inews--2020-04-22--Coronavirus does discriminate - a colourblind approach helps no one

Coronavirus does discriminate - a colourblind approach helps no one We should mourn all who are taken away by this virus , but some groups are getting sicker than others Millions of white Brits become choleric when racial differentials are raised in national conversations .
They do not want to know and , for years , have accused us of working profitably in the “ race industry ” .
Here I go again .
They say the coronavirus does not discriminate between classes , ethnicities and races .
Not so , writes London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a piece for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one .
Young , old , rich , poor , northerner , southerner – everyone is at risk of catching , spreading and potentially succumbing to the coronavirus .
However , this doesn ’ t mean the impact of this crisis is being felt equally .
More and more , the notion that this epidemic is some kind of ‘ great leveller ’ is being exposed for what it is – a complete myth.
” Here in the UK , people of colour are , in disproportionate numbers , catching the virus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent of the population are of minority backgrounds .
Only 5 per cent of those are over 65 .
Yet non-white people make up 34 per cent of critically ill Covid-19 patients and two-thirds of the first 100 health and social care workers who have died .
Public Health England has announced it will now track the ethnic disparities in cases and deaths .
About time , too .
But then what ?
Will the tracking lead to deeper investigations into causes ?
To more comprehensive data ?
To policy changes ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , economic disadvantage , environment , racial inequality , community precepts , life choices and genetics .
Professor Kamlesh Khunti , of the University of Leicester , told the BBC that Bame populations tend to come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds , have public-facing occupations , different cultural beliefs and behaviours and are prone to some chronic health conditions .
Unless and until we understand the multiple and complex causes of this disparity , we understand nothing .
And there ’ s the rub .
For anti-racists , the external factors – inequality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – are the only valid determinants .
Jingoists are offended by that and impugn the victims .
To them it ’ s all about inherited deficiencies and unhealthy personal choices .
Here are some , incontrovertibly crucial factors : Britons of colour tend to live in big conurbations where the air is polluted and social distancing is harder .
Large numbers of them do low-paid jobs and live in small flats or rooms .
Around a third of Bangladeshi households and 15 per cent of black African households are officially classified as overcrowded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ households are .
Their nutrition can be poor .
The millions working in public services are , according to Omar Khan , director of the Runnymede Trust , “ more at risk of being at the front line and at greater risk of being exposed to the virus ” .
In addition , austerity hit these citizens cruelly .
Our immigration laws continue to discriminate against incomers , both legitimate and undocumented .
One refugee charity has been in touch to express concern about clients who are banned from accessing healthcare .
NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surcharge to be treated for illnesses .
If they pass away , their families have no right to remain .
I have no words to describe the injustices this nation heaps on men and women who travel thousands of miles and do their very best .
Of course , activism has its own blind alleys .
Diabetes and hypertension , obesity and other diseases could be making Bame Britons more vulnerable to the virus .
I didn ’ t know that darker skinned people need to have high-dose vitamin supplements because we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Living in extended family groups – wonderful when it works – can spread the virus in the home .
I have talked to some older people who don ’ t speak good English and don ’ t understand the coronavirus rules .
Salman Waqar , an academic GP registrar at the University of Oxford , confirms this : “ These messages may not necessarily get through to the grass roots.
” With Ramadhan coming soon , communities and the Government need to step up .
We should mourn all who are taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But some groups are getting sicker than others and expiring in tragically high numbers .
Colour blindness betrays them and endangers everybody else .

Millions of white Brits become choleric when racial differentials are raised in national conversations. They do not want to know and, for years, have accused us of working profitably in the “race industry”. Here I go again.
They say the coronavirus does not discriminate between classes, ethnicities and races. Not so, writes London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a piece for The Guardian: “Covid-19 spares no one. Young, old, rich, poor, northerner, southerner – everyone is at risk of catching, spreading and potentially succumbing to the coronavirus. However, this doesn’t mean the impact of this crisis is being felt equally. More and more, the notion that this epidemic is some kind of ‘great leveller’ is being exposed for what it is – a complete myth.”
According to The New York Times, emerging research in the US reveals higher than average rates of infection and fatalities among black and Hispanic populations.
Here in the UK, people of colour are, in disproportionate numbers, catching the virus, needing intensive care and dying. Fourteen per cent of the population are of minority backgrounds. Only 5 per cent of those are over 65. Yet non-white people make up 34 per cent of critically ill Covid-19 patients and two-thirds of the first 100 health and social care workers who have died.
The first 10 doctors who perished were Asian, African and Arab. Remember their names: GP Fayaz Ayache; consultant urologist Abdul Mabud Chowdhury; consultant Alfa Saadu; GP Habib Zaidi; ENT surgeon Amged El-Hawrani; organ transplant specialist Adil El Tayar; cardiothoracic surgeon Jitendra Rathod; consultant geriatrician Anton Sebastianpillai; cancer specialist Mohamed Sami Shousha; and GP Syed Haider. Think about their grieving families and patients.
Public Health England has announced it will now track the ethnic disparities in cases and deaths. About time, too. But then what? Will the tracking lead to deeper investigations into causes? To more comprehensive data? To policy changes?
Various, knotted threads create susceptibility: work, economic disadvantage, environment, racial inequality, community precepts, life choices and genetics. Professor Kamlesh Khunti, of the University of Leicester, told the BBC that Bame populations tend to come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, have public-facing occupations, different cultural beliefs and behaviours and are prone to some chronic health conditions.
Unless and until we understand the multiple and complex causes of this disparity, we understand nothing. And there’s the rub. For anti-racists, the external factors – inequality, racism, low pay, powerlessness – are the only valid determinants. Jingoists are offended by that and impugn the victims. To them it’s all about inherited deficiencies and unhealthy personal choices.
Here are some, incontrovertibly crucial factors: Britons of colour tend to live in big conurbations where the air is polluted and social distancing is harder. Large numbers of them do low-paid jobs and live in small flats or rooms. Around a third of Bangladeshi households and 15 per cent of black African households are officially classified as overcrowded. Only 2 per cent of white households are. Their nutrition can be poor. The millions working in public services are, according to Omar Khan, director of the Runnymede Trust, “more at risk of being at the front line and at greater risk of being exposed to the virus”. In addition, austerity hit these citizens cruelly.
Our immigration laws continue to discriminate against incomers, both legitimate and undocumented. One refugee charity has been in touch to express concern about clients who are banned from accessing healthcare. NHS workers from overseas have to pay a surcharge to be treated for illnesses. If they pass away, their families have no right to remain. I have no words to describe the injustices this nation heaps on men and women who travel thousands of miles and do their very best.
Of course, activism has its own blind alleys. Diabetes and hypertension, obesity and other diseases could be making Bame Britons more vulnerable to the virus. I didn’t know that darker skinned people need to have high-dose vitamin supplements because we don’t absorb it from the sun. Living in extended family groups – wonderful when it works – can spread the virus in the home.
I have talked to some older people who don’t speak good English and don’t understand the coronavirus rules. Salman Waqar, an academic GP registrar at the University of Oxford, confirms this: “These messages may not necessarily get through to the grass roots.” With Ramadhan coming soon, communities and the Government need to step up.
We should mourn all who are taken away by this stealthy and dark virus. But some groups are getting sicker than others and expiring in tragically high numbers. Colour blindness betrays them and endangers everybody else.
Twitter: @y_alibhai


inews--2020-04-22--Earth Day 2020: what the theme is this year, and best ideas for getting involved with today's 50th a

Earth Day 2020: what the theme is this year, and best ideas for getting involved with today's 50th anniversary

Earth Day 2020 : what the theme is this year , and best ideas for getting involved with today 's 50th anniversary Earth Day takes place on 22 April every year , the same date as the original event held in the US 50 years ago Protesters may not be able to take to the streets this year , but Earth Day is very much going ahead ( Photo : Newsmakers ) It all began in the US in 1970 , with an estimated 20 million people taking to the streets to protest against the negative environmental impacts of industrial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental law changes in America , such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species act , as well as prompting the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency .
Today , Earth Day 's organisers state that more than one billion people participate in coordinated marches , petitions and clean-ups to protect the planet - but how will the event be affected by the coronavirus outbreak ?
Earth Day always takes place on 22 April – the same date of that first event – which this year falls on a Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ events are held all around the world to discuss and increase awareness of the most pressing issues faced by the Earth ’ s environment , with the aim of enforcing lasting change .
Earth Day also seeks to remind people to consider the environment more generally in their day-to-day lives , rather than just on 22 April each year .
Earth Day originated in 1970 in the USA , turning 50 this year ( Photo : Hulton Archive/Getty Images ) This theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action , with the official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary .
How is Earth Day 2020 being marked ?
Usually , there are a series of high-profile events across the world marking Earth Day occasion - last year , for example , London 's Somerset House hosted a full fortnight of commemorations .
Next year , to mark its 50th anniversary , the Earth Day network is organising a `` Great Global Clean Up '' , which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in history .
It aims to remove billions of pieces of rubbish from streets , beaches , rivers and parks , and is being launched across US cities in 2019 .
However , the coronavirus restrictions in place across the planet mean that this year 's event will be a fully digital affair .
Instead of attending large scale events , people are being asked to visit the Earth Day website on 22 April to discover `` 24 hours of actions that can take , right now an from wherever you are .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ replaced by digital events for this year 's Earth Day ( Photo : Getty Images ) It states : `` Join us for 24 hours of action in a global digital mobilization that drives actions big and small , gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet .

Earth Day is an annual event marked across the globe to raise awareness of the planet’s environment, and this year’s event marks its 50th anniversary.
It all began in the US in 1970, with an estimated 20 million people taking to the streets to protest against the negative environmental impacts of industrial development.
Those demonstrations helped lead to environmental law changes in America, such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species act, as well as prompting the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Today, Earth Day’s organisers state that more than one billion people participate in coordinated marches, petitions and clean-ups to protect the planet – but how will the event be affected by the coronavirus outbreak?
When is Earth Day?
Earth Day always takes place on 22 April – the same date of that first event – which this year falls on a Wednesday.
Its scope has increased year on year, with 193 countries now in the coordinated Earth Day network.
On the day, in normal circumstances events are held all around the world to discuss and increase awareness of the most pressing issues faced by the Earth’s environment, with the aim of enforcing lasting change.
Earth Day also seeks to remind people to consider the environment more generally in their day-to-day lives, rather than just on 22 April each year.
What’s this year’s theme?
This theme for Earth Day 2020 is climate action, with the official guidance explaining: “The enormous challenge — but also the vast opportunities — of action on climate change have distinguished the issue as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.
“Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.”
How is Earth Day 2020 being marked?
Usually, there are a series of high-profile events across the world marking Earth Day occasion – last year, for example, London’s Somerset House hosted a full fortnight of commemorations.
Next year, to mark its 50th anniversary, the Earth Day network is organising a “Great Global Clean Up”, which it bills as the largest environmental volunteer event in history.
It aims to remove billions of pieces of rubbish from streets, beaches, rivers and parks, and is being launched across US cities in 2019.
However, the coronavirus restrictions in place across the planet mean that this year’s event will be a fully digital affair.
Instead of attending large scale events, people are being asked to visit the Earth Day website on 22 April to discover “24 hours of actions that can take, right now an from wherever you are.”
It states: “Join us for 24 hours of action in a global digital mobilization that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet.
“Over the 24 hours of Earth Day, the 50th anniversary of Earth Day will fill the digital landscape with global conversations, calls to action, performances, video teach-ins and more.”
There is a full list of digital Earth Day events here, while you can watch the main Earth Day Live broadcast here, featuring such figures as Zac Efron, John Kerry and Al Gore.
Of course, there are also simple ways that you can help to make a big difference throughout the year, rather than just Earth Day itself.


inews--2020-04-22--Why the UK PPE delivery from Turkey has been delayed - and when the equipment is expected to arrive

Why the UK PPE delivery from Turkey has been delayed - and when the equipment is expected to arrive The lack of equipment has sparked fears that staff in hospitals and care homes are risking their lives Why has PPE from Turkey been delayed ?
The government has blamed ‘ challenges at the Turkish end ’ for the delay in the delivery of PPE supplies , after the life-saving equipment failed to arrive in the UK on Sunday ( 19 Apr ) evening .
RAF planes were instead tasked with going to collect it , with the first of three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Monday ( 20 Apr ) to start the collection .
Downing Street was unable to say when the plane would return to the UK , with 84 tonnes of life-saving medical clothing and equipment , including 400,000 protective gowns for the NHS , made by Turkish suppliers .
The Prime Minister 's official spokesman said : `` We 're continuing to work to ensure that this shipment is delivered as soon as it is ready .
Asked what the hold-up was , the spokesman said : `` I do n't have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As I say , we want it to be resolved as quickly as possible and the RAF is able to then bring the cargo back to the UK . ''
When will the equipment arrive in the UK ?
Why is there not enough PPE ?
The UK Government has not acknowledged an equipment shortage , but has said there are distribution issues that have contributed to the lack of PPE .
The lack of equipment has sparked fears that staff in hospitals and care homes are risking their lives , prompting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to call for an independent inquiry into the government ’ s handling of the issue .
Dr Shahzad Hanif , a GP who co-ordinated the open letter to the Scottish Government , said on BBC ’ s Good Morning Scotland : `` It 's not just the quantity of PPE , which the government has so far been focused on , but it 's the quality that we feel is simply not adequate to provide enough protection for us .
`` There are certainly signs that the quantity of protective equipment is certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care where I work and messages I have had from secondary care echo that - that 's less of a concern to us now , to be honest .
The Scottish Government claims the protection of medical staff is its highest priority and insisted there are new measures to ensure the right PPE is available `` with the highest possible urgency '' .
What PPE should I be wearing ?

The UK Government is facing mounting criticism over its failure to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to NHS staff who are treating coronavirus patients.
Ministers have insisted they are pursuing “every possible option” to secure additional equipment, but have blamed unprecedented worldwide demand for the delays.
On 20 April, an RAF plane departed the UK for Turkey to pick up a delivery of PPE equipment that was delayed.
Here’s what you should know about the row over NHS kit.
Why has PPE from Turkey been delayed?
The government has blamed ‘challenges at the Turkish end’ for the delay in the delivery of PPE supplies, after the life-saving equipment failed to arrive in the UK on Sunday (19 Apr) evening.
RAF planes were instead tasked with going to collect it, with the first of three flights finally leaving from RAF Brize Norton on Monday (20 Apr) to start the collection.
Downing Street was unable to say when the plane would return to the UK, with 84 tonnes of life-saving medical clothing and equipment, including 400,000 protective gowns for the NHS, made by Turkish suppliers.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “We’re continuing to work to ensure that this shipment is delivered as soon as it is ready.
“As you know, we are seeking to source PPE from a number of countries and yesterday, for example, 140,000 gowns arrived from Burma.”
The spokesman said it was a commercial order from a Turkish company which was made last Thursday.
Asked what the hold-up was, the spokesman said: “I don’t have the details of the reason for the delay. As I say, we want it to be resolved as quickly as possible and the RAF is able to then bring the cargo back to the UK.”
When will the equipment arrive in the UK?
Health minister Helen Whately has confirmed that tehe delayed Turkish shipment of gowns and protective equipment has now landed in the UK.
Whateley said at least part of the consignment arrived on Wednesday (22 Apr) morning and was being checked, following an unexplained four-day hold up.
It is not yet known whether the plane contained the promised 400,000 gowns, which ministers had previously promised would arrive on Sunday (19 Apr).
Why is there not enough PPE?
The UK Government has not acknowledged an equipment shortage, but has said there are distribution issues that have contributed to the lack of PPE.
At the daily Downing Street press conference on Monday (20 Apr), Chancellor Rishi Sunak insisted the government was improving its sourcing of PPE both internationally and domestically.
The lack of equipment has sparked fears that staff in hospitals and care homes are risking their lives, prompting the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to call for an independent inquiry into the government’s handling of the issue.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Every day frontline workers are being forced to risk their lives because they don’t have the proper protective equipment.
“This is a grotesque failure of planning and preparedness. It must never be allowed to happen again.
“Our NHS, social care and key workers deserve better.”
More than 100 medics in Scotland have signed a letter to the Scottish Government expressing concerns over the lack of PPE, claiming frontline workers do not have suitable aprons, masks and eye protection.
Dr Shahzad Hanif, a GP who co-ordinated the open letter to the Scottish Government, said on BBC’s Good Morning Scotland: “It’s not just the quantity of PPE, which the government has so far been focused on, but it’s the quality that we feel is simply not adequate to provide enough protection for us.
“There are certainly signs that the quantity of protective equipment is certainly coming through now, certainly into primary care where I work and messages I have had from secondary care echo that – that’s less of a concern to us now, to be honest.
“It’s more the quality of the equipment that we’re more anxious about now.”
The Scottish Government claims the protection of medical staff is its highest priority and insisted there are new measures to ensure the right PPE is available “with the highest possible urgency”.
What PPE should I be wearing?
Government guidance states that any clinician working in a hospital, primary care or community care setting, within two metres of a suspected or confirmed coronavirus patient, should wear an apron, gloves, surgical mask and eye protection, based on the risk.
Those who don’t work in a health care setting are not currently advised to use PPE, such as masks and gloves, unless they are displaying symptoms – although they can still be worn as a precaution.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is currently only advising those who are sick and showing symptoms of coronavirus, such as coughing or sneezing, to wear a mask.
If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are caring for someone with a suspected coronavirus infection.


