inews--2020-04-29--Mind-controlled bionic arm capable of 'feeling' could transform the lives of amputees

Mind-controlled bionic arm capable of 'feeling ' could transform the lives of amputees The prosthesis is the product of scientists in Gothenburg who claim it to be the first in the world to mimic a biological arm A revolutionary bionic arm which can be controlled by the mind and transmits the sensation of grip and touch to the brain has been perfected by Swedish researchers .
The extraordinary prosthesis , which would appear to hail from the annals of Star Wars but instead is the product of scientists in Gothenburg , is said by its developers to be the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arm by combining mind-control and sensation .
The medical device , which has been trialled for several years by three Swedish patients , connects its advanced electronics and sensors to the brain and nervous system using electrodes implanted in the muscles and nerves in the stump of the amputated limb to create an “ interface ” between human and machine .
The result is that users can discern sensations on the bionic hand as subtle as a pencil tip being pressed against the skin and adjust their grip to perform tasks such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
The scientists , whose work is unveiled in the New England Journal of Medicine , said they hoped the bionic arm would be available outside Sweden within a couple of years and potentially change the lives of many of the one million people around the world living with a major amputation .
Professor Max Ortiz Catalan , who led the team at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg , said : “ It makes a huge difference for the people that have it .
Our study shows that a prosthetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ controlled by electrodes implanted in nerves and muscles , can operate much more precisely than conventional prosthetic hands.
” The major breakthrough in the limbs , known as neuromusculoskeletal prostheses , is the addition of sensation to the technology which allows the arm to be moved and used intuitively by the brain in much the same way as a biological limb .
Using a process known as “ osseointegration ” , the prosthesis is knitted into bone in the stump of the amputation along with advanced electrodes attached to the muscles and nerves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brain are then passed through a hi-tech control unit housed in the prosthetic arm which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to interpret how to move the hand and with how much force .
The researchers said users effectively feel no difference between the bionic limb and themselves .
'It is part of you' Rickard Normarck , 46 , lost his right arm in an electrical accident in 2011 and initially was fitted with a non-bionic sleeve prosthesis .
He said : “ I usually say that with a traditional sleeve prosthesis you wear the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ device becomes part of you .
You don ’ t feel that you are wearing the prosthesis ; rather it is part of you.
” Prof Ortiz Catalan said he had already been contacted by amputees and researchers around the world about the technology and its potential , including the possibility for it to be used to create “ super-human ” levels of strength .
He said : “ I am personally not interested in enhancing the human species .
I don ’ t think we need that .
There are so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spinal cord or nervous system injuries .
There are so many other problems that I want to solve than creating a stronger human .
”

A revolutionary bionic arm which can be controlled by the mind and transmits the sensation of grip and touch to the brain has been perfected by Swedish researchers.
The extraordinary prosthesis, which would appear to hail from the annals of Star Wars but instead is the product of scientists in Gothenburg, is said by its developers to be the first in the world to mimic a biological arm by combining mind-control and sensation.
The medical device, which has been trialled for several years by three Swedish patients, connects its advanced electronics and sensors to the brain and nervous system using electrodes implanted in the muscles and nerves in the stump of the amputated limb to create an “interface” between human and machine.
The result is that users can discern sensations on the bionic hand as subtle as a pencil tip being pressed against the skin and adjust their grip to perform tasks such as operating a mechanical digger or repairing a car.
Transforming lives
The scientists, whose work is unveiled in the New England Journal of Medicine, said they hoped the bionic arm would be available outside Sweden within a couple of years and potentially change the lives of many of the one million people around the world living with a major amputation.
The first leg prosthesis using the same technology is expected to be fitted to a patient later this year.
Professor Max Ortiz Catalan, who led the team at the Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, said: “It makes a huge difference for the people that have it. Our study shows that a prosthetic hand, attached to the bone and controlled by electrodes implanted in nerves and muscles, can operate much more precisely than conventional prosthetic hands.”
The major breakthrough in the limbs, known as neuromusculoskeletal prostheses, is the addition of sensation to the technology which allows the arm to be moved and used intuitively by the brain in much the same way as a biological limb.
Using a process known as “osseointegration”, the prosthesis is knitted into bone in the stump of the amputation along with advanced electrodes attached to the muscles and nerves. Electrical signals to and from the brain are then passed through a hi-tech control unit housed in the prosthetic arm which uses artificial intelligence algorithms to interpret how to move the hand and with how much force. The researchers said users effectively feel no difference between the bionic limb and themselves.
‘It is part of you’
Rickard Normarck, 46, lost his right arm in an electrical accident in 2011 and initially was fitted with a non-bionic sleeve prosthesis. He said: “I usually say that with a traditional sleeve prosthesis you wear the prosthesis. But with osseointegration the medical device becomes part of you. You don’t feel that you are wearing the prosthesis; rather it is part of you.”
The researchers are working on similar implants to be used for lower arm amputations as well as legs.
Prof Ortiz Catalan said he had already been contacted by amputees and researchers around the world about the technology and its potential, including the possibility for it to be used to create “super-human” levels of strength.
The Mexican-born researcher said he was not interested in pursuing such an avenue.
He said: “I am personally not interested in enhancing the human species. I don’t think we need that. There are so many other problems out there – disabilities from spinal cord or nervous system injuries. There are so many other problems that I want to solve than creating a stronger human.”


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus in the UK: Private schools warned against colluding over fee cuts in wake of Covid-19 sc

Coronavirus in the UK: Private schools warned against colluding over fee cuts in wake of Covid-19 school closures

Coronavirus in the UK : Private schools warned against colluding over fee cuts in wake of Covid-19 school closures The competitions watchdog has threatened to fine schools 'engaging in discussions with each other ' about discounting or refunding fees The Competition and Markets Authority ( CMA ) has written to private school leaders saying it believes “ some schools may be engaging in discussions with each other '' about discounting or refunding school fees during closures due to the coronavirus outbreak .
The letter - leaked to the Private School Policy Reform think-tank - was addressed to Barnaby Lenon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now chairs the Independent Schools Council - an association representing over 1,300 private schools .
The letter - leaked to the Private School Policy Reform think-tank - was addressed to Barnaby Lenon , the former headmaster of Harrow School ( Photo : Getty ) The letter says : “ While most independent schools are , of course , striving to do the right thing under very challenging circumstances , we have become aware that individuals at some schools may be engaging in discussions with each other about the level of discounts and/or refunds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of the impact that the Coronavirus… is having on families and on the schools themselves.
” It says that while the crisis “ may trigger the need for organisations in certain sectors to cooperate ” this “ does not give a ‘ free pass ’ to business to engage in non-essential collusion , even where such businesses are charitable in nature ” .
“ We would like to take this opportunity to remind you as representatives of the independent school sector that all independent schools , in determining the level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ awarded on school fees , must act independently .
“ In particular , the CMA will not tolerate businesses , including independent schools , agreeing prices ( including the level of discounts and/or refunds ) nor exchanging with their competitors commercially sensitive information on future pricing or business strategies , where this is not necessary to meet the needs of the current situation ” .
The letter says such behaviour would “ almost certainly infringe competition law ” , and guilty businesses “ can face significant penalties , including fines of up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” .
Julie Robinson , the ISC ’ s chief executive , said : `` Schools , like so many small organisations , are operating under tremendous pressure during this unprecedented crisis and they are trying hard to understand the best way of offering reductions or rebates to support parents during these difficult times .
`` We know of no evidence that schools are deliberately sharing information with each other and the CMA acknowledges that schools are striving to do the right thing .
“ This matter has been resolved amicably with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brief schools on their responsibilities to comply with all relevant laws and regulation.
” At a meeting of the House of Commons Education Select Committee on Wednesday , the chair Robert Halfon said he had received reports of “ some independent schools that are billing parents as much as £8,000 , including a discount , for just two weeks of online A level tuition amid school closures '' .
He said parents had been told `` for children to be given A level grade recommendations the pupils must be on the school register @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s register , the parents must pay the fees '' .
The Education Secretary , Gavin Williamson , said : “ It ’ s vitally important that all children who want to take their A levels have the ability to do so , and no one should be held over a barrel .
”

Private schools have been warned by the competitions watchdog over potential collusion on fees during the coronavirus outbreak, a leaked letter reveals.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has written to private school leaders saying it believes “some schools may be engaging in discussions with each other” about discounting or refunding school fees during closures due to the coronavirus outbreak.
It warns that schools found to have breached competition rules could be fined up to 10 per cent of their turnover.
The letter – leaked to the Private School Policy Reform think-tank – was addressed to Barnaby Lenon, the former headmaster of Harrow School who now chairs the Independent Schools Council – an association representing over 1,300 private schools.
No ‘free pass’
The letter says: “While most independent schools are, of course, striving to do the right thing under very challenging circumstances, we have become aware that individuals at some schools may be engaging in discussions with each other about the level of discounts and/or refunds on school fees that could be applied as a result of the impact that the Coronavirus… is having on families and on the schools themselves.”
It says that while the crisis “may trigger the need for organisations in certain sectors to cooperate” this “does not give a ‘free pass’ to business to engage in non-essential collusion, even where such businesses are charitable in nature”.
“We would like to take this opportunity to remind you as representatives of the independent school sector that all independent schools, in determining the level of discounts and/or refunds that could be awarded on school fees, must act independently.
“In particular, the CMA will not tolerate businesses, including independent schools, agreeing prices (including the level of discounts and/or refunds) nor exchanging with their competitors commercially sensitive information on future pricing or business strategies, where this is not necessary to meet the needs of the current situation”.
‘Significant penalties’
The letter says such behaviour would “almost certainly infringe competition law”, and guilty businesses “can face significant penalties, including fines of up to 10 per cent of their total turnover”.
Julie Robinson, the ISC’s chief executive, said: “Schools, like so many small organisations, are operating under tremendous pressure during this unprecedented crisis and they are trying hard to understand the best way of offering reductions or rebates to support parents during these difficult times.
“We know of no evidence that schools are deliberately sharing information with each other and the CMA acknowledges that schools are striving to do the right thing.
“This matter has been resolved amicably with the CMA and of course we continue to brief schools on their responsibilities to comply with all relevant laws and regulation.”
At a meeting of the House of Commons Education Select Committee on Wednesday, the chair Robert Halfon said he had received reports of “some independent schools that are billing parents as much as £8,000, including a discount, for just two weeks of online A level tuition amid school closures”.
He said parents had been told “for children to be given A level grade recommendations the pupils must be on the school register – to be on the school’s register, the parents must pay the fees”.
The Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said: “It’s vitally important that all children who want to take their A levels have the ability to do so, and no one should be held over a barrel.”
In 2006, 50 leading private schools were found to have broken competition law by exchanging information about future pricing intentions, with a penalty of up to £10,000 imposed on each school.


