open for people to walk in safely .
How lucky we are : not only do our neighbours Karen and Alan ask us every day if we need any shopping , Alan early every morning takes our i voucher to the local paper shop and delivers it to us , which is lovely , as we can read our favourite paper while still in bed with a cup of tea .
I would love to mention my singing and writing partner , Tom Stanton .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ this lockdown .
Normally we are writing and performing our stuff around the Black Country .
Tom falls into the at risk bracket , due to being over 70 and diabetic .
Yet he has remained upbeat and entertains all the folks in the street where he lives , setting up on the drive and bringing sunshine to their lives every week .
I would like to give the biggest thank you to Maria Do Carmo Cruz , our amazing Pilates teacher , who has been keeping us ladies fit and flexible three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She gives us the most positive boost with her smile and has been a salvation to us all .
I think all of us owe a huge vote of thanks to all of the professional drivers of our country ( Photo : Catherine Ivill/Getty ) I think all of us owe a huge vote of thanks to all of the professional drivers of our country , more often than not driving juggernauts and HGVs ( not forgetting the essential tanker drivers ) through the night , making sure the supermarkets and smaller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right across to the light commercial vans delivering food , medicine and parcels to our door .
I would like to thank the wonderful Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group , all volunteers , who have been working tirelessly and compassionately , providing support for the residents here , many of whom are elderly and self-isolating in what would normally be a busy tourist town community .
Fun for all the family Prime Minister Boris Johnson stands outside 10 Downing Street as the UK commemorates the 75th anniversary of VE Day ( Photo : John @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this impossible .
Instead , our daughter Kathryn was an absolute star and pulled out all the stops to make the day memorable in a very different way .
She brought chocolates , flowers and bubbly , collected delicious meals from a local restaurant ( The Old Smithy ) who surprised us with some unexpected Fortnum & Mason truffles , sent us down memory lane with a selection of photographs from our past travels and organised a mini Zoom with some of the family .
We are looking forward to a reunion party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for pups in the Peaks Prisons are cauldrons of infection and Covid-19 is no different .
Prison officers undertake activities in which social distancing is impossible and times are particularly dangerous now , as prisoners are restless while not receiving family visits .
Prisons are operating on reduced staffing levels , as officers are self-isolating with the disease .
When you clap outside at 8pm on Thursday , please clap a little longer for all the prison officers who are working with little or no PPE – we ’ d soon notice if @ @ @ @ @ @

A team effort from the Co-op
I would like to thank all of our amazing colleagues for going above and beyond to ensure their communities continue to be supported and thank our members and customers for working with us during this uncertain time.”
Debbie Robinson, CEO, Central England Co-op
Community shop pays off
Seventeen years ago, our small village of Stillington clubbed together to buy our failing small village shop and PO counter.
With the help of volunteer staff, it prospered. Although small in size, it stocks a remarkably wide range of goods, mainly locally sourced.
Many of our residents are elderly or have special needs for whom ‘our shop’ is a vital support and it has risen to the challenge of this crisis. If we send in a list of our needs by email or telephone, they will deliver to our doorstep. We offer our heartfelt gratitude.
Cliff Simm (aged 90), North Yorkshire
Privilege to live in Staveley
Thanks so much for the adaptability and cheerful hard work of the owners and staff of small businesses in our village of Staveley. They were sandbagged by the loss of tourist trade over Easter (and it’s only a few years since Storm Desmond swept away our bridge and left them without passing trade). A special shout out to Graham at the newsagents, who also delivers croissants, cakes and pies baked by Fokel, plus bedding plants and stamps if we need them. It’s a privilege to live here.
Cathy Amor, Cumbria
Mr West has gotta lotta bottle
I would like to say a huge thank you to my milkman, Mr West, for delivering my milk regular as clockwork and in all weathers. Both he, and the nation’s milkmen and women, are working tirelessly to make sure we get our doorstep delivery in time for the early morning cuppa.
Teresa Bullock, Northants
Keeping us going in Honington
We would like to say a big thank you to Martin and Eve Crosby who run our local shop The Jackdaw in Honington and have kept the shop, petrol station and newspaper deliveries going. Equally, our dustbinmen, postie and milkman, all of whom have never missed a round. Our local wildlife trust has also done sterling work in keeping its 450 acres of heathland open for people to walk in safely.
Robin & Linda Howe, Suffolk
Our neighbours are i openers
How lucky we are: not only do our neighbours Karen and Alan ask us every day if we need any shopping, Alan early every morning takes our i voucher to the local paper shop and delivers it to us, which is lovely, as we can read our favourite paper while still in bed with a cup of tea.
Chris & Dave Dove, Essex
Singing to the street
I would love to mention my singing and writing partner, Tom Stanton. Tom is a strength and inspiration during this lockdown. Normally we are writing and performing our stuff around the Black Country. Tom falls into the at risk bracket, due to being over 70 and diabetic. Yet he has remained upbeat and entertains all the folks in the street where he lives, setting up on the drive and bringing sunshine to their lives every week.
Billy Spakemon (aka Dr Brian Dakin), West Midlands
We’ve never felt more flexible
I would like to give the biggest thank you to Maria Do Carmo Cruz, our amazing Pilates teacher, who has been keeping us ladies fit and flexible three times each week with her Zoom classes. She gives us the most positive boost with her smile and has been a salvation to us all.
Kathy Blackwell, Oxfordshire
Driving our economy on
I think all of us owe a huge vote of thanks to all of the professional drivers of our country, more often than not driving juggernauts and HGVs (not forgetting the essential tanker drivers) through the night, making sure the supermarkets and smaller shops are kept supplied with essentials, right across to the light commercial vans delivering food, medicine and parcels to our door.
Brian Davies, Suffolk
Volunteers key in Llangollen
I would like to thank the wonderful Llangollen Coronavirus Help Group, all volunteers, who have been working tirelessly and compassionately, providing support for the residents here, many of whom are elderly and self-isolating in what would normally be a busy tourist town community.
Liz Wildey, Denbighshire
Fun for all the family
I’m proud that my grandson, 17 and would-be event organiser, despite now having an uncertain future, has got stuck in, entertaining the family in UK and Australia with weekly online challenges and a Saturday Zoom quiz, the tallest spaghetti tower, baking competitions etc.
Susan Roberts, Solihull
Diamond in the rough
Together with our three children and five grandchildren we had planned to celebrate our diamond wedding anniversary at the hotel in Devon where we had spent our honeymoon 60 years ago.
Alas, Covid-19 made this impossible. Instead, our daughter Kathryn was an absolute star and pulled out all the stops to make the day memorable in a very different way. She brought chocolates, flowers and bubbly, collected delicious meals from a local restaurant (The Old Smithy ) who surprised us with some unexpected Fortnum & Mason truffles, sent us down memory lane with a selection of photographs from our past travels and organised a mini Zoom with some of the family. We are looking forward to a reunion party at a later safer time.
John & Barbara, Staffordshire
A comfort for the bereaved
A special thank you to our daughter, Jo, and all who, like her, are conducting funerals at this difficult time: trying to comfort bereaved people without being able to show their compassion with a hug or handshake due to the restrictions.
Jo is an Anglican priest, carrying on her ministry from home, caring for her three children and tackling homeschooling to the best of her ability, and also arranging Zoom meetings for our family. Jo’s husband died just over a year ago. She shows great strength.
Sue & Barry Pettit, Cornwall
Caring for pups in the Peaks
Thank you to our daughter Kate, who has worked hard to establish a mobile veterinary practice in the Derbyshire Peak District over the past couple of years and is now being sought out by new puppy owners and others whose pets require urgent veterinary care, which is sadly no longer accessible to them.
David Best, West Yorkshire
It’s a tough life on the inside
I want to thank an often overlooked group of essential workers – prison officers.
Prisons are cauldrons of infection and Covid-19 is no different. Prison officers undertake activities in which social distancing is impossible and times are particularly dangerous now, as prisoners are restless while not receiving family visits. Prisons are operating on reduced staffing levels, as officers are self-isolating with the disease. When you clap outside at 8pm on Thursday, please clap a little longer for all the prison officers who are working with little or no PPE – we’d soon notice if they weren’t there!
Hilary Jennings, Swansea
Hard grafters at the HMRC
I’d like to acknowledge my daughter and her colleagues from Sidlaw House in Dundee. They work hard daily, with reduced numbers, for HMRC to ensure that the recently introduced benefits are issued and tax problems are resolved to help relieve financial pressures for others. These civil servants, like all other public services, have had no genuine pay rise for years and are also under threat of closure in 2021. Nonetheless, those who can, turn up every day. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for being so selfless.
Mrs S Patterson, Dundee


inews--2020-05-08--Contact tracing: Coronavirus app has 'glitches' says tech expert as residents on Isle of Wight claim

