inews--2020-05-21--How Ramadan makes me respect and love my body

How Ramadan makes me respect and love my body Each Ramadan I ’ m amazed by how my body adjusts to no food or water for over 16 hours The common understanding many people have of Ramadan is that from sunrise to sunset Muslims don ’ t eat or drink - yes , not even water .
But Ramadan is much more than this , for many , it is a time to be closer to God but also a time to completely overhaul themselves .
To potentially break bad habits or give something up .
For me , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prayer mat increasing and also reading the Quran , I spend a lot of time reflecting and thinking about the space I occupy in the world and how it affects my mindset .
It ’ s easy to become polluted by the world around us and for me , Ramadan has long since been a way to detox but also a practice in mindfulness and gratitude .
Much of my understanding of my body has come from the understanding of the rules about periods and Ramadan .
Being on your period during Ramadan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Islam acknowledges that whilst women are on their periods they will go through pain .
Fasting isn ’ t supposed to put you through pain or damage your body , therefore Muslim women are exempt from fasting in this period .
It is this same mercy that I have extended to my body .
Our daily lives are filled with images of aesthetically pleasing and commercially acceptable bodies .
We are never truly encouraged to see our bodies as our homes and as vessels that will carry us forward .
We are never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blessing it is to be grateful for the wholeness of our bodies , even the parts that are bruised or that have previously been broken or scared .
This persistent focus on the aesthetic has often diminished the very functional and important role our bodies play .
We forget to acknowledge the privilege of our bodies and of being able-bodied .
Even machines are retired but our bodies serve us from the day we are born until old age .
We forget that we have the ability to talk , walk , hear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be grateful for the functioning parts of our body is a practice that is reiterated to me each Ramadan and something I actively practice being grateful in prayer for , in thanking God each time I pray .
Each Ramadan I ’ m amazed by how my body adjusts to no food or water for over 16 hours a day in a matter of days .
I ’ m amazed how my body carries me through 30 days of a different diet and how I still have the energy and ability to function @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay focused , to work and sit in meetings and meet deadlines .
Research from 2014 found that British Muslim women who wore a hijab reported a lower internalisation of the standard of beauty and lower pressure to conform to this standard than those who did not wear the hijab .
Although I don ’ t necessarily disagree with this , for me it is not the extension of physically covering or modesty that impacts my self-confidence or self-esteem , it is a matter of mental and emotional development through Ramadan .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carried out in 2020 the hyper-commercialisation of Muslim bodies by brands in recent years would change the outcome of the study .
Islam does not encourage any type of body brutality - a complete contrast of what modern society expects from women with surgery and manipulation .
These shifting expectations allow me to see that my body is a place I need to look after because it is my home in this life .
For me , Ramadan helps me stay attuned to what my body needs from the inside out .
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how my body has carried me and continues to do so .
Coming out of Ramadan my mind is challenged and I ’ m able to unpick the thought process I have internalised through years of media campaigns directed at women telling us we are not enough .
Ramadan makes me alert to my body in a way that isn ’ t alarming or negative .
There ’ s a seed of hope , a type of body liberation that I ’ m able to develop as I ’ m able to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process and actively challenge negative thoughts I ’ ve picked up through the years .

The common understanding many people have of Ramadan is that from sunrise to sunset Muslims don’t eat or drink – yes, not even water. But Ramadan is much more than this, for many, it is a time to be closer to God but also a time to completely overhaul themselves. To potentially break bad habits or give something up.
For me, with the amount of time spent on the prayer mat increasing and also reading the Quran, I spend a lot of time reflecting and thinking about the space I occupy in the world and how it affects my mindset. It’s easy to become polluted by the world around us and for me, Ramadan has long since been a way to detox but also a practice in mindfulness and gratitude.
Much of my understanding of my body has come from the understanding of the rules about periods and Ramadan. Being on your period during Ramadan means you are exempt from fasting. Islam acknowledges that whilst women are on their periods they will go through pain. Fasting isn’t supposed to put you through pain or damage your body, therefore Muslim women are exempt from fasting in this period. It is this same mercy that I have extended to my body.
Our daily lives are filled with images of aesthetically pleasing and commercially acceptable bodies. We are never truly encouraged to see our bodies as our homes and as vessels that will carry us forward. We are never told or allowed to understand what a blessing it is to be grateful for the wholeness of our bodies, even the parts that are bruised or that have previously been broken or scared. This persistent focus on the aesthetic has often diminished the very functional and important role our bodies play. We forget to acknowledge the privilege of our bodies and of being able-bodied.
Even machines are retired but our bodies serve us from the day we are born until old age. We forget that we have the ability to talk, walk, hear, see, and touch. To be grateful for the functioning parts of our body is a practice that is reiterated to me each Ramadan and something I actively practice being grateful in prayer for, in thanking God each time I pray.
Each Ramadan I’m amazed by how my body adjusts to no food or water for over 16 hours a day in a matter of days. I’m amazed how my body carries me through 30 days of a different diet and how I still have the energy and ability to function not just physically but also concentrate and stay focused, to work and sit in meetings and meet deadlines.
Research from 2014 found that British Muslim women who wore a hijab reported a lower internalisation of the standard of beauty and lower pressure to conform to this standard than those who did not wear the hijab. Although I don’t necessarily disagree with this, for me it is not the extension of physically covering or modesty that impacts my self-confidence or self-esteem, it is a matter of mental and emotional development through Ramadan. I would even argue if this report was carried out in 2020 the hyper-commercialisation of Muslim bodies by brands in recent years would change the outcome of the study.
Ramadan makes me alert to my body in a way that isn’t alarming or negative.
Islam does not encourage any type of body brutality – a complete contrast of what modern society expects from women with surgery and manipulation. These shifting expectations allow me to see that my body is a place I need to look after because it is my home in this life.
For me, Ramadan helps me stay attuned to what my body needs from the inside out. My focus shifts from how I look to how my body has carried me and continues to do so. Coming out of Ramadan my mind is challenged and I’m able to unpick the thought process I have internalised through years of media campaigns directed at women telling us we are not enough.
Ramadan makes me alert to my body in a way that isn’t alarming or negative. There’s a seed of hope, a type of body liberation that I’m able to develop as I’m able to be more grateful and mindful of my thought process and actively challenge negative thoughts I’ve picked up through the years.
Mariam Khan is the editor of It’s Not About the Burqa: Muslim Women on Faith, Feminism, Sexuality and Race


inews--2020-05-21--Life in Ireland as lockdown eases: 'The hottest spot in Dublin is now the garden centre'

Life in Ireland as lockdown eases : 'The hottest spot in Dublin is now the garden centre' Group walks and small picnics are allowed , and for me , this is the biggest joy If you told me in January that this year , the hottest spot in Dublin would be the local garden centre , I ’ d have thought you had over-indulged on the New Year ’ s tipple , but fast forward four months , and the entire city is suddenly mad for peonies .
On 18 May , Ireland entered the first phase of the Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Business - the first of five phases that will hopefully mean things are kind of , sort of back to normal in August .
This sounds pretty exciting - but phase one isn ’ t all that different to the lockdown we had before .
We ’ re still being advised to stay at home and work from home as much as possible and we can only travel 5km from our homes .
But outdoor amenities are opening , as are garden and hardware stores - resulting in the socially distanced queue at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car park .
It ’ s a testament to how cooped up people were feeling that the second it was confirmed garden stores would reopen , half the population decided they were now Alan Titchmarsh .
I suspect if it were a health food store opening , everyone on my street would suddenly be vegan .
The other big difference is that now , you can meet up with another three people from another household , as long as you remain two metres away from each other and stay outside .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed , and for me , this is the biggest joy .
Most people haven ’ t seen their friends since lockdown started , but I haven ’ t seen mine since New Year ’ s .
Just days before Ireland went into lockdown , I moved back to Dublin from London after seven years - a move that had been planned for months , which I thought would be greeted with pub visits and catching up with old friends .
What I actually got was 14 days of post-flight isolation and Zoom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go for walks with my best friends , and while I ’ d love to be sitting down with a pint with them in my favourite pub , and I ’ d do anything to give them a bear hug , this is all I need for now .
I ’ d almost forgotten what having proper face-to-face gossips was like when I met up with one of my close friends on her lunch break .
And the rush usually saved for festivals or trips to the airport was back again when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a leisurely stroll after work on a Tuesday .
What a thrill !
But the gradual easing of restrictions doesn ’ t exactly fill me with excitement - more trepidation .
In the week before phase one , I noticed more and more people on the main road in our town .
Not that they were doing anything wrong , but the struggle to stay two metres away from everybody filled me with unease as I took my weekly shop to Tesco .
While a handful of people are wearing masks , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worry that the phases are all going to melt into one .
On 8 June , we ’ ll be allowed have small groups of people over to our houses for short periods of time .
I ’ m concerned that people will think “ three weeks won ’ t make a difference - we can do that now ” , and the floodgates will open .
I turn 30 later this month , and I ’ m already concerned about people wanting to visit .
And considering there are households that were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phase one came - I ’ ve tried to suppress the neighbourhood watch gene but it ’ s so powerful - I ’ m sure that many a willpower will be shattered the second there ’ s some sunshine .
Our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has already warned that we may need to backslide by a phase if cases increase with an easing of restrictions , and I want to avoid that as much as possible .
You can ’ t really put the cat back in the bag , and telling people they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ picnics will be a recipe for disaster .
Because as slight as the phase one changes have been , the mood change has been noticeable ( although I ’ ll admit , the nice weather has helped ) .
As I write , there ’ s a guy playing a guitar out his back garden , and neighbours are planting their newly purchased freesias .
People can make plans , however small , again .
An increase to a 20km travel limit is imminent , meaning people can go to the beach , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friends who don ’ t live in their hometown .
For much of the Irish population , their world is feeling a little bit bigger .
Things aren ’ t back to normal , but they ’ re getting there , and with every phase we get closer to the promise of a sorely needed haircut ( 20 July ) or a cold socially distanced pint down the local ( 10 August ) .
And you can already feel the anticipation in the air .