inews--2020-04-29--Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, ITV, review: the celebrity travelogue hits rock bottom

The Thomas brothers — Ryan , Adam and Scott — travelled with their father to Mumbai to trace their family history The Thomas brothers and their father visit a market in Mumbai during the first episode of Absolutely India : Mancs in Mumbai ( Photo : ITV ) It was obvious as soon as it happened .
This was the moment the celebrity travelogue hit rock bottom .
Ryan ( Coronation Street ) , Adam ( Emmerdale ) and Scott ( Love Island ) Thomas stood in front of a room of school children in Mumbai and tried to teach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sick , that.
” Just think about this for a second – longer , that is , than anyone involved in this show will have done .
You 've got a budget , a camera crew and three popular entertainers in a city as fascinating and diverse as Mumbai .
So what did you come up with then ?
`` It 's sick , that . ''
'It 's sick , that ' : the Thomas brothers and their father entertain the kids at a school in Mumbai ( Photo : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Mancs in Mumbai was that the Thomas bothers , along with their father , Dougie , were on the trail of their Indian roots .
Dougie ’ s father , Nolan , grew up in Mumbai , before emigrating to England in 1947 .
But don ’ t be fooled , this wasn ’ t about that at all .
It was just a chance for ITV to set up a series of supposedly funny juxtapositions between the cheeky chappies and the locals .
The gang pushed through a market , pointing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Behind the shop , he ’ s having a shower , ” said one brother .
“ Oh my God , ” replied another .
“ Is this where you live ?
” chipped in the third .
Not every travelogue has to be high-minded , or even particularly informative , but I don ’ t think it ’ s unreasonable to expect the presenters to show some curiosity .
And if they can ’ t even manage that , just some respect would do .
“ So do people , like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or not ?
” Scott asked his taxi driver , who politely replied : “ Not in this city.
” Time for a rethink , lads .
Or as they might say in Manchester : Give your ’ ead a wobble .

Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, ITV, 8pm ★★
It was obvious as soon as it happened. This was the moment the celebrity travelogue hit rock bottom. Ryan (Coronation Street), Adam (Emmerdale) and Scott (Love Island) Thomas stood in front of a room of school children in Mumbai and tried to teach them some Manchester slang: “It’s sick, that.”
Just think about this for a second – longer, that is, than anyone involved in this show will have done. You’ve got a budget, a camera crew and three popular entertainers in a city as fascinating and diverse as Mumbai. So what did you come up with then? “It’s sick, that.”
The premise of Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai was that the Thomas bothers, along with their father, Dougie, were on the trail of their Indian roots. Dougie’s father, Nolan, grew up in Mumbai, before emigrating to England in 1947. But don’t be fooled, this wasn’t about that at all. It was just a chance for ITV to set up a series of supposedly funny juxtapositions between the cheeky chappies and the locals.
The gang pushed through a market, pointing out spiderwebs and live chickens. “Behind the shop, he’s having a shower,” said one brother. “Oh my God,” replied another. “Is this where you live?” chipped in the third.
Not every travelogue has to be high-minded, or even particularly informative, but I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect the presenters to show some curiosity. And if they can’t even manage that, just some respect would do. “So do people, like, travel on elephants here at all? Or not?” Scott asked his taxi driver, who politely replied: “Not in this city.”
Time for a rethink, lads. Or as they might say in Manchester: Give your ’ead a wobble.


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus latest: Priti Patel says 'life will not return to normal' after Covid-19 lockdown eased

Coronavirus latest : Priti Patel says 'life will not return to normal ' after Covid-19 lockdown eased Home Secretary warns public will need to get used to 'new norms' The Home Secretary said social distancing measures will become a fixture of people ’ s daily lives , with the rules due to be in place in all workplaces and across public transport once the current measures are modified .
It comes as the Government continues to look at ways of relaxing the strict restrictions currently in places , including potentially allowing people to increase their “ social bubbles ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of friends and families .
Appearing for only the second time in front of the Home Affairs Committee since her appointment in July , Ms Patel told MPs while decisions on loosening the lockdown had not been finalised , the public should be prepared for change .
“ The fact is we will not go back to how we were in early March - there will be new norms that will inevitably come off the way in which social distancing is dominating our lives and has affected society , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patel suggested that enforced quarantine and thermal screening could be in place at the border in order to slow the spread of the virus from abroad once lockdowns are eased across the globe , stating that all options were under review .
Some elements of lockdown may continue for some months ( Photo : Getty ) The Home Secretary said while she was “ not at liberty ” to reveal the Government ’ s plans for adjusting the lockdown , she highlighted the dramatic scaling up of testing capacity in recent weeks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The fact testing is dramatically upscaling will have an impact in terms of giving greater public confidence to people to eventually go back to work , but even before that there ’ s a job to do securing workplaces , ” she added .
Earlier in the day , Downing Street did not deny it was exploring the option to allow people to increase the number of people they can be in contact with as part of its thinking to move into what is being described as the “ second phase ” of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
Asked whether the Government was looking at allowing “ social bubbles ” , the Prime Minister ’ s official spokesman said “ extensive work ” was taking place within Whitehall on how the lockdown could be “ relaxed in some areas and toughened in others ” .
“ We are very alive to the issue of prolonged social isolation and the need for mental wellbeing as people help us to deal with the spread of this pandemic , ” he added .
Ms Patel was not forced to answer questions around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of legal proceedings being initiated by the former Home Office permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam .

Priti Patel has warned the country will have to get used to “new norms” as the Government prepares to begin easing the nationwide lockdown, adding life “will not go back” to how it was before the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Home Secretary said social distancing measures will become a fixture of people’s daily lives, with the rules due to be in place in all workplaces and across public transport once the current measures are modified.
It comes as the Government continues to look at ways of relaxing the strict restrictions currently in places, including potentially allowing people to increase their “social bubbles” to allow the public to see a select number of friends and families.
New norms
Appearing for only the second time in front of the Home Affairs Committee since her appointment in July, Ms Patel told MPs while decisions on loosening the lockdown had not been finalised, the public should be prepared for change.
“The fact is we will not go back to how we were in early March – there will be new norms that will inevitably come off the way in which social distancing is dominating our lives and has affected society,” she said.
“We would expect social distancing in every single work area, whether it’s an office or a construction site, and on public transport going forward.”
In her own sector, Ms Patel suggested that enforced quarantine and thermal screening could be in place at the border in order to slow the spread of the virus from abroad once lockdowns are eased across the globe, stating that all options were under review.
The Home Secretary said while she was “not at liberty” to reveal the Government’s plans for adjusting the lockdown, she highlighted the dramatic scaling up of testing capacity in recent weeks as being central to the strategy.
“The fact testing is dramatically upscaling will have an impact in terms of giving greater public confidence to people to eventually go back to work, but even before that there’s a job to do securing workplaces,” she added.
Earlier in the day, Downing Street did not deny it was exploring the option to allow people to increase the number of people they can be in contact with as part of its thinking to move into what is being described as the “second phase” of the Government’s response to the pandemic.
Social bubbles
Asked whether the Government was looking at allowing “social bubbles”, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said “extensive work” was taking place within Whitehall on how the lockdown could be “relaxed in some areas and toughened in others”.
“We are very alive to the issue of prolonged social isolation and the need for mental wellbeing as people help us to deal with the spread of this pandemic,” he added.
Ms Patel was not forced to answer questions around allegations of bullying, in the light of legal proceedings being initiated by the former Home Office permanent secretary Sir Philip Rutnam.
Number 10 also contradicted reports that a Cabinet Office inquiry into accusations of bullying had been finalised, stating the process was still “ongoing”.


inews--2020-04-29--Britain responsible for the highest level of overfishing in Europe for past two decades, report find

Britain responsible for the highest level of overfishing in Europe for past two decades, report finds

