inews--2020-04-29--My New Normal: Coronavirus lockdown has forced me to love my grey hairs

My New Normal : Coronavirus lockdown has forced me to love my grey hairs In the series My New Normal writers are telling us how their lives , routines and minds have changed during the coronavirus outbreak - and if they plan on keeping it up post-lockdown .
While I haven ’ t turned it pink , dip-dyed it , or bleached it to a sexy silver with violet highlights ( all hairstyles I ’ ve been desperate to try over the years ) , for 14 years I have been colouring my hair a boring , bog-standard brown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the not so glamorous process of carefully covering my head with the contents of a £7 box of at-home-hair-dye .
The first time I found a silver strand in my hair I thought my life was over .
I was a melodramatic teenager , but I still remember the roiling feeling in my stomach .
Instantly I was terrified .
I thought this was it - I had started down a road that would see my hair rapidly sprouting white hairs until I transformed into an old crone , bullied and outcast by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to dye my hair but my mum refused because I was 14 and she didn ’ t want me ruining all the bath towels .
It was summer but I resolutely wore a bobble hat for two days , partly in protest but partly out of crippling insecurity , until my mum relented and bought me a highlighting kit .
I insisted on doing it myself .
It went disastrously and I managed to dye a giant ginger patch onto the top of my head .
My poor mum , who coincidentally went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ raid her fail-safe supply of Clairol hair dye and colour it back to my natural brown .
I 'm learning to embrace the skin I ’ m in and could n't be happier ( Photo : Amy Coles ) After that first grey I didn ’ t instantly morph into a haggard old witch , but every year I would notice more and more ugly white hairs poking through my scalp .
With every one I spotted I became more insecure and even more determined to hide them .
I ’ m now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pounds slathering my hair in chemicals , powders and sprays .
There have been no more dying disasters but the issue has always been the same ; that I feel incredibly paranoid about anyone ever seeing my granny hair .
Suddenly life has become stripped back .
There are no more frivolous outings and no more frivolous purchases .
That has meant stopping trips to Superdrug to buy hair dye .
Five weeks on and I ’ ve never had this many grey hairs .
However , the churning sense of utter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , this time has given me the clarity to see how frivolous and unimportant my hair dying obsession is .
For half my life I have fretted over my prematurely aged hair .
Yet these last few weeks I have been more relaxed than ever .
Being in lockdown is actually helping me feel comfortable about something that 's made me feel insecure for half my life .
I ’ ve switched my focus from my hair and my appearance and freed up more time for self-care that actually matters in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ embrace the skin I ’ m in and could n't be happier .
To top it off I think my hair looks pretty cool .

In the series My New Normal writers are telling us how their lives, routines and minds have changed during the coronavirus outbreak – and if they plan on keeping it up post-lockdown.
Being in lockdown has helped me kick my addiction to hair dye which began when I started going grey at 14.
While I haven’t turned it pink, dip-dyed it, or bleached it to a sexy silver with violet highlights (all hairstyles I’ve been desperate to try over the years), for 14 years I have been colouring my hair a boring, bog-standard brown. Every six weeks I put myself through the not so glamorous process of carefully covering my head with the contents of a £7 box of at-home-hair-dye.
The first time I found a silver strand in my hair I thought my life was over. I was a melodramatic teenager, but I still remember the roiling feeling in my stomach. Instantly I was terrified. I thought this was it – I had started down a road that would see my hair rapidly sprouting white hairs until I transformed into an old crone, bullied and outcast by my peers.
Straight away I wanted to dye my hair but my mum refused because I was 14 and she didn’t want me ruining all the bath towels.
It was summer but I resolutely wore a bobble hat for two days, partly in protest but partly out of crippling insecurity, until my mum relented and bought me a highlighting kit.
I insisted on doing it myself. It went disastrously and I managed to dye a giant ginger patch onto the top of my head. My poor mum, who coincidentally went grey at 14 too, had to raid her fail-safe supply of Clairol hair dye and colour it back to my natural brown.
After that first grey I didn’t instantly morph into a haggard old witch, but every year I would notice more and more ugly white hairs poking through my scalp. With every one I spotted I became more insecure and even more determined to hide them.
I’m now 28 and have spent hours and hundreds of pounds slathering my hair in chemicals, powders and sprays. There have been no more dying disasters but the issue has always been the same; that I feel incredibly paranoid about anyone ever seeing my granny hair.
Until lockdown that is.
Suddenly life has become stripped back. There are no more frivolous outings and no more frivolous purchases. That has meant stopping trips to Superdrug to buy hair dye. Five weeks on and I’ve never had this many grey hairs.
However, the churning sense of utter disgust I was expecting is gone. Instead, this time has given me the clarity to see how frivolous and unimportant my hair dying obsession is.
For half my life I have fretted over my prematurely aged hair. Yet these last few weeks I have been more relaxed than ever. Being in lockdown is actually helping me feel comfortable about something that’s made me feel insecure for half my life.
I’ve switched my focus from my hair and my appearance and freed up more time for self-care that actually matters in this crazy time. I’m learning to embrace the skin I’m in and couldn’t be happier. To top it off I think my hair looks pretty cool.
Amy Coles is a freelance journalist


inews--2020-04-29--Despite the BBC's equality drive, you're still more likely to hear or see a male voice than a female

Despite the BBC's equality drive, you're still more likely to hear or see a male voice than a female one

Despite the BBC 's equality drive , you 're still more likely to hear or see a male voice than a female one A scheme launched in 2017 to target gender parity in news and topical programmes is slowly making headway All those critics who berate the BBC for being too male can draw solace from a report which suggests that women are finally getting to have their say on the broadcaster ’ s radio and television shows .
A scheme launched in 2017 to target gender parity in news and topical programmes is making headway , although male contributors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one-fifth of the BBC teams that have supported the voluntary initiative .
In March , two-thirds of BBC teams backing the 50:50 project – including programmes such as the News at Six , BBC Breakfast , The One Show and Songs of Praise – featured 50 per cent women contributors , up from one-third when they started the project .
Turn on the radio or TV and you are still more likely to hear or see a male voice than a female one however , because editors only count contributors they can control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cabinet , as well as captains of industry – just five FTSE 100 chief executives are women – don ’ t feature in the data .
The figures also exclude anyone integral to a story , such as male witnesses to an event .
Even then , Ros Atkins , the man who runs the project , says producers should always use the best contributor , regardless of the impact on the 50:50 numbers .
“ On any given day , [ programmes ] might skew male or female .
We measure monthly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This stops producers booking female analysts , academics , experts , or case studies to bolster their programme ’ s statistics , he adds .
Will gradual change prove to be longer lasting ?
Sport is one area where the BBC struggles to achieve gender parity ( Photo : Getty ) “ We don ’ t want [ the figures ] to peak really high and then drop off , ” she says .
“ A slower improvement is probably more beneficial because that means [ change ] is ingraining into the culture.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Radio 4 ’ s flagship news and current affairs programme , struggle to persuade women to go on air .
For some unenthusiastic female contributors , the show ’ s timing , during the peak feed-the-kids-and-get-them-out-the-door slot , makes it hard to commit ; others are happier writing their opinion rather than broadcasting them .
In response , the BBC is amassing a 50:50 database , says Goswami , asking women what hours suit them .
“ We are a 24-hour organisation .
We can make use of women at different times of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She thinks the lockdown could be useful in helping more women to contribute from home because technology “ enables people to be interviewed around their other commitments ” .
Other companies are being called on to go 50:50 The BBC is calling on companies around the world to back its 50:50 quest .
In the past 12 months , companies including Unilever , the Financial Times , and Australia ’ s ABC News have signed up to the project .
Over the next year , Goswami wants the project to improve the representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backgrounds , with targets set at 12 per cent and 15 per cent respectively .
“ If we are all looking at our representation in the round , we can improve the picture we ’ re seeing and make sure we ’ re uncovering those stories that we might be missing , ” she says .
The tricky area of sport - and men not leaning out Some BBC producers think hitting gender parity would be easier if some men weren ’ t quite so comfortable with voicing their opinions .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BBC is encouraging potential women experts to attend open days to help them feel more confident about appearing on shows .
“ We want women on because they are the experts , ” says Goswami .
“ We want to support them to help get the information to our audiences .
”