If you told me in January that this year, the hottest spot in Dublin would be the local garden centre, I’d have thought you had over-indulged on the New Year’s tipple, but fast forward four months, and the entire city is suddenly mad for peonies.
On 18 May, Ireland entered the first phase of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business – the first of five phases that will hopefully mean things are kind of, sort of back to normal in August. This sounds pretty exciting – but phase one isn’t all that different to the lockdown we had before. We’re still being advised to stay at home and work from home as much as possible and we can only travel 5km from our homes. But outdoor amenities are opening, as are garden and hardware stores – resulting in the socially distanced queue at the nearest B&Q wrapping around the car park.
It’s a testament to how cooped up people were feeling that the second it was confirmed garden stores would reopen, half the population decided they were now Alan Titchmarsh. I suspect if it were a health food store opening, everyone on my street would suddenly be vegan.
The other big difference is that now, you can meet up with another three people from another household, as long as you remain two metres away from each other and stay outside. This means group walks and small picnics are allowed, and for me, this is the biggest joy.
I’d almost forgotten what having proper face-to-face gossips was like when I met up with one of my close friends on her lunch break
Most people haven’t seen their friends since lockdown started, but I haven’t seen mine since New Year’s. Just days before Ireland went into lockdown, I moved back to Dublin from London after seven years – a move that had been planned for months, which I thought would be greeted with pub visits and catching up with old friends. What I actually got was 14 days of post-flight isolation and Zoom chats. But now, I can go for walks with my best friends, and while I’d love to be sitting down with a pint with them in my favourite pub, and I’d do anything to give them a bear hug, this is all I need for now.
I’d almost forgotten what having proper face-to-face gossips was like when I met up with one of my close friends on her lunch break. And the rush usually saved for festivals or trips to the airport was back again when I texted three of my mates to suggest a leisurely stroll after work on a Tuesday. What a thrill!
But the gradual easing of restrictions doesn’t exactly fill me with excitement – more trepidation. In the week before phase one, I noticed more and more people on the main road in our town. Not that they were doing anything wrong, but the struggle to stay two metres away from everybody filled me with unease as I took my weekly shop to Tesco. While a handful of people are wearing masks, they’re not obligatory. And I worry that the phases are all going to melt into one.
On 8 June, we’ll be allowed have small groups of people over to our houses for short periods of time. I’m concerned that people will think “three weeks won’t make a difference – we can do that now”, and the floodgates will open. I turn 30 later this month, and I’m already concerned about people wanting to visit. And considering there are households that were flouting the social gatherings rule way before phase one came – I’ve tried to suppress the neighbourhood watch gene but it’s so powerful – I’m sure that many a willpower will be shattered the second there’s some sunshine.
Our Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has already warned that we may need to backslide by a phase if cases increase with an easing of restrictions, and I want to avoid that as much as possible. You can’t really put the cat back in the bag, and telling people they can no longer have their socially distanced picnics will be a recipe for disaster.
Because as slight as the phase one changes have been, the mood change has been noticeable (although I’ll admit, the nice weather has helped). As I write, there’s a guy playing a guitar out his back garden, and neighbours are planting their newly purchased freesias.
People can make plans, however small, again. An increase to a 20km travel limit is imminent, meaning people can go to the beach, or in my case, can see friends who don’t live in their hometown. For much of the Irish population, their world is feeling a little bit bigger. Things aren’t back to normal, but they’re getting there, and with every phase we get closer to the promise of a sorely needed haircut (20 July) or a cold socially distanced pint down the local (10 August). And you can already feel the anticipation in the air.
Emma Kelly is a journalist. She tweets @TooManyEmmas


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus lockdown leads to quietest spring bank holiday getaway on record

An RAC survey predicts motorways will be quieter this weekend than they have been since 2014 Police in Newquay knocked on the doors of campervans at dawn and told the occupants to move on and a driver who had travelled to Cornwall from London was fined .
It followed reports of “ carnage ” on beaches in the county and gridlock on some roads in Devon .
Temperatures will reach 21C on Monday as much of the UK is blessed with sunshine .
Around 68 per cent of the 1,500 UK drivers questioned in the poll do not expect to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the long weekend .
While 15 per cent said they plan to drive no more than 10 miles for leisure , with eight percent taking trips of between 11 and 30 miles .
'There will still be jams on local roads leading to beaches' Mr Dennis said : “ This weekend will be anything but a traditional sunny bank holiday weekend , and in fact nationally it could turn out to be the quietest on the motorways and major roads ever .
“ There will still almost certainly be jams on local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other beauty spots , probably made up of people who live within very easy reach of these destinations .
“ While it ’ s true that some car parks in popular locations were quick to fill up last weekend , it was positive to see that many of the fears around people swarming to tourist destinations thankfully didn ’ t translate into widespread problems .
A woman wears a protective mask as she travels on an underground train in London ( Photo : Getty ) The body 's chief executive Andrew Haines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make sure our railway is at its very best when we emerge from this pandemic , we are continuing to work on and invest in the rail network to make it more reliable for passengers .

Stay-at-home Britons will shun the nation’s motorways this weekend – making it the quietest spring bank holiday on record.
A survey by the RAC suggests 9.4 million leisure journeys will be made by car between Saturday and Monday, compared with 16.8 million over the same period last year.
It is the lowest record since the motoring body began researching spring bank holiday travel in 2014.
Areas including the Lake District and Cornwall have been urging people to stay away from beaches and rural beauty spots, while Wales and Scotland remain off-limits for English daytrippers.
Quietest bank holiday
Police in Newquay knocked on the doors of campervans at dawn and told the occupants to move on and a driver who had travelled to Cornwall from London was fined.
It followed reports of “carnage” on beaches in the county and gridlock on some roads in Devon. Temperatures will reach 21C on Monday as much of the UK is blessed with sunshine.
RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said people were “much keener to stay at home than pack the car up for a day trip”.
Around 68 per cent of the 1,500 UK drivers questioned in the poll do not expect to get in their car for recreational purposes over the long weekend.
While 15 per cent said they plan to drive no more than 10 miles for leisure, with eight percent taking trips of between 11 and 30 miles.
Just three per cent of people said they plan on driving more than 30 miles.
‘There will still be jams on local roads leading to beaches’
Mr Dennis said: “This weekend will be anything but a traditional sunny bank holiday weekend, and in fact nationally it could turn out to be the quietest on the motorways and major roads ever.
“There will still almost certainly be jams on local roads leading to beaches, country parks and other beauty spots, probably made up of people who live within very easy reach of these destinations.
“While it’s true that some car parks in popular locations were quick to fill up last weekend, it was positive to see that many of the fears around people swarming to tourist destinations thankfully didn’t translate into widespread problems.
“Tourist boards and the police will be hoping for something similar this coming weekend.”
People across the UK are being urged to avoid using public transport if possible.
Network Rail issued a warning to people whose journey “must be made by rail” this weekend that 490 engineering projects are being carried out, causing disruption to services.
The body’s chief executive Andrew Haines said: “This bank holiday, to make sure our railway is at its very best when we emerge from this pandemic, we are continuing to work on and invest in the rail network to make it more reliable for passengers.
“That means some journeys may be different, so if you have to travel please check your journey before leaving home.”


inews--2020-05-21--Eddie Stobart: Why lorry firm just had to pay £10m to buy its own name

Eddie Stobart : Why lorry firm just had to pay £10m to buy its own name 30 Second Briefing : The corporate saga behind the deal , condensed Juliet thought a rose would be just as sweet by any other name , but lorry company Eddie Stobart Logistics doesn ’ t agree .
In fact it considers its own iconic name and colours so valuable that it has just paid £10m to secure them .
Who did it buy the name from ?
The collapse of Eddie Stobart was only just averted in December as it struggled to deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) What do they do ?
Why did that company own the Stobart name ?
How did they become separate companies ?
On a side-note , both companies have had a dramatic time of it in the past year or so .
The collapse of Eddie Stobart was only just averted in December as it struggled to deal with debt and an accounting scandal .
It now has a new private equity majority owner .
Will Stobart Group change its name now ?
It has said that it will , but no final @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been announced yet .
Possibilities might include the old Westbury name or a totally new one .
Are there any more cases like this ?