Britain responsible for the highest level of overfishing in Europe for past two decades , report finds Analysis of catch and quota records shows the United Kingdom landed 1.8m tonnes of fish over levels declared sustainable Britain is responsible for the highest quantity of over-fishing in Europe over the last two decades , landing nearly two million tonnes of fish above levels advised by scientists , according to a report .
An analysis of catch records shows that between 2001 and 2020 the United Kingdom landed 1.78 million tonnes of fish that exceeded the level declared by scientists to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the next worst European Union nations - Denmark with 1.48 million tonnes and Spain , with just over a million tonnes .
Campaigners said the figures , produced by London-based think-tank the New Economics Foundation ( NEF ) , showed that Britain and European Union states should include a legal requirement to end over-fishing in their climate laws .
National governments and the EU each year set quotas for the total amount of different species to be caught in European waters , taking into account the advice from scientists designed to counter or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fish such as cod .
However , the analysis shows that over the last 20 years , quotas have been set in such a way that nearly nine million tonnes of fish have been caught in the EU above sustainable levels .
On average , the UK set quotas 21 per cent above scientific advice over that period , while at the same time the UK fishing fleet supposedly remained one of the most profitable in the EU with a margin of 26 per cent .
She said : “ The Government must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending the destructive overfishing that is undermining both the ocean ’ s capacity to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis , and that of their local industry .
The NEF analysis suggested that overfishing had declined during the 20-year period with the amount of quota or total allowable catch ( TAC ) set above scientific advice falling from 39 per cent to 10 per cent .
However , it found that across the two decades 60 per cent of TACs were nonetheless set above the level given in scientific advice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to miss its own deadline of ending all overfishing by 2020 , adding that if damaged stocks had been rebuilt over the 20-year period , the EU fishing industry would have been able to generate £1.4bn in extra annual revenue and created 20,000 additional jobs .
Griffin Carpenter , senior researcher at the NEF , said : “ Instead , every year fisheries ministers have set fishing limits above the best available scientific advice , even going so far as to ignore the EU ’ s own legal deadline of 2020 .
To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end this practice.
” The analysis found that when calculated as a percentage of quota above scientific advice , Spain had the highest rate of overfishing , exceeding sustainable limits by 35 per cent .
On this measure , the UK was the sixth worst performer .
A spokesperson said : “ The UK has long championed the conservation of the marine environment and we are working hard to set a gold standard for sustainable fishing around the world .
As we become an independent coastal state , the Government will remain committed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill enshrines that commitment in law .
”

Britain is responsible for the highest quantity of over-fishing in Europe over the last two decades, landing nearly two million tonnes of fish above levels advised by scientists, according to a report.
An analysis of catch records shows that between 2001 and 2020 the United Kingdom landed 1.78 million tonnes of fish that exceeded the level declared by scientists to be sustainable. The figure was significantly about the next worst European Union nations – Denmark with 1.48 million tonnes and Spain, with just over a million tonnes.
Campaigners said the figures, produced by London-based think-tank the New Economics Foundation (NEF), showed that Britain and European Union states should include a legal requirement to end over-fishing in their climate laws.
Collapse
National governments and the EU each year set quotas for the total amount of different species to be caught in European waters, taking into account the advice from scientists designed to counter or prevent the collapse in stocks of popular fish such as cod.
However, the analysis shows that over the last 20 years, quotas have been set in such a way that nearly nine million tonnes of fish have been caught in the EU above sustainable levels.
On average, the UK set quotas 21 per cent above scientific advice over that period, while at the same time the UK fishing fleet supposedly remained one of the most profitable in the EU with a margin of 26 per cent.
‘Destructive’
Rebecca Hubbard, program director of campaign group Our Fish, which seeks to end overfishing, said a post-Brexit Britain needed to strike and observe fishing deals that observe scientific limits.
She said: “The Government must now demonstrate that it is committed to ending the destructive overfishing that is undermining both the ocean’s capacity to mitigate and adapt to the climate crisis, and that of their local industry.
“This means making, and sticking to, regional agreements that respect fish population limits.”
Scientific advice
The NEF analysis suggested that overfishing had declined during the 20-year period with the amount of quota or total allowable catch (TAC) set above scientific advice falling from 39 per cent to 10 per cent. However, it found that across the two decades 60 per cent of TACs were nonetheless set above the level given in scientific advice.
The think-tank said that the EU was going to miss its own deadline of ending all overfishing by 2020, adding that if damaged stocks had been rebuilt over the 20-year period, the EU fishing industry would have been able to generate £1.4bn in extra annual revenue and created 20,000 additional jobs.
Griffin Carpenter, senior researcher at the NEF, said: “Instead, every year fisheries ministers have set fishing limits above the best available scientific advice, even going so far as to ignore the EU’s own legal deadline of 2020. To deliver sustainable seas, fisheries ministers must end this practice.”
UK ‘committed to sustainable fishing’
The analysis found that when calculated as a percentage of quota above scientific advice, Spain had the highest rate of overfishing, exceeding sustainable limits by 35 per cent. On this measure, the UK was the sixth worst performer.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the Government was committed to managing fish stocks sustainably and sharing fishing opportunities “on a fair and scientific basis”.
A spokesperson said: “The UK has long championed the conservation of the marine environment and we are working hard to set a gold standard for sustainable fishing around the world. As we become an independent coastal state, the Government will remain committed to sustainable fishing and our flagship Fisheries Bill enshrines that commitment in law.”


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus: UK has suffered one of the world's 'most horrendous' outbreaks, World Health Organisati

Coronavirus: UK has suffered one of the world's 'most horrendous' outbreaks, World Health Organisation official says

Coronavirus : UK has suffered one of the world 's 'most horrendous ' outbreaks , World Health Organisation official says Dr Margaret Harris said too early to make a judgement on the UK 's response to the Covid-19 pandemic 'at this stage' The UK has suffered one of the world 's most horrendous outbreaks of coronavirus , a senior World Health Organisation ( WHO ) official has said .
Asked whether the UK would end up with the highest death rate in Europe , Dr Margaret Harris , said : `` We wo n't really know who had the highest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until after this is over and we can analyse it properly .
Clearly you are having a horrendous outbreak and making a tremendous effort to care for everybody but at this stage it would n't be fair to make a judgement one way or another . ''
In mid-March Dr Harris had called for the UK to take a much more aggressive approach to tackling coronavirus .
When asked why the UK has had a horrendous outbreak , she told the BBC : `` Clearly you have had a large number of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and this could mean you have a much older population , it could be you have many people with an underlying illness .
`` And that could be a reflection of an excellent healthcare system : that people who maybe in another country would have died of their underlying illnesses , have been surviving and then Covid-19 has arrived which has unfortunately ended their lives . ''
Care homes have become the front line of coronavirus ( Photo : Clive Brunskill/Getty ) Meanwhile , in the first statement since changing the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the total number of UK deaths was around 17 per cent higher than previous data showed .
The body said it was reporting an additional 3,811 deaths since the start of the outbreak .
A spokesman said : `` Of these , around 70 per cent were outside hospital settings and around 30 per cent were in hospital .
The additional hospital deaths have been identified through PHE 's laboratory system and were not reported to NHSE . ''
The latest figures have been revised retrospectively by PHE since the first coronavirus-related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reaching a total number of deaths in the UK of 26,097 between March 2 and April 28 , including 765 deaths reported in the 24 hours to 5pm on Tuesday .
The figures , from varying official sources and gathered by UK-based academics at the London School of Economics ( LSE ) , led to calls for the UK to publish its own official figures of Covid-19 deaths outside of hospital settings .
PHE officials said theUK 's extra deaths were `` broadly in line '' with trends seen by the Office for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data , which already reports out of hospital deaths , including suspected coronavirus deaths .
Although the EU figures suggested the UK may still be significantly underestimating care sector deaths , the LSE academics stressed that differences in testing availability and policies and approaches to recording deaths make international comparisons difficult .
The full picture will not be known for some time .
For example , Belgium has the worst per-capita death rate in the world with 647 deaths per million people .
The figures for Spain , Italy , France and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and 319 respectively .

The UK has suffered one of the world’s most horrendous outbreaks of coronavirus, a senior World Health Organisation (WHO) official has said.
Asked whether the UK would end up with the highest death rate in Europe, Dr Margaret Harris, said: “We won’t really know who had the highest rates, what really went on, until after this is over and we can analyse it properly. Clearly you are having a horrendous outbreak and making a tremendous effort to care for everybody but at this stage it wouldn’t be fair to make a judgement one way or another.”
In mid-March Dr Harris had called for the UK to take a much more aggressive approach to tackling coronavirus. When asked why the UK has had a horrendous outbreak, she told the BBC: “Clearly you have had a large number of people who have been very, very ill, and this could mean you have a much older population, it could be you have many people with an underlying illness.
“And that could be a reflection of an excellent healthcare system: that people who maybe in another country would have died of their underlying illnesses, have been surviving and then Covid-19 has arrived which has unfortunately ended their lives.”
Care home deaths
Meanwhile, in the first statement since changing the way figures are produced, Public Health England said the total number of UK deaths was around 17 per cent higher than previous data showed. The body said it was reporting an additional 3,811 deaths since the start of the outbreak.
A spokesman said: “Of these, around 70 per cent were outside hospital settings and around 30 per cent were in hospital. The additional hospital deaths have been identified through PHE’s laboratory system and were not reported to NHSE.”
The latest figures have been revised retrospectively by PHE since the first coronavirus-related death to include additional data sources, reaching a total number of deaths in the UK of 26,097 between March 2 and April 28, including 765 deaths reported in the 24 hours to 5pm on Tuesday.
Worldwide data
Data from Italy, Spain, France, Ireland and Belgium published this month suggested half of all coronavirus deaths in those countries happened in care homes.
The figures, from varying official sources and gathered by UK-based academics at the London School of Economics (LSE), led to calls for the UK to publish its own official figures of Covid-19 deaths outside of hospital settings.
PHE officials said theUK’s extra deaths were “broadly in line” with trends seen by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its data, which already reports out of hospital deaths, including suspected coronavirus deaths.
Although the EU figures suggested the UK may still be significantly underestimating care sector deaths, the LSE academics stressed that differences in testing availability and policies and approaches to recording deaths make international comparisons difficult. The full picture will not be known for some time.
For example, Belgium has the worst per-capita death rate in the world with 647 deaths per million people. The figures for Spain, Italy, France and the UK are 519, 458, 362 and 319 respectively.