Contact tracing: Coronavirus app has 'glitches' says tech expert as residents on Isle of Wight claim it won't work on their two-year-old phones

Contact tracing : Coronavirus app has 'glitches ' says tech expert as residents on Isle of Wight claim it wo n't work on their two-year-old phones The Covid-19 contact-tracing app is being trialled on the Isle of Wight The new coronavirus contact-tracing app has been beset with glitches , according to a leading tech expert .
Christopher Weatherhead , the technical lead at Privacy International , was given access to the app before it was rolled out to the Isle of Wight this week .
After trialling it from his house in Kent with a variety of phones ( pretending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) he found that the NHSX app stops working if left on in the background or if the device is put into sleep mode .
“ Fundamentally , it does work , but that requires the phone to be on and the app in the foreground all the time , ” he told POLITICO .
“ To say the app is limited would be an understatement.
” Some Isle of Wight residents who have tried to use the app , developed by NHSX which is the digital arm of the NHS , claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more than two years old .
The Department of Health & Social Care said that app currently supports Apple iOS versions 11 and higher and Android versions 8 and higher but that it is “ looking to support earlier versions of these operating systems in future where possible ” .
“ Testing has shown the NHS app works and the public can be confident in its use , '' a statement read .
`` The app runs in the background on both iOS and Android and users will not be required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this means the app can run when people are not using it , using other apps or if their phone is locked .
”

The new coronavirus contact-tracing app has been beset with glitches, according to a leading tech expert.
Christopher Weatherhead, the technical lead at Privacy International, was given access to the app before it was rolled out to the Isle of Wight this week.
After trialling it from his house in Kent with a variety of phones (pretending to be on the Isle of Wight) he found that the NHSX app stops working if left on in the background or if the device is put into sleep mode.
The Android version, however, keeps awake slightly longer than its Apple counterpart, he added.
‘Limited’
“Fundamentally, it does work, but that requires the phone to be on and the app in the foreground all the time,” he told POLITICO. “To say the app is limited would be an understatement.”
Some Isle of Wight residents who have tried to use the app, developed by NHSX which is the digital arm of the NHS, claim it does not work on phones that are more than two years old.
The Department of Health & Social Care said that app currently supports Apple iOS versions 11 and higher and Android versions 8 and higher but that it is “looking to support earlier versions of these operating systems in future where possible”.
‘Confident’
It insisted that the app does work and that Mr Weatherhead’s verdict “isn’t true”.
“Testing has shown the NHS app works and the public can be confident in its use,” a statement read.
“The app runs in the background on both iOS and Android and users will not be required to have it running in the foreground – this means the app can run when people are not using it, using other apps or if their phone is locked.”


inews--2020-05-08--Coronavirus latest: The easing of rules across Europe shows how the UK might end its lockdown

Coronavirus latest : The easing of rules across Europe shows how the UK might end its lockdown As the Prime Minister prepares to say how the UK will lift restrictions , here 's what other countries have done as normal life slowly returns There are still restrictions : people not living together must keep a one-metre distance between each other in public at all times .
Restaurants will reopen from 15 May , followed by hotels from 29 May .
Austria 's health minister said figures showing the rate of infection slowing justified the decision .
However , he appealed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming months .
The country is one of the first in Europe to reopen its economy .
Some shops were allowed to reopen after Easter .
Museums could be back operating by mid-May .
Belgium began its gradual three-stage lifting of restrictions on 4 May after seven weeks of “ human and social sacrifices ” , according to Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes .
As of 4 May , wearing a face mask or scarf is compulsory in public transport ( including the bus stop or the train station ) , school and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of age .
From Monday , each home can receive up to four visitors , but always the same four people and those four people are not allowed to visit anywhere else .
Primary and secondary schools classes will resume from the following week .
Certain classes , such as the diploma [ exam ] years , will be given priority .
Phase 3 is still hypothetical and would start , at best , on 8 June with restaurants being gradually reopened , followed by cafes and bars – all under strict conditions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mayor of Paris previously banned all outdoor sports activities between 10am and 7pm ( Photo : LUDOVIC MARIN/AFP/Getty ) The strict lockdown in France , in place since 17 March , will gradually begin to be eased from Monday .
The first phase will last three weeks and run until 2 June .
Restrictions may be lifted at different rates around the country , with the worst hit areas , such as the Paris region and east of the country , remaining under stricter measures for longer .
Pre-schools and primary schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secondary schools will begin following suit a week later , while a decision on high schools will be taken at the end of the month .
People will no longer need to fill out a form justifying the reason for leaving their homes , or for trips of up to 100km .
Social gatherings up to a maximum of 10 people will be allowed .
But larger events look set to be banned for several months and the French football season has been cancelled .
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has agreed some easing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities in Germany ( Photo : Getty ) Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Germany 's goal of slowing the spread of coronavirus has been achieved , so all shops can now be reopened as lockdown restrictions are eased .
Germany has received plaudits around the world for its ability to contain the coronavirus better than any other country comparable in size .
It began its first steps to ease restrictions on 20 April when smaller shops were allowed to reopen while respecting social distancing measures , as did other businesses such as car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been given the green light to resume and schools will gradually reopen in the summer term .
Germany 's 16 federal states , under an agreement with the Government , will take control of timing the reopening .
They will operate an `` emergency brake '' if there is a new surge in infections .
However , there has been concern that the coronavirus infection rate has increased again since the restrictions began being eased .
It 's thought the Government will wait to see if the trend is confirmed before taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extended a worldwide travel warning until mid-June .
Restaurants , hotels and shopping centres wo n't be allowed to open until 1 June .
Playgrounds and public beaches will remain closed , and travel is only possible within someone 's home region .
High school seniors will restart classes on Monday , followed a week later by other high and secondary school grades .
Younger children might go back to school on 1 June .
Many people have taken up running for the first time under lockdown ( Photo : Getty ) Having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the world , at the end of April Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans to return to a “ new normal ” over the following eight weeks , with measures depending on infections and differing by region .
From 2 May people were allowed out for walks and exercise , after children were finally allowed to leave their homes on 26 April .
Denmark started to ease restrictions after Easter , beginning with the re-opening of many nurseries and primary schools , as well as day care centres .
Small businesses were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on condition they adhered to strict hygiene regulations .
The second phase of easing restrictions is scheduled to take place from this week .
Factories , construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume activity as soon as they put safety measures in place against the virus .
Public parks and gardens reopened this week , although numbers may be limited to prevent overcrowding , and people are able to visit relatives again who live in the same region .
Funerals will no more than 15 guests can resume from that date but @ @ @ @ @

