inews--2020-04-27--On This Day: Rocky Marciano ended his eight-year reign of boxing terror unbeaten and unbowed

On This Day : Rocky Marciano ended his eight-year reign of boxing terror unbeaten and unbowed 27 April 1956 : The heavyweight beat Archie Moore at the Yankee Stadium in New York and would retire without defeat in 49 professional fights As one garrulous boxing commentator observed , Rocky Marciano was never going to be a piano player , the name simply would not allow it .
Bert Sugar was , of course , working back from what he knew .
Rocco Francis Marchegiano , under his fighting monicker Rocky Marciano , was in his head , a fable so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this day synonymous with the sport .
There was only one candidate when Sylvester Stallone named his hero Rocky in the eponymous film franchise .
Though the character was inspired by another east coast American heavyweight , Chuck Wepner , the rugged style inside the ring and inarticulate compliance out of it , not to mention the lethal right hand , were all sourced in the blockbuster from Brockton , Massachusetts .
Marciano moved as if carrying a sack of coal on his back , dragging his muscular bulk about the ring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxer he came to life in the clinches , channelling his powerful mass through a series of hooks , uppercuts and vicious , short-armed rights that anaesthetised the best of them .
Marciano was undefeated in 49 fights , the only heavyweight in history to retire intact , and with a knockout record of 87 percent .
His MO was never more evident than in his first world title fight against Jersey Joe Walcott in September 1952 in Philadelphia , where his celluloid echo Rocky Balboa would resound 24 years later .
Outpointed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stone with a lump hammer right , affectionately known as his ‘ Suzie Q ’ , in the 13th round .
Walcott sank petrified into the ropes before toppling forward to be counted out resting on his head like a fallen statue .
Marciano ended his career with an 87 per cent knockout rate ( Picture : Getty ) A year earlier Marciano had trailed his lethal attraction in ending the career of the great Joe Louis in Madison Square Garden .
Like Walcott , Louis was past his best and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left him spread-eagled through the ropes , his head supported instinctively by reporters at ringside as he lay prone on the apron .
This first-generation son of Italian immigrants was the epitome of the white , blue-collar experience in early 20th century America , a kid going nowhere rescued from the monotony of unskilled labour by the Second World War .
Had he made the grade during a three-week post-war trial with the Fayetteville Cubs baseball team Marciano might have been the next Joe DiMaggio .
Instead he would light up the Fifties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of terror ending at the premature age of 32 .
In his 49th and final fight , the sixth defence of the title he won against Walcott , Marciano climbed off the deck for only the second time in his career to floor Archie Moore in the ninth with a trademark short left .
Moore was grateful for the support of the ropes .
Though he tried to regain his feet as the referee went on with the count , his legs would again go from under him .
There was no sense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , New York , that Marciano would be done seven months later , filling the nation ’ s bulletins on April 27 , 1956 , with news of his retirement .
He had , he said , made a promise to his wife , a punch to which there was no counter .
On This Day in sport

As one garrulous boxing commentator observed, Rocky Marciano was never going to be a piano player, the name simply would not allow it.
Bert Sugar was, of course, working back from what he knew. Rocco Francis Marchegiano, under his fighting monicker Rocky Marciano, was in his head, a fable so deeply woven in boxing commentary it remains to this day synonymous with the sport.
There was only one candidate when Sylvester Stallone named his hero Rocky in the eponymous film franchise. Though the character was inspired by another east coast American heavyweight, Chuck Wepner, the rugged style inside the ring and inarticulate compliance out of it, not to mention the lethal right hand, were all sourced in the blockbuster from Brockton, Massachusetts.
Marciano moved as if carrying a sack of coal on his back, dragging his muscular bulk about the ring in a flat-footed shuffle. As a boxer he came to life in the clinches, channelling his powerful mass through a series of hooks, uppercuts and vicious, short-armed rights that anaesthetised the best of them. Marciano was undefeated in 49 fights, the only heavyweight in history to retire intact, and with a knockout record of 87 percent.
His MO was never more evident than in his first world title fight against Jersey Joe Walcott in September 1952 in Philadelphia, where his celluloid echo Rocky Balboa would resound 24 years later. Outpointed and largely outclassed, Marciano turned Walcott to stone with a lump hammer right, affectionately known as his ‘Suzie Q’, in the 13th round. Walcott sank petrified into the ropes before toppling forward to be counted out resting on his head like a fallen statue.
A year earlier Marciano had trailed his lethal attraction in ending the career of the great Joe Louis in Madison Square Garden. Like Walcott, Louis was past his best and had no answer to the terrible fury that left him spread-eagled through the ropes, his head supported instinctively by reporters at ringside as he lay prone on the apron.
This first-generation son of Italian immigrants was the epitome of the white, blue-collar experience in early 20th century America, a kid going nowhere rescued from the monotony of unskilled labour by the Second World War. Had he made the grade during a three-week post-war trial with the Fayetteville Cubs baseball team Marciano might have been the next Joe DiMaggio. Instead he would light up the Fifties in the ring, an eight-year reign of terror ending at the premature age of 32.
In his 49th and final fight, the sixth defence of the title he won against Walcott, Marciano climbed off the deck for only the second time in his career to floor Archie Moore in the ninth with a trademark short left. Moore was grateful for the support of the ropes. Though he tried to regain his feet as the referee went on with the count, his legs would again go from under him.
There was no sense on that September night in Yankee Stadium, New York, that Marciano would be done seven months later, filling the nation’s bulletins on April 27, 1956, with news of his retirement. He had, he said, made a promise to his wife, a punch to which there was no counter.
On This Day in sport


inews--2020-04-27--I've binged on clichéd films — Raiders of the Lost Ark might be the most guilty but also the most fu

I've binged on clichéd films — Raiders of the Lost Ark might be the most guilty but also the most fun

I 've binged on clichéd films — Raiders of the Lost Ark might be the most guilty but also the most fun Many movies are full of familiar tropes but that does n't mean they are bad , says Spoiler Alert author Chris Vander Kaay There must be a lot of movie marathons going on in living rooms around the country right now .
Some film fans will be searching for movies that feel fresh and original and different , to make them sit up and keep them guessing .
But at times like these , there ’ s no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush in The King 's Speech ( Photo : Universal ) You ca n't escape the tropes If you watch enough of any kind of movie , you ’ ll find dozens of variations on the line : “ It ’ s quiet .
A little too quiet.
” And how many more awards-season films must we sit through that take middling accomplishments from famous white people and turn them into period epics , from getting rid of a stutter in The King ’ s Speech to being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Seabiscuit to becoming slightly less racist in Green Book ?
Mahershala Ali as Dr. Donald Shirley and Viggo Mortensen as Tony Vallelonga in Green Book ( Photo : NBC ) Sure , it was a slog to endure all the vengeful prison wardens and crazed scientists , the battle-weary veterans and strangely sympathetic serial killers .
However , there was also fun to be had in guessing the plot and noting the clearly telegraphed “ twists ” .
Does the idealistic cop have a long-term mentor he looks up to ?
Then that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the crime syndicate .
Is there instant animosity between a man and a woman both trying to buy the same last item on a busy Christmas Eve ?
Those two people will be in love by the film ’ s end .
The most frequent and egregious example of a trope that also happens to be my favourite : after two characters have a heartfelt conversation , one of them gets up to leave the room .
But just before they walk out the door , they turn back dramatically to look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tone steeped with gravitas and import , they say , “ Hey .
[ Long pause . ]
Thanks.
” A silent exchange of knowing nods , and then out the door they go .
The real danger of a task like this is in being sucked into the belief that you ’ re smarter than the movies – that if you can guess where a film might be going , then there is nothing left for it to offer .
The truth is far more complex .
Films may sometimes employ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; often , though , clichés are clichés for a reason .
As Philip Seymour Hoffman says in Magnolia : “ I know this sounds silly , like the scene in the movie where the guy ’ s trying to get ahold of the long-lost son , you know , but this is that scene .
And I think they have those scenes in movies because they ’ re true , you know ?
Because they really happen.
” Would the romance at the centre of Casablanca be anywhere near as satisfying if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world-weary cynic , as tried and true a character cliché if there ever was one ?
Humphrey Bogart stars as Rick Blaine , who owns a nightclub in Vichy-controlled Casablanca , alongside Ingrid Bergman as Ilsa Lund ( Photo : Warner Brothers ) One of the most popular films of all time ticks an impressive number of cliché boxes , for example .
Supposedly buttoned-up academic who is secretly a daring adventurer ?
Check .
Culturally insensitive sidekick character played for comic relief ( often by a white person ) ?
Check .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the charms of the lovable rogue ?
Check .
Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis in Steven Spielberg 's film ( Photo : Paramount )