inews--2020-04-29--Care homes are the new coronavirus front line as statistics show UK death toll 17% higher than previ

Care homes are the new coronavirus front line as statistics show UK death toll 17% higher than previously thought

Care homes are the new coronavirus front line as statistics show UK death toll 17 % higher than previously thought The Government is publishing a new , more comprehensive daily count of how many people have died On Wednesday evening , officials released the first daily count of deaths to include all settings rather than just hospitals .
It showed that the UK has suffered 26,097 deaths so far , more than any country other than the USA and Italy .
The number of deaths in hospitals has been steadily falling , but ministers fear that in the care sector @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be rising .
As of Wednesday , Public Health England ( PHE ) is now publishing daily data on how many people who are confirmed to have suffered Covid-19 have died in any setting .
Previously it was only possible to provide a daily figure for deaths in hospital .
The new method of reporting shows that 3,811 more people have died than previously thought .
Yvonne Doyle of PHE said that the trend in daily numbers of deaths is `` quite flat '' , despite evidence that fewer people are now dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasing proportion of the victims are in care homes .
A graph showing the number of people dying of coronavirus in the UK each day Nearly a third of homes in England have reported an outbreak of coronavirus , according to PHE .
Professor Doyle said : `` The scale and the speed of this epidemic is really in the last couple of weeks .
`` There is a huge national and local endeavour to not just test - which is very important - but also understand the measures that make a difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that in a very rapid way , looking at the evidence , so that we can put in place measures that protect people . ''
Dominic Raab , the First Secretary of State , said the idea of moving some care home residents to facilities such as the NHS Nightingale hospitals to protect them from Covid-19 was `` under constant discussion '' .
The revised death toll suggests the UK is now the third worst-hit country in the world , although Professor Doyle warned that international comparisons may be inexact due to different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower than the count published weekly by the Office for National Statistics because it only includes confirmed rather than suspected cases of coronavirus .
Jonathan Van Tam , the Deputy Chief Medical Officer , said that the true toll will only be known in several months ' time when `` excess deaths '' - that is , the number of deaths above what would be expected in an average year - can be computed .
One estimate of excess deaths suggests nearly 50,000 Britons have already died as a result of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minister for social care , said : `` The daily reporting of Covid-19 death rates outside hospital , including in care homes , is important for our fight against this pandemic .
These devastating figures show that further action is urgently required to reduce the spread of the virus and keep care users and staff safe .
More needs to be done to ensure all care staff get the PPE they need and to ensure social care is properly funded to deal with the extra costs of the pandemic . ''
The Liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : `` As we finally see the Government ’ s revised figures of how many people have tragically lost their lives to coronavirus , the sheer scale of this human disaster is becoming clearer . ''
Amnesty UK said the data `` raise serious concerns over the failure of our Government to effectively tackle the coronavirus pandemic '' .
Christina McAnea of the trade union Unison added : “ Care workers have been crying out for essential safety equipment , clear guidance and widespread virus testing for weeks .
The risks have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paint a stark picture of how the pandemic has been sweeping through residential homes across the UK . ''

The number of people who have died from coronavirus is 17 per cent higher than previously recognised, the Government has said in a sign that care homes are now the front line of the fight against Covid-19.
On Wednesday evening, officials released the first daily count of deaths to include all settings rather than just hospitals. It showed that the UK has suffered 26,097 deaths so far, more than any country other than the USA and Italy.
The number of deaths in hospitals has been steadily falling, but ministers fear that in the care sector the number of people dying may still be rising.
As of Wednesday, Public Health England (PHE) is now publishing daily data on how many people who are confirmed to have suffered Covid-19 have died in any setting. Previously it was only possible to provide a daily figure for deaths in hospital.
Trend questions
The new method of reporting shows that 3,811 more people have died than previously thought. Yvonne Doyle of PHE said that the trend in daily numbers of deaths is “quite flat”, despite evidence that fewer people are now dying in hospital, which suggests that an increasing proportion of the victims are in care homes.
Nearly a third of homes in England have reported an outbreak of coronavirus, according to PHE. Professor Doyle said: “The scale and the speed of this epidemic is really in the last couple of weeks.
“There is a huge national and local endeavour to not just test – which is very important – but also understand the measures that make a difference in care homes and to look at that in a very rapid way, looking at the evidence, so that we can put in place measures that protect people.”
Dominic Raab, the First Secretary of State, said the idea of moving some care home residents to facilities such as the NHS Nightingale hospitals to protect them from Covid-19 was “under constant discussion”.
Statistical fears
The revised death toll suggests the UK is now the third worst-hit country in the world, although Professor Doyle warned that international comparisons may be inexact due to different reporting standards between countries. It is lower than the count published weekly by the Office for National Statistics because it only includes confirmed rather than suspected cases of coronavirus.
Jonathan Van Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, said that the true toll will only be known in several months’ time when “excess deaths” – that is, the number of deaths above what would be expected in an average year – can be computed. One estimate of excess deaths suggests nearly 50,000 Britons have already died as a result of the pandemic.
Liz Kendall, Labour’s shadow minister for social care, said: “The daily reporting of Covid-19 death rates outside hospital, including in care homes, is important for our fight against this pandemic. These devastating figures show that further action is urgently required to reduce the spread of the virus and keep care users and staff safe. More needs to be done to ensure all care staff get the PPE they need and to ensure social care is properly funded to deal with the extra costs of the pandemic.”
The Liberal Democrats’ acting leader Ed Davey said: “As we finally see the Government’s revised figures of how many people have tragically lost their lives to coronavirus, the sheer scale of this human disaster is becoming clearer.” Amnesty UK said the data “raise serious concerns over the failure of our Government to effectively tackle the coronavirus pandemic”.
Christina McAnea of the trade union Unison added: “Care workers have been crying out for essential safety equipment, clear guidance and widespread virus testing for weeks. The risks have been plain to see and these new figures paint a stark picture of how the pandemic has been sweeping through residential homes across the UK.”


inews--2020-04-30--Grove by Esther Kinsky, review: a beautiful, three-part chronicle of grief and memory

Grove by Esther Kinsky , review : a beautiful , three-part chronicle of grief and memory The German author 's novel , translated into English for the first time , operates in that fertile ground between fiction and memoir The winter is harsh , the small Italian towns south-east of Rome closed and somewhat unwelcoming .
Not the most obvious place , perhaps , for the unnamed German narrator in Grove to retreat after the loss of her beloved “ M ” .
But it is a trip she feels obliged to take , and on her first night alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contemplating how , for the next three months , to force my life into a new order that would let me survive the unexpected unknown ” .
Published in German in 2018 and now translated by Caroline Schmidt , Grove operates in that fertile ground between fiction and memoir – Esther Kinsky ’ s husband Martin died in 2014 – and is a three-part chronicle of grief and memory with recurring motifs of cemeteries , droning trucks and landscapes obscured by cloud or fog .
If that sounds melancholic , that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heart became my condition in Olevano , ” writes Kinsky .
“ When I climbed up from the house , coming from the village .
When I walked uphill , from the house to the cemetery.
” But , crucially , in Kinsky ’ s observations of bird life , flowers , trees and quotidian tasks , Grove also becomes a celebration of the moments of beauty and solace all around us , in the obvious and the hidden .
The second phase of the book sees the narrator , unhinged by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , recall travels to Italy with her family in the 70s , triggering another series of elegant , precise reflections on the nature and purpose of memory .
These three contrasting journeys in different Italys , returned to by the narrator to find peace , familiarity and refuge , also work as a way in which she can process not just grief , but isolation and her new identity .
Italy is less a blank canvas than a fulcrum , in its varied landscapes and peoples , for understanding her place in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ravenna , the narrator finds two related mosaics of a maritime scene her father once admired .
This “ whispering of countless small , gold-dusted stones ” speaks to her of “ life , light and the open air ” .
And in that one line of power and grace , you know our narrator will be fine .
Grove is a close companion to Kinsky ’ s previous book , River , which explored London ’ s Lea Valley and found similar consolations in the weather , landscape and outsider experience .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kinsky ’ s compatriot WG Sebald , the much-missed psychogeographer .
With Grove , she has reached his level .
This is a book that finds a kind of comfort in the transience of being human .