As Boris Johnson prepares to outline how the UK will gradually move out of lockdown, this is what other countries around Europe have done so far in preparation to return to “normal” life once more.
Austria
After what was described as a “very early and very harsh” lockdown, Austria started easing its measures on 1 May.
There are still restrictions: people not living together must keep a one-metre distance between each other in public at all times. Restaurants will reopen from 15 May, followed by hotels from 29 May. Austria’s health minister said figures showing the rate of infection slowing justified the decision. However, he appealed to people’s individual responsibility in the coming months. The country is one of the first in Europe to reopen its economy. Some shops were allowed to reopen after Easter. Museums could be back operating by mid-May.
Belgium
Belgium began its gradual three-stage lifting of restrictions on 4 May after seven weeks of “human and social sacrifices”, according to Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmes. As of 4 May, wearing a face mask or scarf is compulsory in public transport (including the bus stop or the train station), school and at the workplace, from 12 years of age. From Monday, each home can receive up to four visitors, but always the same four people and those four people are not allowed to visit anywhere else.
Primary and secondary schools classes will resume from the following week. Certain classes, such as the diploma [exam] years, will be given priority. Phase 3 is still hypothetical and would start, at best, on 8 June with restaurants being gradually reopened, followed by cafes and bars – all under strict conditions, such as keeping social distance.
France
The strict lockdown in France, in place since 17 March, will gradually begin to be eased from Monday. The first phase will last three weeks and run until 2 June. Restrictions may be lifted at different rates around the country, with the worst hit areas, such as the Paris region and east of the country, remaining under stricter measures for longer.
Pre-schools and primary schools will open progressively from 11 May, secondary schools will begin following suit a week later, while a decision on high schools will be taken at the end of the month. People will no longer need to fill out a form justifying the reason for leaving their homes, or for trips of up to 100km. Social gatherings up to a maximum of 10 people will be allowed. But larger events look set to be banned for several months and the French football season has been cancelled.
Germany
Chancellor Angela Merkel has said Germany’s goal of slowing the spread of coronavirus has been achieved, so all shops can now be reopened as lockdown restrictions are eased. Germany has received plaudits around the world for its ability to contain the coronavirus better than any other country comparable in size. It began its first steps to ease restrictions on 20 April when smaller shops were allowed to reopen while respecting social distancing measures, as did other businesses such as car dealers and bicycle shops.
Bundesliga football has been given the green light to resume and schools will gradually reopen in the summer term. Germany’s 16 federal states, under an agreement with the Government, will take control of timing the reopening. They will operate an “emergency brake” if there is a new surge in infections. However, there has been concern that the coronavirus infection rate has increased again since the restrictions began being eased. It’s thought the Government will wait to see if the trend is confirmed before taking any corrective measures. Germany has also extended a worldwide travel warning until mid-June.
Greece
Greece has also succeeded in keeping its country’s death toll and number of critically ill patients low. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has outlined a plan to ease restrictions gradually. Outdoor individual sports were permitted again from 4 May, and bookshops, hair salons and electronic stores will reopen. Working hours will be staggered to reduce interaction.
Restaurants, hotels and shopping centres won’t be allowed to open until 1 June. Playgrounds and public beaches will remain closed, and travel is only possible within someone’s home region. High school seniors will restart classes on Monday, followed a week later by other high and secondary school grades. Younger children might go back to school on 1 June.
Spain
Having become one of the worst hit countries in the world, at the end of April Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced plans to return to a “new normal” over the following eight weeks, with measures depending on infections and differing by region. From 2 May people were allowed out for walks and exercise, after children were finally allowed to leave their homes on 26 April.
Certain businesses, such as hairdressers, have now been allowed to reopen nationwide by appointment. Bars and restaurants are allowed to serve pre-ordered takeaways. Restaurants and bars are allowed to serve the public at 30 per cent capacity.
“High-performance” athletes are allowed to train outdoors at any time, while other sportspeople affiliated with clubs are given time slots.
Denmark
Denmark started to ease restrictions after Easter, beginning with the re-opening of many nurseries and primary schools, as well as day care centres. Small businesses were allowed to reopen from April 20, on condition they adhered to strict hygiene regulations. The second phase of easing restrictions is scheduled to take place from this week.
The country was among the first in Europe to impose lockdown measures, less stringent than in some other nations. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen told Parliament on April 29 that the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic was “under control”.
Italy
Italians danced in the streets on Monday as they were finally allowed out when the toughest quarantine measures were lifted throughout the country after almost two months. Around 4 million people returned to work as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte appealed to the public in a Facebook post to “act responsibly”.
Factories, construction sites and wholesale supply businesses can resume activity as soon as they put safety measures in place against the virus. Public parks and gardens reopened this week, although numbers may be limited to prevent overcrowding, and people are able to visit relatives again who live in the same region. Funerals will no more than 15 guests can resume from that date but mourners must wear masks.
If all goes well, retail shops can reopen on 18 May, with restaurants, cafés, barber shops and hair salons following on 1 June.


inews--2020-05-08--Queen praises nation's efforts to 'protect one another' during the pandemic in VE Day speech

Queen praises nation 's efforts to 'protect one another ' during the pandemic in VE Day speech Queen Elizabeth remembered the “ joyous celebrations ” that took place 75 years ago today .
The Queen has delivered a poignant message this evening to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day in which she praised the nation ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the actions of key workers .
The Queen talked about Britain ’ s sacrifices in the second world war and remembered the “ joyous celebrations ” that followed the end of fighting in Europe .
Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occasion marks 75 years to the day that Britain and its allies formally accepted Nazi Germany 's unconditional surrender .
The Queen said : “ Today it may seem hard that we can not mark this special anniversary as we would wish .
Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps . ''
“ But our streets are not empty ; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.
” While she did not mention the coronavirus pandemic or the UK 's lockdown directly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actions people have taken to look after people during this challenging period of time .
`` When I look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another , '' she said .
`` I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers , sailors and airmen would recognise and admire . ''
The UK commemorated the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a roster of events enjoyed at home .
( Photo Getty ) 'We will meet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war , was to ensure that it didn ’ t happen again , '' said the Queen , in the pre-recorded message delivered from Windsor Castle .
“ The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends , working side by side for the peace , health and prosperity of us all . ''
After the broadcast , the nation was invited to open doors and windows and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lynn ’ s iconic wartime song 'We ’ ll Meet Again ' , during BBC One 's VE Day 75 show at 9pm .
The Queen ’ s words were her second televised address during the coronavirus outbreak and followed her speech to the country on 5 April , when she delivered a message of hope , saying if we remained resolute in the face of the outbreak “ we will overcome it ” .

The Queen has delivered a poignant message this evening to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day in which she praised the nation’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and the actions of key workers.
The Queen talked about Britain’s sacrifices in the second world war and remembered the “joyous celebrations” that followed the end of fighting in Europe. Today’s VE (victory in Europe) occasion marks 75 years to the day that Britain and its allies formally accepted Nazi Germany’s unconditional surrender.
Large scale commemorations of the event were put on hold but people still marked the occasion in different ways, including socially distanced street parties.
The Queen said: “Today it may seem hard that we cannot mark this special anniversary as we would wish. Instead we remember from our homes and our doorsteps.”
“But our streets are not empty; they are filled with the love and the care that we have for each other.”
While she did not mention the coronavirus pandemic or the UK’s lockdown directly, she said she notes with pride the actions people have taken to look after people during this challenging period of time.
“When I look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another,” she said. “I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire.”
‘We will meet again’
The monarch continued: “The wartime generation knew that the best way to honour those who did not come back from the war, was to ensure that it didn’t happen again,” said the Queen, in the pre-recorded message delivered from Windsor Castle.
“The greatest tribute to their sacrifice is that countries who were once sworn enemies are now friends, working side by side for the peace, health and prosperity of us all.”
After the broadcast, the nation was invited to open doors and windows and take part in sing-a-long of Dame Vera Lynn’s iconic wartime song ‘We’ll Meet Again’, during BBC One’s VE Day 75 show at 9pm.
The Queen’s words were her second televised address during the coronavirus outbreak and followed her speech to the country on 5 April, when she delivered a message of hope, saying if we remained resolute in the face of the outbreak “we will overcome it”.
Additional reporting by the Press Association.