inews--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Urban planners across Europe reclaim the streets from cars during lockdown

Coronavirus : Urban planners across Europe reclaim the streets from cars during lockdown This week , Milan and Brussels — both notorious for their traffic-clogged roads — announced bold schemes to prioritise walkers and cyclists With city centres around the world emptying because of the coronavirus quarantines , urban authorities are seizing the moment with plans to reclaim the streets from cars and lorries - and give them to cyclists and pedestrians .
This week , Milan and Brussels - both notorious for their traffic-clogged roads - announced bold schemes to prioritise walkers and cyclists in their city centres .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of streets would be retrofitted over the summer with more cycling and walking space .
Meanwhile , central Brussels will become a 20km/hour ( 12 mile/hour ) zone from May 1 , giving full priority to pedestrians and cyclists everywhere in the city ’ s 4.6km² ( 1.75 square mile ) historic heart .
The initiatives in Milan and Brussels are just two in growing trend of cities using the pandemic lockdowns to rethink urban mobility in ways that transfer road space from cars to people on foot and on bikes .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently living under some form of lockdown , cities have been exploring traffic planning ideas that almost certainly would have faced fierce political opposition before the current crisis .
Many cities have temporarily stopped or limited access to vehicles on certain corridors in order to help walking , biking , and outdoor respite-taking happen in accordance with social distancing guidelines .
In Berlin , authorities moved quickly to paint new , wide bike lanes in place of some car lanes as part of a pilot project to reduce the number of contamination among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public transport .
Colombian capital Bogotá has replaced 35km of traffic lanes with new emergency bike lanes using temporary cones , with mayor , Claudia López , describing cycling as “ one of the most hygienic alternatives for the prevention of the virus.
” Mexico City is planning 80 miles of temporary bike lanes .
In the US , cities like Philadelphia , Minneapolis , Denver and Oakland have all closed key roads to cars , giving them over to bicycles .
Colombian capital Bogotá has replaced 35km of traffic lanes with new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo : Guillermo Legaria/Getty ) Other actions have been taken to support pedestrians : Sydney , Auckland and Boston are among the cities to switch to automating crossing signals so that pedestrians do not have to touch “ beg buttons ” that may be contaminated .
Some of the schemes are temporary reallocations of road space from cars to people on foot and on cycles so that key workers can keep moving and residents in coronavirus lockdown stay healthy and active while socially distancing .
But there are also indications that some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even after the pandemic has passed , as locals come to appreciate the fresh air and silence of calm , traffic-free roads .
This is the case with one of the most audacious longer-term schemes under discussion is in New York , where the city council is planning a massive reconfiguration roads for walking and cycling with 75 miles of “ streets for people ” .

With city centres around the world emptying because of the coronavirus quarantines, urban authorities are seizing the moment with plans to reclaim the streets from cars and lorries – and give them to cyclists and pedestrians.
This week, Milan and Brussels – both notorious for their traffic-clogged roads – announced bold schemes to prioritise walkers and cyclists in their city centres. Milan said 35km (22 miles) of streets would be retrofitted over the summer with more cycling and walking space. Meanwhile, central Brussels will become a 20km/hour (12 mile/hour) zone from May 1, giving full priority to pedestrians and cyclists everywhere in the city’s 4.6km² (1.75 square mile) historic heart.
The initiatives in Milan and Brussels are just two in growing trend of cities using the pandemic lockdowns to rethink urban mobility in ways that transfer road space from cars to people on foot and on bikes. With half of the world’s population currently living under some form of lockdown, cities have been exploring traffic planning ideas that almost certainly would have faced fierce political opposition before the current crisis.
Many cities have temporarily stopped or limited access to vehicles on certain corridors in order to help walking, biking, and outdoor respite-taking happen in accordance with social distancing guidelines. In Berlin, authorities moved quickly to paint new, wide bike lanes in place of some car lanes as part of a pilot project to reduce the number of contamination among cyclists and to encourage people to avoid public transport.
Bike lanes and traffic calming
Colombian capital Bogotá has replaced 35km of traffic lanes with new emergency bike lanes using temporary cones, with mayor, Claudia López, describing cycling as “one of the most hygienic alternatives for the prevention of the virus.” Mexico City is planning 80 miles of temporary bike lanes. In the US, cities like Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Denver and Oakland have all closed key roads to cars, giving them over to bicycles.
Other actions have been taken to support pedestrians: Sydney, Auckland and Boston are among the cities to switch to automating crossing signals so that pedestrians do not have to touch “beg buttons” that may be contaminated.
Some of the schemes are temporary reallocations of road space from cars to people on foot and on cycles so that key workers can keep moving and residents in coronavirus lockdown stay healthy and active while socially distancing.
But there are also indications that some of the measures may be kept in place even after the pandemic has passed, as locals come to appreciate the fresh air and silence of calm, traffic-free roads. This is the case with one of the most audacious longer-term schemes under discussion is in New York, where the city council is planning a massive reconfiguration roads for walking and cycling with 75 miles of “streets for people”.


inews--2020-04-22--Turning cities into urban forests can sustain our future health

Turning cities into urban forests can sustain our future health Many European countries are acknowledging the fact that we have over-designed our towns and cities to accommodate the car With research group the Tree Urbanistas , I have been considering and debating how to solve these problems .
By 2119 , it is only through re-establishing contact with the natural world , particularly trees , that cities will be able to function , be viable and able to support their populations .
This re-design will include the planting of many more urban trees and other vegetation – and making use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Although we didn ’ t fully realise it at the time , the 1986 Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna , a building that incorporated 200 trees in its design , was the start of more creative urban forestry thinking .
The Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna , designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser ( Photo : photosounds/Shutterstock ) This has been carried on in Stefano Boeri ’ s Bosco Verticale apartments in downtown Milan , which incorporates over 800 trees as part of the building .
Similar structures are being developed around the world , such as in Nanjing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The urban forest needs to be designed as a first principle , part of the critical infrastructure of the whole city , not just as a cosmetic afterthought .
We know for example that in 2015 , urban forest in the UK saved the NHS over £1 billion by helping to reduce the impact of air pollutants .
In 2119 , we may well look back on this present time as the equivalent of the Victorian slum .
Trees can create places which can greatly improve our health and well-being .
Our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and places to help manage our mental health and improve our physical health .
Research has indicated for example that increasing the canopy cover of a neighbourhood by 10 % and creating safe , walkable places can reduce obesity by as much as 18 % .
As rural areas become less productive as a result of climate change , cities – which previously consumed goods and services from a large hinterland – will have to become internally productive .
Trees will be at the centre of that , contributing to the city energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our air and water flows , and ensuring that our previously neglected urban soils function healthily .
The Bosco Verticale ( Vertical Forest ) in Milan , designed by Stefano Boeri ( Photo : Sabino Parente/Shutterstock ) Urban forests could also provide timber for building .
We have a history of productive woodlands in the UK , yet alternative construction materials and a growth in an urban population with less knowledge of forest management means that the urban forest is rarely viewed as productive .
We are now recognising the potential productivity of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stimulate homegrown timber markets and achieve more efficient management efficiencies are proving to be successful .
Furthermore , economic growth is still deemed to be the prime symbol of the effectiveness of a city , but we need to be equally aware of other invisible values .
This will open up new approaches to governance .
Governance needs to embrace all forms of value in a balanced way and facilitate a new vision , considering how trees can help create liveable cities .
As the urban population rises , we need to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the values held about our urban forest .
Individual people can hold several distinct values at once , as urban forests may contribute to their wellbeing in different ways .
The current guardians of our urban forest , mainly local authority tree officers , spend much of their time managing risks rather than maximising the opportunities of trees .
They often receive complaints about trees and tree management , and it can sometimes be difficult to remember that people do care about trees .
We need to develop viable partnerships between tree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support trees in our cities .
Although the canopy cover of cities worldwide is currently falling , this is not the case in Europe , where it is increasing .
Many European countries are acknowledging the fact that we have over-designed our towns and cities to accommodate the car , and now it is time to reclaim the public realm for our people – either pedestrians on foot or on bicycles .
Creative developments like the Hundertwasserhaus are not the only answer to creating Treetopia .
We are and will continue to plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ informal clusters of trees in our parks and green spaces .
Treetopia has begun .