The winter is harsh, the small Italian towns south-east of Rome closed and somewhat unwelcoming. Not the most obvious place, perhaps, for the unnamed German narrator in Grove to retreat after the loss of her beloved “M”. But it is a trip she feels obliged to take, and on her first night alone in Olevano she lies awake, “contemplating how, for the next three months, to force my life into a new order that would let me survive the unexpected unknown”.
Published in German in 2018 and now translated by Caroline Schmidt, Grove operates in that fertile ground between fiction and memoir – Esther Kinsky’s husband Martin died in 2014 – and is a three-part chronicle of grief and memory with recurring motifs of cemeteries, droning trucks and landscapes obscured by cloud or fog.
If that sounds melancholic, that’s because it is. “The heavy heart became my condition in Olevano,” writes Kinsky. “When I climbed up from the house, coming from the village. When I walked uphill, from the house to the cemetery.” But, crucially, in Kinsky’s observations of bird life, flowers, trees and quotidian tasks, Grove also becomes a celebration of the moments of beauty and solace all around us, in the obvious and the hidden.
The second phase of the book sees the narrator, unhinged by the death many years earlier of her father, recall travels to Italy with her family in the 70s, triggering another series of elegant, precise reflections on the nature and purpose of memory.
Finally, we are back in the present day, in northern Italy, walking along deserted canals and revelling in cinematic, abandoned seaside resorts.
These three contrasting journeys in different Italys, returned to by the narrator to find peace, familiarity and refuge, also work as a way in which she can process not just grief, but isolation and her new identity. Italy is less a blank canvas than a fulcrum, in its varied landscapes and peoples, for understanding her place in the world.
By the end, in Ravenna, the narrator finds two related mosaics of a maritime scene her father once admired. This “whispering of countless small, gold-dusted stones” speaks to her of “life, light and the open air”. And in that one line of power and grace, you know our narrator will be fine.
Grove is a close companion to Kinsky’s previous book, River, which explored London’s Lea Valley and found similar consolations in the weather, landscape and outsider experience. The language and atmosphere is again redolent of Kinsky’s compatriot WG Sebald, the much-missed psychogeographer. With Grove, she has reached his level. This is a book that finds a kind of comfort in the transience of being human.
Grove by Esther Kinsky is published by Fitzcarraldo Editions (£14.99)


inews--2020-04-30--The Real Marigold Hotel 2020 cast: who's in the line-up for the new series, and what time it's on BB

The Real Marigold Hotel 2020 cast: who's in the line-up for the new series, and what time it's on BBC One tonight

The Real Marigold Hotel 2020 cast : who 's in the line-up for the new series , and what time it 's on BBC One tonight Duncan Bannatyne , Paul Elliott and Britt Ekland are among the celebrities heading to India for season four The Real Marigold Hotel is returning to the BBC this April , with eight new celebrities heading east to test out retiring in India .
This will be the show 's fourth season since it launched back in 2016 .
The likes of Bill Oddie , Amanda Barrie and Bobby George have appeared in the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know about this year 's line-up ...
When is The Real Marigold Hotel on TV ?
The new season starts on Wednesday 30 April at 9pm on BBC One , and will air weekly .
This year will see the celebrities explore the culture of the cities of Puducherry on the east coast and Rishikesh in the very north of the country .
The show 's executive producer , David Clews , said : `` Household names combined with royalty from the creative industries all promise to see hearts open and some unlikely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interests include hotels , health clubs , spas , media , TV , and property , and he has an OBE for his contribution to charity .
Better known as Paul Chuckle , Elliott was one half of the children 's television duo , the Chuckle Brothers .
The 72-year-old still makes semi-regular TV appearances , despite the death of his brother Barry two years ago .
Britt Ekland was a Bond girl in the '60s ( Photo : ITV ) Ekland , 77 , is a Swedish actress who was most famous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared in the likes of Get Carter and The Wicker Man , was a Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun , and was also married to Peter Sellers for four years .
Dickson , 72 , is a Scottish singer whose hits include ' I Know Him So Well ' and 'January February ' .
She is one of the most successful Scottish female solo artists of all time , and is also a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress .
The 80-year-old 's playing career never progressed beyond Cambridge University , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognisable voices in the sport 's history .
Rhodes , 79 , is an English fashion designer who has designed garments for the likes of Princess Diana .
She has also designed for Freddie Mercury and Brian May of Queen , and founded London 's Fashion and Textiles Museum in 2003 .

The Real Marigold Hotel has returned to the BBC, with eight new celebrities heading east to test out retiring in India.
This is the show’s fourth season since it launched back in 2016. The likes of Bill Oddie, Amanda Barrie and Bobby George have appeared in the past.
Here is everything you need to know about this year’s line-up…
When is The Real Marigold Hotel on TV?
The new season started on Wednesday 30 April at 9pm on BBC One, and is airing weekly at the same time and place.
This year sees the celebrities explore the culture of the cities of Puducherry on the east coast and Rishikesh in the very north of the country.
The show’s executive producer, David Clews, said: “Household names combined with royalty from the creative industries all promise to see hearts open and some unlikely friendships blossom.
“Our cast members deliver a journey of reflection and warmth, with laugh out loud adventures and life changing results.”
Who’s in the line-up?
Duncan Bannatyne
Bannatyne invested in 36 businesses during his 10 years on Dragons’ Den.
The 71-year-old’s business interests include hotels, health clubs, spas, media, TV, and property, and he has an OBE for his contribution to charity.
Paul Elliott
Better known as Paul Chuckle, Elliott was one half of the children’s television duo, the Chuckle Brothers.
The 72-year-old still makes semi-regular TV appearances, despite the death of his brother Barry two years ago.
Britt Ekland
Ekland, 77, is a Swedish actress who was most famous during the 1960s and 70s.
She appeared in the likes of Get Carter and The Wicker Man, was a Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun, and was also married to Peter Sellers for four years.
Barbara Dickson
Dickson, 72, is a Scottish singer whose hits include ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘January February’.
She is one of the most successful Scottish female solo artists of all time, and is also a two-time Olivier Award-winning actress.
Henry Blofeld
Blofeld, nicknamed Blowers, was a beloved cricket commentator on the BBC’s Test Match Special before retiring in 2017.
The 80-year-old’s playing career never progressed beyond Cambridge University, but he has one of the most recognisable voices in the sport’s history.
Zandra Rhodes
Rhodes, 79, is an English fashion designer who has designed garments for the likes of Princess Diana.
She has also designed for Freddie Mercury and Brian May of Queen, and founded London’s Fashion and Textiles Museum in 2003.
John Altman
Altman is best known for playing Nick Cotton in EastEnders on and off for 30 years.
He was one of the original cast members, appearing in the very first episode back in 1985.
Susie Blake
Blake, 70, is an actress who is best known for appearing on Victoria Wood’s As Seen on TV, and as Bev Unwin on Coronation Street.
She has played Hilary Nicholson on Mrs Brown’s Boys since 2011.


inews--2020-04-30--Julia Garner: 'People didn't talk about MeToo experiences - they didn't want to deal with it'

Julia Garner : 'People did n't talk about MeToo experiences - they did n't want to deal with it' The actress talks to James Mottram about her new film , which focuses on the drudge of low-paid work and a system that enables abuse This is slightly odd , since we are actually here to talk about Garner ’ s new film , The Assistant , which explores the challenges faced by a young woman very much excluded from the inner sanctum of her office .
'What is the right timing for this movie ? '
( Photo : Ty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good time for this movie because there ’ s never a good time for this subject – ever .
It ’ s not a comfortable subject .
That ’ s why people never wanted to talk about it because they didn ’ t want to deal with it.
” Garner ’ s Jane is not the subject of sexual abuse , nor even a witness to it ; about the closest she gets is finding a sticky patch of fluid on her boss ’ s sofa – never explicitly explained – which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see Jane ’ s boss , either , yet the fear he casts over his assistants is engraved on their faces .
But The Assistant , explains Garner , isn ’ t about the abusers .
“ Those men are a big problem , ” she says .
“ But if they were the main problem , the problem would already be fixed .
It ’ s the system that is the problem.
” The film is about the enablers , those who turn a blind eye to the behaviour of those in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Jane discovers that her boss has flown in a new “ assistant ” from Idaho and put her up in a hotel .
As much as it will be seen as a Weinstein-inspired movie , The Assistant also subtly conveys the drudge that low-paid office workers face , with Jane the first to arrive and virtually the last to leave .
“ Just because someone is sending faxes and fetching coffee , that ’ s fine .
But you can ’ t abuse them .
Get them a lunch .
Or just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not schlepping around all day.
” She pauses .
“ Treat them like a human being.
” Just 26 , Garner has been in the entertainment industry for a decade , but she is swift to point out that she has never been subject to abuse .
Has she ever witnessed anything ?
Things are changing for the better “ I think it ’ s much better than it was , but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done .
That ’ s why this movie is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2011 ’ s Martha Marcy May Marlene , Sean Durkin ’ s tale of an abusive cult , which cast her alongside a pre-Avengers Elizabeth Olsen and actor-turned-director Brady Corbet .
“ Everybody was a child then , ” she smiles .
“ I was a baby ; they were like children !
” She was just 16 , “ a vulnerable age ” , when she shot it .
'If something is not difficult , I pass' “ As soon as I read something and see it ’ s difficult , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ?
Yeah , I should !
’ Otherwise it ’ s boring for me .
If something is not difficult , I pass.
” Nobody advised her against taking the role .