What’s in a name?
Juliet thought a rose would be just as sweet by any other name, but lorry company Eddie Stobart Logistics doesn’t agree. In fact it considers its own iconic name and colours so valuable that it has just paid £10m to secure them.
Who did it buy the name from?
Confusingly the deal was done with the similarly-named infrastructure and support services company, Stobart Group.
What do they do?
Stobart Group has a number of lines of business relating to aviation, infrastructure, energy and civil engineering. Among other things it operates the small airports at London Southend, Teesside International and Carlisle Lake District.
Why did that company own the Stobart name?
Buckle up for a corporate saga. The Stobart Group came into existence in 2007 when Westbury Property Fund entered into what’s known as a reverse takeover with Eddie Stobart Logistics.
ESL of course is the well-known freight business founded in the 1940s by its namesake. The new company was renamed as Stobart Group and was now listed on the London Stock Exchange.
How did they become separate companies?
The transport division was sold to Douglas Bay Capital in 2014. William Stobart (son of Eddie) left Stobart Group to head up the newly separated ESL, and the business continued to pay a fee to use the Eddie Stobart name – until now.
On a side-note, both companies have had a dramatic time of it in the past year or so. The collapse of Eddie Stobart was only just averted in December as it struggled to deal with debt and an accounting scandal. It now has a new private equity majority owner.
Meanwhile Stobart was involved in the consortium which bought up domestic airline Flybe in 2019, only for the business to collapse in March this year.
Will Stobart Group change its name now?
It has said that it will, but no final decision on what it will be has been announced yet. Possibilities might include the old Westbury name or a totally new one.
Stobart said that it hoped a new name would help avoid confusion for investors.
Chief executive Warwick Brady said: “Stobart Group is proud of the brand it has built over many years. It is an iconic and highly recognisable name, associated with great customer service.
“However, the brand is primarily associated with the highly visible Eddie Stobart lorries. This has often created confusion for investors and other stakeholders between the Eddie Stobart Logistics business operations and Stobart Group‘s focus on developing a valuable London airport and a high margin energy business.”
Are there any more cases like this?
Stobart is not the only listed company which is no longer linked to the most iconic product with which its name is associated. FTSE 100 manufacturer Rolls-Royce, for example, does not make the famous cars – those are produced by BMW.
Tate & Lyle meanwhile sold its sugar refining business, including rights to use the Tate & Lyle brand name and Lyle’s Golden Syrup, to American Sugar Refining in 2010. The company once famous for its sugar has turned its attentions to sweeteners in recent years instead.


inews--2020-05-21--Social isolation and feeling lonely raises heart disease risk, study finds

People who are socially isolated for prolonged periods are over 40 per cent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke People who are socially isolated for prolonged periods are over 40 per cent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke and nearly 50 per cent more likely to die from any cause in any given year , a study finds .
`` We have known for some time that feeling lonely or lacking contact with close friends and family can have an impact on your physical health '' , said Janine Gronewold , of the University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What this study tells us is that having strong social relationships is of high importance for your heart health and similar to the role of having a healthy blood pressure , acceptable cholesterol levels , and a normal weight , '' she said .
Professor Jöckel , a colleague , added : `` This observation is of particular interest in the present discussion on the COVID-19 pandemia , where social contacts are or have been relevantly restricted in most societies . ''
The study participants entered the study with no known cardiovascular disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 13 years .
At the start of the study , information was collected on different types of social support .
The assessment was based on marital status and cohabitation , contact with close friends and family , and membership of political , religious , community , sports or professional organisations .
During the 13.4 years of follow-up , 339 cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes occurred , and there were 530 deaths among the study participants .
After removing the influence of other factors that might have contributed to these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social integration was found to increase the future risk of cardiovascular events by 44 per cent and to increase the risk of death from all causes by 47 per cent .
A lack of financial support was associated with a 30 per cent increased risk of cardiovascular events .
`` We do n't understand yet why people who are socially isolated have such poor health outcomes , but this is obviously a worrying finding , particularly during these times of prolonged social distancing , '' said Dr Gronewold .
`` What we do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this seriously , work out how social relationships affect our health , and find effective ways of tackling the problems associated with social isolation to improve our overall health and longevity , '' said Prof Hermann .

People who are socially isolated for prolonged periods are over 40 per cent more likely to have a heart attack or stroke and nearly 50 per cent more likely to die from any cause in any given year, a study finds.
“We have known for some time that feeling lonely or lacking contact with close friends and family can have an impact on your physical health”, said Janine Gronewold, of the University Hospital in Essen, Germany.
“What this study tells us is that having strong social relationships is of high importance for your heart health and similar to the role of having a healthy blood pressure, acceptable cholesterol levels, and a normal weight,” she said.
Problems worse under lockdown
Professor Jöckel, a colleague, added: “This observation is of particular interest in the present discussion on the COVID-19 pandemia, where social contacts are or have been relevantly restricted in most societies.”
The research analysed data from 4,316 people, with an average age 59.1 years, between 2000 and 2003.
The study participants entered the study with no known cardiovascular disease and they were followed for an average of 13 years.
At the start of the study, information was collected on different types of social support. The assessment was based on marital status and cohabitation, contact with close friends and family, and membership of political, religious, community, sports or professional organisations.
Contributing factors
During the 13.4 years of follow-up, 339 cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes occurred, and there were 530 deaths among the study participants.
After removing the influence of other factors that might have contributed to these events and deaths, a lack of social integration was found to increase the future risk of cardiovascular events by 44 per cent and to increase the risk of death from all causes by 47 per cent. A lack of financial support was associated with a 30 per cent increased risk of cardiovascular events.
“We don’t understand yet why people who are socially isolated have such poor health outcomes, but this is obviously a worrying finding, particularly during these times of prolonged social distancing,” said Dr Gronewold.
“What we do know is that we need to take this seriously, work out how social relationships affect our health, and find effective ways of tackling the problems associated with social isolation to improve our overall health and longevity,” said Prof Hermann.


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus latest: How Britain's green power finally over took fossil fuels and why lockdown is low

Coronavirus latest: How Britain's green power finally over took fossil fuels and why lockdown is lowering our electricity demand

Coronavirus latest : How Britain 's green power finally over took fossil fuels and why lockdown is lowering our electricity demand The rise in renewables is only one half of the story The analysis , produced by Imperial College London and the energy company Drax , covers the first three months of 2020 and follows last year ’ s progress on clean energy projects which had them eclipse fossil fuels as renewable energy capacity levels hit a record high .
Traditional fuels are being phased out This build-up in capacity has been crucial to the increased use of renewable energy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sources rises , there is a decline in the use of traditional fuels .
A closer look at the report reveals it is as much a story of declining fossil fuels as it is about the rise of clean energy .
For example , the report notes that electricity generation from fossil fuels was down 25 per cent in the first quarter compared with the same period last year .
This was the largest single fall on record .
Drax has said that it expects to stop the use of coal at its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photo : Christopher Furlong/Getty ) Gas-fired power stations ran at an average of just 38 per cent of their installed capacity over this period.Coal is also on the way out .
Two plants were retired at the end of March , but before that they burned all their remaining fuel , running continuously for 117 days and pushing up coal generation for the quarter for the first time since 2012 .
There are just three coal plants left in Britain , with Drax ’ s coal unit set to close in March 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Government ’ s 2024 deadline .
Britain is in a record coal-free run of more than 40 days .
What lockdown is doing to demand But the elephant in the room is the effect of consumer behaviour on all this and there is no denying that coronavirus has impacted on behaviour significantly .
The report even goes so far as to say that under lockdown “ every day is a Sunday ” .
With the lights off at offices and schools , demand for electricity has dropped 13 per cent on weekdays .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ persist there could be reduced demand for several years after lockdown ends , which might make the mission of switching fully to renewable energy easier to achieve .

Renewable energy sources have provided more electricity in the UK than fossil fuels for the first time.
The analysis, produced by Imperial College London and the energy company Drax, covers the first three months of 2020 and follows last year’s progress on clean energy projects which had them eclipse fossil fuels as renewable energy capacity levels hit a record high.
Traditional fuels are being phased out
This build-up in capacity has been crucial to the increased use of renewable energy. And as input from these alternative sources rises, there is a decline in the use of traditional fuels. A closer look at the report reveals it is as much a story of declining fossil fuels as it is about the rise of clean energy.
For example, the report notes that electricity generation from fossil fuels was down 25 per cent in the first quarter compared with the same period last year. This was the largest single fall on record.
Gas-fired power stations ran at an average of just 38 per cent of their installed capacity over this period.
Coal is also on the way out. Two plants were retired at the end of March, but before that they burned all their remaining fuel, running continuously for 117 days and pushing up coal generation for the quarter for the first time since 2012.
There are just three coal plants left in Britain, with Drax’s coal unit set to close in March 2021 while the others could shut before the Government’s 2024 deadline. Britain is in a record coal-free run of more than 40 days.
Meanwhile, wind power surged to new records, helped by the weather in February. Storms helped push output up by 40 per cent on last year.
What lockdown is doing to demand
But the elephant in the room is the effect of consumer behaviour on all this and there is no denying that coronavirus has impacted on behaviour significantly. The report even goes so far as to say that under lockdown “every day is a Sunday”.
With the lights off at offices and schools, demand for electricity has dropped 13 per cent on weekdays. The report suggests that if remote-working practices persist there could be reduced demand for several years after lockdown ends, which might make the mission of switching fully to renewable energy easier to achieve.


inews--2020-05-21--Tony Hadley: Spandau Ballet star comes to the rescue of quiz contestant in Singapore with lockdown v

Tony Hadley: Spandau Ballet star comes to the rescue of quiz contestant in Singapore with lockdown video

Tony Hadley : Spandau Ballet star comes to the rescue of quiz contestant in Singapore with lockdown video The quiz contestant had to guess the names of 14 celebrities whose voices were played in a contest on Singapore ’ s Gold 905 radio station The quiz contestant had to guess the names of 14 celebrities whose voices were played in a contest on Singapore ’ s Gold 905 radio station and did it , against all the odds .
Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley came to the rescue of a 32-year-old radio quiz contestant from Singapore ( Photo : Suhaimi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He thought he had all 14 correct , but the presenter said he had mispronounced Tony Hadley ’ s name .
He felt wronged and rang the station , but they said : “ Our decision remains final ?
” Well , that is a short story .
Is that it ?
Not at all .
Muhammad wrote to moving email to Tony Hadley , saying : “ A normal citizen from Singapore needs your dear help Mr Tony Hadley.
” And guess what ?
Tony Hadley replied .
The star , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Buckinghamshire , sent him a video saying : “ I ’ ve listened back to the tape and as far as I ’ m concerned , you pronounced my name absolutely correctly.
” Gold .
So the moral of this tale is “ always believe in your soul ?
” You might say that .
Tony said he felt Muhammad had won “ fair and square ” and added : “ I ’ m going to back the guy.
” But Muhammed is still ye to be named the winner of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the radio station is still saying it is adamant Muhammed ’ s pronunciation was wrong , although it has offered him a “ goodwill gesture ” .
Adam and the Ants ?
Weren ’ t they another 1980s New Wave band ?

Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley came to the rescue of a 32-year-old radio quiz contestant from Singapore.
Muhammad Shalehan lost out on a large cash prize because the radio station said he mispronounced the singer’s name.
Going for gold?
The quiz contestant had to guess the names of 14 celebrities whose voices were played in a contest on Singapore’s Gold 905 radio station and did it, against all the odds.
True?
Well, not quite. He thought he had all 14 correct, but the presenter said he had mispronounced Tony Hadley’s name. He felt wronged and rang the station, but they said: “Our decision remains final?”
Well, that is a short story. Is that it?
Not at all. Muhammad wrote to moving email to Tony Hadley, saying: “A normal citizen from Singapore needs your dear help Mr Tony Hadley.” And guess what? Tony Hadley replied. The star, who has spent the lockdown at his home in Buckinghamshire, sent him a video saying: “I’ve listened back to the tape and as far as I’m concerned, you pronounced my name absolutely correctly.”
Gold. So the moral of this tale is “always believe in your soul?”
You might say that. Tony said he felt Muhammad had won “fair and square” and added: “I’m going to back the guy.” But Muhammed is still ye to be named the winner of the £5,760 prize. According to the BBC, the radio station is still saying it is adamant Muhammed’s pronunciation was wrong, although it has offered him a “goodwill gesture”.
Adam and the Ants? Weren’t they another 1980s New Wave band?
Sorry, I think I misheard you.


inews--2020-05-21--Charging migrant NHS workers a fee for using the service was always callous

Charging migrant NHS workers a fee for using the service was always callous Now , there 's been an outbreak of common sense in the Commons , writes i 's editor Seeing the Prime Minister defend the policy in the House of Commons on Wednesday was odder still ( Photo : Leon Neal/Getty ) Doing so during a pandemic in which the value of their work has become abundantly clear appeared especially strange .
Seeing the Prime Minister defend the policy in the House of Commons on Wednesday was odder still .
So Downing Street ’ s U-turn , 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common sense on the issue .
Overseas workers in the NHS and social care will no longer face the £400 annual fee , which rises to £624 in October .
Given the dangers that so many face , offering foreign NHS workers enhanced rights to stay in the UK would seem a fairer exchange , a gesture of thanks in the circumstances .
Without them , patient care would be at risk and the NHS would struggle to cope in normal times , let alone now .
NHS workers are tested for Coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing site ( Photo : Getty ) NHS tourism is a real phenomenon , whether or not one believes the NHS surcharge for people from outside the European Economic Area to be a proportionate response .
However , approximately zero per cent of so-called NHS tourists are NHS staff or care workers .
It was also deeply unjust that the one-year exemption from the charge , which was granted to doctors , nurses and paramedics , did not apply to lower-paid staff such as cleaners and porters , who prevent hospitals from grinding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has ever visited one ( let alone worked in one ) knows .
Two forces in the House of Commons can be credited with forcing this U-turn : the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative backbenchers .
Starmer challenged Boris Johnson at PMQs and gave publicity to this injustice .
Meanwhile Tory MPs have left the Prime Minister in no doubt about the stupidity of the policy , it being unjust ; as well as an economic nonsense ( why worry about a relatively meagre revenue raiser when so much extra is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; and flying in the face of public support for key workers .
The surprise is why someone with common sense in Downing Street - and there are plenty of them - did not succeed in winning this daft argument sooner .
Still , we have got there in the end .
Which somewhat sums up the UK ’ s approach to this troubling chapter in our history…

Charging migrant NHS workers a fee for using the service they staff always seemed a dotty and callous idea.
Doing so during a pandemic in which the value of their work has become abundantly clear appeared especially strange.
Seeing the Prime Minister defend the policy in the House of Commons on Wednesday was odder still.
So Downing Street’s U-turn, 24 hours later, was an outbreak of common sense on the issue. Overseas workers in the NHS and social care will no longer face the £400 annual fee, which rises to £624 in October. Given the dangers that so many face, offering foreign NHS workers enhanced rights to stay in the UK would seem a fairer exchange, a gesture of thanks in the circumstances. Without them, patient care would be at risk and the NHS would struggle to cope in normal times, let alone now.
NHS tourism is a real phenomenon, whether or not one believes the NHS surcharge for people from outside the European Economic Area to be a proportionate response. However, approximately zero per cent of so-called NHS tourists are NHS staff or care workers.
It was also deeply unjust that the one-year exemption from the charge, which was granted to doctors, nurses and paramedics, did not apply to lower-paid staff such as cleaners and porters, who prevent hospitals from grinding to a halt, as anyone who has ever visited one (let alone worked in one) knows.
Two forces in the House of Commons can be credited with forcing this U-turn: the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative backbenchers. Starmer challenged Boris Johnson at PMQs and gave publicity to this injustice. Meanwhile Tory MPs have left the Prime Minister in no doubt about the stupidity of the policy, it being unjust; as well as an economic nonsense (why worry about a relatively meagre revenue raiser when so much extra is being pumped into the NHS now); and flying in the face of public support for key workers.
The surprise is why someone with common sense in Downing Street – and there are plenty of them – did not succeed in winning this daft argument sooner. Still, we have got there in the end. Which somewhat sums up the UK’s approach to this troubling chapter in our history…
Twitter: @olyduff


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus latest: Cocktail of existing drugs may offer best hope for Covid-19 treatment

Coronavirus latest : Cocktail of existing drugs may offer best hope for Covid-19 treatment If trials are successful the first could be available for use on patients by late June or early July , researchers say A combination of existing drugs , rather than a single ‘ big winner ’ treatment , appears to offer the best hope against Covid-19 in the short term , according to the leaders of a major clinical trial .
And if trials are successful the first of these drugs could be available for use on patients by late June or early July , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial has recruited 10,500 participants so far to test five drugs .
The patients have been split into separate groups so that each person is only tested with one drug .
However , if more than one treatment is found to be effective - and subsequent tests confirm they can be used together - they are likely to be used in combination in the future , according to the study leaders .
“ There ’ s not likely to be any single one big winner , for all of us that it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that several drugs might have what you might call ‘ modest effects ’ , ” said Oxford University Professor Martin Landray , deputy chief investigator of the RECOVERY trial .
“ For example if we could find a drug that lowers the risk of dying by just one fifth that would turn out to be very important , ” he said .
“ One fifth doesn ’ t sound like very much , it ’ s not a cure but if we found several drugs that each reduced the risk by one fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the risk of dying by say a half , ” he added .
No results as yet The University of Oxford Old Road Campus houses the Jenner Institute , where the first human trials of a coronavirus vaccine developed by researchers are taking place ( Photo : Getty ) Prof Landray stressed that none of the trial organisers have seen any results of their trials so far , which go through a third party .
The participants are aged between 1 and 109 years old and are based at 170 hospitals across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with drugs .
The results for each drug are expected to come out gradually over the summer , starting in late June .
If they are found to be effective they could be used immediately in an ‘ off label ’ capacity by doctors , at their discretion , since they have already been licensed for other conditions .

A combination of existing drugs, rather than a single ‘big winner’ treatment, appears to offer the best hope against Covid-19 in the short term, according to the leaders of a major clinical trial.
And if trials are successful the first of these drugs could be available for use on patients by late June or early July, they say.
Oxford University’s RECOVERY trial has recruited 10,500 participants so far to test five drugs. The patients have been split into separate groups so that each person is only tested with one drug.
However, if more than one treatment is found to be effective – and subsequent tests confirm they can be used together – they are likely to be used in combination in the future, according to the study leaders.
Single big winner unlikely
“There’s not likely to be any single one big winner, for all of us that it is extraordinarily unlikely. But much more likely that several drugs might have what you might call ‘modest effects’,” said Oxford University Professor Martin Landray, deputy chief investigator of the RECOVERY trial.
“For example if we could find a drug that lowers the risk of dying by just one fifth that would turn out to be very important,” he said.
“One fifth doesn’t sound like very much, it’s not a cure but if we found several drugs that each reduced the risk by one fifth then quickly we’d be reducing the risk of dying by say a half,”he added.
No results as yet
Prof Landray stressed that none of the trial organisers have seen any results of their trials so far, which go through a third party.
The participants are aged between 1 and 109 years old and are based at 170 hospitals across the UK, who are being variously administered with drugs.
These include a combination of anti-viral HIV drugs Lopinavir and Ritonavir, the dexamethasone anti-inflammatory corticosteroid and the antibiotic azithromycin.
The hydroxychloroquine anti-malaria drug and tocilizumab anti-inflammatory treatment are also being trialled.
Results over summer
The results for each drug are expected to come out gradually over the summer, starting in late June.
If they are found to be effective they could be used immediately in an ‘off label’ capacity by doctors, at their discretion, since they have already been licensed for other conditions.
The researchers expect that in most, if not all, cases production of the drugs could be scaled up quickly.