There must be a lot of movie marathons going on in living rooms around the country right now. Some film fans will be searching for movies that feel fresh and original and different, to make them sit up and keep them guessing. But at times like these, there’s no shame in finding comfort in the familiar.
Lots of us love watching films we’ve seen dozens of times, but also ones where we can guess what’s going to happen even before our first viewing. Why?
When I undertook the task of creating the book Spoiler Alert with my co-writers, our mission was clear: find the most recognisable, frequently used tropes and clichés from the most popular and beloved film genres in Hollywood history.
It was a struggle at times. The sheer weight of all those comedies full of sassy grannies, courtroom dramas with impassioned closing arguments and last-minute surprise witnesses, and horror films with wizened petrol station attendants warning cars full of teens not to drive into the woods.
It can burden a soul. And no arena of film-making is safe, either.
You can’t escape the tropes
If you watch enough of any kind of movie, you’ll find dozens of variations on the line: “It’s quiet. A little too quiet.”
And how many more awards-season films must we sit through that take middling accomplishments from famous white people and turn them into period epics, from getting rid of a stutter in The King’s Speech to being able to stay on a racehorse in Seabiscuit to becoming slightly less racist in Green Book?
Even 2019’s Joker, disguised as a plea for better health care for the mentally ill, undercuts its own point by diving headlong into the trope of “untreated mental illness always leads to violence and murder”.
I expected to come out the other side with something approaching a grand unified theory of movie tropes, showing a correlation between originality and enjoyability.
Surely a movie that surprises audiences with unexpected turns, one that subverts obvious clichés, would make for better viewing than a movie whose story beats can be seen coming a mile away? It turns out cinema isn’t an exact science.
Does familiarity breed contempt?
Sure, it was a slog to endure all the vengeful prison wardens and crazed scientists, the battle-weary veterans and strangely sympathetic serial killers. However, there was also fun to be had in guessing the plot and noting the clearly telegraphed “twists”.
Does the idealistic cop have a long-term mentor he looks up to? Then that’s definitely the mole working with the crime syndicate. Is there instant animosity between a man and a woman both trying to buy the same last item on a busy Christmas Eve? Those two people will be in love by the film’s end.
The most frequent and egregious example of a trope that also happens to be my favourite: after two characters have a heartfelt conversation, one of them gets up to leave the room. But just before they walk out the door, they turn back dramatically to look at the other person. Then, in a tone steeped with gravitas and import, they say, “Hey. [Long pause.] Thanks.” A silent exchange of knowing nods, and then out the door they go.
My least favourite trope? Any expository monologue intended to inform the audience but which begins with one character saying to another: “As you know…”
Good films can also involve well-worn plot points
The real danger of a task like this is in being sucked into the belief that you’re smarter than the movies – that if you can guess where a film might be going, then there is nothing left for it to offer. The truth is far more complex.
Films may sometimes employ cliché out of a lack of originality; often, though, clichés are clichés for a reason. As Philip Seymour Hoffman says in Magnolia: “I know this sounds silly, like the scene in the movie where the guy’s trying to get ahold of the long-lost son, you know, but this is that scene. And I think they have those scenes in movies because they’re true, you know? Because they really happen.”
Would the romance at the centre of Casablanca be anywhere near as satisfying if it wasn’t happening to the world-weary cynic, as tried and true a character cliché if there ever was one?
The most valuable discovery of our research was finding an entirely different cinematic equation: the connection between movies and enjoyability was less related to originality than it was to intent.
Are the film’s makers aware of the tropes they’re employing, and are they revisiting them with a purpose? The impact of a cliché is not simply in its institution, but in its execution.
There’s little practical difference between claiming something is a trope or a cliché, and claiming it is nostalgic or a homage. The difference comes in the way a film-maker interacts with it and brings it to life.
What’s the world’s most cliched film?
One of the most popular films of all time ticks an impressive number of cliché boxes, for example. Supposedly buttoned-up academic who is secretly a daring adventurer? Check. Culturally insensitive sidekick character played for comic relief (often by a white person)? Check. Fiercely independent woman who still somehow falls for the charms of the lovable rogue? Check.
Fight scene in which the hero finds himself physically outmatched before devising an unconventionally clever way of securing victory? Check. Car chase? Check. A hidden secret dating back centuries that our hero discovers, which could change the world as we know it? Check. Nazis? Check. Sequels that incorporate a precocious child and the hero’s grumpy father? Check.
Hello, Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Familiar tales are part of storytelling culture
It is wrong to dismiss a film for providing something viewers expect. Storytelling is an honoured tradition of telling old tales with just enough changes to make them feel new, from myths and legends to a dozen Friday the 13th sequels.
The clichés of cinema deserve to be celebrated. In the same way that we see threads of Shakespeare’s plays woven through modern narratives, we recognise film tropes as part of the grand human storytelling tradition. We recognise the repetition, and we enjoy participating in it. It is a ritual.
When Joseph Campbell discussed the eternal cycle of storytelling in the book The Power of Myth, he described it similarly: “A ritual is the enactment of a myth. By participating in a ritual, you are participating in a myth.”
Or, as a thousand villains might say to a thousand captured heroes before their final confrontation: “We’re not so different, you and I…” Truth be told, that’s not entirely inaccurate.
Spoiler Alert: The Badass Book of Movie Plots by Chris Vander Kaay, Kathleen Fernandez-Vander Kaay and Steven Espinoza (£17.99, Laurence King)


inews--2020-04-27--Female organist Anna Lapwood, 24, lifts the lid on sexism in the world of classical music

Female organist Anna Lapwood , 24 , lifts the lid on sexism in the world of classical music Anna Lapwood hopes using social media will bring the organ and choral work to a wider audience but she has been met with some disapproval Anna Lapwood , 24 , who is also the director of music at Pembroke College , Cambridge , and is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 3 , has lamented that sexism is still prevalent in the industry .
She cites one incident at an organ competition when a judge told her that she needed to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This prompted her to adopt the hashtag # playlikeagirl on social media in response .
Although she does n't want to make a name for herself as someone “ who bangs the gender drum ” she admits she has a responsibility to call out such behaviour for “ the next generation ” .
Talking of drums , the organ is not the only instrument she can play ?
By the time she was 11 she could play 20 including the piano and the harp .
She first played the organ at 16 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be awarded an organ scholarship in the 560-year history of Magdalen College , Oxford .
Then at 21 , she became the youngest ever director of music at an Oxbridge college , conducting the Pembroke College Chapel Choir at Cambridge .
Anna Lapwood has spoken of sexism in the classical music world ( Photo : Nick Rutter ) Actually , she initially disliked the organ and it took a year before she began to love it .
Playing the organ also satisfies her interest in community music-making - working with choirs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment .
No , but Anna can be seen regularly on social media .
Scroll through her Twitter account and there are films of her balancing two toilet rolls - one on top of the other - on her head whilst playing Bach at her flat in Royston , just outside Cambridge .
She insists it helps with her posture while she is playing .
What does she say of bringing her world to social media ?
It has had its highs and lows .
“ Some male colleagues are supportive , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The majority are on board , although it ’ s taken them a while to get used to it .
There are exceptions , and as those are the ones whose opinion I almost value most , I find it so difficult that they don ’ t approve .
If you ’ re doing something that hasn ’ t been done before , people aren ’ t necessarily going to understand .
”

Anna Lapwood, 24, who is also the director of music at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and is a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 3, has lamented that sexism is still prevalent in the industry.
She cites one incident at an organ competition when a judge told her that she needed to “play more like a man”. This prompted her to adopt the hashtag #playlikeagirl on social media in response. Although she doesn’t want to make a name for herself as someone “who bangs the gender drum” she admits she has a responsibility to call out such behaviour for “the next generation”.
Talking of drums, the organ is not the only instrument she can play?
By the time she was 11 she could play 20 including the piano and the harp. She first played the organ at 16 and two years later became the first female to be awarded an organ scholarship in the 560-year history of Magdalen College, Oxford. Then at 21, she became the youngest ever director of music at an Oxbridge college, conducting the Pembroke College Chapel Choir at Cambridge.
She makes it sound plain scaling.
Actually, she initially disliked the organ and it took a year before she began to love it. Playing the organ also satisfies her interest in community music-making – working with choirs and conductors.
No choral recitals at the moment.
No, but Anna can be seen regularly on social media. Scroll through her Twitter account and there are films of her balancing two toilet rolls – one on top of the other – on her head whilst playing Bach at her flat in Royston, just outside Cambridge. She insists it helps with her posture while she is playing.
What does she say of bringing her world to social media?
It has had its highs and lows. “Some male colleagues are supportive,” she tells the Radio Times. “The majority are on board, although it’s taken them a while to get used to it. There are exceptions, and as those are the ones whose opinion I almost value most, I find it so difficult that they don’t approve. If you’re doing something that hasn’t been done before, people aren’t necessarily going to understand.”


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Rescuing Virgin Atlantic is the right thing to do and would save more than 10,000 jobs

Coronavirus : Rescuing Virgin Atlantic is the right thing to do and would save more than 10,000 jobs Sir Richard Branson was ill-advised to make this plea for government cash a personal one Long gone are the days when a toothy grin and an outlandish stunt would get the British public full square behind Sir Richard Branson .
Back in the day , when he was the victim of British Airways ’ dirty tricks , it was easy to back him in his David versus Goliath battle with the national carrier .
Now a man who spends much of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the grasp of Her Majesty ’ s Revenue & Customs has lost that public backing .
The trouble is Sir Richard himself does not appear to have realised that .
His letter to Virgin Atlantic ’ s 10,000 employees this month set out the airline ’ s urgent need for a government loan as a result of the Covid-19 crisis .
This was not a letter merely for those staff .
It was one targeted at a public he thought he had behind him , and a government that he felt could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fail .
He was wrong on both counts and ill-advised to make this plea for government cash a personal one as the appreciation he once enjoyed is over .
It is easy to see why the empathy of taxpayers is with the Government , which has so far refused to allow Virgin Atlantic to apply for a £500m loan to battle through coronavirus , despite handing £600m to another billionaire-backed airline , easyJet .
The difference here is that easyJet is a listed company , with a strong board running the show , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sir Stelio Haji-Ioannou , snipes from the sidelines .
EasyJet is not only investment grade – which Virgin Atlantic is not after years of losses – it is viewed as independent of its larger-than-life founder .
This is the lesson Sir Richard needs to learn .
Virgin Atlantic is seeking access to the Government 's loan scheme ( Photo : BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty ) Before coronavirus hit , Virgin Atlantic was on course to reach profitability at the end of 2021 a full year ahead of target .
That was not because of Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holding in the airline .
It was because of a strong management group .
My understanding is that Sir Richard will have to stump up £200m of his own money as part of a wider private fundraising of around £500m .
If he manages that , loses overall control of the airline as other investors dilute his majority stake and allows his chief executive to open the Virgin Atlantic books to prove to Treasury officials that the airline can be a profitable business in the next two to three years , then , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be handed over .
Rescuing Virgin Atlantic is , despite the understandable antipathy towards Sir Richard ’ s tax arrangements , the right thing to do .
It would save those 10,000 direct jobs and many more in the supplier and service chain .
It will also ensure that British Airways continues to have domestic competition on long-haul routes .
Depersonalise the argument and show the airline has a sustainable future , then it ’ s clear Virgin Atlantic is deserving of a loan from the taxpayer as much as easyJet .