The 21st century is the urban century. It has been forecast that urban areas across the world will have expanded by more than 2.5 billion people by 2050.
The scale and speed of urbanisation has created significant environmental and health problems for urban dwellers. These problems are often made worse by a lack of contact with the natural world.
With research group the Tree Urbanistas, I have been considering and debating how to solve these problems. By 2119, it is only through re-establishing contact with the natural world, particularly trees, that cities will be able to function, be viable and able to support their populations.
The creation of urban forests will make cities worth living in, able to function and support their populations: Treetopias.
This re-design will include the planting of many more urban trees and other vegetation – and making use of new, more creative methods. Although we didn’t fully realise it at the time, the 1986 Hundertwasserhaus in Vienna, a building that incorporated 200 trees in its design, was the start of more creative urban forestry thinking.
This has been carried on in Stefano Boeri’s Bosco Verticale apartments in downtown Milan, which incorporates over 800 trees as part of the building. Similar structures are being developed around the world, such as in Nanjing in China and Utrecht in The Netherlands.
The urban forest needs to be designed as a first principle, part of the critical infrastructure of the whole city, not just as a cosmetic afterthought. We know for example that in 2015, urban forest in the UK saved the NHS over £1 billion by helping to reduce the impact of air pollutants. In 2119, we may well look back on this present time as the equivalent of the Victorian slum.
Trees can create places which can greatly improve our health and well-being. Our urban forest can give us the spaces and places to help manage our mental health and improve our physical health. Research has indicated for example that increasing the canopy cover of a neighbourhood by 10% and creating safe, walkable places can reduce obesity by as much as 18%.
Cities built on trees
As rural areas become less productive as a result of climate change, cities – which previously consumed goods and services from a large hinterland – will have to become internally productive. Trees will be at the centre of that, contributing to the city energy balance through cooling, regulating and cleaning our air and water flows, and ensuring that our previously neglected urban soils function healthily.
Urban forests could also provide timber for building. We have a history of productive woodlands in the UK, yet alternative construction materials and a growth in an urban population with less knowledge of forest management means that the urban forest is rarely viewed as productive. We are now recognising the potential productivity of the urban forest, as campaigns to stimulate homegrown timber markets and achieve more efficient management efficiencies are proving to be successful.
Furthermore, economic growth is still deemed to be the prime symbol of the effectiveness of a city, but we need to be equally aware of other invisible values. This will open up new approaches to governance. Governance needs to embrace all forms of value in a balanced way and facilitate a new vision, considering how trees can help create liveable cities.
New opportunities
As the urban population rises, we need to get better at understanding the breadth and diversity of the values held about our urban forest. Individual people can hold several distinct values at once, as urban forests may contribute to their wellbeing in different ways.
The current guardians of our urban forest, mainly local authority tree officers, spend much of their time managing risks rather than maximising the opportunities of trees. They often receive complaints about trees and tree management, and it can sometimes be difficult to remember that people do care about trees. We need to develop viable partnerships between tree managers, community members and businesses to support trees in our cities.
Although the canopy cover of cities worldwide is currently falling, this is not the case in Europe, where it is increasing. Many European countries are acknowledging the fact that we have over-designed our towns and cities to accommodate the car, and now it is time to reclaim the public realm for our people – either pedestrians on foot or on bicycles.
Creative developments like the Hundertwasserhaus are not the only answer to creating Treetopia. We are and will continue to plant more street trees, urban groves and informal clusters of trees in our parks and green spaces. Treetopia has begun.
By Alan Simson, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Forestry, Leeds Beckett University; read the original article from TheConversation.com
This story is part of Covering Climate Now, a global collaboration of more than 250 news outlets to strengthen coverage of the climate story


inews--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Care home deaths may have doubled in five days

Coronavirus : Care home deaths may have doubled in five days Care Quality Commission take action following concerns that Covid-19 is now rampant in the care sector causing thousands of deaths The number of deaths in care homes may have doubled in the five days over the Easter bank holiday sparking the care watchdog into taking action following concerns that Covid-19 is now rampant in the sector .
Although the Government 's daily death toll of coronavirus fatalities still only records hospital deaths , the Care Quality Commission ( CQC ) has started recording confirmed and suspected coronavirus deaths in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of people who may have died from the virus between 11 to 15 April could be as high as 2,000 .
The Department of Health also feared a `` significant rise '' in deaths not related to Covid-19 among residents .
This would be double the 975 deaths reported by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday for deaths in England during the week ending 10 April , and would mean the total number of care home deaths since March , when the first deaths happened , would have exceeded 6,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ down to how easily Covid-19 can spread in care homes due to a lack of personal protective equipment for care home staff and a lack of testing , while homes have been expected to take hospital patients at short notice .
Dominic Raab is standing in for Boris Johnson ( Photo : Peter Summers/Getty ) Speaking at the daily press conference on Wednesday Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed another 759 coronavirus deaths in UK hospitals bringing the total to 18,100 , and admitted that care homes had proved a `` challenge '' for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` We are conscious there is a challenge with care homes - I 've said that in my earlier remarks - but we are doing everything we can , '' he said .
`` The situation is improving , we are getting the PPE [ personal protective equipment ] to those places that need it . ''
Jeremy Richardson , chief executive of Four Seasons Health Care , one of the largest providers , says 240 residents have died of confirmed or suspected Covid-19 across its 187 homes .
Suspected cases have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its homes , and 1,400 staff - representing around 11 per cent of the total workforce - are in isolation .
Mr Richardson said : `` We 're not operating in a different biosphere to the rest of the UK care sector .
I know that our figures are very comparable with some of the other big providers because I speak to them . ''
He said his care homes represent around 1 per cent of total care home space in the UK and said Government figures on the issue have always been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` When they do finally catch up , we 're going to see what I think is going to be stark .
It will be dramatic . ''
Meanwhile , more than 41,000 people may have already died from coronavirus in the UK according to new analysis - more than double the latest total announced by the Government .
The official death toll which stood at 17,337 on Monday , based almost entirely on the deaths of hospital patients who tested positive for Covid-19 .
However the Financial Times , using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Statistics ( ONS ) and other sources to extrapolate the number of deaths beyond the Government total , to better reflect what is happening in the wider community , said there had been 41,102 deaths by Tuesday .
It described the figure , which includes more than 10,000 in care homes , as a `` conservative estimate '' .
In a joint statement the CQC and Department of Health and Social Care said : “ It is anticipated that the number of deaths in care homes relating to Covid-19 reported by providers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be double the number of care home deaths reported yesterday .
`` Together , we are working closely with ONS to provide a more detailed and timely picture of the impact of Covid-19 on adult social care , using the data on deaths of people with suspected and confirmed Covid-19 that CQC collects from providers .
”

The number of deaths in care homes may have doubled in the five days over the Easter bank holiday sparking the care watchdog into taking action following concerns that Covid-19 is now rampant in the sector.
Although the Government’s daily death toll of coronavirus fatalities still only records hospital deaths, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has started recording confirmed and suspected coronavirus deaths in care homes and has said that the number of people who may have died from the virus between 11 to 15 April could be as high as 2,000. The Department of Health also feared a “significant rise” in deaths not related to Covid-19 among residents.
This would be double the 975 deaths reported by the Office for National Statistics on Tuesday for deaths in England during the week ending 10 April, and would mean the total number of care home deaths since March, when the first deaths happened, would have exceeded 6,000.
The huge toll is thought to be down to how easily Covid-19 can spread in care homes due to a lack of personal protective equipment for care home staff and a lack of testing, while homes have been expected to take hospital patients at short notice.
‘Challenge with care homes’
Speaking at the daily press conference on Wednesday Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed another 759 coronavirus deaths in UK hospitals bringing the total to 18,100, and admitted that care homes had proved a “challenge” for ministers in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.
“We are conscious there is a challenge with care homes – I’ve said that in my earlier remarks – but we are doing everything we can,” he said. “The situation is improving, we are getting the PPE [personal protective equipment] to those places that need it.”
Jeremy Richardson, chief executive of Four Seasons Health Care, one of the largest providers, says 240 residents have died of confirmed or suspected Covid-19 across its 187 homes. Suspected cases have been recorded in 60 per cent of its homes, and 1,400 staff – representing around 11 per cent of the total workforce – are in isolation.
Mr Richardson said: “We’re not operating in a different biosphere to the rest of the UK care sector. I know that our figures are very comparable with some of the other big providers because I speak to them.”
He said his care homes represent around 1 per cent of total care home space in the UK and said Government figures on the issue have always been “materially understated”.
Mr Richardson said: “When they do finally catch up, we’re going to see what I think is going to be stark. It will be dramatic.”
41,000 deaths
Meanwhile, more than 41,000 people may have already died from coronavirus in the UK according to new analysis – more than double the latest total announced by the Government.
The official death toll which stood at 17,337 on Monday, based almost entirely on the deaths of hospital patients who tested positive for Covid-19. However the Financial Times, using separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and other sources to extrapolate the number of deaths beyond the Government total, to better reflect what is happening in the wider community, said there had been 41,102 deaths by Tuesday. It described the figure, which includes more than 10,000 in care homes, as a “conservative estimate”.
The Government’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, said last month that keeping the death toll to below 20,000 would represent “a good outcome” for the UK.
In a joint statement the CQC and Department of Health and Social Care said: “It is anticipated that the number of deaths in care homes relating to Covid-19 reported by providers between 11 April and 15 April could be double the number of care home deaths reported yesterday.
“Together, we are working closely with ONS to provide a more detailed and timely picture of the impact of Covid-19 on adult social care, using the data on deaths of people with suspected and confirmed Covid-19 that CQC collects from providers.”