All those critics who berate the BBC for being too male can draw solace from a report which suggests that women are finally getting to have their say on the broadcaster’s radio and television shows. A scheme launched in 2017 to target gender parity in news and topical programmes is making headway, although male contributors still outnumber their female counterparts on almost one-fifth of the BBC teams that have supported the voluntary initiative.
In March, two-thirds of BBC teams backing the 50:50 project – including programmes such as the News at Six, BBC Breakfast, The One Show and Songs of Praise – featured 50 per cent women contributors, up from one-third when they started the project.
Turn on the radio or TV and you are still more likely to hear or see a male voice than a female one however, because editors only count contributors they can control. This means Britain’s XY-heavy Cabinet, as well as captains of industry – just five FTSE 100 chief executives are women – don’t feature in the data. The figures also exclude anyone integral to a story, such as male witnesses to an event.
Even then, Ros Atkins, the man who runs the project, says producers should always use the best contributor, regardless of the impact on the 50:50 numbers. “On any given day, [programmes] might skew male or female. We measure monthly totals,” he tells i. This stops producers booking female analysts, academics, experts, or case studies to bolster their programme’s statistics, he adds.
Will gradual change prove to be longer lasting?
In total, 600 BBC teams in the corporation back the 50:50 project. For anyone asking why shows are not making faster progress, Nina Goswami, its creative diversity lead, thinks gradual change will prove longer lasting.
“We don’t want [the figures] to peak really high and then drop off,” she says. “A slower improvement is probably more beneficial because that means [change] is ingraining into the culture.”
Some shows, including Today, Radio 4’s flagship news and current affairs programme, struggle to persuade women to go on air. For some unenthusiastic female contributors, the show’s timing, during the peak feed-the-kids-and-get-them-out-the-door slot, makes it hard to commit; others are happier writing their opinion rather than broadcasting them.
In response, the BBC is amassing a 50:50 database, says Goswami, asking women what hours suit them. “We are a 24-hour organisation. We can make use of women at different times of the day,” she adds. She thinks the lockdown could be useful in helping more women to contribute from home because technology “enables people to be interviewed around their other commitments”.
Other companies are being called on to go 50:50
The BBC is calling on companies around the world to back its 50:50 quest. In the past 12 months, companies including Unilever, the Financial Times, and Australia’s ABC News have signed up to the project.
Over the next year, Goswami wants the project to improve the representation of disabled people and those from ethnic-minority backgrounds, with targets set at 12 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
“If we are all looking at our representation in the round, we can improve the picture we’re seeing and make sure we’re uncovering those stories that we might be missing,” she says.
The tricky area of sport – and men not leaning out
Some areas remain more of a challenge, particularly those traditionally skewed towards male contributors, such as sport, but Atkins believes “pretty extraordinary progress” is being made.
Some BBC producers think hitting gender parity would be easier if some men weren’t quite so comfortable with voicing their opinions. In the absence of men leaning out, the BBC is encouraging potential women experts to attend open days to help them feel more confident about appearing on shows. “We want women on because they are the experts,” says Goswami. “We want to support them to help get the information to our audiences.”


inews--2020-04-29--What's on TV tonight: Joe Lycett cracks jokes about waiters in The Great British Sewing Bee's holida

What's on TV tonight: Joe Lycett cracks jokes about waiters in The Great British Sewing Bee's holiday week

What 's on TV tonight : Joe Lycett cracks jokes about waiters in The Great British Sewing Bee 's holiday week Plus , Stumptown , a drama based on a graphic novel set in Portland , Oregon , is fast , furious and hugely entertaining Pick of the day — The Great British Sewing Bee It ’ s “ holiday week ” , a promise that feels somewhat distant at present .
So , while the comedian Joe Lycett cracks gags about picking up Spanish waiters , Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask the remaining 11 sewers to make a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popularised by Coco Chanel in the 1930s ) , with the transformation challenge being to turn two towels into post-swim beachwear .
“ And you can go wild in the haberdashery , ” adds Young in what is surely the first time that sentence has ever been uttered .
The final live task is to make a summer shirt for men .
“ Whose will be the beach boy and whose will be the beached whale ?
” wonders Lycett .
Alex Garland ’ s nightmare thriller isn ’ t without a macabre @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the psychiatric hospital next to a “ get well soon ” greeting card from security goon Kenton , who in the very next scene is waterboarding Lily ’ s friend Jamie .
In the first of this week ’ s two episodes , we also learn more about the accident that killed Forest ’ s daughter Amaya , and the purpose of Devs itself .
What ’ s It Like to Catch Coronavirus ?
Channel 4 is doing a useful job with its quasi-public information films , this one dishing out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to that they can record the ( presumably non-fatal ) progress of their symptoms .
With some estimates suggesting that 80 per cent of the population could catch coronavirus , this may provide useful pointers .
Experts also explore how mental health is affected when victims are isolated and fearful .
Ah , remember dropping into the pub for a swift pint , or meeting friends over an over-priced bottle of Prosecco ?
This 2012 entry in BBC2 ’ s history strand is a reminder as it explores Britain ’ s complicated relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 20th century , charting how conventions surrounding the drinking habits of men and women changed from the 1940s onwards , as the largely masculine culture of pubs and working men ’ s clubs began to recede , The film also examines the influence foreign travel and advertising had on the types of beverage that were popular in the UK .
Vicky Jones ’ romantic-comedy adventure sees Ruby and Billy ( the well-matched Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson ) decide to spend a day in Chicago before making any rash decisions about their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life is catching him up , however , in the shape of the relentless Fiona , his former personal assistant played by Archie Panjabi .
Based on a graphic novel , this drama set in Portland , Oregon , is fast , furious and hugely entertaining .
Cobie Smulders ( How I Met Your Mother and The Avengers ) plays private investigator Dex Parios , a former military intelligence officer caring for her brother , who has Down ’ s Syndrome , and who we first meet while locked in the boot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with this opening case , in which she ’ s hired to locate the missing granddaughter of a Native American casino owner .

Pick of the day — The Great British Sewing Bee
9pm, BBC1
It’s “holiday week”, a promise that feels somewhat distant at present. So, while the comedian Joe Lycett cracks gags about picking up Spanish waiters, Patrick Grant and Esme Young ask the remaining 11 sewers to make a pair of palazzo pants (as first popularised by Coco Chanel in the 1930s), with the transformation challenge being to turn two towels into post-swim beachwear. “And you can go wild in the haberdashery,” adds Young in what is surely the first time that sentence has ever been uttered. The final live task is to make a summer shirt for men. “Whose will be the beach boy and whose will be the beached whale?” wonders Lycett.
Devs
9pm, BBC2
Alex Garland’s nightmare thriller isn’t without a macabre sense of humour, with Lily waking up in the psychiatric hospital next to a “get well soon” greeting card from security goon Kenton, who in the very next scene is waterboarding Lily’s friend Jamie. In the first of this week’s two episodes, we also learn more about the accident that killed Forest’s daughter Amaya, and the purpose of Devs itself.
What’s It Like to Catch Coronavirus?
9pm, Channel 4
Channel 4 is doing a useful job with its quasi-public information films, this one dishing out cameras to those infected with the illness to that they can record the (presumably non-fatal) progress of their symptoms. With some estimates suggesting that 80 per cent of the population could catch coronavirus, this may provide useful pointers. Experts also explore how mental health is affected when victims are isolated and fearful.
The Rules of Drinking – Timeshift
9pm, BBC4
Ah, remember dropping into the pub for a swift pint, or meeting friends over an over-priced bottle of Prosecco? This 2012 entry in BBC2’s history strand is a reminder as it explores Britain’s complicated relationship with alcohol during the latter half of the 20th century, charting how conventions surrounding the drinking habits of men and women changed from the 1940s onwards, as the largely masculine culture of pubs and working men’s clubs began to recede, The film also examines the influence foreign travel and advertising had on the types of beverage that were popular in the UK.
Run
9pm, Sky Comedy
Vicky Jones’ romantic-comedy adventure sees Ruby and Billy (the well-matched Merritt Wever and Domhnall Gleeson) decide to spend a day in Chicago before making any rash decisions about their next move. Billy’s past life is catching him up, however, in the shape of the relentless Fiona, his former personal assistant played by Archie Panjabi.
Stumptown
9pm, Alibi
Based on a graphic novel, this drama set in Portland, Oregon, is fast, furious and hugely entertaining. Cobie Smulders (How I Met Your Mother and The Avengers) plays private investigator Dex Parios, a former military intelligence officer caring for her brother, who has Down’s Syndrome, and who we first meet while locked in the boot of a car. It’s all to do with this opening case, in which she’s hired to locate the missing granddaughter of a Native American casino owner.


inews--2020-04-29--Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday: The Queen makes NHS fundraiser an honorary colonel

Captain Tom has received a string of surprises as he turns 100 The war veteran has become the honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate , following his NHS fundraising effort that has raised almost £30m .
Captain Tom was informed of the promotion in a letter presented by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Miller , the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment , at his home in Marston Moretaine , Bedfordshire .
Captain Tom Moore on his Zimmer frame at home in Bedfordshire The veteran , who was born in Keighley , West Yorkshire , served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wellington 's ( West Riding ) Regiment , which is now part of The Yorkshire Regiment .
`` I am delighted he has accepted the honorary colonelcy of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate , where our 16 and 17-year-olds are trained and educated to be the future leaders of the Army . ''
A mural that has been created to pay tribute to NHS fundraiser Captain Tom Moore outside Bradley Scott Windows in Tamworth , Staffordshire ( Photo : PA ) The centenarian , who is now entitled to use the rank @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a replacement Second World War Defence Medal ahead of next week 's VE Day celebrations .
99-year-old war veteran Captain Tom Moore , with ( left to right ) grandson Benji , daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and granddaughter Georgia , at his home ( Photo : PA ) Recognition from the Armed Forces is n't the only birthday surprise for the centenarian .
The veteran has also had a train named after him following public calls for recognition .
`` We at Great Western have a long history of naming trains after Great Westerners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across our network , and I am honoured that today we can respond to requests to have a train named after Captain Tom Moore . ''