Long gone are the days when a toothy grin and an outlandish stunt would get the British public full square behind Sir Richard Branson. Back in the day, when he was the victim of British Airways’ dirty tricks, it was easy to back him in his David versus Goliath battle with the national carrier. Now a man who spends much of his time on his private Caribbean island away from the grasp of Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs has lost that public backing. The trouble is Sir Richard himself does not appear to have realised that.
His letter to Virgin Atlantic’s 10,000 employees this month set out the airline’s urgent need for a government loan as a result of the Covid-19 crisis. This was not a letter merely for those staff. It was one targeted at a public he thought he had behind him, and a government that he felt could not afford to allow the carrier to fail.
He was wrong on both counts and ill-advised to make this plea for government cash a personal one as the appreciation he once enjoyed is over.
It is easy to see why the empathy of taxpayers is with the Government, which has so far refused to allow Virgin Atlantic to apply for a £500m loan to battle through coronavirus, despite handing £600m to another billionaire-backed airline, easyJet. The difference here is that easyJet is a listed company, with a strong board running the show, while its founder and largest shareholder, Sir Stelio Haji-Ioannou, snipes from the sidelines. EasyJet is not only investment grade – which Virgin Atlantic is not after years of losses – it is viewed as independent of its larger-than-life founder. This is the lesson Sir Richard needs to learn.
Before coronavirus hit, Virgin Atlantic was on course to beat its target of reaching profitability at the end of 2021 by a full year. And that was not because of Sir Richard, despite his 51 per cent holding in the airline. It was because of a strong management group led by chief executive Shai Weiss, who has done well to fuel Virgin Atlantic with something other than the cult of Sir Richard’s personality.
It is because Sir Richard has put himself at the centre of all this that the Treasury will not even consider allowing Virgin Atlantic to access taxpayer cash before it feels the entrepreneur has felt some real pain.
My understanding is that Sir Richard will have to stump up £200m of his own money as part of a wider private fundraising of around £500m. If he manages that, loses overall control of the airline as other investors dilute his majority stake and allows his chief executive to open the Virgin Atlantic books to prove to Treasury officials that the airline can be a profitable business in the next two to three years, then, and only then, will taxpayer money be handed over.
Rescuing Virgin Atlantic is, despite the understandable antipathy towards Sir Richard’s tax arrangements, the right thing to do. It would save those 10,000 direct jobs and many more in the supplier and service chain. It will also ensure that British Airways continues to have domestic competition on long-haul routes. Depersonalise the argument and show the airline has a sustainable future, then it’s clear Virgin Atlantic is deserving of a loan from the taxpayer as much as easyJet.


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: We must be relentless in our determination to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infecti

Coronavirus: We must be relentless in our determination to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections

Coronavirus : We must be relentless in our determination to prevent a second wave of Covid-19 infections The PM offered hope that soon we will learn more about how lockdown will eventually be eased Welcome back Boris Johnson , three weeks after being admitted to intensive care .
Criticism of his government ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic is reasonable , not unpatriotic , but upon his return he spoke with well judged nuance .
The PM offered hope that soon we will learn more about how lockdown will eventually be eased , while emphasising the need to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we must be relentless in our determination to prevent a second wave of infections .
Thanks for your messages about my “ day of reckoning ” at the hands of my wife , debuting as a barber .
In the end , there was no Sweeney Todd moment and my colleagues insist that she has done an excellent job .
I did give her a few pointers afterwards .
When cutting someone ’ s hair , watching an instructional video for the first three minutes isn ’ t always the relaxant you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assistant ( aged four ) was a little too enthusiastic with the “ mister ” spray , firing jets of freezing water down my neck .
Personal touches can also help a small business to encourage repeat custom : there were none of those little lollipops on the counter when I came to pay at the end .
Nevertheless , a job well done , and I felt obliged to tip .
Would-be hairdressers across the country are trying their hands at trims - and more ( Photo : Getty ) John Ashman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Addams Family .
( The television series , not the notorious north London crime family . )
“ What will happen if we can not go to a hairdresser or barber for several months ?
Could we become a nation of Cousin Itts ?
” Eastbourne ’ s Michael Tweed grew up in a village : “ The quickest haircuts were executed by the local cowman .
Like all cowmen he had very soft hands .
He would “ round-up ” a whole family of a man and four boys and get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , when cutting his mate ’ s hair he said , “ My goodness Erne , your hair is in a mess.
” Erne replied , ‘ You ’ re complaining about your own work , you were the last one to comb it ’ .
” If you think we have it bad with home haircuts , spare a thought for dogs .

Welcome back Boris Johnson, three weeks after being admitted to intensive care. Criticism of his government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic is reasonable, not unpatriotic, but upon his return he spoke with well judged nuance.
The PM offered hope that soon we will learn more about how lockdown will eventually be eased, while emphasising the need to keep social distancing. Having come so far, we must be relentless in our determination to prevent a second wave of infections.
Thanks for your messages about my “day of reckoning” at the hands of my wife, debuting as a barber. In the end, there was no Sweeney Todd moment and my colleagues insist that she has done an excellent job.
I did give her a few pointers afterwards. When cutting someone’s hair, watching an instructional video for the first three minutes isn’t always the relaxant you hope it will be. The salon assistant (aged four) was a little too enthusiastic with the “mister” spray, firing jets of freezing water down my neck. Personal touches can also help a small business to encourage repeat custom: there were none of those little lollipops on the counter when I came to pay at the end. Nevertheless, a job well done, and I felt obliged to tip.
John Ashman of Corby, Northamptonshire, references the Addams Family. (The television series, not the notorious north London crime family.) “What will happen if we cannot go to a hairdresser or barber for several months? Could we become a nation of Cousin Itts?”
Eastbourne’s Michael Tweed grew up in a village: “The quickest haircuts were executed by the local cowman. Like all cowmen he had very soft hands. He would “round-up” a whole family of a man and four boys and get the lot done in 20 minutes. One day, when cutting his mate’s hair he said, “My goodness Erne, your hair is in a mess.” Erne replied, ‘You’re complaining about your own work, you were the last one to comb it’.”
If you think we have it bad with home haircuts, spare a thought for dogs.


inews--2020-04-27--Food waste crisis: Farmers preparing to kill thousands of fish as £30bn food waste mountain grows

Food waste crisis : Farmers preparing to kill thousands of fish as £30bn food waste mountain grows Fish farmers , potato growers and brewers are preparing to ditch thousands of tonnes of edible food and drink The food waste mountain could total up to £30bn worth of produce , and trout farmers are on the front line of the crisis .
The sector has been hit hard both by the closure of restaurants and by supermarkets closing wet fish counters , according to Oliver Robinson , CEO of the British Trout Association .
Unless restrictions are eased - or supermarkets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be culled in the coming weeks , he warned .
“ We ’ re gridlocked .
We are stuck with a huge amount of fish , ” he told i .
“ In the end if we can ’ t sell it , fish have to go.
” Fishing spots are also closed during the lockdown , putting pressure on the restocking industry ( Photo : IROZ GAIZKA/AFP/Getty ) As in other developed countries , about a third of food in the UK goes to waste each year .
That could rise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the lockdown , according to Andre Laperriere , executive director of the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition ( GODAN ) .
That represents a “ direct loss ” of £30bn , he told i .
The Government is scrambling to make sure the wasted food does not prompt a spike in emissions .
Last week it emerged that Defra is working with industry to identify extra capacity in the anaerobic digestion ( AD ) plants across the country , in preparation for a surge in food waste in the coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is too early to estimate how much extra food waste could be created .
However , anaerobic digesters could be called on to break down 10,000 tonnes of additional food waste every day , the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Council told i .
The crisis has already hit the dairy industry , with farmers forced to dump thousands of litres of milk earlier this month after coffee chains closed .
GODAN estimates the best part of one million litres of milk is being dumped every day as a result of the lockdown .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wiltshire , had to discard 17,000 litres of milk earlier this month .
He told i he has had to sell 10 cows from his 235-strong herd and cut production by 10 per cent to cope with the drop in demand for his milk caused by the lockdown .
“ It ’ s not our fault more than anyone else ’ s fault , but we the individual farmers have been clobbered by the closure of coffee shops , ” he said .
Farmers have been forced to dump thousands of litres of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TRIBALLEAU/AFP/Getty ) Other sectors are also preparing to offload surplus food .
The Campaign for Real Ale is warning brewers are preparing to pour away 50 million pints of beer if the pubs stay closed .
And the shuttering of fast food chains and chip shops has left farmers with a 190,000-tonne backlog of potatoes , according to the UK 's Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board .
The Government insists it is working to prevent food waste during the crisis .
“ We are taking bold action to tackle food waste and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the distribution of surplus food that would otherwise be wasted in the wake of coronavirus , ” a spokesperson said .
Oliver Robinson , CEO of the British Trout Association and trout farmer , Wiltshire Oliver Robinson has thousands of fish sitting in ponds on his trout farm , ready to go to the supermarkets .
But the Covid-19 crisis means few supermarkets are stocking trout at the moment , meaning his fish have nowhere to go .
With no money coming in , feeding the fish is draining his cash reserves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of keeping these fish alive and feeding them for no growth , ” he tells i .
“ That in itself is very , very expensive to do.
” Soon the only option might soon be to kill some fish , to free up pond space and ease his expenses .
“ If things haven ’ t unlocked by mid May , there will be a situation where farmers will have to decide what they will slaughter and dispose of , ” he warns .
“ If it starts you ’ re talking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fish [ being culled ] ...
I hope to God we don ’ t have to do that.
” But culling them could leave Mr Robinson in an even trickier financial spot .
He will have to decide whether to kill market ready fish , ‘ teenage ’ stock , or the juveniles - but removing any group leaves a gaping whole in his product cycle .
“ You do that to a supermarket and they will drop you [ as a supplier ] , '' he said .