Julia Garner is sitting in a windowless, wood-panelled boardroom in Berlin’s Grand Hyatt Hotel. The table is long, decorated with a tray of biscuits and bottles of water. The actress is sporting an elegant Ralph Lauren outfit and it feels like we have come together for a job interview.
This is slightly odd, since we are actually here to talk about Garner’s new film, The Assistant, which explores the challenges faced by a young woman very much excluded from the inner sanctum of her office.
Garner plays Jane, a lowly employee working in a New York movie production company.
The writer/director Kitty Green interviewed numerous women from various industries about their experiences of workplace abuse – sexual, physical and verbal – but the spectre of former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein looms large.
When Garner and I meet, it is late February. The jury is still deciding but, two days hence, Weinstein will be found guilty of rape and sexual assault, and sentenced to 23 years in prison. Talk about uncanny timing.
“Honestly, what is the right timing for this movie?” says Garner, who is best known for her Emmy-winning role as Ruth Langmore in the Netflix drama Ozark.
“There is never really a good time for this movie because there’s never a good time for this subject – ever. It’s not a comfortable subject. That’s why people never wanted to talk about it because they didn’t want to deal with it.”
When the film was unveiled at the Telluride Film Festival last August, some reviewers criticised Green for her restrained approach to this explosive subject.
“You’d think she was afraid of being sued for slander,” wrote one critic in Variety. But this misses the point. The film isn’t about specific acts of abuse, but the environments that incubate abuse.
Garner’s Jane is not the subject of sexual abuse, nor even a witness to it; about the closest she gets is finding a sticky patch of fluid on her boss’s sofa – never explicitly explained – which she dutifully cleans up.
We never see Jane’s boss, either, yet the fear he casts over his assistants is engraved on their faces. But The Assistant, explains Garner, isn’t about the abusers. “Those men are a big problem,” she says. “But if they were the main problem, the problem would already be fixed. It’s the system that is the problem.”
The film is about the enablers, those who turn a blind eye to the behaviour of those in positions of power. At one point, Jane discovers that her boss has flown in a new “assistant” from Idaho and put her up in a hotel.
Concerned that this naïve ex-waitress may be subject to abuse, she visits the head of HR – played brilliantly by Succession’s Matthew Macfadyen – who soothingly puts her in her place. “I call it the ‘gaslight’ scene,” says Garner.
“That is the system; Matthew’s HR guy is also on a tightrope in his own way. He could get fired at any moment, too.”
As much as it will be seen as a Weinstein-inspired movie, The Assistant also subtly conveys the drudge that low-paid office workers face, with Jane the first to arrive and virtually the last to leave.
“People spend hours in production offices – and offices in general, not just Hollywood,” says Garner.
“Just because someone is sending faxes and fetching coffee, that’s fine. But you can’t abuse them. Get them a lunch. Or just make them feel like they’re not schlepping around all day.” She pauses. “Treat them like a human being.”
Just 26, Garner has been in the entertainment industry for a decade, but she is swift to point out that she has never been subject to abuse. Has she ever witnessed anything?
“I’ve never experienced abuse in general, so I’ve never had any reason to complain [to anyone],” she says.
“But of course I’ve heard countless stories from all around the board… and not just in the film industry, but in every industry.”
Garner also believes that things are changing for the better in the wake of the #MeToo movement, pointing out that Hollywood has paid far greater attention to ensuring film industry professionals can work without fear of abuse.
“I think it’s much better than it was, but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. That’s why this movie is so important.”
‘I don’t believe in overnight success. When there is an overnight success, I don’t think that’s a great thing’
Raised in New York in a Jewish family – her mother is a therapist and former comedian, her father is a painter and art teacher – Garner started acting in her mid-teens to overcome shyness.
She made her movie debut in 2011’s Martha Marcy May Marlene, Sean Durkin’s tale of an abusive cult, which cast her alongside a pre-Avengers Elizabeth Olsen and actor-turned-director Brady Corbet. “Everybody was a child then,” she smiles. “I was a baby; they were like children!” She was just 16, “a vulnerable age”, when she shot it.
“You don’t know what’s normal and what’s not normal.” Fortunately, she found herself on a respectable set.
Working for Durkin clearly set the tone for Garner, who has sought out intelligent, provocative work ever since.
She has enjoyed an engaging career in television, including spy show The Americans, mini-series Maniac with Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, and the hugely successful Ozark.
“I’m super-happy how everything is turning out and I wouldn’t do it differently,” she says.
“I wouldn’t have it any slower, I wouldn’t have it any faster. I don’t believe in overnight successes. When there is an overnight success, I don’t think that’s a great thing.”
Her love affair with TV is set to continue; before the lockdown, Garner had begun work on a new TV series called Inventing Anna, a “fascinating story” about Anna Sorokina, a Russian-born fraudster who posed as a wealthy German heiress. “I’m trying to portray her as a person rather than as a character.”
Garner’s approach to films has been similarly careful. She appeared in a number of well-received indies, including adolescent love story The Perks of Being a Wallflower and the comedy-drama Grandma, with Lily Tomlin. The closest she has come to a blockbuster was Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City sequel A Dame to Kill For, playing a stripper called Marcy.
‘You don’t know what’s normal and what’s not normal’
“I hadn’t seen a really great movie script until this one,” she says of The Assistant, “which is why I wanted to jump on.”
Nevertheless, this role is liable to change things for Garner, offering proof that she is as gutsy as they come.
“As soon as I read something and see it’s difficult, I think, ‘Should I do it? Yeah, I should!’ Otherwise it’s boring for me. If something is not difficult, I pass.” Nobody advised her against taking the role.
“My agents and my manager really wanted me to do this,” she says.
“We’re always on the same page. I go wherever the good story is.”


inews--2020-04-30--Furlough and pensions: what happens to my pension if I’m furloughed, how safe savings are and how mu

Furlough and pensions: what happens to my pension if I’m furloughed, how safe savings are and how much I could get

Furlough and pensions : what happens to my pension if I ’ m furloughed , how safe savings are and how much I could get If you are temporarily not working because you have been furloughed , your monthly payments could decrease Under the current rules , employees pay in 5 per cent of their salary and their employer pays in 3 per cent .
Tax relief is applied to workers ’ contributions , effectively reducing the cost .
The Money Advice Service has a contributions calculator here .
The rules are different if you are on a defined benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ salary , and don ’ t apply if you are self-employed .
What happens to my pension if I ’ m on furlough ?
Pensions are important to funding a comfortable retirement , as the state pension is just £9,110 a year ( Photo : Dan Mullan/Getty ) If you are temporarily not working because you have been furloughed , your own pension contributions and your employer ’ s should continue at the same portion of your salary .
So if your pay has been reduced , your pension payments will also be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop you voluntarily paying in more .
You may be given the choice to reduce or suspend your contributions , but this should be given careful thought as it could impact your future retirement income .
“ As before , employers must not encourage or coerce employees to opt out of pension saving , ” says Kate Smith , head of pensions at Aegon .
Can my employer reduce the contributions they make to my pension ?
For employers struggling to afford contributions above the automatic enrolment minimums , they can temporarily scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is taken off furlough , payments should revert to their old level .
If companies with more than 50 staff want to permanently reduce their pension contributions , they will need to go through a 60-day consultation process as required by the Pensions Regulator .
Should I be worried about the safety of my pension ?
Those saving into a final salary pension scheme are not directly affected by stock market movements and so also shouldn ’ t be too concerned .
“ In cases of the employer going insolvent , defined benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ring-fenced fund and secondly by the Pension Protection Fund .
In the majority of cases the best action is to stay the course with your workplace pension .
Past experience suggests that share and other asset prices will recover over time , ” says this guide from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association .
How much pension income could I get in retirement ?

In the UK, employees above the age of 22 earning more than £10,000 a year are automatically opted into a workplace pension scheme.
This means a portion of their salary is saved into a pension chosen by their company. Both the Government and employers top up the payments, so employees are getting extra money on top of their own contributions.
Under the current rules, employees pay in 5 per cent of their salary and their employer pays in 3 per cent. Tax relief is applied to workers’ contributions, effectively reducing the cost. The Money Advice Service has a contributions calculator here. The rules are different if you are on a defined benefit pension scheme, also known as final salary, and don’t apply if you are self-employed.
Many companies offer enhanced pension schemes going beyond the Government guidelines.
Workers can opt out of auto-enrolment. However, pensions are important to funding a comfortable retirement, as the state pension is just £9,110 a year.
It’s also worth noting that not everyone is entitled to the full state pension, as you will need to have built up 35 years’ worth of qualifying national insurance contributions.
What happens to my pension if I’m on furlough?
If you are temporarily not working because you have been furloughed, your own pension contributions and your employer’s should continue at the same portion of your salary. So if your pay has been reduced, your pension payments will also be reduced. But there is nothing to stop you voluntarily paying in more.
You may be given the choice to reduce or suspend your contributions, but this should be given careful thought as it could impact your future retirement income. “As before, employers must not encourage or coerce employees to opt out of pension saving,” says Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon.
Under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, furloughed employees are paid 80 per cent of their usual wage, up to a monthly cap of £2,500. The 3 per cent minimum statutory employer pension contributions are paid on top of this.
Can my employer reduce the contributions they make to my pension?
Legally, employers must continue paying into a pension scheme for members of staff. But some workers will have previously benefited from their company paying above the government statutory requirements.
Maike Currie, director for workplace investing at Fidelity International, says the Government will only fund the cost of the minimum legal employer contribution (3 per cent) and employers have to cover the cost of any additional payments.
For employers struggling to afford contributions above the automatic enrolment minimums, they can temporarily scale back payments. But once an employee is taken off furlough, payments should revert to their old level. If companies with more than 50 staff want to permanently reduce their pension contributions, they will need to go through a 60-day consultation process as required by the Pensions Regulator.
Should I be worried about the safety of my pension?
Many companies are grappling with financial difficulties at the moment, but your pension savings are safe. Savings in defined contribution schemes (typically used in private-sector companies) are ring-fenced from your employer’s assets, and are also protected should the pension provider go insolvent.
If you log in to your retirement account, you may see that your savings have dropped in value because of stock market volatility. However, saving for a pension is a long-term investment and markets should recover before you retire.
Those saving into a final salary pension scheme are not directly affected by stock market movements and so also shouldn’t be too concerned. “In cases of the employer going insolvent, defined benefit pensions are protected firstly by having a ring-fenced fund and secondly by the Pension Protection Fund. In the majority of cases the best action is to stay the course with your workplace pension. Past experience suggests that share and other asset prices will recover over time,” says this guide from the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association.
How much pension income could I get in retirement?
If you are on a defined contribution pension scheme, this is almost impossible to answer, as future pension income will depend on how long you have been saving and how your pension investments have performed.
However, the earlier you start saving into a pension, the more time there is for it to grow.
To use an illustration provided by this pension income calculator from the consumer group Which?, a 25 year old on a £25,000 salary could end up with £9,750 a year if they were to retire at the age of 65.
This figure is drawn from a total pension pot worth £118,543, and assumes they were paying in 5 per cent of their annual salary with their employer paying in 3 per cent (the auto-enrolment minimum). It also assumes annual investment growth of 6 per cent a year, inflation of 2 per cent and annual charges of 0.75 per cent.
The £9,750 annual income is in addition to the state pension, so could take total retirement income to almost £19,000 a year.