The Queen has given approval for Captain Tom Moore to be appointed as an honorary colonel to mark his 100th birthday.
The war veteran has become the honorary colonel of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, following his NHS fundraising effort that has raised almost £30m.
Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith, made the appointment in order to inspire the next generation of soldiers.
Captain Tom was informed of the promotion in a letter presented by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Miller, the commanding officer of the 1st Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment, at his home in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.
Inspiring the young
The veteran, who was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire, served with the 8th Battalion The Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, which is now part of The Yorkshire Regiment.
General Carleton-Smith said: “His mature wisdom, no-nonsense attitude and humour in adversity make him an inspirational role model to generations young and old.
“I am delighted he has accepted the honorary colonelcy of the Army Foundation College in Harrogate, where our 16 and 17-year-olds are trained and educated to be the future leaders of the Army.”
The centenarian, who is now entitled to use the rank of colonel, was also presented with a replacement Second World War Defence Medal ahead of next week’s VE Day celebrations.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said Captain Tom “not only embodies the spirit of our incredible veteran community, but the resolve of this nation.”
He is also being honoured with an RAF flypast over his home in Bedfordshire.
A great westerner
Recognition from the Armed Forces isn’t the only birthday surprise for the centenarian. The veteran has also had a train named after him following public calls for recognition.
The Great Western Railway (GWR) intercity express train 800025 goes into service carrying its new name from Thursday and will carry key workers to and from work.
Interim GWR managing director Matthew Golton said: “With his indomitable spirit, what Captain Tom has achieved is truly inspirational and an example to us all.
“We at Great Western have a long history of naming trains after Great Westerners, the past and present heroes from across our network, and I am honoured that today we can respond to requests to have a train named after Captain Tom Moore.”


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus lockdown: Cleaner air reducing pollution-related deaths in the UK and saving 1,700 lives

Coronavirus lockdown : Cleaner air reducing pollution-related deaths in the UK and saving 1,700 lives Drop in traffic and energy use has lead to significantly better air quality across the country Falling energy use and quiet roads has meant cleaner air across the UK during the lockdown , cutting the number pollution-related deaths by 1,700 , researchers estimate .
Over the last 30 days the UK has seen nitrogen dioxide levels fall by 36 per cent , while the numbers of tiny pollution particles that infiltrate deep into the lungs have fallen by almost 10 per cent .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resulted in unprecedentedly dramatic reductions in coal and oil burning and associated air pollution in Europe , '' said Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Clean Air and Energy , which conducted the research .
The drop in pollution will have prevented the premature deaths of around 1,700 people suffering heart and lung disease , the team said .
It will also have eased the suffering of those with chronic conditions like asthma , which is made worse by poor air quality .
But it will also have reduced the risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , explained Mr Myllyvirta .
“ What we ’ re talking about is the chronic health impacts that are realised over the longer term , ” he told i .
“ So it ’ s a bit like the entire continent suddenly deciding to stop smoking after a month .
That would result in health benefits , but not all are realised during that specific month.
” The trend towards cleaner air is repeated across Europe , with an estimated 11,000 air pollution-related deaths avoided as a result of the lockdowns .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ million premature deaths a year across Europe .
Local authorities have taken steps to curb air pollution from traffic in cities in recent years ( Photo : BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty ) But the cleaner air is only a temporary effect of the lockdown .
Unless habits change , scientists expect pollution levels to rise back to normal levels as soon as the lockdown lifts .
That could make us more vulnerable to future coronavirus outbreaks .
A study published earlier this month by Harvard University reported that a small increase in long-term exposure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the death rate from Covid-19.That is because poor air quality increases the risk of conditions that make Covid-19 more deadly , such as diabetes , cancer and lung disease .

Falling energy use and quiet roads has meant cleaner air across the UK during the lockdown, cutting the number pollution-related deaths by 1,700, researchers estimate.
Over the last 30 days the UK has seen nitrogen dioxide levels fall by 36 per cent, while the numbers of tiny pollution particles that infiltrate deep into the lungs have fallen by almost 10 per cent.
“The measures to combat the Covid-19 epidemic have resulted in unprecedentedly dramatic reductions in coal and oil burning and associated air pollution in Europe,” said Lauri Myllyvirta of the Centre for Research on Clean Air and Energy, which conducted the research.
Fewer deaths
The drop in pollution will have prevented the premature deaths of around 1,700 people suffering heart and lung disease, the team said. It will also have eased the suffering of those with chronic conditions like asthma, which is made worse by poor air quality.
But it will also have reduced the risk of future health complications for otherwise healthy people, explained Mr Myllyvirta. “What we’re talking about is the chronic health impacts that are realised over the longer term,” he told i. “So it’s a bit like the entire continent suddenly deciding to stop smoking after a month. That would result in health benefits, but not all are realised during that specific month.”
The trend towards cleaner air is repeated across Europe, with an estimated 11,000 air pollution-related deaths avoided as a result of the lockdowns. On average air pollution causes half a million premature deaths a year across Europe.
A pause in pollution
But the cleaner air is only a temporary effect of the lockdown. Unless habits change, scientists expect pollution levels to rise back to normal levels as soon as the lockdown lifts.
That could make us more vulnerable to future coronavirus outbreaks. A study published earlier this month by Harvard University reported that a small increase in long-term exposure to air pollution leads to a large increase in the death rate from Covid-19.That is because poor air quality increases the risk of conditions that make Covid-19 more deadly, such as diabetes, cancer and lung disease.


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus: Government study will test 100,000 people at random to track spread of Covid-19

Coronavirus : Government study will test 100,000 people at random to track spread of Covid-19 Researchers are hoping to be able to carry out mass antibody testing later this year Tens of thousands of Britons will be tested for coronavirus at random as part of a Government study to work out how widespread Covid-19 truly is .
Ministers have also a commissioned a trial of antibody tests which show whether you have ever been infected with the virus , as the first step in rolling out the tests on a wide scale .
In the coming days , 100,000 randomly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing kits and asked to provide a swab that will then be tested for the presence of Covid-19 antigens .
The results will give a picture of infection patterns across the country .
The second phase of the programme , which is being carried out by Imperial College London , is designed to find a reliable antibody test which can be administered to people in their own homes .
Antibody tests will be carried out on volunteers who are known to have contracted Covid-19 , to ensure they are accurate .
Sample tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public who will be asked to prick their finger , place a dab of blood into a testing kit and read the result .
This is to see whether the tests are easy to use at home .
If those trials are successful , 100,000 antibody tests will be randomly distributed later this year as a way of working out which areas of the country have seen the highest number of infections .
The widespread availability of antibody testing has been seen as one way to end the national lockdown , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus and are therefore likely to be immune .
One suggestion is for `` immunity passports '' which would exempt them from having to observe social distancing .
Lord Bethell , the health minister responsible for testing , said : `` Understanding more about the current spread of coronavirus and the prevalence of antibodies is a vital part of our ongoing response to this pandemic .
`` This ambitious new testing programme will help us track the rate of the infection now .
And , crucially , it will help identify an antibody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use , and which can give us an indication of how many people have already had the infection . ''

Tens of thousands of Britons will be tested for coronavirus at random as part of a Government study to work out how widespread Covid-19 truly is.
Ministers have also a commissioned a trial of antibody tests which show whether you have ever been infected with the virus, as the first step in rolling out the tests on a wide scale.
In the coming days, 100,000 randomly selected people across England will be sent testing kits and asked to provide a swab that will then be tested for the presence of Covid-19 antigens. The results will give a picture of infection patterns across the country.
The second phase of the programme, which is being carried out by Imperial College London, is designed to find a reliable antibody test which can be administered to people in their own homes.
Testing hopes
Antibody tests will be carried out on volunteers who are known to have contracted Covid-19, to ensure they are accurate. Sample tests will also be sent to members of the public who will be asked to prick their finger, place a dab of blood into a testing kit and read the result. This is to see whether the tests are easy to use at home.
If those trials are successful, 100,000 antibody tests will be randomly distributed later this year as a way of working out which areas of the country have seen the highest number of infections.
The widespread availability of antibody testing has been seen as one way to end the national lockdown, because it identifies people who have already had coronavirus and are therefore likely to be immune. One suggestion is for “immunity passports” which would exempt them from having to observe social distancing.
Lord Bethell, the health minister responsible for testing, said: “Understanding more about the current spread of coronavirus and the prevalence of antibodies is a vital part of our ongoing response to this pandemic.
“This ambitious new testing programme will help us track the rate of the infection now. And, crucially, it will help identify an antibody test that is accurate and easy to use, and which can give us an indication of how many people have already had the infection.”


inews--2020-04-29--Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday: 'How my dad survived a near fatal fall to raise £30m for the NHS

Captain Tom Moore's 100th birthday: 'How my dad survived a near fatal fall to raise £30m for the NHS'