It takes 18 months of care and attention to rear a full-sized trout ready for the supermarket shelf. But for trout farmers across the UK, the coronavirus crisis means those months of hard work could be for nothing.
Fish farmers, potato growers and brewers are preparing to ditch thousands of tonnes of edible food and drink in the coming weeks, as the food industry reels from the closure of pubs, restaurants and cafes.
Fish cull
The food waste mountain could total up to £30bn worth of produce, and trout farmers are on the front line of the crisis. The sector has been hit hard both by the closure of restaurants and by supermarkets closing wet fish counters, according to Oliver Robinson, CEO of the British Trout Association.
Unless restrictions are eased – or supermarkets sell more stock – thousands of fish could be culled in the coming weeks, he warned. “We’re gridlocked. We are stuck with a huge amount of fish,” he told i. “In the end if we can’t sell it, fish have to go.”
Food waste
As in other developed countries, about a third of food in the UK goes to waste each year. That could rise to 40 per cent as a result of the lockdown, according to Andre Laperriere, executive director of the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN). That represents a “direct loss” of £30bn, he told i.
The Government is scrambling to make sure the wasted food does not prompt a spike in emissions. Last week it emerged that Defra is working with industry to identify extra capacity in the anaerobic digestion (AD) plants across the country, in preparation for a surge in food waste in the coming weeks.
The plants will break down food waste to produce biomethane, a low-carbon alternative to natural gas. That is at least better than leaving food to rot in landfill, where it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
The Government said that it is too early to estimate how much extra food waste could be created. However, anaerobic digesters could be called on to break down 10,000 tonnes of additional food waste every day, the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association told i.
“Fractured supply chains, loss of demand from certain sectors and downstream processing capacities may mean that AD is required to treat additional surplus,” it said.
Industries in crisis
The crisis has already hit the dairy industry, with farmers forced to dump thousands of litres of milk earlier this month after coffee chains closed. GODAN estimates the best part of one million litres of milk is being dumped every day as a result of the lockdown.
Robert Mallett, a dairy farmer in Wiltshire, had to discard 17,000 litres of milk earlier this month. He told i he has had to sell 10 cows from his 235-strong herd and cut production by 10 per cent to cope with the drop in demand for his milk caused by the lockdown. “It’s not our fault more than anyone else’s fault, but we the individual farmers have been clobbered by the closure of coffee shops,” he said.
Other sectors are also preparing to offload surplus food. The Campaign for Real Ale is warning brewers are preparing to pour away 50 million pints of beer if the pubs stay closed. And the shuttering of fast food chains and chip shops has left farmers with a 190,000-tonne backlog of potatoes, according to the UK’s Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.
The Government insists it is working to prevent food waste during the crisis. “We are taking bold action to tackle food waste and have made available £3.5m to overcome barriers to the distribution of surplus food that would otherwise be wasted in the wake of coronavirus,” a spokesperson said.
But until the lockdown lifts, food producers supplying the UK’s restaurants, cafes and pubs fear they will struggle to save their food from the bin.
Oliver Robinson, CEO of the British Trout Association and trout farmer, Wiltshire
Oliver Robinson has thousands of fish sitting in ponds on his trout farm, ready to go to the supermarkets. But the Covid-19 crisis means few supermarkets are stocking trout at the moment, meaning his fish have nowhere to go.
With no money coming in, feeding the fish is draining his cash reserves. “The biggest issue is the cost of keeping these fish alive and feeding them for no growth,” he tells i. “That in itself is very, very expensive to do.”
Soon the only option might be to kill some fish, to free up pond space and ease his expenses. “If things haven’t unlocked by mid May, there will be a situation where farmers will have to decide what they will slaughter and dispose of,” he warns. “If it starts you’re talking about many thousands, getting into millions of fish [being culled]…I hope to God we don’t have to do that.”
But culling them could leave Mr Robinson in an even trickier financial spot. He will have to decide whether to kill market ready fish, ‘teenage’ stock, or the juveniles – but removing any group leaves a gaping whole in his product cycle. “You do that to a supermarket and they will drop you [as a supplier],” he said.
Robert Mallett, dairy farmer, Wiltshire
Robert Mallett runs a herd of 235 dairy cows on his farm in Wiltshire. Earlier this month, he was forced to dump 17,000 litres of milk after the closure of cafes left his contracted supplier Freshways with a surplus. Since then, he has sold 10 cows and cut milk production by 10 per cent to cope with the drop in demand.
Ordered to dump milk tonight. No collection due “to staff shortages, slower production” What a waste of all the effort that goes into producing quality food. #teamdairy pic.twitter.com/gOdWuFf2FD — Robert Mallett (@NorthleazeFarm) April 5, 2020
More worryingly for Mr Mallett, the price of milk has plummeted since the start of lockdown. He fears he will lose 10p a litre on every pint of milk he sells this month. “Dumping two days’ milk is horrible but I can survive it as a business if the price comes back,” he said. “A year at a price below the cost of production I can’t survive.”


inews--2020-04-27--Beat the Chasers, ITV, review: This spin-off lacked The Chase's team spirit

Beat the Chasers , ITV , review : This spin-off lacked The Chase 's team spirit The five Chasers , L-R : Mark 'The Beast ' Labbett , Anne 'The Governess ' Hegerty , Paul 'The Sinnerman ' Sinha , Jenny 'The Vixen ' Ryan and Shaun 'The Dark Destroyer ' Wallace ( Photo : ITV ) Beat the Chasers is a beguilingly simple spin-off from daytime quiz show The Chase .
The five “ Chasers ” – Anne Hegarty ( nicknamed The Governess ) , Paul Sinha ( The Sinnerman ) , Mark Labbett ( The Beast ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shaun Wallace ( The Dark Destroyer ) – appear together for the first time , as contestants attempt to out-trivia them , answering a quick-fire round of multiple choice questions , before going up against two , three or all five of the chasers in a timed round .
The more chasers they compete against , the more money they stand to win .
It ’ s a fun concept : the chasers are good value , and seem to enjoy peacocking .
This first episode also enjoyed some charismatic contestants , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a saint .
However , the format may have been a little too simple .
ITV seems sure that the big draw of The Chase is its chasers , but the team spirit of the original , in which competitors work together with strangers and split the prize , was missing here .
Over the course of an hour , it felt a bit repetitive .
No doubt by Friday ( it 's on every night this week ) it ’ ll feel very repetitive indeed .

Beat the Chasers, ITV, 9pm ★★★
Beat the Chasers is a beguilingly simple spin-off from daytime quiz show The Chase.
The five “Chasers” – Anne Hegarty (nicknamed The Governess), Paul Sinha (The Sinnerman), Mark Labbett (The Beast), Jenny Ryan (The Vixen) and Shaun Wallace (The Dark Destroyer) – appear together for the first time, as contestants attempt to out-trivia them, answering a quick-fire round of multiple choice questions, before going up against two, three or all five of the chasers in a timed round.
The more chasers they compete against, the more money they stand to win.
It’s a fun concept: the chasers are good value, and seem to enjoy peacocking. This first episode also enjoyed some charismatic contestants, including a priest who flubbed a question about a saint.
However, the format may have been a little too simple. ITV seems sure that the big draw of The Chase is its chasers, but the team spirit of the original, in which competitors work together with strangers and split the prize, was missing here.
Over the course of an hour, it felt a bit repetitive. No doubt by Friday (it’s on every night this week) it’ll feel very repetitive indeed.


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus latest: Genes hold key to Covid-19 susceptibility, research claims

The finding could help medics to identify people most at risk from Covid-19 and scientists to develop treatments The extent to which Covid-19 patients suffer from the virus is largely governed by their genes , according to research .
The finding could help medics to identify people most at-risk from Covid-19 and scientists develop treatments .
Researchers from King ’ s College London have found that almost 50 per cent of the symptoms people experience with Covid-19 are connected to their genetic make-up .
These genes are responsible for symptoms such as delirium , fever , fatigue , shortness of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and smell , according to the latest health data , collected from more than 2.7 million app users .
Meanwhile , underlying health factors , such as lifestyle , obesity , diabetes or high blood pressure , are responsible for the development of other symptoms such as a hoarse voice , cough , chest and abdominal pain , the researchers said .
The researchers are unclear whether people with beneficial genes are less likely to catch the disease in the first place - or just less likely to have severe symptoms when they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - some identical and some not .
The researchers found a greater similarity between the identical twins - who share all of their genes - and non-identical twins , who share only half .
The King ’ s College app is available at https : //covid/joinzoe.com/ and participants are being asked to record information about their temperature , tiredness levels and symptoms associated with Covid-19 .
Professor Tim Spector from King ’ s College London said : “ It ’ s essential that everybody keeps logging their health status in the app – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data you provide enables us to carry out this urgent research to understand the behaviour and progression of the virus.
” Professor Frances Williams from King ’ s College London said : “ I would like to say a big thank you to all our twins for logging their symptoms and health status regularly in the app .
It ’ s because of their tremendous commitment to health research over the years that we are able to carry out this crucial research so quickly .
”