inews--2020-05-08--BFI launches a season celebrating 100 years of Japanese film — don't miss classics including The Hid

BFI launches a season celebrating 100 years of Japanese film — don't miss classics including The Hidden Fortress and Battle Royale

BFI launches a season celebrating 100 years of Japanese film — do n't miss classics including The Hidden Fortress and Battle Royale The British Film Institute has launched an ambitious season celebrating 100 years of Japanese cinema , featuring Classics and J-Horror Japan 2020 opens at the British Film Institute on Monday .
It is an enormously ambitious season – or series of seasons – devoted to 100 years of Japanese cinema .
Nothing quite like it has ever been attempted by the BFI .
“ To show an overview of a country and its great filmmaking… this is pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s creative director Heather Stewart .
“ This is a huge thing that we ’ re doing.
” Two and a half years in the planning , this beautifully curated collection of Japanese movies – from classics to cults , cartoons to contemporary works – was designed to coincide with the arrival of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics .
But , like that and so many other events , it ’ s been torpedoed by the impact of the pandemic .
Ordinarily a season like this would span not just London ’ s BFI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs across the UK .
Right now , with theatres shuttered nationwide , that ’ s not an option .
Still , that doesn ’ t mean the season is being cancelled , with online streaming service BFI Player coming to the rescue .
Across the Player over the next six months , a series of collections will be made available in staggered batches to subscribers ( £4.99 a month , in case you were wondering ) , starting with the masterful Akira Kurosawa and a so-called “ Classics ” series .
Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the foreseeable ?
Then curate your own Japanese movie season at home .
As far as Stewart is concerned , BFI Japan 2020 is a vital way to plug British audiences into Japanese movies .
“ It ’ s interesting , ” she says , “ how people have become obsessed with Japanese food , and other things , but do they know much , really , about Japanese film culture ?
” Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa , photographed on the set of Kagemusya in 1980 ( Photo : Getty ) Take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fortress , one of 21 films by the director that will be made available on BFI Player this week .
Starring Kurosawa regular Toshiro Mifune as a general who escorts his clan ’ s defeated princess across enemy lines with smuggled treasure .
Its hallmarks are everywhere in George Lucas ’ original 1977 Star Wars – the film even has two quarrelling peasants accompanying them , early templates for droids R2-D2 and C-3PO .
Likewise , Kurosawa ’ s Samurai epics The Seven Samurai and Yojimbo proved hugely influential on the American westerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remade as the all-star gunslinger tale The Magnificent Seven , while Yojimbo – with its story of local gang warfare – provided the blueprint for A Fistful of Dollars , the first of Sergio Leone ’ s “ dollars ” trilogy starring Clint Eastwood as The Man With No Name .
Unsurprisingly , Quentin Tarantino has done his fair share of borrowing from Japanese cult cinema .
His two-part martial arts drama Kill Bill pays huge homage to Shun ’ ya Itô ’ s brilliantly-named jail-drama Female Prisoner # 701 : Scorpion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Snowblood – two tales of female vengeance that prefigure Uma Thurman ’ s character The Bride and are both included in the “ Cult ” strand that begins on 3 July .
Then there ’ s Battle Royale , which comes as part of the collection devoted to Japanese horror , beginning in late October .
Now 20 years old , this bloody adaptation of Koushun Takami ’ s novel sees schoolchildren confined to an island and forced to fight to the death by an authoritarian government .
Indeed , the “ J-Horror @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Hollywood ’ s scary movies revival over the past two decades .
Hideo Nakata ’ s 1998 film Ring , a terrifying tale of a cursed videotape , and the later Dark Water both spawned inferior but lucrative American remakes .
And don ’ t forget Takeshi Miike ’ s Audition , a masterful look at female psychosis that is truly not for the squeamish .
Also playing as part of the “ Independence ” collection that begins in August is Shin ’ ya Tsukamoto ’ s seminal 1989 cyberpunk tale Tetsuo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in black-and-white body horror , all set in a dystopian Tokyo wasteland .
A rare chance to see Tsukamoto ’ s sequel Tetsuo II : Body Hammer and A Snake of June – again a part of the “ J-Horror collection ” – is also on offer .
If you ’ re seeking a more peaceful encounter , BFI Japan also includes a strand devoted to 21st Century Japanese cinema , including Hirokazu Kore-eda ’ s must-see Nobody Knows and Still Walking ; the works of the ever-so-contemplative master Yasujirô Ozu ( from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Green Tea Over Rice , reputedly one of Ozu ’ s own favourites ) ; and a series of anime films , the titles still to be announced , that begins in July .
For those desperate for their big screen fix , plans are afoot for the seasons to morph back into theatres once the BFI can re-open , including the intriguing-sounding “ Radicals and Rebels ” programme , which will take a look at the work of such uncompromising directors as Nagisa Oshima , who brought us the controversial erotic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Much like the rearranged Olympics itself , BFI Japan will stretch into 2021 – with more anime titles planned .
This will surely include a selection of beloved family films by Studio Ghibli ( many of which were recently also uploaded to Netflix , including Spirited Away , Princess Mononoke and Howl ’ s Moving Castle ) and hopefully the recent 4K restoration of the incredible Akira – yet another film with a live-action Hollywood remake in the works .
For now , audiences will need to take charge of their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” collection alone provides a fantastic overview of the diversity of Japanese cinema – whether you want to see cult hitman tale Branded To Kill ( another Tarantino favourite ) or Takeshi Kitano ’ s meditative crime saga Hana-bi , which won Venice ’ s Golden Lion back in 1997 .