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus latest: Antibody tests for 10m people within weeks

Blood tests will identify if a person has had coronavirus even without symptoms Ten million people in the UK will be able to find out in the next few weeks if they have had Covid-19 , Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced .
NHS staff and care workers and residents will be given priority for the antibody test from next week , which can detect whether an individual has had the virus even if they experienced no symptoms , before it is rolled out nationwide .
Mr Hancock also revealed that 17 per cent of people in London and 5 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , based on the results of a long-running surveillance investigation by scientists at Porton Down and led by the Office for National Statistics .
The announcement came as it was revealed that a further 338 people in the UK have died from Covid-19 , taking the total to 36,042 .
There were 14 per cent fewer people in hospital with the disease than on the same day last week .
Mr Hancock also revealed that 17 per cent of people in London and 5 per cent outside the capital have had Covid-19 The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roche Diagnostics and Abbott Laboratories for the antibody tests .
Mr Hancock said the tests would not prove a person definitely had immunity from coronavirus but would help scientists understand where the outbreak had hit hardest and how the body reacts to the disease .
It is hoped having antibodies will offer some immunity for up to two years , however .
Mr Hancock also announced that a new swab test that can show within just 20 minutes whether a person is currently suffering from Covid-19 has launched in Hampshire , with up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backgrounds tested .
The Health Secretary told the daily Downing Street briefing that the antibody test for 10 million and the 20 minute swab test together marked an “ important milestone ” in the country ’ s fight against coronavirus .
“ History has shown that understanding an enemy is vital to defeating it , ” he added .
The scaling up of both antibody and swab testing is an important step towards easing the lockdown , but the government faces ongoing questions over whether it will have a contact track and trace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when some further restrictions are expected to be loosened .
Security minister James Brokenshire earlier said he was “ confident ” that the system would be in place for 1 June , but admitted that the NHS app which helps trace contacts of people with coronavirus would not be ready in time .
The Government has employed 24,000 contact tracers to help with the new track and trace system ahead of the next phase , when ministers hope schools can start readmitting some pupils and non-essential shops might open .
Professor John Newton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s testing strategy , told the briefing that “ the [ app ] technology is an important part but it is not the only part ” of the track and trace operation .

Ten million people in the UK will be able to find out in the next few weeks if they have had Covid-19, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced.
NHS staff and care workers and residents will be given priority for the antibody test from next week, which can detect whether an individual has had the virus even if they experienced no symptoms, before it is rolled out nationwide.
Mr Hancock also revealed that 17 per cent of people in London and 5 per cent outside the capital have had Covid-19, based on the results of a long-running surveillance investigation by scientists at Porton Down and led by the Office for National Statistics.
The announcement came as it was revealed that a further 338 people in the UK have died from Covid-19, taking the total to 36,042. There were 14 per cent fewer people in hospital with the disease than on the same day last week.
20 minute test
The Government has signed contracts with pharmaceutical firms Roche Diagnostics and Abbott Laboratories for the antibody tests. Mr Hancock said the tests would not prove a person definitely had immunity from coronavirus but would help scientists understand where the outbreak had hit hardest and how the body reacts to the disease.
It is hoped having antibodies will offer some immunity for up to two years, however.
Mr Hancock also announced that a new swab test that can show within just 20 minutes whether a person is currently suffering from Covid-19 has launched in Hampshire, with up to 4,000 people of different ages and backgrounds tested.
The rapid turnaround test will be piloted in the A&E departments, GP testing hubs and care homes in the county.
Milestone
The Health Secretary told the daily Downing Street briefing that the antibody test for 10 million and the 20 minute swab test together marked an “important milestone” in the country’s fight against coronavirus. “History has shown that understanding an enemy is vital to defeating it,” he added.
The scaling up of both antibody and swab testing is an important step towards easing the lockdown, but the government faces ongoing questions over whether it will have a contact track and trace system in place ready for 1 June when some further restrictions are expected to be loosened.
Security minister James Brokenshire earlier said he was “confident” that the system would be in place for 1 June, but admitted that the NHS app which helps trace contacts of people with coronavirus would not be ready in time.
The Government has employed 24,000 contact tracers to help with the new track and trace system ahead of the next phase, when ministers hope schools can start readmitting some pupils and non-essential shops might open.
Professor John Newton, who is leading the Government’s testing strategy, told the briefing that “the [app] technology is an important part but it is not the only part” of the track and trace operation.


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus latest: Headteachers 'drowning' in information as Government updates its school opening

Coronavirus latest: Headteachers 'drowning' in information as Government updates its school opening guidance 41 times in a week

Coronavirus latest : Headteachers 'drowning ' in information as Government updates its school opening guidance 41 times in a week An academy chain has been forced to change its plans three times because the DfE issued 41 updates to its guidance in a week Headteachers are “ drowning in information ” about how to reopen schools because the Government is constantly changing its safety guidelines , i has been told .
The boss of a large academy school chain said heads had been prevented from signing off plans because the Department for Education had issued 41 sets of changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a week .
“ This is the third letter I ’ ve attempted to write to you but each night we receive new information as the Government change the guidance ” , it says .
“ To date , your head teacher has received 41 sets of changes to the original guidelines which were sent out just over a week ago .
Staying on top of this whilst planning ahead is a challenging task.
” Children of key workers take part in school activities at Oldfield Brow Primary School in Altrincham , England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ letter reveals that the chain ’ s plans were upended when the Government said it wanted all vulnerable pupils and children of critical workers to be in school , even if parents are able to keep them at home .
Ms Magill told i the directive had meant a one-form entry primary school had seen its pupil numbers rocket from four to 70 in 48 hours .
With schools told to keep children in classes of no more than 15 with the same teacher for safety , this meant the school could no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Year 1 and Year 6 on 1 June , as the Government has instructed .
Ms Magill said there had been “ no communication strategy ” from the DfE .
“ We are drowning in information and thirsty for understanding , ” she said .
“ Guidance comes out , heads spend all day doing plans , and late at night different guidance comes out and everything is scrapped and we start again . ''
She said the DfE would often release a previously published document with “ a line or two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t tell you what they ’ ve changed so you start from scratch again . ''
She added : “ How difficult is it to just put in red the changes ?
...
It causes so much stress for the headteachers.
” When they do open to more pupils , Xavier schools will have to close from midday on Fridays so staff also have enough time to clean the school and prepare work for those children who are still home learning .

Headteachers are “drowning in information” about how to reopen schools because the Government is constantly changing its safety guidelines, i has been told.
The boss of a large academy school chain said heads had been prevented from signing off plans because the Department for Education had issued 41 sets of changes to its guidance in the space of just a week.
i has seen a letter sent to parents at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School in East Molesey, Surrey.
The letter was sent by Ani Magill, chief executive of the Xavier Catholic Education Trust – an academy chain which runs 14 schools, including St Alban’s.
Constant changes
“This is the third letter I’ve attempted to write to you but each night we receive new information as the Government change the guidance”, it says.
“To date, your head teacher has received 41 sets of changes to the original guidelines which were sent out just over a week ago. Staying on top of this whilst planning ahead is a challenging task.”
The letter reveals that the chain’s plans were upended when the Government said it wanted all vulnerable pupils and children of critical workers to be in school, even if parents are able to keep them at home.
Ms Magill told i the directive had meant a one-form entry primary school had seen its pupil numbers rocket from four to 70 in 48 hours.
‘No strategy’
With schools told to keep children in classes of no more than 15 with the same teacher for safety, this meant the school could no longer plan to admit children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 on 1 June, as the Government has instructed.
Ms Magill said there had been “no communication strategy” from the DfE. “We are drowning in information and thirsty for understanding,” she said.
“Guidance comes out, heads spend all day doing plans, and late at night different guidance comes out and everything is scrapped and we start again.”
‘So much stress’
She said the DfE would often release a previously published document with “a line or two” changed. “They don’t tell you what they’ve changed so you start from scratch again.”
She added: “How difficult is it to just put in red the changes?… It causes so much stress for the headteachers.”
When they do open to more pupils, Xavier schools will have to close from midday on Fridays so staff also have enough time to clean the school and prepare work for those children who are still home learning.
The Department for Education told i its guidance was meant to support schools and teachers rather than burden them.