The extent to which Covid-19 patients suffer from the virus is largely governed by their genes, according to research.
The finding could help medics to identify people most at-risk from Covid-19 and scientists develop treatments.
Researchers from King’s College London have found that almost 50 per cent of the symptoms people experience with Covid-19 are connected to their genetic make-up.
These genes are responsible for symptoms such as delirium, fever, fatigue, shortness of breath, diarrhoea and loss of taste and smell, according to the latest health data, collected from more than 2.7 million app users.
Non-genetic factors
Meanwhile, underlying health factors, such as lifestyle, obesity, diabetes or high blood pressure, are responsible for the development of other symptoms such as a hoarse voice, cough, chest and abdominal pain, the researchers said.
The researchers are unclear whether people with beneficial genes are less likely to catch the disease in the first place – or just less likely to have severe symptoms when they do.
The study included 2,600 twins – some identical and some not. The researchers found a greater similarity between the identical twins – who share all of their genes – and non-identical twins, who share only half.
This enabled them to conclude that genes play a key role in coronavirus symptoms.
The app
The King’s College app is available at https://covid/joinzoe.com/ and participants are being asked to record information about their temperature, tiredness levels and symptoms associated with Covid-19.
Professor Tim Spector from King’s College London said: “It’s essential that everybody keeps logging their health status in the app – even if you feel well. The data you provide enables us to carry out this urgent research to understand the behaviour and progression of the virus.”
Professor Frances Williams from King’s College London said: “I would like to say a big thank you to all our twins for logging their symptoms and health status regularly in the app. It’s because of their tremendous commitment to health research over the years that we are able to carry out this crucial research so quickly.”


inews--2020-04-27--Britain faces onslaught of invasive flatworm as gardeners order potted plants online from overseas

Britain faces onslaught of invasive flatworm as gardeners order potted plants online from overseas Matt Shardlow , the head of the insect charity Buglife , is particularly worried about an invasion of New Guinea flatworms The species has already made it from its native New Guinea to France , where it has devoured huge numbers of snails , slugs and earthworms that are vital to agriculture and biodiversity .
Mr Shardlow says sightings of invasive flatworms are double what is normal for this time of year .
Part of this could come down to people spending more time in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100 worst invasive alien species , New Guinea flatworm has reached France and it could be only a matter of time before it becomes established in the UK ( Photo : Shinji Sugiura ) However , he says it ’ s likely that at least some of the increase is being fuelled by a rise in people buying potted plants online from overseas - either directly or from a UK-based operator that itself has sourced supplies from abroad .
These invertebrate invaders can cause chaos by damaging agriculture , wiping out other species @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - and the easiest way to tackle the problem is to ban the import of potted plants , he said .
“ You would expect a greater proportion of potted plants to be sourced online and it would seem logical that more of that will be coming from overseas , ” he said .
“ This is a massive concern .
We ’ ve got to try and look after what we ’ ve got left of our biodiversity and that means slowing down invasion .
The quickest way to do that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know is safe or not , ” he said .
Live plants worth more than £1bn are brought into the UK every year with few tests on the soil - and the volume is expected to soar as traditional gardening outlets close during lockdown and people shop online instead .
'We take all threats seriously' A Defra spokesperson said : “ While the threat of the New Guinea flatworm is low in the UK , we have highly stringent import protections and regulations in place to protect our biosecurity against all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We take all threats to our natural environment and natural wildlife extremely seriously – particularly invasive non-native species which challenge the survival of some of our rarest species , damage our natural ecosystems and cost the economy more than £1.7 billion per year , ” they added .
The invader most feared in supplies of imported soil .
Listed in the 100 worst invasive alien species , it has reached France and it could be only a matter of time before it becomes established in the UK .
This flatworm consumes land snails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow them .
The worm is very flat , measuring 50mm long and 5mm wide , with an olive-black back with a clear central stripe , and a pale white belly .
Its head is elongated , with two prominent black eyes and the mouth is in the middle of the belly .
New Zealand flatworm ( Arthurdendyus triangulatus ) is a large land flatworm native to New Zealand

Britain faces an onslaught of invasive flatworms and other destructive invertebrates from abroad as gardeners turn to overseas suppliers for potted plants, experts warn.
Matt Shardlow, head of the Buglife insect charity, is particularly worried about an invasion of New Guinea flatworms, which he fears could enter the country in soil and wreak havoc once they arrive.
The species has already made it from its native New Guinea to France, where it has devoured huge numbers of snails, slugs and earthworms that are vital to agriculture and biodiversity.
Mr Shardlow says sightings of invasive flatworms are double what is normal for this time of year. Part of this could come down to people spending more time in their gardens during lockdown.
Pests in the post
However, he says it’s likely that at least some of the increase is being fuelled by a rise in people buying potted plants online from overseas – either directly or from a UK-based operator that itself has sourced supplies from abroad.
These invertebrate invaders can cause chaos by damaging agriculture, wiping out other species and ruining the soil by killing earthworms – and the easiest way to tackle the problem is to ban the import of potted plants, he said.
“We are concerned that a lack of biosecurity and increased postal packages of plants and soils is going to result in lots of new introduction of invasive non native species,” Mr Shardlow said.
“You would expect a greater proportion of potted plants to be sourced online and it would seem logical that more of that will be coming from overseas,” he said.
“This is a massive concern. We’ve got to try and look after what we’ve got left of our biodiversity and that means slowing down invasion. The quickest way to do that is to stop importing soil that you don’t know is safe or not,” he said.
Live plants worth more than £1bn are brought into the UK every year with few tests on the soil – and the volume is expected to soar as traditional gardening outlets close during lockdown and people shop online instead.
‘We take all threats seriously’
A Defra spokesperson said: “While the threat of the New Guinea flatworm is low in the UK, we have highly stringent import protections and regulations in place to protect our biosecurity against all forms of invasive species”.
“We take all threats to our natural environment and natural wildlife extremely seriously – particularly invasive non-native species which challenge the survival of some of our rarest species, damage our natural ecosystems and cost the economy more than £1.7 billion per year,” they added.
Unwelcome species that could devastate British gardens
New Guinea flatworm (Platydemus manokwari)
The invader most feared in supplies of imported soil. Listed in the 100 worst invasive alien species, it has reached France and it could be only a matter of time before it becomes established in the UK. This flatworm consumes land snails and is able to climb trees to follow them.
The worm is very flat, measuring 50mm long and 5mm wide, with an olive-black back with a clear central stripe, and a pale white belly. Its head is elongated, with two prominent black eyes and the mouth is in the middle of the belly.
Although from a tropical country, it inhabits the mountainous regions of New Guinea at an altitude of 3,000m, so can survive in relatively cool temperatures down to 10°C.
New Zealand flatworm (Arthurdendyus triangulatus)
Its damaging effects are already known in Europe. This species has invaded the northern British Isles, including Scotland and Northern Ireland, and is responsible for significant reductions in populations of earthworms.
Other recent invaders
Include the vulture flatworm, Australian flatworm, Spanish slug, Balkan three-band slug and harlequin ladybird.


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus latest: Neighbours break down barriers to create their very own beer garden, as Britons

Coronavirus latest: Neighbours break down barriers to create their very own beer garden, as Britons flout restrictions

Coronavirus latest : Neighbours break down barriers to create their very own beer garden , as Britons flout restrictions No lifting of the lockdown in the UK is in sight With lockdown leaving many feeling fenced in , one set of neighbours decided to dismantle theirs so they could socialise together .
Paul Hurton and Anthony Dunn have lived next door to each other in Bowburn , south-east Durham for the past 20 years .
Frustrated that they could not spend time with each other because of social distancing guidelines , they decided to turn their 6ft tall fence panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hinge so they could “ meet up ” and enjoy a beer together .
A video of the “ fence bar ” has been viewed more than 1.8 million times on social media bringing a whole new dimension to notions of a beer garden .
‘ A DIY social distance bar – the neighbours in Durham with their fence-cum-table ( Photo : the viral group ) It comes as more and more people are railing against lockdown .
Last weekend a group of people who had driven 70 miles from Leeds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The three adults and one child were stopped by North Yorkshire police .
When questioned they insisted that their journey was “ just a drive ” .
In Liverpool , a man was stopped by police on his way to Manchester on Sunday .
When the police stopped him as he passed through Cheshire and asked him why he was travelling he responded that the “ shopping is better than in Liverpool ” .
Police officers in Suffolk were reported to have been assaulted , spat and coughed at and attacked by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ barbecues and street parties .
Two divers were also under investigation after travelling hundreds of miles to Lyme Bay , Dorset in the south-west of England .
One had travelled nearly 500 miles from Edinburgh while the other had made a 100-mile trip from Cornwall .
It was only when one of them went missing sparking an air and sea search on Saturday that their lockdown flouting was discovered .
A Dorset Police spokesman said the two men , from Edinburgh and Wadebridge , were reported for `` breaches of the regulations '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denbighshire in north-east Wales had her lockdown get together livestreamed on the internet .
She admitted to North Wales Live that she “ probably shouldn ’ t have done it ” , but insisted that the people in the footage were relatives and that they all live in the same cul de sac .

With lockdown leaving many feeling fenced in, one set of neighbours decided to dismantle theirs so they could socialise together.
Paul Hurton and Anthony Dunn have lived next door to each other in Bowburn, south-east Durham for the past 20 years.
Frustrated that they could not spend time with each other because of social distancing guidelines, they decided to turn their 6ft tall fence panel into a horizontal “ table” via a hinge so they could “meet up” and enjoy a beer together.
A video of the “fence bar” has been viewed more than 1.8 million times on social media bringing a whole new dimension to notions of a beer garden.
Fined
It comes as more and more people are railing against lockdown. Last weekend a group of people who had driven 70 miles from Leeds to near Whitby were fined by police.
The three adults and one child were stopped by North Yorkshire police. When questioned they insisted that their journey was “just a drive”.
In Liverpool, a man was stopped by police on his way to Manchester on Sunday. When the police stopped him as he passed through Cheshire and asked him why he was travelling he responded that the “shopping is better than in Liverpool”.
Attacked
Police officers in Suffolk were reported to have been assaulted, spat and coughed at and attacked by a dog when they tried to break up barbecues and street parties.
Two divers were also under investigation after travelling hundreds of miles to Lyme Bay, Dorset in the south-west of England.
One had travelled nearly 500 miles from Edinburgh while the other had made a 100-mile trip from Cornwall.
It was only when one of them went missing sparking an air and sea search on Saturday that their lockdown flouting was discovered.
The lone diver was spotted after a search of nearly two hours.
A Dorset Police spokesman said the two men, from Edinburgh and Wadebridge, were reported for “breaches of the regulations”.
Livestreamed party
And one woman in Corwen, Denbighshire in north-east Wales had her lockdown get together livestreamed on the internet.
Mandy Higgins, 54, invited neighbours to her garden party at the weekend.
She admitted to North Wales Live that she “probably shouldn’t have done it”, but insisted that the people in the footage were relatives and that they all live in the same cul de sac.
Also in Wales police issued fines to people who had travelled from London and Bristol.
In one particularly audacious flouting of the lockdown restrictions 10 people had travelled from London in two cars in convoy to climb Wales’s highest peak.
In Cardiff Bay people were also taking advantage of the good weather and were spotted gathering to buy the not quite essential item of ice cream.
The Government reiterated that the lockdown and social distancing are key to containing and beating the virus and have not yet revealed an exit strategy.