Captain Tom Moore 's 100th birthday : 'How my dad survived a near fatal fall to raise £30m for the NHS' Exclusive : Hannah Ingram-Moore reveals the extraordinary story of her her dad 's return from the edge “ I stood there and I called my sister and said , ‘ You need to come because this will be it .
He can ’ t make it.
’ We stood by his bedside and I went , look , what a phenomenal life .
We must not be sad .
He has been extraordinary.
” They joked he was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the joke soon took root - hatching a plan for him to walk 100 laps of their garden by his 100th birthday in the hope of raising £1,000 for the NHS .
Birthday cards for Captain Tom Moore arrive at Bedford School in Bedfordshire , where over 120,000 birthday cards sent from around the world ( Photo : PA ) In the final weeks before his 100th birthday , which he celebrates today , Captain Tom has raised almost £30m for the NHS , had a number one single , been lauded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you would think he ’ s a pop star .
Which , of course , he now is .
Captain Tom Moore with certificates recognising his two world records “ We knew we had a lovely story to share .
We just thought that might be the local radio station , a couple of the local papers .
Three weeks later , our cloud server said no thank you to any more emails when we went over a million .
Captain Tom Moore on his Zimmer frame at home in Bedfordshire “ He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own destinies , ” says Hannah , “ that we mustn ’ t allow other people to make things happen for us , that we must own our own happiness and we must own our own futures.
” Hannah says : “ I think if other people think that , that would be a lovely thing to do , of course , we would think it was amazing .
And he would be deeply honoured .
But I think we just remain who we are.
” '' My two children were born within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve touched us at every part of our lives , on entry and on exit .
‘ Please don ’ t ever go back , ’ dad often says . ''

Just 18 months ago, Captain Tom Moore lay in an NHS bed fighting for his life. His daughter, Hannah Ingram-Moore, gathered the family by his side to say goodbye.
The then 98-year-old had suffered a near-fatal fall at home while emptying the dishwasher. Hannah vividly recalls being on a bus in central London when she received the awful news.
“My son Benji phoned me and went, ‘Mum, granddad has fallen.’ I turned back around again and went straight to A&E in Bedford.
“There was a man who had a fractured rib, a punctured lung with self-contagious emphysema and who had fractured his hip.”
Oxygen was leaking from his lungs through a hole opened up by the broken rib, seeping into the layer between his skin and his muscle, and suffocating him from the inside.
Hannah told her sister, who lives some distance away in Reading, that the end had come.
“I stood there and I called my sister and said, ‘You need to come because this will be it. He can’t make it.’ We stood by his bedside and I went, look, what a phenomenal life. We must not be sad. He has been extraordinary.”
Extraordinary help from NHS
But thanks to what his daughter describes as the “extraordinary” help of NHS doctors and nurses, he defied the odds and managed to pull through.
Captain Tom required at home care for a short while, but before long he was living independently again in the home he shares with his daughter, Hannah, son-in-law, Colin, and their children, Benji and Georgia.
The Second World War veteran, who served in Burma and India, refused to give up the active life of gardening, driving, and even international travel, that he had enjoyed well into his 90s.
“He’s a very forthright, determined, straightforward man. A very typical Yorkshireman, unflappable and unexcitable. Don’t cry over spilt milk,” Hannah says.
Time to run a marathon
Still, when the family found a treadmill on the driveway with a note addressing it to their now 99-year-old father, they thought there had been some kind of mistake.
Unknown to his family, he had purchased the machine online in an attempt to keep himself active during the winter.
They joked he was in training for the next marathon. But the joke soon took root – hatching a plan for him to walk 100 laps of their garden by his 100th birthday in the hope of raising £1,000 for the NHS.
The rest, as they say, is history.
In the final weeks before his 100th birthday, which he celebrates today, Captain Tom has raised almost £30m for the NHS, had a number one single, been lauded by royalty and enjoyed such global media attention you would think he’s a pop star. Which, of course, he now is.
In the midst of a pandemic that has affected so many of the world’s older people, this stoic veteran has proved there is always time to add a new chapter.
One million emails
Hannah confesses: “The depth and breadth of the English language can’t really allow me to summarise it. It has been, and I know these are overused words, incredible, extraordinary and also just outstanding and awesome.
“We knew we had a lovely story to share. We just thought that might be the local radio station, a couple of the local papers. Three weeks later, our cloud server said no thank you to any more emails when we went over a million.
“Here we are just regular people trying to do our best and supporting Tom, and realising that he has connected with people around the world and given them a bit of joy.”
Today Captain Tom achieves another milestone, joining the ranks of Britain’s centenarians.
The family had planned a marquee in the garden of their Bedfordshire home, filled with loved ones and performances by a local singer.
But due to the strange times we live in, he instead marks it with a round of breakfast TV interviews, an RAF flypast, a special-edition stamp, more than 125,000 cards from well wishers and a personalised message from the Queen.
100th birthday hope
Captain Tom is coping well with it all, including lockdown, telling i: “Yes it is difficult being separated from friends and family, but I am exceptionally lucky, as I have lived with my daughter and family for the past 12 years.”
“He instilled in us that we own our own destinies,” says Hannah, “that we mustn’t allow other people to make things happen for us, that we must own our own happiness and we must own our own futures.”
The Yorkshireman is now even mooted for a knighthood. But the family say it was never about honours.
Hannah says: “I think if other people think that, that would be a lovely thing to do, of course, we would think it was amazing. And he would be deeply honoured. But I think we just remain who we are.”
Indeed, all Captain Tom really wants for his birthday, he says, “would be that we have created a Covid-19 vaccine.”
Read More: How to donate to the WW2 veteran on Just Giving as NHS fundraising walk
Life long appreciation for the NHS
Like so many families – too many right now – the Moores learned their appreciation of the NHS in their darkest days.
“Our family has travelled extensively, we know what else is out there,” Hannah says. “And we know what we have is unique and extraordinary.
“My two children were born within the NHS, and so they’ve touched us at every part of our lives, on entry and on exit.
“‘Please don’t ever go back,’ dad often says.”


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus latest: Holidaymakers in Europe can look forward to masks and disinfectant this summer,

Coronavirus latest: Holidaymakers in Europe can look forward to masks and disinfectant this summer, says EU

Coronavirus latest : Holidaymakers in Europe can look forward to masks and disinfectant this summer , says EU Beaches and hotels across Italy are developing social distancing tools like plexiglass dividers on the beach Holidaymakers heading for Europe this summer may need to pack gloves , masks and disinfectant along with their passport and suncream , under measures being considered to restore confidence in travel .
As Europe cautiously eases its lockdown measures , attention is turning to the crucial travel and tourism sector , which depends on the summer season for much of its revenue .
With some countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ European Commission wants to avoid a chaotic summer where travellers are subject to a myriad of different restrictions in different countries .
Officials are planning a common system of rules to allow limited travel to regions that rely on visitors for lucrative income – including packing protective gear , social distancing measures and even certificates to show travellers are virus-free .
Although EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested earlier this month that no one should be planning a summer break , she has since backtracked , saying that holidaymakers could make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a summer vacation ” as restrictions ease .
Earlier this week , ministers from seven countries , including Greece , Spain , Portugal , Cyprus and Malta signed a joint statement calling on the EU to come up with a dedicated recovery plan for the tourism industry and system to manage travel and hospitality .
Greece is considering making entry subject to a `` health passport '' that indicates if travellers are either virus-free or no longer infectious .
Malta is calling for common EU standards for health protection in hotels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Summer on its way Spain ’ s Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz has warned that leisure and cultural activities will not be able to restart until the end of the year ( Photo : JAIME REINA/AFP/Getty ) While Austria is allowing hotels to reopen on May 29 , it is urging them to rent rooms to travellers from neighbouring countries and , if possible , from regions where the coronavirus infection rate is low .
Beaches and hotels across Italy are developing social distancing tools like plexiglass dividers on the beach , and hotels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is considering access cards for beaches .
However , Italy ’ s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said his tourism plans will be to tell Italians to “ go on vacation in Italy ” .
Spain ’ s Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz has warned that leisure and cultural activities will not be able to restart until the end of the year , while German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned that it would not be `` responsible '' to have a `` normal vacation season this summer . ''
Meanwhile , as European governments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beleaguered airlines , officials in Brussels are mulling measures to ensure the sector only collects the aid if it gets serious about climate change .
All Europe ’ s major flag carriers are demanding government aid , with Air France-KLM expecting at least €9bn in taxpayer money from the French and Dutch governments , while Germany is mulling a rescue package worth up to €10bn for Lufthansa .