inews--2020-04-22--Our Queen at War, ITV, review: hard to understand why this hour-long film needed to be made

Our Queen at War , ITV , review : hard to understand why this hour-long film needed to be made For all the interesting archive footage , this documentary put forward an argument so obvious it hardly needed to be stated Princess Elizabeth in her Auxiliary Territorial Service uniform in front of an Army ambulance during the Second World War ( Photo : Topical Press Agency/Getty ) The basic ( in every sense of the word ) argument put forward in Our Queen at War was that Princess Elizabeth ’ s experiences during the Second World War shaped her leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no doubt true , it is also so crashingly obvious that it is hard to understand why this hour-long film needed to be made .
Broadcast on the day after the Queen ’ s 94th birthday , Our Queen at War rattled through Elizabeth ’ s early life , before examining her movements during the conflict .
Princess Elizabeth talking to her father , King George VI , while he goes through the Royal boxes in a study at Windsor Castle in 1942 ( Photo : Hulton Royals Collection/Getty ) We heard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Birkhall estate in Aberdeenshire , the Christmas pantomimes she helped to put on at the Waterloo Chamber , and the radio broadcast that she made in 1940 for the BBC : “ We know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all.
” Stirring stuff , but hardly the first time we ’ ve heard it .
There was pleasing archive footage and the tale was narrated coherently , if a little patronisingly , by Downton Abbey ’ s Phyllis Logan .
“ Princess Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as if telling a bedtime story .
“ Very soon she would be defending the nation by serving in the military.
” In March 1945 , of course , Princess Elizabeth became the only female member of the Royal Family to join the British Army .
Needing a fresh angle , the makers turned to royal biographers for insight – and didn ’ t get much .
Referring to the young royal ’ s encounters with children who had been evacuated from Glasgow , author Jane Dismore told us : “ Elizabeth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the children because they were very , very different from the princesses.
” This was a pleasant way to pass an hour , I suppose , if the washing up was done .
Quite what purpose it served , though , I don ’ t know .

Our Queen at War, ITV, 9pm ★★★
The basic (in every sense of the word) argument put forward in Our Queen at War was that Princess Elizabeth’s experiences during the Second World War shaped her leadership style as our monarch. While this is no doubt true, it is also so crashingly obvious that it is hard to understand why this hour-long film needed to be made.
Broadcast on the day after the Queen’s 94th birthday, Our Queen at War rattled through Elizabeth’s early life, before examining her movements during the conflict.
We heard about her evacuation with Princess Margaret to the Birkhall estate in Aberdeenshire, the Christmas pantomimes she helped to put on at the Waterloo Chamber, and the radio broadcast that she made in 1940 for the BBC: “We know from experience what it means to be away from those we love most of all.” Stirring stuff, but hardly the first time we’ve heard it.
There was pleasing archive footage and the tale was narrated coherently, if a little patronisingly, by Downton Abbey’s Phyllis Logan. “Princess Elizabeth was growing up,” she cooed, as if telling a bedtime story. “Very soon she would be defending the nation by serving in the military.” In March 1945, of course, Princess Elizabeth became the only female member of the Royal Family to join the British Army.
Needing a fresh angle, the makers turned to royal biographers for insight – and didn’t get much. Referring to the young royal’s encounters with children who had been evacuated from Glasgow, author Jane Dismore told us: “Elizabeth was never quite at ease with some of the children because they were very, very different from the princesses.”
This was a pleasant way to pass an hour, I suppose, if the washing up was done. Quite what purpose it served, though, I don’t know.


inews--2020-04-22--Prankster dad beats kids at their own game with fake letter from Boris Johnson

Prankster dad beats kids at their own game with fake letter from Boris Johnson Letter warned weekend classes would be compulsory when schools reopen A dad has beaten his pranking children at their own game with a fake letter from the Prime Minister promising weekend schooling .
Father-of-two Liam Schewitz presented his daughters with what appeared to be a signed letter from Boris Johnson stating it would be compulsory for pupils to attend classes every weekend after schools reopen in a bid to catch up on lost time .
The letter , printed on government headed paper , stated : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will quickly make up for lost time by not only teaching your children from Monday to Friday but also making it compulsory for your child to attend school on Saturdays and Sundays for the first six months.
” Mr Schewitz , who is a stand-up comedian based in Cardiff , said they were a family who have “ always been able to laugh with one another ” .
So when his youngest daughter Frankie declared it was going to be ‘ prank week ’ it was like a red rag to a bull @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t take my territory off me.
” “ My youngest has been banging on about “ prank week ” and has been royally pranking us all day ” , he wrote on Twitter sharing details of his stunt , “ Little does she know , her father is the prank master.
” He added : “ You come for me with farts and paintings of pops and I will come for you kids , you will reap the fruits of what you sow .
Welcome to the big leagues ” Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 , were in contact with their friends immediately after reading the letter to find out if other parents had been sent the same correspondence and took to their devices to try and research the details .
A series of posts on social media during the course of Tuesday recorded his children ’ s reaction to the news of weekend schooling and garnered more than 84,000 likes .
One of the kids ’ main concerns appeared to be who would be going to waterparks in their absence .
The 41-year-old allowed the joke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coming clean and revealing the truth .
The result was a counter-strike from the children with a glass of water trick and then their demand for a truce .
But like any comedian worth his salt , Mr Schewitz had the last laugh by posting a template of his prank letter on Twitter for others to use entitling it “ parents delight ” .

A dad has beaten his pranking children at their own game with a fake letter from the Prime Minister promising weekend schooling.
Father-of-two Liam Schewitz presented his daughters with what appeared to be a signed letter from Boris Johnson stating it would be compulsory for pupils to attend classes every weekend after schools reopen in a bid to catch up on lost time.
The letter, printed on government headed paper, stated: “When the schools reopen, we will quickly make up for lost time by not only teaching your children from Monday to Friday but also making it compulsory for your child to attend school on Saturdays and Sundays for the first six months.”
Mr Schewitz, who is a stand-up comedian based in Cardiff, said they were a family who have “always been able to laugh with one another”.
Prime ministerial letter
So when his youngest daughter Frankie declared it was going to be ‘prank week’ it was like a red rag to a bull and his immediate reaction was “you can’t take my territory off me.”
“My youngest has been banging on about “prank week” and has been royally pranking us all day”, he wrote on Twitter sharing details of his stunt, “Little does she know, her father is the prank master.”
He added: “You come for me with farts and paintings of pops and I will come for you kids, you will reap the fruits of what you sow. Welcome to the big leagues”
Both Frankie, 8, and Millie, 11, were in contact with their friends immediately after reading the letter to find out if other parents had been sent the same correspondence and took to their devices to try and research the details.
‘Prank master’
A series of posts on social media during the course of Tuesday recorded his children’s reaction to the news of weekend schooling and garnered more than 84,000 likes.
One of the kids’ main concerns appeared to be who would be going to waterparks in their absence.
The 41-year-old allowed the joke to run for several hours before finally coming clean and revealing the truth.
The result was a counter-strike from the children with a glass of water trick and then their demand for a truce.
But like any comedian worth his salt, Mr Schewitz had the last laugh by posting a template of his prank letter on Twitter for others to use entitling it “parents delight”.


inews--2020-04-22--The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC One, review: a welcome splash of escapism