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus lockdown: Animals including flamingos, wild boar and a sea lion venturing to deserted ci

Coronavirus lockdown: Animals including flamingos, wild boar and a sea lion venturing to deserted cities

While some animals may be enjoying the novelty of free rein of usually bustling urban hotspots , others are desperate for food During the coronavirus lockdown busy spaces have turned into ghost towns – and wildlife around the world is emerging to snoop around .
A flock of flamingos were taking full advantage of the peace as hundreds of them gathered at a pond in Navi Mumbai in India .
Wild boars were seen taking a tour of a residential building in Haifa , northern Israel and in Argentina a sea lion was spotted looking rather forlorn outside shuttered premises @ @ @ @ @ @ @ essentials .
A flock of flamingos were taking full advantage of the peace as hundreds of them gathered at a pond in Navi Mumbai in India ( Photo : INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty ) Equally comical were the ducks spotted outside Paris ’ s theatrical establishments , Les Comedie Francaise .
Perhaps they too want their turn on the stage .
Then there were the coyotes in San Francisco and more wild boar - this time marauding in a deserted Barcelona .
While some animals may be enjoying the novelty of having free reign of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travelling to these areas desperately in search of food .
Take the monkeys that have been venturing to the city of Lopburi , north-east of Bangkok in Thailand , scavenging among the rubbish for some morsels to eat .
Before the coronavirus tourists would feed them but without them they are having to come up with other ways to get meals .
More welcoming , are the sights of sea life coming closer and closer to our shores .
In the waters of the Bosphorus in Istanbul , Turkey , two dolphins were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Or Venice where locals can not see to the bottom of the now-clear canals for the first time in living history but have said that swans have been enjoying the waterways .
But as Becky Thomas , senior Teaching Fellow in Ecology at Royal Holloway , University of London explains there are two sides to lockdown when it comes to wildlife .
“ Our new habits are altering the urban environment in ways that are likely to be both positive and negative for nature , ” she warns .

During the coronavirus lockdown busy spaces have turned into ghost towns – and wildlife around the world is emerging to snoop around.
A flock of flamingos were taking full advantage of the peace as hundreds of them gathered at a pond in Navi Mumbai in India.
And grey langurs indulged in a spot of play undisturbed by humans in Ahmedabad in westen India.
Wild boars were seen taking a tour of a residential building in Haifa, northern Israel and in Argentina a sea lion was spotted looking rather forlorn outside shuttered premises – as if waiting to buy some essentials.
Marauding
Equally comical were the ducks spotted outside Paris’s theatrical establishments, Les Comedie Francaise. Perhaps they too want their turn on the stage.
Then there were the coyotes in San Francisco and more wild boar – this time marauding in a deserted Barcelona.
While some animals may be enjoying the novelty of having free reign of usually bustling urban hotspots, others are travelling to these areas desperately in search of food.
Take the monkeys that have been venturing to the city of Lopburi, north-east of Bangkok in Thailand, scavenging among the rubbish for some morsels to eat.
Before the coronavirus tourists would feed them but without them they are having to come up with other ways to get meals.
Cleaner waters
More welcoming, are the sights of sea life coming closer and closer to our shores.
In the waters of the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, two dolphins were spotted swimming majestically near the shoreline.
Or Venice where locals cannot see to the bottom of the now-clear canals for the first time in living history but have said that swans have been enjoying the waterways.
But as Becky Thomas, senior Teaching Fellow in Ecology at Royal Holloway, University of London explains there are two sides to lockdown when it comes to wildlife.
“Our new habits are altering the urban environment in ways that are likely to be both positive and negative for nature,” she warns.


inews--2020-04-27--Grayson’s Art Club, Channel 4, review: The most interesting portrait is of Grayson and Philippa Perr

Grayson’s Art Club, Channel 4, review: The most interesting portrait is of Grayson and Philippa Perry themselves

Grayson ’ s Art Club , Channel 4 , review : The most interesting portrait is of Grayson and Philippa Perry themselves Grayson Perry ’ s final portrait of his wife Philippa is all open eyes and wide mouth : an intense , engaged and warm intelligence Channel Four turns to hosiery-loving national treasure Grayson Perry to act as lockdown Britain ’ s cultural emcee .
Perry ’ s establishment is actually less Kit Kat Klub , more house party .
Confined to his home studio , the artist surveils creative acts across the nation from a large computer screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He chuckles at Instagram masterpiece challenges and pays virtual studio visits : this week , to painter Chantal Joffe and comedian Joe Lycett .
An exhibition commemorating lockdown is planned in which Perry ’ s quarantine art will appear alongside works selected from public submission .
This week ’ s theme is portraits : selected submitees enthuse eagerly about their work in video snippets .
In the studio , Perry is joined by figures from the Perry pantheon : his wife , psychotherapist Philippa , and his muse , threadbare teddy Alan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even now negotiating with his agent and dusting off his tuxedo : next week ’ s theme is animals .
Named for a virus , Alan Measles is an apt quasi-religious totem for the Covid-19 era .
A large , perforated ceramic sculpture of the bear is fired during this week ’ s episode .
A moment of drama is provided by the opening of the kiln .
Will Alan make it out in one piece ?
I shall not wreck the suspense by revealing whether or not Araldite makes an unwelcome guest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process tells us far more about Keith Lemon , his tics , needs , obsessions and insecurities than it does about Pharrell .
And more interesting than any of the portraits submitted to Grayson ’ s Art Club is the portrait that emerges of the Perrys .
Under other circumstances , the Perrys can seem a tightly controlled presence .
Martin Parr ’ s family portrait hangs above Perry ’ s desk .
The artist appears as Claire , protected from Parr ’ s probing gaze by costume , play and warpaint .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : a trophy of the battle of wills between two merciless observes of class , taste , ritual and pretention .
The informality of Art Club captures a very different family portrait : bare-faced , hair matted from sleep , dressed in utilitarian studio garb , Grayson and Philippa seem vulnerable , honest and kind .
Like us , the Perrys have been thrown intensely into one another ’ s company .
As Perry sketches his partner of more than 30 years , they discuss the passage of time , and where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the face of the 62-year-old you are married to .
Perry ’ s final portrait of Philippa is all open eyes and wide mouth : an intense , engaged and warm intelligence .
She slinks an arm around his back while taking it in .
I had hoped to be entertained by this show : I had not expected to be so moved .
As Chantal Joffe reminds us , emotion and portraiture are deep entwined .
This extraordinarily sensitive and expressive artist calmly anticipates the moment when her paint will run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work her way through to keep going .
Joffe describes a tiny dog made by Picasso during the war , torn from a paper napkin , with cigarette burns for eyes : “ the most economical means to get to what you want is actually always the best.
” Joe Lycett is the host of the new series of The Great British Sewing Bee ( Photo : Love Productions/Mark Boudillion ) Lovely Joe Lycett , this week ’ s guest judge , confesses to relishing this excuse to keep sequestered .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The proximity of the drink trolley has some impact on the spelling of his expository slogan .
In the past , the conventional documentary formats imposed on Perry have annoyed me : he ’ s not chosen an easy route as an artist , and it seemed incongruous that he was jammed into a prefab format with predictable narrative arc and incidental music .
Circumstantial it may be , but the improvisatory looseness of Art Club is a much more interesting proposition .