Japan 2020 opens at the British Film Institute on Monday. It is an enormously ambitious season – or series of seasons – devoted to 100 years of Japanese cinema. Nothing quite like it has ever been attempted by the BFI. “To show an overview of a country and its great filmmaking… this is pretty out there,” says BFI’s creative director Heather Stewart. “This is a huge thing that we’re doing.”
Two and a half years in the planning, this beautifully curated collection of Japanese movies – from classics to cults, cartoons to contemporary works – was designed to coincide with the arrival of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. But, like that and so many other events, it’s been torpedoed by the impact of the pandemic. Ordinarily a season like this would span not just London’s BFI Southbank, but numerous cinemas and films clubs across the UK. Right now, with theatres shuttered nationwide, that’s not an option.
Still, that doesn’t mean the season is being cancelled, with online streaming service BFI Player coming to the rescue. Across the Player over the next six months, a series of collections will be made available in staggered batches to subscribers (£4.99 a month, in case you were wondering), starting with the masterful Akira Kurosawa and a so-called “Classics” series. Can’t go to the cinema for the foreseeable? Then curate your own Japanese movie season at home.
As far as Stewart is concerned, BFI Japan 2020 is a vital way to plug British audiences into Japanese movies. “It’s interesting,” she says, “how people have become obsessed with Japanese food, and other things, but do they know much, really, about Japanese film culture?”
You might already be more familiar with Japanese cinema than you think – a brief peek at what’s coming in the season proves how influential it’s been on Hollywood.
Take Kurosawa’s 1958 drama The Hidden Fortress, one of 21 films by the director that will be made available on BFI Player this week. Starring Kurosawa regular Toshiro Mifune as a general who escorts his clan’s defeated princess across enemy lines with smuggled treasure. Its hallmarks are everywhere in George Lucas’ original 1977 Star Wars – the film even has two quarrelling peasants accompanying them, early templates for droids R2-D2 and C-3PO.
Likewise, Kurosawa’s Samurai epics The Seven Samurai and Yojimbo proved hugely influential on the American westerns of the 60s. The former was remade as the all-star gunslinger tale The Magnificent Seven, while Yojimbo – with its story of local gang warfare – provided the blueprint for A Fistful of Dollars, the first of Sergio Leone’s “dollars” trilogy starring Clint Eastwood as The Man With No Name.
Unsurprisingly, Quentin Tarantino has done his fair share of borrowing from Japanese cult cinema. His two-part martial arts drama Kill Bill pays huge homage to Shun’ya Itô’s brilliantly-named jail-drama Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion and Toshiya Fujita’s 19th century-set Lady Snowblood – two tales of female vengeance that prefigure Uma Thurman’s character The Bride and are both included in the “Cult” strand that begins on 3 July.
Then there’s Battle Royale, which comes as part of the collection devoted to Japanese horror, beginning in late October. Now 20 years old, this bloody adaptation of Koushun Takami’s novel sees schoolchildren confined to an island and forced to fight to the death by an authoritarian government.
Again, its influence is unparalleled – everything from The Purge and The Hunger Games franchise, which is uncannily similar, to a slew of multiplayer video games like Call of Duty and Fortnite.
Indeed, the “J-Horror” collection alone feels like a template for Hollywood’s scary movies revival over the past two decades. Hideo Nakata’s 1998 film Ring, a terrifying tale of a cursed videotape, and the later Dark Water both spawned inferior but lucrative American remakes. And don’t forget Takeshi Miike’s Audition, a masterful look at female psychosis that is truly not for the squeamish.
Also playing as part of the “Independence” collection that begins in August is Shin’ya Tsukamoto’s seminal 1989 cyberpunk tale Tetsuo: The Iron Man, the ultimate in black-and-white body horror, all set in a dystopian Tokyo wasteland. A rare chance to see Tsukamoto’s sequel Tetsuo II: Body Hammer and A Snake of June – again a part of the “J-Horror collection” – is also on offer.
If you’re seeking a more peaceful encounter, BFI Japan also includes a strand devoted to 21st Century Japanese cinema, including Hirokazu Kore-eda’s must-see Nobody Knows and Still Walking; the works of the ever-so-contemplative master Yasujirô Ozu (from the famous Tokyo Story to The Flavour of Green Tea Over Rice, reputedly one of Ozu’s own favourites); and a series of anime films, the titles still to be announced, that begins in July.
For those desperate for their big screen fix, plans are afoot for the seasons to morph back into theatres once the BFI can re-open, including the intriguing-sounding “Radicals and Rebels” programme, which will take a look at the work of such uncompromising directors as Nagisa Oshima, who brought us the controversial erotic masterpiece In The Realm of the Senses.
Much like the rearranged Olympics itself, BFI Japan will stretch into 2021 – with more anime titles planned. This will surely include a selection of beloved family films by Studio Ghibli (many of which were recently also uploaded to Netflix, including Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke and Howl’s Moving Castle) and hopefully the recent 4K restoration of the incredible Akira – yet another film with a live-action Hollywood remake in the works.
For now, audiences will need to take charge of their own online Japanese season. The “Classics” collection alone provides a fantastic overview of the diversity of Japanese cinema – whether you want to see cult hitman tale Branded To Kill (another Tarantino favourite) or Takeshi Kitano’s meditative crime saga Hana-bi, which won Venice’s Golden Lion back in 1997.
“I think it’s important that people take chances and do things at home,” says Stewart, who hopes that, with just a little encouragement, those who ordinarily might swerve foreign language movies could find a treasure trove of titles here.
“I think a lot of people feel scared of having to read subtitles. But a lot of these films, it’s not about what they’re talking about, it’s about what you’re seeing. It’s great cinema – pure cinema.”
For details, visit player.bfi.org.uk


inews--2020-05-08--10 best quiz podcasts to satisfy your lockdown trivia obsession, from Brain of Britain to Quizbeard

10 best quiz podcasts to satisfy your lockdown trivia obsession, from Brain of Britain to Quizbeard and The Big Pod Quiz

10 best quiz podcasts to satisfy your lockdown trivia obsession , from Brain of Britain to Quizbeard and The Big Pod Quiz Test your general knowledge , as well as your recollection of film , sport and music by listening to these quiz shows Now in its 15th year , host James Carter 's trivia podcast continues to test listeners on a range of subjects .
Music features heavily and past topics include aromas , transport , famous voices and world firsts .
New episodes are added every Friday .
podquiz.com .
Ask Me Another Dubbed an `` amusement park @ @ @ @ @ @ @ game show is filled with trivia , comedy and famous guests .
This US podcast is produced by National Public Radio and hosted by Canadian comic Ophira Eisenberg .
She is joined by `` one-man house band '' , Jonathan Coulton .
npr.org/programs/ask-me-another .
Catch up on this smart general knowledge quiz show as host Russell Davies invites 48 UK listeners to compete for the `` Brain of Britain '' title .
Questions are written by a team of professional quiz writers .
This year 's contest started in April .
bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00813s0 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Molanphy , a writer and chart analyst , explores the history of the US Billboard singles chart to help us understand why the songs we love ( and the ones we ca n't stand ) stick out in our minds .
There 's plenty of unusualfacts and great music .
slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade .
Some of the best puns elicit a smile in the hardest of us , so prepare to grin wildly as this podcast packs up to 200 into each quiz .
Here , three of four contestants attempt to guess the correct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ episodes are added every month .
theconsumption.net/punwatch .
New episodes of The Big Pod Quiz are released six days a week Flex your knowledge during lockdown by tuning into these 15-minute quiz podcasts .
Weekdays are dedicated to general knowledge , with three rounds of five quick-fire questions .
Saturdays plays host to a Big Pod Sport Quiz .
You can pick up bonus points by taking part in picture rounds on their social-media pages too .
soundrebel.co.uk/listeners # /bigpodquiz .
The premise is simple .
In this well-produced podcast , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 points up for grabs .
You can elect to use a `` black spot '' card before the start of a round to earn double points on those five answers .
quizbeard.com .
In this new podcast , hosts Dan Hamon and Josh Clarke promise to bring something new to the table ; alongside the latest headlines and interviews , there are weekly quizzes including Guess Whos , Super League , National Rugby League and a bit of trivia thrown in for good measure .
anchor.fm/RLquizpod .
Born out of those `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get sent about on WhatsApp '' , this new podcast debuted just hours before the UK went into lockdown .
Presenter and commentator Rob Daly is joined by a smattering of guests for a lively hour of humour and questions .
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/world-class-football-quiz/id1504059014 .
Whether you fancy yourself as a TV quiz show contestant or want to become a valuable asset in your local pub team , this podcast might be for you .
Demonstrate your general knowledge and expand your mind by tuning into these short podcast episodes .
pubquizprep.com/podcast.html .