Holidaymakers heading for Europe this summer may need to pack gloves, masks and disinfectant along with their passport and suncream, under measures being considered to restore confidence in travel.
As Europe cautiously eases its lockdown measures, attention is turning to the crucial travel and tourism sector, which depends on the summer season for much of its revenue.
With some countries relaxing restrictions faster than others, the European Commission wants to avoid a chaotic summer where travellers are subject to a myriad of different restrictions in different countries. Officials are planning a common system of rules to allow limited travel to regions that rely on visitors for lucrative income – including packing protective gear, social distancing measures and even certificates to show travellers are virus-free.
Although EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested earlier this month that no one should be planning a summer break, she has since backtracked, saying that holidaymakers could make the most of “smart solutions to have a summer vacation” as restrictions ease.
Covid-19 Travel Advice Stay at home: the Government advises against all non-essential travel
Earlier this week, ministers from seven countries, including Greece, Spain, Portugal, Cyprus and Malta signed a joint statement calling on the EU to come up with a dedicated recovery plan for the tourism industry and system to manage travel and hospitality.
Greece is considering making entry subject to a “health passport” that indicates if travellers are either virus-free or no longer infectious. Malta is calling for common EU standards for health protection in hotels, restaurants, airplanes and on beaches.
Summer on its way
While Austria is allowing hotels to reopen on May 29, it is urging them to rent rooms to travellers from neighbouring countries and, if possible, from regions where the coronavirus infection rate is low.
Beaches and hotels across Italy are developing social distancing tools like plexiglass dividers on the beach, and hotels that are only partially occupied. Belgium is considering access cards for beaches.
However, Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said his tourism plans will be to tell Italians to “go on vacation in Italy”. Spain’s Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz has warned that leisure and cultural activities will not be able to restart until the end of the year, while German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has warned that it would not be “responsible” to have a “normal vacation season this summer.”
Bailouts for the industry
Meanwhile, as European governments prepare massive bailouts to prop up their beleaguered airlines, officials in Brussels are mulling measures to ensure the sector only collects the aid if it gets serious about climate change.
European Union officials could demand that airlines make emissions pledges to secure their rescue package, as they push their green transition plans to transform the bloc into a carbon neutral economy.
All Europe’s major flag carriers are demanding government aid, with Air France-KLM expecting at least €9bn in taxpayer money from the French and Dutch governments, while Germany is mulling a rescue package worth up to €10bn for Lufthansa.
EU officials say the lockdown crisis is the moment to push polluting airlines to finally play their part in cutting carbon emissions. French MEP Pascal Canfin says the EU should draw up “green transition pacts” for airlines receiving public money, ensuring commitments like investing in low polluting fuels or replacing polluting short-haul flights.


inews--2020-04-29--Code 404, Sky One, review: Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham star in uneven cop comedy

Code 404 , Sky One , review : Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham star in uneven cop comedy Mays plays a policeman brought back to life in Daniel Peak 's comedy , which started brightly but soon got overexcited and farcical About halfway through the first episode of Code 404 , a six-part cop comedy starring Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham , something strange happened .
It became almost unbearably bad .
I say strange because up until this hazily defined point – perhaps it was the scene involving a big suitcase and a small locker – Code 404 had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and generous , with a funky conceit and some excellent jokes .
And then all of a sudden , it tipped over into irritating farce .
You know when a pal has one too many beers and becomes a bit of a pillock ?
Well anyway ... it was kind of like that .
Daniel Mays ( left ) and Stephen Graham in Sky One comedy Code 404 ( Photo : Sky ) Let ’ s start with the good bits .
Mays plays DI John Major , an undercover policeman shot dead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ His best mate and fellow copper DI Roy Carver ( Graham ) is distraught , not least because it was his lapse in concentration that led to Major ’ s death .
As he was paying his respects at Major ’ s grave a year later , he was wrestled to the floor by , er , Major .
“ I thought you ’ d say : ‘ Jesus ’ , so I could say : ‘ No , but we both came back from the dead , ’ ” bellowed Major .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in genuine shock .
Major looked disappointed : “ Ah , the moment ’ s gone now.
” Very funny writing , perfectly executed .
You wouldn ’ t describe Code 404 as rigorous in its science .
Basically some boffins in white coats have managed to resurrect Major .
Almost .
He 's not quite the same .
More prone to violent outbursts now .
His reappearance poses a problem for Carver , though , who had moved in with Major ’ s wife , Kelly ( Anna Maxwell Martin ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Graham sparked off each other and there were some genuinely touching moments , as Kelly tried to figure out how to make things work .
I wish writer Daniel Peak had further probed the domestic drama at play here .
Instead he ploughed Major and Carver headfirst back into frontline service and we were left watching Major scream and shout , take a whole load of drugs , throw up on himself and chuck Carver off a parking lot .
Very messy .
But if everyone would just calm down for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these early glitches .

Code 404, Sky One, 10pm ★★★
About halfway through the first episode of Code 404, a six-part cop comedy starring Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham, something strange happened. It became almost unbearably bad. I say strange because up until this hazily defined point – perhaps it was the scene involving a big suitcase and a small locker – Code 404 had been a revelation.
It was silly and generous, with a funky conceit and some excellent jokes. And then all of a sudden, it tipped over into irritating farce. You know when a pal has one too many beers and becomes a bit of a pillock? Well anyway… it was kind of like that.
Let’s start with the good bits. Mays plays DI John Major, an undercover policeman shot dead during a drugs sting gone wrong. His best mate and fellow copper DI Roy Carver (Graham) is distraught, not least because it was his lapse in concentration that led to Major’s death.
As he was paying his respects at Major’s grave a year later, he was wrestled to the floor by, er, Major. “I thought you’d say: ‘Jesus’, so I could say: ‘No, but we both came back from the dead,’” bellowed Major. “Jesus,” replied Carver, still in genuine shock. Major looked disappointed: “Ah, the moment’s gone now.” Very funny writing, perfectly executed.
You wouldn’t describe Code 404 as rigorous in its science. Basically some boffins in white coats have managed to resurrect Major. Almost. He’s not quite the same. More prone to violent outbursts now. His reappearance poses a problem for Carver, though, who had moved in with Major’s wife, Kelly (Anna Maxwell Martin).
I loved all this. Mays and Graham sparked off each other and there were some genuinely touching moments, as Kelly tried to figure out how to make things work.
I wish writer Daniel Peak had further probed the domestic drama at play here. Instead he ploughed Major and Carver headfirst back into frontline service and we were left watching Major scream and shout, take a whole load of drugs, throw up on himself and chuck Carver off a parking lot. Very messy. But if everyone would just calm down for a second, Code 404 might yet overcome these early glitches.


inews--2020-04-29--Boris Johnson baby news: Queen sends private message of good wishes to PM on birth of healthy baby b

Boris Johnson baby news: Queen sends private message of good wishes to PM on birth of healthy baby boy

Boris Johnson baby news : Queen sends private message of good wishes to PM on birth of healthy baby boy Carrie Symonds , 32 , and her first child were said to be 'doing very well ' after the birth early on Wednesday morning Boris Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds received congratulations from the Queen and across the political spectrum following the birth of their son .
Ms Symonds , 32 , and her first child were said to be “ doing very well ” after the birth early on Wednesday morning at an NHS hospital in London .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ unable to remain in hospital longer than a couple of hours after birth because of coronavirus .
Downing Street refused to give further details of the baby ’ s weight , whether he was premature , whether the couple have chosen a name or the exact hospital where he was born .
When Ms Symonds announced her pregnancy in February , she said she was expecting in “ early summer ” , suggesting the child may have arrived a month early .
Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds plan to live with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No 11 Downing Street ( Photo : TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty ) Mr Johnson , who is engaged to Ms Symonds , is known to have five other children .
The Queen sent a private message of good wishes to congratulate the couple , Buckingham Palace said .
The monarch and the PM were also due to hold their weekly audience , by telephone .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Johnson when the pair held talks over the lockdown .
In the House of Commons , Sir Keir said : “ Whatever differences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human beings I think we all recognise the anxiety that the Prime Minister and Carrie must have gone through in these past few weeks .
I really hope that this brings them incredible relief and joy.
” Dominic Raab , deputising for Mr Johnson at PMQs for the second week running , said : “ I ’ m sure the whole House will want to join with me in sending congratulations and our very best wishes to them.
” A spokeswoman for the couple said : “ The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a healthy baby boy at a London hospital earlier this morning .
Both mother and baby are doing very well .
The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team.
” Former prime minister David Cameron said : “ Sam and I are thrilled for you both !
Sorry we didn ’ t leave the cot but the climbing frame should still be in the garden !
”

Boris Johnson and his fiancée Carrie Symonds received congratulations from the Queen and across the political spectrum following the birth of their son.
Ms Symonds, 32, and her first child were said to be “doing very well” after the birth early on Wednesday morning at an NHS hospital in London.
The Prime Minister was present throughout the labour but returned to work in Downing Street shortly afterwards.
Current rules state that new fathers are unable to remain in hospital longer than a couple of hours after birth because of coronavirus. Downing Street refused to give further details of the baby’s weight, whether he was premature, whether the couple have chosen a name or the exact hospital where he was born. When Ms Symonds announced her pregnancy in February, she said she was expecting in “early summer”, suggesting the child may have arrived a month early.
Good wishes
Mr Johnson, who is engaged to Ms Symonds, is known to have five other children. The Queen sent a private message of good wishes to congratulate the couple, Buckingham Palace said. The monarch and the PM were also due to hold their weekly audience, by telephone.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Mr Johnson when the pair held talks over the lockdown. In the House of Commons, Sir Keir said: “Whatever differences we have in this House, as human beings I think we all recognise the anxiety that the Prime Minister and Carrie must have gone through in these past few weeks. I really hope that this brings them incredible relief and joy.”
Dominic Raab, deputising for Mr Johnson at PMQs for the second week running, said: “I’m sure the whole House will want to join with me in sending congratulations and our very best wishes to them.”
A spokeswoman for the couple said: “The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds are thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy at a London hospital earlier this morning. Both mother and baby are doing very well. The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team.”
‘New resident’ of Downing Street
The PM’s father, Stanley Johnson, was “absolutely delighted” and “thrilled”. Acting Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “Many congratulations to the PM and Carrie Symonds on the birth!”
Chancellor Rishi Sunak said it was “great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident”.
Congratulations and prayers for @BorisJohnson and @CarrieSymonds as they welcome their son into the world. Wishing them every blessing and happiness. — Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) April 29, 2020
Former prime minister David Cameron said: “Sam and I are thrilled for you both! Sorry we didn’t leave the cot but the climbing frame should still be in the garden!”
Foreign leaders also sent their wishes. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, tweeted: “Wishing them every blessing and happiness.”
The new family are planning to live in their Downing Street flat along with their dog Dilyn, the Prime
Minister’s official spokesman said.