The Great British Sewing Bee , BBC One , review : a welcome splash of escapism Presenter Joe Lycett and judges Esme Young and Patrick Grant were on good form in the first episode of series six of the popular sewing show The Great British Sewing Bee presenter Joe Lycett watches on as new contestant Liz gets to grips with her mannequin ( Photo : BBC ) “ If they choose the wrong fabric , ” explained Esme Young , a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee , “ it could be a disaster.
” Later , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street banker Mark , fretted over his tea dress : “ No one wants a puckered cleavage , do they ?
” Indeed they don ’ t , Mark , but one suspects that such concerns are not forefront in the nation ’ s mind just now .
This presents something of a problem for a series as determinedly jolly as this one .
Given the circumstances , is it still a welcome splash of escapism ?
Or just a pain in the backside that has failed to read the mood ?
Needle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on The Great British Sewing Bee ( Photo : BBC ) On the evidence of the opening episode , I would say the former .
Lockdown or not , there has to be more to life than Huw Edwards ’ furrowed brow .
Joe Lycett is altogether better company .
From the moment the presenter whipped a sheet off Esme , as though she were a mannequin , and said , “ Oh dear , a few cobwebs on these ” , I didn ’ t stop smiling .
The format was largely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would expect , the amateur sewers did some sewing and their efforts were judged by Esme and Patrick Grant .
Unlike , say , The Great British Bake Off , though , this is not a show that inspires you to get busy .
Instead , the joy derives from watching people delight in their craft and in meeting curious personalities .
On which note , it should be remembered that these early episodes are often clogged up with attention-seekers , desperate to make the most of their 15 minutes .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex and jewellery designer Nicole .
More interesting was medical consultant Clare .
She didn ’ t thrust herself into the limelight , but she is clearly eccentric , enjoying “ vintage ” days out , sipping gin and dressing in 1940s threads .
Therese , whose daughters tell her she dresses “ like a sofa ” , was also quietly amusing .
Once things shake down , this series promises to stitch together very nicely .

The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC One, 9pm ★★★
“If they choose the wrong fabric,” explained Esme Young, a judge on The Great British Sewing Bee, “it could be a disaster.” Later, one of the new crop of contestants, high street banker Mark, fretted over his tea dress: “No one wants a puckered cleavage, do they?”
Indeed they don’t, Mark, but one suspects that such concerns are not forefront in the nation’s mind just now. This presents something of a problem for a series as determinedly jolly as this one. Given the circumstances, is it still a welcome splash of escapism? Or just a pain in the backside that has failed to read the mood?
On the evidence of the opening episode, I would say the former. Lockdown or not, there has to be more to life than Huw Edwards’ furrowed brow. Joe Lycett is altogether better company. From the moment the presenter whipped a sheet off Esme, as though she were a mannequin, and said, “Oh dear, a few cobwebs on these”, I didn’t stop smiling.
The format was largely unchanged from previous series. So as you would expect, the amateur sewers did some sewing and their efforts were judged by Esme and Patrick Grant.
Unlike, say, The Great British Bake Off, though, this is not a show that inspires you to get busy. Instead, the joy derives from watching people delight in their craft and in meeting curious personalities. On which note, it should be remembered that these early episodes are often clogged up with attention-seekers, desperate to make the most of their 15 minutes. There was rather too much bounce from student Alex and jewellery designer Nicole.
More interesting was medical consultant Clare. She didn’t thrust herself into the limelight, but she is clearly eccentric, enjoying “vintage” days out, sipping gin and dressing in 1940s threads. Therese, whose daughters tell her she dresses “like a sofa”, was also quietly amusing. Once things shake down, this series promises to stitch together very nicely.


inews--2020-04-22--Cranes make a comeback in Britain, with a record 56 breeding pairs spotted in 2019

Cranes make a comeback in Britain , with a record 56 breeding pairs spotted in 2019 Population of common cranes hits its highest level in 400 years , with 200 now out in the wild The common crane is thriving in the UK in numbers not seen for 400 years , with a record 56 breeding pairs identified in 2019 .
Cranes used to be a common sight across the UK - and a delicacy favoured by Kings .
Records suggest 115 were caught and cooked for Henry II ’ s Christmas feast in 1251 .
But the common crane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ago , driven to extinction by hunting and the draining of marshlands .
In 1979 a handful of birds re-colonised the Norfolk Broads , and conservation efforts have been underway every since to grow the population to stable levels .
Now breeding pairs have been found at a number of protected wildlife sites across the England , Scotland and Wales .
A 2019 survey shows 56 pairs had formed - of those 47 attempted to breed , raising 26 chicks .
In total , 200 birds roam the countryside now , conservationists believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the last few years shows just how resilient nature can be when given the chance , ” said Damon Bridge , chair of the UK Crane Working Group .
“ Cranes are not yet out of the woods , but their continued population climb year after year is a very positive sign.
” At four feet , cranes are the tallest bird in the UK .
They are famed for their mating dances , which see the birds jump , pirouette and bob to win over their chosen partner .
Schemes to reintroduce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Great Crane Project , which creates marshland habitats for the birds and hand-rears young for release into the wild .
“ The success of the crane project to date demonstrates what can be achieved in a short space of time by giving nature a helping hand , ” said Dr Geoff Hilton , head of conservation evidence at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust , one of the project ’ s partners .
26 crane chicks successfully fledged in the UK last year ( Photo : Nick Upton ) Other UK birds are enjoying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bitterns were on the brink of extinction by 1997 , when numbers dropped to just 11 males .
Two EU-funded conservation projects helped revive numbers , and this year the RSPB recorded almost 200 males across the UK .
Meanwhile the red-billed Cornish chough features on the county ’ s coat of arms , but had disappeared from the region entirely by the 1970s .
In 2001 a pair of choughs returned to Cornwall , and a large scale conservation effort quickly got underway to protect their nests from disturbance and egg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue to watch the nests night and day , and their efforts have helped breeding pairs successfully raise more than 50 young chicks to date .

The common crane is thriving in the UK in numbers not seen for 400 years, with a record 56 breeding pairs identified in 2019.
Cranes used to be a common sight across the UK – and a delicacy favoured by Kings. Records suggest 115 were caught and cooked for Henry II’s Christmas feast in 1251.
But the common crane disappeared from the UK countryside 400 years ago, driven to extinction by hunting and the draining of marshlands.
Revival
In 1979 a handful of birds re-colonised the Norfolk Broads, and conservation efforts have been underway every since to grow the population to stable levels.
Now breeding pairs have been found at a number of protected wildlife sites across the England, Scotland and Wales. A 2019 survey shows 56 pairs had formed – of those 47 attempted to breed, raising 26 chicks. In total, 200 birds roam the countryside now, conservationists believe.
“The increase of cranes over the last few years shows just how resilient nature can be when given the chance,” said Damon Bridge, chair of the UK Crane Working Group. “Cranes are not yet out of the woods, but their continued population climb year after year is a very positive sign.”
Conservation efforts
At four feet, cranes are the tallest bird in the UK. They are famed for their mating dances, which see the birds jump, pirouette and bob to win over their chosen partner.
Schemes to reintroduce the birds to the UK include the Great Crane Project, which creates marshland habitats for the birds and hand-rears young for release into the wild. “The success of the crane project to date demonstrates what can be achieved in a short space of time by giving nature a helping hand,” said Dr Geoff Hilton, head of conservation evidence at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, one of the project’s partners.
Birds making a comeback
Other UK birds are enjoying a similar revival thanks to conservation efforts. Bitterns were on the brink of extinction by 1997, when numbers dropped to just 11 males. Two EU-funded conservation projects helped revive numbers, and this year the RSPB recorded almost 200 males across the UK.
Meanwhile the red-billed Cornish chough features on the county’s coat of arms, but had disappeared from the region entirely by the 1970s. In 2001 a pair of choughs returned to Cornwall, and a large scale conservation effort quickly got underway to protect their nests from disturbance and egg collectors. RSPB staff and local volunteers continue to watch the nests night and day, and their efforts have helped breeding pairs successfully raise more than 50 young chicks to date.


inews--2020-04-22--Four new bat species discovered, cousins of those carrying coronavirus

Four new bat species discovered , cousins of those carrying coronavirus At least four new species of African leaf-nosed bats discovered , but none currently carry a dangerous disease Four new bat species described as “ cousins ” to the horseshoe bats which carried Covid-19 have been discovered in Africa .
The African leaf-nosed bats do also carry coronaviruses , but the researchers which identified them said they aren ’ t currently carrying any harmful diseases .
Studying them could help scientists prepare for future outbreaks of new viruses from the animal world , they said .
`` Leaf-nosed bats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's affecting humans right now , but this is certainly not the last time a virus will be transmitted from a wild mammal to humans , '' said Terry Demos , a post-doctoral researcher at the Field Museum in the US and a principal author of the paper .
`` If we have better knowledge of what these bats are , we 'll be better prepared if that happens . ''
The four new species are related to the horseshoe bat in China , which is thought to have been the first carrier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe the virus spread to a mammal - possibly a pangolin - and then on to humans .
The new species of bats were discovered by examining museum specimens in Kenya .
What curators thought were well known species of bats actually turned out to be brand new species ' “ hidden in plain sight ” .
The leaf-nosed bats get their common name from the elaborate flaps on skin on their noses , which they use as radar dishes to focus their calls and help catch their insect prey .
Newly discovered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mine in Kenya ( Photo : B.D .
Patterson , Field Museum ) Bats remain something of a mystery to science .
There are more than 1,400 species of bats , and 25 per cent of them have only been recognised by scientists in the last 15 years .
That is despite them being one of the more common vectors for transferring diseases from animals to humans .
Prior to Covid-19 , bats had also been linked to the emergence of SARS and Ebola in humans .
Scientists have still not managed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horseshoe bat in China carried Covid-19 .
Preventing the spread of novel diseases into humans depends as much on conservation efforts as public health policy .
The more people encroach on bats ' habitats around the world , the more likely it is a disease could infect humans , warned Dr Demos .
`` Unless you try to seek out bats , either to harass them or kill them , it 's very , very unlikely that they 'll infect you , '' he said .