PodQuiz
Now in its 15th year, host James Carter’s trivia podcast continues to test listeners on a range of subjects. Music features heavily and past topics include aromas, transport, famous voices and world firsts. New episodes are added every Friday. podquiz.com.
Ask Me Another
Dubbed an “amusement park for your brain”, this hour-long game show is filled with trivia, comedy and famous guests. This US podcast is produced by National Public Radio and hosted by Canadian comic Ophira Eisenberg. She is joined by “one-man house band”, Jonathan Coulton. npr.org/programs/ask-me-another.
Brain of Britain
Catch up on this smart general knowledge quiz show as host Russell Davies invites 48 UK listeners to compete for the “Brain of Britain” title. Questions are written by a team of professional quiz writers. This year’s contest started in April. bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00813s0.
Read More 15 best online pub quizzes to play against your friends, family and the rest of the world during lockdown
Hit Parade
Combining music history and trivia, Chris Molanphy, a writer and chart analyst, explores the history of the US Billboard singles chart to help us understand why the songs we love (and the ones we can’t stand) stick out in our minds. There’s plenty of unusual
facts and great music. slate.com/podcasts/hit-parade.
PunWatch
Some of the best puns elicit a smile in the hardest of us, so prepare to grin wildly as this podcast packs up to 200 into each quiz. Here, three of four contestants attempt to guess the correct pun for recent news stories. New episodes are added every month. theconsumption.net/punwatch.
The Big Pod Quiz
Flex your knowledge during lockdown by tuning into these 15-minute quiz podcasts. Weekdays are dedicated to general knowledge, with three rounds of five quick-fire questions. Saturdays plays host to a Big Pod Sport Quiz. You can pick up bonus points by taking part in picture rounds on their social-media pages too. soundrebel.co.uk/listeners#/bigpodquiz.
Quizbeard
The premise is simple. In this well-produced podcast, there are 25 questions over five subject rounds with 30 points up for grabs. You can elect to use a “black spot” card before the start of a round to earn double points on those five answers. quizbeard.com.
Rugby League Quizzes
In this new podcast, hosts Dan Hamon and Josh Clarke promise to bring something new to the table; alongside the latest headlines and interviews, there are weekly quizzes including Guess Whos, Super League, National Rugby League and a bit of trivia thrown in for good measure. anchor.fm/RLquizpod.
World Class Football Quiz
Born out of those “life distractingly difficult football trivia questions that get sent about on WhatsApp”, this new podcast debuted just hours before the UK went into lockdown. Presenter and commentator Rob Daly is joined by a smattering of guests for a lively hour of humour and questions. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/world-class-football-quiz/id1504059014.
Pub Quiz Prep
Whether you fancy yourself as a TV quiz show contestant or want to become a valuable asset in your local pub team, this podcast might be for you. Demonstrate your general knowledge and expand your mind by tuning into these short podcast episodes. pubquizprep.com/podcast.html.


inews--2020-05-08--15 best online pub quizzes to play against your friends, family and the rest of the world during loc

15 best online pub quizzes to play against your friends, family and the rest of the world during lockdown

15 best online pub quizzes to play against your friends , family and the rest of the world during lockdown Millions of people have taken part in YouTube quizzes and competed against teams from across Britain during the coronavirus lockdown Normally , more than half of the UK 's 40,000 pubs host weekly quiz nights where punters compete to be named brainiest bunch .
But as establishments have been forced to temporarily close , millions of people have taken part in YouTube quizzes and competed against teams from across Britain .
Jane Allen , of the British Quizzing Association , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there seems to be a lot of kids running quizzes for their friends , which is great .
This gives them research skills , writing skills and technology skills , and a great sense of achievement and fun .
It 's brilliant to see . ''
Quizmaster Paul Jackson of the popular PJ Quiz Co ( Photo : Paul Jackson ) The Edinburgh-based quiz company streams pub quizzes daily on streaming service Twitch .
Answers are submitted via Google Doc and the winner is announced on its social media pages the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked to donate the price of a pint for each quiz .
Daily at 7pm , twitch.tv/goosesquizzes .
James Kindred , the co-founder of alcohol-free Big Drop Brewing Company , adopts the role of quizmaster from the comfort of a cabin at the end of his garden .
General knowledge , picture rounds and film synonyms all feature in the one-hour sessions .
Look out for giveaways too .
Free , dates vary , from 7pm , youtube.com/channel/UCxnRWhOSWAQlkzyR8wl2caA .
A weekly episode edit Jimmy 's Carr 's The Little Tiny Quiz of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Think of a team name then put your thinking cap on for the weekly pub quiz hosted by this Warwickshire-based craft brewery company .
The quiz is made up of four rounds of 10 questions .
Submit your team name and a selfie via Facebook Messenger , or using # PureQuiz on Twitter – there are prizes for the best ones .
Free , Wednesdays from 7.20pm , facebook.com/puritybrewingco .
The Little Tiny Quiz of the Lockdown He may have swapped IRL for URL owing to the Covid-19 pandemic , but that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twice a week , this engaging host brings the banter as teams from across social media take part in his popular pub quiz .
Free , Sundays and Wednesdays from 7pm , facebook.com/PJQuizCo .
For questions that are `` challenging and interesting '' , get a group together for this online pub quiz run by events company The Quiz Team .
Teams of up to 10 players must register and pay £1 per person before access is granted to a Facebook Live event .
£1 per player , Wednesdays from 7pm , thequizteam.com/weekly-live-online-quizzes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are the main event here .
Download the Speedquizzing Live app to your phone and watch the quiz on a PC or laptop .
Music fans can demonstrate their knowledge by tuning into the Monday night music quiz .
Tickets , £5 .
A Zoom meeting link and PIN for the app will follow after purchase .
£5 , Mondays and Wednesdays from 8pm , speedquizzing.com/playlive .
The Not in a Pub Quiz