Grayson’s Art Club, Channel 4, 8pm ★★★★
Channel Four turns to hosiery-loving national treasure Grayson Perry to act as lockdown Britain’s cultural emcee. Perry’s establishment is actually less Kit Kat Klub, more house party. Confined to his home studio, the artist surveils creative acts across the nation from a large computer screen, like a benign cultural security guard.
He chuckles at Instagram masterpiece challenges and pays virtual studio visits: this week, to painter Chantal Joffe and comedian Joe Lycett. An exhibition commemorating lockdown is planned in which Perry’s quarantine art will appear alongside works selected from public submission. This week’s theme is portraits: selected submitees enthuse eagerly about their work in video snippets.
In the studio, Perry is joined by figures from the Perry pantheon: his wife, psychotherapist Philippa, and his muse, threadbare teddy Alan Measles. Doubtless Kevin the cat is even now negotiating with his agent and dusting off his tuxedo: next week’s theme is animals.
Please join my Art Club. I'm inviting the nation to my studio. I'll be showing you what I'm up to, talking to other artists and I want you to send me images of what you are making #C4ArtClub@Channel4 here is where you can upload your art
https://t.co/ezNwxtARV8 pic.twitter.com/scSbGeQ0I8 — Grayson Perry (@Alan_Measles) April 2, 2020
Named for a virus, Alan Measles is an apt quasi-religious totem for the Covid-19 era. A large, perforated ceramic sculpture of the bear is fired during this week’s episode. A moment of drama is provided by the opening of the kiln. Will Alan make it out in one piece? I shall not wreck the suspense by revealing whether or not Araldite makes an unwelcome guest appearance.
Speaking of unwelcome guest appearances: Keith Lemon turns up on video chat to submit an iPad portrait of Pharrell Williams. “Keith Lemon? He’s disgusting!” says Philippa, in a winning lockdown smackdown.
Keith Lemon’s portrait process tells us far more about Keith Lemon, his tics, needs, obsessions and insecurities than it does about Pharrell. And more interesting than any of the portraits submitted to Grayson’s Art Club is the portrait that emerges of the Perrys.
Under other circumstances, the Perrys can seem a tightly controlled presence. Martin Parr’s family portrait hangs above Perry’s desk. The artist appears as Claire, protected from Parr’s probing gaze by costume, play and warpaint. It is less portrait than performance documentation: a trophy of the battle of wills between two merciless observes of class, taste, ritual and pretention.
The informality of Art Club captures a very different family portrait: bare-faced, hair matted from sleep, dressed in utilitarian studio garb, Grayson and Philippa seem vulnerable, honest and kind. Like us, the Perrys have been thrown intensely into one another’s company. As Perry sketches his partner of more than 30 years, they discuss the passage of time, and where the 29-year-old you fell in love with lingers in the face of the 62-year-old you are married to. Perry’s final portrait of Philippa is all open eyes and wide mouth: an intense, engaged and warm intelligence. She slinks an arm around his back while taking it in. I had hoped to be entertained by this show: I had not expected to be so moved.
As Chantal Joffe reminds us, emotion and portraiture are deep entwined. This extraordinarily sensitive and expressive artist calmly anticipates the moment when her paint will run out, and lists the materials she will work her way through to keep going. Joffe describes a tiny dog made by Picasso during the war, torn from a paper napkin, with cigarette burns for eyes: “the most economical means to get to what you want is actually always the best.”
Lovely Joe Lycett, this week’s guest judge, confesses to relishing this excuse to keep sequestered. He paints a celebrity portrait from his kitchen. The proximity of the drink trolley has some impact on the spelling of his expository slogan.
In the past, the conventional documentary formats imposed on Perry have annoyed me: he’s not chosen an easy route as an artist, and it seemed incongruous that he was jammed into a prefab format with predictable narrative arc and incidental music. Circumstantial it may be, but the improvisatory looseness of Art Club is a much more interesting proposition.
Next on Monday, 8pm, Channel 4; enter submissions at swanfilms.tv/2020/03/enter-your-artwork-here/


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus latest: Michael Gove claims Covid-19 crisis could 'increase chances of EU trade deal'

The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster rejected suggestions the transition period would need to be extended The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic should “ concentrate the minds of EU negotiators ” and increase the chances of the UK and Brussels hammering out a trade deal , Michael Gove has claimed .
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster rejected suggestions the transition period would need to be extended , insisting the Covid-19 crisis would instead strengthen the case for striking a deal by 31 December .
Asked by the Future Relationship with the EU Committee of MPs whether it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ existing timetable for negotiations , Mr Gove replied : “ We believe it is still entirely possible to conclude negotiations on the timetable that has been outlined.
” He then added : “ I think the coronavirus crisis should concentrate the minds of EU negotiators , underlining the vital importance of coming to a conclusion.
” Mr Gove admitted , however , that only “ limited progress ” had been made after the second round of trade talks , amid growing concerns in Brussels that the UK is “ not engaging ” on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ repeatedly stressed it will not seek an extension to the transition period despite the ongoing coronavirus emergency , and the significant impact it will have on the economies of both the UK and EU member states .
Explaining the stance , Mr Gove told MPs extending the transition period would mean “ we would have to pay the EU money , which many of you might think would be better spent on the NHS or supporting our economy ” .
EU Chief Negotiator - Michel Barnier said progress in UK-EU talks had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the Brexiteer appeared to distance the Government from its threat to walk away from the trade talks by the end of June if the “ shape of a deal ” could not be seen .
Asked whether the UK was still planning to abandon the talks in just two months ’ time , Mr Gove said he did not want to “ pre-empt ” the Government ’ s response .
His comments came as the latest round of talks hit a fresh impasse , with warnings from Brussels that the negotiations are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street accused the EU of failing to grasp the “ political realities ” of the UK 's status as an independent sovereign state , and demanded leaders of member states to intervene to push the talks forward .
“ We are ready to keep talking but that does not make us any more likely to agree the EU 's proposals in areas where they are not taking into account the UK 's status as an independent state , ” the Prime Minister 's official spokesman said .
“ Clearly there will need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move negotiations forward , particularly on fisheries and level playing field issues , in order to help find a balanced solution which reflects the political realities on both sides , ” the spokesman added .

The outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic should “concentrate the minds of EU negotiators” and increase the chances of the UK and Brussels hammering out a trade deal, Michael Gove has claimed.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster rejected suggestions the transition period would need to be extended, insisting the Covid-19 crisis would instead strengthen the case for striking a deal by 31 December.
Asked by the Future Relationship with the EU Committee of MPs whether it would be possible to stick to the existing timetable for negotiations, Mr Gove replied: “We believe it is still entirely possible to conclude negotiations on the timetable that has been outlined.”
Limited progress
He then added: “I think the coronavirus crisis should concentrate the minds of EU negotiators, underlining the vital importance of coming to a conclusion.”
Mr Gove admitted, however, that only “limited progress” had been made after the second round of trade talks, amid growing concerns in Brussels that the UK is “not engaging” on the key issues.
The Government has repeatedly stressed it will not seek an extension to the transition period despite the ongoing coronavirus emergency, and the significant impact it will have on the economies of both the UK and EU member states.
Explaining the stance, Mr Gove told MPs extending the transition period would mean “we would have to pay the EU money, which many of you might think would be better spent on the NHS or supporting our economy”.
But the Brexiteer appeared to distance the Government from its threat to walk away from the trade talks by the end of June if the “shape of a deal” could not be seen.
Asked whether the UK was still planning to abandon the talks in just two months’ time, Mr Gove said he did not want to “pre-empt” the Government’s response.
His comments came as the latest round of talks hit a fresh impasse, with warnings from Brussels that the negotiations are on course to fail.
‘Political realities’
But Downing Street accused the EU of failing to grasp the “political realities” of the UK’s status as an independent sovereign state, and demanded leaders of member states to intervene to push the talks forward.
“We are ready to keep talking but that does not make us any more likely to agree the EU’s proposals in areas where they are not taking into account the UK’s status as an independent state,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
“All we are seeking is an agreement based on precedent which respects the sovereignty of both sides.
“Clearly there will need to be political movement on the EU side to move negotiations forward, particularly on fisheries and level playing field issues, in order to help find a balanced solution which reflects the political realities on both sides,” the spokesman added.


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus latest: Boris Johnson returns to work and will hold talks with Sir Keir Starmer over ste

Coronavirus latest: Boris Johnson returns to work and will hold talks with Sir Keir Starmer over steps to ease the lockdown

Coronavirus latest : Boris Johnson returns to work and will hold talks with Sir Keir Starmer over steps to ease the lockdown Public urged to hold firm on social distancing as PM to set out a course for getting some parts of the economy back to work After days of mounting pressure from Conservative MPs who have urged the Government to lift the lockdown to help the economy , the Prime Minister urged them to “ contain your impatience ” as going too early would risk an even deadlier second peak of Covid-19 .
The PM will lead talks with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on how to move to phase two of the lockdown ( Photo : ISABEL INFANTES/AFP/Getty ) While two of those five tests - keeping the NHS operating within capacity and reducing the number of infections - appear to have been met , the other three - a sustained decrease in daily deaths , meeting demand for PPE and testing , and avoiding a second peak - have not yet been reached .
There is a lag with daily figures , particularly over the weekend , as it can take a few days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , over the last week the number of hospital deaths in the UK fell from 5,180 to 4458 , a drop of 13.9 per cent .
Boris Johnson said now is not the time to ease lockdown ( Photo : PA ) Speaking on the steps of No10 , Mr Johnson said : “ I want to thank you , the people of this country , for the sheer grit and guts you have shown and are continuing to show every day .
“ I know that this virus brings new sadness and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it is still true that this is the biggest single challenge this country has faced since the war.
” He added : “ Thanks to your forbearance , your good sense , your altruism , your spirit of community , thanks to our collective national resolve , we are on the brink of achieving that first clear mission to prevent our National Health Service from being overwhelmed in a way that tragically we have seen elsewhere and that is how and why we are now beginning to turn the tide.
” “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to get this economy moving as fast as I can , but I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and to risk a second major outbreak and huge loss of life and the overwhelming of the NHS.
” Mr Johnson said he was not yet ready to spell out how soon changes to the lockdown would be made , but decisions would be taken with the “ maximum possible transparency ” .