inews--2020-04-30--How to book a coronavirus test if you're a key worker: Who's eligible for testing, and where the tes

How to book a coronavirus test if you're a key worker: Who's eligible for testing, and where the test centres are

How to book a coronavirus test if you 're a key worker : Who 's eligible for testing , and where the test centres are 'We are making it easier , faster and simpler for any essential worker in England who needs a test to get a test' The Government 's coronavirus testing page at 10:53am on 24/04/2020 ( Photo : Screenshot ) Who is eligible for the testing ?
How can I apply for testing ?
Where will I be tested and will I have to drive ?
What does the test involve ?
After you drive to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your vehicle for the duration of the visit .
You will be asked whether you would like to test yourself or whether you would like a swabbing assistant administrator to carry it out .
How long do I have to wait for the results ?
What about employers of key workers ?
Are there plans to expand testing even more ?
The Government wants to boost the number of drive-through testing sites , with plans to have 50 open by the end of April .
The aim is to ensure that most people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 45 minutes to get tested .

The Government has expanded testing to millions of key workers and the people they live with if they are showing symptoms of Covid-19.
The DHSC says testing key workers would allow them to return to work if their results were negative.
Essential workers and those aged 65 or over are among those who can apply for and book a test online if they are experiencing symptoms.
Testing can be carried out at ‘drive-thru’ sites or via self-sampling kits that are posted out and returned.
Here is everything you need to know about testing for key workers:
Who is eligible for the testing?
People are eligible to apply for a test if they are experiencing symptoms and are an essential worker, aged 65 or over, or cannot work from home – or if they live with someone in any of those three categories.
The first group of designated key workers includes NHS and social care staff, police officers, teachers, social workers, undertakers, journalists, supermarket workers and those who work in food production.
Firefighters, local and national government staff and delivery drivers are also on the list.
People who live in the same household as key workers, and show symptoms, can also be tested.
Mr Hancock said: “We are making it easier, faster and simpler for any essential worker in England who needs a test to get a test.”
The scheme is part of the test, track and trace strategy to eventually ease lockdown measures.
Testing patients suspected to have the virus will remain the priority, though.
How can I apply for testing?
To apply for a test, you can enter your details on the gov.uk/coronavirus website.
You should receive an email or text on the same day, inviting you to book a test on the same website.
There is no charge for testing.
People should aim to get tested within three days of displaying the key coronavirus symptoms of a new continuous cough or a high temperature. This is when testing is most effective, according to the Government.
Where will I be tested and will I have to drive?
There are currently two options for where you can be tested.
You can choose between asking to be sent a home test kit or you can book an appointment at one of more than 30 regional drive-through test sites, some of which have been set up in car parks and at airports.
The introduction of home testing kits follows criticism that some people will not be able to drive to the test sites. Amazon will deliver the kits within 24 hours and Royal Mail will collect them the next day.
Are home test kits in short supply?
Initially the number of home kits will be limited, so the Government is encouraging people to attend one of the drive-through sites if possible.
The availability of each testing option will gradually increase. Slots are released at 8am every day.
What does the test involve?
Testing for coronavirus involves taking a swab of your nose and the back of your throat.
After you drive to the testing site, you should remain in your vehicle for the duration of the visit. You will be asked whether you would like to test yourself or whether you would like a swabbing assistant administrator to carry it out.
If you have ordered the home kit, you can do it yourself.
How long do I have to wait for the results?
Once you have been tested, the sample will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Three new “Lighthouse Labs”, based in Milton Keynes, Glasgow and Alderley Park in Cheshire, have been set up in three weeks to increase testing capacity.
Results from drive-through test sites should be sent out by text within 48 hours but it could take up to five days. For home testing kits, results should be available within 72 hours from when the sample is collected.
People will be given advice on any next steps that need to be taken after receiving their results.
What about employers of key workers?
Essential workers who are self-isolating can also be registered and referred for coronavirus testing by their employer.
Employers need to obtain a login for the referrals. They should email portalservicedesk@dhsc.gov.uk with two email addresses that will be used to load essential worker contact details into the employer referral portal. Once the employer’s details have been verified, they will be sent two login credentials for the portal.
Then, essential workers who have been referred will receive a text with a unique invitation code to book a test for themselves or their household members at one of the regional sites.
Are there plans to expand testing even more?
The Government wants to boost the number of drive-through testing sites, with plans to have 50 open by the end of April. The aim is to ensure that most people will not have to drive more than 45 minutes to get tested.
A network of new mobile testing units designed by Army engineers is being set up to travel to care homes, police stations and prisons where there is demand for testing.
The units can be “easily set up in under 20 minutes”, according to the Government.
Packages of satellite test kits will also be sent directly to care homes across England to enable testing of symptomatic residents.


inews--2020-04-30--Assassin's Creed Valhalla: what time the reveal trailer is released today, and everything we know ab

Assassin's Creed Valhalla: what time the reveal trailer is released today, and everything we know about the new Viking game

Assassin 's Creed Valhalla : what time the reveal trailer is released today , and everything we know about the new Viking game Assassin 's Creed : Valhalla will be the 12th major game in the series , and will take gamers all the way back to viking times Ubisoft has announced the latest game in its hugely popular Assassin 's Creed series , and it 's throwing Vikings into the mix .
Assassin 's Creed : Valhalla is named after a great hall in Norse mythology , where heroes who die in battle go to be honoured .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ series since 2018 's Assassin 's Creed Odyssey , which was set during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta .
So far there has been little announced about Valhalla , but a reveal is coming later today .
Here is everything you need to know ... How to watch the Assassin 's Creed : Valhalla reveal The name and theme of the game was revealed on social media on Wednesday , and there will be a full trailer reveal on Thursday 30 April at 3pm UK time .
The video will stream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and if you 're extra keen the comment section is already lively and rife with speculation .
Fans will be hoping for word on a release date , as well as whether the game will be available on the next generation of consoles , the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X .
What can we expect from the game ?
We do n't have much to go on so far , just an image released yesterday of a Viking with a braided beard , clutching an axe in both hands .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailing past some snowy mountains , suggesting seafaring may be an element of the game .
There is also an eagle soaring above .
On the right there is a battle scene .
A tattooed man with an axe and circular shield charges at a fully armoured soldier brandishing a spear , as a dilapidated castle smokes in the background .
Odyssey added more role-playing elements than previous Assassin 's Creed games , so this may again be a factor in Valhalla .
It also allowed the player to choose between controlling two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so there may once again be some flexibility with who you control .
Valhalla will be the 12th major instalment in the franchise since it launched back in 2007 .
The series has spanned history from ancient times right up to the modern day .

Ubisoft has announced the latest game in its hugely popular Assassin’s Creed series, and it’s throwing Vikings into the mix.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla is named after a great hall in Norse mythology, where heroes who die in battle go to be honoured.
The game will be the first in the series since 2018’s Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which was set during the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta.
So far there has been little announced about Valhalla, but a reveal is coming later today.
Here is everything you need to know…
How to watch the Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla reveal
The name and theme of the game was revealed on social media on Wednesday, and there will be a full trailer reveal on Thursday 30 April at 3pm UK time.
Watch the World Premiere of Assassin's Creed Valhalla April 30th at 8am PDT / 5pm CEST. #AssassinsCreed — Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) April 29, 2020
The video will stream live on Ubisoft’s YouTube channel, and if you’re extra keen the comment section is already lively and rife with speculation.
Fans will be hoping for word on a release date, as well as whether the game will be available on the next generation of consoles, the upcoming PlayStation 5 and Xbox One X.
What can we expect from the game?
We don’t have much to go on so far, just an image released yesterday of a Viking with a braided beard, clutching an axe in both hands.
On the left we see two Norse boats sailing past some snowy mountains, suggesting seafaring may be an element of the game. There is also an eagle soaring above.
On the right there is a battle scene. A tattooed man with an axe and circular shield charges at a fully armoured soldier brandishing a spear, as a dilapidated castle smokes in the background.
Odyssey added more role-playing elements than previous Assassin’s Creed games, so this may again be a factor in Valhalla.
It also allowed the player to choose between controlling two main characters, siblings Alexios and Kassandra, so there may once again be some flexibility with who you control.
Valhalla will be the 12th major instalment in the franchise since it launched back in 2007. The series has spanned history from ancient times right up to the modern day.


inews--2020-04-30--Captain Tom Moore: how to donate to the WW2 veteran on Just Giving as NHS fundraising walk passes £3

Captain Tom Moore: how to donate to the WW2 veteran on Just Giving as NHS fundraising walk passes £31m

Captain Tom Moore : how to donate to the WW2 veteran on Just Giving as NHS fundraising walk passes £31m One army veteran is doing everything he can to aid in the fight against coronavirus as the pandemic continues to spread Originally , his plan was to complete 100 circuits by his 100th birthday on Thursday 30 April .
He completed the challenge two weeks ahead of schedule , overseen by a special military guard of honour .
In the process , he became the biggest ever individual fundraiser on charity site JustGiving , i revealed , and even landed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Captain Tom Moore has raised an incredible amount of money for the NHS ( Photo : Tom Moore ) Captain Tom Moore , a 99-year-old army veteran , completely surpassed his original target of raising £1,000 for the NHS in the fight against Covid-19 two weeks before his birthday .
Captain Moore had aimed to complete 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by 16 April , with the use of a walking frame , and reached the milestone bang on time on Thursday morning .
In the process , he became a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to be knighted for his efforts .
`` Our country and all our nations , we 're all so generous in all sorts of ways .
But it 's for a super purpose , '' he said .
The page explained his aim to walk a hundred lengths of his back garden , which is 25m in length , before he hits 100 years old at the end of the month .
What charity is the money going towards ?
The money will be spent on much needed items , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and recuperation rooms and electronic devices for patients to keep in touch with their loved ones .
Ellie Orton , chief executive of the charity that will receive the money from the fundraising , spoke to the BBC , saying : “ I think I absolutely join the rest of the county in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved .
The NHS Charities Together Twitter account also tweeted : “ And he ’ s done it .
War hero @ captaintommoore has surpassed his new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tom .
How much more can you help him raise for our # COVID19 Urgent Appeal ?
# walkwithtom # NHS.
” How do I donate to Captain Tom Moore ’ s campaign ?
If you want to donate to the campaign , you can do so by visiting the Just Giving page online here .
Just hit the ‘ donate ’ button and you ’ ll be taken to a page where you can choose the donation amount - you can choose from the pre-selected amounts of £10 , £20 , £30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can enter a specific amount yourself .