Virtual pub quizzes, Zoom trivia nights and homemade contests on Houseparty have united the nation and provided light relief since Covid-19 lockdown measures were announced.
Normally, more than half of the UK’s 40,000 pubs host weekly quiz nights where punters compete to be named brainiest bunch. But as establishments have been forced to temporarily close, millions of people have taken part in YouTube quizzes and competed against teams from across Britain.
Google searches for “pub quiz questions” are up 710 per cent as amateur quizmasters have printed off games full of obscure facts, brain teasers and picture rounds that test our facial-recognition abilities.
Jane Allen, of the British Quizzing Association, said: “Everyone loves a quiz and there seems to be a lot of kids running quizzes for their friends, which is great. This gives them research skills, writing skills and technology skills, and a great sense of achievement and fun. It’s brilliant to see.”
Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the best online quizzes.
Brewdog Online
James Watt and Martin Dickie, the founders of the Scottish craft beer firm, aim to deliver the ultimate weekend warm-up. Join them for a fun-filled virtual pub quiz, homebrew masterclasses, special guests and giveaways. Zoom registration is required. Free, Fridays from 6pm, brewdog.com/onlinebar.
Eventures
Test your knowledge of blockbuster films and popular TV shows with previously streamed quizzes. The YouTube channel has compiled questions on Harry Potter, Friends, Gavin & Stacey, The Big Bang Theory and, more recently, A Question of Sport quiz. Free, but charity donations encouraged, youtube.com/channel/UCNjlPK3iVQZE5IGlVbBCZpQ.
Inquizition
Settle down with a drink and join virtual friends for this Sunday night pub quiz (which runs until 14 June). Typically, two general knowledge rounds of 20 questions are sandwiched between a picture round, name the intro, mystery voices, famous quotes and more. Free, Sundays from 7.55pm, facebook.com/inquizitionquiz.
Virtual Pub Quiz
This hugely popular quiz attracted more than 640,000 viewers when it debuted shortly after lockdown in March. Quizmaster Jay Flynn, who is raising money for NHS Charities Together, posts specialist rounds during the week (Kids, Star Wars, Technology), ahead of the live quiz. Free, Thursdays from 7.50pm, youtube.com/channel/UCLcSqjJWHJeDWD_SbdorBRw/videos.
Read More 10 best free quiz apps to play against your friends and family, from Popcorn Trivia to Newsmeister and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire
Spectacular Quarantine Quizzes
Bringing some light relief to lockdown, the team behind Spectacular Quarantine Quizzes have compiled a range of questions based on popular TV and films. Disney, Doctor Who and The Office are upcoming themes. Free, but charity donations encouraged. Dates and times vary, spectacularpubquizzes.com.
Goose Quizzes
The Edinburgh-based quiz company streams pub quizzes daily on streaming service Twitch. Answers are submitted via Google Doc and the winner is announced on its social media pages the next day. Free, but participants are asked to donate the price of a pint for each quiz. Daily at 7pm, twitch.tv/goosesquizzes.
Big Drop’s Living Room Pub Quiz
James Kindred, the co-founder of alcohol-free Big Drop Brewing Company, adopts the role of quizmaster from the comfort of a cabin at the end of his garden. General knowledge, picture rounds and film synonyms all feature in the one-hour sessions. Look out for giveaways too. Free, dates vary, from 7pm, youtube.com/channel/UCxnRWhOSWAQlkzyR8wl2caA.
The Purity Pure Pub Quiz
Think of a team name then put your thinking cap on for the weekly pub quiz hosted by this Warwickshire-based craft brewery company. The quiz is made up of four rounds of 10 questions. Submit your team name and a selfie via Facebook Messenger, or using #PureQuiz on Twitter – there are prizes for the best ones. Free, Wednesdays from 7.20pm, facebook.com/puritybrewingco.
The Little Tiny Quiz of the Lockdown
Every night at 6pm comedian and game show host Jimmy Carr treats fans to 10-question, five-minute quizzes on his Facebook page. Stay tuned for the answers. Expect his trademark wisecracks and some tough questions. A weekly episode edit is available on Carr’s YouTube page. Free, daily at 6pm, facebook.com/watch/JimmyCarr/202950621130020/.
PJ Quiz Co
He may have swapped IRL for URL owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, but that hasn’t dampened Paul Jackson’s spirit. Twice a week, this engaging host brings the banter as teams from across social media take part in his popular pub quiz. Free, Sundays and Wednesdays from 7pm, facebook.com/PJQuizCo.
Live Online Quiz
For questions that are “challenging and interesting”, get a group together for this online pub quiz run by events company The Quiz Team. Teams of up to 10 players must register and pay £1 per person before access is granted to a Facebook Live event. £1 per player, Wednesdays from 7pm, thequizteam.com/weekly-live-online-quizzes.
The Ultimate Stay Inn Quiz
Fuller’s, the London-based brewery, devised this virtual pub to entertain patrons while its pubs remain closed. Pour yourself a drink and join them every Wednesday evening, alongside other teams taking part in its five-round quiz. Free, Wednesdays from 8.30pm, facebook.com/events/242737990208202.
SpeedQuizzing
The “Weekly Wednesday” quizzes are the main event here. Download the Speedquizzing Live app to your phone and watch the quiz on a PC or laptop. Music fans can demonstrate their knowledge by tuning into the Monday night music quiz. Tickets, £5. A Zoom meeting link and PIN for the app will follow after purchase. £5, Mondays and Wednesdays from 8pm, speedquizzing.com/playlive.
The Not in a Pub Quiz
The team at the Brighton-based The Pub Quiz Company, who usually run pub, charity and corporate quizzes, dreamed up this virtual venture in the wake of the Covid-19 lockdown. Every Wednesday evening you can take part by signing into a newly built site and entering your answers in the text boxes. Free, Wednesdays from 8pm, thepubquizcompany.com/our-quizzes/notinapubquiz.
Josh Weller’s Sunday Night Music Quiz
Head to the comedian’s Instagram Live on Sunday evenings where you’ll find him setting the questions for his weekly music quiz. Email your team name to him in advance. There are no prizes, but it’s the taking part that counts, right? Sundays from 7pm, instagram.com/joshwellerjoshweller.


inews--2020-05-08--10 best free quiz apps to play against your friends and family, from Popcorn Trivia to Newsmeister a

10 best free quiz apps to play against your friends and family, from Popcorn Trivia to Newsmeister and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire

10 best free quiz apps to play against your friends and family , from Popcorn Trivia to Newsmeister and Who Wants To Be a Millionaire Bid to become a ( virtual ) millionaire , demonstrate your logo recognition and test out your movie knowledge with these mobile quiz apps Combining trivia and a social network , QuizUp invites you to choose from more than 1,200 topics , take part in challenges and illustrated quizzes and post about your interests .
You can play against friends or go up against millions of the platform ’ s users.Free , iOS and Android @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silver screen with this addictive movie trivia app .
Questions , based on classic films , blockbusters and fan favourites , span picture rounds and multiple choice .
Each question is followed with an interesting fact .
Play solo or against others .
Free , iOS and Android .
Suitable for all the family , this game sees players guess words/names/titles , which may include celebrities , characters , movies , books and songs , which are described or acted out by their friends .
Just think of it as charades for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Each player submits a fake-but-plausible answer to different trivia questions , which are then displayed on your phone ’ s screen .
Those who guess the correct answer earn points .
You ’ ll earn points for each player you “ psych ” into choosing your made-up answers .
Free , iOS and Android .
The classic game is given new life in mobile format .
Shake the lettered dice and earn points for the word combinations you can create in the letters .
Play with friends and family by sending invite links @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users .
Free , iOS and Android .
Fresh from the pages of the publisher ’ s classic illustrated reference books is this trivia game , with more than 100 quizzes on topics spanning inventions and food to history and insects .
Leaderboards enable you to size up against friends and family .
Free , iOS and Android .
Coronavirus might be dominating the headlines , but you can still test your knowledge with Newsmeister .
This app utilises quickfire rounds based on news articles – and there are also plenty of brainteasers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the game links to the source for further reading .
Free , iOS and Android .
Delve into this game ’ s extensive and varied catalogue of playlists and have a go at naming the tunes from genres including the 1960s , country , pop and classic rock .
Correct answers earn players coins , which in turn can be used to unlock more playlists for one-to-one tournaments .
Free , iOS and Android .
Researchers say we ’ re living in increasingly brand-driven times , so there ’ s no better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than with this fun guessing game .
The app features more than 2,200 leading international brands and 73 levels that increase with difficulty .
Free , Android .
Who Wants To Be a Millionaire The classic game which captured the hearts of audiences worldwide is now available on mobile , meaning you can relive the nail-biting build up as you bid to become a ( virtual ) millionaire .
Features include 50:50 , Ask the Audience and Ask the Expert .
You can play against friends and family too .
Free , iOS @ @ @

QuizUp
Combining trivia and a social network, QuizUp invites you to choose from more than 1,200 topics, take part in challenges and illustrated quizzes and post about your interests. You can play against friends or go up against millions of the platform’s users.
Free, iOS and Android.
Popcorn Trivia
Test out your knowledge of the silver screen with this addictive movie trivia app. Questions, based on classic films, blockbusters and fan favourites, span picture rounds and multiple choice. Each question is followed with an interesting fact. Play solo or against others. Free, iOS and Android.
Heads Up!
Suitable for all the family, this game sees players guess words/names/titles, which may include celebrities, characters, movies, books and songs, which are described or acted out by their friends. Just think of it as charades for the smartphone generation.
Free, iOS and Android.
Read More 15 best online pub quizzes to play against your friends, family and the rest of the world during lockdown
Psych! Outwit Your Friends
Each player submits a fake-but-plausible answer to different trivia questions, which are then displayed on your phone’s screen. Those who guess the correct answer earn points. You’ll earn points for each player you “psych” into choosing your made-up answers. Free, iOS and Android.
Boggle With Friends
The classic game is given new life in mobile format. Shake the lettered dice and earn points for the word combinations you can create in the letters. Play with friends and family by sending invite links, or go up against other app users. Free, iOS and Android.
DK Quiz
Fresh from the pages of the publisher’s classic illustrated reference books is this trivia game, with more than 100 quizzes on topics spanning inventions and food to history and insects. Leaderboards enable you to size up against friends and family. Free, iOS and Android.
Newsmeister
Coronavirus might be dominating the headlines, but you can still test your knowledge with Newsmeister. This app utilises quickfire rounds based on news articles – and there are also plenty of brainteasers too. For the real news hounds, the game links to the source for further reading. Free, iOS and Android.
SongPop 2
Delve into this game’s extensive and varied catalogue of playlists and have a go at naming the tunes from genres including the 1960s, country, pop and classic rock. Correct answers earn players coins, which in turn can be used to unlock more playlists for one-to-one tournaments. Free, iOS and Android.
Logo Game
Researchers say we’re living in increasingly brand-driven times, so there’s no better way to put this to the test than with this fun guessing game. The app features more than 2,200 leading international brands and 73 levels that increase with difficulty. Free, Android.
Who Wants To Be a Millionaire
The classic game which captured the hearts of audiences worldwide is now available on mobile, meaning you can relive the nail-biting build up as you bid to become a (virtual) millionaire. Features include 50:50, Ask the Audience and Ask the Expert. You can play against friends and family too. Free, iOS and Android.