Four new bat species described as “cousins” to the horseshoe bats which carried Covid-19 have been discovered in Africa.
The African leaf-nosed bats do also carry coronaviruses, but the researchers which identified them said they aren’t currently carrying any harmful diseases. Studying them could help scientists prepare for future outbreaks of new viruses from the animal world, they said.
“Leaf-nosed bats carry coronaviruses – not the strain that’s affecting humans right now, but this is certainly not the last time a virus will be transmitted from a wild mammal to humans,” said Terry Demos, a post-doctoral researcher at the Field Museum in the US and a principal author of the paper. “If we have better knowledge of what these bats are, we’ll be better prepared if that happens.”
New species ‘hidden in plain sight’
The four new species are related to the horseshoe bat in China, which is thought to have been the first carrier of Covid-19. From there, scientists believe the virus spread to a mammal – possibly a pangolin – and then on to humans.
The new species of bats were discovered by examining museum specimens in Kenya. What curators thought were well known species of bats actually turned out to be brand new species’ “hidden in plain sight”.
The leaf-nosed bats get their common name from the elaborate flaps on skin on their noses, which they use as radar dishes to focus their calls and help catch their insect prey.
Mysterious creatures
Bats remain something of a mystery to science. There are more than 1,400 species of bats, and 25 per cent of them have only been recognised by scientists in the last 15 years.
That is despite them being one of the more common vectors for transferring diseases from animals to humans. Prior to Covid-19, bats had also been linked to the emergence of SARS and Ebola in humans. Scientists have still not managed to establish which of the 25 species of horseshoe bat in China carried Covid-19.
Protecting habitats
Preventing the spread of novel diseases into humans depends as much on conservation efforts as public health policy. The more people encroach on bats’ habitats around the world, the more likely it is a disease could infect humans, warned Dr Demos. “Unless you try to seek out bats, either to harass them or kill them, it’s very, very unlikely that they’ll infect you,” he said.


inews--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: There's no quick routes out of lockdown as a vaccine or a cure are still some way off

Coronavirus : There 's no quick routes out of lockdown as a vaccine or a cure are still some way off The major fear in the Government , and among its advisers , is of a second peak 'Building up the UK 's testing capacity in order to introduce some form of contact tracing regime will be part of the solution ' ( Photo : Andrew Milligan/WPA Pool/Getty ) The fact that the UK has reached the peak of coronavirus infections is obviously good news .
It means that the number of new deaths confirmed every day is no longer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ horrifically high .
It also means hospitals are likely to see the intense pressure they are currently under ease somewhat ; and it heralds the long-awaited stage when ministers will start to discuss how to ease the lockdown .
Dominic Raab said on Wednesday night : `` There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel , there is a glimmer . ''
But reaching the peak does not mean the crisis is anywhere near over .
The experience of other countries suggests that the number of Covid-19 cases will decline gently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That could mean hundreds more deaths every day , for two weeks or more , to judge by the experience of Spain and Italy .
Dominic Raab said there was testing capacity for 40,000 people And there are no easy answers to what comes next .
It seems likely that the Government will start relaxing some of the existing lockdown measures sooner rather than later , but ministers are aware that moving too quickly risks a fresh spike in the number of infections .
Building up the UK 's testing capacity in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tracing regime will be part of the solution .
If every single outbreak of Covid-19 can be detected and its path tracked , then anyone who has come in contact with an affected person could be identified through the use of technology and told to quarantine , thereby stopping the spread of the virus .
If the much-hyped antibody tests , which tell you whether you have been exposed to the virus and are therefore immune , come through then that will also help , allowing those who have already been infected to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Whitty warned the only permanent fix to the crisis is a vaccine or a cure - and they are still some way off .
Ministers have set five tests to start lifting the lockdown , and seeing the end of the infection peak is just one of them .
The major fear in the Government , and among its advisers , is of a second peak which could be just as bad as the first or even worse .

The fact that the UK has reached the peak of coronavirus infections is obviously good news. It means that the number of new deaths confirmed every day is no longer rising, even though the toll remains horrifically high.
It also means hospitals are likely to see the intense pressure they are currently under ease somewhat; and it heralds the long-awaited stage when ministers will start to discuss how to ease the lockdown.
Dominic Raab said on Wednesday night: “There is certainly light at the end of the tunnel, there is a glimmer.”
But reaching the peak does not mean the crisis is anywhere near over. The experience of other countries suggests that the number of Covid-19 cases will decline gently, rather than seeing a sharp fall. That could mean hundreds more deaths every day, for two weeks or more, to judge by the experience of Spain and Italy.
And there are no easy answers to what comes next. It seems likely that the Government will start relaxing some of the existing lockdown measures sooner rather than later, but ministers are aware that moving too quickly risks a fresh spike in the number of infections.
Building up the UK’s testing capacity in order to introduce some form of contact tracing regime will be part of the solution. If every single outbreak of Covid-19 can be detected and its path tracked, then anyone who has come in contact with an affected person could be identified through the use of technology and told to quarantine, thereby stopping the spread of the virus.
‘The major fear in the Government, and among its advisers, is of a second peak’
If the much-hyped antibody tests, which tell you whether you have been exposed to the virus and are therefore immune, come through then that will also help, allowing those who have already been infected to resume their normal lives.
But Chris Whitty warned the only permanent fix to the crisis is a vaccine or a cure – and they are still some way off. Ministers have set five tests to start lifting the lockdown, and seeing the end of the infection peak is just one of them.
The major fear in the Government, and among its advisers, is of a second peak which could be just as bad as the first or even worse.


inews--2020-04-22--Dementia linked to narrow diets featuring processed meats, study suggests

How processed meat is eaten — and not just how much — could be important , researchers said Participants completed a food questionnaire over a five-year period in which they described what types of food they ate each month and how often ( Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) People whose diets consist mostly of highly processed meats , starchy foods such as potatoes and snacks including biscuits and cakes are more likely to get dementia in old age , a study has suggested .
Researchers said their findings showed that how such meats are consumed - and not just how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for dementia prevention .
The study involved 209 people with an average age of 78 who had dementia and a further 418 people - matched for age , sex and educational level - who did not .
Participants completed a food questionnaire over a five-year period in which they described what types of food they ate each month and how often .
The researchers then used this data - along with information from medical check-ups - to compare what foods were often eaten together by those with and without dementia .
They found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the amount of individual foods people ate , the overall food groups differed substantially between those with and without the condition .
The study , which has been published in the journal Neurology , said people who developed dementia were more likely to combine processed meats with starchy foods , alcohol and unhealthy snacks .
The study said people without dementia were more likely to accompany meat with more diverse foods , including fruit and vegetables ( Photo : Sandra Mu/Getty ) However , people without dementia were more likely to accompany meat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , vegetables and seafood .
“ This may suggest that frequency with which processed meat is combined with other unhealthy foods , rather than average quantity , may be important for dementia risk , ” said study author Cécilia Samieri from the University of Bordeaux in France .
People who did not have dementia were more likely to have a more diverse diet overall , according to the study .
“ We found that more diversity in diet , and greater inclusion of a variety of healthy foods , is related to less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ In fact , we found differences in food networks that could be seen years before people with dementia were diagnosed .
“ Our findings suggest that studying diet by looking at food networks may help untangle the complexity of diet and biology in health and disease.
” The team said one of the study ’ s limitations was that participants ’ food questionnaires relied on their ability to accurately recall what they had eaten , rather than having this monitored by researchers .
Another limitation was that diets were only recorded once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so any changes in diet over time were unknown .