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus latest: More than half of under-30s 'failing to strictly adhere' to lockdown rules

Coronavirus latest : More than half of under-30s 'failing to strictly adhere ' to lockdown rules Across all age ranges , less than 60 per cent of people are totally following the rules , compared with 70 per cent two weeks ago More than half of young adults are not “ strictly ” sticking to lockdown rules , a study has found .
Strict adherence to Covid-19 lockdown guidelines and overall confidence in Government have reached an all-time low , according to the study , which has monitored the behaviours and attitudes of more then 90,000 people throughout the epidemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” complying with Government guidelines has dipped in the past two weeks from 70 per cent to under 60 per cent , the research conducted by University College London shows .
Among people aged 18 to 29 this figure drops below 50 per cent .
However , 95 per cent of all adults , and 92 per cent of under-30s are still showing “ reasonable ” or “ good ” levels of compliance with the measures .
Respondents were also asked to rate how much confidence they had in the Government ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scale of one to seven , with one denoting none at all and seven , lots .
Confidence in Government in England has decreased since the easing of measures in the region was announced on 10 May , from five at the start of lockdown to around four .
“ Throughout lockdown , compliance with Government advice has remained generally very high , but we have seen a decrease over the past two weeks , ” said the study ’ s lead author , Dr Daisy Fancourt .
“ Confidence in government has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown was announced and is lowest in those under the age of 30 , ” Dr Fancourt added .
The latest figures also show that one in six people are now worried about catching Covid-19 or becoming seriously ill from it compared with around one in three immediately after the country went into lockdown .
Around one in 12 people say they are worried about unemployment , while one in eight are concerned about money .
Fewer than one in 20 people are now worried about being able to access food , according @ @ @ @

More than half of young adults are not “strictly” sticking to lockdown rules, a study has found.
Strict adherence to Covid-19 lockdown guidelines and overall confidence in Government have reached an all-time low, according to the study, which has monitored the behaviours and attitudes of more then 90,000 people throughout the epidemic.
Compliance dip
The proportion of people “completely” complying with Government guidelines has dipped in the past two weeks from 70 per cent to under 60 per cent, the research conducted by University College London shows. Among people aged 18 to 29 this figure drops below 50 per cent.
However, 95 per cent of all adults, and 92 per cent of under-30s are still showing “reasonable” or “good” levels of compliance with the measures.
Confidence in Government down
Respondents were also asked to rate how much confidence they had in the Government’s handling of the Covid-19 epidemic on a scale of one to seven, with one denoting none at all and seven, lots.
Confidence in Government in England has decreased since the easing of measures in the region was announced on 10 May, from five at the start of lockdown to around four.
“Throughout lockdown, compliance with Government advice has remained generally very high, but we have seen a decrease over the past two weeks,” said the study’s lead author, Dr Daisy Fancourt.
“Confidence in government has fallen in England since the easing of lockdown was announced and is lowest in those under the age of 30,” Dr Fancourt added.
Fewer worried about catching virus
The latest figures also show that one in six people are now worried about catching Covid-19 or becoming seriously ill from it compared with around one in three immediately after the country went into lockdown.
Around one in 12 people say they are worried about unemployment, while one in eight are concerned about money. Fewer than one in 20 people are now worried about being able to access food, according to the research.


inews--2020-05-21--Residents protest Network Rail's 'expensive' plan to move part of Brunel’s Great Western Railway nea

Residents protest Network Rail's 'expensive' plan to move part of Brunel’s Great Western Railway near Teignmouth into the sea

Residents protest Network Rail 's 'expensive ' plan to move part of Brunel ’ s Great Western Railway near Teignmouth into the sea Exclusive : The residents have formed a protest group in an attempt to stop Network Rail engineering works The track needs to be maintained , not moved into the sea , said one campaigner ( Photo : Peter Macdiarmid/Getty ) The Second World War may have ended 75 years ago , but one Devon community is preparing to fight on the beaches to save their coast from what they claim are “ expensive ” and “ unnecessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s greatest stretches of railway .
The residents of Teignmouth and its surrounding villages are taking on the might of Network Rail in a dispute over plans to move part of Brunel ’ s Great Western Railway into the sea in order to avoid the danger of rockfalls onto the existing track .
The residents have formed a protest group in an attempt to stop Network Rail engineering works that they claim will destroy 1.2 miles of beach next to the existing line between Teignmouth and Parsons Tunnel in Holcombe .
Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Save Holcombe & Teignmouth Beach and Railway Committee protest group said : “ Network Rail is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut with its scheme .
Why spend £500m on making this 1.9km of track future-proof for the next 150 years , when in the next 50 years the rest of the track is going to be under water because of climate change .
“ A far better solution is to maintain the current track properly .
It claims the work needs to be carried out because of the risk of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there was a mudslide in 2014 , and just two other rockfalls over the line in the past 200 years.
” Mr Ward also claims Network Rail ’ s plans will destroy almost the entire beach alongside the existing line and by doing so this will create a significant flood risk to Teignmouth and nearby towns like Shaldon .
Mr Ward added that his campaign group has also sought the advice of engineers and geologists , who contradict Network Rail ’ s findings .
Network Rail denies its plans will destroy the beach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In February thousands of local residents took to the beach to protest against Network Rail ’ s plans .
A spokesman for Network Rail said : “ Our priority is to protect the only railway line which connects the South West with the rest of the country whilst minimising any impact on the local community .
”

The Second World War may have ended 75 years ago, but one Devon community is preparing to fight on the beaches to save their coast from what they claim are “expensive” and “unnecessary” improvements to one of Isambard Kingdom-Brunel’s greatest stretches of railway.
The residents of Teignmouth and its surrounding villages are taking on the might of Network Rail in a dispute over plans to move part of Brunel’s Great Western Railway into the sea in order to avoid the danger of rockfalls onto the existing track.
The residents have formed a protest group in an attempt to stop Network Rail engineering works that they claim will destroy 1.2 miles of beach next to the existing line between Teignmouth and Parsons Tunnel in Holcombe.
Red signal from residents
Richard Ward, one of the campaigners at the Save Holcombe & Teignmouth Beach and Railway Committee protest group said: “Network Rail is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut with its scheme. Why spend £500m on making this 1.9km of track future-proof for the next 150 years, when in the next 50 years the rest of the track is going to be under water because of climate change.
“A far better solution is to maintain the current track properly. It claims the work needs to be carried out because of the risk of rockfalls over the existing track. But there was a mudslide in 2014, and just two other rockfalls over the line in the past 200 years.”
Mr Ward also claims Network Rail’s plans will destroy almost the entire beach alongside the existing line and by doing so this will create a significant flood risk to Teignmouth and nearby towns like Shaldon.
Mr Ward added that his campaign group has also sought the advice of engineers and geologists, who contradict Network Rail’s findings.
Network Rail denies its plans will destroy the beach or heighten the risk of flooding. In February thousands of local residents took to the beach to protest against Network Rail’s plans.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Our priority is to protect the only railway line which connects the South West with the rest of the country whilst minimising any impact on the local community.”


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus lockdown: HMRC to crack down on eBay and Gumtree traders with hefty tax bills

Coronavirus lockdown : HMRC to crack down on eBay and Gumtree traders with hefty tax bills Exclusive : Fiona Fernie believes it is likely that HMRC will resume an aggressive approach to the recovery of unpaid tax Many people who have been using their time during the lockdown to sell items on sites like eBay and Gumtree could be facing hefty tax bills ( Photo : Stuart C. Wilson/Getty ) Many people who have been using their time during the lockdown to sell items on sites like eBay and Gumtree could be facing hefty tax bills , according to experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have lost their jobs during the Covid-19 health crisis seek to bring in additional income the tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg believes the revenue is preparing to crack down on anyone considered to be trading , rather than selling a few second-hand items .
Fiona Fernie , tax risk and dispute resolution partner at Blick Rothenberg , said : “ HMRC are watching sites very carefully and if they consider that anyone is ‘ trading ’ and not just getting rid of the odd household item then those individuals could get a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Government needs to find a way of repaying the substantial amount of debt incurred to support us through the pandemic in respect of schemes like the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.
” Ms Fernie believes it is likely that HMRC will resume an aggressive approach to the recovery of unpaid tax ( Photo : Getty ) Ms Fernie believes it is likely that HMRC will resume an aggressive approach to the recovery of unpaid tax once lockdown eases across the UK , which will include the use of legal notices to gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and , in extreme cases , using powers to them to take the tax owed directly from a taxpayer ’ s bank or building society account .
She said : “ Scrutiny of sites like eBay allows HMRC to see when people are sufficiently active for it to be unlikely that they are just selling personal belongings , and indeed when the types of items being sold indicate that the seller is actually trading .
HMRC can use its IT system , Connect , to check against other information they hold to determine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Connect does not just identify income and gains , but the searches are also being used to provide key information about wider lifestyle questions , which allows HMRC to consider a wider wealth picture and whether that fits with tax returns submitted by an individual .
Ms Fernie added : “ As time has gone on and additional information sources have been added , Connect has become more and more sophisticated , and many people have no idea what information HMRC can call upon when using the system .
Key sources of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to identifying possible traders include online payment providers such as PayPal , data from banks , pension funds and other financial firms that are required to report to HMRC , credit and debit card transactions , and information from credit reference agencies .
“ Even those that are trading ‘ legally ’ need to be careful and make sure that they report their earnings accurately and keep any relevant paperwork , ” said Ms Fernie .
“ As the Government starts to look at how it ’ s going to balance the books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go after people that it thinks are abusing the system .
”