inews--2020-05-08--Fisherman makes daily 'visits' to lonely dolphin Fungie who craves human contact since lockdown

Fisherman makes daily 'visits ' to lonely dolphin Fungie who craves human contact since lockdown Fisherman Jimmy Flannery said Fungie seemed out of sorts since lockdown Fungie has perked up since Jimmy has come out to visit him ( Photo : Dominick Walsh ) Jimmy Flannery , a fisherman from Dingle , County Kerry , in the west of Ireland , noticed the area ’ s famous dolphin , Fungie , seemed lonely after two months of lockdown and no human interaction .
His solution ?
To take daily trips to see him and keep him company .
Who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male common bottlenose dolphin , has been living off the west Kerry coast since 1983 .
He quickly became a tourist attraction - there is a statue of him outside the tourist office in Dingle Town - and has delighted people who travel to see him .
He appears to actively seek out human contact and interacts with people on leisure craft as well as swimmers , surfers , and kayakers .
However , the leisure crafts , which sprang up because of Fungie , were stopped in March because of lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ so was understandably confused .
Fungie ’ s age is unknown but males generally live for between eight and 17 years but can live to 70 in exceptional circumstances .
Jimmy , who runs Dingle Sea Safari which takes out tours of Dingle Bay and helped found the local fishermen 's group , noticed how Fungie was acting strangely , reports the Irish Independent .
His fellow Dingle fishermen agreed .
Fungie would speed over to boats departing the port as if expecting company , attention , or even a treat of fresh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jimmy , came up with the idea of his Fungie jaunts .
How does Fungie react to Jimmy ?
Adorable photos showing Fungie playfully greeting Jimmy prove just how much the twice-daily meetings mean to him .
Jimmy heads out of Dingle harbour twice a day - ostensibly to do some fishing chores - but in reality , he just wants to keep Fungie company .
“ He was lonely alright , ” said Jimmy of his marine friend .
Jimmy and Fungie ?
Surely a double act once lockdown is lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now the centre of attention for Fungie , he is not sure this will continue post-lockdown and joked that he hopes he does n't forget him once his admirers return .

Jimmy Flannery, a fisherman from Dingle, County Kerry, in the west of Ireland, noticed the area’s famous dolphin, Fungie, seemed lonely after two months of lockdown and no human interaction.
His solution? To take daily trips to see him and keep him company.
Who are these two?
Fungie, a solitary male common bottlenose dolphin, has been living off the west Kerry coast since 1983. He quickly became a tourist attraction – there is a statue of him outside the tourist office in Dingle Town – and has delighted people who travel to see him. He appears to actively seek out human contact and interacts with people on leisure craft as well as swimmers, surfers, and kayakers.
However, the leisure crafts, which sprang up because of Fungie, were stopped in March because of lockdown. Fungie had become accustomed to the attention so was understandably confused. Fungie’s age is unknown but males generally live for between eight and 17 years but can live to 70 in exceptional circumstances.
Jimmy, who runs Dingle Sea Safari which takes out tours of Dingle Bay and helped found the local fishermen’s group, noticed how Fungie was acting strangely, reports the Irish Independent.
His fellow Dingle fishermen agreed. Fungie would speed over to boats departing the port as if expecting company, attention, or even a treat of fresh fish. This is where experienced fisherman, Jimmy, came up with the idea of his Fungie jaunts.
How does Fungie react to Jimmy?
Adorable photos showing Fungie playfully greeting Jimmy prove just how much the twice-daily meetings mean to him. Jimmy heads out of Dingle harbour twice a day – ostensibly to do some fishing chores – but in reality, he just wants to keep Fungie company. “He was lonely alright,” said Jimmy of his marine friend.
Jimmy and Fungie? Surely a double act once lockdown is lifted.
While Jimmy is aware he is now the centre of attention for Fungie, he is not sure this will continue post-lockdown and joked that he hopes he doesn’t forget him once his admirers return.


inews--2020-05-08--Coronavirus latest: Government announces £16million food fund for people struggling during lockdown

It will be given to food charities to help with the crisis facing many people A £16m fund for food charities was announced by the Government to help provide meals for vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown .
The programme will run for 12 weeks and will be delivered through charity partners including WRAP ( Waste and Resources Action Programme ) and FareShare .
Part of the fund will also be available for smaller food distribution charities .
Around 5,000 charities and community groups in England are set to benefit from the fund , including refuges , homeless shelters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural areas as well as cities .
The funding is part of the £750 million pot announced by the Chancellor , Rishi Sunak , for frontline charities across the UK during the coronavirus outbreak .
Food bank demand has increased in areas with Universal Credit , according to a report ( Photo : Getty ) Environment Secretary George Eustice said : “ This funding will help the most vulnerable in our society get the food they need at this enormously challenging time.
” FareShare , a not-for profit organisation redistributes food in England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding to buy food from manufacturers to provide at least 5,000 charities with food .
The charity pointed out that it will cover its own running costs .
Lindsay Boswell , CEO of FareShare said the support from the Department for Environment , Food & Rural Affairs ( Defra ) “ will enable us to continue to supply much-needed food and drink to the many thousands of frontline charities and community groups across England that are doing the humbling work of getting meals to very vulnerable people during this crisis.
” WRAP , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waste , will use the extra money to boost existing work distributing surplus food .
Marcus Gover , Chief Executive of WRAP , said : “ This additional funding will be used to expand that essential work with support for the very smallest , to the largest charities and enable them to support many more people at this difficult time.
” Last month a survey for the research organisation , the Food Foundation , found that more than 3million people in Britain were going hungry because of the coronavirus crisis .

A £16m fund for food charities was announced by the Government to help provide meals for vulnerable people during the coronavirus lockdown.
The programme will run for 12 weeks and will be delivered through charity partners including WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) and FareShare. Part of the fund will also be available for smaller food distribution charities.
Around 5,000 charities and community groups in England are set to benefit from the fund, including refuges, homeless shelters, and rehabilitation services. It will cover rural areas as well as cities.
The funding is part of the £750 million pot announced by the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, for frontline charities across the UK during the coronavirus outbreak.
Helping Britons
Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “This funding will help the most vulnerable in our society get the food they need at this enormously challenging time.”
FareShare, a not-for profit organisation redistributes food in England and nationwide. It will use the funding to buy food from manufacturers to provide at least 5,000 charities with food. The charity pointed out that it will cover its own running costs.
Lindsay Boswell, CEO of FareShare said the support from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) “will enable us to continue to supply much-needed food and drink to the many thousands of frontline charities and community groups across England that are doing the humbling work of getting meals to very vulnerable people during this crisis.”
WRAP, which specialises in sustainability and reducing food waste, will use the extra money to boost existing work distributing surplus food.
Marcus Gover, Chief Executive of WRAP, said: “This additional funding will be used to expand that essential work with support for the very smallest, to the largest charities and enable them to support many more people at this difficult time.”
Last month a survey for the research organisation, the Food Foundation, found that more than 3million people in Britain were going hungry because of the coronavirus crisis.