inews--2020-04-29--Teenagers to study online gaming as Pearson launches world's first 'esports' BTEC

Teenagers to study online gaming as Pearson launches world 's first 'esports ' BTEC Students will be able to study 'strategy and analysis ' , video game coaching , and the psychology and nutrition of esports performance Pearson has launched a BTEC in esports - such as the Fortnite World Cup Finals , which was held at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York last July ( Photo : Mike Stobe/Getty ) The company has partnered with the British Esports Association to design the qualification , which will be at level 3 - the same as A-levels .
Steam gamers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Photo : Getty ) Students in the UK will be able to take it from September 2020 , with funding confirmed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency .
According to the specification , in the strategy and analysis unit students will learn about different skills in game genres , such as “ map awareness , rotational play , objective control , ability timers ” , as well as “ individual mechanical play , ability to hit skillshots '' and `` reaction times ” .
The specification notes that “ a healthy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health and improved performance is now a key aspect of the esports player ’ s lifestyle ” .
Cindy Rampersaud , Pearson ’ s senior vice president for BTEC and apprenticeships , told i the company was “ constantly looking at our offer and our curriculum ” in “ a world where job roles are changing ” and “ the careers young people will go into may not even exist ” .
She said esports was a $ 1.1bn global industry , with an audience approaching 500 million , and the qualification had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to work in that industry ” .
“ That ’ s everything from doing the event management piece , being able to do things like livestream broadcasting , coaching of players who might be doing it , looking after all the computer network and infrastructure needs , ” she said .
She predicted “ huge ” interest in the course from colleges .
“ I do think there will be huge takeup… because I think there are real careers and real progression in this sector , but also because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asked what she would say to parents sceptical of their offspring studying gaming , Ms Rampersaud said the course would teach “ transferable skills ” such as entrepreneurship and team work .
“ Post-Covid there ’ s going to be more learning online , but there ’ s also going to be more social interaction , ” she said .
Andy Payne , chair of the British Esports Association , said : “ Esports is a growing , exciting industry that many young people are looking at with interest and it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their potential and be the leaders of tomorrow .

One of the UK’s biggest education companies has launched a qualification in video gaming.
Pearson – the education publisher and assessment firm which owns the Edexcel exam board – has launched the world’s first BTEC in “esports“.
It will cover everything from organising competitions to coaching players and commentating on the games.
The company has partnered with the British Esports Association to design the qualification, which will be at level 3 – the same as A-levels.
Esports coaching
Students in the UK will be able to take it from September 2020, with funding confirmed by the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
The course contains 20 units, including entrepreneurship, “strategy and analysis”, events management, live-streamed broadcasting, video production, “shoutcasting” (commentating over video games), coaching, health and wellbeing, the law, and computer networking.
According to the specification, in the strategy and analysis unit students will learn about different skills in game genres, such as “map awareness, rotational play, objective control, ability timers”, as well as “individual mechanical play, ability to hit skillshots” and “reaction times”.
In the coaching unit students can learn “specific game tactics” for games such as League of Legends, Overwatch and Rocket League.
Psychology and nutrition
There are optional units in areas such as “psychology for esports performance” and “nutrition for esports performance”.
The specification notes that “a healthy balanced diet and its links to good health and improved performance is now a key aspect of the esports player’s lifestyle”.
Cindy Rampersaud, Pearson’s senior vice president for BTEC and apprenticeships, told i the company was “constantly looking at our offer and our curriculum” in “a world where job roles are changing” and “the careers young people will go into may not even exist”.
She said esports was a $1.1bn global industry, with an audience approaching 500 million, and the qualification had been designed to “support people who want to work in that industry”.
‘Huge take-up’
“That’s everything from doing the event management piece, being able to do things like livestream broadcasting, coaching of players who might be doing it, looking after all the computer network and infrastructure needs,” she said.
She predicted “huge” interest in the course from colleges. “I do think there will be huge takeup… because I think there are real careers and real progression in this sector, but also because it’s growing, it’s massive.”
Asked what she would say to parents sceptical of their offspring studying gaming, Ms Rampersaud said the course would teach “transferable skills” such as entrepreneurship and team work.
And she said the Covid-19 crisis highlighted how more and more activities are moving online.
‘Exciting industry’
“Post-Covid there’s going to be more learning online, but there’s also going to be more social interaction,” she said.
Andy Payne, chair of the British Esports Association, said: “Esports is a growing, exciting industry that many young people are looking at with interest and it’s important they have the opportunity to unlock their potential and be the leaders of tomorrow.
“The industry is still finding its feet, but with big names like Pearson coming on board to bring learning and curriculum design expertise, this bodes well for the future workforce.”


inews--2020-04-29--Boris Johnson baby news: PM to take paternity leave 'later in the year' as he returns to work

Boris Johnson baby news : PM to take paternity leave 'later in the year ' as he returns to work The Prime Minister was present throughout the birth in hospital , but was back at work at No 10 by mid-morning The Prime Minister was present throughout the birth in hospital , but was back at work at No 10 by mid-morning to focus on the Government ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Johnson had only just returned to the office on Monday after recovering from a severe infection of Covid-19 that resulted in him spending three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had previously said he would take paternity leave in the summer when the baby was due , but because of the ongoing crisis he has been forced to put it off .
Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds plan to live with their dog Dilyn in the flat above No 11 Downing Street ( Photo : TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty ) His press secretary said : “ I do expect the Prime Minister to take a short period of paternity leave later in the year , rather than now.
” After seeing the birth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Downing Street and by lunchtime he held a phonecall with the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on the Government ’ s efforts to combat the Covid-19 outbreak .
The Prime Minister is due to make an appearance in the next day to update the country on the Government ’ s plans for the nationwide lockdown , as the number of new cases and the death rate continues to fall .
Mr Johnson could face a race against time , however , if he is to use his statutory paternity leave as under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the date of the birth .
He and his fiancee Carrie Symonds plan to live with their dog Dilyn in the flat above No 11 Downing Street .
Wilfred is the bookies ’ favourite when it comes to what Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds will call their baby boy .
Alexander and Winston are also thought to be likely options considered by the couple , but Wilfred was proving so popular with punters that Ladbrokes slashed odds to just 3/1 .
William Hill has Wilfred as the 9/2 favourite , and Winston @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s spokesman saying he believes Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds will go with “ a seriously posh name ” .

Boris Johnson will take paternity leave “later in the year” as he immediately returned to work after the birth of his son.
The Prime Minister was present throughout the birth in hospital, but was back at work at No 10 by mid-morning to focus on the Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Johnson had only just returned to the office on Monday after recovering from a severe infection of Covid-19 that resulted in him spending three days in intensive care.
Mr Johnson had previously said he would take paternity leave in the summer when the baby was due, but because of the ongoing crisis he has been forced to put it off.
Healthy baby boy
His press secretary said: “I do expect the Prime Minister to take a short period of paternity leave later in the year, rather than now.”
After seeing the birth of his son, he returned to Downing Street and by lunchtime he held a phonecall with the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on the Government’s efforts to combat the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Prime Minister is due to make an appearance in the next day to update the country on the Government’s plans for the nationwide lockdown, as the number of new cases and the death rate continues to fall.
Mr Johnson could face a race against time, however, if he is to use his statutory paternity leave as under the law it must be taken 56 days from the date of the birth.
He and his fiancee Carrie Symonds plan to live with their dog Dilyn in the flat above No 11 Downing Street.
Wilfred is the bookies’ favourite when it comes to what Mr Johnson and Carrie Symonds will call their baby boy.
Alexander and Winston are also thought to be likely options considered by the couple, but Wilfred was proving so popular with punters that Ladbrokes slashed odds to just 3/1.
William Hill has Wilfred as the 9/2 favourite, and Winston at 8/1, with the bookmaker’s spokesman saying he believes Mr Johnson and Ms Symonds will go with “a seriously posh name”.


inews--2020-04-29--Coronavirus lockdown: The public need to know what will happen in the next phase, says Sir Keir Star

Coronavirus lockdown: The public need to know what will happen in the next phase, says Sir Keir Starmer

Coronavirus lockdown : The public need to know what will happen in the next phase , says Sir Keir Starmer He said that members of the public and businesses would need time to prepare for the next phase of restrictions on everyday life The Labour leader said : “ The public need to know what will happen in the next phase .
On the exit strategy , I want to be absolutely clear with the First Secretary of State [ Dominic Raab ] : I am not asking for lockdown to be lifted .
“ What I am asking is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the British people about what comes next.
” He said that members of the public and businesses would need time to prepare for the next phase of restrictions on everyday life , adding : “ France , Germany , Spain , Belgium , New Zealand , Australia , Scotland and Wales have all published exit plans of one sort or another.
” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab had been standing in for Boris Johnson ( Photo : Peter Summers/Getty ) Mr Raab insisted that the Government would not announce its next steps until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) said it would be safe to do so .
He added : “ If he thinks he knows better than Sage and the scientists , he needs to explain that.
” Earlier in the day claims emerged that Dominic Cummings , the Prime Minister ’ s most senior aide , pressed the Government ’ s independent scientific advisers to move towards a nationwide lockdown earlier to combat the spread of Covid-19 .
The Government has confirmed that he was sitting in during Sage meetings , but only as an observer .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been instrumental in the UK not entering lockdown earlier , when most other European nations took action .
But according to Bloomberg , which has spoken to sources involved in the Sage meetings , Mr Cummings demanded to know why strict social-distancing measures were not being implemented sooner .