Captain Tom Moore, who turns 100 today, has now managed to raise over £31 million for the NHS – after setting an initial target of £1,000.
Originally, his plan was to complete 100 circuits by his 100th birthday on Thursday 30 April. He completed the challenge two weeks ahead of schedule, overseen by a special military guard of honour.
In the process, he became the biggest ever individual fundraiser on charity site JustGiving, i revealed, and even landed a number one single in the process.
Record-breaking fundraiser
Captain Tom Moore, a 99-year-old army veteran, completely surpassed his original target of raising £1,000 for the NHS in the fight against Covid-19 two weeks before his birthday.
Captain Moore had aimed to complete 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden by 16 April, with the use of a walking frame, and reached the milestone bang on time on Thursday morning.
In the process, he became a truenational treasure, with widespread calls for him to be knighted for his efforts.
His daughter Hannah said he had become a “beacon of hope” during challenging times.
Generous nation
Speaking to ITV after completing his challenge, the captain said the public generosity had been “unbelievable”.
“Our country and all our nations, we’re all so generous in all sorts of ways. But it’s for a super purpose,” he said.
“Nurses, doctors and all the back-up workers, they deserve everything we can give them.”
Captain Moore’s family had set up a Just Giving fundraising page, titled: “Captain Tom Moore’s 100th Birthday Walk for the NHS.”
The page explained his aim to walk a hundred lengths of his back garden, which is 25m in length, before he hits 100 years old at the end of the month.
What charity is the money going towards?
The money raised by the fundraiser is going towards NHS Charities Together.
The money will be spent on much needed items, such as well-being packs for NHS staff, rest and recuperation rooms and electronic devices for patients to keep in touch with their loved ones.
Ellie Orton, chief executive of the charity that will receive the money from the fundraising, spoke to the BBC, saying: “I think I absolutely join the rest of the county in being truly inspired and profoundly humbled by Captain Tom and what he has achieved.
“Thank you for being an inspiration and a role model.”
The NHS Charities Together Twitter account also tweeted: “And he’s done it. War hero @captaintommoore has surpassed his new £1million target already! Keep going, Tom. How much more can you help him raise for our #COVID19 Urgent Appeal? #walkwithtom #NHS.”
How do I donate to Captain Tom Moore’s campaign?
If you want to donate to the campaign, you can do so by visiting the Just Giving page online here.
Just hit the ‘donate’ button and you’ll be taken to a page where you can choose the donation amount – you can choose from the pre-selected amounts of £10, £20, £30, £50 or £100, or alternatively you can enter a specific amount yourself.
The aim was to raise money before Tom turned 100 years old at the end of the month, so the campaign should remain open until then – there has been no word on when the campaign will officially end.


inews--2020-04-30--Coronavirus: KFC, Burger King and McDonald’s plan mass summer reopenings following lockdown - as ind

Coronavirus: KFC, Burger King and McDonald’s plan mass summer reopenings following lockdown - as independent restaurants face an uncertain future

Coronavirus : KFC , Burger King and McDonald ’ s plan mass summer reopenings following lockdown - as independent restaurants face an uncertain future Independent restaurants lack the resources of the big chains , but must survive By Monday , KFC , which has seen sales climb 14 per cent in the first quarter of the year , said it aims to have 100 restaurants open for delivery , with more to come .
Paula MacKenzie , managing director of KFC UK & Ireland , said : “ I ’ m really proud of the way we , with our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carefully get some of our restaurants up and running over the past two weeks .
`` This next stage allows us to continue to provide wider access to hot food for those who need it most ...
I ’ m hugely appreciative of our team members . ''
Burger King CEO Alisdair Murdoch said the company plans to have 350 sites open by the end of June .
There have been regular queues at the branches already serving .
“ We would anticipate by the end of June , we will be getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told the BBC 's World At One programme .
“ We see some of the others will be difficult to open – some are in airports .
At this stage none of us really have the visibility on when they might do.
” Both KFC and Burger King have been operating with limited menus , and making use of `` contactless '' delivery apps such as Deliveroo and UberEats to distribute orders .
Both have stressed the safety of customers and staff is paramount .
Demand for Britain 's ubiquitous high street chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than for the most famous of all : McDonald 's .
The world 's largest fast food group announced this week it has been testing sites for relaunch , though has yet to indicate when , exactly , Big Macs will be scoffed once more .
A spokesman told i that trials should conclude by next week , and did not play down the proposition that McDonald 's will also work to a limited menu , serving only favourites such as McNuggets and double cheeseburgers .
Like its competitors , only takeaway and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Britain will welcome popular fast food outlets reopening , their doing so - rapidly , with solid resources - risks alienating the rest of the market , which has been slammed by the coronavirus lockdown and which is , by and large , more likely to fade entirely .
Independents up against it Small- to medium-sized restaurants that have a history of takeaway and which can better adapt - that 's not to say the current climate is by any means easy - such as Franco Manca , Burger & Lobster , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But groups such as Hawksmoor and the Ivy Brasserie have no yet announced plans to reenter the fray .
And smaller independents like East London Italian spot Ombra , and Michelin-starred restaurants such as Hide , have either had to turn into grocery stores or offer meal kits to customers in order to stay afloat .
Creativity and ingenuity is at play , but big profits almost certainly are not .
There is a prevailing sentiment therefore that what was an increasingly diverse and eclectic hospitality industry is at risk of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to forego their Bargain Buckets , but the independent restaurants are currently more deserving and in need of trade .

Fast food and fast casual restaurants that closed due to the Covid-19 outbreak are beginning to reopen for takeaway and delivery.
Both KFC and Burger King slowly relaunched branches this month, and will now roll-out apace having seen apparent early success.
By Monday, KFC, which has seen sales climb 14 per cent in the first quarter of the year, said it aims to have 100 restaurants open for delivery, with more to come.
Paula MacKenzie, managing director of KFC UK & Ireland, said: “I’m really proud of the way we, with our franchise partners, have been able to carefully get some of our restaurants up and running over the past two weeks.
“This next stage allows us to continue to provide wider access to hot food for those who need it most… I’m hugely appreciative of our team members.”
Fast food fast to relaunch
Burger King CEO Alisdair Murdoch said the company plans to have 350 sites open by the end of June. There have been regular queues at the branches already serving.
“We would anticipate by the end of June, we will be getting towards 350 and 400,” he told the BBC’s World At One programme.
“We see some of the others will be difficult to open – some are in airports. At this stage none of us really have the visibility on when they might do.”
Both KFC and Burger King have been operating with limited menus, and making use of “contactless” delivery apps such as Deliveroo and UberEats to distribute orders. Both have stressed the safety of customers and staff is paramount.
Demand for Britain’s ubiquitous high street chains is high, perhaps no more so than for the most famous of all: McDonald’s. The world’s largest fast food group announced this week it has been testing sites for relaunch, though has yet to indicate when, exactly, Big Macs will be scoffed once more.
A spokesman told i that trials should conclude by next week, and did not play down the proposition that McDonald’s will also work to a limited menu, serving only favourites such as McNuggets and double cheeseburgers. Like its competitors, only takeaway and delivery options will be available.
While Britain will welcome popular fast food outlets reopening, their doing so – rapidly, with solid resources – risks alienating the rest of the market, which has been slammed by the coronavirus lockdown and which is, by and large, more likely to fade entirely.
Independents up against it
Small- to medium-sized restaurants that have a history of takeaway and which can better adapt – that’s not to say the current climate is by any means easy – such as Franco Manca, Burger & Lobster, and Meatliquor, have retained a market presence.
Franco Manca, which introduced London to sourdough pizza way back in 2008, targets 20 sites to be turning out pies by June.
But groups such as Hawksmoor and the Ivy Brasserie have no yet announced plans to reenter the fray. And smaller independents like East London Italian spot Ombra, and Michelin-starred restaurants such as Hide, have either had to turn into grocery stores or offer meal kits to customers in order to stay afloat. Creativity and ingenuity is at play, but big profits almost certainly are not.
There is a prevailing sentiment therefore that what was an increasingly diverse and eclectic hospitality industry is at risk of being pushed back 20 years. Nobody expects people to forego their Bargain Buckets, but the independent restaurants are currently more deserving and in need of trade.