People whose diets consist mostly of highly processed meats, starchy foods such as potatoes and snacks including biscuits and cakes are more likely to get dementia in old age, a study has suggested.
Researchers said their findings showed that how such meats are consumed – and not just how much – could be an important factor for dementia prevention.
The study involved 209 people with an average age of 78 who had dementia and a further 418 people – matched for age, sex and educational level – who did not.
Food questionnaire
Participants completed a food questionnaire over a five-year period in which they described what types of food they ate each month and how often.
The researchers then used this data – along with information from medical check-ups – to compare what foods were often eaten together by those with and without dementia.
They found that while there were few differences in the amount of individual foods people ate, the overall food groups differed substantially between those with and without the condition.
The study, which has been published in the journal Neurology, said people who developed dementia were more likely to combine processed meats with starchy foods, alcohol and unhealthy snacks.
However, people without dementia were more likely to accompany meat with more diverse foods, including fruit, vegetables and seafood.
“This may suggest that frequency with which processed meat is combined with other unhealthy foods, rather than average quantity, may be important for dementia risk,” said study author Cécilia Samieri from the University of Bordeaux in France.
People who did not have dementia were more likely to have a more diverse diet overall, according to the study.
Diverse diet
“We found that more diversity in diet, and greater inclusion of a variety of healthy foods, is related to less dementia,” said Dr Samieri.
“In fact, we found differences in food networks that could be seen years before people with dementia were diagnosed.
“Our findings suggest that studying diet by looking at food networks may help untangle the complexity of diet and biology in health and disease.”
The team said one of the study’s limitations was that participants’ food questionnaires relied on their ability to accurately recall what they had eaten, rather than having this monitored by researchers.
Another limitation was that diets were only recorded once, years before the onset of dementia, so any changes in diet over time were unknown.


inews--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Sir Keir Starmer accuses ministers of multiple failures in PMQs debut

Sir Keir Starmer attacked the Government for being too slow to take crucial steps to combat the coronavirus crisis as the new Labour leader made his debut at Prime Minister ’ s Questions .
He accused ministers of dragging their feet over enforcing social distancing measures , rolling out a testing programme and issuing NHS staff with personal protective equipment ( PPE ) .
In clashes with Dominic Raab , who was deputising for Boris Johnson , Sir Keir claimed the Government had ignored offers from dozens of UK companies to supply frontline workers with PPE .
He said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We were slow into lockdown , slow on testing , slow on protective equipment and now slow to take up these offers from British firms.
” Dominic Raab said there was testing capacity for 40,000 people Mr Raab retorted that the Government was guided by scientific advice adding : “ If [ Sir Keir ] thinks he knows better than they do with the benefit of hindsight , then that is his decision .
“ But that is not the way we have proceeded , and it is not the way we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faced each other in a sparsely attended Commons chamber where social distancing was strictly enforced , with the majority of MPs participating by video links .
The Labour leader questioned how the Government would hit its target of carrying out 100,000 Covid-19 tests a day by 30 April when they are currently running at less than 20,000 a day , adding : “ We are way behind the curve.
” He also said that many of the testing centres were distant from where frontline staff live .
Mr Raab acknowledged that an “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ required , but insisted he remained confident of achieving the target .
He said mobile labs were now being used , with the Army also helping to get tests to where they were needed .

Sir Keir Starmer attacked the Government for being too slow to take crucial steps to combat the coronavirus crisis as the new Labour leader made his debut at Prime Minister’s Questions.
He accused ministers of dragging their feet over enforcing social distancing measures, rolling out a testing programme and issuing NHS staff with personal protective equipment (PPE).
In clashes with Dominic Raab, who was deputising for Boris Johnson, Sir Keir claimed the Government had ignored offers from dozens of UK companies to supply frontline workers with PPE.
He said: “There is a pattern emerging here. We were slow into lockdown, slow on testing, slow on protective equipment and now slow to take up these offers from British firms.”
Sparsely attended Commons
Mr Raab retorted that the Government was guided by scientific advice adding: “If [Sir Keir] thinks he knows better than they do with the benefit of hindsight, then that is his decision.
“But that is not the way we have proceeded, and it is not the way we will in future.”
The two men faced each other in a sparsely attended Commons chamber where social distancing was strictly enforced, with the majority of MPs participating by video links.
The Labour leader questioned how the Government would hit its target of carrying out 100,000 Covid-19 tests a day by 30 April when they are currently running at less than 20,000 a day, adding: “We are way behind the curve.”
Mobile testing
He also said that many of the testing centres were distant from where frontline staff live.
Mr Raab acknowledged that an “exponential increase” in test numbers was required, but insisted he remained confident of achieving the target.
He said mobile labs were now being used, with the Army also helping to get tests to where they were needed.
Mr Raab rejected a plea from Ian Blackford, the SNP’s Westminster leader, to introduce a universal basic income scheme during the lockdown.


inews--2020-04-22--Coronavirus: Government set to recommend use of face masks in policy U-turn

Coronavirus : Government set to recommend use of face masks in policy U-turn As lockdown measures ease , ministers are likely to change the existing advice for the public Countries such as the US are already promoting the use of masks in public ( Photo : Getty ) Ministers are poised to make a U-turn on whether people should wear face masks in public with the Government 's scientific advisers expected to issue a new set of guidelines on the issue .
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies ( Sage ) is meeting on Thursday and is likely to conclude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when they leave home , it will help to slow the spread of coronavirus .
Labour leader Keir Starmer is now backing calls for the Government to change its advice and follow other countries in recommending the use of masks , despite fears that excessive demand could endanger the supply of protective equipment for the NHS .
Experts who sit on Sage are understood to have concluded that even home-made face coverings can make a difference to the spread of disease , as most other European governments have already said .
Sir Keir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After the group meets again it is expected to send its conclusions to No 10 later this week .
A senior Government source said even if the official advice does change imminently , it may apply only to the `` next phase '' - meaning the public will not be expected to wear masks as long as the current strict social distancing rules are still in place .
Speaking at the daily Downing Street press conference on Wednesday , Dominic Raab said : `` Sage will look at the evolving evidence as we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been asked to look at this again , we have n't had the advice back yet so nothing will change until we 've had that and considered it . ''
A spokesman for Sir Keir said : `` It ’ s becoming increasingly clear that other countries are looking at face masks as part of their responses to the virus .
This is an issue that Sadiq Khan has raised , and Keir agrees with Sadiq that this needs to be a matter that the Government should consider , based on scientific @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week the Mayor of London called the UK an `` international outlier '' as i revealed that the UK is the last large Western country which is still advising against the use of masks for the general public .
Labour MP Hilary Benn raised the issue in the House of Commons , asking Matt Hancock if the Government would consider distributing masks to the public if the advice changes in the near future .
The Health Secretary replied : `` I ca n't promise that we will give everybody free masks , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we do have to make sure that we have supplies available especially for health and social care staff . ''

Ministers are poised to make a U-turn on whether people should wear face masks in public with the Government’s scientific advisers expected to issue a new set of guidelines on the issue.
The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) is meeting on Thursday and is likely to conclude that if most Britons cover their face when they leave home, it will help to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Labour leader Keir Starmer is now backing calls for the Government to change its advice and follow other countries in recommending the use of masks, despite fears that excessive demand could endanger the supply of protective equipment for the NHS.
Experts who sit on Sage are understood to have concluded that even home-made face coverings can make a difference to the spread of disease, as most other European governments have already said.
‘Evolving evidence’
After the group meets again it is expected to send its conclusions to No 10 later this week. A senior Government source said even if the official advice does change imminently, it may apply only to the “next phase” – meaning the public will not be expected to wear masks as long as the current strict social distancing rules are still in place.
Speaking at the daily Downing Street press conference on Wednesday, Dominic Raab said: “Sage will look at the evolving evidence as we learn lessons through this crisis. They have been asked to look at this again, we haven’t had the advice back yet so nothing will change until we’ve had that and considered it.”
A spokesman for Sir Keir said: “It’s becoming increasingly clear that other countries are looking at face masks as part of their responses to the virus. This is an issue that Sadiq Khan has raised, and Keir agrees with Sadiq that this needs to be a matter that the Government should consider, based on scientific and medical advice.”
Earlier this week the Mayor of London called the UK an “international outlier” as i revealed that the UK is the last large Western country which is still advising against the use of masks for the general public.
Labour MP Hilary Benn raised the issue in the House of Commons, asking Matt Hancock if the Government would consider distributing masks to the public if the advice changes in the near future. The Health Secretary replied: “I can’t promise that we will give everybody free masks, I mean that would be an extraordinary undertaking, and we do have to make sure that we have supplies available especially for health and social care staff.”