Many people who have been using their time during the lockdown to sell items on sites like eBay and Gumtree could be facing hefty tax bills, according to experts.
As furloughed workers and those who have lost their jobs during the Covid-19 health crisis seek to bring in additional income the tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg believes the revenue is preparing to crack down on anyone considered to be trading, rather than selling a few second-hand items.
Fiona Fernie, tax risk and dispute resolution partner at Blick Rothenberg, said: “HMRC are watching sites very carefully and if they consider that anyone is ‘trading’ and not just getting rid of the odd household item then those individuals could get a substantial tax bill.”
She added: “The Government needs to find a way of repaying the substantial amount of debt incurred to support us through the pandemic in respect of schemes like the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.”
Online sellers beware
Ms Fernie believes it is likely that HMRC will resume an aggressive approach to the recovery of unpaid tax once lockdown eases across the UK, which will include the use of legal notices to gain sight of individuals’ bank statements, and, in extreme cases, using powers to them to take the tax owed directly from a taxpayer’s bank or building society account.
She said: “Scrutiny of sites like eBay allows HMRC to see when people are sufficiently active for it to be unlikely that they are just selling personal belongings, and indeed when the types of items being sold indicate that the seller is actually trading.
HMRC can use its IT system, Connect, to check against other information they hold to determine whether income from sales is being reported. Connect does not just identify income and gains, but the searches are also being used to provide key information about wider lifestyle questions, which allows HMRC to consider a wider wealth picture and whether that fits with tax returns submitted by an individual.
Ms Fernie added: “As time has gone on and additional information sources have been added, Connect has become more and more sophisticated, and many people have no idea what information HMRC can call upon when using the system. Key sources of information which would help HMRC in relation to identifying possible traders include online payment providers such as PayPal, data from banks, pension funds and other financial firms that are required to report to HMRC, credit and debit card transactions, and information from credit reference agencies.
“Even those that are trading ‘legally’ need to be careful and make sure that they report their earnings accurately and keep any relevant paperwork,” said Ms Fernie. “As the Government starts to look at how it’s going to balance the books again, HMRC will not hesitate to go after people that it thinks are abusing the system.”
More than 50,000 new businesses signed up to the eBay UK arm in April as independent retailers sought a way to survive through lockdown, the online trader said.


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus lockdown: McDonald's, KFC and Starbucks to reopen as motorway service stations return

Coronavirus lockdown : McDonald 's , KFC and Starbucks to reopen as motorway service stations return There has been huge public demand for fast food outlets Cars queue at the McDonald 's drive-thru in Hounslow as McDonalds has reopened some stores ( Photo : PA ) The familiar sight of queues on the nation 's motorways could return in the coming days as some of the most popular fast food restaurants reopen in service stations .
Dozens of KFC , Burger King and Starbucks outlets are to reopen at Welcome Break facilities over the next two weeks .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will resume operations across its 26 UK sites by 4 June .
32 of the outlets have already reopened in recent days .
Cars queue at the McDonald 's drive-thru at ( Photo : PA ) Welcome Break said it has enhanced its hygiene and cleaning processes , and reconfigured the layout of its sites to enable social distancing .
Chief executive John Diviney said : `` As the lockdown slowly eases and people around the UK gradually return to work , we are delighted to be opening up these great brands .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those on the road and to support Britain working again .
We very much look forward to welcoming back our returning customers .
`` The health and safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority and we will continue to be guided by advice from Public Health England at all times . ''
People reported queues of up to two hours ( Photo : PA ) McDonald 's , which has already opened 39 branches for drive-thru in England , saw some of the longest queues , with one man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a branch in Sutton , south London .
Similar queues were seen at branches of KFC , with one customer reporting a fight breaking out in the wait for a branch of KFC .
The fast food giant which plans to re-open 500 out of 900 branches by the end of the week .
But the chain chastised returning customers after a series of complaints about people tossing their wrappers out of car windows , publishing an advert for its re-opening that told customers : `` do n't be tossers '' .

The familiar sight of queues on the nation’s motorways could return in the coming days as some of the most popular fast food restaurants reopen in service stations.
Dozens of KFC, Burger King and Starbucks outlets are to reopen at Welcome Break facilities over the next two weeks.
The company announced that 40 food and beverage units will resume operations across its 26 UK sites by 4 June. 32 of the outlets have already reopened in recent days.
Motorway service stations
Welcome Break said it has enhanced its hygiene and cleaning processes, and reconfigured the layout of its sites to enable social distancing.
Chief executive John Diviney said: “As the lockdown slowly eases and people around the UK gradually return to work, we are delighted to be opening up these great brands.
“It will provide a much-needed boost to those on the road and to support Britain working again. We very much look forward to welcoming back our returning customers.
“The health and safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority and we will continue to be guided by advice from Public Health England at all times.”
Queues across the country
McDonald’s, which has already opened 39 branches for drive-thru in England, saw some of the longest queues, with one man reporting an almost two hour wait for a branch in Sutton, south London.
Similar queues were seen at branches of KFC, with one customer reporting a fight breaking out in the wait for a branch of KFC.
The fast food giant which plans to re-open 500 out of 900 branches by the end of the week.
But the chain chastised returning customers after a series of complaints about people tossing their wrappers out of car windows, publishing an advert for its re-opening that told customers: “don’t be tossers”.


inews--2020-05-21--Coronavirus latest: Top UK universities planning for 'hybrid' mix of online and face-to-face teachin

Coronavirus latest: Top UK universities planning for 'hybrid' mix of online and face-to-face teaching

Coronavirus latest : Top UK universities planning for 'hybrid ' mix of online and face-to-face teaching Exclusive : Many Russell @ @ @ @ @ online teaching in their tuition for the next academic year Cambridge University has said all @ @ @ @ @ until summer 2021 ( Photo : LOIC VENNIN/AFP/Getty ) But Mr Johnson said he would @ @ @ @ @ deferrals were this high .
“ When push comes to shove , most people will @ @ @ @ @ not be perfect but better to get going than to sit around doing nothing ’ @ @ @ @ @ The University of Oxford Old Road Campus houses the Jenner Institute , where the first @ @ @ @ @ vaccine developed by researchers are taking place ( Photo : Getty ) James Ingram , @ @ @ @ @ at the University of Bath , said : “ Teaching online is substandard compared to @ @ @ @ @ .
Some lecturers have put more effort in than others but it makes you more @ @ @ @ @ the lecturer . ''

Most of the UK’s top academic universities are planning for a “hybrid” form of online and face-to-face teaching next year, i can reveal.
i contacted all the members of the elite Russell Group of research-intensive universities to ask whether they were currently delivering online lectures or planned to do so in the next academic year.
While the universities promised their campuses would be open come the autumn, more than half said they had either already moved online or were planning for a “blended” approach mixing online and face-to-face tuition next year.
The news follows Cambridge University’s announcement this week that it will move all its lectures online until summer 2021.
‘Distancing restrictions’
At the University of Manchester, all lectures will be online in the first semester starting in September.
Newcastle University told i that “with physical distancing restrictions likely to be in place until at least the end of the year, our teaching provision is being adapted to be delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face on-campus learning activities”.
Exeter University said: “It is likely that there will be restrictions on class size numbers and a need to offer a blend of online teaching, online independent learning and, when safe, on campus teaching”.
It said lectures would be “delivered online or developed into guided online resources supported by face-to-face teaching in a safe environment”.
‘Hybrid model’
Oxford University said its face-to-face tutorials would be complemented by “high quality remote learning”.
The University of York said it was “working on a number of different scenarios including a combination of on-campus and online”, while Warwick University said its face-to-face teaching would be “integrated with online learning”.
In Scotland, the University of Glasgow said “most courses will involve a blend of remote and on-campus teaching”, while Professor Peter Mathieson, the vice chancellor of Edinburgh University, said it also planned to use a “hybrid model”.
Cardiff University said there was “likely to be a combination of on-campus provision and online learning”, and in Northern Ireland Queen’s University Belfast said it anticipated a “connected learning approach” with “online delivery complementing face-to-face teaching”.
‘Heroic efforts’
Southampton University said it had “gone to teaching completely online” in recent weeks, while Liverpool University said all face-to-face classes had been replaced with online learning this semester. Both universities said they were still developing plans for next year.
Durham University said it was planning for residential teaching in October while ensuring teaching “can go online if there is a lockdown later in the year or in 2021”.
Jo Johnson, the former universities minister, praised the “heroic efforts” of universities in moving online.
Read More Coronavirus latest: GCSEs and A-levels exams in 2021 should be cut down because of lost learning time, education expert says
‘Packed’ lectures
Speaking to LBC on Thursday, he said the blended approach was a way of “getting people onto campus but also avoiding some of the more densely packed teaching sessions in lecture halls”.
It is still uncertain how students will respond to the hybrid approach. Research commissioned by the University and College Union suggested up to a fifth of prospective students could defer their places if universities do not return to normal.
But Mr Johnson said he would be “surprised” if deferrals were this high. “When push comes to shove, most people will think ‘well it might not be perfect but better to get going than to sit around doing nothing’”, he said.
How it works
Under the “hybrid” or “blended” learning approach, larger classes and lectures – the environments least compatible with social distancing – are delivered via video.
Lectures can be streamed to students live, or pre-recorded and uploaded for students to watch at their own leisure.
Students still receive face-to-face teaching, but this is confined to small groups, where students can be properly spaced apart from each other and their tutor.
Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute think-tank, said Russell Group universities were looking at online lectures in particular because “really big class teaching” is “particularly common” at these institutions.
To make the approach work, universities will have to make sure all their students are equipped with the technology needed to access teaching, including by providing free laptops to disadvantaged students.
Some people believe it could permanently transform UK higher education.
One university vice chancellor, who asked not to be named, told i that blended learning could be a “massive new export opportunity” for Britain.
It could allow universities to sell affordable degrees to international students, who would spend some of the course learning in their home country and some time in the UK, he said.
There have even been predictions it could kill off traditional lectures forever.
However, Mr Hillman is sceptical. “Students like lectures,” he told i.
“It will leave a mark behind but I don’t think the scale of permanent change may be as big as some of the education technology geeks tell you.”
Student reaction
Universities may have their work cut out if they are to win students round to hybrid teaching.
When Cambridge University announced online lectures for next year, its Student Union said “many students will have concerns about what this decision means for their education”.
The reservations are motivated by the mixed experience many students have had of online teaching since the Covid-19 outbreak struck.
Nina White, a second year at Cardiff University studying English language and literature, told i: “For some modules, lecturers are uploading the material without providing teaching, whereas some are pre-recording lectures but not providing seminars and others are doing vice versa.
“It’s understandable that lecturers are also adapting to this new situation and I can see they’re doing the best that they can, but I feel that we’re not getting our value for money.”
James Ingram, a final year politics student at the University of Bath, said: “Teaching online is substandard compared to face to face for sure. Some lecturers have put more effort in than others but it makes you more reliant on the quality of the lecturer.”
He added: “Whereas with a lecturer who was poor I’d just go to meet them and chat in person you can’t do that and so you end up with fairly poor lectures that are not interactive.”
Opening up campuses
A key challenge for universities will be how they can deliver a social, campus “experience” even if distancing restrictions and some online teaching continues into next year.
Bolton University has taken a different approach to those universities which have announced online lectures, promising “uni as it should be”.
It has outlined a range of measures to open its campus, which many other universities may end up following.
It will make bicycles available to loan for all students, enabling them to avoid public transport.
Students will walk through airport style temperature scanners to get into all university buildings, where hand sanitiser stations will await them.
In “social zones”, one metre high plastic dividing screens on smaller tables will allow students to meet together over a coffee.
To create a cafe culture on campus, it plans to space tables apart and open self-service, takeaway food and drink stations to minimise queues.
There will also be a scheduling system, limiting the number of students allowed on campus at any one time.
Mr Hillman said social interaction would restart at universities this autumn.
“You have to look very carefully at these announcements universities are making,” he said.
“They’re not saying there will be no face-to-face teaching, they are saying there will be no large lectures.
“It’s not the fact that you’ll go back to your university, be locked in your hall or room and never be allowed out.”