Sir Keir Starmer has stepped up his push for an “exit strategy” to the lockdown in Prime Minister’s Questions and a phone call with Boris Johnson.
The Labour leader said: “The public need to know what will happen in the next phase. On the exit strategy, I want to be absolutely clear with the First Secretary of State [Dominic Raab]: I am not asking for lockdown to be lifted.
“What I am asking is for the Government to be open with the British people about what comes next.” He said that members of the public and businesses would need time to prepare for the next phase of restrictions on everyday life, adding: “France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand, Australia, Scotland and Wales have all published exit plans of one sort or another.”
Scientific advice
Mr Raab insisted that the Government would not announce its next steps until the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said it would be safe to do so. He added: “If he thinks he knows better than Sage and the scientists, he needs to explain that.”
Earlier in the day claims emerged that Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s most senior aide, pressed the Government’s independent scientific advisers to move towards a nationwide lockdown earlier to combat the spread of Covid-19.
The Government has confirmed that he was sitting in during Sage meetings, but only as an observer. It led to accusations that he had potentially been instrumental in the UK not entering lockdown earlier, when most other European nations took action.
But according to Bloomberg, which has spoken to sources involved in the Sage meetings, Mr Cummings demanded to know why strict social-distancing measures were not being implemented sooner.


inews--2020-04-29--Sense of smell key to predicting recovery after brain injury, say scientists

Sense of smell key to predicting recovery after brain injury , say scientists Tests revealed 100 per cent of patients who reacted to 'sniff test ' eventually regained consciousness A simple `` sniff test '' , trialled by researchers at the University of Cambridge , could help doctors diagnose and determine treatment for patients who are in a vegetative state or have minimal consciousness following brain injuries .
`` The accuracy of the sniff test is remarkable - I hope it will help in the treatment of severely brain injured patients around the world , '' said Dr Anat Arzi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cambridge 's Department of Psychology and the Weizmann Institute of Science Israel , who led the study .
Results published in the journal Nature revealed 100 per cent of patients who reacted to the sniff test went on to regain consciousness and more than 91 per cent of these patients were still alive three and a half years after injury .
Doctors often find it difficult to determine a patient 's state of consciousness after a severe brain injury but accurate diagnosis is critical for treatment strategies , such as pain management , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ automatically changes the way we sniff in response to different smells , with shorter and shallower breaths for unpleasant smells .
One jar contained a pleasant smell of shampoo , one an unpleasant smell of rotten fish , and one had no smell at all .
Each jar was presented ten times in a random order and the volume of air sniffed by the patient was measured using a nasal cannula .
Trials were carried out on patients with minimal consciousness and in a vegetative state ( Photo : Getty ) These patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the jar with no smell , suggesting they were aware of the jar or anticipated a smell .
Vegetative state patients had a more varied response , some did not change their breathing in response to the smells but others did .
A follow-up investigation three and a half years later found more than 91 % of the patients who had a sniff response shortly after injury were still alive , but 63 % of those who had showed no response had died .
`` We found that if patients in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they later transitioned to at least a minimally conscious state ” , said Dr Arzi , “ In some cases , this was the only sign that their brain was going to recover - and we saw it days , weeks and even months before any other signs.
” Dr Tristan Bekinschtein , from the University of Cambridge 's Department of Psychology who was also involved in the study , said : '' This new and simple method to assess the likelihood of recovery should be immediately incorporated in the diagnostic tools for @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sense of smell may hold the key to predicting the recovery of people with severe brain injury, according to scientists.
A simple “sniff test”, trialled by researchers at the University of Cambridge, could help doctors diagnose and determine treatment for patients who are in a vegetative state or have minimal consciousness following brain injuries.
Patients in a vegetative state can open their eyes, wake up and fall asleep regularly and have basic reflexes but don’t show signs of awareness.
Minimally conscious patients can have periods where they can show signs of awareness or respond to commands.
‘Sniff test’
“The accuracy of the sniff test is remarkable – I hope it will help in the treatment of severely brain injured patients around the world,” said Dr Anat Arzi, a researcher in the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychology and the Weizmann Institute of Science Israel, who led the study.
Results published in the journal Nature revealed 100 per cent of patients who reacted to the sniff test went on to regain consciousness and more than 91 per cent of these patients were still alive three and a half years after injury.
Doctors often find it difficult to determine a patient’s state of consciousness after a severe brain injury but accurate diagnosis is critical for treatment strategies, such as pain management, and for end-of-life decisions.
Sense of smell relies on structures deep within the brain and works whether we are awake or asleep.
Accurate diagnosis
The brain automatically changes the way we sniff in response to different smells, with shorter and shallower breaths for unpleasant smells.
Scientists carried out the ‘sniff test’ on 43 patients with severe brain injury, presenting them different jars of smell for five seconds.
One jar contained a pleasant smell of shampoo, one an unpleasant smell of rotten fish, and one had no smell at all.
Each jar was presented ten times in a random order and the volume of air sniffed by the patient was measured using a nasal cannula.
Jars of smell
Researchers found minimally conscious patients inhaled significantly less in response to smells but did not discriminate between nice and nasty.
These patients also modified their nasal airflow in response to the jar with no smell, suggesting they were aware of the jar or anticipated a smell.
Vegetative state patients had a more varied response, some did not change their breathing in response to the smells but others did.
A follow-up investigation three and a half years later found more than 91% of the patients who had a sniff response shortly after injury were still alive, but 63% of those who had showed no response had died.
Sniff response
“We found that if patients in a vegetative state had a sniff response, they later transitioned to at least a minimally conscious state”, said Dr Arzi, “In some cases, this was the only sign that their brain was going to recover – and we saw it days, weeks and even months before any other signs.”
Dr Tristan Bekinschtein, from the University of Cambridge’s Department of Psychology who was also involved in the study, said:”This new and simple method to assess the likelihood of recovery should be immediately incorporated in the diagnostic tools for patients with disorders of consciousness.”


inews--2020-04-29--Boeing prepares to slash 16,000 jobs due to coronavirus and 737 Max woes

Boeing prepares to slash 16,000 jobs due to coronavirus and 737 Max woes The aeroplane maker also posted a loss for the first quarter The American company is dealing with a downturn in business that started with the grounding of its best-selling jet and has accelerated because of the pandemic .
The cuts will be made through employees volunteering to leave , natural turnover and compulsory layoffs where necessary .
The cuts will amount to about 16,000 jobs out of its 161,000 employees .
The group 's main facilities are in Washington State while its corporate offices are in Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina .
Boeing made the announcement as it reported a loss of $ 641m ( £515m ) in the first quarter .
It earned $ 2.15bn in the same period last year .
Revenue fell 26 per cent to $ 16.91bn .
The job cuts will be concentrated on the company ’ s plane-making division while its defence and space unit will likely be the least affected .
In a memo to employees , chief executive David Calhoun said Boeing will reduce production of its large 787 and 777 jets and slowly resume @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Earlier this week , Mr Calhoun said it will take years for the aircraft-building business , which was already in financial trouble before the virus outbreak , to return to its pre-pandemic levels .
The grounding of its best-selling jet , the 737 Max , after two crashes that killed 346 people , cut deeply into revenue last year , led to Boeing ’ s first money-losing year in two decades .
The virus outbreak has compounded Boeing ’ s troubles as airlines delay or cancel purchases of new jets .
Globally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not need new ones immediately .
Airlines have been hard-hit by the halt of almost all global travel during the outbreak , with many seeking government bailouts and making dramatic cost-saving decisions .
The news is just the latest evidence of Covid-19 's toll on jobs in the industry , with British Airways owner International Airlines Group ( IAG ) saying late on Tuesday that it would cut up to 12,000 jobs as a result of the crisis .
The airline , which has 42,000 workers , said it would consult on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it expects it to take “ several years ” until demand for air travel returns to 2019 levels .
In a letter to staff , the chief executive , Alex Cruz , wrote : “ The outlook for the aviation industry has worsened further and we must take action now .
”