Boris Johnson laid the groundwork for “phase two” of the UK’s response to coronavirus with planned changes to the lockdown as he returned to Downing Street following his own bout of the illness.
After days of mounting pressure from Conservative MPs who have urged the Government to lift the lockdown to help the economy, the Prime Minister urged them to “contain your impatience” as going too early would risk an even deadlier second peak of Covid-19.
Yet Mr Johnson set out the first details of how the Government will prepare for a refined lockdown, with some restrictions lifted in certain areas in the coming weeks.
The PM will lead talks with opposition parties on how to move to phase two, with options to be laid out “in the coming days”.
He told those pushing for an earlier lifting of the lockdown: “Contain your impatience. I refuse to throw away the effort and sacrifice of the British people.”
Talks on easing lockdown
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has criticised the Government’s approach to the lockdown by refusing to set out a more detailed exit strategy beyond its five tests.
While two of those five tests – keeping the NHS operating within capacity and reducing the number of infections – appear to have been met, the other three – a sustained decrease in daily deaths, meeting demand for PPE and testing, and avoiding a second peak – have not yet been reached.
The daily death toll in hospitals rose by 360 on Monday, one of the lowest daily increases since March, taking the total number of UK deaths in hospitals to 21,092.
There is a lag with daily figures, particularly over the weekend, as it can take a few days for deaths to be reported. However, over the last week the number of hospital deaths in the UK fell from 5,180 to 4458, a drop of 13.9 per cent.
With NHS capacity protected, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that cancer and mental health services that had been put on hold during the outbreak would be restarted.
Economy back to work
Mr Johnson risked criticism by claiming that people had looked at “our apparent success” in terms of protecting the NHS, despite the death toll being one of the highest in the world.
But by opening up talks with Labour, other opposition parties and the devolved administrations, the Prime Minister will set out a course for getting some parts of the economy back to work.
Mr Johnson was back at his desk in Downing Street after two weeks recuperating at Chequers, following a week in hospital including three nights in intensive care.
Speaking on the steps of No10, Mr Johnson said: “I want to thank you, the people of this country, for the sheer grit and guts you have shown and are continuing to show every day.
“I know that this virus brings new sadness and mourning to households across the land, and it is still true that this is the biggest single challenge this country has faced since the war.”
Mr Johnson said despite the death toll, the UK was “making progress with fewer hospital admissions fewer Covid patients in ICU, and real signs now that we are passing through the peak”.
He added: “Thanks to your forbearance, your good sense, your altruism, your spirit of community, thanks to our collective national resolve, we are on the brink of achieving that first clear mission to prevent our National Health Service from being overwhelmed in a way that tragically we have seen elsewhere and that is how and why we are now beginning to turn the tide.”
Mr Johnson compared coronavirus to an “unexpected and invisible mugger” which needed to be “wrestled … to the floor”.
“I know it is tough and I want to get this economy moving as fast as I can, but I refuse to throw away all the effort and the sacrifice of the British people and to risk a second major outbreak and huge loss of life and the overwhelming of the NHS.”
Mr Johnson said he was not yet ready to spell out how soon changes to the lockdown would be made, but decisions would be taken with the “maximum possible transparency”.
Public question ministers
A grandmother from Skipton became the first member of the public to ask a question at the daily Downing Street coronavirus press conference.
The woman, known only as Lynne, was one of 15,000 people to submit questions to ministers and public health officials after the government opened up the daily briefing beyond Westminster journalists.
Her question was chosen independently of the government by the polling organisation YouGov.
Lynne asked if being able to hug her grandchildren again would be one of the first steps when the lockdown is partially lifted, saying: “I miss my grandchildren so much.”
England’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty acknowledged that being able to interact with relatives was “absolutely essential” but said if Lynne was older or had a medical condition meaning she had to be shielded, she would still be vulnerable and needed to be protected.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he understood the impact of not being able to have “direct emotional bonds … one of the most natural things in the world is wanting to hug a member of your family”.
He added: “We just hope we can get back to that as soon as possible.”


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus and furloughed workers: Airlines urge Rishi Sunak to extend job support scheme beyond Ju

Coronavirus and furloughed workers: Airlines urge Rishi Sunak to extend job support scheme beyond June

Coronavirus and furloughed workers : Airlines urge Rishi Sunak to extend job support scheme beyond June World Travel & Tourism Council warned that there could be as many as 100 million job losses globally Airlines UK , the industry ’ s representative body , has written to the Chancellor requesting an extension of the job retention scheme , which many have been using to avoid making staff redundant ( Photo : GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty ) Airlines UK , the industry ’ s representative body , has written to the Chancellor requesting an extension of the job retention scheme , which many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redundant while fleets remain grounded .
The scheme is scheduled to run until the end of June , but airlines want it to be extended “ to avoid aviation facing a cliff edge post-June , whilst services are scaled-up ” , the letter said .
The health crisis has already taken a significant toll on the industry , with the World Travel & Tourism Council warning that there could be as many as 100 million job losses globally as a result .
Gloria Guevara , WTTC president and CEO , said : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change in such a short time .
In just the last month alone , our research shows an increase of 25 million in the number of job losses in travel and tourism .
The whole cycle of tourism is being wiped out by the pandemic.
” The crisis is also having a knock-on effect on companies worldwide which supply travel operators .
The boss of Airbus has reportedly told staff the firm was “ bleeding cash ” due to the collapse in demand for air travel .
The chief executive , Guillaume Faury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the company ’ s employees on Friday.According to various reports , he wrote : “ We ’ re bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed , which may threaten the very existence of our company.
” He added that it must “ act urgently ” to survive .
A spokesman for Airbus said that the company did not comment on internal communications .
Airbus rival Boeing pulled out of a $ 4.2bn ( £3,4bn ) deal to buy Embraer ’ s commercial jets division over the weekend as it struggles with coronairus .

Britain’s airlines have called for an extension to the Government’s furlough scheme to beyond June, at the same time as a travel industry body warned that millions of jobs could be lost in the sector due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Airlines UK, the industry’s representative body, has written to the Chancellor requesting an extension of the job retention scheme, which many have been using to avoid making staff redundant while fleets remain grounded.
The scheme is scheduled to run until the end of June, but airlines want it to be extended “to avoid aviation facing a cliff edge post-June, whilst services are scaled-up”, the letter said.
The health crisis has already taken a significant toll on the industry, with the World Travel & Tourism Council warning that there could be as many as 100 million job losses globally as a result.
‘Worrying change’
Gloria Guevara, WTTC president and CEO, said: “This is a staggering and deeply worrying change in such a short time. In just the last month alone, our research shows an increase of 25 million in the number of job losses in travel and tourism. The whole cycle of tourism is being wiped out by the pandemic.” The crisis is also having a knock-on effect on companies worldwide which supply travel operators.
The boss of Airbus has reportedly told staff the firm was “bleeding cash” due to the collapse in demand for air travel.
The chief executive, Guillaume Faury, issued the warning in a letter to the company’s employees on Friday.
According to various reports, he wrote: “We’re bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed, which may threaten the very existence of our company.” He added that it must “act urgently” to survive.
A spokesman for Airbus said that the company did not comment on internal communications.
Airbus rival Boeing pulled out of a $4.2bn (£3,4bn) deal to buy Embraer’s commercial jets division over the weekend as it struggles with coronairus.


inews--2020-04-27--Coronavirus: Downing Street says 'difficult to know' whether 100,000-a-day testing target will be me

Coronavirus: Downing Street says 'difficult to know' whether 100,000-a-day testing target will be met

Coronavirus : Downing Street says 'difficult to know ' whether 100,000-a-day testing target will be met Fewer than 30,000 people being tested each day but PM 's spokesman cautioned that the numbers do have 'significant time lag ' seen on Monday It will be `` difficult to know '' if the coronavirus testing target of 100,000 a day has been hit , the Prime Minister 's spokesman said on Monday just hours after ministers insisted the figure would be met by Thursday .
Fewer than 30,000 people are being tested each day but Downing Street cautioned that the numbers do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often seen on Monday , not reflecting the change over the weekend or the boost from the new testing portal .
All 10,000 home testing kits available on Monday were ordered within an hour and as of 11.30am around 18,000 of the 22,000 testing site slots had gone , the Prime Minister 's spokesman said .
More than 10 million essential workers and their households are now eligible for Covid-19 checks as officials race to hit their 100,000 coronavirus tests a day target by the end of the month .
While home testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , drive-through tests in England and Scotland were both still available .
Earlier on Monday , health minister Edward Argar said people should expect `` dramatic increases '' in the number of people being tested for coronavirus .
Asked if the Government would hit the 100,000 tests figure by the end of the month he told the BBC : `` We 've seen in recent days an exponential increase in the number of tests being made available and we 've increased dramatically the eligibility for them ...
I suspect you will see in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Downing Street 's comments come after a Government scientific adviser said up to 100,000 tests per day could be needed as part of a widespread testing and tracking strategy as the country emerges from lockdown .
Professor Peter Horby , chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group ( Nervtag ) , which is advising ministers , said the Government 's plans to move into tracking and tracing future coronavirus patients would be a `` real logistical challenge '' .
He told the Today programme : `` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be critical as we come out of lockdown .
We will have to be able to test all those people ( declaring via apps that they are displaying symptoms ) and it is really a matter of scale and speed . ''

It will be “difficult to know” if the coronavirus testing target of 100,000 a day has been hit, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said on Monday just hours after ministers insisted the figure would be met by Thursday.
Fewer than 30,000 people are being tested each day but Downing Street cautioned that the numbers do have the “significant time lag” often seen on Monday, not reflecting the change over the weekend or the boost from the new testing portal. All 10,000 home testing kits available on Monday were ordered within an hour and as of 11.30am around 18,000 of the 22,000 testing site slots had gone, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said.
More than 10 million essential workers and their households are now eligible for Covid-19 checks as officials race to hit their 100,000 coronavirus tests a day target by the end of the month.
Downing Street played down expectations that it will be clear whether or not the Government has reached its testing target this week. The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “It’s going to take a little while longer for that to be clear.” He said it will be “difficult” to know on Friday, adding: “For example, home testing kits can take up to 72 hours to get the results for and therefore show up in the numbers.”
While home testing kits were unavailable after 9am on Monday, drive-through tests in England and Scotland were both still available.
‘Dramatic increases’
Earlier on Monday, health minister Edward Argar said people should expect “dramatic increases” in the number of people being tested for coronavirus.
Asked if the Government would hit the 100,000 tests figure by the end of the month he told the BBC: “We’ve seen in recent days an exponential increase in the number of tests being made available and we’ve increased dramatically the eligibility for them… I suspect you will see in the next few days very dramatic increases.”
Downing Street’s comments come after a Government scientific adviser said up to 100,000 tests per day could be needed as part of a widespread testing and tracking strategy as the country emerges from lockdown.
Professor Peter Horby, chairman of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), which is advising ministers, said the Government’s plans to move into tracking and tracing future coronavirus patients would be a “real logistical challenge”.
He told the Today programme: “The test and trace capabilities are really going to be critical as we come out of lockdown. We will have to be able to test all those people (declaring via apps that they are displaying symptoms) and it is really a matter of scale and speed.”