inews--2020-05-21--Rishi Sunak resists pressure to extend self-employed support before it expires at end of May

Rishi Sunak resists pressure to extend self-employed support before it expires at end of May The Chancellor is considering reviewing the scheme early in June after pressure from Tory MPs Conservative MPs have demanded that the Chancellor renew the scheme in line with the furlough programme which applies to employees and has already been extended until October .
But he is understood to have ruled out introducing any further support for self-employed workers before the end of May .
The Treasury is keeping the scheme under review and Mr Sunak could announce an extension when Parliament returns in the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income support scheme pays 80 per cent of normal income up to £2,500 a month to freelancers who earn under £50,000 as long as they declare their finances have been hit by coronavirus .
Builders are among the self-employed workers affected by the economic crash ( Photo : Carl Court/Getty ) It applies only to the months of March , April and May , unlike the furlough scheme which has been extended beyond its original cut-off point and will now continue until at least October , although employers will soon have to shoulder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has always regarded the scheme for the self-employed as more difficult to administer , because there is no need for applicants to prove they have suffered financial harm due to Covid-19 , leaving the programme more open to fraud .
But campaigners and business groups have warned that freelance workers risk being ruined if they lose access to state support while the lockdown is still ongoing .
An online petition demanding an extension has attracted more than 40,000 signatures and TV commentator Martin Lewis has said : `` Surely a Government that promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
A number of Tory backbenchers told The Sun they were pressuring the Chancellor to provide further guarantees for the self-employed .
Stephen McPartland said : `` We have to help the self-employed .
We can not betray the very people who voted for Boris in such huge numbers when we asked them for support . ''
The Exchequer has so far committed £6.1bn to the self-employed income support scheme with 2m claims processed as of this week .
But Mr Sunak has been criticised over apparent holes in the support , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and entrepreneurs who pay themselves via dividends ineligible for any payments .

Rishi Sunak is set to resist mounting pressure to extend subsidies for the self-employed before they expire at the end of this month.
Conservative MPs have demanded that the Chancellor renew the scheme in line with the furlough programme which applies to employees and has already been extended until October.
But he is understood to have ruled out introducing any further support for self-employed workers before the end of May. The Treasury is keeping the scheme under review and Mr Sunak could announce an extension when Parliament returns in the first week of June.
The existing self-employed income support scheme pays 80 per cent of normal income up to £2,500 a month to freelancers who earn under £50,000 as long as they declare their finances have been hit by coronavirus.
Expiry date
It applies only to the months of March, April and May, unlike the furlough scheme which has been extended beyond its original cut-off point and will now continue until at least October, although employers will soon have to shoulder part of the cost.
The Treasury has always regarded the scheme for the self-employed as more difficult to administer, because there is no need for applicants to prove they have suffered financial harm due to Covid-19, leaving the programme more open to fraud.
But campaigners and business groups have warned that freelance workers risk being ruined if they lose access to state support while the lockdown is still ongoing. An online petition demanding an extension has attracted more than 40,000 signatures and TV commentator Martin Lewis has said: “Surely a Government that promotes itself as pro-entrepreneurship must extend the coverage.”
A number of Tory backbenchers told The Sun they were pressuring the Chancellor to provide further guarantees for the self-employed. Stephen McPartland said: “We have to help the self-employed. We cannot betray the very people who voted for Boris in such huge numbers when we asked them for support.”
The Exchequer has so far committed £6.1bn to the self-employed income support scheme with 2m claims processed as of this week. But Mr Sunak has been criticised over apparent holes in the support, with people who only recently went freelance and entrepreneurs who pay themselves via dividends ineligible for any payments.


inews--2020-05-21--Bees nibble leaves to make flowers bloom early

Researchers believe the early flowering is driven by plant 's survival instinct Whilst these bees live independently , they often exist in in groups with multiple different species residing in close proximity to each other ( Photo : Gareth Fuller/PA Wire ) Faced with a pollen shortage bees often resort to a bit of leaf vandalism and start nibbling away on the edges .
But it turns out there is method to their apparent madness .
Scientists have discovered that the victims of leaf nibbling tend to sprout flowers earlier than they normally would - by up to four weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know why that is , they suspect it ’ s a last-ditch attempt for the beleaguered plants to procreate before they ’ re gone .
Lavender is loved by bees - but Russian sage makes a good alternative ( Photo : Leon Neal/Getty ) “ On a personal level , I think it is an exciting result , but also somewhat surprising , ” said Mark Mescher , of ETH Zürich university .
“ After we saw the bees doing the damaging behavior , it occurred to us right away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
But that seemed a bit of a long shot , ” he said .
“ However , our subsequent experiments showed pretty clearly that this behaviour occurs naturally in the field and that it can have strong effects on flowering time , ” Dr Mescher said .
Plants put under stress for other reasons have also been shown to flower early and he suspects the premature blooming that results from leaf-nibbling is driven by the same fundamental survival instinct .
“ You can imagine for example , that if the long-term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are diminished due to stress or infection , it might make sense to shift investment to short-term reproduction , ” he said .
Just as pollinators , like bumblebees , depend on flowers for crucial nutrition , plants need pollinators to reproduce .
This symbiotic relationship is kept in balance by the synchronous timing of the emergence of hibernating insects and spring blossoms as spring temperatures rise and the days get longer .
For instance , warming early season temperatures could cause pollinators to wake up too soon , before the springtime bloom @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Faced with a pollen shortage bees often resort to a bit of leaf vandalism and start nibbling away on the edges. But it turns out there is method to their apparent madness.
Scientists have discovered that the victims of leaf nibbling tend to sprout flowers earlier than they normally would – by up to four weeks in some cases.
And while they don’t know why that is, they suspect it’s a last-ditch attempt for the beleaguered plants to procreate before they’re gone.
‘Exciting and surprising’
“On a personal level, I think it is an exciting result, but also somewhat surprising,” said Mark Mescher, of ETH Zürich university.
“After we saw the bees doing the damaging behavior, it occurred to us right away that there could be effects on flowering time. But that seemed a bit of a long shot,” he said.
“However, our subsequent experiments showed pretty clearly that this behaviour occurs naturally in the field and that it can have strong effects on flowering time,” Dr Mescher said.
Plants put under stress for other reasons have also been shown to flower early and he suspects the premature blooming that results from leaf-nibbling is driven by the same fundamental survival instinct.
Survival instinct
“You can imagine for example, that if the long-term survival and growth prospects of a plant are diminished due to stress or infection, it might make sense to shift investment to short-term reproduction,” he said.
The findings are published in the journal Science.
Symbiotic relationship
Plants and pollinators rely on one another for survival.
Just as pollinators, like bumblebees, depend on flowers for crucial nutrition, plants need pollinators to reproduce.
This symbiotic relationship is kept in balance by the synchronous timing of the emergence of hibernating insects and spring blossoms as spring temperatures rise and the days get longer.
But this fragile arrangement is threatened by climate change, researchers warn.
For instance, warming early season temperatures could cause pollinators to wake up too soon, before the springtime bloom and without a source of food.
At this point, they start leaf biting, according to the researchers.