Boeing, one of the largest aeroplane makers in the world, is cutting about 10 per cent of its workforce, in yet another sign of the devastating blow coronavirus has dealt to the global air travel industry.
The American company is dealing with a downturn in business that started with the grounding of its best-selling jet and has accelerated because of the pandemic.
Company posts a loss
The cuts will be made through employees volunteering to leave, natural turnover and compulsory layoffs where necessary. The cuts will amount to about 16,000 jobs out of its 161,000 employees.
The group’s main facilities are in Washington State while its corporate offices are in Chicago. It also has facilities in South Carolina.
Boeing made the announcement as it reported a loss of $641m (£515m) in the first quarter. It earned $2.15bn in the same period last year. Revenue fell 26 per cent to $16.91bn.
The job cuts will be concentrated on the company’s plane-making division while its defence and space unit will likely be the least affected. In a memo to employees, chief executive David Calhoun said Boeing will reduce production of its large 787 and 777 jets and slowly resume production of the grounded 737 Max.
Earlier this week, Mr Calhoun said it will take years for the aircraft-building business, which was already in financial trouble before the virus outbreak, to return to its pre-pandemic levels.
Problems pre-date pandemic
The grounding of its best-selling jet, the 737 Max, after two crashes that killed 346 people, cut deeply into revenue last year, led to Boeing’s first money-losing year in two decades.
The virus outbreak has compounded Boeing’s troubles as airlines delay or cancel purchases of new jets. Globally, airlines have parked about 2,800 planes and do not need new ones immediately.
Airlines have been hard-hit by the halt of almost all global travel during the outbreak, with many seeking government bailouts and making dramatic cost-saving decisions.
Job cuts throughout industry
The news is just the latest evidence of Covid-19’s toll on jobs in the industry, with British Airways owner International Airlines Group (IAG) saying late on Tuesday that it would cut up to 12,000 jobs as a result of the crisis.
The airline, which has 42,000 workers, said it would consult on a “restructuring and redundancy programme” because it expects it to take “several years” until demand for air travel returns to 2019 levels.
In a letter to staff, the chief executive, Alex Cruz, wrote: “The outlook for the aviation industry has worsened further and we must take action now.”
Shares in IAG initially fell as much as 8 per cent.


inews--2020-04-29--Trying star Rafe Spall: 'I would love to hear Laura Kuenssberg bang on about Brexit again'

Trying star Rafe Spall : ' I would love to hear Laura Kuenssberg bang on about Brexit again' The lead of new comedy series Trying tells James Rampton about acting with his father , Timothy , and why he misses coverage of Brexit In the meantime , he is sitting it out at his home in rural Gloucestershire , where he lives with the actress Elize du Toit and their three young children .
“ I am very much used to sitting around the house with no idea where my next paycheck is coming from , ” he says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor.
” Rafe Spall : 'There are no baddies… it ’ s a lovely thing to put out into the universe' “ Comedy is so important , as we are realising at the moment with everyone sending funny clips to each other on WhatsApp .
We are all doing a very good job of buoying each other up with comedy because we need it .
Trying is just the tonic we need at the moment.
” The show is particularly welcome because the characters are kind to each other .
Written by Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sort of comedy where the characters constantly sneer and score points off each other .
“ That is unusual , particularly in our current culture where we have a fascination with the anti-hero , ” says Spall .
“ We seem to derive a lot of pleasure from watching those kinds of characters .
But there are no baddies in this .
Trying is full of hope .
It is a lovely thing to put out into the universe.
” He believes that Jason and Nikki ’ s dilemma should strike a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is about getting to that point in your life where you realise that something is missing .
We all get to a point in our lives where we go : ‘ OK , what else is there ?
’ Though the subject matter of Trying is potentially esoteric , its themes are universal.
” Spall says that the central thrust of Trying also very much chimed with him : “ I absolutely identify with the idea of getting to your early thirties , and realising that your twenties are over and that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ For me , that was about having children .
I was lucky enough to be able to do that , but I totally get that desperate desire to have a child with someone you love.
” Spall : ' I get dressed up and mess about for a living .
That is why you have to remind yourself not to moan as an actor ' ( Photo : Alamy ) “ You make a lot of mistakes along the way .
Parenting is defined by your mistakes because no one tells you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
If you want to get a dog from Battersea Dogs Home , someone comes to your house and sees whether you are a suitable person to own a dog .
“ But with a child , you are just given it .
You just get on with it .
There is no manual .
The only blueprint is the way you yourself were parented .
So you take the good bits and fix the bad bits from the way you were brought up.
” Which brings us on to Spall ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The last time they appeared together on screen was in ITV ’ s version of A Room with a View , way back in 2007 .
Anything else in the pipeline ?
“ There is something in the early stages for him and me , which is very exciting , ” says Spall .
“ I ’ d love to work with him again , just so I can get to hang out with my dad .
He is a terrific gossip .
Timothy and Rafe Spall at the British Independent Film Awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rafe , who has also starred in The War of the Worlds , Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom and Prometheus , is pleased to be landing great roles on his own merit , though .
“ It would be remiss and naive of me to say that having a famous father wasn ’ t an advantage early on – of course it was .
I am extremely thankful for that , but that only gets you through the door .
It won ’ t get you the job .
It is still up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

In these very strange and difficult times, the actor Rafe Spall, like so many of us, is yearning for a return to normality. “Who would have thought that we would miss Brexit?” he says. “I would love to hear Laura Kuenssberg bang on about Brexit again… I really want Michel Barnier back on my screen.”
What else is he missing? “I am also looking forward to sitting in a traffic jam again, running errands and doing all those boring things. I am looking forward to getting back to quotidian drudgery.”
In the meantime, he is sitting it out at his home in rural Gloucestershire, where he lives with the actress Elize du Toit and their three young children. “I am very much used to sitting around the house with no idea where my next paycheck is coming from,” he says. “That is the life of an actor.”
Before the lockdown, Spall filmed Trying, a comedy drama about a London couple called Jason (Spall) and Nikki (Esther Smith). The couple, both in their thirties, are desperate for a baby but, unfortunately, it is the one thing they are unable to achieve. Having exhausted all other options, they attempt to adopt a child.
The eight-part series, which is available on Apple TV+ from tomorrow, follows their efforts to navigate the maze of adoption. Also starring Imelda Staunton, Cush Jumbo and Sian Brooke, Trying is tender, funny and – mercifully – not too sentimental.
Spall, 37, hopes that it is the ideal programme for this crisis. Even in the most emotionally challenging moments, Jason and Nikki never lose their sense of humour. “You need to laugh in tough times,” says Spall. “Even in moments of great sadness, comedy is always there. People laugh at funerals.
“Comedy is so important, as we are realising at the moment with everyone sending funny clips to each other on WhatsApp. We are all doing a very good job of buoying each other up with comedy because we need it. Trying is just the tonic we need at the moment.”
The show is particularly welcome because the characters are kind to each other. Written by Andy Wolton, Trying is an antidote to the sort of comedy where the characters constantly sneer and score points off each other. “That is unusual, particularly in our current culture where we have a fascination with the anti-hero,” says Spall. “We seem to derive a lot of pleasure from watching those kinds of characters. But there are no baddies in this. Trying is full of hope. It is a lovely thing to put out into the universe.”
He believes that Jason and Nikki’s dilemma should strike a chord with us all. “It is about getting to that point in your life where you realise that something is missing. We all get to a point in our lives where we go: ‘OK, what else is there?’ Though the subject matter of Trying is potentially esoteric, its themes are universal.”
Spall says that the central thrust of Trying also very much chimed with him: “I absolutely identify with the idea of getting to your early thirties, and realising that your twenties are over and that it is time to start getting real. “For me, that was about having children. I was lucky enough to be able to do that, but I totally get that desperate desire to have a child with someone you love.”
Did having children change him? “It transforms your life,” says Spall. “It stops solipsism – to a certain degree. There is still a healthy portion left over, but it does relieve some of it.
“Once you have children, it is not about you any more. You have responsibilities. For the first few months, it is about keeping them alive. Then you are given the task of turning out good people, which is a lot more difficult.
“You make a lot of mistakes along the way. Parenting is defined by your mistakes because no one tells you how to do it, do they? If you want to get a dog from Battersea Dogs Home, someone comes to your house and sees whether you are a suitable person to own a dog.
“But with a child, you are just given it. You just get on with it. There is no manual. The only blueprint is the way you yourself were parented. So you take the good bits and fix the bad bits from the way you were brought up.”
Which brings us on to Spall’s father, the actor Timothy Spall. The last time they appeared together on screen was in ITV’s version of A Room with a View, way back in 2007. Anything else in the pipeline? “There is something in the early stages for him and me, which is very exciting,” says Spall. “I’d love to work with him again, just so I can get to hang out with my dad. He is a terrific gossip.
“We love to talk about directors, producers and other actors. He is great company and the funniest person I know, always has been. He is still as passionate and delighted by his work as he has always been. And, of course, he is a brilliant actor.”
Rafe, who has also starred in The War of the Worlds, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Prometheus, is pleased to be landing great roles on his own merit, though. “It would be remiss and naive of me to say that having a famous father wasn’t an advantage early on – of course it was. I am extremely thankful for that, but that only gets you through the door. It won’t get you the job. It is still up to you to do the business.”
Spall, who is starring next in The Salisbury Poisonings, a BBC1 drama about the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in the Wiltshire city two years ago, is certainly doing the business.
He is very happy with where he is at right now. “I really love this job,” he says. “I get dressed up and mess about for a living. That is why you have to remind yourself not to moan as an actor. You have to realise that you are, in fact, wearing foundation. You can’t take yourself too seriously when you are wearing foundation.”
Trying will be available on Apple TV+ from Friday